RB's

[Yukonwreck]

yes...he will likely redshirt with five other scholarship guys on roster that can play BB if needed.

Dwyer, Allen, Cox, Kelly, and Watson.

We are starting to see the stockpiling of quality players that we have not seen since Bobby Ross was here. The upside is that we have not had to endure 3-8 seasons to get to this point. Gailey left enough athletes and Johnson has recruited enough to get the redshirt slots filled while maintaining a competive squad on the field. Your statement says it all:
Dwyer, Allen, Cox, Kelly and Watson in uniform with Drummond redshirted. This is just one position and of the five you mentioned, don't all of them have at least another year of eligibilty after 2009? True depth is starting to emerge.

 

[hiveredtech]

We are starting to see the stockpiling of quality players that we have not seen since Bobby Ross was here. The upside is that we have not had to endure 3-8 seasons to get to this point. Gailey left enough athletes and Johnson has recruited enough to get the redshirt slots filled while maintaining a competive squad on the field. Your statement says it all:
Dwyer, Allen, Cox, Kelly and Watson in uniform with Drummond redshirted. This is just one position and of the five you mentioned, don't all of them have at least another year of eligibilty after 2009? True depth is starting to emerge.

We only have 7 scholly seniors on roster next year.

Sedric Griffin
Greg Smith
Dan Voss
Cord Howard
Jason Hill
Brad Sellers
Martin Frierson

Although...juniors that could get NFL pressure are Burnett, Morgan, Dwyer, and Thomas depending on what kind of season they have.

 

[odw]

We only have 7 scholly seniors on roster next year.

Sedric Griffin
Greg Smith
Dan Voss
Cord Howard
Jason Hill
Brad Sellers
Martin Frierson

Although...juniors that could get NFL pressure are Burnett, Morgan, Dwyer, and Thomas depending on what kind of season they have.

I think at least 1 of that group will make the jump, likely Burnett and Dwyer based on their year to year progression thus far. Hopefully they both stay, but I'm honestly not counting on it.

I think Morgan will have a rough year as OL will focus on him with the rest of the DL unproven.

I don't see Thomas getting enough touches to turn many heads, but could be wrong if we get this run and shoot thing going.

 

[hiveredtech]

I think at least 1 of that group will make the jump, likely Burnett and Dwyer based on their year to year progression thus far. Hopefully they both stay, but I'm honestly not counting on it.

I think Morgan will have a rough year as OL will focus on him with the rest of the DL unproven.

I don't see Thomas getting enough touches to turn many heads, but could be wrong if we get this run and shoot thing going.

I think you will be surprised about Derrick Morgan. Daryl Richard will tell you he was the best DL we had last year. He was the #6 DE in the nation per Rivals out of high school and certainly has not disappointed. He also plays the run much better than MJ.

When Derrick does go NFL...he will be a first day pick.

 

[GTLiebs]

As far as juniors leaving for the NFL, we also have to consider loyalty to the team kind of thing. For example, that one BC linebacker who was ACC Defensive Player of the year decided to stay in college after the HC got fired and replaced by DC. Granted that's a more extreme circumstance but it can happen .

edit: Also not sure if Dwyer would go simply because NFL guys might not be completely sold on the option yet, at least from the standpoint of "can this guy play in a pro-style offense?" Of course us folk here would scream yes but just saying they might not agree (besides, it might give us another year with the 'Diesel'.

 

[midatlantech]

As far as juniors leaving for the NFL, we also have to consider loyalty to the team kind of thing. For example, that one BC linebacker who was ACC Defensive Player of the year decided to stay in college after the HC got fired and replaced by DC. Granted that's a more extreme circumstance but it can happen .

edit: Also not sure if Dwyer would go simply because NFL guys might not be completely sold on the option yet, at least from the standpoint of "can this guy play in a pro-style offense?" Of course us folk here would scream yes but just saying they might not agree (besides, it might give us another year with the 'Diesel'.

Huh? Completely sold on the option? They are going to look for speed, size, toughness, blocking ability, catching ability, brains, character. Dwyer excels in just about every dang category. If he has a good junior year, he could stay for the Heisman watch and be a top draft pick in the NFL. If he went pro right now, he'd be a first day pick likely.

 

[JWE37]

edit: Also not sure if Dwyer would go simply because NFL guys might not be completely sold on the option yet, at least from the standpoint of "can this guy play in a pro-style offense?" Of course us folk here would scream yes but just saying they might not agree (besides, it might give us another year with the 'Diesel'.

Scouts will love Dwyer because of his versatility. He can run inside/outside, has an NFL ready body, and is a homerun threat. The only thing that will differ in the pro game is he will:

1) Be in a 2 point stance
2) Pass protect a lot more

Barring injury....JD would be a first day pick if he decides to come out next year.

I think B-backs in our offense will have no problem getting drafted as long as they have great speed.

 

[GTLiebs]

Hey don't get me wrong, I agree with you completely. I'm just mentioning something I had heard. I think the info may be outdated but can't tell. Besides, like I said, "if" it is true, it gives us another year with him :D

 

[stinger78]

I'll guarantee you that most NFL teams will have our program on their short list to watch for future RB's. Just the fact that we use 3 at the time, and really a 4th in the QB position, will attract large numbers of quality RB's as long as CPJ stays around GA Tech. Personally, I think we need to get used to those guys not playing here more than 3 years.

 

[ElTechelero]

I think at least 1 of that group will make the jump, likely Burnett and Dwyer based on their year to year progression thus far. Hopefully they both stay, but I'm honestly not counting on it.

I think Morgan will have a rough year as OL will focus on him with the rest of the DL unproven.

I don't see Thomas getting enough touches to turn many heads, but could be wrong if we get this run and shoot thing going.

IMO, Dwyer is the most NFL-ready right now. He has the complete package. All Burnett needs is get bigger and stronger, easily doable in a year, but some guys struggle with this. On Morgan, I have no idea. I think Thomas will project mid to late rounds for next year, and therefore stay his senior yr & get his degree.

 

[GTLiebs]

IMO, Dwyer is the most NFL-ready right now. He has the complete package. All Burnett needs is get bigger and stronger, easily doable in a year, but some guys struggle with this. On Morgan, I have no idea. I think Thomas will project mid to late rounds for next year, and therefore stay his senior yr & get his degree.

I might disagree slightly in that I think Morgan is as NFL ready as Dwyer and IMO is more likely to leave after next season. As defensive ends go, he played at least as good as Johnson and played with a hell of a lot more attitude and motivation.

 

[hiveredtech]

I will tell you right now what the NFL scouts will question on Dwyer.

....can he read the play as it develops and pick the right path.

In our offense he hits the same gap every darn time and lines up only 4-5 yards behind the line. He just goes...sometime Josh gives him the ball..sometime not. He does get the toss sweep on occasion which helps you look some....but that is essentially just trying to beat people to the edge.

Scouts will wonder how he will do 6-7 yards deep having to read the play, pick the right path, and go.

Ironically, this is what our previous staff was working on him with as a freshman as JD (to use the coaches words) "wants to bounce everything outside".

I am not saying the scouts will be right...I am just telling you what i think they will say.

No one will question his speed, size, work ethic, burst, hands, etc.

 

[wesleyd21]

You guys are nuts if you think we'll see Cox out of the lineup. CPJ will find a way to get that kid in the lineup. Major gamer. I do agree it will be at B-back, if the new guys pick up the position AND CAN BLOCK as well as Cox. Many, many of Dwyer and Jones longest runs were because Cox dished the play side LB. Not to mention, he's a great change of pace back to hand the ball to from time to time, AND.. he's got great hands.

That guy will not be below second string at whatever position he plays.

All of the plays I recall Cox making were when he was at A-back. Name one BIG play (other than his TD run vs Miami when JD was banged up) he made at B-back.

 

[BuzzCzar]

I will tell you right now what the NFL scouts will question on Dwyer.

....can he read the play as it develops and pick the right path.

In our offense he hits the same gap every darn time and lines up only 4-5 yards behind the line. He just goes...sometime Josh gives him the ball..sometime not. He does get the toss sweep on occasion which helps you look some....but that is essentially just trying to beat people to the edge.

Scouts will wonder how he will do 6-7 yards deep having to read the play, pick the right path, and go.

Ironically, this is what our previous staff was working on him with as a freshman as JD (to use the coaches words) "wants to bounce everything outside".

I am not saying the scouts will be right...I am just telling you what i think they will say.

No one will question his speed, size, work ethic, burst, hands, etc.

we need to get T Choice and E Smith to come to spring practice and show him the difference

 

[wesleyd21]

I agree Derrick Morgan will be a 1st day pick one day but probably not until he's done with his Senior year at GT.

I love that guy. he's such a no nonsense type of dude. I've never seen him smile. Never. He wants to kill the opposition...which is very good.

 

[JWE37]

All of the plays I recall Cox making were when he was at A-back. Name one BIG play (other than his TD run vs Miami when JD was banged up) he made at B-back.

What game other than Miami did Cox play B-back?

As I recall Kelly played 2nd string vs Jack St, Duke, and Miss St???? I think Dwyer played every snap the rest of the games except 1 series at VT.

 

[gt02]

What game other than Miami did Cox play B-back?

As I recall Kelly played 2nd string vs Jack St, Duke, and Miss St???? I think Dwyer played every snap the rest of the games except 1 series at VT.

Does anyone know why Kelly stopped getting snaps? I know there were some injury issues. I didn't see enough of him to determine if he was a capable substitute.

 

[ncjacket]

Hey don't get me wrong, I agree with you completely. I'm just mentioning something I had heard. I think the info may be outdated but can't tell. Besides, like I said, "if" it is true, it gives us another year with him :D

GTLeibs, I guess the real question is the source you heard it from. NFL scouts look for football players. An unusual style of offense may make them think about whether a player can adjust, such as a QB who never takes snaps from center. But they raw talent, ability to hit the hole, make people miss or run over tacklers, etc., can be seen in any kind of offense. If the person you heard it from is just another fan, just consider the source. Most of us have no idea what we're talking about.

 

[ncjacket]

Does anyone know why Kelly stopped getting snaps? I know there were some injury issues. I didn't see enough of him to determine if he was a capable substitute.

Some kind of undisclosed injury. He played in 5 games and had 14 carries for the year.

 

[BerryGT]

help me out here, 2 guys i don't know much about is kelly and watson. is my perception that kelly is more of a traditional blocking fullback and watson is a hybrid FB/TB (sort of like Drummond) correct?