Running Backs

[ahsoisee]

In poring over the team strengths and weaknesses, I see only one area as a place withou many bodies. That is in the offensive backfield.

If you were a football team with your top three quarterbacks returning, you are normally estatic. We have the number one rated quarterback from Ohio in his HS senior year in Camp.

We have the number one rated quarterback from Georgia in his HS senior year in Suggs. We also have the number one rated quarterback from Mississippi in his HS senior year in Bilbo.

Two of these quarterbacks are seniors at Tech with plenty of experience. One is a sophomore and is slated to start. Fellas, that is a good situation to be in.

We now have a quarterback to coach them in Nix, who was good in his own right. Personally, I believe we will have very good quarterback play this year. I think it will be a strength of the team as the year progresses.

I think we are solid on the defense in every position. We do need to build depth at DT as the year progresses.

We have a solid offensive line, very good receivers, and good tight ends. We may have come up with a good blocking back in Matthews.

So, what will the coach do to shore up the running game and make it strong?

P.J. Daniels is a good back. He can play in Division 1 football, but is not the big play back that decides championships.

Ajenavi Eziemefe is the big back, but seems to lack the burst of speed and elusiveness of the game breaker. He is more the short yardage back.

Jimmy Dixon still seems to be a back that has the potential and could suddenly break out of the pack and become a very good one. However, at this time, he is only potential.

Jermaine Hatch appears to be in the same mold of Ezeimefe, but can be effective if 100%.

Rashaun Grant may get early playing time, but is still an unknown in college at this time.

It appears to me there could be some shifting of players from the defense to the offense.

You guys who have seen these players in person may offer some insight into possible changes. Give us a guess as to some that might be changed.

We know Kenny Scott (6-1 175) might come in and offer competition for a defensive backfield spot. Others, who might work their way into backfield competition are Avery Roberson (6-2 190), and Joe Gaston (6-0 200).

It appears possible Reuben Houston (6-0 195) could be freed to try out for a running back spot. Levon Thomas (6-0 195) might be a candidate. Does I-Perfection Harris (5-9 170) have the stamina to play the position? How about Mark Logan (5-11 200)?

Any thoughts?

Father Time

 

[ylojk8]

that's why the loss of sampson hurts so bad. he was a good back and he would have had a good season behind our o-line.

however, if our o-line is healthy, we'll have a good running game.

 

[Axe]

D-line is the big worry spot. We have ONE, I repeat ONE proven I-A DE in Eric Henderson. Gathers is still an unknown, the true frosh Oliver and Anoai will be thrown into battle ready or not.

We have ONE, I repeat ONE proven I-A DT in Travis Parker. Billy, Brezina, Wrotto, and Newberry are all total unknowns.

This could be a big time problem for GT. We will need a lot of luck on the d-line.

 

[mustard]

This would be a good season for a couple of walkons at RB. They would certainly get a look, and what more could you want than a chance? I wish there were some walkon candidates.

PJ is one I believe who now has earned his scholarship. I believe that he is going to do good. After the Spring game, during the mingling time with the players, PJ was standing around with his pads and jersey off, and he did not look like a FB player (if that was in fact him). He had such a baby face. Just goes to show that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Also could explain why he was not heavily recruited out of HS.

 

[Axe]

Sorry I got off topic above. Just really worried about D-Line. I don't see anyone moving to RB. Guys like Logan, Harris, Thomas, etc. are not running backs. Houston will be needed in the secondary. Hatch, Daniels, Grant, ACE, Dixon, and Grant. 3 of these guys will tote the rock this his fall.

 

[jacketguy]

Originally posted by Axe:
D-line is the big worry spot. We have ONE, I repeat ONE proven I-A DE in Eric Henderson. Gathers is still an unknown, the true frosh Oliver and Anoai will be thrown into battle ready or not.

We have ONE, I repeat ONE proven I-A DT in Travis Parker. Billy, Brezina, Wrotto, and Newberry are all total unknowns.

This could be a big time problem for GT. We will need a lot of luck on the d-line.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Excellent post Axe... with the exception of QB.. the defensive line concerns me the most.. I would have felt much better had we been able to retain Hargrove and Malone.. but losing those two will really hurt.. it will be very difficult for a Freshman to contribute along the DL.. not impossible, but very difficult... I have often wondered if we may see alot more 3-4 alignment this year due to the losses along the line.. Charlie Strong had pretty good success with the 3-4 at South Carolina... just a thought...

 

[GTMoney]

If I remember correctly, PJ was actually offered a scholarship to a major program but didn't qualify initially with either his grades or scores, so he walked on at GT. I don't remember what program it was (Stanford maybe?). Anyway, he's certainly got talent and is a tough runner. The UVA game comes to mind, as well as the kick return vs. Wake. I met him in person a couple of times and he seemed very confident in his ability. He will give us some major carries this year.

 

[hiveredtech]

I am generally overly optimistic...but this is what I see this year. Maybe I am just managing my own expectations! :-)

QB- Huge question mark. I say go with the one that has the most potential, most leadership ability, and stands the chance of being the best QB in 2004.

FB- Question mark. We hear that Matthews is the real deal at FB...but do we need him more on the DL now? Our plethora of other FB's have never stepped up...Jackson, Johnson(also a TE), Dixon.

TB- Big-time question marks. Ace does not have the break away speed and has injury problems...tends to run tall. Needs to keep his pads lower. Hatch has to get over his injuries mentally, which has not happened. Daniels is a solid, but not spectacular TB...great guy to have on board though. Can Grant be an every down TB as a true freshman? What if the injury bug hits any one of these four backs?

TE- Here is a position where the first two strings look strong with Foschi and Cooper.

OL- First string great. Second string empty with exception of Tidwell-Neal. We need the youngs kids to step up quickly. We can afford zero injuries here.

DL- What once was our strength is now a weakness after academic problems. Henderson will be special. Can Gathers recover his quickness and stamina?...there is no one to give him a breather. Backups are Chirod and Darius Williams...unproven. Anoai and Oliver will be forced into early action. Auburn could be a long day for these kids.

LB- Our best first string on the team with Fox, Smith, and Wilkinson (hoping he can do it this year). Good backups with Ather Brown and Anyansi...after that we better develop the true freshman (Hall, Wheeler, Moore) because we lose Fox, Smith, and Brown...they are seniors.

DB- Loads of talent here...also some inexperience. Our most talented group ever maybe with Cox, Houston, Davis, Scott, Harris, Landry,
Reis, and Butler. We need to get Roberson on the field and develop some experience there with Butler a Jr. and Burton a senior.

ST- Huge question marks. Burnett beat out scholarship kicker David Jordan in the spring despite the fact that Burnett is 0-8 in his career at FG tries. He can kick the extra point though (100%). Punter is a battle of walk-on's between Andy Thomson (1st string) and Hal Higgins.