Monday, August 15, 2005

Football Scrimmage Notes

Well, from reading the stories about Saturday's scrimmage, here are some takeaways:


1. Generally speaking, the offense played better than the defense. The defense did make some solid plays though, including two sacks by Darrell Robertson, which is encouraging................


2. The running game looks outstanding. Combined, all backs rushed for 192 yards and 5 TD's........... Daniels ran for 111 yards, including a 70 yard burst on the first play. Much of the rest of the success running came on the 2nd team defense, which shows a possible lack of depth there (maybe). If the O-Line is not playing great, but you backs are running VERY well, then either the defense is struggling, or the backs are just WAY above average. Choice had 49 yards and a TD (8 carries), Woods rushed 12 times for 32 yards, but most of that came against the first team defense.


3. The O-Line played ok at times, but not great, even though you would think so with the outstanding RB play. Gailey didn't have much good to say about them "None of our young linemen are playing very well at all," Gailey said. "So I don't see any help there. They don't know their assignments." Remember that Rhodes and now McManus are injured.


4. Reggie Ball did ok, not great, going 6-19 with 2 TD's (1 running). All QB's got in the action, including J.Garner, who played his best ball. "Everybody told us he was a 'gamer,' but he did some nice things out there. I was impressed with him," said Gailey, who brought up Garner's production unprompted, a rarity for the head coach. "I'm really encouraged about where he can be some day," Gailey said. "He hadn't showed it in practice. Under the lights, he showed up." ..................Only one INT was thrown on the day, picked off by Joe Gaston.


5. The young receivers, Greg Smith and Martin Frierson, are impressing coaches. Xavier McGuire and Patrick Clark were nursing small injuries, which gave Smith a chance to shine. He did, catching 7 passes for 95 yards, most from Garner. Frierson had 2 catches for 22 yards. D-Bo had 4 catches for 39 yards and TE M.Matthews caught 3 passes for 48 yards. That's certainly encouraging from a TE perspective.


INJURY NOTES: David Brown just has not made that "next step" as Coach Gailey puts it, after recovering from being sick in the spring. Just not enough practice and playmaking to get him to 2nd team D-Line yet..................... Patrick Clark & Xavier McGuire were banged up and did not play.................... Matt Rhodes and Nate McManus didn't play on the O-Line. Rhodes is likely to be out at least another week...................... DJay Jones should be back at practice on Monday.......................


Quote of the week, from Coach Gailey, on the healthy return of Dennis Davis:



Without Davis, Tech would have to start an unproven and inexperienced
underclassman at corner. Gailey said he is just as excited about Davis' return
now as Davis' father was several months ago. "We have a starter instead of
having to look to plug somebody in there," Gailey said. "God looks after idiots
and children, and I'm no child."


GT NOTEBOOK
DANIELS WORKING FOR INJURY FREE SEASON
DANIELS CONTINUES HIS ASCENT (Great Article)
CHOICE ADDS DEPTH
DANIELS HIGHLIGHTS SCRIMMAGE
GT NOTEBOOK - TRAVIS BELL ARTICLE
DAVIS HEALTHY, READY TO CONTRIBUTE
BELL SHOWS PLENTY OF LEG


Auburn is not the only team preparing for Georgia Tech right this moment, since UNC actually opens up with the Jackets as well...............