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Tech’s grades after two games

A-backs/B-backs...It’s hard to run if the blocking isn’t there, and it’s hard for your colleagues to run if you’re not blocking. There have been too many dropped passes by A-backs. Still, this is a really good group of players and it shows. Grade: B+.

QB...I believe that Josh Nesbitt is much, much better than what he has shown thus far. He put the ball on the ground against JSU and was awful throwing the ball against Clemson. For someone who came from a passing offense, he got nothing on the ball Thursday night. His reads weren’t always great on the option, either. I like the clutch play in the fourth quarter, though. We haven’t seen too much of Tevin Washington or Quentin Sims. Grade: D.

Receivers...It’s hard to tell, because not a lot has been there for them to catch. Bebe Thomas had a great catch to set up the winning FG Thursday, and generally, the blocking has been solid from this group. Grade: B-.

Line...The blocking has to get 1000 times better right now. Assignments are being missed, blocks are not being sustained, and cut blocks don’t look as efficient as they need to be. The line looked tired against Clemson. I know the Tiger DL was great, but Tech only had the ball something like 8 plays in the first quarter, so why was the OL looking tired in the second? Grade: C-.

 

Line...Derrick Morgan gets an A. Everyone else gets a C-. Why? No one else has stepped up and gotten it done with any regularity, if at all. It’s as simple as that.

LB...Julian Burnett is a beast. If you haven’t noticed, then watch #40. The rest of the unit is playing OK...I just think we’re all still spoiled by the play Tech has had at this position in years past. There has been solid, if not spectacular, performance from this group so far. Sedric Griffin must not be any fun when he loses at Yahtzee, I’ll tell you that.  Grade: B-.

Secondary...Too many big plays, too many yards given up, too much cushion to opposing WRs. Example: The TD pass to Jacoby Ford should have been an INT with two Tech players in the neighborhood. Tech is allowing 227 ypg through the air. Not good.   I know more DL pressure would help, but being 69^th in the nation in pass efficiency defense will not win you a conference title. Grade: C-.

*Note* When you’re 67^th in total defense, and one of your opponents is an FCS team with its backup QB, that’s not good.

 

Kicking/Punting...Scott Blair made us shake our heads yet again in week one, missing a FG and a PAT. Granted, the snap on the PAT was bad. However, Blair was terrific against Clemson, going 3-for-3 on field goals, including the game-winner. He needs to stop kicking the ball out of bounds on kickoffs, though. Punter Chandler Anderson has GOT to get the ball out of there faster, or else multiple blocked punts loom. I think Blair’s pass on the fake field goal is still hanging up in the air. Grade: B.

Returns... Punt returns have been almost excellent. Why almost, you ask? I know Tarrant has been electric, boogie-woogie-woogie-ing his way to two TDs. However, he has fair-caught the ball in situations where he had plenty of running room. I don’t get that. I know the coaches can’t be telling him to do it, could they? If they are, the coaching grade is going down. Still, I’m thrilled to see someone who can take it to the house on every return. Kick returns, however, have been the lab partner who shows up late and spends the whole class on Facebook. 21.44 yards per return isn’t gonna get it done. The wedge is not working. Grade: B+ (because of the TDs).

Coverage...Ugh. I know C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are fast, but I don’t like seeing players behind the returner and out of their lanes. Scott Blair shouldn’t be making tackles, either. Grade: C-.

 

Don’t get me wrong...I have as much respect and admiration for Paul Johnson as any human being on the planet. I think he is the perfect coach for Georgia Tech. I love that he changed to the midline option in the fourth quarter against Clemson to counteract those two monster DEs who were schooling the Tech O-line. The fake field goal was a work of art, and I won’t second-guess coach’s play-calling, lest he show up at my office and make me run suicides until I puke. Still, I am concerned about the flat performance (read: lack of intensity) against Jacksonville State and the way the team seemed to take its foot off the gas after jumping out to a big lead over Clemson. This ultimately falls on the coaching staff and its ability to keep the players motivated. Johnson commented after several preseason practices that the team wasn’t intense enough, so maybe whatever he has tried isn’t working. The apparent lack of killer instinct and focus will get the Jackets beat sooner rather than later. Grade: B (until I see Tech play 60 minutes).

 

Overall, this still has the potential to be a great season. Let’s not forget that Tech is 2-0, and has already proven it can come from behind in the fourth quarter. Tech will get better as the season goes on, but so will everyone else, so there’s a lot of work to be done. Maybe I’m being too demanding, but expectations have changed around here. Coach Johnson’s personality and approach to the game have truly permeated the fanbase, and that’s a good thing. Tech fans are passionate about football once again.  Now, about those empty seats...