worthco jacket
Georgia Tech Fan
- Messages
- 79
- Location
- Albany, Georgia
Excellent points. In the timeless tradition of Tech fans everywhere I will offer a rebuttal that is typically found anyplace Tech fans gather:Because negative Tech fan is negative. Last year, after three games, there were otherwise perfectly sensible people pondering whether the bowl streak would continue. I don't know if this happens with other teams, but a very noticeable and loud portion of the Tech fanbase is always 100% convinced that the worst case scenario will come to pass. Will the offense regress? Probably, although it's possible to regress and still be the best offense in the country. Will the defense improve? It almost has to, and while yes, 108th to 107th would be a technical improvement, I don't think that's the most likely scenario. It's ok to believe that the team is good, people.
Schedule: This year will be challenging. However, I think we got a break in having it weigh more heavily to the end. True, Notre Dame in the third week is daunting. If this team gets 9 wins it would be a nice surprise
B Backs: It will be difficult to replace the two headed tandem of Laskey and Days. Their timing on the mesh with JT was something to behold. When Laskey went down, Days played his best ball of the year. They were constantly picking each other up on the sidelines. Great teamwork. Good gracious, I am going to miss them. Can the freshmen step up? Big shoes to fill here
A Backs: Four of the top 6 are gone. Someone check my arithmetic. Good players that each found a niche. Albany's own, Tony Zenon with the good hands and hard running on the outside. Charles Perkins, a man among boys, fighting through injuries, disappointment, but coming up big his senior year. Hill. Enough cannot be said about this man's courage. Fighting through a disease. Did everyone see him get first downs against Georgia with little room to run? Making timely blocks. Great way to finish the drill. Bostic. Four star bust some said. Time to eat crow. Good receiver, great blocking down the stretch. Catch that block he laid on a linebacker in the Orange Bowl to spring JT for a touchdown. Outstanding senior year. All good players and NO problems from any of them.
Wide outs: This is the one that worries me. Both Smelter and Waller were the kind of guys other players would point to and say: "Look at the size of that (expletive deleted)" They had presence and a certain swagger that automatically commanded respect. They kept defensive coordinators up at night and caused defensive backs to wake up from nightmares in a cold sweat. Most of all they were JT's security blanket and were great blockers. I, for one, greatly appreciate their willingness to do the dirty work while only getting a few touches a game. Can we replace them?
Shaq: Continuing a Georgia Tech tradition of great guards and centers going all the way back to Bill Curry, Jim Breland, in Dodd's time to Uzzi, in Johnson's time. It is going to be hard to replace him. I know, the "Big Guy" has the tools but Shaq had that something about him that made him a formidable opponent and a great team leader. We will see.
Defense: Losing a good player at all three levels. IJ saved the best for last. A timely interception against Miami, big hits all season long culminating with the hit at the Georgia game for the fumble. Another guy that had his share of critics but no one's talking now. Will miss his leadership. Shawn Green: finally got on the field for good. Another player who heard his share of criticism amid talk of big time bust. Played through the pain and injuries to show Tech fans what he could do. Great job on the interior combining strength, quickness and smarts. Neeley: Going to miss him big time. Always seemed to be in the right place such as the fumble for six against NC State. Sacks, interceptions, fumbles caused and recovered and tackles he did it all. Some questioned his speed but no one would question his heart and desire.
Such is the nature of college football. Players come and they go. Leaving fans with memories, heartbreak some times but always an appreciation for their character, desire, and athletic ability. As always, Next Man UP! There are opportunities to be had here for players to step up and show what they can do be they freshmen or red shirts.