1st and Ten –
No Longer Secondarily Important – As the 25,000+ fans
stepped into SBC Park for the Emerald Bowl last season, many of
them probably were expecting a receiver to have a monster game.
It just wasn’t Ute Travis LaTendresse that they expected it
from, especially with Tech’s Calvin Johnson in the house. But,
LaTendresse went ballistic against a confused and, often, out of
place secondary, to the tune of 16 catches for 214 yards and
four touchdowns. Wow. The great Keith Jackson, former
All-American tight end at Oklahoma, struggled to catch that many
balls in one season. Okay, so hyperbole aside, the performance
of the Utes passing game should have Jon Tenuta a tad bit leery
coming into the 2006 season. The Yellow Jackets lose three of
the four starters from the secondary, returning only Kenny Scott
to his starting corner position. After what Utah did to the
2005 secondary, maybe that’s a good thing. Although the Jacket
secondary got torched in the Emerald Bowl, they were in the top
25 in pass efficiency defense behind the zone blitz heavy
defensive scheme Tenuta runs in the ATL. So, the half empty
side of life might think that the ACC passing attacks are going
to be licking their chops to get after this foursome. The half
full side of life knows that the combination of Tenuta’s
scheme/game plan and the young talent in the secondary will be
just fine in due time. As long as some guy named LaTendresse
isn’t headed to Atlanta any time soon.
2nd and Seven –
“Let me ask you a question, Coxie, why do you play college
hockey, errr, football?” – When do fullbacks get any love?
Well, how about now? Mike Cox, the Yellow Jackets 245 pound
bruiser, is one of the best, if not the best, blocking fullbacks
in college football. He leads the way in the Jackets power game
and blows up linebackers like Wile E. Coyote does himself on
Road Runner. With former Elsik High School star RB PJ Daniels
off to the NFL this fall, the assumption is that the Jacket
running game would be on the down swing. Uh, no. With all five
linemen back in the fold and Cox leading the way, the Yellow
Jackets’ may have the best running game in the ACC, even without
Daniels. Cox is so important to this offense with how well he
blocks, and how well he runs the ball, wait, he doesn’t. Oh
well, that’s okay, his tailbacks know full well how important
Cox is to their performance. By the way, Coach, give the kid
the ball. Just once. Maybe?
3rd and Three –
That’s Joe A-no-ai, three syllables, one underrated player –
When you watched Georgia Tech’s defense the last two years, one
of the best names in college football “A-no-ai” came up early
and often. Although he wasn’t, and isn’t, as heralded as other
higher profile tackles in the league, Joe Anoai is quick and is
one of the most active defensive tackles in the ACC, when
healthy. He struggled last year with an ankle injury in the
second half of the season, but he’s back this year to be a force
in the middle, providing leadership for a relatively
inexperienced defense.
4th and One –
One Last Shot – The career of Reggie Ball has mirrored that
of another Reggie, former Texas A&M QB Reggie McNeal. As a
freshman, full of potential. Growing pains as a sophomore.
Equal parts brilliance and inconsistency as a junior. Erratic
and frustr, wait, that’s where the comparisons have to end for
Ball. McNeal’s senior season was a distinct disappointment, but
for the Yellow Jackets to make any noise this season, Ball has
to be perfect. Not perfect as in 16 for 16 for 300 yards and 3
touchdowns every game. But, perfect in his decision making.
Perfect in his ability to manage the game. Perfect at being a
strong leader in the huddle. It’s not about being a stat sheet
stuffer – Ball has to be greater, and more perfect, than that.
Having a receiver like Calvin Johnson helps Ball immensely and
don’t forget how important those five experienced offensive
linemen are to helping Ball keep his jersey clean. McNeal fell
victim to things that shouldn’t take down Ball – no go-to
receiver, poor line and no running game. However, Ball still
needs to be the proverbial straw stirring the GT offensive
drink. Stirring and stirring and stirring until a New Year’s
Day bowl game develops.