Why should we be optimistic last season was a true anomaly that will be fixed?
Why wouldn't you. You have a coach who has one other losing season in his entire career and a staff that won 11 games with all players they recruited. I'm pretty sure they didn't all have strokes and lose their minds suddenly and none of them have checked out either. They played a hard schedule with a bunch of kids and guys not expected to contribute this year, most teams don't win with that. The only teams that are competitive with that many freshmen finish in the top 10 in recruiting each year.
What are the 3 to 5 most pressing priorities to make sure the failures are fixed?
To me the main issues are improving OL depth and competition, AB and WR blocking and defensive line pressure. I think all there of those can be fixed with coaching and development and confidence...
Is there any reason to believe we can improve recruiting (last 2 years were definitely better, but this season has me worried we'll revert to PJ's mean)?
Winning obviously is the biggest cure for recruiting, to me the only issue this year is the lack of OLs and it is a national issue this year and not just a GT one. I mean Patrick Kearns is dead average and he had a freaking FLORIDA offer that was committable, that tells you how thin things are.
Was it just me, or did DCs generally take a much more aggressive approach towards defending our offense this year (e.g., stacking the box, shooting gaps and having the backside OLB sell out in backside pursuit of the play)? If my observation is correct, what can PJ realistically do to counter?
Not having dynamic receivers caused that and the cure is already on the roster with an older Jeune, Stewart and two really talented kids in Harland Howell and Christian Philpott who can stretch the field, that will back off defenders and is what has kept teams from doing that in the past. If they just had either Waller or Smelter this year you wouldn't have seen that stacking of 10 in the box.
Why should we believe OL will be fixed?
I don't have an answer on that, it has been seven years or average to below average performances... I'm not going to mince words.
Why can't we become more multi-dimensional in our approach (i.e., run shot gun, pass the ball and still get under center in our base offensive set)?
PJ is stubborn as hell, that's all I got, he got pissed with the diamond stuff and Vad and has turned his back on it. I think it would help a lot but he won't do it.
I cannot believe our offense is that complicated (if it is, maybe we're overcomplicating) and still think back to the Air Force game and how multi-dimensional they were. Auburn would be another example. Thank you.
What are assistant salaries?
Just search the USAToday database, use google it is your friend.
Will Steven Sylvester be back for his fourth straight year as a grad assistant?
No sure.
Could Rr get more involved with the OL to help sewak maybe make him the full time coach?
Not really he is doing what he can now.
Jaylend Ratliffe update?
Won't know until he gets here in January.
What OLs do we land on signing day?
Don't know...
-More of a what if scenario: If we suddenly switched to a pro-style offense next season what would the starting line-up look like in your opinion?
So I'm guessing you want a 21-personnel look
SE- Jeune
LT- C. Griffin
LG- Brown
C- Burden
RG- Devine
RT- Bryan
TE- Klock
QB- Thomas (I guess)
TB- M. Marshall or Leggett
FB- Weimerskirch
FLK- Philpott
-When we do move away from the triple option when CPJ leaves what is the most likely destination for all of the A-backs? Slot receiver and DB?
Split between slot and RB, some would be third down scat type backs like a MLD. I doubt GT EVER sees a pro-style offense again even when the change happens, it is easier to switch to a spread with the personnel.
-Are there any sort of long term plans for Bobby Dodd Stadium? Do you have any ideas or suggestions on what the new updates might be? Seems like a lot of schools lately are building or updating their stadiums (Oklahoma, Auburn, LSU, A&M, Houston, Baylor).
I haven't heard anything, I would like to see the top deck removed over the Edge and turned into something else.
- You and Whisky have mentioned before that our OL pass blocks differently than any other team. Specifically what do they do that is different and what is the logic behind it?
They don't zone block or straight block, they sort of just turn, it's hard to explain, maybe Whiskey will jump in with a more detailed explaination.
- Is there any chance that CPJ changes scheme given this year's fiasco.
What scheme, offense, hell no, telling Roof to cut the laid back zone, yes.
- For that matter are our overall OL issues, scheme, coaching, talent, all three or what?
Execution and communication are the two biggest issues. What they actually call will work if the guys do it but they can't for some reason. I think there is talent and enough size and skill, just execution sucks.
- I've asked before but will ask again, why won't our big donors pony up more (i know always more, more, more) money specifically to improve coaching and support staff positions/salaries?
They don't have any. There are like five people who give a lot of money and Roof's salary was already subsidized by one.
- How may of them are under 50yrs?
Two that I know of.
- Teixeira and some of the other former players have virtually bankrolled our beesball team. Do our fball alums, especially those w/the zillion dollar contracts support us monetarily? Is that an untapped resource? It seems to me just a few of them could improve the situation dramatically if they were so inclined.
They could but they don't. I watched AJ Green give UGA a million dollars for scholarships for the AA there during a game this year. I don't recall ever seeing that happen here and I don't have an answer other than they don't feel compelled to do so or GT sucks at getting them to give back. I don't know the answer.
- Your impression, does MBob make any effort or have the skills to do the handshaking necessary to get these donations or is his relationship already too cold?
No, he is not D-Rad or a similar style of AD. He is a business manager type rather than a fundraiser. I'm not sure which is needed at GT because I'm not privy to some of those discussions, but the MBob type was what President Bud was looking for.
Next season, we are slated to play against four teams with new Head Football Coaches (Georgia, Miami, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, with only Virginia not having a new Coach named as of yet). How do you rate the new hires, and who do you think will be the best choice for UVA, and the actual choice for them?
Obviously now UVA is filled. Rated 1 to 4
1. MIAMI- Richt high win total but some real underachieving vs schedule and talent level. Interesting Miami would hire someone who got fired for the same reason Al Golden did!
2. UVA- Mendenhall I think he hits the ground running with all that talent London recruited, I am just curious how he will do once those players are gone.
3. UGA- Smart very good recruiter and an interesting personality. It's hard to tell how much of the Bama success was talent and Saban versus how Kirby coached them up.
4. VaTech- Fuente will be really interesting to watch. Keeping Foster is huge and probably the biggest move of all these staffs in terms of a coordinator, but he has really only had success with the one really top level QB. He has the least impressive resume and no connections for recruiting at a place that is tough to recruit to.
What can we expect from the freshmen who were red shirted this season?
There are two key groups that will change dramatically next year the DTs and the WRs. Harland Howell has a chance to be a really special player and Christian Philpott could too with the right attitude toward blocking. The two of them could jump the two starters by the end of next year if those guys don't keep developing. The young DTs will be really fascinating. Kyle Henderson played well down the stretch and has a great motor. Glanton is very skilled, but needs size, Scott Morgan is a high-motor BIG BODY guy who could be a real hoss inside for GT in a year or two.
Where does the Johnson scholly offer stand after the fiasco with the cops?
He doesn't have one despite what he is saying and no schools really interested except a few desperate ones. Kaleb was trouble at Rutgers so I wouldn't hold my breath they take a shot either.
Hearing that the annual JOL luncheon the last week of August is a winner. Would you consider a second such gathering? The day after signing day, for your candid post mortem observations and any guest if you choose?
Chris and I are talking about doing one on NSD. Stay tuned.
In a separate thread I requested that KQ leverage his uniquely excellent relationship with PJ to get an interview focusing solely on "the changes" PJ has vowed to make. Obviously, after some have been made and there's something to talk about. But also to include tactical changes intended (blocking angles, pass pro scheme, countering opponents' new approach against us using "attack and disrupt" more than "read and react") much as Citrus and others talk about in their questions. Common theme: how are we going to ADAPT? Feasible?
Working on it. CPJ is working a lot.
Why wouldn't you. You have a coach who has one other losing season in his entire career and a staff that won 11 games with all players they recruited. I'm pretty sure they didn't all have strokes and lose their minds suddenly and none of them have checked out either. They played a hard schedule with a bunch of kids and guys not expected to contribute this year, most teams don't win with that. The only teams that are competitive with that many freshmen finish in the top 10 in recruiting each year.
What are the 3 to 5 most pressing priorities to make sure the failures are fixed?
To me the main issues are improving OL depth and competition, AB and WR blocking and defensive line pressure. I think all there of those can be fixed with coaching and development and confidence...
Is there any reason to believe we can improve recruiting (last 2 years were definitely better, but this season has me worried we'll revert to PJ's mean)?
Winning obviously is the biggest cure for recruiting, to me the only issue this year is the lack of OLs and it is a national issue this year and not just a GT one. I mean Patrick Kearns is dead average and he had a freaking FLORIDA offer that was committable, that tells you how thin things are.
Was it just me, or did DCs generally take a much more aggressive approach towards defending our offense this year (e.g., stacking the box, shooting gaps and having the backside OLB sell out in backside pursuit of the play)? If my observation is correct, what can PJ realistically do to counter?
Not having dynamic receivers caused that and the cure is already on the roster with an older Jeune, Stewart and two really talented kids in Harland Howell and Christian Philpott who can stretch the field, that will back off defenders and is what has kept teams from doing that in the past. If they just had either Waller or Smelter this year you wouldn't have seen that stacking of 10 in the box.
Why should we believe OL will be fixed?
I don't have an answer on that, it has been seven years or average to below average performances... I'm not going to mince words.
Why can't we become more multi-dimensional in our approach (i.e., run shot gun, pass the ball and still get under center in our base offensive set)?
PJ is stubborn as hell, that's all I got, he got pissed with the diamond stuff and Vad and has turned his back on it. I think it would help a lot but he won't do it.
I cannot believe our offense is that complicated (if it is, maybe we're overcomplicating) and still think back to the Air Force game and how multi-dimensional they were. Auburn would be another example. Thank you.
What are assistant salaries?
Just search the USAToday database, use google it is your friend.
Will Steven Sylvester be back for his fourth straight year as a grad assistant?
No sure.
Could Rr get more involved with the OL to help sewak maybe make him the full time coach?
Not really he is doing what he can now.
Jaylend Ratliffe update?
Won't know until he gets here in January.
What OLs do we land on signing day?
Don't know...
-More of a what if scenario: If we suddenly switched to a pro-style offense next season what would the starting line-up look like in your opinion?
So I'm guessing you want a 21-personnel look
SE- Jeune
LT- C. Griffin
LG- Brown
C- Burden
RG- Devine
RT- Bryan
TE- Klock
QB- Thomas (I guess)
TB- M. Marshall or Leggett
FB- Weimerskirch
FLK- Philpott
-When we do move away from the triple option when CPJ leaves what is the most likely destination for all of the A-backs? Slot receiver and DB?
Split between slot and RB, some would be third down scat type backs like a MLD. I doubt GT EVER sees a pro-style offense again even when the change happens, it is easier to switch to a spread with the personnel.
-Are there any sort of long term plans for Bobby Dodd Stadium? Do you have any ideas or suggestions on what the new updates might be? Seems like a lot of schools lately are building or updating their stadiums (Oklahoma, Auburn, LSU, A&M, Houston, Baylor).
I haven't heard anything, I would like to see the top deck removed over the Edge and turned into something else.
- You and Whisky have mentioned before that our OL pass blocks differently than any other team. Specifically what do they do that is different and what is the logic behind it?
They don't zone block or straight block, they sort of just turn, it's hard to explain, maybe Whiskey will jump in with a more detailed explaination.
- Is there any chance that CPJ changes scheme given this year's fiasco.
What scheme, offense, hell no, telling Roof to cut the laid back zone, yes.
- For that matter are our overall OL issues, scheme, coaching, talent, all three or what?
Execution and communication are the two biggest issues. What they actually call will work if the guys do it but they can't for some reason. I think there is talent and enough size and skill, just execution sucks.
- I've asked before but will ask again, why won't our big donors pony up more (i know always more, more, more) money specifically to improve coaching and support staff positions/salaries?
They don't have any. There are like five people who give a lot of money and Roof's salary was already subsidized by one.
- How may of them are under 50yrs?
Two that I know of.
- Teixeira and some of the other former players have virtually bankrolled our beesball team. Do our fball alums, especially those w/the zillion dollar contracts support us monetarily? Is that an untapped resource? It seems to me just a few of them could improve the situation dramatically if they were so inclined.
They could but they don't. I watched AJ Green give UGA a million dollars for scholarships for the AA there during a game this year. I don't recall ever seeing that happen here and I don't have an answer other than they don't feel compelled to do so or GT sucks at getting them to give back. I don't know the answer.
- Your impression, does MBob make any effort or have the skills to do the handshaking necessary to get these donations or is his relationship already too cold?
No, he is not D-Rad or a similar style of AD. He is a business manager type rather than a fundraiser. I'm not sure which is needed at GT because I'm not privy to some of those discussions, but the MBob type was what President Bud was looking for.
Next season, we are slated to play against four teams with new Head Football Coaches (Georgia, Miami, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, with only Virginia not having a new Coach named as of yet). How do you rate the new hires, and who do you think will be the best choice for UVA, and the actual choice for them?
Obviously now UVA is filled. Rated 1 to 4
1. MIAMI- Richt high win total but some real underachieving vs schedule and talent level. Interesting Miami would hire someone who got fired for the same reason Al Golden did!
2. UVA- Mendenhall I think he hits the ground running with all that talent London recruited, I am just curious how he will do once those players are gone.
3. UGA- Smart very good recruiter and an interesting personality. It's hard to tell how much of the Bama success was talent and Saban versus how Kirby coached them up.
4. VaTech- Fuente will be really interesting to watch. Keeping Foster is huge and probably the biggest move of all these staffs in terms of a coordinator, but he has really only had success with the one really top level QB. He has the least impressive resume and no connections for recruiting at a place that is tough to recruit to.
What can we expect from the freshmen who were red shirted this season?
There are two key groups that will change dramatically next year the DTs and the WRs. Harland Howell has a chance to be a really special player and Christian Philpott could too with the right attitude toward blocking. The two of them could jump the two starters by the end of next year if those guys don't keep developing. The young DTs will be really fascinating. Kyle Henderson played well down the stretch and has a great motor. Glanton is very skilled, but needs size, Scott Morgan is a high-motor BIG BODY guy who could be a real hoss inside for GT in a year or two.
Where does the Johnson scholly offer stand after the fiasco with the cops?
He doesn't have one despite what he is saying and no schools really interested except a few desperate ones. Kaleb was trouble at Rutgers so I wouldn't hold my breath they take a shot either.
Hearing that the annual JOL luncheon the last week of August is a winner. Would you consider a second such gathering? The day after signing day, for your candid post mortem observations and any guest if you choose?
Chris and I are talking about doing one on NSD. Stay tuned.
In a separate thread I requested that KQ leverage his uniquely excellent relationship with PJ to get an interview focusing solely on "the changes" PJ has vowed to make. Obviously, after some have been made and there's something to talk about. But also to include tactical changes intended (blocking angles, pass pro scheme, countering opponents' new approach against us using "attack and disrupt" more than "read and react") much as Citrus and others talk about in their questions. Common theme: how are we going to ADAPT? Feasible?
Working on it. CPJ is working a lot.
