Tons of talk and text all about JT, and every bit of it isn`t enough. The kid deserves all the praise he can get. But unlike any of the offenses CPJ has put on the field since his arrival on the flats, THIS one, 2015, has more variety and more ways to score than any of its predecessors.
Last season our big running game was essentially done with two big power runners with essentially the same style and speed, which defenses could attempt to stop with essentially the same defense. Our quarterback had lots of ways to gain ground and score - except on the goal line as we saw in Athens. Our Aback attack, as usual, cranked out a lot of perimeter yardage, dependent on excellent blocking, but not a whole lot of speed, without Snoddy.
This year it appears that we have several types of very good runners at BBack. Our transfer from Stanford, Patrick Skov came out of his shell this past weekend and showed an attractive, though not ultra fast, running style with LOTS of power - very similar apparently to last year`s style. But, and this was a real surprise, true freshman Marcus Marshall has returned the BBack role to the Dwyer-Allen style of speed, which we haven`t seen since 2010. So the defense NOW has to prepare for TWO kinds of BBacks, which we can change on a dime - quite confusing I should think, for some tired linebackers and safeties.
Now, my hope for another style of player to further confuse the opposition. Last season Justin suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter against Duke. We were behind and not playing well at all. And it was perhaps the worst defense played by Tech all year. Instead of substituting Tim Byerly for the injured JT, Paul Johnson kept the injured Justin in the game for it seemed like a dozen three and outs, with Duke seemingly scoring at will.
Finally, with Tech down A LOT - seemed like three or four scores, I don`t remember exactly, Johnson puts in Tim Byerly , and it was like MAGIC. The kid takes us for two touchdowns and was close to going ahead when time ran out and we lost by six points.
Johnson has never publicly mentioned this to my knowledge, but surely he remembers it and learned that this Number 18 is not cripple nor dumb. In fact he could play a significant part in our hopeful run to the ACCCG. The table is set for Tim Byerly to take a share of scoring touchdowns and not just in mop-up situations.
Surely, Paul recognizes Tim`s value on the goal line. I think every Tech fan who was watching the Georgia game was hoping Byerly would go in to take it that last yard for a TD. It`s time for Tim to take a REAL role in this team`s fortunes, and I only hope Paul or Brian Cook or somebody, can give this kid a chance - not so much for his sake, but for the sake of this team.
Maybe when we get up a couple of TDs on Notre Dame, he will put Tim in, if for no other reason than to rest Justin. Tim is a big boy and has poise and the ability to run the offense. And the more he plays, the BETTER the TEAM will get.
Last season our big running game was essentially done with two big power runners with essentially the same style and speed, which defenses could attempt to stop with essentially the same defense. Our quarterback had lots of ways to gain ground and score - except on the goal line as we saw in Athens. Our Aback attack, as usual, cranked out a lot of perimeter yardage, dependent on excellent blocking, but not a whole lot of speed, without Snoddy.
This year it appears that we have several types of very good runners at BBack. Our transfer from Stanford, Patrick Skov came out of his shell this past weekend and showed an attractive, though not ultra fast, running style with LOTS of power - very similar apparently to last year`s style. But, and this was a real surprise, true freshman Marcus Marshall has returned the BBack role to the Dwyer-Allen style of speed, which we haven`t seen since 2010. So the defense NOW has to prepare for TWO kinds of BBacks, which we can change on a dime - quite confusing I should think, for some tired linebackers and safeties.
Now, my hope for another style of player to further confuse the opposition. Last season Justin suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter against Duke. We were behind and not playing well at all. And it was perhaps the worst defense played by Tech all year. Instead of substituting Tim Byerly for the injured JT, Paul Johnson kept the injured Justin in the game for it seemed like a dozen three and outs, with Duke seemingly scoring at will.
Finally, with Tech down A LOT - seemed like three or four scores, I don`t remember exactly, Johnson puts in Tim Byerly , and it was like MAGIC. The kid takes us for two touchdowns and was close to going ahead when time ran out and we lost by six points.
Johnson has never publicly mentioned this to my knowledge, but surely he remembers it and learned that this Number 18 is not cripple nor dumb. In fact he could play a significant part in our hopeful run to the ACCCG. The table is set for Tim Byerly to take a share of scoring touchdowns and not just in mop-up situations.
Surely, Paul recognizes Tim`s value on the goal line. I think every Tech fan who was watching the Georgia game was hoping Byerly would go in to take it that last yard for a TD. It`s time for Tim to take a REAL role in this team`s fortunes, and I only hope Paul or Brian Cook or somebody, can give this kid a chance - not so much for his sake, but for the sake of this team.
Maybe when we get up a couple of TDs on Notre Dame, he will put Tim in, if for no other reason than to rest Justin. Tim is a big boy and has poise and the ability to run the offense. And the more he plays, the BETTER the TEAM will get.
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