Taking a midseason look at Tech

To label Georgia Tech’s 2003 football season thus far as “erratic” would be a grand understatement. The Jackets may very well be the most unpredictable team in the entire country. How can a team that looked so formidable and played with so much passion and fire against the likes of Auburn, Florida State and N.C. State, look so discombobulated and flat in a 39-3 pasting at the hands of Clemson and a lackadaisical 24-17 overtime squeaker versus lowly Vanderbilt?

There are many possible answers. First, Tech is starting a true freshman at the most demanding position in the game for the first time in decades.

Second, Tech’s offense is overseen by its head coach, Chan Gailey, with substantial input contributed by running game coordinator Patrick Nix and passing game coordinator Buddy Geis. Such an offensive game plan, with multiple coaches having a decided amount of say, can be difficult to grasp and execute at times. The Jackets’ offense has stagnated far too frequently through the first six games.

Third, this is a young, thin team. The Jackets have virtually no depth on the offensive or defensive line of scrimmage, and that is where games are ultimately won and lost. The depth issue on the d-line was exposed in all three losses. All things considered, Tech’s iron man defense has more than held its own and if games were 50 minutes long instead of 60 Tech would be 4-2 at this juncture and possibly ranked in the Top 25.

Offense:

If Reggie Ball’s performance last Saturday is any indication of things to come, the Jackets should be in good shape the remainder of the year. A Tech offense predicated on pounding the football with its running game finally decided to open things up against the Wolfpack. Ball responded, completing 24 of 37 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, all career bests, in Tech’s 29-21 upset victory. Gailey granted Ball the freedom to check off to passing plays at the line of scrimmage versus N.C. State, and the freshman looked the most comfortable he has all season long. Look for much of the same for the remainder of the season, as the Jackets will take calculated risks and grant Ball the autonomy to make decisions after reading the defense.

Senior wideout Jonathan Smith has been Ball’s favorite target thus far. The 5'11” playmaker has had a fantastic year, registering 33 catches for 531 yards and a touchdown. Junior Nate Curry has hauled in 22 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown, including a huge 54 yard reception on Tech’s first play from scrimmage against Auburn, which set the tone for the entire game. Keep an eye on Damarius Bilbo for the remainder of the season.

Sophomore P.J. Daniels has been the Jackets’ workhorse in the running game. The former walk-on has 448 yards on 113 carries, the bulk of which have been from toss sweeps and off-tackle plays, and has crossed the goal line three times in Tech’s first six games.

Those are not bad numbers, but Tech could stand to incorporate the option attack more into the offensive game plan as the dangerous Ball continues to mature. Giving sophomores “Ace” Eziemefe and Chris Woods more touches could help open things up, as they may provide a bit more of a burst than Daniels. Daniels is the unquestioned starter, but mixing things up could keep opposing defenses off balance.

An offensive line believed to be one of the nation’s best prior to the season has struggled mightily. Pass protection has been porous. Ball has been sacked 19 times and forced out of the pocket far too much, even though his improvisational skills have saved Tech on a couple of occasions. Furthermore, the line is not exactly blowing open huge holes for Tech’s backs to run through. The blocking schemes will need to be reevaluated throughout the remainder of the season.

It is incumbent upon the Jackets to stick with the offensive scheme that was so effective last Saturday. Continued showings like the one versus N.C. State will allow the Jackets to improve upon an abysmal 16.5 points per game and 288.3 yards per game, numbers that are due in large part to the conservative approach taken the first five games.

Offensive Grade: C

Defense:

Tech’s run defense has been absolutely spectacular. Tech is surrendering only 86.2 yards per game on the ground and has given up five rushing touchdowns. Credit veteran linebackers Keyaron Fox and Daryl Smith, as well as Tech’s defensive backs for their aid in run support. Coach Jon Tenuta’s defensive scheme has been largely effective from a run standpoint.

The pass defense is another story. Tech is yielding 242.2 yards per game via the pass and has surrendered nine touchdowns. Tech’s athletic but smallish corners are susceptible to vertical passing games in which they are forced into man coverage. While Tech may not be able to compensate for height discrepancies, something absolutely must be done schematically to rectify the coverage schemes. The gigantic cushions given to N.C. State’s receivers last Saturday were inexplicable and were momentum-killers for a rush defense that played superbly on first and second downs. Inserting Dennis Davis and Chris Reis in nickel packages has helped and will need to be more frequently employed.

Defensive Grade: B

Special Teams:

This unit has been the most pleasant surprise of the season so far. What was largely considered the biggest question mark for this Tech team prior to the season, the play of the special teams has been outstanding to date. Senior Dan Burnett is 10 for 13 on field goal attempts and 9 for 10 on PATs. Fellow senior Hal Higgins is averaging 38.8 yards per punt. His longest punt thus far was 52 yards. Five of his punts have been downed inside the 20. The Jackets have successfully converted two fake punts for first downs, blocked a punt for a touchdown versus BYU and recovered a fumbled kickoff against N.C. State. Freshman Kenny Scott nearly returned a kickoff for a touchdown last week before being hauled down at the 10 following a 90 yard runback.

Special Teams Grade: A

Coaching:

Even though Tech recorded wins over Auburn and Vanderbilt and played exceptionally well in Tallahassee versus Florida State, the game plans had been decidedly unimaginative and ineffective from an offensive standpoint prior to last week. Give coach Chan Gailey credit for his loose offensive attack utilized against the Wolfpack.

The use of the option and stacked receiver formations kept the N.C. State defense off balance all game long. The decision to turn sensational Ball loose brings hope that the offensive shortcomings are a thing of the past. Tech fans are hoping that last week will mark the end of the Jackets’ enigmatic performance in 2003.

Coaching Grade: C+

Bottom Line:

Despite the hand Tech was dealt prior to the season, the Jackets have shocked most of their critics through six games in 2003. The majority of preseason media outlets predicted that the Wreck would finish anywhere from seventh to dead last in the nine-team ACC, meaning perennial doormat Duke was expected to leapfrog the Jackets in the minds of some of the “experts.” Having emerged from a murderous six-game stretch with their heads safely above water, the 3-3 Jackets (1-2 ACC) look to prove that the first half of the season was no fluke, and extend their impressive postseason streak to eight years.