Munson to CMR – suddenly, we ended up in a way. We had to make a couple of big
plays or we could’ve been in bad shape. CMR remembered that PAT we missed just
before halftime after we scored to go up 16-0. We just came out asleep in the
second half. Made some foolish penalties that could’ve ended a Tech drive. Greene
coming off the bench gave us a boost on our last drive, which forced them to
have to score a TD at the end.
Greene should be able to play in a bowl (cracked bone in thumb). Gibson
(hip pointer) should be fine in a short amount of time. Those are painful
but usually short-lived; he should be fine when bowl practice starts. Ware could
play but might need some protection on his hand (broken bone) that could
cause problems. Jeremy Thomas got poked in the eye and it was swollen almost
shut. He should be fine soon though. Minter and Sean Bailey both sprained ankles
but fought through.
The defense got put into the one situation where we didn’t give them much field
position. Then we fumbled the kickoff and we couldn’t hold. But we were 4-4
on 4th down stops.
The seniors celebrated in the locker room. It was a great team victory. We don’t
look a gift horse in the mouth. We got the victory and that’s what we really
wanted. Lots of people may not even remember the score in a few days; they’ll
just remember we won.
Greg in Gainesville wanted to know if we recruited Reggie Ball. As best as CMR
remembers, when Ball came out, we had signed Joe T and did not think we’d take
another QB that year. Greg started to make a joke about how Reggie could get
into a college and got cut off.
Murray in Rex – Greene saved our whatchamacallit last night. CMR said Greene
wanted to come in earlier, but Greene said he couldn’t take a snap under center
and couldn’t throw deep. But we finally went with him and put together enough
of a drive for Coutu to kick that very important FG.
Phillip in Cleveland, GA – asked what CMR thought of an off. coord., and what
he thinks of our bowl prospects. CMR pleased with Calloway as OC & not certain
about bowl game. Everyone seems to think it's Tampa, but CMR says he hears
the Cotton is still interested as well.
Steve (car phone) – do we think anyone will enroll early? CMR says there
are a couple of guys we signed last year who might but anyone else is still
considered a recruit so he can’t mention names.
A number of callers discussed the QB situation going into next year. A summary
of Richt’s answers to various questions: We’re not sure about playing a #2 QB
next year, but CMR thinks it is a good idea in general, just in case that guy
is needed to help win a game sometime. Right now Joe T is the #2 QB but there
is competition there. Barnes throws a nice ball and is learning the offense
well, given the amount of work he gets. He’ll get a chance in the spring to
complete for PT.
CMR would be surprised if anyone knocked Shockley out of the starting QB spot
going into next season. While people have seen what they see, the coaches see
DJ in practice every day. It is hard to come in and run an offense not designed
to your skills. Once a guy knows he’s the starter, he usually settles down and
Richt expects DJ to do that next season. There is no reason for anyone to be
alarmed and CMR expects DJ to have an outstanding senior year.
Richt also remembers working with Charlie Ward at FSU, when he threw 12 INTs
in 4 games. He was making good decisions but throwing it a little too hard sometimes.
They he suddenly settled down and became one of the most decorated players ever
in college football. CMR expects the same thing with DJ. DJ deserves the respect
and patience he’s given everyone else.
CMR can still remember some FSU fans booing Charlie Ward, and can’t believe
it even to this day, especially when that can hurt recruiting and the program
overall. Plus Ward was such a great guy himself and for the team.
Andy in Gainesville thinks this is the year of the walk-on, citing Tra Battle’s
big play and Coutu’s FG, and a walk-on on the kickoff team named Andrew Williams.
CMR says he is doing a good job there and might have a chance if both safeties
don’t come back.
Jamie (car phone) thanked CMR for everyone keeping their composure and
asked about Reggie Ball losing track of downs at the end (Jamie didn’t watch
the game). CMR thinks what happened was Reggie thought it was 2nd down when
they were spiking the ball, though their coaches knew it was 3rd .. they needed
to spike the ball to stop the clock anyway. On the next play, Reggie was being
pressured by Pollack and threw the ball away because he thought he needed to
save time. When he saw the clock showing 2nd down when he spiked it, that’s
where the mistake was made.
Brent asked about leaders for next year. CMR mentioned T. Davis, Odell, Golston
and Anderson. It also looks like Will Thompson is coming back. On offense, MJG
leads the OL and Leonard Pope is starting to become a leader. Also, everyone
respects Shockley.
We’ve put Pope in position to jump for FGs but have backed off because of the
new rule about jumping and them landing on the pile. (
my note – that’s
the call that cost LSU their game vs. Auburn)
We don’t like anyone doing anything to get a penalty, but do want them playing
hard and with emotion. When the ball is snapped, play extremely hard until the
whistle blows. We did a few things CMR wasn’t pleased with but it didn’t cost
us the ball game. We’ll work with the guys on that when we get back together.
Jeff in Norcross – curious about punishment for taking off helmet after a great
play, and wondered about Tech trying to go to their great WR and any strategy.
About the helmet, it got jarred loose. But he shouldn’t have taken it off and
when you start celebrating afterwards you’re in trouble.
CMR thinks the defense did the right thing strategically in the game; we held
them to about 160 or so yards. They never got much of a running game going;
we were doing things to disrupt that and force them to throw. We did end up
doing a great job and if not for the field position, may have shut them out.
Both Davids played outstanding games. Greene didn’t have a big night in terms
of stats, but coming back and leading.
Jill in Hoschton wondered about emotions for Greene & Pollack; she knows
how emotional she was. CMR was at the end of the tunnel of players coming through
.. he thinks Pollack was really choked up. Those guys care a lot for each other
and have been good buddies for a long time. But the time for that camaraderie
is about up unless they get drafted by the same NFL team, even though they'll
be friends for life. They’ll enjoy this last hurrah at the bowl game.
Dave in Sylvester thinks Greene and DJ handled the QB situation with grace and
style. Shockley wouldn’t have so many problems if the OL would stand up and
block better for him and so we could run the ball. The pass protection was generally
good but sometimes receivers weren’t able to get open. There was a time or two
DJ could’ve hit an outlet and avoided a deep sack. He has improved greatly though
he regressed this game. We’re also looking for more linemen for this recruiting
class.
Joe in McDonough – also thinks DJ has played very well in general. Even though
some of us fans griped, it has worked out well overall. Joe also wants to start
the campaign to have 14 & 47 retired. CMR thinks retiring those numbers
would be great, considering the records they broke, and doing it together would
be very fitting. Munson remarked that maybe one of them would make so much money
in the NFL that he could pay for getting an indoor practice facility built.
CMR plans to talk to some juniors about the draft sometime between now and bowl
practice. He had hoped to do it this past week but did not want to do anything
to disrupt preparation for the Tech game.
In closing, CMR thanked those fans who stuck it out in the second half last
night.
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