Wreck Ramblin

GT Fan advisory board for the GTAA?

On the Hive, GTadvocate proposes a Georgia Tech Fan advisory board for the AA.

A number respond that they're willing to participate.

Let's see how far this goes?  We'll check back later.

Suggestion (suggested numerous times before) in the continuation.

Attitude technique

ESPN's columnist Bill Curry (previous GT and Alabama coach) writes about attitude [LINK].

The loudest fan group of all (I didn't say the largest, just the most vociferous), the ones I call the "Fellowship of the Miserable," will go beyond laughter. They are the purveyors of ridicule and dissension, and enjoy compensating for their own insecurities by belittling anyone who attempts great things.

The bottom line is that as understanding combines with positive attitude, habitual behavior changes. Complaints, alibis and finger-pointing give way to unselfish work at practice and 60 minutes of effort on Saturday. The end result is a team that will never quit. Never. Will every game be a win? No, but every game is a good shot at a win, and that excites everyone.

Audio of Weekly ACC teleconference

The full audio of the 9/28 ACC weekly teleconference can be downloaded from the ACC SITE.

Chan Gailey's comments & Q&A start at 45:28. Coach Amato's start at 1:25:17. Coach Beamer starts at 1:46:25.

The News & Observer [LINK] provides audio clips from the ACC weekly teleconference, including three by NCSU coach Chuck Amato.

Chan's and Chuck's comments/answers are summarized in the continuation, if you don't want to listen to the audio (or don't have time).

Beamer answered an interesting question re. the formation some teams are now using to better defend the kicker.

Henderson's presence huge

The MT's Brian Murphy [LINK] writes:

In two games this season, Henderson has six tackles, including one sack, and one forced fumble.

"Whenever we have Eric on the field, the level of intensity of the defense is at a higher notch," Wilkinson said. "The whole defense just plays better when he's on the field. He's a player that we feed off emotionally. He makes us play better as a whole."

Henderson has missed the Yellow Jackets' last two games, including last week's 51-7 thumping by Virginia Tech, with a right ankle injury. Tech coach Chan Gailey said Henderson, who practiced lightly last week, was not close to being ready to play against the Hokies.

Henderson said Thursday he hopes to play next week against North Carolina State, but was relying on his faith.

Recruiting

The Yellow Jackets currently have four verbal commitments, including Hawkinsville linebacker Robert Hall.

Penalities

The Yellow Jackets rank ninth in the ACC in penalty yards per game (64.0 ypg) and have committed 35 penalties in four games (8.7 per game). Tech committed nine penalties for 75 yards in its loss to Virginia Tech, including two 15-yard personal foul penalties.

Several other penalties backed the Yellow Jackets inside their own 20-yard line and created first-and-15 or first-and-20 situations.

N.C. State has had its own problems with the yellow flags. The Wolfpack has committed 30 penalties in three games (10.0 per game) for an average of 86.7 yards per game.

Philip "Eighteen" Wheeler enjoys hard hitting

The AJC's Mike Knobler [LINK] writes:

Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler has two interceptions, 19 tackles, three passes broken up and two quarterback hurries. Those are the official statistics, but that doesn't include his favorite part of the game.

"I just try to hit the quarterback as much as possible," Wheeler said. "I just have the passion to hit somebody."

Penalties

The Yellow Jackets average almost nine penalties per game, worse than any ACC team other than North Carolina and N.C. State.

Tech has committed 35 penalties for 256 yards. Assuming Tech plays in a bowl game, it's on pace for 105 penalties, 30 more than it committed last season.

Practice

This week's practices have been a cross between trying to fix problems spotted in the loss to Virginia Tech and trying to go easy on the players to give them some rest.

SI names VT D #8 performer for week

SI [LINK] acknowledges the great job done by VT'd defense against GT.

GT falls from 8th to 21st in SI Power Ratings

SI's Stewart Mandell [LINK] elaborates:

A disturbing pattern under Chan Gailey is that when the Jackets lose, they often lose big. Though they were certainly facing an uphill battle in Blacksburg with QB Reggie Ball ailing, the lopsided nature of the 51-7 defeat was stunning, particularly the play of their previously stout defense.

Regarding VPI&SU, whom he ranks 3rd, he says:

It's beginning to look a lot like 1999. That year's Hokies, with their relentless defense and special teams and a QB named Vick, beat a lot of opponents by scores like 62-7. This year's bunch, possessing many of the same traits -- and featuring another Vick -- has won its past three games by a combined 141-7.

What happened to OSU's Ted Ginn, Jr?

In preseason, Ted Ginn was expected to be Calvin Johnson's main competition for national recognition of WRs.  Ginn was mentioned in several Heisman watches.

But, as SI's Stewart Mandel [LINK] points out, he's done a vanishing act.

Unfortunately, other WRs are racking up more yardage than Calvin, even though he's getting a lot of national attention for his spectacular leaping catches.

ACC not fairing well in Athlon cheerleader contests

Here's ROUND TWO.

Last year's winner, from WV:

GT's national stat rankings

The AJC's Michael Lough [LINK] reports:

Top 25

Georgia Tech is 10th in net punting (39.37 yards), 12th in turnover margin (plus 1.5), 15th in rush defense (84.25 ypg), and 24th in pass efficiency defense (102.44 pts.).

Bottom 50

Tech is 78th in passing offense (203 ypg), 85th in scoring offense (21.25 ppg), 87th in total offense (328 ypg), and 98th in pass efficiency (99.11 pts.). ...