...Just when it looked like Georgia Tech was set to do just that, perched atop the conference standings and favored versus the Cavs, Virginia came in and kicked the Wreck off their perch while winning their 3rd straight game to climb back into contention in the ACC title hunt too. They did it behind RB Cedric Peerman who suddenly seems reinvigorated (and totally healthy) and looks stronger and more powerful than he has all year. The vaunted Georgia Tech D-line was not able to stop the wide run, and their DEs appear built more for the pro pass-rushing game than for the college edge-rushing game. This was a fun game to watch, full of PPs and big plays. Perhaps the biggest two plays were the two exchange fumbles lost by Georgia Tech QB Josh Nesbitt, who played well otherwise, but absolutely killed his team with those two turnovers.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
NOTE: This is my second or third time around on some of these guys here now, so I am just going to build on prior comments, not repeat them. Thus, this is liable to be a snorter summary than usual.
College: Virginia Conference: Atlantic Coast Columnist: Steve Martin
Clint Sintim 51 6' 3.0" 254 4.66 LB 2009: Not a terribly consistent player. Shows up big in stretches and then disappears. He allowed himself to be blocked and stay blocked by a TE today, and even once by a WR. Sealed out too much, and didn't seem to be giving 100% to break through that. Clipping not called on him once. Played stand up DE at the LOS a LOT today. Needs to use his moves more. Quite effective when not blocked...lol... Had a burst in the second half where he had 2 half sacks and a QBH in the course of like 5 minutes. GRADE: Slightly negative
Eugene Monroe 75 6' 6.2" 323 5.20 OT 2009: Matched up one-on-one versus Michael Johnson today, and was only cleanly beaten once, but that once led to a sack-FF-FR by Johnson and his bookend counterpart than nearly gave the game back to GA Tech. Did a better job drive blocking in the running game today. Sneaky holder who, when the man is getting past him, one arms him enough from a distance to make it look like he's just maintaining contact. Never called. Handles Johnson's spin move flawlessly. Overall, I'd say he got the better of MJ. GRADE: Positive
Cedric Peerman 37 5' 9.7" 208 4.48 HB 2009: Game ball winner in my book. Had the winning TD where he stretched for the pylon, and nicked it while diving out of bounds. Showed much better power and burst than I remember seeing earlier in the year. Ran the edges with authority. Made something from nothing a couple times. Continues to flash adequate hands and solid PP. Effort player with good body lean. Not elite speed, but it may be good enough to be drafted in the mid-late rounds. GRADE: Very Positive
Antonio Appleby 58 6' 3.3" 250 4.80 LB 2009: DNP
Jon Copper 54 6' 0.0" 230 4.85 LB 2009: Again, you just gotta cheer for this kid. Self made man. Always in the right spot. Gets cut a lot, but he does an OK job of protecting his legs. Just doesn't have the body to do more than he does, but he does plenty. Give him Sintim's body, or give Sintim Copper's heart, and you'd have a perrenial all-pro. GRADE: Positive
John Phillips 85 6' 5.5" 250 4.83 TE 2009: A good solid middle-round 2-way threat at TE. Can catch and block, but is not extraordinary, really, at either. Didn't stretch for the first down in time, once after the catch. But, had about 5 catches and moved the chains his share of the time. GRADE: Slightly positive
Maurice Covington 80 6' 3.3" 225 4.60 WR 200: Best game MC's had all year, I would guess. Really showed a little separation ability today and made some very big catches, including his first TD grab. Blocker! Really stretches for the sticks. Works himself into an open area when the QB needs help.
College: Georgia Tech Conference: Atlantic Coast Columnist: Steve Martin
Andrew Gardner 64 6' 5.6" 305 5.25 OT 2009: Continues to remind me of a young Matt Light. Not a real killer in the run game, but good enough, and has nice technique and feet in PP. Gets around the edge and clears the way as a run blocker. Run blocked like an OG today. Cuts and misses occasionally, and also misses with his punch occasionally too. Not a "wow" guy physically, but may sneak into a roster and wind up starting in a couple of years. GRADE: Neutral
Anthony Allen 43 5' 11.5" 225 4.50 HB 2011: DNP
Vance Walker 99 6' 2.2" 293 0.00 DT 2009: Same as usual. A solid performance, but didn't make enough tackles at the LOS today. GRADE: Neutral
Michael Johnson 93 6' 6.1" 255 4.85 DE 2009: This was not Michael's best afternoon. His spin move must be TOWARDS the backfield not parallel to the LOS. GT did run away from him a lot, and he was dealing with Monroe most of the day, so a lot of this is forgivable, BUT...he also got walled out from the play a lot today, and seemed hopeless as to what to do to counter it. Let the RB go right by him on one play. I think he thought someone else had the ball, but you TACKLE FIRST and ask questions later. I wonder about this diagnosing skills a little now...Needs to disengage and try something else when the OT is winning. Closes FAST and is so long that he can tackle you from 3 yards away! GRADE: Neutral
Darryl Richard 95 6' 3.7" 290 4.96 DT 2009: Same as Walker. Very average day, though he did crash through and disrupt things a couple of times. GRADE: Neutral
Jahi Word-Daniels 32 5' 9.0" 194 4.50 CB 2009: DNP. Out with ham string injury.
Sedric Griffin 54 5' 10.6" 239 4.65 LB 2010: Great blitzer who really shows strength at the POA and makes a lot of plays. Was beaten in pass D when Phillips reached up and over him for the ball (something that big TEs will always likely do to him) but he showed enough explosion 7 tackles, 2 TFLs to get a decent grade again. GRADE: Positive
OTHER NOTES:
Virginia: #98 DT Nate Collins stood out today, and outplayed both Walker and Richard for GA Tech in this one.
Georgia Tech: #1 Sophomore S Morgan Burnett is a future first rounder. Team's leading tackler who is a SURE tackler AND a ballhawk. When you are both of those things, you get very rich.
Freshman WR #8 Demaryius Thomas continues to really impress.