Offensive line key to Georgia Tech’s success

By Lee Roberts  |   Wednesday, June 17, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are going to run the ball. A lot. Head coach Paul Johnson isn’t afraid to tell anyone the game plan because all his opponents already know what’s coming. And yet, they often can’t stop it.

Georgia Tech amassed the fourth-best rushing offense in the country last season. With potential Heisman candidate Jonathan Dwyer at running back, it would be foolish to think the Yellow Jackets will finish any lower than that this season. However, having a successful rushing attack starts and ends with the big fellas up front.

With a full season and this spring under their belts, the offensive linemen should be well versed in the intricacies of Johnson’s offense. Unfortunately, many of the key members of the offensive line spent the spring nursing injuries. Tackle Nick Claytor, center Dan Voss and guard Cord Howard all missed significant time this spring. The bright side of these starters missing practice is that it gave their backups a great opportunity to play with the starters, thus making the Jackets’ offensive line much deeper for this fall.

Common football knowledge is that having great success on the ground with no passing game often leads to losses. For example, last season, the Yellow Jackets ran for 326 yards against North Carolina, only to lose 28-7. Turnovers were a factor in that game, but so was the paltry 97 passing yards. At least that’s what traditional football logic tells you.

Georgia Tech is the exception to this rule. In its three biggest wins of the season, the Jackets threw for 55, 46 and 19 yards. Those 19 yards came against Georgia, which the Jackets beat 45-42 and had a 26-point third quarter to rally from a 28-12 halftime deficit.

Georgia Tech would love to develop its passing game, and an improved offensive line is key to allowing quarterback Josh Nesbitt time to make good throws. However, Nesbitt’s not going to be confused with Sam Bradford. He needs that offensive line to make its blocks and get to the opponent’s linebackers to create running lanes. If the offensive line can get downfield to make blocks, it sets up Nesbitt and Dwyer to break long runs, which are lethal when facing an option offense.

So, when you see stories proclaiming Georgia Tech must start to pass to be successful, you are allowed to politely chuckle and disregard them. Paul Johnson’s team is going to run the ball. And if the offensive line is able to create holes and get downfield, Georgia Tech’s opponents are in for long days. With an ability to grind clock and also strike fast with long scoring runs, the Yellow Jackets can demoralize their opponents. Just ask Georgia.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
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