Georgia Tech T Day

Jackets Look to Improve in 2009



Preseason: Bottom 50, Projected record range: 3-9 -> 6-6
End of Season: Number 22, Final Record: 9-4

Pregaming for T day was basically like drinking by your car in downtown Atlanta. With only 20,000 Tech Alums in the Atlanta area it wasn't unexpected that the turnout was low. But all things considered, turnout wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, about 10,000.
The game started on a rough note, with Cedric Griffin making a hit on Jaybo Shaw forcing a fumble. Cue the aweful feeling of last year's 9 fumbles in my first introduction to the triple option...

However, as the game progressed you had to think the Offense was going to be really good, even if Nesbitt can't stay healthy. Shaw played pretty solid as the backup, making some good passes, and smart plays. He doesn't have the shear athletic ability that Nesbitt brings to the Offense, but he is a solid player and can lead if needed. Dwyer looked good for the 4-6 carries he had, breaking one for 20+ off the left side. But I really wanted to see more of him, especially against our first team D.

Anthony Allen is going to be scary if he learns the system. He will definitely be a solid backup for Dwyer, and should easily scare some defenses if he Dwyer, and Roddy Jones are all in the backfield.

The defense played pretty well, though there is still plenty for the new D line to prove. Freshman TJ Barnes, playing for the second team is going to be really good if he can get his endurance up, and should probably be on the first team D line by seasons end. Linebackers, Griffin, Jefferson, and Jackson should provide plenty of depth at the second level provided they stay healthy, and all played well.

Ahh the kicking game... Ok, Blair either needs to focus on kicking field goals and PAT solely, or he needs to be done. 0-3 in a spring game, with no defensive pressure at all, is for highschool kickers. He's on his last straw for me and everyone else in the stadium
Final Score... 31-28 Gold team (1st team D, 2nd team O), but the score really reflects more on how good the 2nd team O was compared to the second team D.

Names who impressed... DL - TJ Barnes, CB - Dominique Reese, RB - Anthony Allen

Way too early prediction... 9-3
Go Jackets and THWG

Starting with logo, Lions on new mission

Associated Press

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. -- Following the NFL's first 0-16 season, Detroit has decided to change up its logo to better suit the new image the team is putting on the field.

The franchise revealed subtle changes to the logo and how the word "Lions" is spelled out during a news conference Monday attended by dozens of fans, many of whom were confused, thinking they were attending a reading of The Wizard of Oz.

Detroit stumbled to the NFL's first 0-16 season last year and has the first pick Saturday in the NFL draft.

The new lion appears more bumbling which suits the team's 2008 accomplisments, while the team name features an italicized slant.

The team says the changes are consistent with its "sense of mission and direction."

New trim lines also have been added to team uniforms. The team's Honolulu blue, white and black colors will also be changed to brown and lite orange; no word yet as to whether players with longer hair will be required to wear a bow.