Who will the surprise player be in 2010?

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 13, 2010 6:08 PM EDT

Now that we have had two years to watch how Coach Paul Johnson puts together a team one of the questions is who will be this year's surprise football player?

Consider this. As pundits talk today about how hard it will be for Tech to replace five key starters keep in mind that these same pundits did not have such high regard for these same players two years ago. Likewise if your are a fan you may have known that Damarius Thomas was going to be good but it is doubtful that many fans could have predicted the kind of season he had.

So what about this year? If Joshua Nesbitt has a year comparable to last year it will be expected. But could he be ready for a breakout season that dazzles even die hard fans? Or what about someone like Stephen Hill? Most fans expect him to step it up a notch but could he exceed expectations? And what about all of those B-backs?

If you have given any thought to this please share your insights. We have previously unknown players who may start. We have players who have been serviceable but who may finally breakout with a change of position. Several have been waiting for their chance. We have a new defensive scheme that may showcase some real athletes. Coach Paul Johnson has a way of bringing a player up at just the right time and then letting their star shine. Who do you see having a breakout season this year?

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Lucas Cox and Tevin Cory-Hunter Washington

Lucas because he is a CPJ kinda guy and a bruiser, and Washington (unfortunately) because Joshua is gonna take some hits.

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Jul 13, 2010 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

I feel the same way about Cox

and I have wondered about Washington. A happier scenario would be for Tech to finally get some blowouts this year instead on squeakers, giving Washington a couple of quarters a game to show his stuff.

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 14, 2010 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

But what about defense?

I have a couple of people in mind but I will wait to share after I hear from one or two others.

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 14, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

A couple ideas

I’m not sure if, nationally, Anthony Allen gets credit for the talent that he has. He could be better than Jon Dwyer this year, and could easily get drafted higher.

Other than that, what about Omoregie Uzzi, the guard? I’ve heard good things about him, and he’s a Johnson recruit, so he should fit the system. Elsewhere on offense, we all know about Hill and Jones and the others that have a lot of potential. It’s always difficult for me to figure out who’s going to do well in this offense because it’s atypical.

On defense, I like Jason Peters and Anthony Barnes. I think both will do better in Al Groh’s system than they did before, and I think at least one OLB will star this season. Also, if T.J. Barnes can figure out what he’s doing, he could probably be the best 3-4 nose in the country. He’s a little tall, but he’s huge! In the secondary, I see a lot of speed but not much talent/skill. Maybe Cooper Taylor and Jerrard Tarrant can get it together as safeties where they don’t have to man up as much.

by acedarney on Jul 14, 2010 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

Peters should be good

I think this is his year. Mario Butler is due for a big season, too. I think we’ll see Butler get drafted higher than we expected, if there is a draft.

I want to return a kick for a TD, too.

I write stuff From the Rumble Seat.

by BirdGT on Jul 14, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Who takes one to the house this year?

Will it be Tarrant? One of the reserve running backs? A freshman phenom?

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 14, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Your TD Return

may come in the first week. A lower level of competition comes in against a new, attacking style defense. Mistakes are bound to be made, and we might just take one back.

by acedarney on Jul 15, 2010 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree about Allen

I think he will actually do better than Dwyer at B-back.

I keep thinking T. J. Barnes is going to finally find his niche and break out.

I haven’t decided on a linebacker yet but I can’t help but believe that we have at least one or two athletes who are really going to shine in Al Groh’s system. It is tailor made to make a linebacker look good.

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 14, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Remember

A lot of the OLB’s this season were actually undersized, athletic DE’s last year. We may not know who the big play guy is until a few weeks into the season, once they’ve had the chance to get settle into the new scheme. My guess is Anthony Barnes, but it could be Dieke or Egbuniwe or someone I don’t know yet.

by acedarney on Jul 15, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Or it could be

that someone like Brad Jefferson goes from good to great this year. That’s what gets me excited about the season. Somebody who may already be on the radar may be even better than expected this year.

And I still wonder about Joshua Nesbitt. If he is as good as last year it will be an expected performance. If he is better he will begin to grab national headlines and the team will once again perform better than the pundits predicted.

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 15, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Definition of Surprise

You’re right. I guess we need to look at who will be surprised. People who aren’t going to be surprises to us (see Demarius Thomas and Josh Nesbitt last year) will be to others who don’t pay attention to the team.

The inside linebackers don’t get much love in the 3-4, and usually don’t have to do as much as they do in a 4-3, so I just assumed Jefferson would play well there without thinking about it. Unfortunately, I don’t see anyone in the secondary that I like. Hopefully someone will surprise me.

by acedarney on Jul 15, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you see Bird's comment

about Butler?

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 15, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I did

but I haven’t seen him enough to know (for myself) how he’ll do. He didn’t do enough for me to really pay attention to him when he played last season. Maybe he’ll be the one to surprise me.

by acedarney on Jul 16, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Somebody go out on a limb

and name a freshman who is going to see a lot of action this year.

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 16, 2010 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Isaiah Johnson

Kid lit the grass on fire during spring practice this year….he and cooper taylor are going to pick off at least 10 this season

by GTNate on Jul 18, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

All Right!

by Atlanta's original team on Jul 19, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Generally

I think this an A-Back’s year. PJ knows he needs to add a little somethin in the passing game, and the A-backs are gonna be the ones to do it. Like the old addage says: “we didn’t spend time on the shotgun in spring practice for nothing.” Short post routes, maybe some wheel or go routes, its gonna be fun to watch.

by GTNate on Jul 18, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions