Technical Tidbits 1/7

Former Yellow Jacket and current Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson sent a shock through the entire NFL community yesterday, announcing that he was strongly considering retiring from the league after just nine seasons. Johnson, who is just 30 years old at the moment, signed a 7-year, $113.45 million contract with the Lions back in 2012, including $53.25 million guaranteed. The news that one of the all-time greatest receivers in football history would be debating retirement so early is surprising, but also easy to understand for a guy like Johnson who completely redefined the position with his physicality. Being the only weapon for Detroit for nearly a decade meant drawing constant double and triple coverage from some of the best, hardest-hitting corners and safeties in the league every single week. That along with nagging injuries can make playing more of a burden than anything, even with a $20 million payday waiting at the end of every season. I hope he makes the right decision for himself in the end. May I suggest a homecoming to Atlanta?

Georgia Tech made an excellent hire for the football staff yesterday, adding former quarterback Tevin Washington as a new graduate assistant for the team. Washington, who started for the Jackets from 2010 until his graduation in 2012, was one of the most successful signal callers of the Paul Johnson era. His primary duty will be assisting with the offense, a task which he is more than qualified for after three plus seasons of effectively running the option. I'm sure that his expertise will prove more than useful to everyone on the team, whether it be Justin Thomas or his eventual successor (currently though to be Christian Campbell).

Top prospect Romeo Finley, a four-star recruit out of Niceville High School in Florida, is thought the be strongly considering Georgia Tech among a slew of other college offers. In fact, Finley currently has Georgia Tech penciled in as the top school on his list, citing his appreciation for Tech's defensive scheme and a great relationship with defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Though his primary recruiter was the recently fired Ray Rychleski, Finley still plans on making an official visit to Tech in the coming weeks and another to Clemson shortly thereafter. Those two schools, according to him, are the two strongest frontrunners for his services, with Tech maintaining a lead of unknown size.

Are you still struggling to decide if you will cheer for Alabama or Clemson in the upcoming NCAA Championship game? You shouldn't be since Clemson is clearly the only team to cheer for, but this neat quiz from ESPN might be able to help you out if you really can't decide. I have no idea why or how some of the questions are relevant, but I guess they must be in one way or another. A good quiz never reveals its secrets, or something like that.

Would a commitment from a player of Romeo Finley's caliber change your opinion of the upcoming class?