Random Thoughts & Monday Musings...

Here we go on a Monday morning:

• On the second-to-last weekend for recruits to take official visits Tech hosted several key targets & picked up two new commitments in LB Jeremiah Attaochu & RB Deon Hill. A linebacker from Washington D.C targeted by Al Groh while he was at Virginia, Attaochu will likely redshirt & end up playing outside for us. At 6'3" & 223 pounds, Attaochu has prototypical size for either "Jack" or "Sam" in our new 3-4 defense. As many of you know we abhor the "star" system espoused by recruiting services & prefer to look at what schools have offered a recruit. Attaochu's list is impressive & includes Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia, & Kansas State. Some highlight video on Attaochu. Welcome to the Flats.....
• Perhaps the most surprising offer CPJ & staff have made this year is RB Deon Hill from Phenix City, Alabama. Hill has flown almost entirely under the radar during recruiting but our staff obviously saw something they really liked to extend an offer with so few scholarships available. Hill comes to the Flats from the same high school as departing OL Cord Howard & rising sophomore Orwin Smith (whom he backed-up for two years in high school). His highlight video is a good one as he shows great burst & terrific hands out of the backfield. At 6'0" & 195 pounds, expect Hill to play A-back at Tech. Looks like we have a nice "in" over in Phenix City. Welcome to the Flats.....
• The offer to Deon Hill is proof of something we have suspected for a while now: CPJ wants to get bigger & more physical at A-back. While it's great to have smaller players like Marcus Wright & Embry Peeples at the position, we need more size as blocking is a big part of the position. Too often this year our A-backs were easily defeated in one-on-one matchups with safeties & linebackers. Getting bigger while not sacrificing any speed or ability seems to be a recent priority.
• Speaking of Phenix City's Cord Howard, he played in the East-West Shrine game on Saturday & acquitted himself quite well. The two-time All-ACC selection at guard looked very good run blocking & did well enough pass protecting that he will definitely have a shot to be drafted this spring. We'll of course follow Cord's quest for the "chedda" & keep everyone updated....
• A fine article on former Jacket & current Patriot Gary Guyton on the off-season & some charity work he is involved in. Good on ya'....
• For the second consecutive year a former Jacket(s) is guaranteed a Super Bowl ring as Philip Wheeler's Colts will meet Chris Reis & Tony Hargrove's Saints in Miami. Let's keep collecting the bling....
• Many people wrote off Tony Hargrove after he flunked out of Tech & ran into some legal issues. A great piece by NFL Films on his struggles & the adversity he faced to get to the Super Bowl.