Georgia Tech/Miami NFL Draft-related open thread

This is short notice, but stop by tonight as I’ll be live blogging during the Georgia Tech/Miami game.
Anytime two ranked teams play each other, it’s worth checking out. It also helps that Georgia Tech is fairly stacked with solid NFL Draft prospects.
The most exciting Yellow Jacket to most is junior running back Jonathan Dwyer. He’s a big, fast back who has a lot of big runs. It’s interesting, though, to see how many of Dwyer’s yards come on option pitches and not straight up the gut.

The player I’m most interested to observe, however, is junior defensive end Derrick Morgan. Against Clemson last week, he was dominant registering 10 tackles and three sacks. He’s really quick off the line and gets low. He might not have a lot of moves, but the one he has is a stellar.
It will be interesting to see if Miami moves its best offensive lineman, senior left tackle Jason Fox, around tonight to try and neutralize Morgan.
In addition to Dwyer and Morgan, keep an eye on Georgia Tech junior running back Anthony Allen. In only five carries, he was just as impressive as Dwyer last week. At 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds the Louisville transfer has NFL size.

7:50: One thing I forgot to mention: Key an eye on No. 57 on Miami. That’s junior defensive tackle Allen Bailey. He’s moved from linebacker to end to tackle. He’s a good athlete who moves around well. Oh and, in his spare time, he kills alligators.

7:54: If I were an offensive lineman with future aspirations, I wouldn’t go to Georgia Tech. On almost every play, you line up low and take out the legs of an opponent or you sweep. Option blockers are good against the run but really struggle versus the pass. That’s why, for defenses, first downs are so important.

8:00: Football field with a baseball diamond = lame. Always hated that. We’re talking important things here people.

8:03: Derrick Morgan is having some real problems with his foot work on this drive.

8:10: After adjusting for the first five or eight plays, Miami has looked good against the option. The have a lot more speed than to the outside than I expected.

8:17: Morgan is just having a bad game all together. He might be neutralized all night. If he wants to be a top prospect, he’ll have to really work on his stamina. Miami’s running backs are playing like they should have their whole career.

8:25: If Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was 30 pounds heavier, he’d be a good NFL Draft prospect. He throws and a catchable ball and has good timing. It seems like he can read a defense fairly well also.

8:34: Where is Jonathan Dwyer tonight? Four carries for five yards. He’s been a non-factor. Last week he had 18 carries for 66 yards. Not good.

8:42: I like what I’m seeing from Miami wide receiver Laron Byrd (No. 47). He gets good separation down the middle. Great on crossing routes. He’s big too. 6’4, 215.

8:47: Going into this game, who thought Javarris James would be having a better game than Dwyer? Not me. James might not be a No. 1 or even No. 2 back in the NFL, but he should make a roster if he can cover on special teams.

8:54: Miami definitely has Morgan figured out tonight. What do you do against a speed rusher who gets low on every play? Push him down into the ground. If Morgan wants to make his name solely as a speed rusher, he needs to watch Dwight Freeney. Throw some spins into the arsenal.

8:58: Bad first half for the top upperclassmen NFL Draft prospects so far. All flaws have been exposed for the Tech players. Miami’s guys, as usual, have been quiet. I’m going to the store.

9:34: This game is over. Bad night for Georgia Tech. Option teams have a hard time coming from behind.

10:06: Tech just doesn’t have the linemen yet to run the option perfectly. That’s hurt their running backs tonight. It will be interesting to find out how injured Dwyer is. When a junior misses significant action, they typically return for their senior season.