GT-UGA: Tackling? Optional.

I get it. I really do. I have a lot of respect for the triple option. It's like an Indiana Jones artifact: It's an antique that's been tweaked back into modernity. We should understand and fear it's power. I've warned anyone who will listen that it can destroy that which does not respect it.

Paul Johnson's version? It's a murderous assault force that unrepentantly attacks you until a soft spot is exposed. After that, the deluge.

Georgia Tech's offense is like some strange G.I.-Joe inspired vehicle. It looks funky, seemingly makes no since in the modern world, has glaring deficiencies that seem exploitable and should just out-and-out be easily negated. But, then the rockets flip out, the lasers blast, the track wheels churn and all the guys hanging on the back move right over any obstacle. There's extra compartments that flip out of nowhere and special little manned vehicles that launch out and inflict maximum damage.

It's glorious and painful at the same time. The triple-option is a dangerous thing. Once thought dead by the entire world, Paul Johnson has resurrected it from he depths of 1-AA and the academies by way of the North Avenue Trade School and released it's terror on the slumbering world.

All that said, Georgia's D held the machine to under 200 yards and 6 points in the first half. We looked confident and competent. Then we went to half time, where I suspect a severe lack of coaching occurred, and we started giving out yards and points like candy at Christmas. What happened? I'll tell you.

Our defense refuses to tackle. Absolutely refuses. We use shoulder bumps and soft pushes. We slap our arms across the chests and thighs of bruising backs and wonder what happened when they shred past us. No disrespect to Johnson's Jackets, but I have to believe it could have been somewhat different had someone in red tackled.

Bobo had some duds, but overall, he called a gem. Stafford had a career day and Knowshon churned for gains against a tough front 4 with power and finesse. But, the real star on offense today was Massaquoi. He went above and beyond, and the D repaid him with effortless futility. For shame. Tackling is fundamental. That's on Martinez. I'm not calling for his head, but at least notice that this situation must improve. That's Richt's responsibility. He cannot blindly cling to this arrangement. He's responsible for the entire program and needs to think that way. We have the talent. Where's the coaching? If you score 42 points on Tech, in Sanford, you should be polishing the Governor's Cup, not watching the Yellow Jackets celebrate on our G.

Now, after Oregon State's loss, the bowl picture has shifted a bit. Instead of seeing Ohio State and Beanie Wells in the Cap1 Bowl, we might be looking at Michigan State. And that means Javon Ringer. You cannot arm tackle, push, shove or patty-cake him. You have to be disciplined and tough. And, you have to TACKLE. For fuck's sake, it's the most basic tenant of the game: Tackle the man with the ball.