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Georgia Tech Football: Charles Kelly reaction likely to bring new defensive philosophy

Charles Kelly is in as interim defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, and From the Rumble Seat expects a change from Al Groh's 2-gap defensive philosophy.

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Georgia Tech promoted secondary coach Charles Kelly to interim defensive coordinator following the dismissal of Al Groh, and SB Nation's Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat is quick to point out that a shift in defensive philosophy is likely to benefit the team:

Instead of the previous 2-gap philosophy of "building walls and making runners go laterally"...the vibes from CPJ indicate it's going to a more simpler "line up in a gap, beat your blocker, and make the tackle" (it's more complicated than that, obviously, but that's the gist). Where I think this benefits the defense the most is on the defensive line, where a DL is at a schematic disadvantage in the 2-gap scheme. Why? To ask a DL to play 2 gaps to control the run, anticipate a double-team, but then ask him to develop an effective pass rush if pass...is quite frankly asking a lot. I think the vision under CCK is to have a defense that is simpler, but more aggressive.

From the Rumble Seat also points out a long list of players Kelly is credited with recruiting, including Jemea Thomas and Jamal Golden, both of whom have interceptions this season, as well as Orwin Smith, the No. 2 ranked receiver on the team.

At 2-4, the Yellow Jackets are currently ranked No. 91 in the FBS in points against, giving up an average of 30.2 points per game. They're yielding an average of 163.3 yards per game on the ground, and 267.7 yards in the air, and have managed only two interceptions through six games. The team's turnover differential is also -9, though some of the blame for that obviously lies with the offense.

There's a lot more analysis over at From the Rumble Seat, so don't miss the full post.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.