Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Change is good: WE'RE MOVING!

The summer has been great over here on TheLegacyx4. But now it is time to move onto bigger and better things. We are now "From the Rumble Seat". If you are not automatically redirected click here to check out FromtheRumbleSeat.com! Over on the new site you, the readers, can interact more than you have before. Instead of just commenting you will be able to generate your own discussions and post your own information. Come on over!

But don't forget to update your bookmarks, RSS feeds, and links!

Countdown: 43

Main Event: Dwyer v. Spiller


As the ACC's only fringe Heisman hopefuls, Jon "D-Train" Dwyer and CJ Spiller are arguably the best two returning players in the ACC. A look at their numbers reveals their primary differences in style. Dwyer is the fullback in Paul Johnson's run, run, and run some more offense while Spiller is the speed back and primary returner for Clemson's fire-another-offensive-coordinator-offense:

Obviously, the stats are affected by schedules, coaching staff changes midseason, injuries, etc.. but diving deeper, I've pulled out Dwyer/Spiller's offensive touches broken down by end result. I didn't factor in returns 'cause Dwyer isn't a return man, which gives Spiller a huge advantage in Heisman voting:
Note: Dwyer is the yellow bars while Spiller is the orange bars.


What the charts tell me is that Dwyer is running up the middle a lot (DUH) and Spiller is taking sweeps, tosses, etc. to the outside. Dwyer will almost always gain yardage and if the safeties get burned he will score. Spiller will eventually get forced out of bounds but his plays are more likely not to yield positive yardage. I think the two backs are an excellent example of the different styles of RB play.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Could Dwyer/Spiller fit in the other's offense?
2. Who will have the more successful year?
3. Who has a shot at ACC POY, national position award, or Heisman?
4. Who could eat more hot dogs?

T-Book Tutorings: Clint Castleberry and Leonard Wood

Today, T-Book Tutoring will showcase two individuals from Georgia tech whose names are familiar but backgrounds could be hazy to the public.

Clint Castleberry



Called “the most dangerous runner in the country” as a freshman, Clint Castleberry left more than just an athletic legacy. In 1942 he placed 3rd in the Heisman voting behind two seniors. This finish is still the closest a freshman has ever come to winning the coveted trophy. The following year, Castleberry left Georgia Tech to fight in World War II with the intention of continuing his football career after completing his service. During the war he was stationed in Africa, where he co-piloted a B-26 Marauder known as “Dream Girl.” In the early morning hours of November 7, 1944, Lt. Castleberry took off from Roberts Field in Liberia to continue a ferrying run up the coast towards Senegal, accompanied by another B-26. Neither of the two planes were ever seen again, despite an extensive six-day search involving American and British search crews. On November 23, 1944, all crew members were officially re-classified from “Missing In Action” to “Killed, No Body.” His number, #19, is the only number ever retired for Georgia Tech football.

As a special bonus, we'll profile Leonard Wood today as well.



Leonard Wood was one of the earliest famous alumni of Georgia Tech. Initially a graduate from Harvard Medical School, Wood immediately joined the United States Army, was sent to Arizona, and was instrumental in the capture of the famous Geronimo. Due to his valiant service, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1893, Wood was transferred to Atlanta to serve at Fort McPherson . While stationed in Atlanta, he enrolled at the Georgia School of Technology to receive his Master's degree. While he was at Tech,Wood became the captain of the football team as well as the acting coach of the squad. He led the team to Tech's very first victory, a 28-6 triumph over the Georgia Bulldogs. Following the rout, the ever-classless Georgia fans began throwing rocks at the team as they made their way to the train back to Atlanta. Wood was injured during the attack, receiving a large gash on his forehead. In a display of his mettle and fortitude, Wood cleaned his wound and sutured and stitched his own face.

After his time at Georgia Tech, Leonard Wood served as the personal physician to Presidents Grover Cleveland and William McKinley. Once the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, Wood, under the direction of Teddy Roosevelt, helped form the legendary Rough Riders. Wood was promoted in the field to Brigadier-General and led successful engagements in the Battles of Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill, and San Juan Heights. At the conclusion of the Spanish-American War, Wood was appointed military governor of Cuba from 1899-1902.

During his later years, Leonard Wood's life was just as busy and full of adventure. After leaving Cuba, he was promoted to Major General and was transferred to the Phillippines. There, he became commander of the Philippines Division and eventually served as commander of the Department of the East. In 1910, Wood was appointed as Army Chief of Staff - he remains the only medical officer to ever hold a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Leonard Wood died in 1927 from complications during surgery intended to remove a brain tumor. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri is named in his honor.

Two thoughts: 1. You can view Castleberry's RAT Cap in the Georgia Tech Alumni Association and 2. Was Leonard Wood a badass or what?

"T-Book Tutorings" is brought to you in anticipation of the 2009-2010 T-Book, the ultimate guide to the history and traditions of Georgia Tech. The book is published by the Ramblin' Reck Club.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Countdown: 44


Deepest apologies for letting this get away from me....

Dream Neutral Site Matchups

Notre Dame is set to play Army at Yankees Stadium in 2010. Notre Dame is also slated to play Navy in Ireland in 2012. Rumors are abounding that Tech will play Notre Dame at the GA Dome in the near future.

If I had to choose 10 dream matchups in neutral sites, here's the list in no particular order:

10. Army (Yankees Stadium) -- Army still owes us a I-A game and I would love to visit the new stadium.
9. Texas Tech (Cowboys Stadium) -- We could help sell a chunk of the 80,000 seats but TTU would have to step up
8. Tennessee (The Coliseum) -- This place would be solid orange but it would be cool to visit Nashville for a real game...just kidding Vandy fans.
7. Navy (The Linc) -- Navy only holds 34,000 seats. This game would require more seating due to sheer interest from both parties, in my opinion.
6. Tulane (The Superdome) -- Notice a trend in visiting metro areas with accessability and night life?
5. Illinois (Soldier Field) -- Nothing'd be cooler than playin' the Zooker in Chi-Town.
4. ECU (Bank of America Stadium) -- A visit to Charlotte is never a bad thing.
3. Michigan State/Michigan (Ford Field) - Bring on the Michiganders. Hell, let's play both teams at the same time and then catch a Lions game the next day.
2. Notre Dame (FedEx Field) -- A modern football version of the Civil War fought on the Mason Dixon Line.
1. Bama (Legion Field) -- Reminds me of epic matchups with Bear in the 60's.

Tuesday Linkage

-+-Kyle Jackson injured his foot. Prognosis is not clear. Could be out a couple months.

-+-Following his British Open W, Stewart Cink will appear on Letterman. Based on the media's obsession with Tom Watson, will the crowd boo Cink?

-+-Currently, GT's roster is 67% instate. Paul Johnson is working to raise that figure.

-+-Mark Bradley critiques Heather Dinich's 3 Predictions about GT.