Tech’s Johnson not worried that defenses are catching up
Four ACC teams (Miami, North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson) have already ended spring practice and five more (Duke, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Virginia, Wake Forest) have their spring games this Saturday. So the league’s 12 coaches got together on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. As always, some interesting nuggets emerged. Here are five fun ones:
1. Another reason the fans and media like Paul Johnson. The Georgia Tech coach got the predictable question: Won’t opposing defenses be better prepared for his offense in year two than they were in year one? In other words, is this the year that opponents figure it out?
Most guys would utter some kind of coach-speak non-answer. But you could hear Johnson smiling through the phone. In 12 seasons as a head coach, he had heard the question more than once.
“When we were at Georgia Southern we played the same teams every year,” said Johnson, implying that things turned out okay in Statesboro, where he won five straight Southern Conference championships and a pair of national championships.
Johnson pointed out that those kinds of questions don’t come up when teams run a traditional pro style offense from year to year.
“Whenever you have something different people always have some questions,” he said. In fact, Johnson told me in a previous meeting, he knows what is coming next if Tech is successful again in 2009.
“Then they will say that you can’t recruit to it,” he said.
Then came the kicker.
“People may get better at defending it but we’ll get better at running it, too” Johnson said. “That much I do know.”
2. Hokies not talking Alabama—yet. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said that Alabama, the Hokies’ opening opponent on Sept. 5 at the Georgia Dome, will not be discussed this spring.
“We’re trying to get ourselves better right now. We’re concentrating on trying to get Virginia Tech better,” said Beamer, whose spring game will be on April 25. “But we certainly know the challenge in front of us. Any time you play a national program—a program as ranked as high as they were—that is something special. I know our players are excited. I know our fans are, too.”
Last year I said the Alabama-Clemson game at the Dome would be one of the toughest tickets ever in Atlanta. Tickets for the game on Sept. 5, I’m hearing, will be even tougher.
3. The Clemson quarterback race is still wide open. Those who watched the spring game believe that redshirt freshman Kyle Parker, whose arm has been compared to Georgia’s Matthew Stafford, has the edge over Willie Korn going into fall camp. New coach Dabo Swinney said that no decision has been made but he likes the competition coming out of the spring.
“The important thing is that we’ve improved up front (offensive line) and that was our No. 1 goal on offense,” Swinney said. “That is going to give our quarterbacks a chance to develop.”
Someone asked Swinney if he would lean toward playing Parker because Parker might decide to concentrate on baseball if he doesn’t win the job.
“My thought process is on Sept. 5 (when Clemson opens with Middle Tennessee). Things happen all the time. We’re going to play the best guy,” he said. “If its dead even, then maybe both play.”
4. Cutcliffe talked to Paulus, but not as a QB: Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus was a very good high school quarterback and he’s looking for a place to play now that his basketball eligibility has expired for Coach K. By NCAA rules he can play one year of football.
Duke coach David Cutlcliffe said he had a serious discussion with Paulus about playing football for the Blue Devils, but not at quarterback. Cutcliffe didn’t say this, but it takes the best of quarterbacks at least two years to learn his system. Paulus only has one year and Duke is set at quarterback with senior Thaddeus Lewis, who has 34 career starts.
“We talked extensively and Greg is a quarterback at heart,” Cutcliffe said. “No way was he going to be able to compete at quarterback for us. It’s difficult when you haven’t played quarterback in a long time.”
Paulus has talked to Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez about joining the Wolverines.
5. Miami draft streak nears end: For 14 consecutive years Miami has had a first-round choice in the NFL draft. That streak is expected to end with the 2009 draft. Coach Randy Shannon said he is not concerned because, based on recent recruiting, he believes that the Hurricanes will soon start a new streak of first-round picks.
“The streak has been around a long time and it was a good one,” said Shannon, set to begin his third season as head coach. “Now we have to focus on how we’re rebuilding. Down the road we have a chance to start a new streak.”
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161 comments Add your comment
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
9:11 am
The difference is that when Paul Johnson was at Georgia Southern, he typically had superior players talent wise. If you’re trying to outscheme the competition with average talent, eventually that’s going to catch up with you. Due to the nature of the the offense, you’ll always have some technical advantage but you won’t be catching everybody off their game week after week. Long story short, there should be some drop off but they’ll usually field decent teams. Just like the old run and shoot – it let traditionally bad teams (see Atlanta Falcons) consistently win but gimmicks will not let you get to the next level without the players to adequately support them.
Old Dawg
April 16th, 2009
9:15 am
Tony;
You’re exactly right about Paul Johnson. When his offense is fully installed and he has his style of players — watch out — he will frustate the heck out of defensive coordinators throughout the country. Tech will make college football an attraction in Atlanta once again. I’m not a Tech fan, but I am a HUGE fan of college football!
Keep up the great copy!
81Dog
April 16th, 2009
9:17 am
Coach Johnson reminds me of another Tech coach: Pepper Rodgers. Pepper had won everywhere he’d been before. Ran a flashy option attack. Brash and outspoken, not scared of anyone. Beat UGA in Athens in his first season. I seem to recall Tech fans were delighted with him after that first year, too, and saw no limits as to how great he was going to make their program. Anyone remember how he worked out for them?
E.T.
April 16th, 2009
9:19 am
The smile through Paul’s phone was unwaranted arrogance.The win over U.G.A. was an aberation.Every blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!
JB
April 16th, 2009
9:28 am
I, as a Dawg fan respect what Tech did this year….Tech will win more with Johnson than Gaily, and will Give Georgia fits. But, There is a load of talent they will play 3 or 4 times a year and they will struggle in some games being one dimensional ,aka the LSU game. Tech zealots will call it a fluke. Real football tech people will call it what it was, a butt whipping. Tech will get frustrated as we Dawg fans get because 8 to 9 wins won’t be good enough. But 12-0 with that offense with some teams they have to play. Ain’t gonna happen.
Kid Ray
April 16th, 2009
9:31 am
Great article, loved the tidbit abuot GT…People always forget. football always comes down to blocking and tackling. Johnson is now facing superior defenses than he did at GS and Navy…but also running his O with better athletes as well. And in the second year with more precision. I don’t thisk the league will catch up this year b/c they only see then triple option once per year…whereas GT runs it year round.
Got 12?
April 16th, 2009
9:32 am
I’m not a big fan of ACC football in general, but I do like to watch Johnson’s offense. I look forward to seeing the full version in-person.
GT at BAMA in 2013
BAMA at GT in 2014
GTMike
April 16th, 2009
9:34 am
E.T.-sound to me li your reaction is unwarranted arrogance. Try beating him before you belittle him, why don’t ya? Otherwise, makes *you* sound like the one with a problem.
GeoffDawg-only problem with your theory is that Navy saw the same teams year after year also, with *clearly* inferior personnel, and led the nation in rushing year after year under Johnson. Try again.
RxDawg
April 16th, 2009
9:34 am
Geoff, your absolutely right. I was at GSU during those years. We stomped, I mean STOMPED almost everyone we played. The only teams that were on the schedule that could hang with us player skill wise was App St. and Furman. Those games were always coming down to the wire and were some of the best football games I’ve seen. Thats not to knock what he accomplished at all, but it was pretty obvious that there was only a couple of teams we had to go through to get to the playoffs. It’s slightly more of a level playing field now.
GTMike
April 16th, 2009
9:37 am
JB-good post. LSU was no fluke, it was a butt whipping. You still win and lose games along the line of scrimmage, no matter what scheme you run (although special teams contributed mightily to the size of that loss). LSU’s line whipped ours. I don’t disagree that 12-0 is going to be difficult for anyone to achieve, because of the equality around college football (on any given Saturday…), but I am also not convinced that it is any easier with a pro style offense than it is with the triple option.
DawgGirl32
April 16th, 2009
9:41 am
Navy may have led the nation in rushing….but I don’t remember them winning championships of any sort. Isn’t that what GT wants?
Perimeter Jacket
April 16th, 2009
9:41 am
GeoffDawg,
You’re right that Johnson typically had better than average talent at Southern, but he didn’t at Navy. At Navy, the total talent on his roster was normally among 10 worst in all Div. 1-A, yet he was still able to ring up 8, 9 , and 10 win seasons. Even with the relatively soft schedule that Navy normally plays, most of these teams outside of the other Academies had far greater athletic talent and size than Navy could ever hope to field.
That being said, I also agree with Coach Johnson’s approach to this question of teams catching up to this offense. Will other defense’s become more familiar with this defense? Of course they will. But the thing they will still only be seeing this offense once a year, and usually with only one week practice to prepare for it. This seems similar to what UF went through in their implementation of their spread option. Everyone said that SEC speed would negate this offense, and once SEC defenses saw it for more than one season, their “gimmick” was up. Well people forgot what would happen when you put the same caliber athletes in that offense. We know the end result. Now I’m not saying that Tech is at UF’s level obviously…….but the same paradigm holds true here.
There’s really nothing to figure out in this offense…….play discplined, assignment football, and win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and you should do well against the flex option. It’s as simple as that. That’s exactly what BC, VT, UVA, and LSU did. They didn’t scheme a certain way for it……..they played assignment football, and won the battle up front. If you lose the battle at the line against us, even for a quarter, you’re in for some pain, as Miami, FSU, Miss St, and UGA found out.
I also agree with Geoffdawg to an extent about the comparison to the Falcons using the run and shoot. Now I wouldn’t classify Tech’s football program as bad by any means, but Tech is normally a slightly better than average program with a few years of very good to great years. This is par for the course when using a relatively normal offense and recruiting against the football factories for these same players. With the flex bone, we don’t need to compete against big schools for big time pro-style QBs, nor do we need a load of great WRs or 330 OTs. We will be able to compete at a high level using players with a different skill set than what most other schools use. Johnson has already shown he can improve the talent at Tech………this season is going to be alot of fun. Can’t wait for it to start.
Roy D. Mercer
April 16th, 2009
9:45 am
Pepper Rodgers is no Paul Johnson 81Dog, try again.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
9:48 am
GTMike – your assertion that Navy had “clearly inferior” talent is a bit off base. Looking at their schedule for 2009, I see a slate of teams including the likes of Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Army and Air Force(of course), Rice, SMU, Temple, Delaware, etc. The only clearly superior team they face is Ohio State and to a much lesser degree, Notre Dame. Like I wrote previously, even if there was a talent disparity, his wins/losses were decent. Why don’t you try to be knowledgeable about your own coach’s history?
Thank you RxDawg – I never saw many Southern games while Paul Johnson was there (other than when they played Georgia) but I usually caught the box scores. You’re right that most teams they faced didn’t belong on the same field with them.
Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
10:01 am
Damn it! Why does this damn software keep eating my blog posts? Anyone else having this problem?
RxDawg
April 16th, 2009
10:02 am
Yeh Atl Gator, they call it pac-man on some of the other blogs.
Perimeter Jacket
April 16th, 2009
10:05 am
Geoffdawg,
Of all the teams you just listed, I can tell you that Hawaii, Rice, and LaTech have alot more talent, especially at the lines, than Navy. The talent at Air Force, SMU, and Delaware (one of the very best 1-AA teams in the nation) are comparable to Navy. Western Kentucky, Temple, and Army have less than what Navy has. There more than a few guys that actually get playing time at Navy that really have no business playing for a Div 1-A football team if look at them from purely size/speed/strength ratio aspect.
Miles
April 16th, 2009
10:07 am
Let’s get back to the SEC tomorrow…
MinnesotaJacket
April 16th, 2009
10:10 am
So I have a bet I want to lay down…how many fans of Georgia who for some reason are reading this article anyways….want to say they will admit they were wrong if GT’s offense improves this year against better teams and get at least 10 wins? I mean if all of you are sooooo confident that this offense won’t wory place your money where your mouth is…I literally want to copy some of the dumb statements on here by ya’ll who keep talking as if this was a one hit wonder year, and that everyone is on to GT football now and we will go no where, how the TALENT gap is such a huge difference!!
Cause when 2009 roles away and Tech I am going to say is 11-2 or something like that we will say after beating UGA in a descently close game of 28-10 ( I am not a stupid fan who thinks it will be another huge offensive type game ) I want to hear what the excuses will be next year so I can paste what ya’ll said for this year
BhamWreck
April 16th, 2009
10:13 am
Why have I seen nothing on the Tech section about the supposed offer to UCLA to play them in the Dome in 2010. It was all over the Alabama news and radio that after AU turned down UCLA, they offered UCLA to play Tech and UCLA said no. Who else might we get for 2010 after ole sis chickened out?
dan
April 16th, 2009
10:16 am
In order to be successful against the Triple Option, you have to have dominant defensive lineman who stay in their gaps, one person responsible for the QB, one person responsible for the pitchman. The reason that LSU dominated Tech where UGA failed was that LSU completely dominated at the point of attack with their defensive front 4. For Paul Johnson to be successful as in winning 10 or more games a year, he’ll need to get bigger lineman at the point of attack. In terms of recruiting I think he’ll do fine getting running backs to play in the triple option. It’s a fun offense to play in if you’re a running back, and he’ll just to need to recruit an few athletes at QB. The biggest area of concern is Tech’s defense. They really got exposed late in the season and will need to improve if Tech is going to be consistantly good.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
10:20 am
Perimeter Jacket – I actually agree with you for the most part. Overall, the talent level may not be quite as good as some but the notion that it’s “clearly inferior” as others have contended is not accurate. Also, I stated that even with the talent disparity, Paul Johnson still fielded decent teams. This was not a knock on his coaching style to start with, just an objective analysis of expectations for tech’s program down the road. I never said that they were just going to drop off the map so I’m a bit unclear on why I’ve received sarcasm in response from GTMike. I think some people just can’t take criticism of any kind. If this was a story about Willie Martinez, I’d be right along with any jacket that respectfully stated that his performance needed to improve for 2009.
Huh?
April 16th, 2009
10:24 am
Here’s what I think about Paul Johnson. I think he is a definite improvement over Chan Gailey. I think he will have Georgia Tech at a consistent 8 or 9 wins per year level, with an occassional 10 or 11 win season thrown in. I think he’ll win 20-30% of his games against my Dawgs, which isn’t bad. I think he brings toughness and discipline to a program that was sorely lacking those qualities under Gailey.
With that said, I also think he comes off as a little defensive and arrogant in interviews like this. I got that impression of him from day one. There is a reason why most coaches give a bunch of coachspeak answers to media questions. Talk is cheap, meaningless, and can get you in big time trouble in college football if those words don’t turn in to action.
Also, all of my above positive comments assume that Johnson will be at Georgia Tech for an extended period of time. If he is all he’s cracked up to be I doubt he’s there for more than 4 or 5 years. Georgia Tech is not a destination job. Never has been. Never will be.
AltamahaDawg
April 16th, 2009
10:36 am
Oh its not about “figuring out” anything. Theres not an offence in the country that hasn’t been figured out how to defend. Its actually doing it. It will always be who has better players on the field that day. When tech has the better players, they will win, when they don’t, they won’t. Same as with any school.
The Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
10:52 am
Comments in response to Tony—-
1. Yes, it’s a goofy question. Of course, opposing defenses will get better at defending the triple-option offense, but Johnson’s offense will get more adept at running it with experience and new recruits whose skills are tailored to the scheme. Johnson’s biggest advantage, howsver, is that opposing defenses only see it once a year. Les Miles showed how to defend it when LSU had a month to prepare for the beach bowl, and not merely a week. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting experiment to watch, and I am mindful that all of the “experts” said that Urban Meyer’s spread offense would never work in the SEC.
The Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
10:52 am
Comments in response to Tony—-
2. Frank Beamer’s ACC champion Hokies should be better, and Alabama, at least to start the season, will not be playing at the same level they were in last year’s SEC championship game. It should be a better game than last year’s Alabama-Clemson match-up. The Tide, however, has a bench full of great talent recruited by Nick Saban, and how fast that talent matures will determine whether the Tide is an SEC West contender or also-ran.
Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
10:53 am
Comments in response to Tony—-
3. Personally, I’m cheering for the Atlanta area local kid in the Clemson quarterback race, but I doubt whether the selection of the quarterback is the key to Clemson’s season. New coach Dabo Swinney needs to turn a psychological corner with his Tiger team and avoid the second-half-of-the-season choke for which Clemson has become known under Tommy Bowden.
Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
10:53 am
4. Coach Cutcliffe is right, that’s one of the stranger things I’ve heard recently. I don’t care if you’re the greatest high school quarterback on the plant. No one steps into the starting QB position at a Division I program with the no college experience and not having played in four years. The learning curve is too steep. Is Rich Rodriguez seriously considering this? If so, that’s even strnager and I can’t imagine the Big Blue fans will be pleased.
DawgBite
April 16th, 2009
10:54 am
GTMike
April 16th, 2009
9:34 am
E.T.-sound to me li your reaction is unwarranted arrogance. Try beating him before you belittle him, why don’t ya? Otherwise, makes *you* sound like the one with a problem.
GeoffDawg-only problem with your theory is that Navy saw the same teams year after year also, with *clearly* inferior personnel, and led the nation in rushing year after year under Johnson. Try again
And at Navy Paul Johnson only beat 6 teams with winning records the entire time he was there.
How’s that for “trying again” Mikey.
EEJacket
April 16th, 2009
11:05 am
“GT is not a destination job. Never has been. Never will be.”
Have you ever heard of Bobby Dodd?
GT looking good
April 16th, 2009
11:17 am
Nice to see so many GA fans keeping up with what’s being said about the Jackets. Nice to see so many GA fans implying how it’s not going to get better at Tech. Nice to see the GA fans saying the only reason PJ was SO successful (Best coach in the school’s history, btw) at GA Southern (GSU) is because they were better than everybody else.
I want you geniuses to do a little research of GSU football, and see what was happening in the W-L columns and box scores the 4-5 seasons prior to PJ’s RETURN. Yes his RETURN to the school that had become SO successful in the 80’s BECAUSE of his offense.
Now I want the Navy geniuses to do the same sort of research on PJ’s times there. Yes, timeS there. Meaning when he 1st went to NAVY as OC in 95-96, then what happened while he was at GSU. THEN what happened at NAVY when he RETURNED to be HC.
The problem with most of these geniuses is that they can’t seem to see the writing on the wall until the wall smacks them in the face. To put in plain & simple english …..
Paul Johnson = WINNING Football.
Sunshine
April 16th, 2009
11:22 am
How many times are we going to hear the “Blind hogs and Acorn” slogan by the backwoodsmen? Your mama! Yea, its that cheesy
Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
11:28 am
Tony—-The AJC blog software is earing my posts for no apparent reason. What is up with that?
George P. Burdell
April 16th, 2009
11:29 am
Funny how Johnson coached GSU for 72 games and had 10 losses. Since he’s been gone, GSU has played in 82 games with 31 losses. Most of the wins for GSU came in the years immediately following when Johnson departed. Seems to me that either Johnson was responsible for the talent difference or maybe, just maybe, he is a pretty decent coach.
Atlanta Gator
April 16th, 2009
11:29 am
That’s “eating,” not “earing.”
Huh?
April 16th, 2009
11:42 am
“GT is not a destination job. Never has been. Never will be.”
Have you ever heard of Bobby Dodd?
Have you ever heard of cable television, microwave ovens, or FM radio? My guess is not if you think Bobby Dodd has one iota of relevance to my comment. Thanks for the ancient history lesson though.
Old GT Nut
April 16th, 2009
11:44 am
2008, GT played with 5 starting seniors, and the rest Freshmen… True Freshmen…and Sophomores, completely new O & D coaching staff & schemes, Nesbitt out or playing injured the whole way, and still went
9-4.
Kiffinisatosser
April 16th, 2009
11:46 am
I speak as an outsider here. The thing that the dawgs fail to realize is that PJ has the Techers on trajectory to be as good a football team year in and year out as is UGa. If you stop and think about it for a moment, it would be an awesome thing to have two very good teams so close to each other. If you love college football and live in Georgia it ought to be something you are proud of. I guess y’all don’t think that way though.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
11:46 am
Boy – techies are sure sensitive about their coach. GT looking good – when div 1 programs hire somebody, it’s usually because they’ve been WINNING (with the exception of Auburn) at their previous jobs. Losers don’t tend to get lucrative head coaching offers. The fact that you use that as your conclusive proof that he’ll be ultra-successful no matter where he is is a “genius” argument on your part.
bama12titles
April 16th, 2009
11:47 am
Bottom line is Tech will just get better and better as Johnson recruits better and better talent. I can see them winning 8-9 games a year with an occasional 10-11 game winning season if he continues to improve the talent level.
Having an offense that people see only once a year is an enormous advantage but as LSU showed its not that much of an advantage if you have a full month to prepare for it. As long as CPJ keeps improving the talent level I think Tech will be giving the ACC and the dawgs fits for years to come.
It will be good to see a healthy rivalry between Tech and the dawgs again as opposed to domination by 1 team.
Donna
April 16th, 2009
11:48 am
EEJacket
April 16th, 2009
11:05 am
“GT is not a destination job. Never has been. Never will be.”
Have you ever heard of Bobby Dodd?
Yes…and I’ve also heard of the, what is it, 20+ that have come after him. You seem to have forgotten that, huh EEjacket. Coaches that win at Tech leave. The rest get fired. Tech is the #1 graveyard for coaches in the entire NCAA.
GoDores
April 16th, 2009
11:49 am
I support Vandy and love our Johnson. Truth be told though, I’d trade him for your Johnson in a second.
Doc 54
April 16th, 2009
11:52 am
As a formal naval aviator who served with a number of former Navy football players, I can assure you these men are not “inferior” in any fashion. The service academies have a difficult time recruiting linemen because of the military weight requirements and these young men will serve their country upon graduation. The strict academic standards at the service academies also eliminate many prospects as well.
david
April 16th, 2009
11:55 am
I think all these negative GT posts from UGA fans is an aberration. There certainly can’t be many UGA fans that can read, much less write.
ruff ruff
Jason
April 16th, 2009
12:01 pm
The progression of basing on Paul Johnson’s Offense as far as I can tell:
(Stage 1) Before hes played a game, bash the offense as old school, and say it will never work in a major conference. Ignore the dominance of Nebraska less than a decade ago running a similiar offense. Anyhow, this fairly retarded argument has already been disproven.
(Stage 2) Say you won’t be able to recruit for it. Yeah, he hasn’t racked up a top 10 recruiting class(with the rankign mainly based on players suitable for a pro-style offense anyhow), but neither did Gailey. It takes a little time for this one to pan out. Either way, GT probably won’t go after many top rated players by scout.com because htey don’t fit the system as well as 3-4 star players do.
(Stage 3) Say everyone will figure it out after they have seen it once. Completely ignroe the fact that noone figured Nebraska out, noone figured Navy out, and noone figured GSU out. This is still, with GT, up in the air though.
(Stage 4) Admit that it does work. This is the stage the Dawg fans will be forced to jump into after the 2010 or 2011 season, once the other excuses are proven false.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
This blog has hit rock bottom with Vandy and tech start comparing their johnsons.
Otto
April 16th, 2009
12:08 pm
Only one coach since Bobby Dodd has coach GT for more than one season and won more than 60% of his games and if you drop it down to 55% you only add one more Chan. Goff won 57% of his games.
Otto
April 16th, 2009
12:08 pm
lol Tech has a chunky Johnson
Tony Barnhart
April 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Atlanta Gator…passed your note along to the website folks…Not sure what’s going on…
Nate
April 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
Wow, this is the first blog that has not turned into a he said she said blog. Wow, good comments from our brothers in Athens. I agree, Tech will probably never dominate the series, but I still think we can turn the corner on our program and become a consistent nine win team with shots at the ACC Championship year in and year out. And please don’t hate back with something about ACC football. I think the ACC is an overall good conference with no obvious dominate teams like the SEC.
murfdawg
April 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Defending the option is really quite easy. An old bald-headed defensive coach at UGA once said, “hit the qb, hit the running back, and hit the qb…every play. By the fourth quarter nobody will want the ball”
The unfortunate thing for the Dawgs is we don’t have anybody who will actually hit someone for 60 minutes. Hitting a 230lb running back is going to hurt, and our little pass defense oriented corner backs do not want any part of this. Look at all the “shoulder block” type tackles they attempted. There is not one cornerback at UGA who could play for Erk Russell. Until we find some people who will hit like Junkyard Dawgs, we can expect GT to run for 400 yards again and again. But stopping the option is really easy.
BS Patrol
April 16th, 2009
12:34 pm
There is no such thing as a`”destination job” anymore. 3-4 losing years you’re gone. With success the pros & everyone else comes calling. “destination job”? Hah! You didn’t think that one out very well did you,Huh?
m
April 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
Let me explain it for you ignorant dawgs. Chan Gailey is gone. There is a new sheriff in town. His name is Paul Johnson. He is going to kick your sorry arses year after year. Any questions? TGAG.
Dorsey Hill
April 16th, 2009
12:54 pm
Dawg fans,
When Erk Russell started Georgia Southern football from scratch and became the dominant I-AA program in the country in just a few years he installed the offense that Johnson runs now for one reason: in his years as DC he found it was the hardest to defend.
The positive in this is that when we beat them it probably will improve our BCS ranking. Beating Tech had become such a meaningless and expected result it will actually be a good thing in the future for the series to see some single digit lines. I mean it is nice to chalk up La. Monroe and Tech as THE sure wins at the beginning of the season, but beating Tech is so much more sweet when they think they have a chance. I’d rather see distraught and crying nerds than indifferent ones anyway. I haven’t been to the the pee stain on North Ave. in 30 years, but I may go this year just because TV can’t convey nerd misery and self-loathing to a satisfactory degree.
All of this reminds me of one of Erk Russell’s written excercise regimens he gave to his players:
“Run three miles, hate Georgia Tech four times.”
I try to make it at least 5 just to be sure.
Hunk Erdown
April 16th, 2009
12:56 pm
Perimeter Jacket was right on target with his 9:41 post. There is no magic bullet, just sound fundamentals and discipline on your assingnments, especially the outside LBs and cornerbacks. Out of 50 plays, they expect the defense will hold them to small gains on 35-40 of them, but those other 10-15 should give them 21 points per game.
Johnson’s offense when properly defended is gonna have 200 yds rushing and 17-21 points. With poor tackling and undisciplined defensive assignments, he’ll get 45 points and 400+ yds rushing. Its like pouring water on the floor, it just keeps doing the same thing until it finds a crack. As a DC you are tempted to put linebackers at the corners but if you do they burn you with what little passing they do. The interior line is important, but its about the only thing that is about the same no matter who you play. If you don’t have the men in the box to control the inside, you have absolutely no chance, they will run 5 yd dive plays and be happy to do it all day. You force them to pitch and defend the corners with sound tackling and proper containment.
Huh?
April 16th, 2009
12:58 pm
There are no destination jobs? Pete Carrol has been at USC for 8 years. Bob Stoops has been at Oklahoma for 10 years. Jim Tressel has been at Ohio State for 8 years. Mark Richt has been at Georgia for 8 years. Boy, you really didn’t think that one through very will did you Captain Clueless? These are what we call destination jobs moron. Wouldn’t you say all of the aforementioned coaches have had just a tad bit of success smart guy? I don’t see them in the NFL and I don’t see other schools beating down their door and offering them a bunch of money. That’s because they are at established programs with all the resources and support they need to have success. Georgia Tech is NOT one of these programs. It is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Every decent coach you’ve ever had has left for bigger and better things. If Paul Johnson is the God the Techies make him out to be he will be no different. You are dismissed.
BS Patrol
April 16th, 2009
1:03 pm
Murfdawg, You are correct. Erk’s solution is easier said than done,however.
My observation has been that if the Erk method is used, DB’s start to cringe & flinch later in the game, ala that Rasheed guy. That pounding wears them down. And not just the Bulldogs.
We are flattered to see so many SEC fans take an interest in an ACC blog though. My word!
Smells Like Victory
April 16th, 2009
1:24 pm
Eric Zeier: November 28, 2009
Pre-game speech:
“That GT Triple Offense is a gimmick, high-school offense that won’t work against us. We’ve had two full weeks to prepare for this.”
Post-Game speech: “Holy Sh****! What the He** just happened.”
gdawginkalamazoo
April 16th, 2009
1:28 pm
Doc 54, thanks for making that clear to everybody. Soldiers first, football players second.
Dave, none of us bulldog fans can read. I have a software program that converts the posts and names to pictures. Funny thing, I don’t know why but the program converted your name into the picture of an a$$.
Dorsey, great post.
ugablows
April 16th, 2009
1:34 pm
Huh? you come across as a truly miserable human being
Munson
April 16th, 2009
1:34 pm
Johnson has changed the mentality of Tech football and made them believe they can win any game they play, you did not see that under Gailey. You have to respect what he has accomplished in one short year of being there without the players most suited for his system. As a Dawg fan, I love to see that the rivalry in the UGA-GT series appears to be back so we can get back to the days of clean, old fashioned hate.
Huh?
April 16th, 2009
1:36 pm
Huh? you come across as a truly miserable human being
Only in the presence of Georgia Tech football fans.
Buzzfan®
April 16th, 2009
1:37 pm
“Georgia fans are passionate, but let’s face it….they’re not the brightest fans. Passionate, but not bright.”
– Eric Zeier, November 21, 2001
david
April 16th, 2009
1:40 pm
gdawginkalamazoo <— 4 national championships vs 1 while UGA has been around twice as long as GT. That part of the match should be easy.
Also our most current NC did not occur 30 years ago.
Lastly, for a team with a nationally ranked recruiting class year-end and year-out, where is the hardware? However, your last post was fairly humorous though.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
Buzzfan – you better substantiate that quote with the reference material it came from or you could be looking at a libel suit. A google search indicates it came from some blogger on a Jeff Schultz article last fall.
dcjacket
April 16th, 2009
1:50 pm
A couple of relevant thoughts, which have not been mentioned:
1. Last year GT had a patchwork O-line, with one really good player (OT-Gardner)and two other decent players. At the end of the season, we played with a true freshman (Claytor) and a converted TE (Barrick) at the tackles against the likes of Miami, UNC, UGA and LSU. The lack of experience really showed against a LSU team with a senior laden and very talented (All-American)defensive line. We still produced big numbers against very good defenses and players that will play at the next level.
2. Our offensive line will be much better with another year of experience and additional bodies that will be thrown into the mix. We will have the 300-330 pound lineman that can move within this offense, a PJ pre-requiste. It will take GT another two years, but PJ will eventually have two solid lines that will be used interchangeably and wear down opposing defenses. A trade mark used by both Alabama and FSU.
3. Our defense last year performed well,even while plateuing toward the end of the season. Our LB’s and secondary will be much better and support a young but talented D-Line. As was mentioned above, PJ will have the bodies and recruits to reload in the future. We have proven that we can recruit and develop top notch d-players.
4. PJ supposedly implemented 40-50% of his offense last years for the reasons mentioned and not mentioned above. If you can complement an improved running game with a highly effective passing game. All of sudden, things get a little more complicated for defenses regardless how talented. There is always one or two things a D gives up to stop something else. Defenses pick their poison. Granted, it will come down to how effectively the offense can make the read and execute. Last year, you saw glimpses of this against a number of good defenses including against LSU. For example, GT completed a wheel rout by Dwyer for 25 yds and the third play of the series had a 55 yard TD dropped by Thomas.
4. Recruitting: On a consistent and overall basis, Tech will not bring in the same level and type of talent like other schools UGA, Fla, Ala, etc.. We will not have to. Saying this, the recruitting services for a number of reasons do not always get it right. Vance Walker was not highly recruitted out of SC. Second, GT has just completed only one year under PJ, but their exists a high level of interest in GT by quality players compared to previous years. Imagine, if PJ puts together three or four 8-9-10-11 winning seasons?
5. Recruitting Part 2: A number of critics of PJ and his system have said that the top players will not want to come to GT and run his offense. A perfect example is T Jones from Gainesville, he very much liked GT and PJ, but felt the system was not conducive for him. No school gets every player, but GT will get its share of high caliber athletes if:
1. GT wins
2. Showcases a highly effective offense that can run and pass.
3. Transitions players to the next level from GT and the ACC. GT expects to place 5 players in the draft this year. The ACC, again is expected to place the most athletes in the draft compared to any other conference.
If you are a running back, GT’s system might be attractive because you have a better chance to get on the field then at UGA, Clemson, Texas etc. PJ will use anywhere from 6-8 RBs, if they can play. For example, UGA used Moreno predominately with King in spot duty. Samuels did not get a lot of time last year. Samuels would have played extensively in GT’s system. Food for thought for RB’s. Finally, PJ is developing a pipeline for talent by helping HS coaches implement his system. Most HS do not have a QB like Murray or Stafford.
5. This point has been mentioned, but the current program is still very young. One year under its belt with a very young roster with only 6 seniors. In other words, there is probably a huge upside and room for improvement.
Whether you agree or not with these comments, they will be played out and proven or dis-credited over the next 2-3 years.
Buzzfan®
April 16th, 2009
1:52 pm
It was live, on-the-air, on 790 the Zone the afternoon of the refenced date.
Sue away, nancy. Stick to the accessatlanta dating blog.
Buzzfan®
April 16th, 2009
1:54 pm
“referenced”…..not “refenced”. LOL!
lol
April 16th, 2009
1:55 pm
‘No occifer, I’s not been dranking.’
-Joe Hamilton May 6, 2008
Mac
April 16th, 2009
2:02 pm
Good to see the Dogs and Jackets leaking all over each other again. This I know, Paul Johnson is a heckuva football coach who is going to win a lot at Ga. Tech. They are going to win ACC championships under him. Diss and moan all they wish, that’s a fact. It’s up to UGA to man up and deal with it. They very well may, but they are going to have to do it. Tech is a pushover no more.
Not Disappointed
April 16th, 2009
2:20 pm
The Blog is Live and Well and so are the Yellow Jackets. Thanks for the article “Mr. College Football!” How many days to kick off again? From the tone of the Blog you, would think it was this weekend! “Ramblin Wreck!”
gdawginkalamazoo
April 16th, 2009
2:28 pm
David, That’s my point. All of this is in jest for me. I am more than happy to see GT do well except for that one Saturday in November. A lot more in life to worry about than this stuff. That said. We are all proud of our programs and should respect other programs. Even in down years I wouldn’t trade my UGA for GT anyday. I won’t get into the NC debate because IMO the only one that matters is the next one.
GT
April 16th, 2009
2:38 pm
You know there are a few that might call what Georgia does a gimmick offense. What Tech does is bring a hard nose brand of football we all seemed to have forgotten in this please the super star recruits and let the coaching take care of itself college football world of today. That hard nose fundamentally sound team shows up every game and unlike the Alabama game doesn’t get blown out when it is not working. Dooley use to play that kind of football and he had a defensive coach that many believe was the heart and soul and maybe the brains of that Georgia National Championship team. That coach hired CPJ, really gave him his start. Go check your record books and you won’t find Dooley losing to a team like last year’s team lost to Alabama. If I were you dawgs that love to read about the team that beat you in Athens so much, I think I would spend more time worrying about that make believe team in red and black and let this one rest before you learn some more about gimmick offenses next year in Atlanta, last game of the year, and after you have looked at 11 games on film like last year. My guess is 11 more games is not going to help ya.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
2:46 pm
With the humor these techies bring to the table, who needs Carrot Top?
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
2:54 pm
BTW Buzzfan – I’m guessing the dating blog is the closest you’ve gotten to a woman in years.
Got 12?
April 16th, 2009
2:55 pm
GT,
You guys were blown out by LSU.
Shonuff
April 16th, 2009
2:57 pm
Few offenses are gimmick offenses. There are gimmick plays, one or two gimmick schemes, but the foundation of the offense is, by design, fairly straightforward, fundamental football. Asking Paul Johnson if defenses will catch on is like asking any pro-style coach if defenses will catch on. Pro-style offenses have been successful for years even while defenses regularly match up against them. A successful game plan, good play calling and flawless execution wins, no matter the offense. Paul Johnson has been successful at every level, and there’s no reason to believe he’ll take a step back. GT may not be vying for national championships any time soon, but for a school who–along with, say, Clemson–is consistently inconsistent, Johnson may just offer the steady hand GT has needed.
Shonuff
April 16th, 2009
2:59 pm
Also, I’m an SEC fan, but it’s shocking that UGA feels room enough to treat GT like little brother. I believe Tech’s currently on top in that series. It hurts (as an Auburn fan, I know), but that’s the price of rivalry. You can have all the streaks you like, but when you lose, you lose for 365 days, not one.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
3:08 pm
Shonuff – when you have tech fans posting “45-42 hahahahahahaha” every five minutes on Georgia blogs, trust me, you get the urge to pound some sense into them.
m
April 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
Richt has been at UGA 8 years? I hope he stays 8 more if he keeps losing to Paul Johnson!
Shonuff
April 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
Touche, GeoffDawg. Indeed, I do understand the urge. But hey, at least it’s not “36-0 hahahahahahaha” every five minutes. (That, on top of claiming that every other SEC school should fold their football programs till Saban retires. I wasn’t aware Bama was prepped to win 10 consecutive SEC championships.)
not talking trash
April 16th, 2009
3:16 pm
How does yall’s D get better when you lose three or four of you best defensive players 2 or 3 on the line? I m not talking trash, but yall saw what happened to us(uga) last year. We lost our best DE and best DT and lost three games, although there were other reasons why we lost. teams with great O lines are going to be able to run the ball against the first year guys. when you lose two players such as johnson and walker, you will see a drop off. its too hard to replace those guys. A lot of tech fans are automatically saying that Tech is just going to wreak havoc against UGA. We’re still going to be good, we are still going to get good players and as much as you hate CMR, he will still sign good QBs cause he is a good coach. again not talking trash cause i think tech will be good with PJ but we’re not going to roll over and die i can promise you that.
ROCKMEN
April 16th, 2009
3:18 pm
Anytime you have cutblocks as a staple of your offensive scheme your going to have success. If Tech executes they are going to give anybody trouble (See Miami game). If not see L.S.U and U.N.C game
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
Also Shonuff – something is gimmicky when there are only a handful of teams that run the scheme. When it’s mainstream, you lose the advantage of non-familiarity on the part of the other team. It’s a big obstacle for opposing DCs to overcome when they have to coach against a style only seen once a year. Look at Georgia last year – the defense for whatever reason, never consistently played with focus for practically the length of the season which playing against the triple option demands. While they kept it in check the first half, mental mistakes and blown assignments allowed tech back into the game.
ACC Football=SEC Basketball
April 16th, 2009
3:23 pm
Donna: Once again you, like so many UGA people exaggerate the truth. There has not been 20+ coaches since Bobby Dodd. There has not been even 10 you ignorant redneck.
Dorsey Hill: Explain to me why you put the Tech game as an automatic win, when your beloved UGA retired Theron Sapp’s JERSEY because they beat Tech.
wxwax
April 16th, 2009
3:25 pm
Fun discussion with some very interesting posts. Thanks guys.
As an outsider, the thing I think I like best about Paul Johnson is the discipline and accountability he’s brought to Georgia Tech football. I see a bunch of highly motivated, hard-working players who know their roles and try like heck. It sure is fun to watch dedicated, disciplined players.
The other observation I have is that while all the focus seems to be on Johnson’s offense, I think the biggest predictor of their success will be their defense. If they can recruit at a high level and play tough defense, they’ll always have a chance regardless of their offensive schemes. I know it’s a cliche, but there’s a reason it’s a cliche!
I’ve enjoyed going to a handful of Tech games every year. One change I think I’ll see going forward is that the team won’t melt away or under-perform the way it seemed to so often under Chan Gailey. I think they’ll come closer to playing to their potential, week in and week out, than before Paul Johnson got there. Again, that’s fun to watch and I’m looking forward to it.
Someone said it’s great to have two excellent programs in the area. I agree completely. We should all be grateful. It sure makes football Saturdays fun!
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
3:26 pm
Believe me Shonuff, I’ve noticed how some Bama fans have gotten a bit obnoxious lately. Somebody by the name of Bama Stan comes to mind.
HH
April 16th, 2009
3:37 pm
I suspect its good that old Paul and GT play in the conference they do. If Tech played in the SEC week in and week out, he might have that smart-ass little smirk wiped off his face like LSU did in the Peach—oops—Chick-Fillet Bowl, or whatever they call it these days.
lol
April 16th, 2009
3:39 pm
Talk about ignorant redneck, you cannot even count ACC Football. Here is your list of coaches since Dodd:
Bud Carson 1967-1971 5 54 27 27 0 .500
Bill Fulcher 1972-1973 2 23 12 10 1 .543
Pepper Rodgers 1974-1979 6 67 34 31 2 .522
Bill Curry 1980-1986 7 78 31 43 4 .423
Bobby Ross 1987-1991 5 58 31 26 1 .543
Bill Lewis 1992-1994 3 30 11 19 0 .367
George O’Leary 1994-2001 8 85 52 33 0 .612
Mac McWhorter 2001 1 1 1 0 0 1.000
Chan Gailey 2002-2007 6 76 44 32 0 .579
Jon Tenuta 2007 1 1 0 1 0 .000
Paul Johnson
Thats 11 by my count genius. I guess they did not cover the simple math in that calculus class you all clamor about.
Otto
April 16th, 2009
3:40 pm
Shonuff, GT has always been little brother thus all posts after GT wins but silence when UGA wins. Yes they won last year congrats but I would not say they are on top yet. Hold on before you call me a big brother UGA fan….UGA was not on top of UF after Donnan or CMR won. Will GT improve? Who knows, last year looked promising as a whole.
Also it isn’t near as intense from UGA’s side as Bama and Auburn. GT does despise UGA. UF and UT are more important during a typical UGA season to most UGA fans under the age of 65. Is it likely to be more important this year? yes.
Rockmen, I do not think it was all execution during the GT/LSU game. The LSU DL came out and dominated that game from a physical stand point. They were just bigger and faster.
Saint Simons
April 16th, 2009
3:45 pm
45-42!!!! hahaahahahahahahhah
GT
April 16th, 2009
3:45 pm
I think Georgia will be better next year. The offensive line will be and not having a quarterback that temps you to throw too much will help that offense line get better. Your defense spends more time trying to lay a big hit than guarding the receiver. I think that is what causes the inconsistent play. Teams lay for you to go to that pattern, and then pull a big play on you. Watch the West Virginia film for the Sugar Bowl two years ago. They were setting Blue up all night. He would abandon his position to lay a hit on somebody and they would pick it up and burn the defense. Lord knows the talent is there, Georgia High School football produces the best and you have your choice. Irk would have taken that crowd and won a few more championships. Of course the state has maybe tripled in population since Erk, and the high school coaching is superb. The whole southeast, ACC and SEC not to mention a few good teams in the Southern Conference feast off our talent.
GeoffDawg
April 16th, 2009
3:46 pm
lol – Thanks for the post. I didn’t realize Gailey was statistically one of your best coaches. Frankly, that’s just a bit sad.
Edith
April 16th, 2009
3:54 pm
LSU said before and after the bowl game that the way to stop the triple option is to stop the fullback. And they sure did just that. Am I the only one who noticed that????
Gatorzone
April 16th, 2009
4:05 pm
Sounds like there are some threatened puppies out there.
b
April 16th, 2009
4:06 pm
Gailey was not exactly statistically “one of the best coaches”… you have to take away Bobby Ross’s first year because he was given a crappy team..that puts Gailey at #4 out of 9 full-time head coaches since Dodd…. Hear that? 9<10
Otto
April 16th, 2009
4:07 pm
GT thank you and I have been more less saying the same thing since the end of last season. The new QB should kill fewer drives going for the long pass. UGA fans are far to busy jumping on CWM to focus on the problems on the other side of the ball which hurt a defense that was thin on the DL.
GT’s offense should improve and they are a real threat to win the ACC in ‘09. They were a turnover or 2 away from winning the division last year. I have said Saban is not ahead of schedule but CPJ is. CPJ had a much more radical change on the basic scheme of the offense. wxwax has some great points as well. It will be interesting to see how the defense responds. A top level DT can be hard to replace.
All in all I think the game will move up on the radar nationally as both programs should be in the mix to win their conf. as well as top level bowls. I am a UGA fan who wants GT to win every game but 1.
Otto
April 16th, 2009
4:10 pm
b, Chan has the 2nd highest winning percentage since Dodd.
ryan
April 16th, 2009
4:10 pm
Why do people make stupid comments when they have no relevance. “Jim Donnan is one of UGA’s top five all time coaches in winning percentage.” Statitistically one of the best? Who gives a ? Not relevant to the topic.
Gatorzone
April 16th, 2009
4:11 pm
Otto, we feel the same way about FSU and Miami down here. Even USF getting better is good for our state. I want all 5 major programs in our state to be in the top 25. Same for other SEC schools.
in the south, FOOTBALL IS KING!!!!