The “L” word
Yesterday I wrote about leadership and motivation, and wondered which players were stepping up to fill the void left by defensive tackle Darryl Richard.
I asked after practice on Sunday and the answers are there are three captains: Josh Nesbitt, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Morgan.
Nesbitt said earlier this year that he has been trying to be a more vocal leader, and has intensified those efforts even more after he and the Morgans were named the season’s captains before the Clemson game.
Here’s what Nesbitt had to say about being a leader:
“I think we are doing a good job of it. They just picked us as being leaders of the team. I’ve been trying to get more vocal and get the guys more fired up and get a little bit more intensity in everybody.
“I think we are doing a pretty good job. I don’t think you can ever do a good enough job being a leader. There’s always more heights you can go. The only thing we can do is get better.
On his style:
“I don’t think you need to get in a player’s face to get them fired up. In my past experience if you get in a player’s face and say this or that to him that gets him down. Me, I just go to a player and like ‘hey just erase that last play and let’s get it going. Let’s show everybody what you can do.’
On who picks him up:
Morgan [Burnett], Gladiator [Brad Jefferson]. Different guys like that. I know like, in the Clemson game, I felt like I wasn’t playing good. They came to me and said I know you can play better than this. Just do your job.”
And he did, leading Tech on the game-tying and game-winning drives.
————-
North Carolina brings an interesting challenge for Georgia Tech. Against Clemson and Miami, everyone had a pretty good idea which players needed to be stopped: Spiller for the Tigers and Harris for the Hurricanes. Tech didn’t do a particularly good against either one.
The Tar Heels, however, don’t have that type of player. Other than quarterback T.J. Yates, their offense has a slew of guys who contribute.
While their defense has appeared first-rate, as Johnson notes in today’s notebook for print, it should be pointed out that the Heels haven’t really played any juggernauts: The Citadel, Connecticut and East Carolina.
Comparing that to Tech’s schedule, JSU is better than The Citadel, and neither Uconn nor ECU can be considered the equivalent of Clemson or Miami.
Are Tech’s woes, assuming there are some, due to the fact that they have played some really tough teams, or are there other issues? Planning to have more about that in Thursday’s paper.
————–
Here’s a kick in the statistical pants for you:
Remember the safety in the Miami game, well it was ruled that the lost yardage on that play must come from Tech’s rushing total, and it also affected the Jackets’ fourth-down conversion rate. The 18-yard loss had to be reflected somewhere, I suppose, but that seems odd.
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117 comments Add your comment
GT Que
September 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
AZ, seriously, Les Miles is a 13 year old kid out of school today because of all of the flooding
Ignore him
He’s so worried about GT football, when LSU has NO chance of winning the SEC west and will probably end up with 4 loses.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
11:57 am
Les, I can explain lots of things but you would not be able to understand what I am telling you. Your ignorance of CPJ and his accomplishments cannot be penetrated. In time you will see but for now it is just a waste of my time. By the way, before his arrival at Navy even the loosing teams were beating them. He brought the Navy program back to the surface and went to 4 bowl games in 6 years you dork.
F-105 Thunderchief
September 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
“I’m a Tech fan all the way, but … ” usually = UGA fan stirring up $#lt
slow roller
September 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
The overwhelming problem with Tech is that they gave up last week when their offense fizzled. Their whole game plan revolves around the giant elephant in the room named Jonathan Dwyer. Once he went down, game over.
Also, who was the last great quarterback Tech had? A real passing game would be nice.
Joe Cox played liked a stud Saturday night.
And for that matter, the kid at Arkansas was also a stud quarterback.
Why can’t Tech find someone like that?
Why didn’t TJ Yates go to Tech? Oh I forgot. Chan Gailey couldn’t recruit a quarterback either.
Les Miles
September 22nd, 2009
12:03 pm
Explain then Einstein. I will do my best to understand your superior logic and rational. Unless the truth is you can’t. I’m waiting professor.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
To my fellow Tech fans, our program is in good hands. We have an AD who knows what he is doing. It is taking him some extra time to undo all the last mistakes made by half Brain who preceeded him. CPJ is a winner and builder. Good Day
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
I explained it to you Les but you were to dumb to see it in my comments. Point made.
Les Miles
September 22nd, 2009
12:08 pm
AZ Jacket…..PUHLEEEEZE!!! What has Paul Johnson accomplished that even Chan Gailey didn’t? Tell us Einstein. Paul Johnson in comparison to about 50 other coaches in D1 has really done nothing at all of note. You are nothing but a straw grasping Kool-Aid drinker. But I understand. Hope is all that propels a GT fan in most cases.
TDone
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
So typical of the Myopian Hush Puppies; taking credit for something they could not do.
You people never cease to amaze me.
Les Miles
September 22nd, 2009
12:10 pm
You made no point AZ Jacket. Just threw out some talking points. So why has that offense looked so bad for 4 consecutive games. Come on brainiac. You can do it.
Les Miles
September 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
Ok prof. After UNC beats the “great” PJ what’s the logic going to be then.
Les Miles
September 22nd, 2009
12:14 pm
By the end of this season every one of you band wagoners will be demanding PJ be fired.
Les Miles Mama
September 22nd, 2009
12:20 pm
Les
Quit spending all your time on the message boards and come shave my back. Then you’ll need to clean your room.
Mama
Hayseed Dixie
September 22nd, 2009
12:24 pm
Les, like they’re demanding Richt and Martinez be fired?
GFYS. CPJ is a fine coach.
We’ll kick y’alls ass soon enoguh.
Hayseed Dixie
September 22nd, 2009
12:25 pm
ENOUGH
Jefferson
September 22nd, 2009
12:27 pm
Until UGA wins against GT, they are the 2nd best team in the state. Win the next one, then you will be the best team in the state.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
12:29 pm
Meeting cancled so before I go back to work Les I will provide some insight. Tech may just loose to UNC the only logic is what has been said by the coach from the beginning. This is building process. He even stated that last years record surprised him. Only the fans took it as a turning point. I don’t abondon my coach after one year. CPJ does not pick who he plays the schedule is set well in advance by the AD. Before his arrival at Navy they were lucky to win 2 games a year. Those loosing teams were beating Navy on a regular basis. CPJ, with limited recruits available to him, came in and built a program that would win games they lost in the past. They went to bowl games and the games they did loose they were competitive. Now that he is at Tech he did exceptionally well with Chan’s recruits, there was an advantage of surprise also. Each year he will have a better recruiting class and he will have the athelets that can run his system. At Tech he is able to recruit better athletes than he could at Navy. Les, I am not a professor nor have I drank any kool aid. The jury is still out on what CPJ can accomplish at GT. I am sure all football fans are propelled by hope. The thing that sets me apart from you is that I don’t have to use derogatory statements to get my point across. Your LSU team and your name sake won a NC in his first year with Satan’s recruits. Not sure he has done much since. LSU is a good program but CLM still has to prove himself over the long run and to that end we will see. If you are 13 as GT Que stated I hope your Mother will not get mad at you for wasting your time on a Tech blog and if you are not 13 and are a grown man I am so sorry.
EW
September 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
Rule #1 If a leader THINKS he’s doing a good job leading, he’s NOT. Real leaders leave no doubt, they KNOW. You can’t just nominate the best player and make him a leader. Leadership is an innate quality, you recruit for it. Wake up GT.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
EW, don’t forget these are 19 and 20 year olds. The coach is the leader.
GT75
September 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
AZ Jacket, CPJ is not recruiting that well. Les is trying to aggravate us but he has some good points. I too don’t see how these undersized O linemen will ever be able to compete with these opposing monsters on some of the D lines we face. The competition is better and the opposing coaches are better as Les says in the real D1. We have had 4 underwhelming games on offense. And AZ I fail to see how recruiting smaller weaker lineman equates to success.
GT75
September 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Another thing that concerns me is the fact that going back over PJ’s days at Navy, his teams have never played good defense, and that trend is continuing here at Tech. And why is the team so out of shape. Where is the fire? Are the players starting to get tired of the week in and week out grind of that offense. Is Jonathan Dwyer sick of his role in the offense? There are some questions that beg to be answered.
Les Miles Banjo
September 22nd, 2009
12:48 pm
Les Miles is better suited to performing banjo than leading a major college football team.
GT75
September 22nd, 2009
12:51 pm
He beat the hell out of us.
Les Miles Mama
September 22nd, 2009
12:52 pm
Damn you dumb Les
Now where my cigarettes…
macrotech
September 22nd, 2009
12:57 pm
When Tech takes care of the fundamentals, they will be fine. Smaller lines make for quicker lines (the MOST important aspect to our offensive schemes)…too many missed assignments make for a lot of opportunities for the opposing side to dominate…Miami did! Miami looks like they’re rounding some corners on bringing their program back, but Tech was at fault as much as they were for our loss. I like what I’m hearing from the Tech players regarding to focusing on the basics and being patient…CPJ already has them thinking properly. Tech will be fine…IF they get back to the fundamentals! GO TECH!!!
Les Miles-CPJ won everywhere he’s ever coached and has two national championship trophies to show for it.
JustAThought
September 22nd, 2009
1:09 pm
So are you guys comparing D-1 with D-1AA…………..
Trade School Junkie
September 22nd, 2009
1:17 pm
Surely EVERYONE (especially SEC teams)has figured out Urban Meyers spread-offense by now? I mean, its just some “gimmick” option offense…right?
In 2005, dawg fans were confident that Meyer’s offense was a joke. See the link: http://georgiasports.blogspot.com/2006/05/urban-meyers-spread-offense-wheres.html
And how well has THAT worked out? Florida has been mopping the floor with the rest of the big, bad, “fast-defense” SEC with Meyer’s “gimmick” option offense.
Wasnt it just 3 short weeks ago that Michigan boosters and some CURRENT Michigan players wanted to throw RichRod under the bus? Afterall, RichRod runs just some “gimmick” option offense, right?
No offensive “style” is worth a crap if the players arent handling their asssignments.
I remain confident that Tech will continue to make the adjustments and improve on both sides of the ball.
What do RichRod, Urban Meyer, and Paul Johnson…ALL…have in common?
They ALL beat uga with their “gimmick” offenses.
flapjacket
September 22nd, 2009
1:23 pm
For all you mutt fans:
Tech: 2-1
UGA: 2-1
Miami is better than Okie St.
Clemson is better than South Cacalacie
Arkansas is better than JSU, but I’m not sure by how much.
Bottom line, we’ve played a tougher schedule and have the same record, and nothing will cure our offensive woes better than your defense.
Flapping Gums
September 22nd, 2009
1:36 pm
Keep living the lie there, Nerd. The acc is a joke and everyone knows it….tough schedule….what a riot.
Baba O'Riley
September 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
GT75= typical UGA troll.
Let's see flapjacket...
September 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Okie State was ranked #9 in the country when UGA played them – GT played JState that same day – advantage UGA
UGA played USCEast and won, the same week that GT played Clemson and won – game is a push
GT lost to a top 25 UM team on the road the same week UGA beat AR on the road – advantage GT
But, if I were to give an edge to one team based on strength of “teams played” UGA gets the edge since all three of their games were against D1 teams, but…
…neither team has “played a tougher schedule” – but you are correct, they both are 2-1, with both defenses in shambles, and one offense struggling and one seemingly clicking. So, that leaves the November 28th game as the only way to settle who has a better team THIS year – DUH!
Baba O'Riley
September 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
slow roller- the reason “Joe Cox played like a stud” and so did “that Arkansas” quarterback is because both of those teams play Big 12 defense.
Hey, Baba O"Riley...
September 22nd, 2009
1:49 pm
…are you trying to say that a Big 12 defense is worse than an ACC defense?
BankerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
1:50 pm
I think some are missing the point.
Certainly the interior play has left a lot to be desired to this point in the season, but against Clemmons and Miami, if you get even five or six missed blocks on the pitch, they go for touchdowns instead of short or no gains.
Seriously.
The camera angle from the backfield probably showed three different examples of an A-Back or a Reciever missing one block and costing a big, big gain.
This is why it is execution instead of scheme (imho).
You guys could have had probably 180 more yards rushing if you make three blocks…..
If you manage to get your heads back in the game, you could have a good season. You keep executing like you did against Clemson and Miami, you are going to look very mediocre, and have the record that goes with it.
Also, are you guys switching back to a 4-3 on defense?
GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!
Baba O'Riley
September 22nd, 2009
1:52 pm
Okie State was ranked in the Top 10 as a GUESS. They clearly are not a top 10 team. That was a preseason ranking and we all know about preseason rankings. Clemson and Miami are better than any team UGA has played thusfar.
Hey, BankerDawg...
September 22nd, 2009
1:55 pm
…that is why the word IF is the biggest word in the dictionary – do you not think that part of the reason that those blocks were not made (and not necessarily “missed”) is because A) the defender beat the blocker, or B)the defender was faster than what the blocker was used to, thus, “better athletes AND good coaching” beats just “good coaching” almost every time!
Besides, IF a frog had wings he would not whomp his a$$ everytime he jumped!
But, Baba...
September 22nd, 2009
1:59 pm
…all the “experts” say that SEC teams are really better than ACC teams, so, just because YOU say Clemson and UM are better than SC and AR does not make it so. Just compare overall records of their opponents to date and see which team has played the “better” – at least based on won/loss records – opponents.
jim
September 22nd, 2009
1:59 pm
this writer sucks. what a garbage piece. this is an example of a writer with no sack that walks into a practice and kisses everyone’s ass and then writes something like this. nesbitt a leader? the only thing he’s leading is the race to the acc’s worst quarterback. this writer sucks.
And, Baba...
September 22nd, 2009
2:01 pm
..are you saying that because UM beat GT it is worthy of its Top 10 ranking, especially since they were not even in the Top 25 when the season started?
BankerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
2:07 pm
The blocks I saw were whiffs.
The situations you are referring to are not “whiffs”, and I would not have included them.
Think matador, cape, bull, etc.
That is what I am referring to….clear misses by a guy in position to make the play, and just doesn’t.
Joe
September 22nd, 2009
2:08 pm
GT will beat UGA again this year just watch and see.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
2:15 pm
GT75, I did not say that recruiting smaller weaker lineman would lead to success. I said that at Navy that is all he could recruit. To enter the Naval Acadamy there is a height and weight restriction. Two recruiting classes and you say he has not been successful, not sure you can judge that right now. Defense lost a lot of experience on that line and it looks as though they are still searching for that chemistry. As far as lack luster play I believe that is the only concern that CPJ has at this time, which team will show up. I know first hand they are well prepared. Play hard and be competitive. Of course that will not be enough for some Tech fans. Tech will have their shot at the ACC Championship and see the inside of a BCS Bowl but NC’s are harder to come by for some schools, except the Gators but that streak may be coming to an end after this year. I think it is better as a true Tech fan to give CPJ the chance to build this program. I believe that Tech was not as good as the 9-3 record of last year and that they are not a bad and it seems this year. Only time will tell. Anyway, what would the leg humppers have to do if Tech went 12-0, just joking.
Disappointed
September 22nd, 2009
2:15 pm
Afternoon All…..
I reall don’t know who the leader is, but they have to get one quick or it’s going to be a long season.
As a tech Alumni and fan, I admire the way Joe Cox bounced back and didn’t let the fans throw him under the bus. As Jackets we have to do the same thing if not better.
As usual, Ramblin Wreck for life & Go Jackets!
chc4
September 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Nesbitt is definitely a leader in incompletion percentage.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
And you could do better chc4!!!!!
GA Tech Insider
September 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Perhaps you Bulldog fans need to start worrying about your own team rather than spending all of your time on the GA Tech blog. Frankly speaking, neither team is off to a sterling start this season, and neither set of fans has room to go around throwing insults at either team.
If Georgia fans want to complain about your own coaches, like your defensive coordinator, that’s something you can do on your own forum, and something GA Tech fans should stay away from because we have our own problems on defense right now.
I would surmise that we will find out that Miami will end up being a very good team by the time the final polls come out at the end of the year, and for those of you who don’t remember, GA Tech’ offense started a bit slow last season as well – remember the games against Clemson and Virginia Tech? I’d say that Mississippi State and Duke were aberrations.
I personally believe that the Miami game has showed us that we actually have a passing game that we can bring into the offense, so when we start to get our timing down on our option, we should prove to be a formidable offense once again.
Defensively, it became blatantly obvious that we have some major depth issues on the defensive line, and if we can’t find a way to get some better rotations out of the group, or to find a way to help the guys to get pressure on the QB so that they aren’t the only ones getting pounded (from blitz packages if we can’t get to the QB with a normal rush from out defensive front rotation), we’re going to end up having bad second halves of a lot of games.
We all knew that our defensive strength coming into the season was going to be our back seven, however, if the front four can’t effectively clog the middle to try to give the lb’s a chance to make tackles, or put pressure on the qb so the back seven can actually cover down field and on the screens, etc., it won’t matter how strong the back seven are in comparison to the front four; they won’t be able to keep up with the receivers forever; it’s just not possible.
This means that GA Tech needs to find a way to put pressure on the QB on passing downs so that our experienced lb’s and db’s have a chance to use their coverage skills early. I’m thinking that Jon Tenuta’s style of attack defense may be best, at least in the case of this year’s defense.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
2:31 pm
Ga Tech Insider, so true.
DawginLex
September 22nd, 2009
2:39 pm
UNC has the best d line Tech will face all year, including ours which is pretty good despite the woes in overall defensive production, we are stopping the run.
Win this game and GT can still win the ACC. Offense will not be the problem long term for Tech. It is defense.
trade school junkie,
Say what you will about the spread option, Meyer doesn’t sniff a national title without an awesome defense both years. 2006, the defense carried the offense as Meyer limited the use of the spread and used Leak’s passing more than running the spread. He even beat us with a traditional fullback in the offense. He did maul OSU with the spread but the defense clearly set the tone that night as well.
Get used to Arena league games like us for 2009.
The over/under on UGA/GT is 100.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 22nd, 2009
2:40 pm
I agree with many GT folks’ comments on this blog, but I sure would like for someone to tell me that a team leader does exist like Richardson. I’m thinking we don’t have that guy this year.
AZ Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
2:41 pm
DawginLex, good post. You are so right. At any level of football, defense wins championships.