Thought you might like this
Bob Davie, now ESPN analyst former coach of Notre Dame, was gracious enough to call me today to talk about Saturday’s game against Florida State.
More on the majority of our conversation in the Saturday advance in the paper, or on Friday’s ajc.com.
Anyway, he expressed his keen appreciation and respect for Paul Johnson and the option, going so far to say that it is the offense he would run should he ever get back into coaching. Remember that he went against CPJ for several years when he was at Navy.
I’m paraphrasing his next comments:
If the offense is running right, it could be Florida State’s defense or the Pittsburgh Steeler’s, it doesn’t matter.
Defenders hate going against it more than any other offense.
———
Thinking about it more on Thursday, I still can’t figure out how this game is going to go, but I’m of two minds: Tech is either going to thump Florida State, but good. Or FSU is going to win 42-40.
I thought MSU would be a high-scoring game, and I thought Tech would handle North Carolina. I thought Tech would handle Miami, however, so it goes to show what I know (like you need more ammunition that I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer).
———
And please join my facebook group for coverage of Georgia Tech: http://bit.ly/6ipoH
Why join? I can post updates from games and other tidbits quicker than I can on ajc.com. So you’ll get news about your favorite team much quicker, but you’ll still need to go to ajc.com for deeper context.
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71 comments Add your comment
T
October 8th, 2009
8:45 pm
Thanks for your work Doug !!
StingerSplash
October 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
I didn’t think Davie and CPJ overlapped except for perhaps the two years PJ was Navy’s OC from 96-96.
Tom
October 8th, 2009
9:44 pm
PJ was recently relaying a story about Bill Belichick (who he’s known for years) spending time in the Academy football offices over the summers watching film. Steve Belichick was a long-time Mid assistant and Bill is an Annapolis native. He’d kid Bill about wanting to watch the film, saying he couldn’t really see Tom Brady running the mid-line option.
Johnson said Bill would come in for a couple of days and lock himself in an office watching film for eight straight hours….only coming out to go the bathroom.
Finally, PJ asked Belichick’s dad, “Steve, what do you think he’s doing in there?”
Said the elder Belichick, “I think it’s driving him crazy that he can’t figure out how to stop this offense”.
Not Disappointed
October 8th, 2009
9:48 pm
I apprecaite the info Dough. That’s something to hear from Bob Davie is something.
Good weekend all! Ramblin Wreck!
toh3llwithweorgia
October 8th, 2009
9:49 pm
Well that’s one heck of a complement eh?
Go Jackets… BEAT THE NOLES!!!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 8th, 2009
10:04 pm
If our defense can hold FSU under 30 pts, I say GT gets another road win. That could be a big IF, but I think PJ will have enough up his sleeve for our defense to have limited success against the FSU offense.
Go Jackets!!
Tech Fan Since 1950
October 8th, 2009
10:53 pm
Doug:
I said at the beginning you were doing a great job and as the season has worn on you have been even better in covering Georgia Tech. You are touching base on all the angles. I’m anxious about Saturday night since our track record in Tallahassee is not the best and the emotions of the Noles may be sky high. BUT this is a new Tech team with an unyielding head coach. If we do not turn the ball over, can sack Ponder at least twice, and our special teams tighten up, I think we can pull it off. Thanks so much for all of your work!
GTPHISH
October 8th, 2009
11:57 pm
Keep up the great work, Doug!
Im definitely more than a little concerned about our defense after rewatching the msu game the other night. Also, this game scares me big time w/ all ot the recent drama in Tallahassie.
But, it we dont turn it over and play a great game, we should beat these guys
Toe Meets Leather
October 9th, 2009
1:19 am
Cool comments by Davie. I’m most definitely no hater of the spread option. But there’s a reason why Davie’s in the booth and not on a sideline…
Toe Meets Leather…get your GT *now* at stinGTees.com!
Gee Tee
October 9th, 2009
1:34 am
This is at trap gaem. FSU won’t lose three in a row since the 70’s and they’ll be palying for their coach, as th media and the FUS boosters have his head on a platter. Plus you add in the “revenge” factor from last yesars game, coupled w/ a primte kick off start AT Tallahhasse, that spells a major mountain to climb. THeir corners are speed, speed, speed, which spees the middle option w/ the b back or the passing game stepping up. We are better than FSU, but its the circustances and timing of this matchup that will take us home on that lonely flight back to ATL. HOwever, I’m a dreamer and a believer and GT wins in a high scoring affair by 4 points…porvide our special teams and our kicking team can step up
Jim Grogan
October 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Turn overs, turn overs, turn overs. We need to be plus three in turn overs. Their athletes and ours have similar talent levels. Ponder is capable of exploiting our weakest link, the deep pass. We need to knock him down and intercept him. The biggest plus is we’ll be the only team with the coaches actually speaking to each other about the game plan, but more importanyly the coaching adjustments during the game. This is HUGE…we’ve NEVER won in Tallahassee against a Bowden coached team, and playing for the conference Championship probably means running the table. GO JACKETS!!! Play your best game of the season!
I used to love getting the paper
October 9th, 2009
9:22 am
Everybody needs to stop putting so much love on Doug, this may get him fired or reassigned…
Tokyo jacket
October 9th, 2009
9:41 am
I’m 99% in CPJ’s corner now and 99% on board with the fact that this is a new team or better said, his team. I will be completely over the Chan Gailey era if CPJ can find a way to do something Tech hasn’t done since 1990: win every game against unranked opponents.
Go Tech! (PS, I hope the ‘Noles win out after playing us…Bobby Bowden deserves to go out with class)
blazer
October 9th, 2009
9:43 am
pass rush needed and run the clock on them!!
gte268p
October 9th, 2009
9:47 am
Revenge Factor? We haven’t completed our revenge yet! Revenge for purposefully knocking Joe Ham out of the game, for phantom interference calls, for phantom late hits (okay, that late hit in 1999 wasn’t exactly a phantom call). Forget their revenge for last year, we still have years of revenge to take out on them!
Saint Simons
October 9th, 2009
10:46 am
Doug is a uga grad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your fired
jackette
October 9th, 2009
11:35 am
Whether FSU is undefeated or winless coming into this game, it is irrelevant. This will be a blood bath and hope GT’s defense can hang in there. Just know though when Bay-Bay gives them the one-arm heading toward the end zone all will be right with the world. Go Jackets.
reebok
October 9th, 2009
11:38 am
no way will FSU’s defense be focused & discplined enough to play the assignment football needed to stop Tech’s option. on offense, FSU may only get 8 possessions in this game. GO JACKETS!!!!!
Tech Forever
October 9th, 2009
11:41 am
FSU lost three in a row in 1982 and again in 2005. In each case the 3rd game was on the road against Florida.
Here’s the question, who does the hurricane-like weather conditions favor more?
Hootie Bookems
October 9th, 2009
11:48 am
Ahhh Bob Davie the human sleeping pill that is adept pointing out the obvious at an earth shattering rate.
Bulldog Mike
October 9th, 2009
11:58 am
Ponder is going to shred you guys.
A little taste of what Joe Cox will do to you this Thanksgiving.
FSU 52 Tech 17
UGA 51 Tech 10
Joe Cox
October 9th, 2009
12:04 pm
Bulldog Mike thinks i am so good. i got news for you Tech is +8 in turnover this year and FSU is something like -3. UGA is 3-2 and soon to be 3-3
Ken
October 9th, 2009
1:00 pm
I’m a die-hard Tech fan, but I don’t get why anyone on either side of the UGA-Tech rivalry would want to broadcast themselves as being an emotional idiot who doesn’t really know the players or the game. In years when UGA had David Green, Knowshown Moreno, and Stafford, it was clear that really no one but Florida and a handful of other elite teams were good enough to beat them without them beating themselves. This year’s UGA squad is just not very good and there’s not really a way to hide that….so why say something ignorant like Bulldog Mike just did? FSU, on paper, is an inferior team to Tech. They are playing awful football. Other than an emotional surge, they don’t really match up with Tech. It’s like me getting on here and saying Tennessee is going to embarrass Georgia. UGA is so-so this year….but get real. UT is not going to beat you guys. They’re awful right now. So Bulldog Mike, remember that you ran your mouth on here come November, because it is a distinct possibility that this year will make 2 in a row. Our running backs are far superior to what you have. Demaryius Thomas and A.J. Green are very similar….Nesbitt is probably a slight bit better than Cox though they are different styles….the only real place UGA can say they outmatch us this year is probably at linebacker. So Bulldog Mike, you an get on here and rant like a trailer park fan who couldn’t get into the school, who thinks ya’ll are owed a national championship that you haven’t claimed in 30 years, or you can make some sense and show a real knowledge of football.
StingDoc
October 9th, 2009
1:01 pm
To Bulldog Mike,
Bobby Dodd – 8 in a row over the dawgs – Still the Record!
Tech has more National Championships than the dawgs!
45-42!
All Tech players must be able to Read, Write, and pass Calculus! All dawg players must finish coloring their books!
TRASH TALKING DAWGS WHO TRY TO MOCK,
WILL BE STUNG BY ME, STINGDOC!
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
1:10 pm
Fsu’s corners go to sleep. They haven’t covered anything all season. This has the making of another 450 yards. 200 air 250 ground. 42-28 win for tech.
Tech
October 9th, 2009
1:15 pm
Morgan B needs to come up with an INT. I think he will.
TechwoodDoctorNorthwest
October 9th, 2009
1:32 pm
I like PJ’s chances here, he broke a good many streaks last year, how about the winless streak in Tallahassee. Go Tech, Sting those Noles’
Gt4ever
October 9th, 2009
1:47 pm
Should be a GOOD game! Like I have said in the past, if our Defense shows up to play we have a CHANCE to win. If the offense has to carry the full load we will lose…. Simple as that…. One other note, these UGA fans like Bulldog Mike are just great to have around….
misterwax
October 9th, 2009
2:07 pm
Doug -
your boss (or your paper) needs to integrate an editor/spell check function on these blogs. People who are poor typists like I am, often look really stupid and uneducated when you also throw in their God-awful opinions on things… At least, if their opinons were spelled properly folks mught be able to understand fully their ignorance…..especially those men who can’t spell the word “DOG” properly…they are the worst….except for Jeff Schultz…used to be Terrence Moore… and before that it was Michelle Hiskey, but now it’s definitely Jeff.
By the way, boycott Jeff Schultz, the liberal condescending bigot….
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!! (properly spelled)
DawginLex
October 9th, 2009
2:16 pm
Tech rolls the imploding Seminole nation.
Did y’all know that amato took exception to Jimbo addressing the team before the USF game? Bobby forgot he was supposed to do the pre game talk and was still in his office. Jimbo got up to speak and Amato confronted him IN FRONT OF THE TEAM.
42-24 GT
They say timing is everything in life and that applies to football too. CPJ coming into the ACC when one of the most successful programs in the league is blowing up from the inside out.
Win this one and VT and y’all are BCS bound since the other division has no one capable of beating you.
All this while we figure out who is going to carry the ball Saturday in KVille in the rain.
Good luck to both. We need the bigger dose of luck Saturday.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
2:27 pm
Dawginlex
We need more than that to get to the bcs. Miami has an easy acc road left. If we finish tied, they go. If it’s a 3 way tie with vt, then it’s the highest bcs team. which is why i was pulling for choklahoma last week. my only hope now is for usf to beat them the way they did fsu. of course the year tech might need a top ranked ga team to move up in the polls, the dawgs are struggling. oh well
This Schultz doesn't know peanuts!
October 9th, 2009
3:31 pm
misterwax says, “By the way, boycott Jeff Schultz, the liberal condescending bigot….”
I second that, and will never click on an article with his name on it again. I will, however, gleefully click on an article with his name IN it, if it’s about him being canned, tarred and feathered, or run out of town on a rail. Unfortunately, he probably secured his position with the AUC, at least until it goes broke. There’s a day for celebration, but that’s another subject…
surfrider
October 9th, 2009
3:38 pm
To me the key to this offense is if it’s shut down can you throw the ball and still come from behind and that so far has proven to be the case. The better Tech QB’s I can remember were the ones that could run, pass and buy some time going back to Eddie Mccshan, John Dewberry, Shawn Jones, Donnie Davis, Joe Hamilton, George Godsey, Reggie Ball, and now Nesbitt. Also the fact that we have 6 play makers on offense each play verse 5 basically or 4. If we keep this pass percentage improment going then hopefully that will balance out and open the option. I was curious why the old wishbone teams junked the wishbone instead of figuring out a way to pass out of it instead. Now we need some consistency on defense as it looks shaky one week and then great the next.
GT FAN UP NORTH
October 9th, 2009
3:53 pm
Same as all the games- make the blocks and IF they pass like they did last week it want matter they will roll!!!! Looking forward to the game-let’s go Jackets!!!! THWG oh yeah normally I don’t get into this tit for tat but no more dog fans talking about the pop ups to sell tickets as the basketball thing is just as annoying as what they say our’s is with football!
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
4:05 pm
Godsey and Ball good qb’s? Hellll no.
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
4:45 pm
Ball was not a good Qb….Godsey, however, was….go look at his stats Tech 91….then come back to me.
Buzzfan
October 9th, 2009
4:48 pm
gte268p said that we are the ones who wnat Revenge: “Revenge for purposefully knocking Joe Ham out of the game, for phantom interference calls, for phantom late hits….Forget their revenge for last year, we still have years of revenge to take out on them!”
I completely agree! Don’t forget the bad calls, the bogus onside kick in 1991, and the devastating loss which Bowden said was the key to their sUbsequent success after which tHey went up & we went down for several years.
GO JACKETS!! BEAT THE CRIMINOLES!!
JaxFSU
October 9th, 2009
4:48 pm
Hey GT fans….FSU alum from Jacksonville (Florida) here. Heading over to Tallahassee for the game tomorrow….should be interesting, for sure. Our defense hasn’t stopped anyone all year, and I suspect we will have all kinds of trouble with the GT option attack (like we did last year…the only reason that game was close was that Nesbitt rolled his ankle in the 3rd quarter). So…I think the only chance FSU has is if our offense is clicking and it turns into a shootout..of course, all the turmoil in Tallahassee is a bit of a wild card…it’ll be interesting to see if the team rallys around Bobby….
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
4:55 pm
Nevermind Tech91, I did it for you.
Godsey’s stats
2000
63.6% 2906 yards 23 TDs 6 INTs
2001
64.8% 3805 yards 18 TDs 11 INTs
He didn’t have that great of a TD/INT ratio his second year of starting, but he definitely put up very respectable numbers, still.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 9th, 2009
5:18 pm
BREAKING NEWS: BARAK OBAMA HAS JUST WON THE HEISMAN TROPHY!!!
DamnGoodDawg
October 9th, 2009
5:51 pm
“If the offense is running right, it could be Florida State’s defense or the Pittsburgh Steeler’s, it doesn’t matter.” Yeah….right….
Biggest Dawg Fan Ever
October 9th, 2009
6:38 pm
First!!!
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:25 pm
He didn’t have 3800 yards in 2001. I don’t even have to look it up to recognize that. That would mean he averaged 300 passing ypg. No way in hell he did that.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:27 pm
Just looked it up. He had 3,085 yards in 2001. Just as I suspected. Sorry but these numbers are average. And my point was look how he was worse in 01 than in 00. QB’s are suppose to get better. He was much worse. That was my memory of him. Oh and getting creamed by FSU both times.
Hey Doug
October 9th, 2009
10:27 pm
Ooops typo…..3085 yards
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
10:29 pm
Sorry that last line was me….http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/072202aaa.html#TEAM.IND
as you can see I had a typo…3085 yards…..still good stats for a QB
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
10:33 pm
He got better into two categories except for TD/INT ratio….shows that he had an incredible season in 2000. We were also not as good as a team in 2001…he had to throw from behind more which forced more INTs.
He was no Joe Hamilton, obviously, but he was a good QB and to say otherwise is just wrong. The Fridge made him into a good QB in his system….you could say that…..but not many QBs in college actually through considerably above 60% except the good ones.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:34 pm
Actually the 01 numbers are horrendous. A decent td to int ratio is 3 to 1. Very good is 4 to 1. He was 1.7 to 1. 00 he did good. But 01 was horrible. Which is why I said he stunk. But not as bad as Reggie.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:37 pm
I will give you he was good in 2000. But he was horrible in 2001. Like i said, good qb’s are suppose to get better. Not worse.He played in 1 more game in 01 than in 00. And his numbers were drastically worse. Anyway, enough about the past. Hopefully Nesbitt and all have a solid game tomorrow. If we control the clock and limit costly turnovers, we should win.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:41 pm
I just noticed this stat about GG.
Passing Yards (Game): 486 vs. Virginia, 2001
Passing Yards (Season): 3,085, 2001
Pass Completions (Game): 39 vs. Virginia, 2001
Pass Completions (Season): 249, 2001
Completion Pct (Career): .633 (484-765)
Pass Attempts (Season): 384, 2001
Total Offense (Game): 475 vs. Virginia, 2001
He set records in 01 against va. odd years, like this year, we play va @ va. how on earth did we lose to them in 01 with 486 pass yards? Man the defense must have really really really been AWFUL that day.
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
10:42 pm
His 01 numbers are not horrendous…that’s just plain not true. Horrendous would be barely 50% with only 2500 yards and the TD/INT ratio. What it shows, is that he had more difficulty getting into the endzone and had made slightly more errant throws (looking at our team…probably was forced into more situations from behind.
I bet you (and that would take some looking up), he was one of the better QBs in the ACC. You can’t tell me that throwing for nearly 65% and over 250 yards per game is horrible. He may have been more interception prone in 2001, but he definitely moved the ball a lot. Brett Favre was known for being interception prone and he’s one of the greatest NFL QBs of all time….
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
10:44 pm
The Ted Roof defenses were abysmal! His defenses were the big reason why were not an elite team in 1999 and maybe even 2000. I think in 1999 are offense averaged 40+ points a game and our defense allowed about the same….
Cleveland, OH jacket
October 9th, 2009
10:46 pm
True that…I’m hoping Nesbitt gets 55% of his throws and throws for 140+ and a TD.
Tech 91
October 9th, 2009
10:56 pm
His numbers passing wise went down in 01. He had an extra game in 01. Played in 12, not 11, like he did in 00. You think 250 yards is good? It is for GT. Cause we run the ball. Godsey through the ball around 40 times a game. Averaging 250 is bad. Add to that his lack of td’s. 18 tds? That’s 1.5 a game. And 1 int a game. Think about it. It is horrendous for someone who passes the ball so much. Look at it this way. Nesbitt threw for 266 last week and only threw 14 passes. Godsey would pass 40 times a game to get that.
I am hoping last week wasn’t a fluke and our passing game is starting to take form. FSU’s secondary has been bad this year giving up tons of big plays. Hopefully we’ll get a few more bombs on them.
Navigator
October 10th, 2009
8:48 am
It’s really simple for me, if Tech continues to use the passing game like last week, Tech could be a top ten team in a year or two. My greatest complaint about PJohnson was trying to be one dimensional. Actually Florida’s offense isn’t a lot different, except they’ve always passed out of the spread formation.
Cocoa Beach GT Fan
October 10th, 2009
9:01 am
FSU is always tough, but 2 in a row is possible! In Perry GA, only mention about GT was on the weather forecast for Tallahassee. More coverage in Orlando?? All you Dawgs who have nasty comments about GT need to get off and worry about the Dawgs!
oldejacket
October 10th, 2009
11:33 am
What is game time today? Is it on tv?
UGAstudent
October 10th, 2009
4:55 pm
It could be worse. We could have lost to FSU like another Georgia school will
Sparky
October 10th, 2009
5:30 pm
Go Big Orange!!!!!
Volman
October 10th, 2009
5:49 pm
UGA lost today…HAHAHA!!! Now it’s onto Florida State!! GO TECH!!
pw
October 10th, 2009
9:54 pm
Can someone tell me what happened on the first kickoff? I just started watching the game but saw some mention of that by the commentators.
FSUWHO
October 11th, 2009
12:52 am
PW, the tech guys clearly recovered a fumbled kick off return by the criminoles but the ref was feeling all tingly with Bobby so he gave them the ball back.
bobbydoddsghost
October 11th, 2009
12:53 am
Bobby Bowden 0, Paul Johnson 2
Where the heck was that official review?
October 11th, 2009
1:06 am
That first KO is not reviewable??? Replay clearly showed, we recovered the fumble and had possession and down.
I know FSU had 400+ ypg for last 4 games, but are they THAT good or does our defense stink?
Ramble On:
October 11th, 2009
1:35 am
Hey UGAG: Now, who is the best team in the state of Georgia? It’s GT!
5-1 to your sorry azz 3-3 record. Josh Nesbitt is the man and Joe Cox sucks azz! THWG! See you on the flats. UGAG goes down to GT this year. Your team is a joke!
Ramble On:
October 11th, 2009
1:37 am
Hey UGAstudent: What was that your were saying? Sorry, but check the score. Your team got rocked by the Vols and the Jackets beat the Noles. Guess again! THWG! You better worry about beating Vandy! LMFAO
GT9
October 11th, 2009
8:44 am
Josh Nesbitt showed the nation what a Heisman candidate looks like.
first KO fumble
October 11th, 2009
1:14 pm
Tech should have challenged the call that there wasn’t a fumble, but they didn’t. Somebody in the Tech booth wasn’t doing their job and watching the replay.
ProudTechFan
October 11th, 2009
6:08 pm
proud of my jackets, excuse me OUR Jackets, we as fans deserve to route for a good team in this town, and with a coach like Paul Johnson he has given us a reason to believe in our team and that is something to be proud of as a tech fan. I know the defense looked dreadful the first half and somewhat respectable the second but at least it was a against a QB who has been on fire most of the year. The mutts down in athens gave up 300+ yards and four TD against one of the worst QB in the SEC. Either way we have to play better on defense this weekend against VA Tech or its gonna be a long day on the flats. But i give tons of credit to the offense the past three weeks, they have been truly unstoppable. FSU didnt have a clue of how to stop us last night. They were one of the teams i worried about in the ACC against this offense because of the athleticism and the speed, but CPJ has found a way to slow down the speedsters on the opposing defense, or use that speed against them. That is what make this offense so explosive. Nesbitt is running it to perfection minus a fumble or two and the backs are finds holes while the receivers are blocking they’re butts off down field. Lets really get behind this team Jacket fans this could be one special year.
GO JACKETS!!! AND THWG
Booger
October 11th, 2009
7:07 pm
lovin that high school offense …..can’t touch it.
wish that I was on ole rockytop, doggs.
GameTime
October 11th, 2009
7:56 pm
Doug, if you have an “in” with Bob Davie how about calling him before he covers our game with VT and ask him, out of respect for our coach and our program, to quit referring to our offensive scheme as the triple option! I have heard Coach Johnson talking to the media on countless occasions saying that we run the Spread Option and the Triple Option is just a small piece of what we have. If we can’t get the “expert” color guy to reference it correctly on national TV we don’t have a chance of getting it communicated correctly.