Why Paul Johnson is right
First, before we get going I should point out that Coach Johnson, nor his assistants, players, etc. need for me to point out when they’re right.
Having said that, I hope you read the story on ajc.com right now about why no one tries to copy Paul Johnson’s spread-option offense.
The usual silly reasons are thrown out by Texas coach Mack Brown and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, both of whom are smart enough to know that rallying isn’t difficult when the offense can strike as quickly as it does, and that Demaryius Thomas is exhibit A why recruiting isn’t difficult for the offense. Perhaps the only position, the only one, that a player could play in Johnson’s offense that wouldn’t translate to the NFL, would be quarterback. Now, that doesn’t mean that Josh Nesbitt wouldnt’ get drafted, or couldn’t get on with a team. It’s just the particular body of work a quarterback has in the offense would make it hard for an NFL team to gauge whether his skills would work well in the NFL.
But that’s my take on it.
What intrigued me most in the story by Ray Glier was Johnson’s assertion that he thinks it’s funny when teams line up in the same-old offense and defense and try to beat USC, with its stable of blue-chippers.
At my former employer, the Daily Press in Newport News, we covered a few coaching searches and I’ve always theorized that if you are a good school in a good conference with serious aspirations of becoming a national contender then the same ol’, same ol’ won’t cut it. A team will occasionally win 10 games, but more often than not you’re staring at 7-6, 8-5, 6-7, 5-8. What’s the point?
The reasons why are simple: you aren’t going to be able to recruit enough blue-chippers to beat Monster U. down the road, who will have twice as many. You’ve got to be a heck of a tactician, or a little lucky, or……you run a system. A system like Paul Johnson’s, or Jim Grobe’s or Mike Leach’s. Doing so at least improves your chances.
That’s why I’ll be really curious to see who Virginia hires whenever Al Groh leaves. If the Cavs don’t find a guy with a system, Cincy’s Brian Kelly for example, they are just going to get a lot of Chan Gailey-ish type results.
That’s why Wake Forest has been succesful. It’s why Oregon beat USC like a drum. It’s why Hawaii got national attention.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on my theory.
Plus, a system like Johnson’s is the great recruiting equalizer, at least on offense. You don’t have to find the rare 6-5, 320-pound lineman who can move a little bit. You can find the 6-1, 265-pound lineman who can move a little bit. You can take wide receivers and turn them into A-backs, if you want. They still catch passes, they get to run the ball. Most important, they get a chance to win. Everyone loves to win.
Look at the starting rosters of NFL teams. There are players from different levels, different schools, different systems. Playing in a pro set in college may help, but it doesn’t guarantee success at the next level. Working hard does. Playing well does.
Anyway, that’s my two cents. It’s something I’ve talked about with other reporters quite frequently. Now seemed like the time to share.
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130 comments Add your comment
jacket 4 ever
November 5th, 2009
8:23 pm
first?
Todd
November 5th, 2009
8:29 pm
You’re absolutely right. Next time you watch a MNF or SNF game, pay attention to how many starting players are *not* from football factory colleges. Jerry Rice? Miss Valley State. Jessie Tuggle? Valdosta State. Etc.
B'Ham Jacket
November 5th, 2009
8:31 pm
Paul Johnson is just GOOD and unique!
67Cheeers
November 5th, 2009
8:31 pm
Doug….I like your logic. Are you sure you didn’t graduate from North Avenue Trade School. If not…I can arrange for an honorary degree. Kudos!
Tech Tony
November 5th, 2009
8:38 pm
To me, the CPJ offense is like electricity: I don’t care how electricity works (clearly I never was a student at Tech), all I care about is the light coming on when I flip the switch.
This offense isn’t duplicated because it’s so complex. Johnson’s mastery is in making it look simple.
Michael
November 5th, 2009
8:41 pm
It’s a gimmicky high school offense that can’t possibly work at the BCS level. Who would want to play in such a system? GT will have to abandon its football program as soon as Gailey’s recruits have exhausted their eligibility, because no one will want to come to play. Bobby Dodd Stadium can be torn down; it would make a great site for a Super Target to serve the office workers on the other side of the freeway. Even Bill Lewis couldn’t destroy the program; look at what CPJ is doing.
grady
November 5th, 2009
9:00 pm
I completely agree with you and CPJ. Look at Tech a few years ago. We had a top ranked D, a good offense, a good team all around and Wake came into our house and destroyed us. How? By running a bunch of crazy misdirection and blitzing the snot out of us. If you run a system, you can find people to meet that system. If you run a standard offense, you have to make people fit your system, sometimes with weak results (see reggie ball). The other plus to this offense is that you generally are going to get the full time out of your players. You may have a Diesel who leaves after 3 (please don’t) but you most likely have a team that you can develop for 4 to 5 years. For the best example of CPJ’s logic, look at Utah v. Bama last year. Utah ran their system against a superior team and put a whoopin on Bama.
GT Rich
November 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
Cordelle Stewart was a QB drafted for his athletic talent. He was the original wildcat back. Given the emergence of the wildcat packages in the NFL, I can see a spread option QB having his place with a pro team. He won’t make Peyton $$$, but Nesbitt will find a home at the next level as a role player. Imagine if some of these wildcat running backs could actually throw the ball like Josh does??
StraightJacket
November 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
One of the more interesting statistics in CPJ’s offense is “big plays” … or plays over 20 yards. Last year, GT probably led the nation in RUSHING yard plays over 20 yards, and are probably doing better this year. With a second year in the system, fumbles lost are WAY down, time of possession is WAY up, and the team is scoring MORE than a touchdown a game more than last year, which puts them somewhere near the top 20 in scoring offense.
That makes Mack Brown’s point VERY ingenuous. What is his motive? Saying the fans won’t like it because it isn’t EXCITING?
I grew up a ‘Bama fan in the ’70’s when ‘Bama ran the wishbone. Lots of yards, lots of big plays, lots of scoring, lots of wins, and national championships. And you know what? THOSE THINGS ARE exciting. Brown must have an agenda, but I can’t imagine what it is.
Post some stats on GT’s big plays, total yards, and scoring, and you’ll see why GT fans find this offense PLENTY exciting,… thank you. If you think I’d rather watch Julio Jones and A.J. Green catch 3.4 balls a game, you’re wrong. D. Thomas has more yards, by a LONG shot, and that comes in our “running” offense.
As for passing, go look up and see who’s leading the nation (FBS; NOT just BCS teams) in yards per completion. THEN, go look up and see who’s leading the nation in yards per ATTEMPT. I think you’ll be surprised. I’ll save you the research on the ACC leader in passing efficiency: It is GT.
Don’t even start with me on Dabo. I don’t take him seriously. As for other coaches, there is ONE justifiable reason for other coaches NOT to run CPJ’s system. It takes TIME and PATIENCE to get it implemented, and most A.D.’s and fanbases don’t HAVE the patience to install it.
Even if they DID try it, CPJ is the Master … anybody else would be mere “learners”.
-SJ
Stumpknocker
November 5th, 2009
9:21 pm
When CPJ was hired as Erk R’s OC at Ga Southern he did’nt have a lot of blue chip recruits. The beauty of Johnson’s system is that he is able to take smaller but fast players, spread the offense out wider and compete and win against bigger oponents. Johnson’s ability to instill disipline and hone the basic fundamentals of blocking and tackling to a higher degree prepares his players to run a complicated offense. This spread offense, when run properly can score on any play from anywhere on the field, the key being that several blocks must be performed successfully in prescribed order…..hence the 60 and 80 yd td runs. Even after CPJ left Ga So a version of his offense remained for several years…..long enough to win 6 national championships……enough said.
Michael
November 5th, 2009
9:26 pm
It’ll never work.
Cuttysark
November 5th, 2009
9:26 pm
This is old school football at its finest. Being coached by an individual who views football on a level not many others are capable of understanding. He takes kids who want to win and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to compete and win as a TEAM. No 5 star prima donnas needed! He also enjoys showing all of the know nothings in the world that his system is successful just like any other other system when it is being executed by the players. Paul Johnson can flat out coach and recruit quality young men. He is incredible during a game with adjustments.
Go to http://isportsweb.com for more articles on Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech football, including an article on the Wake Forest “Uniformgate.”
Michael
November 5th, 2009
9:27 pm
Gimmick.
Henceforth
November 5th, 2009
9:28 pm
Some people shouldn’t be allowed near an Internet connection.
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 5th, 2009
9:28 pm
Sometimes I feel sorry for the opposing team.
Farsider
November 5th, 2009
9:44 pm
These things run in cycles, and maybe its time to see a return to some option football Its interesting to see some of the comments on Naval Academy football boards. They’re concerned that their advantage in running option football will dissipate if this becomes widely copied. As long as it was just the service academies running it, it stayed under the radar. But if Tech continues to make noise in big-boy football, can win their conference and maybe knock off a well-known team in a BCS bowl, the copy-cats will come out of the wood-work.
Will G
November 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
Doug,
Any chance you could start linking directly to stories you mention? The Internet is all about links, not sure if they teach that in Athens, but come on. Don’t make me go search for a story, I get discouraged quickly. After reading the blog all season, I’ve noticed this multiple times. I hope is it just an oversight and not some consultants idea of a better way to get pageviews.
Thanks!
Chris
November 5th, 2009
10:04 pm
And what happens when a football factory like Florida starts using a System? Lots of national Championships, it seems.
Mister Snake
November 5th, 2009
10:20 pm
Doug, you’ve really grown into this role. Keep up the good work!
Captain Obvious
November 5th, 2009
10:27 pm
But they will never recruit the blue chip QBs, duh. also, only receivers that want to put up AJ Green like numbers like Thomas is doing would want to fo to Tech
gt_blume
November 5th, 2009
10:28 pm
Doug, this might be the best, most insightful blog entry that you have written. Great job!
Chad
November 5th, 2009
10:31 pm
Anyone else trying to figure out if Michael is a supporter of the puppies, or if his posts are just dripping with sarcasm?
Captain Obvious
November 5th, 2009
10:40 pm
the key to beating his offense is being up by say 16 points at halftime
Captain Obvious
November 5th, 2009
10:42 pm
and if that doesnt work, try changing the uniforms
Engy
November 5th, 2009
10:53 pm
I think we need to put things in perspective. Johnson is doing great and I like what he has done for our program. But Paul Johnson is not a successful coach because he operates a run-heavy spread option offense, he’s successful because he’s a good coach who has a solid grasp on football strategy, has assembled a competent staff, and can motivate his players.
Football is ultimately played by the players. And what separates great teams from good teams are the intangibles and the immeasurable. Coaching is often a big part of that. A great coach, like Johnson, will look at the game, look at himself and those around him, and craft a way to put together a great football team. The rest of them will be stuck in the rat race like investors buying at the highs and selling at the lows.
You’ll see more copy cats if we keep winning. It’s really that simple. We’ve just now seized a part of the spotlight. We just need to stay in it a little while longer before people really start to pay attention.
Billy
November 5th, 2009
11:05 pm
The idea that what offense a team should run should be based on what the fans think is laughable. Does Mack Brown really think that the morons in Austin care how he wins? Fans are notoriously stupid. Or does Dabo really think that great running backs/OL/etc won’t play for a triple option team because it might hurt them in the NFL? It seems to me that a lot of the qualities that CPJ’s offense teaches are coveted in the NFL. Other than the QB position, what part of this offense doesn’t translate in some way? Seems like Mack and Dabo don’t want to put in the effort. In Mack’s case, that’s fine, since he’s doing “OK”. Dabo should probably be a little more open-minded.
Gtcoaches
November 5th, 2009
11:08 pm
Michael, Michael, you don’t have a lick o’ sense, your momma should’ve thrown you off the Tallahatchie Bridge.
Jason
November 5th, 2009
11:19 pm
I agree with ya man. I am so sick of hearing everyone say it won’t work because of BCS speed. Oops, well it won’t work once everyone has seen it one time. Oops, well you won’t be able to recruit against for it….I mean, the list of excuses goes on forever. ANd I think its largely because of the sheep attitude. People are scared of things that are different.
As far as what Brown said, I don’t understand his logic. I find this type of offense extremely fun to watch, and so do most o my UGA friends as well. As far as Swinney, that guys a moron so I don’t care what he thinks.
The fact is, GT is an engineering school, not a football factory. We are never gonna compete consistently with the big boys tring to run a pro-style offense. We are never going to consistenly get Moreno, Greene, and Stafford level talent to come here. Ever. We get lucky with the occasional Calvin Johnson, but thats not enough to build a strong program around. I really like what Johnson does, because we do not ahve to compete with Bama/Tenn/UGA/UF/FSU for every single recruit, and basically have nothing different to offer. I am glad GT quit playing follow the leader in a game where the deck was stacked against them, and started blazing their own trails again.
TechMD
November 5th, 2009
11:26 pm
Didn’t Brett Favre run an option type offense in college? Didn’t seem to hurt his NFL prospects. lol
Dustin
November 5th, 2009
11:27 pm
Just want to chime in on recruiting. With an offense like Tech’s, many are right about high talent QBs and WRs that won’t want to come, but RBs, FBs, and the most important players on offense the O-Linemen will be salivating at a chance to come to this system. It gives them the best opportunity to show their talent for future NFL scouts.
Look at the need of the NFL. Quality O-linemen are scouted like crazy. If a player can dominate a line, read a defense, and learn a system they are a shoe in for NFL tryouts.
And, with GT back in the national spotlight, players are going to want to come. Especially defense. Tech has tradition in developing NFL talent defense. Now that Tech can seemingly score at will, skilled defensive players will be coming to win.
TechMD
November 5th, 2009
11:29 pm
Not fun to watch????? That 18 play, 10:47 minute drive in the second half vs Virginia was an absolute thing of beauty!!!! It totally took the life out of UVA. Go Jackets!
Gtcoaches
November 5th, 2009
11:42 pm
Individual Receiving Leaders
RK Name Team ATT YDS AVG TD LONG 100YD GMS
1 Freddie Barnes Bowling Green 107 1176 11.0 10 55 6
2 Greg Salas Hawaii 59 977 16.6 5 66 5
3 Golden Tate Notre Dame 56 927 16.6 9 77 5
4 Eric Page Toledo 65 909 14.0 7 70 5
5 Stephen Williams Toledo 60 884 14.7 5 56 4
6 Dezmon Briscoe Kansas 54 841 15.6 5 56 5
7 Danario Alexander Missouri 58 824 14.2 7 74 4
8 Demaryius Thomas Ga Tech 34 823 24.2 5 73 3
9 Tim Brown Rutgers 37 811 21.9 5 81 4
10 Max Komar Idaho 50 807 16.1 7 42 4
Look who’s # 8 in receiving. Thomas like Calvin Johnson will be a high draft choice and Like Tashard Choice, Dwyer will be a highly sought after and so will be Allen. Running backs and receivers will be flocking to Tech.We will just have to keep Bobby Dodd’s house around a few years longer
MagnaCarterGT
November 6th, 2009
12:13 am
I think Michael fell through a hole in time from 2 years ago… haha.
Random GT Fan
November 6th, 2009
12:20 am
From the way it looks…some Tech fans posting blogs here…….and I don’t see any leghumpers….lets not feed the fire and go randomly post on their blogs about how crappy their team is….trust me…karma is a Bi!!tch
GT9
November 6th, 2009
12:56 am
Beat Wake Forest!
On the money, Dustin.
Good point, Random. Let’s win with class. (Far worse than booing an opposing team when they take the field is to ignore them; or at least cheer for them because they had the courage to show up.)
JACKET UP!
Billy
November 6th, 2009
1:18 am
TML,
I had actually forgotten who Eric Zeier was. Yeah, he beat some crappy Tech teams, but what else did he do? Anyone that calls the spread option a “high school offense” has an agenda, and that agenda is to make them feel better about their own teams (lack of) success.
Phil
November 6th, 2009
2:16 am
Florida does not run a pro-style offense, they run Urban Meyer’s shotgun-based system, which by the way runs a lot of option; so they obviously can’t recruit the best athletes with NFL aspirations, can’t compete in a big time conference like the SEC, and certainly can’t even dream of winning national championships.
Am I right?
macrotech
November 6th, 2009
3:38 am
While all the nay-sayers share their ignorant drivel….Tech will continue to roll up the yards and add more victories!!! Mack Brown??? Could care less!!!
George P
November 6th, 2009
5:04 am
I don’t want other schools to think Johnson’s offense could work there. As long as schools are afraid to take the chance, no big school is going to throw money at Johnson to go there, and no team is going to see the offense often enough to be able to spend the time on defending it.
If schools were willing to take a chance, then Hal Mumme, with all the success Mike Leach is having, wouldn’t be at McMurray.
Let them keep thinking of reasons it won’t work, and let Tech keep winning.
snapshot
November 6th, 2009
6:03 am
People are always skeptical of something they don’t understand and will give you plenty of reasons why it will not fly. These are exciting times at Georgia Tech. According to CPJ, Tech has not played a complete game yet. I hope they have one Saturday. I can only imagine what the outcome will be.
mowreck
November 6th, 2009
6:55 am
Anyway we could perhaps schedule Texas in the near future … would love to hear what Mack Brown says after the game. hehehe
Skiles
November 6th, 2009
7:04 am
Go Jackets!! Halloween is over…Beat the Deacons!!
AMG
November 6th, 2009
7:40 am
I do not think other schools will see the same results Tech has by just running Paul Johnsons offense. CPJ is a great coach, not just a great option coach. I think the offense can be successful else where, but the job CPJ has done is far greater than just the system.
Tech Man
November 6th, 2009
7:51 am
Hey Michael. You are either in the fourth grade or a complete idiot. Why don’t you get a life.
Blazing saddles?
November 6th, 2009
7:54 am
Mr Johnson you are 100% correct about Mr. Johnson be right.
Mutt Buster
November 6th, 2009
8:21 am
Wide receivers who are proven excellent down field blockers are in great demand in the nfl. Lots of players can catch passes and run routes, but most are not well groomed as down field blockers. Just look at Hines Ward of the Steelers if you doubt my words. Techs wideouts and A backs will all get a good look from the nfl, as will Josh. Remember, Hines played quarterback and several other positions in college.
helluvaengineer90
November 6th, 2009
8:26 am
Let’s do some simple comparison of scores. We all know that GT needs some defense, but we also hear how mighty the SEC is. We also hear more specifically how mighty the SEC defenses are. The reason for the anemic scoring in the SEC is because the defense is so tough, even on the weak teams. Let’s look at GTech’s scores against SEC teams in comparison to their competition. Except for 1 game, Auburn vs Miss St.; GTech has scored more points than every other big school team against the vaunted SEC defenses. So much for SEC defense against a simple High School offense.
Mississippi St
Opponent Points
GT 42
Auburn 49
Vanderbilt 3
LSU 30
Houston 31
Florida 29
Kentucky 24
Vanderbilt
Opponent Points
GT 56
LSU 23
Miss St 15
Miss 23
UGA 34
USC 14
Trade School Junkie
November 6th, 2009
8:26 am
All the folks that said CPJ’s offense wont work,
are sportin tire treads across their backside.
You’re either the Ramblin Wreck…or the Road-Kill.
Right Dawgs?
GA Tech Insider
November 6th, 2009
8:27 am
I, too, have been sitting back, listening to the other teams, and their coaches, as they’ve downplayed Paul Johnson and the offense he brought to GA Tech when he came storming onto campus but a couple of years ago.
This first year, all we heard was: Paul Johnson’s high school offense will never work in a “real ” football conference – the players are too fast; too strong; too whatever.
After the Yellow Jackets won 9 games last season, we heard: well now that everyone has seen them once last season, they’ll be easy to defend; the second go round, things will be different (don’t forget, the players in these conferences are bigger, faster, stronger, whatever).
What’s happened the second time around, at least so far this season? Every team that beat Paul Johnson and the GA Tech Yellow Jacket have been avenged, and the team is already one victory away from equally last season’s win total with 3 regular season games to go. I guess the second argument doesn’t hold water now, does it?
So, here comes the third argument – Paul Johnson is only able to win because he inherited Chan Gailey’s players, and once they leave the team, then we’ll see a dramatic drop in the victories because Paul Johnson will never be able to recruit good players to GA Tech to play in this type of an offense.
Those those who try to make that next lame excuse, I would say, if Paul Johnson can turn players recruited to play in a pro-style offense in a offense exclusively into an juggernaut this quickly. especially offensive linemen and a QB who had never taken a snap under center or run an option play in his life, and he has now proven to kids across the country that his style of play can win league championships and will challenge for a national championship, do you honestly think Paul Johnson won’t be able to bring in quality players to come in to play for this man?
Sure, GA Tech may not get the top pro-style QB, but he’s not a fit for this offense.On the other hand, if you’re a talented running back, who wouldn’t want an opportunity to put up a minimum of 1,000 yards a season and be able to break off 80+ yard runs on every carry; runs that will put you on ESPN every night? And wide receivers? Would you rather be double-teamed on every play and have the opportunity to catch 3 passes every game, and maybe average 80 yards a game in receptions; or would you rather have the opportunity to go one-on-one every play and have the opportunity to catch 3 passes every play, maybe average 80 – 100 yards per game, with the opportunity to catch the long gainer every game because you are one-on-one?
Once this next excuse gets dispelled, I’m sure there will be another one that the losers will try to conger up. And when they do, Paul Johnson will simply shrug his shoulders and have his team keep doing what they’re doing; just win, baby.
Tech '90
November 6th, 2009
8:29 am
Doug,
I think this is your best article that you’ve written in awhile. I totally agree.