Johnson’s areas of improvement for Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said, off the top of his head, there are several areas of improvement he wants to see from this team this season:
1. Passing efficiency. Joshua Nesbitt completed 38.5 percent of his passes in 2008, and improved to 43.9 percent last season. Completion percentage isn’t the same as efficiency, but it’s one of the contributing stats. Last year, Johnson and quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon said they hope to see Nesbitt complete more than 50 percent of his passes. As they’ve said, when they pass they want to hurt teams. The teams’ passing efficiency stat was actually second in the ACC last season (149.6).
2. Play better defense. Specifically, Johnson wants to see the unit create more turnovers and force more punts. Tech was seventh in the ACC in total defense (360.3 ypg) last season, but when you factor in that Tech’s offense led in time of possession (33:49) that yards number allowed is very high. New defensive coordinator Al Groh has been charged with improving those stats. Johnson said that he and Groh, whose last job was at head coach at Virginia, are getting along swimmingly.
Tech forced 26 turnovers last season, the fourth most in the ACC.
3. Kickoff returns. This was one of the areas of improvement for last season, and the team did well. Tech was seventh in the ACC at 21.8 yards per return. However, Tech was ninth in kickoff coverage, allowing a whopping 39 yards per return.
4. Run better. Yes, you read that correctly. Despite leading the ACC at 295.4 yards per game, 87 yards more than the next best team, Johnson said the team left a lot of yards on the field because the blocking by the A-backs and wide receivers needs improvement.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
84 comments Add your comment
wiley
June 9th, 2010
1:56 pm
Actually the scout team is made up of a mix of players…some future contributors…some just walk-ons. For instance our scout team last year was run by two red shirt, and on scholarship, freshman QB’s…Jordan Luallen and David Sims…both are pretty highly rated players by scout and rivals. I didn’t mean to insult you…its just a fair amount of UGA fans think they know football just because they know how to grab the remote. Being on the scout team doesn’t mean you wont ever play…where do you think Joe Cox was his first few years?
Ramble On!
June 9th, 2010
1:56 pm
and I’m gay.
UGA obsessed?
June 9th, 2010
1:57 pm
Fan,
You really have proven your point about not being obsessed. Based on your grammar, spelling and punctuation I can only assume you were a UGA valedictorian (that means good student). How long are these tech articles posted before you are knee deep in the comments section venting your spleen. You and Stephen are classic. FYI, I’ve never posted on a UGA blog, never even read them. Can’t speak for my Jacket brethren, but if they truly are as prevalent as you say, then they are as big a moron as you. Gonna be a long time before another SEC title.
Vick=Dog killing thug
June 9th, 2010
1:57 pm
Sounds like a list of fundamentals to me. Pass and run and kick better and play better D
Not much else left is there? I think PJ just admitted that the team basically stinks…
30-24 baby….
wiley
June 9th, 2010
2:02 pm
Sarcasm isnt in my vocab. Players on the first team defense dont and wont play against the Option all the time and will not see it at all during the regular season. They will get a mix of different offenses and will play an opponents offense during the season on a weekly basis. Sure I guess our scout team players will be used to playing the option…but if they are seeing substantial playing time…than defensive adjustment will be the least of Tech’s worries.
Clint
June 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
I’d love to see U[sic]GA lose AND GT win, in the same game, no doubt. The truth is, “Clean Old Fashioned Hate” is a little one sided at times. I hated that Junior College in Athens and I hate to see them win anything. It’s just the nature of the rivalry, at least for Tech fans.
We still must improve ourselves and ensure a program outside the rivalry. Got to defend that title, now…
Oh, and recruiting… yeah, we should try that sometime. It’s a tough school, but it’s got plenty to offer, we just need to sell it.
THWG
Stephen?
June 9th, 2010
2:06 pm
Where has the courageous Stephen gone too? Called out by a few cowards and he scoots. The hostess must have seated a party at one of his tables. Keep the beverage glasses full or you won’t get a good tip, wait, you’re a UGA fan so you won’t know the difference. How do you calculate 20% of failure.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
June 9th, 2010
2:07 pm
GT’s pass offense was kind of like Ga’s defense, so bad that it would be impossible not to improve.
Clint
June 9th, 2010
2:09 pm
Now I have to get back to my video game.
Dawglasville
June 9th, 2010
2:12 pm
Wiley – My point was if you have second and third string offensive players who spend the core of their time learning their “unique” offense, then maybe when it comes time to be the scout team that mirrors the opponents defense, they may not be able to give them as the same representative look a team who runs a pro style offense and defense would. I love the option. I hate it that Tech is the one who runs it so well.
Clint
June 9th, 2010
2:15 pm
Solid, well-thought discussion point I just made. Completely relavent, right?
I’m glad that I make such sincere, non-anonymous posts!
Vick=just killed another
June 9th, 2010
2:24 pm
UGA VII
Best of Atlanta
June 9th, 2010
2:33 pm
*
————————————–
…….Nesbitt for Heisman…….
————————————–
Mysterious
June 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
In 2003, eleven Georgia Tech players were found academically ineligible
Morris Brown was more than $23 million in debt and was on probation in 2001 with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for shoddy bookkeeping and a shortage of professors with advanced degrees. On December 10, 2002, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked Morris Brown’s accreditation.
Nativebird
June 9th, 2010
2:48 pm
Better Passing? You’re kidding right? How about SOME passing. How about a (singular) hint of even the threat of a passing attack.
As long as this quarterback is behind center, Tech will no be able to pass the ball.
Watsonone
June 9th, 2010
2:54 pm
“Best of Atlanta” you are delusional Nesbitt? Heisman? YGBKM!!! WE need to recruit better or we will never beat the puppies again! Watch our conference rival disect CJP’s option offence. WE NEED PASSING!!!!
M.E. 71, GT
June 9th, 2010
3:01 pm
My concern is not Alabama or UGA or Va Tech or Miami. I am concerned that Curry at GA. State will surpass us within three years here in Georgia in talent and we will be the 4th team in Georgia behind UGA, GSU and Ga Southern. Not good. Did y’all see that QB from Bama signing up with Bill Curry ? We also LOST one of our few decent O lnemen to GSU as well. What gives at Tech? Is CPJ ticking off the kids?
He is not recruiting …………are we in trouble?
CPJ
June 9th, 2010
3:11 pm
Beating UGA more than 2 times a decade and making attendance better than 25,000 a game.
Delbert D.
June 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
Ga. State may surpass Shorter in 3 years. If Kennesaw State starts their football program soon, they may surpass Ga. State. Out of the 8 colleges I attended, both were included.
Delbert D.
June 9th, 2010
3:20 pm
The only way to get tickets to the SC State game is through StubHub or one of the other resellers. Why is that?
Paul in RDU
June 9th, 2010
3:29 pm
Delbert – I’d guess that the GTAA is trying to sell season ticket packages right now and will not be selling individual game tickets for a while. The tickets you are seeing on StubHub are from fans who have already purchased season tickets and for one reason or another (like going away the Labor Day weekend) will not be going to the game. I’ve got the same issue here in RDU – can’t get single game tickets yet
Stinger
June 9th, 2010
4:17 pm
We suck:(
Ezekiel
June 9th, 2010
8:03 pm
Coach Johnson has more starters back, more depth and more talent than he had his 1st 2 years. He’s in a great position as most of the experts are saying his team is only 3rd or 4th best in the ACC Coastal. Coach Johnson loves being the underdog. You can talk more Tech football at: http://www.bbuzzoff.com
ST SIMONS
June 9th, 2010
8:13 pm
UGA 30 – GT 24!!!!!!!!!
UGA 73 – GT 66!!!!!!!!!
WE RUN THIS STATE!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHA!!!!!!
Tech Guy
June 9th, 2010
9:23 pm
Here’s why Tech will beat UGA. 75% of UGA’s players are special admits to the school. Stopping the triple option offense requires making split second decisions which they cannot do effectively. UGA won last year because of Tech’s poor defense. The difference in the game was Shaw’s interception when Joshua had his ankle twisted. If Groh’s defense can make one stop, Tech wins. Tech’s football players have the highest SAT scores of any Division 1 school in the country according to an AJC report.
GT Rich
June 10th, 2010
8:09 am
Wiley and Dawglasville,
I’ve been to many GT practices (20+) since CPJ has been in town (I conveniently work across street from campus). Yes, our scout team “tries” to emulate a pro style; however, Dawglasville has a valid point, our players were recruited as option QBs and as smaller, fast linemen. An O-lineman can’t simulate being 315 pounds. The same linemen are being coached to block low on run and pass plays, whereas our competition O-lines are stand up blockers. Our QBs were recruited as run-first. Most of their reps in spring are in the triple option. When the scout offense takes the field, all of their training is geared towards low-blocking and run, run, run. The scout offense looks like a high school team against the D because of the O’s inadequecies at pretending to be pro style. We’d be better off inviting Ga State’s offense to campus to practice against our first team D. Al Groh’s depth of experience and ability to adapt to the situation is our only hope…
KG
June 10th, 2010
8:39 am
Stephen, have you ever been to a UGA game?
KG
June 10th, 2010
8:41 am
Tech Guy, last year it was at 83%. How either % is acceptable I’ll never understand…
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 10th, 2010
8:54 am
People shouldn’t comment on recruiting who actually have no idea what they are talking about…for those of us who do pay close attention, your ignorance is paramount and obvious…
Thinking that GA State or GA Southern have anything to do with Tech’s recruiting shows an ignorance level that should embarrass you even in an anynomous comment page…Best of luck to both programs, lets stop thinking their existence is so much as even felt by GT… Losing big time recruits to UGA hurts, but in early recruiting it is the norm. As these kids become seniors a new batch of top notch athletes makes themselves known and by then UGA will have tied up a lot of scholarships early, and GT will get the athletes it needs to compete…
In College, maturity and coaching make a bigger difference than recruitment…For example: Michael Johnson was a three star tight end recruit, he left a first round draft pick at DE…There are countless examples of this kind of thing, take a deep breath and lets let the fall semester decide who the winners and losers are…
Steady GT Fan
June 10th, 2010
9:15 am
We may not have the top kids on paper but our guys have more heart than any team in the nation. I love to watch them play.
Steady GT Fan
June 10th, 2010
9:18 am
I doubled my season tickets this year. How about you? Be a fan. Support the team. Get your friends and neighbors to come to. Wear your gear proudly. It is a team, a program and a school that makes me proud.
calvin
June 10th, 2010
9:41 am
An area of improvement would be to recruit players who have more character than to be early deserters to the NFL. All four of
Tech’s early deserters last season were recruited by Gailey.
Hopefully Johnson will be able to recruit a better mix of talent
and character.
Michael
June 10th, 2010
2:43 pm
I agree about the OL and DL needing improvement on Tech squad. I too saw UGA OL run over the 260 lb DT engineers. We must have a couple of 300 – 320 lbs’ers in the middle with some ability to hold their ground, even against a double-team. The little DL’men on Tech did try their best, but just don’t have the size or strength to hold up and they ended up 5 yards off the line when the play was over on each run up the middle. This happened against UGA, Iowa, Clemson, VT and even Miami in some spots.
The 3-4 D should help that some in that those undersized DTs can move over to DE and become usuable and then we need just one or two hosses to man the NT position instead of 4 or 5 biggies, but you got to have stout MLBs in the 3-4 and they must be able to stay with a TE in coverage. OLBs need speed and lots of it to rush the passer and cover RBs. I think the 3-4 helps, but we still don’t have those big bodies WITH adequate strength (read big and strong, not big and baby fat weak).
Stephen
June 10th, 2010
6:47 pm
A reading skills test: I wasn’t trolling. I was honestly interested in reading the update. Then I noticed how TECH people had turned this into a “bash UGA” comment roll (sad). They did this by making dead dog comments (sadder). I called them out for being jerks and mentioned a sign I saw at the UGA game.
No one could say anything UGA fans had done that was also that classless.
Instead I got a bunch of riled-up irony-hounds re-raising with more D-Baggery (saddest). It’s sad that a couple of Tech fans make the rest of y’all look like losers.