Don’t expect ‘movie, TV crap’ from Johnson
Don’t expect Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson to do anything special to try to get his players motivated for Saturday’s game at North Carolina. The players admit that they have played flat the past two weeks in a win against S.C. State and a loss at Kansas.
“From the looks of the game, I can certainly motivate better,” Johnson said. “But you know what my experience has been in 31 years? That’s movie, TV crap. You’d better be able to motivate yourself. I’m not going to motivate you 12 Saturdays a year. Anybody that thinks you’re going to go into the locker room and somebody’s going to punch the locker, or cave in the blackboard or head butt somebody and everybody’s going to go ‘AAAAAAAAHHHH!’ It’s make believe. It doesn’t happen.”
Saturday’s game is important for a variety of reasons, starting with it’s the Yellow Jackets’ first conference game since winning the ACC championship last season. Also, the team hasn’t lost back-to-back games since Johnson took over for the 2008 season. Johnson has said good teams rarely lose consecutive games.
“It’s a challenge for us,” he said. “We’ve got to play better. If we don’t play better than we did in the first two games we aren’t going to win on Saturday, I can tell you that. This is the best team we’ve played.”
Johnson said he hasn’t seen any of the players step up to try to help focus the team, nor does he want to. He said the entire operation, from the coaches on down, needs to improve.
“Show me, don’t tell me,” Johnsonn said. “We’ll see what they can do on Saturday. You do it by playing and doing your job, and doing what’s right. Anybody can stand up on the plane and say ‘Guys, we’re coming this week,’ until you get hit in the mouth the first time. Let’s see what happens on Saturday.
“We’ll find out starting today how serious we are.”
The players said as much after the game on Saturday, saying it’s time to start doing and stop talking.
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175 comments Add your comment
GT75
September 14th, 2010
4:26 pm
It’s time for Paul to show us something too Doug. He beat 4 teams with winning records in 6 years at Navy. He’s 2-3 out of the last five games. He has HIS players on the field. Could it be that history is repeating itself here at Tech. Better offenses than his can’t win without defense and talent.
Lame-O
September 14th, 2010
4:27 pm
Paul Johnson is a pig and not that great a football coach. Not much to like about this particular human being. That is all.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
You need to check that winning record stat
GT75
September 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
It’s that damned TO that is killing recruiting. Mike Leach could bring talent to Tech. June Jones could. Kevin Sumlin could. Hell, Chan Gailey recruited better than PJ. What happens to this program when PJ is gone with this talent drain we have going on here? Drad needs to have a talk with his coach.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Once again, what talent drain are you talking about? I’ve about had it with the r-word on the blog.
BartBuzz
September 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Lame-O….thanks for your wisdom. I’ll flush it the next time nature calls.
8 of 9
September 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
LOL! @ You Paul Johnson apologists. Check out his bowl record for starters. That silly gimmick offense is going to win you a trip to the blue field (again)
dawgy
September 14th, 2010
4:38 pm
I think Johnson is a good offensive coach, but this year should be interesting. He’s never faced real media scrutiny the way Richt has. He was in small markets/obscure programs before he got to tech. Also, he has had an inordinately long honeymoon, albeit deserved. If he starts to falter, look for some Gundy-esque media tirades. Then i guess we’ll see how much “class” the tech people have by the way the view him then. Say what you want about his suntan, or curious Ford commercials, or even his team discipline…Mark Richt has put up with a whole buncha media crap, and he’s done it with a steady hand. Let’s see if FishFry has the same cojones.
Reality Stinks
September 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
How is this going to be any better when you run the middle school option veer?
GT75
September 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
You don’t see the lack of talent Doug? Or do you just not believe your lying eyes?
pissed off jacket
September 14th, 2010
4:42 pm
All I know is I used to play d-line for Ga Tech while Chan was there and I feel that EVERY ONE of our d-lineman needs to have their scholarships threatened to be taken away. After that piss poor performance at Kansas where our whole line got pushed back 3-5 yards on EVERY play and did not get ANY penetration or pressure on the QB. They should be ashamed of themselves for letting a team (that could not even score a touchdown on North Dakota State) push them around like a bunch of sissies. Where are the Joe Anoia’s, the Darryl Richards, Eric Hendersons, Michael Johnsons, Derek Morgan????? We have ALWAYS had AT LEAST a decent d line. What the hell has happened to our talent level? I am extremely discouraged and we are in for the looooooooooooooooooooong haul this season
juvenal
September 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
too early to tell about the talent, that really does show ignorance(i.e., look at the BYU approach..)
Randall
September 14th, 2010
4:46 pm
it’s easy to see what’s happened to the defensive talent level. If you were a stud defensive player in high school, whould YOU want to get chopblocked every day in practice in college? The answer? NO!
What moron would voluntarily go to a school where he’s guaranteed to get his knees blown out in practice? The answer? Somebody with a VERY thin offer sheet.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
I think there is talent
Andy
September 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
Even with all the players that NC lost they can still play ball. If the LSU game is any indicator then i believe TECH needs to be ready and not dwell on the fact that majority of their defense. Hopefully this weekend is another dissapointment for metro atlanta teams.
juvenal
September 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
our seniors & r-jrs. are players chan left….
pissed off jacket
September 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
And one of the biggest parts of coaching is MOTIVATING. I dont know what the hell paul johnson is talking about. All coaches can do x’s and o’s, it is the personality, passion, and drive that separates coaches. It is the coaches job to get his players pumped up to their ultimate levels of motivation when preparing for the game. Football is mental and PLAYER PLAY OFF OF EMOTIONS. So for Paul to say that “the players should motivate themselves” really dissapoints me and tells me that Ol’ CPJ may not be turning out to be the kind of guy we need to win big games.
GT75
September 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
pissed off jacket, Doug thinks the talent leve is just fine. LMAO!
GT75
September 14th, 2010
4:52 pm
The R word. Are you talking about recruiting? Unfortunately for us that r word matters. It’s probably why a sorry UGA team can beat us and the LSUs and Iowas beat us. They r word better than us.
69dog
September 14th, 2010
4:52 pm
I thought CPJ was an offensive genius. Turns out, he is merely offensive. A sour, negative, butt of a man who deserves to be at gt.
Reality Stinks
September 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Doug
Tell Paul Johnson to go find a QB that is a QB and not a running back in the QB position
Yes that crap works at southern but not in big time college football week to week and surely not in the NFL
Zeke
September 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Ya’ll better watch it! Dougs panties are in a wad and ya’ll gonna get banned. You heard him. He’s sick of that r word.
Trip
September 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
What’s the R-word, Doug?
Yougottabekiddin
September 14th, 2010
5:00 pm
So Doug, what do you want us to say? Paul is great Paul is good. Come on Doug. The guy can’t attract the talent that it takes to consistently win at this level. Thank God we’re not in the SEC with his recruits. We don’t have to play MSU this year do we? Please say no.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:05 pm
I would simply like facts. If memory serves, the classes are all top 40 or so, for whatever that’s worth.
Yougottabekiddin
September 14th, 2010
5:06 pm
juvenal
September 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
too early to tell about the talent, that really does show ignorance(i.e., look at the BYU approach..)
Look at BYU’s offense. It ain’t that damn TO. At least BYU can attract D1 level skill players. Look at Houston. Look at SMU. Look at TCU. Look at Texas Tech. Think they’d have all that offensive talent if they ran God’s, I mean PJ’s offense. And in case you haven’t looked lately, not many top flight O lineman are showing up on the flats either. And how much softer can the D get. Those ARE PJ’s r words you know.
Yougottabekiddin
September 14th, 2010
5:07 pm
Doug. Puhleeze. One of his classes was #52 and another was #49.
Reality Stinks
September 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
Doug
Are you going to help Paul Johnson find a QB and not a running back in the QB position?
brokeback jacket
September 14th, 2010
5:12 pm
Doesn’t tech always lose in the movies anyway?
Maybe a movie with free popcorn and Cokes would sell out that tiny stadium. It’s a better bet than the weekly high school football games they’ve been scheduling.
Yougottabekiddin
September 14th, 2010
5:13 pm
RIVALS 2009
06.)Florida State
08.)North Carolina
11.)Miami
24.)Virginia Tech
26.)Maryland
33.)Virginia
37.)Clemson
52.)Georgia Tech
50.)Duke
51.)NC State
64.)Wake Forest
70.)Boston College
Jeff Monken – Georgia Tech Football
Football Recruiting Front Page … Previous Team Rankings Georgia Tech has 20 commitments and is ranked the No. 49 recruiting class in the country for 2008.
Really now Doug.
GEORGIA institute of TECHnology
September 14th, 2010
5:13 pm
i agree with CPJ he shouldnt have to tell the team why they should play hard or show up every day
Sam2
September 14th, 2010
5:14 pm
Doug says the r word doesn’t matter. So it doesn’t.
GT4ever
September 14th, 2010
5:18 pm
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:05 pm
I would simply like facts. If memory serves, the classes are all top 40 or so, for whatever that’s worth.
For what it’s worth Doug, when the teams you want to beat constantly out recruit you you probably are not going to beat them more times than they beat you. As much as it hurts, i.e. UGA vs us.
black bee
September 14th, 2010
5:19 pm
I understand what CPJ is saying but someone needs some fire on that defense! It was like looking at paint dry. Somebody needs to look at a Ray Lewis tape and get fired up, emotion and motivation can help and we see TECH WILL need all the help we can get!
BobBuchanan
September 14th, 2010
5:20 pm
PJ’s r words really lit it up against Kansas.
GTBob
September 14th, 2010
5:21 pm
Tech has never recruited well, its not just CPJ. They still get a fair share of talent though. Easily enough to be competitive. If you guys think that CPJ leaving will turn our mid 30s-40s recruiting classes into top 10 classes then you are crazy. Chan Gailey only had one good recruiting class the whole time he was there.
BobBuchanan
September 14th, 2010
5:26 pm
And GTBob that’s the one that won the ACC title. Now they’re gone and already Kansas has beat our azz. Keep drinkin that koolaid.
what goes around
September 14th, 2010
5:31 pm
I think some of you guys are going a little overboard. This is not a program that will be BCS bound every year. We are down a little on talent on the defensive side of the ball. When we are able to get some linebackers with real speed like we have had in the past we will see improvement. As far as the offense goes, we have plenty of talent but we have a weak passing game which should improve when CPJ brings in another QB. Be satisfied with 8 or 9 wins this season-that is all we can expect after the players we lost to the draft last year. We have never been able to reload like UGA does.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:33 pm
GTeever: I would point out what has Georgia done with its top-10 recruiting class recently, or FSU with its classes, or Miami, or Notre Dame…the list goes on and on. Way too much is way made of it.
what goes around
September 14th, 2010
5:40 pm
I agree with you Doug. Rivals and many of the other services can’t tell what the 3 and 4 star guys will do in college. Any one can project that an AJ Green or Julius Jones will be great but there are only a few of those guys.Look at Boise-not many blue chippers. You have to coach these guys up and get them prepared-that is what Gailey never did and Johnson will have to do to be successful.
BobBuchanan
September 14th, 2010
5:42 pm
Beat our azzes 8 out of 9 in the Richt era, that’s what they’ve done Doug. 2 SEC titles, 3 SEC title games. 6 top 10 finishes including a #2 and a #3. That’s what they’ve done recently Doug. The r word matters. A LOT!
Jefferson
September 14th, 2010
5:44 pm
The dang defense need to stop someone.
Carl D.
September 14th, 2010
5:45 pm
I guess Florida and Alabama wins all those NCs with GT’s recruits. Doug you’ve let that PJ man love cause you to lose your grip on reality.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:49 pm
Only one team can win a national championship. There are a few schools that attract the elite talent. You named two. There is a large group that attracts similar talent. I’m not apologizing for or defending anyone. I just can’t understand the recruiting concerns or reasons for them.
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:51 pm
Didn’t some of those losses occur with some of what y’all seem to think is better talent under gailey?
Doug Roberson
September 14th, 2010
5:55 pm
Ill add this: mccollum knows how to recruit. Giff smith, who was here a while, did too. I think y’all are worrying too much
Carl D.
September 14th, 2010
6:09 pm
Doug as badly as we’d like to think we are even the caliber of a UGA, the record says different. Recruiting matters. Unless PJ starts winning bowl games and out of conference games against good teams he is no better than Chan Gailey. We lost to a 5 loss LSU team by 35 points. We lost to a 5 loss UGA team. We got embarrassed by Iowa. We have lost 3 of our last 5. With PJ as coach I might add. So please enlighten us Doug. Is there a talent drain that PJ can’t coach up, or is it that PJ just might not be all that at this level? It’s got to be one or the other.
And by the way. Recruiting also builds depth. We don’t seem to have much of that either.
Walter Hill
September 14th, 2010
6:15 pm
I guess if UNC beats us with a those missing players that means Butch Davis is a far superior coach. Or could it be that UNC has recruited talent and depth and we can’t overcome that. If T.J. Yates lights up our defense does that mean he’s all of a sudden God’s gift to the QB position? It probably will mean that their talent and coaching is better than ours. Wasn’t GT supposed to be the center of the football universe when ole PJ got “his” players on the field? That isn’t happening is it?
GT75
September 14th, 2010
6:18 pm
I guess we won’t be getting any of that passing crap from CPJ either.
Carl D.
September 14th, 2010
6:26 pm
Yeah I bet we beat a lot of top teams with undersized O lineman that can’t get off that bigger, stronger, recruit to make that down field block that makes the TO work. Maybe you’re right Doug. It’s not PJ’s recruiting. It’s his damn TO and his high school coaching philosophy.