The good and the bad in Tech’s loss
Reviewing Georgia Tech’s 27-13 loss at Clemson on Saturday:
The game that was
Georgia Tech had many things go right on its way to the Orange Bowl last season. This season, things aren’t going their way with as much regularity and the result is losses. The odd thing is in each of the three losses there has been a single moment when, if one play is made, the result could have been different. On Saturday it was the failure to recover a fumble on a kickoff return. Against N.C. State and Kansas, it was allowing third-and-long conversions after Tech had just scored to take the momentum.
What we learned
1. The team needs to get mean. Paul Johnson said afterward that his team got whacked around. Brad Jefferson said the defense had trouble beating blocks (not the first time this season that has been said), and Johnson later said the offensive line needs to put its hand on the ground and blow somebody off the ball. That’s not all technique, some of that is just wanting to be meaner than the man in front of you.
2. Special teams need special attention. Tech isn’t good enough to overcome too many mistakes. It had a season’s worth of errors on special teams in the loss to Clemson, with six errors made. The punt-return unit, which has had issues throughout the season, had a penalty for roughing the kicker, and the punt coverage unit was called for a late hit. It also failed to down a punt at the 1-yard line.
3. The offense needs a game-changer. With the exception of Orwin Smith, Tech has nobody on the edge that can be consistently counted on to either catch the ball or take the option and turn upfield for a big play. Smith has become Tech’s most dependable receiver with two catches for 37 yards on Saturday in a group that had more drops. Smith also had four rushes for 54 yards. Anthony Allen was a game-changer on the edge in the rushing game last season at A-back. Because teams are focusing on taking out Joshua Nesbitt and Allen, who is now a B-back, one of the A-backs needs to step up … and the offensive line and wide receivers need to help by sealing the edge.
Injury report
There appeared to be no significant injuries.
Numbers game
6.2
Rushing yards per carry on 38 carries allowed by Georgia Tech on Saturday. The 236 yards allowed was a season high. Tech was susceptible to cut-back runs last season, and that hasn’t changed this year.
Sound bite
“We’re going to have to go back, watch the tape and get this thing worked out quick because we’ve got a couple more big games coming up.” — Allen said, referencing games at Virginia Tech and at home against Miami.
Loose ends
Nesbitt needed 44 yards to become the ACC’s most prolific rushing quarterback. He now needs 42 yards after netting just 2 yards on 15 carries against the Tigers. It was his worst rushing performance since Johnson took over as coach and an example of the offensive line’s issues. … Twice this season Tech has been held to a touchdown or less in the first half. … Tech didn’t force a turnover for the fifth game this season.
What’s next
Georgia Tech gets more than a week off to regroup before heading to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech. Tech’s chances of making it back to the ACC championship game are very slim, but they include needing a win over the Hokies.
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118 comments Add your comment
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
9:52 am
Totally agree that CPJ is the right coach for us. Everybody talks about Chan’s recruits. Chan’s recruiting SUCKED!! All of Chan’s good players left already! We are now stuck with the dregs of what Chan recruited. Thank God that we have a several CPJ recruits (O. Smith, TJ Barnes, I. Cross, J. Burnett, I. Johnson, R. Sweeting, O. Uzzi) that are playing well, otherwise we would be REALLY bad.
ArkyTech
October 25th, 2010
9:56 am
Put up or shut up time in Blacksburg. We were in a very similar situation in 2007 and fell completely on our faces. Let’s see if a new coach yields different results. Division title still very much within reach.
rxdawg79
October 25th, 2010
9:57 am
@theGRdream: we’re in total agreement. I kept thinking as I read the blog’s comments that they were just like UGA blogs a month ago, only with player’s/coaches’ names being different. UGA is finally beating the teams they’re supposed to beat, but the next few weeks will tell us if it’s anything more. GT has discovered just how much they miss the players who left for the NFL, as did UGA last year. (UGA’s funk lasted longer than I anticipated, but GT fans can hope that GT’s will not.)
Everyone thought it impossible for UGA to win the SECe, but suddenly that scenario just might play out. GT’s situation is amazingly similar–it can still happen. I wouldn’t bet on either team to do it, though.
I also agree with the poster who suggested that it’s time to play some other folks for a bit. I still curse silently when I think of the playing time Aaron Murray could have had last year had the staff not stubbornly stuck with Joe Cox all game every game. When Nesbitt’s gone will GT have anyone @QB who’s actually played in a live game?
A month from now we might have two 5-6 teams in a desperate fight to avoid a losing season. A month ago that didn’t seem possible (we all thought that only 1 team would be in that position). Should be an interesting home-stretch.
Slide Rule
October 25th, 2010
9:58 am
Seriously folks, I’ve watched Nesbitt play. He’s a heckuva runner and a tough sob. I’ve seen him make people miss, run over people, and carry people with him. If he had no o-line in front of him he should get more than 2 yards….dontcha think?
GT fan in MS
October 25th, 2010
9:59 am
Bench S. Hill! Get hit in the face with the ball in the endzone and drop it? How many times this season has Hill dropped key passes?
Forever Orange
October 25th, 2010
10:05 am
Told ya. Told ya we would win. Told ya all the posers would disappear today. I was right on both counts. I have no love lost for Va Tech but you will get a real beat down in two weeks.
And tech signed who?
October 25th, 2010
10:07 am
PJ has had 3 recruiting classes, his inability to recruit quality players is rearing its very ugly head. if PJ is such a great coach why hasn’t he coached up Gaileys dregs or better yet recruited the talent to replace them?
GT Jake
October 25th, 2010
10:14 am
CPJ can coach, but can he recruit?
He didn’t have to at Navy.
If he doesn’t stop signing classes of duds that should be playing DivII or for Duke, get used to what you saw Sat.
GT Jake
October 25th, 2010
10:17 am
And yes… CPJ had more talent at Navy, than he does now!
BUUUHHUUHHHU
October 25th, 2010
10:19 am
WWWAAAHHHAAAHHHAAA
I guess the tough talker and captain metamucil aren’t working out
GT87
October 25th, 2010
10:23 am
I’m still behind CPJ 100%. Now is not the time to turn on our coach like some other in-state school. Go Jackets!
juvenal
October 25th, 2010
10:24 am
Doug, congatulations-only stupid people don’t realize being a nerd is a compliment….& that CPJ’s 1st class was inherited,with redshirting it takes 5 years to assess a class, it’s done retrospectively…
Stephen Hill is a Joke
October 25th, 2010
10:26 am
I’m behing CPJ 100%, but he seriously needs to bench Stephen Hill. That kid is quite possibly the worst wide-out in the NCAA.
Wreckmaniac
October 25th, 2010
10:27 am
Problems and Possibilities:
1. The offensive line never allowed Nesbitt to move after the snap. He had no holes to run through.
2. Tarrant needs to get more touches. Switch him to offense
3. Linebackers were atrocious. Never got their hands on Ellington or Harper.
It is time to review his era
October 25th, 2010
10:29 am
CPJ has been the GT coach for 2.5 years. His first year was fair and last year was also fair. Now, winningttat ACC thing, in 2009, means nothing because look at the 2010 early season humiliations that the ACC received by playing out of conference. That embarrassing record of defeat for the entire ACC speaks for itself.
With Va Tech and Miami and UGA on the horizon …………..GT is looking at 3 more losses. These three schools ( UGA is simply horrible ) will out muscle and shove GT all around the lot. They also have in common ……….1.) better athletes and 2.) Speed. Joshua Nesbitt has become a national laughing stock too.
CPJ told us that Al Groh, with “all of his 1960s era NFL contacts would boost our D play”. Now, that too has to be weighed.
GT over 43 years sees a new football coach every 3.5 years. Tick, tock, tick tock. IS CPJ soon to be the next one? Ga Southern might take him back or Elon College or maybe even West Georgia University or Montezuma High School.
The old GT crowd are not happy. They miss the SEC and are humiliated playing in the ACC.
Get ready for the Boise Blue Carpet Bowl in snowy, cold, sleeting Idaho in front of 2,300 local Boy Scouts. AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Stephen Hill is a Joke
October 25th, 2010
10:30 am
Wreckmaniac
I have never seen linebackers so lost before. I mean seriously, how many times can a RB cut-back on you and gash you for 30+yards before you start staying at home on the weak side
SRF
October 25th, 2010
10:33 am
Nesbitt is a nice enough kid and an OK running back – but unless he learns to pass, this offense will stay boxed in and keep losing. The smart coaches have figured out the gimmick – you have to have a threat of a pass to keep defense off-balance. Teams can play 11 men on the line to stop the run because the QB cannot pass and the receivers cannot catch.
Wreckmaniac
October 25th, 2010
10:34 am
Who cares who Chan recruited ? There are a lot of dumb fans on these blogs. Haven’t we all seen for years and years what 5 star recruits have done for UGA ? Nothing. We expect coaches to “figure it out” when we fans can’t figure out what is staring us in the face. Aren’t we as fans responsible for figuring out some things ourselves ? Recruiting does not cause winning.
Forever Orange response..
October 25th, 2010
10:37 am
Yep, Clemson played a good game even without Parker. I’ll give you that. I’ll take this loss to our 2 wins last year any day though. Good luck to both teams. When does Clemson play FSU?
Bob
October 25th, 2010
10:41 am
Wake up people!The problem is our recruiting!We are recruiting southern conference players.We get mauled by decent teams because we are aweful in the trenches!Wake up and accept the truth!PJ has to make changes hiring recruiting coaches.He recruits like he is at Ga Southern.The alumni need to get after PJ on his glaring weakness of recruiting good players especially front seven on D.
fan of shorter passes
October 25th, 2010
10:42 am
Would love to start the game again without that roughing call.
Amazing what the loss of one receiver to the pros can do to an option team.
Been a Tech fan long time…named my son after “Brent” Cunningham.
If Tech beats VT, I’ll become a Tarheel fan for a short while.
Here is an idea:
October 25th, 2010
10:42 am
For GT they need to make some neat lil changes. Here is my plan:
Go with Aaron Murray at QB. He can run and throw the ball. Perfect for the triple bone offense. He is also very intelligent ………..something that um, ah, the existing GT Qb lacks.
Put Waushaun Ealey at A back. He is a ball player and has grown up in the very manly SEC. In an ACC contest he might score 10 TDs.
Put UGA’s Kenarius Gates at right tackle. He is only a true frosh at 6′8″ and 330 lbs but he is a man already in the very manly SEC. He also played HS ball near where Nesbitt played. A natural this move would be. They could be pals.
At D end ……….go with UGA’s Justin Houston. Wow! Why not? He is a man and yes, grew up in the SEC. He will immediately put the fear of GOD in any ACC school, or ……….SEC for that matter.
At corner back go with UGA’s Cummings Sanders ………all 6′3′ and 215 lbs with speed. He is a developing corner for sure. Fill out GT’s d backfield with # 09 Alec Ogletree at safety. He too is 6′3″ and weighs a neat 220.
Now …………….throw in Todd Granthom as D co ordinator and get rid of AL Groh and GT might have a shot. Bobo can replace CPJ and that will really BOOST GT’s chances of winning.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Alan
October 25th, 2010
10:42 am
Agree 100% with Bob.PJ has to be called out on his aweful recruiting staff.
Gt4ever
October 25th, 2010
10:43 am
No Defense, and unbelievably, NO offense….. Wow, who would have thunk it….. This coach hasn’t recruited….. I am a GT alum and fan for life, but it looks like it’s going to get ugly….
juvenal
October 25th, 2010
10:44 am
do the math-4/16 OL & 3/12 DL upper class(including#96)-too fwe linemen recruited when the 5 scholarships were lost-this dip was predictable-Texas, UF, UT are in same boat…..
juvenal
October 25th, 2010
10:45 am
few
404
October 25th, 2010
10:46 am
Rumor has it that the Orange Bowll committee has already told
John Swafford that they “expect” to see FSU play in the Orange Bowl,
as the ACC Champion.
Call your bookie now.
Hugh
October 25th, 2010
10:46 am
The recruiting at Tech is a joke and everyone knows it.No use to spin it anymore.PJ and staff are aweful recruiters.Hey PJ you are not at Ga SOUTHERN SO QUIT RECRUITING LIKE IT!!!!!!!! I AM INFURIATED AT THIS NON RECRUITING STAFF!!!!PJ WILL SOON HAVE HIS JOB ON THE LINE BECAUSE OF HIS RECRUITING
Jack G.
October 25th, 2010
10:48 am
This team is close—-well let me tell you folks—-Close only counts in horseshoes and Hand Grenades.
It is well documented that I dont like CPJ’s system so I wont get into that. All I have been hearing is wait until he gets his players. Just look at it—these are his players and it dosent make any difference. The reason they are not doing well, is other teams are learning how to defense his system. Defense—-CPJ teams have never had a defense. As for Groh—he is playing a 3 4 defense and should be coaching a 4 3. He just dosent get it.
so many dogs on this blog
October 25th, 2010
10:51 am
trying to sabotage
John
October 25th, 2010
10:52 am
Why hasnt our AD confronted PJ about his aweful recruiting?He is in BIG trouble.This team has no talent.The staff has to be fired.They are pitiful!!!This is unacceptable and PJ needs to hire a recruiting staff or go back to a mickey mouse team where he can run his outdated offense.Maybe its time to hire a new head coach.People who spin this are idiots.PJ is in big trouble!
Jack always says the same thing
October 25th, 2010
10:53 am
.
Hugh
October 25th, 2010
10:54 am
No we are not dog fans.We are Jacket fans who are sick of our pitiful recruiting staff!!!!
@John
October 25th, 2010
10:55 am
Define “big trouble”.
Bob
October 25th, 2010
10:56 am
We have to make several changes on our staff at seasons end.It is going to get ugly.We all know recruiting is our problem and we have to focus on hiring recruiting coaches.If PJ does not like it he can go to Western Carolinab and take his offense with him!
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
10:59 am
I can definitely tell who is a UGA troll on this board. “And tech signed who?” has zero understanding of recruiting. Why are we getting pushed around on the OL and DL lines? Because we have guys who were not recruited for those systems playing those positions. “It is time to review his era” is clearly a UGA troll, given the way he disparages the ACC. Yes, the ACC is bad, but have you looked at the SEC East? CPJ is a much better coach than Chan Gailey or Mark Richt could ever hope to be. GT is GT, we are never going to be Alabama, Texas, or USC, but we have a coach who can hopefully help us to overachieve every year like we did the last two years.
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
11:00 am
Bob,
You know NOTHING about recruiting! We have recruited very well the last two years and we are on pace to have another solid recruiting class for 2011. If you are expecting us to recruit as well as UGA, you are going to be disappointed.
CarolinaJacket
October 25th, 2010
11:01 am
The “star system” for rating recruits can surely be misleading, Look at O. Smith, a two star recruit who now is Tech’s top, or nearly top, offensive player. The linebackers have really been a disappointment. And how is Chris Jackson coming along. He should be able to catch the ball either as a wr or aback. Watch of D. Smith to be a really good qb next year.
John
October 25th, 2010
11:02 am
BIG TROUBLE means we are going to get physically mauled against Va Tech,Miami,and UGA!!!BIG TROUBLE MEANS WE HAVE NO TALENT!!!!BIG TROUBLE MEANS WE HAVE NO RECRUITING COACHES!!!!!!BIG TROUBLE MEANS PJ’s OFFENSE HAS BEEN FIGURED OUT.NOW WE HAVE NO TALENT!!!!NO RECRUITING COACHES!!!!AND AN OFFENSE THAT EVERYONE HAS FIGURED OUT!!!!!!WE WERE LUCK TO HAVE BEATEN WAKE!!!!!!!WAKE UP IDIOT!!!!!!WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE!!!!MAYBE ONE MORE WIN!!!!!!!!
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
11:12 am
CarolinaJacket, I assume you mean David Sims.
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
11:16 am
John, I assume that you mean an offense that was figured out that gained over 300 yards against Clemson. They didn’t “FIGURE OUT” our offense, S.Hill dropped a touchdown pass in the endzone, we had several bad pitches, and Nesbitt inexplicably handed the ball off to Anthony Allen three straight times inside the 10 and was stopped for almost no gain three straight times!
GT Jake
October 25th, 2010
11:29 am
GT Sambo: “We have recruited very well the last two years and we are on pace to have another solid recruiting class for 2011.”
The classes rank out of the top 50, you Homer!
Stop kidding yourself.
And now you’re going to tell us rankings don’t matter.
Riiiiiiggggghhhhht…..
Too Easy
October 25th, 2010
11:34 am
According to sambo, gtu actually beat Clemson.
Gt4ever
October 25th, 2010
11:47 am
As for all you people that don’t believe that we can recruit with the UGA’s of this world…. I just don’t understand why anybody would say that we can’t compete with anybody. First of all, we have the same latitutude of admitting the same players that UGA, ALA, or UF… There is NO excuse for subpar recruiting, No academic reasons, NONE! So for all you people that want to throw the academic reason, forget it…..
GT Jake
October 25th, 2010
11:59 am
GT4ever:
While I totally disagree with GT Sambo I would argue that it’s unreasonable to think we can recruit with schools that can hide thier players in majors and classes that take the equivalent IQ of a 4 year old to pass.
I’m just saying, there’s no reason we should sign players whose only other offers are Wake Forest and The Citadel.
GT Sambo
October 25th, 2010
12:27 pm
GT Jake,
You are wrong!
Recruiting rankings per scout.com, 2009 (first full cycle for CPJ) – 32, 2010 – 41, 2011 – 39. Personally, I consider that pretty good for a relatively new coaching staff. Much better than most of Chan’s rankings from 2001 to 2008.
Gt4ever
October 25th, 2010
1:40 pm
Curriculum has changed since I was in school. I’m not here to argue the hypocrisy of the NCAA… or the hypocrisy of schools having certain majors that would allow the football players to be succesful. I have been there, there are football players at GT that would not be there if it not for football. I don’t care, it’s silly to think that we(GT) are simply recruiting student athletes. That’s just not the case…. Bobby Ross recruited, George Oleary recruited, and a good coach will find a way to get the best athletes into school! Period!
Go Jackets 88
October 25th, 2010
1:41 pm
This years recruiting class should be top 30 if we get 20 or more recruits. Jabari will end up being a four star LB on all sites. Caldwell and Vad are four star players. We might get another one. Probably more three stars on the way. I believe this years class is going to the be the best of PJ’s classes.
Hokie Revenge
October 25th, 2010
2:53 pm
We are waiting in Blacksburg to exact our revenge. Bring on your archaic offense. We will be ready and we are going to enjoy it.
CLEMSON ENDS THE STREAK AGAINST GT | Block-C
October 25th, 2010
3:07 pm
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