Paul Johnson sticks up for Washington
Greetings-
Your Paul Johnson news conference highlights:
1. Clemson is “probably the most talented team we’ve played since I’ve been here at Georgia Tech, at least in this stadium,” Johnson said.
2. He doesn’t think the sky is falling. “As I said last week, I don’t want to put the L’s down until we lose the games, if that’s O.K. with everybody,” said Johnson, in perhaps an unfortunate choice of phrasing. “I’d like to at least play them and see what happens.”
3. Johnson defended quarterback Tevin Washington, saying the offense’s lack of production in recent weeks is not his fault alone. “I think those guys get too much credit and too much blame sometimes. He’s like everyone else: He’s working hard and trying to correct what needs to be corrected.” Johnson said that Washington is not a guy he needs to push, that he’s self-motivated, hard on himself and holds himself accountable for his mistakes.
4. Part of Clemson’s ability to put up a lot of points is due to the numbers of plays that they run. The Tigers have run 626 plays, the most in the country. In the Clemson-North Carolina game, there were 16 possessions each, as opposed to 10 each in the Miami-Tech game. “That’s almost another half of football, so you’re going to have more points,” he said.
Johnson said further that “When you’re as talented as they are, you can score in bunches in a hurry.”
5. Clemson’s style won’t cause Tech to alter what the Jackets do offensively. “We’ve just got to try to do what we can do,” he said. He felt the same defensively, even though Clemson can run a high number of plays, because the linemen substitute considerably and the linebackers get swapped out on various packages. The secondary plays the entire game, generally, but there isn’t a lot of depth.
6. Johnson was asked about a petition signed by college football players and basketball players wanting a slice of the revenue schools receive from TV contracts. An Associated Press story Monday said that 55 Tech players had signed it. Denzel McCoy, who was recruited to Tech but is not on the roster because of a medical condition, was quoted in the story.
Johnson was not aware of the story or the petition, but said “I’m all for players getting whatever they can get.”
7. Johnson was asked about negative recruiting tactics against Tech from rival coaches who tell prospects that they can’t get to the NFL if they go there.
Johnson said that “I just point out the guys from Tech that are in the NFL.” He added further that if a prospect looks at a college solely as a vehicle to get to the NFL, “he’s probably not coming to Georgia Tech anyway because if that’s his only concern, he’s going to go somewhere where there’s 100,000 people at the game and the school’s not hard.”
8. Regarding special teams, Johnson said that “there’s a lot of things you can do. We try and do it every day.” He noted that Tech has five special-teams specialists on scholarship – punters Chandler Anderson and Sean Poole, kicker Justin Moore and long snappers Tyler Morgan and Sean Tobin – which might be the most of any team in the country
“I don’t care who’s coaching special teams,” he said. “If you punt the ball 13 yards, it’s not good.”
He asserted, more or less, that it’s not as bad as people think and that it’s the focus of attention because the team has lost two in a row. “We’re not good, but we’re about right in the middle,” he said.
9. He said Roddy Jones spoke to the team Monday with the message that there’s still a lot to play for, that the team can still win 11 games. “I want to win every game,” Johnson said. “The reality is the other teams have 85 scholarship players and they pay their coaches and they try to win, too.”
10. Johnson said he was just trying to get the offense going when he put in Synjyn Days late in the game against Miami. “We weren’t operating at a high level,” he said. “Sometimes you just kind of change things up and see what happens. That was it.”
He noted that Days fumbled. “If he takes care of the ball, he’s going to play more. Synjyn, he’s a talented guy. He can do some things, but you’ve got to take care of the ball.”
11. Johnson said he didn’t know how long center Jay Finch will be out. “It’s not near as bad as they thought. It’s a sprain and we’ll see how it goes.”
Links
How Clemson can make the BCS championship game, from the Charlotte Observer.
Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd is the No. 2 candidate for the Heisman, according to the Sporting News, the Anderson Independent Mail writes.
Clemson defense split up snaps more equally against North Carolina, also in the Independent Mail.
Charleston Post and Courier story on Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris‘ philosophy on coaching from the field rather than the press box.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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270 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:01 pm
ArkyTech, CMR has been in Athens for 10 years and has consistently brought in highly-rated recruiting classes. Don’t you think it’s past time for him to have won a NC like the GOOD teams in the SEC?
19
October 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
Dawgsters, IF the bulldogs make it to the SEC CG, Bama/LSU will steamroll your team. Sorry, that’s the reality. I do wish your team luck and will be pulling for the dawgs. They play the games for a reason.
Go Jackets!!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
Sims to QB, Lyons to BB…..gotta have a better runner who has great ball security at QB….
GO JACKETS
October 25th, 2011
7:26 pm
I have said this before and will now say it again:
GT needs a major that doesn’t require Engineering Calculus and Science courses. Just one major that is all so that GT can recruit bigger and better talent. It will not tarnish GT’s image as an Engineering school just like UGA won’t ever be known as an Engineering school even they now will offer that curiculum.
GT people need to write the GT President about this issue as well as the other one which is Redshirt Juniors not being able to get into Grad school. Only Roddy Jones made it. The rest have to play elsewhere particularly down the street. The former GT coach down the street knows that and probably took that job knowing how many talented players he would be able to grad.
Come one GT, let’s make changes. Tired of being the Sisters of the Poor.
GO JACKETS
October 25th, 2011
7:27 pm
sorry Grab not Grad
also DAVID SIMS TO QUARTERBACK, DO IT NOW
MY BIG FAT REAR END
October 25th, 2011
7:29 pm
As the GT play by playman I just love taking GT’s favor away and giving it to the Falcons
19
October 25th, 2011
7:31 pm
Washington to…? Pull Vad’s redshirt for? Got it, panic! Tech needs to play a complete game. It’s bound to happen!
Go Jackets!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:38 pm
Go Jackets, unfortunately it is not in the hands of the Tech administration. Changes in curriculum are determined or sanctioned by the Board of Regents and the Georgia Legislature, both of which are packed with UGA alums. In case you are not familiar with it, in the 1930s, Tech tried to add a school of commerce, but the UGA alums down the street VETOED it; they would not allow it at all. It is because of that denial that Georgia State University (at that time College) eventually came into existence. It is that same block of UGA alums (different individuals, of course) who ok’d the creation of a totally unnecessary school of engineering in Athens last year. They will do anything at all do increase Adam’s empire, and nothing whatsoever to bring change to Tech.
Hit a Single
October 25th, 2011
7:41 pm
Believe me there have been Tech athletes and I am not just talking about football that were not qualified to be admitted to Tech. Formulas are in place for special admissions.
jackets quit when it counts
October 25th, 2011
7:42 pm
The convenient thing about tech athletics is that the mediocrity in football bleeds right into the mediocrity in basketball. Another breakdown for the engineers to fix with worn out tools.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:45 pm
Hit a Single, NAME THEM !!!!
19
October 25th, 2011
7:45 pm
Probably won’t happen “GO JACKETS”. I would love it if Tech could tap into the JUCO market. Delbert or Super, I’m being a smartass.
Go Jackets!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:46 pm
oh, and when you name them, be prepared to PROVE IT !!!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:46 pm
19, you are???
Idiot_Savant
October 25th, 2011
7:50 pm
I know that CPJ wants to project a gruff image, but I think he takes it too far sometimes and crosses the line into crabby.
GT-UT
October 25th, 2011
7:52 pm
Guys…you can major in Psychology. I think when I was there you could major in English as well.
I think they STILL had to take Calc and Physics as part of the core
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:55 pm
GT-UT, yes to Psychology, but I’m pretty sure there has never been an English major at Tech. But you are right in saying that Calculus is required of all students—not sure about Physics though.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
7:58 pm
When I was in school, every student (except, I guess, for handicapped ones) had to pass PT 101—swimming, and to pass it, you HAD to jump (not dive, but jump) off the high dive. I doubt that any PT course is required now, but it struck fear in the hearts of many a Tech student back then.
GT-UT
October 25th, 2011
7:58 pm
…and one more thing. Tech has changed PLENTY and for the better from what I’ve seen. North and Southwest of the Campus look great.
I don’t want MY school competing the Oklahoma. Period. We are a very different school. A small school. A smart school. AND! We have very loyal alumni. I don’t want my degree watered down to make a buck. Hardest schools to recruit for: Service Academies, Notre Dame, and then Georgia Tech.
I think are true rival in the market place is Va Tech. Period. End of story. I’ll bet it is easier to get into there too…I just can’t prove it.
Not only do I like CPJ, but Danny Hall is EXACTLY what Tech needs too. Class acts all around doing it the right way.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:00 pm
GT-UT, VT is a “university,” which means it has liberal arts programs in its curriculum. It is definitely easier to get in AND OUT of VT.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:01 pm
GT-UT, Danny Hall pisses me off, because his teams always peak in April, rather than late May. He is, however, a class act.
roughrider
October 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
Why are the Techies so obesessed with UGA ? Their concern should lie with big , bad Clemson.
19
October 25th, 2011
8:03 pm
Super, my point was made last week. Tech does not have access to the mini football mills the SEC uses. The reality is what CPJ said in this article. The “Georgia Tech” on the degree means more than the game those young men play. They still fight!
Get after them Jackets!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:03 pm
roughrider, I assume you are a mutt, so I would say that it is YOU who are obsessed with Tech since you are on our blogs. Shouldn’t your be concerned with Florida?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:04 pm
you not your
GT-UT
October 25th, 2011
8:05 pm
Supersize…hard to argue with someone when they are right.
With regard to VT, I hate universities for those reason. We are and Institute and we seek NO universal truth from many disciplines. There IS a correct answer! …as my engineering training as taught me.
Bleed red
October 25th, 2011
8:08 pm
The problem with big Paul QBs is they can’t read the midline or vear he won’t give a white boy a chance and that’s his offense problem Paul your reverse discrimination my son when’t to your camp and finish 3rd out of 30 and all you could look at was he wasn’t African American o he runs 4.5 40 and 6foot 1 won’t say no more just will never go to your camp again ………………………………
GT-UT
October 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
Bleed red, are you on drugs?
NYJacket
October 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Not a chance that Clemson will take Tech for granted.
GT-UT
October 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Gotta go guys…catch you later.
Go Jackets! I’ll be out of town but will record the game…
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
Bleed red, take your racism to Athens
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
Later, GT-UT
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
Bleed red, if your son’s athletic abilities are anything like your knowledge of grammar and spelling, I’m surprised he was 3rd out of 30.
Bleed red
October 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
No ,do you now any thing about the offense that Paul runs can you call one play didn’t think so I could shut big paul offense down with the Kidd he’s got running it just like the last to teams you’ll see every body’s figured out what he’s capable of .
19
October 25th, 2011
8:21 pm
8:08 pm post is racist.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:22 pm
Can you speak (or type) one phrase of coherent English? No? I didn’t think so.
Walmart dawgs
October 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
roughrider
October 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
“Why are the Techies so obesessed with UGA ? Their concern should lie with big , bad Clemson.”
19 out of 21. Shouldn’t your concern be with big, bad FLA?
19
October 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
8:20 pm post is absurd.
Bleed red
October 25th, 2011
8:24 pm
GO DUCKS
Bleed red
October 25th, 2011
8:25 pm
19 it’s the truth
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
Bleed red, ok, you proved me wrong; you DID type a phrase of coherent English. Although, I have no idea what it has to do with the current topic of conversation.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
I don’t know if it was the truth or not. It was totally incomprehensible.
Oh, that means couldn’t understand it, Bleed red. You get that?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
WE couldn’t understand it……
Bleed red
October 25th, 2011
8:31 pm
Sounds like mutt was bench warmer
19
October 25th, 2011
8:31 pm
I’m done.
Go Jackets!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:32 pm
if by “mutt” you mean me, I never played a down of football in my life, but I love the game, and I love the Jackets, and I hate anything in red except Santa Claus. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
8:41 pm
OK, I’m outta here for awhile. Bleed red, enjoy wallowing in racism and ignorance. I’m sure your fellow mutt fans love you anyway.
Dennis at Lake Oconee
October 25th, 2011
9:09 pm
Its really very easy to understand. Its not about a special teams coach or the offense or calculus. Its about a head coach who is as passionate about defense and special teams as he is about his precious offense. When I see him grab a defensive guy by the face mask for an error as he routinely does with an offensive guy then I’ll believe we have turned the corner. Paul Johnson only cares about calling plays and his beloved offense. He can play lip service all he wants about winning but its just that..lip sertvice..he lives and dies with his offense..I’ve had it!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
9:14 pm
I get really tired of all the moronic dawgs fans, but I’m even more exhausted from making excuses for tech’s fraud of a football team.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 25th, 2011
9:15 pm
Oh, boy, the little girl posing as me is back. What’s the matter, sweetheart, you mommie leave you alone?