Johnson expects O. Smith, Hill to play for Georgia Tech
Greetings-
Some notes from the Paul Johnson news conference. Nothing terribly newsy except for some injury updates. Onward.
1. Johnson doesn’t think Georgia’s playing in the SEC championship game will have any impact on the game. “I don’t think anybody’s going to be overlooking anybody in a rivalry game,” he said. “I think both sides will be ready to play.”
2. Johnson said that wide receiver Tyler Melton is “probably playing his best football the last two, three games.” Melton has seven catches in the past three games and has continued his effective downfield blocking. Johnson said he hasn’t made a point to get Melton the ball.
“It’s just kind of the nature of what happens,” he said. “But when the ball’s gone his way, he’s made a couple of nice catches and come down with it.”
3. There hasn’t been much talk amongst the team about possible bowls.
Players “know if they can keep winning, the priority will change,” he said, speaking of Tech’s appeal to bowl committees. “But we really don’t ask the players where they want to go. It just doesn’t work like that.”
4. Johnson on various injured players: Orwin Smith (”He’s good to go, I think”), Preston Lyons (”Good to go”), Stephen Hill (”I think so”).
“We’ll know more after practice today, but we’re assuming we’re going to have all those guys.”
5. Johnson on Georgia tight end Orson Charles: “We just have to watch the guy, but you can’t do anything special for him. The thing he can do is something that wide receivers can do. He can get downfield. He’s got good hands, he’s a good player, but we’ve played against other good tight ends that are good players.”
6. Johnson on what he is thankful for: “I’ve got a fairly lucrative job that helps support my family. I’m thankful for health. For the most part, our family’s healthy. I’ve got a zillion things to be thankful for on that line. … There’s 120 guys that get to do what I do. That’s not that many. There’s a lot of people that would love to have my job. I’m fortunate enough to have it.”
7. Johnson on the defense: “I don’t know that the defense is any different than the team as a whole. It’s been up and down. Certainly, we haven’t played with the kind of consistency that we’d like. I don’t know that you’re ever going to be satisfied until you’re holding people to no points or 10 points. It’s always a work in progress. I think we’ve played in spurts. We’ve done enough to win eight games. We’ll see if we win some more.”
An answer to a follow-up: “I think Coach (Al) Groh would be the first to tell you we’re not as far along as we’d like to be, but at the same time, we’ve played good enough to win eight games. It’s kind of a mixed bag.”
8. On interaction with Georgia fans: “People feel compelled to tell me they’re Georgia fans when I see them. That’s about it. It’s fairly cordial. They’ll come up (and say), ‘Hey, Coach, I’m a Georgia fan.’ O.K., that’s great. That’s usually about the extent of it.”
He went on to say that he thinks most fans on both sides are fairly cordial and not obnoxious but on both sides there’s a small minority that are.
Thanks for reading. I’ll have practice notes in the evening. And thanks for being respectful (by and large). Let’s keep it up. Again – disrespectful or obscene posts won’t be tolerated.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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195 comments Add your comment
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
dawgfan…I really do appreciate your concern for us Tech fans and your efforts at convincing us what a bad coach Paul Johnson is. Why we don’t listen to your wisdom is beyond me. Do you think maybe using words like punk azz and whatever = JOKE in bold letters undermines your credibility? Maybe you should take a different approach. But, you are so persistent and sincere!
Again, if Coach Johnsons teams are beating the teams they are supposed to beat, winning a few they are not supposed to beat, and the coach is saying what the fans want to hear, it sounds like he is doing a great job.
It seems to really bother you to think Coach Johsnon suggested the SEC isn’t all that and the Georgia game isn’t that big of a deal. Seems Coach Johnson has gotten in your head. Does he own your soul?
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm
I think of whenever that “ford tough” commercial comes on TV. When Richt comes on and says “when people play GA, they know they got hit”, in my mind I see him making out with Bill Paxton
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm
Tech fans of all people should not be making fun of the physical appearance of ANY head coach. Your coach looks like Jaba the Hut and Rosie O’Donnell had a baby. My god you morons are thick.
HighTech, I’m pretty sure I said in unequivocal plain english that I thought he was a good coach. Can you read? I just don’t think he’s as great as you and your pocket protector wearing buddies do. You idiots cannot handle an ounce of criticism on anything.
Thanks.
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm
Southside GT FAN…That’s a disturbing vision. Would not want to see that. Richt’s commercials make me think WE HIT AND RUN THIS STATE.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
dawgfan, I think most TECH fans will agree that CPJ can certainly come off as a jerk at times. One thing he is not and that is a fake. He is also perfect for TECH. We will never be able to recruit the same talent that our biggest rivals, Clemson, FSU, UGA, VaTech, Miami, are able to bring in, but he has put us in a position to compete year in and year out with lesser talent than these teams.
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
WOW,
Dawgfan, pretty big word there for somebody who couldnt get into TECH, ………unequivocal! Man I noticed it took you a few minutes to post something, couldnt find your tip calculator, huh? By the way you IDIOTS are textbook about being basically 13 years old anytime you get any criticism. Come by Peters parking deck before game if you want some fun
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
“Most of his customers are fine with his performance”
I am well aware of that. Tech fans are happy with averaging 8 wins per year as long as you have your usual excuses to fall back on so that you can try to make everyone feel sorry for.you. Tech fans are whiny little babies with a loser mentality. Even your head coach tries to downplay the importance of the UGA game because he knows he will have a hard time winning it. That’s just beyond pathetic. Tech fans are an embarrassment to the sport.
Thanks.
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm
UGA is bringing an offense to Bobby Dodd Stadium that scored 19 points on a powerhouse Kentucky team. That’s not exactly going to create fear in an opponent. Murray flops and Crowell never shows up. GT-38, UGA-24. ” LET’S ROLL JACKETS “
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
dawgfan…I did read that. I apologize. I thought you were questioning Coach Johnson’s credentials. What is your point, by the way? If I turned it around and said Mark Richt is not as great as you and your sheep shagging buddies do, what have I said? Nothing.
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
embarrassment to the sport DAWGFAN? You are a motherless #$%^.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
CPJ is 9-9 against the list of rivals in my post. Pretty good for coach heading into his first season with HIS recruits at every position next year.
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
dawgfan,
are you excited to have played nobody all year to “qualify” for sacrificial lamb performance against LSU/arkansas? LOSER.
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
Southside GT FAN…dawgfan is sincere and wants us to really think less of Coach Johnson than we do. This is very important to dawgfan to convince us that Coach Johnson is a good coach but not a great coach. If Tech won more games, he might try to convince us that Coach Johnson is awesome but not totally awesome. Maybe we’ll read about that Sunday.
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
10:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
10:04 pm
HighTech…you are right, maybe we should just take the cues from him. I guess we are all just wasting our time here. dawgfan is obviously a football knowledge behemoth and smarter than all of us. Will enjoy it when they get smacked on Saturday
William Casey
November 22nd, 2011
10:07 pm
I’ve been a GT fan since 1960 when we lost a heartbreaker 6-7 to UGA. I rarely go to the UGA blog and never comment. I just don’t understand going to the other team’s blog and sniping. A need for social interaction? One thing I like about CPJ is that he always says something on the order of: “Well, let’s just play the game and see what happens.” I hope that Orwin Smith is healthy. He gives the Jackets smash mouth capability from the A-Back position. And, thank you Roddy Jones for four great years. Your 200+ yards in ‘08 were priceless!
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
10:07 pm
Dawgfan obviously was offended of my critic of Richt’s dashing good looks because he has a crush on him. My God Dawgfan you are a sick puppy, I hope your boyfriend doesnt find out, you’ll never be able to get within 500 ft of that cesspool stadium again.
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
10:08 pm
Southside GT FAN…That’s the spirit! Coach Johnson is awesome but not totally awesome. A win over the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday will be totally awesome! Listen to dawgfan. Just don’t say THWG. It offends him. Sing it instead. Hopefully, many times.
Southside GT FAN
November 22nd, 2011
10:08 pm
THWG!!!!!
HighTech
November 22nd, 2011
10:12 pm
William Casey…Agree with all you said. I’m sure you’ve seen the best and the worst since 1960. I’m a Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech….
Do not talk about my offense or I'll punch you in the face.....I like fryin' fish...don't say moobs or turkey neck
November 22nd, 2011
10:35 pm
Shawn Williams will light up Melton on Saturday.
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
10:38 pm
FACT: Shawn Williams is a thug.
Do not talk about my offense or I'll punch you in the face.....I like fryin' fish...don't say moobs or turkey neck
November 22nd, 2011
10:48 pm
FACT: You have never met Shawn Williams and do not know if he is a “thug”. However, he is a head hunter and cheap shot artist like most defensive backs……having said that, he is still going to light up Tyler Melton.
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
10:51 pm
thug was basically the short version of what you just said. I’m fine with him hitting people hard as long as it’s the player with the ball.
This is uncalled for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUlCx8AAipA
He also has a problem with running his mouth, especially at opposing coaches. A sign of immaturity, shared by Crowell.
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
10:53 pm
I’m not saying that equates to a “thug”, but that was the most terse way to get my point across
sports
November 22nd, 2011
10:55 pm
Hey “blowflys”, you got a real classey coach.
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
10:56 pm
Thank you, “nadlickers”.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:01 pm
sports….what the fire is sporty about you————–troll
Do not talk about my offense or I'll punch you in the face.....I like fryin' fish...don't say moobs or turkey neck
November 22nd, 2011
11:01 pm
Nique, how would you describe Attachou?
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:04 pm
I’ll be glad to answer that—–Attaochu did nothing anywhere even close to what your guy did—-heck, he didn’t even get the QB down—-
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:08 pm
Why aren’t you 2 trolls on your own blog discussing things that you “might” have in common with other UGAG fans on your own blogs instead of coming on our blog sniping like “wittle” 2 year olds that someone has to watch constantly to keep your “wittle: behinds clean—-HUH sports & do not talk???????
Do not talk about my offense or I'll punch you in the face.....I like fryin' fish...don't say moobs or turkey neck
November 22nd, 2011
11:10 pm
hey 1 4 GT….compare CPJ’s comments about UGA to CMR’s comments about GT and tell me who is more dignified and classy.
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
11:13 pm
I don’t think he’s had a single dirty hit on a defenseless player. He lost his cool and hit Thomas. But he admitted it and said he’d learn his lesson. He didn’t stand over him while he was on the ground and talk smack.
I’m on the field for games and some practices. Just from overhearing, he’s one of the nicest guys on the team. From what I hear, (from an AJC article) he comes from a great family and is very involved in church, etc.
Shawn Williams shows a pattern of behavior. Attaochu lost his temper in a heated game.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:15 pm
I have no idea what Richt said about GT. I see nothing offensive about what Johnson said about UGA. He wasn’t insulting or anything, he just kinda nonchalantly brushed aside the questions about UGA. We haven’t beaten them in a long time and guess my players should be afraid of UGA. What bothers you about that?
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
11:16 pm
Who said CPJ was classy? He tells it like it is. He doesn’t beat around the bush.
Richt, on the other hand, enjoys hugging his players. That’s fine too.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:18 pm
Yeah Nique, JA stood more chance of breaking his hand than he did of hurting the poor, pitiful QB for VT. LMAO. And this buffoon wants to try and make comparisons with that hit on youtube you posted.
Do not talk about my offense or I'll punch you in the face.....I like fryin' fish...don't say moobs or turkey neck
November 22nd, 2011
11:24 pm
“Anybody who calls into a radio show and barks is either retarded or doesn’t have a life.”
After the show, through a school spokesman, Johnson said he meant his response as a joke “but it was a poor choice of words on my part and I sincerely apologize. It was not my intention to offend anyone.”
What a gentleman……I am sure all GT alumni are proud to have such a class act as head coach.
Donnie Davis, Arena Football Legend
November 22nd, 2011
11:26 pm
Attachou also lied after the game and said he was going for the ball…….
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
11:34 pm
I’m pretty sure he said more than that. Do you really think he’d flat out say it was a punch?
Actually, I don’t even know what to call it. It was like a weird, side-forearm hit. We can just call it the…
ATTAOCHU PUNCHHHHHH!!!!
NiquePhotog
November 22nd, 2011
11:38 pm
It was a poor choice of words, but there’s a higher percentage that his comments were accurate rather than wrong.
What is with these mutt fans? They must really want us to hate our coach. I guess they are jealous since he would be coaching at UGA now if they had hired Erk.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:39 pm
That’s true about Attaochu and he kinda in a round about way tried to weasel out of that. What can I say?. He was embarrassed about it and the huge swing in momentum that resulted from that mistake and I have no doubt he apologized to his teammates. As for Johnson’s response to the “woofing” mutt, I find it hilarious, and I’ll wager that if you will be man enough to admit it, you do too. No one with a brain at least as big as a green pea would call a widely broadcast radio show to talk to a Head Coach of any college and launch into such idiotic antics. Talk about a totally classless low life. And I’m 67 years old, have had 5 surgeries since April of 2010, am under going rehab for the last one, and I would tell him that to his face tonight if he would face me.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:40 pm
Can we say “God Bless You” after the sneeze?
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:43 pm
Yeah Nique, None of them want to own that. The genius hiring board rejected the BELOVED DOOLEY’s choice for the next 2 head coaches after him and chose that doofus Goff.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
11:54 pm
They don’t know that UGAG originally played their home games at Grant Field for several years until a Tech official denied them that privilege for their loutish behavior, or that Tech’s original colors were purple & white and they were the Purple Hurricanes, and that UGAG’s original colors were red, gold, white & black and that one year for whatever reason they left off the gold & white from the unis & Tech “stole” them & became the “Golden Tornadoes”. Just some of the reasons they hate Tech so much without really understanding why. That and a healthy dose of inferiority complex. Check it out in the book “Clean Old Fashioned Hate”. In numerous editions. Google it.
gt4ever
November 25th, 2011
9:12 pm
Dawgfan is a typical mutt….. You really just can’t help but feel sorry for him…. He is so typical…