Year 3 arrives for Groh, defense
By Michael Cunningham
From Al Groh’s perspective, something happens once he has had three years to install his defense.
It’s hard for the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator to say exactly why that is, but he knows it when he sees it.
“I don’t know if there is a specific answer that I have,” Groh said. “It just seems [based on] years of observation, that’s plenty of time for things to take with a player. If it really hasn’t taken by then, there is probably a reason why it might not for a long time.”
After the Tech defense’s improvement in 2011-12 was overshadowed by a late-season slide, the unit is looking to make big strides in Groh’s third season. That’s the same trajectory that Groh’s teams followed during his first three seasons as coach at Virginia.
Cavaliers opponents rolled to 430.6 yards per game in 2001, 424.6 in 2002, but just 384.7 in ’03. Virginia allowed 27.6 points per game in 2001, 24.9 in ’02 and then 20.4 in ’03.
What was the difference?
“Better players,” Groh said flatly.
Does Groh have better players with Tech now than when he took over the defense in 2010?
“I think we have, let’s say, a higher level of versatility in what they enable us to do,” he said. “What we do is based largely on the skills of this particular group. I think we have a more versatile set of skills.”
The standouts on the 2003 Virginia defense included a talented, experienced group of linebackers: Ahmad Brooks (now with the 49ers), Darryl Blackstock (Raiders) and All-ACC performer Kai Parham. They helped limit Cavaliers opponents to 161.7 rushing yards per game and 15 touchdowns in 2003 after they allowed more than 200 yards per game and at least 22 touchdowns the previous two seasons.
Similar to Groh’s first two teams at Virginia, Tech’s run defense was a weakness last season. And also as with Groh’s Cavaliers, linebacker may be a position of strength and experience for the Yellow Jackets, who return three players who started games there in 2011.
Tops among them is junior Jeremiah Attaochu, who led Tech with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2011. Though Attaochu played significant time as a freshman, Groh said there were times last season when he would watch Attaochu play and wonder what he was doing.
The Jackets haven’t practiced much yet, but Attaochu said he’s already seen a difference with the defense.
“A lot less mental errors from everybody,” he said. “Better communication. You can look guys in the eye and know the call. You don’t really have to over-communicate. Everyone is on the same page.”
The rest of Tech’s projected starting lineup also is filled with juniors and seniors. The secondary appears to be particularly strong with Louis Young and Rod Sweeting returning to start at cornerback and Isaiah Johnson at one of the safety positions.
Attaochu said Groh hasn’t talked to his players about the expected improvement in the third year. But Attaochu said the spring and the start of preseason practice have him convinced the same will hold true for the Jackets.
“He doesn’t even have to say it,” Attaochu said. “It’s just being more comfortable in practice. The dividends are ultimately going to show in the game. He tries to put us in good position, and if you are not there, you are bound to fail.
“With age comes wisdom. You need a lot of wisdom to play in this defense.”
There’s not an abundance of experience on the depth chart behind the defensive starters. Thomas, a junior safety, recalls how difficult it was for him when he started learning the defense and said “it will always be a challenge for the younger players because they are trying to figure out what’s going on.”
Groh also warns that not all experience is the same.
“As outsiders see the word ‘experience,’ it means how many years has he been playing,” Groh said. “Some players get four years’ experience. Some players get one year’s experience four times. It never adds up. It’s the first year all over again.”
Still, Groh said “the paint should dry” for his players in the third year. Johnson said they believe it will.
“There really is no doubt,” he said. “I feel it. This is the season the defense will step up and pretty much show the world. I see good things.”
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53 comments Add your comment
NCJacket
August 11th, 2012
4:21 pm
Groh said. “It just seems [based on] years of observation, that’s plenty of time for things to take with a player. If it really hasn’t taken by then, there is probably a reason why it might not for a long time.”
That’s kinda a dangerous statement. He’s pretty much saying “if we don’t have a good defense this year then you should probably fire me.”
yeller bug
August 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
It does seem that he is putting his neck out there a bit NCJacket. I hope I interpret his 3 year plan as a system and not that it takes 3 years to learn it. If the latter, then only JRs and SRs can play and contribution from a FR or SO will be limited.
If our D and Special Teams improve this year along with an offense that appears to be in synch already (based on results of today’s scrimmage), then Tech could be a surprise this year—-a good one for Jacket fans.
GTpack
August 11th, 2012
6:47 pm
I read his comments as saying if a player didn’t get it in 3 years, that player wasn’t going to learn it. Similar to his comment for some players it is year 1 for them, year after year.
IMHO.
gt lover
August 11th, 2012
7:28 pm
Heck… with all this optimism about the offense, and now with the defense, we could possibly win 7 or 8 games. Of course we’ll have a loss to uga, an a loss in a bowl game. Wow! I can hardly wait!!! Can I get a free hotdog with my tickets this year too?
Not Disappointed!
August 11th, 2012
7:49 pm
Time will tell! It always do!
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
August 11th, 2012
8:39 pm
I believe this will be a pivotal year. Exactly how it turns out remains to be seen. I’m cautiously optimistic but with the tough tests early in the season, we should know before Sept is done which way the season will go. Any 2 of the big 3 in Sept is good enough in my opinion and yes to get that done, Al Groh’s defense will need to be a big part of the story. Mediocrity will probably only be good enough to get the chanting started, IMHO.
Dawgs
August 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
Tech is in for a 7 win season… This Defense sounds too shakey…. just too shakey…
1 4 GT
August 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
I doubt gt lover is for real!
1 4 GT
August 11th, 2012
8:41 pm
I’ll refrain from saying how real I think Dwags is!
flamboyant defense
August 11th, 2012
8:41 pm
It’s been two years since GT went 11-3,
beat the hokies Al.
Ken Sugiura
August 11th, 2012
8:42 pm
i agree with GTpack.
GT GRAD
August 11th, 2012
10:42 pm
We will be very effective running the ball. Our special teams play will be slightly (hopefully significantly) better. The defense will be improved in all areas.
I am somewhat concerned that we will not throw the ball much more effeciently than last season………in other words, we will have great success against the lesser teams and be one dimensional against the better teams. I think the group at the WR position are capable (and have superb long term potential), but inexperiene will hurt this year. The OL will be fine against the lesser teams and struggle with pass protection against the better teams. Washington will be a little better passing the ball, but not great (For the record, I hope he has a Heisman worthy season……..however, I am trying to be realistic). I do expect we will throw to the A-backs more this season resulting in some big plays.
In summary……….I expect a 9-10 win season and I am hoping for an undefeated season!
Go GT!!!
GT GRAD
August 11th, 2012
10:45 pm
Paul Johnson and Al Groh are here to stay and I am VERY glad……….I hope Paul Johnson decides to stay at GT for 20+ more seasons!!!!
Tokyo jacket
August 12th, 2012
7:55 am
“There really is no doubt,” he said. “I feel it. This is the season the defense will step up and pretty much show the world. I see good things.”
Am I the only one who notices that is far and away the most optimistic thing CPJ or CAG has EVER said at Tech, like, by an order of magnitude? Before, the best thing CPJ ever said was “the team has good chemistry.” Either he’s getting soft or we’re about to have a special season. I don’t think CPJ is getting any easier on his players, so I’d expect the latter.
gt4ever
August 12th, 2012
8:21 am
Well I could be wrong, but I don’t think he has NFL caliber players at many spots on the DL… Here is to dreaming that the Black watch is back.
GT1990
August 12th, 2012
8:51 am
Bottom line is CPJ better beat UGA and if he doesn’t he should be fired!
...
August 12th, 2012
8:59 am
speaking of VA, those with free time today ought to go the theACCvault website and watch the 1990 GT at Virginia game. QB Shawn Jones was amazing. What a team!
old tech grad
August 12th, 2012
9:59 am
I agree with Tech Grad. If Tevin can be sucessful and quickly transition from what starts out looking as a running play and accurately pass to someone who is likely wide open and then that person can catch the ball, the offense will be sucessful. last year Tevin had trouble going quickly from a run look to snapping a pass to a reciever. It seemed he either did not get the pass off accurately or had to pause giving the he defense time to recover. I think a lot of this was due to lack of confidence and resultant stiffness. It did not help confidence that a number of catchable passes were dropped. I know when I play golf when I am relaxed and confident I hit the ball better.
Have to believe the general lack of confidence was a big factor last year.
If we can get some sure hands out there confidence will build and likely all will relax. If we can simply sting the defense a few times with passes after they have committed to the run we will keept them back on their heels.
I am really looking forward to the experienced O line and what looks to be a very exciting group of A and B backs with experience. Orwin Smith and Tony Zenon healthy and running awsome. We will miss Roddy, especially the quality leadership but we have the horses to make the plays.
Theedge
August 12th, 2012
11:31 am
I have always said if you believe the offense Tech runs is an advantage due to reps for opposing defenses against it. Then the same could be said for the Tech D lack of reps against a more conventional offense using quality personnel. I am sure the scout team tries but if they were that good they would be in the 2deep.
Jacket Hater
August 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
This is a total waste of news. This space could have been better served with an reticle about our Arena team. More people care about that than these losers.
Jacket Hater
August 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Article
Jacket Hater
August 12th, 2012
12:25 pm
Great point Theedge. I think it hurts Tech’s defensive recruiting greatly. What NFL team wants a cornerback who practiced against a scout team passer and learned how to stop the triple option. Adds to their inferiority
Jacket Hater
August 12th, 2012
12:30 pm
I hope Al Groh stays 30 years at Tech. Soon he will have a defense that takes 5 years to really grasp. They might be worth a crap if he also had some talent. No worry they will win a lot of games against their weak schedule and their loser fans will soothe their worries by grabbing for moral victories and thinking CPJ is such a genius. Genius Loser
old tech grad
August 12th, 2012
12:46 pm
Enter your comments here
gt lover
August 12th, 2012
12:55 pm
I’m a gt lover, not a CPJ lover.
He needs to go back to Ga Southern.
He’ll do good there! Tech will never, ever have a winning team with our academic standards.
Didn’t we get rid of Galey for 7-4 and losses to uga?
old tech grad
August 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
Jacket Hater- I always tried to teach my children it was a lot easier to tear down and criticize someone else than to build things and make constructive comments. People who are too stupid to make constructive comments and too lazy to build attempt to make themselves relevant by destroying things and criticizing people trying to do what they are incapable or too lazay to do.
Your comments are the equivalent of graffiti. Please go somewhere else. Like maybe a political campaign blog. LOL.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 12th, 2012
1:01 pm
@ old tech grad……new policy on the Tech blogs……IGNORE the trolls. Don’t even acknowledge their presence and definitely do not respond to any of their absurd claims. Many of the regular posters have vowed to do that. Join us and maybe we can get rid of the trolls simply because they can’t get anybody to “fight back” against them.
gt lover
August 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
To all the dawgs on our blog…
The medic bilateral for every man perambulates the aberration of what he might have been.
bucfan
August 12th, 2012
4:12 pm
As a UVA grad, i can tell you what to expect of your defense…they will play really tough against weaker opponents, then when it comes time to step up in a big game, they will give up 8 yards a crack, right up the middle…that’s what we got at UVA throughout Groh’s tenure anyways…I’m glad we are sitting with Mike London as our coach and Al Groh in the rear view mirror….i’ll predict he’s gone from GT next season…
Jacket Hater
August 12th, 2012
5:00 pm
Otg
Sorry. Thought this was a blog about football. Was that constructive criticism you shared with me. How bout this for constructive criticism. Stick Al Groh where the sun don’t shine. You won’t find poetry like that in your self help library. Ignore me please oh great supersize.
BLT
August 12th, 2012
6:25 pm
Woof, Woof, Bark, Bark, Growl, Growl….pee on a bush. Chase a car, parked or otherwise. Drag arse across carpet. Woof, Woof, ad nauseum.
Jacket Detective
August 12th, 2012
6:36 pm
@bucfan.
I can understand your frustration with Groh.
Coaches get a better offer and just tear up the contract and leave.
I think some AD should make them stay.
But if they get fired, well that contract is written in stone and the fired coach thinks he deserves every last penny.
Wasn’t Groh a Vir grad?
He ought to let you out of the final year at least.
I think both Gailey and Hewitt should do that for us too.
But it never happens.
I guess they have too many worthless relatives to support.
Boy did we make a mistake when we hired Brianless to be AD.
He should have encouraged O’Leary to leave so we could promote the brains of the outfit.
I am hoping in the next few years the Tech offense will look as good as it did with Freigen running the show. I’d give O’Leary some credit for hiring Freigen if he had not done it after years of failure with his first pick. Seemed like Freigen was forced upon him.
Jacket Detective
August 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
I feel sorry for the Honey Badger and hope he goes to another college.
These guys should know they are being checked?
Well maybe we should check the student bodies too.
Probably 80% drunk, 15% high on MJ and 5% high on even dumber stuff.
bucfan
August 12th, 2012
7:12 pm
JD- Groh was in fact a UVA grad, but so was Jim Grobe and my hoos should have hired him instead of Groh, who already had a very mediocre run as head coach at Wake. But Groh came in talking all this junk about national titles and NFL and playing chess when other coaches were playing checkers. Then he proceeds to get his butt kicked 8 of 9 years by Beamer and VT, and on top of that alienates the heck out of VA HS coaches to the point that VT came to own the commonwealth, which is a very good recruiting area….Mike London has come in and begun to turn it around now, a very humble guy who really cares about the kids and can really X and O….Look out for my Hoos, one more 7-5 or 8-4 year but they are on the upswing…
Argentina Blue
August 12th, 2012
7:49 pm
@GT1990 – Agreed. Enough is enough, especially after that putrid debacle in 2009.
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 12th, 2012
9:08 pm
I’m proud of these players for the hard work that they have put in. Looking for improvement on offense, defense and special teams. Manhandle VT and we’re on a roll. ” GO JACKETS “
killerj
August 12th, 2012
9:23 pm
FoooooooooTBaaaaaaaaaaaLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Love It!
GSUStud
August 12th, 2012
9:29 pm
I still believe Ga Tech will win only 6 games this year. You all do the same thing over and over and over. Groh will be gone after this year and Johnson may not be far behind.
Jacket Detective
August 12th, 2012
9:31 pm
Good luck to u Bucfan except for one week in September.
Jacket Detective
August 12th, 2012
9:33 pm
GSU maybe u guys should be worrying about your own program after the year u had last season.
I’ll wish Curry good luck in spite of your comments.
Jacket Detective
August 12th, 2012
9:33 pm
later folks
Ken Sugiura
August 12th, 2012
10:52 pm
tokyo jacket – i didn’t write, but i’m pretty confident isaiah johnson provided the last quote, not groh.
Buzz Me
August 13th, 2012
4:43 am
nothing exciting about my jackets…short of 10 wins plus a bowl both cpj and his staff should be fired
Birmingham Jacket
August 13th, 2012
8:42 am
“Does Groh have better players with Tech now than when he took over the defense in 2010?”
Not according to the recruiting experts. We’ve finished in the bottom of the crappy ACC every year since CPJ arrived.
But that just doesn’t matter. Our billiant leaders can outscheme every opponent.
Jacket Detective
August 13th, 2012
10:12 am
Sorry Buzz Me but CPJ is not on the hot seat.
A 6 or 7 win season would get him there.
But we are going to do better than that, hopefully a lot better.
juvenal
August 13th, 2012
10:13 am
Super, my dog is doing so much better at not jumping on me since i have completely ignored her when she tries…..this code of silence should also apply to supposed techies that never have anything positive to say…
SEGAJACKET
August 13th, 2012
12:17 pm
I think that the Jackets will be more competitive this year than last. Looking for more consistency from the QB spot and the defense. We may not have the big name players, but we do have some game changers. If everybody goes all out, we can do some things. Kind of glad to be opening with Virginia Tech, what better way to know where you stand than to start fast.
old tech grad
August 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
Supersize- I will take your advice. I am a frequent reader but infrequent poster. I really enjoy the comments and insight you and others post. The Trolls and especially the posers are like talking on your cell phone at a concert. Just plain rude and stupid.
College football is not supposed to be a small version of the Pro’s. The drive to the BCS, all the $$ and emphasis on winning at all costs will destroy the tradition of college football I grew up with.
At that point, why be associated with a college at all. Just be a minor league for the Pro’s and quite the pretense.
GT fan
August 13th, 2012
3:43 pm
GSUStud
August 12th, 2012
9:29 pm
I still believe Ga Tech will win only 6 games this year. You all do the same thing over and over and over. Groh will be gone after this year and Johnson may not be far behind.
——————————————
Well, GSUStud, here’s your chance then, depending on how much $ you have access to, to make yourself rich or nice big chunk of change. Vegas has GT’s o/o on wins in 2012 at 8. You swear the Jackets will only win 6. 6 is < 8. Should be a no-brainer for you!
Awesomeb
August 13th, 2012
4:01 pm
I’ve got to say I agree with the sentiments about Groh. I really thought CPJ should have fired him just after mid-season last year. The defenses he has put on the field the last 2 years have been far worse than the first 2 years CPJ was here. I really think CPJ needs to win 9 games this year (and one MUST be a bowl game) to stay off the hot seat. However, I don’t think beating UGAg should ever be a requirement. I would love beating UGA 1 out of 3 and competing in the other 2, given the huge recruiting advantage they have. Sorry, just being realistic. I also agree that we have got to get our QBs throwing shorter, quicker passes off the option play. When they crash those linebackers in to stop the option, throw it right where they came from. It can’t help but work. Given that our QBs don’t get practice time to practice passing, the short pass is about the only passes they will be able to throw accurately.