Paul Johnson Q&A (mostly A)
Following Wednesday’s morning practice, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson spoke at longer length than the standard post-practice media session, mixing news and opinion. A recap:
1. Scout-team work for Virginia Tech could start Thursday.
2. Punter Sean Poole and kicker David Scully continue to lead at their respective positions. (I first phrased the question, “Are the punters and kickers still the same?” to which Johnson replied, “Yeah. They’re still kickers and punters.”)
3. He had no update on offensive tackle Morgan Bailey’s condition. Bailey suffered a concussion late last week. “It’s strictly medical,” Johnson said. “He’ll come back when the medical staff tells us he’s ready.”
One development from Bailey and tackle Ray Beno being out is that players like Bryan Chamberlain are receiving extra repetitions at tackle. Nick McRae, Chase Roberts and Trey Braun have also been out there, offensive line coach Mike Sewak said in a previous post.
Said Johnson of Chamberlain, “I think he’s going to be good.”
4. Johnson didn’t have a preference for freshman punter Ryan Rodwell to redshirt this season, which would create another year’s separation between he and Poole, who is a junior.
“If he’s better, he’ll punt,” he said. “If he’s not, he won’t.”
5. A question about defensive end Francis Kallon touched a favorite topic of Johnson’s – the interest of fans (and media) in how soon freshmen will play.
“He’s got a great attitude. He works hard. This is his second year of football. Everybody wants to see these guys play right away. I get a kick out of it. It’s like somebody asking me about Vad Lee. Vad Lee’s a freshman, so let’s give up on him and move onto the next guy because he isn’t playing. Does anybody remember a guy named Joe Hamilton? I do, because I came down here in ’96 (as a first-year offensive coordinator at Navy) when Joe Hamilton was a sophomore (actually, a freshman) and we beat their pants off at Navy (a 36-26 win). He threw an interception for touchdowns and he went on to become a pretty good quarterback when he was a junior and senior, didn’t he? Maybe the best one ever here?”
(Hamilton was 11-for-23 for 211 yards and threw two fourth-quarter interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.)
6. More on Kallon:
“He’s green. He’s learning how to play the game, but he’s every bit as ahteltic as we thought. He’s big, can run but he’s also playing against bigger, stronger, faster guys than in high school, so you can’t get by on just being able to be big and run.”
7. Synjyn Days played the whole Wednesday morning practice at A-back. At this point, gaining comfort at that position is more important than getting reps at quarterback, he said, since Days already knows that position. But Days’ performance at A-back has left him encouraged.
“It’s just knowing steps and angles, and stuff like that, you only gain by playing,” Johnson said.
8. Backup nose tackle Shawn Green has “had a really good camp. I’ve been really pleased with Shawn. He’s done some good things.”
9. After another question about Days, Johnson was asked if B-back Charles Perkins, who was dropped behind Zach Laskey to No. 3 on the depth chart this week, was a consideration to move to A-back:
“We’ve talked about it at times but there again, (he’s) a sophomore and he’s hurt right now. He’s not out there. It’s like I said: When you do the depth (chart), just because you set it, doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. He may come out and have a better week than the other guy and move back in front of him. So I know everybody’s anxious to play and ready to get started and ready to get news, but every little thing’s not end-all, be-all. A lot’s going to happen between now and the time we play on Monday night.”
10. Johnson said it doesn’t matter to him if, among the receivers, the heavy majority of passes go to one player (like Stephen Hill or Demaryius Thomas) or if it’s a more even split. Story about receivers here.
“If you have a guy that’s a big-play guy, you’re going to try to get them the ball more,” he said. “It could be more (even) distribution. The A-backs could be more involved. It just depends.”
11. On nose tackle T.J. Barnes: “I think he’s done O.K. His stamina seems to be better. Again, we’ll see once we start playing. You’ve got to play yourself into shape. That’s what camp’s about. You can bust your tail in the summer, and you have to, but it’s a different kind of shape when you start playing.”
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
382 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
3:53 pm
Yes, we did use it last year, but we didn’t have a “former QB” at A-back like we may have this year.
GTfan 2012
August 16th, 2012
4:00 pm
Just the truth and Super,
I think it was a WR pass, not an A-back pass last year. Just going off memory, though, so could be wrong.
Yeller Bug
August 16th, 2012
4:00 pm
DS CE & JTT: Ken had a report that Days had a tutor and worked on passing in rollout situations—how well he performed—don’t know. For JTT was that an A-back pass in the UGA game or a reverse to Melton the WR who threw a moon ball to the A-back vice the wide open Hill along the sideline? Maybe there was another play too. Heck, why not run the option pass once or twice a game. Gives the D more wrinkles to think about.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
4:07 pm
@ Yeller Bug…..I think if you run it too many times, the other team sets up a little more for it. I like the element of surprise. It’s sort of like the reverse. The times it works is when it is totally unexpected. Other times, it’s a little more obvious that it might be coming, and it falls flat.
GTKurt80
August 16th, 2012
4:08 pm
Ken, thaks again, will look forward to seeing notes on Jabari Hunt Days. He will be the only starter on both sides out there with no PT, at least the wide receivers have seen the game on the field. I suspect he will be used to key on Thomas and leave Nealy to handle pass protection short and over the middle, also backs that get past the los. J Days’ size, speed and power hopefully will be a big problem for Thomas all day. Maybe we can nickname him the “Hunter” after the game. If Hunter can’t get to Thomas, Sneezy will be sure that Thomas better not forget about him. We have to get as much pressure on Thomas as possible, he’s the only one on their O that’s a real danger, everyone else is new.
Big Crimson 75
August 16th, 2012
4:29 pm
Paul Johnson needs to beat the dwags this year!!
Mock 1
August 16th, 2012
4:33 pm
Sounds to me like using pj’s example, he should start playing vad this season so he can learn the system now. Else next year will be a dud and it we will only get one good season his senior year. But yeah, let’s keep with tw. He’s done so well against vt miami and uga 2010-2011. 0-6 is great!!
Mock 1
August 16th, 2012
4:34 pm
Hey super maybe you missed this. I found it for you. You certainly need it.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/football-players-roles-in-team-offense-and-defense.html
Mock 1
August 16th, 2012
4:36 pm
Can anyone tell me what was TW’s record against common opppents from 2010 to the 2011 season? TIA!!!
Mock 1
August 16th, 2012
4:38 pm
Oh wait I know that answer! He was 2-6! Now that’s a great record.
powerful duke 2-0
vt miami and uga 0-6. And of course 0-2 against the state of utah in bowl games. Terrific! We really have something to look forward to for 2012!! Especially with VT right off the bat!
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
4:56 pm
I agree with Mock1. It is really tough sometimes being a GT fan. Johsnon is a avergae coach. He has a really big ego for no reason.
Big Ol Stinger
August 16th, 2012
5:14 pm
Die troll.
GT1986
August 16th, 2012
5:16 pm
@Mock1, you got some information wrong on Tevin. 1) did not start against VT in 2010, came in 2nd half after Nesbit broke his arm, had us tied until ST (KO unit) gave up a 97 yard KO return, he drove us down field an thru interception on one last plays of game. 2) Air Force is not from the State of Utah, in Colorado Springs, CO (my brother is a F-16 Pilot who graduated from there) 3) ST (Punt return )fumbled 2 twice against AF in Bowl game that killed us, he had a decent game. 4) ST (missed extra point) against UGA in 2010 hurt us more than anything. 5) ST (Laskey) drops a punt on 5 yard line that led to a score. In three of my examples, ST killed us, not our QB. Last time I checked there were 3 phases to the game, offense, defense and special teams. Defense and special teams have been our problem not the offense. To say Tevin is 0-6 against these three is factually wrong, because the team lost the games not Tevin. Give it a rest, if you don’t want to support our team don’t, I support my team win or lose. FYI, Tevin was All-State Class 6-A in Alabama his senior year. Additionally, I would gladly take Coach Johnson over any of the coaches I have seen in the last 31 years ( I enrolled in Curry’s second year). We have won more and have had a much more exciting offense than at anytime. If our defense could make some stops and special teams don’t screw up, we should be fine. GO Jackets!!!! THWG!!!
George Stein
August 16th, 2012
5:29 pm
Complete the thought, GT1990, and suggest a replacement and explain why he would be better than Johnson.
Wrecker
August 16th, 2012
5:30 pm
Wow! Thanks, GT1986. Good stuff!
BLT
August 16th, 2012
5:36 pm
My “opinion” is that GT 1990 has dog pooh on his shoe.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:43 pm
@ GT 1986 —– excellent FACT. But don’t waste your time on Mock 1. You’re up against a silly little child, and he doesn’t understand facts.
IGNORE THE TROLLS
U O A D !!!
Yeller Bug
August 16th, 2012
5:45 pm
I remember meeting with Coach Curry about a LB from my HS in NC who was interested in coming to Tech and had scholarship offers from UNC and NCSU. The first thing Coach Curry wanted to know was not how fast did he run the 40 or how much could he benchpress, he asked, “How’s his grades?”
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:49 pm
Words of wisdom just in from the U’ster
“Most of you have wives that tell you what to do and your kids make you look the fool. You can’t even make your kids do homework or stop playing Video games or get the hell out of the house and cut grass. Please don’t tell me about CPJ’s ego when you are PAN T wearing baby men that can’t be MEN to your Families or Wives. Your wives make you beg to feel like a MAN.”
GT Lee
August 16th, 2012
5:50 pm
U O A D !!!!!
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
5:51 pm
Someone explain to me how losing to UGA 3 years in a row is acceptable?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:51 pm
Also from the U’ster —
“A bunch of you A’s have EGOs too but you are not College Football Team coaches and most of you don’t have 85(scholarship players) people that report to you”
Only 17 more days till the return of 5150 UOAD
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:54 pm
I’m sure it wasn’t acceptable for Wally Butts to lose 8 times in a row to Tech, but UGA never fired him.
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
5:54 pm
GT could easily be 1-3 in the first 4 games. “If” this happens then the pressure has to be turned on. I am basing this off the last two years. For gosh sakes he can’t win a bowl or beat UGA.
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
5:56 pm
Answer my question people! Im such a troll and bla bla. You guys talk so much sh** but, when i ask a question about losing to UGA you write posts about being a troll.
Paul in NH
August 16th, 2012
5:57 pm
“0-2 against the state of utah in bowl games ”
Those boys in the Air Force need to check their GPS systems. They keep landing in CO
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:58 pm
LOL @ Paul
ToeMeetsLeather
August 16th, 2012
5:59 pm
“The A-Backs could be more involved”(in the passing game). Music to my ears.(Pink Floyd that is, not the Black Eyed Peas)
Good news about Green at NT. We may need him for ALOT of snaps.
“If he’s better he’ll punt. If he’s not, he won’t”. Gosh this guy would be easy to dislike if he were not our coach! But he is, and I like it.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
5:59 pm
@ GT1990…..it’s because you have proved many times that you ARE a troll. NEXT !!!
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:01 pm
Answer the question. What has CPJ done to keep his job if, GT goes sub five hundred with loses to UGA?
Yeller Bug
August 16th, 2012
6:02 pm
If GT goes 1-3 in the first four games, then that would be a concern. I think the probability of going 4-0 is greater than going 1-3….not drinking Kool Aid, just think we will have a good team.
GT Lee
August 16th, 2012
6:03 pm
bark bark woof woof ruff
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:05 pm
@yeller
Are you serious about beating VT,UVA, and UM? Maybe i am wrong about CPJ but, i don’t see this team doing great things. CPJ needs to step his recruting up if he wants to be at GT for years to come.
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:09 pm
@GT LEE
Are you a season ticket holder? DO you have any background in sports?
ToeMeetsLeather
August 16th, 2012
6:11 pm
GT1990,
2-0 vs FSU and broke the streak against them
4-1 vs Clem & Clem’s Son with an ACCtitle win over them
broke the streak against THUGA and has had us in every game with them
dominated the Carolina teams
starts 2012 with his best team yet
next question
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:13 pm
GT might not make it to a bowl game this year!
BLT
August 16th, 2012
6:14 pm
GT1990, what is it with you?
What was Chan’s record against UGA? How many years was he around? What was his overall winning percentage?
Bill Curry actually beat UGA a couple times and what was his overall winning percentage?
How about Bobby Ross? He did bring a MNC to Tech?
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:16 pm
@Toe
Lol man, those days are years behind us. He hasn’t beat UGA in three years and soon to be four. Have you seen our passing game since CPJ arrived????? For gods sake GT qbs have the worst mechanics in college football. Over the past two season, what has he done?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
6:16 pm
GT will be at least 9-3 this year
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:17 pm
Gailey should have been fired after he lost to UGA 51-7!!! I HAVE NEVER ONCE SAID GOOD THINGS ABOUT CHAN.
BLT
August 16th, 2012
6:17 pm
You sound like you are defending our worst troll while trying to unseat him. Good luck!
Tech is going to do well this year. I hope you come back with a mouth full of crow feathers.
Go Jackets!
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:18 pm
You guys have been brain washed to believe GT can not compete with UGA in football.
BLT
August 16th, 2012
6:19 pm
I can say a nice thing about Chan. He beat Auburn twice when everyone thought we would lose.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
6:19 pm
We DO compete very well with UGA in football. Even under Chan, every game since 2003 has been competitive, and most could have gone either way at the end
GT1990
August 16th, 2012
6:20 pm
@BLT
If GT finshes the season 6-6 with a bowl lost. What will your view of CPJ be then ?
fuzzybee78
August 16th, 2012
6:20 pm
Agree GT1986–
Offense–
1) not much disagreement that the offensive line is better (part of the problem passing the ball)
2) probably TW has improved as a passer, not sure how much–hard work pays off
3) this is the big ? IF we have receiver or (s) and A backs who can catch a pass–
= the offense will be better than 2011.
Defense–
Looks like an upgrade from all accounts–
ST–ditto
If we Cook the Turkey — tis the season to be Jolly!
BLT
August 16th, 2012
6:21 pm
1990, you have not watched the games then. We have lost but many could have gone our way.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
6:21 pm
Is being competitive good enough? NO, nobody wants “moral victories,” but that’s not reason enough to fire a good coach, and despite what you think, CPJ IS a good coach
Supersize that order, mutt
August 16th, 2012
6:22 pm
I won’t have to worry about what to do if we go 6-6, because there is no way in hell we only win 6 games
just the truth
August 16th, 2012
6:23 pm
A couple of things here. Tech used the A Back pass and I think it was Roddy who threw it although David Sims was in at B Back and he used to be a QB. It didn’t turn out well (UGA game). Maybe this year if they do use Days at A Back, it will work out better