3 thoughts about Georgia Tech
Greetings-
This will be brief, as I’ve got a full day ahead and am already, not at all surprisingly, behind.
1. In the loss to Virginia Tech, no passes were completed to the Georgia Tech wide receivers. By my cursory count, I had four “targets” to wide receivers that were incomplete. If memory serves, I think only one of them had much of a chance, a deep ball from Tevin Washington to Jeremy Moore in the second quarter.
It’s just the second time in Paul Johnson’s tenure that that’s happened. (vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl) There’s a pretty simple explanation for it, that being three wide receivers (Darren Waller, Jeff Greene and Moore) playing against experienced corners (Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum) and the protection wasn’t always the best. Stephen Hill would have come in handy.
That said, Tech will need to get the wide receivers involved, even on a very limited basis, to give the running game some more room and take pressure off the offense. While there is a certain aesthetic to a 20-play, 75-yard drive, it requires the offense to be precise for a longer duration. Monday, there was a Washington run for 22 yards and a pass to Orwin Smith for 20 and another to B.J. Bostic for 19. After that, the next longest play was 13 yards.
2. I saw this a lot on comments, so I won’t delve too deeply, but the defense’s performance was improved, excepting the last two possessions. The Tech media guide has a useful stat in it for which sports information director Dean Buchan deserves my thanks – point per possession. In some ways, it is as telling a statistic as there is. Last year, the defense averaged 2.17 points per possession, not including overtime. Monday, it was 1.42, which was better than all but two games (Maryland and Western Carolina) and tied with the Clemson game.
3. This is not exactly a daring opinion, but I think only time will tell what the Virginia Tech loss ultimately means. The Hokies may end up winning the ACC and the defense, as Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster believes, may prove to be one of the best ever in school history. In that light, a three-point loss in which the Jackets had offensive malfunctions, were without three defensive starters and yet were one play from winning in a night game at Lane Stadium doesn’t look so bad.
Perhaps Tech’s defense turns out to be solid, the offense gains some traction and the Jackets roll through Virginia, Maryland and the rest of the schedule.
Or it may well be that the flaws from Monday’s game – subpar performance by the offensive line and a nosedive by the defense in the fourth quarter – were but omens for a season in which losses are many.
Personally, I think it’s way too early to tell.
More later from Johnson’s news conference.
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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371 comments Add your comment
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 5th, 2012
12:09 pm
GIVE ME A BREAK you are contradicting yourself. Tevin is who calss the plays !!! Tripple option. He can make the plat go where ever he wants. I dont think he is that cool.He did good on some screen passes and that is about it.
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:09 pm
We took Virginia Tech to Overtime at their place. Unless the expectation is 12-0, I don’t see how we are vastly getting out-recruited by them.
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
12:11 pm
@gtbob correct you are..nobody wants to play at gt especially under this system. So why play football? Tell us gt can win like this? Charge people 5 for a coke at the games? Pay someone millions of dollars? And continue to lose! Nobody wants gt in bowl games cause nobody goes and your guaranteed a loss! When are you people going to wake the “f” up?
Jacket Man
September 5th, 2012
12:11 pm
Ken, the problem was worse than only 4 passes were throw to WR’s, but to the best of my recollection, only 1 of those passes went for over 10 yards over the line of scrimmage, meaning VA Tech’s DB’s had no incentive to back off and play pass coverage downfield. Now corners could provide run support on the outside, and safeties could step up and help stop middle runs with LB’s or cover A-Backs one-on-one as they went in motion and also provide run support to that side, and allow the oth safety to stay on the other side of the field with the other A-Back.Even if you overthrow deep passes or out of bounds 40 yards downfield, you keep the DB’s honest.
Even out of the pistol formation Tevin Washington threw to the outside receivers or underneath; nothing deep to back the DB’s back off the LoS. If he’s afraid to throw downfield, three are two QB’s behind him who should have been brought in and given their shot.
I never thought I would have said this, but I read this on one of the sites and I agree with it…for the first time that he’s been on campus, I think Paul Johnson played not to lose rather than played to win. This was Chan Gailey’s problem. I can’t believe Paul Johnson threw in the towel and let VA Tech’s defense dictate his offense because his QB was timid.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 5th, 2012
12:12 pm
You get good recruits by winning and great coaching. Getting stopped on 4th down on your side of the field is not great coaching.
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:13 pm
One thing I would add to the points per possession stat is looking at where VT started some of their drives. They had 4 drives that started at their own 44 year line or better and only one of those drives ended in a score. It was nice to see the defense step up when the offense put them in a bad position.
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:17 pm
@gtbob correct you are..nobody wants to play at gt especially under this system. So why play football? Tell us gt can win like this?
Why play football? Because the fans and alumni enjoy it. Not every school has to be a football factory. And yes we can win like this, it will just be difficult to beat the teams that highly out recruit us consistently. Do you really think every team in college football that doesn’t have top 20 or better recruiting classes every year should just give up and quit trying?
Jmonty
September 5th, 2012
12:22 pm
Three thoughts?
1. Fire CAG now!! Cut bait and hope the team can recover
2. Hire a “D” coach that knows what he is doing.
3. Have Washington learn what a reciever is and who is teammates are.
That will fix up the problem.
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:22 pm
We took Virginia Tech to Overtime at their place. Unless the expectation is 12-0, I don’t see how we are vastly getting out-recruited by them.
In the last 4 years GT has averaged the 47th best recruiting class in the country and VT has averaged the 25th best. They certainly have more talent than us.
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
12:23 pm
FL Jacket…….this team looks and plays like a team that knows it is going to get beat! 12-0 is what CPJ is supposed to make the team think can be accomplished! Same old song and dance!! You get xtra time to prepare for this offense and it is always going to struggle. This team and coach are not worthy of uniforms from the institute! It is or is becoming the laughing stock of college football!
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:26 pm
“It is or is becoming the laughing stock of college football!”
I would be a troll if I agreed with this
Ben
September 5th, 2012
12:26 pm
Most of Tech’s stops came on errant throws or drops by VT. They caught ‘em when the game was on the line and the D folded like a cheap suit. I’ll reserve judgement on how much improved the D is.
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
12:29 pm
Gt bob….i respect that you like football but the product you are seeing on the field by GT is plain garbage! If alumni like what they are seeing then i understand why gt is losing games like this every year! No accountability! Braine was right then? Gt will never be respected in football!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 5th, 2012
12:30 pm
I used to believe in this offense. Now I am getting tired of it. Is it Tevin or the system ? We probably will never get the chance to know. I was a fan of CPJ, now I question his calls. This is big time football not Navy and Army!!!
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:32 pm
“In the last 4 years GT has averaged the 47th best recruiting class in the country and VT has averaged the 25th best. They certainly have more talent than us.”
Recruiting ranking are quantity-based, and biased towards subscription-based fan websites.
Ever wonder why Stanford is never in the top 10 even though lately they sign kids comparable to USC?
Ever wonder why shamire Devine wins the “best OL” award every single all-star camp he attends, yet has slipped in the OT rankings since he commited to GT?
VT has had 8 straight seasons of 10+ wins, wouldn’t you think that they recruit better than 25th in the nation?
Recruiting rankings don’t get adjusted after the fact when kids like JaQuay Williams, Da’Rick Rogers, Isaiah Crowell, Zach Mettenberger, Michael Dyer, and Mike Bellamy don’t ever enroll or see the field (for whatever reason).
Need I continue on why recruiting rankings are overrated?
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:32 pm
Silly mutts, what do you expect out of the GT football team? What would be an acceptable level of play to you?
dcp
September 5th, 2012
12:32 pm
I think we have to be realistic about what we are looking at. I don’t know how Bud Foster beleives this is his best defense ever, though he knows more than any of us would. I saw big time talent on the line, but wasn’t overly impressed elsewhere. We just do not have any margin for error – these long grind it out drives are just a fumble away from self destructing each time. This type of football keeps Tech in games, but does not lead to consistency by any stretch. We are fine with the Wakes, Duke, UVA (though even they are getting better), BC, MD, UNC, and even Miami with their latest scandals, but to think we are right there with FSU, VT, Clemson, and even NC State is stretching it with this bunch. Coach or players, any way we look at it, this is going to be an uphill climb. I would like to see Lee at least get on the field, Washington is Reggie Ball reincarnated – for any good he does, there are numerous bad decisions – the throw away in OT is just the latest. One game is not the end, but I see losses coming at Clemson, at UGA, possibly even at UNC, and we are always good for one let down (UVA, BYU).
Topp Dogg
September 5th, 2012
12:32 pm
GT looks improved from last year, never right a team off based on the first game.Over half the teams who played need to get better and will.
Jmonty
September 5th, 2012
12:34 pm
To all you folks saying that the “D” improved… Really?? They scored in less than 44 seconds.. What is so improved? They didn’t hang 50 on them?? VT isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut. If we would had played against one, we would have gotten blown out of the stadium. Face it! “No Show” Groh crumbled when the “D” needed him to step up. CPJ has no more excuses. He needs to wake up and realize the root cause and soon. Sooner than later… He will be on the hot seat because of his lack of sense to get rid of “No Show” Groh. I really dread the game vs. UGA. Thier QB is going to pick the lack of “D” apart. I mean seriously?? Where do some of you guys get your insight from? The “D” is horrible….yet again.
dcp
September 5th, 2012
12:38 pm
FL Jacket – agree with you on the recruiting rankings – sort of like customer satisfaction scores where you can skew based on hitting certain customers up for input at desingated times. It’s about depth and my concern was how we got ourselves into a game of this magnitude only having 14 “servicable” defensive players in the rotation. Knowing that 3 were suspended is one thing, but when Groh says he only trusts 14 guys, what the heck is all the other “talent” we have doing on the roster – are they just filling uniforms? That is what bothered me the most on Monday. Thst said, the D gave a great effort until the final drive before OT – a few tired missed tackles and some nice footwork byt their receivers.
Jacket Man
September 5th, 2012
12:38 pm
Al Groh wasn’t the problem Monday night; his depleted defense held one of the Heisman favorites in check into overtime, with a grand total of 17 points. The problem was GA Tech’s offense not moving the ball so they put the defense right back on the field (remember, they were shorthanded and the same guys were playing most of the snaps), they were keeping the ball deep in their territory for a good portion of the game so the Jacket defense had their back against the wall a lot of the game (under pressure), and offense didn’t but 17 score points, including overtime where they threw an interception, and allowed VA Tech’s offense to work the short field to simply kick a field goal to win the game. No, this wasn’t the defense’s fault…
chas_jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:40 pm
GT will never recruit as well as the other major schools in the southeast. Unless I misread the report, we once again got left off the party school rankings. While you can get a great education at UGA or any of the football factories, a large percentage of the students are there for a good time and if they don’t succomb to alcohol poisoning – perhaps a bachelor’s degree in 5 or 6 years. While we have created majors geared toward athletes, No one goes to Tech to party – period and this will always limit the pool of 4&5 stars available.
I like the character of the recruits we have, including TW. That being said , I strongly believe we will see Vad on the field more. Yes i think CPJ played not to lose against VT – not a bad idea on the road against a top ten D with receivers who had no game experience – and it almost worked. I am still mildly optimistic AND realistic about our season, say 9&3, with better things in 2013.
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:40 pm
Need I continue on why recruiting rankings are overrated?
No, you made your point, and I agree with you on most of what you said but I don’t think many would say that GT and VT have similar talent, whether you believe recruiting rankings or not. They aren’t blowing us away in talent like UGA or Alabama do but they are certainly a step ahead.
SoCal_GT_Fan
September 5th, 2012
12:41 pm
Collegeballfan: Even during the Jim Donnan era (during which Coach O’Leary won 3 straight years against UGA), UGA out recruited us. We weren’t pulling 4* and 5* recruits by the boat loads. Actually, we have been getting better rated players under Coach Gailey and Johnson when compared to the coach O’Leary era and we know those were some really good teams that O’Leary fielded towards the end of his tenure.
Some GT fans I think are delusional. Our program historically is a .500 program (.575 if you count the 1890-1930 era). Since when did we expect to win double-digit games per season? Since when were we expected to pull in boatloads of 4* and 5* recruits? Perhaps a LONG time ago we were such a program but we are a couple generations removed from that. Our AD understood our reality and that is why I believe CPJ is our coach. A guy who can try and win without having to pull 4* and 5* recruits.
This Tech fan realizes we didn’t have any playmakers to compete against a top-notch defense like VaTech’s and it would have been nice to have 4*/5* playmakers on the field but even without that, we were 44 seconds away from victory against a team that typically is the top-dog in the ACC. I think that’s respectable.
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
12:42 pm
Gtbob….i dont care what theoverall record is but gt needs to beat vt uga miami and win a damn bowl game…if you cant beat your division rival or your in state rival then you suck and need to move on. Period!
dr.dawg
September 5th, 2012
12:43 pm
i wish the jackets the best against the blue hose of presbyterian college. but it may be close.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 5th, 2012
12:44 pm
Recruiting rankings don’t get adjusted after the fact when kids like JaQuay Williams, Da’Rick Rogers, Isaiah Crowell, Zach Mettenberger, Michael Dyer, and Mike Bellamy don’t ever enroll or see the field (for whatever reason).
You are right Fl Jacket and how many recruits have go to prep schools and never make it to the school at all but they still include them.
PLAYMAKER
September 5th, 2012
12:45 pm
The D did improve but for some reason couldn’t stop VT when it counted. Some GT fans have brought the Dave Braine school of thought, you are being bambozalled!!! I understand th limitations but Giff and Chan recruited Dywer, Morgan, Burnett and others. But CPJ and some GT fans just are so quick to assume GT can’t get top players. I bet is they brought Giff back as DC the recruiting would take off. They may not out recruit UGA, they don’t have to, The state is loaded with prospects, touching states have pospects. CPJ is who he is but he has to put a few high hype guys who can recruit and a passing Coor. around him he will win, the man is a great Coach but he is his own worst enemy. Vandy and others are killing GT in this statye.
86 Dawg
September 5th, 2012
12:47 pm
I thought the Jacket defense played very well, especially against the run. I saw very few missed tackles and I saw improvement over last year. You guys gave VT all they could handle for all but the last few seconds. Great effort and best of luck until you meet UGA in November. Not all dawg fans “hate” Tech. By the way, I thought the new uniforms looked great!
Wide Receiver Corps
September 5th, 2012
12:49 pm
Considering we don’t practice down field passing, why is it a suprise there were no pass completions in the game? Shocking I know….
chas_jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:50 pm
Thanks 86, I also liked the new uniforms, a little splash but not over the top
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:50 pm
Gtbob….i dont care what theoverall record is but gt needs to beat vt uga miami and win a damn bowl game
If we win all of those games every year then we would be an 11-12 win team every year. What has GT ever done to make you think that is even possible?
Jmonty
September 5th, 2012
12:50 pm
Heisman candidate?? Logan Thomas?? Really?? Yeah… I call BS on that one.. But, hey…. be in your own little world. The Hokies have always had a stellar “D”… So, not running it up and down is to be expected. However; VT really hasn’t been known to rack up points. I may be wrong.. But, watch and see… VT had how long to prepare for GT’s option?? All friggin season!!! So, yeah… The offense struggled. On the other hand… our “D” had all season and fluttered in the wind in the last part of the game. That is coaching flaws.. plain and simple. Maybe I am the only one that has actually coached?? Oh and I coached “D”… Both the 4-3 and the 3-4 formations.. Which the 3-4 tech runs is not close to even par. Again… coaching flaw. People are out of place, not doing what they need to do and (at times) lost. Coaching…fundamentals… Neither one exists on the “D”. This is why I say… “no show” needs to go.
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
12:51 pm
GTBob…troll logic
“If you only won the games you lost you’d be a better program”
GTBob
September 5th, 2012
12:52 pm
Good post SoCal_GT_Fan.
DOC 51
September 5th, 2012
12:54 pm
CAG and CPJ are both overpaid.Our defense never has a shut-down mentality.Great teams own the fourth quarter.They sack the quarterback and don’t make excuses.
Jmonty
September 5th, 2012
12:55 pm
@ Chas… I hope 9-3… But… I don’t have the same outlook on that. I think we end up 7-5.. The “D” isn’t good enough to win the games needed.
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
1:00 pm
To all of you thinking we will not win games are Season Ticket Holders I will take your tickets off your hands so you will not have to sit through watching a Paul Johnson team.
POST all you want to cry and complain but GIVE ME YOUR TICKETS so you don’t have to Waste your time at the games.
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
1:00 pm
All of you complaining DO HAVE SEASON TICKETS right?
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
1:01 pm
Gtbob….it is obvious you accept the fact gt will win very few games against these opponents? Why pay someone millions when you can pay someone much less to lose those games? This is pathetic train of thought!!! Hire somwone who can get it done Period!
chas_jacket
September 5th, 2012
1:02 pm
I think our D looked pretty good without Holton, Young and Drummond. Still think we may see Gotsis eventually to help the pass rush.Cross played a great game,but could use some support.
Anyone know the prognosis on Holton?
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
1:04 pm
Johnson just said Fred will not play and that was it.
Silly mutts
September 5th, 2012
1:06 pm
5150 tix should be free to highschool games at bobbydodd..just show up and they will let you in!
chas_jacket
September 5th, 2012
1:12 pm
On expectations – I personally would rather see us occasionally go to a BCS bowl and average 8 or 9 wins rather than getting recruits who get caught with guns without serial numbers. While our players have had a few off field issues, they pale in comparison to most of the football factories.
I dont think CPJ and Groh are perfect but I am willing to give them a few more seasons. I really think Vad or Justin will turn things around at QB in the near future.
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
1:13 pm
5150…ignore the troll. He is obviously enjoying the fruits of having an uncensored blog like he gets over at the Chip Towers and Bill King blogs.
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
1:15 pm
I have NEVER been to a FREE High School Football game. I guess Stupid Mutt is a SPED student or Tommy Nobis employee/day student.
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
1:18 pm
chas_…..I didn’t see ANY QB but Tevin being ready to play the opening game in LANE. That is a BIG game to put in a first time QB.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 5th, 2012
1:22 pm
5150 why do you have to be season ticket holders to express an opinion
North Ave Killer Beez
September 5th, 2012
1:25 pm
Why the apologist for TW??? The difference between a good coah and a bum coach, Spurrier would have pull TW after the 1st series. Can’t wait to see the next game, 20 dive plays going no where YES!!
DOC 51
September 5th, 2012
1:28 pm
Thanks to Chan Gailey and CPJ our bowl record has become lousy.It had been a source of pride for GT fans.