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
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
371 comments Add your comment
dcp
September 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
I have no concerns about not starting Lee; I guess the question becaomes at what point does not playing him cause him to consider going elsewhere and transfer? He was hihgly regarded, in some cases as an athlete and in others as a QB, but nonetheless, I don’t think sitting on the bench is what was his master plan when he chose GT as his school. Is that worth the loyalty to Washington? Sorry, but Days is not the answer.
HighTech
September 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
I find it hilarious that dawgfan knows so much about poo.
michael
September 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
mutts, i think your last name says it all. shoo fly, shoo.
michael
September 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
v.l. must have patience and show he can play. during the week is when he makes his mark. t.w. is fine but remember, he’s already got a degree so i’m pretty sure he’s not desperate and not going to the nfl. i love this. we have talent. but again what the heck with the O.L.?????
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
I’m baaaaaack……
And I find it hilarious that dwagfan is even alive……No, on second thought, it’s not hilarious…..it’s sad
michael
September 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
everyone that’s a yellowjacket stay on the page. other’s go find your team if you even played ball.
GT Lee
September 5th, 2012
5:31 pm
FLJ….chalk up one more bad call against GT……
and dwagfan’s just bitter because he has to inspect CMR’s poo…..
dwagfan= CMR’s Official Poo Inspector
Thanks
5150 UOAD
September 5th, 2012
5:31 pm
Ken posted a new blog on the injuries and 10 points
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
5:32 pm
What’s wrong Michael? Don’t like GT being rightfully criticized? PJ and his flunkies deserve it that’s for sure!
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
5:32 pm
Who was it earlier today who asked me what I thought about the uniforms? I forget to reply to that question
Anyway, I lked them except for the numerals. I didn’t like the numerals AT ALL. They looked like UNC blue from a distance, and that is NOT our color. The numerals should have been gold or black, or at the very least DARK blue
MaconGTFan
September 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
Defense looked much improved. Jabari is gonna be a good one. Sims shouldn’t be the starting b-back and its gonna suck at that position again this year if he’s the best Tech has there. Washington shouldn’t be able to see the field again unless an injury or blowout is happening. Why have a fifth year senior out there who’s gonna make freshman mistakes? Start Lee Saturday and get it over with. Use Days as a Tebow type in redzone situations. He could have scored other night if Sims picks up the block, but whiffed on it instead. The a-backs are deep and probably best part of the offense. The receivers have got to step up and get some type of separation from the db’s or its gonna be a long year passing wise.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
5:34 pm
Silly…..criticism by Tech fans is fine, as long as it’s based on some measure of logic and understanding of the game, and not blind hate-filled bias (like WnE). Criticism by fans of other schools (TROLLS) is not wanted or needed or legitimate
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
5:37 pm
@ MaconGTFan……would you be saying the same thing about TW IF somehow that wild pass had been caught? Although that was not likely, stranger things have happened. IF it had been caught, I bet you would probably be saying that TW was the greatest QB ever
WnE
September 5th, 2012
5:42 pm
re:
FL Jacket
September 5th, 2012
9:49 am
Before people start bashing Tevin yet again, consider the following stat line that Denard Robinson of Michigan had against the Hokies in last year’s Sugar Bowl…
9-21, 117 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
13 rushes for 13 yards
This just in…the Hokies have a pretty good defense.
__________________
Weak @$$ excuse!
CPJ get paid a lot of money to out-scheme, out-recruit, and out-whatever inorder to beat talented teams.
To give CPJ a mulligan because the other team is has a good defense only shows how much damage that CPJ has done to GT FB.
I never heard GT fans give Gailey & Reggie Ball a “free pass” because the defense was really talented.
A lot of GT fans know deep down inside they were WRONG about CPJ, and when they “reach” for excuses like these they are just trying to convince themselves that maybe they were not wrong, but deep down inside they know.
Our genius HC and our genius players with high SATs should out-smart a better defense at some point, yet we are 3-14 vs. the big-4 on our schedule.
BTW that 3-14 was talked about on 3 different Sports talk radio shows here in the Atl. Area on yesterday, Mayhem in the AM on AM790, Chuck & Chernoff on AM680 in the Afternoon drive and in the mid-day on AM790 with the Stews & Hans whatever-his-name-is.
So for all the folks that dismiss this stat as WnE trolling, professional Sports Talk Radio guys in a Top-10 Media market are focusing on this same stat.
MaconGTFan
September 5th, 2012
5:42 pm
Nah I would be saying he is the luckiest QB ever. The guys been here long enough and it wasn’t his first time starting, so to me he shouldn’t be throwing the ball downfield while you’re falling to your back. He got happy feet like he always does and made another mistake like he always ends up doing. Even the play by play guy called him out for scrambling. All he had to do was stay in the pocket for a second or two longer and he had Deon Hill wide open.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
@ Supersize…of course everyone would be singing TW’s praises if he completes that pass! But he didn’t and that’s the point. Why should he have to be completing a pass like that in overtime anyway? Why not score 21 points and you wouldn’t have to worry about overtime or a 44 second drive for a fg to tie the game. If this offense was as good as proclaimed by CPJ then it shouldn’t come down to a 3rd down overtime pass from TW.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
5:48 pm
@ Silly…..I don’t particularly the tone in which you said that, but I don’t disagree with the point you are making
michael
September 5th, 2012
5:50 pm
wish we had a tougher schedule. remember when we played auburn, lsu, alabama?? we will only get better when the comp is better. hello???? s.e.c. we can be better but i’m afraid the admn. is more focused of nasa and other brains. we have to have both sports and academics. there are kids out there that can do both. find them. GO TECH!!!
MaconGTFan
September 5th, 2012
5:55 pm
To me it looked like everything was already predetermined before the ball was snapped in Tevins mind. He can’t run the option effectively enough to lead us to a win in these types of games by now, then he shouldn’t be starting. Though he did look a lot better passing than he ever has before. If the QB can’t effectively run the option correctly then he shouldn’t be playing. Get Lee out there so at least he has experience next year and hopefully won’t make the bonehead mistakes after this year Tevins still making.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
5:57 pm
@ Super….sorry I’m really fired up about this loss, the way GT lost, the complete ineptitude of the offense, the perceived growth of the defense by others and the future of GT football under the leadership of CPJ and cronies. Sometimes its hard for me to realize that its just football and not a life event. I really really want GT to be successful and would give anything reasonable to see that happen. I just don’t see it under CPJ and feel someone needs to point out the need for a change. I’m not one for ad hominems unless they are deserved and try to respect others who are in disagreement with me.
Nate
September 5th, 2012
5:59 pm
Honestly, Tech will go 9-3 IMHO and the haters will subside. Does CPJ have a lot of issues to work out, yes of course. Just stop hating our players for playing a great game. A loss is a loss, forget it.
UGA fans, don’t you have more to worry about this weekend than stirring the pot on Tech’s blogs.
DOC 51
September 5th, 2012
6:00 pm
It would be neat to see what Snoddy,Perkins,& Days could do out of the Alabama backfield.They would play with intensity and superior coaching.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:01 pm
@ Macon…..I don’t disagree with what you said either, but we really did not use the REAL option that often Monday night. Dive plays CAN be off an option, but I don’t think most of those were Monday. And the majority of the pitches were not out of the option either, they were just pitches to the A-back, like any other team runs. I’m wondering where the triple option actually was for most of the night.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:06 pm
Nate…but those 3 losses are to VT, UGA and probably Clemson. I predict, however, we lose those games and more likely 4 more (Miami, UVA, UNC, BYU). 6 or 7 win season with CPJ’s supposed talent.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:06 pm
@ Silly…..I DO disagree with you on just about everything you posted at 5:57, but as long as you are a Tech SUPPORTER/FAN and not JUST a CPJ-HATER (of which there are many, for no PRACTICAL reasons at all), then your opinion is no more or less worthy than mine.
michael
September 5th, 2012
6:07 pm
guys, i like t.w. but macon you are right. put the best baller’s on the field. the coaches get paid for this. mutt, glad you calmed down. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT OUR O.L.? I’M COUNTING ON THEM.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:07 pm
@ Silly…..since your opinion and my opinion are equally valid or invalid, I will say that the Jackets will do no worse than 9-3, and I DO BELIEVE we will beat UGA
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:11 pm
michael…….unless he is just a damn fool (and I DO NOT believe he is), I am convinced that CPJ is playing the QB who he BELIEVES is the best one on the team. Why would he play the second best QB? CPJ wants to win as much as any of us, and he sees these players every day of the week. If he says that, at least for now, TW is his best choice at QB, then I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:12 pm
@ Supersize….I wasn’t always a CPJ hater. Heck, I was absolutely giddy about the hire! However, I sat thru his first season and we beat UGA…..then promptly got destroyed in the bowl game. First season was a success IMHO despite these misfortunes and the bowl beatdown. Then 2nd season and I see some positives and hear we will be even better with his recruits. Well last season was a disaster and the Clemson victory (the only notable one) turned into a joke when they gave up 70 in a bowl game and of course we lose in typical fashion. CPJ just hasn’t lit the fire for this program that everyone thought he would. It’s not just the VT game, its last year and the year before. It’s the same crap over and over with nothing new tried. Forget this offense and do something else or just leave or be shown the door.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:18 pm
@ Super….if you are wrong and GT ends up with 6 or 7 wins, would you still consider PJ the answer? What kind of season, record wise, if any, would it take for you to get off the PJ train? What kind of record for the GT decision makers to get off the PJ train? Just curious.
Stumpknocker
September 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
“WOW” Dwagfan, you sure like to coattail on Alabama when it suits your purpose………..but when the Alabama comparison degrades your Dawgs you refer to them as inbreds who violate their own sisters and marry their own cousins…….How convenient .
MaconGTFan
September 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
@Super If that’s true and we didn’t run the t.o. then that says one thing: he doesn’t have faith in his o-line. Plus b-back isn’t looking to good if Sims is the best we got. l dont understand pulling Laskey and not putting Perkins in after the dive started to work.
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
Has Tevin ever thrown a slant pass for a completion? Does GT even have one in their scheme? I have seen square ins, and curls but most of his completed passes have been goes, quick hitters and square outs.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
@ Silly, if we end up with only 6 or 7 wins, then yes, I will say it’s time for a change.
Got to go eat dinner now, so I won’t see your response for about an hour. Please tell me what you think about what I just said though. TTYL
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:24 pm
@ Macon…..the O-line didn’t prove anything to me Monday night, although they WERE up against one of the top D’s in the country. And yes, I think we may be hurting at B-back. We just don’t have anybody like Dwyer or Allen now, although I guess Allen played more A-back than B-back. Regardless, we just don’t seem to have the power runner with break-away speed, WHO BLOCKS, that we need.
Be back later
Stumpknocker
September 5th, 2012
6:29 pm
@ “Silly” The fact GT stayed in the game with a Top 20 team and had a chance to win it with less than a minute left sez some pretty good things to me. Tech, being unranked holding a top 20 team to 17 points in regulation sez the defense has improved……Yeah TW shouldn’t have thrown the ball at all, but took the sack and let the team go for a FG……..but it is what it is.
gt life
September 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
GIVE ME A BREAK ? Give me a break……A senior QB in overtime shoould know to get some points on the board….throw it way out of bounds or fall ….I would say this even if a GT player would have caught the ball….Fact is Tevin seems to have mental breakdowns. I would rather take that crap from a young QB so he has game time for future……VAD LEE…..I could deal with him thowing that last pass not a Senior….WTF
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:34 pm
@ Super…I guess it also depends on how we lose the games too but that’s all I need to know. Unfortunately, I think CPJ has a lot to do to get to those 6 or 7 wins. It would be nice to be wrong this time! For the time being, I will stop the CPJ bashing…next up…….Groh!
beezit
September 5th, 2012
6:40 pm
If you didn’t spend so much time writing goofy stuff like “hello”, and “thanks for reading” and “this is going to be brief”, and “have a good day”, and telling people how full your day is, you might find yourself with a little extra time on your hands…
Silly Mutts
September 5th, 2012
6:40 pm
@ Stump…..it says that we can keep VT’s unproven offense out of the end zone except when it matters. Had VT played say Clemson I would bet Clemson wins 35-3 even without Watkins. I expected GT’s offense to be BETTER than the last 4 years because we have a senior QB who knows the system and we have “CPJ’s” recruits. None of this has been true and GT is much worse offensively than previously thought. I just don’t see this offense scoring more than 17 pts a game against ACC competition and that includes Duke and Maryland. I hope I’m wrong but I know I’m not.
superDawg
September 5th, 2012
6:52 pm
I love you tekies if it was up to me you goons would own the cartoon channel.
superDawg
September 5th, 2012
6:53 pm
Who stole the T?
dry dirt road
September 5th, 2012
6:53 pm
Were bribes taken to lose the VT game?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 5th, 2012
6:55 pm
@ superDwag…..who stole your brain?
Johnson "experiment" needs to end
September 5th, 2012
6:58 pm
VT brought their “D” game offensively and still comes out with a win.Gt defense wasn’t the cause of Thomas inaccuracy or Vt receivers dropping catch able passes .If Drad not starting searching for a new coach he should be fired with PJ. This has to be the worst coaching staff Gt had since Lewis.Zero player development.Thats 2-6 since starting 6-0 on the pastry aisle in 2011.Time to start playing football that attracts better players.
MORGANTECH
September 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
lower score same old D
dry dirt road
September 5th, 2012
7:11 pm
I can’t get behind the off center and guard run attempts that gain nothing but disrespect, and can’t get behind TW’s habit of tossing it to no target. It’s time for a QB change and for an offensive coordinator change. Tech needs Vad Lee now that the shotgun was used so much, and they need Joe Hamilton or Shawn Jones as Offensive Coordinator. The D line looked like the early 70’s goal line stands line in OT with the white helmets. Tech hasn’t looked this good ever. Now don’t change them again like the unis were from CPJ’s first year. Very good unis. Good going alma mater, I guess my alum donation paid off. Wonder how the home game ones will look?
MORGANTECH
September 5th, 2012
7:15 pm
IF TEVIN IS THE BEST QB ON THE TEAM IS THAT HIS FAULT OR CPJ . WAS IT SUGGS FAULT HE PLAYED OR R.BALL NO. LAST TIME I CHECKED THESE KIDS ARE PICKED.BLAME SHOULD START AT THE TOP
Tech is a joke
September 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
I see Supersize is done with shift at McDonalds.
Tech is a joke
September 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
Flipping burgers all day making you crazy boy.
Tech will go 9-3 and beat UGA????
Maybe you work at Disney World with that comment