Johnson: ‘A lot that I saw that I didn’t like’

Post-practice notes. A couple new items, but mostly stuff from the news conference post.

1. After reviewing the Virginia Tech game video, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson was not especially impressed with much of anything, including the coaching staff.

Asked about the play of the B-backs, Johnson replied, “There was a lot I saw that I didn’t like. Not just at that position. There were several positions.”

The Yellow Jackets lost 20-17 in overtime to the Hokies Monday in Blacksburg, Va. They will play their home opener Saturday against Presbyterian College.

The wide receivers, Johnson said, were “not great, but they were no worse than a lot of the guys.”

Speaking Wednesday at his weekly news conference, Johnson also didn’t show much enthusiasm about the special teams, noting that two punts were nearly blocked. Following practice, offensive line coach Mike Sewak said he was disappointed with the offensive line and defensive coordinator Al Groh offered that the defense’s play “was O.K., but it wasn’t good enough.”

Johnson accepted responsibility with his staff.

“My take on [coaching] is, if one or two guys is not doing what you’d like, then they’ve got an issue,” he said. “If it’s more than one or two guys, then we’ve got an issue. We’ve got to work and make sure we help those guys play better.”

2. No players were injured Monday to the point they will miss the Presbyterian game, Johnson said. A-back Orwin Smith, who was taken out of the game with a shoulder injury, will be available. Further, offensive tackle Morgan Bailey, who suffered an ankle sprain in the preseason, has been cleared to play.

Safety Fred Holton, who missed the game with an undisclosed injury, is still out. Cornerback Louis Young, who did not play because of a suspension but also has a hand/arm injury, and inside linebacker Daniel Drummond, who was also suspended and has a high ankle sprain, both will probably not play. Drummond’s suspension carries into the first half of the Presbyterian game.

Johnson said that B-back David Sims, who is still recovering from a stress fracture in his shin but played against Virginia Tech, may sit.

3. Johnson said on his radio show on 790 the Zone Wednesday night that freshman wide receiver Anthony Autry would get playing time Saturday and indicated that wide receiver Darren Waller would probably start. He also said that an appeal for wide receiver Chris Jackson, who was held out of Monday’s game because of an academic matter concerning his credit hours, was denied and that he’ll miss four games.

4. Kicker Justin Moore was suspended for the Virginia Tech game for breaking a team rule, Johnson said. Moore, who took field goals and extra points last season, was beaten out for the position by David Scully and likely would not have played had he traveled with the team.

5. Johnson called quarterback Tevin Washington’s interception in overtime ill-advised, but accepted that he was trying to make a play. Washington threw the ball into the end zone on a 3^rd-and-6 play as he was being tackled. What bothered Johnson was that Washington escaped the pocket sooner than he would have liked, rolling left to escape pressure.

“A guy was wide open but we couldn’t see him because we bolted out of the pocket,” Johnson said.

6. While Johnson is superstitious, he won’t banish the new uniforms that the team wore on Monday. He said that the design was received well by recruits, a particularly important focus group.

“To me, it’s a lot about what the kids like and what the recruits like, he said.

The new set has white, navy and gold jerseys with two pants, white and gold. The 2011 uniforms may also be worn.

“Who knows?” he said. “This week, we may have some different ones.”

In case you missed it…

Tech-Presbyterian game came together at last minute

Clean injury report after Hokies game

3 thoughts about Georgia Tech

How Johnson changed mind on fourth down

Not much punch from B-backs

Georgia Tech defense rises, succumbs

Thanks for reading.

Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog