Re-evaluating second half of Tech’s season
Until Saturday, Georgia Tech could take inspiration from the faint hope of an ACC title. Following the Yellow Jackets’ 47-31 loss to Clemson, they’re still not mathematically eliminated, but it might be wise to start looking for other sources of motivation.
“You’d rather be winning going into a bye, but clearly, the first half of the season’s not what we hoped for, not what we wanted,” coach Paul Johnson said. “So we’ve got to try to atone for that, reset some goals, reset some things and see if we can’t come back and do a little better.”
If the Jackets are looking for suggestions for objectives, they could pursue the following, some more measurable, some less so.
Improve pass defense. Weak pass rush, soft coverage, poor pursuit angles and broken tackles have tacked on dozens of yards to Tech’s total defense, which now stands 90th out of 120 BCS teams at 431.0 yards per game. The Jackets’ pass rush was more forceful Saturday, but Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd was still able to escape pressure or scramble downfield for drive-extending runs, not to mention throw for a career-high 397 yards.
One metric that needs improving is third-down conversion percentage, an area Johnson wanted results from before the season started. Opponents are extending drives on 47.8 percent of third downs, 103rd in the country. Even becoming average – Rutgers is 60th at 37.7 percent – would be a giant improvement. Tech’s rate the past three games has been 67.4 percent.
Restore confidence. Given Tech’s repeated failures with its third-down defense and its misfires at crucial times on offense and on special teams, something is amiss.
“We’ve just got to find a way to get the guys to believe in themselves and keep going hard,” A-back Orwin Smith said. “It’s not over.”
While hardly a given at this point, beating Boston College on Oct. 20 would end Tech’s three-game losing streak and return some confidence. For that game, Tech will be at home, with two weeks’ rest against a team that could well be 1-5.
The Jackets might do well to remember that they’re still doing some things well. Tech is averaging 331.0 rushing yards, which is third in the country and above the school-record average.
Win in the fourth quarter. Last season, Tech was outscored 117-73 in the fourth quarter, including 48-14 in the final six games. This season, the Jackets have been outscored 71-48 in the fourth, including 17-3 Saturday. Of Tech’s 48, 28 were scored against Presbyterian and Virginia, when the Jackets had already secured victories. In both seasons, it’s the only quarter Tech has been outscored.
The Jackets have played well enough to hold fourth-quarter leads against Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson, but somehow constrained enough on both sides to have not protected them.
“I consider it bad luck when you’re doing the right things,” Smith said of breaks going against Tech. “But we’re still making mistakes. It’s self-inflicted, the reason we’re losing.”
Get Vad Lee more playing time. Johnson has planned to play the backup quarterback more, plans that have gotten scuttled the past two games when Johnson has found it necessary to keep Tevin Washington in the game to have a chance to win.
Tech may not play as hot an offense for the rest of the season, which should give the Jackets’ offense more breathing room to accommodate snaps for Lee.
Qualify for a bowl game, win bowl game. One of the most concrete ways that this season can still be re-claimed would be to end the seven-game bowl losing streak. At this point, it most likely won’t be a dream ending for the 2012 season, but a win is a win.
Beat Georgia. The ultimate season-saver.
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134 comments Add your comment
I love Jan Kemp
October 7th, 2012
10:19 pm
First!
Biff Pocoroba
October 7th, 2012
10:24 pm
If Groh isn’t fired this week, there might only be 4000-5000 people at the BC game, especially if it is a 12pm game. There will probably be more people at the first basketball game than this game. And Vad is ever going to play this year because if he plays well, “C” PJ will be second guesses as to why he wasn’t playing when this team is so awful and he never wants to be second gussed since he is a genius.
I love Jan Kemp
October 7th, 2012
10:28 pm
Great article Ken (as usual) I find it hard to believe theres still 30 defenses worse than ours! That being said, we’ve got 2 weeks to fix it (all 3 phases of the game needs improvement) hope they can come out and get on a roll. Go Jackets!
George Stein
October 7th, 2012
10:29 pm
I find it difficult to believe that the defense will allow us to win more than three of the remaining games. The strain on the offense has become too great, and the margin for error is negligible. I am actually surprised Groh still is employed.
I love Jan Kemp
October 7th, 2012
10:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Don't be a dawg
October 7th, 2012
10:35 pm
It is possible, however remote, to go 8-4 this year!
Why not? Can you believe? Can you say something positive?
Go Jackets!
Don’t be like the fair weather dawg fans!
TechApp fan
October 7th, 2012
10:37 pm
Tech will probably win the next one-they will use the extra time to figure out that O.
I love Jan Kemp
October 7th, 2012
10:51 pm
ACC & ESPN ruined GT & VTs seasons by forcing them to re-arrange their schedules to accomodate tv, ACCs never done us any favors so what should we expect? May sound lame but it has made an impact.
Haynes
October 7th, 2012
10:53 pm
I thought UNC (4-2), Duke (5-1), and Maryland (3-2) games would be easy Ws. Lot looking that way.
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 7th, 2012
10:55 pm
Let me begin by saying those things most all Tech blogers are begging for – 1) play Vad – 2) Fire Groh – 3) fix the offense and defense before the end of the season 4) Fix the coaching failures of Johnson and special teams – 5) improve the teams conditioning before year end so they can actually play the fourth quarter rather than fighting to see who can sit on the bench and watch the other unit play. I promise you – NONE of this is going to happen at least not any time soon.
Johnson’s thought process goes like this – “I’m being paid big money to coach this team. I know what I’m doing even if my players and critics don’t think so. None of them are being paid to run this program – I am -and talk is cheap. If and when I want to make changes in any phase of the program – it will be done so based strictly on what I think is best based on my experience over my years of coaching and without pressure from anyone. When you become the head coach then you can run the program how ever you see fit. I know talent and I’ve got my best players on the field. Now – back off – and let’s try to have a good second half of the season. And if for some reason we continue to lose – well – I’ve done my best. I can’t go out there and play for them. Oh yeah, stop asking stupid questions and acting like you know more than the coaching staff or team about what our problems are and how to fix them.”
Hayseed Dixie
October 7th, 2012
10:55 pm
@George Stein
Everyone knows Groh is gone and the season is a wash (can’t believe I’m writing that), so it doesn’t score the Institute any points by humiliating him any further and firing him mid-season.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the search for his successor (i.e. sending out feelers) is already underway.
My hope is that Giff Smith is somehow involved in the future of this D.
We get someone as effective on that side of the ball as CPJ is on his, and we’ll be fine.
We all thought Groh would at least be average- unfortunately we’ve run into a coordinator that has overstayed his ability.
gt1012
October 7th, 2012
10:57 pm
great article ken
Haynes
October 7th, 2012
10:57 pm
I love Jan Kemp: That does sound lame. GT dug their own grave.
George Stein
October 7th, 2012
11:03 pm
I’m not sure I see any good in allowing him to humiliate the Institute anymore, either, Hayseed. Giff ain’t coming back.
As for playing Vad, I’d love to see him more, but Tevin and the offense haven’t been the reason we haven’t been successful this season. Anyone who thinks that’s the case isn’t watching the game.
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 7th, 2012
11:09 pm
“Oh – a couple other things to remember – if ANY play doesn’t work – well it should have or at least I thought it would and that goes for going for it on fourth down early in the game deep in our own territory – running the quarterback sneak on forth down behind Uzzi 95% of the time or lining up in our famous fake fourth down formation to draw the other team off side (well it worked once 5 years ago didn’t it?) – aslo when I call the same play over and over and over and over even though it doesn’t work – I thought it might have that time. If the quarterback says I called a play that didn’t work – well, I didn’t. He apparently mis-understood the call. I don’t like to mix up the play selection. We should be good enough to not have to call a bunch of trick plays or go away from my system – I’ve proven it works every where I’ve coached.”
Biff Pocoroba
October 7th, 2012
11:10 pm
Buffalo lost 45-3 today. Giff might be available pretty soon.
GTGirl
October 7th, 2012
11:11 pm
Glad we have an off week so maybe some of our problems can be fixed.
Hayseed Dixie
October 7th, 2012
11:14 pm
Firing Groh isn’t going to suddenly motivate those kids. It’s what you call a lose/lose.
Why you think Giff ain’t coming back?
Hayseed Dixie
October 7th, 2012
11:16 pm
Firing Groh mid-season, that is.
www
October 7th, 2012
11:24 pm
georgia tech was in this game until a couple of mistakes at the end of the 3rd/beginning of the 4th.
and no excuses but the defense looked worn out at the end of the game.
fewer mistakes + a deeper bench = big seasons ahead.
Ken Sugiura
October 7th, 2012
11:32 pm
about the Virginia Tech Labor Day game – I’ve thought about the impact that has had. It’s hard to say. But, ultimately, if Tech offered to return its ESPN money to avoid playing in that game, I’d be more on board with your argument. ESPN pays the freight, it calls the shots.
Regarding Groh, I agree with Hayseed Dixie. I think you’d risk losing the defense if he were to be dismissed now.
realist
October 7th, 2012
11:35 pm
With a D this bad, we’ll be lucky to win 2 more.
And frankly, I don’t see much hope for next year either no matter who the coach is.
South GA Jacket
October 8th, 2012
12:14 am
We missed some plays (tackles? converges?) against VT and Miami, as has been noted. We were outmatched against Clemson.
To me, the one that is inexcusable is MTSU. If we had played with ANY effort, we could have won that game. I kept waiting for a corner to jump that bubble route in the flats for a pick-6. The defensive alignment for MTSU is still mind-boggling.
I guess what I’m saying is, that we are a couple plays away from being 3-1 in ACC play, and woulda/shoulda/coulda beat MTSU.
It is what it is. Now, does this team have any heart? Will we see the team that played Virginia or the team that played MTSU?
Silly Mutts
October 8th, 2012
12:28 am
Keep supporting this staff and you get what you deserve! More losing! Firing groh immediately is absolutely the thing to do! If the next guy can’t get the job done then fire his butt too! It’s called accountability! So we are concerned about groh and his embarrassment? He got paid plenty of money! Tine to work on your fishing technique! Embarrassment is what he has done to these students and players! Does a corporation keep a failure until the tax year ends? No way!!!!!! They are removed on the spot! Groh shouldn’t have even been on the bus! players get suspended, kicked off the team because of failures but coaches are kept because it is embarrassment! If you feel sorry for him buy him a ham but you better buy him a ticket out of atlanta!
Ernest
October 8th, 2012
12:29 am
Ken, is it that difficult to install a base 4-3 defensive scheme as a part of the overall package? One would think they would have some anyway.
I question whether Tech can recruit the athletes needed to effectively run the 3-4, especially at the nose tackle position. I agree that dismissing the DC at this stage of the season does not make sense.
Silly Mutts
October 8th, 2012
12:32 am
Ken… Are you an example of a corporation keeping someone on the staff because they don’t want you to feel embarrassed any more than you already are? Please….if they thought you sucked you would be writing greeting cards on napkins in no time!
Silly Mutts
October 8th, 2012
12:44 am
Dismissing groh definitely makes the most sense of anything I’ve heard! 1) it gives pj a chance to prove he is a HC and not an offensive coordinator for a middle school run only offense with no passing qb or talent 2) it’s tells everyone you are accountable for your failures in life 3) it tells the defensive players that it’s not their fault 4) and it tells the fans that I’m sorry that I don’t know how to recruit or hire good staff BUT give me one more chance to get it right!!!!! Groh got his second chance after he was run out of Charlottesville! He failed miserably!
Silly Mutts
October 8th, 2012
12:53 am
I love it when people ask Ken about football! Obviously someone who knows zero about football or accountability!
SoCal_GT_Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:59 am
Silly Mutts, what’s up with attacking Ken? Just because his opinion doesn’t jive with yours, you go on attacking him? Sounds very high school to me.
I personally believe that firing a coach mid-season is the wrong thing to do and I HIGHLY DOUBT that’s what you do in Corporate America either. If some employee isn’t performing up to your standards, you don’t just fire them on the spot. You have performance reviews and evaluations where upon that employee is then told what their short comings were and be politely taken out of the office. The only time they would FIRE your butt is if you did something illegal and/or something so detrimental to the companies’ image that the only way the company can save face is to fire your butt. What Al Groh’s defense has done is under-perform but nothing illegal and NO its not something that is detrimental to Georgia Tech’s image. If losing to MTSU is detrimental to Georgia Tech’s image, then I’m sure there’s a whole lot of other coordiantors and head coaches that would be unemployed since there have been NUMEROUS upsets where FCS programs have beaten a FBS program this year.
Also, if you fire Groh, you better have a good back-up plan. Ya know, like do you know of a defensive coordinator out there who would be willing to take over mid-season and install his scheme within a weeks time and right this ship? Hmmmmmm. The coaching search will turn into a circus with the pressure on CPJ to find a competent DC or even an interim DC within that short time. Most likely it’ll be a guy within the current staff and what defense do you think they’ll be running? Of course, the 3-4 defense in the mold of Groh’s scheme because that’s what they (players and coaches) know and that’s what they’ll stick with since its too late to install anything else.
Ultimately, when that performance review comes at the end of this season, I’m pretty sure its not something Al Groh is going to be looking forward to. He’ll likely be updating his resume.
SoCal_GT_Fan
October 8th, 2012
2:36 am
Oops, sorry. For some reason I thought Middle Tennessee State was a FCS school. My bad. In any case, there were a whole slew of big-conference schools (SEC/ACC/PAC12/BIGTEN) that have lost to schools from lesser conferences (i.e. Colorado, Arkansas, Iowa/UVA). Also, there have been numerous cases where we did have FBS schools lose to FCS schools.
TVFan
October 8th, 2012
5:47 am
I know it’s popular to blame Groh for a lot of this mess, but what about the other assistant coaches and the head coach. Too many recruiting battles have been lost. Tech is hurting talent wise.
Surely Coach Johnson can see the defensive line issues are huge and the offensive line has been a disappointment. I’ll give him some credit. Last year he indicated that we didn’t need a coach for special teams. He was right. The special teams look worse this year. Two safeties due to special teams play is amazing.
Cutlass81
October 8th, 2012
6:03 am
Ken, how would “losing” our defense be any different than what we’ve seen the past 3 games? They have been publicly embarrassed for three straight weeks. Mayhaps if we get rid of Groh, we’ll see a different tune from our players. Either way, if nothing ever changes, neither will the results. Get rid of him midseason and give one of his underlings a chance to show what they know. If that fails, then bring in outside help. Interim coaches are the same as getting a free consultation. It is a chance to see if someone else has a better idea of how to work your defense without having to pay extra. At the rate we are going with Groh, I’d bet we could put a UGA fan in charge of our defense, tell him we were going to pay him for every yard the team gives up, and still get better results.
ToeMeetsLeather
October 8th, 2012
7:11 am
I am finally in the camp that that the TECH D will never be even average as long as all that they see in practice and spring camp are TO type skill players and OLinemen. They will never be prepared for what Clemson, UGA, and even MTSU, bring to the table offensively. CPJ will need to take Lee(or Thomas) and adjust his offense so the D prepares for the “speed of the game” against a top flight passing attack with Olinemen defending the pass rush. This will also help the O to be more balanced and capable of overcoming a 10 point deficit mid way through the 4th quarter of a game, something we are out of luck with presently. And I know about all of this scout team preparation argument. But there is no way our third string guys can duplicate Clemson. I’m just not buying that.
I still support CPJ, but this change needs to occur this coming spring or we will continue to spiral down if it does not happen. Just my observation in year five (would love to hear Groh’s take regarding this after he is off the staff Ken). Also, one additional note regarding this approach. Did anyone notice the fact that on the one posession that the passing attack was focused on against the Tigers, we moved the ball down the field in four plays and put seven on the board. Never saw it again Saturday.
Just the opinion of one season ticket holder having to consider their renewel for next year.
Atlantan
October 8th, 2012
7:17 am
The one positive of 2012 – GT always wins one they shouldn’t (hopefully that wasn’t the Presbyterian game) and Ugag is still on the schedule…
The season was lost when the team didn’t show up for the MTSU game. GT is paying the price for CPJ’s early recruiting and a terrible arm-tackling defense. If Dave Wommack enjoys schadenfreude he is getting his fair share this year.
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
October 8th, 2012
7:27 am
Fire Groh today, and we have two weeks to install a 4-3 before Boston College.
It’s as good a time as any.
Ken
October 8th, 2012
7:36 am
I used to thin the defense was imapcted by practicang against our offense, but…
Did anyone watch the OSU / Nebraska game on Saturday night. The Buckeye offense looks very similar to Tech: run heavy (only 8 passes) just in the shot gun versus under center. That Buckeye defense looks much better. Bottom line is coaching and talent. I actually believe we have talent, they played well the first three games this year and for long stretches against Miami, so the potential is there. The coaching simply doesn’t have this defense in the correct places.
Just yesterday, there were a couple of plays where the DBs were simply in the wrong position, not to far to mention, far too many 3rd down conversions. On one drive Saturday Clemson converted 3rd and 7, 3rd and 7, 3rd and 13. Inexcusable.
Hal
October 8th, 2012
7:37 am
Did Clemson ever punt in that game?
collegeballfan
October 8th, 2012
7:45 am
I would agree that Tech is playing to its talent level. It always has.
Like UGA is not a top 10 football program, Georgia Tech is not a top 25 football program.
Facts are facts. The record of GT football since 1960 is 328 wins, 268 losses and 10 ties. That is 25 games over .500 for the 52 year period. Basically that is .500 football.
The question on the table is why. Why is Georgia Tech a perennial .500 program? Why has Georgia Tech, for the past 52 years, not been able recruit Top 25 talent year in and year out? How many Top 20 recruiting classes has Georgia Tech had in the last 52 years? Four? Five?
Georgia Tech’s problems with its football program transcends the Defensive Coordinator.
Stumpknocker
October 8th, 2012
8:10 am
Groh will be around for the remainder of the year, but I would expect him to be gone for the next campaign. Tech needs to find a young, energetic D coach that has the “fire in his belly” to motivate young men.
John
October 8th, 2012
8:14 am
Until the Tech admin allows Tech to recruit the same players as Clemson and Georgia, Tech fans need to learn to accept being a mediocre team.
Mark in ATL
October 8th, 2012
8:22 am
4-9 in his last 13 games……wow….that’s downright awful…..and with the talent on this roster it isn’t improving anytime soon.
Crazy Robert
October 8th, 2012
8:25 am
TECH needs to get rid of the punters thus there will be more scholarships for QB’s that can help keep the bench warm. After all, why not always go for it on fourth downs? It worked so well in the first quarter against Clemson.
The players might have won if the coaches just sat on the bench!!! They showed up to play but the coaches had better ideas. [sic]
Should CPJ get another contract extension like Danny (The Choker) Hall?
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
8:39 am
I made the same point as Toe Meets Leather yesterday about moving down the field in record time for the TO with pass after pass, like we were in our hurry up offense.
Clemson did not cover receivers any better than we do, possibly worse.
So why didn’t we use that strategy again?
Someone pointed out the pitch to Orwin from our one yard line is the wrong playcall.
Getting a safety is one big motivator because D lineman or linebackers do not get many chances to score.
Chris Milton made a great tackle stopping a punt return but was that his first time returning the kickoff? He looked inexperienced.
I thought he should have let the ball go into the endzone.
Reminds me of losing the bowl game to Air Force because the punt returner fumbled twice.
I can remember being proud of Tech’s having the best winning percentage in bowl games.
Boy has that been shot to heck.
The new ST coach doesn’t seem to be having much effect for the good.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
8:41 am
With a FG kicker like Clemson’s(19 straight?), we score 37 points.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
8:49 am
Once Miami realized our weakness was pass defense, that is about all they did in the 2nd half.
Why didn’t that light go on for CPJ after the awesome passing drive of the 2nd quarter?
BTW South Carolina’s Shaw underthrew his WR allowing the Dawg defender to catch up.
No problem.
First he caught the ball.
Then he shed the defender and ran to the one yard line.
Nice luxury for a QB to have a WR who can do that so fans don’t get on him for underthrowing the ball.
Just saying.
Tech dropout
October 8th, 2012
8:51 am
I believe Tech’s offense is perfect for getting more out of less talent, but I cannot think of a defense where you can get more with less talent. With the athletes that Tech has access to, it is going to be hard to ever field an above average, deep, defense. Tech can get a handful of good players, but after the starters, there is a steep drop. When Louis Young was injured and Fred Holton always being injured, all Tech had left was a walk on safety. What kind of defense can Tech run where they can get more with less?
juvenal
October 8th, 2012
8:51 am
keeping Tev in so we have a chance to win? considering his still perfect record in games that could have been won in the 4th qtr., too funny…..
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
8:52 am
Center Jay Finch getting injured may have been the turning point was the bad snap after the pick may have prevented a possible 8 point 3rd quarter lead.
ramblingbuzz
October 8th, 2012
8:53 am
Sadly there is no way to salvage this season. A win over UGA would help, but if there’s a game Richt always seems to have his team ready for, it’s Tech. And Ken I don’t see how letting Groh go would demoralize the defense. Might actually be a cause for celebration among the players.
DOC 51
October 8th, 2012
8:56 am
Enter your comments here
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:00 am
@juvenal.
Our collapses are team wide efforts.
Tevin played better than I thought he could in Utah, VT and Miami games.
Groh’s lack of blitzes lets the other team’s QB get real comfortable whereby he can pick us apart.
Or if it is the players, then who recruits them?
Tevin does not get the help Nesbit got.
As I have pointed out, we lose to Wake and are not in the 2009 ACCCG without a game-saving sack from Derrick Morgan.
Prior to that, Nesbit was sacked on 4th down by Wake.
Was anyone open on that play?
Well by all means let’s go look at the film and bash Nesbit for not spotting the open man.
But if u have some play-makers on D, u win and the QB doesn’t get trashed for the loss.
New Idea
October 8th, 2012
9:01 am
Some of you fellow GT fans are starting to understand. Since the NFL became big in the 60’s GT has been, with a few exceptions, pathetic at Athletics. Basically We offer Engineering and Management degrees. Everyone does not want to be an Engineer, in fact most do not. We make everyone take math and calculus. We only have a little over 50% Georgia students. A State school not even educating mostly Georgians. UGA is 88% Georgians. This impacts the fan base. If GT and the GT Nation of fans/graduates does not fight for a change then you have pathetic athletics from now on. Just realistic.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:11 am
The 1980 Falcons playoff loss to Dallas whereby the Falcons blew a 17 point secind half lead happened beause the coaches went conservative on both sides of the ball.
Dallas had not been able to stop the Falcons until we went to a predictable run then throw on third down offense.
That lose set the Falcons back for years.
The players looked like they had choked when it was the coaching staff that had.
Our losses to Utah, VT and especially Miami remind me of that game.
Tenuta blitzed too much while Groh does too little.
I’d prefer very much prefer Tenuta to Groh though a few teams like Boston College when they had Ryan could figure out how to beat the blitz.
We should not on principle hire someone who is being paid millions by his last school. (Groh)
I do not have a lot of respect for any of the college coaches who tear up contracts when they want leave but insist on every last dime when fired.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:18 am
Lots of Tech fans hate that we still owe Hewitt 1.7 million per year for 5 years.
So why did we hire someone like that hated at his own alma matre like Groh is at Virginia?
Groh also came with a ready made excuse for 2 years of crummy defense while our players learned the new system and we recruited players to fit it.
DOC 51
October 8th, 2012
9:20 am
There is no sense of urgency w/CPJ.Most million dollar coaches could fix major defensive problems,but not him.He thinks the only way to win is outscore every opponent by one point.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:24 am
@New Idea.
Maybe u r right but how did Ross win the NC in 1990?
Also after we hired Freigen as O coordinator, our offense never looked so good.
Even Larry Munson remarked during our three game win streak vs the Dawgs, “Tech coming down the field like we are Wake Forest”.
Tech can win with great coaching: Head coaches Heisman and Dodd or a great O coordinator like Freigen.
CPJ’s biggest failure has been his D coordinators. (or the lack of recruiting good defensive players)
At least Wommack’s D could rise to the occasion and make game-saving stops.
We haven’t had any game-saving stops lately.
Frankly
October 8th, 2012
9:27 am
Your last point “Qualify for a bowl game, win a bowl game.” will be a tall order. I don’t think the first part of the equation will be met, much less the second.
Aways a Jacket
October 8th, 2012
9:29 am
Firing a coordinator mid-season would be dumbest thing PJ could do. All those complaining about the bad defense would be on PJ for firing Al because changing DC mid-season does not help the chances of a win. Unless you want to publicly humiliate/punish Al for the terrible defense.
The team played much better at Clemson than MTSU game. There is strong chance we win the remaining home games. Then, after the season, there needs to be an evaluation of the program, starting at the AD level. Given fact that we are paying off Hewitt, and DRad signed contract extension for PJ at salary too high, Most likely outcome is new DC next year.
We need new AD.
New Idea
October 8th, 2012
9:30 am
Jacket detective,
In the early 90’s our coaches were fighting the Hill for exceptions and they got them. Then when we got Gailey, all those exceptions were academically ineligible but somehow played anyway and we were hit by NCAA. I really do not believe Gt wants to go that route again.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:31 am
Win 6 games and u can get in some low tier bowl our fans could care less about.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:33 am
Ross didn’t play anyone academically ineligible.
Who was responsible for that problem which was ten years later?
NOVAJacket
October 8th, 2012
9:34 am
Groh coaches like he has still has LT and company playing for him when he needs to adapt to the talent level he has and mix up the play calling. The no huddle schemes also mess with his ability to shuttle in and out role players.
With respect to Richt, he does understand that he keeps his job by beating Tech regardless of how often his team fails to show up for other games like this weekend….
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:37 am
I looked up an old SI article on Whack Hyder titled “Father Knows Best”.
Turns out Dave Denton, the team’s best rebounder would be illegible from time to time.
And I remember time and again, players in football and basketball missing time due to academic problems.
How did it come about that a school that prides itself on playing by the rules screwed up so badly?
I would really be interested in some investigative journalism that tells the full story.
Jacket Detective
October 8th, 2012
9:39 am
Agreed NOVA Jacket.
If Tech beats Uga in 2009, Richt is probably fired.
MC
October 8th, 2012
9:41 am
There isn’t one sure victory left on the schedule. This team is really really bad.
New Idea
October 8th, 2012
9:49 am
We won in the 90’s with a lot of exceptions. Those have been reduced greatly because of the NCAA trouble with us playing academically ineligible athletes during Gailey. It is funny to me that we played all those exceptions then and no Engineers complained their degree was hurt but if you suggest a new major like Education and Sports Management, respected professions, they scream their heads off that their Degree will be degraded.
Technically Correct
October 8th, 2012
9:53 am
Look for the return of the “Boo Birds,” if Johnson doesn’t avert this train wreck quickly!
Al Bundy
October 8th, 2012
9:54 am
I think a bowl game and beating UGA are a stretch! I think this team is about as good as it gets with this coaching staff. We aren’t recruiting the talent level necessary to compete at this level. Our guys can’t tackle, our secondary can’t cover and we can’t put pressure on the quarterback. In other words their guys are better than our guys.
MC
October 8th, 2012
9:57 am
The problem is very simple. This team is not a talented group. Talent matters. Who’s fault? CPJ’s. End of story. The apologists are starting to sound really lame.
MC
October 8th, 2012
9:59 am
The only way this team beats UGA is if UGA doesn’t show up.
Born2Buzz
October 8th, 2012
10:01 am
I don’t think Groh gets fired but seriously, what difference would it make. We’ve given up 1700 yds and 46 pts per game the last 3 games. Not making some kind of change is the definition of insanity. And how is Groh going to all of a sudden change what he’s done his whole career.
And the same thing goes for the offense. To keep running the same thing over and over, with the same QB, when we’ve seen the results for 2 years now, is also insane.
MAKE THE CHANGES NOW CPJ!!!
Does anyone think this team can go 5-1 over the last half of the season? BC and Maryland are horrible so maybe we have a chance against them but all the other games will be tough. I guess I would be happy now with finishing 7-5 and going to some mediocre bowl.
And we all had high hopes for this season.
MC
October 8th, 2012
10:02 am
DOC 51…CPJ’s problem is that it’s all about him. And in his quest to prove his brilliance, he’s only proving his stupidity.
Dit
October 8th, 2012
10:05 am
Cant expect good play with coaches that bad and uniforms that ugly. Who decides what uniforms we wear. GO BACK TO GT UNIFORMS.
Born2Buzz
October 8th, 2012
10:08 am
@Always A Jacket, the team played with more energy at Clemson, but the results on D were the same. Clemson ran 93 plays! 93?!?!? Talk about not being able to get off the field.
CPJ just better accept the fact that the Defense will continue to suck and the only way we can win is to out score the other guys. OK Coach, lets see what you got.
Technically Correct
October 8th, 2012
10:09 am
If you want to know what is wrong with our team, you need look no further than recruiting. We can’t even recruit LEGACIES, for Goodness sakes! This year alone, Carl Lawson, the 5-star defensive end son of Anthony Lawson, a former Tech football player, pledges to Auburn and Naim Mustafa, 4-star defensive end/linebacker son of Najee Mustafa, a former Tech football player, pledges to the hated Dwags. WTF is going on?
Born2Buzz
October 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Dit, the uniforms would look “cool” if the team was winning.
GTJacket
October 8th, 2012
10:11 am
Take it to the bank…maybe we win 2 of the remaining 6 games….we end the season 4 – 8. I am glad that i did not renew season tickets…don’t have to sit through the 4th quarter miseries anymore. I agree with CollegeBallFan…we are generally a .500 football team except for this year we will end at .333 or worse.
juvenal
October 8th, 2012
10:16 am
JD, lots of people play in a baseball game-one is called the winning pitcher…..Josh pulled games out, Luck & Big Ben pulled their games out, at some point you got to see some people just don’t have that mentality……for sure put someone else in 4th & short…..getting Vad ready for next year on a very short list of realistic goals….if i didn’t like the folks i sit with so much, i would get the cheapest seats i could next year…
Smyrna Gold
October 8th, 2012
10:17 am
BC and Maryland may be horrible but so are we. I can see a six game win season max. And please, no bowl game this year. We’ve had enough embarrassment already.
Wincealot
October 8th, 2012
10:18 am
Do not talk about firing coaches now. An assessment will be made at the end of the year. Just remember, when you reload coaches, it sets you back several years. CPJ is doing a fine job. Let’s get some talent in and recruit harder. The defense can not play as well until better players are in place. Many times, fans are too quick to blame coaches. Go Jackets!!
roughrider
October 8th, 2012
10:21 am
I’m wondering if the Board of Regents would hire some football consultants to come to our state and teach Tech and UGA how to play winning football.
UGA = Yawn
October 8th, 2012
10:24 am
Seriously, going for 4th down on our own 37 yd line in our 1st drive set the tone for the game. We gave them 37 yds to score their 1st TD – in essence, spotting them 7 points. then spot them more later with ANOTHER safety. I mean, you can’t be serious! Just the absolute poorest coached team in the land. And, I’ve said it for years, GT can never play 4 quarters of solid football – so, the data on our 4th quarter scoring vs opponents does not supriese me. So sad is our team and school right now. I am ready for basketball.
Ken Sugiura
October 8th, 2012
10:27 am
my point doesn’t have to do with saving groh embarrassment. most of the players on the defense came to tech, to some degree of another, because of the relationship they’d developed with groh, and, if the way they’ve talked about him is any barometer, i suspect they think a lot of him. that’s why i think you’d risk making a bad situation worse if he were to be fired now. as for the matter of, how could it get any worse? i’d surmise that if they had played saturday with the effort that they’d played with against mtsu, it would have been a lot worse, which, i understand, is kind of hard to fathom.
i don’t think firing him now is unreasonable. i’m just not sure it’s wise.
Rooty Tooty
October 8th, 2012
10:33 am
CPJ made a comment over the weekend, GT has to play errorless ball if they want to win. Right now, they are their own worst enemy. Take away the drops, fumbles, and just stupid mistakes and they would have been in Sat game.
Mary La Baker
October 8th, 2012
10:35 am
The Jackets have to improve more than 100% just to move to at least 8 wins. Start by changing the entire coaching staff.
Grinch
October 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Where are we going to pick up 2 more wins?????? Boston College and who??? If you think Duke is a given, think again. Our D will get torched by their passing attack. They have one of the top offenses in the ACC right now and are lighting folks up. UNC will beat us by 40 in Chapel Hill they way their hurry up spread offense is playing right now. BYU might be winnable IF we can stop the run game and play more physical. They are big and very physical on defense.
juvenal
October 8th, 2012
10:44 am
they asked voltaire once what he thought about shooting french troops that had run away-he replied it was necessary some times “pars les encourageur les autres…”
Tom
October 8th, 2012
10:45 am
Best Tech can hope for is a 6 win season. They are not going to beat UGA and I doubt they can win against UNC. They will be under dogs to BYU who by the way tackle pretty good. GT should take notes in this game. BC is their best bet for a win. Duke and Maryland will be pick ems because of our defense. Good luck getting to 6 wins.
If do right, no can defense
October 8th, 2012
10:57 am
Agree with all 6 points, Ken. This is it. It’s halftime at Tech.
Who ready to get back?
ice eater 1969
October 8th, 2012
11:01 am
Ken – you seem to be able to access informantion from the archieves – - how about posting Furman Bishers column on “amiling Wrek is Ga TEch and a helluva a shame its in.”
ice eater 1969
October 8th, 2012
11:02 am
sorry for the bad post
Bishers was Rambling Wrek is Ga Tech and a helluva a shape its in!
blazer
October 8th, 2012
11:13 am
Couldn’t even give Vad Lee some snaps the last minute like we was going to win then!!
Ken Sugiura
October 8th, 2012
11:25 am
ice eater – interesting idea. i’ll see if i can do that. any idea when he wrote it?
yeller bug
October 8th, 2012
11:26 am
I have lots of complaints to make too, but as for the argument about lack of talent I don’t buy it. Yes, we could have more, but I think we could have beaten all four teams that we have lost to. With the exception of MTSU, we were ahead in the 4th Qtr—two games we were ahead after 59 minutes. It is not like we were blown out of the stadium in the first qtr like UGA against SC. We can still go 9-4, beat UGA and win a bowl game and more than salvage the season. Do we have problems–heck ya and hopefully we’ll address those this week. It’s still just one game at a time and this is the team we have so let’s get it on and make the best of it.
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
11:32 am
While I agree with much that has been posted on these blogs lately, I find myself disheartened by the state of affairs surrounding the football team. All but one had such high hopes prior to the VT game. Now we are hoping for a turnabout & maybe a 6-6 year & a return to El Paso or lower bowl. Sad, sad commentary
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
11:35 am
But I will not be a fair weather fan. I will go to the games or sit in front of my TV and urge the Yellow Jackets to get’em. And when they mess up, I will loudly moan OH NOOOOO! But I will root for to the end. Selah.
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
11:37 am
for “them” to
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
11:53 am
Well, I’ve outlined Tevin’s failures all season, starting with the pick at VT. Here we are, halfway point, and Tevin aka Reggie Ball is back at it again.
1st quarter, 4th down, TW f’s it up again on the QB draw (surprise!). Clearly CPJ showed his displeasure with TW after the play, as if it was another audible (failed again).
2 minutes later, Clemson is up 7-0. That was all i needed to see.
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
11:58 am
The fact that Vad didn’t play, not even in garbage time, tells me that Vad is in the dog house for some reason. How TW isn’t in the dog house is beyond me.
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
12:03 pm
TW: 8-13 at QB against BCS conference teams.
GT Islander
October 8th, 2012
12:10 pm
So nice to have a Saturday coming up where I don’t have to worry about being embarrassed by Tech’s so called football team!
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
12:13 pm
Tevin’s screw up on 4th down in the 1st quarter is no different from a fumble.
4th down, 4th quarter, OT, TW is a complete failure.
Ryan
October 8th, 2012
12:18 pm
Hire Pat Hill (exFresno State coach) to run the D! He’s out of a job and was a hell of a coach.
JoeFan
October 8th, 2012
12:18 pm
The best thing going for Paul Johnson is that apathy has sunk in on the Flats. How long DRad can stomach this situation is anybody’s guess. But to say Tech can’t recruit is wrong. Recruiting is dependent on the head coach and his staff and with the right combination Tech can get quality players, Gailey, O’Leary and Ross in restrospect are proof of that. So lets see if DRad is capable of making a better decision on a new head coach and how long it takes him to see that the status quo needs changing.
Ryan
October 8th, 2012
12:20 pm
Ok so Pat Hill isn’t jobless. He’s on the Falcons staff. O line coach….
GT Joe
October 8th, 2012
12:21 pm
CPJ could easily lose his job because of his choice of QB, not his offensive scheme. Sad.
techbuzz
October 8th, 2012
12:24 pm
Is John Tenuta available? If memory serves, under his tenure as DC at Tech, we may have had an anemic offense but our defense was in the top 10 every year he was here.
The Tower
October 8th, 2012
12:24 pm
Face it guys! There is 0 talent on the defense! What’s the old saying? You can’t fix stupid! Well, you can’t fix a defense with zero talent! That fall on CPJ for crappy recruiting. It’s not about X’s and 0’s, but the Jimmy’s and Joe’s! we don’t have any Jimmy and Joe’s!!!!!
Empty Seats
October 8th, 2012
12:27 pm
Didn’t Tech have a pretty nasty Defense in the 80’s? The “Black Watch” – or something like that, due to the black uniforms at the time?
What scheme was it and can one of those guys come run it for us again, if it is still relevant?
Someone who can communicate with the players, and has done it before, has a vested interest in Tech, etc.
UGA = Yawn
October 8th, 2012
12:35 pm
Under Curry – Black Watch but named after a group in England or Ireland I thought?
JoeFan
October 8th, 2012
12:36 pm
No guarantee that Vad will turn things around but Tevin, based upon past performance sure doesn’t seem to be the person that will reverse this season. Except for a lone victory against Clemson, Tevin’s resume is full of losses except against the lower rungs of the competition ladder. CPJ, may or may not loose the team if he changes quarterbacks, but on the flip side, he may infuse new energy into a dreadful season, and maybe turn this season around. At the worst, Lee will be gaining experience for 2013.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:25 pm
Ken, your first comment to bloggers had the following statement:
Regarding Groh, I agree with Hayseed Dixie. I think you’d risk losing the defense if he were to be dismissed now.
———————————–
Risk losing the defense? Seriously? Have you seen the defense the past 3 games? Please explain how they are not lost already?
I’m 44 years old. I love sports. I’ve played a lot of football, and watched infinately more, and I have NEVER seen a D, particularly 3rd down D, perform as bad as AG’s. It was mind-numbing watching that drive by Clemson after Shawn Green’s int that TW and the O FAILED to produce points on. 3rd & 7, 37yd gain…3rd & 10, 23yd gain….3rd & 13, 15yd gain. Mind-numbing.
On 1st & 2nd down it looked like GT’s D had 15 players on the field. On those 3rd downs it looked like they had 6 players on the field. It was so atrocious I was actually laughing.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:33 pm
I agree with the poster on page 1 that PJ’s arrogance, and refusal to be 2nd-guessed, will keep Vad Lee on the bench this season. Only way VL gets SIGNIFICANT snaps is if TW gets injured.
Also love PJ’s genius ability to get the player that’s “too good to be standing on the sidelines” (Synjyn Days) into games. GT is 6 games into the season and SD is tearing it up!
My faith in PJ has begun to wane.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:39 pm
And how about those quick passing plays to WR (taking advantage of Clemson’s “knifing” DBs) on GT’s 1st scoring drive Saturday … 53yds to Autry, 12 yds to Waller, 16yds (TD) to Greene? Never saw those again. That was an 83yd drive that consisted of 4 plays, 3 of them passes.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:41 pm
GT – BC is a 3pm kickoff………..
And for those thinking BC is a W for the Jackets, think again. BC is 16th in the nation with 310.8 yds passing / game.
Their QB will have his best career game vs. GT.
Smyrna Gold
October 8th, 2012
1:45 pm
I don’t see how any changes would be detrimental to this team. Goodness, we’ve already lost to MTSU, and we’ll probably lose to Duke and UNC. UGA will beat us worse than Clemson did. Everyone is calling for DRAD to do something but I think he’s part of the problem. Reminds me of a deer in the headlights. This program is pathetic and I see no light at the end of the tunnel with the current leadership. So Sad.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:47 pm
What SHOULD help GT vs. BC is that it will be BC’s 3rd consecutive road game with no off week.
Army this past Saturday….FSU, 10/13….then GT. Should be tough on BC having to travel all the way down South two weeks in a row.
Similar situation with BYU …. the Cougars have Oregon State this coming Saturday (I’ll be attending in Provo), followed by @ Notre Dame, then even further across the country to the Flats. BYU has a GREAT defense though.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:53 pm
IDK if he’d be interested in leaving the West, but the best coach nobody has heard of is GARY ANDERSON – Utah State.
I’m a transplant GT fan to Utah, so I’m getting plenty of intel on the state of college football in Utah, and plenty of other West teams. Gary Anderson is a heck of a coach. Easily the 3rd best program in the state behing BYU & Utah, with the 3rd best talent, but his Aggies beat Utah soundly, and just lost last Friday @ BYU, 6-3!
BTW ….. if GT had ANY one of these three D (U-St, BYU or Utah) the Jackets would be 6-0.
GARY ANDERSON is the HC to covet!
Al Bundy
October 8th, 2012
1:55 pm
Somebody always has a career day when they play us. We are the laughing stock of CFB.
Miami – Al Golden = $1,500,000
VT – Frank Beamer = $2,500,000
Clemson – Dabo Sweeney = $1,750,000
MTSU – Rick Stockstill = $450,000
What do all these coaches have in common? If you said they all beat GT and they are paid less than Paul Johnson ($2,600.000) then you are smarter than a 5th grader!
I’d take any one of them over what we have now.
GT Fan
October 8th, 2012
1:59 pm
Al Bundy,
You got any nice Old Gold & White pumps in a size “arrogant” for PJ?
macrotech
October 8th, 2012
2:00 pm
This seasons numbers speak for themselves….our D is terrible! I shall be a faithful follower of our team…win or lose! With that said…Groh MAY have to go…until this happens….GO TECH!!!
White and Gold
October 8th, 2012
2:12 pm
The search for a new defensive coordinator does not need to go any further than the Jackets existing staff. The defensive line coach is a proven winner and can step up to the challenge now.
wrecked again
October 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
Giff Smith will never coach under Paul Johnson again.
wrecked again
October 8th, 2012
2:34 pm
Andy McCollum a D coordinator? You want the weakest link to be the coordinator? Isn’t not developing d line talent and botch recruiting enough on “over his head Andys” plate?
reebok
October 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
Would like to scrounge out 6 wins & keep the bowl streak alive, but I’m dubious. There’s not a sure win on the schedule at this point.
ramblingbuzz
October 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
Like GTFAN @ 1:39 I wonder why CPJ suddenly abandons the passing game after we score a quick TD. Either he just doesn’t like throwing the ball or else he figures we’ll score too quick and have to send the D back on the field.
Buzztinloose
October 8th, 2012
2:59 pm
Just announced- Al Groh fired.
Hate to see it, but there is really no excuse for such poor defensive play 3 games in a row. Historically poor defensive play, I might add….
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
3:01 pm
wrecked again….Did Smith & Johnson have a falling out? From Smith’s bio, he was on the staff in Johnson’s 1st year at GT. I believe he could do a good job as DC & recruiting coordinator here. Promo & pay raise & step up the coaching ladder to being HC, maybe here. He is from Cobb Co. & went to HS there. Be Home for him.
1 4 GT
October 8th, 2012
3:02 pm
And be out of the miserable winter weather in Buffalo.
ramblingbuzz
October 8th, 2012
3:10 pm
AL@ 1:55……………..I’m with you. I guess trhe adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t apply with CPJ. Either he can’t judge talent, players or coaches, or else he’s too dam stubborn to change his approach. And please don’t mention the pistol which he throws in once or twice a game. Seems almost like he’s just tossing his critics a bone. They want a pistol, I’ll show em a pistol.
ramblingbuzz
October 8th, 2012
3:12 pm
Bustin……..You’re just daydreaming, right?
Born2Buzz
October 8th, 2012
3:44 pm
GT Fan, the inability of Groh’s D to get off the field on 3rd down has been a trade mark from day 1. Groh seems so locked into ideas of how D should be played he makes calls based on these ideas and not how the game is actually being played.
Whoa, Al just got canned! Well hallelujah !
techmule
October 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Head coach Paul Johnson and the option needs to be ran out of Atlanta.
Dacusville Bill
October 8th, 2012
11:25 pm
How did Bobby Ross win a National Title at Tech? With a Defense Coach named O’Leary and an Offense Coach named Friedgen—Pitiful Paul is a good Offense Coach, but a Head Coach, he ain’t—