Notes: Tech defense receives energy infusion
1. Charles Kelly has no magic formulas. Georgia Tech’s interim defensive coordinator is just trying to emphasize the basics.
In his first interview since being elevated from secondary coach in the wake of Al Groh’s firing, Kelly endorsed a simple approach to coaching defense.
“I believe this,” he said. “I believe you try to put guys in the best situation, let ’em play fast and let the chips fall where they may.”
Tech went through its second practice of the bye week Wednesday. The Yellow Jackets will practice again Thursday and then be off until Monday. Tech plays Boston College at home Oct. 20. Players and coaches described the Wednesday practice, conducted in full pads, as energetic.
“The energy in our live drills has changed,” cornerback Louis Young said.
“He has great energy, fire, passionate,” outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu said. “That’s all you can really ask for.”
Kelly said the first priority in his preparations is to make sure players know where to line up and how to execute plays. Under Groh, improper pre-snap alignment and mental errors were often problems. Coach Paul Johnson said Wednesday he thought Tech had 47 missed assignments in its 47-31 loss to Clemson, Groh’s final game.
“The biggest thing we want to do is concentrate on going back and working on the fundamentals of the game,” he said. “This game, it’s not very complicated.”
2. Aside from having a new coordinator, most players on the defense are working with new position coaches thanks to a shuffling of responsibilities. Special-teams coordinator David Walkosky is coaching the defensive line, for example.
“They’re sponges. They absorb coaching,” Walkosky said of his new charges. “It’s been a great adjustment.”
Said nose tackle T.J. Barnes of his new coach, “It’s been cool. He’s a ball of energy.”
Walkosky is leaning on Andy McCollum, who had been coaching the line and is now working with the inside linebackers. Walkosky said his plan is “to try to let them run to the ball and set them loose a little bit.”
Tech will limit the amount it plays “two-gap” defense, in which linemen were tasked with controlling the gaps to their left and right and will instead play more “one-gap.” In that scheme, a lineman is responsible only for one crease and can play with a more attacking style. Johnson said that Tech was playing two-gap defense “a lot more than anybody else in the country” and didn’t have the right personnel to play it.
3. Young called Groh’s firing “bittersweet.” Young had been recruited to Virginia by Groh when he was coach there, then ended up at Tech after Groh was hired as defensive coordinator in Jan. 2010. Young had said previously that he saw Groh as a father figure.
“It hurt a little bit, but I understand it’s a transition and that’s just part of growing up and being a man,” Young said.
Attaochu also was recruited to Virginia before Groh switched jobs.
“I shot him a text message, just telling him how much we appreciate him over here, how much he’s taught us,” Attaochu said. “He’s a man of class, so I thought I’d show him some class.”
4. Guard Shaquille Mason and center Jay Finch were among those missing practice Wednesday with undisclosed injuries. Guard Omoregie Uzzi returned to practice after being held out Tuesday. Johnson said there were no serious injuries and that “everybody should be back on Monday,” the one exception being safety Fred Holton.
5. With the bye, Tech players and coaches will have their only weekend off until December. Many won’t get too far from the game. Quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon said he planned to watch his sons play football Saturday morning. Offensive tackle Ray Beno and Young both want to watch their younger brothers play. Barnes is going the opposite direction. He said he’s going to Daytona Beach, Fla., by himself to lie on the beach. Barnes grew up there.
“Just to get away from football for a little bit,” he said.
In case you missed it…
Notes: Jackets move forward without Groh
Jeff Schultz: Radakovich says Johnson is ‘right person for this job’
Audition begins for interim Charles Kelly
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190 comments Add your comment
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
If he does start over Vad next year, I’m gonna laugh so hard. Kids gonna be a player though if he can comprehend and run the offense correctly. Gonna be a great QB battle come spring practice. I’m gonna say next year for Synjyn is the year. With Orwin a senior, next years gonna hopefully be more about Synjyn.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
yes macon. next year will be the year for Synjyn. Because he will be “ready” next year. More precisely, he’ll be ready the day after Orwin graduates. It’s magic.
Also, either Vad or Justin will be magically “ready”, game 1 of 2013.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Joe
If I said u were stuck on one subject, I would be the pot calling the kettle black.
I was stuck on Al Groh being our main problem.
And I am not stuck there anymore because Groh is gone.
His defense seemed to be demoralizing the team but if we do not get any better with the change, I’ll have to admit maybe we do not have the players.
So I’ve made an excuse for u.
But I can’t recall ever disliking a college player they way u are stuck on bashing Tevin.
Then again I don’t like the folks who bashed Reggie either.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
I’m hoping Jamea Thomas keeps getting better.
His pick vs Clemson last year kept the game from being a nailbiter.
His pick vs Miami was a big part of the 36 straight.
When he has his man covered well, he looks back to knock the ball away or try for a pick.
He should be ACC 1st string by the time he leaves though if he wants to set the goal higher, fine with me.
He is a hard hitter too.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:46 pm
Again, I’m not bashing Tevin. I don’t hate Tevin. Since when does pointing out a players mistakes become “hate”?
I am actually bashing CPJ’s decision to start Tevin. CPJ is who I have beef with.
According to Born2Buzz, CPJ said Vad needs to work harder? Wow, never heard that Vad had motivation problems. In fact, I’ve heard quite the opposite, he’s an extremely hard worker. His offseason work proves that. Is Vad in the doghouse? That at least makes this all make sense.
As for Justin, he looks like an athlete. Problem is, he’s too small. He fits the a-back mold. His arm is so-so. Look at his highlight tapes, mostly running highlights. Fast as heck though.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
Agree, Jemea is a beast. Best corner Techs had in a while. Rod Sweeting is another good. He’s more of a knock it down type also. He was runny step for step with Sammy Watkins a few times last Saturday. Hopkins killed us though.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:49 pm
Man ball 2 or 3 inches off the plate and ump called a strike.
Cincy’s last chance with 2 on, one out.
Basehit.
6-4 Giants.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:50 pm
Did Romo grow a beard to look like Brian Wilson?
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:53 pm
MaconGTFan.
But with Al’s no pressure defense, some blame Sweeting and Johnson.
I’m on Al’s back the way Joe is on Tevin’s but at least I picked a grown man to get on.
And the one calling the shots.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Have we brought 7 rushers one time this year?
If no or just once, Tenuta would say “that’s sacriligious”.
Ought to bring it all 3 or 4 times a game.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
Posey called a TO.
He said to Romo “Don’t blow this man and I’m the hero.”
What Tevin should have said to Groh with 44 seconds left.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
And that was the exact problem with this team too. Doesn’t matter if Thomas, Sweeting, and Young are all world corners, if we can get pressure on the QB, they can’t cover guys forever. They got worn out late in games because of it too. And people also forget about how sending the house 3 or 4 times a game was a like a guarantee td given up by our d. Tenuta’s d’s looked great sometimes, but looked absolutely horrid other times because of constant blitzes giving up huge gains and td’s.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
5:03 pm
U have to pick your times well.
It’s a chess match between the coordinators.
One we were losing with Groh.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
Both Groh and Tenuta were predictable with opposite strategies.
Groh’s no pressure allowed the opponent’s QB to be very comfortable in the 4th qt.
Hence three come from behind losses for us.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
Poor Posey is stuck doing interviews while his teammates party it up.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
5:07 pm
Agreed. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Tenuta as a dc. His defenses just always gave up a big play though and people seem to forget that. Would love to see another fast and blitzing defense again. Like you said though, gotta pick your times well.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
5:12 pm
Our team deserves better than they have gotten this year.
Groh let them down and doesn’t even realize it.
Hey, GT Joe...
October 11th, 2012
5:15 pm
…aren’t you the guy who has been calling for Vad to play? And now you are jumping on the JT wagon – I guess CPJ will have to spell it out for you re: JT adn why he does not play, just as he did on the radio show last night about why Vad does not play…you, sir, cannot have it both ways, but I guess it does not hurt to hope…
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
5:24 pm
Yeah the d was let down. Its not a lack talent either. I know not everyone is a 4* or 5*, but there not all 2* like some people keep saying. We have talent in the secondary, minus Isaiah Johnson. The linebackers have looked like the these group we’ve had as a whole in a few years. I don’t know what to say about the line though. Maybe the scheme change will help out.
GT4Life (the Original)
October 11th, 2012
8:15 pm
Get Randy Shannon (great recruiter, high-character, inroads into south Florida talent base, credibility) before someone else offers him a DC position. I guarantee it will solve all of Tech’s problems, especially closing on highly rated recruits.
Buzz 2011
October 12th, 2012
5:05 am
@Same Old… same old huh? same old leghumper that you’ve always been.. Some things never change. You know same old…
Tommy "Livin' the Dream" Dills
October 12th, 2012
7:18 am
POUND SAND!
PLAYMAKER
October 12th, 2012
10:16 am
I like Kelly but I’m afraid this GT team will show improvement (not hard to do when you have been giving up 40 points a game and making opposing backs look like Heisman Trophy Candidates)and the GT people will think Kelly is the next coming! As has been stated CPJ better get this one right! The whole Football Staff and program needs to be looked at!!!! A few good recruiters have to be brought in, someone needs to work with the QB’s passing game. I would give Kelly a raise and still go get Giff as RC, Lance as DC or the BEST Candidate out there. Their are some who all they think is GT must save money because of past contracts but in the long run you loose money trying to cut corners. GT needs a SUPER STAFF not just a good one.
Born2Buzz
October 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
GT Joe, CPJ didn’t say that Vad wasn’t a hard worker, just that he had not done what he needed to do to beat Tevin out. I can’t remember everything he said but it sounded like he would love to have Vad play more. But he hasn’t proved in practice that he is better than TW.
Of course I could never understand how we never had anyone that could NOT be better than Reggie Ball (don’t think I’m comparing RB to TW).
I was laughing (to keep from crying) with some buddies about the Al Groh D philosophy – “We’re going to build a wall at the line of scrimmage and make the RB’s go laterally. And the safeties are going to be really deep so we don’t give up the big play. Of course if you run straight ahead there might be a crease that will let you run through for a huge gain, and the QB will be able to sit back and pick apart the secondary, especially with a slant over the middle. But you will have to work like crazy to get those 2 to 4 yard runs….maybe”.
God I’m glad he’s gone. Let’s move on to bigger and better things.
Flat Tire on I95 in Jacksonville
October 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
Things will never get better with Johnson in charge!
...Take The Wheel
October 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
I’m having the bye-week blues. I’m ready to see some good ole high energy Georgia Tech Football!!
dry dirt road
October 12th, 2012
8:11 pm
TGIF! Tech has a bye bye week, having a bye game, and saying bye to Groh. Tech could receive defense energy infusion if they hired Bill Flowers, the lb under Maxie Baughn, for lb coach. He was from Alabama. Hire Glanville for DC. He said he wanted to coach again. Hire Rock Perdoni for DL coach. Fire the other guys in the same positions. For a D secondary coach, hire Jeff Ford, who led the nation in interceptions in about 1971 for Tech. Jeff was from Satellite Beach, Florida. All these guys were on the ‘71-2 Tech team. None of them had ever heard of “Buzz” back then, and neither had I, b/c there was no Buzz then, so there should not be one now. These guys had the first white helmets for Tech, except for Glanville. CPJ could use these guys, and also an OC. I recommend hiring Joe Hamilton for OC, or maybe Eddie McAshan. Hamilton played in the arena pro league after Tech, and McAshan played qb for the Jacksonville Sharks, a now defunct pro league team. CPJ would be the head coach. If he loses too much, he’ll get fired, the other coaches will not. The other guys are all connected with Tech in the past, and would stay. All these guys are younger than Groh, with the exception of maybe Glanville. I believe this would make for an awesome Tech team, and would be the best chance of overthrowing 1982 Buzz. Only Hamilton was from the Buzz era, but the majority rules in a democracy, so the other 70’s guys would overrule him when insisting on their T-Club jacket yjs or the new Tech, w/o a mascot for the kids, as it was in ‘71-2. Sorry Buzz, bye bye, we want white helmets and not you. Tech is not for kids.
dry dirt road
October 12th, 2012
8:13 pm
T-Club jackets FOR the new Tech, definitely not jerk Buzz
dry dirt road
October 12th, 2012
8:31 pm
To Freddie Blassie on p.2: I was at Tech when BD was Ad, during ‘69-73. He was head coach in the 65 Gator Bowl which I saw on BW tv in Jax where I was living when Larry Smith for Florida ran it through the center of the dl, through the lbs and through any secondary for a td, right down the middle, for a long td run. Dodd beacame AD right aftetr that. While at Tech he was incognito. We never heard from him or were sent any correspondence from him in student mail, but were sent one from Coach Carson once. BD had Tech as an independent, and we played anybody. He got sick with cancer, and died around the 80’s. He was a Bitsy Grant Tennis Center guy over there on Northside Drive near I-75 just before he died. So really he wasn’t much for an AD. We had to wear blue gym shorts instead of old gold or gold. The same went with sweatshorts in Winter Quarter. They were blue. We had to iron on white insignia letters for our names onto the front thigh areas. I always got spaced out by using blue instead of old gold.
GT Fan
October 13th, 2012
10:38 am
trueblueeagle
October 11th, 2012
6:07 am
its time to do away with 3-4 defense and play the 4-3.
——————————————–
Defense
October 11th, 2012
6:32 am
I agree with the blue eagle– transition back to a 4-3
——————————————–
Gentlemen,
I implore you both to read the article in the Washington Post that Ken gave a link to regarding Maryland’s D coordinator and … their 3-4. Ken posted the link (I’ll go find it, and post again in a few) after I posted something to the tune of “if Maryland can produce results running a 3-4 D, then GT can too”
No way Maryland gets across-the-board better talent than GT. A position or 2, yeah maybe. But overall GT gets more talent than Maryland. I’m off to find the link … back in a few.
GT Fan
October 13th, 2012
10:41 am
Here it is! Now, make sure you take notice to just how quickly Maryland turned things around with their version of the 3-4.
Ken Sugiura
October 10th, 2012
1:57 pm
maryland’s defensive coordinator is brian stewart. interesting story in the washington post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/maryland-vs-wake-forest-when-brian-stewart-talks-or-raps-the-terrapins-listen/2012/10/05/d198225c-0e66-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_story.html
GT Fan
October 13th, 2012
10:53 am
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
11:18 am
Island Jacket: yeah, no defense has held our offense in check. Except for MTSU (7 pts in the 2nd half), Miami (0 points in the last 25 minutes and 0 in OT) and Clemson (3 pts in the 4th quarter). Aside from that, yeah, nobody held our offense in check.
We’re #36 in scoring for goodness sakes! We should be a top 10 team with that kind of offense!
thank the lord Al Groh is gone.
———————————————–
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
11:26 am
No no no, island jacket. I’m with you. Being ranked #36 in scoring is definitely “enough points to win”. Why, with that kind of ranking, we should be ranked #36 in the country, if our defense was as good as our offense, right? And #36 is great for Tech…
————————————————
Joe,
I’m gonna kick your arse! Look at you now … since I shoved it down your throat that GT scores MORE THAN ENOUGH PTS to win…now you’re using the info I gave you and acting like you’re all behind GT, and that, gee, it’s the D that’s been the problem all along.
Just 3 days ago you were cursing me that being #36 in scoring (you’re wrong about that too, GT is #27 in scoring) won’t get a team in the top 25 then I showed you that 50-frigin-% of the AP TOP 10 doesn’t have as high a scoring team as GT, yet somehow they are all ranked!
GT Fan
October 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Supersize, quit being vague on the “something smells fishy” Fred Holton injury.
Here we are, 6 games played, now the bye week so week 7, and I think FH has already been ruled out for week 8???
We fans were led to believe he MIGHT play vs. Va Tech!? Now, 2 MONTHS later he’s still listed with an “undisclosed” injury? Is this some kind of mental (a.k.a. academic) injury?
That’s what me is startin to believe. B/c a physical injury, which many thought was going to be healed in week 1, would surely have healed by now……
GTGirl
October 14th, 2012
12:16 am
@GT Fan- Fred’s foot is still injured and he can’t play. Ther is nothing ‘fishy’ about it, just the truth. it is a lingering, nagging injury that just takes time to heal. For some reason Tech has not commented on it other than to say he is out for another game.
...Take The Wheel
October 14th, 2012
12:07 pm
@GTFan, based on what we normally see from GTFoe I think his previous posts were sarcasm. He (or she) refuses to acknowledge what every analysis and stat shows… Our offense has been good enough to win. With just a LITTLE improvement from our D we’d be in the top 25 right now. He (or she) will never acknowledge that since Vad wasn’t the starting QB.
You know he (or she) is personally invested in Vad cause the reasonable suggestion would be to rotate QBs situationally. But he (or she) is stuck on having their kid “start”! Until that happens he (or she) will continue to make every blog the Tevin and Vad show.
…and the saga continues! Coming soon ” The Justin and Vad Show”.
...Take The Wheel
October 14th, 2012
12:09 pm
@GTGirl please give Fred our regards for a speedy recovery
We definitely miss him right about now!
...Take The Wheel
October 14th, 2012
12:48 pm
Uh oh Joe!
Justin Thomas –
High School:
Prattville HS… ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 19 all-purpose athlete in the country by Rivals… led Pratville to the Class 6A state championship this past season… was named the MVP of the state championship game… recruited to Tech as strictly a QB… completed 66 percent of his passes this season for 1,652 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 896 yards and seven TDs… ranked second in the state in total offense and fourth in passing… won the Alabama state 4A-6A championship in the 100-meters with a time of 10.79 second… also played basketball and baseball at Pratville… won basketball regional titles in 2010 and 2011.
…we could have ourselves a race come spring!
GT Fan
October 14th, 2012
1:29 pm
…..TakeTheWheel,
Could you tell GT Joe, the next time you see him on these blogs, that no matter how good your offense is if you have a crappy D it’s eventually going to bite you in the arse.
EXAMPLE:
Coming into yesterday, West F’n Virginia’s O was in the top 5 (52 pts/gm), and their D was #104 in scoring. Well, the Mountaineer D played as usual vs. Texas Tech, giving up 49 pts. Their O seamed to have a hard time keep up. They only put 14 on the board. See what D can do for you, GT Joe?
Also, regarding Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are 5-1. The most pts they’ve given up in their 5 Ws is 14. Their 1 L, 41.
Moral of the story, GT Joe …. GT needs to play some D.
GTGirl
October 14th, 2012
3:24 pm
@Take the Wheel- thanks for your classy post! I will pass that along. Trust me from what I understand he wants to play very bad.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
October 14th, 2012
8:59 pm
Sure hope we find some mojo against BC. If we don’t, I don’t want to even think about the rest of the season.