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
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 10th, 2012
10:08 pm
What is wrong with Holton? I just don’t understand “never-healing” injuries to kids this age?
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 10th, 2012
10:14 pm
Surprised I’m first – I’m usually in bed long before now.
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 10th, 2012
10:14 pm
Guess I was more asleep than I thought!
crackbaby
October 10th, 2012
10:19 pm
Nice for Coach Kelly to have a bye week. He’s a busy man right now. Go Jackets!
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
It’s nice to read some good / positive news on this blog for a change. Here’s hoping that the new coaching changes bring the desired results quickly to the defense and subsequently to the team as a whole. Best of luck to Groh in his future – whatever that might hold for him – and best of luck to everyone left behind. Change isn’t always easy as we all can attest.
jacket fan in wisconsin
October 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
If these reports are true, and with Ken they usually are, it sounds as if a big weight has been lifted off the defense. They were doing WAY too much thinking and reacting…trying to remember the scheme and where they were supposed to be.Sounds like they have been set free to play more instinctively and aggressively. I guess we’ll see soon enough. Nice report, Ken.
Same Old
October 10th, 2012
10:23 pm
I like the optimism, but the firing of one has been coach, does not change the reality of what we have.
2 star players! Look for the same. The enthusiasm will last for about three quarters, and then BC will kick our Azz too. We might not win another game this year, especially the only game that means anything, the UGA butt sniffers.
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 10th, 2012
10:24 pm
When we’re “running to the ball” let’s hope we don’t get caught up in our aggressiveness and have the offense pop one for a score using mis-direction.
Same Old
October 10th, 2012
10:24 pm
Why the chicken cross the road?
To kick bulldawg azz!
Same Old
October 10th, 2012
10:30 pm
PJ is not a Tech Man. He doesn’t hate UGA.
Maybe he will after a couple more losses to them will cost him his job.
Too late then.
George Godsey, our next coach!!!!
yeller bug
October 10th, 2012
10:40 pm
BC has a poor record and lost to Army, but they have a good passing attack so it will be a good challenge for us. FSU will take out their loss to NCSU on them which will only help.
I hope we don’t think the O is fine and needs no work. We need improvement in all 3 areas to do well down the homestretch.
ToeMeetsLeather
October 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Don’t know that kicking Groh to the curb will do any good or not. Sure seems like everyone left is pointing to him as the problem. I guess we will see if the guys can get off the field on third down a little more often over the next six games. It’s time to put up or shut up guys.
Thanks for the report Ken.
THWG
1 4 GT
October 10th, 2012
11:06 pm
TML….boy I hope so! I expect to see an energized team come on the field come the 20th. GOOOOO JACKETS THWGeorgie
Paul in Nh
October 10th, 2012
11:17 pm
What I saw in the MTSU and Clemson losses was a defense that never caught up with the hurry up offense – a defense that never seemed to “get the message” quickly enough. That is a coaching issue.
George Stein
October 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
I really want to be optimistic, but it’s difficult. We’ll see, I guess.
GT-UT
October 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
I think Barnes is doing himself some good. Getting away is good as long as you can recharge. Playing football…or any sport needs a bit of reflection and down time. Just come back and get after it!
I like the energy. Lets see it gameday. Get after it…just because you can!
TECHIE
October 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
on some D plays vs clumpson one or two of the mid LBs were turned, looking backwards over their shoulder when the dang ball was snapped, WTH was that.?
TECHIE
October 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
I think CAG is a fine man and has had a terrific carreer and may have more but at times on the sidelines did he have a lost look on his face.? —–to me , yes.
yeller bug
October 11th, 2012
12:17 am
I have hope and here’s why:
If we had 47 missed assignments last week, then that’s not so much a lack of athletic ability, but a lack of understanding. Clemson had 93 offensive plays so that’s a missed assignment every other play although there could be several on one play. So how many of those missed assignments resulted in positive plays for Clemson? It’s one thing to be blocked or miss a tackle, it’s a whole different problem if you’re totally out of position. It’s an unforced error. They are gimmes to our opponents. If we simply go where we are supposed to go, then the only failures are getting beat athletically or a bad play call—we blitz against a hot read etc. Eliminating the majority of positive plays by opponents due to missed assignments will increase our ability to make stops and get the D off the field.
Let’s say that 25% of those missed assignments last week occured on 3rd down—that’s 12 screw ups. If half of those were the cause of Clemson getting a first down that’s 6 gimme first downs and if just 1/2 of those were prevented because we were in the right place, then that’s 3 3rd down stops—forcing a punt for Clemson. If that would have happened, we would have won the game.
I don’t think we’re as bad as we seem. Hopefully Coach Kelly will re-scheme things to get us in the right position to make plays. We won’t always make the play, but cutting down on unforced errors will dramatically improve our chances.
Jimmy
October 11th, 2012
4:29 am
I love the quote by Young, “It hurt a little bit, but I understand it’s a transition and that’s just part of growing up and being a man.”
Just part of growing up and being a man?! Seriously!? I’m glad you’re so cold to the fact that you’re (and your teammates) performance on the field got a coach fired. Way to go kid. Unbelievable.
Let’s just face facts. This defense as a whole just doesn’t have talent. It doesn’t matter who the coach is. If you don’t have the athletic talent you won’t make the play on the field. Groh is just a scapegoat, but everybody will only see this AFTER the season is over, unfortunately.
Jimmy
October 11th, 2012
4:30 am
Oh, and let me just say that I know it’s the coaching staffs responsibility to make sure that the team does have the talent in order to succeed, and therein lies the problem. I mean seriously, when has GIT ever had the talent to ever compete w/ the big boys of college football??
GIT = coaching graveyard.
Jimmy
October 11th, 2012
4:32 am
…and then you have UGA, and they are at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Now they do have the talent. You can look at multiple NFL rosters to confirm that. That team does have a coaching problem. Too bad Richt waits until it’s too late to try something new (IE firing DC Willie Martinez after YEARS of horrendous play).
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
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
6:43 am
@Jimmy.
Groh got himself fired.
He was hired to be an improvement over Wommack and wasn’t.
Although Groh was not owed by Virginia as much as Gailey and Hewitt were by us, he still is a multimillionaire on the college welfare system.
When a coach wants to leave, they tear up their contract and no one ever holds them to it.
When they get fired, then the contract becomes written in stone and they demand every last cent.
If they can tear up contracts, then the AD should be able to when they are fired.
That is the way the system is?
I’ll be thinking about that when time comes to renew next year.
And I hate to agree with WnE, but I don’t like the way he showed up here ready to stab the prior defensive coordinator in the back.
What was he doing here but hoping Wommack got the ax.
What a guy.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
6:50 am
Groh – a bad hire.
Maryland new D coordinator Stewart – a good hire.
Ken provided a link to an article in the Washington Post.
Stewart uses the 3-4 too but blitzes a lot.
Guess what?
Maryland went from being the ACC’s punching back to having a stout defense.
They have already won as many games as they did the prior year.
That is what a good coordinator could have done for us.
The Groh hire was the easy choice.
Who else did CPJ consider?
Anyone?
Might as well have kept Wommack.
Wommack, btw, was the scapegoat for the 2009 Uga loss.
Groh got the job because someone else was scapegoated.
Jacket Man
October 11th, 2012
6:54 am
The mere fact the Paul Johnson had been on top of this issue since last season, and had been discussing it openly, with his former Defensive Coordinator since then, tells me he had already warn CAG about the potential ramafications of a repeat of some of the epic fails of the defense from last season. My guess is that CPJ also expressed his concern about why he thought were some of the reasons the players were having issues. I would also suspect that after the Miami game, there was a “conversation” between the two men, just to compare note, and then after MTSU, a bit more than a “conversation”. After Clemson, and seeing nothing had changed, my guess is CPJ saw that CAG had dug his heels in and refused to make any changes, and knew by now there was going to be continued issues with the defense, so he felt he had no choice but to make his change now, rather than wait until the end of the season.
No Head Coach likes to fire their Assistant Coaches, in particular their Coordinators. The fact that GA Tech has one that’s willing to do so, even in the middle of the season, because it’s the best thing for the success of his program, means we are a very fortunate program. There are some Head Coaches who won’t do anything for years, hoping things will eventually turn themselves around on their own, or they’re so “comfortable” in their position they just don’t care if the team wins or loses.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
7:25 am
No head coach likes to admit making a big mistake.
Stewart – great hire. (Maryland)
Groh – terrible hire.
In case u haven’t noticed, our already small fanbase is getting smaller again.
You have heard about the Michigan – Ohio State rivalry?
That is because Michigan State seldom defeats Michigan.
Michigan State fixed that by winning 4 in a row.
It can be done but the opportunity may have passed.
No sense in firing Wommack if we were not going to get anything better.
Tenuta blitzed too much.
Groh blitzed too little.
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
7:26 am
@yeller bug – I agree. I think our offense is good enough to carry us through BC and UMD (maybe BYU?) with only slight improvement by our defense – which could come only in the way of enthusiasm and running cover-2 or simple blitzes. College football is a game of momentum. We haven’t seemed to carry momentum as much as lose it for the past two years. This team needs a shot in the arm. Playing hard and fast against a BC team should do the trick. That said, if we can’t beat BC, we probably ought to give up.
Lastly, the World Wide Leader’s ACC blogger still has us as a bowl team, even though she wrote a NASTY article about CPJ/CAG.
GFJacket
October 11th, 2012
7:34 am
Jimmy, Tech had the talent to compete with big time football when college athletics was really about learning, not providing the academically challenged gimme degrees in return for significant revenue generation on Saturdays. Tech will never compete with big time football as long as it has no P.E., Turfgrass Management, (fill-in-the-blank) Studies Majors. UGA has those and thus can recruit the best 5 star blue chippers.
GFJacket
October 11th, 2012
7:37 am
And before you start citing Stanford, Notre Dame, etc. as counter examples, those schools also offer non-technical liberal arts degrees. Why do you think Duke’s basketball team mostly majors in Sociology?
TechLB
October 11th, 2012
7:54 am
Engineering school = advanced math
Liberal Arts school = many more choices
It really does make a difference but we can be successful with smart players too…let’s not use it as an excuse.
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
7:57 am
@Jacket Detective, who would your choice for DC be?
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
8:00 am
@GF jacket – agree with a lot of what you said except Duke’s basketball team. During one game they showed their test scores/grades. By my quick math, they actually beat out the average GT student, not just athletes.
Also, we were competitive in the late 1990s and early 2000’s with national championship teams.
TechLB
October 11th, 2012
8:00 am
CPJ made the best hire he could at the time, Groh has had a successful career building good defenses. If Paul had hired a no-name DC and he failed, you’d be criticizing that. He had to make a change, the defense was fundamentally awful, really, seriously bad. It wasn’t a matter of better athletes beating us, we were often way out of position, listless, just clueless…
People are saying the right things about playing with energy, simplifying things, getting to the ball, etc. Hell, if we’re just in the right place and tackle a little better I’ll at least feel like we’re improving!
Lots of football to be played, let’s win a few of these!
Go Jackets
Wal-Mart Retards
October 11th, 2012
8:09 am
It sounds simple, but I haven’t really heard too much about the D lining up out of position before. Why give receivers an 8 or 9 yard cushion on 3rd and 6? Even Sneezy and the other LBs were lining up outside of the tackles. That is a recipe for disaster. Lots of medium yardage passing and gashing up the middle. The guys need to “stay home” and as CPJ has said, not try to trick anyone.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
8:12 am
@Tokyo jacket.
Someone smart enough not to get outcoached every week obviously.
Some have offered lists.
I mainly follow Tech and have not looked around.
We succeed at football when we have coaches smarter than the other side.
We stole Heisman from Clemson.
We promoted Dodd because he was an obviously smart assistant.
And it is a great shame, we did not encourage O’Leary to leave sooner so we could promote the brains of the outfit, Ralph Freigen.
Without the Freigen hire, O’Leary would never have defeated Uga and been fired.
Look at the improvement in the Falcons once they hired better coordinators and got rid of the ones holding them back.
Mike Smith looked around and hired two with great reps.
That is what should have happened in 2009 if we were not going to give Wommack another year.
CPJ better get this one right or I’ll get Falcon season tickets instead of Tech.
Maybe.
Birmingham Jacket
October 11th, 2012
8:15 am
2-star recruits does not a good defense make.
“Re-energized”… Hilarious. UGA will drop 60+ on these guys.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
8:15 am
Dawg fans are comparing their coach to the Dalai Lama.
One said Richt was an energy vampire.
Got to compliment them on their creativity.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
8:23 am
You may be right Birmingham Jacket but we have seldom had highly ranked classes.
Georgia Tech has succeeded with guys who outcoach the other side.
Thomas, Attaochu and Hunt Days have talent.
It is impossible to evaluate our secondary when we allow every QB to get comfortable, even in our own stadium, from lack of pressure.
If u cannot get pressure from your lineman, then u have to occasionally blitz.
AnotherJacket fan suggested early and often.
U don’t want to be too predictable about it though.
QBs make bad decisions when pressured.
Someone else besides Tevin should be getting the pressure in BD stadium at the veryt least.
Bobby Dodd stadium should not be home away from home for opponents QBs from the lack of a coordinator who will turn the guys loose.
We are not all 2 stars.
And some 2 stars can be coached up.
Prove me right guys.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
8:33 am
Maryland’s head coach knew he had to make a good hire after his first year was a near disaster.
He did and their defense is now ranked 8th in the country I think.
Much improved anyway.
CPJ may not be on the hot seat with his contract and what we are paying Hewitt but he better figure out who would be a good fit here.
If he hired Groh because he would come cheap, he learned u get what u pay for.
If Kelly gets them to play great, he could win the job but a mild improvement should not land him the job.
I am not recommending Kelly.
This is CPJ’s call and he better get this one right.
crackbaby
October 11th, 2012
9:13 am
@Jacket Detective
Certainly entitled to your opinions but a couple points of order if you will allow.
1) George O’Leary was a fine HC and his record reflects that. If not for O’Leary, TEch fans would not have had lofty expectations for Chan. Friedgen was the O-coordinator and had great relationships with QBs (especially Lil’ Joe).
2) Friedgen’s record (10 yrs HC at Maryland) would lead people like you to level the same criticism that CPJ endures (won with previous coaches players, can’t recruit). Here are the Terps finishes in the Conf // Div under the Fridge – 1st, T-2nd, 2nd, 8th // 4th, 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 6th, T-2nd.
Honestly, how many H.S. recruits and their parents are going to be impressed when a 400 lb slob sits in their living room and talks about commitment, character, etc.?
3) Forget about the number of stars (recruiting blather). I certainly am no expert, but it seems to me the Jackets do have more talent than is shown on game day. Although the D is weak in the interior (line and LB), guys like Brandon Watts, Q Nealy, Dieke.
Our WRs lack strength and body control but it’s because they are young and still filling out. CPJ has done a great job of tall, rangy WRs.
Just me $.02
Just A Comment
October 11th, 2012
9:15 am
Said all along too much 2-gap! No one can play it given legalized holding by the O. Groh’s 2 gap was complicated as to rules for rules for rules in each situation and therefore was meant as auto pilot once taught. No chess match with OC of opponent, With the spread and 20 more O plays a game at least and legalized holding doomed to fail and it did.
SansWorld
October 11th, 2012
9:20 am
Man I miss the good ol glory days of Wommack’s defenses.
Really? Even with several NFLers the ‘09 defense was awful. Not as bad as the last 3 games this year, but they gave up over 6 yards a play. Sorry that Groh did not work out, but a change was needed.
Freddie Blassie
October 11th, 2012
9:29 am
CPJ better do this and better do that?? Or what? You gonna wet your pants?
Tech has enough talent to score 33 points a game, without the Presbyterian game. That should be enough to win. Tech’s defense would be better just lining up in a base defense and playing hard.
I thought the Al Groh hire was great given the man’s experience and accomplishments. It proved not to be a good fit at Tech. Al had a chance to prove that he could get it turned around, but did not do it.
Just like fatigue making ball players play like cowards, so does indecision. Figure out what the defenders’ strengths are and put them in the scheme that fits them; give them three or four calls or stunts and let them play.
My prediction is that GT will beat Georgie this year in Athens and win their bowl game.
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
9:38 am
I think, barring excellent improvement from Kelly, bringing in Randy Shannon is probably the best move we could make right now – national championship ring as a player and defensive coordinator, great character guy, knows the ACC, can recruit Florida and Texas, and is currently the LB coach for a squad ranked number 9 in total D and 10 in scoring defense. Combine that with our offense and I think we’d be in GREAT position.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
9:48 am
@Freddie Blassie.
Or CPJ joins the now long list of failed football and basketball coaches at GT.
Tech ADs have been mostly clueless since Dodd.
But you know what.
I do not like contributing to the Hewitt 1.7 million per year AD mistake.
Any good lawyer would have advised against the only rollover contract in the country.
I’ll leave that to u Freddie.
Enjoy.
GT Dude
October 11th, 2012
9:48 am
I have watched our down linemen get virtually no push into the back field this season, I like the idea of simplifying and lets try some simple bull rush, swim and spin moves. Let the down line men wreak havoc and have the four linebackers clean up the mess
As Johnson says this game isn’t that difficult.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
9:51 am
@Tokyo jacket.
Good suggestion.
I hope CPJ considers him.
If CPJ hired Groh without looking around then Virginia left a trojan horse at our door who we let in.
You do not fire coordinators midyear unless something is badly wrong.
carolinajacket
October 11th, 2012
10:00 am
So, again, what exactly is wrong with Fred Holton, and is he lost for the season? Things have been awfully quiet about a guy who was supposed to be the best defensive back on the team.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
10:05 am
@crackbaby.
Funny about Ralph.
I reconsider my view of O’Leary.
But not Groh.
Groh got us to Bill Lewis territory without his well timed firing.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
10:13 am
@Carolina Jacket.
I’ve wondered about that too.
Do we need to hide what is wrong with a player?
Why does his timeline keep being moved to the next game?
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
10:18 am
Everyone said there was no racism involved in their comments about Hewitt yet many are so polite to Al Groh.
Groh’s getting outcoached every week resulted in a demoralized team that was circling at the drain.
Al Groh = Bill Lewis (in his effect on the team)
Disaster averted only by his firing.
juvenal
October 11th, 2012
10:31 am
19 year old guys need energy infusions? put red bull on the sidelines instead of gatorade…….
Freddie Blassie
October 11th, 2012
10:43 am
@ JD
Coach Dodd was a great guy but I am not sure how good an AD he was. I suspect the business manager at the time handled the lions share of the AA’s stuff. He was a fighter pilot in WWII and sharp as a tack; unfortunately, I am not because I cannot remember his name right now.
Homer Rice was a superlative AD since Dodd, but you are right about the Hewitt contract. That contract was the brain child (pun intended) of the dishonest Dave Braine. An attorney with GT’s interest could not have seen that Hewitt contract: if so, he should be disbarred. I believe Braine was also responsible for Gailey’s contract, which also put GT behind the eight ball.
Paul Johnson is not going anywhere, unless he pulls a George O’Leary and leaves on his own. Tech fans like to bitch and whine and act like spoiled children and this sometimes resulted in dumbazz reactions like the firing of Bud Carson, the hiring of Bill Lewis and Tech’s biggest quitter, Bill Curry. I do not believe DRAD is prone to this type behavior and will stay the course with Paul Johnson (who will never be a failed GT coach).
james
October 11th, 2012
10:45 am
All I want is a real GT man for head coach,go with George Godsey.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
10:50 am
@ carolina jacket…..for whatever it may be worth, I have been told by someone who knows the Holton family that Fred Holton’s injury is a “lingering one.” I was told exactly what the injury is, but was asked not to post it on here because there is apparently some reason why the Tech staff has not released that information. I know that sounds like I, or the person who told me, doesn’t really have a clue. But that’s really all I feel comfortable in saying right now, per that person’s request.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
10:52 am
@ Freddie Blassie, Bobby Dodd was, in fact, a TERRIBLE AD. A great coach, obviously, but many of his decisions as AD were just plain worthless.
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
10:53 am
The World Wide Leader has a good blog post on why CPJ had to let Al Groh go mid-season. Bottom line, he wouldn’t change his system to fit the players on the team and the results continued to get worse. I don’t think he wanted to do it mid-year or at all. But if you read between the lines, it looks like CPJ might have felt we’d go 2-10 with CAG remaining on the sidelines.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
10:54 am
@ james…….we have already had three “real GT men” for head coach at Tech — Fulcher, Rodgers, and Curry. Although I still think Fulcher had all the makings of a great coach and just gave up, we know what happened with Rodgers and Curry, and most of it was not good. I want a good coach, no matter where he comes from, and at least for now, I am more than happy with CPJ.
Tokyo jacket
October 11th, 2012
10:56 am
@supersize, is the Institute ever planning on making it public?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
10:57 am
@ Tokyo…..I do not know, and the person who informed me does not know either, nor does that person know why it has not been made public. However, the information I received originated from Fred’s mom.
Island jacket
October 11th, 2012
11:12 am
I for one thought that the Groh hire was a good one. Now I know it was not right for us. The 2 gap NFL defense was just not working for us. I like the fact that CPJ gives his DC the space to run his own show, but the overall success was on him. To me he made the right decision, because our O have scored enough points to win every game we’ve played. No defense we’ve played so far has controlled our offense. Our defense was just not good.
The the people on this blog that is saying we don’t have the talent. I disagree with you. We have talented players on this team. The scheme just did not fit. I hope this change works out for us, and we have a much better second half of the season.
GO JACKETS!!!
THWG….
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
11:14 am
@ island jacket……..agree 100%
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
11:15 am
Now that Al Groh is gone, our offense will improve greatly! Being #36 in scoring, and #66 in 2nd half scoring is not good enough! We won’t have grandpa Groh to slow down our offense any more! Let the wins roll in!
Island jacket
October 11th, 2012
11:16 am
@Supersize, You forgot Lewis….
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.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
11:18 am
@ Island Jacket……Lewis was not a GT man, real or otherwise
Island jacket
October 11th, 2012
11:22 am
@GTJoe, A bad defense would hurt the moral of a team. I know many of you have never played the game, but if the offense is out there scoring and the defense just let the other team score, it hurt the moral of the team. It goes the other way too. The point is… We put up enough points to win.
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…
Freddie Blassie
October 11th, 2012
11:33 am
We have the talent on defense to win. Let them play!
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
11:37 am
Island: check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge86vScRXr8
focus on 4:20 and later, the 4th down play that tevin misread, kept the ball and failed, costing us the miami game. It was supposed to be a pitch to Orwin, but Tevin kept the ball.
Now watch carefully at Orwin #17’s reaction after the play. He goes to #25 (the blocking a-back) immediately, probably like “WTF was that? wasn’t i supposed to get the ball?” Goes off screen with #25, then walks up to Tevin, puts his hands up, finds out he failed on the measurement, and just turns his back on TW and walks off.
How’s that for a morale booster.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
11:43 am
sorry island, just one more morale booster:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IJKGqLU-8s
Watch #50 after Tevin’s INT…throws his hands up like WTF. Oh yeah, look at Tevin on the sidelines afterwards. Not ONE PERSON comes up to him to console him. NOT ONE.
ignition
October 11th, 2012
11:58 am
Alabama’s Defensive Line Starters”
Jessie Williams Height 6′4 Weight 320
Ed Stintson Height 6′4 Weight 285
Damion Square Height 6′3 Weight 286
Georgia Tech Defensive Starters
TJ Barnes 6′7 345
Emanuel Dieke 6′6 285
Izaan Cross 6′4 300
The Personnel Issue is a complete LIE !!!!! Across the board Tech’s Line is comparable or BIGGER than each team that runs a 3-4 (hell even a 4-3) in College Football when it comes to size and height.. That’s The Facts !!!!!
I call BS on GT Joe's...
October 11th, 2012
12:01 pm
……”expert analysis” on the Miami option play – the problem is that NOBODY blocked # 44, and with him crashing down TW did not have time to pitch the ball – it was not a misread, it was a botched play by the TE and tackle, both of whom failed to block anybody, as the wing back took the OLB/DB and the TE & pulling tackle blocked air, and TW took the hit and the blame…and Orwin did not say “WTF” to #25, it looked like he was asking how come the TE and tackle screwed up so bad…
And the other clip was the VT game, and everyone knows that was a dumb throw by TW…and then he still leads the O to average over 40 points per game in the next 5 games, but it still is all his fault…
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
Good points, except that Tech doesn’t use a TE
adams 56
October 11th, 2012
1:01 pm
Enter your comments here
adams 56
October 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
GT`s offensive line is weak, and out of shape. I have been a Tech fan for a long time, I intend on sticking with the problem but people need to accept the fact that the whole team needs improvement. Until that happens we are not going to move forward.
JetBuzz
October 11th, 2012
1:14 pm
Like him or not, Dr. Lou Holtz himself says football isn’t complicated. Think CAG made CFB a little too much so. Gotta like Coach Kelly’s philosophy – simplify, enable, unleash.
The question about talent levels should be answered soon. With the D misfiring so badly, the whole team was undoubtedly affected. If the D can turn it around, it may open-up the whole team to better play – more confidence, more relaxed and aggressive execution, more demonstrated athleticism. We can hope.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
I Call BS: “it was not a misread”? Well CPJ said it was, so are you suggesting a coverup? Call the CIA!
yeller bug
October 11th, 2012
1:34 pm
It seems a lot of people on this blog have similiar conclusions just stated in different ways. For those that say we don’t have the talent—well that can’t be fixed this year and it will take years to fix. You can pout about it or recognize that you go to war with the army you have, not the army you want.
The rest of us think the talent is sufficiently there, but the execution is not with the majority of that responsibility falling on the coaches. We got Al Groh, a former head coach, a Super Bowl winning coach at a cheap price (at least the first two years). It didn’t work. Sometimes the best laid plans….
We’re now regrouping….with a focus on minimizing missed assignments on the D…translate simplify and adjust based on talent…don’t have the DL studs to play 2 gap…I think we’ll be surprised on how well the D improves in the BC game.
I’ll beat this drum every day that CPJ needs to make adjustments on O too. That we should start TW and run the TO, but play Vad using the pistol with an Oregon style offense play calling–be it a series here and there or after TW makes a long run to give him a two or three play breather. Get Vad playing time but NOT running the TO. He doesn’t have the confidence yet to make those last minute pitches so don’t stress him on that yet, but let him get some playing time on the things he does well and that will get him more comfortable with the speed of the game. Show some confidence in your players and call plays that fit their strengths. We know the TO works, but so does a lot of other offensive play sets. Let’s optimize the use of the talents of our personnel instead of stubbornly sticking to one offensive system.
Coach Z
October 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
Enter your comments here@GT Joe. Thanks for posting that video of TW getting stuffed. I saw how open OS was and it was obvious the ball should have gone to 17. However, I am angry again that I am a Tech fan. Did you shoot the video?
Uh, Supersize...
October 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
…if you look at the clip you will see 3 (THREE) linemen to the side the plays goes to; I admit that GT usually does not use a TE, but on this play there were THREE linemen and a wingback, so the THIRD lineman, even with a number in the 50s-70s, is considered a TE on this play…I thought you knew football better than this – you are usually right on with you observations…
I call BS on GT Joe's...
October 11th, 2012
2:08 pm
..and yest, GT Foe, I am saying that although the play was SUPPOSED to be a pitch it is my belief that CPJ is placing the blame on TW when he did not have time to pitch – we can say he SHOULD have done this or that, especially in hindsight, but with that split second timing that the QB has sometimes things are way out of his control…I truly doubt that both the tackle and TE were supposed to block on the corner, especially when the A back is already out there…
Or, Supersize...
October 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
…if you want to stick with the non TE terminology, you would call the formation an unbalanced line, but it was not unbalanced, you just had another tackle where a “TE” is supposed to be…
Freddie Blassie
October 11th, 2012
2:14 pm
BS,
It was a misread. Washington had time to pitch the damned ball and screwed up, pure and simple.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
I call BS:
Let me clarify this play for you. This is what CPJ said about the play, in a nutshell:
The play call was to pitch to Orwin. It wasn’t an option play, just a straight pitch. The miami defense shifted before the snap, and Tevin changed the play to a QB run. Then, the miami D shifted BACK, and Tevin did not change the play BACK to the Orwin pitch (as CPJ said he should have done). The result is, Tevin got outsmarted, and got stuffed.
THis isn’t MY analysis; this is CPJ’s.
Wal-Mart Retards
October 11th, 2012
2:19 pm
If the defense improves, then the offense gets the ball back. As long as the offense maintains efficiency, we score more points.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
2:26 pm
Conversely, retard: if the offense can sustain drives, the defense can improve. 3rd down efficiency is bad, scoring is bad, despite the fact that we are WINNING the time of possession battle.
Yep, offensively, averaging 40 points per game...
October 11th, 2012
2:32 pm
…scoring is “bad”…
Fact is...
October 11th, 2012
2:35 pm
We are #36 in scoring in the nation…. not good enough, unless you are satisfied with mediocrity.
"(as CPJ said he should have done)."
October 11th, 2012
2:37 pm
…and Tevin said that the head coach’s RULE on audibles is to only change it ONCE – thus, yes, I think CPJ is covering his own arse and is throwing his QB under the bus, thank you very much…
Hmmmm.....
October 11th, 2012
2:40 pm
Let’s see, Tevin says the rule is to change it once; CPJ says there is no such rule.
Hmmmm….who to believe…
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
2:43 pm
“Conversely, retard: if the offense can sustain drives, the defense can improve. 3rd down efficiency is bad, scoring is bad, despite the fact that we are WINNING the time of possession battle.”
Watch WalMart…when you try to approach GT Joe with facts…
The Tech defense allowed Clemson to convert on 13-19 3rd downs (and 31-46 in the last 3 games – 67%). An average defense would stop the opponent on 3rd down at a clip of 7-19 (somewhere around 37%).
So let’s see, that’s 6 extra 1st downs in which you also get 2 extra downs for each 3rd down coversion. The defense was directly resposible for Clemson having 18 extra downs simply by lining up. How you even entertain putting this on the offense in your “crusade” to see Tevin benched is comical…it’s truly amusing because any rational thinker would think you were an idiot if you were serious.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
2:45 pm
@ Uh… and or…. You can call the outside man on the line whatever you want to, but the FACT is that Johnson does NOT recruit tight ends and HE does not refer to the outside man on the line as being a tight end. I have often wondered why he doesn’t use a tight end; it would seem to me to be a perfectly useful tool even in his offense, but he doesn’t. So call the man what you want to, in CPJ terminology, that is not a tight end.
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
2:45 pm
“We are #36 in scoring in the nation…. not good enough, unless you are satisfied with mediocrity.”
Fact is…try 27th in scoring offense and 22nd in total offense (yards) per game. That’s upper quartile…very far from “mediocrity”
Uh, Fact is...
October 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
…GT is 27th in scoring and 91st in scoring against (defense)…while OK State is first in scoring (84 points in their first game is hard to overcome) and 94th in scoring against…
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
2:47 pm
SS…having Darren Waller (6′5″ 220) in tight is just as good as having a TE in the formation. Imagine that offensive look with BeyBey Thomas in that spot at 6′4″ 235…
Fact is...
October 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
27th if you count games vs. FCS teams.
36th against FBS teams (you know, the teams that matter in the BCS computer polls?).
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
If Tevin has been “thrown under the bus,” it’s certainly not CPJ who threw him there. Tevin threw himself there but doing exactly what CPJ had told him not to do. I am not a Tevin hater like GT Joe is, but I am quick to admit when Tevin blows something, and he has blown that particular call at least twice, and one of those times was the botched OT play against Miami
I agree, Super...
October 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
…though he did line up where a TE lines up…
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
2:49 pm
@ FLJ…..I totally agree. It’s really just a matter of semantics, for the most part.
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
2:50 pm
“27th if you count games vs. FCS teams.
36th against FBS teams (you know, the teams that matter in the BCS computer polls?).”
Fact is…did you eliminate the scoring against FCS teams that the other ranked teams also had?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
2:51 pm
I wish that whoever is making posts with the first part of their post as their name would just settle on one name, so we would know they always come from the same person. What you are posting is fine, but please get a single name like the rest of us do
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
2:51 pm
@ FLJ……good point at 2:50
Fact is...
October 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
FL Jacket: don’t play dumb. Sheesh. Go here for offensive rankings.
http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/points-per-game
Now scroll down to #36…
Fact is...
October 11th, 2012
2:54 pm
GT:
#32 in 3rd down conversion.
#77 in 4th down conversion.
Orion
October 11th, 2012
3:03 pm
Charles Kelly is a GREAT coach & an even better person. I hope he has the opportunity to put his mark on this team in what’s left of this season. I don’t know anyone that has worked with him that doesn’t have the utmost respect for his demeanor, passion, and knowledge. He is certainly headed for great things, hopefully here on The Flats. Class act.
Charles Kelly focusing in on task at hand | Georgia Tech
October 11th, 2012
3:08 pm
[...] Notes: Tech defense receives energy fusion [...]
GT fan for many years
October 11th, 2012
3:12 pm
I have tickets in the West stands. I see all you younger fans and I once thought just like you. Your optimism is commended but I have come to the hard conclusion that GT has a talent and recruiting issue. How to fix it has been posted before. You will believe like me one day soon. Then Your seats will be empty like mine. I am a graduate of GT but it is not the same school now and I am really sorry that I am an alumnus, if you want to know the truth. I thought College was learning and enjoying Athletics on Saturday afternoon. I have been shortchanged with the latter. Don’t expect football or basketball to get better because of new Coaches, they don’t have the support from Peterson or the BOR for Athletics at GT. Watch the West stands, they are emptying along with their contributions.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
3:17 pm
@ many years…….I graduated from Tech in 1966, and I in no way whatsoever agree with you. If you are sorry that you are a Tech alumnus, then just turn in your diploma and go find a life somewhere else. We don’t need fans like you, nor does any other school.
Coach Z
October 11th, 2012
3:36 pm
@ supersize. I’m a South Carolina grad bug a GT fan. It’s a long story, regardless I love hearing from Tech alumni and or students. We may hold a degree from different schools, but we all still hate the Dogs.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
3:38 pm
@ Coach Z……..AMEN to that. I listened to the USC – UGA game on my car radio driving home to Augusta after the Clemson game last week. I never once got drowsy; I was enjoying what I was listening to too much even to think about being tired
old dog
October 11th, 2012
3:40 pm
@Supersize;
Correct that mistake! You listened to the South Carolina game….Georgia did not show up! lol
New to this
October 11th, 2012
3:43 pm
In regards to that play against UM in overtime, it seems nobody else on offense got the play change. The tackle and extra tackle (TE if you want to call it) looked to be trying to seal the edge. They stepped out and turned back in. Tevin dove in right behind where they just vacated and ran into the defensive line. Orwin’s response (to me) looks like he was confused by what happened and was asking Godhigh about the play call, because he was expecting the pitch. None of us will know anything more than what we are told, but in my opinion this was one of those instances where TW thought he could just get the first by stepping in a whole and diving upfield. He miscalculated. I do kind of like that TW seems to want the ball in his hands in those moments, he just doesn’t always produce. He has the heart, but unfortunately heart doesn’t always win games.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 11th, 2012
3:43 pm
LOL @ old dog
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
3:44 pm
old dog…
If Georgia didn’t show up, then who punted the ball to Ace Saunders?
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
3:45 pm
@Supersize.
Sounds better than coffee.
FL Jacket
October 11th, 2012
3:46 pm
Nobody certainly showed up to block Jadaveon Clowney
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
3:48 pm
If someone told me before the Miami game that we would score 36 straight points and lose, I would never have believed him.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
3:49 pm
Don’t forget about the overrated chants from the SC fans at the end of the game.
Thanks, new to this...
October 11th, 2012
3:52 pm
…I was thinking the same thing and was going to write that but you beat me to it – good point on the seeming miscommunication! And this goes even further to prove that CPJ is blamingTW, when in fact he WAS expecting someone to be blocking #44…
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
Dawg fans are pretty frustrated that most of their main rivals have recent BCS national championships, some more than one, and they have a good record but can’t win the big games to attain elite status.
If there is any silver lining to losing to the arch-rival, it is that mediocre Richt’s record vs GT is what has saved his job and kept the doggies stuck with their minister.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
3:57 pm
Personally, I don’t think it would have mattered what play we ran at the end of the UM game, just for the simple fact that there blew the line up like they did. I think Tevin saw it happen and made a split decision. If he would have pitched, I think it would have been the same result as the safety against Klempsum. Meaning a tackle for a loss even more behind the line. We had no push on that play at all. UM was ready for whatever play Tech called and they prroved it.
old dog
October 11th, 2012
4:00 pm
@FL Jacket,
Sadly, you are right. At least y’all are adjusting to your problems…..we on the other hand are satisfied with the worst o-line in the league, as well as doing NOTHING to recruit better there. Also (sadly, again) if we played S.C. again Saturday, the exact same thing would happen. We do not have a top-notch SEC line, and are doing NOTHING to adjust. This has been pointed out by knowlegeble coaches, as well as arm-chair and Sunday morning QB’s. You do not have to be a Tech grad (lol) to see we have a lower tier line. If your new coach piles us up up front, you may be suprised…….and maybe THEN we will TRY to adjust to a problem. I do credit Tech for making a move to improve…….
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:02 pm
Synjyn is a better runner than Tevin.
Vad is a better passer.
But Tevin runs the offense better than either.
According to CPJ.
And I agree.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:04 pm
@MaconGTFan.
Maybe part of the problem was 4 straight running plays inside the ten.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
Cincy 5 outs from losing three straight at home to the Giants.
Talk about money not well spent by fans.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
Synjyn needs to be on the field. He shown he can block and his willingness to do so. I’ve seen a couple of times this year where he’s taken out two defenders single handedly. He Demi ds me so much of Roddy Jones. Why PJ doesn’t put him out there more blows my mind.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
*Reminds not Demi ds.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
I would like to see him with the ball some too.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:12 pm
Is he gonna fumble though is the question.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:13 pm
Who was responsible for the problem with ineligible players in Gailey’s first year?
Just curious.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:14 pm
Does he fumble when hit or when he makes an ill advised pitch?
And that, Officer...
October 11th, 2012
4:14 pm
…is after winning two in a row in SF – are they taking lessons from the Braves?
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:16 pm
Well they keep trying to get back in the game to their credit.
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
I honestly can say I know Jacket Detective about Synjyn. I know he fumbled a couple of times when he saw the field last year, but don’t remember how it happened. And as for Gailey, I’d guess it was O’Leary that got us those ineligible players.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
If they lose, Dusty Baker is going to be second guessed for trying a double steal with two strikes and no outs that instead resulted in a double play
Born2Buzz
October 11th, 2012
4:20 pm
If any of you listened to the PJ show on the radio last night, he was plenty clear about the QB position. He said, and I’m paraphrasing a bit, “Vad needs to work harder and be better to get more playing time. It’s up to him. Guys don’t get playing time just because somebody thinks they should get it, they have to earn it. We watch these guys every day. We want to get Vad more time but he’s not better than Tevin right now. And Tevin is not our problem. We’re averaging 36 pts a game.”
Obviously, CPJ was all about the lack of D, and if you look back on it, even though TW had his mistakes, if the D had 1) held VT in the last 55 seconds of the game, 2) held Miami in the last 2 min of the game, 3) not completely collapsed against MTSU, and 4) not given up something like 13 of 16 3rd downs against Clemson, we might be talking about a whole different subject.
I too would like to see more Vad. I too think TW is limited and is not a great thrower and makes slow reads. I also think like CPJ, TW has not really been the problem. I would love to see Vad force his way on the field by earning more PT in practice.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:22 pm
Everyone, please stop calling for Synyn Days to play! He’s not ready!
CPJ sees him every day in practice. If Synjyn was ready, he would play! He doesn’t have a full grasp of the offense.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:23 pm
The complaint some make about Tevin keeping the ball was much more true of Synjyn.
He didn’t seem comfortable yet with the pitch but I thought with time, he would be.
I guess CPJ wants the QB battle next year to be between Vad and Justin Thomas.
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:24 pm
We don’t want him to start.
We just want to see more of him.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:25 pm
Born2Buzz: Do you know where I can hear a replay of the radio show?
MaconGTFan
October 11th, 2012
4:25 pm
Who’s to say PJ just isn’t buying time for Justin Thomas next year. For all we know he’s lighting it up on the practice field and learning and understanding the playbook better than anyone else.
Born2Buzz
October 11th, 2012
4:26 pm
Most interesting thing I heard last night from CPJ was his talk about defensive players and subs. He said one of the things he wanted to see all season was more substitutions on D, getting more guys on the field. And it never happened (this was in response to a question about guys getting tired in the 4th qt). It sounded like this was a real sore subject for him with Al G. And he said we would see plenty of different guys on the field coming up. Should be interesting.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:27 pm
JD: If Days understood the offense better, and the a-back position better, don’t you think CPJ would start him there? If he’s not playing, he’s just not ready or good enough.
(just using the same argument that folks use for not playing Vad).
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:28 pm
MaconGTFan.
CPJ can’t give the job to Justin.
Poor ole Joe would flip out. lol.
Born2Buzz
October 11th, 2012
4:29 pm
GT Joe, not sure but you might try 790theZone.com
Jacket Detective
October 11th, 2012
4:30 pm
Well Joe.
I’m OK with that argument.
CPJ is getting the big money to decide.
And if he cannot produce as coach, the failure will be on him and not one of us safely in the stands or at home.
GT Joe
October 11th, 2012
4:30 pm
JD: would LOVE for Justin to be QB. like, right now.
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.