Johnson on defense: ‘We don’t need 80 calls’
In his Tuesday news conference, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson gave more insight into schematic changes he wants to incorporate for the Yellow Jackets defense. In short, he would like the defense to distance itself from much of the approach of former coordinator Al Groh. Johnson recounted a number of problems he had with Tech’s scheme with Groh, most of it revolving around what he thought was an overabundance of complexity.
“We don’t need 80 calls,” he said. “You don’t need a buzzword on everything. We need guys to learn how to play and play hard.”
Echoing comments he had made previously, Johnson said he has become more involved in putting together the defensive game plan and practice schedule. He also said more players will play and suggested there will be fewer sub packages, saying that no-huddle offenses have exploited Tech’s defense by keeping a nickel or dime defense on the field after converting a first down on 3rd-and-long.
“And that’s what’s happening, whereas in years past, you didn’t see 72 guys change on third down,” he said. “There might be an extra defensive back go in and one guy come out.”
A change Johnson mentioned more than once is that the defense won’t change its play call on the fly as the offense shifts formation.
“There’s got to be some communication, but when one guy goes in motion, it doesn’t have to change seven people,” he said. “I’m not saying that the other way was that complicated, but the way it was, it wasn’t working. I got tired of hearing, ‘Well, I didn’t get a call.’ ‘Well, yeah, you did.’ ‘Well, no, I didn’t.’”
It may mean that players aren’t in the “ultimate supreme position,” as Johnson put it, but the hope is that a one-call system will reduce confusion or miscommunications. He said that at times, because of communication issues, one side of the defense was playing one call and the other side was playing another.
“I think you’ve got to learn how to play defense and you put your eyes on a guy and they’ll tell you where the ball’s going, as opposed to trying to recognize 82 different plays,” he said. “That’s just me.”
Other notes:
1. Center Jay Finch will practice Tuesday, but Johnson wasn’t sure if he would be in a gold (limited contact) jersey or not.
2. Johnson said he hadn’t seen a difference in strength and conditioning. With new strength and conditioning coach John Sisk starting in May, “I don’t think you’re going to see a difference this year,” he said.
3. Johnson on his recollections of Tech’s last game against Boston College, a 19-16 win over the Eagles in his first-ever ACC game. “We struggled offensively like crazy and we played really good on defense. We turned ’em over, held ’em repeatedly when we turned it over. And managed to hit a couple of plays offensively and just enough to win the game. … That was probably one of our better defensive games since I’ve been here.”
4. Johnson said his personal preference regarding the ACC’s scheduling format would be to get rid of the permanent crossover partners if rivalries such as North Carolina-N.C. State and Miami-Florida State could be preserved.
“Truthfully, Georgia Tech-Clemson, that’s a good game, that’s a close game, but it’s not the same rivalry as Georgia Tech-Georgia or North Carolina-N.C. State or Florida State-Miami probably, although it’s turned into one because we play each other every year. But historically, it probably wasn’t the same. But the other teams are, so I don’t know how they get away from [permanent crossover partners] unless they change divisions.”
In case you missed it…
Tech notes: Washington firm at quarterback
Notes:
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura
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107 comments Add your comment
1 4 GT
October 16th, 2012
8:36 pm
I guess the leg humpers are back….as if they don’t have enough to worry about….#2 UFl coming up for them & got embarrassed by USCe…..but bless their “widdle hearts thems worried bout us’ns”….ain’t that sweet of them to care……………………………………..LOL
GFJacket
October 16th, 2012
8:36 pm
What you want the defense is to have someone in charge to adjust to what the offense presents, similar to what Peyton Manning does when he comes up to the line. It’s not complicated. It’s more like chess…
10per
October 16th, 2012
8:37 pm
I like CPJ telling it like it is. Good to know his frustrations were the same as mine. Too many times I saw defensive personnel out of position and confused when the ball was snapped. It was not the who reason we were giving up chunks of yardage at a time, but it was certainly not helping or giving us a chance.
Hopefully the simpler schemes will translate to more aware play. Getting some stops will greatly help out in the confidence department.
Hayseed Dixie
October 16th, 2012
8:45 pm
@GFJacket
“What you want the defense is to have someone in charge to adjust to what the offense presents”
Yes, defensive leadership matters- the loss of Julian Burnett has resounded throughout this season.
In reality, it might actually be the story of this season.
Marion Pearce
October 16th, 2012
8:52 pm
I’d have to say that our AD had say-so in Groh’s hiring and deserves his share of credit/blame in GT’s success/failures. Also, the 3-4 Groh coached always sounded flashy, just too complicated for guys who aren’t Pros and don’t have every hour of every day to learn it and get better with it.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 16th, 2012
8:53 pm
I often wondered about the large number of defensive players switched on third down. It’s like we would play good defense on first and second downs, and then send that group of players off the field for a different group … and they would promptly give up as many yards as needed for the opponent to keep the ball. This “mass swap” was particularly troublesome against hurry-up offenses, as our guys hardly ever got set before the ball was snapped. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t the only person who noticed this, and I hope CPJ and the new defensive staff will at least change this part of our game plan.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 16th, 2012
8:55 pm
By the way, our volleyball team has beaten the Dawgs 12 out of the last 13 times they’ve played, and currently enjoy a 2-1 lead in Athens. Go Jackets!!!!
Smyrna Gold
October 16th, 2012
9:01 pm
Why do we (Tech Fans) keep trying to find something (anything) positive about the current program with CPJ and DRAD leading the way?? I keep hearing “we should stay positive” What a bunch of crap; CPJ came here with a $2.5 million dollar contract promising “CHAMPIONSHIPS COULD BE WON AT TECH”. Where are we?? CPJ is in his 5th year and the program is worse than when he became the head coach. I just don’t understand the apathy with this fan base regarding the current position of this football team. The whole athletic department is pathetic!! I’m sorry but when a head coach in his 5th year loses to MTSU, it’s time for changes. Look for BC to win their 2nd game this Saturday.
MaconGTFan
October 16th, 2012
9:11 pm
@Hayseed Dixie I was thinking the same exact thing about Julian after the Miami game. At the time I was only wondering if he was that important out there or was it just me? I got my answer after the mtsu game. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy that was so important, that if he was gone, that that side of the team could be affectedlike it was. Just look at the bowl game last year. Once he went out, minus the pick 6, the d was lost and gave up big play after big play. Julian WAS the heart and soul of the defense on this team and his absence has proven that to be true.
Tech seeking second-half rally | Georgia Tech
October 16th, 2012
9:30 pm
[...] Johnson on defense: ‘We don’t need 80 calls’ [...]
GIVE ME A BREAK
October 16th, 2012
10:37 pm
You have to give CPJ credit for not making us suffer through 6 more regular season games without a defensive change. We’re going to BC game with excitement and high expectations. ” GO JACKETS “
Nativebird
October 16th, 2012
11:09 pm
Well whose JOB is that you idiot? As a life long Yellow Jacket its hard for me to say this, because weve had some bad ones…..but, You are the worst coach Georgia Tech has ever had.
Rick James
October 16th, 2012
11:22 pm
@GTBob
The Clemson rivalry needs to stay. CPJ is way off on that one. I would rather drop UGA than Clemson.
———————————————————————————————————————–
I wonder why..
GB's Hamburgers
October 16th, 2012
11:23 pm
Johnson hired him, knowing how he ran his defenses. Now where’s the problem?
macrotech
October 17th, 2012
12:58 am
CPJ isn’t throwing XCAG under the bus….when XCAG got here, he said it would take 3 years to implement an effective 3-4 defense….he failed within his own timeline. He’s a big boy…he can handle true criticism. The issue of tackling will be resolved when the players are in a position to think less….CPJ, in my humble opinion is dead on with what he said. I’ll be pulling for this Tech team through the last game played in this season….I’m a Tech fan through thick and thin! GO TECH!!!
4/3
October 17th, 2012
1:44 am
CPJ tried in earnest to get a good defense to go with his TO. On paper CAG looked like a great hire but he never got it done, recruits weren’t jumping to play for him, he didn’t like to recruit and it seems like he wasn’t open to suggestions and using his personal. It had to be done but my concern is CPJ has a very strong personality. This Staff is virtually “yes men” if CPJ would ever humble himself and go get some Coaches (that is the trend today have a strong Staff) how many Coaches on his Staff could work for ALA. and Saban or LSU?. They sorely need a sharp go-getter who can close in recruiting on Staff, They need to keep Kelly but hire a strong DC, change the whole recruiting program, keep the WR Coach and then evaluate the rest. But watch and see they will handle BC, Maryland and Duke and CPJ and the gold colored glasses crowd will be jumping up and down with joy. But more needs and can be done it is just if CPJ and D Rad have the heart to do it.
Corndog05
October 17th, 2012
3:53 am
CPJ is just crazy. How many lives does this character get? OH his offense is doing fine. lol. seriously? in 4th and 1 we are 0 for 4 running the same play everytime. Good one coach! Most Coaches get 2 hires, this guy is working on his third. How many excuses are we going to give him? INSANE! I see tickets for the BC and BYU game on stubhub for 9$. LOL. $9.
Admiral Obvious
October 17th, 2012
5:51 am
What Georgia Tech needs is a new football coach
Old Dog
October 17th, 2012
6:27 am
Let me understand this. The defensive play calling was too complicated for students of such high academic esteem? How complicated can it be for all those academic standouts that Tek must recruit. LOL. To Hell with Tek, today, tomorrow and every other day!
MC
October 17th, 2012
7:08 am
WOW! Such wisdom from such a high speed defensive mind like Paul “fish to fry” Johnson. Has any of his teams ever really had one? But I guess when your offensive genius revolves around 6 plays your defense should too.
MC
October 17th, 2012
7:14 am
macrotech, let me see if I got his right. “The issue of tackling will be resolved when the players are in a position to think less”. So when an opposing player has the ball within 3 feet of your defender he still has other things to think about? If that’s so you don’t need a new coach. You need smarter players. Sounds like the defense needs right leg in first instructions to put on their pants.
trueblueeagle
October 17th, 2012
7:50 am
I would rather play clemson, FSU, GSU and ND every year than UGA!
blackandwhitestripes
October 17th, 2012
8:37 am
Groh is water under the bridge. Just fix the defense and the offense will score points.
old dog
October 17th, 2012
8:40 am
I’m the “real” old dog, and here is the deal; y’all had a defense in place that you did not have the personel to run. If you did not quite have the personel to run it in the first place, then calling a million different things during the game just made it that much worse. therefore, you change the defense more suited for present personel, and cut back the calls so everybody on the D does not have to solve a rubic’s cube before making a play. I’d say that was a good adjustment. I think y’all will see results. You may not dominate, but you should see marked improvement. At least y’all made an attempt to improve. We have know for years we had a non-SEC competative O-line, and have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
billybuzz
October 17th, 2012
8:41 am
I like hearing what CPJ thinks. He usually tells you straight. What I gather is that Groh did not practice his defense full speed during the season. His defense was complicated and communications was poor. Players were out of position and not on the same page. To me, that explains a lot of what I saw on the field. Uncertainty slows players down.
I hope Coach Kelly can simplify the scheme and teach them to tackle.
mic-man
October 17th, 2012
8:45 am
CPJ’s comments are exactly why we need to hire an OC (CPJ has a large coaching tree by now who can call our offensive system). The head coach is the coach over the offense and the defense. If he had concerns over the way the defense was being run, he should have dealt with them long before now. If Nick Saban has a problem with something on defense, do you think he sits back and lets Kirby Smart work through it on his own? Heck no.
I am a fan of CPJ, but he definately handlled this the wrong way. And two DC’s into his tenue it is obvious that his neglect for the defense and special teams is impacting our performance. CPJ needs to give up the offensive reigns and coach the whole game–not just offense.
Richt had to give it up, Gailey (thank God) had to give it up, and CPJ needs to give up the play calling.
It is the only way for us to get better.
observer
October 17th, 2012
9:04 am
I am wondering why it took the genius Johnson almost 3 years to realize the Groh schemes wren’t working? He could have made this change after one year of Groh. This year looks like he decided to make Groh the scapegoat for his failings as a head coach. I’m sure the players realize this also, so they will continue to try and say the right things but chances are this season is pretty much over. They will need some luck to finish any better than 5-7.
Freddie Blassie
October 17th, 2012
9:45 am
Paul Johnson is the best coach Tech has had since Bobby Ross and he will still be the coach five years from now. All the “know littles” who whine and who are truly Georgia Tech supporters are forgetting the many hires made after the head football coach was fired have either also been fired or took a two or three year caravan through the wilderness. That includes Bobby Ross.
Tech beats Georgie this year and Saturday Tech beats BC like a rented mule.
nate from detroit
October 17th, 2012
10:09 am
Wait a minute, Tech’s players couldn’t remember all of the defensive calls? I thought Tech’s football players were smarter than everyone else’s. I have always been told that Tech can’t recruit dumb kids because of their stringent academics. How are these kids going to pass calculus if they can’t remember the defensive playbook?
Football Fan
October 17th, 2012
10:14 am
Amen to nate from detroit. You techies always talk about how much smarter your players are. Apparently they can’t remember plays or make a tackle. I guess the ceramics classes are all using play-doh?
Buddy Landel
October 17th, 2012
10:29 am
Ken,
None of my comments are being posted.
Buddy Landel
October 17th, 2012
10:30 am
…..until now
juvenal
October 17th, 2012
10:43 am
so why did it take so long to figure out something i predicted at day 1?
GTBob
October 17th, 2012
11:28 am
I wonder why..
I have expressed why many times Rick James. You should know by now.
OkieDawg
October 17th, 2012
11:33 am
I think CPJ is onto something. UGA defensive players are constantly out of position and give up big plays. The players and coaches are saying they are missing calls. Defenses, especially the 3-4, can get to complicated for college guys who are only available for 20 hours of coaching per week. They go to classes. The complicated 3-4 works in the pros where they can give it 60 hours per week.
CPJ may have plenty of coaching flaws but lack of brain power is not one of them.
tgraa
October 17th, 2012
11:44 am
5 or 6 easy to install defensive looks to keep others guessing and vary coverages from time to time.
Born2Buzz
October 17th, 2012
11:50 am
What is the problem with what CPJ was saying? He’s expressing the same thoughts all of us in the stands have had…the D under Groh was a total Charlie Foxtrot. Now that I know about all of these different calls and all of the adjustments they were trying to make, it makes sense why it looked like a CF. How many times did we see the guys make stops on 1st and 2nd down, only to have 5 guys run onto the field for 3rd down and give up a long play. Someone else said it above, these are not the pros and guys do not have all day, every day to practice this crap. And UGA seems to have the same problem.
I would like to know what Saban does at Bama because he runs a 3/4 as well. It can’t be simply the talent issue because what would UGA’s excuse be?
juvenal
October 17th, 2012
11:58 am
maybe Bama takes 40 hours of class a week studying the 3-4….
Bayou Philosopher
October 17th, 2012
11:59 am
Enter your comments here
UGA = Yawn
October 17th, 2012
12:06 pm
Reality, smarter yes. Smart maybe not so much. I would suggest that GT players are smarter than the average college football player. But, overall, they are not typically smarter than the average college student.
Bayou Philosopher
October 17th, 2012
12:11 pm
@Born2Buzz, sorry for the misfire above. My comments: 1) Groh’s 3-4 defense does not have the talent either in the line or at linebacker to run it successfully. 2) The reason GT gives up so many 3rd down plays is that GT does not ever see first rate passing during practice — because of course the Tech option offense is so run-oriented. 3) Tech’s overall talent level is comparable to Big East schools / UT-Chatt / Navy etc etc which are the kinds of schools running this offense. I know others have repeatedly made these points. That’s because they accurately describe our continuing problems with CPJ. Sorry, but he is not working out. Do you see him making commercials for Ford Motor Co.? — would you hire him to sell you products?
Jmonty
October 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
CAG wouldn’t be able to defend himself anyways… He has to know what defense is to begin with. Sorry.. I have nothing but happy thoughts on CAG’s firing. He deserved to be… He had 3 years to turn the defense around and he only made it worse. Not only did the player look lost and confused, so did CAG… Did you guys see how many time he was caught on TV looking bewildered? The transitions down to the players. If the coach doesn’t know what he is doing, how can you expect the players to? Use the KISS method with defense.. Keep It Simple Stupid… But, the root cause is… Groh never taught the basics of the 3-4.. Gap assignment. There is no way that was taught. Because the players sure didn’t play that way.
GT Fan
October 17th, 2012
12:38 pm
Scores given up by these 3 teams running the 3-4 D:
20, 3, 20, 42, 49, 47 = 30.2 avg
23, 20, 20, 3, 44, 35 = 24.2 avg
14, 0, 0, 7, 14, 10 = 7.5 avg
The teams are:
GT
UGA
BAMA
OMG! GT has given up more pts in the past 2 games EACH than Bama has ALL season (45)!
UT scored 1pt less vs UGA than Bama has given up all season!
Don’t try telling me it’s only the talent disparity that makes BAMA’s 3-4 operate at such a higher level than GT & UGA’s. No way.
Rick James
October 17th, 2012
12:39 pm
@GTBob
I have expressed why many times Rick James. You should know by now
——————————————————————————————————-
Because its a predicable loss?
Rick James
October 17th, 2012
12:40 pm
~predictable~ Sorry
Rick James
October 17th, 2012
12:45 pm
I guess my question would be why it took so long for CPJ to figure out that the defense needed to be simplified.Why throw Groh under the bus after he’s been fired?
Paddy
October 17th, 2012
12:55 pm
If the defense was too complicated for Tech students, it was way too complicated!!
macrotech
October 17th, 2012
1:08 pm
MC, it’s as simple as this; when players are TOO busy learning all the extra signals as opposed to ACTUALLY tackling…tackling tends to fall by the waste side. I believe that there is PLENTY of video footage to back this up. CPJ has challenged our DC to “simplify” the D in the past with with positive results. I’m FAIRLY certain that CPJ is properly motivated and educated enough to know more about this than ANY of us bloggers…thanks for the inquiry! GO TECH!!!
SS loves Obama
October 17th, 2012
1:56 pm
@Gt Fan…good stats. However, planning and preparation are as important imo.
MC
October 17th, 2012
3:16 pm
So OkieDawg I guess what you’re saying is that Alabama’s defense is loaded with future NASA employees.