Washington, Lee keep relationship smooth
Paul Johnson has been around long enough to have witnessed starter-backup relationships worthy of a bad reality show.
“I’ve seen older guys who wouldn’t offer to help the younger guys with any kind of advice or any kind of help,” he said. “You’ve seen it all through the years.”
The Georgia Tech coach has his share of problems this season. As fan and media attention is trained on starting quarterback Tevin Washington and backup Vad Lee, at least one headache he doesn’t have is tension between the two.
“As bad as things have gotten for ‘Tev’ and how people are, ‘Oh, he’s not doing this,’ he’s still trying his best to help Vad and he’s trying to help Vad prepare,” B-back David Sims said. “And, Vad, he tries to help give (Washington) tips, as well.”
As Tech prepares to play Maryland Saturday, Washington and Lee are competing in practice for the starting job against the Terrapins. Both players have worked with the first- and second strings. It is a shakeup of the order that has held firm since Washington became the starter in the 10th game of the 2010 season. He replaced Joshua Nesbitt after he broke his arm against Virginia Tech. Washington has started the past 25 consecutive games and been unchallenged.
The season has been a tumultuous ride. Washington is statistically improved and he is operating the No. 28 scoring offense in the country, but the Yellow Jackets are 3-5. Against BYU Saturday, Washington failed to lead the offense to points and was replaced by Lee late in the third quarter. Johnson, who has been trying to find snaps for the promising redshirt freshman, had hoped the offense would first find its rhythm with Washington, but said “it just became apparent that it wasn’t working” with Washington.
Boos, perhaps directed at Johnson, pelted Washington and the offense as they left the field following an interception by the senior. Lee took the field to cheers that only grew with each successive advancement.
On his first drive, Lee led Tech to a field goal before the Jackets punted on their final two possessions of the 41-17 loss. After Wednesday’s practice, Johnson said the decision on a starter will be made after the week of practice ends Thursday.
“I’ll make one by the time we play,” Johnson said.
The drama has not managed to ruffle either, at least outwardly.
“I’ve sat in a lot of meetings with them and watched ’em practice and I think they pull for each other,” Johnson said. “I don’t think there’s any animosity there.”
Lee is no Machiavellian schemer, plotting his advancement.
“I’m not a fan of (the booing) because he works hard every day,” said Lee, who sits next to Washington in position meetings. “He comes to practice and gives his all. In the games, he gives his all.”
Washington, who had to wait 2 ½ years before he got his turn, understands Lee’s plight.
“I was there in his shoes four years ago, too,” Washington said. “I know how he feels being the backup. I know how he wants to play. I’ve been there. I know exactly how he feels.”
With three years separating the two, they are closer with their peers than each other, but get along without problem. Washington said that Lee knows he can come to him with questions about anything, football or otherwise. Washington, who has interned at a law firm the past two years, counseled Lee this summer on networking with Tech alumni and seeking internships.
“They’re great kids,” quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon said. “They really are. There’s not a mean bone in either one of their bodies.”
Sims, a former quarterback who shares Bohannon and meetings with the quarterbacks, compares the two to a more famous set of quarterbacks.
“It’s still been a pretty positive relationship, sorta kinda like how (Tim) Tebow and (Mark) Sanchez say they deal with each other,” Sims said, referring to the New York Jets’ ballyhooed tandem. “But it’s actual reality with us.”
In case you missed it…
Tech scrambling to prepare for Maryland QB
On Tech ending its kick-return drought
Johnson says it’s not time to panic
Heisman biography offers revealing history
Notes: B-backs struggling to produce
Notes: Johnson mum on starting quarterback
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
79 comments Add your comment
Buzzzzzz
October 31st, 2012
9:17 pm
First
GTfan2012
October 31st, 2012
9:33 pm
I appreciate all that Tevin has done. But I think it is time to win or lose with Lee. Let’s move forward.
Tech4Life
October 31st, 2012
9:50 pm
There’s no doubt that Tevin is a great person and teammate, but I have to say that his time as starting QB is up. He could be a great mentor to Vad for the rest of the season and him being our backup would be a plus.
GT Joe
October 31st, 2012
10:06 pm
Uh, GT is #42 in offensive points/game against FBS teams:
http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/offensive-points-per-game
29.7 pts/game sounds like a lot. But it’s really not, for college football.
GT Joe
October 31st, 2012
10:13 pm
Yes, I’ve been calling for Vad since after the VT game, but I’ve said it a thousand times, Tevin is a nice, stand up guy. He’s just not a very good D1 QB. CPJ is looking dumber and dumber every week by not starting Vad.
Unfortunately, Tevin bore the brunt of the boos, when the real fault lies with CPJ. I’ll admit it, I booed Tevin (from my living room), but in retrospect, CPJ is who I should have been booing.
George Stein
October 31st, 2012
10:28 pm
I keep expecting to hear about a high school senior with good grades and a strong SAT score considering an application to a great school in southern Virginia and getting stories about a quarterback controversy.
George Stein
October 31st, 2012
10:32 pm
We are also 29th in points per play, which I suppose would adjust for the differing paces teams employ. Oklahoma State is 28th, by way of comparison. Either way, lots of opportunities for improvement.
Old Gold
October 31st, 2012
10:38 pm
FireP aul Johnson
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2012
10:39 pm
Tech might give Washington and Lee a good game, George.
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2012
10:41 pm
That’s pound-my-head-with-a-hammer sarcasm.
Ken Sugiura
October 31st, 2012
10:42 pm
funny, George. I think about it every time i write it. there’s a good pun in there somewhere.
George Stein
October 31st, 2012
10:43 pm
Might being the operative word, Delbert.
George Stein
October 31st, 2012
10:43 pm
There are probably several, Ken.
OkieDawg
October 31st, 2012
10:46 pm
Enter your comments here
...Take The Wheel
October 31st, 2012
10:58 pm
Shut up Joe. You are nothing but a chit starter! No matter what article Ken posts you always find a ways to inject something poisonous and negative. Just stfu
The moral of the story is we need to focus on unity and team building instead of division amongst them idiots.
GTGirl
October 31st, 2012
11:09 pm
Like CPJ said earlier this season, it’s a good problem to have 2 QB’s that could start.
Jacket Time
October 31st, 2012
11:11 pm
Great article Ken! I think Lee is our guy but the underjacket (u like what I did there?) in me wants Tevin to redeem himself and have a great game.
GT Now
October 31st, 2012
11:35 pm
CPJ makes the calls at QB—no more Reggie Ball crap—-put in General Lee—-we need to win now—at least we will know we have a chance in up coming years—unless we want even more empty seats! Thanks Tevin for everything—-but it is time to move on!
GIVE ME A BREAK
October 31st, 2012
11:40 pm
Washington winning now really means nothing. Start Vad since the season is almost shot. I hope CPJ doesn’t start Tevin in the Duke game . The boos could get ugly for CPJ, from the few fans that will be there.
GT Now
October 31st, 2012
11:40 pm
Enter your comments here
GT Now
October 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
Amen
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2012
11:44 pm
So, Maryland’s starting QB is pulled from the practice squad as a linebacker, losing his redshirt. He is also a left-handed triple-option guy. The backup, a true freshman tight end is a former dual-threat QB who will lose his redshirt if he plays. I guess the linebacker knows the offense somewhat from the perspective of playing against it on the squad. I wonder how many plays they will have in the playbook? With both of those guys being big (230+), probably QB keepers and draws? They really need to hand the ball to Wes Brown (another true freshman) who laid down 129 yards on NC State and 79 last week against BC after missing the UVA game. If they could get DE Joe Vellano to play both ways, that would be excellent; he had something like 20 tackles last season in Atlanta.
G-Money
November 1st, 2012
6:36 am
Tech averages 35.1 points per game. Doesn’t change our record or lessen the disappointment, but at least get the facts straight.
Nativebird
November 1st, 2012
7:17 am
This is like two officers vying for the captains chair on the Titanic.
Jacket Man
November 1st, 2012
7:34 am
The problem with Tevin, and Paul Johnson alluded to this in a press conference, is that we don’t have a sense of urgency under him and we don’t go out and win close games like we did under Joshua Nesbitt; we just don’t close out games like we used do – remember our old “death marches” to end games? Imagine if we could have done something like that against VA Tech or Miami earlier this season, or even against Utah at the Bowl Game last year.
At some point the Jackets HAVE to have someone take a leadership role on the team who is ON the offensive field of play, not a backup or part time player. This has to be the QB…
It hasn’t been Joshua – there needs to be a change, and it needs to start this Saturday, even if they lose to Maryland.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 1st, 2012
7:45 am
If CPJ expects to be successful long term at TECH, he must expand his offensive framework for balance and recruiting. Lee’s strengths provide the perfect time to work on this transition. You can still run the TO at any time, but keep the defense off balance with the pistol, etc. We have already seen how devastating the rushing attack can be, now add in the unpredictable passing attack and the sky is the limit with this offense.
Oh, and bring in Randy Shannon to work with the the defensive unit.
With those two moves, we could be pretty solid in 13′.
JoeFan
November 1st, 2012
7:59 am
The quarterback controversy want end whether Lee starts or not. Come the spring Lee will be battling Thomas for the starting position and the quarterback debate will begin all over.
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
8:10 am
During these desperate times, I’ll volunteer to be our trickeration coach.
On Sportsnations 31 trickiest plays, I feel great shame that there was no Jacketrooski play.
The closest we came to making the list was our jump offsides play which I’m told opposing coaches run at night on their video machines as a sleep aid.
It puts me to sleep watching it anyway.
Anyway my play, suggested by a fellow jacket fan but made better by me, is to run the offsides play but have the QB throw up his hands and walk off in disgust.
We can have him cuss too for effect.
The other side drops their guard and then we snap it direct to the running back who runs around the end for a score.
With all the money we throw away on fired coaches, for a mere 50K I’ll be out trickeration coach.
What’da ya think?
(Comic relief for the dire straits of our program if nothing else)
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
8:32 am
The name for the above play is…… (drum roll)…..Jacket-rooski of course.
Ken Sugiura
November 1st, 2012
9:00 am
Underjacket – clever.
Detective – I saw a highlight of that play recently, and it was penalized for “intent to deceive” or something like that, although I think I remember the announcers saying that that was the first time they’d seen that play penalized. Don’t remember if it was nfl or college. Helpful comment, huh.
Delbert – I suspect that’s the plan. Play smashmouth and hope to break Tech’s will.
Brock
November 1st, 2012
9:06 am
JD- with all due respect….If Tech has to resort those those kind of trick plays then this team is more sad then believed to be now.
Brock
November 1st, 2012
9:07 am
than believed to be now
Veteran Fan
November 1st, 2012
9:12 am
We all need to be in Grant Field for the Duke game! I will be there to cheer on my Yellow Jackets and pump them up to win in Athens the next game! Nothing compares to watching the Yellow Jackets in Grant Field on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Atlanta! Some days are just better than others.
...Take The Wheel
November 1st, 2012
9:35 am
At least these two kids are being more mature and sportsmanlike than majority of the GT fan base.
Its no wonder why the youth demonstrate such disrespect, disregard and out right hate towards one another. They’re just emulating the examples they have in people like some of you. Its no wonder the words “sportsmanship, tact, decorem” has no meaning to many of them.
...Take The Wheel
November 1st, 2012
9:36 am
*have not has
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:41 am
@Brock.
I’m usually a serious debater on this blog.
I thought we needed some comic relief.
I guess the effort failed.
Brock
November 1st, 2012
9:44 am
wow, and I’m usually not that slow. More coffee please!
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:46 am
@Brock.
Also I think it was Bobby Bowden and FSU that originated fumblerooski and they have been a football factory for decades.
They may have used it before they became a top program.
I think they used it against Clemson to win the game over twenty years ago.
I do not think ESPN had film of it as they showed mostly the variations other added to it on Sportsnation.
Maybe they did not have film because the camerman was fooled too.
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:51 am
U want serious?
Charles Kelly, please start channeling John Tenuta.
He did blitz too much and get beaten with it on long pass plays or screens but it worked enough that opposing QBs, Falcons’ then BC QB Matt Ryan excepted, never got as comfortable as they do against us now.
Give this 5th stringer time (and he could have 2nd string talent but thought he could make the field at linebacker quicker like Days is doing) and he might pick us apart too.
We have to change something to get a pass rush.
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:55 am
I hope the 4th down draw offsides play adjusted to an actual running play will be used again.
Some blogger had the idea and maybe they saw it or got wind even their own fans were sick of the silliness.
It worked fpr a 1st down.
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:57 am
Can fans attend practice or only old coaches (Groh) looking for a job?
Jacket Detective
November 1st, 2012
9:58 am
Over and out.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
10:22 am
G-Money: 29.7 OFFENSIVE pts/game (Hint: does not include defense) against FBS teams (Hint: does not include Presbyterian).
Take the Wheel: you are a low life that MUST be dating Tevin or Tevin’s dad. IF you STILL think Tevin is our best QB, you should try watching another sport.
Hayseed Dixie
November 1st, 2012
10:34 am
Under no circumstances is booing a Tech player, as a Tech fan, acceptable.
These kids aren’t professionals.
Fold your arms and keep silent, if you want.
Booing kids is the lamest of the lame.
Not Disappointed
November 1st, 2012
10:39 am
I hope to see both quarterbacks on Saturday with Vad receiving the majority of the snaps.
Ramblin Wreck for life!
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
Hayseed, only in the obama age, when “kids” can stay on their momma’s health insurance plan til age 26, are people 18-23 still called “kids”.
These ADULTS do get paid. free tuition and board and god knows what else.
Vett
November 1st, 2012
10:57 am
Student perspective on GT Athletics and DRad resignation: http://www.rcsoatl.com/2012/11/hopeful-for-change-in-gt-athletics.html
www
November 1st, 2012
10:57 am
interesting articles and videos on oregon and its speed option play run out of the spread option:
http://smartfootball.com/tag/oregon
www
November 1st, 2012
11:00 am
everytime gtjoe types anything, i think “that guy couldn’t be a bigger moron”. then i read things like this that prove me wrong:
“only in the obama age, when “kids” can stay on their momma’s health insurance plan til age 26, are people 18-23 still called “kids”.”
change your name to gtclown please.
or better yet, take gt out of your name also.
juvenal
November 1st, 2012
11:06 am
never boo-just yell,”nooooooo”…….
www
November 1st, 2012
11:06 am
from the article posted by “vett”
“Georgia Tech is a phenomenal place with spectacular athletes who deserve the marketing and promotion techniques that some of the top football programs in the nation receive.”
we’ll have to wait and see if the georgia tech administration and new AD actually believe this.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
11:07 am
www: sorry, is there something you disagree with in that quote?
www
November 1st, 2012
11:11 am
@ TML
Randy Shannon as DC/chief recruiter for the state of florida? i like that idea a lot.
now who could tech find to be OC?
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
11:20 am
juvenal: also, never boo refs. They get paid less than the players AND they are somebody’s “Kids”.
www
November 1st, 2012
11:31 am
i bet gtjoe is a real fun guy to hang out with in real life, lol. lots of friends, no doubt.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
11:36 am
www, debate must not be your cup of tea. A man must know his limitations…
5150 UOAD
November 1st, 2012
11:39 am
Orwin Smith
Nobody is perfect. We don’t make the right choices but never let your mistakes dictate where you wanna go far as occupation, relationships or just life. Never give up on your plans/goals no matter if 95% of the world is against you. Long as you have that 5% believing in you then you’ll be fine!
==========================
be a good fan and back these players. they are still working hard and deserve good fans to support their efforts.
5150 UOAD
November 1st, 2012
11:40 am
T.j. Barnes
I have a month and some change left here….. Making the best of it.
www
November 1st, 2012
11:43 am
Don’t argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. —Greg King
oh hi, joe. how’s it going down there?
G-Money
November 1st, 2012
12:08 pm
GT JOE- Fair enough on the “Offensive” Ponts
MiamiJacket
November 1st, 2012
12:28 pm
The bottom line is that a QB and the head coach are ultimately going to be judged by wins and losses. Tevin is 5-10 in his last 15 starts for Tech and the 5 wins came against Presbyterian, BC, Virginia, Duke, and Clemson. He hasn’t beat anybody who is any good at all with the exception of Clemson last year. It’s time for a change to see what Lee can do.
Born2Buzz
November 1st, 2012
12:45 pm
Ken, if you can, let Tevin know the boos were not directed at him but at CPJ for not having Vad in already. I didn’t boo myself but I sure heard them.
Something in this article says a lot to the problems this team has…“They’re great kids,” quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon said. “They really are. There’s not a mean bone in either one of their bodies.” Somebody needs to get a killer instinct. You can be a great kid but you gotta be ready to smash your opponent in the dirt and then kick them when their down. TW has never shown this ability. Vad needs to have it and I think I saw a little of it last Saturday.
www
November 1st, 2012
1:18 pm
another interesting article on chip kelly at oregon.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/11/01/chip-kelly-oregon/index.html?eref=twitter_feed
“He runs the best practices I’ve ever seen,” an NFC executive told NFL.com. “I would hire him in a second if I ever had the opportunity.”
i can’t help but wonder how the georgia tech practices compare, but since they are closed i guess i will never know.
Tech Troll 13
November 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
@ GT Joe
Just when I think that I cannot think less of you, you sink to a new low. You questioned the sexuallity of Take The Wheel just because he disagrees with you. That’s good debate skills.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
Tech Troll: that was really an inside joke; he has accused me of being the jilted lover of Tevin in the past, and has accused me of fathering Vad.
But who knows, Take the Wheel could BE a female. He/she has female tendencies, that’s for sure.
Grow a sense of humor, sheesh.
Tech Troll 13
November 1st, 2012
2:15 pm
GT Joe
So, you make a bad joke in poor taste, and I’m the one with the problem?
Johnson responds to critics | Georgia Tech
November 1st, 2012
2:26 pm
[...] Washington, Lee keep relationship smooth [...]
1 4 GT
November 1st, 2012
2:37 pm
Vett….and all other bloggers that are real GT fans. The link Vett provided is very interesting. All of us should applaud his statement and hope the admin officials are made aware of this & take the steps needed to rectify this problem. Seems the school is not providing clear info to the students, plus making it to difficult, on how to get game tickets. I urge Vett to push this as hard as he can & maybe get student attendance up.
www
November 1st, 2012
2:48 pm
on an unrelated note, stewart mandel mentions Stephon Tuitt as a future 1st round nfl pick in a recent column on notre dame.
losing him hurt.
a beast at DE would make the rest of the defense look a lot better. let’s hope CPJ and staff are identifying and smartly recruiting the next tuitt now.
i DO wonder if we need to change up the coaching staff a little. is there someone currently on staff who can both recruit and coach up a dominant defensive line?
if not, where can we find that guy/those guys? saban’s staff at alabama seems to have dozens of student assistants and consultants that must have picked up part of “the process”. or raid les miles’ staff at lsu for an up and coming position coach.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/10/31/alabama-oregon-kansas-state-notre-dame/index.html
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
Tech Troll: sorry, I won’t make fun of your boyfriend Take the Wheel ever again.
www
November 1st, 2012
3:02 pm
gtjoe, it’s time to give it a rest. don’t you have something more productive to do with your time?
GT Joe
November 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
Nope. Apparently neither do you.
And although we all appreciate your awesome internet search skills, your articles are really not relevant to Ken’s article.
Tech Troll 13
November 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
GT Joe
Another feeble attempt at humor?
www
November 1st, 2012
4:15 pm
gttroll
1 – did you read the part where i typed “on an unrelated note…”? you have the reading comprehension of a 5th grader.
2 – i actually have plenty to do but when i get a minute i like to know what’s up with the tech football team. you, on the other hand, seem to have no life whatsoever. not just because you spend more time on these blogs than ken suuuira does but also because of how you spend your time. i can only imagine how big a loser you are in real life that you CHOOSE to spend all of your time trolling on here. it says a lot about how little you have going on and what kind of person you are.
3 – did you know that there is a strong link between people who often accuse others of being g@y and latent h0m0sexual urges? not that there’s anything wrong with that. google that connection and learn something about yourself today.
Tech1986
November 1st, 2012
6:50 pm
@www, Stephen Truit’s major is Arts and Letters, last time I checked, we did not have a major like that and at the end of the day, that’s a major problem, not enough majors to get those “beastly” DE that make the defense better.
A-mazed
November 1st, 2012
8:18 pm
GT-Joe
You have, as far as O can tell, a single minded message- “Play Vad”, “Fire Paul”
In the spirit of honest debate, please tell me 2 things.
1) What have you seen, since practice is closed, that indicates to you that Vad is a better QB for this team? I sure have not seen it in any game so far.
2) What coach could GT hire that is proven, with as good a W/L ratio (better, hopefully?) as CPJ? And does it occur to you that at a school with limited resources like GT, that mabe a coach who changes the rules and works outside the box might ultimately be the best solution?
It seems that critical thinking is not in your skillset. Go read your posts. You are clearly a know it all twink who shouts nonsense, then belittles others who call you out.
Vett
November 2nd, 2012
8:38 am
Current GT student perspective on GT Athletics: http://www.rcsoatl.com/2012/11/hopeful-for-change-in-gt-athletics.html
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2012
10:40 am
A-mazed:
1. I have seen Vad in games. I have seen TW in games. It’s clear who is better. If you can’t see it, I can’t help you. I can point out numerous plays and stats to show Vad is better in games. But then you will have your silly comeback like “Vad’s passes are terrible” or “Vad misreads every play”, nothing factual, only subjective arguments.
2. I have never said to fire CPJ UNTIL YESTERDAY. I like his offense. I can even live with his questionable play call decisions (like 4th down in our territory in the 1st quarter of an away game?). But if he can’t judge talent and get the right folks on the field, he is not a good coach. If he can’t separate “practice” performance from “game” performance, he is not a good coach. I mean, he can’t even find a way to get Days on the field. Come on.
Who should we hire? I have no idea. Hell, hire the current Navy coach. Same system, hopefully he can judge talent better. But if Tevin starts tomorrow, he should be fired. If Tevin starts and loses tomorrow, he should be fired SUNDAY.
A-mazed
November 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
Well, I think Vad’s passes are far better that TWs. And I agree he has made some plays. But, I have not seen him make the QB sneaks reguired, nor has he showed anything in the option to the outside. Our offense, is not designed for pass play that he seems to run better than TW. Vad has had a few runs that showed some heart. He inspired the BYU defense into some nice fouls, but he showed nothing else.
The defense still stinks, and the offense matched then for BYU.
And changing the entire offense in the season is just not possible, even if our coach wanted to, which he clearly does not.
So, TW is not the problem, and Vad is not the fix.