Johnson on Lee, offense, redshirt freshmen
Notes from Paul Johnson’s Tuesday news conference:
1. One of Johnson’s messages to players this week is that they haven’t played well at home since the Miami game. Georgia Tech is 3-3 at home this season. The last time that the Jackets had a home losing record was 1994, a season I’ve seemed to reference a lot this year with “first time since” statistics. (Tech was 1-5 that season, Bill Lewis’ last.)
2. Offensive tackle Will Jackson (shoulder) is likely to be doubtful for Saturday. This would be the fourth game in a row that he would miss.
3. Johnson said that quarterback Vad Lee didn’t grade out well but still made a lot of plays.
“He’s got some ability in that sometimes when he misses a read, he can follow it and still turn it into a positive play,” Johnson said. “Overall, you had to be happy with the way he played. He had a ton of big plays and brought a lot of energy and did those things and I think he’s coming (along) great. He’s still a redshirt freshman.”
4. Asked to compare Lee and Joshua Nesbitt, Johnson noted that Nesbitt was “more of a grinder, I think. He’s the guy that, if it’s 3rd-and-1, you wanted the ball in his hands. He’s going to get it.” He then kind of backtracked, saying that it’s a hard comparison to make, given that Lee has basically only played two games.
5. Johnson said the offensive line is showing better effort and coming off the ball lower and harder than it had previously.
“When you do that, good things happen,” he said.
Tech put 100 defenders to the ground Saturday on 79 plays, a week after getting 80 to the ground against Maryland on 60 plays. Those are the highest numbers of Johnson’s tenure.
Offensive line coach Mike Sewak said that the numbers had been around 40-50 earlier this season. Averaging one knockdown block per play is typically indicative of a good blocking game. A-back Robbie Godhigh had 13 alone.
6. Johnson said he didn’t know why the team had played with the energy and focus it had the past two games. He has been trying all season to find the right button to push.
“Clearly, something’s happened the last two,” he said. “We’ll see if it can continue. We’ve done better that way. You never know what it is. It might not be anything I said or did. It might be something somebody else said or did. You just don’t know. If you knew, you’d never have a problem.”
7. Johnson said in the North Carolina game, the offense made a lot of mistakes and missed opportunities, despite accounting for 62 of the 68 points. He isn’t worried about the team getting satisfied with itself.
“You want to have a standard such that, you point out all the things that you missed even though we scored on a possession, we should have scored maybe two or three plays before,” he said.
8. On A-back Orwin Smith: “I think he’s had a great career. Unless something crazy happens, he’s probably going to leave as the all-time leader in the ACC as yards per carry. He’s going to be in the record books at Georgia Tech, played on a championship team. He’s had a great career.”
9. On the 12 seniors playing their final home game Saturday: “Anytime you spend four or five years coaching guys, you become close to them and you want to see them be successful. And this group, a lot of them have graduated already. I think all of them will graduate. You hope that they’ll be successful outside of football.”
They are: nose tackle T.J. Barnes, defensive end Izaan Cross, wide receiver Chris Jackson, offensive lineman Nick McRae, long snapper Tyler Morgan, outside linebacker Malcolm Munroe, kicker Chris Tanner, A-back Jamal Paige, cornerback Rod Sweeting, guard Omoregie Uzzi, quarterback Tevin Washington and Smith
Johnson noted that, as typically happens, a junior or two who don’t receive much playing time but will graduate before next fall probably won’t return, either to take jobs or to transfer and gain immediate playing time elsewhere. B-back Richard Watson (Albany State) and A-back Marcus Wright (University of the Incarnate Word) did that last year. There’s a third I’m forgetting, I think.
10. Johnson on the redshirting freshmen:
“Pat Gamble has had a really good year. He’s been on the scout team. I think he’s going to be really good. He’s probably about 265, 270 now, 6-5. Francis Kallon has played on the scout team all year, plays with great effort. He’s probably the rawest of the bunch. Spring’s going to be big for him. Rod Chungong’s going to be a good player. He’s put on about 25 pounds. Those are the three defensive linemen up front.
“Beau Hankins and Tyler Stargel play linebacker. I’m really excited about them. I think both of them have got a bright future. And Lynn Griffin in the secondary is another guy. Had Lynn not gotten hurt earlier in the year, he’d be playing this year. He’ll have a chance to really compete. If you get he and Fred Holton back out there in the spring, those two guys will give the safeties all they want for staying on the field.”
On the offensive redshirts:
“We had three freshman wide receivers. Two of them have had knee surgery. (Anthony) Autry was playing. Travin (Henry) got hurt, just fluke, just running. I mean, there was nobody running (near him). So they’re both rehabbing. Michael Summers, we decided to redshirt. We really wrestled with (that decision). He’s going to be a good player, I think. We’re excited about him.
“(Quarterback) Justin (Thomas) is playing on scout team some and he comes and plays with the varsity some. We try to keep him up there at least one day a week and let him run with the varsity so that come spring he’s going to be ready to compete. (Lineman) Chase Roberts is over there on the scout team, (lineman) Freddie Burden, (A-back) Dennis Andrews. There’s a pretty good nucleus of guys that we’re redshirting that we feel good about.”
B-back Marcus Allen may switch to linebacker, Johnson said. The decision will come after the season or before the spring.
11. Johnson said that Washington handled Lee playing the rest of the North Carolina game in a positive way. Johnson called him “the consummate team guy.” Johnson noted Tech’s first play from scrimmage, when Washington hit Smith for a 39-yard pass under heavy pass pressure, and then Washington’s 25-yard option run for a touchdown to finish the opening drive.
12. Johnson spent some time talking about Lee, in particular his response to the interception returned for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Johnson said that pulling Lee at that point was not an option and would be “the worst thing you could have done. I mean, he’s got to go back out there and right the ship. And that’s what he did. He got back out there and drove the team down. That’ll probably help his development more than anything you could ever say or do.”
In case you missed it…
Notes: Washington looking like starter
No chance, after all, for Tech in three-way Coastal tie
Notes: Johnson to again wait on naming starting QB
Bradley: Tech as Coastal champion? Yep, it could happen
Tech season takes another turn
Tech-Georgia gets noon kickoff
Golden, Nealy ACC players of the week
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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106 comments Add your comment
come on
November 14th, 2012
3:18 pm
starting washington this week is one thing but there is no way he can sniff the field against uga. with washington playing against uga they will just put 8 or even 9 in the box every play. uga knows if he does pass it will be under thrown. Vad has to play the whole game for us to have a chance because of his ability to stretch the field will make georgia defenders have to at least respect the pass. this will open up the b back dive which is the most important play because 2nd and 2 is better than 2nd and 9.
big daddy
November 14th, 2012
3:23 pm
Can anyone fill me in on what has happened to Perkins? He does not appear to be on the radar screen. Also, what about Tony Zenon? He was playing quite a bit earlier, but haven’t seen or heard anything about him lately.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:28 pm
big daddy: perkins must be in the doghouse… anyways, he wasn’t that impressive this year when he got playing time.
as for zenon, who knows. a-back is so stacked right now, i don’t think zenon makes us any better.
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
3:29 pm
Do ANY of you posters actually talk to the PLAYERS? How many of you have sent emails to Drad in the past about your concerns? Do you go to the games?
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
3:30 pm
Big Daddy………PERK hurt his KNEE bad and will be working hard to get back for Spring game but should be ready when the Fresh report and start Practice with the rest of the team.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:31 pm
5150: no most of us don’t have season tix from our daddy like you.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:34 pm
5150: did you figure out the triple option yet?
Also, capitalizing every other word is so lame.
RambleOn84
November 14th, 2012
3:35 pm
There are a lot of PJ haters out there who are constantly saying how he “throws his players under the bus” or “thinks he is some kind of genius” or similar nonsense.
Read what Johnson actually says in interviews, and not just how haters spin it.
Johnson could have (and many coaches would have) just come out and said, “Yep, I’m motivating them better and I’m making better play calls.” Johnson didn’t. Johnson has been consistent in his thoughts on motivation: there’s only so much a coach can do. When the O-line is suddenly looking great, he doesn’t pat himself on the back but instead points out how great the kids are doing out there.
I know haters will continue to hate and come up with some stupid excuse as to why I’m wrong and they’re right, but for those on the fence about PJ, go straight to the horse’s mouth. Johnson is brash and sometimes short with media, but he is humble and gives credit where it is due.
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
3:37 pm
JOE are you just STUPID? I go with my DAD…..He started getting tickets when he graduated. I started going in 74…….Now DAD and I SPLIT the Tickets….HOW STUPID are you that you can’t read? I did something I hate this year. I purchased Tickets for a Clem&Sons game for my sister and niece because My niece is interested in Clem&Sons. She would like to Walk-on to their Volleyball team IF she doesn’t get a scholly offer from them…………….JOE what do you do/did for your money?
Tech First
November 14th, 2012
3:39 pm
Im going on record Lee will have a 200/200 rushing and passing game shout out to T dub#13 lets go get our Acc champion back defense we got some hitters in tha bullpen reshirtmens. Down tha strech lets go Days move him around coach at least ten ok 8 touches special teams what ever u can do. Coach Kelly tighten up boot camp for tha defense over 25 pts yall boi’s dont eat PJ for President.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:39 pm
RambleON: I like CPJ. I just think he is stubborn sometimes, which made him late to the Vad Lee bandwagon.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:42 pm
5150: must be nice that yo daddy pays half of your ticket.
but kinda sad that an adult still depends on daddy. (sigh) the age of obama….
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
3:46 pm
5150: going to games since 1974, and just learned what the triple option is, last week?!
LOL. Sad actually.
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
3:51 pm
GT JOE too bad your daddy and mommy were not OBAMA parents… Free Birth Control and Rubbers would have spared the world of you…….
William Casey
November 14th, 2012
3:51 pm
@GT Joe: Have you ever coached QB’s? Played QB? Have any understanding of the psychology involved in playing the position? No, I didn’t think so. My Dad had a phrase for guys like you: “He talks like a man with a paper you-know-what.”
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
GT JOE………here STUPID…………this is for you to learn the Triple Option………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSR3Y-yl1iQ
Are you still STUPID? Yes….how is that Recliner doing giving you great football knowledge?
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
W. Casey…gt joe has NO IDEA of the Mind of a player and how to keep him focused….gtjoe has proved that with his comments this whole year..
collegeballfan
November 14th, 2012
4:19 pm
Ken
Can you let us know something about the potential to play in the OL next year of Auburn transfer
Thomas O’Reilly. He is listed at 6′ 3 313 which is nice size.
Thanks
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
4:21 pm
Casey: if you think that there was some sort of magic moment that occured in Vad’s head during the week before the UNC game that made him “ready”, then you really don’t understand football.
This kid isn’t fragile. He’s a winner. Need proof? Look what he did after the pick 6.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
4:32 pm
5150 UOAD
November 6th, 2012
2:34 pm
The TO…………………..is Run Pitch Pass………….that is the TO.
Run the middle
Run the QB
Make the Pitch is NOT the TO you FOOL.
——————————————————————————————————
Sorry, are you calling ME stupid? LOL. You have NO credibility.
ignition
November 14th, 2012
4:39 pm
Charles Perkins had a shoulder injury that lingered and required surgery to repair it.
Coach Z
November 14th, 2012
4:51 pm
I knew Vad Lee was a winner when he went off for 5 touchdowns while GT was on a recruitinig visit. He is special, and Joe is correct, what he did after the pick 6 makes him so. If you were watching the game on TV, right before the pick 6, the commentator said “We haven’t seen Vad make a freshman mistake.” Sure enough, just as the words left his mouth, Lee throws the interception. I wanted Washington in at that moment, thought Lee was tired. I’m glad CPJ had other thoughts, maybe GT JOE radioed down to him on the field.
Also, the discussion about who starts against Duke on Senior Day is rediculous. What university doesn’t start their senior on senior day.
Coach Z
November 14th, 2012
4:56 pm
Agree GT Joe.
If you watched on televsion, you heard the commentators say immediately before the pick 6 that Vad hadn’t committed any freshman mistakes. I thought CPJ should put TW in at that moment, but I am glad CPJ didn’t agree.
Also, lets end the discussion on who starts on Senior Day… the idea of not starting TW is completely ingnorant ONLY because it is tradition.
GT Joe
November 14th, 2012
5:11 pm
Coach Z: if tradition trumps winning for you, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
What happened to playing the QB that “gives us the best chance to win?”
5150 UOAD
November 14th, 2012
5:17 pm
gtjoe……………did you even watch CPJ define the TO?
TechApp fan
November 14th, 2012
5:19 pm
You guys that can discern when the QB makes a good/bad read must have a talent/gift.
Since I do not know the play Johnson called, it seems almost impossible to determine if the QB is just following instructions or making very quick decisions. I assume the QB “reads” the opposition
alignment prior to the snap and can/may change the play prior to the snap. Then after the snap when the ball is somewhat in the belly of the B back (most of the plays), that “read” happens so quickly it surely seems impossible from the stands that any non coach could determine if any type read occured. Just my take.
DS CE'91
November 14th, 2012
5:23 pm
I always liked it at Senior Day for Tech basketball games when the little-known benchwarmers would get a chance to start and play a possession or two.
That said, basketball ain’t football. The possessions are too important. Best QB must play, period.
One thing I read on here did earlier gave me pause. I have always been against platooning QB’s – an adherent of the “if you have 2 QB’s you have none” philosophy. But, the physical demands on the QB in the triple option do seem to at least open the discussion on the idea of resting a QB for a play or two as you do a RB during a drive. Of course, QB’s don’t have to block much, so maybe comparing their workload to a RB is not exactly apples/apples.
I’ll have to ruminate on that one some. What say you, Ken?
DS CE'91
November 14th, 2012
5:24 pm
Previous pose should say “One thing I read on here earlier gave me pause….”
DS CE'91
November 14th, 2012
5:25 pm
“Previous pose?”
I give…
Coach Z
November 14th, 2012
5:33 pm
I suppose I like basketball better than football.
ignition
November 14th, 2012
6:09 pm
@fuzzybee78 GT has recruited and coached a 3-4 system for 3 years now. The current recruits are for a 3-4 system and I would be very concerned about implimenting a new system away from a 3-4 especially if the goal is to improve the defense particularly in the short term.
CPJ doesn’t appear to care much about whether the defense is a 3-4 or a 4-3 but he did want the defense to have a system, that players can be recruited specifically for. It’s one of the reasons he hired CAG http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4828320
So I don’t feel the 3-4 will be abandoned not to mention that was the defense they ran at Navy when he achieved the most success.. In my opinion it has more to do with the Joes than the x’s and o’s.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2012
6:51 pm
I’m drawing a blank on the name, but how about the young man who skipped his extra year when Microsoft hired him as an account manager in their Los Angeles office? Ken wrote an article on it.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2012
7:07 pm
ignition – “In my opinion it has more to do with the Joes than the x’s and o’s.”
I agree 100%, and so do 11 or 12 NFL teams. Quality outside linebackers are easier to find and develop than prototypical 4-3 defensive ends, and 3-4 DEs are generally not valued as much as 4-3 guys (according to NFL GM Randy Mueller.) There are exceptions due to talent and scheme. Stephon Tuitt at Notre Dame has made a big impact early as a 3-4 DE, and there have certainly been a number of NFL stars at the position, Justin Smith of the 49ers for example, who has made All-Pro at DT and last season at DE.
fuzzybee78
November 14th, 2012
7:07 pm
@ignition
You make some good points, and I am not suggesting a change this season. However looking at our D lineman including RS freshman it seems size and body type we are better suited for a 4-3. Think about Kallon, Dieke, and Gamble coming off the edge as 4-3 ends vs being double teamed in the 3-4. I have watched Attachoo and Watts attempt to rush thru a OT and they give up 60 lbs and are usually ineffective. I think we will be more effective in both run D and certainly in pass rushing with this group of players out of an aggressive 4-3 set. We will be roster overloaded with linebackers for sure in a 4-3.
The Tenuta years are looking better from where we are now. No I dont see DMorgan or MBurnett but I feel somewhat the opposite, if you want a pass rush to help the backers and cover guys, this group is better suited in a 4-3.
We will know with year end and perhaps a new DC–
Either way — GO JACKETS!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 14th, 2012
7:22 pm
@ Delbert D…….did you get the email I sent you earlier today?
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2012
7:48 pm
Super – Thanks, just got it and replied.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2012
8:21 pm
I think the question is whether Tech is able to go to the 4-3 with the on-board guys rather than stick with the 3-4. Kallon, Gamble and Dieke are already 3-4-size DEs. Gotsis can play DT or DE, but Green is not optimal size at 6-0 280 for NT, but he sure has a high motor. We don’t know who true freshmen will be yet.
I just pulled together lists of the top 10 2013 4-3 and 3-4 DE prospects according to drafttek.com based on their Oct.10, 2012 evaluations. Go to their site and check out the position rankings. It is a lot of data to look at, but the difference in size between the 2 groups is obvious. At least one of the 4-3 DEs is a 3-4 OLB, Jarvis Jones.
In summary, the smallest of the top 10 3-4 DEs is 6-4 275 Datone Jones of UCLA. The largest is 6-3 320 Jesse Williams of Alabama, and there is a tall one, 6-7 288 Margus Hunt of SMU. 8 of the 10 are 285 or over, 4 over 300.
For 4-3 DEs, the smallest is 6-2 242 Jarvis Jones of Georgia, and the largest is 6-6 278 William Gholston of Michigan. 7 of the 10 are 250 or under.
As far as rankings, their draft projections at this point have the top 4-3 DE going at #7, and the 10th guy going at #66 in the draft.
For the 3-4 DEs, the top guy is #33 and the 10th guy is #187. Numbers 6 through 10 are all #110 or lower picks.
There should be some parallels with college recruiting “values.”
Ignition
November 14th, 2012
8:55 pm
@Delbert D Exactly the DE’s in GT’s system are to big for a 4-3. When including the redshirts you’re talking and 6′5 or taller DE with an average weight of 270. Our most physically gifted NT Gotis is 305lbs and 6′4 which all together just means GT will have a huge and athletic DLine notice I didn’t say skilled.
The question I have is in regards to the Institutes coaching particlarly on Defense. I haven’t seen any development of the defensive line and more troubling very little is what appears to be a lack of motor. Hustle can overcome talent and with the current line being an average of 300lbs they have the size at least as starters but they haven’t overachieved even under Groh. Tackling is effort, controlling the line descrimage is effort, much of the ability to stop the run is effort, and that is something I have t seen consistently.
Keepin' It Real
November 14th, 2012
9:14 pm
@ Keepin’ It Dumb
First of all you need prayer. Second: “Tech only has three plays,” wow!.: Third: You named yourself correctly. IJS
Ken Sugiura
November 14th, 2012
9:18 pm
delbert – albert rocker is his name.
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/techs-albert-rocker-leaves-early-for-microsoft/nQJ8k/
DS CE ‘91 – i think there’s something to be said for having fresh legs. it’s a pretty demanding position in this offense. obviously, you have to weigh that against what each player gives you.
new post about to go up.
let’s not get personal, please. we can disagree about football; it doesn’t mean we have to demean each other.
Ken Sugiura
November 14th, 2012
9:20 pm
college bball fan – i’ll ask about o’reilly. it won’t bother me if you remind me next week.
Keepin' It Real
November 14th, 2012
9:28 pm
@ Ken Sugiura
My point was very well communicated. Unfortunately, intellect is not a characteristic of all that bang on a keyboard or respond to a blog. The thing about Dumb folks is that they don’t have too good of a memory. I recall your articles regarding the bad practices Vad was having in the spring and summer camps. Now these fools are thinking Vad should of been starting all year… IJS
North Ave Killer Beez
November 14th, 2012
11:18 pm
A kid that is struggling in practice against a defense with players that have been practicing against the option for 3 and 4 years is no indication he will not be able to perform better than what we were getting from TW vs VT. Which was horrible!! I wanted to vomit watching the offense. We will never know but to not give Vad a punchers chance, one series even. I guess I’m just a dumb folk. The bright side of all this. TW only has two games of eligibility left. Scary huh!
GT TN
November 14th, 2012
11:50 pm
@ GT Joe..I have never seen a man crush as mad as you have on Vad..I think CPJ said it last week why he likes Vad to come off the bench..the kid gets to sit back and get comfortable with the game and watch the flow of the game…Vad played a great game but he had a ton of help..you never credit the other guys on the team..he also got help on some drives..
–1st drive..if not for the pass inf call he would have had a 3 and out
–another drive O Smith makes a great individual move for a first down on 3rd and 9..it would have been a 3 and out
–Godhigh makes a great catch in triple coverage on a ball that Vad just floated..i would think it was the wrong read since a WR was all alone going up the sidelines..it was all catch and not the throw
–if CPJ wouldn’t have bailed Vad out with a timeout on 4th and goal Vad would have turn it over on downs as he didn’t get into the endzone..kind of looked like the play you have been all over TW about from Miami game
To show you that you have no idea what you are talking about with size of a option QB..one of the best option QB’s of all time was Jamelle Holieway from OU..he was 5′11 and 186 lbs..please don’t tell me he didn’t take any hits
Ken Sugiura
November 14th, 2012
11:55 pm
keepin’ it real – i looked again at what you wrote. you’re right. thanks.
GT TN
November 15th, 2012
12:03 am
CPJ has been getting slammed on the ST this year and he deserved everything that was said about him..with that said I think the special teams unit was much improved this weekend..12 kickoffs and 7 of them inside the 26 and only 2 outside the 40..we need that to be none but it has been about 4 a game..no missed FG’s or EPT..
fuzzybee78
November 15th, 2012
12:33 am
@Ignition and Delbert—
You make a solid case with data to back it up, Im still not convinced because:
Derek Morgan was 6′4 270? and Michael Johnson was 6′7″ and 260? playing at GT, and they are doing well in the NFL, after adding weight and muscle. GT doesnt usually get that talent but we might have something close with the current RShirts. We all know these guys bulk up or slim down to fit the scheme. I dont know why DE Kallon and Gamble and Dieke couldnt do the same. Keep Gotis, Green, and move Cummings to DT.
I DO KNOW that under our current scheme we have LITTLE TO NO pass rush. We are going to play with who we got so I say change the scheme and let the tall athletes with the big first step and coach up the “swim move” go get the QB.
Maybe Ken can get us the answer to the question — “Do we have the D lineman to run either a 4 man or 3 man line next season, and will the staff consider a change?”
Good exchange, we will agree about—
GO JACKETS!
Is Johnson really that clueless?
November 15th, 2012
9:01 am
He doesn’t know why the team played with this level of energy and focus the past two games? What has changed the last two games? Oh, the change many have been calling for all year. The name is Vad Lee. He didn’t just make plays when he missed reads. He also covered up for the mistakes of others. There were several times that he turned a sure loss into either a throw away or a positive play.
PJ's Pigsty
November 15th, 2012
10:14 am
YES! He is that clueless, that is why we are a .500 or worse football team.
Paddy
November 15th, 2012
10:22 am
GT JOE…….I agree w/ your stance on Vad being he starter at the end of summer camp. With that said, CPJ did not agree and he is far more capable of naming starters than me. I bow to the coach on this one. I still agree to disagree.
Go Dawgs!