Tech notes: Johnson raves about UGA ‘D’
Notes from Paul Johnson’s Tuesday news conference, including a flu bug that’s hit the team. Or, as it’s better phrased during Georgia week – “KILLER FLU PARALYZES JACKETS”
1. Johnson paid homage to Georgia, saying “certainly, we’ll have to play our best game of the year to have a chance in Athens on Saturday.” He noted the talent and the defensive improvement over the last four or five games. As he’d mentioned Monday, he noted quarterback Aaron Murray, tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall and wide receivers Malcolm Mitchell and Tavarres King on offense and then “six or seven NFL guys, at least, on that defense.”
He mentioned the accolades that outside linebacker Jarvis Jones receives, but said that inside linebacker Alec Ogletree “just jumps off the film at you. The things that guy can do, the way he runs and makes plays, he’s a special player, as well.” He liked safeties Shawn Williams and Bacarri Rambo, also. Or, as properly reported during Georgia week, “JOHNSON DISRESPECTS UGA CORNERBACKS.”
Johnson wasn’t ready to call this Georgia defense the most talented he’s faced since coming to Tech, “but I don’t think you’re going to play anybody with more talent than them.”
Line of the conference: “They’ve got some big jokers. That nose tackle (John Jenkins), they list him at, what, 350? That joker’s gotta be closer to 400 pounds. He’s huge.”
2. Johnson said that Georgia played Georgia Southern’s spread-option offense the same way it did Tech’s the past two years.
“I don’t think there’ll be a big guessing game as to what we’re doing or what they’re doing,” he said. “I think it’ll come down to execution and try to maybe have the right thing on at the right time.”
He does figure that playing similar offenses will help Georgia.
“They’ll be accustomed to the speed of it more so than they would if they hadn’t played it, I would think,” he said. “Anytime you play something two weeks in a row, you’re probably going to be better at it.”
(Georgia week translation – JOHNSON TO UGA: YOU WANT SOME OF THIS?)
3. Johnson thinks A-back Orwin Smith (injured ankle against Duke) will play. There isn’t a set plan for replacing him. “We just kind of play and somebody else will be in that spot,” he said.
Offensive tackle Will Jackson will be available to play. He practiced Monday. He last played in the Boston College game, sitting out the past four with a shoulder injury.
4. The A-backs in general have filled their roles effectively. The development of Synjyn Days is obviously noteworthy. He played the third most snaps Saturday against Duke (30) after Smith and Robbie Godhigh. His improvement and that of others are a credit to position coach Lamar Owens.
According to the post-game stat sheets, Tony Zenon did not play against Duke. Johnson said that it’s not a reflection on him doing anything wrong, just the depth of the position. Smith and Godhigh command most of the snaps, and then there are others worthy of playing time also.
“Now, the next week, Tony could be getting the 30 snaps that somebody else got,” Johnson said.
5. Tech will need to pressure quarterback Aaron Murray, since, he said, “if you don’t get to him and he has time, he’s going to pick you apart.” Last year, with ample pocket time, Murray was 19-for-29 for 252 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Tight end Orson Charles had five catches for 95 yards.
Given the strength of Georgia’s defense, Tech’s defense has to figure out a way to get some stops.
“You don’t want to get into a game with them where you have to score every possession,” Johnson said.
6. On Maryland’s departure to the Big Ten: “I think in the landscape of college sports now, that’s going to happen more than you know, and if they feel like that’s best for them, then that’s what they need to do.”
7. Several players are dealing with the flu that was going around the team last week and kept defensive end Izaan Cross out of the Duke game. Johnson has it himself. He called it “a viral thing” and said that it’s been taking three or four days to get out of the system.
A few players have it now, he said, but “you just don’t want a large group to get it Wednesday, Thursday,” he said. “That’d be the killer.”
8. True freshman defensive end Adam Gotsis got his first start in Cross’ absence. “I think he’s got a really bright future and going to be a good player,” Johnson said. “He’s a freshman and he’s learning every week, but he’s got the right attitude and the right mindset. He wants to be good and I think he’s going to work at it.”
(JOHNSON UNLEASHING GOTSILLA ON DOGS)
9. Johnson said the offensive line has played as well as it has in his tenure in the last few games. In the past three games, Tech has set records for putting the most defenders to the ground in Johnson’s five years, reaching 101 in the Duke game. He attributed it to playing with more energy and effort and an accumulation of experience.
“What they’re doing is they’re playing hard, they’re getting a lot of guys cut off and they’re getting downfield and getting a lot of guys on the ground when they get downfield,” he said. “When you do that, it gives you a chance to hit some big plays.”
10. Johnson again gave praise to quarterback Tevin Washington, calling him consistent and solid. Sometimes, Johnson said, he’s borne the brunt of criticism when teammates haven’t done their jobs.
“I think he’s been resilient, he’s kept a pretty good attitude,” he said. “He’s just been a good kid, a good teammate, somebody that likes to compete. I think he’s gotten the max out of his ability.”
(I think this is near the highest compliment that Johnson will offer a player of his.)
Regarding quarterback Vad Lee, he said that he has swagger and that “I think he’s got that ‘it’ that guys have.” He said he has tried to bring him along at a pace so he doesn’t lose the confidence and swagger by getting thrown to the wolves before he’s ready to handle it.
“You want that guy to think he can beat the world, so we’ve kind of brought him along slowly,” he said.
Redshirting freshman Justin Thomas, he said, has the same “it factor” quality.
(JOHNSON GUARANTEES BACK-TO-BACK HEISMANS FOR LEE, THOMAS)
11. Johnson was asked about the criticism he’s received while managing a relatively successful run in his first four seasons. If Tech beats Florida State (a large if, certainly), he would become the first Tech coach to win two ACC titles. For whatever a Coastal Division title is worth, this is his third. (Tech shared with Virginia Tech in 2008.)
“The thing I think that’s changed a lot lately is it’s instant gratification,” he said. “It’s weekly now, or nobody wants to look at a body of work. I was thinking, this is my fifth season. I think there are three coaches that were here when I came. (Frank Beamer, Jim Grobe, Tom O’Brien) It’s about the same as in the SEC. That’s just the nature of the beast.”
(JOHNSON: THIS IS MY FIFTH SEASON) (they can’t all be gems)
Thanks for reading. I was asked to remind you that Johnson’s radio show is Wednesday evening. I can’t say I’ve ever been, but I usually listen, either live or on podcast. It’s usually a good listen. More information here.
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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127 comments Add your comment
Toadster
November 20th, 2012
8:34 pm
Hey Rick, your math does not add up. I hope it does though. It means we beat either UGA or FSU. Seven regular season wins mean we beat UGA. Thanks for your support. I thought you were a dogtroll.
Toadster
November 20th, 2012
8:36 pm
Please do not respond to me Rick. Thanks in advance.
Ignition
November 20th, 2012
8:46 pm
I don’t see a way Tech could win this game ..
This is gonna be a Molly Whoopin…
The only way I see Tech even having a chance is if CPJ learns what a forward pass is and does something that Tech doesn’t know how to do which is short & intermediate passing…
It would have to be in a shootout …
yeller bug
November 20th, 2012
8:48 pm
Wow it’d really be a bummer if UGA wins Sat and somehow defeats Alabama—gets ready to play for the NC against ND who loses their QB in the USC game with a season ending injury and the world ends on 12/21/12.
Jerry Seinfeld
November 20th, 2012
8:48 pm
I think UGA will win, but I’m not foolish enough to disrespect Tech’s offense. They’ve got a really good offense when they don’t turn the ball over. I think Georgia will win because of Tech’s lack of a defense, but if we turn the ball over a few times, we could go down. I would not be shocked, but I expect us to win a close one.
you can't fix stupid or Democrats or bulldogs
November 20th, 2012
8:49 pm
Georgia is going to win on paper but they play it on grass.
JB
November 20th, 2012
8:57 pm
Lot’s on line for Dawgs also. Don’t expect day dreaming Dawgs. Expect your jock knocked off.
Mike
November 20th, 2012
8:59 pm
I got Georgia in this one, but it will be very, very close and Tech will score a lot. But Georgia’s defense is slightly better and dogs win in a shootout. Hopefully I’m wrong and the Jackets pull it out for a change. But I don’t have much faith in that defense. UGA 38, Tech 35.
Mikesing
November 20th, 2012
9:18 pm
U tech fans is full of sh$$ MY DAWGS 45 tech 17
Buzz-Off
November 20th, 2012
9:19 pm
To all the envious GT fans like UOAD, UGa doesn’t have to apologize for their schedule. When we run the table we will have beaten 2 teams that have been ranked #1 (ND and Bama), one team that was ranked #2 (FL) and lost to a team ranked #3. That is 1, 1, 2 & 3……….I’m fairly certain no other team played #1,1,2 & 3…….no other team! P.S. Not even 1 of those 4 games was played in Athens…all on the road. Go DAWGS!
Mikesing
November 20th, 2012
9:20 pm
Tech will do good as a highschool team or preschool
@George Stein
November 20th, 2012
9:23 pm
“It’s difficult’s to imagine an adult would post under the handle “Tech is a joke.”
I agree. It would be like an adult posting under the handle “5150 UOAD”.
4 Natl Chmpshps
November 20th, 2012
9:40 pm
I sense a nervousness in dwags (aka. d-bgs) on radio. Is it scary to think of GT over dwags, Clemp over Dwag’s Daddy and maybe even an upset of Dr Evil by Albern leaving no SECond rate academic school in BCS? Could be?…. all that money, all that wasted Alumni recruiting cheating, all those laugher courses (sic). What a waste…..SECond rate conf would sorta be like Dallas Cowboys….lots of money and cheating and no class and still…..nothing! Could be.
Taco
November 20th, 2012
9:49 pm
Anything can happen remember that. mb94’s mom was a Dawg and she still got knocked up. Your basic blind hawg love story.
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
9:49 pm
8:03……………Please there is not a GT blogger that thinks that you are the REAL 5150………..
Love your family and your country. remember what made the US great.
Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren’t allowed to worship God? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”
In light of recent events… terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said okay.
Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it…. no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
AMERICA BLESS GOD………Please.
Taco
November 20th, 2012
9:51 pm
I smell the nervous sweat on all my UGA friends. The stink of stress is high. Sphincter’s tighter than Ned Beatty on a canoe trip. It is so fun to watch. So close but yet so far away.
Taco
November 20th, 2012
9:54 pm
I snap we have a Schindler’s List post. it is getting deep on here. This is good old fashioned hate…..biblical. I loved the AEPie frat on campus. Best damn pizza deal on Campus!
Ben do I take the road side breathalyzer or know?
Roll Dawgs!
November 20th, 2012
9:58 pm
The bugs will lose be 20!!!!!!!
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
9:58 pm
@George Stein
November 20th, 2012
9:23 pm
I agree. It would be like an adult posting under the handle “5150 UOAD”.
==============================================
I’m 5150 enough to P.O. Your Dwag head…………
WHAT IS THE GOOD WORD?
To Hell With georgia!
how bout them dWags?
P.O.A.D
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:00 pm
Word in Savannah is Uga (Russ) has a runny nose.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 20th, 2012
10:05 pm
5150 vs Put In Timeout- just a coincidence?
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:06 pm
Intel reports from Athens say enemy players are going to be searched by Sanford Stadium security before the game for cut blocking tools.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:14 pm
A printing company in Athens has made 87,500 copies of a “Cut blocking recognition poster” showing Jay Finch taking out a linebacker. Fans who observe such an occurrence are asked to scream.
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
10:17 pm
Discount DoubleDawg
November 20th, 2012
10:05 pm
5150 vs Put In Timeout- just a coincidence?
===================================
NO…………LOL…………………………..Discount DoubleDawg
November 20th, 2012
9:48 pm
Put in Timeout- so true…
There are things far more important than football and I know we are on a football blog but you are correct sir. I have disagreed with some things you have said in the past, but not on this topic. Thanks for contributing….
===================================
It is all good.
GB's Hamburgers
November 20th, 2012
10:18 pm
Tech’s cut blocking is aimed at the vulnerable knee area. It is illegal in the pros and should be on the college level as well. But we have to face it. The only positive is that when the linemen get cut a few times they get angry and step it their game a notch.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:18 pm
A source inside the Georgia Tech athlete nutrition section (who must remain anonymous because she is not authorized to speak) says that the pregame meal will be chop suey.
Jon
November 20th, 2012
10:26 pm
Goodness, gracious. You tech boys have pulled out some awfully corny jokes. A cheerio being a doughnut seed? That’s what you’re bringing to the table?
Paul in Nh
November 20th, 2012
10:28 pm
Cut blocking is illegal in the NFL? Someone should tell Roger Goodell
Paul in Nh
November 20th, 2012
10:31 pm
Delbert
Chop suey is just the appetizer – main course is pork chops with chopped lettuce for the side salad.
Jacket Detective
November 20th, 2012
10:33 pm
Is there some reason football and basketball teams do not get flu shots?
Tony
November 20th, 2012
10:38 pm
I am a hopeful Tech fan, but I am also a realistic Tech fan. Tech has put very little pressure on the Q-backs this season, i.e Miami’s Morris among other decent qbacks. You cannot give Murray five seconds per play or he will eat us up alive as he has done the last few years. He is too good to allow him time to pick you apart. If Tech can apply pressure on Murray and if they can take care of the ball, they might have a chance, otherwise it is going to be a long day! Good luck Jackets!
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:38 pm
Paul – !!
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2012
10:40 pm
Cut blocking in the NFL is legal. Some excerpts from an ESPN article. Read the original if you dare; it might make one faint. Some players hate it.
From ESPN the Magazine, “Knee-jerk Reaction” 11/15/2012
“To be clear, the NFL rulebook allows for almost every iteration of the cut block. A cut block occurs when an offensive player either dives at the knees or engages a defender and then drops to the ground. The only time the tactic is illegal is when a defender is not able to see the blocker. In that case, the block is called a peelback or crackback.”
“Since the 1980s, almost every NFL team has used the low block as a tactical part of its offense. Cutting began as a key ingredient in Bill Walsh’s West Coast scheme during the 49ers’ dynasty days. Mike Shanahan, a former 49ers offensive coordinator, took the technique with him to Denver, where he won two Super Bowls with Gary Kubiak — now the Texans coach — as his offensive coordinator. From there, the cut block has spread to about 80 percent of the NFL.”
“Most West Coast offenses wouldn’t work without it. Cut blocking allows outmatched or outnumbered linemen and especially running backs working in blitz pickup to slow down pass rushers. At the same time, it forces defenders to drop their hands in order to protect their knees. That opens up passing lanes for the quick, short strikes of the West Coast offense.
“This season, the nastiest legal play in football is also at the heart of the zone-blocking schemes that are fueling a mini-renaissance of the run game. Through Week 9, teams were running the ball only 26.8 times per game, the lowest ever in the league. On the other hand, NFL runners were averaging 4.25 yards per attempt, within striking distance of the record 4.29 ypa from last season. Four of the NFL’s top five rushers (through Week 9), including Houston’s Arian Foster, operate out of zone-blocking schemes.”
Ken Sugiura
November 20th, 2012
10:49 pm
glad you enjoyed it. post-practice notes are up. (probably not as funny, though)
Jorge O'leary
November 20th, 2012
10:56 pm
GB’s Hamburgers
November 20th, 2012
10:18 pm
Tech’s cut blocking is aimed at the vulnerable knee area. It is illegal in the pros and should be on the college level as well. But we have to face it. The only positive is that when the linemen get cut a few times they get angry and step it their game a notch.
Quit your complaining chump. Once you beat tech, Alabama is going to show you what a real strength and condition coach can do pillow biters!
Buzz 2011
November 20th, 2012
11:20 pm
Dawgs are going to love our ” high school offense” after they are ” again burned by
400 yards n the ground alone.. What an overrated joke the Dawg is.. Florida State should be ranked above the Athens kids. Our big game is Florida State and the ACC. Thuga is
only on the schedule…
Buzz 2011
November 20th, 2012
11:23 pm
What is 5150UOAD??///
5150 UOAD
November 21st, 2012
12:01 am
BUZZ 2011……………..you must be NEW…………….5150 is in many songs from country to rock…Van Halen had the title on their album…..Brittany Spears was on a 5150 after she shaved her head…..5150is the POLICE code for Crazy and mandates a 48 hour hold and a psych eval…..Pis./Urinate On A DWAG it is part of a TECH Cheer
Now for the PAIN in my heart this holiday Season.
MOM…………..can you hear me?
MOM. dad and I can’t find the Big Table Cloth for the Dinning room table.
Could you come to one of us in a Dream and show us where you HIDE/store all the linens for the Table when it has all the leaves in it? Dad and I would really appreciate it.
Sorry but i will not make the Center Peace as beautiful as you always did but i will try.
I decided to make everybody read one of the cards from your friends upon your passing. I think that will let us all know how Thankful we should be for having you i our lives.
Sorry Christmas will not be as beautiful this year as well. I am not sure I can put up all your Displays and still have the energy to take them down before February. We are trying to do what you would like but we never saw how much you really did and how you did it. Damn LADY, you did so much to make the holidays special for your family. I am sorry I knew really how much you did to make a house a home.
gt40pinhd
November 21st, 2012
12:42 am
5150 UOAD – thanks for reprinting the ben stein article. shows how far we have sunk….
drbasic1
November 21st, 2012
5:24 am
@5150
This “DAWG” says God Bless. Your mom sounds like mine, brought tears to my eyes, i am sincere.
RWRECK77
November 21st, 2012
7:29 am
Per CPJ………On Maryland’s departure to the Big Ten: “I think in the landscape of college sports now, that’s going to happen more than you know,…..”
Anyone else think that sounds cryptic or portending?
We smell like cabbage!
November 21st, 2012
7:41 am
Tech could maybe win if we were playing connect the dots on a middle eastern road map but Sat in Athens will be close but will not come out so well for the other team. Keep your pants on guys this is real stuff here and btw we are in public. Fish fry will bring the news paper.
St. Bernard
November 21st, 2012
7:41 am
Didn’t Tech have to forfeit that ACC championship?
Old Dog
November 21st, 2012
7:50 am
To Hell with Tek, today, tomorrow and every other day! Hey 14 gt…. Middle F&^%$*^ Tennessee State ring a bell?
TechApp fan
November 21st, 2012
8:24 am
Old dog …did I tell you the new one I heard the other day?
Tech fan…was it funny?
dog…Yeah
Tech…then you haven’t told me.
GT FAN IN PA
November 21st, 2012
8:38 am
@5150 I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving and I know how you feel. My Mom has been gone now for 7 years. I too want to thank you for posting what you did-
TechFanForever
November 21st, 2012
9:21 am
Ray Beno getting practice time at B Back. GT, instead of kicking extra point, will go for two with Beno playing B Back.
No facts on this. Just saying…
Birmingham Jacket
November 21st, 2012
9:33 am
I’m a GT grad, and I bleed White and Gold…
But anyone who thinks we a chance at in hell of even keeping the game close this Saturday is absolutely delusional.
The game Saturday will highlight how POSITIVELY PITIFUL the ACC is. And that’s already obvious, by the fact that year’s team made it play in league championship.
UGA 54 Tech 17
And as Jacket fans going forward, we need to pray that by some miracle we are able to follow UMD to a real football conference like The Big 10, and get the hell out of the ACC!
William Casey
November 21st, 2012
9:37 am
Thanks, Ken, for a great read to go along with my first coffee. The comments were even reasonable prior to lapsing into irrelevency. The cold, hard fact of the matter is that UGA is 14 points better than the Jackets and that’s the number of points I took for my real money bet. For GT to win, a number of things have to happen. Most importantly, somebody must get a monster hit on Murray early on. Otherwise, he’ll pick us apart. The Jackets need to return a tipped pass for a TD. Golden needs to return a kick for a TD. Vad Lee needs to hit Robert Godhigh for a long TD. GT needs one “death march” TD per half. Chris Tanner needs to hit a 35 yard FG. GT 38 UGA 35. Are ALL these events LIKELY to happen? No. Are they out of the realm of possibility? Also, no. Sometimes, a team that is “left for dead,” recovers and rights itself. Given the opportunity, it plays “out of its collective head” and turns a bitter season into a great one. That’s why they play the games.
Birmingham Jacket
November 21st, 2012
9:37 am
Another thing that I find quite disburbing, is the departure of our AD right before UMD bailed.
I’m wondering if he had inside knowledge of, or just a gut feeling of the ACC’s impending doom.