Nesbitt must be better for Tech to be player in ACC
As Josh Nesbitt signaled, Georgia Tech won on a late field goal Thursday night. But the quarterback's performance was rocky. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
Let’s start with the positive: Georgia Tech defeated Clemson, 30-27, Thursday night actually because of — not in spite of — the play of quarterback Josh Nesbitt. Consider:
♦ On the Jackets’ next to last possession, it was Nesbitt who had seven carries for 44 yards and completed a third-down, 24-yard pass to Anthony Allen to drive the offense to the game-tying field goal.
♦ On the team’s final possession, it was Nesbitt who completed a third-down, 39-yard pass Demaryius Thomas to the Clemson 27, highlighting a seven-play drive in 1:55 that led to the game-winning field goal by Scott Blair with 57 seconds left.
But when Nesbitt and the Tech coaches watch tape from the Clemson game, they’re going to see several misfires. Overthrows, underthrows. Too far left, too far right. They’re going to see an offense that clearly knows how to run the option but suffers dearly when it has to put the ball in the air.
They’re going to see an offense that would not have had to frantically rally for a win late in the fourth quarter to win if Nesbitt had been better.
Before completing two of three passes for 63 yards in the Jackets’ final two possessions, Nesbitt was one for 11 with two interceptions and 20 yards. He was outperformed at the position by Blair (who threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Thomas on a fake field goal on his only attempt). The problems started early. On the Jackets’ first play from scrimmage, Johnson called for a deep pass. It caught the Clemson defense by complete surprise. Nesbitt had a receiver open but threw behind him. Had he been on target, it was a touchdown.
Because expectations are higher and objectives grander now at Tech, the question has to be asked: Is Nesbitt good enough to get them there?
The good news for the Jackets is he runs the option offense extremely well: His fake handoff to Jonathan Dwyer and a last-second pitch to Allen after drawing in the defense was performed perfectly, enabling Allen’s 82-yard touchdown.
But if the Jackets are serious about contending for the ACC title this season, Nesbitt has to be better. Backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw suffered a broken collarbone last month in practice and may be not be back this season (he might be redshirted). It’s up to Nesbitt.
So what are your thoughts on the subject? Are you comfortable with Nesbitt leading the way?
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330 comments Add your comment
East Cobb Hokie
September 11th, 2009
10:50 am
The real questiosn are:
1. What shape is Josh in? Can he endure teh grind of a season with all the contact he will get?
2. Need some X and o analysis of Clemson’s 2nd half D adjustments. Therein lays the real answer to the question.
45-42
September 11th, 2009
10:52 am
oh yeah, nesbitt is the man, just needs to keep working on the passing, he looked nervous last night. whoooo what a game
GTLoyal
September 11th, 2009
10:57 am
Nesbitt is the unquestioned #1. The backups are getting better, but they are backups for a reason. Go Jackets!
Mark Richt
September 11th, 2009
10:57 am
Uhmmmm, Ok guys, we have some film to study now on Ga Tech for the next 3 months. So, with our great coaching minds I am sure we will be able to out gameplan the Yellow Jackets once again.
Anybody have any ideas on outsmarting Spurrier? If so, speak up now please.
Ima Jacket
September 11th, 2009
10:57 am
No way I’m comfortable with Nesbitt….3-14 for a whopping 84 yards and 2 INTs. Completed about %21 of his passes. He sucks. When your kicker has the only TD pass in a game we’re in trouble. If we hadn’t of had that holding call we would have lost that game. Clemson’s DL pretty much figured out the option in the second half, so other teams with good DLs are going to be watering at the mouth watching this tape. This was just enough to get us by Clemson, but we’ll not beat VT and a few others on the schedule unless Nesbitt figures out the forward pass.
Not Disappointed!
September 11th, 2009
10:57 am
Jeff, I agree with you in part. I just don’t believe Roddy Jones drop a short pass that was end zone bound. Nesbitt has a rough night. Maybe this was our Gardner Webb of 2009.
Coach Johnson had a few plays that we didn’t execute. I was there on the 35. I know a win is a win, so it could be worse.
Ramblin Headache moring after wReCk!
P
September 11th, 2009
11:00 am
No doubt Nesbitt is a key and I think he was a key to the victory. Yes he had a bad game in spots but I think overall he will have a good year.
I think it was the type of pass plays Johnson called. Too many too far down field, not enough short stuff (like the pass to Allen)
Clemson did seem to adjust their defense but Johnson seemed to re-adjust the offense in the 4th quarter to get the yards needed to win.
@DanWeiner
September 11th, 2009
11:06 am
I disagree Jeff. I don’t think this offense knows how to run the option just yet. There are going to be big plays when they do things right and the defense doesn’t as exemplified by Allen’s TD run. Tech can’t survive on the big plays though. Nesbitt is still a work in progress when it comes to making the correct reads with the option. They need to be better passing, unquestionably. They still are going to need the run to set up the pass and they have to be more consistent on the ground than they were at times last night.
Buckheadboy
September 11th, 2009
11:09 am
I’m not comfortable with only Nesbitt at QB. We need Jaybo back ASAP. The system works better with both Nesbitt and Jaybo working the system. The Jackets totally lost their intensity last night and nearly lost the game because of it. It was a ragged win at best.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:09 am
He was there when he was needed. ‘Ima Jacket’, you are a gutless dawg fan. Your comments are stupid. Go back to the dawg pound where you belong. The Jackets will be fine JS. Last night I say some fatigue in JN play and he was throwing off his back foot early on. That will be corrected. These same bloggers who were predicting a a$$ whooping from Clemson last week have now shifted on the side of Miami. Idiots all.
quaildawg
September 11th, 2009
11:09 am
Tech knows how to run the option…agreed but save for poor decision by Clemson kicker and trick play call by CPJ Techs offensive output was 1 TD and 3 FG’s. Not exactly stellar stats!!!
Given the exposure of Tech’s D (which dates back to the last two games of 08 and last nights game) which has averaged allowing 35+ points per game (throw out the scrimmage w/ the HS team last week) and graduating their three best d-linemen and I see where there should be immense concern for down the raod for this team. CPJ came real close to being outcoached by Dabo Sweeny!!! w/ a Freshman QB no less…AT HOME!!!! Tech fans be damn glad you play in the ACC!!!!!!
canes1
September 11th, 2009
11:11 am
Next weeks game may not be as difficult for UM if GT plays like they did in the 2nd and 3rd quarters last night. Takeaway the first half of the 1st quarter and GT actually looked pretty average. Further, GT’s qb is not very good at making throws right now, and if Miami slows down that great running game, they will win this game. Either way, good to see GT continues be a top team in the ACC.
Not Disappointed!
September 11th, 2009
11:11 am
“P” you are correct. Nesbitt gave us fits, but in the end planted his feet and threw a perfect strike. The Defense got better in the last quarter as well.
Kyle Parker will be a good quarter back of the next few years. He looks like pro material. Nothing against my brothers dawgs, but Kyle being quarterback for the pups would’ve beat Oklahoma State. He has a nice arm and will get better.
Head still ache Go Jackets!
DawgMan
September 11th, 2009
11:14 am
Tech has some holes on offense and defense—they will have a rough time against good teams. Clemson is not that good. I’m looking at an easy Georgia win over Tech in November!!!
north avenue dude
September 11th, 2009
11:14 am
We got lucky.
CU’s D-line was pushing our O-line around pretty good. Even on pass plays, GT O-line couldnt block and Nesbitt was having to try and throw on the run.
Its concerning that really throughout the game the offense struggled. Some mistakes made by the offense on execution, but CU’s got some horses up front. We were getting manhandled in the trenches.
Give it CU O-Line, blocked very well, and was nothing short of a brick wall in pass protection in 2nd half. CU QB had plenty of time to throw.
Even tough CU QB is a freshman, he’s a real gamer. Excellent passer.
Only one CU INT was on him. The other INT bounced off WR’s hands in to defender’s hands.
We better get a lot better in the trenches.
I think we’ll be OK vs Miami. But make no mistake. UNC is as good or better than CU on both sides of the ball, and Butch Davis is a better HC than Dabo.
Ray Rackley
September 11th, 2009
11:16 am
Josh is the man! He’s got the option down and as he has more opportunities to throw, I believe that he will get better. He’s not throwing little short passes to make the numbers look good. When he throws, its to take the life out of the defense! Are those really high percentage passes? The one or two that do connect are for big gains or 6 points. Its not like he throws the ball 40 times in a game! Give the man some credit. If those last two drives aren’t confidence builders, I don’t know what else could be. This QB will lead, drag, run. and pass this team to victory. We use to have a QB that wouldn’t hardly throw a pass to Calvin Johnson and we have something to worry about in Josh Nesbit? I don’t think so! Its a learning curve and he’s already proved that he can pass one of those at high speed,ie, last year’s option. Josh Nesbit is the man!
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:17 am
Great insight quaildawg, spoken like a true leg humper. You don’t take any plays from a game, that is why they play four quarters. The past is the past, what could of or should of does not matter now. The Clemson game is in the books as a W. UGA had better be glad they don’t play in the big 12, it really would be bad. All you dawgs can do spout just how tough the SEC has become. Well to bad UGA is not an elite team in that conference. It will be a long time before you guys even sniff the SEC championship game and Ala, Tenn, LSU and Fla will NC long before you get close.
Tech Fan Since 1950
September 11th, 2009
11:18 am
Josh is tough and runs the option to perfection. I really do not know how he holds onto the ball so well in such tight quarters doing hand-offs and fake hand-offs while getting pounded. In Tech’s offense he is in close combat constantly and that has to take a toll. I truly believe he is a better than average passer, but obviously he has not shown it yet. There are times when I think fatigue sets in. It is more than being in shape, because the Tech guys are in shape. Just a wild theory that maybe should be explored, but Josh wears the heavy duty face guards. I wonder if moisture, perspiration or light glare might cause any problems with judgement on passes? I do not think I see most quarterbacks wearing this type of gear, but maybe I’m wrong. Josh is a keeper and he’ll get better as the season wears on. Hurricane Josh will be approaching Miami next Thursday night.
AtlantaNative62
September 11th, 2009
11:19 am
Tech’s entire offense – especially Nesbitt and Dwyer – looked VERY tired in the third and fourth quarters. Given they didn’t really play much of the first half, the offense’s conditioning (or lack thereof) could be a major concern. What was strange about Nesbitt is that he seemed to get LESS comfortable as the game wore on.
Nativebird
September 11th, 2009
11:20 am
As a Tech fan, I must ask, How many games must he prove he simply hasn’t the mental or throwing ability to take this team to the next level? This is not even a question, with Nesbit, this team doesn’t win anything but a middle-of-the-pack season.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:20 am
“canes1″, you can’t take away the first quarter. By rule it had to be played. You people are full of this would of could of crap. The game is 60 minutes long. Clemson did not play for 60 minutes and they lost.
Bob Bodafuco
September 11th, 2009
11:23 am
I think I could pass better blindfolded.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:23 am
Nativebird; with those comments my friend, YOU ARE NOT A TECH FAN.
Nesbitt's QB rating vs. Clemson
September 11th, 2009
11:24 am
NCAA: 42.7
NFL: 12.2
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:24 am
Bob B, you joke, right. Only in your dreams.
LOL@ QUAILDAWG
September 11th, 2009
11:25 am
Hey, sport. You probably need to be worrying about visor boy and how Joe “Tiny” Cox is going to crap the bed this weekend.
Also, can I get some fries with that?
collegeballfan
September 11th, 2009
11:25 am
Nesbitt is the QB by default. And he seems to have a mental problem with passing. He has a real good arm. He just does not throw the ball soon enough, holds it an extra 1/2 second.
I agree with most of you, the CU QB Parker really looks good.
And speaking of QBs, the MIami QB looked really good. We need to get 41 & 91 on the field at DE from the start. Next Thursday should be another nailbiter.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:28 am
DawgMan; Easy win in November. With what I have seen of the doggies I don’t think I would be predicting in that manner. Oh, sorry I forget you leg humpers are always thinking in the past.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:30 am
TO: Nesbitt’s QB rating vs. Clemson
Tech – 30
Clemson – 27
QB ratings were not part of the final score.
MoDawg
September 11th, 2009
11:31 am
I voice my opinion, both in good times and bad, so I wanted to congratulate Tech on the win last night. Clemson showed a lot of heart in coming back like they did, but Tech willed themselves to a victory and even caught a break on that holding call that was one of the worst calls I have ever seen. No way the ref should “ass”ume the guy was thrown to the ground. He didn’t have the right angle to make that call.
Anyway, a win, especially a conference win is great, so congratulations! I was definitely pulling for the Tigers, but it was a good game, nonetheless.
Robert Phillipps
September 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Josh Nesbitt is our only option right now at quarterback. I think he can lead us to a successful season, but Tech is probably a bit overrated (to be in the top 15). The problem is his inconsistency. Last week, he threw the ball very well but his backs/receivers dropped several passes. This week, he only made a couple of good throws and a number of very bad ones. Keep working on the passing game!
canes1
September 11th, 2009
11:33 am
Arizona Tech Man – I totally agree, they were very impressive in that first quarter. Just saying you can’t rely on that every game. Face it, they were average outside of that and if you read posts from other Tech fans, they are stating the same thing. I’m not trying to ’stir up the pot’, only saying that UM is better than Clemson, and a repeat performance of last night would only benefit UM.
Not Disappointed!
September 11th, 2009
11:34 am
I will fly down for the canes game. “Canes1″ I really think you will see a different team. Jackets are a working progress, but being 2-0 is better than 1-1. It was an ugly win, but I was glad to be there for the win.
Clemson is going to beat a few teams this year. They played a great 3rd quarter, but couldn’t finish! (Thank God!) Paul Johnson was funny looking at Blair as he walked on the field. Blair wasn’t nervous, but we were! Oy!
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:35 am
MoDawg; you had me until the reference to Refs. Thought there was a dawg with class in the crowd but alas, NOT. If you watched the entire game, What did you think about the phantom hit out of bounds by MB, Clemson scored on the drive. Oh and the hold against Tech after they had made a first down. That one was really bad, but we over came and won the game. The refs did not decide this game, it was the players on the field.
MyGoodness
September 11th, 2009
11:36 am
Ima Jacket…
You are delusional right!? In an asylum and they gave you a few minutes in the computer lab??? Fact is Nesbitt is by far the best QB on Tech’s roster. He passed the ball just fine in the Jax.St. game – indeed it was the receivers that dropped everything then. I did not see you on here calling for Allen to be replaced! Or Thomas! But for whatever reason…last night was the worst start of Nesbitt’s career at Tech. He slipped about four times while attempting to run the option and through mostly terrible passes throughout the night. Jones easily should have caught one that would have given Tech a first down but bobbled it about three times before dropping it. But most of the passing mistakes were Nesbitt’s. Note he also managed to lead us to two FG’s when the game was on the line.
jeff
September 11th, 2009
11:36 am
Josh Nesbitt has proven time and again that he is not a drop back passer, but he can punish a defense if he is running the option and then throwing when the defense is defending the option. What happened last night? Looked to me as though the play-calling got pass happy coming out of the huddle, and that’s not Josh’s game. Tech needs to keep with the game plan – they have the horses to do so.
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:37 am
canes1, what makes you think Miami is better than Clemson? I don’t see the logic.
HelluvaEngineer
September 11th, 2009
11:37 am
They’ll be fine… I’m more worried about their defense putting Nesbitt in that position to begin with. CPJ makes adjustments as good as any coach, and I have no reason to believe he will work around Josh’s game. But they cannot surrender 27 points ever week.
canes1
September 11th, 2009
11:37 am
‘Not Disappointed’ you’re definitely right. Good teams will win ugly sometimes. Have fun at the game.
quaildawg
September 11th, 2009
11:40 am
AZ you have proven my point…I’m sure CPJ is not taking your “shove my head in the sand” approach to the reality that Tech’s D is average at best and that they were very fortunate to have built a lead off of an inferior Coached Clemson team. Time will prove my point unless something changes with D approach. I am impressed with Burnett and Morgan but other than those two the rest of Tech’s D is not exactly intimidating. Pass coverage is very sporadic and has been. Truth hurts but take of the single vision Triple Option glasses and face the reality that without better D play 8-4 7-5 could be the fate. (excuse me I almost forgot ACC 9-3)
Help!
September 11th, 2009
11:41 am
Why ain’t #37 deep on kickoffs?
News Flash#1 – #37 has two punt returns for TDs in as many games.
News Flash#2 – Our kickoff return team did not sniff the 25 yard line last night
Ted Striker
September 11th, 2009
11:42 am
Paul Johnson is crazy if he doesn’t pull Nesbitt and give Logan Gray or Aaron Murray a chance.
(Yeah, makes about as much sense here as it does on the UGA blogs)
Arizona Tech Man
September 11th, 2009
11:44 am
Hey MyGoodness, there is no reasoning with Ima Jacket. That name does not really relate to Tech fan, he is referring to the straight jacket they keep him in during the day.
kirk
September 11th, 2009
11:45 am
with pj trying to make nesbitt into a passer, he has abandoned the offense that got him where he is. tech loses 5 or more.
kirk
September 11th, 2009
11:45 am
with pj trying to make nesbitt into a passer, he has abandoned the offense that got him where he is. tech loses 5 or more.
jacketbacker
September 11th, 2009
11:45 am
he has the potential but has to be more consistent….don’t forget, he was not recruited for this type of offense…..bottom line, we take the W and move on….hopefully, he plays better against the U…..
Go Jackets and THWG!!!!!
ED's Eagle
September 11th, 2009
11:48 am
Nesbitt has got to complete passes in order to open up the run. It’s that simple. I would have him on the field right now throwing his arm off. Tech would have destroyed Clemson if he had completed half his attempts.
John Heisman
September 11th, 2009
11:51 am
You can forget Dwyer. He’s looking very pedestrian this season.
QuailPup
September 11th, 2009
11:52 am
Quail Dog, You are the worst quail hunter in Georgia. Quail hunters everywhere despise you. You are lucky that I don’t come down there and give you a A$$ Whoopin.
John Heisman
September 11th, 2009
11:54 am
Arizona Tech Man you don’t see the logic because of your room temperature IQ. Good luck getting through the rest of your life with your unique logic and analytical skills. Football wise it might help you to check out a book called ‘Football for Dummies’. You need it.