Down on Al Groh? They fear him at North Carolina
Georgia Tech's defense fizzled last week but Al Groh had a lot of success against North Carolina when he coached Virginia. (AP photo)
The “Q Score” for defensive coordinator Al Groh might not be particularly high among the Georgia Tech fan base following last week’s 28-25 loss at Kansas. But here’s some news: They’re fearing Groh up in Chapel Hill.
North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates, who threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ opening game against LSU, was smothered by Groh’s defense in a 16-3 home loss to Virginia last season (20 for 36, 135 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions).
Yates told the Raleigh News & Observer that the game was an “all-around nightmare.”
In a story under the headline, “Heels: Oh no, it’s Groh,” Yates was quoted as saying: “We couldn’t pass the ball, we couldn’t run the ball, we couldn’t protect. It was bad all over.”
Groh went 7-2 against North Carolina in his nine seasons at Virginia. He was 3-0 against current coach Butch Davis. According to the News & Observer, under Davis and offensive coordinator John Shoop, North Carolina averaged 12 points and 88 yards rushing yards against Virginia, but 25.2 points and 118 yards against other opponents
Quoting Shoop: “Coach Groh is a fantastic coach, and one of the things he does best is create some chaos. We have to identify what they are giving us early.”
Quoting Heels tight end Zach Pianalto: “It’s a totally different animal. It changes everything, from protection schemes, running plays, and it can really mess you up.”
The Jawhawks didn’t look too “messed up” in Lawrence. I would imagine the Tar Heels have been studying that game tape.
So do you think Groh and Tech’s defense bounce back this week?
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179 comments Add your comment
Hankie Aron
September 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
I think they do but not sure that GT wins the game.
Not Disappointed
September 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
God, I hope so!
FalconUGAFan
September 17th, 2010
12:56 pm
The coaches at GT are too proud to let this type of play last too long. GT boys gain some respect back this week.
Ace
September 17th, 2010
1:01 pm
I think Tech bounces back. PJ is too good of a coach, he’ll outscore them if nothing else. Should win time of possession, and rest Groh’s defense. NC’s offense isn’t potent.
Jethro Bodeen
September 17th, 2010
1:04 pm
Is that a picture of Captain Kangeroo? Looks like he could use a bottle of Geritol! Bugtussle wouldn’t fear Al Gore!
Wreckem
September 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
I don’t think the problem is the 3-4 defense. More times than not the defensive is in position to make tackles, just wrapping up is the problem. I think we can bounch back if we play with some urgency and the will to knock some heads off. Get nasty out there defensive.
gtforever
September 17th, 2010
1:15 pm
Worst defense I have seen in 20 years at GT….. Pitiful, just pitiful! The offense is not much better, Nesbit has missed about 20 to 30 percent of his reads, he needs to learn how to pitch the ball and let his backs do the work…. Just sayin, it’s going to be a long year for the Jackets. The only positive is that we play in the ACC where the competition is subpar at best!
Brian22
September 17th, 2010
1:16 pm
It’s only the “sky is falling” message board idiots that don’t “like” Groh. The ones who realize that one game doesn’t make a career, are giving Coach Groh a long leash.
CaptainLecture
September 17th, 2010
1:19 pm
Groh is the best D coach we’ve had in 10 years. Anyone who says otherwise is the typical Tech pessimist or jealous UGA drones.
Brad in Jasper
September 17th, 2010
1:20 pm
CPJ will not settle for mediocrity, and will make sure things improve soon, otherwise Groh won’t be around long. (coming from a UGA fan)
Hayseed Dixie
September 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
Shooooot.
I suppose with Tech’s increased profile, we’ll have to deal with bandwagon fans. I’m just not that used to them here at Tech, so when I read your headline Jeff, I got a little ill.
Groh’s a lifer and there were many positives at Kansas, like the sacks. Guys don’t stay in the coaching game for that long unless they can overcome adversity.
I predict they’ll be blitzing like the wermacht before it’s all over. Yes, they show up hungry and angry, and bounce back.
Dawgtards ruin this state
September 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
thUGA’s going to lose to the HOGS
AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
Jeff: Most real GT fans have not turned on Groh yet. Most are reasonable and know he needs some time to get his system clicking and the right players to make the system work.
Go Jackets!!
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
gt with cpj doesnt lose 2 in a row tech wins 35-17
11-0-1 1990 National Champs
September 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
We start defending the ACC title this weekend, so this would be a great time for this defense to show up. Passing game, special team play needed this week also.
Go Jackets!
Hayseed Dixie
September 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
BTW, your “four touchdowns without the aid of hallucinogens” comment was funny.
I wonder if any of the Jackets are chemistry majors.
“Operation Dock Ellis is a FAILURE”.
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
one thing i dont understand is why coach pj doesnt have gt throw shorter passes then throw it down field so much when the reciever is covered
CaptainLecture
September 17th, 2010
1:27 pm
As a non-typical GT fan, GT fans give their team the WORST support. GT fans should be nicknamed “Postal Chicken Little.” It’s pretty obvious lots of GT fans have never played a team sport.
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:27 pm
and do maybe a few option trick plays
Ted Striker
September 17th, 2010
1:28 pm
I didn’t know Tech had a game this week.
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
when gt executes it cant be stopped
GTJef
September 17th, 2010
1:31 pm
Captain Lecture, Tenuta & Roof are better than Groh. I get sick of A-holes that are content with mediocrity & losing bowls accusing anyone who says anything bad about his holiness CPJ & his staff as “not being true fans”. I for one love Tech & expect better things than embarrassment by OOC schools not named Vanderbilt & Miss St.
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:31 pm
go gt
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
gt jeff coaches coach and players play coached cant make playes execute
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
i dont understand is why coach pj doesnt have gt throw shorter passes then throw it down field so much when the reciever is covered
joey gt
September 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
and the recievers drop so many passes
gtforever
September 17th, 2010
1:38 pm
CaptainLecture
I have been a GT fan since my matriculation there, and I will continue to be a GT fan till I die! One thing I will not do, is to make these coaches unaccountable for their success or failure on the field! This coach has had plenty of time to COACH! His debut was less than stellar, being pushed around by a small d2 team was unacceptable! I was there, and I could see the lack of passionate play that allowed SCS to rack up all the yardage. Kansas, a average to bad team at best dominates our defense, and again, a very unmotivated defense is pushed around at will! I’m tired of all the excuses, we may not have the best football players on this team, but we better DAMN well have them motivated to play each and every week! Period. I don’t care if we win or lose at this point, if the HEART is right things will usually work out for the best. I’m with this team win or lose, but I will not support a coach or coaches who don’t push their players to be the best.
North Carolina Blues
September 17th, 2010
1:41 pm
Georgia Tech can not lose during the
Jeff Schultz National Bounce Back Week.
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Go Jackets !
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meller
September 17th, 2010
1:42 pm
the coming beat down of NC saturday by 30 will start a run that will see the jackets run the table in the ACC write it down. book your tickets for the champ game tech will be there
Groh Rocks
September 17th, 2010
1:44 pm
Why do you think GT fans have turned on Groh, Jeff? That makes no sense.
gt45
September 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
I’m not hearing any negative talk on Groh. Everyone understands the growing pains.
GT Fan
September 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
It starts with the head coach ??? maybe we need a new coach
Jan Kemps's Advisor
September 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
As a life long GT fan, I cannot believe the negativity about Paul Johnson, Al Groh and Joshua Nesbitt. Come on guy’s, Groh has had 2 weeks. Nesbitt has had a half dozen balls dropped. Paul Johnson is our best coach since Bobby Dodd. Quit whining, growing pains are real. We looked bad in our first 3 games last year. Take away a late hit or a roughing the punter or a lousy punt or a bad snap from an ALL/ACC center and we are 2-0,even if we did play bad and this ridicolus crying and doubying our scheme and our DC would not be happening. These coaches and kid’s work hard, let’s get behind them!
GT Fan
September 17th, 2010
2:00 pm
What about the lost to Georgia last year.
bob
September 17th, 2010
2:07 pm
If it was that easy to turn around, then you wouldn’t need to recruit. It will take a couple of years to turn around the awful recruits that have joined Tech since Galey left. See how many of his players are going pro compared to the latest products.
black bee
September 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
It is simple, you have to recruit better football players. Tech sorely needs a guy who can close with recruits.
That NFL ring IS the deal, so show it
September 17th, 2010
2:11 pm
How is the NFL experience and the fabulous D work coming along for you, GT?
How is all of that Groh experience working out for you?
GT loses on Saturday to a depleted and emotionally WHUPPED NC team ……….booo birds will fly.
The game is the most important game played so far in CPJ’s era ………..his detractors said that the triple option is ok if teams do not have atheletes that can run. The entire ACC has gone out and brought in kids like that …………NC wins and the GT wheels fall off ………..like with UGA.
I say four years and out if history is any guide, pertaining to GT’s football coaches since Bobby Dudd bolted after Dooley ran him off in 1967. GT coaches come and go about every 3.5 years and CPJ is in his third season ………..not good.
NC is a broken and depleted squad and LSU was thinking abut post game gumbo before the kick off.
GT need a 38-12 thang or a 45-17 thang. AL Groh SHOULD BE the difference. Right??? Recruits will be watching too.
U Got Arrested
September 17th, 2010
2:12 pm
Go Duke!
And tech signed who?
September 17th, 2010
2:13 pm
Sadly he probably had more talent at Virginia.
layinlow
September 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
Surely to god Tech can win with UNC missing 7 starters on defense alone. That should be the main story line going into this game. If Tech loses this game it is going to be a looong season!! Tech shouldn’t feel some incredible sense of accomplishment for beating a depleted team. If they have any chance this year, even in the weak ACC, this game should be a foregone conclusion.
Paul in RDU
September 17th, 2010
2:16 pm
Tenuta a better coach than Groh? Puhlease. Ask the ND fans what they think about “Mr Blitz” Tenuta. Anyone remember all of the big plays where the opposing QB burned GT’s pass defense – Matt Ryan ring a bell. Last night NC State gave up 2 big pass touchdowns that should have been easily defended – the TE running right down the middle on a cover 2 and no LB in sight
Jon Tenuta is one of the most overrated defensive coordinators to ever put on a headset
Gtkenz
September 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
Tech will be fine. No worries. But we need to improve recruiting. I’m seeing some holes as the Gailey recruits leave and the CPJ recruits start getting more PT. Clearly CPJ is a better coach than Chan, but I’m a little worried about his recruiting abilities.
Bottom line, Groh needs players, and it’s CPJ’s responsibility to get him players. Don’t forget, Groh and UVA pretty much had their way with Tech until last year, both home and away.
db
September 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
Jeffrey – Are you just trying to stir the turd? GT loves Groh and CPJ as well.
GO Jackets!
techengineer
September 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
I’ll add to the negativity and doubt. I think GT is a very very average at best team this year. The D was in place last week every play. They just didn’t want to make the tackles which is the definition of lack of leadership. The offense will not be near as explosive this year simply because they have absolutely 0 passing threat. Last year they had one. Furthermore Nesbitt may be big and strong but he’s not quick, not smooth, and not the best decision maker. I’ll take NC all day. Then NC State next week.
TechLegacy
September 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
I think it’s mostly about personnel, and I believe Tech’s talent level has dropped significantly on defense over the past two seasons. The new scheme only makes things more confusing at the moment. Although I would expect Tech to get better, I don’t think you’re going to see the same results Saturday by the defense that Virginia had. People may have disliked Gailey but he recruited well. The pantry wasn’t bare when Johnson got to tech. I think Johnson still has to prove that he can recruit.
GTBob
September 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
Some Tech fans are already turning on Groh? Because of two games in a completely new defensive system? He deserves a little more time then that to get things going. We weren’t great against Kansas on defense but you could see signs of things coming together at times.
fan of Tech football
September 17th, 2010
2:25 pm
Bee patient. The 3-4 just needs to grow a little….
Against UNC: advantage Coach Al.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 17th, 2010
2:25 pm
I didn’t see the game but on the highlight reel it appeared that the Kansas QB was pretty quick and shifty. Same thing with UGA and SC, it wasn’t that our players were out of position, it was the fact that the Lattimore kid could break the tackles. SOme players just have that ability. Denard Robinson at Michigan, makes people miss. Maybe the UNC guys won’t be able to break the tackles.
SOME uga fans are just delusional
September 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
GTBob
those aren’t really Tech fans. They are lowlife cowards who tuck-tail and run at the slightest hint of adversity.
To hell with them; we don’t need them
juvenal
September 17th, 2010
2:28 pm
need 300#+ NT’s…might help passing if some touch was used….