Georgia Tech drilled, problems start with Al Groh’s defense
Common scene: UGA (Chris Conley) scoring, Tech (Rod Sweeting) watching. (Brant Sanderlin)
When a team looks flat, lost and beat up and loses 31-17 to its chief rival — and it really wasn’t even that close — generally no player or area is immune to criticism.
Physically, Georgia Tech got hammered Saturday by Georgia. There were mental lapses. Emotionally, the Jackets seemed to lack a pulse on their home field against the only opponent that usually defines their season — which probably is the greatest indictment of all, considering the 364 days of buildup on a campus where the rallying cry is, “To hell with Georgia.”
“You have to play with everything you have. We didn’t,” linebacker Steven Sylvester said.
How does that happen? Were they saving it for the Sun Bowl?
But Tech’s biggest problem Saturday against Georgia was no different than what its biggest problem has been for four years under coach Paul Johnson. Their defense stinks. They can’t stop anybody or intimidate anybody. Two many games come down to pinball games.
Bad defense got Dave Wommack fired after two seasons. Bad defense under Al Groh should leave his future uncertain at the end of a two-year contract. Groh hasn’t said definitively that he wants to come back, but the question Johnson needs to ask himself is: Do I want him back?
This is no minor issue. Johnson has won 34 games in four seasons. The Jackets’ 8-4 record this season going into their bowl finale certainly is not worse than most projected at the outset of this season, and it’s probably better. But when you have a defense that ranks 43rd in yardage, 56th in points allowed and 89th in third-down conversion, you’re not going anywhere.
Georgia is good, very good. The Dogs have better players and are as hot as any team in the country, save LSU (next week’s opponent in the SEC championship). But when the Bulldogs accumulated 254 yards on their first four possessions, this game was over. Georgia didn’t even punt until its sixth possession. By then, it was 24-10.
Johnson’s view of his defense’s inability to stop the Dogs: “It’s deflating. I think it deflates the whole team.”
The option offense isn’t built to play from behind. Neither is quarterback Tevin Washington. When the Jackets tried to open it up, Washington was intercepted twice on Tech’s first three possessions in the second half.
But remember where the problems started.
Georgia’s superiority on the field shouldn’t discount that Groh’s 3-4 defense got worse late in the season and has failed in the big picture. Tech is no better off on defense today than it was when they fired the last guy. Nationally, under Wommack the Jackets finished 28th (2008) and 54th (2009) in total defense. They were 64th in Groh’s first season and went into this week 43rd. Scoring defense in the past four seasons: 20th and 38th, respectively, under Wommack; 37th and 56th (entering the week) under Groh.
Progress?
Johnson is an offensive-oriented coach. When he goes consecutive series without a touchdown, he goes postal, but even he recognizes the importance of having some semblance of a defense, or he wouldn’t have made a change two years ago.
Groh wasn’t made available for comment Saturday. Just as well. He might need some time to figure out how to spin this one. There was an expected transition period with the switch to the 3-4 defense last year, but it’s not any better now. The Jackets still don’t have the players to play it, particularly up front.
Young teams should get better as the year goes on. But Tech has back-slid since a 31-17 upset of Clemson, with mediocre defensive performances against Virginia Tech, Duke and Georgia.
Sylvester on the difference since the Clemson game: “I think it’s just playing with emotion. If you turn on the film of the Clemson game you can see how emotional we were. I feel like we came out flat the last couple of games. We didn’t have as much energy as we should have, and our attention to detail wasn’t [good enough].”
Players should be able to get up for its rival, but that’s also on coaches for not having them prepared. Johnson and Groh share that responsibility.
But the head coach isn’t going anywhere. Groh, we’re not so sure. And when Tech fails, it’s usually not because of the offense.
By Jeff Schultz
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632 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
5150 — What’s wrong with you? Looking to get banned again?
GTBob
November 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
The ACC only has one team that isn’t a joke
Well, that is one more then the SEC east. Not too bad.
Greg
November 26th, 2011
6:37 pm
Looks like Coach Johnson had the WalMart greeter draw up his game plan.
GTBob
November 26th, 2011
6:37 pm
Looks like Coach Johnson had the WalMart greeter draw up his game plan.
Nah, there are no UGA grads on staff.
Neutral
November 26th, 2011
6:38 pm
5150TOAD is hiding over at KSU!!!! He had so much fun bashing the DAWG’s defense, academics, etc…….and now he is eating turkey (leftovers). P.S. He still hasn’t answered my inquiry regarding how GT has the highest SATs and the lowest grad rate. Hmmmmmmm
sarfdawg
November 26th, 2011
6:39 pm
Sorry, Jeff. Hate to get personal on the boards, but that jerk (5150) has been insulting Georgia people for over a year. Had to snap eventually.
Make him go away!!
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:39 pm
Dap01 — Thanks.
Sam
November 26th, 2011
6:40 pm
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team. Wants to go to Georgia Tech. Promises to vever miss a single extra point or field goal attempt for the next four years!
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
6:40 pm
Schultz – Pretty ignorant to hang the entire loss on Yech’s D… that offense is a one-dimensional joke. And that one dimension can’t stand up to a stout D like UGA. And Moobs should take plenty of blame for the D also… he’s focused the entire program on his simplistic offensive system to the detriment of the entire team. I hope they keep him for life… I can live with losing to the Nerds 9% of the time.
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:40 pm
UGA75 — Heard that from where? (And no.)
gabugman
November 26th, 2011
6:41 pm
Congrats to CMR and staff, they have decidedly resurfaced in the year of doubting…
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:43 pm
Dawg ‘85 — So I’m ignorant? … The offense has been one-dimensional for four years. The offense got them to an Orange Bowl. I’m not saying I’m a fan of the offense — I’m not. It has obvious shortcomings, the most obvious being that it’s difficult to play from behind. But the story was the Tech defense because it put the offense in a hole. Dogs couldn’t be stopped when the game really was on the line.
Dawg1
November 26th, 2011
6:44 pm
From 20-6 to 26-13 to 34-21 (with one left). .769 to .618 and now with 3 straight losses to UGA.
One more year like this one and I’m guessing it will be CPJ’S turn on the hot seat…
Defense has always been his achilles heel. I do get that it can be difficult to get a front line running back or quarter back because of the scheme ran. But defense is a different story. Tenuta recruited very well.
SR
November 26th, 2011
6:46 pm
Isn’t it about time someone started to question Paul “walk on water” Johnson about his ability to win? The only time he can beat UGA is with another coach’s players. He still can’t field a team that plays defense. Winning 9 games in the creampuff ACC may be a big time accomplishment to a few folks, but if you must be in that dreadful conference at least win it regularly. Don’t get me wrong, I like the system Johnson has, I think it can win ACC championships on a regular, but Johnson’s not delivering. He seems to have leveled out as Tech prepares to lose another bowl game. In other words, I hope people will stop walking on eggshells around Johnson because he’s done nothing to deserve it and the hype on his abilities has long since past. Time to put up or shut up Johnson.
HEY um, ah, GTBOB ......you going to Tech's bowl
November 26th, 2011
6:47 pm
GT will be in the John Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina. This bowl WAS the Meinike MUFFLER BOWL until they DUMPED CHARLOTTE. There is South Park Mall and yeah, there is South Park Mall and there is South Park Mall and tons and tons of Belk stores to go shop in.
You also have Carowinds but um, oh, they CLOSE after Labor Day. Well, there is always ……..South Park Mall.
Holida Inn on Billy Graham Blvd has an indoor pool and there is a batting cage next to the Hampton Inn down near Rock Hill, SC ………………..oh, I forgot, they closed too.
Waffle Houses are there and they LOVE Techies and will provide grits, TWO EGSS and toast …………..as long as you pay 5.99.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAH,AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHA
BirdDawg
November 26th, 2011
6:47 pm
To hell with Georgia Tech! We run this state!
gabugman
November 26th, 2011
6:49 pm
I have to admit that I was one of the fans wishing for a CMR failure this year so they would get rid of him. Not sure what he did this year (looks like he took back some of the play calling) but I will eat crow and say:
When CMR coaches this team, I am more than happy to have him as the skipper. When he delegates to others, not so much.
Make some roux next week, Dawgs!
RLCDawg
November 26th, 2011
6:51 pm
Hey Bob 31-17
null
November 26th, 2011
6:52 pm
Have fun getting your face smeared into the Astroturf at the Georgia Dome, Helen Hunt.
GuckFeorgia
November 26th, 2011
6:53 pm
Congrats BirdDawg….you run one of the most inbred, backwoods, cousin-humping states in the nation with the 48th best public schools. Do you chant “we’ve #48! we’re #48!” now or after LSU obliterates the buttsniffers next Saturday?
UGA31
November 26th, 2011
6:54 pm
Question from CPJ’s news conference. What time is kick off today?
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
6:55 pm
Schultz – You are right! GT just needs to find a DC who will make sure they never, ever, ever have to play from behind and they should be fine. Shouldn’t be too hard for the annointed “Genius” to find a DC like that.
sarfdawg
November 26th, 2011
6:55 pm
Jeff: hard to play with a quarterback that is no passing threat at all, regardless of the style of offense. This is one of those times that I’m thrilled that Aaron Murray is a Bulldog.
|ll|ill|lilli|||lil|
November 26th, 2011
6:57 pm
Congrats Mark Richt….you still suck to high heaven, and your Jesus talk is sickening…..but today, nobody can deny you stomped a football team from a basketball conference! Live it up….you bought yourself another year with the most delusional fanbase in all of NCAA football!!
gt45
November 26th, 2011
6:58 pm
Sometimes the offense is going to struggle against solid defenses. This happens to every O in the country. When that happens, the D has to rise up and make stops, i.e. Ala vs LSU. We have stopped noone except Clemson all year. You can’t outscore everyone when they have a solid D. Gailey had great D’s and no O. CPJ needs a solid D.
UGA is about two very decent back shy of THE RUN
November 26th, 2011
7:00 pm
UGA signs tow quality running backs in about 3 months and two more nice wide outs and about 8 D/O linemen, we will be set to make THE RUN for year 2012 and 2013.
Next year, richard Samuel will be better and I. Crowell will have gained some muscle mass and gotten stronger and more mature and Ken Malcom will be ready and two NEW 4/5 STAR RUNNING BACKS and with our RED SHIRT QBs ……………Lemay and Michell, UGA will be rocking.
Sky is the limit for UGA in the next three or four years and for GT and CP, it is all downhill.
Rufus
November 26th, 2011
7:05 pm
The head coach needs to go along with the defensive coordinator.
dawg fan sitting on rocky top
November 26th, 2011
7:06 pm
Gtbob, Brain Bohannon graduated from GEORGIA!! He’s on GT staff!!
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
7:09 pm
I hope that UGA does sign two stud backs and I hope that Samuel has a great next year, But I wouldn’t be surprised (or mind) if Crowell doesn’t return next year. I just don’t think he’s got the mental fortitude to make it in the SEC… on or off the field. I hope I’m wrong, but his quixotic adventure thus far leaves doubts. And his demeanor on the the sidelines and lack of interaction or interest with anybody but fellow suspect RBs makes me think he just doesn’t get IT.
PJ Rocks
November 26th, 2011
7:14 pm
FYI, per Coach Johnson’s request I am keeping track of the SEC vs. ACC games this weekend. Looks like SEC blew out their ACC opponents so far. Two more to go.
Theo
November 26th, 2011
7:15 pm
After reading all the thUGA comments, I have figured out why I hate dog fans. You act like YOU won and I lost. Truth is, you had nothing to do with the outcome of the game. You have nothing to brag about. This victory was not yours; it was your team’s. Congratulate your players, but quit taking credit for something you did not do.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
7:15 pm
GT Bob…. please continue to educate eveyone about the ACC… did you by chance the Vandy, Wake Forrest score? So far today the weak SEC east is 2 and 0…… soon to be 4 and 0
Bad Dawg
November 26th, 2011
7:16 pm
Facts from today’s game Final Score: Georgia 31 Georgia Tech 17
Ga Tech season average points for: 36.5 (Georgia Tech 17)
Ga Tech season average points allowed: 25.3 (UGA 31 points)
Rushing Yards: 323.3 (243 rushing yards)
Yards per rush: 5.9 yards per carry (4.6 yards per carry)
*Not including passing numbers because Tech ranks 112th nationally in passing yards
PJ Rocks
November 26th, 2011
7:20 pm
Theo,
Awesome, keep up that winning attitude. Tech fans are the biggest babies in the south. If they had won they would be on every board imaginable talking about their win and how the tide had turned thanks to PJ’s awesome game plan. Face it, your gimmick offense works great against the teams you are supposed to beat and teams that slip up (like Clemson). However, you will never win championships with that coach. The fact that he is such a jerk makes it easier to root against you guys.
BG
November 26th, 2011
7:21 pm
GO DAWGS!!
headley lamar
November 26th, 2011
7:23 pm
CPJ is now 2 – 9 against Va Tech UGA and the bowl game.
Please Tech fans keep him.
JC
November 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
I have never seen a worst pass defense. They never know where the ball is and today got continually beat on crossing routes and never adjusted. Then to get beat with deep balls in the back of the end zone and threeTech guys only 5 yrds deep in the end zone is a disgrace. Its been the same for two years with no improvement
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
Bad Dawg – Nice post. It shows some of my points made with Schultz.
Super Committee – Yep… Vandy (2-6 in SEC) thrashes Wake (5-3 in ACC)… yeah that SEC East sure is weak… not. Time for all ACC fans who don’t drape themselves in the horrid burgandy/orange combo to turn their attention to Hoops… where you still have an edge.
Buzzman
November 26th, 2011
7:29 pm
I have been talking all year about getting rid of Big Al. Now will you believe me? Any time you take a losing head coach from another team and make him your defensive coach, you are asking for problems. If you remember Virginia never had a good defense, so why did CPJ hire him. Hell I would give up a winning season just to get rid of CPJ and Big Al. So it would take us a few years to rebuild for a pro style offense but at least it wouldn’t be a triple option. The triple option is a Loser. Also how can you have a defense when you can’t practice against a pro style offense. Washington wouldn never make it on another team as a quarterback. Maybe a running back but I doubt it. Thanks Tech for another lousy year. Bet you money we lose in the Bowl game to. Probably the blue carpet bowl…..
Name (required)
November 26th, 2011
7:30 pm
Time for all SEC fans to turn their attention to LSU/Bama…..one of which has the chance to win the national championship.
Small Johnson
November 26th, 2011
7:31 pm
Al Groh : “The best defense is a good offense.”
Running Backs Wanted
November 26th, 2011
7:33 pm
We at UGA want some top high school running back recruits. No dreadlock druggies need apply…
North Avenue Ned
November 26th, 2011
7:34 pm
Well, it appears that many Tech fans continue to be sorry losers. Let’s show some class, y’all.
Running Backs Wanted
November 26th, 2011
7:36 pm
Jeff, Alabama had their chance to beat LSU and lost. I hope another team (any team) gets a shot at LSU assuming they beat UGA. Give OKU or Stanford a shot.
BornADawg
November 26th, 2011
7:40 pm
Hey Techies, good job. I told you earlier in the week to practice three things this week…1) Bending over…2) Grabbing your ankles and 3)…Gritting your teeth and preparing for your annual spanking. Seems as if y’all prepared better than your so called football team did…Go Dawgs!! By the way, please re-sign Paul Johnson and that high school offense for 4 more years
Running Backs Wanted
November 26th, 2011
7:40 pm
At least pale faced Johnson can get some sun at the Sun Bowel !
neilmarlowe
November 26th, 2011
7:42 pm
schultz is a second class writer who is lucky to have a job. If he can’t support
his Atlanta team, maybe he should get a job in Athens. The Athens Varsity
might hire him!!
neilmarlowe
November 26th, 2011
7:43 pm
hey born-a-dog, go back to south Georgia, you redneck!!
Cecil34
November 26th, 2011
7:46 pm
I am sick of excuses from North Avenue administrators and leaders – CPJ needs to be fired and enough with his delusional TO and pitiful defense.
This man cannot recruit, period.
I suggest Rad contact Mike Leach and see if we can get him down here and run the spread -we would then have a fighting chance against UGA because no college team can ever put more than a couple of good d-backs on the field at any given time – someone will be open.
Leach knows what to do to beat teams that generally are athletically superior – {i.e. Texas} and you know what? qb’s and wr would want to come to Tech to play. And that would give UGA fits!
Come on Taz, ante up and let’s do the buy-out and get CPJ and his crew outta here so we can get a real coach.
Don’t worry, fellas, UGA gets what’s coming to them next week – their weak schedule will be exposed.
Come on Rad, get that embarrassment CPJ outta here….
phil
November 26th, 2011
7:48 pm
GTBob
November 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
The ACC only has one team that isn’t a joke
Well, that is one more then the SEC east. Not too bad.
<<<<<<<<<
just a guess, Bob. You aren't very bright, are you?