Tech wins, but pugnacious Paul plainly isn’t pleased
It started nicely. Note Paul Johnson in Jonathan Dwyer's wake. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
PJ was not pleased. PJ was, to borrow a term he used himself, another sort of “p” word. PJ could barely find anything good to say about a 20-point victory over an outmanned team, which isn’t to say he was at a loss for verbiage.
“I want to see some intensity and some fire and some fight,” Paul Johnson said Saturday. “We’re just not nasty enough. We’re too nice.”
That Georgia Tech was never in distress against Jacksonville State didn’t mollify the Jackets’ coach. If anything, it made him ever madder. Jonathan Dwyer scored on the game’s first snap and that, in PJ’s mind, “probably wasn’t the best thing that could have happened.” Because it didn’t give Tech cause to buckle down and execute. It didn’t give it cause to do anything except flail for the final three quarters.
Tech led 17-0 after 15 minutes but outscored the Gamecocks by only three points over the next 45. It managed three touchdowns over that span, one of them a punt return. It lost three fumbles, all three by quarterbacks. Said PJ: “Maybe we should have knocked the crap out of them in fall camp and they’d have hung on to the ball.”
Asked about his team’s passing game: Johnson said: “It was OK — about like everything else.”
His offensive line? “About like everything else.”
About his second-team defense, which yielded a touchdown on the game’s final drive: “If something like that had happened to me, I’m going to be ["p"-word here]. I’m not going to be smiling.”
Did he catch some second-teamers smiling after JSU’s touchdown? “No,” he said, without smiling.” If I did, I would have went and got ‘em. But I didn’t see anybody looking crushed, either.”
Johnson believes these Jackets have the capacity to be really good, perhaps better than good. “I’m trying to raise the level of expectations,” he said. “We could come in here and say, ‘We gained 500 yards [actually 497],’ but we didn’t play the way we needed to play to reach the level I want us to reach.”
On why Tech ran only 11 third-quarter plays: “Because we weren’t worth a crap. We missed every read on the option.”
On his displeasure over a missed PAT: “I don’t think you should be high-fiving each other when you miss a extra point that a junior high school team could make. I don’t think you should have a group discussion and sing, ‘Kumbaya.’ ”
We pause to reflect: Tech wasn’t awful. It was great in the first quarter, mediocre thereafter. Dwyer gained 74 yards on his first carry and only 21 more.
Loading ...And here we must also note: As teaching tools go, this game falls squarely into PJ’s wheelhouse. He has five days to prepare his men for an old enemy in orange, and those men had already gotten the message. Said Dwyer: “If we came out like this against Clemson [due in Thursday night], we’d get beat.”
The Jackets have had nine months to revel in beating Georgia, nine months to hear how much better they’ll be in Year 2 under PJ. Some teams can handle that. Others require some instruction.
Of his teams at Georgia Southern and Navy, Johnson said: “They liked to win. They fought hard. They played scared. We’re talented, but we don’t have that down-and-dirty part.”
PJ’s men might find some of that these next few days. There will be no “Kumbaya” moments before Clemson comes to town, no group harmonizing. There will be only the sound of one man yelling.
How might practice be Sunday? Said Dwyer, the diplomat: “I don’t think it’ll be any different.”
Said defensive end Derrick Morgan, the realist: “I think it’ll be different.”
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186 comments Add your comment
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:03 pm
Hey Brewdawg you nerd…stick to the North Ave predictions.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:04 pm
For one, you saw the way Coach Martinez’s defense looked today against a top 5 team? Bam!…basically shut them down. Bam!
And all the sudden you nerd, you think Georgia Tech is still the best team in the state and going to run all over UGA? Please….we have another year now of preparing for that gimmick CPJ offense…what a joke.
GO DAWGS
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:05 pm
Yea dandy dawg, the refs were paid off, the field was wet, your qb had the plauge, somebody put grease on your mits, yada yada…. excuses. Bring that same team to Atlanta this year, and will not even be close. Get back on your own board, and talk trash with your own folks about what a bozo bobo is, or how loyal CMR is. loser
brewdawg
September 5th, 2009
9:07 pm
I’m a UGA fan dandy dawg. And seriously, why do you have a superiority complex after the way our offense looked against a horrendous defense today. It’s dawg fans like you that give us a bad name. But I can’t be mad at you, you are a dawg fan after all. You can’t be all bad
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:07 pm
dandydawg: you lost to a team that won’t be in the top 20 at year’s end. Florida a push?!? Yes, when we beat you last year and you open up 0-1 the Jackets are the best team in the state. In November it will be confirmed. Now go find an offensive coordinator who knows when the run is working you stick with it.
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
To me it looks like Nesbitt was hitting his recievers, with the recievers letting it bounce off their fingers. Prime example all game was #24.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
Blah…blah…blah…NERDS. Keep thinking your all that with that gimmick offense. GT wont run for 100 yards this november. we have game film you idoits!
love how tech people think they know about football….lol
you too bradley, tech homer.
Stinger
September 5th, 2009
9:16 pm
Dandydawg Oklahoma State is not a top 5 team. I doubt that they will finish in the top 20 this year. Your sorry team made them look good, but you’re going to make a lot of teams look good this year. I am serious when I say, I am not sure you could beat Jax State this year. You better be glad you don’t play them.
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:17 pm
We know how to read scores dandydawg.
45-42
37-17
24-10
Did someone steal your film last year? Did it get ruined when the single-wide roof sprung a leak? And what exactly is an “idoit”?
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
Did I see that William and Mary beat Virginia???
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
I know how to spell idiot you jerk. It was a typo.
What exactly is a Ronald “Reagin”? You stupid dingaling. It was Ronald Reagan. Moron.
Yellow Fuzz
September 5th, 2009
9:23 pm
Enter your com45ACP
Sugar Hill Dawg
Mountain dawg
Habersham Dawg
1eyedjack
Kendawg
WTF???
Reservoir dawg
Altamaha dawg
MiltonDawg
Reality Check
SECrules
Jax Dawg
Miami Dawg
DirtyDawg
NC Dawg
PTC DAWG
G Dawg
CLTDawg
GeoffDawg
Bugkiller
SimpleDawg
CUZ
RxDawg
DawginLex
ToccoaDawg
L-Dawg
Pumpdawg
Denver Dog
I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments and excuses.ments here
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:24 pm
Thats my name a%%hole. I don’t hide behind stupid monikers because I stand behind what I say dips&&t.
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:26 pm
dandy n. , pl. -dies . A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners; a fop.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:29 pm
What does that mean “Reagin”? What an idiot. Do you spell Clinton, Clinten? LOL Stupid Tech nerd. GO buy a hair cut. Go buy a pro style offense and pay a real coach. Good luck next decade.
Nite Owl
September 5th, 2009
9:30 pm
@Robert Reagin:
While I myself hide behind a stupid moniker (because in my case it’s an inside joke I keep all to myself), I had to chuckle in appreciation of your last comment.
You see, I just got on and was reading through all the comments, and when I saw dandydawg “correct” your spelling of “Ronald” Reagin, I knew you were going to lose it.
Nicely done, sir. I actually think you showed some restraint under the circumstances. Have a good night.
Brent S.
September 5th, 2009
9:30 pm
PJ’s comments are EXACTLY why I love the guy as Tech’s coach..he cuts through the BS!!! He doesn’ try to paint a “rosey” picture after a sloppy game like Gaily did. The ONLY two things I saw today that impressed me, was Dwyer’s opening run for a TD, and Morgan Burnette’s INT. Other than that, Tech was sloppy, uninspired, and accepted mediocrity today–THANKFULLY, PJ doesn’t!!!!
Mediocrity is why CHOKE Gailey is no longer here. I know PJ will be on the players a**es this week in practice, as well he should. I was VERY disappointed in Nesbitt’s 2 fumbles, and he also had two half hearted option pitches. Plus, why in the HAIL did we give up a TD to JSU on their last drive of the game? I hate when we do that.
Bottom line, Tech needs to get their she-ight together before Thursday. I have ALL the confidence PJ will. If we are to contend for the ACC title this year, we sure as heck did play like it today!!!
Mark Bradley
September 5th, 2009
9:32 pm
I see the level of discourse has been elevated.
Nite Owl
September 5th, 2009
9:33 pm
I wouldn’t want Coach Johnson as my boss, or my neighbor, or my friend, or my family member. In fact, I don’t think he’d be much fun to be around at all.
But that doesn’t mean squat when it comes to winning football games.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:34 pm
Well Bradley, thats more of less your fault. Your the one writing everyday in the paper how this nerd school is the best football school in the state? Who’s buying your lunch? You still haven’t answered that one?
Call it like it is next time Bradley. A gimmick offense. Some other will see and notice this year. But I know people high up in the UGA program and they’ve told me Willie Martinez is gunning for TEch this year. Bite on that nerds.
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:38 pm
Sorry Dandydawg didn’t mean to confuse you with an alternate spelling of a last name. Guess I should have expected as much from someone that can only handle 9 different words in their fight song.
You sure are concerned with our non-pro, gimmick offense. Maybe you’ll do OK this week, Spurrier has no offense at all. Oh sorry, more bad Jacksonville memories huh, fopdawg.
Jack G.
September 5th, 2009
9:38 pm
If you are going to play big time football, play teams that can give you some competition.
Playing Jax state and other high school caliber teams proves nothing and just exposes you to injuries.
I wouldnt pay 2 centsss to watch one of these throw away games.
I am not a UGA fan, but at least they opened up with a top notch team.—-so you run the risk of loseing.—-so what at least you walked the walk. If you are a big time team, You might just talk the talk with success.
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:39 pm
Dandydawg, so Willie was not gunning for GT last year??? Hmmm I fail to see the logic. Keep trying son.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:42 pm
Hey Jack, Go jump off the bridge. UGA played VERY well in the first half. You obviously dont know what your talking about. It’s guys like you that have to always say something also, as well.
Hey “Reagin-Clinten”. You talk pretty big behind a computer. I bet you woudln’t call me a jerk in the Varsity though. I’ll be there, I’ll be there.
GTPHISH
September 5th, 2009
9:42 pm
Overall, disappointing today, but, perhaps what we needed so that CPJ will light a serious fire under the team’s a@# this week. It was entirely too easy for them to run on us today. CJ Spiller may just run wild on us on Thurs. I thought A. Allen & some other new faces (J. Burnett, S. Hill, Tarrant, & Barnes) all showed some great potential. Passing attack seemed improved (just felt crisper) but the receivers need to tighten up. We have alot of work to do. Defense, up front, especially has me a little concerned although our secondary is in the best shape its been in in a long long time.
We need to step it up and stop fumbling. See you Thurs, get there early and be LOUD!
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:44 pm
Joe,
Jump on the bandwageon. What an unbelievable bunch of nerds. What is this a tickle pile? It’s a gimmick offense Joe. Willie Martinez has it on TOP of his bulletin board. I know that from people high up. I don’t need you telling me how to think.
Call it early,
UGA 48 GT 28
Bite it nerds.
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:44 pm
Thanks Jack G.,but most BCS teams play a cupcake ie UGA vs TennTech. Lets not go there.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
Again I’ll ask Mark Bradley,
Who’s buying lunch every week? CPJ or the nerds’ Athelitc Director
2BT
September 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
Georgia fans – cashed that check today? You know, the REALITY CHECK that you suck – will continue to suck – and have NO CHANCE IN HELL of beating the Jackets this year!?!?!? AHHHHHH HAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:47 pm
dandydawg, all you need to say to show your ignorance is “book it”. I hope you are still not paying your debt to vegas for “calling” it early.
Nite Owl
September 5th, 2009
9:48 pm
The proliferation of blogs has created a hybrid monster of trash talk mated with road rage.
The great thing about sports is we settle it on the field. Talk tough, but in the end we’re all going to eat it at some point. Not too many of us go undefeated.
Paul Hewitt (of all people to invoke today) once made a pretty salient point about the press that stuck with me. He was bemoaning the lack of analysis after the fact, which had been replaced by a bunch of talking heads predicting stuff.
So we all race to see who can be the best prognosticator, and in the meantime learn nothing from the past.
Don’t know if I elevated anything, Mark, but I gave it a try.
GTPHISH
September 5th, 2009
9:50 pm
dandydog-why dont you pick a gayer handled and stop gazing at st. richt’s buttcutt.
Robert Reagin
September 5th, 2009
9:50 pm
Didn’t call you a jerk, fopdawg. Called you an a$$hole and a dips&&t. And I’m using my real name so find me. Can’t get your ankle monitor off till November?
Now go brush your tooth, it’s time for bed. Go dream of Hershell and Lindsay Scott and glories long gone by.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:50 pm
Joe Schmoe
You can always go back to pulling for vanderbilt again you fair weatherd P.O.S.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:53 pm
Reagin-Clinten
Say what you want You are just showing your true ignorant colors and why everyone hates you Tech nerds. your just a cocky bunch of jerks.
Maybe after everyone this year has figured out that gimmick offense CPJ can start running the wing-t. It’s pretty big with the 12 year old, you S.O.B.
Nite Owl
September 5th, 2009
9:53 pm
Now you’ve done it, Robert. You misspelled Herschel. I think dandydog is going to lose it for good now.
Joe Schmoe
September 5th, 2009
9:55 pm
Haha dandydawg, isnt your time up on the local library computer? Vanderbit, I dont even think I have even been a fan of an SEC team. You are one of the prime example of why I am not one your typical SEC knuckle draggers. Stick to trying to be a keyboard bully. You sir are no gentlemen!
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
9:59 pm
Joe Schmoe and Reagin-Clinten
You two are typical Tech nerds. It’s called a formation when the team lines up, no matter what they are running. Get a clue you to puffy a$$e$.
And calling Mark Bradley…still no answer…who’s buying lunch each week to make you say these nerds are the better team in the state? answer please…dont avoid!
Booger
September 5th, 2009
10:11 pm
hey pathetic dog jocksniffers – go post on a uga blog.
ugablows
September 5th, 2009
10:11 pm
wow dandydog, Willie is gunning for us this year? man that scares the hell out of me, i bet Coach Johnson is really worried too! he had 6 months to get ready for osu and gave up 24, he had two weeks for us last year and gave us 42, this year he will only have one week to get ready for his last game as a coach at ugay….if he’s still employed by then that is
ugablows
September 5th, 2009
10:12 pm
dandy dog is a pretty fawking gay user name
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
10:17 pm
hey ugablows you a-hole,
giving up 24 today was not bad, that was a top 5 offense. your gimmick crap, is not. like i said before when everyone figures out this stupid offense this year maybe CPJ can go to running a version of the wing-t? idiot nerds.
Brent S.
September 5th, 2009
10:21 pm
Hey D-dawg, don’t you have a blog of LOSERS to cry with on the UGA(Y) side? We were at Taco Mac watching the remainder of the UGA(Y) and OSU game..noting funnier than to see a bunch of “hush puppies” cry over a UGA(Y) lose. Yet again, ANOTHER year UGA(Y) is OVERRATED!!! Oh, by the way, we WILL play Top 10 caliber teams this year. UGA(Y) just got exposed early! At least Tech fans are realistic with their expectations of their team. We know when we played lick crap. We don’t give excuses why should have won!!!!
George P
September 5th, 2009
10:21 pm
I was very disappointed. I hope it was just a focus issue and Johnson gets them back on track before Thursday.
It sure looked to me as if Nesbitt completely missed hitting the wide open, all by himself receiver on what would have been two sure touchdowns in the first half. I liked that Tech was throwing more, but they have to make those opportunities count.
I’m not nearly as excited as I was yesterday. We’ll see how things go Thursday.
dooley
September 5th, 2009
10:23 pm
dandydawg,
It must really suck being an Ugag fan right now. This high-school / gimmick offense seems to be working pretty well.
Now, get back to work. The fries are burning.
George P
September 5th, 2009
10:25 pm
Oh, and Brent S. and all you other childish Tech fans: if you insist on getting down in the mud and wallowing with the dawgs (and I wish you wouldn’t, because it makes us all look bad, and the dawgs like it), at least be a little witty about it. Try “U(sic)GA” instead of “UGA(Y)”.
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
10:32 pm
just shutup George P
Brent S.
September 5th, 2009
10:37 pm
No I like UGA(Y) better…it pretty much makes my point on how I fell about UGA(Y). But maybe you will like the way THIS sounds better..(0-1) 24-10!!!!!!!!! Does that sound a bit better?
dandydawg
September 5th, 2009
10:43 pm
Brent, your just showing your true colors nerd. Go find a table tennis game to get in. You know nothing about football. The football factory is in Athens, GA.
45ACP
September 5th, 2009
10:49 pm
Tech did win last year. They have bragging rights for now.
I know it gets old having them post all over our blogs. All the trash talking. We do our share of that too. We lost today. That’s done. Let it go. Got to get ready for USC (right coast).
Congrats Tech on the win today. See you in November.