How will Tech’s Johnson handle the post-Miami scrutiny?
Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt gets squeezed by the guys in orange. (AP photo)
Most teams can lose and have it just be a loss. When Georgia Tech loses, it’s an indictment of Paul Johnson. This mightn’t be fair, but it’s reality: When your stock in trade is a stylized offense, any reversal is going to be personalized. And Paul Johnson, as we know, tends to take things personally.
As noted earlier, he delights in flouting conventional wisdom, especially when it comes to his offense. Well, that offense just managed 95 yards rushing against Miami — 377 fewer than it did against the same Hurricanes 10 months ago. Yes, Jonathan Dwyer got hurt early, but Tech was supposed to have increased depth in the backfield, was it not?
So now Johnson will have to hear this topic bandied about in both cyberspace and the real world: Has the rest of college football caught on to his spread option? And he’s going to say no, that the offense if run properly will always work against any opponent, but how he wearies of the whole discussion and turns testy?
The loss to Miami was far more comprehensive than the Chick-fil-A thrashing by LSU. That game could be explained away — and Johnson tried — as a failure of motivation and special teams. The offense, he would say, wasn’t at fault. Well, this time it was. The offense did nothing. The defense did less. The Jackets trailed by 14 points at the half and by 23 after three quarters, and now nobody’s really sure what to make of Tech.
“I think we’re going to be good,” Johnson said a couple of weeks ago, but the near-flop against Clemson and the total collapse against Miami have left everything open to question. And next comes North Carolina, which came closest to shutting down that offense last season, and dates with Florida State and Virginia Tech — and yes, with Georgia — still remain.
A cult of personality has arisen ’round Johnson. Tech fans love his tough talk, and they loved it even more when he beat Georgia. But now his highly regarded team has suffered a major blow, and it’s incumbent on PJ not to take the inevitable questions — from both fans and media — as signs of insubordination.
He gets paid a lot of money to coach his team. Here’s where PJ has to duck his head, ignore the chatter and keep coaching.
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354 comments Add your comment
Chris
September 18th, 2009
11:16 am
J Dawg made an accurate comment..”If CMR had yelled ‘are you stupid’ at a college kid, it would have made national news”.
It is football. There are lots worse things said in other programs and I’m talking about high school here but something struck me as different with this public vitriol. Why don’t we hear the Sabans and Meyer’s of the world saying the same thing during a live game? Was it just a fortuitious? placement of the game mike?
CPJ is wired awfully tight. I would guess he’s going to get a lot of criticism for his outburst to go along with the expected questioning of his system.
Tuck Fech
September 18th, 2009
11:17 am
The Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech may be a hell of an Engineer; but when it comes to football games, you see the choice is clear. The Wreck could build a town the entire world may cheer, but along can come a Hurricane and make it disappear
(((33-17))) HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
EXPOSED!!!!!! Silence from North Ave never sounded so great!!!!
Mark Bradley
September 18th, 2009
11:17 am
Don’t ask me for a prediction, Leland. I’m not having a good week. Or century.
Metal Jacket
September 18th, 2009
11:18 am
Where did my last comment go?
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
September 18th, 2009
11:19 am
CPJ had better learn to handle a loss with dignity and class because there are plenty more to come.Calling a player stupid does not cut it. He (CPJ), lost composure, he CHOKED on a big stage and now must try to pick up the pieces. He had better hope the players still believe in his offense because no one else does anymore. The only thing more exposed than his offense is his lack of character
F-105 Thunderchief
September 18th, 2009
11:19 am
If Tech now wants to dump Paul Johnson, my guess is Ga. Southern would be willing to trade. Still think Chris Hatcher was the best choice for Tech, Mark? As a Ga. Southern alum, I’d love to make the trade.
Savannah Jacket
September 18th, 2009
11:20 am
Nothing will change! Paul Johnson has lost games before and will lose again at some point in the future. TRUE FANS stand behind their coach and trust him. CPJ has been execellent his entire career and will be nothing less.
As I stated last week, Miami is loaded with talent and will be a very hard game. Honestly Tech could have beaten Miami. We looked very tired, executed very poorly on many plays, got zero pressure on the QB and had way too many penalitys. There is nothing wrong with Johnson’s offense, it works great. If you don’t believe me just ask OHIO STATE!
And The Penaltys were STUPID and I am damn proud that our coach stands up and says something. CPJ will re-group and have a great game against UNC in 9 days and I will be there to Cheer Him and the Jackets on. THE END!
Jack Lord
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
“He had better hope the players still believe in his offense because no one else does anymore. The only thing more exposed than his offense is his lack of character.”
The mood swings are amazing. Is everyone stupid? No. They’re crazy.
quaildawg
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
Tech fans beware!!! When you go to sell this Offense (or Defense for that matter) at the next Yard Sale you may be in for a hefty fine.
It was too obvious that both were highly loaded with LEAD!!! Especially in da feet!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,552021,00.html
Tech82
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
Alabama Jack – Well said.
We got gashed by a better team last night. Period. No excuses. Sort of like UGA did against Okla State.
Our pass defense has been invisible for the past four games we’ve played against div-1 opponents. Our secondary looked absolutely lost last night. It’s time Dave Wommack make some changes to our pass defense.
Our O-line should be one of the strengths of this team. They have depth and they’re in their second year in the system so they should be up to speed with the schemes. That being the case, there is absolutely no excuse for what they did (didn’t do) last night. There were orange shirts in our backfield all night.
I’m not willing to buy into the excuse of three games in 12 days. With our depth on offense, that shouldn’t have been a problem. We just got plain got beat. That’s all there is to it.
RDM
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
Mark, it’s pretty funny to see your headline right under Furman’s.
SRF
September 18th, 2009
11:25 am
On play after play – I saw the lead blocker just take an arm swipe at the D rush – that is 100% unacceptable. That means that the player did not care and did not even try – usually that happens when the coach or QB has lost the other players. You could have Vince Lombardi as a coach but if
a blocker will not even try – you will lose
razerGT
September 18th, 2009
11:25 am
jesus christ, we lose one game and suddenly it’s the end of the world and Paul Johnson is a failure and all the redneck Georgia fans have come out of the woodwork talking trash again. Actually, that last one isn’t new – Georgia fans never stop talking trash, even after being beaten on their home turf.
Yes, this team has problems. The O-line couldn’t block for crap last night and the defense forgot how to tackle. (Don’t even get me started on special teams.) Paul Johnson is going to light a fire under their collective asses starting today. I can see him taking drastic measures if we show up next week like we did last night.
One more thing: I hope this knocks us clear out of the rankings (and given how little credit the voters like to give Tech, it probably will). Last season proved that this team works best after being hit with a hard dose of reality – we did, after all, smack Miami right after losing to UNC.
Nativebird
September 18th, 2009
11:26 am
I’m a huge Jackets fan, but, Once again it must be said: Until Johnson get’s a QB that can execute in all phases, this team will underperform. At this level, if you’re a one trick pony, you won’t last long. You must have at leat the THREAT of throwing mid-to-long as a tool, to open up EVEN the “geniuses” Option offense. This QB has proven he is NO pass threat whatsoever. Sure he may complete 1 or 2 down the field. but it’s not enough to hurt an opponent over the length of a football game.
GTerrible
September 18th, 2009
11:27 am
Its very simple..Tech is a one trick pony. Every team has film of what that offense will do. LSU had time to figure it out, Jax St. D2 school whatever, Clemson locked it down in the 2nd half and would have won if not for a phantom holding call, and Miami shut it down. It looks to me like the last 4 games, since the UGA game, Tech has not done anything on O. That offense won’t work at the ACC level and beyond. With no D and a one trick pony O, what did anyone expect? It’s a gimmick O and PJ works it until it gets exposed, then he moves on to another school. Maybe in theory it works, hence the reason he says “when executed properly”, but in theory every offense should work when executed properly. Tech’s problems is that it is so one dimensional.
My Tech fan buddies all had such high hopes for this season. I guess based on a 3 point win at UGA, I don’t know. But welcome back to mediocrity. It has missed you.
quaildawg
September 18th, 2009
11:27 am
Savannah,
Thanks for proving my earlier point. Against SoCo, WAC and Big East (Big 10+1 for that matter) works great with slow, average athletic teams but ACC is definite stepup in Athletes and Coaching.
Dawg Fan first
September 18th, 2009
11:28 am
P on a D, r u actually trying to compare Bama & FL to Clemson & Miami? LOL, sour grapes!
Hey, Brad in KY...
September 18th, 2009
11:28 am
“Georgia Tech’s problem isn’t the scheme: it’s the execution. ” Well, DUH – every team in college football can say that – did you stay up all night figuring out that nugget?
quaildawg
September 18th, 2009
11:29 am
GTerrible, I’m with you brother!!!
Mike Lum
September 18th, 2009
11:30 am
Nesbitt continually makes bad decisions running the option, and is certainly not a passer. This was not a one-game thing. UNC had Tech figured out last year. We’re in for a tough, long season…UNC, FSU, Va Tech, maybe Wake and UGA will be hard to win.
ACC Championship game? Try to Humanitarian Bowl, if that! (& I’m an alum!).
Tech STUDent
September 18th, 2009
11:30 am
After the second quarter in which my Jackets were obviously tired from playing the first half against Jacksonville State and the first half against Clemson, I decided it was time to return to my World of Warcraft game in which I unsuccessfully defended my Castle against the evils of cyberspace. My character in the game, Nesbit, couldn’t throw a spell on anyone. I am just glad that I didn’t spend my money on that trip to South Florida, I want the new Apple Snow Leopard. Let’s hope UGA fans don’t decimate our campus as they did their own.
quaildawg
September 18th, 2009
11:31 am
Does CPJ and Nancy Pelosi have the same PR advisor?????????????????
Sonny Clusters
September 18th, 2009
11:32 am
Calling people stupid is in poor taste. We was always careful not to call anybody stupid when we was playing ball and we try not to call anybody stupid now that we are mostly blogging and working the second shift. If people that was stupid didn’t show up then the smart people would all be the stupid ones. We was always taught by Coach to respect the stupid and let them get their swings all the while knowing they couldn’t take a pitch if they was tied up.
Independent Thinker
September 18th, 2009
11:32 am
I guess the UGA faithful (?) don’t have enough to say on their own blog. Why don’t they follow their own advice?
GT just got beat severely. It happens. Except, of course, to UGA…they NEVER have any excuses! LOL
It’s a game, people. Not life nor death…unless you wear red and black!
murfdawg
September 18th, 2009
11:34 am
It looks as if 26 years and three weeks is the key to solving Smug Johnson’s offense. He keeps saying he is running the same plays he ran at GSU, Navy etc. I’ll guess he will keep running them until his “stupid ” players get it right. It certainly isn’t his fault.
BehindEnemyLines
September 18th, 2009
11:34 am
Believe me, what CPJ apparently asked a player is a lot less damning that the questions that the last six quarters have me asking about a lot of them.
There’s nothing wrong with the offense that consistent execution won’t fix. The defense, eh, there’s a number of issues there it appears & those were evident at times even against Jax State and that’s going to take some time to fix. But the it’s the mental & emotional aspects of the team that concern me most, I’m not convinced there’s enough heart & football smarts to play this style at this level right now.
I’m inclined to give them a mulligan on last night as the tough physical stretch of 3 games in less than two weeks got to them pretty clearly. Any more outright dismal performances like this one though & there are some very hard questions that need to be asked, but it’s the players who need to answer those, not CPJ.
Savannah Jacket
September 18th, 2009
11:34 am
Quaildawg … if it is so simple to “figure out” and can’t be run against the great athletes of the SEC then why did Willie M let it go for 409 last fall.
Good Luck with Bobby P. UGA could easily be 1-2 in 36 hrs.
Are you that stupid?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
September 18th, 2009
11:35 am
CPJ showed his arse last night, get used to it Tech fans.
J-Bird
September 18th, 2009
11:35 am
PJ’s triple-option offense works great in high school and low level college. It also works the first time through a schedule, even in the ACC. But when teams have played against it before or have time to prepare for it (see LSU), that offense is incredibly easy to stuff–especially for top-level D-1 athletes.
JJ
September 18th, 2009
11:36 am
The stupidity of some Jacket fans is almost unfathomable. Let me help you here:
Saturday – JSU (Day 1)
Sunday (Day 2)
Monday (Day 3)
Tuesday (Day 4)
Wednesday (Day 5)
Thursday – Clemson (Day 6)
Friday (Day 7)
Saturday (Day
Sunday (Day 9)
Monday (Day 10)
Tuesday (Day 11)
Wednesday (Day 12)
Thursday – Da U (Day 13!!!!)
So that’s three games in 13 Days you numnuts. Every other team in the country plays 3 games in 15 Days. AND you had a typical 6 days between your last two games. I swear you jackets are the whiniest bunch of losers I’ve ever seen.
Cane Stuck in Jax
September 18th, 2009
11:37 am
I’d like to spend the rest of the day reviewing some of my favorite blog entries from BEFORE the game.
i'm swiss
September 18th, 2009
11:37 am
“Johnson’s offensive scheme has nothing to do with how awful the defense was last night.”
Actually, I wonder about that. Just as it is difficult to impossible for other teams to effectively simulate the triple option in practice, it’s likely difficult for Tech’s offense to effectively simulate a pro-style passing game in practice. If the D doesn’t get good preparation in practice, it’s got to have some impact on their ability to defend the pass. It will be interesting to see if this is a chronic problem.
Furman Sez
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
From the 9/13 AJC: If I had to go to a football game — and I’ll say this with all honesty — I’d pick one in which Paul Johnson is coaching. This is not some overnight observation. This comes from a guy who has seen Neyland, Dodd, Blaik, Wade and Lombardi coach, not to mention having sat for hours with Bob Zuppke.
Are you that stupid?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
CPJ showed his rear end last night on national TV, get used to it Tech fans.
Cane Stuck in Jax
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
joeygt
September 14th, 2009
4:52 pm
i think last year miami took gt lightly and thats why gt pounded them and its could of been worse if coach johnson did not take the starters out. this year miami will not take gt lightly bc of what happen last year, but im very confident gt wins 38-17 over miami. miami has shown us how undisiplined they can be on defense and the tripple option offense only needs one mistake to take it to the house for a touchdown.john dwyer runs for 12 carries 180 yards and bebe thomas 6 cathces 150 yards. close game at half but tech pulls away in the 3rd quarter. tech could possibly finish 11-1
…you were oh so close on the final score… terrible miscalculation on which team had it though… back to physics class for you!!! Tech could still possibly finish 11-1 though… a$$ clown!
Chad goober Gailey
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
I just want to know where my friends M is for MORON, STINGER, YELLOW FUZZ, BURDELL, ST SIMMONS and TRADE SCHOOL JUNKIE are… afraid to show their face I am sure… come on out boys and eat your humble pie.. it’s nice and warm… yum yum
CPJ just got exposed for what he is…. a classless hillbilly that berates his players on National TV and is stuck in the 1950s. I like the new teck defensive formation called SWISS CHEESE.
Note to Teck students… CPJ needs two manhole covers to cover the hole Miami stomped in his AZZ.
I have two Greyhound tickets out of Atlanta for CPJ… one for each breast.
Tech’s new team motto…. ARE YOU STUPID….
ken tesler
September 18th, 2009
11:40 am
Am I correct in thinking that Tech lost it’s best wide receiver to a neighboring school because he saw no future for himself in the Tech passing scheme/or lack of? Guess the young man was right…
Joe
September 18th, 2009
11:42 am
Oh spare me Bradley. Heck the AJC’s own Furman Bisher called Paul Johnson “one of the greatest coaches” just last week.
Don’t blame fans for jumping on the hate bandwagon when your own paper promotes it…
unless you want me to believe that Furman Bisher actually believes that.
Cane Stuck in Jax
September 18th, 2009
11:43 am
Innocent Bystander
September 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
I’d take Tech, especially with the line at UM -4.5. GT wins 34-28. Maybe more. Big game for Dwyer (finally).
Let’s see… 4 comments… 1 right…. hmmmmm… oh yeah… the 4.5 point spread… what were they thinking in Vegas? BIG night for Dwyer though… that would be Dwyer High School in Palm Beach County though…
i'm swiss
September 18th, 2009
11:43 am
Let’s try this again…
“Johnson’s offensive scheme has nothing to do with how awful the defense was last night.”
Actually, I wonder about that. Just as it is difficult to impossible for other teams to effectively simulate the triple option in practice, it’s likely difficult for Tech’s offense to effectively simulate a pro-style passing game in practice. If the D doesn’t get good preparation in practice, it’s got to have some impact on their ability to defend the pass. It will be interesting to see if this is a chronic problem.
Cane Stuck in Jax
September 18th, 2009
11:45 am
Innocent Bystander
September 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
I’d take Tech, especially with the line at UM -4.5. GT wins 34-28. Maybe more. Big game for Dwyer (finally).
Miami actually covered. What was Vegas thinking? Obviously more than you!!!
stoopid
September 18th, 2009
11:45 am
can someone please tell me how that massive, bone crushing hit on special teams lastnight differed from the one Rashad put on the OKST WR?? the only difference i saw was that lastnight it wasnt a flag and was #4 on the top 10 plays on sportscenter. what the f**k is that about??
JJ is stupid
September 18th, 2009
11:46 am
JJ,
You really can’t hide dumb. You’re math is off in so many ways it is laughable. Day 1 after the JSU game was Sunday so its 3 games in 12 days, moron. And “other teams play 3 games in 15 days”??? REALLY? Count again Einstein. That would be 3 games in 21 days- just so you know there are 7 days in a week. Again, you can’t hide dumb.
Stray Dawg
September 18th, 2009
11:46 am
Enter your comments here Johnson’s offense REQUIRES a very gifted QB. In this offense the QB has to make reads that determine where the ball goes. Last night Miami came with a basic four front but as the ball was snapped their speed and quickness allowed them to get in the backfield throwing the timing (which is critical) off. PJ is stubborn enough to believe his offense will work no matter what the down and distance. The game is all about adjustments. Tech didn’t make enough.(fly patterns and a few toss sweeps won’t cut it) Speed (5 star players Tech won’t ever get enough of) will always cause this team problems. A more gifted option QB will make something out of nothing.
Sandy Springs 6 Pack
September 18th, 2009
11:47 am
Georgia fans (and I’m one of em) shouldn’t celebrate Tech’s loss with too much gusto. With Randy Shannon hanging around the U, Miami will remain average. We need this season to spin out of control for the U so Randy gets fired and they bring in a competent coach (maybe Tubs). Either way, Florida is taking the pick of the litter as FSU and Miami are both average to dull. Georgia will be better off if these two programs are resurrected and take a share of the sunshine state talent from Jean Short U.
Cane Stuck in Jax
September 18th, 2009
11:48 am
collegeballfan
September 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
collegeballfan — Just like Clemson was going to whip us last week, right? I guess you figure you’ll get one right eventually…but maybe not.
Go Jackets!
Wait… but maybe!!!!
doggone
September 18th, 2009
11:49 am
Look–coaches do not play the game. Never have, never will. Johnson is right–his offense produces in a similar way to U.Meyers’. The thing here is Johnson is playing with athletes he was given, not those he chose. Give him a quarterback who can throw, who can read, and who can think, and he will win more than eight games, techites. jeez.
From the morgue
September 18th, 2009
11:49 am
If I had to go to a football game — and I’ll say this with all honesty — I’d pick one in which Paul Johnson is coaching. This is not some overnight observation. This comes from a guy who has seen Neyland, Dodd, Blaik, Wade and Lombardi coach, not to mention having sat for hours with Bob Zuppke.
Futuro
September 18th, 2009
11:51 am
Sorry to but in, but it’s 13 days for 3 games.
Mephistopheles
September 18th, 2009
11:51 am
Mephistopheles
September 15th, 2009
8:29 pm
Miami has had more talented players than GT for 4 years and lost all 4 games. UM has failed to develop players because they’ve done a poor job of hiring talented coaches.
The biggest difference in this game is that Miami’s superior talent is now being directed by exceptional coaches. GT fans know only too well the significant upgrade Mark Whipple represents compared to Patrick Nix, and Lovett had the most effective defensive gameplan the Jackets faced all season.
Sorry Techies, but the party is over in the ACC. Barring injury to Jacory Harris, the U is finally ready to bring credibility to this conference on a national level like the ACC commish had hoped.
Doubt me? Well, UM’s opening drive this season was 6 plays/66 yards for a TD. (666) Don’t say I didn’t warn you. CAN “U” FEEL THE HEAT?
Link Report this comment
In case you missed my previous sagacity, I thought I’d give you another viewing of my wisdom. It can be found on page 2 of the “Big plays against big plays” by Robertson if you doubt my veracity.
6 first downs via the rush
6 completed passes
6 third down conversions
Scary-isn’t it.
Now that GT fans have rejoined the faithful back here on Earth, consider that this dismantling happened without the benefit of turnovers. Virtually all of the players you saw last night (barring a visit from ME) will return to Atlanta next year where the ultimate humiliation will befall those who dared to mock the U during its chrysalis slumber.
Fear not Tech fans, the balance of your schedule will feel like a walk through an English garden following the reprimand you received last night. And consider this-while Humility is by far the ugliest of all HIS creations, it is wisely practiced by those who are merely pretenders to the throne.
Until next season then, Jackets.
Nether Yours,
Meffy.