5 reasons Georgia Tech is even worse off than you’d think
A happy Paul Johnson after the N.C. State game. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
1. Apparently B-backs aren’t interchangeable. Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 1,395 yards in both 2008 and 2009. Over the winter Paul Johnson said he’d be willing to bet his new B-back would gain 1,000 yards. Anthony Allen has rushed for 267 yards in four games, which would translate to 801 over a full regular season.
2. Apparently Bay-Bay was indispensable. Joshua Nesbitt passed for 1,701 yards last season, most of them to Demaryius Thomas. Nesbitt has thrown for 316 yards over four games, which projects to 948 over a full regular season. His completion percentage, which was 46.3 a year ago, is 32.6 now.
3. Apparently it wasn’t all about the defensive coordinator. Dave Wommack’s defense ranked 54th nationally last season, yielding an average of 360 yards per game. Al Groh’s defense ranks 71st, yielding 367 yards. In pass defense Tech was 45th last season; it’s 69th now.
4. Apparently “depth” isn’t synonymous with “talent.” Before the season, Johnson called this his deepest Tech team. After losing to N.C. State, Groh lamented that his defense had made but three significant plays in 81 snaps and that there was no “supermarket” where the Jackets could go buy better players.
5. Even with the ACC in retreat, four difficult games remain. Tech must play at Clemson, at Virginia Tech and at Georgia, and it will face Miami at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Given that the Jackets have already lost twice when favored and that their only victory of consequence came against depleted North Carolina, this team could wind up 7-5 — or worse.
Equal time (sort of): 5 reasons the Georgia Bulldogs are better than you’d think.
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356 comments Add your comment
My View
September 30th, 2010
5:00 pm
1. Opposing defenses have taken away the “B” dive and much of the QB keepers so far this season.
We have not been able to take advantage of that because of the blocking on the corners (A backs and receivers). POOR BLOCKING (OL TOO)!!!
2. I don’t think for an instant that the defensive scheme is a major cause of the problem and should be attributed to Coach Groh.
The 3-4 is new to the players and they haven’t quite caught on to it yet. I do firmly believe that before the end of the season our current defensive players will be playing quite well and the defense will be much, much better.
3. Our passing attack is very, very poor!!! Understatement.
For anyone that is familiar with the type of option football CPJ teaches, TIMING, is everything. The amount of practice time required to effectively implement this offense is enormous. Taken that a college team only has so much practice time spending a large amount of time on the passing game is just not there.
CPJ doesn’t have the practice hours it takes to implement a passing offense such as UGA where a ball is thrown to certain spots by the QB and the receiver runs a route to the spot. It would be the same thing if CMR wanted practice time to perfect option plays.
There is a tremendous amount of room for improvement in the passing game. However, I don’t think that Nesbitt is or will be the answer. He may be a warrior and one heck of a running QB but one thing is obvious, he’s not is a passer.
4. Recruiting. That big kid, 6′3″, 200 lbs., from NC will be a HUGE asset next year. I don’t have any doubts about CPJ and Groh’s recruiting abilities.
Taylor Hanson
September 30th, 2010
5:03 pm
Who’s that Heisman candidacy for the Robot coming along?
Time
September 30th, 2010
5:04 pm
Yep, time for all you Jackets “fans” to put your gear up in the closet for another decade. Keep it safe and clean for 10 years from now, when Tech has another decent season, and you all can come crawling out of the woodwork like the bugs you are.
Never ceases to amaze how many Tech fans you never knew were Tech fans show up when they have the rare good season.
My View
September 30th, 2010
5:05 pm
Clarification: Big Kid, from NC,,,the QB recruit.
gt
September 30th, 2010
5:05 pm
I think Johnson said the position as a unit would gain 1000. Josh must have thrown the ball better last year too, because what he has thrown this year not even Bay Bay could of caught. Maybe if Groh had a few of those NFL players back and maybe if he has a defensive lineman that could play the 3-4 defense or a linebacker that could tackle in the open field, but all these lack of fundamentals seem to come with both schools that play division one football in this state.
I do appreciate where Mark is coming from. A little light on the subject can only help the team. I for one think Paul Johnson is a very good coach. I think Mark needs to rethink who he calls a good team left on Tech’s schedule. I am very glad we do not play State again, Mark named Va.Tech and Georgia as monsters still in Tech’s path? In the same breath he criticizes Tech he is giving the weaker recorded rival an unearned nod. Not having anything good to say about Tech is the way it should be, this year. They could beat every team left on their schedule and still not be that good.
Knuckle Head
September 30th, 2010
5:08 pm
Time,
Who’s computer did you borrow? You should get in your camo pick-up and wonder off back over to the trailer park. Or better yet, get your tree-stand and polish it up. You Jawja, REDNECK.
Old Dawg
September 30th, 2010
5:11 pm
juvenal: I’m not saying that Jaybo Show would have performed at the same level at Tech, though he did have success. He is performing well on the 1-AA level, where his talent is a natural fit. He has several years in the system to help him with the offense, one of the reasons he transferred to GSU and one of the reasons for its success this season. I’m sure there’s talent at QB backing Nesbitt. At the same time, it takes at least some time as a starter to develop all the skills as as a flexbone QB … it’s not as easy as it looks.
GTfanfrom1951
September 30th, 2010
5:13 pm
Thanks Mark with the way you pick we might win out!!!!! Go JAckets
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2010
5:14 pm
It does look like PJ has trimmed up a bit. That’s good.
Still Smiling
September 30th, 2010
5:20 pm
@Geek Squad Newsletter: That is absolutely the funniest post I have ever read. Thanks
Tuckerman
September 30th, 2010
5:26 pm
Lost 6 potential returners (4 to NFL + 2 OL not admitted to grad school). Forced to play a true Frosh at center last week. Running a brand new D. Of course, they’re no good right now. But the sky is not falling. They’ll turn it around. PJ is just too proud to call it a rebuilding year. Gotta respect his confidence, just don’t always believe it.
Brad in KY
September 30th, 2010
5:28 pm
@Mark Bradley: What do you think of this? Through four games:
J Dwyer, 2009: 49 carries, 226 yards, 4.6 yards/carry
A Allen, 2010: 51 carries, 267 yards, 5.24 yards/carry
JacketBacker84
September 30th, 2010
5:32 pm
Fire Al Groh!
Ezekiel
September 30th, 2010
5:34 pm
Lot of teams improve as the season progresses and Paul Johnson coached teams have always been one of those teams. You don’t lose players like Dwyer and BeBe Thomas without initially feeling the loss but the players who are taking their place deserve time to get their feet under them. Discuss more Georgia Tech football at: http://BBuzzOff.com
GT51
September 30th, 2010
5:36 pm
if any qb threw the ball 30 or 40 yds down the field every time he dropped back for a pass, his completion % would be 30-40% at best. cpj needs to implement shorter pass routes in the offense and not just when it is 3rd and long. try throwing a screen pass on 1st down or throw that short route to AA out of the backfield like he did against nc state. they absolutely need to throw to stephen hilll 2 or 3 times a game. just stand up and throw the ball out to him in the flat. a guaranteed 6-10 yds every time.
You are all idiots
September 30th, 2010
5:37 pm
You are all idiots. I am a Bama fan, but anyone with a brain can see Paul Johnson’s offense is not the problem. The scheme works, Georgia Tech clearly doesn’t have the talent this year to succeed on a consistent basis right now on offense. Thats not the triple options fault. Thats a lack of talent which should have been expected since you guys lost 5 or 6 starters on offense. I saw Paul coach at GSU and Navy. The guy is an absolute genius, but a coach can only do so much with poor players. Georgia Tech is in a rebuilding year, but their future looks very bright. Oh and UGA fans, you guys are just scared that you’ll be second in the state for the majority of the next decade. You’ll be second fiddle. Thats okay, you guys are used to being what, 5th fiddle in the SEC? When is the last time anyone outside of Athens cared about UGA? At least GT’s offense gains some talk outside the state. And they made it to a BCS bowl. We care about beating Florida, LSU and Auburn. I think we’d beat both teams, but I know I’d be much more afraid of Georgia Tech. Saban could probably slow down the triple O, but if they were to get consistent on offense, we might need a few dozen TDs from Ingram and Co. to beat them. We wouldn’t have to start Ingram, Richardson or Jones if we played UGA.
Paul in RDU
September 30th, 2010
5:46 pm
Wait til you all see Vad Lee.
Burgess
September 30th, 2010
5:49 pm
Tech ran off the best coach they’ll ever have….Chan Gailey. What blue chip athlete is going go to Tech and run that high school offense ?
NoShamSam
September 30th, 2010
5:49 pm
Rebuilding year????? These are PJ’s kids. How did he do so well playing with the previous coach’s kids?? He should be doing better than ever now since he ’s playing with players he recruited.
wesleywhatwhat
September 30th, 2010
5:52 pm
dwyer in 2009
game 1 – 95 yards
game 2 – 127 yards
game 3 – 7 yards
game 4 – 158
total – 387
allen in 2010
game 1 – 28
game 2 – 89
game 3 – 115
game 4 – 35
total – 267
killerbuzz42
September 30th, 2010
5:54 pm
Mark- What a truly snarky caption comment. ugAJC all the way.
stoney shamblee
September 30th, 2010
5:56 pm
one bad game for tech dont mean the seasons over we have good coach and will right the ship. uga on the other hand has tallent but no coaching one player aj green ant super man by the way tech beat miss.st the last two years uga lost 3 in a row tech ant lost 3 in a row in years mark bradly is a uga lover so who cares what he says also tech will beat uga the 5 an 7 uga bull pups
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 30th, 2010
5:56 pm
MB
Ain’t these “5 Reasons” columns come back to haunt you, enough times already?
You are all idiots
September 30th, 2010
5:57 pm
NoShamSam you are a bigger idiot than the other guys. This is Johnson’s 3rd year…. All of “His Guys” are Freshmen, RS Freshman and Sophomores. You gotta be kidding me if you think a bunch of under-class men are supposed to make such a huge impact. I’ve lived in GA for a while and UGA fans continue to amuse me. Pretty apathetic towards GT, but Paul’s a good coach and its pretty funny seeing all the UGA fans with their panties in a wad because GT has been more relevant than UGA in football the last 26 months or so. GT has a better record than UGA the last years and they are 1-1 against you guys. As Bob Dylan famously said “The Times They Are A Changin” Roll Tide
Vulture
September 30th, 2010
5:59 pm
Gailey recruited Nesbitt as a passer.
NoShamSam
September 30th, 2010
6:02 pm
pj’s second year included his freshmen…his 3rd year (this year) includes his freshmen and sophomores
You are all idiots
September 30th, 2010
6:04 pm
I said that….. can you read? Not to mention Sophomores are UNDER CLASS MEN.
Ergophobia
September 30th, 2010
6:06 pm
NoShamSam – “pj’s second year included his freshmen…his 3rd year (this year) includes his freshmen and sophomores”
Apparently you’ve never heard of red-shirting. What an idiot and a tool. You are as embarrassing as your school little puppy.
The Grinch
September 30th, 2010
6:08 pm
There’s nothing dumber than a University of Georgia Bulldog.
You are all idiots
September 30th, 2010
6:12 pm
Seems like most Tech fans have class….hey you guys wanna come to the SEC East in UGA’s place? I’d enjoy watching Nick Saban’s defense play the triple option every few years. Not to mention it would be nice to play someone other than UF in the SEC championship game and everyone else on the East is playing with themselves over there right now. At least make it interesting. I’d take Georgia State in East over UGA right now. Okay not really….
Rockdale Jacket
September 30th, 2010
6:15 pm
Mark: You are the most amazing sportswriter I have ever known. I don`t know if you think your articles up yourself or your bosses direct what you
write…maybe a mixture of both. My point is you seem to know exactly what to write in order to get the most bloggers to react on any given day. I am not being sarcastic because this is what I see from you vs. the other AJC sportswriters.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
You are all idiots Tech would face Nick Saban’s Bama team as often as UGA and tht would be once every 6 years unless Bama and Tech made it to the SECCG. Now Tech would play the Gators every year but not Bama. Hell UGA don’r play Bama that meany years in a row. TRY again.
Luke Anderson
September 30th, 2010
6:31 pm
Mark Bradley, how much do you want to bet that Tech will lose 4 or less? I am sure you will be on Paul’s jock when they start winning again…it’s par for YOUR course. Dawg fans first two posts were classy and respectful – thank you for sportsmanship. To Hell with Bradley – Worst AJC writer ONLY to Terrance Moore, and that’s BAD!
savjacket
September 30th, 2010
6:31 pm
Can we archive this for all you naysayers in the end? Don’t come applauding the team when they surprise you. Ya’ll are pathetic.
60 on the 27th
September 30th, 2010
6:32 pm
I do not give a fat bradley’s xxx how anybody thinks about the Jackets at the moment. What if all you want. As long as the Jackets lay out the stupid dogs, then all is and will be good.
smittY
September 30th, 2010
6:32 pm
Last yr GT traded TD’s with opposing teams and won close games……this year the offense is not as consistently potent and the defense is weaker……that translates into more losses…..without Thomas nesbitt looks lost in the passing game…….dare I say on some his passes he reminds me of chan’s QB……but nesbitt is a great athlete and just needs some short passes, screens, etc to get his rhythm and confidence going…..too often he’s been asked to throw on third and long……….
GT can still win a lot of games……work on the short passing game, over the middle, on a rollout?……let Allen, , orwin, et al continue to run……..and defense, get a stop every so often
Vulture
September 30th, 2010
6:40 pm
You are all idiots
GA fans are always saying they wish they could be classy like GT fans.
savjacket
September 30th, 2010
6:40 pm
Oh, and another thing, you people are the ones that provide fodder for the UGA idiots about us not filling up the stands. This is the most promising coaching staff we have had since Dodd. If you don’t care, then stop posting. That way, we don’t have to listen to those morons and you.
savjacket
September 30th, 2010
6:47 pm
Hey Time, 0-3 in the conference hurts, no? Ouch. Troll over to the UGA “Fire Richt” blog. Loser.
T-MAN
September 30th, 2010
6:48 pm
The reality is missed assignments,fumbles,lack of senior leadership…it’ll get better,coach will make sure that they understand it’s up to the players to win…Hey I hear UGAs playing possom football this year,play dead at home get run over on the road.THWG
reality
September 30th, 2010
6:51 pm
I see all of these idiot UGA fans on our blog. They Bitch when we are on theirs, but they continue to spout ignorant dribble on our blog.
Ole Ball Fan
September 30th, 2010
7:06 pm
My view –
1)Groh will eventually be successful. The talent is poor, and transition to 3-4 is not a one season event. Ask UGA fans.
2)It was the Offense that put pressure on the Defense last week.
3)It is very tuff to have a great Defense when your first team Offense doesn’t play a conventional offensive scheme. They see a scout team that plays at a much slower speed in a “foreign” offensive scheme. This could be a long term detriment to having a ‘great Defense”.
4)Passing game is almost unbelievably bad and there are apparently no short passing routes in the playbook.
5)As bad as Tech has played they were one or two plays away from a win in both games.
6)The lack of blue chippers on both sides of the ball is becoming more of a concern. Does the offensive scheme really hurt our recruiting?
7)At what point do you put Washington in for a few series to see if he can throw the ball?
8)3rd or 4th and 8 is very scary. Lack of plays and very poor execution in must pass situations. It actually looks like the team gives up on downs with long yardage.
9)Why do the receivers break off routes so often?
10BJ and Cross look like the “real deals”.
south eastern chumps and drunks
September 30th, 2010
7:07 pm
I do not care how bad it gets at least DRAD isn’t setting up future games with Charleston Southern, God help UGA, your better off with Damon Evans. I hope DRAD gets the Bama series back. UGA, Keep playing those schools and you will end up one yourself. YOu know Mark,if GT were 4 and oh, this article would not be much different because that is the way you are, always putting GT down and accusing. So what else is new? I wish GT never passed the ball just get receivers to block but Nesbitt could produce more short passes like throwing out of the pocket to Allen which he did last week. I believe Allen should move out of the BBack spot to block for whoever they are putting in there. I think CPJ is the best but do not see his point of view on some things like not giving someone else a chance at BBack when Allen fumbles twice.
Flying Tigers
September 30th, 2010
7:09 pm
Tech will be just fine with CPJ, and maybe this will be a down year at 7-5 or 6-6, but I have all the faith in the world that CPJ will have us contending for more titles very soon. Geez some of you people, and stop worrying about recriuting as we will be ok. At least CPJ and staff are not bringing in the riif raff and gangsta low lifes like ugag keeps doing. No wonder they have so many arresst, I mean look at their former AD. The “university” and I use the term loosley is an embarrassment to the whole state of Georgia except of course their trailer trash red neck fans that have no class anyway. But the funny thing is as much as they say Tech doesn’t matter, they again, just like last year have to hang their whole season and self worth on beating Tech in football. My how the so called mighty have fallen. Face it UGA is just a irrelevant and maybe even more so than Tech is. The only thing they have going for them is they won the Fulmer cup…and they are the top party school, and again I use the term school loosley…uga is at present time a joke, so just laugh at the inbreds, they are irrevelvant…son’t beleive me. ask the other teams in the SEC.
Delbert D.
September 30th, 2010
7:14 pm
@Majors – “You only have 27 who have declared majors?”
I don’t have any who have declared majors; I am not a school. Georgia Tech has on their player bios, 27 upperclassmen who list their major on the bio. Coincidentally, the University of Georgia has 27 players who have declared majors on their bios.
@ The Grinch – “Wow, only 10 out of 85 players have declared engineering to be their major. How many of those actually see substantial playing time?”
Upperclassmen declare majors, both at Georgia Tech and at the University of Georgia. Since you are so interested in what football players are majoring in, I will post numbers for Georgia in my next post. As to your 2nd question 5 starters are engineering majors.
Delbert D.
September 30th, 2010
7:16 pm
@ Grinch – Here is a list of 2010 University of Georgia upperclassmen lettermen’s majors:
7 – Housing
6 – Pre-Business
3 – Pre-Journalism
2 – Speech Communication
2 – Education
1 – Middle School Education
1 – Management Information Systems
1 – Child and Family Development
1 – Consumer Economics
1 – Arts and Sciences
1 – Finance
1 – Sports Management
Delbert D.
September 30th, 2010
7:18 pm
I’m waiting for him to ask how many of those housing majors actually see significant playing time.
That was a joke, by the way.
The Real Grinch
September 30th, 2010
7:21 pm
Is it a coincidence that the majority of declared majors for UGA football players is “housing” because they came from the projects? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
The Real Grinch
September 30th, 2010
7:22 pm
Of course EVERYONE knows that you go to Tech if you want an education and you go to UGA if you just want a degree. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
paul has a small johnson
September 30th, 2010
7:54 pm
I have said this before and I will say it again. GT loses 5-6 games this year, if they are lucky.Outdated playook being exposed this year. Option will not work at the big boy schools.Nesbit for Heisman HAHAHAHAHAHAHA