At Georgia Tech, the spread option has sprouted more options
Ninety-five yards and a cloud of dust. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
We know Paul Johnson’s offense, right? A-backs go in motion. B-back gets the bulk of the carries. Quarterback throws passes that can’t be caught by man or bird.
OK, scratch that. We knew Paul Johnson’s offense. But the spread option as currently deployed by Georgia Tech is forcing us to reassess.
Option football is based on the triple option, wherein a quarterback keeps the ball and runs himself, hands it to the back bursting up the middle or pitches it to a man on the flank. With Joshua Nesbitt as on-field administrator, options were essentially reduced to two: He’d keep the ball or hand it to his up-the-gut B-back.
In 2009, Nesbitt and B-back Jonathan Dwyer carried 514 times; the top four A-backs carried 181 times. Last season Nesbitt and backup quarterback Tevin Washington — Nesbitt broke his arm in November, you’ll recall — and B-back Anthony Allen rushed 512 times; the top three A-backs rushed 151 times.
It’s not as if that way was a bust. In its first three seasons under Johnson, Tech finished fourth, second and first among FBS schools in rushing. But that was a different sort of rushing, and here’s how you can tell: The B-back has always been the featured ballcarrier in Johnson’s offense — Dwyer had consecutive 1,300-yard seasons, and Allen topped 1,200 last year — but in 2011 the starting B-back hasn’t yet had a 100-yard game. David Sims has carried 30 times, which matches the number of carries allotted to the A-back crew of Orwin Smith, Embry Peeples and Roddy Jones.
Granted, this could be a function of opposition. Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee and Kansas might not have had anybody capable of defending the perimeter. It could also be that, in Washington, Tech has a quarterback whose favored option isn’t to run it himself.
This isn’t a knock on Nesbitt. He was a tremendous college player who would take any dare. But Washington isn’t as powerful as Nesbitt, and the new man is less apt to carry four defenders five yards for a needed first down. When in doubt, Nesbitt trusted himself to make a play. Washington seems to trust his mates a bit more.
As a consequence, we’re seeing a rushing attack predicated less on power than on speed and deception, and the results have been breathtaking. (Indeed, Tech has trotted out a T-shirt bearing the pertinent numbers from the Jackets’ destruction of Kansas.) It’s tempting to call this a true triple option, except that Washington has added a viable fourth way.
The forward pass is no longer a forlorn hope. Nesbitt left Tech having completed 43.1 percent of his passes as a starting quarterback, and without Demaryius Thomas to outfight defenders that percentage would have been far worse. Washington completed four passes against Kansas — for a total of 164 yards.
The Jayhawks cheated toward the line to try to stop the run, and the A-backs ran past them. And — key difference — Washington hit them in stride. Said Johnson: “Those are the plays we haven’t completed the past couple of years. He’s throwing them where they can catch them. That’s the idea.”
Well, yes. And now a defense has to defend not only the keep and the handoff, but the pitch and the throw. In sum, it has become a spread option in the fullest sense.
On sheer talent, there’s no current Jacket who’s a match for Nesbitt or Dwyer or Allen or Thomas, but that’s not the point. This is a crew that fits a specific scheme — and the line, it must be noted, is doing some road-grading — and that scheme has worked wherever Johnson has taken it.
We shouldn’t expect it to keep working quite so well. (Through three games, Tech leads the nation in total offense – by 74 yards a game over No. 2 Oklahoma State.) Neither should we expect it to stop working. Johnson knows his business, and he recruited these players for a specific purpose. Tech’s not going to average 675 yards over 12 games, but it’s clear the Jackets are onto something. And that something, if not exactly new, is more than a bit different.
By Mark Bradley
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296 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
5:26 pm
Mike, you don’t have a clue. Beating Tech and “shutting down” the offense are two totally different things, at least in Tech’s case. UGA hasn’t “shut down” Tech’s offense yet. The only reason they won two out of three was that Tech’s defense stunk and Tech turned the ball over (UNFORCED turnovers, I might add).
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
5:28 pm
The same can be said about last year’s Clemson game. Clemson didn’t shut us down; Tech fumbled and bumbled their way to defeat
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
5:29 pm
What is with these damn filters that I can’t post responses???
Clemson never “shut down” the Jackets last year either. Tech played lousy on both sides of the ball, but it had nothing to do with anything Clemson did
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
5:31 pm
Miami is debatable, but the first loss to Miami was a total breakdown on both sides of the ball by Tech after playing 2 other games in the previous 11 days. Last year, more of that poor execution, mostly on defense, but definitely not a shut down.
the voice of reason
September 21st, 2011
5:32 pm
Good analysis Mark.The offense is definitly different with Tevin at the wheel.Nesbit was a short yardage beast but never the tecnician when it came to footwork or timing.So far this year,our execution has been sharper, where it goes from here remains to be seen but it is really fun to watch when everybodys on the same page . There is not a prettier play in football than a well executed counter option when the fakes and the blocks go click click click. and the pitch comes out right on time to a wide open back on the corner.Thats what makes college football unique and being a Tech fan great. If we continue to play a litte defense this could get very interesting.
Chan Gailey
September 21st, 2011
5:39 pm
Did anyone see my team come back against the Raiders last Sunday? I’m taking the Bills STRAIGHT to 9-7!!!!!
T3
September 21st, 2011
5:41 pm
@ Mike: “…Even the 6 and 7 win variety UGA squads have figured it out.”
Really? UGAG fugured oout GT’s offense??
Hmmmmmm, I seem to recall GT usign a back-up QB to shred
that $750,000 “”midle school” defense for 500+ Yards last year.
But GT playing with the STARTING QB didnt have ANY trouble
shredding a 9-2 UGAG team for 400+ yards in 2008.
Yeh, you’ve figured out.
Why dont you just TROLL back on over to the Cesspool blog
and help Jabba-the-Mutt figure out who’s going to replace Richt.
a
techfan
September 21st, 2011
5:42 pm
Western Carolina, MTSU, and Kansas, people. Should any team with aspirations for even a good season not expect to blow these teams off the ball?
I don’t think you realize that we were expected to be horrible this year. Some picked MTSU to beat us. Kansas beat us last year. Most Tech fans are happy because not only did those teams not beat us, we destroyed them in record breaking fashion. You really think Tech fans should not be excited that our football team is playing better then most expected?
Paddy
September 21st, 2011
6:20 pm
cantondawg…..if cut blocking caused more injuries than regular blocking, the rules committee would outlaw the cut block. What is your point?
Ramblnwrek
September 21st, 2011
6:28 pm
Lets not forget that this is a fairly young team. I dont know how many seniors we will lose after this year, but it wont be much. And I we will have to wait and see if there are any NFL guys that leave, but my point is most of these guys will be back next year too. And then we will have a few more QBs to choose from.
I see Days getting to be good but he will need a off-season or so to really work on the pitch and to a less extent throw. He has shown he can throw better than Nesbitt but still shows those signs of Nesbitt-isms. I mean how many of us dont know by now that if they see Days come on the field that he is going to keep the ball himself. But I think the by the time Vlad is ready, both he and Days will push each other incredibly to master the QB of the option.
DS_CE91
September 21st, 2011
6:41 pm
I do think we’ll learn something about ourselves this week. I don’t think the offense will be totally shut down, but neither will it be able to cover for an inept defense or poor special teams play. We are going to need all phases clicking to win.
But that’s what if GREAT about fall Saturdays… we get to find out just what have week in and week out!
GO JACKETS!!!!
Ol'JacketFan
September 21st, 2011
6:52 pm
@Ramblnwrek, There are 17 starters returning off this year’s squad. As good as this year is starting off the future looks even brighter!
jfreak13713
September 21st, 2011
6:53 pm
I love the offense when it works. To me its a thing of beauty when functioning as designed but Johnson has to prove that this offense can work against top rated schools?? I have hope but I also have doubts. We will see as the season moves along if this will work or not.
Flounder
September 21st, 2011
7:06 pm
reality – September 21st, 2011 @ 2:11 pm
“jackets, you are all setting yourself up for a big fall from your current state of euphoria.”
I believe MOST GT fans are excited about the recent performances of team, but also remain cautiously optimistic about the rest of the season. We know as well as any that you have to take it one game at a time. Forgive us for a little smile here and there, though … especially after the season and off-season GT just had.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
7:10 pm
RamblinWreck, at the point in the games when Days has come in, why WOULD he pitch the ball? When you’re ahead in a game that much, you play conservatively and protect the ball AND the lead. I’d be willing to be that CPJ hm NOT to pitch it.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
7:12 pm
willing to bet, that is
1 4 GT
September 21st, 2011
7:20 pm
MB & Wreck ‘Em–can ya’ll imagine what kinda NFL safety the “beast” Nesbitt will make when he gets the chance? I checked the Bills website and that seems to be his position on their practice squad. I understand he was a better high school safety than a QB. I know he has the talent and the attitude to play on Sundays & his being with the coach that recruited him to GT should help his chances.
GT GRAD
September 21st, 2011
7:28 pm
Mark Bradley with a positive piece about GT………thanks!
we steal ruin this state
September 21st, 2011
7:32 pm
Cantondawg,
A friend who is both an Eagle and a dawg has said many of the same things you mentioned above. He has said that it would take CPJ several years to get his entire system in place, but when he does, watch out.
In a blog yesterday covering CPJ’s press conference, he mentioned watching film from 2008 and wishing he had the blocking schemes in place at that time, but it was just too much, too soon (paraphrased by me).
I think what we’re seeing this year is the starters now have the experience in this system, and as younger guys come in, it’s only going to get better. Downfield blocking has been impressive thus far.
1 4 GT
September 21st, 2011
7:32 pm
Hey reality Just what the devil do you think being a true fan of your school/team is all about???????
GT9
September 21st, 2011
7:49 pm
12.1
Finch, Uzzi, Jackson, Kidney, Beno
Buzz 2011
September 21st, 2011
7:50 pm
We just scored again Mark!!!
Pencil necked geek
September 21st, 2011
7:53 pm
Boy I just can’t wait til we get into the heart of that ACC schedule. I think that UNC will be a tough one, and Wake we shoul dominate, I really see us only having a couple of teams that can stay on the field with us. Look what we did to Kansas. Think what we could do if we played that level of team every week.
Buzz 2011
September 21st, 2011
7:57 pm
Dawglasville… Guess we won’t hear from you till the end of the year!!!
Gee, we scored again on an 85 yard pass play!!!
1 4 GT
September 21st, 2011
8:03 pm
Naw tony—GT only takes less than 20 seconds to score about 1/2 the time
1 4 GT
September 21st, 2011
8:12 pm
PJ’s option spread, IMO, looks more like the Houston Veer my h/s coach ran than anything else I can recall
secfactcheck.com
September 21st, 2011
8:14 pm
I love the difference in tone and tenor of the UGA comments and TECH comments…
TECH is totally up and optimistic. Football is FUN at TECH. NCAA records are falling. I can not think of another scheme that is more exciting to watch than what CPJ has put together. Literally, any play might go all the way ANYTIME. At TECH it is more about the TEAM instead of individual 4-5 star, NBA’ish player vs player. Coaching and play coming together. GREAT JOB JACKETS!
TECH fans are not bitter. We are not second guessing the leader. What a disturbing scene going on in Athens. Yuck!!!
Rise and Fall of the 3rd Richt
September 21st, 2011
8:21 pm
yes two positive articles from MB about GT, but beware GT fans, if the Jackets continue to win..it will just a matter of weeks before MB will be urging CPJ to be the next coach of ND stating since Kelly isn’t getting it done or one of the soon to be fired coaches in the SEC. Wait and see.
1 4 GT
September 21st, 2011
8:25 pm
If ya.ll wanna see how well this offense works, look @ SC/Navy. SC would not have pulled that game out with most any other coach with the same players. SC needed one of the best COLLEGE coaches ever to get that game away from Navy & the spread offense–they still the PJ version as far as I can see.
Rise and Fall of the 3rd Richt
September 21st, 2011
8:30 pm
oh and another thing, since we should have 3 quality quarterbacks next season wait and see if MOnken down at Ga Southern doesn’t try to take one away again. No telling who he will send to do his dirty work. Maybe CPJ will realize before long Monken isn’t his close friend after all.
Dawglasville
September 21st, 2011
8:44 pm
What is funny, not funny ha ha but funny…sad, is that I came on here as I always have, being respectful and gracious. I predicted that you would beat UNC. I predicted that you could very well go 10-2. You guys are so jazzed up over these 3 wins that it is unbearable to be on here with you. It’s cliché but act like you’ve been there before. Good luck with your season. Our teams will play in November and one of us will be able to crow for the next 364 days. I’ll stay on my the UGA blogs from now on.
Ray Man
September 21st, 2011
8:45 pm
Tech wins big again , say 41-20. 400+ on the ground.
Georgia gets a huge win at Ole Miss 31-17
Mike
September 21st, 2011
9:12 pm
I see a lot of excuses like “poor execution” and “turnovers”. Could it possibly be that the defenses were good enough to cause those? That the defenses were not fooled by the high school offense? That Tech’s lineman were flat manhandled and the backs didnt have the open field in front of them they enjoy against teams like Kansas and MTSU? I know that’s what happened in the Miami games, and last years Clemson game. I know thats what happened in the bowl games. UGA? Tech got their yardage, but it was tough going and they got stopped far too many times, especially by Soft Willie and a defense that a year before gave up 45 to Johnson. If UGA actually had any DTs last year, it would have been worse. Most of Tech’s yards were up the middle where they had DEs trying to play DT. They still didnt come easy.
This offense is predicated on being able to break the big play. It’s why they beat UGA in Athens a few years ago, and why they havent won the last two. UGA has kept the home run ball off the field, made them grind all the way down, and forced them into mistakes.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
9:21 pm
Mike you really are dumb, aren’t you? First, NO, Tech’s losses had virtually nothing to do with the other teams’ defenses. ONLY IOWA had a defense that stopped us. All the other losses were do to lousy Tech defenses and self-destruction on offense. THAT’S A FACT !!!
Supersize that order, mutt
September 21st, 2011
9:26 pm
Mike, the big play is not the only reason Tech’s offense succeeds? Just check the MTSU game as an example. This has nothing to do with the level of competition there; it’s just an example of how CPJ’s offense works. In the first quarter against MTSU, Tech scored 4 times, 2 of them were off of big plays, 2 of them were off of LONG SUSTAINED drives. The past 3 years have proven (at least to those with any semblance of intelligence) that Tech can capitalize off each. True there were no (or not many) big plays against Georgia last year, but there WERE LONG SUSTAINED drives. It’s just unfortunate for Tech that two of those drives ended in UNFORCED turnovers that led to UGA scores. Even at the end of the game, Tech was on a long drive that, had TW not thrown a bad pass, would have sent the game into OT.
yellow britches
September 21st, 2011
9:27 pm
YOU KNOW WHAT’S SWEET? REPLACING A BEAR BRYANT ALABAMA TEAM IN THE RECORD BOOK WITH MORE YARDS PER PLAY. NOW THAT SITS WELL.
Mike
September 21st, 2011
9:41 pm
LOL ok, buddy. Gaining yardage without scoring means nothing. When you lose 38-3, 35-10, 28-13, 37-17, 24-14, even 14-7…you got shut down. Their defense stopped you when it needed to and when it counted.
Yes Tech’s D sux, but that’s part of the deal when you fire your coach. Johnson obviously cant coach D, so its up to him to bring in someone who can. Gailey needed a better OC, but he had Tenuta running a far better D than Tech has seen since. Tenuta didnt want to stay though. That’s what I keep telling UGA fans about firing Richt because of a couple of lousy seasons in 10 years. Who’s to say that Dan Mullen, Gus Malzhan or any other pipe dream replacment will bring a D in that can stop anyone? Seen Auburn’s defense this year? Think they really would have won more than 8 games last year without Superman 2 at QB?
Gatorman
September 21st, 2011
11:52 pm
For the last 2 years both fans and sports casters have said regularly, that Tech would be a much better offense with a passing attack. Okay, it seems they have one now but will PJohnson use it if they fall behind or revert to his comfort zone of running all the time. Good teams with good defenses will tighten the lanes to run in, and stop the long drive. However, throw over there heads with some good passes and they cannot do that. Secondly, he falls in love with up the middle runs when the wide pitch wears the defense down. (see last Saturday)
GTT
September 22nd, 2011
6:19 am
Thanks for resisting the temptation of using “stylized offense.”
Sourgrapes
September 22nd, 2011
7:41 am
Dawglisville – You acted with class and dignity, my friend. The same can’t be said for some of the GT fans and that makes me sad.
rtpdawg
September 22nd, 2011
7:48 am
How many Top 100 teams has Tech played so far? 0. There is no talent on the schedule until week 7 or 8 when they play Miami. Lets wait until they beat a good team until everyine starts praising Johnson. It’s easy to beat the worst teams in the nation and run up the score.
Mark
September 22nd, 2011
8:09 am
rtp
unc is ranked you idiot.
Parker
September 22nd, 2011
8:15 am
Wrong RTP
Sagarin has GT 20th
Uga 36th..lol
and Kansas 69.
Oh and our opponent Sat unc is 24th.
YOUR opponent is 75th. real tough.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm
Reality
September 22nd, 2011
8:15 am
Hey rtpdawg…how is your team and coach doing this year. I wouldn’t be suprised if you lost to Ole Miss.
Parker
September 22nd, 2011
8:20 am
We don’t play wake pn geek. Read a schedule before posting next time.
Jason A
September 22nd, 2011
8:24 am
rtp says “There is no talent on the schedule until week 7 or 8 when they play Miami”.
that’s funny considering we play Md 2 weeks before Miami oh and Md BEAT miami. Dog fans are the dumbest on the planet.
FutureTechorGaSouthernStar
September 22nd, 2011
8:35 am
Tech or Ga Southern ( the real GSU ) should sign St. Pius QB Tray White. He has been running the triple since 7th grade and has always been a winner. St. Pius has had great success and just because you could not sign the other 3 D-I players no need to overlook the QB who can run A back also. Look at his video ! He runs a 4.45. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2yuduuhbto
Food for thought
September 22nd, 2011
8:42 am
A victory this week would give Georgia Tech its first 4-0 start since 1990, when it won a share of the national title.
threetrone
September 22nd, 2011
8:43 am
I got a little comment I’d like to mention. I’ve been perturbed by the decision to change jerseys to navy numbers. I believe the change was more than jerseys alone. In this article’s photo, the Tech player wears vegas gold pants and side jersey stripes. That’s more of a change from the WC game unis, in which Tech’s pants and jersey side stripes were a darker color of gold. Actually the darker color was so dark that I can’t imagine some people at the game could not see the numbers. Maybe they need glasses. Anyway, the AJC reporting that the change was to be only the jersey numbers was not correct. Now, as an alum, I can get to watch the rest of the home games on tv or computer and not have to boycott.
Food for thought
September 22nd, 2011
8:43 am
That’s funny rtp considering we play maryland 2 weeks before we play miami and they alreayd beat miami.