A sobering truth revealed: Georgia Tech just isn’t very good
Oh, no! Zach Laskey after fumbling away a punt. (AP photo)
Miami — Georgia Tech has messed up its season, and not in the way you’d think. The losses these past two weeks haven’t been examples of a gifted team losing to its inferiors; they’ve been cases of a team that, on talent, shouldn’t have been 6-0.
Yet 6-0 Tech was, ranked No. 12 the land as late as eight days ago. Now it’s 6-2 and perhaps bound for 7-5 and another holiday in Shreveport. Which is another way of saying: Water seeks its own level.
We see now that Tech isn’t very good, and the schedule, which seemed to have done it a favor, might not have been so favorable after all. Had Tech lost a couple of games early, it might have had cause to deploy Vad Lee, the freshman quarterback who might be the most talented player on this roster, as opposed to letting him sit out as a redshirt.
Who makes major changes when a team’s 6-0 and climbing in the polls? Nobody. But now, his team climbing no more, Paul Johnson was asked Saturday if there was a chance Lee would play this season. “Probably not,” Johnson said.
What happened here Saturday wasn’t a failure of effort, as had been partially the case at Virginia the week before. The inspired Cavaliers hit Tech hard at the start and held on. Miami didn’t seem long on either inspiration or execution, managing just 262 yards and two offensive touchdowns, both of those on mini-drives of 46 yards. But Tech, which gained 768 yards against Kansas in Week 3, was held to 211 in Week 8 — by a team that entered with the nation’s 81st-ranked defense.
“I think our kids played hard,” Johnson said. “It’s just frustrating we couldn’t find anything to do on offense.”
What worked earlier this season against lesser opposition — the pitchouts to the A-backs, the downfield throws off play-action — works no longer. The plays are the same; it’s the size and speed of the opponent that has changed. Where’d the wide stuff go? Said Johnson: “We can’t get to the perimeter.”
Does that mean quarterback Tevin Washington, whose efficiency has diminished in recent weeks, is making the wrong reads and keeping or handing to the B-back when he should pitch? Johnson: “He’s making the right reads. We’ve got five blocking four, and the four are winning.”
That’s not scheme. That’s talent, or the lack thereof. And it’s a huge deal. In 2008 B-back Jonathan Dwyer had nine 100-yard games; in 2009 he had seven; last season Anthony Allen, Dwyer’s successor, had six. Know how many 100-yard games David Sims, the new B-back, has had this season? None.
The much-lampooned defense hasn’t been so laughable. It yielded no second-half points last week, three this time. But a Johnson-designed team can’t win if it doesn’t score, and over the past two second halves the Jackets, in comeback mode both times, have managed one touchdown.
“We can’t overcome bad plays,” Johnson said, “because we’re not hitting big plays.”
Yet again, gaffes in the kicking game undid Tech. Freshman Zach Laskey waved teammates away from a bouncing punt, then tried to field it himself and saw Miami wind up with the ball in the end zone. And then, with a minute left before halftime and Tech having just gone 92 yards in 20 plays to halve Miami’s lead, a squib kick spawned a crushing Hurricanes touchdown. And get this: “It was supposed to be a deep kickoff,” Johnson said.
Not for the first time, we need ask: Why does a man as clever as Johnson not hire a special-teams coordinator? Instead, the kicking game is left to various Tech coaches to oversee piecemeal, and the result has been an ongoing farce. “We couldn’t overcome the special teams today,” Johnson said, “and that’s a reflection on me. Something we’re doing ain’t right.”
And now you wonder: Is there time — with a schedule that includes Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia — for Tech not to finish with five losses in the final six games? Is there any way to salvage a season that got so far ahead of itself?
Said Johnson, speaking of Washington: “We just have to find something he can do.”
At this late date, all the stuff Tech can’t do outnumbers the things it can. This is a team of limited means. Limited means, and not much time.
By Mark Bradley
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498 comments Add your comment
Tech Sucks
October 23rd, 2011
10:23 am
Dumb Nerds talking all that trash when they were beating up sisters of the poor. Tech is garbage. Everyone knew as soon as they played some “good” teams (and that is stretching the term), that they would be in trouble. UGA is going to destroy Tech just like usual.
Junior Samples
October 23rd, 2011
10:25 am
Paul Johnson just had bigger fish to fry this week. That is all. Bwahahahaha
kb
October 23rd, 2011
10:30 am
Ramblin man, Can’t come up with anything better than games from last year. Look up dawgs are now in the top 25 and will keep rising, may even win the east.Have beaten teams with much better talent than tech, thats , Ole Miss, Miss.State.Tenn, and Vandy. This November may get ugly like 2002, Miami defense ranked #82 , uga Defense ranked in the nations top 10.
Peter
October 23rd, 2011
10:36 am
The high school offense is a gimmick…..Paul Johnson is too stubborn to change his ways.
Why would a real QB, and group of receivers want to go to tech ?
robinva
October 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
I am a Ga. tech fan and have been for 50 years. The team is what it is. Paul Johnson is neither a genius or a fraud. Neither the school nor the team is comprised of clowns which is something that can’t be said of this forum.
IPTAY
October 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
Lookin forward to playing tech next weekend. You guys really sux.Looks like your coach had heartburn yesterday. Gotta luv that chicken from popeyes.
1eyedJack
October 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
I watched the Tech game yesterday. Hey, bye week, nothing else to do.
It was at once both fascinating and hard to watch. Kind of like watching a video of your own successful open heart surgery. I couldn’t even make myself glad they lost. It was sad.
If the honeymoon with CPJ is not over it should be. Under his watch you have seen the talent level drop precipitously. Under previous regimes Tech would consistenly garner 5 or 6 of the top twenty players in state and a couple of plums from out of state.
CPJ is too hard headed to be consistenly successful at Georgia Tech. He’s determined to force a square peg into a round hole even when the peg ain’t square or round.
You don’t have the athletes to run the 3-4 defense. You’ve got to have a monster nose tackle and big DEs so that 3 DLinemen can engage 5 OLinemen and give your big and fast LBs and safties room to work.
I won’t even address your special teams concerns. That would be like the pot calling the kettle black. CPJ needs to sacrifice a couple of scholarships on a kicker and a punter.
Based on the last three weeks I’ll have to adjust my prediction down from 9-3 to 7-5.
Peter
October 23rd, 2011
10:40 am
robinva . Seems the offense Paul Johnson brought to tech works best in High School, not college.
The end result is real talented players on the offensive side of the ball won’t go there.
neil marlowe
October 23rd, 2011
10:44 am
This is not a very good Tech team. We will be lucky to finish 8-4 and get some
minor bowl.
Oh, and “reaity” – how do you crap a bed? Speak english, man!!!
Tech to the SEC
October 23rd, 2011
10:45 am
Tech needs to beg and bribe the SEc to take them so they can start recruiting good players. Playing in the mickey mouse ACC hurts recruiting. Time to pay up!
Bill Stanfill
October 23rd, 2011
10:46 am
FOR GODSAKES
What’s GT supposed to do–lose a couple of its first 6 games so they won’t be ranked #12, so Vlad Lee could be inserted at QB? That’s a silly line of thought.
Nobody was picking GT to be a powerhouse this year, so it’s certainly hard to argue that they’ve under-achieved. They could take one of the Virginia Tech, Clemson games, beat Duke, and who knows with UGA . . . I’d say an 8-4 finish is a real possibility–and that’s about in line with expectations.
1eyedJack
October 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
And the “Goon Squad” lost it’s head goon early. Is that like killing the head vampire and all the rest die?
fetch
October 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
The problem is, even here in the middle of a city that is a recruiters dream, CPJ can’t recruit good players. Other teams are DYING to get into the metro area and all Johnson has to do is walk out his back door. And don’t give me that crap about higher academic standards. That may (and I repeat MAY) be true if they were held to the same majors and standards of the general student body, but Tech has set up jock inspired courses just for them like every other school in the nation.
BIOMASS
October 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
7-5, with an ugly beat down by Georgia at the end. Then a crappy bowl.
Tech’s 12 ranking shows how inept the polls can be. This is a bad team. Bad. I can’t watch them.
Johnson needs to go. I am totally disaffected by the style and type of players of his “system.”
Ted M
October 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
“The Paul Johnson experiment is coming to an end.”
Huh…It will take as least 5 more years before DRad starts to consider replacing Paul Johnson.
Tech Engineer
October 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
I don’t know why people assume Tech will beat Duke. This could be another losing season if the passing game and special team play don’t improve. Vad Lee would solve the paasing problem, and I predict he will play in the Va Tech game, possibly start. Otherwisw Paul Johnson will feel the heat big time.
Rodney Dangerfield
October 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
As a Tech fan… with Tevin Washington as QB and a former QB as B-Back… We should have known better. The 6-0 start was a mirage. Too bad Tech didn’t lose one early to avoid the embarrassment of being the first bowl eligible team to barely making a bow.
These past four games have been dismal to watch (especially the last 3). I will keep watching but will no longer look forward to it. It just isn’t very exciting.
I’m not sure why everyone assumes Tech will beat Duke.
Rodney Dangerfield
October 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
If Tevin Washington keeps regressing and Days keeps fumbling and Vad Lee does not play, then I will know that CPJ has written off this season. And that will be disappointing.
Hey Techies
October 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
Vad Lee ain’t the answer either. The “Goon Squad” can’t block – the alphabet backfield can’t run – the WR’s can’t catch – the QB can’t pitch or throw – and CPJ ain’t the genius we are told he is.
How is the recruiting going? More D2 talent on the way to the flats
Tech Engineer
October 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
Of course Tech can avoid a losing season with no bowl invitation. The biggest problem Tech had is the AD.
1eyedJack
October 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
The blueprint for defeating this Tech team is to stop the dive, neutralize the pitch, and force Tevin Washington to beat you. Tevin Washington is no Josh Nesbitt.
mike
October 23rd, 2011
11:01 am
I believe that tech is alot better than what they have shown the past 3 weeks. it seems they have gotten away from they’re core offense.true the offensive line needs adjustments and tevin needs to pitch it. special teams, i dont know. defense ,not too bad sat. miami did not look that good. a game we surely could have won. i was gonna go back to golfing on sat., but i’ll keep my faith, for now.
Ted M
October 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
Duke played Wake pretty good. I think Duke beats us partially b/c the team will likely go in over confident.
And Duke will exploit Techs special teams.
Georgia Tech just isn't very good
October 23rd, 2011
11:04 am
but the Jackets are still undefeated at home,
to hell with Clemson.
Dawgs blow out Tech!
October 23rd, 2011
11:04 am
Mark this down—the Dawgs are on a mission—they’ll blow out Tech and upset Alabama in the SEC title game!!! Richt has a dream team full of top talent—time for the Dawgs to take over!!!
MARKBRADLEYISGAYASNHAPPY
October 23rd, 2011
11:05 am
TECH SUX AND SO DOES THEIR HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM-BOBBY DUDD AND MARK BRADLEY IS GAY
TechFan
October 23rd, 2011
11:10 am
Man, I thought we were better than that. What a true disappointment our team is becoming.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2011
11:13 am
The arrogant “Supersize that order, mutt” shows up on the blog at 2:38 a.m. to pompously announce that he is “officialy finished with ga tech.” He follows that up with “just burned my diploma boys.”
As if anyone gives a crap what he thinks.
Ted M
October 23rd, 2011
11:13 am
Does Paul Johnson even try to recruit top plays?
This past offseason every time Tech signed a recruit the AJC Tech beat writer would list the teams Tech beat out for said recruit. It was unbelievable only pep squeaks of Division I-AA were vying for our recruits.
Baldb
October 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
No matter what is stated about the Jackets, we can rest assured that dog fans will always SUCK.
The Ole Ball Coach
October 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
After watching the game I agree Tech is not good at all, very predictable…….PJ has lost control of the Team.
Bee Happy
October 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
Fire CPJ! Can’t run the flying v triple bs against the big boys. This ain’t high school.
sashie
October 23rd, 2011
11:31 am
It’s called Reality Check! Welcome to REAL football.
PigIron
October 23rd, 2011
11:33 am
@DawgNole
I’m always concerned about what “Supersize that order, mutt” thinks. After all, he is the official arbiter of AJC football blog etiquette.
The Mask
October 23rd, 2011
11:34 am
A sobering truth revealed: Georgia Tech just isn’t very good………………………….said an extremely pro UGA columnist. I’m sure you’ve been waiting all year to use that one; you probably didn’t sleep one bit last night knowing this would finally be the Sunday you get to dump all over them. But man alive MB, that was very weak even by your standards, and this coming from a die hard Roll Tide fan at that.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2011
11:41 am
Thanks for filling me in on Supersize’s “official” role, PigIron. I had no idea.
Perhaps he was thinking about you when he made the earth-shattering announcement that he was through with the Jackets. Wonder if he’s awakened yet to see how the multitudes are sobbing and wringing their hands over his momentous decision.
Bee Happy
October 23rd, 2011
11:42 am
The last team that won a NC using the triple o? Anyone?
Smyrna Gold
October 23rd, 2011
11:43 am
This team does not excel at anything. NO OFFENSE, DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS, COACHING, RECRUITING, FAN SUPPORT. I’ve heard all the excuses and what a great coach we have in Johnson. Most depressing is the fact the coaching staff cannot make adjustments from week to week and the same mistakes continue game to game and year to year. Everyone knows the special team play is a joke. GT fans are getting no bang for their bucks.
Tampa Gator
October 23rd, 2011
11:45 am
Bee Happy….
I don’t think Tech will ever be in consideration for a national title again……which is the exact reason there should be some kind of fair playoff system.
gt4ever
October 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
I’m here ATL XMAN,
I am not surprised by any of this play… Well the offense has been somewhat of a surprise, they are probably worse than the defense… The really sad thing about yesterdays game is the defense actually held up its end, without pathetic play from special teams and a NO show offense, we win the game… Life is full of irony…
Dean Tate
October 23rd, 2011
11:51 am
Once upon a time, UGA was a school “where parents send their kids for an easy degree,” as Proud Jacket Fan put it. Those who have not been comatose for the past 20 years know that is no longer the case. For those Tech fans who want to cling to that fantasy because it makes them feel better, I say go right ahead and believe what you want to. Tech is indeed a rigorous school. There are, however, schools of similar academic rigor that succeed in athletics. The fact that Tech can’t is due more to their pathetic fan base, decisions made decades ago and poor leadership. But if you want to believe it’s solely because Tech is the Cambridge of the Americas, go right ahead. And you’ll contiue to beat UGA once every 10 years … maybe.
BULLDAWG BILL
October 23rd, 2011
11:51 am
CPJ did OK with Gailey’s players, but he can’t recruit enough talent to compete with UGA, CLEMSON, VA TECH, MIAMI, FSU, ETC. No high school player who wants to be a pro someday, in his right mind, will sign up to play in this offense. The best talent wants to learn enough in college to go pro. How can anyone learn anything useful in this offense?
Bee Happy
October 23rd, 2011
11:53 am
Agree @ playoffs, whats that got to do with gt?
lkb
October 23rd, 2011
11:54 am
When you play cupcakes the first 6 games you become a delusional GT fan. GT offense is high school caliber. They will lose to VT, Clemson and UGA. Get over it — your just not good. Zero talent as well. These kids were recruited by the likes of Marshall, GSU (both), and a number of other never-been colleges.
Hard Truth Soldier
October 23rd, 2011
11:56 am
TECH,TECH FANS, and TECH ALUMNI, Did you really think you were that good? Call it a mirage, fantasy, dream, illusion and certainly a LIE, but not reality. The Truth? “You can’t handle the truth’ ! You guys suck! Say what you want about Georgia, but Fact is we OWN YA’LL, and you guys, every time you taste success you choke. 1980 was a long time ago, so was 1990 when everybody knew Colorado was clearly the best Team in America. Ramblin Man…You doing just that, RAMBLIN! Georgia is clearly better than ya’ll and once again your Thanksgiving Holidays will suck from your perennial Dawg whipping. But pull out the scrap book and you’ll be able to reflect on three years ago, and click on youtube to see A back that’s now at Jacksonville St( Washaun) ran over the North Ave Hotdog eaters. Virginia, Miami, Oh boy now here comes Clemson this week, Ya’ll gonna see so much Orange pain that you;ll swear your an inmate on Wright St at the County jail. The Chickens, know the Pakistanees, know the Honey Bee’s have come home to roost, and damn theres a hungry TIGER COMING TO TOWN. Just hope he leave enough for a DAWG to have lunch in November!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hunter
October 23rd, 2011
11:56 am
I’ve enjoyed reading your comments, but I have to say you deal with a lot of BS from these Georgia fans. What do they have to crow about? When was the last time they won anything? Hey, UGA fans, beat it.
As for your team, you seem overly pessimistic. I don’t see any reason why you can’t beat Virginia Tech, we dropped 35 points on them. And as far as Clemson’s concerned, sooner or later someone is going to beat them, why not you? Granted your offense is one-dimensional, but when it gets cranked up its capable of demolishing teams. I’m surprised that we’ve been able to beat you three years in a row. We always dread facing you.
As for Miami, we’ve always had great talent, we just haven’t had a coach. None of us knew who this guy Golden was, but now I’m convinced he’s going to be a great coach. You can see the team getting better every week. So it’s not that much that you’re lousy, just that we’re getting better.
Don’t be so hard on yourselves. Go beat the hell out of Virginia Tech and Clemson. We’d like that very much. Good luck.
GT Fan...
October 23rd, 2011
11:57 am
Hilarious to see so many UGA fans on here trashing GT’s schedule, and the fans for being optimistic after starting 6-0.
Now you all are beating on your chests like your Dawgs have actually beaten a team worth-a-darn since starting 0-2. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Ole Miss, Miss St, UT, and Vandy are 1-15 in the conference? And the remaining schedule has UF (2-3), AU (3-2), UK (0-3), N Mex St, and the high schoolers down in the ATL.
Perfect schedule to get you delusionals proclaiming “wait til next year”
You guys are hilarious.
10/23/2011 Morning Edition | collegefootballnewswire.com
October 23rd, 2011
11:57 am
[...] Clemson Daring To Dream SHARP: Michigan State’s Fierce Play A Recruiting Tool BRADLEY: Ga. Tech Just Isn’t Very Good CROUCH: Kelly To Blame For Irish Flop EVANS: LSU’s Key To Title? Don’t Beat [...]
Hard Truth Soldier
October 23rd, 2011
12:07 pm
Oh and one final note, Can I now have my 4 hotdogs, cokes, and a nacho with the worthless ticket. Even through ya;ll suck, a 5′11 250 lb muscular guy with UGA gear on may get stared at in your H.S. Stadium, but never will he get bothered while eating while he cheers on the HONEY BEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bradcarter01@gmail.com
October 23rd, 2011
12:11 pm
Where are all the GT fans that were talking smack after going 6-0 against teams that were 0-32? WHOMP, WHOMP, WHAAAAAAAAAAA! Tech sucks and their high school offense is being exposed as a high school girls soccer team offense. Get over it Tech, you suck, you always suck and you always will. No 12 in the nation? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!