My new call for changes at Nebraska

I've stated repeatedly that I dislike the WCO in any form-whether it be Bill Callahan's or Shawn Watson's. I want it gone from Nebraska FOREVER. Rushing for a pitiful 55 yards last night (or whatever miserable number it was) is no recipe for success. Run the ball and stop the run and you win a lot of games in college football. So what if they stacked the LOS with 8 players. Teams regularly did that against Nebraska for the better part of 30 years but the system we ran couldn't be stopped. Teams do it against Paul Johnson-style offenses all the time. They still find success.

My call now is since we didn't get Paul Johnson at Nebraska, we can get the next best thing-one of his assistants to resurrect our offense reclaim our identity. My preference would be either Mike Sewak, the current GT OL coach or Brian Bohannon, the QB and B back coach, who PJ brought with him from Navy. Sewak has extensive HC experience but as a graduate of Virginia, I wonder if he won't be in line for the soon to be open position to replace Al Groh. Bohannon has been with PJ for 12 years. He knows this offense inside and out. Bill Snyder had a bunch of great coaches develop off his tree.

Speaking of Bohannon, found an interesting read from a Booster Club appearance last February, after LOI day. Hat tip to the Georgia Tech Sports Blog. Pay parituclar attention to the philosophy, especially about recruiting.

A Hive member gave a very interesting report on a "Griffin Exchange Club" visit by new assistant coach Brian Bohannon. Bohannon is of course our new QB/B-Backs coach - and of course is also a Georgia grad and former football player. His job is crucial in this offense. Quite frankly it is this QB/BBack relationship that determines so much of the success of the triple option.

You can read the whole thing from the link above, but here are some of the more interesting points for me:

• Talking the talk....... got the crowd going by saying "we would beat Georgia", and something to the effect of - that's why we're here and the old coaching regime is not. We get it................ of course all that talk is great now.........


• Voluntary workouts have started
• First workouts started at 6:00am to get player's attention and make a point - if you are not interested in discipline and focus, then find somewhere else to play. Said they won at Navy because of player attitudes, not just execution of a gameplan. The right attitude leads to the right focus which leads to the right execution. Attitude first. The best players don't win games. The best teams do.
• PJ more concerned with the attitude than X's / O's at this point.
• Everybody starts with a clean slate. They will put the best 22 players on the field - no matter what age or experience.
• Said Morgan Burnett might be the best athlete on the team and they might even look at him at QB if he's interested
• Felt very good about recruiting - that they got what they were after - great kids, athletes, attitudes. PJ and staff have been very impressed with the quality & character of the kids in this program - which rivals Navy.
• Team success will hinge on the "middle 3" - center, QB, B-Back.
• Quote - "We'll throw plenty of passes....... most of them will just be in the pregame warmups (obviously tongue-in-cheek, although anyone who thinks we will pass more than Chan Gailey's teams did is crazy).
• Said we will probably pass 20-25 times per game, but get more yardage per pass because of the way defenses are forced to defend the run. "Not unusual to see a WR catch a pass with nobody within 20 yards of him".
• No easy practices. No special jerseys for the QB's. No half-speed drills. Can't learn this offense at half-speed - will be game-speed so it becomes instinctive.
• Not unusual to end a Friday afternoon practice with a 50-play "scrimmage", then wake up and run a 130-play "scrimmage" 14 hours later.
• We will get a lot of kids at QB that other schools want at other positions.
• If a kid cares about how many stars he has, he doesn't belong here.
• PJ doesn't care a lick about Rivals.com or Scout.com rankings. The formula is: fit-the-system + character + attitude = we want him here.
• Josh Nesbitt - amazing talent but a complete unknown as an option QB. Has a future at many potential positions
• Jaybo Shaw - coach's son, knows the offense
• Tevin Washington - great athlete, could play many different positions
• Richard Watson - prototypical B-Back, can't wait to get him on the field
• Will likely see more OL recruits with burst off the line. That means probably fewer 6'7" 320lb guys.
• Trying to break habits of the current OLine - getting them to move forward at snap - not side-to-side. Quickness + footwork are key.

http://gtsports.blogspot.com/2008/02/football-brian-bohannon-speaks.html

Send Shawn Watson and this garbage offense packing.

Huskers, Navy and a Wild Week of CFB

Thoughts on Nebraska's 35-30 loss to Virginia Tech last night:

-I am actually a little surprised by the outcome of this game. I thought it would be too much for a young Virginia Tech team to go on the road and pull out a victory in Lincoln. However, Nebraska's lack of an identity on offense and inability to run the football are the biggest reasons why I think the outcome was as it was.

-Nebraska doesn't have an identity on offense. And if you can't run the football at least somewhat effectively, you won't win many football games against quality opponents. Period.

-I make no secret that I'm not a fan of this style of offense that Nebraska plays. Call it the WCO or a pro style offense or whatever you want to. Right now we're not really good at any particular facet of executing it. What's more disturbing is that the offense hasn't really changed-these players and this offensive line know this system well, as its a watered down version of Callahan's offense. However, Callahan's teams ran the ball far more effectively than what I've seen thus far this year.

-Shawn Watson was highly criticized by Colorado fans during the latter stages of his tenure there. Could it be that the dope smoking CU fans actually got it right, for once??

-It gets much much tougher from here on out. Missouri's defense isn't great and we should put some points up on them. But again, if we can't play ball control and run the football, Chase Daniel will hang a half hundy on this this team.

-Congrats to the Middies of Navy and new Coach N for their signature win yesterday at Wake Forest. This was the first time since 1985 that Navy got a win over a ranked opponent. The Mids jumped all over Wake and led 17-0 at halftime. However, the offense started to get stalled when Kaipo went down with a hamstring injury. I haven't watched the film yet but a W is a W.

-Duke and new Coach David Cutcliffe will be a formidable opponent for Georgia Tech this week. The Blue Devils are now 3-1 after trouncing a hapless Virginia team yesterday in Durham. I expect GT to win and PJ will not allow this team to be overlooked. Duke's only loss was a close 24-21 loss to unbeaten Northwestern. They also beat Navy 41-31. It shou.ld be an interesting game-especially if Nesbitt is held out to heal his hamstring.

-Clemson now looks to be in full collapse and might be a winnable game in a few weeks. After yesterday's meltdown to Maryland, I'm wondering if Tommy Bowden's team, chalk full of talent, is ready to mail it in for the year.

So with the week off

With the Georgia Tech bye week there's still plenty of activity around the program:

ESPN weighs in on exactly what I talked about in a post following the Mississippi State game. Johnson's offense works and works against anyone. Anywhere.

Meanwhile, Paul Johnson and his staff have used the off week to "teach."

A sports betting website calls Paul Johnson's team "scary."

Also, Johnson's ex team Navy, has caused Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe a ton of headaches in preparation for their game this weekend. What an offense.

Comments are Welcome...Again

I turned off comments last fall. But now you can feel free to post on my entries again. Spread the word about my site!

Some More Misc Miss State Notes

Plenty of records will be broken very soon.

-PJ got his 110th career victory, tying Amos Alonzo Stagg for the eighth-most wins in the first 12 seasons of a college coaching career.

-Georgia Tech recorded the fifth-highest single game rushing total in school history with 438 yards on the ground.

-Tech’s 438 yards rushing were the most since 1978.

-Jonathan Dwyer’s Record-Breaking 88-Yard Run In The Third Quarter was the longest run from scrimmage in school history, breaking the previous record of 87 yard by Bob McCoy vs. The Citadel in 1948.

Telling Words

From the NE Mississippi Journal:

MSU knew coming in that this rarely seen brand of offense - Bulldogs coach Sylvester Croom called it a "wingbone" because of its wishbone and wing-T elements - would be tough to defend. They said they felt prepared, but it's one thing to prepare for it and another to actually stop it.

"We ran the option offense in high school, and you've got to read your keys every play," said free safety Derek Pegues. "If one man slips up, you've seen it out there, it can be a touchdown any time."

Pegues said too many missed assignments hurt, but strong downfield blocking was a big factor, too.

In the end, Shaw and the rest of them were too much for MSU to handle.

Some Stats

After 4 games, three of them against BCS teams with pretty salty defenses, the young and rapidly improving Paul Johnson offense is 3rd in the country in rushing yards per game, at nearly 307 yards per game. This is behind his former team-Navy-the national leader; and Oklahoma State. The Jackets are also averaging nearly 6.5 yards per carry. When you consider the youth on this offense and the fact we're only 4 games into the PJ era-pretty amazing. Look at who the key players on offense are:

QB Josh Nesbitt-Soph
QB Jaybo Shaw-true freshman
RB Embry Peebles-true freshman
RB Jonathan Dwayer-Soph
RB Lucas Cox-Soph
RB Quincy Kelly-Soph
RB Roddy Jones-RS Fr
RB Greg Smith-Jr
WR Tyler Melton-true freshman
WR Damaryius Thomas-Soph
OL Joseph Gilbert-RS Fr
OL Zach Krish-Soph

That means Paul Johnson will have nearly every statistical element of his offense around for the two seasons after this one. The defense, outside of the DL, is nearly as young. Can you say BCS? Or maybe more. And don't forget Louisville transfer Anthony Allen, who may allow Dwyer to slide over to the A back posistion like he did a few times yesterday. Scary.

Also wanted to mention that 71 players (nearly everyone on the sideline) got into the game yesterday. Even walk-on QB Bryce Dykes and Calvin Booker got snaps.

I don't know-just watching GT yesterday reminded me so much of what Tom Osborne's teams used to do. Run roughshod over a team powerless to stop you and then get a bunch of backups into the game to build up depth and experience.

Great Job Today

Will post more later but just some initial thoughts on GT's 38-7 spanking of Mississippi State today:

-Yeah Mississippi State isn't great. But GT dominated an SEC team that was at least serviceable on defense. The Jackets rolled up over 400 yards on the ground and played subs most of the 4th quarter.

-Oh and for those that didn't follow the game...they mashed Mississippi State without Josh Nesbitt, who left with a pulled hamstring on the 1st possession of the game. Enter true freshman Jaybo Shaw, who runs this system like a veteran. He should though since he ran the same offense for his father at Flowery Branch HS. Shaw is more than a capable backup as his command of the offense was on full display today. Sure he's still a true freshman and will make mistakes but it shows you how even a young player can contribute in this offense.

-I've watched every GT game this year and they get better every game. This is a staple of a Paul Johnson coached team. They will always be better at the end of the year than the beginning. Period.

-So much for the "will this offense work against teams from a BCS conference?" It was a stupid question for the media and anyone else to ever ask. After beating BC, rushing for nearly 300 on VT last week and going for 400 today, its pretty clear that it works against anybody. And lest we forget, we're just 4 games into the PJ era and he's got perhaps the youngest offensive team in the country. Paul Johnson's offense works against any team and he proved that at Navy playing against BCS teams that always had a size, speed and talent advantage. Ask Auburn, who scored a measley FG against Mississippi State last week, whose offense they'd rather have right now.

-Despite months and months of preparation (dating to last spring) and having a head coach who knows option football inside and out, Mississippi State was shredded and powerless to stop anything GT did today. As this article in the Clarion Ledger points out:

To that end, Croom prepped his team specifically for this opponent in preseason practice.

A period per day (usually, practices have about 15 periods, give or take) was dedicated just to defending the option. Croom spoke with other coaches who have had to defend it.

Since the start of the season, he has watched video not only of Tech but also of first-year coach Paul Johnson's six-season tenure at Navy.

If Tech's triple option rips State to shreds today on what promises to be a picture-perfect fall Saturday afternoon, it won't be because the Bulldogs weren't prepared.

-Paul Johnson, in a matter of months, eclipsed 4 years of work done by Sylvester Croom. Think maybe Mississippi State would trade their coach in a heartbeat?

-GT has a bye week to rest and get healed up and it couldn't come at a better time. Starting C Dan Voss gutted out the game, despite injuring his shoulder early on. Nesbitt will need the rest to get his hamstring back to normal. With upcoming games against Duke and Gardner-Webb, I fully expect GT to be 5-1 heading into Death Valley at Clemson on October 18th.

By the way

Those of my Husker ilk insinuating that I "threw away my loyalty" to Nebraska when Bo was hired and Johnson wasn't, must be drinking too much of the Pelini Punch. I'm still a graduate of the University of Nebraska. I'm still a lifelong fan and always will be. I still watch and follow the games. I am though, less enamored than ever with this watered down Bill Callahan WCO because I didn't grow up watching it and watched 4 years of misery and ineptitude related to trying to run something that belongs in the NFL. I wanted all remenants of his tenure gone forever. But if because I also choose to follow a team with a coach I admire; and who runs an offense that reminds me of past days of Husker glory; and who I think would have been the best possible choice to turn Nebraska back into the feared program it once was-if that makes me a "traitor" then so be it. I don't dislike Bo-I dislike the process that led to him being named head coach. I dislike those that don't do any research and arm themselves with information. I dislike those that claim Paul Johnson wasn't interested in the NU job (he interviewed at SMU for god sake-he would have WALKED across the country to coach at Nebraska).

I hope both Nebraska and GT win all their games they ever play. There's no "see I told you so" that will come from me in two years when Johnson has his team in the BCS. But if the power brokers at Nebraska do in fact, because of their lack of research, turn us into Alabama (took them a very long time to get back), I'm sure I won't be quiet on the situation.

The Good in the Bad

I stated last week that I didn't think a young GT team with numerous injuries could go into a hostile environment in Blacksburg and win like they did the previous week against BC. Despite a blood and guts performance from Josh Nesbitt (who by the way is growing up before our eyes), the game was ultimately lost on a 2nd Q turnover, that allowed VT to drive down the field and score a touchdown before halftime.

There's a lot of good to take away from this game. The VT defense, despite being young, is as athletic and talented as GT will see this year and the type of defense that people said Paul Johnson's offense wouldn't work against. This was the best PJ's offense has looked in three games and they moved the ball at will during times of this game. The offense generated 278 rushing yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The unheralded sophomore Lucas Cox looked great in relief of Dwyer and could be a real weapon as the season progresses. Its not hard to imagine that as players get more experience, 17 points will turn into 30 and 40 points.

A great article this week by former Navy QB Chris Candeto, who compares the first season at Navy to the current GT team.

Chris Boggs of the AJC sums up my thoughts on the game, exactly.

Some other observations:

-Don't know if it would have made a difference but not having Daymarius Thomas, certainly didn't help GT's cause. Hopefully he'll return from the mild concussion he's suffering because he's clearly the best WR on the team.

-The horrible "helmet to helmet" contact late in the game probably sealed GT's fate. Cooper Taylor was called for the penalty and even the ABC game announcers thought it was a terrible call. VT would have been forced to put and who knows what happens then...

-So up next for the Hokies are Bo Pelini's Skers. A friend texted me yesterday and said how bad it would have looked had GT beaten VT and Nebraska lost to them. I told him that comparing Nebraska and GT right now is comparing apples and oranges. Paul Johnson is flipping the culture, installing a radically different offense. His team has a roster made up almost exclusively of freshmen and sophomores and he is dealing with self-imposed scholarship reductions from the previous staff's NCAA infractions. Pelini's job involves fixing the psyche of the defense, but otherwise the offensive philosophy was kept intact with Shawn Watson. I think provided Nebraska can keep Tyrod Taylor in check, it will be a young VT team that will have trouble coming into hostile Lincoln and escaping with a win.

I said what matters to me is what happens in 2-3 years. When you look at GTs roster, you see that nobody will want to play them starting next year. It could be that Dwyer isn't even the starter with Louisville sophomore transfer Anthony Allen in the mix. All reports I've seen are that Allen, who is redshirting this year due to the transfer rule, is simply a man among boys.

-VT coach Frank Beamer, during his post game interview with ABC, called GT a great team and said the Hokies were very fortunate to win. "They do some stuff that...messes with you."

Next week Mississippi State comes to Atlanta. The Bulldogs lost to Auburn yesterday 3-2. Maybe their defense is okay but at home, GT should be able to get it done. I'd look for the Jackets to be 5-1 heading into Clemson next month.

Georgia Tech Thoughts and Musings

I'll try to keep this blog updated on a week by week basis throughout the rest of this season. I didn't feel the need to post any thoughts after Georgia Tech and new Coach Paul Johnson played a meaningless, glorified scrimmage against Jacksonville State to start the season a week ago.

Congratulations to Coach Johnson on his signature victory over Boston College today. Its a signature win, because PJ became the first GT head coach to ever win his initial ACC game. '

A couple of observations:

1.) This one was won by the defense, something Johnson didn't always have at Navy. While PJ's young and inexperienced offense struggled to move the ball against the brick wall BC defense (in particular the DL), the Georgia Tech defense was equally as dominant against Boston College, forcing turnovers and harassing BC QB Chris Crane all day. There will likely be more low-scoring, down to the wire games just like this throughout the year. But regardless of anything else, Johnson proved again that he just simply knows how to win games.

2.) Its one game. I'm of the opinion that this is a 3-4 year project to flip the GT culture and to see the full effect of Paul Johnson. He clearly doesn't have what he wants up front on the OL-one could make the argument that his Navy OL, despite being physically inferior, is better (at executing his offense) than his GT line . This is also a very very young team as 14 or 15 of the starters are either freshmen or sophomores. By my count 26 of the players listed on the two-deep are freshmen or sophomores. And it should also be noted that Georgia Tech has only 76 scholarship players because of NCAA violations from the previous regime. In any case, PJ took a young team, transitioning to his system, with a MASH unit of linebackers (due to injuries) and went on the road to beat a quality opponent. Beating VT next week on the road in Blacksburg might be too much to ask for but we'll see.

3.) Nesbitt reminds me so much of Michael Vick. His line didn't give him any help today but he was able to make some incredible plays with his feet. He needs to improve his throwing accuracy but its difficult when you have to run for your life on nearly every play.

4.) A couple of things struck me regarding PJ and his coaching philosophy/style. As GT was trying to run the clock out to end the game, PJ was shown laughing and joking with his players in a huddle during a timeout. This was after they tried to draw BC offsides on a 4th down call. I couldn't help but smile, as that's not something you see everyday during the heat of the battle.

Also immediately after the win Johnson showed as much emotion and excitement about the victory as you would ever see. He was high fiving and fist pumping and congratulating his players. You could tell it was a big win. The great thing to see was his players seemed just as excited. This man is a winner, pure and simple. He knows this was just one step in the grand scheme of the process, but a big step nonetheless.