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.