-Nesbitt is almost a whole different player now that the ankle injury he played through last year is healed up. Words used include quicker, more decisive and better command of the offense. I don't think there's been a stronger QB in college football since Scott Frost graduated. At 215 lbs Nesbitt can hang clean 350 lbs (they stopped him so he wouldn't get injured). Scott Frost set the Nebraska position record with a 372 hang clean.
-I love the likely starting OL of Smith/Claytor, Uzzi, Bedford, Jackson and Barrick. Uzzi and Bedford are all-conference players and Jackson is a future AA. The offense is starting to take shape up front.
-LB Kyle Jackson is back and as good as ever. He was the team's best LB a year ago before the foot injury kept him out for the year. He's pushing Jefferson, although I doubt he'll unseat the Gladiator. Watts, Jefferson, Sylvester/Barnes and Egbuniwe/Munroe should round out the starters. Jeremiah Attachou is going to be one hell of a player. He's going to skip a redshirt-probably won't start but I think he'll play a major role on this team.
-Jamea Thomas will redshirt. Isaiah Johnson looks like he'll get the nod to start as a true freshman.
-Too Tall and Euclid Cummings have really turned the corner. The youth on the defense is scary but in a year or two when Paul Johnson has a top 20 defense to go along with his offense, there's no reason why GT won't be a national championship team.
-Told not to expect a miracle from the defense this year. I do believe they will be better coached and put in a position to be successful though.
-Brian Bohannon's comments yesterday were interesting in regards to the competition at B-back. It's apparent that Anthony Allen, Lucas Cox, Preston Lyons and Richard Watson are a formidable group. It will probably be a share by committee position. Bohannon mentioned the ability to bring in fresh players and wear an opposing defense down in the 4th quarter. Needless to say, we're just loaded here.
-Bill Bellichik stopped by practice on Thursday
-Scrimmage today-waiting for a report.
New commit Vad Lee from Hillside NC is the absolute perfect QB recruit to run CPJ's offense. He can run, throw and throw on the run. Of course he's going to have to beat Synjyn Days who Brian Bohannon says plays QB with a LB mentality. The competition to replace Nesbitt next year will be fierce. Tevin Washington, David Sims, Days and Lee will be something to watch next spring and fall. Lee's commitment also means that Airyn Willis will likely end up at WR. Lee opened his senior season last night with 302 yards passing and 5 TD.
Vad Lee Jr Season Highlights
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Fall Camp
As with probably any other fanbase around the country, enthusiasm is running high for the upcoming season. Year three of the Paul Johnson era.
Several times CPJ has said this will probably be a better team than he's had but might not win as many games. Coach Johnson has been around long enough to know that you have to show up. I personally believe this will be his best team yet. Year three at all his stops has been the best. There is finally a full 85 players on scholarship. The offensive line has depth, experience and talent, along with the first wave of CPJ recruits. When you have an All-ACC center fighting to hold on to his job that should say something. Nesbitt is healthy, there's a plethora of riches at the RB position and another year of understanding the offense.
The reason why this team will be better though won't be because of the offense. Al Groh knows what the hell he's doing and the players trust him, unlike they did when they gave up on Dave Wommack. There is absolutely no chance the defense is worse, even with learning a new system.
And this year GT is playing in what is arguably the toughest division in college football. Road games at Va Tech, Clemson, UNC and Georgia will be incredibly tough.
Based on what I'm hearing here are some things to chew on (remember it's early):
Isaiah Johnson might end up being a starter. I think he'll be the best freshman safety in the country this year.
Synjyn Days is exactly what we're after out of the QB spot. It's early but this kid can pass and run. And he already knows the offense.
Remember the name Brandon Watts. Superstar.
Nesbitt is fully healthy and is running the offense with more speed and efficiency. You'll remember last year I told you that Ricky Dobbs of Navy runs the offense better because he runs it quicker. I'll be interested to see how it comes together.
SC State will be a good first game. This is a very talented I-AA team that finished #7 in the country last year. Anymore, you can't take these games for granted.
I'll post up some articles regarding media days and the early practices tomorrow.
Several times CPJ has said this will probably be a better team than he's had but might not win as many games. Coach Johnson has been around long enough to know that you have to show up. I personally believe this will be his best team yet. Year three at all his stops has been the best. There is finally a full 85 players on scholarship. The offensive line has depth, experience and talent, along with the first wave of CPJ recruits. When you have an All-ACC center fighting to hold on to his job that should say something. Nesbitt is healthy, there's a plethora of riches at the RB position and another year of understanding the offense.
The reason why this team will be better though won't be because of the offense. Al Groh knows what the hell he's doing and the players trust him, unlike they did when they gave up on Dave Wommack. There is absolutely no chance the defense is worse, even with learning a new system.
And this year GT is playing in what is arguably the toughest division in college football. Road games at Va Tech, Clemson, UNC and Georgia will be incredibly tough.
Based on what I'm hearing here are some things to chew on (remember it's early):
Isaiah Johnson might end up being a starter. I think he'll be the best freshman safety in the country this year.
Synjyn Days is exactly what we're after out of the QB spot. It's early but this kid can pass and run. And he already knows the offense.
Remember the name Brandon Watts. Superstar.
Nesbitt is fully healthy and is running the offense with more speed and efficiency. You'll remember last year I told you that Ricky Dobbs of Navy runs the offense better because he runs it quicker. I'll be interested to see how it comes together.
SC State will be a good first game. This is a very talented I-AA team that finished #7 in the country last year. Anymore, you can't take these games for granted.
I'll post up some articles regarding media days and the early practices tomorrow.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Iowa Breakdown
Since someone below requested an Orange Bowl summary here it is:
Not too much to say about that one. After all it's not hard to decipher why Iowa won the Orange Bowl and GT lost. Iowa simply loaded up the box, dared Nesbitt to beat them through the air and whipped GT at the point of attack. Not to say it was all bad-GT actually still had a chance to tie or win with about 3 minutes left in the game, even as poorly as they executed on offense most of the game. The first half was much like the VT game earlier this year. Paul Johnson made adjustments at halftime and we actually moved the ball well a few series in the second half. The defense played okay but this wasn't a great Iowa offense. Obviously, those issues are being addressed.
I sort of hinted this might happen in my post below about Navy vs. Missouri. Again, GT does not execute this offense near as well as Navy does. I told an Iowa fan after the game that if GT has Ricky Dobbs instead of Josh Nesbitt they probably win this game. If they have Ricky Dobbs and the Navy OL they almost certainly win the game.
Leading into next year I think you'll see a few things. You are certainly going to see the redshirting OL on the field and battling in the spring. I think CPJ likes Phil Smith (who didn't play in the Orange Bowl because of a broken leg). I think he likes Bedford, although he isn't the ideal center. Gilbert should be relegated to a backup role next year and Barrick. The rest-meh. But as much as we need to upgrade the OL, we perhaps need to upgrade another position even more-the QB. God Bless Nesbitt-he's a warrior and not many players in the country are tougher. But the option runs and develops slow with him. That will cut it against most teams but not against the very elite defenses. His passing is atrocious most of the time but he is what he is. For comparison sake, I posted a vintage video of some clips from throughout Paul Johnson's career. We're going to get there but it won't happen until the OL is fixed and the QB is running the offense at the level of a Kaipo, Dobbs or Tracy Hamm. I hope next year CPJ will start to get some of his younger QBs some game time. Jordan Luallen is up to about 220 right now and is supposedly an excellent passer. David Sims is also redshirting and it sounds like we still may take Ohio star Dominique Brown as he is deciding between Cincy and GT. Plus Synjyn Days is on his way in but I'm guessing he is headed for a RS year barring something unforseen. I also love Dwyer and his competitiveness but part of me wishes he'd move on because I am not sure he is the ideal. I mean at this point you have to ask who you would rather see in the backfield-Kyle Eckel or Dwyer? Part of me says lets see what else we have back there (i.e, Drummond).
Think we execute like this? Not yet.
Not too much to say about that one. After all it's not hard to decipher why Iowa won the Orange Bowl and GT lost. Iowa simply loaded up the box, dared Nesbitt to beat them through the air and whipped GT at the point of attack. Not to say it was all bad-GT actually still had a chance to tie or win with about 3 minutes left in the game, even as poorly as they executed on offense most of the game. The first half was much like the VT game earlier this year. Paul Johnson made adjustments at halftime and we actually moved the ball well a few series in the second half. The defense played okay but this wasn't a great Iowa offense. Obviously, those issues are being addressed.
I sort of hinted this might happen in my post below about Navy vs. Missouri. Again, GT does not execute this offense near as well as Navy does. I told an Iowa fan after the game that if GT has Ricky Dobbs instead of Josh Nesbitt they probably win this game. If they have Ricky Dobbs and the Navy OL they almost certainly win the game.
Leading into next year I think you'll see a few things. You are certainly going to see the redshirting OL on the field and battling in the spring. I think CPJ likes Phil Smith (who didn't play in the Orange Bowl because of a broken leg). I think he likes Bedford, although he isn't the ideal center. Gilbert should be relegated to a backup role next year and Barrick. The rest-meh. But as much as we need to upgrade the OL, we perhaps need to upgrade another position even more-the QB. God Bless Nesbitt-he's a warrior and not many players in the country are tougher. But the option runs and develops slow with him. That will cut it against most teams but not against the very elite defenses. His passing is atrocious most of the time but he is what he is. For comparison sake, I posted a vintage video of some clips from throughout Paul Johnson's career. We're going to get there but it won't happen until the OL is fixed and the QB is running the offense at the level of a Kaipo, Dobbs or Tracy Hamm. I hope next year CPJ will start to get some of his younger QBs some game time. Jordan Luallen is up to about 220 right now and is supposedly an excellent passer. David Sims is also redshirting and it sounds like we still may take Ohio star Dominique Brown as he is deciding between Cincy and GT. Plus Synjyn Days is on his way in but I'm guessing he is headed for a RS year barring something unforseen. I also love Dwyer and his competitiveness but part of me wishes he'd move on because I am not sure he is the ideal. I mean at this point you have to ask who you would rather see in the backfield-Kyle Eckel or Dwyer? Part of me says lets see what else we have back there (i.e, Drummond).
Think we execute like this? Not yet.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sounds like a Done Deal
Rumors everywhere that Al Groh is coming on board as DC. That is one hell of a hire by Paul Johnson, if true. How many other schools in the country have an assistant coach with 38 years of coaching experience, a Super Bowl ring, 2 conference coach of the year honors and someone that has coached under Bill Belichik and Bill Parcells. Parcells was apparently trying to lure Groh back to the NFL to coach with the Dolphins. This guy is a master of the 3-4 defense and is often given the label "defensive genius." Groh may not have been a great head coach but I have a feeling that giving him half of the team to work with and pairing him with PJ's offense is going to be a nightmare for opposing teams. Will wait for confirmation.
Wommack is Out
Maybe a little surprising that DC Dave Wommack was let go but then again, it says volumes about Paul Johnson and the fact that he will not settle for just winning 11 games a year.
There were tons of injuries this year to the defense but injuries are going to happen every year and you have to work through them. I believe that the issues on defense caused CPJ to call his plays different and manage games differently this year than he would with a serviceable defense.
As for Nebraska, Shawn Watson's offense this year ranked 102nd in the country. Dave Wommack's defense ranked 54th. Bo Pelini is only delaying the inevitable by keeping Watson around, as he has proven to be as mediocre as it gets in terms of playcalling and execution. For every good game the offense has, it has 3 or 4 bad games and that is a consistent pattern. Remember as well, Watson was kept here to make sure there were as few interruptions as possible to the offense.
So who will replace Wommack? Al Groh's name is mentioned prominently, since he and Paul Johnson are good friends. I'd be very enthused with Groh running the defense, except for the fact that we would be exclusively a 3-4 team. That is what Groh knows and that's the defense he runs.
Mark Bradley says Tech is close to a deal with Groh.
But Footballcoachscoop.com says Groh will NOT be the guy and has been contacted by Bill Parcells in Miami.
Stay tuned...
There were tons of injuries this year to the defense but injuries are going to happen every year and you have to work through them. I believe that the issues on defense caused CPJ to call his plays different and manage games differently this year than he would with a serviceable defense.
As for Nebraska, Shawn Watson's offense this year ranked 102nd in the country. Dave Wommack's defense ranked 54th. Bo Pelini is only delaying the inevitable by keeping Watson around, as he has proven to be as mediocre as it gets in terms of playcalling and execution. For every good game the offense has, it has 3 or 4 bad games and that is a consistent pattern. Remember as well, Watson was kept here to make sure there were as few interruptions as possible to the offense.
So who will replace Wommack? Al Groh's name is mentioned prominently, since he and Paul Johnson are good friends. I'd be very enthused with Groh running the defense, except for the fact that we would be exclusively a 3-4 team. That is what Groh knows and that's the defense he runs.
Mark Bradley says Tech is close to a deal with Groh.
But Footballcoachscoop.com says Groh will NOT be the guy and has been contacted by Bill Parcells in Miami.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I'm Vindicated Already
I have a lot of friends that are aware of my admiration for Paul Johnson as a head coach and the system he employs. It's not hard to figure out why-I grew up watching a chessmaster of a coach that simply outschemed and outmaneuvered opposing defenses. Tom Osborne was a genius calling plays and he always did more with lesser players who were tougher than almost everyone they played. So Paul Johnson is a throwback to an era where basketball on grass didn't exist and football was a man's sport. Paul Johnson is a throwback to an era where teams feared playing Nebraska because they got the living crap kicked out of them, physically and mentally.
So a lot of my friends like to text and email me to try to rub it in when Georgia Tech loses. They'll say the same pathetic things I've blogged about before i.e, "see that offense will never work."
I'm sure I'll get the same things should Iowa win Tuesday night. In a way though this game is meaningless, other than taking some national glory and setting up a run for next year. Sure it would be nice to win because it would be a landmark for a program that has very little experience at this level of college football. But there are no more questions about whether this system will work against major college opponents. That's been proven over the past two years. It was further proven on Thursday when Navy took big bad Missouri and their 12th ranked rushing defense behind the woodshed. Navy's defense also played lights out, shutting down that pass happy Missouri offense. Navy is 8 years into their experiment. Georgia Tech is barely 2 into theirs. At some point, when his OL and defense get the right personnel, Paul Johnson will have Georgia Tech executing at a level like Navy did the other day. Only they'll do it with players who are much bigger, stronger and faster. I personally think this thing hits another level starting next year, as Navy had a breakthrough 10 win season in Paul Johnson's third season there. The average fan simply has no idea how far from reaching max performance this team really is but I think they operate at about 65% of the execution level of Navy right now. Wait until the O linemen up front understand the offense enough to let CPJ make his in-game blocking scheme adjustments-from play to play.
It's unreal actually to think back about 2 years ago when Paul Johnson was hired away from Navy. I correctly predicted he would have them in the BCS within 2 seasons and here we sit just a couple days away from playing on that big stage. They will have a national audience all to themselves, with CPJ and his team on full display for everyone to see how far they've come. It's final exam time.
So a lot of my friends like to text and email me to try to rub it in when Georgia Tech loses. They'll say the same pathetic things I've blogged about before i.e, "see that offense will never work."
I'm sure I'll get the same things should Iowa win Tuesday night. In a way though this game is meaningless, other than taking some national glory and setting up a run for next year. Sure it would be nice to win because it would be a landmark for a program that has very little experience at this level of college football. But there are no more questions about whether this system will work against major college opponents. That's been proven over the past two years. It was further proven on Thursday when Navy took big bad Missouri and their 12th ranked rushing defense behind the woodshed. Navy's defense also played lights out, shutting down that pass happy Missouri offense. Navy is 8 years into their experiment. Georgia Tech is barely 2 into theirs. At some point, when his OL and defense get the right personnel, Paul Johnson will have Georgia Tech executing at a level like Navy did the other day. Only they'll do it with players who are much bigger, stronger and faster. I personally think this thing hits another level starting next year, as Navy had a breakthrough 10 win season in Paul Johnson's third season there. The average fan simply has no idea how far from reaching max performance this team really is but I think they operate at about 65% of the execution level of Navy right now. Wait until the O linemen up front understand the offense enough to let CPJ make his in-game blocking scheme adjustments-from play to play.
It's unreal actually to think back about 2 years ago when Paul Johnson was hired away from Navy. I correctly predicted he would have them in the BCS within 2 seasons and here we sit just a couple days away from playing on that big stage. They will have a national audience all to themselves, with CPJ and his team on full display for everyone to see how far they've come. It's final exam time.
Nesbitt the Warrior
The most in-depth article I've ever read on the toughest SOB in college football, Josh Nesbitt.
Coaches have tried to draw him out a little more, to build on the vocal aspect of leadership. But, "I feel that's just not me," he said. "I've had people I've looked up to in the past where they did a lot of talking and not enough action on the field. I didn't want to be one of those people who did all talking and never went on the field and did it."
Coaches have tried to draw him out a little more, to build on the vocal aspect of leadership. But, "I feel that's just not me," he said. "I've had people I've looked up to in the past where they did a lot of talking and not enough action on the field. I didn't want to be one of those people who did all talking and never went on the field and did it."
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