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.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Nesbitt on the Verge of Stardom
I said Paul Johnson would make Josh Nesbitt a star. After sitting out much of the spring with injuries, Nesbitt has really started to make the transition. He is making big plays in practice with his arm and his feet. In fact, the entire offense has started to click-and this is against one of the elite defensive lines in all of college football.
From the AJC:
Quarterback Josh Nesbitt seems to be putting distance between himself and the candidates for the No. 2 job. Thursday, his pitches to the backs were as crisp as they have been, and he continues to show his speed and his willingness to take on tacklers head-on.
And a practice observer from Thursday's practice had this to say:
"Wow. Just wow. The offense is starting to click a lot earlier than anyone expected. Its amazing the potential this offense has. Josh Nesbitt has the starting spot locked up. He is playing GREAT. His passing has improved a lot. His pitches couldn't be any better. It was a great practice. When they scrimmaged the offense was moving the ball the best it has since PJ has took over."
I'm Baaaaack
Well here we are just three weeks from the start of the 2008 college football season. While the Huskers have the Bo Pelini era underway, a fascinating transition is taking place down in Atlanta, with Paul Johnson now into his first fall as head coach at Georgia Tech.Meanwhile, nearly every article regarding Johnson is about whether his "triple option" will work against these big bad BCS teams. It appears PJ and Georgia Tech will continue to get these questions until they go out and start pulverizing teams. I'm envious already-imagine Nebraska going back to cut blocking on nearly every play.
No need to tell ACC teams what they're about to be up against-check out these bits from ACC media days (it reminds me of what teams said about Nebraska in the 90s):
From Rivals:
Count Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe as a believer in Paul Johnson's ability to succeed with the option attack at Georgia Tech. Wake Forest gave up 328 rushing yards last season in a 44-24 victory over Johnson-coached Navy.
"We won on the scoreboard, but they went up and down the field against us," Grobe said. "We haven't stopped them yet. They'd still be running it if the horn hadn't blown. …
"You never see it, you never practice it, you can't simulate it in practice. No matter how hard you try to show your kids in practice what it's going to be like, you get in the game and it's 10 times faster than your scout team could ever show in practice. There's just absolutely no way to prepare for it. Its impossible to stop."
Grobe is familiar with the option after working as an assistant at Air Force and experimenting with that type of attack as the coach at Ohio University. Grobe acknowledged Georgia Tech would need time to adjust, but he said the Yellow Jackets could make the transition sooner than many people expect.
"If he comes up with the quarterback who can make pretty good decisions, all those other positions can take care of themselves," Grobe said.
Meanwhile, GT beat writer Matt Winkeljohn weighs in on PJ's swagger
Also, Nebraska gets some mention in this article about the "triple option." Pay close attention to what gets said on page 2 by players and coaches from the ACC. *Sigh* It could have been Nebraska.
"We won on the scoreboard, but they went up and down the field against us," Grobe said. "We haven't stopped them yet. They'd still be running it if the horn hadn't blown. …
"You never see it, you never practice it, you can't simulate it in practice. No matter how hard you try to show your kids in practice what it's going to be like, you get in the game and it's 10 times faster than your scout team could ever show in practice. There's just absolutely no way to prepare for it. Its impossible to stop."
Grobe is familiar with the option after working as an assistant at Air Force and experimenting with that type of attack as the coach at Ohio University. Grobe acknowledged Georgia Tech would need time to adjust, but he said the Yellow Jackets could make the transition sooner than many people expect.
"If he comes up with the quarterback who can make pretty good decisions, all those other positions can take care of themselves," Grobe said.
Meanwhile, GT beat writer Matt Winkeljohn weighs in on PJ's swagger
Also, Nebraska gets some mention in this article about the "triple option." Pay close attention to what gets said on page 2 by players and coaches from the ACC. *Sigh* It could have been Nebraska.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
PJ building a monster at GT
Its been a while since I updated the site but as we wind down recruiting season and turn towards spring football, I thought I'd weigh in on the state of affairs down at Georgia Tech. The first thing I notice about the class Paul Johnson has assembled is the size and quality of the offensive linemen he's recruited. The crown jewel of the OL recruits (and the entire class) is 4-star, US Army AA Omoregie Uzzi. At 6-4 and 298, he had offers from Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Virginia and Clemson. Joining Uzzi as OL recruits in this year's class are 6-5 320 TJ Barnes (Louisville, Auburn offers); 6-4 289 Nick McRae (NC State, Maryland, UCF offers); and 6-5 270 Phillip Smith (Penn State offer). First off, one needs to notice not just the caliber of player being brought in, but the size as well. At Navy, height and weight limitations meant that Paul Johnson worked regularly with starters up front averaging 270 lbs per man. Several times he had a starting tackle weigh in the range of 250 lbs. BCS schools couldn't stop his offense even with huge size and strength advantages in the trenches at Navy. They sure as hell won't be stopping his offense with players of this caliber.
Some other recruits to keep an eye on:
RB/FB Richard Watson from Tallahassee (offers from Ohio State, UCLA, UCF, Arizona State and Boston College)
S Brandon Leslie (former NU recruit with offers from NU, Utah, Washington)
LB BJ Machen from Ohio (Pitt, Stanford, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan State)
LB Malcolm Munroe from Miami (Louisville, North Carolina, Rutgers, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Auburn, Clemson)
LB Steven Sylvester (Florida State, NC, NC State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina)
DB Jon Lockhart from Florida (Ole Miss, South Florida, UCF)
RB Marcus Wright from Texas (Texas 5A player of the year; senior year=3,374 yards and 45 TDs)
RB Embry Peeples from Florida (Auburn, LSU, West Virginia, Colorado)
Bottom line-there's a huge difference between the players being brought to GT and those Paul Johnson was able to get to Navy. This will be a very fast turnaround and Georgia Tech will win the ACC shortly.
Some other recruits to keep an eye on:
RB/FB Richard Watson from Tallahassee (offers from Ohio State, UCLA, UCF, Arizona State and Boston College)
S Brandon Leslie (former NU recruit with offers from NU, Utah, Washington)
LB BJ Machen from Ohio (Pitt, Stanford, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan State)
LB Malcolm Munroe from Miami (Louisville, North Carolina, Rutgers, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Auburn, Clemson)
LB Steven Sylvester (Florida State, NC, NC State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina)
DB Jon Lockhart from Florida (Ole Miss, South Florida, UCF)
RB Marcus Wright from Texas (Texas 5A player of the year; senior year=3,374 yards and 45 TDs)
RB Embry Peeples from Florida (Auburn, LSU, West Virginia, Colorado)
Bottom line-there's a huge difference between the players being brought to GT and those Paul Johnson was able to get to Navy. This will be a very fast turnaround and Georgia Tech will win the ACC shortly.
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