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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > September > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPaul Johnson seeks Tech perfection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By the end of Sunday night, Georgia Tech will be in somebody’s Top 25. Well, the Yellow Jackets should be. And just think about this: They haven’t been so honored in more than a year.
Now think about this: They have a new coach, a new quarterback, a new offensive system and a new defensive system. Even so, they have a splendid grasp of all of those new things. They also have a 3-1 record that was a few gaffes at Virginia Tech from evolving into 4-0. Not only that, they have a chance for an even loftier national ranking with Duke and Gardner-Webb up next before a trip to Death Valley to face a Clemson team that was underwhelming against the only real team (Alabama) it has faced this season.
Now think about this: After the Jackets’ shockingly easy dismantling of Mississippi State on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium, they are hinting of reliving the consistent days of George O’Leary and Bobby Dodd sooner rather than later under Paul Johnson.
Then again, maybe it’s best for the Tech Nation to take just one moment at a time, because that’s the way the Jackets’ first-year head coach wants it.
Tech offensive tackle Andrew Gardner nodded after the Jackets’ 38-7 victory over Mississippi State, before recalling the sour mood of his coach during parts of the afternoon. “I don’t think he would be fully satisfied until we were undefeated and blew everybody out,” Gardner said. “And even then, there probably would be some problems he would discover.”
This isn’t to say Johnson’s obsession with perfection isn’t warranted. Consider, for instance, that the Jackets’ defense relinquished 407 yards to a historically weak Mississippi State offense that managed just 116 yards the previous week against Auburn. So Johnson heated the walls of Tech’s locker room at intermission despite the 21-0 score. He knew the bottom line worked this time for his defense, but what about when the Jackets are playing an offense with a clue?
“[Johnson] pointed out that they didn’t punt at all in the first half, and that was a big light bulb that went off in our heads when he said that,” said Tech cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels, whose interception was one of the four turnovers forced by Tech’s defense to counter the Bulldogs’ huge yardage total. “Basically, it was like, if we’re going to be a successful defense and let people know that we don’t back down from anybody and show that we are physical and well-polished, we better come out the second half and show it.”
They showed it by keeping Mississippi State out of the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter. In contrast, Johnson’s triple-option displayed its worth early and often along the way to a ridiculous 500 yards (438 on the ground) against one of the nation’s best defenses.
Jonathan Dwyer rushing for 141 yards was nice. So was freshman quarterback Jaybo Shaw replacing an injured Josh Nesbitt early in the first quarter and making a seamless transition. It’s just that Johnson has Tech rolling faster and farther than expected because of big and little stuff.
For instance: Tech threw only nine times during the game. That means the Jackets wide receivers did what?
“They really blocked their tails off,” Johnson said. “We weren’t throwing the ball much, because of the way they were playing [on defense], and rather than hang their heads and sulk, they tried to get after people blocking, which is what you would hope.”
They had no choice, because Johnson expects nothing less.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: Tech/ACC
Comments
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By 2 Big Techs
September 20, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Sky’s the limit Terence, glad to have you on board!
You failed to mention that our center (Voss) went down early and without him AND Nesbitt, the offense didn’t miss a beat. Could Gailey EVER do that?????
HELL NO and we still got 7 wins a year.
It’s a new age and era, the bandwagon has room. We welcome all who see the light!
By michaelgee
September 20, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Anyone who underestimates Paul Johnson shall soon lose.
By OldGold
September 20, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
“They’ll be a good team later in the year.” -everybody Later in the year is here I guess Go Tech!!! THWG!
By John
September 20, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
I’m first!!! If one heard CPJ at halftime during the radio interview, you would realize that he is always seeking perfection.
Despite dominating to a 21-0 lead, he was not happy. I think Tech has a real coach here.
By something nice
September 20, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
…….. I’m just SHOCKED that Terence Moore had anything POSITIVE to say
Gotta love beating up on an SEC team.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 20, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Johnson.
GO JACKETS!
By WIshful Thinking
September 20, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Thought the ACC should stick to basketball…
By snapshot
September 20, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
I have said before and will say again, be patient Tech fans. Good things are about to happen with our football team. Go Yellow Jackets!!!!!
By Terence Moore
September 20, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
OldGold,
What you say is exactly right and quite scary — for Georgia Tech opponents.
The Yellow Jackets already are pretty good, and they’ll only get better.
By Wishful Thinking
September 20, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Thought the ACC should stick to basketball? Go Jackets!
By OLD MAN
September 20, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
I’m still on the bandwagon. Johnson has a wondeful bunch of young men playing GREAT football! I am very impressed with the depth of talent on this very YOUNG team.
I think we Jacket fans have some wonderful days and years ahead. Paul Johnson is the real deal!
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go
By Glenn
September 20, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Terence,
Nice article. One other thing that seems to be overlooked. The GA Tech team is the youngest in the ACC with a large majority of their players being Freshmen and Sophomores.
I would also point out that Coach Johnson is just starting to recruit players to fit his system as well.
I realize its still early, but the team is probably light years ahead of where most fans thought they would be right now.
That is a testament to the Coach and the players for all of their hard work, dedication, and faith in one another.
By LongBeachJacket
September 20, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Coach Johnson continues to coach, correct, and instruct, irrespective of the score or game situation.
Just enjoy the ride for now Tech Fans.
Let the guy do his job and be happy with a solid W today.
GO JACKETS!!!
By Tech Man
September 20, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
3 and 1 is nice….. But Cooper Taylor is a BAMF!!!
By Herschel Talker
September 20, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Yawn. Another 8-4 season for the nerds. How exciting.
By DAWGHATER
September 20, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Hey GT Fans! Great win!!! What about the powerhouse SEC? We spanked an SEC team that lost to Auburn 3-2. Hey DAWGS, you better look out come November. If GT is healthy, it will spoil your season. GO TECH!
By Bk Hawk
September 20, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Great job players and Coaches even TM. It would be great if Basketball team had a coach that could coach as well as Johnson.
By hardmanb
September 21, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
Tech has 100 players on its roster…and 75 are freshmen and sophomores.
The future looks bright, especially when Johnson can start recruiting his own teams.
By Navy Fan
September 21, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Enjoy the ride. Vintage Johnson. Jackets will only get better. Johnson will accept noting less.
By OldGold
September 21, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
I know this has nothing to do with anything, but has anybody noticed that Vandy is 4-0 with more than a couple of winnable games still to come? They haven’t been to a bowl since the year I was born (1982). Diet Coke wasn’t even invented yet… Anyways. GO TECH!!!
p.s. Same goes for UNC. We need to bring the same good stuff when we play the heels that we had against MissSt.
By Wreckage
September 21, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Yes, MSU rolled up around 400 yards of total offense, but approximately half of those yards were against our second and third string defense in the second half. MSU had most of their regular starters in for the whole game. Also, you take away that 71 yard run, then MSU only had 37 yards on 29 carries. And of course, the most important stat…………only 7 pts allowed, and that was in garbage time. Tech fans shouldn’t be worried about the defense.
By STING
September 21, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
GT is a real TEAM that has real TEAMWORK. JOHNSON plays a lot of players, and they keep working harder and harder. JOHNSON really cares about winning and his system is great for college football. What a breath of fresh air. No more up and down 7 win seasons with this coach. He teaches how to play BALL every minute for 4 quarters. GO YELLOW JACKETS
By STING
September 21, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this
JOHNSON HAS A TOUGH TEAM BECAUSE HE IS A TOUGH COACH WHO CARES.