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DEL.ICIO.USFor Johnson, option is only option
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
If nothing else, you have to like new Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson for refusing to answer questions with an end-around. He prefers to burst up the middle, with legs still churning in search of extra yardage.
For instance: A visitor to Johnson’s office wanted to know about Sean Renfree, the nation’s 16th-best recruit at quarterback, according to Scout.com. Renfree became the first of three players to de-commit around the time previous Yellow Jackets coach Chan Gailey was fired. Before the visitor finished his question about whether Johnson’s love affair with the triple-option offense spooked the pass-oriented Renfree, Johnson began to answer.
“Don’t need him. Don’t want him. Doesn’t fit the system,” Johnson said, legs still churning, without blinking from his side of the couch across the way.
Well, then. We might as well get to the point. So are you going to use the triple-option offense at Tech as heavily as you did as the head coach at Navy for six years and at Georgia Southern for five years before that? If so, how will that affect recruiting, especially when it comes to acquiring quarterbacks and even a poor man’s version of Calvin Johnson at wide receiver?
Mostly, given the epidemic of empty seats at Bobby Dodd Stadium during most seasons (which contributed to Gailey’s ouster), will your offense that features a pass about every other presidential election attract folks or repel them?
Johnson answered each question, with legs still churning, and, yes, he will use the triple-option offense more often than not at Tech. And, no, he doesn’t think it will hinder recruiting — well, his type of recruiting that he said won’t exclude acquiring a future Calvin Johnson. And, yes, he understands that many around the Yellow Jacket Nation and beyond wonder if the triple-option offense is just another name for the boogeyman.
“They don’t understand it. What’s the first thing they think about when you say triple-option offense? Three yards and a cloud of dust,” Johnson said. “I know one year at Georgia Southern when I was there, Chattanooga led I-AA in passing. We had 25 plays of 20 yards or longer than they did, and we led the nation in rushing. I mean, you’ll see some 40-, 60-, 80-yard runs. That’s pretty exciting.
“Then, when we do throw, guys are petty wide open off of play action. At Navy, I know we were in the top 15 in passing efficiency [Actually, tied for 12th], which is the most important statistic. Not how many times you throw it.”
That’s Johnson’s story, and he’d better stick to it. His 8-4 Navy team led the nation in rushing this season, but it finished last in passing yards per game. In fact, the Midshipmen threw just an average of 10 times per game. Still, to keep Tech fans from rushing for No-Doz prior to games, Johnson suggested that Navy’s passing numbers deserve an asterisk.
There are size restrictions for those who enter the Naval Academy, which meant Johnson’s best offensive lineman was his center at 5 feet 9 and 275 pounds.
“I don’t want to be critical when I say this, because I love those kids, but there was a lot more factored in than what meets the eye as to why we did certain things,” Johnson said. “[Navy players] weren’t built for pass blocking. So it depends on the years and on the personnel. When we were at Hawaii [as offensive coordinator], it might have been 70 percent running and 30 percent passing, or even 60-40.”
The point is, said Johnson, Tech’s triple-option will evolve around the returning and incoming players that Johnson said he hasn’t had time to evaluate after barely two weeks on the job.
“I think that people have gotten too carried away with the triple-option, because that’s only one phase of the offense,” Johnson said. “If we have 75 plays, we’re not going to run 70 times. There’s a run-and-shoot package. There’s a play-action package. There’s different running plays besides the option. And, certainly, there are all kinds of options — counter option, speed option. We’ve got a sprint-out passing game. We’ve got draws. The key will be to come together with what our personnel here can do best.”
Remember, too, that Johnson’s triple-option has averaged nearly 450 yards per game to produce a 107-39 record during his time as a head coach. And here’s another thing: Hold the No-Doz.
“Everywhere I’ve coached, we’ve set attendance records,” Johnson said. “It’s an exciting offense. It’s fun to watch. You don’t know where the ball is all the time. It’s also pretty fast.”
Then Johnson eased into the biggest of smiles. That’s because his legs kept churning so much that he reached the end zone by saying, “You know what I’ve found? If you win, they like it.”
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By tom
December 21, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
The article should be titled “Tech Head Coach Actually Answers Questions”
By Howard
December 22, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Terence…you and others lay off the triple option…when it is run right it is every bit as exciting as the spread offense. And you can pass off of it…and as Johnson said, things are usually wide open when you do have to toss it around. The QB has to hit it or miss it…that simple. Paul Johnson is a class coach and Tech is lucky as hell to get him. He’ll also do wonders with Tech running the triple option because you have to be disciplined and smart (see Naval Academy…) and Tech don’t exactly recruit dummies. Remember those old Oklahoma teams with JC Watts and Jack Mildren running things?? They were the wunderkind of college football. Sure…Troy Aikman transferred to UCLA after one year…but as Johnson said…he didn’t fit the mold and they didn’t need him. But they kept right on rolling along.
By Navigator
December 22, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I wonder how great his offense will work against VA Tech, whose players can run down and stop any running game. Then again, add BC, Clemson, Virginia, and Georgia to that list. The reason the triple option (or veer) went away was because teams started putting most of their best athletes on defense. Secondly any team that has talent and schemes against the t-o can stop it. I already believe that P. Johnson is out of his league, and comments made about talented players, “we don’t want them, and we don’t need them” is call for both stupidity and failure. Lookout folks Tech can’t afford another buyout of 4-5 years, and they have tied their anchor to a dinosaur tactician. I also hate to here a coach say that they will stay with a game plan no matter the outcome.
By I like it
December 22, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Just win. I don’t care what type of offense it is. If you win, you will get good players, good attendance, and everything will be fine. Also, Coach Johnson has already provided more quotes in two weeks than our last coach in 6 years. Does this mean we will actually have a call-in show now?
By cb
December 22, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Where did Navigator go to school? I also hate to “here” a coach say…. Come on let’s give the man a chance to show what he can do against those named teams.
By ll
December 22, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Navigator, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and automatically dismiss any kind of offense that isn’t the spread. GSU runs this kind of offense as well, and two? years ago they went against a very good UGA defense, and GSU, with smaller players, put more points on UGA than any other team did that season.
By StingerSplash
December 22, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Navigator,
get back on the turnip truck from which you just fell off. Want an indication of what Johnson could have up his sleeve? Watch Georgia Southern’s 1985 and 1986 national championship games, where Tracy Ham combined for more than 900 yards of total offense, rushing AND passing. Ham threw for over 700 yards in those two games put together and ran for 180 in the 86 game. Imagine Josh Nesbitt in that role. In the words of the great philosopher T. Errell O’Wens, “Getcha popcorn ready.”
By Sharecropper
December 22, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
Am I the only Tech fan in captivity who remembers Bobby Dodd and the Belly Series? The “triple option” he stole from Davey O’Brien in 1950 or so? Was I the only fan to watch at least some of the Navy bowl game and was astounded at the quickness of the offense and the backfield? My goodness. Tech might actually reintroduce athletes into the backfield.
By Wrecknroll
December 22, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Of course, one of the key advantages of running the triple option or variations therewith is the very fact that so FEW teams do run it. All these nay-sayers who complain that “NOBODY else runs the option so it must not work” obviously don’t realize that sometimes being different is BETTER. Coach Johnson has said many times he’ll adjust his offense to the talent, initially, but he is dead on with his statement that people like it when you WIN. Tech can run the ball EVERY play if they win, in my opinion. Excitement comes from outplaying your opponent, not from endzone celebrations, black jerseys, timeout video giveaways like “Are you smarter than an amoeba?”, or throwing the ball downfield and having your receivers drop it (how many times this season?!). True, a great player like Calvin Johnson is exciting, but I also remember some very exciting runs by the ‘Deuce’ this year, and by the Lavettes, Eddie Lee’s, and numerous other runners from the past.
It’s only natural to wonder about next year’s offense (& defense), but it seems really counterproductive to our recruiting efforts and future success to bury the systems before they are even installed. So Tech fans, get on board. And non-Tech fans, get the hell off this blog. You will have your chance to either gloat or hide in shame next year.
By Wreckrocket
December 22, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
O.K. We got a new coach, a good one. He’s assembling a solid staff, we can assume. Next order of business: marketing. Clearly, the best advertisement is winning. Next to that, these cheesy video spots during half-times, and efforts to attract the midtown inhabitants are rather weak and unimaginative. With the lethargic, finnicky behavior of the aged alumni in the West stands already prominent (anyone see how many of our hallowed old-timers sold their seats to UGAY’s this year?), we hardly need more lukewarm non-partisans filling seats. The seats will be filled with real fans when the team starts winning the games they are supposed to win, and winning some of the games they aren’t. So, fire the PR/marketing dweebs, play up the curiosity factor in PJ’s first season, and for God’s sakes, give us more cowbell, not just on replay delays.
By TDone
December 22, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
I for one, wish folks will lay off this attendance thing. The records show our attendance is greater now than it was 5-10 years ago. Do we sell out every game? No. Should we? Yes. But if we win, that will take care of itself.
And as I say all the time, it’s not the quantity, but the quality of the fans that count. And in that respect, we have the Muttlanders beaten by a country mile.
As for the offense thing, I think Coach Johnson knows more about what he is doing than Terence Moore knows what he is doing.
Go Jackets!!!
By Wrecknroll
December 22, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Okay. We got a good HC in football. Now it’s time to seriously reconsider the basketball HC situation. The mediocrity in Hewitt’s program would be tolerable in a lower profile sport, given his strong character. But c’mon folks, this is the ACC! Basketball DEFINES schools in the ACC as far as sports are concerned, even though we love FB, Baseball, and the other sports. Tech made a commitment to having a strong basketball program when we first entered the conference. We sustained that effort throughout most of the Cremmins years, but now we have fallen into the middle and lower echelon of the ACC on an annual basis. If he wants to stay, give Hewitt another role in the Athletic Dept, but lets get back on track with a new coach, a fresh approach, and more judicious recruiting. I honestly don’t think that race played a factor in PH’s hire, but I am just as sure it may be a factor in keeping the BCA leader longer than his record warrants. Do the right thing again, DRad, let’s turn a new leaf on the hardwood just like we did on the Flats.
By Wes King
December 22, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Play aggressive and play to win! That’s gonna make the difference…
By Jackethope
December 22, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
“You know what I’ve found? If you win, they like it.”
Amen! Nothing else needs to be said or discussed about the triple option. Run or pass or fart, I don’t care, just win!
People are control freaks if they care what Johnson runs. What freaks! Let’s talk about winning.
By gtnation
December 22, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
One thing most forgot to mention. Since we will run the ball on every down the game should be over in less than three hours. This should make the tailgate party folks happy. I watched Navy play the other night. Looked boring. They had people open on the pass routes but didn’t even look for them.
By yellowblood
December 22, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
I must admit that I like Johnson’s approach. I have been told by some of his biggest supporters that he will continue to support all our Tech traditions including Tickle Piles and that he will not prohibit football players from participating. That certainly excits me!!! Think of next’s fall’s Tickle Piles.
By Navigator
December 22, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
“StingerSplash” you twerp and some of the others, I wrote some the most heated blogs when they hired Gailey for his mundane offensive strategy, and also that Tech already had a good coaching staff in place. In the next two years, some of you write in again and say how great the triple option is. If Johnson works out, I’ll be first to write how wrong I was.
By StingerSplash
December 22, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Twerp? My, aren’t you just the big, bad bold one.
Listen, everything I’ve written about has already been backed up by years of numbers and results. Look at PJ’s track record. Wherever he has gone, has won and put up huge numbers. Take a look at the 1999 I-AA national championship when he went up against Jim Tressel. Tressel had no answer - none - for that offense. Georgia Southern had 600 yards rushing and scored 60 points against one of the nation’s best defenses. Now put the athletes Tech has in that offense. Twerp that, you hack.
By GT80
December 22, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Navigator, you must not have actually read the article. Quote “The key will be to come together with what our personnel here can do best.” This is a coach that gets it, from the PR and how to answer questions from a reporter to how to run a successful college football program.
I for one get more excited every time I hear this coach talk. Unlike his predecessor who never gave a straight forward positive answer.
By gray hair
December 22, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Man O Man. Its not even spring and everyone is already lighting the fires under Johson. I can guarantee one thing. We won’t go 10-2 next year. You have to give him time to implement the coaches, players and plays to get this system steam rolling. The blogs are about as usless as Gailey’s GT hat right now. Report on some facts and not about speculation of Johnson’s success w/ his triple option.
By triedofajc
December 22, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
I do not think the AJC can write a positive article about any team but UGA. Give the man a chance. He has won every where he has been—that is how you judge him. WINNER
Guess the AJC does not know what to write about with UGA not playing at the moment.
By Tokyo Jacket
December 22, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
How great is it to not hear “coach speak” from the coach?!?! I love it when the coach tells the truth instead of that “aw, shucks, [insert canned speach]” Bobby Bowden crap. This dude has a personality and I’m already excited.
Navigator, I can understand your skepticism. I personally have no idea whether or not his offense will work. I think we could win as many as 11 games next year and as few as 4. We’ll see. But, the option can work against teams with great defenses (see Tech in the late 90’s). The trick is to sell the offense. That’s like saying a power running game can’t work against a big defense or a good passing game can’t work against a fast defense. It’s all about execution. By the way, how did VT’s great defense do against LSU this year?
Anybody who thinks that football, or any sport for that matter, is won solely on physical prowess is ignorant. Games are won on mental skill, which comes from coaching, desire, control over your mind and body, and physical skill, probably in that order.
There are probably a hundred receivers in college football right now who have nearly identical measurables to Jerry Rice: 6’ tall, 4.45 second 40-yard dash, X seconds in a shuttle drill. But, it takes all those intangibles to separate a hall of famer from a UPS driver. A lot of those intangibles come from good coaching, but not all.
Let’s see what Paul Johnson can do? I personally think that you can look at Utah from a few years ago and see how that type of offense can work against a big, bad BCS defense. I believe Pitt had one of the better defenses in all of NCAA that year. Can CPJ confuse everyone?
By jacketbacker
December 22, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
Go PJ! I don’t care if we run the wing T. Just win. PJ gets it. Can’t wait until September!! GOOOOOO Jackets!!
By gobuzzgo
December 22, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Please, first thing, LOSE THE URINE YELLOW JERSIES!!! They look ridiculous… how can anyone take Tech serious with those yellow belly shirts on?
Let’s get back to navy, old gold and white and show people we’re serious about winning again.
How about the navy/white jersies with old gold pants my grand-dad wore in 1917? Throw in the old gold helmets and they look pretty cool.
By michaelgee
December 23, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Attention naysayers:
If you want to see an offense that will be at Tech next year, takes a few hours and enjoy watching Georgia Southern Highlights.
You will see that the triple Option is MUCH MORE than simply running the football.
Go to YouTube and do a few searches and watch in amazement what the Paul Johnson offense actually is capable of doing and yes, FILLING THE STANDS is one of the first things that will happen.
On YouTube seach for “Georgia Southern” “Tracy Ham” “Teddy Craft” “Jayson Foster” and delight in what you find. There are hours and hours of some of the MOST EXCITING football you have ever seen, ALL the result of Paul Johnson’s special brand of excitement. A few things to watch, the player skills are so common in all of these videos, Paul Johnson knows talent and will bring the right ATHLETES into GT to wreak havoc on opponents. You will see pass receivers making unbelievable down field blocks that spring the ball carriers for long, long gains and you will see a precision passing game like you have not seen before. You will see very very well prepared players doing what this offense is ABOUT. When someone stops the run and forces them to pass, LOOK OUT!
You have been warned!
By GT
December 23, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
How can Johnson try to convince his receivers that he is going to throw the ball when he says he “doesn’t need, or want” a highly ranked QB (#10 on Scout.com) who runs a 4.5 40 yd dash? Sure GSU had success while he was there, but you cant necessarily translate success of a system in D1 AA (GSU) because they dont give nearly as many scholarships as D1A, so have to “adapt to their personnel”. My concern is that good offensive players wont want to come to GT with a triple option offense. Lineman want to learn to become effective pass blockers, RB’s want to learn to pick a hole and run to daylight (not to always take a pitch and then try to beat someone to the corner), QB’s want to find recievers downfield while developing pocket presence, and receivers want to catch the rock (alot).
By fan og dawgs and tech
December 23, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
i just started recently to reading these blogs and did not realize just how bitter and unsportsmanlike many tech fans are. you should be better than the trash that is coming out. it doesnt matter what ga or anybody else does or says if tech takes care of its own business.
By caleb
December 23, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
i don’t understand why everyone is so afraid of the triple option. I think it will lead to success and johnson will use the passing game often. Besides, it’s not like we’ve had a great passing game the last 5 years anyway. Chan ‘the idiot’ Gailey played reggie ball for four years and he was arguably the worst college football quarterback to ever start in the ACC. Not to mention we wasted three years of having arguably the best wide reciever this sport has ever seen. Besides, why are we listening to Terrance Moore? He’ll always be critical of eveyone until every possible coaching position is filled with a black man.
By GoFerTech
December 23, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
Two words: Pepper Rogers
By surfrider
December 23, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
We tend to forget that Tech won the National Championship in part due to an option package of running and throwing with Shawn Jones at QB. Nobody knows who will get the ball and there are at least five prospects…FB, QB, HB, or Wr (reverse) or a pass. We also forget that Pepper had a WR named Jimmy Robinson in the Wishbone that played for the New York Giants for several years with outstanding hands. There was also Drew Hill later who played for the Rams. After watching the Navy game I/m convinced we can pass out of this triple option version. Their receivers were wide-open and we should be able to get some passing talent into the program. But I like to pass too but feel like the option or lack of it is what hurt our offense the last few years. If this article is correct then we should have a run and shoot package, a sprint out and pass package and some play action packages. That basically is part of what made Joe Hamilton and Shawn Jones so good, they could roll out and pass or pass quick as well as vertically. AFter being down and watching Navy come back at the end I feel good this offense can come from behind. We’ll see how recruiting goes buy my guess is it should broaden out in terms of p layers and also regions as time goes on. Looking forward to seeing the staff names soon and hopefully some Tech assistants will be on the new staff as well.
By surfrider
December 23, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this
As for the recruit who dissed Tech and it’s new coach the next day, well Threet may be one to talk to a year later and the whole Michigan staff is gone plus the spread is coming to Michigan. The point is I think Johnson is a coach who recruits players who want to go the particularly school and learn then if the byproduct is the NFL that’s great but if not an education is available. If some of these players studied history they may find out Tech put several players in the NFL and in it’s draft when Pepper Rodgers was coaching Tech. Matter of fact in 1978 two 1st round picks in Eddie Lee Ivery (Rb) and Kent Hill (OL), and 5 other picks and some free agents to go with it. In 1975 I believe David Simms was drafted as a RB after being converted to the wishbone and played in Seattle for awhile if memory is right. The point is we had more players going to the NFL then almost than now and we were runnign the Wishone. Yes, we did’nt have a QB go but nobody threw much back then until Miami proved it could work in 1980 or so. Really both players and coaches probably should eal with recruiting as first is thiss where I want to go to school, then second the football deal and third the NFL. Why people want to play two years or three years in the NFL and not look at college as life long learning venture is beyond me.
By surfrider
December 23, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this
As for the recruit who dissed Tech and it’s new coach the next day, well Threet may be one to talk to a year later and the whole Michigan staff is gone plus the spread is coming to Michigan. The point is I think Johnson is a coach who recruits players who want to go the particularly school and learn then if the byproduct is the NFL that’s great but if not an education is available. If some of these players studied history they may find out Tech put several players in the NFL and in it’s draft when Pepper Rodgers was coaching Tech. Matter of fact in 1978 two 1st round picks in Eddie Lee Ivery (Rb) and Kent Hill (OL), and 5 other picks and some free agents to go with it. In 1975 I believe David Simms was drafted as a RB after being converted to the wishbone and played in Seattle for awhile if memory is right. The point is we had more players going to the NFL then almost than now and we were runnign the Wishone. Yes, we did’nt have a QB go but nobody threw much back then until Miami proved it could work in 1980 or so. Really both players and coaches probably should eal with recruiting as first is thiss where I want to go to school, then second the football deal and third the NFL. Why people want to play two years or three years in the NFL and not look at college as life long learning venture is beyond me.
By Hang_50
December 23, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this
Navigator -
Navy played VA Tech 3 years ago and were leading them at half before getting wore down by Tech in the 2nd half. That’s quite an accomplishment considering Va Tech had two weeks to get ready for Johnson’s Offense.
Get ready for some fun. Once he gets the right kids in place, his offense is very difficult to stop. There is an solution for however a defense plays.
By Tokyo Jacket
December 23, 2007 3:56 AM | Link to this
Right on Hang 50!