AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFans celebrate a new beginning
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was 7:30 a.m., and one of Georgia Tech’s football meeting rooms was nearly full with men — and four women — gathered to celebrate news of the first signees of the coach Paul Johnson era. Some had brought lists so they could check off the players as they signed.
Periodically, a position coach would step to the podium and announce a new signee, and, of course, the signees all sounded great. This was a day of excitement, of potential, of limitless possibility. Who would be the next Philip Wheeler, the next Tashard Choice, the next James Butler?
And, this year more than ever, the talk was of transformation. For example, Tevin Washington, that athletic quarterback from Wetumpka, Ala., could become almost anything at Tech.
“He’s got tremendous upside,” Johnson said. “If he’s not a quarterback, he certainly can be a wide receiver or a slotback or a safety.” And, “he might be the biggest sleeper in the whole class.”
Even the offense can transform, Johnson assured the faithful.
“We can do the same things out of the offense that Hawaii does,” he said, referring to the success Colt Brennan and June Jones had during the regular season and not in their bowl game.
There was some non-signee news, too. Tyler Evans, Luke Cox and Calvin Booker are getting scholarships, and Mohamed Yahiaoui will get one if he becomes the kicker, but Tech will still be well below the NCAA maximum of 85 next fall. About 58 players are on scholarship now, Johnson said.
Johnson, on the right size for an offensive lineman in his offense: “I don’t ever worry about weight that much as long as it’s good weight. If they can’t get out of their own way, we’ll ask them to lose some weight.”
“Ask” is the nice word for it. Johnson made it clear he wants his team tougher.
“When we practice, we will go live,” he said. “There will be a lot of contact.”
Quarterbacks will get tougher, too. In Johnson’s practices, they get hit just like running backs.
Johnson has no time for prima donnas. He has heard an earful about how difficult it will be for him to recruit top-flight receivers but insisted he’d only lose out on receivers who were too “me-first.” “If the wide receiver is so worried about catching 80 balls, I don’t want him, anyway,” Johnson said.
That’s it for now. I’m headed to Tech’s signing day celebration at Opera.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By Buzz Belle
February 6, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Wish I could be there! Family commitments but I’m excited! Nice way to start off Coach Johnson! GO JACKETS - THWG
By CW
February 6, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Coach Johnson’s comments remind me of O’Leary’s approach when he started at Tech. Nice to see a coach take more of an old school approach.
By Blackdawg
February 6, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait for my gay dawgs to come on here and say something clever. We are very worried about CPJ in athens. QB’s are made for spooning, not hitting!!!!
By DogsRcoprophagous
February 6, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
I was very happy to see Chan go but at first wasn’t that happy with the choice of Johnson. The more I read about him the better I like him. Even if it takes him a few years to get things on track it will be better than watching the players lay down on Chan. I don’t think they will do that twice with Johnson. I am getting excited about the season. Also remember one thing, many great players have come out of Tech that weren’t highly regarded coming in!
By gt45
February 7, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait for spring practice. I like the way PJ goes about his business-all business and matter of factly. I believe he will be a great coach to play for and a leader to set good examples for the kids. He already is setting the tone for what he expects, and that is great.
By gt in sc
February 7, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
excellent class for a transition coach. he got people to fit his system, which is what he wanted to do.
By College Football Fan
February 7, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
If Tech likes new beginnings then wait 6 years. After Johnson has won less than 30 games over the next 6 years and failed to beat UGA, Tech can have another new beginning celebration.
In fact, I look forward to watching Tech have a new beginning every 6 years until I die of old age.
By BobinBuford
February 7, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Meanwhile, another UGA “athlete” is under arrest for underage drinking, and possibly violating parole. Who was the last Tech basketball player who violated parole? Oh that’s right - the original charge against Humphries was really nothing - just carrying a little knife.
Yep - that Dennis Felton sure recruits upstanding citizens, doesn’t he?? It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog basketball fan these days, isn’t it??
By Buzz Belle
February 7, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
College Football Fan-just read the story on the 2009 DL who committed to Tech. #20 on Rivals.com it says. You might want to be careful about taking Tech so lightly, it appears Coach Johnson is already turning heads. We have a way to go but I’m thinking it is not nearly as far as you dawgs think. That’s what will make it so much fun when you guys lose to us again. The question is when it will happen and I’m betting much sooner than later. THWG
By gt45
February 7, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Keep it coming, Giff!
By profit
February 7, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Tech needs to fire those indiders, they are ruining the school. Keep out those illegals, I do not want my tax dollars paying to educate illegal hispanics. Phew, they all stink, almost as bad as the insiders…That belle has a strong and powerful odor of mendacity about her too…ah bet she is an illegal alien. Deport her
By scooter11
February 7, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
The 2009 recruit won’t ever tackle his current RB teammate in a college game.
By Jaded Jacket
February 7, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
With all the scholarships available for 2009 I have a feeling Tech’s class next year will be awesome. It’s already off to a fine start!
By John
February 7, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
We are headed straight to the top and will reclaim the position of top school in Georgia sooner then I had thought. THWG!
By GT
February 7, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
I noticed when Ross came he worked on recruiting offensive linemen. Georgia was getting everybody they went after and Ross looked like a wallflower over in his end of the state. After about four or five years Tech actually went into a Georgia game favored which Ross did not like. He complained to the press that on recruiting day it is all about Georgia and now you make Georgia the underdog doesn’t make any sense. Great coaches never make any sense, if they did there would be a lot more like them.