AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMaybe James Johnson simply had enough
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the time being, it’s not as easy to form an opinion on wide receiver James Johnson’s decision to leave Tech’s football team as it was to empathize with WR D.J. Donley’s apparent decision to transfer to Purdue, where the Boilermakers will throw plenty.
In both cases, it seems safe to posit that they weren’t — if Donley was to remain a WR at Tech, that is — going to be running as many routes and catching as many passes as they might have liked. And they were going to be asked to block more, and differently, than in the previous offense.
Asked about James Johnson after practice Wednesday, Paul Johnson said something to the effect of, I don’t see him out here; I guess he quit.
Simple, understated, detached.
But these situations probably cannot be summed up simply by suggesting — as some on other boards have — that Donley and James Johnson left merely because they were concerned that they weren’t going to get what they thought was their fair share. That would go too far toward implying selfishness, a label neither has done anything else to deserve.
Donley has three years to play, and Johnson one, and at least by my eye, Donley showed enough skill in his very first year (admittedly, much of it in preseason practice) to merit the suggestion that he might have potential enough to develop into one whale of a wideout. If, as his high school coach said, he is making a move because he believes he can best develop elsewhere, who has a right to suggest that he stay put, suck it up for the team, and embrace a system he wasn’t recruited to?
If coaches can changes jobs at their leisure, and athletics directors can fire them, why shouldn’t kids be able to change their minds?
But it’s unclear if these dynamics apply to James Johnson. (EDIT: It’s more clear now, after this blog was written, if you read Mike Knobler’s story.)
Without having talked to him, we are to date left with the explanation he apparently gave his position coach, which is that he simply decided to get on with his life. Lord knows in the past six or eight months he’s had a boatload of injuries. James is bright, engaging, upbeat … from my observations a stand-up chap.
So maybe he’s just had enough football, especially with the idea — pretty realistic — that he was not going to do as much of what he came to Tech to do, and he was going to be asked to do quite a bit that he didn’t bargain for when he chose the Yellow Jackets. Some of this is speculative, but hey, it’s all we have now. (EDIT: Actually, there is more now; read Knobler’s story.)
I think the suggestion on The Hive that James made disparaging comments in a story (CBSportsline/Dennis Dodd) is goofy.
About Paul Johnson’s predilection toward the run game, Dodd quoted James Johnson saying (prior to his leaving the team), “we’re going to hope that Coach does not do all that much running. We just hope he’s saying all that to trick people.”
From my dealings with James, I’ll bet he had a big smile on when he said that. And I happen to think Tech is going to pass a fair amount more than than 10 times a game Navy threw the ball last season, although the Jackets will run the more more than twice as often as they’ll pass, I believe.
Later in Dodd’s piece, he wrote that Paul Johnson responded by saying, “He caught 30 balls (actually 25) and they went 7-6. If something wasn’t wrong, if what they were doing was so great, we wouldn’t be here. It’s not like we’re coming in here and dismantling this high-powered machine that was lighting everybody up.”
Hopefully, Paul Johnson had a smile on his face, too, when he said that.
Was he suggesting that the Jackets muddled along last season in part because they passed too much?
That’d be silly, too.
To be sure, Paul Johnson wasn’t hired to improve Tech’s running game, per se. He was hired to win more games, and inspire fans and players along the way.
The Jackets didn’t lead the nation in rushing, as Paul Johnson’s Navy squad did, but they led the ACC at 199-yards plus despite recurring injuries to Tashard Choice, and were No. 24 in the nation last year. The run game was better than 7-6.
If I were to boil Tech’s shortcomings from last season down to their simplest forms and list them: woefully inadequate passing game (No. 11 in the ACC, to be precise), a schizophrenic defense that failed horribly to adjust as games wore on, an overriding team failure to consistently rise to and seize moments and general lack of inspiration.
Those are the reasons Paul Johnson’s here, the issues he was hired to address and improve, in my view.
Not simply to improve a running game that was among few things not broken.
And not to deride departed coaches and players and what they did or did not do.
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Comments
By Tron
April 3, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I like Paul Johnson. Dude’s no-nonsense. He’s here to coach football and win games, not to make individual people happy.
You can’t fault the kids for leaving. Personally, I think that if the coach that recruited you either quites or is fired, you should be able to transfer without having to sit out a year. Coaches don’t have to sit out a year when they bail on their kids (or when they’re tossed overboard). The players shouldn’t be penalized.
Best of luck to both Johnson and Donley. Wish they were staying, but it’s not my place to question their decisions.
By old Tech fan
April 3, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
This fall will be….different!
(just ask m)
By Meg
April 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
I hate to see him go…oh well, at least he did very well in his time here and was fun to watch and cheer for.
PS-aren’t we due some comment about God and Greyhound? hahaha
By bb
April 3, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
If a player’s heart and soul aren’t into winning football games at GT then the Tech football team is better off without them. I don’t care how talented a player is, on the football field their only concern should be their team winning the game; not how many catches they will get, if they are impressing the pro scouts or even something more important than football.
I am not suggesting that football is, or should be, the most important thing in any of these young men’s life. But, when they are on the field they should have that commitment (and if they don’t, for whatever reason, they should not be there).
I am sure James has very good reasons for leaving the team (it is not my, or anyone else’s, place to wonder what those reasons are). I wish him the best and thank him for the contributions he has made to GT football.
I, for one, hope that Paul Johnson is more concerned with winning football games than the ratio of running plays to passing plays (or what a bunch of ignorant fans and sportswriters think of his ‘system’)!
By George
April 3, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
James Johnson was an average receiver. Good luck to him.
By CarolinaJacket
April 3, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
I agree with Tron. Best of luck to the guys who left the team, regardless of reason. And, that players should have the option of leaving with being penalized if the coach who recruited them leaves. That might, however, create a really wild scenario, with players coming and going.
By ben
April 3, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
James Johnson’s continous short arming and dropping passes because of a fear of getting whacked was his trademark. I’m with Johnson- Good Riddance. The coach needs players who will buy into his system, then play fearless, hard hitting football. Whether or not he can accomplish that in a fairly big program in 2008 remains to be seen.
By GT76
April 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
The cupboard is not bare. Demaryius Thomas, Correy Earls, and Greg Smith along with a couple of freshman will lead Tech to something higher than last in passing this year in the ACC. The running game will open up the passing. Always has, always will. I don’t care what offense you are playing. Booker and Nesbitt will prove to be good QB’s.
As for players leaving, you can’t give players the right to leave when a coach changes and not sit out a year. Life is not fair always. I have had good bosses and bad bosses, but I don’t change jobs just because I get a new one.
By AGTfan
April 3, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
By old Tech fan This fall will be….different! (just ask m)
Please don’t? We all know what he has to say and it will all be bold type and even if we agree with him (a little), we’re tired of hearing it.
I agree with Tron and CarolinaJacket. NCAA has a double standard about what’s fair for coaches and what’s fair for student-atheletes.
By Buzz Belle
April 3, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Tron is correct. I wish them all the verybest of luck. One more thing, is anybody else tired of people always commenting on how many passes or how many times we will run the ball? If we passed 95% of the time, if they all connected for gains, Johnson would be called the smartest coach in history. If we never passed but won every game by 14- ditto. What I want are wins, I don’t care how many times we pass or run. Just win - especially the LAST GAME! THWG
By reggie ball
April 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
im glad 2 see james johnson gone, he was horrible at catching the ball. Go Paul Johnson!
By Sebastian
April 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
“If I were to boil Tech’s shortcomings from last season down to their simplest forms and list them: woefully inadequate passing game (No. 11 in the ACC, to be precise), a schizophrenic defense that failed horribly to adjust as games wore on, an overriding team failure to consistently rise to and seize moments and general lack of inspiration.” This is the most intelligent thing you have ever written Matt. Particularly #3. Nice.
By Yellow Jacket Guy
April 3, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I do not think football players should be allowed to transfer when their coaches leave to take another job or are fired. If that were allowed, all of the guys Johnson is recruiting will be gone when we run him off and then the next guy won’t have anyone to coach. We need to force the tech players to stay here.
By James Johnson
April 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
It is really very simple. I decided to get a life and quit being a tech loser. Face it, when you work your arse off and all you have to show for it is a loss in the Roady’s Truck Stop Bowl after a week hanging out at the Boise bowling alley, then it is time to move on. Good riddance.
By Chan Gailey
April 3, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Who is James Johnson? he sounds like he is some kind of stud. We should have signed him. Is today Tuesday?
By Bravesfan79
April 3, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Heres a little something for all you fellow GT basketball junkies:
Because we all know football has no point when u have to get “voted” into the championship game. SO lets talk about a main sport in which GT actually has a chance to win a national title in… Mens Basketball!
I believe GT Basketball is headed in the right direction. Hewitt is a good coach and with some help on the bench we could really become an elite team again! Here is something i got off of a DUKE fan blog about the Nations Top recruit… Atlanta’s Derrick Favors:
“When I asked Favors of his ascension to the top he said, “It’s just hard work and wanting to win.” When asked what schools were on his short list, he said everybody.
He will confer with his parents and coaches, meaning both his AAU and high school coach. “If I had a dream school, it’s probably (Georgia) Tech,” said Favors.
Favors grew up in Atlanta and many feel it will be hard to get him north of that destination. When talking of Hewitt, Favors said, “He cool.”
I then asked the rising big man about other ACC schools like Duke or UNC and he said, “They’ve already come in … they’ve been in touch.”
When asked who he talked to from UNC, he couldn’t remember. I can’t pronounce the name of the guy from Duke. He was referring to Wojo.’
Now of course Tech and Hewitt being their is up in the air and Georgia doesn’t offer the hype he might desire. So what better time to make a move, or in this case stay in touch and see what he’s thinking”
*See this is why its important for us as fans to stand behind the program we all love so much. GT hoops is headed in the right direction people, and im telling everyone…with a junior starting pt guard in Miller, a sophmore Shumpert, junior Lawal, and D Favors as center….this team will be at or near the top of the ACC in 09!!! You heard it here first…. *
By MDawg
April 3, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Oh so not only is Johnson going to have problems recruiting receivers he can’t keep the ones he inherited. Interesting, especially when you hear they’re throwing the ball a lot this spring. It sounds like Nesbit is going to win the job OH WAIT! Jaybo is coming in the fall to save the program! LOL!
By RAMBLE ON!
April 3, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
MATT, Bravesfan79 just reminded me, Next time you see DRAD, could you ask him why he hasn’t fired Paul Hewitt yet?
I’d like to know.
By dawgy
April 3, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
It’s funny - when I mentioned to several tech acquaintances that the best coach out there (who would be interested in Tech) was in Annapolis, they scoffed and said things like “He is not a candidate” and “nobody likes the triple option.” Now, those same morons are saying he’s the savior, and that he’ll “adjust” his offense for this level. Well…which one is it, nerds? You bees always bring a wry smile to my face.
By GT80
April 3, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think maybe Johnson just couldn’t shake the injuries and decided that he should concentrate on his studies and move on with life after football. Nobody has said he’s tranferring.
By Brad30
April 3, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
I really have an uncomfortable feeling about our new offence. I hope Dan R and Coach Johnson realize that Tech’s home season tix package includes horrible teams. It was priced horribly too high. And a boring run, run, run offense will only make for less season ticket sales next year.
By RAMBLE ON!
April 3, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Hey Brad30, it beats last years, run, throw the ball out of bounds, run, punt, offense.
By surfrider
April 3, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Once players see the product on the field in the fall it will change if there is a concern which I doubt there is one. Why? First the sections on Earls and Baybay were buried deep in the article which shined positive light on their perception of the offense. Also there is Melton and some pretty good walkons and a couple of Freshman coming in plus Smith if he is needed more at Wr, and don’t forget some of these db’s who are talented buy may be third or fourth string. But the big picture is our passing offense was what ranked lower than 90 last year and our Qb rating was last or close to l ast in the conference. If there was a problem on offense the last several years it was no potency in passing consistently. Dropped passes had a lot to do with it last year but that could have been inexperience. To me the option will open up the passing game aka..Dewberry under Curry, Shawn Jones under Ross, and Hamliton/Godsey under O’leary.
By Bravesfan79
April 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
RambleOn: Wow id think that fellow GT fans would be a little brighter.. my post explained perfectly why we need to support Hewitt. Us not supporting him only makes recruits question the program, which makes it more likely those big time recruits go somewhere else.
If you care about GT hoops…then believe in Hewitt like i do, and hope that we bring back that defensive minded coach we lost after 2004.
Hewitt is a great recruiter and a solid coach, ill take that for my program any day. Now if GT dosent do anything in 08 or 09, im right there with you. But until then…back off the man and stop giving DUKE and UNC fans reason to diss our program and call it unstable because of people like you.
Look on Scout.com, and look at all the top recruits considering GT currently in 09. This program is headed in the right direction. All it will take is a full season of having a non freshman point guard to prove my point! Go GT!!
By CW
April 3, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Great comments. You really hit the nail on the head about why Tech wasn’t more successful last year and I’m glad that someone else shares my opinion that our D was a real letdown last year.
I’m enjoying your spring coverage of football. Sounds like you are having fun and enjoying covering a team with some positive energy. Keep up the good work.
By RAMBLE ON!
April 3, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan79, one NCAA tourney win the last FOUR years. You call that the right direction?
GT Football 1990 National Championship, number four.
GT Basketball…zero. For Hewitt there shouldn’t be an ‘08, and there is no way for an ‘09.
Just to make sure you know which way the program is headed, I’ll repeat, ONE NCAA Tourney win in the last FOUR years. (oh yea, that was 4 years ago too).
Enough about basketball, it’s too painful.
By RAMBLE ON!
April 3, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
One last thing Bravesfan79…Duke and UNC are telling the recruites what I just told you. One win in 4 years, that’s why the program is “unstable”, not people like me.
By Readthequote
April 3, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Read it again Matt. HE says nothing about passing the ball too much. He was implying that James keep his mouth shut when talking about HIS offense. How could a receiver on a team ranked in the bottom 1/4 of D-1 football in passing, say anything about a new offensive system. And yes, he should “deride former coaches and players” if they are current(as he was at the time of the quote)players and talking trash in the media about the new offensive system. He never said anything about improving the running game, you did. Some guys aren’t tough enough to play for PJ. Some guys aren’t tough enough to report on PJ either
By nebraskka option faithful
April 3, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Now theres no doubt at all that this is going to be a completely different tech team than previously seen in the past 10 years. New offense, defense, coaches, and basically no startes returning. I’m glad because the past 10 years haven’t been that great.
GOOD LUCK CPJ
By gtfan
April 3, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
hey braves fan get a clue.
ph is a mediocre coach. you need only compare cremins first 8 years vs ph’s first 8 years. nite and day dude. the acc was more difficult under bc and there WAS NO bb program before bc. ph came to gt when the program was at a lull not down or non existant!
ph recruited all these studs… bosh crit young jack etall yet…. we had a losing record at home. first losing record at home in almost 30 years. we have had 2 losing seasons in the last 3 years. uga has a winning record against ph inspite of the turmoil their program has been in. we go 0-2 in ncaa games in the last 4 years. not a ringing endorsement for ph.
each year since the final 4 our recruiting has become … well harder. it is NO coincidence. our final 4 appearance has been wasted due to poor performance by ph an the staff since. each year we are labeled as one of the countries biggest underachievers.
AND you have the audacity to say that the fans have anything to do with recruiting? come on now. rival coaches need only point to ph and his abysmal record. its not like the recruits cant watch our games an see our players regress as bb players during their time here. if the fans think we look bad what makes you think the recruits think different?
you point to favors as being almost certain to come to gt. im going to call you out on that statement. last guy who was a given was that center who went to kentucky. remember randolph morris…pysch. if favors has us so high than he could commit NOW.
i predicted that gt would have a terrible recruitin class this year. we almost struck out. i predict next year will be worse and next year is a year we need 6 recruits.
if you honestly think that we will have an oustanding recruitin class next year after the year we just had than you need to be in a ‘pysch’ ward.
ph needs to do the right thing an resign. than he can continue is good sic work at the BCA.
By m
April 3, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
James Johnson said his heart was not in it anymore….so he had the decency to quit. He said it would be like stealing Tech’s money if he stayed. On the other hand, Chan Gailey, whose heart was NEVER in it, stayed 6 LONG years and beat Tech out of 11 millions dollars, while running Tech’s beloved football program into the ground. He didn’t have the decency to quit, he just kept drinking from the (money) trough. Not hard to tell which one has character and which one does not. I am sorry that James Johnson is gone, but I am ecstatic that Chan Gailey is gone FOREVER. Thank God and Greyhound he is gone.
By Matt Winkeljohn
April 3, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Readthequote,
I luvya. You’re a genius the likes of which make blogs readable for a greater audience.
Matt
By RAMBLE ON!
April 3, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
I have to say m, that was your best rant yet.
By jacketbacker
April 3, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
good point matt….the biggest problem under gailey was a lack of mental toughness and motivation…how else can you explain the ups and downs ( ie… beat auburn, lose to duke, etc). tech teams were rarely prepared or motivated….that goes back to coaching…pj is here to improve the discipline and focus…if he runs off a few players in the process, so be it….gailey’s teams were soft…i’m so glad to hear pj talking of the need to improve toughness in our players…he is absolutely right!….
By son_sir
April 3, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Nothing against JJ (or Donley for that matter), but the “defections” aren’t surprising at all. CPJ is going to demand he has the players on the field who’s hearts ARE in it. If you don’t have that as a TEAM , what do you have ? I believe the answer is found in the Gailey Era.
GT needs players who will understand the time tested concept of BIG TEAM, little ‘me’. Not all will be devoted to that. To those that aren’t…. best of luck to you. To those that are devoted enough to it and willing to make sacrifices for the team…. In the words of Erk Russell….”YOU’LL BE SO GLAD YOU DID” ! Tomorrow is Friday, April 4, 2008…ANOTHER DAY IN WHICH TO EXCEL !! Give ‘em hell Jackets !
By Bravesfan79
April 3, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Ramble on and gtfan: We have no need or room for a big 08 class (we did after all get one of the top 5 guards in the country!) 09 recruiting will be a GIANT year for us…mark it down!!
I think PH needs new blood among his assistants and thats the bottom line. GT just needs to put $$ into the basketball program like it does for assistant coaches for football.
After all…after all no one can tell me GT has any shot at a National Title so long as you have to be “voted” into the title game. In fact no ACC championship team outside of a miracle run by FSU or MIAMI would get enough respect to be “voted” into the big game over a 1 loss USC, or Ohio State,Texas or ANY SEC championship team. And thats just the sad truth of the JOKE that is college football. Thats why im a PRO fan… speaking of…BRETT FARVE… PLEASE COME BACK!!!!
By son_sir
April 3, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
..And to all Tech fans.. Whatever you have to do or sacrifice, make sure you are in Bobby Dodd Stadium on April 19th to show YOU are committed to the transition and that YOU support the hard work that the coaches and players are putting into this effort to give you a program that we all can be proud of again.
By WFC
April 4, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
I coached high school basketball, football and baseball for over 20 years. Here’s the deal:
*Burn out is more prevalent in football because of the physical toll that the game takes on your body. This is why all this recruiting class BS is just that. How much does a guy want to play? That’s what I want to know.
By JustMe
April 4, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
First of all, it is no secret that Johnson’s body was giving out. He had missing a LOT of time and games due to various injuries (some were not getting better). As a senior, he had NO shot at a pro career considering the state of his physical body. So, why push forward?
I applaud Johnson on making a good decision for him, and I wish him the best.
Also, PJ does have a run oriented game. I’m sure that he will pass the ball sufficiently to try and keep defenses honest. But, the passing game will certainly not be “highlighted”. With that understanding, it makes it more sense for JJ to sit out his senior year.
By PROUDTECHFAN
April 4, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
why are some of us calling for Hewitts job. Can a program not struggle one season and not make the tourney one time in the last 4 or 5 years. yes the ACC was seemingly down this year, but its still a league where guard play, especially point gurad play is essential. we never had consistent play from the point guard position all year. Causey had his moments and Mo Miller played very well down the stretch. but the consistency wasnt there. Paul Hewitt was put in a very tough position this year losing Crittenton anf Young and Dickey for that matter. thats three of his five starters people. UNC and Duke for the most part brought back their entire roster minus few players here and there. lets see what Hewitt does next year before we are trying to ship this guy out of here. Mo Miller coming into his own, Dickey coming back, Clinch, and Lawal and Aminu, and the defensive presence of Deandre Bell and Peacock, i think we can make some noise next year in the ACC and beyond. but i agree with an earlier post that the 09 class should be very special. i just hope we are patient enough to see that class come in and suprise alot of people.,
Go Jackets!!!
By GT
April 4, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Your best. I am surprised more players in this day and time aren’t like Johnson. Football especially for the average teams is not that much fun. I think particularly on defense Tech supported quiet a few players who were taking scholarship money and going through the motions. Check that Va. Tech game out in particularly. The team with the most heart won. Now not all people go at life to be winners some just fill the spot assigned go home and watch television. I don’t think Johnson fits that description either, but a lot of his critics do.
By gtfan
April 4, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Bravesfan79 i applaud your love for the program but i have to say… please follow it a bit closer if your going to make those kinds of statements.
in 8 years he hasnt changed a thing. his o an d are the same no matter what kind of personel he has.(to hell with making the system fit the players) he still recruits the same type of player year in an year out.(if your not long tall an atheltic forgetabit. bb skills? the nba dont want bb skills)
i definitely agree that some seasoned assistants could make a big diff in our program. obviously youve missed the fact that ph has said numerous times that he is NOT changing his assitants. period.
so if you think ph is going to tweak his sytem even a bit…. dream on.
this whole scenerio sounds exactly like chan gailey. both coaches are stubborn and loyal to a fault.
chan coached gt as if it were the dallas cowboys. paul hewitt coaches like he is auditioning for the knicks. which he is.
everything about ph and his coaching reeks of the nba. from the player’s he recruits, to the system he runs and even to the way he substitutes in a game.
now if we could only can paul an find us a college bb coach who wants to be a college bb coach.
coaches from the college ranks are not interchangeable with pro coaches and vice versa. it is proven over n over again.
as far as big class goes… we lose 7 schollies an 1 walkon this year an next and bring in 1. 14-7-1+1= 7 one player is a walkon leaving 6 players on schollie and 7 spots open. if we only bring in 4 players next year we are an injury away from not being able to scrimmage. geeez dude. get real. next year needs to be at least 5.
By Navigator
April 4, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I’ve said from the start that PJohnson will prove to be the expensive coach between Gailey and the next football coach. Another comment was that Hewitt shouldn’t be on the hot seat because the ACC was down this year. Yeah, and he couldn’t win when the ACC was down, what’s going to happen when the league hits their stride? Maybe last! Dave Braine did exactly what he intended when he left, stick the school with two mediocre coaches and programs. All hail the man that brought athletics to their knees.
By RAMBLE ON!
April 4, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
The big question is what does m think about Paul Hewitt?
By NASCAR Dave
April 4, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Wow, the news gets worse and worse for you NERDS everyday! HA!HA!HA!
GO DAWGS!!!
NUFF SAID.
By JUNE_BABY
April 4, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
to some of u prev. bloggers, i believe every kid that comes out of high school has aspirations of playing in the n.f.l.(now granted, most recruits will never have the skill set), they expect a school(whichever school),to prepare them for the next level. with that being said, why should they hang around in a system that can’t or won’t showcase their skills. school spirit is one thing, but it only goes so far, when a player is using this system to prepare himself for the pros. he’s not there to please the fans or to bring glory, for older people who wouldn’t give him the time of day if he wasn’t a player. they’d never be noticed if they spent their time bringing glory to some other player(i’m talking skill players, not lineman or kickers). i say if a school is not doing what they promised you, then by all means, go elsewhere.
By Buckhead Dawg
April 4, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
This is classic. Another receiver leaves. Now at receiver you got a freshman and two walk ons. Memo to Nerds: If your opponents know you can’t pass they’ll put 11 in the box…goooood luck with that run option. Go Dawgs!
By m
April 4, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
RambleOn….to answer your question…although Paul Hewitt is approximately one million times more qualified than Chan Gailey, he is still a marginal coach, and probably should be replaced. Paul was hurt this year by the two players lost to the pros, so I am willing to give him some slack. But he needs to get a sense of urgency, or move on. Now to the good news….CHAN GAILEY IS GONE FOREVER ….. halllleeedamloooyah!!
By ben
April 4, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
m’s problem is that he thinks he’s on the Ohio State or Texas blog and that if we had only hired ————-, we’d be in the championship game next year. Truth is, just look at Cremins winning percentage or all the football coaches since Dodd and you’ll find ‘em all to be in that .600 range. That’s 7-5 in football and 14-10 in basketball. I hope we get better under Johnson and Hewitt, but I’m not betting my house on it. And I’m also no throwing bricks through the coaches office window either. Hewitt and Ross gave us the best we can hope for, a championship caliber team once every several year. The truth hurts.
By m
April 4, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Chan Gailey inherited the Tech program in the best shape that any new coach at Tech had ever inherited. Tech had been to 5 straight bowl games and had finished in the TOP 25 for 5 consecutive years. Not once in the Gailey years did we finish in the TOP 25….NOT ONCE. He did maintain the bowl streak by going to mostly meaningless bowls. Chan Gailey was without a doubt the worst coach in Tech history. THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND HE IS GONE FOREVER!!!!
By RAMBLE ON!
April 4, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Hewitt is worse than Gailey. Remember m, O’liary left him with a probation and a bunch of flunk outs. I’m not defending Gailey, just telling how bad Hewitt is.
By son_sir
April 4, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
M.. I pretty much agree with you on your assessment of the Gailey years. Tech had talent that was wasted, was incredibly inconsistent, and seemed to lack emotion at times. Having said that, it is time to let it go and focus on the future.
Ben.. That’s the kind of defeatist attitude that holds the program back. Player’s sense that attitude in the fans and are affected. Just as with the players, if your heart ain’t in it as a fan, I suggest you go support Ohio State or Texas or whoever. We don’t need you. (That’s assuming that you actually are a GT fan).
By son_sir
April 4, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Buckheaad Dawg is a Playstation genius ! Put your 8, 9, 10, or 11 in the box. This ain’t your Grandpa’s TO. Keep thinking that though.
By dawgstradamus
April 4, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
son_sir: I love how you and your nerd bretheren are experts at what offense Paul Johnson will run next year. Yall are the same people who claimed CPJ wasn’t even a candidate for the job because “nobody likes the triple option.” Now he runs this TO juggernaut?? Keep it coming nerds, this is priceless. There is a reason this offense isn’t run in the nfl. SPEED AT ALL DEFENSIVE POSITIONS NEGATES THIS OFFENSE!!! I think you’ll find that those boys from Athens have slightly more team speed than Wofford or whoever else CPJ beat up on while he was at Ogeechee Tech. Oh wait, you guys must be used to taking it on the chin from the Dawgs by now, right? Dawgstradamus predicts another 17 straight years of the bees not beating the Dawgs.
By BoozyBee
April 4, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
HEY brilliant BUCKHEAD DAWG
I think BEBE THOMAS and COREY EARLS are going to quickly change your perception of our nonexistent receivers. Dont comment on a team you know jack about, go bark on you own toothless, redneck blog.
AND dawgstradANUS,
go take your flea-bitten muttbutt somewhere else, because I dont know any tech fans that were against hiring paul johnson except maybe a few dorks that are probably exactly the kind of friend you would hang out with.
By m
April 5, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this
RambleOn, O’leary was a great coach at Tech. He took us from the Lewis debacle to 5 straight years in the TOP 25. He did not cause the probation and he certainly did not allow the flunkout that happened while Gailey was asleep at the wheel. You Gailey lovers crack me up at how you will stoop to any level, including disparaging one of our great coaches, in order to try to defend the indefensible….Gailey. Gailey was the WORST coach in the history of TECH….probably in the history of the NCAA. He sucked at unprecedented levels. He should NEVER have been hired. He should certainly have been fired after the 51-7 debacle at uga. The fact that he was allowed to destroy our program for 6 LONG years is outrageous. The only thing more outrageous is your stupid O’leary remarks. Gailey sucked from the minute he stepped onto the flats. He still sucks today. THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND HE IS GONE. O’leary did a tremendous service to Tech by cleaning up the Lewis fiasco. Paul Johnson is just beginning the cleanup of the Gailey debacle.
By son_sir
April 5, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Dawgstradimwit - I don’t know what handful of the GT people you may know that you place in the “Yall are the same peoplem” group. I’ve read and heard by far, more support, than criticism since CPJ was on the HC candidate list. You should know that as long as you’ve been regurgitating your dog turds on Tech blogs.
By Confucious
April 5, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Confucious say there much dissension on nerd blog. Confucious laugh at dork infighting.
By Gt Fan
April 14, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Just remember, Paul Johnson is currently undefeated as head coach of the Yellow Jackets. =o)