AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDifference will be between the ears
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m thinking semi-long-term this morning more than about the next or most recent practice. So …
(BONUS NOTES BELOW, IN THE COMMENTS SECTION; ALSO, EDIT NOTE FROM THE NOTEBOOK: JASPER AND COOPER TAYLOR APPEAR TO BE WORKING NOT ONLY AS DIME SAFETIES, BUT AS MUCH OR MORESO AS NICKEL SAFETIES, IN FACT, SOMETIMES AT THE EXPENSE OF REESE )
Much as so many people try, the idea of trying to predict a team’s future is impossible to do with any great accuracy, particularly when that team has a new head coach, new systems on offense and defense, and — this is no less important — so many young players who will not just be expected to play great deal. They will have to play.
My experience is that first-year head coaches offer a notable bump in morale, whether the previous coach was a curmudgeon, a mute, or whatever. I saw it with Jim Mora in 2004, when the only significant roster changes with the Falcons — who were awful in ‘03 — were the addition of DT Rod Coleman, and the return of injured QB Michael Vick.
Dan Reeves was steady as a rock as a head coach. But he’d been there seven years, which reduces the ability of the boss to jolt the troops. There comes a point where players need to do the jump-starting, where peer-to-peer accountability is more important than how much players “fear” coaches.
Still, more than that morale swoon and collective tune-out sank the ‘03 season. Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner simply could not get it done at QB, teammates came to know it, and whether knowingly or not, a bunch of players played down to reduced expectations. Too young, too inexperienced, and not good enough. Their ability, or shortages thereof, had a collective psychological effect — translation: lack of faith — on teammates that was too much to overcome.
Tech is going to be really young. The QB, B-back and starting WRs are likely to be sophomores, with freshmen or redshirt freshman quite possibly entrenched in the two-deep and having to play quite a bit. At least one starting A-back, Roddy Jones, is a redshirt freshman.
And on it goes, less dramatically in the O-line, not in the D-line, but significantly in the linebacking corps and in the secondary.
I think the ability of Tech’s young players to play “up” will go further toward determining the nature of the Yellow Jackets’ season than how well players pick up news systems on both sides of the ball (whether under or upperclassmen), how sound those systems are, or even how Paul Johnson and his staff coach the X’s and O’s and make personnel decisions.
This doesn’t mean every young player has to be an All-Star. But a few need to really bow up, and help upperclassmen take the yoke.
It’s tough to imagine the energy level, or chemistry, being problems in this first year. Enthusiasm is impossible to miss with this team, and it’s not the type generated just because football is back in business, the annual hump in energy that comes regardless of the coach. There are believers everywhere on the roster, which is not to say everybody understands yet nearly enough to make all the pieces work.
Make no mistake, coaches are still selling their systems. Time will validate those systems, or it will not. Paul Johnson’s track record is pretty good. Navy was not good his first year there. Then, a run unlike any since Roger Staubach was in Annapolis.
I’m not saying Tech is going to go 4-8. It’s realistic to think, in my opinion, that the Jackets will win more than they’ll lose this fall. 10-2? That’d be quite a shock. 8-4. Possible. 7-5 or 6-6? Most probable.
I will check back in from practices today with UPDATES LATER in the comments section BELOW.
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Comments
By Joshua Barlowe
August 6, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Matt - you’re on it early man! Journalists don’t usually wake up until 9 or 10.
Thanks for the blog.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 6, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Unless they have three kids, perhaps, and a patio project in the backyard that is helping me stay in shape.
Thanks.
By m
August 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Matt…OBVIOUSLY the morale is up. We just replaced the WORST coach in the history of the NCAA with a quality COLLEGE football coach with a proven track record. Paul Johnson is kind of like O’leary and Friedgen put together, and from the south. He has the managerial ability of O’leary and the offensive genius of Friedgen. The fact that it takes a little while to put in the new system and to get rid of the Gailey cancerous sttitude is NORMAL. I don’t understand why you idiots at the AJC think that because everything is not perfect the first day that the sky is falling. It is not falling NOW…it fell for 6 LONG years under the worst coach in history. THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND THAT HE IS GONE FOREVER….Halllleeeedamlooooyah!!!
By gojax
August 6, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Have they indicated what time they practice/scrimmage on Saturday?
By Tech Fan in UGA Country
August 6, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Come on guys, I am thrilled with Paul Johnson, but don’t beat up Chan anymore. There is no way he was the worst coach. He was a very nice guy who probably treated the players a little too much as professionals and a little too little as kids. He is gone now, so show some class and treat him with a little respect. Chan was a honorable man who would always be welcome in my home.
By KC
August 6, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Matt, Can you give a deeper breakdown on the 11-on-11 parts of practice? Also, who is the backup to Nesbitt? It looked like Jaybo earlier, but I noticed Dykes getting looks at #2 QB also.
By Dan T.
August 6, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
How can you make a comparison like that m? Ralph Friedgen has done it successfully with a totally different offensive scheme at this level and the NFL. PJ has yet to prove a thing in a big time environment. You’re being a little premature are you not? You can keep O’Leary. The O’Liar couldn’t win without Ralph prior to Friedgen’s arrival at Tech and look what happened when Ralph left. O’Leary’s won/loss record hit the skids. When Mark Richt put that butt kickin on George his 1st year in Athens George caught the first thing smokin out of town. Tech hired the wrong fat boy. If we’d hired Friedgen instead of O’Leary we wouldn’t even be talking about PJ or Chan Gailey.
By The ACC is OURZ
August 6, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Matt,
Thanks for the post. I really enjoyed it. Keep it coming!
By gtNC
August 6, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Y’all just ignore m. Don’t encourage him. Matt, good blog and thanks for the practice updates. I’m confident that PJ’s offense is eventually going to be hard to stop. Until then, I’m wondering how our D will perform with the new system and youth behind the front four. Any insights into how they’re looking? The only criticism of PJ’s system that I thought was valid was that the D doesn’t get to line up and practice across from a conventional offense. Not the first team anyway. What is your take on how they’re looking, or is it too hard to tell with them facing the new O?
By Glenn
August 6, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Matt, Thanks for the great job, especially knowing you will be leaving us soon. We appreciate the updates and wish you well. Let us know where you will end up. Best to you and your family.
By gt45
August 6, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
These boys will win more games they are not suppose to, because they won’t quit. PJ will coach them for each individual game, exploit the other team’s weakness, and be more physical in the forth quarter. Each game you will see their confidence grow, and they will take on his “leave it all on the field” attitude. We’ll be smoking when the season starts, and an inferno before it’s over! Go Jackets!
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the delay in posting from practice. I came home rather than write from there, since I’ll go back this afternoon. I needed some lunch.
As for the question of No. 2 QB, I don’t think it’s as easy as saying it’s so-and-so at this point.
Dykes, Shaw and Booker all got reps in 11-on-11 work late in practice, after Nesbitt. And I don’t mean by one working every time with the second offense, another with the third, etc. Mix and match.
Nesbitt appeared to have another good practice. He’s thrown the ball better in the past two days.
Speaking of mixing and matching, it’s going on in the O-line as well. Today was the first time I noticed (not necessarily the first time it’s happened) that freshman Omoregie Uzzi worked not only with the second unit, but a little bit with the first unit.
That may have been partly a function of Cord Howard (shoulder/stinger) being out.
By KC
August 6, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the update. A few more questions…
Did the offense move the ball in the 11-on-11s. Specifically the 1st O vs 1st D.
Who were getting reps at A-Back for 1st team.
Is the anyway TJ Barnes doesn’t redshirt. he is disruptive.
By Techsux
August 6, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
SO, Tech sucks so bad, SI ranked the top 117 D1 Schools and GT was behind Duke! Duke!!!!!
I always thought you sucked, but not that bad!
By KC
August 6, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
UGA are ranked #1. GT is ranked really low. I’m betting both teams prove the rankings wrong… Did you get that? If not, you will by mid-October.
By surfrider
August 6, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Good blog. First of all our Defensive front could be one of the best in the Country and giving the offense some chances to score and to keep us in games. At the same time, our offense may be able to move the chains a little to rest the Defense. The key will be execution and not turning the ball over too much. The other key may be our passing game. If we can pass that will open the pitches up. To me it’s kind of like sandlot football in the sense the athletic ability should take control once the pitches get down. We are now going to have 6 players who could touch the ball on a play forcing the defense to defend sideline to sideline. With a more mobile, atheletic OL our blocking may end up being pretty good. But the main difference should be in real game conditions the offense will see how this can work and their confidence will take over. It could be like 1997 when all of a sudden The Fridge’s offense with Joe Hamilton woke up somewhere during the season. They were one if not the best in the country from that point on, on the offensive side. Tech’s program is such and has been for 20 twenty years where it can compete in year one of coaching changes, to at least have a chance to win the game. That was’nt the case in the late 70’s and early and mid 80’s.
By Chan Gailey
August 6, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
It is true. I suck and was the worst college football coach in history. Caused Tech fans much pain, heh heh. Anyone seen my swatch of blue turf. Time to go and put Kansas City fans to sleep. Apathy is what I strive for, dadgummit.
By AGTfan
August 6, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
M
Everybody knows your opinion. Some share it. Some think it’s overblown. I don’t care and I know no one is going to change your mind, but could you quit doing everything you say in BOLD? It’s really getting OLD!
By What It Is
August 6, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Realistically, I do not think things will change all that much at Tech.
Dodd retired in 1966. In the 41 years since, Tech has had 8 different coaches.
During that time Tech has won 243 games and lost 222.
That means that a Tech coach now stays at Tech for an average of 5 years before leaving.
That means that the Tech coach will most likely average 6 wins per year and 5.4 losses per year.
So I am anticipating Paul Johnson staying 5 years and winning 30 games and losing 25 games.
Now he may have 1 really good year and 1 really bad year, but the averages will come out to a 6-5 or 6-6 per year record over 5 years.
Then the next guy will come along.
Face it. A Tech fan had best place their hope in basketball and baseball.
By Jim Grogan
August 6, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
SI just ranked Tech 80th and dead last in the ACC just behind Duke at 79. Your thoughts?
By jman
August 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
When was the last time SI correctly predicted anything?
By yellowblood
August 6, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
We may be 80th in Football but we have World Class education and that’s really what it’s all about. Plus we have the top Tickle Piles in the USA>
By CV
August 6, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Matt, Have you heard anything about Tarrant? Do you think he will be cleared of the charges and be able to play this fall?
By What it is(not)
August 6, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
In the last 13 years Tech has had 2 coaches (the same as UGA). Although we are starting on a 3rd this year.
In the last 13 years Tech has averaged 7.5 wins a year (only 1.5 less than UGA and UGA only pulled away the last 6 years, hence the coaching change at GT).
It will be interesting to see if PJ can level the playing field again (I think that is what has UGA fans so afraid).
By GTtrainwreck
August 6, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
UGA has had 4 coaches since 1964. During that period Tech is 12-32 against UGA.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 6, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
From the afternoon practice …
The injury situation is getting ridiculous. Eleven of 104 players are out, sidelined from the afternoon session.
DE Anthony Egbuniwe (hamstring), G Omoregie Uzzi (ankle) and OL Andrew Folkner (left leg) joined the eight who were out this morning.
On a more positive note, Nesbitt continues to throw with more authority, both in the throws he chooses to make and the accuracy with which he throws.
Still, Booker is throwing best. BB coach Paul Hewitt just stopped by, and oohed over a Booker pass, in fact.
Former Jacket Marco Coleman visited as well, stopping by practice with another stellar former player, Lucious Sanford.
Of the injured players, here’s my theory on who is losing the most ground: Earls and Greg Smith. Earls with an asterisk, because the player most likely to move into his starting spot, Tyler Melton, is also out.
Melton, though, has been out two days. Earls hasn’t practiced since Friday.
There comes a point when you have an injury that can’t be seen (broken bones via X-ray, other injuries through swelling or other external signs) that you run the risk of people wondering just how severe an injury it is in actuality. This does not count concussions, of course.
Is it always fair? No. Is it a reality? Yes.
By jjacket
August 6, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Great blog.
Nice to hear that Nesbitt is throwing the ball well. Hopefully, we may have finally found a solid QB, something we have not had really since Godsey.
I look forward to the next 3 years of Nesbitt & Dyer in the backfield - gonna be a damn good combination along with the other young backs.
By StingerSplash
August 6, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Matt, I know the talk of buyouts and voluntary and in some cases involuntary separations has whittled the strength of the once mighty AJC. But can someone who may still be on the desk, if there is anyone left, puh-leeze fix the mistake in the notes section in your story on the offense? You wrote the two-minute offense drills will being in two weeks when I believe you meant to write will begin in two weeks. Unless I’m getting a late in life dyslexia, which is not entirely out of the question. Also, how does PJ divvy up the practice reps for the QBs? I know he likes for them all to get work since he believes and he knows they may have to be ready at a moment’s notice. My understanding is he doesn’t prescribe to the NFL theory of the starter getting 95 percent plus of the snaps, but the starter will get the bulk of the work in practice.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 6, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Here’s some bonus material cut out of the notebook in the paper and on-line:
Bryce Dykes, Calvin Booker, and freshmen Jaybo Shaw all repped with the No. 2 and 3 offenses behind Nesbitt in no easy-to-detect order… . With Earls and Melton injured, redshirt freshmen wide receivers Zach Fisher and Clyburn and sophomore Kevin Cone are getting more work.
When asked about emerging team leaders, coach Paul Johnson commented Tuesday that is is too early to peg them all. But he did mention graduate student defensive tackle Darryl Richard for his vocal role, and senior defensive end Michael Johnson for the fact that he goes 100 mph all the time which sets an outstanding example.
Johnson took a conciliatory role Wednesday. When freshman defensive end Antonio Wilson of Columbia High landed in a coach’s doghouse Wednesday morning for botching a drill, Johnson took a moment afterward to explain the drill to Wilson.
For all the commotion about offensive linemen losing weight, Howard is still a big guy. Listed at 6-feet-5, 310 pounds, he said he weighs about 315. And that’s not an issue, at least not according to Howard. “[coaches] just want you at a weight where you can run,” he said. “I’m doing fine.” Howard anticipated returning to practice Thursday.
By ламинат
August 13, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
xjj Een plaatje zegt alles, toch ? txv Het volledige rapport is hier te vinden. Lees natuurlijk i de blogposting. h k Thanks for interesting post! kuh паркетная доска 0n