AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September
September 2008
From your keyboard to Paul Johnson’s ears…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coach Johnson answered Glenn’s question about the team’s progression and how far into the playbook they’ve gotten. He was more expansive with the first, less so with the second.
“I think we’re still a work in progress. I think at this point, we’ve kind of made progress every week. It remains to be seen, Will we make progress from the last game to this one, with taking the week off? That’s a good question. That’s why we play the games.
“I think our team has made some progress; we’re not close to being where we’d like to be. … We’re a lot better now than when we started, I think. We’re going to have to be. Our schedule’s gearing up that way, too.”
On the offense: “There’s always other things you can do. Will we do anything Saturday we haven’t done? I doubt it. It kind of is what it is.”
I’ll try to dig into this a little more.
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Where would you rank Tech?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good Tuesday, all-
It’s Ken; I’m sitting in for Larry on the blog. Coach Johnson has his press conference at 11:45 a.m. at the Edge Center to talk about the Duke game and, I’m guessing, a question or two about Josh Nesbitt’s hamstring. At this point, I’d be a little surprised if he played, particularly given how Jaybo Shaw operated the offense against Mississippi State. But we’ll see. At any rate, if you all want to suggest some questions I can ask for you at the press conference, toss ‘em out there and I’ll do my best to ask at least a few of them. (Note: “Who do you think you’ll play in the BCS championship?” is probably not going to make the cut.)
But, onto the question of the day. The AP poll has Tech at No. 37. The USA Today (coaches) at No. 35. The Sagarin poll, though, has the Jackets at No. 15 (just below Vanderbilt); Elo-Chess, which is on the same link as the Sagarin poll and is one of the contributors to the BCS formula, has Tech at No. 26.
Lastly, the Colley Rankings has the Jackets at No. 39. There are other polls and rankings, but let’s start there.
I’ll say this - I’m not a huge fan of ESPN radio show guy Colin Cowherd, but I end up being in the car a good bit while he’s on, so I listen flipping back and forth. Anyway - my point is coming - he makes a good point, in my opinion, that fans of one particular team aren’t always the best judges of where their team should rank, because they don’t always see a lot of the other teams, because they’re tailgating, watching their team, tailgating some more.
But that said, I’ll give you two questions. Where would you rank Tech, and maybe this will provide a better sense of how you see the Jackets, who are some teams you would say are similar in strength?
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Duke on deck
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opposing coaches preparing for Tech always say the same thing: it’s really hard to prepare for this offense, especially when you see it only once a season.
Duke has one advantage over most Tech opponents. The Blue Devils played against the same scheme two weeks ago, when they beat Navy 41-31.
(In that game, the Midshipmen generated a healthy total of 357 yards, 207 rushing. Navy averaged 4.5 yards per carry.)
Coach David Cutcliffe was asked on his teleconference if that familiarity would help Duke this week.
“It helps, but they have better athletes than Navy,” he said. “The other part is they get to see [our defense] against their offense. We’ve got to tweak some things, do some things differently, so there’s a little bit of cat and mouse going on.”
Another factor is the confidence Duke has after running away from Virginia on Saturday. It was 3-3 at halftime, then the Blue Devils got four interceptions and won 31-3. Eron Riley caught his sixth TD of the season.
So Duke’s 25-game ACC losing streak is history. Duke comes to town 3-1, 1-0 in the conference. There’s no doubt the Blue Devils are much improved from last year’s 1-11 squad.
But, Tech fans, does this Duke team worry you?
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What to Watch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tech is off today, but the ACC slate is pretty good:
Virginia at Duke, noon: When was the last time Duke was a 7-point favorite?
The Cavaliers are in disarray, having just dismissed their second starting QB since January. The Blue Devils (2-1) are actually generating excitement in Durham thanks to coach David Cutcliffe, and they should — well, could — break their 25-game ACC losing streak before visiting Tech next week. I’m looking forward to watching Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis and WR Eron Riley, who has 5 TD catches.
Maryland at No. 20 Clemson, noon: Since their humiliation in the Georgia Dome, the Tigers have outscored their last three opponents 126-26. Maryland has put up 86 points in its last two wins, over Cal and Eastern Michigan. And they might get RB Da’Rel Scott back from injury. Terps have won two of their last three at Death Valley. This one should be entertaining.
UNC at Miami, noon: This is a bad spot for the Tar Heels, who just lost QB T.J. Yates for at least 6 weeks with a fractured ankle. The Hurricanes are coming off a huge win at Texas A&M and, under coordinator Patrick Nix, finally boast a decent offense. UNC is looking at an 0-2 ACC start.
Among the nonconference matchups, the most intriguing is Virginia Tech traveling to Nebraska for an 8 p.m. game. The Hokies will give first-year head coach Bo Pelini his first real rest. One key factor is how well QB Tyrod Taylor’s sprained ankle responds.
So which ACC games interest you the most, and why?
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Jaybo’s Time?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before I get to today’s topic, I want to let you know I really appreciate all the good comments yesterday. Let’s keep it respectful and insightful on here.
Talking to CPJ after practice Thursday, he was encouraged about all the injured players he expects back at practice Monday: C Dan Voss, LB Kyle Jackson and WR Correy Earls, among others.
But then it came to QB Josh Nesbitt, who is dealing with a strained right hamstring. There’s a good chance he won’t be back Monday.
We all know hamstring injuries are tricky. No one wants Nesbitt to come back too soon, tear the hamstring, and miss a bunch of games. Especially with the way the schedule unfolds (Duke, Gardner-Webb, then the meat of the schedule starting at Clemson Oct. 18).
So we’re looking at the prospect of true freshman Jaybo Shaw getting his first start. I don’t know the percentage on that, but it seems like a real possibility.
What do we know about Shaw?
Well, we know he’s comfortable running the option. He ran it in high school (though not all 4 years) and his mechanics are precise.
CPJ used an interesting term after the 38-7 win over Miss. St., when Shaw came in early due to Nesbitt’s injury and orchestrated the offense. He praised the way Shaw was getting the ball “dealt.” Shaw knows how to wait until the very last moment before pitching, which frees up space for the backs.
We also know Shaw is tough. He’s willing to absorb the big hit, like he did on his 20-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas.
(By the way, none of this is meant as a knock on Nesbitt, who also has proven his toughness. Just look at the 28 carries he had against Va. Tech and his desire to make plays when the pocket breaks down).
But here’s what we don’t know about Shaw. Can his 6-foot, 190-pound frame hold up? Will he make a lot of freshman mistakes on the road? (He didn’t play at B.C. or at Va. Tech).
His numbers are impressive: 18 carries, 112 yards (6.2 average), 2 TDs; 6/10 passing for 91 yards and a TD. More important, the offense has looked crisp when he’s in the game.
So, if needed, can Shaw be The Man?
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Where does Paul Johnson rank among ACC coaches?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Only four games into his tenure, Paul Johnson is getting a lot of plaudits for what he’s doing at Georgia Tech. And not just from Tech fans.
The Mississippi State win — or rather, the ease with which Tech won — opened a lot of eyes.
When you talk about the top ACC coaches right now, not about what they’ve done in the distant past, I think you have to start with Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe and Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer.
Grobe is 23-7 in his last 30 games after the Demon Deacons beat Florida State for the third straight time.
Beamer has won at least 10 games four straight years, including two ACC titles. He quickly righted the ship this season after the Hokies lost their opener on a blocked punt.
After Grobe and Beamer, you can make a good argument for putting several other coaches in the top tier.
Where do you think CPJ ranks now among the 12 ACC coaches, and where do you think he’ll end up?
On a completely unrelated note, check out this article about George O’Leary
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Time to Stop ACC Bashing?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the latest AP and USA Today polls came out, Georgia Tech was where I thought it would be: getting votes but not in the Top 25.
I was surprised, however, that Virginia Tech didn’t make it. The Hokies are 3-0 since QB Tyrod Taylor got into the lineup. They lead the Coastal Division at 2-0.
The ACC went 6-0 in nonconference games on Saturday, including Miami’s big win at Texas A&M and N.C. State’s upset of then-No. 15 East Carolina. Looks like the conference is bouncing back from a horrible start.
Take a look at Jeff Sagarin’s power ratings in USA Today. In his first ranking system, the ACC ranks third behind the SEC and Big 12 and just ahead of the Big 10. Then come the Pac 10, Big East and Mountain West.
In his other system, the ACC ranks fifth.
Also interesting to note Sagarin’s current ranking of ACC teams: Va. Tech, Wake Forest, Ga. Tech, B.C., Clemson, Miami, FSU, Maryland, UNC, UVA, NC State, Duke.
I’ll be the first to admit the ACC looks stronger than I initially thought, that I might have over-reacted to the poor start.
Do you think the ACC will keep rising?
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Will pass defense measure up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The off week comes at a good time for the offense, which hopes to get QB Josh Nesbitt back from his hamstring injury.
It also comes at a good time for the defense. Coordinator Dave Wommack plans to spend a lot of time this week and next working on pass coverage after the Jackets gave up 299 passing yards to Miss. St., which is not known for its aerial attack.
Pressure on the QB wasn’t the issue.
Wommack said the problem was that linebackers, safeties and corners did not get proper spacing in their zone coverages.
“It just takes one guy to get out of place a little bit here and there and expose you,” Wommack said. “We try to mix the coverages enough and maybe we were confusing our guys more than we were confusing their guys… We’re not getting our spacing right.”
Tech hasn’t faced any great throwing quarterbacks yet.
As mentioned yesterday, Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis and Clemson’s Cullen Harper are on deck in the ACC schedule.
Lewis is off to a terrific start: 63 percent completion rate, 238 passing yards per game, 5 TDs, 0 INTs. Harper has been so-so, but we saw what he can do last year.
So is this cause for concern?
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Sizing up the first third of the season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The off week is a good time to take stock of what we’ve seen so far.
With Tech 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the ACC (without hosting a conference game yet), the optimism surrounding the program is justified.
OFFENSE: The option-based ground game never looked better than it did Saturday, when the Jackets ran for an astounding 438 yards. With the O-Line looking very cohesive, a host of runners took advantage.
You had to love the balance, with Jonathan Dwyer (141 yards), Greg Smith (62), Jaybo Shaw (61), Embry Peeples (56) and Roddy Jones (33) all making an impact.
Of course there was no need to throw much, and Tech attempted only nine passes. Bay-Bay did get his first TD catch. The jury is still out on whether the Jackets can pass effectively enough if they have to throw 15 to 20 times, or if they fall a couple scores behind.
DEFENSE: This unit has been solid all season. The D-Line has been as good as advertised, the linebackers have held up despite injuries, and the secondary has six picks already.
Consider that the Bulldogs had a 71-yard run. On their other 29 carries, they netted 37 yards.
Tech did yield 299 passing yards. The secondary is still pretty young, and in some cases they gave too much cushion.
The pass defense will get much stiffer tests soon from Duke and Clemson.
SPECIAL TEAMS: After an uneven start, the special teams performed well Saturday. Scott Blair is kicking with more confidence. He still needs to do a better job of pinning opponents inside the 20 on punts.
COACHING: It’s clear the players have bought into what CPJ and his staff are teaching.
How do you assess the first third of the season?
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Total Domination
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tech just demolished a Miss. St. team that No. 10 Auburn barely beat.
What does that say about Tech?
This one was over early.
The Jackets received the opening kickoff and marched 79 yards for a TD, all on the ground. QB Josh Nesbitt pulled up with a hamstring injury on a 21-yard run, but the Jackets didn’t slow down at all with true freshman Jaybo Shaw.
Shaw knows when to pitch, when to keep, and he carries out his fakes with precision. He hangs in the pocket. He took a big, blindside hit on his 20-yard TD pass and still got enough on it, enabling Demaryius Thomas to come back and scoop it. After a replay confirmed the catch, it was 14-0 in the first.
Then Shaw kept it on 4th-and-3 and scooted for a 25-yard TD. It was 21-0, and that was basically the ballgame against the offensively-challenged Bulldogs.
In case there was any thought of a comeback, Jonathan Dwyer went 88 yards on Tech’s first play from scrimmage after halftime to make it 28-0.
Defensively, start with Michael Johnson. Now that was the guy we’ve been waiting to see.
All he did was block a field goal, recover a fumble, and force several bad throws with shots on QB Wesley Carroll. He later planted backup QB Tyson Lee, who never saw him. In the fourth quarter, Johnson sacked Lee on 4th-and-1 and came sprinting off the field.
Safety Morgan Burnett saved a TD by tackling Anthony Dixon after his 71-yard run in the first quarter. Then LB Sedric Griffin blew up a 3rd-and-goal run from the 1. The Bulldogs went for a chip-shot field goal, but Johnson leaped and blocked it.
The final was 38-7.
Tech is 3-1 after this thorough whipping of an SEC opponent.
What do you think lies ahead for Tech?
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Today is Big
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s noon kickoff against Mississippi State is about as important as an early-season nonconference game can be.
First of all, it’s against the SEC and a top-notch defense.
Second, Tech wants to show its promising start is no mirage.
Third, Tech must win 7 games to be bowl-eligible because it is playing two I-AA opponents.
Finally, the off week will be a lot more pleasant if the Jackets get to 3-1.
A win is a win is a win, but aside from getting the W, I think Tech fans want to see certain things today:
Can QB Josh Nesbitt play turnover-free football?
Will DE Michael Johnson have his breakout game?
Will WR Demaryius Thomas get a chance to make plays?
Let me know what else you’ll be looking for today, and enjoy the game.
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O-Line Improving?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Against Boston College, CPJ said his offensive line got whipped by the Eagles’ front.
Against Virginia Tech, the O-Line played better, helping the Jackets run for 278 yards on 50 carries. But there were still plenty of occasions in which the Hokies got great penetration. A couple of times, QB Josh Nesbitt was hit before he could even start carrying out the play. And don’t forget the blocked extra point, which resulted from a breakdown up front.
So how will Andrew Gardner, Cord Howard, Dan Voss, Joseph Gilbert and David Brown handle Mississippi State’s front four?
The Bulldogs aren’t huge up front — except for senior defensive tackle Jessie Bowman (6-1, 305).
He was an absolute monster against Auburn: 8 tackles, 3 1/2 for loss, and a forced fumble. He’s the SEC defensive lineman of the week.
The other tackle is senior Cortez McCraney (6-4, 272). The ends are senior Tim Bailey (6-3, 241) — an Iraq War veteran — and freshman Sean Ferguson (6-4, 225).
Bailey ranks second in the SEC with 4 tackles for loss. Ferguson is only the second true freshman in 22 years to start in his first game at Miss. St.
The Bulldogs lost standout LB Jamar Chaney to a season-ending leg injury, but CPJ says they are probably the best defense Tech will have faced thus far.
This game should tell us if the O-Line, a fairly experienced unit, has made significant progress since Boston College.
What do you think the verdict will be?
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Gameday Atmosphere
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The atmosphere was pretty good at the home opener.
The crowd? 45,706 — not bad considering it was Jacksonville State.
Tech officials said a couple days ago they expect Saturday’s crowd to approach 50,000. (Capacity at Bobby Dodd is 55,000).
That total includes no more than 5,000 fans from Mississippi State.
Given that I’m new on the beat, I’d like to know what you think of the gameday atmosphere.
What do you like about it, what don’t you like, and what could be done to enhance it?
Specifically, what more could Tech do to draw sellout crowds, regardless of the opponent?
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Points at a Premium
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tech has played its last two games in the teens (19-16 win over B.C., 20-17 loss to VT), but that might seem like an offensive explosion come Saturday.
Everyone saw Mississippi State hold Auburn to a field goal — and lose, 3-2. The Bulldogs rank 103rd (out of 119) in the nation in total offense. Against the Tigers, QB Wesley Carroll hit 10 of 25 throws for 78 yards, with an interception. RB Anthony Dixon gained 5 yards on 7 carries.
But as bad as their offense is, their defense has been that good.
MSU has allowed three touchdowns all season: One came late in a blowout of Southeast Louisiana, and the others came on scoring drives of 9 and 13 yards (following turnovers).
CPJ raved about the Bulldogs’ secondary Tuesday, and their entire defense.
Tech’s defense has been good, sometimes great. This week the Jackets get back LB Anthony Barnes (and hopefully DT Vance Walker is able to play).
Tech ranks second in the ACC and fourth nationally in pass defense (108.7 yards per game). And how about this? Tech has allowed just three plays of 20-plus yards.
Listening to CPJ on Tuesday, he believes this defense can find a higher gear.
We have yet to see Michael Johnson’s breakout game. It could come Saturday. You know he wants to atone for that big facemask penalty last week.
So do you think we’re in for a 10-6 type of game? If so, do you like those kinds of defensive struggles or do you find them boring?
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Scheduling SEC, Big East
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Mississippi State coming to town, I thought it would be a good time to look at Georgia Tech’s nonconference schedule.
In the next decade or so, Tech will be playing a bunch of SEC schools (in addition to Georgia) and then rotating in some Big East competition.
There’s Mississippi State this year and next year; Vandy (2009, 2013); Ole Miss (2010-11); Alabama (2013-14); Syracuse (2015-16); Auburn (2017-18); and South Carolina (2021-22). And Tech is talking with Pitt about 2019-20.
Do those matchups intrigue you? Who else would you like to see Tech schedule, and why?
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The Forward Pass
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OldSchoolGTfan raised an interesting point in the aftermath of the 20-17 loss at Virginia Tech.
Can Georgia Tech win throwing the ball so rarely?
Tech has passed 15 times, 13 times and eight times (the ninth attempt Saturday was a spike) this season.
Those are three of the five lowest totals in recent Tech history.
Of course, you can’t judge this offense in a normal context. The triple option, as we’ve seen, produces big plays without the forward pass.
And the absence of WR Demaryius Thomas on Saturday definitely had an impact. I remember one first-quarter scramble in which Josh Nesbitt bought a lot of time. He couldn’t find anyone open and had to tuck it and run.
In addition, we saw a-back Roddy Jones get behind the defense at least twice. The first time he caught a 41-yard touchdown and the last time Nesbitt overthrew him.
So yes, I think Tech can win throwing about 10 to 12 times a game. As long as Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer hold up to the pounding they’re taking….
What do you think?
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Nesbitt, Jackets Fall Short
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Watching Josh Nesbitt play is a roller-coaster ride.
He commits three turnovers — two fumbles and a horrible pick — but then he scrambles on 3rd-and-long for an 18-yard touchdown. Then he calmly rolls right and hits Lucas Cox for an 8-yard, 2-point conversion (following a false start).
He sets a Tech rushing record for a QB.
Making smart decisions on when to pitch and when to keep, Nesbitt brings Tech back to tie it at 17.
The defense commits two personal foul penalties, enabling the Hokies to go ahead on a 21-yard field goal with 4:37 left.
On 3rd-and-7 with 2:24 left, Nesbitt overthrows an open Roddy Jones behind the defense. That play could have been a touchdown, or least gotten Tech into field-goal range. Nesbitt gets sacked on 4th down. Ballgame.
20-17 Hokies.
Are you heartened or discouraged by this performance?
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Angst in Blacksburg
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve taken a quick, completely unscientific poll of Hokies fans and the sense from them is that their run — four straight seasons of 10 or more wins, two ACC titles in that span — is over.
A couple were saying they’d be happy with 8 wins this year.
There is a lot of doom and gloom over the state of the offense. Coach Frank Beamer got more hands-on this week working with the offense, players’ manhood was questioned, etc…
This could all play out two ways. (Actually a million ways, but two seem quite plausible).
Virginia Tech struggles early to move the ball, the Jackets get a big defensive play — like a sack/fumble from Michael Johnson or Vance Walker — grab the lead, and hammer away with the running game.
Or the Hokies feed off the crowd, come up big on special teams, get a long run from Tyrod Taylor, and turn around their season.
We saw Tech’s grit last week in Chestnut Hill. They’ll need that and more against the desperate Hokies.
The big injury question for Ga. Tech is whether WR Demaryius Thomas (mild concussion) will play. As some of you have noted, the 6-3, 229-pounder is critical not only as a receiver but as a blocker.
For Va. Tech, DE Jason Worilds (shoulder) and LB Cam Martin (groin) are probable, while OL Blake DeChristopher (leg) is out.
So how do you think it will play out?
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Who Will Tech Face?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It will be interesting to see how Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer deploys his quarterbacks on Saturday.
Senior Sean Glennon, the pocket passer, played the entire opener (a 27-22 loss to East Carolina). Afterward, Beamer ditched his plan to redshirt sophomore Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor got 39 snaps, Glennon 22, in last week’s 24-7 win over Furman. Taylor had a 50-yard run among his 112 rushing yards. (Also completed 4-of-5 throws).
Beamer won’t talk about the quarterback situation, but it seems likely Tech will see more of Taylor than Glennon.
Of course Glennon had a career night at Tech last year, throwing for nearly 300 yards and 2 TDs in a 27-3 Hokies’ win. He should be confident against the Jackets.
Still, my guess is Tech would rather face Glennon than the multi-dimensional Taylor. It sure sounded that way from talking to players and coaches.
Tech fans — who would you prefer and why?
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Jackets Getting Respect — From Bettors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Early in the week, despite the upset at Boston College, you could find Georgia Tech anywhere from a 7- to an 8-point underdog.
That seemed reasonable. Virginia Tech is at home. The Hokies have won at least 10 games four straight seasons and have won two of the last four ACC titles. They beat the Jackets 27-3 last year in Atlanta.
But as the week has progressed, there’s been a major shift toward Georgia Tech. Now nearly every Vegas and offshore sportsbook has the line at Virginia Tech minus 6, or 6.5.
That might sound like a small move, but it’s not. Any move across the hallowed gambling line of 7 is very significant.
It seems like two things are happening. People are taking a closer look at Virginia Tech’s 2008 team, not just the name of the program. And they’re starting to believe in Georgia Tech.
My question is, what do you think is the bigger factor? The sense that Va. Tech is down a bit? Or that Tech is on the rise?
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Playing Right Away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In most cases, Georgia Tech would prefer to redshirt freshmen. Depth issues have made that difficult this season.
So far, six true freshmen have gotten playing time:
WR Tyler Melton - Only true freshman starter. Has three catches for 22 yards; also averaging 11.5 yards on punt returns (though he fumbled against B.C., something CPJ said won’t happen again).
S Cooper Taylor -Rising fast. Played nearly 50 snaps against B.C.; has nine tackles and a forced fumble in two games. Always seems to be in the right place.
CB Rashaad Reid — Nickel back had an interception and a tackle for loss against B.C.
QB Jaybo Shaw — Played great in the opener, didn’t get in against B.C.
LB Steven Sylvester — Backup outside linebacker, one tackle against B.C.
A-back Embry Peeples — Two carries, 18 yards in the opener.
So which true freshman will make the biggest impact this season?
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Give Gailey His Due
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m not here to defend Chan Gailey’s coaching — who can defend starting Reggie Ball at QB for four years? — but I do think it’s worth noting how much talent he and his staff, some of which stayed on under CPJ, brought to Tech.
Take a look at nfldraftdog.com.
DE Michael Johnson is projected to go 14th in the 2009 draft.
DT Vance Walker is projected at No. 50.
LT Andrew Gardner is projected at No. 85.
Of course it’s ridiculously early to talk about the draft, but the point is CPJ inherited some players.
S Morgan Burnett and RB Jonathan Dwyer, among other Jackets, look like NFL players as well.
Some credit goes to one of the coaching holdovers, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Giff Smith.
But some must go to Gailey, right?
Updating the injuries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In case you’re wondering why it’s hard for coaches, players and fans to celebrate A Big Win for very long, blame the reality of Next Up. And that usually starts with injuries.
Linebacker Brad Jefferson, who sat out Saturday’s game along with Anthony Barnes, will not play in the Virginia Tech game, either, with an arm/wrist injury. Coach Paul Johnson said Jefferson will be out at least a couple weeks.
Barnes, Johnson said, will be a day-to-day decision with his shoulder injury for this week’s practices, which start this afternoon. Guard A.J. Smith, who missed the B.C. game because he was sick, is expected to return to practice. Smith would have rotated with the interior linemen had he been able to play, but since he wasn’t, every offensive lineman played every offensive snap, Johnson said.
Wide receiver Correy Earls, who missed the first two games with a hamstring pull, may return, also, but is also day-to-day.
Johnson said prior to the game that the onus was on the offensive line against Boston College, which has one of the best defensive lines in the country. Despite the win, Johnson wasn’t terribly impressed with the line’s play.
“We were awful on Saturday,” he said. “The first game, there was good and bad. We had some plays Saturday, but we weren’t very good. As bad as we were up front, it’s hard to do anything.”
Finally, in case you missed it, here’s Johnson on what the 14 votes in the Associated Press poll meant to him:
“Nothing. It really doesn’t. I guess that’s good that they acknowledged that we won on the road, but it really doesn’t mean anything. Those things take care of themselves.”
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“Others Receiving Votes”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before I get to the latest AP poll, let’s talk about D-coordinator Dave Wommack.
After Saturday’s 19-16 win at Boston College, CPJ was quick to credit his defensive coaches for their halftime adjustments.
The difference in halves was striking: Boston College gained 202 yards in the first half, 60 in the second.
Early on, the Eagles hurt Tech with two plays: the draw play out of the shotgun, and the quarterback keeper off a zone read.
Wommack had the Jackets stuffing those plays later on. It looked like Tech was waiting for them.
Wommack is obviously not as much of a gambler as Tenuta. He doesn’t blitz as often. And with Tech’s relentless front four, there’s no need to.
But the blitzes Wommack called Saturday paid off.
In the third quarter, QB Chris Crane never saw linebacker Tony Clark coming. Clark’s huge hit, and the ensuing fumble, appeared to rattle Crane. It certainly pumped up the Jackets.
Crane proceeded to throw two picks. On the first, he couldn’t believe Michael Johnson - or anyone - could jump that high to tip his pass.
One another note about the D: even when Tech missed tackles, defenders were in position to make them.
Virginia Tech, of course, presents a bigger test. Boston College has few playmakers, and Crane isn’t close to the dual threat Tyrod Taylor is. (Taylor ran for 112 yards Saturday against Furman). Plus, the atmosphere will be a lot louder.
So, do you think the defense can keep this up?
And what do you think about the Jackets showing up in the AP Top 25 under “Others Receiving Votes?”
Seems about right to me.
By the way, Ga. Tech got 14 votes in the poll. Va. Tech got four.
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Breakthrough in Boston
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This game was there for the taking, and Tech finally took it.
In the end B.C. wore down, not Tech. The Eagles were spent after chasing QB Josh Nesbitt around all day.
The Jackets were fortunate to trail only 9-7 after a first half in which they lost three fumbles.
Tech returned the favor in the third quarter, getting two picks and a fumble. But they couldn’t capitalize. Three times the Jackets got the ball in B.C. territory. They came away with three points — total.
Finally, after Vance Walker’s fourth-quarter safety made it 16-12, Nesbitt scrambled on third down to keep a drive alive. Then came the big one: a pitch to Jonathan Dwyer and he was gone, 43 yards untouched down the right sideline.
The defense, which was on the field a lot, repeatedly kept B.C. out of the end zone. On 4th-and-6 with under four minutes left, B.C. QB Chris Crane was pressured by Walker and threw high, giving Tech the chance to seal it.
Which the Jackets did, thanks to Nesbitt’s sneak on 4th-and-inches with 1:55 left.
So Paul Johnson becomes the first Tech coach to win his ACC opener.
How impressed are you?
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Gameday Tidbits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Reading the pre-game coverage in Boston, a few things jump out:
BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski doused footballs in a bucket of water before using them in practice this week. Chance of rain: 90 percent in the morning, 70 percent at kickoff.
Eagles QB Chris Crane — who ran for 2 TDs but threw for just 106 yards last week in his first start since taking over for Matt Ryan — sounds like he’s itching to air it out more. He threw 18 passes last week, completing 12. Understandably, coaches didn’t want to ask him to do too much. If B.C. opens it up more in Week 2, that means more chances for Morgan Burnett. The Tech safety picked off two in the opener.
Listen to the way Eagles LB Mark Herzlich (8 tackles, 1 INT against Kent State) described preparing for CPJ’s offense:
“If you are assigned to cover the pitch, you can’t be looking at what the QB is doing, it goes against your natural instincts of how you always played the game, which is to simply follow the ball,” he told the Boston Globe. “….We have to forget what we’ve learned about playing the game and just concentrate on our assignments. This is different because if you miss the assignment, there is no one backing you up because the other players are working on their own assignments.”
Today we finally start learning the answer to the question that’s been talked about for months: how will CPJ’s offense work against a top-flight ACC defense?
One game won’t say anything definitive. But I can’t wait to watch that matchup.
What matchup are you most interested to see?
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Over/Unders for B.C.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Carrying on Matt’s tradition, here are my over/unders for Saturday’s game at Boston College:
Tech points: over/under 20
Tech rushing yards: over/under 200
Tech passes attempted: over/under 15
Sacks by Tech: over/under 2.5
Josh Nesbitt passing yards: over/under 100
Josh Nesbitt rushing yards: over/under 50
Jonathan Dwyer rushing yards: over/under 100
Bad Tech snaps on FG/PAT tries: over/under 0.5
Tech turnovers: over/under 1.5
Let me know what you think!
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Talkin’ QBs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Got the distinct sense from CPJ that we will NOT see the same type of QB rotation we saw in the opener, when starter Josh Nesbitt departed in the third quarter and Jaybo Shaw played much of the second half. Obviously, the game was in hand, so it was a perfect chance to get Shaw some reps.
Saturday against Boston College, Shaw might not play at all. Or the freshman might play some. CPJ won’t tip his hand.
Incidentally, the coach was effusive in his praise of third-string senior Calvin Booker, who got in at the very end against Jacksonville State. Asked about him in the media teleconference, CPJ called Booker “a great kid, the quintessential team player…His attitude is contagious for everyone else.” CPJ added that Booker will “have his time…we have some packages for him.”
Here’s what the top two QBs did in the opener: Nesbitt — 11 carries, 60 yards, 2 TDs; 5-of-12 passing for 87 yards. Shaw — 9 carries, 51 yards, TD; 3-of-3 passing for 48 yards.
Nesbitt is the clear No. 1 (and his finger is fine). But as many have pointed out, this offense requires a solid backup. Its physical toll is unique. And Shaw sure looked comfortable running that option.
So what kind of rotation — if any — would you like to see among the QBs?
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Glad to be here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As most of you know, Matt Winkeljohn is leaving the AJC this week and Mike Knobler has moved on to the Thrashers beat.
Ken Sugiura and I just started on the Tech beat; we’re excited, and we know we have big shoes to fill.
A little background on Ken: He has covered the NFL, prep sports and metro news for the AJC.
I grew up in Missouri, came here 11 years ago and never want to leave. I previously covered preps and the Georgia Force.
And I have something in common with many Tech athletes (not athleticism, though I was captain of my HS hoops team): Dr. X, the Tech team surgeon, recently removed my ACL and gave me one from a cadaver.
Old Gold Engineer, thanks for the welcome. I’m psyched to be here, especially with all the energy and interest CPJ is generating.
OK, on to my question of the day:
What do you think of Clemson’s Tommy Bowden calling Nick Saban — the coach who just whooped him — and other coaches for advice this week?
I understand it’s a coaching fraternity. They visit one another in the offseason, share info on new schemes.
But would you want your head coach dialing for help after Week 1?
NOTE: Practice update from CPJ coming later today in the Comments section.
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Can Tech take advantage?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The young Yellow Jackets aren’t supposed to do much in the ACC this season, at least according to the prognosticators.
But after seeing much of the conference fall on its face in Week 1 — Virginia Tech, Clemson, Virginia, and N.C. State come to mind — does that give you more confidence that Tech can contend?
The ACC is taking a beating nationally for its performance on Saturday. We can safely say the conference looks more wide open than it did a week ago.
The question is: Can Tech take advantage and outperform expectations?
NOTE: Practice update coming later today in the Comments section.
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