AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson, Clinch and a question
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hope all are well. A few things I’ll toss out:
1) As far as Paul Johnson-Auburn rumors go, I’d still be very surprised if something happens. I’m not sure Dan Radakovich or Jack Reale not commenting on negotiations is necessarily evidence that something is happening. For one thing, Radakovich has said, through a Tech spokesman, that he’s not going to comment.
For another, and I don’t entirely get this, but coaches don’t seem to come out and say, “I’m staying and I have no interest in job X.” I guess one reason would be that it would reduce their leverage if they were doing something like, say, renegotiating a contract.
And just because Auburn is reaching out doesn’t mean that Johnson is listening.
Tech begins bowl practice Saturday. (It was supposed to be today, but there are still players finishing exams.) I’m sure the matter will come up then when Johnson talks to reporters.
2) Basketball guard Lewis Clinch could return from academic ineligibility as early as Sunday’s game against Illinois-Chicago, although it’s not certain. It sounds like his grades would have to be posted earlier than required by his professors and, of course, he’d have to make the appropriate grades. We should know more by Saturday.
3) Here’s my question, which I guess was spurred by all of the Heisman talk about Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford. If you had the choice between Jonathan Dwyer winning the Heisman, Tech going to the Orange Bowl or another win over Georgia, what would you choose?
My guess is most of you would pick beating Georgia, and might in the process call me an idiot for even asking, and if that’s the case, I’ve underestimated the fervor of the rivalry.
The case for the Orange Bowl - Tech hasn’t won the ACC in the two-division format and has only won the ACC outright once, in 1990. Tech hasn’t played in the Orange Bowl since 1967. It would mean a strong overall season, presumably a pretty high ranking and the showcase of a BCS bowl. (although Virginia Tech-Cincinnati is one game I might miss)
The case for Dwyer winning the Heisman - It’s never happened at Tech. Joe Hamilton (1999) and Billy Lothridge (1963) both finished second. If Dwyer won, it would almost certainly mean Tech did well, as Heisman winners invariably come from teams in the top 15. So I guess that would mean, like, Tech went 10-2 and lost one division game that kept them out of the ACC title game or lost the title game and also lost to Georgia.
(The three options are mutually exclusive. You can’t say, well, if Dwyer were to win the Heisman, that probably means Tech beat Georgia.)
The thing about a Heisman is, think about how much attention and buzz Bradford and Tebow have brought to their school. It’s a whole lot more than a win over Georgia or a spot in the Orange Bowl would (although ultimately it’s the player getting the attention, not the school). But it gives a school cachet that few other things can.
And it would mean you’d have great memories for a long, long time. And think about what sort of recruiting clout Tech would have with anyone it recruited at B-back.
What do you think? (other than that I’m an an idiot)
Services »
Comments
By Tech75
December 12, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Captain Obvious.
“would pick beating Georgia, and might in the process call me an idiot for even asking”
Yes, I would….
By Augusta Bill
December 12, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
In logic there is something called the inclusive “Or”, meaning you could accept more than one. Using that definition I pick all three.
By THWG
December 12, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Ken, are we forgetting one Clint Castleberry? I would say that, despite the fact that he came in third place as a freshman (to two seniors) in Heisman voting, he is the closest we have ever come to winning a Heisman. For those who aren’t familiar with WWII era Tech football, he left after his freshman year when he enlisted into the Army Air Corps (precursor to the USAF). His plane disappeared in Africa and to this day, is the only number retired in GT football history.
By Carolina Jacket
December 12, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
There may be legitimate reasons why Johnson does not comment on the Auburn issue, but does this not affect recruiting? I would think other schools would use this against Tech. I’m sure that they are suggesting that Johnson will not stay at Tech so the recruit should not go there. I think this issue should be cleared up quickly.
By kshizzle
December 12, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
I would pick beating Georgia by far because that is what happened this year. Dwyer won ACC Player of the Year which proves we were good and we were one play away from making it to the ACC Title game. I was already looking ahead to next year when (excuse my high hopes) Dwyer is now actually thought about in early Heisman talks and rushes for close or over 2000 yards and wins the Heisman; we beat UGA a second time in a row and we win the ACC Championship. See we can have all three next year. Not to mention if we run the table for the year we will be in the mix for the Naitional Title as we will be preseason top 10 (if we win the bowl game). Mark it down.
By The Price is Right
December 12, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
I will take team achievement over individual achievement every time, and I bet the players would also.
As great as it was to have Calvin Johnson, with all the awards and high draft status he received, wouldn’t you have rather beaten UGA and Wake that year?
The closer comparison would be Orange Bowl win vs UGA win. I would also take the UGA win, just because I wouldn’t want to year all my bulldog in-laws running their mouths about how weak the ACC is. In the big scheme of things, you’ve got to think a BCS win is the best, but it would always be tarnished if we didn’t take care of business against UGA first.
By T-Bone
December 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
1) I don’t see Johnson leaving after only one year. CPJ is not Bobby Petrino.
2) We should never have lost to Penn St., but beating Vandy was good. We do have a softer non-con early schedule this year, so I’m still not sure what to think of this team. Clinch can do nothing but help—having a shooter is always good. Tech fans just need to hang on for next year’s recruits, and pray for Derrick Favors to make the right decision.
3) Don’t look now, but next year may be when all three happen! I see us beating LSU and starting next year in the top 10. In fact, why not throw in playing in the BCS Championship game as well. I admit it—I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
All three!!!
yawn!!!
By TECHBOY
December 12, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
This is the dumbest article I have ever read.
By Mister T
December 12, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Beat georgia.
One high profile players does not assure us of success in recruiting. However, Calvin was likely a big reason the current Rising Junior class was so successful. He did give legitimacy even to a gaily coached team.
For all the bad pub that Reggie got for never beating uga and more so his stupid comments, he was just a few years too early. He would have thrived in CPJ’s offense if he bought in. He definitely had the tools to run it…I think.
By Mister T
December 12, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
LET”S PAY JOHNSON! WE HAVE TO KEEP HIM AT TECH! A STEPPING STONE NO MORE!
By ArkyTech
December 12, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
1) Old news. It was reported earlier this week that Auburn was no longer considering Paul Johnson because he was happy at Tech.
2)Joe Ham was robbed in 1999. He was a MUCH better player and had a MUCH better year than Ron Dayne. After seeing that, the Heisman doesn’t mean as much to me.
3) No matter how you paint the scenario, if Dwyer won the Heisman, it would mean that Tech beat UGA and won the ACC.
By Relax
December 12, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Don’t think you’re an idiot, but it does seem to be about time to let it go on the CPJ-Auburn thing - there’s no story there to report on. He’s staying, he’ll be here for years.
On the “if you had the choice” question, the fact that all three choices are technically independent of each other makes it marginally interesting. Never underestimate the fervor of this rivalry. But CPJ wouldn’t be satisfied unless it’s at least two (ACC & UGag wins). Why should we as fans be willing to choose just one? I say all three!
By will
December 12, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Enough already! GT wins 1 game in the past 8 years and GT fans and the media are ready to crown them the greatest team ever. Win 6 more in a row and then you can brag some.
By GT Juggernaut
December 12, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Heres an answer to your question….
I’d rather BEAT GEORGIA.
Why do you ask….
Because if we go undefeated next year, we wont have to end up at the Orange Bowl. We can go to the NC game. With 19 starters returning, you have to like those chances after seeing how we played at the end of the year with all the injuries. More depth next year. More understanding of the offense.
2009 and 2010 will be special
By John
December 12, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I’d pick the Orange Bowl. It would imply we won the ACC Championship. We haven’t had an outright ACC championship since Bobby Ross. It would also mean we’re one step closer to a national championship. I don’t really care about the Heisman. This is a team game. I care about Tech winning. If a player gets accolades along the way, great, whatever. Beating Georgia again is a very close second to the Orange Bowl. Back to back wins would help to firmly establish that the balance of power in the state has now shifted to Tech, and Georgia has now become the team begging for scraps.
By AlphaDog
December 12, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
To THWG,
Great history lesson, but I think “Crazy Legs Castleberry” finished 2nd, and his plane was lost in the South Pacific during WWII. At least thats what my dad always told me. “Crazy Legs” was actually one of my dads distant cousins. But you know how family legends are(not always accurate and sometimes embleished), so you maybe right.
By NVJacket
December 12, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Agree with ArkyTech, no way Dwyer wins without a mega season by Tech.
By Calvin
December 12, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t care less about who wins awards. Georgia Tech winning games and championships is what matters. As for Johnson, when he came here from Navy, he said he hoped it would be his last move. Until something else happens, I’ll just naively believe that he will stay until retirement.
By Tech75
December 12, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Hey - John
As much of a Tech homer as I am, even I don’t see the balance of power in the state changing anytime soon.
UGAG is the state university, and we’ll have to thump them a half-dozen times in a row to be on equal footing with recruits in the state, all other things being equal.
However, we recruit on a wider basis, so I’m not concerned about our ability to find quality athletes.
By CV
December 12, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
BCS Champs next year!!! Wooo Hooo for Kool-aid!!!
By AlphaDog
December 12, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Johnson isn’t a spring chicken anymore, and he has history here in GA. Plus, AU is a terrible job, to much outside influence on the program.
If it was CPJ’s 2nd or 3rd yr I might worry if I was a Techie, and he’s got to much class to dip on you guys after only 1 yr, he’s no Petrino.
I think you guys are safe.
By AGTfan
December 12, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Will No offense, but I seem to remember UGA started bragging as soon as they won the first of their seven in a row. I didn’t really mind(that’s a lie). You win the game you get to brag. UGA lost, GT won. GT fans get to brag for a while. If our one turns out to be the first of many in a row, I promise you that you won’t like the bragging any more than you do now.
Since Heisman was a GT coach, it would be nice for a GT player to finally win the award. But, the number 7 looms in my mind. I don’t think it was the (seemingly) constant 7/5 seasons that got Gailey fired. I think it was those 7 losses in a row to UGA. I’ve always thought that a GT coach who only won 1 game a year would last longer than a coach who only lost 1 game a year, if that 1 game was against UGA every year. I think the same is true of Auburn and Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma, or any of the other great college rivalries. I’m sure most people reading this blog have also read “Good, Old Fashioned Hate”.
Imagine the scenario of a 1 loss GT team winning the BCS beauty pagent and that 1 loss being to UGA. We’d love the NC, but we’d always feel like it was somehow tainted.
I say this with great affection for all of my UGA friends and family. THWG.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 12, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I agree CV, thanks.
Will we already have beaten your fleabags eight straight times you stinking moron.
but all that matters is 45-42!!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 12, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Whoops, my thanks was to Alphadog
By Randy
December 12, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Will,
Eight in a row already belongs to Tech. UGA only got to seven in a row. I agree the eight was a long time ago but then again so was your last national championship.
Tell us, using your logic, when do fans get the right to be proud of their team’s results? Is it when they are voted preseason #1 and then go 9-3 and lose to their in-state rival? Or is it after they go 9-3 with a new coach and system (which is about 4 wins better than expected)?
Tell us, which would you be proud of? Me, I choose the latter of the two. If you aren’t smart enough to agree then you need to keep your stupidity to yourself.
By DWRECK
December 12, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I live in Montgomery, AL where about all the sports news we have centers on UA and AU. PJ has not been mentioned for about a week as a candidate at AU.
By GTJoe
December 12, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
In 1980 George Rogers won the Heisman trophy while at the University of South Carolina. It has done nothing for USC(e). Take the win over UGA!
By stings to lose...ask any dog.
December 12, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
it stings the dogs to lose to the jackets and it stings the jackets to lose to the dogs.
I’m not stinging and I’m happy!
ps When the ACC champ game is in Charlotte, I’m expecting the jackets to be there (I’ll bet ole Charlotte dog will even be there)
By Will
December 12, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
I see your point, Randy. I agree with everything you have said. I am a better man now for being schooled here.
By RT
December 12, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
The fact that we may get to experience ACC champs, Heisman, and a dawg defeat within the next couple of years is sooooo sweet after a decade of mediocrety. The change in fortunes at GT is the reason your question is not completely stupid. However, it is a question only someone OUTSIDE the rivalry would ask. Even a national chapionship would be so tainted by a loss to the Dawgs that it would suck all the joy out of it. Its all we’d hear about the next year, “Yeah your ‘national champs’, but the Dawgs beat you butt.” Same with the Heisman. We’d do the same to UGA if the rolls were reversed. Awards and chapionships be damned To Hell with Georgia
By John
December 12, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Sounds like Will is another stupid UGA fan who is mad after being ranked #1 in the pre-season and then watch the season go down in flames….awwwww
By jojatekman
December 12, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Team awards should be more emphasized than individual awards.
What would I pick - beat UGA. If we ended up with a losing record, but still beat UGA then it would be a good year. Always nice to rub it in their faces.
I think with CPJ we won’t have losing years unless there is a huge rash of injuries.
GT IS BACK!! THWG!!
By Who Cares?
December 12, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I believe Georgia Tech would be nothing without the mere existence of UGA. You Nerds need to get over the jealousy factor with Georgia and start winning conference titles first. How sad and pathetic that everything GT does depends on UGA. That, my friends, is very sad indeed. And this is from an outside observer at UNC.
By BLAZER
December 12, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
BEATING THEM-HAVING IT QUIET FOR A WHOLE
YEAR IS WORTH A BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!
By GT junkie
December 12, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
About mid way through the year I thought GT had a shot at a National Title in 2 years…. Now I know we have a shot if CPJ can get his players to GT…
By roy
December 12, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Uga underachieved again. Great QB, RB, defense, etc. Too much going on off the field. Sounds like the Seminoles, doesn’t it. GT overachieved. Thanks Chan for good recruiting of three AJC Super 11’s. And CPJ is a coach like Bobby Ross, who knows how to git r dun.
By ken sugiura
December 12, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the comments. For the record, Castleberry finished 3rd in 1942.
By TDone
December 12, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Beat FC Athens…All other ground is sinking sand.
By jacketbacker
December 12, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Beat the fleabags….period!…..anything past that is just gravy!!…THWG
By GT Lee
December 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Beat Georgia. The other two choices would be nice. But, they are nowhere near as important as beating Georgia.
By asiodfkl
December 12, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
To Who Cares?, It seems to me that all UNC fans care about is beating Duke and how much they hate Coach K which is no different then our rivalry with UGA… except yours is more embarrassing because its basketball. Basketball? Who Cares?
By GT Man
December 12, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Idiot!!!
By old Tech fan in NC
December 12, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Some of my UNC buddies seem to care about NCSU beating the heels this year…maybe not as much as a Tech fan after a dog (I cannot remember when Tech last lost to the dogs…selective memory)…
Man, it must sting to be a dog.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Ken:
What is taking so long? When will there be some type of announcement regarding our coach and his future?
Help!!
Go Jackets!!
By GT45
December 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Scout.com says the kid out of Macon (LB) has just commited to Tech. The word on the street is this kid is a bruiser along the lines of Jesse Tuggle! Go Jackets-
By Rascal
December 12, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
SHow your pride in CPJ and this Tech team, but remember, CPJ will take nothing for granted and tell his team that talk is cheap and it is time to prove it on the field. But, we have to remember that we lose a ton of talent on the D Line and not sure we have the replacements for them sitting idly by. Let’s hope that D Morgan continues to improve and can draw some fire for the younger talent next year.
By gtmoney
December 12, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Still can buy Chick-fil-a bowl tickets
Chick-fil-a Tickets
By Tokyo Jacket
December 12, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Who cares, if you won the NC in basketball and lost both regular season and ACC champ games to Duke, I guarantee you’d never hear the end of it. If that’s the scenario you’d pick, I don’t think you understand rivalries son!
By 4ga
December 12, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Do you think Georgia will ever beat Tech again??? Ha Ha Ha
By next for Aubarn
December 12, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Jim Grobe of Wake
By Roy Fair
December 12, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Heisman is FOREVER; all else becomes yesterday’s history.
By Jack G
December 12, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Carolina Jacket
You make an excellent point. CPJ should clear up the situation about leaving. I wonder how many prospects are wondering if this will be an every year occurance.
Alot of you have said that CPJ is an honorable man—-He signed a long term contract. hold his feet to the fire
By Dawgonit
December 12, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
That’s why Tech is and will always be a second tier program. 9-3, the Peach Bowl for god’s sake, and a win over GA and their willing to give their new coach a 40 year contract, a 10 million dollar raise and a statue.
Dawg fans are talking about firing people after 9-3 and a new years day bowl.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 12, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
This is really getting ridiculous. Here is the latest link to speculation at AL.com about CPJ going to Aubarn.
http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2008/12/abriefupdateonpaul_johnson.html
Why do we hear nothing from DRAD on this?
By Drexel Gal
December 13, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
In the 1967 Orange Bowl, Tech lost to Florida because Florida had something no one else did … GATORADE. The new concoction allowed the Gators to keep their stamina in the second half. The attention of that game made Gatorade a sensation.
By UGA is so last year
December 13, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Ah…beating Georgia year after year - and how about us breaking the strek record!? UGA couldn’t even tie it - ha ha! We will go for 9 in a row to break the recored we own at 8 in a row!!!
By UGA is so last year
December 13, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Dawgonit - maybe because we know something good when we see it! I love that you gave Dooley a statue on the day we thumped you - that was priceless. We were picked to win 3 or 4 games this year. They said it would take Johnson a good 3 years to get his offense up and running. Boy were they wrong! I’m sure you realize how truely great he is and you are fearful - that’s why you come in here and post!
By Kool Aid
December 13, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I would say most GT fans, myself included have NOT been drinking the Kool Aid. We have been sharing that BARREL OF RUM AND SUGAR, THREE THOUSAND POUNDS!!!!!!
By UGA is so last year
December 13, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Right on - if I had a son sir, I’d tell you what he’d do - he would yell ‘TO HELL WITH GEORGIA’ like his daddy used to do!
By GT 90
December 13, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Who Cares? I too live in NC but you are talking to a much more educated group of football fans that your silly ole’ UNC wine and cheese fans. Go back to licking Roy Williams and trying to make up excuses for getting whipped by NC State.
stay off this blog. Or better yet, who cares?
By GT 90
December 13, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Do you all remember the famous Jan Kemp / UGA story? ESPN has a good right up about it at [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3761411&sportCat=ncf]
By GTpak
December 13, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik has been chosen as Auburn’s next head coach, the Press-Register has learned.
Link:Iowa State head coach Chizik Auburn’s new head coach!!
Maybe we can breath a sigh of relief.
By GTpak
December 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Chizik is to be Auburn’s new head coach!!
http://www.al.com/
Link:Chizik is new head coach
Now we can worry about Iowa State…..
By wreckmaniac
December 13, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Beating UGA is more important that winning any conf championship. Even if Tech was in the SEC, winning the SEC is no more important that winning the ACC and neither is as important as Tech beating UGA. UGA has never wanted to beat Florida as much as Tech wants to beat UGA. Its the equilvilant of winning WWII. TECH was created by the state legislature to be the best engineering school in the south and to beat UGA in football.
By wreckmaniac
December 13, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Have you guys checked out any UGA blogs lately ? There’s nothing there. Sad, really. All the big mouths I came to know and love have disappeared. Can we start a blog among ourselves to name the biggest BULLDAWG BIGMOUTH of the past 7 years. Potential candidates include: …….Bulldawg, 2IN4YEARS (I never really knew what this meant but I suppose it meant 2 dates in 4 years), ACCStinks, BULLDAWGinPRISON (he was a great one).
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 13, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
YES!! AU chose Gene Chizik. That is funny. I wonder if that is the best they could do, or did the “old boys network” force this hire?
I can now relax and enjoy attending the CFP Bowl. Thank you Coach Johnson for choosing to stay at Tech.
Now, DRAD take care of our coach to the fullest extent we can.
Go Jackets!!
By GT 90
December 14, 2008 3:14 AM | Link to this
Hiring Chiznik is another step backwards from a powerhouse SEC to just another mediocre conference w/ one or two top teams repping the conference. Flordia and Bamma are set for the future. The Dawgs are set for a date at the neutering vet and Tenneweak will never win w/ that Lane kid. Wow, what a turn of events. Ole Miss, Bama, and Florida are now the teams of the future for the mighy mighty SEC.
By son_sir
December 14, 2008 6:25 AM | Link to this
Wreckmaniac, I think Bulldawg is in a psych ward somewhere. Think about it. If your great preseason #1, that was much barked about, had gone from the top spot to being on par with Gardner-Webb in a couple of months, wouldn’t you be if you had talked that much trash ? Glad Auburn found ‘em a coach. Now the partisan UGA media in the state can stop even trying to propagate rumors about CPJ leaving Tech. Sorry guys…. He’s here for a while.
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
December 14, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
If you idiots can still talk trash after getting your a$$ handed to you seven years in a row, I see no reason why Georgia fans should be ashamed over one fluke loss. The hypocrisy of a Tech fan knows no limits. I would be a hypocrite if I ran and hide just because you won a game because of a couple of fortuitous turnovers. Georgia Tech football is still very much a joke. Sounds like you morons are pretty darned cocky over your bowl matchup. Tech fans just set themselves up for monumental disappointment time after time. When things are not going well and you are miserable again (that time will come Techies), remember that you have no one to blame but yourselves. You do it to yourselves. Tech fans are simply bipolar. I am here to help.
By right back@ georgie=joke
December 14, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
I know if must really pain you to say that considering the bugs beat your thugs.
This is the age of whaaaa have you done lately, dog?
(be sure to study film this winter…you do realize your D is nonexistent and you will have no O next year)