Two days after leading Georgia Tech to a 21-10 win over Pittsburgh for its third consecutive win to improve to 6-3, Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson addressed the Touchdown Club of Atlanta. Prior to the luncheon, Johnson spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the season to date and the three remaining games against Clemson, Alabama A&M and Georgia.
Q: The game Saturday, that’s about as well as I’ve seen the defense play.
A: They’re playing well right now. Bottom line is scoring defense and we’ve done a good job of that. We’d like to get some turnovers. We’re in a dry spell that way. But, other than that, they’re playing really good.
Q: Like when you had to make the change (to fire defensive coordinator Al Groh) and then when you hired (defensive coordinator Ted Roof), you’ve always talked about wanting a defense that plays fast and has a simple scheme. It seemed like Saturday night, that’s what you’ve had in mind all along.
A: Yeah, I think so. Let the guys play. Don’t get bogged down with all the minutiae of trying to outsmart everybody. Sometimes you’ve got to just whip somebody and not outsmart ’em all the time.
Q: How has Ted Roof made the biggest impact?
A: I think it’s just simplified (scheme) and (also) attitude. We’ve also got seven seniors over there. People want to forget about that. Those kids over there have played a lot. They’re going to get better the more they’ve played.
Q: How much has having (new offensive line starters) Trey Braun and Chase Roberts in the lineup changed things?
A: It’s changed a lot. You’ve lost a lot of experience. And you also have no depth. Those five (offensive line) guys played every snap.
Q: Has it changed what you can do?
A: We haven’t changed the offense much. Like I’ve said before, I wouldn’t mind throwing it a little more, but we’re not going to do that if we can’t protect. Clearly, we have a hard time protecting.
Q: Is the way the line is playing satisfactory?
A: I think they’re like everybody. They have some good and bad, just like everybody. There’s not any position group that’s off the charts. (Defensive end) Jeremiah Attaochu’s played really good the last three games, but everybody makes mistakes.
Q: I remember you saying last week that he had become a vocal leader in the last three, four weeks.
A: I think he’s really set for his senior season and want to go out (well). He’s having fun and playing 100 miles an hour.
Q: With (quarterback) Vad (Lee), I know you always want more, but given his experience and what he’s done this year, are you getting enough?
A: Again, it’s like every other position. He’s done some things good and some not so good.
Q: What is the not so good?
A: Clearly, running the ball. He’s completed less than 50 percent (of his passes). That’s not all on him. But we need to get more running out of that position.
Q: Was (quarterback) Justin (Thomas) an option to play against Pittsburgh, or was that a “feel” thing?
A: I didn’t want to put him in a bad spot. We had bad field position in the second half, too. I just didn’t see a spot for him. It’s nothing against Justin, and he’ll probably play in the next game.
Q: You’ve said that you don’t have a lot of margin for error. Would it be accurate to say that players like Vad Lee and DeAndre Smelter expand that margin?
A: I can take the other side of that, too. We’ve got third-and-1 the first series (of the second half) and we can’t get it (on a Lee carry). We get a stop-and-go and (Lee) hits (Smelter) right in the chest and he drops it. I don’t know if they’re any different than everybody else. They make good and bad (plays). Now, I think that clearly they’re both good athletes, if that’s what you’re saying. The ability’s there.
Q: Could you have imagined the impact that Smelter has made when he first came to you in the spring (from the baseball team) and said he wanted to play?
A: I knew he was a good player. We didn’t know how much he would figure in and certainly, he’s been a real positive. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a good kid. Practices hard, works hard. He’s just a good guy to have on the team.
Q: How do you feel about the next three games? Are you ready, or is there more work you need to get a lot better?
A: I think we’ve got to get away from the turnovers. It’s going to be hard to beat the teams we’ve got to play if we turn the ball over. Two of the next three are going to be a real test for our defense. We’ll see how far we’ve come, because it’s two of the better offenses we’ve seen.
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