Just my thoughts ( and I may be wrong)

[stech81]

Simple fact we are a bad team. The part that concerns me after 10 games we have shown NO improvement. Yes I know we are young but we still should see some signs of improvement after 10 games. As of now I don't see 2016 being any better maybe 5 or 6 wins. I know what people will say, but the players will have a year of experience under their belt. It's been 10 games, do you really think that it will sink in the next 2 games ? I hope but don't see it.

1988 was this bad 3-8 then 1989 we started out bad 0-3 but the light did come on for this team as they finished 7-1 , and you know what happen the next year.

I guess what I'm saying is the light is not on this year for this team. I was hoping after the FSU it did and maybe it has for some of the defensive players but not the offensive players.

Maybe some time next season it will but for right now it looks like 2017 or 2018. I hope I'm wrong and if you see something I don't let me know what you see that tells you 2016 will be more than 5 or 6 wins.

 

[GTJT622]

Hard to forecast. Very few Tech fans envisioned the ultra-successful 2014 11-win season and even fewer envisioned a meltdown season in 2015. From first to worst in the Coastal.

Every single position should be up for grabs during the offseason, IMO. And yes, that includes the QB position. Unlikely JT5 is de-seated as starter and this yucky offense in 2015 is far from his sole responsibility. Having said that, the QB gets the praise and the QB also gets the questions being the leader of that unit and it routinely (at least this year) stinks for at least half of the game.

I said before the season started that our year will go as our defense dictates. Last night was not on the defense. All on the offense. 100%. The defense can look in the mirror knowing they did their part last night. Having said that, other than last night and FSU, they don't have much to shout about this season.

We went 0-2 vs the state of Virginia which pisses me off. We went 0-3 vs the Carolinas. We are 1-0 vs the state of Florida and hope like hell, though not optimistic whatsoever, we can get to 2-0 in our next game. If we can go into the offseason being 1-0 over the state of Georgia, that would give a glimmer of hope. Well, maybe not hope, but certainly a smile or two after this agonizing year.

We can't beat the Hokies in consecutive seasons...not even when they are mediocre. Face it, that is far from a juggernaut team who beat us last night. We can't even beat them on Grant Field anymore (they've won 3 straight).

The scary part is that they are likely getting ready to reload with a new staff that will energize them from an offensive perspective and recruiting likely will follow. Same could happen in Charlottesville and likely will happen in South Florida. If UNC skips significant NCAA punishment - and it looks like they might - they are a force to be reckoned with as well. Narduzzi at Pitt is a significant step up from Paul Chryst so they likely only get better moving forward. Cutcliffe is solid at Duke and they now have our number.

And here we are with a HC who to his credit has won ACC COTY 3 times in his first 7 years. He is just one year removed from an 11-win season and one of the more heralded recruiting classes he has assembled (and some of it is already showing on the field in their first year). We likely will have to fight and claw to get to 6 wins next year. But, I think the future is bright - particularly if we can sign another strong class this year. If nothing else, those younger Tech fans who have never experienced a meltdown season prior to this year will hopefully appreciate the future a lot more than they have shown when crying over 7 win seasons in the past.

BEAT THE CESSPOOL!

 

[GTJT622]

Odd fact...

...we've been favored 8 of 10 games this season. How many times do you see a 3-7 team favored in 80% of their games? Rare.

 

[GTJT622]

One more thing...

...WAR DAMN EAGLE!

 

[stech81]

If it helps I do think unc will go back down next year they are loaded with seniors this year.

( Here is hoping that the light comes on for this team fast like it did for the 1989 team )


War Eagle

 

[Buzzforlife]

We can win 9 next year. I know, you think I stole all the Bud Lights from "Mr. Football", stech81.
I point to Chris Griffin coming back. The Bbacks look better with C.J., Q.W., Marcus and Marcus. Cottrell is a burner, Lynch, MLD, et al, all got a year of playing time. The WR's have a good start with Stewart and Juene. I think Philpot will become a player. Byerly, gaining another year will be huge. Campbell in time, could be the best this regime has recruited at QB. The kicking game is solid. For the Defense, remember recruiting is not over yet. Plus the standard has been set at consistently mediocre. With so many talented freshmen and adding Dorian Walker, Meiko Dotson, Donte Wigley, CTR has another season with more of his own talent to mold. The schedule is kinder and gentler.

For the record, I am going to have a drink after hoops tonight and War Darned Beagle! Our real dog in the fight tomorrow!!

 

[GTJT622]

I like Cerge-Henderson in the middle. We will miss Gotsis, but I didn't see a significant dropoff last night without him. In fact, I saw some plays C-H made in the middle that were damn well promising. He's going to be a good one in there if he can continue to develop/progress. Getting AJ Gray back and as a starting ball-hawking safety next year will be big. He's a playmaker and I expect his growth from his true frosh season to a (likely) starter in his soph season will be like night and day...and he's been pretty good as a true freshman when he's been on the field.

I like Mitchell in the ILB lead role. Not just because of plays like the pick-6 last night, but he reminds me so much of Ronnie Rogers...dude is all over the field. St. Amour is going to push to be a starter next year. We just need to seal the deal with some more of these recruiting targets over the next 2 months.

Continue to... PLAY...THE...YOUNG'UNS!

 

[BornAJacket]

I am amazed that in 3 qtrs. the team failed to get into field goal range once.

Well, they were close on the last drive but blew that with the penalty.

You can tell the DCs have figured out a way to slow down the offense, everyone is doing it now.
Multiple fronts, motion and movement to change the blocking calls on every play.

 

[BornAJacket]

I was so disappointed that GT did not quick snap a dive play once. When that D tackle was standing up, walking around, rolling back and forth, they should have quick snapped the ball and run all over him. It would have gotten at least 3-4 yard, maybe more.

Coach is falling into the trap the DCs are setting for him.

 

[GTJT622]

Agree on all of that, mate. Lynch is our best A-Back and best threat to take one to the house on any given play. I get the constant rotation of A-Backs running in plays and so forth. And, I get that Snoddy was physically ready to get back out into action and 2 fumbles are not the norm for him. Having said that, in these last 2 games, I'd like to see Lynch getting the vast majority of the snaps and coming out of the game as little as possible. Further, I'd like to see us get him the ball via running or passing at least a dozen times - preferably more. Let somebody else run the plays in and out. Leave him in until his tongue is dragging the ground from exhaustion.

 

[BornAJacket]

Lynch dropped a wide open pass for a first down at a critical point in the game. That play by itself will not earn him more playing time. In fact it might hurt him.

 

[Texwood]

I like Cerge-Henderson in the middle. We will miss Gotsis, but I didn't see a significant dropoff last night without him. In fact, I saw some plays C-H made in the middle that were damn well promising. He's going to be a good one in there if he can continue to develop/progress. Getting AJ Gray back and as a starting ball-hawking safety next year will be big. He's a playmaker and I expect his growth from his true frosh season to a (likely) starter in his soph season will be like night and day...and he's been pretty good as a true freshman when he's been on the field.

I like Mitchell in the ILB lead role. Not just because of plays like the pick-6 last night, but he reminds me so much of Ronnie Rogers...dude is all over the field. St. Amour is going to push to be a starter next year. We just need to seal the deal with some more of these recruiting targets over the next 2 months.

Continue to... PLAY...THE...YOUNG'UNS!

Totally agree on all points. Cerge-Henderson proved last night that he is the best NT on the team. Expect him to hold down his starting role in these final two games. Saint-Amour flashed some serious athleticism and needs to be getting major reps the rest of the way. Brant Mitchell fills gaps like he means it - love his game! This has become a rebuilding year so absolutely play this group of talented youngsters. You were calling for this weeks ago and damned if you weren't 622% correct.

 

[GTJT622]

Lynch dropped a wide open pass for a first down at a critical point in the game. That play by itself will not earn him more playing time. In fact it might hurt him.

Fair enough. The plays he has made far outweigh the ones he hasn't. If we are going to limit his PT due to a dropped pass (and yes, it hurt), then Joe should be benched, JT5 should be benched, Snoddy should never suit up again, etc. And the list goes on...

 

[BornAJacket]

I understand, just pointing out that even the silver linings are around dark and gloomy rainclouds.

Hard to get around that "day after a loss funk"

 

[GTJT622]

I hear ya. Being around a bunch of Hokies this morning has literally caused an upset stomach.

The only thing possible to salvage any silver linings to these dark and gloomy rainclouds this year is to somehow get the job done right after Turkey Day. And, as down as I've been all season (started at South Bend when I was already then postgame posting about a meltdown season), I'm actually somewhat optimistic about our chances in that game...which quite frankly, is unusual for me - especially when for some crazy reason when we play them on Grant Field.

No complaints about the effort last night, btw. The kids haven't quit. Great to see all the new faces getting more PT. Unfortunately for some of the seniors, I think this season has hurt their NFL stock.

 

[GTJT622]

“I don’t know where to start. Again, disappointed. I don’t know how many times we fumbled the ball, what – three or four in the second half alone. Penalties (on) third-and-short, down where we were close to field-goal range, dropped balls. We’re not good enough to overcome any of that stuff. We’ve got to do a better job. Ultimately, I’m responsible for it. It’s embarrassing.” - Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson

I fully admit to being a CPJ fan. I rooted for him when CCG was fired to be the replacement and was thrilled when DanRad got the job done. He gets a mulligan for this season in my eyes. I appreciate his commentary pasted above from a Ken S article this morning. I think this season and the "it's embarrassing" element to it will drive him even harder. The man hates losing. And, this season is likely eating at him like never before. I think brighter days are ahead indeed. We have the right man at the top. Hopefully the defense will improve over these final 2 games and play more like last night than other games this season. I mention the D because it has been the one constant weakness of this program under CPJ. This is by far the worst offense he has put on the field in his 8 years. Being the O-Coord., that's especially where the "embarrassing" part of it comes in. If we were 3-7 and were averaging scoring 40 a game but losing because we were giving up 45 a game, I doubt he would be as embarrassed, though he should be considering he is CEO and the D is just as much his ultimate responsibility. He gets that though...I think...I hope.

Looking forward to what Tech can become with a HC in the role for more than 10 years. Haven't seen it since Dodd retired. If we have to suffer a season like this one once every 8 years and have some monster seasons (to Tech's normal standard) mixed in while beating the Cesspool on a more regular basis (let's say 40% of the time), then I hope the man is still coaching at Tech into his 70's.

 

[BornAJacket]

The only thing that gives me pause about all this is the number of players who have left the system in the last few seasons. Something is wrong when that many players leave. Either the initial evaluation is wrong or there is something inside that is driving them away.

GT has never been able to have success with high turnover, they have ALWAYS needed players at GT for a few years, developing and becoming the best players they can be.

Obviously, injuries are part of it, I can put 3-4 losses on those, but not 7.

 

[stech81]

“I don’t know where to start. Again, disappointed. I don’t know how many times we fumbled the ball, what – three or four in the second half alone. Penalties (on) third-and-short, down where we were close to field-goal range, dropped balls. We’re not good enough to overcome any of that stuff. We’ve got to do a better job. Ultimately, I’m responsible for it. It’s embarrassing.” - Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson

I fully admit to being a CPJ fan. I rooted for him when CCG was fired to be the replacement and was thrilled when DanRad got the job done. He gets a mulligan for this season in my eyes. I appreciate his commentary pasted above from a Ken S article this morning. I think this season and the "it's embarrassing" element to it will drive him even harder. The man hates losing. And, this season is likely eating at him like never before. I think brighter days are ahead indeed. We have the right man at the top. Hopefully the defense will improve over these final 2 games and play more like last night than other games this season. I mention the D because it has been the one constant weakness of this program under CPJ. This is by far the worst offense he has put on the field in his 8 years. Being the O-Coord., that's especially where the "embarrassing" part of it comes in. If we were 3-7 and were averaging scoring 40 a game but losing because we were giving up 45 a game, I doubt he would be as embarrassed, though he should be considering he is CEO and the D is just as much his ultimate responsibility. He gets that though...I think...I hope.

Looking forward to what Tech can become with a HC in the role for more than 10 years. Haven't seen it since Dodd retired. If we have to suffer a season like this one once every 8 years and have some monster seasons (to Tech's normal standard) mixed in while beating the Cesspool on a more regular basis (let's say 40% of the time), then I hope the man is still coaching at Tech into his 70's.

I do get tired of hearing people say CPJ does not take responsibility when he does. And I agree we do have some good Freshman from last years class, but that again this year but still think 2017 will be the year.

 

[Texwood]

Odd fact...

...we've been favored 8 of 10 games this season. How many times do you see a 3-7 team favored in 80% of their games? Rare.

And one of the two games we weren't favored to win we won. We've got Vegas chasing their tail.

 

[stech81]

The only thing that gives me pause about all this is the number of players who have left the system in the last few seasons. Something is wrong when that many players leave. Either the initial evaluation is wrong or there is something inside that is driving them away.

GT has never been able to have success with high turnover, they have ALWAYS needed players at GT for a few years, developing and becoming the best players they can be.

Obviously, injuries are part of it, I can put 3-4 losses on those, but not 7.

I have no inside information but I have a feeling we could lose a couple more after this season who have not got to play much this year.

 

[GTJT622]

We've lost more than normal obviously. Some I am absolutely glad they are gone...or never showed in the first place. Losing guys who take smoking weed after multiple warnings over the team and their responsibility are gladly no longer a part of the program. I can empathize with those who can't cut it grade-wise. Tech is difficult and not for everybody.

We've gained some too. For instance, looking forward to seeing what the Dwag transfer will do at A-Back next year after his enlightenment and excellent decision to obtain a degree that will help him advance in life. The high transfer phenomenon is also upon us. While mostly in basketball we've seen it, we've also seen it in FB as well. So, we probably will see more departures and perhaps more guys like Skov either via grad transfer or just guys who are willing to sit out a year.

Losing Vad was not a bad thing. I'm not convinced this offense would be any better with him now and I am certain it would not have been as good last year.

 

[Buzzforlife]

I thought we only had one "420 Head"?
Count me as another fan bothered by the turnover. If you have recruited less than 30 players for 2012 and 2013, you can't lose 20 players in the process.
Personally, I would like to see Bryan Cook calling the plays and being the OC. The HC needs to be the CEO of the organization. His focus needs to be on the entire team, all units, all the players.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Lamont Simmons is another transfer from USC who will be eligible with JJ Green next season.