Saturday, August 30th, 2008
One of the formations that Paul Johnson will run as triple-option is the flexbone formation. I’ve created an image below depicting what a balanced flexbone formation looks like. Keep a note of its distinct two A-backs (A) in slot and one B-back (B) in the backfield outlined in black and highlighted. Of course, this is just one formation and there are many different ways to line up but you will almost always see one A-back in slot and a B-back with the last A-back being a blocker or receiver down the field.
Again, one of the most unique things about the triple-option offense is that a play can be called without anyone knowing who is going to end up with the ball and where because there are several ‘options’ the quarterback has when running the play from center. It’s in no way foolproof but if executed properly, it’s a system that can chew up a lot of yards on the ground and give the offense the ability to control the clock.
Posted in Random | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008
As a follow up to this post, I wanted to post my thoughts on some of the reasons why I think hiring Paul Johnson was a great move for Georgia Tech. For the record, I am a Tech alumni and a HUGE Tech fan so I’ll state again that my post should be considered to be biased but hopefully well thought out and logical. Lest we forget, there are plenty of naysayers out there that will digress and try to focus on “BCS vs. the option” but I would like to put the spotlight on “BCS vs. Paul Johnson” instead.
Instill Confidence
The future of Yellow Jackets football is bright. Why? It’s not because of the option-based offense that is often called ‘gimmicky’ by American football followers. It has more to do with the new Head Coach that is not installing this so-called gimmicky offense but because he is instilling new and pure confidence to his new football team. Everyone whose ever asked Paul Johnson about his “system” or heard him talk about it understands how much rock-solid confidence he has in it that some would even go as far as calling it being stubborn. I wouldn’t argue with that whatsoever but what I like reading and seeing is Paul making the players believe and build faith in something that they are not used to. He’s like an powerful evangelist for the experience he gained over his college football career. Confidence flows from the leader to the followers; from the head coach to the assistant coaches and players. Paul Johnson exudes confidence and it will show in our football team.
Turn-around Winner
I even have caught myself questioning where this confidence comes from but a quick google to see Paul Johnson’s history in college football shows his impressive résumé of turning around programs and being a winner. The thing that impresses me most is his ability to find ways to win with the tools he’s been given which so far has been limited at best. There’s always been doors that prevented him from recruiting the best in the nation and that door has been kicked wide open. Right now, I don’t think it’s the question of whether or not he will maintain his winning record because I have no doubt that he will at Tech. The question is how far will he be able to surpass that by winning the games that matter: bowl games, championship games, and rivalry games. With Paul’s track record, I have faith that as the Yellow Jackets matures, the fans will savor the answer to that question.
MacGyver of Football
Paul Johnson is the MacGyver of American Football. It’s funny to metaphorical say that but it’s true. He takes whatever is available to him as a resource without taking anything for granted and maximizes the usefulness of everything to come out with wins. PJ is always quoted as saying that he needs to learn what his team can do. From what I can find, he uses that and molds his “system” so that it fits. The Naval Academy lead the nation in rushing last year because that is what they were best at; he saw no point of putting balls up in the air and risk interceptions. At Georgia Tech, he technically has better resources in the rushing and passing attack so I would be very surprised if we don’t see Calvin come out for snaps or see designated option-pass plays from Josh and Jaybo. Naysayers, be aware of Paul Johnson’s MacGyver-ism. 
GO JACKETS!
THWG!
Posted in Random | No Comments »
