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Coach Johnson Holds Weekly Press Conference
9/22/2003
Coach Johnson Holds Weekly Press Conference 9-22-03
Coach Johnson will address the local Nashville media every Monday of game week. Click below for audio of the press conference, transcript, and game notes for the upcoming game.
Game Notes | Archived Audio of press conference
Transcript
Bobby Johnson Press Conference in preparation for Georgia Tech
Monday, September 20, 2003
Opening statement?
“Obviously that was a very tough loss this weekend against TCU. I was proud of the effort that the guys put out a lot of effort. We were in a tough situation, heading down there to face TCU. We had a chance to win the game because we played extremely hard, but we didn’t play especially smart. But we have consistently shown the effort to compete against the kind of schedule we play. It’s a constant battle to eliminate errors. We’ll come back this week and work hard to get better.”
On the TCU game?
“I was disappointed with our turnovers — we gave them two easy touchdowns. One was on a fluke play where the ball bounced off our receiver’s hands and the guy made a great interception. Then we had the fumble. We have to control the ball and not give our opponents such a short field. Our defense played well, although there were some 3rd-and-long situations where we could not get off the field. They had a 21-play drive, and there were a number of chances to end it and get good field position for our offense. The defense and offense have to help each other out. The defense can help by getting good field position and the offense needs to make sure they keep control of the ball.”
On Vanderbilt’s injury situation?
“Marty Morgan suffered a severe knee injury. He will be out for the rest of the year. Kenan (Arkan) will probably not be back this week. I was proud of Brian Stamper’s effort last weekend. He was in a tough spot as a freshman matching up against a potential All-American defensive lineman. That was tough of us to ask, but he did his very best. He will be very good for us. Curtis Brancheau will be close, but I don’t expect him back. He’s done a good job at tight end, and losing him makes us thin at that position because Nick Getter and Dustin Dunning are a bit banged up, too.”
On Vanderbilt’s lack of a running attack?
“The first factor is that we have been getting behind. And in the second half, we are having to throw the football a lot to get back in it. Along with that, sacks count against you. I think its mainly the circumstances of the game. People put a lot of guys in the box, so we have to throw the ball. Our backs are doing fine. Norval (McKenzie) ran hard north-and-south, he just put the ball on the ground. Kwane (Doster) made some good runs. And Matthew (Tant) had a good game blocking.”
On defensive end Jovan Haye?
“Jovan Haye had a remarkable game. He did everything we asked of him and more. He put great pressure on the ball, had a few tackles for loss and a sack. He batted down a pass, had an interception on a screen play. He caused two fumbles. At halftime, I think he was handing out drinks. We probably should have let him coach?. He just had a monster game. And something like that only comes around so often.”
On last year’s 45-3 loss to Georgia Tech?
“We don’t have to remind the players. Most of them were playing in that game. I don’t think revenge will be a factor this year, though. This is a new team. We’re trying to make this team better, we’re not worrying about getting revenge for last year’s team. I think looking at that game, though, is an indication of what can happen when a team gets careless.”
On Georgia Tech freshman QB Reggie Ball?
“He’s an impostor — it looks like the return of Joe Hamilton. Ball is one impressive freshman. He’s poised and doesn’t make freshman mistakes. He can get out of tough spots and drive defenses absolutely crazy. He makes big plays that get their offense going.”
On the defense facing a large number of plays?
“It sure doesn’t help them. You know, when they had the touchdown after Norval’s fumble, we had just faced a 21-play drive. And the defense looked like they had just faced a 21-play drive. That was our worst play of the game. But no matter what happens, the defense has to come out and make the stop. We’re all a team and we’re in it together.”
On how to get his team to keep control of the ball?
“Well, we ask them nicely not to fumble. We had a session in practice yesterday to review how to carry the ball. That’s something that everyone needs to know and do the same way. We have to protect the ball. When you’re about to get hit, cover up.”
On the frustration of losing?
“I hope it is really frustrating for our players. When they look at the film and see us play to our potential on one down and then turn around the next play and have careless mistakes. We’ve been evaluating the chances that we have, but we need to start taking advantage of some of them.”
On the starting tailback situation?
“Competition is a great thing. You put one guy in front of another that has not been playing all the way up to his potential and you let him respond. You always expect that person to step up. Kwane answered the bell. He’s a very hard worker and that always bodes well.”
On Georgia Tech’s recently stagnant offense?
“They want to run the football and they had some trouble against Clemson. If you can’t run the football, then running play action out of it won’t work either. Against TCU, we wanted to use the option pass, but that doesn’t work if the option isn’t successful. Right now they’re having the same problems that we are.”
On comparing this year’s Georgia Tech team to the 2002 edition?
“It’s completely different. I’m confident that we’re a better team than we were last year when we played Georgia Tech. Regardless of the outcome, we won’t make those kind of comparisons.”
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