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Coach Johnson’s Monday Press Conference
10/18/2004
Coach Johnson’s Monday Press Conference
Coach Johnson addressed the media Monday to preview Vanderbilt’s matchup against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 23.
Quotes from Bobby Johnson press conference — 10/18/04
On comments by Georgia linebacker Odell Thurman suggesting he expected a more complex offensive scheme by the Commodores?
“We came out with a brand new set in the first series. We put the tailback in motion and made him a wide receiver and tried to do some things out of that. We ran the option several times out of regular sets. I think out of the first 10 plays we threw it five times. I’m sorry we disappointed Odell.”
Would you evaluate the play of your freshmen running backs?
“I think they are doing very well. Cassen (Jackson-Garrison) played because Tant hurt his knee. Cassen has a good explosion, he can get in the hole and hit it pretty hard. He has some meat behind him too. I’m very pleased with that. We’re pleased with both of them, Cassen and Jeff (Jennings). They work hard and try to do exactly what we tell them to do.”
Discuss the decision just before halftime to punt on 4th and 1.
“My thinking is that we weathered a pretty good storm. They had us 16-0 in the first quarter and we fought back to make it 16-3. We played a lot better on defense. We had played something like 40 or so plays on defense so I really didn’t want to put the defense back on the field in a situation where they go in the short field. If they stopped us they would’ve had the ball on the 40-yard line. I’m sure it’s debatable but at that time I decided that was the thing to do and that was my decision.”
Do you worry that that decision sends the wrong message to your offense?
“Sometimes it does but the offensive line always wants to go for it. I want them to want to go for it, that’s great. I have to make those decisions. I don’t think it sends a bad message if we all think about it. We did a good job of hanging in there during the first half and now we can go regroup and see if we can help them out a little bit more.”
Do you think your team is better than last year?
“It’s pretty close. We have to play extremely well to win and we’ve played well but had not gotten wins. We did the same thing last year. This can be debated either way. Injuries and casualties on the offensive line have affected us more than we thought it would. It’s pretty close.”
How do you keep your head up and your players’ heads up after the losses?
“You’re right, the coaches have to do it first. We have to prepare to practice, let the guys know we’re preparing for the next game and that we’re not going to give up. You’ll appeal to their pride; pride as people, pride as football players. You just go out and keep swinging as hard as you can. That’s all I know to do. I think our guys have been very resilient this year and have come back and fought and I expect them to do it again.”
What are the challenges of facing a 1-AA opponent when your players can look ahead and see LSU and Tennessee coming up?
“I think the big challenge is that Eastern Kentucky is going to come down here thinking they have a great chance to come in here and win the game. They are going to be fired up and our guys have got to know that. They are going to get Eastern Kentucky’s best effort. Eastern Kentucky is a program that has been used to winning for years and years. They had eight players drafted in the NFL in the last ten years. They have some good players and good players that expect to win.”
Talk about (offensive tackle) Justin Geisinger’s potential in the NFL?
“Justin has been slowed by his injury which is a shame because I think he does have NFL potential. I don’t try to project potential NFL draft choices. I certainly think he has the potential to do it. Justin is a very serious player; he takes a lot of pride in what he does and if we had five more just like him, we would have a super offensive line.”
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