Over the past week I've realized that public perception (includes Tech fans) is so blatantly wrong it's funny. Let the numbers speak for themselves. Lots of people believe that to succeed, Georgia Tech needs to open up the offense more and pass more. But is that going to happen? Does more passing need happen?
No, it's not going to happen. Because it doesn't need to happen.
Nobody realized how much we needed Demaryius Thomas until he had left for the NFL. The receivers who followed him did not , could not, and would not fill in his shoes last year when we needed them the most. With a decrease in the passing threat, defenses were able to sneak up on the Georgia Tech line and focus on the running game, which we do about 82% of the time. That scenario presents pretty good odds to bet on if you're a defensive coordinator. Defenses forced the Yellow Jackets to make something of the passing game and it could not be done.
Paul Johnson Teams And Their Passing Statistics.
Thoughts and analysis after the jump.
Funny to see how relatively consistent Coach Johnson is in his play calling. +/- 20 passing plays doesn't seem to be that big of a difference in the grand theater of college football. Look at his teams' passing completions per year; the numbers bunch even closer together. Every season except 2006 hovers around that 70 pass attempts mark.
But what's the difference between Navy passing statistics and Georgia Tech passing statistics? It's the relationship between the respective schools attempts and completion rates.
As Navy threw the ball more or less, their completion numbers followed. Now what about Georgia Tech?
In 2010, Josh Nesbitt threw 105 times and completed 39 of the passes. Tevin Washington passed 61 times while completing 25 of his attempts
Over three seasons, Georgia Tech has thrown the ball 165, 168, and 168 times. They've been consistent in throwing the ball regardless of who is the receiver. But it is completions that completely fell off last year.
In 2011 Georgia Tech will throw the ball just like they've always done. But to succeed, the Jackets should be expected to catch the ball and produce. Georgia Tech doesn't need to open up their offense. They don't need to abandon anything. It's personnel. A playmaker must takeover.