ATLANTA -- Senior inside linebacker Brad Jefferson is the leader of the Georgia Tech defense.
That may not seem like much of a distinction after the unit's shaky performance last season.
The Yellow Jackets won the 2009 ACC title and went 11-3 despite allowing more than 360 yards per game. The team's high-powered offense made 67 plays of at least 20 yards, but the defense gave up 66.
Former Virginia coach Al Groh was brought in as defensive coordinator to help fix things. Groh installed his 3-4 defense during the spring. Now it is up to the Georgia Tech players to make it work.
"You know what I've found through the years? If you're not very good, it's somebody else's fault," Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson said. "It's exciting any time you change, but show me. That's all we've got to do is show me."
Jefferson is confident that the defense will do just that.
"We can be a lot better," said Jefferson, who led the team with 95 tackles a year ago and was second on the team with eight of them for losses. "I'm sure of that. I think the 3-4 fits us, but we can't count on just that. It's on all of us to step up and play better. I know we can."
Jefferson acknowledges that the unit is still adjusting to the new scheme, but the transition has gone smoothly so far. The Yellow Jackets open the season on Sept. 4 against South Carolina State, then play at Kansas before beginning ACC action at North Carolina on Sept. 18.
"Coach Groh has brought so much energy to us," Jefferson said. "He's a great teacher and he really gets us flying around out there."
Defensive end Derrick Morgan and safety Morgan Burnett left a year early for the NFL, leaving a couple of holes. But the Georgia Tech defense has plenty of experience and a renewed commitment.
"I have high expectations for myself and the team," said Jefferson, a graduate of Johnson County High School in Wrightsville. "Every team in America loses key players. We're not dwelling in the past. It's a new season and a new team. We're just thinking about this year and how to be better."
The 244-pound Jefferson will call out the defensive signals for the Yellow Jackets, making him a key in the transition from the team's former four-man front.
"Brad is a football guy," Groh said. "A lot of the stuff that we have installed has come to him easily and he is a physically rugged player who brings a high energy level.
"Leadership is about attitude and actions, not speeches. His actions put him in a position to set standards and that is a prime function of leaders. He sets the standards for toughness and effort and energy that hopefully will raise the whole defense."
Not giving up so many long gains is the key to Georgia Tech's defensive improvement.
"The elimination of big plays is right there on the top of the list of things that we have to get accomplished," Groh said.
Johnson replaced former coordinator Dave Womack and made changes in his defensive staff.
But the real responsibility belongs with the players, Johnson said.
"Sometimes you have to look within," Johnson said. "Sometimes you've just got to rush the passer and you've got to cover people and you've got to tackle people.
"There is no magic scheme where they can hide somebody. If you're getting your tail blocked six yards down the field, then you're getting blocked six yards down the field. Nobody can help you there. You've got to man up and whip somebody's tail occasionally."
Thursday
October 31st, 2024
9:22AM
