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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Weiner’s return could affect Forney
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — Veteran right tackle Todd Weiner is set to take some snaps with the first team during Friday’s preseason game against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome. Coach Mike Smith did not say if Weiner would start but he did want to see a “unit” that could end up starting.
Smith did not say if guard Kynan Forney was among the unit. Forney is working behind Harvey Dahl, who has done just about everything possible to hold on to the starting job. The coaching staff has been curious to see if Forney, the longtime starter, would respond to the demotion that was made over the summer. I’ve been told that Forney has been highly competitive but Dahl continues to get the majority of the reps with the first unit.
With Weiner coming back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Forney get more first-team reps. Those two have played alongside each other for years and Forney might function better with someone familiar.
In other news, rookie middle linebacker Curtis Lofton will be getting a lot of work with the first defense, Smith said. The staff wants to see how he holds up and meshes with the first-team players. Tony Taylor has started until now but Lofton is the future at that position and the coaching staff wants to see if he is trustworthy enough to start working into the mix.
