AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhich recruits will see early action?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every year at this time we try to figure out who among Georgia Tech’s signees will make an immediate impact in the fall. That’s a challenge this year because many of the most highly regarded signees play positions where Tech has a lot of depth.
The one place a star player could have made the most impact was tight end (Tech is very thin there behind Colin Peek), but the Yellow Jackets didn’t sign any of them. Receiver is the second biggest area of need, with Calvin Johnson, Chris Dunlap and Xavier McGuire gone off last season’s team.
Tech coach Chan Gailey warned against assuming freshmen would play only where there are obvious gaps and no established players to fill them. “It’s my responsibility to put the best players on the field, no matter what year they are,” Gailey said.
So, for example, consider the defensive line, which already looks strong with Adamm Oliver, Darrell Robertson and Michael Johnson at end, and Darryl Richard, Vance Walker, Elris Anyaibe and Robert Hall at tackle. But with big-time defensive ends Derrick Morgan and Jason Peters signing, maybe Tech looks at moving Oliver inside to tackle (as it has done in the past), or maybe Tech just rotates even more linemen.
“I know Derrick Morgan being in here this spring will really help him,” Gailey said.
Maybe Jonathan Dwyer or Roddy Jones bumps past one of Tashard Choice’s backups at running back. Maybe a freshman defensive back plays, too, if only because so many of the returning defensive backs (five of the top seven, perhaps) will be seniors. Maybe Nick Claytor or Clyde Yandell gets some time at offensive tackle, though Yandell has just one season of experience on offense. Maybe one of the linebackers fills the role Shane Bowen filled in 2006, though Philip Wheeler, Gary Guyton and Anthony Barnes would be my bet to play the vast majority of the snaps.
Don’t believe anyone who tells you he knows for sure who will play and how much. Injuries and other forms of attrition can change everything, and sometimes players look a lot different in August than they did on film and paper in February.
Still, it’s fun to guess. Which of Tech’s 20 newcomers do you expect to see on the field in the fall?
Comments
By Ramble ON!
February 8, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this
Red shirt them all!!!
By BlackJacket
February 8, 2007 04:21 PM | Link to this
DJ Donley will play somewhere this fall. WR or S for sure. Special Teams definitely. That kid is the Truth (pt 2).
By Jon
February 8, 2007 04:24 PM | Link to this
I would guess Morgan would get the most snaps in the early going because of his talent and the fact that he enrolled early. But if Nesbitt is as talented as everyone says, Gailey may have to figure out a way to get him in offense, if only for a few plays, like Florida did with Tebow.
By Not Disappointed
February 8, 2007 04:40 PM | Link to this
It was nice to see players, of the future on the Big Screen down at Hilton last nite, along with Coaches and fans like myself. I’m excited.
I had the opportunity to talk with Calvin Johnson. He truly will be missed, but the future is bright for the “Yellow Jackets!”
Play the best man.
RAMBLIN WRECK!!!!
By Stinger
February 8, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this
The question on the table is which recruits will see early action? The answer is the ones that are gay, since GT is located in Midtown.
By GTFAN
February 8, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this
It is alright to be thin at TE because we never throw to them anyways. A great TE at GT would be a waste.
By Doug
February 8, 2007 06:02 PM | Link to this
GTFAN, I think we’ll throw to TEs this year, now that RB is gone. I about fell over in the WVU game when I heard the announcer say that a completion from Bennett to a TE was the first time we completed a pass to a TE this year. I’m hoping T-bone or whomever is taking snaps looks to our TEs!
By Steve
February 8, 2007 07:50 PM | Link to this
I agree with GTFAN, Gailey never uses his tight end in the offense. We’ll just put one of our 280 lb. linemen in that position and let him block.
Also, did you notice that R. Ball made it into a pro game before Calvin? That was Reggie playing QB for the Bears in the Super Bowl, wasn’t it?
By Mr. C
February 8, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Have to agree with GTFAN, Chan Gailey can’t even spell tight end. That’s why nobody was recruited. Since u mentioned that the defensive line is stocked, he might pick one of the them to play tight end. All they have to do is block.
It’s quite astounishing that Tech doesn’t throw to the tight ends. The big question is who will be the offensive coordinator. Chan Gailey stated ealier last year that he has lost touch with the offense and is not keeping up with playcalling. I guess the offense will regress again if he goes back to calling the plays.
By higherclassthanUGA
February 8, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
STINGER: Shut the ** up and get back to work buffing those floors. I personally hope Nesbitt, Dwyer, and Roddy get some playing time next year. UGA will have their hands full in Midtown. What’s the good word? THWG!
By Scott Case
February 9, 2007 09:19 AM | Link to this
What are we going to do with Nesbitt and Threet. 2 totally different QB’s. I know Gailey said he wants to run a pro style offense, but I don’t want to waste Nesbitt. Also Threet is 6’ 6”. One of them should redshirt and that will give us a Greene Shockley scenario.
By gtfan4life
February 9, 2007 02:23 PM | Link to this
I thought we were also getting a QB that was transfering from Auburn. Does anyone know about the Calvin Booker situation?
By Born Football
February 10, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this
Calvin Booker = Tight End
By Navigator
February 11, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Nesbitt is the starting quarterback, and that’s how the coach gets these guys to sign. Happy days for the next four years.
By Gold on YA
February 11, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this
Has anyone ever driven been by the GAY club “BULLDOGS” on Peachtree? I always LMAO when I see it and think about all those “Proud DAWG FANS that are in there enjoying each others company!” What a great name for a Gay Club! Classic that is for sure. Go Doggies! YAY!!!!
By Dave
February 12, 2007 09:07 AM | Link to this
How do you know it is a gay club Gold on Ya? From firsthand experience?
By Gold On Ya
February 12, 2007 05:29 PM | Link to this
Well, Dave, I have two eyes that work and it says so. Case closed…. Bulldogs, that is funny; in more ways than one.. Ride by some time, it is across from the VORTEX
By Dave
February 13, 2007 06:40 AM | Link to this
So it says “This is a gay bar” right on the sign, huh Gold On Ya? I think truth be known, your knowledge of the place comes from “inside” experience. After all, Gold On Ya does stand for little pizz yellow panties that you wear everyday doesn’t it?
By James
February 13, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this
Why are all the UGA fans talking about being gay? Now I know what goes through their heads…
By Gold On Ya
February 13, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this
MMM… Davey, well everyone knows what the rainbow flag means esp GA fans. The only inside experience I have is inside Scores (look it up) in Las Vegas, but I doubt you ever make it that far west. UGAG rarely plays teams that don’t TOUCH the state of GA. So sad that a club like that is called BULLDOGS. Well, sad for you and your leg humping friends. Hey I cant wait till the pups play OK-State, finally a real test to start the season. Till then beware the club BULLDOGS………
By Dave
February 14, 2007 07:13 AM | Link to this
Gold on ya you saw a glimpse of the future when UGA crushed VT. After the OK State game you will see very clearly that you little girls over at the trade school will be enduring even more humiliation at the hands of UGA. Your place in the football universe is to be bit#h slapped around by your instate superiors.
By Doug
February 14, 2007 07:18 AM | Link to this
Aren’t the rest of you tech “men” so glad that Gold on ya trolls the highways and byways looking for those little rainbow flags? He must be the advance man that finds appropriate places for you tech “men” to watch trade school football. And I can’t think of a more appropriate venue for you little girls. After all, you have to be into something odd peculiar, and have sado-masochistic tendencies to even subject yourself to something as perverse as trade school “football”.
By Techmite
February 14, 2007 07:23 AM | Link to this
At least Gold on ya can be ruled out as the father of Anna Nicole’s baby.