AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 27
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Depth chart takes shape
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I blogged yesterday before learning that Jonathan Garner had decided to transfer away from Tech.
Chan Gailey also made it pretty clear that he has a pretty good read already on Kyle Manley so quarterbacks Taylor Bennett, Steven Threet and Jonathan Ingram will get more snaps in spring practice by a considerable margin than Manley. He said Calvin Booker figures to get roughly the same number of snaps as Manley even though they know less about the Auburn transfer. He said it will be up to Booker to make his impression largely in drill work. If he makes the right kind of impression, then perhaps he can graduate into more 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 work.
As for the early depth chart, I guess only one thing surprised me, and not very much at that.
Looking at the spots vacated by seniors and junior WR Calvin Johnson, the one that caught my eye was the CB spot held previously by Kenny Scott. I was a little surprised not to see Avery Roberson listed there but rather he’s at a backup safety spot.
At that corner sport, though, is Laurence Marius, who played specials teams (and very sparingly at CB in a couple blowouts) as a freshman last year. It shouldn’t be a complete shock because he was probably Tech’s most highly regarded recruit last year, but Roberson seemed to play well there for the most part although he went back and forth to safety. Marius is listed ahead of Pat Clark
The other starting cornerback is Jahi Word-Daniels, who is listed ahead of Tony Clark and Dominque Reese.
It doesn’t mean the world at this early juncture, but I found the CB position interesting.
Elsewhere, redshirt sophomore Greg Smith is listed in Calvin’s spot. Colin Peek is listed as the No. 1 tight end, although he’ll miss spring practice after undergoing some sort of surgery.
A.J. Smith will open at right tackle, but he and Cord Howard, who’ll miss spring practice after shoulder surgery, will compete for that spot - although Gailey said they might switch Andrew Gardner from LT to RT (Bennett’s blindside) in part because of the nature of Howard’s shoulder injury and the fact it receives less torque on the left side.
The backup WRs are sophomores Correy Earls and Demaryius Thomas, and Gailey admits this position is one where incoming freshman have a very good chance to make hay.
Vance Walker is listed in Joe Anoai’s DT spot, though Adamm Oliver will move inside in nickel situations (Tech plays a ton of them obviously).
Gary Guyton is likely to move from strongside linebacker into KaMichael Hall’s weakside spot. Shane Bowen, who enrolled early last year, is listed No. 1 at WLB but when I asked about Anthony Barnes, Gailey said they will compete.
Rashaun Grant will be utilized often as an H-back, perhaps making it possible both freshmen RBs, Dwyer and Jones, will not redshirt although it’s too early to read much into that.
Other players injured or coming off surgery who will miss spring practice: OL Jacob Lonowski (shoulder), fullback Mike Cox (don’t know), LB Sedric Griffin (broken leg in Gator Bowl) and safety Djay Jones (don’t know). Roberson will work in his spot in the spring so this may be about getting him more work than knowing Marius will start at CB. Or maybe they want to see a lot of Marius, or both.
Quincy Kelly is moving back from LB to FB, and Martin Frierson, former WR, is listed as a third-string safety behind Joe Gaston.
