Tech

By Travis

August 8, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Mike,

If AJ Smith is even out there, how does he look? I mean with the injury.

Also, I wouldnt scuffle with #41. I would run.

By Wrekker

August 8, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

How do the freshman LB’s look so far?

By Kudzu Man

August 8, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

They’re all pu$$ies.

By Matt Winkeljohn

August 8, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

It’s just a guess, but when I see Kyle Manley working behind the No. 1 offensive line in run-fit drills, my guess is the idea is to speed up his readiness for the possibility that he’s going to move up the depth chart.

Peek still out w/boot on.

Jamal Lewis is the nickel back at present, with Joe Gaston — who just had an interception in 7-on-7 drills — replaced him at safety.

Greg Smith continues to work more at No. 1 WR than Demaryius Thomas, whose work with the No. 1s is chiefly at the slot. Don’t know if I’d call Smith the starter (James Johnson is the No. 1 on the other side), but he’s getting more work.

D.J. Donley got a rep or two with the No. 1s in the passing drills, swapping in for Smith.

Thomas just made a very tough catch, taking a ball away from Jahi Word-Daniel. Tashard is hollering big time.

By Rick

August 8, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Do the reciever’s look better?

By Matt Winkeljohn

August 8, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

No, A.J. Smith is not out here.

As for freshman linebackers, it’s so hard to say because they get so little work against the first- and second-strings, like none.

That said, Albert Rocker, playing outside, drew a compliment from Tenuta in the run-fit drills. How rare is that?

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

A.J. Smith is not here.

I can’t say anything about the freshman linebackers. I just haven’t seen enough to comment. They haven’t gotten a whole lot of work; I haven’t seen any get snaps with the No. 2s, let alone the No. 1s.

Tech is doing some goal-line work right now. That’s more tough work in what has shaped up to be a hard-hitting practice.

About 20 minutes ago, Demaryius Thomas made the play of the practice, a high-leaping catch over Jahi Word-Daniels. Thomas, athletically, has established himself as a real specimen.

Tashard Choice just scored on the first two carries in goal-line full-team drills, and Tashard’s mom cheered as if he’d just won the Super Bowl. I can see where his enthusiastic personality comes from. Like her son, she cheers other players, too. She just gave a hand to Austin Barrick, who made an impressive touchdown grab.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

In the goal-line drill, Anthony Barnes worked with the No. 1s and Shane Bowen with the No. 2s. They’re competing at strongside linebacker.

By GTGreg

August 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Are the quarterbacks looking better after their downturn following the onset of practice in pads?

By Chris

August 8, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Greg Smith might be one of the surprise players this season. He seems to be seeing the opportunity and is stepping it up.

I hope Demaryius does the same. People were beginning to write him in as the next obvious wr. But maybe not.

I hope Ingram gets it together. Seems academics are a problem as is his performance on the field. Might see him as a casualty if things don’t change, IMO…

By GT08

August 8, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the updates Matt and Mike. Just a few questions.

Your thoughts on Dwyer and Jones? Who is looking better? Will they see some game time this fall?

Like GTGreg I’d like to hear how the QBs are looking compaired to Sat. Are they adjusting to the pads and looking any better?

Hate to be out there in this heat, especailly with another practice this afternoon.

Thanks again guys.

By bog

August 8, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Who’s playing RT? Any other shuffling along the line?

By Atljacket

August 8, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Hi Mike, Is Lonowski still with the 1 OL or is Howard?

How has Q Kelly looked at FB??

By Erik

August 8, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

I have been hearing a lot about the freshmen OL but nothing on Claytor how is he doing?

Thanks Guys

By The Ring Leader

August 8, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Is Rashaun Grant being thrown into the mix at wide reciever? I know there was talk of him being placed in the slot or in four-wide sets. Also maybe out of the backfield. Just curious as to how he’s being utilized.

Also, has Michael Johnson blown anybody up yet? Hopefully he is participating in full-contact drills.

Lastly, have ya’ll seen any work with the kickers? Travis Bell and Durant Brooks? Hope Travis looks ok..

Thanks M&M….

By John

August 8, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Matt and Mike, Thank you guys both for doing the practice blogs. I know I speak for a lot of Tech fans when I say that it truly is appreciated. It is great for those of us who want to keep up with the day-to-day progress in practice but are unable to attend.

By techfowl

August 8, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks to both of you for your recent articles and blogs. You are very appreciated.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Thanks.

The quarterbacks haven’t looked as sharp as they did on Friday, but they looked better than they did on Monday. The offense was dominant in goal-line.

Yes, Lonowski remains at No. 1 right tackle. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay there for awhile, maybe for a long while. However, I expect to see A.J. Smith back on the practice field before the Notre Dame game. It will be interesting to me to see whether he steps in at No. 1 when he returns or whether Lonowski can hold onto the spot. And Cord Howard intends to compete there, too.

By buzzman

August 8, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Yea, thanks guys! This is really awesome.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Michael Johnson has not “blown anybody up” yet that I’ve seen, but remember that these guys aren’t sacking Taylor Bennett in practice. Johnson is being brought back step by step; Monday, in the seven-on-seven drills, he lined up as the eighth defender and practiced coming off the snap as a pass rusher.

Travis Bell seems to be doing pretty well. I know of at least two occasions when Gailey has put a little pressure on him by telling the team they wouldn’t have to run in Bell made his final field goal attempt (I think it was a 36-yarder one day and a 38-yarder one day). Bell made both. Unlike in the past, where they kept moving back to see what kind of range the kickers had, this year they’ve been staying inside 40 yards, at least so far, emphasizing accuracy over brute power.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Michael Johnson has not “blown anybody up” yet that I’ve seen, but remember that these guys aren’t sacking Taylor Bennett in practice. Johnson is being brought back step by step; Monday, in the seven-on-seven drills, he lined up as the eighth defender and practiced coming off the snap as a pass rusher.

Travis Bell seems to be doing pretty well. I know of at least two occasions when Gailey has put a little pressure on him by telling the team they wouldn’t have to run if Bell made his final field goal attempt (I think it was a 36-yarder one day and a 38-yarder one day). Bell made both. Unlike in the past, where they kept moving back to see what kind of range the kickers had, this year they’ve been staying inside 40 yards, at least so far, emphasizing accuracy over brute power.

By gatech87

August 8, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I’ve got to hand it to Mike & Mike. This blog really is taking things to the next level.

Enjoyable read by two guys who have a pretty good hand on the game and the players.

By jc

August 8, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Matt… Who looks like the backup to Taylor if he can’t get the job done? I’ve heard impressive things about the transfer from Auburn.

By JacketFan

August 8, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Mike & Matt, Thank you for the job you two are doing on these practice blogs. Your Tech practice information during these long months without much football to watch is invaluable! GT fans greatly appreciate your hard work! Keep it up!

By CheWreck

August 8, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Mike and Mike,

This blog is really a great tool for you to pass along information to us out-of-towners. These practice report blogs are fantastic. Keep up the great work!

By DGBBGT

August 8, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Thank you very much Mr. Knobler for your reports. How has Anthony Barnes and Bowen looked? Does one look like they are pulling away from the other and has Barnes figured out the position yet?

By cfwht son

August 8, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

I had heard Clark was being interviewed by the President’s office with regard to the Tickle Pile investigation. Is this true?

By Kevin

August 8, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Matt or Mike, If the season were to start tomarrow how would we fare? Especially at the qb, wr, and db positions. Do you think they would be ready to go?

By Tony

August 8, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

I hope A Barnes gets the nod at strong side LB… what about Josh Nesbitt, any word, is he getting reps or what ?

By Tony

August 8, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

I hope A Barnes gets the nod at strong side LB… what about Josh Nesbitt, any word, is he getting reps or what ?

By Tony

August 8, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

I hope A Barnes gets the nod at strong side LB… what about Josh Nesbitt, any word, is he getting reps or what ?

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

The question was for Matt, but I’ll take the liberty of answering it. Calvin Booker seems to be a clear No. 2 at the moment. He’s inconsistent but does some good things. Here’s an example from today: He made what looked like a bad read but a perfect throw and completed a pass into triple coverage. If he can get the reads right and throws like that, Tech will be in good shape at No. 2 quarterback.

The question about Barnes and Bowen: Bowen has seemed further ahead to me, but as I blogged above Barnes practiced with the first team in the goal-line set today. I don’t think they’re ready to crown anyone as king of that position just yet.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Josh Nesbitt is getting a lot of reps. He’s still rushing things a bit, throwing high. He’s a freshman, and it’s his second day in full pads, so it’s very, very early to say much about him, but the coaches are giving him plenty of opportunities and want to see what he can do so they can decided whether and how to use his skills this season.

By elwoodGT

August 8, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Regarding Barnes and Bowen at LB, I don’t expect either one to be entrenched as the starter. Tenuta likes to have 4 guys playing 3 spots at LB, so there’s not a dropoff in substitution. In a way, they’re already 3A and 3B. The battle will be to see if anyone steps up to challenge for that 4th spot.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

The afternoon practice is in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts, and the quarterbacks and receivers have their helmets off at the moment. There’s a good-sized crowd out here to watch nonetheless.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

I should have typed “despite the heat,” but anybody who has been around Atlanta the past few afternoons probably figured that out for themselves.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Strong safety Jamal Lewis has hurt his right ankle. It might be minor. He has it iced and propped up on his helmet as he sits between practice fields.

By dgbbgt

August 8, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

Who would be the most likely to make a push for the 4th spot? Chambers, Tongo, Braman? Also how has Tongo looked?

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

There have been a few more scuffles in the afternoon, as the heat of two-a-days (literal and figurative) brings out the aggressiveness. Latest of three I’ve seen: freshman running back Roddy Jones taking exception to a big hit from Travis Chambers, and Chambers not backing down an inch.

By Mike Knobler

August 8, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Chambers would be most likely, I think, after the top four linebackers.

Jamal Lewis walked off the field with a slight limp but looking like a guy with an ankle sprain, nothing more.

By boone

August 8, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

what does it matter? GT is a perennial loser, cheater, and collection of flag boys.

By boone

August 8, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

what does it matter? GT is a perennial loser, cheater, and collection of flag boys.

By boone

August 8, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

what does it matter? GT is a perennial loser, cheater, and collection of flag boys.

By MM

August 8, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

How do we find the 7pm practice report? Sorry if a dumb question.

By Upper East

August 8, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Matt & Mike,

What are you guys early impressions of the “new” offense? Can we expect more pts? more efficient? more unpredictable? Bond sounds like he is enthusiastic & a good teacher.

Keep up the good work guys.

By Johnny Deppth

August 8, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Hey boone…..how’s your wife & my kids?

By tyurpat

August 8, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Is Bond a typical Tech Girlyman? Does he participate in Tickle Piles?

By gtengin

August 8, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Nice article on Garside. Do you see any of the backup safeties Blackwood, Frierson, Jasper, Barrett getting a shot at special teams to go along with Graside?

By JasonC

August 8, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Listen, to all the UGA fans on here. Chip Towers made a point to tell all the Tech fans and UF fans to stop posting stupid “fanning the flames” comments on his UGA blog. That goes both ways. Read, post meaningful comments, but keep the childish stuff to yourself.

By Mike

August 8, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Nice work M&M, this blog is great. I can promise you UGA fans will get bored and go away if you dont respond or acknowledge their presence. Too much good stuff to get caught up in stupidity. Just dont respond.

By WFC

August 9, 2007 7:22 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the great practice reports. We’ve never had this kind of detail before… just what the doctor ordered for us old guys who “live and die” for GT football.

By Knute

August 9, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this

Win one for the “TICKLER”

By PassingThrough

August 9, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Could another academic scandal/fiasco be brewing at the trade school? And before you nerds get started with your whining….we know…it’s the calculus. LMAO! Most of your footballers couldn’t find a calculus classroom with Mapquest.