AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech back, but beat up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back at it two days after the Yellow Jackets’ first scrimmage, and a day removed from the first off day of the summer. The off day was not enough for A LOT of players, including starting DE Darrell Robertson. He’s not practicing, but is moving around from drill to drill with the D-linemen as opposed to working out on the side (the beach) with other injured players. I won’t be surprised if he practices this afternoon.
There are at least 11 not practicing, the only notable newcomer to the list of the shelved being Fr. RB Jonathan Dwyer. He has some sort of left leg issue, but was moving well while working out on, “the beach.”
Otherwise, without going into much detail, here’s who else is out as far as I can tell: TE Colin Peek (but not in that removable boot any more), Ts Andrew Gardner and A.J. Smith, WRs James Johnson (sore knee), Andrew Smith (hamstring), Demaryius Thomas (right knee, but moving pretty well as far as I can see) and R.B. Clyburn, DL Logan Walls (mending broken leg), LB Travis Chambers (shoulder).
WRs Correy Earls and D.J. Donley are getting work with the first unit because of injuries to others.
LT Jason Hill is back, but working with the No. 2s behind Fr. Clyde Yandell. Lonowski continues to work in A.J.’s No. 1 RT spot.
Interestingly, DT Elris Anyaibe took some snaps in Robertson’s No. 1 RDE spot rather than sophomore Robert Hall. Also, LDE Adamm Oliver worked in that spot some as Michael Johnson worked at No. 1 LDE in 11-on-11 work.
With Dwyer down, Earls, Rashaun Grant and Jamaal Evans took kickoffs.
Everybody seems a little more sedate than usual. Tenuta’s making noise, but it’s quieter than usual. Tashard hasn’t gotten revved up yet.
Gotta go. More later. Questions?
Matt
P.S. in passing drills, Booker just threw a nice touchdown pass in the left corner to RB. Roddy Jones with S Jake Blackwood covering.
Comments
By CRB
August 13, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
I would expect them to start slowly after a day off. Its also nice to hear MJ is out there practicing.
By Clay
August 13, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
I, for one, was kind of glad to see Bennett be so agressive on Saturday. While it is so important for the team to click as a unit it is equally important for the entire team to be very competitive. The main thing though, is that no one is seriously injured. It seems as though we are dealing with enough of those. Which brings me to my question. Are any of these injuries looking like they will be serious enough to keep them out of the season opener at Notre Dame?
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 13, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Hard to say, but the most ominous injury in outward appearance continues to be A.J. He’s in a sling, but Gailey continues to say he’ll be available by Notre Dame.
But at what point will he have missed too much work to be ready to START at Notre Dame?
Matt
By Tom
August 13, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Matt, considering ATL (currently 85°) has already passed today’s wx high of 84° in South Bend, I would think the conditioning edge will be with the Jackets come 9/1.
Domers will be in mid-80’s all this week, while G will still be contending with mid-to-upper 90’s (with Wednesday back in triple-digits).
By 33jacket
August 13, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
my experience; with a guy like AJ who has been around, played all of spring; as long as he is back for the two weeks where the practice is closed to prepare for ND….he is fine. So he has at least a week to heal so to speak.
Dislocated elbows/shoulders, you do tend to keep in slings for a while, even though you aren’t in much pain…With AJ its probably largely precautionary to make sure it heals just fine.
Bowen still running with the 1’s and Barnes with the 2s?
By pete
August 13, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Lets hope AJ gets healed up but its great that Lonowski is getting some reps. It seems like every time he gets healed up he is in the running for PT. How are our other TEs looking besides Colin? Are Jahi and Avery looking to be starting corners, with Gaston at nickel?
By ME
August 13, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
What seems to be the basic offensive formation being used? Two back set with one tight end in tight? One back set with fullback spread out? How does this compare to previous years basic offensive formation? Thanks for the great updates…
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 13, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Yes, Jahi and Avery are the starting corners.
Nickel back TBD, although Joe Gaston has been working there most of late. Tenuta was climbing him this morning.
Bowens still 1 SLB, Barnes 2, although they flip-flop once in a while.
James Johnson said he’ll practice this afternoon, Robertson said that’s possible but Tuesday or Wednesday more likely.
Gailey said Gardner and Peek may return this week.
As for conditioning, I now coaches prefer working in the heat, but I can’t predict an advantage.
I’ll say this: it was hotter in Atl. than South Bend last summer, and Tech looked like the more tired team in the second half of that opener, especially as the Irish kept ripping off long, time-consuming drives only to end up missing field goals or stalling.
Perhaps the appearance was deceiving?
By Killiangsu
August 13, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Matt,
I’m seeing that Byron Ingram has left the team (as reported on SI.com this morning) any truth to this and if so what’s the reason?
By Bill Lewis Love Child
August 13, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
How is the secondary looking? That is my biggest concern.
By Buzztrip
August 13, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Mat,
Every year we get banged up once the pads go on. It has to be hard for the coaches to balance the hit conditioning and reps needed to get the team ready, versus protection from the heat and injuries.
Any insight?
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 13, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Ingram has left the program. We reported in the middle of last week that he was not at practice, and Gailey said he was considering his future in the program. Saturday, CG said Ingram had indeed decided to leave.
Don’t know yet where he’s going. Reasons: most likely, he saw that with two juniors and a freshman ahead of him on the depth chart, and a highly-regarded QB to join next year (Sean Renfrees), he was facing an uphill climb.
Safeties look to be ahead of cornerbacks in terms of group comparison, but not by much. Depth more of an issue at CB, especially when Pat Clark for a while was battling academic issues last week. Coaches have been working a lot with RS-Fr. Dominique Reese, who’s working at backup CB now (along with Clark). Reese looks thicker than last year, and seems to be progressing nicely for a converted QB.
Matt
By 33jacket
August 13, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
you are correct, we were the more tired team vs ND last year. But, ND had something like 13 more minutes of TOP mainly due to second half run game….so if that was even I think we would have faired well.
That is a big key this year…not going 3 and out so many times like we did last year in the second half…it killed our D…
The heat is only a helper if the teams have the ball about the same amount of time…otherwise…its overblown.
By 91Wreck
August 13, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Matt,
I am interested in the DE situation - why is Elris Anyaibe in Robert Hall’s spot? Has Hall not been doing well in practice?
By cltgtfan
August 13, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I am curious to see how Bennett is doing after his flair up at the scrimmage? Is he still throwing well in practises?
Also, I must say I kind of liked hearing that the Opey Taylor lookalike was getting in the face of defensive ends and throwing them around. As long as he doesn’t let his emotions get to his decision making I like to see an intensely competitive quarterback. What are your thoughts on Taylor’s ability to compete passionately and still keep his composure.
By ConyersDawg
August 13, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Joe Hamilton for getting his degree. I wish him the best of luck.
By Clemson Tiger
August 13, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
You’re mama’s boy quarterback beat up one of your defensive ends?!?! We are gonna run all over you nerds this year. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. Another year, another beatdown. NERDS.
By shivas
August 13, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
This is the neverending month, and sweaty as UGA player seeing blue lights. Matt, are you seeing the offense working on some screens and swing passes? If so, who’s getting the bulk of work catching the ball out of the backfield? Less than 20 days for toe to meet leather!
By a fan
August 13, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Ingram will probably go to a I-AA (oops I meant….Football Championship Subdivision) school. I saw him play at Redan High, he was a good QB on a subpar team, but I never thought he was a D-I QB. Hopefully, he can find a program with the right fit for him, before the season starts so he does not lose a year. His dad played college ball at Tennessee in the early 80’s, you never know, he might end up in Knoxville, but I doubt it.
By Tiger Rag
August 13, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
This Bennett thing is funny. A Tech Girlyman actually being aggressive. My question is why wasn’t he playing defence prior to now. Someone must have told him that Robertson was trying to be first to the Tickle Pile!!
By Joe
August 13, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Where has Vance Walker been ? It seems the D-Line has been busy, but I have not heard his name. Keep up the great work.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 13, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Greetings from the afternoon practice.
WR Demaryius Thomas (right knee) has no wrap or anything on, and has worked out, but he’s not running routes. Bet he’s back this week.
Some, but not all, answers:
Vance Walker has been fine.
Yes, Tech is working on some screens and so forth.
D-line coach Giff Smith said no reflection on Hall, he just wants to keep him working with the 2s to keep his routine the same. He did say, though, that Anyaibe will be an emergency swing player who can occasionally go outside.
James Johnson back to practice, but apparently limited and not wearing shoulder pads like others.
Cord Howard is out here, too.
The energy is up this afternoon, despite absurd heat.
By bubba
August 13, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
Tell me how David Brown is looking. Has he been running with the 2’s on the OL?
By Superchill
August 13, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
It is hard to say what is going to limit GT more - the heat, the books or the coach. If you were to ask me just two weeks ago I would have said GT has the win at ND in the bag but now I am not so sure.
By jacketnation
August 13, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Is Roddy Jones getting many carries? What do you think; will he redshirt? Will Dwyer be out long? What about Grant. He has never been used a lot. Maybe with the depth, Tech will send more TB’s into the game when Tashard needs a breather. If you had to pick out one W/R. Who has looked the best?
Can Nesbitt throw the ball?
By statelinejacket
August 13, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
Glad to see that Thomas is moving well and should be back soon. Our depth at the skill positions is the best I can ever recall. In fact I’m confident it is the best in the ACC and on par with Georgia’s.
By Knute
August 14, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Tech Girlymen will be in serious trouble in South Bend. We don’t allow Tickle Piles.
By GT PWNS CU
August 14, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
I heard a rumor that GT owns Clemson in the all-time series…
By Davey
August 14, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Ummmmmmmm……..seriously GT PWNS CU. If you haven’t caught on that the same guy is posting about the tickle piles and us being nerds then I guess you will never. Learn to read a little.
By Knute
August 14, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
Tech’s image is that of a Girlyman in a Tickle Pile. Now their QB beats up their DE. How funny is that!!!
Win one for the “Tickler”
By Curley
August 14, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
We are going to kick Notre Dame’s —-.