AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USInjuries improve, Donley needs to D-up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Improving news on the injury front at Tech, as starting right guard Nate McManus is back in action this morning. Projected starting right tackle A.J. Smith (that might not hold up if he misses much more time) is doing more on the side than he has, and for the first time since his elbow injury he’s not in a sling.
Demaryious Thomas is running more, Colin Peek is too and today he’s doing it in cleats rather than sneakers.
Fr. LB Kyle Jackson is out with an undisclosed injury, and backup QB Calvin Booker appeared to be trying to stretch out his throwing shoulder. It hasn’t kept him out of practice though.
Tashard’s strutting. Just scored off left tackle (behind Fr. Clyde Yandell, as starter Andrew Gardner remains out) in full-contact goal-line drills.
I notice Fr. LB Brad Jefferson taking some reps with the No. 2s in goal-line, probably because Travis Chambers is still out.
With Jonathan Dwyer and Correy Earls still sidelined with injuries, Fr. RB Roddy Jones earlier joined Jamaal Evans and Rashaun Grant in taking some kickoffs.
On another topic, kind of an interesting day for Tech baseball, huh? If coach Danny Hall happens to get all four potential returning players and the three unsigned high school prospects (if they fail to sign pro contracts by midnight), his team will get a huge boost.
In the story we have on-line and in the paper, some information was trimmed from the bottom for length reasons.
With regards to the potential signing of C Matt Wieters, whom Baltimore drafted No. 5 overall, sources in the Orioles organization told the Baltimore Sun Monday that the two sides were far apart, and it is widely believed that adviser/potential agent Scott Boras and the Wieters familar rae looking for more guaranteed money than the $2.25 million bonus recommended - but not mandated - by the commissioner’s office as a guideline for that draft slot.
There is history to suggest that Boras/Wieters have a much bigger number in mind. The last Tech player to be drafted No. 5 — Mark Teixeira, in 2001 — received a $4.5 million bonus from the Rangers as part of a contract that came to be worth $10.6 million. He is represented by Boras. Plus, at least one player drafted later than Wieters has pulled $7 million in bonus.
It’ll be interesting.
Back to football, in passing drills, Taylor just lofted one into the end zone for D.J. Donley, who’s gone up and grabbed a few of those. This time, though, CB Jahi Word-Daniels went up and picked it. Donley needs to turn more defensive in that situation as the ball was slightly underthrown. Nice play by Jahi.
More later.
Matt
Comments
By Atljacket
August 15, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Matt, Thanks again for the great report. I’m glad to see one of FR LB stepping up.
Good to here the injuries seem to be slowing down and healing.
By GTGreg
August 15, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
It’s very encouraging that AJ is out of the sling. How much is kickoff coverage being emphasized in practice?
By Tony
August 15, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Is Josh Nesbitt going to be too much talent to keep sidelined ? Is he still breaking off 10 to 15 yard runs ?
By Atljacket
August 15, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Has Tongo gotten any playing time. I thought he would AT Barnes would really help with KickOff coverage!
By The Ring Leader
August 15, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Does D.J. Donley appear to be playing well enough to avoid being red-shirted this season??
By Douglas
August 15, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Tip ‘o the hat to you and Mike for these much appreciated reports. Keep ‘em comin’.
By Josh H
August 15, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
This question was asked on another blog by someone else but I don’t think anyone got around to it. Glad to see Taylor is leading the offense and is the unquestioned #1. But, how is Nesbitt’s arm? It’s apparant he can run, although, is he more of an elusive or power kind of guy? Curious about his arm strength and touch just because the last running QB we had didn’t have much of an arm.
By addicted
August 15, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Great Job guys. You go a long way to ensuring I actually read the AJC.
After having watched him in several practices, what do you think about Taylor Bennett? Is he at the very least, a good solid QB?
By TigerPaw
August 15, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
How are those ferocious defensive lineman doing? Hence the sarcasm!! I here one of your stud DL was getting thrown around by Haylie Bennett. Don’t even say it is because Bennett is some stud.
By GTWXman
August 15, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
I think Donley has certainly looked good enough to avoid being red-shirted. He has consistantly run with the 1st team Offense since BeBe went down. His hands have improved significantly since day 1 and he is a playmaker.
By Tiger MAN
August 15, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
A Tech Girlyman DE being beaten up by the QB. How funny is that!! When you have a Ticlkle Pile Tradition that’s what you get!!!
By jacketnation
August 15, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Tigerman is a UGAG un-employeed mama’s boy. This blog is about Tech practice and players. So get the heck off!
What about Willy White? Is he catching any balls? Is Roddy Jones getting any carries? What is wrong with Dwyer and how long do you think he will be out?
By jacketnation
August 15, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
I think this heat will cause a lot of injuries. Muscle cramps and pulls for the most part. Perhaps some players might just not want to practice full speed because they can’t handle this 100 degree heat.
By jacketforever
August 15, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Im starting to feel a hint of a bzzzzzzzzz….kind of curious to the numbers our “D” will put up this year,if we can cut down on the three and outs and establish some balll control its going to very interesting with our strengths on defense and special teams
By JustMe
August 15, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Things I like seeing about Tech so far….
Thanks for your reporting, Matt. Keep up the good work.
Defeat ND first!!!!
By nadtime
August 15, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Dwyer is hurt. That’s the only reason he would be out.
By JustMe
August 15, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Matt, it would be great to hear how Tech is preparing for special teams this year. Considering how poorly we did last year and considering the rule change, I hope that the coaches are dedicating a lot of practice time for kick-off returns and coverage.
By Wrecker1
August 15, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Josh H, if you’re referring to Reggie Ball as our last running QB, his arm strength generally wasn’t a problem. He threw a TD to JJ last year against Miami that was 65 yards in the air. (Check the tape.) His problems were accuracy and judgement. I don’t think Nesbitt’s arm is going to be a problem. Like most QB’s coming out of high school, can he make the transition from playing against high school defenses that are generally going to be cover 2 and 3 and it’s real easy to tell that at the LOS, to playing against college defenses that disguise coverages very well. The mental ability to handle that and then the physical ability to act on what you see is what generally seperates the QB’s at the college level. On a side note, I keep seeing Rashaun Grant’s name tied to kick returns. Don’t we surely have someone in the program better than him to return kicks? Evans is good but I’ve seen Grant return kicks now for the past few years and he’s too much of a dancer. We’re doing good to get it to the 20 when he returns a kick.
By Tech"Man"
August 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to I Perfection Harris? Now that was a scholarly name. No wait, let me guess. He’s now an engineer, right? Hahahahahahahahah
By shivas
August 15, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Clemson tiger fans on this blog, it’s nice to see you regard GT as the big bully of the ACC, since you spend so much time picking at us. However, you may want to take a look at some identity issues since you seem obbsessed with feminine references. Middle school is a rough time to deal with those things, so you may want to have a long talk with your dad’s after school, and when he gets back from sloppin the pigs. Ya’ll have a nice day, and blog again when your all grown-up.
By mcdawg
August 15, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
do tickle piles really exist or are they one of those urban legends??
By Darren in the Springs
August 15, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
You know that “Tech is Gay-Ley”, “Knute”, and “Tiger MAN” are all the same person since they all spout the same general comments all the time. This person definitely has some issues with their manhood, if I can say that without laughing.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Would like to know what you think of Bennett, Booker and Nesbitt. They are all different style QB’s. Do you see the Tech staff trying to mix it up a little this year?
Also great to read that the WR corps is looking fairly solid. At least teams won’t be able to key in on one target anymore.
By TigerFan
August 15, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
To “Shivas”: Are you trying to spell “Chivas”? Before you accuse us of “slopping the pigs” why don’t you learn how to correctly spell your scotch, which you probably don’t drink. Your name should be “Zeema.”
By Dan
August 15, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Matt… I appreciate your “on the spot” reporting however the “sub” headline of your article was related to a “fight” Winkeljohn had Sat., but none of your comments in your article said one word about what happened regarding a fight. In fact “no” one has even mentioned it in their responses. Am I missing something here?
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 15, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Dan,
I don’t follow what you’re writing. At the top of this blog, at least, there is no sub-hed of any kind. I’ve not written anything about a fight, or an near fight, since QB Taylor Bennett and DE Darrell Robertson had a very brief gathering at the end of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Monday, for the Tuesday paper, was the last time I touched the subject, with some comments from Robertson.
No, no fights today, or yesterday, or Monday, and they didn’t practice Sunday.
Matt
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 15, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Dan, I just saw the sub-hed you are referring to, on another link than the one I had seen.
No idea. I don’t write many headlines (zero on stories and notebooks, and about 40 percent on blogs). I sure didn’t write that one.
Matt
By yellowblood
August 15, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
McDawg: Tickle piles are a great Anglo-Saxon tradition going back to William the Conquerer and Atilla the Hun both of whom preferred phalanx infantry manuvers. This practice was perfected by the early Roman gladiators and became one of the most popular contests in the Coliseum. Tickle pile winners were spared and the rest were heheaded.
By TigerFan's Mom
August 15, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
I’d like to apologize to the Jacket nation for raising a brainless jacka$$…
By REGGIE BALL
August 15, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
I use to lob passes like that into the enzone. Usually to someone wearing red and black.
Will anyone give me a job.
By Tanner
August 15, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
A GEORGIA TECH FIGHT=2 GIRLYMEN SLAPPING EACH OTHER WHILE ADJUSTING THEIR CLOTHING
By joel
August 15, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Yes Tickle Piles do exist. They have been a Tech Tradition since the 60’s although they were not so controversial and sexual in those days.
By Dan
August 15, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
I understand Matt. Thanks for the response. I played f’ball and was on scholarship at FSU (class of ‘63) but have lived in the Atl. metro area all my life and am a big fan of GT. Keep up the good work with your “on the spot” reporting. Any of you guys in the ‘63 (football) class at FSU or The Baylor School (Chattanooga) class of ‘59, give me a shout. Would love hearing from you.
By Tiger-Fans Grandmother
August 15, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
When my Mongoloid grandson was born we abandoned him in the woods where he was raised by wolves.
By Josh H
August 15, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Wrecker1.
Going to have go ahead and admit that my knowledge of the game of football extends only to being a spectator and from what I pickup from Madden. Well, that and the little bit of pickup flag football I play on weekends :)
I’ve seen Reggie hit a few deep ones, a 50+ yard completion to Bilbo in the bowl game vs. Syracuse a few years back comes to mind. So maybe his arm strength wasn’t spectacular, but was just going based upon what I’ve heard there.
His accuracy of course, was an issue, to the point where the only passes I remember against Wake Forest were balls thrown down the sideline. Anyways, discussion isn’t really about Reggie Ball. Long gone :)
As far as Nesbitt goes, I’m curious as to how he’s grasping things. When he passes, does he use the whole field?
I guess my point is, can he be the real-deal as a dual threat, and not just a runner?
By The Duck
August 15, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
I wish people who want to trash Georgia Tech would do so on the vent, or on their own boards, and leave this forum for those of us who are supporters of and/or interested in serious comments/questions about the Jackets.
By total fan
August 15, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Listen UP,GA. TECH MY CRYSTAL BALL SAYS YOU MAY BE IN THE GAME FOR THE CRYSTAL BALL!!!!! THIS LOOKS TO BE YOUR YEAR. THE ACC IS IN FOR A DOWN YEAR. PLAY WELL EARLY AND PLAY STRONG LATE. THINGS MAY FALL IN YOUR LAP?????
By gtgirl25
August 15, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Glad to see that the injuries are healing well. Can’t wait til September 1st in South Bend!
Go Jackets…THWG!!!
By shivas
August 15, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
Nice to see 2 things: 1. GT players getting healthy, 2. gtgirl on the blogs Tiger fans, please pay attention to gtgirl’s blogs as she knows her football, is witty, and full of class. I am sure your ilk would feel more at home on the Clemson blog site where everyone other than yourself is an idiot. And yes gtgirl, THWG!!! P.S.- Shivas is a name Stupid. Perhaps you can look it up during recess tommorrow.
By BuzzFactor
August 16, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
16 days from kickoff, I’m thinking a few of these injuries have lasted too long. However, I do think we have enough depth to play against a weaker ND team.
By Michael
August 16, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Whats this fighting thing? Anybody ever gone to a boxing match and seen a football game break out. So High School.
By Spike
August 16, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Tiger Fan… you really have the geeks stirred up today. GATA!!
By GTStudent
August 16, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
I’ve been to all the morning practices this week except yesterday, as well as the scrimmage on Saturday.
Bennett looks solid. I don’t know if Nesbitt or Booker will get the #2 job - Nesbitt has impressed me with his running game, but Booker isn’t looking shabby overall either.
On the WF front, Willie White is looking good, as is Greg Smith. James Johnson looks really good too - he’s hustling and really working hard. Demaryius Thomas didn’t look bad either, but I know he’s coming back from his knee sprain and may not be at full speed yet.
Overall, looks like a good year is coming for us. Definitely excited about the season!