AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 18
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Tech, Blair healthier than U might think
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Early words from Bobby Dodd Stadium: don’t count out Scott Blair. The walk-on freshman kicker from Calhoun appears to be very much in the mix for the right to kickoff.
The Yellow Jackets haven’t done a lot yet in today’s scrimmage, as of 11:45, but they worked kickoffs with incumbent Mohamed Yahiaoui kicking off twice, once with the No. 1 cover unit, and once with the No. 2 unit. Then, Blair did the same thing. Nobody else (don’t know if that means Travis Bell is out of consideration because I know he’s the best at placing the ball where special teams coach Charles Kelly wants it, but he’s third in leg strength).
Bear in mind a new rule moves the ball back to the 30-yard-line for kickoffs this season.
Yahiaoui’s first kick went to the 2- or 3-yard-line, decent hang time, and coverage was good. Jamaal Evans returned it to about the 13.
Yahiaoui’s second kick went to the goal line, but was a line drive, which hurt the No. 2 coverage team. Rashaun Grant returned 42 yards.
Blair’s first kick went 2 yards deep with great air time, a helluva kickoff, and was returned 10 yards to the 8-yard-line — No. 1 kickoff cover team (I can only presume) on the job.
Blair’s second kick went to the 5, good hang time but not like the first though better than Yahiaoui’s second and perhaps even with the first. 13-yard return to the 18-yard line.
Make of that what you will.
Cord Howard is back. I can tell four players who are out: A.J. Smith, Colin Peek, Travis Chambers and I don’t see Correy Earls (who was not going to play today anyway) anywhere.
I’m mildly suprised to see Mike Cox in uniform, although presently RS-Soph. Matt Kamp is working FB with the No. 1 offense. Also, WRs James Johnson (knee) and D.J. Donley are in uniform, and Johnson’s already playing. Don’t know yet about Donley.
Quincy Kelly, who collapsed in practice yesterday, is here, but not participating. Don’t know any more yet about what happened to him.
First offense working its first possession against No. 2 defense. Tashard has had several very nice runs already. This may be his only possession.
Looking for a tip during this commercial timeout. Anybody got ANY suggestions on how to make a dog shed less? Seriously. We’ve had a Kelpie for about seven months. Great dog, somewhat rare in the U.S. (an Australian herding dog), but he sheds like nobody’s business. Lacquer? We brush him pretty regularly, but still …
Back to it …
Third-and-8 from the defense’s 18 … Bennett has to sidestep in the pocket, and Jake Blackwood breaks up Bennett’s pass over the middle for Johnson. Field goal unit on. His 35-yarder is good.
Brad Sellers working No. 1 TE.
Donley’s out there with the No. 2 offense.
Gonna go.
By the way, former Tech TE George Cooper, who caught a touchdown last night in the Falcons’ win at Buffalo, is on the sideline.
Matt
