AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 24
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tech at it again, with Paul Johnson in charge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pretty good crowd for the first day of spring practice, it being a week day and starting at an hour (4 p.m.) when a lot of folks have to work.
Not in full uniforms yet, of course.
Bunch of number changes, although I won’t get into them here (other than former WR Willie White wearing No. 6 now that he’s working at safety).
If they were to play next week, White and Morgan Burnett (back to safety from CB) would probably be the starting safeties.
The secondary will bear a lot of watching this spring, and summer.
Interesting watching the new coaches, even the old coaches, in new roles.
Former special teams coach Charles Kelly is working with CBs. He’ll keep a hand in special teams, as will several coaches.
DC Dave Wommack is working with safeties.
Paul Johnson is working with QBs and B backs.
Everybody’s back to having their names taped on helmets.
KaMichael Hall, Gary Guyton and P.J. Daniels (on crutches) among former Jackets in attendance.
Supposed to be a good bit warmer by Wednesday’s practice, I think/hope. Windy out.
Another watch spot: kicker/punter. If I had to bet, I’d suggest Blair at PK, and dunno about punter. Yahioui will have a shot at that spot, but there are some unfamiliar names what will get good looks. They’re not kicking well today. Wind doesn’t help.
Depth chart? Forget it. Won’t be one released for weeks. Guys are just lumped in groups right now.
Changing gears a little bit … I know some fuss has been made about an increased tempo and the like. I gotta say, I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a coaching change where there wasn’t talk of an uptick in tempo. It just goes with the territory. Now, over time, there will be a more relevant evaluation of that. But has anybody every followed a coaching change only to hear players say, ‘Well, we’ve slowed things down.”? Uh, no.
New staff said to be getting along well. Less tension in the workplace for reasons that can be theorized about far and wide.
Short story will come on-line tomorrow morning about Jacob Lonowski’s decision to end his football career. Too many shoulder issues. He had a choice, but opted out. He’s here today.
Mike is writing for later about quarterbacks, and Johnson’s role working with them.
We’re going to post some sort of football story each morning for the next few weeks, whether Tech practices or not. On days following workouts, there will be at least two stories, the main that will be in the paper and an on-line story as well. Dunno about weekends, but on weekdays.
Later
