AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWeek 1 shows …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some observations through four of 15 Georgia Tech spring practice sessions:
—Josh Nesbitt showed in today’s scrimmage that he has the potential to fit Paul Johnson’s offense. He has a lot of learning ahead of him, but the raw creative ability he has is a gift that isn’t teachable.
—Johnson is serious when he talks about getting Tech tougher. He has absolutely no patience for anything but all-out effort. And he doesn’t mind calling out a player when he doesn’t see it. He has challenged Jonathan Dwyer. In today’s scrimmage, I thought Dwyer responded. But it was noteworthy that Dwyer began the scrimmage as a second-teamer, behind Quincy Kelly at B-back (fullback).
—That being said, don’t get too caught up in who is where on the depth chart. This is a team in a state of flux. It is, however, interesting to note when something changes. Jake Blackwood moved up to second team at safety, with Willie White moving down. Roddy Jones moved up to join Jamaal Evans at first-team A-back (slotback), with Greg Smith moving down.
—I have written very little about the defensive line, because, frankly, it’s the one spot on the team where I don’t see a lot of questions. When you’ve got Darryl Richard and Vance Walker in the middle and Derrick Morgan and Michael Johnson on the outside, things look good, and having guys like Elris Anyaibe and Robert Hall (who is injured) behind those starters ought to be reassuring, and there are about four other guys who might contribute. It’s good these days to be Giff Smith, the line coach.
—Yes, Mario Butler got burned on the 51-yard touchdown pass from Nesbitt to Demaryius Thomas, but he also has done some things that suggest he has a chance to be an answer at cornerback. Jerrard Tarrant, another corner, isn’t quite as far along but made a great play today when he blitzed and stripped the ball from Calvin Booker. Dave Wommack (safeties) and Charles Kelly (corners) probably will have only one player in their top five defensive backs who isn’t a redshirt freshman or a sophomore. That would be Jahi Word-Daniels. So though things could be a little bumpy this fall in the defensive backfield, they ought to be better in 2009 and 2010.
—The offensive line is likely to go through some shuffling between now and the season opener against Jacksonville State. There might be a pretty good competition at center between Dan Voss and Trey Dunmon. Fifth-year senior David Brown is an unlikely-looking right tackle, listed at 6-3, 271. (What a great story he would be if he does contribute on the offensive line after all the former defensive lineman has been through.) Does Cord Howard play there in the fall, or does the spring practice he’ll miss because of his broken foot put him too far behind? How long is it before redshirt freshman Clyde Yandell makes a move up the depth chart, and does he move into that right tackle spot?
That’s all for now. I have more to say, and some of it will show up in stories scheduled to be posted online Monday morning and evening.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By buzz29
March 30, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this
You’re doing a helluva, helluva good job with the reports Mike. Thanks!!!! THWG
By GTBandit22
March 30, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
Once Josh gets his reads down, he’ll be hard to stop. The OL will shuffle around a bit, but Hill might sneak up and get some serious PT at Tackle. It is truly an open competition at every spot, and they are responding. Can’t wait until toe meets leather
By GTA
March 30, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this
Is Nick Claytor practicing?
By surfrider
March 30, 2008 3:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the updates. The one thing this offense appears to do is let the players athleticism take over in both running and passing which if the play is broken is a big help. The good news is we have’nt had that much attrition with injuries, etc.. and seem to have some depth available at many positions. A lot more players seem to be involved in this offense and it’s no mistake many high schools are starting to study it, maybe showing a trend to adjust the proset since it’s hard for every school to have a dropback passer.
By surfrider
March 30, 2008 3:18 AM | Link to this
Good blog. One thing is this offense allows athleticism to take over since it seems to open up more one on one opportunities. Have you heard anthing on the kicking game who the kickers are at least two deep there? And if get a chance what is QB situation after Josh and Booker and little about the walkon program?
By yellowblood
March 30, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
The success of week 1 can be attributed to Paul’s acceptance of our time honored tradition of Tickle Piles. Give’s the guys some time for fun and relaxation.
By m
March 30, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
It is so nice that Tech has a REAL college football coach after going through 6 years of the worst coach in NCAA history. Tech football is back.
By tac
March 30, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
While we all agree Chan Gailey was a good man there has been something lacking in Tech sports, and as I read the reports it is easy to see Paul Johnson has brought it to Tech. Toughness and discipline is the key in anything. The attitude of refusing to lose is exciting. Tech does not need to have easier standards, they have great, intelligent athletes that were not taken to the level of toughness. I hear about our basketball team; what’s the matter,they have ability but were out played because of effort. Hansbrough of NC is the perfect example. How bad do you want to win. He has no limit. 5 three star players with his attitude would be unstoppable.We might lose a lot this ear but i believe our players will leave it on the field and we will be proud of their effort.
By ugablows
March 30, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
m, please lay off of Coach Gailey, i think that’s it’s safe to say that EVERYONE who reads these blogs is aware of your ridiculous opinion of a fine man and a very decent coach….worst coach in history?? pu-lease do you recall an individual who “coached” on the flats in the early 90’s by the name of Bll Lwis???
By Gailey got fired
March 30, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
that puts him about even with bill lewis.
If he was a very decent coach he wouldn’t been fired. He was severely out of his element in the NCAA’s and wasted talent on this team the past 6 years. He was a below avg coach saved by an above average D-coord. That ship has sunk…the fact some of you gailey homers still defend him amazes me.
By m
March 30, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
I would take Bill Lewis over Chan Gailey any day. At least Lewis tried. Chan came to Tech to make a big salary because he couldn’t get a head coaching job in the pros. He could have cared less about Tech…then and now. He destoyed Tech football. Thank GOD and GREYHOUND he is gone.
By GA Tech Insider
March 30, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
I agree, great job, Mike. For all GA Tech fans who are interested, one of GA Tech’s Coaches has put up a public blog about the Spring Practices that may be of interest.
Coach’s Blog
If you start at the bottom and work your way up, you can follow from day one on. I hope you enjoy…
By GTYellowjackets1
March 30, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
You guys need to get over Chan. HE was here and never had a losing record. The above average D-Coor apparently wasn’t that good that he only could land a job at Noter Dame. Forget the past and talk about the excitement of the future. The Paul Johnson era has begun.
By m
March 31, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
GT, you are correct. The Johnson era has begun. And the Gailey ‘ERROR’ is over. Hallleeeeedamlooyah.
By GA Tech Insider
March 31, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
m; I would agree with others on this post. Everyone knows that you are happy to see that GA Tech has a new Head football Coach. Son, let it go. All this anger isn’t good for you. Let’s try to be positive on these posts from now on.
By Navigator
March 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
The question still remains for PJohnson; If the triple option fails, will he modify his offense? Every coach wants a solid running attack, and many good coaches use running more often than passing. Remember Oklahoma and Texas stopped using the t-option because sophisticated defensives sets could stop it.
By birdman
March 31, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
two words for CPJ: play nesbitt. the best option for a qb in his type of offense.
By jda
March 31, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
m, you’ve made your point about Gailey ad nausea. I know it may be hard for you, but if you are truly a Tech fan, you should be intelligent enough and able to post something worth reading.