AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson’s take on the O-line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m here at the Cobb Galleria listening to Georgia Tech’s coaches on the first stop of the Spring Coaches Caravan. Beforehand, I spent a few minutes talking with golf legend/football coach Paul Johnson.
After congratulating him on his hole-in-one, I asked him a bit about the offensive line. Cord Howard, he said, probably will begin the preseason practices at guard. Howard, you’ll remember, missed spring practice because of a broken foot.
The biggest surprise came when I asked him about depth at center, where Dan Voss is the center but Trey Dunmon, his presumptive back-up, is transferring. Nick McRae, the freshman from Dublin, is one option, Johnson said, and I nodded my head. Then: “A.J. Smith might be a guy,” he said, and I wasn’t expecting that. Smith, 6 feet 7, 299 pounds, is huge for a center.
Johnson saw my reaction. “He was one of the quickest guys off the ball,” Johnson said.
Another option, he said, might be Omoregie Uzzi, the 6-3, 291-pound freshman from Chamblee.
Other tidbits from the Caravan:
—Tech’s Lewis Clinch has bounced back quickly from minor postseason knee surgery, Hewitt said. (An earlier version of this blog misidentified the player.)
—Tech’s women’s basketball team will play an early-season game at Connecticut on ESPN, coach MaChelle Joseph said.
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By CarolinaJacket
May 1, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
So what is his take? Are we in pretty good shape, considering the new approach that they will be taking? Do we have any depths?
By yellowblood
May 1, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Did Paul talk at all about the team itself having it’s on Tickle Piles. It’s Paul’s idea. He thinks that holding his own will eliminate the wierdos that inhabit all the other campus Tickle Piles. I’m so much smarter than those Bulldog Nadlickers. THWG!!!
By Mike Knobler
May 1, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
CarolinaJacket
You’re inexperienced on the O-line, something Johnson points out whenever asked about it. Beyond Andrew Gardner, your most experienced guy is Dan Voss, and he’s going to be playing a new position. After that, it’s A.J. Smith, and he has missed a lot of time because of his elbow injury.
That’s his take.
By ALAGT
May 1, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
what about Brown? How did he figure in the line?
By surfrider
May 2, 2008 4:50 AM | Link to this
A flexible name to remember for several 2nd/3rd string spots may be Austin Barrick. Te’s that convert to HB’s, ol, or DL seem to do pretty well. A couple of names under Bill Curry that did that were Ken Parker (DL) and Mark Pike (maybe FB) to DL for the Buffalo Bills for a number of years. Curry seemed to like to recruit TE/LB types.
By son_sir
May 2, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Don’t you just hate it when M and yellowblood forget their medication ? I’m convinced they are one and the same. There’s no way two people can be that consistently idiotic.
Back to the blog.. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of freshmen with playing time, even at the QB position. This season is going to be about bulding for the future. Those looking for a quick fix may be very disappointed. Those patient enough will enjoy a future of consistency and success.
I’m willing to give CPJ and staff time to build. I prefer my football without the schizophrenia of recent years.
By Jan Kemp
May 2, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Yellowblood,
Man, you better hurry. You’re late for your Leisure and Recreation 401 class. Maybe you can work for the City of Athens when you get your “degree”.
By blazer
May 2, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
we have over 12-15 off. linemen-p.j.
will find five starters i believe.
Good news about Peacock-best all around player on bball team.
Great to schedule Uconn in womens bball-great for program-will help in
recruiting. GO YELLOW JACKETS!!
By Haywood Jablowme
May 2, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
You guys blow.
By ben
May 2, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
If Peacock is our best all-around player, then no wonder we went 12-17.
By BADDAWG
May 2, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
WHO CARES??? 200 showed up to hear the new coach….WOW!!!!! Sure he was impressed. Probably makes him wish he was back at GSU. What a joke of a program! 7 1/2 and counting…..thats right..only 6 months to your next DAWG beat down!!!!
By TheBigBone
May 2, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
son_sir is correct. CPJ will mold this program to one of respect and one that exhibits pride and hustle. He will be successful.
Hey son_sir….pass me that bottle, will you?
By blazer
May 2, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
hey peacock rebounds well, play post well and has a good range jump shot-and shot free throws very well and good passer. didn’t see others do as well as him late in season. improved the most during the year.
By Eagledawg
May 2, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Back in 1980, Erk had a goal for the Bulldawgs— beat Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and every team in between. CPJ will be successful at Tech, and probably sooner than many realize. I just love the idea of using the sound psychology of motivation as used by Erk, a true legend for Georgia Southern, Georgia, and all true college football fans. Sounds like PJ is using notes from those “zillion” speeches he made while at Georgia Southern.
By Eagledawg didn't get in Georgia
May 2, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
the name says it all
By Whitegoat
May 3, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
I am sure they are extremely glad they did not enroll at thug u.