AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 06
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sorting through football matters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Scattershooting …
Interesting tidbits on the first football depth chart under coach Paul Johnson.
Surprised to hear of developments with Joe Hamilton.
First, on the depth chart …
Bryce Dykes, former walk-on, is No. 2 at QB behind Josh Nesbitt. Calvin Booker is No. 3. Not a shock, based on Dykes’ performances in spring, and all the evidence you need to say Paul Johnson is starting with a clean slate, and going from the ground up.
But there’s more evidence. Three players who started all or parts of last year who were injured this spring are not listed as starters, but potential starters. At strongside linebacker, the starter is listed as redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson OR returning starter Shane Bowen — who missed all spring after shoulder surgery. Anthony Barnes is moving from strongside to weakside, where he’s listed as starter. Brad Jefferson is No. 1 at MLB. At LG, it is Jason Hill OR A.J. Smith, who started some at RT last season. At RG, it is redshirt freshman Joseph Gilbert OR Cord Howard, who started some at RT last season. Howard missed all spring after leg surgery, and Smith was very limited by his troublesome elbow.
Other interesting developments: The experiment moving WR Greg Smith to B-back is not over. Roddy Jones is listed as one starter. At the other spot: Jamaal Evans OR Greg Smith. The starting WRs are Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls. Backups are freshman Tyler Melton (the only freshman on the depth chart, as he participated in the spring) and Zach Fisher.
Punter and kicker spots remain up for competition.
Jerrard Tarrant, a redshirt freshman from Carrollton, has beaten out Mario Butler for a starting CB spot, at least for now.
Dominique Reese is listed as the No. 1 free safety, with Jake Blackwood behind him and redshirt freshman Willie White No. 3.
David Brown, the much-traveled David Brown, remains No. 1 at RT, ahead of redshirt freshman Clyde Yandell. Paul Johnson told me last month he really likes Brown, and that Yandell has considerable work to do. He played defense only until his senior year in high school, when he moved to offense. I think that guys going to be very good when he figures out what’s being asked of him.
The O-line does not appear remotely deep, particularly with the transfer of Trey Dunmon and the “retirement” of Jacob Lonowski (recurring shoulder problems). If A.J. and Cord are slow to bounce back from their injuries, depth becomes more of an issue even before a game is played.
On Hamilton, who was arrested Monday night near campus for some sort of a situation that the police report suggests may have involved alcohol, marijuana and a possible hit & run … I’m almost speechless. Don’t know what to say. Tech just hired him (despite rumors out there for weeks and weeks) nine or 10 days ago.
See story on website for more.
Later.
