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Thursday, August 14, 2008
Depth charts! Get GT depth charts here!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just kidding.
Unlike my colleague in Athens, I don’t know how to imbed links or I’d post one to the new Tech depth chart here. It’s on the school’s website, ramblinreck.com. I just know those of you who really care will manage to find a working link somewhere.
(Editorial assistance: PDF Depth Chart)
Oh wait … looky there. Happy, happy.
Depending on your criteria for surprise, there are few to nearly none, and there are a few items that make little or no sense. We were told it can change by the hour, which was like saying, “This is just so you’ll stop bugging me, not to be interpreted as gospel.”
I’ll say this, though,even though we all know youth will be the buzzword (sorry) for the Jackets this season, seeing that depth chart really pounds it home.
When you look at the offensive skill positions (QB, B-back, two A-back and two WR spots) and see just two upperclassmen listed among those 18 spots, and then note that neither (A-backs Greg Smith and Jonathan Malone, both juniors) are listed as starters, well, that’s an eye-opener.
Altogether, there are just eight of 24 upper classmen listed as starters, and seven of those eight are on the O- and D-lines (Gardner, LG A.J. Smith, C Dan Voss, DTs Walker and Richard and DE Michael Johnson; the other is CB Jahi Word-Daniel). PK is sophomore Scott Blair, and P for now is R.-soph. Chandler Anderson.
The QB depth goes Nesbitt-Shaw-Dykes, which should surprise nobody.
Oddities:
Sr. Andrew Smith is not listed among the top six A-backs. That can’t be right, can it? Unless he’s changed positions and I’m not aware of it.
Sophomore Preston Lyons as the No. 3 B-back. Preston’s been an A-back to my eye, and he is not eligible this season. The former Marist star transferred from Colgate and has to sit out. The backup B-back behind Dwyer is Quincy Kelly, who also has worked a little at A-back. No Richard Watson.
OK, maybe it’s not odd, but five of the six WRs listed are freshmen, including projected starter Tyler Melton, or redshirt freshmen. Sophomore Demaryius Thomas, a returning starter, is the only non-frosh. Others in the mix for now are R.-Fr. walk-ons R.B. Clyburn and Zach Fisher, and Fr. Daniel McKayhan and Quentin Sims. No sign of Correy Earls, who began camp as a starter but hasn’t practiced since day three (hamstring).
Little surprised to see A.J. Smith as the No. 1 LG rather than Jason Hill (who’s No. 2 RG). Smith’s missed quite a bit of practice time.
No surprises on defense, although Soph. Mario Edwards is listed as the No. 1 FS even though he’s been working reserves, even scout team, the past two practices. Maybe they’re just messing with his mind, checking out how he’ll handle it.
In sum, young, young and younger.
There will be changes.
Later
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A little of this, a little of that
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wouldn’t make much of the fact that Josh Nesbitt was initially expected to practice Wednesday afternoon after bruising his shoulder in the morning practice only to not practice after all. Nor if he doesn’t practice this afternoon. I bet he’s limited.
If he doesn’t practice Friday, then it gets a little curious. And what about the scrimmage Saturday morning?
Paul Johnson told it like it was when I asked if Mario Edwards and Martin Frierson were being disciplined after I saw them working scout team yesterday afternoon. It’s in the notebook in the paper/on-line. If you haven’t seen the comment:
“We’re just rolling bodies in and out,” the coach said. “They didn’t do very well this morning [in practice] so we’re giving other guys a chance.”
Thing coach is getting everybody’s attention?
Greg Smith hasn’t taken long to get back in the groove after missing all that time.
I’ve said all along the Donley transfer was not a slam dunk. No, he’s not re-joining Tech’s team. At least not soon. I don’t think Purdue knew of his academic standing, etc., when the Boilermakers took him as a transfer. I wonder if they know now?
Hate this for D.J. I like him. Somebody’s giving him horrible advice, methinks.
Lesson: with transfers, as with many things, terms, conditions and exceptions included. Gotta cross t’s and do i’s.
More later.
Matt
