AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHere’s who’s starting for Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think.
It goes without saying that after two-plus weeks of football practice, and especially after the second scrimmage, figuring out who is going to play where should be easier for Georgia Tech observers.
But those observers cannot confirm their theories visually. Practice is closed to the public and media from here on out.
That’s far from unusual. Many college coaches only open up a practice or two in the summer, or let the media watch only the first 20 minutes or so, etc.
Without going too deep, here’s my projected starting lineup, working on the assumption until I know otherwise that RT David Brown will be healthy and able by the opener:
WR - Tyler Melton A-back - Roddy Jones LT - Andrew Gardner LG - Cord Howard C - Dan Voss RG - Joseph Gilbert RT - David Brown A-back Greg Smith WR - Demaryius Thomas B-back - Jonathan Dwyer QB - Josh Nesbitt
DE - Michael Johnson DT - Vance Walker DT - Darryl Richard DE - Derrick Morgan OLB - Anthony Barnes MLB - Brad Jefferson OLB - Kyle Jackson CB - Jahi Word-Daniels CB - Mario Butler S - Morgan Burnett S - Dominique Reese
PK - Scott Blair P - Chandler Anderson
No clue on returners.
The only tricky picks on offense are LG and the A-back position opposite Roddy Jones.
Jason Hill kind of slipped from the guard competition as he was injured some late in camp, and Howard definitely had the second-highest number of meaningful reps at G after Gilbert. A.J. Smith might still have time by the opener to work into that discussion (or at T if Brown’s injury is a problem), but he’s missed a lot of time recently.
That other A-back spot is sticky. Greg Smith missed a bunch of practice, obviously, but has been back in action nearly a week. The other options may be led by Lucas Cox. He may be as good a blocker as Tech has at the position, but perhaps the lesser threat as a runner — and probably as a receiver — among those in contention for the spot.
I’m having a hard time pegging Andrew Smith’s spot in the A-back pecking order since he was injured. He’s been back, but … I just haven’t been able to tell.
The other players who’ve seen action enough to warrant consideration would be Embry Peeples and Jonathan Malone. Marcus Wright is out of it, unless coaches reverse their trend of the past week. He was relegated to scout team work, mostly, although he got some action in the scrimmage. He needs to ramp up tremendously as a blocker, receiver, and at ball security. Looks like a redshirt.
On defense, I don’t see a lot of debate possibilities past Reese/Mario Edwards at a safety spot, and maybe, just maybe Butler at CB. Edward worked a bunch at No. 1 once his eligibility was confirmed, but after four or five days, he appeared to slip on the depth chart as if he was pushed off a cliff.
If Edwards were to be No. 1, though, I think Reese might be in consideration with Butler at that CB spot.
The nickel and dime spots have been fluctuating, although I feel comfortable predicting that freshman S Cooper Taylor will see action as a nickel and/or dime safety from the season’s start.
I will check in later today.
P.S. Disclaimer: This is not official; it is a blog, and subjective in nature. Terms, conditions, exceptions and especially exemptions apply.
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Comments
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By Clarity
August 18, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
JAYBO SHAW IS NOT THE STARTER? I guess I need to speak with PJ. Being the CEO of a Fortune 500 Corporation I can probably get his head right on this one. I get paid millions to know who is the best for any position. I’ll take care of this guys. Don’t worry.
By yellowblood
August 18, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
A great lineup and what’s even more significant is that almost all these guys are regular attendees at Student Tickle Piles. They are upholding our traditions.
THWG! SA’s at UGAY are so dumb that they can’t get in school at Tech!!!!
By UGArbage
August 18, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
3 great posts guys. That moron gTech has become Clarity now. That loser just can’t stay away from the GT blogs apparently.
I believe that Mario Edwards will be starting at safety mid-way through the year, if not sooner.
By Tom
August 18, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
‘blood,
I would wager that there are no more than a half-dozen to dozen or so players on UGA’s roster that wouldn’t have been able to get past ‘The Hill’ for an athletics admission at Tech, and only a few of those on the basis of scores/grades. The rest would’ve only been shy on the number of core classes (usually the math) that GT’s admissions requires.
Luckily, the NCAA minimums on core classes for enrollees starting with Fall 2008 has gone up again. While still falling just short of Tech’s core course requirements it brings the playing field a bit closer to level (although the GPA/score minimums will still exclude some who meet NCAA requirements).
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By tfan
August 18, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
It’s Joseph Gilbert, not Dan.
By HomeDawg
August 18, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Tom: There are many more than a dozen who didn’t (and still don’t) want to go to GTU anyway - has nothing to do with academics. Let’s see how many engineers and business management majors actually graduate from your team. You’re kidding yourself if you think all of your student-athletes got past “the Hill” by meeting the same requirements as the rest of the student body. Jeez, this academic superiority complex never ends. This is an athletic blog.
By Jason
August 18, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Guys, please don’t respond to any UGA poster who obviously has nothing better to do. Just ignore them and they will go away. They are just children trying to get attention.
By Tom
August 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Homely,
I never said GT student-athletes had to meet the same requirements as the general student body. Heck, if Tech AND UGA required that, we’d BOTH be playing D-III ball……and losing!
The point was made in rebuttal to yellowblood’s erroneous assertion.
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By GT76
August 18, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
The grades and SAT’s needed for getting into UGA or TECH may be about the same these days, but staying in and getting out (of TECH) is where you separate the two. It’s a LOT harder to get a degree at TECH than it is at UGA!
By GoodWord on the Street
August 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Matt, any word on David Brown yet? I think your predictions on the starting line up are spot on. I bet Earls or Andrew Smith will return punts.
By GT
August 18, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Who is the fastest guy we have on this team? I wonder if the new offense is that dependent on speed or do you take that old fashion football player nobody wants now days, that Riggins or Kick and wear somebody out. You hold the ball forever and never let the racehorses get it and when they do they are so nervous knowing the time is limited for them to preform that they have stadium backup and don’t get the job done.
By StraightJacket
August 18, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Let me do some guesswork for you, Matt:
If Brown can’t go at RT, then my guess is Yandell over Claytor - but BOTH will play. I also guess that A.J will supplant Cord, if healthy enough to go.
I predict Cox will not start at A-Back. If Smith is still too beat-up - or behind, then I’m betting on Embry P.
Melton for punt returner, with Earls and Dwyer at kickoff return. Don’t be surprised to see lots of “first stringers” on special teams, a la Frank Beamer.
Watch out for the “Gary Lanier Offense” in the first game, so as NOT to show much to BC on firm re: our new passing game. Jaybo will get snaps, and won’t be redshirted,… or so I predict.
I predict Cooper Taylor will be redshirted - IF Tarrant comes back to give us depth in the secondary.
Matt, can ya shoot some holes in those predictions?
-SJ
By Big Brad CH 99
August 18, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Hey, HomeDawg, what the heck is GTU, you need to do your Homework, before making stupid comments like that. U must not have watched any GT football, b/c one of the most common Trivia ?’s is what 5 1-A Universities, do not have the title Univ. in their names.
… drum Roll Please.
Answer: the 3 Military Academies (Army, Navy, & Air Force.) BC, and GA Institute of Technology (better known as GA Tech or GT). Not GTU.
By techbacker
August 18, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Matt,
You have Punter as Chandler Crosby. Do you mean Chandler Anderson?