AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 18
Monday, August 18, 2008
Here’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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