It is becoming safer by the day to suggest that Georgia Tech quarterback Jaybo Shaw will not redshirt this season, but before gushing about how well the freshman quarterback played in Saturday's scrimmage, apply perspective.

Yes, Shaw rushed for two touchdowns and completed 3 of 6 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.

But there is an important consideration: He worked against many inexperienced backup defenders, and he didn't work against Tech's starting defensive line.

"Josh [Nesbitt] is still the quarterback, but you've got to feel good about the way Jaybo played today, and we'll let them compete," coach Paul Johnson said. "Josh did some good things, too. There's a lot of difference when you play against the first-team defense and when you play against the second team."

Tech's defensive line, led by starting tackles Vance Walker and Darryl Richard and ends Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan, is the strongest, most experienced unit on the team. Left tackle Andrew Gardner is the only starting lineman who started all of last season.

"The first-team defense's front is better than our first-team offensive front, and I don't think that's any secret," Johnson said. "So it's not exactly apples and apples. Quite honestly, with the first group it's hard to throw because they can't protect against the first-team defensive line."

Offense short-handed

Johnson said he did not believe any player sustained a serious injury. On the subject of the No. 1 offense and passing difficulties, though, it's worth pointing out that starting wide receiver candidate Correy Earls (hamstring) has been out more than a week, and the presumed top three A-backs — who are essentially slot receivers in the passing game — are out (Greg Smith, Andrew Smith) or limited by injury (Roddy Jones). That leaves a lot of youth at A-back. Plus, emerging wide receiver Tyler Melton, out earlier this week with a shoulder injury, appears limited.

Shaw overcomes jitters

Shaw's 59-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Quentin Sims was underthrown, but caught when coverage was poor. His 52-yard pass to freshman A-back Embry Peeples was more impressive because Shaw made a nice read, and laid the ball over coverage near the sideline to set up a field goal when the Jackets were working hurry-up offense.

Shaw also threw a 37-yard touchdown to wide receiver R.B. Clyburn.

"They were sitting back in cover two, and running [defensive backs] up on the option, and we thought we had a guy [deep] and we executed," Shaw said of the pass to Sims. "It's definitely a lot different than high school. A lot faster. Lot of fun; we got to play some football today. My nerves were all over the place this morning."

Mario Edwards in the mix

Coaches have wasted no time moving sophomore Mario Edwards into the mix since learning Thursday that the ACC approved him to play this season after transferring from Virginia Tech to be near his ailing father.

He and sophomore Morgan Burnett have been working as the nickel safeties, with safety Dominique Reese moving up in to the slot.

"It helps us a lot," Burnett said. "He's got experience under his belt."

Edwards gives coaches some flexibility to perhaps use Reese or Burnett in cornerback and nickel-back situations. That's an area of concern because the Jackets are green at corner beyond senior Jahi Word-Daniels — who intercepted a Nesbitt pass intended for wide receiver Damaryius Thomas.

Right now, sophomore Mario Butler is the other starting corner, with junior Martin Frierson, who in previous seasons has worked at wide receiver and safety, and redshirt freshman Michael Peterson as backups.

"You've got to work hard on technique, and then carry it onto the field," said cornerbacks coach Charles Kelly. "You see guys getting better, but they have to carry it onto the field. If I'm a young corner, I'm worried about that guy I'm on rather than is it third-and-7, second-and-4, where's the receiver lined up?"

Loving the fancy new digs

Rave reviews continue to flow in regarding the $750,000 weight room upgrade that coach Johnson sought several months ago. Athletics director Dan Radakovich approved the renovation.

"Dan knows what it takes and he's been very supportive," Johnson said. "We've re-done the offices, the players' lounge, the weight room. He's trying to help us get to where we need to be."

Big numbers for reserves

With the exception of B-back Jonathan Dwyer's 70-yard run on the second play, a beauty, most big offensive statistics were piled up by reserves — against reserves.

B-back Anthony Allen, who won't be able to play in a game until next season after transferring from Louisville, led all rushers with 105 yards on 17 carries, including a 57-yard run up the middle.

Freshman quarterback Tevin Washington rushed eight times for 75 yards, including a long keeper around right end late.

Finally, a day off

The Jackets will not practice today after practicing 14 times in the previous 11 consecutive days. They will practice Monday at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Paul Johnson said a working depth chart will probably be available Monday, and quarterback repetitions are likely to narrow down in practice. A good bet: Nesbitt, Shaw, and redshirt freshman Bryce Dykes will get most of the work running the base offense. Although Johnson did not say so, and was not asked, perhaps senior Calvin Booker, likely the most polished passer in the group, will be developed more for an alternative, situational attack — ie pass-oriented — rather than continuing to work on the base offense.

Blair's the man at kicker

Late in the scrimmage, junior Mohamed Yahiaoui prepared for a 52-yard field goal, but sophomore Scott Blair was sent running onto the field to replace him. Basically, Johnson's plan was to force Blair to function under duress, without a lot of time to get settled and so forth.

He nailed the kick.

"Scott's going to be the kicker, and I want to put him in those situations as much as I can where he's got to come in and make it," the coach said. "He's got a really strong leg, and ... I wanted him to make it for confidence, and for the team's confidence."

Learning loudly

The departure of defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta has not left the Tech practice fields a quieter place. The offensive staff assembled by Johnson, particularly co-line coaches Todd Spencer and Mike Sewak, is loud.

Gardner thinks it is by design that the staff rides herd.

"I think that has a lot to do with this style of offense," he said. "[Johnson] has installed a lot more of the up-tempo guys. All of them can and will jump on you quick. Even [wide receivers] coach [Buzz] Preston from time to time. That's more [Johnson's] offensive coaching style."

Extra points

Ball-handling was better than in spring scrimmages, but there were still some loose ones. Reserve defensive linemen Anthony Egbuniwe and Robert Hall and Reese all recovered fumbles. ... Redshirt freshman defensive end Jason Peters and had sacks. ... Starting defensive end Derrick Morgan said, "I think we're going to get a lot of pressure without all the blitzes we used to run." And he likes lining up further outside, as Tech ends are under new defensive coordinator Dave Wommack. "I can get up the field and get a better angle on whoever is trying to block me," Morgan said.