Linebackers deliver hits on T-Day

Georgia Tech linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary set forth a simple challenge to his unit this spring: Be disruptive.

Sedric Griffin delivered on the first play Saturday. Slamming quarterback Jaybo Shaw on a blitz, Griffin forced a fumble that defensive tackle Jason Peters recovered.

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Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com

Tech’s Gold defensive squad — which included Ben Anderson (98), Sedric Griffin (54), Jason Peters (92), Anthony Egbuniwe (41) and Brad Jefferson (51) — stops Preston Lyons on a run play.

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It was the start of an impressive T-Day game by Tech’s linebacking corps, which was plagued by injuries and inexperience last season.

“I saw they had a little counter-action, and I wanted to be disruptive and try to cause the fumble,” said Griffin, who’ll be a senior this fall. “I was just doing my job out there and trying to set the tone for this season. Just hit, hit, hit and let people know we’re here for the long haul.”

Griffin made six tackles, one for a loss, and recovered a fumble in addition to the one he forced. Tech’s other starting linebacker, Brad Jefferson, made five tackles, including a sack.

Mario Edwards, playing a hybrid linebacker/safety position called the “Wolf,” shared the team lead with 10 tackles, and he forced a fumble.

As became routine during spring practice, Griffin’s punishing tackles drew oohs and aahs from the crowd.

“We need to call him the assassin,” defensive end Robert Hall said.

Added Jefferson: “We talk about it all the time in the locker room. [Griffin] doesn’t care if you’re on his team, on his side. If you’re in his way, he’s going to hit you.”

Playing on the White team (No. 2 defense), linebacker Kyle Jackson caused a fumble. Steven Sylvester made eight tackles and B.J. Machen seven.

The No. 1 defense started strong, shutting out the No. 1 offense for over a quarter.

“We weren’t able to move the ball very much at the beginning of the scrimmage,” said A-back Roddy Jones, who did most of his damage as a receiver, catching three balls for 72 yards.

“I think the defensive line played well today. Robert Hall [four tackles, one for loss, pass breakup], Anthony Egbuniwe [six tackles, one for loss]. Morgan Burnett and Dominique Reese as always were flying around the field.”

The disruption started with the linebackers.

Jefferson and Griffin said they had heard Jean-Mary’s recent comment that it was sometimes hard to tell that Tech used linebackers last season. They didn’t take issue with it, but they vowed 2009 will be a lot different.

“He was right,” said Jefferson, who will be a junior this fall. “Sometimes we didn’t show up, we had our heads out of the game, we were messing up on assignments or we just weren’t connecting.

“I think we showed today that, as a unit, we can play.”