Georgia Tech went "live," or almost full-go, near the end of practice Tuesday afternoon, the Yellow Jackets' second session in full pads.

In sum, the defense looked more alive than the offense, which was dropped for a safety at least three times. On the first play, as the offense began each series backed up against its 2-yard line, quarterback Josh Nesbitt was smashed and dropped by end Derrick Morgan.

Pouya Dianat/pdianat@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt runs from the grasp of a defender during the team's second practice with pads.

RELATED STORIES On Twitter, golfer Cink hits straight to the point  Tech's Roddy Jones optimistic he'll start season  Tech gearing to play Siena next three seasons  Tech reports four secondary violations to NCAA  Lady Jackets will host Winthrop in preseason Women's NIT         • More Tech coverage

That looked from afar like a safety. But looks were deceiving.

The ball was placed at about an inch from the goal line. Then, the No. 1 offense moved to a first down against the No. 1 defense. In fact, the No. 1 offense was relatively efficient, but the No. 2 and 3 offenses were greatly troubled.

"It's a lot easier to play third-team defense than it is to play third-team offense," coach Paul Johnson said. "Sometimes, you can't judge. In that drill, the second and third defense kicked the second and third offense, but the first team offense made a first down every time."

Practice highlights

In the live sessions, where whistles sometimes — but not always — blew early if a quarterback was in trouble, Nesbitt snuck for a short-yardage first down, and also completed a pass to Demaryius Thomas for another as each unit had four plays to gain a first down. The series was over if there was a safety.

B-back Jonathan Dwyer ran for a first down as A-back Marcus Wright cut down blitzing cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels on the backside.

Also, reserve B-back Anthony Allen, the Louisville transfer who must sit out this season, had an impressive first-down run. Freshman A-back Embry Peeples got outside for a rare 10-yard gain for one of the backup offenses.

Generally, though, reserve defenders had their way.

"Their reads to the ball are way too fast," said freshman walk-on A-back Jamal Paige of Woodward Academy. "I just think with the formations, they're able to [read and] adjust that way."

A-backs on the move

In addition to Jones and Greg Smith being out at A-back, there has been other movement at the position.

Austin Barrick, who played A-back in the spring after working at tight end last season, is moving to offensive line. Also, Quincy Kelly worked some at A-back, or slot back, after previously working as a B-back.

"The first day I was running around like a lost man, but now I feel more a part of the team," Peeples said. "I can tell other people what to do so I'm pretty much like a teacher."

Etc.

A-backs Roddy Jones (hamstring) and Greg Smith (hamstring) did not practice, and neither did wide receivers Correy Earls (hamstring) or Tyler Melton (shoulder), or defensive back Rashaad Reid (unknown).

Offensive linemen Cord Howard (stinger) and Alex Paquette were injured in practice, but neither appeared serious. ... The hit of the day came when reserve safety Mario Edwards blasted Thomas on a reverse, causing a fumble. ... Practices on Thursday will be at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. ... Johnson said work on the hurry-up offense will being about two weeks into practice. ... Marist safety Cooper Taylor has worked some with the No. 1 defense in nickel or dime defenses. ... Ball handling and ball security appears to have improved over the past couple practices.