Competition open on defense

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said they are going to open up the competition at the defensive end, cornerback and safety ahead of this week's 3:30 p.m. game against Wake Forest.

Johnson said they are going to decide between either Anthony Egbuniwe or Izaan Cross at the defensive end. Dominique Reese has started the past three games at safety, but a shoulder injury that he's been fighting through flared up and forced him to sit out the second half of the 56-31 win against Vanderbilt. Jerrard Tarrant sat out most of the game at cornerback because of a back injury. Outside linebacker Steven Sylvester had to leave the game with an undisclosed injury as well.

"There's a few places we can have some competition," Johnson said.

In a recurring theme from the season, the Jackets (8-1) were victimized mostly by big plays against Vanderbilt. Six plays resulted in 225 of the Commodores' 397 yards. Johnson and defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said missed tackles and missed assignments were the reasons for some of the plays.

The Yellow Jackets have allowed 41 plays of at least 20 yards this season. They allowed 43 all of last season.

Outside linebacker Sedric Griffin said giving up big plays "takes the gas" out of the defense and has been an issue for the past two seasons. However, the solution isn't complicated.

"Fixing the reads and tackling," Griffin said.

Special teams tweaks

Tech worked on special teams on Monday, "tweaking" a few things and making a few personnel changes on the kickoff coverage teams, Johnson said.

Johnson said he liked the changes, but added it always looks good against air.

Tech allowed an 80-yard touchdown return in Saturday's win against Vanderbilt, the second kickoff return for a touchdown it has allowed this season.