Tech QB Sims pushing for playing time

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Slimmer, stronger and more confident, David Sims is already doing everything he can to stake his claim to be Georgia Tech's No. 2 quarterback behind Josh Nesbitt.

Sims, Tevin Washington and Jordan Luallen went through their second spring practice on Wednesday. Nesbitt will miss the spring after minor ankle surgery but Sims is competing as if the No. 1 job is at stake.

"I'm just learning as much as I can," Sims said. "Hopefully I'll be able to play this year."

To get on the field, Sims has worked hard off it.

He weighed 230 pounds at the beginning of last summer's preseason practices and looked heavy. He's now down to 215 and looks quicker. He also spent the offseason studying film and conferring with wide receivers to learn more about where they liked certain passes.

It's a far cry from last August, when coach Paul Johnson called Sims out when he appeared to drop out of a conditioning drill.

"His attitude has done a 180," Johnson said. "He's working hard and trying to do the right things. He's got a real chance this spring of moving himself up."

There were rumors during the season that Sims was considering transferring. Johnson said it appears that, because Sims decided to stay at Tech, he's also decided he's going to work.

"It's just being more comfortable," Sims said. "Last year I was really pressing, trying to play early like most freshmen. Sometimes I would let my goals and my standards get the best of me when I wouldn't reach them."

Wide receiver Tyler Melton said he's noticed a difference in the redshirt freshman.

"Overall difference between him last year and this year is consistency," Melton said. "His passes, his placement of the ball, his footwork, where his shoulders are when he lets go of the ball. With consistency comes confidence so he's also got a lot of confidence in himself as well."

On the field

Johnson was pleased with the team's effort on Wednesday, but said the fun will begin Friday when the team puts on pads for the first time.

"You can never tell in shorts," he said.

Tech ran more plays out of the shotgun formation, but Johnson cautioned not to read too much into the choice for his traditional under-the-center, run-based offense.

"That's just for you guys," Johnson said. "You don't think we're going to actually use it in a game, do you? It's something to break the monotony in practice."

Zero technique

Nose tackle Logan Walls said he's enjoying the changes put in by new defensive coordinator Al Groh. Walls is transitioning from defensive tackle the last two season to nose tackle this season.

Walls is seeing two big difference. In Groh's 3-4 scheme, Walls said the defensive line is doing more reading and reacting, compared to last year when they would attack at the snap. He is also lining up over the center, instead of in a gap between the center and guard. It's called zero-technique.

Regardless of the scheme's philosophy or where he lines up, Walls said the goal is the same.

"I want to make a tackle or sack every play," he said.