Tech's receivers learn to put team first

By Ray Glier

For the AJC

Terrell Owens, or any number of NFL receivers, would faint in the Georgia Tech offense, which asks receivers to rush up field for a pass that does not come as often as they would like.

Instead, they are asked mostly to block. And how do you think that would go over? Probably like kissing a hot iron.

Tyler Melton, a sophomore receiver for the Yellow Jackets, just smiles at the suggestion he is wasting his time in the spread option. Heading into Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt (2-6), Tech (7-1) is the only team in the ACC that has thrown less than 100 passes this season (90).

“It's not about getting psyched up to block, it's about getting psyched up to play in the game, to be on the field, to make a difference, that’s what’s important,” said Melton, who has caught one pass in four games since returning from an injury. “You come ready to play, so whatever you are asked to do, that's what you do.

“I get a little stuff from some of the guys back in high school about playing in this offense, but I’m here to work and get a great education.”

Blocking is what receivers did in the era before jeans were designer and computers were personal, an era when telephones needed to be plugged into walls. They usually did not whine about it.

The rotation of receivers, Melton, freshman Stephen Hill, and junior Demaryius Thomas, have done their job well enough to help spring Tech for big plays. When a running back gets loose for a long run, it is usually because there has been a block on the perimeter by a wide receiver. Tech has 40 plays of 20 yards or more.

“Anticipation is one good thing about my blocking, “Melton said. “Film study helps with that. You watch a guy on film, and based off of that, you can tell his run technique vs. his pass technique and how they come out of breaks; you can almost anticipate what they are going to do, so you are more ready.

“If he sees run, you know how he's going to close on the play. Different [defensive backs] will play around to try and keep outside contain. Based on film, you know how to key on them.”

Tech wide receivers have to be a little sneaky when making blocks, which is like asking a Gorilla to be quiet entering a room. It’s difficult to surprise someone when they know what’s coming on most plays.

“I try to come off the ball full speed every play like I am going to run a passing route,” Thomas said. “I want him thinking that I’m going out for a deep ball, not that I am going to end up blocking him. I might run a route to set him up so he might be on top of me. That helps me to block him.”

Of course, if a cornerback tries to jump a run play early, Thomas can get deep and hurt them with a big pass play. He has nine catches of 30 yards or more.

For Georgia Tech receivers, blocking is as much an art form as tiptoeing the sideline while making a catch. Thomas (6-foot-3, 229 pounds) is a physical receiver, and the smaller cornerbacks who are taking over the college game want to separate themselves from him for their own safety.

“First, you have to close the distance between you and the defensive back, the more room he has, the easier it is for him to get by you, so you have to get into him and make him have to deal with you,” said Al “Buzz” Preston, Tech's receivers coach. “Then a good ball carrier will help set you up, so you have a good position to block, and that’s going to be to your advantage.”

Knocking a defensive back off his feet, or off balance, gets a grade as much as a catch or a drop. The grades are plus, minus, zero, and double-plus. The ultimate grade is a “W”.

“So much of what you do in life is your attitude and whether you really want to try to do it, and to the guys' credit here, they have bought in and really tried to do a good job of it, and take pride in it,” Preston said.

“It's being a giver, it's all about giving to the team, so if you are not about giving to the team, then you're never going to get anything. Sometimes you're not going to be the person out front. It's the little things that become the big things.”