Georgia Tech A-back Dennis Andrews is in his fifth spring practice after arriving in 2012 as an early-enrollee freshman. With Broderick Snoddy out as he recovers from his broken leg, Andrews is the most experienced returnee among the A-backs, a position group lacking much experience. His role increased at the end of last season following injuries to Snoddy and Tony Zenon.
Q: What are your goals for the spring?
A: I just want to get better at not thinking so much before the play and playing full speed and sharing my knowledge of the offense with the younger guys.
Q: (A-backs coach) Lamar Owens was saying last week that he wanted to have everyone start from square one with your group. Have you felt that emphasis?
A: Definitely. The slate's clean. Everyone's starting back (over). We're running our basic plays first and then building up to the more advanced plays, including the passing routes.
Q: How has that been beneficial for you?
A: I feel like it's sharpening up my knowledge of how I play the game. I understand it more. It's like a repetition thing. The more I do, the better I get at it.
Q: What does it feel like with so many guys gone, and now you're the lead guy?
A: I was talking to Ike - Isaiah Willis - about this. It's crazy how we had five seniors and we were looking up to them. They showed us how to do everything, from our first step in our tail motion to actually cut blocking. I was expecting this, but you can't really prepare for it. It just happens.
Q: People are asking you the questions now, I'm guessing.
A: I'm basically Coach O, Jr.
Q: How does that feel?
A: It makes me feel like I've got to be more accountable.
Q: How's Qua Searcy doing so far?
A: Qua's doing pretty good. You wouldn't think that this is his first year of getting a shot to play. Him and Clint (Clinton Lynch), they're always in the film room, along with Rod (Tyler). They're always in the film room trying to learn and I think that's the most important thing.
Q: What have you seen in Isaiah Willis?
A: Experience. I would say that Ike is a guy that, he's going to give 100 percent effort every play and he's going to take advantage of his opportunity.
Q: The guys that left, what are some things that you took from them and are trying to apply?
A: One thing that they harped on a lot was trusting each other. We're trusting that the guy's going to make a block for us when we're running the ball. We're trusting that the guy that's not getting the pass thrown to him is going to affect the other safety. Just about trust and believing in each other.
About the Author
