Through 14 practices, the Georgia Tech defense has made strides in learning new coordinator Ted Roof’s scheme and trying to meet his standards. To hear coaches, though, it is a very good thing that the Yellow Jackets have only their spring game Friday night and not an actual one.
One of Roof’s bigger priorities has been improving the tackling — running hard to the ball, pursuing at the correct angle, squaring up the shoulder pads and wrapping up.
“Day by day, it’s gotten better,” linebackers coach Andy McCollum said. “Is it where it needs to be yet? No.”
The installation of Roof’s 4-3 scheme is only beginning, too.
“I feel like we’re still at just the tip of the iceberg in terms of knowing what the terms are and how to play the coverages,” defensive backs coach Joe Speed said.
After Friday, players won’t be able to meet with coaches until preseason practice begins, but can go through the playbook and watch video on their own. Speaking for the defensive backs, Speed said they may know play calls and responsibilities, but still have to learn more about adjusting to different formations and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various coverages. The teaching will continue in the preseason and on into the season.
“It’s still quite a bit of stuff that he’s going to put in, and the stuff that he has put in, I feel like we have ample time to go over it and practice it and apply it on the field,” outside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy said. “Right now, I feel like we’re doing a great job.”
Position change: Charles Perkins is now an A-back. Perkins had his second practice at the position Wednesday after playing B-back for the past two seasons. Behind David Sims, Zach Laskey and Broderick Snoddy, Perkins figured a move was coming for one of the B-backs to clear up the logjam. Perkins, who was informed of the change Monday by coach Paul Johnson, said he was fine with the move and that he wanted to do what was best for the team.
Perkins, who played A-back in his redshirt season, came back this spring after missing almost all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and other shoulder issues he has had dating to high school at Collins Hill. Perkins moves into a tough competition at A-back, where Robert Godhigh, Synjyn Days, Deon Hill, Dennis Andrews, Tony Zenon and B.J. Bostic are competing for playing time.
A much bigger change is coming Perkins’ way next month — he is getting married. His fiancee is Alexis Hopkins, a student at Georgia State. Defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu will serve as his best man.
Spreading the game: In an effort to build student fan support, the team will hold a clinic for the school's international students Thursday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium. More than 100 students have signed up for the event, which will include a presentation on the game, on-field stations with drills supervised by players and coaches and a barbecue and social afterward. Students also will have the opportunity to run through the tunnel onto Grant Field behind the Ramblin' Wreck.
Friday's forecast: Weather forecasts call for showers Friday. The spring game, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium, will be played rain or shine. It is the second consecutive year that the spring game will be held on a Friday night, with concerts and family-oriented activities beforehand and fireworks afterward.
With major construction on Bobby Dodd Way and Techwood Drive blocked off for pregame activities, fans are encouraged to arrive early. A list of available campus parking lots is on ramblinwreck.com
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