On the sixth day of practice, Georgia Tech practiced twice and turned up the volume.
Monday's morning practice featured scrimmaging between offense and defense, two sessions about 10 minutes each. Monday's practices were the first of four two-a-days.
"We got after it this morning," cornerback Louis Young said.
Rotating three units, the offense ran option plays against the defense. It was the second day in full pads after Sunday's practice that focused mainly on special teams. On Monday afternoon, the team practiced in shoulder pads and shorts. Coach Paul Johnson, speaking following the afternoon practice, appeared in good humor over the day's efforts.
"I thought they fought through it OK," Johnson said. "There were parts we dragged a little bit, but that's understandable."
He noted that kicker Justin Moore made all three of his field-goal tries at the end of a practice from the 40-yard range. Johnson is trying to find a replacement for Scott Blair, Tech's kicker for the past three seasons.
"He has the ability and the talent to get it done," Johnson said of Moore.
Smith to return kicks
Johnson sounds ready to have A-back Orwin Smith return kickoffs. Smith was the principal returner as a freshman in 2009, when he averaged 24.0 yards per return, but B.J. Bostic took the majority of the kick returns last season.
The punt returner job is available, though Johnson said he was "pretty sure" a freshman will fill it. Jamal Golden, Corey Dennis and Zach Laskey are three possibilities.
"The No. 1 job there is to catch the ball," Johnson said. "Anything you can gain afterwards would be gravy."
Coming on strong
Walk-on offensive tackle Tyler Kidney has the endorsement of someone important – the guy playing a few inches to his right. Guard Omoregie Uzzi called him a "legitimate starting tackle in the ACC." Injuries to other linemen helped Kidney, who joined the team as a walk-on two years ago, move to the top of the depth chart in the spring.
"Kidney's grown into his own," Uzzi said. "I'm really proud of what he's done and what he's accomplished."
Johnson said that Bostic, the backup A-back, is learning the offense in his second year and is a good athlete, but he has to learn to slow down. As a true freshman, Bostic had 13 carries for a 9.8 yards-per-rush average and also returned kickoffs.
"He gets all amped up when he gets a chance, sometimes, to make a play," Johnson said.
A-back review
A-back Roddy Jones joined the chorus of coaches and players buzzing about backup A-back Tony Zenon, a redshirt freshman.
"He's got awesome potential," Jones said. "He's one of the shiftiest guys I've ever seen. The cuts that he makes and the way that he does it – he doesn't break stride – it's incredible, really."
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