Yellow Jackets' kicking battle might go until Saturday

Tanner said Tuesday that both he and Blair have been kicking well, despite the windy weather.

"It's just going to come down to the end of the week," Tanner said.

Tanner's father, Richard, graduated from Georgia Tech in 1979. He and wife, Kathy, were in Bobby Dodd Stadium last weekend and got to watch Chris kick an extra point and kickoff.

"He was really pleased," Chris said.

Tanner, a freshman from Norcross, said he was a little nervous when he went out to kick, but said it was a good nervous.

Monken said he just wants whoever wins the job to put the kickoffs in bounds -- Blair put two out of bounds last week -- and to make the extra points and short field goals.

Blair missed a 27-yard field-goal attempt Saturday.

Back at wide receiver

Jaybo Shaw's return to the quarterback group meant Quentin Sims returned to the wide receivers Monday. Sims was moved over after Shaw broke his collarbone Aug. 15.

Johnson said Sims has looked good in practice this week and should get see some snaps Saturday.

"It feels good [to be back]" Sims said.

Sims said the time spent at quarterback has helped him target who he's supposed to block as a wide receiver.

Omen?

In what might or might not be a good sign, Johnson said Wednesday's practice was crisp, and that he liked the effort. He said the same thing after the Wednesday practice last week. Tech defeated North Carolina 24-7 three days later.

Injury update

*Defensive back Dominique Reese (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday.

*Linebacker Kyle Jackson's surgery went well Wednesday. He had three screws and a plate inserted into his injured foot.