Yellow Jackets may have new wide receiver vs. Miami

The chances improved Wednesday that Kevin Cone or another wide receiver will move into the starting lineup for Georgia Tech's game Saturday against Miami, as Stephen Hill was sidelined from practice by a lower body injury.

Three other starters returned to practice for the Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-3 ACC) although some were limited. Center Sean Bedford (undisclosed), B-back Anthony Allen (undisclosed) and nose tackle Logan Walls (shoulder) were back in action.

Starting left guard Will Jackson (undisclosed) did not practice. Jay Finch would be his replacement.

"You can't have a hard deadline [to determine whether a player will play]," coach Paul Johnson said. "Truth be known, if you can't run around a little bit on Thursday, your chance of playing on Saturday is not real good."

Defense growing

That was no illusion last Thursday night at Virginia Tech when the Jackets appeared more diverse on defense.

Defensive coordinator Al Groh said players have been in his 3-4 system long enough that he has become comfortable calling more coverages, blitzes and stunts than in the first seven games or so.

“Here of late we have made a significant step forward in those things that the players feel comfortable with,” Groh said. “It just takes a while in the process for 11 people to feel that way. If a couple people are having difficulty, then that holds back the efficiency of the scheme. We’ve progressed to where we’re a little bit more advanced.”

Tech doesn't have much game film on Miami freshman quarterback Stephen Morris, who will make his second start in place of Jacory Harris (concussion) for the Hurricanes (6-3, 4-2), but Groh doesn't sound like that has been an issue.

“I’m very familiar with the player from recruiting, so I’m familiar with his skills, and he’s running the same scheme as the other quarterback, so in this particular case we probably have enough information to get ready,” he said.

Sims may play some QB

Sophomore Tevin Washington will make his first career start in place of Joshua Nesbitt (broken right forearm), and there's a growing chance that redshirt freshman David Sims will see action. Sims does not appear to be the passer that Washington is, but has a physical running style similar to Nesbitt's.

“David Sims has had a good week; he’s practiced well, too,” Johnson said. “We’ll play it by feel. I’ll tell you, he’s played well in practice this week, made a case for himself.”

Watson up at B-back

Redshirt freshman B-back Richard Watson had back-to-back carries in the third quarter at Virginia Tech, and Johnson suggested he may have to play a little more Saturday as Allen mends. Early in the season, Preston Lyons was the backup at B-back. Johnson said Lyons' practice productivity has not slipped, but he fell behind while injured in the middle of the season.

“Sometimes guys get put in that second or third position and kind of change the way they prepare, kind of punch the clock in practice,” Watson said. “I try to prepare and feel like a starter every week.”

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