As he has found a rough patch in his first season as starter, Georgia Tech quarterback Vad Lee is trying to do less, not more.
“I think when you’re not winning, then you start pressing and you try to make plays rather than just kind of play within the system,” coach Paul Johnson said.
At times, when it has appeared that a run play was breaking down, Lee has tried to reverse field, only to make matters worse. Johnson has told Lee that on option plays, if he isn’t sure of the read, to hand the ball off and accept a short gain rather than keep and try to create a play.
“We can play second-and-8,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to play second-and-15.”
Johnson defended Lee, who has come under some criticism for his poor passing statistics and problems with fumbles and interceptions. Johnson said that fans created unrealistic expectations for him and now hold him accountable for not being able to meet them.
“He’s getting better every week, and he’s going to be a good player,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to give the kid some time, and he’s got to have some help.”
Johnson noted drops by receivers and breakdowns in pass protection. He did say that if backup quarterback Justin Thomas practices well this week, he’ll receive playing time again. The increase in playing time for Lee from last season, when he was a backup, has tested his stamina.
“When Justin comes in, he’s fresh and there may be some value in getting both of them in the game some a little bit for that purpose,” Johnson said.
Time off: Students were off for fall break Monday and Tuesday. Players took advantage by catching up on sleep and homework and watching extra game video. Nose tackle Adam Gotsis was able to spend more time with his twin sisters, Kristina and Eleni, who have been visiting from Australia.
“It’s been good to relax and look after the body a little,” he said.
Gotsis had two sacks and four tackles for loss against BYU on Saturday night. The latter total tied him for fifth all-time in Tech history for a single game. He now leads the team in sacks with three and tackles for loss with eight.
Chess match: In his first media availability since the BYU game, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said that BYU threw the defense a curveball in the first half, when the Cougars cranked out 24 points and 357 yards of offense.
“Their least-used personnel groupings and formations became their most-used personnel groupings and formations,” he said, “so that we had to tweak some things, and the kids did a good job and played well in the second half.”
Tech forced punts on BYU’s first five possessions after halftime, four of them three-and-outs.
Injury report: Offensive tackles Ray Beno and Morgan Bailey both did not practice Tuesday. Beno has a foot injury, and Bailey's injury is unknown. Nose tackle Shawn Green suffered a leg injury against BYU and was scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday.
Cornerback Jemea Thomas, who also was injured against BYU, has returned to practice. Safety Jamal Golden, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, began his rehabilitation Tuesday.
Scholar-baller: Guard Will Jackson was nominated by the school for the Wuerffel Trophy, given annually to a player combining exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Jackson, who has started since his freshman season, is pursuing his MBA and also volunteers with youth. A three-time member of the ACC all-academic team, he has been nominated for academic All-American.
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