Green has Tech’s attention

Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green has the attention of Georgia Tech’s coaches and players.

Paul Johnson said that Green is “the best wide receiver in the country. Best I’ve seen on tape. It’s not even close.”

Secondary coach Charles Kelly, whose players will be matched up with Green in Saturday’s game, said, “He does everything great. He’s big (6-4, 212 pounds) . He’s strong. He’s quick. He’s physical. He can jump and play the ball in the air.”

Green has 41 catches for 674 yards and nine touchdowns this season in just seven games. His story is well-known. He was suspended for the first four games of the season after he sold his jersey from the Independence Bowl to an agent’s rep.

When he returned, the Bulldogs’ offense took off, scoring at least 30 points in its last six games. It topped 30 once in the first five games. In less than three seasons, he has 2,445 yards, third on the school’s career list.

“Addition of A.J. Green has made it better for everybody,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Better for receivers opposite him, the run game has improved. He’s a difference-maker. It’s not all A.J. but he can make your offense go.”

While Tech has had issues stopping passing attacks this season (allowing 203.4 yards per game), it has had success with minimizing individual receivers. Just one, Miami’s Leonard Hankerson, has had more than 100 yards in a game against them this season. Tech likes to give receivers a fairly big cushion at the line of scrimmage so that they make sure that they can’t get behind them for big gains. The Jackets have allowed 31 pass plays of at least 20 yards this season

Kelly said some of the issues stopping the big pass plays are the result of missed tackles. He and cornerback Dominique Reese said they can’t allow that to happen against Green. They said they can’t allow him to change the game.

“He’s going to get his,” Reese said. “You try to limit the big plays.”