Open competition in Tech secondary
Greetings-
Have a couple leftover bits from the Fred Holton story I wrote that ran in Monday’s paper. Aside from speaking with them about Holton, I asked secondary coach Charles Kelly a little about the position battles at the cornerback and safety spots (no starters return) and strength coach Neal Peduzzi about the work being put in by players this summer.
First, Kelly. As I think I mentioned in the story, Rashaad Reid and Isaiah Johnson finished spring ball as the starters with Holton just behind. Jemea Thomas is in the mix as well. Thomas will also get a look at cornerback.
As for Holton’s chances, “I think a lot of it depends on how much carryover he has from the spring,” Kelly said. “If you play physical like that, you’ll find somewhere for guys like that to play.”
Kelly said that the competition for the cornerback jobs is “going to be pretty open.” As you likely know, there’s some talent but also inexperience. Among the candidates — Rod Sweeting, Louis Young and Michael Peterson, who all lettered last season, and as well as Ryan Ayers and Thomas. Jamal Golden and Domonique Noble are incoming freshmen who will get a shot at cornerback.
Sweeting finished the season strong. Young didn’t get much playing time at corner last fall but played a lot on special teams and has good speed. They ended the spring as starters. For what it’s worth, Holton said Young has made a lot of progress this summer.
Thomas might have had the best spring of any secondary player. Peterson, a senior who graduated in December, probably has the best understanding of the defense. Ayers, who redshirted last fall, showed some promise in the spring.
I don’t get the sense that Kelly is sold on any of them. I’d say they’ve all shown the capacity to play but he’s looking for consistent performance.
“There’s some good competition,” Kelly said. “That’s what you always want.”
Peduzzi has been conducting testing for players this week in vertical jump, broad jump, bench press, squat, clean and pro agility drill. When I spoke with him last week, Peduzzi named four players who’d made notable progress – center Jay Finch, inside linebacker Daniel Drummond, offensive tackle Phil Smith and wide receiver Stephen Hill.
“I’m sure there’s some other people I’m forgetting, which is going to get me yelled at,” Peduzzi said with a laugh, “but those guys, they’ve definitely been working hard.
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119 comments Add your comment
Ken Sugiura
June 30th, 2011
2:05 pm
T3 – to go back a way, i agree generally about Drummond and Burnett. I think they could be a really productive pair. and they’ll presumably have two years together, along with Jeremiah Attaochu at one outside spot.
PerimeterCenterJacket
June 30th, 2011
2:08 pm
So let me get this straight – our D-line is experienced and looking decent, it sounds like linebackers are gonna be good for a while, and even though its an open competition our secondary unit has talent and could be ok? I think our offense will do the rest and we might win more games! Either way I’ll be there!
Go Jackets!
Big Ol Stinger
June 30th, 2011
2:15 pm
Jasper Sanks, Odell Thurman, Tony Coles, Mike Mercer, the Harricks. How many points is a 3 point basket worth? How many halves in a basketball game?
Shall we go on?
BigTimeTechFan
June 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
YELLOW!!
Hokie Dude
June 30th, 2011
2:49 pm
Hey, it’s almost July…..just about time for all of that Georgia Tech “we will win the national championship this year” bull crap. By the middle of September, the vespids will already be looking forward to basketball, er, or maybe baseball.
Old Blind Dawg
June 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
GT Bell would you enlighten me on exactly what you are talking about!
Bottom line GT will lose to UGA again next year – same as always.
PerimeterCenterJacket
June 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Hokie Dude, you’re clearly not from around here…GT is NOT the team in this state crowing about titles and championships before the season begins. Besides – what’s a hokie doing talking down to GT about Titles? We may not have the most recent ACC title, but we do have 4 of something you dont – a National. So what’s a Hokie, and why should I care about one?
gdawginkalamazoo
June 30th, 2011
3:07 pm
I would think that Tech is in pretty good shape for this season. Groh should have a better idea of where to put the kids in his D. IF the offense could get any kind of a passing threat installed, it might not be a bad year in the ACC. Good luck bees except for that last game of the reg. season.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
Big Ol Stinger, did you clean the windows on your glass house today? Every single D1 university out there has the problem children or scandals to live with. UGA is no different, Tech is no different and it is always a shame to see these kids put themselves and their schools through it. Harrick? Well he was a jackwagon hired by his jackwagon buddy Mike Adams. No comment on that one, you got us there.
Big Macon DAWG
June 30th, 2011
3:30 pm
UGA always gets 4-5 star recruits! Who cares if we lost to UCF?
JM
June 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
how I wish these blog comments could stay on topic…
Big Ol Stinger
June 30th, 2011
5:01 pm
gdawginkalamazoo,
I normally don’t post that kind of crap, but the comments by mumbai anyone? and Ncaa Probation on page one kind of flew all over me today. I can normally ignore those type of comments posted by mutts, but I let it get under my skin today.
I agree, both schools have had their problem kids, and it’s a shame to see them waste their opportunities when it happens at both schools. The difference is, I don’t go to the UGA blog and try to rub your noses in it. Just responding to the UGA trolls on the Tech blogs.
gt4ever
June 30th, 2011
5:53 pm
I hope all you koolaide drinkers are right…. My football iq says we are in big trouble…. We have the schedule on our side, but we still have a defense that is not proven, and an offense that has been shut down by most every descent team we have played… But hey, I’ll be there to watch and cheer…
East Cobb Hokie
June 30th, 2011
6:37 pm
Perimeter Center Jacket, I’d like to pile on with your comments on page 1 re racial mix. Shame those types are still around. Peace.
George Stein
June 30th, 2011
9:04 pm
Your football IQ is in the double digits, gt4ever.
Tech was brutally unlucky last season. That doesn’t mean they won’t be again this year, but luck isn’t repeatable. I expect about nine wins.
gt4ever
June 30th, 2011
9:23 pm
hopefully your right, George…. But I will take as much money as you want to lose on that 9 wins….
The Hypocrisy that is Paul Johnson
June 30th, 2011
9:26 pm
I read where Tech got new turf today at Grant Field. It is good thing that Joe Hamilton and Reuben Houston were not there. They would have smoked all of that new “grass” faster than the workers could lay it.
The joke next to Coke known as Tech is broke. How did Tech afford the new turf?
Before you Jackets get all excited about your defense, please tell me who is new this year in terms of the D-line. The front three in the 3-4 defense are the key. The noseguard (name escapes me) who redshirted last year who only benches 320 lbs will NOT get it done.
original ole yeller
June 30th, 2011
9:38 pm
GT forever, were you watching the same games as I.
Tech’s offense was rarely stopped. Did you look at the final rushing stats? Tech was at the top nationwide. Given the ability to pass the football they will be unstoppable. Are you a Ga fan in disguise?
GT51
June 30th, 2011
10:04 pm
ayers was 4 stars, but he is really small. only about 160 lbs last time i saw him.
George Stein
June 30th, 2011
10:12 pm
What does your handle even mean, Hypocrisy?
Thanks for your input about our defense. We’ll take our chances anyway.
GT51
June 30th, 2011
10:12 pm
gt lost scholarships because someone didnt fill out a change of major form. one sheet of paper didnt get filled out so kids were ineligible to play. that is the folks who are in charge of players academics fault. that is why they were fired. gt did nothing wrong and the kids didnt either. its a stupid ncaa rule.
Somewhere over the Dwayne Bowe
June 30th, 2011
10:13 pm
Care to finish your poem, Hypocrisy?
Buzzwax
June 30th, 2011
10:39 pm
http://georgiatech.scout.com/a.z?s=140&p=9&c=8&yr=2009
Sweeting was FOUR stars as well. We have PLENTY of talent at DB!!! IF they can gel AND we improve our PASS RUSH AND more consistantly STOP THE RUN we will have a good D. Lots of IF’s!!
Young, Sweeting, Ayers – four stars depending if Scout or Rivals. J. Thomas three stars but IMO very good FOOTBALL player who had a great spring. I. Johnson and Holton were three stars but both played as true freshmen and Ayers who was four stars was redshirted. Stars/shmars…. Add in Reid as THE CURRENT #1 at safety and Peterson who has played a TON of minutes and this is the deepest and most talented group of DB’s GT has EVER had. No ‘All Americans’ but DEPTH and GOOD talent. Oh did I mention the incoming Freshman Golden and Noble?
DEEP!! If only we were this deep at OT!!!
Professor
June 30th, 2011
10:41 pm
The Tech secondary has NO ONE to practice against. Tech is terrible.
Bean Counter
June 30th, 2011
11:49 pm
Now that Grant Field has been resodded, how do they plan to keep the home coming Queen from grazing on it???
ScurvyKnave
July 1st, 2011
9:27 am
Hey Bean, you oughtta know, ugag’s HCQ’s have been doing it for what, over a hundred years and counting? Animal husbandry, indeed!
Team Dream
July 1st, 2011
9:55 am
Wow! Bean Counter, you are a Tower of intellectual comedy.
T3
July 1st, 2011
10:04 am
Ken:
I’ll revise my LB tandem post. It didnt give credit to Attaochu, Sylvester, Watts,
and others playing for a LB spot.
GT is deep at the LB postions. GT is even deeper at the CB/Saftey spots.
The defensive competition at Fall practice is going to V-E-R-Y strong because
the talent & depth at the LB positions and CB/Safety positions.
GT is going to have a fearsome Defense in 2011.
GT1971
July 1st, 2011
10:08 am
@The Hypocrisy that is Paul Johnson… Your post is meaningless but maybe it made you feel better. You do not represent your side well.
There is nothing hypocritical about CPJ. He is going to get the job done the old fashioned way with brains and hard work.
BTW – UGA is fortunate to have CMR with his high character and personal qualities. He reflects very well upon UGA. I hope you appreciate him.
T3
July 1st, 2011
10:32 am
I have written MANY posts over the past year on the topic of the BIG10
and its dismal outlook.
In eary 2010 I wrote the first of MANY posts outlining the doomed fate of the BIG10.
You see, when your STATE is LONG-TERM economic decline and is now going bankrupt,
that doesnt bode well your for public UNIVERSITY.
Today, the state of Minnesota is OFFICIALLY shutdown over their state budget crisis.
And this is just the lastest in several recent well-publicized state budget crises in:
Wisconsin
Indiana
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
These states are in CURRENT economic & budget crises.
As these states decline, their state universities will also decline.
And, as thier universities decline, so will their athletic programs.
The long-term picture economic picture for the BIG10 is DISMAL.
The BIG10 has clearly “peaked.”
And now, it is ALLLLLLLLLLLLL downhill from here for the BIG10.
Big Ol Stinger
July 1st, 2011
11:19 am
Wow T3, you’re like a prophet! Maybe you can tell us all when Georgia’a economy and budget will get out of the dumper?
You seem to take some joy in seeing our fellow American’s in those states suffering. Personally, I wish them well. I doubt their athletic programs are big concerns of theirs right now.
What a twisted, bizarre post! Get a life.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 1st, 2011
11:33 am
I didn’t think it was quite that bad, BOS. I think he was just sharing a theory that was more football-oriented than anything malicious. Besides, this is good for the Southern economy as those folks will (are already actually) move South in search of jobs. This creates better competition for those jobs, meaning the companies are stronger with better talent (just like sports teams) and you have the “South rising again” as they say. Or things’ll get better up there, take your pick. Either way, no one is wishing harm on anyone. But given the choice I say they should all feel free to come South.
UGA fans are .....
July 1st, 2011
11:42 am
There is a reason why stereotypes exist. Check out the golf video Ben Crane has put out featuring Bubba Watson-it’s real EASY to figure out who Watson is even if you don’t know what he looks like.
(I’ll give you a hint-overalls, no shirt, no shoes)
GT fans are.....
July 1st, 2011
12:54 pm
There is a reason why stereotypes exist. Check out the Tech students arrested for being terrorists. I bet Tech held a moment of silence for their fallen leader when our wonderful SEAL team took him out!
@original old yeller
July 1st, 2011
1:07 pm
sick of out rushing teams and losing. outrushed lsu in 2008 and lost 38-3. Is anything more comic than watch a pj “throwing” attack? really coaching up the wide receivers and qbs.
CoolBreeze
July 1st, 2011
1:15 pm
Hey, GT fans are – Really stupid comment. It would hack me off, except that it’s so incredibly banal and idiotic.
Hope CPJ puts in some semblance of a SHORT passing game this year. Heavin’ it 40 yards doesn’t work.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 1st, 2011
1:31 pm
GT Fans Are – You have a lot of nerve associating one of America’s greatest public universities (#7 public university, only engineering school in the Top Ten, Top Forty overall at #35, a history of greatness in football, strong military tradition, still a pipeline to defense industry and intelligence community) the with a national enemy. One kid arrested and expelled almost ten years ago doesn’t outweigh guys like Leonard Wood and all the untold thousands of soldiers and officers and defense-related engineers and intelligence operatives who are all proud Ramblin Recks. Anyway, we might hold a moment of silence when we run the ball straight down the throat of whatever team you root for (not that we really have to guess whose fans would be that classless). Actually, come to think of it, instead of silence we’ll probably just celebrate like mad all year.
Go Jackets!
history of greatness
July 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
LOL ,great ancient football history, since 67 , 2 major bowls(both losses), a record of 269-236-8,the same number of 1 or 2 win seasons as 10 or 11 win seasons (3). 3 top 10 finishes in 4.5 decades great football history.12-32 against your most hated rival .
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 1st, 2011
2:23 pm
History, you did conveniently forget a National Championship. But, yes, in general Tech football since leaving the SEC in ‘64 has been chaotic and less-than-impressive against the dawgs. It also interestingly coincides with their rise in prominence. We’re all quite aware of that. But the last three seasons under CPJ lead me to believe we’re on the right track. 08 and 09 were good compared to the recent past. Last season was a step back for attitude adjustment, injuries, crappy execution, and learning a new defensive scheme, but this season should look a lot like ‘08 in my opinion. It’s all about the future, and ours is looking up. It will take lots of time to get back to what we briefly had in 1990 and got close to again in 1998-2000, but we can get there. GT football still has the bones for greatness despite what people in red and black say, and it’s far easier to “get back to” greatness than to pioneer it having never been there before.
history of greatness
July 1st, 2011
2:34 pm
the 1990 squad wasn’t an undisputed championship, so it was included in the top 10 finishes.
The big difference in 2011 and 08 is talent, or lack therof in 2011.
1990
July 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
I guess most of you did not see the spring game. we looked like a high school team. no play makers. if we cannot pass, which is needed to be successful in the NCAA, we will continue to lose every bowl game and have a subpar record. I like PJ but I think this is his last year especially if we lose to UGA and get blown out in a bowl game again.
history of greatness
July 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
actually the decline started in 57. Dodd only won 3 of his last 10 vs. Ga.
UGA = History of Corruption
July 1st, 2011
2:47 pm
Enter your comments here
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 1st, 2011
3:09 pm
history, I tire easily of defending the 1990 National Title. Bottom line, if you never count split championships the Bama, USC, Notre Dame, etc, begin to look way less impressive historically. And besides, we all saw Colorado’s fake win on a 5th down. Whatever. Count it like you want, we have the crystal football and had the best team in the country that year. Ask Nebraska who was tougher.
1990, better defense is what you should’ve seen at T-Day along with a great “backup” QB (and some TERRIBLE special teams!) But interpret things how you will. As is the case with any spring game, it won’t become clear until we’re playing against other teams. I estimate we’re looking at an offense working something like it did circa 2008 with quite possibly a better defense. You tell me what that means as far as win totals. I don’t think we’re insane to be optimistic. Also, this is not the toughest schedule Tech has had.
Paddy
July 1st, 2011
6:10 pm
Big Macon Dawg…..have you not been watching football long. The star system ends when the players reach campus that first day. The star system is used by their owners to get into your pockets and take your hard earned cash. Ever buy any swamp land Big Macon?
panzytechieschedual
July 1st, 2011
8:52 pm
techie got out of the SEC so they could join the the all crapie conference so they could play 8 teams that could not beat a good high school team. it is sad when your atheletic director plays teams no one wants to see and so they cannot sell out a 53,000 seat stadium and most games half the fan get in free or recieve enough give away stuff to cover the cost of the ticket. it cost more to see one Georgia game than a season ticket to techie football. techie depends on tax payers to pay for every thing they have at that welfare school and since techie people are so smart why cant they support thier sports program. I am sure there are a lot of reasons that the smart rich people dont support the sports programs but I guess burger king and mickey d is not paying as well as they use to.
Team Dream
July 2nd, 2011
11:02 am
@panzytechieschedual
Was that English?? I probably speak for everyone else who was unfortunate enough to read that jibberish when I say: “what are you babbling about?”. I highly recommend that you re-take 7th grade english.
Paddy
July 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
panzytech etc………………………..What in the world is your point?// WOW!// Short bus rider if I am not mistaken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Darrah
July 2nd, 2011
8:09 pm
The athletic history of UGA is full of so many sordid, sleazy incidents – dating back to Vince Dooley and continuing through Mark Richt – that it’s impossible to overlook. The school has come to stand for drunkenness and lawlessness, coddling of illiterate athletes who should never have been admitted to college, and rampant cheating by coaches.
Do What?
July 3rd, 2011
9:59 am
Ken – have you been able to file an “Open Records” request with the GTAA? Readers want to know if there are any secondary violations as well as the salaries of every coach in every sport. By the way will the GT women’s program have access to GTs new indoor facility? Or does GT field a soccer team?