Tech’s first day report, more on McCoy
The Yellow Jackets' efforts to protect the ball began on the first day. JOHNNY CRAWFORD/jcrawford@ajc.com
Greetings-
I think most everything I learned Wednesday went into my notebook, starting with defensive lineman Denzel McCoy’s career apparently ending due to an undisclosed medical condition.
He had a chance to be a good one. He turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Stanford, among many others, to play for Tech. It’s unfortunate, obviously, but I think he’ll be fine. We had a brief Twitter conversation in which he said as much, and from what I was told about McCoy, he has a great attitude and is a good kid. His best days are ahead of him.
“He came here to get a degree and he’s hopefully going to do that,” coach Paul Johnson said. “He’s got his whole life to live. He’s going to live a normal life, it’s just not in the cards for him right now to play college football.”
A couple things: Ultimately, it’s a good thing the condition that has sidelined him was discovered last summer before his Tech career began.
“No question,” Johnson said. “Our team doctors and training staff, they do a real thorough job and they detected it early, so he was never really put in any danger.”
McCoy will miss this season and “unless something drastically changes after a year or so, his football career is over.”
Second, Johnson said McCoy will remain on scholarship and work as an assistant to Liam Klein, the director of player personnel. The scholarship won’t count against the NCAA 85-player limit. That will put Tech three under the limit when his scholarship status changes. (The transfer of Ryan Ayers to Liberty and Albert Rocker’s decision to skip his final year of eligibility to take a job with Microsoft put the team two under.)
One may go to walk-on offensive tackle Tyler Kidney. Johnson said he’ll receive one at the end of the season if he wins the starting job. The other two may be held for 2012 recruits who want to enroll early.
A couple other notes:
- Players are staying at a nearby hotel. They checked in Tuesday. Johnson: “We’ve done that before. Last year, we didn’t do it because we had them all in the same housing here (on campus), but we couldn’t get them all in the same place, and I think it’s important in camp to have them all together.”
- The team started practice with punt and punt return, which is typical. “We work on it every single day,” Johnson said. “It’s big this fall. We’ve got to get much better in that area, no question.”
- Johnson on the incoming class. “Overall, there’s some big, lean, athletic-looking kids. Like I said when we signed them, we’re excited about them. It’ll be interesting to see if any of them can help us this year.”
- Another 3 p.m. practice Thursday and another Friday. The team will practice at 9:45 Saturday morning, followed by fan day at 4 p.m., and a kicking scrimmage Sunday. All practices are closed to the public.
- Photographer Johnny Crawford has an excellent photo gallery from practice, which you can see here.
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176 comments Add your comment
juvenal
August 4th, 2011
2:10 pm
Super, they can’t disavow WWI-we didn’t play…still get no direct response to pointing out lsu didn’t get the ap, whether it was 5 or 6 doesn’t matter to me, as long as none of them was the dauugs(doubt they’d have the guts to tangle with the tiger fans)……anybody know if the WWII dauugs got letters?
Stinger 2
August 4th, 2011
2:18 pm
Supersize: The last one sounded like you were gloating ovr the fact that it had not been pulled. If you think those kind of post make for good stuff on our GT blog
then its you doing the typing. I personally believe its out of line because its offensive to others especially some ladies who could be on the blogs.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:21 pm
juvenal, the really absurd thing about their gripes about the WWII games is that no other school who played Tech had any complaints, and Tech wasn’t the only football team in the US with Navy V-12 athletes. And since the games were officially counted by the NCAA, or whatever governing body existed in those days, why should there be a problem?
Ken Sugiura
August 4th, 2011
2:24 pm
I’m getting a little tired of the bickering.
Answer to Burdell’s question, and I thank you, because it was kind of funny to look up.
Ol’ Ball Coach’s aliases: Nesbitt for Heisman, Casey, Jacket 4 life, Ashville Rambler, Midtown Vegas, Michael, Lyle, James T. Kirk.
Marco’s aliases: Hahaha, Peachtree St., Kachal, Connor, Zac, Brooks Brother, Common sense.
I think my favorite part was when Connor asked a question that Zac answered.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:25 pm
Stinger, I actually didn’t expect it to go through, or I would never have typed it. However, if you have ever watched the TV show “Wilfred” on the FX network on Thursday nights, you might understand why I even typed it at all. The show is crude as all get out, but funny as hell, and the episode two weeks ago actually dealt with the very thing I mentioned. However, apologies to any women present, but I frankly don’t care if I offended any male mutts or not, since most of what they post on here is constantly blatantly offensive…..one prime example is the reference many of them make to CPJ’s anatomy. Fortunately, per a request on my part, I hope, I haven’t seen that term used in 3 weeks now.
Stinger 2
August 4th, 2011
2:31 pm
Supersize: Agree with about the crude comments refering to CPJ. That is uncalled for. Hope you are right and they have stopped at least on this blog.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:33 pm
Well, Stinger, now I am trying to convey my apologies to Ken as well, but for whatever reason that is being blocked. Go figure.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:35 pm
hmm, that went through, but not the one I addressed to Ken. Maybe it was because I also thanked him for his research on fake names. I guess we’ll know what the deal was if this one goes through or not.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:35 pm
WOW, I guess I can say it to you, but not to Ken. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:38 pm
Ken, if you think you are getting sick of the bickering, what do you think we Tech fans think of it. Granted, I am as guilty as anyone of joining in the fray, but for whatever it’s worth (possibly nothing), I certainly don’t start it.
juvenal
August 4th, 2011
2:42 pm
Ken,if the success of this blog(hits-> ad$) is bolstered by the redundant, repetitive, boring posts of uga’s subway(subterranean, really)alums(their grads, like Lex, Banker, even jb sometimes,BYRD-wonder if they are all the same guy-usually add objective points from a different view)…then the bickering keeps the great job you & Doug do going…..still, crude language is for bars & playgrounds, except maybe when the comment is VERY funny……
Ken Sugiura
August 4th, 2011
2:47 pm
apology accepted, supersize. i deleted your posts because they were a bit over the line.
juvenal – i’ll have to look into that. i wonder if a few trolls posting multiple times actually increases traffic that much. i could well be wrong, but i wonder. anyway, i’m headed to practice. we’ll have a report by the end of the afternoon.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
2:51 pm
juvenal, it IS good to know that there really are some classy Georgia fans/alums. I always enjoy what DawginLex and BYRDDAWG have to say, and there are a few more like them as well. The subterranean (love that term) fans that you mention bring shame and disgrace to the university.
GTFan478
August 4th, 2011
3:02 pm
Wow three whole pages of the three people arguing. Grow up people.
@Ken Thanks for prooving up what we all knew; meaning two of those people were the same people with diferent aliases.
George Stein
August 4th, 2011
3:09 pm
All of a sudden, the trolls disappeared.
What kills me is when they pose as Tech fans that are worried about Johnson. It only confirms that we have the right coach.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
3:14 pm
Did superloser really just comment on “shame” and “disgrace?” Bawahaha!!!
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
3:20 pm
Nice to see the mod is definitely a Tachie. When you cant win the argument simply lie and slience those you cannot defeat in an honest debate. True Tech Democrat.
George Stein
August 4th, 2011
3:28 pm
Perhaps I spoke too soon.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
3:33 pm
The problem super is Tech played the two WWII games with not only non Tech players, but with captians of both the Bama and Vandy teams. Therefore, not their own athletes. Just like how Tech used non students on their team in the first ever game between the two schools.
Tech’s cheating ways go back over a century. Some things never change.
threetrone
August 4th, 2011
3:35 pm
Tech needs a passing game again to have a bona fide offense. After Thomas was gone, Nez developed the pass yips, but while the two connected, passes were one of his talents. Nez also developed the yips for letting it go altogether last year, pitching it on the sweeps so that the runner fumbled it. I guess Nez wanted it to handle himself, so much so that he stole it from the FSU runner, and ran one back against Clemson, and liked to run into gang tacklers low to the ground with his helmet down, protecting the ball for himself. I guess Nez just had some kind of confidence in Thomas to pass completions to him. I understand he even resented handing it off to Dwyer b/c of the practical jokes Dwyer would play on him like putting shaving cream in his shoes. I recall when Nez said Dwyer was gonna get his. As Tech grad, I’d like to see them in a new image, one that excludes the black socks and saddle oxford side pants stripes. Any team that wears white socks and shoes provides the psychological illusion of light, ease of running on the field mobility, and this Tech needs to add further momentum to their tricky run plays.
juvenal
August 4th, 2011
3:43 pm
sad-point being, in a time of national emergency, Tech was essential, uga irrelevant….did they get letters? i think even the nzaa woulld loosen up during a world war(maybe?)..’tone-this ain’t mens book atlanta, i don’t care if they play in pink….
BigTimeTechFan
August 4th, 2011
3:47 pm
Ken, nice busted the aliases.
Reporting from camp today?
Best wishes to Denzel McCoy, glad he’s going to be ok.
Anyone else think Preston Lyons may have shot at the Heisman this year?
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
3:49 pm
Juvenal -
You put your foot in your mouth, friend. The reason UGA was playing without their regular players is because they were overseas fighting, while Tech’s shamelessly stayed behind like the cowards they were and still remain today.
George Stein
August 4th, 2011
3:53 pm
No, BigTime, he doesn’t. But the Heisman is a trophy no one gives a rip about.
Apparently no Tech folks have ever fought overseas. Continue trolling…
Ken Sugiura
August 4th, 2011
3:53 pm
BigTime – yes, i’m at the edge center waiting for practice to end. thunder and lightning here, so i imagine the indoor building got some use.
Ken Sugiura
August 4th, 2011
4:00 pm
I’d rate Lyons’ chances at the Heisman as pretty remote. Good player and good representative of the school but he’d have to outdo Jonathan Dwyer’s 2008-2009 numbers, presumably, and Tech would have to likely be in the top 10 or higher, just to have a shot. Both are possible, but not events I would expect to happen. I admire your optimism, though.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:01 pm
Speaking of trolling, I love how Techies love to tout how Heisman is a former coach, but scoff at the very award named after him.
Im sure it has nothing to do with the fact no Tech player has ever even come close to winning it, nor ever will….
Old Tech fan in NC
August 4th, 2011
4:17 pm
Up here we get a lot of tobacco road ball news and little Tech. To come on here and have to read several unnecessary comments from Tech fans replying to dogs is just taking away from football talk. Come on guys, it’s about football time! Responding to a dog just brings even more non funny/non football talk.
Thabjs Ken for the news.
GoJackets
August 4th, 2011
4:22 pm
Tech Fans Really Are Sad is an idiot. What about Calvin Johnson and Joe Hamilton. I guess finishing second in the polls is not coming close. Some people just don’t have any reasoning skills or is it that they are so blinded with hate? Whens the last time UGA finished second in a heisman vote? And you can claim HW all you want, but at least we don’t buy Heisman winners with Black Trans Ams
tech tradition=ancient history
August 4th, 2011
4:29 pm
Since 1967.
tech winning % 53
Top ten finishes 2
One win seasons 3
10 or more win seasons 3
Major bowl games 1
Record vs. Georgia 12-32
Vs. Sec 30-71-2
Vs. Acc 133-105-3
Not very impressive.
tech tradition=ancient history
August 4th, 2011
4:32 pm
Tech Heisman trophy winners zero
BigTimeTechFan
August 4th, 2011
4:33 pm
“Apparently no Tech folks have ever fought overseas. Continue trolling?”
I have
and
Clint Castleberry did and never came home, he also finished 3rd for the Heisman trophy in 1942, may have won it if he didn’t get hurt in the Florida game. Tech was undefeated at the time, then he got hurt and Tech lost to UGA and Texas.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:36 pm
GoJackets
UGA has more than one Heisman winner. And last I checked, UGA hasnt been asked to vacant wins twice in the past 10 years. The amount of corruption at the trade school is humiliating.
Old Gold and White in my veins
August 4th, 2011
4:38 pm
Sad, want to look up who came in second in the Heisman voting in 1999 and what school he attended? I’ll wait for your “sad” response.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:38 pm
Tech is literally the definition of irrelevance. It couldnt have happened to a more deserving fan base.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:43 pm
Tech has had 2 runners up for the Heisman in my lifetime–Joe Hamilton and Billy Lotheridge. And the word is VACATE, not VACANT, and that will be appealed. “sad’ is probably a new alias for the other two punks who have been uncovered. Also, regarding the V-12 athletes, if it was good enough for everybody else in the country, why wasn’t it good enough for THUGa? I know they think they are better than anybody else, but everybody knows they’re just a run-of-the-mill program; always have been, and always will be.
Sorry, Old Tech fan in NC, but I refuse to just sit back and let people slander Tech without responding.
BigTimeTechFan
August 4th, 2011
4:43 pm
UGA has more than one Heisman winner
But one of them left UGA early because he could not stand the fanbase at UGA. He said they were so bad he would rather play in New Jersey.
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:44 pm
I see the pattern for modern day Tach fans. Clinging to total yardage instead of wins and citing runner up candidates in the Heisman since they know they will never have a player win it. Truly sad…..
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:44 pm
By the way, Clint Castleberry was a freshman when he came in 3rd in the voting.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:45 pm
“sad”, you are the one who said Tech had never even had anybody in the running. We’re just telling you the facts…..not that you would know one if it bit you in the………….
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:48 pm
Hey Ken, do even the Tech players laugh at you to your face while you troll around the complex begging for interviews you never recieve? Pretty sad when even Tech’s own players brush you off.
Maybe you should get into a new line of work that doesnt pay 8.00 by the hour
GoJackets
August 4th, 2011
4:49 pm
If you honestly think the reason that Tech is vacating wins is worse than Jan Kemp, Jin Harrick, Vince Dooley then your reasoning skills are worse than I imagined. Besides Tech has only had to vacate one win, and is currently appealing that. I’m through arguing anyway, you know the ol’ saying about arguing with pigs …
Tech fans really are sad
August 4th, 2011
4:53 pm
But you are forced to focus on the wrong part of my comments. You couldnt name any winners so you had to settle with telling me the losers. Truly sad.
Sad is as sad does
August 4th, 2011
4:53 pm
Sad, no one on here was saying anything about Heisman runners up, you posted that we never had anyone come close to winning it, we were just correcting your lack of facts. I’ll await your next truly brilliant post. Certainly is “sad” to be so obsessed over a program that you waste an entire afternoon trying to stir something up. Does not seem that tech is nearly as “irrelevant” to you.
macrotech
August 4th, 2011
4:54 pm
Kachal, I think that Nebraska’s head coach (He’s the only coach to go against both CU and GT in 1990) provided everyone with a statement of validation when he remarked that GT was the toughest team he’d coached against that year. EVEN if you watched both games…you didn’t see it from the sidelines. I’m going to go with O’Brian on this one.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:55 pm
I’m glad I’m no so obsessed with the goings on in Athens that I sit at my computer logged onto their website, probably under one of several aliases, stirring up trouble. I’m glad I have a life. And most of all, I’m glad I’m a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:56 pm
Last time I checked being only half-right is still wrong.
Old Gold and White in my veins
August 4th, 2011
4:59 pm
Damn straight it’s great to be a Yellow Jacket!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 4th, 2011
4:59 pm
Old Gold, wouldn’t have it any other way, would we?
macrotech
August 4th, 2011
5:04 pm
“Tech fans are sad”….I’m a Tech fan….I’m pretty happy!