5 preseason priorities for Georgia Tech
August’s heat will welcome Georgia Tech to its fall camp Friday.
Temperatures approaching 90 degrees were predicted for Friday afternoon, when the Yellow Jackets will begin their first practice in advance of the 2012 season. Coach Paul Johnson, starting his fifth season at Tech, will not lack for objectives to meet before the Jackets kick off against Virginia Tech in the opener. Here are five of the team’s biggest preseason priorities.
1. Determine depth chart at receiver, A-back
Wide receivers coach Buzz Preston will have a busy August coaching up and sorting out possibly seven players bidding for a starting spot, none of whom has made a single career reception. With Stephen Hill, Tyler Melton and their 58 career starts gone, Tech will need to develop pass-catching threats to keep defenses honest.
Among returnees, Darren Waller might be the most talented of the group that also includes Jeff Greene, Chris Jackson and Jeremy Moore. Incoming freshmen Anthony Autry, Travin Henry and Micheal Summers will get looks, too.
“My experience has been somebody will step up and we’ll find a go-to guy,” Johnson said. “We just don’t know who it’s going to be right now.”
At A-back, Orwin Smith is secure at one spot, but the rest of the rotation is unclear. Robbie Godhigh showed good form in the spring, as did Deon Hill, giving them a leg up going into fall camp. They’ll contend with B.J. Bostic, Broderick Snoddy and Tony Zenon.
2. Get ready for Virginia Tech
For the first time since 1996, Georgia Tech will open with an ACC game, a nationally-televised, prime-time showdown with Virginia Tech on Labor Day. The Hokies have the Jackets’ full attention. Players have been breaking down post-workout huddles with a chant of “9/3!” – the game’s date.
Given that the winner of this game has gone on to win the Coastal Division every year since the ACC split into two divisions in 2005, Tech won’t have a minute to waste in preparing for the Hokies. Johnson will follow the standard practice of using the first two weeks of camp to work on fundamentals and scrimmaging. The second two weeks will be spent more on scout-team work to prepare for the first opponent, in this case Virginia Tech.
Inside linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days might benefit more than anyone from a productive camp. With starter Daniel Drummond missing the game due to a suspension, the redshirt freshman will likely be in the starting lineup for his first career game.
3. Set up special teams
New special-teams coordinator David Walkosky laid a foundation in the spring, teaching his terminology and systems. He’ll have to drill further in August and find the right bodies for the various special-teams units. The Jackets will also practice his version of situational plays, like onside kicks and last-second field goal attempts.
After substandard special-teams play led to Walkosky’s hire, the new coach has infused the team with his intensity.
“We need to get out of the bottom and get to the top and Coach Wak thinks we can do that,” Waller said.
Another priority will be to sort out his specialists – kickers Justin Moore and David Scully, punters Sean Poole and incoming freshman Ryan Rodwell and long snappers Tyler Morgan and Sean Tobin.
“We think we can with them,” Walkosky said. “They’ve got to be more consistent.”
4. Find a spot for Synjyn Days
Synjyn Days, who has packed muscle onto his 220-pound frame, will continue to practice at quarterback, but coaches want him on the field because of his speed and bullish running style. So long as quarterback Tevin Washington has that spot locked, that means getting moved about in camp to see where he fits best.
While continuing to play quarterback during seven-on-seven passing scrimmages this summer, Days snuck in reps at B-back, A-back and wide receiver.
“Actually, I’m doing good at it, catching the ball, running my routes right,” Days said.
Days worked diligently on his passing over the summer, working with a private coach to improve his form.
“He’s still going to play some quarterback,” Johnson said. “We’ll go into fall camp, see where he is there.”
5. Improve pass rush
Tech’s inability to create a pass rush played a role in the Jackets’ slide in the second half of the 2011 season. Tech’s defensive third-down efficiency rate was 42.4 percent, ninth in the ACC.
Linemen T.J. Barnes, Izaan Cross, Euclid Cummings and Emmanuel Dieke will be called on to generate more pocket-collapsing thrust and outside linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu and Brandon Watts will have to sharpen their blitzing edge.
It’ll be required in a hurry. The Hokies converted 10 of 16 third downs against the Jackets a year ago, although Virginia Tech will have to replace four starters on the offensive line.
Said Johnson, “It makes everything better if you’ve got a guy that can get back and put some pressure on the quarterback.”
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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146 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:02 pm
Guys, check out the last few posts on the TW blog. I think you will find it interesting
chili dawg
August 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
Al is one thin-skinned troll…lol
BLT
August 3rd, 2012
5:06 pm
“At least one of those priorities should be stronger under wire support Moobs. All of you structural engineers one would think one of you could come up with a viable solutions to your coaches sagging moobs”
Then we could patent it and sell it to CTG for a small fortune. The “Hart” Foundation could pick up the bill! Cash only, no checks from that dubious “organization.
Just the Facts
August 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
Al – your comments simply serve to reinforce the the stereotypical view that GT alums have of many UGA fans – that they are homphobic and unable to be either thoughtful or creative. Note that I say UGA fans and not alums, because while I actually respect UGA as an institution – I have issues with that portion of the UGA fan base that jump on and off the UGA bandwagon because they have nothing else to latch upon.
BLT
August 3rd, 2012
5:14 pm
“Just the Facts”,
They’ve got plenty to latch upon. You just can’t mention it in a public forum. Take dwagfan for instance, he’s always latching onto stuff and either pulling or shoving. It’s the places that he latches onto that are highly questionable.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:18 pm
Some troll named Andre “Pulpwood” Smith posted earlier on the blog about TW graduating that the new Forbes Magazine rankings of American colleges has Tech ranked 135th best college.and UGA 125th. I checked, and somehow or another that is true. But US News & World Report has an entirely different story to tell, and I posted their rankings. I’m still waiting for a response from him
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
5:25 pm
US news & World Report has been ranking colleges forever. Forbes is new to the game of these ramkings and just trying to sell more mags.
BLT
August 3rd, 2012
5:28 pm
“ramkings” is that new chess move 5150?
I’m just joking…I know it’s a typo. lol
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:29 pm
US News & World Report has Tech ranked as the #84 college in the world; UGA is ranked #386, behind almost every ACC school and quite a few SEC schools.
BLT
August 3rd, 2012
5:29 pm
yes, I left out an “a”
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:29 pm
LOL@BLT
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
5:30 pm
ramkings” is that new chess move 5150?
No, it’s the new leader of sheep….
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
5:31 pm
sorry, that was baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
5:34 pm
LEE is getting his Cowboy Boots on about now I’m guessing. LOL
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
5:35 pm
and the US retakes the lead from China, 43-42
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
5:37 pm
“LEE is getting his Cowboy Boots on about now I’m guessing. LOL”
says Vienna Sausage Boy!!!!!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:40 pm
watch out guys, somebody might accuse of going to Chik Fil’A together today. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:41 pm
dammit, I left out the “you”
violenthokie
August 3rd, 2012
5:47 pm
Enter your comments here
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
5:49 pm
Olympic Basketball is worse than NBA.
violenthokie
August 3rd, 2012
5:51 pm
Georgia Tech will not beat Virginia Tech this year. I almost feel sorry for GT coming into Lane Stadium, they are going to get smashed! Paul Johnson should just go ahead and forfeit to save his school the travel expenses!
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm
purplepokie……want to bet $100.00 on it?
I will take GT and 14 points for $100.00.
Put your balz and money where your mouth and typing fingers are.
unajacket
August 3rd, 2012
6:03 pm
Win the TO battle & 10-2 is doable.
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
6:08 pm
@VioletChokie,
Are you guys still playing Enter Sandman? GT will look to Seek and Destroy the Hokies, and we will show No Remorse. There will be no Escape for you, We will hit you so hard you will all have Whiplash.To you, the final score will be The Thing That Should Not Be. It is Sad But True.Tevin Washington will be the Hero Of The Day, for we are Better Than You. We will leave you Broken Beat and Scarred.
Better learn a new Metallica song!
George Stein
August 3rd, 2012
6:32 pm
We were net positive in turnovers last year, unajacket, and finished 8-5. The season will come down to improvement on defense and special teams. Even competent performance in both last season would have yielded a ten or eleven win season.
yeller bug
August 3rd, 2012
6:39 pm
GT Lee—GT will win in Blacksburg–Nothing Else Matters and as VPI Fades to Black we will become Unforgiven
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
6:49 pm
good job yeller bug……hopefully no will have to Ride the Lightning like 2000….
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
6:51 pm
if our O is clicking on all cylinders, Bud Foster will be a Damage Case by the end of the night!
yeller bug
August 3rd, 2012
7:04 pm
Sad but True GT Lee
GT Lee
August 3rd, 2012
7:08 pm
already used that one, yeller bug!
BigTimeTECHFan
August 3rd, 2012
7:10 pm
I’ll give Va Tech credit, the Enter Sandman entrance is cool.
I’m getting fired up, running a 10K labor day, then GT football that night
Oh USA boxer got ripped off again, won all three rounds, they gave him the loss, enven ref raised his hand thinking he was winner but the judges gave it to India boxer. Sad, the kid worked so hard.
violenthokie
August 3rd, 2012
7:17 pm
You guys didn’t get the memo, coach Paul Johnson has already decided to call the game off. He realizes that bringing his team to Blacksburg would do them irreparable harm for the rest of the year. So in the best interest of his team he has called the game off forfeiting the win to Virginia Tech.
I hope one day Georgia Tech will be able to compete with Virginia Tech in football, but for right now they should stick to playing junior college teams and some of the larger high schools.
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
7:28 pm
purplepokie…..Bet! Put you money down Turkey Crap.
George Stein
August 3rd, 2012
7:34 pm
Something tells me if we win Labor Day night, violenthokie won’t be around.
Also, after the tragedy up there a few years ago, I’m not sure I’d go by that handle, dude.
5150 UOAD
August 3rd, 2012
7:44 pm
It isn’t Violent! It is Violet….He couldn’t be that dumb.
How Violent can a bird be when he don’t have no Balz.
yeller bug
August 3rd, 2012
9:17 pm
My error GT Lee—guess I was Stone Cold Crazy—let’s turn the page—give VPI an embarassing loss where they’ll try to forget, but the memory remains
1 4 GT
August 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
GT will tell ‘em You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.
1 4 GT
August 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
GT just be tellin’ ‘em—–Taking Care of Business!!!
violenthokie
August 3rd, 2012
10:54 pm
You people are delusional, but please don’t make the trip to Blacksburg save your money, GT gonna get slaughtered.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
11:42 pm
Like you slaughtered Boise State???
superDawg
August 4th, 2012
12:27 am
ss That sounds like a NURD hiding behind someone else.
Mr. Ed
August 4th, 2012
12:33 am
CPJ is not going to attract top QBs or WRs as long as he runs that high school offense. Quality athletes at those positions want to go where they will play in a pro style offense. Sorrrrryeeeee.
Jayden Cairns
August 4th, 2012
2:05 am
It’s hard to seek out educated individuals on this matter, but you sound like you know what you’re speaking about! Thanks
WnE
August 4th, 2012
11:58 am
re:
4. Find a spot for Synjyn Days
Synjyn Days, who has packed muscle onto his 220-pound frame, will continue to practice at quarterback, but coaches want him on the field because of his speed and bullish running style. So long as quarterback Tevin Washington has that spot locked, that means getting moved about in camp to see where he fits best.
____________
Why is CPJ so hell-bent on making Days play on the Offensive side of the ball?
Coming out of HS only GT & Toldeo saw Days as a QB, every other BCS-level HC saw Days as a Safety or Strong Safety, Okie St. among the teams.
With his size & speed and physicality and GT’s horrible depth chart at Safety, Days should be moved over to defense ASAP.
With the numbers of schollies that CPJ has used Recruiting A-backs that are under 5-10 and under 190 lbs., there should be some depth at A-Back that would allow Days to move to Safety a very THIN position on this team.
I. Johnson is very shaky vs. good opposition and Holton is coming back from and ruptured achilles and he wasn’t the fastest guy before the injury, after those 2 our Safeties our not impressive at all, last yr. he had Laskey at Safety and now he’s at B-back, THIRD STRING B-BACK BTW.
CPJ is so hell-bent on proving that his “system” works that he’s willing to raid the depth chart at Defensive positions or he refuses to move guys to defense in favor of positions that should be well stocked like A-back.
With all the A-back schollies that CPJ has used Days should be able to help CAG’s defense at safety.
To force Days to play A-back or some where on offense just means that CPJ has had a LOT OF MISSES with the skill guys that he has Recruited to play Offense.
Safety is definite weakness on this years team, and CPJ doesn’t seem to give a darn.
WnE
August 4th, 2012
12:11 pm
re:
Supersize that order, mutt
August 3rd, 2012
5:29 pm
US News & World Report has Tech ranked as the #84 college in the world; UGA is ranked #386, behind almost every ACC school and quite a few SEC schools.
__________
Why do GT fans & alums LOVE the Academic Rankings, but HATE the Recruiting Rankings?
Shouldn’t we dismiss all the Rankings?
After all, the MAGAZINES that do the Academic rankings are a lot less comprehensive than the Recruiting services that look at thousands of hours of film and have Recruits come to combines to see them in person.
The magazines that do the Academic Rankings send out “surveys” that in many cases are answered on the honor system and there no way that those magazines actually send out representatives to visit THOUSANDS of college (about 6,000 estimated).
In order to be consistent and NON-hypocritical, shouldn’t the GT alums that hate the Recruiting Rankings also “hate” & dismiss the Academics Rankings.
The truth is, in all likelihood, the Recruiting Rankings are MORE LIKELY to have more merit and more accuracy than do the Academic Rankings by Magazines.
Yet the GT fanbase will accept one as the Gospel and dismiss the other as unreliable.
IMO, this is the foundation of the typical holier-than-thou, hypocritical GT Alum.
Yellowjacked
August 4th, 2012
3:47 pm
I love the Jackets, but I see a so so 7-5 year with loses to Clemson, VT, and UGA. We will drop two more we should not. CPJ is just not the type coach we need. We need to go one that can recruit. I am tried of this loser group of kids we sign. They are not fit to play for GT. Why dont we get Jordan Jenkins or Keith Marshall. No we get some left over kids. If not for CPJ sorry recruiting, most of these kids would be playing at SC St or Ga. Southern.