Georgia Tech: Justin Thomas turns on the jets
Practice report from Tuesday afternoon:
1. Georgia Tech put on the pads for the first time Tuesday. Among the standouts was freshman quarterback Justin Thomas.
“There were some kids that did some good things,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Justin Thomas had a couple long runs for touchdowns, so that was good.”
In his next breath, Johnson played down the possibility of him playing this year. With Tevin Washington, Vad Lee and Synjyn Days ahead of him, a redshirt seems likely.
“He’s lost right now,” Johnson said. “But he’s very quick and fast. He’s got ability like we thought.”
Tuesday was also the first opportunity for coaches to see how Days, who has also been taking snaps at A-back, could block. Johnson said Days took more reps Tuesday at quarterback than A-back and didn’t watch him that much.
“It wasn’t glaringly bad or it wasn’t anything that caught my eye,” he said.
There wasn’t a great deal of full-contact work, defensive end Izaan Cross said, mostly formation recognition work. The most contact was in an option drill.
“We’ve got a ways to go,” Cross said, “but a good start.”
After four practices with no pads or just shoulder pads, “everybody was ready to hit,” said nose tackle T.J. Barnes, who hailed the play of cornerback Louis Young. “I was impressed by what I saw [Tuesday], but we’ve still got to get better.”
Defensive coordinator Al Groh’s assessment of the freshmen: “A lot of them are like a ball in high grass. You know what that is? Lost.”
2. Groh’s breakdown of defensive end Anthony Williams, who is pushing for playing time behind ends Cross, Emmanuel Dieke and Euclid Cummings. “This is Anthony’s third year. He’s certainly got some muscles on him that he didn’t have two years ago, (and) a better sense of the techniques that he plays. That’s the key thing, the development of the techniques, because they’re all fairly similar from defensive scheme to defensive scheme. … In the early going, added on to the 15 practices of the spring, you can see some progress in that area.”
3. It’s been a good camp so far for kicker David Scully. The junior, who came to Tech as a walk-on, was placed on scholarship on Monday. He has taken an early lead in the competition with kicker Justin Moore. And he likes new special-teams coordinator David Walkosky. While he is spending more time with the specialists, Scully and his fellow kickers are actually kicking less.
“He makes it a point not to over-kick us,” Scully said. “I know this time last year, we were all (spending time in the) cold tub, sore, stretching, just dying. And he makes a really good point to make sure, when we start getting fatigued, he shuts us down. Just really kind of taking care of us in general.”
4. Cross’ roommate at the team hotel is walk-on freshman A-back Isiah Willis. It’s seemingly the ideal situation for a senior like Cross to pull rank. He said he has yet to do so.
“I just want to go to bed when I get back to the room,” he said. “I’m exhausted after Coach Groh’s meetings.”
5. The team will have its first double practice session on Wednesday, going at 9:30 a.m. and again at 5:15 p.m. The Jackets have a scrimmage scheduled for Saturday morning. It has not been determined if it will be open to the public.
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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207 comments Add your comment
Dawgmess
August 8th, 2012
8:48 am
I’ve sincerely enjoyed reading these comments without (for the most part) immature, assinine jabs from so-called fans from other schools.
I wish we could have discussions like this at the end of our articles without the same tired old trolls with their same tired old insults.
Congratulations!
Jacket Man
August 8th, 2012
9:00 am
Yeah, Bobby Dodd was such a bad Coach that the National Head Coach Award of the Year Award is called the “Bobby Dodd Award”…, just like the award for the top player in College Football is called the Heisman Trophy, named after former GA Tech Head Football Coach John Heisman, and the National Assistant Coach of the Year Award is called the Frank Broyles award, named for former GA Tech GA Tech Assistant Football Coach (who then went on to become Arkansas Head Coach & AD) Frank Broyles). These are, obviously, the three highest awards associated with Coaches in College Football, and all named after GA Tech Football Coaches. No other school/team has one Coach on this list…
Tokyo jacket
August 8th, 2012
9:15 am
@gt4ever, exactly my point. We will win more with TW than any other QB on our roster THIS season. No need to switch JT to another position YET. He COULD do amazing things at QB, but not as a true frosh in one of the most nuanced offenses in the country. Also, at 175 lbs I believe, not sure he could take the beating.
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
9:28 am
@Tokyo
100 percent agree… He couldn’t take the beating. Period. He could be very special if he is patient and waits his turn… Time will tell..
Paddy
August 8th, 2012
9:38 am
5150………of course many coaches used that quote. its a good one! The fact is Woody said it first. He hated the forward pass.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
9:42 am
I am in no ways suggesting that Thomas is ready to play, but I might remind all of you that in 1978, Mike Kelly (from Augusta, I might add….LOL) started at QB as a freshman (beginning with the second game, I think), and remained the starter for all 4 years, going on to a brief career in the NFL. He was GOOD !!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
9:42 am
@ Paddy……actually Robert Neyland of Tennessee said it first, in the 40s
5150 UOAD
August 8th, 2012
9:43 am
Paddy it seems that Gen Neyland was Older and said it first.
5150 UOAD
August 8th, 2012
9:44 am
I doesn’t matter who said it first.
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
9:44 am
I remember well Super… If the Depth chart is similar then you have to play your best player.. I just don’t see killing this kid before we use all our other options,,, TW, VL, and Days…. IMHO…
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
9:53 am
@ gt4ever, I totally agree, but it HAS happened in the past. I just hope that CPJ is at least open to that possibility. But the others SHOULD come first unless Thomas is just a killer at QB; then you don’t need to waste a year. Kelly took over from Gary Lanier. Lanier was great at running the Wishbone, but couldn’t pass. Kelly COULD pass, and Pepper recognized the need for that. People think CPJ is stubborn; they don’t know stubborn. Pepper was the most stubborn (not to mention goofy) coach ever. But he knew what was the best move on that one, and he did it.
Paddy
August 8th, 2012
10:05 am
Supersize………darn, I wanted it to be Woody. Was a big OSU fan growing up. But I turned it around and now love my Dawgs. Like your coach for many reasons, hope you keep him. His teams are fun to watch except for that one game in Nov.
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
10:09 am
@Paddy
I bet you like him… I mean CPJ couldn’t beat your worst team with his best team…. LOL.. Sorry Super, but you know it’s true…
Eddie Lee Ivory
August 8th, 2012
10:15 am
How many times over the past 4 years have we seen Josh Nesbitt and Tevin Washington burst through the line for a nice 10 yard gain, and then be run down and tackled.
Nobody is going to run down Justin Thomas! This kid needs to be on the field from game one!
The clock is ticking on the Paul Johnson Era. He no longer has the luxury of leaving some of his best players on the sidelines.
Don’t play Justin Thomas and somebody else might be coaching him next year.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
10:16 am
@ gt4ever…..I’m not going to argue with you. I still don’t understand his play calling at the end of that game. It should have been a no-brainer, and he blew it. By the way, are we going to be able to meet you at a game, or games, this fall? I would definitely like to.
William Casey
August 8th, 2012
10:25 am
My football coaching mentor was GEORGE MALOOF (4 TD’s vs. UGA in ‘51) who played for Coach Dodd. We talked a lot about GT football of that era. The best I can tell, Coach Dodd was all about character and integity. He fostered the concept of the “Tech Man,” a player who competed the right way. UT dropout or not, he wanted GT to be an institution to foster that concept. Coach Dodd saw the direction that the SEC was going, especially in recruiting practices, attempted to change that direction from within, and then made the decision to leave the SEC when he saw that he was fighting a losing battle. Recruiting wasn’t the cesspool that it often is today but I believe that Coach Dodd saw it coming. The decision to leave the SEC must be viewed in the context of 1963 Southern football rather than through the prism of 2012. The one thing Coach Dodd probably didn’t see was the effect that massive TV money would have on the game. Few others did either at the time.
As for those of you advocating playing JUSTIN THOMAS right now, I’d be interested in knowing your professional coaching experience. I know that I was only a high school coach. However, my experiences have taugt me the dangers of throwing a talented athlete into the cauldron before they are ready, especially at QB. I think that I’ll trust CPJ’s judgement based on his 26 years of experience rather than your opinions.
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
10:26 am
I can’t wait for football to start… It’s the only reason to live… lol… Yes I look forward to meeting you, and any other GT fan… We are a minority, we need to stick together…
GTBob
August 8th, 2012
10:26 am
I mean we all have the luxury of hindsight, but GT football has never been the same…
GT Football started declining long before they left the SEC. Its not leaving the SEC that caused it, college football just changed in a way that was not very advantageous to us. Personally I still feel that Dodd made the right decision, people just think it is crazy now because the SEC is on their current run, but there were good reasons for leaving.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
10:31 am
@ gt4ever……we have to figure out how, when, and where to meet then. Are you going to the Pres game?
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
10:39 am
I may be in California… Idk yet… Our offense should be ranked number 1 in the country after that game…
5150 UOAD
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Eddie lee ivory….maybe you will see yourself in Tevin and Orwin’s game when they wear your number in a game this year.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
10:45 am
@ gt4ever…..what part of the stadium are your seats in?
GT Lee
August 8th, 2012
11:18 am
Amazing how all these “armchair coaches” know so much about who should be starting at what position…..
headley lamar
August 8th, 2012
11:56 am
OK Techsters
Headley is back !!!! I posted this before and supersize has you guys going undefeated. I just wonder if there are any rational Tech fans out there? Oh he did say you guys might maybe lose to Clemson. But thats it. He also repeated the often used CPJ line ” Nobody has every stopped my offense blah blah blah ”
Vegas has spoken and the over under for wins this year for tech is ….
8
Seems like a high number at first glance but you guys did beat the spread last year.
Considering Tech is 2 – 10 under CPJ vs UGA , Va Tech and Bowl Game
Including 0 for last 6.
Lets just consider those three losses.
Va Tech ( Loss )
Blue Hose ( Win )
Virginia ( Win )
Miami ( Loss )
Middle Tenn ( Win )
Clemson ( Loss )
B.C. ( Win )
BYU ( Win )
Maryland ( Win )
N.C. ( Win )
Duke ( Win )
UGA ( Loss )
Bowl ( Loss )
I have Tech with 8 wins as well. Seems about right in the ACC.
Your thoughts ?????
WnE
August 8th, 2012
12:01 pm
re:
gt4ever
August 8th, 2012
8:14 am
WnE was either drunk or on heavy drugs when he denigrates Dodd’s coaching ability, but he is dead on about the absurd logic used in taking us out of the SEC. I mean we all have the luxury of hindsight, but GT football has never been the same…
WnE, Just get some help, son!
_______________
I didn’t denigrate his coaching ability.
What I did write is that Coach Dodd’s performance vs. UGA is not nearly as good as the Dodd Mythologists make it out to be.
Another poster claimed that Dodd was 12-9 lifetime vs. Muttville, and was 3-7 in his last 10 games vs. UGA.
I didn’t really criticize his coaching. I just made the point that he wasn’t as good as his “legend” makes out to be, and that he was a really bad AD.
GT Lee
August 8th, 2012
12:01 pm
“Your thoughts ?????”
I think heady lamar is a colostomy bag……
GT Lee
August 8th, 2012
12:03 pm
Gollum go bark on the UGA(y) blogs with your fellow dwags……..You got Precious all shined up yet?
Uh, Jacket Man...
August 8th, 2012
12:12 pm
…John Heisman coached at Clemson BEFORE he coached at Tech, so I guess you could say that Clemson has one coach that is on that list….
George Stein
August 8th, 2012
12:22 pm
How’d that bet work for you last year, headley?
GT Lee
August 8th, 2012
12:26 pm
“OK Techsters
Headley is back !!!”
_____________________________
Damn work-release program……
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
12:26 pm
@ Headless…..you know damn well I didn’t have Tech going undefeated. I DID say, however, that the Jackets WILL beat MIAMI and UGA. VT SHOULD be a win by the Jackets, but who knows? First game jitters for each squad. Clemson is a probable loss and UNC scares me, because of our track record there…..for instance, 1990. But I have no doubts that we will beat Miami, and I feel VERY CONFIDENT about beating the dwags. So I would say 10-2 is very reasonable.
GTBob
August 8th, 2012
12:27 pm
I have Tech with 8 wins as well. Seems about right in the ACC.
Your thoughts ?????
I have us 9-3 at least. No way we lose to Clemson, VT, UGA, and the Bowl game. That has only happened once since VT joined the conference.
GTfan 2012
August 8th, 2012
12:38 pm
WnE, Dodd is last coach with a winning record against UGA, which is a span of almost 70 years. Dodd won a national title and two SEC titles as well as playing in 7 major bowl games. Plus, as I pointed out on another article, your criticsm of Dodd as a bad AD appears to be based solely on your hatred of all things GT. You fail to account for the competitve landscape of the SEC as one factor in Dodd decision to leave. Its impossible to judge what might have happened if GT stayed in the SEC. GT did win a national title is 1990 after leaving the SEC, so its tough to say that the decision was a complete failure.
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
12:39 pm
John Heisman coached at several schools, including Clemson & Auburn, both prior to GT. So what??
Ol'JacketFan
August 8th, 2012
12:41 pm
wrexie, learn to read Dodd was 12-9 all time against GA but 0-3 in his last 3 years. His teams still owns the longest win streak in the series at 8 in a row.
Or as wrexie put it. “Also, Dodds record vs. UGA is much better than Chan’s, but it is not nearly as good as the Dodd Mythologists make it out to be.”
165-64-8 overall, 76-39-4 in SEC play. Pretty damn good record in my opnion, no myths there based soley on objective numbers.
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
12:44 pm
He was also the head basketball & head baseball coach at GT. He coached football at GT from 1904 thru 1919. He was the head baseball coach 1904-1917. He was head basketball coach 1908-1909 & 1912-1914 with a record of 9-14—-guess they didn’t play too many basketball games back then & he must not have been to good at it.
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
12:45 pm
I reckon Heisman’s longevity at GT is why we claim him in relationship to the Heisman Trophy.
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
12:52 pm
But, Uh, Jacket Man—-the comment wasn’t about Heisman. It was about 3, as in three, as in 3, men that coached at GT.
Noboy disputes Heisman's record or ties to GT, 1 4GT...
August 8th, 2012
12:52 pm
…we are just taking issue with this statement from Jacket Man, esw[pecially the last sentence – “These are, obviously, the three highest awards associated with Coaches in College Football, and all named after GA Tech Football Coaches. No other school/team has one Coach on this list…”
Noboy disputes Heisman's record or ties to GT, 1 4GT...
August 8th, 2012
12:54 pm
…pardon moi – “nobody” not “noboy”…oops…
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
12:59 pm
Then I apologize for my sarcasm. I misread your intent. My bad. The DAMN stupid filters wouldn’t take my first post, so I was breaking it down.
Careful, 1 4 GT...
August 8th, 2012
12:59 pm
…or we will name all 7 OTHER schools where Heisman coached and then Jacket Man will really be wrong in that statement…
GTfan 2012
August 8th, 2012
1:10 pm
Ol’JacketFan,
If Bobby Bowden won 400 games at GT, WnE probably would’ve said bad things about him, too. Even some of the FSU fans that ran him out of town might be pining for a comeback right about now. The point is, nobody is denigrating Bowden right now, even those that ran him out of town, because there is no reason to do so. (And Dodd wasn’t even run out of town). Maybe the only people still denigrating the memory of Bowden are the Florida fans who still remember all the losses and want to make themselves feel better.
GT fan
August 8th, 2012
1:14 pm
George Stein … Headly doesn’t understand betting or is afraid to make a bet. He just goes with what Vegas puts on the board and swears it to be his genius. Plus, he think Casinos are “built” with all the billions & billions of $ the sports books bring in, and not all those things called slot machines & table games!
—————-
Headly, last season I won my o/u on GT. I even bought a half game to over 6.5 wins as to increase my winnings. 6 Wins, with PJ as HC? That’s pretty much a gimme, so last season was easy. 8 Ws, with the toughest opponents being road games in 2012, is harder to read. I haven’t really studied the schedule/opponents may a bet yet, but there’s still a few weeks before the season starts.
Ol'JacketFan
August 8th, 2012
1:14 pm
@ GTFan, I know, I just won’t sit by and let ilk like that denigrate such a good man without calling him out on it.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
1:15 pm
High Tech made a post last night in which he pasted WnE’s latest post on the UGA blogs PRAISING the UGA players. Has he ever praised ANYBODY connected to Tech? HELL, NO!!!!
1 4 GT
August 8th, 2012
1:17 pm
I didn’t know until today that Heisman was also the head baseball & basketball coach at GT.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
1:19 pm
@ 1 4 GT……he didn’t do too well in basketball, but he had a pretty good record in baseball
Supersize that order, mutt
August 8th, 2012
1:21 pm
DAMMIT, what is up with these screwy filters?
GT fan
August 8th, 2012
1:21 pm
I need to do some research on Vegas’ o/u in regards to GT or does anyone already know? ……..
GT won 6 in 2010 so 2011’s o/u was … 6
GT won 8 in 2011 so 2012’s o/u is …. 8
GT won 11 in 2009 … wonder what Vegas’ 2010 o/u was? I know it wasn’t 6.
GT won 9 in 2008 …. I’m sure Vegas didn’t have the 2009 o/u more than 9.