Days to play ’somewhere’ for Georgia Tech against Hokies
1. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson wasn’t in much of a mood to share details, but allowed this about quarterback/A-back Synjyn Days. He’s in the plans for the opener against Virginia Tech.
“We’ll see where he plays, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t play in the game somewhere,” Johnson said following Wednesday’s practice.
Johnson said he didn’t know if Days, who has spent some of the preseason training at A-back, would play at that position. Coaches want to get Days on the field to make use of his playmaking ability, but he is behind Tevin Washington at quarterback.
Coaches “really haven’t said anything, just that we want the best 11 players on the field and they said I’m one of the best 11,” Days said. “If it’s a special package or something, I’m just trying to do the best for the team any way possible, even if it’s special teams or holding the kick or something.”
Days has worked with the punt return and kickoff return teams in addition to A-back and quarterback. A-backs coach Lamar Owens said that Days is “getting there” as an A-back.
Johnson said he didn’t know how big the A-back rotation will be. Orwin Smith and Robby Godhigh are the expected starters, followed by Deon Hill. Johnson mentioned Tony Zenon, B.J. Bostic and Days as possibilities.
“There could be several guys rolling in there by situation,” he said.
(My guess is Days will play some at A-back. He was something to watch in the spring, though, running the pistol.)
2. Johnson said that Wednesday’s practice dragged. “The defense was a little more up-tempo, probably, than the offense,” he said.
The team was in full pads. Offensive tackle Morgan Bailey, defensive back Lynn Griffin, safety Fred Holton, wide receiver Chris Jackson and B-back Zach Laskey were held out. Bailey was still in a walking boot. Laskey has strep throat. The other injuries were not disclosed, but are not believed to be serious.
B-back David Sims practiced for the third day in a row.
“I think he’s getting back to healthy,” Johnson said.
Tech will practice Thursday, scrimmage Friday and then have the weekend off. Johnson plans six practices next week, Monday through Saturday. The team will fly up to Virginia Tech Sunday.
(Secondary coach Charles Kelly bragged a little on Griffin on Tuesday. “I’m really excited about him,” he said. “He’s big, physical, he can really change directions and run.”)
3. If Bailey is not available for the Hokies game, some adjustments may be made. Johnson said that left tackle Ray Beno has worked at right tackle in Bailey’s place, with Bryan Chamberlain playing left. Backup right tackle Tyler Kidney could play in a rotation.
Nose tackle T.J. Barnes is likely to play no more than 35 or 40 snaps in a game, Johnson said. He is backed up by Shawn Green.
“He’s done well in practice, but we’ll see once we get going game-wise,” Johnson said of Barnes. “I have no reason to doubt him.”
True freshman defensive lineman Adam Gotsis has stayed up with what Johnson calls “the varsity,” meaning he is a candidate to play this season and not redshirt. Gotsis is from Abbotsford, Australia.
(Chamberlain being responsible for Washington’s blindside in his first career game at Lane Stadium is a tall order. With the injuries to Beno and Bailey in camp, he’s gotten a lot of extra practice time. “He’s starting to get a little more comfortable with his own assignments, with his own techniques in a critical situation,” offensive line coach Mike Sewak said. Also, I don’t remember who asked about backup offensive lineman J.C. Lanier, but I asked Johnson about his role. “Right now, he’s a backup offensive lineman. That’s what he is.” I asked if a switch back to defense had been considered. Said Johnson, “I think he’s in the right spot, if he’s going to play.”)
Thanks for reading. There’s no more coach or player access until next Tuesday, so the next couple days I’ll be posting a couple stories that I reported this week on Orwin Smith and Quayshawn Nealy. Also, I need to post the next in the “10 things” series, on inside linebackers coach Joe Speed. Interesting background.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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235 comments Add your comment
Yeller Bug
August 23rd, 2012
4:06 pm
VT is 6-4 over the last 10 years on their opening game—the only “bad” loss was to East Carolina–others were USC (the real one out West), AL, & Boise St. They did lose a second game of the season to James Madison so perhaps you can argue they start slow, but they also have played good competition. I think it’s going to be a good game and the national exposure cannot hurt. Home team should have the distinct advantage, but giving 7.5 points—I’d take the points.
fuzzybee78
August 23rd, 2012
4:22 pm
I think the Jackets are going to need to steal a TD via ST or D turnover to get over the points spread.
Then again nobody predicted the win up there in 06 after the beat down we took at home in 05.
GT fan
August 23rd, 2012
4:33 pm
IDK about anyone else, but every time I see a photo of Synjyn carrying the ball one word comes to mind …
F U M B L E.
Someone, other than WnE, teach SD how to TUCK THE BALL.
these are the good ole Days
August 23rd, 2012
4:54 pm
bet ya Monken at that Statesboro school was sure he could grab this one away to qb his team…glad Tech coaches understand the best need to be on the field, great to hear
Georgia Tech is in Atlanta
August 23rd, 2012
4:56 pm
Oh god. How many fumbles?
jeffjacket
August 23rd, 2012
5:22 pm
I tell you what guys, I really want to believe Washington will be able to at least throw the short and mid-range routes. That alone will insure a top offense and with Groh being in his 3rd year, it may be LOOK OUT VT!
fan
August 23rd, 2012
6:28 pm
Virginia Tech 45, blowflys 10.
Yeller Bug
August 23rd, 2012
6:32 pm
JJ: I hope so too. TW did well the first few weeks—led the nation in passer rating for a couple of weeks. Everyone claimed it was the weak schedule, but later on in the schedule the receivers were still open and TW was not even within a grenade accurate. He got happy feet. His first pass against UVA was overthrown by 15 yds! Hopefully he has worked on his mechanics and will do better this year.
Grinch
August 23rd, 2012
10:16 pm
This I can GUARANTEE YOU, most will finally get to see the potent triple option in it’s most dangerously wicked form. Ga Southern is all I’m gonna say. CPJ finally has his pieces in place where he can interchange parts (players) on the fly during the game to keep the defenses very confused. Our QB may line up but run the trip option, or the wild cat, or the dump, or the long pass. We’ll use V Lee, Syms and Tevin on many different plays and this will fun to watch. The same goes for ANY player on the offense. Left guard my play right guard, etc. This is the type of team CPJ wants and used to win multiple titles at Ga Southern.
1 4 GT
August 23rd, 2012
10:26 pm
Grinch—-I surely, truly hope so. I can almost taste the wins.
1 4 GT
August 23rd, 2012
10:31 pm
Bi Cri—-I would like to go out on that limb with you, but I am scared of putting a jinx on GT. But I surely, truly would love so see it. So bad, I can almost taste it. Just for fun—your completely honest thoughts on the winner of your Bama/GT MNCG??
GTfan2012
August 23rd, 2012
10:35 pm
fuzzybee78,
I was in Blacksburg in ‘06…. What a game! 9/3 will be my third trip to Lane Stadium for a game. so far we are undefeated in games I have attended at Lane stadium. Unfortunately that’s only 1-0, because my other visit to Lane stadium ended with rain, thunder and Lee Corso rental car being struck by lightening. Good Times.
ole yeller
August 23rd, 2012
10:49 pm
14, I’m from Statesboro home of Ga. Southern Erk Russell and Paul Johnson. Grinch speaks the truth.
Clyde
August 23rd, 2012
10:53 pm
I do recall reading that TW acknowledged his ‘happy feet’ problem due to pressure and has worked on it. With a strong line, there’s a good chance of improved passing due to more patience. From the articles I’ve read, CPJ hasn’t talked about TW much and I think it’s because he has looked strong. I don’t care what happened last year or the year before, there’s a season of football to be played and I’m excited about it.
1 4 GT
August 23rd, 2012
11:11 pm
ole yeller—-I know. I look for a real good year and I believe anything is possible. I will be sorely disappointed if GT has just an average year. I also know what the offense can do. It can many problems for defenses. I wanna see coaches throwing fits on sidelines and players slapping the ground and telling reporters I won’t see that offense in the NFL like that UNC DE last year. THWGeorgie GOOOOO JACKETS COOK THE TURKEY <<<<<>>>>>
1 4 GT
August 23rd, 2012
11:12 pm
“create” between can & many
ole yeller
August 23rd, 2012
11:32 pm
14, fear P.J. He is too laid back and silent this year. I get the feeling he is very confident of this team. I’ve seen this before of the teams he had. He had an unequaled program at Ga. Southern. I have heard over and over he plays chess while his opponents are playing checkers. Having followed him for many years I get the sense that he is now comfortable in this teams ability to excel.
1 4 GT
August 23rd, 2012
11:54 pm
ole yeller—-I’ll take your word for it. I like his short, kinda sarcastic remarks when questioned about his team. I know he had a powerhouse at Ga Southern & Dooley wanted Erk to replace him & bring PJ with him as OC until Erk retired from coaching after 5 years max at Georgie. Dooley told the hiring board he wanted to watch SEC coaches pull their hair out trying to stop PJ’s offense. Triple Option is really not the proper name for it. TO is no more than 30% of it. Flexbone comes closer in my opinion. If he doesn’t have all the necessary players just yet, wait one more year & watch us go.
ole yeller
August 23rd, 2012
11:58 pm
14, I think he is already there. It was the ham bone, and was run by Tracy Hamm.
1 4 GT
August 24th, 2012
12:49 am
Yeah, I remember him. If we could get a QB like that, and we might have at least one, if not two, watch out. I hope we see Vad Lee sonn and he is what he was recruited for. I think Justin Thomas has the skill set, but he is so small. At 5′9″ he might could add 10-15 pounds of muscle, but I have doubts about his size, although Little Joe did damn good. He was a bit heavier, but if he was 5′9″, it was after getting off the stretching rack. We need someone with Lee’s size & Joe’s skill set. I know I’m setting up “Carnack” for a feast. And some others too.
gt4ever
August 24th, 2012
8:30 am
@Grinch
I hope your right, but the odds are surely against….
Birmingham Jacket
August 24th, 2012
9:45 am
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/teamrank/2012/ACC/all
2012: 56th nationally 10/12 ACC
2010: 41st nationally 8/12 ACC
2009: 43rd nationally 8/12 ACC
2008: 49th nationally 8/12 ACC
When you feel the pain and disappointment, this is why.
Time for a new regime.
BV
August 24th, 2012
10:42 am
Can’t Days just learn how to carry the ball?…Yet another photo demonstrating precisely how not to carry the ball.
Nash Nance's Dad
August 24th, 2012
3:07 pm
I can solve this problem.
I can get you a QB with SEC bench experience, D-3 practice experience, plus a troubled wide receiver.
My rates are way better than Cecil Newton.
Hit me up fools.
GTfan2012
August 24th, 2012
3:54 pm
Birmingham, I get it… the “star” rankings don’t look great for GT. Also, those ranking are based on quantity rather than quality. I agree we can get better talent that fits our scheme, and I think that in 2012 and in 2013 we have. But I also believe in letting the players perform on the field before we judge them.
Actually, why don’t you take a look at that 2009 class and get back to me on why the recruiting classes of certain ACC schools are ranked higher than ours. Because the number of starters we have from that class and the number of preseason watch list and recognized guys we have from that class tells me that it was a lot better than 8th in the ACC.
1 4 GT
August 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
AMEN GTfan2012!!
GTfan2012
August 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
Actually Birmingham, you can just give me one piece of analysis to prove that your whole premise with the recruiting rankings isn’t total BS. How could our 2009 class be ranked the same a Duke’s. That’s it. Just expain that to me, and then I won’t think the whole premise of what you posted is a total FARCE.
Since I don’t expect Birmingham to actually be able to respond to my post with any seblance of rational analysis that could explain that, I’ll break it down (and then he can refute what I say if he is able). In 2009, Rivals ranked the GT recruiting class at 49th in the country, tied with Duke. Today, as we begin the 2012 season, GT has multiple players on the watch lists for the senior bowl as well as watch list for multiple awards from that class. Duke has exactly 1 player than even garnered any All-conference votes (Conner Vernon) from that class. GT has its top two RBs, all its starting DL, its top two CBs, and a high round NFL draft pick from that class
1 4 GT
August 24th, 2012
4:33 pm
GTfan2012—-let “Carnack” refute your statement as well. I haven’t seen as much respect for any of his beloved Georgie players as I have for GT players either. Could it be that CPJ & his staff has coached them up?
GTfan2012
August 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
1 4 GT,
Careful you are speaking heresay against the UGA players. After all according to Carnack, they could have as many as 16 players off their DEFENSE drafted in the NFL. If you just project out all that 4* and 5* talent, they should all make it to the NFL. I do wonder why that hasn’t happened in the past nearly as much, though. Actually, here is a list of the 4* and 5* that UGA had sign in 2009 – Aaron Murray, Marlon Brown, Orson Charles, Branden Smith, Rantavious Wooten. Arthur Lynch, Jordan Love, Austin Long, Abry Jones, Zach Mettenburger, Washaun Ealy, and Chase Vasser. After looking at that class and considering that UGA’s class was ranked 5th in the country in 2009, I’d say GT did pretty well.
1 4 GT
August 24th, 2012
5:24 pm
Pretty well, indeed!!
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Rdm
August 25th, 2012
10:20 am
If you look at the difference between predictions and results for each recruiting class … Well … Uga has one of the LARGEST gaps …
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