Lineup changes afoot for Georgia Tech
Notes from Thursday.
1. It appears that Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson will give a few young players a shot in the starting lineup for Saturday’s home opener against Presbyterian.
B-back Zach Laskey and wide receiver Darren Waller, both sophomores, and offensive tackle Bryan Chamberlain, a redshirt freshman, will make their first career starts, according to the depth chart released Thursday.
At his Wednesday news conference, Johnson deemed the play of the wide receivers in the loss to Virginia Tech on Monday “not great.” Waller is projected to replace Jeff Greene and start opposite Jeremy Moore. Laskey takes the top spot claimed last week by Charles Perkins, who started against the Hokies but gained five yards on three carries. Chamberlain is slotted at left tackle and Ray Beno, who started in that spot on Monday, is flipped to right tackle. Tyler Kidney started at right tackle Monday.
No changes were made among defensive starters.
“Saturday night’s about Georgia Tech,” Johnson said Wednesday. “It’s about us moving forward and improving in a lot of areas we need to improve in.”
Safety Fred Holton is the only player listed as out for the game. B-back David Sims is doubtful while offensive tackle Morgan Bailey and A-back Orwin Smith are questionable. Johnson said Wednesday that Bailey, who suffered a high-ankle sprain before the opener, has been cleared to play and that Smith, who hurt his shoulder against the Hokies, is available. Inside linebacker Daniel Drummond and cornerback Louis Young, whom Johnson said Wednesday probably wouldn’t play because of injuries, are expected to play. Drummond is suspended for the first half.
2. For Young, it will be his first game since the Georgia game last November. He was suspended for the Sun Bowl and the Virginia Tech game for selling tickets to the Georgia game, a violation of NCAA rules. He addressed the matter with a post on his Facebook page this week.
“Last year I made a terrible decision & I was suspended for the bowl game last year & this past Monday night game vs. VT. I disappointed my family, friends, coaches, but most of all I disappointed my teammates,” Young wrote. “I’m blessed they forgave me & I’m just ready to be a dependable teammate for my team & train every day to be a playmaker. The past is the past, now let’s go get this [ACC championship].”
3. Quarterback Tevin Washington’s 10 completions to the A-backs and B-backs Monday were the most reception in a game by Tech’s backs under Johnson. However, no Tech wide receiver caught a pass in the same game, only the second time that has happened since Johnson became coach for the 2008 season. The other occurrence was in the 2010 Orange Bowl against Iowa.
A-back B.J. Bostic had seven touches in the game, including one pass attempt. Of those seven, four produced first downs, including three on third or fourth down. Bostic had 54 all-purpose yards in the game.
4. The Brock indoor practice facility will be open to the public Saturday 4-6 p.m. before the game. Also, the athletic department will offer family-friendly activities on Fowler Street and Callaway Plaza, including a live band, face painting and inflatables. Free shuttle service to and from the stadium is again available from Atlantic Station, which will also hold a free event Friday night with live music, the Tech marching band and spirit squad and Buzz.
5. Presbyterian coach Harold Nichols coached at Georgia Southern 1992-95, before Johnson’s term as head coach there from 1997 to 2001. Nichols was an assistant under Tim Stowers, who also was on the Southern staff with Johnson as assistants. The two are acquaintances.
“All I’ve ever heard about Harold has been positives and good things from people that have worked with him,” Johnson said.
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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207 comments Add your comment
North Ave Killer Beez
September 7th, 2012
9:49 am
It’s just hard to watch
I wish he would give perkins a chance to run in space also. Dwyer used to get pounded, then he would get the toss outside and boom. Once in a blue moon he would bust the dive open. Maybe Tevin is the most ready QB, but could PJ just give someone a chance? Some guys are just gamer’s, they don’t have to start but when the offense is sputtering that bad, why not shake it up a bit? I’m just saying. GO JACKETS!!
WnE
September 7th, 2012
9:49 am
re:
anti4baldheadedyankeesstininuptheairwaves
September 7th, 2012
8:02 am
Itis amazing the numberof ex-nfl and ex-ncaa coaches on this vent. I am sure that some of these posters will soon get jobs as assistants, co-ordinators and even head coaches. I am honored to share with such genius. In reality ignorance is rampant on here and Paul Johnson has forgotten more football than the sum of you clowns know including the greatest clown of all Mark Bradley. oh for the day he retires or gets fired. I have to be positive and believe the majority of the GT fan base is not this ignorant.
____________________
If what you wrote above were true then CPJ, the “genius” would not be 3-14 vs. the big-4 games on our schedule during his tenure.
Yeah, I know 4-1 vs. Clemson they had a HC change during one of those seasons, yeah I know UNC, they had 11-13 players out due to NCAA issues and then another yr. the HC was let go in Aug. at the start of Fall camp, yeah I know FSU, it was the end of Bowden’s Career and he was a lame duck HC that couldn’t get any Recruits.
I know all about CPJ’s greatness based on Clemson, UNC & FSU, but the fact Remains that UGA is our biggest game and VT has been the best Conf. Team over the last decade so if you wanna judge our Program then those 2 have to be there over UNC, etc.
bryce
September 7th, 2012
9:53 am
All our players should be able to excel against Presbyterian–what can anyone tell about changes for this game.
why not let an offensive coach up stairs call the plays and let PJ administer the overall game plan.
Miami and Virginia are looking strong.
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
9:59 am
WOW…people ready to bury Tevin because of a tough game against Virginia Tech at Blacksburg!
This is the same Hokie defense that in the previous game limited Denard Robinson to the following statline in last year’s Sugar Bowl…
9-21, 117 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
13 rushes for 13 yards
WnE
September 7th, 2012
9:59 am
Oh, I almost forgot.
On that critical 4th & 4 play where I-Johnson missed that tackle, I couldn’t help but wonder if a 6-2 215 pound elite athlete that is stronger & faster than Johnson would have made that tackle and essentially ended the game save for a hail-Mary attempt on 1st down, in other words had CPJ moved Days to SAFETY after spring ball then maybe he ends that game Monday with a win, instead I-johnson whiffed and the rest is history.
Basically, would it have been better to have Days playing Safety or have him get ONE SNAP as a back-up QB and NO SNAPS at A-back?
List Mama » Poll: Can Virginia Tech score 70 points against Austin Peay? – Washington Post (blog)
September 7th, 2012
10:01 am
[...] Subdivision program coming to Blacksburg five days after the Hokies outlasted ACC …Lineup changes afoot for Georgia TechAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Austin Peay-Virginia Tech CapsuleYahoo! SportsVirginia Tech [...]
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:05 am
“On that critical 4th & 4 play where I-Johnson missed that tackle, I couldn’t help but wonder if a 6-2 215 pound elite athlete that is stronger & faster than Johnson would have made that tackle and essentially ended the game ”
WnE…you mean maybe an elite athlete like Fred Holton who, along with our other elite athlete Louis Young, were out injured?
But, on to the common sense. You don’t need to be an elite to break down and make a tackle.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
10:22 am
FL Jacket: “ready to bury TW after a tough game?” How bout, ready to bury TW after 6 tough games in the past 8? Don’t forget how he ended 2011. Awful.
Time for Vad. I’d rather win 7-8 with Vad than 8-9 with TW.
IL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:24 am
Glad to see CPJ is mixing things up in light of the VT game. Sends the message that we are looking at your performance on a week by week basis so everyone needs to be performing at their expected level.
I was glad to see the attempted pass by Bostic. It was something that I had recommended last year. It was executed very poorly, but it should be a winner the way the corners were coming up in run support on Monday night. Will not be the last time this year we see the defense try to crowd us like that unless we build a more viable passing game.
I have read the same knock on Vad-that he doesn’t know the offense, etc. Well I think it is time to see what he can do. Experience is the best teacher. If we don’t play him this year I am sure he will be gone next.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
10:25 am
Also folks, please don’t confuse the fact that TW is starter with the notion that TW is better than Vad. CPJ does have some loyalty to TW (as any coach does with a 4 year kid who works hard). If CPJ was Donald Trump though, TW would have been “fired” last season.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
10:32 am
Agree IL. But folks who think Vad doesn’t know the offense just ASSUME that because he isn’t starting. CPJ’s loyalty to TW is what is keeping Vad on the bench. This is getting Reggie Ball-esque.
Vad’s spring game: 9-16 for 120 with 2 TDs.
GT
September 7th, 2012
10:34 am
Tech played a ranked team at their place to an overtime loss, because of one bad play and you nuts are ready to throw it in? We have had some “mid level” team and lower at Tech, Lewis years come to mind, but this team and this coach is not near that level. Year after year he puts a team on the field that competes and despite the NCAA’s hypocrisy he does it the right way. That is why we have so few scholarships to give this year, we have students staying in school. If they penalize for unopened gifts and a overreaching investor having his feelings hurt, they should give bonuses for students graduating from a real college. And more bonuses every time we beat some one who has a lesser academic advantage over us or runs players through their program like it was a train station instead of a college football program. I am proud of Paul Johnson and the whole program, we need more like him.
GT
September 7th, 2012
10:36 am
Investigator, lord when I get mad I can’t type. Go Jackets!
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:38 am
“This is getting Reggie Ball-esque.”
GTJoe…this is the most unfair criticism of all. This is getting into the territory that TW doesn’t work hard and doesn’t care about the outcome of the game, his teammates, or the school. JUST STOP IT.
If TW is subpar talent wise, in your opinion, go after CPJ. For for Christ sakes…leave a hard-working kid alone who is 100X better as a representative for Georgia Tech than RB ever was.
This is just distrubing that someone would even entertaint hat thought.
IL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:40 am
GT Joe, I am not one running for the life boats-it is only one game, but we have to pass the ball better and Vad looks like he fits the bill from what we have to choose from. When a pass is called, Tevin just does not look comfortable in the backfield. One other point, I have also been a little concerned about whether we emphasize the pass blocking techniques in practice enough. Some times there really is no time for Tevin to throw. And I don’t consider a bubble screen a pass. The defense is no different than a jet sweep. We have to stretch the field.
5150 UOAD
September 7th, 2012
10:43 am
Anthony Chris Williams
…Always Expand. Never Be The Same. Free Your Mind! Thankful for getting through another week…! First Home Game Tomorrow..Continue To Support Us We Trying To Do Bigger & Better!
5150 UOAD
September 7th, 2012
10:44 am
“This is getting Reggie Ball-esque.”
How is that? Did Reggie EVER graduate much less in 4 years?
IL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:47 am
GT, the NCAA sanctions are really not about the purported gift, but fall at the feet of our Head Coach and legal counsel. They were severe because we interferred with their investigation and then did not fully cooperate. Bad strategy and we were punished for it.
IL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:50 am
Not to speak for GT Joe, he can do that himself, but I took his Ball reference to be a comparison to the unwavering loyalty of the Head Coach to the QB when the results on the field were so disappointing.
5150 UOAD
September 7th, 2012
10:54 am
And the UGa fans wonder why people make fun of them? Guy makes this rant about Mizzou but other teams fans are supposed to think the dWags are classy?
http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/?mId=43746883.2
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:55 am
“unwavering loyalty of the Head Coach to the QB when the results on the field were so disappointing.”
Losing in Overtime at VT is gut-wrenching, but it’s hardly what I would call “disappointing”. The reason Tevin even had an opportunity to throw a pick (and encourage all kinds of armchair quarterbacks to throw their 2 cents in) is only possible because of the plays Tevin made at the end of regulation to essentially win the game.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
10:55 am
I guess you folks can’t read (or at least not well). “reggie ball-esque” is referring to CPJ’s loyalty (read the previous sentence in the post), which is like what Gailey had with Ball. But hey, the mistakes are getting to be Reggie Ball-like.
That last play was boneheaded. He claims he was trying to throw it out of bounds, but was about 12 yards short? CPJ said “he was trying to make a play”. Which to me sounds like he thought it was 4th down and had to throw it in the end zone. Not knowing the down is … reggie ball-esque, no?
There is a disconnect between what TW said after the game and what CPJ said. My guess is that TW wasn’t trying to throw it out of bounds, he just didn’t know the game situation. The pass was a lob pass and Bostic was right there where the ball WOULD have landed.
Regardless, I know TW works hard (just like REggie did for 4 years), I know he is dedicated (just like REggie was), but sometimes it’s not enough (just like in Reggie’s case).
UOAD, not sure what graduation has to do with game performance, it certainly doesn’t help TW.
DOC 51
September 7th, 2012
10:56 am
TW doesn’t have the warrior mentality of a Josh Nesbitt.Josh was going to move the team for a score or else.The only times he failed were when our weak offensive line was pounded by physical teams like Iowa and LSU.—Give Bostic 20 touches per game,and you might be surprised at the numbers that he would put up.
michael
September 7th, 2012
10:57 am
we gotta playthe best people and quit playing politics. i like t.w. but it’s the O.L. THAT’S DOWN.
Frustrated Jacket
September 7th, 2012
10:58 am
I’ve continued to smolder over this loss since Monday and the truth of the matter is simply that recruiting under CPJ has been an epic failure! I was this coaches biggest supporter but to continue to say that success will come with no indicators to justify that prediction is ludacris. I’m sorry to all that continue to believe, I want to believe. I just don’t anymore. At some point you have to evaluate the reality versus the possibilities. Sure some 3 stars excel beyond their potential and some 5 stars underachieve but on the whole it is the best litmus test that we have. Someone mentioned USCw, my best friend went there and follows that program closely to this day. Even under daunting NCAA penalties this program has not only survived but risen like a phoenix! Some alluded yesterday that the “academic obstacles” that Tech faces are insurmountable. That’s total bs! And to say so is to defame the young, high caliber athletes and students we have within this state. It infers that you can only be either or, a dumb jock or gifted student! I refuse to believe that. The state of Georgia enjoys a rich hotbed of recruiting talent that other states could only hope for. And to suggest that athletically, academically or otherwise that Georgia Tech is somehow limited (a three-legged dog on ice so to speak) when it comes to getting commitments from these kids is to try an sell me a bag of $h!+ and call it gold. By even implying that you’re giving yourself an out, a opportunity to feel better about yourself when we come up short. Not my style! This debacle rest solely upon the shoulders of this administrations lack of effort in recruiting better athletes. Excuses cannot blur that reality. It is time to be a little more pragmatic about all of this! (30+ year GT fan)
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
10:59 am
FL Jacket: Making mistakes is fine; it happens. Making a mistake that costs the game is not okay. leading your team to 6 losses in 8 games is not okay. At some point, SOMEBODY will need to take responsibility.
TW is a nice guy, but can’t throw. He is slow. He makes mistakes. The defenses dare us to beat them with TW by keying on the B backs and A backs. The plays he made in the 4th quarter were throws that ANY D1 QB can make.
5150 UOAD
September 7th, 2012
11:00 am
GT JOE……I think Graduation has to do with COLLEGE and didn’t Reggie miss the AC CG game against Wake because he was academically ineligible or was it the bowl game or both?
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:00 am
“I’ve continued to smolder over this loss since Monday and the truth of the matter is simply that recruiting under CPJ has been an epic failure!”
We were so out-recruited that we took possibly the best team in the ACC to Overtime at their place…get some dang perspective please.
Red dog
September 7th, 2012
11:01 am
No change at qb? What a disaster this team and coach is
RICHARD
September 7th, 2012
11:02 am
ONCE AGAIN,LACK OF TALENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.LOVE GA TECH,BUT 7 WINS THATS ALL EVERY YEAR SINCE JOHNSON HAS BEEN THERE WE HAVE WON LESS GAMES.HE WON WITH GAILEYS TALENT,HE HAS DONE NOTHING WITH HIS 2 AND 3 STAR PLAYERS.IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
11:03 am
Frustrated: CPJ’s recruiting rankings are on par with Gailey’s. The facts don’t lie.
The defense is looking good. Groh is doing a decent job.
The offense is hamstrung by a slow QB who is a non-threat (passing or running) and will make the occasional mistake. There is the problem.
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:03 am
“leading your team to 6 losses in 8 games is not okay. At some point, SOMEBODY will need to take responsibility.”
Tevin doesn’t play defense. Scoring 26 points against VPI and 27 points against Utah (both top 20-30 defenses) really should be enough or all you can ask for…unfortauntely defense and special teams are the reasons we lost those games. Fine…against Miami and Georgia Tevin played like total crap, but some bad games are going to happen.
To imply that he’s leading this team to 6 losses is pretty comical.
Stinger1
September 7th, 2012
11:04 am
Good Grief.
Stinger1
September 7th, 2012
11:04 am
lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Red dog
September 7th, 2012
11:04 am
Let’s look at the facts george. The winner of the gt vt game has won the division every year. I would say joe is spot on with his comments. Funny how you ignore hard facts. I guess that’s the gt way.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
11:07 am
UOAD: you are seriously schizo. Can you stay focused? Your scatterbrain arguments are an embarrassment to yourself.
I applaud TW for graduating. Now back to football, please.
Red dog
September 7th, 2012
11:09 am
Fl
Funny how nesbitt overcame the shoddy defense which was much worse than last years. Fsu games ring a bell? Most of the wins from the 08 and 09 season was from the offense out scoring the defense. And again the d was worse in those years. So now it’s the defenses fault. How about 4 3 and outs against utah in the final 4 possessions?
George Stein
September 7th, 2012
11:12 am
Uh, USC hasn’t survived a damn thing yet. The sanctions just started.
yeller bug
September 7th, 2012
11:12 am
For all you naysayers out there—we’ll put the over/under at 7.5 wins. I’ll take the over—anyone wanna bet?
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:14 am
GS…I really don’t fathom how you can stomach this crap…
George Stein
September 7th, 2012
11:16 am
Your comment doesn’t merit a response, red dog. Thanks for playing, though.
DOC 51
September 7th, 2012
11:17 am
Championships are won by playing great defense,then special teams,and then error-free offense.GT doesn’t excel in any of the three areas,especially in big games.
George Stein
September 7th, 2012
11:19 am
I really don’t care anymore, FLJ. It is disappointing to see the level of nonsense go so high, but I’ve found that there is an inverse relationship between the number of people with no analytical skills and my propensity to care what they think.
In related news, I am going to start going to the From the Rumble Seat more often.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
11:19 am
FL: Last 8 games: TW has 2 pass TDs, 7 INTs. 7 picks in 92 pass attempts.
Yeah he doesn’t play defense. And he sure doesn’t HELP the defense either, with the TOs and 3-and-outs.
To imply that TW DIDN’T lead us to 6 losses is comical. He’s the QB, not the nose tackle.
Frustrated Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:20 am
PERSPECTIVE?! Please tell me you’re joking. Here’s some perspective for you, VPI is NO WHERE NEAR the best team in the ACC. Did you watch the Clemson game? The FSU game? They played so poorly that NCST could’ve beaten them with the lack luster effort they gave against UT. So don’t crown them just yet. Logan was way off rhythm. They’re backfield was rookie and holes were there all night in the secondary. A good team would’ve went in their and handed it to them. We got smacked down. So forgive me if I don’t buy into the OH! We just got beat by one of the best teams bs… they’re not one of the best in the country, the ACC or probably even the coastal. There some perspective for you. Perspective that has taken the rose colored glasses off that is.
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:23 am
“To imply that TW DIDN’T lead us to 6 losses is comical. He’s the QB, not the nose tackle.”
GTJoe…I can only imagine your level of patience had CPJ put Vad Lee in. Where Tevin wisely fell forward because the blocking many times folded around him, I can only wonder how many fumbles Vad would have had, with his inexperience, because he would try to break every tackle and try to make plays when they weren’t there. You must be absolutely clairevoyant to think our chances would have been better with him in…
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:24 am
“In related news, I am going to start going to the From the Rumble Seat more often.”
GS…I have an article coming out at Noon today. It’s a lighter piece, but a brief preview of tomorrow’s game.
George Stein
September 7th, 2012
11:26 am
Awesome, FLJ. I’ll be sure to check it out.
GT Joe
September 7th, 2012
11:26 am
On THIS team, with THIS offense, which requires so much decision-making by the QB, the QB IS THE MOST important player. Period. And going 2-6 means that we need a new QB.
FL Jacket
September 7th, 2012
11:27 am
“they’re not one of the best in the country, the ACC or probably even the coastal.”
Well this is just a flat-out lie. 5 division championships in 7 years (if I have the rose-colored glasses) means you’re just blind…
“There some perspective for you. Perspective that has taken the rose colored glasses off that is.”
With this kind of perspective…how do you live normally or peacefully when we don’t go 12-0?