Aug. 22, 2008
ATLANTA - After a film session and a one-hour practice, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson gave his players Saturday and Sunday off, leading up to Thursday night's season opener against Jacksonville State.
So, is the Yellow Jacket head coach, who has brought a new level of discipline to the program, gone soft on us? Not exactly. Tech has been practicing - twice per day on six occasions - since July 29th and Johnson feels it's a good time to let the players get their legs back and for bumps and bruises to heal.
Of the 22 starting positions, Johnson and staff are set on 19 or 20.
"I've got a pretty good idea of who will start everywhere but on the offensive line," Johnson said. "We will have to see who is healthy at left guard and right tackle."
Senior David Brown has been the likely starter at right tackle most of preseason camp. A recent injury, however, has kept him on the sidelines while sophomore Austin Barrick has been taking the snaps. Either senior A.J. Smith or junior Cord Howard, both battling nagging injuries, will start at left guard.
Georgia Tech will resume practice Monday afternoon.
TRIVIA QUESTION (answer below)
What current Georgia Tech player is the son of a former Yellow Jacket quarterback who started for Tech in 1982?
THEY'VE FACED SOME TALENTED GUYS
We asked the Yellow Jackets to name the most talented player they have ever faced - either in high school or in college. There are plenty of former and current Tech players on the list - Philip Wheeler, Calvin Johnson, Tashard Choice and Michael Johnson. Former Virginia standout Chris Long made an impact on three Yellow Jackets last season. Below is a complete list of the results:
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Question: Who is the most talented player you have ever faced?
Philip Wheeler Clyde Yandell
Mario Williams Mohamed Yahiaoui
Calvin Johnson Jahi Word-Daniels
Steve Slaton Vance Walker
Caleb King Luke Snider
Xavier Adibi (VT - separated my shoulder) Andrew Smith
Chris Long A.J. Smith
Calvin Johnson Dominique Reese
Jeff Francoeur Michael Ray
D.J. Augustine Tyler Melton
Le Kevin Smith James Liipfert
Gerris Wilkinson Matt Kamp
Thomas Brown Roddy Jones
Matt Ryan Michael Johnson
Calvin Johnson DeRon Jasper
Tashard Choice Kyle Jackson
Chris Long Cord Howard
Michael Johnson Jim Henry
Matt Ryan Sedric Griffin
Torian Smith Joseph Gilbert
Calvin Johnson Martin Frierson
Philip Wheeler Zach Fisher
Brandon Meriweather Tyler Evans
Cameron Heyward Bryce Dykes
Chris Long Jonathan Dwyer
Calvin Johnson Tyler Davis
Philip Wheeler Jason Davis
Devin Hester Tony Clark
Thomas Brown Travis Chambers
Demaryius Thomas Morgan Burnett
Ken Darby David Brown
Darren McFadden Calvin Booker
Josh Nesbitt Scott Blair
C.J. Spiller Sean Bedford
Phillip Wheeler Austin Barrick
Calvin Johnson Tyler Barrett
Calvin Johnson and Matt Ryan Anthony Barnes
Reggie McNeil Elris Anyaibe
Mansfield Wrotto Ben Anderson
ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION
Freshman safety Cooper Taylor. His father, Jim Bob Taylor, lettered at Georgia Tech in 1981 and 1982. He played for the Baltimore Colts in 1983.
