Sports Page Atlanta

To end Tuesday’s practice, Georgia Tech’s second practice in full pads, coaches started the first team offense on their own two yard line and told everyone to go live. The defense still seems ahead of the offense, but the offense is showing signs of life.

The ball was placed at about an inch from the goal line. Then, the No. 1 offense moved to a first down against the No. 1 defense. In fact, the No. 1 offense was relatively efficient, but the No. 2 and 3 offenses were greatly troubled.

“It’s a lot easier to play third-team defense than it is to play third-team offense,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Sometimes, you can’t judge. In that drill, the second and third defense kicked the second and third offense, but the first team offense made a first down every time.”

In sum, the defense looked more alive than the offense, which was dropped for a safety at least three times. On the first play, as the offense began each series backed up against its 2-yard line, quarterback Josh Nesbitt was smashed and dropped by end Derrick Morgan.

B-back Jonathan Dwyer ran for a first down as A-back Marcus Wright cut down blitzing cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels on the backside.

Also, reserve B-back Anthony Allen, the Louisville transfer who must sit out this season, had an impressive first-down run. Freshman A-back Embry Peeples got outside for a rare 10-yard gain for one of the backup offenses.

Generally, though, reserve defenders had their way.