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.
The Ted Hendricks award is named in honor of University of Miami three-time Collegiate All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks, and given to the nations best defensive end each season.
This Wednesday, May 14th, Comcast Sports Southeast will air a one-hour show featuring a preview of Georgia Tech’s 2008 football season. Also included in the show will be;
Footage from the first spring practice
Commentary from Paul Johnson, first-year Tech football coach, and Wes Durham
Former Yellow Jackets Dorsey Levens and Rick Strom speaking with current players Darryl Richard and Andrew Gardner
Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack gives a comprehensive review of the spring and what he expects from the defense in 2008
Paul Johnson gives an orientation about how his offensive system was developed.
Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice was selected in the 4th round (122nd overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. To say that he was excited is a huge understatement!
With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.
Philip Wheeler, Indianapolis - This is a good fit for the Colts, and he should play fairly soon on running downs. The Colts like LBs who can go downhill and find a ball carrier, and that’s Wheeler’s strength. I’m not sure if he’s ready for pass coverage at the NFL level, but he’s ready to help out the run defense. He could even fight Tyjuan Hagler for the starting WLB spot.
Tashard Choice, Dallas - With Marion Barber and Felix Jones entrenched as the top two in Dallas, Choice is the favorite to win the #3 job. He has to beat out Alonzo Coleman and Ronnie Cruz, and that should be a manageable task. Dallas sure needs a good teammate like Tashard, what with the bevy of eccentric personalities they’ve got.
Durant Brooks, Washington - This pick certainly made sense considering Washington had no punter entering the draft. Brooks at this point has to be the favorite to win the job, though they’ll probably bring someone in to challenge him for the job. Brooks already has possibly the best hang-time in the NFL, so this pick should work out wonderfully for the Redskins.
Mike Cox, Kansas City - Herm Edwards loves to grind it out on the ground, so he’ll always have a need for run blockers like Cox, who aren’t threats out of the backfield but can lock in on someone and clear space for Larry Johnson to run through.
Gary Guyton, San Francisco - Guyton is likely playing for a special teams role or a practice squad spot until he can learn how to better himself as a linebacker. If he ever does, he certainly possesses the athleticism and raw talent necessary to be a star.
Darrell Robertson, Dallas - Dallas loves hybrid rushers, and that’s exactly what Robertson is. I had him going to a 3-4 defense, just not this one. The only real surprise here is that he wasn’t drafted. I really expect him to make the team out of camp.
Nate McManus, New Orleans - This was a surprise, as I was unaware McManus was even pursuing a pro career, but the Saints are pretty thin along the O-Line and need some depth, so even though he’s a longshot to survive cuts, the situation isn’t all that bad for him.
Former Georgia Tech starting quarterback Taylor Bennett will be transferring to Louisiana Tech.
We all knew he was leaving after Paul Johnson took over, but we did not know where. Now we do. The big news for Bennett is that he will not have to sit out a season, due to the fact that Louisiana Tech has a graduate-school major that Georgia Tech does not. After a request was sent by Bennett to the NCAA, the NCAA found it fair and the QB can play next season.
Bennett looked great in the Gator Bowl two seasons ago, but struggled at times for the Yellow Jackets last year. He finished his Georgia Tech career with 2,804 yards and 13 TD passes.
The ironic thing is a former Georgia Tech player will now play for a Dooley. Legendary head coach Vince Dooley’s son Derek is the main man for Louisiana Tech. Last season, the LA Tech Bulldogs finished 5-7.
This weekend, while most Atlanta eyes will be closely watching the Falcons, plenty of other local fans will be watching to see where their favorite college players wind up going. Here’s your guide to Georgia Tech players for this weekend.
Darrell Robertson, Defensive End / Linebacker - Robertson is an athletic end who could be a great fit for a 3-4 scheme as a rush linebacker and could be a real steal in this draft. What will probably push him to Sunday is his lack of ideal size, but he found his way around it in college, giving up only 1 first down on running plays toward him last year. In 2007, he picked up 16 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks as a very important part of Tech’s strong defensive unit. He’s not seen as a true down lineman, probably because he gets pushed around by big tackles, but as a 3-4 linebacker, he can utilize his speed as a rusher or when covering the TE. There’s always the chance he could become an every down lineman much in the mold of other thin players like Jason Taylor, but the 3-4 OLB is most likely his immediate destination. Expect him to hear his name called early on Sunday. Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 3rd pick (102nd overall) - New York Jets, who could use some explosiveness from the outside and some DE/OLB depth in their 3-4.
Durant Brooks, Punter - The winner of the Ray Guy Award is easily the best punter available in this draft. While he doesn’t have the ideal size or accuracy, his booming leg forced 21 fair catches last year alone, and his hang time would already possibly be the best in the NFL. There are no questions about his leg strength; Brooks set an NCAA record with 57 50+ yard kicks over the last two years of his career. As great of a pro prospect as he is, punters simply don’t get chosen early in the draft, so Brooks will assuredly have to wait until Sunday to hear his name. Still, the 3rd or 4th round isn’t out of the question, and he should definitely be gone by the end of the 5th. As a punter who can kick for distance in any type of weather, he’ll be attractive to plenty of teams.
Just for fun prediciton: Round 4 - 17th pick (116th overall) - Arizona Cardinals, who had the worst punt game in the NFL last year.
Tashard Choice, Running Back - Choice gets high marks for his leadership qualities and work ethic, as he will improve any locker room he sets foot into. He has great vision when it comes to seeing holes opening up. However, Choice doesn’t have top-back speed, and he can’t break tackles easily. He runs like a power back but lacks the power to really pull it off at the NFL level. This, along with his injury issues, will cause him to slip a bit. Still, his production was solid in college, racking up 1473 yards and 12 TDs as a Junior and 1379 yards and 10 TDs as a Senior. Expect to hear Choice’s name called early on Sunday.
Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 21st pick (120th overall) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are looking for some depth and love short-gain, between the tackles runners.
Philip Wheeler, Outside Linebacker - With a nose for the ball and good play recognition, Wheeler will go somewhere near the rest of his Jacket teammates, most likely early on Sunday. He’s known as a great blitzer, and he can play well against the run. What limits him are the following: he isn’t ready to play any zone defense, has a tendency to take some plays off when the play isn’t directly involving him, isn’t very fast, and plays recklessly at times, trusting too much in his ability, which probably isn’t as good as he thinks it is. He’s best used as a run-stopping OLB and occasional blitzer, and while he’s versatile enough to play inside, he is too easily blocked to be effective.
Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 24th pick (123rd overall) - Pittsburgh Steelers, who appreciate guys who can play run D and bring in the occasional blitz.
Gary Guyton, Outside Linebacker - An explosive athlete, Guyton is a solid character guy who will improve the team both on and off the field. That isn’t to say he doesn’t have flaws. Guyton takes a little too long to recognize plays and rarely puts big hits on ballcarriers. Still, he’s quick and smart, and in a system which utilizes him mainly as a run defender, he could be helpful. He shouldn’t be playing 3rd downs, but could be fantastic as a special teamer and backup two-down linebacker. It’s hard for him not to remind you of another former Tech LB who was a better athlete than football player - Keyaron Fox.
Just for fun prediction: Round 7 - 10th pick (217th overall) - St. Louis Rams, who need some help in kick coverage immediately.
Mike Cox, Fullback - Cox will never be a key receiver out of the backfield or a change-of-pace ball carrier, but he isn’t a bad blocker at all. A big wide guy who can clear a lane for a back or block for kick and punt returners, Cox has very good awareness on the field. There are some injury issues and an arrest that could drop him out of this draft, but he will certainly go to camp with someone, and might even get selected this weekend. As a blocking fullback and special teams player, he’s worth a look.
Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Seattle Seahawks, who are one of the few teams that still utilize pure blocking FBs.
Adamm Oliver, Defensive End - I’ll be surprised if Oliver is drafted, if only because injury has prevented him from working out for scouts. He’s a high-effort, hard hitting DE, but he will struggle to shed blockers and lacks the speed you look for in a starter. Oliver is probably destined for the depth chart doldrums, but he might be helpful on special teams.
Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Jacksonville Jaguars, who tend to value the slower DEs of the world sometimes.
Jamal Lewis, Strong Safety - Lewis projects as a future special teams player, as he has great athleticism but poor on-field recognition and awareness. He might be useful in dime packages, since there won’t be much guesswork involved in those situations. As it stands, however, Lewis can’t recognize plays well enough to be ready to contribute right now. He’s a project for the long run.
Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Carolina Panthers, who could use some help in kick coverage and might give him a chance to help out.
“They just let [ends] go, let them play football,” said Egbuniwe, who was ineligible to play last season after transferring. “You go out there, you rush the passer, make plays. That’s what I love.”
Egbuniwe, who is from Greenville, S.C., returned to the South for two reasons: mom and his former coaches left Tulsa.
“Well, my mom got sick, and there was the coaching change [former Tulsa head coach Steve Kragthorpe and defensive line coach Mark Nelson went to Louisville],” he said. “I made the decision I needed to be closer to home. “Mom’s doing better. It was the right decision.”
Georgia Tech wrapped up spring practice yesterday with the 2008 T-Day football game. 8,500 fans were in attendance to witness the defensive teams look far better than the offensive teams. Here are a few observations from the day.
Offense
The first play of the game was a fumbled snap.
It took 9 possessions for the offense to get their second 1st down.
Before Tech scored, they had three turnovers.
Josh Nesbitt was 4-12 for 62 yards.
Calvin Booker was 5-8 for 109 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.
Jonathan Dwyer had 59 yards rushing but also one fumble and two dropped pitches.
Mohamed Yahiaoui made a 32-yard field goal but was wide from 39.
Scott Blair was short on a 51-yard field goal.
Defense
Linebacker Anthony Barnes had four tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Middle linebacker Brad Jefferson made five tackles and had 1.5 sacks.
Defensive End Derrick Morgan had 3.5 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Defensive End Robert Hall had 3.5 tackles and one sack.
Bart Stevens 
This Wednesday, May 14th, 
Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice was selected in the 4th round (122nd overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. To say that he was excited is a huge understatement!
With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.
Brent Blackwell 
Former Georgia Tech starting quarterback Taylor Bennett will be transferring to Louisiana Tech.
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