Starting Friday, keep your eyes open for Yellow Jackets at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Eight current and former Tech athletes will compete in four different sports, including Chaunte Howard, Fatmata Fofanah, Angelo Taylor (pictured – track and field), Chris Bosh (men’s basketball), Onur Uras, incoming freshman Gal Nevo (swimming), Caitlin Leaver, and Jennifer Yee (softball).
SATURDAY FOOTBALL
Despite the intense thunderstorms that made things crazy around the Atlanta area, Saturday proved to be a gorgeous day for the Great Jacket Encounter. Hundreds of Yellow Jacket fans from across Atlanta descended on Bobby Dodd Stadium for Tech’s official fan day. It was a great opportunity for fans to interact with players and coaches before the intensity of the regular season. The longest lines for autographs appeared in front of defensive end Michael Johnson, whose line had about 60-70 people, and head coach Paul Johnson, whose line reached several hundred people.
Saturday’s practice was marked by a business-like crispness. Routes were run well and passes looked sharp, especially those from quarterbacks Josh Nesbitt and Calvin Booker, who both threw slant passes and deep outs with good precision. Currently, Nesbitt should get the slight edge because he is the more athletic of the two, which will be critical in this offense. In terms of the young receiving corps, Tyler Melton, a freshman wide receiver who had several catches during last Saturday’s practice, has been impressive thus far.
“Tyler is a pretty good athlete,” Paul Johnson said. “He runs around pretty well and can make some plays. He is like a lot of young guys in that he needs to be more consistent, but I’m excited about him and I think he can be a good player.”
Practices have been relatively injury-free with only a few slight exceptions. Wide receiver Zach Fisher cramped up during last Saturday’s practice and wide receiver Correy Earls suffered a hamstring injury.
A LOOK AT THE OFFENSE
Paul Johnson’s offense is far and away this year’s biggest question mark for the Jackets. It has been successful everywhere Johnson has been and should reach new heights with Tech’s superior personnel, but it’s going to take time. Nesbitt looks to be a great fit at quarterback. The sophomore rushed for 339 yards on 53 carries last season and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in high school, so the potential to run and throw the ball is there now. Sophomore B-back Jonathan Dwyer is a potential superstar and wideouts Correy Earls and Demaryius Thomas have speed and game experience. The offensive line is anchored by preseason All-American Andrew Gardner. Future not withstanding, 2008 will be a race to see who gets Johnson’s offense first – the Jackets so that they can run it successfully, or the ACC so they can stop it.
Crosskey can be reached at jcrosskey@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
