SB Nation Atlanta - Georgia Tech Football Preseason: Plenty Of Competition Along Yellow Jackets' Depth Charthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-08-26T13:22:53-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29492832012-08-26T13:22:53-04:002012-08-26T13:22:53-04:00Georgia Tech Football Preseason: Paul Johnson Discusses Julian Burnett, Upcoming Season
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<p>Georgia Tech's season opener against Virginia Tech is just days away, and head coach <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14242/paul-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Paul Johnson</a> <a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/a-conversation-with-paul-1506499.html?cxtype=rss_gatech">gave an update on a variety of topics to beat writer Ken Sugiura</a>.</p>
<p>The Yellow Jackets will play this season without one of their standout defenders from last season in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75682/julian-burnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Julian Burnett</a>, whose career was cut short after a neck injury. Johnson acknowledged that losing a talented player like Burnett is difficult but said the team must move on.</p>
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<p>Anytime you lose a player the caliber of Julian Burnett, it's certainly a blow to the football team, especially early. Clearly, he was one of the leaders on the team. He led the team in tackles. He was possibly one of our best players, might have been the best player. It'll be hard to fill that role, but that's what happens. You have to move on. We've got some young guys that'll step in, and hopefully they can fill the role and grow into it.</p>
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<p>The opener against Virginia Tech figures to play a huge part in the race for the Coastal Division championship but Johnson thinks the race could be much larger, including four or five teams.</p>
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<p>I think most everybody's returning their quarterback, which is usually pretty big. I think it'll play itself out. We'll see. Is there a marquee team? Possibly. But it could be four or five different teams. Until you really start playing, you don't really know. That's why I think the polls are useless until about Week 4 or 5. We'll see how it unfolds.</p>
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<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, head over to <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">From The Rumble Seat</a>, and be sure to check out SBNation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">dedicated college football hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/26/3269592/georgia-tech-football-preseasonKris Willis2012-08-25T11:28:19-04:002012-08-25T11:28:19-04:00Georgia Tech Football Preseason: Quayshawn Nealy Looks To Make An Impact Under Groh
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<p>Georgia Tech linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114307/quayshawn-nealy" class="sbn-auto-link">Quayshawn Nealy</a> is one of the leaders of the Yellow Jacket defense, and he and defensive coordinator Al Groh have created a bond during fall camp. The sophomore is expected to make an impact on the field this season and has taken to the coaching of Groh to be the kind of player that makes an impact on defense according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/24/quayshawn-nealy-buying-in-for-georgia-tech/">Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a> :</p>
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<p>"He takes all the information you give him and he tries to use it," Groh said. "He sees that it works, so he comes back for more, so he's always looking for more and then he's trying to put it into play. He's fun to go out there with every day."</p>
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<p>Nealy seems to have fully bought into Groh's system and the way he prefers his linebackers to play on the field:</p>
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<p>He also re-fashioned his physique, putting about 10 pounds of muscle onto his frame, now 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, to make him better able to withstand the collisions along the line. In fall camp, Nealy showed coaches that he had advanced in his familiarity with Groh's defense and his commitment to it. The expectations of significant playing time and improved performance have accelerated his buy-in.</p>
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<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets/2012/7/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, head over to <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/">From The Rumble Seat</a>, and be sure to check out SBNation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">dedicated college football hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/25/3267611/quayshawn-nealy-georgia-tech-footballBryan Crawford2012-08-24T14:20:00-04:002012-08-24T14:20:00-04:00Georgia Tech Football Depth Chart: Jeremy Moore, Jeff Greene Named Starting WR
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<p>With the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets get set to begin the 2012 season next week, the starting lineup is beginning to emerge as fall camp comes to a close. At wide receiver, Jeremy Moore and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133912/jeff-greene" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Greene</a> look set to start the season opener according to <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/24/jeremy-moores-opportunity-arrives/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports" target="_blank">Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.</a></p>
<p>The big surprise is Moore, who passed Chris Jackson during fall camp to jump into the starting lineup. Moore has had a string of injuries since arriving to Georgia Tech in 2009, tearing his ACL in 2010 and suffering an injury in the summer of 2011 that limited him to only three games.</p>
<p>Greene played more of a limited role last year as a true freshman, playing mostly on special teams, but has the size and speed that head coach <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14242/paul-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Paul Johnson</a> likes at wide receiver in Georgia Tech's option attack.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, head over to <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/">From The Rumble Seat</a>, and be sure to check out SBNation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">dedicated college football hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/24/3265785/georgia-tech-football-depth-chart-wide-receiver-jeremy-moore-jeff-greeneKen DeCelles2012-08-23T20:52:06-04:002012-08-23T20:52:06-04:00Georgia Tech Football Preseason: Back Orwin Smith Wants To Be All-Purpose Star
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75671/orwin-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Orwin Smith</a> has a goal. And it's a pretty clear one at that — he wants to lead the nation in all-purpose yards, no matter the hard work that goal might take.</p>
<p>Smith, who is returning this year following surgery to repair turf toe, will have a seasoned offensive line leading the way for him in 2012, and he's set to meet the challenge head on.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"I thought all-purpose was something that was unique," Smith </span><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/23/techs-orwin-smith-seeks-pinnacle/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports">told the Atlanta Journal Constitution</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. "[I] haven’t really heard anyone set it as a goal before, so that’s kind of how it came."</span></p>
<p>Smith's goal certainly wont be a simple one to attain given the wealth of multi-purpose athletes around the country. His 2011 season might show some potential to do it. Smith provided the Yellow Jackets with 921 yards combined rushing and receiving in 2011 after 711 combined yards in 2010.</p>
<p>He also provided 352 yards on kick returns in 2011.</p>
<p><i>For more Georgia Tech football, visit <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/">From the Rumble Seat.</a> </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3264148/georgia-tech-football-orwin-smithAsher Feldman2012-08-23T19:02:48-04:002012-08-23T19:02:48-04:00Four Yellow Jackets On Senior Bowl Watch List
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<p>As the preseason accolades continue to roll in for college football, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> find themselves with four more players getting recognized. On Thursday, a quartet of their players were put on the Senior Bowl watch list.</p>
<p>Included were defensive tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75701/t-j-barnes" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Barnes</a>, receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75671/orwin-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Orwin Smith</a>, cornerback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75668/rod-sweeting" class="sbn-auto-link">Rod Sweeting</a> and offensive lineman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36207/omoregie-uzzi" class="sbn-auto-link">Omoregie Uzzi</a>.</p>
<p>Uzzi is the most heralded of the group. He was an All-ACC First Team member in 2011 and is on the Outland Trophy watch list.</p>
<p>Smith has proven to be a dynamic offensive talent. He tallied over 1,200 yards as a rusher, receiver and returner last season and scored 11 touchdowns.</p>
<p>Barnes was part of the defensive line rotation last season and recorded 1.5 sacks. Sweeting started all 13 games for the Yellow Jackets last season and had three interceptions.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, head over to <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/">From The Rumble Seat</a>, and be sure to check out SBNation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">dedicated college football hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3263921/georgia-tech-senior-bowl-watch-listDavid Cassilo2012-08-23T11:34:20-04:002012-08-23T11:34:20-04:00Georgia Tech Football Depth Chart: Movement On The Offensive Line
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<p>With starting offensive tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114317/morgan-bailey" class="sbn-auto-link">Morgan Bailey</a> still in a walking boot and continuing to miss practice, Georgia Tech may shake up positions on the offensive line before its game against Virginia Tech, according to a <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/22/days-to-play-somewhere-for-georgia-tech-against-hokies/">report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>.</p>
<p>If Bailey is unable to play in the Yellow Jackets' season opener -- a Sept. 3 trip to Blacksburg, Va., to face Virginia Tech -- coach <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14242/paul-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Paul Johnson</a> said starting left tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75663/ray-beno" class="sbn-auto-link">Ray Beno</a> may slide over to the right side to take Bailey's place. With Beno moving to right tackle, Bryan Chamberlin could slide into left tackle and reserve lineman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75697/tyler-kidney" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyler Kidney</a> could potentially earn a spot in the rotation.</p>
<p>Another backup at offensive line that could see playing time, according to Johnson, is nose tackle Shawn Green. With starting nose tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75701/t-j-barnes" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Barnes</a> likely to play no more than 35-40 snaps a game, Green should have an opportunity see the field Sept. 3.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on Georgia Tech football, make sure to head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/">From The Rumble Seat</a>.</i></b></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3262776/georgia-tech-football-depth-chart-offensive-lineJakob Engelke2012-08-22T22:28:39-04:002012-08-22T22:28:39-04:00Georgia Tech Football: Synjyn Days Expected To Play In Opener Vs. Virginia Tech
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<p>Georgia Tech quaterback-turned-A-back Synjyn Days is expected to play in the season-opener against Virginia Tech, according to <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/22/days-to-play-somewhere-for-georgia-tech-against-hokies/">a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>. Days is behind <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36194/tevin-washington" class="sbn-auto-link">Tevin Washington</a> at quarterback on the depth chart, but head coach <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14242/paul-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">Paul Johnson</a> indicated Days would play. "We’ll see where he plays, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t play in the game somewhere," Johnson said.</p>
<p>For his part, Days was enthusiastic about a chance to showcase his playmaking ability, regardless of what his role will be:</p>
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<p>"...we want the best 11 players on the field and they said I’m one of the best 11. If it’s a special package or something, I’m just trying to do the best for the team any way possible, even if it’s special teams or holding the kick or something."</p>
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<p>The Yellow Jackets open up the season on the road, facing Virginia Tech on Sept. 3.</p>
<p><i>Stick with <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/Georgia-Tech-Yellow-Jackets/2012/7/24/3185242/Georgia-Tech-Football-Preseason-2012">this StoryStream</a> for more on Georgia Tech football, and check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football">SB Nation's NCAA Football hub</a> for all your college football needs. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/22/3261813/synjyn-days-georgia-tech-football-opening-game-virginia-techPete Holby2012-08-22T11:17:59-04:002012-08-22T11:17:59-04:00Georgia Tech Football Depth Chart: David Scully To Start At Kicker
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<p>After earning a scholarship in the preseason, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114295/david-scully">David Scully</a> will be the starting kicker for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the season opener Sept. 3 against Virginia Tech.</p>
<p>Scully served as backup to Justin Moore last year. Moore handled field goals and extra points while Scully was assigned to kickoffs. This year, Scully will do all three, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/21/8806/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports" target="_blank">according to coach Paul Johnson.</a> Moore was perfect on extra points, but converted only 11 of 17 field-goal attempts last season.</p>
<p>Scully has practiced with the first-team kicking unit, and he <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/08/21/8806/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports" target="_blank">attributes his improvement</a> to hard work and "becoming comfortable with [his] body, with [his] leg." He doesn't hide his excitement about the starting job. "All summer, that's how I've been planning it," he said. "That's how I've been seeing it. That's what I want."</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, head over to <a href="http://fromtherumbleseat.com/">From The Rumble Seat</a>, and be sure to check out SBNation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">dedicated college football hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/22/3260171/georgia-tech-football-depth-chart-kickerBrandon Kline