July 30, 2008
ATLANTA -Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson had a chance to see his entire Yellow Jacket squad for the first time Wednesday as Tech conducted its first practice session of the 2008 season.
The Yellow Jackets practiced for two hours in helmets and shorts at Rose Bowl Fields.
“There’s a lot of excitement going into the first practice, and for me, a lot of anticipation,” Johnson said after seeing Tech’s newcomers on the field for the first time. “But you have to remember it’s just the first day and we’re not even in pads yet.”
Tuesday’s practice appeared to run much smoother and at a quicker pace than the spring sessions held in March and April when Tech players were being introduced to new schemes.
“I think there is some carry-over from the spring,” Johnson said. “The guys who were here in the spring at least knew where to line up. We may have even tried to do too much today given that we have so many freshmen.”
There are 26 true freshmen in camp including 21 on scholarship. There are 78 players on the roster who are either freshmen or sophomores.
The defensive line, meanwhile, returns three senior veterans in tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker, and end Michael Johnson.
“We’ve got some experience on defense and I think we’ll play well,” Johnson said. “But we have to play well for the entire season.”
Tech will practice at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at Rose Bowl Field. The Great Jacket Encounter is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. in Bobby Dodd Stadium.
TECH TRIVIA QUESTION
What is the earliest in a calendar year that Georgia Tech has played a football game?
(Answer below)
WHAT THE JACKETS ARE SAYING
It’s unanimous. Every Georgia Tech player thinks 2008 can be a great season. But what do the Yellow Jackets need to do to make that happen? Here’s what some of the Yellow Jackets said:
Question: We will have a great season in 2008 if…
We perfect our offensive and defensive schemes Clyde Yandell
We play together Mohamed Yahiaoui
We play to our potential Jahi Word-Daniels
We believe in each other Willie White
We play as a team Logan Walls
We stay healthy Lance Walls
Everyone comes together as a team Vance Walker
We work hard Alex Walker
We believe Osahon Tongo
We execute Demaryius Thomas
Limit the turnovers Luke Snider
Unite as one heartbeat Andrew Smith
We take it one game at a time A.J. Smith
We can limit the big plays and score a lot of points Brad Sellers
I am in Miami in January Darryl Richard
We play hard Dominique Reese
Everyone buys in Steven Powers
We work hard Michael Peterson
We improve every day Jason Peters
We execute on offense Alex Paquette
Play as a team Derrick Morgan
We come to play Quincy Kelly
We play as a team Roddy Jones
We execute and do what we are coached to do Michael Johnson
We accomplish all team goals DeRon Jasper
We work for it Kyle Jackson
We stay tight as a team Cord Howard
We are a close-knit team Jim Henry
We band together as a team Robert Hall
We play as one Sedric Griffin
We believe in ourselves Martin Frierson
We execute and play fast Zach Fisher
We work as a team
We stay healthy Anthony Egbuniwe
We play as a team and believe Correy Earls
We do work Jonathan Dwyer
We get better each day Jason Davis
We play together and don’t fumble R.B. Clyburn
ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION
August 26th. In 2001, Tech beat Syracuse, 13-7, on August 26th. That game was played in East Rutherford, N.J. Tech’s game vs. Jacksonville State on August 28th will be its earliest home game ever.
