Aug. 8, 2004
NOTE: Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey will appear on WSB-TV’s Sports Final Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. Gailey will be a guest of WSB sports anchor Bill Hartman, along with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia’s Mark Richt.
ATLANTA–After four days of practice in shorts, the Georgia Tech football team will hold its first practice in full pads Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
“Really, it will be a day of getting used to full pads,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey after Sunday’s workout at Rose Bowl Field. “That first day is always getting used to carrying everything, going full speed in a couple of drills, tackling, things like that.
“Our guys have had pretty good intensity in the shorts and shoulder pads, so it will be interesting to see how the tempo speeds up tomorrow.”
Gailey talked about using all-ACC tailback P.J. Daniels in the same backfield with backup Chris Woods at times.
“It gives us more speed in the game,” said Gailey, whose squad opens the season Sept. 4 against Samford. “We did it some in the spring, and we’ll see how much we might use it. It allows both backs to be equally set in the formation so either one can run it and either one can get out in pass route. It creates a little bit more of a problem for the defense.”
Senior Leon Robinson again took reps at left tackle, a move that could help the Jackets depth at the positon if the experiment continues to progress. Robinson, who is 6-5 and 305 pounds, is a former starter at guard.
“We’re going to evaluate it for another three or four days, as long as Kyle (Wallace) is out, and the make a decision about direction to go from there,” said Gailey. “But it’s a great situation right now for our team and for Leon to get alot of reps, no matter where he ends up playing on the line. He’s dropped about 30 pounds and looks so much quicker.”
The Tech coaches continue to evaluate the punting and placekicking positions.
“We have been evaluating them every day,” said Gailey. “Andy Thomson has been the most consistent punter, but we’re not ready to name anything. Kyle Belcher has a strong leg, but he’s just not consistent right now. Travis Bell has kicked the ball very well.”
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