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Receiving Corps Taking Shape

Aug. 11, 2005

ATLANTA–Georgia Tech fans are well acquainted with talented sophomore wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but one of the tasks for the Yellow Jackets this preseason is the development of pass catchers to complement Johnson.

Senior Damarius Bilbo is starting opposite Johnson, while sophomore Pat Clark and redshirt freshman James Johnson are also making an impact, along with juniors Chris Dunlap and Xavier McGuire. Tech graduated its second and third receivers from last season in Nate Curry, now in camp with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Levon Thomas, now with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I think Reggie [Ball] is throwing the ball pretty well right now, and it’s good that we’re getting a lot of people involved in the passing game,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey.

Bilbo, the senior from Moss Point, Miss., and former quarterback, is fully committed to making the most of his opportunity at wide receiver.

“It’s hard not to go to Calvin all the time,” said Bilbo. “Nine times out of 10, he’s going to come down with the ball and he’s going to get you on ESPN with it. It would be hard not to throw to him; you can’t go wrong with him.

“But this year, to make him have an even better season, and also to keep him on the field and away from injury, we have to give other options to Reggie. I feel like it’s very important, not only for myself but guys like James Johnson and Pat Clark, to get on the field and cause problems for the defense.”

After dropping some weight in the offeason, Bilbo is now playing at about 218 pounds, down from 230.

“Before moving to receiver, I had never run a route before,” he said. “I wasn’t a precise route-runner, like a Nate Curry, and I wasn’t used to carrying that weight around. I was dropping back all the time. The only time I went forward was on a scramble. Getting out there and trying to plant and cut on a 230-pound frame was hard. That’s hard for a guy who’s not a natural receiver to do that. So I felt like it would benefit me (to lose weight). I feel a lot quicker.”

Now six days into preseason practice, the Yellow Jackets held their first day of two-a-day practices Thursday, working out at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Friday’s single practice is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., followed Saturday by a 9:30 a.m. workout and a 5:30 p.m. scrimmage at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

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