ATLANTA- A few days before the annual spring game, Georgia Tech's offensive line is stretched a little thin. The Jackets have been practicing without projected starter Andrew Marshall all spring, left guard Parker Braun, center Kenny Cooper and tackle/guard Will Bryan all missed practice on Monday, but head coach Paul Johnson expects to get Bryan and Braun back for Friday.
"All-in-all it hasn't been bad. You are always going to get some guys injured a little bit, but we will see who is available on Friday. I think Kenny Cooper (low leg) will be out for sure, but other than that I don't know anyone else who will be out other than the ones who were out going into spring," Johnson said.
With Cooper out and Scott Morgan playing mostly guard Chet Lagod may end up with some major reps on Friday night, but Johnson says they are working some other linemen at that spot as well.
"We've got a bunch of options (at center). We've got some different combinations that we are messing around with. Scott (Morgan) is mostly playing guard, but he could play center if he had to. Connor Hansen hasn't played center."
On Monday the Jackets had starters Will Bryan, Parker Braun, Cooper and Andrew Marshall (out for the spring) not practicing plus backup tackle Jake Stickler sidelined. Johnson expects all but Cooper to play on Friday if cleared.
"Today we had Charlie Clark at guard, Zach Quinney with the ones (at tackle) so those two with the ones and Bailey (Ivemeyer) and Zach were the tackles," he said.
Jahaziel Lee at left tackle and Brad Morgan at right guard were the only regulars in the lineup on Monday.
"Brad Morgan is doing well. If we had to play tomorrow he would probably be the starting right guard," Johnson said. "Staying healthy and repping, some guys are reps guys and he needs a lot of reps."
CPJ said that there is no clear #2 QB, said that Lucas Johnson has been hurt and Tobias Oliver has a totally different skillset so it hard to compare them especially since Johnson has been hurt for most of the spring. Said it was disappointing that Johnson can't get healthy. Expects competition to roll into Fall Camp for #2 QB.
CPJ said Antwan Owens (been in gold) has missed a ton of time at DE, they really wanted to see him compete and push for the third DE spot.
CPJ said that RB Jordan Ponchez-Mason has missed two of the three scrimmages, but when he is healthy has been impressive.
CPJ said the playbook may be simple for Friday on offense depending on who can play.
CPJ said he thinks the odd versus even front is overhyped, but he said competition has been good. Said getting off blocks and blocking is big.
CPJ said they are pushing Jalen Johnson to learn and they are big on his ability at S, like to see him step up in the fall. Said that AJ Gray has played enough that he should pick up the defense easily when he is healthy.
CPJ said that Kaleb Oliver has had a good spring, Avery Showell had a good scrimmage on Saturday, Jarett Cole has improved, Tariq Carpenter has been very good when healthy, he has battled some injuries this spring. Said that Carpenter is a guy then need to get on the field this fall. Christian Campbell has done decent things as well.
Steve Dolphus said that Lamont Simmons is the best CB he has gone against this spring.
TaQuon Marshall said that Jerry Howard has had a really good camp at B-back, very excited about him.
Several guys and CPJ talked up Omahri Jarrett said he has had a huge spring and should be the 4th A-back behind Searcy, Lynch and Cottrell. Said Xavier Gantt has made some play as well.
CPJ said he expects Will Bryan to play both guard and tackle in the fall, thinks he will start at OT probably in the fall.
CPJ said not having three starters has helped the guys get ready behind them and get some extra reps.
TaQuon Marshall said he is very excited about where the team is at right now as a whole compared to last year.
Marshall says he is seeing the pocket better and able to progress through his reads. Said the only issue he has right now is a sore arm from throwing so much and working on it.
Dolphus said that he is being more aggressive and he learned a lot watching Ricky Jeune and the other WRs and he is finally where he understands what to do and how to use his body. Marshall said the Dolphus just has to trust his physical gifts and that is the only thing holding him back. Said he goes up and gets the ball as well as anyone on the team.
Searcy said the spring has been interesting for him going through things for the first time, also said it was odd not having the twins around him at practice for the first time since before HS. Said he still lives with Lance and Lawrence though.
Nate Cottrell said they haven't done any live kick returns this spring (that isn't unusual) just practice lining up and catching returns off the machine. Cottrell said he is curious how the new fair catch rule will impact KRs because of the quickness and violence of that play.
"All-in-all it hasn't been bad. You are always going to get some guys injured a little bit, but we will see who is available on Friday. I think Kenny Cooper (low leg) will be out for sure, but other than that I don't know anyone else who will be out other than the ones who were out going into spring," Johnson said.
With Cooper out and Scott Morgan playing mostly guard Chet Lagod may end up with some major reps on Friday night, but Johnson says they are working some other linemen at that spot as well.
"We've got a bunch of options (at center). We've got some different combinations that we are messing around with. Scott (Morgan) is mostly playing guard, but he could play center if he had to. Connor Hansen hasn't played center."
On Monday the Jackets had starters Will Bryan, Parker Braun, Cooper and Andrew Marshall (out for the spring) not practicing plus backup tackle Jake Stickler sidelined. Johnson expects all but Cooper to play on Friday if cleared.
"Today we had Charlie Clark at guard, Zach Quinney with the ones (at tackle) so those two with the ones and Bailey (Ivemeyer) and Zach were the tackles," he said.
Jahaziel Lee at left tackle and Brad Morgan at right guard were the only regulars in the lineup on Monday.
"Brad Morgan is doing well. If we had to play tomorrow he would probably be the starting right guard," Johnson said. "Staying healthy and repping, some guys are reps guys and he needs a lot of reps."
CPJ said that there is no clear #2 QB, said that Lucas Johnson has been hurt and Tobias Oliver has a totally different skillset so it hard to compare them especially since Johnson has been hurt for most of the spring. Said it was disappointing that Johnson can't get healthy. Expects competition to roll into Fall Camp for #2 QB.
CPJ said Antwan Owens (been in gold) has missed a ton of time at DE, they really wanted to see him compete and push for the third DE spot.
CPJ said that RB Jordan Ponchez-Mason has missed two of the three scrimmages, but when he is healthy has been impressive.
CPJ said the playbook may be simple for Friday on offense depending on who can play.
CPJ said he thinks the odd versus even front is overhyped, but he said competition has been good. Said getting off blocks and blocking is big.
CPJ said they are pushing Jalen Johnson to learn and they are big on his ability at S, like to see him step up in the fall. Said that AJ Gray has played enough that he should pick up the defense easily when he is healthy.
CPJ said that Kaleb Oliver has had a good spring, Avery Showell had a good scrimmage on Saturday, Jarett Cole has improved, Tariq Carpenter has been very good when healthy, he has battled some injuries this spring. Said that Carpenter is a guy then need to get on the field this fall. Christian Campbell has done decent things as well.
Steve Dolphus said that Lamont Simmons is the best CB he has gone against this spring.
TaQuon Marshall said that Jerry Howard has had a really good camp at B-back, very excited about him.
Several guys and CPJ talked up Omahri Jarrett said he has had a huge spring and should be the 4th A-back behind Searcy, Lynch and Cottrell. Said Xavier Gantt has made some play as well.
CPJ said he expects Will Bryan to play both guard and tackle in the fall, thinks he will start at OT probably in the fall.
CPJ said not having three starters has helped the guys get ready behind them and get some extra reps.
TaQuon Marshall said he is very excited about where the team is at right now as a whole compared to last year.
Marshall says he is seeing the pocket better and able to progress through his reads. Said the only issue he has right now is a sore arm from throwing so much and working on it.
Dolphus said that he is being more aggressive and he learned a lot watching Ricky Jeune and the other WRs and he is finally where he understands what to do and how to use his body. Marshall said the Dolphus just has to trust his physical gifts and that is the only thing holding him back. Said he goes up and gets the ball as well as anyone on the team.
Searcy said the spring has been interesting for him going through things for the first time, also said it was odd not having the twins around him at practice for the first time since before HS. Said he still lives with Lance and Lawrence though.
Nate Cottrell said they haven't done any live kick returns this spring (that isn't unusual) just practice lining up and catching returns off the machine. Cottrell said he is curious how the new fair catch rule will impact KRs because of the quickness and violence of that play.
