ATLANTA- Georgia Tech spent the majority of Wednesday in the Brock Indoor as head coach Brent Key wanted to create an environment similar to the JMA Wireless Dome when the Jackets play Syracuse on Saturday at noon. After practice a trio of players spoke to the media about how Tech's preparations are going for the Orange led by veteran corner Warren Burrell and receiver Chase Lane. Offensive tackle Jordan Brown made his first media appearance as well after making his first two career starts at left tackle in game one and two.
Brown ended spring ball with the third-string offensive line playing guard and tackle. Over the summer through hard work he was able to climb the depth chart and put himself in a position to start. Being healthy for the first time since he arrived in Atlanta also helped him get in that position.
"I would say getting healthier and gaining my confidence back was part of it," Brown said. "I was working out with Jay Will and Jared this summer, we really went at it this summer and I feel like I gained a lot of trust with the guys too showing my work ethic."
Brown has used the tutelage of veteran guard Joe Fusile to help him get comfortable playing on the line in games.
"Joe is a really experienced guy and he is one of the best communicators I've ever played around," Brown said. "He is always making sure you know the call and echoing the calls and pulling you aside and telling you what went through your mind here and there, so Joe has been really great for me. It helps having a guy like Joe making calls for you."
Through the first two games, Brown and last year's starting left tackle Corey Robinson II have been splitting reps and Brown said he expects that to continue as the season progresses.
"We are trading off every drive right now and I'm just ready for whenever my name is called," Brown said.
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Brown said that the OL could communicate a little better and that probably hurt them some in the Ga State game.
Brown said when he was in the transfer portal after leaving Charlotte he visited several schools and it was an adjustment coming here, but the staff made him feel very at home and it was an easy transition and the staff were great.
Brown said that Coach Key played a huge role in his decision to come to Georgia Tech. He said at other places there was a lot of blah blah blah but Coach Key sat him down and was straight up and that is what he liked about him the most and he was real honest about everything and there was no sugarcoating anything and that is what he wanted from a coach.
Brown said he played left tackle at his old school and has played a couple of different positions when he got to GT before
Brown said a lot of the OL success has come from the defense and how hard them make them work and that has made the game easier for them because it is not as hard as practice has been.
WR Chase Lane said the point this week is to not let things like being ranked be a distraction. They have to take care of business on Saturday and get a win up at Syracuse who is a quality opponent and in their first real road test of the season. It is fun being ranked, but it can't be a distraction.
Lane said that their success on the road under Key has been in part the power of preparation and having the speakers blaring and being inside for practice this week to better simulate the dome and trying to create a hostile environment in practice. He said Key also does a great job of getting the team fired up to play.
Lane said that he likes being Haynes King security blanket and that is something they brought over from TAMU and he knows he can contribute in that way and he wants to do whatever he can to help them win and move the chains.
Lane said prep has been a little easier this week with actual game film to go off of.
Lane said he enjoys the blocking and if Jamal Haynes and the RBs are feeling it, he is fine just blocking on the perimeter.
Lane is very happy for Avery Boyd who made the switch to TE permanently and he said he is his dog and they are always joking around. He said there are not too many people Boyd's size with his speed and have his physical strength and power that he brings to the game. He said Buster Faulkner and the offensive staff have done a great job of getting him involved in the offense.
Lane said he is looking forward to a moment like Malik Rutherford had last week where he can finally bust one open like Eric Singleton Jr. and Rutherford have already this season for a long TD.
Warren Burrell said that Cuse is a good team that likes to throw it and they have a good QB and receivers that are good and it will be a good challenge for them.
I asked him if he is excited to play a more passing heavy team this week and he said that is the DBs dream but they just do their jobs, but it is fun to showcase your skills in a passing heavier game.
Burrell said the secondary still has room for improvement and they are working on it every day, but he feels like they've performed pretty well so far this season.
Burrell said when he is on an island in man coverage with no help that is the DBs dream and why he is there and you have to trust your technique can cover the game.
I asked him if anyone is getting a big head from being ranked, Burrell said that it has only been two games and we want something much bigger than those two games out of the season. He said he is confident in this team and where they are going and what they are capable of doing.
Burrell said that Ahmari Harvey is his favorite CB and he loves to watch him play and they have a competition thing between them to make each other better and a great relationship.
Burrell said practice was better today and the effort level was up and they were pushing through when they were tired and Coach Key structures things to test them and get them tired to play through that strain and that is going to help them at the end of games.
Burrell said that Zachary Tobe and Nehemiah Chandler have bright futures behind him and they are capable of playing well and he has confidence in them if their number gets called, he isn't surprised when they make a big play.
Burrell said that he hasn't played in a dome since HS in the old Georgia Dome, but he said other than the weather, it is just football and you forget about it once you are in there.
Brown ended spring ball with the third-string offensive line playing guard and tackle. Over the summer through hard work he was able to climb the depth chart and put himself in a position to start. Being healthy for the first time since he arrived in Atlanta also helped him get in that position.
"I would say getting healthier and gaining my confidence back was part of it," Brown said. "I was working out with Jay Will and Jared this summer, we really went at it this summer and I feel like I gained a lot of trust with the guys too showing my work ethic."
Brown has used the tutelage of veteran guard Joe Fusile to help him get comfortable playing on the line in games.
"Joe is a really experienced guy and he is one of the best communicators I've ever played around," Brown said. "He is always making sure you know the call and echoing the calls and pulling you aside and telling you what went through your mind here and there, so Joe has been really great for me. It helps having a guy like Joe making calls for you."
Through the first two games, Brown and last year's starting left tackle Corey Robinson II have been splitting reps and Brown said he expects that to continue as the season progresses.
"We are trading off every drive right now and I'm just ready for whenever my name is called," Brown said.
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Brown said that the OL could communicate a little better and that probably hurt them some in the Ga State game.
Brown said when he was in the transfer portal after leaving Charlotte he visited several schools and it was an adjustment coming here, but the staff made him feel very at home and it was an easy transition and the staff were great.
Brown said that Coach Key played a huge role in his decision to come to Georgia Tech. He said at other places there was a lot of blah blah blah but Coach Key sat him down and was straight up and that is what he liked about him the most and he was real honest about everything and there was no sugarcoating anything and that is what he wanted from a coach.
Brown said he played left tackle at his old school and has played a couple of different positions when he got to GT before
Brown said a lot of the OL success has come from the defense and how hard them make them work and that has made the game easier for them because it is not as hard as practice has been.
WR Chase Lane said the point this week is to not let things like being ranked be a distraction. They have to take care of business on Saturday and get a win up at Syracuse who is a quality opponent and in their first real road test of the season. It is fun being ranked, but it can't be a distraction.
Lane said that their success on the road under Key has been in part the power of preparation and having the speakers blaring and being inside for practice this week to better simulate the dome and trying to create a hostile environment in practice. He said Key also does a great job of getting the team fired up to play.
Lane said that he likes being Haynes King security blanket and that is something they brought over from TAMU and he knows he can contribute in that way and he wants to do whatever he can to help them win and move the chains.
Lane said prep has been a little easier this week with actual game film to go off of.
Lane said he enjoys the blocking and if Jamal Haynes and the RBs are feeling it, he is fine just blocking on the perimeter.
Lane is very happy for Avery Boyd who made the switch to TE permanently and he said he is his dog and they are always joking around. He said there are not too many people Boyd's size with his speed and have his physical strength and power that he brings to the game. He said Buster Faulkner and the offensive staff have done a great job of getting him involved in the offense.
Lane said he is looking forward to a moment like Malik Rutherford had last week where he can finally bust one open like Eric Singleton Jr. and Rutherford have already this season for a long TD.
Warren Burrell said that Cuse is a good team that likes to throw it and they have a good QB and receivers that are good and it will be a good challenge for them.
I asked him if he is excited to play a more passing heavy team this week and he said that is the DBs dream but they just do their jobs, but it is fun to showcase your skills in a passing heavier game.
Burrell said the secondary still has room for improvement and they are working on it every day, but he feels like they've performed pretty well so far this season.
Burrell said when he is on an island in man coverage with no help that is the DBs dream and why he is there and you have to trust your technique can cover the game.
I asked him if anyone is getting a big head from being ranked, Burrell said that it has only been two games and we want something much bigger than those two games out of the season. He said he is confident in this team and where they are going and what they are capable of doing.
Burrell said that Ahmari Harvey is his favorite CB and he loves to watch him play and they have a competition thing between them to make each other better and a great relationship.
Burrell said practice was better today and the effort level was up and they were pushing through when they were tired and Coach Key structures things to test them and get them tired to play through that strain and that is going to help them at the end of games.
Burrell said that Zachary Tobe and Nehemiah Chandler have bright futures behind him and they are capable of playing well and he has confidence in them if their number gets called, he isn't surprised when they make a big play.
Burrell said that he hasn't played in a dome since HS in the old Georgia Dome, but he said other than the weather, it is just football and you forget about it once you are in there.
