Wreck Ramblin

How much must GT pay Chan?

A 1/20/2007 Ramblin Wreck post noted Chan had signed the 5-year-contract extension he'd agreed to in November, and a later WR post that day noted ESPN had made Chan Gailey's contract available for downloading in pdf format.

You may recall around that time many GT fans were mad at him for interviewing for pro jobs.

Back on 10/28/07, the GT Sports Blog dug into the contract [which now ends on December 31, 2011], ran the numbers, and comes up with a grand total of $4,423,402 that the GTAA would owe him if they let him go after the season, or $92,154.20 a month (at least). GTAA can pay by the month.

So, Chan will be [for the next four years] making more each month than many reading this have ever made in a year.

A coach's compensation (and payout) should be more of a function of results. There is some of that, but not nearly enough, in Chan's contract:

A win against UGA pays a bonus of only $5,000.

Chan gets a $25,000 bonus for participating in a post season game - any post season game and $25,000 for winning it.

He gets an additional $25,000 if it's a BCS bowl and $25,000 for an ACC championship.

Too much red!

The papers and blogs are doing a more than adequate job of explaining how GT could not capitalize on the ball being loose in the UGA endzone three times.

This blogger will not bother adding one more opinion. He'll just say there was way too much red in the GT sections (as there always is). GT fans should literally eat their tickets and fore-go the opportunity to make some quick bucks before they let them get in the hands of UGA fans.

Some do invite relatives (and even spouses) loyal to the rival. That's OK if they invite you to sit with them when the game is played in Athens.  That breaks even. But, we don't see that much gold mixed in with the red when we play in Athens.

Keys for 2007 Football

Here are some impressions about three things that will determine Georgia Tech’s success this season, based on spring football practice:

1. Keeping the offensive line healthy. The No. 1 line looks great. The No. 2s? Not so much.

2. Getting dependable play from Anthony Barnes or Shane Bowen. Tech might have more depth at linebacker than it did last season, but there’s a significant dropoff now between Philip Wheeler and Gary Guyton, who both look excellent, and the third starter. Guyton could be ready for a big year, and Wheeler should be better than ever.

3. Keeping the quarterback healthy. I think Taylor Bennett is going to have a strong year. Neither Steven Threet nor Calvin Booker is ready to step in and start, though. That’s no knock on them; they’ve had just one spring of practice at Tech.

[MK, AJC]

Rumors of Calvin going #1 persist

1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Al Davis loves speed. Al Davis loves athletic specimens. Al Davis wants to win now. Al Davis will select Calvin Johnson with the first pick in the NFL Draft. CJ is 6′5″ 235 and runs a 4.35 40 yard dash. He is a big target who is fast. I am sure that Al has been salivating over him since the end of last season.

The general consensus says that the Raiders should select a quarterback with this selection, but  Al Davis  has a long standing aversion to selecting a quarterback in the first round.

[PP, MVN]

More speculation on Calvin going #1

1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

"Al Davis loves speed. Al Davis loves athletic specimens. Al Davis wants to win now. Al Davis will select Calvin Johnson with the first pick in the NFL Draft. CJ is 6′5″ 235 and runs a 4.35 40 yard dash. He is a big target who is fast. I am sure that Al has been salivating over him since the end of last season.

The general consensus says that the Raiders should select a quarterback with this selection, but  Al Davis  has a long standing aversion to selecting a quarterback in the first round."

Calvin Johnson will step in and be the deep threat receiver that Al Davis covets.

[MVN]

Hope Al Davis is reading these. Calvin did visit the Raiders, but so did Russell.

Keys for Tech in 2007

Here are some impressions about three things that will determine Georgia Tech’s success this season, based on spring football practice:

1. Keeping the offensive line healthy. The No. 1 line looks great. The No. 2s? Not so much.

2. Getting dependable play from Anthony Barnes or Shane Bowen. Tech might have more depth at linebacker than it did last season, but there’s a significant dropoff now between Philip Wheeler and Gary Guyton, who both look excellent, and the third starter. Guyton could be ready for a big year, and Wheeler should be better than ever.

3. Keeping the quarterback healthy. I think Taylor Bennett is going to have a strong year. Neither Steven Threet nor Calvin Booker is ready to step in and start, though. That’s no knock on them; they’ve had just one spring of practice at Tech.

[MK, AJC] [GT Schedule]

Dunmon sheds locks for good cause

Trey Dumon has donated his hair for wigs for kids with cancer.

[GT AA photo gallery]

Rumors of Calvin going #1

"... something tells me Russell to the Raiders isn't as certain as most people are portraying it to be. Sure, the franchise needs a quarterback the way some folks in the Oakland Hills neighborhood in which I used to live need Xanax, but I'm hearing from people in the know that Davis is locking in on Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson."

[MS, SI]

The latest draft rumor has the Oakland Raiders skipping a quarterback and drafting Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson with the first pick. That means the Detroit Lions (2) and the Browns (3) might have the choice of quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. The Raiders' quarterback situation is terrible, and it's hard to imagine them not taking a quarterback -- but supposedly, owner Al Davis is convinced Johnson is the one certain superstar in the draft.

[TB, Akron Beacon-Journal]

It's not the rational thing for the Raiders to do, unless the Raiders have a trade lined up for a QB.

TK @ Lions Insider discusses the rumored trade for McCown.

More by JJ Cooper @ NFL Fanhouse.

Offense looks awesome in Spring scrimmage

Quarterback Taylor Bennett threw five touchdown passes, including two each to redshirt freshmen Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls, and tailbacks Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant combined for 120 yards rushing in the Yellow Jackets' final spring scrimmage, played in cold, windy conditions Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

Bennett and the first-team offense did most of their damage against Tech's second defense, but the Yellow Jackets' number one defense also had its moments against the second offense. The Jackets collected five sacks, including two each by defensive end Darrell Robertson and tackle Vance Walker, and linebacker Shane Bowen had the game's only interception. Linebacker Gary Guyton added two tackles for loss.

"Both the first-team offense and the first-team defense, at the first part of the scrimmage, were both doing what they're supposed to do [against the second units], and that was good," said Tech head coach Chan Gailey, entering his sixth season on the Flats. "It's the best that the first offense has moved against the first defense all spring."

[GT AA] [AJC gallery]

more coverage in the continuation

Roughly 200 fans attended the spring scrimmage at BDS. 21,407 attended G-Day in Athens. [AJC]

Calvin Johnson's first TD pass at GT

Carl Lawson, a letterman, needs our help

Carl Lawson, who played football at GT in 1989 and 1990 (on the National Championship Team (see details in the continuation), needs a kidney transplant.

A run/walk is being held Sunday, 4/29 in Suwanee to help raise the $25,000 needed to get him on the transplant list.

If you wish to participate you may go to www.suwannejubilee.com to register. This will allow you to register on-line via active.com.

The information on a flyer is in the continuation

[posted by "wreckm" on Scout]

Football final scrimmage today at BDS

After 14 practice sessions, the Georgia Tech football team concludes spring practice with a final scrimmage on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field. Tech's scrimmage headlines Spring Sports Day as Yellow Jacket fans are invited to a full day of activities on the Tech campus.

Admission to the scrimmage is free, and fans are asked to enter Bobby Dodd Stadium via Gate 4 on Bobby Dodd Way. Free parking is available in Peter's Parking Deck and the O'Keefe and AMC lots.

Food and children's games will be available in the Callaway Plaza outside Bobby Dodd Stadium beginning at 10 a.m. Following the scrimmage, fans are invited to see Tech's nationally-ranked softball team take on Florida State in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Glenn Field, and the Yellow Jacket men's tennis team against 11th-ranked Wake Forest at 2 p.m. at the Bill Moore Tennis Center.

[GT AA]

Dress warmly. The temperature will be 37-40 degrees under sunny skies, with 13-15 mph gusts, making it feel like 29-32 degrees.

more football coverage in the continuation

Calvin's stock is sky high

"There's no such thing as a sure thing in any draft. But in everybody's mind, Calvin Johnson is the safest pick in this draft," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says.

So what if a team passes on Johnson for a can't-miss quarterback, then the quarterback misses while Johnson becomes the second coming of Jerry Rice?

[JC, USA Today]

We are also holding fast to our belief that the Raiders are going to go against the popular choice of LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and select Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson with the top overall pick.

[JA, About Footall]

Calvin reportedly visited the Raiders Wednesday, while Russell will visit next week.

GT still has a small chance of having a #1 NFL draft pick, which would be quite a feather in the Rat Cap

Final week of spring football practice

The Georgia Tech football team has just one practice remaining before the Yellow Jackets conclude spring drills with Saturday's final scrimmage, scheduled for 11 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

Admission to Saturday's spring scrimmage is free, and parking will be available in Peter's Parking Deck as well as the O'Keefe and Alexander Memorial Coliseum lots. Fans should enter via Gate 4 on the west side of Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Food, interactive games and activities for children will be available in Callaway Plaza outside Bobby Dodd Stadium from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Players will be available for autographs for following the scrimmage.

[GT AA]

Anthony Barnes is competing with sophomore-to-be Shane Bowen for a starting linebacker job.

Gary Guyton, who has switched from strongside to weakside linebacker, has given Barnes a lot of pointers. In the end, though, Barnes knows he has to take responsibility for himself.

Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels attended practice on crutches, his right knee wrapped, but Gailey said he thinks the injury will be "short-term." Word-Daniels is one of eight potential starters expected to miss Saturday's 11 a.m. scrimmage.

[MK, AJC]

Calvin draft watch 04APR07

1. Oakland: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- The Raiders have lots of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball, JaMarcus Russell -- unless the Lions let Josh McCown go for reasonable compensation. The Lions aren't going to give McCown away but a quarterback who has one year left on his deal and didn't play a down last year can't be worth more than a fourth- or fifth-round pick. I'm sure the Raiders would have loved to have McCown in town for their minicamp last week, but no luck. If it gets resolved, then Johnson it will be. Let's go with Johnson, the top-rated player on most draft boards!

[Pat Kirwin, NFL.com, 28MAR]

"I keep hearing the Raiders are serious about taking Calvin Johnson. I understand the thinking of taking the best player in the draft, but I think the Raiders are crazy if they pass on JaMarcus Russell at No. 1 or Brady Quinn a few picks lower."

[Peter King, SI]

Can Al Davis resist Calvin?

"I think I get the feeling that common sense be damned, Davis is going to pick Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson first overall, and I'm not the only one. The Lions think that too."

[Peter King, SI]

Raiders owner Al Davis, whose team has the first pick in this month's draft, is famous for his KGB-like secrecy when it comes to his assessments of college prospects: Take a look at any mock draft any year, and you'll see that no one ever knows who the Raiders are going to take.

This year everyone seems to think the Raiders will take LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell. But the Lions, owners of the second pick, think Oakland is planning to take Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson.

[MDS, AOL Fanhouse]

Booker and Threet compete for #2 QB spot

Learning Tech's offense and getting Auburn's out of his head are two of Calvin Booker's challenges in his first spring practice with the Yellow Jackets. The rising junior has shown enough potential that he was the first quarterback to lead the second team in Saturday's scrimmage. He is competing with Freshman Steven Threet for the backup role to Taylor Bennett.

Threet was 6-for-9 for 40 yards, a touchdown and an interception.6-for-9 for 40 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Redshirt freshman Byron Ingram threw for 21 yards and a touchdown.

[Mike Knobler, AJC] [GTAA Spring practice gallery]

CFN Preview

Tech is loaded and ready to defend its Coastal Division title with 17 returning starters including junior QB Taylor Bennett, who looked tremendous in the Gator Bowl loss, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

[College Football News]

Calvin Johnson draft watch, 02APR07

The Bucs site has posted a review of Calvin.

PM @ the Ohio Beacon says CJ is the best available.

Saturday scrimmage

After scrimmage Saturday, Georgia Tech enters its final week of spring practice, with workouts scheduled for Wednesday and Friday afternoons, both at 3:45 p.m. Then the spring concludes with the Yellow Jackets' spring scrimmage on Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

A link to a photo gallery is at the link below

[GT AA]

With Calvin Johnson gone to the NFL Draft and James Johnson out with an injury, Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls stepped in well. Thomas caught five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while Earls had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

[AP]

more in the continuaton

Dawan Landry gets top performance-based pay

Baltimore rookie safety Dawan Landry earned US$366,017 in performance-based pay for 2006, the most of any NFL player.

On Tuesday, the NFL released a list of the top 25 players who received the bonuses as part of the collective bargaining agreement. The system creates a supplemental fund for player compensation based on a comparison of playing time to salary.

Landry, a fifth-round pick of the Ravens (146th overall) in last year's draft, earned a base salary of $275,000. He quickly became a starter and earned one vote for defensive rookie of the year.

"The performance-based pay system is especially beneficial to lower-salaried players," NFL executive vice-president of labour relations Harold Henderson said. "Under this system, if a player is making the minimum but plays in a high percentage of his teams plays, he stands to get a larger payout than a teammate with equal play time but a higher salary."

[CBC]

Bennett draws praise from Gailey

Taylor Bennett has changed in three short months from rarely used backup to emergency fill-in to presumptive 2007 starter to someone who "has really solidified himself as the No. 1 guy" and is showing "the makings of a very good quarterback."

Those latest assessments came Saturday from Georgia Tech football coach Chan Gailey, who had just watched Bennett throw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in Tech's second spring scrimmage.

[MK, AJC]

Calvin Johnson draft watch, 31MAR07

"Although Johnson is rated as the most likely “can’t miss” prospect in the draft, wide receivers are farther down the draft food chain than offensive left tackles, quarterbacks and potential franchise running backs. For that reason – and that reason alone – Johnson is likely to be on the board with the fourth pick in the draft. The top three teams in the inverted pecking order on draft day are the Raiders, Lions and Browns. They’re picking in the top three for a reason. They suck. For franchises at the absolute bottom, quarterbacks and left tackles are the cornerstones of convincing their fans they can turn things around. For that reason, the Vegas “smart money” is on JaMarcus Russell, Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn being the eventual top three picks. If it plays out that way, Johnson will still be on the board and the Bucs will be on the clock."

[JH, Viking Update]

more in the continuation

Football scrimmage today

The Jackets are scheduled to scrimmage Saturday morning at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field, beginning at 11 a.m.

Tech fans attending Saturday's scrimmage (11 a.m.) are asked to enter Bobby Dodd Stadium via Gate 4 and sit in the lower West Stands.

[GT AA]

Given Atlanta has been invaded by 75K basketball fans, you might be wise to take MARTA.

Calvin Johnson draft watch, 30MAR07

Gruden might have to wait until the Bucs pick fourth overall next month, but it's clear he would prefer not to. It's also becoming more obvious the player Tampa Bay would consider moving up for is Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson.

Like many teams, the Bucs were blown away by Johnson's pro day workout March 15 in Atlanta.

"You put his body on at the combine and you have this big guy looking at you on the big screen with his shirt off and he's chiseled and he's 6-5 and 240 pounds and he runs 4.36 for us," Gruden said. "Then he jumps 11-7 and he's mad as hell at himself. I've been doing this 16 years and I've never seen 11-7, especially from a 6-5, 240-pound guy. Then he jumps 44 1/2 inches and he's mad as hell, he thinks he should've gotten 47. And he's a great kid. He'll look you in the eye and he wants to be good. Everybody you talk to at Georgia Tech says that's a good kid right there, that Calvin Johnson. He's going to be a great player.

[St. Petersburg Times]

more in continuation

Football scrimmage Saturday

Tech fans attending Saturday's scrimmage (11 a.m.) are asked to enter Bobby Dodd Stadium via Gate 4 and sit in the lower West Stands. [GT AA]

The Yellow Jackets return three experienced defensive ends, including All-ACC Conference performer Adamm Oliver. And top recruit Derrick Morgan, who enrolled at Georgia Tech a semester early to take part in spring practice, has already shown he should be game-ready by September, according to fellow defensive end Darrell Robertson. [AVB, M-T]

Tony Clark moved to linebacker

Georgia Tech special teams star Tony Clark has switched from defensive back to linebacker, Tech coach Chan Gailey said Wednesday.

Clark, a rising junior from Garden City, made 13 tackles last season for the 9-5 Yellow Jackets. He has practiced at both cornerback and safety. The move to linebacker isn't a part-time experiment but a permanent change, Gailey said in a statement released by the school.

Tech returns starting linebackers Phillip Wheeler and Gary Guyton, with Anthony Barnes and Shane Bowen competing for the other starting spot.

[MK, AJC] [WC, Morris]

GT feels the need ... the need for SPEED!

Pre-season football optimism

GTM @ Ramblin Racket foresees a good year for GT football.

In the end, we wind up 6-2 and beat VT in a tiebreaker for the Coastal division. This leaves us looking at a Gator Bowl or so with the win over UGA.In the end, we wind up 6-2 and beat VT in a tiebreaker for the Coastal division. This leaves us looking at a Gator Bowl or so with the win over UGA.

Spring practice resumes

The Georgia Tech football team will be back on the field for spring practice on Rose Bowl field this Wednesday, March 28th at 3:45 p.m. The Jackets have seven practices remaining including two at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

[GT AA]

Southern Pigskin ranks GT 10th among ACC & SEC teams.

Jeff @ Ramblin Racket previews the Defensive Line.

GT ranked 5th in ACC in gameday atmosphere

Members of the SouthernPigskin.com Staff detail and rank the top gameday atmospheres in the ACC.

5. Georgia Tech – Looking for an inimitable and distinct college football setting? Bobby Dodd Stadium at historic Grant Field is dripping with history and tradition. First and foremost, the stadium is the oldest on-campus facility in all of 1-A college football. Grant Field was built in 1913 – and it’s been cattycornered amongst Atlanta skyscrapers ever since. Georgia Tech isn’t home to the biggest stadium, though recent expansion has pushed capacity to 55,000, but you can’t place a limit on much else. From the right seat in Bobby Dodd, you can see most of Atlanta; from any seat, you can see the city skyline.

It’s rare scene, one unlike any other in college football. Georgia Tech fans are knowledgeable and refined. Tailgating is more high-class, though a trip to The Varsity is never beneath them, and the whole atmosphere simply has a more polished, professional feel. The pre-game entrance of the Ramblin’ Wreck, a restored 1930 Ford Model A, sends the Georgia Tech band into a rendition of perhaps the most famous fight song in college football and sets the stage for the team’s run onto the field. With so many great teams and legendary names having played at Grant Field, it’s tough not to get caught reminiscing. Better bring your best game, too. The Yellow Jackets once beat an opponent 222-0 at this field.

[Southern Pigskin]

Are the Falcons trying to nab Calvin?

The trade that sent Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons to the Houston Texans gave the Falcons a chance to jockey for the 3rd or 4th draft pick.

"Armed with that kind of ammunition, the Falcons could parlay those three choices to move up the draft board in the first round, perhaps to nab hometown hero Calvin Johnson, the former Georgia Tech wide receiver.

... the Falcons have more than enough points to swap up to the No. 3 overall pick (points value: 2,200) or the fourth choice (value: 1,800 points), if they desired."

[ABC7, Chicago]

"Obviously we've got a local player who is not a good player, he's a great player," Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay said after the official announcement of the trade.

The eighth overall draft pick and the two second-round choices the Falcons received from Houston in exchange for backup quarterback Matt Schaub on Thursday likely will be used to address several needs, not to trade up to land Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

[SW, AJC]

Jamie Dukes @ NFL.com still has Calvin going to the Bucs as 4th pick, saying:

My source tells me "it will cost a lot to get the rights to this kid" if someone wanted to trade for the draft rights to Johnson.

As much as GT fans would love to see Calvin playing in Atlanta, it's not the smart move for the Falcons. But, should he become a super star as we expect, any team which turns down the opportunity to land him may live to regret to say "We could have had Calvin."

Calvin Johnson watch, 22MAR07

Calvin is the talk of the NFL draft. He's abilities, work ethic, and character are becoming legendary.

He's expected to get a huge signing bonus. He's already been in a Nike shoot, the AP reports.

The Denver Broncos have a page featuring him, although they are not expected to pick him.

Most expect the Bucs to get him at 4th. But, given the egos of owners and possible trades, he could go higher.

NFL draft watch 20MAR07

Yahoo Sports features Calvin on its front pro football page, with several speculative articles.

Apparently, nobody is willing to pay the price asked (in trades) to get the #2 spot from the Lions.

An interactive compares Calvin to Russell.

TP @SI can't see how the Raiders can resist Calvin. He sees Joe A's stock rising, while Reggie B's stock is falling.

AC @ RF365 says CJ makes little sense for Oakland, given its current needs.

Barring any surprises, most mock drafts see CJ going to the Bucs at 4th. [Football Expert]

Falcon fans will see Calvin, on rival team

Johnson will be long gone by the time Falcons general manager Rich McKay gets to decide his top draft choice...

... there’s an excellent chance that Johnson could then fall into the hands of division rival Tampa Bay, meaning he’d haunt the same Falcons fans he wooed while playing in Atlanta for Tech.

[AK, Sunday Paper, 11MAR07]

A 17MAR07 FootballExperts mock draft still has Calvin going to the Bucs as the fourth pick.

The Legend of Calvin Johnson is snowballing on a Buc Board.

Knowing several NFL teams are drooling over the talents of wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the Detroit Lions have let it be known their No. 2 overall draft pick is up for trade.[Denver Post]

Provided the Oakland Raiders take Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell as expected with their No. 1 pick in the draft April 28, Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson is widely considered a no-brainer selection at No. 2. [Fantasy Football]

A rumored trade (which doesn't look likely) could make Calvin GT's first top draft pick (see continuation).

16MAR07 SI article features Calvin.

Choice hopes to be breakaway threat

"I am working to make more long runs, just get that breakaway run," Choice said.

That could be just what Tech needs since two of its breakaway threats on offense — Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson — are now gone. The departure of those two and the addition of an inexperienced quarterback has the burden squarely on Choice's shoulders to carry the load.

[CS, AJC]

ESPN features Taylor Bennett

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-hander torched West Virginia in the Gator Bowl, completing his first eight passes while finishing 19-of-29 for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets' 38-35 loss.

Beginning on Sept. 1 in South Bend, Bennett will get a chance to make his mark on Georgia Tech football.

[ESPNU FB cover page] [ESPNU article]

Calvin center of attention at Pro Day

Johnson and other former teammates took part in Georgia Tech Pro Day. Among those in attendance was Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, holder of the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft.

Johnson, Reggie Ball and Chris Dunlap ran routes for the scouts. Former Tech quarterback/wide receiver Damarius Bilbo and Liberty's Drew McKay threw passes to the receivers.

Other Tech players to work out included linebacker KaMichael Hall, defensive tackle Joe Anoai, offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto, defensive back Kenny Scott, wide receiver Xavier McGuire, tight ends Michael Matthews and George Cooper.

Anoai, who wasn't invited to the combine, helped himself by lifting 225 pounds, 25 times. Hall also ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.

[DOL, AJC]

Spring practice, 14MAR07

Ball's ineligibility and Taylor Bennett's record-setting performance as a fill-in starter transformed what was supposed to be a competition for the top job into a competition to see who will be No. 2.

Defensive lineman Derrick Morgan and quarterback Steven Threet enrolled early and are going through spring practice, and Gailey said they are benefiting.

Quarterback Calvin Booker didn't practice last fall, and it's evident. Booker had difficulty getting the snap from center in Monday's practice. He looked out of sorts.

[MK, AJC]

MK@AJC asks what fans will be looking for at the spring scrimmage.

Gary Guyton

Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler likes his new sidekick, Gary Guyton.

The All-ACC middle linebacker goes so far as to say Guyton could prove to be an upgrade from KaMichael Hall, who paired with Wheeler to form one of the nation's top linebacker tandems in 2006.

[AVB, M-T]

Spring practice report, 13MAR07

As the Georgia Tech football team continues spring practice, the Yellow Jackets' newcomers are adjusting well, says head coach Chan Gailey.

[GT AA

Gailey, with more than three decades of coaching experience, wasn't about to build up expectations and pressure on a player who has yet to play his first down of college football. He said it's not up to any one player to fill Johnson's role next fall, and he said Demaryius Thomas is splitting time with Greg Smith, whose seven catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns make him Tech's No. 2 returnee in receiving yards and touchdown catches, behind only James Johnson.

"I think we've got a chance to be good at that position. It's going to take everybody, though," Gailey said. "Everybody has to step up for us to be as productive at that position."

[MK, AJC]

a bit of recruiting news in the continuation

Spring practice

Taylor Bennett will certainly be more consistent than Ball, but expect the team to rely heavily on Tashard Choice and the ground game.

[Bill Maloney, AOL Fanhouse]

RamblinWreck.com football articles last week:

Thomas working hard to fill Calvin's shoes

Five minutes with receiver James Johnson

Coverage of spring practice by both the AJC and the M-T has been PITIFUL. No doubt, their excuse is their GT beat writers are covering basketball. But, there must be some aspiring staff writers who could be assigned.

Coverage at RamblinWreck.com, GT official sports site, has also been light. There was a report on Saturday's scrimmage, but there should be daily reports.

Those with a premium membership to Scout can get reports there.(WR cannot legally use that copy.)

First spring scrimmage

With eight returning starters from last year's nationally-ranked unit, Georgia Tech's defense looked strong in the Yellow Jackets' first spring scrimmage Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

"We were ragged offensively with a lot of the new stuff we're trying to implement, but the first team defense was very strong today," said Tech head coach Chan Gailey. "We've got a lot of returning starters on that side, and they're certainly ahead at this point."

Gailey's squad is installing some new things on offense, particularly in the passing game, under new coordinator John Bond.

[GT AA]

Trying to fill Calvin's shoes

Bennett has found a Johnson-like target in redshirt freshman Demaryius Thomas in the early going of spring practice.

Taylor Bennett is throwing to a diverse group of receivers this spring. Johnson is the precision route runner with the sure hands. Thomas is the physical receiver who can make plays with the ball in the air. Smith is the speedster who can line up in the slot as well as on the outside.

Correy Earls is another athletic redshirt freshman and Andrew Smith, who doubles as the Jackets' punt returner, is a good receiver underneath.

"We have different types of receivers," Gailey said. "We don't have a lot of depth there right now, but we've got some pretty good talent to work with."

More talent is on the way. Gailey's staff signed a pair of tall, athletic wide receivers in the Calvin Johnson mold in the recent recruiting class. The coach expects both D.J. Donley and Willie White to compete for playing time this fall.

[TB, AJC]

Mike Mooney, 1970-2007

Mike Mooney, who was among the first players signed by Bobby Ross for Tech in 1987, died suddenly in his sleep Friday at the age of 37.

Mooney, who started at offensive tackle in 1990 and '91 for the Yellow Jackets, was named first-team All-ACC as a senior. He was also a team captain his final season. In 1990, Tech went 11-0-1, winning its first ACC championship and the UPI national title.

[TB, AJC] [Carrol County Times]

Calvin's draft value unmatched

Given the needs of the top three teams on the draft board, Johnson appears headed to Tampa Bay as the fourth selection of the first round, and a steal at that.

He has a combination of size, speed and strength that the league has yet to be seen and appears to be committed to getting the job done the right way.

But what really makes Johnson special is his readiness to do the right thing.  He has no record disciplinary troubles or bad choices that have haunted players like Terrell Owens or Randy Moss, the two players Johnson is most often compared against.

Instead he carries himself much like Colts star Marvin Harrison, quiet and diligent.  He works hard, keeps himself in shape, and doesn't run his mouth at every given chance.

His ability is unquestionable, his character thus far unscathed and, as most experts project, his draft value is unmatched.

[CM, Morgan County Citizen]

Paul Reese to be 2008 GT walk-on

Albany -- Deerfield-Windsor quarterback Paul Reese will play football for Georgia Tech next season.   

Reese will be one of fifteen "preferred walk-on's" for the Jackets, meaning he'll basically be a scholarship player without the scholarship.

Reese will likely be moved to wide-receiver and kick returner with the team, and says even with his father, uncles, and two brothers attending Georgia Tech, choosing the Yellow Jackets wasn't an easy decision.

"The past few weeks I've talked with Georgia tech and Georgia southern," says Reese, "then Coach Chan Gailey gave my dad a call and I decided to go to Tech and be a preferred walk-on, so that was really exciting for me."

Reese will be playing in the Georgia/South Carolina basketball all-star game Saturday in Carolina.   

Limited media coverage of football practice

The Atlanta and Macon fishwraps are doing a poor job of covering GT football practice.

Ryan Bass @ Scout is providing some free snippets, with much more available for premium visitors.

Freshman Stephen Threet is taller than a number of linemen. He may be our QB of the future.

Calvin draft watch, 03MAR07

1. Raiders - Calvin Johnson, G.Tech: I'm looking for the Raiders to make the deal that would send Moss to G.Bay for QB Aaron Rodgers as part of a trade that would open up a WR spot and give the Raiders a young QB to work with. Johnson is the best player in this draft and will score a ton of TDs by the time it is all over.

[LZ, Houston Chronicle]

A lot of people wonder whether Raiders owner Al Davis will be so enamored with Johnson's size, speed and athleticism that he won't be able to pass on him with the No. 1 overall pick.

[SF Chronicle]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might as well start cranking out those Calvin Johnson jerseys. All logic says that the big, athletic, sticky-fingered receiver out of Georgia Tech will wind up playing catch with Chris Simms next fall. [The three teams ahead of the Bucs don't need a WR.]

[DL, RealFootball365]

The "Keep Calvin in Atlanta" campaign is not likely to succeed.

The Falcons pick 10th, while several mock drafts don't have Johnson slipping past Tampa Bay at No. 4.

[DOL, AJC]