March 14, 2003
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech head football coach Chan Gailey welcomed back 52 letterwinners, including 15 starters, as the Yellow Jackets held their first spring practice session of 2003 Friday afternoon at Rose Bowl Field.
“I thought the effort, our quickness and the way we moved around was good,” said Gailey. “Our execution was sloppy for the first day, more sloppy on the offensive side than the defensive side but that’s to be expected since we’re putting in some new things on offense.”
Tech is also assimilating a restructured coaching staff, particularly on offense. The only new face is Buddy Geis, who joins the Tech staff this year as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, but several other coaches are in new roles, including Gailey, who will assume play-calling responsibility.
With standout running back Tony Hollings still recovering from last fall’s knee injury, one of Tech’s projects this spring is developing depth at the tailback position. Three freshmen saw action there last fall after Hollings went, and now that they are sophomores, Tech will look for the trio of Ajenavi Eziemefe, Michael Sampson and P.J. Daniels to develop consistency this spring. Senior Jermaine Hatch is also in the mix.
“I feel solid about the other guys that we have,” said Gailey. “Somebody has got to prove that they can play consistently and be productive at that position. But if everything goes according to plan and Tony is healthy next fall, the job is his. He seems to be making very good progress, but we won’t know for sure until August.”
Several other players will also miss spring drills while recovering from injuries, including starting middle linebacker Daryl Smith, who had offseason shoulder surgery but should be ready for the start of fall practice. Junior Leon Robinson, Tech’s starting left guard, may also miss all or part of spring after offseason surgery on his hand. Also out for spring are fullback Johnathan Jackson, who continues to recover from a broken ankle suffered against Duke; and cornerback Eddie Ivery, who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained last July.
Former all-America defensive end Greg Gathers, who missed most of last season while battling a kidney ailment, will participate in spring practice on a very limited basis as he continues his recovery.
“He’s getting stronger every day,” said Gailey. “He’s not back to where he was this time last year, but he’s getting stronger every day. We’ll just have to wait and see how much he can do when.”
One member of the Jackets’ 2003 freshman class is participating in spring practice. Quarterback Al Pena of Leander, Texas graduated from high school in December and enrolled at Tech in January. Pena is one of four quarterbacks in camp this spring, along with incumbents A.J. Suggs and Damarius Bilbo and senior Brian Camp.
“I thought they (the quarterbacks) were inconsistent today. I saw some good and some bad. That’s something that we’ve got to remedy before we get through with spring practice.”
Tech continues spring practice with a Saturday morning workout at 11 a.m. at Rose Bowl Field.
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