Jerry the Jacket
Jolly Good Fellow
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2002
- Messages
- 1,641
Next to the quarterback the B-Back is the position of most prestige in Paul Johnson’s offense. We’ve already had some good ones with Jonathon Dwyer and Anthony Allen so a bit of precedence has been established upon which to build some tradition at the position. Coming into this season there is no clear cut number one that stands head and shoulders above all of the others as potential heir apparent to the job. There are a few interesting and exciting possibilities as we get ready to go into spring practice. That will help establish a pecking order but may not be the final judgment on who takes over the starting spot in 2011. I am going to look at the candidates in the order that I feel things will shake out on the depth chart. I know many will disagree with me on this but, as always, I am interested to hear the thoughts and opinions of my fellow Yellow Jacket fans on the matter. So here goes:
Charles Perkins – 6’ 215 lbs redshirt freshman – I watched Charles quite a bit last spring and fall and was very impressed with his burst and power running the ball. I know that he has continued to bulk up and looks very muscular just from some of the sideline photos I have seen of him from last season. He may be closer to 225 lbs by now. In any event, I think Charles really wants it and will do whatever it takes to win the starting position.
David Sims – 5’11” 219 lbs. redshirt sophomore – David is a powerful runner and has tremendous lower body strength. It will all depend on how he can adjust to the mesh and blocking requirements of the position. I think he will give Perkins a real battle and will win some amount of playing time as the number one backup.
Preston Lyons – 6’ 213 lbs. redshirt senior – Preston has seen spot duty throughout his career and is a very serviceable B Back. I think he will continue to provide a solid back up role as we enter the 2011 season.
Richard Watson – 6’1” 230 lbs. redshirt junior – Richard just has not been able to break through and gain any significant playing time. It may just be that the competition at this position has worked out in such a way as to define his role as a permanent mop up duty type player. He is the biggest of the lot and I sometimes wonder if that might be a bit of handicap for him. I would love to see him have a breakout year but at this point I am beginning to think it may not happen for him.
Matt Conners – 6’ 200 lbs. redshirt freshman walk on – I really don’t much about Matt but he remains on the roster so he is making a contribution in some capacity. With the talent ahead of him, I do not look for him to see any significant playing time.
Zach Laskey – 6’3” 205 lbs. true freshman – I don’t think Zach will stay at this position. There is just not a real need with the depth already established. He is a hard nosed kid that is just a natural football player. I watched a lot of his high school games, and I think he will end up either on defense or he might just make a heck of a wide receiver. He probably needs at least a year in the strength and development program but look for Zach to be a big contributor on our team somewhere down the road. He will most likely redshirt this coming season.
So my thoughts here are that even though we do not have any proven starting experience, we have significant talent and potential. I look for one of Perkins or Sims to win the starting job with the other providing a majority of the backup snaps. What is exciting is that both are young and have several years to contribute their talents to Georgia Tech.
Go Jackets!
Charles Perkins – 6’ 215 lbs redshirt freshman – I watched Charles quite a bit last spring and fall and was very impressed with his burst and power running the ball. I know that he has continued to bulk up and looks very muscular just from some of the sideline photos I have seen of him from last season. He may be closer to 225 lbs by now. In any event, I think Charles really wants it and will do whatever it takes to win the starting position.
David Sims – 5’11” 219 lbs. redshirt sophomore – David is a powerful runner and has tremendous lower body strength. It will all depend on how he can adjust to the mesh and blocking requirements of the position. I think he will give Perkins a real battle and will win some amount of playing time as the number one backup.
Preston Lyons – 6’ 213 lbs. redshirt senior – Preston has seen spot duty throughout his career and is a very serviceable B Back. I think he will continue to provide a solid back up role as we enter the 2011 season.
Richard Watson – 6’1” 230 lbs. redshirt junior – Richard just has not been able to break through and gain any significant playing time. It may just be that the competition at this position has worked out in such a way as to define his role as a permanent mop up duty type player. He is the biggest of the lot and I sometimes wonder if that might be a bit of handicap for him. I would love to see him have a breakout year but at this point I am beginning to think it may not happen for him.
Matt Conners – 6’ 200 lbs. redshirt freshman walk on – I really don’t much about Matt but he remains on the roster so he is making a contribution in some capacity. With the talent ahead of him, I do not look for him to see any significant playing time.
Zach Laskey – 6’3” 205 lbs. true freshman – I don’t think Zach will stay at this position. There is just not a real need with the depth already established. He is a hard nosed kid that is just a natural football player. I watched a lot of his high school games, and I think he will end up either on defense or he might just make a heck of a wide receiver. He probably needs at least a year in the strength and development program but look for Zach to be a big contributor on our team somewhere down the road. He will most likely redshirt this coming season.
So my thoughts here are that even though we do not have any proven starting experience, we have significant talent and potential. I look for one of Perkins or Sims to win the starting job with the other providing a majority of the backup snaps. What is exciting is that both are young and have several years to contribute their talents to Georgia Tech.
Go Jackets!
