Reviewing the spring games for each of the Hokies' division rivals. Previously: Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, Miami.
In addition to the Hokies, Georgia Tech also wrapped up its spring practices Saturday with its annual T-Day game. In it, Synjyn Days staked his claim for the starting quarterback job by running for 122 yards and accounting for two total touchdowns in a 21-7 win for Gold over White.
Tevin Washington, who started the Yellow Jackets' final four games of the season for the injured Joshua Nesbitt, had the better overall spring at quarterback. However, Days' performance in the spring game and the arrival of Vad Lee this fall will make Paul Johnson's decision at quarterback a difficult one.
The key for the Jackets at QB will always be ball security. Both quarterbacks had problems with fumbles throughout spring ball. Washington lost two more fumbles during the spring game, ran for 37 yards and was 10-for-26 passing. There were also concerns about the offensive line, which gave up five sacks Saturday.
The positives for the Yellow Jackets were mostly on the defensive side as they enter their second season in Al Groh's 3-4 defense. Among the standouts defensively was inside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy, who led the Gold team in tackles. Defensive end Jason Peters also made several big plays, including a sack and forced fumble.
Winfield was less impressed with the second-team defense, which he considered soft. He also speculates that the Jackets could use both Washington and Days this upcoming season. Washington does appear to be the better passer and in that offense it's always good to have a seasoned second-team QB in case the first-teamer goes down.
The Jackets will have a young team in 2011. It sounds like their defense will be improved from 2010 when it was one of the worst in the conference. However, unless they get improved play from the offensive line and ball security from their quarterbacks they won't be able to capture the Coastal this year.
Additional Reading
From the Rumble Seat: Here are my thoughts from Saturday
SBN Atlanta: Freshman Days Stars in Gold Victory
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Tech defense ahead of offense in T-Day game
Albany Herald: Zenon turns heads in Ga. Tech's spring game