Yellow Jackets prepare for full-pad workout

ATLANTA - After five workouts in shorts and T-shirts, Georgia Tech practices in full pads for the first time Monday, less than three weeks before its season opener against Vanderbilt.<br> <br> New coach Chan Gailey said the defense has been ahead of the offense so far, which was expected. Nine starters return on defense, including four-year starters defensive end Greg Gathers and safety Jeremy Muyres.<br> <br> &#34;I think the defense is very sound and playing hard right now,&#34; Gailey said. &#34;I feel solid about where we are defensively, and our execution has to improve offensively.&#34;<br> <br> Two practices are scheduled for Monday, at 9:15 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.<br> <br> &#34;We&#39;re practicing early enough and late enough that the heat shouldn&#39;t be a factor,&#34; Gailey said. &#34;It&#39;s more preventative. We&#39;ll have live drills and then we&#39;ll have drills that are very similar to what we had in shorts, but when they allow you to put on pads, it prevents some of those knee shots and thigh shots that you might get when you don&#39;t have pads on.&#34;<br> <br> Georgia Tech plays Vanderbilt on Aug. 31.<br> <br>

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