Fox and Smith lead talented linebackers at Georgia Tech

Posted 11:01AM on Saturday 23rd August 2003 ( 21 years ago )

ATLANTA - Thanks to injuries and academic difficulties, Georgia Tech starts its season with a lot of questions. None of those are at linebacker. Seniors Keyaron Fox and Daryl Smith lead a talented, experienced group that figures to be one of the few bright spots for the Yellow Jackets when they open their season at BYU next week. Ather Brown, another senior, also should start at linebacker. The defense lost six starters from last year's 7-6 team. ``The luxury we have is that we have those seniors back there,'' linebacker coach Brick Haley said. ``Those guys have played together since they've been here, and I think that's a plus for us. ``They'll make some of our other guys a little bit better.'' Fox and Smith are more than teammates, though. Off the field, they're good friends, a relationship that translates well during games. ``A lot of times, I'll know what he's going to do without him even saying anything,'' Smith said. ``We kind of know each other well enough that there's no question where we are.'' Smith, who's about 15 pounds heavier than Fox, plays middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense used by Georgia Tech, with Fox and Brown on the outside. Two out of the past three seasons, Smith's led the team in tackles, including last year, when he had 99. The athletic Fox is more versatile, a trait that could be invaluable this season as the Yellow Jackets try to overcome the loss of three starters on the defensive line. End Greg Gathers is still out with a kidney disease, and Tony Hargrove and Alfred Malone were among 10 players who were declared academically ineligible. In passing situations, Fox sometimes will move to defensive end, hoping to use his speed to put pressure on the quarterback. ``I think I can do some things that will give the offense a different look, shake things up a little,'' Fox said. ``Both Greg and me can make plays.'' They'll likely need help. Besides the troubles on the defensive line, Georgia Tech lost both starting safeties and one of the cornerbacks from last season. But the problems on offense might be worse. Coach Chan Gailey hasn't named a starting quarterback yet, although true freshman Reggie Ball appears to be the front-runner. And the Yellow Jackets still haven't recovered from the loss of tailback Tony Hollings, who missed a good portion of last season with a torn up knee, then joined Hargrove and Malone in the academic purge. Even with the inexperience on defense, it might be the stronger side of the ball at this point. ``I guess you could say that,'' Smith said. ``We feel like we're going to ready to go at the start of the season, but I think the offense will be getting better and better, too.'' That would be good news to Gailey. Already a bit under fire after the way Georgia Tech finished up his first season, Gailey knows having Smith and Fox makes his team better so much so that he can even joke about their worth. ``It's not like we need to cancel practice for those guys, they still need work,'' Gailey quipped. ``But they're doing a great job, they're excellent players. We're very fortunate to have two guys like that be able to play for us.''

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/8/174027