News:Charles Perkins has an "an upper-body injury" and isn't expected to return any time soon, head coach Paul Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Analysis: Johnson didn't rule out that Charles Perkins could be finished for the season, so he'll likely be out multiple weeks.
News:Charles Perkins (undisclosed) will sit Saturday's game against Virginia according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Analysis:Charles Perkins opened the season as a surprise starter, but had just seven carries through two games.
News:Charles Perkins ran just three times for five yards before being benched in the first half after missing a block which led to a sack.
Analysis: This has become the norm when it comes to head coach Paul Johnson's treatment of Charles Perkins. It would be a major upset if he remains atop the depth chart next week.
News:Charles Perkins will start Monday at Virginia Tech according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Analysis: Just last week, Charles Perkins had been passed by Zack Laskey, and seemed to be an afterthought in this backfield. This seems to imply that last year's starter, David Sims, isn't fully healthy, and Laskey also missed some practice because of strep throat. Sims and Laskey are listed as co-backups. It's a surprising development in Atlanta, and Perkins certainly has the talent to keep this job. But we'd advise seeing it before running to your waiver wire.
News:Charles Perkins is being pushed by Zach Laskey for the second string B-Back job, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Analysis:Charles Perkins remains an enigma. He's the most naturally gifted tailback the Jackets have, but head coach Paul Johnson seems to have little confidence in his blocking abilities. It's getting awfully close to time to write Perkins off.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back Preston Lyons (various, undisclosed) will play Saturday against Georgia, according to head coach Paul Johnson.
Analysis: It sounds like Lyons sat out last week against Duke while nursing various injuries, and also give third string B-Back Charles Perkins some carries. Lyons will share reps with David Sims this week, so don't expect Sims to find the endzone multiple times against the Bulldogs.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back David Sims ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns against Duke.
Analysis: Sims hasn't been like the Jacket B-Backs of old, but he's got a serviceable 662 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Backup Preston Lyons didn't receive a carry due to injury, and Charles Perkins had a near costly fumble in the fourth quarter, so Sims should exit 2011 safely atop the depth chart.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back Charles Perkins is practicing better, and head coach Paul Johnson wants to get him on the field more against Virginia.
Analysis: We've heard this tune before, only to see Perkins go without a touch come the weekend. David Sims is still the starter, but this week's depth chart does list Perkins and Preston Lyons both as second teamers.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back David Sims started yesterday's game against Maryland, and saw a career high 14 carries, going for 83 yards.
Analysis:Preston Lyons saw four carries, and Charles Perkins didn't receive a touch, so the workload here was identical to what it's been all season. So much for the 'Jackets opening up this competition. Sims remains a low end option at RB, but at least his value is holding steady.
News: According to B-Backs and quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon, Georgia Tech back David Sims "didn't play well" Saturday against N.C. State, and the competition to start this week against Maryland has been reopened.
Analysis: “They’ve kind of hit a plateau where they don’t have that same kind of competition level,” Bohannon said. “We’re fortunate to have some [capable] guys there, so we’ve kind of opened that thing back up this week.” It seems like more of a motivational ploy than anything, but Charles Perkins warrants a speculative add in ACC-heavy leagues. He's got the most upside as a rusher. Sims hasn't set the world on fire (averaging 69.8 ypg) and is going to be a risky start this week.
News: Georgia Tech B-Backs David Sims and Preston Lyons have seperated themselves from Charles Perkins and Richard Watson, and are in line for more carries as the meat of the schedule picks up.
Analysis: Sims numbers have been pedestrian, but his number of snaps will increase significantly in the near future. Buy low now, because 20+ carries are on the horizon.
News: Georgia Tech A-Back Orwin Smith ran just four times against Western Carolina, but managed 84 yards and two scores.
Analysis: See, I told you he was their best back! Smith set the tone by scoring on the first offensive snap, and followed it with a 77 yard scoring scamper. B-Back David Sims did little to lose his job, rushing nine times for 44 yards and a score. Charles Perkins struggled with handoffs and blocking, and saw no action following the half. Preston Lyons came in in the 3rd quarter to carry twice for 22 yards and a score. Expect Smith and Sims to see more touches when the competition gets tougher if for no reason than they didn't stink.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back Preston Lyons is doubtful to play Thursday, according to College Injury Report.com
Analysis: I haven't been able to verify this through Georgia Tech, or local beat writer Ken Sugiura at the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, but Lyons has been banged up since the 'Jackets last scrimmage. It appears as if David Sims and Charles Perkins will be the only B-Backs carrying the ball Thursday, so we're just adding fuel to the fire that is the meteoric rise of Sims. He makes a reasonable flex play at this point.
News: Georgia Tech released their depth chart for Thursday's game against Western Carolina today, and as expected, David Sims will start at B-Back.
Analysis: It's impossible not to take a flier on Sims, as the last three starting B-Backs in Atlanta have had at least 1,300 yards. That said, expect Preston Lyons and Charles Perkins to see ample opportunities this week, at least. Lyons and Perkins are both listed in the 2 hole on the depth chart, seperated by our favorite "OR."
News: While not making it 100% official, it appears Georgia Tech will start former quarterback David Sims at B-Back when the Jackets open against Western Carolina.
Analysis: The last two words there have to make you excited about a good start for Sims. Said head coach Paul Johnson, "He worked his tail off, he earned it." Preston Lyons appears next in line for touches, and Johnson doesn't seem too happy with Charles Perkins, stating "His idea of working hard and mine aren't the same." If Perkins remains in the doghouse, and Richard Watson remains slow to recover from a concussion - this monster becomes a 2-headed race. And Sims' upside is tremendously higher than Lyons.
News: Georgia Tech B-Back Preston Lyons was helped off the field near the end of today's scrimmage with a leg injury.
Analysis: News is just trickling in, so no word on the severity of the injury. If Lyons' injury were serious, the Georgia Tech backfield would be a lot thinner, and start looking more fantasy friendly. We obviously don't wish injury on anyone, but this would provide opportunities for David Sims and Charles Perkins.
News: Finishing up yesterday's two-a-days, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said B-Back Charles Perkins elevated his play.
Analysis: Said Johnson "“He’s just playing harder, running harder, hustling around, doing those things to match David [Sims’] effort. Charles is a talented kid. When he wants to go hard, he can look pretty good.” Notice the italics? We are beating this race to death, mostly because a starter hasn't officially been named. Again, Sims and Perkins have the most upside, and Preston Lyons is the best blocker. They'll all get carries for a few weeks. Richard Watson is expected to return to practice Thursday.
News: Nearly another week into practice, and we still have Preston Lyons, David Sims and Charles Perkins vying for carries.
Analysis: At least we think we can eliminate Richard Watson somewhat, who has been limited with concussion like symptoms. Sims is generating the most buzz, but it's wise to not go overboard with that chatter. All three of these guys will see carries for a few weeks in September, and I wouldn't expect a reduction in split carries to surface until the 'Jackets' fourth game against conference opponent North Carolina. Translation - stay away.
News: Georgia Tech's QB/B-Back coach, Brian Bohannon spoke at length Wednesday about his two positions, which are under tight observation from us fantasy gurus.
Analysis: Bohannon broke down each of his B-Backs, where Preston Lyons remains atop the depth chart, Charles Perkins appears to be the best runner, and David Sims is making a good amount of noise in camp. The coaching staff like Lyons' blocking ability, which is keeping him atop the depth chart for now. I'm slowly buying into the Vad Lee hype at quarterback, and today's update out of Atlanta has me thinking Lee will enter the season as the #2 QB. The entire interview is a good read, so check it out. The Jackets scrimmage this weekend, so hopefully we have some meaningful stats then.
News: Georgia Tech running backs Charles Perkins and former quarterback David Sims are the first to earn public kudos in the 'Jackets backfield battle.
Analysis: I'm as thirsty for this info as anyone, but reading the nuts and bolts here, the praise comes from the two inexperienced players further gaining comfort in their reads. Perkins' youth is certainly intriguing, but nothing coming out of the ATL makes us think there will be a true feature back in 2011. At least not yet. Sidebar - big props to the AJC for their continuous coverage.
