Looking for progress at G-Day
Mark Richt’s Dogs open spring practice a week from today and the story line that’s naturally attracted the most fan and media attention is the battle between Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger at quarterback. And, certainly, one of the things I’m most looking forward to seeing at the April 10 G-Day game is how Murray and Mettenberger have progressed since last year’s spring game. Particularly Mettenberger. I’m hoping the receivers don’t drop as many balls as last spring so we get a fair look at the QBs.
Branden Smith attracted more attention on special teams and offense last year than in the secondary. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
As for the defense, I’m figuring the installation of Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme will still be a work in progress by then, so we might not be able to get as good a feel for where they stand, but I’ll be particularly interested in the play at outside linebacker.
And I’m anxious to see who steps up big in the rebuilt secondary. It was at last year’s G-Day game that Bacarri Rambo first turned heads. He looks likely to have one of the safety positions locked up, but will junior college transfer and self-proclaimed “hit man” Jakar Hamilton lay a claim to the other spot? How much will Quintin Banks, Makiri Pugh and Shawn Williams have matured? Will Sanders Commings play safety or cornerback? And speaking of the CBs, the early favorite at one corner would seem to be Brandon Boykin, but will the other be the speedy Branden Smith, who was inconsistent as a freshman? Where will Vance Cuff and Jordan Love be in the mix?
How about you? What positions besides quarterback are you most anxious to watch at G-Day?
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
The Dogs placed No. 9 in SouthernPigskin.com’s pre-spring Power Poll of SEC and ACC teams, behind Alabama, Virginia Tech, Florida, LSU, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State (??!!) and Arkansas, and ahead of Auburn, South Carolina and North Carolina. … Too much already has been made of the apparent altercation involving former Dog Knowshon Moreno in an Athens bar last weekend. And with the 18-year-old who told police he was punched out by Moreno being kind of fuzzy on the details, which his friends helped fill in for him, no one’s certain what really happened. But I like Dawgs Online’s take on it, which is that the headline could have been “Knowshon handles underage drunk.” … I’m glad sophomore Trey Thompkins hasn’t given much thought yet to leaving early for the NBA after this season, because he doesn’t appear quite ready for the pros. But I like his statement that the potential of Mark Fox’s program will be a factor in his thinking “because I want to be known as a guy who helped the program go from where it was to where it will be.” Sounds like Fox has made a definite impression on this young man. … Thompkins and his teammates travel to what they consider the most “weird” SEC basketball venue tonight to take on Vandy. But the unusual alignment at Vanderbilt’s gym, with the coaches on the baselines, isn’t likely to be as big a factor in the game as whether the Dogs keep the turnovers under control and get consistent play from their bench. … David Hale of Bulldogs Blog talked with Sonny Seiler, owner of the Uga mascots, about the progress in finding a successor for the short-lived Uga VII. Seiler says he’s awaiting two potential litters sired by good old Uga VI. (Since when did death ever stop a damn good Dawg?) But even if that works out, the pup likely won’t be old or big enough to take the field at the start of the season, so 5-year-old sub Russ, who’s too old to be the permanent mascot but did a terrific job in the last two games of 2009, likely will continue as the interim Georgia Bulldog. That’ll suit many fans who’ve already grown fond of the backup.
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105 comments Add your comment
UGAX
February 25th, 2010
3:24 pm
Volsrule- all good and valid points and nice to see a well, thought out post by an opposing fan. I’m a little tired of the sophomoric and moronic posts normally offered by so called Vols, Dawgs, Gator, and Tech fans on these posts. Well done.
Gatormaniac- In spite of my post above regarding sophomoric post, that’s pretty good stuff. Fun to read.
DGator
February 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
Pat is right thinks that Georgia has been equal to or better than Fla over the last 9 years but just has bad luck when the puppies turn out to be better than usual. C’mon Pat, GA has been irrelevant for that last 25 years, sneaking up and winning an SEC when the Zooker was down and Bama was down hardly qualifies as anything special. Stay positive, as usual, I hear you have a great recruiting class, do something with them before Richt gets his hands on em.
Gatormaniac
February 25th, 2010
3:32 pm
UGAX- Glad you enjoyed the post.
how2fish
February 25th, 2010
3:39 pm
DGator is we didn’t count in 07 how much did UF count ? How far do you have to go back to UF’s 1st year end ranking of no.2 or better? And do you know when CUM gets out of rehab?
Reality
February 25th, 2010
3:42 pm
Big South Mike – Stafford will earn the $40Mil as he plays for DETROIT!!! By the way – Tebow has not been drafted yet – will not get Stafford money – but imagine he will still do OK!!! at least better than you and me!
Stafford vs Tebow – 1-2
Tebow vs Stafford – 2-1
Tebow vs UGA – 3-1
Tebow – 2 National Titles – 2 SEC Titles – 3 SEC East Titles – 1 Heisman Trophy
Stafford – 0 National Titles – 0 SEC Titles – 0 SEC East Titles – 0 Heisman Trophy VOTES!!!
Hey gayfer Bob. See where Tebow gets drafted and then come run your mouth. Oh thats right he won’t LOL.
Dave In Tampa
February 25th, 2010
3:48 pm
We have not been on the same level as UF the past nine years. I don’t care how many games CMR has won, how many SECCG’s he has won. Meyer has won 2 NC’s. That’s how a team is measured, period. I hate, but a fact is a fact. Yes, we have slipped the past 2 years. I do feel that we will be better with our new DC. Can’t be worse. Well, be back in the thick of things before you know it. I think it will be a heck of a fight this year between UF, UT, SC & UGA in the East. There are no overpowering teams this year. Basic fundamental football will win the East this year
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:49 pm
Stafford $40 million.
Tebow- $0
Doesn’t that say a lot about Meyer and Richt?
One goal for Spring
February 25th, 2010
3:51 pm
Brandon Smith needs to learn to hold the ball, whether after a pic or as a running back. He fumbles and one of them COST US the KY game. He to me was vastly over rated coming in to Athens. Fast? Yes, but can he cover and run w.o those darn fumbles, and receive punts and k.o. w.o. fumbling is what I hope to see accomplished in the Spring. He had that nice sprint TD vs SC BUT folks will be keyed in on that deal in 2010.
He also needs to put on about 15-20 pounds ………..he is skin and bones.
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:51 pm
I think Richt has coached in 5 National Championships.
How many has Meyer coached in?
Georgia Bob
February 25th, 2010
3:51 pm
When did the big love fest between Bama and Gator fans start?
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:52 pm
Branden Smith fumbles? Please.
Florida fumbled 5 times against Troy alone.
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:53 pm
didn’t joe cox throw more td’s than tim tebow in 2009?
Money talks and prayers walk in NFL
February 25th, 2010
3:54 pm
MS did earn what? A $45,000,000.0 package with the Lions? Well, we will see what Timmy Tebow gets. I doubt that he will get more than a $15,000,000 deal ………….THAT WILL TELL US how good he is ……………NOW. SEC games for him are over and that is why CUM is in Ocala Rehab,Inc.
Go Dogs.
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:54 pm
Rainey’s been known to fumble, as are all of UF’s RB’s, which is why Meyer only called 1 running play for the RB’s in the SEC Championship.
Arn’t you more worried about that?
Dave In Tampa
February 25th, 2010
3:55 pm
big south mike;
I wish I could side with you on that one. However, Meyer has won 2 as a HC. CMR has yet to play for one as a HC. He will soon though, just has not yet.
Could not agree more on the Brandon Smith comment “one goal for spring”. He was impressive with his speed, but you can see that fumble coming a mile away.
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:55 pm
Why didn’t Meyer rebuild Tebow’s delivery?
Why didn’t Meyer put his players future earnings and financial security above a little trophy?
What does that say about Meyer?
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:56 pm
Richt’s coached in 5 National Champinships to Meyer’s 3.
big south mike
February 25th, 2010
3:58 pm
UGA Spring will just be a workout for our offense.
The defense will be trying out a lot of players and evaluating the talent.
RB’s will continue to run for Big yards, like they’ve been doing the last 3 games, good for #5 in NCAA in rushing at 247 a game.
Dave In Tampa
February 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
No doubt about Meyer not foolin with TT’s delivery. He does not know how that is obvious. Meyer does not think about the NFL. Just what happens in College. Yes, many time he should have pulled him when the game was out of reach.
I hope CMR takes some one on one approaches with Mett’s & Murray. They will learn a lot from him. Who ever starts will surprise this year.
pat is right
February 25th, 2010
4:04 pm
DGATOR……….UGA 9 years……90 wins…..2 SEC titles….7 bowl wins
…………… FLA 9 years……90 wins…..2 SEC titles….6 bowl wins
UGA ranked top ten 6 times
Fla ranked top ten 3 years.
Hmmmmmmm
UGA class of 73 and the Tiers
February 25th, 2010
4:10 pm
UGA has done quite well over the years. UGA does need to run off a couple of NCs in the next 3-8 years for them to be in the elite category. As a UGA man, I ‘ll say that. Why not?
Here are the elites and it can change about every 5 years or so:
Alabama JUST GOT BACK IN due to last year and the current NC. Last year’s blow out in the Sugar could have kept them in Second Tier w.o. the current NC.
Texas
Florida
LSU
Southern Cal
Oklahoma
Ohio State
This is based on the number of NCs that they played for over the last several years.
Second Tier is where UGA is and that is great ………. MOST schools are NOT there. This is based on SEC East and SEC champs for UGA but just not real recently. Not bad however. No other SEC team is in this group. Not Auburn ( they are rising soon ) not UT, not MSU, not Ole Miss not SC and not Vandy or KY, nor Arkansas. Not really anyone in the ACC ………as they have NO titles in many, many years.
Tech? One BLOW OUT in the Urange Bowl and that itty, bitty ACC thang are not even indicative of Second Tier. If Tech wins the ACC again and goes to the Urange again, then they are moving fast toward SECOND TIER status but not Top Tier. UGA has the 6th winningest prgram over the last 10 years is one clear example of Second Tier status ……………which is very hard to achieve long term and that is the key. Long term ……….not one or two fair years and BCS blow outs.
I don’t think that anyone down south would argue with this ………it is fairly accurate.
Most of the Big 10 is Third Tier except for Wisconsin and maybe Iowa and Penn State. Big East is a non factor as the WAC with Boise and TCU. They must win a NC and go to major bowls for about 4 or 5 more years to hit Second Tier status. It is just that tough to be Second Tier folks.
Go Dogs.
Spike
February 25th, 2010
4:16 pm
Throw the damn ball to Kris Durham and let Ealy tote the rock!!
Adam
February 25th, 2010
4:23 pm
All I have to say is my vote is Russ for permanent mascot. Brown spot be damned!
Spike
February 25th, 2010
4:25 pm
Russ is 2-0, and counting.
Brandon Spikes
February 25th, 2010
4:36 pm
I will be looking to see if the runningbacks wear eye guards. We like to look at the UGA blog because we are all psychiatrist in training and love to study delusional football fans.
PatIsALunatic
February 25th, 2010
4:56 pm
A bit delusional aren’t we Pat??? You fail to mention a couple of facts..
Fact 1: Richt’s best win out of conference based on final AP ballots:
#13 GT last year; #18 Michigan State and #18 Hawaii. Not exactly a glowing resume of out of conference wins!
Fact 2: UGA does tend to win 10 games but rarely are a threat for the National title. They have won only one and that was 30 years ago in over 100 years of football. Yes, I do know UGA claims two but the second was an obscure poll not by the top three polls of that era.
Fact 3: They can’t beat UF. Shoot, even in the years Richt won the EAST he still lost to UF.
Fact 4: It is doubtful UGA wins the EAST next year even though this division within the SEC is likely the weakest it has been in 10 years.
Fact 5: How can a team with so many great recruits consistently underperform on the field? Doesn’t that show a coaching weakness???
As a NCAA fan overall but a supporter of a team that gets little talent (Miss. St.) it is hard for those not fervent UGA fans to see much upside with UGA other than the typical 10 win seasons against inferior competition. Even with two first round picks and 7 overall NFL picks…UGA was whipped by Bama (not the #1 Bama but a rebuilding one), UF yet again, and then they topped off the underperformance by allowing the ACC team to run all over them in Athens.
Doubt that trend will change!
hey volsrule
February 25th, 2010
4:59 pm
georgia has slipped the last two years, though 08 had everything to do with injuries and 09 had everything to do with martinez, cox, and no knowshon. tennessee has owned georgia the past 3 of 4 years HOWEVER…
Georgia was ranked #2 in 2007 for a good reason. Who else had less losses? Who else reeled off I think it was 8 or so plus wins in a row, including wins against Florida, Auburn, Tech, and the maligned Hawaii? The only team besides LSU and Georgia that had any business in the top 3 was USC. Concerning Hawaii, Hawaii got in due to Boise’s success. Every Georgia fan I knew would have rather played USC and definitely would have played LSU (who wouldn’t have?). Do you give Florida a hard time for beating the crap out of Cincinatti when a much more worthy opponent would have been Iowa?
The team that Tennessee manhandled was a different team than the one that manhandled Florida and Auburn. Does that change the outcome of the debacle in Knoxville? NO. On the other hand, consider Richt’s overall record against Tennessee. And by the way, though I disagree with you often, I find your posts to be civil and often well thought out.
History...
February 25th, 2010
5:06 pm
What’s with UGA and yesterday/past history? What bearing does anything in the past have with this coming season? This pulling things out of the past, got you believing in Joe Cox and his never loosing a HS game and yadda yadda yadda crap about Colorado, etc…, still pining for the second coming of Herschel Walker, the ten wins a season average as a measuring stick for greatness, while loosing games that MUST be won.
Well, you should be putting all your energy into this upcoming season. It’s really sad to think that you fans can’t get excited about a new QB the caliber of Murray, and if not Murray then how much better must Met, or Gray has improved to beat out the hot shot from Tampa, you’ll have a new 3-4 defense attacking the other team, you’ll once again have AJ and a fantastic supporting receiving corps, you’ll have the same great punter, the same superb field goal kicker, etc.
Yep, UGA has a chance to do some great things the next few years; the past is just that, the past…move on!
Joe
February 25th, 2010
5:17 pm
hmmmmm…quote- “Joe Cox gives us our best chance to win”. That pretty much seals Logan’s fate in the QB race. CMR cant afford another disaster like we had last year
NFL players mean nothing really
February 25th, 2010
5:22 pm
How many kids a particular school has going high in the draft means nothing to NCAA football fans or at least most. The alumni want college players and could frankly, care less about the NFL.
Thugs are excited about The League………….. or the NBA. Who cares?
A fan of the NCAA
Since Vince
February 25th, 2010
6:00 pm
Gee this sounds just like last year when the dawgs were coming off a win over Michigan State in the bowl game. Blind homers were excited how well the defense had turned the corner and Senor Joe Cox with all the wealth of experience behind and around him. Well Florida looks once again to clean the dawgs clock and dawgs will suffer their first loss in Columbia next fall. If the dawgs are gonna be so great like a lot of homers are suggesting the only thing I can say like many others is I’ll believe it when I see it. Since 2004 Ive only seen crap in UGA football.
Dawg 39
February 25th, 2010
6:25 pm
Since 2004 ? . How about an SEC title in 2005 and #2 in the nation in the final poll of 07. Somehow we true Dawg fans will get thru the next 4 years, but will our opponents ? .
Since Vince
February 25th, 2010
6:42 pm
Dawg 39…. Remember thar Auburn game in 2005 then the dawgs had to rely on SC in upsetting Florida then the embarrassing loss to WVU in the bowl game. 2007 # 2 ranking was an absolute farce getting hammered by Tennessee and losing to a pathetic SC at home without scoring a TD. Oh yeah beat Florida that year while Mr. Tebow wasn’t 100 % but the game was still in doubt till late in the 4th. I stand by my opinion like many others Dawg 39 ….
Dawg 39
February 25th, 2010
6:55 pm
Since Vince: we continue to agree to disagree. Nothing wrong with that. I still believe that USC & the Dawgs were the 2 best teams in the nation in 07. Maybe you have given up on the Dawgs. I have not.
Since Vince
February 25th, 2010
6:59 pm
Dawg 39… Like I said I’ll believe it whem I see it and so far Im still not seeing it…..
kb
February 25th, 2010
7:18 pm
Why do the dawg haters go out of their way to post on this blog? Seems to me that don’t have one that’s worth the effort to comment on. I guess you could say that mockery is the greast form of flattery. This proves that we are in their heads.
ONLY Fair
February 25th, 2010
7:54 pm
87rd
PT
February 25th, 2010
7:56 pm
Mikie G
Feb. 25
12:42 p.m.
I agree, Erk would be a great name and maybe the junkyard D would return.
SEC
February 25th, 2010
8:31 pm
ESPN will televise the University of Alabama’s annual A-Day spring game on April 17. Last year, despite an ESPN national television audience, A-Day drew 84,050 fans. That figure led all spring games in the Southeastern Conference.
The Crimson Tide has averaged nearly 85,000 fans in attendance for A-Day over the last three years, including a capacity crowd of 92,138 for UA head coach Nick Saban’s A-Day debut in 2007. Saban often notes that the passion Alabama fans show for A-Day has proven to be useful in recruiting and in upholding the program’s tradition.
SEC
February 25th, 2010
8:33 pm
UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced that the expansion project for the South end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium, which will put capacity over 101,000, is on track for completion by July 1.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
February 25th, 2010
8:42 pm
Will UGA have the Cow gym enclosed with 12 million dollars worth of glass by July 1st?????
AltamahaDawg
February 25th, 2010
9:47 pm
Since vince, you sort of skipped over the whole beat LSU deal to win the SEC in that recap of 2005 didn’t you?
AltamahaDawg
February 25th, 2010
10:05 pm
As far as spring goes, one thing is that we are going into it with a mere 8 players out. That’s having almost an entire lineup over last year at this time. Competition at every position will improve. We went into last fall with 50 new or just returning from injuries (surgeries in most cases) . Half that this fall.
I don’t fool myself to think we have the best players collectively out there right now, but any team is better if it at least can put the best they have up against each other every week in camp.
Since Vince
February 25th, 2010
10:19 pm
Ok AltamahaDawg…. I’ll throw you a nugget for a 2005 SEC championship in beating LSU. But remember UGA beat a SORRY SC team at home that year by virtue of a missed extra point in 2005. So now its been 4 years and counting since a SEC championship and now UGA’s approaching 30 for the BIG prize…. I guess YOU have skipped over that as well.
Falcons Free Agent WR Targets and Mock Mania 1.0 | The Bird Cage
February 25th, 2010
11:06 pm
[...] Bill King on the Upcoming G-Day [...]
Pago Flyer
February 26th, 2010
12:13 am
Who cares about Tebow and the NFL. He did his job at FL by taking care of the DAWGS and winning!
dawgnabbit
February 26th, 2010
12:26 am
I beleve Stafford ’s contact was for 76 million with 45 million guaranteed!
BuLLdawg
February 26th, 2010
6:18 am
I am looking forward to progress in The SEC East, so that over the next 4 years we have a winning record at least in The SEC East the next 4 years.
Because we did NOT have a winning record in The SEC East the last 4 years.
AltamahaDawg
February 26th, 2010
7:22 am
OK, who hijacked BuLLdawg’s name to make such a short point that everybody can agree with?
Bill King is a .....
February 26th, 2010
7:54 am
i’m anxious to see some competition for another blog writer