Brandon Boykin returning punts sounds like a good idea
Adding Brandon Boykin to the Dogs' punt return corps is an enticing prospect. (Associated Press)
Some Saturday morning musings …
I LIKE THIS: Brandon Boykin, who has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns so far in his career, was among the Dogs fielding punts in practice Thursday, along with Branden Smith (last year’s main punt returner), Tavarres King and Carlton Thomas. Said Boykin of the prospect of adding punt returns to his duties as cornerback and kickoff returner: “If they want me to return punts, I’m definitely up for it. Anytime I can get the ball in my hands, you know I’m going to say yes to it.” Hey, might as well go for broke with ace returner Logan Gray gone!
I ALSO LIKE THIS: A lot of folks did double-takes at published shots of Kwame Geathers at practice this week and how huge and yet in great shape he looks. Geathers says he’s up to 344 pounds now (from a listed 325 before the bowl game) but maintains the added weight is muscle. “My body fat went down,” Geathers said. Of Joe Tereshinski’s new strength and conditioning program, the big boy says, “I buy into it.” I know everyone’s excited about big John Jenkins arriving at nose guard this fall, but if Geathers can provide a strong backup to him at that position and start commanding some double-team blocks, the Dogs’ defense is going to be in much better shape in the middle.
NOT THRILLED WITH THIS: Dawgs247 reports that after three practices, Mark Richt’s assessment of the battle between Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams to replace Alec Ogletree at safety isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of either: “They’ve still got a ways to go.” And despite this being the second year for them in the scheme, Boykin hints that neither the erstwhile “Hitman” nor Williams have a complete grasp of Todd Grantham’s defense. The problem, he says, is “maybe not knowing 100 percent what to do.” You’ve got to wonder when the light bulb finally is going to come on for one of those guys.
BYE BYE: ESPN’s Chris Low looked at the SEC schedule released this week and noted that Alabama still faces the most SEC opponents coming off a bye week, though it’s three this year, down from six last year. But of more interest to us is that Georgia is the only other team in the league that plays more than one SEC team coming off a bye. Florida and Auburn are both off the week before playing the Dogs this coming season. The good news, in that regard, is that both Georgia and Florida are off the week before the clash in Jacksonville, so there should be no advantage given there. Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee all face just one team coming off a bye and Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt don’t play any SEC games this season where the other team is coming off a bye.
Feel free to share your own thoughts about these or any other UGA topics …
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93 comments Add your comment
Buckeye
March 27th, 2011
8:49 am
Clinch,
If I was at your level in terms of class and humility I would exclaim:
MID-MAJOR!! MID-MAJOR!! MID-MAJOR!!
But I’m not so I won’t.
RxDawg
March 27th, 2011
9:56 am
“Hey, might as well go for broke with ace returner Logan Gray gone!”
Awe Bill, Logan was a damn good dawg and he did everything that was asked of him from the coaches. Including all those fair catches. The slight dig at him wasn’t needed even though I know you meant no insult.
RxDawg
March 27th, 2011
10:05 am
Ya know, something that a lot of people aren’t really talking about is what the move of Olgletree to middle linebacker says about Richard Samuel. It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of how well Samuel did at middle linebacker in practice all year… which disappoints me. I was really expecting good things from the stellar athlete.
RxDawg
March 27th, 2011
10:54 am
Dorsey Hill
March 26th, 2011
12:31 pm
haha, I’m lmao off on that one. Best blog burn I’ve seen in a long time. Bravo Dorsey.
RxDawg
March 27th, 2011
11:05 am
“On another note, what has happened with branden smith?”
Actually a while back a knowledgeable (at least he seemed that way) blogger was talking about Smith. He said the coaches were trying to officially move him over to offense because he just didn’t have the hips at CB and was actually a big liability for us on defense. I don’t know if it’s completely true but it sounded good.
“I agree with some of the above. Richard Sammuel needs to be on the field”
Does he? I used to think the same thing, but honestly that was hopeful thinking. Has anyone here actually seen Richard play MLB yet? When Granthem moved Olgletree over to MLB the first thing I thought of was Richard must not be the man there after all. Hopefully it’s a testament to how good Olgletree is and not how bad Richard is.
1eyedJack
March 27th, 2011
11:55 am
We need to be eight deep at LB. Samuel is definitely one of those eight and will get plenty of PT. Same with Kwaeme, those big guys get tired easily. We’ve got to find a way to get Branden Smith, with his speed, on the field, period.
whats a three point shot worth ?
March 27th, 2011
11:56 am
http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=69016&sitesection=ndnsubss&VID=23387943
Athens is just so lovely and the people so nice..I want my child to Attend School in Athens and be a part of this close nit family.
1eyedJack
March 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
Maybe he would learn to spell KNIT?
For the record
March 27th, 2011
12:45 pm
What Telstar really meant was he wants Richt to stop recruitng the ni@@ers.
DawgGone
March 27th, 2011
1:15 pm
Dawgs36:
Green is a selfish young man !!!
He got a free ride through college yet misses 4 games due to his greed (enough about colleges profiting from players). We lost 3 of 4 of those games,one with him playing, but his abscence didn’t bode well for planning/coaching. I think he should have been kicked off team when it happened. What happened to TEAM-me ??? Huh??? Until UGA coaches and players stand up and kick ass we will put up with this crap !!
jack bull
March 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
I’ve said for the last 2 yrs that Boykin needs to get the ball a few times on the offensive side of the ball. I know they like to use B Smith in that regards here and there, but I don’t think it would hurt to use Boykin in the same way. He’s just way too explosive to not. Talked to the nephew earlier today, not much newsworthy info yet. Stay tuned….
Tarras Lane
March 27th, 2011
3:07 pm
Tarras Lane: Living with your mother is nothing to be proud of.
Hey, TROJAN, at least my mother was married.
And she didn’t name me for a condom.
SOUTHGADAWG88
March 27th, 2011
7:57 pm
Branden Smith2010: Appeared in nine games making nine starts recording 17 tackles, four pass break ups, two INTs, rushing six times for 46 yards and returning 10 punts for 143 yards.
*Registered a career-high five tackles at No. 24 S. Carolina.
*Recorded four tackles vs. Georgia Tech and vs. UCF.
*Two tackles and an interception vs. Florida.
*Had a 17-yard rush, returned three punts for 51 yards and recorded a pass break-up vs. Louisiana.
*Missed the Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky games due to injury.
Pago Pago DAWG
March 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
The DAWGS always have a Top 15 recruiting class..but..nothing happens?
chilidawg
March 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
1eyedJack and Rx: I couldn’t agree more. Why pick on Logan Gray? He did everything that was asked of him.
Dawgboy
March 28th, 2011
7:50 am
0-2 then the really hot seat for MR.
Reginald
March 28th, 2011
9:12 am
Bill, the ‘Jasper Sanks’ of writers at the AJC, making fun of Logan Gray. I didn’t realize he was in charge of special teams and chose to put himself into the game to catch punts. Really padding the resume now Bill, adding ‘jerk’ to the already esteemed title you hold as ‘AJC’s worst writer’.
And quit being such a pessimist on the secondary, notice how you started your whining… “After three practices”. At least get close to the end of spring practice before you start your stone throwing.
RxDawg
March 28th, 2011
9:43 am
“And quit being such a pessimist on the secondary”
Actually Regi, I personaly think the secondary has been UGA’s achillies heel for the past 3 years. Especially our play at safety. I’ve seen nothing to believe that Hamilton or Williams are going to be dominant at that position. Do I hope they prove me wrong? You bet I do, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I guess after living through the Thomas Davis years I have high standards for the play of our safeties.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
9:45 am
Reading some of the other comments, I’m trying to figure out why tim Tucker has banned me from his blog.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
9:50 am
Taras Lane, you are a prime example of why I posted my Top 20 list of inane, stereotypical moronic statements that the UGA haters post all the time.
You should just reference a number on my list and save time.
Reginald
March 28th, 2011
9:52 am
RxDawg– Grantham has only been our coordinator for one year, Willie was horrible at coaching secondary and I’m choosing to be positive that Grantham is getting this thing turned around. I’m not blind, just trying to be optimistic.
Not sure I agree with you in regard to Thomas Davis, he was terrible in pass coverage. Great against the run and a really good player but not perfect by any means. I’d say the best safety play we’ve had since Richt has been here was in 2005 by Greg Blue. He did it all…
Dawg Gone
March 28th, 2011
9:54 am
RxDawg agree I hope the pass rush this year will help take some of the strain off the secondary…last year it seemed that at times the other team had 10-15 mins to find a open receiver.
RxDawg
March 28th, 2011
10:10 am
“I’d say the best safety play we’ve had since Richt has been here was in 2005 by Greg Blue.”
Oh…..dear…. lord. I think you’ve got Blue and Davis mixed up.
RxDawg
March 28th, 2011
10:18 am
Dawg Gone ditto. A great front 7 will make the back 4 look that much better. I’m hoping that’s really what Granthem is thinking moving Olgletree to MLB will do.
Reginald
March 28th, 2011
10:19 am
I’m not saying Davis wasn’t a good player or even that he might not be better than Blue but you are wrong here. Blue in 2005 was amazing, there were times he carried the defense (Tennessee game for one), and this was with a much weaker supporting cast than in 2004. The 2 games we lost in 2004, Davis was used and abused in the passing game.
Check your facts RxDawg.
UGA Insider
March 28th, 2011
10:30 am
Coaches have told me they fully expect one or both of the highly touted freshman to come in and compete for a starting role at safety. Ogletree moving back is NOT and option. The kid has gained about 20lbs of muscle and looks like an NFL linebacker at the moment. Much bigger and faster than Thomas Davis.
In regards to Samuels…. there is NO depth at inside lb, so Samuels will play a ton. He may not start every game but will have to play.
UGA Insider
March 28th, 2011
10:42 am
Coaches also expect a few of the freshman lb’s to be able to come in and contribute immediately as well. We will see very soon if the dream team is as advertised….. especially defense where we are talented but paper thin.
schmeckdawg
March 28th, 2011
11:18 am
Jakar ‘The Hitman” was probably the biggest flop on the team last year IMO. Now in year 2 in the exact same defense, he’s got a teammate saying that “he doesn’t know what to do.” Is he a moron, lazy or both. In any case, “if he doesn’t know what to do,” the only way he see’s the field this year in on special teams!
schmeckdawg
March 28th, 2011
11:52 am
Uh winning…duh!
dawgfacedboy
March 28th, 2011
12:05 pm
Dorsey- HAHA!!
Altamaha- agree totally
Pago- alot of people agreed with Obama as well, how’s that working out?
dawgfacedboy
March 28th, 2011
12:07 pm
Sean Jones gets my vote
12 CRIMINAL CHARGES 6 wins 7 LOSSES
March 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
More importantly—hoiw doi we stand with The Richt Cup this year?
MarineDog
March 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
Is there any chance that some of the Dream Team freshmen will enroll prior to this fall, since high school ends in late May/early June? It would definitely give them a better chance of competing for playing time.
Matt Daddy
March 28th, 2011
2:39 pm
Telstar Bloog, you lose credibility when you throw A.J. in that group. So either you are a closet racist who only seems to have problems with our black players, or you mistakenly put his name in that group. He’s a good kid regardless of his intelligent score.
OnePostDawg
March 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
I am actually excited about our football and men’s basketball programs.
However, I am taking this time to suggest to our AD, it is time for a change on the Women’s Basketball Team. I have never seen a more lopsided game since the Harlem Globetrotter’s in 1975. I dont care if we have been to more tournaments than anyone beside you know who, or 19 sweet sixteen appearances, who cares or 5 Final Fours, really since when, and with the talent we have seen over the years, we should have at least 2 National Titles. We simply dont compete at the top any more. 20-2 with 10 to go in the first half yesterday and we lose by 41 points, what, 41 points, 41 points on the big stage in front of every high school player in the country. Do you think they have confidence in our coach or team. It is simply inexcusable. I dont even care if he cares for players etc and treats them like daughters. That should be parents or guardians.
In this day and time, it is a coach’s discipline along with motivation, and the team’s desire and talent. Our team simply wasn’t not even playing the same game. How can that be? One answer, Coaching!!!!! Yesterday should mark the end of the era and lets move on.
One last question, would a great coach ever let their team get blown out by 41 in the sweet sixteen. Not on your life and don’t blame the players.
fpice
March 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Enter your comments here
DMR
March 28th, 2011
8:24 pm
The safety position is key. Richt and Grantham are going to have to put someone back there that knows what is going on. That might even mean finding another linebacker and moving “Tree” back to the safety position. We have had too many seasons of guys running around back there with no clue.
Tarras Lane
March 28th, 2011
8:58 pm
I’m so clever. I simply cut and paste the same drivel on these blogs. I hate UGA so much. It just kills me. I know I shouldn’t add to the hit count ’cause it only encourages more topics about UGA but I just can’t help it. I’m sad and pathetic. A complete loser. I’m ashamed to state where I wanted to go to school. I’ll post under another name soon.
monkmace
March 28th, 2011
9:27 pm
when talking about my almighty dawgs please use the correct spelling,its not dogs !! just saying…dawg gone respect here!!
D.Ellis
March 29th, 2011
7:08 am
BILL K.- There is a reason Logan Gray was the “go for broke ace returner” last year. If you read between the lines with King/Boykin back there with Smith ( not a good PR), then you would see why Gray was the main PR. He was the only one that could catch the ball with any consistancy.
There is a reason there are new guys back there trying out.
DawginLex
March 29th, 2011
9:01 am
Fulmer Cup is a runaway for Auburn with a record 80 points.
Who is your team “6 wins”?
We aren’t on the Fulmer Cup scoresheet for 2011.
Who is your team?
Let’s see where they rank?
LawDawg
March 29th, 2011
10:55 am
Shocking, SHOCKING that Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams are having a mediocre spring. Our safety corps is absolutely pathetic. Other than the OL, that has been our biggest weakness the last two years.
lakesidegator
March 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
Y’all Dawgs save y’allselves some trouble: take a forfeit of the Florida game this Fall.