Fan talk: UGA’s football players must battle ‘soft’ reputation
Offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, just drafted by the Buffalo Bills, started 50 games for the Georgia Bulldogs. (University of Georgia)
Let’s jump straight into some of this week’s Junkyard Mail …
Robert Nesbitt writes: Junkyard, I heard on the [NFL] draft coverage of the 1st round something that has me hopping mad. Gil Brandt, the resident draft guru, was pontificating on why Cordy Glenn may not have been drafted. Gil indicated it is well known Georgia players do much better in the pros (than college)and that Glenn (and by association) other Bulldogs are soft in they way they play college ball. This burns me up, because the truth hurts. What are your thoughts?
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this rap on Georgia players. NFL scouts were dissing the strength and conditioning of Mark Richt’s players at least a couple of years before the head coach decided an overhall of the conditioning staff was in order. And while the team overall looked stronger last year, the fourth-quarter fade in the bowl game showed there’s still room for improvement in that regard. Of course, Georgia has still had 57 draft picks in the past 10 years (tops in the SEC), though the rate has fallen off somewhat in the past five years. Still, I’m not sure Brandt’s citing of the Dawgs’ reputation around the league for being “soft” was really at play in Glenn not getting drafted until the Bills took him in the 41st spot in the second round. There was some talk about him occasionally showing lazy technique, plus there probably were questions about his weight (somewhere in the vicinity of 345), though he’s shown himself to be remarkably quick for a big man. More likely there were questions about his suitability at tackle, since he was a guard for 32 of his 50 starts at UGA. Still, those 50 starts for a team playing in the SEC (tying Clint Boling’s record for a UGA offensive lineman) belie the “soft” tag and it should be noted that another draft guru, Jon Gruden, professed himself “shocked” that Glenn was still available in the second round. “I thought he was a legitimate first rounder. He’s handled consistently SEC competition,” Gruden said. But back to your overall point: Joe Tereshinski has only had one season to turn things around in the strength and conditioning department. It’ll take some demonstrable improvement there to get rid of the Dogs’ previous reputation among NFL types.
Terry Lively writes: Bill, I appreciate your insights. I just have to ask: Why do you think the Dawgs consistently struggle in recruiting the offensive line position? This is prompted by the most recent “should have had him” in Max Garcia. We have the need, we have the skill players and we have the offensive style (allegedly) that should make it attractive for MANY linemen, yet we always seem to lose way more than we win. Take Garcia — wanted to be closer to home, an OT (and Lord knows we need them), and we were his leader at least at one point … but we lost him. Tell me where I’m off in my assessment or why you think we are always lagging at that position. And by the way, yes I know it’s a long way to signing day, but we seem to say that every year down the stretch but don’t close well in this area, and right now out of 15 commitments we have ONE OL on the board. It just doesn’t make sense given the opportunity in Athens.
We all know the offensive line has been a weak point for Richt’s program in recent years and recruiting no doubt lies at the heart of that. Of course, Will Friend is only in his second year as OL coach but, yeah, letting Maryland transfer Max Garcia slip away falls on him. The Georgia native left the Terps because he wanted to play closer to home and listed Georgia as his favorite early on. You can’t say Georgia doesn’t ever get quality OL players, though. John Theus, who’ll join the team this summer, is a highly touted five-star signee. And while three-star tackle Aulden Bynum is currently the only offensive lineman committed to Georgia in the 2013 class, recruiting experts see the Dogs having a good shot at quite a few others, including five-star player Laremy Tunsil. The Dawgs are considered likely to sign several tackles and another center and guard or two. I’m not ready to write off Georgia’s OL recruiting just on the basis of not snagging Garcia.
Steve Yearta writes: First, I thought that we should be as good as last year; maybe [Aaron] Murray will make it through the season without throwing pick 6’s at inopportune times; the running back corps will be vastly improved; and the OL and special teams probably won’t be any worse; and we’ll wind up winning 10 and losing 3. Now, however, I’ve drifted to: the offensive line will not be, even with the starters healthy, a strength and if, heaven forbid, injuries occur, it will be a struggle to have any consistency; no, [Murray] hasn’t beaten a good team yet, and I have great concern about his effectiveness and health if the OL is ineffective; and considering the lack of attention to special teams under this regime who knows what will happen there? Obviously, my concerns are with the offense and special teams. I think the defensive line and backers are excellent and can probably cover up some deficiencies in the defensive backfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if we wound up losing 1 game or 5. Just too hard to read this team. Thanks for your blog!
You’re right that on first blush it’s easy to think that in 2012 Georgia should at the very least repeat as SEC East champ and perhaps be a bit better than the 2011 team. But, as you correctly note, there are a lot of questions still to be answered. As I’ve made clear here, Murray isn’t among my primary worries. I’m much more concerned about the offensive line and whether it will allow our impressive stable of tailbacks to get anything going. And, as you noted, there’s a huge question mark hanging over special teams play. Until we see how the freshman specialists perform and whether the offseason tinkering improves kick coverage, that must remain on the list of the Dogs’ major liabilities.
Will competition from new running backs provide a spark for Isaiah Crowell? (Associated Press)
On a more positive note, Jerry Cochran writes: Bill, I truly believe Mark Richt’s team this year has a chance to be special. I know the offensive line has to be rebuilt and we’re going to be missing some starters in the secondary against Missouri, but I really feel Aaron Murray is about to come into his own and I’m just plain excited by the prospects in the running game. I think the addition of Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley is going to spark Isaiah Crowell to fully live up to his potential and give Georgia the kind of versatility in the running game that LSU showed this past season. Am I being overly optimistic?
A lot depends on how the OL develops, in terms of both Murray’s progression at QB and the running game, but if that unit can gel before the South Carolina game, Georgia’s defense plays up to its considerable capabilities and the aforementioned special teams situation stablizes, the 2012 Dawgs certainly could be a Top 5 team.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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466 comments Add your comment
Joe
April 30th, 2012
8:48 am
Pretty sick of hearing….”this year, we have a chance to be special”……..total BS……with all the talent we have going to the NFL there is no excuse (except lack of discipline and coaching) that we have NOTHING to show for it. what- how many years in a row have we said that……..????
ChowCity
April 30th, 2012
8:53 am
Blaming Will Friend OL Coach? He just had 4 of his offensive line blockers get drafted by the NFL.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:00 am
Let’s get this party started….yep, too soft, so what’s new? Oh yeal, your boy King was arrested for assault…..awright, just another fine product of CMR.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:01 am
The scores will tell…
Joe
April 30th, 2012
9:04 am
We are so good at blaming this one and that one…Murray blames the receiver taking the wrong route……or the Oline…..or the running game……CMR blames everyone except Murray…..even the defense……..now we blame the Oline coach……
Question: who gets the blame this year if Murray continues to cost us games with his mistakes???? Who do we blame this year for poor play calling???? WHO do we blame this year if this team goes 9-3….8-4…….
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:07 am
The problem boils down to coaching, and 12 years of inept coaching. Everyone in Athens is in love with CMR, but the problem is Tuscaloosa is in love with Saban, Baton Rouge is in love with Miles and Florida was in love with Meyer. The difference is all of those coaches, except for CMR, were loved because they won crystal trophies, and were not charged as the team chaplain.
Kyle
April 30th, 2012
9:11 am
Best case: 10-2 Worst case: 8-4…….my bet…9-3 (Missouri, Carolina, Florida)
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:13 am
@kyle….right there with you, losses to Mizzou, Spurirer and Florida. The wildcard is probably Auburn also.
old dog
April 30th, 2012
9:19 am
IF THE O-LINE IMPROVES……….all goes well. O-line like usual (dead in 4th quarter & terrible run-blocking) we finish the same…..not as good as LSU or Alabama by a long shot!
BG
April 30th, 2012
9:20 am
Ask Auburn,Florida,UT,and Georgia Tech if UGA was soft?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:20 am
How can they be soft in college and do well in the NFL?
That does not make sense
Maybe Saban’s guys excel in college and never do much in the NFL?
Asher Allen Minnesota Vikings Cornerback
Geno Atkins Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Tackle
Champ Bailey Denver Broncos Cornerback
Clint Boling Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Guard
Shaun Chapas Dallas Cowboys Fullback
Chris Clemons Seattle Seahawks Defensive End
Rennie Curran Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker
Thomas Davis Carolina Panthers Linebacker
Akeem Dent Atlanta Falcons Linebacker
Demarcus Dobbs San Francisco 49ers Defensive Tackle
Kris Durham Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver
Dannell Ellerbe Baltimore Ravens Linebacker
Darryl Gamble San Diego Chargers Linebacker
Robert Geathers Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End
Cordy Glenn Buffalo Bills Offensive Guard
Kedric Golston Washington Redskins Defensive End
A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver
Justin Houston Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker
Corvey Irvin Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Tackle
Tim Jennings Chicago Bears Cornerback
Charles Johnson Carolina Panthers Defensive End
Reshad Jones Miami Dolphins Safety
John Kasay New Orleans Saints Place kicker
Caleb King Minnesota Vikings Running Back
Kregg Lumpkin Seattle Seahawks Running Back
Mohamed Massaquoi Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver
Randy McMichael San Diego Chargers Tight End
Prince Miller Buffalo Bills Cornerback
Knowshon Moreno Denver Broncos Running Back
Leonard Pope Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End
Dennis Roland Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Tackle
Richard Seymour Oakland Raiders Defensive Tackle
Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions Quarterback
Kiante Tripp Cleveland Browns Defensive Tackle
D.J. Ware New York Giants Running Back
Benjamin Watson Cleveland Browns Tight End
Kade Weston Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Tackle
Will Witherspoon Tennessee Titans Linebacker
Jarius Wynn Green Bay Packers Defensive End
Let’s compare careers of the UGA guys and the Bama guys.
Looks to me that the UGA guys stay in the league longer and do better while there.
Bama had ZERO kids drafted in 2008.
Kyle
April 30th, 2012
9:21 am
My worst case includes a loss to Tech just because they are due for a win against us and it usually happens in Athens…..
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:22 am
Interception idiot is having another party by himself
Kyle
April 30th, 2012
9:23 am
BG…normally I would agree with you, but the fact is we beat our four biggest rivals for the first time since 81 due in large part they were all having sub-par years…..especially UT, Fla and AU……while it was nice to do it was by no means as impressive as it would be in most years
ChowCity
April 30th, 2012
9:23 am
Who to blame for 2011?
We went 0-3 when Murray threw a interception returned for td. Also had 2 costly fumbles against South Carolina (1 returned for td, another returned 50+ yards inside the 5 yard line).
Murray averaged 2 turnovers a game in the 4 losses.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:24 am
“It usually happens in Athens”???
1984
1990
1998
2000
2008
5 times over the last 32 years.
Tech? Seriously?
Kyle
April 30th, 2012
9:30 am
Tell me you thought Tech seriously in 2008 Lex…….if tech is going to pull an upset, it does normally happen in Athens….and in 32 years, we have played at home 16…..11-5 is pretty close to 500 against in state rival at home………..what’s the record in Bobby Dodd….
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:35 am
11-5 is pretty close to .500?
well, they beat us in
1985
1989
1999
at Bobby dodd so that’s 3-13 and 8-24 total in the last 32 years
I guess that’s pretty close to .500?
you seriously think Tech is going to beat us in 2012?
I don’t
Yes, I did think Tech would win in 2008 because of the week before in Lexington where Randall cobb ran the option all day on willie martinez. I knew Tech did it better and they would beat us.
i don’t believe willie is in Athens anymore
Kyle
April 30th, 2012
9:39 am
Well you were one of the only ones in Athens that day that thought so…normally when a team is up 27-12 at home no one would envision what Tech did that day……and oh yeah, that was are “number 1 National Championship team to start the year…….All I am saying is NOTHING is a given for UGA lately……we cant expect to beat KY and Vandy anymore……let alone Tech….all I am saying is they are WAY over due so yeah, I would not be surprised if they pull an upset
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:50 am
@Dawgininlex
Nice stats on UGA alum in the NFL, but thats does not produce crystal trophies. Saban is concerned about crystal trophies and not National Felony League players.
By the way, your boy Caleb King was just charged with 3rd degree assault, another fine product of UGA.
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/149427765.html
By the way Dawginlex, you are an absolute idiot with your attacks. I have given CMR credit in the past, but you have no objectivity whatasoever. I have said if Grantham gets the defense up to speed that CMR could do well, but it is tough to get your defense up to speed when everyone is being charged with crimes or failing drug tests.
Clean your house, then you can attack someone else, or just keep up your uneducated blogs.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:50 am
They got 86 yards in the 2nd half last year. We return a ton on defense.
The game won’t be close
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
9:52 am
UGA dominates GT, and it is not a rivalry, becuase UGA ownes the entire series. This is an automatic and easy ender for UGA, but it also poses a huge risk of losing to GT if UGA goes on winning streak and Johnson steps up and beats them.
Other programs have very difficult end of the season games, such as Auburn, Alabama, OU, OSU, etc. UGA gets a free pass.
Chris
April 30th, 2012
9:53 am
Anyone who considers it a given that UGA with CMR and Bobo can beat anyone in particular on a given day is nuts. I have seen way to many come from behind wins for opponents (at home) in the last 10 years for me to take anyone for granted. UT, AU, GT, KY, AK, LSU, heck even Marshall was within striking distance.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:00 am
BS interception idiot
i have complained plenty
You just choose to ignore it
Just shutup
FRED Russo
April 30th, 2012
10:02 am
I believe we are soft i have always believed this because CMR is soft. Why do you think Alabama it tough?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:08 am
since Tech is an in state rival, the game is always the last one
To blame UGA for Tech being in-state is laughable
Now you are blaming UGA and Richt for geography?
You are a joke
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:11 am
Everyone has a standard last game of the year rival
Teams are not always good so the game is tough some years, and some years not
You pick and choose who you list
OK State blew until a few years ago, so that was an automatic win for OK.
How about UT? Kentucky beat them this year for the 1st time in 25 years. I notice you did not list that one
You are a total and complete moron
You can’t even bash and do it right
Deport
April 30th, 2012
10:13 am
You people are funny. Georgia won some big games last year against some teams who were ranked at the beginning of the season. Remember how we had no chance to beat Mississippi State until they lost a few before our game. You same people will complain this year if we win them all or we win none. It is never good enough for you, so you will be on here complaining like every year.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:17 am
the Georgia footbALL team is 0-9 vs. ranked teams since 2009. Like Deport says, that’s just wonderful.
Ga Dogs!
April 30th, 2012
10:24 am
Georgia will own the SEC east like last year. With Grantham’s D, the dogs might be able to upset lsu or alabama this year for the title, since they lost a lot of talent.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:26 am
Hey dayone
That stat is for losers who like to spew stats
If Georgia lost to florida, Tech and Auburn, don’t you think they would have all ended up ranked?
We beat them, so that prevented them from being ranked
We also beat florida, Auburn, Tenn and GT in the same year for the first time since 1982
but you keep spewing. You are doing a great job.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:29 am
UGA will win 10 games, win East although losing to South Carolina, lose in the SEC Championship by 30+ points, and lose the Bowl game for the 3rd straight year. History will repeat.
"The Georgia Way"
April 30th, 2012
10:29 am
A “Richt quality recruit” beat a 130 pound kid who was trying to get away, but at least it wasn’t another female beating.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:30 am
I agree with DawginLex, even though we’re 0-9 vs. ranked teams since 2010, it could be worse.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:33 am
wait, acutally, 0-9 vs. ranked teams is as bad a record as possible, so it couldn’t have been a worse 2 seasons. We beat so many powerhouses last year, Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, wow, like DawginLex says, we were so incredible in 2011..
SSIgator
April 30th, 2012
10:36 am
Mike Bobo 17 INT -
Easy there. DawginLex is the Queen of Stats (as long as they are slanted in her favor) in case you did not know that and if you didn’t she will be glad to tell you again and again and . . .
a country boy can survive
April 30th, 2012
10:37 am
Look at lexipup blowin up like a meth head during her time of the month. You may want to take it down a notch..you are becoming a blog bully.
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
10:40 am
The Ga. Way
To bad you couldn’t explain it to Caleb instead of hideing behind a blog…
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:41 am
Look it’s Social Securtiy Income Gator!
Back for more kool aid lines to spew
1956 graduate of Flagler College
Believes college football started in 1996 and became a Gator For Life!
78 years old and still smokes 3 packs a day
SSIgator
April 30th, 2012
10:41 am
a country boy can survive -
DawginLex will be back in a few minutes. She had to run to Walgreens to pick up a new supply of Midol tablets. Her temperment will be much more mellow in about an hour or so.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:42 am
the fact that Social Security Income Gator, DAYONE, a country boy can survive and the interception idiot are all on the same side gives me cause to pause and be thankful that I am their enemy
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:44 am
See, you can tell that SSi is senile
He uses kool aid and midol in every post but bashes other for lack of creativity
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:47 am
SSI refuses to see that if florida had held up their end of the deal and had a decent team last year, Georgia would have beaten a ranked team.
They had too tough a time with Auburn while we beat the 45-7
Gators just couldn’t handle it
But SSI is convinced that the Anger Management classes for Muschamp are going to do the trick since SSI saw the movie 4 times
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:49 am
country boy surviving
Me? A blog bully?
Nah. Just one of the few with the cajones to stand up to you idiot TROLLS
I enjoy the good fight.
Great to be on the winning side and watch you jealous snakes slither away defeated
a country boy can survive
April 30th, 2012
10:54 am
Jealous of what? UGA’s arrest record? UGA’s ability to choke on the big stage? UGA’s delusional redneck fanbase? Let me know.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:54 am
Like DawginLex, I look at it this way, besides the special teams issues on punt return and missed field goals, and the turnover issues at QB, and allowing the conference worse points on defense against ranked teams, we had a great year.
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
10:56 am
Damn, just had another post eaten. What’s up Lex???
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
10:57 am
Even tough we still don’t have a special teams coach to fix the punt return coverage or field goal issues, and the same QB back who committed 20 turnovers last year, and the same defensive staff who allowed the conference worse in points against ranked teams, it will all be SO much better in 2012, even though nothing changed in those 3 areas.
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
11:02 am
Country boy
How can you call Ga.s fanbase “delusional rednecks “? With a name like CBCS, does that just make you a redneck???
SSIgator
April 30th, 2012
11:03 am
Don’t know what to tell you guys, but until DawginLex takes her pills and they kick in, she will continue on this rant. So far on one page other people are:
“jealous snakes” – I have never seen one of those
“losers who like to spew stats” – but she has a boatload of her own
“a total and complete moron” – She can be that from time to time
“you are a joke” – she is really on a roll today
and when all else fails – “just shutup”
This could be a new record for her today.