All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia
If you believed the polls, Georgia underachieved in 2008. If you believed Mark Richt, he and his staff did a masterful job overcoming a raft of injuries. Almost nobody expects as much from these Bulldogs, which has led some Georgia fans to suggest this might indeed be a big season. Got that? Good. Because we’re about to examine the questions facing the new-look Dogs:
• Is Joe Cox the next D.J. Shockley, who led Georgia to an SEC title after waiting his turn, or the next Joe Tereshinski III, who waited to little avail? Can Cox make the throws Richt requires of his quarterback? Can Cox maximize the talents of A.J. Green and freshman Marlon Brown? Since Green is the Bulldogs’ most gifted player, isn’t it mandatory that Georgia’s quarterback is more than just a game manager? Who takes over if Cox can’t move the team — true freshman Aaron Murray?
• Is Caleb King, of whom Bulldog Nation expects so much, really a first-string SEC tailback? Is Richard Samuel better than King? Is Carlton Thomas better than either? In his absence, are we about to see how good Knowshon Moreno really was?
• Can an improved offensive line make lesser backs look like Moreno? Is Stacy Searels as good an O-line coach as his reputation suggests? Is Trinton Sturdivant, back from injury, ready to become the SEC’s best left tackle? Is Georgia’s line, which lists no seniors among its starters, poised to be the new foundation of the program, as opposed to the annual question mark?
• Does bumping up John Jancek to co-defensive coordinator suggest Richt is displeased with Willie Martinez, with whom Richt insists he’s never displeased? Can the team that managed only 24 sacks in 13 games last season find a pass rush? Can Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens mount a push as defensive tackles? Wouldn’t it work even better if Justin Houston, who had three sacks on G-Day, turned into a real edge rusher?
• Is there a playmaker on D other than Rennie Curran? Is Curran the best Georgia defender since David Pollack? Can Curran make every single tackle? If not, why not?
• Will Branden Smith, the defensive back from Atlanta’s Washington High, start as a true freshman? Is he the best Bulldog DB since Champ Bailey? Will Richt, as he has hinted, let Smith return kicks and even play offense?
Loading ...• Were the three losses last season, each featuring a shocking breakdown, a sign that Georgia’s program, thought for so long to be on the rise, has crested? Will a tougher offseason approach yield fewer penalties? Will the realization that Moreno and Matthew Stafford are no longer around engender more of a communal urgency? Will Georgia walk the walk this season, as opposed to talking the talk?
• Is Richt really at his most dangerous when less is expected? Was the surprise 2005 conference title, achieved against an unassuming-by-SEC-standards schedule, the guidepost for this team or a false clue? Does Richt himself have something to prove after being ranked No. 1 in preseason and finishing out of the Associated Press Top 10?
Bradley says: Georgia will go 8-4, losing at Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech, losing to LSU at home and to Florida in Jacksonville.
(Coming next: At 3 p.m., check out the questions facing the 2009 Atlanta Falcons. And look here for an appraisal of Georgia Tech. It’s All-Football Friday!)
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197 comments Add your comment
Ken
July 24th, 2009
11:33 am
Anyone who compares Cox to Joe T is plain Silly….
r
July 24th, 2009
11:33 am
DAWGS
T3
July 24th, 2009
11:34 am
If UGA has all the talent back and no/few injuires….and still ummm…under-performs and chokes…against OKST, Ark, Tenn, FL, and GT…..then what?
The property that gets destroyed wont be…in St. Simons.
It’ll be in Athens.
Stephen D
July 24th, 2009
11:35 am
Branden Smith is ridiculously fast and talented. He will develop into the next Asher Allen. He may or may not start at first, but by the end of the season he will be. With his blazing speed, Smith should return kicks.
The 3 losses will serve as nothing but motivation for the coaching staff to prepare the players better both in practice and conditioning. You can’t say UGA has crested because Richt, the players, and the student body are still hungry for a national title. With Richt at the helm, I think it is inevitable that UGA will at least get a shot at hoisting the crystal football. Fewer penalties are a must and Richt knows that. He won’t allow our players to keep hurting themselves with penalties to that degree..
true fan
July 24th, 2009
11:36 am
Well I m glad MB is NEVER right, MB how many predictions have you actually gotten right? Ok st will be tough but I m sure we can win, remember we are the best on the road. Lsu has lost a lot more than people realize. Their QB has had what two good games against two not so good secondaries and they lost one of those games. He hasn’t gone into a hostile environment yet, arkansas isn’t hostile. Fla is a given but we will make them earn it. Tech has a good offense but no defense. no line, average LBs, and one good safety. I know my team and we can beat any of those teams but Fla is prob a lost. The others are winnable. GO Dawgs!!!
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:36 am
Is there a playmaker on D other than Rennie Curran?
I seem to remember Daryl Gamble returning a INT for a TD against LSU last year. I seem to remember Demarcus Dobbs intercepting a pass to seal a victory against Kentucky last year from his DE position. Just because Rennie is ALL over the place piling up tackles, doesn’t mean other people weren’t performing.
Is Curran the best Georgia defender since David Pollack?
I don’t know if he is the best, arguably so. He is definitely th emost consistent, maybe even more than Pollack was.
Can Curran make every single tackle? If not, why not?
No he can’t make every tackle. He plays WLB, if they run to the strong side just by playing odds someone else can steal one or two.
Stephen D
July 24th, 2009
11:36 am
Branden Smith is ridiculously fast and talented. He will develop into the next Asher Allen. He may or may not start at first, but by the end of the season he will be. With his blazing speed, Smith should return kicks.
The 3 losses will serve as nothing but motivation for the coaching staff to prepare the players better both in practice and conditioning. You can’t say UGA has crested because Richt, the players, and the student body are still hungry for a national title. With Richt at the helm, I think it is inevitable that UGA will at least get a shot at hoisting the crystal football. Fewer penalties are a must and Richt knows that. He won’t allow our players to keep hurting themselves with penalties to that degree…
Stephen D
July 24th, 2009
11:37 am
It’s a proven fact that Richt is most dangerous with Georgia is overlooked. Like it or not, it provides some fun road games and big victories. 2005 has nothing to do with now, the national and SEC football scene has changed and so has Georgia. It was a nice surprise, but the current players have to work to earn themselves some more national respect and respect around the SEC. Richt has proven himself as an excellent coach, now he has to prove that he has the stuff it takes to get to the next level. My modest prediction: SEC title in the next 2 or 3 years, national title in the next 4 or 5.
8-4 is too pessimistic, but I’m glad to see that you know your UGA stuff Mark. I’m very impressed with your questions.
Stephen D
July 24th, 2009
11:37 am
It’s a proven fact that Richt is most dangerous when Georgia is overlooked. Like it or not, it provides some fun road games and big victories. 2005 has nothing to do with now, the national and SEC football scene has changed and so has Georgia. It was a nice surprise, but the current players have to work to earn themselves some more national respect and respect around the SEC. Richt has proven himself as an excellent coach, now he has to prove that he has the stuff it takes to get to the next level. My modest prediction: SEC title in the next 2 or 3 years, national title in the next 4 or 5.
8-4 is too pessimistic, but I’m glad to see that you know your UGA stuff Mark. I’m very impressed with your questions.
Yes Sir!
July 24th, 2009
11:37 am
LSU- I guess the SEC Chipper is a game that doesn’t count huh?
MattDawg
July 24th, 2009
11:38 am
Bradley you are crazy. No way we lose to the soft defense of the Big12. No way we lose to the Jackets this year. Their fans have pissed us all off enough to warrant a major beat down. LSU comes to Georgia but still have a shot of beating us, and I dont think the UF game will go down like last year. We may still lose that one but not like last year. I am most worried about playing Arkansas because of where it falls on the schedule and because it is Petrino’s magical second year.
DirtyDawg
July 24th, 2009
11:38 am
Tell me Mark, if Georgia goes out to wherever in Oklahoma T Bone (or is it Boone) Pickens has decided that the school should be, and beats the snot out of that ‘pre-season’, top-ten rated, team, will your predictions for the rest of the season – like LSU, Tech and, yes UF – change? Too bad, you’ve made your choices and you’ll have to live with them. Of course you could always talk about the Oh Kay State program the way you do about Georgia’s and claim that they were overrated all along, but we’ll all know. Georgia has an excellent chance of having dominating lines of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Given that, for them or any football team, they’ll have a damn good chance of winning every game they play.
Of course what’s really gonna be fun is to see how you handle the the act of ‘easing off the Tech bandwagon’ after they’ve lost a game or two to, supposed, inferior teams by, say, mid-October. Trust me, there are plenty of us that won’t allow you to go ‘peacefully into the night’…we’re gonna be right here rubbing your nose in it.
Stephen D
July 24th, 2009
11:38 am
The 3 losses will serve as nothing but motivation for the coaching staff to prepare the players better both in practice and conditioning. You can’t say UGA has crested because Richt, the players, and the student body are still hungry for a national title. With Richt at the helm, I think it is inevitable that UGA will at least get a shot at hoisting the crystal football. Fewer penalties are a must and Richt knows that. He won’t allow our players to keep hurting themselves with penalties to that degree. Communal urgency seems to be one of the themes of this preseason. Guys have to step up and take on a greater sense of personal responsibility. Leaders like Rennie and Jeff Owens have to make guys self govern and keep their conduct and work ethic appropriate. Let’s hope Georgia walks the walk, we had enough talk last preseason.
Ready to get started
July 24th, 2009
11:39 am
Mark, you’re right about all the questions. But I do not remember Richt ever saying that he and his staff did a masterful job last year. In fact, he took some of the blame and said he didn’t work the team hard enough.
And the Bulldogs may go 8-4, but one of the losses will not be to Ga. Tech. Could we at least wait until they actually have a good season before we annoint the Jackets. Georgia played a horrible game and still almost won.
MattInSTL
July 24th, 2009
11:40 am
Mark, 12-1 – loss to UF in Jax.
double g
July 24th, 2009
11:40 am
What Georgia lacked last year was leadership. Joe Cox and Rennie Curran bring to the table those exact attributes. Witness the lack of headlines coming from Athens (knock on wood) on youthful indiscretions. Cox=more DJ.
With that being said, I’m not a believer in the O-line yet. Knowshon was such a gifted runner, that many times the first missed tackler he evaded was in the backfield. Knowshon just made the line look good. Maybe with Trinton back, and another year of seasoning, the line will give some payback, and make a runner look good. Yet to be seen, though.
Secondary will be the make-or-break for the defense. The front 7 should be at least solid, especially if a DE steps up. With pressure, the opposing QBs might be forced to throw earlier, supporting the corners and safeties.
I believe a better season is at hand this year, as opposed to last.
And in the words of that famous American…Selah.
MattInSTL
July 24th, 2009
11:41 am
12-1 with the Sugar Bowl win while UF plays for the NC.
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:43 am
Will Branden Smith, the defensive back from Atlanta’s Washington High, start as a true freshman?
He will start at some point in the season. My guess is as a nickleback.
Is he the best Bulldog DB since Champ Bailey?
Only time will tell. He certainly has the potential and skill set. My guess is yes.
Will Richt, as he has hinted, let Smith return kicks and even play offense?
Richt is a man of his word. He has stated several times that he would allow him to do so. He even showed some plans to Branden when we were recruiting him. Cosnidering all of that, I have to say yes. Maybe not right away, but probably by the end of the season. Maybe against Florida.
GreggJ
July 24th, 2009
11:47 am
Georgia will NOT get beat by those low down Tech insects from Atlanta two years in a row-No way! GTs offense does not win championships!
Ed
July 24th, 2009
11:50 am
Back-to-back losses against Tech? Highly unlikely.
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:50 am
Were the three losses last season, each featuring a shocking breakdown, a sign that Georgia’s program, thought for so long to be on the rise, has crested?
No. First of all, a program who views 9-3 as a disappointment is in a very good place. To win a national championship, even a SEC championship, you have to stay healthy and catch some breaks (see LSU 2007, first ever two loss national champion). Neither happened last year. The uneducated will think regression. The educated will know that lessons will be learned and progress will be made.
Will a tougher offseason approach yield fewer penalties?
Yes. As will the fact that they have such a big game the first game. Everyone will be really focused through fall practice, as they have been all summer. As will the fact that everyone is healthy (or close to it) so we can practice the way we always have with live tackling and intesne srimmages.
Will the realization that Moreno and Matthew Stafford are no longer around engender more of a communal urgency?
Already has. All the reports are that the chemistry is already better than is was last year. There will be much more leadership and accountability as well. Instead of waiting around for Stafford or Moreno make a play, everyone will be looking to contribute.
Will Georgia walk the walk this season, as opposed to talking the talk?
I don’t really remember Georgia talking the talking. They weren’t the ones who ranked themselves number one. The media is the one who ranked them. The media is the one who did all of the talking for them. Now, Georgia certainly did not walk the walk though. I think they will this year fwiw.
Dawg Foot
July 24th, 2009
11:52 am
Tech sucks. And the DAWGS’ uniforms in that picture up top look cool as hell.
IRISH25
July 24th, 2009
11:53 am
OSU WIN, NADA!!!
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:55 am
Is Richt really at his most dangerous when less is expected?
Richt is at his most dangerous when his teams are at their most dangerous. We had stars last year, but I wouldn’t say that our team was one of the best we had. Maybe it could have been if it weren’t for all of the injuries. Maybe if we were healthy last year we could have been at our most dangerous. Certainly, it is easier to operate with less expectations.
Was the surprise 2005 conference title, achieved against an unassuming-by-SEC-standards schedule, the guidepost for this team or a false clue?
Well, if it was an un-assuming by SEC standards schedule, then no it isn’t a guide. We don’t have one of those. We lose Alabama, but still have to play LSU. Arkansas is no push over either, or Auburn.
Does Richt himself have something to prove after being ranked No. 1 in preseason and finishing out of the Associated Press Top 10?
Richt doesn’t have anything left to prove, expet win a national championship.
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:58 am
Georgia will go 8-4, losing at Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech, losing to LSU at home and to Florida in Jacksonville.
Richt is incredible on the road and we have had all summer to prepare for OSU. OSU is good, really good. But, our D-Line and O-Line will win us that game, in a statement way. We will lose to either LSU or Florida, not both. My guess is Florida. LSU has to come to Athens, replacing their whole DL. GT has to replace 3/4 of their DL as well. No way we let them beat us two years in a row.
Cameron
July 24th, 2009
11:59 am
There you go Mark. I have written your column for you. Feel free to copy and paste.
dan
July 24th, 2009
11:59 am
Well 1.)I don’t think UGA can ever be considered “under the radar” after being preseason 1# last year. Sorry folks, but teams won’t be overlooking them.They will still be the hunted! And 2.) I don’t like this mentality of “well less is expected of us, so that means we’ll automatically do better this year”. That’s a recipe for disaster.
The truth of the matter is every season is different and while there are some parallels to this team and the one in 2005, there are also plenty of differences(most notably 2005 had a better/more talented defense,better play from it’s special teams, and more overall experience).
I’d rather see the Dawgs take matters into their own hands and correct their weaknesses. They MUST force more turnovers on defense and get better play from their special teams then they did last year. Those are two areas that the Dawgs can work on right now that will improve their football season this year. And that’s a much more proactive approach then hoping that the Florida’s and LSU’s will over look them.
Bottom Line: the dawgs need to focus on the process of getting better and the results will take care of themselves.
TC Dawg
July 24th, 2009
12:00 pm
Mark, weren’t you the same guy that ssid UGA would go undefeated last year?!! Are there ANY predictions that you’ve come close to being right on so far? Actually, this column has made me feel much better about our chances this year. It’s more about team chemistry and desire and then the talent. This team has a chip on its shoulder and that will make a difference. Weren’t David Green and David Pollack only rated as three star prospects coming out of high school?
ovadatop 34
July 24th, 2009
12:14 pm
BOB, all games count in college football!!
Cox will make the offense look better…much better. Cox…AJ…YAC!!
Running Backs? Looking for the thunder but found the lightening in the Spring. Defense? Should spend less time on the field and will get more pressure on the QB’s this year. One to two losses but you just never know in the SEC. I am sure that we will find out how good we are by week one and should build week to week.
Tim
July 24th, 2009
12:14 pm
I already posted the results on another blog for those who want to make money in Vegas.
UGA 27 Ok State 33
UGA 24 USC 14
UGA 20 Ark 24
UGA 31 Az State 20
UGA 17 LSU 20
UGA 20 Tenn 7
UGA 21 Vandy 10
UGA 16 UF 38
UGA 42 Tenn tech 10
UGA 17 Auburn 14
UGA 27 Ky 20
and finally what you’ve all been waiting for …..
UGA 23 TECH 37
7-5. go dawgs. lol
reebok
July 24th, 2009
12:16 pm
Tech fan here. The UGA vs OSU game is one I’m really lloking forward to watching…and no, not because I think the Dogs will get flattened…I think it’s a compelling matchup, and I love to see good programs from different conferences collide.
I expect Georgia to be 9-2 when we see you on the Flats in November. Happy Friday to all…
reebok
July 24th, 2009
12:17 pm
‘Looking,’ not ‘lloking…’ Yeesh.
third quarter fan
July 24th, 2009
12:19 pm
If the dogs could not tackle the perfect option in it first year (at Woofstock), what will happen this fall in BigA in the second year? 500+ yards? MB has it about right.
tech hater
July 24th, 2009
12:23 pm
Oh how I hope we go into the Tech game as underdogs and bring them back to reality; although Im not sure what it says about our season if we go into that game as underdogs, maybe I should rethink that one.
Michael Stipe
July 24th, 2009
12:28 pm
I think the Dogs, er, Dawgs, will go 9-3. They will lose to Florida and LSU and someone they shouldn’t — like Auburn or Tennessee.
I talked to Patti Smith about this and she said she not into competitive sports.
‘Lindsey Scott!’ ‘Lindsey Scott!’
big dawg 89
July 24th, 2009
12:29 pm
just a question for ya mark, what happens when/if the UGA defense shuts down OSU. do you think that’ll get some people’s attention? i really look for that to happen, keep them under 20 pts.
and there’s no way we lose to tech this year. sorry, it’s just not going to happen.
Smashmouth-question for MARK B
July 24th, 2009
12:30 pm
Mark, what can you find out about DE Cornelius Washington??? Not much has been said about him becuase he was injured and missed the spring game. He redshirted last year. They have him listed as 6′4″ 243lbs. He was pretty good in HS. I have a hunch that he’s gonna be a starter… and if he’s not… why? He’s got the size and speed… does he have the talent???
Long Dawg
July 24th, 2009
12:31 pm
Tiny Tim, please give us the Tech scores for 2009.
Chris Broe
July 24th, 2009
12:38 pm
Mark Bradley is the roster-child of sports news. You can’t tell the players without a program, (or a Bradley piece). What the hell is all this “who’s better than whom” crap? Who cares. Lets win some football games. Monday morning quarterbacking is good. I’ll say it again. Monday morning quarterbacking, for lack of a better word, is good. It’s a great way to find out what went wrong, and how it could have gone right. Try to share more of your insight into the proper play mix and let the fans buy the posters with the posers and numbered jerseys.
Who’s better? Schultz or Bradley? Vote with a creme pie. Click here to see results.
Cuz
July 24th, 2009
12:43 pm
Hey Bradley, I have a layover in Detroit on August 2nd for an hour and a half. Can you get me Matt Stafford’s number? I want to check on him to see how he is doing. Thanks.
Gator Rob
July 24th, 2009
12:43 pm
8-4 is a reasonable prediction given the schedule. I think UGA is a very talented team and probably better than the national media think they are. But @ Ok St, LSU, UF, and @ GT are very tough games for anyone. Even if UGA splits those, and that’s a big IF, there’s 3 more road games against decent teams – Ark, Vandy, and UT. Say they lose 1 of those. There’s still loseable games against SC, Auburn, and UK
A 3 loss regular season is a best case scenario. 5 losses is wost case.
Maxwell Snark
July 24th, 2009
12:45 pm
He’ll not be a Joe T. That guy was not an SEC quarterback, but a snapper. Cox would have to be really darn bad to be another Joe T. Hopefully, he’ll be another D.J., or a John Lastinger, or a Bobo.
Jeff
July 24th, 2009
12:48 pm
I would had probably been upset at the 8-4 losing to OSU, LSU, UF and Yech but then I realized it was a sportswriter from the AJC….nuff said.
JB
July 24th, 2009
12:48 pm
Dawgs will run the ball down Okie St throat with 7-8 min drives. They won’t be able to stop us. They have a pretty sorry D. We will win the time of possession battle big time and the score. Dawgs win 35-17……book it. we will have to beat florida to get ANY respect. We will be underdogs in 6-7 games this year…..and win them all……….florida can be had. how sweet would that be, knocking them out of NC game…….
Joe
July 24th, 2009
12:49 pm
Tech finds a gift from UGA last year and all the AJC sportswriters jump in bed with them. What a bunch of losers who call themselves sportswriters. All you guys do is bash bash and lick your chops waiting for UGA to fail. LOSERS!
rhynster
July 24th, 2009
12:57 pm
Everyone is piling on the Tech bandwagon, but I believe they’re in for a rude awakening.
Nothing against Tech, as I have family that graduated there, and I think Paul Johnson is a great coach.
But teams will defend against them better in year 2.
Tim
July 24th, 2009
1:03 pm
You asked you shall receive–
GT 40 Jax St 14
GT 17 Clempson 9
GT 30 Miami 24
GT 28 UNC 14
GT 26 Miss St 14
GT 24 FSU 35
GT 37 VT 28
GT 21 UVA 13
GT 30 Vandy 19
GT 41 Wake 27
GT 52 Duke 10
and finally…. for the requester..
GT 37 UGA 24…I gave you one more point. LOL
And at the end of the game, uga fans will be singing to themselves the song 40 from u2…how long to sing this song.
athensdawg
July 24th, 2009
1:05 pm
mark, your article needed some cheezy organ music and it would have been perfect……
the key to this year is simple
Defense / Ball control.
if we have it, we will play in tampa or orlando on new years day.
without it, we are destined for shreveport…
fortunately for us, the question will be answered in stillwater.
Another Dawg
July 24th, 2009
1:07 pm
Someone back there called Cox a 4-star recruit, but in reality he was a 3-star and the #7 Pro Style QB in 2005. Those ratings are really a measure of readiness-to-play, though, so after so much time holding the clipboard, you can’t really evaluate Cox on that scale. (Consider: Nebraska’s run in the 90s was mostly based on developing 2-, 3-, and 4-star recruits; I don’t think they had a single 5-star on their NC team.)
I also have to wonder why we have all of these “questions” while Tech has the best talent “in the land.” We’re still returning the majority of starters from an injury-decimated 10-win team.
JB
July 24th, 2009
1:08 pm
Tim, how much in your 401 k and are you willing to risk it all and give it to a third party to hold and pay….. Use your head , not your heart……your D can’t give you that dream……Answer, and we’ll arrange to deposit the cash……