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
chazzo
July 24th, 2009
1:13 pm
Bradley,
I thought it was your job to go and find the answers. We already know the questions. Wish I could make a living just listing questions that everyone already knows. Here’s my op ed piece on the economy: “Will the housing market improve next year?” Look out NY Times.
Mark Bradley
July 24th, 2009
1:13 pm
Richt was quoted at the end of last season saying, with all the injuries, his staff might have done its best coaching job in 2008.
All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia | Mark Bradley | Football Life
July 24th, 2009
1:14 pm
[...] All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia | Mark Bradley Footballfabulous, fantasy, georgia, head-as-part, lists-the-questions, piaa, strategic, will-face [...]
PT=Stoopid
July 24th, 2009
1:15 pm
You Said July 24th, 2009
10:49 am
Crested, are you kidding me. We did not recruit very well in 03, 04, and 05. Since 06 and on we have recruited better every year with 2010 shaping up to be the best. Bottom line is the Talent is just now starting to peak with the Lines as the foundation. We have the best WR we have ever had for 2 more years. Winning titles or competing for titles is about 1 thing when you have the top 10 talent, Confidence as the year goes and that can be increased by a few early wins or derailed by a loss or injuries. 10-2
Recruiting results for UGA (Source Rivals.com)
2009 6 Georgia
2008 7 Georgia
2007 9 Georgia
2006 4 Georgia
2005 10 Georgia
2004 6 Georgia
2003 6 Georgia
2002 3 Georgia
Looks Pretty good at Recruiting all along……You are really STOOPID!!!!!! Dont have a battle of wits when you are unarmed are Stoopid!!!!! And just like most Uga fans Delussional!!!!! Great recruiting classes and NO NC since 1980. What is the excuse for this????? Best conference in America The SEC?????? Hasn’t other teams like LSU, UF and Tennessee won NC since your last one????? And even more recently hasn’t the Gators(or as Uga fans say “Gaytors”) Won 2 NC in the last 3 yrs???? Are you puppies in denial or just plain envy???? You claim that your biggest rivalry is with the Gators but constantly on the GT blogs making bold predictions. Better hope that you are ready for OkSt then UF and dont forget Spurrier…..and LSWho also the game in Nov without a week off this year? Looks like maybe 4 possibly 5 losses…..
Billy B
July 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
And the redneck georgia fan says what happened to our D
Willie Martinez you stink get someone who can pressure the qb
And the drunk georgia fan says i paid how much to see this team
i want my money back please, i got to pay title max back for my chevy
UGA still a ways away…sung to rem driver 8. HAHA
EW
July 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
MB- When’s your next smokin’ session, I got something you need to try.
Sanford Drive
July 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
Whoa, all I saw in that post was “?????” and “!!!!!” or “…….”
Mark Bradley
July 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
Will the housing market improve next year? Beats the heck outta me.
TampaGator
July 24th, 2009
1:20 pm
Oklahoma State is a good challenge for Georgia in game one. I hope they represent the SEC well with a surprise win (Georgia will be the underdog). The SEC has some very good teams and each team better be prepared to battle the other each week or any team can pull off an upset on any given weekend. That is why getting to Atlanta is a bigger goal for most teams than winning the national championship. The second will probably come naturally if you win in Atlanta in December, no matter if you have one loss or not.
EW
July 24th, 2009
1:22 pm
MB- this article would have been more interesting if you gave your answers and then let the debate commence.
Gator Hater
July 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
I believe in Joe Cox. Our D will be sick son. We’re going back to the RB by committee and someone will step up as always. We will not lose to Tech, OSU, or ASU. As for them Gators… well all i have to say is this: What’s That Coming Down The Track!!!?!!
Sanford Drive
July 24th, 2009
1:31 pm
Gator Hater,
Love the enthusiasm. However, I think the only way to beat UF is if miracles happen and the stars align.
Burdell
July 24th, 2009
1:33 pm
I love all this talk about Tech’s defense being the deal breaker for the game on The Flats this November. Did Tech even play D in Athens last year (gave up 42 points)? Tech will score points this year…lots of ‘em. No way the Dogs can outscore Tech, I just don’t see Cox throwing for 400+ yds like Stafford did.
Augusta Jacket
July 24th, 2009
1:40 pm
Have fun losing to ok state, carolina, arkansas, florida, lsu, and the jackets. Enjoy going 6-6 and say goodbye to Richt after he will be booted after a pathetic 2009 season!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg4life
July 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
You are pathetic Disgusta Jacket…
UGA doesn’t got less than 8-4 with Richt at the helm.
We will go 11-2, with loses to FLA and anyone other than OSU and Yech.
Write it down!
Sorry Tim But
July 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
UGA 27 OK ST 17 UGA 24 USC 10 UGA 31 ARK 21 UGA 38 AR ST 21 UGA 21 TENN 10 UGA30 VANDY 14 UGA 21 UF 24 UGA 35 TENN TECH 7 UGA 28 AUBURN 17 UGA 31 KY 10 AND THEN UGA 34 TECH 14
T3
July 24th, 2009
1:47 pm
I would think that CMR announcing a new “Co-Defensive Corrdinator” pretty much guarantees CMW is canned after this year.
Tim
July 24th, 2009
1:56 pm
What happened to the LSU game? lol
Im sure you have that as a win too. I’ll be willing to wager my home 401k and autos that UGA doesn’t go 11-1.
dawes
July 24th, 2009
1:59 pm
mark bradley say georgia bulldogs are going 8 and 4 he need head check by a doctor
Tim
July 24th, 2009
2:00 pm
Dawes
and you need spell check. ROFL
MiltonDawg
July 24th, 2009
2:06 pm
Cox will be Cox. Not going to compare him to other QBs. He’s going to fill in nicely and make a name for himself. He’s a proven leader, and UGA will surprise a lot of people this year…starting with a road win @ OK ST!!! GO DAWGS!!!
All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia | Mark Bradley | Georgia Today
July 24th, 2009
2:19 pm
[...] Read the original here: All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia | Mark Bradley [...]
JaxDawg
July 24th, 2009
2:19 pm
Joe Cox will play more like D.Greene. Heady, good reads on defense, and accurate passes. He has plenty of weapons, and between Moore,Wooten, Brown, King, & Troupe one of them will step up. O.Charles will be a big factor in the passing game as well.
The running game will be fine. Ealy & Jackson are x-factors who could either get in the mix or one of them could wind up being the one that seperates themselves from the pack. Unless someone seperates themselves in the up coming practices, I think we’ll see a 3-headed attack with King/Samuel/Thomas to start the season.
Defense will be much better. Two of the main players from the 07 defense are back in Owens & Washington. They will make it tough on teams to run against us, provided they return to form which I think they will. Having Owens, Atkins, Weston, & Tyson in the DT rotation will provide pressure up the middle, and allow the DEs a greater chance to make plays and disrupt the backfield. Pressure from the front 4 will take a lot of pressure of the secondary and they (secondary) will play much better because of it. The LBs are solid.
If Logan Gray is going to be used in a “wild-dawg” type formation, then he must be allowed to pass from it, otherwise it gives the opposing D an upper hand if they are expecting a running play whenever he’s in the game. If he’s allowed to pass and does so successfully, it should give d-coordinators headaches
One of the biggest questions no one (media) seems to be asking is about Special Teams. Field position was a major source of our defensive woes at times last year. Having B.Smith, C.Thomas & hopefully P.Miller returning kickoffs and punts should help, and hopefully the new kicker will be able to get kickoffs in the endzone.
Most of the questions surrounding the 09 Dawgs have a lot to do with how players returning from injury or newcomers to the starting roles will do. We have a ton of talent and these types of questions have come up in the past and for the most part players have either met or exceeded expectations, and with the talent we have I expect no less this season. I just hope that SP Teams issues are being thoroughly addressed.
I love the fact that we’ve had a pretty quiet offseason, and players & coaches are focusing on hard work and this year’s star being the team. Hopefully it’s more than just “lip service”.
Go Dawgs!
Andy
July 24th, 2009
2:23 pm
The only thing for sure is that Mark Bradley’s predictions, as is so often the case, will be proven wrong. The only question is how. That’s not to say that I do not appreciate Mr. Bradley’s columns and insights. But the dude really chugged the kool-aid last year when everyone decided to make UGA the preseason #1. Personally, I was very surprised when that happened, given the loss of some key players like Marcus Howard, Kelin Johnson, and Brandon Coutu, etc. At any rate, I think this year’s squad will surprise some people–in a good way. If we stay reasonably healthy, we will have a solid season.
Blackberry Cobbler
July 24th, 2009
2:54 pm
AJ Green is already better than MoMass ever was.
The D and OL should be better.
Joe Cox is not Stafford. But a team is more than a QB.
I never thought Stafford was even the best QB is the SEC. Best arm, yes. Best QB, no.
Moreno was a 1-man show. I’d like to see 2-3 RB’s each get a lot of carries.
8-4 may be about right. But I think 9-3 more likely.
Sanford Drive
July 24th, 2009
2:56 pm
I’m more worried about special teams than defense. They were pure garbage last year.
chazzo
July 24th, 2009
3:06 pm
All jabs at M. Bradley’s reporting aside, Georgia will do better than 8-4. They will win at least 9. I’m thinking 10, with at least on of the two losses coming from an unexpected team. Cox is Cox. Another issue with the Shockley/Cox comparison, though, is that Shockley’s senior year, the Dawgs had a weak schedule (not taking anything away from DJ). I predicted them to win the NC that year because of the schedule. They came close. This schedule is more difficult. There is only one gimme, but it is not as tough as some people are making it out to be. You never know at this point how the teams are going to be. Look at UT last year. I don’t agree with some of the blowout predictions, though. Expect a few squeakers, and that is why having a good manager will outweigh arm strength. It should be an exciting season. PS. Joe T. has more heart than the entire city of Atlanta combined. You have to love that kid. He played a big part of all those teams. And, who knows, maybe without the ankle sprain, he could have managed a descent senior year.
Rick S
July 24th, 2009
3:08 pm
Mark Bradley’s questions facing the 2009 Georgia Bulldogs Football team are all very legitimate but one important detail not mentioned enough is the impact four in-coming Freshmen can have on Georgia being the “surprise” team in the SEC: Marlon Brown, Wide receiver, Orson Charles, Tight End or Defensive End, Waushan Ealey, Running Back, and Brandon Smith, Defensive Back. One other “key” is having minimal injuries especially to starters as 2008 was a disaster!
45-42, bleah
July 24th, 2009
3:14 pm
I know I’m a homer, but I’m hoping Tavaras King steps up and is able to produce as a wide receiver this year. The extremely limited number of times he touched the ball last year gave the hint that he might be a big play type of receiver.
UGASlobberknocker
July 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
Mark youve got it backwards…Tech will go 8-4..Ga 10-2.
I predict Ga loses to Ok St and Fla. We will run right thru LSU’s “vaunted” D line just like we did last year. That blind squirrel named Tech will not find an acorn two years in a row. If we can get by Ok State we should be undefeated going into Jax.
the game that worries me the most besides those 2 is the Ark game.
UGASlobberknocker
July 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
45-42 hahahahahahaha
Beat you to it St Simons
Ok state fan
July 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
You think we are some pansy team? You’re in for a rude awakening. It will be a good game but we will win. See you in September.
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gomdawg
July 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
Joe Cox just remember that Name after this season is over everybody is going to be saying where in the hell has he been. A GREAT QB. Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
July 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
The Oklahoma State game is indeed massive. Win that and Georgia will have cause to believe in itself and Joe Cox. Lose and things could get mighty interesting mighty fast.
TechsNightmare
July 24th, 2009
3:38 pm
HAHAHAHAH UGA WILL KILL THE NERDS
GO DAWGS
Ok state fan
July 24th, 2009
3:38 pm
One last thing. Dez Bryant is the best receiver in the country. You will hear his name a lot when you play us.
Okefenokee Dawg
July 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
Mark – If there was an SEC allstar game between the SEC East and the SEC West, who would start and who would win?
Paddy
July 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Cameron you are correct. The OK St game will be decided by the line play. We are not only very talented but can go deep with our reserves. That kind of pounding always has won for the dawgs. It should be a great game,we 35-25.
murfdawg
July 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
how about 3-9? Win at OKST, then start preparing for the gators. We will run a blitzing defense every week and will finally get it perfected by Halloween. Also we have a week off before fl.Then we will spend the next three weeks running a defense to stop gt and finally shut them up.
since the whole world seemed to dwell on our three losses last year, let them dwell on our three wins this year!!
Coach T
July 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
Hello Dogs. I’m an OSU homer, but I try to be realistic. I think that some of you must think that the O State offensive line is weak. Some folks had the O line rated as the # 1 line in the country last year. In fact Russell Okung, OT, is rated as the # 1 O- lineman in the country by rivals. Don’t look for the Georgia defense to dominate. O State scored over 40 points on the Sooners last year. The only school on OU’s Schedule to acomplish that. Arguably the OU defensive front seven was the best in college football last year. No question our defense is the unknown the upcoming season. With a new, but respected defenseive coordinator in Bill Young we Cowboy fans are hoping for at least an average defense. If the O State defense is average to good look for Georgia to lose by two touchdowns. If the defense is bad like last years, it will be a toss up barn-burner with both teams scoring in the 40’s. As the Cowboys found out a couple of years ago in Athens, it’s not easy going on the road beating tought team.
Ok state fan
July 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
Coach T. I agree completely. I think these fans think this will be a cakewalk. It will come down to turnovers and whos’ def is more stingy and home field. I think we pull it off 40-30
G2Rhett (Colorado Springs, CO)
July 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Michael
July 24th, 2009
4:43 pm
I’m going with 9-3. We won’t lose to Tech. The rest, I agree with you Mark.
Cuz
July 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
It all starts with OSU. A big win and we could come out flat against the Gamehens again. A win by less than two touchdowns, will probably keep our heads on straight. A win by a field goal, heck I don’t know. A loss, I don’t even want to play with that scenario.
Jarvis
July 24th, 2009
4:50 pm
During Ray Goff’s 7 seasons, the Dawgs went to 4 bowl games winning only 2 (and one of those was the Independence Bowl). They finished higher than 3rd (in the East or whole confernce before expansion) once.
Georiga finished the season ranked only twice.
In total we won 57.5% of our games during his regime.
We’ve come a long ways. Let’s lay off of Richt for a while.
Jarvis
July 24th, 2009
5:09 pm
Why hasn’t this blog updated in 20 minutes?
Go Gator
July 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2009/07/breaking-dustin-doe-arrested-for-driving-charge.html
southgadawg88
July 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
I actually like a tough schedule..we had a lot of injuries last year for sure but the flipside of that is a lot of kids got their teeth cut against top notch competition.It makes your players better.We start out the season with some decent opponents so I expect the intensity of camp will be very high.Some of you guys will be surprised at the level of play from our team this year.I don’t think Mark Richt has ever coached on a team in his career that had a top 10 recruiting class and won less than 10 games…UGA or FSU.That tells me the the man knows a thing or to about utilizing his talent.
Jarvis
July 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
Well Go Gator, we’re not ones to cast stones….but that’s 25 arrests in 3 years.
That’s outpacing the Dawgs by a bit.