Why Georgia is nicely positioned to make real hay in 2012
Orson Charles won't have any part in the next UGA-LSU game. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
It now appears that Orson Charles could be the only Georgia player who’ll leave early for the NFL. If that is indeed the case, the Bulldogs will be positioned nicely for 2012.
They could have lost Jarvis Jones, who’s their best player, and also Bacarri Rambo, who’s one of their five best, but both have said they’ll return to school. And coordinator Todd Grantham, whose name has already surfaced as an Atlanta Falcons’ possibility, e-mailed esteemed colleague Chip Towers and confessed a desire “to be at UGA for a very long time.”
(For the record, I’m not sure Grantham is a fit in Flowery Branch for a rather basic reason: He runs the 3-4, and the Falcons, as Mike Smith noted Monday, have spent four seasons drafting for the 4-3.)
We say again: If Georgia enters the 2012 season with 15 starters returning — including nine on defense — the Bulldogs should and will be a Top 10 team.
Others say so, too. Esteemed former colleague Mark Schlabach ranks Georgia No. 6 in his ESPN lookahead. Andy Staples of SI.com slots the Bulldogs at No. 9. And Brett McMurphy of CBS Sports has the Bulldogs ranked third, behind only LSU and Southern Cal.
I’m on record as picking the Bulldogs to go 11-1 in the 2012 regular season and to win the SEC — and not just the SEC East. The Outback Bowl loss, bad as it was, didn’t change that belief. I should, however, note that a post-Outback post to that effect met with scorn from many of you who claim to be Georgia fans. My point, then as now, was: Nine months from now, who’s going to care about what happened in Tampa on Jan. 2?
And why, since you asked, would I pick Georgia to win the SEC championship game when it just lost the SEC championship game by 32 points? Because seasons change, and so do results. Did not Alabama lose to Florida in the Georgia Dome in 2008, Tim Tebow’s junior season? Did not the Tide beat Tebow and his Gators under the same roof the very next year? (And if Georgia should happen to play LSU again, we’ve just been handed evidence that the Tigers are not invincible.)
Seasons change, I say again. Georgia was lousy in 2010 and got good again in 2011. It will be even better in 2012. Carp over the Bulldogs’ schedule all you want, but things don’t appear much different for 2012. If they won 10 games this time, they should win more next season. So say I.
By Mark Bradley
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631 comments Add your comment
Joey
January 12th, 2012
11:48 am
“You really think i’m the only one who thinks that?”
*************************************
No, you’re just the only one who mentions it a dozen times a day – 9 MONTHS BEFORE THR FIRST GAME!
John V
January 12th, 2012
11:48 am
Saying Mizzou is good because they beat UNC is kind of misguided. UNC played with no emotion or heart in that game because their coach was out the door and a bunch of their players probably mentally checked out.
Bill
January 12th, 2012
11:48 am
I love all the delusional enthusiasm. It never fails in bulldog land. Every year some jackass at the ajc and their fan base yell out this is the year. Stewart Mandel wrote that uga’s fan base was the most delusional in football for a reason. This article and the comments are rock solid proof it still exists.
BankerDawg
January 12th, 2012
11:48 am
Dawgfan:
Most GA fans would agree with you…..
Dawglasville
January 12th, 2012
11:49 am
For the regular Tech trolls (Bob, reality check…) why don’t you guys spend a little more time worrying about your guy choking in bowl games and less time worrying about our program.
With that off my chest, I have a believe it when I see it attitude. USC is still the toughest game on our schedule. It is great that we are not playing them first.
One huge bright spot that may speak volumes about the mentality of this team: when was the last time a Georgia player stayed when he had the opportunity to jump to the NFL? In the past we’ve had plenty of guys jump who were projected 5th, 6th rounders.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
11:50 am
Typical of Ttrue Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
11:22 am
” McCaron is awful, one good game doesnt make up for a season of crappy play”
196-294 (67%), 2,400 yards, 19 TDs 5 INTs
Yep, real crappy. Man I love reading some of the DA posters here.
Maybe you should have read the full post that explains why he has any success. Easiest passing offense to run in the country. Any QB could run that passing offense. Like I said before its retard proof.
Michael Cooper
January 12th, 2012
11:50 am
The great CMR will lead us again to another 11-3 or 12-2 season! Who needs a coach to maximize talent when UGA can have one who always under performs. YEAH!!!
Joey
January 12th, 2012
11:50 am
“This is the time of year when the difference in the dogs delusional perception of themselves and reality is at its greatest”
********************************************
Yeah, kinda like this nut “Buckeye” who this time last year predicted a Big 10 title and BCS Bowl for Ohio State.
Dang, I have to laugh at such a delusional dumbass!
Will
January 12th, 2012
11:50 am
Murray struggles against a good defense. His O line is gone. Ga will not beat a good defensive team. Missouri Fla Tenn SC will all pose though games. Even Vandy will be decent. I see a 3 loss season.
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
11:51 am
But GTBob, to use your terminology, Mizzou “smacked around” an ACC team in their bowl game.
They did. UNC was horrible this year but kudos to them. Doesn’t change the fact that they are losing 4 of their 5 starters on the offensive line and 3 of the 4 starters on the defensive line. Plus all of their starting wide receivers and their starting running back. Oh and their starting SS, TE, and a MLB. I guess you are expecting them to just reload like they are Alabama or something?
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
11:53 am
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
11:42 am
Do not respond to GTBob. Perhaps he will just go away. He loves even negative attention.
Because I think UGA plays a weak schedule? You really think i’m the only one who thinks that?
You are one of the few that cant get it through their pea size brain that we dont control who is PLACED on our schedule by THE SEC OFFICE.
Stop your crying its pathetic. We all know you are a loser who cant accept the fact that tech sucks at football and will never beat UGA on a consistant basis. Sorry just be happy you get 1 a decade clown.
Better look up its almost your turn at the unemployed engineers window.
Joey
January 12th, 2012
11:53 am
“UNC played with no emotion or heart in that game because their coach was out the door and a bunch of their players probably mentally checked out.”
************************************************
John V, what, are you the UNC team psychologist? How do you know all that?
DP
January 12th, 2012
11:53 am
Mark Bradley on Georgia football, which hasn’t beaten a ranked team in how many years?
Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It’s not your style;
You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad
Ya’ decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that “full of doubt” look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Dawg Tired
January 12th, 2012
11:54 am
Mark – While I’m pulling hard for you to be right about the 2012 Dawgs, I am not convinced a team with Murray at QB can be a championship team. He just doesn’t seem to be able to handle the real pressurized situations. Hope I’m wrong and you’re right.
Old Dawg
January 12th, 2012
11:54 am
Thanks, Mark. I totally agree with your comments and prediction.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
11:55 am
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
11:51 am
But GTBob, to use your terminology, Mizzou “smacked around” an ACC team in their bowl game.
They did. UNC was horrible this year but kudos to them. Doesn’t change the fact that they are losing 4 of their 5 starters on the offensive line and 3 of the 4 starters on the defensive line. Plus all of their starting wide receivers and their starting running back. Oh and their starting SS, TE, and a MLB. I guess you are expecting them to just reload like they are Alabama or something?
So now UNC is terrible but when yall beat them and even towards the end of the season YOU were still claiming them as a great victory. You cant just pick and choose who is good and not to support your arguement at the time.
FYI have you ever seen the Mizzuo stadium for a home game??? Well lets just say they actually have fans that come to the game and pack the stadium, unlike the joke by coke that has to give away free food and drinks to get a decent crowd.
Dawg Tired
January 12th, 2012
11:56 am
Saying UNC was horrible this year is repetitive. Easier to make that point by simply saying they were in the ACC.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
11:57 am
DP
January 12th, 2012
11:53 am
Mark Bradley on Georgia football, which hasn’t beaten a ranked team in how many years?
Do you have anything else to say??? Or you just going to sit here and cry all afternoon???
Will
January 12th, 2012
11:58 am
Joey the announcers said the same thing during the game. Their coach was already going with UM to Ohio st. They played like they didn’t even want to be there.
DawginLex
January 12th, 2012
11:59 am
reality check
Reality is Bama didn’t win the division or their conference, lost at home to one of the 2 good teams they played, waited 40 days for LSU to lose all of its momentum and beat them 1 time.
Now it is 1-1
Congrats on getting all of the ESPN peckerheads to buy into the crap and change the rules to suit their agenda.
HammerDawg
January 12th, 2012
11:59 am
The only way we have a chance to make any progress is to FIRE OC BOBO!
He is so over matched and incompetent as an OC it is dishearting!!!!!
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
11:59 am
You are one of the few that cant get it through their pea size brain that we dont control who is PLACED on our schedule by THE SEC OFFICE.
I never said that UGA picked their schedule. I just said they play a really weak one. Which i’m right about.
Ravioli
January 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
Ture dogdumbass
Did you see that empty stadium uga played their bowl game at. Talk about pathetic with a fan base as grand as yours!
DP
January 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
True Dawg Fan, so what you’re saying is that Alabama’s passing offense is so easy even Aaron Murray could run it?
Isn’t putting your QB in a position to succeed as part of a team instead of asking him to win the game by himself generally an element of a successful college football program?
But then if a QB runs the system well in a good program that means he isn’t any good?
RiffRaff
January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
The road to the SEC East goes through South Carolina and Florida. UF’s defense is still pretty good, they just got a great OC and SC has been a much better team with Shaw as QB.
Finishing 19th in the polls and being ranked as high as #3 for next season is a little much.
DawginLex
January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
DP
Bama is run 1st and UGA is pass first.
Exposes Murray’s weaknesses and masks McCarron’s.
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
FYI have you ever seen the Mizzuo stadium for a home game??? Well lets just say they actually have fans that come to the game and pack the stadium, unlike the joke by coke that has to give away free food and drinks to get a decent crowd.
Good for them. Doesn’t change the fact that they are losing most of their team and will be terrible next year.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
11:59 am
You are one of the few that cant get it through their pea size brain that we dont control who is PLACED on our schedule by THE SEC OFFICE.
I never said that UGA picked their schedule. I just said they play a really weak one. Which i’m right about.
Actually that is the first time you have ever admitted it. Wow im impressed. Who cares if its weak, you play in the ACC and therefore play a weak schedule every year (Always easier than anything the SEC has to go through) So in reality we dont care what any ACC team fans have to say about our schedule.
Bama Mike
January 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Georgia’s season will depend on how much improvement there is in the running game. Lack of balance hurt them in every game they lost. Depending on freshman running back is not the answer. Crowells re-commitment, having a year under his belt and continued offensive line development will be the key for 2012. This past year was another dominating performance by the conference look for even more contributors in 2012. We may not repeat but would love to pass the torch to another conference family member.
Truth
January 12th, 2012
12:03 pm
DP and GTBob are brothers. Just don’t respond to either. They love the attention.
DC
January 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
My post wasn’t a bash at UGA..just the truth at this point. They aren’t up to the standard of Bama or LSU…and yes they are more than capable of beating my AU.
I’m curious to see how the backup qbs would do running the 1st string offense in practice…
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
Saying UNC was horrible this year is repetitive. Easier to make that point by simply saying they were in the ACC.
This is very true. They were bad even in the ACC though. They couldn’t score a point against NC State.
Cdpridg
January 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
Gt bob…as a bug man lets not talk down to mizzou…they would beat u by 2 td’s. Likely competing for the weak acc. What are you going to do next yr when tech keeps on losing in a bad conference while you watch the Dawgs keep on winning and winning and winning week after week in the nations best and toughest conference. Tough on you bugs knowing you will not being competing Gainst your flagship for the forseeable future…possibly ever again!
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:05 pm
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
FYI have you ever seen the Mizzuo stadium for a home game??? Well lets just say they actually have fans that come to the game and pack the stadium, unlike the joke by coke that has to give away free food and drinks to get a decent crowd.
Good for them. Doesn’t change the fact that they are losing most of their team and will be terrible next year.
hahahahahahaha wow you know nothing do you??? So no team has ever lost or been played tough by a team that is losing a chunk of players??? The stadium will be rocking and it will be difficult to hear (Something tech fans only experience 1 every 2 years, when UGA comes in and buy over half the tickets). That always makes the game that much harder. Get a clue (AKA do yourself and us a favor and just walk away)
But keep predicting those Tech NC u clown!!!
Columbus Dawg
January 12th, 2012
12:06 pm
UGA should have a defense comparable to 2002, and if Richt does not do something stupid in the Florida game, it SHOULD be an undefeated regular season in 2012. Should and if are very large words, but it looks as if we just got our respect back in the national media. It will be very important not to screw it up this time. One thing is for sure, Soft Willie ain’t here to help screw it up, and I have got to believe there will be great improvement on the OL after a intense competition in spring. Friend knows that run blocking will be a priority.
RTR22
January 12th, 2012
12:06 pm
DawginLex how about taking some meds for that extreme case of Bama Jealousy. UNDISPUTED LEADER in NCs and SEC Titles….
Maybe Ga can be like the honey badger and just take what you want….. Oh, my BAD that was ALABAMA.
Enough with the Bama analogy after losing the SECCG and winning it all the next year. Jawja aint
Alabama, never has been and never will be. Did I forget to mention being number 1 in bowl wins, 32 , ten win seasons, 11 undefeated seasons with at least ten games played, 7 players in NFL Hal of Fame, etc, etc. etc
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:07 pm
Bama Mike
January 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Georgia’s season will depend on how much improvement there is in the running game. Lack of balance hurt them in every game they lost. Depending on freshman running back is not the answer. Crowells re-commitment, having a year under his belt and continued offensive line development will be the key for 2012. This past year was another dominating performance by the conference look for even more contributors in 2012. We may not repeat but would love to pass the torch to another conference family member.
Wow, I thank you sir for being the only Bama fan on here (that I have seen anyways) that isnt spewing hatred and pure garbage from the mouth. Refreshing to see that there are some good Bama fans out there.
Kobie G
January 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
I am amazed that everyone gets so worked up over someone’s opinion. I am a UGA alum and will support the team always through thick and thin. Does the offensive play calling bother me, absolutely. Do I get frustrated with the constant runs up the middle with backs who are 5″7 and 170 pounds, yes. But who knows what is going to happen next year, everyone just states what they think. Everyone thought USC was a juggernaut and they got beat by Texas one year. It is way too early to get too caught up in where people rank UGA before a spring practice and fall camp. I never have liked a preseason ranking because what are you baseing it on, your opinion. Lets just get through this recruiting season first and into fall camp and play a few games to see where we are. People get so upset over what someone says in January, give it some time folks.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
Bama Mike-
Wow, I thank you sir for being the only Bama fan on here (that I have seen anyways) that isnt spewing hatred and pure garbage from the mouth. Refreshing to see that there are some good Bama fans out there.
Trojan
January 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
Their defense will be better. The special teams can not be worse. The offense will be better because the QB will have more experience and the running backs will be deeper.
The whole team will be deeper.
These are major reasons for optimism. Go Dawgs. I hope the Dawgs are so good that these losers who troll these blogs just to bad mouth the Dawgs ever move, will have to go in to overtime in order to spew hate.
It’s better to be a Dawg than a fan of a yellow team that plays in front of a 30,000 screaming fans each week and has crime infested parking lots.
It’s better to be a Dawg than be a fan of a team that hired the uggliest OC in the history of college football.
Go Dawgs.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
RTR22
January 12th, 2012
12:06 pm
We dont care about all of your MNC you claim (Especially the one in the 40s were you finished the season at like 22 but somehow claim a title!
SLim
January 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
UGA will be a big disappointment again next year, just like every year. Get ready to re-live 2008!!! LSU smashed UGA and that’s something we can’t forget…it’s not like a year is going to make much of a difference. We’re not Alabama…
RTR22
January 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
DawginLex, Lets expose Murrays weakness. Name a SIGNATURE WIN with him under center….
Fla in 2011? We beat them like a drum when all the TROPHIES are on the line…. You can have your meaningless stats after all stats are for LOSERS
McCarron, NATIONAL CHAMPION
Truth
January 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
@True Dawg Fan,
Son, why do you continue too reply to GTBob ? You aren’t looking real bright yourself. He thrives on this…
Sargent Carter
January 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
We want to see what will happen with the the Dogs in 2012. Will they play soft or hunker down? It’s been 30 something years since Herschel Walker University. Herschel was the difference maker, but they had some mean boys on the defensive side, not great, but gritty. Do we dare to think the thought?
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:13 pm
That always makes the game that much harder.
Right. That’s why Missouri is always so good and has won so many Big 12 championships. You don’t have much confidence in UGA if you think they will be so phased by 60,000 fans that they can’t beat a mediocre team that lost all of their good players.
True Dawg Fan
January 12th, 2012
12:14 pm
Truth
January 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
@True Dawg Fan,
Son, why do you continue too reply to GTBob ? You aren’t looking real bright yourself. He thrives on this…
Best way to beat a clown like that is constantly disprove his garbage until hes embarrassed enough to not come back. Dont worry about my tactics. My methods are proven to run trolls off and have never failed me yet.
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:15 pm
Son, why do you continue too reply to GTBob ? You aren’t looking real bright yourself. He thrives on this…
You look real bright when every one of your blog comments are crying about me. Sorry I hurt your feelings.
GTBob
January 12th, 2012
12:16 pm
My methods are proven to run trolls off and have never failed me yet.
Ive been going strong for a long time now. Good luck.
falconfiend
January 12th, 2012
12:18 pm
Jarvis Jones is the best pass rusher on the team but the player that wore #2 was the best player. A look ahead says the defense will be a good one Ogletree was outstanding on d, he can play the run blitz and play the pass. He had Coach gruden raving on about his play. Its good that this team is coming back for their senior year. I cant remember when a georgia team was loaded with senior players. The seniors on the team help the freshman and sophs become better and the jrs. step up the next year. I believe this 2012 Georgia team may be the best team in the conference 2012 and they played senior led teams with boise state(26 seniors) and mich state with most of their offense seniors. 2012 Georgia will match up better with teams because of the seniors they will have.