Five things to watch on G-Day
”It went real fast,” Mark Richt said. Not sure his players would agree with that assessment of time, but spring practice is almost over at Georgia. There will be a brief session in shorts today, then the G-Day game on Saturday, and that’s it.
Here’s my list of top five things I’ll be watching on G-Day:
1. Carlton Thomas at tailback. Ask a Georgia player which teammates have impressed/surprised them the most this spring, and you’re likely to hear about Thomas, the small, shifty tailback. It’ll be real interesting to see what he does against the No. 1 defense on Saturday and maybe a bit surprising, given all the talk, if he doesn’t dazzle a bit.
2. The debut of the freshmen quarterbacks. It’ll be the first time playing in Sanford Stadium – not counting a couple of closed scrimmages with no one in the stands – for Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Bulldog Nation is eager for a first glimpse of them between the hedges, and they know it. Will one or both seize the moment?
3. The development of the defense. The tribulations of last season left some scars on the defense, and this spring has been about restoring “attitude and edge, whatever you want to call it” – Richt’s words – as well as sound fundamentals. “I see a defensive team that is very unified right now and has got a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” Richt said a couple of days ago. “They feel like they’ve got something to prove.” Word is, DT Geno Atkins has been absolutely dominant in closed practices, so his play surely bears watching Saturday.
4. The crowd. With this being Easter weekend, with the Masters going on, and with G-Day on television, how many people will show up at Sanford Stadium? Georgia has been pushing hard for a huge turnout, partly because empty seats aren’t telegenic.
5. The obvious. With apologies for a quarterback-heavy list, I’m of course very interested to see Joe Cox in his long-awaited role as the program’s clear No. 1 QB and to see how Logan Gray plays as he tries to stay in front of the freshmen for the top backup role.
Please share your lists.
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132 comments Add your comment
lakerat
April 10th, 2009
2:11 pm
You didn’t – you just said “don’t be stupid”! No offense taken, but thanks!
BS Patrol
April 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s RODDY JONES!!
MiltonDawg
April 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
Want to see the RBs in action, Thomas & King. Definetly want to see if the D has improved, especially tackling. I’m more concerned about Cox/Gray than Aaron & Zack. I think it should be a great turnout, although weather may play a factor.
BS Patrol- Weren’t you just on the GT blog?
BS Patrol
April 10th, 2009
3:25 pm
No Milton, not that I recall. Earlier this AM maybe on the recruiting blog. The FLA commit from Coffee. “Gratulations coarch!”
Doug Roberson
April 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
The list of 2009 spring sports awards are as follows:
Best All-Around Offensive Player: Clint Boling, OT, Alpharetta
True Grit Award: Ben Jones, C, Centreville, Ala.
Most Improved Offensive Lineman: Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Improved Player: Marquise Brown, WR, Lanham, Md.
Most Improved Running Back: Carlton Thomas, RB, Frostproof, Fla.
Biggest Surprise of Spring (Offense): Logan Gray, QB, Columbia, Mo.
Outstanding Walk On (Offense): Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Consistent Running Back: Shaun Chapas, RB, St. Augustine, Fla.
Most Improved Defensive Tackle: DeAngelo Tyson, DL, Statesboro
Most Improved Defensive End: Justin Houston, DE, Statesboro
Most Improved Linebacker: Christian Robinson, LB, Norcross
Most Improved Defensive Back: Brandon Boykin, DB, Fayetteville
Outstanding Walk On (Defense): Brandon Wheeling, DL, Dallas
Coffee County Hustle Award: Joe Cox, QB, Charlotte, N.C.; Michael Moore, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Nick Williams, LB, Bainbridge; Demarcus Dobbs, DE, Savannah; Bryan Evans, DB, Jacksonville, Fla.
Fools Gold
April 10th, 2009
4:49 pm
On defense it will be the flashes of chrome dome Willie’s bald head when he removes his ball cap in disgust and cluelessness. Will these guys be in good condition or will they need IVs from cramping up. Maybe ole Loran can ask Saint Mark about why are the players cramping up without getting his head bit off like ole Jim Donnan did a few years ago.
Festus
April 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
Dayum…. youins mean to tale me thait Georgee gonnas haive a sprang gaime on ESPN. Them thare doagies bitter git reedie on defance or it culd spale dezastur this yer. Them itty bitty runnin baicks are maikin Willies boys look bayad. Hope theys aint no more injurees to them thare boys Cuz they needs a champeenship in the wurse kina waiy real bayad.
caleb huff
April 10th, 2009
5:13 pm
All of yall are so negative!! Whats this crap about a 5 loss season and the weed-eater bowl???? let me tell you something… When we had Stafford and Mareno yeah we had the edge to win but teams knew what they had to do to beat us. they knew our team, they knew how to stop our big play-makers! This year, they wont know who r big play-makers will be! or how to stop them. for example: when we had stafford florida knew he couldnt do well under pressure, so they put pressure on him and we lost! this year, who knows who cox is, he may b better under pressure who knows? all of yall are jes a buncha negative females who dont understand what it takes to have a winning team. its doesnt take a matt stafford or a knowshawn mareno or a tim tebo to win a nationl championship game. it takes heart, knowledge, hard work, and most of all the will to win! and who are any of you to say none of these new guys have that??? EXACTLY i have complete faith in this team and always will
caleb huff
April 10th, 2009
5:15 pm
that last comment was not for every1… jes a few select people
Cuz
April 10th, 2009
5:15 pm
I have a copyright on that name Festus, my lawyers will be in touch.
BUZZ
April 10th, 2009
5:18 pm
Wouldn’t it be great if one team beat the other 45-42.
BUZZ
April 10th, 2009
5:22 pm
I’m going for the pregame show. I hear instead of landing on their stomachs during down and ups they are going to land on their backs as a reminder of the Tech game. Hope its true.
Kid Mid
April 10th, 2009
5:29 pm
Lake Rat. Since you know how to fix everything…why don’t you apply for a job as a coach. LOSER. Percy…you know where I can get some good weed?
I wish some of you would go find another team to support, you guys seem to have nothing good to say. Win or lose. I am a Bulldawg through and through. Go Dawgs.
AltamahaDawg
April 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
Will be very interesting to see which poor souls are going to spend thier Easter Sunday in here trying to round up as many as possible to join them in the “this just ruined my life” parade.. big dawg is absolutely right…..its going to either be: the defense is horrible or the offense can’t even move the ball. Fellows please, at least wait till Monday to jump off the bridge.
D.Ellis
April 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
Very much looking forward to seeing this new crop of players. Looking to see how much A.White hs come slong, as TE is a depth problem with Figgins being hurt. Wish N. Ward was still around to help there. Of course DE is a spot to look at however we know not all are healthy. Cox wil lbe a vry nice replacement I tihnk. Conside him a “system QB” or a “real estate” qb….taking what the d gives without taking to many chances. Anxious to see how the WR’s do in termas of yac yards. Staff threw it up deep….Cox will be more underneath.
Of course everyone wants to see Murray as I do…sure he will impress with Troup, King, Wison not far behind.
How about Boykin at CB? Wonder how far he has come along. The offensice line should be very very solid this year. TS and Boling and Jones will anchor that unit and they should be tough.
All in all it’s a great appetizer for a long wait for the maincourse!
Good to be back on the blog again and hello to all my fellow DAWG brothers….and sisters.
Jimmy in Gainesville
April 10th, 2009
8:06 pm
I will be going to the G-day game but boy do I dread seeing anything with Willie Martinez involved. We won’t know how good the Dawgs offense is since they’ll be playing against a Willie “gimme” defense.
Boy, do I wish this were different. Kind of takes your heart and emotions out when you realize its another year with Silly Willie.
Matt
April 10th, 2009
8:22 pm
For all of you so called Dawg fans that are doubting the DAWGS, find another team to go for, You ARE NOT real Dawg fans. You can’t just get on here before spring practice is even over and start to talk bad about them. Evidently you haven’t ever play a sport in your life or if you did you never won a game you have ever played. If you go into a game or season with your attitude sure you will lose. I don’t know about you others but I have faith in them, and I can’t wait for the season to start. Go Dawgs!!!
dawgystyle
April 10th, 2009
9:04 pm
lakerat let me help you out on carlton thomas because obviously you don’t follow recruiting. he beat out chris rainy for polk county player of the year when he was a junior and rainy was a senior. He finished his seior year with over 2,000 yds rushing he wasn’t heavily recruited because he commited early. He has been compared to noel devine of west virginia.
H.T.
April 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
I want to see how that new kicker does. I hear he can kick it into the endzone every time and i heard he can kick a 60 + yard field goal. Can the defense do anything. i want to see if Aron White has gained any weight so he can get alot more playin time this year. How fast is Carlton Thomas, i’m skeptical about how good he really is because I dont think our D has gotten much better.
H.T.
April 10th, 2009
9:17 pm
dawgystyle, don’t talk about high school stats. Just because you were somethin in high school doesn’t mean your anything. Until he scores a TD between the hedges you ain’t nothin
SugarHillDawg
April 10th, 2009
10:05 pm
Hey Buzz, one team (UGA) is gonna beat the other team(TechNerds), but it ain’t gonna be that close.
AltamahaDawg
April 10th, 2009
10:12 pm
Matt, I think I would rather sit beside you.
Jimmy, simple, stay home.
fiasco007
April 10th, 2009
10:34 pm
You guys are a bunch of turds, I only read half way down so i dont know if its been said. But come summer time. There will be an additional 50 players on the team that are not playing right now. The team dynamics will change drasticaly and will not look anything like what will be playing this sat. They could all go out there and flop and it really wont matter one bit.
BUZZ
April 10th, 2009
10:44 pm
Sugarhilldawg,
“Hey Buzz, one team (UGA) is gonna beat the other team(TechNerds), but it ain’t gonna be that close”. Nice spelling Pr*ck!! Whyyyyy donnnnn’t you look me up tomorrow di*k breath?
Buzz
BUZZ
April 10th, 2009
10:46 pm
Sugarhilldawg,
I hope you can hear me c*mm fac*.
“Hey Buzz, one team (UGA) is gonna beat the other team(TechNerds), but it ain’t gonna be that close”. Nice spelling Pr*ck!! Whyyyyy donnnnn’t you look me up tomorrow di*k breath?
Buzz
BUZZ
April 10th, 2009
10:53 pm
For all you Georgia di*k lick*rs and azzhole sniffers, I hope your hairy azz’es get all hyoped up about how your team does tomorrow. Troouble is you guys SUCK and youtr winning streak is f’ing over. We will beat your azz in the flats next year worse than 45-42. Georgia sux cox forever. FY!!!!!!!!!!!!
big dawg
April 11th, 2009
12:06 am
i love knowing techsters will be coming to the game tomorrow, it really shows just how dang scared they are…just admit it, you know last year was a fluke..
see all y’all there tomorrow… oh yeah, i love it that we will have more supporters at our spring game than g.t. has on any given saturday..(or thursday for that matter)..who plays on thursdays anyway??
BTR
April 11th, 2009
5:11 am
I have five blades of grass I would much rather watch than some STUPID college football… Get a LIFE !
Jason
April 11th, 2009
6:33 am
Bulldogs the Gators Rule the SEC again this year so get in the backseat.
Jason
April 11th, 2009
6:35 am
big dawg, tech owns you until you prove otherwise. Maybe next year, not this year.
Cuz
April 11th, 2009
8:31 am
Stuck here in Golf Heaven but I will be watching the game thanks to ESPN. What a day, Spring game then the chase for the Green Jacket. With the rains we had last night the golf balls will stick on the greens. Experience counts today.
Go Dawgs beat dem uh, Dawgs.
bamabelle in ga
April 11th, 2009
8:48 am
So uga is excited and eager to be on tv for their spring game. These are the same folks that were orgasmic to be wearing black jerseys last fall and we all know where that took them. Why don’t you people just line up and play some real football for a change? Forget tv. Forget the wardrobe. Play SEC football.
TW
April 11th, 2009
9:06 am
Being that we’ve split up Jancek and Maritinez today, expect both offenses to get off big time.
Joe Cox
April 11th, 2009
9:20 am
the offense is going to look awesome today!! Thanks Willie!!!
rlw
April 11th, 2009
9:47 am
Coach Johnson is not going to lose seven in a row to the puppies and you can only dream about beating the gators but it’s spring. Go Jackets!!!!!!!!
AC in Boulder
April 11th, 2009
10:13 am
The best analogy when comparing Georgia to georgia tech is to view Georgia as the older more popular brother and tech as the nerdy geek of a younger brother who looks up to and is jealous of his big, cool, successful brother. The younger brother worships and follows everything the big brother does but just doesn’t measure up. The big brother doesn’t really notice the twerpy little brother and doesn’t really care what he does because he’s got bigger fish to fry. GO DAWGS and don’t worry about that spindly little nobody that just got stuffed in his locker.
I Got a Buzz lost in space
April 11th, 2009
10:25 am
BUZZ, you sure do have a thing for sexual comments and dogs. That’s worse than 38-3, LOL.
“For 42 days we got to hear everbody tell us how good we were. Then we played LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and found out that we weren’t that good” – Coach Paul Johnson
exNFLplayer
April 11th, 2009
10:31 am
Guys, Willie Martinez didn’t forget how to coach D between the 2007 season and 2008. Key D line injuries and lack of pressure from the D ends plus a huge leadership gap minus Jeff Owens and guys like Kelin Johnson (graduated) played a role in the D’s performance last year. UGA finished #2 in the entire nation in 07 and may have been the best team period at the end of that season. See what happens this year and then judge Coach Martinez. Somebody still needs to step up up as the leader on that D. That’s what I’m looking for.
Sam
April 11th, 2009
10:35 am
Jason, Tech owns nobody. They have no significant streak over any team of note. Ownership means consistently beating someone. Again for you short bus riding tech fans. Tech owns NOBODY. But tech is owned by lots of folks. To include UGA. One vistory every 10 years comes under the blind squirrel finds nut headline.
Georgia guy
April 11th, 2009
10:42 am
Hey NERDS, It’s G-Day in Athens. 40,000 people will show up to watch a scrimmage (It would be more but the Masters is also this weekend), and ESPN will be there to nationaly televise this srimmage. You NERDS can’t get 20,000 to show up to a regular season game and the only reason ESPN shows up for your games during the season is for one of those Thursday Night games. Have fun at your spring game with all 200 people and your camera phone.
Bobby J.
April 11th, 2009
11:29 am
Tech owns UGA? LMAO! Jason you sure have a strange way of claiming ownership. Let’s see. Who all owns Tech. UGA owns tech. LSU owns Tech. FSU owns tech. VT owns tech. UVA owns tech. Who doesn’t own tech would be a better question. Maybe Duke. Name just one good football team that tech has a winning record over in the last 30 years Jason. I bet you can’t come up with any.
UGA 2008 Preseason national Champions
April 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
UGA is going to lose more and more to Tech because of one sure reason! Tech has heart and UGA doesnt! All of paul johnsons recruiting is done in state! The majority of CMR recruiting is done out of state! You take a bunch of foreigners and battle them against the natives for the natives homeland! Who is going to win! Thats one of the main reasons UGA lost last year im pretty sure, Matthew stafford is from Texas, Knoshawn was from new jersy! And that was UGAs whole team! Yalls Team is a bunch of Yankees in UGA uniforms, battling a bunch of Georgia boys in Tech Uniforms! Techs going to want it more because they know what this rival is about! Its has nothing to do with talent, but mostly with heart!
But yea anyways good luck puppy dawgs see yall in Atlanta!
Charlie
April 11th, 2009
12:52 pm
Sanford Drive,
John Parker Wilson was so inept he put 30 points on your puppies inside Sanford Stadium in the FIRST HALF. His last dagger was a perfect strike to Julio Jones in the back of the end zone. A Black Out….er Blow Out in your backyard. Gator’s are hoping you pull out the black garb in Jacksonville.
Nick Saban was smart enough to change A-Day dates when he saw it fell on Easter weekend. When your making excuses about 25K for your spring game, take a look in the mirror. We will have 80K plus again this year.
Bama has another nationally televised recruiting special from the Georgia Dome September 5th. Saban’s outworking Richt at every turn.
More of the Same
April 11th, 2009
1:09 pm
Gosh looks like only about 15000 fans has shown up for the game…. Defense is all banged up…. let the excuses roll. Gators look like they are so loaded and will rule the sec for years to come. what is wrong with our program. BTW we look so smallish too….
More of the Same
April 11th, 2009
1:15 pm
….penalties and dropped balls ho hum here we go again…..
More of the Same
April 11th, 2009
1:17 pm
Our strength and conditioning program needs an overhaul in the worst kind of way….
Linda Lovelace Dawg
April 11th, 2009
1:51 pm
Oh you Logan Gray you are so Loooooogan! mmmmm
Fools Gold
April 11th, 2009
2:07 pm
Charlie you are so correct. Both Saban and Meyer is light years ahead of CMR. They both have the intestinal fotitude to push their teams and coaches to meet expectations with no excuces whatsoever. Out coaching and out recruiting markie boy every step of the way. Heck even Houston Nutt is making strides at Ole Miss……. Oh yeah dont forget Leslie Miles too.
Linda Lovelace Dawg
April 11th, 2009
2:12 pm
Whats wrong with dropped balls?
bill cleary
April 11th, 2009
2:13 pm
what about the 5 things to watch for in Jax this year…..Tebow runs for 2 and throws for 3–in the first half.