Wrapping up spring football . . .
Athens – The last morsels from Georgia’s spring football practice:
* * *
Bryan Evans had a nice interception in the G-Day game — one week after sustaining a concussion in another scrimmage.
Aside from the concussion, it was a very good spring for Evans, who got notably burned a few times at cornerback early last season but has gained teammates’ and coaches’ confidence at safety.
”There are still things I have to learn, but I think I’ve kind of shown the team what I can do back there at my new position, so I’m excited about that,” Evans said. “It was a new opportunity for me — just to go out with a clean slate. I just wanted to gain their trust.”
Evans, who will be a fifth-year senior in the fall, said he has found that he actually prefers safety to his long-time cornerback position.
“It is more comfortable for me,” he said, “because I’ve always been a person that likes contact. I’m not the biggest safety, but I’m not afraid of contact at all.”
* * *
Mark Richt and Mike Bobo said from the start that newly arrived freshman quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger would not be competing for playing time this spring – but would be learning and adjusting.
That said, it’s hard to overlook Murray’s combined statistics from three spring scrimmages: 13-of-21 passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Mettenberger’s statistics in the same scrimmages were polar opposite: 2-of-18 for 43 yards, with two interceptions.
Striking as the disparity seems, the coaches don’t seem to be making anything of it. Both Richt and Bobo say they were pleased with both of the freshmen quarterbacks’ play and progress this spring.
“For whatever reason, the balls that Zach has thrown have gotten dropped more than the balls Aaron has thrown,” Richt said. “But both of them have proven to me they’re very intelligent, good fundamentally, can hit their target and have bright futures.”
Bobo said the next few months will be important to both quarterbacks in terms of “processing everything that went on this spring.” He said they will enter the summer as co-No. 3 behind starter Joe Cox and backup Logan Gray, although adding that some separation will have to come shortly thereafter.
”They’re going to have to get ready to compete this fall,” Bobo said. “We can’t continue to rep four quarterbacks. We’ve got to find out who the top, top ones are and get them ready to play. . . . I’d say after the second [summer] scrimmage at the latest we’ll make a decision on those two young guys . . . to see who could possibly be ready to play this fall.”
* * *
As you’ve probably heard too many times, injuries sidelined about 25 players from most or all of Georgia’s spring practice. The good news – as Richt has happily pointed out a couple of times in the past few days – is that when the Bulldogs next take the practice field as a team this summer, there will be “40 to 50″ additional healthy players on hand. All of the injured players except two – WR Kris Durham and OL Josh Davis – are expected back by summer, when the team also will be joined by incoming freshmen.
Between now and summer camp, the coaches have implored the team’s seniors to lead in the weight room, in players-only practice-field work and off the field.
“That’s been some of our biggest discussion points the last couple of weeks with our seniors,” Richt said. “We want them to practically lead this football team.
“I really like the way they are taking on the responsibility of that.”
* * *
G-Day drew a record crowd for a Georgia spring game: 42,458 in Sanford Stadium, not to mention the national TV audience via ESPN.
So . . . what did you think of what you saw on G-Day?
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145 comments Add your comment
Mike
April 13th, 2009
4:12 pm
Stafford and Moreno should have been elsewhere Saturday.
They already quit the school and the team.
go and get your millions…
Jeff
April 13th, 2009
4:13 pm
Murray…UF returns the entire D from last year’s team that held up to 10 points (3 if you don’t count the mop up TD from Cox). LSU found a QB and still has a great D. Ole Miss looks better than us. I hate to say it, but I think we are 2nd tier. We don’t have ANY explosive players besides AJ. 10+ wins would be a miracle. I sure hope you are right about Ealey, Brown, and Charles. If not, we are going to be average at best.
Jaded Jacket
April 13th, 2009
4:33 pm
Sanford Drive – You failed to mention that our high school program beat your college program. Explain please…
UGA Rules
April 13th, 2009
4:38 pm
This team is going to be awesome this year. I predict Caleb King wins the Heisman and we go undefeated through the regular season. Sadly though, I predict we lose to Oklahoma in the National Championship game. We should beat Florida by at least 30 this year. It won’t even be close. I’m so freakin pumped about this coming season. We will be awesome!!!!
UGA Rumor Mill
April 13th, 2009
4:41 pm
I heard Jonathan Dwyer from GT is consdiering a transfer to UGA due to the depth of running back talent at GT.
Huh?
April 13th, 2009
4:42 pm
I would say that LSU and Ole Miss are 2nd tier SEC programs. Its real easy to say things and that’s what I would say. Thanks.
MoDawg
April 13th, 2009
4:44 pm
Hunk Erdown, you ought to be proud of Brandon. He was a “beast” on Saturday. He will add some quality depth for us this year. Good for him!! I’m proud of him, too.
PTC DAWG
April 13th, 2009
4:44 pm
It’s 4:44 PM an both GT fans still care. It warms the soul.
Pink Dawg
April 13th, 2009
4:47 pm
Who’s prettier, Mark Richt or Urban Meyer?
FLDAWG
April 13th, 2009
5:16 pm
On G-Day. We have several capable QB’s and at least one more that is up and coming in Murray. Gray and Cox should compete for the starting job. The receivers have to step up. We can not be dropping balls like we did on Saturday. The receivers helped make the D look better. Glad to see Evans at Safety. He was much better there than at corner. Washington should help the linebackers. The D line looked good as did the O line. Neither one of them really dominated.
As for an outlook for the 09 season, UF should be picked to win the SEC and NC once again given who all they have returning. UGA should be able to compete with them and possibly upset them in Jax and go onto the SEC championship game. To do this, the dawgs will have to improve in many areas from the spring. The RB’s will have to step up as well as the receivers. I am comfortable with our QB situation. Joe Cox will be a good QB and if Gray is given the chance may be able to beat Cox out for the position. If possible both Murray and Mettenberger should redshirt. If one of them has to play, go with Murray. He has had the better stats.
Sanford Drive
April 13th, 2009
5:20 pm
Jaded, props to you for stating the obvious. We’re all aware UGA lost to your high-school team this year, so I didn’t mention it. Between Ramble On and St. Simons reminding everyone of the score every five seconds, I didn’t think it was necessary. We all saw the game. Basically, I’m tired of all the bandwagon Tech fans coming on this blog and posting the score. And YES, I do mean bandwagon. I don’t recall reading posts from these folks before that game in November. I don’t go to the Tech blog. Ever. So, I’m not sure why Tech fans insist on coming to this one. You guys are more concerned with our team than yours.
Iceman
April 13th, 2009
5:47 pm
Tech fans are more concerned with hating the Bulldogs, than they are with liking the Jackets. Which probably explains their crappy fanbase and empty stadium on gameday.
Iceman
April 13th, 2009
5:50 pm
Tech fans come here because, as most of you can figure..they’re more concerned with hating the Bulldogs than they are with liking the Jackets.
No doubt this is explains their crappy fanbase, and empty stadium.
Rabun Dawg
April 13th, 2009
6:04 pm
To earlier poster, I believe capstone1, you said our attendance a joke? Well, the masters right down the road, pro sports the other way, Easter weekend, many other activities around. Just what is there else to do around Tuscaloosa, B’ham, etc., etc.? And I guess that most go because they think a glimpse of the “Bear” might be in the offing. And, why, may I ask do you watch our spring scrimmage? Seems to shed light on the fact there isn’t much to do over there, if you do live in Ala. Other than that, thanks for the comments, and remind me not to even think about when your spring game is, I had rather watch my grass grow!
murrayasstarter
April 13th, 2009
6:14 pm
Jeff, UF lost their most notable player besides Tim Tebow, Percy is now gone, and he was a huge threat to Georgia last season. Georgia will be getting back four starting O-Line players, and countless numbers of D players. Brown will be a huge help to get pressure of A.J. and for all we know, he could be another A.J. which would make the WR basically unstoppable, which would help make our run game easier as well. The two will basically go into one. LSU will be going through a rebuilding year, they had a few defense players transfer, I am sure they won’t be as easy to beat this year as they were last year, but we can pull it off again. Ole Miss shouldn’t be that much of a problem, Georgia has never really had a problem with them.
You are saying we don’t have any explosive players, but I feel like we do. We have Curran, Owens, Gray is a fantastic quarterback, and not to mention the freshmen we are coming in who will help add even more depth to our D and O-Line.
I feel like a 10+ season is going to be possible, probably not easy, but definitely possible.
Jeff
April 13th, 2009
6:23 pm
I saw dropped passes…..that resulted in kicking FG when we should have scored TDs…..all to familar story that usually comes back to haunt us in the fall.
Rabun Dawg
April 13th, 2009
6:27 pm
Sanford and Iceman, you both are correct. Tech guys are so obsessed with hating UGA rather than showing real love for their own, that they have to hang out on UGA blogs. Me thinks they are jealous of our success or something like that. I would think they should be more concerned with trying to build up some rivalries with some ACC teams and be concerned about winning in that conference rather than focusing all their rage at UGA. Two of my children who are past UGA grads can’t believe that we consider Tech a rival. They looked at UF, UT, Auburn, Clemson as their main rivals during their days, and Tech being way down the list. The Tech obsession with beating UGA is somewhat funny to many UGA grads as I think we had rather beat our conference rivals.
Bo
April 13th, 2009
6:43 pm
Orson Charles will be a huge help at tight end. Washaun Ealey is hard to say since he realy didn’t play against that good of competition in high school. I think UGA should go to spread offense with Murray or Gray at QB and have Thomas at RB like Florida and use there speed they have. Just my opinion, but what do i know.
BS Patrol
April 13th, 2009
7:14 pm
Uh Rabun,UT, AU, Clemson? Cupcakes! Tech is far and above Ga in ALL respects. You think Tech fans are jealous of ga? Lay off the LSD!
Wait until you lose the next 3, Richt is canned then check back & see if it is a rivalry.
Tech had rivals in the SEC. UA, AU & GA & UT come to mind. It takes a while to develop these. FSU is the only ACC rivalry that is starting to develop. As for me I would rather see a Tech game against any of these 4 than OSU/MICH, Texas/ OU or anyone. But face facts, you had rather lose to UF than GT.
Buzz
April 13th, 2009
8:27 pm
Like I told you Dawgs a few years back, don’t drink the koolaid that the AJC hypes and types. I mean how many AJC articles and slanted polls said that Caleb King would be a star. He will end up transfering to Georgia State, then Jacksonville State, then West Georgia (similar to what his advisors had him to do in high school when the going got tough). Don’t get me wrong. he’s good. But he’s not great. And he’s very one dimensional. He’s certainly not the “next Hershel Walker” like that AJC writer Carter Strickland wanted you to believe. Hey Carter, now you know why it was such an easy interview to get! But like always, you dawgs drank every drop. Like Noshow-n, he doesn’t even know the names of the RB’s at Tech and the sad part is he couldn’t hang with any of them (in the classroom either). But he’s got one hell of a scrap book, I’ll give him that!
Z.Itchy
April 13th, 2009
9:51 pm
Dropped passes. A little spark out of Aaron Murray and Carlton Thomas. Good defensive line work. Still not impressed with Caleb King. No ugly kicking.
SamoanDawg
April 13th, 2009
10:16 pm
The kid to watch is #39 Nick William. I love his enthuse and energy he brings. Moved from to safety to second string at WLB.. back up Rennie.
Sanders Commings also had a good game.. he showed some great skills for a big corner, 6′2, 222 lbs.
#18 Bacarri Rambo is going to be a good safety.
#43 Charles White will be a good MLB, once he gets a chance to show more of his abilities.. but for now, he’ll have to be a role back up player to #51 Akeem Dent and #44 Marcus Washington.
Once we get all of our guys healthy, we’ll have a better team.
SamoanDawg
April 13th, 2009
10:29 pm
Caleb King has not wowed me any. He tiptoed to the line. Seems like he doesn’t hit the hole hard enough. Coach Ball had a talk with him, that, he needs to be more vocal and play with some passion like Moreno did. He has the talent but he just can’t seem to put it all together.
Richard Samuel and Carlton Thomas will be our one two punch.
I don’t know much about Dontavious Jackson, he hasn’t really wowed me either. I know he just came back from injury, but he don’t have the fire and desire Moreno have either.
Washaun Ealey is yet to be determined. He looked good on his high school film. But, did y’all see the line he had? He really didn’t have to work hard for his yards. We’ll see how quick he picks up the system and how well he picks up the blitz.
Right now, my top two RBs are Richard Samuel & Carlton Thomas.
145 mo’ days!
UGA 2008 Preseason national Champions
April 13th, 2009
11:29 pm
I went to wal mart the other day and on all the T.V.s they were showing the G-Day game! All the employees were standing around watching the game, they were all talking about being UGA alumni!
One said his major was commodes! The other said his major was wiping ugas but after he crapped! I even saw david Greene sweeping the floor! I have to admit if it wasnt for UGA alumni we wouldnt have anyone smart enough to run the cash registers at walmart
Really?
April 14th, 2009
1:47 am
… so you can’t spell, punctuate, or correctly use the “caps” button … and you frequent Walmart …
Anyone remember the Shooter McGavin line, “I eat pieces of s**t like you for breakfast!”
Go Dawgs! And quit worrying about G-Day. We’ll be fine for OK-State.
cwm
April 14th, 2009
5:41 am
WE HAVE NO RUNNING BACK WITH SPEED THATS OVER 200LBS WE NEED SPEED AND FROM WHAT I HEAR EALEY DOES NOT HAVE SPEED EITHER …..
cwm
April 14th, 2009
5:58 am
RICHT NEEDS TO GET A FULLBACK THAT CAN RUN….. NOT JUST BLOCK.. IT NOT HE MIGHT AS WELL PUT A TACKLE AT FULLBACK … ALSO… TROUPE AND MURRAY LOOKED GOOD GO DAWGS
SugarHillDawg
April 14th, 2009
7:40 am
I thought I smelled the STENCH of M(Butthead) on here. I can’t wait until we go to North Ave. and slap the NERDS around next November. I just hope Tech has a winning record so it will help us in the rankings!
SugarHillDawg
April 14th, 2009
7:43 am
Talk about Kool Aid. This IDIOT Buzz thinks ALL Tech’s backs are better than CK. Wow you Tech NERDS make it too easy to make you look STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEC1
April 14th, 2009
7:49 am
Ramble ON = androgeny girl, with little or NO insight in her comments who is insanely jealous of the GA Bulldogs. (why would you spend so much time here???)
Res Ipsa Loquitur…
DawgByte
April 14th, 2009
11:08 am
OleDawg -
With all due respect and I mean… all due respect, Joe Cox is being treated the same way as Joe T. and we all saw how long that strategy lasted. Some media pundits (the one’s with brain damage – T. Moore) are comparing Joe Cox with D.J. Shockley… huh? The accurate comparison is Joe C. to Joe T. Both have weak arms and play with a level of tentativeness/speed that will not cut it in the SEC. Three years ago I put on my Nostradamus hat and predicted Stafford would supplant Joe T. as the starting QB. This year I predict Joe C. will give up his starting role to Logan Gray or Aaron Murray. The talent difference between the three QB’s is obvious to anyone with 20/20 vision. FTW – Aaron Murray is the future for UGA football. See Chase Daniels for an accurate comparison.
Buzz
April 14th, 2009
9:56 pm
SugarHillDog,
all Tech’s backs ARE better than Caleb King. Prove me wrong with statistics you incredible idiot. lol. Not AJC articles. Statistics. (facts). We had a receiver rush for more yards against you last year than CK did against us. LOL.
Buzz
April 15th, 2009
6:04 am
“Yellow Jackets reverse rivalry on Dogs’ diamond
By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, April 14, 2009″
I knew our football did it because I saw it first hand, but I didn’t get to go last night to see OUR baseball team go into YOUR back yard and kick YOUR LOSER AZZ 11-6 in front of 10,000 red and black faithful.
Dude, that’s worse than 45-42, but I won’t buy another ring.
Mark
April 15th, 2009
1:54 pm
59 yds on 8 carries, thats 7.35 per touch, should have giving Carlton those touches against the number 1 defense, no passes in the flat against the LB’S Carlton can catch the ball. Only show case the QB’s and receiver’s, better get that fixed, Gator’s will smother the receiver’s and intercept 5 passes, get the ball to Thomas. I beleive his weight is 175 lbs. By fall at 180 or 185, Get the ball to Thomas! BoBo
BUZZ
April 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
Here’s some more Koolaid for you ignorant dawgs to gripe about 2-3 years from now (While Ga Tech is still wearing your azz’s out).
Courtesy of AJC’s Michael Carvell this morning 04-15-09- “Washaun Ealey, who some say is the state’s most accomplished tailback since Herschel Walker”. Please tell me who “some” is. I want to sell them an SEC Championship ring I bought on EBay a few years back.
I Got a Buzz lost in space
April 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
“For 42 days we got to listen to everyone 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
38-3,LOL. You’re only as good as your last game.
Nov. 28, 2009……….Have a nice day
BUZZ
April 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
“You’re only as good as your last game”.
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT DIC*LICKER. AND BETWEEN YOU AND US, IT WAS 45-42! LOL. Talk to me again in November. For now, shut your flea ridden, wrinkled azz, turd breath, LOOOOOZER face.
ramblin wreck
April 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
lol. ouch.
14th street
April 15th, 2009
10:47 pm
double ouch
Tech nation
April 15th, 2009
10:48 pm
It’s probably best that dawg fans stay off this blog and away from buzz for a while.
I Got a Buzz lost in space
April 16th, 2009
10:29 am
BUZZ, lol, you’re kidding right? You mean to tell me that for almost 6 hours nobody put up a post and I’m supposed to believe all of a sudden in a span of 3 minutes 3 other people supposedly jumped on this blog right after you. Man, we all know it was you. YOU’RE LAME!! BUT YOU’RE ALSO A NERD SO……….38-3, LOL! You’re only as good as your last game.
Tech nation? Might need to get a head count on that one.
Tech Nation
April 16th, 2009
5:37 pm
“You’re only as good as your last game” AND our last game against you was 45-42. Put that in your Skoal can and dip it Georgia boy.
Monday Night Links | SECRivals.com
April 20th, 2009
9:03 pm
[...] An Opinion on Sports: Aaron Murray (UGA Freshman QB); good article from a week ago [...]
macrotech
April 21st, 2009
3:58 pm
Really?, you eat pieces of sh** for breakfast?! ;0)
macrotech
April 22nd, 2009
3:03 am
Oledawg, it works BOTH ways. I agree with your thoughts….for the most part ;0). Nerdhater, thanks for your concern….Nesbitt will be fine.