What we learned from spring practice (PLUS: injury update, Bulldog Club tour)
If you’re looking for definitive answers about a football team, spring practice isn’t the time or place. That’s what fall is for. Yet Georgia’s spring practice, which ended with the G-Day game on Saturday, provided a few revealing threads:
1. The offensive line is benefiting from the experience young players gained the past couple of years.
Example: Cordy Glenn. When the offensive coaches named their spring MVP, they chose the left guard, who enters his junior season with 23 UGA starts already.
“Early on, obviously as a freshman, he had to depend on a lot of guys next to him to help him out,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “Now he pretty much knows what we’re doing, and he’s able to execute and then use his God-given ability to dominate. And that’s what kind of player we think he can be.”
Bobo said the entire first-team offensive line -– left tackle Clint Boling, Glenn, center Ben Jones, right guard Chris Davis and right tackle Josh Davis –- had a strong spring. The group will be reinforced if Trinton Sturdivant, who started as a freshman in 2007 but missed the past two seasons because of knee surgeries, and Tanner Strickland, who missed last season because of shoulder surgery, return this summer as planned.
2. Todd Grantham is . . . intense.
G-Day offered little insight into Georgia’s new 3-4 defensive scheme, but it did provide a good glimpse of the new defensive coordinator. Grantham is a fiery presence on the sideline –- even in a spring intra-squad game.
“Well, anytime you’re playing, it’s important, and that’s the thing I wanted to get across to our players,” Grantham said. “Any time you step on the field, it’s important you do your job. And our job is to hold people to low numbers and to stop people.”
“That’s what you want . . . a guy that’s got some fire in him,” said head coach Mark Richt, known for his low-key sideline demeanor. “I think it’s probably good to have somebody who’s a little more outwardly excited. I do get excited on the inside, but it’s good to have that energy on the sidelines.”
3. Three NFL-bound defensive tackles will be sorely missed.
Defensive line coach Rodney Garner was reminded of the talent lost from last season’s line when he looked up at practice one day last week and saw Geno Atkins visiting. “I was, like, ‘As big a headache as you were, I’d sure love to have that headache back,’” Garner said with a laugh.
The loss of three senior defensive tackles –- Jeff Owens, Kade Weston and Atkins -– and the transition to the 3-4 defense made the spring difficult for the D-line. Practices ended with a No. 1 unit of DeAngelo Tyson at nose, Abry Jones at left end and Demarcus Dobbs at right end. Of the three, only Dobbs has started a college game, and he admits the 3-4 is a different world for him.
“We’re making some progress . . . but we’ve still got a ways to go,” Garner said. “DeAngelo and Abry, they’ve been role guys. Now you got to step up to the plate and be the guy. It’s different being a guy and the guy.”
4. Washaun Ealey is going to be even better than last season.
You didn’t see it in the G-Day game, mostly because the coaches didn’t want opponents to see much, but the rising sophomore tailback had a terrific spring by all accounts.
Ealey ran for 717 yards in nine games (two starts) last season and seems hungry for much more. He is in better shape, has a better grasp of the offense and is working with better “tempo and confidence,” Richt said.
As for the other half of last season’s tailback tandem, Caleb King missed the final week of spring practice, including G-Day, because of a sore, swollen knee. “We think he’ll be fine in a week or two and able to do everything all summer,” Richt said.
5. The quarterback debate is just beginning.
You’ll get a real-time gauge on the quarterback race, as well as the competition at all other positions, when coaches unveil their post-spring depth chart, probably late this week. But the spring’s fluctuating performances suggest the Aaron Murray-Logan Gray-Zach Mettenberger battle will remain fluid -– and hotly debated, to be sure.
“Ultimately, everybody’s going to have to compete again during fall camp, go out and take reps and make plays and run the offense again,” said Gray, the only quarterback in the program who has ever taken a snap in a college game.
Truth is, the quarterback debate won’t subside until one player proves himself unequivocally in games that count. A key question in picking a starter, Richt said, is: “Can he handle the pressure of the job?” And “this is just the beginning,” Richt added, “of feeling the pressure of the job.”
————————————
Good news from UGA today on the G-Day injury front:
- RT Josh Davis‘ shoulder injury was just a bruise.
- OLB Cornelius Washington’s leg injury also was a bruise.
Both players “should be fine,” UGA said.
————————————–
UGA’s annual tour of Bulldog Club meetings around the state begins next week. All stops on the “Dawg Days” tour start with social hour at 6 p.m., followed by program at 7 p.m. Here’s the schedule and who’ll be attending from UGA:
April 22 in Columbus: Mark Richt, Mark Fox and Damon Evans
April 28 in Savannah: Richt and Fox
April 29 in Augusta: Richt and Fox
May 12 in Macon: Richt and Fox
May 13 in Statesboro: Richt
May 26 in Albany: Richt
May 27 in Griffin: Richt
July 26 in Atlanta (Cobb Galleria Centre): Richt, Fox and Evans
More details, including locations and contact info, are here.
—————————————————
OK, your turn: What did you take away from Georgia’s spring practice?
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260 comments Add your comment
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
3:28 pm
you can tell Richt’s alreadt focusing on Murray, he got 2x more reps that Mett and 80% more than Gray at G-Day.
Mettnberger has excelled if he’s been with the 3rd string, 2nd strng, 1st string, or string quartet.
KimZ's Package
April 12th, 2010
3:29 pm
A schedule even BUFORD could win a National Championship with. Go dawg win an easy game and then USC will push you to find a real QB.
GYMDAWG
April 12th, 2010
3:30 pm
Yep, you’re right. I’m approaching a robust 300 but thats the rural Georgia way just like Nascar, trucks, and spittn dip. Does anybudy know when the next Billy Ray tape comes out? Us dawgs got us the best qbs to chose from in the sec and our DL guys are maybe as big as i is.
KimZ's Package
April 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
SLOBBER you don’t understan ATL? There are fans of every team in the ACC and SEC in the Metro area. You are going to get crap just because of you A..Hole fans. No new Tech stuff posted but new UGA crap so we respond. It is Monday and we want to know WHO is in the Athens-Clarke County Jail after the weekend.
Gatortime
April 12th, 2010
3:35 pm
Well since some knucklehead wants to bring Myers up I guess I got a dog in this hunt- no pun intended for any of you dog fans—but please don’t say lucky when it comes to us playing UGA- as much as ya’ll like to bash you little brother tech- the GATORS can say the same about all you dogs! Our back up quarterback who will be starting this year will have better numbers than the 3 so called UGA STUDS combined. Wait and see- Now go on start throwing out the insults about how my mullet looks or the jorts I wear…Just know that when another butt kicking happens this year I don’t want to hear the WHAMBULANCE sirens going off- See you boys in Jacksonville.
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
cool, both FRESHMAN UGA QB’s outgunned 3 year guy Brantley’s stats over the 3 scrimmages. Does this mean Meyer can’t coach QB’s or Brantley’s just bad?
take jake
April 12th, 2010
3:40 pm
Coach Richt is the guy who thought Joe Cox was still ok to keep starting after going 4-4 with all those interceptions, so I don’t think he’ll care that Murray threw 3x more interceptions than Zach or Logan in the three scrimmage games. Should he? Of course. Will he? Doubtful.
take jake
April 12th, 2010
3:42 pm
Coach Richt should have told Zach and Logan that the #1 guy would be the guy who threw the most interceptions, then they could have competed with Murray. Didn’t know interceptions were so important to Coach Richt until last year, when he kept rewarding Joe Cox with more starts, despite his 17 interceptions.
How2fish
April 12th, 2010
3:43 pm
Gatortime hope you and CUM show up with bells on we will! And while I don’t think Brantley is going to be the failure so many want him to be..he has to preform when the live bullets are flying to know for sure…just like every other player. I think he will be pretty good QB but the second coming of Tebow I doubt and I know he is not the same type of QB…I’m talking about winning games..and at that Tebow was scary good. oh and we still own the all time record against the Gators by the way so it is a little different when we talk about the Bugs see we own the overall against the Bugs too.
RomeDawg
April 12th, 2010
3:43 pm
Our O-Line WILL be dominant!!!
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
It could be worse guys, we could be stuck with a QB like Florida’s 3 years in the program guy Brantley who took 10 sacks, 8 fumbles, and threw 2 interceptions in only 3 scrimmage games, at less than 59% accuracy. So be thankful. Imagine if that was us. Yuk.
Gatortime
April 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
It is called a SCRIMMAGE for a reason….if you base the season on the scrimmage then I feel sorry for you Lopey Lynn- Just please don’t make the excuse when one of those freshman starts and has terrible stats and then say “they” are just freshman!
How2fish
April 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
take jake CMR also has coached 2 Heisman winners and a No.1 draft pick..still think your qualified to second guess his evaluation of QB’s..
take jake
April 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
yeah, 3 years in the program Florida QB Brantley was ‘Gatorade Player of the Year’, and all the UGA QB’s outgunned him. Pretty bad.
How2fish
April 12th, 2010
3:50 pm
Gatortime I was going to agree with you Scrimmage comment but was stuck with this thought..like your ideas on it ..who is a better D..the Gator’s 3rd string D or Charleston Southern’s 1st string D?
take jake
April 12th, 2010
3:50 pm
Florida must be crying today. Brantley’s a complete bust over the 3 games, and the new NFL defensive coach gives up 51 POINTS in one game. Not good on either front.
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
3:52 pm
I knew Brantley wasn’t good, that’s why he sat the bench for 3 years, but now I have the stats to prove it. He’s worse than any of the UGA QB’s, Florida will really struggle this year at QB. Going to be a long, long season.
JB
April 12th, 2010
3:52 pm
WE dawg fans, educated and all by the State University, realize we have work to do to catch the Gators. We started by firing the DC and most of his staff. It’s a start. The old guy like to sit back and read and react and be dictated to. I think these new guys will be doing the Dicking. Just a hunch. See you in Jacksonville. Damn, I hope ya’ll don’t cry again if we beat you. 2007 was embarrassing.
Gatortime
April 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
@how2fish- see that is where sense has to get in– NO ONE is comparing him as the second coming of Tebow- it is the system and he should step in and be just fine. And at the pace we continue to chalk up victories against UGA want be long before you are on the other side of that coin. And if you choose to wear bells then by all means please do “tinker” however I will choose to pass on that one!
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
I was so focused on the poor QB play for Florida, that I forget about how bad their defense was.
Think of this. They have a new coordinator, the 3rd guy in 3 months. The other 2 quit.
this new guy, went up against a freshman QB with no game experience and gave up 3 td’s to him. Then he gave up ANOTHER 2 td’s to Brantley, who was averaging around 53% accuracy at that time form the 1st 2 scrimmage games. and then gave up 51 points on defense!!! That’s embrassing for a former NFL coordinator. No wonder he left the NFL for college.
JB
April 12th, 2010
3:58 pm
Until the Gators prove they can run the ball SEC style, they will be vulnerable. Yes, we know the spread works and Gators will be able to pass some, but You’ve got to able to run the ball, and that’s where they will miss Tebow.. He was the X factor. Will they have that this year. ?
GT BABY
April 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
What’s it gonna take for UGA players to stay out of jail?
How2fish
April 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
Gatortime like I said in the post I know he is a different type of QB..and I understand the system comment..my thought was can he win like Tebow ?? And just like Capt Hook listened for the clock ticking in that Croc I listen for the Gator bells so as to not get surprised ! And with respect my scaly friend I’m thinking your and the Gators time in the sun is passing. Bells or no bells we will see if I’m right in J’ville just as the Lord intended.
BMDPD
April 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
Fellow Dawg fans. The Gators have owned us. Let’s just shut up and see what happens. They have beat our tails considerably over the last 20 years. Shut up and show some class. At least wait until we be them more than 1 year in a row.
BMDPD
April 12th, 2010
4:02 pm
sorry beat vice be.
BMDPD
April 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
I promise I hate the Gators just as much as every dawg, but we have no room or reason to talk. In true dog fashion, we are the Gators B!tch.
Sven Ottke
April 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
When you have 3 qbs in the mix and you can’t make a decision, doesn’t that mean you really have zero qbs worth mentioning?
JB
April 12th, 2010
4:05 pm
GT BABY……………………Keeping them off the Tech campus learning new tricks from the criminals lurking around that Campus……….We’ve never had a guy get pulled over with dope in the trunk……and start the next Saturday…………..Hellooooooooooooooooo…….
bad brad
April 12th, 2010
4:05 pm
Gatortime,
I’m guessing we will be there. Wear your jorts, you’ll blend right in with the Gator crowd.
GT BABY
April 12th, 2010
4:08 pm
UGA ALL THE WAY- SO BEBE THOMAS WAS NT USED WHEN HE HAD 13OOYDS AND LIKE 12 TDS? F*CKING IDIOT
dogone
April 12th, 2010
4:09 pm
I was down on the dawgs last year for obvious reasons… This year though with a real defensive coordinator and a offensive line that is solid as a rock and deep. Plus finally getting rid of Red and putting in a real quarterback, even though he is a freshman… The Dawgs will be in the hunt big time for the East and maybe getting close to chomping on Bama…. Go Dawgs!!
How2fish
April 12th, 2010
4:09 pm
BMDPD I agree we should show the Gators some respect as they have proven on the field the better team in recent years…but not disagree or defend against some of the lunatic fringe of Gator Nation…I think not!
GT BABY
April 12th, 2010
4:10 pm
BRUCE MAC- HIS DAD WOULDNT LET HIM PLAY FOOTBALL, BUT YES, HE WOULD LOOK GOOD IN A TECH UNIFORM.
GT BABY
April 12th, 2010
4:13 pm
JB- MAYBE U SHOULD HAVE CHECKED HERSHY WALKERS TRUNK OF HIS BRAND NEW TRANS AM AS A FRESHMEN ( WINK, WINK) THAT UGA BOUGHT HIM. TYPICAL GEORGIA HAS TO BUY PLAYERS CARS FOR THEM TO WIN ANYTHING.
GT BABY
April 12th, 2010
4:14 pm
*FRESHMAN
take jake
April 12th, 2010
4:16 pm
If Urban Meyer wins a National Championship with John Brantley and with this new defensive coordinator who gave up 51 points in the Spring game, then I’ll believe the guy can coach on his own merit and didn’t get lucky (Tebow, Percy, Strong, etc.).
But since Meyer couldn’t win it last year with 22 starters back, Tebow, and Strong, I know that won’t happen.
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
4:29 pm
Will Meyer definately be back in the Fall? Why hasn’t he answered this questions yet? I think there’s a real good change after seeing that QB do so bad n the Spring, and his defense get tocrched for 51 in the Spring game, he’ll hang em’ up and quit again.
lope lynn
April 12th, 2010
4:29 pm
it’s a legit question. WHy so evasive? I don’t get it.
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
4:30 pm
time will tell whether he quits again.
take jake=lopey lynn=patrick the head case
April 12th, 2010
4:31 pm
You don’t get it because you are a freakin blowup doll kicked out of the marine corps head case Patrick.
Dawgforlife
April 12th, 2010
4:31 pm
dang, that was odd…well anyway…see kim, we got the idea of running every down from shoving down ya’ll’s throats last year at north avenue trade school field. and as far as losing two games to SEC just how many SEC schools do you play?…spin it any way you want…but, the best TECH team since ‘90 just lost to the worst Ga team in over a decade…at home,…and got the ball drove down their throats doing it…no way to salvage face there..it was an old time whoopin’…and the best part is your 4 best players are gone…three of them jumped off the burning ship with another year they could have played for the god of football Paul, send me your quarterbacks and I will make them runners, and send me your tailbacks and I will fatten them up, turn them into fullbacks, slow them down, and cost them millions in the draft, Johnson
lopey lynn
April 12th, 2010
4:31 pm
ever noticed how touchy people get on these blogs when you mention Urban Meyer has never won a Championship without Percy/Tebow/Strong?
Brock
April 12th, 2010
4:34 pm
Both Murray and Mett are redshirts right? So do you think once a starter is named, the other one will wait around for 4 more years to “possibly” get a shot at playing? Or hoping the starter gets hurt so he can play? Or do you think one of them will transfer? Or will this be the second coming of Greene/Shockly (sp?)
Any thoughts?
lopey lynn ever noticed how touchy people get on these blogs when you mention Urban Meyer has never won a Championship without Percy/Tebow/Strong?
April 12th, 2010
4:41 pm
Ever notice you are the only whacked out person that talks that crap?
Bama fan
April 12th, 2010
4:45 pm
I’m a little mystified as to why some fans think Brantley had such a bad spring. In the last scrimmage he was 15 of 19 for 201 yds, 2 tds, 0 ints. And he is playing against the no. 1 Florida defense. The guy is more of a prototype pro qb than Tebow. You guys are sadly mistaken if you think Brantley is a bust. My prediction as a rival Bama fan is that this kid is gonna light it up. If you think otherwise its just wishful thinking.
Bama fan
April 12th, 2010
4:48 pm
lopey lynn.
That’s like saying Vince Dooley never won a national title without Herschel Walker. Or Bill Bellichick never won a super bowl without tom brady. Meyer has been at florida for 5 years and those are the players he had. It is what it is.
Dawg 3/20
April 12th, 2010
4:48 pm
51 points on D in a scrimmage? Who cares. Newsflash – last year it was 52 points. How did the Gator D do on Defense last year? Oh yeah two teams scored more then 20 on them that’s it. LSU? 3 points. Georgia? 17 points. Tennessee? 13. Kentucky? 7. South Carolina? 14. FSU? 10.
termigator
April 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
Bama fan, the only people that does is escaped from the mental ward Patrick and all of the little names that he alias’s under. Your post is right on and most UGA fans know it and aren’t delusional like Patrick.
Ron Mexico
April 12th, 2010
4:52 pm
Speaking of being the gators bitch, who leads the series? Its Florida right? Oh not Florida, wow you would think with all the crap that spews from their mouths that UGA has never beaten them. Weird.
UGA class of 2014
April 12th, 2010
4:54 pm
Come on Dawg fans we have very little on the Gators right now, I mean we haven’t beatem them twice in a row since the 1988-1989 seasons……I wasn’t even born yet. Now that is pretty bad.