Grantham wants fans ‘as loud as they can be’; position battles other than QB
Finishing off the G-Day leftovers:
- Not quite sure how Georgia came up with its announced attendance figure Saturday, since there are no turnstile counts and there were no ticket sales for the free-admission game, but the announced 38,742 seemed about right. The north side of the stadium was closed because of construction behind it, but the south side was pretty full.
The turnout was enough for Todd Grantham to envision what the place will be like with 92,000-plus in the fall.
“We need to make sure the stadium becomes a benefit to our defense,” the new defensive coordinator said in the locker room after G-Day. “If [it's] loud, with the things we’re going to be doing, it can be very difficult for an offense to change plays [and] protections.
“When you’re loud at home, the offense has to go on a silent count. That means everybody’s moving on the ball. Basically, the advantage that the offense has is no longer there. I’m definitely going to encourage our fans to be as loud as they can be from here on out.”
- All eyes will go immediately to quarterback when Georgia releases its post-spring depth chart, probably late this week. But it’ll be interesting, too, to see how things shake out at a few other spots.
Tailback, for example. Will Caleb King, who started the final five games last season, or Washaun Ealey be listed as No. 1? Or will they be co-No. 1’s?
In the secondary, Bacarri Rambo figures to be No. 1 at one safety, but will Jakar Hamilton or Nick Williams be No. 1 at the other? And with Brandon Boykin entrenched at one corner, will rising senior Vance Cuff be No. 1 at the other? (The coaches’ spring awards suggest so. Boykin and Cuff were named the most improved defensive players.)
Also, it will be interesting to see where Darryl Gamble is slotted on the post-spring depth chart, given his move from inside linebacker to outside linebacker in the final week of spring ball.
And tight end will bear a look. Aron White is the returning starter, but Orson Charles was working with the first unit much of the spring. Both are expected to have big roles.
If you missed it: Five things we learned from spring practice.
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203 comments Add your comment
WHAAAA
April 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
YEEEEE HAWWWWW!! WE GONE BRING THE NOISE!!! Then maybe the Warden will let us have those congical visits he promised.
KimZ's Package
April 13th, 2010
1:20 pm
I would just like to apologize to all of you. I am a massively huge tool. I have no life, have never had a girlfriend, my pets die within days of me getting them b/c I am hooked on world of warcraft and forget to feed them. Jesus doesn’t even love me. My only joy comes from taunting dawg fans, and there aren’t any Tech football blogs for me to spew my dribble, well there are but no one logs onto them, again it goes back to the whole world of warcraft thing, man i love that game.
Again, I am so sorry. I am going to go and punch myself in the nose. Praise CPJ, i have so much faith that his high school offense will somehow, someway beat UGA again, but now that ol slick willie is gone, i fear it may not happen again in my lifetime, seriously, hot pockets and mountain dew code red take years off your life, but being a big dog in world of warcraft has its price.
chazzo
April 13th, 2010
1:20 pm
Speaking of TEs what about Lynch? That kid looked tough. And, then where’s Figgins. There simply has to be some formations with Charles split wide. I am interested to see what happens. There is just so much talent there. We have four TEs that could pretty much play anywhere.
Dr. Drew
April 13th, 2010
1:27 pm
Good Job KimZ, now, doesn’t it feel better now that you’ve got that off your chest? (golf-clap, pat on back)
Now, go on ahead and go punch yourself in the nose.
#1 BAMA FAN
April 13th, 2010
1:28 pm
Hey Kimz’s you will think WARCRAFT when you get the TIDE in 2011. You will get a double dose of SEC….and Bugkiller.. Bryant Denny will be at 101,000+ by the secong game (PSU). Good luck to all of the SEC teams.RTR
Dr. Drew
April 13th, 2010
1:28 pm
And your right, Jesus doesn’t love you. He told me so. Right after he got done mowing my lawn.
KimZ's Package
April 13th, 2010
1:31 pm
#1 BAMA FAN, hey now that I have beared my soul here, can i come over to your bama blog and spew my nonsensical garbage over there? Do you wanna hang out? Wanna be my friend? Do you play online?
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
1:33 pm
My bet is early depth chart at QB will be (1)Gray, (2)Murray, (3)Met I’m basing this on Gray getting majority of snaps with Red team, Richt’s loyalty to seniority, Murray did not look that great in spring game, and Met is suspended for 1st reg. game. Met looked the best at G-day game, but the suspension really hurts him for now. I did like his poise and strong arm, however, and it will be really interestin to see who is playing quarterback by the 3rd or 4th game of season
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2010
1:35 pm
Right on Queue!
paul
April 13th, 2010
1:37 pm
If Richt is serious about turnovers, and really means business, he simply can’t name Murray the #1 starter, since Murray had triple the interceptions in the 3 scrimmages than the other 2 QB’s. After Joe Cox’s interceptions last year, can we seriously even THINK about going down that road again with a guy who won’t protect the football?
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2010
1:43 pm
If we rearrange the student seating, once it fills up in the second quarter that sound of texting will really shake up the other team.
30-24 Dawgs - WE RUN THIS STATE!
April 13th, 2010
1:44 pm
Looking forward to seeing Aaron Murray under center this season instead of the Ginger Ninja. Looking for Dawgs to improve to 9-3 and add yet another victory over the maggots, making it 9 out of 10 after last year’s 30-24 run down their throats.
jimbo dogs
April 13th, 2010
1:44 pm
I’m figuring, i you go by the number of passes each QB took in the 3 scrimmages, it’s Murray, Gray and Mettenberger, in that order. Also, not a good sign for Mettenberger when he doesn’t take a single snap with the #1 offense or the #1 defense on G-Day.
Which tells me Richt is probably leaning away from Mettenberger because of the suspension, and because he didn’t play good in practices leading up to the scrimmages. And Richt probably wants a dual-threat QB that is mobile and can run, to take the heat off the passing game.
Tebow proved that a QB that can run is a defenses worst nightmare, and Georgia has 2 QB’s that run real well and were both ranked in the top 5 in the country as dual-threat QB’s. That gives those 2 a big advantage over Mettenberger and Mason.
I’m warming up to the idea of having a dual-threat QB back there, especially this season, when our QB’s are so green. Urban Meyer would LOVE ot have Aaron Murray or Logan Gray, believe me, he doesn’t like Brantley not being able to run and avoid sacks.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
1:46 pm
Good point Paul. Murray did not look good, and Met is suspended for 1st game. This actually makes it easy for Richt to release the early depth chart. He did stress that not too much is to be made of early depth chart. If you think back, Joe Cox was ahead of Mat Stafford when Joe T. got hurt, yet Stafford was the one to take the field when Joe’s injury occured.
Attn: KIM Z ..........History to the rescue
April 13th, 2010
1:47 pm
I suspect that you are a lil yellow bee. Fine with me.
Orange Bowl 1967 Tech vs a so so U of Florida team ………FLORIDA WON over Bobby Dodd
Orange Bowl 2009 Tech vs a so so Iowa team ( slow farm boys ) IOWA won and held Tech and that middle school offense to 33 total yds in the first half in front of LESS fans that at UGA’s G day game.
Go Dogs.
Otto
April 13th, 2010
1:48 pm
BugKiller has a point. I ahve been to Ole Miss, UT, LSU, and Auburn over the past 2 years.
LSU had the most noticeable student section and the entire stadium was quick to rise and get loud.
UT may have been as loud but they were not as quick nor loud as long.
Picking up tickets from my Uncle a 30+ yr season ticket holder. I get more rude looks for standing during important plays than in any other stadium except for maybe Ole Miss.
Adams need to give more to the students and in place of splitting up tix near the bridge and the traditional Railroad track corner, maybe put them in one end. I would like to see them in the east end zone to maximize noise.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
1:51 pm
Jimbo, you may be right on the QB’s by the time the season comes in, but for now I still say Richt will have it (1) Gray, (2) Murray, (3) Met
jimbo dogs
April 13th, 2010
1:53 pm
If you think about it, a lot of times you’re 3rd and short. If we line up in shotgun with a dual-threat QB, the defense is in a tough situation. If they put people in the box, the QB can throw an easy pass to the tight end (Hernandez destroyed defenses for Florida) or quick lateral pass across to the WR who picks up 1 block or breaks 1 tackle to pick up the 1st down. If they stay back, it’s an easy 1st down for the QB who runs a zone read where he can run, pitch or pitch to a wr reversing field or hand off to the tight end inside. Would LOVE to see Aaron Murray or Logan Gray on a zone read with Ealey back there, and Wooten or Branden Smith coming around for a reverse pitch and Charles, White or Lynch getting that inside hand-off.
BugKiller
April 13th, 2010
1:57 pm
Altamaha is once again a dirty filthy liar.
The students are the FIRST group to fill their seats.
Florida has a 86000 seat stadium and they have more students at the games than we do.
They have a homefield advantage. We don’t.
Notice, Altamaha doesn’t deny how horrible our alums are.
He just tries to spread lies about the only true fans in the stadium.
Attn: Jimbos Dogs
April 13th, 2010
1:58 pm
I think that you might be totally correct. Logan and Aaron proivde UGA with a real threat out on the corners. A drop back guy is less a threat to run but then, a qucik release that Zack has can negate the on rushers. Plus, ZM is on tall QB and he can see it developing quickly.
UGA has NEVER had three QUALITY Qbs on ONE team like this. Belue and Lastinger were two very good ones. Green and DJ Shockley were two really good ones. Goff and Matt Robinson were two very good ones. Paul Gilbert and Mike Cavan were two really good ones. Kirby Moore and Preston Ridlehuber were two good ones. Larry Rakestraw and Francis Tarkenton were two good ones. Beyond that I was a small fry, pre 1960.
Not in 50 years has UGa had THREE GUYS that can offer their own wrinkle and style of play and lead the team. I really like this, coupled with the incoming Frosh QB Hutson Mason. In 2011 we will have 4.
Um, oh, I um fogot ……..Tech HAD Jaybow Shaw and Josh Nesbitt. I need to mention these two immortals. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHHA
Go Dogs.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
2:01 pm
What surprised me during the G-day game was how poised Met looked. He seemed to handle the pressure better than Gray or Murray, and his strong arm and accuracy were impressive. You do have to consider that he was playing with 2nd team offense, and against 2nd team defense, but even so, he looked better than expected.
Dabo Dawg
April 13th, 2010
2:06 pm
Well ole Todd needs to go on over to Death Valley in clempsun to see and hear what loud is. UGA fans just sit on their hands most of the time except when Richt pulls out a uniform gimmick.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2010
2:07 pm
Otto, once again, the reality trumps the hypothetical. WHO gives up a seat? The Alum that has given BIG money for years, or the recently graduated alum? One is the reason the program exist, and the other just completed the very thing that a freshman, (who might or might not be there next semester) claims gives him the right to it. Is a Graduate less entitled by his association than a first year student?
Alabama, FL, both have lotteries, and nietehr guarantee freshmen a full season pass. I believe Alabama specifically forces them to choose one or the other of a split package. SC has a lottery. ALL big SEC school do what UGA does. The exact number of tickets is a school to school issue, and its useless to compare.
I know for a fact that Chip Towers contacted sveral of them a coupld of years ago, and it turns out UGA actually issued a higher percentage of student tickets. Maybe that has changed, Somebody please post current real info.
I maintain that any student wishing to be at the game is in the game. Its also easy to do the math that even if that were NOT the case, the numbers are so minimal that replacing a 25 yr old with a 19 old in every case, can’t possible affect the outcome of the game.
Now as far as where they sit, that seems like a good debate. I have no idea all the factors are in that decision.
But no matter what you do, UGA fans are not LSU fans.
You've got to be kidding
April 13th, 2010
2:08 pm
Jimbo give me a break. Im sure Meyer would like to have Murray as a Gator but there’s no way he’d take him right now over Brantley. Brantley is head and shoulders a better QB 9than Murray and he can avoid sacks just fine. Having 9 of 10 Offensive Lineman from the 2 deep OL returning doesnt hurt either. Also Brantley is much more mobile than Chris Leak ever was and that worked out just fine.
KimZ's Nemesis
April 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
they can’t close the stadium. Having that street opening is one of the best aspects of sanford. I remember the first time i went to a game as a kid and looking into the stadium from the street was one of the coolest things i remember from that experience. find another way to get loud, spike all the old timers ensure cans, what ever.
But i do agree that way too many tickets goto alumns rather than current students.
Why go to college? Answer is here
April 13th, 2010
2:13 pm
“UGA does not win the NC so they suck or they are lousy and so is CMR.” This type of noise is the out cry from mostly NON college students. Punks ………….they will never attend a class given in a major university setting. Never, ever.
One goes to school to obtain the core education and resulting diploma to get a CAREER. The student might also continue on with grad school, like an MBA or Masters of Ed or MD or Law. THAT is why we go to college. That is why the U of Georgia is fabulous. CAREERS RESULT. if you are an obamaron, then you will not understand what the word ‘Career” means. Sorry.
UGA GRADS for the most part ( I suspect at least 88%) are quite happy with UGA’s overall sports record and in all sports. Why?
The UGA brand is #1 and that is what it is all about ……….MONEY $$$$ flowing BACK to the school. Fan base buy tickets and that provides $$$ flowing back to the University. TV revenues do the same. Bowl revenues, even though split with the sub prime schools, provide $$ for the University. UGA is a RICH SCHOOL and this is part of the OBVIOUS JEALOUSY on here.
Academics, fun times, convertibles, babes and did I mention ……….babes?? and FINE RESULTING CAREERS …….THAT is what the University of Georgia is about.
Go Dogs.
KimZ's Package
April 13th, 2010
2:14 pm
to the KimZ at 1:20 until now thanks for using my name. I love it. You Handicap Dawg fans have to use another Blog name to make you fell better but you complaine about others on YOUR Blog. AHHAHA GET off other teams BLOGS! AHHAHAHA AHAHAHHAHA that ain’t going to happen and we ain’t leaving your blog either. DAWG fans are pain in the butts and we like poking you with a sharp stick. How long until the FIRE BBO chants start? I bet after the USC game. Jesus loves us all equally but the question is how much do YOU LOVE HIM? I want to be one of the 2679 black students on the UGA campus! I feel so at home.
jimbo dogs
April 13th, 2010
2:15 pm
In deep passing situations, a mobile QB can get big plays with his feet by buying extra time when a play breaks down. Murray’s videos of him doing this in high school are off the charts. Logan Gray showed an ability to do that in the G-Day game, extended a drive that would have ended with a great 15 yard scramble out of trouble, and the drive ended with a td.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
2:17 pm
I think UGA fans will be alot louder now that we have an aggressive defense that will GATA. It’s hard to remain excited when you play soft defense that lets the other team march right back down the field time after time. When we lost to Alabama at home, it wasn’t the lack of fan support or the black uniforms. It was a passive inept defense. I don’t know how good this defense will be, but I am confident it will be a major improvement in spite of losing a dominant defensive line.
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 13th, 2010
2:17 pm
Charles has potential but he hasn’t done much more than White on the field so far.
Otto
April 13th, 2010
2:19 pm
Well if UGA does give a higher percentage (which they may) then I still stand by the statement that all their tix should be together and in the East endzone.
The Alumni should still get off their but a little more often and I should not have to sit when I’m doing what the coaches want me to.
jimbo dogs
April 13th, 2010
2:20 pm
2 days ago, Meyer said he didn’t have an offense, and didn’t sound impressed with Brantley. Meyer talked about using Burton, or a tight end at QB if he had to. I’m just relaying what Meyer himself said–Florida has no offense according to Meyer. This was at the end of the Spring after 14 practices and 2 scrimmages.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5071534
jimbo dogs
April 13th, 2010
2:23 pm
a good article out today shows Meyer not happy with Brantley, at all, and probably won’t be attracting any Pro Style QB’s anytime soon.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/apr/13/ray-mcnulty-drop-back-qbs-may-avoid-urban-meyer-ga/
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2010
2:23 pm
Well, I am not a current student and I am a true fan. So I guess you are spreading dirty filthy lies too, eh?
Students are in early for big games, so are Alum. Students are coming in late for lesser game, so are alum. SO, no they are most definetely not the first ones in the stadium as an absolute. Some times the alum are loud, some times they are not. I’ve been to some games and the students were turned sideways, unoccupied with anything on the field while the gentleman ahead of me, at probably his only trip, was screaming at every play. You seem to have real issues with seeing everything in bold shades of black and white. And a zero appreciation of subtle humor.
KimZ's Package
April 13th, 2010
2:25 pm
OTTO is the view better standing? It is the same as sitting. Why do you have to stand during the whole play? If it is a good play then stand and yell. Do you think the players see a difference when fans Stand, shake pom poms, or sit and shake pom poms. When you stand you make the person behind you stand and so on and so forth. You paid for a SEAT so use it until it is time to stand and scream after a good play. I bet you sit your fat BUTT in your EZBoy for the game when you are at home. Do you know why they don’t allow Umbrellas in the Stadiums? It blocks other paying fans view. What do you think Standing all game does? Sit your fat A$$ down and enjoy the game so the rest of us can too. Stand when it is nessessary.
Otto
April 13th, 2010
2:26 pm
anotherdawg, Passive Inept defense but no mention of the offense which had 3 possesions of 3 plays, 2 possesions of 5 plays and 2 turnovers in the 1st half.
Yes the offense turned around in the 2nd half but so did the defense. The offense has been just as bad as the defense the past 2 years.
Sweet Home Alabama
April 13th, 2010
2:26 pm
Being loud,thats a thought for you MUTTS,why dont you just play better.
A neighbor to the WEST comes to mind.
ROLL TIDE ROLL.
Otto
April 13th, 2010
2:28 pm
KimZ, You are part of the problem
I don’t see fans sitting in stadiums that are viewed as having a home field advantage. UGA is not a feared road game like LSU, UF, or Bama.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
Jimbo, Don’t put too much stock in Meyer’s words. He may be trying to motivate Brantley, and sneak up on everyone else. He has been known to stretch the truth, like his retirement, for example.
KimZ's Package
April 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
I like to put on my mommy’s make up and stare in the mirror and say “I am a pretty pretty princess, yes I am. Go Tech!”
I like to be poked with sharp sticks.
I don’t know how to type but the guy using my name does. I think its the goverment.
I make no sense, I’m just a silly silly bug, so I’m gonna go sit my fat behind down in the seat I paid for. weeee!! here I go!
Dawg Stephen
April 13th, 2010
2:32 pm
If Coach Grantham wants noise, lets give it to him. LOTS OF IT too. Cant spell GrAnThAm without GATA.
http://dawgstephen.blogspot.com/
K-Baby
April 13th, 2010
2:35 pm
Time to bring back the James Brown “junkyard dawgs” chant:
“Gran-tham’s Junk-yard Dawgs”
“Gran-tham’s Junk-yard Dawgs”
“Gran-tham’s Junk-yard Dawgs”
“Hey-Hey-Hey” (”Hey-Hey-Hey”)
“Hey-Hey-Hey” (”Hey-Hey-Hey”)
“Hey-Hey-Hey” (”Hey-Hey-Hey”)
“Gran-tham’s Junk-yard Dawgs”
Those of us old enough remember Dooley’s junkyard dawgs….
K-Baby
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2010
2:36 pm
Maybe there is some security/logistic issues with the student placements. Maybe some smart professor did a study to determine if one section or a split section was better for accoustics.
I say shame on any student NOT being as loud and supportive as they can be no matter where they sit. The escuse that they can’t be grouped with every last fresheman is pretty poor if you ask me. Get loud, what stops them? Seat number? Thats just a socializing issue, not a football support issue.
When I was there we had “block seating”. Gather your stubs together, get 20 seat, and then 40 people crammed in. Obviously many things are different in todays world.
And absoutely the alum could be louder, but that’s has ZERO to do with tickets. Where UGA didn’t allocate student ticket, it was the exact same alum base.
The other way to fire everybody up would be to play better and win the ballgames.
Preston
April 13th, 2010
2:37 pm
It seems as if Grantham understands the expectations of his defense and knows how to get the Nation fired up. This season will be very exciting to watch. GO DAWGS !
Preston
April 13th, 2010
2:38 pm
I’m not going to say that UGA will win the SEC but I’ll bet they’ll challenge. I like it better being under the radar anyway.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
2:39 pm
Otto, great defenses will do that to you. Look what Alabama did to Florida in SEC championship last year. What I was refering to was scoring 40 points, but losing, or almost losing. At least a dominant defense will keep you in the game. Look at Dooley’s teams, other than the Walker years, defense was our strength.
anotherdawg
April 13th, 2010
2:45 pm
Oh the days of Jimmy Payne, Freddie Gilbert, and David P. Maybe now, it will be Justin Houston, C.Washington, and a host of others!
Sanford Drive
April 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
I agree with Otto here. I also get rude looks from some alum season ticket holders. I don’t sit in the same spot every time I go to the game, but I do always sit on the South side; it’s a library compared to the North side (where the students are).
Sanford Stadium is a quiet place compared to other ‘big time’ SEC stadiums.
Georgia Plan
April 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
Being “loud” will make the D play better? Hopefully, he’s got more than that.
Dorsey Hill
April 13th, 2010
2:53 pm
All tickets issued, except those issued to the visting team, should read: ANYONE SEATED DURING PLAY IS SUBJECT TO EJECTION. THE SEATS ARE PROVIDED FOR YOUR COMFORT DURING TV TIMEOUTS AND HALFTIME. OTHERWISE, IF YOUR AREN’T HANDICAPPED, STAND. WHEN THE VISITING TEAM HAS THE BALL, HOWL LIKE A RABID BANSHEE. WHEN WE HAVE THE BALL, SHUT UP!
ANY FAN CAUGHT COMPLAINING ABOUT A FAN STANDING IS SUBJECT TO A LIFETIME BAN FROM SANFORD STADIUM.