Healthy Sturdivant is ‘dreaming’ about spring practice
ATHENS — This is the first January in three years that Trinton Sturdivant is not rehabbing from knee surgery. Come March, he’ll participate in spring practice for the first time in three years.
“I’m actually really excited about it,” the UGA offensive tackle said Tuesday. “I’ve been dreaming about it sometimes.”
Season-ending knee injuries in 2008 and 2009 resulted in surgeries and long, arduous stretches of rehabilitation, but Sturdivant made it through the 2010 season healthy and looks forward to 2011, his senior season.
He said he considered “pretty seriously” the possibility of entering the NFL draft but “came to the conclusion it’d be best for me to stay here” for several reasons.
“I graduate in December with a degree in finance and management,” he said. “And my goal coming in to Georgia was to win, and I don’t want to leave on a losing note. . . . Another reason it’s a good idea I stayed [is] to make the GMs in the NFL feel more comfortable about drafting someone with two ACL [surgeries].”
Sturdivant said he was “disappointed at first” about offensive line coach Stacy Searels‘ decision last week to leave for the same job (and higher pay) at Texas, “but I talked to him and it was a good business move for him. I’m confident coach [Mark] Richt is going to hire a really good offensive line coach.”
Richt eased the offensive linemen’s concerns after Searels’ departure, Sturdivant said. Richt “talked to us about how the calls weren’t going to change, the blocking style wasn’t going to change too much -– only, like, small techniques. So hopefully it won’t be too much of a transition.”
Sturdivant started all 13 games at left tackle as a freshman in 2007, then missed the entire 2008 season after blowing out his left knee in preseason camp. He made it back by the start of the 2009 season, only to reinjure the same knee in the first game, starting again the surgery-rehab cycle. He started seven games during the 2010 season, his workload increasing as the season progressed.
After all that he has been through, Sturdivant clearly is happy to be healthy, happy to be here. . . .
“Even though we had not such a great season . . . I love being at Georgia,” he said.
– Tim Tucker, UGA Sports Blog
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203 comments Add your comment
Paul N Destin
January 26th, 2011
12:42 pm
Your Coach has a record of average once Van Gorder and Callaway left! Denial is not a good plan.
buzzDawg
January 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
Anyone who went through what Sturdivant has gone through would necessarily play with the thought of re-injury in mind. As he went through the season, he seemed to grow more confident that his knee would hold up. It shows that he is a smart business major to recognize that coming back for the 2011 season will “make the GMs in the NFL feel more comfortable about drafting someone with two ACL [surgeries].” The Dream Team is coming! Lead the way Sturdivant! Go Dawgs!
Dan Mullins
January 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
Win with Richt and DouginLex, trust me the rest of the SEC hopes your sunday school teacher coach stays another 10 years.
Totally Dumbfounded Larry
January 26th, 2011
12:59 pm
The line calls and technique are going to stay the same.
W…T…F!?!?!?
Maybe the reason Searels sucked here (and no place else) is because he was using Richt’s Calls and Technique.
No running lanes and Murray running for his life half of the time and Coach says everything will stay the same but the coach? I want so so badly to believe in Richt but this was really just a stupid, stupid thing to say.
Honestly I can’t even believe I read it.
Love,
Totally Dumbfounded Larry
Totally Dumbfounded Larry
January 26th, 2011
1:00 pm
Oh…and Trinton, thanks for staying brother!
WIN WITH RICHT
January 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
Dan Mullins
Be careful what you wish for.
McDawg
January 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
dawgfan your cup runeth empty
waytogoRicht
January 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
Richt has provided ample evidence particularly the last three years that:
1. Richt can’t beat Florida under any set of circumstances or conditions. UGA’s coach should be expected to win 50 percent of games with Florida, not two out of ten.
2. Richt can’t beat the SEC’s best coaches. Heck, he now can barely beat Vanderbilt and Kentucky, and Miss. State now has a coach who will get in line to kick Richt’s sorry coaching A$$.
3. Richt’s often mentioned winning percentage is heavy with La-Laf, Idaho State teams. And while on that topic, Petersen is grateful to UGA for giving Boise a soft start to open up with(except this one isn’t gonna help Richt’s phony winning percentage).
Why does Richt get to come back for 2011???????
Totally Dumbfounded Larry
January 26th, 2011
1:10 pm
waytogoRicht:
1. His buyout.
2. The timing and circumstances of the McGarrity hire.
3. Recruiting.
4. Switch to 3-4 takes at least 2, possibly 3 years to reap benefits.
5. The number of underclassman that played last year and the Redshirts that will play this year.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
January 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
[...] believes “the sting from this one will linger for a while” for the Dawgs.6. A healthy Trinton Sturdivant is looking forward to spring practice in Athens.7. The mayor of Lexington has called for a study to determine the feasibility of [...]
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
We ALL want to believe in Richt. He’s done a good job overall in 10 years, but I’m tired of people talking about the 2002 and 2007 team. Nobody outside our fan base remembers……or cares. The program is in decline. All coach’s get an off year. The last 3 have each gotten worse. This year with all on notice and hair on fire will be the test.
mark, mark-TheHairLipDog
January 26th, 2011
1:16 pm
Of course he is dreaming. That is all he has done the past 3 years. Mentor & impact player my butt. He does not have what it takes to “finish the drill”.
WIN WITH RICHT
January 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
JB
When Richt became coach at Georgia, the Dawgs had never played in the SEC championship game. They had not won an SEC title in 19 years or finished the season ranked in the top 5 since 1983. He accomplished all of those in his second year. Richt has made Georgia relevant again. I have faith in Richt’s ability to turn it around.
Reality Check
January 26th, 2011
1:24 pm
You UGA fans are the biggest turncoats that any program has ever seen. MR can’t coach, can’t beat other top coaches, Blah, Blah, Blah. The facts are he has at least 500% or better record against Saban, Spurrier, Miles and even Auburns wonder coach. Ya’ll are more a laughinstock because of the way you turn on your own.
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:25 pm
I hate to admit it, but the sideline demeanor for us is different from say LSU and Bama. I to notice we get way to carried away for things you expect. It’s great to get excited, but we do seem to over react, IMO.
gomdawg
January 26th, 2011
1:26 pm
AMEN ,WIN WITH RICHT, HE IS OUR COACH AND I BELIEVE WHEN THE DUST IS GONE THESE SO CALL GEORGIA FAN’S WILL GET CROW.
gomdawg
January 26th, 2011
1:26 pm
EAT CROW
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:28 pm
Reality Check, He’s made NINE MILLION DOLLARS the last three years with lackluster results.
Call a Bama ,LSU and Florida fan and talk about games 4 to 6 six years ago …and see who cares. 5 straight BCS NC out of the SEC in a row and we can’t can’t score a touchdown against Central Florida.
waytogoRicht
January 26th, 2011
1:28 pm
Sure hope there’s a miracle with Sturdivant’s new line coach because based upon his last season performance I can’t imagine why he would be “dreaming” about spring practice. For sure, opposite D-lineman that will face him in 2011 like to hear about this dream. He was okay as a freshman, but not since then.
Bulldog "tweaker", North Ave address
January 26th, 2011
1:30 pm
“dawgfan”, if you lived in reality you would understand that “it’s only a game”. Sure it’s fun when you win, but so help me the older I get the quicker I get over a loss. Trust me as a Tech fan I have lots of practice getting over losses!
DawginLex
January 26th, 2011
1:31 pm
edumacated,
Arkansas relaxed and let UGA back in it? And you know this how?
Ask their coach and he won’t tell you that. It was Murray starting to play better, not Arkansas letting us back in it.
We fumbled on the goal line against SC going in for a TD and lost by 11. I know Lattimore ran for a lot of yards but they still only scored 17.
Colorado game was lost agian on a late fumble. We lost by 2 points. Not a blowout.
2 more stops on 3rd down per game.
2 more conversions on 3rd down per game on key drives.
Yes, we were close.
Agree to disagree.
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:31 pm
WIN WITH RICHT….. I’m glad you do…and I hope you’re right…..I just don’t think so looking at this staff and roster…….
Mobile Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:32 pm
JB, this year shouldn’t even be happening truthfully. You’re wrong though, I no longer want to believe in Richt. I’ve seen enough evidence from his body of work, his decisions, his communication to know he won’t get the job done UGA deserves which is a “championship”. That said, he may, or even probably, will improve things from their present state, they really couldn’t get worse. But will he be successful? I don’t think so….Especially in one year, so basically we’re looking at him “rebuilding” the program from scratch at this point. Best case scenario would be 2 to 3 years, can we afford to take that risk? I guess we can, after all it’s only a game, but there is an awful lot of people that spend an awful lot of money on the game. It hasn’t been a very enjoyable expendature the last 3 years….
'65 Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:33 pm
Has anyone heard anything about the search for an offensive line coach?
DawginLex
January 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
Anybody looking for an SEc title in 2011 is in Dreamland and I’m not talking the T-town BBQ.
8-9 wins most likely
10 wins the ceiling
He goes 6-6 or 7-5 and he is done.
Needs to beat Florida bad.
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:35 pm
Mobile Dawg…Happy New Year to ya…..See my 1:31 post
DawginLex
January 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
65 Dawg,
Who would take the job given the hot seat richt is on?
Would you leave a job with a new staff to come to UGA to potentially be unemployed in a year?
My guess is Garner moves over to OL and Grantham coaches the d-line, which he knows a lot about.
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:37 pm
His unwillingness to Change will be his downfall ( Martinez was a year to late) Calling a scripted offense your wife can guess is killing us.
PeePants the hobo clown
January 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
Well I counted and it took ten post before someone had something negative to say. Thats actually good for this site
JB
January 26th, 2011
1:39 pm
You are probably correct DawginLex…………. Maybe a small college guy wanting the exposure. I don’t see anyone of quality moving to Athens
Mobile Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
Back at ya JB….
Lex, I can honestly see at least 8 potential losses on the schedule next year. Do I think we lose that many, probably, hopefully not. You see with Richt that’s what you get, you never really have an idea of how they will perform. I could also see that IF we could somehow win the first two we could gain some powerful momentum, take off and really roll. By the time we get to UT, UF, there’s some confidence, we win those two, man up to AU, we’re undefeated. That’s the power of the kool aid, it helps you cloud the vision of reality, gives you some hope, then you come crashing back down to reality.
Winston Wolfe
January 26th, 2011
1:45 pm
I want to believe that Richt can turn this team around next year. I also want Obama to implement the fair tax. I think I’ve got a better chance of taking the bronze in female gymnastics.
Mobile Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
In my 1:43 post I mean we “probably won’t” lose eight, hopefully not, but the real possibility is there.
Pal Joey
January 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
Why all the excitement about Sturdivant? At best he’s a second-rate player.
On the other hand, he’s one of the few UGA players who hasn’t been arrested, so give him credit for good conduct.
Mobile Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:49 pm
Winston, the Dow is at this time over 12K….I guess there’s hope for anything….
Dawgs88
January 26th, 2011
1:51 pm
Gee I wonder if Sturdivant will actually learn how to block a strong defender this year, instead of standing straight up and getting run over like this past year. Another word of advice for Sturdivant as well, loose that big belly for core muscles/strength and you’ll be amazed at how much better your knees will feel their slick.
WIN WITH RICHT
January 26th, 2011
1:57 pm
Richt’s record at FSU as OC and at UGA as HC is incredible. Only one season below 500 and 13 top ten finishes in 17 years. This is the same coach who took UGA to the SEC championship game 3 times from 02 thru 05.
Mobile Dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:59 pm
No it isn’t WWR. It’s the same man, but not the same coach. Something changed. But with your tunnel vision I bet you have no clue what it is….
Winston Wolfe
January 26th, 2011
2:00 pm
Mobile……HA!….I guess you’re right. As much as I love college football and UGA, my concern for what Richt does is waning. He pretty much lost me on the 4th and 1 against UCF. I’m hoping my interest for this team returns, but it’s just not what it used to be. I guess all that Hope and Change might have something to do with it.
edumacated
January 26th, 2011
2:00 pm
DawginLex,
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t Georgia fail to beat a team with a winning record this year? We can “if and but” all day about fumbles and missed opportunities, but the fact remains that they did not get it done. I guess we CAN agree to disagree.
It is truly amazing how much good will Richt bought with his first 5 years on the job. I too was estatic with the guy, and was worried that someone like FSU would steal him from us.
Not anymore though. It’s all over but the shouting.
DawginLex
January 26th, 2011
2:04 pm
It is all about 2011.
Strength and conditioning.
enough improvement to let him coach in 2012
Personally, I am amazed they have recruited well. This one more year crap is horrible but it is a reflection of our society.
Everyone is year to year. The players. the coaches. There is no loyalty anymore in either direction.
It is all about me mentality.
DawginLex was 100% correct
January 26th, 2011
2:28 pm
You are 100% correct in your review of the 2010 UGA season. You left out the Colorado game where Caleb FUMBLED and that blew a last few seconds shot at a FG in that mile high stadium; although our kicker Walsh, did shank one earlier. He likely coulda/woulda/shoulda made that kick.
SC game was a tough, physical game and SC wanted it ……… you could see it. We did blow our shots though, with over thrown and underthrown passes just beyond or behind the receiver and then our man WashedOut Ealey’s 3 yd line routine fumble.
Orson Charles shoulda/coulda caught one on the SC 8? yd line but it was slightly behind him. Bad pass and bad attempt at the catch by two lifelong buds. That relationship is not paying off for UGA. Murray more than “forces” the ball to him over and over and did so in the Liberty with three guys covering Orson. Why? Where was AJ????
Yes, with some luck UGA should have won 3, maybe 4 more and yes, that includes Florida. In the Florida game, Aaron Murray just choked like he did in the Liberty Bowl. In both of these games he looked exactly like he did in the 2010 G Day game. Uptight and stiff and nervous beyond imagination and unable to see over the line. In the Liberty with those Batman gloves ………. I sort of washed my hands of him. We shall see with Lemay coming in and how well Hutson Mason develops. I am very concerned that Murray is a choke artist.
Go Dogs.
terpdawg
January 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
all good points n response to my post about stregnth and conditioning.experts say that the most relevant barrometer of football strength is the clean and you have 60 players that can do 300 and 4 that can do 400 i would say that is pretty strong.even string bean aj got a whole lot stronger,did you see the stiff arms he was throwing this yr.
waytogoRicht
January 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
Agree that Murray has shown nothing yet, except that maybe he can’t get it done. Also agree it would help if he could see over the line of scrimmage. Count’em next year, the number of passes batted down at line of scrimmage. Note here, recent as well as past trends with successful college and pro Qb’s, six-four, 240, able to see over the line, and maybe if needed, shoulder their wey to a short-yardage first down. Typical Richt, learn nothing about successful trends. UGA had one such Qb, now LSU has him. So let’s lose with the midget instead. Typical Richt, no discipline, many of his “great recruits” are bad characters who never play much or at all.
Mark (another one)
January 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
I hear all the complaints and watched a few game tapes, and I really believe the only issues on offense were the occasional blown block and a complete lack of a consistant power running game. Defense is another matter as our core got ripped. Our middle linebackers and nose need to step up. We consistently lost on run defense and were weak in run offense. That said, it believe one of two better players on each side of the ball could make the differnece. Esp. Nose and running back.
TS is a stud. Freshman All American and finally back healthy. If I were him, I would have checked the NFL. Think about it. He has suffered two major injuries in back to back years. He knows that any day on the field may be his last. This is true for all players but he has suffered the injuries and had the worries. I am just happy his decision was/is to return.
'65 Dawg
January 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
Edumacated,
The average end of the year Sagarin rank of teams we beat was 118. The average end of year Sagarin rank of those teams beating us was 26. Draw your own conclusions.
Coach Mark Richt
January 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
4-8 Here we come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dream Team my rear UGA is a joke under Richt when will you guys see this I did 3 years ago he has not done crap with all the top 10 classes he has had
how2fish
January 26th, 2011
3:18 pm
Coach Mark Richt you sir are a moron I mean that with all the love and respect you deserve.
DawginLex
January 26th, 2011
3:20 pm
i think it is fair to say we have beat this to death.
Can we all agree that the S&C program is the key to the 2011 season and beyond?
Gotta go back to work.
The fries are burning
LagDawg
January 26th, 2011
3:28 pm
How long is it going to take CMR to hire a OL coach. For some strange reason, UGA seems to take forever to make hires. OL coach needs to be hired so that he can get to work. CMR said the OL plays will not change but, with the way that we block. not only do our techniques need to change but, we need to use up to date blocking schemes. CMR needs to quit being so predictable.