Dogs move a tight end to fullback, are close to hiring offensive line coach
ATHENS –- Three non-recruiting bits of news:
- 1. Position change. Georgia is moving Bruce Figgins from one of the team’s deepest positions, tight end, to one of its thinnest, fullback.
Figgins, a rising senior, worked some at fullback in Liberty Bowl practices in December, but the plan now is to make him a “fulltime fullback,” coach Mark Richt said Wednesday. “We think that’s going to be a really good move for Bruce,” Richt said.
Georgia returns a wealth of talent at tight end: Orson Charles, the 2010 starter; Aron White, the 2009 starter; and Arthur Lynch, who redshirted last season. Plus, Georgia signed a highly regarded tight end, Jay Rome, as part of its “Dream Team” recruiting class.
The 6-4, 265-pound Figgins figures to get a chance to contribute more at fullback, where the top two players last season -– starter Shaun Chapas and backup Fred Munzenmaier –- graduated.
- 2. Coaching search. Richt expects to fill the offensive-line coaching position, vacated by Stacy Searels‘ departure for Texas, soon.
“We’ll probably knock that out hopefully in the next few days or so,” Richt said. “For sure by early next week.”
He said there has been a “tremendous amount of interest” in the job. “My phone was blowing up hard after Coach Searels decided to go to Texas. . . . We have some tremendous people to choose from.”
- 3. Mat drills no more. The famous/infamous mat drills –- a grueling part of Georgia’s off-season conditioning program since 2001 –- have been replaced in the Bulldogs’ revamped strength and conditioning operation under Joe Tereshinski. Several players have commented on the difficulty of their weight-room workouts under Tereshinski, a long-time staffer who took over Jan. 1 as director of strength and conditioning.
“We’re not doing mat drills,” Richt said. “Some people say, ‘Why aren’t you doing mat drills?’ Well, you can ask the boys why we’re not doing mat drills, because they’re getting a taste of that just about every day with ‘Coach T’ and his strength staff. It’s already paying off.”
Richt mentioned that two members of the 2011 signing class who enrolled this semester, wide receiver Chris Conley and quarterback Christian LeMay, already have gained seven and 10 pounds, respectively, through their work in the strength program.
– Tim Tucker, UGA Blog
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164 comments Add your comment
Food Fetish
February 3rd, 2011
8:26 am
I’m really excited about implementing the photographing of players meals before they eat. This is cutting edge !
roberto
February 3rd, 2011
8:28 am
Thanks GoodDawg
NC Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:30 am
New logo for 2011,”Let the slobber fly”! I want a T-shirt!
QueenDawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:30 am
ClemPson?….Seriously?? Learn to spell, moron. Its Clemson.
Gulf Shores Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:31 am
Congratulations to all the UGA coaches for the “DREAM TEAM”! Welcome aboard all the new recruits, the whole class seems to be a “class act”! Go Dawgs!
Humpers are the most amazing fans in College Football
February 3rd, 2011
8:31 am
I have never seen such excitement about an upcoming season, especially after the disastrous last two years. It is like a Viagra commercial warning about a 4 hour erection, humpers are going to wear themselves out before the disaster against Boise.
RunnDawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:32 am
Okay. We have the talent, will have the new coaches in place, and a 2nd year QB. As the SOB from SC says, now we got to “coach these kids up”. Make ‘em strong, teach them the basics, AND then play to win! If you watch our games from the last few years, we have been playing “not to lose” instead of taking control. Let loose the dawgs and play to win, dammit.
Humpers are the most amazing fans in College Football
February 3rd, 2011
8:33 am
RunnDawg, you mean no more field goals on 4th and 6 inches inside the 5?
I thought lying was a sin?
February 3rd, 2011
8:35 am
•2. Coaching search. Richt expects to fill the offensive-line coaching position, vacated by Stacy Searels‘ departure for Texas, soon.
“We’ll probably knock that out hopefully in the next few days or so,” Richt said. “For sure by early next week.”
He said there has been a “tremendous amount of interest” in the job. “My phone was blowing up hard after Coach Searels decided to go to Texas. . . . We have some tremendous people to choose from.”
RunnDawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:42 am
Yeah. That would be a start. Since when did Georgia not have the guns to punch it in from the 6 inch line? Or the guts to call the play? We play soft on defense and are happy to grind out 3 yard runs up the middle. Are our players (or coaches?) just not smart enough to mix in some variation now and then? You can bet Boise State won’t be going for field goals with 6 inches to go!
I thought lying was a sin?
February 3rd, 2011
8:43 am
At least you are a realistic humper RunnDawg.
hirsutedawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:48 am
Actually it’s Clempscum, Queen. Just like it’s Allbarn, Volunqueers or the Gayturds. Act like you know something BEFORE you type.
What does a highly ranked class get you?
February 3rd, 2011
8:49 am
UGA recruiting rankings on Rivals
2005 10
2006 4
2007 9 – SRs in 2010
2008 7 – JRs in 2010
2009 6
2010 15
2011 5
zbulldawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:50 am
Weight Room! Well now,Let’s see play time is over.WECOME DREAM TEAM waiting on you JENKINS or should I say BRING YOUR BIG BAD ASS SOUTH it,s behind what ever door you choose.I give you a hint! IT’S RED & BLACK it’s down on THE corner of SEC drive and NFL ave.
Mr. Rogers
February 3rd, 2011
8:59 am
Tan Man: Thanks so much for all your time caring about us. We are so sorry you don’t have a team that merits your attention. Sad, really.
QueenDawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:59 am
Watch out there, HERSUIT, your moron is showing too!
Pa Pa Bowden
February 3rd, 2011
9:04 am
Gotta admit that ESPNU had a love fest for Clemson on their recruting show yesterday. Clemson stoled the show in plucking that kid away from the noles.
Bremen Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:05 am
If we were in better condition last year, we win at least 4 more games. Maybe T is on to something and it will pay off. I am a believer in nutrition and that is where you also get the advantage.
STEINER
February 3rd, 2011
9:08 am
dawgerbrown:
You sir are an idiot….Bobo has forgotten more in the past 2 weeks about offensive football than you have known in your who life….The draw on 2nd and long is a good call, see it in the pros every Sunday…They gonna come kill your QB if you throw everytime on 2nd and long….People like you I would like to buy for what you are really worth and sell you for what you think you are worth….DANGERBROWN CALLING OUT AN SEC OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR…OUR PROBLEMS EXCEPT VS. CENTRAL FLA. WERE ON DEFENSE, IDIOT, NOT ON OFFENSE…DIDN’T SEE YOU WRITE A DIALOGUE ABOUT DEFENSE, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVEN’T FIGURED OUT WHERE OUR REAL PROBLEMS WERE LAST YEAR….
Dirty Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:08 am
Hey you ‘hind-sighters’ out there, this constant ‘carping’ on going for it on the 6-inch line has gotten pretty tiresome. Sure we should have gone for it, in hind-sight, but the fact is we had moved the ball down the field with ease on our first possession and it figured that we would be able to do it again and again. Hell, even the announcers called it a ‘good idea’ at the time.
Having said that, and with or without knowing what we know now (that hindsight thing again), for the future, ‘it’s the end of the season ‘bowl game’, not the beginning. What’s difference if we go for it or not? Just roll the dice and let ‘em fall where they may…and enjoy the moment. If we make it, great…and if we don’t then we know we’re in for a ball-game’.
Whiskey Clear
February 3rd, 2011
9:09 am
What about Friedgen????????
chickenman
February 3rd, 2011
9:11 am
lemay was a great qb in highschool. Very nice to have a capable backup this season if murray gets hurt( knock on wood) This is a great class and crowell should pack on 10-15 over the summer
robodawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:11 am
Glad to see Figgins at fullback. Can’t wait to see him run some people over, plus slipping out of the backfield on pass routes.
Really?
February 3rd, 2011
9:13 am
Enter your comments here
Big Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:17 am
Finally, the right steps are being taken and Coach Richt is acting like a real football coach. Playing like his hair is on fire, what little he has left. Keep it up Coach, you obviously know what to do. Great signing class, much tougher weight room and conditioning, certainly more accountability from everyone, even Figgins to FB. Now, put the final touches on the most encouraging four weeks I’ve seen from you in a long time, put all your pride and loyalty aside, and go bring in the Fridge off of Lake Oconee. Mike Bobo can put his pride aside to and soak up all the knowledge too. Coach Friedgen has forgotten more good plays than Coach Bobo knows right now. Time to lay it all on the line, because as you well know, your future is on that line. Then we’ll know you are serious.
woebegong
February 3rd, 2011
9:21 am
The year is 2011, not 2010. What happened last year can not be erased but I am going on record as saying, “watch out for them DAWGS”. All you negative people that come onto a blog about UGA, need to get a life.
It appears that these naysayers on here are worried about the DAWGS so much, that they think their prophetic words will hurt the DAWGS.
I do not know if most of them are Auburn (darn, I hope the NCAA doesn’t kill us after Cam Newton), Alabama (darn, I hope the NCAA doesn’t get too mad about me recruiting half of the country on 25 scholarships) or Tech. fans (please UGA, leave some for us) but they should not be throwing rocks in a glass house.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Lester Miles
February 3rd, 2011
9:23 am
FYI The Tan Man is Herschel Talker using another blog name because he was ridiculed so much for his stupidity that he now wants to show the same stupidity under another name. You dufus will always be stupid under any name.
I am not going to be the head coach at the University of Alabama. I am the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
February 3rd, 2011
9:24 am
I wondered why Figgins was in at FB during the bowl. Looks like a good move all the way around.
jasont13
February 3rd, 2011
9:24 am
Have any of y’all considered Stacey Searles was flirting with Texas with hopes of getting a raise? I personally think Richt wanted him out and knew there were potential openings at other places. There was no way Richt was going to offer him a raise after this past season. Funny how people mention being kool-aid drinkers….Think about it for a moment. If you do not have passion for your team then you are a fair wethered fan. No body wants to have bandwagon and fair whether fans. They are a cancer!
Big Dawg Cobb
February 3rd, 2011
9:25 am
It does seem that the UGA coaching staff is finally making a few sound decisions? Let’s hope it transfers to the football field in wins? Not sure about a 6′4 fullback but maybe it will work?
Mostly excited about the better Strength and Conditioning. I LOVE THAT
I’d love more information on the offensive plays side of the ball. Hopefully Richt is giving Bobo some food for thought so we’re not so predictable on offense?
GO DAWGS Next step is Jenkins, you gotta think we have a great shot at him?
jasont13
February 3rd, 2011
9:27 am
Last but not least. For people calling Mark Richt out for being tan. That is very immature. You would think you would have grown out of name calling to make yourself look good when you were in middle school. I just haappen to have Italian roots and guess what…I look like I have been at the beach all year round. Some people skin is just naturally tan.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:34 am
The thought of our weapons this year is so dirty(if we get creative), imagine Murray in shotgun with Figgins and Crowell next to him with Orson out @ slot, White/Lynch/Rome in Tight, and any one of our receivers (Tking,Brown,Conley) out wide. So many athletic combos to choose from. Mitchell or Marshall run the “wilddog” formation. Lots of options offensively just gotta use them and execute. D will be stout with our DBs and LBs. Gotta have Jenkins Saturday. Very optimistic.
bruce mac
February 3rd, 2011
9:35 am
It appears this top five recruting class and the new strength program really have all of UGA’s rivals concerned. They spend everyday denying things have changed in Athens. Don’t worry boys, it won’t be so bad seeing Red and Black in the Sugar Bowl, you can learn to deal with it. Just calm down and hold your ars.
Cyrus' Mother
February 3rd, 2011
9:35 am
Mr. Louder, I can’t hear you, I ain’t signing
no intent for Cyrus til’ you get that wire
transfer to me.
St. Bernard
February 3rd, 2011
9:38 am
Figgins is a HUGE FB. That should help the O line open up a hole for Crowell.
If Jenkins is as good as advertised, he would make a huge difference for the D.
td
February 3rd, 2011
9:49 am
I love this recruiting class and they will make UGA better next year in a few positions but you all are fooling yourself if you think these recent recruits are all going to walk on the field next season and make an all SEC team. There may be 3 or 4 of them that make significant contributions (most likely positions are WR, DB and maybe RB). UGA will win or lose next season with the talent they had on campus prior to yesterday.
Preston
February 3rd, 2011
9:59 am
Sounds like coach T is gonna have these guys ready to do some damage to the opposition! Can’t wait to see how this translates on the field. especially on defense. The D is going to be stellar this year with a badass linebacker corp and (FINALLY!) a pass rush! Hopefully, these freshmen DB’s can complement the veterans in the secondary and give Drew that extra second or two to sack that ass! Junkyard D is back baby!!!
CDAWG
February 3rd, 2011
10:02 am
hey does anyone know CMR’s email address?
hirsutedawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:09 am
But not quite as much as yours I’m afraid Queen. Is that Queen like “Of England” or Queen like “Of Midtown”. Never mind I think I already know the answer.
Mat drills =
February 3rd, 2011
10:12 am
grass drills, up-downs, puke drills – one and the same, just different names. They are ‘yesterday’s’ workouts – now yuu have to be much, much stronger AND have the requisite conditioning and agility which the modern workouts maximize; this is where UGA players have been lacking in the past few years…
BILLY JACK
February 3rd, 2011
10:13 am
Moving Bruce Figgins to fullback is a good move he also being from Columbus and the best blocking TE on the team.The hiring of the OL coach is the most important hire and we must hit a homerun.Coach Caldwell would have been a great hire but I believe CMR will hire the right guy.We have other positions that must be improved upon.WR DL and RB are also positions that are underachieving bigtime.We have recievers that are not being coached up Brown Wooten King etc and this must end.S and Conditioning looks good Coach T and Coach Kasay are old school hardasses and Thomas Brown is also a beast in the weightroom.I know Kasay and Coach T and they are very serious coaches who take strenth and conditioning seriously and will run you off in a heartbeat if you dont show up for workouts.These kids will not test Coach T or Coach Kasay trust me.
QueenDawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:14 am
HERSUIT, you can call me QueenB*tch for all I care. Have a nice dag, @sshat!
QueenDawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:15 am
*day
BOBO the Clown
February 3rd, 2011
10:24 am
Hey Tan Man, Where is Clempson?
Jeff
February 3rd, 2011
10:29 am
I’m not a “sky is falling” UGA fan. But I’m also not a “UGA will win the National Championship this year” fan. But I have a really good feeling that everyone in this program is going to work a lot harder this year. And I think we will have a very good year. I want to keep Coach Richt. The new age of firing coaches if they don’t win a national championship in 3 years has really made me sick. There is something to be said about keeping stability, especially when you have one of the games winningest active coaches in your program. I don’t buy into the argument “Well Richt hasn’t won one yet, but the rest of SEC has!!” Everyone knows that there is an element of luck in winning one. We went 13-1 in 2002 and didn’t win one. Florida went 13-1 and won two. The only season I am really not happy with at Georgia is last year. 6-7 with everything we had is unacceptable. 8-5 with Joe Cox was expected. Even 10-3 with the schedule we had in 2008 was expected. Nearly everyone predicted we would lose a few games because of our tough schedule. Everyone needs to chill out and see how this next season turns out. If this next year is a disappointment, I will agree a change needs to be had. As a die hard dawg and an alum, I am really getting annoyed with my fellow fans.
Bigdawgtoo
February 3rd, 2011
10:34 am
What is the latest on the kid from Pago Pago? Vasi Palulu is his name. Someone said yesterday that Jenkins was scared to commit because he would be second string to the “Tombstone”. Any insight?
Dogs move a tight end to fullback, are close to hiring offensive line coach – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Best Dog Store
February 3rd, 2011
10:41 am
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hirsutedawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:41 am
Uh, that’s Mr. @sshat to you. You have a nice dag too.
MassiveDawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:42 am
Bigdawgtoo-
I think That the “Tombstone” couldn’t make the grades… He is looking at SE Pago Pago Coastal Community College. I think Jenkins is a lock, and that Vasi will be playing for the Dawgs in 2012… He is definitely on UGA’s radar, but don’t discount his ties to UCLA. This guy is a BEAST!
The happy talk begins. | Get The Picture
February 3rd, 2011
10:44 am
[...] didn’t take long to start talking up strength and conditioning. “We’re not doing mat drills,” Richt said. “Some people say, ‘Why aren’t you doing mat [...]