A review of Bulldogs’ first spring scrimmage (and who is Brandon Harton?)
ATHENS – Georgia’s football team held its first scrimmage of the spring Saturday morning in Sanford Stadium, and coach Mark Richt had no complaints afterward.
“I thought today was outstanding, really outstanding, in regard to the guys playing with a lot of energy,” Richt said. “Some really nice plays on both sides of the ball.”
Georgia didn’t keep statistics on the scrimmage, which was closed to the public and media. Richt offered these observations afterward:
- Tight end Orson Charles “had a pretty big day, making some nice catches,” wide receiver Michael Bennett “caught my eye” and wide receiver Marlon Brown had a “very nice touchdown grab in tight coverage — reached up and snatched it away from a defender [on a] very nice throw by [quarterback Aaron] Murray.”
- Tailbacks Washaun Ealey and Carlton Thomas didn’t participate because of hamstring injuries, but Richt said Caleb King continued a good spring. “Caleb has been practicing very well. He’s practicing with great focus and a physical attitude and … a lot of energy.”
- Richt singled out 5-foot-6, 167-pound walk-on tailback Brandon Harton. (”Harton did good,” said Richt, who then turned to a staffer and asked: “What’s Harton’s first name?”) Harton “took a long run to the house” — a 65-yard touchdown — for the third-team offense vs. the third-team defense, Richt said. “He did a very nice job running the ball.”
- But “by no means” was the scrimmage “just an offensive juggernaut,” Richt said. “It was a really good competitive day. I wouldn’t say either side of the ball dominated.”
- Defensively, outside linebacker Jarvis Jones was “in on a bunch of plays” and cornerback Brandon Boykin “did a nice job in coverage,” Richt said. “We tried to throw [Boykin's] way a few times and got nothing.”
- And Richt took note of nose tackle Kwame Geathers’ progress: “Going against [center] Ben Jones is not easy, and [Geathers] made some plays. He’s making very good improvement.”
Harton in spotlight
Harton, who is from Tattnall County, said he had opportunities to play college football at Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern, “but I really wanted to play for Georgia.” So he enrolled at UGA and walked on last summer as a wide receiver. He said he asked the coaches “if it’d be all right” to switch to running back this spring.
“Obviously everyone here is good, but you just have to go out every day and work hard,” said Harton, who is Ealey’s cousin. “And whenever you get your opportunity, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
Teammates enjoyed Harton’s moment in the limelight Saturday.
Murray said Harton “had a nice run where he, like, ducked under two guys fast as heck, and he was gone.” Charles said Harton “was breaking runs and making everybody excited.”
Etc.
Among players who didn’t participate in the scrimmage: fullback Bruce Figgins (stiff neck), linebacker Richard Samuel (rib injury) and tight end Aron White (unknown injury). . . . Safety Bacarri Rambo, expected to miss the rest of spring practice because of a sprained MCL, was not at the scrimmage. Rambo was attending his sister’s wedding, Richt said. . . . Murray said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo “had some every positive words” for the offense after the scrimmage. “You know it’s a pretty good day when he has some good comments to say,” Murray said. . . . Linebacker Christian Robinson said the defensive line “has really stepped up.”
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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221 comments Add your comment
51WTGW50
April 3rd, 2011
2:44 pm
Scott did your UGA education help you to deduce that all by yourself?
I bet Yen Zhao is your other blogging name right?
claytondawg
April 3rd, 2011
2:53 pm
Enough smash-mouth talk, enough negativity, enough of the whining, enough of the “crowing.” As I have said before, it is time to put up or shut up. I’m ready for the ‘Dogs to put up the numbers. None of us knows what will happen until this Fall.
Scott
April 3rd, 2011
3:03 pm
95% of comments are from person here.
AJC, please ban this clown from your blog.
51WTGW50
April 3rd, 2011
3:12 pm
Scott who is the 1 person?
Northside#1
April 3rd, 2011
3:45 pm
guys what good is it doing fussing with someone youy dont know?
51WTGW50
April 3rd, 2011
3:54 pm
Enter your comments here
NOBODYYOUKNOW
April 3rd, 2011
5:02 pm
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOU”VE ALREADY SAID THAT.
what of it?
April 3rd, 2011
6:34 pm
Let’s be honest when has richt ever been anything besides pleased with the performance of his players
Brainiac(Dawg for life)
April 3rd, 2011
7:06 pm
If Hitler and Sadaam Hussein can have a statue why not Nick Saban? What’s the big deal. just like Pee Wee baseball. Everyone gets a trophy
Brainiac(Dawg for life)
April 3rd, 2011
7:25 pm
@Retrospect……………….What would a clown like you know about decent, intelligent people? You be wasting yo time on this blog. I am certain you are a reincarnation of Bear Bryant and just waiting for a head coaching job to open up. It won’t be at UGA sweetie. We have our coach for the next 15 years or however long he wants to stay. If I ever need a brain transplant I want yours because I want one that has never been used.
dd
April 3rd, 2011
7:27 pm
You’ll notice retrospect didn’t have the balls to state what school he’s a fan of.
kral
April 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
ole retrospective I wish you were not a one and done cause if you were here now we could have some fun
Hairy Dawg
April 3rd, 2011
10:22 pm
Laughs it up you dum Yechies. We running ownership of state and then win SEC all the way to BCS champs. Its is ovbious that we got the team to make you pestky bugs pay. We knowing how the football goes with SEC talent to NFL of players that play. We don’t messing with the gimickey high schooler offense.
BYRDDAWG
April 3rd, 2011
10:55 pm
WOOF WOOF!
51WTGW50
April 3rd, 2011
10:55 pm
Hairy Dawg you being de Roads Scholar oven Dawg FANz. You been noN da duh ACC been putn in more players in the NFL duh de SEC.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
8:49 am
Retrospect,
You need to refer to my TROLL list of stereotypical crap that you idiots post all the time. And you really need to come up with some new material schnecky of vegas is gonna shut you down.
IDIOT
Don’t be surprised to have 2 true freshmen starting this year.
JE
April 4th, 2011
8:59 am
Looks like Hortons attitude should rub off on some of the other Running backs.
Whisky Breath
April 4th, 2011
9:02 am
One thing you can count on CMR. He will tell the fans what they want to hear. I would be more concerned about the areas they didn’t quite measure up. Not with CMR. How about penalties CMR?
Did you guys grade 100 percent in the area? Could the defense stop anybody? Just basic questions, but what does a whisky drinker know? Hey Bill King, stop being so anti Dawgs. Now that is funny.
rabiddawgfan
April 4th, 2011
9:05 am
For all those talking about Harton, does anyone remember Noel Devine? Ok, thought so. Murray saw over the line just fine last year it seems. My goodness the guy threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 TDs with only 9 interceptions. The guy is good and he’s only going to get better with more experience and more reps. Our O-line underacheived last season and he still put up those numbers. Hopefully our new O-line coach can dial these boys in, and they’ll block for Murray, like they used to block for Shockley and David Greene. Get nasty!
RxDawg
April 4th, 2011
9:19 am
Well, I’m glad to hear good things. But I heard good things this time last year too. I’m not putting a lot of stock into what’s being reported to the media this go around. Just keep working hard guys, stay out of the headlines, and cary yourselves like the champions you know you are.
Tard Dawg
April 4th, 2011
9:23 am
UGA is the Clemson of the SEC.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
9:25 am
Yeah clemson has 2 ACC titles in the last 10 years and 4 top 10 rankings.
Tard is the correct name for you
raymond
April 4th, 2011
9:28 am
Imagine that Richard Samuel is hurt again. I see a bust coming.
What you might have missed over the weekend… | UGA sports blog
April 4th, 2011
9:30 am
[...] The Bulldogs held their first scrimmage of the spring in Sanford Stadium on Saturday morning. Click here for a [...]
Tard Dawg
April 4th, 2011
9:41 am
Like UGA, Clemson won a shady title in the 80’s that created mass following of retards that expect to win a title every year.
“Dawg-in-Lex”. Sounds like a practice that’s not legal in city limits.
AltamahaDawg
April 4th, 2011
9:48 am
Did we really hear that much good things last year? I remember not much more than trying to put a happy face on a freshman QB, and the quivalent of an entire team of freshman on defense, cominmg out of any reports last spring. And the ol’ “we’re gonna work hard” which I don’t believe anyone didn’t live up to.
And our line was supposed to have a lot of “exerience” FWTW.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
9:54 am
Hey Tard,
I live in Lexington so I’m Dawg in Lex. Hard for a tard to interpret?
Clemson hasn’t done crap in the last 10 years but I will never be successful arguing with an idiot so why bother.
You call yourself a tard so at least you do recognize your potential
tony
April 4th, 2011
10:02 am
I think Mr Richt will finally play for a national title this season but as far as winning it, that remains to be seen. Here’s my reason for saying this:
1) He had success in the pass with certain players(DJ Shockey, David Pollock and Thomas Davis). This season he has similar players(Aaron Murray, Isaiah Crowell, Jarvis Jones and Ray Drew) at more positions.
2) He changed his DC and Strength and Conditioning Coach(As a result we now have the biggest team in college football. Are they stronger than they were last season? Who Knows?
3) We got players(Ray Drew and Isaiah Crowell)who wants to win.
Tard Dawg
April 4th, 2011
10:05 am
LexinaDawg – actually your name wasn’t very clear until you explained but like most dawg fans, you live in a bubble and think the world revolves around you.
I suggest you change your name to DawginDenial as you deny the fact UGA has no shot of being nationally relevant this year besides being in the SEC.
saban
April 4th, 2011
10:06 am
Boise State 50 Georgia 8
Another National Championship for me.
Dawgs lose to Coastal Carolina at homecoming.
Life is Good.
UGA Insider
April 4th, 2011
10:10 am
Richard Samuel being hurt again is NOT good!!! We are paper thin at inside LB. I hope those true freshman are getting ready…..because they will play and play often.
AltamahaDawg
April 4th, 2011
10:11 am
Nothing more shady than trying to steal Colorado’s title.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
10:14 am
tard dawg,
The day I start taking advice from you is the day that he!! freezes over.
Who is your team anyway?
Did you attend college?
Have you ever gone on a date with a female?
Do you have a job?
Do you still live at home with mommy?
My guesses are No, No, No and Yes.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
10:16 am
saban and Tide underachieve again in 2011
LSU wins West.
how does a team with the greatest coach in then history of college football lose 3 ganes in one year?
How does that same team blow a 24 point lead to its archrival at home?
After another underachieving year in 2011, where will saban take his act to next?
MHC Tiger
April 4th, 2011
10:16 am
Enter your comments here
MHC Tiger
April 4th, 2011
10:16 am
how is lemay looking?
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
10:21 am
tard dawg must be a tech fan or else he would answer the question as to who his team is.
Just a fan though, he is too stupid to have actually gone to school there
AltamahaDawg
April 4th, 2011
10:22 am
Actually none of that is any worse than the obvious: talking junk on a rivals sports blog all day long. I could understand some of that other stuff, acting like a middle school child is a decision.
Tard Dawg
April 4th, 2011
10:34 am
DawginLex you should change your name to KYDawg.
I’m a USC fan and alum (SoCal not S.Car). I prefer GA State over tech.
1eyedJack
April 4th, 2011
10:38 am
Western Carolina 50 Georgia Tech 8
Dawg Gone
April 4th, 2011
11:19 am
Really anyone know what happened to Tony Barnhart??
Dawg Gone
April 4th, 2011
11:24 am
Tard Dawg so lets review shall we…your a USC fan, your football coach is Lane Kiffen and your talking smack on a UGA centric blog…alumnus you might be..real smart, not so much…
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
12:04 pm
dawg gone,
Thought the same thing-tard and Lane Kiffin=perfect match
Barnhart is at cbssportsline.com now
Jimmy Crack
April 4th, 2011
12:33 pm
I can’t wait for the Spring Game!!!
Tard, concerning your favorite team…
All the SoCal Gomas fans must know that Lanie Kiffen is only a probationary caretaker until the Prophylactics get off the NCAA shint list. When they do, Kiffen will then be unceremoniously FIRED (except his wife who will stay on as a cheerleader). All evidence of his tenure will be stricken from the USC database, as if Kiffen were never there. The dark forces at the University of Northern Mexico will then attempt to rehire Coach Carroll, who still has all the keys to the trophy cases.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 4th, 2011
12:42 pm
Let me make sure I have this right. UGA runs a closed practice yesterday and a lot of folks commenting on here expected CMR to go into great detail about what new stuff they are trying, how the starters are panning out so far, and how far along the whole team is. He comments on a walk on running back, most likely so it would push maybe a few of the other guys to show the heart this guy does, and you folks pick that up as the DAWGS are going to start this little fellow instead of the scholarship backs and even Crowell who is coming in. That was most likely a motivational tool he was trying to use, to set an example for his team. Let’s see how they do in the annual spring game before we make a judgement based on all of our very knowledgable and professional coaching experiences to judge the DAWGS. Even after the spring game, we will not know a whole lot until the recruited class gets here in August, since we have a big plug in the middle of our defense, to name one, that will not participate in the spring practice.
DawginLex
April 4th, 2011
12:44 pm
Mettenberger is 3rd string at LSU. So much for that.
LOL LOL LOL
UGA Alumnus
April 4th, 2011
12:58 pm
Bronco Billy
April 2nd, 2011
3:10 pm
I think the great state of IDAHO might … just might, have it’s fair share of trailer-park-dwelling, beer drinking, custodians.
And don’t say they don’t. I’ve been there. It’s pretty necky out yonder. Maybe more necky than my beloved state of Georgia.
From Buck Belue's Blog
April 4th, 2011
2:16 pm
680 The Fan & Georgia Bulldogs to “Hunker Down”
Apr 01, 2011 — 8:59pm
This is good. I’ve been waiting for this, during my 11-year career at 680 The Fan. Oh, yeah. Sounds good to me. And what took so long?
680 The Fan is now the “Official Sports Talk Station of the Georgia Bulldogs.” Hear it’s a 5-year partnership. And this is a good deal for both sides. The ‘Dogs get the word out in Atlanta, on a daily basis. 680 The Fan gets access. Live coverage of Richt press conferences, during the season. Weekly programming on Bulldog football. In-depth, expanded coverage. Sure hope they saved me a spot! Coach Perno’s loving this…Georgia baseball live on 680 The Fan 2, AM 1230. Won’t many of those excellent high school players here in metro Atlanta be listening? Other sports will feel the spotlight of “Atlanta’s Sports Station” too.
It’s a win-win. David Dickey and Alan Thomas have worked on this deal for years. And it’s a done deal. I love it. Georgia fans should love it too.
Ramma Bama
April 4th, 2011
2:56 pm
Mark this down: Saban’s got the Tide back on track. Bama will win the SEC easily with a blowout win over south carolina and beat Oklahoma for the BCS title! (#14!!!)
It’s hard to be humble when you’re a Bama fan!
Dawg Gone
April 4th, 2011
3:26 pm
Ramma Bama its not as hard as getting past LSU will be mark that down…