Offensive line: Continued attrition makes this position one of Georgia’s biggest liabilities
It’s July, which means we’re about one month away from the start of preseason football practices in Athens. So it’s time to start taking a closer look at Georgia’s 2011 football team. Over the next 10 days or so, I’ll be breaking down each of the Bulldogs’ position groups to give you an idea who are the projected starters and what the expectations might be for this season. Then, as always, we’ll throw it open for your commentary and analysis. There are only 64 days until Georgia’s season opener against Boise State. Time to get busy. . . .
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
- Projected starters: LT Cordy Glenn (Sr., 6-5, 348), LG Kenarious Gates (So., 6-5, 328), C Ben Jones (Sr., 6-3, 316), RG Chris Burnette (RSo., 6-2, 313), RT Justin Anderson (Sr., 6-5, 342).
- Others to watch: Austin Long, Kolton Houston and Dallas Lee all will be getting their first action as backups this season. Their development will be critical to establishing much-needed depth.
- Key losses: Four-year starter Clint Boling took his talents to the NFL and would-be senior and projected starter Trinton Sturdivant was lost for a season for the third time in his career due to a knee injury this past spring.
- Recent developments: Georgia lost two players who would have otherwise contributed this season. Junior A.J. Harmon, who was battling for the starting job at right tackle, transferred to Alabama State this past spring after running into academic problems at UGA. Redshirt freshman Brent Benedict, who was slated as a backup at right guard while recovering from a serious high school knee injury, abruptly quit the team in June for “personal reasons.” He, too, was offered an unconditional release.
- Key fact: The offensive line will be under the direction of first-year coach Will Friend. Friend was hired on Feb. 7 to replace Stacy Searels, who bolted for the University of Texas the previous month. Friend came to Athens from UAB, where he worked under former Georgia line coach Neil Callaway. Friend served as a grad assistant under Mark Richt at Georgia in 2003-04.
- Key fact II: This line is not as inexperienced a bunch as it may appear. The projected starters have 85 starts between them, including 70 combined by Glenn and Jones. The problem is there is zero experience among the backups and both Glenn and Anderson are relatively new to tackle having gotten most of their action at guard.
- Key question: Will any of the incoming freshmen be asked to contribute? The Bulldogs signed five highly-touted linemen out of this high school, none of whom was initially counted on to play. Tackle Xzavier Ward is recovering from knee surgery and is a likley redshirt. But someone out of the group that includes C David Andrews, G/T Watts Dantzler, T Zach DeBell and G Hunter Long is going to have to help.
- Outlook: Poor. If Georgia manages to negotiate the season without a starter losing significant time to an injury — a virtual impossibility — this could end up being a serviceable SEC group. More than likely the Bulldogs are going to have to coach around this position as a liability.
- Your turn: What say you about the offensive line?
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242 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
July 1st, 2011
2:04 pm
Well, this line cannot be much worse than the group that ended up playing tha majority of 2008. 3rd string LT and 3 freshman before it was over. Plenty of people still claim that we should have won 11-12 games despite that, so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal now.
bobby
July 1st, 2011
2:06 pm
Uga’s o-line is one or if the biggest question mark on the team. I like glenn at left tackle, gates at guard, ben jones at center and i like beane anderson but not at tackle i like him a guard much better because i don’t think he moves his feet well enough to play tackle. the line should be.
Glenn at left tackle
Anderson a left guard
Jones at center
Gates at right guard
And at right tackle and if he has a great spring practice to me it should true freshman Zach Debell.
Joey
July 1st, 2011
2:10 pm
AltamahaDawg, I didn’t mean that UGA should “emulate” Oregon. I was suggesting that Richt and Co mix things up some this season. When you aren’t dominate – you better get a little cagey. Uncertainty is a good thing.
I believe if “something isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” I don’t think Richt’s football program is broke, but I do believe one thing to be true. If Richt doesn’t add some more dimensions to the offense, as well as help Mike Bobo call plays to get and KEEP momentum better he has the last two seasons, it won’t matter if Crowell or AltamahaDawg carries the ball on Saturdays this season.
We don’t have a powerhouse offense, so I believe Richt had better get some SEC defensive coaches guessing again, or he will see another mediocre season. And that’s fine too. I watched every miserable minute of last year’s Liberty Bowl, and I’ll watch every minute of this season’s Dawgs.
Douglas Dawg
July 1st, 2011
2:15 pm
Phil – Keeping our expectations modest is hoping to beat UF? HA!!!!! we are not due to beat UF for atleast another 5 years or untill we get a coach who is serious about it .
WDE
July 1st, 2011
2:19 pm
@dont get it exactly what do you think Spurrier’s record is vs CMR?
Douglas Dawg
July 1st, 2011
2:24 pm
He means while at florida. When spurrier took over at S.C> they were trash. And he has beaten us with far less talent while at S.C. a couple of times as well.
dont get it
July 1st, 2011
2:27 pm
Im aware f Spurriers record against Richt. He beat Richt his only year at florida. Then he has beaten us a couple of times at S.C. I never said anyting about records. My point is that when the talent level is anywhere near equall, spurrier will coach circles around Richt. I do understand though…I say we just kill anybody who critisices Richt. Who’s with me?
WDE
July 1st, 2011
2:31 pm
@Douglas Dawg if Spurrier has less talent don’t tell the USCe fans they and I aren’t buying it…and hoss that sword cuts both ways…you don’t think Spurrier had more talent than UGA while he was at UF?? really??
seabass
July 1st, 2011
2:31 pm
Our offensive line woes come to be due to Searels being terrible recruiter. When Alabama and the rest of the SEC is robbing Atlanta of 4 and 5 star recruits. That says a heap when your only 70 some odd miles away.
WDE
July 1st, 2011
2:33 pm
@dont get it no one cares if you criticize CMR…no one cares what you say period.You think Spurrier had less talent last year than UGA did?
AltamahaDawg
July 1st, 2011
2:59 pm
And I’m with you on that. Let’s add some new dimensions. (That does not include me running the football). I believe a big part of that has to do with having a QB gain the experience to recognize the opportunities. My guess is that our playbook already has more dimension than we could ever possible run, but it’s a matter of resources.
All I was addressing was the no huddle. Just doesn’t seem to be a good option to me given our O-line situation. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they break huddle quicker every now and then. Seems like they even did that a few times last year on down and inches.
UGA Insider
July 1st, 2011
3:03 pm
ATL Sports Fan:
I heard someone was posing as me last week and some this week although I didn’t see any. I don’t know anything concerning the name of the UGA AD on a post. I was actually in PCB nowhere near a computer the end of last week/first of this week anyways.
AltamahaDawg
July 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
NO, don’t get it, you do not get to hide behind Aunt Sally.
AltamahaDawg
July 1st, 2011
3:12 pm
OK, is it just me having serious deja vu or has insider posted that exact same response a couple of week ago? Doesn’t matter, but just looked odd.
AltamahaDawg
July 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
And the answer is Mike McGarity.
Buzz Me
July 1st, 2011
3:16 pm
poor little crime Dawgies
Hardtruth Soldier
July 1st, 2011
3:25 pm
Simple, it.s time to prove wor a four or five star player. The weak get eaten, and the strong rise.
JRW7
July 1st, 2011
3:25 pm
CMR is a good christian man, but CMR is just a average college football coach, CMR is not serious about winning football games, it is only 8 weeks till Boise State game, and CMR is on a mission trip!!!!
WDE
July 1st, 2011
3:26 pm
@Buzz Me question there Bug boy were you alive the last time the Bugs won a Bowl game?
WDE
July 1st, 2011
3:28 pm
@JRW7 hey that was last week there skippy.And by average you mean one of the best winning percentages of any coaches in the country correct?
JRW7
July 1st, 2011
3:38 pm
CMR is a good football coach, but CMR is not a great football coach, most of those wins you talk about was wins against less talented football teams, when CMR teams had far superior talent. Sure, I agree he is a GREAT recruiter, but he is not a GREAT football coach. Just the facts! GO DAWGS!!!
WDE
July 1st, 2011
3:51 pm
@JRW7 fair enough but remember CMR has a winning record against all his SEC foes except UF….so its not all push overs..have a great 4th Go Dawgs!
Bob
July 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
WDE…what’s Richt’s record against SEC opponents for the past two years?
truedawg
July 1st, 2011
4:21 pm
Who was a great coach at UGA then?? Who was in all SEC? All NCAA?? All you bug fans possing as Dwag fans look at the stats. CMR is the best coach ever in the state of GA after Erk. and one of the greatest coaches ever in the SEC. When its all said and down and you see the stats compared to Steve, Bear, and Saban..Richt is close. So where does that put him in the grand scheme of things for his career? BEST HC EVER AT UGA. GO DAWGS!!!
Bob
July 1st, 2011
4:29 pm
@true…I certainly respect your opinion, but go back and look at the schedules that UGA played under VD. There were no Coastal Carolinas, Central Floridas, Arkansas States, New Mexico States, etc. And, we played a 10 game schedule that might include a bowl game (one of maybe 10 back then) if we we worthy. Everything is relative, but for the past three years, I think Richt has been stealing his paycheck. Don’t just look at Richt’s won loss record unless you look at the last couple of years. Shucks, we used to own Florida!
truedawg
July 1st, 2011
4:37 pm
We used to play Vandy, Miss state, KY and Those teams were a win every year. now more talent in the SEC. I agree that Richt hasn’t kept a good hold on things the past few years, well 3 years to be exact. But he is a great coach. I don’t know if he has had problems with persoanl life, coaches, or whatever, but the past 3 years wasn’t the same. I hope he can get it back and lead the team in the right direction. If not, time for him to step down. But I say this…We will be hard pressed to find a coach that will right the ship as fast as CMR did when he came to UGA. Remember under Donnan and Goff, we had become happy with 8 wins. GO DAWGS!!
Bob
July 1st, 2011
4:48 pm
My problem with Richt is his inability to evaluate ass’t coaches. VD had many that went on to contribute to other programs, but VanGorder is the only success I can recall (and Mark ran him off). Do you think Bobo, Grantham, Latkos, Garner, Ball, McClendon, Searles, Willie are/were SEC material? And, he’s stubborn to a fault.
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
5:17 pm
Another one bites the dust down in Gainesville.
This is what you guys in Athens have to look forward to when/if a coaching change is made.
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20110701/ARTICLES/110709977/1136?Title=Another-player-transfers-from-UF
VETDAWG
July 1st, 2011
5:21 pm
It seems to me this is an easy fix.There are a ton of guys from jr.colleges that could fill this roll.Look at North Alabama for example,half of there team is from somewhere else .The problem with my Dawgs is recruitment.What is going on this year?I like are coach but it is time to get are recruiting right.On the bright side at least we are not Gaytors.
Phax
July 1st, 2011
5:37 pm
That second game of the year is going to be tough on this group. If they manage to keep Murray healthy through that one I’d say thats about all we can ask. SC’s D line looks to be scary.
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
5:45 pm
“On the bright side at least we are not Gaytors.”
You sure aren’t. You’d have to learn to spell first, hillbilly.
It Ain't Rocket Science
July 1st, 2011
5:47 pm
Beast,
You should be able to sign the full 25 next year. That must put you down to between 71-73 on scholarship. I am just not sure what some of these kids expect when they come to college anymore. I haven’t been following UF too much, but what is causing the attrition?
VETDAWG
July 1st, 2011
5:47 pm
This hillbilly will kick your arse gaytor.Least im not a gaytor.
VETDAWG
July 1st, 2011
5:52 pm
I guess you went to college.My college was hearbreak ridge.So excuse the spelling.I am not a hillbilly.Redneck maybe.i
Real Dawg Fan
July 1st, 2011
5:54 pm
I say sign the high OL prospects for 2012 and get some beasts from JUCO
Gainesville Dawg
July 1st, 2011
5:59 pm
Chip, another negative headline about UGA. Just enough negativism to cause all of the negative people to respond. How about trying to have a positive headline occasionally? I never see a negative headline about that other school in Atlanta.
Goooo, Dawgs!!!!!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
July 1st, 2011
6:00 pm
We will learn against Boise just how good our line will be
They have 4 NFL prospects on their Dline
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
July 1st, 2011
6:02 pm
Last year the O-Line was supposed to be an asset. As a group, they failed to be much help at all. This year they are projected to be a liability. Nowhere to go but up. Have faith in your Dawgs people, this year they will not disappoint. (I hope).
Paddy
July 1st, 2011
6:03 pm
We have had plenty of depth on the O-line the last couple of years. We have played poor to bad with that depth! Depth is nice to have but playing better wins championships. Somebody needs to teach run blocking during this camp in Aug.
Media Sales Concept = "If It Bleeds...It Leads"
July 1st, 2011
6:08 pm
By the looks of all the blogger comments on AJC sports, especially when it involves UGA Football, it appears that the AJC’s marketing approach is working. “If it bleeds then it leads”.
It’s the world we live in today. Internet. TV. SEC TV. Facebook. Chat rooms. Email boards. We are information rich, but we are communication poor.
You can speculate all of you want regarding the season. Who will win? Who will lose? Fact is, each team must “line-up” and play each other for 4 quarters. It takes execution. It takes game-planning. And, it takes, above all, mental toughness.
Can’t wait ’til we “see” what will happen instead of letting all of these “arm-chair” quarterbacks and coaches deciding the fate of the OL before they’ve had a chance to prove themselves. Pathetic.
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
6:10 pm
It Ain’t Rocket Science,
Actually, I think I heard that will leave us with only 70 scholarship players in the fall. I guess it’s to be expected when you have all the coaches changes over the past few years. Remember we lost Mullen then Strong and then the entire staff changed when Meyer left. That’s a ton of turnover. We’ll have an extremely young team in 2011 and 2012. Whaddya gonna do?
Jason Anders
July 1st, 2011
6:10 pm
Herschel said it best, they have to come together as a unit, not as individuals, trust in the abilities of your teammate, and be accountable to each other. I personally am not worried about the offensive line this year, providing they stay healthy but I do understand the concern.
I hope the running backs play outstanding and hopefully the wide receivers will come of age. I believe the defense is in good hands and the guys they have will make a positive impact this year.
I do believe Coach Bobo needs to open it up a bit more and play too the talent he has on offense and give the team a chance to do what they do best. Be more creative and a lot less restrictive on the players. I’m convince most of the other teams know his tendencies in play calling and pretty much understand what he will call before it’s called. If you want an example what creativity and proper use of talent can do for a team , look unfortunately what Florida did to Georgia last year.
Georgia should have won that game but it was lost because Florida was more creative and used their players to their abilities and skill sets and Georgia stayed in the same old method of doing things, relying on hope and prayer that something would happen to turn the game into Georgia’s favor and it never did .
Best of luck to Georgia… GO Dawgs… A Georgia fan first and always!!!!!!!!
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
6:16 pm
“This hillbilly will kick your arse gaytor.Least im not a gaytor.”
LOL. Another internet badass. Probably a teenager. Can’t imagine a grown man that would resort to calling his rivals “Gaytors”. Pretty childish there, tough guy. By the way, you might want to try a little harder in school next year. With your grammar and spelling, you’ll be battling it out with the illegals for that last ditch-digging job!
It Ain't Rocket Science
July 1st, 2011
6:20 pm
Beast,,
Something for UGA fans to consider as well, since quite a few of them, seem to want to get rid of their coaches. Will be an interesting year for both teams it would see.
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
6:25 pm
Dawginlex said it best. Richt is a victim of his own success. He raised the bar at UGA his first 5 years and now he’s having a hard time living up to the standard he set himself.
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2011
6:42 pm
By the way, where is DawginLex? Did he get himself banned again or he he on vacation?
RabidDawgFan
July 1st, 2011
6:54 pm
As long as those 5 guys stay healthy, then we’ll be fine.
UGA-BEAST
July 1st, 2011
7:01 pm
O-Line is the key to UGA having a winning season!
edumacated
July 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
Maybe Richt found us a new offensive lineman down in Honduras.
BullDogMike
July 1st, 2011
7:13 pm
How bout the fact we have too many quality QB’s on the roster. No way they all get to play….start using more schollys on linemen. He##s Bells anybody can tell you that’s the heart of a great offense. So what if you have a great QB, without blocking he’s running for his life… not to mention RB’s trying to run through holes that are there for only a split second…same o same o ……..