Practice report: Bruce Figgins no ordinary fullback for Bulldogs
ATHENS – They call it “The Chute.” It’s one of the drills Georgia running backs must negotiate early every practice and Bruce Figgins dreads it like a daily root canal.
The object is to zigzag as fast as possible through a series of metal gates while stepping over dummies and holding the football “high and tight.” This is not much of a challenge for 5-foot-7 tailback Carlton Thomas or even the 5-foot-11 Isaiah Crowell. But for the 6-foot-4, 274-pound Figgins, slipping under the metal bar maybe four feet from the ground can be problematic.
“I don’t know how high they are but ‘CT’ can almost stand straight up to them. They come up to his nose,” said Figgins, a senior fullback.”You can imagine how hard it is for me to get under them. Me and Richard [Samuel] have the toughest time. Our heads are always clinking it.”
Trouble is, if you “clink” the metal bar, you have to repeat the drill. So often running backs coach Bryan McClendon is yelling at Figgins, “run it again!”
“I’ll be looking at Coach Mac and he’s like, ‘Don’t be looking at me like that. Get under the chute!’,” Figgins said with a laugh.
It is a bit of an oddity to have a guy Figgins’ size in the backfield. But short on depth at the fullback position, the Bulldogs saw the versatile fifth-year senior as the answer to their problems.
“The tight end and the fullback position, a lot of their assignments actually carry over,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “He’s almost the same guy in a lot of formations we run. . . . Bruce is a big fullback who’s athletic enough to re-direct when he’s got to block a certain person. He fits into all the things we need there. He’s got to get used to blocking moving targets in more space and that takes time. But I’ve seen fullbacks that weigh 220 who can do a great job and guys that weight 280 and do it great. It’s just a matter of knowing what to do and wanting to do it bad enough and is he tough enough for that type of contact because it’s a high-contact position.”
A tight end his first four seasons, including a redshirt year, Figgins is sharing fullback duties with the 5-foot-10, 224-pound Zander Ogletree. Figgins entered camp as the No. 1 guy and, by all accounts, will line up first when the Bulldogs face off against No. 7 Boise State on Sept. 3.
Figgins was able to go through the spring at his new position and just now is starting to feel comfortable calling himself a fullback.
“I’m getting more comfortable with the position, more comfortable with the others guys now,” Figgins said. “I’m still learning and working on getting my pad level down, staying low and knee bend, that’s the biggest thing.”
It’s certainly a formidable sight when Figgins is running around the end leading the 6-2, 240-pound Samuel on a power sweep.
“I think people will be a little intimidated by it,” Figgins said. “That’s 500 pounds moving right there. And Richard’s not slow at all. I have to speed up just to get going ahead of him because he’ll run up your back if you don’t. I think we’ll be able to move some people out of the way.”
Fatigue setting in
Richt was not thrilled with the Bulldogs’ third practice, the first in which they went in shoulder pads and helmets.
“A little bit of fatigue is setting in, a little bit of weariness,” he said. “Even this morning when we had a lot of cloud cover and got a little bit of a break, without question fatigue affected the concentration level. The last 30 minutes of practice we dropped more balls than we did the first two and a half practices. We had more penalties. We couldn’t focus when we were tired, which was a big part of our demise a year ago. So hopefully we can learn to fight through it.”
Atlanta’s Swann among early standouts
Friday Richt lauded cornerback Branden Smith, who recorded an uncanny five interceptions during pass skeleton competition. That overshadowed what Richt said has been some exemplary work the last three days by freshman defensive back Damian Swann.
“I didn’t mention Swann yesterday but after I looked at the film I thought he made a couple of really outstanding plays yesterday and he made a couple of very nice plays again today,” Richt said. “He’s competing extremely well.”
Swann is a former AJC Super 11 player out of Atlanta’s Grady High School. Virtually every player asked about the defensive backfield so far has mentioned Swann as being a standout.
Other players singled out by Richt for their good work Saturday were wide receiver Tavarres King, linebacker Michael Gilliard, safety Shawn Williams, tight ends Orson Charles and Aron White and Samuel.
Special teams looking special
Georgia is expected to have one of the best overall special teams groups in the country with All-America candidates at punter (Drew Butler), place-kicker (Blair Walsh) and kick returner (Brandon Boykin). The Bulldogs also think they have one of the best snappers in the country in Ty Frix. Apparently that group looked the part as they went live kicking-team work for the first time on Saturday.
“They were very, very sharp,” Richt said. “The snap, the hold, the kick, I think we were 100 percent in every sort of way. Just about every kick split the uprights right down the middle. We had great times and great operation.”
Richt just kidding about Kellen Moore
Idaho newspapers and some national websites, including DeadSpin.com, have been making a big deal of what Richt said in an interview with an Atlanta radio station this week. Richt reportedly said UGA thought quarterback Kellen Moore had already left Boise State when they agreed to play the Broncos in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Actually, Richt had been telling that story as a joke on Bulldog Club tours all summer.
“I probably embellished the truth a little bit,” Richt said with a laugh Saturday. “[Athletic Director] Greg [McGarity] did say ‘I think that quarterback is gone’ when it first came up. But by the time we signed the contract, we knew he was coming back. Maybe it will go to his head a little bit and he’ll be overconfident.”
Injury report
Defensive backs Brandon Boykin and Jakar Hamilton were out with hamstring injuries and Derek Owens was sidelined with an unspecified injury that Richt said was not serious. Outside linebacker Cornelius Washington (hamstring) and defensive end Derrick Lott (leg laceration) remained sidelined. . . . Tailback Ken “Boo” Malcome continues to practice but is limping noticeably from a groin injury that has plagued him since spring practice. . . . Big John Jenkins made it through the entire workout a second straight day.
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168 comments Add your comment
Snoop Dawg
August 6th, 2011
10:13 pm
It’s the coaching, stupid. I know everyone is feeling good right now just like every year with Marjoe Markt Wrecked, but how many times does it take to wise up?
Hope is not a method.
Snoop Dawg
August 6th, 2011
10:14 pm
Once UGA gets a bona fide head coach, the sky’s the limit! Glory Glory to old Georgia!!!
truedawg
August 6th, 2011
10:18 pm
Coaching staff can still win, CMR just needs to get Bobo to mix it up more and not be so predictable. I wanna think this year is better, but we’ll see. Well atleast we’ll know after the first two games. Win both, and look good, and you know what ya got. split the two and look good in the loosing one, and still maybe good, get blown out, and go ahead and start making other plans… GO DAWGS…GO DAWGS..
RedandBlackDAWG
August 6th, 2011
10:19 pm
Just a few more weeks and there will be a lot of handle changes on here. Until then, make clowns of yourselves with stupid comments and insults. The players play the game, not a bunch of wanna be bloggers. UGA is going to surprise a lot of people.
truedawg
August 6th, 2011
10:21 pm
Well win our loose I’ll be in the corner end zone yelling “GO DAWGS”
Ed
August 6th, 2011
10:51 pm
I found a Boise blog. They (Boise fans) are almost without exception genuinely expecting not only to win, but to win big. They put a lot of stock in their stats from last year. There is little to no mention or concern about UGA’s size or speed. There is no mention of Murray, or the year he had as a freshman, or the fact that most neutral parties think he will be the best qb in the SEC. It is an interesting perspective. If the Boise team feels anything close to the way their fans feel it is going to be one rude awakening.
LogicalUS
August 6th, 2011
10:55 pm
What exactly is this 6-4 FB supposed to do? He hates the agility drill which shows that he lacks the skills required for the position.
This is getting silly, the smart move with the horrendous condition of the UGA offensive line would have been to have this 6-4 “275 lb” TE put on 20 lbs and move to tackle. It would have given him the ability to possibly get drafted to the NFL as a OL, instead we get his silly propaganda move so that the coaching staff can get some newspaper articles. Lame.
Another player wasted by the UGA coaching staff. In fact, what is Vegas laying that this kid will be asked to move to the OL about midseason after a couple of injuries to one of the only 5 available OL?
Troll Power Ratings
August 6th, 2011
11:12 pm
@LogicalUS: Thanks for the incredible insight, now troll along. Nothing going on over on the TECH blogs? Shocking.
uga2002
August 6th, 2011
11:25 pm
0-2 start. 5-7 season.
And I wouldn’t doubt if the Moore comments weren’t jokes.
LogicalUS
August 6th, 2011
11:36 pm
“now troll along”
Sorry you are so lost iin denial that a little reality ruins your weekend, but STHU. Keep drinking the koolaide….just don’t start screaming at the players in Sept when they don’t don’t meet your asinine delusional expectations.
Just go away.
Thomas Brown
August 6th, 2011
11:56 pm
Boise State fans are always that way on their blogs. And, they venture forth on the Internet to all blogs, and always blog like that, Ed. They blogged how they would destroy us all Summer before DJ Shockley made it 38 to nothing to start the game and 48-13 when we cleared the bench.
There is 1 player on their entire roster who is ranked either a 4-star or 5-star recruit, according to Scout.com this morning – 4-star Kellen Moore who is 5′ 11″ and 179 lbs.
2.41 average stars all 5 recruiting classes 2007-2011 Boise State
3.58 average stars all 5 recruiting classes 2007-2011 UGA
There are 51 four-star and 5-star recruits we have and 1 they have. This is not a football game, and they need to do their talking now – because after the game, they will be nowhere to be found – just like last time when DJ Shockley ran for 1 and threw for 5 more TD against their 2-star defense.
This game will be no game at all. Boise State is a cupcake, whose average opponent for 11 of their 12-game regular season games is # 81.
This game is a blow-out, unless we are not in shape (which there seems to be quite a bit of factual data now on us not being) and unless we put the ball on the carpet over 2 times a game (which seems quite clear to me.) That will only tend to make Boise State a game. They have no hope of beating UGA : None.
Troll Power Ratings
August 6th, 2011
11:59 pm
@LogicalUS: I want them to play hard and to be entertained. Anything else is gravy. Hopeful? Yes; I’m a fan. You are a troll.
JustinTime
August 7th, 2011
12:07 am
I challenge everyone here to just take a look at the size difference in UGAs starting offensive and defensive lines against Boise State.. The numbers are appalling.. Georgia has the major advantage in the trenches, which means in theory, that we control the run on offense and defense(which happens to be many coaches success to a winning game.) Boise State played a big game against VA Tech last year but beyond that what team did they play with an SEC caliber defense?? I think Georgia wins this one by at least 10 points. But who knows?
Troll Power Ratings
August 7th, 2011
12:17 am
@JustinTime: I agree. Georgia has a huge size advantage. Boise has a couple of nice skill players (qb and receivers, but almost everywhere else that would appear to be grossly undermanned vs. UGA. BUT….the betting line is close. Someone asked about the betting lines for the Boise game in ‘05 and the bowl game against Hawaii. That would be interesting to know.
Regarding the Va Tech game, Va Tech turns around and loses the next week to James Madison, so they certainly weren’t a powerhouse even if they did go on to have a good year in a weak conference prior to getting crushed in a bowl.
RED DOG 77
August 7th, 2011
1:38 am
@Thomas Brown…….remember me?…..yea, RED, I’ve been fighting AltamahaDAWG all day trying to get him to move over a little [as you pointed out, we are joined at the hip] so I could post when you came on………by the way you have been talking lately, I’m shocked you would think we could stay on the field with Boise St……….what gives bra?……..and you didn’t even say “if”…….Well I guess one day it’s this and the next it’s that………Now on to Boise St. and South Carolina. You are correct [even if it is only today] Boise will be no match for “my” DOGS strength, speed, and talent……….not to mention “tonage”……as far as fatigue, on the third practice? sounds pretty normal to me. When I played ball, it was always harder the first week, then got easier as Summer practice continued, mabe you never played the game……..or mabe you did and started strong and got weaker the more you practiced?……..Now for South Carolina, I don’t care if it is Steven Garcia or Roy Rogers……..you are going to have two pretty big and two pretty good dudes lining up on the QBs nose, one @ 6ft4in 360lbs, the other @ 6ft6in 355lbs………I think Joe Montana would get some pretty “happy” feet with that in his face…….stuff the run, slap the QB around a little, use the “hedges” to our advantage, along with the heat………and wala!………Georgia 27 South Carolina 24……….special teams wins this one, and “if” we can make it to Jacksonville undefeated………we might just win the whole “ball of wax”………..Regards, RED
pat sculley
August 7th, 2011
2:35 am
PowerDawg
August 6th, 2011
3:47 pm
Fatigue???? After three days? WTF?
Hamstrings? After all the training they have been going through? Hamstrings?
Don’t these guys stretch before practice?
No excuse for this kind of stuff…S-T-R-E-T-C-H !!!!
============================
weird….I never seen a lion stretch before he chases down it’s prey
dean
August 7th, 2011
7:14 am
Dawgs beat boise by 11. If they can tackle Lattimore the next game they beat SC by at least 5.
hot diggity
August 7th, 2011
7:28 am
@Ned……apparently Bobo nor you can see that our offense is “ancient.” Everybody knows what we are going to run. Can you imagine if Bobo wouldve had Herschel? The Herschel that we all know and love and won the Heisman and helped us win the NC would have never been. Not with bobo calling the plays. We had Knowshon in the backfield and what did that get us? One of the best athletes on the team and Bobo refused to hand him the ball. As far as the quick kick comment you made, that might not be a bad idea with Bozo calling the plays. And btw genius…..how many top 20 teams have we beaten in the last 3yrs with the knowledgable Bobo calling the plays????? hmmmmmmmmmmm
Troll Power Ratings
August 7th, 2011
8:58 am
@hot diggity: How many points did Georgia average last year? How many fumbles and missed assignments cost Georgia even more points and probably 2-3 more wins? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
rock steady freddy
August 7th, 2011
8:58 am
HEAR FIGGINS IS ROCKIN STEADY LIKE OL’ FREDDY!
Dawg Gawn
August 7th, 2011
9:11 am
Many, many question marks about this team.
Dawg Gawn
August 7th, 2011
9:16 am
Movement of personnel, new personnel and lack of game experience. You can sugar-coat it all you want, but the first two will be tough. Expect a lot of mistakes, and we’ll need some breaks to come our way (especially with South Carolina). After that we’ll see.
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
9:43 am
Boise in ATL
Faulty logic again on your part my friend. Your whole premise is based on Boise’s defeat of a very weak VT and a highly questionable Oregon team. You add that to the idea that UGA’s program can’t hold a match to those programs. I beg to differ on both points. Georgia is “in general” a stellar program averaging 3-4 losses in the last 10 years, that’s solid for a program. Granted, we’ve lost our way definitely for the last 2 years arguably 3. Our wheels fell off. If you reasoned that it will continue into 4 years, you would have a more of a position. I sense you believe much of our problems may be corrected.
Second point, if Boise hadn’t beat Oregon twice and VT once at this point in time, this kick off classic game wouldn’t even be matched and Boise if playing UGA at all would be looked at as a cupcake game.
Your guys are a good team when matched to like schools. Even with your recent successes you still have huge questions because of your schedule. You are resting too much on the losses of UGA last year to weaker opponents. That is a point but, only a point. You’ll have to bank on UGA hasn’t improved. I believe you’ll be disappointed.
Moore is good, your coach is good, your team has good chemistry but, that won’t be enough. I just do not see your guys having enough size, speed or depth to last the 4 quarters it will take. Remember, VT easily could be considered weaker than UGA last year even as bad as UGA was. Has UGA improved?, Has Boise improved? We’ll see
SEC1
August 7th, 2011
9:51 am
RE: Figgens and Samuel:
Bigger is not always better. Anyone remember Charles Grant and the 4th down goal-line play against Tech? He went outside, was cut down at the knees, and blew out his knee (and of course we were stuffed on the play)
I love Samuel, but he has not impressed me with his ability to make people miss or run “downhill”. Perhaps round two as a RB will be different. I hope so!
Boo’s lingering Hammy is a problem…
murray county mystic
August 7th, 2011
9:53 am
“2.41 average stars all 5 recruiting classes 2007-2011 Boise State… 3.58 average stars all 5 recruiting classes 2007-2011 UGA”…Boise plays in BCS bowls…UG-LY loses in Memphis to UCF…Boise by 10…
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
9:58 am
SEC1
Samuel was never dodgy even when he was a TB before. He has speed and brute strength much more inclined to run over and through tacklers than to elude them. In the open field he has the speed to out run. He was never about making anyone miss. His vision was questionable but, his speed and strength never were.
SEC1
August 7th, 2011
10:14 am
ARdawg:
Agreed. The problem is, I never saw him actually run over anyone…
For his size, he was just not that difficult to bring down.
Seriously, he fell behind CK and WE and that’s why he was moved back to defense. Again, I hope he proves me wrong…
RedandBlackDAWG
August 7th, 2011
10:27 am
This betting line stuff leaves me a little baffled. If Boise state is such a powerhouse that they are rated NBR 5 in the country by the coaches poll; How is it, that Georgia at NBR 22, is so close in the betting line? I think a lot of it, both the polls and the bettimng lines are designed to do nothing but make money for the services that provide it. I really place no stock in either this early in the season.
They are doing much like Boise is when looking at UGA. Last years records don’t really tell the true story about in any team in college. We shall see how the teams perform on the field, but I think a few folks are in for a surprise. Bigger, faster and in shape UGA will turn some heads in the game. UGA will wear them down in the fourth, but has to start out using it’s physical advantages and not let Boise go up and down the field before they decide to get in the game. 60 minutes of football is what will be needed.
GO DAWGS
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
10:31 am
SEC1
He wasn’t difficult to bring down when met at the line or in the backfield. One could attribute much of that to his vision and lack of teaching. Attempting to make a hole where there isn’t one. He’s fast and strong but few TB have the ability to do that. He didn’t show the finesse moves as did King or Ealy. In the open field he was a different back and very difficult to bring down if they could catch him. I feel confident he now knows to be patient and you’ll see a different Samuel
Beast from the East
August 7th, 2011
10:37 am
“Remember, VT easily could be considered weaker than UGA last year even as bad as UGA was.”
ARDawg,
C’mom, man! By who? Not by anyone other than a total UGA homer. Not trying to pick a fight but that is a total BS statement. NO ONE other than the fanatical minority at UGA believes that.
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
10:38 am
SEC1
On Figgins, It takes a special kind of athlete to be that big and agile enough to be successful and effective. The same power and momentum he brings to the position can be the same power and momentum that could injure him. One never knows until they try it and be successful or not.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 7th, 2011
10:39 am
Murray County Mystic awfully early to be finished tending to the goats in Tractorville USA. How those plow boys going to look this year? Murray County, where the men are men and the sheep are scared.
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
10:48 am
Damn thing won’t let me answer BFTE
tell me again
August 7th, 2011
10:53 am
Boise came to Ga. last time with what was called – “The offense of the century”….we see how that turned out. Georgia will run the ball and keep their O off the field – we will pound the rock and by the 3rd qtr. we will be scoring at will. This years team is not the troubled mix of prima donna’s we had last year. If we had played BS last year we would have lost. This year – I’m afraid they are catching us at the wrong time. We have the nose guards we need – the D will be much improved. I was watching vids of Crowell last night – he is going to be a good one. Our running backs are bigger than BS’s linebackers….we send the spud chuckers back home like mashed potatoes. just like last time.
Boo
August 7th, 2011
10:53 am
I saw Boo Malcom play vs Marist in HS and I have looked forward to seeing him go in UGA red & black for two years. I sure hope thst he can heal up that groin.
Good luck Boo !!!
Dogs are counting on you to be our grinder back for key yardage and rip few of em off along the way.
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
11:01 am
Beast
Tell me why exactly or how did VT impress you last year? Winning the ACC and getting beat by a DivII school?
Beast from the East
August 7th, 2011
11:10 am
ARdawg,
They FINISHED #13 in the country. UGA somewhere about 40-50 spots south of that.
Tell me why exactly or how did UGA impress you last year? Finishing 3rd in the East and getting beat by UCF and Colorado?
Keep it real!
old fan
August 7th, 2011
11:27 am
It would be far easier to credit to arguments of “dawg faithful” and “long time supporters” if they knew that the great former coach was Erk Russell, not Irk. No credibility from the outset. How about “Vance” Dooley or “Walter” Butts ???
Jimmy Crack
August 7th, 2011
11:28 am
“Tailback Ken “Boo” Malcome continues to practice but is limping…”
Why would one of our FEW running backs be practicing AT ALL if he is limping? Riding a bike on the sidelines, jogging, yes, but practicing???
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
11:30 am
I wasn’t at all impressed with a #13 finish when the only ranked teams they beat ALL year was a #24 Miami early and a #20 Florida ST. Did you watch them in the Orange bowl? 40 to almost nothing defeat by Stanford? A real POWERHOUSE was VT huh?
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
11:35 am
Beast
and BTW VT’s final ranking was #16. The only reason it was that high was because they played a BCS game which BTW they ranked lower than all the other BCS teams. If they played in a competitive conference they wouldn’t have played a BCS game
Pulpwud Smif
August 7th, 2011
11:43 am
Boise State 51, Dawgtards 13
Buh bye, Mark Wretched!
Beast from the East
August 7th, 2011
11:47 am
ARdawg,
OK, I’ll bite. Not trying to talk up VT. Just pointing out that as bad as you think VT was, UGA was much worse. Not bashing, just stating facts. Hey, Uf wasn’t much better last year and Texas was worse if that makes you feel any better. I was just belly laughing when you said “VT easily could be considered weaker than UGA last year even as bad as UGA was”. You gotta admit that was a “delusional” fanatic statement if there ever was one. LOL!
Too Hot For Sweater Vest in Athens
August 7th, 2011
11:48 am
Sweater vest can’t be worn in Sanford Stadium in September and early October…too hot. Would need vest that’s climalite cool.
Carloi Ponzi
August 7th, 2011
11:57 am
How many of you homers got sucked into Donnan’s Ponzi scam?
Cheating, lying, and stealing – it’s the Georgia way!!!
murray county mystic
August 7th, 2011
12:23 pm
over on the ESPN website, the SportsNAtion poll asked which traditional rivalry will be the most significant this season…poll includes the obvious Bama/Auburn…OSU/Michigan…Cal/Stanford…Texas/Oklahoma…and just for giggles, Florida/Georgia!!!…even funnier, the state of Georgia is the only state that feels like that one-sided affair will be the most significant!…dogtards, you are greatly underestimating the talent of Florida…and Boise…and South Carolina…and overestimating UG-ly’s talent…5 and 7, no bowl, but next season’s pre-season National Champions…30+ years in a row…dream team…hillarious…
ARdawg
August 7th, 2011
12:30 pm
Beast
Of course I am a UGA fan but, I think my remarks are closer to reality than your disagreement of it. What were are talking here is different grades of bad. VT with UGA’s schedule would have likely finished as bad as UGA. FL or Texas was as equally bad as UGA and VT. VT had a better record but that is close to the same argument about Boise ST isn’t it?
The only common opponent of the two was GT. VT barely squeaked by the Nerds as did Georgia. We could pontificate all day on the other aspects and they would mean diddly squat. Georgia wasn’t very good last year, neither was VT.
If you recall that was my point to Boise in ATL and not very good logic for which to base his statement. You should have read all of that post
edumacated
August 7th, 2011
12:33 pm
The hamstring thing has me bothered a little like some others on here. Hamstring injuries occur usually from a lack of preparation (stretching, warm ups, conditioning). Coaches figured that out back in the leather helmet days. Someone needs to remind Richt.
murray county mystic
August 7th, 2011
12:36 pm
Georgia is so bad and so irrelevant that I choose to spend a considerable portion of my life pointing that fact out to people who I know think I’m a complete tool and know I’m just a troll. I would blog on TECHs blogs but there is hardly anyone over there.
kb
August 7th, 2011
12:41 pm
@logicalus, don’t get out much? Giants and Redskins both have as their primary fullbacks, that are 6-3 and weigh north of 265lbs. Figgins is a good athlete and play the fb position.Versatility and athleticism will land Bruce in NFL not extra 20lbs and playing tackle where the average size in NFL is 6-5 320.