Practice report: Boise State’s Tommy Smith will feel at home in the Dome
ATHENS – Everybody in Boise, Idaho, is excited about playing Georgia in the Georgia Dome on Sept. 3, but no one is more excited than Tommy Smith.
Smith
Smith is a junior inside linebacker for the Broncos and, thanks to quarterback Michael Tamburo’s transfer to UGA, the only Boise State player from Atlanta, or Georgia, for that matter. As such, he has been the No. 1 thorn-in-the-side of his teammates the past few weeks.
Players get just two tickets apiece for away games. Smith said he needs 27 — at least.
“I’ve got 17 right now,” Smith said in a telephone interview this week. “I thought this would be an easy game to get tickets for but it’s been pretty hard. Hopefully I can get 10 more.”
It’s a problem Smith is happy to have. Playing Georgia in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game – playing Georgia anywhere, in fact — is something Smith never dreamed of when he signed with the Broncos out of North Atlanta High.
“Definitely not in the Georgia Dome,” Smith said. “I’m really excited about getting back home and playing in the Georgia Dome in front of my friends and family. I found out when it was released to the newspaper. I started thinking then about how many tickets I could get.”
Smith said he and his family used to attend Atlanta Falcons’ games regularly at the Dome. But he’s never had the pleasure of playing in it. His North Atlanta teams never made it that far in the high school playoffs.
Smith is currently a backup linebacker to Byron Hout, a senior who’s best known for being knocked out by Oregon’s LaGarrett Blount in 2009. Smith plays regularly, though, and filled in last season when Hout was out with a broken foot. He has had 49 tackles the last two seasons and was named to the All-WAC academic team both years.
So how did this Atlantan end up all the way out in Boise?
“It was all about how recruiting played out,” said Smith, a two-star rated recruit. “I wasn’t that highly recruited out of high school. I had a couple of offers but nothing major. Somehow I found myself all the way out Boise on a recruiting visit and I liked it. It was in the winter, like a couple of days before the Super Bowl. There was snow everywhere. I thought it was pretty cool.”
Tailback talk
There were conflicting reports after practice Thursday as to how much tailback Richard Samuel was able to participate. Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said the big junior was able to do everything, including 11-on-11 work. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo insisted he did not have Samuel for 11-on-11.
Suffice it to say, Samuel is back and is involved in preparations for the Boise State game. The 6-2, 238-pound running back has been out for nearly two weeks with a strained quadriceps.
Nevertheless, McClendon indicated that, barring further injury setbacks, Samuel will likely be the starter against Boise State.
“If they’re healthy it’d be Richard and Isaiah right now,” he said when asked the order of appearance. But he said Crowell will play a significant role against Boise State and may eventually start this season.
“You definitely want to see him just keep improving,” McClendon said. “He’s put himself in great position to get a lot of work in that first ballgame. He’s a guy we’re going to have to depend on a lot.
McClendon also listed Brandon Harton ahead of Ken Malcome for the third and fourth spots.
Injury report
Asked to comment on the play of nose guard John Jenkins, defensive line coach Rodney Garner groused. “If you want to know about him you have to ask Ron Courson,” he said.
Courson is, of course, Georgia’s director of sports medicine. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Jenkins remains in Courson’s charge. He has now been out a week with a pulled hamstring.
Harton was also out Thursday with an undisclosed leg injury suffered in Wednesday’s scrimmage. McClendon indicated it was not serious. Fullback Bruce Figgins (hamstring) and wide receivers Marlon Brown (ankle) and Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring) also sat out.
Etc. . . .
Georgia practiced for 90 minutes Thursday in a workout that focused mainly on special teams. . . Offensive line coach Will Friend said sophomore Dallas Lee will be the “first guy in” off the bench for the Bulldogs at either guard position or center. He’d be followed by David Andrews, then Austin Long. However, Kenarious Gates would shift from guard to either left or right tackle if one has to come out of the game. Lee would actually be . . . Outside linebacker Ray Drew has recovered enough from the separated shoulder he suffered in a scooter crash to be counted on to play against Boise State. “He’ll play and he’ll give us some depth,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “I think he’ll be a guy that will continue to rise as the season goes.” . . . Safety Corey Moore and cornerback Damian Swann are freshmen currently playing on the second-team defense.
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268 comments Add your comment
Chip Towers
August 26th, 2011
10:15 am
DC: Has nothing to do with allegiances. Has to do with how one conducts himself. Will be much less tolerant in coming days.
DC
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Yeah Chip I understood why you did it. Going to be crazy in a couple weeks so good luck. Season is almost here! War Eagle!
RedandBlackDAWG
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Hey Chip,
What is your guess on the run -pass ratio UGA goes with in this game. Me personally, I think they need to try and control the game on offense, but I could be thinking wrong. I just don’t think it would benefit UGA to try and strike quick all the time and have the defense out there three fourths of the time.
Tobias Funke
August 26th, 2011
10:29 am
Chip
What is your gut feeling on John Jenkins? Will he get alot of playing time next week?
Electrocrusier
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
Beware of the blue. They are as good as advertised. Dawgs will have to play well and Boise will have to make some mistakes for the Dawgs to win. 34-24 Boise
Boise Dawg
August 26th, 2011
10:34 am
Nice story on Tommy Smith… I didn’t realize he was from Atlanta. I am really curious to see how the ratings will compare for the Georgia / Boise State game to the LSU / Oregon game. Both should be great games, but with all the off field crap both LSU and Oregon have been going through this offseason, just not as excited about that matchup. Not sure why ESPN/ABC is showing the two biggest games of next weekend in the same exact time slot.
TampaDawg
August 26th, 2011
10:35 am
If both teams play mistake free, UGA wins. Too much size, too much speed at the non-skill positions, talent difference. There are questions to be answered by both teams. It’s not as though UGA is the only team out there with some transition going on. In the OL/DL is where it will be won.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 26th, 2011
10:38 am
Boise DAWG,
It is kind of a weird schedule for TV, I have yo admit. Doesn’t ABC actaully own ESPN or something like that?
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 26th, 2011
10:39 am
Yall seen any Boise people wondering around yet?
Boise Dawg
August 26th, 2011
10:41 am
I think Disney owns ESPN and ABC… but yes they are one in the same.
Tobias Funke
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
Boise Dawg
I believe Boise St./UGA game will have higher ratings. I am also confused why the partners (ABC/ESPN) would have the two biggest games of the day in competing time slots.
TampaDawg
August 26th, 2011
10:44 am
Gonna be a good game .. Both teams are so ramped up for this.
TampaDawg
August 26th, 2011
10:45 am
Tobias Funke
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
Boise Dawg
I believe Boise St./UGA game will have higher ratings. I am also confused why the partners (ABC/ESPN) would have the two biggest games of the day in competing time slots.
———————————
Makes no sense .. like you said, they are partners and they are going to beat each other up on the ratings. Some producer/scheduler is going to have to explain that to upper management probably.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 26th, 2011
10:50 am
If you can get a stat line that resembles this I think UGA is in good shape…
RS 15 car. 60 yards
IC 20 car 85 yards
Harton/Malcome 6 carries 20 yards
Rushing 41 carries 165 yards 3 TD
AM 16/25 200 yds. 2/0
That is 66 plays 5 Touchdowns with zero turnovers. 365 yards of offense in a grind it out T.O.P style. Also think you gotta get BSU to turn the ball over twice to accomplish the victory.
Boise Dawg
August 26th, 2011
10:59 am
Lowcountry if that is a stat line for UGA in this game… it won’t be close. I would not expect it though. I think this will be a low scoring hard fought game and will come down to who makes the least mistakes and who avoids a very critical mistake. It will probably be sloppy at times for both teams.
Georgia can’t afford to come out of the gate slow. Boise State has a habit of jumping on good teams early. They also have a habit of making mistakes and blowing big leads against good teams.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
August 26th, 2011
11:06 am
AJC headline: “Krispy Kreme Honors GSU With Doughnut Day”
All I can say is Coach Grantham is gonna be hot!
DougsMugs
August 26th, 2011
11:10 am
@JAWJeRDAWG , UGA players should put some red ruboff dye on places where they would contact Boise on big hits. (shoulder pads) I am guessing that Niki will want to use great coloring that won’t rub off, so some help should be applied.
Gdawg
August 26th, 2011
11:26 am
Tide Roll, go get some new text books for your players (maybe one with instructions on how to beat South Carolina!) Maybe a free suit or two for Richardson. Get on your own darn board, loser!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 26th, 2011
11:28 am
@ Boise Dawg
Thats why I put the big if. That is a line of us really being able to impose our will and control the clock. Would love to see a UGA team come out against a top flight team and be able to accomplish this.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 26th, 2011
11:32 am
I heard that corner Branden Smith is in a boot today.
Any info on this injury?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 26th, 2011
11:36 am
Well Jefferson out at LSU, arrest warrant issued just now. So we can watch Zack play Sat night against Oregon as we watch Murray play Boise. That will be interesting.
Boo is bust
August 26th, 2011
11:36 am
so much for malcome……… last on the depth chart
1eyedJack
August 26th, 2011
11:39 am
Tater Tots! Get some!
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 26th, 2011
11:39 am
People are saying that Branden Smith might be out a few games from this injury.
Good People
August 26th, 2011
11:40 am
People lie…..
Boise Dawg
August 26th, 2011
11:43 am
I feel bad for LSU fans… I am so glad this has been a quiet offseason for Georgia with regard to off the field crap. Lets hope it stays that way the rest of the season.
frannie mae
August 26th, 2011
11:43 am
bill king still has me banned.
Comments are closed
August 26th, 2011
11:45 am
“Will be much less tolerant in coming days” this means when richt goes 0 – 2 chip will ban the richt haters.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 26th, 2011
11:46 am
With Branden Smith out, will Boykins do punt returns?
Afan
August 26th, 2011
11:56 am
So whats up with this new penalty? taking points away for celebrating? come on???
so now we are going to leave a game up to the officials on something that is their discretion to call whenever they want. so can you challenge a celebration call? remember AJ getting called for celebrating when he didnt? i think it was the LSU game.
this is horrible.
Afan
August 26th, 2011
11:59 am
who said brandon smith was out?
1eyedJack
August 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
If the refs take away points they better leave the stadium with a police escort and bullit proof vest.
Bronco Backer
August 26th, 2011
12:04 pm
Byron Hout was not knocked out by Blount. Though Blunt sucker punched him and Hout went to one knee, he immediately got up. Please don’t glorify a criminal act by a low life like Blount, he doesn’t deserve it.
Afan
August 26th, 2011
12:06 pm
i can see it now. We are in the last seconds against Florida. The game is tied. Crowell breaks one. He goes 60 yards. Time elapses as he crosses the goal line and dives into the end zone. No wait, this is a penalty cause he was happy. lets put a penalty on it.
so instead of winning in dramatic fasion and a game to go down for the ages. its called back. amazing… taunting is one thing but penalizing a team for getting caught up in the moment is stupid.
PMC
August 26th, 2011
12:09 pm
A lot of people pick games based on just coach and QB.
Boise State is better in both categories.
Afan
August 26th, 2011
12:16 pm
hahaha thats funny PMC. so if you pile up stats and beat nobodys then that makes you better. This is like trying to compare the atlanta Braves to the Gwinnett Braves. You have no common area to compare. The dawgs play a significantly tougher schedule.
No one will know until they take the field.
Bodda Getta
August 26th, 2011
12:21 pm
Georgia practiced for 90 minutes Thursday in a workout that focused mainly on special teams.
In between all that punting and short yardage field goal practice, I wonder if Georgia had time to practice against the onside kick.
Chip Towers
August 26th, 2011
12:35 pm
Tobias Funke: I think Jenkins will play and play a lot.
barrow dog
August 26th, 2011
12:36 pm
get your game face on Russ… opening game in the airconditioning, we expect max effort from you. stay away from the ice bags and cheerleaders.
JB
August 26th, 2011
12:58 pm
Chip. Brandon Smith? Any Word?
Gator Mike
August 26th, 2011
12:58 pm
I am pulling for the DAWGS to clobber Boise.
Chip Towers
August 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
JB: His name is spelled “Branden” Smith, and, no, I can’t claim any direct knowledge of his being injured or wearing a boot around campus. But I can tell you this: It’s rarely as bad as it seems. For instance, Brandon Harton was on crutches on campus yesterday. I know because I saw him. But he’s not seriously injured. He’s slightly injured and trainers just taking precautions that it doesn’t get worse. I’ll find out what I can about B Smith, but Richt stated flatly that there were no new injuries last we talked to him on Wednesday. Something could’ve happened yesterday I suppose. But don’t go jumping off buildings just yet.
Browndog
August 26th, 2011
1:08 pm
UGA has not shown up for a big game in several years. Hopefully a new trend starts in the GA Dome. However, until it does BS is a better football team and deserves to be ranked where they are anpd should be favored to win.
I believe this is a very, very difficult game for UGA. If GA does win it will be by the slightest of margins
frannie mae
August 26th, 2011
1:10 pm
UGA is in BIG BIG trouble……… just ask fran.
trupert
August 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
@ Tide Roll.
Why don’t you go to a blog that matters to the Tide? How about Sports By Brooks or Out Kick The Coverage?
Any news yet on If Saban’s gonna hold out all those players that got all those extra benefits from Booster Al Betar?
My guess is that Saban will play them as if nothing’s gonna happen. Auburn will lose their SEC and NC within a year. How long will it take the NCAA to catch up with Alabama and Suit-Gate? It’s just a matter of time. Might as well enjoy the benefits of Bamas cheating ways while they last?
Tobias Funke
August 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
tide roll is a tech fan. That is why he magically disappears when you call him out. JUST IGNORE HIM.
Spike 80DF
August 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
rivals is saying BSmith’s “foot was stepped on” during Thur practice. sounds like a precaution to me…unless it was Kwame that stepped on him.
Roux
August 26th, 2011
2:17 pm
UGA fans watching on TV now have an interesting choice…
Watch Mett excel or watch Murray struggle?
It will be like G-Day all over again!
Football Insider
August 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
Brandon Smith from UGA has a high ankle sprain is likely out 2 games.
Bad news for the dawgs with him and Hamilton both out.
Not good for special team either.
TampaDawg
August 26th, 2011
2:27 pm
Browndog, does a win over #7 GT in 09 not count as a showing up for a big game? Or the one over #11 LSU in 08? Those weren’t that long ago.