With Cornelius Washington suspended 2 games, is it now Ray Drew’s time?
With Cornelius Washington's suspension, 5-star freshman signee Ray Drew could be in position to step into the spotlight. (UGA photo)
Lots of things going on in the wake of Georgia’s 24-10 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. Of course, the big news was starting outside linebacker Cornelius Washington, who had served as defensive captain and starred in the game, getting arrested for DUI about 10 hours after the game was over.
As Tim Tucker reported, Washington is now going to be suspended “at least” for the upcoming road games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt. That’s obviously a major blow as Washington was playing his best ball and was emerging as perhaps the Bulldogs’ best pass rusher.
The question is, what happens now?
Fans have been calling all season to see more of five-star signee Ray Drew. One of the things that was holding back Drew, if you will, has been the stellar play of Washington. We’ll see very whether Washington’s suspension will automatically result in more playing time for Drew. You’d think it would, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham coulld decide to shift some things around.
Here’s what coach Mark Richt had to say about Drew Sunday night:
“It’ll be an opportunity for him certainly. He’ll be part of the mix, as far as our discussions. Any time a guy goes out of the game, whether it’s by suspension or whatever it is, it always creates opportunities for guys. Will Ray be the sole beneficiary of that playing time or part beneficiary of it? I don’t know. That’s what we’ve got to decide. Some of it might be decided in practice as far as how their performance goes in practice.”
Drew will certainly get a hard look and likely will get more snaps. But chances are good that the starting nod will go to redshirt sophomore Chase Vasser. Vasser already has two starts under his belt and actually started the Ole Miss game ahead of Washington because of his superior ability to drop into pass coverage. Redshirt sophomore Reuben Faloughi will also get a hard look this week.
One thing that’s certain about playing the Vols on Saturday, Georgia will see a lot of passing. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray leads the SEC in passing at 332 yards per game and pass efficiency (176.1) with 14 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. Meanwhile, Tennessee has allowed just 7 sacks in four games, third least in the league.
Said Richt: “There’s no doubt, they are very good at what they do. Tyler is very accurate, as you can see. He’s got a quarterback rating that may be the best in the country. I know he’s the best in our league. So it’s definitely going to be a great challenge for us.”
Here’s a rewind of everything we’ve written since Saturday’s game:
- OLB Cornelius Washington suspended 2 games for DUI arrest
- Game story: Georgia gets defensive in 24-10 win over Mississippi State
- Bradley: Dogs dominate but don’t dazzle
- Freshman Malcolm Mitchell catching on as wide receiver
- Georgia’s defense motivated by pregame taunt
- Georgia-Mississippi State rewind
- Postgame notes: Murray says 3 picks no cause for alarm
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417 comments Add your comment
GTBob
October 3rd, 2011
11:47 am
GTBob, funny how so many thought MSU was going to beat UGA with Relf and Ballard running all over us, but now that their offense got SHUT DOWN, their just a terrible offense that we beat.
They are ranked 71st in the country and they are only that high because they ran up the score against Memphis, one of the worst defenses in College Football. The week before the UGA game Miss St needed overtime to beat Louisiana Tech. It was Louisiana Tech’s best defensive performance of the season in yards allowed and second best in points. Central Arkansas performed better on offense against Louisiana Tech then Miss St did. So yeah, im not impressed.
RaleighDawg
October 3rd, 2011
11:48 am
With all seriousness and with no ill will intended…
To all the Tech/FLA fans who read UGA online artiicles and post on UGA blogs – why do you do this ? Seriously, I don’t understand as beyond scanning a headline I’ve never read a GT/UF article or posted to a GT/UF blog. As a Dawg fan I could care less what happens on North Ave or down in Gainsville – good or bad. Why do you care what happens over in Athens ?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 3rd, 2011
11:49 am
Nebraska called the Big 12 and wanted to know if it is too late to come back.
Bama looked really good Saturday. Well disciplined team. Hustle all 60 minutes. I can’t wait for the LSU game.
how2fish
October 3rd, 2011
11:50 am
2 games is I think what we have done in the past, so it fits here..damn shame he made the mistake. He is lucky it wasn’t worst he was speeding not just cruising around Athens at 30mph which would have been bad in of itself. Good win this week, IMO we were the more physical team and I was wondering if we would be after last year. We have to play 2 complete halves on offense if we are going to have a chance vs the Vols this week I think we can, but we won’t know till late Saturday evening. Go Dogs!
TampaDawg
October 3rd, 2011
11:51 am
Yeah, I got all that. I never thought they would win either. But that still didn’t stop many, including those in the GT crowd on here, from predicting that they would take UGA out this week in Athens.
That’ was my point. We hear all these predictions of teams beating UGA, but when UGA wins, it’s “well, they were just another bad team”. I actually respect you GTBob as far as the GT crowd goes but let’s be honest; you not being impressed with UGA’s defense is backed up by the same reason we are not impressed with GT’s offense.
Spaceman Spiff
October 3rd, 2011
11:52 am
I just love it when tech fans live vicariously through us…
Insular Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
11:52 am
I agree RaleighDawg.
Our team looks much better to me when I refrain from reading anything about any other team.
WDE
October 3rd, 2011
11:53 am
@GTBob impressive offense your bunch has, that defense of yours is your weakness. NC St scored 35 on it and you will see better offensive units soon,but your 5-0 and rolling along, keep up the good work and see you in Nov.
THE TRUTH
October 3rd, 2011
11:54 am
I know everyone on this blog knows how to run the program better than CMR. In Fact I am 100% positive that everyone here commenting has won a SEC championships and could do such a better job as the head coach. Washington is a punk and should be kicked off for making a mistake at the age of 22. I am sorry, I didnt know perfection was on this blog and that is a lot of perfect people. Cut the crap this goes on in every school.
schmeckdawg
October 3rd, 2011
11:55 am
Why are all of you people ragging on CMR? It is either the University’s or Athletic Department’s policy that an athlete that receives a DUI is automatically suspended for 20% of the season. Roughly 2 games.
Richt is just following policy!
Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
WDE
October 3rd, 2011
11:55 am
@Insular Dawg so what are you a Bug or a Gator..hmmm this week you could be a Vol? Which is it?
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
11:55 am
GTBob,
UGA fans were concerned about Miss St cause they beat us last year and over the last couple years we as UGA fans have to hold our breath cause as of late we typically lose to a couple teams we should beat!
THE ONLY TWO TEAMS THIS YEAR I KNOW WE WILL WIN Were…..CC and
I’m scared we may loose to Tenn and Vandy……….that says a lot about where we were and where we are now!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara Dooley
October 3rd, 2011
11:57 am
Don’t all the UT fans leave at halftime like you did when Oregon blew doors on you.
I-DOG
October 3rd, 2011
11:57 am
I thought we played as well in the first half as we have in at least a year. It was a good win. Concerned that the offense really bogged down in the 2nd half despite getting the ball back often from the defense (best defensive game in probably 3-4 years for the Dawgs)and the O also had some great position.
Murray was pretty mediocre completing just over half his passes and 3 picks isn’t going to get it done for UGA most weeks. That pick 6 in the 4th quarter was frightening. Georgia was putting the game away and that play was one that kept hope alive for MS State.
Murray hasn’t been very good in the 4th quarter of games and it is starting to become a big enough sample size that it is starting to have some meaning. I hope that he is able to progress and take care of the football and play well in the 4th quarter.
It also concerning that despite Richt stating that Mason has earned some playing time, he isn’t playing. I’m NOT saying bench Murray, but we need to have a 2nd quarter back with game experience in the program.
1.) What if Murray doesn’t progress going into his Junior year? We don’t have anybody else who has played in an SEC game that can step up
2.) What if Murray gets hurt (see Florida facing Bama, LSU, Auburn, and UGA without a QB with any experience.
I’m not saying bench Murray. It won’t kill Murray’s development to say to him “we are going to give Mason once series in the first half of the TN game. He has practiced hard just like you and he deserves to see the field. If Murray is struggling and Mason is playing well, he might play more in the second half.
It isn’t like we NEVER punt or turn the ball over when Murray is QB, so it shouldn’t be that scary a proposition. We might even score or move the ball and improve field position during that one series int eh first half.
Derrick Dooley
October 3rd, 2011
11:58 am
We are the Germans and the Americans are storming the beach!
Skitty Fritty
October 3rd, 2011
11:59 am
To GTBob:
The same old Tech, great offense and no defense. Can wait for Paul Johnson to out coach Mark Richt and lose by 8 again in 2011.
KB
October 3rd, 2011
11:59 am
Ramble on , Enjoy it now the whippings begin in couple of weeks for Tech and will continue through November when you get the annual ass whipping vs georgia.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:00 pm
Hmmmm… where are the bloggers who where calling for Richts head three weeks ago? Thats right they are trying to find a soft landing spot back on the bandwagon.
Barbara Dooley
October 3rd, 2011
12:01 pm
Does anyone want to go skinny dipping at my house?
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:01 pm
Use to be I worried about the TN game, Fla Game and sometimes the AU game…..now I’m worried about most of em…….anyone else echo that?
Skitty Fritty
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
Not worried about UT but I am always worried about UF and Auburn
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
yea Barbara….i like a woman that gots no teeth!
LHarding Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
I believe out defense is going to do the same thing to Tennessee that they did to the Mississippi teams, dominate. The offense needs to score points, but not that many. How many championships are won with defense. Most of them.
Mark (another one)
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
For those wondering why Washington is still around, I would bet a big reason is how he is handling things. He didn’t lie to the police, so I bet he didn’t lie to Richt or other UGA officials. He is ready to pay the price for his crime, and it was a crime.
I would also bet he is not a ‘problem child’ for Richt and the staff. We see Washington being suspended for two games and someone else getting kicked off the team. What we don’t see are the other, internally managed issues. And yes, there is the third factor, causing more trouble than your worth. The great John Woooden (also a devote christian and coach) admited to treating players differently due to the goodwill they had put in the bank prior to an offense.
We will miss Washington but we also have to believe Richt and Grantham will do their best to put the best replacement strategy in place and adjust when issues arise. If its Vasser, Drew, someone else, or some combination.
Spaceman Spiff
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
WDE, Insular Dawg = GTBob = Rooster = Thomas Brown…just another troll one in the same…
Insular Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
Every time I get on the bandwagon, the darn thing crashes. Think I’ll just walk.
Will Muschamp
October 3rd, 2011
12:04 pm
I guess I am not a Jedi yet. Saban is still my Jedi Master.
Restore UGA
October 3rd, 2011
12:04 pm
RaleighDawg,
The only thing I care to even look at down in Gator land are those cute little cut off jean shorts and the contents within. Those little hick girls sure are cute.
I-DOG
October 3rd, 2011
12:05 pm
Pretty Amazing that we are back in the SEC race. What if we were playing up to the capabilities of our talent level and we hadn’t given the game away to South Carolina? We would be in the drivers seat right now with Brantley hurt and Florida facing a MUCH tougher SEC schedule than we do.
The only way that we stay in the race is to keep winning games and we are a mediocre football team right now. However, if we can keep improving we might have a shot since the SEC East is so much weaker than it normally is (last year and this year).
With Brantely out, this seems to be about the weakest back to back teams for the Gators since the 70’s. TN hasn’t been this weak since the late 80’s. South Carolina is improved, but they lost 5 games last year and they aren’t exactly Florida or TN from the 90’s.
A mediocre team will win the SEC East two years in a row and you can’t say that very often.
Proud-Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:05 pm
Amazes me that GT fans come onto their daddy’s blog and talk smack. I’m all for free speech, but let’s not distort reality. The University of Georgia will always be GT’s big brother. No one in the state of Georgia cares about Tech, fact. Look at the newspapers local TV, it’s all about UGA. I’m willing to bet India and Pakistan have a better following. The annual beat down is approaching fast, fact. To all the classy Tech fans, if any actually remain, congrats on the 5-0 start.
sav'h dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:05 pm
To all you Richt haters that were calling for DanMullen to come to Athens, he has accomplished zero in Starkville. Zero wins in the SEC West except against Ole Miss. We have the right coach in place. Its up to the players to perform on the field.
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:06 pm
Proof Reader,
Let me guess…..you read playboy for the articles……………………….
Still@theBar
October 3rd, 2011
12:06 pm
DawginLEX
The charges in the LSU fight have been changed from Felonies.
90 proof
October 3rd, 2011
12:06 pm
Spin Spin Spin. The UGA nation is full of irrational logic and reasoning. The fact that a player does not respect the program enough and embarrasses the team with dui and major speeding says alot about the mindset of some UGA players. Other players leaving in droves. One normally sees transfers and bad behavior with a coaching change and with an established secure program and coach.
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:07 pm
Agree with I-Dog!
The Truth
October 3rd, 2011
12:07 pm
Lowcountry – Wins over a I-AA team and two teams with losing records is hardly a reason to believe that someone has replaced the tires on said bandwagon. The fact is that Richt is still very much on the hot seat. The Dawgs haven’t played 4 quarters all season. The offense is still inconsistent and predictable. The OL cannot pass block to save their lives, and cannot consistently open holes for the running backs. As the competition toughens throughout the rest of the season, we will see whether or not this team has turned it around, or if they have been the beneficiaries of a soft schedule over the past 3 weeks.
The bottom line is that this team doesn’t have (and hasn’t had for several years) a killer instinct. The coaching just isn’t there. Until proven otherwise, that will remain a fact, as well as the key reason why Richt, Bobo, & company will be discussed as hot seat occupants.
Jim Tressel
October 3rd, 2011
12:07 pm
90 Proof:
You are 100% right. This stuff would never happen as my school where I was secure and a great coach.
Texas Dawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:09 pm
The Truth…………you speak………………….the truth!
90 proof
October 3rd, 2011
12:09 pm
One normally sees transfers and bad behavior with a coaching change and with an not with established secure program and coach.
should have said “not”
90 proof
October 3rd, 2011
12:13 pm
Did anyone see Nick Saban snatch that former 4 star db on special teams by collar off the field for jaw jacking? Players need to fear the consequences and learn to stay focused for 5 months out of the year.
WDE
October 3rd, 2011
12:13 pm
@Spaceman Spiff I assure you I’m no troll been around here quite a while and will be . Where in the heck have you been?
Mark
October 3rd, 2011
12:13 pm
Proud-Dawg, we aren’t GT’s big brother – we are their Dad!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:15 pm
The Truth- the bottom line is the team has won 3 straight games. Who cares what the records are, many of the so called blogger UGA fans had no hope for this team and predicted as much this past weekend. So the fact is that by winning Richt has shut up idiot blogger UGA fan. When the team whens this weekend delusions of granduer will be rampant and the bandwagon will be at full capacity with tons of former Benedict Arnolds of the program.
Still@theBar
October 3rd, 2011
12:15 pm
Do you think Derek & Allison will welcome Mike & Lannie to Knoxville? Maybe Derek will hire Bobo to do something on the Vol Staff next year.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 3rd, 2011
12:16 pm
90 proof, I saw that. That’s coaching at it’s finest. 100% details and into the game at all times.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:16 pm
What they will do is simply change the blog handles they go by rather than facing getting called out for how pathetic they acted after the start of the season.
Spaceman Spiff
October 3rd, 2011
12:17 pm
WDE – I wasn’t calling you a troll, just enlightning you on the regulars..
Proof Reader
October 3rd, 2011
12:17 pm
Texas Dawg,
No, I don’t read or look at Playboy. But when I read or look at an article about my beloved Dawgs on the AJC, I expect a professional article that is clean and proof read with no mistakes.
Still@theBar
October 3rd, 2011
12:17 pm
@MARK………. then you WIFE/ GT’s mom must be a Damn Brilliant Woman cause UGA male sperm might as well be Mayonnaise.
AltamahaDawg
October 3rd, 2011
12:19 pm
Sounds like Washington might not have started Saturday anyway because of the heavy pass offense. Probably a bigger issue is who is (not) there when the starter needs to take a breather.