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
gdawginkalamazoo
October 4th, 2011
11:28 am
I guess I won’t get too upset about the 2nd half offensive “so called let downs” against the Mississippi teams. Nobody got hurt and the defense did not disappoint. That said I sure hope Bobo and Richt can keep the O going from here on out. UT, Vandy and Kentucky are all better than Ole Miss and MSU.
TampaDawg
October 4th, 2011
11:51 am
Merry Marr and you’re only concerned with spouting off stuff you know NOTHING about. Cleaning up the program? Compare it to soooo many others out there and their legal AND NCAA issues and you’re looking at a very very clean UGA program.
TampaDawg
October 4th, 2011
11:59 am
Why thank you RED DOG 77 .. Been a fan of this team for 37 years now. Been through the good, the bad and the downright UGLY.
Quick team assessment:
The defense looks more and more solid every week. Will get a good idea of where they are against the pass in Knoxville, but against what is normally a solid running game in MSU, they were on fire.
Offensively, they can move the ball well. I think Murray got way too confident after they built the big lead and let his focus down. It happens. But watching him from a former QB perspective, this guy can make big throws. The broken leg in his senior year of high school stole some of his speed but he can still get out of the pocket and make first downs. But he was brought in here because at Plant High, they run a similar pro style offense that CMR wants to run.
IC does have some stamina issues no doubt. Unfortunately, you don’t get a lot of time to build on that DURING the season so we have to take it as it is for now. But my gosh, that dude is one heck of a runner otherwise. I still don’t think anyone but one official saw where he went out of bounds on his long run in the first half (not that he had a long run in the second half).
TampaDawg
October 4th, 2011
12:00 pm
One thing kalamazoo, Kentucky isn’t better than anyone in the SEC at this point. They are for real bad.
TampaDawg
October 4th, 2011
12:12 pm
bubba4dawgs
October 3rd, 2011
8:29 pm
The Vols are good pickers and they will be playing the best in the league at throwing pics!
————————————-
Pretty sure that Stephen Garcia owns that title. He’s not even trying hard and he will in the interception title going away.
Still@theBAR
October 4th, 2011
12:25 pm
Thank God Damon Evans got most of this schedule. McGarity made the deal for BSU.
Wreckmaniac
October 4th, 2011
12:44 pm
Has a Tech man and a UGA man ever worked together as well as Calvin Johnson and Stafford have it going on now ? I would like to know.
DAWGMAN
October 4th, 2011
12:55 pm
The most disturbing thing about the rest of the season is the article about ‘the dogs satisfied about where they are’ bs. Seems the ‘coaching down’ is taking hold. And the cheerleaders yelled,’Medi’. And the crowd responded,’Ocrity’.
Can we get a Kool-Aid product recall?
I’ve heard that Coach Richt and Nutt have petitioned the SEC to reinstate the provisions that allow for ties. 0-6-6 Bulldogs Coach Richt says ‘we were just a few plays away from a much different season, and we all look forward to the 2012 Dream Team’. He and Coach Bobo are putting together a few new wrinkles for the offense next year. On balance, Bulldog fans have a lot to look forward to in2012.
Still@theBAR
October 4th, 2011
1:19 pm
Wreckmaniac
No Tech Player ever played Wide Receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
So the answer is NO. No other NFL UGA QB’s lasted more than a few games.
Half Century Dawg Fan
October 4th, 2011
1:31 pm
Honky Talkin’, News Flash, Bama and LSU make all other BCS schools second tier, not just the SEC.
College Football Week 6 – Next Stop Rocky Top – Georgia vs. Tennesee 2011 | Georgia Dawg Football
October 4th, 2011
4:08 pm
[...] getting pressure on the Vols signal caller has become more of a quandary for Georgia since Cornelius Washington found himself in trouble over the weekend and he will now miss both games in the State of Tennessee at minimum. What is wrong with Mr. Washington? He is a young [...]
Joshua Barlowe
October 4th, 2011
4:52 pm
I wonder what Ray Drew will get arrested for, and when? Surely it’s only time – every dawg has his day (in court).
Joshua Barlowe
October 4th, 2011
4:52 pm
Kerry Watkins from Tech played WR for the Vikings.
DawginALAMO, Wheeler county
October 5th, 2011
8:15 am
Now is the time for Drew to step up. If he gets in the lineup he may never ride the bench again. His speed, feel for contact make this kid a NATURAL. His HIGHSCHOOL coaches love him (don’t they all?). If he can’t cut however there is a kid down here in ALAMO, WHEELER COUNTY that is lighting it up. He is only a middle schooler, but word is SABIN, PATERNO, and DENTON (Central Florida!!!) are watching this wunder kid.beat up running backs AND recievers alike. His name is Osmond Litchfield and he IS the real deal. GOOGLE the name, watch the film – wow what a football player.
robrob
October 6th, 2011
10:18 am
From a law enforcement officer’s view, DUI is a serious violation. More serious than selling a jersey. 2 games is not enough. Maybe 2 games with some substance abuse training, counselling, probation and community service. Make him earn his scholarship back! Ethics, Education, Family then Football LAST!!!!!
robrob
October 6th, 2011
10:25 am
@Joshua Barlowe
So you are one heck of a Dawg Fan I see? For your info, Ray Drew is an ordained minister and the son of a minister. He is by far, head and shoulders above the drunk and disorderly. Maybe next time you make a comment, know what youy are talking about.
robrob
October 6th, 2011
10:26 am
Go Ray Drew! Thomasville is pulling for you man. Wreak Havoc like we know you can!