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Football update: Malcolm Mitchell works at receiver, Corey Moore impresses at safety

12:42 pm March 30, 2012, by Chip Towers

ATHENS — After absorbing the first volley of questions from reporters about suspensions and drug policies and the like, Georgia coach Mark Richt on Thursday asked the rhetorical question, “anybody want to talk some football?”

There wasn’t a lot of new stuff, but here’s what Richt had to say on the following subjects:

  • Malcolm Mitchell got his first work of spring at wide receiver and is starting to truly play both ways at cornerback and receiver. . . .

“We allowed Malcolm to play a little offense as well. Any time he wasn’t losing a rep on defense, we tried to get him to jump over there and get a little work on offense, which was good. He enjoyed it. You could tell he was a little tired but, if he’s going to play both ways he’s got to get into condition for something like that. I thought he did a good job.”

Richt said Mitchell is getting opportunities as a return man as well.

  • Who’s standing out at the moment? . . .

“A lot of good things happening out there, but one guy in particular who’s just been showing up every day in my opinion is [DE/OLB] Cornelius Washington. He’s just been very physical at the point [of attack] and pretty dominant against the run and certainly doing a good job rushing the passer as always. Really seeing a lot of good things from him.”

  • The progress of true freshman tailback Keith Marshall . . .

“He is very diligent as far as a guy trying to learn what to do. But, again, there is so much to learn in such a small amount of time and we’re really installing our offense at more of a veteran’s pace, because most everybody is a veteran. He’s one of the few guys, along with Mark Beard and Faton Bauta, that are here at the midyear. So those three guys are not really getting it spoon fed to them like you would maybe if you come in with the rest of the true freshmen. But he knew that going in and he did a lot of studying beforehand.

“He’s doing pretty good as far as assignments, and he’s already shown that he’s got the really fine running skills that we anticipated him to have. He’s got a toughness about him. But he’s a young kid out there playing with a bunch of veterans, so it’s not easy for him I’m sure. But he’ll be a lot happier in the fall when he’s a little bit of a veteran and those other freshmen teammates’ heads are spinning. He’ll be smiling then I’m sure.”

  • The seemingly increasing amount of work senior Richard Samuel is getting at fullback . . .

“Richard’s the one who came to me about wanting to learn it. He knew we didn’t have a lot of depth there. So he asked me about it before spring break some time. And I said, well, you’re in the same room with them. Every time Coach McClendon is teaching a fullback, you might as well be listening and paying attention. He can’t teach tailback and fullback in the same breath. So I told him make sure you’re paying attention and we’’ll five you some reps in there. And we have. He’s big and he’s strong and he’s physical and he wants to do it.

“He just wants to help the team win. It’s the typical Richard Samuel line to me: ‘Coach, I want to have a great senior year; I want to do everything I can to help the team win. And if it means playing a little fullback I’ll do that, too.’

“We’re going to let him compete. He may start at fullback. It just depends on how well he does. That’s certainly an open competition at that position.”

The development of depth in the secondary in light of the early-season suspensions . . .

“We’ve got a good bunch of DBs. Overall we’ve got some pretty good depth there with guys that have got some experience and guys that are talented. When you put Malcolm back there, even though he hasn’t played any defensive snaps in college, he’s certainly done it in high school and he’s certainly played a lot of quality snaps in college. So he won’t be in awe out there playing football and competing in our league. Then you have a guy like Corey Moore, who’s starting to come on, and Damian Swann is coming on. So we’re definitely getting better in that area with some quality depth.”

  • The development of sophomore safety Corey Moore in particular . . .

“Well, as I watch him I see a guy who is much more confident than he was as a true freshman. He understands things a lot better. He’s very tough and physical. He certainly showed up strong for a high school kid, but now that he’s been in the program with Coach T and the strength staff he’s very solid, very strong, lean and athletic. He’ll strike you. I think he’ll be ready.”

  • What about Marc Deas and Quintavious Harrow? . . .

“They’re getting there. They’re getting their reps as well. They’re all a lot further along than they were when they went through camp. So they’re all improving. I’d say Corey right now looks more the part right this moment. In time, they’re progressing. I wouldn’t say those guys are ready to start right now but their roles I think can be expanded.

“One guy we haven’t mentioned is Connor Norman. He’s a guys who understands our system very well and can play more than one position, can play bnoth safeties and has gotten stronger as well. He’s a very sure tackler in the open field and he’s got good hands and good leadership ability. Connor’s definitely going to throw his hat into the ring as well.”

  • Are they considering some safety play for signee Josh Harvey-Clemons? . . .

“He does have some safety skills but he’s more of an outside linebacker. We’re going to see what he can do at wide receiver down close to the end zone, down in the red zone area.”

– Chip Towers, The UGA Blog

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54 comments Add your comment

UGASlobberknocker

March 30th, 2012
12:52 pm

What abouot Conley? I thought he was underrated last year

UGASlobberknocker

March 30th, 2012
12:56 pm

Now this is amazing. This post has been here about 5 minutes, yet neither ‘SHOCKED AND ALARMED” nor “Tide rising” has yet chimed in with their normal drivel. Mom must have called them to lunch.

Big Albany Dawg

March 30th, 2012
1:00 pm

Great news about Corey Moore. Let’s hope he can make it throught the off season…..

Park it yourself Metallica Breath

March 30th, 2012
1:06 pm

Hopefully with the announcement of no announcement yesterday Richt is finally starting to act like the rest of the SEC coaches. There’s no need to make any rash decisions or judgments, take some time and determine the correct course of action.

why not...

March 30th, 2012
1:10 pm

JHC in the red zone. Is UGA really looking to create mismatches? probably just smoke and mirrors because that sounds to creative for their offensive mindset.

geo

March 30th, 2012
1:14 pm

Richard Samuel? He has been on the team for about 8 years now hasn’t he?

Abe Lincoln

March 30th, 2012
1:17 pm

You gotta believe the move of Richard Samuel is related to suspensions that are coming.

Gator

March 30th, 2012
1:18 pm

Geo, Samuels will be a redshirt senior but is only 21 years old.

Dawglasville

March 30th, 2012
1:18 pm

I’m ready to move on. Play with who we have. Coach Richt is not going to run our program like a plantation which is what most of you guys want. It is what some other programs have. I don’t want to trade championships for our souls.

Oh, and trolls, “Bwaaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaa,” is really a stupid response to any blog.

gomdawg

March 30th, 2012
1:19 pm

Corey Moore we are pulling for you, we need young men that’s ready to play ball and not act stupid. GGOD LUCK PULLING FOR YOU

JB

March 30th, 2012
1:43 pm

So close from being good to great.

Sam

March 30th, 2012
1:50 pm

Samuel will be force at the fullback position if they use him correctly. He catches the ball really well, is fast, and is a load to bring down. Plus the defense will have to respect a guy like him more than the normal fullback witch should open up other players.

Sam

March 30th, 2012
1:51 pm

should be which not witch

Dawglasville

March 30th, 2012
1:53 pm

I guess the trolls are in the lotto lines investing in their retirement plans.

Dawglasville

March 30th, 2012
1:55 pm

Sam – great call. Not many fullbacks can take it to the house. Man it’s nice with out the trolls.

Cdpridg

March 30th, 2012
1:59 pm

Sounds like the Dawgs have good depth which is a result of Richt and staff recruiting efforts!

Supes

March 30th, 2012
2:11 pm

I know Richard Samuel hasn’t had the kind of career at UGA (so far) that stands out…but his incredible work ethic, team 1st attitude is second to none. I wish we could put 11 “Richard Samuels” out there, that were as unselfish and team oriented as he has shown to be over the last 3 years.

Richard Samuel = DGD!

topdawg

March 30th, 2012
2:19 pm

Richard was talked to about plsying fullback before all this went down, Abe.

topdawg

March 30th, 2012
2:20 pm

Great team player!!!!! Wish all players were all like Richard.

Dawglasville

March 30th, 2012
2:20 pm

Supes – Bingo. I hope the young man knows how much Dawg fans value him. Who knows, a move to fullback may be his ticket at the next level. Stranger things have happened.

John Galt

March 30th, 2012
2:22 pm

Samuel at FB could be a real sleeper move; he’s big and strong and has always run hard north and south. It would be great to see him flourish somewhere- he truly is a DGD.

Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)

March 30th, 2012
2:31 pm

It is really great to see all these compassionate and sensible posts on here with only a couple of idiot-driven snide remarks!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys and Go Dawgs and Go CMR and staff. We may be better off in the long run because of these suspensions. Some of the suspended may be religated to backup roles and Special Teams duty.

Ted Striker

March 30th, 2012
2:39 pm

Excellent column. Thank you, Chip.

tide roll

March 30th, 2012
2:43 pm

WORST OFFENSIVE LINE DEPTH IN THE HISTORY OF MAJOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL .HOW DOES RICHT LET IT GET TO THIS!? THE GUY DOESN”T SEE THE TRAIN COMING UNTIL IT HITS HIM!

DIT

March 30th, 2012
2:44 pm

Heck, they should give Samuel a chance to return kickoff’s & punts. He IS what you call a true team player. I’ll be pulling hard for him this coming fall.

DIT

March 30th, 2012
2:45 pm

Leave it to a Bamer to ruin a civil conversation.

Dave

March 30th, 2012
2:45 pm

I agree. We will never have a choir boy’s team and there will always be knuckleheads that just screw up. Move on and play with who we have. SHADDUP all you people that get all twisted every time some college kid makes a boneheaded decision. To be honest, I’ll take a few of them if they can run a 4.4, run through a brick wall or throw a frozen rope 70 yards. It’s not like we were the only people recruiting them and the AL, FL, TN or AU people would be PLENTY happy taking them off our hands. Let’s play some football!

DIT

March 30th, 2012
2:47 pm

Anyone hear how LeMay is practicing this spring? I’m curious to see if there is any chance to at least push Murray. Maybe, just like Crowell, Murray needs some stiff competition to make himself better.

bulldogmaniac

March 30th, 2012
2:49 pm

Pulling for you R.S.!
DGD!!

Douglas Dawg

March 30th, 2012
2:51 pm

It is not even April and we have a lot of off the field issues to address. I guess the other schools turn their heads to these kind of things….. we are all after the same kids! Here is to hoping we stay clean until September! And yes Samuel is a DGD!!!

tide roll

March 30th, 2012
2:52 pm

So who is your center? Some kid from Weslyan? And who’s that backing him up? Hugh Williams? From Westminster? Is Richt that clueless? No wonder you haven’t won a national title since the DAWN OF MANKIND .What a program!

tide roll

March 30th, 2012
3:01 pm

For the love on God, move Burnette to center, and Beard to left guard, and pray you suffer no injuries or are forced to run the ball to the right. What a JOKE! Richt should be canned, not extended, along with Booboo and his chewtobacco buddy, Will Friend. . There is absolutely no excuse for your program to suffer in this manner. Why doesn’t McGarity do something. What a vegetable.

The Commissioner

March 30th, 2012
3:01 pm

This just in…Richard Samuel practiced at Full Back today and got 4 yards…and that’s because he tripped and fell forward 4 different times. Of course, he is taller than 3 feet…you do the math.
Tomorrow he will ask to move over to a Corner Back position.

duronimo

March 30th, 2012
3:02 pm

I constantly see high praise for Samuel. Excluding the one long run against Arkansas he has shown his potential in a single game (Florida). In fact, he won the game. So where was that all the rest of his years at UGA. He runs in a straight line and a blade of grass can trip him … but again there is the Fla game. What’s the deal. It’s hard to figure how he deserves such high accolades.

SCDawg

March 30th, 2012
3:09 pm

Tide roll is so right guys…we should just terminate the program and all become Alabama fans. Bandwagon here we come!!

DIT

March 30th, 2012
3:13 pm

@duronimo

For me, it’s the fact that he has been moved several times to fill in the gaps on defense or offense throughout his playing career. It’s good to see a TEAM player with all the other garbage going on. There were signs last season before he got hurt of his running capabilities. He is strong as an ox. Fullback would be good. He can block people and he knows how to run the ball and protect it.
Us UGAers like him because of the sacrifice he has made for the team and not himself and hope he has a great year for all the dedication.

Dave

March 30th, 2012
3:22 pm

I’ll have to pull a few teeth and start dating my sister before I could be an Alabama fan. There are conditions in order to be one of the Crimson Tide…..

Red Clay Hound

March 30th, 2012
3:24 pm

Man the off season sux. I’m ready for Fall.

Nothing Could Be Finer

March 30th, 2012
3:28 pm

Man, its been a slow news week.

Must be spring break or something.

Dawglasville

March 30th, 2012
3:42 pm

duronimo – RS is a team player much like Hines, Pollack, Robert Edwards, DJ. He may not have their talent but he does put the team first and I think that a fan of any team can appreciate that.

tide roll – You were the first major troll on this blog. Congrats.

UGA Insider

March 30th, 2012
3:43 pm

McGarity blistered their asses today folks…big time. There must be some big time heat coming from the UGA money men.

Nothing Could Be Finer

March 30th, 2012
3:46 pm

UGA Insider

March 30th, 2012
3:43 pm
McGarity blistered their asses today folks…big time. There must be some big time heat coming from the UGA money men.

———————————————————
What did they do wrong?

HD27

March 30th, 2012
3:48 pm

Hey Chip, thanks for throwing the JHC questions in there. I’ve been looking all over to see what they are going to do with him. Coach Grantham IS going to put JHC at safety at least for this year and maybe move him like they did Ogletree if it will better the team in the future. I think we are stacked at all the linebacker positions! Really every position except safety. Richt gave similar responses about Richard Samuel (moving to fb), Washington and Drew (they’re both DE’s), so maybe he’s just not showing his hand.

DawgByte

March 30th, 2012
3:54 pm

It’s all about Connor Norman!!!

bitter dawgs fan

March 30th, 2012
4:30 pm

turd roll finally got out of jail, and his opening statement sounded like a trailer boy who left home for work without any——————–moon-pies, looser

——————-suspensions are a just punishment for the —DOPE HEADS—-so stop worrying

—————————————–ke a bunch of –BIT—-CH—ES

Dawg Haus

March 30th, 2012
5:50 pm

What do you have against Will Friend, tide roll? Every Bama fan I know thinks very highly of the guy. He was an outstanding lineman and represented your school with class on the field. Wasn’t he all-SEC for most of his time in Tuscaloosa?

Dawg Haus

March 30th, 2012
5:52 pm

Whatever it takes to get Richard Samuel in the game, do it!

Bigdsel

March 30th, 2012
6:20 pm

Samuel is a DGD. Hope he has a great year

Lakedawg

March 30th, 2012
8:28 pm

Thought tide roll was suspended for racist remarks, did not realize he had been in jail.

Wonder what he thinks of Bammers 3 OL recruits?????

1953dawg

March 30th, 2012
8:42 pm

Tide bowl, or whatever the hell your name is. Dallas Lee is working at center along with Burnette, both 4 star linemen that the mighty Tide offered. And both started and played very well last year. Come here with some facts and maybe intelligent posts. OMG, how could a bama redneck be in the same sentence with intelligence??? Want happen.

Big Crimson 75

March 30th, 2012
8:54 pm

Roll —- Take it easy on Will Friend. Will’s a former Bama Lineman & a good dude. We were in T-Town together — Friend wasn’t much of a blocker, but He was a great Team Player – He knows the Game well & I think He’s done an excellent job @ UGA.

Frank Lane

March 30th, 2012
9:34 pm

I am and have always been a big CONNOR NORMAN fan. He is always in the right place, best tackler on the kicking teams and had a spectacular GDay interception last year. Glad to see him getting some notice.

Oz

April 1st, 2012
2:16 am

The depth at secondary is only an issue through the first four games. Missouri has the flashy offense, but I am going to question their defense in the SEC until after I see them show me one. That being said I also want to see how they respond to Jarvis Jones, He’s still there and quarterbacks must be wary of him. With the kind of pass rush he created its not really a shocker that someone in the secondary such as Rambo would have the kind of year interception wise that he did, rushed throws are rarely on target. The trenches are question marks, but it is the spring and we do have more depth on the O-Line than we had this time last year, and thats progress. Hopefully some of them can run block, and we can return to a power attack that just happens to be able to air it out. Controling the clock and having a bruising defense would be a nice combination, we have not had that power running attack in a few years and its been missed in Athens.

aw

April 1st, 2012
7:39 am

WHAT!!!! Corey has left team? The entire “Bulldawg Nation” is crying, WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF