OG Kolton Houston drawing praise of coaches, players
ATHENS – Georgia is in the midst of a major rebuilding effort on the offensive line with only two returning starters. But there is at least one relative newbie who is showing a lot of promise.
Kolton Houston, a sophomore from Buford, had to sit out this past season because of an “NCAA eligibility issue.” That issue is expected to be resolved before next fall and there are strong indications the 6-foot-5, 291-pounder will be among Georgia’s starting five for the season opener.
“We’re expecting Kolton to be a good player for us this year,” offensive line coach Will Friend said. “He’s a good athlete, he’s got good strength, he can run well. He’s probably the best athlete of the guards that we’ve got, to be honest with you. If he can continue to get tougher and continue to improve, he’s going to be a good player for us.”
Interview requests for Houston continue to be denied. But his teammates on the line don’t mind talking him up.
“Kolton Houston, I’ve always been high on him,” said junior guard Chris Burnette, the returning starter at right guard. “I feel like he really could have helped us out a lot last year if it wasn’t for that ineligibility stuff with him. I’ve been very impressed how he’s played.”
By all accounts, Kenarious Gates has been dominant and unchallenged in his move to left tackle from left guard. But Burnette had high praise for the other new names on the No. 1 line – center David Andrews and right tackle Austin Long. Andrews (6-2, 280) is a sophomore from Norcross and Long ((6-5, 304) is a redshirt sophomore from Memphis.
“I’ve been really impressed with the first line in general,” said Burnette, who has been designated spokesman among the linemen. “David Andrews has learned the offense probably faster than anybody I’ve seen as far as knowing what defenses are going to do, their tendencies and stuff like that. Austin, since high school I knew he was going to be a great player. He’s starting to get better after having to deal with injuries and sicknesses and stuff like that is real encouraging.”
Bailey to player D-end
The conversion of outside linebackers to defensive ends apparently was not limited to Cornelius Washington and Ray Drew. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on Thursday said that redshirt freshman Sterling Bailey is also going play at that down-lineman position this coming fall.
Bailey (6-foot-3, 270 pounds), from East Hall, remains sidelined while recovering from off-season football surgery. But when he takes the practice field in August it will be with defensive line coach Rodney Garner’s group.
“Sterling is a guy who has really grown since he’s been here,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “He has very good flexibility and initial quickness. He’s got some size to him and he’s going to continue to get bigger as he lifts and eats. He’s going to be a pretty big man one day and he’s got pretty good athletic ability. Those kinds of guys create mismatches inside. That’s what you’re trying to do is create mismatches so guys can win one-on-one battles.”
Grantham said Washington will work at both outside linebacker and end in the fall.
Garrison Smith, Swann draw praise
Asked to identify some players that have helped themselves this spring, Grantham tabbed a pair of Atlantans — defensive end Garrison Smith and cornerback Damian Swann.
Said Grantham of Smith, a 6-foot-3, 294-pound junior out of Douglass: “Garrison knows what everybody does. He’s a very smart guy, he can get guys lined up and he plays with energy and brings energy to the defense. He did that last year. He’s plays in all of our packages and he can play on all three downs. I’ve been pleased and proud with what he’s done.”
Of Swann, the 5-11, 177-pound sophomore out of Grady: “Damian Swann is a really good player that continues to improve every day. He’s basically a second-year guy, but you see a lot of productivity out of him and I think he can be an outstanding player.
Etc. . . .
Signees John Atkins and John Theus watched the Bulldogs practice on Thursday. . . . Safety Bacarri Rambo and cornerback Sanders Commings didn’t practice because “they’re banged up,” according to Grantham. . . . Wide receiver Rantavious Wooten (leg muscle) had to leave practice again. . . . The Bulldogs will hold their second scrimmage of the spring Saturday at Woodruff Practice Fields.
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144 comments Add your comment
DIT
April 6th, 2012
8:39 am
Joey, just asking, but are you saying that being a good football coach is better than being a man of integrity?
A clear distinction
April 6th, 2012
8:43 am
Former UGA AD had panties in his lap at the wheel GIVEN to him, while GT’s tennis coach is up on rape charges. See? THAT is a clear distinction to me. It says it all.
It is what it is.
BigGAdawg
April 6th, 2012
8:49 am
Yes Joey, it IS our business. We, here in Georgia, have some history, and still alot of anger towards this royal POS. Granted he is a skilled coach–doesn’t change his character–and his character is why we cannot stand the SOB. Everyone on the Falcons hated his arse for the disrespectful and denegrating way he treated them. Every Falcons fan hates him for the way he slithered out of town before the end of the season.
Having seen the pictures, I understand why he would want her, but I am at a loss as to why she would want to be with his old skanky-looking self. Must have some serious daddy issues.
He stated that he lied about her being with him to protect his family. BS BS BS, if he wanted to protect his wife and four children he would not be cheating in the first place. This is just another example of Bobby caring about Bobby ONLY and to heck with everyone else. Self-centeredness in the extreme. I don’t know the ages of his children but he could realistically have a daughter the age of this young woman.
I’m sure he won’t be fired, but any other instructor at the university probably would be for fraternizing with a subordinate employee. A winning record covers a multitude of sins, for many fans, but it shouldn’t. Damon Evans was highly successful and efficient at his job…
Big Wally Butts
April 6th, 2012
8:53 am
One…football coaches aren’t saints, just like the rest of us. And two, Petrino has always shown particularly poor character as a man, from the Auburn incident to the Falcons and on and on.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
9:02 am
Jessica Dorrell is engaged to one of the strength coaches on staff at Arkansas.
so the Head Football coach is sleeping with the fiancee’ of one of the strength coaches???
And we thought we had problems in Athens…………
Those team meetings in Fayetteville would be something to see
dawgfan
April 6th, 2012
9:04 am
I’m going to break from my usual routine of mercilessly bashing the O-line to say that we sure have some freaking monsters up front on defense. Can’t wait to see these dudes bring the pain on Saturday.
Thanks.
DIT
April 6th, 2012
9:08 am
WOW, having an affair with a strength coach! Not the sharpest tool in the shed. Who knows, he might not have been that badly hurt in the wreck, he might look as he does in the picture because that strength coach got a hold of him.
DIT
April 6th, 2012
9:10 am
Question for my fellow Dawg people. If the O-Line does a good job against our defense in the Spring game should we be happy or concerned?
ole dawg
April 6th, 2012
9:17 am
@ Mobile Dawg & Beast from….: So telling your AD a lie is not nearly as bad as getting drunk? About the same to me. And when I posted my earlier comment about firing Petrino I already knew (from reports) that Petrino had lied to his family and AD. Apparently since the AD has now suspended him he apparently agrees (at least somewhat.) If you ddn’t defend Damon (and you shouldn’t have), why do you want to defend Petrino?
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
9:20 am
Man, if I was a single man and a Division I football coach Arkansas is the place I’d want to be!
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
9:23 am
“Jessica Dorrell is engaged to one of the strength coaches on staff at Arkansas.”
No way O.O Is this confirmed? I just read the AP story on it and it said nothing about this. Geesh, I’ve got to go ask my boss for the rest of the day off and grab some popcorn. This is going to be fun!
Joey
April 6th, 2012
9:24 am
I have to admit I wasn’t up to speed – didn’t know Petrino had admitted to an affair – just read about it on Yardbarker.
So if Arkansas fires Petrino, does that make the Razorbacks more a more moral program than UGA?
For those with short memories, UGA kept Suzanne Yoculan employed for years while she had a very public affair with a Board of Regents chairman – I sure didn’t hear Razorback nation demanding UGA fire her back then.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
9:27 am
Petrino commented about “a previous inappropriate relationship”.
doesn’t mean it was Jessica
Doesn’t sound like it is happening now
Sure doesn’t look good though.
Feel sorry for the strength coach.
joey, Arkansas no connection with UGA other than the SEC.
Many UGA fans are Falcon fans and still feel betrayed for what he did in ATL
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
9:29 am
And also, since Petrino just hired Jessica on March 28th, it sure does not make things any better.
That and lying to the AD are the things that may get him.
Similar to one of the Bama coaches sleeping with his secretary years ago
DIT
April 6th, 2012
9:31 am
“So if Arkansas fires Petrino, does that make the Razorbacks more a more moral program than UGA?”
Why are you even going here. Nobody said anything like this or should they. What Petrino & Yoculan did was wrong. Can’t say why she kept her job for as long as she did. However, I do know that they really do not have to answer to us, but there is One that they will, along with the rest of us, have to answer to.
It’s because of the significance of today (Good Friday) day that we are celebrating that we can be forgiven. Yes, even Mr. Petrino can seek forgiveness and be forgiven.
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
9:37 am
ole dawg, Damon got a DUI. Being a highly public official at the university meant that wasn’t going to cut it. That’s why he got fired. Having an affair is bad, but it pales in comparision to a DUI which can potentialy kill. Marital problems are not cause for being fired from your job. Plus think about the demands we put on our head coaches. They’re never around their families. It’s a wonder that they all aren’t having marrige problems and affaris.
Gene
April 6th, 2012
9:37 am
SEC football fans have a right to comment on what goes on in the conference and college football in general. Sandusky destroyed the program at Penn State. Player arrests and behavior issues are everywhere, such as TCU players dealing dope to team members. All of these issues affect the game. Petrino is an unpleasant person with no character. He is supposed to be a teacher, yet he lied repeatedly about this incident and his relationship with the woman. There must be provisions in Arkansas regarding relationships with subordinates. Didn’t Alabama fire the head football coach for similar activitiy? Petrino is the last coach that I would want my grandsons to play for. He should be fired, but that won’t happen as long as he wins football games.
DIT
April 6th, 2012
9:43 am
@RxDawg
I have to dissagree with you on this one. A head coach knows what the job calls for. An extra maritial affair shows lack of integrity which of what part of the HC’s job is to uphold and maintain. This shows lack of respect for the university and the players. By far, Petrino is not alone on this account. He just happened to get caught.
If I’m an AD at a major college. I have to thnk of what is best for the institution as a whole and not the football program. Just my opinion
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
9:50 am
DIT, I’m not surprised that someone disagrees with me. Your probably not the only one. Our society is filled with people who sit atop morally high thrones and judge everyone else around them. All I know is that if me and my wife divorced for whatever reason it wouldn’t and shouldn’t effect my job (unless my performance took a direct hit because of it). So I hold that same standard to all others, including those in the public eye.
Now, if the affair was someone who worked under that public official then we have a problem. Don’t dip your pen in the company ink.
Joey
April 6th, 2012
9:50 am
DawginLex, I often wonder how much of this stuff was going on in the (free love) 60’s and 70’s, that just didn’t get reported? Rumors didn’t get traction – especially regarding superstar coaches and athletes.
Now, everybody is a potential story breaker, with phones that take pics and videos – downloaded to the Web in seconds.
Nothing Could Be Finer
April 6th, 2012
9:52 am
Haha, nothing worse than dogs slinging mud to make their program look better.
Oh and BTW, good luck blocking Jadeveon Clowney, Devin Taylor, Kelcy Quarles, and Byron Jerideau on October 6, 2012.
Can’t wait to see Murray slung around like a little rag doll AGAIN.
Joey
April 6th, 2012
9:54 am
So, UGA should have fired Yoculan for her long affair, while she was winning all those NCAA Titles in a row?
Nobody touching this?
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
9:55 am
True Joey
Very true
Petrino has a morals clause in his contract apparently. He clearly violated it.
If he was coming off a 6-6 season, he is probably done.
Going 11-2 and only losing to Bama and LSU and having Wilson and Davis back probably guarantees he stays head coach.
#reality
dawgfan
April 6th, 2012
9:57 am
“Question for my fellow Dawg people. If the O-Line does a good job against our defense in the Spring game should we be happy or concerned?
Great question. I would probably be estatic. I think our defense has proven it can hold its own against the best (whether it can do it for 4 quarters is another question). However, the O-line has not proven anything and if they can go out there and hold their own against Jenkins, Geathers and our mammoth d-ends then they have come a long way. I don’t think it will happen though. Bobo will have a few cutsie pass plays on the opening drive to move the ball down field and everyone will get real excited. Then, as usual, we’ll get bogged down in the red zone because there is no room for the cutsie stuff down there. You’ve just got to beat people.
That’s my prediction. Thanks.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
9:58 am
I don’t condone what Yoculan did however, big difference between her and Leeburn and this with Petrino. The Damon Evans situation too.
Petrino hired Jessica on March 28th in the Athletics Office. Evans was drunk.
Joey
April 6th, 2012
10:00 am
Boy, if SC ever wins anything, the roosters will be hard to take.
I think we blocked your boys pretty good last season – 400+ yds, (188 yds rushing, 248 passing) 42 points on your D. If not for your trick plays, and our QB’s turnovers, the score would have been as one-sided as your HC thought the game was.
DIT
April 6th, 2012
10:00 am
RxDawg – I don’t want to come across as judging. Lord knows I have done more in my life that I would like to forget. If I read correctly, She was involved in the football program.
Whatever the case, this does not bode well for ARK.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
10:01 am
NCBF
Shutup
Nobody is talking down another program to try and make UGA look better.
That is a chidish and idiotic comment
We are just discussing the situation.
Good Lord, grow up
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
April 6th, 2012
10:06 am
We agree, UGA had the biggest OL in the history of football, they just wren’t coached?
This just in…Jessica Dorrell will be the new assisant AD for Women’s Sports.
Wasn’t she engaged? Pretty funny…
tide roll
April 6th, 2012
10:08 am
Burnette has got to be kidding! Kolton Houston, David Andrews, Austin Long. They don’t even belong at this level. Anyway, who’s behind them? Once again, Richt has left himself with NO OFFENSIVE LINE DEPTH! Therefore, you can’t risk injuries to your starters. Therefore, look for more finesse in a conference that demands you be physical. There’s absolutely no excuse for your program to be in this shape. Fire the guy.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
10:12 am
tide roll can’t count past 5 obviously since we have 17 Offensive linemen on scholarship and of the 17, 10 or 11 will play.
Go back to the Tech blog you blithering idiot
DIT
April 6th, 2012
10:13 am
dawgfan
I thought I would be excited at first then started wondering if the O-Line, which is inexperienced, holds its own then I would question the defense. Is it as good as advertised. After reading your post it made me see that ur defesne is really good and that it would be a good sign if the O-Line looks good against them.
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
10:13 am
DIT, your read right. She was basicly a subordinate AND aparently engaged to another subordinate for Petrino. lol, his goose is cooked. What I want to know is what’s up with Arkansas head coaches?
RxDawg
April 6th, 2012
10:16 am
What bothers me is in this new media age people’s personal lives are having profound effects on their careers. This bothers me a lot. It’s also a big reason I don’t have facebook, twitter, or any other thing that will announce my personal buisness to the world.
tide roll
April 6th, 2012
10:18 am
Petrino’s face is Arkansas colors. Looks like a Hawg fan headed to a game!
DIT
April 6th, 2012
10:23 am
At the begining of Spring practice I jeard some good things about Crowell. Have not heard much latley. Anyone hear if he is still looking strong?
Also, have not heard anything about LeMay, how’s his spring going?
dawgfan
April 6th, 2012
10:30 am
DIT, we will have as good of a D-front as anyone this year. If they offense can get its crap together and hold on to the damn ball for any extended period of time whatsoever we just might be alright. I am very cautiously optimistic. The running game is an afterthought to Bobo. “Hey, let’s run one off tackle just so we can say that we did.” I swear that’s his mentality. Sometimes it looks like we’re just going through the motions on some runs. In Bobo’s mind, the running game isn’t for picking up yards or anything wacky like that, its just a tool for him to get cute and “set up the pass.” Its no big deal if we get stuffed for a one yard run. We’ve got ‘em right where we want them!!! They’ll never see the play action pass coming that we’re about to do because we NEVER do anything like that!! That’s the Bobo mentality.
Sorry for the tangent and thanks to anyone who reads my garbage.
Thanks.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
10:35 am
Crowell and Malcome getting tons of reps at RB and both looking great apparently.
Lemay is 4th string but is getting better.
None of this is 1st hand mind you. Reports from other places from people at practice
Mrs Petrino
April 6th, 2012
10:47 am
Could somebody fetch me my nine iron? I’ll show him some Pig Sooie!
kingdaddy
April 6th, 2012
10:48 am
Chip
Really good, informative article. Loved the part about Rambo and Cummings being BANGED-UP! CTG must be GATA, lol. Very encouraging news about OL and Washington still getting reps at OLB, which is significant. I’m still waiting for Special Teams update when you can. Thanks for filling the Dawg-Dish…
Terry
April 6th, 2012
10:52 am
Its never a good idea to have sex with an employee, it could end up in a Sexual Harassment case, as part of a vendetta, most work places frond a pond boss and employee relationship, because it can end badly. There is nothing worst than a woman who feels spurned.
AltamahaDawg
April 6th, 2012
10:54 am
We have plenty of hollier than thou UGA fans who will take cheap shots at our own boys, it seems logical they would comment about (what appears to be a pretty damning report) about a Grown man, HC, at some other school.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 6th, 2012
10:56 am
If the front 7 can stay healthy & strong this spring/summer & fall…and of course, avoid any more suspensions, i think UGA will be fine for the first 4 games. Keep the ball on the ground and give the opposing QB hell!!!
AltamahaDawg
April 6th, 2012
10:56 am
RxDawg, why do keep refusing my friend request?
kingdaddy
April 6th, 2012
11:00 am
Sounds to me like UGAs DL should be able to keep fresh players in the game for 4quarters this year. 1st and 2nd team will be a hand-full for any OL to handle snap after snap. I wonder how Ray D. is progressing???
AltamahaDawg
April 6th, 2012
11:02 am
Sorry Chip. Good report. The actual topic. I gots to think we are getting closer to having a running game this year. The thing is, it doesnt have to be lightyears better, but there is lightyears room for improvement. Surely it would be at least propellant fueled low orbit better.
kingdaddy
April 6th, 2012
11:05 am
Georgia people, lighten up on Petrino. He’s just MAKING BACON…LOL…
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
April 6th, 2012
11:13 am
@ Left Coast Dawg:
Petrino was wearing the red panties on his head in lieu of a helmet according to one report!!!!!!
UGA Insider
April 6th, 2012
11:15 am
Crowell and Malcome are dominating for sure… DinLex has it right. It wouldn’t surprise me if both the freshman RB’s took a redshirt. Crowell is gonna have about 1300 and Malcome about 900.
However, I will add a little insider nugget. Remember when the AJC came out with the crap that Hines Ward was following Bobo around to see if liked coaching???
That was the biggest lie since Chris Peterson had a secret meeting with McGarity. That one was leaked to me by a UGA money man who was serious but in reality was only trying to fire up Richt with nasty rumors.
The truth is Ward was there to help install the Pittsburgh Steeler offense. Which is run-based but also must have an awesome defense. You very seldom see Roethlisberger make a bad mistake because his RB’s tote the rock so much. You will see the same thing in Athens this year.
Since DawginLex will take a shot at me for this inside information, I will offer proof…..The picture that went along with that AJC story tells me everything. Ward had a play-sheet that he had half poked down in his pants. That was no UGA play-sheet….. That was a Pittsburgh Steeler play-sheet. Bobo was following Hines like a lost puppy that day.
Italian_29
April 6th, 2012
11:16 am
I don’t think that Petrino gets fired because of his personal life, I think he gets fired because that person that he was with was a subordinate and recently given a position, 3/28/12 and he lied about it to his AD. I don’t that the Suzanne and Don affair is even comparing apples to apples, yes is was a public affair, but they weren’t Boss and employee. As to the article, I think Kolton is a DGD and I am cautiously optimistic regarding the OL. I think that is better to have an Atheltic Line than it is to have a HUGE line, I think we Dawg fans are going to see the difference this year. Go Dawgs and GATA!