UGA football: Some questions answered, others linger for Bulldogs
The best thing about spring for Georgia coach Mark Richt, here jogging off the field after the G-Day Game, is the Bulldogs escaped without a single serious injury. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
ATHENS – Georgia wrapped up its spring practice with a surprisingly exciting G-Day Game on April 14, won by the offense-oriented Red team 32-31 over the Black.
But, truthfully, there is really not much anyone can take out of a spring scrimmage. Did the offense look good or was the defense bad, etc.? Georgia coach Mark Richt probably put it all in perspective the best when he talked this week about the Bulldogs’ spring accomplishments.
“The most exciting thing for me might have been the fact that no one had an injury that would last more than a week or two after spring ball,” Richt said. “Right now the entire team should be healthy beginning in June to go through the entire off-season program. So if we don’t have any setbacks this summer, when we roll into camp it might be the first time since I’ve been at Georgia that we don’t have somebody in the red cross area. So that’s good.”
Cornerback/wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring), freshman tailback Keith Marshall (hamstring) and safety Shawn Williams (knee) all missed the spring game with minor injuries, while offensive linemen Zach DeBell (ankle) and Xzavier Ward (knee) and defensive end Sterling Bailey (foot) sat out while recovering from preexisting injuries.
But there were a few tangible conclusions we could make from the 15-practice spring period:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER(S)
The good news for Georgia is there were several candidates in this area. But for the sheer expanse of improvement made, Justin Scott-Wesley has to be at the top of the list.
The redshirt freshman wide receiver was completely raw as a skill player when he arrived from Camilla as a true freshman last summer. And despite splitting his time with the track team – he’s a multiple state championship sprinter – this 6-foot, 220-pound athlete showed great promise and turned a lot of heads both in the practices and the spring game. Scott-Wesley led the Red team with three catches for 46 yards, including a 21-yarder for a first down on third and long that required him to go up high and haul in a pass over his outside shoulder with senior cornerback Branden Smith on his inside hip in tight coverage. Scott-Wesley competed his way into the playing rotation for this fall.
Honorable mentions: Offensive lineman Kolton Houston, linebacker Ramik Wilson, tailback Ken Malcome and tight end Jay Rome.
POSITION BATTLE RESULTS
Georgia was left with three major voids on the offensive line due to the graduation left tackle Cordy Glenn, center Ben Jones and right tackle Justin Anderson. The most important of these position battles ended up not being one as junior Kenarious Gates (6-foot-5, 328 pounds) grabbed the left tackle job by the throat and never let go.
Meanwhile, Houston (6-5, 291) turned out to be the unexpected winner of the sweepstakes at right tackle. After missing all last season with NCAA “eligibility issues,” Houston was expected to earn playing time at one of the guard positions. But midway through camp, line coach Will Friend decided to give him a look out wide and the former Under Armour All-American from Buford out-performed Watts Dantzler and Austin Long at the position and came out as the starter.
Sophomore David Andrews (6-2, 280) appears to have held onto the center job. But Friend continues to experiment by working larger players in there such as Chris Burnette (6-2, 313) and Dallas Lee (6-4, 303) in the hopes of eventually settling on the five best overall players. Also, 5-star signee John Theus will be thrown into the mix in August.
“There’s no question we made a lot of progress up front,” Richt said. “As the spring went on, we got a little more settled in the top five. . . . We have other guys fighting for spots, and we have freshmen who can come in and fight for a position as well.”
DEEPEST GROUP
Georgia enjoys more quality depth on the defensive line – followed closely by linebackers — than at any other position on the field and it’s for that reason that the Bulldogs have to be in the SEC championship conversation.
Georgia features a pair of 350-pound noseguards in John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers that are the envy of any of the top programs in college football, much less the SEC. Meanwhile, under-appreciated end/tackle Abry Jones is back, Cornelius Washington proved to be a beast in his move to defensive end from outside linebacker and Garrison Smith, who played a lot of quality snaps late last season, was un-blockable at times.
Combine that with an All-American pass rusher in Jarvis Jones at outside linebacker, seasoned veterans Alec Ogletree, Michael Gillard and Christian Robinson at inside linebacker and versatile up-and-comers Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson, and the Bulldogs feature one of the most formidable front sevens in football.
AREA OF CONCERN
It didn’t look like it at the end of last season, but Georgia’s defensive secondary is suddenly the biggest question mark. The Bulldogs already knew they would be without Hornung Award winner Brandon Boykin, who will be selected in the early rounds of this week’s NFL draft. But then All-America free safety Bacarri Rambo and cornerbacks Sanders Commings and Smith ran into off-season trouble and face multiple-game suspensions early in the season. So shaky is the situation that UGA’s coaches made the bold decision to move Mitchell, their most explosive offensive play-maker, from wideout to corner to shore up depth.
Meanwhile, Georgia is relying on a pair of freshman signees in Collin Barber and Marshall Morgan to step in punter and place-kicker, respectively. That’s a challenge in itself but especially when replacing such special teams stalwarts as Drew Butler and Blair Walsh.
QUESTION GOING INTO SUMMER
Soon after news leaked of Rambo’s impending suspension due to a failed drug test, there was rampant speculation that several other players were facing disciplinary action due to similar violations of athletic department policy. Georgia has already lost 10 players to transfer, dismissal or suspension, so the Bulldog Nation will be holding its collective breath in hopes that the team remains intact come September.
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209 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
April 25th, 2012
7:52 pm
rtr22……. Excellent stuff!!
78…..I don’t think the Cam saga was exactly “swept” under the rug.
Btw….. The fact that Bama keeps their issues in house is a compliment.
Perhaps UGA should take a note or two!!
Dawg Alum
April 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
Tide pride at 5:41,
Some great teams on your list……most could beat Bama prior to last year so I’m missing your point. At least 3 have recently won NC and several others think they should have. Didn’t Auburn kick your ass in the 2nd half in 2010? Maybe not in past few years, but the majority of years since the 60’s when Dooley started beating the Bear….UGa has held it’s own with the Tide, or is it the elephants, or is it…….heck, you guys don’t even know who you are…..kinda like Auburn (tigers, plainsman, war eagles, etc)
Dawg Alum
April 25th, 2012
7:56 pm
I am flattered that the Bama fans enjoy our site more than their own.
KJ
April 25th, 2012
7:58 pm
To be fair, they just got the internet in Bama a few months ago, so most of them aren’t sure where to click yet.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 25th, 2012
8:07 pm
don’t forget about TK @ wr along w/ conley, mitchell, brown, bennett, jsw
Paddy
April 25th, 2012
8:26 pm
DestinDawg……my guess Ward and Thornton are way behind the O-Linemen mentioned in the article!
Dawg Alum
April 25th, 2012
8:29 pm
Be kind KJ….you are being mean spirited.They didn’t know they had to purchase computers, iPads, etc. I think they thought they just needed to purchase Internet and stuff would just appear on the TV, out-house mirror, etc.
El Leg Humpero
April 25th, 2012
8:43 pm
Normally I wait to read the Sunday comics on the AJC, but reading all of you Dawgs is more comical.
ga gator
April 25th, 2012
8:44 pm
I noticed at Gday that the Center would switch jerseys and played for both teams. Not sure what that is all about, but he actually held his own against much larger players.
1953dawg
April 25th, 2012
9:28 pm
No answers for the O.L. in spring. Same old song and dance for Richt and his program. UGA has never under RIcht had a dominating O.L. The guy just doesn’t get it. He runs off Benedict who was the best O.L UGA has signed under Richt. Even with his surgically repaired knee, he would be better than any O.L UGA has on campus. If you don’t believe me, why is he starting for Va.Tech.? Yet Richt supports his idiot S&C old man, and runs off such talent. That is why UGA is in such terrible shape every year on the O.L. Richt has no clue how to have a power running game, he actually hates it. He never had a power running game at Fl.st, he was all sissy ass ACC football. And now he hires the worst possible candidate for the O.L coach, and what do you have? The worst O.L in the SEC east. Friend is another terrible hire by the wonderful Richt. The only reaason he hired this clown was because he was friends of Bobo. OOPS, talk about another terrible hire. My GOD, when you have one of the worst O.C. in the conference, and probably the worst O.L coach, what do you expect to happen? Friend which is a good name for him, because he wouldn’t have the job if it weren’t for his friend Bobo, has proven after 2 years that he is the worst recruiter of O.L. in the SEC. UGA got none of the top 3 O.L in the state last year. They all went to competitive SEC schools. S.C, LSU,and Bama. That is totally unacceptable, but i forgot Richt doesn’t hold any of his coaches responsible for their coaching ability or recruiting ability. Then this wonderful Friend, loses a big UGA lean to Florida last weekend in Garcia, and he already lost one of the top O.L. in Outlaw to the Gators. Add to that, UGA isn’t leading for any of the other top O.L’s in state, and you have a total disaster this fall and the next couple of years.to come. It is so embarrassing to watch LSU and Bama with their power running games, and then you have to compare that to what UGA puts on the field. When will this nightmare ever end???????
Basstringerfish
April 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
Damn 1953… I guess we should just shut down the whole operation huh? I mean according to you, we have nothing working fo us because a couple kids decided to go somewhere else. Lord…really?
I mean do you go through your day with this bad attitude?
Man. Kids are dying in God forsaken areas of he world and you are writing this?
outkasted
April 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
I’m all in!
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
April 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Questions
1. Can the defense stop anyone good?
2. Will the team have enough players to field a team?
3. Can the fans’ expectations be contained?
4. Can they actually schedule Kentucky twice?
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
April 25th, 2012
10:29 pm
Wasn’t Todd Grantham like the 3rd or 4th choice for UGA coordinator?
FLA DAWG
April 25th, 2012
10:38 pm
How many Dawg Fans are sick and tired of the current coaching staff?
Let’s take a two page poll beginning now.
ME!
Your response is very welcome.
FLA DAWG
April 25th, 2012
10:39 pm
Perhaps I should have limited that question to Richt and Bobo………..but feel free to express your opinion please.
Ray Barone
April 26th, 2012
7:03 am
2012 is the year of the dog in China and in Athens, Its written, Dawgs beat Tech again, and again…..
MLANE
April 26th, 2012
7:17 am
Win the SEC East…….get kicked to the curb in the SEC Championship Game. Sound familier?
Barrack Husein Obama
April 26th, 2012
8:05 am
It’s Bush’s fault
Rick James
April 26th, 2012
8:37 am
@FLA DAWG
How many Dawg Fans are sick and tired of the current coaching staff?
Let’s take a two page poll beginning now.
ME!
Your response is very welcome
——————————————-
What I’m sick and tired of is people b!tchin and moaning about CMR but have no solutions.Why dont you tell us who is available right now that will come in and win the SEC or national championship in their first year.Bobby Petrino? I’m dying to know what you know that nobody else does.
bubba4dawgs
April 26th, 2012
8:51 am
Naysayers will be naysayers!! I haven’t seen one of them win a championship yet! I do notice that some of them can’t spell and I find that somewhat comical, entertaining and ironic that they can be so negative about the coaches and the team! Anyway, it is what it is……GO DAWGS!!!
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
9:05 am
RE: OL
Does anyone really think Bean anderson can’t be replaced?
He won’t get drafted
God bless him for trying but he is the reason we hardly ever ran a toss sweep to his side. No lateral movement. Just big
I find it difficult to believe that one of the guys on the team now can’t do better.
Jones is replacable but his leadership and understanding of the line set to call is hard to replace.
Glenn was a stud. We have good players but none at his level.
There will eventually be more depth but the young pups have to learn.
Probably going to be 5 games in before we really know what we have
G-Dawg
April 26th, 2012
9:09 am
Dec 21, 2012…all trolls will be wiped from this earth! Hopefully!!
Chris Mike
April 26th, 2012
9:13 am
I agree with Banker dawg. This season is all about our quarterback and the offensive line. I just know in a big time game Aron Murray will crash. The kid is good but he lack the instict talent that makes players like Manning brothers. When he is pressured he start to panic. You will see when we play Alabama or LSU in the SEC championship game. About the o line every year Mark and the guys talk about how big and good these guys are. But the truth is the o line has not dominated a defensive line yet. Yes we looked good against Auburn last year, but that was not a team with any defense. If the line blocks then it won’t matter who is running behind it.
kingdaddy
April 26th, 2012
9:17 am
Lex
I for one, can’t wait to see a lean, powerfully athletic linemen along with two tightend sets running out in front of A. Lynch, followed by any one of our stud RBs…Ohhhhweeee!!!
thetruth
April 26th, 2012
9:36 am
Hey Tide Pride…whats the answer to this question…name the only SEC school to lose a football game to a Division 1AA school in the past six years….thats right…. ALABAMA…to LA.Monroe….I’d be embarrassed if I were a Bama fan.LOLLOLLOL
Joey
April 26th, 2012
9:37 am
“This is a new year and a new team, what do you base your expert ,negative opinions on?”
**********************************************
Well, kingdaddy, first and foremost, we still have the same two guys (Richt/Bobo) running the offense. If you are expecting big changes in the offense this season, like less predictability in the 2nd half, or a serious running game, just remember, a leopard can’t change its spots. I mean, If Richt didn’t tweek his offensive philosophy last season, while supposedly on a hot seat, why would he do it now, with the new contract in hand?
That’s not negativity – that’s living in “Realville.”
kingdaddy
April 26th, 2012
9:37 am
Chris
If(when) we get by Missouri, our OL should be in game shape and playing as a team. By the time we get to the other Columbia, Coach Bobo should have a good feel for his offense. If the OL isn’t up to par, there are lots of plays that take the pressure off of a line if Bobo will just use his brain. Even in pro football there is such a thing as a sophomore jinx. Lots of QBs go through this. Nobody knows for sure, but the so called experts seem to think A. Murray will have a monster year this year. Please give him the chance he deserves this year before you rip his arms and legs off. This QB controversy stuff is for the birds. If Murray can’t handle it this year, UGA is blessed with other options. Murray deserves the chance to succede this year, before you kick him to the curb…
Joey
April 26th, 2012
9:41 am
“Wasn’t Todd Grantham like the 3rd or 4th choice for UGA coordinator?”
***************************************
What’s that got to do with anything?
Grantham was Saban’s 1st choice for DC at Bama in ‘08, getting offered before Smart got the job.
Dawg Haus
April 26th, 2012
9:44 am
A more athletic offensive line will produce better results than just plugging huge guys in there and hoping they block. I expect to see more toss sweeps and short screen passes this season as a result.
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
9:47 am
Of all of our worries, Grantham, I’m not worried about.
UGA Insider(???) keeps telling us that we are going to be a power running team that plays strong defense.
Anybody buying that?
OL depth is the biggest question mark. If you are a power running team, not only do your starters have to be powerful, you must have depth to sustain long drives.
Don’t know if I am buying that one
tide roll
April 26th, 2012
9:53 am
Spring Ques.: Why would UGA offer Bryce Ramsey and NOT offer arguably the best QB prospect in the Country, Elite 11 finalist Anthony Jennings from Marietta? Oh Wait, I know the answer. We all do don’t we Dawg Fans.31 years and counting. Do it Richt, do it Booboo, and do it Dawgs. Disgusting.
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
9:55 am
Because Ramsey is better.
kingdaddy
April 26th, 2012
9:58 am
Good morning Joey
You have no idea how mad I got last year watching Carlton Thomas run up the gut on 1&2 down, only to then watch Murray throw a bomb for an int. or inc. I went to the big Bulldog parties and son, I can tell you, a lot of people were and still are P.Od. Alright, this is important, our running back corp was in shatters and an OL that needed to go on a diet and get in better shape. You can’t win consistantly without a running game and defense. A running game this year will keep Murray from trying to win the game by himself. All the pieces of this puzzle can come togeather this year. Coach Bobo is the KEY. During the G-day game, Bobo ran a lot of outside runs, screens and half-back passes, and he got the tightends involved. I won’t giveup until we start losing the same way we lost last year…
kingdaddy
April 26th, 2012
10:07 am
It’s typical that Carvell didn’t mention any other QBs. I wish young Jennings the best of luck, but how many haters called Murray a midget at 6′1″??? UGA is loaded at QB…
tide roll
April 26th, 2012
10:10 am
Have you guys seen the tape on NICK MARSHALL. He’s playing his natural position, QUARTERBACK, at Garden City Community College, and to put it mildly, LIGHTING IT UP. Clearly better than that hot dog Murray, and Richt and Bobo would have to be blind not to have seen it.You fools had him at DB, and covering kicks! I wonder what that was all about? Oh Wait, I know. We all know don’t we dawg fans. Do it Richt, Do it Booboo and Do it Dawgs! 31 years and counting. Disgusting.
Buckeye
April 26th, 2012
10:11 am
Yo dogs,
Isn’t this the time of year when there are no pads and helmets and you think you’re going to be National Champs?
tide roll
April 26th, 2012
10:16 am
Ramsey is NOT better than Anthony Jennings you idiot. It’s you dawg fans that are the real problem. You actually support and encourage the injustice to these deserving athletes. It’s ok though, you get what’s coming to you every fall. Year after year. 31 years and counting. Is it any wonder? Do it Tereshinski. Do it Friend and do it Dawgs. Cam Newton to tight end. Yeah baby! What a friggin joke of a program. What a friggin joke of a fan base.
Suckeyes
April 26th, 2012
10:18 am
Buckeye – come back here when you actually BEAT an SEC team legitimately.
J.T.Keene
April 26th, 2012
10:20 am
Not taking up for any quarterback anywhere but it sure would make for a clearer picture of the Q.B.’s ability if we didn’t classify a ball that hit the reciever in the numbers, bounced off his facemask, went l0 feet into the air and then into a D.B.’s hands only to be classified as an interception. In basketball the player gets credit for a shot block without even knowing if the ball was going in the basket. At least one half of all so called interceptions are reflections that should be charged to the receiver as a mishandled pass catch.
thetruth
April 26th, 2012
10:20 am
tide roll ..go away little boy! You are such a tool…what an idiot you are!…. nobody cares what you have to say . Haven’t you gotten that in your inmature brain by now?You Tech fans are like boggers on the end of your finger….sometimes you just can’t shake them off…an tide roll is the biggest booger Ive ever seen!
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
10:24 am
tide roll
Jennings is a late bloomer on the recruiting radar. Ramsey is all DAWG and Saban is doing everything he can to get him because he knows he is AJ McCarron all over again. Ramsey is 6′3″ and Jennings is most likely 5′11″ at best.
Saban does not want Jennings, he wants Ramsey.
You are still a racist joke of a tech fan hiding behind a bama blog handle
Roll Tide Roll around the bowl and down the hole
April 26th, 2012
10:25 am
Well I will have to say that Alabama has had a tremendous dynasty the last 50 yrs or so of having the most obnoxious fan base in College Football….Congrats Bama….you’ve won championships but that doesn’t excuse the fact that you still have no teeth and are pushing for an Alabama State Amendment to protect the right to still be able to mary your sister
Joey
April 26th, 2012
10:26 am
I agree (9:58) point by point. I am hopeful, as always, for a big season, but that’s a scary statement right there – “Coach Bobo is the KEY.”
It just seems in our biggest games, Bobo finds ways to give up momentum to the opponent. Granted, Murray gave up many turnovers (and points) in those big games, but Bobo had already started his 3-and-out madness. If he game-planned and called plays every game as he did in the SC and AU games,I would shut up. But too often, when good DCs make adjustments, he can’t respond.
But Bobo is a DGD, and I appreciate his contributions to UGA all these years.
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
10:26 am
Yeah tide roll that would have been real smart.
Bench Murray and Mason and Lemay in favor of Nick Marshall who did not know the offense and ended up getting booted off the team for stealing from his own teammates
That would have been brilliant to do just because he is black and just because you say it needed to be done
Just shutup idiot
Boulder Molder
April 26th, 2012
10:33 am
hey suckeye, they’ll get a couple of SEC wins later this decade if uga decides to keep the home and home scheduled. probably won’t take place. see oregon for details. what a pathetic little program you losers have.
Bama=home of the T-bag special
April 26th, 2012
10:37 am
Good article, you know I was just thinking of all the things to be thankful for and right at the top is I don’t have to live in Bama…thank you Lord.
DawginLex
April 26th, 2012
10:37 am
boulder molder
Why are you always on the blogs commenting if UGA is so pathetic in your opinion?
Go get a job
Bama=home of the T-bag special
April 26th, 2012
10:40 am
@ tide roll….your awful wound up today , what’s up your sister feeling frisky and your thinking your going to get lucky?
Spike 80DF
April 26th, 2012
10:40 am
has Saban rescinded Tomlinson’s scholly yet for getting hurt?