Practice notes: Focus on freshmen kickers, Theus update, and more
ATHENS -- The first of Georgia’s two practices Tuesday was devoted to special teams, where the Bulldogs’ kicking game is in transition with freshmen Marshall Morgan and Collin Barber seeking to establish themselves as the placekicker and punter, respectively.
“They’re good. They’ve got leg strength. They’ve got everything you could want in a freshman kicker and punter,” said Ty Frix, Georgia’s senior long snapper, who worked with Morgan and Barber three or four days a week all summer. “But with everything, they’re freshmen; we’ve still got to keep working and maximize the next three weeks to get where we need to be.”
Blair Walsh was Georgia’s placekicker the past four seasons and Drew Butler its punter the past three. Walsh and Butler now are in NFL training camps with the Vikings and Steelers, respectively.
Freshmen “are not going to come in and fill those shoes right away, but they’re darn good, both of them,” Frix said of Morgan, who is from Fort Lauderdale, and Barber, from Cartersville.
At Tuesday morning’s closed practice, Morgan made about 75 percent of his field-goal attempts, according to Richt, who noted “in a drill like that, you always want to hit them all.”
“I thought our extra points and field goals were not where they need to be yet,” Richt said. “… There was a little inconsistency there, not as deadly accurate as you’d want. A lot of it is just getting used to going full speed with live pressure and a new holder and just being in Sanford Stadium.”
It was the Bulldogs’ first practice held in the stadium this preseason.
Senior Jamie Lindley, a walk-on who has been in the program for four years, also kicked, Richt said.
Barber showed “some outstanding hang time” on his punts, Richt said.
Jarvis Jones tests Theus
Highly regarded freshman offensive tackle John Theus has been going up against Jarvis Jones, the All-American linebacker, in practice.
“I’m trying to make it my business to have him ready from Day 1,” Jones said. “… He’s doing great. He’s young, but he’s definitely learning.”
(Note: Between practices Tuesday, Jones also had some interesting comments about his decision not to enter this year’s NFL draft and about the future. Click here for that.)
Richt said Theus “is right there in that battle” for a starting job.
“John has not gotten to the point where we’re going to name him the starter yet, but I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s going to play,” Richt said. “And he knows that.”
Scrimmage on Wednesday
Georgia will hold its first scrimmage of the preseason Wednesday morning in Sanford Stadium. The scrimmage will be closed to the public and, except for the warmup portion, closed to the media.
The competition at tailback among veterans Richard Samuel and Ken Malcome and freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley will continue to play out.
“I’m not too worried about the depth chart at tailback after the scrimmage. I’m really mostly just concerned how many of these guys can get ready to play SEC football,” Richt said. “I know Richard can. I know Ken can.
“The other two, we’ve got to just see how ready they’ll be. I’m already convinced they both can run the ball. They seem to have outstanding habits as far as their ball security. But they’re still learning how to pass-protect. No matter how many drills you put them in … the scrimmages are the best gauge of how ready they are.”
Veterans on special teams
Jones said he is currently working on the punt-coverage team, and senior safety Shawn Williams said he wants to play on “all” of the special teams.
This is a reflection of Richt’s plan, declared in the spring, to use more veteran players on special teams.
“In the past, you’d say, ‘Hey, if your heart is not in it, don’t get on the [special] team.’ You want guys whose heart is in it,” Richt said Tuesday. “But this year, we’re saying, ‘If you don’t want to be on a special team, you change your heart to get where you want to be on a special team.’”
Etc.
Cornerback Damian Swann was in a green non-contact jersey at Tuesday afternoon’s practice because of a neck sprain. . . . . Offensive lineman Chris Burnette returned to practice after missing two days (illness). . . . Defensive end Abry Jones (knee contusion) resumed practice, while DE Ray Drew (concussion) remained sidelined. . . . Outside linebacker Dexter Morant was out with a right shoulder sprain. . . . Safety Shawn Williams has high goals for his senior season. “I want to be an All-American,” he said, adding that his goals include leading the SEC in interceptions… . Richt said coaches are looking at “a bunch” of potential punt returners, including Malcolm Mitchell, Branden Smith, Bacarri Rambo, Swann and Rhett McGowan. On kickoff returns, coaches are looking at Smith, Mitchell, Justin Scott-Wesley, Marshall and Gurley, according to Richt.
RECENT REPORTS FROM UGA FOOTBALL PRACTICES:
- Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’
- UGA changes policy on injury info
- Rodney Garner talks roster management, Penn State and recruiting character
- Malcolm Mitchell all-defense for now, but double-duty starts soon
- Georgia clears Branden Smith to play in opening game
- Aaron Murray spends summer honing craft with football’s finest
- The Kolton Houston case
- The top five priorities of preseason camp
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167 comments Add your comment
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
10:18 am
Alt, I only counted 15, maybe I missed some. Numbers wise we are OK, we just aren’t getting enough of the really good ones. I hate to bring up Bama, they have “three” preseason, first team, all Americans on their OL. Is it their coaching, or are they just getting better atheletes. I think it’s both.
JB, I agree 100%. Through the years I never thought we were out of a game when we got behind, there wasn’t a game I didn’t think we could win. Now, I have lost a lot of enthusiasm and have become much more cynical about our chances.
Pennsylvania was or still is a hotbed
August 8th, 2012
10:19 am
The state of Penn. was always a hotbed of QBs and LBs. Too many legendary QBs came from one spcific area of that state and not too many years ago like Vinnie Testevedre or Joe Namath or Jim Kelly or Todd Blackledge.
Also, MS and LA and Arky ( as a region) turn out all world QBs over the long haul that end up in the NFL as legends in their eras dating back 55 years: Kenny Stabler, Joe Ferguson, Bert Jones, Terry Bradshaw, Scott Hunter, Richard Todd, Charlie Connerly, YA Title, Archie Manning and probably 4 to 6 others that I am over looking, like Brett Favre and Bart Starr. Amazing stat, given that area’s smaller population when compared to the state of PN.
GO Dogs.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:21 am
I guess it’s those of us that have absolutely no idea who treats Kentucky as if we are playing the Packers that are so puzzled why today, 3 weeks before the season, starting up the hyper-negative over exageration, nothing good to say or look forward to comments.
And on a personal note. I am not mad, because I don’t really see what point is served by that and I don’t allow other people’s choices of attitute detemine mine, or dictate how I enjoy following Georgia football.
None of which says, its not perfectly fine for you to feel any way that you choose. However, I hope you don’t mind if I debate specific items though. (such as the number of Olinemen). I find that to be a fun part of following sports.
AlathamaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:24 am
Please DO NOT question my football knowledge.
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
10:24 am
JB, you and mobile need to go to the vending machine or the frig and down the biggest bottle of diet coke you can find and belch out or fart out whatever is twisted in your guts
You are 2 of the most let’s dwell on the past negative nancys I have ever heard since Bulldawg/Thomas Brown
We all want to win now. Complaining about it isn’t going to solve a dam thing.
Richt KNOWS his butt is still on the hot seat with McGarity and that this is his best chance to shut a lot of folks up.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:27 am
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
10:24 am
JB, you and mobile need to go to the vending machine or the frig and down the biggest bottle of diet coke you can find and belch out or fart out whatever is twisted in your guts
You are 2 of the most let’s dwell on the past negative nancys I have ever heard since Bulldawg/Thomas Brown
We all want to win now. Complaining about it isn’t going to solve a dam thing.
Richt KNOWS his butt is still on the hot seat with McGarity and that this is his best chance to shut a lot of folks up.
_________________________________________________________
DawginLEX is a DGD
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
10:27 am
Anyone who doesn’t think McGarity will run Richt with 3 or more losses is delusional
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:28 am
DAwginLex. I’m not so sure since he just gave him an extension.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:30 am
If he brings in another large class loaded with talent that will be the second one in 3 years to go along with a class with some pretty good talent in it last year. I think McGarity lets it play out another season.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:30 am
Well thats what I am saying. Alabama has some very expereinced OL on the starting five. BUT when you below that, 2-3 deep, they are listing players with little to none experience at various spots, too. Nor do they have 25 guys.
Why we don’t have several 3L starting, is. I would say that is a combination of recruiting misses, some injuries, previous position coach maybe not fitting well, and currently.the cycles. We WILL be very expereinced in the next 2 yrs. We will see how coach Friend does with that.
dawgfan
August 8th, 2012
10:31 am
That’s fine. I stand by my opinion that if (I said IF mind you) Marshall and Gurley are better than Samuel and Malcome at doing the primary job of a running back, which is get this: running the ball, they should be higher than them on the depth chart. I also stand by my opinion that Richt/Bobo do not agree with me and that is foolish. I further stand by my opinion that Richt/Bobo are out of touch with what is successful in the SEC right now and want us to run an NFL offense that puts the entire offense on the shoulders of the quarterback. LSU didn’t even have a quarterback last year for all practical purposes. They seemed to do fine.
My “what great teams do” comment should be obvious. Great teams run the ball down people’s throats and physically dominate them. Take a look around. That is what is going on in the SEC right now. Florida won a national title in 2006 with Chris Leak at QB. What arena league is he playing in these days? LSU won a national title in 2007 with……I can’t even remember the dude’s name. Alabama won a national title in 2009 with a first time starter at QB who was one of those “game managers,” which is a polite way of saying that he can’t hit the broad side of a barn throwing a football. Ditto for 2012. Sure, Tebow and Newton were great QBs but they were more known for their running ability than passing and their teams had physically dominating offensive lines. The point being that you don’t need some stud NFL-style QB zipping the ball over the field to win big in college football. That’s not what gets it done. Richt and Bobo don’t get it. Richt/Bobo seem more concerned with Aaron Murray’s stats than winning ballgames.
Thanks for reading.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:32 am
JB….
Do you know what the word, “mostly,” means? It is not one comment about concerns about the Georgia OL….this year. And….I would say the lack of OL depth and experience is a major concern as Geogia prepares for what could be a very good season for them. The other major concern is at RB….where there is talent but very little proven experience in SEC play. If Georgia plays well on the OL and at RB this year….they should win the East over South Carolina this year. If not, the door becomes wide open for South Carolina….and maybe Florida and Tennessee……If Florida gets really good play at QB and WR this year…..they become a major threat to win the East as well. But that is a big if.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:33 am
I think what will happen is that if the defense plays like we think it will and the offense doesn’t you might see the OC on his way out the door like Martinez. The fact that they gave CTG an extension before his contract was up and won’t even discuss it with Bobo tells you a lot.
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
10:33 am
With 10 future NFL players on defense and a 3rd year starting QB, there are no more excuses.
McGarity has stood by Richt through 6-7, kicking players to the curb and now is allowing Richt to have input on UGA policy regarding player suspensions.
Why?
Because McGarity wants a title now.
alpha male
August 8th, 2012
10:34 am
@dawgfan
alpha male
August 8th, 2012
10:34 am
@dawgfan
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:35 am
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:30 am
Well thats what I am saying. Alabama has some very expereinced OL on the starting five. BUT when you below that, 2-3 deep, they are listing players with little to none experience at various spots, too. Nor do they have 25 guys.
Why we don’t have several 3L starting, is. I would say that is a combination of recruiting misses, some injuries, previous position coach maybe not fitting well, and currently.the cycles. We WILL be very expereinced in the next 2 yrs. We will see how coach Friend does with that.
________________________________________________________________
I think injuries and academics was the big reason. We lost about three over the last few years to injuries and one that flunked out. They would all be seniors and Juniors this year. That created a hole for this season. In the over the next few years we should not have that problem anymore.
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
10:36 am
tampa
I think A&M gets y’all opening week but you beat UT and SC. SC is in the Swamp and I believe it is right after they play us
Y’all go 9-3 and finish 2nd in the East. 2013 sets up nicely for UGA/UF battle for East
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Tampa, I hope UF and TN have a good season this year so all of the west is the best in the SEC talk can stop. I’m sick of it. The east dominated the west for years and now that needs to start back.
alpha male
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Sorry, chihuahua stepped on the mouse! Dawgfan, that was a great post. A dawgfan that gets it. Richt’s infatuation with pretty boy qb’s won’t win jack squat in todays SEC. The o-line situation alone should get that clueless bunch in Athens fired. Eleven years on the job and this roster, as lean as it is, is clear evidence of the incompetancy of Richt and Company. The next guy will get it done.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:42 am
I think Jarvis Jones is the type of player you want at Georgia. Total dedication to being the best player he can be…..and helping others be that good as well. Georgia obviously has pulled together after the Crowell deal.
Concerning that topic, I read a great story on Jon Halapio, Florida’s talented right guard, this morning. It was basically about him becoming a leader on the team because he used to be a big time “clubber” on Friday nights and just want to have fun all the time…..and now never goes clubbing and is devoted to becoming the best player he can be…..and that the entire Florida team has responded to his leadership and change of life….and maybe one of the reasons the Gators have had only one idiot this summer……A.C. Leonard who just enrolled at Tennessee State…..this summer.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:43 am
BTW, we lost the only 4 games that happen to be against top 10 teams but NOT the only games that mattered.
Very many Georgia fans still count it when we beat Florida or Auburn or Tennessee. Or win a bunch in a row, irregardless of who they are. Claiming it “only matter” if those rivals happen to be ESPN darlings at the time, is contrary to what the vast majority of Dawgfan’s thinking. Likewise, winning the East is still the logical goal, despite that being dismissed by some as a failure.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
10:43 am
I would say that’s all we have Alt, give Friend a chance. Our OL’s have underperformed for years now, even when they were supposed to be the strength.
Lex, I wish I had a prescription for what you’re on pal. I post on positive issues as well as those you don’t like. If you don’t like my posts, don’t read’em. I’m not about name calling either, I find it a bit immature. I’m afraid it might take something stronger than Diet Coke to clear my issues with the way our HC has conducted business. I do agree with you that I think he’s gone if he doesn’t produce this year, it may be of his own accord. Bobo is rumored to be a candidate for a HC position, the others can mostly fend for themselves being absorbed into other programs.
My positive post of the day, just for you sport. “The Dawgs are loaded with talent at a lot of positions even though our roster is undermanned.” We’ve had top five to top ten recruiting classes his entire tenure.”
The other glaring side of that is why haven’t we done more with them. I think it’s a disservice to the atheletes, like Richard Samuel, as well as others.
That’s all I got this morning….Have a good day Dawgs.
AlathamaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:48 am
My reasoning skills are far superior to those of mere mortals.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:48 am
DawginLex….
I have the opposite view of Texas A&M and the Vols…….I think Florida wins a close one before the 6th man because of the Florida defense……then falters in a very close one against the Vols up there. I also believe South Carolina comes into Gainesville and wins a close battle. I have the Gators upsetting Georgia, however, in JAX. I have Georgia going 6-2 in the East….losing to Florida and South Carolina. But I have South Carolina losing to LSU, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Tennessee will be my surprise team this year….but they will falther to Georgia and not win the East. Florida will lose to SC, Tennesee, and LSU.
I watched Missouri this morning vs. NC in the bowl game. They badly beat a terrible NC team. The QB is good….but frankl…..their OL and DL looked soft to me……not SEC quality. Georgia will win big in that game.
USA today editor
August 8th, 2012
10:48 am
UF and UGA have major depth issues but have good cores on both sides. Neither team is or should be realistically considered BCS contenders outside of the very easy schedule UGA is floating along on again this year.
Spin it how you like, but UGA OL is average, play calling is predictable, the defense makes stupid penalties and the kicking game for the first time in a while is weak. Add Mark Richt and his demeanor to the equation and UGa will disappoint its fan base once again.
AlathamaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:49 am
How dare you question the braintrust in Athens.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:51 am
,,,,,but….if Florida beats SC in THE SWAMP….which they could……then I think the Gators will win the East because I believe they will upset Georgia this year in JAX. But the same can be said for Georgia….beating SC that is.
PennGeorgia State
August 8th, 2012
10:54 am
Florida beating Georgia this year won’t be an upset. It is expected. Georgia winning two in a row would be an upset.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:55 am
So of the 3 top contenders in the east , the one that beats the others could win the division.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:56 am
USA Editor…..
Florida had MAJOR depth issues last year……they will have minor depth and inexperience issues (LB and DE…this year). Georgia has depth and inexperience issues on the OL and DL as far as I can tell. They do have some inexperience issues at some other positions. What Georgia cannot take this year….is injuries to their OL and DL….and Murray has to stay healthy…..and either Marshall or Gurley have to live up to their reps.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
10:59 am
PennGeorgiaState….
I fully expect Georgia to be favored in the media and in Vegas when they play in JAX….and therefore Florida winning would be an “upset.” But….with Florida…..it is “expected” for the Gators to win every game they play….especially Georgia and FSU.
USA today editor
August 8th, 2012
11:00 am
Until Muschamp wins a big game HE will be considered a Depth issue.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
11:02 am
Tamp
What a comedian, lol…
Bulldogs getting after it in first major scrimmage of preseason | UGA sports blog
August 8th, 2012
11:13 am
[...] Focus intensifies on Georgia’s kickers [...]
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
11:17 am
Tampa, Missou has serious depth issues on the line now with 2 of their starting O-Linemen going down with season ending injuries yesterday.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
11:18 am
Instead of my first prediction of UGA beating Missou 31-14 I now say they will beat them 41-10.
Half Century Dawg
August 8th, 2012
11:27 am
based on what I have been reading, it appears we finally have some good motivated senior leadership on this team. In my opinion this is what has been missing since the Pollack / Green days. I think this could be a special year.
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
11:28 am
I say we will struggle against Missouri just like we did against Vandy and Kentucky last year. Lets say a 19 – 10 win for the Dawgs.
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
11:30 am
@ Half century Dawg…… we heard and read the same things last year. Im not buying it until we prove it on the football field.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
11:37 am
I’ll take a 10 point win in the SEC ON THE ROAD, ALL DAY LONG…
Half Century Dawg
August 8th, 2012
11:40 am
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
11:30 am
I agree
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
11:41 am
Yeah kingdaddy but its time for some style points too to shut up the outside crtics. Lets face it a 9 point win over a Kentucky at there house really aint too impressive.
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
11:48 am
“their”
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
11:57 am
@ 1055, why are you always trying to over simplify things?
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
11:59 am
Agreed, but we start slow. I’ll take the win at Missouri and build on it. My understanding from what I’m reading is our OL is young and green, but in very good shape and deep. We get by Missouri, we season these linemen and by the time we meet S.C., they should have the jitters taken care of by then. Until you see different, trust in these Dawgs, they have a chance to be very good for a long time…
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
12:10 pm
USA today editor
August 8th, 2012
11:00 am
“Until Muschamp wins a big game HE will be considered a Depth issue.”
Muschamp won a big game last year…….Gator Bowl vs. Ohio State (evenly matched teams)….and winning that game prevented the Gators from having a losing season. I would say that was a BIG, BIG win.
……and by the way…..what big game did Richt and Georgia win last year…..other than Florida…..which was not really much of a big game at all….was it…..since Florida and Muschamp are so terrible,,,,,right?
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
12:14 pm
kinddaddy….
Yep……I am such a good comedian…..that I have been laughing at myself for 18 out of the last 22 years…..and will laugh at myself again this year….while modern day Dawg fans cry “something chomped me in the arsse……again.”
Start…..LOL….again.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
12:14 pm
Sorry to hear about Missouri’s linemen. Everybody gets bit by the injury-bug, everybody…
BankerDawg
August 8th, 2012
12:22 pm
After reading all of these posts I think most dawg fans are all on the same page. Here is what we can all agree on:
1). If Richt loses 1 his is on the “hot seat”, if he loses 3 he is toast
2). OL, ST, and RG are big questions marks but have the potential to be better than we think
3). GA’s schedule is “light”, not “easy” as some would say. Ohio State, USCw, and TX play patsies every year
4). No more excuses, no more rebuilding year talk, it’s time to get the job done and elevate the program again.
One the fourth point, I think that is where we are as a fan base. If I’m wrong, someone tell me. Richt was able to bring us 2 SEC championships during his tenure and played for 4. Not bad. Some would argue that it was with Donnan’s recruits, and they would be right. However, I think our talent in Athens today is deeper and just as good. The bottom line is I want to see this team win games it is supposed to and beat teams were not supposed to. 11-0 and back to Atlanta is the benchmark for me. Maybe my standards are too high, but I think they should be.