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
buzzkill
August 7th, 2012
7:55 pm
first!
CHDawg
August 7th, 2012
7:57 pm
Let’s put Big John 6 back on those kickoffs! He may not break it, but it would be fun to watch. Let’s take it to the BCS with a victory this year Dawgs!
CHDawg
August 7th, 2012
8:00 pm
Motel 6 and Kwame Sunami are going to be tough to block this year. I like the idea of the D seeing it as their responsibility in getting our young line ready to handle anything!
Bad Dawg
August 7th, 2012
8:02 pm
The good thing about having inexperienced punters and kickers is that is will force Richt to make some tough decisions on 4th down about moving the chains. Maybe they come up with some fake punts and field goals. I wouldn’t bet money on Marshall Morgan or Collin Barber coming through in the clutch so I hope the team is preparing as such.
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
8:02 pm
I think Theus is going to be a great player……but it is not a good sign when a true freshman offensive lineman is pushing to start for a team…..in the SEC. No matter how good he is…..a freshman is not physically or mentally ready for what he is going to face in the SEC on Saturdays. Star freshman OL only come around occasionally in the SEC. But Georgia may not have any choice…..but he better grow up real fast or he will get eaten alive by SEC DL and LBs. Practicing against Jones will certainly help him prepare…..but it will not be the same thing he will be facing in a real SEC game.
TY
August 7th, 2012
8:06 pm
Wow, when was the last time anyone mentioned a team player the caliber of Jones challenging but encouraging a freshman. Great leadership and winning attitude. If that rubs off on the rest of the team things will be great this year.
Bad Dawg
August 7th, 2012
8:07 pm
CHDawg, Sorry but UGA won’t make a BCS bowl my friend. Looks like Alabama and LSU will take the 2 spots in the BCS again. The Capital One or Outback Bowl is the likely destination sadly.
CHDawg
August 7th, 2012
8:34 pm
Bad Dawg, you could be right, but I wouldn’t sell the ‘12 Dawgs short, amigo. Great defense has always been the key to winning championships, and we could have our best defense in my memory, and I’m getting pretty old! The offense is a big unknown, but we have a lot of talent and experience at some of the key positions. Watching it unfold is what makes it interesting! Nobody south of the Almighty Himself knows what will happen tomorrow, but you are entitled to your educated guess. And yes, LSU and Bama both look to be very strong this year–again.
Lawdawg
August 7th, 2012
8:45 pm
CHDawg I think you are right. You can say what you will about Bama, but they never won a championship based on an outstanding offense. The same can be said for LSU.
Bad Dawg
August 7th, 2012
8:56 pm
I think the D could be scary good but I need to see them hold a good offense under 21 points. My opinion is based on the fact that say UGA does make it to the SECCG again I don’t see them getting past LSU or Alabama. Which leaves UGA on the outside looking in. I hope I’m wrong though. Its been too long since UGA has been to a BCS bowl game.
Dawg Haus
August 7th, 2012
9:07 pm
Hoping for good things this season. Go Dawgs!!
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
9:22 pm
Lawdawg…..
How about the 2009 Bama offense….I would say is was really good….and their defense the same…hard to beat….Ask Florida….who’s defense was not as good as the offense.
and….
How about that 2008 Gator team…..really good offense and really good defense. Hard to beat. Ask Bama…who had a really good defense that year but not as good an offense.
and LSU lost the NC game because their offense was not as good as Bama’s offense…..which was really good in that game….and LSU’s offense was not very good.
CHDawg
August 7th, 2012
9:23 pm
One of the most interesting aspects of being a college FB fan is watching how the players develop. For instance, Shockley continued to improve throughout his whole senior season. I don’t think we ever saw his complete potential. Likewise, our D improved a lot last year as the challenges progressed, much like the ‘07 D. The big difference is that almost all of them are back. We are as deep as I can remember in the front 7, and I think we have some All Americans yet to be discovered. Of the low profile guys, I particularly like Garrison Smith—from the first set of downs I noticed him, he reminded me of David Pollack…only bigger. Motor never stops. I have several more guys I am watching. Of the high profile guys, Ogeltree gets constant press, but I’m not sure we have ever seen what he is capable of doing. He has made some big plays, but the way the coaches and players talk about him, you feel like he still hasn’t hit his zenith on the field. No doubt, Boykin’s shoes will be the toughest to fill on the defensive side of the ball. But, if they pick up where they left off last year–improving each week, we might be able to stop anybody when it counts later in the season. This year should be really interesting for us to watch.
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
9:24 pm
Point of above…..it is hard to win a national title with just a really good defense. You have to have a really good and deep offense….with a very strong offensive line…..and I think that will be Georgia’s downfall this year….and why they are not nearly as good as LSU and Bama. Just my opinion.
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
9:28 pm
Bad Dawg…..
You may be right about the Dawg defense….but you may also be wrong. They played poorly vs. LSU and Michigan State in the second half of those games. Boise State also picked apart that defense….but that was early. But they are a year old and a year wiser….and deeper. Could be a good year….if no one gets injured on defense and no one gets injured on the OL.
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
9:29 pm
…….and no one does anything really dumb.
SEC Fact Finder
August 7th, 2012
9:32 pm
It sounds like UGA is putting together various levels of rotations at the OL and running back positions. The Burnette kid needs to get back into the rotation after his illness and UGA and Coach Friend really need to get their units set within the next 5 days to build up and game plan for their opener. The good thing for UGA is there is not a Boise St. in the first week allowing time to see freshmen compete in a game prior to the SEC play.
Putting a True Freshman at tackle is always a risk, however there have been a few good a Freshmen over the years who have gone on to play pretty well as freshmen on that island. The true test will come when he plays a team that over under stunts and overloads his side of the ball.
Good luck to all of you and your SEC teams.
Tampa Gator
August 7th, 2012
9:51 pm
Fact Finder…..
Bama had the #1 tackle recruit in the nation last year, right? Think he would have been a star if he had started last year. Having a year to get bigger and stronger….and work with experienced OL….had to help him for this year….and I expect he will be a really good lineman this year and for several years to come as a result. Five star Xavier Nixon was thrown to the SEC wolves his freshmen year at Florida….and he developed some really bad habits that has hindered his progress since. Coach Davis and the new S&C coach have really helped him since their arrival….and I think he will have an outstanding Senior year….if he stays healthy….at LT for the Gators. As Muschamp said in his after practice media conference the other day…..”If you are doing your job as a head coach, you should not be starting freshman (he was referring to Humphries and Dunker) on your offensive line”…..or too many in other positions either.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
August 7th, 2012
10:06 pm
Can’t believe some of you people are even thinking NC! Come on…
umyboyBlue17
August 7th, 2012
10:12 pm
anything at right tackle would be better than what we saw last year. Block to the echo of the whistle,block downfield. Running backs never stop giving full effort on running plays, linemen should’nt either.
SEC Fact Finder
August 7th, 2012
10:14 pm
Tampa Gator,
I agree, if a coach and his assistants are doing their job they should not be putting a true freshman in the awkward position of playing at OT unless injuries or suspensions have occurred. CK at Alabama was not ready to play full time in 2011, he was ready to get some snaps but he would have gotten chewed up week after week playing against SEC caliber LB’s DE, OLB. It takes a very very special young man to line up on the OL and play as a true freshmen, “Unless” he enrolled early, went through spring practice, lifted all winter, spring and summer, conditioned and studied his playbook. Even then it is tough. The Theus kid may be that kind of player, he committed early to UGA, stayed with his committment and may offer some relief to a group that is considered the weakest aspect of UGA’s football team.
Good Luck TG, did you make it up to practice? I will be there tomorrow for about 3 hours for a rules review with administrators and support staff. Then I am off to Missouri for a few days and work my way back to Tampa in 10 days. Stay healthy my friend.
Dawg-Gawn
August 7th, 2012
10:19 pm
The 2012 seniors have come up with their own slogan for this season “Our Team, Our Time, No Regrets” the seniors have taken over leadership of this team… it is no longer coach driven but a player driven team.
@Tampa Gator: I believe John Theus will compete quite well against the athletes of Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. He is being groomed for that position, while not named the starter, he will get plenty of playing time. (creating OL depth) This is sending a direct message to Larmery Tunsil that he too can take the same path next year at LT if he should wish to do so!
Believe in the “G”
Beast from the East
August 7th, 2012
10:22 pm
That Jones kid from USCw has turned into a great player and a true team leader for you Dawgs. Nice story considering all he went through before arriving at UGA.
Beast from the East
August 7th, 2012
10:24 pm
“Believe in the “G”
Packers fan?
Dawg-Gawn
August 7th, 2012
10:34 pm
Beast: That G is balling too!
Showmeyurtd's
August 7th, 2012
10:50 pm
R u kidding me? We are fielding a team worst than USC who is on scholarship limits. They are on sanctions and have more scholarship players then Coach Mediocre. Say it ain’t so. Go dawgs
frank
August 7th, 2012
11:02 pm
Did Mark Rick take the boys diving yet? Its about that time of year aint it?
wrightsville dawg
August 7th, 2012
11:28 pm
how can it be a closed practice at sanford stadium? cant you go over and look over the stadium on sanford drive on a regular day? ive seen signs prohibiting motor traffic but foot traffic?
ole dawg
August 8th, 2012
1:19 am
Beast… USCw? Really? Now that is funny! Aint but one USC and I visited it last week on vacation. Nobody vacations in Columbia, SC so that tells you something.
Bid4dream
August 8th, 2012
1:20 am
Avail heavy discounts on properties covering flats, farm houses and other real estate ventures, various tours around the world, on electronic items, luxury items, shopping coupons. You can also post your requirement we will get best deal for you.
7576DAWG
August 8th, 2012
1:44 am
CMR says that the players don’t have a choice when being considered on special teams this year. If the coaches want them to play special teams then they will be expected to play special teams. HE@@, I thought that was the way if has always been and now we find out they had the choice. No wonder we had one of the worst Special Teams last year.I could have sworn CMR said last year the best players would always be on the field.
59bulldawg
August 8th, 2012
4:41 am
@Tampa Gator at 8:02 on August 7. That’s one possible take. We definitely have OL issues. And I agree with what you say about typical freshmen. But another take is that the kid may be special. Time will tell whether he is typical or exceptional. I’m not a blind homer but I’m thinking the latter.
DawgNation
August 8th, 2012
7:03 am
My daughter asked who is Jan Kemp the other day and I responded, “Exactly!”
PaulPaul
August 8th, 2012
7:20 am
Ben Jones did well as a freshman. I think he started every game and made a huge difference. The first time I saw him block in one on one drills he was as good as you can see. Theus may be in that same mold from what I have seen and heard. Everyone develops differently and this young man seems to be an exception. With Jarvis pushing him he should get up to speed quickly. Ward and Debell are much bigger and stronger and may give a little more depth. Ward is still a little tentative because of the injury but has huge potential. This line has a chance to surprise to the upside.
Game Changer
August 8th, 2012
7:22 am
J Jones is now coaching the o line for UGA? This article reeks of what is wrong in athens ga.
No Worries = the new drug policies are now effective making marijuana legal for UGA players on a daily basis:
th-UGA’S win another issue inside Butts Mehre —– BMIOF
JB
August 8th, 2012
7:24 am
Every NATIONAL story you read about the Dawgs chances this year are positive but the one big ” BUT”
and that’s a suspect line with little depth and once again not having a star battle tested running back.
JB
August 8th, 2012
7:26 am
Gators looking like Kil Roy from the back of the bus, and boy they don’t like it.
Jimmy Crack
August 8th, 2012
7:38 am
Love to hear what Jarvis is saying. Thankfully our young offensive line is currently going up against one of the best defensive fronts in the country. With enough practice competition against JJ & Co (and one easy game to open the season) these big young pups will be more than ready for the SEC opener.
CaliDawg
August 8th, 2012
7:56 am
“Live from…” You’re 100% right, and 100% wrong…respectively.
Tide Roll
August 8th, 2012
8:03 am
How does Richt allow your program to get in this position? True Freshman kicker and punter, A true Freshman (from a private school league) vying for a starting spot at Right Tackle. A 6′ 270 lb. redshirt Freshman (from a private school league) starting at center. A severely depleted roster (68 scholarship when the NCAA allows 85!) Suspensions out the whazoo. And all of it could have been avoided with a reasonable amount of foresight and a genuine commitment (especially on Richt’s behalf) to your program. It’s like he and Booboo literally take the off season off, and then show up the first day of practice to see what they’ve got. To make a physical analogy, they both show up “WAY OUT OF SHAPE” because they haven’t worked in the off season. Good luck with these two. They’ve set you up to make it 32 years (and beyond) without a National Title.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:03 am
If Richt was doing his job, Theus would be redshirting.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:06 am
Tide Roll, you would think YOU would be happy with the way Richt mishandles our roster and Program. Lord help you if the ever get the right guy in Athens. Imagine all the talent in this state staying home and being well coached?
Tide Roll
August 8th, 2012
8:11 am
Let me get this straight. Rather than tell a starter to “GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE ON SPECIAL TEAMS AND PRODUCE. ” Richt is like : “If your heart’s not in it, then we don’t want you out there.” As if there’s nothing he or his staff can do to change things. This guy is a true flake, you realize that don’t you? I’m sure he sits down with Kathryn and has a good laugh: ” Honey, can you believe these idiots haven’t fired me yet ??!! “
Tide Roll
August 8th, 2012
8:15 am
You’re right about that JB. There’s not another state in the Union that offers the quality of talent AND quantity of talent that Georgia does. Lack of in-state high school talent is not your problem.Your problem is you’ve got a lazy head coach.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:24 am
Tide Roll…..Patience. Don’t know if you looked at the new contract McGarity gave Richt, but it was NOT a vote of confidence. In fact, I don’t know of many SEC or ACC coach’s who would of accepted it, which tells me, it was here it is, take or leave it. Now, both sides came out and said it’s done and they were happy, but dean of SEC coach’s, just won the SEC East…AND NO RAISE and the buyout was tilted to the University’s favor? McGarity ain’t sold…and neither is about 75% of the season ticket holders.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
8:31 am
SEC Fact Finder…
Muschamp announced just before the opening practices that practices would be closed to both the public and the media…..except for media day on the 18th. I cancelled my weekend trip to the Gainesville area as a result, including a day of bass fishing. Speaking of freshmen OL, DJ Humphries and Jassman Dunker have been impressive as well, and both ennrolled early. They will be providing depth to the Gators OL this year and will develop into outstanding linemen.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:32 am
Richt after 11 years in Athens makes 42% of what Saban makes. And we ain’t broke.I lay it all at the feet of Dr. Adams ( who is gone by the way in a few months) who really has the REAL power to make a change. Mark is still the coach in Athens because he’s a quality guy, and he is. Dr. Adams was happy being competitive. McGarity does not have the power to fire Richt. It will be interesting to see who the new UGA President is. If it’s a liberal woman from the Northeast, nothing will change. She will love Mark. If it’s a man from the Southeast, we might see some changes.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:34 am
Tampa Gator…I enjoy your post on here, but you are probably talking to yourself about Gator football on here….LOL
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
8:37 am
“There’s not another state in the Union that offers the quality of talent AND quantity of talent that Georgia does.”
@Tide Roll….
I would say that the states of Florida, Texas, and California do that….and more.
Tide Roll's Mama
August 8th, 2012
8:37 am
My son acts like a fool on these boards
UGA 2012 SEC CHAMPS
August 8th, 2012
8:38 am
Tide Roll you are an idiot and stop idolizing young black boys that play football at Bammer.
Tide Roll
August 8th, 2012
8:40 am
Thank goodness your center is only 5″11″. Your 5′11″ qb won’t have trouble seeing over him. Now it maks sense.
dawgfan
August 8th, 2012
8:44 am
“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.”
So in other words, even though they are perfectly capable of running the ball and even though we are in desperate need of a running game they are going to be wasting away on the sidelines until they can learn to pass protect. What a waste. I’ve never understood this. We lost a year of Knowshon Moreno because of this thinking. Running backs run the ball. Offensive linemen, fullbacks and tight ends can do the blocking. Why are we relying on tailbacks to do so much blocking in the first place? Its all about the QB in this offense. Herschel freaking Walker wouldn’t see any playing time in this offense if he couldn’t pass protect. Its absolutely absurd.
Thanks.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
8:45 am
JB….
The main focus of my general posts on this article has been about playing freshmen as starters on a SEC OL…as not being a good roster status thing for a given SEC program. But I do speak directly to some posters that do respond to my posts….and many do…..FYI. I usually try to avoid speaking back to those who just want to throw out insults, etc. I prefer intelligent, college football and college football recruiting on line conversations. But….those are hard to find on here for sure. SEC Fact Finder is one…..and there are others….WDE…..for example.
Tide Roll's Tutor
August 8th, 2012
8:50 am
Some may wonder why a tutor would call out the tutoree publicly, thinking it would maybe embarrass him. Well, how embarrassed do you think I am, when after all this tutoring, Tide Roll is still publicly posting drivel? The gloves are off, Tide Roll, as long as I am tutoring you, and you are putting out unreasoned rants in the public domain, I will call you out in public.
Mini-lesson 1 for today: For board purposes, you are a “Bama fan.” Therefore, you should not be getting upset over what you think are negative happenings in Athens. That is for UGA fans to fret about. Any problems UGA has is good for Bama. Got it? Its not that hard, but it does require some logical thinking.
Mini-lesson 2: For Bama fans it was/is a good thing that James Carpenter and Chance Warmack left the state to play for the Tide. From your posts, the average reader would think you were royally ticked off that they did not go to UGA. Keep this up, and some people may get the idea you are not a real “Bama fan.”
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:51 am
hum, I would of swore the topic story was UGA Sports practice notes. I’ll go back and reread it.
JB
August 8th, 2012
8:53 am
Maybe the writer took out Bama and Gator practice notes since the original story came out this morning?
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
8:56 am
Shutup tide roll you pathetic racist idiot Tech fan
Just shut your piehole
Your OL evaluation from last year still rings in my ears:
“It will be the best OL ever in Athens.”
Why?
Because you thought having black guys outnumber white guys on the OL would make it good.
I guess Grambling has the best OL in America huh?
Just shutup
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
8:59 am
Tampa
Theus is good. Theus has great technique. Theus is coachable. Theus is manchild big.
Sturdivant started as a freshman and plowed people.
Nowadays, it is a luxury to redshirt freshmen and while it would be great to do, the reality is this kid can play and I’m not sure he would redshirt even if we were real deep on the OL.
Tide Roll's Tutor
August 8th, 2012
9:00 am
Let’s do a “carrot and stick” approach. The stick was the above post where I called Tide Roll out. The carrot is this: Put together a couple of thoughtful reasoned posts, and maybe I can arrange for you to attend a Tech practice(not for certain), then chow down at the Varsity afterwards.
Tide Roll, you would be in hog heaven, so to speak, as I understand Tech is 4 deep in black quarterbacks. How can you top that?
All you have to do, is meet the contingencies above.
Mudcat's Impala....
August 8th, 2012
9:00 am
Since we do not get any opponent info on this blog…
FWIW…Mizzou is having serious OL injury issues…(echo’s of UGA ‘08)
1. Starting TE Waters reinjured his surgically repaired knee. Severity unknown.
2. Starting LG Ruth’s injury is a torn tricep. Will have surgery…he’s out for season. A walkon has been named the starter.
3. 2nd string RT Chappelle who has been filling in for starter Britt (whose out with a foot fracture) has torn his ACL…he’s out for the season…
Their offensive line is really taking some serious hits…
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
9:02 am
Tutor
Paul Johnson has a restraining order against tide roll.
He tried to crash the fish fry 3 years ago
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:06 am
dawgfan, surely you have watched enough UGA football, to have seen the many example of how a blown pass protection by a freshman RB can and HAS cost us ballgames in the past. Even so, Richt has had a long history of playing freshman Rb all the time, despite always making the obvious and simple comment that they need to know what to do out there.
Perhaps, the reason you never understood this is because you are mistaking what he said. He never said a thing about blocking, as in what a Lineman does. He is talking about picking up a blitzing LB, who will at best blow up the play (in which case, what does it matter who is on the bench), and at worst, rip our starting QB head off.
And we did NOT lose a year of Knowshon Moreno because of that. I would be glad to debate that, if you really believe it.
CHDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:11 am
The whole argument about true freshmen not being able to help a team win a championship should be laughed to scorn here–’Ole number 34 comes to mind. Many would argue that it takes a few great freshmen to make it happen. They do make a difference.
JB
August 8th, 2012
9:16 am
Tampa Gator writes that his main focus on this article is about play freshman……But in his 8:24 he tells us that out OL line will be our downfall this year and that frankly, we can’t hold a candle to LSU or Bama……………That is a direct insult to our program……….And frankly, it’s nice to see the Gators sitting in the back of the bus and a after thought with the National press. I know it’s tough adjusment for them. They use to tell us that all we did was “talk” about what we were gonna do. Lot of talk coming out from that program now.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:19 am
KNowshon was lost in the playbook, not in the best of shape, and sitting 4th string behind THREE future NFL RB’s. Not to mention, it was almost certain we were going to have a Freshman QB in there pretty early in the season, who didn’t always know what he was doing either.
It was very late in his RS year before you even heard who KNowshon Moreno was.
And a guy leaving after playing 2 years is the rare exception, not the rule. If anything RS’ing Moreno was to GAIN a year on not waste one. The decision to redshirt him was never about keeping a freshman over on the bench wasting away because he can’t “block” as good as a Linemena or TE. Its was the obvious and correct thing to do in the circumstance of our RBs that year. It would be today too. It will be 5 yrs from now.
RxDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:25 am
Sounding good. If we can keep those injuries down and learn how to run the football some then look out!
Wallace Butts
August 8th, 2012
9:27 am
Tide Troll and JB are having a love fest.
CHDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:35 am
Tide Roll has always impressed me as having been rejected by CMR in some way. Maybe UGA passed over one of his relatives for a line scholly offer, or maybe he wasn’t hired for a job, but his deep resentment of CMR is barely under the surface of 100% of his posts.
DawginLex
August 8th, 2012
9:35 am
Game Changer
August 8th, 2012
7:22 am
J Jones is now coaching the o line for UGA? This article reeks of what is wrong in athens ga.
No Worries = the new drug policies are now effective making marijuana legal for UGA players on a daily basis:
th-UGA’S win another issue inside Butts Mehre —– BMIOF
******************************
In a long list of dumb statements made by you, this ranks at the top of the list
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:36 am
JB, I do not believe Theus would be RS in any circumstance. He might not be so immediately “needed” or pushing to start day one, but from all accounts this guy is an eventual starting OL on any team in the nation, and no way does he not get at least some PT his first year.
We needed OL last year too, and still the guys that weren’t ready got RS’ed, so this is probably a poor example to use of not doing thier job correctly.
JB
August 8th, 2012
9:37 am
Wallace………”our” check cleared to the Hartman fund and “our” diploma from 1976 is on the wall. Just tired of mixed results over a 3-4 year period by this staff. Just my opinion. Lot’s of them more direct than me on here on the shortcomings.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
9:38 am
I’m not surprised that ST’s were made up of mostly volunteers, Mark Richt has always been a CEO that managed by concensus. This philosophy could work if he were surrounded by competent people. A CEO has to learn to make tough decisions if that’s not their natural temperament. Richt’s pattern has been to make a tough decision, after the fact, only when pretty much forced to do so.
dawgfan
August 8th, 2012
9:40 am
Mark Richt himself said that he regretted redshirting Knowshon. Nuff said there.
“dawgfan, surely you have watched enough UGA football, to have seen the many example of how a blown pass protection by a freshman RB can and HAS cost us ballgames in the past.”
I sure have. I’ve also watched enough college football to know that great teams don’t put themselves in a position where a blown pass protection by a freshman RB, or any RB for that matter, costs them ballgames. I question the wisdom of an offense where that is even an issue. That’s my point. Sure, running backs have to block sometimes. I get that. But saying that their inability to block costs us ball games isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of Richt and Bobo’s offensive philosophy. That shouldn’t happen.
bucket
August 8th, 2012
9:42 am
If Houston’s issues had been resolved, Theus would not be vying for a starting spot from Day 1. However, there was no way Theus was being redshirted this year regardless of who was available. But I do remember the last time UGA rolled into Jacksonville, FL with a true freshman tackle as being a great day for UGA! Maybe history repeats itself!
JB
August 8th, 2012
9:43 am
AltamahaDawg…………Pretty obvious that Richt and Company have not recruited “numbers wise” in the area of OL very well. You would think they would correct it….and till last week when that JC player committed, we only had 3 OL commits out of like 22. This paper reported last week that the Dawgs ( Can’t use our anymore) will sign 34 with 10 or so coming in early. Hope we get 4 or 5 more OL.
JB
August 8th, 2012
9:48 am
We will have 3 less scholarship players than Southern Cal this year, the most heavy hit team of player reductions this side of D1 teams this side of Penn St. Guess that’s the fans fault….or the police, or Dr Adams or maybe the weather……. Giving walkons scholarships is a feel good story, but won’t help win many games in the SEC in the fourth quarter.
Wallace Butts
August 8th, 2012
9:51 am
JB – if you have been sending checks to the Hartman Fund since 1976, you have most certainly seen poor performance during that stretch. So why are you bashing the current staff who have produced a higher winning percentage than all the other coaches during that period?
Good fans support their team during good and bad, so I am left to assume that you have long stretches of being a fan of other teams (because even the mighty Bama program has had the same stretches of poor performance).
1eyedJack
August 8th, 2012
9:52 am
dawgfan, if we had Herschel in the backfield he wouldn’t need to know how to pass protect, and neither would our linemen.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:53 am
No he didn’t. Richt jokes about a lot of stuff at his own expence. That’s his style. Not to mention, he was obviously asked about that in hindsight. It was the right call, the only call, at the time.
I don’t really know where you are now going with all that what “great teams” do arguments. I know that was not your point, or at least it was not what you were saying, back there.
I stand by my opinion that mentioning that our RB havent’t quite managed to learn everything there is to know, 4 days into camp, is hardly “in other words…..they are going to be wasting away on the sidelines”.
As I pointed out, that certainly has never been true before.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
9:53 am
I read that so far nine Penn State players had left the program for other schools, two were OL.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
9:55 am
Did anyone see what happened to Missou yesterday? They had two starting O-linemen go down in a scrimmage yesterday. Their LG went down with a torn tricep muscle and their RT went down with an ACL. Their backup at LG is a walk-on and a true Freshman. Their RT is backed up by a redshirt Sophmore. Our front seven will be running through them all night.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
9:56 am
I guess we should hold our breath. We have a scrimmage that starts in 5 minutes.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
9:58 am
Amen on the 9:56. We’ve been there before. Hopefully not again.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:58 am
Well first off, We have 19 Olinemen on the roster. “numbers wise”. And look back over the years and see how many OL are recuited by various schools. 3-6 is typical. So the numbers argument does not hold water. Number are not the issue.
But I wasn’t making that point. You said Theus would RS if Richt had done his job. That is simply false.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
10:00 am
Altamaha, how many of those on our roster were “recruits” vs walk ons? Just asking, I don’t know?
JB
August 8th, 2012
10:00 am
Wallace, I have watched Florida win 2 titles, LSU,Bama(2) and Auburn win one while this state has more talent and this program has more money than most etc etc……..I’m stunned by people who won’t look past the shortcomings of this staff ( and yes, I’ve met Mark, like him, respect him etc) but we aren’t sniffing one…and won’t. Most of this staff could not get a job at a FOOTBALL POWER school if let go. If it take 10 things for a coach to win one, Mark has about 7 of them.I’m mad because I used to show up and think we could beat anyone we played. I can’t say that now. And yes, the next guy might be worse, but college football coach’s are fired right and left every year FOR NOT WINNING. 10 wins and an Orlando bowl is the satisfaction mode most Dawg fans have landed in. I just don’t think Mark can get us there. 11 years is a long time with all the assets at his disposal
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:01 am
Don’t worry guy. We have been told for several years now by the locals, that no amount of critical injuries could possible affect a team’s season in any way.
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
10:06 am
Yep I expect some depletion in our roster beginnig today because of our fledging ineptness of our coaching staff with injuries. That for some strange reason UGA seems to get more than our share when uga dons the full pads every year. Stay tuned for more excuses.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
10:06 am
I would think JB’s statement that his check has cleared would be enough to know that he’s supported the program, and anyone has the right to speak their mind. I don’t consider it bashing the program if you speak the truth.
Where is ..........
August 8th, 2012
10:07 am
A couple of years ago true frosh LB/DE TJ STRIPLING really blew out his knee vs Colorado. How is he doing? Last season, he took a red shirt year and so, with the training the conditioning, he ought to be around 275 now and healthy. I was looking forward to him playing for UGA.
How is TJ STRIPLING?
Go Dogs.
JB
August 8th, 2012
10:07 am
And think about the comments made the last 2-4 years when we go to play Kentucky and Vandy. We act like we going to play the Packers and hope we can stay on the field with them. Where the Hell did that come from?
injury bug starts today!
August 8th, 2012
10:08 am
Altamaha is correct…numbers aint the issue , its the quality which we aint got due to this coaching staff and CMR!
JB
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Thanks Mobile. Hell, I’m mad because everyone is not mad. We lost the only 4 games that really counted last year outside of Tech, and someone give me a signature win in the last three seasons.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Where is ……….
August 8th, 2012
10:07 am
A couple of years ago true frosh LB/DE TJ STRIPLING really blew out his knee vs Colorado. How is he doing? Last season, he took a red shirt year and so, with the training the conditioning, he ought to be around 275 now and healthy. I was looking forward to him playing for UGA.
How is TJ STRIPLING?
Go Dogs.
______________________________________________________
The reports I’ve seen is that Stripling is up to about 260 lbs and is 100 percent healthy. I saw some pictures of him at practice and he looks a lot bigger. All the reports say that he is looking really good.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Not sure. I counted a few of them,that I didn’t recall knowing/reading much about (not that I am really the word on that). But (i think) IF we recently added some walk-on just to bump the number up, they would be in addition to the 19 I was counting.
I do see at least a 12, 15 maybe, that I would think are 1-2-3 deep type guys. IMHO.
The problem is that our starters are not a bunch of 3L guys. But raw number is not the issue.
Mobile Dawg
August 8th, 2012
10:11 am
We were laughed at locally here in Mobile yesterday. Apparently Sports Ilustrated is writing an article about the “curse on the SEC” showing the Dawgs, Alabama, and LSU on the cover with voodoo pins sticking in us. The butt of the joke was why is Georgia on the cover. Maybe that changes, but i’m not convinced.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:11 am
JB
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Thanks Mobile. Hell, I’m mad because everyone is not mad. We lost the only 4 games that really counted last year outside of Tech, and someone give me a signature win in the last three seasons.
___________________________________________________________
Quit worrying about the past. Every indication I’ve been hearing is that this will be a big season for us. The team has been working really hard in the off season and is completely focused on the goal.
JB
August 8th, 2012
10:13 am
OK, I’m done.. Let’s go 14-0 and shock the world.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
10:16 am
JB, I saw an interview with Jarvis Jones and he said the Crowell thing caught most of the players by surprise. They said that he had been working hard all off season and was focused and becoming a leader. After it happened Jones and some of the guys that came back instead of going to the NFL got the guys together and told them that they did not come back for this kind of stuff to happen and ruin their season. It sounds like the leaders on this team are going to hold team mates accountable to them if they screw up.
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.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
12:28 pm
Tamp
If I was you, I wouldn’t put that game in your win column just yet. Long time between now and J-ville and you’re just polluting the blog with hot-air, and you know it…
BankerDawg
August 8th, 2012
12:35 pm
Kingdaddy – give em hell! No way we lose to Florida this year. They don’t have an offense to speak of. For whatever probalems GA has, Florida has them two fold. However, now that I’ve gotten my Dawg bravado out of the way, I am not counting it as a win just yet. TN and Florida are a mystery to me this year and realistically, I am expecting TN to be vastly improved this year if they can find a running game. Florida is always loaded with talent. I think were going to see if Muschamp is as good as a coach as Florida fans hopes he is.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
12:43 pm
Banker Dawg
I for one will not feel the least bit guilty about thinking my team has a good chance to win every game we play this year. Will we? Nobody knows for sure. Not LSU,not Bama and not even UF! The outside experts say UGA in the east. (I should say the majority of “experts”). People can claim “we will win that game! “, but they’re just blowing smoke up our tail-pipes…I trust what I know is a fact, and everything else is a maybe…
Know your facts before you shoot off....
August 8th, 2012
1:15 pm
@ Tide Roll:
“How does Richt allow your program to get in this position? True Freshman kicker and punter, A true Freshman (from a private school league) ”
Theus played for The Bolles School which yes is a private school, however they do compete against public schools and some good ones at that. During a local Spring Jamboree they played against Yulee which has your highly coveted Derrick Henry. The N. FL area is one of the more fertile recruiting grounds around public or private. Bolles is a football powerhouse and has been so for decades. I’ve personally seen Theus and Henry play in multiple games and I can tell you both of those young men ARE in fact the real deal. Theus was a man among boys and man handled everyone who came his way. I for one am not surprised he’s pushing for starting time, I think he could just about anywhere.
FYI – of the 11 games Bolles is scheduled to play 8 are PUBLIC school programs.
USA today editor
August 8th, 2012
1:23 pm
Tampa Gator
No one would Ever consider beating a pathetic Ohio St. Team a Big win in any shape or form, that is grasping at straws and you know it. By the way CMR has not won a big game in 4 years.
Foot meet mouth...
August 8th, 2012
1:29 pm
“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”
My my my how the mighty have fallen. So Tampa Gator – a win against a 6-6 Ohio St team that was missing half of it’s stars from tatoo gate is now considered a and I quote “BIG, BIG win” ?
Bahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Thanks dude I NEEDED a good laugh.
Well you were half right, the two teams certainly were EVENLY matched, the both sucked equally!!
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
1:34 pm
Tampa Gator has said many times he’s just having fun and yanking the Dawgs chain. I like posting with him, he’s a good gator fan and just like all fans, he takes exception to anyone taking a cheapshot at his school, just as I do. Once someone upsets my cart, its hard to get it back upright. Tamps ok, he’s just trying to get your goat, lol…
shankit
August 8th, 2012
1:36 pm
Live from the Butt-Smear Building — Cheez, you have been running this Hale Almand, Jan Kemp
blog since 1986. You make me tired.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
1:40 pm
Murray 12-17–170 yds.-1 td.? Gurley catching ball out of backfield, he’s a load people. No red-shirt for either freshman RB this year…
shankit
August 8th, 2012
1:42 pm
And Tide Roll === Chipper Jones played baseball at Bolles.
He has done alright since being recruited by the Braves.
Bolles is a lot like the old Lanier Poets school out of Macon,
all boys (er’ men). They were tuff.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
Shankit,
No doubt a quality program. When it comes to Toad Roll, you have to look at the source. I normally just skip over his post. If you’ve read one of his UGA hate filled post, YOU’VE READ THEM ALL…
ugab
August 8th, 2012
2:07 pm
It was no secret that the OL was going to be the weakness of the team this coming up season. The defense was going to be the strength of the team. Knuckle heads on defense getting suspended is going to really hurt the team. Typical CMR team. suspensions, lack of depth, poor discipline,etc. MR is getting better, but not enough to matter, yet
ugab
August 8th, 2012
2:10 pm
I would like to see on of the young RBs redshirted. That way they fall into place and don’t miss a yr.
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
2:30 pm
ugab
Nope, need them both now. This isn’t a perfect world and with a green Oline, we need fresh RBs rotating. Plus Gurley is a load catching the ball out of the backfield…
Dawg Haus
August 8th, 2012
2:32 pm
Word is Gurley had a solid scrimmage today.
UPDATED: Georgia’s Marlon Brown, Todd Gurley star in pass-happy scrimmage | UGA sports blog
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