Most questions have been answered as Georgia prepares for 2nd preseason scrimmage
ATHENS – Georgia will hold it’s second controlled scrimmage of the preseason this afternoon at Sanford Stadium. And for many of the Bulldogs, this will be their most important practice of the year.
After today, Georgia will pretty much settle in on organizing its game plan for the season opener against Buffalo. But the players who will figure into those plans will largely be decided on after today.
Most of the Bulldogs’ personnel decisions have been made. We all know who the quarterback will be and, even though there were three starters to replace, the offensive line was basically established in the first week of camp.
The only real questions on the offensive side of the ball is who will start at fullback and what will the tailback rotation look like. So this is an important day for tailbacks Ken Malcome, Richard Samuel, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, as it is for right tackles John Theus and Watts Dantzler. If Samuel or freshman Quayvon Hicks going to unseat Merritt Hall at fullback, they’ll need to prove they’re worthy of it today.
“I believe we’re ahead of last year and I think that’s due to a lot of guys coming back, one being our quarterback being a third-year starter and having more knowledge of the offense,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said, refeering to junior quarterback Aaron Murray. “He’s getting us into better plays, getting our protections set better and that’s making the adjustments easier for our offensive line. We’ve just got to keep improving daily and throughout the season.”
Defensively, Georgia basically has nine starters returning, so there’s not a lot of mystery about who will be playing on that side of the ball (suspensions notwithstanding). It looks like senior Cornelius Washington has nailed down the defensive end spot opposite Abry Jones, with multi-game starter Garrison Smith filling in on either side. Ray Drew needs to prove he’s worthy of being in the rotation but remained in a non-contact status due to a concussion as of the last practice. Redshirt freshman Sterling Baileyis battling for snaps as well.
Your cornerbacks after Sanders Commings are Branden Smith, Damian Swann and Malcolm Mitchell with Devin Bowman, Blake Sailors and Sheldon Dawson providing depth. Connor Norman and Corey Moore have to prove they’re dependable backups for Bacarri Rambo at free safety.
Whether or not Rambo or Alec Ogletree will be available for the first game — or any of the first four — is a question that remains unanswered and coach Mark Richt is still not ready to address it.
“I don’t know when we’ll let y’all know that,” Richt said this past weekend. “I don’t like talking about that.”
Of course, Georgia’s kicking game is the biggest unknown heading into the season. But we pretty much know who will be doing the work. Freshman place-kicker Marshall Morgan and punter Collin Barber will be looking to instill confidence in the coaches — and their teammates.
Georgia’s scrimmage won’t get started until 5 o’clock this afternoon, so it will be later this evening before I’ll be able to share any stats or observations. In the meantime, what is your biggest concern with 17 days remaining before the season opener?
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188 comments Add your comment
Top Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
@ Buffalo is so Fast- – - – It’s 104 degrees and we are sitting on high noon. The wind… my god the wind is coming in hard off the south side tracks… and we have two kickers nobody has heard of? What is the defense gonna do with all those players just having to sit there and watch? We might win this thing late, but it may take a miracle against these guys!! Loran, back to you…..
Missing Munson!!
DawginLex
August 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
the truth is the same idiot who changed schools for 10 consecutive weeks last year predicting losses in games that we won
I got news for you son, you are going to be sorely dissappointed in 2012 if you think there are 5 teams on this schedule that will beat Georgia
Keep dreaming and trolling
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:14 pm
florida has awful qbs so does auburn and tech, missouri has no defense at all
DawginLex
August 15th, 2012
1:14 pm
top dawg
“And we have a freshman at right tackle. 18 years old and barely shaving trying to block these guys. And freshmen running backs. How in the world are we going to move the ball?”
'94 UGA Alumnus
August 15th, 2012
1:15 pm
Hey The Truth,
You say you’ll be back after each loss, but what about if we win some of the games you say we will lose? Will you do the honorable thing and come back to eat crow? probably not. The Dawgs will not go 7-5 with their schedule I promise you nor will they go 12-0. A realistic guess is probably 9-3 or 10-2.
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:17 pm
we have carolina circled that arse whoopin is comin this year to turnovers only thing that stopped it last year
Top Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:18 pm
@ DawginLex—— “And Richt shaved his go tee earlier this week. Not for sure if that ole lady luck will appreciate that”… haha.. Go Dawgs!
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:19 pm
no running backs have you seen me and gurley play seriously
DostaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:19 pm
AlbanyDawg- I saw Jay Rome play 4 yrs. and is the most OVERRATED player to ever wear a Valdosta uniform. Play’s when he want’s to,could’nt stand it malcom mitchell is a far better player than he,and thought cause his last name was ROME (Dad Stan) he was entitled to do as he wont’s…Will be playn @ dostastate within 2yrs.
Top Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:20 pm
offensive line
Mad Dog One
August 15th, 2012
1:25 pm
@truth BOY you can’t handle the truth. If you are a fan of the G God help us all. GO DOGS & GATA
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:25 pm
8-5 missouri is gonna beat uga thats funny 8-5 in the little 12
ARdawg
August 15th, 2012
1:26 pm
truth = nerd troll
McDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:26 pm
expect Rambo and Ogletree to be out first 4 games-last time they were both out we were shreded by Boise St 7-10 yd passes over the middle
UGA is Vandy without the education
August 15th, 2012
1:27 pm
kmarshall4
and UGA has Richt and Bobo.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:28 pm
Yes, all you fools pulling for and wanting Georgia to win ballgames!
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:29 pm
boise had kellen moore mizzou has reggie ball
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:30 pm
and
DIT
August 15th, 2012
1:30 pm
@ “the truth”
Doubt very much that you’re a UGA fan, but what ever makes you feel good. What kind of fans think that at the beginning of every year they have a good chance for a greta season. To think this mentality is only limited to UGA is foolish. I think the same about the Braves every year. There is not one fan from UGA or other schools, that are true fans unlike yourself, that feel great coming into the season.
It’s new season. It’s called being a fan! Do I think UGA will win the NC, nope, but I expect a good year out of them because they are my team!
kmarshall4
August 15th, 2012
1:31 pm
richt has two sec titles
DIT
August 15th, 2012
1:33 pm
As pertaining to the topic on the blog I feel UGA needs to improve tremendously on tackling on special teams or it could be a tough season. That could cost us a big game, like in the SEC CG.
DIT
August 15th, 2012
1:33 pm
Well, maybe not cost us the SEC CG, but it sure contributed to changing the “Mo” around to LSU’s favor
Bad Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
This team still lacks depth just like last year and the same coaches are on the sidelines. There’s a good chance they make it to the SECCG but the results will probably be similar. The Capital One Bowl is the most likely destination for this team.
topdawg
August 15th, 2012
1:37 pm
mizzou will supposedly be without two of their starting o-linemen against georgia, the pass rush for uga will be too powerful! uga WILL win that game!
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:38 pm
McDawg, this is a year later, and Mizzou is a game into the season. We are both: deeper and more experienced at LB/FS and much more prepared to defend the short passing routes, than we were game #1 last year. Also, thier threats are (reputed) to be their speedsters, are you aware of thier prowess at the short passing game?
zbulldawg
August 15th, 2012
1:39 pm
It’s time to get off the coaches back people ! Grow up accept it !! They ARE OUR COACHES !! You can’t support them then get you a team & let’s see what you can do better ! The special teams are a mystery to me ? But I have full confidence that this issue will be adressed . Thank goodness we have this first game to check it out ! We will also be able to look at some players so we can build some good solid depth & stay fresh for the following week. Not to say Buffalo should be taken lightly But it is what it is , at home & all. It will give our running game a chance to jell. Great that we won’t have to waste any more of The Truth’s time this season with their B— SH– ! And goes for all you other big mouths That doesn’t know ONE thing about what’s going on at UGA ! It’s Time to LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
Greg
August 15th, 2012
1:42 pm
@ Bad Dawg, and where do we exactly “lack” depth?
McDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
not sure about Mizzou’s short passing game but i think the consequences of these suspensions are more serious than alot of fans want to acknowledge
Bad Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:45 pm
zbulldawg, Get off the coaches backs? When UGA has underachieved consistenly for years and has numerous off the field issues. Its fans like you that are allowing the current regime to stay in place. The fact is Mark Richt is going to say the same thing every year but its likely things haven’t changed as much as you think. The fans will lay off of these guys when they start winning big games and recruit young men who represent the university appropriately.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:46 pm
@DIT 1:30. I am sure that your recognize that so many sports fans leverage thier support of a particular team for the sole purpose of inflating thier own ego. Brag when it goes well, distance themselves if it doesn’t.
The irony is that they end up looking like cheap little weasles in the process.
BiggDawgK
August 15th, 2012
1:46 pm
the truth aka 5150 aka still@ kool aid aka smart enough aka countless other names
How many different names are you posting under now? Go you ever leave your mom’s basement because you seem to be constantly posting.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:49 pm
Well, the guys suspended are better than the guys replacing them. So I don’t think anybody is saying it’s anything but exactly what it is.
My point is that the comparison to the Boise game might not be fitting in this case.
PreyDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:49 pm
NO!! Most questions have not been answered. When is the one offensive line kid going to test clean for Steroids? Is he EVER going to be able to get this crap purged from his system? Is there a plan? Or are we just going to keep sticking him and doing the same test over and over with the same result. We NEED this kid for depth on the O-line. Right now we have no depth.
DIT
August 15th, 2012
1:50 pm
@AltamahaDawg – You got that right my friend!
fishook dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
I know Murray is the starter without even going thru camp or anything. He’s the only player on the entire team with the GOLD CARD. Everyone else does it the old fashion way….they EARN IT. My guess is the starter at tailback will be Malcome or Samuel because they have been there the longest, but not because their the best back. Marshall and Gurley both are and will prove to be better but because they are freshmen will have to wait their turn. I wish Bobo was more like Grantham and do like he does by putting the best 11 players on the field reguardless if their freshmen or what.
Bad Dawg
August 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
Greg, The offensive line, running back, tight end, corner back, and safety. There are some talented guys there in some of those spots but have yet to prove anything. Did you watch the LSU game last year? The main reason UGA got blasted in the second half is because LSU 2’s and 3’s were much better than UGA’s. Fresh legs are important to winning the 4th quarter. The 1’s match up with anybody but behind them there are alot of question marks. You think UGA has good depth when 7 walk-ons are getting scholarships?
ROFLMAO
August 15th, 2012
1:52 pm
The false truth is an idiot. How could a 10-4 team, that lost no one, finish 7-5. U dumb as.
Frank Lane
August 15th, 2012
1:52 pm
Yes, where is Zander?
GB's Hamburgers
August 15th, 2012
1:52 pm
Bobo says we’re father along this year because we have a third year quaterback who knows more of the offense. Why is the scheme so complex that after two years, the guy only knows “more of it”. Why do we have to try to trick people with our offense, when we have the atheletes (if they were conditioned properly) to just kick tails at will, That way we could simplify.
DIT
August 15th, 2012
1:53 pm
Well Bad Dawg I believe it’s a foregone conclusion that we have no depth on the O-Line. That’s where we need it the most. Not too concerned about the depth on defense. However, it’s the offensive line that will be under the microscope this year.
Good point on LSU’s depth last year. that was huge.
BiggDawgK
August 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
the truth @ 1:18 even used the phrase “smart enough to know”
Maybe in addition to being a sad friendless troll he also has multiple personality disorder and “smart enough” was struggling to escape.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
Travel teams are limited to 70. The lower end of those walk-ons getting scholarship have nothing to do with 3 deep depth chart.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2012
1:58 pm
GB, the offense was revamped going into last year, so it was new to everybody. Year 2 they are further along. Seems pretty logical.
Chip Towers
August 15th, 2012
2:01 pm
fishhook dawg: I get what you’re saying, but don’t think Murray’s starting because he has seniority or “a gold card.” I’ve seen enough to believe he’s their best quarterback. And I agree that Malcome or Samuel will probably start the first game. But that will be because they are (a) a known commodity and (b) they will be more apt to know their assignments. That said, both Marshall and Gurley will play, and if either demonstrates they’re more talented than the other, they’ll play more accordingly. Conspiracy theories regarding playing time with the stakes such as they are in SEC football are ridiculous. Coaches have no incentive to play anyone other than the absolute best player.
Nick
August 15th, 2012
2:04 pm
Biggest concerns: Suspended players and the positions they leave a void in, and whether the team as a whole can handle all the lofty expectations.
OldFan
August 15th, 2012
2:05 pm
UGA has enough good athletes to whip most of the teams on this year’s schedule without much problem. It’s fair to say that Missouri, Carolina, Florida, and Auburn will show up with plenty of players good enough to give the Dawgs a game. Because of the unknowns on this team that we all argue about, I can just as easily believe we’ll lose as win all those games. So, let’s just play ‘em, and we’ll sort it out later.
AceDawg
August 15th, 2012
2:06 pm
UGA has lost their earliest tough games in recent years, signaling they haven’t been as prepared as opponents. That is above all the biggest issue. Last year Boise St and South Carolina, 2010 South Carolina and Arkansas, 2009 Ok State. It is time for UGA to take care of business in week 2 and play with urgency against Missouri and absolutely pound them.
Mark Richt's Goatee
August 15th, 2012
2:09 pm
I was worth at least one win on swagga alone. Wish CMR hadnt shaved me off.
CEPH
August 15th, 2012
2:17 pm
MARK RICHT!!!!!!!!!
Whiznot
August 15th, 2012
2:20 pm
Is Bobo still using that play where Murray starts under center then drops back facing away from the line to fake a handoff and then turns around to throw and gets hit in the mouth?