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UGA notebook: Two positions for Washington; Samuel ‘1B’ at fullback?

9:31 pm August 23, 2012, by Tim Tucker

ATHENS — Cornelius Washington, who played outside linebacker last season and moved to defensive end in the spring, has practiced at both positions this month.

So what is Georgia’s plan for him this fall?

Both of the above, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said after practice Thursday.

“He’s going to play both in a rotation,” Grantham said, “and I think he’s going to have a really good year.”

Grantham elaborated: “When he puts his hand in the dirt as a true defensive lineman, you have some athletic ability, a little bit of a mismatch on guards sometime in space, so that’s a benefit. And then because of his body type and athletic ability, he can still play outside ’backer … and give you some pass rush out there.”

When Washington is at linebacker, Grantham mentioned several options at end: Garrison Smith; starting nose guard John Jenkins, who “knows how to play some end too”; and Ray Drew, who “can do some things.”

“We’re going to mix and match those guys to try to get athletes on the field,” Grantham said.

Abry Jones will start at the other end.

Samuel 50-50 TB/FB

Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said Thursday that the competition at tailback “has been probably the stiffest I can ever remember it being around here at that position.”

Freshmen Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall continue to compete with sophomore Ken Malcome and senior Richard Samuel, although McClendon noted that Samuel’s practice time is split “about 50-50” between tailback and fullback.

Echoing the previous day’s comments by head coach Mark Richt, McClendon said Malcome likely will start the Sept. 1 opener against Buffalo but stopped short of assuring it.

“It’s likely that Ken will be there, but it’s definitely not final right now,” McClendon said. In any case, he indicated that two or three others also will see action at tailback in the opener.

The coaches do not intend to name a pecking order, “especially with us having a few more padded practices,” McClendon said. “You don’t want to put anything out and in three days have to change it, because then that’s a whole ’nother story you’ve got to deal with.”

At fullback, McClendon reiterated that former walk-on Merritt Hall “is going to start the game” against Buffalo but said Samuel “is definitely going to play” that position, too. He said Hall and Samuel could be considered “1A and 1B” at fullback and added that freshman Quayvon Hicks also will see action there.

“We’re going to try to keep [Samuel] progressing at both [tailback and fullback] as long as we possibly can before we have to have him at one spot or the other,” McClendon said.

Etc.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson attended Georgia’s closed-to-the-media “situational scrimmage” in Sanford Stadium on Thursday afternoon and spoke briefly to the team before the practice. Grantham said he has seen a few of Jackson’s movies and liked them.  “I like his temperament,” Grantham added with a grin. . . . Freshman outside linebacker Josh Dawson will get playing time right away, Grantham said.  “I’ve been very pleased with his progress,” Grantham said. “I look forward to watching him play next Saturday.” … Branden Smith and Malcolm Mitchell are the likely punt returners, said McClendon, who coaches that unit.

– Tim Tucker, AJC

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131 comments Add your comment

FLA DAWG

August 24th, 2012
1:16 pm

Bobo wouldn’t be hired as an OC at any major SEC school. Richt gave him free rein then took over for awhile then turned him loose again in playcalling. Nothing worked. Frankly, they are both problems. Richt never understood SEC trench warfare and the UGA tradition of Tailback U. He’s a passer OC from FSU and that’s where our problems begin.

We picked 6th in preseason largely because we (once again) have a patsy schedule. We certainly have talent and I will give the coaching staff and Richt personally credit for that. But play execution, playcalling and what sometimes appears bewilderment by Richt and Bobo on the sidelines will once again relegate us to being slaughtered in The SECC Game if we make it that far this season.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
1:21 pm

@ bucket, it shouldn’t be his position to begin with. That’s the point, If not Washington then Amarlo should be there. Amarlo is twice the player that Vasser is. The best 11 is what wins!

dwagdawg

August 24th, 2012
1:41 pm

“You know, we’re just a bunch of drunk partying rednecks that have never left the state of Georgia and football is the only thing important in our lives.”

Finally a true statement from dwagfan!

Thanks

Tide Roll's Tutor

August 24th, 2012
1:58 pm

Bernie, Bernie, Bernie you are definitely entering Tide Roll territory. Two questions:
1. Are you saying you are better qualified to determine starters than the coaches at UGA? Please tell us what your resume is in this regard, and what puts you above anyone else on here with access to a keyboard?
2. Are you serious in implying that coaches would put their jobs and millions of dollars on the line in order to play a favorite player?
3. Are you aware that Bama started more whites than UGA last year in their OL?

Amario and Vasser

August 24th, 2012
2:01 pm

They do not play the same position (if not mistaken). Vasser and Washington are outside LBs, and Herring is an inside LB.

gdawginkalamazoo

August 24th, 2012
2:42 pm

Samuel L Jackson will be heading to Auburn next to film his new movie
“Snakes on a Plain.”

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:14 pm

@ tide roll tudor – first be clear, I have no agenda against white players, Bennett is a baller as well as Lee on the OL and the Theus kid. By the way Lee got screwed around also, that’s why his brothers not in red and black. Who by the way is also a heck of a LB. What i’m telling you, is that there are guys like Vasser and Hall who are going to the front of the line and really haven’t earned it. I’m telling you what players are saying.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:17 pm

Amarlo started at OLB against FL. Had the big hit in the endzone on Rainey, along with Commings. Get your facts right before coming at me.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:19 pm

Anyone notice since we last had the discussion about the FB position, all of a sudden Samuel is now 1B. Players know and coach’s know they know!

CHDawg

August 24th, 2012
3:23 pm

Ga Gator, I went over to SI’s college football site to see where we ended up after the annual SI Dawg preseason hatefest and it looks like they hate us a little less and have turned their attention to Gainesville. They seem to think SC goes 11-1 and takes the East, but they have the Gators losing almost half of their games! I’m with you; I think both will likely be highly ranked at the party. LSU and Bammer will be very solid. The SEC looks to be a tough town again in ‘12.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:24 pm

I forgot Lynch, also has earned his spot at TE.

Dawg Dad

August 24th, 2012
3:26 pm

Yep, you talk to the players, my son is on this team, Hall is highly thought of as is Vasser.I think you mis-speak.This is a very close knit team.

CHDawg

August 24th, 2012
3:27 pm

Bernie, the problem with all such conspiracies is that they require a motive on the part of the coaches that makes zero sense. It would mean they don’t really want to win. Players have their perceptions, just like employees do, and sometimes they are right, but sometimes not.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:28 pm

When I say Lee got screwed over, that’s because he should have been our starting center last year and perhaps this year. I doubt Andrews will hold up. Lee should have Dantzler or Beard and Burnett next to him at OG with Kenarious and Theus at the tackles. Okay, that’s enough, I’ve given you too much!

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:31 pm

@ Dawg Dad – Let’s be real, all of these kids don’t hang out as a group of 100. Their are groups within the group. If you don’t know that, then perhaps your son is not really on the team.

Dawg Dad

August 24th, 2012
3:32 pm

Bernie why would say something thats so far off base? You don’t know what you speak of.

Bernie Matt

August 24th, 2012
3:34 pm

How many of you that live in Athens ever see 4 or 5 white players with 4 or 5 black players everywhere they go. Be for real, or I have to assume you lie.

tide roll

August 24th, 2012
4:25 pm

Standing here with MY pants down and my TRAILER door wide open

waiting for the YELLER SCHOOL BUS TO SHOW UP—–cant wait till next

———-saturday—-There’s that bus—–look-ie here–lotion time

bitter dawg fan

August 24th, 2012
4:29 pm

@bernie mac———just the way its always been——go figure

–you I.D, the problem, but know —SOLUTION

Henry

August 24th, 2012
4:39 pm

I think the O-line should have been this:

LT:Kenarious Gates
LG: Mark Beard
C: Dallas Lee
RG: Chris Burnette
RT: John Theus

Clydesdale

August 24th, 2012
4:58 pm

Why is L.A. BULLDOG YELLING AT US????
Also, if Samuel L Jackson is watching practice, it is safe to assume he has a coaching movie role brewing. As a fan of Samuel L, I bet he will be awesome at that, much better than Pacino (who I also think is awesome).

USA today editor

August 24th, 2012
6:09 pm

Question to UGA fans:

Is UGA a top 10 ranked team because of their talent and coaching OR is their ranking due to their schedule?

If and only if and I know UGA has nothing to do with their conference schedule were to have a LSU and or Alabama and or Arkansas on their schedule how would that affect their preseason ranking?

JoeyHanie

August 24th, 2012
6:20 pm

Shouldnt change the ranking, it SHOULD be based off of last years win/loss and returning talent

SouthGADawg

August 24th, 2012
8:02 pm

USA Today Editor, I can answer your question for you if UGA was playing AL,LSU or ARK this year. LSU,AL and ARK would not be ranked as high as they are…………..UGA will meet them in Atlanta though and you will see what a mad junk yard bulldog can do.

The Factor

August 24th, 2012
8:47 pm

@USA Editor

Yes, I think it has to do with our schedule and I say that with no apoloigy. We don’t make our conf schedule, the SEC office makes it years in advance. Mizzou came into the SEC this year, we were getting ready to start a new rotation with Bama and the SEC office bumped us off Bama’s schedule and Bama off ours. Not tough to figure. I wish we were playing Bama. We, hopefully, will get our chance. I found most Bama fans, who actually attended Bama are pretty humble. With 24 SEC Titles they have room to be.

The Factor

August 24th, 2012
9:23 pm

sorry, make that 22 SEC titles

Roll Tide ROLL!

August 24th, 2012
10:12 pm

You Atlanta city boys don’t no nothing. Tide is ways better than your doggies.

RTR

tony

August 25th, 2012
7:39 am

Mr Richt experimentation(3 rbs by committed) of a 3 rbs rotation hasn’t worked very well since implementing it. He had more success commiting to 1 premier rb. Warrick Dunn(over 1000 yards 3 consecutive seasons), Musa Smith(1324 yards 2002) and Knowshon Moreno(2700 yards in two seasons). Get back to the “GA WAY”

Musa Smith rush for 145 yards http://youtu.be/ajDJH-rFGRY

Knowshon Moreno 188 yards http://youtu.be/-M3P_uExHUw

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