Notebook: Georgia’s offensive line will be shuffling again against Gators
ATHENS — Georgia’s offensive line will be shuffling again in the Florida game.
Juniors Dallas Lee and Kenarious Gates are expected to start as usual at left guard and tackle, respectively. But Lee has been playing on a bad ankle since the Tennessee game. So the Bulldogs are increasingly turning to junior college transfer Mark Beard, who they bring in at left tackle and slide Gates inside to guard when Lee needs to come out of games.
Beard played extensively this past Saturday against Kentucky. Lee continues to practice rather than rest the ankle, so his durability on Saturday will be closely monitored.
“Dallas has got to get healthy,” said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who called this a “competition week” to determine playing time on Saturday. “But it’s good that Mark got a lot of experience last week.”
Beard, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound sophomore, is starting to resemble the player Georgia thought it had recruited out of Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.
“I think it’s good that Mark got a lot of experience last week and has been getting more and more each week,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “He had to play a lot in the Tennessee game because Dallas went down and South Carolina he didn’t play that much. But he’s played well. He’s still got a lot to learn but he’s an athletic guy who’s got good hands and good feet. I’m pleased with what we’re seeing.”
Georgia’s center position and right side of the line has remained largely unchanged all season, with center David Andrews, guard Chris Burnette and tackle John Theus.
Obviously Georgia’s line play is going to be crucial if the Bulldogs are to establish any offense against Florida stout defensive front. Richt indicated the unit has played better than a lot of people might think, the difficulties in the South Carolina game notwithstanding.
“I think we’ve got a bunch of linemen that at least know what to do and get their hat on the right guy most of the time and they’re fighting,” he said. “When you do that, it gives you a chance. . . . Are we physically dominating everybody? No, not at all. But if you hit the right guy and do it.”
Turnovers a key
To beat Florida, Georgia is going to have to win the turnover battle. To date, nobody has done that yet.
The Gators enter Saturday’s game plus-11 in turnover margin, which is places them among the top 10 teams nationally. Georgia is even in turnover margin for the season.
The Bulldogs’ coaches have been working overtime to emphasize that to the team this week. Richt said they made a video of all of South Carolina’s turnovers against Florida last week and showed them to the team. They Gamecocks had four miscues in the first half and Florida finished plus-4 for the game to help it score a season-high 44 points.
Georgia’s coaches also shared this stat: The top 12 teams in the nation in turnover ratio have a combined record of 87-5, with 6-1 being the worst mark.
“It’s the most devastating momentum against you when you turn it over,” Richt said. “You lose field position, you usually give up points and you give up momentum. But if you gain a turnover it’s the same thing. You steal a possession from them; you don’t have to worry about them punting and you gain momentum. That’s what you’re looking for.”
mentioned that the top teams nationally are also the leaders in turnover margin. Also, he said he showed the team highlights of last week’s Florida-South Carolina contest as the Gators were plus four in turnover margin, and it helped them score a season-high 44 points.
Florida has just four turnovers this year and played four games without one while the Bulldogs have had three games without a turnover.
Injury report
For the second day in a row, tight end Jay Rome reported to practice late after receiving extra treatment in the Georgia training room. The redshirt freshman tight end is not listed on the daily injury report but said he is dealing. He is not expected to miss Saturday’s game. “It’ll be fine,” he said Wednesday. “Nothing major.”
One new name on Wednesday’s injury report was Quayvon Hicks. The freshman fullback came out of Tuesday’s full-contact work with a concussion and did not practice. His availability for Saturday is unknown… Linebacker Brandon Burrows also missed with a concussion.
Weather watch
Richt said he has watched the weather reports with interest as Hurricane Sandy makes its way through the Caribbean Islands toward southern Florida. The latest computer models have the storm missing Jacksonville but are predicting high winds for Saturday’s game.
“I’ve been hearing 22 mile-an-hour winds,” Richt said. “That is a lot of wind. That effects a game a lot more than rain, especially if it’s a cross wind.”
Etc …
Georgia practiced for 30 minutes Wednesday in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts. “Wednesday’s in the books,” Richt said. “No more hitting until Saturday.” … Last year marked the first time in series history both Georgia and Florida had a bye before meeting in Jacksonville. The Gators had an open date before in 15 of the last 19 years. They were 15-4 in those games. Neither team had a bye this year.
MORE GEORGIA COVERAGE
- Starting defensive end Abry Jones out for season after ankle surgery
- UGA’s Mike Gilliard: ‘I felt disrespected and, yes, I took it personally’
- A look at Georgia’s next opponent: The Florida Gators
- Teammates, coaches react to Williams ’soft defense’ remarks
- Georgia players and coaches preview Florida game
- Notebook: Richt floats idea of coaching kickers himself
- Georgia’s O-line eager for another chance against an elite defense
- QB Aaron Murray will take offensive player of week honors into Florida game
- Georgia-Florida week: Will Abry Jones or Jarvis Jones play?
- Dogs struggle vs. Kentucky, but win sets up marquee matchup with Gators
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245 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:14 am
The Truth about
I would rather have the Fr backs we have now than 20 Crowells, kings or the others with a boot in their azz
ARdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:17 am
dale
They don’t have to “over power” as much as they need to better disguise what they’re doing. Opposing defenses are reading us like a chalkboard. That makes it mighty hard on a RB trying to run over defenders that know where there are going
The Truth About Dawgs
October 25th, 2012
9:18 am
“College football needs men like Richt in HC positions.”
True… Everyone can’t be winners. Someone has to lose.
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:18 am
SIMPLE GATORS HAS BEEN PLAYING ON LUCK ALL SEASON , LUCK RUNS OUT THIS WEEKEND
GEORGIA 31 GATORS 17
GO DAWGS
Student Athlete
October 25th, 2012
9:22 am
Florida scores on its first five possessions.
DIT
October 25th, 2012
9:23 am
@ The Truth About Dawgs
________________
Sorry that you got confused over the post I made. It’s obvious that you did not understand what was said. Just an idea, try to re-read what I posted and see if you can get the true meaning behind what I said. But thanks for commenting. Have a good day!
The Truth About Dawgs
October 25th, 2012
9:23 am
@gomdawg
Good pick on the score. Bad pick on the winner.
We’ll see. Saturday is coming…
The Truth About Dawgs
October 25th, 2012
9:26 am
@DIT
Sorry if the truth confuses you. It’s probably an after-affect from all of that Kool-Aid.
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:26 am
Student Athlete , 17 points is all you get
GEORGIA 31 GATORS 17
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:27 am
KENTUCKY OFFENCE IS BETTER THAN GATORS LOOK IT UP
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:31 am
KENTUCKY HAS PASSED FOR MORE YARDS THIS YEAR THAN GATORS BY 350 YARDS
RUNNING IS ABOUT EVEN.
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:32 am
TURN OVER IS THE ONLY REASON THE GATORS HAVE NOT LOST , THAT ENDS THIS WEEKEND , LUCK RUNS OUT
GEORGIA 31 GATORS 17
dale
October 25th, 2012
9:34 am
Truth,
Please stop with the smiley faces.
dale
October 25th, 2012
9:35 am
I don’t think Florida will score on each of their first 5 possessions, but Georgia won’t.
Buckbaloweme
October 25th, 2012
9:36 am
Tech fan here, I don’t care about all the frustration I hear coming from UGA fans. Not with what I have had to put up with for the last 20 years. That being said I predict the dawgs will come out and play their best game of the year and win 27-13.
Joey
October 25th, 2012
9:39 am
JB, you did get my reply to your question yesterday, right. If not, no way did I post anything to or about you the other night. I have noticed comments by another Joey posted the previous nights before. I don’t even use the computer at night at all – well, the night of the SC game I got on to write something nasty about Richt. Can’t remember the last time I disagreed with you anyway.
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
9:44 am
Buckbaloweme good call THANKS
GO DAWGS
old dog
October 25th, 2012
9:50 am
Sorry ’bout all the cryin’………I just hate that UGA let our line get in this shape, then expect our backs/Qb to bail us out. A first-class program recruits well. They may not win it all every year, but they DO attempt to address shortcomings. We have not done that by any stretch of the imagination. We have been badly out recruited by other teams, and the good teams have exposed it every time! Why, I wonder, when we know what the problem is will we not do much about it? If we can recruit so well at other positions, we should here, too! We will not be a top-notch SEC team until we do!
G-Dawg
October 25th, 2012
9:51 am
At least the coaching staff will have excuse for losing this game..the weather!!
Mobile Dawg
October 25th, 2012
9:56 am
I like our chances if the staff develops a “ball control” offensive gameplan. I think we would actually surprise them if we came out without gimmicks, i.e. end arounds, post patterns, etc. I would like to see the Oline challenged, then execute their blocks. We may have some three and outs, but my bet is as the game wears on our running game starts consistently moving the chains, and killing the clock.
Florida’s offense is not the strength of this team, with a decent effort the defense should be able to keep us in the game. We never establish a flow offensively against the better teams. Seems like Bobo panics and goes straight to the pass.
G-Dawg
October 25th, 2012
9:58 am
Good to see the shuffle on the oline…but heres my line up. Beard, Gates, Burnette, Dantzler, Theus.
AltamahaDawg
October 25th, 2012
9:59 am
Sad bunch of folks in here. Losing this game would be a bummer. Glad I would only have to endure that one time, if. You folks have lost it 5 times this week already. That’s no way to go thru life.
Personally, I think we have an equal chance of winning.
G-Dawg
October 25th, 2012
9:59 am
Defensively…stack the box..cover two…man on outsides.
MfG
October 25th, 2012
10:04 am
Ga will win by ten book it!
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:06 am
Joey…thanks….didn’t sound at all like you. someone had highjacked your name I guess.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:09 am
This is what will drive us crazy about Bobo Saturday… I have seen it way to much. We will get the ball. 1st play off tackle for a yard or 2, maybe none. Next play, up the gut again for the same. 3rd down and 8, a 40 yard incomplete pass, We punt…..next possession, same damn thing . Just watch. You’ve all seen it.
Joey
October 25th, 2012
10:11 am
MfG, thanks for the tip – I’ll call my bookie right away. Any suggestions for the dog track? Lotto?
AD, what are you basing that “equal chance” on? Come on and give me some hope.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:12 am
Mobildawg. I’m all for that also, but with 2 TE’s and Samules leading in the hole blocking.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:15 am
Maybe the coach’s will have a different game plan rather than the same one for the last 10 years.
Honky Talkin
October 25th, 2012
10:16 am
Georgia is 2 – 5 against ranked teams going back to last season. Dawg fans need to accept mediocrity under CMR.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:21 am
While we are talking. Is it just me, or does our running game look slow to develop and Murray seems to “telegraph” the hand off for all to see. Is itjust me?
AltaYourMamaDawg
October 25th, 2012
10:21 am
Thanks for the leadership Altamaha Dawg. You are the steady ship in the oh no crosswind!!!!!!!!
Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'
October 25th, 2012
10:21 am
@ Sammie : Here’s a stats you deliberately forgot to post. UGA defense ranked TENTH of the twelve SEC teams. Even with the creampuff schedule. LOL !
UGA has a creampuff coaching staff and creampuff team. Williams called it out because he knew another rout is coming. It was pre-game, pre-rout damage control. Prediction: UF 38 UGA 13.
Tony Barnhart: Georgia is NOT tough enough to win this kind of game vs. Florida.
Joey
October 25th, 2012
10:22 am
I’m worried about that Pease guy. He made Grantham look bad in the Dome. I’m afraid UF will make long drives on us, unless Williams pissed the entire D off, and they play like their hairs on fire.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:22 am
altamaha Dawg is an optimist. I would want him as my personal tranier
gomdawg
October 25th, 2012
10:26 am
Mr.Smith , FLORIDA OFFENSE IS NOT AS GOOD AS KENTUCKY GET A LIFE DAWGS KICK AZZ
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:26 am
Dawgs get manhandled by Physical teams. Look great against the Buffalo’s and FAU of the world, but against chiseled, physical teams, melt pretty quick… Hell, we’re Tech.
Joey
October 25th, 2012
10:28 am
Yes, I’ve said all season that all of our runs look like “delay” runs. The RB stays put for a count then moves to get the handoff. Bobo should call some fullback dives Saturday – it would surprise everybody cause we never give the ball to the fullbacks anymore.
Skeet in Homerville
October 25th, 2012
10:29 am
Florida is the only game I get to every year but I gots a bad feeling about the effects of our “sissy” schedual we have had going in. We barely beat Tenn,Kentucky and S Carolina destroyed us. I see we have a soft defense and I am wondering about this challenge. Will need alot of noise down there if nohing else
1eyedJack
October 25th, 2012
10:30 am
Some of you guys need to pick up your needle and move to another groove. As Dawg fans….you suck.
Skeet in Homerville
October 25th, 2012
10:32 am
Continued………….Will our cheerleaders slam their pom poms down at half time if we are down by 40 and go home. It could happen. Keepin it real fellows
Big P
October 25th, 2012
10:34 am
Not good for Georgia. Especially with wind and heavy rain from a hurricane affecting the passing game. The Dawgs may get run out of Jville early. Unrest in the locker room, lousy performances on the field, blown out by the only top 25 team they’ve played. If Buffalo and UK can score on UGA, anyone can. I don’t see UGA hanging close against this NASTY UF team! Widespread Panic~ The only good thing to come out of Athens! GO GATORS!!
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:39 am
The only thing funny I’ve read today is Colin Powell still calling himself a Republican after endorsing Obama for the second time this morning. Republican my a$$
Joey
October 25th, 2012
10:39 am
Who “sucks,” 1eyedJack?
WmDawgs
October 25th, 2012
10:40 am
Do you think maybe the UGA Athletic Dept should just save the money and not let the team make the trip to Jacksonville? According to some of you, it is pointless, because we have already lost the game! Maybe we should just forfeit, would that make you happy! Can we just play the game and see what happens, please? As a lifelong UGA fan, I was just as mad and disgusted as any of you with our performance at SC, but I am still a fan! Any changes that need to be made at any level of the staff will be done when the time is right. Either support your team through thick and thin or go away, geez!!!
Big P
October 25th, 2012
10:40 am
It’s funny how UGA is now portrayed as “huge underdogs” by their own fans and media. UF was gonna stink this year and UGA was penciled into Atlanta. What happened?
Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'
October 25th, 2012
10:41 am
@ Mobile Dawg: UGa doesn’t have the athletes on the O-line that you have to have to pound the ball in the SEC. Richt/Bobo are so finesse-minded they wouldn’t stick with the run even if it the O-line by miracle didn’t get “whipped”. Was there any balance for UGA vs. Kentucky ? The Cats shutdown the run and pass-lovin’ Richt passed,passed,passed. It’s all he knows.
Also Richt is a very soft guy and by now he’s rubbed off on the freshmen running backs. Now they are soft. Finesse Georgia will have virtually no running game vs. UF and erratic QB Murray will be running for his life throwing 40-45 attempts in the wind. It will be another national embarrasement for UGA. And I’m predicting Ole Miss will “upset” UGA in Athens. All the 90s FSU creampuffs have got to be ran out of UGA.
AltamahaDawg
October 25th, 2012
10:42 am
Joey, I have stated 3 times what I think is our equal chance to win. Not meant to be a short answer. Are you seriously asking me, or just not accepting what I said earlier?
dan
October 25th, 2012
10:45 am
Gators are thinking 30 point blowout: they won’t get it.
Dawgs are thinking upset: they won’t get it.
Final Score: Gators 20-17 in a VERY sloppy penalty filled game.
JB
October 25th, 2012
10:49 am
Joey, there are few on here who support Mark regardless of our shortcomings over the last 4 seasons, and I can respect that. What I can’t respect is that for 3 million a year and so called CEO, the problems continue and don’t improve. let me list a few.
1. Horrible Roster Management. under limits in numbers and woefully short at some positions.
2. Continued support for under performing Assit . coach’s
3. Unwilling to change ANY philosophy to adapt to the ever changing college game
4. Continued arrest and players kicked off the team which is poor evaluation and discipline within the program
5. Unable to not only beat a ranked team over time, but continues to have team prepared in big games.
If I’m wrong on any of this . Call me out.