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Notebook: Georgia’s offensive line will be shuffling again against Gators

9:17 pm October 24, 2012, by Chip Towers


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.

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245 comments Add your comment

Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'

October 25th, 2012
10:50 am

@JB: Who cares what former Bush flunky Powell thinks!! He’s irrelevent now. According to Romney, if you don’t make at least $450,000 a year, you’re not a Republican and you’re irrelevent too, Mr.JB. You’re just a wannabe UGA creampuff fan. Do us a favor and be quiet. Thanks.

JB

October 25th, 2012
10:50 am

s/b UNPREPARED in big games

JB

October 25th, 2012
10:51 am

Mr. Wesson…..leave anytime you wish

G-Dawg

October 25th, 2012
10:53 am

Bobo needs to allow Murray to run for positive gains when the offensive line breaks down, instead of taking sacks or forcing a throw. His skills are not being fully utilized.

dale

October 25th, 2012
10:54 am

Altamaha,
Is the thinking that UGA has an equal chance to win based on what you’re read about this team, or what you’ve seen? I’m asking because, Vandy game aside, I haven’t seen a thing that indicates Georgia can play with the toughness of Florida. What indicates a breakout game tomorrow?

G-Dawg

October 25th, 2012
10:55 am

Agree with JB.

JB

October 25th, 2012
10:57 am

Haven’t posted this in a while, but seems like a good time

A BLOG: A subject or opinion written by said writer in the world wide web as to engage the readers of blog to post their opinion on the subject matter.

secskools

October 25th, 2012
11:03 am

They need to shuffle a little more than the OL. They need to shuffle the coaches. Some need to stay, some need to be move to other positions, and some just need to be let go. There is no reason, with the talent UGA brings in every year, why they should be playing the crappy ball they have been playing year in and year out. Other teams coach up their players, UGA seems to “dumb them down” to their competition.
Florida will win Saturday (big) because… well…UGA sucks! They will be out coached, out played, and Florida is playing like a team that wants it more. Why? Because their coaches coach. They don’t spend their downtime in tanning booths or shuffling a line that should be gelling by now. They coach up their players to the competition/the game. Georgia has, for years, settled to below mediocre status; and seems content with that position.
When will enough be enough? Shawn Williams was right; but its the whole team that is playing soft and that comes from the freaking coaches not doing their damn job!
Enough is enough, people. The players deserve better; the University deserves better; and those of us that love the Dawgs deserve better.
Thank God for hunting season!!!

Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'

October 25th, 2012
11:05 am

JB : You’re already gone, creampuff loser. You’re a grape punch drinking Richtfan,boy ! LOL! Enjoy the MediocRity fool. LOL !

Sandy

October 25th, 2012
11:06 am

a) if it’s windy, UGA wins, Murray can put a tight spiral on the ball, Driskell, lucky to throw it forward….
b) since 2007, whichever team won the turnovers, won this game, UGA in 2007 & 2011. Florida was real sloppy last season with turnovers in this game, hopefully, that continues.
c) But if we turnover, do it in the red zone, make their terrible 102 ranked offense drive 80 yards, which they can’t do.
d) only way Georgia loses is turnovers, Florida just can put up the yards on offense to win, Driskell can’t pass. Muschamp doesn’t trust Driskell to pass, must be a reason why.

Sandy

October 25th, 2012
11:08 am

Georgia should get a LOT of pressure on Florida, as their oline has given up an SEC worst 21 sacks, they can’t block anybody. Look for an interception on some fo the QB pressures, or a sack fumble as Driskell has fumbled 3 times in 7 games.

JB

October 25th, 2012
11:08 am

5 years ago this program was returning almost 10,000 tickets app’s and funds to willing customers in a 95,000 capacity stadium. Soon to be can’t sell it out if things don’t change. I know two friends that have not renewed. Crappy home schedule and crappy play mostly.

Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'

October 25th, 2012
11:08 am

UGA needs shuffle Richt out the door ! And the conversation to do it should get serious after Saturday evening !

JB

October 25th, 2012
11:09 am

@11:05…..What?

icedawg

October 25th, 2012
11:18 am

To win the Dawgs have to score more points than the Gators. Duh! The defense is more the question mark. Like last year the Dawgs are more dependent upon the pass since they have not had consistent or dominant run blocking from the OL. The Gators can focus upon defending the pass. The difference is that for some reason this year the defense has not performed well so keeping the Gators from scoring much is probably not going to happen. So the outcome for the Dawgs is probably riding on the arm of Murray and the hands of the receivers. We’ve got to be able to score and score a lot.

Joey

October 25th, 2012
11:18 am

You got it summed up about as well as it can be, JB. I’m still trying to think of something to add.

AD, obviously I didn’t see your remarks, but that’s okay, I probably wouldn’t agree. The only thing equal abou the 2 teams this year is the talent. Contrary to what a bunch of UGA fans on here think, UF is loaded, especially on D.

WDE

October 25th, 2012
11:19 am

JB I don’t agree with a lot of what you say but you have your opinion and I respect that do me a favor stay away from this Smith and Wesson fella I think his cheese has slid off the cracker ..

DOGGIE IN NC

October 25th, 2012
11:23 am

Question – how many on here, saying that UGA sucks, think that South Carolina sucks? Your base seems to be that they blew us out and we almost lost to Kentucky, so we suck? USC just got blew out and was loosing to Kentucky for more than a half. You can’t have it both ways, either they both suck, or they both had an off game, and Kentucky, while not winning games, can play good at times.I tend to believe the latter and think this game will be closer than a lot of UGA and Gator fans think. GO DOGGIES!

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
11:24 am

Well everything I have seen, leads me to believe that Georgia has as good of an offense as the other opponents that UF has faced, and moving the ball on them has not been a big problem. Vandy, since you mention them, had 360 yards and 25 first downs, or something like that. SO I believe we can score points. If a person is figuring odds to win, points are a pretty big deal, IMO.

They have the worst passing offense in the SEC. SO stopping them is a pretty easy formula.
Can we? Will we? We’ll see. But our defense HAS had it’s moment of good as well as bad, so it’s not like they cannot do it. Even as bad as the SC game went, the defense play (good enough to win on another day) for almost 3 quarters, it was just out of reach at that point. Folks bemoan the yards given up to those early lesser teams, but they also shut them down the second halves. So they have the capability.
And I think we have faced better offenses already.

I also think that UF will be coming into the game at the end of a very long month, in which nearly everything went thier way. That typically doesn’t last forever. Bubbles burst.

Kentucky was ugly, but my experience is that team usually play a lot better after have one of those.

Dawg Pile

October 25th, 2012
11:27 am

Sandy – you obviously haven’t watched UF play this year. They put together an 8 play – 70 yard TD drive and an 11 play – 65 yard TD drive on successive second half drives to beat LSU and a 10 play – 60 yard TD drive against USC in the beginning of the third quarter to put away the Gamecocks. Not their only drives, but significant because they imposed their will against defenses that are better than Georgia’s. The Gator offense isn’t Bill Walsh’s 49′ers, but you seem to think that they’re incompetent. Trust me, they’re not.

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
11:30 am

Joey, it might be contrary to what SOME think, but I was never the guy who said UF would suck. I see now some of those same folks, predicting Muschamp would be fired, are now flip flopping. I thought Uf would be better, its just an almost certain historical fact that teams improve the second year after a change.

But I have seen them play plenty, and no way they are the second best team in the country right now. No problem being “ranked” #2, because thats how its works.

Chris Snow

October 25th, 2012
11:31 am

Dang guys. I was starting to build a little bit of confidence about Saturday’s game till I got on here. lol

Mobile Dawg

October 25th, 2012
11:44 am

This is a big game, let’s see what the coaches bring on both sides, unfortunately my money is on UF to have a better plan, and more likely to stick to it. Bobo just can’t seem to call a game, especially big ones, and allow any tempo or rythym to develop. It could be that he just outsmarts himself. I believe the more simple the Dawgs keep it, the better chance they have to win. UGA coaches lose this one once again IMO. JB, Bobo obviously doesn’t understand the meaning of “committing to the run”. He actually made a post game remark about how he was proud we stayed committed to the run vs UK.

Joey

October 25th, 2012
11:49 am

Didn’t mean you.

So, right now, who do you think is better than UF? I think their D is the best I’ve watched all season, and their O is just coming around, what with a new QB, and new OC, and a much tougher schedule than anybody in the Top 10, I’d say.

Excellent special teams. Their punter can kick it a mile, and their punt returner CATCHES the damn ball, instead of letting it roll to the 2.

I just think UF is the real deal.

We may be 6-1, but those 6 teams were no good.

Whiznot

October 25th, 2012
11:51 am

Bad coaching dooms Dawgs. RIP

ARdawg

October 25th, 2012
11:55 am

I have no doubt the Georgia is the better, more talented team and should win this game. However I have serious doubt that they will. I see it as much simplier than many. If the Georgia defense plays just an average game to SEC standards, not UGA standards, we win this game. The offense can score and Richt and Bobo might have gotten together and worked out a decent offensive game plan. Florida’s defense has put up some good numbers and beaten some good teams that were defense oriented. A good offense and a decent defense is going to cause Florida some problems.

If Murray can lead and the D gets it’s act together, Georgia wins this game. Anything less, we lose. Not rocket science here folks

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
11:55 am

Mobile, the condition of the program, the playes on the roster, the forever rebuilding of the running game, motivation, any number of things is completely ON the coaching staff. BUT this game is not going to hinge on “game plan”, or banalities about tempo and rythym. This game is all about the player doing thier jobs. If they DO, we win. If they DON’T, there is not a play in the world that Bobo can call that would make any difference.

Macclenny_dawg

October 25th, 2012
11:59 am

If anybody has any of the koolaid left i need some for this game. I have to have something to block this game out. I just don’t think our coaching staff will measure up this week again. Out coached again. Never mind i am sick of this koolaid Richt keeps giving out. Tired of the cutting edge. I want the whole thing cut. Prediction is this 1st series Bobo calls running play up the middle for gain of 1. On 2nd down run to the outside loss of 3. On 3rd down false start. Now its 3rd and 17 and well Bobo gets very creative and its a draw. Gain of 4. Then we punt. Florida gets the ball and we stop them on 3rd down and they are 2 yards short. On 4th down Gaytors fake the punt gain of 15. Florida eventually scores td. We get the ball now Bobo starts to open the offense and on 1st down we pass and receiver drops the ball. On 2nd down false start then we run Marshall up the middle for no gain. 3rd and long Murray drops back blitz comes and sack. Does this sound all too familiar because it does to me!!! Sure hope i am wrong but i have seen it too many times.GO DAWGS BUT STILL SICK OF RICHT!!!

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
12:11 pm

Oh I am saying, UF deserves the “ranking”. But IMO, any of the top 5 could be placed above them in terms of who is playing best. I just don’t think thier offense is that impressive. AND good offenses have moved the ball against their defense.

BUT winning is winning. No question.

Thebikerdude

October 25th, 2012
12:11 pm

TO MARK RICHT!! : You best have the boys pumped for this game!! If we get slaughtered like we did in the South Carolina game.. I’m boycotting the Dawgs the rest of the season!!

joe jenkins

October 25th, 2012
12:11 pm

Over paid CTG should have never moved corn to DE??? terrible move…Our best lineup at LB is jarvis jones…..corn….tree and hererra…..stripling and morant must both be awful…they can even beat out christian robinson or gilly geez….Ray drew not progressing has hurt us some…..but losing abry jones is not that big of a loss…he cant stop the run or sack the qb this year

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
12:15 pm

I honestly thought McGowen did the right thing in letting that punt roll, when I saw it on replay. That was a pretty Hot Potato.

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
12:18 pm

I am convinced he thought it had the momentum to make the end zone, and the few yards he might have saved (which 1 pass got us right back) was not worth it bounching off his chin.

Anti-Delusional

October 25th, 2012
12:27 pm

ARdawg
October 25th, 2012
11:55 am

“I have no doubt the Georgia is the better, more talented team and should win this game.”

I do.

ARdawg

October 25th, 2012
12:30 pm

Anti-delusional
Please tell me where Fla is more talented? Besides the punter

ARdawg

October 25th, 2012
12:36 pm

and maybe the coaching

Anti-Delusional

October 25th, 2012
12:36 pm

OL

DL

RB

QB

WR

TE

HC

DC

OC

ST

Alphare

October 25th, 2012
12:37 pm

Since we are at politics. Do you see that most UGA players are from Dem families while most coaches are Repubs? Why would the players work so hard so that their coaches can make tons of money and try to have a tax cut with Romney?

BTW, Saban is reportedly a Dem, making more money and not going with those proposing tax cut for big-moneyed people.

flo-ri-duh

October 25th, 2012
12:42 pm

Wind or no wind the Dawgs will show up at the Gator Bowl for their road game. Florida has played very physical teams the last two weeks and that will take a toll in the 4th quarter. Avoid turnovers and UGA will be close going in to the 4th quarter. The wind is supposed to clear by half time according to the Weather Channel. The team with the least turnovers will win this game. Containing Driskell in the run game is key.

ARdawg

October 25th, 2012
12:43 pm

Anti-delusional is delusional

Mobile Dawg

October 25th, 2012
12:44 pm

Altamaha, you honestly don’t think there’s a benefit to having a “specific” game plan to attack a specific opponent. That surprises me; I agree execution is critical, I’ve posted that a half dozen times this week. You don’t think that a running back, the Oline gets into a groove during the game, when they are having some success? I think our personnel stacks up against anybodys, the 5 Million dollar question is “WHY” don’t or can’t we execute? As far as running vs passing don’t you think run blocking is far easier to execute “technique” wise than pass blocking. If, as JB suggested we load up with double tight ends, a blocking fullback, and make a committment to run the ball down UF’s throat, they may stop us some, but I think we control the ball, the tempo, the game. That game plan along with some screen, and dump passes based off that formation to the backs and tight ends would give us ball and clock control. I know, Richt would never endorse something that to me makes perfect sense. He nor Bobo have the patience for an eight minute drive.

flo-ri-duh

October 25th, 2012
12:48 pm

Keep your politics to your self – that would be appreciated as we don’t want to here it.

Rick James

October 25th, 2012
12:50 pm

Go Dawgs!!

flo-ri-duh

October 25th, 2012
12:50 pm

Whoever wins I will still be a Dawg fan and the Lzards will always suck!

old dog

October 25th, 2012
12:52 pm

Worst o-line in years….the WORST! Can’t win it all with these guys….the skill players will just keep beating the patsies!

Anti-Delusional

October 25th, 2012
12:54 pm

@flo-ri-duh

Good point. Florida has played against very physical football teams in their past two games.

Perhaps the sluggish performance of the UGA squad will throw off their timing? ;)

old dog

October 25th, 2012
12:54 pm

By the way, I’ve been to Jacksonville many many times, even back when we were tearing Florida up. Their D-line will wear us out badly. We gotta hope for big plays and turnovers. If it turns strictly into mano-y-mano we will tote a whoopin’.

flo-ri-duh

October 25th, 2012
12:55 pm

Georgia’s “D” is ranked #88 or something awful like that but Florida’s “O” is even worse – ranked #100! So it will come down to special teams, penalties and turnovers. Is that anything new? Sounds like a mid range to low scoring game art best.

AltamahaDawg

October 25th, 2012
1:05 pm

No I think they DO have a game plan based on what they see UF do. That’s a given. But I think you can only “plan” to do what you are capable of doing. More of this, less of that. But they plan too, and a plan to counter our plan, and we have a plan to counter thier counter.

But when it comes down to it, you are who you are, and it comes down to doing what you do better than them doing what they do.

flo-ri-duh

October 25th, 2012
1:08 pm

Expect UGA will see a lot of “wild lizard” offense with the bigger guy at QB. Florida will try to grind out 1st downs and control the ball with short passes. I would put Jenkins and Kwame Gaethers both in at DT at the same time and go to a 4 man front. Something they haven’t tried at all this year. Jenkins has been in at the same time with Gaethers but at DE where he is obviously out of position. The LBs would be Herrera, Ogletree and Jarvis Jones. Unfortunately Abry Jones will be out at DE for the remainder of the regular season. Looks like Washington and Smith at DE.

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