Notebook: Abry Jones plans to play in bowl, Alec Ogletree mum on NFL (UPDATED)
ORLANDO, Fla. – How much Abry Jones can play against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday will come down to whether his body can pull off what his heart wants him to do.
Jones, a senior and starting defensive end for Georgia, has been out for the last nine weeks following ankle surgery. He returned to practice in a mostly-unlimited capacity this week and has been cleared to play in the game.
But there is definitely reservation in Jones’ voice when he talks about returning to the field for the first time since the seventh game of the season.
“I’m trying to,” Jones said of playing in the game. “I’ve been moving around a little bit. . . . It’s my senior year and I missed so much and I just want to play one more game with the fellas. If I feel confident enough and they let me play, I’m going to play. That’s what I want to do. But it’s just how I feel pretty much.”
Jones estimated he is about “75 to 85” percent recovered from the left ankle injury suffered against Kentucky on Oct. 20. He started practicing in a limited capacity back in Athens and is attempting to go full speed this week.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said before Friday’s practice at Celebration High School. “I can run at least, and I can cut a little bit, too.”
Jones said while he has been cleared to play by trainers, he will ultimately have final say. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham indicated he would play Jones “in spots” and see how it goes.
That Jones is even considering playing is somewhat surprising. He is a senior who projects as an NFL prospect, so most in his situation would skip a bowl to get ready for the next level and avoid the risk of further injury.
“Ever since he got hurt his attitude was, ‘I want to get back and I want to play,’ and he’s been working toward that the entire time,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “I really don’t know how much he’ll be able to play or what kind of stamina he’ll have. But he wants to play and the plan is to play him. As practices go on we’ll have a little better gauge what that might look like. For now, just the thought of him fighting like mad to get back on the field is a sign of his integrity and his love of the game and his love of Georgia.”
The Bulldogs could definitely use Jones’ help. They already will be playing without starting noseguard John Jenkins, who was ruled academically ineligible to play in the bowl. Jenkins had been doing double-duty at Jones’ end position since Week 7. Those snaps will now have to go to Cornelius Washington, Ray Drew and Mike Thornton, all of whom lack Jones’ size (6-3, 309).
“I was feeling compelled to play from the get-go just because these are my teammates and I’ve been missing them for about nine weeks now,” said Jones, who has started 26 games and played in 46 for the Bulldogs. “I’ve been out here and it feels like normal. I’m loving all the love the guys are giving me for being out here, so it just makes me feel stronger.”
NFL UPDATE
For the first time in a while, junior linebacker Alec Ogletree addressed the impending decision he has to make with regard to the NFL draft. The Bulldogs’ “Mo” linebacker projects as a potential first-rounder and it’s generally thought he’ll make the jump. But surprisingly, Ogletree said he didn’t asked the NFL’s advisory board for an evaluation. And, as expected, he said he hasn’t come anywhere close to making a decision.
“Right now I’m still focusing on this season,” said Ogletree, who averaged nearly 11 tackles per game the second half of the season. “I’ve got the rest of this week to go, then I’ll talk to my parents about whatever I’m going to do after the bowl game, then make a decision . . . I’m here right now and that’s all I’m worried about.”
Junior noseguard Kwame Geathers said he has asked for an evaluation from the NFL. He also said who Georgia might hire as defensive line coach will factor into his decision.
Junior outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who some project as the No. 1 overall pick, says he’ll make a decision after the bowl. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15th to declare for the 2013 NFL draft.
PRACTICE UPDATE
The Bulldogs practiced for two hours Friday in shoulder pads and helmets in a fairly physical practice at Celebration High. It was the second straight day Georgia went through such a workout as Thursday they went in full pads. Richt indicated the Bulldogs would taper off with non-contact practices the next two days, followed by a walk-through practice on Monday. The No. 7 Bulldogs kickoff against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday at 1:07 p.m.
“We had good energy, everybody was locked in and ready to work today,” Richt said. “I feel good about preparations so far. I really like how we prepared in Athens, then got a little break and so far so good here in Orlando. It’s still a game of emotion and momentum, and hopefully we’ll start out with the right type of emotion, but we have to play for 60 minutes.”
Nebraska’s Martinez underwhelmed
Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez wasn’t going out of his way to diss Georgia’s defense, but neither was he tripping over himself to pay it any compliments.
Asked by reporters Friday what stands out about the Bulldogs’ defense, the Cornhuskers’ fleet-footed quarterback shrugged and said, “Nothing really. Just another typical Big Ten defense.”
Pressed on the subject, Martinez compared Georgia’s unit to the ones he faced from Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.
“Everyone thinks the SEC is the strongest in the nation because they go to the national championship every year,” Martinez said. “I think this year the Big Ten conference was really strong. So we’ll see how all our teams play out this year.”
Etc. . . .
The Bulldogs had the choice of going to SeaWorld or attending the Russell Athletic Bowl game between Virginia Tech and Rutgers. Or they could choose as Hunter Long did and do neither. The sophomore offensive guard’s birthday is Saturday and he was going to the mall and out to eat with his parents and brother Austin Long. . . . Saturday the Bulldogs will embark on their biggest outing. After another morning practice, they’ll hit Disney’ World’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom.
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152 comments Add your comment
MaconKnight
December 28th, 2012
6:35 pm
Tampagator I never agree with anything you say case in point Jenoris Jenkins is having a helluva year with the Seattle Seahawks he was kicked off the gator squad and ended up at North Alabama. You may still consider him a gator but the nfl does not, North Alabama is listed as his college, and your asessment of Latimore is totally wrong a team will draft this kid and he will have a good career. People were saying the same dumb stuff about Willis Mcgahee when he got hurt in nat. champ. game aganist Ohio state they both had the same injury to there knees. Reality it doesnt matter what anyone thinks because the kid made a decision for his life not anyone else’s…
TampaGator
December 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
Obviously……I was referring to Jelani Jenkins….the current jr. LB on the roster….and it was an obvious mistake to refer to Jelani Jenkins as Janoris Jenkins…..but equally obvious that Jenoris Jenkins is not a jr. on the current Florida roster and Jelani Jenkins is…..you would think Georgia grads could have figured that mistake out for themselves……and not have to let a retired Gator grad explain the obvious to you. But I did……….sorry for the typing mistake….JELANI JENKINS of the current Gators….not Janoris Jenkins of the Rams…..of which I referred to incorrectly.
AND…for the RECORD…..I do not expect anyone to agree with me all the time….or even most of the time……it is only important to me that my wife agrees with me some of the time. And she does. Have a nice evening.
Smitty
December 28th, 2012
7:07 pm
Tampagator…if your wife agrees with you she must be a very understanding person….or not a sports fan…either way I understand because my wife hardly agrees with me
Smitty
December 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
about anything
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
NEW DRINKING GAME: Drunk like a dWag
You will have to take a SHOT every time a UGa dWag fan CRIES: on a live game blog about Richt, Bobo, Grantham, the Refs or Murray. You will have to smoke a blunt if you are still sober after 5:00 minutes of Game Clock Time.
joe jenkins
December 28th, 2012
7:20 pm
Why didn’t grantham play herrea more against bama. It was crystal clear robinson and gillyard were getting smoked. I predict taylor martinez will have his career high in rushing yards against us. Ecspecially since jenkins is no longer a bulldawg. I will not be surprised if NEB pulls the upset. Just listening to the neb players talk….they are not scared one bit
kingdaddy
December 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
Let’s skip the politics and race issues. Let these kids enjoy their bowll game and hope they make the right decisions later on in life. Hey, some of these guys are still letting the neighbors cat lick off their whiskers. They’ve been shielded and insulated from cut-throat financial contracts (except you Auburn athletes) sorry…Just wish them the best if they leave and welcome them back if they stay. Now, no more politics or race please…
Moist Dawg
December 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
Joe, you’re bad attitude made me so furious that my daughter got scared & ran to her room.
Oooooh, you’re scared of nebraska after hearing them talk? You make me sick.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 28th, 2012
7:37 pm
RakkasanDawg………..I defined the CULTURE. Poor kids that didn’t grow up with money get money and EVERYBODY they know come to them with their hand out wanting their piece. Lil League coaches to the lady that carpooled him to practices to his high school friends comprise the Entitlement Culture that will Expect him to be good to them because of how good they were to him. It is not color it is the working poor that do this all the time. It happens to Lotto winners all the time too. Friends think they hit the Lotto when their friend does or their friend gets Pro money.
Moist Dawg
December 28th, 2012
7:40 pm
I am less concerned about someones typo than the fact that you drink Bud Light Platinum. Why don’t you just drink a Zima. Disgusting
NC Dawg
December 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
Vince, your are correct AO will be the better pro
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
@ Crystal Ball:
Hold on to that property.!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been highly publicised that the 75% posters are correct. I watched a good bit of that reporting myself and it is pathetic!!!!!
Old an broke/broken is sad but true. The players themselves were telling their stories!!!!!!!!!!
David
December 28th, 2012
8:26 pm
To the Nebraska QB comments about Georgia Defensive plays like another Big 10 Defensive: I been to every game for UGA, if we play defensive the level I want us to play like those three games in October and November against Florida, Mississippi, and Auburn we will not play like any Big 10 defensive. I hope Georgia makes a big statement and runs the score up similiar to their Wisconsin game, and the defnsive shut down their running attach led by their QB. Only way Georgia will lose this game if they beat themselves with turnovers and penalities!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 28th, 2012
8:29 pm
For ONCE I am kinda agreeing with Joe Jenkins!!!!!!!!!!
I’m betting this won’t be a piece of cake against Nebraska. I just hope we don’t pull a repeat of the USCe game. Maybe Shawn Williams needs to take names and kick a few a$$es!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Miller
December 28th, 2012
8:45 pm
Alec … Take the money and run (whoo whoo whoo)
English professor
December 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
I am sure that all these fine fellers will manage their signing bonuses responsibly.
Put in dont' know nuttin
December 28th, 2012
9:25 pm
Why do banks and publicly traded companies run by CEOs & CFOs with Finance degrees from Harvard go bankrupt? Why do CEOs get golden parachutes and end up broke themselves? Greed and poor spending habits can happen to anyone. Look at our government. Why do I know GT grads that fix lawnmowers?
jp
December 28th, 2012
9:50 pm
tampa gator what is you fixation with this board .try this one on how about 78 to 80 percent illegitimate birth rate . you brought up race .ya think that makes any difference in crime rates and bankruptcy. food stamps welfare. have a set enough to address this topic and then talk. never heard sharpton, jesse, louis , charles barkley ,tiger or anyone address this .
Dawg Bite
December 28th, 2012
9:51 pm
I guess that no one cares about Minnesota vs TT! Nor do I. And, did any of you watch VPI vs Rutgers? What a sorry offensive show, and Millen called out the QB’s, right or wrong. Rutgers kicker was as bad as was Walsh for UGA in last years bowl game. To the UGA guys, take the money and run if it there for you. I do not think that the major in Child and Family Development will serve you that well anyway. Same for the Housing degree! Now Murray, he might have a chance with his degree and the Masters that he has earned. Get the PHD, then you will be set up pretty good!
Red Neckerson
December 28th, 2012
10:41 pm
Murray will return. Bank on it as I have it on good authority. The rest, with the possible exception of Geathers, are gone. 2013 will be a good year for the Dawgs.
Taco
December 28th, 2012
11:01 pm
They should all go pro. This is as high as it gets at UGA for winning. They won’t be a factor again for a while and they certainly won’t be winning any conference or national titles. Take the money. That degree in African Studies, Criminal Studies or Home Econ from UGA is not going to compare to the millions they will make in the NFL. Who can even say if any of these boys are even close to a diploma? I am fairly confident none of these are pre med or pre law at UGA.
Taco
December 28th, 2012
11:02 pm
No one cares if Murray comes back, the other kid is just as good and may be able to win the “big one”.
Red Neckerson
December 28th, 2012
11:13 pm
Taco, no one cares about your racist comments or who you are. Like I said to the last guy, please crawl back under the rock from where you came. You set Georgians back decades with your comments. Please go away as you are a complete and total moron despite the fact that you think you are sane. In theory, you seem to be an Alabama or Tech fan but, nonetheless, please crawl back under the rock that you/ve been hiding under for so long and spare us your comments as they are embarrassing.
kevin
December 29th, 2012
12:15 am
Anybody who thinks you have to earn a college degree to learn how to manage money is clueless. Those two things aren’t directly related to each other. Educated people mismanage money daily. And less-educated people are fiscally responsible daily. So the argument that ONE MORE YEAR IN A COLLEGE DEGREE LIKE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (or whatever) is going to help a football player better manage his NFL millions is ridiculous. Patient, cautious, live-within-your-means people manage money well. Impatient, live-for-the-moment, careless people manage money poorly. Period.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 29th, 2012
12:53 am
Kevin….getting paid only 16 times(weeks) in a year makes budgeting and really knowing where your money is more difficult than your average working american. Spending a little time in more finance class wouldn’t hurt any Pro player. Getting paid 52 or 26 paychecks a year makes budgeting and living within your means much easier. You actually make a monthly budget and pay monthly bills with monthly income but that is not how most pro athletes get paid.
Dawg^2
December 29th, 2012
1:06 am
Martinez is a complete idiot, comparing Georgia’s defense to a “typical” Big 10 defense. I am never over confident about UGA’s defense, when they play SEC schools. Against Nebraska they will kill them. Hell, Wisconsin hung 70+ on Nebraska. Georgia is a top 4 defense in the SEC/Nation, the Big 10 will learn just like the ACC learned the last week of the season. Georgia over GT, USC over Clemson, Florida over FSU and Vandy over Wake. I believe the Big 10 won 1 bowl game last year, in overtime.
Mora
December 29th, 2012
1:06 am
Jrs nor Srs care of this game! Look at our bowl!!!! Go Huskies!
Crouch
December 29th, 2012
1:08 am
Taylors remarks buggin ya pups? Lets see you stop ‘em!
LakeDawg
December 29th, 2012
1:36 am
“Entitlement culture” is just code for black culture. You know, the old “all blacks are on welfare” bit. Yes, its racist.
LandTrojan
December 29th, 2012
1:44 am
What on earth r u talking about?
vf
December 29th, 2012
3:05 am
Tree is gone, but I’m not sure about JJ. He really wants to do stay at Georgia but he knows that he is ready to move on. Geathers will stay. Murray will stay. He wants to win a title more than any other player in the country.
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
7:10 am
Morning dogs
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
7:11 am
Hmm, Martinez,
I’m sure the redneck dog fans will take that as fightin’ words, right dogs.
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
7:11 am
“Tub” Jenkins:
“Waffle House anyone?, I’m buying.”
Nick
December 29th, 2012
7:27 am
MGM Studios is no more. The park was renamed to Disney Hollywood Studios awhile ago.
Tampa Gator
December 29th, 2012
8:04 am
Dawg2…
Yes, that one Big Ten team that won a bowl game last year was Michigan State…….over Georgia……in overtime.
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
8:18 am
OMG. Imagine the mighty dogs losing to the Cornhuskers.
Can’t happen, right dogs?
Tampa Gator
December 29th, 2012
8:20 am
If Georgia’s defense is typical of Wisconsin’s Big 10 defense…….then I guess Nebraska is in for a real arse whopping in Orlando…..and I expect they will be. Georia’s offense is going to run and pass all over Nebraska’s typical Big 12 defense.
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
8:36 am
‘Tub” Jenkins:
“What’s for lunch?”
Say whut
December 29th, 2012
8:36 am
Hey Martinez: Do you mean like the Wisconsin defense that let you score 13? And Nebraska gave up how many? Can you count as high as 70?
The last time I looked, none of his typical defenses is ranked in the Top Ten, unless you cound the Ohio State “Cheating Tressels.” And NO Big Ten team has a player like Jarvis Jones.
Tampa Gator
December 29th, 2012
8:43 am
jp…..
I have heard several prominent black leaders, including the President of the United States and Al Sharpton…….address the poor parenting practices in lower, social economic environments. Jesse Jackson’s organization has spoken of it for a long time, especially in the Chicago area. But poverty, no matter your race, is a hard life to overcome….and it often becomes a cyle of failure in some families. But it only takes one person in a family to step up and break the cycle to change the future of that one person….and then future families of that one person. That takes time, but it is happening more and more all the time. I know the cultual backgrounds of people in businness changed dramatically in my 30 plus years working successfully in it. It was a good change and I hope that change is continuing for everyone….no matter your culturual background…..in America.
SEC Fan
December 29th, 2012
8:43 am
Jarvis Jones- the No. 1 overall pick,…projected by who? the Athens TD Club? Don’t think so.
Ogletree- In a word,…..gone. He’s not pursuing the Junior evaluation because it would be a waste of time,….he’s outta there. Like JJ,..he got lit up by Alabama’s run game,…but he’ll likely have a better NFL career than JJ. If he’s stays clear of trouble
01HAWK
December 29th, 2012
8:53 am
Dawg^2
December 29th, 2012
1:06 am
Martinez is a complete idiot, comparing Georgia’s defense to a “typical” Big 10 defense. I am never over confident about UGA’s defense, when they play SEC schools. Against Nebraska they will kill them. Hell, Wisconsin hung 70+ on Nebraska. Georgia is a top 4 defense in the SEC/Nation
Check the stats. They are not even in the top 25 in defense.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 29th, 2012
8:58 am
LakeDawg……….more white people are on food stamps than black people. Illegal Latinos are getting more government program money now that ever before. Didn’t you see how many people voted for the Entitlement president? It wasn’t only black people. Vinnie T is not white and the Entitlement crowd is why he went Broke.
papadawg
December 29th, 2012
8:58 am
A degree couldn’t touch the money you could make in the pros even if you could find a job. Go for the dough.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 29th, 2012
9:10 am
Orlando Krispy Kreme has filed suit against Coach Richt. It seems Krispy Kreme will have to throw away the tons of extra dough the made and cut the second shift since Jenkins isn’t coming for the game. Krispy Kreme is mad Richt didn’t tell them Jenkins wouldn’t be coming after they had planned for his Fat Butt to eat 1/2 ton of their product.
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
9:22 am
“Tub” Jenkins must nap at Study Table after eating all day,
Buckeye
December 29th, 2012
9:29 am
What bowl are we in?
TERRY Y
December 29th, 2012
9:35 am
I wish all the DAwgs well, if they go pro, best wishes and thanks for your efforts at UGA. My wish is they would stay and help us get that elusive National Champ. Just a thought too, what if we were playing for the Natl. Champ. our nose guard would be ineligibe to play, so sad for jenkins not to have the determination to pass his classes, looser.If he is selected pro. he will be one of the uneducated pro atheletes that blows his $ and will be working at jiffy mart soon after his playing days are over…..just saying.
Joey
December 29th, 2012
9:35 am
I was hoping for a dis or something for the bulletin board. And before somebody says that stuff doesn’t matter – for our defense, it matters.