tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post6162022347228045616..comments2023-11-03T04:38:20.417-04:00Comments on BULLDOGS BLOG: An Early Look AheadGeorgia Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00516202366071408182noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-52174086421118132992009-01-18T22:08:00.000-05:002009-01-18T22:08:00.000-05:00This column was absolutely awesome. Love Coach Ri...This column was absolutely awesome. Love Coach Richt and the Dawgs but we absolutely had the worst special teams in the country last year!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-65940264932170182402009-01-17T14:04:00.000-05:002009-01-17T14:04:00.000-05:00You probably should revisit this since Jones is no...You probably should revisit this since Jones is now back at safety. The overall potential,imo, in the secondary is MUCH greater than I think you are giving it credit for. I can understand that it is definitely a concern, but D and D+ just seem a little harsh, at least if we are talking about potential. It'll be interesting to see next year if those positions have a "D" at year's end. I wonder what kind of season you feel like Staff had this year when comparing it to his potential? I would give him a "C" in that he only lived up to his potential in an average way (way too many int's that put a banged up Defense in bad situations). Putting the OL and it's youth, though, I'd probably have to bump it up to a "B", though. My thinking is that you can be in bad positions and still make good decisions, though. He made some really bad decisions imo.DawgOnTaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17399887158738540964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-53195102380959323042009-01-16T10:51:00.000-05:002009-01-16T10:51:00.000-05:00Just want to say that I am a huge fan of your blog...Just want to say that I am a huge fan of your blog. I really enjoy reading it every day and think your articles are much better than anything that appears in the AJC. Thanks so much for all of the Bulldog scoop!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-90973284759154084632009-01-15T23:54:00.000-05:002009-01-15T23:54:00.000-05:00The two guys I'd keep an eye on, both of whom we r...The two guys I'd keep an eye on, both of whom we really missed this year, are Marcus Washington and Quinton Banks.<BR/><BR/>I think Washington will seriously push Gamble for the starting spot. Gamble looks good, but Washington is a senior. He's a big, physical linebacker that will HIT YOU, which we were lacking in the middle this past year.<BR/><BR/>Banks played a good bit in '07. '08 was a total waste for him of course, but I'd have to think he'd have a leg up on Knox and Evans. We missed his physicality and hard hitting too this past year.<BR/><BR/>Those two guys will add some hard-hitting attitude to a defense that really needs it.<BR/><BR/>Also, while I can certainly see how special teams would garner a 'D' heading into the season, I expect a HUGE improvement next year. I have no doubt we'll find someone that can kick it close to, or into the endzone, in bounds. Meanwhile, Walsh can focus on field goals. Butler already has some experience punting in big games. I expect the return game to improve too. Perhaps Branden Smith and Carlton Thomas will be big game-breakers for us, though honestly Prince Miller looked very good at punt return when he wasn't muffing it- I think if we gave him more reps we wouldn't have to worry about that and he could be a Brandon James-like weapon.<BR/><BR/>The position that worries me the most heading into spring is defensive end, though without Asher, cornerback is suddenly a concern as well.<BR/><BR/>The injured player(s) from 2008 I expect to play the biggest roles in 2009 are Owens and Sturdivant, honorable mention to Washington and Banks...all of those guys were sorely missed this past year.<BR/><BR/>The freshman I'm most excited to see is probably Branden Smith, with Toby Jackson a close second. I hate to put too much pressure on a guy, but Smith just sounds like he has "it."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-147782772861195022009-01-15T16:15:00.000-05:002009-01-15T16:15:00.000-05:00Nice write up. I'm saying the position that sees ...Nice write up. I'm saying the position that sees the biggest shake up is by season's end is DE. I think Toby Jackson is starting by game 5 or so. I also think Marcus Washington is the starter at MLB ahead of Gamble. I also think Boykin gets the nod ahead of Cuff. Oh, and I hear Reshad is coming back now...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-21108283165671948252009-01-15T12:44:00.000-05:002009-01-15T12:44:00.000-05:00David, one more potential name to add to the speci...David, one more potential name to add to the special teams list is Branden Smith. He's supposed to be a beast on punt and kick-off returns. In fact, he said that special teams was actually what he was best at. I would love for someone to step up as a Mikey Henderson type; we reeeally missed him this year. The safety position worries me and I'm not completely sold on the running back position yet. I think Jeff Owens returning from injury will be the senior leadership we need and I can't wait to see joe Cox out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162716793249150680.post-32720788273732584222009-01-15T11:56:00.000-05:002009-01-15T11:56:00.000-05:00I'm anticipating seeing our D play this upcoming y...I'm anticipating seeing our D play this upcoming year. With a slew of younger players in the secondary, and proven players on the line and at LB, I have a feeling this will be a dawg defense of old.<BR/><BR/>I think a lot of people were right about the attitude of the secondary, which is why a lot of them left early for the draft. Like you said David, they saw the writing on the wall.<BR/><BR/>Everyone knows the offense wont be the most explosive having to replace starters in almost every skill position. But if our defense gets bing in the trenches, i have a feeling our offense will fall into place and put the points on the bard to get us in the W column.Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11184797613770953277noreply@blogger.com