When reporters attack ... Well, not really.
Friend and colleague Chip Towers has an amusing post over at the AJC's recruting blog. Seems Georgia has to report a secondary violation because of a scurrilous act by Towers: A photo was published showing offensive line coach Stacy Searels supposedly posing with a prospective recruit (because they were both looking in the camera.)
Read Chip's post. Good stuff in there.
First off, this is no big deal. It's a secondary violation, the kind Lane Kiffin committed twice in his sleep.
Secondly, Chip did nothing wrong. As he pointed out, he's a reporter, not a member of the NCAA or paid by Georgia, and his job is to observe and report.
Thirdly, I know exactly how Chip feels, since I also have been the cause of a school having to turn in a secondary violation.
A few years ago, while covering South Carolina, the basketball team was hosting a center who was transferring from UNLV. During a game, I spotted the kid sitting behind the bench, and not having much free time I went over at halftime and interviewed him. Then I published a few quotes on my blog and in the paper.
The kid never went to South Carolina. But the school's compliance office determined (rightly, by the ridiculous NCAA rules) that a secondary violation had occurred: A school promoting the visit of a recruit.
Even though the school had no power over me, a member of the press. OK.
The backwardness of the NCAA rules is that the recruiting and fan sites regularly "promote" the visits of players, writing about who's visiting and when, and following up with interviews with the players in question over what a great time they had.
(Notice, by the way, that a kid never says he had a bad time, there's no way he's going there, etc.)
But the recruiting and fan sites get around technically promoting the visit by not interviewing the recruit while he's actually on campus.
I was gently told this by South Carolina after the incident in question, and now I know. But still, going back to Chip's statement, I'm a reporter and I'm going to pursue a story, NCAA bylaws or no. Maybe, if I see a kid on a visit, I could go just ask the kid for his cell phone and try to teach him later, but if he's right there, why not talk to him then. (Especially if you know you may not reach him later.)
And in Chip's case, his readers were interested, of course he was going to pursue the information.
And while you're doing all this, you're acting completely independent of the school you're covering, so it shouldn't be culpable for you doing your job.
And all this is considered on the same level, a secondary violation, as most of the stuff Lane Kiffin did. OK.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Uniform note
I meant to post this earlier in the week, then all the Greg McGarity stuff overtook it. Anyway, had a question from a poster about uniforms. I quote:
The answer, bluntly, is no change. Here was the answer from the inimitable Claude Felton at Georgia:
So there you go.
Shameless plug: My story in Sunday morning's papers on the Ogletree brothers.
Blog side note: I encountered a snake this afternoon, walking the dog down at the river. Now here's my problem: I was always taught by elders that snakes were as afraid of us as we are of them. And typically they've held up their end of the bargain, slithering away when we get within, say, 10 feet of them.
But this bugger didn't jump into the river until I was right up on it, giving me a good look at its light brown skin (but not the head, so I couldn't be sure whether it was a poisonous copperhead, just a water moccasin, or what.)
Bottom line, if any of you out there know any snakes, let them know that they're supposed to run away from us before we see them and get spooked. They're supposed to be able to sense us from far away.
Blog side note 2: I forgot to start Jair Jurrjens in my fantasy baseball league today. ... Whoops.
Can you find out if the Dawgs will wear the 'real' silver britches this year instead of the flat gray ones worn last year? I know Damon Evans expected silver this year but now he is gone?
The answer, bluntly, is no change. Here was the answer from the inimitable Claude Felton at Georgia:
We will be wearing the same pants as last season. Nike has a newer lighter material called cordura that the players all wanted. They feel the new pants are lighter and more comfortable than the old pants but on these it ‘s a little more difficult to replicate the same silver “sheen.”
So there you go.
Shameless plug: My story in Sunday morning's papers on the Ogletree brothers.
Blog side note: I encountered a snake this afternoon, walking the dog down at the river. Now here's my problem: I was always taught by elders that snakes were as afraid of us as we are of them. And typically they've held up their end of the bargain, slithering away when we get within, say, 10 feet of them.
But this bugger didn't jump into the river until I was right up on it, giving me a good look at its light brown skin (but not the head, so I couldn't be sure whether it was a poisonous copperhead, just a water moccasin, or what.)
Bottom line, if any of you out there know any snakes, let them know that they're supposed to run away from us before we see them and get spooked. They're supposed to be able to sense us from far away.
Blog side note 2: I forgot to start Jair Jurrjens in my fantasy baseball league today. ... Whoops.
Next week's practice schedule
Georgia's football team has set its agenda for the next week, giving the players a weekday off.
The team will return to practice Monday, the first day of class. Then it will take Tuesday off, and come back Wednesday and go through Saturday.
All practices are full team (as opposed to some previous days that had a special teams emphasis.)
Saturday is also Fan Picture Day at Sanford Stadium. (For what it's worth, the current forecast for Saturday on weather.com is a high of 90 and isolated thunderstorms. In other words, pretty much every day this past week.
The team will return to practice Monday, the first day of class. Then it will take Tuesday off, and come back Wednesday and go through Saturday.
All practices are full team (as opposed to some previous days that had a special teams emphasis.)
Saturday is also Fan Picture Day at Sanford Stadium. (For what it's worth, the current forecast for Saturday on weather.com is a high of 90 and isolated thunderstorms. In other words, pretty much every day this past week.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
More news and notes
I have to rush off to a wedding in LaGrange this afternoon (Matt and Jennifer, we thought you'd never pull it off). Before I do, some more news and notes after talking to Mark Richt and selected players following Saturday's closed scrimmage:
- So apparently it was one of THOSE days for the Georgia offense, first and second team. The good news for the Bulldogs is the struggles weren’t being tied to quarterback Aaron Murray.
“He did a good job today of not trying to do something that would’ve caused even more problems. So that was good,” Richt said. “He made some nice plays. He made some very nice plays. We just as an offensive unit didn’t make it where a true freshman or a redshirt freshman could be real comfortable.”
And, Richt added, Murray didn’t do “foolish things” as he did in the first scrimmage, when he threw into coverage in the end zone and was picked off.
Murray himself said the offense “just didn’t get into a good rhythm.”
“There was flashes, but not overall very consistent,” he added. “We’ve got three more weeks to fix it.”
- As for the offense in general, Richt called it “sloppy at times,” but didn’t appear overly worried. Some defensive players (like cornerback Brandon Boykin) cited the weather as a factor, mentioning some fumbled snaps. The offensive line missing three starters didn’t help either.
But clearly the offense has some corrections to make.
“I’m glad we’ve got three more weeks to iron some of this stuff out,” Richt said.
- The bright spot for the offense was receiver Logan Gray, who had a 46-yard catch, and led the team with three receptions for 70 yards. It has his second straight good scrimmage.
“I love throwing to him,” Murray said, citing Gray’s background as a quarterback.
- Inside linebacker Akeem Hebron continues to take advantage of injuries at his position, leading the team in tackles for the second straight scrimmage.
- Darryl Gamble has probably had the most productive camp of any outside linebacker, according to Richt. He seems to have the edge on Cornelius Washington in the contest for the second OLB spot opposite Justin Houston.
- Branden Smith had two tackles at cornerback in his first scrimmage. The sophomore missed eight practices with academic issues.
- So apparently it was one of THOSE days for the Georgia offense, first and second team. The good news for the Bulldogs is the struggles weren’t being tied to quarterback Aaron Murray.
“He did a good job today of not trying to do something that would’ve caused even more problems. So that was good,” Richt said. “He made some nice plays. He made some very nice plays. We just as an offensive unit didn’t make it where a true freshman or a redshirt freshman could be real comfortable.”
And, Richt added, Murray didn’t do “foolish things” as he did in the first scrimmage, when he threw into coverage in the end zone and was picked off.
Murray himself said the offense “just didn’t get into a good rhythm.”
“There was flashes, but not overall very consistent,” he added. “We’ve got three more weeks to fix it.”
- As for the offense in general, Richt called it “sloppy at times,” but didn’t appear overly worried. Some defensive players (like cornerback Brandon Boykin) cited the weather as a factor, mentioning some fumbled snaps. The offensive line missing three starters didn’t help either.
But clearly the offense has some corrections to make.
“I’m glad we’ve got three more weeks to iron some of this stuff out,” Richt said.
- The bright spot for the offense was receiver Logan Gray, who had a 46-yard catch, and led the team with three receptions for 70 yards. It has his second straight good scrimmage.
“I love throwing to him,” Murray said, citing Gray’s background as a quarterback.
- Inside linebacker Akeem Hebron continues to take advantage of injuries at his position, leading the team in tackles for the second straight scrimmage.
- Darryl Gamble has probably had the most productive camp of any outside linebacker, according to Richt. He seems to have the edge on Cornelius Washington in the contest for the second OLB spot opposite Justin Houston.
- Branden Smith had two tackles at cornerback in his first scrimmage. The sophomore missed eight practices with academic issues.
OL injuries piling up
Starting center Ben Jones will have to get a knee scoped on Sunday and will be out at least a couple weeks. But head coach Mark Richt said he expects Jones to be back for a full week of practice leading up to the Sept. 4 opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Still, it's the latest injury on a unit that was supposed to be the most stable on Georgia's football team.
Starting guard Cordy Glenn is out with mononucleosis. And Josh Davis has an ankle injury, which he sustained in the first scrimmage Tuesday, then tried to fight through on Saturday but finally gave up.
The Bulldogs expect everyone back for the opener. But they scrimmaged Saturday with only two projected starters, a big reason the first-team offense struggled against the second-team defense.
The only good news was that Trinton Sturdivant, coming off consecutive knee surgeries, saw his first live action of the year on Saturday.
Still, it's the latest injury on a unit that was supposed to be the most stable on Georgia's football team.
Starting guard Cordy Glenn is out with mononucleosis. And Josh Davis has an ankle injury, which he sustained in the first scrimmage Tuesday, then tried to fight through on Saturday but finally gave up.
The Bulldogs expect everyone back for the opener. But they scrimmaged Saturday with only two projected starters, a big reason the first-team offense struggled against the second-team defense.
The only good news was that Trinton Sturdivant, coming off consecutive knee surgeries, saw his first live action of the year on Saturday.
Scrimmage stats
As provided by Georgia after its Saturday morning scrimmage (and these are not everybody, just the highlights):
PASSING
Aaron Murray: 8-20, 133 yards (a long of 46), 0 TD, 0 INT
Hutson Mason: 8-18, 48 yards, (a long of 12), 0 TD, 0 INT
RUSHING
Washaun Ealey: 7 rushes for 70 yards (Richt said without one long run, Ealey's stats would've been much more pedestrian)
Caleb King: 7 rushes for 18 yards
Fred Munzenmaier: 6 rushes for 17 yards
RECEIVING
Logan Gray: 3 catches for 70 yards
Tavares King: 1 catch for 41 yards
Aron White: 3 catches for 27 yards
(You'll notice no A.J. Green. Head coach Mark Richt said Green had one or two small catches, but they were trying to get the other receivers involved today.)
DEFENSE
Akeem Hebron: 5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Justin Houston: 3 sacks
Kwame Geathers: 3 tackles, 0.5 sack
Brandon Boykin: 3 tackles
Alec Ogletree: 3 tackles, 1 PD
Shaun Williams: 3 tackles, 1 FF
Branden Smith: 2 tackles
Kiante Tripp: 2 tackles, 0.5 sack
PASSING
Aaron Murray: 8-20, 133 yards (a long of 46), 0 TD, 0 INT
Hutson Mason: 8-18, 48 yards, (a long of 12), 0 TD, 0 INT
RUSHING
Washaun Ealey: 7 rushes for 70 yards (Richt said without one long run, Ealey's stats would've been much more pedestrian)
Caleb King: 7 rushes for 18 yards
Fred Munzenmaier: 6 rushes for 17 yards
RECEIVING
Logan Gray: 3 catches for 70 yards
Tavares King: 1 catch for 41 yards
Aron White: 3 catches for 27 yards
(You'll notice no A.J. Green. Head coach Mark Richt said Green had one or two small catches, but they were trying to get the other receivers involved today.)
DEFENSE
Akeem Hebron: 5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Justin Houston: 3 sacks
Kwame Geathers: 3 tackles, 0.5 sack
Brandon Boykin: 3 tackles
Alec Ogletree: 3 tackles, 1 PD
Shaun Williams: 3 tackles, 1 FF
Branden Smith: 2 tackles
Kiante Tripp: 2 tackles, 0.5 sack
Morning reading
About to head over to see how Georgia's football scrimmage went. In the meantime, here's my story from today's papers on Greg McGarity's hiring.
An excerpt:
And a few more news and notes on McGarity, including reaction from Mark Richt and Mark Fox:
An excerpt:
ATHENS — Greg McGarity was in his office at Florida on Wednesday morning on a conference call when his BlackBerry buzzed. He took a peek. The caller ID read “Private Number.”
McGarity knew what that meant. He was getting the call.
“I said, ‘Well it’s either thumbs up or thumbs down,’ ” said McGarity, who then holed himself up in a colleague’s office, locking the door to take the call.
It was up. And a lifelong dream was finally realized. McGarity was chosen as the next athletics director at Georgia, a job he was formally hired for and introduced for Friday.
“It was one of those things where you just had to say, ‘This really did happen,’ ” McGarity said Friday, a bit after a news conference on campus. “I’ve gotta pinch myself; this did happen.”
And a few more news and notes on McGarity, including reaction from Mark Richt and Mark Fox:
ATHENS — There was a receiving line for new athletics director Greg McGarity at the Georgia Center on Friday that snaked around a corner.
Near the back of the line, Mark Richt and Mark Fox were patiently waiting, carrying on a conversation.
Richt was asked why he didn’t just move up.
“I don’t want to lose my spot in line,” Richt said.
Richt, Georgia’s head football coach, and Fox, the men’s head basketball coach, had never met McGarity before Friday.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Glenn out "for awhile"
Georgia's football team cut short its practice Friday after lightning struck. Either way, Cordy Glenn was not there.
The junior guard has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and will be "out awhile," head coach Mark Richt said in a press release.
Tanner Strickland has been practicing with the first team in Glenn's absence.
The Bulldogs will obviously be hoping Glenn gets better soon. The Riverdale native has started 22 games in his career, including all 13 last year.
Another offensive linemen is also out: Reserve tackle Jonathan Owens has a knee injury, and his return date is unknown.
Georgia is scheduled to hold a scrimmage Saturday.
The junior guard has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and will be "out awhile," head coach Mark Richt said in a press release.
Tanner Strickland has been practicing with the first team in Glenn's absence.
The Bulldogs will obviously be hoping Glenn gets better soon. The Riverdale native has started 22 games in his career, including all 13 last year.
Another offensive linemen is also out: Reserve tackle Jonathan Owens has a knee injury, and his return date is unknown.
Georgia is scheduled to hold a scrimmage Saturday.
Foley, Meyer and Donovan weigh in
Jeremy Foley hired Greg McGarity nearly two decades ago at Florida. Here's what the Gator athletics director had to say, in a statement released after McGarity's hiring as Georgia's A.D.:
"Greg has been an invaluable asset to our organization over the years. He has been involved in the day to day operations of our department and has been by my side every step of the way - from hiring coaches, to budgets, facility planning and event management, he has been a key component of our success. Greg is extremely loyal and has great vision for the future.
"More than anything Greg is one of my most trusted and closest friends. He has meant much more to me than an employee. Greg is family and we wish him the very best."
Florida football coach coach Urban Meyer called McGarity a "tremendous asset" to the team:
"I remember first meeting Greg when Jeremy flew out to talk to me about the Florida job. He was involved in every discussion with Jeremy and our family and I could tell right away that Greg played a pivotal role in the athletic department. I could also see that his relationship with Jeremy and others in the athletic department went beyond the professional level. He was very well liked and respected among his co-workers. Greg always found a way to get things done, but he did it in a very personable manner."
And not to be left out, men's basketball coach Billy Donovan:
"I'm elated for Greg and his family that he is getting a chance to not only direct a first-class athletic department, but in essence, to go home. I've known Greg for 15 years, he was involved in my hiring at Florida, and has been someone I've always had great respect and admiration for.
"I echo the sentiments of everyone here in wishing he and his family the best in Athens and we will certainly all miss him. Georgia has made a fantastic hire."
"Greg has been an invaluable asset to our organization over the years. He has been involved in the day to day operations of our department and has been by my side every step of the way - from hiring coaches, to budgets, facility planning and event management, he has been a key component of our success. Greg is extremely loyal and has great vision for the future.
"More than anything Greg is one of my most trusted and closest friends. He has meant much more to me than an employee. Greg is family and we wish him the very best."
Florida football coach coach Urban Meyer called McGarity a "tremendous asset" to the team:
"I remember first meeting Greg when Jeremy flew out to talk to me about the Florida job. He was involved in every discussion with Jeremy and our family and I could tell right away that Greg played a pivotal role in the athletic department. I could also see that his relationship with Jeremy and others in the athletic department went beyond the professional level. He was very well liked and respected among his co-workers. Greg always found a way to get things done, but he did it in a very personable manner."
And not to be left out, men's basketball coach Billy Donovan:
"I'm elated for Greg and his family that he is getting a chance to not only direct a first-class athletic department, but in essence, to go home. I've known Greg for 15 years, he was involved in my hiring at Florida, and has been someone I've always had great respect and admiration for.
"I echo the sentiments of everyone here in wishing he and his family the best in Athens and we will certainly all miss him. Georgia has made a fantastic hire."
McGarity on Jacksonville
Moving back to Georgia from Florida hasn't changed Greg McGarity's mind about playing the annual game in Jacksonville.
Georgia's new athletics director said after his news conference Friday that he favors keeping the game in Jacksonville, and pointed out that the game is under contract to stay there until 2016.
"When I worked here at Georgia, earlier, it was the greatest trip of all," McGarity said. "And I think the fans, players, everybody loved it. I mean it was so good to get down to Florida because the Georgia fans would go to Sea Island, all those areas around the coast there. ...
"It's an atmosphere like none other. And when it was Alltel Stadium, when they brought it up to the (specifications) of an NFL stadium, it set a whole new dynamic there."
Georgia's new athletics director said after his news conference Friday that he favors keeping the game in Jacksonville, and pointed out that the game is under contract to stay there until 2016.
"When I worked here at Georgia, earlier, it was the greatest trip of all," McGarity said. "And I think the fans, players, everybody loved it. I mean it was so good to get down to Florida because the Georgia fans would go to Sea Island, all those areas around the coast there. ...
"It's an atmosphere like none other. And when it was Alltel Stadium, when they brought it up to the (specifications) of an NFL stadium, it set a whole new dynamic there."
The Marks on McGarity
Spoke briefly to Mark Richt and Mark Fox about their new boss. Neither coach had met Greg McGarity before today.
Richt said McGarity has "everything you could hope for" in a hire.
“I just know that everybody that’s met him and everybody associated with him is very, very excited to get him, and that he’s here. That’s a good sign,” Richt said.
Fox took note that Florida has become a national basketball power while McGarity was there.
“He obviously has been at an institution where basketball and football have co-existed at a very high level. So I think that’s important,” Fox said.
Richt said McGarity has "everything you could hope for" in a hire.
“I just know that everybody that’s met him and everybody associated with him is very, very excited to get him, and that he’s here. That’s a good sign,” Richt said.
Fox took note that Florida has become a national basketball power while McGarity was there.
“He obviously has been at an institution where basketball and football have co-existed at a very high level. So I think that’s important,” Fox said.
McGarity introduced
Whew. Kind of a whirlwind time here at the Georgia Center in Athens. Greg McGarity has been officially introduced at a news conference. Here are some quick highlights from that:
- McGarity, 55, agreed to a five-year contract with terms identical to what Damon Evans was getting before his last raise. He will get $420,000 the first year, and increasing by $20,000 each year.
Evans started his new contract, worth $550,000 per year for five years, about an hour after he was arrested in Atlanta.
But Georgia president Michael Adams added that if McGarity does well, as Adams felt Evans did, the contract would be subject to improvement.
- McGarity will start on Sept. 1. Why so soon? Adams quipped: “It was also clear to me that anyone who spent 18 years at Florida had suffered enough.”
But on a serious note, Adams said there was some “part-partem depression with the events relating to Mr. Adams.” But he wanted it to be done by the start of the academic year.
- Adams said he was looking for “somebody that had been there, at the highest levels of intercollegiate competition. You could argue that he has not sat in the chair, as an A.D. But he’s been about as close as you can get to it.”
He was also looking for “personal integrity.” He ran background checks in Florida.
“I got a little bit worried when I couldn’t find anybody to say anything bad about him,” Adams said.
- McGarity said not getting the job in 2003 was “a shot to the gut.” But now he said he was more ready.
- McGarity may have been gone 18 years, but some coaches – like swimming coach Jack Baurle (who was on the search committee) and women’s basketball coach Andy Landers – were in their positions when McGarity left for Florida.
- McGarity has not met Mark Richt, but added “But I plan to very shortly.”
-Adams said McGarity was chosen from a field of more than 70 candidates, including sitting A.D.s.
-Adams said Foley told him that McGarity was involved in every critical decision at Florida.
- An interesting Adams quote: “Given the circumstances that … there is some healing to be done.”
Adams also said this has been an “almost full-time focus for me for the past six weeks.”
Frank Crumley, the interim A.D. who was also a candidate, was the third man on the podium. He embraced McGarity before the news conference.
- McGarity pointed out that his son Alex is a senior at Florida.
“I’m not sure what he’ll do this year in Jacksonville.”
More to come.
- McGarity, 55, agreed to a five-year contract with terms identical to what Damon Evans was getting before his last raise. He will get $420,000 the first year, and increasing by $20,000 each year.
Evans started his new contract, worth $550,000 per year for five years, about an hour after he was arrested in Atlanta.
But Georgia president Michael Adams added that if McGarity does well, as Adams felt Evans did, the contract would be subject to improvement.
- McGarity will start on Sept. 1. Why so soon? Adams quipped: “It was also clear to me that anyone who spent 18 years at Florida had suffered enough.”
But on a serious note, Adams said there was some “part-partem depression with the events relating to Mr. Adams.” But he wanted it to be done by the start of the academic year.
- Adams said he was looking for “somebody that had been there, at the highest levels of intercollegiate competition. You could argue that he has not sat in the chair, as an A.D. But he’s been about as close as you can get to it.”
He was also looking for “personal integrity.” He ran background checks in Florida.
“I got a little bit worried when I couldn’t find anybody to say anything bad about him,” Adams said.
- McGarity said not getting the job in 2003 was “a shot to the gut.” But now he said he was more ready.
- McGarity may have been gone 18 years, but some coaches – like swimming coach Jack Baurle (who was on the search committee) and women’s basketball coach Andy Landers – were in their positions when McGarity left for Florida.
- McGarity has not met Mark Richt, but added “But I plan to very shortly.”
-Adams said McGarity was chosen from a field of more than 70 candidates, including sitting A.D.s.
-Adams said Foley told him that McGarity was involved in every critical decision at Florida.
- An interesting Adams quote: “Given the circumstances that … there is some healing to be done.”
Adams also said this has been an “almost full-time focus for me for the past six weeks.”
Frank Crumley, the interim A.D. who was also a candidate, was the third man on the podium. He embraced McGarity before the news conference.
- McGarity pointed out that his son Alex is a senior at Florida.
“I’m not sure what he’ll do this year in Jacksonville.”
More to come.
News conference called
Dateline ... Athens: We have a press release from the University of Georgia. It reads:
"University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams will discuss the status of the search for the next UGA director of athletics during a news conference today (Aug. 13) at 4 p.m."
(It then goes on to say where media members can find parking.)
Meanwhile, the UGA Athletic Board has called a special meeting for 3 p.m.
It's expected that Greg McGarity will be approved as the new A.D. at the 3 p.m. meeting, then introduced at 4 p.m.
"University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams will discuss the status of the search for the next UGA director of athletics during a news conference today (Aug. 13) at 4 p.m."
(It then goes on to say where media members can find parking.)
Meanwhile, the UGA Athletic Board has called a special meeting for 3 p.m.
It's expected that Greg McGarity will be approved as the new A.D. at the 3 p.m. meeting, then introduced at 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Yup, it's McGarity
Greg McGarity is indeed coming home. On Friday.
Georgia's pick to replace the disgraced Damon Evans is McGarity, the associate athletics director at Florida, who also happens to be an Athens native and a 1976 graduate of Georgia.
The news was confirmed by a source in Florida. McGarity told the source he was headed to Athens on Friday, presumably for a news conference to introduce him. (Although Georgia has not announced one as of late Thursday night.)
I'll have more on McGarity in a story I just filed for Friday's papers. It will include a quote from a retired athletics director, who has dealt with McGarity and called him a great hire. And I also spoke with a longtime Bulldog Club director who has known McGarity since the 1970s and was pleased as punch to hear he was the choice.
Georgia's pick to replace the disgraced Damon Evans is McGarity, the associate athletics director at Florida, who also happens to be an Athens native and a 1976 graduate of Georgia.
The news was confirmed by a source in Florida. McGarity told the source he was headed to Athens on Friday, presumably for a news conference to introduce him. (Although Georgia has not announced one as of late Thursday night.)
I'll have more on McGarity in a story I just filed for Friday's papers. It will include a quote from a retired athletics director, who has dealt with McGarity and called him a great hire. And I also spoke with a longtime Bulldog Club director who has known McGarity since the 1970s and was pleased as punch to hear he was the choice.
Crumley (via Richt): AD announcement "soon"
We just finished staking out Mark Richt, who had a length talk with associate athletics director Claude Felton after his regular interview session.
Richt said he spoke today with interim athletics director Frank Crumley.
"I talked to Frank, and Frank said there would be an announcement soon," Richt said. "But he didn't tell me who. He didn't say it was him and he didn't say it wasn't him."
Reports say Greg McGarity has been hired and will be introduced in Athens on Friday. Richt said he was out of the loop.
"I've been hearing rumors, like everybody else. But I've not been told," Richt said.
Asked if he knew McGarity, Richt declined further comment.
But he did say he had not talked with any A.D. candidates during this process.
Richt said he spoke today with interim athletics director Frank Crumley.
"I talked to Frank, and Frank said there would be an announcement soon," Richt said. "But he didn't tell me who. He didn't say it was him and he didn't say it wasn't him."
Reports say Greg McGarity has been hired and will be introduced in Athens on Friday. Richt said he was out of the loop.
"I've been hearing rumors, like everybody else. But I've not been told," Richt said.
Asked if he knew McGarity, Richt declined further comment.
But he did say he had not talked with any A.D. candidates during this process.
Branden Smith is back
Mark Richt just announced it. The sophomore cornerback-kick returner has been cleared academically.
Smith missed eight practices with what Richt previously callled unspecified "academic issues."
“I won’t go into any detail other than he’s in good shape academically and will be at practice tomorrow,” Richt said.
Meanwhile, the team lost a defensive back: Safety Quintin Banks, dealing with nagging knee trouble, has decided to stop playing.
Banks, who played rarely the past two seasons, will remain with the team as a student assistant coach.
Smith missed eight practices with what Richt previously callled unspecified "academic issues."
“I won’t go into any detail other than he’s in good shape academically and will be at practice tomorrow,” Richt said.
Meanwhile, the team lost a defensive back: Safety Quintin Banks, dealing with nagging knee trouble, has decided to stop playing.
Banks, who played rarely the past two seasons, will remain with the team as a student assistant coach.
Is it McGarity?
Weird scene here at the Butts-Mehre building. We're sitting in the media relations offices waiting for Mark Richt's post-practice interview session - while everyone is chasing down the reports that Greg McGarity is Georgia's new athletics director.
I left a message for McGarity a short time ago, and haven't heard back. (Not shocking.) A TV report and the AJC are both reporting that McGarity is expected to be introduced as the new head man on Friday.
As news develops, we'll report it here. So far the reports are unconfirmed on this end, but obviously McGarity has been the hot name from the beginning, and it would surprise no one if he were hired.
One source I spoke to this afternoon, a former ACC athletics director, said he expected Georgia would want to hire someone before classes started.
I left a message for McGarity a short time ago, and haven't heard back. (Not shocking.) A TV report and the AJC are both reporting that McGarity is expected to be introduced as the new head man on Friday.
As news develops, we'll report it here. So far the reports are unconfirmed on this end, but obviously McGarity has been the hot name from the beginning, and it would surprise no one if he were hired.
One source I spoke to this afternoon, a former ACC athletics director, said he expected Georgia would want to hire someone before classes started.
SI preview
I hold in my hand a copy of the Sports Illustrated preview issue. The cover has, not surprisingly, Alabama, although those are regional covers.
Georgia is picked to go 8-4 overall, and 4-4 in the SEC, tied for second with South Carolina (sure) and Kentucky (whaaaa?).
Florida is picked to win the division but lose to Alabama in the title game. The only other mention of Georgia on the SEC preview page is A.J. Green (I've heard of him) under five players to watch.
Georgia is unranked, according to SI's top 25, but Georgia Tech is 14th.
Meanwhile, ESPN Magazine will be out with its college football preview edition on Friday. And I don't just mention this because I contributed to it.
Actually, yes, that is probably why I'm mentioning it.
So ... 8-4? Would you take it? Sound realistic?
Georgia is picked to go 8-4 overall, and 4-4 in the SEC, tied for second with South Carolina (sure) and Kentucky (whaaaa?).
Florida is picked to win the division but lose to Alabama in the title game. The only other mention of Georgia on the SEC preview page is A.J. Green (I've heard of him) under five players to watch.
Georgia is unranked, according to SI's top 25, but Georgia Tech is 14th.
Meanwhile, ESPN Magazine will be out with its college football preview edition on Friday. And I don't just mention this because I contributed to it.
Actually, yes, that is probably why I'm mentioning it.
So ... 8-4? Would you take it? Sound realistic?
This and that
- There’s obviously a lot of angst about Branden Smith’s situation. We didn’t get a chance to talk to head coach Mark Richt after yesterday’s practice, so we’ll have to ask him today if there was any new word.
My initial feeling was that since Richt said he expected it to be resolved by the end of the week, that meant all would be well. Then when Richt said it could stretch to next week, and you started to hear that Smith himself was very worried, you start to wonder.
There’s just not much to report right now. But when we learn something, we’ll pass it along.
- I also wouldn’t look too much into the good-cop, bad-cop routine between Mark Richt and Mike Bobo over Aaron Murray’s scrimmage performance. Because it’s probably exactly that: The head coach injecting some confidence, the coordinator and position coach exerting some pressure. Or, it could be a simple matter of Bobo having an extra day to think about it and watch tape. (We talked to Richt and Murray immediately after the scrimmage, and Bobo about 24 hours later.)
- Back to the cornerbacks. Early in camp it was true freshman Derek Owens getting love from coaches. Now it’s redshirt freshman Jordan Love and redshirt sophomore Sanders Cummings.
“They’ve both gotten better since spring,” secondary coach Scott Lakatos said Wednesday. “They’re both physical players. Jordan’s got a lot of work at nickel. He’s pretty good inside at nickel. And Sanders is using his strength and his long arms and his speed and all that.”
Receivers coach Tony Ball, who gets to see his guys go opposite the secondary, named Vance Cuff, Jakar Hamilton, Bacarri Rambo and Cummings as having stood out. (Then he added Brandon Boykin as an afterthought, since Boykin’s just expected to do well at this point.)
- Ken Malcome’s stock has dropped a bit. But it’s the second week of camp. He could be back up tomorrow.
“He’s slippery,” Bobo said. “He’s got a lot of power, he’s a big back. He’s just gotta learn what to do. That’s the struggle all those freshmen (have), they gotta come in and learn what to do.”
Then Bobo made a comment that should give you a window into what they think of Malcome’s pure talent.
“If you show a knack for making plays, we’ll reduce the playbook enough to where we can get you in the game,” Bobo said.
My initial feeling was that since Richt said he expected it to be resolved by the end of the week, that meant all would be well. Then when Richt said it could stretch to next week, and you started to hear that Smith himself was very worried, you start to wonder.
There’s just not much to report right now. But when we learn something, we’ll pass it along.
- I also wouldn’t look too much into the good-cop, bad-cop routine between Mark Richt and Mike Bobo over Aaron Murray’s scrimmage performance. Because it’s probably exactly that: The head coach injecting some confidence, the coordinator and position coach exerting some pressure. Or, it could be a simple matter of Bobo having an extra day to think about it and watch tape. (We talked to Richt and Murray immediately after the scrimmage, and Bobo about 24 hours later.)
- Back to the cornerbacks. Early in camp it was true freshman Derek Owens getting love from coaches. Now it’s redshirt freshman Jordan Love and redshirt sophomore Sanders Cummings.
“They’ve both gotten better since spring,” secondary coach Scott Lakatos said Wednesday. “They’re both physical players. Jordan’s got a lot of work at nickel. He’s pretty good inside at nickel. And Sanders is using his strength and his long arms and his speed and all that.”
Receivers coach Tony Ball, who gets to see his guys go opposite the secondary, named Vance Cuff, Jakar Hamilton, Bacarri Rambo and Cummings as having stood out. (Then he added Brandon Boykin as an afterthought, since Boykin’s just expected to do well at this point.)
- Ken Malcome’s stock has dropped a bit. But it’s the second week of camp. He could be back up tomorrow.
“He’s slippery,” Bobo said. “He’s got a lot of power, he’s a big back. He’s just gotta learn what to do. That’s the struggle all those freshmen (have), they gotta come in and learn what to do.”
Then Bobo made a comment that should give you a window into what they think of Malcome’s pure talent.
“If you show a knack for making plays, we’ll reduce the playbook enough to where we can get you in the game,” Bobo said.
Morning glory
OK, I feel like I need to defend myself on the music stuff. A few points:
I do appreciate what Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, et al did for rap. But it’s what came next – the late 80s, Rob Base, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan – that took it to the next, necessary level. And still the best level, in my opinion.
And yes, the list of top songs doesn’t have Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane and other quality artists. Hey, it was a strong era, some people have to be left out.
Such is also the case for the top 10 list of early 90s country songs. I’ve gotten a lot of complaints about no George Strait. Hey, I agree, you can’t have a conversation about that era and not talk about George Strait. But you CAN have a list of top 10 songs. My favorite of Strait’s was “The man in love with you,” but it still wouldn’t even rank in my top 25.
George Strait is sort of the Mark Richt of country music – a string of consistency that makes him one of the best, but not one great song that goes down in history as the best.
I also agree about Dwight Yoakam; I almost put “Thousand Miles to Nowhere” on there. And I’m aware Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood deserve some love, especially with their Georgia roots. I almost went with Alan – “Daddy won a radiooooo” is an engaging, alliterative opening line. But like Strait, and Yearwood, this is an individual song list – and my list, anyway.
Now, having run the spectrum from rap to country, I’m sure at some point we have to go down the middle and do some pop. I’ve got some good blog topics on that (like ‘ABBA, yea or nay?’), when we get around to it.
Meanwhile, I’m being told this blog is also supposed to include some football notes. Sigh. Fine:
Here’s my story in today’s papers on the position battles facing the Georgia football team. And here are my notes, led with Mike Bobo feeling differently from Richt on Aaron Murray's scrimmage performance.
Also, I’ll post later this morning some leftover football notes from yesterday.
EDIT: I forgot about De La Soul! Thanks to the commenter for pointing that out. Well that's what I get when I do a rushed list. "Me Myself and I" should be on the top 10. Definitely.
I do appreciate what Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, et al did for rap. But it’s what came next – the late 80s, Rob Base, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan – that took it to the next, necessary level. And still the best level, in my opinion.
And yes, the list of top songs doesn’t have Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane and other quality artists. Hey, it was a strong era, some people have to be left out.
Such is also the case for the top 10 list of early 90s country songs. I’ve gotten a lot of complaints about no George Strait. Hey, I agree, you can’t have a conversation about that era and not talk about George Strait. But you CAN have a list of top 10 songs. My favorite of Strait’s was “The man in love with you,” but it still wouldn’t even rank in my top 25.
George Strait is sort of the Mark Richt of country music – a string of consistency that makes him one of the best, but not one great song that goes down in history as the best.
I also agree about Dwight Yoakam; I almost put “Thousand Miles to Nowhere” on there. And I’m aware Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood deserve some love, especially with their Georgia roots. I almost went with Alan – “Daddy won a radiooooo” is an engaging, alliterative opening line. But like Strait, and Yearwood, this is an individual song list – and my list, anyway.
Now, having run the spectrum from rap to country, I’m sure at some point we have to go down the middle and do some pop. I’ve got some good blog topics on that (like ‘ABBA, yea or nay?’), when we get around to it.
Meanwhile, I’m being told this blog is also supposed to include some football notes. Sigh. Fine:
Here’s my story in today’s papers on the position battles facing the Georgia football team. And here are my notes, led with Mike Bobo feeling differently from Richt on Aaron Murray's scrimmage performance.
Also, I’ll post later this morning some leftover football notes from yesterday.
EDIT: I forgot about De La Soul! Thanks to the commenter for pointing that out. Well that's what I get when I do a rushed list. "Me Myself and I" should be on the top 10. Definitely.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tidbits from the assistants
After practice today, we had a chance to speak to every Georgia coach not named Richt or Searels. I'll have a couple stories in tomorrow's paper, but here are some quick notes and impressions:
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wasn't quite as enamored with QB Aaron Murray's performance in Tuesday's scrimmage.
"A little disappointed," Bobo said, focusing on the interception Murray threw in the red zone, which Bobo called "bonheaded."
But Murray followed it up with a good practice today, the coach added.
- As for the defense, the scrimmage didn't seem to move the story much, judging by coordinator Todd Grantham's comments. Grantham said he was pleased with how the team was continuing along, and didn't appear too high or too low on any aspect of the defense's performance.
"We're gonna be a work in progress. But the players are buying into it," Grantham said.
- Defensive players who are standing out, according to Grantham, include linebackers Justin Houston, Darryl Gamble and Cornelius Washington.
- Secondary coach Scott Lakatos said he knew as much as the media about cornerback Branden Smith's academic status. In the meantime, they're proceeding to give looks to guys like Jordan Love and Sanders Cummings, who both earned praise from Lakatos and Grantham.
- Safety Bacarri Rambo was held out of the scrimmage after suffering a stinger. He was in a green non-contact jersey for Wednesday's practice.
- Incidentally, there were 122 plays in the scrimmage, according to Grantham.
- Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said Washaun Ealey and Caleb King basically remain neck-and-neck, with Carlton Thomas right behind them. Senior Fred Munzenmaier has been getting more reps lately, perhaps drawing even with Ken Malcome, a freshman.
And as I said, more in the papers tomorrow.
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wasn't quite as enamored with QB Aaron Murray's performance in Tuesday's scrimmage.
"A little disappointed," Bobo said, focusing on the interception Murray threw in the red zone, which Bobo called "bonheaded."
But Murray followed it up with a good practice today, the coach added.
- As for the defense, the scrimmage didn't seem to move the story much, judging by coordinator Todd Grantham's comments. Grantham said he was pleased with how the team was continuing along, and didn't appear too high or too low on any aspect of the defense's performance.
"We're gonna be a work in progress. But the players are buying into it," Grantham said.
- Defensive players who are standing out, according to Grantham, include linebackers Justin Houston, Darryl Gamble and Cornelius Washington.
- Secondary coach Scott Lakatos said he knew as much as the media about cornerback Branden Smith's academic status. In the meantime, they're proceeding to give looks to guys like Jordan Love and Sanders Cummings, who both earned praise from Lakatos and Grantham.
- Safety Bacarri Rambo was held out of the scrimmage after suffering a stinger. He was in a green non-contact jersey for Wednesday's practice.
- Incidentally, there were 122 plays in the scrimmage, according to Grantham.
- Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said Washaun Ealey and Caleb King basically remain neck-and-neck, with Carlton Thomas right behind them. Senior Fred Munzenmaier has been getting more reps lately, perhaps drawing even with Ken Malcome, a freshman.
And as I said, more in the papers tomorrow.
Now ... country
OK, it has come to my attention that a few of the faithful blog readers may not quite identify with new or old school rap. So to make sure I’m not alienating all but a certain demographic – and because practice is going long – a new list:
Top 10 country songs of the early 90s.
This was a key era for the genre, as it transitioned from a niche market to a crossover one. Garth Brooks was the big one, but future wife Trisha Yearwood and others helped it along. You could argue that Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum owe their national fame to this era.
Here you go:
1. Garth Brooks … The Dance
2. Mary Chapin Carpenter … He Thinks He’ll Keep Her ... video
3. Clint Black … Better Man ... video
4. Toby Keith … Who’s that Man ... video
5. Garth Brooks … Friends in Low Places
6. Vince Gill … Whenever You Come Around ... video
7. Suzy Bogguss … Aces ... video
8. Pam Tillis … Spilled Perfume ... video
9. Garth Brooks … Learning to Live Again
10. (tie) Brooks and Dunn … Neon Moon ... video
10. (tie) Tim McGraw … Don’t take the Girl ... video
10. (tie) John Michael Montgomery … Sold ... video
You can probably tell I like soulful, sad songs. I guess the early 90s were a sad period in my life, and that’s why I fled to country music.
And NOW we return to our regularly scheduled blogging.
Top 10 country songs of the early 90s.
This was a key era for the genre, as it transitioned from a niche market to a crossover one. Garth Brooks was the big one, but future wife Trisha Yearwood and others helped it along. You could argue that Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum owe their national fame to this era.
Here you go:
1. Garth Brooks … The Dance
2. Mary Chapin Carpenter … He Thinks He’ll Keep Her ... video
3. Clint Black … Better Man ... video
4. Toby Keith … Who’s that Man ... video
5. Garth Brooks … Friends in Low Places
6. Vince Gill … Whenever You Come Around ... video
7. Suzy Bogguss … Aces ... video
8. Pam Tillis … Spilled Perfume ... video
9. Garth Brooks … Learning to Live Again
10. (tie) Brooks and Dunn … Neon Moon ... video
10. (tie) Tim McGraw … Don’t take the Girl ... video
10. (tie) John Michael Montgomery … Sold ... video
You can probably tell I like soulful, sad songs. I guess the early 90s were a sad period in my life, and that’s why I fled to country music.
And NOW we return to our regularly scheduled blogging.
Kickin' it old school
Warning: If you just want football updates, skip this post.
I planned on spending the downtime between the start of practice and interviews doing some advance work for future stories, but … The discussion over the new pregame video has inspired me.
My top 10 list of old-school rap songs.
Old school in this case, because it’s my list, is mid-to-late 80s, which an allowance for certain early 90s tunes that have that flavor. It also doesn’t include crossover pop hits, like “Bust a Move” or anything from DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. (And
I don’t begrudge Will Smith, it’s just that, well, it just doesn’t FEEL old-school, ya know?)
As for the early 80s, maybe it’s just me but it just feels kind of rough. I realize Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and Sugarhill Gang were pioneers. But … eh.
Note: Certain songs, especially those by Slick Rick and anybody from the NWA cannot make this list for family reasons. In fact, I can’t even spell out NWA.
1. Rob Base … It takes two ... video
2. Tribe Called Quest … Check the Rhyme video
3. Pete Rock and CL Smooth … They Reminisce ... video
4. Public Enemy … Fight the Power ... video
5. NWA … Straight Outta Compton ... video
6. Geto Boys … Mind Playing Tricks on Me ... video
7. Wu Tang Clan … Cream ... video
8. Tribe Called Quest … Bonita Applebaum ... video
9. Slick Rick … Teenage love ... video
10. Public Enemy … Don’t Believe the Hype video
10. (tie) NWA ... Express Yourself ... video
Sorry.
We now return to your regularly scheduled blogging about tight ends and Aaron Murray.
I planned on spending the downtime between the start of practice and interviews doing some advance work for future stories, but … The discussion over the new pregame video has inspired me.
My top 10 list of old-school rap songs.
Old school in this case, because it’s my list, is mid-to-late 80s, which an allowance for certain early 90s tunes that have that flavor. It also doesn’t include crossover pop hits, like “Bust a Move” or anything from DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. (And
I don’t begrudge Will Smith, it’s just that, well, it just doesn’t FEEL old-school, ya know?)
As for the early 80s, maybe it’s just me but it just feels kind of rough. I realize Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and Sugarhill Gang were pioneers. But … eh.
Note: Certain songs, especially those by Slick Rick and anybody from the NWA cannot make this list for family reasons. In fact, I can’t even spell out NWA.
1. Rob Base … It takes two ... video
2. Tribe Called Quest … Check the Rhyme video
3. Pete Rock and CL Smooth … They Reminisce ... video
4. Public Enemy … Fight the Power ... video
5. NWA … Straight Outta Compton ... video
6. Geto Boys … Mind Playing Tricks on Me ... video
7. Wu Tang Clan … Cream ... video
8. Tribe Called Quest … Bonita Applebaum ... video
9. Slick Rick … Teenage love ... video
10. Public Enemy … Don’t Believe the Hype video
10. (tie) NWA ... Express Yourself ... video
Sorry.
We now return to your regularly scheduled blogging about tight ends and Aaron Murray.
Practice update
We're told that Georgia is expected to hold a shorter practice today, following yesterday's scrimmage, so we should have some updates in an hour or so.
Meanwhile, here's what was gleaned from the portion of practice we were allowed to witness ... and I mean witness ... this afternoon:
- Still no Branden Smith.
- S Bacarri Rambo and ILB Mike Gilliard were both in green non-contact jerseys, but were running around and participating, so it doesn't look serious for either of them.
- G Cordy Glenn, who we were told yesterday was sick, was absent from practice.
- WR Kris Durham was sitting out a second straight day. Coach Mark Richt said yesterday that Durham "dinged" his shoulder.
- Reserve S Quintin Banks (knee) was not out there.
- OL A.J. Harmon, who sat out the scrimmage, was back in red today.
- And in a non-injury note, just to be refreshing: During line drills, freshman Kenarious Gates drew some kudos for an impressive push-back.
Meanwhile, here's what was gleaned from the portion of practice we were allowed to witness ... and I mean witness ... this afternoon:
- Still no Branden Smith.
- S Bacarri Rambo and ILB Mike Gilliard were both in green non-contact jerseys, but were running around and participating, so it doesn't look serious for either of them.
- G Cordy Glenn, who we were told yesterday was sick, was absent from practice.
- WR Kris Durham was sitting out a second straight day. Coach Mark Richt said yesterday that Durham "dinged" his shoulder.
- Reserve S Quintin Banks (knee) was not out there.
- OL A.J. Harmon, who sat out the scrimmage, was back in red today.
- And in a non-injury note, just to be refreshing: During line drills, freshman Kenarious Gates drew some kudos for an impressive push-back.
New pregame video
As we sit here and wait to go out for a bit of football practice, I thought I'd tick off a few more of you by posting a video produced by the University of Georgia.
Alas, this is not based on a Miley Cyrus tune. Far from it.
It's the new pregame theme song for Bulldog home games, a hip-hop diddy that goes with highlights from last season.
You can find it on markricht.com, or on Youtube.
They were playing the song - at full blast - inside Sanford Stadium on Tuesday before the scrimmage. Judging by the ringing in my ears, you may also heard it if you live in, say, western Wisconsin.
Judge for yourself whether you enjoy it.
Alas, this is not based on a Miley Cyrus tune. Far from it.
It's the new pregame theme song for Bulldog home games, a hip-hop diddy that goes with highlights from last season.
You can find it on markricht.com, or on Youtube.
They were playing the song - at full blast - inside Sanford Stadium on Tuesday before the scrimmage. Judging by the ringing in my ears, you may also heard it if you live in, say, western Wisconsin.
Judge for yourself whether you enjoy it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Summing up, Green NCAA update, etc.
It's really hard to sit here and opine and analyze and pontificate (did I miss any verbs) on a scrimmage that none of us in the media were allowed to see.
But I just put the lemon pepper talapia in the oven, and I have 15 minutes to kill, so why not.
The story in tomorrow's papers will center on quarterback Aaron Murray, as it should. Murray seemed reasonably pleased by his performance, and what emerged from his teammates was more of what he'd heard already about him: His command in the huddle.
“I believe it (generally) takes a long time for a brand new quarterback to have everyone around him trust him,” tailback Caleb King said. “I believe he did good today in that aspect. Everybody listened, nobody was talking in the huddle.”
Then again, Murray was going up against the second-team defense. So proceed with caution on how he will perform during actual plays, but continue to be pleased with his intangibles.
- The first-team offensive line apparently opened up some big holes for the tailbacks, and protected Murray well. No surprise there.
But what about the second-team line? Linebacker Darryl Gamble claimed he had about four sacks, and the defense as a whole about twice that. Richt didn't dispute that, but indicated the number was lower. Eh, who knows.
- As for the defense, it sounded like the first-teamers had a pretty good day. The second-teamers, however, were scorched for some big plays. And considering the first-team defense was going against a true freshman quarterback and more backups, I'd say we're still in "incomplete" mode for the defense.
Two quick other notes I couldn't get in previous blogs:
- A.J. Green agan demurred when asked if he'd had his talk with the NCAA.
“Can’t answer that yet," Green said. "Can’t answer that.”
When will he be able to answer that?
“I don’t know," he said. "Whenever Claude gives me the thumbs up.”
(Claude being Claude Felton, the associate athletics director for media relations.)
The very fact that Green answered it that way almost confirms that he was the player in question - a fact that's never quite been confirmed. But again, that doesn't mean Green did anything wrong. His denial wasa pretty strong a couple weeks back that he's never even been to Miami.
- It looks more and more like two freshmen DBs, Alec Ogletree and Derek Owens, will be factors this year. And maybe not just on special teams. Ogletree had the one pick of Murray in the scrimmage, and Richt said Owens will probably play this year.
But I just put the lemon pepper talapia in the oven, and I have 15 minutes to kill, so why not.
The story in tomorrow's papers will center on quarterback Aaron Murray, as it should. Murray seemed reasonably pleased by his performance, and what emerged from his teammates was more of what he'd heard already about him: His command in the huddle.
“I believe it (generally) takes a long time for a brand new quarterback to have everyone around him trust him,” tailback Caleb King said. “I believe he did good today in that aspect. Everybody listened, nobody was talking in the huddle.”
Then again, Murray was going up against the second-team defense. So proceed with caution on how he will perform during actual plays, but continue to be pleased with his intangibles.
- The first-team offensive line apparently opened up some big holes for the tailbacks, and protected Murray well. No surprise there.
But what about the second-team line? Linebacker Darryl Gamble claimed he had about four sacks, and the defense as a whole about twice that. Richt didn't dispute that, but indicated the number was lower. Eh, who knows.
- As for the defense, it sounded like the first-teamers had a pretty good day. The second-teamers, however, were scorched for some big plays. And considering the first-team defense was going against a true freshman quarterback and more backups, I'd say we're still in "incomplete" mode for the defense.
Two quick other notes I couldn't get in previous blogs:
- A.J. Green agan demurred when asked if he'd had his talk with the NCAA.
“Can’t answer that yet," Green said. "Can’t answer that.”
When will he be able to answer that?
“I don’t know," he said. "Whenever Claude gives me the thumbs up.”
(Claude being Claude Felton, the associate athletics director for media relations.)
The very fact that Green answered it that way almost confirms that he was the player in question - a fact that's never quite been confirmed. But again, that doesn't mean Green did anything wrong. His denial wasa pretty strong a couple weeks back that he's never even been to Miami.
- It looks more and more like two freshmen DBs, Alec Ogletree and Derek Owens, will be factors this year. And maybe not just on special teams. Ogletree had the one pick of Murray in the scrimmage, and Richt said Owens will probably play this year.
Smith, injury news
And now some quick personnel updates before I sit down to crank out the story on the scrimmage for tomorrow's paper.
CB Branden Smith, dealing with what coach Mark Richt has called "academic issues" might be out longer than this week.
“Either end of the week or beginning of next week,” Richt said.
No major injuries resulted from the scrimmage. Players that were held out of the scrimmage:
G Cordy Glenn wasn’t feeling well. He’s been having some cold symptoms.
WR Kris Durham “dinged” his shoulder in Monday’s practice and was also held out, according to Richt.
ILB Marcus Dowtin was also held out after a minor scooter accident, according to Richt.
CB Branden Smith, dealing with what coach Mark Richt has called "academic issues" might be out longer than this week.
“Either end of the week or beginning of next week,” Richt said.
No major injuries resulted from the scrimmage. Players that were held out of the scrimmage:
G Cordy Glenn wasn’t feeling well. He’s been having some cold symptoms.
WR Kris Durham “dinged” his shoulder in Monday’s practice and was also held out, according to Richt.
ILB Marcus Dowtin was also held out after a minor scooter accident, according to Richt.
Richt, stats on the scrimmage
A little more clarity on what transpired at the scrimmage, after hearing from coach Mark Richt.
Quarterback Aaron Murray’s line: 12-21, one pick and two TDs, 237 yards
That included a 63-yarder to Green. Richt said Green’s TDs were a post route, and a short route, dodged the initial defender, and took it the rest of the way.
Richt pronounced himself overall pleased with Murray, especially with his ability to handle pressure. The pick, according to Richt, was a “foolish decision” in the red zone.
“Other than that one play he made a lot of good decisions and good throws,” Richt said. “He has a good command in the huddle and of the system. … We’ve given him a lot of leeway in that regard.”
- Backup quarterback Hutson Mason (going against the second unit) was 9-23 for 78 yards, one pick and one touchdown. His longest completion was for 21 yards.
- Tailbacks Caleb King and Washuan Ealey each had long runs.
- Logan Gray, being closely watched at receiver, had two catches for 45 yards. One of them was a long catch that he made at the 2.
- Marlon Brown also had a good catch in traffic, then fought down close to the end zone.
“He’s preparing himself to become a big part of what we’re doing,” Richt said. “I don’t know if this season he’ll just break out on the scene, but before he leaves here I really think he’ll be one of the focal points of what we do.”
FULL OFFENSIVE STATS
Rushing
Washaun Ealey 5-66
Caleb King 14-63
Carlton Thomas 9-26
Hutson Mason 2-3
Passing
Aaron Murray 12-21, 1 INT and 2 TD, 237 yards
Hutson Mason 9-23, 1 INT and 1 TD, 78 yards
Parker Welch 1-3, 41 yards (to Logan Gray on a go route)
Greg Bingham 0-3
Receiving
A.J. Green 5-141, 2 TD
(“When in doubt, throw it to No. 8,” Richt said.)
Logan Gray 2-45
Carlton Thomas 2-38
Tavares King 2-33
Arthur Lynch 1-3, TD
LE DEFENSE
Defensive stats given to us after the scrimmage:
Akeem Hebron had six tackles, four solo, and a sack.
DeMarcus Dobbs had two tackles, four solo.
Nick Williams had five tackles, three solo.
Christian Robinson had four tackles, three solo and one FF.
Shawn Williams had four tackles, three solo and a sack.
Brandon Boykin and Alec Ogletree each had a pick.
Richt was asked how defensive coordaintor Todd Grantham (who wasn’t available) felt about his defense.
“He felt like there were a couple big plays that were given up that wasn’t good, but overall thought they did a nice job,” Richt said. “We’ve got a ways to go on both sides of the ball really. You just have to remember, like everything A.J. did and Murray did was the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 2 defense. I would say without question our No. 1s whipped our No. 2s. So No. 1 defense also I think did a good job on our No. 2 offense.”
Quarterback Aaron Murray’s line: 12-21, one pick and two TDs, 237 yards
That included a 63-yarder to Green. Richt said Green’s TDs were a post route, and a short route, dodged the initial defender, and took it the rest of the way.
Richt pronounced himself overall pleased with Murray, especially with his ability to handle pressure. The pick, according to Richt, was a “foolish decision” in the red zone.
“Other than that one play he made a lot of good decisions and good throws,” Richt said. “He has a good command in the huddle and of the system. … We’ve given him a lot of leeway in that regard.”
- Backup quarterback Hutson Mason (going against the second unit) was 9-23 for 78 yards, one pick and one touchdown. His longest completion was for 21 yards.
- Tailbacks Caleb King and Washuan Ealey each had long runs.
- Logan Gray, being closely watched at receiver, had two catches for 45 yards. One of them was a long catch that he made at the 2.
- Marlon Brown also had a good catch in traffic, then fought down close to the end zone.
“He’s preparing himself to become a big part of what we’re doing,” Richt said. “I don’t know if this season he’ll just break out on the scene, but before he leaves here I really think he’ll be one of the focal points of what we do.”
FULL OFFENSIVE STATS
Rushing
Washaun Ealey 5-66
Caleb King 14-63
Carlton Thomas 9-26
Hutson Mason 2-3
Passing
Aaron Murray 12-21, 1 INT and 2 TD, 237 yards
Hutson Mason 9-23, 1 INT and 1 TD, 78 yards
Parker Welch 1-3, 41 yards (to Logan Gray on a go route)
Greg Bingham 0-3
Receiving
A.J. Green 5-141, 2 TD
(“When in doubt, throw it to No. 8,” Richt said.)
Logan Gray 2-45
Carlton Thomas 2-38
Tavares King 2-33
Arthur Lynch 1-3, TD
LE DEFENSE
Defensive stats given to us after the scrimmage:
Akeem Hebron had six tackles, four solo, and a sack.
DeMarcus Dobbs had two tackles, four solo.
Nick Williams had five tackles, three solo.
Christian Robinson had four tackles, three solo and one FF.
Shawn Williams had four tackles, three solo and a sack.
Brandon Boykin and Alec Ogletree each had a pick.
Richt was asked how defensive coordaintor Todd Grantham (who wasn’t available) felt about his defense.
“He felt like there were a couple big plays that were given up that wasn’t good, but overall thought they did a nice job,” Richt said. “We’ve got a ways to go on both sides of the ball really. You just have to remember, like everything A.J. did and Murray did was the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 2 defense. I would say without question our No. 1s whipped our No. 2s. So No. 1 defense also I think did a good job on our No. 2 offense.”
Player scrimmage notes
The media wasn't allowed into Tuesday's scrimmage, but based on brief talks with players made available, and pending Mark Richt's news conference, here's what we can glean:
- QB Aaron Murray had a solid outing. The redshirt freshman told us he threw two touchdown passes, both of the long variety and both to A.J. Green.
"I felt more comfortable in the pocket today," Murray said.
- S Alec Ogletree had the interception on Murray.
- Tailbacks Caleb King and Washaun Ealey each had along run.
"Two huge runs," Murray said. "I mean there were some big holes the offensive line gave them. They hit them and were gone."
- LB Darryl Gamble said the defense had about eight total sacks, half of them by Gamble himself.
- Akeem Hebron, who hasn't been much in the conversation at linebacker, had a good scrimmage too.
- QB Aaron Murray had a solid outing. The redshirt freshman told us he threw two touchdown passes, both of the long variety and both to A.J. Green.
"I felt more comfortable in the pocket today," Murray said.
- S Alec Ogletree had the interception on Murray.
- Tailbacks Caleb King and Washaun Ealey each had along run.
"Two huge runs," Murray said. "I mean there were some big holes the offensive line gave them. They hit them and were gone."
- LB Darryl Gamble said the defense had about eight total sacks, half of them by Gamble himself.
- Akeem Hebron, who hasn't been much in the conversation at linebacker, had a good scrimmage too.
Colorado game time moved
The kickoff for the Georgia-Colorado game on Oct. 2 has been shifted back a few hours.
The game will now start at 7 p.m. eastern time, it was announced Tuesday afternoon. It had previously been announced as a 4:30 start.
It will still be televised by Fox Sports Net.
Here's an official explanation the media just got via e-mail:
The change came about after CU’s and the Big 12’s television network partners re-examined an earlier but tentative decision to allow the game to be televised inside an exclusive ABC telecast window.
ABC has only one time slot for a Big 12 Conference game that day, and has already committed to televising the Oklahoma-Texas game in its afternoon window (1:30 p.m. MDT). The kickoff adjustment allows the Colorado-Georgia game to be televised in the later prime time window and afford ABC its full exclusivity in the afternoon.
Translation: Upon further review, FOX decided it really didn't want Georgia-Colorado colliding with the Red River Shootout. (Which normally started at 11 a.m. central time, but has been shifted back to be the prime 3:30 p.m. eastern slot.)
Kind of makes you wonder why they didn't agree to have Georgia-Colorado be a night game in the first place. But oh well, not a huge deal. (Except to those of us who might've liked two nights to party in Boulder.)
The game will now start at 7 p.m. eastern time, it was announced Tuesday afternoon. It had previously been announced as a 4:30 start.
It will still be televised by Fox Sports Net.
Here's an official explanation the media just got via e-mail:
The change came about after CU’s and the Big 12’s television network partners re-examined an earlier but tentative decision to allow the game to be televised inside an exclusive ABC telecast window.
ABC has only one time slot for a Big 12 Conference game that day, and has already committed to televising the Oklahoma-Texas game in its afternoon window (1:30 p.m. MDT). The kickoff adjustment allows the Colorado-Georgia game to be televised in the later prime time window and afford ABC its full exclusivity in the afternoon.
Translation: Upon further review, FOX decided it really didn't want Georgia-Colorado colliding with the Red River Shootout. (Which normally started at 11 a.m. central time, but has been shifted back to be the prime 3:30 p.m. eastern slot.)
Kind of makes you wonder why they didn't agree to have Georgia-Colorado be a night game in the first place. But oh well, not a huge deal. (Except to those of us who might've liked two nights to party in Boulder.)
Glenn, Durham out of scrimmage
Branden Smith's academic issues have apparently carried into another day. The sophomore cornerback/kick returner/occasional offensive weapon was not in uniform Tuesday as Georgia began its first preseason scrimmage.
Not a shock, since coach Mark Richt said it could be till the end of the week until the unspecified issue is resolved.
Meanwhile,starting guard Cordy Glenn was also not participating, wearing a green jersey. We'll have an update on his status later, along with that of reserve tackle AJ Harmon.
Reciver Kris Durham was in the stadium but not participating in the scrimmage for unknown reason. Durham was in a red offense jersey, as opposed to the green non-contact jerseys worn by injured players. But Durham was in shorts and clearly not going to play today. (Durham is coming off a shoulder injury, so it could be a precaution.)
Others previously reported injured and still in green: WR Rantavious Wooten (knee), Quintin Banks (knee), Trinton Sturdivant (knee) and Chad Gloer (hamstring).
Not a shock, since coach Mark Richt said it could be till the end of the week until the unspecified issue is resolved.
Meanwhile,starting guard Cordy Glenn was also not participating, wearing a green jersey. We'll have an update on his status later, along with that of reserve tackle AJ Harmon.
Reciver Kris Durham was in the stadium but not participating in the scrimmage for unknown reason. Durham was in a red offense jersey, as opposed to the green non-contact jerseys worn by injured players. But Durham was in shorts and clearly not going to play today. (Durham is coming off a shoulder injury, so it could be a precaution.)
Others previously reported injured and still in green: WR Rantavious Wooten (knee), Quintin Banks (knee), Trinton Sturdivant (knee) and Chad Gloer (hamstring).
More on Jakar, from afar
Here's my story from this morning on Jakar Hamilton. Please check it out if you get a chance. I'm not one to toot my own horn - mainly because there's never that much to toot - but Hamilton's a good story. (Without my help. And his high school coach has some great quotes.)
I actually covered a few of Hamillton's games in high school, and he stood out as a talent back then - on offense. His high school team, one of the best on its level in South Carolina, didn't like to play guys both ways, so Hamilton only switched to defense in junior college, but even then his coach felt safety was his ultimate destination.
“He’s got great skills,” fellow Georgia safety Baccari Rambo said, in one of the quotes that did not make my story. “He can run, he can tackle, he can catch. He’s a great football player.”
Meantime, Georgia is holding a scrimmage this afternoon. We'll have updates as warranted afterwards, as well as perhaps more word on Branden Smith's status. (The scrimmage is closed to the media.)
I would've weighed in here earlier, but I had to drive to and from Macon to take care of a bit more business. And by the way, would it kill T-Mobile, or anybody, to get some cell phone service between Athens and Macon? Is this just a T-Mobile problem, or does everyone have that issue in that corridor?
Of course it does go to show what a slave to technology we've all become. Without phone service, and with even spotty satellite radio, it was a real boring two hours.
Seriously, what did we ever do in the days of just ... gasp ... terrestrial radio, and maybe some tapes? Did people actually TALK to each other on long rides. (Shudder.)
I actually covered a few of Hamillton's games in high school, and he stood out as a talent back then - on offense. His high school team, one of the best on its level in South Carolina, didn't like to play guys both ways, so Hamilton only switched to defense in junior college, but even then his coach felt safety was his ultimate destination.
“He’s got great skills,” fellow Georgia safety Baccari Rambo said, in one of the quotes that did not make my story. “He can run, he can tackle, he can catch. He’s a great football player.”
Meantime, Georgia is holding a scrimmage this afternoon. We'll have updates as warranted afterwards, as well as perhaps more word on Branden Smith's status. (The scrimmage is closed to the media.)
I would've weighed in here earlier, but I had to drive to and from Macon to take care of a bit more business. And by the way, would it kill T-Mobile, or anybody, to get some cell phone service between Athens and Macon? Is this just a T-Mobile problem, or does everyone have that issue in that corridor?
Of course it does go to show what a slave to technology we've all become. Without phone service, and with even spotty satellite radio, it was a real boring two hours.
Seriously, what did we ever do in the days of just ... gasp ... terrestrial radio, and maybe some tapes? Did people actually TALK to each other on long rides. (Shudder.)
Monday, August 9, 2010
CB Smith has "academic issues"
The headline from Mark Richt’s post-practice media session is that cornerback Branden Smith, a sophomore and possible starter, is missing practice because of academics.
“Branden Smith is working through some academic issues,” Richt said, and left it at that. He repeated that phrase when asked a follow-up.
But the situation does not appear to be long-term. Richt expects the situation to be resolved by the end of this week.
Richt said Smith was the only player dealing with academic issues now.
Otherwise:
- Defensive back Quintin Banks had some swelling in his knee.
Inside linebacker Richard Samuel has a knee injury, the specifics of which Richt didn’t know for sure.
“We think that both of them are more than probable for our first ballgame,” he said. “Quintin’s more day-to-day, and Richard might be more like a week or two.”
- Richt opened by talking about the rain, and felt the offense
“I guess you’ve always gotta be ready for that,” Richt said. “It was like that at Arizona State.”
- Of the morning special teams practice, Richt said he liked the kickoff return unit, to the point he was at first worried the scout team on kickoff coverage wasn’t going very hard. But he changed his mind on watching film.
They didn’t do much field goal stuff. They’ll work on that in Tuesday’s scrimmage.
- Speaking of which, Richt said the scrimmage will involve a lot of situational stuff, like two-minute drills and working out from bad field position.
“I’d like it to be played cleanly. I’d really like for the No. 1 units to perform extremely well. This time of year the No. 1s are usually going up against the No. 2. So I hope the No. 1 offense plays great and I hope the No. 1 offense plays great.”
“Branden Smith is working through some academic issues,” Richt said, and left it at that. He repeated that phrase when asked a follow-up.
But the situation does not appear to be long-term. Richt expects the situation to be resolved by the end of this week.
Richt said Smith was the only player dealing with academic issues now.
Otherwise:
- Defensive back Quintin Banks had some swelling in his knee.
Inside linebacker Richard Samuel has a knee injury, the specifics of which Richt didn’t know for sure.
“We think that both of them are more than probable for our first ballgame,” he said. “Quintin’s more day-to-day, and Richard might be more like a week or two.”
- Richt opened by talking about the rain, and felt the offense
“I guess you’ve always gotta be ready for that,” Richt said. “It was like that at Arizona State.”
- Of the morning special teams practice, Richt said he liked the kickoff return unit, to the point he was at first worried the scout team on kickoff coverage wasn’t going very hard. But he changed his mind on watching film.
They didn’t do much field goal stuff. They’ll work on that in Tuesday’s scrimmage.
- Speaking of which, Richt said the scrimmage will involve a lot of situational stuff, like two-minute drills and working out from bad field position.
“I’d like it to be played cleanly. I’d really like for the No. 1 units to perform extremely well. This time of year the No. 1s are usually going up against the No. 2. So I hope the No. 1 offense plays great and I hope the No. 1 offense plays great.”
Quick practice update
A few notes after taking in the early portion of Georgia's second practice of the day:
- Inside linebacker Richard Samuel (some sort of leg injury) has joined the ranks of the men in green. The reserve junior was biking alongside fellow ILB Akeem Dent (toe surgery) and WR Rantavious Wooten (sprained left knee). We'll have an update on Samuel after practice.
- Defensive end Brandon Wood also has a new injury. He was in a non-contact green jersey, but was working with his unit.
- Reserve senior strong safety Quintin Banks was also sitting out practice, and icing his right leg.
- Just a personal observation on Trinton Sturdivant, who is still in green but working out with the offensive linemen: Sturdivant was limping noticeably going from one drill to another. He appears a long way off from being able to play. But there's still three weeks and change till the opener.
- Walk-on split end Greg Lanier was also in green, but practicing.
- Inside linebacker Richard Samuel (some sort of leg injury) has joined the ranks of the men in green. The reserve junior was biking alongside fellow ILB Akeem Dent (toe surgery) and WR Rantavious Wooten (sprained left knee). We'll have an update on Samuel after practice.
- Defensive end Brandon Wood also has a new injury. He was in a non-contact green jersey, but was working with his unit.
- Reserve senior strong safety Quintin Banks was also sitting out practice, and icing his right leg.
- Just a personal observation on Trinton Sturdivant, who is still in green but working out with the offensive linemen: Sturdivant was limping noticeably going from one drill to another. He appears a long way off from being able to play. But there's still three weeks and change till the opener.
- Walk-on split end Greg Lanier was also in green, but practicing.
The safety rotation
Spoke to a few secondary members after this morning's practice ... And then went to the eye doctor, because my glasses broke over the weekend. Ah, good times.
In any case, sorry I didn't get this to you sooner, but a few quick notes:
- According to the players, here's how the safety rotation is breaking down at practice: Baccari Rambo is shifting between free and strong. When Rambo plays free, he plays alongside Nick Williams. When Rambo is at strong, it's Jakar Hamilton at free safety.
Shawn Williams and Alec Ogletree are also working in there, but it's mainly Rambo, Hamilton and Nick Williams.
"It's mainly us three rotating in," Rambo said.
Rambo has no preference on whether he plays free or safety.
"It's all up to the coaches," he said. "If they tell me to play nose tackle I'll do it."
- Ogletree expects to play, but perhaps more on special teams.
"More than likely I probably won't redshirt. But as far as playing time, I should get enough (for a) freshman," Ogletree said. "But I've pretty much been playing mostly special teams."
- Freshman cornerback Derek Owens appears to be getting a serious look, working with first and second teamers. He credited that in part to staying in Athens over the summer and doing some extra studying.
"Students, players, the players that talk to the coaches, they come to me and tell me, 'The coaches like you,' " Owens said.
In any case, sorry I didn't get this to you sooner, but a few quick notes:
- According to the players, here's how the safety rotation is breaking down at practice: Baccari Rambo is shifting between free and strong. When Rambo plays free, he plays alongside Nick Williams. When Rambo is at strong, it's Jakar Hamilton at free safety.
Shawn Williams and Alec Ogletree are also working in there, but it's mainly Rambo, Hamilton and Nick Williams.
"It's mainly us three rotating in," Rambo said.
Rambo has no preference on whether he plays free or safety.
"It's all up to the coaches," he said. "If they tell me to play nose tackle I'll do it."
- Ogletree expects to play, but perhaps more on special teams.
"More than likely I probably won't redshirt. But as far as playing time, I should get enough (for a) freshman," Ogletree said. "But I've pretty much been playing mostly special teams."
- Freshman cornerback Derek Owens appears to be getting a serious look, working with first and second teamers. He credited that in part to staying in Athens over the summer and doing some extra studying.
"Students, players, the players that talk to the coaches, they come to me and tell me, 'The coaches like you,' " Owens said.
Monday, Monday
Happy second week of practice. Georgia has its first and only two-a-day on Monday, with a morning special teams practice and a full afternoon practice. Both in shells.
We'll hear from coach Mark Richt this evening, after the second practice. Selected defensive players are available after the morning round.
In the meantime, here's a story on Kirby Smart ... wait, why Kirby Smart, you say? Well that's because Alabama's Nick Saban, well you may have heard he can keep his assistants on a bit of a tight leash with the media, so Sunday's media day in Tuscaloosa was a rare chance to catch up on Smart's decision to stay at Alabama rather than come home to Georgia.
Meanwhile, former Georgia defensive end Geno Atkins had a great start to his pro career, if an exhibition game can count. Atkins led Cincinnati with six tackles, and also had a sack, in the NFL Hall of Fame Game against Dallas.
We'll hear from coach Mark Richt this evening, after the second practice. Selected defensive players are available after the morning round.
In the meantime, here's a story on Kirby Smart ... wait, why Kirby Smart, you say? Well that's because Alabama's Nick Saban, well you may have heard he can keep his assistants on a bit of a tight leash with the media, so Sunday's media day in Tuscaloosa was a rare chance to catch up on Smart's decision to stay at Alabama rather than come home to Georgia.
Meanwhile, former Georgia defensive end Geno Atkins had a great start to his pro career, if an exhibition game can count. Atkins led Cincinnati with six tackles, and also had a sack, in the NFL Hall of Fame Game against Dallas.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
What we learned this week
Like the headline says:
1. As far as grasping the offense, Aaron Murray should be ready for the opener. At least ready enough. The coaches have raved about his recall ability so far; in fact Murray has been teaching the true freshmen the offense. So the main issue will remain how ready Murray is from a competitive and ability standpoint.
2. The defense is also on schedule as far as picking up the 3-4, at least according to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. But before we all start anticipating a huge improvement, the ability to recall schemes and plays doesn’t automatically translate to stopping a spread-option drive. So we’ll see.
3. Dexter Morant seems to be a bit indecisive.
4. The receiver picture after A.J. Green is slowly crystallizing. Rantavious Wooten’s injury may cause him to slide back a bit if he’s not ready for the opener. (He’ll miss at least a couple weeks of practice.) Logan Gray and Marlon Brown both drew raves the first week from teammates and coaches, so they’ve helped themselves.
5. Akeem Dent may not miss the opener after all. The senior inside linebacker has been dutifully biking on the side during practice, and his prognosis seems to improve by the day. Still, it remains to be seen how much Dent missing a large chunk of summer practice, if not all of it, will impact the cohesion of the defense.
6. People really don’t like the “Party in the UGA” video.
7. The guys, besides Brandon Boykin, who have a leg up in the secondary: Nick Williams, Shawn Williams, Baccari Rambo and Jakar Hamilton. And the fact they all happen to be safeties means the spot opposite Boykin could be a real issue.
8. At tailback, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey appear headed to a on-field, production-based competition for playing time. Behind them, freshman Ken Malcome has gotten a look, but doesn’t appear to yet have the full confidence of the staff.
9. The true freshmen, other than quarterbacks, who have stood out the most so far: The Ogletree brothers (S Alec and FB Alexander), CB Derek Owens and OT Kenarious Gates.
10. Overall, Richt is very happy with the team’s progress so far.
“Just when you look at the whole week in its entirety I thought it was a very, very good start,” he said after Saturday’s practice.
Not that I would expect him to come out and say, “We stink, this is hopeless, I’m gonna spend the rest of the month golfing.” (Mainly because Richt doesn’t golf.)
But he and the coaches do seem reasonably pleased with how things are going so far.
1. As far as grasping the offense, Aaron Murray should be ready for the opener. At least ready enough. The coaches have raved about his recall ability so far; in fact Murray has been teaching the true freshmen the offense. So the main issue will remain how ready Murray is from a competitive and ability standpoint.
2. The defense is also on schedule as far as picking up the 3-4, at least according to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. But before we all start anticipating a huge improvement, the ability to recall schemes and plays doesn’t automatically translate to stopping a spread-option drive. So we’ll see.
3. Dexter Morant seems to be a bit indecisive.
4. The receiver picture after A.J. Green is slowly crystallizing. Rantavious Wooten’s injury may cause him to slide back a bit if he’s not ready for the opener. (He’ll miss at least a couple weeks of practice.) Logan Gray and Marlon Brown both drew raves the first week from teammates and coaches, so they’ve helped themselves.
5. Akeem Dent may not miss the opener after all. The senior inside linebacker has been dutifully biking on the side during practice, and his prognosis seems to improve by the day. Still, it remains to be seen how much Dent missing a large chunk of summer practice, if not all of it, will impact the cohesion of the defense.
6. People really don’t like the “Party in the UGA” video.
7. The guys, besides Brandon Boykin, who have a leg up in the secondary: Nick Williams, Shawn Williams, Baccari Rambo and Jakar Hamilton. And the fact they all happen to be safeties means the spot opposite Boykin could be a real issue.
8. At tailback, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey appear headed to a on-field, production-based competition for playing time. Behind them, freshman Ken Malcome has gotten a look, but doesn’t appear to yet have the full confidence of the staff.
9. The true freshmen, other than quarterbacks, who have stood out the most so far: The Ogletree brothers (S Alec and FB Alexander), CB Derek Owens and OT Kenarious Gates.
10. Overall, Richt is very happy with the team’s progress so far.
“Just when you look at the whole week in its entirety I thought it was a very, very good start,” he said after Saturday’s practice.
Not that I would expect him to come out and say, “We stink, this is hopeless, I’m gonna spend the rest of the month golfing.” (Mainly because Richt doesn’t golf.)
But he and the coaches do seem reasonably pleased with how things are going so far.
More on the newcomer QBs
We got our first chance to speak with the true freshmen quarterbacks after Saturday’s practice. I had a story in Sunday’s papers on the two walk-ons (Greg Bingham and Parker Welch), but here briefly are thumbnail sketches of what both of them and Hutson Mason had to say.
Mason, the No. 2 quarterback, didn’t expect to be working with the second-teamers at this point, but he called it “an exciting adjustment.”
“It wasn’t something that anybody expected from the day I signed,” Mason said. “But that’s reality. You can’t see the future, you can’t predict anything. I’m excited for the opportunity that I have.”
He said he’s done a lot of homework, trying to master a couple plays every night, and pacing himself in the meeting room. Skill-wise, the 6-foot-3 Mason will depend on his accuracy.
“I don’t have a Mettenberger or a Stafford arm, but I think if I can place it where it’ll need to be place, I’ll be fine,” Mason said.
And yes, he’s had his moments where he’s realized he’s probably going up against future NFL players in practice.
“I get those every day,” he said, smiling. “They bring the heat. That (first-team) defense brings the heat. Sometimes I forget I’m going up against the one defense. I’ve been here for a week, and I’ve been going against the one defense every day.”
How ready would Mason be if he had to go in there right now? He took a deep breath.
“That’s a tough question,” he said. “I’d say I’ve picked it up a lot quicker than expected, but to go into an SEC game right now, in my first week, I’d still think there’s a lot more things I need to work on. Maybe by the end of camp when Sept. 4 gets here maybe I will have taken a few steps forward.”
As for the walk-ons, Saturday was the first time to get their backgrounds. They’re both intriguing, potentially diamond-in-the-rough kind of stories. I'm not saying either of them are ever going to play significantly, but they do have some upside, based on their histories.
Welch was hurt most of his senior year, suffering an ankle sprain in his team’s second game. But he wouldn’t have passed much anyway, since he played in a Wing-T offense.
“We may have thrown the ball 50 times my junior year,” Welch said. “And competing against Hutson Mason here, (his team) threw it sometimes 50 times a game, according to him.”
Welch didn’t have any scholarship offers from any schools, but he said Steve Spurrier also offered him a preferred walk-on spot. But since Welch was “born and raised Red and Black” it was an easy decision.
“(Bobo) said, ‘We feel like we can use you one day, we just need to teach you, you’ve got a lot to learn. And I agree,” Welch said. “I’ve learned so much already, and it’s been overwhelming. I’m getting used to it, and I like it.”
Welch added this:
“A lot of people don’t think this, but coach Bobo is one smart man about football. He knows so much. It’s overwhelming, sitting in those meetings with coach Bobo, I’m like, Wow, I’ve got a lot to learn. But I’m getting used to it. And the more I hang around them and they coach me, I’ll get better.”
The The 6-foot-4 Bingham apparently has a gun, judging by knocking off a receiver’s helmet in Saturday’s practice. (A player whose chin strap wasn’t on.)
But by his own admission, Bingham is raw.
“I think I need to work on everything right now,” he said, then uncorked a laundry list: His throwing motion is too long, more like a baseball pitcher. His footwork was “sloppy.” And reading coverages, which he said was the biggest area of improvement.
“Arm strength is a strength of mine,” Bingham said. “I also think I’m willing to work hard. Very hard, to improve what I need to improve. And right now to play at this level there’s a lot I need to improve on.”
His high school team changed coaches three times while he was there.
“I think the career stats got lost somewhere in the mix,” Bingham said.
Mason pointed out how unusual a situation it was for Welch and Bingham.
“You get walk-ons that come in here, they usually probably don’t get many reps at all. They’re even getting a lot more reps than they expected. … Parker and Greg are doing a great job. We’re all just freshmen trying to learn as much as possible.”
Mason, the No. 2 quarterback, didn’t expect to be working with the second-teamers at this point, but he called it “an exciting adjustment.”
“It wasn’t something that anybody expected from the day I signed,” Mason said. “But that’s reality. You can’t see the future, you can’t predict anything. I’m excited for the opportunity that I have.”
He said he’s done a lot of homework, trying to master a couple plays every night, and pacing himself in the meeting room. Skill-wise, the 6-foot-3 Mason will depend on his accuracy.
“I don’t have a Mettenberger or a Stafford arm, but I think if I can place it where it’ll need to be place, I’ll be fine,” Mason said.
And yes, he’s had his moments where he’s realized he’s probably going up against future NFL players in practice.
“I get those every day,” he said, smiling. “They bring the heat. That (first-team) defense brings the heat. Sometimes I forget I’m going up against the one defense. I’ve been here for a week, and I’ve been going against the one defense every day.”
How ready would Mason be if he had to go in there right now? He took a deep breath.
“That’s a tough question,” he said. “I’d say I’ve picked it up a lot quicker than expected, but to go into an SEC game right now, in my first week, I’d still think there’s a lot more things I need to work on. Maybe by the end of camp when Sept. 4 gets here maybe I will have taken a few steps forward.”
As for the walk-ons, Saturday was the first time to get their backgrounds. They’re both intriguing, potentially diamond-in-the-rough kind of stories. I'm not saying either of them are ever going to play significantly, but they do have some upside, based on their histories.
Welch was hurt most of his senior year, suffering an ankle sprain in his team’s second game. But he wouldn’t have passed much anyway, since he played in a Wing-T offense.
“We may have thrown the ball 50 times my junior year,” Welch said. “And competing against Hutson Mason here, (his team) threw it sometimes 50 times a game, according to him.”
Welch didn’t have any scholarship offers from any schools, but he said Steve Spurrier also offered him a preferred walk-on spot. But since Welch was “born and raised Red and Black” it was an easy decision.
“(Bobo) said, ‘We feel like we can use you one day, we just need to teach you, you’ve got a lot to learn. And I agree,” Welch said. “I’ve learned so much already, and it’s been overwhelming. I’m getting used to it, and I like it.”
Welch added this:
“A lot of people don’t think this, but coach Bobo is one smart man about football. He knows so much. It’s overwhelming, sitting in those meetings with coach Bobo, I’m like, Wow, I’ve got a lot to learn. But I’m getting used to it. And the more I hang around them and they coach me, I’ll get better.”
The The 6-foot-4 Bingham apparently has a gun, judging by knocking off a receiver’s helmet in Saturday’s practice. (A player whose chin strap wasn’t on.)
But by his own admission, Bingham is raw.
“I think I need to work on everything right now,” he said, then uncorked a laundry list: His throwing motion is too long, more like a baseball pitcher. His footwork was “sloppy.” And reading coverages, which he said was the biggest area of improvement.
“Arm strength is a strength of mine,” Bingham said. “I also think I’m willing to work hard. Very hard, to improve what I need to improve. And right now to play at this level there’s a lot I need to improve on.”
His high school team changed coaches three times while he was there.
“I think the career stats got lost somewhere in the mix,” Bingham said.
Mason pointed out how unusual a situation it was for Welch and Bingham.
“You get walk-ons that come in here, they usually probably don’t get many reps at all. They’re even getting a lot more reps than they expected. … Parker and Greg are doing a great job. We’re all just freshmen trying to learn as much as possible.”
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Injury updates
Coach Mark Richt is getting more optimistic about linebacker Akeem Dent being able to play in the season opener.
Dent recently had stitches taken out of his toe, which required surgery in July. The senior, who is considered the leader of the defense, has not been practicing.
But Richt said after Saturday’s practice that Dent playing on Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette was a “pretty good shot” and “fairly realistic.”
The same goes for receiver Rantavious Wooten, who suffered a left knee sprain on Thursday. It will not require surgery, according to Richt, who expects Wooten to be out “a couple weeks.”
Dent recently had stitches taken out of his toe, which required surgery in July. The senior, who is considered the leader of the defense, has not been practicing.
But Richt said after Saturday’s practice that Dent playing on Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette was a “pretty good shot” and “fairly realistic.”
The same goes for receiver Rantavious Wooten, who suffered a left knee sprain on Thursday. It will not require surgery, according to Richt, who expects Wooten to be out “a couple weeks.”
Morant returns
Dexter Morant's retirement from the Georgia football program just didn't take.
The freshman defensive player returned to the team Friday night, after telling coach Mark Richt on Tuesday that he was quitting.
"We have a new member of the team. His name's Dexter Morant," Richt said after Saturday's practice.
Richt said Morant called him Friday to say he'd made a mistake, and Richt spoke to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the team's seniors, who agreed to let him come back.
"Nobody wanted him to make a decision like that and have it really affect the rest of his life in a negative way," Richt said.
Morant made several trips to and from his hometown of Manning, S.C., since camp started, before finally asking to come back.
The natural, next question might be what to expect in the future from a player who has this many changes of heart. Richt answered it before the question could even be asked.
"It kind of reminds me of a former Georgia player who I think it was during the (Vince) Dooley era, I was told, he went home six times and coach Dooley sent an assistant coach to get him six different times (and) bring him back," Richt said. "He ended up being an All-American and played in a Super Bowl. I'm not gonna name names, but there's a lot of that. That kind of stuff's been going on for years, but nowadays that kind of thing gets more scrutinized than in the past."
Morant, who is 6-foot-7, is being worked at outside linebacker and defensive end. He was at Saturday's practice, but didn't participate in full contact.
Richt said the news "wasn't shocking" given that he'd heard Morant had called several teammates, saying he regretted leaving.
The freshman defensive player returned to the team Friday night, after telling coach Mark Richt on Tuesday that he was quitting.
"We have a new member of the team. His name's Dexter Morant," Richt said after Saturday's practice.
Richt said Morant called him Friday to say he'd made a mistake, and Richt spoke to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the team's seniors, who agreed to let him come back.
"Nobody wanted him to make a decision like that and have it really affect the rest of his life in a negative way," Richt said.
Morant made several trips to and from his hometown of Manning, S.C., since camp started, before finally asking to come back.
The natural, next question might be what to expect in the future from a player who has this many changes of heart. Richt answered it before the question could even be asked.
"It kind of reminds me of a former Georgia player who I think it was during the (Vince) Dooley era, I was told, he went home six times and coach Dooley sent an assistant coach to get him six different times (and) bring him back," Richt said. "He ended up being an All-American and played in a Super Bowl. I'm not gonna name names, but there's a lot of that. That kind of stuff's been going on for years, but nowadays that kind of thing gets more scrutinized than in the past."
Morant, who is 6-foot-7, is being worked at outside linebacker and defensive end. He was at Saturday's practice, but didn't participate in full contact.
Richt said the news "wasn't shocking" given that he'd heard Morant had called several teammates, saying he regretted leaving.
Saturday afternoon empty thoughts
While we wait for practice to finish, allow me to do some housekeeping. Actually, I could stand to do some literal housekeeping, as I've still got boxes to unpack and rooms to organize in my new house. But I mean the blog, Georgia football-beat kind of housekeeping.
It's been a whirlwind first week, and I apologize for not being able to answer all your questions on the blog. In the future I'm going to try to answer every one I can, but this week it's been tough.
So, in no particular order, a few answers to a few questions that have been posted, as well as a few comments I may be repeating, but hey, it's my blog:
- I do appreciate all the kind words, as well as the constructive criticism. I will always welcome both.
- I know a few of you miss the movie and TV comments that were a staple of this blog. Believe me, I'll be getting to that. So far I've just been trying to get situated, both at work and at home.
But allow me to ask this: I'm catching up on the third season of "Mad Men," which is undeniably good, but I understand that I really need to get to "Breaking Bad," while a few of you have also affirmed my curiosity in "Battlestar Galactica." Sadly, however, I only have one Netflix subscription. So if anybody out there has an opinion on how I should prioritize things, I'm all ears.
- A couple people have complained about a lack of opinions, or other insight, so far. Allow me to remind you - not to be a broken, broken, broken, broken record - but it's my first week. I felt it was important to get the lay of the land, and take stock of things, talk to players, coaches, staff members and so on, and start forming opinions and making analysis from there.
It would be irresponsible to come in here flaming and throwing out ill-informed opinions right away.
- Did I, in fact, quote the early 90s hair group "Nelson" by titling a Friday blog post "After the rain"? ... Yes, sadly, that might have been the inspiration. I never claimed to be perfect.
- To "Anonymous" and his very long posts ... Whatever makes you happy.
That's all I have for now, and I'm sure I missed a few other questions. But keep firing away.
It's been a whirlwind first week, and I apologize for not being able to answer all your questions on the blog. In the future I'm going to try to answer every one I can, but this week it's been tough.
So, in no particular order, a few answers to a few questions that have been posted, as well as a few comments I may be repeating, but hey, it's my blog:
- I do appreciate all the kind words, as well as the constructive criticism. I will always welcome both.
- I know a few of you miss the movie and TV comments that were a staple of this blog. Believe me, I'll be getting to that. So far I've just been trying to get situated, both at work and at home.
But allow me to ask this: I'm catching up on the third season of "Mad Men," which is undeniably good, but I understand that I really need to get to "Breaking Bad," while a few of you have also affirmed my curiosity in "Battlestar Galactica." Sadly, however, I only have one Netflix subscription. So if anybody out there has an opinion on how I should prioritize things, I'm all ears.
- A couple people have complained about a lack of opinions, or other insight, so far. Allow me to remind you - not to be a broken, broken, broken, broken record - but it's my first week. I felt it was important to get the lay of the land, and take stock of things, talk to players, coaches, staff members and so on, and start forming opinions and making analysis from there.
It would be irresponsible to come in here flaming and throwing out ill-informed opinions right away.
- Did I, in fact, quote the early 90s hair group "Nelson" by titling a Friday blog post "After the rain"? ... Yes, sadly, that might have been the inspiration. I never claimed to be perfect.
- To "Anonymous" and his very long posts ... Whatever makes you happy.
That's all I have for now, and I'm sure I missed a few other questions. But keep firing away.
Wooten hurt, walk-on QB firing hard
Some practice news from a cooler, but still hot Saturday afternoon in Athens.
- WR Rontavious Wooten has some sort of left knee injury. He was wearing a brace on the knee, and was in a green jersey, sitting out practice and biking next to Akeem Dent. We'll update Wooten's status after practice, when we speak to Mark Richt.
- Offensive lineman Tanner Strickland (shoulder) was back in full contact mode, after wearing a green jersey this week. Senior cornerback Chad Gloer (hamstring) was still in green.
- I can't remember seeing this before: A pass by walk-on QB Greg Bingham literally knocked the helmet off WR Israel Troupe. That drew a few laughs. Troupe apparently didn't have his helmet strapped up when he went out to take the pass. We'll ask Bingham later what kind of mustard he put on it.
More from Richt, et al, in an hour or so.
- WR Rontavious Wooten has some sort of left knee injury. He was wearing a brace on the knee, and was in a green jersey, sitting out practice and biking next to Akeem Dent. We'll update Wooten's status after practice, when we speak to Mark Richt.
- Offensive lineman Tanner Strickland (shoulder) was back in full contact mode, after wearing a green jersey this week. Senior cornerback Chad Gloer (hamstring) was still in green.
- I can't remember seeing this before: A pass by walk-on QB Greg Bingham literally knocked the helmet off WR Israel Troupe. That drew a few laughs. Troupe apparently didn't have his helmet strapped up when he went out to take the pass. We'll ask Bingham later what kind of mustard he put on it.
More from Richt, et al, in an hour or so.
Friday, August 6, 2010
After the rain ...
Longer day than usual here at the football complex, thanks to a big thunderstorm that forced the team indoors for an hour. And they weren't practicing, they just waited, returning after the wait to finish up their fifth preseason practice.
No Mark Richt media availability today, but we did get the two coordinators. The nuts and bolts from each of them:
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham:
- He likes the progress the players are making in picking up the new system.
"I think the guys have really bought into what we're doing."
They're going to "re-install" a lot of stuff starting with Saturday's practice. The way Grantham explained it, basically they're re-teaching a lot of the stuff they started with in spring practice, and this past Monday, as a way of sort of hammering home the plays and schemes.
- Freshmen that Grantham says have stood out: Cornerback Derek Owens (whom Richt has praised too), safety Alec Ogletree (another guy Richt has praised twice) and linebacker Demetre Baker.
- Positions that are up for grabs: Outside linebacker (Darryl Gamble is pushing Cornelius Washington), both safety spots (Nick Williams, Jakar Hamilton and Baccari Rambo are playing well, according to Grantham) and cornerback.
The latter position is an interesting one to watch. Grantham said three corners will play, whether it's two spots or against three-wide sets. (Grantham didn't name which specific corners.)
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo (who had a little less time to talk, but also has less issues and position battles):
- He's "really pleased" with freshman QB Hutson Mason, who continues to pick up things quickly.
- Offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant, coming back from two knee surgeries, has had limited reps, but has looked good when he's been out there.
- Freshman RB Ken Malcome, who's alternating at second team, is still learning plays but is "showing signs of being able to be elusive," and Bobo said it'll be interesting to see how he finishes runs during live drills.
- Marlon Brown is one of the better blocking receivers and has overall done well. "He has a bright future," Bobo said.
No Mark Richt media availability today, but we did get the two coordinators. The nuts and bolts from each of them:
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham:
- He likes the progress the players are making in picking up the new system.
"I think the guys have really bought into what we're doing."
They're going to "re-install" a lot of stuff starting with Saturday's practice. The way Grantham explained it, basically they're re-teaching a lot of the stuff they started with in spring practice, and this past Monday, as a way of sort of hammering home the plays and schemes.
- Freshmen that Grantham says have stood out: Cornerback Derek Owens (whom Richt has praised too), safety Alec Ogletree (another guy Richt has praised twice) and linebacker Demetre Baker.
- Positions that are up for grabs: Outside linebacker (Darryl Gamble is pushing Cornelius Washington), both safety spots (Nick Williams, Jakar Hamilton and Baccari Rambo are playing well, according to Grantham) and cornerback.
The latter position is an interesting one to watch. Grantham said three corners will play, whether it's two spots or against three-wide sets. (Grantham didn't name which specific corners.)
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo (who had a little less time to talk, but also has less issues and position battles):
- He's "really pleased" with freshman QB Hutson Mason, who continues to pick up things quickly.
- Offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant, coming back from two knee surgeries, has had limited reps, but has looked good when he's been out there.
- Freshman RB Ken Malcome, who's alternating at second team, is still learning plays but is "showing signs of being able to be elusive," and Bobo said it'll be interesting to see how he finishes runs during live drills.
- Marlon Brown is one of the better blocking receivers and has overall done well. "He has a bright future," Bobo said.
Wary of trying to be like Ware? Nope
The name DeMarcus keeps popping up these days around the Georgia football team complex. And not just in relation to defensive end Demarcus Dobbs.
It’s DeMarcus Ware who’s on the lips of a lot of defensive players, especially the outside linebackers. Not surprising, since the NFL Pro Bowler flourished in the 3-4 system of the Dallas Cowboys, and Todd Grantham is installing that system at Georgia.
Darryl Gamble has been watching a lot of Ware film, as he tries to pick up the new system. He loves the increased freedom: Gamble said he will go from blitzing three or four times a game to maybe two in a set of downs.
Justin Houston, slated to go at the other outside linebacker spot, has also taken in a lot of that film.
“He’s always watching that DeMarcus Ware film in there, getting tips and everything off that,” said Dobbs, a defensive end. “I think all them guys at outside linebacker, including Darry Gamble moving from inside linebacker to outside, they have a slight swagger about themselves.”
But with all this excitement over trying to be like Ware – who had 11 sacks last year – you might wonder whether there could be a drawback.
Not according to Grantham.
He was asked earlier this week if there was any danger in the players trying to emulate Ware, who after all is bigger, faster and more talented than them, as well as arguably anybody else in the pros.
“Naw, if they can play that good we’ll all be better,” Grantham said with a wide grin.
Then he turned serious. The reason he feels so comfortable using Ware as an example is that Ware – along with his Cowboy teammates – ran the system right, and didn’t just rely on their superior talent.
“We’ve got it broken down where they kind of watching their technique, here’s how the guy did it,” Grantham said. “You can watch a guy who’s a pro bowl player, you know playing with technique. To me, that’s something there. You’re talking about a guy who’s one of the highest-paid players in the National Football League, and you see him in drills, or you see him on tape doing it, then I should do it that way too. So from that aspect of it I think it’s a good thing.”
It’s DeMarcus Ware who’s on the lips of a lot of defensive players, especially the outside linebackers. Not surprising, since the NFL Pro Bowler flourished in the 3-4 system of the Dallas Cowboys, and Todd Grantham is installing that system at Georgia.
Darryl Gamble has been watching a lot of Ware film, as he tries to pick up the new system. He loves the increased freedom: Gamble said he will go from blitzing three or four times a game to maybe two in a set of downs.
Justin Houston, slated to go at the other outside linebacker spot, has also taken in a lot of that film.
“He’s always watching that DeMarcus Ware film in there, getting tips and everything off that,” said Dobbs, a defensive end. “I think all them guys at outside linebacker, including Darry Gamble moving from inside linebacker to outside, they have a slight swagger about themselves.”
But with all this excitement over trying to be like Ware – who had 11 sacks last year – you might wonder whether there could be a drawback.
Not according to Grantham.
He was asked earlier this week if there was any danger in the players trying to emulate Ware, who after all is bigger, faster and more talented than them, as well as arguably anybody else in the pros.
“Naw, if they can play that good we’ll all be better,” Grantham said with a wide grin.
Then he turned serious. The reason he feels so comfortable using Ware as an example is that Ware – along with his Cowboy teammates – ran the system right, and didn’t just rely on their superior talent.
“We’ve got it broken down where they kind of watching their technique, here’s how the guy did it,” Grantham said. “You can watch a guy who’s a pro bowl player, you know playing with technique. To me, that’s something there. You’re talking about a guy who’s one of the highest-paid players in the National Football League, and you see him in drills, or you see him on tape doing it, then I should do it that way too. So from that aspect of it I think it’s a good thing.”
Coaches poll out
The first (meaningful) poll of the 2010 football season is out, and it gives Georgia reason to feel good, but also antsy.
The Bulldogs come in at No. 21 in the USA Today coaches poll, which came out early Friday morning.
Georgia released a statement from coach Mark Richt:
"It's always good to be ranked and it's a starting point for us. Hopefully,
we'll play good enough to merit moving up in the poll as the season moves
along."
It's the ninth straight year Georgia has been ranked in the preseason poll, but the lowest it has been since 2001, Mark Richt's first year, when the Bulldogs were unranked.
The Bulldogs' preseason rank through the years:
2009: 13
2008: 1
2007: 13
2006: 14
2005: 13
2004: 4
2003: 9
2002: 11
2001: NR
2000: 11
1999: 13
1998: 13
1997: 25
Florida comes in at No. 3 in the poll, while Alabama, as expected, is first. But to me the next three SEC teams, all from the West, are a bit of surprise: No. 16 LSU, No. 19 Arkansas and No. 23 Auburn. So the coaches are giving LSU a bit more love than the media did down in Hoover.
Interestingly, while South Carolina was one point away from Georgia in that media vote, the Gamecocks did not make the top 25. (They were 35th, behind even Mississippi, picked to finish near the bottom of the West.)
The Bulldogs come in at No. 21 in the USA Today coaches poll, which came out early Friday morning.
Georgia released a statement from coach Mark Richt:
"It's always good to be ranked and it's a starting point for us. Hopefully,
we'll play good enough to merit moving up in the poll as the season moves
along."
It's the ninth straight year Georgia has been ranked in the preseason poll, but the lowest it has been since 2001, Mark Richt's first year, when the Bulldogs were unranked.
The Bulldogs' preseason rank through the years:
2009: 13
2008: 1
2007: 13
2006: 14
2005: 13
2004: 4
2003: 9
2002: 11
2001: NR
2000: 11
1999: 13
1998: 13
1997: 25
Florida comes in at No. 3 in the poll, while Alabama, as expected, is first. But to me the next three SEC teams, all from the West, are a bit of surprise: No. 16 LSU, No. 19 Arkansas and No. 23 Auburn. So the coaches are giving LSU a bit more love than the media did down in Hoover.
Interestingly, while South Carolina was one point away from Georgia in that media vote, the Gamecocks did not make the top 25. (They were 35th, behind even Mississippi, picked to finish near the bottom of the West.)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
McGarity officially applies
It shouldn’t surprise a soul that Greg McGarity, the Florida associate athletics director, has applied for the A.D. job at Georgia, his alma mater. He confirmed that to be the case on Thursday.
"I'm just going through the process," McGarity said when reached at home Thursday night.
Understandably, that was about as much as he wanted to say.
McGarity's application was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which obtained the names of 49 applications through an Open Records Act request. (Obviously from a competitor’s standpoint it’s not easy to write that. But beyond it being my fourth day, you also have to give credit where it’s due.)
McGarity, also an Athens native, wrote in a cover letter to Georgia’s administration that he looked “forward to having the opportunity to compete for this position.”
"I'm just going through the process," McGarity said when reached at home Thursday night.
Understandably, that was about as much as he wanted to say.
McGarity's application was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which obtained the names of 49 applications through an Open Records Act request. (Obviously from a competitor’s standpoint it’s not easy to write that. But beyond it being my fourth day, you also have to give credit where it’s due.)
McGarity, also an Athens native, wrote in a cover letter to Georgia’s administration that he looked “forward to having the opportunity to compete for this position.”
This and that
Some more notes from Mark Richt after Thursday’s practice:
- Freshman offensive lineman Kenariouos Gates sat out Thursday’s practice with cramps, which he incurred at the end of Wednesday’s practice.
- Richt had more praise for the Ogletree brothers, or the two “Trees” as Richt called them. Of Alec, a safety, Richt said you could see had a sense of balance, and “when to strike” from the safety position. Alexander Ogletree is at fullback. Richt called him a “quick study.”
“They’re kind of how they’ve been advertised,” Richt said. “Just good, hard-nosed football players.”
- Freshman cornerback Derek Owens has looked good so far, and unafraid.
“He’s still got a lot to learn and is vulnerable to getting beat, because he’s aggressive,” Richt said.
- No players have switched positions yet. The staff is trying to get everything installed, then could make some moves if they see fit.
- Thursday was the hottest day of a hot week, and it showed near the end of practice.
“The heat jumped on us a bit today,” Richt said, going on to say that a few guys appeared to be giving in to the weather near the end of practice.
“But it’s tough to maintain the tempo and energy that we’ve had every day to this point, especially in this heat,” Richt said.
- Freshman offensive lineman Kenariouos Gates sat out Thursday’s practice with cramps, which he incurred at the end of Wednesday’s practice.
- Richt had more praise for the Ogletree brothers, or the two “Trees” as Richt called them. Of Alec, a safety, Richt said you could see had a sense of balance, and “when to strike” from the safety position. Alexander Ogletree is at fullback. Richt called him a “quick study.”
“They’re kind of how they’ve been advertised,” Richt said. “Just good, hard-nosed football players.”
- Freshman cornerback Derek Owens has looked good so far, and unafraid.
“He’s still got a lot to learn and is vulnerable to getting beat, because he’s aggressive,” Richt said.
- No players have switched positions yet. The staff is trying to get everything installed, then could make some moves if they see fit.
- Thursday was the hottest day of a hot week, and it showed near the end of practice.
“The heat jumped on us a bit today,” Richt said, going on to say that a few guys appeared to be giving in to the weather near the end of practice.
“But it’s tough to maintain the tempo and energy that we’ve had every day to this point, especially in this heat,” Richt said.
Will Hutson Mason play?
A lot of discussion after Thursday's practice revolved around true freshman quarterback Hutson Mason, currently the backup to Aaron Murray. How has Mason looked so far? Will he play if something happens to Murray?
For starters, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Mason has picked up things pretty well so far.
“Not many true freshmen can jump in a huddle and call the plays and make the checks at the line of scrimmage, and do it with an amount of confidence and execution,” Richt said. “If you measure it as a true freshman, it’s (pretty good), if you measured it as a veteran, you’d say, ‘Why’d he do that?’”
I asked Richt whether they’d still try to avoid burning Hutson Mason’s redshirt.
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do yet,” Richt said. It’s just so early. I don’t know what we’re going to do yet.”
This obviously will be a developing situation. It comes down to whether – if necessary – the team wants to play Mason, who’s been getting the backup reps, and burn his redshirt, or go to Logan Gray, who isn’t getting any reps at the moment, but has the experience.
“We just wanna get him as ready as possible, and if God forbid something happened to Aaron and we had to go to a second guy, we’d have to gauge what (would be the better option),” Richt said. “I just don’t know what would be the best at this point. It would just depend on how far (Mason) progresses as we go. I hope we don’t have to worry about that.”
Meanwhile Gray is having a good camp so far by all accounts, with Richt being the latest to add to the praise.
“I’m just impressed that he’s this far along, this quickly. He seemed to catch the ball pretty well. He hasn’t been afraid to block,” Richt said. “I think there’s a definite advantage of really understanding the offensive system from the quarterback’s perspective.”
How long could Gray go not getting reps at quarterback and then go back in there?
“If it happened just midseason and there was an emergency situation, and we had to throw him in there, and he hadn’t thrown a ball, it’d probably be tough,” Richt said.
For starters, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Mason has picked up things pretty well so far.
“Not many true freshmen can jump in a huddle and call the plays and make the checks at the line of scrimmage, and do it with an amount of confidence and execution,” Richt said. “If you measure it as a true freshman, it’s (pretty good), if you measured it as a veteran, you’d say, ‘Why’d he do that?’”
I asked Richt whether they’d still try to avoid burning Hutson Mason’s redshirt.
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do yet,” Richt said. It’s just so early. I don’t know what we’re going to do yet.”
This obviously will be a developing situation. It comes down to whether – if necessary – the team wants to play Mason, who’s been getting the backup reps, and burn his redshirt, or go to Logan Gray, who isn’t getting any reps at the moment, but has the experience.
“We just wanna get him as ready as possible, and if God forbid something happened to Aaron and we had to go to a second guy, we’d have to gauge what (would be the better option),” Richt said. “I just don’t know what would be the best at this point. It would just depend on how far (Mason) progresses as we go. I hope we don’t have to worry about that.”
Meanwhile Gray is having a good camp so far by all accounts, with Richt being the latest to add to the praise.
“I’m just impressed that he’s this far along, this quickly. He seemed to catch the ball pretty well. He hasn’t been afraid to block,” Richt said. “I think there’s a definite advantage of really understanding the offensive system from the quarterback’s perspective.”
How long could Gray go not getting reps at quarterback and then go back in there?
“If it happened just midseason and there was an emergency situation, and we had to throw him in there, and he hadn’t thrown a ball, it’d probably be tough,” Richt said.
Party in the UGA
Uh oh, the "Party in the UGA" video is now hitting the Huffington Post.
Here's a link.
Coach Mark Richt, who makes about a two-second cameo on the video, was asked about it after Wednesday's practice. That led to thee revelation that Richt had also filmed a cameo in another video, some take on Ghostbusters, the details of which were not clear. Confusion abounded in the room. Eh, it happens.
Anyway, you can see the "Party in the UGA" video - which Huffington Post called "cringe worth" - on the above link.
By the way, who is this Miley Cyrus everyone is talking about?
(Kidding.)
Here's a link.
Coach Mark Richt, who makes about a two-second cameo on the video, was asked about it after Wednesday's practice. That led to thee revelation that Richt had also filmed a cameo in another video, some take on Ghostbusters, the details of which were not clear. Confusion abounded in the room. Eh, it happens.
Anyway, you can see the "Party in the UGA" video - which Huffington Post called "cringe worth" - on the above link.
By the way, who is this Miley Cyrus everyone is talking about?
(Kidding.)
Coaches APR released
The NCAA on Thursday released the APR for coaches of six sports at Division I schools ... OK, I may have lost you already. Here's what you need to know:
APR is Academic Progress Rate, which the NCAA has been using as a measure to determine whether programs are retaining and keeping athletes eligible. If they're not over a consistent period of time, the program loses scholarships, or worse.
This latest release tracks specific coaches, not the programs. For instance, Georgia men's basketball coach Mark Fox is tracked during his years at Nevada and the last month or so of the 2008-09 school year, after he was hired as Georgia's coach. Whether it's fair or not, the NCAA included such figures, since they were overseeing the program at the tail end of the spring semester.
(Figures for the 2009-10 school year are not available yet.)
There are no specific ramifications for these coaches' figures. It's just a way of holding the coaches accountable. To that end, you can look at the table and see whether a coach has had his team's APR above or below the national average each year.
In Fox's case, it makes it very complicated, since it lists both the APR for the 2008-09 school year at both Nevada (938) and Georgia (980). But for the four complete seasons he was at Nevada, his teams were above the average national APR three times.
Got all that? It's OK if you don't.
As for Mark Richt, since he's entering his 10th year at Georgia, the figures are basically just a rehash. For the six full seasons that APR has been measured, Richt's teams have been above the national average - in some cases well above the average - all six years.
APR is Academic Progress Rate, which the NCAA has been using as a measure to determine whether programs are retaining and keeping athletes eligible. If they're not over a consistent period of time, the program loses scholarships, or worse.
This latest release tracks specific coaches, not the programs. For instance, Georgia men's basketball coach Mark Fox is tracked during his years at Nevada and the last month or so of the 2008-09 school year, after he was hired as Georgia's coach. Whether it's fair or not, the NCAA included such figures, since they were overseeing the program at the tail end of the spring semester.
(Figures for the 2009-10 school year are not available yet.)
There are no specific ramifications for these coaches' figures. It's just a way of holding the coaches accountable. To that end, you can look at the table and see whether a coach has had his team's APR above or below the national average each year.
In Fox's case, it makes it very complicated, since it lists both the APR for the 2008-09 school year at both Nevada (938) and Georgia (980). But for the four complete seasons he was at Nevada, his teams were above the average national APR three times.
Got all that? It's OK if you don't.
As for Mark Richt, since he's entering his 10th year at Georgia, the figures are basically just a rehash. For the six full seasons that APR has been measured, Richt's teams have been above the national average - in some cases well above the average - all six years.
A Bulldog from Bahs-ton
Arthur Lynch has the distinction of being the only New Englander on scholarship for the Georgia football team. The tight end has the accent to prove it, with R’s coming out H’s.
For instance, it’s “No-mah” Garciaparra. Not Nomar.
“An H at the end,” Lynch said of his favorite player as a kid. “I had a shirt growing up that said ‘N-O-M-A-H.”
New England-ese can seem like a different language, as center Ben Jones, a proud Alabaman, discovered last year – in spoken and written form.
“I didn’t have a clue what he was saying,” Jones said. “And he would send me text messages and he would spell things, and I would be like, What is he talking about?”
Lynch is from Dartmouth, Mass., which is about an hour from Boston. Around campus, a lot of people actually assume Lynch is from New Jersey.
“They talk about ‘Jersey Shore’ a lot,” Lynch said, alluding to the notorious MTV show where the Jersey stereotypes are played up quite a bit.
“It’s funny, I have friends who are into all that thing, people I grew up with. People are like, ‘Oh those people can’t be real.’ And I’m like, ‘They’re out there.’ I went to school with some.”
The reverse is also true: When Lynch goes home, he has to clear up some misconceptions about what the deep South is like.
“Everyone thinks there’s no cities, it’s all country, people just hunt all the time,” Lynch said. But he’s discovered that at heart we’re not all that different.
“People are generally the same,” he said. “Definitely people are more polite down here, and up north people are more direct. Go where you need to go. But people are people.”
There can be a class of cultures, however, as both parties learned when Lynch stopped at Jones’ house in Alabama on the way back from the Independence Bowl.
“It was a lot different than he’s used to,” Jones said. “You get to my place and we have one red light in town and live out on a 500-acre farm.”
Ben Jones, incidentally, was also the name of the actor that played “Cooter” on “Dukes of Hazzard.”
Just sayin’.
Lynch grew up a Red Sox fan, like pretty much everyone up there. (It’s not absolutely everybody. Believe it or not, a writer I knew on the South Carolina beat was from New Hampshire, with a thick-as-can-be New England accent, but he was a Yankees fan.)
Of course there are a lot more Red Sox fans these days, the bandwagon effect after the 2004 and 2007 titles. Lynch, who along with his family suffered through the bad times, related it to his current team.
“Say we go out and win the national championship: The naysayers from last year are gonna be like, ‘Georgia’s the best team.’ That’s just how it goes, it’s just sports,” Lynch said.
For instance, it’s “No-mah” Garciaparra. Not Nomar.
“An H at the end,” Lynch said of his favorite player as a kid. “I had a shirt growing up that said ‘N-O-M-A-H.”
New England-ese can seem like a different language, as center Ben Jones, a proud Alabaman, discovered last year – in spoken and written form.
“I didn’t have a clue what he was saying,” Jones said. “And he would send me text messages and he would spell things, and I would be like, What is he talking about?”
Lynch is from Dartmouth, Mass., which is about an hour from Boston. Around campus, a lot of people actually assume Lynch is from New Jersey.
“They talk about ‘Jersey Shore’ a lot,” Lynch said, alluding to the notorious MTV show where the Jersey stereotypes are played up quite a bit.
“It’s funny, I have friends who are into all that thing, people I grew up with. People are like, ‘Oh those people can’t be real.’ And I’m like, ‘They’re out there.’ I went to school with some.”
The reverse is also true: When Lynch goes home, he has to clear up some misconceptions about what the deep South is like.
“Everyone thinks there’s no cities, it’s all country, people just hunt all the time,” Lynch said. But he’s discovered that at heart we’re not all that different.
“People are generally the same,” he said. “Definitely people are more polite down here, and up north people are more direct. Go where you need to go. But people are people.”
There can be a class of cultures, however, as both parties learned when Lynch stopped at Jones’ house in Alabama on the way back from the Independence Bowl.
“It was a lot different than he’s used to,” Jones said. “You get to my place and we have one red light in town and live out on a 500-acre farm.”
Ben Jones, incidentally, was also the name of the actor that played “Cooter” on “Dukes of Hazzard.”
Just sayin’.
Lynch grew up a Red Sox fan, like pretty much everyone up there. (It’s not absolutely everybody. Believe it or not, a writer I knew on the South Carolina beat was from New Hampshire, with a thick-as-can-be New England accent, but he was a Yankees fan.)
Of course there are a lot more Red Sox fans these days, the bandwagon effect after the 2004 and 2007 titles. Lynch, who along with his family suffered through the bad times, related it to his current team.
“Say we go out and win the national championship: The naysayers from last year are gonna be like, ‘Georgia’s the best team.’ That’s just how it goes, it’s just sports,” Lynch said.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Murray vs. Garcia
My stories are filed, and I'm prepared to go home to my cable television.
(Which was finally installed, but without channel descriptions. Supposedly they're coming tomorrow to fix it. Considering the horror stories a lot of you posted, I guess I got off lucky.)
First, though, I wanted to leave you all with one final note, which you'll hear a lot more about a month from now. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and South Carolina's Stephen Garcia are from rival high schools in Tampa, Fla., and Murray said they've met and spoken a couple times.
“I’m just excited to play at South Carolina. It’s pretty cool that it’s against another Tampa quarterback, so it should be pretty exciting,” Murray said.
Murray was a sophomore at Plant High School in Tampa when Garcia was a senior at rival Jefferson High. But the two didn't square off then: Robert Mavre (now at Purdue, after starting his career at Miami) opposed Garcia.
"It was the big Mavre-Garcia game," Murray said.
This year it'll be the big Murray-Garcia game. Murray is being thrown into the fire as a redshirt freshman. Garcia was too, though later in the season, started every game last year and enters this year as one of the SEC’s most experienced signal callers.
“There’s a lot of hype about him this year. I’m excited to see what he can do," Murray said. "He definitely matured over the past couple years, on the field, and continually got better, so it’s looking like he should have a good season.”
(Which was finally installed, but without channel descriptions. Supposedly they're coming tomorrow to fix it. Considering the horror stories a lot of you posted, I guess I got off lucky.)
First, though, I wanted to leave you all with one final note, which you'll hear a lot more about a month from now. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and South Carolina's Stephen Garcia are from rival high schools in Tampa, Fla., and Murray said they've met and spoken a couple times.
“I’m just excited to play at South Carolina. It’s pretty cool that it’s against another Tampa quarterback, so it should be pretty exciting,” Murray said.
Murray was a sophomore at Plant High School in Tampa when Garcia was a senior at rival Jefferson High. But the two didn't square off then: Robert Mavre (now at Purdue, after starting his career at Miami) opposed Garcia.
"It was the big Mavre-Garcia game," Murray said.
This year it'll be the big Murray-Garcia game. Murray is being thrown into the fire as a redshirt freshman. Garcia was too, though later in the season, started every game last year and enters this year as one of the SEC’s most experienced signal callers.
“There’s a lot of hype about him this year. I’m excited to see what he can do," Murray said. "He definitely matured over the past couple years, on the field, and continually got better, so it’s looking like he should have a good season.”
Richt on Morant, Jones, etc.
Here’s what Mark Richt had to say about defensive end/linebacker Dexter Morant, who has left the team before his career at Georgia even started.
“Football’s just not for everybody,” Richt said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think he just felt like he lost the desire to play. We tried to convince him that it’d be in his best interest to stay and fight through it. Because a lot of guys had been through that before. But in the end he just really felt like it wasn’t for him, at least not right now in his life. So we honored that.”
Richt ran into Morant after Tuesday’s practice. The player was holding his car keys in one hand, and finally told him he was leaving.
Morant still might continue his career at a lower level, perhaps South Carolina State, according to a source I spoke to on Wednesday. (Morant is from Manning, S.C.) But Richt wasn’t so sure.
“Right now I don’t know what he’s going to do,” Richt said. “As I spoke to him it didn’t seem like he was that interested in playing football period. It wasn’t like it was this level of ball. He even said to me, ‘Coach if I really wanted to play football Georgia’s where I want to be. I just don’t know if it’s what I want to do.’ It’s more like feeling like he’s lost the desire to play the game.”
- Jarvis Jones, the transfer from Southern California, is practicing in a green jersey and being brought along slowly.
“I’ll just say this: We’re not in a rush to get him into a lot of contact,” Richt said. “We know he’s redshirting. We know it’s been awhile since he played. We want to get him as strong as he can and as confident as he can before we get into the physical aspect of it.”
- Receiver Tavarres King’s suspension is “a minimum of one” game, according to Richt. But barring anything unforeseen, it will only be one, and King will play against South Carolina.
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Monday that the staff was “toying” with some double tight-end sets. Richt added to that on Wednesday, saying they would “major” in about four or five personnel groupings.
“I don’t wanna give away too much of the gameplan. But we’ll be pretty versatile,” Richt said. “We’ll probably be more versatile than we’ve been in awhile.”
- Darryl Gamble has been catching Richt’s eye so far.
“Darryl’s been just doing a great job of rushing the passer. Just giving great effort.”
He also singled out AJ Green for making a few outstanding plays.
“Football’s just not for everybody,” Richt said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think he just felt like he lost the desire to play. We tried to convince him that it’d be in his best interest to stay and fight through it. Because a lot of guys had been through that before. But in the end he just really felt like it wasn’t for him, at least not right now in his life. So we honored that.”
Richt ran into Morant after Tuesday’s practice. The player was holding his car keys in one hand, and finally told him he was leaving.
Morant still might continue his career at a lower level, perhaps South Carolina State, according to a source I spoke to on Wednesday. (Morant is from Manning, S.C.) But Richt wasn’t so sure.
“Right now I don’t know what he’s going to do,” Richt said. “As I spoke to him it didn’t seem like he was that interested in playing football period. It wasn’t like it was this level of ball. He even said to me, ‘Coach if I really wanted to play football Georgia’s where I want to be. I just don’t know if it’s what I want to do.’ It’s more like feeling like he’s lost the desire to play the game.”
- Jarvis Jones, the transfer from Southern California, is practicing in a green jersey and being brought along slowly.
“I’ll just say this: We’re not in a rush to get him into a lot of contact,” Richt said. “We know he’s redshirting. We know it’s been awhile since he played. We want to get him as strong as he can and as confident as he can before we get into the physical aspect of it.”
- Receiver Tavarres King’s suspension is “a minimum of one” game, according to Richt. But barring anything unforeseen, it will only be one, and King will play against South Carolina.
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Monday that the staff was “toying” with some double tight-end sets. Richt added to that on Wednesday, saying they would “major” in about four or five personnel groupings.
“I don’t wanna give away too much of the gameplan. But we’ll be pretty versatile,” Richt said. “We’ll probably be more versatile than we’ve been in awhile.”
- Darryl Gamble has been catching Richt’s eye so far.
“Darryl’s been just doing a great job of rushing the passer. Just giving great effort.”
He also singled out AJ Green for making a few outstanding plays.
Morant update
Dexter Morant, who left the Georgia football team after Tuesday's practice, could end up closer to home, at South Carolina State.
A source said Morant is seriously considering the transfer to S.C. State, a Division II school located about 45 miles from Morant's hometown of Manning.
Morant, a 6-foot-7 defensive end, is by all accounts a Division I talent. But he apparently would like to be closer to home. The situation remains murky, and perhaps Georgia coach Mark Richt will be able to shed some light after practice.
A source said Morant is seriously considering the transfer to S.C. State, a Division II school located about 45 miles from Morant's hometown of Manning.
Morant, a 6-foot-7 defensive end, is by all accounts a Division I talent. But he apparently would like to be closer to home. The situation remains murky, and perhaps Georgia coach Mark Richt will be able to shed some light after practice.
Practice update
Nothing major from the first few minutes of practice today, other than the previously-reported absence of freshman Dexter Morant.
Sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jones (neck) was in green for a third straight day. But the Columbus native was participating in drills.
Junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) was also in green and also participating in drills, but gingerly.
Senior cornerback Chad Gloer (hamstring) and junior guard Tanner Strickland (shoulder) were both running together on the sidelines. (And wearing green, if you didn't gather by now.)
And linebacker Akeem Dent was once again on the exercise bike.
We'll have word on Morant and anything else scintillating after practice today from coach Mark Richt.
Sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jones (neck) was in green for a third straight day. But the Columbus native was participating in drills.
Junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) was also in green and also participating in drills, but gingerly.
Senior cornerback Chad Gloer (hamstring) and junior guard Tanner Strickland (shoulder) were both running together on the sidelines. (And wearing green, if you didn't gather by now.)
And linebacker Akeem Dent was once again on the exercise bike.
We'll have word on Morant and anything else scintillating after practice today from coach Mark Richt.
Freshman Morant departs
Dexter Morant's career at Georgia is over before it started, apparently.
The freshman defensive end is no longer with the team, Georgia's sports information department confirmed on Wednesday.
Morant, a 6-foot-7 native of Manning, S.C., went through Monday and Tuesday's practices, so the decision is sudden. And the door is almost certainly not closed, since many a player through the years has had a change of heart.
But for now, Morant is gone. He was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and a three-star by Scout.com.
Georgia coach Mark Richt will address the news after practice today.
(Incidentally, Morant is from the same town, Manning, as infamous U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene. So maybe Morant's going back to work on the Greene campaign.)
The freshman defensive end is no longer with the team, Georgia's sports information department confirmed on Wednesday.
Morant, a 6-foot-7 native of Manning, S.C., went through Monday and Tuesday's practices, so the decision is sudden. And the door is almost certainly not closed, since many a player through the years has had a change of heart.
But for now, Morant is gone. He was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and a three-star by Scout.com.
Georgia coach Mark Richt will address the news after practice today.
(Incidentally, Morant is from the same town, Manning, as infamous U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene. So maybe Morant's going back to work on the Greene campaign.)
Mettenberger, Favre and so forth
Zach Mettenberger has enrolled at Butler (Kan.) Junior College, according to the Wichita Eagle.
Butler (the junior college, not the NCAA hoops runner-up) is known for being a haven for second chances and has won 10 national titles, most recently in 2008 and 2009. (Rudi Johnson played there before going to Auburn, and current NBA player Stephen Jackson began his career there after not qualifying at Arizona.)
"We did our research on Zach," Butler coach Troy Morrell told the Eagle. "We feel like he can be a great asset to our team, and it's widely known that he paid the price for what he's done and he's trying to move on."
- Here’s my story from this morning on Logan Gray. Kris Durham added some comments later that didn’t go in my story:
“Logan’s looking really well. He’s a lot better than I expected. Of course he knows the plays and the schemes and things like that. But he’s definitely a lot further along than I expected.”
- I know you’re sick of Brett Favre talk. So I thought I’d give you a break by giving you quotes from several Bulldogs on what they think of … Brett Favre. (Sorry).
Receiver Kris Durham had a live-and-let-Favre-live take on it.
“You know what? I love watching him play, because of his attitude, and his love for the game. But if he feels like it’s his time to go, then it’s time," Durham said. "If he wants to come back he deserves that. If he wants to retire, then he’s had a great career, you can’t say anything bad about the guy.”
Durham said he’s a Falcons fan, but laughed when asked if he remembered Favre’s rookie year with Atlanta:
“I was too young. What year was that, 1991? I was only like three years old.”
Receiver Rontavious Wooten is among the many who is skeptical that Favre is done. ("I don't think he's gonna hang it up." Wooten, as a receiver, also loves watching Favre play:
“I like how he gets the ball out, I like how he spreads it out. Of course you’re always gonna have that top guy, but I like how he throws it around. And his quick release, how he gets it out.
Tight end Orson Charles said he was surprised to hear Favre was hanging it up.
“I thought he was gonna come back a year," Charles said. "We saw he was gonna retire as we were going out to practice. But he’s old, and I don’t feel like he should keep taking that beating, because he still needs to be there with his family, and play with his little kids. So I think it’s a wise thing.”
But Charles laughed when asked if he thought Favre was REALLY retiring.
“We’ll have to see. Brett Favre keeps you on your toes.”
- It’s not exactly a shock that A.J. Green could be in the NFL next year. So it’s not surprising that Wooten misunderstood when I asked if he was as curious as everyone else about who comes after A.J. (I meant this year who the second and third receivers would be. Wooten thought I meant next year.)
“I don’t think anybody on the receiver is worrying about next year right now. We’re just …”
I interrupted him at that point, and we had a good laugh.
Butler (the junior college, not the NCAA hoops runner-up) is known for being a haven for second chances and has won 10 national titles, most recently in 2008 and 2009. (Rudi Johnson played there before going to Auburn, and current NBA player Stephen Jackson began his career there after not qualifying at Arizona.)
"We did our research on Zach," Butler coach Troy Morrell told the Eagle. "We feel like he can be a great asset to our team, and it's widely known that he paid the price for what he's done and he's trying to move on."
- Here’s my story from this morning on Logan Gray. Kris Durham added some comments later that didn’t go in my story:
“Logan’s looking really well. He’s a lot better than I expected. Of course he knows the plays and the schemes and things like that. But he’s definitely a lot further along than I expected.”
- I know you’re sick of Brett Favre talk. So I thought I’d give you a break by giving you quotes from several Bulldogs on what they think of … Brett Favre. (Sorry).
Receiver Kris Durham had a live-and-let-Favre-live take on it.
“You know what? I love watching him play, because of his attitude, and his love for the game. But if he feels like it’s his time to go, then it’s time," Durham said. "If he wants to come back he deserves that. If he wants to retire, then he’s had a great career, you can’t say anything bad about the guy.”
Durham said he’s a Falcons fan, but laughed when asked if he remembered Favre’s rookie year with Atlanta:
“I was too young. What year was that, 1991? I was only like three years old.”
Receiver Rontavious Wooten is among the many who is skeptical that Favre is done. ("I don't think he's gonna hang it up." Wooten, as a receiver, also loves watching Favre play:
“I like how he gets the ball out, I like how he spreads it out. Of course you’re always gonna have that top guy, but I like how he throws it around. And his quick release, how he gets it out.
Tight end Orson Charles said he was surprised to hear Favre was hanging it up.
“I thought he was gonna come back a year," Charles said. "We saw he was gonna retire as we were going out to practice. But he’s old, and I don’t feel like he should keep taking that beating, because he still needs to be there with his family, and play with his little kids. So I think it’s a wise thing.”
But Charles laughed when asked if he thought Favre was REALLY retiring.
“We’ll have to see. Brett Favre keeps you on your toes.”
- It’s not exactly a shock that A.J. Green could be in the NFL next year. So it’s not surprising that Wooten misunderstood when I asked if he was as curious as everyone else about who comes after A.J. (I meant this year who the second and third receivers would be. Wooten thought I meant next year.)
“I don’t think anybody on the receiver is worrying about next year right now. We’re just …”
I interrupted him at that point, and we had a good laugh.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Richt speaks, I blog
We just heard from Mark Richt after Georgia's second football practice. Some highlights:
- A couple small injury updates. Junior guard Tanner Strickland was in a green jersey after a shoulder injury flared up. But the staff just wanted him to avoid contact for now.
Meantime, junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant's return is going "so far very well," according to Richt. The training staff said Sturdivant's knee has not had any swelling yet.
- The defensive players are picking up the 3-4 pretty quickly, the coach said, relaying word from defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. The players have clearly been studying, and Richt quoted Granthamas saying "there's a lot of recall."
"That's a tribute to our guys, they want to win," Richt said.
- Richt singled out Shawn Williams, a sophomore strong safety, for praise:
“He probably dropped about 10 pounds. He is much quicker and you could tell he really studied. He’s gotten the attention of our coaching staff. And he’s just one example of that. There’s a lot of guys that it looked like they got very serious about learning as much as they could so they could compete better.”
Last month was tough for Williams and his family, whom lost their home in Early County to a fire.
“I hope the Georgia Bulldog nation is helping him any way that we can," Richt said. "And we’ll be keeping up with that situation to make sure that the family recover him … So we can help him within the rules.”
- Richt did have a senior moment, for a second straight day, blanking on Williams' name before offering up the praise. On Monday it was walk-on quarterback Greg Bingham. On Tuesday Richt started by saying he wanted to praise someone, then sheepishly had to ask for a depth chart.
"Cut all this out, will you?" he said, smiling. Then he saw Williams' name on the sheet. "Oh yeah, lemme start over."
Richt turned 50 earlier this year. Of course, in the interests of full disclosure, as I was writing this note, I had to ask my fellow scribes what Bingham's first name was.
- Richt also had good reports on several freshman, highlighted by offensive lineman Kenarious Gates.
“He looks like he’s gonna be a good one down the road," Richt said. "He’s certainly got a long ways to go, but he’s got a chance, if he works hard.”
Here's what Richt said about some other freshmen:
Quarterback Hutson Mason: “You could tell that kid studied all summer long.”
Brothers Alec Ogletree (a defensive back) and Alexander Ogletree (a linebacker): “You could tell that they’re just football players, and I like what I see there.”
Cornerback Derek Owens. “He’s very, very quick. And he’s made some good breaks on the ball.”
- As for the team as a whole, Richt said the team is in good condition, handling the heat well.
“It’s been a good start, been a very good start. I think it was very evident that a lot of guys worked very hard physically, but also worked hard mentally. A lot of guys made progress from a mental standpoint. So you know they were studying playbooks and just improving.”
- Finally, Richt said starting quarterback Aaron Murray has done a "fantastic job" of helping the three true freshmen quarterbacks.
“When they showed up at the meetings they had a pretty good working knowledge of what we were trying to do. Hutson has done a good job of taking a lot of information and being able to process it pretty quickly.”
- A couple small injury updates. Junior guard Tanner Strickland was in a green jersey after a shoulder injury flared up. But the staff just wanted him to avoid contact for now.
Meantime, junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant's return is going "so far very well," according to Richt. The training staff said Sturdivant's knee has not had any swelling yet.
- The defensive players are picking up the 3-4 pretty quickly, the coach said, relaying word from defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. The players have clearly been studying, and Richt quoted Granthamas saying "there's a lot of recall."
"That's a tribute to our guys, they want to win," Richt said.
- Richt singled out Shawn Williams, a sophomore strong safety, for praise:
“He probably dropped about 10 pounds. He is much quicker and you could tell he really studied. He’s gotten the attention of our coaching staff. And he’s just one example of that. There’s a lot of guys that it looked like they got very serious about learning as much as they could so they could compete better.”
Last month was tough for Williams and his family, whom lost their home in Early County to a fire.
“I hope the Georgia Bulldog nation is helping him any way that we can," Richt said. "And we’ll be keeping up with that situation to make sure that the family recover him … So we can help him within the rules.”
- Richt did have a senior moment, for a second straight day, blanking on Williams' name before offering up the praise. On Monday it was walk-on quarterback Greg Bingham. On Tuesday Richt started by saying he wanted to praise someone, then sheepishly had to ask for a depth chart.
"Cut all this out, will you?" he said, smiling. Then he saw Williams' name on the sheet. "Oh yeah, lemme start over."
Richt turned 50 earlier this year. Of course, in the interests of full disclosure, as I was writing this note, I had to ask my fellow scribes what Bingham's first name was.
- Richt also had good reports on several freshman, highlighted by offensive lineman Kenarious Gates.
“He looks like he’s gonna be a good one down the road," Richt said. "He’s certainly got a long ways to go, but he’s got a chance, if he works hard.”
Here's what Richt said about some other freshmen:
Quarterback Hutson Mason: “You could tell that kid studied all summer long.”
Brothers Alec Ogletree (a defensive back) and Alexander Ogletree (a linebacker): “You could tell that they’re just football players, and I like what I see there.”
Cornerback Derek Owens. “He’s very, very quick. And he’s made some good breaks on the ball.”
- As for the team as a whole, Richt said the team is in good condition, handling the heat well.
“It’s been a good start, been a very good start. I think it was very evident that a lot of guys worked very hard physically, but also worked hard mentally. A lot of guys made progress from a mental standpoint. So you know they were studying playbooks and just improving.”
- Finally, Richt said starting quarterback Aaron Murray has done a "fantastic job" of helping the three true freshmen quarterbacks.
“When they showed up at the meetings they had a pretty good working knowledge of what we were trying to do. Hutson has done a good job of taking a lot of information and being able to process it pretty quickly.”
A buffed-up hoops schedule
Georgia is going to Colorado in football this season. The Buffs are returning the favor a few months later in basketball.
Colorado announced Tuesday that it has agreed to a home-and-home with Georgia, starting with a trip to Athens in November.
The game is scheduled for Nov. 16, according to a release on Colorado's web site.
Georgia has yet to announce its nonconference schedule. It's known that it will include the annual series with Georgia Tech (in Atlanta this year), along with a home game against Xavier.
Colorado announced Tuesday that it has agreed to a home-and-home with Georgia, starting with a trip to Athens in November.
The game is scheduled for Nov. 16, according to a release on Colorado's web site.
Georgia has yet to announce its nonconference schedule. It's known that it will include the annual series with Georgia Tech (in Atlanta this year), along with a home game against Xavier.
Second day Jittery Joe's
First off, I hope you bear with me this first week as I get settled down and get my bearings. I plan to offer morning links and all the good stuff David did, but at the moment the good people at the cable company haven't seen fit to install my home Internet yet. So at the moment I'm making use of the wireless at Jittery Joe's.
(Not that I'm calling out the cable company or anything. I mean, it was only a two-hour window, so what if they were two hours later. Clearly it was Mark Richt's fault for holding practice at a time that was inconvenient for the cable company.)
But anyway ...
I had a solid first day, other than the wireless. Here's a link to my morning story on Aaron Murray, and also to the notes.
A quick non-sports, but Georgia-related, note: I wake this morning to news that the University of Georgia has been rated the top party school in these United States, according to Playboy - no wait, Princeton Review.
First reaction: What do people at Princeton know about partying? (Apologies to my friend Amy, a proud graduate of there. Wait, she's not reading this blog, never mind.)
Second reaction: I hope Princeton Review was more methodical in its research than Playboy when it was compiling its list in the late 1990s. I was in the offices of my campus' student newspaper, at Maryland, when Playboy called. They spoke to a colleague - I think he was a colleague, I didn't recognize him, but he answered the phone. I overheard Playboy ask him a series of questions, and that was apparently their dutiful research: To call the campus newspaper and ask a random person what the party scene was like on a Tuesday night.
But I digress ...
Practice today is at 3 p.m. - that's eastern time for those of you in Guam who were thinking of making the trip. Shorts and helmets. We'll have stories and notes on the blog, in tomorrow's paper, and all that good stuff.
(Not that I'm calling out the cable company or anything. I mean, it was only a two-hour window, so what if they were two hours later. Clearly it was Mark Richt's fault for holding practice at a time that was inconvenient for the cable company.)
But anyway ...
I had a solid first day, other than the wireless. Here's a link to my morning story on Aaron Murray, and also to the notes.
A quick non-sports, but Georgia-related, note: I wake this morning to news that the University of Georgia has been rated the top party school in these United States, according to Playboy - no wait, Princeton Review.
First reaction: What do people at Princeton know about partying? (Apologies to my friend Amy, a proud graduate of there. Wait, she's not reading this blog, never mind.)
Second reaction: I hope Princeton Review was more methodical in its research than Playboy when it was compiling its list in the late 1990s. I was in the offices of my campus' student newspaper, at Maryland, when Playboy called. They spoke to a colleague - I think he was a colleague, I didn't recognize him, but he answered the phone. I overheard Playboy ask him a series of questions, and that was apparently their dutiful research: To call the campus newspaper and ask a random person what the party scene was like on a Tuesday night.
But I digress ...
Practice today is at 3 p.m. - that's eastern time for those of you in Guam who were thinking of making the trip. Shorts and helmets. We'll have stories and notes on the blog, in tomorrow's paper, and all that good stuff.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Media day: Richt, vets praise Murray
Media day is in the books, and we have a slight break here before the first football practice. As you’d expect, the quarterback situation dominated Mark Richt’s news conference, and Aaron Murray also spoke.
My own impression:
Murray seemed very grounded, knowing not a lot was expected of him, and being up front that he hasn’t slept much the past month. That’s actually a good sign if you’re a Georgia fan: I’d prefer honesty, rather than a redshirt freshman who pretends it’s not a big deal, when everyone knows he must be nerve-wracked.
Richt is also keeping expectations level for Murray, but is pretty set on him being the guy. I just came from covering Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, and I was struck at how different each coach is in their public comments. Spurrier is famously hard on his quarterbacks, while Richt is just analytical.
“Long-term on this kid, he’s gonna be very, very good,” Richt said of Murray. “Whether it’s gonna happen this season … we’re gonna watch him grow up. “
And while Murray obviously hasn’t taken a college snap yet, it is fascinating (at least to me) that Richt takes a positive approach with his redshirt freshman, while Spurrier is loathe to say anything nice about a fourth-year guy who started every game last year.
But I think I know why: Murray has engendered a lot of confidence in not only Richt, but his veteran teammates, in how much preparation he’s put in during the offseason. Murray has even sat in on some offensive line meetings, according to senior tackle Clint Boling.
“Just a series of things he’s done to earn our respect,” Boling said.
Murray, when you talk to him, still has that aw-shucks kind of demeanor. He handled the media pretty well, like David Greene and Matt Stafford did as freshmen.
Yeah, we’re going to hear a lot of the Greene-Stafford comparisons, two recent freshmen this same staff molded into successful players. In fact, Murray has consulted with both ex-Bulldog quarterbacks this past offseason.
“My goal is just to go out there and be me,” Murray said. “I won’t be David Greene. I won’t be Matt Stafford.”
But then he added: “I can take some pointers from them.”
Some other things that stood out:
- Senior inside linebacker Akeem Dent has a chance to return for the season opener, according to Richt.
- When it comes to the 3-4, all the defensive players seem really pumped up about the increased aggressiveness they will have. (Not that I’d expect them to be publicly down on the switch.)
But without coming out and saying it, it does seem a lot of the defensive guys think they will have more freedom now. Justin Houston said he expects to be rushing the passer “more than 50 percent” of the time.
“It’s just a new beginning,” defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said.
- Finally, tailback Washaun Ealey said he and Caleb King aren’t in a heated competition for the job. Not surprising, considering practically everybody seems to be going to running back by committee.
Meantime, Richt kind of laid down the gauntlet as far as the running game goes.
“I’d be disappointed if we don’t run the ball well,” the coach said, adding: I’d be very disappointed if we don’t run the ball well. And if we do run well, it’ll help Aaron.”
My own impression:
Murray seemed very grounded, knowing not a lot was expected of him, and being up front that he hasn’t slept much the past month. That’s actually a good sign if you’re a Georgia fan: I’d prefer honesty, rather than a redshirt freshman who pretends it’s not a big deal, when everyone knows he must be nerve-wracked.
Richt is also keeping expectations level for Murray, but is pretty set on him being the guy. I just came from covering Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, and I was struck at how different each coach is in their public comments. Spurrier is famously hard on his quarterbacks, while Richt is just analytical.
“Long-term on this kid, he’s gonna be very, very good,” Richt said of Murray. “Whether it’s gonna happen this season … we’re gonna watch him grow up. “
And while Murray obviously hasn’t taken a college snap yet, it is fascinating (at least to me) that Richt takes a positive approach with his redshirt freshman, while Spurrier is loathe to say anything nice about a fourth-year guy who started every game last year.
But I think I know why: Murray has engendered a lot of confidence in not only Richt, but his veteran teammates, in how much preparation he’s put in during the offseason. Murray has even sat in on some offensive line meetings, according to senior tackle Clint Boling.
“Just a series of things he’s done to earn our respect,” Boling said.
Murray, when you talk to him, still has that aw-shucks kind of demeanor. He handled the media pretty well, like David Greene and Matt Stafford did as freshmen.
Yeah, we’re going to hear a lot of the Greene-Stafford comparisons, two recent freshmen this same staff molded into successful players. In fact, Murray has consulted with both ex-Bulldog quarterbacks this past offseason.
“My goal is just to go out there and be me,” Murray said. “I won’t be David Greene. I won’t be Matt Stafford.”
But then he added: “I can take some pointers from them.”
Some other things that stood out:
- Senior inside linebacker Akeem Dent has a chance to return for the season opener, according to Richt.
- When it comes to the 3-4, all the defensive players seem really pumped up about the increased aggressiveness they will have. (Not that I’d expect them to be publicly down on the switch.)
But without coming out and saying it, it does seem a lot of the defensive guys think they will have more freedom now. Justin Houston said he expects to be rushing the passer “more than 50 percent” of the time.
“It’s just a new beginning,” defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said.
- Finally, tailback Washaun Ealey said he and Caleb King aren’t in a heated competition for the job. Not surprising, considering practically everybody seems to be going to running back by committee.
Meantime, Richt kind of laid down the gauntlet as far as the running game goes.
“I’d be disappointed if we don’t run the ball well,” the coach said, adding: I’d be very disappointed if we don’t run the ball well. And if we do run well, it’ll help Aaron.”
First day of ...
It's a big day here in Athens: First day of football practice, first day of August, and, most importantly, my first day on the job.
Yours truly is still literally unpacking in his new Athens home: I finally closed up shop in Columbia on Sunday, clearing out the old place, and while I'm moved in to the new place in Athens, I'll probably be unpacking boxes until November.
(I'm a pack rat. I still have baseball cards from the mid-1980s. No, really.)
Of course you all don't care about that, you want to know about that whole first-day-of-football-practice thing. Georgia is also holding media day this afternoon, and we'll have full coverage of that and the afternoon practice.
In the meantime, if anybody's interested in a Dennis Rasmussen rookie card, lemme know. I'll give you a great deal.
Yours truly is still literally unpacking in his new Athens home: I finally closed up shop in Columbia on Sunday, clearing out the old place, and while I'm moved in to the new place in Athens, I'll probably be unpacking boxes until November.
(I'm a pack rat. I still have baseball cards from the mid-1980s. No, really.)
Of course you all don't care about that, you want to know about that whole first-day-of-football-practice thing. Georgia is also holding media day this afternoon, and we'll have full coverage of that and the afternoon practice.
In the meantime, if anybody's interested in a Dennis Rasmussen rookie card, lemme know. I'll give you a great deal.
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