Dawgs of the Decade: The Results

OK, I'm assuming by now you've had a chance to go pick up your copy of today's Macon Telegraph. If not, do me a favor and buy one to help me remain employed for a few more days.

That said, I know there are plenty of you who don't live close enough to buy a copy, so I don't want to keep you in suspense about our Dawgs of the Decade. So, without any further a do, here are the results...

Punter
Drew Butler 60%
Gordon Ely-Kelso 26%
Brian Mimbs 8%
Jonathan Kilgo 6%

Drew Butler, Punter
Career: The son of hall-of-fame kicker Kevin Butler, Drew followed in his family legacy, earning All-American honors in his first year as a starter in 2009, averaging nearly 49 yards per punt to help salvage several games for the Bulldogs.
Highlight: Butler set the tone for his season early, booming a 68-yard punt in his first attempt as a starter in Georgia’s opener against Oklahoma State this year.
They say: “He’s always been capable, but his work ethic is just unheard of. He comes in and works hard every day whether it’s in the weight room or out there dropping balls, just anything – anything he can do to get an edge, he’s doing it.” – Georgia kicker Blair Walsh.

Place-kicker
Billy Bennett 51%
Brandon Coutu 38%
Blair Walsh 11%

Billy Bennett, Kicker
Career: Upon graduation, Bennett was the SEC’s career leader and second in NCAA history in points with 409. Bennett booted 26 field goals in 2002 to help the Bulldogs to an SEC title and his 31 connections on field goals a year later set the SEC mark.
Highlight: Bennett’s best day ranks as one of the all-time best by any player at Georgia – a six-field goal effort in 2001 in a win over rival Georgia Tech, tying an SEC record. His 19 points in that game (including one PAT) is still the single-game record at Georgia.
They say: “I believe Billy Bennett kept Georgia in a lot of games they might have lost. He and Brian Van Gorder’s defense were the strengths of the early (Mark) Richt teams.” – national championship-winning Georgia kicker Rex Robinson.

Returner
Damien Gary 37%
Mikey Henderson 27%
Brandon Boykin 16%
Thomas Flowers 9%
Fred Gibson 8%
Asher Allen 4%

Damien Gary, Returner
Career: A four-year star in the return game for Georgia, Gary holds the school record for return yards in a career with 1,253 – nearly 200 more than the No. 2 player on the list – and returned two punts for touchdowns in his career.
Highlight: It wasn’t Georgia’s biggest opponent, but Gary got to showcase his skills in a 2002 win over New Mexico State in which he racked up 130 all-purpose yards and two TDs – one receiving and one on a punt return.
They say: “Damien Gary gets my vote. As a classic Munson disciple who was raised to see the negative in everything, Damien Gary gave me comfort. I never really held my breath when he was back there. Great hands, great decisions, and a few good moves on top of that.” – Bulldogs Blog reader B Man.

Tackle
Jon Stinchcomb 81%
Clint Boling 10%
Daniel Inman 4%
George Foster 3%
Chester Adams 2%

Center/Guard
Max Jean-Gilles 58%
Russ Tanner 23%
Ben Jones 5%
Nick Jones 5%
Fernando Velasco 4%
Kevin Breedlove 4%
Chris Davis 1%
Alex Jackson 0%

Runoff Vote:
Ben Jones 35%
Fernando Velasco 32%
Nick Jones 20%
Kevin Breedlove 14%

Jon Stinchcomb, Tackle
Career: Following in the footsteps of his older brother Matt, Jon Stinchcomb made his mark as one of the most dominant blockers in Bulldogs history as a four-year starter and three-time All-SEC selection. He helped Georgia to an SEC title that season and earned All-American honors in 2002.
Highlight: In 2002, he recovered a fumble in the end zone in a win over Auburn, becoming the first Bulldogs’ lineman to score a touchdown in 17 years.
They say: “He’s a winner. His teams won. I don’t think that’s a coincidence when it happens in high school, college and in the NFL. That speaks a lot to the intangible stuff Jon did. He’s not a physical freak. He just goes out and executes at a really high level.” –former Georgia lineman and Jon’s brother, Matt Stinchcomb.

Max Jean-Gilles, Guard
Career: One of the largest linemen ever to play at Georgia checking in at close to 350 pounds, Jean-Gilles was a three-year starter who paved the way for some of Georgia’s most successful offensive seasons. He earned All-SEC honors in each of his three seasons as a starter and was named a Walter Camp All-American as a senior in 2005 when he won his second SEC title. In 40 career games, he allowed just three sacks.
Highlight: Held the line together after starting QB D.J. Shockley went down against Arkansas in 2005, protecting Joe Tereshinski and helping the Bulldogs hold on for a 23-20 win that kept them alive for the SEC title. He earned conference lineman of the week honors for the effort.
They say: “He chose Georgia early on but never told anyone throughout the recruiting process. He surprised a lot of people, but he loved Georgia, and he had a great career here.” – Head coach Mark Richt.

Ben Jones, Center
Career: Aggressive, confident, and perhaps a little crazy, Jones won the starting center job just four games into his career, earning a freshman All-SEC nod in 2008. His blocking earned him offensive lineman of the week honors in the SEC after Georgia beat Kentucky that year. In 2009, he blossomed into a veteran leader on the line despite being just a sophomore and was named second-team All-SEC.
Highlight: Before Caleb King’s game-winning touchdown run against Auburn in 2009, Jones took him aside after the huddle and simply said, “Follow me into the end zone.”
They say: “Him before the game is hilarious. He’s a crazy guy and gets real excited. You just have to be around him.” – Georgia quarterback Joe Cox.

Russ Tanner, Guard
Career: Tanner started throughout his final three seasons in Athens, culminating with a second conference championship in 2005. He was named to the Remmington Trophy Watch List his final two seasons and a member of the Academic All-SEC team. He graduated as part of the winningest class in Georgia history.
Highlight: In his final SEC game, he helped pave the way for Georgia’s breakout offensive attack against LSU in the conference championship game, earning his second SEC title in his career.
They say: “Russ was one of those big boys from South Georgia who played hard on every single play. He came to work, gave his all, played hurt and was always reliable.” – former Georgia quarterback David Greene

Clint Boling, Tackle
Career: A freshman All-America in 2007 Boling has been one of the most versatile and effective linemen in Georgia history. In 2008, he started 12 games and played at three different positions, but it was his move from the right side of the line to left tackle that finally settled a chaotic season on Georgia’s line. In 2009, Boling again started the year on the right side of the line, but moved to left tackle midway through the year, earning All-SEC honors both times.
Highlight: His move to left tackle helped set the tone for Georgia’s revitalized running game in 2009, culminating with a huge performance against Georgia Tech in which the Bulldogs tallied 339 yards on the ground.
They say: “A lot of times in that situation you have to play guys early, but him coming in as a freshman and play well and play a number of positions just shows how valuable he's been. He's a smart guy that gives a lot of effort and is a team guy. He's been very productive at every position he's played. He's played four out of the five and to do that, do it consistently and held us together.” – offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.

Quarterback
David Greene 78%
D.J. Shockley 11%
Matthew Stafford 11%

David Greene, Quarterback
Career: Until Texas’ Colt McCoy broke the mark this season, Greene held the NCAA record for most victories by a starting quarterback with 42 in four seasons. His career began as a redshirt freshman the same season Mark Richt arrived in Athens, and he was as much a part of Georgia’s resurgence as anyone. He holds the SEC record with 214 pass attempts without an interception and won the 2002 SEC title, earning three straight All-SEC nods. He holds the school record for completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns and ranks third all-time in completion percentage.
Highlight: Call it what you want – the “Hobnail Boot” play, “P-44 Haynes” or simply, “the play,” Greene’s screen pass with 44 seconds left to beat Tennessee in 2001 was the signature play of the decade and perhaps the biggest score of the Mark Richt era.
They say: “You could just watch him make his reads with such precision early on, you just knew he was going to be a great one. He was everything you want in a quarterback.” – Head coach Mark Richt.

Wide receiver
A.J. Green 56%
Terrence Edwards 22%
Mohamed Massaquoi 14%
Fred Gibson 4%
Reggie Brown 3%
Sean Bailey 1%
Bryan McClendon 0%

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver
Career: As a freshman in 2008, Green earned All-SEC honors by catching 56 passes for 963 yards and was named the SEC’s freshman of the year. As a sophomore, he was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and made his second straight All-SEC team with 47 catches and 751 yards, both of which led the team, and he hauled in six touchdown catches.
Highlight: Making a rare special teams appearance, Green blocked a short field goal attempt by Arizona State that could have won the game, then hauled in a crucial catch on the sideline to set up the game-winning field goal for the Bulldogs.
They say: “He has everything you’d want in a receiver, but what makes him different is his ability to move his body and get in position to catch passes. He can move in ways that are unbelievable.” – Georgia receiver Mike Moore.

Terrence Edwards, Wide Receiver
Career: The owner of virtually every receiving record at Georgia, Edwards was a beast for four seasons at both split end and flanker. He led the Bulldogs in receiving in every year of his career, culminating with a 1,004-yard senior season – the only time a Georgia player has ever eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. His 204 career receptions, 3,093 career yards, 30 TD receptions and 11 touchdown grabs in 2002 are all school records.
Highlight: Edwards had plenty of big games, but it was his 127-yard, three-touchdown performance against Kentucky in 2002 that marked the high-water point in terms of sheer production.
They say: “He’s the one who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. There’s no telling where I would be or how I would have ended up if it weren’t for him doing that for me.” – Former UGA receiver and current running backs coach Bryan McClendon.

Tight end
Ben Watson 41%
Leonard Pope 31%
Randy McMichael 28%

Ben Watson, Tight End
Career: A transfer from Duke, Watson helped bring the position of Georgia tight end to the forefront of college football. He caught 31 passes in 2002 for 341 yards to help Georgia to an SEC title and was an All-SEC selection in 2003.
Highlight: Georgia had trouble finding much offense in the 2003 SEC title game, but Watson was the exception, hauling in a career-best 86 yards and the Bulldogs’ only touchdown.
They say: “He is an all pro tight end but he cares about his family and the well being of others and that is special. Not many in this sport at that level are like him, and I look up to him for sure, not only as an athlete but also because of the person he is.” – Georgia tight end Arthur Lynch.

Running back
Knowshon Moreno 90%
Thomas Brown 4%
Musa Smith 4%
Danny Ware 1%
Kregg Lumpkin 0%

Knowshon Moreno, Running Back
Career: Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007, rushing for 1,334 yards and was a freshman All-American and an All-SEC selection. In 2008, he was a full-fledged starter and turned in an All-American performance, rushing for 1,400 yards (fifth-best in Georgia history) and 16 touchdowns (fourth-best in school history). His 5.49 yards per carry average was the seventh-best mark of any running back in a career at Georgia, and his 19.2 carries per game average was the second best. He is one of just two tailbacks in school history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Highlight: Getting the bulk of the load on offense, Moreno ran 33 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Florida – just the second time during the Mark Richt era that the Bulldogs topped the Gators.
They say: “It didn’t matter what was going on, he was going to give it his all on every play. That’s what I tried to pick up from him. He played every play like it was his last.” – Georgia running back Caleb King.

Fullback
Brannen Southerland 70%
Verron Haynes 28%
Shaun Chapas 3%

Brannan Southerland, Fullback
Career: Earned his stripes as a freshman on Georgia’s 2005 SEC championship team, scoring three touchdowns. A year later, he was Georgia’s primary short-yardage runner and the first fullback to lead the Bulldogs in scoring in 49 years, tallying 10 touchdowns on the year. As a junior, his role as a runner decreased but he still scored six touchdowns and helped lead the way for Knowshon Moreno to total 1,334 yards – the most at Georgia in 15 years.
Highlight: Scored twice on the ground – the only points of the game – in a 14-9 win over Ole Miss in 2006 to help move the Bulldogs to 5-0.
They say: “He wasn’t just a fullback. He could do it all. He was a great blocker, but he could run routes, catch passes, score. He had it all.” – Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas.

Defensive end
David Pollack 88%
Charles Grant 5%
Charles Johnson 3%
Quentin Moses 2%
Will Thompson 1%
Marcus Howard 1%
Robert Geathers 0%

Defensive tackle
Richard Seymour 62%
Johnathan Sullivan 15%
Marcus Stroud 10%
Kedric Golston 4%
Jeff Owens 4%
Geno Atkins 3%
Gerald Anderson 2%

Charles Grant, Defensive End
Career: Grant finished his Georgia career with 136 tackles, 27 TFLs and 15 sacks, despite only playing two full seasons at defensive end. His 15 career sacks ranks ninth all-time at Georgia. His junior season in 2001 resulted in 63 tackles and six sacks and was named to the All-SEC team.
Highlight: Grant’s four-sack performance against Auburn in 2001 ranks as the second-best performance in school history.
They say: Entertaining Charles Grant story, courtesy of Bulldogs Blog reader, Chess…
Munson: "whattaya got on the field for us loran?"
Loran:" I got Charles Grant down on the field here Larry, so Charles, youre from South Georgia, arent you? So I suppose you probably like boiled peanuts?"
Grant: "yes sir"
Loran: "Alright, back up to you Larry"

Richard Seymour, Defensive Tackle
Career: Seymour only played one year during the decade – but it was a heck of a year. He was a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC as a senior in 2000, playing along three other future NFL first-round draft picks. He started 10 games that season, making 78 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss.
Highlight: Had six tackles, two sacks and a pressure that resulted in an interception in a win over South Carolina in 1999.
They say: “Him and (Marcus) Stroud, they got drafted high and they left a legacy. Seymour led the team in tackles one year. That’s a legacy.” – defensive tackle Jeff Owens.

Johnathan Sullivan, Defensive Tackle
Career: It was never about the numbers for Sullivan, who was a constant disruptive force on the defensive line. He was an All-SEC selection in 2002, helping Georgia to a conference title by making 74 tackles and four sacks.
Highlight: Sullivan’s final SEC game earned him a conference championship as he and the Bulldogs’ line held Arkansas to just 1.9 yards per carry on the ground and just three total points.
They say: “He’s one of the most talented kids I ever coached. He had the athleticism of (Richard) Seymour and the power of (Marcus) Stroud. He could have done anything he wanted to do.” – Rodney Garner, Georgia defensive tackles coach.

Player of the Decade
David Pollack 67%
David Greene 24%
Knowshon Moreno 5%
Thomas Davis 3%
A.J. Green 1%

PLAYER OF THE DECADE: David Pollack, Defensive End
Career: One of the most decorated athletes in Georgia history, Pollack was a three-time All-American, who holds the school records for sacks with 36 and was named the SEC’s player of the year in 2004. In his career, he had 58 tackles for a loss, made 283 total tackles, holds the single-season record for sacks with 14 in 2002. His high-energy style made him a fan favorite and his impact on the football field was unparalleled by any Bulldogs player during the past decade.
Highlight: His interception of South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the end zone in a 13-7 win remains one of the signature plays of the decade and helped propel the Bulldogs to an SEC title.
They say: “I think he’s the most decorated defensive player to play here and he set the standard for us. Everybody tries to continue that on, but he set the bar real high.” – defensive end Rod Battle.
“Pollack was one of those rare guys that you find who is really a game-changer. He played with such energy and the things he would do would really change the whole outcome of a game. He could swing the whole momentum of games.” – Pollack’s former teammate David Greene.
“What made David different was his relentless pursuit. Something inside of him made him go hard on every practice, every rep in the game and every mat drill every single year. He could not help it. That’s just what made him great. Another thing about David was he didn’t care what you thought or what you said about him. He was going to do exactly what he wanted to do against you.” – Head coach Mark Richt.

Linebacker
Boss Bailey 40%
Rennie Curran 21%
Odell Thurman 21%
Will Witherspoon 7%
Tony Gilbert 6%
Tony Taylor 4%
Dannell Ellerbe 1%
Danny Verdun-Wheeler 1%
Chris Clemons 0%

Rennie Curran, Linebacker
Career: The heart and soul of Georgia’s defense for the past two years, Curran has been a tackling machine. He was led the SEC in tackles in 2009 and became the first Bulldogs player to top 100 tackles in consecutive years in more than a decade. He won All-SEC honors as both a sophomore and junior.
Highlight: Curran salvaged a win by forcing a fumble at the goal line against South Carolina in 2008, then defended a last-second pass at the goal line to preserve another win over the Gamecocks a year later.
They say: “Truthfully, every play, you think, oh man, I’ve got to be on my Ps and Qs, I have to be on top of my game because you have a guy like Rennie, and every play he’s going hard. When I’m out on the field, I’m just like, I’m going to match Rennie.” – Georgia linebacker Nick Williams.

Odell Thurman, Linebacker
Career: A Ju-Co transfer, Thurman made the most of his two years in Athens. He was an All-SEC selection both seasons and a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2004. He finished his career with 184 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
Highlight: Thurman’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Auburn in 2004 was the second-longest in school history.
They say: “He was a straight playmaker. He was all over the field when you saw him on film. That’s one of the guys I watched when I wanted to get better and learn how to improve my technique, make plays and be around the ball.” – linebacker Rennie Curran.

Boss Bailey, Linebacker
Career: Following in the footsteps of his All-American brother Champ, Boss Bailey was one of Georgia’s most prolific linebackers, a four-year starter and two-time All-SEC performer. His senior season marked a high point, as Bailey earned All-American status, leading the team with 114 tackles and six sacks.
Highlight: Bailey had many big games, but perhaps none loomed as large as an eight-tackle performance in a 24-21 win over Auburn in 2002 when he chipped in with two sacks and a forced fumble that helped preserve Georgia’s shot at its first SEC championship in 20 years.
They say: “I was in Athens for the year-o-highlights when Boss was a virtual super man in blocking kicks. I think he had a 48" vertical...same as some guy named Jordan, by the way.” – Bulldogs Blog reader JFerg.

Safety
Thomas Davis 48%
Greg Blue 30%
Sean Jones 15%
Jermaine Phillips 3%
Kelin Johnson 1%
Tra Battle 1%
Reshad Jones 1%

Thomas Davis, Safety
Career: One of Georgia’s all-time hardest hitters, Davis finished his career with 272 tackles, 10.5 sacks and three interceptions and earned All-SEC honors in both 2003 and 2004. His 138 takedowns in 2003 were the most by a Bulldogs defender since 1996 and marked the 12th-best during any season in school history, and he earned All-American honors a year later.
Highlight: Did a little bit of everything in a 2003 win over Alabama, making seven tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown.
They say: “He’s like a magnet to the football, and every time I saw him, he went hard and he delivered a blow. That was what he was known for.” – Georgia safety Reshad Jones.

Greg Blue, Safety
Career: No one hit harder than Blue, who still owns one of the most frightening highlight films in Georgia history. In his senior year in 2005, Blue was dominant. He finished with a career-best 96 tackles – the most on the team – and intercepted two passes en route to All-SEC and All-America honors and yet another SEC title.
Highlight: It’s hard to pick just one highlight hit from Blue’s career since he had so many, but it was his knockout blow to Auburn’s Courtney Taylor in 2003 that probably tops the list for sheer violence.
They say: “I think the most physical guy on a consistent basis and was just a mean guy was Blue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy that played the game as mean as he did, but could also be as kind and soft-spoken and a great kid.” – Former Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

Cornerback
Tim Jennings 35%
Paul Oliver 22%
Tim Wansley 20%
Asher Allen 11%
Bruce Thornton 6%
Demario Minter 5%
Prince Miller 1%

Run-off vote:
Tim Wansley 55%
Paul Oliver 45%

Tim Wansley, Cornerback
Career: Wansley was an All-SEC performer in 2000 and 2001, and led the team with six interceptions in 2000 – two of which he returned for TDs. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 NFL draft.
Highlight: Wansley’s interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter in 2001 gave Mark Richt his first career win over Georgia Tech and the Bulldogs’ first win in four years against their in-state rivals.

Tim Jennings, Cornerback
Career: As a senior in 2005, he helped the Bulldogs to an SEC title and was named to the All-SEC team, making 56 tackles and four interceptions. For his career, he finished with 170 tackles, 10 for a loss, and made 10 interceptions. His 194 career return yards off picks ranks fifth in school history.
Highlight: Although he won an SEC title as a reserve in 2002, it was his interception return for a TD against LSU in the conference title game in 2005 that served as a highlight to his career, both in terms of personal plays and big wins.
They say: “My vote goes to Time Jennings. Got to love the fight in the little guys.” – Bulldogs Blog reader Universal Remonster.

A few of my thoughts on the final voting...

-- The only positions I'd put up much argument with would be tight end, where I think Leonard Pope was probably the superior player, but Ben Watson is certainly a valid choice, and on the interior line, where I thought Kevin Breedlove was significantly undervalued.

-- Speaking of undervalued, doing this little exercise gave me a far better appreciation of both Mohamed Massaquoi and Thomas Brown, neither of whom were the most outspoken or widley acclaimed guys, but both of whom's numbers stack up with the great ones quite well.

-- The strongest position during the decade? I guess it has to be safety, but man, there have been some solid runs at tight end, at defensive tackle and even at quarterback during that stretch. Plus special teams have been spectacular in terms of individual performers.

-- Weakest position? The O line has had it's ups and downs, but I'd probably give the nod to cornerback. Outside of Tim Jennings, there really hasn't been a consistent stand-out performer during the decade. (Although, yes, I probably undervalued Decory Bryant in my rankings.)

So, what do you think of the results? Anything stand out as a particularly bad vote?

Dawgs of the Decade: Player of the Decade

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 15th and final ballot is for Georgia’s top overall player of the decade. Narrowing the list down to five wasn’t easy, and there are several other prime candidates. But as the voting has shown, a handful of players have truly stood out in the past 10 years, and this was our top five.

(Note: Years as Georgia’s starter in parentheses.)

A.J. Green (2008-present). While there is still much more time left in Green’s career, he has already established himself as perhaps the most skilled receiver in school history after less than two full seasons. As a freshman in 2008, Green earned All-SEC honors by catching 56 passes (a freshman record) and 963 yards (the third-best total in school history) and was named the SEC’s freshman of the year. As a sophomore, he was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and made his second straight All-SEC team despite missing three of the final four games of the regular season. His 47 catches and 751 yards both led the team and he hauled in six touchdown catches, including a career-long 61-yarder against Vanderbilt. In just 22 career games, Green has already tallied 1,714 yards receiving, 103 catches and 14 touchdowns.

Thomas Davis (2003-2004). Davis didn’t arrive at Georgia with a lot of buzz but once he got onto the field, he made his presence known quickly – and with authority. One of Georgia’s all-time hardest hitters, Davis finished his career with 272 tackles, 10.5 sacks and three interceptions and earned All-SEC honors in both 2003 and 2004. His 272 tackles ranks 17th all-time in Georgia history and his 138 takedowns in 2003 were the most by a Bulldogs defender since Greg Bright in 1996 and marked the 12th-best during any season in school history. As a junior in 2004, Davis earned All-America honors and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.

David Pollack (2001-2004). One of the most decorated athletes in Georgia history, Pollack was a three-time All-American, who holds the school records for sacks with 36 and was named the SEC’s player of the year in 2004. In his career, he had 58 tackles for a loss, made 283 total tackles, holds the single-season record for sacks with 14 in 2002 and his interception of South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the end zone in a 13-7 win remains one of the signature plays of the decade and helped propel the Bulldogs to an SEC title. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

David Greene (2001-2004). Until Texas’ Colt McCoy broke the mark this season, Greene held the NCAA record for most victories by a starting quarterback with 42 in four seasons. His career began as a redshirt freshman the same season Mark Richt arrived in Athens, and he was as much a part of Georgia’s resurgence as anyone. From his “Hobnail Boot” pass to Verron Haynes to beat Tennessee in 2001 to his SEC record 214 pass attempts without an interception to his 2002 SEC title to three straight All-SEC nods, Greene’s career was among the most successful by any quarterback in Georgia history. He holds the school record for completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns and ranks third all-time in completion percentage.

Knowshon Moreno (2007-2008). Perhaps no player has made more of an impact in just two seasons in Bulldogs history. Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007, rushing for 1,334 yards including a monstrous 33-carry performance in a win over Florida in which he racked up 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He was a freshman All-American that season and an All-SEC selection. In 2008, he was a full-fledged starter and turned in an All-American performance, rushing for 1,400 yards (fifth-best in Georgia history) and 16 touchdowns (fourth-best in school history). His 5.49 yards per carry average was the seventh-best mark of any running back in a career at Georgia, and his 19.2 carries per game average was the second best. He is one of just two tailbacks in school history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

Don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

And if you want to discuss your thoughts on the Dawgs of the decade or any other UGA-related issues, be sure to stop by our live chat today at noon at Macon.com/UGAchat. No time at noon? Just go there now, leave your question, and check back any time for the answers.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Tailbacks

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 14th ballot is for Georgia’s top running back of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as Georgia’s starter in parentheses.)

Musa Smith (2001-2002). A two-year starter at Georgia, Smith was a bruising back who carried Georgia to the 2002 Sugar Bowl by racking up the team’s first 1,000-yard season in 10 years. He was an All-SEC selection that year and totaled 1,324 yards rushing, the seventh-best single-season tally in school history. He played in 13 games that season, and topped the 100-yard mark nine times, including a 106-yard, two-touchdown effort in the SEC title game against Arkansas. For his career, Smith rushed for 2,202 yards and 19 touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He was taken in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Thomas Brown (2004-2005). A starter in parts of four seasons at Georgia, Brown was a key contributor on two of Mark Richt’s most successful teams – the 2005 SEC champions and the 2007 Sugar Bowl winners. As a freshman in 2004, Brown tallied 875 yards rushing to lead the team. It was the fourth-best mark by a freshman in school history and was highlighted by a 130-yard, three-touchdown performance against Kentucky. As a sophomore, he was part of a crowded backfield but still posted 736 yards rushing and four TDs, again the best mark on the team. Brown was injured the latter half of the 2006 season and played in just seven games, but rebounded as a senior while splitting time with upstart Knowshon Moreno to post 779 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. His 180-yard, three-TD performance against Ole Miss stands as one of the best single-game running performances of the decade. His 3,750 all-purpose yards for his career ranks as the fourth-best mark in school history. He wrapped up his career with 2,646 yards rushing, the sixth-best tally in Georgia’s record book. He was a sixth-round draft choice by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.

Danny Ware (2004). Ware was a hard-nosed runner who had plenty of highlights, but never enjoyed the backfield by himself. As a freshman in 2004, he split time with Thomas Brown but still ran for 724 yards and four TDs and topped 100 yards against LSU and Florida and he was the first freshman tailback to start a season opener since 1943. As a sophomore, Ware got more competition in the backfield from Kregg Lumpkin, but still turned in a strong campaign, finishing second on the team with 492 yards rushing, helping Georgia to an SEC title. Ware’s role diminished as a junior in 2006 despite an injury to Brown, finishing with just 81 carries for 326 yards. He left for the NFL after his junior season having totaled 1,510 rushing yards and eight TDs in his career. He is currently a member of the New York Giants.

Kregg Lumpkin (2006). Lumpkin battled injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he showed plenty of ability. As a freshman in 2003, Lumpkin was Georgia’s second-leading runner, racking up 523 yards and six touchdowns and appeared on the verge of greatness. An ACL injury on the first day of spring practice cost him the 2004 season, however, and two new faces – Brown and Ware – took his spot. When Lumpkin returned in 2005, his battle back to the starting lineup was slow, but he played in all 13 games on the Bulldogs’ SEC title team, collecting 335 yards and three TDs. A year later, he regained the starting job and led Georgia with 798 yards rushing and six scores, including a career best 105 yards in a shocking win over No. 5 Auburn. Injuries again cropped up in his senior season in 2007, but Lumpkin managed to secure a job in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. For his career, Lumpkin ran for 1,699 yards and 17 total touchdowns.

Knowshon Moreno (2007-2008). Perhaps no player has made more of an impact in just two seasons in Bulldogs history. Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007, rushing for 1,334 yards including a monstrous 33-carry performance in a win over Florida in which he racked up 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He was a freshman All-American that season and an All-SEC selection. In 2008, he was a full-fledged starter and turned in an All-American performance, rushing for 1,400 yards (fifth-best in Georgia history) and 16 touchdowns (fourth-best in school history). His 5.49 yards per carry average was the seventh-best mark of any running back in a career at Georgia, and his 19.2 carries per game average was the second best. He is one of just two tailbacks in school history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Linebackers

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 13th ballot is for Georgia’s top linebackers of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top three vote-getters will make the team.)

Boss Bailey (1999-2002). Following in the footsteps of his All-American brother Champ, Boss Bailey was one of Georgia’s most prolific linebackers, a four-year starter and two-time All-SEC performer. His senior season marked a high point, as Bailey earned All-American status, leading the team with 114 tackles and six sacks. He was a semifinalist for both the Butkus and Lombardi awards that season and helped the Bulldogs to their first SEC title in 20 years. He was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

Chris Clemons (2002). Clemons played sporadically in 2000 and 2001 before bursting onto the scene as one of the mainstays of the 2002 SEC championship defense that finished first in the conference and fourth nationally in scoring defense. He recorded 53 tackles and one sack that season. Clemons played alongside his brother Nic while at Georgia and signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2003. He currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Will Witherspoon (1999-2001). Witherspoon was one of the key players to smooth the transition between the Jim Donnan and Mark Richt eras. After starting every game as a freshman in 1999, Witherspoon proved to be a consistent and versatile performer during his time in Athens. He wrapped up his career at Georgia having played all three linebacker positions, totaling 211 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He was a third-round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2002.

Odell Thurman (2003-2004). A junior-college transfer, Thurman spent just two years at Georgia, but he made the most of them. He was an All-SEC selection both years and was a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2004. His 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Auburn in ’04 was the second longest in school history. He wrapped up his two-year career with 184 tackles and 9.5 sacks and was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tony Gilbert (2001-2002). A captain on Georgia’s 2002 SEC championship defense, Gilbert improved in each year of his career culminating with an All-SEC season as a senior in which he had 114 tackles, which led the team, 2.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. Gilbert led the Bulldogs in tackles every year from 2000 through 2002 and his 328 career stops ranks 10th all-time at Georgia. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

Danny Verdun Wheeler (2004-2006). A four-year contributor and three-year starter, Verdun Wheeler was a steadying force on Georgia’s defense throughout the middle portion of the decade. In his first year as a starter in 2004, he finished with 51 tackles, including nine against Auburn. In 2005, Verdun Wheeler was an integral part of the SEC title-winning defense and set a career high with 13 tackles against Arkansas. He split time at outside linebacker as a senior with Jarvis Jackson but remained one of the key cogs on defense and wrapped up his career with a 40-12 record and two SEC titles.

Tony Taylor (2005-2006). Taylor’s early career was nagged by injuries, but he was a key contributor in a reserve role on the 2002 SEC champions and a starter at linebacker on the 2005 conference champs. His career was stellar throughout, but he reached a crescendo as a senior when he was named a team captain and earned All-SEC honors. In the Chick-fil-A Bowl that season, Taylor picked off two passes and made 10 tackles to earn defensive MVP honors. His 280 career tackles ranks 17th all-time at Georgia.

Dannell Ellerbe (2007-2008). Ellerbe started 20 games in his career but was a key contributor for four seasons, including making 15 tackles and two sacks on Georgia’s 2005 SEC title defense as a freshman. Off-field issues hindered his early career, however, and it wasn’t until his junior season in 2007 that he broke through with a big season. He led the team that year with 93 tackles and earned All-SEC honors. He was a preseason All-SEC pick as a senior, but injuries cost him several games. He still finished with 33 tackles and an interception. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Rennie Curran (2007-present). Quite simply one of the most active defenders in Georgia history, what Curran lacks in size he has made up for in heart and determination. Earned a starting gig midway through his freshman season and helped Georgia’s defense to a Sugar Bowl victory, making 53 tackles on the year with three sacks. As a sophomore in 2008, he was the heart and soul of Georgia’s defense, leading the team with 115 tackles – second best in the SEC – and 10 TFLs. He earned All-SEC honors that year, but upped his game even more as a junior. So far this season, he has 122 tackles – the most at Georgia in five years – and was a first-team All-SEC selection. He became the first Georgia player with consecutive 100-tackle seasons since Greg Bright in 1996-97 and was named the team’s overall MVP.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Wide Receivers

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 12th ballot is for Georgia’s top wide receivers of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top two vote-getters will make the team.)

Terrence Edwards (1999-2002). The owner of virtually every receiving record at Georgia, Edwards was a beast for four seasons at both split end and flanker. He led the Bulldogs in receiving in every year of his career, culminating with a 1,004-yard senior season – the only time a Georgia player has ever eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. His 204 career receptions, 3,093 career yards, 30 TD receptions and 11 touchdown grabs in 2002 are all school records, while his 59 catches in 2002 are the second-most in a season in Georgia history. His career yardage total is also an SEC record. He was an All-SEC selection as a senior and helped Georgia to its first SEC title in 20 years. He played with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL for one season.

Fred Gibson (2002-2004). If Edwards set the standard for four-year starters at Georgia, Gibson wasn’t far off the mark. While not officially a starter as a freshman in 2001, Gibson was probably Georgia’s most dangerous receiver. He had five 100-yard games that season, including a nine-catch, 201-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kentucky. The 201 yards in one game remains a UGA record. As a sophomore in 2002, Gibson chipped in with two more 100-yard games and added 93 more in an SEC championship game victory over Arkansas. Gibson’s numbers dipped as a junior, but he ended the season with a two-touchdown game against Purdue in the Capital One Bowl. He rebounded his senior year, posting a career-high 801 yards and seven TDs, including a 169-yard effort against Arkansas. He was named a first-team All-SEC selection that season and finished his career with 161 receptions (third in UGA history), 2,884 yards (second in UGA history) and 20 TD receptions (second in school history) before being drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reggie Brown (2003-2004). Gibson’s partner in crime throughout most of his career was the fleet-footed Brown, who, along with Gibson, gave Georgia one of its most dynamic duos of all time at the receiver position. Brown arrived at Georgia more heralded than his counterpart, but injuries derailed his early career. By his junior season in 2003, however, Brown was ready to explode. He made seven receptions for his first 100-yard game and added two touchdowns in a win over South Carolina that season, and finished the year with 662 yards receiving. As a senior, he finished second in the SEC with 860 receiving yards, added six touchdowns and highlighted his season by torching LSU for 110 yards and two scores. He ended his career with 2,008 yards receiving – one of just six Bulldogs to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark – and 12 touchdowns and was a second-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bryan McClendon (2005). McClendon was mostly reserve material for much of his career, waiting in the shadows while Gibson and Brown made headlines. But like many of the members of the 2005 SEC title team, he made the most of his last opportunity. He was easily the most consistent of Georgia’s receivers that year, leading a young group with 35 receptions and 529 yards while grabbing six touchdowns, including a crucial grab in the end zone to beat Georgia Tech 14-7 in Atlanta. McClendon spent a preseason with the Chicago Bears after graduating, but an injury ended his career. He then came back to Georgia and helped coach another of the Bulldogs’ great receivers, A.J. Green, before being named the team’s running backs coach in 2009.

Sean Bailey (2005, 2007). One of the great big-play threats in recent years for Georgia, Bailey’s career was stifled by injuries, but when he played, he played well. He found the end zone three times as a sophomore in 2004, including grabbing to scores against Kentucky. In 2005, he was a break-out performer in the passing game, helping Georgia to an SEC title with a remarkable two-touchdown performance in the conference championship game against LSU, and his 22.8 yards per catch was the fifth-best mark in Georgia history. A knee injury in bowl practice that year cost him the 2006 season, but Bailey returned in 2007 to turn in the best performance of his career. He caught 39 passes for 615 yards – tops on the team – with his best games coming against some of the Bulldogs’ toughest opponents in Oklahoma State, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia Tech. He finished his career with 75 receptions for 1,269 yards. He played in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers.

Mohamed Massaquoi (2005-2008). Quite simply one of the most consistently productive players of the Mark Richt era, Massaquoi burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2005, leading the team with 38 receptions and helping the Bulldogs to an SEC title. His production dipped as a sophomore while Georgia rotated quarterbacks, but he still finished the year with 30 grabs to lead the team while starting nine games. He rebounded as a junior in 2007, helping Georgia to a Sugar Bowl win while catching 32 passes for 491 yards and four TDs. His career year came as a senior, however, when he led the team with 58 receptions – fourth-best in school history – and earned All-SEC honors, while hauling in 920 yards receiving (fourth in school history for a single season) and catching eight touchdown passes. He topped 180 yards receiving in two of his final four games, and his 11-catch, 191-yard day against Kentucky ranks as the fifth-most productive in school history. His three TD receptions against Georgia Tech that year make him one of just four players to accomplish that feat in school history. He wrapped up his career fourth in career receiving yards with 2,282, fourth in career TDs with 16 and fourth in receptions with 158. Massaquoi was selected in the second round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2009 NFL draft.

A.J. Green (2008-present). While there is still much more time left in Green’s career, he has already established himself as perhaps the most skilled receiver in school history after less than two full seasons. As a freshman in 2008, Green earned All-SEC honors by catching 56 passes (a freshman record) and 963 yards (the third-best total in school history) and was named the SEC’s freshman of the year. As a sophomore, he was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and made his second straight All-SEC team despite missing three of the final four games of the regular season. His 47 catches and 751 yards both led the team and he hauled in six touchdown catches, including a career-long 61-yarder against Vanderbilt. In just 22 career games, Green has already tallied 1,714 yards receiving, 103 catches and 14 touchdowns.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Safeties

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 11th ballot is for Georgia’s top safeties of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top two vote-getters will make the team.)

Jermaine Phillips (2000-2001). Phillips started his career as a little-used wide receiver at Georgia, but was converted to safety in 2000 and blossomed. He finished with 85 tackles and two interceptions in his first year at strong safety in 2000, then earned All-SEC honors as a senior in 2001 after making 80 tackles, three interceptions and forcing four fumbles. Phillips was an exceptional athlete who, although he wasn’t afraid to hit, was also one of the fastest safeties to play at Georgia this decade. He finished his career with 165 tackles and five picks and was drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he went on to win a Super Bowl.

Sean Jones (2002-2003). Jones had a solid career at Georgia, but it was against Auburn in 2002 that he truly blossomed. In that game, Jones picked off Tigers quarterback Jason Campbell twice, helping the Bulldogs to a 24-21 win that sent them to their first SEC championship game. In Jones’ senior season in 2003, he exploded. Jones was among the top playmakers in the league that year, making 111 tackles, corralling five interceptions and recovering two fumbles, including one that he returned 92 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee. Jones even blocked three kicks that season, earning All-American honors to boot. He finished his career with 250 tackles and seven interceptions and was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Thomas Davis (2003-2004). Davis didn’t arrive at Georgia with a lot of buzz but once he got onto the field, he made his presence known quickly – and with authority. One of Georgia’s all-time hardest hitters, Davis finished his career with 272 tackles, 10.5 sacks and three interceptions and earned All-SEC honors in both 2003 and 2004. His 272 tackles ranks 17th all-time in Georgia history and his 138 takedowns in 2003 were the most by a Bulldogs defender since Greg Bright in 1996 and marked the 12th-best during any season in school history. As a junior in 2004, Davis earned All-America honors and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Greg Blue (2004-2005). Georgia’s third All-American safety of the 2000s was perhaps its most feared. Blue’s coverage skills may not have been NFL caliber, but he hit with the best of them, and receivers thought twice about catching a pass anywhere near Blue. As a freshman, Blue made 42 tackles and starred on special teams for a team that won an SEC title. By 2004, however, he had earned a starting job and made 80 tackles while forcing three fumbles that season. In his senior year in 2005, Blue was dominant. He finished with a career-best 96 tackles – the most on the team – and intercepted two passes en route to All-SEC and All-America honors and yet another SEC title. He finished his career with 260 tackles and was taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft.

Tra Battle (2005-2006). At just 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Battle didn’t look the part of the intimidating hitter, but he took his cues from players like Davis and Blue and lived up to their standard by unleashing furious hits on defenders who rarely saw it coming. A reserve for much of his first two seasons, Battle was a key contributor on Georgia’s 2005 SEC title team, finishing the year with 71 tackles. As a senior in 2006, Battle was the vocal leader of the secondary, finishing with 57 tackles and six interceptions. In the Bulldogs’ shocking 37-15 win at Auburn that season, Battle made three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown to help unranked Georgia topple the fifth-ranked Tigers. For his career, Battle had 128 tackles, eight interceptions and earned All-SEC honors his senior season. He went on to play three seasons in the NFL.

Kelin Johnson (2006-2007). Johnson wasn’t a star right off the bat, but he managed to carry on the tradition of hard-hitting safeties in his junior and senior seasons when he started 23 games and was a vocal leader of the Bulldogs’ defense. In 2006, Johnson started every game and finished with 60 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. In his senior season, he helped Georgia to a Sugar Bowl victory and a No. 2 ranking by making 49 tackles and picking off four passes, including two in a 45-20 win over Auburn. Johnson ended his career with 123 tackles and seven interceptions.

Reshad Jones (2008-present). A five-star recruit, Jones was redshirted his first season in Athens, but became an instant playmaker when he finally took the field in 2007. He started just two games that season but made 57 tackles – including six against Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl – and had two interceptions. He became a full-time starter a year later and earned second-team All-SEC honors after recording 76 tackles and a team-high five interceptions. Although Jones flirted with the NFL, he returned for his junior year in 2009 and added to his resume by making 68 tackles – second on the team – and three more interceptions, including one in a win over Georgia Tech to cap the regular season. For his career, Jones has 201 tackles and 10 interceptions and could easily crack Georgia’s record books with a solid senior season.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Offensive Line

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our 10th ballot is for Georgia’s top offensive linemen of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top three vote-getters on the interior line and top two tackles will make the team.)

INTERIOR LINEMEN

Ben Jones (2008-present). Jones is the prototypical offensive lineman in almost every way. On one hand, he’s a big bruiser checking in at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. But more than his physique, it’s his attitude that makes Jones intimidating. He’s aggressive, confident, and perhaps a little crazy. The self-proclaimed country boy from Alabama took over the starting center job just four games into his career, earning a freshman All-SEC nod in 2008. His blocking earned him offensive lineman of the week honors in the SEC after Georgia beat Kentucky that year. In 2009, he blossomed into a veteran leader on the line despite being just a sophomore and was named second-team All-SEC.

Chris Davis (2007-present). Never the flashiest of linemen – although, are any of them that flashy? – Davis is every bit the gritty warrior a good line needs. In three seasons of action, Davis has started 36 of a possible 38 games despite playing much of the past two seasons with a nagging hip injury that required surgery after 2008. He was a freshman All-American honorable mention in 2007, started at three different positions on a makeshift line in 2008 and recovered from offseason surgery to become a cornerstone of Georgia’s resurgent line in 2009 at both left and right guard.

Nick Jones (2003-2006). On an offense composed mostly by youth in 2006, Jones was the unquestioned leader. He started every game that season and earned All-SEC honors, was named the team’s permanent captain and its offensive MVP while handling the center position on a unit that started three different quarterbacks. Jones was a key contributor throughout his career at Georgia, starting games in four seasons and ending his career with a string of 32 consecutive starts.

Alex Jackson (2001-2002). Under Jim Donnan, Jackson was the Bulldogs’ top reserve lineman, but when Mark Richt arrived in 2001, Jackson quickly emerged as a starter. He started 10 games his junior season, including a strong performance at right tackle subbing for Jon Stichcomb against Georgia Tech that season. Jackson’s biggest success came at guard, however, where the 335-pound behemoth helped open holes up the middle and thwart defensive pressure on the Bulldogs’ 2002 SEC title team as the starting left guard.

Russ Tanner (2003-2005). A backup center on Mark Richt’s first SEC title team in 2002, Tanner progressed in every year of his career. He started throughout his final three seasons in Athens, culminating with another conference championship in 2005. As a sophomore in 2003, he started 14 games for the SEC East champs. He was named to the Remmington Trophy Watch List his final two seasons and a member of the Academic All-SEC team. He graduated as part of the winningest class in Georgia history.

Kevin Breedlove (1999-2002). The burly, 315-pound lineman was a beast in the interior of Georgia’s offensive line during the early part of the decade. As a freshman in 1999, he earned freshman All-America honors, and his career took off from there. He earned All-SEC honors in both 2000 and 2002, helping Georgia to its first SEC championship win in ’02 in 20 years. He set the Georgia school record for non-kickers by making 47 straight starts to end his career.

Max Jean-Gilles (2003-2005). Jean-Gilles (last name hyphenated despite Mark Richt’s usual moniker of “Max-Jean”) was part of Georgia’s 2002 freshman class, earning an SEC title that year as a backup. As a sophomore, he blossomed, dominating opposing defenders with ease. One of the largest linemen ever to play at Georgia checking in at close to 350 pounds, Jean-Gilles was a three-year starter who paved the way for some of Georgia’s most successful offensive seasons. He earned All-SEC honors in each of his three seasons as a starter and was named a Walter Camp All-American as a senior in 2005 when he won his second SEC title.

Fernando Velasco (2006-2007). Velasco didn’t have a typical career path at Georgia, earning minimal time off the bench in 2003 and 2004 before redshirting the 2005 season. But when he emerged as a starter in 2006, he blossomed. He started 25 games in his final two seasons in Athens, a period in which the Bulldogs went 20-6. As a senior in 2007, he won the SEC’s offensive lineman of the week award twice and helped the Bulldogs to a Sugar Bowl victory and a No. 2 overall ranking with one of the most potent offensive attacks in the conference. He earned a second-team All-SEC nod in 2007.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Clint Boling (2007-present). Perhaps the most crucial player on Georgia’s offense the past two seasons, Boling has proven an invaluable resource all over the line. As a freshman in 2007, Boling made 11 starts at both right guard and right tackle and was named to the freshman All-America team. In 2008, he started 12 games and played at three different positions, but it was his move from the right side of the line to left tackle that finally settled a chaotic season on Georgia’s line. He earned first-team All-SEC honros in 2008 blocking for Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for 1,400 yards, and was the SEC’s lineman of the week in a win over Tennessee. In 2009, Boling again started the year on the right side of the line, but moved to left tackle midway through the year. Not surprisingly, Georgia’s running game exploded after the transition, and Boling earned All-SEC honors for the second straight season.

Jon Stinchcomb (1999-2002). Following in the footsteps of his older brother Matt, Jon Stinchcomb made his mark as one of the most dominant blockers in Bulldogs history as a four-year starter and three-time All-SEC selection. As a redshirt freshman in 1999, he started 11 games and was a fixture at right tackle for the remainder of his career. In 2002, he recovered a fumble in the end zone against Auburn, becoming the first Georgia lineman to score a touchdown in 17 years. He helped Georgia to an SEC title that season and earned All-America honors as well. He was a second-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2003 and is currently enjoying a 13-0 season with the Saints this year.

Chester Adams (2006-2007). Adams started 23 games in his final two years at Georgia and was a crucial bridge between the Bulldogs’ talented linemen in the first half of Mark Richt’s tenure and the young group of up-and-comers that now occupy the line. With a true freshman at QB in 2006, Adams was part of a line that allowed just 17 sacks – the second best mark in the SEC. A year later, with three freshman playing significant roles, Adams was the veteran core of a line that helped Knowshon Moreno rush for more than 1,300 yards and helped Georgia to a Suger Bowl victory.

George Foster (2001-2002). As a sophomore in 2000, Foster was used primarily as a backup but still saw significant playing time. A year later, however, Foster nailed down the first-team tackle spot on Mark Richt’s first offensive line, starting nine games. In his senior season in 2002, Foster worked on the line again helping Georgia to its first SEC title in 20 years. After his senior season, Foster was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He currently plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Daniel Inman (2003-2006). One of the most consistent performers of the 2000s, Inman started 48 games in his career – the second most by any player in school history – and earned first-team All-SEC honors in both 2005 and 2006. Inman started 12 games as a true freshman in 2003 and earned freshman All-America honors for his work that year. By his junior year in 2005, he had developed into one of the most dominant tackles in the SEC and helped the Bulldogs to a conference championship. As a senior, he anchored the right side of Georgia’s line and was a first-team All-SEC selection.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Cornerbacks

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our ninth ballot is for Georgia’s top cornerbacks of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top two vote-getters will make the team.)

Tim Wansley (1999-2001). When Mark Richt was hired before the 2001 season, it came with high expectations and one mandate: Beat Georgia Tech. It was Wansley’s interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of that year’s game against the Yellow Jackets that ensured Richt was successful in his first attempt against Tech, but there was much more to Wansley’s career than his signature play. He was an All-SEC performer in 2000 and 2001, and led the team with six interceptions in 2000 – two of which he returned for TDs. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 NFL draft.

Tim Jennings (2003-2005). A three-year starter, Jennings was small in stature but came up big on game days. As a senior in 2005, he helped the Bulldogs to an SEC title and was named to the All-SEC team. He finished with 56 tackles and four interceptions that season, including one he returned for a touchdown against LSU in the conference championship game. For his career, he finished with 170 tackles, 10 for a loss, and made 10 interceptions. His 194 career return yards off picks ranks fifth in school history. After winning two SEC titles with the Bulldogs, Jennings went on to win a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.

Demario Minter (2004-2005). An All-SEC selection as a senior, Minter helped anchor Georgia’s secondary as the Bulldogs won the 2005 SEC championship. Minter’s early career was sidetracked by off-field issues, but after coming up big in Georgia’s 2004 Capital One Bowl win over Purdue, he quickly became a stalwart on defense his final two seasons. His interception in the end zone helped Georgia thwart Tennessee in 2005, and he finished his career with 124 tackles and 23 pass deflections. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft.

Paul Oliver (2006). Oliver’s career might be best remembered for his role as Calvin Johnson’s arch nemesis. Oliver was a critical cog in halting the superstar receiver during his days at Georgia Tech, and his fourth-quarter interception in 2006 helped seal the Bulldogs win over the Yellow Jackets that year. In what turned out to be his final game at Georgia, he had a career-best nine tackles, including three for a loss against Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. For is career, he made 94 tackles and had seven interceptions. He currently plays for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers.

Prince Miller (2007-2009). Never fully embraced by the fans, Miller still spent parts of four seasons as a starter in Georgia’s defensive backfield. Miller recorded his first career interception in Georgia’s Sugar Bowl win over Hawaii in 2007. He followed that up with a strong 2008 season in which he tallied 60 tackles, including 11 in a win over Kentucky. In 2009, he started every game of his senior season, making 37 tackles, including four for a loss.

Asher Allen (2007-2008). Part of Georgia’s star-studded 2006 recruiting class, Allen was a contributor for the Bulldogs’ defense almost from the beginning. As a sophomore in 2007, Allen blossomed, starting 11 games and making 64 tackles. He had two sacks and three interceptions that season, including two in Georgia’s Sugar Bowl victory over Hawaii. As a junior in 2008, Allen was a rare consistent producer on a defense that struggled at times. He started all 13 games, making 53 tackles, including nine in the Bulldogs’ Capital One Bowl win over Michigan State, despite playing much of the season with a broken hand. He was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

Bruce Thornton (2001-2003). Perhaps Willie Martinez’s biggest success story at Georgia, Thornton opened his career as a tailback under Jim Donnan, but was converted to corner when Martinez arrived in 2001. The move was a fortuitous one for the Bulldogs. Although he was a three-year starter, it was his 75-yard interception return for a TD against Florida State in 2003 that helped Georgia to its first Sugar Bowl victory in 22 years. In his career, Thornton made 129 tackles and collected four interceptions, numbers that were often deflated because opponents simply avoided throwing to his side of the field.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Fullbacks

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our eighth ballot is for Georgia’s top fullback of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as Georgia’s starter in parentheses.)

Verron Haynes (2001). Haynes only big season at Georgia came in Mark Richt’s first year when he worked primarily at fullback but saw plenty of action as a runner. Always a strong blocker, Haynes showed his athleticism by leading the team with 121 carries and 691 yards rushing. He scored nine times that season and finished the year by racking up 521 yards in his last three games. His 207 yards rushing against Georgia Tech to cap the regular season helped the Bulldogs to their first win over their in-state rivals in three seasons and remain the high-water mark for a single game since Richt became coach. He was taken in the fifth round of the NFL draft and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

Brannan Southerland (2005-2007). A four-year contributor, Southerland was the prototypical fullback and earned his stripes as a freshman on Georgia’s 2005 SEC championship team, scoring three touchdowns. A year later, he was thrust into the role of Georgia’s primary short-yardage runner as the Bulldogs struggled to find consistency on offense. Southerland was the first fullback to lead the Bulldogs in scoring in 49 years, tallying 10 touchdowns on the year. As a junior, his role as a runner decreased but he still scored six touchdowns and helped lead the way for Knowshon Moreno to total 1,334 yards – the most at Georgia in 15 years. An offseason foot injury cost him much of his senior season, but Southerland wrapped up his career with 460 total yards and 22 touchdowns.

Shaun Chapas (2008-present). Chapas got a taste of action as a freshman in 2007 totaling 63 yards as an understudy for Southerland. As a sophomore in 2008, however, Chapas role increased dramatically and he proved he was up to the challenge. He started all 13 games for the Bulldogs and paved the way for Knowshon Moreno to rack up 1,400 yards on the ground despite a patchwork offensive line in front of him. But it wasn’t just as a blocker that Chapas excelled. He showed he was a versatile player, handling rushing duties in several short-yardage situations and catching nine passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. As a junior in 2009, he again was the Bulldogs’ primary fullback and added eight more receptions and another touchdown to his career tally.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Defensive Ends

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our seventh ballot is for Georgia’s top defensive ends of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s starters in parentheses. The top two vote-getters will be selected to the All-Decade team.)

Quentin Moses (2005-2006). A first-team All-SEC selection and second-team All-American in 2005, Moses was a beast off the edge helping to lead Georgia to a conference title. His 11.5 sacks that season were the sixth-most in school history. He finished his career with 25 sacks, also sixth-best in Georgia history. After beginning his career as a basketball player, Moses wrapped up his time at Georgia with 137 tackles, including 45 for a loss. He was a third-round selection in the 2007 NFL draft.

Charles Johnson (2006). Moses’ partner in crime off the edge for much of his career, Johnson may well have been the superior pass rusher. As a reserve in 2005, Johnson was fierce off the edge, notching 23 tackles, four sacks and 28 QB pressures. As a junior in 2006, he became one of the most feared pass rushers in the SEC, making 9.5 sacks, 44 tackles, 19 TFLs, 30 QB hurries and four forced fumbles. He also was the first defensive end in school history to lead the team in passes defended with 10. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2006 and after declaring his eligibility a year early and being drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Robert Geathers (2003). Part of an impressive family legacy, Geathers’ uncle, father and two brothers have all played college football, and he definitely lived up to that high standard. He was a starter for just one season, but posted 81 tackles, five sacks and 22 QB hurries in his career while also making two interceptions, including one in a win over Tennessee in 2003. He departed Georgia after his junior season and was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.

David Pollack (2001-2004). One of the most decorated athletes in Georgia history, Pollack was a three-time All-American, who holds the school records for sacks with 36 and was named the SEC’s player of the year in 2004. In his career, he had 58 tackles for a loss, made 283 total tackles, holds the single-season record for sacks with 14 in 2002 and his interception of South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the end zone in a 13-7 win remains one of the signature plays of the decade and helped propel the Bulldogs to an SEC title. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Charles Grant (1999-2000). Under the Jim Donnan regime, Grant opened his career as a running back, but it was on the defensive side of the ball that he made his real mark. He finished his Georgia career with 136 tackles, 27 TFLs and 15 sacks, despite only playing two full seasons at defensive end. His 15 career sacks ranks ninth all-time at Georgia and his four-sack performance against Auburn in 2001 ranks as the second-best performance in school history. His junior season in 2001 resulted in 63 tackles and six sacks and was named to the All-SEC team. He was a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2002 and has gone on to a successful NFL career.

Marcus Howard (2007). Howard spent the bulk of his career as a linebacker, but his senior season, he moved to defensive end and blossomed into a star. He was named to the first-team All-SEC team after making 41 tackles and 10.5 sacks while forcing three fumbles. In Georgia’s Sugar Bowl win that season, he was named the game’s MVP after making 3.5 sacks and forcing a fumble that he recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. For his career, his 12 sacks rank 15th in school history and his 10.5 sacks as a senior is the ninth-best mark at Georgia in a single season. He was taken in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Will Thompson (2002-2005). Playing alongside Pollack and Moses, Thompson never earned a ton of spotlight at Georgia, but he was a four-year contributor at defensive end and won two SEC titles with the team. He started 37 games in his career, making 104 tackles, 14.5 sacks – good for 10th in school history – and 24.5 TFLs. In the 2003 Sugar Bowl, he made five tackles and had two sacks to help the Bulldogs to their first SEC title of the decade, but suffered a season-ending injury in the game and missed the 2003 season.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Quarterbacks

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our sixth ballot is for Georgia’s top quarterback of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as Georgia’s starter in parentheses.)

David Greene (2001-2004). Until Texas’ Colt McCoy broke the mark this season, Greene held the NCAA record for most victories by a starting quarterback with 42 in four seasons. His career began as a redshirt freshman the same season Mark Richt arrived in Athens, and he was as much a part of Georgia’s resurgence as anyone. From his “Hobnail Boot” pass to Verron Haynes to beat Tennessee in 2001 to his SEC record 214 pass attempts without an interception to his 2002 SEC title to three straight All-SEC nods, Greene’s career was among the most successful by any quarterback in Georgia history. He holds the school record for completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns and ranks third all-time in completion percentage.

D.J. Shockley (2005). Shockley’s first four seasons in Athens were spent waiting in the wings behind David Greene, but when he got his shot as the starter, he surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations. Shockley opened the 2005 season with a five-touchdown performance against Boise State in the first start of his career and things just got better from there. As a starter that season, he finished with a 10-2 record, and the two losses could hardly be blamed on him. He finished with 582 yards, five TDs and no interceptions in those two games. His high point, however, was a 34-14 win over LSU to give Richt his second SEC championship and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. Shockely’s 24 passing TDs in 2005 tied for the second most in a season by any Georgia quarterback and his career pass-efficiency rating of 142.86 is the best in school history – by a wide margin.

Matthew Stafford (2006-2008). Perhaps no quarterback has ever come to Georgia with higher expectations thrust upon him than Stafford. While his predecessors – Greene and Shockley – had time to develop, Stafford was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman. It wasn’t always pretty that season, but Stafford grew into the role, leading Georgia to three straight wins over ranked opponents to cap the year. As a sophomore in 2007, Stafford threw for more than 2,5000 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping Georgia to a No. 2 overall ranking and a Sugar Bowl victory. In his junior season, Stafford turned a corner, completing 61.4 percent of his passes, throwing a school record 25 touchdowns – including tying a school mark with five against Georgia Tech – and finishing with the second-highest pass-efficiency rating for a single season in school history while earning an All-SEC nod. He wrapped up his career third in Georgia history in touchdowns, passing yards and completions. While Greene held the school record with 42 wins, Stafford’s career winning percentage of .794 nearly matched Greene’s mark of .807. He wrapped up his career by becoming the No. 1 overall draft choice by the Detroit Lions in 2009.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Defensive Tackles

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our fifth ballot is for Georgia’s top defensive tackles of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as one of Georgia’s primary defensive tackles in parentheses. The top two vote getters will be selected for the All-Decade team.)

Richard Seymour (1999-2000). If we went back through the last 20 years, there’s a good chance Seymour would be atop any list of great UGA defensive tackles, and given his stellar NFL career, he’s clearly created a lasting legacy. But this is all about the 2000s, and Seymour only played one year during the decade – but it was a heck of a year. He was a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC as a senior in 2000, playing along three other future NFL first-round draft picks. He started 10 games that season, making 78 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss. He was selected sixth overall by the New England Patriots in the 2001 NFL draft.

Marcus Stroud (1999-2000). Like Seymour, Stroud has just one year of playing time in the 2000s to his credit, but he made the most of it. Along with Seymour, Stroud was an All-SEC selection and a crucial cog on a defense that allowed just 18 points per game. He recorded 57 tackles, 1.5 sacks and six TFLs as a senior and led the team with 24 quarterback pressures. And like Seymour, Stroud was selected in the first round – 13th overall – of the 2001 NFL draft.

Johnathan Sullivan (2001-2002). Numbers simply don’t do justice to the impact Sullivan had during his years at Georgia. He was a dominant run stuffer on Mark Richt’s first team in 2001 and on the 2002 SEC title team. As a junior in 2002, Sullivan was named a first-team All-SEC selection. Of course, while numbers don’t define him, that’s not to say they weren’t impressive. In his three-year career at Georgia, he recorded 154 tackles, nine sacks, four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. His final season in 2002, he recorded 74 tackles and four sacks and was selected sixth overall in 2003 draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Gerald Anderson (2003-2005). Never the flashiest of Georgia’s run of successful defensive tackles, Anderson made his mark for four seasons in Athens and was a key member of the defensive line for the Bulldogs’ 2005 SEC title team. His best season came as a junior in 2004 when he made 55 tackles with two sacks and eight tackles for a loss. As a senior, he had 31 takedowns, seven of which went for a loss, but missed the Sugar Bowl with an injury – a game Georgia lost as West Virginia racked up 385 yards rushing without Anderson to help stuff the middle.

Kedric Golston (2003-2005). Golston battled injuries throughout his career at Georgia, but played through the majority of them. He was a freshman All-SEC his first season in Athens in 2002, helping the Bulldogs to an SEC title as a reserve. By his senior season, however, he had grown into a dominant force. He made 21 tackles in 2005, including 1.5 sacks and 28 QB pressures helping to win his second SEC title, helping hold LSU to just 74 rush yards in the conference championship game. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft and currently plays for the Washington Redskins.

Jeff Owens (2006-07, 2009). Owens’ impact at Georgia has been big since he first arrived in Athens. As a reserve in 2005, he had 2.5 sacks, including one against LSU in the SEC title game, and was a second-team freshman All-American. A year later, he started 11 games, making 26 tackles and 19 QB hurries. In 2007, Owens was the anchor of a stalwart defense that helped the Bulldogs finish with a No. 2 ranking and a Sugar Bowl win. He had 26 tackles and 21 QB hurries on a defense that finished 16th nationally in rush defense. He missed all of the 2008 season with an ACL injury but returned in 2009 to help rejuvenate the defense, starting all 12 games, making 31 tackles, including four for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. Like Sullivan, however, Owens’ career is defined less by his own numbers and more by how much he improved the players around him.

Geno Atkins (2007-2009). If anyone has benefited from Owens’ success, it’s Atkins, but the three-year starter has had plenty of success on his own, too. A first-team All-SEC selection as a sophomore, Atkins has been one of the most feared defensive tackles in the conference for three seasons. In 2007, Atkins started just seven games but led the Bulldogs with 14.5 tackles for a loss, including a three-sack performance in a win over Georgia Tech. Without Owens in 2008, Atkins saw increased attention from defenses, but still made 34 tackles and had a team-high 32 QB hurries. As a senior, Atkins was a second-team All-SEC selection, making 33 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss, and 2 sacks along with 27 QB hurries.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.

And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Tight Ends

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our fourth ballot is for Georgia’s top tight end of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as Georgia’s starting tight end in parentheses)

Randy McMichael (1999-2001). An All-SEC selection in 2001, McMichael’s early career was plagued by injuries but ended with two strong seasons in the 2000s. In 2000, he caught 32 passes for 475 yards, second in the SEC among tight ends, and wrapped up his season with a stellar 12-catch, 156-yard game against Georgia Tech – one of the best single-game performances by a tight end this decade for the Dawgs and the third-most receptions by any Georgia player in a single game in history. In 2001, he added 24 catches for 281 yards, including a 6-catch, 108-yard day against Tennessee in the first signature victory of the Mark Richt era. He went on to be a fourth-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins and now plays with the St. Louis Rams.

Ben Watson (2002-2003). After transferring from Duke, Watson was more than ready to continue the tradition of strong tight ends at Georgia. Backing up McMichael in 2001, he picked up 187 yards and a TD. A year later, he was the main man and lived up to his top billing with 31 catches, 341 yards and three touchdowns en route to an SEC title. His numbers took a small step back his senior season in 2003 – 23 catches, 234 yards and 1 TD – but he earned a second-team All-SEC nod and was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots, where he went on to win a Super Bowl. He finished his career at Georgia with 65 receptions for 852 yards and six touchdowns.

Leonard Pope (2004-2005). Before the hybrid tight end became the norm among high-flying offenses, it was Pope’s 6-foot-5 frame and exceptional athleticism that made him one of the most feared receivers in the SEC. Pope took home first-team All-SEC honors both of his years as a starter. His sophomore season, Pope picked up where Watson left off with 25 catches and 482 yards and six touchdowns including an impressive two-TD performance in a win over Florida. As a junior in 2005, Pope finished 11th in the SEC in receiving yards, hauling in 39 passes for 541 yards – the high mark among Georgia receivers – and helping the Bulldogs to an SEC title. He finished his career at Georgia with 65 catches and 1,044 yards and was taken in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals after his junior year.

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.


And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.

Dawgs of the Decade: The Returners

Through a decade of success, there have been plenty of players who have made their mark in a Georgia uniform, and for the next two weeks, The Telegraph will be giving you the chance to vote on your picks for the Bulldogs’ All-Decade team for the 2000s. We’ll go position-by-position, and you’ll pick the winners by going to www.macon.com/decade to vote.

Our third ballot is for Georgia’s top return men of the decade, and the nominees are:

(Note: Years as Georgia’s primary returner in parentheses)

Damien Gary (2000-2003). As a four-year contributor in the return game, Gary holds the school record for punt return yards in a career with 1,253 – nearly 200 more than the next player on the list. Gary averaged more than 12 yards per return in 2001 and 2002, including a 13.5 average on the ’02 SEC championship team – the seventh-best mark in team history for a player with at least 15 returns. He had two punt-return touchdowns in his career.

Fred Gibson (2001-2002). Gibson’s name will likely be a top vote-getter on the ballot for best wide receivers of the decade, but he was no slouch in the kick return game either. As Georgia’s primary returner in 2001 and 2002, Gibson racked up 835 yards on 33 returns. His average of 26.8 yards per return in 2001 is the highest by any Georgia returner since 1990. His 91-yard kick return for a touchdown against Clemson in 2002 was crucial in a 31-28 win that sparked Georgia’s run to a conference title.

Mikey Henderson (2006-2007). While Henderson will likely be best remembered for his game-winning touchdown catch against Alabama, it was his punt return skills that endeared him to fans. One of the most explosive return men in recent history for Georgia, Henderson was a threat to take it to the house each time he touched the ball. Named as the first-team All-SEC punt returner in 2006, he had two touchdowns that season, including an 86-yarder against Tennessee. His 14.7 yards per return average in 2006 ranks third all-time for the Bulldogs.

Thomas Flowers (2004-2005). Perhaps not the biggest name to work the return game at Georgia, Flowers still made his mark in many ways. He was the primary punt returner as a freshman and sophomore, and his 15.1 yards per return average in 2004 is the second highest in Georgia history for anyone with at least 15 returns and led the SEC that year. In 2005, he helped Georgia to an SEC title and his 54-yard punt return for a TD against Tennessee was one of the highlights of the season. While he sat out most of his junior year with an injury and his role on special teams diminished as a senior, his seven punt returns in those two seasons still accounted for 141 yards. He finished his career seventh in Georgia history with 55 punt returns and fifth in the record book with 821 yards.

Asher Allen (2006-2007). A star at cornerback, Allen was also one of Georgia’s most dynamic return men – working both punt and kick returns throughout his career. As a sophomore in 2007, he set the school record (which was broken this year by Brandon Boykin) with 28 kick returns for 690 yards, including an 82-yarder against Kentucky, helping Georgia to a No. 2 ranking at year’s end. His 24.6 yards per return average was the second highest by a Georgia kick returner since 1991.

Brandon Boykin (2009-present). Boykin’s work in the return game encompasses just one year so far, but it was an impressive one. He set the school record for kick returns in a season with 36 returns and 881 return yards – an average of more than 73 yards per game. Boykin had five games with at least 100 return yards and tied an SEC record with two 100-yard kick returns for touchdowns, including a crucial game-changing score against South Carolina.

(*Note: Yes, I left Prince Miller and Tyson Browning off the ballot, but I had to make some cuts somewhere. Miller returned just nine punts in 2008 and was largely ineffective in 2009 outside of a couple of solid games. Browning was a three-year starter, but had just nine returns in 2003 and was only used as a kick returner in five games in 2005. Feel free to make the case for either in the comments, however.)

So, who gets your vote? Go to www.macon.com/decade to cast your ballot or vote in our previous categories, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December 27th issue of The Telegraph to find out the winners.


And don't forget to leave your comments here on the blog. Tell us about why you made your selection and your favorite memories of those players, and your comments could appear in our final results issue of The Telegraph.