Georgia’s switch to the 3-4 has already produced one benefit: Its opening opponent apparently has no idea what to prepare for – even though its coach knows Todd Grantham very well.
Louisiana-Lafayette coach Ricky Bustle indicated that his offense will basically have to adjust on the fly when it faces Georgia on Saturday.
“It’s tough when you don’t have any film on a team that you’re getting ready to play and they’ve made a chance in their defense,” Bustle said. “It kind of makes you keep things pretty simple. Because we do open up conference play the next week. You’re kind of guessing sometimes what Todd’s gonna do defensively … We just have to feel good about making adjustments.”
Georgia’s new defensive scheme is coached by Todd Grantham, whom Bustle coached when he was an assistant at Virginia Tech. Grantham also served as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech, and Bustle said the two have stayed in touch.
“Todd and I have always been good, good friends and stayed with each other,” Bustle said. “He’s a fine football coach, and I’m sure he’s gonna be ready to get after us.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns, a member of the Sun Belt, are also very experienced playing against major-conference teams. They opened a couple years ago at South Carolina, and played at Nebraska last year. (Getting smoked, 55-0).
So when Bustle was asked about a “David vs. Goliath” kind of feel, he blanched a bit.
“I don’t approach it that way,” he said. “We want our kids to feel like they can go in on any given Saturday and win a game like that. And that’s what we’re gearing up to do. It’s a great tradition at Georgia, I played there myself (as an opposing player). … We’ve played enough of those that we’re not awed by the crowd, or awed by the atmosphere. We’re there to play.”
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday morning notes
I’d be remiss if, on this first day of the first week of the football season, I didn’t open by discussing AMC television shows.
First off, congrats to Bryan Cranston for winning the Emmy. I know a lot of blog readers are big fans of “Breaking Bad,” and are happy about it. (I also though Jim Parsons was well-deserving for his best actor in a comedy series.)
Also, Sunday night’s “Mad Men” was a solid episode. Loved the flashbacks to Don Draper’s hiring by Roger Sterling, and the parallels with Draper’s current downward slope.
And if anybody noticed, very slick – or very presumptuous – of AMC to congratulate “Mad Men” on winning the Emmy for best dramatic series DURING the show on Sunday night, just a few minutes after it officially won it.
As for football, a few housekeeping things:
- Just to tie up a few minor loose ends from the Washaun Ealey arrest: The incident report, which became available on Monday morning, revealed that it was teammate Jakar Hamilton’s car Ealey was driving, Ealey struck a UGA-owned car in the parking deck, and Ealey actually returned to the scene after the police had identified him as the driver.
- Georgia begins a set schedule of practices this week. The team will have night practices Monday through Thursday, and head coach Mark Richt will have his first news conference of the season on Tuesday.
- As you’d expect, a ton of season predictions are rolling in. Chris Low of ESPN.com has picked Georgia to be the surprise team in the SEC, and Richt to be coach of the year – but Low picks Florida to win the East.
I’ll be making my own prediction soon (I know you can’t wait). I’ll also be averaging out the predictions you all have made on this here blog.
First off, congrats to Bryan Cranston for winning the Emmy. I know a lot of blog readers are big fans of “Breaking Bad,” and are happy about it. (I also though Jim Parsons was well-deserving for his best actor in a comedy series.)
Also, Sunday night’s “Mad Men” was a solid episode. Loved the flashbacks to Don Draper’s hiring by Roger Sterling, and the parallels with Draper’s current downward slope.
And if anybody noticed, very slick – or very presumptuous – of AMC to congratulate “Mad Men” on winning the Emmy for best dramatic series DURING the show on Sunday night, just a few minutes after it officially won it.
As for football, a few housekeeping things:
- Just to tie up a few minor loose ends from the Washaun Ealey arrest: The incident report, which became available on Monday morning, revealed that it was teammate Jakar Hamilton’s car Ealey was driving, Ealey struck a UGA-owned car in the parking deck, and Ealey actually returned to the scene after the police had identified him as the driver.
- Georgia begins a set schedule of practices this week. The team will have night practices Monday through Thursday, and head coach Mark Richt will have his first news conference of the season on Tuesday.
- As you’d expect, a ton of season predictions are rolling in. Chris Low of ESPN.com has picked Georgia to be the surprise team in the SEC, and Richt to be coach of the year – but Low picks Florida to win the East.
I’ll be making my own prediction soon (I know you can’t wait). I’ll also be averaging out the predictions you all have made on this here blog.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Preseason predictions
We now sit at under a week before Georgia plays an honest-to-goodness football game that counts in the standings. Thank goodness.
Time for some predictions. Feel free to answer the following, and at the end of the year the most accurate prognosticator gets … I don’t know … a free car.
(Matchbox car.)
Here you go.
Regular season record:
Bowl (if any):
Most surprising offensive player:
Most surprising defensive player:
Aaron Murray’s final stats (TD, INT, pass yards):
A.J. Green, plus or minus 1,000 receiving yards:
Total defense rank in SEC:
Finish the following sentence: In early December, the state of the Georgia football program will be …
Have at it, sports fans.
Time for some predictions. Feel free to answer the following, and at the end of the year the most accurate prognosticator gets … I don’t know … a free car.
(Matchbox car.)
Here you go.
Regular season record:
Bowl (if any):
Most surprising offensive player:
Most surprising defensive player:
Aaron Murray’s final stats (TD, INT, pass yards):
A.J. Green, plus or minus 1,000 receiving yards:
Total defense rank in SEC:
Finish the following sentence: In early December, the state of the Georgia football program will be …
Have at it, sports fans.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Akeem Dent speaks
Saturday was the first time we heard from Akeem Dent, the unofficial captain of the defense who's been out most of preseason camp after toe surgery.
But Dent is back at practice - and walking barefoot around the Butts-Mehre Building on Saturday. So I had to ask him if that was a good idea.
"I walk around barefoot in my house," Dent answered smiling. "I walk around barefoot in the locker room."
Turning serious, Dent added that he was "just happy to be back playing with my teammates."
Still, it's not certain that Dent will start in the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette. He admitted he wasn't quite at full strength yet.
"I'm close to getting back to where I was before the injury," Dent said.
The exact cause of Dent's toe injury also remains a mystery. He smiled when asked about it.
"It was something off the field," Dent said.
But Dent is back at practice - and walking barefoot around the Butts-Mehre Building on Saturday. So I had to ask him if that was a good idea.
"I walk around barefoot in my house," Dent answered smiling. "I walk around barefoot in the locker room."
Turning serious, Dent added that he was "just happy to be back playing with my teammates."
Still, it's not certain that Dent will start in the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette. He admitted he wasn't quite at full strength yet.
"I'm close to getting back to where I was before the injury," Dent said.
The exact cause of Dent's toe injury also remains a mystery. He smiled when asked about it.
"It was something off the field," Dent said.
Saturday practice update
Washaun Ealey's suspension from practice only lasted one day. The tailback was back out there a day after being arrested.
(Head coach Mark Richt was not available after Saturday's practice, as he left immediately to go see his son Jon play for Mars Hill College in North Carolina.)
Ealey, as has been well-chronicled, is suspended for at least one game.
Other news and notes, from defensive players:
- Cornelius Washington missed practice for unknown reasons, though he was seen limping around. Fellow linebacker Darryl Gamble, who beat out Washington for a starting spot, didn't know exactly why Washington was out.
- Akeem Dent is a full-go at inside linebacker, although he himself said he's only "close" to getting back to where he was before the injury.
The rotation at the two inside spots comprises Dent, Christian Robinson, Marcus Dowtin and Akeem Hebron. That's according to Robinson, who said he isn't sure exactly who will play where.
The Mike is the strongside, and Mo is weakside. Dent and Hebron play mainly Mike (strongside ILB), Dowtin plays the Mo (weakside), and Robinson can play both.
- Branden Smith said he's the nickel cornerback right now, with Brandon Boykin and Vance Cuff the starters. But Smith added that he and Boykin will trade places at nickel-back in a lot of packages.
(Head coach Mark Richt was not available after Saturday's practice, as he left immediately to go see his son Jon play for Mars Hill College in North Carolina.)
Ealey, as has been well-chronicled, is suspended for at least one game.
Other news and notes, from defensive players:
- Cornelius Washington missed practice for unknown reasons, though he was seen limping around. Fellow linebacker Darryl Gamble, who beat out Washington for a starting spot, didn't know exactly why Washington was out.
- Akeem Dent is a full-go at inside linebacker, although he himself said he's only "close" to getting back to where he was before the injury.
The rotation at the two inside spots comprises Dent, Christian Robinson, Marcus Dowtin and Akeem Hebron. That's according to Robinson, who said he isn't sure exactly who will play where.
The Mike is the strongside, and Mo is weakside. Dent and Hebron play mainly Mike (strongside ILB), Dowtin plays the Mo (weakside), and Robinson can play both.
- Branden Smith said he's the nickel cornerback right now, with Brandon Boykin and Vance Cuff the starters. But Smith added that he and Boykin will trade places at nickel-back in a lot of packages.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Player reaction
Carlton Thomas, who moves up to No. 2 on the depth for the first game, said Washaun Ealey apologized to his fellow running backs.
“Me and him had a one-on-one talk, and he’s just sorry that it had to go down that way,” Thomas said. “I mean, I feel him, because it could’ve been anybody at that point in time. Things happen, and you just hope that it works for the best in his favor.”
Tight end Aron White was asked what the latest arrest does to the team's image.
“I think that it definitely tarnishes our image, but at the same time I don’t think that we have any bad seeds on this team," White said. "We just have guys that have made silly mistakes for the most part and done things that they knew better. I don’t think we have any guys that are just bad to the core, did things intentionally to hurt people or anything like that. We’ve got a good group of guys, we’ve got a lot of leadership, but for whatever reason some guys have made some mistake.
Star receiver A.J. Green said the off-field incidents are a “distraction sometimes” but the team would move on.
“Everybody just makes mistakes,” Green said. “We’re gonna live with it, get better. We’re gonna welcome him back when he gets back.”
(And incidentally, Green said he still doesn't have the go-ahead to talk about the NCAA inquiry, but he has no expectation of not being able to play in the opener.)
“Me and him had a one-on-one talk, and he’s just sorry that it had to go down that way,” Thomas said. “I mean, I feel him, because it could’ve been anybody at that point in time. Things happen, and you just hope that it works for the best in his favor.”
Tight end Aron White was asked what the latest arrest does to the team's image.
“I think that it definitely tarnishes our image, but at the same time I don’t think that we have any bad seeds on this team," White said. "We just have guys that have made silly mistakes for the most part and done things that they knew better. I don’t think we have any guys that are just bad to the core, did things intentionally to hurt people or anything like that. We’ve got a good group of guys, we’ve got a lot of leadership, but for whatever reason some guys have made some mistake.
Star receiver A.J. Green said the off-field incidents are a “distraction sometimes” but the team would move on.
“Everybody just makes mistakes,” Green said. “We’re gonna live with it, get better. We’re gonna welcome him back when he gets back.”
(And incidentally, Green said he still doesn't have the go-ahead to talk about the NCAA inquiry, but he has no expectation of not being able to play in the opener.)
Richt talks about Ealey
Georgia head coach Mark Richt talked about Washaun Ealey's one-game suspension after Friday's practice. He put the responsibility on Ealey, who he said knew he had a suspended license, yet still got behind the wheel.
“I’m not happy with it,” Richt said. “It’s foolish. He knew better. But no one thinks it’s gonna happen to them.”
And what will determine if he is reinstated?
“How he reacts to this,” Richt said. “And I’ve got some internal things for him to handle. And if he handles them the way he should. Behaves between now and the next one, he’ll have a pretty good chance of playing. But he’s gotta show me that he deserves to go back and not only play but also practice with the team.”
Richt also says he and the staff "stay on top" of players and drivers' licenses.
"There are some that fall through the cracks. But this one didn’t,” Richt said.
Ealey spent practice running with the strength staff. Richt did briefly talk to Ealey, informing him of the suspension.
“I didn’t plan on talking to him, because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind,” Richt said.
The coach also talked with the beneficiaries of Ealey’s mistake.
“I told Caleb (King), you’ll probably get more carries than you would’ve got. And Carlton Thomas, you’ll probably get more carries.”
He also told Fred Munzenmaier to “get greased up.”
“I’m not happy with it,” Richt said. “It’s foolish. He knew better. But no one thinks it’s gonna happen to them.”
And what will determine if he is reinstated?
“How he reacts to this,” Richt said. “And I’ve got some internal things for him to handle. And if he handles them the way he should. Behaves between now and the next one, he’ll have a pretty good chance of playing. But he’s gotta show me that he deserves to go back and not only play but also practice with the team.”
Richt also says he and the staff "stay on top" of players and drivers' licenses.
"There are some that fall through the cracks. But this one didn’t,” Richt said.
Ealey spent practice running with the strength staff. Richt did briefly talk to Ealey, informing him of the suspension.
“I didn’t plan on talking to him, because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind,” Richt said.
The coach also talked with the beneficiaries of Ealey’s mistake.
“I told Caleb (King), you’ll probably get more carries than you would’ve got. And Carlton Thomas, you’ll probably get more carries.”
He also told Fred Munzenmaier to “get greased up.”
Ealey out "minimum" one game
Georgia has just released a statement saying that sophomore tailback Washaun Ealey, arrested early this morning on three misdemeanor charges, will be suspended for a "mininum" of one game.
"I'm extremely disappointed in Washaun's lack of good judgment," head coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "He was fully aware of his suspended license and had been instructed not to get behind the wheel. As a result he'll miss the first game and will also be subject to internal discipline."
"I'm extremely disappointed in Washaun's lack of good judgment," head coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "He was fully aware of his suspended license and had been instructed not to get behind the wheel. As a result he'll miss the first game and will also be subject to internal discipline."
Ealey not at practice
Washaun Ealey was a notable no-show at Georgia's Friday football practice, just hours after he was released from jail.
We hope to hear a full take from head coach Mark Richt on the situation after practice.
In better news for the Bulldogs, they have their first-team offensive line back together for the first time in several weeks: Center Ben Jones and guard Cordy Glenn were both back in red and working with the rest of the offense. Jones had missed time after minor knee surgery and Glenn missed a couple weeks with mononucleosis.
The news wasn't quite as good for defensive end Demarcus Dobbs, who sprained his ankle earlier this week. Dobbs was expected to practice on Friday, but instead was sitting out, riding an exercise bike.
Receivers Logan Gray (sprained knee) and Rantavious Wooten (sprained knee) were still in green non-contact jerseys, but running around.
We hope to hear a full take from head coach Mark Richt on the situation after practice.
In better news for the Bulldogs, they have their first-team offensive line back together for the first time in several weeks: Center Ben Jones and guard Cordy Glenn were both back in red and working with the rest of the offense. Jones had missed time after minor knee surgery and Glenn missed a couple weeks with mononucleosis.
The news wasn't quite as good for defensive end Demarcus Dobbs, who sprained his ankle earlier this week. Dobbs was expected to practice on Friday, but instead was sitting out, riding an exercise bike.
Receivers Logan Gray (sprained knee) and Rantavious Wooten (sprained knee) were still in green non-contact jerseys, but running around.
Why Ealey wasn't the starter
BEFORE Washaun Ealey ran into some, er, off-the-field problems, running backs coach Bryan McClendon on Thursday explained the reason that Caleb King had been given the starting nod.
“Right now it’s probably Caleb," McClendon said. "He’s just been more consistent in his pass blocking throughout camp right now. I think he’s worked hard at that, and both those guys have improved a bunch with that. But right now I would say it’s gonna be (King).”
But McClendon answered “sure” when asked if he still expected them to get a similar amount of carries.
“If everything stayed status quo with both of those guys, God forbid one of them get injured or something like that, then I think both of those guys are gonna go in and should share playing time and should split series.”
MY TAKE: Not a good 24 hours for Ealey, obviously. We're hoping to hear after Friday's practice whether, or how long, he will be suspended.
- McClendon also had this to say about true freshman Ken Malcolm:
“I think he has a few guys ahead of him. He still has a little work left to do as far as learning what to do. I think he does have a bunch of ability and can run the ball very well. But if you’re not running at the right spots, and not blocking the right people all the time that sort of hurts your chance of getting out there on the field.”
MY TAKE: Malcome may be on his way to a redshirt, unless Ealey misses a lot of time.
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who was critical of quarterback Aaron Murray’s decision-making in an earlier scrimmage, was happier with his performance on Wednesday. Bobo said he “saw improvement,” particularly in his check-downs.
“There were still a couple plays I’d like to have back where we didn’t make good decisions. But that’s gonna happen, I think we’re learning from those,” Bobo said.
“He is a freshman. And sometimes as a freshman you tend to have sometimes a little tunnel vision and don’t see the whole process of everything. But I think he’s getting there. And I think he’s progression at a rate that’s a little ahead of a normal freshman, because of the time and the study that he puts into it. He’s very diligent about his work.”
MY TAKE: Early in camp, Bobo took the tack of getting on his young quarterback, pushing him to get better. Now that the season is a week away, it's time to build him back up.
“Right now it’s probably Caleb," McClendon said. "He’s just been more consistent in his pass blocking throughout camp right now. I think he’s worked hard at that, and both those guys have improved a bunch with that. But right now I would say it’s gonna be (King).”
But McClendon answered “sure” when asked if he still expected them to get a similar amount of carries.
“If everything stayed status quo with both of those guys, God forbid one of them get injured or something like that, then I think both of those guys are gonna go in and should share playing time and should split series.”
MY TAKE: Not a good 24 hours for Ealey, obviously. We're hoping to hear after Friday's practice whether, or how long, he will be suspended.
- McClendon also had this to say about true freshman Ken Malcolm:
“I think he has a few guys ahead of him. He still has a little work left to do as far as learning what to do. I think he does have a bunch of ability and can run the ball very well. But if you’re not running at the right spots, and not blocking the right people all the time that sort of hurts your chance of getting out there on the field.”
MY TAKE: Malcome may be on his way to a redshirt, unless Ealey misses a lot of time.
- Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who was critical of quarterback Aaron Murray’s decision-making in an earlier scrimmage, was happier with his performance on Wednesday. Bobo said he “saw improvement,” particularly in his check-downs.
“There were still a couple plays I’d like to have back where we didn’t make good decisions. But that’s gonna happen, I think we’re learning from those,” Bobo said.
“He is a freshman. And sometimes as a freshman you tend to have sometimes a little tunnel vision and don’t see the whole process of everything. But I think he’s getting there. And I think he’s progression at a rate that’s a little ahead of a normal freshman, because of the time and the study that he puts into it. He’s very diligent about his work.”
MY TAKE: Early in camp, Bobo took the tack of getting on his young quarterback, pushing him to get better. Now that the season is a week away, it's time to build him back up.
Grantham speaks, I blog
Let’s take a brief break from Washaun Ealey and his troubles to give you some actual football stuff. We had a chance to talk on Thursday to assistant coaches yesterday, and (as usual) got a lot of help from defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who is engendering a lot of goodwill in Athens so far among the media.
(I suspect fans will be a bit more concerned with how Grantham's 3-4 defense works. Hey, we all have our priorities.)
We touched base with Grantham on a number of topics, which I now present to you in handy note form.
- On why Darryl Gamble has the edge to start at one of the outside linebacker spots:
“The guy’s playing well,” Grantham said. “He really is. He’s making plays. He’s very relentless in his approach to the ball. He’s been productive in every live situation that we’ve had. He’s a guy that I really expect to come on and be a good player for us. He’s been a really good addition to us.”
That said, Grantham emphasized that Gamble, Cornelius Washington and Justin Houston will “roll” in and out of the game. Washington was expected to start opposite Houston entering camp, but slipped behind Gamble. Still, Grantham didn’t have anything bad to say about Washington.
“Actually Cornelius has done fine. He’s gonna play. He’s gonna be in the rotation,” Grantham said. “Our first three games are at noon and I think it’s important that you keep guys fresh because to win them you need to win them in the fourth quarter.…
"He’s done a good job. I just think to be fair to everybody, like I told you, when guys make plays and produce you’ve gotta reward them. So I think it’s more of a sense of production, rather than not doing what you’re supposed to.”
MY TAKE: All preseason, it seemed Gamble was inching ahead of Washington, so this was no surprise. But Gamble will have to be consistent, which he hasn’t been able to be in his career. Washington, a sophomore, still has the most pure talent.
- Grantham is optimistic about Akeem Dent’s return to form:
“He worked out the other day and did some team stuff with us,” he said. “He’ll do some stuff with us again (Friday) and Saturday, and will continue to progress as the week goes. We’ll monitor it and see just how much he can play next week.”
As for who will start at the two inside linebacker spots:
“If (Dent) is healthy, he’ll be out there,” Grantham said. “You know, Christian Robinson has really been the quarterback since Dent’s not been in there. And he’s done a good job of getting guys lined up, making the calls so guys can play fast, and he’s played his position well. And I think (Marcus) Dowtin has continued to progress, and he shows flashes of being a really good player. So I think with those guys right there we’re gonna try to mix and match and keep guys fresh, and play those guys.”
MY TAKE: Rotating is the theme here, obviously. I think Dent will play against Louisiana-Lafayette, probably alongside Robinson at the start. But the competition between Robinson and Dowtin (and Akeem Hebron could inch his way in there too) will go on for several games, if not longer.
- The plan remains for DeAngelo Tyson to split time between nose and end, but right now he appears set to start at end.
“Honestly I think he’s gonna play both,” Grantham said. “I think he’ll be in a rotation, and if he’s in a rotation, and let’s say Bean’s (Justin Anderson) not up for whatever reason, then I’d say he’ll be in the nose. But if Bean’s the next guy in the game, then (Tyson is) gonna play end.”
MY TAKE: The staff must have a lot of confidence in the pass-rush skills of Tyson, who has no career sacks. Or they want him on the end to help stuff the run, freeing Houston and the other linebackers to be really aggressive.
- Finally, the safeties.
“Those guys are all gonna play,” Grantham said. “I think Jakar (Hamilton) has done a good job in showing that he can handle it. And I think he’s a guy that can make plays for you back there. So we’re gonna find ways to get him in the game.”
MY TAKE: Reading between the lines, Hamilton is the first backup, so Bacarri Rambo will start at free and Nick Williams at strong. But the three will “roll” a lot, as Grantham likes to say.
(I suspect fans will be a bit more concerned with how Grantham's 3-4 defense works. Hey, we all have our priorities.)
We touched base with Grantham on a number of topics, which I now present to you in handy note form.
- On why Darryl Gamble has the edge to start at one of the outside linebacker spots:
“The guy’s playing well,” Grantham said. “He really is. He’s making plays. He’s very relentless in his approach to the ball. He’s been productive in every live situation that we’ve had. He’s a guy that I really expect to come on and be a good player for us. He’s been a really good addition to us.”
That said, Grantham emphasized that Gamble, Cornelius Washington and Justin Houston will “roll” in and out of the game. Washington was expected to start opposite Houston entering camp, but slipped behind Gamble. Still, Grantham didn’t have anything bad to say about Washington.
“Actually Cornelius has done fine. He’s gonna play. He’s gonna be in the rotation,” Grantham said. “Our first three games are at noon and I think it’s important that you keep guys fresh because to win them you need to win them in the fourth quarter.…
"He’s done a good job. I just think to be fair to everybody, like I told you, when guys make plays and produce you’ve gotta reward them. So I think it’s more of a sense of production, rather than not doing what you’re supposed to.”
MY TAKE: All preseason, it seemed Gamble was inching ahead of Washington, so this was no surprise. But Gamble will have to be consistent, which he hasn’t been able to be in his career. Washington, a sophomore, still has the most pure talent.
- Grantham is optimistic about Akeem Dent’s return to form:
“He worked out the other day and did some team stuff with us,” he said. “He’ll do some stuff with us again (Friday) and Saturday, and will continue to progress as the week goes. We’ll monitor it and see just how much he can play next week.”
As for who will start at the two inside linebacker spots:
“If (Dent) is healthy, he’ll be out there,” Grantham said. “You know, Christian Robinson has really been the quarterback since Dent’s not been in there. And he’s done a good job of getting guys lined up, making the calls so guys can play fast, and he’s played his position well. And I think (Marcus) Dowtin has continued to progress, and he shows flashes of being a really good player. So I think with those guys right there we’re gonna try to mix and match and keep guys fresh, and play those guys.”
MY TAKE: Rotating is the theme here, obviously. I think Dent will play against Louisiana-Lafayette, probably alongside Robinson at the start. But the competition between Robinson and Dowtin (and Akeem Hebron could inch his way in there too) will go on for several games, if not longer.
- The plan remains for DeAngelo Tyson to split time between nose and end, but right now he appears set to start at end.
“Honestly I think he’s gonna play both,” Grantham said. “I think he’ll be in a rotation, and if he’s in a rotation, and let’s say Bean’s (Justin Anderson) not up for whatever reason, then I’d say he’ll be in the nose. But if Bean’s the next guy in the game, then (Tyson is) gonna play end.”
MY TAKE: The staff must have a lot of confidence in the pass-rush skills of Tyson, who has no career sacks. Or they want him on the end to help stuff the run, freeing Houston and the other linebackers to be really aggressive.
- Finally, the safeties.
“Those guys are all gonna play,” Grantham said. “I think Jakar (Hamilton) has done a good job in showing that he can handle it. And I think he’s a guy that can make plays for you back there. So we’re gonna find ways to get him in the game.”
MY TAKE: Reading between the lines, Hamilton is the first backup, so Bacarri Rambo will start at free and Nick Williams at strong. But the three will “roll” a lot, as Grantham likes to say.
Ealey out of jail
Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey was released from jail in Athens on Friday at 11:18 a.m., about six hours after being jailed there on two initial charges, then held on a third one.
Ealey was picked up originally on charges of leaving the scene after hitting a car, and having a suspended license. He was then held at Athens-Clarke County jail after a bench warrant was discovered.
The bench warrant was from Clarke County municipal court, for failure to appear in court after a previous traffic stop. Ealey was cited for speeding and not having registration while driving a 2004 Cadillac, according to records.
The total bond Ealey had to post, according to the Clarke County web site, was $3,480.
Head coach Mark Richt was scheduled to meet with the media, as normal, after Friday's practice.
“Coach Richt has been gathering information today on the incident," Georgia athletics spokesman Claude Felton said.
Ealey was picked up originally on charges of leaving the scene after hitting a car, and having a suspended license. He was then held at Athens-Clarke County jail after a bench warrant was discovered.
The bench warrant was from Clarke County municipal court, for failure to appear in court after a previous traffic stop. Ealey was cited for speeding and not having registration while driving a 2004 Cadillac, according to records.
The total bond Ealey had to post, according to the Clarke County web site, was $3,480.
Head coach Mark Richt was scheduled to meet with the media, as normal, after Friday's practice.
“Coach Richt has been gathering information today on the incident," Georgia athletics spokesman Claude Felton said.
Ealey arrested
Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey was arrested early on Friday morning on charges of hit and run and driving on a suspended license; Ealey was also held on an outstanding bench warrant from July.
The municipal bench warrant was for failing to appear in court after a speeding ticket.
The charges are misdemeanors. Ealey was being held at jail on bond as of Friday at 11 a.m.
Ealey, 21, was arrested by the UGA Police, who said alcohol was not involved, and no one was injured.
Ealey, a sophomore, was Georgia’s leading rusher last year with 717 yards, and scored three touchdowns.
He was expected to share carries this year with junior Caleb King, who on Thursday was named the tentative starter by running backs coach Bryan McClendon.
There has been no comment yet from Georgia or head coach Mark Richt, which is understandable since Ealey was booked just after 5 a.m.
Jimmy Williamson, police chief of the university of Georgia, said Ealey was charged with two misdemeanors: driving on a suspended license and failing to obey "duty upon strike."
At 3:19 a.m., a vehicle made contact with a parked vehicle in the East parking deck at UGA. That was witnessed by parking service employees, who confronted the driver. The driver parked the car and left the scene.
Officers arrived and tracked the car to an Athens residence. They first talked to his roommate, who informed them it had been his roommate, Ealey, driving the car.
The police spoke to Ealey, and determined that he had been driving on a suspended license. He was subsequently arrested.
This is the eighth Georgia player to be arrested this calendar year. Tavarres King, a receiver, is suspended for at least the season opener after being cited for underage possession of alcohol.
It also follows the high-profile arrest of then-athletics director Damon Evans on June 30. Evans was arrested in Atlanta on charges of driving under the influence, and embarrassing details in the police report led to his forced resignation.
Ealey is also the fourth Georgia player in the past year to be charged with operating a vehicle without a license or with a suspended license.
The municipal bench warrant was for failing to appear in court after a speeding ticket.
The charges are misdemeanors. Ealey was being held at jail on bond as of Friday at 11 a.m.
Ealey, 21, was arrested by the UGA Police, who said alcohol was not involved, and no one was injured.
Ealey, a sophomore, was Georgia’s leading rusher last year with 717 yards, and scored three touchdowns.
He was expected to share carries this year with junior Caleb King, who on Thursday was named the tentative starter by running backs coach Bryan McClendon.
There has been no comment yet from Georgia or head coach Mark Richt, which is understandable since Ealey was booked just after 5 a.m.
Jimmy Williamson, police chief of the university of Georgia, said Ealey was charged with two misdemeanors: driving on a suspended license and failing to obey "duty upon strike."
At 3:19 a.m., a vehicle made contact with a parked vehicle in the East parking deck at UGA. That was witnessed by parking service employees, who confronted the driver. The driver parked the car and left the scene.
Officers arrived and tracked the car to an Athens residence. They first talked to his roommate, who informed them it had been his roommate, Ealey, driving the car.
The police spoke to Ealey, and determined that he had been driving on a suspended license. He was subsequently arrested.
This is the eighth Georgia player to be arrested this calendar year. Tavarres King, a receiver, is suspended for at least the season opener after being cited for underage possession of alcohol.
It also follows the high-profile arrest of then-athletics director Damon Evans on June 30. Evans was arrested in Atlanta on charges of driving under the influence, and embarrassing details in the police report led to his forced resignation.
Ealey is also the fourth Georgia player in the past year to be charged with operating a vehicle without a license or with a suspended license.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The current lineup?
This isn’t set in stone, but based on what we know at this point, and relying on talks with coaches late this week, here’s a good guess as to what Georgia’s depth chart is a week from the opener.
(Note: I didn’t really list every backup. Consider this more a list of everyone who, at this point, is expected to play.)
OFFENSE
QB: Aaron Murray …….. Hutson Mason, Logan Gray
TB: Caleb King ………… Washaun Ealey, Carlton Thomas
FB: Shaun Chappas …… Fred Munzenmaier
Starting WR (in three-set): A.J. Green, Marlon Brown, Kris Durham, Tavarres King (suspended)
Backup WRs: Rantavious Wooten, Logan Gray, Israel Troupe
TE: Orson Charles …… Aron White, Bruce Figgins, Arthur Lynch
LT: Clint Boling …….. Trinton Sturdivant
LG: Cordy Glenn …….. Dallas Lee
C: Ben Jones ………….. Chris Burnette
RG: Chris Davis ………. Tanner Strickland
RT: Josh Davis ……….. A.J. Harmon
DEFENSE
DE: Demarcus Dobbs … T.J. Stripling
NT: Justin Anderson …. Kwame Geathers … (DeAngelo Tyson)
DE: DeAngelo Tyson … Brandon Wood, Abry Jones
OLB: Justin Houston
ILB: Akeem Dent ……. Mike Gilliard, Akeem Hebron
ILB: Christian Robinson .. Marcus Dowtin
OLB: Darryl Gamble …. Cornelius Washington
CB: Brandon Boykin …. Sanders Commings, Jordan Love
CB: Vance Cuff ……….. Branden Smith, Derek Owens
FS: Bacarri Rambo ……. Jakar Hamilton
SS: Nick Williams ……. Shawn Williams, Alec Ogletree
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Blair Walsh
P: Drew Butler
KR: Brandon Boykin
PR: Branden Smith, Brandon Boykin, A.J. Green, Logan Gray
(Note: I didn’t really list every backup. Consider this more a list of everyone who, at this point, is expected to play.)
OFFENSE
QB: Aaron Murray …….. Hutson Mason, Logan Gray
TB: Caleb King ………… Washaun Ealey, Carlton Thomas
FB: Shaun Chappas …… Fred Munzenmaier
Starting WR (in three-set): A.J. Green, Marlon Brown, Kris Durham, Tavarres King (suspended)
Backup WRs: Rantavious Wooten, Logan Gray, Israel Troupe
TE: Orson Charles …… Aron White, Bruce Figgins, Arthur Lynch
LT: Clint Boling …….. Trinton Sturdivant
LG: Cordy Glenn …….. Dallas Lee
C: Ben Jones ………….. Chris Burnette
RG: Chris Davis ………. Tanner Strickland
RT: Josh Davis ……….. A.J. Harmon
DEFENSE
DE: Demarcus Dobbs … T.J. Stripling
NT: Justin Anderson …. Kwame Geathers … (DeAngelo Tyson)
DE: DeAngelo Tyson … Brandon Wood, Abry Jones
OLB: Justin Houston
ILB: Akeem Dent ……. Mike Gilliard, Akeem Hebron
ILB: Christian Robinson .. Marcus Dowtin
OLB: Darryl Gamble …. Cornelius Washington
CB: Brandon Boykin …. Sanders Commings, Jordan Love
CB: Vance Cuff ……….. Branden Smith, Derek Owens
FS: Bacarri Rambo ……. Jakar Hamilton
SS: Nick Williams ……. Shawn Williams, Alec Ogletree
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Blair Walsh
P: Drew Butler
KR: Brandon Boykin
PR: Branden Smith, Brandon Boykin, A.J. Green, Logan Gray
Gamble, King have starting nods
Lots of depth chart news emanating out of conversations with Georgia assistant coaches after Thursday's practice. Let's get to it:
- Caleb King will probably start at tailback over Washaun Ealey, according to running backs coach Bryan McClendon. That's a mild surprise. The pair will almost certainly alternate and they'll go with the hot hand.
"Caleb does sort of get the lean right now because of his pass protection," McClendon said.
- Darryl Gamble appears to have edged past Cornelius Washington to be the starter at outside linebacker opposite Justin Houston. That would've been a surprise before camp, but not after Gamble kept earning praise from coaches.
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said after Thursday's practice that Gamble would be out there, but Washington would play too. Gamble, a senior who's had an up-and-down career, impressed the staff with a good camp.
- Hutson Mason is definitely the No. 2 quarterback right now, according to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. That doesn't mean the decision has been made to burn Mason's redshirt. Logan Gray's injury factors into the equation too.
"He's pretty much No. 2 right now," Bobo said of Mason. "A lot has to do with Logan Gray's injury. ... That's a call (whether to play Mason) from a head coach, not me."
- The top two receivers, after A.J. Green, are Kris Durham and Marlon Brown.
"That's fair to say," receivers coach Tony Ball said.
Durham earned a heap of praise from Bobo for his performance in Wednesday's scrimmage.
Tavarres King is suspended for the opener. Otherwise, Israel Troupe, the injured Rantavious Wooten and Gray remain in the mix.
Michael Bennett will probably redshirt, it sounds like, but Ball hasn't committed to that yet.
- Elsewhere on defense, Akeem Dent is "on track" to play in the opener, and will obviously start if healthy. Otherwise, Christian Robinson and Marcus Dowtin have been the most impressive at the inside linebacker spot, and Grantham said those two and Dent would all rotate.
- Grantham also said that DeAngelo Tyson will play both end and nose tackle. He indicated that Justin "Bean" Anderson has retained his edge to start at nose, which would push Tyson to end. Demarcus Dobbs, who sprained his ankle earlier in the week, should return to practice Friday.
- The punt return job remains ... pun intended ... up in the air. The main kick returner will remain Brandon Boykin.
- Caleb King will probably start at tailback over Washaun Ealey, according to running backs coach Bryan McClendon. That's a mild surprise. The pair will almost certainly alternate and they'll go with the hot hand.
"Caleb does sort of get the lean right now because of his pass protection," McClendon said.
- Darryl Gamble appears to have edged past Cornelius Washington to be the starter at outside linebacker opposite Justin Houston. That would've been a surprise before camp, but not after Gamble kept earning praise from coaches.
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said after Thursday's practice that Gamble would be out there, but Washington would play too. Gamble, a senior who's had an up-and-down career, impressed the staff with a good camp.
- Hutson Mason is definitely the No. 2 quarterback right now, according to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. That doesn't mean the decision has been made to burn Mason's redshirt. Logan Gray's injury factors into the equation too.
"He's pretty much No. 2 right now," Bobo said of Mason. "A lot has to do with Logan Gray's injury. ... That's a call (whether to play Mason) from a head coach, not me."
- The top two receivers, after A.J. Green, are Kris Durham and Marlon Brown.
"That's fair to say," receivers coach Tony Ball said.
Durham earned a heap of praise from Bobo for his performance in Wednesday's scrimmage.
Tavarres King is suspended for the opener. Otherwise, Israel Troupe, the injured Rantavious Wooten and Gray remain in the mix.
Michael Bennett will probably redshirt, it sounds like, but Ball hasn't committed to that yet.
- Elsewhere on defense, Akeem Dent is "on track" to play in the opener, and will obviously start if healthy. Otherwise, Christian Robinson and Marcus Dowtin have been the most impressive at the inside linebacker spot, and Grantham said those two and Dent would all rotate.
- Grantham also said that DeAngelo Tyson will play both end and nose tackle. He indicated that Justin "Bean" Anderson has retained his edge to start at nose, which would push Tyson to end. Demarcus Dobbs, who sprained his ankle earlier in the week, should return to practice Friday.
- The punt return job remains ... pun intended ... up in the air. The main kick returner will remain Brandon Boykin.
Loran Smith to the booth
Georgia ISP announced, in a sort of by-the-way fashion, that longtime sideline announcer Loran Smith is being replaced this season by Chuck Dowdle.
Smith will remain with the gameday crew, hosting the three-hour pregame show with Neil Williamson.
But Dowdle will now handle sideline duties and the halftime radio interview with Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt.
Dowdle recently retired after a quarter-century as sports director and anchor at WSB TV in Atlanta. He has already been hosting the Locker Room Show with Richt, and will continue in that role.
Smith will remain with the gameday crew, hosting the three-hour pregame show with Neil Williamson.
But Dowdle will now handle sideline duties and the halftime radio interview with Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt.
Dowdle recently retired after a quarter-century as sports director and anchor at WSB TV in Atlanta. He has already been hosting the Locker Room Show with Richt, and will continue in that role.
Buffalo is 2012 opener
This season, Georgia travels where the Buffaloes roam. Two years from now it'll play Buffalo.
(Too corny. Yeah, you're probably right. I apologize.)
The University of Buffalo announced on its web site Thursday afternoon that it will open the 2012 season at Georgia, on Sept. 1. It will be a one-game deal.
Buffalo is a member of the Mid-American conference. It went 5-7 last season, after which head coach Turner Gill left for Kansas. Gill had resurrected a program that was once considered the worst in Division I-A football.
The new coach is Jeff Quinn.
Buffalo also announced that it will be playing at Tennessee in 2011.
As for Georgia, its 2011 opener is also at home, against Louisville. The Bulldogs also host Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State and then play at Georgia Tech.
Georgia has opened at home all but two seasons since 1995. The exceptions were last year (at Oklahoma State) and 2003 (at Clemson).
(Too corny. Yeah, you're probably right. I apologize.)
The University of Buffalo announced on its web site Thursday afternoon that it will open the 2012 season at Georgia, on Sept. 1. It will be a one-game deal.
Buffalo is a member of the Mid-American conference. It went 5-7 last season, after which head coach Turner Gill left for Kansas. Gill had resurrected a program that was once considered the worst in Division I-A football.
The new coach is Jeff Quinn.
Buffalo also announced that it will be playing at Tennessee in 2011.
As for Georgia, its 2011 opener is also at home, against Louisville. The Bulldogs also host Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State and then play at Georgia Tech.
Georgia has opened at home all but two seasons since 1995. The exceptions were last year (at Oklahoma State) and 2003 (at Clemson).
Georgia hoops opens against Kentucky
The SEC schedule is out, and Georgia will open league play on Jan. 8 - that's a Saturday - at 4 p.m. against ... duh-duh-duh-duh!!! ... Kentucky.
Well, I'd say that's a good early-season barometer for the Bulldogs. The Wildcats don't have John Wall, DeMarco Cousins and Patrick Patterson anymore. But they do have Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter (presumably) and Terrence Jones. Top 10 national prospects all of them.
The full slate as announced on Thursday:
Jan. 8 vs. Kentucky, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 12 at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 15 at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. (FSN)
Jan. 18 vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Jan. 22 vs. Mississippi State, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 25 vs. Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Jan. 29 at Kentucky, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Feb. 2 at Arkansas, 9 p.m. (CSS)
Feb. 5 vs. Auburn, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 12 at South Carolina, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 16 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Feb. 19 at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Feb. 24 at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
Feb. 26 vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m. (FSN)
March 2 vs. LSU, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
March 5 at Alabama, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
While Georgia is expected to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it apparently still has to play itself into more prime time appearances. The Bulldogs will be on ESPN twice, possibly three depending on the Feb. 24 Florida game. It will also be on CBS on Feb. 19, in a Saturday afternoon tilt.
The good news for the Bulldogs is they only have one two-day turnaround - playing at Florida on Feb. 24, then coming back home to face South Carolina on Feb. 26.
It should also be noted on Feb. 8, Georgia will host Xavier.
Well, I'd say that's a good early-season barometer for the Bulldogs. The Wildcats don't have John Wall, DeMarco Cousins and Patrick Patterson anymore. But they do have Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter (presumably) and Terrence Jones. Top 10 national prospects all of them.
The full slate as announced on Thursday:
Jan. 8 vs. Kentucky, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 12 at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 15 at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. (FSN)
Jan. 18 vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Jan. 22 vs. Mississippi State, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 25 vs. Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Jan. 29 at Kentucky, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Feb. 2 at Arkansas, 9 p.m. (CSS)
Feb. 5 vs. Auburn, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 12 at South Carolina, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 16 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Feb. 19 at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Feb. 24 at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
Feb. 26 vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m. (FSN)
March 2 vs. LSU, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
March 5 at Alabama, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
While Georgia is expected to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it apparently still has to play itself into more prime time appearances. The Bulldogs will be on ESPN twice, possibly three depending on the Feb. 24 Florida game. It will also be on CBS on Feb. 19, in a Saturday afternoon tilt.
The good news for the Bulldogs is they only have one two-day turnaround - playing at Florida on Feb. 24, then coming back home to face South Carolina on Feb. 26.
It should also be noted on Feb. 8, Georgia will host Xavier.
Gamecock issues
And here I thought I was done writing about South Carolina.
My former newspaper, The State, is reporting that several Gamecock football players owe money to a Columbia hotel, as the NCAA continues to look into whether the players stayed at reduced rates. Head coach Steve Spurrier said as many as six projected starters could miss games if they are ruled to have received improper benefits.
Players have been late to practices this week, or have left early, as they're interviewed in the investigation.
Reports Joe Person:
As many as 10 players stayed at the hotel over the summer. The projected starters include tight end Weslye Saunders, MLB Rodney Paulk, DT Travian Robertson, S Akeem Auguste, OL Jarriel King and DT Ladi Ajiboye. Cornerback CC Whitlock plays in some nickel and dime situations too.
It's not clear yet whether this will stretch until the Gamecocks' second game of the year, against Georgia. But it's obviously a situation that bears watching.
My former newspaper, The State, is reporting that several Gamecock football players owe money to a Columbia hotel, as the NCAA continues to look into whether the players stayed at reduced rates. Head coach Steve Spurrier said as many as six projected starters could miss games if they are ruled to have received improper benefits.
Players have been late to practices this week, or have left early, as they're interviewed in the investigation.
Reports Joe Person:
Multiple sources said some players had been living at the Whitney since the spring while paying a rate of $450 per month. But officials determined players should have been paying about $1,200 a month, and players were told by school officials to pay the difference to the hotel.
For at least two players who had not made any payments, the resolution meant they owed the hotel close to $5,000, according to one of the sources.
As many as 10 players stayed at the hotel over the summer. The projected starters include tight end Weslye Saunders, MLB Rodney Paulk, DT Travian Robertson, S Akeem Auguste, OL Jarriel King and DT Ladi Ajiboye. Cornerback CC Whitlock plays in some nickel and dime situations too.
It's not clear yet whether this will stretch until the Gamecocks' second game of the year, against Georgia. But it's obviously a situation that bears watching.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Murray: "A little step forward"
Or at least that's how Georgia's starting quarterback characterized his scrimmage Wednesday.
Murray had a touchdown pass to A.J. Green, and no interceptions, going against a scout team. (Or Louisiana-Lafayette, as it was called to simulate the season opener.)
"I definitely feel like I took a little step forward today," Murray said.
Receiver Kris Durham, who had a good day, also complimented Murray's handling of the offense.
Head coach Mark Richt was a bit more guarded on the redshirt freshman's performance.
“He’s still learning," Richt said. "It wasn’t bad. But there were a couple times he could’ve made a better decision. But I’m just thankful it happened today … so hopefully he’ll learn from it.”
Something that may have had an effect: At least five or six offensive linemen were held out because of injury, including starters Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn. Trinton Sturdivant did play, however, as he comes back from knee injuries.
The Georgia defense seemed to have a better day, yielding only a field goal - which apparently was only allowed because the coaches wanted to see the first-team field goal defense. Or something like that. It wasn't quite clear.
Either way, cornerback Vance Cuff said the defense basically recorded a shutout.
Officially, the final score was Georgia 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 24. But that was after Richt spotted U-La-La 21 points.
As for the overall ramifications, Richt said there wasn’t anything “earth-shattering on the depth chart.” He would like to take another look at some of the scout-teamers, especially safety Shaun Williams, who had the day's most tackles.
We'll have more in Thursday's papers.
Murray had a touchdown pass to A.J. Green, and no interceptions, going against a scout team. (Or Louisiana-Lafayette, as it was called to simulate the season opener.)
"I definitely feel like I took a little step forward today," Murray said.
Receiver Kris Durham, who had a good day, also complimented Murray's handling of the offense.
Head coach Mark Richt was a bit more guarded on the redshirt freshman's performance.
“He’s still learning," Richt said. "It wasn’t bad. But there were a couple times he could’ve made a better decision. But I’m just thankful it happened today … so hopefully he’ll learn from it.”
Something that may have had an effect: At least five or six offensive linemen were held out because of injury, including starters Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn. Trinton Sturdivant did play, however, as he comes back from knee injuries.
The Georgia defense seemed to have a better day, yielding only a field goal - which apparently was only allowed because the coaches wanted to see the first-team field goal defense. Or something like that. It wasn't quite clear.
Either way, cornerback Vance Cuff said the defense basically recorded a shutout.
Officially, the final score was Georgia 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 24. But that was after Richt spotted U-La-La 21 points.
As for the overall ramifications, Richt said there wasn’t anything “earth-shattering on the depth chart.” He would like to take another look at some of the scout-teamers, especially safety Shaun Williams, who had the day's most tackles.
We'll have more in Thursday's papers.
Scrimmage stats
First off, Georgia named its four captains: Shaun Chappas, Demarcus Dobbs and Vance Cuff, and Fred Munzenmaier.
Here are the stats, as provided by head coach Mark Richt. My apologies if they're not totally easy to read, but it's a bit of a scramble here. I noted players who were on the scout team.
PASSING
Aaron Murray: 9-17-127 yards and a touchdown, no picks
Hutson Mason: 5-10-69, no touchdown, no picks
RECEIVING
AJ Green: 4-40, 1 TD
Kris Durham: 3-78
Michael Bennett: 2-17
Israel Troupe: 1-19
Shaun Chappas: 1-11
That doesn’t quite add up to the official passing stats, as Richt observed.
“There’s three more catches somehow,” he said. “Somebody’s mom is mad when they read the paper.”
RUSHING
Carlton Thomas 5-26, 1 TD
Caleb King: ¬5-36, 1 TD
Washaun Ealey: 4-31
Chappas: 1-5
Fred Munzenmaier: 7-20, 1 TD
Murray: 1-(-6)
RETURNS
Branden Smith: 63-yard punt return, and a 31-yard kickoff return
Derek Owens: 41 yard KO return
Marlon Brown returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
DEFENSE
Shaun Williams, played scout team, 11 tackles, 6 unassisted, 2PD
“It’s a good sign when the other team’s safety is making all the tackles,” Richt said.
Darryl Gamble, 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks
Vance Cuff, 6 tackles
“Very active day, played extremely well, Richt said. “(Cuff) did a good job on special teams too.”
Marcus Dowtin, 4 tackles
Chase Vasser, scout team, 5 tackles, 2 sacks
Demetre Baker, scout team, 2 tackles
D’Angelo Tyson, 2 tackles, 1 sack
Alec Ogletree, scout team mostly, 3 tackles
Kiante Tripp, Georgia, 3 tackles, 2 sacks
Jakar Hamilton, 1 tackle, interception he returned 42 yards, and a PD
Bacarri Rambo, 3 tackles, interception he returned 6yards for a touchdown
Derek Owens, scout team, 4 tackles
Nick Williams, 4 tackles, 1 sack
Brandon Wood, 2 tackles, 2 PD, 1 sack
Akeem Hebron, 1 tackle, 1 sack
Here are the stats, as provided by head coach Mark Richt. My apologies if they're not totally easy to read, but it's a bit of a scramble here. I noted players who were on the scout team.
PASSING
Aaron Murray: 9-17-127 yards and a touchdown, no picks
Hutson Mason: 5-10-69, no touchdown, no picks
RECEIVING
AJ Green: 4-40, 1 TD
Kris Durham: 3-78
Michael Bennett: 2-17
Israel Troupe: 1-19
Shaun Chappas: 1-11
That doesn’t quite add up to the official passing stats, as Richt observed.
“There’s three more catches somehow,” he said. “Somebody’s mom is mad when they read the paper.”
RUSHING
Carlton Thomas 5-26, 1 TD
Caleb King: ¬5-36, 1 TD
Washaun Ealey: 4-31
Chappas: 1-5
Fred Munzenmaier: 7-20, 1 TD
Murray: 1-(-6)
RETURNS
Branden Smith: 63-yard punt return, and a 31-yard kickoff return
Derek Owens: 41 yard KO return
Marlon Brown returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
DEFENSE
Shaun Williams, played scout team, 11 tackles, 6 unassisted, 2PD
“It’s a good sign when the other team’s safety is making all the tackles,” Richt said.
Darryl Gamble, 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks
Vance Cuff, 6 tackles
“Very active day, played extremely well, Richt said. “(Cuff) did a good job on special teams too.”
Marcus Dowtin, 4 tackles
Chase Vasser, scout team, 5 tackles, 2 sacks
Demetre Baker, scout team, 2 tackles
D’Angelo Tyson, 2 tackles, 1 sack
Alec Ogletree, scout team mostly, 3 tackles
Kiante Tripp, Georgia, 3 tackles, 2 sacks
Jakar Hamilton, 1 tackle, interception he returned 42 yards, and a PD
Bacarri Rambo, 3 tackles, interception he returned 6yards for a touchdown
Derek Owens, scout team, 4 tackles
Nick Williams, 4 tackles, 1 sack
Brandon Wood, 2 tackles, 2 PD, 1 sack
Akeem Hebron, 1 tackle, 1 sack
Bulldogs on NFL number list
Alert reader Jon Schumaker points us to an interesting feature on SI.com: The top NFL players by jersey number.
Four ex-Georgia players make the list, a pretty impressive number:
2 - Charley Trippi: A Hall of Fame halfback who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1947-55. Trippi apparently benefited from the NFL later making its uniform policy more, well, uniform. The two runners-up, according to SI.com, were both kickers: David Akers and Steve Christie.
6 - Kevin Butler: The former Georgia place-kicker was one of the NFL’s best in an 11-year career. And like Trippi, he won a championship in Chicago, but this time for the Bears franchise. SI.com said the runner-up was punter Rolf Benirschke, and Steve Owens (who I don’t really know personally or professionally) as also worthy of consideration.
10 - Fran Tarkenton: Kind of a no-brainer for an all-time great NFL quarterback. Tarkenton famously noticed Thomas Davis wearing his old Georgia number a few years ago, and proclaimed that Davis was not only worthy of the jersey but one of the best players in college football. But Tarkenton has still ended up with by far the better career.
Incidentally in soccer, 10 is a magic number. In football, that only appears to be the case at Georgia. Tarkenton beat out Steve Bartkowski, Eli Manning, Byron (Whizzer) White and Jim Zorn. .. Wait, Jim Zorn? And Bartkowski over White, who won a Heisman Trophy and served for decades on the Supreme Court? Well, it is an NFL list, after all.
30 - Terrell Davis: He probably won’t ever make the Hall of Fame, but for a few years in the late 1990s there was no better tailback. He still holds the Denver Broncos’ franchise record for rushing yards (7,607) and was an NFL MVP (1998) and won a couple Super Bowls.
The only reason Davis may not make the Hall is he’s seen as a product of the Broncos’ system. But you could argue that no one besides Davis has done much then. (Like, say, Olandis Gary.)
Some other notables:
John Kasay (4) was listed as worthy of consideration, along with Ernie Nevers, Reggie Roby and Adam Vinatieri. The runner-up at No. 4 was Tuffy Leemans (why of course!) and the best No. 4 of all time was some quarterback whose name I forgot because ESPN hardly ever mentions him.
Jake Scott (13) was also listed as worth of considering. The winner was Dan Marino, the runner-up was Kurt Warner.
Champ Bailey (24) was listed as also being worthy of consideration. Lenny Moore – a Hall of Famer – was the choice, and the runner-up was Willie Wood (a star DB with the Vince Lombardi-era Packers).
Herschel Walker (34) was not even listed as his apparently high-quality number. The winner was Walter Payton (obviously) and the runner-up was Earl Campbell (shorter career than Walker, but better stats). Worthy of consideration, according to SI, were Dale Carter (a good safety, but really?), Cookie Gilchrist (google time), Don Chandler (ditto), Bo Jackson (similar career to Walker), Andy Russell (I believe that’s Conan O’Brien’s sidekick) and Thurman Thomas.
I don’t know, seems there should’ve been a good place for Walker. My guess is he would’ve made it if the three USFL years were included, but with this being an NFL-centric list, he was hurt a bit.
Richard Seymour (93) was another worthy of consideration. Defensive end John Randle, who recently made the Hall of Fame, was the selection, while Dwight Freeney (currently active for the Colts) was the runner-up.
Charles Grant (53) has 47 career sacks, but would have to do a lot more to even come close to SI.com’s accurate choice, Harry Carson.
If I missed anyone, let me know.
EDIT: Sorry, didn't attach a link the first time. It's up there now.
EDIT Part deux: Sorry again. I originally missed Jake Scott and Richard Seymour making the worthy-of-consideration list.
Four ex-Georgia players make the list, a pretty impressive number:
2 - Charley Trippi: A Hall of Fame halfback who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1947-55. Trippi apparently benefited from the NFL later making its uniform policy more, well, uniform. The two runners-up, according to SI.com, were both kickers: David Akers and Steve Christie.
6 - Kevin Butler: The former Georgia place-kicker was one of the NFL’s best in an 11-year career. And like Trippi, he won a championship in Chicago, but this time for the Bears franchise. SI.com said the runner-up was punter Rolf Benirschke, and Steve Owens (who I don’t really know personally or professionally) as also worthy of consideration.
10 - Fran Tarkenton: Kind of a no-brainer for an all-time great NFL quarterback. Tarkenton famously noticed Thomas Davis wearing his old Georgia number a few years ago, and proclaimed that Davis was not only worthy of the jersey but one of the best players in college football. But Tarkenton has still ended up with by far the better career.
Incidentally in soccer, 10 is a magic number. In football, that only appears to be the case at Georgia. Tarkenton beat out Steve Bartkowski, Eli Manning, Byron (Whizzer) White and Jim Zorn. .. Wait, Jim Zorn? And Bartkowski over White, who won a Heisman Trophy and served for decades on the Supreme Court? Well, it is an NFL list, after all.
30 - Terrell Davis: He probably won’t ever make the Hall of Fame, but for a few years in the late 1990s there was no better tailback. He still holds the Denver Broncos’ franchise record for rushing yards (7,607) and was an NFL MVP (1998) and won a couple Super Bowls.
The only reason Davis may not make the Hall is he’s seen as a product of the Broncos’ system. But you could argue that no one besides Davis has done much then. (Like, say, Olandis Gary.)
Some other notables:
John Kasay (4) was listed as worthy of consideration, along with Ernie Nevers, Reggie Roby and Adam Vinatieri. The runner-up at No. 4 was Tuffy Leemans (why of course!) and the best No. 4 of all time was some quarterback whose name I forgot because ESPN hardly ever mentions him.
Jake Scott (13) was also listed as worth of considering. The winner was Dan Marino, the runner-up was Kurt Warner.
Champ Bailey (24) was listed as also being worthy of consideration. Lenny Moore – a Hall of Famer – was the choice, and the runner-up was Willie Wood (a star DB with the Vince Lombardi-era Packers).
Herschel Walker (34) was not even listed as his apparently high-quality number. The winner was Walter Payton (obviously) and the runner-up was Earl Campbell (shorter career than Walker, but better stats). Worthy of consideration, according to SI, were Dale Carter (a good safety, but really?), Cookie Gilchrist (google time), Don Chandler (ditto), Bo Jackson (similar career to Walker), Andy Russell (I believe that’s Conan O’Brien’s sidekick) and Thurman Thomas.
I don’t know, seems there should’ve been a good place for Walker. My guess is he would’ve made it if the three USFL years were included, but with this being an NFL-centric list, he was hurt a bit.
Richard Seymour (93) was another worthy of consideration. Defensive end John Randle, who recently made the Hall of Fame, was the selection, while Dwight Freeney (currently active for the Colts) was the runner-up.
Charles Grant (53) has 47 career sacks, but would have to do a lot more to even come close to SI.com’s accurate choice, Harry Carson.
If I missed anyone, let me know.
EDIT: Sorry, didn't attach a link the first time. It's up there now.
EDIT Part deux: Sorry again. I originally missed Jake Scott and Richard Seymour making the worthy-of-consideration list.
Mailbag time
First off, here’s my story from this morning’s papers on Georgia’s tight ends. Each of these guys is worthy of a story themselves, which may happen eventually if one of them emerges. But the way the coaches are talking, don’t count on it, it’ll be a committee approach unless there’s a rash of injuries.
I’ll also have a report later today after Georgia’s “practice game,” which will be as close to a preseason game as they can make it. (Except for letting them perform in front of the public and, er, media. But oh well.)
Assuming the stats they give us are accurate, you will want to see good performances from, well, everybody, or at least everybody that expects to play. It will essentially be Georgia’s first- and second-teamers against the scout teams, so if anybody struggles … Well that’s not good.
In the meantime, I thought I’d answer a few of your questions on the blog. At least those that were a) free of profanity, and b) in English.
(And by the way, thanks for all the suggestions on fantasy team names. So far "Favre Dollar Footlong" is the leader in the clubhouse, but I'm still open to suggestions.)
Got a lot of comments about the ranking of most important games. I couldn’t respond to all of them, so I picked a few out.
- It's SEC football. Ranking the games is like ranking methods of execution: there are differences, but the end result is the same. Whichever SEC game we lose is the most important.
TR
Well put.
- I'd quibble somewhat. I think you're dead-on for number one, but I'd put Tech a lot further down as I don't buy that the rivalry outweighs the fact that it's a non-conference game.
Paul
I heard a lot of this sentiment regarding the Georgia Tech game, and I definitely see the point. The reason I ranked it No. 2 was that I felt it was important this year from a state-of-the-program standpoint. For a long period, which ended recently, Georgia was so up and Georgia Tech so down, there was hardly a rivalry. And who knows, the same may happen this year, depending on how each team does. But as we sit here in August, Georgia Tech is ranked ahead of Georgia, the game figures to matter a lot.
- After the last 20 yrs, UF must be number one. After the last 10 yrs Tech has become irrelevant, except to maintain control of in-state recuiting. Win the SEC and all else follows. UF, USC & UA are the top three, TENN, ARK and UK are next then Tech.
Anonymous
Another perspective that has a lot of credence.
- Does the comment about starters mean that they've either settled on starters, or have at least settled on the two-deep well enough, even if 1-2 might switch places?
Also, with all the green we've heard about, do they have the personnel to run a full simulation like this? Will we hear any remotely meaningful stats out of this?
DevilDawg
They’ve settled on at least the two deep, while the starting positions seem to be very flexible. They plan on rotating at a lot of positions, especially safety, the defensive line, tight end, receivers not named A.J. Green, and tailback.
As for all the injuries, I’ll be interested to see if some of the green guys are held out, like Akeem Dent, Ben Jones. We’ll definitely ask after the scrimmage.
- I hope the injury bug is due to intense competition out there on the practice field.... and not the result of conditioning. Every year this happens.. our teams look winded and prone to injury starting off the season. CMR indicated he was making some changes to the W&C routine this past year...and not just changing up mat drills....What gains has he noticed this year versus previous years in fall camp?
MauiDawg
Richt has mentioned a couple times that he was happy with the team’s conditioning, especially after some particularly hot days. As for the injury bug, the good news for Georgia is everybody is on track to be ready for the opener. At least at press time.
- I’d like to do a guest blog for you, to once again brag about how the feds got everything wrong, and struck out in court, and I will have my vengeance, as well as a lot of hair. Thank you.
-RBlagojevich@aol.com
Absolutely.
- (Regarding punt returns) Hey Seth did (Branden) Smith give any indication why PR is up in the air - are they all good candidates or do they all suck :-)
Anonymous
That’s a question I plan to ask the special teams coach on Thursday. Normally when a decision like that hasn’t been made by now, it’s because no one has really earned much confidence. But they do plan to dedicate Thursday’s practice and much of Friday’s mini-scrimmage to special teams, so it could be fleshed out by then.
- Seth, please review your comma rules. Dawg fans are very particular about grammar.
Gatorhater27
Noted. I’ll also be keeping a close eye on my semi-colon and past imperfect rules.
I’ll also have a report later today after Georgia’s “practice game,” which will be as close to a preseason game as they can make it. (Except for letting them perform in front of the public and, er, media. But oh well.)
Assuming the stats they give us are accurate, you will want to see good performances from, well, everybody, or at least everybody that expects to play. It will essentially be Georgia’s first- and second-teamers against the scout teams, so if anybody struggles … Well that’s not good.
In the meantime, I thought I’d answer a few of your questions on the blog. At least those that were a) free of profanity, and b) in English.
(And by the way, thanks for all the suggestions on fantasy team names. So far "Favre Dollar Footlong" is the leader in the clubhouse, but I'm still open to suggestions.)
Got a lot of comments about the ranking of most important games. I couldn’t respond to all of them, so I picked a few out.
- It's SEC football. Ranking the games is like ranking methods of execution: there are differences, but the end result is the same. Whichever SEC game we lose is the most important.
TR
Well put.
- I'd quibble somewhat. I think you're dead-on for number one, but I'd put Tech a lot further down as I don't buy that the rivalry outweighs the fact that it's a non-conference game.
Paul
I heard a lot of this sentiment regarding the Georgia Tech game, and I definitely see the point. The reason I ranked it No. 2 was that I felt it was important this year from a state-of-the-program standpoint. For a long period, which ended recently, Georgia was so up and Georgia Tech so down, there was hardly a rivalry. And who knows, the same may happen this year, depending on how each team does. But as we sit here in August, Georgia Tech is ranked ahead of Georgia, the game figures to matter a lot.
- After the last 20 yrs, UF must be number one. After the last 10 yrs Tech has become irrelevant, except to maintain control of in-state recuiting. Win the SEC and all else follows. UF, USC & UA are the top three, TENN, ARK and UK are next then Tech.
Anonymous
Another perspective that has a lot of credence.
- Does the comment about starters mean that they've either settled on starters, or have at least settled on the two-deep well enough, even if 1-2 might switch places?
Also, with all the green we've heard about, do they have the personnel to run a full simulation like this? Will we hear any remotely meaningful stats out of this?
DevilDawg
They’ve settled on at least the two deep, while the starting positions seem to be very flexible. They plan on rotating at a lot of positions, especially safety, the defensive line, tight end, receivers not named A.J. Green, and tailback.
As for all the injuries, I’ll be interested to see if some of the green guys are held out, like Akeem Dent, Ben Jones. We’ll definitely ask after the scrimmage.
- I hope the injury bug is due to intense competition out there on the practice field.... and not the result of conditioning. Every year this happens.. our teams look winded and prone to injury starting off the season. CMR indicated he was making some changes to the W&C routine this past year...and not just changing up mat drills....What gains has he noticed this year versus previous years in fall camp?
MauiDawg
Richt has mentioned a couple times that he was happy with the team’s conditioning, especially after some particularly hot days. As for the injury bug, the good news for Georgia is everybody is on track to be ready for the opener. At least at press time.
- I’d like to do a guest blog for you, to once again brag about how the feds got everything wrong, and struck out in court, and I will have my vengeance, as well as a lot of hair. Thank you.
-RBlagojevich@aol.com
Absolutely.
- (Regarding punt returns) Hey Seth did (Branden) Smith give any indication why PR is up in the air - are they all good candidates or do they all suck :-)
Anonymous
That’s a question I plan to ask the special teams coach on Thursday. Normally when a decision like that hasn’t been made by now, it’s because no one has really earned much confidence. But they do plan to dedicate Thursday’s practice and much of Friday’s mini-scrimmage to special teams, so it could be fleshed out by then.
- Seth, please review your comma rules. Dawg fans are very particular about grammar.
Gatorhater27
Noted. I’ll also be keeping a close eye on my semi-colon and past imperfect rules.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Richt speaks, I type
Not much today in the way of injury updates or anything else revealing. The team just had a walk-through today, in anticipation for a full scrimmage on Wednesday.
And a serious scrimmage it will be.
The coaches will be in game position, the booth or the sidelines. They’ll play at least 30 minutes like a real game, transitioning from defense to special teams and so forth. They’ll go so far as simulate a coin toss.
This will be more about getting ready for the opener than deciding any starting jobs.
“We don’t get preseason games,” head coach Mark Richt said. “This is about as close as we’re gonna get to a preseason game.”
It’ll be simulated to the extent that it’ll be the Georgia players going against the scout team simulating Louisiana-Lafayette. So if “Georgia” wins the toss, it could elect to receive and Aaron Murray and company will go against the scout team. And vice versa.
But they will also interrupt play to simulate some game conditions, like an onside kick.
- The team just had a walk-through on Tuesday. The coaches briefed the scout team on how to line up as Louisiana-Lafayette. They also went over some offensive and defensive assignments, and did some conditioning.
- Asked to name their punt return guys, Richt said AJ Green, Branden Smith and Carlton Thomas, Bacarri Rambo and Logan Gray.
I also talked briefly with Smith about the punt return situation. Basically, it’s very much up in the air right now.
And a serious scrimmage it will be.
The coaches will be in game position, the booth or the sidelines. They’ll play at least 30 minutes like a real game, transitioning from defense to special teams and so forth. They’ll go so far as simulate a coin toss.
This will be more about getting ready for the opener than deciding any starting jobs.
“We don’t get preseason games,” head coach Mark Richt said. “This is about as close as we’re gonna get to a preseason game.”
It’ll be simulated to the extent that it’ll be the Georgia players going against the scout team simulating Louisiana-Lafayette. So if “Georgia” wins the toss, it could elect to receive and Aaron Murray and company will go against the scout team. And vice versa.
But they will also interrupt play to simulate some game conditions, like an onside kick.
- The team just had a walk-through on Tuesday. The coaches briefed the scout team on how to line up as Louisiana-Lafayette. They also went over some offensive and defensive assignments, and did some conditioning.
- Asked to name their punt return guys, Richt said AJ Green, Branden Smith and Carlton Thomas, Bacarri Rambo and Logan Gray.
I also talked briefly with Smith about the punt return situation. Basically, it’s very much up in the air right now.
Regarding Hutson
Obviously when it comes to Georgia quarterbacks, most of the attention is still on Aaron Murray. As it should be.
But there’s still a lingering question: who would play if something untoward did happen to Murray. It especially needs to be asked after Logan Gray has had to sit out practice the past week with a sprained ankle. Gray, while still working at receiver, is still the presumed backup quarterback. But what if he’s not available?
Hutson Mason has had a good camp, by all accounts – although most accounts have mainly said it’s been a good camp for a true freshman. Head coach Mark Richt was asked Monday if a decision was forthcoming on whether Mason will redshirt.
“I guess we really haven’t thought much about it,” Richt said. “Every day you’re just practicing and coaching and teaching. We haven’t really gotten close enough to where we wanna say what we’re gonna do. But it’s coming up, we’re gonna have to talk about it pretty quick.”
If a decision is made on Mason, here’s betting it’s not written in stone.
Ideally, Murray will take every snap this year, or Gray would get any extra reps, and Mason will preserve his redshirt. Then the program would go forward next year with Murray a redshirt sophomore, Mason a redshirt freshman and Christian LeMay (presumably) a true freshman. That’s good depth at the sport’s most key position, something the team clearly lacks now.
Then again, with Gray’s injury fresh in their mind, the coaches could decide that Mason will have to be ready just in case. So when the Bulldogs get the game in hand (they hope) against Louisiana-Lafayette, Mason trots out there to get some snaps. I wouldn’t put my life savings on that happening. Then again, I don’t have much in the way of live savings.
Murray did have good things to say about Mason on Monday, namely for the true freshman’s poise.
“He’s surprised me a lot,” Murray said. “His, I guess you could call swag on the field, he’s definitely very confident out there. You can tell with his drop-back and his moving – he does a great job moving around the pocket.”
In fact, Murray said he’s occasionally used Mason as a model on how to do certain things in practice. And from personal experience, Murray thinks the new kid will benefit from his current practice reps.
“He’s going against our No. 1 defense. And he’s able to move around and make some plays, not only with his arm but his feet. I told him, Hey I faced the No. 1 defense all last year, I was scout team quarterback, and it really helps you. It helps you get your feet going, helps you make the reads faster, and things like that.
“Now I get at quarterback and (work) with the first-team offensive line, and it’s like Whoa. You feel like everything’s slowed down, you have time to make your drop, make your reads, it really helps you as a quarterback in that whole growing process.”
But there’s still a lingering question: who would play if something untoward did happen to Murray. It especially needs to be asked after Logan Gray has had to sit out practice the past week with a sprained ankle. Gray, while still working at receiver, is still the presumed backup quarterback. But what if he’s not available?
Hutson Mason has had a good camp, by all accounts – although most accounts have mainly said it’s been a good camp for a true freshman. Head coach Mark Richt was asked Monday if a decision was forthcoming on whether Mason will redshirt.
“I guess we really haven’t thought much about it,” Richt said. “Every day you’re just practicing and coaching and teaching. We haven’t really gotten close enough to where we wanna say what we’re gonna do. But it’s coming up, we’re gonna have to talk about it pretty quick.”
If a decision is made on Mason, here’s betting it’s not written in stone.
Ideally, Murray will take every snap this year, or Gray would get any extra reps, and Mason will preserve his redshirt. Then the program would go forward next year with Murray a redshirt sophomore, Mason a redshirt freshman and Christian LeMay (presumably) a true freshman. That’s good depth at the sport’s most key position, something the team clearly lacks now.
Then again, with Gray’s injury fresh in their mind, the coaches could decide that Mason will have to be ready just in case. So when the Bulldogs get the game in hand (they hope) against Louisiana-Lafayette, Mason trots out there to get some snaps. I wouldn’t put my life savings on that happening. Then again, I don’t have much in the way of live savings.
Murray did have good things to say about Mason on Monday, namely for the true freshman’s poise.
“He’s surprised me a lot,” Murray said. “His, I guess you could call swag on the field, he’s definitely very confident out there. You can tell with his drop-back and his moving – he does a great job moving around the pocket.”
In fact, Murray said he’s occasionally used Mason as a model on how to do certain things in practice. And from personal experience, Murray thinks the new kid will benefit from his current practice reps.
“He’s going against our No. 1 defense. And he’s able to move around and make some plays, not only with his arm but his feet. I told him, Hey I faced the No. 1 defense all last year, I was scout team quarterback, and it really helps you. It helps you get your feet going, helps you make the reads faster, and things like that.
“Now I get at quarterback and (work) with the first-team offensive line, and it’s like Whoa. You feel like everything’s slowed down, you have time to make your drop, make your reads, it really helps you as a quarterback in that whole growing process.”
Most important games
My colleague Coley Harvey and I did a combined feature in today's papers, ranking Georgia and Georgia Tech's most important games this season, one through 12.
Here's a link to the Georgia list.
And here's how Coley ranked Georgia Tech's games.
Obviously it's hard to sit here in August and come up with a definitive list. So this is a lot of projection, and assuming things play out as expected. (Which they almost certainly won't.)
I was tempted to rank the South Carolina game first. But the rivalry aspect with Florida and Georgia Tech - and those team's high preseason rankings - trumped the early-season tone-setter of the trip to Columbia.
(But you might also notice that Coley only ranked Georgia as the fourth-most important game for Georgia Tech. Hmmm.)
Tennessee, as less important than the tilts against Kentucky and Mississippi State? Again, that's assuming the Volunteers are as down as they're expected to be. And it downplays the return of Derek Dooley. It's a nice story, but in the long run what's the importance of it?
Auburn as only the sixth-most important, behind Kentucky, is the one that could end up being ranked too low. But I gave the edge to the Kentucky game because its earlier in the season, midway through in fact, when the season is still being fleshed out.
And I could go on, but hey, I won't.
Here's a link to the Georgia list.
And here's how Coley ranked Georgia Tech's games.
Obviously it's hard to sit here in August and come up with a definitive list. So this is a lot of projection, and assuming things play out as expected. (Which they almost certainly won't.)
I was tempted to rank the South Carolina game first. But the rivalry aspect with Florida and Georgia Tech - and those team's high preseason rankings - trumped the early-season tone-setter of the trip to Columbia.
(But you might also notice that Coley only ranked Georgia as the fourth-most important game for Georgia Tech. Hmmm.)
Tennessee, as less important than the tilts against Kentucky and Mississippi State? Again, that's assuming the Volunteers are as down as they're expected to be. And it downplays the return of Derek Dooley. It's a nice story, but in the long run what's the importance of it?
Auburn as only the sixth-most important, behind Kentucky, is the one that could end up being ranked too low. But I gave the edge to the Kentucky game because its earlier in the season, midway through in fact, when the season is still being fleshed out.
And I could go on, but hey, I won't.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Monday night Richt report
The news was good on DE Demarcus Dobbs, who merely sprained an ankle. Dobbs missed Monday’s practice and was seen in a walking boot.
“I would think before the week’s out he’ll be back,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “I don’t think it was too severe.”
- It was a busy day on the injury front, and not all because of bad news. (See previous post about seemingly half the team being in green non-contact jerseys.)
“A lot of guys that have been hurt are beginning to trickle back to the field, which is good,” Richt said.
Starting center Ben Jones had a rapid recovery, returning to the field eight days after minor knee surgery. (Well, minor to everyone except him.) But his backup, Chris Burnette, suffered a concussion a few days ago and was out of practice.
Receiver Logan Gray should be back in full contact mode by the end of this week, Richt added. Gray, who sprained his ankle last week, was jogging in green Monday.
Freshman DE Dexter Morant was out of Monday's practice after hurting his shoulder. Richt didn’t know how bad it was.
Senior ILB Akeem Dent got his first work with the other linebackers since camp opened. So did fellow inside linebacker Richard Samuel, but Dent is in much better shape.
“Dent has a lot more experience playing linebacker. Just reps, his whole life, playing linebacker, and throughout his career at Georgia. So it would affect him less than it would affect Richard,” Richt said. “Richard would need all the reps he can get.”
- Meanwhile, the team still hasn’t decided whether true freshman Hutson Mason will play this year. He’s getting second-team snaps now, but Logan Gray is still available to play if something happens to Aaron Murray.
Richt said such a decision was coming soon. (Of course that seems a very tentative decision, since you could foresee scenarios where Mason would have to burn a redshirt.)
- On other fronts, Richt still expects to play a lot of receivers and tight ends, and doesn’t seem too concerned with pinpointing a No. 2 receiver opposite A.J. Green. In fact, Richt said he expects to have a lot of substitution at every offensive skill position “except quarterback.”
- After three weeks, and now one day, Richt is getting antsy.
“It’s about time to play a game, really,” he said. “I’m real glad we’re breaking into scout teams and preparing to play an opponent.”
“I would think before the week’s out he’ll be back,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “I don’t think it was too severe.”
- It was a busy day on the injury front, and not all because of bad news. (See previous post about seemingly half the team being in green non-contact jerseys.)
“A lot of guys that have been hurt are beginning to trickle back to the field, which is good,” Richt said.
Starting center Ben Jones had a rapid recovery, returning to the field eight days after minor knee surgery. (Well, minor to everyone except him.) But his backup, Chris Burnette, suffered a concussion a few days ago and was out of practice.
Receiver Logan Gray should be back in full contact mode by the end of this week, Richt added. Gray, who sprained his ankle last week, was jogging in green Monday.
Freshman DE Dexter Morant was out of Monday's practice after hurting his shoulder. Richt didn’t know how bad it was.
Senior ILB Akeem Dent got his first work with the other linebackers since camp opened. So did fellow inside linebacker Richard Samuel, but Dent is in much better shape.
“Dent has a lot more experience playing linebacker. Just reps, his whole life, playing linebacker, and throughout his career at Georgia. So it would affect him less than it would affect Richard,” Richt said. “Richard would need all the reps he can get.”
- Meanwhile, the team still hasn’t decided whether true freshman Hutson Mason will play this year. He’s getting second-team snaps now, but Logan Gray is still available to play if something happens to Aaron Murray.
Richt said such a decision was coming soon. (Of course that seems a very tentative decision, since you could foresee scenarios where Mason would have to burn a redshirt.)
- On other fronts, Richt still expects to play a lot of receivers and tight ends, and doesn’t seem too concerned with pinpointing a No. 2 receiver opposite A.J. Green. In fact, Richt said he expects to have a lot of substitution at every offensive skill position “except quarterback.”
- After three weeks, and now one day, Richt is getting antsy.
“It’s about time to play a game, really,” he said. “I’m real glad we’re breaking into scout teams and preparing to play an opponent.”
Dobbs hurt
Starting defensive end Demarcus Dobbs was in a walking boot on Monday and not in attendance at Georgia's first practice of the week.
No previous mention of an injury to the senior has been made, so presumably he was hurt in Saturday's practice. We'll update his status later.
Dobbs wasn't the only injury. Georgia had so many players in green out there they could have fielded their own team.
- DE Abry Jones, who also had not previously been known to be hurt, was on a stationary bike, though he was in white and fully padded.
- OLB Dexter Morant, a freshman, was not at practice and was seen walking with Dobbs away from the field.
We'll have updates on those guys too. Otherwise, the news was relatively good for Georgia:
- Starting C Ben Jones, who had his knee scoped eight days ago, was back out at practice for the first time since the surgery. He was in green, but going through drills.
(Meanwhile his backup, Chris Burnette, was also spotted in green before practice. So it may be one center out, one back.)
- Starting ILB Akeem Dent was going through drills for the first known time this camp. Dent (toe surgery) had heretefore just been working on the stationary bike.
- Starting G Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) was also back out at practice for the first time since he got sick. He wasn't going through drills, but the fact he was healthy enough to be out there in the heat was a good sign.
- WR Logan Gray, who sprained his ankle last Tuesday, was running on the side, though not participating in drills yet. Gray was running with fellow receiver Rantavious Wooten, who's been out for awhile with a sprained knee.
- CB Vance Cuff, who dinged his shoulder last week, was in green, but participating in drills.
- LT Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) was on the exercise bike, after spending the past week or so practicing with the offensive linemen.
- ILB Richard Samuel (leg) was in green but going through drills for the first known time.
- Freshman CB Sanders Cummings was in green with an unknown injury.
I think that's everybody. We'll have a full update, or as best we can fully update all that, after practice.
No previous mention of an injury to the senior has been made, so presumably he was hurt in Saturday's practice. We'll update his status later.
Dobbs wasn't the only injury. Georgia had so many players in green out there they could have fielded their own team.
- DE Abry Jones, who also had not previously been known to be hurt, was on a stationary bike, though he was in white and fully padded.
- OLB Dexter Morant, a freshman, was not at practice and was seen walking with Dobbs away from the field.
We'll have updates on those guys too. Otherwise, the news was relatively good for Georgia:
- Starting C Ben Jones, who had his knee scoped eight days ago, was back out at practice for the first time since the surgery. He was in green, but going through drills.
(Meanwhile his backup, Chris Burnette, was also spotted in green before practice. So it may be one center out, one back.)
- Starting ILB Akeem Dent was going through drills for the first known time this camp. Dent (toe surgery) had heretefore just been working on the stationary bike.
- Starting G Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) was also back out at practice for the first time since he got sick. He wasn't going through drills, but the fact he was healthy enough to be out there in the heat was a good sign.
- WR Logan Gray, who sprained his ankle last Tuesday, was running on the side, though not participating in drills yet. Gray was running with fellow receiver Rantavious Wooten, who's been out for awhile with a sprained knee.
- CB Vance Cuff, who dinged his shoulder last week, was in green, but participating in drills.
- LT Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) was on the exercise bike, after spending the past week or so practicing with the offensive linemen.
- ILB Richard Samuel (leg) was in green but going through drills for the first known time.
- Freshman CB Sanders Cummings was in green with an unknown injury.
I think that's everybody. We'll have a full update, or as best we can fully update all that, after practice.
To start the week ...
If you’re like me, you follow any situation involving cowbells any chance you can get. Well, luckily we have something.
Georgia visits Mississippi State on Sept. 25 – and I think we can all agree that there’s no better trip in the SEC than StarkVegas. The SEC has cracked down on Mississippi State’s use of cowbells, decreeing they can basically only be used on stoppages of play: After touchdowns, in between quarters, etc.
If the rule is broken, the school will first be fined $5,000, then $25,000, then $50,000. The fourth possible fine isn’t specified, but I’m guessing it has something to do with never being able to leave Starkville again.
(Don’t mess with the SEC league office. They have that kind of power.)
Meantime, Georgia returns to practice this afternoon after a 48-hour layoff. We’ll have a full report later – well, a full report of what we’re let in to see – but here are a few completely non-Bulldog related notes to fill some time:
- At the behest of David Hale, I finally started watching Breaking Bad. Impressive first episode. Very dark. I think they capture Albuquerque pretty well, having visited there. I’m curious to see where they go from here. Feel free to give me an idea, but no spoilers.
- Speaking of AMC shows, Mad Men was pretty good last night. Don Draper is such a complex character; I want to like him, then he does stuff like firing the babysitter for something beyond her help. (OK, you can argue that she should have known little Sally was up to something in the bathroom, but I would have been more forgiving than Draper.)
- And finally, the most important thing: I need a good fantasy football team nickname. I’m taking suggestions, with only two stipulations: It has to be 20 characters or less, and it has to be clever.
Preferably, we’re looking for some topical and relevant. But I'm not adverse to references to cowbells or, speaking of Will Ferrell, SNL Celebrity Jeopardy.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Dissecting the AP poll
The nice thing about the AP poll, as opposed to the coaches, is that it's an open book. So you can find out who to blame, who's an idiot, and who's really smart.
Not that it's subjective or anything.
In any case, here's the nitty-gritty as far as Georgia is concerned:
- The Bulldogs were left off of 25 ballots, out of 60 total cast. That includes ESPN personalities Kirk Herbstreit and Craig James.
- The highest vote for Georgia came from out west. Greg Archuleta of The Albuquerque Journal voted the Bulldogs No. 15. A pair of writers - one from Oregon, one from Kansas - had Georgia at No. 16.
- Coley Harvey of The Telegraph, who is the only voter from the state of Georgia, had the Bulldogs at No. 20.
Not that it's subjective or anything.
In any case, here's the nitty-gritty as far as Georgia is concerned:
- The Bulldogs were left off of 25 ballots, out of 60 total cast. That includes ESPN personalities Kirk Herbstreit and Craig James.
- The highest vote for Georgia came from out west. Greg Archuleta of The Albuquerque Journal voted the Bulldogs No. 15. A pair of writers - one from Oregon, one from Kansas - had Georgia at No. 16.
- Coley Harvey of The Telegraph, who is the only voter from the state of Georgia, had the Bulldogs at No. 20.
Richt post-practice
Georgia got through a slight drizzle at practice on Saturday morning. They'll have fan and picture day later in the day.
The Bulldogs have two weeks to go in practice. They’ll have one more fundamental practice on Monday, then Tuesday break into scout teams.
Head coach Mark Richt was asked about being No. 23 in the AP poll, which came out in the morning.
“Exactly the same quote as the coaches poll, which is that I am, I’m thankful that we’re ranked," Richt said. "It’s important that we’re ranked. And I hope we play well enough to move up.”
- Vance Cuff just dinged his shoulder. The cornerback “ran into Bruce Figgins really hard. It looked like Cuff was the one delivering the blow, which he was. … But Bruce is still in a red jersey and Cuff is in a green jersey.”
- ILB Mike Gilliard (hamstring) was back in white.
“I don’t think he had any setback,” Richt said.
- And some talk of the secondary. Richt described it as some secondary guys with a linebacker’s mentality.
“I like the secondary. I like what I’m seeing,” Richt said. “I think we have some quality depth. I think we have some quality starters. And we’re still not sure who’s gonna start there.”
The Bulldogs have two weeks to go in practice. They’ll have one more fundamental practice on Monday, then Tuesday break into scout teams.
Head coach Mark Richt was asked about being No. 23 in the AP poll, which came out in the morning.
“Exactly the same quote as the coaches poll, which is that I am, I’m thankful that we’re ranked," Richt said. "It’s important that we’re ranked. And I hope we play well enough to move up.”
- Vance Cuff just dinged his shoulder. The cornerback “ran into Bruce Figgins really hard. It looked like Cuff was the one delivering the blow, which he was. … But Bruce is still in a red jersey and Cuff is in a green jersey.”
- ILB Mike Gilliard (hamstring) was back in white.
“I don’t think he had any setback,” Richt said.
- And some talk of the secondary. Richt described it as some secondary guys with a linebacker’s mentality.
“I like the secondary. I like what I’m seeing,” Richt said. “I think we have some quality depth. I think we have some quality starters. And we’re still not sure who’s gonna start there.”
No. 23 in the AP
The AP poll, the granddaddy of them all, came out Saturday morning, and Georgia's distinction is the same as the coaches poll that came out several weeks before:
The lowest preseason rank since 2001, which was Mark Richt's first season as head coach.
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the AP, after coming in No. 21 in the coaches poll.
Alabama was the overwhelming No. 1, garnering 54 of 60 first-place votes. Florida came in at No. 4.
The rest of the top five was No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Boise State and No. 5 Texas.
Georgia Tech was No. 16.
Other SEC teams in the poll: No. 17 Arkansas, No. 21 LSU and No. 22 Auburn.
Georgia's preseason ranking in the AP the past decade, along with its final ranking:
2001: NR .... 22
2002: 8 ..... 3
2003: 11 .... 7
2004: 3 ..... 7
2005: 13 .... 10
2006: 15 .... 23
2007: 13 .... 2
2008: 1 ..... 13
2009: 13 .... NR
2010: 23 .... ?
Coley Harvey, my colleague who covers Georgia Tech for The Telegraph, is an AP voter. He detailed his picks in a blog post, which is linked here.
The lowest preseason rank since 2001, which was Mark Richt's first season as head coach.
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the AP, after coming in No. 21 in the coaches poll.
Alabama was the overwhelming No. 1, garnering 54 of 60 first-place votes. Florida came in at No. 4.
The rest of the top five was No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Boise State and No. 5 Texas.
Georgia Tech was No. 16.
Other SEC teams in the poll: No. 17 Arkansas, No. 21 LSU and No. 22 Auburn.
Georgia's preseason ranking in the AP the past decade, along with its final ranking:
2001: NR .... 22
2002: 8 ..... 3
2003: 11 .... 7
2004: 3 ..... 7
2005: 13 .... 10
2006: 15 .... 23
2007: 13 .... 2
2008: 1 ..... 13
2009: 13 .... NR
2010: 23 .... ?
Coley Harvey, my colleague who covers Georgia Tech for The Telegraph, is an AP voter. He detailed his picks in a blog post, which is linked here.
Friday, August 20, 2010
A.J. the juggler
Pretty entertaining media session tonight with A.J. Green. The Georgia star receiver was wearing a Playboy All-American T-shirt, and joked that he also got a magazine with it.
Just for the articles, a reporter said to Green.
“Love the articles,” Green replied, to media laughter.
Green also said, with a smile, that he’d have to hide the shirt and Playboy sweatshirt from his mother, who was coming up Saturday morning.
There also came the revelation that Green was once a competitive juggler. No, really. He was on his elementary school juggling team, first picking up the skill as a second-grader.
“That helped with my hand and eye coordination a lot,” he said.
He can still juggle up to four things at a time.
“I can juggle everything: Pins, bowling pins, whatever,” Green said.
The craziest thing he can juggle? Metal rods, he said.
(There's a double entendre here to be done with the juggling and the Playboy thing. I'll let you figure it out.)
And, by the way, Green can also ride a unicycle.
Really. Who knew?
For more on all this, read Paul Newberry’s future story in the Associated Press.
Green was also briefly asked about his NFL future – “I’m taking it day-by-day” and the NCAA inquiry – which he still can’t comment on. He was hoping he could next week.
On the topic of Green and the NFL, quarterback Aaron Murray had a good quip.
“You never know, there might be a lockout,” Murray said, smiling. “I won’t complain too much if he wants to stay two more years.”
Just for the articles, a reporter said to Green.
“Love the articles,” Green replied, to media laughter.
Green also said, with a smile, that he’d have to hide the shirt and Playboy sweatshirt from his mother, who was coming up Saturday morning.
There also came the revelation that Green was once a competitive juggler. No, really. He was on his elementary school juggling team, first picking up the skill as a second-grader.
“That helped with my hand and eye coordination a lot,” he said.
He can still juggle up to four things at a time.
“I can juggle everything: Pins, bowling pins, whatever,” Green said.
The craziest thing he can juggle? Metal rods, he said.
(There's a double entendre here to be done with the juggling and the Playboy thing. I'll let you figure it out.)
And, by the way, Green can also ride a unicycle.
Really. Who knew?
For more on all this, read Paul Newberry’s future story in the Associated Press.
Green was also briefly asked about his NFL future – “I’m taking it day-by-day” and the NCAA inquiry – which he still can’t comment on. He was hoping he could next week.
On the topic of Green and the NFL, quarterback Aaron Murray had a good quip.
“You never know, there might be a lockout,” Murray said, smiling. “I won’t complain too much if he wants to stay two more years.”
Richt speaks (briefly), therefore I blog
Mark Richt had to rush off to a speaking engagement so we didn’t get him for long after Friday’s practice. Here’s what he did have to say:
He was retroactively critical of Thursday’s practice.
“Did I tell you it stunk yesterday?” Richt said, looking around. “Well it did.”
He came to that conclusion after watching film on Friday. The effort was much-improved today.
So what was wrong Thursday? Just the energy wasn’t there.
“If we had played somebody in a real high-tempo offense, we would’ve been in trouble,” Richt said.
- In a stunning revelation, it helps Aaron Murray to have A.J. Green to throw to:
“If you throw it near him, if there’s a reasonable prospect of him catching it, he’ll catch it,” Richt said.
- The head coach didn’t want to rate how close Nick Williams and Jakar Hamilton are for the other safety spot.
“They’re both giving great effort,” Richt said.
- Guard Cordy Glenn, dealing with mono, has been doing some indoor conditioning, with a target of returning to practice the week of the opener.
He was retroactively critical of Thursday’s practice.
“Did I tell you it stunk yesterday?” Richt said, looking around. “Well it did.”
He came to that conclusion after watching film on Friday. The effort was much-improved today.
So what was wrong Thursday? Just the energy wasn’t there.
“If we had played somebody in a real high-tempo offense, we would’ve been in trouble,” Richt said.
- In a stunning revelation, it helps Aaron Murray to have A.J. Green to throw to:
“If you throw it near him, if there’s a reasonable prospect of him catching it, he’ll catch it,” Richt said.
- The head coach didn’t want to rate how close Nick Williams and Jakar Hamilton are for the other safety spot.
“They’re both giving great effort,” Richt said.
- Guard Cordy Glenn, dealing with mono, has been doing some indoor conditioning, with a target of returning to practice the week of the opener.
Practice update
All's well on the Nick Williams front. The Georgia safety, who received an unspecified injury early in Thursday's practice, is going Friday in a regular jersey.
Tanner Strickland, a reserve guard, was in a green jersey. We'll ask about his status later.
I didn't see Mike Gilliard, the inside linebacker dealing with a hamstring injury. He may have actually been out there in a white jersey - we only got to watch two periods - or he might have been skipping practice. I just know he wasn't in a green jersey.
Speaking of green: Akeem Dent and Rantavious Wooten were still in them, and doing lateral drills, as they've done the past few days.
Tanner Strickland, a reserve guard, was in a green jersey. We'll ask about his status later.
I didn't see Mike Gilliard, the inside linebacker dealing with a hamstring injury. He may have actually been out there in a white jersey - we only got to watch two periods - or he might have been skipping practice. I just know he wasn't in a green jersey.
Speaking of green: Akeem Dent and Rantavious Wooten were still in them, and doing lateral drills, as they've done the past few days.
Opposing QB news
Georgia's first two league games are against South Carolina and Arkansas, which notably are among the few SEC teams with returning starting quarterbacks.
Well, hold that thought on one of them.
All offseason, Steve Sppurrier has been riding Stephen Garcia, who started all 13 games for the Gamecocks last season. And the Head Ball Coach has been praising Connor Shaw, a true freshman who enrolled early and went through spring practice.
Most assumed Spurrier was just trying to light a fire under Garcia. But a little more than two weeks from the opener, Spurrier has said Shaw WILL play against Southern Miss. Now it's just a matter of how much.
My former colleague and good friend Joe Person breaks it down on his blog at The State.
This obviously bears watching for Georgia. Will it be facing Garcia, as it expected, or will a true freshman be under center for the Gamecocks when the Bulldogs visit on Sept. 11?
You just never know with Spurrier. Danny Wuerffel is really the only quarterback that's ever had the HBC's full trust. Garcia has a lot of talent, and has done it in flashes, but he has a carefree attitude off the field - and sometimes on it - that has always made Spurrier blanch.
As for Shaw, having watched him in spring practice, he definitely has a decent bit of composure. He's a dual-threat kind of quarterback, like Garcia, who impressed coaches and teammates right away. But he's also still just a true freshman.
We'll see.
- Georgia's second league opponent, however, has no such quarterback issues. In fact Ryan Mallett had a huge night in a simulated scrimmage on Thursday: 31-38, 484 yards and five touchdowns.
It was against the second-team defense, but ... jeez.
Well, hold that thought on one of them.
All offseason, Steve Sppurrier has been riding Stephen Garcia, who started all 13 games for the Gamecocks last season. And the Head Ball Coach has been praising Connor Shaw, a true freshman who enrolled early and went through spring practice.
Most assumed Spurrier was just trying to light a fire under Garcia. But a little more than two weeks from the opener, Spurrier has said Shaw WILL play against Southern Miss. Now it's just a matter of how much.
My former colleague and good friend Joe Person breaks it down on his blog at The State.
This obviously bears watching for Georgia. Will it be facing Garcia, as it expected, or will a true freshman be under center for the Gamecocks when the Bulldogs visit on Sept. 11?
You just never know with Spurrier. Danny Wuerffel is really the only quarterback that's ever had the HBC's full trust. Garcia has a lot of talent, and has done it in flashes, but he has a carefree attitude off the field - and sometimes on it - that has always made Spurrier blanch.
As for Shaw, having watched him in spring practice, he definitely has a decent bit of composure. He's a dual-threat kind of quarterback, like Garcia, who impressed coaches and teammates right away. But he's also still just a true freshman.
We'll see.
- Georgia's second league opponent, however, has no such quarterback issues. In fact Ryan Mallett had a huge night in a simulated scrimmage on Thursday: 31-38, 484 yards and five touchdowns.
It was against the second-team defense, but ... jeez.
Happy Friday
Thank (Whoever your deity may be, unless you don't have one) it's Friday ... Am I right people?
First off, my story in today's papers on Georgia's strategy in turning around its penalty problems.
I know a lot of you don't want to re-live last year, at least as it pertained to the penalties. But I lost a couple hours of my life Thursday going through the box scores and assembling a breakdown of what penalties were called on the Bulldogs, so here you go:
OFFENSE (55 percent)
Holding, offense ..............11-110 yards
False start ...................29-144
Personal foul, offense ........5-56
Illegal block, offense ........5-49
Unsportsmanlike, offense ......3-45
Clipping, offense .............2-30
Delay of game .................5-23
Illegal substitution, offense .2-10
Illegal formation, offense ....1-5
Illegal motion, offense .......1-5
Intentional grounding .........1-0
DEFENSE (30 percent)
Defensive pass interference ...9-106
Defensive offsides ............10-47
Personal foul, defense ........5-71
Face mask, defense ............3-33
Defensive holding .............1-10
SPECIAL TEAMS (15 percent)
Illegal block, .. ..............5-46
Personal foul ..................3-44
Face mask ......................2-30
Holding ........................1-10
Illegal formation ..............1-5
As I elucidate in the story, Georgia's emphasis is more on cutting down on "dumb penalties," to use the coaches' words. And if you count personal fouls and pre-snap penalties as in that category, then that's about half of last year's.
- In other news, Mark Richt's fully-clothed dive on Monday continues to make a splash - sorry - across the country. It was on "SportCenter" on top 10 plays of the day - and No. 10, as Richt noted Thursday.
"That's the second time I've been on there," Richt said, pointing to his basketball shot as the first.
The dive was also mentioned on "Pardon the Interruption." The show is being co-hosted this week by Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard, who talked about Richt learning to dive while going to Miami. (I believe Richt has actually said he learned it growing up in Boca Raton, Fla.)
Pretty decent pre-season publicity for Richt and Georgia, I'd say.
(And on a side note, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon cannot return to PTI soon enough. I don't mind Bob Ryan, but LeBatard ... no comment.)
- And finally ... Eh, I'll do another blog post on the other stuff.
First off, my story in today's papers on Georgia's strategy in turning around its penalty problems.
I know a lot of you don't want to re-live last year, at least as it pertained to the penalties. But I lost a couple hours of my life Thursday going through the box scores and assembling a breakdown of what penalties were called on the Bulldogs, so here you go:
OFFENSE (55 percent)
Holding, offense ..............11-110 yards
False start ...................29-144
Personal foul, offense ........5-56
Illegal block, offense ........5-49
Unsportsmanlike, offense ......3-45
Clipping, offense .............2-30
Delay of game .................5-23
Illegal substitution, offense .2-10
Illegal formation, offense ....1-5
Illegal motion, offense .......1-5
Intentional grounding .........1-0
DEFENSE (30 percent)
Defensive pass interference ...9-106
Defensive offsides ............10-47
Personal foul, defense ........5-71
Face mask, defense ............3-33
Defensive holding .............1-10
SPECIAL TEAMS (15 percent)
Illegal block, .. ..............5-46
Personal foul ..................3-44
Face mask ......................2-30
Holding ........................1-10
Illegal formation ..............1-5
As I elucidate in the story, Georgia's emphasis is more on cutting down on "dumb penalties," to use the coaches' words. And if you count personal fouls and pre-snap penalties as in that category, then that's about half of last year's.
- In other news, Mark Richt's fully-clothed dive on Monday continues to make a splash - sorry - across the country. It was on "SportCenter" on top 10 plays of the day - and No. 10, as Richt noted Thursday.
"That's the second time I've been on there," Richt said, pointing to his basketball shot as the first.
The dive was also mentioned on "Pardon the Interruption." The show is being co-hosted this week by Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard, who talked about Richt learning to dive while going to Miami. (I believe Richt has actually said he learned it growing up in Boca Raton, Fla.)
Pretty decent pre-season publicity for Richt and Georgia, I'd say.
(And on a side note, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon cannot return to PTI soon enough. I don't mind Bob Ryan, but LeBatard ... no comment.)
- And finally ... Eh, I'll do another blog post on the other stuff.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Richt post-practice
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will call plays from the field again. Bobo had considered going back up to the press box, but dealing with the young quarterbacks was evidently a big factor in staying on the field.
Head coach Mark Richt said the defensive staff has also decided on who will be where on gamedays, but he wasn't sure on specifics.
- Meantime, the Bulldogs have broken into scout team work, for Louisiana-Lafayette. That’s a bit earlier than they normally would.
“This camp seems a little longer than normal," Richt said. "I think we’re ready to start focusing on someone other than our own team.”
They started earlier than they ever had, in order to accommodate the lack of more two-a-days.
That doesn’t mean everybody on the scout team now will be in the future, Richt added.
- Injury updates: If you’ve been hurt, you’re basically expected to return the week of the opener. In fact, inside linebacker Akeem Dent’s prognosis has improved again to where he could see live action in practice next week. Richt said the staff was “100 percent certain” Dent will practice the week of the opener.
- ILB Mike Gilliard (hamstring) is also very close. Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) is targeted for the last week, along with Ben Jones (knee).
- Receiver Logan Gray is out 7-10 days after spraining his ankle. That’s a setback for a guy converting from quarterback who’s had a good camp.
- Richt wasn’t sure safety Nick Williams’ injury. Williams got hurt early in practice, but returned later in a green jersey.
“Whatever it was it wasn’t too severe because he was going full-speed in the end,” Richt said.
- True freshmen who will play: Safety Alec Ogletree almost certainly, while his brother Zander could also play because of his value on special team. CB Derek Owens will play too, especially on special teams.
Head coach Mark Richt said the defensive staff has also decided on who will be where on gamedays, but he wasn't sure on specifics.
- Meantime, the Bulldogs have broken into scout team work, for Louisiana-Lafayette. That’s a bit earlier than they normally would.
“This camp seems a little longer than normal," Richt said. "I think we’re ready to start focusing on someone other than our own team.”
They started earlier than they ever had, in order to accommodate the lack of more two-a-days.
That doesn’t mean everybody on the scout team now will be in the future, Richt added.
- Injury updates: If you’ve been hurt, you’re basically expected to return the week of the opener. In fact, inside linebacker Akeem Dent’s prognosis has improved again to where he could see live action in practice next week. Richt said the staff was “100 percent certain” Dent will practice the week of the opener.
- ILB Mike Gilliard (hamstring) is also very close. Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) is targeted for the last week, along with Ben Jones (knee).
- Receiver Logan Gray is out 7-10 days after spraining his ankle. That’s a setback for a guy converting from quarterback who’s had a good camp.
- Richt wasn’t sure safety Nick Williams’ injury. Williams got hurt early in practice, but returned later in a green jersey.
“Whatever it was it wasn’t too severe because he was going full-speed in the end,” Richt said.
- True freshmen who will play: Safety Alec Ogletree almost certainly, while his brother Zander could also play because of his value on special team. CB Derek Owens will play too, especially on special teams.
Practice update
Receiver Logan Gray, who sprained his ankle on Tuesday, was not out there. He was in a walking boot on Wednesday.
Safety Nick Williams was shaken up early in practice, during the small portion that the media is allowed in. His exact malady could not be determined, but it appeared to be an upper-body injury, and he was walking around and joking.
Otherwise, nothing new. Akeem Dent, Rantavious Wooten and Mike Gilliard were in green non-contact jerseys but jogging on their own, as they were on Tuesday. Dent and Gilliard, both inside linebackers, were doing some lateral drills too.
More updates after practice, when Mark Richt speaks.
Safety Nick Williams was shaken up early in practice, during the small portion that the media is allowed in. His exact malady could not be determined, but it appeared to be an upper-body injury, and he was walking around and joking.
Otherwise, nothing new. Akeem Dent, Rantavious Wooten and Mike Gilliard were in green non-contact jerseys but jogging on their own, as they were on Tuesday. Dent and Gilliard, both inside linebackers, were doing some lateral drills too.
More updates after practice, when Mark Richt speaks.
Mailbag time
I’ve been getting a lot of questions, on the e-mail and on this here blog, and sad to say I’ve been unable to get to all of them. Or even most of them. But now that I’m settling in a bit, hopefully I can get better about that.
The best way to handle it is probably through one big blog entry, or the ever-so-popular mailbag format. I understand my predecessor David “Dave” Hale went this way too, so I guess I can’t hurt to copy that too.
(Speaking of Dave, I got my first “Breaking Bad” disc in the mail Wednesday. So here we go.)
Anyway, on to the questions:
When the OC and the DC are preparing for their opponents, do they take notes on possible weaknesses for the other coordinator to exploit? I know they are getting their own game plan together, but because they are experts on that side of the ball, I would think they could see things the other one might not.
-Billy Wallace
Billy,
Obviously I’m not in coaching meetings, but I know they do a good bit of that. It can depend on the staff, since head coaches delegates duties differently. Most of the time, the coordinators will worry about what will happen on their side of the ball, but if a staff gets along well, as most should, they will share information like that on a regular basis.
Seth, as Dawg fan living in Columbia I am familiar with your work. I was hoping you might comment on the differences you see so far in the two programs (S. Car & UGA). Is there a difference in athletic talent and so on and so forth?
- Anonymous
I’ll go into this further the week of the South Carolina game. But one thing I have noticed is that on a simple eye test, there isn’t a huge difference in size. The airport test, so to speak. South Carolina may actually have some bigger players, in terms of height, but it also has some smaller guys that will see playing time. Georgia doesn’t tend to have that. Take the inside linebacker spot: The Gamecocks have a 5-11 guy, Shaq Wilson, who will be one of their key players. Whereas the Bulldogs have a 6-2 guy, Akeem Hebron, who was a high-profile recruit, who has had trouble seeing the field.
Since you used to be on the USCe beat, how about giving us your perspective on covering Richt and Georgia vs. Spurrier and USCe? Are they as different as they look from a distance?
- SouthFl Dawg
As previously mentioned, I’ll delve further into this next month. But I will say they’ve been very different so far. Richt is much more accommodating with the media. Not that Spurrier isn't on the whole, but after a practice Spurrier just tends to want to get out of there. (Interestingly, we used to get Spurrier as he came off the practice field, while Richt comes up to an interview room and takes our questions until we don't have any more.)
(After James Wilder Jr. committed to Florida State.) I wanted (Isaiah) Crowell more anyway. The Huggins kid outta NJ is still in play. We will be fine. How is the Ken Malcome kid looking so far?
- Brian
When camp started it looked like Malcome would play. But he seems to have slipped into a tie for fourth on the depth chart. He’s definitely got talent, and he’s the team’s biggest back right now, but coaches have said he still has a lot to learn.
One question that's been lingering since David covered the Butts-Mehre expansion: how's the construction on the Stegeman renovations coming along? Any way you could post some pictures or video? I'm stuck in Iraq and would like to see some of the progress!
- Dawg521
First off, Dawg, thanks for whatever you’re doing in Iraq. My dad is actually in Afghanistan right now. (Private contracting business.) … As another blog commenter pointed out, they’re showing video updates of the Stegeman construction on Georgiadogs.com. My own insight, from driving past every day, is that they appear to be working very hard, so I’d expect them to be right on schedule. At least they better be, as much dust as they’re pulling up.
Why do we lose so many recruiting battles with FSU???? do you think they talk bad about Richt since he left??
- BZ
Richt’s been gone 10 years now, so I doubt that’s the case.
Hey Seth, can you have your links open in a new window. I hate having to come back here to read another article. Thanks and keep up the good work.
- Bizzaroneck
I’m looking into this. I’d prefer the new window too.
Seth, haven't heard much about the TE's lately. Would love to hear more about who sits where on the depth chart, the perspective of the coaches on two tight-end sets, etc.
- Anonymous
I’d expect Aron White to start, but get about as many snaps early on as Orson Charles. The coaches think they’re loaded at tight end. They’ve been kind of noncommittal about double tight-end sets, but I’d say you’re going to see it at least some of the time.
Why were you interviewing (Willy) Korn in his pajamas? That's kinda weird wearing another persons pjs. I'm just sayin.
- BK Dawg
To be clear, he was in his pajamas, I was not. It was winter break, and he was home all day, so he didn’t feel like dressing up. Which is fine, I want people to feel comfortable when they’re interviewing me. Well not TOO comfortable.
The best way to handle it is probably through one big blog entry, or the ever-so-popular mailbag format. I understand my predecessor David “Dave” Hale went this way too, so I guess I can’t hurt to copy that too.
(Speaking of Dave, I got my first “Breaking Bad” disc in the mail Wednesday. So here we go.)
Anyway, on to the questions:
When the OC and the DC are preparing for their opponents, do they take notes on possible weaknesses for the other coordinator to exploit? I know they are getting their own game plan together, but because they are experts on that side of the ball, I would think they could see things the other one might not.
-Billy Wallace
Billy,
Obviously I’m not in coaching meetings, but I know they do a good bit of that. It can depend on the staff, since head coaches delegates duties differently. Most of the time, the coordinators will worry about what will happen on their side of the ball, but if a staff gets along well, as most should, they will share information like that on a regular basis.
Seth, as Dawg fan living in Columbia I am familiar with your work. I was hoping you might comment on the differences you see so far in the two programs (S. Car & UGA). Is there a difference in athletic talent and so on and so forth?
- Anonymous
I’ll go into this further the week of the South Carolina game. But one thing I have noticed is that on a simple eye test, there isn’t a huge difference in size. The airport test, so to speak. South Carolina may actually have some bigger players, in terms of height, but it also has some smaller guys that will see playing time. Georgia doesn’t tend to have that. Take the inside linebacker spot: The Gamecocks have a 5-11 guy, Shaq Wilson, who will be one of their key players. Whereas the Bulldogs have a 6-2 guy, Akeem Hebron, who was a high-profile recruit, who has had trouble seeing the field.
Since you used to be on the USCe beat, how about giving us your perspective on covering Richt and Georgia vs. Spurrier and USCe? Are they as different as they look from a distance?
- SouthFl Dawg
As previously mentioned, I’ll delve further into this next month. But I will say they’ve been very different so far. Richt is much more accommodating with the media. Not that Spurrier isn't on the whole, but after a practice Spurrier just tends to want to get out of there. (Interestingly, we used to get Spurrier as he came off the practice field, while Richt comes up to an interview room and takes our questions until we don't have any more.)
(After James Wilder Jr. committed to Florida State.) I wanted (Isaiah) Crowell more anyway. The Huggins kid outta NJ is still in play. We will be fine. How is the Ken Malcome kid looking so far?
- Brian
When camp started it looked like Malcome would play. But he seems to have slipped into a tie for fourth on the depth chart. He’s definitely got talent, and he’s the team’s biggest back right now, but coaches have said he still has a lot to learn.
One question that's been lingering since David covered the Butts-Mehre expansion: how's the construction on the Stegeman renovations coming along? Any way you could post some pictures or video? I'm stuck in Iraq and would like to see some of the progress!
- Dawg521
First off, Dawg, thanks for whatever you’re doing in Iraq. My dad is actually in Afghanistan right now. (Private contracting business.) … As another blog commenter pointed out, they’re showing video updates of the Stegeman construction on Georgiadogs.com. My own insight, from driving past every day, is that they appear to be working very hard, so I’d expect them to be right on schedule. At least they better be, as much dust as they’re pulling up.
Why do we lose so many recruiting battles with FSU???? do you think they talk bad about Richt since he left??
- BZ
Richt’s been gone 10 years now, so I doubt that’s the case.
Hey Seth, can you have your links open in a new window. I hate having to come back here to read another article. Thanks and keep up the good work.
- Bizzaroneck
I’m looking into this. I’d prefer the new window too.
Seth, haven't heard much about the TE's lately. Would love to hear more about who sits where on the depth chart, the perspective of the coaches on two tight-end sets, etc.
- Anonymous
I’d expect Aron White to start, but get about as many snaps early on as Orson Charles. The coaches think they’re loaded at tight end. They’ve been kind of noncommittal about double tight-end sets, but I’d say you’re going to see it at least some of the time.
Why were you interviewing (Willy) Korn in his pajamas? That's kinda weird wearing another persons pjs. I'm just sayin.
- BK Dawg
To be clear, he was in his pajamas, I was not. It was winter break, and he was home all day, so he didn’t feel like dressing up. Which is fine, I want people to feel comfortable when they’re interviewing me. Well not TOO comfortable.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Bean to start at nose tackle?
Justin Anderson was playing offensive line as recently as the Independence Bowl. If Georgia's season started today, the sophomore would be starting on the other side of the ball.
Bulldogs defensive line coach Rodney Garner said after Wednesday's practice that his tentative starting lineup - which he emphasized could change tomorrow - was Anderson at nose tackle, DeAngelo Tyson at end and Demarcus Dobbs at the other end.
Tyson was the favorite to start at nose tackle, but he's done so well in cross-training at end, that he has a good chance of playing there.
Anderson, known simply as "Bean" to everyone around the program, didn't even practice at nose in the spring, because of injury.
We'll have more from Garner on Anderson's rise and Tyson's cross-training in Thursday's papers.
In other news:
- Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, dealing with a number of position battles, said he was "honing in" on which guys will start, but didn't get specific.
Grantham also said a lot of players are being trained at different positions, but again did not get specific. By the sounds of it, Grantham was talking more about depth and not massive position switches: For instance, defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos said safeties Jakar Hamilton and Nick Williams were being trained at both safety spots now. But no safeties were switching to cornerback, or vice versa.
- Grantham also said that cornerback Branden Smith, who missed eight practices with academic issues, wasn't really behind in preparation because of the time off.
- Receiver Logan Gray turned his ankle in Tuesday's practice, but offensive coordinator Mike Bobo didn't seem too worried about it.
Bulldogs defensive line coach Rodney Garner said after Wednesday's practice that his tentative starting lineup - which he emphasized could change tomorrow - was Anderson at nose tackle, DeAngelo Tyson at end and Demarcus Dobbs at the other end.
Tyson was the favorite to start at nose tackle, but he's done so well in cross-training at end, that he has a good chance of playing there.
Anderson, known simply as "Bean" to everyone around the program, didn't even practice at nose in the spring, because of injury.
We'll have more from Garner on Anderson's rise and Tyson's cross-training in Thursday's papers.
In other news:
- Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, dealing with a number of position battles, said he was "honing in" on which guys will start, but didn't get specific.
Grantham also said a lot of players are being trained at different positions, but again did not get specific. By the sounds of it, Grantham was talking more about depth and not massive position switches: For instance, defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos said safeties Jakar Hamilton and Nick Williams were being trained at both safety spots now. But no safeties were switching to cornerback, or vice versa.
- Grantham also said that cornerback Branden Smith, who missed eight practices with academic issues, wasn't really behind in preparation because of the time off.
- Receiver Logan Gray turned his ankle in Tuesday's practice, but offensive coordinator Mike Bobo didn't seem too worried about it.
Wilder and practice notes
So by now you know that James Wilder Jr. did NOT commit to Georgia this afternoon, as had been reported that he would. The running back-linebacker, rated the No. 3 prospect in the entire nation by Rivals, instead went with Florida State.
This is why covering recruiting is such a hazardous business. In defense of Fanhouse.com, the original report may have actually been true at the time. Wilder may have picked Georgia, then changed his mind overnight. Who knows. We're talking about teenagers here. Just look at Dexter Morant.
In the long run, this probably isn't the worst thing to happen to Georgia. It still probably leads for Isaiah Crowell, out of Columbus. And, as I tweeted just now, after watching the first few minutes of Georgia's football practice, they appear set on continuing to play football here despite Wilder's announcement.
Speaking of which, practice notes:
- Receiver Logan Gray was in a walking boot, which is never a great sign. He rolled his ankle in practice Tuesday, according to UGAsports.com. We'll ask the coaches about it later.
- Otherwise, Georgia's players seem to be healing up, as evidenced by the empty stationary bikes:
LB Akeem Dent (toe injury), WR Rantavious Wooten (left knee) and LB Mike Gilliard (undisclosed injury) were all still in green non-contact jerseys, but were running around. That gives credence to head coach Mark Richt's hope that they'd all be ready for the opener.
S Bacarri Rambo, who's been dealing with a minor injury, was also in green but was going through drills with the rest of the secondary players.
- Receiver Kris Durham, who was hurt last week and skipped the scrimmage, was back in red.
- Starting guard Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) still wasn't out there. Ditto for starting center Ben Jones, but he's not expected back for another couple weeks after having his knee scoped.
This is why covering recruiting is such a hazardous business. In defense of Fanhouse.com, the original report may have actually been true at the time. Wilder may have picked Georgia, then changed his mind overnight. Who knows. We're talking about teenagers here. Just look at Dexter Morant.
In the long run, this probably isn't the worst thing to happen to Georgia. It still probably leads for Isaiah Crowell, out of Columbus. And, as I tweeted just now, after watching the first few minutes of Georgia's football practice, they appear set on continuing to play football here despite Wilder's announcement.
Speaking of which, practice notes:
- Receiver Logan Gray was in a walking boot, which is never a great sign. He rolled his ankle in practice Tuesday, according to UGAsports.com. We'll ask the coaches about it later.
- Otherwise, Georgia's players seem to be healing up, as evidenced by the empty stationary bikes:
LB Akeem Dent (toe injury), WR Rantavious Wooten (left knee) and LB Mike Gilliard (undisclosed injury) were all still in green non-contact jerseys, but were running around. That gives credence to head coach Mark Richt's hope that they'd all be ready for the opener.
S Bacarri Rambo, who's been dealing with a minor injury, was also in green but was going through drills with the rest of the secondary players.
- Receiver Kris Durham, who was hurt last week and skipped the scrimmage, was back in red.
- Starting guard Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis) still wasn't out there. Ditto for starting center Ben Jones, but he's not expected back for another couple weeks after having his knee scoped.
Wilder and LeMay
I don’t usually delve into recruiting, but it’s been a pretty busy 24-48 hours on that front for Georgia.
James Wilder Jr., one of the nation’s top prospects, is set to make his announcement on Wednesday afternoon. One report out of Florida said the Tampa native is headed to Georgia. But that’s been unconfirmed, so it could be Georgia, it could be Florida State, it could even still be Florida.
Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell told me at noon that he doesn’t know what Wilder is going to do, nobody except Wilder knows, and agreed it might not even be final today, whoever Wilder picks.
Wilder, a running back and linebacker, is close with Orson Charles, a Georgia tight end, and also knows Aaron Murray, both products of the same Tampa high school. But Farrell said Wilder is also tight with his Florida State recruiter, and that Wilder has not visited Georgia with his family.
“Logically when you look at it, both are good fits,” Farrell said of Georgia and FSU. “You talk about a big running back going into an offense that is suited to that kind of guy, that has produced pros over the past few years, then Georgia is a better fit.”
The other factor is Isaiah Crowell, the tailback out of Columbus. Rivals has Wilder as the nation’s third-ranked overall prospect, and Crowell is No. 21.
If Wilder Jr. does commit to Georgia, does Crowell get pushed to Alabama?
“If Wilder doesn’t go to Georgia, it’s OK, because they still lead for Crowell,” Farrell said. “If they strike out on Wilder and Crowell, then they have a problem.”
One recruit definitely in the fold – as definite as it can be without a signed letter-of-intent – is quarterback Christian LeMay. The news on the North Carolina product is that LeMay – suspended from school until mid-October – will not play his senior year, and concentrate on getting ready for college.
Of course, playing your senior year is probably the best way to get ready for college. LeMay decided not to join his team late, or transfer to a private school and face weaker competition.
“I don’t think it’s going to hurt him in the long run,” Farrell said. “I think it’ll slow down his development a little bit.”
It does eliminate any opportunity for LeMay, who plans to enroll at Georgia in January, to try to play immediately. Even though he’s enrolling early, he’ll be coming in with more than a year of a layoff from live action.
LeMay figures to still try to compete with Murray once he arrives in Athens. But in Georgia’s mind it would probably allow them to bring him along slower.
Note: I originally wrote that Wilder was announcing on ESPN. Took it out, heard bad info. Sorry.
James Wilder Jr., one of the nation’s top prospects, is set to make his announcement on Wednesday afternoon. One report out of Florida said the Tampa native is headed to Georgia. But that’s been unconfirmed, so it could be Georgia, it could be Florida State, it could even still be Florida.
Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell told me at noon that he doesn’t know what Wilder is going to do, nobody except Wilder knows, and agreed it might not even be final today, whoever Wilder picks.
Wilder, a running back and linebacker, is close with Orson Charles, a Georgia tight end, and also knows Aaron Murray, both products of the same Tampa high school. But Farrell said Wilder is also tight with his Florida State recruiter, and that Wilder has not visited Georgia with his family.
“Logically when you look at it, both are good fits,” Farrell said of Georgia and FSU. “You talk about a big running back going into an offense that is suited to that kind of guy, that has produced pros over the past few years, then Georgia is a better fit.”
The other factor is Isaiah Crowell, the tailback out of Columbus. Rivals has Wilder as the nation’s third-ranked overall prospect, and Crowell is No. 21.
If Wilder Jr. does commit to Georgia, does Crowell get pushed to Alabama?
“If Wilder doesn’t go to Georgia, it’s OK, because they still lead for Crowell,” Farrell said. “If they strike out on Wilder and Crowell, then they have a problem.”
One recruit definitely in the fold – as definite as it can be without a signed letter-of-intent – is quarterback Christian LeMay. The news on the North Carolina product is that LeMay – suspended from school until mid-October – will not play his senior year, and concentrate on getting ready for college.
Of course, playing your senior year is probably the best way to get ready for college. LeMay decided not to join his team late, or transfer to a private school and face weaker competition.
“I don’t think it’s going to hurt him in the long run,” Farrell said. “I think it’ll slow down his development a little bit.”
It does eliminate any opportunity for LeMay, who plans to enroll at Georgia in January, to try to play immediately. Even though he’s enrolling early, he’ll be coming in with more than a year of a layoff from live action.
LeMay figures to still try to compete with Murray once he arrives in Athens. But in Georgia’s mind it would probably allow them to bring him along slower.
Note: I originally wrote that Wilder was announcing on ESPN. Took it out, heard bad info. Sorry.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Richt speaks, therefore I blog
We’re at the halfway mark of preseason camp – the 14th practice, and midway through the third of five weeks – so Mark Richt just finished giving what amounted to a State of the Team address.
A quick summation: Everybody’s doing great.
OK, a bit of an exaggeration. But the Georgia head coach, in a pretty jovial mode in general, issued a compliment to nearly everybody as he went through the positions.
“I mentioned to our players that I thought we were (in) the second half of camp,” Richt said. “The second half of preparation. I told them from what I’ve seen we can be a pretty good team.”
Richt said the staff did talk about personnel today. He spent more than an hour with offense, about an hour with the defense.
“We didn’t so much juggle the depth chart as much as get an evaluation of how every single guy is doing,” Richt said. “Whether he deserves playing time, whether he deserves to start. We’re not gonna get too concerned with who’s gonna start until we get to the week of the game.”
Some nuts and bolts:
- On the injury front, Josh Davis (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday. ILB Richard Samuel (leg) should be out another week. Richt expects all the offensive linemen to be ready for the opener, including center Ben Jones (knee) and guard Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis).
Well, that doesn’t include Brent Benedict (knee surgery) who is practicing but will redshirt.
- Speaking of the O-Line, Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) continues to work at left tackle, the one position he’s been working at. Richt said Sturdivant would be ready to play if there were a game on Saturday – but probably not the entire game.
- Receiver Logan Gray continues to get a lot of praise from Richt. He still won’t start opposite A.J. Green in the opener, but could see action in the first quarter, according to the coach.
“Logan Gray has been really impressive to me,” Richt said. “He’s making really nice plays. He looks like a seasoned receiver. And he’s only been playing it really for a couple months. But I’ve been really impressed with that kid.”
- The Bulldogs will hold their third allowable scrimmage next Tuesday. Then they’ll get one more after that.
A quick summation: Everybody’s doing great.
OK, a bit of an exaggeration. But the Georgia head coach, in a pretty jovial mode in general, issued a compliment to nearly everybody as he went through the positions.
“I mentioned to our players that I thought we were (in) the second half of camp,” Richt said. “The second half of preparation. I told them from what I’ve seen we can be a pretty good team.”
Richt said the staff did talk about personnel today. He spent more than an hour with offense, about an hour with the defense.
“We didn’t so much juggle the depth chart as much as get an evaluation of how every single guy is doing,” Richt said. “Whether he deserves playing time, whether he deserves to start. We’re not gonna get too concerned with who’s gonna start until we get to the week of the game.”
Some nuts and bolts:
- On the injury front, Josh Davis (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday. ILB Richard Samuel (leg) should be out another week. Richt expects all the offensive linemen to be ready for the opener, including center Ben Jones (knee) and guard Cordy Glenn (mononucleosis).
Well, that doesn’t include Brent Benedict (knee surgery) who is practicing but will redshirt.
- Speaking of the O-Line, Trinton Sturdivant (knee surgery) continues to work at left tackle, the one position he’s been working at. Richt said Sturdivant would be ready to play if there were a game on Saturday – but probably not the entire game.
- Receiver Logan Gray continues to get a lot of praise from Richt. He still won’t start opposite A.J. Green in the opener, but could see action in the first quarter, according to the coach.
“Logan Gray has been really impressive to me,” Richt said. “He’s making really nice plays. He looks like a seasoned receiver. And he’s only been playing it really for a couple months. But I’ve been really impressed with that kid.”
- The Bulldogs will hold their third allowable scrimmage next Tuesday. Then they’ll get one more after that.
US News rankings
The new U.S. News and World Report college and university rankings are out. Generally, schools feel these are extremely overrated and an unfair barometer of the quality of overall education offered at their schools.
That is, unless their school is highly-ranked, in which case they immediately fire off press releases and re-adjust their publicity brochures.
The University of Georgia should be happy with this year's "results," as it comes in tied for 56th nationally, up from 58th. It also moved into a tie for 18th among public universities, after being 21st last year. Either way, that allows Georgia to call itself a Tier 1 school, according to the U.S. News formula.
Georgia was tied with six others schools: Ohio State, Fordham, SMU, Boston University, Purdue and Maryland. (The last one is my alma mater, so I now officially have no right to say I'm smarter than any of you. But neither do you. We're all Tier 1, people!)
Among SEC schools, Georgia came in third, as it has in recent years. The list:
17. Vanderbilt
53. Florida
56. Georgia
79. Alabama
85. Auburn
104. Tennessee
111. South Carolina
124. LSU
129. Kentucky
132. Arkansas
143. Mississippi
151. Mississippi State
That is, unless their school is highly-ranked, in which case they immediately fire off press releases and re-adjust their publicity brochures.
The University of Georgia should be happy with this year's "results," as it comes in tied for 56th nationally, up from 58th. It also moved into a tie for 18th among public universities, after being 21st last year. Either way, that allows Georgia to call itself a Tier 1 school, according to the U.S. News formula.
Georgia was tied with six others schools: Ohio State, Fordham, SMU, Boston University, Purdue and Maryland. (The last one is my alma mater, so I now officially have no right to say I'm smarter than any of you. But neither do you. We're all Tier 1, people!)
Among SEC schools, Georgia came in third, as it has in recent years. The list:
17. Vanderbilt
53. Florida
56. Georgia
79. Alabama
85. Auburn
104. Tennessee
111. South Carolina
124. LSU
129. Kentucky
132. Arkansas
143. Mississippi
151. Mississippi State
Analyzing the hoops schedule
A brief interruption to all the football talk, as I go into complete basketball nerd mode.
Georgia’s men’s hoops team has released its nonconference schedule – and not the full one because the SEC will do so on its own.
The Bulldogs are entering a potentially big year, one in which their schedule will be key. They will start the season in some people’s top 25s, which means they should be contending for the NCAA tournament – which means, to get back to this paragraph’s first sentence, the schedule will be important.
RPI, strength of schedule, quality wins, those are all key ingredients in a team’s tournament resume’. Obviously there’s no way of predicting exactly how Georgia’s nonconference opponents will fare. But previous season’s RPI ranking can be a good start. Therefore, here’s Georgia’s opponent list, and their RPI ranking last season:
Nov. 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State (325)
Nov. 16: vs. Colorado (120)
Nov. 20: at St. Louis (87)
Old Spice Classic
Nov. 25: Notre Dame (49)
Nov. 26: Temple (8) or California (20)
Nov. 28: Boston College (125), Texas A&M (13), Wisconsin (21) or Manhattan (226)
Dec. 3: vs. UAB (45)
Dec. 7: at Georgia Tech (33)
Dec. 18: vs. Arkansas State (202)
Dec. 21: vs. High Point (254)
Dec. 23: at Mercer (221)
Dec. 28: vs. Charleston Southern (285)
Dec. 31: vs. Eastern Kentucky (155)
Feb. 8: vs. Xavier (19)
A few points:
- That’s a lot of quality opponents. Georgia will have a lot of games against top 50 and top 100 RPI teams, another key stat for the NCAA committee. Teams like UAB and Notre Dame don’t jump out at you, but if you beat them and they’re in the top 50 RPI, as they were last year, that’s a huge help to the resume’.
- The only drawback may be a lack of games against huge power teams – no Kansas, Duke, etc. – or any team expected to be in that class this season. But the Bulldogs could make up for that in conference this year, with Kentucky, Florida, and possibly the Mississippi schools or Tennessee.
- One factor that gets paid too little attention is the back-end teams: If you have too many games against very weak RPI teams (like Mississippi Valley State) then that brings your own RPI and SOS down. But a few games in there doesn’t hurt, and Georgia has it in moderation.
The overall verdict: A good schedule for a team expected to contend for an NCAA spot. Like I said, it’s hard to say for sure here in August, but at first glance if Georgia gets to the double-digit mark in nonconference, it should be in solid shape.
Georgia’s men’s hoops team has released its nonconference schedule – and not the full one because the SEC will do so on its own.
The Bulldogs are entering a potentially big year, one in which their schedule will be key. They will start the season in some people’s top 25s, which means they should be contending for the NCAA tournament – which means, to get back to this paragraph’s first sentence, the schedule will be important.
RPI, strength of schedule, quality wins, those are all key ingredients in a team’s tournament resume’. Obviously there’s no way of predicting exactly how Georgia’s nonconference opponents will fare. But previous season’s RPI ranking can be a good start. Therefore, here’s Georgia’s opponent list, and their RPI ranking last season:
Nov. 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State (325)
Nov. 16: vs. Colorado (120)
Nov. 20: at St. Louis (87)
Old Spice Classic
Nov. 25: Notre Dame (49)
Nov. 26: Temple (8) or California (20)
Nov. 28: Boston College (125), Texas A&M (13), Wisconsin (21) or Manhattan (226)
Dec. 3: vs. UAB (45)
Dec. 7: at Georgia Tech (33)
Dec. 18: vs. Arkansas State (202)
Dec. 21: vs. High Point (254)
Dec. 23: at Mercer (221)
Dec. 28: vs. Charleston Southern (285)
Dec. 31: vs. Eastern Kentucky (155)
Feb. 8: vs. Xavier (19)
A few points:
- That’s a lot of quality opponents. Georgia will have a lot of games against top 50 and top 100 RPI teams, another key stat for the NCAA committee. Teams like UAB and Notre Dame don’t jump out at you, but if you beat them and they’re in the top 50 RPI, as they were last year, that’s a huge help to the resume’.
- The only drawback may be a lack of games against huge power teams – no Kansas, Duke, etc. – or any team expected to be in that class this season. But the Bulldogs could make up for that in conference this year, with Kentucky, Florida, and possibly the Mississippi schools or Tennessee.
- One factor that gets paid too little attention is the back-end teams: If you have too many games against very weak RPI teams (like Mississippi Valley State) then that brings your own RPI and SOS down. But a few games in there doesn’t hurt, and Georgia has it in moderation.
The overall verdict: A good schedule for a team expected to contend for an NCAA spot. Like I said, it’s hard to say for sure here in August, but at first glance if Georgia gets to the double-digit mark in nonconference, it should be in solid shape.
Morning links
A few links here and there as we wake up to a wet, overcast morning in Athens:
Georgia football commitment Christian LeMay, who was earlier suspended until mid-October of his senior year, will skip the season altogether, The Sporting News reports.
LeMay, ranked by some as the nation’s top quarterback prospect, was suspended by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) County school system for 30 days for an undisclosed violation.
Not sure what the Georgia coaches would think of the decision. (Obviously they can’t comment until he presumably signs in February).
- Georgia’s baseball team lost its top pitching prospect, as Drew Cisco (Charleston, S.C.) signed before Monday’s deadline. Cisco, a sixth-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds, reportedly received a signing bonus of $975,000.
- In other baseball deadline news, Clemson’s Kyle Parker signed with Colorado, but his deal allows him to play football one more year. So everybody’s happy. Not so at LSU, where quarterback Zach Lee surprisingly inked a deal with the Dodgers.
- Speaking of Clemson quarterbacks, remember Willy Korn? He transferred to Marshall after Parker cemented the starting job. Now he’s transferring again, to North Greenville, after Marshall tried to move him to safety.
All I can is … Wow. I actually covered Korn in high school – I’ve been in his home, interviewed him in his pajamas one time. I found him to be a level-headed kid who wasn’t buying much into his own hype. But his story is yet another reminder that the recruiting rankings are not to be considered sacrosanct.
- And finally, the current minor story that’s distracting people (and I don’t mean the mosque near Ground Zero):
A radio reporter in Arkansas has been fired after wearing a Florida hat to an Arkansas football news conference.
Silliness all around, if you ask me. (You didn’t, but hey.) Yeah, you shouldn’t wear apparel of another SEC school, even if you’re a graduate of said school. But it shouldn’t be a fireable offense.
This is something that sports media members are cognizant of on a daily basis. Or at least they should be. The general rule, as far as I can tell, is if you cover a college team, you better stay away from wearing a hat, shirt or whatever from another college team.
(Well, boxers are probably OK, unless there’s some risk than you’ll have to strip down at practice.)
Of course the biggest rule should be not wearing apparel of the team you’re actually covering. But with the changes in sports media lately, especially the proliferation of fan sites, that rule is sadly observed less and less these days. Sigh.
Georgia football commitment Christian LeMay, who was earlier suspended until mid-October of his senior year, will skip the season altogether, The Sporting News reports.
LeMay, ranked by some as the nation’s top quarterback prospect, was suspended by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) County school system for 30 days for an undisclosed violation.
Not sure what the Georgia coaches would think of the decision. (Obviously they can’t comment until he presumably signs in February).
- Georgia’s baseball team lost its top pitching prospect, as Drew Cisco (Charleston, S.C.) signed before Monday’s deadline. Cisco, a sixth-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds, reportedly received a signing bonus of $975,000.
- In other baseball deadline news, Clemson’s Kyle Parker signed with Colorado, but his deal allows him to play football one more year. So everybody’s happy. Not so at LSU, where quarterback Zach Lee surprisingly inked a deal with the Dodgers.
- Speaking of Clemson quarterbacks, remember Willy Korn? He transferred to Marshall after Parker cemented the starting job. Now he’s transferring again, to North Greenville, after Marshall tried to move him to safety.
All I can is … Wow. I actually covered Korn in high school – I’ve been in his home, interviewed him in his pajamas one time. I found him to be a level-headed kid who wasn’t buying much into his own hype. But his story is yet another reminder that the recruiting rankings are not to be considered sacrosanct.
- And finally, the current minor story that’s distracting people (and I don’t mean the mosque near Ground Zero):
A radio reporter in Arkansas has been fired after wearing a Florida hat to an Arkansas football news conference.
Silliness all around, if you ask me. (You didn’t, but hey.) Yeah, you shouldn’t wear apparel of another SEC school, even if you’re a graduate of said school. But it shouldn’t be a fireable offense.
This is something that sports media members are cognizant of on a daily basis. Or at least they should be. The general rule, as far as I can tell, is if you cover a college team, you better stay away from wearing a hat, shirt or whatever from another college team.
(Well, boxers are probably OK, unless there’s some risk than you’ll have to strip down at practice.)
Of course the biggest rule should be not wearing apparel of the team you’re actually covering. But with the changes in sports media lately, especially the proliferation of fan sites, that rule is sadly observed less and less these days. Sigh.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Richt dives into a media session
We just spoke to a dried-off Mark Richt, who spent a portion of his afternoon in wet clothing.
The Georgia football team took their annual trek over to the Ramsey Center for some diving practice. Because of the rain, there was a late change in plans to make Monday the day, and Richt hadn’t brought his swim trunks.
But it’s a tradition for the head coach to jump in, so he did so in his full street clothes. (But no shoes.)
“I will say this,” Richt said. “I’ve always thought the clothing from H. Stockton was great stuff. But after jumping in it and getting out, it’s quality stuff.”
No word on whether Richt has an endorsement deal with the H. Stockton apparel company.
The consensus among the players I spoke to was the best dive belonged to walk-on receiver Brandon Harton.
“Brandon tried to do like a backflip, so he landed kind of bad,” linebacker Cornelius Washington said. “Well not kinda bad. Bad.”
Still, the afternoon was deemed a success and a good time was had by all, etc.
“Nobody got hurt,” Richt said. “Well somebody might’ve got hurt, I don’t know. We had some bad landings.”
Non-swimming notes:
- Because of the afternoon at the swim center, the team will practice on Tuesday after all. No word on any scrimmages this week. None are on the schedule.
- Richt agreed that changing their turnover ratio has been an emphasis in camp.
“In some ways, it was amazing we won as many games as we did (with the turnover ratio).”
- Starting center Ben Jones had his knee scoped on Sunday. His prognosis – a return to practice the week of the opener - hasn’t changed.
- On the defensive line, Richt said Demarcus Dobbs is the only “shoo-in” to start. Otherwise, they plan to have “at least” a two-deep ready to play.
DeAngelo Tyson has been splitting snaps at tackle and end.
“I’m not sure who’s gonna start where,” Richt said. “But everybody who proves they’re ready to play will play.”
The Georgia football team took their annual trek over to the Ramsey Center for some diving practice. Because of the rain, there was a late change in plans to make Monday the day, and Richt hadn’t brought his swim trunks.
But it’s a tradition for the head coach to jump in, so he did so in his full street clothes. (But no shoes.)
“I will say this,” Richt said. “I’ve always thought the clothing from H. Stockton was great stuff. But after jumping in it and getting out, it’s quality stuff.”
No word on whether Richt has an endorsement deal with the H. Stockton apparel company.
The consensus among the players I spoke to was the best dive belonged to walk-on receiver Brandon Harton.
“Brandon tried to do like a backflip, so he landed kind of bad,” linebacker Cornelius Washington said. “Well not kinda bad. Bad.”
Still, the afternoon was deemed a success and a good time was had by all, etc.
“Nobody got hurt,” Richt said. “Well somebody might’ve got hurt, I don’t know. We had some bad landings.”
Non-swimming notes:
- Because of the afternoon at the swim center, the team will practice on Tuesday after all. No word on any scrimmages this week. None are on the schedule.
- Richt agreed that changing their turnover ratio has been an emphasis in camp.
“In some ways, it was amazing we won as many games as we did (with the turnover ratio).”
- Starting center Ben Jones had his knee scoped on Sunday. His prognosis – a return to practice the week of the opener - hasn’t changed.
- On the defensive line, Richt said Demarcus Dobbs is the only “shoo-in” to start. Otherwise, they plan to have “at least” a two-deep ready to play.
DeAngelo Tyson has been splitting snaps at tackle and end.
“I’m not sure who’s gonna start where,” Richt said. “But everybody who proves they’re ready to play will play.”
Morant speaks
We got our first chance this afternoon to speak to Dexter Morant, the true freshman who left the Georgia football team two weeks ago, then changed his mind three days later.
Morant talked in depth about his back-and-forth, and said that quitting the team was something that ultimately he had to do in order to truly appreciate football.
“I regret what I did, but it’s like I don’t at the same time,” Morant said. “Because it made me realize that this not playing football is not for me. I’ve gotta play football. As soon as I got home I was like, Why am I here right now. I was just sitting there with nothing to do.”
Initially, Morant left the team because he said he was “a little homesick.” He had been in Athens all summer, but as practice arrived the feeling of missing home got worse. It finally reached a crescendo before the second day of practice, when he finally told head coach Mark Richt he was heading home.
“My stomach just started feeling crazy and stuff. I don’t know what it was, but it just pushed me to go home, I don’t know why,” Morant said.
But when he got back to Manning, S.C., he realized there was nothing there for him. His high school coach was critical of his decision. Friends asked why he wasn’t back in Athens.
“Everybody was like, ‘Don’t tell me you quit football. We’re depending on you,’ ” Morant said.
He called players asking if they thought he could come back. They didn’t know. He prayed, then called Richt, who told him he couldn’t say yes right away, and would have to think about it. Morant waited all day, then finally got a call from Richt telling him to come back the next morning.
“But once I came back, everybody welcomed me with open arms, everybody was checking on me to ask if I was all right. So it kind of made me feel at home.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham did kiddingly ask him if he was back.
“He was like, ‘Are you gonna stay this time?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna stay this time,'" Morant said.
Morant talked in depth about his back-and-forth, and said that quitting the team was something that ultimately he had to do in order to truly appreciate football.
“I regret what I did, but it’s like I don’t at the same time,” Morant said. “Because it made me realize that this not playing football is not for me. I’ve gotta play football. As soon as I got home I was like, Why am I here right now. I was just sitting there with nothing to do.”
Initially, Morant left the team because he said he was “a little homesick.” He had been in Athens all summer, but as practice arrived the feeling of missing home got worse. It finally reached a crescendo before the second day of practice, when he finally told head coach Mark Richt he was heading home.
“My stomach just started feeling crazy and stuff. I don’t know what it was, but it just pushed me to go home, I don’t know why,” Morant said.
But when he got back to Manning, S.C., he realized there was nothing there for him. His high school coach was critical of his decision. Friends asked why he wasn’t back in Athens.
“Everybody was like, ‘Don’t tell me you quit football. We’re depending on you,’ ” Morant said.
He called players asking if they thought he could come back. They didn’t know. He prayed, then called Richt, who told him he couldn’t say yes right away, and would have to think about it. Morant waited all day, then finally got a call from Richt telling him to come back the next morning.
“But once I came back, everybody welcomed me with open arms, everybody was checking on me to ask if I was all right. So it kind of made me feel at home.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham did kiddingly ask him if he was back.
“He was like, ‘Are you gonna stay this time?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna stay this time,'" Morant said.
Afternoon stuff
Today's the first day of classes at Georgia, which begs a question that's always bothered me: How come classes start earlier in the South? Growing up in the north (well, Maryland anyway) we always started school right after Labor Day, and wrapped up mid-June.
The high school football seasons also start later up north. It always would've made sense to me to flip it, because of the heat. Now I suppose for school reasons you're sort of trading one hot time for another - start earlier in the heat in the summer, but finish up earlier in the summer.
When it comes to football, however, the southern schools are practicing in the heat earlier, and playing in the heat earlier. And the northern schools are stretching their seasons longer, to when it gets much colder up there.
I suppose there's a real good reason out there that someone will enlighten me on. It's just always sort of confounded me.
Anyway ... First day of school, Georgia's practices are starting an hour later than the previous two weeks, blah blah blah ...
- Aron White has been named to the watch list for the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Coincidentally, White is also on the watch list for the starting tight end job at Georgia.
White entered the fall behind Orson Charles on the depth chart list, though it’s understandable why the Mackey people would pick him out: White started 12 games last year and caught two touchdown passes in the Independence Bowl.
But Georgia’s tight ends depth chart is so deep – Charles was a freshman All-American, Arthur Lynch played in 11 games last year, and Bruce Figgins has started three times – that the Mackey people could probably just have put “TBA, Georgia” on the list.
- Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com does not include A.J. Green in a ranking of top 20 Heisman hopefuls. He quickly got asked about it on Twitter, and replied that he was "skittish" about the quarterback situation.
I probably would've put Green somewhere in there, but Maisel's right to hold back a bit. Plus, receivers don't often start the year out as Heisman favorites.
- Another ESPN.com entry, this time from newbie Andrea Adelson (recently hired from the Orlando Sentinel). Adelson asks who would you rather be this year, Mark Richt or Les Miles.
Ah, a hot seat question. From my vantage point, you'd probably rather be Richt. But that's just me.
The high school football seasons also start later up north. It always would've made sense to me to flip it, because of the heat. Now I suppose for school reasons you're sort of trading one hot time for another - start earlier in the heat in the summer, but finish up earlier in the summer.
When it comes to football, however, the southern schools are practicing in the heat earlier, and playing in the heat earlier. And the northern schools are stretching their seasons longer, to when it gets much colder up there.
I suppose there's a real good reason out there that someone will enlighten me on. It's just always sort of confounded me.
Anyway ... First day of school, Georgia's practices are starting an hour later than the previous two weeks, blah blah blah ...
- Aron White has been named to the watch list for the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Coincidentally, White is also on the watch list for the starting tight end job at Georgia.
White entered the fall behind Orson Charles on the depth chart list, though it’s understandable why the Mackey people would pick him out: White started 12 games last year and caught two touchdown passes in the Independence Bowl.
But Georgia’s tight ends depth chart is so deep – Charles was a freshman All-American, Arthur Lynch played in 11 games last year, and Bruce Figgins has started three times – that the Mackey people could probably just have put “TBA, Georgia” on the list.
- Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com does not include A.J. Green in a ranking of top 20 Heisman hopefuls. He quickly got asked about it on Twitter, and replied that he was "skittish" about the quarterback situation.
I probably would've put Green somewhere in there, but Maisel's right to hold back a bit. Plus, receivers don't often start the year out as Heisman favorites.
- Another ESPN.com entry, this time from newbie Andrea Adelson (recently hired from the Orlando Sentinel). Adelson asks who would you rather be this year, Mark Richt or Les Miles.
Ah, a hot seat question. From my vantage point, you'd probably rather be Richt. But that's just me.
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