#1 Georgia Bulldogs Preview
Brock Murphy |Aug 29,2008
|
|
|
 #1 Georgia Bulldogs Preview
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
HEAD COACH-Mark Richt
2007 Record--11-2 (6-2 SEC)
2007 REVIEW
The beginning of the season resembled a roller-coaster ride as the Bulldogs and their green secondary opened with an unexpectedly easy 35-14 home win over an Oklahoma State team from which much was expected only to lose a defensive battle (12-16) the very next week to a scrappy South Carolina team. Western Carolina, Alabama and Ole Miss helped right the ship. The win against Bama came in overtime and seemed to inject a lot of confidence in the team but, only two games later, Georgia laid an egg against Tennessee, losing to the Vols in Knoxville by three touchdowns (35-14). Staring at Week 7 with a 4-2 record, the team found itself and never lost another game, dispatching Florida, Auburn, Kentucky and Georgia Tech along the way. Their 41-10 detoothing of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl was one of last season's top bowl performances as they knocked Colt Brennan out of the game and picked off four passes while holding Hawaii to a total of -5 yards rushing.
TEAM MVP
While the team is loaded with talent and returns 16 starters from its 2007 model, the fact is the 'Dawgs will likely follow whatever path is blazed by quarterback, Matthew Stafford (6-3, 237; Jr.). Without a doubt, Stafford established himself as a true leader last season. He is widely regarded as one of the nation's top signal-callers though his statistics are not stellar. Stafford has never thrown a 300-yard game (career-high: 267 yards (vs. Miss. State in '06); '07 season-high: 237 yards (vs. Auburn)) and actually failed to reach 100 yards in one game last year (vs. Kentucky; 99 yards, 2 interceptions, no scores). Georgia is the fashionable pick to win this year's national championship but, for that to occur, Stafford will have to put up the best numbers of his career.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford's importance to this team cannot be overstated. His leadership is undeniable and he has produced enormous plays at critical times (Exhibit A - the game-winning touchdown toss in overtime to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa). However, for Georgia's offense to reach its full potential, Stafford must gobble up passing yards in ordinary circumstances and find a way to consistently stretch the field vertically.
Stafford has a very strong arm - a strength which, at times, has been his crutch. Since day-one in Athens, the staff has worked on fundamental technique with Stafford and has especially encouraged him to employ those fundamentals when under pressure to improve his efficiency and results.
Fellow-junior, Joe Cox (6-1, 208), will back up Stafford this year. Cox was only five of 15 in 2007 but he went 10 of 13 for 154 yards and two scores against Colorado in 2006. Logan Gray (6-2, 180; RFr.) had several runs and a touchdown pass this spring.
Running Back
Freshman Knowshon Moreno (5-11, 207) seemed to come from nowhere last year to lead the Dawgs with 1,334 rushing yards and 14 scores. Only Darren McFadden ran for more yards in the SEC in 2007.
Moreno clearly viewed Thomas Brown as a mentor and the offense simply operated on a different level when Brown returned from injury and joined young Moreno on the depth chart. Brown scored a touchdown in each of his last four games and Moreno nearly duplicated that feat.
Brown is gone and the leadership role now switches to Moreno, who will encourage redshirt-freshman, Caleb King (5-11, 212), to develop into a solid contributor. Though consistently banged-up all spring, King was outstanding and consistently drew Richt's praises.
Senior fullback, Brannan Southerland (6-0, 240), is elite. With the graduation of West Virginia's Owen Schmitt and Arkansas' Peyton Hillis, Southerland may just be the finest at his position in the country. He will certainly help Georgia's offense win at the point of attack this year and is an underrated receiving threat (33-273, 5 TD's in his career). However, he may have to wait until mid-season to make an impact following a foot-operation this past June.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Punctuating the pedestrian passing-game stats for Georgia last season, the graduated Sean Bailey was the team's leading receiver with only 39 grabs. Returning-starter, Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 200; Sr.) posted the second-highest receiving numbers with only 32 catches for 491 yards and four scores. Outstanding tight-end, Tripp Chandler (6-6, 263; Sr.), was the team's third-leading receiver last year with only 21 catches (283 yards, two touchdowns).
Massaquoi is a hard-worker who leads by example. Richt was highly-complimentary of the senior's unselfish dedication to the team this spring and the staff pointed out that the entire receiving corps clearly improves their play when Massaquoi plays well.
True Bulldog fans have been waiting for junior, Kris Durham (6-5, 200; Jr.), to hit his stride. Durham's spring performances the past two years have left the Georgia-Nation hungry for him to deliver on his big-play potential during real-live games. He had only 11 catches in 2007 and never scored though he did average 15.4 yards per reception.
Durham will be pushed by track-star Demiko Goodman (6-2, 190) this year. Goodman averaged 17.7 yards per catch off of the seven he hauled-in last season.
UGA has two very highly-regarded incoming freshmen receivers in A.J. Green (6-4, 190) and Tavarres King (6-1, 160). Given the lack of a true superstar in the returning roster, it is not inconceivable that Green or King could see more than a few snaps as 2008 progresses.
Another players to keep an eye upon is rising-senior, Kenneth Harris (6-3, 215). Harris has been an underwhelming player the last few years but this spring he seemed to show the sense of urgency the staff has been waiting to see and Richt seemed inspired that the big-bodied Harris might see the field quite often in 2008.
The quartet of Massaquoi (6-2), Durham (6-5), Harris (6-3) and Green (6-4) would be a match-up nightmare for smaller backfields.
Offensive Line
At least three sophomores dot the projected starting lineup for 2008. Chris Davis, RG Clint Boling and LT Trinton Sturdivant all started at least 11 games last season as freshman so there should be a surprising amount of experience in an otherwise youthful unit. Davis started every game last year at left guard but was moved to center this spring as the staff considered how to fill the void left by the graduation of Fernando Valesco (2nd team All-SEC in '07). Perhaps taking a page from longtime NFL offensive line guru, Alex Gibbs, Georgia's line coach Stacy Searles will not grant interviews and has forbidden all of his linemen, save Davis, from speaking with the press - a quiet endorsement both of Davis' character and leadership.
Which players will start along with the aforementioned sophomores is anybody's guess. As the tents were folded following spring camp, Richt made clear that he had not identified five starters.
Seemingly confident in Davis' ability to play well at center, right tackle appears the most critical spot to fill before Georgia opens the season hosting Georgia Southern. Kiante Tripp (6-6, 290; So.) appears the most likely candidate. When spring opened, Richt praised Tripp stating the lineman was "busting his tail" in the weight room and in other off-season drills. Near the end of camp, Davis commented that Tripp has tremendous athleticism and footwork and that the only thing left for the former defensive lineman to accomplish is to complete the mental transformation into an offensive lineman.
It will be a surprise if redshirt freshman, Justin Anderson (6-5, 328), does not see the field in 2008. He received praise from both Richt and Davis, who cited Anderson's newly-minted dedication as the reason for Anderson's spike during the spring.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Georgia lost only one starter from last year's two-deep defensive line roster, but he was a good one. Marcus Howard logged 10.5 sacks for the Dawgs from his end position last season and was the MVP of the Sugar Bowl.
Jeremy Lomax (6-4, 247), a rising-senior, looks to be the man to replace Howard. In three seasons, Lomax has tallied 5.5 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries.
Howard's bookend last season, Roderick Battle (6-4, 261; Jr.) returns and will be backed-up by sophomore Michael Lemon (6-4, 274), who had seven tackles in 2007.
Adding further depth to the end position will be former JUCO-transfer, Jarius Wynn (6-5, 273; Sr.). Wynn showed flashes of pass-rushing brilliance by posting nine quarterback hurries in very limited action last season.
In his debut season as a starter, tackle Geno Atkins (6-1, 290; Jr.) earned 1st-team All-SEC honors last year. His squat build allows him to get below opponents' pads, which often puts him in control of his gaps. Atkins' seven sacks and 14 tackles for a loss last year evidence his ability to not only to keep blockers off of his linebackers but to actually disrupt things behind the line of scrimmage.
Jeff Owens (6-3, 298; Sr.) will probably claim most starts opposite Atkins this season. Owens is not flashy but demands blocks and has amassed 25 starts in the past two seasons. Kade Weston (6-5, 316; Jr.) will provide inside depth and has started nearly a dozen games in the past two years.
Linebackers
This unit projects to field three players who started in 2007. The leader is middle linebacker, Dannell Ellerbe (6-1, 232; Sr.). Extremely versatile and supremely athetic, Ellerbe made 93 tackles last season, his first as a starter.
Georgia appeared to be particularly deep on the strongside as two players who earned starts at that position were set to return. However, sophomore Akeem Dent, the projected starter, was recently charged with felony battery, leaving his immediate future with the team and the law in doubt. Dent's misfortune could be Darius Dewberry's gain. The 6-3, 236-pound junior started five games last year though which he tallied 24 tackles.
Rennie Curran (5-11, 210), is projected to start on the weakside. As a true freshman in '07, Curran came up with 53 tackles - nine of them for a loss. Curran did not rest on his laurels as defensive coordinator Willie Martinez praised Curran's successful spring performance.
Secondary
Last season, the Bulldogs were looking at breaking in three new starters in their backfield. This season, four players return with starting experience.
The most glaring loss was safety Kelin Johnson. However, while Johnson's leadership and contributions were beyond reproach last season, the fact is that sophomore Reshad Jones (6-2, 203) actually started two games last season and was frequently on the field in three-safety sets. Consequently, Jones' return is, in effect, the return of a fourth starter. Jones will start next to senior C.J. Byrd (6-2, 193) who started every game last season.
Juniors Prince Miller and Asher Allen combined for 19 starts last season, the former having taken over for the experienced Thomas Flowers in eight of the last nine games. Miller is tenacious but his short height (5-8) could cause match-up problems in 2008.
Special Teams
Brandon Coutu's graduation leaves a deep hole at kicker. Coutu was 49 of 49 in extra points and made all ten field goals he attempted less than 40 yards. UGA's coverage teams have been excellent under Richt and Asher Allen's return assures the return game of experience and production. Senior punter Brian Mimbs has experience and posted an impressive net-average last season.
2008 Outlook
Georgia is widely regarded as a National Championship contender in 2008 and one could do worse than to place their chips on the Bulldogs' square. However, the team is not without gaps to address this season. A starting offensive line has yet to be identified and there is not yet an established lethal threat at receiver. Accolades have fallen upon the strong-armed Stafford despite the absence of a 300-yard (or even 275-yard) passing game on his resume. Still, with the defense returning nearly intact, the fact that Stafford is such a clear leader, combined with the return of Knowshon Moreno, the expected development of Caleb King and the presence of tight-end Tripp Chandler, ensures that Georgia should not want for offensive production in 2008. Moreover, the schedule permits the few new starters to get comfortable before facing a road-swing at South Carolina and Arizona State by opening at home against Georgia Southern and then Central Michigan. Additional road trips to LSU and Auburn are not "gimmes" nor are the homes games against Alabama, Tennessee or the annual game f/k/a "The World's Largest Cocktail Party" with Florida. Can Georgia successfully navigate this schedule? Yes. They can. However, there could also be three losses waiting to soak the Bulldogs' currently-shimmering preseason expectations. Do not expect Georgia to finish undefeated but do not expect more than a loss or two.
|
|
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
