2010 Georgia Bulldogs Preview

Sep 5, 2010

School is back in session in Athens, and that means one thing to us football fans- fall practice. After the first two weeks of practice the Dawgs are looking a little better than the product that came out of the spring, in part due to the progress of the defense and the progression of young quarterback Aaron Murray. As you probably know by now, redshirt freshman Aaron Murray has been handed the keys to the Bulldogs offense, and represents the only non-returning starter on that side of the ball. If there’s one thing Coach Richt is an expert at though, it’s quarterbacks. He has coached 2 Heisman winners at Florida State, the #1 overall draft pick, and a player who at the time set the all-time NCAA wins record for a career. That’s a pretty solid track record, which gives Bulldog fans some hope with the youngster. In front of Murray is an offensive line with the most combined starts in the country, and by far the most in the SEC. LT Clint Boling is an All-SEC player, and starting this year with the same five that ended last year will be huge for continuity. At tight end, sophomore Orson Charles could make some All-SEC noise as he looks to build on his solid freshman campaign of a year ago. The receiving corps is headed up by one of the best players in the country, junior AJ Green. Green is likely the best receiver in the nation, but there is some talent behind him. Tavarres King provides a deep threat and will be the Bulldogs’ #2 man, although he is suspended for the first game. Huge target Kris Durham returns after missing all of 2009 with injury. Speedster Rantavious Wooten started to come on strong last year, and former All-American Marlon Brown should improve on his disappointing freshman year. One guy to keep an eye on is former QB Logan Gray, who by all accounts has transitioned very well into his new position. The running game should be very solid with the return of last year’s two most productive backs; Washaun Ealey and Caleb King. Ealey came on strong mid-way through the season, and looks to build on a solid freshman campaign that saw him rush for over 700 yards and over 5 yards per carry. King chipped in nearly 600 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Perhaps the biggest question mark coming into the year is how well new DC Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense will look in year one. Considering last year was statistically the worst defense UGA has had in it’s history…EVER…there is a good shot that the defense should be improved. Getting the start at DT is DeAngelo Tyson, who many naysayers believe is too small to be productive at nose at only 290 lbs. Don’t forget though, Todd Grantham turned 290 lb Jay Ratliff into a Pro-Bowler in Dallas at the same position. Behind him is a redshirt freshman who looks to be the future of the position, 6’5″ 330 lb Kwame Geathers. Look for him to get playing time early and often. Productive senior Demarcus Dobbs returns at end, and sophomore Abry Jones will get the nod on the other side. Former OG Justin Anderson provides depth at DT, and the goal is to eventually move Tyson over to DE, allowing Geathers and Anderson to get increased snaps at the position. DL is the biggest area of concern on the defense, due in part to not having a ton of depth, and players being a little unfamiliar with the new scheme. The strength, however, looks to be linebacker, where the Bulldogs are stacked. Man-child Justin Houston will start at WLB after flourishing last year as the team’s top pass-rushing DE, and will be joined at OLB by sophomore Cornelius Washington, who ran the 2nd fastest 40 yard dash on the team in spring drills. Keep a close eye on these two, as Houston has been unblockable in practice and Washington has all the tools to excel in this 4 LB scheme. Big play linebacker Darryl Gamble could push Washington for the starting job after moving over from ILB. The inside will be manned by Christian Robinson and Akeem Dent. Dent is a senior and the leader of the linebacking corps, while sophomore Robinson has really come on in spring and fall drills. Junior Marcus Dowtin has drawn praise and will see extended playing time, and converted RB Richard Samuel provides additional depth. At corner the Dawgs will look to Brandon Boykin, who is perhaps better known for his kickoff return ability, and senior Vance Cuff. The race is tight between Cuff and super-soph Branden Smith, but Cuff appears to have made huge strides in the off-season and is currently in front to get the nod. Those first three players are strong, but the depth afterward is scary. Any injury at CB and Georgia could be in some real trouble. At safety, Bacarri Rambo will start alongside first time starter Nick Williams. Williams is a junior who has played some linebacker, but the coaches loved his athleticism and felt he was better suited at safety. #2 JUCO player Jakar Hamilton is a ballhawk and will play extensively, and can play either safety position.

Georgia heads into the season with the best special teams unit in the conference, and one of the best in the country. Punter Drew Butler won the Ray Guy award last year with the highest per/kick average, and kicker Blair Walsh finished second for the Groza. They form undoubtedly the best kicking duo around. Boykin will handle kickoff returns after taking three back for touchdowns a year ago, but punt return is still in the air. Several players have gotten looks including AJ Green, running back Carlton Thomas, Branden Smith, and Jakar Hamilton.

Georgia enters 2010 with a few big question marks, most notably at QB and defense, simply due to the new scheme. But there are also plenty of positives. There are 10 returning starters on offense including the best receiver in the country, and the defense will almost certainly be better than last year. Another big factor is the schedule, where Georgia avoids Bama and LSU from the west, gets Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech at home, and opens with a cupcake. The fate of Georgia’s season will be determined by the 2 game stretch of @Carolina in week 2 followed by Arkansas at home. If they struggle and drop a few, it could be a tough year. If they come out undefeated, they could contend for the east. In my humble opinion, I think the Dawgs have enough on offense and the schedule to win 10 games. Will that be good enough to win the East? I don’t know yet…but I do think the team will rebound nicely from last year’s disappointment and once again finish in the nation’s top 10.