GEORGIA FOOTBALL - PRE-SPRING GAME THOUGHTS

A good friend asked me recently how Georgia was looking this spring. He wanted to know what I thought about the upcoming season. With some great players coming back and some talent coming in, and let's not forget an entirely new defensive coaching staff, there is a lot to report on.

With the spring game days away, I really did not have a definitive answer, but I do have some impressions based on the information that is flowing out of the program.

From what I have put together, I am loving the new defensive staff. I think Grantham is worth the money, and make no mistake Todd Grantham is getting paid. I think Warren Belin is a skull crusher, much of what the program was missing after Van Gorder’s departure. I think Scott Lakatos is bringing proper technique to the secondary and emphasizing calculated risks and a ball hawking mentality.

Ultimately, I feel confident the switch to the 3-4 will be a success, and I think people will look back years from now and applaud Coach Richt and Damon Evans for making the right hires.

(Photo courtesy of www.georgiadogs.com and Robert Saye)

On the Offense…this one is hard to read largely as a result of the obvious quarterback situation. Georgia really did not do itself any favors by sticking with Joe Coe just about the entire 2009 season. I think by game 2 or 3 everyone knew what he had, and we really did not have the luxury of being able to swap out QBs and work on through the rotation. With that being said, the 3 QB race, might be best summed up as day-to-day.

All roads point to the upcoming spring game, and it will be on this televised stage that our next QB will be decided. There is still a lot of time, and plenty can happen before the fall. He who plays best at the spring game will go into the summer as the man. Coach Bobo has to start building continuity fast as having a club house leader is essential coming out of the spring.

I have a good feeling Murray is pulling away from the pack, but I have seen cases where kids get in trouble (as in Mett’s case), and have the ability to turn that, in the long run, into a huge positive. Call it the “winning the coach staff back over” factor. I think Mett will double down and try that much harder. Seeing how much of opportunity he finds himself in, coupled with just how easily it can all slip away – I think he’s going to be better than ever.

I wanted to share couple notes on the upcoming schedule. One thing is for certain, Georgia’s 2010 schedule is pretty favorable. We miss the juggernauts from the SEC West and some crucial games are at home. I would like to see Georgia work harder securing an open week before the Coctail Party, but scheduling involves many factors.

We will know a lot more come next Saturday, and I will provide a full spring game analysis and breakdown. But go ahead and mark it down – Justin Houston is going to have an All-SEC, maybe even All-American year. He’s just that good. At 6'3" 260 he’s about to be unleashed in the new 3-4.

(Photo courtesy Kevin C. Cox & Getty Images)

UGA OUTLOOK 2010

Judging by the numbers from last season, Georgia began to really take shape mid season as the ground game took full stride. It started upfront with a healthy offensive line for the Vanderbilt game. UGA was unable to harness that energy for remainder of season on a weekly basis. The DAWGS were stricken with penalties and really battled with sustained balanced production from the run and the pass. Sure there were some great victories in the 2nd half of the season, but look for a strong emphasis on smash mouth football in 2010.

It starts up front with Offensive and Defensive Lines.

First off, the O-Line brings the starting 5 all back. If the DAWGS handle themselves the way they ended 2009, as they rolled Georgia Tech and Texas A&M, then predictions going into Spring Practice centers around DAWG fans being very pleased. CALEB KING and WASHAUN EALEY will have good holes to run through. The fullback and tight end play will continue to hit them where it hurts, and A.J. will catch whatever is thrown to him. It should be nice to see A.J. Green catch the ball in stride this year. It seems like A.J. was having to make a ton of circus catches to bring in off-target throws last year.

Looking ahead at the D-Line, UGA is starting with a proverbial clean slate. As Grantham and company install the 3-4, everyone is focused on the future. No one is complaining about the new staff, and for good reason. Coach Richt and Damon Evans, have assembled an All-Star cast. Look for an aggressively sound Defense in 2010 with an emphasis on the fundamentals. Look for in-state defensive recruits to keep Georgia at the top of their list from here on out. Coach Grantham and company will lead the Georgia Defense back to national prominence.

(Photo courtesy Parker Moore)


There are new faces upfront and a number of returning players. Look for key players to step up big. A couple names come to mind. The defense is being re-crafted currently, and we will know a lot more after the spring game, but speedster JUSTIN HOUSTON is a standout. Whether he's rushing off the line or lining up a linebacker, he will impact games. He speed and rushing abilities should be a huge asset for 2010.

I'm also looking for big things from DEMARCUS DOBBS. I'm very excited about seeing what KWAME GEATHERS and DEANGELO TYSON bring to the table in 2010.

Georgia will have to work out the kinks quick as the season opener against Louisiana (September 4th). The DAWGS play the following week in "The Southern Man's Classic" against against South Carolina in the SEC opener. Both dates will be here before you know it.

Georgia Football Loses Some Players But Looks to Fill in the Gaps for 2010

By my count, Georgia is losing a total of 24 football players following the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season:

• Defense
o DT – 4
o DE – 1
o DB – 6
o LB – 4
o Total - 16
• Offense
o QB – 2
o WR – 3
o FB – 1
o OL – 1
o Total - 7
• Special Teams
o PK – 1

Starting upfront on the defense as Jeff Owens, Kade Weston, Geno Atkins, and Roderick Battle who combine for approx 1,100 lbs. and all leave as seniors.

In addition Georgia losses some key linebackers including first team All-SEC Rennie Curran. Also on the LB list departing are Darius Dewberry and Marcus Washington.

Next comes the secondary, where Georgia takes a hit from the losses of Bryan Evans, Reshad Jones, and Prince Miller.

What Georgia has done to address these losses?

Bacarri Rambo, Justin Houston, Darryl Gamble, Branden Smith, and Brandon Boykin all look to step up their game and become even bigger leaders on the Defensive side of the ball in 2010.

In addition, Georgia signed 11 Defensive players in the 2010 recruiting class. The list includes:
• Demetre Baker (LB)
• Brandon Burrows (DE)
• Marc Daes (DB)
• Jalen Fields (DE)
• Jakar Hamilton (DB)
• Dexter Morant (DE)
• Alec Ogeltree (DB)
• Derek Owens (DB)
• Garrison Smith (DT)
• T.J. Stripling (DE)
• Mike Thornton (DT)

In addition Georgia has new leadership in the Defensive coaching staff headed by Todd Grantham (D Coordinator), Scott Lakatos (Secondary), and Warren Belin (Linebackers). Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting whiz Rodney Garner returns as well to continue his great efforts with the D Line.

On the offensive side of the ball Georgia losses clutch receive Michael Moore, Vince Vance and Joe Cox. But the offense does retain big names like A.J. Green, Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, Orson Charles, Aaron White, and a stellar offensive line, who all return.

A number of players look to fill in the gaps, some already on the roster like Marlon Brown. At 6-5 and 220 lbs. he looks to jumping in the fray a lot more in 2010.

In addition, the 2010 Recruiting class brings on 8 additions for the Offense. The list includes:
• Brent Benedict (OL)
• Michael Bennett (WR)
• Kenarious Gates (OL)
• Kolton Houston (OL)
• Ken Malcome (RB)
• Hutson Mason (QB)
• Alexander Ogletree (RB)
• Lonnie Outlaw (WR)

The offensive coaching staff remains intact with Head Coach Mark Richt, Mike Bobo (O Coordinator and QB’s), Tony Ball (WR’s), Bryan McClendon (RB’s), Stacy Searels (O Line & Running Game Coordinator), and John Lily (TE’s).

2010 is going to be a very interesting year. Be sure to check back after the annual spring practice game for full G-Day coverage, post game notes and commentary.

US Justice Department Reviewing Legality of BCS

At the heart of the matter, we are talking about the Sherman Antitrust Act. As Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) eloquently wrote in a letter to President Obama in October 2009:

“After a careful examination of both the written and oral testimonies presented at this hearing, I believe a strong case can be made that the BCS is in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Therefore, I respectfully request that the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division look into this matter,”
(Courtesy http://hatch.senate.gov)

The Sherman Antitrust focuses on preventing cartels and monopolies, and with the track record of the BCS, undefeated teams can win all their games but still not have a chance to play for it all. As we saw this last year as Utah went undefeated but was outside looking in. Again this year we saw it happen again, another undefeated team was left out of the national championship discussion, Boise State. Neither of these teams have the popularity, enriched history or prominence on the college football scene, but both of those could have very easily played it down to the wire - if given the chance.

The system (BCS) as it stands is a series of rankings and ratings, with the sole purpose of putting #1 versus #2. This boils down to a beauty pageant. A beauty pageant which is inherently flawed. And Senator Orrin Hatch is doing his part to resolve this issue.


Imagine for a minute, at the close of the past December 5th, as we knew all the conference champions. We could have taken 8 conference champions and played a true playoff bracket to truly determine the winner. Imagine coaching staffs, athletes, and teams controlling their own destiny. Teams rewarded for winning their Conference and taking a seat at the after-party.

Here is the playoff bracket if you take the conference champions:



Hopefully, this will continue to move forward and real progress can be made, as the only way we can truly know who the actual champion is, is to first ensure that there are not multiple teams undefeated at the end of college football season. A playoff quite simply would achieve this.

For more information on the latest, please read all about it at Senator Orin Hatch's website.