Mark Richt: "I've Never Accused Anybody of Anything"

Photo Credit: Dave Martin, AP

Poor Mark Richt, he makes a few disparaging remarks on the issue of over-signing and suddenly he's the poster boy for changing the SEC's laws regarding "roster management". Well, in Richt's defense, at the time he let his opinion be known, he wasn't looking to start any trouble. He was simply stating his opinion.

I'm positive that he wasn't trying to be the voice of reason amongst this sea of underhanded SEC head coaches and their like-minded staff.

Oh, was that last bit too harsh? Sorry, I meant SEC coaches with little to no scruples where screwing prospects over is concerned.

Come on, people, let's stop beating around the bush. If you are over-signing every season in an attempt to offset the losses you will incur from guys who don't pan out, don't qualify, or who are destined to spend the better part of their existence holding a clipboard or a towel, then you're kind of a dirtbag.

Quite frankly, I think anytime you tell a prospect he will make your roster—even when you know full well that he more than likely won't—you're a bit of a dirt bag.

So, at least for me, it was refreshing to see Mark Richt say that he was against doing such things.

That said, Richt also clarified that he was not against the act of grey-shirting, but rather just the deception that often accompanies it on the front-end. Today, in comments made to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he reiterated that position yet again saying "I’ve never accused anybody of anything. First of all, I think everybody should have a right to manage their own numbers. All I’ve said is if you sign 25 guys and there’s only room for 20 and after summer you have to tell two or three of them they have to wait until January and they’re shocked about it, I don’t think that’s right..."

I think that's pretty clear, don't you?

In basic English, for those who still aren't clear, Richt was saying that you can oversign all you like, but don't be a prick about it. Let the kid know your plans so he can make a few of his own. Why anyone would make a big deal out of him saying as much is beyond me.

Related articles

• Mark Richt tackles 'winning at all costs' issue in college football (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Mark Richt's shades of grey (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• Does Mark Richt know something about oversigning we don't know? (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Isaiah Crowell Says He "Can Be A Starter" At Georgia This Year

Photo Credit: Jason Getz

In an interview by Gentry Estes of Dawgs247.com, Georgia 2011 signee Isaiah Crowell speaks on his goals coming into this season as one of the most heralded tailbacks the Bulldog Nation has seen in a good while. And it's clear, from the tone of their conversation, that Crowell is ready to make good on his hype, saying, "I know they're depending on me, so I've got to work hard. I've got a point to prove."

And you can best believe all eyes will be on this young man, as well as others in his signing class, as they arrive on campus to debut just how much of a dream team they have the potential to become.

For Crowell, the main competition will be with his own expectations as the guys currently on Georgia's roster seem to already be playing second-fiddle to the five-star phenom out of Carver-Columbus High School. But, to be clear, those stars won't amount to much if Crowell can't block and pick up blitzes for Aaron Murray—arguably the most important player on the field for the Bulldogs last year.

That last point is one of the main reasons why former Georgia running back, Washaun Ealey, wasn't as popular with coach Richt as he was with a lot of the fans in his short career.

It's no secret that Richt values blocking ability as much as running ability where his tailbacks are concerned, and you can bet your red and black glasses if Crowell can't pick up on pass-blocking schemes and blitzes, he will definitely find his reps limited no matter how well he runs.

Even so, his overall work ethic, drive, and desire to prove that he's more than just hype could very well be the difference in him finding immediate success on the field.

One things is certain, he will have plenty of chances to make his mark this summer as the starting tailback job is wide open. Crowell knows that and says his main goal is to prove that "... I can be a starter. That’s the main thing.", he wants his shot and he feels good about his chances to make his mark for the program he loves.

Many are hoping that is indeed the case as the young man could become the spark that Georgia needs in the running game this season—one of the most critical in Mark Richt's career—and possibly the key to making the offense really come together for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. If nothing else, it would take some of the pressure off Aaron Murray.

June 6th will mark the beginning of Crowell's tenure at Georgia and many are hoping it starts with a bang.

Related articles

• Mark Richt: Caleb King Has "Become...a very dependable football player" (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Georgia Bulldogs: Are The Running Backs Man Enough? (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Reset (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: 2011 Post-Spring Depth Chart Surprises

Georgia released it's post-spring depth chart today and while there were few surprises, a few things stood out—at least to me—as curious.

For one, the sight of Ken 'Boo' Malcome at No. 4—behind the walk-on Brandon Harton and the diminutive Carlton Thomas—seemed odd. Malcome was one of the major standouts this past spring and seemed poised to challenge Caleb King for more significant carries come summer. However, the fact that he didn't even manage to land at No. 2 concerned me a bit—but only a little bit.

Perhaps the groin injury that plagued Malcome all spring played a role in where he ended up on the chart (although, it does seem worth noting that, Baccari Rambo missed all of spring managed to maintain his position on the depth chart despite missing the majority of spring practice).
It's a situation that bears watching once summer drills commences as, hopefully, there isn't more to it than meets the eye.

Keep in mind, for those who don't know, this chart does not speak to where guys like Isaiah Crowell or Damian Swann will land once they arrive and throw their respective skills into the mix. It's sole purpose is to present a guide as to where guys stand as of right now.

Another small surprise, although no one should be too shocked by it at this point, is the fact that Michael Bennett has leaped over Israel Troupe. Troupe's stock has really declined over the last 18-months and it looks as if his impact at Georgia will be relegated to a reserve capacity from this point forward. It's too bad that he hasn't really found his groove, he's got the physical attributes needed to be a solid competitor, I'm just not sure he ever really committed fully to playing football.

On the other hand, the 'Michael Bennet Hype Train' continues to gain traction and, by summer, it will likely be at full bore as this young man continues to make sure he's not overlooked by anyone.

Oh, and in case you missed it, we are thin on the offensive line, at safety, and at wide receiver. I'm praying the new strength program also includes a heavier emphasis on injury prevention. We are one hamstring injury away from seeing a tight end being a permanent fixture on the offensive line and that's not a comforting thought. 

Washaun Ealey: "...I probably need to go somewhere I can focus."

Photo Credit: Josh D. Weiss

In case you hadn't heard, former standout Georgia Bulldog running back, Washaun Ealey, has been granted his unconditional release by the University of Georgia football team. And, from the looks of it, that's precisely what needed to happen in order for the team to truly move forward in a more postive, team-focused, direction.

Now, I am never one who likes to bash a kid, but Ealey has grated my nerves for quite some time with his poor attitude and inability to place the team (not his jersey number) first. So, when I peeped some of the comments he made this afternoon in regards to his departure from the program, I can't say that I was surprised he said them, but I was disappointed that he said them out loud.

Here are just a few of the gems he dropped:

On his time at Georgia:

"I probably would have stayed out of a little more trouble than I did, but I feel like everything happens for a reason. So I probably wouldn't change anything." 

Is this kid for real? I completely get the whole idea behind not having regrets, but his actions at Georgia would have bordered on insubordination if he were employed.

On why he decided to transfer:

"...I just felt like I want to be able to stay focused. For me to be successful, I probably need to go somewhere I can focus." 

Ummmm, okay. I only have one question for him on that one: what the heck were you focusing on before—if not the game of football and being a student at the University of Georgia?

On his diminishing role as a tailback:

"I'm a person where I want to be a premier back, if I was to play here, I would have had to share the backfield with Caleb (King) and Carlton (Thomas) also. Then they were going to try to give the freshman Isaiah his chance... I just felt like I didn't want to be in that mix of things anymore."

It's called COMPETITION, Washaun and, if you're a good, quality, back then you relish the opportunity to show why you're still the best option.  You were never entitled to have the role of starter and you certainly did not prove yourself worthy of consideration with your shenanigans....just wow. 

It seems to me that Washaun Ealey was looking for a place where his ego could be coddled and his skill level unquestioned. Georgia might suffer on the depth chart because of his departure but, as a fan, does he really sound like the type of player you want on your team?

Read the entirety of the interview (conducted by Gentry Estes of Dawgs 24/7) here ($$$).  

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Georgia Bulldogs: Is Washaun Ealey's Release Really A Surprise?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It has been announced that Georgia Bulldog running back, Washaun Ealey, has been granted an unconditional release by the team—he will finish his career elsewhere.

Now, raise your hand if this news surprises you.

Okay, raise your hand if you truly saw Washaun Ealey playing any significant downs for the University of Georgia football team in 2011.

I'm willing to lay a bet down that not many of you raised your hand because, to be quite honest, the surprise would have been if Washaun Ealey made it through the summer based on some of Mark Richt's comments last month at a Bulldog Club gathering in Augusta, GA.

Said Richt, at that time, "Washaun has a ways to go still to show me that he deserves to start or even play right now..."

Does that sound like a guy who's in a hurry to bring back a kid who has been, for the last 12-16-months, displaying less and less interest in wearing a Bulldog uniform? Let's face it, Ealey wore out his welcome a long time ago and, I'll go on record and admit, I'm not so sure how much a pulled hamstring had to do with his lack of carries this past spring.

It has long been rumored, although not confirmed, that Ealey wasn't happy with the new attitude being promoted and enacted at Georgia (mostly from the strength and conditioning aspect) and he wasn't buying into the program that new strength coach, Joe Tereshinksi was selling. It was for that very reason he was given an indefinite suspension this past February.

If we assume the latter is all true, then Ealey's release was not only a matter of time, but a necessary evil as there is no place for that level of dissension on a team that is already heading into a tenuous 2011 football season.

That said, there will be even more pressure for new recruit, Isaiah Crowell, to be all he can be—now—as the depth chart at tailback just got real thin, real fast.

Hopefully Mr. Ealey can find what he's looking for at another institution. He's clearly got a lot of talent, but he'll need to mature a bit before he can reach his max potential.

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs reinstate Washaun Ealey after 2-week-plus ban (sports.espn.go.com)
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• Lingering hamstring issue to sideline UGA's Ealey for spring game. (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Richt Feeling No Pressure in 2011

Photo Credit: Kelly Lambert

When asked if he felt any pressure coming off a 6-7 season, Georgia Bulldog head coach had this to say, "None, I don’t feel any pressure. None at all".

Well, alrighty then.

As much as the Georgia Bulldogs have been under the microscope these last 18-months, it's nice to see the head coach still taking it all in stride (I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course).

However, sarcasm aside, it might be a good thing that Richt is taking a laid-back approach to things this year. The optimist or, as some have come to label them—the Disney Dawg—might say that Richt's attitude belies a man who feels confident in his team, his strategy, and his coaching staff. He's not worried because he knows he'll be kicking butt and taking names in 2011.

On the other hand, the pessimist might look at him and say, "well, it's the same ol' shuck and jive from Richt. I swear that man is like a James Bond drink—shaken, never stirred". Okay, well, maybe that's a bit corny, but you get the point—everything about this program is under speculation and no one is certain what to believe just yet.

I tend to fall somewhere between 'wait and see' and 'it has to get better from here'.

Surely, Murray will be even better in year two of this offense. He has a better understanding of the reads, the progressions, and his role as a leader on this team. And, even if the running game stalls out of the gate, it won't be due to guys who have forgotten how to play ball or who have become complacent at doing their jobs because they somehow feel entitled to be starting in every game. 

Both Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, in my opinion, began believing their own press too much after a successful 2009 campaign that saw them enter 2010 as, possibly, one of the best running back tandems in the SEC. As a result, they were not prepared to get smacked in the mouth the way they were and, seemingly, lost all confidence as ball carriers—not to mention their lack of focus off the football field.

The emergence of Ken 'Boo' Malcome, and the pending arrival of Isaiah Crowell, has relegated both Ealey and King to second-tier status. For the most part, no one is expecting either of them to do anything more than contribute. To be frank, if Ealey breaks 500-yards this season, I would be surprised because he suddenly can't seem to stay healthy and, if Crowell or Malcome turn out to be the types of players many feel they can be, Ealey will likely be competing with Carlton Thomas for the last spot on the depth chart.

As for the receivers, that should be interesting. Neither Marlon Brown nor Rantavious Wooten look like they will be world beaters in 2011, but Orson Charles, Arthur Lynch, and Tavarres King look ready to make something happen and that may be all Georgia needs if the run game takes off.

I suspect the defense will be better in year two and, once offensive line coach, Will Friend, finds his rotation, the offensive line should be competent—if nothing else.

Does that mean Georgia is primed to win the SEC East and shock the world this year? We'll just have to wait and see about that one, but I'm certainly not willing to best against them—yet.

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Bitter Much?

While perusing the offerings of chuckoliver.net, I came across this little gem from one of the site's contributors, Joseph Wyatt:

...When you run a program that has been as undisciplined as Mark Richt does it’s easy to see why “secondary violations” should be viewed just as importantly as major ones. You don’t want your players picking and choosing which rules they will abide by, so the head coach needs to set the example.  But that’s exactly what happens at UGA, players like Washaun Ealey and Caleb King decide which rules should be important to follow and there’s never any real consequence. 

It's easy to see why UGA has discipline issues...they learned it by watching Richt.

This excerpt is from an article—if you want to bother calling it that—about coach Mark Richt's credibility as a disciplinarian on a team where suspensions have become more prevalent than most would like—particularly in the last 18-months. 

The premise of Wyatt's post might have been more intriguing had it not been such a poorly veiled attempt to make Richt look like some sort of "aw, shucks' con-man.

As a matter of fact, it seethed with so much contempt, that it led me to question the author's allegiances—a question which was quickly answered upon reading the following byline underneath his name, "Atlanta native, lifetime Georgia Tech fan."

Well, that explains that. 

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Richard Samuel?

Photo Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC

A lot of names have been floated about where the position of linebacker is concerned. Georgia Bulldog fans have heard how newcomers Amarlo Herrera and Kent Turene—both 2011 signees—could be difference makers in the future,  how Alec Ogletree's switch from safety to inside linebacker could produce more big plays close to the ball, how Jarvis Jones is on track to be a monster, and how Christian Robinson is the new leader of the pack.

Much has been said about what coach Todd Grantham has in store for his revamped linebacking corps, but little has been mentioned about where Richard Samuel still fits in that picture—you remember him don't you?

Here's a quick recap of this former five-star (according to Rivals) athlete prospect out of Cass High School in Cartersville, GA: He inked with Georgia in 2008—as a 17-year old—and played backup to future NFL first-rounder, Knowshon Moreno, in his first season. By the start of 2009, he had leapfrogged Caleb King to be named the No. 1 tailback—many hailed him as a tough, hard-nosed, ball player with an uncanny ability to find holes and gain yards.

However, once the season began, the opposite proved to be true as it became apparent that Samuels' upright running style was hindering his ability to play consistently well at the position. So, by the end of 2009, he was out of the running back rotation and, by spring, he was being groomed for a switch to linebacker.

2010 saw a redshirt season, but there were rumblings that his performance on the scout team was becoming a thing of legend and it appeared that the switch agreed with him—and big things were  expected as 2011 neared.

So, what happened to all that hype? Is Samuel still in the mix to start at inside linebacker or has his slew of nagging injuries slowed his ability to develop?

You have to wonder if the coaching staff is still counting on him to be a key factor, especially when there hasn't been much heard or said about him over the last few months, and so much new talent appears to be making their way into the conversation.

As the spring game approaches, it will be interesting to see how Grantham rotates the linebackers—that may give us the first real bit of insight as to how Samuel will be used—until then, it's a guessing game.

Georgia Bulldogs: Weeding Out The Bad Apples and Cultivating The Seeds

Photo Credit: WES BLANKENSHIP

Make no mistake about it, changes are being made at Georgia. The installation of the new S&C program has brought out the bad, and the good and, for some players, that means a stern reality check has made it's way into their hands—much to their dismay.

Washaun Ealey has been indefinitely suspended after failing to show up for a punishment run and this latest transgression could turn out to be the denouement on a career marred by missteps.

While nothing has been said, publicly, about Ealey leaving Georgia to seek opportunities elsewhere, the writing is on the wall this time and the indefinite suspension doesn't appear to bode well for the young man's future prospects with the team—particularly with Isaiah Crowell on board.

If Ealey decides to transfer (which is merely speculation at this point), Caleb King, Ken Malcome, and Carlton Thomas would be left to split carries along with Isaiah Crowell—assuming Crowell come in ready to play—unless, of course, King runs into more eligibility issues.

Recall that King  was forced to miss time on, at least, two occasions last season due to academics so there is zero guarantee that he will be ready to get on the field by this spring.

If King is also out of the equation, Carlton Thomas will be the lone returning tailback with game experience.  Ken Malcome (who didn't play a down last season) and the incoming Crowell would round out thee depth chart. Scared yet? Well, don't be, the situation could be massively inconvenient, but don't know that it qualifies as dire—especially if the changes in the S&C program lends to less injuries on the field.

The vast majority of SEC teams last season weren't more than two-deep at tailback, and while that isn't ideal, it happens, and many teams have been able to succeed using a two-back rotation.

What should be of greater interest to fans is Georgia's burgeoning commitment to changing the culture of the program. For the first time, in a long while, it actually looks like Richt is trying to get a handle on this team. The good and bad apples are being separated from the bunch and that's great news!

The following tweet, made by a former athlete (non-football) at Georgia, caught my eye last night:

People complained of the players being soft and out of shape, this is Tereshinski's response to that criticism and the players, apparently, aren't happy about it.

Again, a hard-nosed approach was needed if Georgia's team was going to show any improvement and, if nothing else, this approach is helping to weed out the guys who want to work from the ones who don't and, in my humble opinion, it's about time.

Georgia Bulldogs: Mark Richt Shares His Thoughts On Signing Day (VIDEO)

Georgia closed out strong on February 2 and the Bulldogs will enter the 2011 season with significantly higher hopes—particularly on defense—for a better outcome than the one they had in 2010.

Coach Richt expects to see Isaiah Crowell come in and compete for playing time early and, hopefully, we'll see him "running that rock against Boise State" in the season opener at the Georgia Dome.

ESPN rated Georgia's class No. 6 in the nation behind Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, USC, and Texas—in that order.

Mark Richt Has "Dream Team" Class. Watch more top selected videos about: NCF, ESPN

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Georgia Bulldogs: Will They Be As Good In 2011 As Auburn Was In 2010?

Let me be the first to say this: when E$PN personalities talk, I rarely listen. In my very humble opinion, E$PN is a spin factory and most of what they say is driven by an agenda—a network agenda—to bring in more ad dollars, more reader subscriptions, and more viewers.

Now, they aren't alone in that respect, many of today's networks operate in that way, but E$PN is the big daddy of them all, and that makes them a little easier to criticize.

That said, this response by Bruce Feldman, to the following question was intriguing. Here is the question and the answer in their entirety—well, in the most complete form one could get them in without paying for more:

From mattplanet: What impact do you think these latest big recruits will have in improving the Georgia Bulldogs' chances in the SEC East next year?

This "dream team" plan at UGA of bringing together many of the top local players seems to be working out great. Landing five-star DE Ray Drew is a big addition to a defense that needs help. Drew, by most accounts, has the tools to be an impact guy for the Dawgs in their 3-4. Jay Rome, the nation's top tight end, is a guy who can block and catch and should team well with speedy Orson Charles. Malcolm Mitchell, the nation's No. 7 WR, won't be A.J. Green, but his outstanding speed and ball skills will only make their passing game more dangerous. Now, if they can reel in Isaiah Crowell, the country's top back, that could take even more pressure off of quarterback Aaron Murray and pump some much-needed juice back into the Bulldogs run game.

While it's easy to see this 2011 class shaping up to be something special, it isn't the first time that Mark Richt will have had a good class. Prior to 2009, Georgia was often in the Top 10 or Top 15 for recruiting some of the best prospects in the nation—both in and out of the state.

That said, the question isn't what this "dream team" will do for Georgia, but what Georgia will do for this "dream team".

Crowell will be an important part of the puzzle, but Caleb King was every bit that part four-years ago was he not? One player can bring hope, but none offer a guarantee. Shoot, not even Vince Dooley could have told you how good Herschel was going to be when he got to Georgia.

It's a crap shoot and nothing is a given.

The point is this: the success of this recruiting class, on the field, has as much to do with the coaching as it does the players, and no one knows, as of right now, if the coaching will be exponentially better, the same, or worse.

Everything is a work in progress and this Georgia program is no different. There are still many questions that will need answering before long—strength and conditioning cannot be the only piece of the puzzle in need of replacing or tweaking.

Is Georgia capable of making the kind of turnaround in 2011 that Auburn did in 2010? Absolutely, but lets not put the cart before the horse just yet.

What say you?

Georgia Bulldogs: Will The "Dream Team" Be Complete Without Isaiah Crowell?

National Signing Day is less than a week away and the Georgia Bulldogs are hoping to close out strong. So far, Mark Richt's staff has done a phenomenal job of locking down some of the best the state has to offer, and there seems to be little doubt that this class will be one of his best yet—assuming they can nab a few more of the big names still left on the board.

Ray Drew, the highly-touted defensive end out of Thomasville, Ga., continues to make the most of his experience as one of the nation's best. He's used the power of social media to keep his allegiances a secret and, by this point in the game, it's anyone's guess what school will land him.

He is set to end the suspense tomorrow morning, and there isn't a publication or person anywhere who should be willing to bet the house on what he will say. As of now, the popular opinion is he will be a Bulldog—despite his penchant for speaking negatively about the program—and if Georgia does turn out to be his destination of choice, many hope to see John Jenkins follow.

Jenkins is a major JUCO prospect out of Connecticut and he is expected to step right into the role of nose at Georgia—should he decide to sign.

Still, though, you have to wonder if even those two would be enough to make this class the talk of the SEC? Will either of those guys signatures matter as much if Isaiah Crowell decides to head to Auburn or Alabama?

The bottom line is this: Georgia has put all of their running back eggs into Crowell's basket. They aren't looking at any other players and aren't actively pursuing any other players. It's Crowell or nothing and it's no secret that if he's all that we've been led to believe he is, then he's the guy that stands to make the biggest offensive impact in 2011.

Caleb King and Washaun Ealey have not lived up to their expectations. They have been a disappointment in both behavior and performance, and many are ready to see something better at the running back position come next season.

In the eyes of many, Isaiah Crowell is the player that Georgia needs to return this offense to the type of efficiency it saw in the early days of Richt's tenure. He is felt, by some, to be the "Marcus Lattimore" of the 2011 class—the spark that Georgia needs to make a championship run of their own.

However, his decision is currently unknown as well.

While all signs seem to point to Georgia being his school of choice, his father made some rather interesting comments about what's most important to him (as a parent), "I’m just looking at him finishing his education and going where they can keep him in line and where there’s a good mentor for him. Where and when he’ll play on the field, I’m not really paying attention to all that."

Crowell expressed a similar sentiment last October when he discussed the arrests and issues that Georgia was having with discipline, said Crowell then, "...there’s just a lot of things going wrong. I do want to play right away but I also want to be where it’s disciplined and they win championships."

It sounds like Isaiah and his father are on similar pages. 

While the culture at Georgia appears to be changing, it's unclear if the moves that have been made will be enough to persuade Crowell to sign with the team on February 2. It's a tough call to make given the success of both Alabama and Auburn (two schools who also remain in the running for Crowell.

That said, if Georgia ends up missing on Crowell, will this Georgia class still be a "Dream" or will it fall just shy of expectations?

What say you?

Georgia Football: Are Expectations For 2011 Already Too High?

Once Urban Meyer stepped down at Florida, coach Richt became target 'numero uno' for where the SEC East will trend in 2011. Bloggers and sports journalists alike let it be known that Richt now has zero excuses for not winning the SEC East next season.

Well, let this site be one of the first to say that Urban Meyer's resignation means nothing beyond having a new coach to hate in Gainesville—hello, Will.

Aside from that, Georgia has as much chance of winning the East as South Carolina or Tennessee. All three teams have the ability to beat each other and all of them are likely to be as good, if not better, than they were in 2010—particularly Tennessee. So, it seems premature to start anointing Georgia based on a hunch when there are still a plethora of questions to be answered.

Let's jump into a few:

1. Will the 3-4 be better?

Todd Grantham needs a nose—bad.

Kwame Geathers is the man whom many feel has the size and talent to step into that role in 2011. However, can he sustain the focus and the conditioning necessary to be successful over the course of a season?

If not, does Georgia have enough faith in Mike Thornton (a player who has loads of talent, but is too small for the position) to entrust him with the most important role in the defensive scheme?

As of now, Grantham is hoping to sign one true nose in the 2011 class—possibly out of the JUCO ranks—but that is not etched in stone. 

Even more, if the Bulldogs can find the right man for the job, who will take over the space that Justin Houston leaves if he opts for the NFL? 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks is a hard thing to replace—who can step into that role? Will T.J. Stripling be ready?

2. Who will step up at running back?

Neither Caleb King, nor Washaun Ealey performed consistently enough to feel confident about them in 2011.

Ealey rebounded a bit after the Kentucky game, but his early season struggles with ball protection, coupled with his behavioral issues off the field, haven't given much reason for the Dawg faithful to feel good about him going forward. Add to that, Caleb King has yet to realize his potential either.

The once, highly-touted, in-state prospect has been, for the most part, a disappointment. He's shown flashes of greatness, but nothing sustained.

Georgia will need a back who can be productive and consistent next season—particularly with A.J. Green likely gone—if Aaron Murray is to continue his rise.

3. Will another wide receiver step up?

Marlon Brown, Israel Troupe, Rantavious Wooten, and Tavarres King have all shown their capabilities at one time. However, none have fulfilled their promise.

Murray will be looking for new targets next season, and he will look to one of the above-mentioned four to bring their A-game to the field—will they FINALLY do so? If they don't, there won't be much dimension to the passing game and you can't expect Orson Charles to do it all.

This is definitely a scary area of concern entering 2011—Georgia is going to be painfully thin—as there is no clear-cut playmaker amongst those who are likely to remain.  

4. Will the changes in strength and conditioning be a key factor?

Georgia lost a lot of games on line play this season. Neither the offensive or defensive lines were tough enough, strong enough, or conditioned enough to be a factor during the fourth quarter. New strength coach, Joe Tereshinski, has assured the Bulldog faithful that this will not be the case in the future—hope to heck he's right.

The new staff should be in place by spring and it will be interesting to see the direction this program goes in post Van Halanger.

5. How will recruiting pan out?

If Mark Richt closes with the class he's gunning for (Jay Rome, Ray Drew, Damian Swann, Isaiah Crowell, Xzavier Dickson, etc.), then Georgia has a real good shot at making noise next season. But, if they get only half of those guys—and one of them isn't named 'Isaiah Crowell'—forget it.

The 2011 class will have just as much of an impact on next season goes as anything else. The Dawgs have to close strong and they have to get the blue chips on their list if they expect to do well in 2011—period.

Conclusion:

Don't for one second get comfortable believing that Georgia is about to run all over the East next year. There are simply too many factors that need to come together before that has a chance of happening.

Georgia Football: Five Players Who Need To Start Realizing Their Potential

Mark Richt is hoping for big things next season. Todd Grantham's defense won't be in it's infancy anymore—although there is still some doubt that he will have the nose he needs to make the 3-4 defense work—and Aaron Murray will have a year of SEC experience under his belt.

That said, there will also be some big holes to fill—on offense and defense. The biggest holes will arise with the exits of A.J. Green (who is all but certain to bolt for the NFL) and Kris Durham (who came into his own at the wide receiver spot this past season but is graduating).

Both players will be tough to replace and, as of now, there isn't much reason to assume that whoever does step in will be an adequate fill-in.

Even more, the likely loss of Justin Houston, coupled with the departure of Akeem Dent, leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive front.

Dent ranked 2nd in the SEC in tackles (121)—20th in the nation—while Houston became the terror off the edge that many predicted he would—ending the regular season with 57 tackles (19.5 for loss), 11 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

Keeping all this in mind, it seems that Georgia will need to find a few more role players to fill-in the gaps in 2011 if they expect to better their 6-6 regular season record, or stand any chance of winning the eastern division—a feat which seems a bit premature considering the numerous questions still left to answer.

So, what players need to finally start becoming the studs that Georgia expected them to be when they decided to make Athens their home? Read on, and feel free to drop a few names of your own in the comment section:

1. Marlon Brown, WR

He's got the height, the build, and the talent to be a talented receiver, but he's fallen short in two straight seasons. In year one, Georgia wasted an opportunity to redshirt him—a head-scratcher to this day—and his forgettable play amounted to two receptions for 15-yards.

This season, he caught 11 passes, for 125 yards, and a touchdown—better but still not impressive given the hoopla he garnered coming out of high school. With both Green and Durham gone in 2011, it's time that Marlon Brown start playing up to his potential.

He's had two years to get comfortable with the speed and defensive play of SEC opposition and now it's time for him to start earning his keep.

2. Rantavious Wooten, WR

He came on strong near mid-season of 2009, and finished sixth on the team in receiving yards. His inspired play made many predict 2010 as a potential breakout year. However, his inconsistent spring play, coupled with an inability to hang onto the football, made him a lesser factor as time wore on.

He finished the regular season with seven catches for 41-yards and a touchdown.

Wooten can be a deep ball threat when he's got everything going, but he doesn't seem to be as focused  as he was in year one. He needs to fix what ails him in the mental department and step into his role as a solid contributor on this football team.

3. Caleb King, RB

King has mostly fallen flat during his career. He's never come close to eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark, and his numerous injuries have kept him on the sidelines more than we've seen him on the field.
If nothing is clear about the Georgia offense, this one thing is, they need a good rushing attack to make things happen in the passing game. If King can't be that guy, then hopefully Georgia finds the player who can be—the success of Mark Richt rests heavily on that factor.

4. Kwame Geathers, Nose

Geathers is a beast, but his commitment level has been a question mark since he entered the program in 2009—overweight and poorly conditioned. He's made great strides in the 18-months since that time, but he's still not proved to be the guy that coach Grantham is comfortable with at the all-important nose position.

Georgia experienced a lot of inconsistency at the nose this past season, and it's a position that has to be shored up if the defense expects to get any penetration off the edge. Geathers will be one of the key options the team looks to in that regard—he needs to be ready to make it happen.

5. Nick Williams, SS/LB

It's uncertain whether the learning curve for Nick Williams has been so slow because the coaches are confused about the best spot for him to play, or if it's due to Williams' inability to play consistently at either position.

Williams' desire to play safety has been well-documented, but it's obvious that coach Grantham sees a need to continue placing him at linebacker. Whatever the case may be, Williams is too talented to be relegated to the bench. Georgia needs to find away to get him more involved next season.

That said, Williams needs to find a way to play more controlled football when he does have his chance. His tendency to lose his temper and make careless mistakes after the play is just as much a reason for his absence on the field this past year.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Redshirt Players Who Could Have An Impact in 2011

For most Georgia Bulldog fans, the 2010 season is already done—no matter what happens in the Liberty Bowl. For those fans, the time for looking ahead starts now...today. So, as we look into the future just a little bit, and search for potential 'diamonds in the rough', there is no better place to start than the guys who took a redshirt in 2010.

Aaron Murray used his one season of bench time to study the offense and become the man that Georgia would eventually call their starting quarterback. And, despite the impression Georgia's 6-6 record might have sent, there were few who saw him play that didn't walk away with a positive impression.

That said, 2011 presents the opportunity for another young player to show what he has to offer to the team and, perhaps, become the piece that either the offense or defense needs to help Georgia get back on the championship track.

Here are just a few guys worth keeping track of this summer:

Michael Bennett, WR

Bennett wasn't highly touted coming out high school but his work ethic and ability to make the big play didn't escape the attention of many during last summer's workouts. With Kris Durham graduating and A.J. Green likely bolting for the NFL (unless there is a lockout), Murray will need another big, strong, dependable target to lock in on when he's in a tight spot. Bennett could be that guy—he's a definite sleeper.

Mike Thornton, DT

He was one of last years biggest 'gets', and there were some who felt he was a perfect fit for Todd Grantham's 3-4. However,  for whatever reason, he wasn't ready to be installed into the system this season. Even so, he's worked hard and put on a little more weight and has impressed his coaches with his tough play. With the 3-4 still searching for playmakers, particulary at the nose spot, Thornton could make a big splash real soon.

Ken Malcome, RB

Georgia flirted with letting him see playing time after injuries, and suspensions, limited the depth chart at his position. However, he managed to stay on the sidelines this season and continue to get comfortable with his potential responsibility at running back. That said, he isn't likely to be a gamebreaker, but Georgia won't need him to be if he can do two things well, 1) hold on to the football and 2) move the chains.

He could become a big factor this fall as neither Washaun Ealey, nor Caleb King can count on being the shoe-in's that they were when the 2010 season began.

Georgia Bulldogs: Mark Richt Should Rethink His "No Staff Changes" Stance

2011 will be coach Richt's last season if he has another even close to this one. A 6-6 team is not what Georgia fans like to see, especially in what was supposed to be a "down" year in the SEC East.

At worst, most fans were hoping to see 9-3, but losses to Mississippi State, Colorado, and Florida have not set well with the fanbase and many are calling for blood.

So, when one glances a news article where their much-maligned leader is saying that he's not planning any staff changes, it has to leave you scratching your head a little bit.

First, let's get this bit of discourse out of the way, no one at this site is claiming to be an expert. No coaching experience has been had, and there is no reason for you, the reader, to believe that the opinion espoused here is any better or worse than that of the common, rational, fan.

That said, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there are some gross issues lurking in the ranks of Georgia's football program. First, and most importantly, the strength and conditioning program is sub-par. The defensive line was sucking wind on Saturday night against Tech—by halftime.

If the team had to play in overtime, how many of you have faith the defense could have held? Even more, how many of you were actually worried when you saw Washaun Ealey go in for the score with time left on the clock?

Just saying.

Even more, everyone in the SEC knows Georgia's defensive and offensive lines are a joke. Just check this little bit of commentary offered by Florida's players following their overtime win in jacksonville. :

Florida's offensive players really enjoyed installing the no-huddle up-tempo offense during the bye week because they knew if they ran it correctly that the Georgia defense would be overwhelmed. 

And they really, really enjoyed watching the Bulldogs struggling in the fourth quarter.

"It's fun seeing 300-pound linemen wheezing for air and you're fine," offensive lineman Carl Johnson said. "The D-line, they're wheezing and you're like, 'He's tired. He's tired.'"

Johnson took particular pleasure in talking some trash during the game.

"When 31 [defensive end Demarcus Dobbs] got hurt, I was pointing [and saying], 'He's tired. He's not really hurt.' He was just tired and faked an injury to get out of there, stop the clock. If he didn't, we were on the ball, ready to go again, they were gassed."

It's one of the few times that an offensive lineman can get in some digs about being in better shape, and Johnson said he savored that feeling.

"You feel like you own them a little bit," Johnson said. "'You're blown, you're tired, you're gasping. I'm fine.' It's fun."

Freshman H-back Trey Burton said he could tell pretty quickly the defense was going to be gasping in the fourth quarter.

"The first quarter, they were done," Burton said. "They were about to tap out after a while."

Wow...talk about embarrassing.

Coach Dave Van Halanger might be a phenomenal man of character, and he might be one of coach Richt's closest friends, but he's done a poor job of making these players into athletes. They're soft, badly conditioned, and incapable of playing a full 60 minutes at game speed.
 
It's time for him to go and Richt needs to make that happen.

As for a second guy, look no further than Bryan McClendon.

Take a look at these stats posted by EC Dawg of The Leather Helmet Blog (another site all Bulldog fans should have bookmarked), Georgia's running game was worse this season (ranked 71st overall) than in 2009 (ranked 54th overall)—something ain't right, folks.

To be fair, 2009's lapse was understandable. Knowshon Moreno was gone and McClendon was walking into a group of backs who had 1) no SEC experience (Richard Samuel and Washaun Ealey), 2) trouble staying healthy (Caleb King), and 3) were incapable of taking the pounding (Carlton Thomas). Still, he managed to get decent production out of that bunch.

However, 2010 was supposed to be the year of the back at Georgia, with both King and Ealey returning to aide the young Aaron Murray in his acclimation to the starting quarterback role. Instead, both guys struggled to find the groove they showed at the tailend of 2009 and, even worse, both became inept at holding onto the football—that's just a gross lack of fundamentals.

McClendon might make a fine assistant one day, and there is no doubt that he is a darn good recruiter, but two-years as a grad assistant did not make him qualified to move into the position of full-time running backs coach. He's in over his head, and Richt should find someone with more experience to take over the job.

2011 will be coach Richt's last season if he can't get this ship turned around and, as nice a guy as he is, he needs to realize that being a good man only takes you so far. Unfortunately for him and his throng of supporters, the "what have you done for me lately" culture of college football is working against him.

It's time that he start finishing the drill as a head coach, and that means making the tough decisions about who's presence is most hurting his staff and letting them go—Finish The Drill, Coach.

Finish.The.Drill.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things To Know About Georgia Tech

Look, what the cat dragged in...it's officially "Hate Week" in Georgia as the Bulldogs get set to take on Georgia Tech this weekend.

This game is about bragging rights, and both sides are already in top form as the vitriol has started to spew on both Twitter and in the blogosphere. That said, no allegiances will be stated here—we can leave that for the comment section.

As always, this is an unbiased look at the Yellow Jackets and what Georgia Bulldog fans can expect from the Ramblin' Wreck come Saturday:

1. The loss of Josh Nesbitt is big, but not a game changer.

Josh Nesbitt won't be available to play in the game, but Tevin Washington has proven to be very effective as a rusher in the last two contests, and he's becoming more comfortable running Paul Johnson's offense.

If he can get it going in Athens, he could be one of the biggest factors on Saturday.

2. Anthony Allen has gotten better.

Last season, Allen flashed moments of brilliance, but it was clear that both Jonathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt were the keys to the Georgia Tech success. This season, Allen has become a solid option in Tech's offense—logging four 100+ yard rushing games this season.

3. They eat a lot of clock. 

As was the case last season, Tech consumes a lot of time off the clock when they are allowed to run their offense efficiently.

If Georgia expects to give their offense a chance, and limit the defense's time on the field, they will need to force the Jackets into third-and-long situations. To date, Tech completes less than 30 percent of passes thrown on third downs of more than seven yards.

4. The offensive line is still finding its legs. 

While Nesbitt covered up some of the deficiencies of Georgia Tech's offensive line, Tevin Washington's presence has made them a bit easier to spot. So far, in the month of November, the Jackets have given up seven sacks for a loss of 28-yards.

By contrast, during the months of August through October, that same line yielded eight sacks for 43-yards.

It's obvious that the youth on the line is beginning to show a few more chinks as the season wears on, and the team breaks in a new quarterback—Georgia would be wise to take advantage of that.

5. They don't have a game breaker in their return game. 

While B.J. Bostic is a respectable kick return man, he's not the type of guy you're likely to be scared of during kickoffs—neither is Jerrard Tarrant in the punt return game. So, it's clear that Tech is content to do most of their damage, via the running game, during play execution.

Georgia needs to concentrate on giving the Jackets a long field. Don't give up any big chunks in the return game as that would only shorten the field for an already dangerous rushing attack.

6. This series has been a lot closer under Paul Johnson. 

Georgia fans hold tightly to that seven game winning streak they exacted over Tech upon coach Richt's initial arrival, but all that has changed under Paul Johnson.

In two match-ups, with Johnson at the helm, Tech is 1-1, and the largest margin of victory for Georgia is six points. This game is much more even now than it was before, and Georgia fans should not take that point for granted—especially this season.

7. They are suspect against the run. 

For all the worry the option offense will give the defense, the offense should feel like they have a shot to make up some ground. Washaun Ealey and Caleb King ran all over and through Tech's defense last season and, although they sport a new scheme under Al Groh, they haven't fared much better in 2010.

So far, they are giving up better than 5.50 yards per carry in the month of November.

If Murray and company can exploit that number, they won't have much trouble executing their offense either.

8. Tech is bowl eligible but they have something else to play for in this game...

If Tech wins, they could keep Georgia out of a bowl game for the first time in 14 years—which, coincidentally, is also the last time neither of these two teams was ranked entering this game.

9. They are still looking for a playmaker on defense.

The loss of both Morgan Burnett and Derrick Morgan has been tough to overcome. While Brad Jefferson has performed well, and both Jerrard Terrant and Domonique Reece have offered some good play in the secondary, Tech has lacked that one guy who can take over the game defensively and rally the team.

Perhaps, much like Georgia, this factor has more to do with personnel still struggling to perform well in a new scheme. Whatever the case, the defense hasn't been nearly as tough as it was last season.

10. They are prone to fumbles.

Tech has lost 14 of their 29 fumbles this season—116th in the nation.

That said, Georgia ranks 70th in opponent fumble recoveries. If they can increase that percentage for this one game, they could significantly improve that ranking.


*Stats appearing in this article are courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things Not To Do Against The Auburn Tigers

This is the time of week that this site offers a "10 Things To Know..." section, discussing the upcoming opponent.

Well, by this point in the season, we have all seen, read, and heard so much about the Auburn Tigers, that it would be a near impossibility to offer anything of substance.

With that in mind, this week will be a bit different as we will touch on the things that Georgia does not need to do if they expect to have a chance at winning this Saturday.

So, let's just jump right into it: 

1. Come out flat.

Georgia should have come out firing against the Bengals last week but, as they have often done this season, the offense came out looking mediocre and out of sync. If they do that against Auburn this weekend, they will find themselves in a hole very quickly.

They cannot come out looking dazed and confused like they did last week or the week prior against the Gators. The Tigers will bury them early if they do.

2. Concentrate too much on Cam Newton.

Cam Newton might be the most recognizable and talked about weapon on the field for Auburn, but he's not the ONLY weapon for the Tigers.

Michael Dyer leads the SEC in rushing—for a freshman. He has more yards than Marcus Lattimore and he's been a perfect compliment to Newton this season. Add to that, both Darvin Adams (WR) and the emerging Terrell Zachery (WR), are every bit the playmakers they appear to be.

Georgia cannot allow No. 2 to occupy so much of their mental and physical attention that they leave the other guys on the field free to beat them.

3. Forget how to pass protect—again. 

Nick Fairley is a beast and, if left unattended, he will feast on Aaron Murray.

For all the chatter about how poised and steady Murray has been this season, he has yet to truly face a defense as athletic, tough, and fierce as this Auburn front seven, and he's going to need a competent line, giving their best effort,  if he hopes to have a shot at picking apart Auburn's secondary.

4. Turn the ball over.

This is obvious, but it had to be said.

Georgia has both lost and gained momentum on turnovers this season. They need to be stingy with the football this weekend. No bobbles, no bad snaps, no forgetting how to secure the ball on long-gainers, etc.

Hold onto the football and be purposeful with every pass. 

5. Blitz too early and/or too often. 

While the "attacking style" defense of the 3-4 has been effective at points this season, Newton isn't going to crumble under the pressure of whatever Georgia has to offer. He's got a passer efficiency rating of 258.4 and a completion percentage of better than 70 percent against the blitz.

In other words, it hasn't worked on him.

The best thing Georgia can do is neutralize the running game and concentrate on jamming the routes of the Auburn receivers. If they can do that, they will flush Newton out of the pocket.

While that may seem like a poor option—given the fact that he's tallied more than 1,100 yards on the ground this season—it's the one that offers Georgia (which is currently No. 2 in the conference against the run) the best chance at disrupting the Tigers offense.

6. Over-commit to the running game. 

If Auburn's pass defense is shaky, then their rush defense is the steadying force that evens things out.

The Tigers are third in the SEC in rush defense (114.0 ypg). More to the point, Auburn has been
deadly good against the run this year and the three-headed monster of Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, and Carlton Thomas isn't likely to leave them with nightmares.

The most important players on the field for Georgia will be Kris Durham, A.J. Green, Tavarres King, and Orson Charles.

Should they abandon the run? No, but if they see it's not effective, they shouldn't remain so committed to it, that they fail to consider other playcalling options.

7. Allow Auburn to set the tempo. 

Auburn hasn't been the kind of team that grinds out plays. They have, for the most part, been quick to strike and quick to score. Georgia cannot allow the Tigers to control the tempo of this game, they don't run the kind of offense that would allow them to go toe-to-toe with Auburn for 60 minutes and if they have to get into a shout-out with Cam Newton and his trusty brigade, the defense could be sucking wind before halftime.

Georgia has to find a way to control the clock, keep the Auburn offense off the field, and slow the game down enough that Auburn has to adjust to them—not the other way around.

8. Get too caught up in this being the "Best Team In The Nation".

Part of Murray's problem against the Gators was he let his emotions control his play for the better part of 30 minutes. He was too pumped, too anxious, and too embedded in it being "Georgia-Florida". He cannot do that on Saturday if he expects to run an efficient, focused, and productive offense.

Ditto that for the defense. They need to play this game like it's just another opponent—don't let the ranking or "what this win means for the program" come onto the field of play.

Finish. The. Drill.

9.  Fail to maintain defensive intensity on third down.

All season it has seemed that Georgia goes full-out on first and second downs, then completely falls apart on third downs—no better example of this than against the Kentucky Wildcats a few weeks back.
Georgia needs to maintain a consistent level of intensity on every. single. down.

Defensive lapses have killed them all season and, more often than not, have led to momentum-changing plays.

10. Tighten up if the game is close. 

Cam Newton has proven that he only gets more resolved, more focused, and more calm as the game winds down. He's ready to play for all 60 and he's willing to take the team on his back if he has to. By contrast, Georgia hasn't found their formula for doing the same.

The tighter the game, the more prone to mistakes they become.

If they find themselves in a position to win on Saturday, they need to play like they both deserve and CAN win. If they don't believe it, their play on the field will reflect it, and they will have already lost.

What say you, do you like the Bulldog's chances to make a game of it this weekend?

Georgia Bulldogs Football: What's Been The Biggest Difference In Bulldogs' Wins?

To say that Georgia has played well over the last two weeks would be an understatement. This team has not only played well, they have played better than expected—especially when considering the mistakes and miscues of the previous four weeks that led up to this current streak.



Their success has caused some fans to let down their guards and start wondering what might have been.

You know that game well if you're a college football fan. You start revisiting all the games your team has played, and you begin asking questions about the key moments within each that could have changed that "L" to a "W".

Georgia fans are no different in that regard. In the wake of such above-average play, many have already started to play that exact game in regards to this season: "what if the team had played this well at Colorado", "what if the defense was this proficient against Arkansas", "what if the offense was clicking this well in Starkville"...the Dawgs' could be 6-1 right now—right?


Well, the danger in playing the "what if" game is that it can cloud perspective, and there's too much football left to play for any one to start expecting greatness from here on out.

The talk of tie-breakers, SEC Championship possibilities, and bowl games, is irrelevant and, quite frankly, premature right now with Georgia only sitting at 3-4.



So, here's what's real:  Georgia has a two-game winning streak on the line as they head to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.

That's it.

They need to win that game first and then see what happens the next week—one game at a time.


That said, there is no harm in discussing the things that have made Georgia look so different the last two weeks.

What have been some of the keys to their sudden surge:


1. The defense has not allowed the opposition to score first. 

When an offense can score on their opening drive, it fires up their defense—period. It's not rocket science.

Georgia's defense gave up the first points of a game to their opponent in every loss they've had this season. The last two games saw the opposite happen and that's helped build momentum on both sides of the ball. 


2. The return of A.J. Green.

The impact of A.J. Green cannot be understated. Even if he's used solely as a decoy (which he seemed to be for much of last week), he draws a lot of attention. That opens up the other receivers and gives Aaron Murray more options in the passing game.

3. The running game has improved.

Both Caleb King (who played well against Tennessee, but will sit out, at least, one more week) and Washaun Ealey are healthy and running well. Ealey topped the 100-yard mark for the first time this season, and Carlton Thomas is finding ways to make a contribution on offense—scoring twice last week. 

A better running game has meant a more efficiently run offense.

4. The offensive line has improved.

The re-congfigured line has made Aaron Murray's job easier.  He has not been flushed from the pocket as much and he seems to have more time to go through his progressions than did earlier in the year.

Trinton Sturdivant (LT) has looked more confident each week and Kenarious Gates (RG) has played well since being inserted into the starting lineup.

5. More fire!

During the losing stretch, the team appeared lackadaisical and sluggish. At times they showed flashes of life but, mostly, they looked defeated towards the end of games. It was as if they had no more fight left. Nowhere was this more evident than in the game against Colorado.

The team rallied around A.J. Green as he made his glorious return, but, once he left with cramping, they fell back into mediocrity—on offense and defense.

However, over the last two games, they look more focused, more organized, and more confident—particularly on defense—and that has translated into less mistakes and more big plays on both sides of the ball.



The BIGGEST DIFFERENCE:

Confidence. The team finally looks like they are on the same page with the coaching staff.


The defense has given up a few plays here and there, but their tackling is better, their coverage schemes look crisper, and their grasp on the defense looks more sound.


As for the offense, Aaron Murray looks more and more comfortable every week, and he seems more determined to prove that A.J. Green is not the only weapon this offense has on the field. In recent weeks, Tavares King, Aron White, and Orson Charles, have all seen their jersey called on key downs. And, who can speak loudly enough about the contribution Kris Durham has made?

It's tough to say how much of this play will continue once the team leaves the friendly confines of Sanford Stadium, but, it certainly has been fun to watch and, hopefully, that trend continues the rest of the way.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: A Closer Look At What The Dawgs Are Doing Wrong

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what's going wrong for the Georgia Bulldogs this year—just look at the games and you'll be plenty aware of what's not right.

This is not the team that fans signed up to see when they said goodbye to the reign of Willie Martinez. The "mediocre" 2009 was replaced by a hopeful 2010 with the arrival of Todd Grantham.

Grantham was going to be a breath of fresh air for the defense and Aaron Murray, although inexperienced, had to be better than Joe Cox—or at least if he wasn't, the running game would help him in the short-term.

Either way, this wasn't going to be a team that looked as disorganized, inconsistent, and out-manned as the one we saw last year—no way that was going to happen again at Georgia.

Unfortunately, 2010 brought a bitter pill to Athens, GA. A pill so tough to swallow that it almost seems like too much. The hang-dog look of die-hard fans who are still reeling from losses to Mississippi State and Colorado, tells the story of a season that, to this point, has been a complete disaster. No one wants to admit the team is bad, but at 1-4 it becomes more and more difficult to believe much else.

So, if you take the biggest magnifying glass you can find, and look only at the statistics* and not the people running the plays, what the heck is Georgia doing so wrong that they not only can't pull out a win, but can't seem to remember how to win at all:

1. The offense is terrible. 

That seems pretty obvious, right? Georgia is ranked No. 79 in the nation in points per game (PPG), scoring 24.8 per contest. Through the first five games of the season, the Bulldogs have scored 124 points—1/3 of which are courtesy of Blair Walsh (40 points).

Even more disturbing, A.J. Green has missed four games this season, yet, his contribution to the team's overall point total is 12. That may sound like nothing, but that ties him for second on the team—behind only Aaron Murray and Tavarres King.

That's pathetic.

While A.J. Green showed that he is the uber talent that most everyone knew him to be, there is no excuse for the offense being so centered around his presence that it becomes a wet rag minus him on the football field.

2. The running game looks worse than it is.

Through the first five games of 2009, the team averaged 3.20 yards per carry (ypc). The running game was not only anemic, at that time, but it was a bit of a joke as the coaches kept trying to find the right man to do the job—Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Jackson (here and there), and Caleb King all had there shot before Washaun Ealey was allowed to show us what he could do.

This season the team is averaging better than 4.03 ypc, yet they still look awful. Even still, aside from the contest against South Carolina, the team has eclipsed better than 100 yards per game—on the ground—each week. That includes two 150+ yard efforts (184 and 188) against Louisiana and Colorado, respectively.

The problem isn't a lack of effectiveness in the run game, but rather the fact that it has been used, ad nauseum, when it seemed more beneficial to call a pass instead. 14 run plays have been executed on third downs where a distance of more than four yards was needed to convert—Georgia's total yardage on those 14 plays: -4 yards.

3. The punting game is off. 

Drew Butler is an All-American punter. Last season he averaged better than 48 yards per attempt—that ranked Georgia No. 1 in the nation. This season, he's averaging a little more than 44 yards per punt (No. 22).

Last season, he was better on the road (52.23 yards per attempt) than he was at home (47.23). This season, the opposite has been true.

Field position matters in the SEC, and Butler has not been booting it the way he was in 2009. That makes for a shorter opponent field and a lot more work for the Georgia defense.

4. Too many three-and-outs!

Georgia ranks only above LSU, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee in converting first downs. The defense spends more time on the field than the offense does. That means a tired, wore out, defensive unit will usually enter the fourth quarter. You do the math on that one—especially if you consider that a majority of Georgia's losses were sealed in the fourth quarter.

The offense has to do a better job of extending drives if they hope to put any pressure on opposing defenses.

Georgia has 88 first downs this year—two of which were granted through penalties. That's not going to cut it (Oh, and if you want a contrast to that, Alabama has 117 first downs this year).

5. Penalties! Penalties! Penalties!

There are too many of these coming back to haunt Georgia.

In 2010, the Bulldogs have 32 penalties for a total of 219 yards. As a result, Georgia has lost, at least, 17 points of offense and helped extend countless drives for the opposition. It's something that needs to be improved, but—silver lining—it is better than what we saw from the team in 2009.

Through the first five games of that season, Georgia incurred 42 penalties for 373 yards.

6. The offensive line is not pass protecting. 

If Aaron Murray couldn't scramble, he'd be toast right now. The young phenom sees the ground at least twice a game and rarely comes out of his drop without seeing a defender breaking through on his right or left side.

The offensive line is filled with, essentially, the same guys that lined up for Georgia last season. There is no way they are this bad—strength and conditioning needs to be addressed.

There is no other explanation for the way the line gets pushed, punked, and pulverized on a weekly basis—NONE!

7. The redzone is a problem. 

Would you believe it, if someone told you that Georgia has a higher conversion rate, overall, in the redzone than Alabama, Auburn, and Florida? Well, they do.

Georgia can get into the redzone, they have been there 18 times this season—scoring on 16 of those drives. The problem isn't getting into the redzone, the problem is that of those 16 scores, only nine of them went for six. Georgia continually settles for field goals and that cannot continue to happen.

8. By contrast, Georgia's opponent's have no problem scoring touchdowns in the redzone. 

What's that phrase we fans love to use where the Georgia defense is concerned? Hunker Down? Well, there isn't much of that going on this season. The defense is doing the opposite of hunkering down in the redzone, they are helping their opponents find holes and get free for six with ease.

On 11 attempts, the opposition has scored 10 times—all but one went for six.

Conclusion:

The obvious problems are obvious for a reason and, to be frank, most of the problems above could be solved by making two moves: firing the offensive coordinator and asking the strength coach to step down—neither of which seems likely to happen in-season.

What that means is there could be more mediocrity in the near future unless this team starts learning how to play with or without A.J. on the field. There is no excuse for the offensive coordinator to be so unimaginative and dependent on one player that he ceases to do his job when said player has left the field—that's the very definition of incompetence.

As for the defense, it's not nearly as ineffective as it seems, improvements have been made in every phase of the game. The problem isn't Todd Grantham, it's the execution of each play by the players who don't seem altogether familiar with what they should be doing—yet.

If anything, a spotlight is needed on the sudden inability of the running backs, aside from Carlton Thomas, to hang onto the football. It's deplorable to lose points due to lack of fundamentals in ball carrying. Perhaps the duties of the running back coach need to be looked at again because it seems that Bryan McClendon has some questions to answer about what his guys are learning versus what they are doing.

Comment below if you have something insightful to add, but, in the end, the only number a fan will see is 1-4 (Georgia's current record).  Everything else is just chatter.

*All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com.