UGA Football -- Real Talk

Looking around a bit, came up with the link below that had some interesting back and forth. Touching on what a portion of this thread is about. Also, please take note of the "time lines" as to when the link below started. We (meaning all of us) don't go after other folks work, we do sometimes pass along their work.

Duck, think all of us are in a suspended state at this point. Do know that ogredawg made hay in his last post (#5). The names that he mentions that will step up this year, as they did last season as "Pups" is encouraging. I am looking for Ray Drew to blow many teams doors off. If we come away from Clemson with a win, this group could cause a lot of teams problems.

I do not kid myself about the talent we are going to face. That plays both ways, they have to face us. Who on this board would like to game plan against our offense? Might ask that same question as the defense settles in. Duck, comes down to as you know, team play. Did not happen with the entire group from 2012 when we reflect back on the season. Still came away with a great win/loss record. There has never been a shortage of talented players in Athens, my opinion, the shortage of talent was within the coaching ranks. That has proven itself more than once. Mark Richt finally got pissed and changed his way of approaching certain coaches. Garner and Willie had to go.

The defensive line will be looked at closely this season. Losing many players and the defensive line coach moving on, Chris Wilson will have many eyes on him and his "group". My hope is this . . . . we get the same return from Chris Wilson that we are getting from Will Friend. I pulled the following paragraph from CW's bio. I had mentioned earlier that keeping opponents below 20 points has meaning. Particularly liked these facts.

Wilson joined the Mississippi State staff as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2010 before being named defensive coordinator in 2011. Under Wilson's leadership, Mississippi State improved in seven major statistical categories in 2011, while ranking 16th nationally in scoring defense (19.7 points per game).

blutarsky.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/garner-makes-bank/

www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/...s_wilson_833958.html

Buc, nothing wrong with speaking the truth. Quite frankly, I deserved to be called to the carpet. I love this board, and I read most of the threads. I have many thoughts about this year's football team. Have drafted many post only to sit on them. I like the offense that we have coming back. Should be a fun group to watch, however I do have my concerns looking at the WR position. Talent? Plenty of it. Staying healthy for a season?? Scares me a bit. MM missed time to hamstrings last 2 years, MB- ACL's are commonplace in today's game, but still a little scare their, and Woot. Conley is going to have to step up. No reason that kid doesn't shine. Has all the tools needed. TK was a security blanket last year, and we have always had a senior step up and perform at a high level like Durham did, and what Marlon was doing last year. Who is going to be that guy this year? I believe it will be Conley. Also, Rumph kid reminds me of AJ.

Defense, lot of concerns, but safety is my biggest fear. Plenty of talent their. I really look for TM to start from the get go. He looks the part, and believe he is smart enough. Believe Harvey-Clemmons will be a stud this year. These 2 have to step up in a big time way IMO.

Last thought, find a punt returner. Fair catches are fine, but saw it way to many times last year. Nothing can change a game like taking a punt to the house.

Buc, some times we need to be called out. Nothing wrong with it. I was one that needed it.

GO DAWGS

Friend of mine who is probably closer to the Georgia Football Team than most would imagine. Also a member of this board, gave me a heads up on Ryne Rankin. Everyone was alerted as soon as RR hit campus and put on the pads, young man is a head hunter. Has zero fear. Another good get by our coaching staff from the Central Florida area. Orlando to be exact. Hot bed for football talent.

Lots of people around the country and world think of Disney and other resorts when Central Florida is mentioned. Once you get outside the City of Orlando, there is a lot of country and . . . . country boys. RR is a hog hunter, and yes there are lots of hogs, turkey and deer in this area. RR sometimes hunts the pigs with his hands, not guns. I know of others that do the same in Central Florida.

Ryne Rankin was coached by his Dad in high school. Understands the game, and plays with a passion. Trying hard to tie this in to what has been mentioned in this thread. Talented and RR will push for playing time. He will more than likely play on Special Teams, loves the contact. He does not see size, means nothing to him. RR is all out for the football, and he does not play tag when he arrives at the pigskin. Mark my words, there will be highlight film on RR laying folks out this season. Like the game of ice hockey, better keep your head on a swivel, or . . . . Ryne will be standing over you when you wake up. Yes, he is bad to the bone.

Talent on campus, I think (know) so. This defense will have the rest of Spring practices and the fall to get ready for Clemson and the South Carolina bunch. I have no doubts this defense will be playing together at that point.

ogredawg mentioned another linebacker a while back, believe it was Johnny O'Neal. Another talented player that will also see the field in 2013. No lack of talent folks. Olivadotti has a serious group of talented players to prepare for SEC football. I have faith in the linebackers and their coach.

What I noticed with Wilson's MSU D was how good they were up front against the run and how physical they played for 60 minutes.......great hire and believe we will be tougher this year against the run.

The offense has such a ridiculous amount of talent that imo, each game "is their's to lose". If they play to their capabilty, or even close, nobody on their schedule will contain them......not even Bama/LSU D's.

Looking forward to the Spring game but to be honest, other than a few players that might stand out, it's hard to get a real good "feel" about what we have......mainly because the 1's, 2's and 3's etc are mixed and mingled to form the two teams.

Still fun to watch for "surprises" that may emerge.

Agree Wlayton, Wilson was a good get. MSU played extremely physical. Never hurts hiring a position coach with coordinator experience. More thoughts to kick around in the meeting room. I was happy Garner decided to leave. I thought his unit last year was the biggest let down by far.

Rankin will be a player before he leaves UGA no doubt. Have liked the kid from the first time I saw his highlight film. He has a nastiness about him that you can't coach. Need that from a MLB. Rankin and Carter both seem to be ready to contribute. Only real concern I keep getting back to is the secondary. Swann is a gamer. It is time for the rest of that group to step up. Moore, Bowman, Dawson, H-C, answer the bell. I believe Mathews and Wilkerson will be in the mix too. I will say for CSL, there will be no shortage of talent when the falls rolls around.

This spring is probably the most important under CMR. The ball is rolling in the right direction, but the schedule next year is not for the weak hearted. No time for the slow start.

Going to throw out one more name that I haven't heard a lot, Leonard Floyd. Have a feeling he is goign to make an impact before his time is over

GO DAWGS

If ya'll haven't seen this article yet, I found it an interesting:


Inside "The Dashboard"....odds and ends from spring practice

________________________________________
Couple of notes to pass along as I'm cleaning out my notebook from the first three days of spring practice.
There's been a bit of conversation - and rightfully so - wondering if the Bulldogs can keep their collective noses clean while they're out and about for spring break.
Last Thursday, head coach Mark Richt asked former Bulldog offensive lineman Steve Herndon to speak to the team, and although we haven't heard exactly what was said, the gist of it was about not doing anything stupid or anything that's going to bring shame to themselves or the university.
Herndon wasn't the only one.
Quarterback Aaron Murray and tight end Arthur Lynch had plenty to say on the subject during a team meeting before the Bulldogs broke for their respective destinations. If that wasn't enough, Georgia's assistant coaches spoke to their players, and finally Richt.
The message has been sent loud and clear - don't screw up. Hopefully, the message was heeded.
Some some other odds and ends:
* Wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley is back down to 205 pounds, the weight he says he was at when he set the state record in the 100 meter dash while a junior at Mitchell County High.
* Although Coach Richt has wondered on a couple of occasions now how Georgia's revamped defensive line will fair against "smash-mouth" teams, quietly, coaches are confident that won't be a problem. During the NFL Combine, nose John Jenkins conceded he played the SEC Championship at 370 pounds, and the guess here is that Geathers was not far behind.
Currently, Chris Mayes, John Atkins and John Taylor are each in the 325-330 pound range, and along with Mike Thornton and Toby Johnson (whenever he's cleared from his ACL injury), the Dawgs will eventually five guys all capable of playing the spot. If so it will enable new defensive line coach Chris Wilson to rotate his goal of eight players in and out of Georgia's three-man defensive front, which also features starting ends Garrison Smith and Ray Drew, and incoming freshman De'Andre Johnson.

* Coaches are already convinced that early enrollee Reggie Wilkerson will contribute at cornerback this fall.
* The Bulldogs currently have 10 offensive linemen - they feel are ready and capable to be SEC contributors - John Theus, Kenarious Gates, David Andrews, Dallas Lee, Chris Burnette, Mark Beard, Austin Long, Watts Dantzler, Hunter Long and Xzavier Ward.

Position coach Will Friend still wants to see some improvement from Zack DeBell before he can join the group. Of the freshmen, Brandon Kublanow is probably the most ready to contribute, but thanks to the depth, the Bulldogs are in position to redshirt him if they see fit. Barring any injuries, the guess here is they will.
* Freshman Tramel Terry is WAY ahead of schedule in his recovery from his torn ACL. However, coaches are going to remain EXTREMELY careful with the Goose Creek, S.C. native.
* Coaches can't wait to see freshman J.J. Green put on the full pads once the players return from spring break. The former Camden County star has dazzled in the three spring practices to date while practicing with the rest of the running backs and could play a significant role this fall.
*In case you missed it, Jordan Jenkins has set a goal for 10 sacks this fall.
* The starting Sam linebacker spot is expected to come from the trio of James DeLoach, Josh Dawson and Chase Vasser. All three, however, will get significant reps.
* Wide receiver Jonathon Rumph still hasn't quite gotten the Bulldogs' offense down and needs to refine his route-running skills, but there's no doubting his ability to make an impact nor his ability to be a key red zone target.