2013 UGA football - The positives

We all know the negatives, and there are certainly plenty of places to talk about those...

There were some positives as well, and the good deserves to be talked about as well. Like the old western, we
had the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly. Time to at least mention the good.

Aaron Murray - Do any of you doubt AM? Most of us were already impressed with the kid, but what he did this year was at times amazing. He single-handedly put the entire team on his back and led them roaring back against
great odds down on the plains. I'm still a bit upset about this game taking place down there for two years in a row, but that was a performance that I wont forget any time soon. He willed us to what should have been victory.
Then against Kentucky the kid played 19 snaps after tearing his ACL? He had ot be reduced to clawing with his
hands in order to move before he came off the field. I wont ever forget his will to win and what he did for
us. It's a @#&@)@in' shame he doesn't get more credit by the national media.

Hutson Mason - Losing AM was a blow, but let's be honest here and say our season as a whole was lost well
before the Kentucky game. We knew the Hutson Mason era was going to start sometime and while we didn't want to
see AM go down the way he did, it was nice to see HM get some serious PT and handle a game from start to finish.
All may no agree with me, but I think this kid showed he can play. He too led a big comeback, and I think he demonstrated he's no Joe Cox. His arm strength is better than AM, and he was roping some deep outs that saw the
ball get there quick. He made good decisions for the most part, and looked like a kid that had been in a program for a number of years. If he's our starter next year as we assume... I'm not panicking about it. Especially considering....

Todd Gurley - We knew he was good, but he went full on man-beast this season when he was healthy. It's not his fault that he breaks off a 70 yard run on a sweep and we don't call another toss sweep for 3 games. Whatever the calls.. he brough the rock with a force and vengeance not seen here since the early 80's. Against the gnats, I'm pretty sure he told everyone the game was over when we were meeting in the middle to flip that overtime
coin.

JJ Green and Brendan Douglas - These guys were slated to only see time in mop up duty against App, N Texas, and Kentucky but were forced into much bigger roles. For the most part these kids delivered. Even with the disaster we had with losing Marshall and then seeing TG go down, we still did some things with these true kids.
Green showed breakaway speed and surprisingly good vision and strength. Douglas at times looked like a runaway
truck. Facing facts... we are going to have "talent" on the team over the next few years at RB that may keep these guys in a part time role, but a role they do have and they are a pretty nice safety blanket.

Justin Scott-Wesley - Set aside the left handed cig thing. I can't crucify him for something it seems everyone on our team does, and that wouldn't even get you a slap on the wrist at LSU unless you got caught for the 3rd time with a football field size garden full of it and video tape of you selling it to kids under the age of 10.
This kid is nutty good. Hands, speed.... all of it. Kid can flat out ball.

Chris Wilson and our D-line - This is the one area of our D that really showed marked improvement. We saw some young players on the end showing some things, and these guys performed pretty well against the run all
year. If we had to look internally for an option to replace Toddbob Granthampants, we have him ready and able.
Even if we didn't have to look internally, we could do a lot worse.

Carry on and add your own "positives".

For me (other than what you mentioned above), one of the biggest surprises/shocks this season was Marshall Morgan. Geez, last year I held my breath when he tried an extra point, this year he was unbelievably good....nearly automatic from approx 60 yards in.

Also glad to see Rumph get some time in.....believe he's going to be a monster next year.

Good one..

I was thinking that last night when I replayed the Tech game. He was pretty much right down the middle on most of his kicks, and looked like one of the best kickers in the SEC. It definitely got to where you stopped closing your eyes and peeking through your fingers when he kicked.

Another good point on Rumph.

There's more positives out there as well.

Betcha Nick Saban wish he had had Morgan in the Auburn game.
Could have made a difference in the Clemson game.
I'll add Swann to the list.
Just kidding.

Interesting thread Wartdawg. You have me thinking, but for openers I have noticed so far the offensive side of the ball is being mentioned.

Chris Wilson and the defensive line was mentioned, and I agree with that.

The single biggest positive I see coming next year is the talent that will line up on the defensive side of the ball. At this point, guess we lose Garrison Smith, and that will be a loss. There is however strong leadership that will step up in 2014. Will leave it at that.

EDIT: If you have not seen this, has a little something to say about offensive possibilities in 2014.

miamiherald.typepad.com/hssports/2013/12...ward-to-earn-ho.html

Back to Morgan, how can a kid kick the longest field goal ever at Neyland Stadium and not kick into the end zone?
Every thread seems to be circular to me.