FOOTBALL IS OVER . . . .

Nope TG couldn't read a map let alone understand a cover 2

Want to or not getting a bit into whats happening on the D side of he ball

Seems to have been sleepwalking the past 4 years Go Dawgs

This is a good problem to have:

Reported from BR


Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, two of the nation's five best running back prospects, according to the 247Sports Composite, are both committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. Generally, when two such talented players at the same position agree to play for the same school, questions abound.

Who will win the starting position? Will both players share the spotlight? Will one of the athletes redshirt?

For Georgia, however, one question emerges as the most pressing: Will the Dawgs backfield be too crowded in 2014?

With a plethora of talent returning and two new stars arriving in Athens that quandary is well merited, but in the Southeastern Conference there's no such thing as too much depth at the running back position.



The Nation's Most Talented Backfield

Obviously, the most notable name in Georgia's backfield is rising junior Todd Gurley. If healthy, Gurley is expected to contend for a Heisman Trophy in 2014, and his first two years in Athens were as chock full of production as they were highlights.


Combine Gurley's prowess with the highly anticipated return of junior Keith Marshall, whose 2013 campaign was cut short by a knee injury, and the Dawgs could have one of the nation's most dynamic running back duos.

Limiting the unit to that twosome is shortsighted, though. J.J. Green started two games as a freshman in 2013. With Gurley out, Green ran for 129 yards against Tennessee following Marshall's first-quarter knee injury. Brendan Douglas, also a freshman last season, accounted for over 100 yards of offense the following week against Missouri.

Returning Georgia Running Backs Career Stats
Player Career Games Rushing Yards Receiving Yards Total Touchdowns
Todd Gurley 24 2,374 558 34
Keith Marshall 19 1,005 202 11
J.J. Green 12 384 104 3
Brendan Douglas 12 345 172 4
Sports-Reference.com

If three's company and four is a crowd, what does one call Georgia's backfield? After all, assuming incoming freshmen Sony Michel and Nick Chubb live up to expectations, Georgia could have six players capable of starting at running back in the nation's best conference.



Is There a Need for the New Guys?

After an injury-riddled 2013 season, depth remains a concern for the Georgia Bulldogs. Although the Dawgs managed to run for over 2,200 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns last year, they did so with their two best backs (Gurley and Marshall) missing a combined 11 games.

Injuries are bound to occur, and while the time missed by Gurley and Marshall may have frustrated fans in 2013, it was not out of the ordinary.

Combined Games Missed by Georgia's Two Leading Rushers
Year Combined Games Missed
2013 11
2012 0
2011 6
2010 6
2009 7
Sports-Reference.com

Furthermore, with Marshall's return date still in question there could be additional playing time available early in the year.

Admittedly, Chubb and Michel will be behind the curve in playbook and schematic knowledge. They'll need to learn to pass block at the collegiate level before they garner significant playing time. But if recruiting rankings can be trusted, the freshmen have the potential to compete with—or even pass—Douglas and Green on the depth chart.

Georgia's Running Backs as Recruits
Player Class Stars Position Rank Overall National Rank
Keith Marshall 2012 5 1 12
Todd Gurley 2012 4 7 74
J.J. Green 2013 3 44 (Cornerback) 587
Brendan Douglas 2013 3 5 (Fullback) NA
Sony Michel 2014 5 3 19
Nick Chubb 2014 5 5 33
247Sports.com



The Value Added by Michel and Chubb

Earlier in January, JC Shurburtt of 247Sports spoke favorably about the tandem of Georgia running back commits, saying:

If Chubb is the next Todd Gurley at UGA, then the 5-foot-11, 207 pound Michel is the next Keith Marshall as the Dawgs figure to continue a "thunder and lightning" combination in the offensive backfield for many seasons to come.

Such praise is lofty and arguably premature, but at the very least there is truth to Shurburtt's assessment of the playing style of Chubb and Michel.

Mike Bobo, Georgia's offensive coordinator, likes to balance out his offense. Typically, that balance is presented as a mix of runs and passes, but he also likes to vary the style of runs utilized in play-calling based on available personnel.

Photo via 247Sports.
Running back Nick Chubb
Last year, Brendan Douglas was counted on for grueling, hard-nosed yardage when Todd Gurley was out of the game. In 2014, the onus of such situations will start to fall on Nick Chubb, who possesses more breakaway speed than Douglas. The result should be a smaller gap between Gurley and his replacement.

Similarly, Michel will soon be leaned on to imitate Keith Marshall. While J.J. Green performed adequately in such spots last year, Michel's upside is much higher thanks in no small part to his size and strength advantage.

Georgia does have a problem in its backfield, but it's a very fortunate problem to have.

Solving that problem could take the Bulldogs back to the SEC Championship Game.

I think JJ Green might be moved back to defense.

If only we could get the OL to the same level of talent and depth as the running situation

Still find it rather interesting that there is so much "media" out there on certain backs.

Anyone that thinks that A.J. Turman from Orlando is anything but a serious running back is missing the boat. You like the attitude of Douglas, AJ has the same "attitude", speaking frankly, with more speed.

There is no doubt that the current offensive side of the ball has been "over signing" athletes since mark richt took over. He does not understand team balance, gets caught up in the "media hype".

At this point not sure what is going on with Coach Will Friend. Personally, think he has been bridled by richt. Folks calling for Friend to be jettisoned, not surprising, most of them eat the media hype up just like their head coach does.

We have a list of offensive linemen, many who have been on campus for a while. Seems many of them never or rarely get serious playing time. If the head coach cannot come to grips with the fact that an offensive line is a must this day and time, proves a point that many of us have preached for far too long. He is not a man with foresight. mark richt is basically a offensive coordinator . . . . from the past I must mention. Much of what we see going on offensively is Mike Bobo calling the plays. Know that to be a fact.

Anyway, thought I would mention AJ Turman primarily when I started this post. If he were to transfer to Auburn, play in the Malzahn system, perish the thought.

We do have a quarterback Faton Bauta, and the horde of running backs that could run the same type offense that Malzahn runs. All one has to do is . . . . check the name on the jersey of the Auburn quarterback. In Athens, he is a cornerback.

Malzahn knows the offensive line is a priority, Saban, them same. richt, lost.

After looking around came up with the link below. Probably some have read link.

Again, media is shoving Faton Bauta to the side. Playing up what we know to be true, we still run the same offense at UGA that we have ran since richt arrived. Some variations, not many.

Faton Bauta, AJ Turman, release them to Auburn, then play against them for the next 3 or so years.

Have this to say. Just how many National Championships do we have running the same offense since richt arrived? What will change in 2014? Not saying dump everything we have been doing, but you can bet the farm on this . . . . AM ain't here, this might hurt some feelings, Hutson Mason ain't no AM. Facts are simply facts.

Get tired of the same replay every year, whether it is the media or the releases coming from Athens. Can already detect some shift in movement from fans being the same in 2014 also. One little piece of good news, ready for the Crystal.

Buc... I said it before and we both know it's true.

This staff is not capable of using FB to his full potential. Even if they made him the starter, they wouldn't have an offense that would fully utilize what he can do.