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Game Previews Brought to you by Army Jacket
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2000 Georgia Bulldogs - 8-4/5-3 SEC (defeated Virginia 37-14 in Oahu Bowl) Head Coach - Mark Richt (1st season at Georgia and overall) Thank God for Alabama. That’s what most Georgia fans should’ve been saying as the 2000 season finished up with George Godsey flashing the “3,IAR” on the Sanford Stadium scoreboard. Otherwise, they might have held the title for “most disappointing team” in the nation last year. There were a host of reasons why Georgia was a popular pick to knock off the UF/UT tandem in the SEC East...most of them started with a “Q.” However, the season took an abrupt turn downhill in just the second week of the season. South Carolina threw a multitude of defensive schemes at the junior QB, forcing him into 5 interceptions (only one less than his 1999 total) and shocking the heavily favored ‘Dawgs. Although Georgia staged something of a comeback by beating Tennessee, things unraveled completely with losses to Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech in the last 4 weeks of the season. With all the negativity in the air, not even the Music City Bowl wanted Georgia. Donn_n was given his walking papers even though he had compiled a 39-19 record and taken UGa to 4 straight bowls. The ‘Dawgs turned to the most successful program in the nation to find a replacement. Mark Richt left the relative comfort of running the most talented team this side of the NFL to try his hand at head coaching. On the one hand, Georgia has all the right ingredients to be successful - a beautiful stadium, a nice campus, a multitude of supporters, tradition, and the reputation of the SEC. On the other hand, DawgNation is not a patient group and he must reverse the trend of losing to UGa’s rivals while dealing with an administration that seems intent on raising the standards of student-athletes the university is recruiting. This could get interesting. Rush Off. - 132 ypg/72nd.....Pass Off. - 215 ypg/55th.....Total Off. - 347 ypg/75th Returning Starters OFFENSE - OC Neil Callaway (1st season @ Georgia) Quarterbacks Eight months after Quincy Carter announced he would not be hanging around Athens to enjoy the start of the Mark Richt era, the ‘Dawgs don’t appear to be any closer to settling on a replacement. Neither Phillips or Green has distinguished himself in a way that would help the coaches make a decision. Phillips at least has the game experience. He filled in admirably last season while Quincy nursed a bruised ego....err, I mean a hurt thumb. He saved the Bulldogs in an otherwise uninspired performance against Kentucky by completing 20 of 38 passes for 400 yards and 4 TD’s. He was also one of the few bright spots (along with Randy McMichael) in the season finale against Georgia Tech. He completed 36 of 62 attempts for 413 yards against the Jackets. Ofcourse, those performances also help illustrate why Phillips is not a lock to keep the starting job. Those two games account for 63% of his pass completions (56 of 89) and 74% of his passing yards. (813 of 1093) Keep in mind that Georgia Tech’s pass defense in 2000 was nothing to brag about (86th in pass efficiency D)....and the Wildcats were even worse. (112th in the nation) Phillips still has to prove he can be an SEC caliber QB against ALL competition. David Green was Phillips chief competition in spring practice and appears to be the most likely of 3 rookies who could grab the #1 spot. Matt Redding (6-2, 223 lb. R-Fr.) and 2001 signee DJ Shockley (6-1, 175 lb. Fr.) will also get a chance to break into the rotation. Richt will probably announce a starter about 5 minutes after I post this. That's been my luck the last few weeks. FWIW, I'm going to say Green gets the start against Arkansas State. All 3 QB's get significant playing time. Then the staff will re-evaluate the situation before South Carolina. Runningbacks The question marks in the offensive backfield continue at both RB spots. Jasper Sanks gets one more spin of the wheel to live up to his reported potential. It looked as if he was poised for great things in 2000 after posting 896 yards rushing in 1999. He was a big reason many prognosticators were so high on the ‘Dawgs. Instead he regressed in a big way, totaling only 352 yards on 92 carries. His longest run from scrimmage was just 16 yards. (against USC) A brief move to fullback was ended when R-Fr. Albert Hollis (5-11, 195 lb.) was lost for the year with an injury in spring practice. For now, he’ll back up Musa Smith who eventually emerged as the primary TB with 330 yards on 75 attempts. However, like Phillips at QB, Smith built those numbers on one really big game - 21 carries for 144 yards and a TD against Mississippi. He must also show that he can go through the SEC wars as the featured back. If Kenny Bailey (5-11, 190 lb. R-So.) can continue the improvement he showed in spring, the staff might be able to move Sanks back to FB full time. With Sanks back at TB for the time being, Verron Haynes steps into the starting spot at FB. Haynes has played frequently on special teams the last two seasons, and also got two starts under his belt in 2000. At RB, he has 10 carries for 46 yards - all last season. I suspect that you will see Haynes used primarily as a blocker for the TB’s and not much as an offensive weapon. Former walk-on J.T. Wall has earned his scholarship and will see his first collegiate action against Arkansas State while Haynes serves a one game suspension. Wide Receivers Where would the ‘Dawgs be without Terrence Edwards? Just to show that the football gods have a strange sense of humor, consider that Edwards was little more than window dressing for the ‘Dawgs in 1999. Afterall, they had just signed two of the 5 best receivers in the nation. But after both Durrell Robinson and Reggie Brown failed to qualify, Edwards emerged as a very important player. He responded with 53 receptions for 772 yards and 9 TD’s in his freshman season, and then nearly repeated that in 2000 with 53 receptions for 704 yards and 4 TD’s. Entering his third season in Athens, he is unquestionably the leader of the WR corps. Damien Gary is another ‘99 signee who’s exceeded expectations. After redshirting his first year, Gary came on last season as a strong compliment to Edwards, catching 36 passes for 552 yards and 5 TD’s. If Reggie Brown lives up to his hype in his sophomore season, the Bulldogs would boast one of the strongest groups of receivers in the country. Brown caught 13 passes for 143 yards and one score in his rookie season. Mitchell completes the two-deep. Although he started 10 games in 2000, he figures to come off the bench this season. He contributed with 11 receptions for 116 yards. Tavarus Morgan (5-10, 190 lb. R-Fr.), Corrie Collier (6-1, 193 lb. R-Sr.), and Michael Johnson (6-3, 215 lb. R-So.) will provide additional depth. Tight Ends The tight end was never featured that much in the Florida State offense under Mark Richt, but the Bulldogs are so stacked at this position he’d be wise to rethink that. It starts with McMichael who’ll be the primary TE now that Jervaris Johnson has moved on. No Tech fan needs reminding of what McMichael did to us in the last game. After catching 20 passes for 301 yards in the first 10 games, McMichael lit up the Jacket defense for 12 receptions and 156 yards. That performance helped him rank third on the team in pass receptions last year. The starting position is not being handed over to McMichael however. Ben Watson can finally get back on the playing field after sitting out his mandatory year for transferring. In 1999, Watson played at Duke and caught 8 passes for 93 yards that season. Not only will he push for playing time, he gives Georgia a serious offensive threat when they go to two tight end sets. Jason Rader (6-4, 262 lb. So.) will help in relief of McMichael and Watson. He played on special teams and caught 2 passes at the TE position in 2000. Offensive Line The trio of Stinchcomb, Breedlove and McGill started all 11 games in 2000 and will be counted on to anchor a thin OL that’s working with it’s 4th position coach in 5 seasons. McGill was a star in Georgia’s bowl win over Virginia, earning accolades from Sports Illustrated. Stinchcomb and Breedlove were both freshman All-America’s in 1999 and have already received preseason honors from several magazines. Foster and Jackson step into starting positions after getting significant playing time off the bench the last two seasons. Foster was hampered by injuries in the spring and has already missed time in the summer as well. That’s not a good sign for a first year starter. While the starting 5 appears set, the staff is still working on some major shuffling to set the two-deep roster. Some 2001 signees will be counted on to help out. Kareem Marshall (6-6, 350 lb. Jr.) transferred in from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is slotted to back up Stinchcomb. Chris Hewitt (6-5, 264 lb. R-So.) is listed as the #2 OG behind Breedlove. True freshman Russ Tanner (6-4, 260 lb.) has made an immediate impact in summer drills and should end up as the backup center. That would allow Ian Knight (6-3, 290 lb. R-Jr.) to help out at LG instead of Randall Kendrick (6-4, 285 lb. R-Jr.) The staff thinks Knight could eventually challenge Jackson for the starting OG spot. Clint Larkin (6-4, 309 lb. R-Sr.) will spell Foster at LT. There’s no doubt the right side of this unit is very strong. There’s also cause for great concern on the left side, as well as the significant drop off in talent from the 1st unit to the 2nd unit. However, the ”potential” (there’s that dreaded word again) is there for this unit to develop into a plus for Mark Richt and Neil Callaway. DEFENSE - DC Brian VanGorder (1st season @ Georgia) Defensive Line Like their counterparts on the offense, the DL must address the loss of two star performers. Marcus Stroud and Richard Seymour take their talents to the NFL, leaving Sullivan and Jacobs (and not many more) to fill their rather large shoes. Sullivan played in 10 games as a true freshman and registered 34 tackles. Jacobs has played in every game the last two seasons and has 46 tackles over that time (21 in ‘99, 25 in ‘00). The big problem facing the coaches is finding somebody to play behind these guys. Shedrick Wynn (6-3, 267 lb. R-So.) played in 4 games last fall and recorded 2 tackles. He’s pencilled in behind Sullivan. Former OL Ben Lowe (6-4, 280 lb. R-Jr.) and Ken Veal (6-2, 297 lb. R-So.) are battling it out for the #2 spot behind Jacobs. Veal also played in 4 contest last year, making 1 tackle. Freshman Gerald Anderson (6-3, 280 lb.) will get a serious shot at some playing time in 2001. The depth was dealt a further blow last week in freshman Reggie Weeks (6-4, 280 lb.) was lost for the season with a knee injury. Before that, highly regarded recruit Darrius Swain (6-4, 295 lb.) failed to qualify.
Linebackers Behind the defensive line, Georgia should have a pretty solid defensive unit, starting with the linebackers. That group of players will be bolstered by the return of Boss Bailey from a knee injury suffered on the opening kickoff of the 2000 season. (That should’ve been hint to ‘DawgNation things weren’t going to go well.) He had not missed a game in his Georgia career up to that point, playing in all 11 as a true freshman in 1998, and starting every game in 1999. That season he finished with 66 tackles. With Bailey out, Tony Gilbert took his opportunity to start and ran with it. Despite starting the season as a backup, Gilbert ended up leading the team in tackles with 96. He moves over to middle linebacker for the 2001 season in front of Adrian Hollingshed. (6-2, 232 lb. Sr.) Hollingshed was actually a starter way back in 1998. However, injuries in 1999 allowed Kendrall Bell to move ahead of him and that’s where he stayed. Still, he played in 9 games last season, recording 31 tackles. He gives Georgia some excellent depth in the middle. Will Witherspoon is the starter at the weak-side linebacker position. His performance in 2000 was a bit surprising. After playing in only 8 games and making 33 tackles in 1999, Witherspoon almost doubled his production with 85 tackles in 11 games last fall. He also recorded 2 sacks, recovered a fumble and broke up 4 passes. Witherspoon will be backed up by Ryan Fleming (6-2, 222 lb. R-Sr.) for the 2nd year in a row. Fleming played in 10 contest making 27 tackles last season. Chris Clemons (6-3, 208 lb. So.) and Rod Davis (6-4, 200 lb. R-Fr.) will battle for playing time behind Bailey. Clemons officially took the start against Ga.Southern when Bailey went down, and played in 5 more games before his own shoulder injury limited his playing time. Defensive Backs The good news on the defensive side of the ball continues in the Georgia secondary. Bruce Thornton moves over from the offense (230 yards on 47 rush attempts in 2000) to cornerback. That’s the only position that there is even the slightest quesiton about. So far, Thornton appears to be easing into his new position rather well. That should put his coaches a little more at ease. Other than that the defensive backs are all experienced and proven. Wansley has emerged as an All-American candidate after leading the conference with 6 interceptions and also breaking up 12 passes. He added 71 tackles on top of that. He took two of his interceptions back for scores. Tim Bierria started all 11 games at FS in 2000 and finished 5th on the team with 83 tackles. He added 3 interceptions of his own. Phillips is another offensive convert (played SE until last season) who’s done well in on this side of the ball. In his first season at safety, Phillips played in all 11 games (8 starts) and finished with 85 tackles. While the starting unit might be the strongest on the defense, the depth here is not quite as good as the LB corps. Brandon Williams (5-10, 180 lb. Jr.) is backing up Thornton after transferring in from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Cap Burnett (6-2, 223 lb. R-Jr.) moves from FS to SS and will relieve Phillips this season. He made 32 tackles while seeing action in all 11 games in 2000. Sean Jones (6-1, 195 lb. R-Fr.) will get his first playing time as a Bulldog behind Bierria. Dantra Clements (5-10, 188 lb. R-So.) rounds out the two deep behind Wansley. He played in every game last year, making 7 tackles. Special Teams The Georgia kicking game is also in good shape. Everyone knew Kilgo would be good when he signed with the ‘Dawgs. Former punter Wynn Kopp saw the writing on the wall and transferred to Clemson. He hasn’t disappointed either. Last season he booted 58 kicks for a hefty 42.2 yard average. On the other hand, Bennett was one of those complete surprise you like hearing about...even if it is UGa. He came to Georgia as a walk-on, but earned the starting job by the 3rd game. On the season, he completed 24 of 26 PAT’s and 13 of 14 FG’s with a long of 49 yards against Mississippi. For his accomplishments, he earned All-American Freshman honors from The Sporting News and All-Conference (Freshman) honors from the SEC. Despite Bennett’s apparent range, Georgia still employs Brett Kirouac (6-2, 195 lb. Jr.) as the kickoff specialist. WR Damien Gary should once again handle the majority of punt returns. He returned 27 kicks last season for a 8.4 average. CB Bruce Thornton and WR Reggie Brown were the principal kickoff return specialist, averaging 18.4 yards and 16.5 yards per return, respectively. Coaching It will also be interesting to see how much control OC/OL coach Neil Callaway gets in running the offense. He’s well schooled in SEC football, having played and coached at Alabama, as well as spending 11 seasons at Auburn. IMO, Richt would do well to let Callaway run the show for two reasons. One, he’s much more familiar with the tendencies of SEC defenses having seen them up close and personal for so many years. Two, Richt’s tendency to pass, and pass some more at FSU won’t work here. Georgia’s offense will find it rough going if they can’t establish a running game. DC Brian VanGorder is a man on the move. Since 1992, he’s coached at Wayne State, Central Florida, Central Michigan, and Western Illinois. In all honesty, I’m not all that impressed with his credentials. His bio boast how his 1998 CMU defense improved from 108th (476 ypg) to 50th (354 ypg). What it doesn’t mention is that the 1999 CMU defense fell to 79th. (386 ypg) Western Illinois ranked a very respectable 12th in I-AA last season, but this ain’t the Southern Conference we’re talking about. VanGorder has been given the keys to a very good defense. The way they treat coaches in Athens - he better be up for the job. Schedule What this all means for us.... Defensively, follow the same blueprint as last season. Stuff the rushing game. Yes, Edwards and Gary are capable of burning a team at any time, but that’s an acceptable risk. Take Musa and Jasper and whoever else out of the game and let Rogers and Gathers (and Cory Collins ;-) ) wreak their havoc in the backfield. It might not show up all that pretty in the stat column Sunday morning. Then again, who really cares. Look how many catches Randy McMichael had last season and in the end it didn't mean a thing. Georgia is not going to beat anybody this season relying strictly on big plays. I know many people think 4,IAR,B is a foregone conclusion. It isn’t. That's not to say I think Georgia will win (I don't) but that they can win if Tech is even slightly off it's game. Donn_n left some talent over in Athens (and take a look at who they have coming back for 2002 - you people who want a Top 10 showdown b/t GT and UGa might get it.) The big question mark surrounding this squad is whether or not Richt can do a better job of getting them to play together, instead of 22 guys all dressed in red doing their own thing on the field. If not, things could be very bad in his first season. If yes, and I think it’s more likely he will, then the ‘Dawgs are going to be a dangerous team playing without the burden of expectations. That’s it! I’m done for awhile. I’m going to try and go back each week and post a little update on the previews. I hope they’ve been of some help during the offseason. Thanks for all the positive comments (both on the board and via e-mail.) Even though it is time consuming, I enjoy doing this and your feedback is encouraging.
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