>Georgia ranked #1 on the Princeton Review’s list of party schools. What else would you expect from a team that competes in the “World’s Largest Outdoor Coctail Party”? It’s been a long hard journey but we are finally #1!
Georgia was the first SEC team to start up practice as they had their first today. The media was allowed in the practice for quite a while before Mark Richt finally told them to hit the road. AJC writer Mark Bradley has a good short blog up about it here. Love this quote “I’d seen what I’d come to see, which was Aaron Murray throwing the football without his famous glove — threw it pretty well, Murray did — and Todd Grantham’s 3-4 aligning itself. Nobody would dare suggest the first day of any team’s practice is a real measure, but I have to say to the Bulldogs looked pretty sharp.”
AJC UGA blogger Tim Tucker was busy today posting 3 blogs about Georgia. He gives us an update on Logan Gray progress as a WR and also talks about Trinton Sturdivant’s comeback (they are taking it slow with him) and Akeem Dent (projected starting ILB who is out for 4 to 6 weeks but could be ready to go by opening week).
Mark Weiszer listed 3 guys flying “under the radar to watch” as WR Rantavious Wooten, DT Kwame Geathers and QB Hutson Mason. I agree on Woot and Geathers but hopefully Hutson won’t be seeing much playing time. I will add in another WR, Kris Durham, who was hurt last year but has the ability to be a very solid possession receiver and a great target for Murray.
Brandon Boykin was one of the 35 players named to the Thorpe watch list. I think he’s poised for a break-out season on defense this year (he already broke out on special teams last year with 3 kickoff returns for TD).
Burning Questions- So what are the burning questions for Georgia as they open practice?
– Defense, defense, defense. Who will emerge on the defensive line? There is a lot of buzz around DeAngleo Tyson and Kwame Geathers. Will they emerge as guys who can fit the mold in Grantham’s 3-4 at the nose? Will Justin Anderson (converted OL) fit in on the DL. Will freshman Garrison Smith break into the rotation? Justin Houston, Darryl Gamble and Cornelius Washington all seem like great fits at OLB to me and I am really looking forwards to them reeking havoc on opposing quarterbacks. The big question for me at ILB is who will step up. Will it be Marcus Dowtin or Christian Robinson? Will Akeem Dent be back for the opener? How will the incoming freshmen fit in with the LBs? What about Richard Samuel (last years starting RB). The hottest battle this summer should be Vance Cuff/Branden Smith. Todd Grantham has said they will both see extensive playing time but I’m really interested in seeing how the secondary plays this year. Will Jakar Hamilton live up to his nickname of the “Hitman”. How much will Alec Ogletree play this season? Who is going to be returning punts for us (AJ? Branden Smith? Wooten? Samuel? Rambo?)? I think my head my explode before the season starts.
I leave you with this quote from Todd Grantham:
“We want to be aggressive. We want to attack. We want to be relentless in our pursuit to the ball.”
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