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Thursday, March 6, 2008
Spring Ball: Breaking down the SEC East
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s break down the SEC East as Spring ball gets into full swing.
FLORIDA
Last season: 9-4; lost to Michigan (41-35) in Capital One Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 9.
Top story lines: Dan Carney takes over as co-defensive coordinator (along with Charlie Strong). The secondary has to get better this spring. They have some building blocks in sophomores Major Wright at safety and Joe Haden at corner; this spring will be spent finding a running option other than QB Tim Tebow. Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody has the ability to be an SEC-caliber back as does Mon Williams, who missed the entire 2007 season after a knee injury suffered in spring practice last year.
GEORGIA
Last season: 11-2; beat Hawaii 41-10 in Sugar Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 9.
Top story lines: Georgia has to find a big-play defensive end to replace Marcus Howard but there is a lot of talent in the Bulldog camp; somebody has to emerge as the No. 2 tailback behind Knowshon Moreno. Redshirt freshman Caleb King has the reputation, now he has to prove he has the ability; the young offensive line made great strides last season under coach Stacy Searels. This spring they need to improve even more; Matthew Stafford has as much talent as any quarterback in the country. Now he has to listen to OC Mike Bobo and learn how to play the position at the highest level.
KENTUCKY
Last season: 8-5; beat Florida State (35-28) in Music City Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 5, defense 8.
Top story lines: Some of the best skill players in school history are gone including QB Andre Woodson, RB Rafael Little, TE Jacob Tamme, and WR Keenan Burton. The quarterback race will be between Curtis Pulley and Mike Hartline; it looks like this team will be built around a pretty good defense that features CB Trevard Lindley of Hiram, who is the most underrated defensive back in the SEC. Kentucky is a team that enters spring practice with a lot more confidence.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Last season: 6-6.
Starters returning: Offense 6, defense 10.
Top story lines: Steve Spurrier needs to do a couple of things this spring. 1) Find a quarterback; 2) find more ways to get the ball into the hands of WR Kenny McKinley (of Mableton). Look for South Carolina’s quarterback to run a little more this season. That gives an edge to redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia; new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson welcomes 10 returning starters including LB Jasper Brinkley of Thomasville, who was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury on Sept. 22 against LSU. South Carolina’s run defense was never the same after Brinkley’s injury. Don’t expect Brinkley to do too much during the spring; Spurrier has suspended CB Carlos Thomas (from College Park) indefinitely for violating team rules. His status for the fall is uncertain.
TENNESSEE
Last season: 10-4; lost to LSU (21-14) in SEC championship game; beat Wisconsin (21-17) in Outback Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 6.
Top story lines: Dave Clawson takes over for David Cutcliffe as offensive coordinator. Clawson must find a quarterback and it appears that junior Jonathon Crompton will be the guy. Crompton has plenty of talent around him including four starters on the offensive line, RB Arian Foster, and a very good group of wide receivers; But the problem that must be addressed in the spring is a Tennessee defense that finished 11th in the SEC in total defense (403.3 ypg) last season. That unit needs to improve if the Volunteers hope to keep pace with Georgia and Florida in the SEC East come fall. A big-time linebacker has to step up to take the place of Jarod Mayo.
VANDERBILT
Last season: 5-7.
Starters returning: Offense 3, defense 6.
Top story lines: The Commodores lost three SEC games to Georgia (20-17), Kentucky (27-20), and Tennessee (25-24) by a total of 11 points last season. A lot of the talent that made up that very competitive team is gone. The entire offensive line has to be replaced. So does Earl Bennett, the career receptions leader in SEC history; Mackenzi Adams took over at quarterback last season and must use this spring to become more consistent.
Friday: The SEC West.
