AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIn Dogs’ backfield, two can play this game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — Just thinking, while sitting here on Saturday at Sanford Stadium and watching the rising Knowshon Moreno shred the Ole Miss defense with his gifted legs when the already established Thomas Brown wasn’t doing the same.
Can’t we all just get along?
This doesn’t apply to the two Georgia running backs. They co-exist famously.
Once, along the way to Georgia’s slow-developing rout of 45-17, there was a timeout that featured an impromptu hip-hop act. The stadium’s big screen showed Moreno and Brown gyrating and smiling next to each other on the sidelines to “Crank That” by Soulja Boy. Later, when Moreno complemented Brown’s third rushing touchdown with a sprint to the end zone of his own, the two continued their tradition of leaping in the air and bumping body parts on the way down.
The problem involves nearly everybody else in the Bulldog Nation when it comes to Brown, Georgia’s starter at tailback as an accomplished senior, and the other guy who is the people’s choice as a redshirt freshman displaying more than a little razzle to go with his dazzle.
Which begs another question: Why not both? Few around Death Valley whine about Clemson’s splendid backfield of James Davis and C.J. Spiller. You may recall that Auburn had success with Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. Georgia Tech has the duo of Tashard Choice and Jonathan Dwyer, and Arkansas uses Darren McFadden along with Felix Jones. Then you have USC’s brilliant runner for the moment.
Thomas Brown shrugged, while seeking to place the illogical into perspective after his game for the ages (11.2 yards per carry for 180 yards overall and those three touchdowns). “Maybe fans are reacting historically, because we’ve always had a lot of guys who have come through here and have kind of dominated by themselves,” said Brown, mentioning the usual suspects, ranging from Herschel Walker, Lars Tate and Tim Worley to Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst and Robert Edwards.
Added Brown, “People overlook the fact that we have so many talented guys in our program right now that you just can’t have one guy out there on the field. Guys are competitive, and we’re all fighting for time, and we all can be productive.”
Yes, they can, with Brown and Moreno at the forefront.
While Brown leads the Bulldogs in all-purpose yards and is their everyman as a kick returner and a member of their punt return and kickoff teams, Moreno is Georgia’s leading rusher and is second in receiving yards.
“I learn from [Brown], and what I learn is how to carry yourself, because he’s a good person on and off the field. So is Lumpkin,” said Moreno, referring to Kregg Lumpkin, another runner of note, who will make things even cozier in Georgia’s backfield when he returns next week from a hand injury. “I just look up to those guys. It’s an honor to have them on the team, and we’re just all out there having fun.”
In other words, they cover their ears to drawn out the needless controversy around them. Despite Brown’s brilliance, for instance, the other guy got the tightest hug from most of the 92,746. It wasn’t because of his spin move in the backfield in the first quarter that left defenders flat-footed while he raced for 25 yards. It wasn’t because he almost was tackled in the backfield on a play, kept his balance and gained 24 yards. It wasn’t even because he added three catches worth 28 yards to his rushing total of 90 overall.
It was because the stadium became the morgue in the third quarter, when Moreno was sandwiched between the ground and 310 pounds of Ole Miss’ Jerry Peria after one of his spectacular runs. Courtesy of what Georgia coach Mark Richt called a “frog splash,” Moreno had the wind knocked out of him, along with just about everything else, but he eventually rose to his feet.
The crowd screamed wildly for the people’s choice. In fact, it likely was the loudest cheer of the day. That’s fine, but here’s what the Bulldog Nation should know: There is enough barking to go around.
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Comments
By Ben S.
September 29, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
Moreno is spectacular. He is one of those special backs who has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches it. I love having depth in the backfield…keeps them fresh. Imagine what Moreno will do in the next couple of years when this extremely young line matures. The future is bright.
By Dark Corner Dawg
September 29, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Just Think Moreno and the King next year!!!!
By shane
September 29, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
ben s,i was at the game,brown was spectacular.he carried us when the game was tight and broke it open with his 40+ yard run.moreno can take it to the house,so can brown.the future is bright with moreno,the present is bright too,with moreno and brown.i have said all along that brown should start,i have no doubt now.i am watching the au-uf game.tebow just threw a fifty yard pass,right on target,GREAT ARM.back to uga,two great games by our team in a row,can the do it at rocky top?
By John
September 29, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Wow, UGA beats another crappy unranked team, you all should be SOOO proud………..
By uga1989
September 29, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Seems to me this is an AJC-created controversy with and AJC-created solution. Funny how that works.
By Travis Hill
September 29, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
When Moreno and Brown started that dance it was pretty funny….I think everyone enjoyed that one…..
By animaldr
September 29, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Terence- you may have missed why UGA fans went wild.
Moreno, thought to be injured, popped off the ground and ran off the field. He has become famous for his enthusiasm after the play- the way he runs back to the huddle. We were of course happy to see that he was not seriously injured, but I don’t believe I have ever seen an injured player get up and RUN off the field!
By old timer
September 29, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
I’m a DAWG all the way. hooray for AUBURN. great win TIGERS.
By boots
September 30, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Man, never seen a day when so many top 20 teams fall. Crazy.
Terrance, I don’t know one Dawg fan who saw or heard today’s game and thought, “Man, Sho-Mo needs to replace Brown at this moment.” We are thrilled to have these guys in the backfield! It is a great pair, and I, for one, am excited to see how this group develops… I’m calling them Mo-Bro (moreno / brown) and throw in a little Lump. Lump of Mo-Bro. Brown Lump of Mo-Sho. The combo’s of Mo, Bro and Lump are endless. (sounds like the Stooges)
By boots
September 30, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
animaldr, great point as always, but I don’t think Terrance saw the play… He was looking in a mirror at the time and trying to think up a controversy to write about. THE GAME Terrance, try writing about THE GAME!
By Hey John
September 30, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
I think it’s the top ten ranking this coming week headed toward the SEC East crown that we are proudest of.
By RunningDawg
September 30, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
No one in my section complained about T. Brown. We all love the guy and were giddy about his performance today. Sure, Knowshon’s more exciting, but Thomas is a fantastic runner and blocker who has done nothing to lose his starting position.
By Don
September 30, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this
You never know what you are going to get from Mr. T. Moore. By the way I loved your comments during the ESPN - Mike Vick Town Hall meeting. Maybe the AJC should have a new poll on which running back should be starting for Georgia? Why can’t we just be happy to have three great running backs on this team? I hope everybody has noticed that Bobo likes to put Brown and Moreno in the backfield together a concept that completely evaded Mark Richt for years. Hopefully we will see that happen more often. This game was not close at all. If the game was played betweeen the 20’s then Ole Miss would of had a chance to win but it is not played between the 20’s. Dawg’s look a lot better this year at executing inside the 20 and scoring touchdowns.
Florida finally played a team that put a defense on the field and Tebow couldn’t deal with it. So sad!!!! So many teams in the top 10 were overrated.
By John
September 30, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this
Ooooopsth!! I am stho sthorry about my earlier postht where I sthaid that ugly thing about UGA beating another crappy, unranked team. Pleasth don’t come over here to my housth and beat me up - if you try it then I will have to sthic my naughty poodle on you meanies.
By ncdawg
September 30, 2007 5:17 AM | Link to this
Wow “John” brilliant post! (idiot)
By ncdawg
September 30, 2007 5:25 AM | Link to this
Wow “John” Brilliant post! (idiot) Are you Tech? or Florida? or Auburn? You are too much of a wu”th” to say what your are. (homo)
By ncdawg
September 30, 2007 5:26 AM | Link to this
Wow “John” Brilliant post! (idiot) Are you Tech? or Florida? or Auburn? You are too much of a wu”th” to say what your are. (homo)
By md dawg
September 30, 2007 6:28 AM | Link to this
this sucks.luv thomas,finaly he has patience and has career day and there is no tv.florida was way to one deminsional to be rated so highly.dawgs may have a chance if they can hold on @ auburn and out score kentucky
By M. D. Cain
September 30, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this
Where are all the gator fans who usually hang out on this board? I guess your not feeling so chatty today.
By NGDawg
September 30, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
Funny how you waited until Brown has a career day to write this column.
By Brandon
September 30, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Typical stupid column from Terrence Moore. No Dawg fans dislike Thomas Brown or “prefer” Knowshon because he’s more flashy. We LOVE both of them! And we love Kregg Lumpkin. All of the applause for Knowshon is because of his enthusiasm. Like somebody already said on here, what injured player RUNS off of the field? We are just cheering because we appreciate the enthusiasm, just like we all cheered when they were both dancing… We probably wouldn’t have cheered if it had just been Thomas dancing though, because we would rather see Knowshon dance by himself. There’s really no room for two dancing tailbacks at Georgia.
Terrence, you prove every week what most Dawg fans know already: the Atlanta media should stick to covering Tech, because you are out of touch with the fans over here. So go try to stir up controversy somewhere else.
By Paul in J-ville
September 30, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
The DAWGS are progressively maturing each week and this is critical going into the meat of our schedule. Tenn and Phat Fhulmer must be wondering are we gonna pass or run with the new formations we run. Bobo has done a BRILLIANT job disguising our formations whereby the DC on the opposing hasn’t a clue to what we are running. Last several years it seemed we were very predictable as to what we were going to do. I know Tenn is coming off a by-week and has plenty of time to prepare, but you gotta love our chances as their defense has more holes than a good bar of swiss cheese.
Speaking of by-weeks, why the hell does UGA always get the shaft of by-weeks with both Tenn and Fla. It seems they (FLA & Tenn) always have a by-week leading up to our game and I’m wondering who (SEC or AD) in the heck allows this to happen on such big intra-division games? Anybody out there have an answer or could shed a little light on that one?
Lastly, I’m a DAWG stuck in Jacksonville and have to endure all of these OBNOXIOUS GAYTOR fans and must give a huge shout out to the Auburn Tigers for finally laying some wood on the beloved Gaytors. I can deal with the fact UFL actually does have a very good (almost great) football team with a very good coach, because they do, but its absolutely disgusting the way these fans act and carry their Mullet-head, trash talking, sister kissing a*******e$ around and need to be brought down a few notches. Thanks to the AUBURN TIGERS (2nd fav team in SEC)and hopefully LSU, SC, and UGA will oblige the Gaytors with the same. GO DAWGS and keep the Knoxville trend going and send the 105K back to their Jed Clampett sheds!
By Dawghead
September 30, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Frankly, when I heard Brown would be the starter, I thought, that’s crazy talk. I had not seen before what I see now. Keep ripping it up Brown AND Moreno and maybe we can beat the Vols next week and then go on to pull an Auburn and upset the Gators.
By eddie from acworth
September 30, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
typical Moore column…create controversy when there isn’t one….I think I speak for most of Dawg nation when I say “just win, baby”…..we could care less who starts at tailback….and with the injury factor so huge at rb, it makes me smile that we have 3 studs…..
By BullDawg Rick
September 30, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
No one in the Dawg Nation is upset with Thomas.. We love the guy.. Home Grown talent that has shown GAME since his So year at Tucker.. Goes to the State U.. Is a class act on & OFF the field.. Works very hard at what he does & rehabilitated like no ones business.. Then there’s Moreno.. Love him TOO!!! Same for Lump.. Class kids on & OFF the field!! All three!!!
Go Dawgs!!
By Bill Duckworth
September 30, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Who remembers whether Ronnie Jenkins or Buzzy Rosenburg was first string. All I remember is one would make a good run, and then the other would top it. Different styles and fresh legs paid off. The coaching staff should show some film of these two great backs to the backs. They do not have to try to do it all like Walker did.
By markm
September 30, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
yes t brown is a good back and had a great day yesterday. the only problem i have is inconsistant. what has he done against florida or auburn when we needed that key 3rd down conversion…. in the 4 years he has been at uga his yards per carry is bad. lump has a higher ypc and so does sho mo. i hope he comes ready to play against tennessee. its better to lose against florida than to the evil phat phil up north.
By DirkDawggler
September 30, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
A two-headed monster is much less confusing than a three-headed one. Running backs have to get rhythm and it takes carries to do so. That is why this is working so well. Plus, their styles are different enough to challenge a defense. Both catch the ball out of the backfield very well. My only criticism of Moreno is his blocking, but even that has improved since the S. Carolina game. Good times.
By Dawg poop
September 30, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Our defense is a big problem. the jury is still out on this team. we still may lose 4 more games if we dont get us a defensive coordinator who Knows what he is doing. Willie is a Idoit!!!
By Exley DAWG
September 30, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Paul in J-ville It is a litle different this year with us having the off week before FL. This hasn’t happened in a long time. Thats the change we finally made that will help us beat those booger eaters. At that point in the season the team does get tired of battling SEC teams for 8 or 9 straight weeks. FL has an off week then plays Kentucky on the road before the Cocktail Party. That will be a tough trip for them.
Congratulations Thomas Brown on a career performance. You are our starter. The beauty of it is as a fan you want the DAWGS to be great this year but also show that the future will be great. We have that at tailback. Great game DAWGS!
Florida sucks!
By Harv
September 30, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Backs take a pounding. We’ll get to see all our great backs. Just be patient. The coaching staff is paid big big bucks and are paid to win. They will make the right choices or find employment as “Big Steves” assistants. Cheers to all. Congrates to the Tigers. Luv’d it
By Johnson is a Johnson
September 30, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
I love the combo of Brown & Moreno. This was a great day for the offense. Stafford was cooly efficient and almost invisible. That’s a game manager. Our defense is another story. The good news is the SEC is a truly open race this year and many teams are in it. The Wildcats may have a big say before it’s all over and down count out South Carolina. Go You Hairly Junkyard Dawgs. Up next The Orange Hillbillys from Hell! DOG FOOD DOG FOOD DOG FOOD DOG FOOD DOG FOOD,,,GOOOOOOOO DOGS! SIC’EM WOOFWOOFWOOOFWOOOFWOOOF
By Bulldog Bob
September 30, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
John - obviously you are a tree hunging Tech fan that is excited about beating an overrated Clemson team. The Dogs will give you nerds the beat down you deserve on 11/24/07! Then we can get excited about beating another unranked team!!!
By 1eyedJack
September 30, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Just want to say Thank You WarEagles!!! Caught the Gaytors looking ahead and in the “swamp”. Huge loss. And Gaytors still gotta get back up for LSU!! Ha Ha Haaaa. For all you UF fans who had already anointed yourselves, this is why you play the games. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird? It’s a plane? It’s…..Kentucky? Who’d a thunk it? Took care of a game we shoulda took care of. UT has an extra week to prepare for us and now we’re getting our running game into high gear. UT ain’t stopped nobody yet. Goooo Dawgs!!
By Vince
September 30, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I wonder who played for how many reps on the O-line, and if we got some fellas getting some more experience in the second half.
Does anybody know where a “participation report” can be found of like minutes in the game and who played?
By ugahall
September 30, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Amen! both are awesome, keep them fresh!!!
By 757 Dawg
September 30, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Good job CMR and Dawgs! T. Brown is the kind of guy you want in the trenches with you! Hooyaah, for the veteran; Moreno is a star and will get his props. Stafford is still the key, you never know which QB will show up. For us to go on the road and beat UT and the lizards, Stafford will have to play like Cox did last night against the lizards: no turnovers. The Dawgs will have to gang tackle Tebow and run between the tackles when you NEED to! One game at a time, UGA.
By dawgwilson
September 30, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
It’s sad we have fans who BOO kids. Do they BOO their own kids if they don’t blow out all the candles on their birthday cake? Each year we loose some recruits because some fans who have never played the game choose to boo rather than encourage a player who made a mistake and already feels bad over it. Remember, they are kids and how would you feel if it was your kid. Let’s help the dawgs play better and leave the booing to the other schools.
By Freedawg
September 30, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Great article Terence,
Someone wrote earlier about Moreno’s energy. I love this guy because he hustles all the time, to and from the huddle, off the field, everywhere.
You are right, us dawg fans have a lot to be excited about with the backfield we have. Kudos to Brown for a great game and for being a great leader on this team.
By Nikki
September 30, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
There’s room for both backs in the backfield. What successful program, college or pro, doesn’t have a duo at the RB position?!
By georgiagirl
September 30, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
I was at the game too, and everyone was so lazy on the side that I sat on. I thought they would never get up and cheer. Its hard to get going if your fans sit on their A@@. I also know that people got very upset when Brown was tackle and other player put his leg up high, their was people raising He!! about that after they finally started cheering. I’ve been to a few games and boy was I shocked at the fans around me I think i will go on the other side next time. These are young guys playing football and we re suppose to be fans, so I think it’s time for the fans to take a good long look at how they are acting. I do know that the BOOING is so sad. So for all you grown up fans grown up and start cheering are stay home. I had a great time because I love Georgia football. SO GO DAWGS.
By Lvilledawg
September 30, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Terence-You ironically use the phrase “drawn out” instead of “drown out” two paragraphs from the end of your drivel. That is actually what’s happening with the running back non-controversy due to all of you wonderfully enlightened writers. Please spare us your “insight” into UGA football and go find your patented racial angle somewhere to play up.
By CLTDawg
September 30, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Who’s whining about having two and next week three awesome running backs? Terence I think you get your opinions about Georgia football from Tech fans.
By ak4771
September 30, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Amen Terrance!! Brown has been my favorite since he first came here. He and Ware came in together and everyone was comparing Ware to Herschel after the Georgia Southern game. I felt in that game that Thomas was a harder runner. Nothing against Ware but Thomas was “my man.” He is certainly one of the leaders of our team the tandom of Brown and Moreno has got to be one of the best in the country. I love Lumpkin to death and glad he’s on our team. Might be hard for him to get much PT with Moreno/Brown. But whoever is in there, I can assure you I will be cheering for all of them as hard as i can. We are blessed with those talented guys and I hope the Dawg Nation will embrace the situation that we have and lets go get that championship!!! Thats whats its all about anyway. GOOOO DAWGS!!! thanks for that article terrance
By Florida Hal
September 30, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Laughing at all you Georgia and Auburn fans getting so excited this early in the year. Auburn got really lucky on some plays and the refs were obviously calling another game. I was there, and the fans were ticked that these refs seemed to be giving them game to the Aubbies. Joke. The whole thing was a joke. We will run the table the rest of this year and show what a fraud LSU is. Georgia won’t even be a game. Florida has owned this series for the past 50 years and will for the next 50. Let’s talk in January. TWO, TWO, TWO Rings, Baby!
By Paul in J-ville
September 30, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Florida Hal, I mean MULLET HEAD HAL you obviously must be in diapers still as you have no clue about the 70’s & 80’s and your pathetic record against UGA. You’re the joke, and your GAYTORS will get flat out DRUBBED against LSU and you know it. They have a much better defense than Auburn so put that in your lizard pipe and smoke it dip sh!t.
By dawgsin2007
September 30, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
where are all the gay-tors at this weekend?? think they fall off that OVERRATED horse they where on lmfao!!!!
By Buck in the NW
September 30, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Terence, good column. Booing. So what, we aren’t talking 10 yr. old kids in the Pop Warner league. Chandler didn’t get booed on his 1, 2, 3 4, drop and then when he caught one the crowd gave him a standing ovation. There was noting personal about it and he even laughed in the huddle. Just comes with playing in the big leagues. We need one more piece of the puzzle put into place and we’ll be ready. Stafford must have a chance to go down field with the ball. CMR said he was going to but I’ve yet to see it. That has to be run in game just like everything else. We have a cannon and so far we haven’t used it. I hope we will soon. Next up: the Vols
By Denver Dog
October 1, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Just think, we can lose a back like whats his name to the NFL, then Lumpkin gets hurt, and we still have two great backs in there to carry the ball. So if we can get a defense up a notch or two, and then a little more experience on the O line, all we will have to do is catch the ball. Still not sure about that part. So get ready for some tough playing in Knoxville, if you don’t think those hillbillies will be lying in wait for us, think again. With the game being that early in the day, they (UT fans) won’t have to change they can were the construction vests straight to work from the game. Go dogs, let’s spank Spanky.