UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 01
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Class offers boost to lines
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia had more hits than misses on signing day and by the end of it will have a top-five ranked recruiting class.
Coach Mark Richt said the class, rating aside, was about filling needs across the board. Georgia got players at just about every position it needed them. The Bulldogs could have used another wide receiver and maybe another running back. They also maybe could have used one less fullback.
But across both lines they grabbed players that should help in consistency. On defense, the linemen recruited are more athletic and could be built into different positions. The offensive line got some much-needed depth with the signing of seven players.
Richt said maybe some of those guys might be ready to contribute in two years.
“We ought to be special three and four and five years down the road because of this class right here,” Richt said.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Categories: Football
Ward becomes final signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The final letter of intent has been received by Georgia.
Tight end NaDerris Ward just faxed his letter, roughly about 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Ward could come in and compete for a backup spot behind Martrez Milner. Grabbing Ward out of Oakland, Calif. was seen as a major coup.
The crowd has dispersed at the Butts-Mehre building and appears to be making its way to the Blind Pig Tavern where the hope and beer flow simultaneously from the spigots.
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Dewberry a Dog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The letter from Darius Dewberry has arrived.
A linebacker, Dewberry could be one of the players that plays right away. He has the size and speed to compete.
Of course, he was a signee last season out of Peach County, but didn’t qualify. After a year at Hargrave Military Academy, coaches hope he has matured enough for a seemless transition.
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Richt talks; Jones, Moreno fax
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia coach Mark Richt just addressed the crowd at the athletic facility. The coach whipped the masses into a frenzy when he held up the letters of intent for Knowshon Moreno and Reshad Jones.
Richt, as he usually does, thanked the group for coming and talked about how important they were in the recruiting process. Shoot, Richt even thanked the custodial staff for their support in recruiting (true.)
Some of the assistant coaches also took questions. One thing that was cleared up was the situation of Prince Miller. He will play on defense, said defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
Richt, added though, some of those players like Miller and Asher Allen, could be borrowed by the offense.
They are also not anticipating switching any of the fullbacks to linebacker or other positions.
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Speed needed at LB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Linebacker Akeem Dent just got his paperwork in.
Dent is one of four linebackers in this class. Two of those linebackers will probably play next year, and the other two will redshirt.
What Georgia needs at that spot is some speed. It became obvious against West Virginia that not only were the linebackers out of position, but also did not have the speed needed to keep up with the WVU backfield.
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Waiting on 5
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia is still waiting on five letters to be faxed in.
Tight end NaDerris Ward, linebacker Akeem Dent, linebacker Darius Dewberry, defensive back Reshad Jones and running back Knowshon Moreno.
Coaches are confident Moreno will stick with his plan to sign, and the press conference is set for 1 p.m. At least for now.
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Some will play, some will red-shirt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tony Wilson, a wide receiver from Mainland High in Daytona, has sent his letter in. Now, coaches can get caught up in some hyperbole, but Mainland coach John Maronto may have gone a little overboard when he compared Wilson to Reggie Bush.
Wilson may make the most immediate impact as a returner.
Three more names came in: Justin Anderson, Akeem Hebron and Brandon Wood.
Hebron was the top rated player in Maryland. Hebron could play right away. He has got the speed but may need to bulk up a little bit. Wood will play defensive end and should be redshirt next season if he gets his grades. He is one point shy on his ACT.
Anderson is an offensive lineman and another candidate for a redshirt year.
Josh Davis’ fax just came in. Davis is another offensive lineman. He originally committed to Ole Miss but changed his mind. Davis is one of the few that Georgia took from another school after he had already committed.
In other interesting news Josh Johnson, who was kicked off the team, will be going to Marshall.
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How did the Dogs do?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things have fallen into place as expected for Mark Richt’s recruiting class. How would you rate this group?
Permalink | Comments (178) | Categories: Recruit
Moreno confusion grows
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everyone is waiting on the Moreno announcement. There are conflicting reports that Moreno was to announce at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or between 4 and 7 p.m. This confusion mirrors Moreno’s recruiting. People have been guessing when he is going to say what for abut three months now.
Meanwhile, the masses are expecting a visit from Mark Richt at any moment. Typically, the coach makes the trip up one floor and thanks all the people who took the day off from work to stand around for six hours and wait to see if an 18-year-old sends in his letter of intent.
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Jones signs up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Washington DB Reshad Jones has officially declared for Georgia over LSU. Knowshon Moreno, who reportedly chose the Bulldogs too, pushed his official announcement back to 1 p.m.
Unless Moreno pulls a 180, things are just about done.
Oddly, the one name that should have come in first is Darius Dewberry. The linebacker has been at Hargrave. You would think his letter would have been on the fax machine about three days ago in preparation for this day.
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Gamble to try linebacker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, there are about 150 people milling around the building salivating all over themselves for the next name to come in. Here is the odd thing about this.
OK, one of the odd things about this: While they giggle like school girls in anticipation of every name, none of them knows what these recruits can and will do.
Sure some will become good players, but some will also fall off the map. Tavares Kearney anyone?
Darryl Gamble just came in. That makes 17 players. Gamble will attempt to play linebacker.
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Report: Moreno to Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to the Newark Star Ledger, running back Knowshon Moreno will announce that he is going to Georgia at a press conference set for this afternoon.
The announcement doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Moreno has been pegged for Georgia ever since Stafon Johnson decided to go to Southern Cal.
Moreno has the New Jersey state record in touchdowns.
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Fullback fever
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here is one of the strange things about this class, it has two fullbacks. Fullbacks are a rare commodity in college football and now Georgia has four of them. Des Williams is a sophomore, Brandon Southerland is a sophomore and now Chapas and Munzenmaier have joined the fold.
Prince Miller’s fax just came in. The athlete could either play defensive back or wide receiver. Since the Bulldogs are light on wide receivers he may get a look at that spot.
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Chapas hits wire first
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The fax machine started humming early this morning and Georgia’s class of 2006 started to become a reality.
The first name in was Shaun Chapas, a fullback who is recovering from a knee injury. Chapas will most likely redshirt his freshman year.
Also coming in early was defensive back Quintin Banks, fullback Fred Munzenmaier, offensive lineman Ben Harden, defensive lineman Geno Atkins, defensive end Michael Lemon, defensive lineman DeMarcus Dobbs, defensive lineman Kiante Tripp and offensive lineman Chris Davis.
Georgia also had six early enrollees:
Defensive back Asher Allen, defensive lineman Ricardo Crawford, wide receiver Kris Durham, offensive lineman John Miller, offensive lineman Kevin Perez and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
