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 > 2007 > August > 22
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Linebackers inspire hope
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My plan was to start focusing in detail on each personnel grouping between now and Game One and, for the sake of sticking to that plan, we’ll get into the linebackers some today. But I need to narrow most of the focus to Dannell Ellerbe and here’s why: I had called his mother, Valerie Covington, whom he identified as the most influential person in his life. However, Mrs. Covington was unable to call me back before I wrote the story, which appeared in today’s paper and is online now. Anyway, she finally called me back earlier today and was sorry she was unable to before now. She’s obviously very proud of her son and was eager to talk about him. So I told her I’d try to find a place for some of her remarks and, well, this is that place.
Here’s a little background: Ms. Covington and Ellerbe’s father hail from Cheraw, S.C. They are divorced and she said Dannell and his father “don’t get along too well” and don’t have much to do with each other. She has since married a man named Robert Covington who she described as a wonderful step-father to Dannell and the man who had most to do with helping Dannell through the troubles he experienced last season.
On that note, Mrs. Covington said Dannell had never been in trouble before the DUI incident of January 2006. She is proudest of him for graduating with honors from Richmond County High and has his honors tassle, diploma and other awards of academic achievement along with all his trophies in a “Showcase Room” they maintain in their Hamlet, N.C., home. Mrs. Covington said they come from a modest but hardworking background. She has worked for 16 years for a plant in Hamlet that manufactures deoderants and antiperspirants and such things.
As for Ellerbe’s new status as starting middle linebacker, Mrs. Covington said, “We’re very excited and nervous. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. He’s excited, too. He said he can’t wait for that first game and he’s going to make the most of this opportunity.” Mrs. Covington has some back problems that prevent her from getting around real well so she only makes games in which Mr. Covington can accompany her. They’ll be at both Oklahoma State and South Carolina for sure.
OK, so there’s some insight from a proud parent. Thanks for humoring me. Now on to the linebackers situation… .
Of course, you’re not going to get a lot of negative feedback from inside the Georgia camp but the word is very positive on Georgia’s linebackers. I can’t remember if it was linebackers coach John Jancek or head coach Mark Richt but one of them said they have much to be concerned about this season but linebackers aren’t one of them. The starters will be Ellerbe at middle, Darius Dewberry at weakside and Brandon Miller at strong, though Jancek said they will move them around a good bit and they will sub-in Akeem Dent, Rennie Curran, Marcus Washington and Darryl Gamble.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford described the first three as “athletic freaks. Have you seen those guys?”. “Every one of them is big and strong and fast. They can all run.” From what he’s seen in practice he anticipates no drop-off at all and maybe even some improvement.
Again, what else are they going to say, “We think our linebackers are going to be a real liability this season?” And since they won’t let us watch the full-speed, controlled scrimmages, I don’t have a real strong personal opinion. I do think they’re very impressive athletically. I also think they’ll get severely tested by Larry Fedora’s Oklahoma State, spread offense.
So what’s your take? Expect linebackers to be a strength or weakness on this defense? You like the Ellerbe-at-middle-Miller-at-strong thing or would you have preferred to see Miller hold down that spot? Is enough being made of Dewberry, a former AJC Super 11 guy?
I’ll be filing a practice update as soon as possible. Practice scheduled for 3:30 p.m. but, as always, they could move it. Come forth with questions you’d like to see answered as well.
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