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 > 24
Friday, August 24, 2007
O-line play the key to season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Getting ready to head over to the Butts-Mehre Building for this afternoon’s practice. As I’m sure most of you heard, Georgia’s offense didn’t look too good during last night’s scrimmage. Sounds like quarterback Matthew Stafford was on the run a lot and that there wasn’t a ton of running room for the backs. This, mind you, was against the scout team.
All of which should segue nicely into today’s discussion on the offensive line. Without question, I believe how this unit plays is going to be the linchpin to Georgia’s season. So might argue it’s the linebackers or the secondary but I honestly think the Dogs are going to be all right there. I’m not sold yet on the O-line.
For the season opener, the Dogs will be lining up like this: LT - T.Fr. Trinton Sturdivant, LG - RFr. Chris Davis, C - Sr. Fernando Velasco, RG - TFr. Clint Boling OR Jr.Tr. Scott Haverkamp, RT - Chester Adams. You’ll not that this lineup features three players that have never played in a Div. I football game and all five have never played a game at their current position. This is not good.
I will say that there is a lot of talent in this group and, including the guys in backup roles, the future is very bright, especially with all the youngsters getting experience this year. But, the fact is, there is a good reason most offensive linemen redshirt and very few start before their junior season’s. Playing in the trenches is a man’s work and it takes a good three years of weight training and conditioning to become a man in the SEC.
Stacy Searels is unquestionably a great line coach and I believe part of the reason he came here was to take on this challenge. Of course, we don’t know this for sure because he won’t talk to the media. But who could blame him? All he can really say is, “we’re working hard every day to get better.” Who really wants to hear that.
As for the season opener, it will be extremely telling about this unit. It’s been well-documented that Oklahoma State is rebuilding on the defensive front. But like Georgia, the cowboys are thinking even the young guys they’re having to play might be an improvement. If the Dogs can survive this first one, confidence and a little experience might help them when they get a comprehensive examination against South Carolina.
In the meantime, having covered SEC football over the span of 20 years, I’d have to say I’m skeptical at best. There are ways to overcome a green O-line — namely, to chuck-and-duck with quick passes and screens — but it’s largely ineffective when you go against the big dogs. I’ll say this: If Georgia manages double-figure wins and puts up nice offensive numbers this season, it will have been the coaching job of the century for Richt, Mike Bobo, Searels and staff.
Am I missing something here? Lemme know what y’all think.
Practice updates coming as soon as they’re available.
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