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 > 2008 > April > 02
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Any All-America, All-SEC candidates?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Loyal UGA Blog participant Bob Sacamano asked a good question yesterday which I thought would make a good blog topic. He asked what Bulldogs might have a chance of earning All-America or first-team All-SEC honors this season.
It’s a great question and one for which, of course, there is not an exact answer. As ever, all-conference, and to even a greater extent, All-America honors are closely connected to the success of your football team. It’s doubtful that David Pollack or Thomas Davis, as good as they were, would have been pulling down all those national honors had Georgia not been doggone good those seasons.
But if the Bulldogs come close to meeting the through-the-roof expectations for them this fall, their best players shouldn’t have any trouble getting national attention. Here’s some I think have a chance at national honors (in order of prominence):
1.TB Knowshon Moreno: Duh! The 5-11, 207-pound sophomore from New Jersey rushed for 1,334 yards and 14 TDs as a freshman/part-time starter. Imagine what he might be able to do as a featured back! Health and O-line play will be big X factors.
2.QB Matthew Stafford: I actually think Matt has a chance to have a bigger impact than Knowshon because teams are going to be loading up to stuff the Dogs’ running game. If he gets his accuracy to the rate Mike Bobo wants - at least 62 percent - Georgia could be unstoppable on offense and Stafford will roll up some big numbers.
3.CB Asher Allen: Not only do I think Allen has a chance to establish a national reputation as a lock-down corner but he’s also a return specialist for the Dogs, which can result in SportsCenter highlights.
4.LB Dannell Ellerbe: I’ve never heard Mark Richt gush about a player the way he has been about Ellerbe this spring. He’s got all the tools but is also coming in with the added bonus of confidence and leadership distinction. The sky’s the limit for this guy.
5.WR Mohamed Massaquoi: I’m not sure if a lot of Georgia fans actually realize how good a receiver Mo-Mass is. Forget all the talk of the fabulous freshmen coming in, this guy is mega-experienced and coming into his own. As the main target I see at least 50 catches for him and a chance of becoming a 1,000-yard receiver.
Now that’s just for the national awards. As I mentioned, the Dogs have a boatload of players that will earn all-conference notice and perhaps play their way into national recognition, especially on the lines of scrimmage where it’s harder to get attention. Among them DT Geno Atkins, DT Jeff Owens, TE Tripp Chandler, LB Rennie Curran, FS Reshad Jones, FB Brannan Southerland and OT Trinton Sturdivant.
As always, let me know what you guys think. Have I overlooked somebody? Have I overrated someone?
In other business, I want to solicit some help from the Bulldog Nation. I’m doing a story this weekend in conjunction with G-Day on the tremendous expectations among fans for the football team this season. What I’m trying to find are some tangible examples of that excitement and anticipation. Have any of you already made reservations in Miami for the BCS Championship Game? How about Atlanta for the SEC championship? Anybody already reserved a hotel in Tempe for the Arizona State game? Who has laid down some dough on the Dogs in Vegas? You know, that kind of stuff.
Of course, if I’m going to put you in the paper, I’ll need you to e-mail me directly at ctowers@ajc.com and include your name, city of residence and phone number where I can reach you. I very much appreciate any help you provide. C-ya!
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