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DEL.ICIO.USGators out, Eagles in for Green
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/14/08
A potential academic issue will prevent Jenkins running back Franklin Green from signing with Florida in February.
Green will instead enroll at Georgia Southern.
“Grades could have been an issue,” said Green, whose last communication with Florida coaches was nearly two months ago. “But I think I felt more comfortable at a school like Georgia Southern. And I wanted to be closer to home.”
Green said he’s eager to play for the Eagles.
“I like the coaches there and I think we can win a national championship,” he said.
North Gwinnett’s Eberhardt announces commitment
North Gwinnett senior defensive end Eric Eberhardt committed to Wofford last week.
The all-county player led the Bulldogs with 13 sacks and helped North Gwinnett (13-2) reach the Class AAAAA championship game.
“They’re getting a kid with a great motor, with great passion for the game, who’s a great leader,” coach Bob Sphire said.
“He’s a really outstanding athlete for a down lineman, and if needed could even move to linebacker. But they recruited him as a defensive lineman.”
- Staff writer Larry Hartstein contributed to this report
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Comments
By OldSchoolDawg
January 14, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight… UGA turned down a 4-star OL commitment? Perhaps we’ve lost sight of how depleted our OL depth chart is. Allow me to remind you, we’re one high-ankle-sprain away from starting Scott HaverSack again (gasp).
Meantime, we’re giving out scholarships to RBs like five play every down. Seems to me we’ve got the math backwards… we should offer 6 or 7 OLs every year, while offering only 3 or 4 backs. Make sense to you?
Hey, I like having a bevy of 4.4 backs at my beckon call as much as the next guy. But that’s a luxury teams should pursue only after building solid OL depth.
The theme for the 2007 season’s line play was “Smoke & Mirrors.” Those screens and draws and pulling tackles did a nice job of hiding the fact that we really couldn’t line up and block anyone mano y mano. But those tricks won’t continue to work.
Bottom line: Championships are won on the line. If the Dawgs want SEC and National championships, they need to recruit as if they understand this fundamental principle. I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said it best: “You can out-scheme some of your opponents some of the time, but in the SEC, you can’t out-scheme all of your opponents all of the time.”
By Clint
January 14, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
OldSchoolDawg, you’re a moron. Look at UGA’s depth chart for next year, at RB it’s Moreno, Caleb King, and nobody else. If injuries happen next year like they did this year, we’ll need more than two backs. This class has 2 and one who could play on either side of the ball. We’ve got good depth at OL now. The kids we’re bringing in this year will help along with the ones who redshirted last year. Trust coach Richt and his staff I’m pretty sure they’ve got a better grasp of what going on than you do.
By airheadmotorcycle
January 14, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Oldschooldawg wrote,”Those screens and draws and pulling tackles did a nice job of hiding the fact that we really couldn’t line up and block anyone mano y mano.”
Unfortunately, they blocked my Gators “mano y mano”, as you say. Our DL looked hapless against your OL.
I do agree with you about the line. Our 2006 National Championship was won by our lines, particularly our defensive line. Meyer has been at UF for 3 years and we still don’t have enough offensive lineman and linebackers. And I don’t think we’ll ever have a good running back in this system. What running back wants to block when they can go to Clemson and just run the ball? Maybe the transfer from USC, Emmanuel Moody, can actually play. He was Pack 10 Freshman of the Year two years ago. But hey, can he block?
By colin
January 14, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Old School- you do know Haverkamp left the program a while ago, right? We have pulled in several massive and really talented guys these past few years. The coaches know what they have and what they need way better than us recruiting enthusiasts.
By UGA 2003
January 14, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
By GA DOC
January 14, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Guys any news on Omar Hunter? He was not at Athens this weekend. He is the best D-lineman I have seen this year and he will see playing time next year. Would love to see him in Red&Black.
I think Carlton Thomas will be used as a 3rd down back and on returns. It looks like Avery is heading towards the baseball draft. That gives us one additional scholarship to offer.
By Zorba
January 14, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
By the way Old School “The Bait Shop” has been closed for years too. And Allens.
By T.K.
January 14, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Oldschooldawg, You could be the most moronic poster I’ve ever seen in these blogs. Go do some research and post again you idiot.
By mike
January 14, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
the kid that is going to sign with Ga. Southern with academic problems will have no problem playing for Hatcher because he doesnt care about grades just whatever it takes to win football games!
By GW
January 14, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Zorba and guys, Speaking of bait, I think ya’ll took it from Old School. Now he’s having a good laugh counting your numbers.
By Scott
January 14, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike, you obviously don’t know Coach Hatcher. And trust me, I don’t think Georgia Southern is by far the first team to admit a guy who is marginally academically capable.
Let me guess, you’re comparing him to all the geniuses that UGA has playing for them??
By gabby
January 14, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
For all you fla fans who talk about uga never beating fla check the record in the last 4 yrs. 2004 uga won. 2005,2006 fla won. Then 2007 uga won. so in the last 4 yrs. it is uga 2 and fla 2. Sthe rivalary is on again
By gabby
January 14, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
For all you fla fans who talk about uga never beating fla check the record in the last 4 yrs. 2004 uga won. 2005,2006 fla won. Then 2007 uga won. so in the last 4 yrs. it is uga 2 and fla 2. Sthe rivalary is on again
By Call it like it is
January 14, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Probably, did not have the grades to get in at Flordia or any other SEC school???
By dawgcrazyman
January 14, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
UGA’s loaded at the o-line—-they have so many studs on offense, they may to play with 2 balls. No SEC team will be able to stop the dawgs next year—-I’m looking for blowouts over florida, tennessee and auburn. Dawgs win the national title with an easy 14-0 record baby!!!
By JackCorcoran
January 14, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Note that Franklin Green just committed to Georgia Southern. It remains to be seen whether he’ll actually be admitted there. Those jumping to imply that GSU will admit any student athlete who can fog a mirror need to relax a bit on this one.
By brad
January 14, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
keep dreamin’, dawgcrazy, keep dreamin’ - simply wanting the rivalry to be back doesn’t make it so.
UF will beat the dobfur off of you guys next season!! In large part due to the little celebration that your slimeball coach ordered.
By Joey
January 14, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
“slimeball coach”….that’s a little below the belt. I am sure you must know Coach Richt on a personal level to attack him. I am a diehard Tech fan, but I will admit that Mark Richt seems like a very good person. Grow up Brad!
By joe
January 14, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Carlton Thomas is being recruited to play another position?highly doubtful.he is being recruited as a third down back.he is listed at 5’7” but is really closer to 5’5” so I don’t foresee him playing any other position on the other hand.Just what other position are you expecting him to play aside from running back?Richard Samuel on the other hand will start his uga career on offense but will finish as a linebacker.It’s a shame we didn’t land Sanders but you can’t win them all.He seemed a lock with his mom being a UGA alum.Oh well.Anyway,hopefully with Avery probably going high in the mlb draft and not playing for UGA then that will allow us another scholarship,hopefully to land Omar Hunter.It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
By hotrod
January 14, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
hey zorba,Allens reopened in september on Hawthorne Ave.looks the same the food just as good,so you were even wrong on that.
By jasmine and hearts
January 14, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
is micheal vick in prision, hes such a stand up guy that was framed. Why must he suffer through this, tech beats ga. again in baseball this year and rapes them in football next year.Girls and our tickle piles. go jackets you beastly boys you!
By vsu grad
January 14, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Mike you know nothing about Chris Hatcher who was an all academic player when he was at Valdosta State.
By Bill
January 14, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Dog is crazy,you puppies have no chance in Jax after you get a pounding in Baton Rouge.
By gatorhater
January 15, 2008 3:19 AM | Link to this
Old SChool…You actually believe that UGA doesn’t know how to recruit? What planet are you on? We are in the top 10 every year and usually the top 5. Moron!!! We have plenty of O-linemen. Plus, a team needs at least 4 or 5 RB’s on the roster due to potential injuries, rest, suspensions, etc. And, yes, we did line up and hit teams right in the mouth with our offensive line. If you knew anything at all about football you would see that these guys came together really well. With three of them only being sophomores next year and molding together, they have a good chance at being up there with some of the best lines we have ever had over the next few years. Like everyone and even you said, “Championships are won on the lines”. Watch these guys bring it home over the next couple of years. Go Dawgs!!!
By gatorhater
January 15, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
Old SChool…You actually believe that UGA doesn’t know how to recruit? What planet are you on? We are in the top 10 every year and usually the top 5. Moron!!! We have plenty of O-linemen. Plus, a team needs at least 4 or 5 RB’s on the roster due to potential injuries, rest, suspensions, etc. And, yes, we did line up and hit teams right in the mouth with our offensive line. If you knew anything at all about football you would see that these guys came together really well. With three of them only being sophomores next year and molding together, they have a good chance at being up there with some of the best lines we have ever had over the next few years. Like everyone and even you said, “Championships are won on the lines”. Watch these guys bring it home over the next couple of years. Go Dawgs!!!
By Kill'em
January 15, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
The comment about Chris Hatcher not caring about academics was really ignorant, bordering on stupid. Hatcher, himself, made several all-academic teams during his playing days. Last year in spring practice kept several players out to focus on grades. One of our running backs was suspended for the Colorado St game for skipping class. So, I would say he cares about academics.
If Green has committed to Georgia Southern it would be a great steal for us. He had better make the grades. Coach Hatcher will not take the risk of signing him if he feels he can’t make it in the classroom. If he does, he will be a very valuable weapon for us.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 15, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Denial-A. The state of Florida fans that this is not the 90’s and Spurrier is no longer the coach.
B. State of Florida fans who cannot beleive that in the "rivalry" UGA has won 2 of the last 4Fear-A. State of Florida fans recollecting the 80’s when Dooley’s Dawgs took 8 of 10.
B. State of Florida fans when thinking about Unversity of Georgia's coach Mark Richt.Florida fans keep living in the 90’s and don’t forget the jean shorts! Coach Richt has turned this program into a national power. Get used to it. Except it. Look forward to embarassing “Little Timmy Tiptoes” next season! GOOO DAWGS!
By Who's The Moron Now?
January 15, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Why do most of these posts have to deteriorate into name calling? It’s amazing how brave people are hiding behind the internet.
By DirtyDawg
January 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
The young man - Byrd - made his choice and we all have to respect that…and he has to live with it. Son, you wuz conned. They lost, what, six or seven straight to end the season soon after making the wisecrack comment ‘It wasn’t as if we beat some powerhouse team.’…you call that on the rise? Mark it - a Steve Spurrier-coached team has beaten the University of Georgia for the last time. Next year or the year after that - forgetaboutit…then he’ll be gone - probably to Notre Damn, or the original USC or the golf course - and that’ll be the end of that. Good luck in all that you do but the best you can look forward to is beatin’ Clemson.
By Football Fan
January 15, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Congrats to Eric E. from North. He is a great kid and a great player. Wolford is getting an excellent player.
GO Dawgs
By dostadawg2
January 15, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Spurrier knows the importance of having good linemen. He remembers Stanfill, and that’s the reason he hates UGA so badly
By BigGCock
January 15, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Dawgs..or should I say pups, Championships aren’t won in February. Yes, UGay has the recruits year after year. Why can’t they get it done?
*By the way, have you checked into Spurrier’s record against UGAy? And who won the last game? *
I know for a fact that UGay will not beat SCAR next year. And I can tell that it’s not because of talent either - coaching, son. Coaching wins championships when you don’t have the talent.
Anyone in America will tell you that Spurrier is a much better coach than Richt will ever be. There is no argument on this topic. Chumps!
By McEagle
January 15, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Mike That was a stupid comment about Coach Hatcher. I challenge you to tell us what you base your information on.
By McEagle
January 15, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Mike That was a stupid comment about Coach Hatcher. I challenge you to tell us what you base your information on.
By McEagle
January 15, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Mike That was a stupid comment about Coach Hatcher. I challenge you to tell us what you base your information on.
By UGA 2003
January 15, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Carlton Thomas is being recruited to return punts and kickoffs…nothing more. Dante Hall-esque style player. At 5’7”(yeah right), he will NEVER see the backfield, not even on third down. Samuel will not see time in the o-backfield, unless it is the opponents. He will be moved to linebacker on day 1. He has experience on that side of the ball, but it makes much more sense to move him there to start instead of waiting a few years to get him trained for the position. The only way this doesn’t happen is if Samuel shows them something this spring they haven’t seen yet. Look for Thomas as a return man to protect Asher Allen, Heard as a 3rd down back and Samuel as a LB.
By Shark dog
January 15, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Where is Zeberie Sanders going and Omar Hunter . Does any one have information on them yet?
By UGA 2003
January 15, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Sanders to UCLA…Hunter to FL. That’s the latest buzz. GA is in the running for Hunter, but Pridemore to the gators, no matter what Hunter says, pretty much sealed it. Too bad for Pridemore Meyer only wanted him to get Hunter.
By jim
January 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
If our T-End coach leaves and D Allen (a t-end) decommits from the Dawgs does that open up that spot for the big D-Back from around here (can’t remember his name, but it was reported of his interest a week or so ago)? And when is that Ohio lineman committing? Thought it was last week. Dawgs are only waiting on him aren’t they, unless there is a decommit?
By Toby Cash
January 15, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Mike, your comment about the Greene kid going to Georgia Southern was ridiculous. Georgia Southern is a quality school that has its share of quality student-athletes just like UGa. and Tech. Without calling names, I can think of a many UGa. athletes that did not make the honor roll.
By OldSchoolDawg
January 15, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
On the OL issue, I beg to differ. They come to us as 6-4, 320-lb schoolboys… It takes four years in the UGA weight room to turn that blubber into the the kind of muscle needed on an SEC line.
Hey, I’m a big Dawg fan, but I’m also a realist. With Big Cheese and Fernando graduating, we don’t have a single upperclassman on the OL depth chart. Only Sturdivant, Boling, and Davis have any meaningful playing time. Each of those guys have less than two years in the program. Vince Vance doesn’t know where to line up or who to block.
Harden? Perez? Tripp? Anderson? Strickland? Incoming freshmen?Please! All big boys but they currently don’t have the muscle that will be there after three years in the UGA weight room. Plus, none of them have played a down in the SEC.
Don’t get me wrong, I want all of these kids to play well. It’s just that… ummm… they can’t. Because they don’t have the strength to push a 5th-year senior DL around. That’s why I said we should focus on building depth at OL before signing all those backs.
By War Eagle
January 15, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Clint, I agree with OldSchoolDawg,offensive lineman and defensive down lineman are the extreme in recruiting, You can`t have enough of them…
By OldDawg55
January 15, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Outside of just blatant ignorance about the abilities of our coaching/recruiting staff, you do know that “mano y mano” means “hand to hand” don’t you….not man to man!!!
By dawgcruiser
January 15, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
oldschooldawg, Let me ask you a question. This past year, how did you feel about the OL? I bet you thought they would be terrible. Who in he heck was Boiling in recruiting anyways? He was not a very highly regarded recruit,maybe even a 3star. You probably saw more stuff on Strickland, Harden, and Anderson on all the recruiting pages as far as incoming freshmen. Who is to say that some of the new recruits (Jones, Owens, Glenn) cannot come in and pull the same stunt as Boiling. Let’s not get cinical and forget to give these kids a chance to show us what they have before jumping into conclusions. I think UGA can have a great year in ‘08, but we have a treacherous schedule. Playing LSU and Florida on back to back weekends is going to take a toll. Hopefully, we can stay injury free and give them a run for the money. Go Dawgs
By dawgcruiser
January 15, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
I am sorry to correct you Olddawg55. Mano y Mano means———> Hand and hand. It should be mano a mano. I agree with you on oldschooldawg assessment of UGA recruiting. We can read all we want and have a set opinions on what we read. However, we do not have the fortune to have seen most of these recruit play. You cannot measure heart and the intangibles in football. People don’t let a 5,7” stature fool you. Look at Noel Devine now at WVU, he looked very good on the bowl game and he cannot be much bigger than Carlton Thomas. I trust CMR and his staff make offers to recruits whom they see will be a great addition to the program and not just occupy a space on the bench. I understand that not eveyone will play the game but let their merits on the field decide who is worthy to play or not.
By UGA 2003
January 15, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Hey, I am not saying Thomas CAN’T play tailback, just that isn’t what he’s being recruited for. Noel Devine is a little bigger than Thomas, albeit not a great deal, probably in the range of 2 inches and 15 pounds. Thomas may play more tailback when Logan Gray gets in the game as we spread it out like when we had Shockley. He won’t be a tailback until then though.
As far as our OL being 320 pound schoolboys…those 3 “schoolboys” you named abused some pretty good defensive linemen like Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves along the way. They also paved the way for our first 1,000 yard rusher since Musa Smith. If smoke and mirrors worked THAT well, EVERYONE would be doing it. Maybe our old line coach couldnt get these guys playing in 4 years, but Searls seems to be doing a wonderful job with what he is getting. Remember, the Stinchcombs were 4 year starters…both of them. When you are good, you are good, no matter your age. Don’t sell our guys short, REAL fans don’t. What sickens me is the constant idea by some supposed fans that our team somehow needs rebuilding. Might we lose a few more games next year? Yes, but it sure won’t be the line that cause it unless we return to shoulder injury city. More likely it will be due to that murderous schedule we have. I don’t know where you get the idea that strength was the sole determinant of an effective line, but it isn’t. Technique and speed are. You can be as strong as you want, but if you don’t know HOW to block, you won’t move anyone. Our guys get strong, FAST. By the time they are sophomores, they have reached about 90 to 95 percent of max in their strength. What improves most from years 2-5 is conditioning and intelligence. Learning the right blocking reads, better technique, how to keep the hands inside. Our guys don’t need the weight room after that first winter except to maintain and condition. The guys who are going to be stepping in next year for Velasco and Adams will be perfectly capable, just like Boling, Sturdivant and Davis. Hell, 4 or even all 5 guys next year will be juniors(3 years) or RS sophomores(3 years).