DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia receivers bond on the field
Senior Massaquoi enjoys helping freshman Green
The Atlanta Journal-Consitution
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Athens — A.J. Green, the most ballyhooed wide receiver to sign with Georgia since Reggie Brown, is competing with senior Mohamed Massaquoi for the job of starting flanker.
Yet on any given day it is not uncommon to see Massaquoi take Green to the side during a drill to show him the proper footwork on a pass pattern or to explain how the route changes when the secondary jumps from zone to man.
Brant Sanderlin/ bsanderlin@ajc.com
Georgia receiver A.J. Green, right, uses fellow receiver Mohamed Massaquoi for support during stretching at practice.
In fact, the two have pretty much been Tweedledee and Tweedledum through the Bulldogs’ preseason practices.
That, receivers coach John Eason coach said, is what makes Massaquoi special and what will make Green special.
“As far back as the summer Mohamed has taken those young guys under his wing, especially A.J.,” said Eason, referring to both Green and fellow freshman Tavarres King. “He’s teaching them the routes, helping them learn the offense, showing them the way. He’s really embraced that role.”
That’s one way to approach the situation. Another is the way Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey did at Florida earlier this season. Harvin reportedly instigated a fight with the heralded running back on the sideline during one practice this summer.
The two Gators have since made up. But such a truce will never be necessary for Georgia’s two flankers, Massaquoi said.
“It’s kind of like when you’re competing with your younger brother,” said Massaquoi, who leads the team with 100 catches. “As the older brother you want to do better than the younger brother. And the younger brother wants to be better than the big brother, which pushes the older brother to do better. I’ve learned from A.J. just as much as he’s learned for me, him and TK both.”
Said Green: “[Massaquoi] has been great about helping me and showing me what to do. All the older guys have.”
Massaquoi said it’s just part of being a good teammate. Once extremely quiet, Massaquoi represented the Bulldogs at SEC Media Days in Birmingham last month and came into his senior season intending to be a leader.
“I love my teammates. I’d break my neck to do anything for them or help them in anyway possible,” Massaquoi said. “I just think it’s one of those things where, when the timing’s right, if it’s needed, you can maybe help guys along the way. And it might not be yelling at them. It might be pulling them to the side and helping anyway you see fit.”
It hasn’t always been that way for Massaquoi. After being criticized for dropping some passes his sophomore season, Massaquoi went into a shell.
But Massaquoi said he emerged determined not to let it happen again and not be affected if it did.
“You go through growing pains but it just makes you stronger,” he said. “You can do one of three things: You either man up, you quit or you continue on the same path that you were. It just shows character if you’re able to overcome those situations. I did and I owe thanks to my teammates for helping me along the way and helping make me into a better player.”
Hence, Massaquoi’s attitude toward the young pups. He figures there will be enough footballs for everybody.
Heading into the first game, Massaquoi is the No. 1 flanker, senior Kenneth Harris is the starting split end and junior Kris Durham is the top slot receiver, Eason said. Meanwhile, there is the possibility Massaquoi and Green could get on the field at the same time.
“It’s not out of the question,” Eason said. “It just depends on how the season goes. Injuries will dictate a lot of it, and game-planning and who’s making plays.”
Massaquoi has been dogged by a mysterious knee ailment that has kept him in a non-contact green jersey the entire month but never chased him off the practice field. Green has been bothered with a hip-flexor injury but has managed to make most practices, too.
Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
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