Five storylines to follow during UGA spring practice

With no Matthew Stafford and no Knowshon Moreno, Georgia’s football team opens spring practice Tuesday. Here are five storylines to follow:

1. This is what you’ve been waiting for, Joe Cox

The Bulldogs’ most obvious change is at quarterback, where Cox assumes the No. 1 job from Stafford. The handoff comes without the consternation one might expect when a little-used fifth-year senior takes over for a possible No. 1 NFL draft pick.

“Losing Stafford is a big deal, no doubt about it,” coach Mark Richt said. “But I think there is a peace around our program knowing that Joe is at the helm right now because of his leadership, knowledge of the system and ability.”

Teammates know Cox doesn’t have Stafford’s big arm, but they respect his leadership, passion and accurate passes. He needs to validate their confidence this spring.

2. This is your big chance, Caleb King

The full-scale competition to succeed NFL-bound Moreno at tailback will wait until summer because several candidates aren’t available for spring practice. Richard Samuel and Dontavius Jackson are rehabbing from surgeries, and signee Washaun Ealey isn’t on campus yet.

That gives King — a celebrated recruit who struggled as a redshirt freshman last season — a chance to get a jump on the job.

“He’s got a great chance to show us what he’s got,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “I’m excited about him. I think he has a bright future here, along with a lot of the other backs.”

3. A new beginning for the defense

Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez has to rebuild the secondary, which sustained a somewhat unexpected loss when cornerback Asher Allen left early for the NFL draft.

But a bigger issue for the defense is eradicating last season’s self-acknowledged failings — the excessive penalties, the poor tackling, the undisciplined play.

“We’ve got to build a solid foundation that hopefully will last throughout the season,” linebacker Rennie Curran said. “We need to correct the things that killed us last year [and] make sure they’re not an issue again.”

4. Lots of talent still sidelined

It’s the start of a new season, but not all of the injuries of last season have healed. Twenty players will miss spring practice while continuing to rehab from surgeries before, during or after last season.

The list includes arguably the Bulldogs’ best offensive and defensive tackles — Trinton Sturdivant and Jeff Owens, respectively. And the defensive-end position — much-criticized for last season’s lack of pass rush — again will be thin with four players sidelined.

All of the injured except offensive tackle Josh Davis (two shoulder surgeries) are expected back by summer. For now, Richt plans high-intensity practices but says he’ll be mindful of keeping players at injury-depleted positions from getting too many repetitions in contact drills.

5. Unhyped and refocused

Unlike last year, no one is forecasting a national title for Georgia in 2009. That might make for a quieter, more focused spring as the Bulldogs adopt what Cox has called an “underdog” mentality.

“It’s going to be a big help not being preseason No. 1,” he said. “We’ve got to earn everything we get this year, and I think that’s going to bring everybody together.”