UGA quiet offensive lineman lets play do talking

Athens — To a man, Georgia coaches and players all used the adjective “quiet” to describe Clint Boling.

That might be an understatement.

Enlarge this image

Brant Sanderlin /bsanderlin@ajc.com

UGA offensive lineman Clint Boling (right)doesn’t have much to say, but he sure can block.

Boling declined to provide specific answers to specific questions for this article.

For instance, when Boling was asked, “Clint, are you going to start at left tackle this Saturday?” His response was, “Vanderbilt is a great team, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Or, “how did it feel being named SEC linemen of the week on Monday?”

“Vanderbilt is a great team, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Or, “who do you like in next month’s presidential election, Obama or McCain?”

“Vanderbilt is a great team, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

You get the idea.

Boling actually first employed that tactic last week during preparations for the Tennessee game. It seemed to work, as Boling was named the league’s lineman of the week for his performance against the Vols, and the Bulldogs won the game.

Ignoring the lack of dialogue, there is no denying that Boling is doing a bang-up job for the banged-up Bulldogs. What the Chattahoochee High graduate pulled off Saturday might be one of the better mid-game adjustments you’ll see from an offensive lineman.

Boling, who had started earlier this season at right tackle, started the Tennessee game at right guard. But when Vince Vance went down with a season-ending knee injury early in the second quarter, the 6-foot-5, 286-pound sophomore found himself moving to the all-important left tackle position.

The left tackle’s chief responsibility is protecting the blind side of a right-hand-throwing quarterback, such as Georgia’s Matthew Stafford, on pass plays. It’s notable that Stafford was not sacked in the game. It’s also notable that the Bulldogs’ rolled up 458 yards of offense against the Vols, who entered the game leading the SEC in total defense, and that Georgia ran to Boling’s side 10 times in a 17-play, 10-minute, 55-second, fourth-quarter scoring drive that iced the game.

Yes, Boling’s performance did all his talking for him.

Not surprisingly, Boling will start at left tackle against Vanderbilt on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. He becomes the fourth player to start at that position for the Bulldogs since preseason practice. It’s the third position Boling has started at in six games this season. He has also started at right tackle and right guard. He’s also gotten snaps at left guard.

“He knows what to do, number 1,” coach Mark Richt said of Boling. “He’s tough, number two, and he’s athletic enough to do to what a left tackle has to do. Not everybody wants to jump out there and protect the backside of the quarterback, but Clint has enough experience now that I think he’ll be able to handle it pretty good. He’s just a good football player and we trust him.”

With Boling unable or unwilling to talk about himself, others did the talking for him:

• Richt: “Clint is very quiet. He is one of those lunch-pail guys who just shows up to work everyday. He works his tail off and really understands what the coach is trying to teach and has a burning desire to do it. He’s very athletic for a big man. I don’t know if he feels like left tackle is the best place for him to be but he’s up to the challenge and he knows that we need him there.”

• Knowshon Moreno: “He did a great job. Last year he did a good job for us. Clint’s just a good player. It’s good to have him out there. He’s one of the leaders on the offensive line. He’s a quiet guy. Every time I see him he’s not really talking too much. He’s a good guy to hang out with once you get to know him, pretty cool just to chill with. A good guy.”

• Fullback Brannan Southerland: “Clint is a buddy of mine. He’s a quiet guy. To us, once you get to know him, he talks and everything. Real smart guy, real funny. He’s got a real good sense of humor about him. I think everybody knows he’s smart just by watching him play at every position. And he’s been doing it every game. He’s one of our leaders in knockdowns every game. Seems like he’s always the leader. I think he had something like 20 this week. He’s just wearing out defenses.”

• Quarterback Matthew Stafford: “He’s a really athletic guy for his size, really for any kind of offensive lineman. He’s smart, versatile. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes, which is good.”