The one area in which Georgia looks somewhat thin is defensive line.
The Bulldogs’ first-year defensive line coach Tracy Rocker essentially has been working with just nine players in preseason camp. They’re lining up in pretty much the same way they did at the end of spring practice.
Based on the order they’ve been rotating in and out in drills the first two days, Georgia’s first-string line is Sterling Bailey at end, James DeLoach at tackle and Mike Thornton at nose guard. The second line has been Josh Dawson (end), Chris Mayes (tackle) and John Atkins (nose) and the third has been Ray Drew, Toby Johnson and freshman Lamont Galliard.
“As far as practice is concerned … that might be the one spot that’s stretched the thinnest,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “But if you’re trying to get a first- or second-team ready to go I feel very comfortable. When you look at it you’re like, ‘oh my goodness.’ But when you really whittle it down to the guys that are going to play in the game, we’ve got plenty.”
Georgia lost two players out of last year’s rotation. Garrison Smith, who graduated and is now playing in the NFL, was a big loss at end. He led down linemen with 63 tackles and six sacks. The Bulldogs also lost Jonathan Taylor. The redshirt sophomore from Millen was dismissed after his felony arrest for aggravated assault/family violence on July 22. He had nine tackles in 10 games as a freshman last year.
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