[Editor's Note: The following is a small piece of college football preview section available in Sunday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution.]
ATHENS—Georgia was bestowed a No. 6 national ranking in the coaches poll at the outset of preseason practice. But few top 10 teams could have had more issues to address before the first game than the Bulldogs.
They entered the preseason looking for three new starters on the offensive line, at fullback and tailback and at punter and placekicker and with suspensions looming over some defensive starters. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, coach Mark Richt weighed in on Georgia's progress at addressing those concerns.
Q: It appears you were able to settle on a No. 1 offensive line fairly quickly in camp. How do you feel about that group?
A: I really like the improvement that the offensive line made. I feel good about [John] Theus at right tackle and [Chris] Burnette at right guard, Boss [David Andrews] at center, [Dallas] Lee, left guard, and [Kenarious] Gates, left tackle. And Watts [Dantzler] has a chance to start at guard or tackle. That's been the lineup that's probably been together for the most snaps at the ones, and they're beginning to jell and play well. Overall, those guys are improving. I definitely think we have the ability, the skill set. We don't have a lot of experience, but I think we have the answers somewhere within that group.
Q: Tailback is another position that was unsettled heading into camp. Have you determined your pecking order there?
A: There's not a lot of separation. I think they're all really good backs. They're all gonna get their opportunity to play throughout the year. Who's gonna be the starter, I don't know. We'll be anxious to see all of them, really. I will be.
Q: What have been your impressions of the freshmen tailbacks, Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley?
A: They're getting there. You can't ever be comfortable with it until you get enough reps and experience in the games. But they know enough to function and get into a ballgame. Would I be totally comfortable in certain situations, in certain plays? Probably not with either one of them yet. But they're getting there. If they're in there a lot, it's probably means they're doing good. That's a good sign.
Q: How much — if at all — do you expect cornerback Malcolm Mitchell to play on offense early in the season?
A: Malcolm is certainly capable of playing both receiver and DB from a skill-set standpoint. But to play offense and defense at the same time just isn't that easy. ... My feeling is, when we get closer to the game we may start integrating him into a few things on offense. We're not going to expect him to play every play, but I do expect him to be able to play some offense as early as the first game. As the season rolls on, that will increase.
Q: What's your assessment of your freshman kickers, placekicker Marshall Morgan and punter Collin Barber?
A: You can tell they're nervous. They're human. Everybody's talking about them. I've been saying I think they're both very talented and I've got a lot of hope and faith in them. But I'm sure they're feeling it a little bit.
Q: Do you plan to make any announcements regarding the availability of Alec Ogletree and Bacarri Rambo before the first game?
A: Yeah. I don't know when. We'll let y'all know that. I don't like talking about that.
About the Author
