Georgia Is No. 64 According to the Orlando Sentinel...Guess What I Say?

The Orlando Sentinel has been counting down the Top 120 teams in the nation and the Georgia Bulldogs have landed at No. 64.

"Why Georgia at No. 64?: It’s been a long time since Georgia has been pushed outside of the national top 60, but the Bulldogs must prove themselves on too many levels to be deemed a major factor in the preseason. Georgia must win with a new quarterback, a new defensive scheme and find a way to improve last year’s unspectacular performance on both sides of the ball." (6/28/10)

I find it comical that the Georgia Bulldogs can come off an 8-5 season and suddenly be plagued with this much doubt. Two close losses early on in the season to both Oklahoma State and LSU all but sealed the 8-5 finish, otherwise Mark Richt likely would have had another ten win season.

That being said, this is the same publication that places Iowa State above Michigan and Kentucky ahead of Tennessee—credibility is in doubt.

While I can appreciate the challenges that Georgia faces in implementing a new defense, I don't believe for one second that it will be any worse than it was in 2009.

Furthermore, despite the inexperience at the quarterback position, I don't see any reason why Georgia will have trouble moving the ball this season—particularly if the line can avoid serious injury and play up to its potential. The presence of Clint Boling and Ben Jones will be key in the development of both Aaron Murray and the running game.

The presence of A.J. Green is a definite plus but the emergence of both Orson Charles and Aron White as legitimate forces in the passing game cannot be discounted.

Georgia at 64 is insulting and, in many ways, shows a great deal of blatant idiocy on the part of the author—especially when Kentucky is No. 65.

Seriously...Georgia is only one spot better than the Wildcats?!?

Ohhh, Jeremy Fowler, how you kid. Let me know when you remove your lips from the fluffy pillows attached and protruding just beneath Urban Meyer's back—maybe then you can regain perspective.

64?....Jeez, what a moron.

The Georgia Bulldogs' Michael Bennett Is Ready To Step Out of The Shadows

Despite the lack of depth the Georgia Bulldogs have at wide receiver for 2010, Michael Bennett’s name hasn’t been mentioned much as a potential target for Aaron Murray. This lack of notoriety is a familiar scenario for the young man from Alpharetta, GA.

Bennett was referred to as the “most underrated wide receiver” prospect in the state for 2009 by MaxPreps. He didn’t even receive any Division I offers until after his performance at the 2009 Atlanta National Underclassmen Combine (NUC).

It was there that he took home the prestigious ‘Combine King’ award after making mince meat of the competition in both 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 drills.

His impressive performances continued into his senior season at Alpharetta High School (AAAAA), where he finished the year with 1,084 all-purpose yards, 7 touchdowns, 35 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 693 rushing yards.

Now, he hopes to carry his productivity into the SEC where his goal is to be a solid contributor for Georgia—early.

Many have compared Bennett to current Georgia Bulldog receiver,  Kris Durham, and while the two are similar in size and build, that is where the similarities end.  The more film you see on Bennett, the more you realize that he is a very special player with more talent than he's been given credit for—in my opinion.

His size, speed, vertical leaping ability, and overall approach to the game is very similar to that of current Georgia standout, A.J. Green (who, coincidentally, Bennett states he has tried to model his game after). He has a tremendous ability to make the catch—no matter the situation—and his body control while in the air is something to see.

The latter was something that scouts were equally impressed by during their evaluation of him at the various summer camps he attended during his junior season. . He was fearless when going up to make the catch and his willingness to sacrifice his body for the ball made for some highlight reel catches on the field.

He doesn’t mind contact either (he also played some defensive back in high school) and, coming to the SEC, he has committed himself to getting stronger so that he is prepared to take the hits that will surely come his way as a result.

It’s that kind of dedication that has the coaches excited about his long-term potential.

As of now, it’s uncertain what will happen with Bennett for 2010. If he’s ready, and performs well this summer, it may be difficult to keep him off the field. However, with the maturation of Marlon Brown and the return of Kris Durham, it may be difficult for him to gain much in the way of playing time as the teams 5th or 6th option. 

That said, Bennett is preparing like a guy who expects to play this year—he is not looking to redshirt in 2010. His understanding is that his opportunity to play will come sooner, rather than later and if it does, Georgia fans should be surprised by what they'll see.

If nothing else, he has a ton of upside for the future and it would not surprise me to see him taking on a much bigger role in 2011—particularly if A.J. Green leaves for the NFL as expected (Green is a projected Top 10 pick).

Michael Bennett is definitely one to watch.

Jarvis Jones Is Giving Georgia Half A Chance To Win His Services In 2010

Jarvis Jones, the former USC Trojan, has reportedly narrowed his choice of where to finish his career down to two schools—Florida State and Georgia.

Reports out of Tallahassee, if you believe what you read on message boards, is that he will be playing for the Seminoles in 2010—possibly at defensive end. However, my experience in reading message board fodder it that you have to take it for what it's worth as it typically falls under one of three categories: truth (20 percent), innuendo (20 percent), or hogwash (60 percent).

Even so, there is one bit of information that is making the rounds on more than one board in light of the recent USC sanctions. Some Trojan fans are saying that the hesitancy in the medical staff's decision to clear Jones had more to do with their coming scholarship hit than his inability to play.

Jones was given clearance by the doctor(s) he saw outside of the program, but the doctors at USC refused to do so—as Lane Kiffin would later put it—there was a "a serious concern that hits or a number of hits could lead to permanent damage.”,

Now, the thought that a player's injury could be detrimental to his quality of life would be a scary realization for any coach. Who would want that on his conscience?

On the other hand, if it were that serious, wouldn't doctors outside the program be able to make the same assessment? Yet, Jones has been cleared time and again by those away from USC.

That said, a person could see where the explanation of scholarships and taking chances on a, potentially, injury-prone player has some legs.

Was USC simply scared to risk it due to the sanctions? Or was there some truth to the medical staff's initial assessment?

The questions have no answers until Jones gets on the field, but, here is what we do know: 1) Jones will play in 2010 if the NCAA lets him, 2) he will be evaluated medically by Georgia prior to any decision to accept him into their program—should he decide to accept, and 3) every doctor he has seen since leaving USC, has cleared him to play again—successfully.

So, draw your own conclusions; if you dare.

As for the here and now, Jones is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks but there is no indication that he has given either Florida State or Georgia anything more than a 50/50 chance to win his services.

Georgia would love to sign Jones for obvious reasons, he's a beast on the field and could do wonders in the new 3-4. However, has the Carver High School connection, once severed by the decision of the Georgia coaching staff to rescind a scholarship offer, been repaired enough to get the approval of Dell McGee, Carver's football coach? After all, he did ban Georgia coaches from recruiting his players at one time.

Why does this matter, you may ask? Well, Jones has been in very close contact with McGee during this process and much of what is learned of Jones' status has come from McGee's mouth—not Jones. So, that says a lot about who Jones trusts and who has his ear in this matter.

The fact that Georgia has made the cut is a good sign that the Bulldogs have made  a good impression but, again, nothing is promised.

During his initial recruitment, back in 2008, Jones made it clear that the coaching staff at his school of choice was a primary factor in making a decision. The new defensive staff at Georgia, with it's NFL compliment, has to look intriguing to Jones as a player and, possibly, future pro prospect—giving Georgia an excellent opportunity to land him.

In the meantime, it's a waiting game so, stay tuned.

(This article was originally found on The Lady Sportswriter—check it out)

Nash Nance is Still Talking About Georgia....And The AJC is Still Listening!

Today, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) saw fit to run a "story" on current University of Tennessee enrollee, Nash Nance.

In the article, Nance alledges that Da'Rick Rogers change of heart had something to do with some 'bad dealings' with the UGA coaching staff. He even states that he had no idea that Rogers was going to sign with the Vols until signing day.

First of all, I'm over the Da'Rick Rogers saga. I was over it the day after signing day because he wasn't a Georgia Bulldog. I still wish him well at the University of Tennessee and I do hope to see Georgia get the best of that match-up this season when the two teams meet 'Between The Hedges'.

That said, I was a little confused as to why 1) The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was interested in anything Nash Nance has to say about Georgia—nearly six months after the fact, and 2) Why this story is, curiously, cropping up after the signing of Georgia's tenth commitment.

The AJC has not endeared itself to Georgia Bulldog fans because of stories like this; they seem filled with nothing more than bogus fiction—masquerading as fact—and that seems to serve no other purpose than to "stir the pot".

In my opinion, the Nance-Rogers saga is over and it has been over for those in the Bulldog Nation for a very long time. Perhaps the AJC should write about something other than the rants of a kid who, more and more, it sounds like is just a bit upset that he didn't get an offer from Georgia—despite his relationship and connection to Rogers.

Plus, not for nothing, but is he really implying that the Georgia coaching staff was any shadier than that of Lane Kiffin? I'm just saying...because, well, ya know....if anything sounds shady, that does.

Georgia Continues to Load Up On Wide Receivers

The Georgia Bulldogs will spend the better part of the 2010 season in "hope" mode—as in, they are hoping that none of their six scholarship wide receivers are forced to miss any significant time due to injury or misbehavior.

The Bulldogs are frighteningly thin at wide receiver this year—even thinner when you consider the relative lack of production from the No. 2 spot in 2009. It's an area that is of minor concern to the fans and it has often sparked intelligent debate among those in the Bulldog Nation as to who will fill the shoes that Mohammed Massaquoi left behind in 2008.

That said, the team has been recruiting the position with ferocity this off-season and, as of June 4th, Georgia received it's third wide receiver commitment for 2011. Zach Witchett, another talented in-state product, has made it known that he will be signing with the Bulldogs in 2011—joining Chris Conley and Justin Scott-Wesley on the early-commit train.

Witchett is a 6'0", 186 pound, blend of speed (he runs a 4.43 forty) and athleticism. He adjusts to the ball well in the air and has good long speed for the deep ball. He will definitely bring a nice batch of skills to Georgia—including the ability to play defensive back (although that seems unlikely at the moment).

Georgia isn't going to sign too many more receivers for 2011 (they should cap out at four or five), but two guys do remain a huge possibility—Damian Swann (who has Georgia in his top 5) and Charone Peake (who many feel will either choose either Georgia or Clemson)—both have connections to current Georgia pledges.

Swann has been lobbied by Witchett and Peake has been in contact with Georgia QB commit, Christian LeMay.

For now, the program can relish in receiving its tenth commitment of the year.

The Georgia Bulldogs Have Two Commits in Rivals Initial Top 100

Rivals, one of the nations premier scouting services has released it's Top 100 recruiting rankings for 2011 and the Georgia Bulldogs have snagged two of their players in Christian LeMay (QB) and Sterling Bailey (DE, pictured at right).  LeMay is listed at No. 65 while Bailey slots in at No. 82.

Rivals is considered one of the more reputable and consistent sources of prospect information in the country and the evaluation process used in sizing up prospects is often said to be more intensive than that of other services. That said, if a prospect receives a five-star rating, you can be certain that he didn't come by it easily.

So far, the list has ten guys who were awarded a five-star distinction and, surprisingly, none of them are named Ray Drew (No. 15), Isaiah Crowell (No. 17), or Jay Rome (No. 40)—all Georgia targets—all of whom were given four-star ratings. 

Even still, if Georgia were able to haul in 6-10 of the guys on the list, and there is a possibility that will happen, then they would assuredly have a Top 10 class in 2011; no question. That fact is not lost on Mark Richt's staff, I am sure, as they have been out recruiting hard this offseason. The message to  prospects has been that they can be a part of Georgia's "Dream Team" next year if they decide to sign with the team.

For their part, those prospects who have already given their early commitment, are offering their assistance on the recruiting trail and hope to sway other top players towards Georgia's direction. The final result, it is hoped, would be a No. 1 recruiting class in the nation for 2011. That would definitely ease some of the pain still felt from 2010's National Signing Day which was the lowest ranked class of Mark Richt's tenure.

In the meantime, Georgia continues to secure early commitments from some solid prospects—they have nine so far.

Here is the link to the Rivals Top 100.