Isaiah Crowell Says He "Can Be A Starter" At Georgia This Year

Photo Credit: Jason Getz

In an interview by Gentry Estes of Dawgs247.com, Georgia 2011 signee Isaiah Crowell speaks on his goals coming into this season as one of the most heralded tailbacks the Bulldog Nation has seen in a good while. And it's clear, from the tone of their conversation, that Crowell is ready to make good on his hype, saying, "I know they're depending on me, so I've got to work hard. I've got a point to prove."

And you can best believe all eyes will be on this young man, as well as others in his signing class, as they arrive on campus to debut just how much of a dream team they have the potential to become.

For Crowell, the main competition will be with his own expectations as the guys currently on Georgia's roster seem to already be playing second-fiddle to the five-star phenom out of Carver-Columbus High School. But, to be clear, those stars won't amount to much if Crowell can't block and pick up blitzes for Aaron Murray—arguably the most important player on the field for the Bulldogs last year.

That last point is one of the main reasons why former Georgia running back, Washaun Ealey, wasn't as popular with coach Richt as he was with a lot of the fans in his short career.

It's no secret that Richt values blocking ability as much as running ability where his tailbacks are concerned, and you can bet your red and black glasses if Crowell can't pick up on pass-blocking schemes and blitzes, he will definitely find his reps limited no matter how well he runs.

Even so, his overall work ethic, drive, and desire to prove that he's more than just hype could very well be the difference in him finding immediate success on the field.

One things is certain, he will have plenty of chances to make his mark this summer as the starting tailback job is wide open. Crowell knows that and says his main goal is to prove that "... I can be a starter. That’s the main thing.", he wants his shot and he feels good about his chances to make his mark for the program he loves.

Many are hoping that is indeed the case as the young man could become the spark that Georgia needs in the running game this season—one of the most critical in Mark Richt's career—and possibly the key to making the offense really come together for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. If nothing else, it would take some of the pressure off Aaron Murray.

June 6th will mark the beginning of Crowell's tenure at Georgia and many are hoping it starts with a bang.

Related articles

• Mark Richt: Caleb King Has "Become...a very dependable football player" (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Georgia Bulldogs: Are The Running Backs Man Enough? (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Reset (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

A.J. Green's Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Card

This is supposedly what the former Georgia receiver, A.J. Green's, rookie card for the Cincinnati Bengals will look like. I sure wish he were still wearing the red and black this season, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what this Top 10 pick will do at the next level.

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• A.J. Green Goes Fourth Overall To The Cincinnati Bengals (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Hines Ward Dances His Way To Victory on 'DWTS'

These days Hines Ward is recognized more for being a current Steeler, than a former Bulldog, but that's alright, he still gets much love from his Georgia faithful and I am sure there were many red and black fans cheering him on last night when he took home the trophy for winning the popular dance competition 'Dancing With The Stars'.

Hines, along with dance partner, Kym, did the Samba in the finale and beat out Kirstie Alley and her partner for the coveted mirror-ball trophy.

I admit that I haven't watched the competition this season, but I was happy to hear about Hines this morning as I felt from the beginning that he had a great shot—his outgoing personality is something that the cameras love.

Here's a look at Ward's finale performance:



Congrats, Hines!

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• Hines Ward is bringing the mirror ball trophy to Pittsburgh (dancingclassroomspgh.org)
• Hines Ward Part of a String of 'Dancing' Athletes (abcnews.go.com)
• 'DWTS' Backstage Q&A: Hines Ward and Kym Johnson on Winning the Mirrorball Trophy! (tvsquad.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: 2011 Post-Spring Depth Chart Surprises

Georgia released it's post-spring depth chart today and while there were few surprises, a few things stood out—at least to me—as curious.

For one, the sight of Ken 'Boo' Malcome at No. 4—behind the walk-on Brandon Harton and the diminutive Carlton Thomas—seemed odd. Malcome was one of the major standouts this past spring and seemed poised to challenge Caleb King for more significant carries come summer. However, the fact that he didn't even manage to land at No. 2 concerned me a bit—but only a little bit.

Perhaps the groin injury that plagued Malcome all spring played a role in where he ended up on the chart (although, it does seem worth noting that, Baccari Rambo missed all of spring managed to maintain his position on the depth chart despite missing the majority of spring practice).
It's a situation that bears watching once summer drills commences as, hopefully, there isn't more to it than meets the eye.

Keep in mind, for those who don't know, this chart does not speak to where guys like Isaiah Crowell or Damian Swann will land once they arrive and throw their respective skills into the mix. It's sole purpose is to present a guide as to where guys stand as of right now.

Another small surprise, although no one should be too shocked by it at this point, is the fact that Michael Bennett has leaped over Israel Troupe. Troupe's stock has really declined over the last 18-months and it looks as if his impact at Georgia will be relegated to a reserve capacity from this point forward. It's too bad that he hasn't really found his groove, he's got the physical attributes needed to be a solid competitor, I'm just not sure he ever really committed fully to playing football.

On the other hand, the 'Michael Bennet Hype Train' continues to gain traction and, by summer, it will likely be at full bore as this young man continues to make sure he's not overlooked by anyone.

Oh, and in case you missed it, we are thin on the offensive line, at safety, and at wide receiver. I'm praying the new strength program also includes a heavier emphasis on injury prevention. We are one hamstring injury away from seeing a tight end being a permanent fixture on the offensive line and that's not a comforting thought. 

Georgia WR Marlon Brown Still Has His Share of Doubters

Twitter is a fun place to be late at night—when most people have likely decided to engage in other more interesting activities—and this past Friday evening was no exception.

Noted Atlanta Journal-Constitution recruitnik, Michael Carvell, had this to tweet about Marlon Brown, the former five-star standout for Harding Academy in Memphis, TN:

While I don't share Mr. Carvell's insomnia over Brown's former recruiting rank—personally the stars don't mean a whole lot in most cases, because the pudding is proved on the field—I do admit to having a slight obsession with how insignificant a role he has played since he's been at Georgia. As a matter of fact, he's graced the thoughts and pages of this blog on several occasions (see link below) for that very reason and he's been a subject of fierce debate as to whether or not he will ever live up to the hype or promise he displayed in high school.

Brown isn't lacking in self-confidence where his skills are concerned, but putting his money where his mouth is will be the ultimate goal this season. As a junior, he's already being lauded as a potential No. 2 option playing opposite Tavarres King (who is set to step into the role left vacant by A.J. Green), but redshirt freshman, Michael Bennett, has received every bit the praise and accolades for his 'Kris Durham like' hands and 'A.J. Green like' flexibility so who's to say how things will turn out?

If anything, I find that I am more intrigued about Bennett's potential than Brown's—but that's just me.

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Marlon Brown? (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Georgia Bulldogs: Tight End Is The New Wide Receiver (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Mark Richt: I Want To Stay At Georgia for 10 More Years..."At Least"

Mark Richt spoke openly about his desire to remain in Athens as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs and, given the buzz that suddenly seems to be accumulating around the team (both positive and negative), he has a good chance to state his case for seeing that happen if he completes a solid 2011 campaign.

In the meanwhile, he might want to take a long look at how his staff recruits offensive linemen as, yet again, Georgia finds that very unit in the news again for all the wrong reasons. This time the news surrounds junior, A.J. Harmon, who has decided to transfer.

Harmon was expected to play a key role in the offensive line rotation this season—particularly in the wake of the Trinton Sturdivant injury—but was unable to get his academics in order (at least that's the rumor floating around), leaving depth on the offensive line at dangerous levels.

That said, Mark Richt has made it clear that Georgia is not out of options yet.

Watts Dantzler, Xzavier Ward, and Zach DeBell are all due in this summer and, at least two of those three guys, are expected to play a contributive role on the line this year and that likely would have been the case even if A.J. Harmon had not made the decision to transfer.

As for Richt, he's been in this situation on far more occasions than he'd like during his tenure at Georgia and, to be frank, it would be more disconcerting if this were a conversation about Cordy Glenn or Ben Jones as Harmon hasn't been as impactful on the line as the scurry around him now might lead you to believe.

Although, to be fair, anytime you lose significant experience at the left tackle position—even if it is in a reserve capacity—you feel a little less easy heading into the season. Harmon certainly had the reps and the familiarity with the blocking schemes that you like to see in your linemen, but he never was able to breakthrough as a starter and it is likely he didn't see that changing much this season either—academic problems or not.

The arrival of the heralded tackles from the 2011 signing class just got a lot more interesting—hope these dreams won't be of the deferred kind.

Aaron Murray: Change A Few Plays And "...Our Season is Completely Different"

In a one-on-one interview with Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel earlier this week, Aaron Murray spoke about his progress over this past spring, what he will need to work on this summer, and what he hopes to see happen in 2011.

From some of his statements, it's clear that he is still bothered by how everything turned out (6-7 overall record, losing to Central Florida in the bowl game, etc.), but you also get a sense that's he's feeling good about Georgia's potential in 2011—if everyone is one the same page.

He says his biggest goal this summer is to "...work on my timing with my receivers.  We’ve got a lot of new guys out there...but not a lot of guys with experience."

That's not exactly news to those who follow the team closely. With the departure of A.J. Green, junior Tavarres King steps into the role of Georgia's No. 1 receiver and, with only 47 receptions in his three year career, he's a No. 1 of a different collar. By contrast, Chad Bumphis of Mississippi State had 44 receptions in 2010, as a sophomore, on a team that ran the ball nearly three times as much as it passed.

So, to say that King has a bit more work to do in the experience department is an understatement.

That said, last season was his most productive one to date (27 receptions, 504 yards, and three touchdowns) so there is reason to be optimistic that the transition will go well.

As for Murray's options beyond King, there is no denying that Orson Charles is that guy. Richt has been vocal about Charles' place in the offense and he hasn't been shy about calling the tight end his "best receiver". So, look for him to get a lot of reps this summer in anticipation of his increased role.

One thing is certain, Murray won't be sneaking up on defenses this season and he knows it. He took one heck of a beating last year, thanks in large part to an offensive line that didn't seem to play consistently, and he's added a few more pounds to his frame (about 10 to be exact) in order to "...be able to endure a bit of the punishment". Although, most fans will be hoping that he won't see the turf nearly as much in 2011 as he did in 2010 (25).

On the other hand, from an armchair point of view, many are just hoping to see Murray stay focused for all four quarters. 

Murray, admittedly, had some mental lapses in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of games last year and that often led to negative lulls in the offense. But, with a year under his belt, perhaps he will be able to correct those inconsistencies and play more evenly across the board.

Overall, Murray looks to be confident that a lot of the mistakes of 2010 can be forgotten in 2011, if the team does what it's supposed to do on the field—play well every second, of every down, of every game.Said Murray,

"...Every week is going to be to the end, it’s going to come down to the fourth quarter. That was our biggest problem last year, just not finishing off games. Maybe three or four plays every game you go back and change and our season is completely different. So, just come in with a mindset that it’s going to be a long year and you are going to have to mentally prepare yourself for 13-to-14 games and you have to mentally prepare yourself that you are going to play every play of every one of those games."

His statement echos a common sentiment that has been heard a good bit around Butts-Mehre this off-season—from Joe Tereshinski Sr. to coach Mark Richt—the hard line is Georgia just didn't finish games last season and that played the biggest role in a most every one of their losses.

If that is the case, Georgia's players are doing all they can to not make those same mistakes twice, especially with jobs and reputations so firmly on the line, and that motivation is hopeful to continue this summer when the new class comes to town.

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Washaun Ealey: "...I probably need to go somewhere I can focus."

Photo Credit: Josh D. Weiss

In case you hadn't heard, former standout Georgia Bulldog running back, Washaun Ealey, has been granted his unconditional release by the University of Georgia football team. And, from the looks of it, that's precisely what needed to happen in order for the team to truly move forward in a more postive, team-focused, direction.

Now, I am never one who likes to bash a kid, but Ealey has grated my nerves for quite some time with his poor attitude and inability to place the team (not his jersey number) first. So, when I peeped some of the comments he made this afternoon in regards to his departure from the program, I can't say that I was surprised he said them, but I was disappointed that he said them out loud.

Here are just a few of the gems he dropped:

On his time at Georgia:

"I probably would have stayed out of a little more trouble than I did, but I feel like everything happens for a reason. So I probably wouldn't change anything." 

Is this kid for real? I completely get the whole idea behind not having regrets, but his actions at Georgia would have bordered on insubordination if he were employed.

On why he decided to transfer:

"...I just felt like I want to be able to stay focused. For me to be successful, I probably need to go somewhere I can focus." 

Ummmm, okay. I only have one question for him on that one: what the heck were you focusing on before—if not the game of football and being a student at the University of Georgia?

On his diminishing role as a tailback:

"I'm a person where I want to be a premier back, if I was to play here, I would have had to share the backfield with Caleb (King) and Carlton (Thomas) also. Then they were going to try to give the freshman Isaiah his chance... I just felt like I didn't want to be in that mix of things anymore."

It's called COMPETITION, Washaun and, if you're a good, quality, back then you relish the opportunity to show why you're still the best option.  You were never entitled to have the role of starter and you certainly did not prove yourself worthy of consideration with your shenanigans....just wow. 

It seems to me that Washaun Ealey was looking for a place where his ego could be coddled and his skill level unquestioned. Georgia might suffer on the depth chart because of his departure but, as a fan, does he really sound like the type of player you want on your team?

Read the entirety of the interview (conducted by Gentry Estes of Dawgs 24/7) here ($$$).  

Related articles

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• RB Ealey transferring after problems at Georgia (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Is Washaun Ealey's Release Really A Surprise?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It has been announced that Georgia Bulldog running back, Washaun Ealey, has been granted an unconditional release by the team—he will finish his career elsewhere.

Now, raise your hand if this news surprises you.

Okay, raise your hand if you truly saw Washaun Ealey playing any significant downs for the University of Georgia football team in 2011.

I'm willing to lay a bet down that not many of you raised your hand because, to be quite honest, the surprise would have been if Washaun Ealey made it through the summer based on some of Mark Richt's comments last month at a Bulldog Club gathering in Augusta, GA.

Said Richt, at that time, "Washaun has a ways to go still to show me that he deserves to start or even play right now..."

Does that sound like a guy who's in a hurry to bring back a kid who has been, for the last 12-16-months, displaying less and less interest in wearing a Bulldog uniform? Let's face it, Ealey wore out his welcome a long time ago and, I'll go on record and admit, I'm not so sure how much a pulled hamstring had to do with his lack of carries this past spring.

It has long been rumored, although not confirmed, that Ealey wasn't happy with the new attitude being promoted and enacted at Georgia (mostly from the strength and conditioning aspect) and he wasn't buying into the program that new strength coach, Joe Tereshinksi was selling. It was for that very reason he was given an indefinite suspension this past February.

If we assume the latter is all true, then Ealey's release was not only a matter of time, but a necessary evil as there is no place for that level of dissension on a team that is already heading into a tenuous 2011 football season.

That said, there will be even more pressure for new recruit, Isaiah Crowell, to be all he can be—now—as the depth chart at tailback just got real thin, real fast.

Hopefully Mr. Ealey can find what he's looking for at another institution. He's clearly got a lot of talent, but he'll need to mature a bit before he can reach his max potential.

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs reinstate Washaun Ealey after 2-week-plus ban (sports.espn.go.com)
• Put on notice (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• Lingering hamstring issue to sideline UGA's Ealey for spring game. (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: RB Coach Bryan McClendon Gets A Hefty Raise

Photo Credit: David Manning

Chalk this one up to the 'he's one helluva recruiter' explanation because, otherwise, I'm scratching my head at how running backs coach, Bryan McClendon managed to get a raise which more than doubles what he made in 2010 ($90,000 to 200,000). Tony Ball, Georgia's wide receivers coach, will also see his paycheck get a bump from $165,000+ to $200,000.

But, back to McClendon.

The raise, according to Chip Towers, was McGarity's way of being proactive in keeping the football staff intact. Both Ball and McClendon were apparently pursued by other schools this past season and opted to stay at Georgia. As a result, they were given "competitive counter offers" that allowed them to stay at Georgia and not disrupt the continuity of the coaching staff.

While I can certainly get on board with maintaining continuity, particularly in a year already marked with a ton of questions about Mark Richt's future at Georgia, McClendon's pay raise seems too generous given what he's done as a coach.

That said, it's easy to see that McClendon's value as a recruiter has given him more rope than he might normally have had. Mark Richt said as much himself when he was forced to defend McClendon's sub-par performance at recent speaking engagement.

Said Richt of McClendon's worth, "...Bryan McClendon is a hell of a coach, he’s a hell of a recruiter. And I’m glad we got Bryan McClendon."

Last season, McClendon was key in the recruitment of Isaiah Crowell, Zach DeBell, Quintavious Harrow, and Nick Marshall—all of whom are expected to be impact players at Georgia in the near future and a good recruiter is something that most any head coach will covet.

Bobo has a similar talent and has elicited as much loyalty from Richt as both McClendon and Garner.  By way of mention, however, all three men have had their fair share of criticism from both pundits and fans, about their ability as coaches—none of them appear to be in danger of losing their jobs anytime soon.

I suppose you can't blame Richt for wanting some of the best recruiters in the nation peppering his staff but, at some point, you would hope their coaching talents would be every bit as worthy of the praise.

McClendon is still young, only 27 years old, so he's still growing into his role as running backs coach (much like Bobo), but he is clearly a star on the rise, particularly as a recruiter, and if he's able to bring it all together this season, then Georgia will have made one very good deal.

Related articles

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Georgia Bulldogs Offer 2012 Prospect Dillon Lee

Whenever you mention the Georgia Bulldogs and Dillon Lee in the same sentence, most people only have one thought: why hasn't Georgia offered him yet?

Well, finally, after it seemed Georgia would let this top in-state product get away, they extended an offer to the stud linebacker prospect from Buford High School in Buford, GA.

Lee is 6'4", 220, and seems tailor made for the 3-4 defense. He moves well, has great presence in space, and uses his hands well—he's played tight end and could play there at the next level depending on his college choice. Personally, I feel he'll make his living on defense as an outside linebacker as he has too much defensive upside.

He's a big hitter who knows how to get into the backfield and lay out a guy.

With such a late offer by the Bulldogs, most would assume that Mark Richt's bunch are well out of the race, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Lee is reportedly adding Georgia to his list of finalists and will be considering them as a possible destination in 2012—although most still feel he could land in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide (FSU is also a real possibility).

One thing is certain, Lee looks like he's ready to be a big time ball player at the next level.

Georgia Bulldogs: 2012 DE Prospect Leonard Floyd Chooses Dawgs

Leonard Floyd has given his verbal commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs for 2012. The defensive end from Dodge County made his announcement this morning and cited a desire to focus on school and football as his reason for getting it done this early in the game.

Floyd's announcement comes less than 24-hours after Markuss Eligwe—one of the state's top linebacking prospects—selected FSU over both Georgia and Florida.

Floyd has the reputation as one of the Georgia's best pass-rushing prospects in this season's class and will be a nice addition to the 3-4—whether he plays OLB or DE has yet to be determined. Coach Grantham has already expressed a desire to place him at outside linebacker, but there is admittedly some work to be done with Floyd, technique wise, before he will be ready to assume that role.

Floyd is Georgia's sixth commitment and he chose the Bulldogs over both Alabama and Florida.

Georgia Bulldogs: 2012 RB Prospect Rushel Shell

A fair number of Georgia fans who follow college football recruiting closely already know all about Keith Marshall—the stud running back out of North Carolina is the player on the Bulldog's wish list for 2012. So, it's not likely you'll ever see his profile on this site as there are plenty of others who can tell you all about him.

However, there seems to be a lot less fanfare around Georgia's offer to Pennsylvania running back, Rushel Shell—the No. 5 running back prospect in the nation according to 247sports.com—and while that may have a lot to do with Georgia's perceived chances to nab him (which seem pretty slim at the moment), he still bears watching this season.

As a junior, Shell put up monster numbers (323 attempts, 2,510 yards, and 32 touchdowns) to cap off his second consecutive 2,400+ yard season, and he's poised to repeat the feat again in 2011. His combination of speed and power make him a challenge for defense, to bring down and his ceiling is high where the next level is concerned as he appears to be built to carry the running game of just about any team he chooses.

Shell expressed a serious interest in six schools early on—three of which are in the SEC—but has stated that he is open to every suitor at this time and is going to take his time with the process.



(h/t FRONTPAGESCOUT)

Related articles

• Scout.com releases updated 2012 position rankings (e3athletics.com)
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Friday Links: Tim Tebow Talks Georgia, Lions Pleased With Matthew Stafford

Tim Tebow says that after the Bulldogs danced in Florida's endzone in 2008, the Gators spent 365 days plotting their revenge.

The Lions may not be able to talk to their franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, but they did like what they heard about his performance at Georgia's spring game, where he threw for charity—completing a 50-yard bomb to a fan and looking crisp in the tire drill.

After Brad Biggs wrote the story regarding Mallett, NFL analyst, Todd McShay, stated that none of the NFL teams he's spoken to are worried about what Mallett did while at Arkansas because they feel pretty certain he isn't doing it now. 

Nick Saban clarifies his statements regarding Cam Newton and Auburn—come on Nick, stick to your guns, dude.

Speaking of Saban, doesn't he know two quarterback systems rarely work?

Arkansas fans thank Bobby Petrino for making the Hogs relevant in 2010.

Steve Spurrier is already leaving the door open to bring back embattled QB, Stephen Garcia—surprise, surprise.

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Georgia Bulldogs: Richt Feeling No Pressure in 2011

Photo Credit: Kelly Lambert

When asked if he felt any pressure coming off a 6-7 season, Georgia Bulldog head coach had this to say, "None, I don’t feel any pressure. None at all".

Well, alrighty then.

As much as the Georgia Bulldogs have been under the microscope these last 18-months, it's nice to see the head coach still taking it all in stride (I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course).

However, sarcasm aside, it might be a good thing that Richt is taking a laid-back approach to things this year. The optimist or, as some have come to label them—the Disney Dawg—might say that Richt's attitude belies a man who feels confident in his team, his strategy, and his coaching staff. He's not worried because he knows he'll be kicking butt and taking names in 2011.

On the other hand, the pessimist might look at him and say, "well, it's the same ol' shuck and jive from Richt. I swear that man is like a James Bond drink—shaken, never stirred". Okay, well, maybe that's a bit corny, but you get the point—everything about this program is under speculation and no one is certain what to believe just yet.

I tend to fall somewhere between 'wait and see' and 'it has to get better from here'.

Surely, Murray will be even better in year two of this offense. He has a better understanding of the reads, the progressions, and his role as a leader on this team. And, even if the running game stalls out of the gate, it won't be due to guys who have forgotten how to play ball or who have become complacent at doing their jobs because they somehow feel entitled to be starting in every game. 

Both Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, in my opinion, began believing their own press too much after a successful 2009 campaign that saw them enter 2010 as, possibly, one of the best running back tandems in the SEC. As a result, they were not prepared to get smacked in the mouth the way they were and, seemingly, lost all confidence as ball carriers—not to mention their lack of focus off the football field.

The emergence of Ken 'Boo' Malcome, and the pending arrival of Isaiah Crowell, has relegated both Ealey and King to second-tier status. For the most part, no one is expecting either of them to do anything more than contribute. To be frank, if Ealey breaks 500-yards this season, I would be surprised because he suddenly can't seem to stay healthy and, if Crowell or Malcome turn out to be the types of players many feel they can be, Ealey will likely be competing with Carlton Thomas for the last spot on the depth chart.

As for the receivers, that should be interesting. Neither Marlon Brown nor Rantavious Wooten look like they will be world beaters in 2011, but Orson Charles, Arthur Lynch, and Tavarres King look ready to make something happen and that may be all Georgia needs if the run game takes off.

I suspect the defense will be better in year two and, once offensive line coach, Will Friend, finds his rotation, the offensive line should be competent—if nothing else.

Does that mean Georgia is primed to win the SEC East and shock the world this year? We'll just have to wait and see about that one, but I'm certainly not willing to best against them—yet.

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Georgia Bulldogs: Don't Put All Your Eggs in Boise State's Basket

Photo Credit: David Tulis

"Every time we go out there, that’s what we think about — getting better to beat Boise State on Sept. 3rd."—(Georgia defensive back, Jakar Hamilton, AJC, 4/13/2011)

Speaking candidly, as a Georgia fan, I both love and hate that statement by Hamilton. I love knowing the team is doing all it can to avoid losing a big game, on a national stage, in the first game of the season. However, at the same time, I hate that the Boise State game has become the only reason some guys are so motivated to play because, while it would definitely be a great thing to see them win, it means nothing in the grander scheme of it all.

Point blank, I've seen Georgia play Boise State before and, while I respect everything Chris Petersen has done over the past five-years, I cannot say that I feel Georgia is the inferior team going into this match-up. Despite what these teams look like on paper, Georgia is capable of beating Boise State—if they play their brand of football.

That said, I am more concerned about the September 10th game against South Carolina than the one September 3rd against Boise—no disrespect intended to the Broncos—because all I want to see Georgia do in 2011 is get back to the SEC Championship game and Boise State has absolutely nothing to do with that happening.

Of course, the natural response to that last statement will be that the Boise game will set the tone for the rest of the year. Well, I only have one response to that: Virginia Tech.

The Hokies lost to Boise State to start last season, got embarrassed in week two by a Division I-AA opponent, but went on an 11-0 tear afterward and ended up winning the 2010 ACC Championship Game. So, you'll have to forgive me if I don't necessarily bite on the whole tone-setting approach.

Georgia could lose to Boise State and still be just fine.

Sure, it would be nice to have a repeat of 2005—defeat Boise in a big way and secure bragging rights over a team that many feel is one of the best in the country—but, if that happens, I can assure you that there will be a lot of unimpressed fans who were already feeling that Georgia was the better team anyhow—regardless of their mediocre 2010 record.

That said, quite a few people will be looking past Boise—win or lose—and pointing to South Carolina as the true barometer of what Georgia will be in year two with a more experienced Aaron Murray under center, bolstered by a second season of a Todd Grantham executed defense, with a new offensive line coach to lead the way, minus a few "cancers", led by a new approach to the strength and conditioning, and minus the talents of either an A.J. Green or a Justin Houston.

The level of exposure the game against Boise State offers may have injected some needed life into the program but, in my very humble—yet honest—opinion, Boise is the least of Georgia's concerns. The true questions will be answered in Knoxville (where Derek Dooley is spearheading a great turnabout for the Vols), in Jacksonville (where the changing of the guard has taken place and Georgia is desperate for a win), and in Athens (where the defending national champs (Auburn) and SEC East Champs (South Carolina) will come to play in 2011).

Sure a win against Boise State would be a great start, but I'd trade that for an SEC Championship and wins over Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina—just being honest.

So, hopefully, the coaches at Georgia are selling more than just Boise as motivation for the guys who will be representing the red and black because, as I said, Boise is the least of their concerns.

Georgia Bulldogs: 2012 QB Prospect Greyson Lambert

Last year, all anyone could talk about was the quarterback position at Georgia. This season, with Aaron Murray firmly cemented as the starter, and Hutson Mason and Christian LeMay battling for the No. 2 spot, no one is sweating how things will pan out in 2011—at least not as much.

However, Georgia is always looking towards the future, and Greyson Lambert is a key target for 2012.

The Bulldogs extended an offer to the young man from Jesup, GA last November and, at that time, he was very excited to be extended the opportunity. Since then, his popularity has grown exponentially as Division I programs from all over the country have him on their radar.

Lambert is 6'5, 200, with a long, lean build. He's not quick on his feet—clocking in at just better than a 5.0 forty—but he has a strong pocket presence, a nice arm, and better than average field vision. When you couple all of those things with his towering 6'5" frame, you've got the makings of a potential star on your hands.

Wayne County High School is implementing a new offensive system this year in hopes of capitalizing on Lambert's passing ability, so he will be tossing the ball around a lot more in 2011—that should do a lot for him in terms of building up his stamina and overall accuracy. Last season he only averaged 8-10 passes per contest—his team's base offense was the 'Wing T'—so his arm didn't get much work.

That said, he still took a good bit of snaps from under center so he does have a fairly decent feel for making reads and going through progressions. His main focus this season will be on getting stronger, faster, and more accurate (as a junior, he completed 52 percent of his passes for 21 touchdowns and 1,991 yards).

Lambert expressed an early interest in the University of Alabama—both his parents were born there and he's familiar with the campus and the football program—but with interests from Auburn (his parent's alma mater), Clemson, and Georgia, he's keeping his options open.

According to his coach, Jody Grooms, Lambert would like to make a decision prior to the start of their team's season, but who knows if that will remain the case.

Here's some video on Lambert:

(h/t RustyMansell)

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Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Rantavious Wooten?

Rantavious Wooten, the sleeper prospect of 2009, has been on the cusp of becoming something special since his arrival at Georgia. He didn't sign under as much fanfare as others in his signing day class—a group that included the likes of  Marlon Brown, Aaron Murray and Orson Charles—but he appeared to have as much, if not more, potential to break out early and make a big impact.

Coming out of Glades Central High School in Belle Glades, FL, Wooten did a little bit of everything. He rushed, he received, he passed, and he returned kicks. He was the type of player whom many felt could be a tremendous offensive weapon—if used in the right formations—as he offered enough versatility to be plugged and played just about anywhere on the football field.

He was going to be a welcome addition to a team which, at that time, was saying goodbye to two of it's biggest offensive weapons—Knowshon Moreno and Mohammed Massaquoi. The team needed a spark on offense and Wooten had the makings of being that guy—and, early on, he seemed poised to live up to his hype.

In Georgia's game against Arizona State, Wooten came down with two very nice catches, both of which were in key third down situations, showing a level of maturity that belied his true freshman status.  He went on to complete a modest season of 10 catches, 197 yards, and two touchdowns, but flashed enough brilliance to make 2010 look like a potentially huge season for him.

However, 2010 proved, instead, to be lackluster—both for him and the team—as his offensive numbers took a hit (7 catches, 41 yards, and 1 touchdown) due to a lack of playing time and a plethora of injuries ranging from a nagging hamstring—prior to the start of the year—to his knee and leg as the season wore on.

Even so, the time for this junior to make his move is now and at least one former Georgia player thinks he could be ready to make something happen. That said, a lot of how Wooten fairs this season will depend on what offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, does with the playbook, and whether or not he chooses to, finally, start using the wealth of talent he's accumulated at the tight end position.

Ideally, Wooten's size and speed make him a perfect candidate as a third receiving option—slot him in and let him rip—that is where he is likely to do the most damage on the field. But, again, it's anyone's guess what Georgia's plan for Wooten will be at this stage, if any.

We'll all just have to wait and see if this former sleeper finally wakes up and becomes the player that many always thought he could be. 

Georgia Bulldogs Recruiting: 2012 DE Prospect Leonard Floyd

Leonard Floyd is 6'5", 220, and he's been on Georgia's radar for quite some time. He has an offer from coach Richt—secured after his participation in 2010's Dawg Night—as well as several other SEC powerhouses.

Floyd, considered by many to be one of the best pass-rushers in the state, is as gifted an athlete as they come, and he could be solid at the next level. As a "rover" (Floyd has played linebacker, defensive end, safety, wingback, and tight end) at Hawkinsville High School, Floyd has amassed quite the resume. However, it's most likely he'll settle into either a linebacking or tight end position in the college ranks.

While Georgia defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, has already locked Floyd in as an outside linebacker, coach Richt has also mentioned the possibility of Floyd contributing on offense—if he were to choose Georgia as his destination.

Said Floyd, last October, "I like playing defense, but I like playing tight end/wide receiver about the same. No one had talked to me about playing on offense before, but Mark Richt said he had heard about my numbers catching the ball and said I would have a chance to play there as well. That made me feel good because that was the first time anyone had said I could play offense at the next level as well..." (Kipp Adams, UGASports.com, 10/17/10).

Floyd has long arms and quick feet, but will need to add more muscle to his frame if he expects to be effective in the Division I ranks.

His main strength is rushing the passer, but he's mostly played defensive end in high school, so he would need some practice if he were to play in Grantham's 3-4 as an outside linebacker—he would need more work standing up as opposed to playing with one hand on the ground.

Floyd is a strong Georgia lean at this time.

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Marlon Brown?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It feels like we've been asking this question for longer than necessary as Marlon Brown was supposed to be the gem of Georgia's 2009 signing class. On that signing day, if you had told anyone that Brown would be entering his junior season with a stat line of 13 receptions, 148 yards, and one touchdown, they might have asked if you needed professional help.

He was a star at Harding Academy in Memphis and was considered a lock to become the same at the next level—how could he possibly fail playing alongside the likes of A.J. Green? Brown was coming into a good situation, possibly being able to make a mark early with Mohammed Massaquoi exiting in 2008, and he had every opportunity to break down the freshman wall and become the next big thing at Georgia.

However, as it turns out, the mediocre competition at Harding Academy proved to be a bigger obstacle to his development than some thought it might. He wasn't prepared for the physical play of the SEC and was never able to find his groove on the football field.

Truthfully, he should have redshirted his first year as his two catches for 15-yards weren't worth the paper they were printed on. Even more, it was clear that he needed more time to learn the routes, learn the league, and add more weight to his lanky frame—the height was there, the strength was not.

By 2010, the question was no longer 'is he ready?', but rather 'where's he at?'  and if ever there were a time for him to shine, it was last season—A.J. was suspended, the running game was mediocre, and Aaron Murray was looking to make new connections, in the passing game, with anyone willing to step their game up—so what happened?

Well, Brown saw much of that season cut down by a shoulder injury.  He was never able to get healthy enough to make a real contribution.

2011 is already seeing some positive reports on Brown out of spring practice, but the same was said in 2010—and look how that turned out. At this point, it would just be nice to see Brown doing something other than traversing the sidelines as he's not become nearly the player Georgia expected him to be when he arrived in 2009.

It's time for Marlon Brown to make something happen at Georgia and hopefully this is the year that finally happens.