The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/17/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Daniel Shirey Georgia begins spring practice today and is looking to improve on last season's 10-3 finish. Players mentioned an improved attitude already during offseason drills. [Click to enlarge]

Spring practice begins today for Georgia football, and with a one-word mantra - redemption.

Due to the relative failure of a 10-3 season after hype galore and a preseason No. 1 ranking, players and coaches alike have pointed to a return to hard work, increased dedication and a need for change.

"My mentality right now is we're going to treat this team as if it's the first year, with a first-year mentality, as if it's the first year that I've been coaching at Georgia," head coach Mark Richt said. "We're setting the tempo as a coaching staff, we're setting the bar, and we're expecting those guys to reach that bar and they've been fighting like mad to do that."

Georgia was hoping to claim they were merely going to Disney World after winning a national title last season - instead, they actually went there as part of the festivities leading up to their appearance in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.

Players say that, coupled with a few embarrassing losses, led to an attitude change during offseason MAT drills and 7-on-7s.

"I think everybody wanted to change what's been going on," quarterback Joe Cox said. "We've had some pretty decent seasons the past couple years, but it's still not where we know we can be, and everybody's made it a point this year to do the right thing, work as hard as we can, and come together. "

With the early departure of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, Cox, a fifth-year senior, will bring his fiery personality and knowledge of the system to the quarterback position. The running back position is presumably open between sophomores Caleb King and Richard Samuel, though Samuel is recovering from wrist surgery.

That lack of "star power" has only fueled the Bulldogs' drive and accountability so far this offseason.

"With the leave of Knowshon and with the leave of Stafford as well, we all know that we have to focus and know that the star of this team is the team," said linebacker Rennie Curran.

Defensive tackle Jeff Owens returns from injury and looks to shore up a D-line that struggled to get pressure at times last season. He too said the passion lacked during Georgia's fall from preseason No. 1.

"I'd say so," he said. "I'd say it was absent. But it's not hard to get back."

As far as having something extra to show following a season that disappointed both fans and Bulldogs, Richt agreed, but with one caveat.

"We have something to prove every year," he said.

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