Spring Break
Five keys to a successful spring football season
TYLER ESTEP
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Sports
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But spring practice is a time for beginning to figure out problems and strengthen weaknesses for the fall. Here's The Red & Black's take on what needs to happen before the nationally televised G-Day game on April 11. Make sure to stay tuned during the next few weeks for stories on all five keys to spring success:
Who's the backup?: Fifth-year senior Joe Cox will be the starter behind center for the Bulldogs, but the picture gets fuzzier after that. Early enrollees and Elite 11 quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray are both in town and practicing, with Mettenberger looking better so far.
Add to the mix redshirt sophomore Logan Gray, who acts as a hybrid of the two freshmen with a better arm than Murray but more mobility than Mettenberger,
Gray has more experience in the system, but the speedster also splits time between quarterback and special teams meetings.
Where's the pass rush?: The Georgia defense logged just 24 sacks last season, with 14.5 coming from the line.
The combination of Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens (who missed last season with an ACL tear) on the interior should help, but the Bulldogs' D-ends will need to step up.
That said, Georgia is practicing this spring with just four scholarship ends, with Rod Battle, Neland Ball and Cornelius Washington all out with injuries. One of those four is Kiante Tripp, a convert from the offensive line.
Junior Demarcus Dobbs and redshirt sophomore Justin Houston will need to get in as many reps as they can this spring and figure out some way to get to the quarterback.
Not-so-tight ends: For a school with a history of churning out NFL-caliber tight ends, the position sure has been a question mark a lot lately.
Redshirt sophomore Aron White is the only tight end with any playing experience at all practicing this spring, as Bruce Figgins recovers from a nagging shoulder injury.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Tom H.
posted 3/24/09 @ 7:41 AM EST
According to published reports from Coach Richt, Logan Gray is no longer working with the special teams. He is concentrating only on the quarterback position, including all drills and position meetings. (Continued…)
Robert
posted 3/24/09 @ 11:00 AM EST
I'm glad Logan is concentrating on QB and hopefully he can get into the games in creative ways a-la Antwaan Randel El or something. The secondary will be fine. (Continued…)
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