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by
Joel Welser
#15 Georgia Bulldogs
Southeastern Conference
2006 Record: (9-4, 4-4)
Coach: Mark Richt (61-17 at Georgia, 61-17
overall)
Starters Returning: 12 (7 offense, 4 defense,
1 specialist)
Offensive Starters Lost: TE Martrez Milner,
OL Daniel Inman, OL Nick Jones, OL Ken Shackleford
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Matthew
Stafford, HB Kregg Lumpkin, FB Brannan Southerland, WR Mohamed Massauoi, WR A.J.
Bryant, OL Chester Adams, OL Fernando Velasco
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Ray Gant, DE
Quentin Moses, DE Charles Johnson, LB Jarvis Jackson, LB Danny Verdum-Wheeler,
LB Tony Taylor, S Tra Battle
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Jeff Owens,
CB Paul Oliver, CB Bryan Evans, S Kelin Johnson
Starting Specialists Lost: P Gordon Ely-Kelso
Starting Specialists Returning: K Brandon
Coutu
With a plethora of starters on both lines needing
replaced, Coach Mark Richt and company hope some of the new junior college
transfers can make an immediate impact. Of course, the coaching staff foresaw
the mass exodus from the lines and there are plenty of options from last year’s
class as well.
Offense:
And when you have a talented young quarterback like
Matthew Stafford, nothing is more important than protecting him. As a true
freshman, the 6-3 Stafford threw for 13 interceptions and just seven touchdowns.
The offense sputtered against just about every defense out there, including
those that good teams should easily dominate. It is not all Stafford’s fault and
the wide receivers need to step up. Mohamed Massaquoi and A.J. Bryant return
after a sub-par campaign in 2006 and one, most likely Massaquoi, needs to step
up and help out the young quarterback. The absence of tight end, and the team’s
leading receiver, Martrez Milner will make the passing game even scarier for UGA.
The backfield returns plenty of talent including
tailback Kregg Lumpkin and fullback Brannan Southerland. Lumpkin rushed for 798
yards and six touchdowns last year, while goal line specialist Southerland made
eight trips to the promise land. Thomas Brown missed the second half of the
season last year and, if he can remain healthy, should be a formidable one-two
punch with Lumpkin.
Defense:
Defensive ends Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses
were snatched up in the third round of the NFL Draft and it will take a large
effort to replace their production. Roderick Battle, Marcus Howard and Jeremy
Lomax have some experience with the Bulldogs, but it is hoped Jarius Wynn can
make a big impact from the junior college ranks. In the middle, Jeff Owens
returns, but will look for help from Kade Weston and another junior college
transfer, Corvey Irvin.
The Bulldogs finished fifth in the nation in pass
defense last year and return three starters to the squad. Tra Battle is a big
loss, but cornerbacks Paul Oliver and Bryan Evans and strong safety Kelin
Johnson comprise of one of the best defensive back units in the conference. As
long as the front four can get some pressure on the quarterback, the defensive
backs will shut down just about any receiver.
The Bottom Line:
There is a ton of talent in
Georgia and even in what was supposed to be a down year in 2006, the Bulldogs
put together a solid season. It should be better this year, which means, despite
the brutal schedule, the team could be looking for an SEC East title.
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