JBryant12
03-05-2005, 02:18 PM
Shockley era begins with spring practice
Posted: Friday March 4, 2005 10:31AM; Updated: Friday March 4, 2005 10:31AM
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- In three straight seasons with 10 or more wins, Georgia has won its New Year's Day bowl game and finished in The Associated Press top 10.
Even though the Bulldogs lost only six seniors from their 10-2 2004 season, it may be difficult for coach Mark Richt to keep the top-10 streak alive.
Georgia also lost two top juniors -- linebacker Odell Thurman and safety Thomas Davis -- to the NFL draft, and the small 2004 senior class included some very big names.
As spring practice opens Saturday, Richt must replace David Greene, the winningest quarterback in Division I-A history, David Pollack, the 2004 Lombardi Award winner, and Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown, two of Georgia's top five all-time leaders in receptions.
Greene was the only quarterback to start in Richt's four years at Georgia, though D.J. Shockley played a backup role the last three years. Now, as a senior, Shockley finally will have his chance to start.
"It's going to be totally different," Shockley said this week. "Being the starter and taking all the reps, it's going to be a drastic change, but I think it will be a change I'm ready for."
Added Shockley: "I guess the first day we walk out there, it's going to be a different era."
An emphasis of the spring drills, which end with the G-Day game on April 9, will be developing a rhythm between Shockley and the new starting receivers. Top candidates to replace Brown and Gibson are Bryan McClendon and Sean Bailey. Tight end Leonard Pope also could continue to emerge as a top receiving threat.
Shockley will bring added athleticism to the position, giving Richt more play-calling flexibility.
"I think there will be more movement of the pocket, more bootlegs and laterals to put more pressure on the defense," Shockley said.
But the strong-armed Shockley is more than just a quarterback on the move.
"That's one of the biggest things I've tried to stress since I've been here," Shockley said. "Even though I have the athletic ability to run, at the same time I can sit in the pocket and hurt you as well."
The other 2004 seniors were fullback Jeremy Thomas, a two-year starter, and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who had 15 career starts.
The small class posted a 42-10 record and the 2002 Southeastern Conference championship.
With Davis and Thurman moving to the NFL, the defense lost four starters. The unit received a boost when end Will Thompson was granted an extra year of eligibility. Quentin Moses, who showed big-play potential in a backup role, may move into Pollack's starting position.
Also, linebacker Tony Taylor will return after missing the 2004 season with a knee injury he suffered in last year's spring game. Danny Verdun Wheeler and Derrick White are returning starters at linebacker.
Cornerbacks Tim Jennings and DeMario Minter return as starters. Greg Blue will move from rover to free safety, and Tra Battle is the top candidate at rover.
Already it has been a tough offseason for Richt, who has lost two assistant coaches and was in danger of losing two others.
Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder accepted an offer to become linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Willie Martinez was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator.
Running backs coach Ken Rucker left to take the same job at Texas.
Recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Rodney Garner was interested in pursuing a position at Louisiana State before he received a raise and a new title -- assistant head coach. Defensive ends coach Jon Fabris accepted a job at Oklahoma before changing his mind and returning to Richt's staff.
Richt hired former Bulldog defensive back Kirby Smart to replace Rucker and Central Michigan defensive coordinator John Jancek to coach linebackers.
Posted: Friday March 4, 2005 10:31AM; Updated: Friday March 4, 2005 10:31AM
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- In three straight seasons with 10 or more wins, Georgia has won its New Year's Day bowl game and finished in The Associated Press top 10.
Even though the Bulldogs lost only six seniors from their 10-2 2004 season, it may be difficult for coach Mark Richt to keep the top-10 streak alive.
Georgia also lost two top juniors -- linebacker Odell Thurman and safety Thomas Davis -- to the NFL draft, and the small 2004 senior class included some very big names.
As spring practice opens Saturday, Richt must replace David Greene, the winningest quarterback in Division I-A history, David Pollack, the 2004 Lombardi Award winner, and Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown, two of Georgia's top five all-time leaders in receptions.
Greene was the only quarterback to start in Richt's four years at Georgia, though D.J. Shockley played a backup role the last three years. Now, as a senior, Shockley finally will have his chance to start.
"It's going to be totally different," Shockley said this week. "Being the starter and taking all the reps, it's going to be a drastic change, but I think it will be a change I'm ready for."
Added Shockley: "I guess the first day we walk out there, it's going to be a different era."
An emphasis of the spring drills, which end with the G-Day game on April 9, will be developing a rhythm between Shockley and the new starting receivers. Top candidates to replace Brown and Gibson are Bryan McClendon and Sean Bailey. Tight end Leonard Pope also could continue to emerge as a top receiving threat.
Shockley will bring added athleticism to the position, giving Richt more play-calling flexibility.
"I think there will be more movement of the pocket, more bootlegs and laterals to put more pressure on the defense," Shockley said.
But the strong-armed Shockley is more than just a quarterback on the move.
"That's one of the biggest things I've tried to stress since I've been here," Shockley said. "Even though I have the athletic ability to run, at the same time I can sit in the pocket and hurt you as well."
The other 2004 seniors were fullback Jeremy Thomas, a two-year starter, and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who had 15 career starts.
The small class posted a 42-10 record and the 2002 Southeastern Conference championship.
With Davis and Thurman moving to the NFL, the defense lost four starters. The unit received a boost when end Will Thompson was granted an extra year of eligibility. Quentin Moses, who showed big-play potential in a backup role, may move into Pollack's starting position.
Also, linebacker Tony Taylor will return after missing the 2004 season with a knee injury he suffered in last year's spring game. Danny Verdun Wheeler and Derrick White are returning starters at linebacker.
Cornerbacks Tim Jennings and DeMario Minter return as starters. Greg Blue will move from rover to free safety, and Tra Battle is the top candidate at rover.
Already it has been a tough offseason for Richt, who has lost two assistant coaches and was in danger of losing two others.
Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder accepted an offer to become linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Willie Martinez was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator.
Running backs coach Ken Rucker left to take the same job at Texas.
Recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Rodney Garner was interested in pursuing a position at Louisiana State before he received a raise and a new title -- assistant head coach. Defensive ends coach Jon Fabris accepted a job at Oklahoma before changing his mind and returning to Richt's staff.
Richt hired former Bulldog defensive back Kirby Smart to replace Rucker and Central Michigan defensive coordinator John Jancek to coach linebackers.