BetweenTheHedges
05-03-2005, 11:35 AM
Basically ... For all of last year's talent, Georgia's offense wasn't nearly as dominant as it should've been. That should change this year with an interesting mix of players. The running game will be one of the nation's best as long as the passing attack can be merely adequate. D.J. Shockley takes over the quarterbacking job providing experience and plenty of mobility and excitement. What he doesn't have is Fred Gibson or Reggie Brown to throw to as the receiving corps was less than stellar in spring ball. Fortunately, the backfield is five-deep in great runners while the line, led by Max Jean-Gilles, will be among the nation's best.
Returning Leaders
Passing: D.J. Shockley
26-60, 464 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Thomas Brown
172 carries for 875 yds and 8 TDs
Receiving: TE Leonard Pope
25 catches, 482 yds, 6 TD
.
Star of the offense: Senior G Max Jean-Gilles
Player that has to step up and become a star: WRs Bryan McClendon and Sean Bailey
Unsung star on the rise: Junior OT Daniel Inman
Best pro prospect: Jean-Gilles
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Jean-Gilles, 2) TE Leonard Pope, 3) C Russ Tanner
Strength of the offense: Running back, offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Proven number one wide receiver
Quarterbacks
It's hard to knock the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, but David Greene was slightly underwhelming last year considering he had an NFL receiving corps to throw to and a strong line to play behind. D.J. Shockley won't throw like Greene did, but there's plenty of excitement and expectations for him to add more spark and more excitement to the offense. The backups are impressive and just need a little bit of playing time. Joe Tereshinski and Blake Barnes are fine passers and good emergency options. Recruit Joe Cox could play a role if disaster strikes.
Player to keep an eye on: Blake Barnes, RFr. ... Quarterback Rating: 8
Projected Starter
- D.J. Shockley, Sr. - Finally, finally, Shockley gets his shot to lead the Georgia offense after years of waiting behind David Greene. With decent size and tremendous mobility, Shockley provides more of a dangerous all-around problem than Greene did and will allow the coaching staff to add more wrinkles to the attack. Not only does he have to prove he can win like Greene did, he has to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season hurt by a knee injury halfway through the 2003 season. He threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns with an interception last year. He ran for 113 yards.
Top Backups
- Joe Tereshinski, Jr. - The 6-3, 221-pound junior knows the Georgia offense as well as possible after serving as the third string quarterback for the last two seasons. He's not going to be D.J. Shockley running the ball, but he has some mobility and has been used on special teams in the punting game and as a deep snapper.
- Blake Barnes, RFr. - Considered the quarterback of the future, the 6-3, 223 redshirt freshman has been inconsistent when getting his shot with the first two teams. However, with good accuracy and a fantastic arm, he'll be in the mix for the number two job all season long.
Running Backs
No team in America has as many great backs as Georgia can boast with five that would start just about anywhere else. Expect a rotation to keep everyone fresh, but the dream is for sophomore Danny Ware to be healthy for a full season and use his breathtaking skills to carry the offense. Catching the ball is a must for all of the backs, and they can all be used in the passing game. Kregg Lumpkin will quickly rise up the depth chart once he's able to prove he's 100% after a knee injury, but it'll be hard to decrease the workload for Ware, Thomas Brown and Tyson Browning.
Player to keep an eye on: Kregg Lumpkin, Soph. ... Running back rating: 10
Projected Starters
- Thomas Brown, Soph. - Brown might not provide the overall excitement some of the other Bulldog backs do, but he tore off 111 yards on only 16 carries capping off a tremendous freshman year stepping in and leading the team with 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also a strong receiver out of the backfield with 16 catches for 150 yards. He's only 5-8 and 183 pounds, but he provides a little bit of power.
- Fullback Des Williams, Jr. - The 260-pound Williams started two games used as a blocker. He was a top defensive player in high school and found his nitch in the Bulldog ground attack early two years ago. He's a better receiver than a runner.
Top Backups
- Danny Ware, Soph. - One of the SEC's most exciting young backs, Ware was named the opening day starter and finished second on the team with 692 yards and four touchdowns. He's a big back with moves and speed in the open field; he looks like he's shot out of a cannon when he turns the corner. The problem was his health missing time last year with a variety of injuries. There's some talk of using him as a fullback just to keep him in the backfield full-time.
- Tyson Browning, Sr. - A small, quick back with tremendous athleticism, Browning has home-run hitter speed even if he hasn't broken off too many big runs. He's ideal for third down situations because of his receiving skills, and he could end up moving over to wide receiver since there are already too many good backs in the rotation.
- Kregg Lumpkin, Soph. - The 6-1, 222-pound Lumpkin was all set for a breakout season in 2004 after a fantastic spring all but assured him of the starting spot. And then disaster struck suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first day of fall practices. Now 2003's second leading rusher will ease his way back into the mix and be ready to roll this fall.
- Tony Milton, Sr. - The 2003 opening day starter wasn't able to stay healthy throughout his career with shoulder and leg problems. He ended up only running 13 times for 14 yards last year in mop-up time. He might be the best number five running back in college football history.
- Michael Cooper, Jr. - He led the team in rushing in 2003, but saw time in the rotation slip away after having a problem last off-season with headaches. He was still able to see a littlie bit of work and saved the day against South Carolina filling in to rush for 63 yards. Unfortunately, he decided to transfer after slipping down the depth chart.
Receivers
This is the team's biggest question mark as top receivers Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson are gone. Considering their NFL-caliber skills, last year's big two were merely way above-average when it came to overall production. Their loss will still be felt as there isn't much experience to fall back on and little to no developed depth. The best pass catcher of the bunch should be NFL-ready junior tight end Leonard Pope. The 6-7 future millionaire led the team (at least those with more than one catch) with a 19.3-yard-per-catch average and will be the early go-to target. There's plenty of speed among the receivers. Now there has to by way above-average production. Watch out for top recruit Mohamed Massaquoi as the season goes on.
Player to keep an eye on: A.J. Bryant, Soph. ... Receiver rating: 6.5
Projected Starters
- Bryan McClendon, Sr. - Stuck behind Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson for the last few years, McClendon hasn't been able to see much action with only 21 career catches for 301 yards. Now he needs to be a star using his elite-level speed and experience in the system to quickly become a deep threat. He was a decent, but unspectacular, kickoff returner last year.
- Sean Bailey, Jr. - Bailey is a good-sized receiver with decent hands and good deep speed averaging 16 yards per catch last year with 14 grabs for 224 yards and three touchdowns including a 53-yard play against Georgia Tech. He was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll last year.
- Tight end Leonard Pope, Jr. - Pope is yet another great Georgia tight end emerging last year as one of the nation's best all-around talents. At 6-7 and 250 pounds, he was used mostly as a blocker as a freshman before his breakout sophomore season catching 25 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Considering his size, his 19.3 yard-per-catch average is phenomenal. He cranked his game up several notches between year one and year two; he'll be an early draft pick next year if he can maintain the high level.
Top Backups
- A.J. Bryant, Soph. - The former quarterback was shockingly good in practices after moving to receiver early last year. He only caught three passes for 58 yards hurt by a logjam of talent in front of him and a foot injury that cost him several games. At 6-2 and 195 pounds, he has the size to be an impact player. Now all he needs is a little more time and some more live action.
- Demiko Goodman, RFr. - Goodman can flat-out fly. The 6-2, 188-pound redshirt freshman was a top recruit helped by his world-class wheels. He'll run for the Georgia track team along with his duties as the football team's number two flanker.
- Mario Raley, Jr. - A shoulder problem from 2003 prevented Raley from making too much of an impact last year with only eight catches for 87 yards. He'll start out the year as a reserve split end, but he should see plenty of action in three-wide sets.
- Mohamed Massaquoi, Fr. - The team's top recruit should quickly find his way into the lineup if the inexperienced returning lettermen can't get the job done. At 6-2 and 180 pounds and with tremendous speed, Massaquoi has a ton of pressure on him considering he hasn't done anything yet.
- Tight end Martrez Milner, Jr. - Back spasms and the emergence of Leonard Pope kept Milner from having a big season. When right, he's a punishing run blocker with some decent moves catching four passes for 77 yards.
Returning Leaders
Passing: D.J. Shockley
26-60, 464 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Thomas Brown
172 carries for 875 yds and 8 TDs
Receiving: TE Leonard Pope
25 catches, 482 yds, 6 TD
.
Star of the offense: Senior G Max Jean-Gilles
Player that has to step up and become a star: WRs Bryan McClendon and Sean Bailey
Unsung star on the rise: Junior OT Daniel Inman
Best pro prospect: Jean-Gilles
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Jean-Gilles, 2) TE Leonard Pope, 3) C Russ Tanner
Strength of the offense: Running back, offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Proven number one wide receiver
Quarterbacks
It's hard to knock the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, but David Greene was slightly underwhelming last year considering he had an NFL receiving corps to throw to and a strong line to play behind. D.J. Shockley won't throw like Greene did, but there's plenty of excitement and expectations for him to add more spark and more excitement to the offense. The backups are impressive and just need a little bit of playing time. Joe Tereshinski and Blake Barnes are fine passers and good emergency options. Recruit Joe Cox could play a role if disaster strikes.
Player to keep an eye on: Blake Barnes, RFr. ... Quarterback Rating: 8
Projected Starter
- D.J. Shockley, Sr. - Finally, finally, Shockley gets his shot to lead the Georgia offense after years of waiting behind David Greene. With decent size and tremendous mobility, Shockley provides more of a dangerous all-around problem than Greene did and will allow the coaching staff to add more wrinkles to the attack. Not only does he have to prove he can win like Greene did, he has to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season hurt by a knee injury halfway through the 2003 season. He threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns with an interception last year. He ran for 113 yards.
Top Backups
- Joe Tereshinski, Jr. - The 6-3, 221-pound junior knows the Georgia offense as well as possible after serving as the third string quarterback for the last two seasons. He's not going to be D.J. Shockley running the ball, but he has some mobility and has been used on special teams in the punting game and as a deep snapper.
- Blake Barnes, RFr. - Considered the quarterback of the future, the 6-3, 223 redshirt freshman has been inconsistent when getting his shot with the first two teams. However, with good accuracy and a fantastic arm, he'll be in the mix for the number two job all season long.
Running Backs
No team in America has as many great backs as Georgia can boast with five that would start just about anywhere else. Expect a rotation to keep everyone fresh, but the dream is for sophomore Danny Ware to be healthy for a full season and use his breathtaking skills to carry the offense. Catching the ball is a must for all of the backs, and they can all be used in the passing game. Kregg Lumpkin will quickly rise up the depth chart once he's able to prove he's 100% after a knee injury, but it'll be hard to decrease the workload for Ware, Thomas Brown and Tyson Browning.
Player to keep an eye on: Kregg Lumpkin, Soph. ... Running back rating: 10
Projected Starters
- Thomas Brown, Soph. - Brown might not provide the overall excitement some of the other Bulldog backs do, but he tore off 111 yards on only 16 carries capping off a tremendous freshman year stepping in and leading the team with 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also a strong receiver out of the backfield with 16 catches for 150 yards. He's only 5-8 and 183 pounds, but he provides a little bit of power.
- Fullback Des Williams, Jr. - The 260-pound Williams started two games used as a blocker. He was a top defensive player in high school and found his nitch in the Bulldog ground attack early two years ago. He's a better receiver than a runner.
Top Backups
- Danny Ware, Soph. - One of the SEC's most exciting young backs, Ware was named the opening day starter and finished second on the team with 692 yards and four touchdowns. He's a big back with moves and speed in the open field; he looks like he's shot out of a cannon when he turns the corner. The problem was his health missing time last year with a variety of injuries. There's some talk of using him as a fullback just to keep him in the backfield full-time.
- Tyson Browning, Sr. - A small, quick back with tremendous athleticism, Browning has home-run hitter speed even if he hasn't broken off too many big runs. He's ideal for third down situations because of his receiving skills, and he could end up moving over to wide receiver since there are already too many good backs in the rotation.
- Kregg Lumpkin, Soph. - The 6-1, 222-pound Lumpkin was all set for a breakout season in 2004 after a fantastic spring all but assured him of the starting spot. And then disaster struck suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first day of fall practices. Now 2003's second leading rusher will ease his way back into the mix and be ready to roll this fall.
- Tony Milton, Sr. - The 2003 opening day starter wasn't able to stay healthy throughout his career with shoulder and leg problems. He ended up only running 13 times for 14 yards last year in mop-up time. He might be the best number five running back in college football history.
- Michael Cooper, Jr. - He led the team in rushing in 2003, but saw time in the rotation slip away after having a problem last off-season with headaches. He was still able to see a littlie bit of work and saved the day against South Carolina filling in to rush for 63 yards. Unfortunately, he decided to transfer after slipping down the depth chart.
Receivers
This is the team's biggest question mark as top receivers Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson are gone. Considering their NFL-caliber skills, last year's big two were merely way above-average when it came to overall production. Their loss will still be felt as there isn't much experience to fall back on and little to no developed depth. The best pass catcher of the bunch should be NFL-ready junior tight end Leonard Pope. The 6-7 future millionaire led the team (at least those with more than one catch) with a 19.3-yard-per-catch average and will be the early go-to target. There's plenty of speed among the receivers. Now there has to by way above-average production. Watch out for top recruit Mohamed Massaquoi as the season goes on.
Player to keep an eye on: A.J. Bryant, Soph. ... Receiver rating: 6.5
Projected Starters
- Bryan McClendon, Sr. - Stuck behind Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson for the last few years, McClendon hasn't been able to see much action with only 21 career catches for 301 yards. Now he needs to be a star using his elite-level speed and experience in the system to quickly become a deep threat. He was a decent, but unspectacular, kickoff returner last year.
- Sean Bailey, Jr. - Bailey is a good-sized receiver with decent hands and good deep speed averaging 16 yards per catch last year with 14 grabs for 224 yards and three touchdowns including a 53-yard play against Georgia Tech. He was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll last year.
- Tight end Leonard Pope, Jr. - Pope is yet another great Georgia tight end emerging last year as one of the nation's best all-around talents. At 6-7 and 250 pounds, he was used mostly as a blocker as a freshman before his breakout sophomore season catching 25 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Considering his size, his 19.3 yard-per-catch average is phenomenal. He cranked his game up several notches between year one and year two; he'll be an early draft pick next year if he can maintain the high level.
Top Backups
- A.J. Bryant, Soph. - The former quarterback was shockingly good in practices after moving to receiver early last year. He only caught three passes for 58 yards hurt by a logjam of talent in front of him and a foot injury that cost him several games. At 6-2 and 195 pounds, he has the size to be an impact player. Now all he needs is a little more time and some more live action.
- Demiko Goodman, RFr. - Goodman can flat-out fly. The 6-2, 188-pound redshirt freshman was a top recruit helped by his world-class wheels. He'll run for the Georgia track team along with his duties as the football team's number two flanker.
- Mario Raley, Jr. - A shoulder problem from 2003 prevented Raley from making too much of an impact last year with only eight catches for 87 yards. He'll start out the year as a reserve split end, but he should see plenty of action in three-wide sets.
- Mohamed Massaquoi, Fr. - The team's top recruit should quickly find his way into the lineup if the inexperienced returning lettermen can't get the job done. At 6-2 and 180 pounds and with tremendous speed, Massaquoi has a ton of pressure on him considering he hasn't done anything yet.
- Tight end Martrez Milner, Jr. - Back spasms and the emergence of Leonard Pope kept Milner from having a big season. When right, he's a punishing run blocker with some decent moves catching four passes for 77 yards.