A.J. Green's Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Card

This is supposedly what the former Georgia receiver, A.J. Green's, rookie card for the Cincinnati Bengals will look like. I sure wish he were still wearing the red and black this season, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what this Top 10 pick will do at the next level.

Related articles

• A.J. Green Goes Fourth Overall To The Cincinnati Bengals (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Aaron Murray: Change A Few Plays And "...Our Season is Completely Different"

In a one-on-one interview with Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel earlier this week, Aaron Murray spoke about his progress over this past spring, what he will need to work on this summer, and what he hopes to see happen in 2011.

From some of his statements, it's clear that he is still bothered by how everything turned out (6-7 overall record, losing to Central Florida in the bowl game, etc.), but you also get a sense that's he's feeling good about Georgia's potential in 2011—if everyone is one the same page.

He says his biggest goal this summer is to "...work on my timing with my receivers.  We’ve got a lot of new guys out there...but not a lot of guys with experience."

That's not exactly news to those who follow the team closely. With the departure of A.J. Green, junior Tavarres King steps into the role of Georgia's No. 1 receiver and, with only 47 receptions in his three year career, he's a No. 1 of a different collar. By contrast, Chad Bumphis of Mississippi State had 44 receptions in 2010, as a sophomore, on a team that ran the ball nearly three times as much as it passed.

So, to say that King has a bit more work to do in the experience department is an understatement.

That said, last season was his most productive one to date (27 receptions, 504 yards, and three touchdowns) so there is reason to be optimistic that the transition will go well.

As for Murray's options beyond King, there is no denying that Orson Charles is that guy. Richt has been vocal about Charles' place in the offense and he hasn't been shy about calling the tight end his "best receiver". So, look for him to get a lot of reps this summer in anticipation of his increased role.

One thing is certain, Murray won't be sneaking up on defenses this season and he knows it. He took one heck of a beating last year, thanks in large part to an offensive line that didn't seem to play consistently, and he's added a few more pounds to his frame (about 10 to be exact) in order to "...be able to endure a bit of the punishment". Although, most fans will be hoping that he won't see the turf nearly as much in 2011 as he did in 2010 (25).

On the other hand, from an armchair point of view, many are just hoping to see Murray stay focused for all four quarters. 

Murray, admittedly, had some mental lapses in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of games last year and that often led to negative lulls in the offense. But, with a year under his belt, perhaps he will be able to correct those inconsistencies and play more evenly across the board.

Overall, Murray looks to be confident that a lot of the mistakes of 2010 can be forgotten in 2011, if the team does what it's supposed to do on the field—play well every second, of every down, of every game.Said Murray,

"...Every week is going to be to the end, it’s going to come down to the fourth quarter. That was our biggest problem last year, just not finishing off games. Maybe three or four plays every game you go back and change and our season is completely different. So, just come in with a mindset that it’s going to be a long year and you are going to have to mentally prepare yourself for 13-to-14 games and you have to mentally prepare yourself that you are going to play every play of every one of those games."

His statement echos a common sentiment that has been heard a good bit around Butts-Mehre this off-season—from Joe Tereshinski Sr. to coach Mark Richt—the hard line is Georgia just didn't finish games last season and that played the biggest role in a most every one of their losses.

If that is the case, Georgia's players are doing all they can to not make those same mistakes twice, especially with jobs and reputations so firmly on the line, and that motivation is hopeful to continue this summer when the new class comes to town.

Related articles

• Aaron Murray, tactician (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• One potential plus about Aaron Murray... (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

SEC Football: Top 5 Wide Receiver Candidates for 2011

Joe Adams (pictured r.) in 2011 spring scrimmage

Over the last three seasons, the SEC has seen plenty of talent at wide receiver, but the media love was pointed squarely on the jersey's of two phenoms: A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Both players were game-changers for their respective teams and their potential as impact players on the next level led them to be selected in the Top 10 of this years NFL Draft. Their departures leave the door wide open for a few other difference-makers in the SEC, some of whom need no introductions, to make their presence felt on a national level.

The players you will find in this list are guys who have made key contributions on their teams already and could be poised to have an outstanding season in 2011:

1. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: This is a no-brainer. Jeffery could have been a first-round pick in this year's draft had he been eligible, but his under-classmen's status will be South Carolina's gain this year as his return is sure to have SEC defensive backs running scared. Last season, he put up some beastly numbers (88 receptions, 1,517 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17.24 ypc average) on his way to helping lead the Gamecocks to their first SEC Championship Game appearance in more than two decades. This season, if South Carolina can settle their quarterback situation, you can expect to see a lot more of him on the highlight reel.

2. Joe Adams, Arkansas: Where Cobi Hamilton (see next) brings the thunder, Adams is most certainly the lightning as the rising senior lit up the Arkansas spring game for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He is clearly on a mission to lay waste in the SEC West this season and assert himself as a candidate for the league's best player. Look for him to make a marked improvement over last season's numbers in Petrino's pass-happy offense (50 receptions, 813 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 16.26 ypc average).

3. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: Before you figure me for a fool because I neglected to name either Greg Childs or Jarius Wright in this space, hear me out. Hamilton, the junior receiver who is often lost in the shuffle of the Razorbacks plethora of talent at receiver, did more with less than any other wide receiver on the team last season (32 receptions, 680 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 19.69 ypc average). Even more, he barely played until after the first four games were in the books. Hamilton had a great spring and looks to be on track for a breakout season with the Hogs.

4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Denarious Moore is gone and the Vols will be looking to a new guy to fill that void, look no further than Justin Hunter (16 receptions, 415 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 25.94 ypc average). Hunter has the size, the physical playing style, and the talent to both stretch the field and make the big plays.With Tyler Bray solidifying his place at quarterback—stabilizing the Vols passing game—you can expect to see a lot more of Houston in 2011.

5. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State: Bulldog quarterback, Chris Relf, isn't exactly a candidate to win any Heisman trophies, but he won't have to be if he can avoid making bad decisions with the football. Bumphis (44 receptions, 634 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 14.41 ypc average) is a skilled receiver with a ton of speed and he can definitely make plays in the open field. With the Bulldogs returning much of their offense, bolstered in part by the stout running of Vick Ballard, Mississippi State could be tough yet again.

Other notable players: Orson Charles, Georgia, Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Rueben Randle, LSU, Emory Blake, Auburn, LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

So, who did I miss? Go ahead...feel free to let me know.

*All stats appear courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Georgia Bulldogs: Tight End Is The New Wide Receiver

In case you missed the bulletin, A.J. Green is gone. No longer will No. 8 traverse the fields of Sanford Stadium, and while there is currently not a guy on the Georgia Bulldogs' roster who seems ready to step into Green's huge shoes—have no fear—the tight end could be back in style again.

While a plethora of questions are worthy of conversation where the wide receiving corps is concerned—can Tavarres King be effective as a No. 1, will Marlon Brown or Rantavious Wooten ever become legit, is Michael Bennett the sleeper of the SEC this season—there seems to be little of that wondering going on where the tight ends are concerned. As a matter of fact, the only question that seems to keep cropping up is whether or not Aaron Murray will be able to air it out enough to keep his plethora of ends happy?

We start, of course, with Orson Charles who has been beastly since his arrival on campus in 2009. He has rarely disappointed, but you get the feeling that the best is still yet to come with this young man. Perhaps in his second season catching footballs from best friend, and former Plant High teammate, Aaron Murray, we will finally see him reach his full potential.

Next up is Aron White who, at 6'4", 239, is one of the smallest tight ends on the depth chart, but who has continually made his presence felt on the field during some of the more crucial downs. He's been hampered a bit by an injury this spring but, as the senior leader of this group, what he offers in poise and experience far outweighs his stat line which, given the lack of attention this position has been  given over the years, is still impressive.

Arthur Lynch looks like he's ready to make a difference on the football field this season as well. The redshirt sophomore gained better than 20 pounds this past offseason, and has looked solid in drills thus far. Lynch has always been lauded for his great blocking ability—a trait that will always get you on the football field for Mark Richt—but he has the potential to be every bit as useful as a pass-catcher. Look for him to step it up this season.

Finally, there's Jay Rome—who isn't even enrolled yet. You can expect to see him get a better than average shot at early playing time in 2011. He's got the size, the speed, the build, and the potential to make a nice contribution for the Bulldogs if placed in the right offensive situations.

There's no doubt that Georgia will be looking for playmakers this year and, as already mentioned, the wide receiving corps could use a boost with both Green and Durham now gone. It wouldn't surprise me to see one of these guys, perhaps Charles or White, step onto the football field in a hybrid role to fill in the blanks—particularly Charles who is known to get loose in the middle of the field to make the big play.

If offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, can FINALLY see fit to open up his playbook to include more offensive sets for his talented tight ends, perhaps the obvious void in the receiving corps won't seem nearly as daunting.

Friday Links: Will A.J. Green Be The No. 1 Pick?

Friday is here and that means the 'Lady' will take a break from writing about sports, but not before I drop a few interesting links to buffer your morning web wandering.

Could A.J. Green go No. 1?

According to Adam Schefter, a noted NFL Insider, A.J. Green is considered by many to be the "top-rated player in the draft". Does that mean he could go No.1 overall—defying the opinion of some pundits who felt that Julio Jones' great combine, coupled with Green's bizarre pro day, made the former Dawg slip down many a draft board. We shall see what happens with this one, but it sounds to me like Green is still in a very good position.

Domonique Wilkins in brawl.

Apparently someone didn't give this man the memo. Didn't he know that Wilkins is known as the "human highlight reel"? Surely, he didn't think he was going to get a punch in on this former Bulldog great—tsk, tsk. According to this publication, Wilkins was attacked by a former NBA ref seeking to collect a debt of $13,000 from 'Nique.

Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams: dueling safeties.

Neither Jakar Hamilton, nor Shawn Williams, were better than true freshman Alec Ogletree last season. Now, on 2011, with Ogletree moving to linebacker, these same two players are hoping to do what they couldn't do last year—win the starting safety job and play it well. I hope that they both are committed to getting the job done, Georgia's options here are relatively slim.


Could the Bulldogs run the table in 2011?

This mailbag question by a college football fan prompted this response from a Rivals writer, "...
even if Georgia did go unbeaten in the regular season, it still would have to play in the SEC championship game, where Alabama or LSU likely would be looming. Your optimism is respected, but I cannot share it." Read the whole response here.

What's next for Auburn after the HBO report?

"The NCAA would need more than just allegations made by these players to bring a case against Auburn. But it’s enough for it to start asking questions." I don't know if the NCAA will ask questions that actually lead them anywhere, but perhaps they'll do their due diligence—you recall how they handled the Cam Newton situation, right? They'll just ask. 'did you cheat'? to which Auburn will reply, 'no'. Okay, carry on then.

Not everyone is convinced Cam Newton will be successful at the next level.

"Newton has only been exposed to basic coverages in the SEC due to the nature of the Tigers' offense, leaving scouts and coaches diligently working to determine his football acumen in workouts and meetings." So, what you're saying is, Newton looks good in person, not on paper? Well...who didn't know that?!?

Oh, I get it now, it's okay for Auburn to pay players—if they did. 

Funny, I don't think this guy would have this opinion if Alabama were the school on the proverbial hot seat for running an elaborate pay-for-play scheme, "...It's time to say, yes, Auburn paid players. And that did everyone else does too." So, as long as everybody else is doing it, Auburn shouldn't be penalized. Well, I'll buy that convenient logic for $1.


Steve Spurrier is unimpressed with his quarterbacks—as usual.

This is hilarious. I love the part where Spurrier says the mediocre play of his quarterbacks is likely why they'll be "running the ball about 50 times a game with Marcus". You hear that, SEC? Focus on the run!

(h/t GamecockAnthemTube)




HBO Roundtable With Rich Rodriguez, Jason Whitlock, etc. 

NFL Draft 2011: "Green To Cincy Makes The Most Sense" Says John Clayton

John Clayton thinks the most logical destination for former Georgia wide receiver, A.J. Green, will be the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 4—Carson Palmer or no Carson Palmer. That offense is built around the passing game and with Terrell Owens out and Chad OchoCinco likely on his way to free agency soon, the Bengals will be looking to add some young, playmaking talent.

If not them, the Browns are still a very good possibility at the No. 6 spot—assuming they don't decide to select Julio Jones. The Browns need receiver help and Green would not only fill that role, but would be just the impact guy they need to expand their offense and give Colt McCoy more viable options in the passing game.

Here's what John Clayton had to say:



Either way, it sounds like Green will be selected in the Top 10.

Atlanta Falcons: Should They Bet The Future To Land A.J. Green?

According to Jeff Schultz, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Falcons need to give away whatever they can to secure A.J. Green in the 2011 NFL Draft. Said Schultz, "...Thirty-two games, 166 catches, 2,619 yards, 23 touchdowns. He’ll be better than fine. The Falcons shouldn’t let him leave the state."

While it's true that Green could be the next star in the NFL, the Falcons need help on defense—not offense.

Sure, Green would be a welcome addition—if they could land him—but sitting at No. 27, the Falcons would have to give up a lot for the potential that Green brings to the table. And, for my money, I'm willing to bet that Thomas Dimitroff isn't interested in mortgaging the team's future on any one player—no matter how much "wow" he has to offer.

In truth, if the Falcons are looking to move up for any Georgia Bulldog, they may need to take a hard look at Justin Houston. Houston showed well at UGA's Pro Day as well, and he would make a nice compliment to John Abraham coming off the opposite edge. Furthermore, he's projected as a late-first, early second round pick—more than gettable for the Falcons—and has the kind of work ethic and attitude that Dimitroff covets.

As a Georgia fan, it would be great to see A.J. Green continuing his success in the state of Georgia but, to be honest, I'd much rather see the Falcons fill the needs that will immediately help the team—not just put more rear-ends in the seats. 

Related articles

• McShay says A.J. Green is better than Julio Jones (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Scouts don't get in-person look at A.J. Green at Georgia's pro day (football.rawsignal.com)

UGA Pro Day: Live Blog

A.J. Green: "I'm Tall, I'm Big, I'm Physical"

Ya know, as much as I enjoyed watching A.J. Green play football for the University of Georgia, I have to say it was disappointing to see how poorly he scored on the Wonderlic. In case you haven't heard, he only answered 10 of the 50 questions correctly.

If you're an NFL scout, you have to be a little concerned about how that will translate into his ability to play at the next level—some already have.

However, it seems to me that, unlike at quarterback, the position of wide receiver is not nearly as cerebral. Green has the ability to get open, catch the ball, and maintain body control in almost any situation. He's especially good at making the difficult catches near the sideline and in traffic—the Wonderlic doesn't test for those types of intangibles.

My guess is that Green will still be a very enticing pick for any team in need of a No. 1 receiver. Some may pass him by for reasons unspecified, but his Wonderlic score isn't likely to be one of those reasons.

As Green says, he's tall, he's big, and he's physical—he can get the job done.

(h/t sanfrancisco49ers)

Related articles

• 2011 NFL Mock Draft: McShay Has A.J. Green Touch Down in Cincinnati (bleacherreport.com)
• 2011 NFL Wonderlic Test Results Leaked: McElroy, Newton Scores (nowpublic.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: You Are What You Eat?

If Joe Tereshinki's decision to keep tabs on player's plates and meal choices has had the affect on every guy, on Georgia's roster, that it seems to be having on wide receiver, Tavarres King, I'll take "more of that, please" for $1, Alex.

Said King, in an interview by UGASports.com's Anthony Dasher, "I've seen a lot of changes just with the personality of our weight room; it's very business-like. Nothing against the old way that we did things, but we need to be disciplined right now and we needed some changes in the way we behaved."

That last statement falls squarely under the category of, "ya think?"

It became very apparent last season that the team was a group of individuals with very different agendas on the football field—only a portion of which actually involved playing consistently good football.

King, Washaun Ealey, that other King [Caleb], and even A.J. Green, all made some very bad decisions that resulted in bad on-field play which attracted an even bigger off-field microscope. It was tough to see guys, whom many felt were high-caliber football players, play like lost puppies.

It was a sickening experience which many would just as soon forget—2011 couldn't get here fast enough.

That said, it truly feels like the attitude being fostered by Joe Tereshinski within the weight room is rubbing off on the outside of it as well. King gave credence to that point with the following statement,

"With some of these workouts, I think we'll definitely be a stronger fourth-quarter team. Last year we really couldn't finish in the fourth quarter and I feel like these workouts will eliminate those fourth-quarter struggles...maybe we were (in shape), maybe we just couldn't take a few shots to the mouth in the fourth quarter and fight back, but I think these workouts are doing something to us physically, by giving our body endurance, as well as mentally." (Anthony Dasher, UGASports.com, 3/3/11).

If that is indeed the case, 2011 is looking much better for this Georgia team—assuming the banter we keep hearing isn't just the usual coach/player-speak to which we've all grown accustomed—and for that alone I have to tip my hat to Mr. Tereshinski.

Georgia Bulldogs: Waiting on Marlon Brown To Become "Marlon Brown"

Photo Credit:UGA Sports Communications

When Marlon Brown announced he was heading to the University of Georgia, there was a lot of excitement about the talented receiver from Harding Academy in Memphis, TN.

Many expected him to immediately step onto the field and become an impact player—catching footballs alongside A.J. Green. However the opposite has proven true as Brown has not only not been an impact player, but has hardly made much of a contribution at all.

So, what's the problem?

Popular opinion seems to be that the young man simply wasn't ready for the SEC. He certainly had the size and speed, but his domination came easier when he was playing in Memphis—against the lesser competition in his league. He simply wasn't challenged enough at the high school level and, to some extent, coach Richt's staff understood that when they signed him, said Richt, at that time,  "...the league he played in certainly made you question just a little bit, is this just a big man in a league where he's dominant, or can he really play with the big boys."

That said, the potential for Brown still seemed limitless in terms of what he could do once he became better acclimated to SEC play. However, he has been plagued with a series of unfortunate setbacks, mostly injury-based, that have translated into Georgia Bulldog fans seeing a player who doesn't look like he will ever become what they imagined.

To be fair to Brown, it seems only right to mention that the wasted redshirt season of 2009 is as much a factor in Brown's overall lack of development than anything. The young man was targeted less than a dozen times during his true freshman season (2009) and, essentially, wasted a year of possible tutelage.

The mentality behind that decision not to redshirt him is a source of ongoing debate, but is neither here nor there as he enters his third season at Georgia—you know what they say about hindsight.

With A.J. Green gone and Kris Durham graduated, Brown has a better than average opportunity to begin to showcase what he can do at Georgia. He is no longer playing in the shadows of a superstar wide receiver, nor is he likely to be short-changed on the football field if he can play consistent football throughout the spring and summer.

The sky can still be the limit for Brown—if he can remember how to fly.

What say you, is Marlon Brown finally ready or are his best days behind him?

Georgia Bulldogs: Aaron Murray Is The Starting QB—No Question

Photo Credit: BRANT SANDERLIN/AJC

There will always be naysayers where Aaron Murray is concerned, but those people obviously didn't see how well Murray played in 2010. The redshirt freshman showed poise beyond his years and showcased a bevy of skills that even the coaching staff could not have expected.

So, when this article was published, questioning whether or not Georgia should "sit or start" Murray in 2011, I found myself intrigued as to what a non-Bulldog fan had to say on the subject. Below are the only two reasons this writer has for sitting the tough, young man from Tampa.

#1. Lack of Size

Murray measures in at 6'1" and 209 pounds. He needs to add a little weight to help endure some of the sacks he takes. Murray was sacked 24 times and suffered a number of hits during the 2010 season. Until the Georgia Bulldogs' offensive line improves, Murray should expect to have pass-rushers in his face at times.

His lack of height also occasionally leads to passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Okay, it's true that Murray is not the prototypical height and size of a pro-style quarterback, but that is not the only characteristic that goes into a quality starter.

There are plenty of 6'3", 225 lb, signal-callers that don't have the poise, pocket presence, or leadership ability that Murray displays on the football field and those are the intangibles that matter—every bit as much as the physical attributes.

Oh and, FYI, the nation's leading passer last season was shorter than Murray—Bryan Moniz. It also seems safe to assume that Boise State wouldn't trade their quarterback for  all the tea in China either. Kellen Moore clocks in at 6'0".

The point is, size doesn't always matter.

Furthermore, his lack of body weight is less important, where sacks are concerned, than Georgia's need to get their offensive line in order.

Murray didn't miss one game last season, despite being knocked on his backside better than 20 times. Even more, the anemic running game, the absence of playmakers in the receiving game (particularly in A.J. Green's absence), and the inability of the coaches to loosen the reigns as the season progressed, all played a hefty roll in Murray's inability to succeed in the win-loss column.

#2. Record

Murray was only able to produce a 6-7 record on the year and 3-5 record in Southeastern Conference play. While Murray's performances were decent, he wasn't able to lead the team to a winning record.

The fact that Murray was unable to "lead the team to a winning record" wasn't all on him. Poor playcalling, unfortunate turnovers, and defensive lapses in the secondary played key roles in losses at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, at Colorado, at Florida, and versus Arkansas—only one of those losses could, arguably, be attributed to Murray's play—he threw an ill-advised interception against Florida that led to the game-winning play in overtime.

If Georgia had taken care of business, on both sides of the ball in every one of those games, that 6-7 record might easily have been 10-3 or 11-2 (7-1 or 6-2 in the SEC).

Murray's lack of a winning record isn't all on him and there is no question that 2011 should be better for the Georgia Bulldogs—if Mark Richt and his staff can right the ship on both sides of the football field.

Ameer Abdullah Doesn't Have Nice Things To Say About Tennessee

Do you know who Ameer Abdullah is? He wasn't on the national radar during the recruiting season, but he did sign with a major Division I school—the Nebraska Cornhuskers—on signing day.

He received a nice slew of offers, including several from SEC schools, but it's his comments about his visit to Tennessee that will likely raise a few eyebrows—especially given the more positive, toned down, atmosphere perceived to be in place under coach Dooley.

Check out the question, and corresponding answer, given by Abdullah during an interview by Rivals.com writer, Mike Matya:

What was the worst moment during the recruiting process?

"Probably when I visited Tennessee. The guys down there… I really didn't want to surround myself with."

Ouch! What's up with that?

You have to admit that was a curious statement to make about a school with a first-class guy as it's head coach.

I'd be interested to know how Abdullah spent his time in Knoxville and with whom, exactly, he spent it.

Ironically, Abdullah's best moment in the recruiting process came courtesy of Tennessee's eastern division rival, Georgia. Abdullah witnessed former star receiver, A.J. Green, in action during his visit to Auburn:

What was your favorite moment during the recruiting process?

"Probably when I visited Auburn and they played Georgia. I saw A.J. Green in action and he caught 211 (yards) on them. That game and seeing him play was the highlight for me."

(sigh)...A.J. did have that effect on people, didn't he? But, I digress.

Honestly, Abdullah's pronouncement should come as a surprise to the Knoxville contingent as it was only a handful of months ago that he was singing a much different tune following an official visit in November.

Said Abdullah, at that time, "I didn’t know much about Tennessee. I learned they have a very huge fan base no matter how the season is going. I met with Tauren Poole, he’s a real cool guy and he was my host. I really like Tennessee."

Uh-huh, just another example of how the recruiting game can be a kick in the head.

Georgia Bulldogs: Coach Bobo Needs To Bring His 'A' Game In 2011

Last season, Mike Bobo wasn't impressive.

While Mark Richt was quick to point out the streak where Georgia's offense put up 30 or more points (six)—setting some kind of record—most of us failed to be wowed by the overall product.

To be frank, Bobo's tendencies towards being too predictable became difficult to watch and, most of the time, you found yourself wondering why he was wearing a set of headphones in the first place.

So, the natural question continues to be this: why is he still the offensive coordinator at Georgia? What on earth does coach Richt see that so many others don't?

Those of us who judge Bobo, from our sofas and office water coolers, have already decided at least this much about him, 1) he often moves away from what's working (whether that be the run or the pass) in an attempt to diversify the offense, 2) he falls in love with a particular play and keeps running it (even when it becomes clear said play is not working), 3) he can't seem to make an offensive adjustment to save his life, and 4) he has no idea how to use the talent he has on the field.

Last season was a perfect example of that last point. It was clear that Green was Bobo's ace, and he wasn't prepared to call an offense that didn't feature him—who could blame him, right? A.J. Green wasn't only a playmaker for Georgia, he was the playmaker—no disrespect to Kris Durham—and while he was out, no one else seemed to step up.

Where were Marlon Brown?... Rantavious Wooten?... Tavarres King?

Or perhaps the better question was this: why didn't Bobo change his play calling to fit the guys he had on the field? Why not develop plays that take advantage of each player's respective skills?

Every team can't be blessed with an A.J. Green, so it's important that the offensive coordinator understand the skill-sets of each position player on his team's roster so that he is better able to use those skills in a productive manner.

For example, Tavarres King was able to get deep at numerous points last season, yet Bobo seemed hesitant to target him—even when it was clear that Green was not the best option (although, to be fair, that blame could have been just as much on Aaron Murray's shoulders).

Marlon Brown is a huge target, why didn't he get more redzone looks? Better still, with the gluttony of talent at tight end, why not employ more two-tight end sets once Georgia was in scoring range? Mix it up! Be innovative! Do something!

If Bobo has clear concepts of what he wants to do, he doesn't seem to have a clue how to get them from his head to the football field and that's a a problem.

2011 will be his defining season and, minus Green, Bobo will need to tap into whatever creativity he has if he expects to see the further progression of Aaron Murray on the football field.

Bobo's on-the-job-training ended a long time ago, it's time to see if he's worth the confidence that coach Richt keeps throwing his way—his job, and coaching future, likely depends on it.

Related articles

• About that scoring streak... (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: What Does Isaiah Crowell Need To Be Successful?

Photo Credit: JASON GETZ/AJC

Isaiah Crowell's announcement did more than relieve months of tension and worry among the Bulldog faithful, it gave them a reason to believe that the running game would again have the star it so desperately needs in the backfield—the perfect compliment to Aaron Murray.

Well, it was only six-months ago that fans were satisfied that the Washaun Ealey/Caleb King combo was everything Georgia needed to "run this state" too, and that didn't exactly work out as planned now did it?

Now, before you start thinking this article is meant to rain on the "dream team" parade, please step away from the keyboard and think about this for a moment: As unimpressive, underwhelming, and downright disappointing as Ealey and King both proved to be last season, there can be no doubt that they have talent and have, at some point, been serviceable during their careers at Georgia.

After all, in 2010, many predicted the duo could be one of the best 1-2 combos in the SEC.

Was that a mistake? Did the two generate too much hype for their own good last year, or was something bigger at hand in their collective freefalls from grace?

The only reason this question is worth asking today is because as studly as Isaiah Crowell may turn out to be, no one wishes to see him fall flat, under the weight of enormous expectations, simply because Georgia hasn't done all it can to prepare the way for him.

Before Crowell can be envisioned "running that rock" in any part of Georgia's offense, a few points need to be considered. Points that could have a major impact on his productivity from day one.

For one, A.J. Green's departure means the run game will get a lot more attention.

Without, at least presently, a player of Green's caliber to stretch the field and give defensive coordinator's fits, Bobo will need to do a much better job game planning each week because "throw it to A.J." is no longer an option.

Furthermore, once Richt decides who will be coordinating the run game, Bobo needs to improve the way he uses each running backs particular skills. Last season he, far too often in my opinion, placed them in situations where they were not going to succeed—let's be honest, it's never a good idea to send 5'8", sub-190 lb running back, Carlton Thomas up the gut on a third down.

Lastly, the new offensive line coach—whoever he turns out to be—will have his work cut out for him. The offensive line has talent, but years of poor conditioning cannot be undone in a handful of months, expect some growing pains as each player is reassessed and re-evaluated to see how he can best be used during both pass and run plays.

Can Georgia return to prominence in the running game? Absolutely, but it's going to take some time. The issues which contributed to the overall decline of the run game will have to be addressed quickly—before Crowell can shine—then, hopefully, we'll see him become the player we all hope he can.

Georgia Bulldogs: Former QB Prospect, Logan Gray, Will Transfer

Logan Gray will no longer play for the University of Georgia.

The former quarterback prospect who began the 2010 campaign as a possible candidate for the starting QB position, only to be moved to wide receiver/flanker once Aaron Murray was named, has decided to take his degree (which he will be awarded in May) and seek out another school at which to use his remaining eligibility (he has one year remaining).

According to DawgPost.com, Gray wants to play his final season at a school closer to his home of Columbia, MO so that his family can come to his games.

I'll admit that I am uncertain if the same loophole that allowed Jeremiah Masoli to play at Ole Miss in 2010 will apply to Gray but, if it does, the NCAA waiver would come with the caveat that the University of Georgia doesn't offer an advanced degree in whatever field he hopes to obtain his Masters.

Would that open the door for him to play for the University of Missouri who, coincidentally, just lost their starting quarterback? Just an idea, nothing confirmed or heard about that possibility as it is just as likely that Gray could go the Division-II route.

Either way, you have to wish the kid nothing but the best. He gave his all at Georgia and it's too bad the coaching staff could never find a spot for him.

He finished last season with 105 receiving yards and things appeared to be looking up in 2011, especially with both A.J. Green and Kris Durham moving on, but his departure will leave Georgia even thinner at receiver, and will put a lot more pressure on guys like Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten to, finally, live up to their potential.

Georgia Bulldogs: Will They Be As Good In 2011 As Auburn Was In 2010?

Let me be the first to say this: when E$PN personalities talk, I rarely listen. In my very humble opinion, E$PN is a spin factory and most of what they say is driven by an agenda—a network agenda—to bring in more ad dollars, more reader subscriptions, and more viewers.

Now, they aren't alone in that respect, many of today's networks operate in that way, but E$PN is the big daddy of them all, and that makes them a little easier to criticize.

That said, this response by Bruce Feldman, to the following question was intriguing. Here is the question and the answer in their entirety—well, in the most complete form one could get them in without paying for more:

From mattplanet: What impact do you think these latest big recruits will have in improving the Georgia Bulldogs' chances in the SEC East next year?

This "dream team" plan at UGA of bringing together many of the top local players seems to be working out great. Landing five-star DE Ray Drew is a big addition to a defense that needs help. Drew, by most accounts, has the tools to be an impact guy for the Dawgs in their 3-4. Jay Rome, the nation's top tight end, is a guy who can block and catch and should team well with speedy Orson Charles. Malcolm Mitchell, the nation's No. 7 WR, won't be A.J. Green, but his outstanding speed and ball skills will only make their passing game more dangerous. Now, if they can reel in Isaiah Crowell, the country's top back, that could take even more pressure off of quarterback Aaron Murray and pump some much-needed juice back into the Bulldogs run game.

While it's easy to see this 2011 class shaping up to be something special, it isn't the first time that Mark Richt will have had a good class. Prior to 2009, Georgia was often in the Top 10 or Top 15 for recruiting some of the best prospects in the nation—both in and out of the state.

That said, the question isn't what this "dream team" will do for Georgia, but what Georgia will do for this "dream team".

Crowell will be an important part of the puzzle, but Caleb King was every bit that part four-years ago was he not? One player can bring hope, but none offer a guarantee. Shoot, not even Vince Dooley could have told you how good Herschel was going to be when he got to Georgia.

It's a crap shoot and nothing is a given.

The point is this: the success of this recruiting class, on the field, has as much to do with the coaching as it does the players, and no one knows, as of right now, if the coaching will be exponentially better, the same, or worse.

Everything is a work in progress and this Georgia program is no different. There are still many questions that will need answering before long—strength and conditioning cannot be the only piece of the puzzle in need of replacing or tweaking.

Is Georgia capable of making the kind of turnaround in 2011 that Auburn did in 2010? Absolutely, but lets not put the cart before the horse just yet.

What say you?

NFL Draft: Can Cam Newton Play His Way Into The No. 1 Spot?

Andrew Luck has made the decision to return to Stanford for his senior year—forget the money, give him the degree—good for him. However, that now means the Carolina Panthers have a decision to make about which player deserves to be taken No. 1 overall.

Enter Cam Newton—playing in the Fiesta Bowl this Monday night—is it possible that if he performs well in that game, he'll be able to vault himself into the No. 1 spot on draft day?

The problem won't be his resume. He's clearly proven himself to be a great talent, and a game-changer, but is he technically sound enough to be a starter in the NFL from day one?

He hasn't taken many snaps from under-center this season, at Auburn, and that gives some pause when considering his overall ability to execute a pro-style offense at the next level.

Even so, his athletic ability and instincts with the football would make him the type of quarterback that the Panthers—especially if both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart remain healthy—could use to bolster their stagnant offense.

Carolina needs a spark now more than ever, and if Newton decides to leave early—which many assume he will—there is little reason to doubt he won't be taken in the first round, possibly in the Top 15.

So the only question is his worthiness as a possible No. 1.

If Carolina decides Newton is too great a risk, they could always look to A.J. Green (the star wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs)—who has remained mum on his future—but is also thought by many to be on his way to the NFL.

Carolina's current star receiver, Steve Smith, is as unhappy with the direction the team has gone in of late, and the thought of him being in a Panthers uniform much longer looks to be a long shot. Green is projected to be a phenomenal pass-catcher at the next level, and could step into the role of the Panther's number one guy at wide receiver—should Smith exit this year or the next.

The sleeper in this could be Nick Fairley, the big-time defensive tackle out of Auburn.

The Panthers need a guy who can make opposing quarterback's nervous and help neutralize the run game—Fairley could be that guy and he would be a welcome addition to a defensive line that has a lot of nice pieces, but lacks that one explosive piece to complete it.

Carolina has a decision to make about their future, starting with the head coach, and with Luck out of the equation, that future just added a few more question marks.

Related articles

• Andrew Luck returns to Stanford (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Andrew Luck skipping NFL draft, will return to Stanford Cardinal (sports.espn.go.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Mark Richt Has An "Entitlement" Problem

Here's what Georgia head coach, Mark Richt, had to say following the team's loss to Central Florida, "We didn’t want to finish with a loss, we didn’t want to finish with a losing record. No one would have really predicted that, but it is what it is, as they say." 

"It is what it is"...that's the best you can do, coach? I'll tell you this much, this game did nothing to get people excited about Georgia's ability to rebound in 2011 and this staff hasn't shown enough urgency in making the necessary changes to get this program back on the winning track.

The very definition of what this team could be in the future was expressed on the opening offensive drive of the game when Richt elected to kick a field goal, on Central Florida's 2-yard line, instead of going for it on 4th-and-1.

It was as if Richt said, 'I'm willing to settle. You took our best shot—you win'. However, as a fan you're talking at the television, screaming even, because you cannot believe what you are seeing. Then, suddenly, the ugly truth starts to creep in—the line can't do it. 

This offensive line—with its budding NFL prospects—doesn't have the leg drive or the upper body strength to assist our running backs in netting one measly yard.

How depressing is that?


Then you start to understand that there are no more "gimme" games, and no reason for you to believe this team is capable of winning against even the least of its competition. However, that's just the negativity talking. Luckily for you, the team doesn't feel that way about themselves. 

Georgia kicker Blair Walsh made it clear that this team still feels like the one voted No. 1 at the start of the 2008 season. These guys still feel as if their presence alone is enough to scare teams into submission. They entered this game under the notion that they should have been able to win,

"Our attitude needs to change. We’re not entitled to win any games. Even though it was UCF, it was Conference USA, I think we felt like we were entitled to win this game. We can’t feel that way. They’re a great team, they absolutely are. But we need to play better and win. At the end of the day you’re playing football, you’re not playing conference, and which conference is better."

The message in that is this: 'Don't worry about the guys in the uniforms, this is (insert conference here) and—on paper—we're better than they are, so don't bother preparing for the possibility of a loss. We got this'.

If that's the case, maybe they should go back and ask Michigan how embarrassed they felt after losing to Appalachian State, or how shocked Virginia Tech was when they lost to James Madison, or how much of a wake-up call it must have been for Notre Dame to lose to Tulsa.

Entitled?...Really? 6-6 makes you feel "entitled" to win football games—ay yi yi—it's any wonder  these guys have so much time to post comments on Facebook and Twitter, or operate a Ustream account—they are basing their wins on what they "should" be able to do and not what they should be doing.

Good to know.

However, if you see this game as just another isolated incident—with no particular trend in the making—you could easily find a scapegoat.  Blame Mark Richt for his lack of passion, blame Mike Bobo for his unimaginative game-planning, blame Aaron Murray for wearing gloves, blame the offensive line for being deplorable, blame Stacy Searles  (the offensive line coach) for not having the o-line prepared, blame A.J. Green for thinking ahead to the NFL, or blame the entire team for having the audacity to feel "entitled".

Pick any of the above and you'd hardly find a person to fault you for your thought process.

Blair Walsh talked about a "culture change" being on the horizon, but shouldn't that have started in 2008—after the team was decimated by the Crimson Tide in the infamous 'Blackout'? Or in 2009 when the Tennessee Volunteers took them to the woodshed? Or how about this season, after Mississippi State manhandled them in Starkville?

How much more proof does this team need that they aren't "entitled" to anything?

If you're a Georgia fan, how can you be encouraged by this team's prospects for 2011 based on what you saw? And, if you've been like me—a Richt apologist through even the toughest of times—at what point do you start to wonder if he can really turn this thing around?

2010 is history but, after that loss, it's hard to see much better on the horizon for 2011. 

Here's hoping the skeptic in me is proved wrong. Happy New Year!

Related articles

• UCF wins AutoZone Liberty Bowl, downing Georgia 10-6 (commercialappeal.com)

College Football: Forget Integrity, We Just Want The Money

After the story broke about Ohio State players selling their jerseys and accepting favors, many of us watched and waited to see what the all-mighty NCAA would do to punish the players and the university—at the very least we expected the six offenders to sit for the Sugar Bowl.

Well, what happened instead is yet another example of how the NCAA is just another bully masquerading as an organization of order.

Ohio State was given the option of delaying suspensions until the start of the 2011 season, and now that the representatives of the Sugar bowl have spoken, we know why—money.

Said Sugar Bowl CEO, Paul
Hoolahan,

"I made the point that anything that could be done to preserve the integrity of this year's game, we would greatly appreciate it...that appeal did not fall on deaf ears, and I'm extremely excited about it, that the Buckeyes are coming in at full strength and with no dilution."

Must be nice.

While it's easy to understand Hoolahan's motives—he is a business man after all—it's less easy to explain away the obvious double-standard of the NCAA in this case.

Are they the governing body of college football or not?

A.J. Green sat four games for selling his jersey, Anthony Dasher missed four for taking a $1500 loan, and last season, Dez Bryant missed most of his final season for talking to Deion Sanders...but Ohio State gets the option of delaying punishment because some bowl official doesn't want another lackluster BCS game on his hands?

Nice job of getting tough, Mr. Emmert. Here we thought you were bringing balance to the NCAA—as it's new president—but as it turns out, you just brought a bigger checkbook.

What a joke.