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FPRC's 2014 Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:12 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:12 pm
The Georgia members of the FRPC present to tRant...the 2014 Georgia Bulldogs football preview...
Offense
Losing Aaron Murray, the most prolific quarterback in SEC history, is a big deal to most Dawg fans. The blow is softened, however, by quarterback Hutson Mason’s proven ability. Entering this season as a 5th year senior, he has been Murray’s backup, and the man in the headphones between Murray and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo in the booth. He knows the offense. Hutson Mason finally got his chance to shine after Murray tore his ACL against Kentucky last year.
Starting on the road against Georgia Tech, in the rain, Mason’s offensive line failed him in the first half, putting Georgia in a 20 point deficit. Hutson “Coleslaw” Mason led the team back to an overtime victory and finished with 299 yards passing, in the rain.
Mason’s second start was in the Gator Bowl against Nebraska. The Cornhusker defense only gave up an average of 214 passing yards per game in 2013. Hutson Mason threw for 320. Daddy gets the big piece of chicken.
Before those two games, you’ve got to go back to Lassiter High School to be reminded how much potential Mason has. When he graduated, he held the following three Georgia high school passing records:
Most passing yards in a game (552)
Most touchdowns in a season (54)
Most passing yards in a season (4,560)
His high school offense was hurry-up no-huddle, and Mason has an instinct to play in this style.
Georgia’s running game will again be led by Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. The only difference is that UGA finally has depth at running back this year, with two incoming 5 Star freshmen Nick Chubb (#1 RB Georgia) and Sony Michel (#1 RB Florida).
Todd Gurley is completely healthy to start this season. In 2013, despite missing several games to a high ankle sprain and playing other games in a great deal of pain, he still led all SEC running backs in points-per-touch. When Gurley touched the ball in 2013, he scored a touchdown 8% of the time. The second highest was Jeremy Hill at 7.2%, followed by Tre Mason (7%) and Yeldon (6%). Todd Gurley also tied a healthy TJ Yeldon with 6 ypc on the season.
Georgia’s offensive line lost 3 starters to the draft. Remaining is junior John Theus (Scout 5 Star tackle, built like a legit Viking) and David Andrews at center. Although David Andrews might not quite have the size to play in the NFL, he has demonstrated the ability to play solid, focused football in the most important position on the offensive line, calling all blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage for the last two years. He plays mistake-free football. No Georgia fan will ever recollect standing up and yelling at the TV "God Dammit Andrews! That was your block you a-hole!" because he doesn't make mental mistakes.
Also returning is Kolton Houston, who sat out for 3 years waiting on a banned substance to completely leave his system. He will likely start at right tackle, after getting quality playing time in 2013, rotating for Theus regularly. Kolton was one of the last people to see Phil Lutzenkirchen alive, and almost took a ride in the Tahoe that night. He didn't sleep for two weeks.
The two starting positions at guard are still completely unknown. The upside to this problem is that OL coach Will Friend does have talent to work with. Over the last three recruiting cycles, UGA ranks #3 in the conference, trailing only Alabama and Florida, on the number of 4 Star (plus) offensive line recruits signed, per 247Sports. Georgia will have two (or more) competent and talented beasts to plug into the guard positions. That's not arguable. How fast they go from "talented" to "seasoned" and "reliable" is another story altogether, and depends on who you ask.
The only starting receivers Georgia loses from last year are guys who only started because the actual starters got hurt. Rantavious Wooten and Rhett McGowan are damn good dawgs, but the offense won’t necessarily miss them in 2014. The only receiving target the Dawgs will miss is tight end Arthur Lynch.
Returning are Malcolm Mitchell (tore ACL week 1 2013), Justin Scott-Wesley (16 for 311, 2 TD, tore ACL in week 5), Michael Bennett (41 for 538, 4 TD), Chris Conley (45 for 651, 4 TD), Jon Rumph (7 for 121), Keith Marshall (8 for 111, 1 TD, tore ACL in week 5), Jay Rome (9 for 99, 0 TD, Week 8 ankle sprain out for season) and Reggie Davis (11 for 257, 1 TD).
And let’s not forget Todd Gurley who caught 37 passes for 441 yards and 6 touchdowns, making him the 3rd leading receiver on the team in 2013. From just those players, which doesn’t include some other running backs and tight end backups that will still be around in 2014, Georgia returns over 2500 yards and 18 touchdowns from receivers. UGA may not have two or even one 1000 yard guy, but they'll have four or five 600 to 700 yard guys which is even more dangerous depending on who you ask.
Junior Marshall Morgan (PK) returns. They say the best kickers are short guys like Walsh and Bennett for some reason of physics, but Morgan is a full 6-3 and proving that theory wrong. He was named to the Coaches and AP All-SEC First team after 2013's impressive 22 for 24 on field goals and setting a UGA record of 17 consecutive. His season high was 56. He scored 113 points last season. More on Morgan If none of that seems impressive, go look up what your kicker did last year. Now shut up and go sit in the corner.
Offense
Losing Aaron Murray, the most prolific quarterback in SEC history, is a big deal to most Dawg fans. The blow is softened, however, by quarterback Hutson Mason’s proven ability. Entering this season as a 5th year senior, he has been Murray’s backup, and the man in the headphones between Murray and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo in the booth. He knows the offense. Hutson Mason finally got his chance to shine after Murray tore his ACL against Kentucky last year.
Starting on the road against Georgia Tech, in the rain, Mason’s offensive line failed him in the first half, putting Georgia in a 20 point deficit. Hutson “Coleslaw” Mason led the team back to an overtime victory and finished with 299 yards passing, in the rain.
Mason’s second start was in the Gator Bowl against Nebraska. The Cornhusker defense only gave up an average of 214 passing yards per game in 2013. Hutson Mason threw for 320. Daddy gets the big piece of chicken.
Before those two games, you’ve got to go back to Lassiter High School to be reminded how much potential Mason has. When he graduated, he held the following three Georgia high school passing records:
Most passing yards in a game (552)
Most touchdowns in a season (54)
Most passing yards in a season (4,560)
His high school offense was hurry-up no-huddle, and Mason has an instinct to play in this style.
Georgia’s running game will again be led by Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. The only difference is that UGA finally has depth at running back this year, with two incoming 5 Star freshmen Nick Chubb (#1 RB Georgia) and Sony Michel (#1 RB Florida).
Todd Gurley is completely healthy to start this season. In 2013, despite missing several games to a high ankle sprain and playing other games in a great deal of pain, he still led all SEC running backs in points-per-touch. When Gurley touched the ball in 2013, he scored a touchdown 8% of the time. The second highest was Jeremy Hill at 7.2%, followed by Tre Mason (7%) and Yeldon (6%). Todd Gurley also tied a healthy TJ Yeldon with 6 ypc on the season.
Georgia’s offensive line lost 3 starters to the draft. Remaining is junior John Theus (Scout 5 Star tackle, built like a legit Viking) and David Andrews at center. Although David Andrews might not quite have the size to play in the NFL, he has demonstrated the ability to play solid, focused football in the most important position on the offensive line, calling all blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage for the last two years. He plays mistake-free football. No Georgia fan will ever recollect standing up and yelling at the TV "God Dammit Andrews! That was your block you a-hole!" because he doesn't make mental mistakes.
Also returning is Kolton Houston, who sat out for 3 years waiting on a banned substance to completely leave his system. He will likely start at right tackle, after getting quality playing time in 2013, rotating for Theus regularly. Kolton was one of the last people to see Phil Lutzenkirchen alive, and almost took a ride in the Tahoe that night. He didn't sleep for two weeks.
The two starting positions at guard are still completely unknown. The upside to this problem is that OL coach Will Friend does have talent to work with. Over the last three recruiting cycles, UGA ranks #3 in the conference, trailing only Alabama and Florida, on the number of 4 Star (plus) offensive line recruits signed, per 247Sports. Georgia will have two (or more) competent and talented beasts to plug into the guard positions. That's not arguable. How fast they go from "talented" to "seasoned" and "reliable" is another story altogether, and depends on who you ask.
The only starting receivers Georgia loses from last year are guys who only started because the actual starters got hurt. Rantavious Wooten and Rhett McGowan are damn good dawgs, but the offense won’t necessarily miss them in 2014. The only receiving target the Dawgs will miss is tight end Arthur Lynch.
Returning are Malcolm Mitchell (tore ACL week 1 2013), Justin Scott-Wesley (16 for 311, 2 TD, tore ACL in week 5), Michael Bennett (41 for 538, 4 TD), Chris Conley (45 for 651, 4 TD), Jon Rumph (7 for 121), Keith Marshall (8 for 111, 1 TD, tore ACL in week 5), Jay Rome (9 for 99, 0 TD, Week 8 ankle sprain out for season) and Reggie Davis (11 for 257, 1 TD).
And let’s not forget Todd Gurley who caught 37 passes for 441 yards and 6 touchdowns, making him the 3rd leading receiver on the team in 2013. From just those players, which doesn’t include some other running backs and tight end backups that will still be around in 2014, Georgia returns over 2500 yards and 18 touchdowns from receivers. UGA may not have two or even one 1000 yard guy, but they'll have four or five 600 to 700 yard guys which is even more dangerous depending on who you ask.
Junior Marshall Morgan (PK) returns. They say the best kickers are short guys like Walsh and Bennett for some reason of physics, but Morgan is a full 6-3 and proving that theory wrong. He was named to the Coaches and AP All-SEC First team after 2013's impressive 22 for 24 on field goals and setting a UGA record of 17 consecutive. His season high was 56. He scored 113 points last season. More on Morgan If none of that seems impressive, go look up what your kicker did last year. Now shut up and go sit in the corner.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 7:24 pm
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Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:13 pm to semotruman
DEFENSE
Contrary to popular opinion, Georgia’s defensive front 7 on the 2013 team were impressive. Georgia ranked in the top third in SEC vs SEC competition in sacks, hurries, and tackles for loss. Three of Georgia’s linebackers are on Phil Steele’s All SEC two-deep. Middle linebacker Ramik Wilson finished 2013 on the All-SEC first team after leading the SEC in tackles. All four of Georgia’s starting linebackers return for 2014.
Jordan Jenkins- OLB 6-3 252, 13 starts in 2013 with team high 12 TFL, sacked Nick Marshall and Zack Mettenberger. SEC Coaches’ 2nd team All-SEC. He was a Scout Five Star recruit signed in 2012.
Ramik Wilson- ILB 6-2 237, 13 starts in 2013, AP and Coaches All SEC First Team. He was a Rivals/ESPN Four Star recruit signed in 2011. He is a skull cracker in pass coverage with perfectly timed pass breakups. He doesn't always get called for targetting, but when he does, it gets overturned.
Amarlo Herrera- ILB 6-2 231, 13 starts in 2013, separated James Franklin’s shoulder. Lindy’s Preseason All SEC Second Team. He was a Rivals/Scout Four Star recruit signed in 2011.
Leonard Floyd- OLB 6-4 230, 8 starts in 2013, 6.5 sacks. Phil Steele Freshman All American First Team. He was a 247Sports Four Star recruit and #11 overall player in Georgia in 2012, coming to UGA through Hargrave Academy.
Georgia’s defensive line only loses one starter, Garrison Smith, to graduation. The line also lost one backup to attrition. New defensive line coach Tracy Rocker working with new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt have said we should look for a trimmer, faster defensive line than we are used to seeing at Georgia. Whether we see a 3-4, a 4-3, nickel, or 4-2, who knows. Let’s just call it “multiple”.
Returning Starters on Defensive Line:
Ray Drew 6-5 284, 7 starts in 2013 with 6 sacks. He was a Scout/Rivals/ESPN Five Star recruit signed in 2011. More on the Pastor of Disaster
Sterling Bailey 6-3 280, 9 starts in 2013 with a sack on Connor Shaw. He was a Scout/Rivals Four Star recruit signed in 2011. More on Bailey
Chris Mayes- 6-4 317, 9 starts in 2013 with a sack on Zack Mettenberger. He was a Rivals/ESPN Four Star prospect in 2011 that came to UGA by way of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. More on Mayes
Likely rotational players on the line with backup experience from last year include 2013 Juco transfer Toby Johnson (appeared in 10 games), and senior Mike "Meatball" Thornton (appeared in 11 games, sacked Tajh Boyd).
Two other younger players that could also contribute are 247Sports Four Star DT John Atkins who redshirted 2013 and 2014 DT signee Lamont Gaillard, a former 247Sports Five Star recruit.
The Secondary - The greatest potential point of weakness for the Dawgs in 2014.
In 2013, two true freshman started, Trey Matthews (FS) and Brendan Langley (CB). Right about the time Langley got switched out for another true freshman Shaq Wiggins, Trey Matthews re-aggravated his hamstring and was replaced by another true freshman Quincy Mauger. By the end of the season, Georgia had started five true freshmen throughout a 4-man secondary. Needless to say, the pass defense was awful.
To make matters worse coming in to 2014, what experience Georgia did get with Wiggins, Matthews, Langley, and then-first year starter Josh Harvey-Clemons, is gone. Those growing pains were for nothing because Langley was moved to offense and most others transferred.
The good news is that Georgia doesn’t have to face 3 Top Ten teams in the first four games like 2013. Although Clemson and South Carolina aren’t cupcakes to start the season, they also aren’t nearly as strong as they were last year. And instead of a team like LSU in week 4, Georgia will have only Troy, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, all home games, until the middle of October when a potential passing threat led by Maty Mauk in Columbia could test our young secondary.
Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has some talent to work with, and he’s supposed to be a secondary guru of some sort. He was Alabama’s secondary coach through two national championship seasons.
Returning secondary experience is senior Damian Swann (CB) who has been a starter for two years, and safeties Quincy Mauger (soph, 7 starts, 57 tackles, 1 int) and Corey Moore (senior, 7 starts, 35 tackles, 1 int, 1 sack).
As far as inexperienced talent, Coach Pruitt also has sophomore JJ Green, who moved to running back for his freshman year to back up an injured Gurley and Marshall, racking up 384 yards on 68 carries, (5.65 ypc) and led the team in kick return yards. He has switched back to DB, the position he was initially recruited for and where he played in high school. After Spring Practice, this is what Todd Gurley had to say about JJ Green moving to defensive back- “He’s coming, he’s physical,” tailback Todd Gurley said. “No matter who you are, he’s going to come right at you and hit you. Don’t nobody see him. He just gets all the big hits just coming out of nowhere full-speed and hit you.” As quoted by Marc Weizser for the Athens Banner Herald.
Another potential bright spot in the secondary could be 2013 early enrollee Tramel Terry who received a medical redshirt last year after tearing his ACL in his high school All-Star game. Although recruited as a receiver, 2012 Mr. Football- South Carolina has been moved to defensive secondary. Other recent recipients of the Mr. Football- South Carolina honor have been Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore. Tramel Terry is in good company.
Coach Pruitt also has two talented incoming freshmen- former 247Sports #1 Juco CB Shattle Fenteng and 247Sports Four Star DB recruit Malkom Parrish.
TL;DR- DC/Secondary Coach Jeremy Pruitt has plenty of talent and experience to work with and a much easier path to success in the first half of the season this year. No one can say former DC Todd Grantham left the cupboard bare.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:17 pm to semotruman
Senior wide receiver Chris Conley
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:19 pm to semotruman
Linebacker Freshman All American Leonard Floyd don't give a frick....
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 7:33 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:34 pm to deeprig9
Linebackers Herrera and Jenkins also don't give a frick... they coming.
They coming to get you.
They coming to get you.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:36 pm to deeprig9
In case yall forgot...
Jenkins helping up a qb he respects...
Jenkins helping up a qb he respects...
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:49 pm to semotruman
Where is the rest?
Posted on 8/15/14 at 7:54 pm to dawgfan24348
Of what?
Posted on 8/15/14 at 8:02 pm to deeprig9
Schedule
On paper it looks pretty difficult, but it's about as good as you could hope for logistically. We open at home against a clemson team that has lost a ton, then have a bye. We get 2 weeks to prep before going to SC, then we come back for a tune up against Troy. We then have UT and Vandy at home which should both be wins, before going on the road to missouri and arkansas. We then have our 2nd bye week to prepare for florida, then go to kentucky, then auburn, charleston southern, and tech at home.
This is probably the best home schedule we've had in decades. Our 2 bye weeks couldn't be any better placed. We get arkansas from the west. We get clemson and AU at home. Overall it could be easier by not having a major OOC game to start off, but overall it's about as good as you could hope for all things considered.
Keys to Success / Failure
Several keys to our season:
-Play of the secondary
-Hutson Mason
-The OL
Honestly, most other aspects of the team are proven, experienced, and solid. Those 3 keys will determine how far we go.
Wrap-up
If Murray was our QB I would say SEC Champs or bust. Breaking in a "new" QB makes things more challenging, but we've got pieces in place. Worst case scenario, we could go 7-5 regular season, losing basically all our tough games. I don't ever predict us to go 12-0 simply because that's typically not realistic, and won't do that this year either. I think an honest look at our team would put us somewhere between 9-3 and 11-1. If we come out of the first 2 games 2-0, there's no reason we can't be undefeated going into AU.
On paper it looks pretty difficult, but it's about as good as you could hope for logistically. We open at home against a clemson team that has lost a ton, then have a bye. We get 2 weeks to prep before going to SC, then we come back for a tune up against Troy. We then have UT and Vandy at home which should both be wins, before going on the road to missouri and arkansas. We then have our 2nd bye week to prepare for florida, then go to kentucky, then auburn, charleston southern, and tech at home.
This is probably the best home schedule we've had in decades. Our 2 bye weeks couldn't be any better placed. We get arkansas from the west. We get clemson and AU at home. Overall it could be easier by not having a major OOC game to start off, but overall it's about as good as you could hope for all things considered.
Keys to Success / Failure
Several keys to our season:
-Play of the secondary
-Hutson Mason
-The OL
Honestly, most other aspects of the team are proven, experienced, and solid. Those 3 keys will determine how far we go.
Wrap-up
If Murray was our QB I would say SEC Champs or bust. Breaking in a "new" QB makes things more challenging, but we've got pieces in place. Worst case scenario, we could go 7-5 regular season, losing basically all our tough games. I don't ever predict us to go 12-0 simply because that's typically not realistic, and won't do that this year either. I think an honest look at our team would put us somewhere between 9-3 and 11-1. If we come out of the first 2 games 2-0, there's no reason we can't be undefeated going into AU.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 8:09 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 8:04 pm to semotruman
Posted on 8/15/14 at 8:09 pm to semotruman
Two reviews in one day brain freeze is setting in!
It looks like a lot of work has gone into this sorry if I didn't read any of the others it's because I don't care too.
It looks like a lot of work has gone into this sorry if I didn't read any of the others it's because I don't care too.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 9:42 pm to deeprig9
It's below you
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:02 pm to dawgfan24348
quote:
It's below you
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 10:08 pm
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:11 pm to deeprig9
Nice write up. Besides the Vols of course I keep up with UGA and SC's programs the most. Living in SC keeps them on my radar and my best friend here in Charleston is a UGA guy so I learn a lot.
That game between you two is going to be very good this year...can't wait to watch it.
Pumped to be in Athens the last weekend of September. Hoping the Vols can surprise y'all again after we come off of a bye week with a few games under our Freshman's belts.
Good luck Dawgs.
That game between you two is going to be very good this year...can't wait to watch it.
Pumped to be in Athens the last weekend of September. Hoping the Vols can surprise y'all again after we come off of a bye week with a few games under our Freshman's belts.
Good luck Dawgs.
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:23 pm to Ericvol2096
(no message)
This post was edited on 8/16/14 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:29 pm to Damn Good Dawg
(no message)
This post was edited on 8/16/14 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:34 pm to semotruman
..
This post was edited on 8/16/14 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:36 pm to deeprig9
My poor man's internet agrees with you.
Posted on 8/16/14 at 7:20 pm to semotruman
I think UGA will be good this year, but this is annoying:
What exactly has he proven? That he can hold a clipboard?
quote:
quarterback Hutson Mason’s proven ability
What exactly has he proven? That he can hold a clipboard?
Posted on 8/16/14 at 8:15 pm to Tiger n Miami AU83
You know he's started 2 games and played half of another, right?
He's not as proven as most seniors but he's far more than just a clipboard holder. Surely you were just kidding.
He's not as proven as most seniors but he's far more than just a clipboard holder. Surely you were just kidding.
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