Drew countdown is on....

Well, in about 15 minutes (probably not), finally we will know if top defensive player in Ga will become a Dog. From all indications, he will indeed bring only the "G" hat to his announcement. I will update this post sometime after he makes his annoucement, scheduled for 10am but probably be more like 10:30 because Ray Drew likes to talk and he does have 5 finalists and I feel quite sure he will drag it out, also will have to thank school, friends, coaches and of course family. I am waiting on his announcement to give you my thoughts on our D for next year because I think he WILL be involved in the discussion. Also think John Jenkins will be and so I will throw him in the mix as well, just can't make his position with us 100% secure until he signs the papers a week from tomorrow.

My post today will be about our D, as well as a brief recap/update on Kentucky, our opponent tomorrow on the hardwood.

Well by now those visiting probably already know it but Ray Drew put on the red hat with the black "G" on it about 10:20 this morning. In doing so, he mentioned the type man Coach Richt is and how confident he is that CMR can improve him as a man in all aspects. Also, he mentioned the communications school in Athens being one of the best in the nation, I agree as I graduated from the Grady school back in 1991. Ray is a very articulate young man if you listen to him speak, he should respresent UGA well in the future. Congrats again to our coaches for securing this outstanding football talent and person, at a school where typically FSU rules. We now turn our recruiting attention the following names, all of which Ray Drew mentioned during his speech today-Isiah Crowell, Antionio Richardson, Kent Turene, John Jenkins and Jeoffrey Pagan. Simply put, if we get all those kids along with what we already have, this class will rival any in the nation, to me it will rival the D class UF put together last year. Grantham might not have mature talent next year but certainly will have talent on his hands in the years to come.

Quickly to the hoops game tomorrow, 4pm on ESPN. Course the game is at Lexington which is always a tough place to play, not only because UK is always VERY talented but also it appears some guys in blue seem to find a way to slip a few bills into the zebras pockets prior to tip. UK is known to get ALL the calls in that building so that combined with the talent, you get the idea. As I mentioned yesterday, they had this week off to get ready for us. We beat them earlier in the year by 7, a game we pretty much were in control of save a few minutes in the second half. Last time we played them, Trey went off for 25pts, Gerald for 17 and Travis for 15. We hit 30 of 34 free throws, they only took 16 FT's, look for that to be the reverse this time. Terrence Jones led them in scoring in that game with 24 and 10 boards, and leads them overall at 18.3 pts and nearly 9 boards a game. Last game, he was in foul trouble and only played 23 minutes. It would be very beneficial to get him in foul trouble again because there is no question he is the best on the UK roster. Course he is also the kid that Coach Cal blew up, which was caught on camera, during the Cats loss to Bama. The reason, so I have read, is because Jones can and will be a very selfish player. Sometimes that is the case when kids are used to be the man and are not used to playing team basketball. The week off will probably do Cal and Jones some good to get it all ironed out. The fact remains, UK sits at 15-4 on the season and 3-2 in the SEC. They beat SCarolina in Columbia their last time out, before that had the loss at Bama. They also beat LSU and AU in conference play. So, I would have to say, we are the most talented conference team they have played to this point and we beat them. Not saying we win again but certianly if we can keep it close, we should have a shot. They only play 6 guys, I mean they REALLY do not go to the bench. If we can get one or two guys in foul trouble, BIG advantage for us. I look for Trey to have another big game as Harrellson although big at 6'10" and 275, simply doesn't have the ability to handle a player like Trey. Hopefully we have shaken off the tough loss to UF and are ready to play ball on Saturday. Kentucky has NOT lost a home game all season so let's hope we can be the first one to pull it off.


Now moving on to my preview of the defense. A big key to our defense next year will be a young man we are still waiting on, that being John Jenkins. He truly should be a difference maker and here is why. First of all, as much as Grantham said we didn't need a big NT for his version of the 3-4, I firmly believe you DO need a very good NT for a true 3-4. If the center can pretty much handle the nose by himself, that leaves 4 other guys to block. We need a nose that can really clog the middle and cause the OL a lot of trouble, that will then free up our DE's to make more plays and more importantly than that, free up both our OLB and ILB-in other words, the more manpower it takes for the OL to handle that big NT, the more freedom EVERYONE else in the front seven has to come after the QB. Considering we plugged Tyson at NT last year, it really did not work. No offense to Tyson as he did the best he could but he is a great looking DE, NOT a NT. So, you plug Jenkins in the middle, that puts SR DeAngelo Tyson and JR Abry Jones at the DE positons-very solid. Now, for depth, you have Garrison Smith and Derrick Lott, could also see Thornton playing at DE or NT some. Then you have Geathers and Bean Anderson-I personally believe that if we get Jenkins, we see one of those guys head back to OT. They are both HUGE guys, at 6'5 and both over 320. A typical NT is going to be more squatty than 6'5" and that is why I think Geathers didn't get more PT last year, it was hard for him to get low. Now, Jenkins is listed at 6'4" but NT is his natural position, that is not the case for Anderson and I don't think Geathers played NT in HS, probably more likely DT. Bottom line is I don't think we need both Geathers and Anderson as backup at NT because I suspect Thornton will get some time there in a backup role. Of the recruits coming in, the only one that would look to be definite for the DL would be Chris Mayes and from all accounts I have heard he will head off to Ga. Military for a year or two. Drew and Bailey, even Pagan, to me look more like OLB, they all have Justin Houston size and speed-in fact Drew mentioned he will playing Justin Houston's position at UGA.

At LB, we have a lot of bodies there but not so much experience. We lost Dent, Gamble, Houston, Hebron, and Dowtin, a lot of tackles and experience. That being said, I am very excited about the players we have back-especially Richard Samuel and Jarvis Jones. Of course I also really like Cornelius Washington and I expect that he will really start to blossom this year, his JR season. His size is close to that of Houston and he has a lot of speed to go with it. Christian Robinson returns and if nothing else, he is a kid that knows how to play within the system and seems to be a coach on the field. I do not think he is our best option at LB but he is steady and you know exactly what you are going to get from him. If TJ Stripling comes back from his injury strong, I think he also can make an impact on the outside because of his size and especially speed around the corner. Mike Gilliard will have a shot in the middle but to me he seems destined for more playing time on special teams. Two total unknows will be Dexter Morant and Brandon Burrows-Morant left the team last year but then came back, Burrows is coming off a hurt knee from HS. I would imagine they could factor into some possible PT but they will have to beat out Ray Drew and Sterling Bailey. If we get Pagan, with him coming off his injury, I would imagine he might be headed for a redshirt. Bailey might also get one, because out of the group of young DE/LB coming in, I firmly believe Drew is the safest bet to get playing time in 2011. Let us not forget about Chase Vasser, this kid has good size but he could be lost in the numbers. He will continue to help out on special teams-I know these guys probably get down when they are delegated to special teams but quite honestly, special teams is a HUGE factor in football games-you need to have talented kids playing on special teams because if you give up a huge kick return, it can truly impact a game. Another name to remember is Ramik Wilson, the kid already has the size to come in and play right away, and depending on health of Samuel, Jones, Robinson, he might have a shot on the inside. Same goes for Amarlo Herrera, another kid with the size to play right away. Their problem simply will be depth and fighting their way up the depth chart. I do see that maybe one ILB could contribute in a reserve role, just not sure which will do it. If we get Turene, you could also throw him in the mix for the inside slot. When kids are already tipping the scales as a LB at nearly 230 coming out of high school, in my mind they are physically able to make the jump, just a matter of being mentally ready and then of course the depth chart.

Moving to the secondary, I feel like this is the strongest part of our defense, especially when Boykin returned. He of course means a lot to us in special teams with his kickoff returns but without question he is our best corner. I was impressed with the play of Sanders Commings this year. I think he will hold down the other corner slot, of course at the safety positions you have Rambo and Alec Ogletree-I said this last year about "Tree", once he gets the starting job, he will have it until he leaves Athens. Simply put, he is a special player and a impact player on defense. He is only going to get better and better and that is exciting. Rambo had some lapses last year for sure but is still solid. We have depth all around the secondary as well. Shawn Williams is a good backup safety, Derek Ownes, Jakar Hamilton, and Jordan Love also very capable reserves and critical parts of our special team units. Then you have Branden Smith-he played mostly nickle back last year, and quite honestly he disappointed me. I know he had a concussion that kept him out some time but I still say, with his amazing speed can be more an asset on the offensive side of the ball. I think the depth we have already in place, coupled with the young kids coming in-Swann, Mitchell, Marshall, Bowman, there is certainly enough depth to where he COULD be moved to WR on a permanent basis if needed. Not saying that will happen but I personally believe it is possible. As for the young kids, because of our depth, unless these kids just simply too good to keep off the field, I think the majority will redshirt. Mitchell is a kid to watch for, I think he will play somewhere for sure. I think Swann has a shot as well. I think Bowman, Marshall, Corey Moore and Chris Sanders are headed for redshirts. Mitchell and then Swann get my vote for best chances to see the field in 2011.

Of course, we return both kickers, both all american candidates, enough said there. Butler dropped off a bit this year but still was solid. Walsh, other than the critical miss against Colorado, was just outstanding this year. Always great to have a nearly 100% chance of getting 3 points once you get to your opponents 35.


Ok, so there you have it. I do believe as many as 5-7 of our young defenders could come in and battle for PT. Jenkins for sure, he has a shot to start but after that, I would say Drew, and then one or maybe two of the following-Herrera, Wilson or Turene, then Mitchell and Swann. Because of the importance this year holds for Mark Richt and company, I suspect that if a kid can play and contribute, he will play them. Last year we played Mason, Zander and Alec Ogletree, Gates, Smith, Stripling, and Owens. By my count, 7 true FR. Along with Crowell and maybe a WR, also maybe LeMay (would rather him redshirt unless Murray gets seriously hurt), I can see about 10-11 total kids having a shot to play out of the DREAM TEAM class.

What do you all think, let me know your thoughts if you would like. I think playing 10-11 kids from a class this talented is just about right. One of these days when I have time, I will try to look back and see how many true freshmen we have played the past few years. Like I say, last year by my count we played 7 but I might be off. Because this class has SOOO much talent, I thin 10-11 is a pretty safe bet.