OK, let me be the first to say that I don't believe that we will see another "Knowshon" type back for at least another generation to come.
Moreno was electrifying, and downright nasty to opposing defenses. He played with a sense of "pissed" off urgency and determination that I don't believe even the Great "hand over your heart" Herschel Walker had.
He will surely be missed by the Dawg Nation. Oh how I wished that Knowshon could have given us another year to dance and jive to his on-field energy.
With that being said, and I'm probably crazy for saying this, but I don't believe that Georgia will be entirely hurt by the departure of "24".
And I have many reasons to believe such a insane and crazy notion, but mainly I believe it to be true for one important reason.....CALEB KING.
Caleb King
Yes, I said it...Caleb King is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2009. I believe, as well as others, that King will surprise and shock the SEC and maybe even the nation this season.
There are very many differences in the way Moreno and King play the game. Moreno loves to punish defenders head on, where as King would rather scamper by you and make you miss.
Moreno was the energy that sparked the entire team, where as King is cool, calm, and collected.
Moreno is a shifty and high octane runner, where as King is a slasher type back with insane balance through the tackles(literally) and scary "stop and go" Speed. Both backs are the same in height (5-11), but King was the bulkier of the two at 212 pounds.
Also, King has more blazing speed than Knowshon, sporting a 4.4 forty time. It is important to compare these two, as to show that while Georgia is losing an amazing talent in Moreno, they are reloading with maybe another 1,000 yds+ rusher in Caleb King.
The most important element to a successful Running Game is the "Hog Mollies" up front. And I don't believe Georgia should have a problem clearing the way for King in 2009.
The Dawgs return virtually the entire offensive line. The return of a healthy and good as new Trinton Sturvidant(who will be the best OT in the SEC by the end of 2009), Ben Jones (who impressed as a true Frosh), Senior Vince Vance, Clint Boling (a starter since his freshman year) Cordy Glenn, and a dark horse TE in Bruce Figgins... No new starters on the Offensive Line, and the 2nd Team OL got a lot of experience last season due to the injury bug that plagued Dawgs. So in all, Georgia has probably one of the most experienced OL in the SEC.Georgia has everything they need in order to allow King to embarrass defenses.
Let's just hope that Georgia can keep the trainers and Physical Therapist out of work this season.(wink wink)
Check out the nasty stiff arm and the Dive into the end zone!!!!!!!!!!
King has been labeled as the No. 1 Running Back for the Dawgs. And chances are he will see some fierce competition from "Beast of a Back" Richard Samuel.
While I firmly believe that Coach Richt has all but abolished his old "Running Back by Committee", we should still see Samuel sharing some carries this year.
He has all the tools and athletic abilities to be a great back, but he won't see the field much until fixes his "Fumble-itis" and stops toting the football like it's a Blimpie sandwich.
King has been in the shadow of Moreno for a better part of a year, and there is no way he lets anyone take the spotlight from him in 2009.
Of course, I haven't seen every game King has played in, but for what I have noticed from him, is that he virtually makes the first, or two guys miss....EVERY TIME. He has that tenacity to see a slight and tight running lane and explore it into a HUGE gain. Well he doesn't and probably won't push the pile along for extra yardage, King well be excellent in the open field yardage type situation. Teams like Florida and USC use their ultra speedy RBs on the outside and hardly ever run them up the gut, and they seem to find a great amount of success with that philosophy. I firmly believe that King could and would start for any of those programs (heck...he should, they both heavily recruited him for their offenses).
King shows very quick and agile feet, and we all know that it is a luxury to have a in a RB. Like I have said before, King will not bulldoze the pile or shrug off monster LB, but what he will bring to the table is break away speed and gashing runs that have to be respected by opposing defenses. The passing game will have to be solid(which I believe it will) in order for King to have big games.
I had doubt as to how King could run between the tackles, but this past season he showed a lot of promise in his runs. He hits the holes so quick that before you know it, King is already in the secondary. I found myself, saying to myself," Are you serious he gained he gained 15 or 20 yards on that play?". It wasn't so much that he made it look easier, but that he got up the field so quick and fluidly. He creates mismatches with almost all Line Backing Corps as far as his quick cut backs.
Here is a quick and short highlight of King in action against GA Southern( I know I know its GSU) but take notice of every gain that he had of 10+ yards, and how he slashes his way up field through the Defense.
My point here is this, while we will surely miss the excitement and highlight reels that Knowshon brought us, I ask that many of you please don't fret.
Caleb King is going to be one of the most talented and fastest backs in America next season...King will most definitely wow us, by his quickness and uncanny ability to attack Defenses towards the end zone.
While I'm sure we will all miss seeing Knowshon doing the Soulja Boy, King will deliver and give the Dawg Nation a Show of his own.
The Caleb King Experience has begun. So pull up a seat, grab some popcorn, and enjoy....you won't want to miss this SHOW.
Georgia Bulldogs Football: Like this team?
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