Is Joe Cox Ready To Lead the Georgia Bulldogs in '09?

Senior Joe Cox enters this spring No. 1 on the depth chart in front of three other capable quarterbacks on the Georgia Bulldog roster.

One of the two incoming freshmen, Aaron Murray, seems to be pushing to become the starter himself when the preseason practices begin in August. One thing Cox has on his side is his ability to lead on and off the field.

This seems to be one thing the Bulldogs have been missing since the departure of another quarterback that only had one year under center, D.J. Shockley.

Cox proved that he has the ability to lead with the Bulldogs come-from-behind victory against Colorado back in his red-shirt freshman year. In that game he came off the bench and led two fourth quarter touchdown drives to win 14-13.

Cox and Shockley have followed similar roads in their careers. Both were highly touted recruits coming out of high school and both had to play second fiddle to quarterbacks that seemed to be just a tad bit better on the field.

Shockley sat behind NCAA wins record holder, David Greene, and Cox sat behind three year starter and possibly the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, Matthew Stafford. 

The other familiar quality is the respect both quarterbacks earned in the locker room, Shockley, with his decision not to transfer after his sophomore year and Cox with his fiery personality.

This year there are no talks of being a preseason No. 1, just like 2005. The schedule might be a little bit easier than the year before, as well. Does this sound like deja vu or what?

The talent is there on offense with an offensive line that will be healthy and expierenced, a running game led by Caleb King and Richard Samuel, and big time receivers in A.J. Green and incoming freshman Marlon Brown.

The defense seems as though they are out to prove they are not the weak link this spring. 

Hopefully, the same result will happen in 2009 that happened in 2005, with a senior leading his team to a SEC title in his only year behind the helm.

One thing is for sure, the fiery red head is ready to lead his fellow Dawgs out on the field and prove that he should have been in this position all along.