UGA Football On The Verge Of Something Special

  As we await Spring, there is a majestic feeling surrounding the 2010 version of the University of Georgia football team. With star power returning on an offense that showed signs of brilliance in 2009 and an incoming Freshman class to add depth, this shows signs of being perhaps one of the top ranked offensive teams in the country. The only reservation I have in making such a bold statement is the obvious that was detrimental to the 2009 season, injuries and turnovers. Injuries are a part of the game that is virtually out of anyone's control. Turnovers, however, are not. With the stable of running backs and the experience and depth of the offensive line returning, there should be a much more "quarterback friendly" gameplan that will cut down on mistakes that are often expected from youth and inexperience at the position. That being said, the duo at fullback, in Chapas and Munzenmaier, along with two stout tight ends in White and Charles, should give our young starter plenty of options to establish early confidence. The other side of that coin is the wide receiver corps. With the exception of A. J. Green, no other receiver on the depth chart has had a true level of consistency to allow Green one on one coverage. With another year of experience Tavarres King and Rantavious Wooten will be expected to be a serious threat that, along with a strong running game, will finally give Green that opportunity. Factor in incoming Freshman recruit Da'Rick Rogers and the sky could be the limit for this group in 2010. 

  The real sense of excitement is currently circulating around the announcement of new Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham. With his attack, not react, style he is conjuring up memories and images of days gone by. The days of legendary coach Erk Russell and, more recently, Brian VanGorder. Days when the Georgia "D" was regarded as a top ten, top fifteen defense, not a bottom feeder in the current FBS. Although there will be only six returning starters from last years team, I see that more to the advantage of the coaching staff and players alike. With a completely new system being implemented and the likelihood of numerous position changes, younger is better. Even if not in the short term, the long term benefits will carry on for years to come. After all, it is hard to teach an old Dawg new tricks. Surely, Rennie Curran will be missed. Not only for his exceptional play on Saturdays, but for the leadership and intangibles that were just as big a part of his game as any tackle or quarterback sack that he recorded during his time in Athens. But that is such the state at any major college football program, one great one moves on and another has to be ready to step up and fill that void, both on and off the field.

  So as we conjur up dreams of huge accomplishments this season, there are four obstacles that we must overcome. A new quarterback, a new defense, injuries, and discipline. If the 2010 Bulldog football team can display a level of discipline that is often umcommon with the youth of this team, the sky will indeed be the limt. And perhaps, with great execution, and a little bit of football luck, the next celebration for Mr. Jones and the rest of the 2010 Bulldogs will not be after a win against Georgia Tech, but after an SEC Championship win. After all, that has to be accomplished before any dreams of a National Championship can be realized.