Georgia Football Post G-Day Analysis

Sanford Stadium filled up as much as it could Saturday for the annual G-Day game between the red team and the "black" team.

With half the stadium closed, for construction of the new plaza, fans eagerly piled in to watch the quarterback battle unfold and to get a glimpse of the new 3-4 defense, implemented by new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

It wasn't necessarily Grantham's new scheme that caught most people's attention, however. The new defensive coordinator's attitude is what had fans sitting near the sideline buzzing.

After every single defensive set Grantham pulled his entire defense to a huddle, and—to keep things rated "G"—chewed them out.

Grantham had plenty of high pitch squeals and expletives for players, and the fans in proximity to his 30 decibel voice.

Considering one of Georgia's issues in the past few years has seemed to be a disconnect between unruly players and "soft" coaches, the fiery shouting barrage coming from our new coach's mouth was a spectacle of its own that seemed to please everyone around.

We got our first look at the defensive configuration for the 3-4 defense, which looked like this:

DE- Demarcus Dobbs

NT- DeAngelo Tyson

DE- Abry Jones (formerly a defensive tackle)

LB- Justin Houston (formerly a defensive end)

LB- Darryl Gamble

LB- Akeem Dent

LB- Akeem Hebron

CB- Brandon Boykin

CB- Vance Cuff, Branden Smith

S- Bacarri Rambo

S- Quintin Banks

Many anticipated seeing Richard Samuel, a former starting running back, get his first action at linebacker, however Samuel did not play in the game. The starting safety position is also still projected to be junior college transfer Jakar Hamilton, however Hamilton of course could not participate in the game.

On another note, defensive end Cornelius Washington seemed to be shafted from a starting role—one he would have received in a 4-3 scheme. Washington is listed as a linebacker/defensive end and could possibly become a second wave defender.

But, considering how new the defense is the starting defense listed above might not indicate as much as we think.

As for the quarterback battle, the day belonged to redshirt freshman Zach Mettenberger, who coming into spring was implied to be third in the race for the starting job.

Mettenberger hurt his stock even more recently when he was arrested in Valdosta for underage drinking and the possession of a fake identification, which is a felony if charged.

Mettenberger received a suspension for the opening day game, and could miss more than that. Many fans seemed relieved with that development because the last thing they want to see is another quarterback carousel in Athens.

Well, it could very well happen again. Logan Gray and Aaron Murray seemed a step behind Mettenberger in the game.

Mettenberger's throws were darts, accurate, and completed. His best throw was dropped downfield.

Aaron Murray had less than stellar stats, including a "Joe Cox esque interception," according to the man sitting next to me at the game, and a missed overthrow to a wide open A.J. Green on a deep corner-post. He also had major issues throwing the ball behind his receivers.

The pass rushers made it difficult for Murray and Gray for most of the day however, who rotated with the second team and first team offensive line. The line was still without Trinton Sturdivant, who is coming off his second season-ending knee injury in a row.

The intense pressure on the quarterback can either be a very good sign, or a very bad one, but fans seemed to be pleased considering how impossible it seemed to get sacks the past two years.

Kris Durham also had a strong outing. Durham missed all of last season with injury and will be coming back for his final year. It appeared that he could very well grab the starting receiver spot next to A.J. Green. The other candidates are speedsters Rantavious Wooten and Tavarres King.

Marlon Brown continues to hide in the weeds, and many are wondering if he will ever show anything. Brown had one ball thrown his way, and he dropped it, which was deja-vu from the Tennessee game where he blew a chance to impress in front of his home state.

As for the running game, Carlton Thomas continued his identity as the spring game extraordinaire. Thomas had a flashy run of forty yards in the first quarter.

Dontavius Jackson, who could see more playing time considering Richard Samuel's move, showed a great combination of quickness and power as he led the game in rushing yards. Caleb King could not play due to injury.

Tight end Arthur Lynch had the highlight of the game, snagging a bullet from Zach Mettenberger, running over a safety, and stiff arming his way into the end zone. Lynch seems to be an impressive specimen at tight end, however he stands behind two hybrid receivers in Orson Charles and Aron White.

Overall, the defense seemed to be very good at confusing the offense and getting push. That is all I really wanted to see from the game.

However, the quarterback competition seems to be up for grabs at this point, and Mettenberger surprised everyone with his outstanding performance. It is going to be very interesting to see if Mettenberger can take a starting job this fall, or if he will even be able to play a single game.

Logan Gray and Aaron Murray looked like carbon copies of one another and have some refining to do before the season begins.

As for a few fun notes for the day, there was a dog in the doghouse on Saturday, but it wasn't Uga XIII.

It was simply Russ, who was the fill in for the bowl game as well. He looked like an Uga to me though, despite having some tan splotches (which have apparently been "painted" over a few times?).

Also, you might have noticed the "black" team was wearing white for the game. That is because Georgia has apparently junked their black jerseys at the request of AD Damon Evans. Don't expect any goofy looks from the Dawgs in 2010, or for the next coming years.

It's time we get basic to the basics and play some good, old fashioned, hard nosed, defensive Georgia football!