Georgia Football: Bulldogs Enter 2012 Looking to Build off 10-Win Season

The Georgia Bulldogs didn't go 8-5 this past season. They most certainly didn't go 6-7. The Bulldogs didn't lose to Central Florida. They aren't staring down a three game losing streak to the Gators in The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The defense isn't a work in progress. Shoot, Mark Richt isn't even sitting on anyone's hot seat right now.

As successful as a program as UGA has, this sense of comfort entering spring practice has not existed since 2008. In 2009, UGA was worried about replacing Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford. In 2010, new defensive coordinator meant growing pains in the new system plus a new quarterback. There was hope in 2011, but worries surrounded the running back and linebacker positions.

In 2012, the Dawgs are sitting in the top seat in the SEC East with experience and talent all over the roster. The Bulldogs start spring practice today. With Aaron Murray, the quarterback spot is set at the top. Running back has talent and we'll see if Isaiah Crowell can fight off not only incumbents like Carlton Thomas and Richard Samuel IV, but also newcomer and early enrollee Keith Marshall. The offensive line has some holes to fill, but there is also talent back at the position. Five of the top six pass catchers are back in the fold so Murray is well into the "getting to know you" process.

On defense, after UGA sorts out the Sanders Commings and Branden Smith situations with the police, we'll have a clearer picture of what the secondary will look like, but for the moment, the biggest task is replacing Brandon Boykin in the secondary. That's the biggest task, not just for the secondary, but also for the defense as a whole. The linebackers are locked and loaded. The line is maturing and fully understand how to run defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 scheme. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree and outside linebacker Jarvis Jones are two stars in the making, who will pace this unit and keep the intensity high, the way Grantham likes it.

What a difference a year makes, both on the field and off the field. On the field, the Georgia defense is growing up and they're making plays. Murray is comfortable in his position and is as confident as any returning starting quarterback in the country. Off the field, the situation is more comfortable for coach Mark Richt. He isn't looking at other jobs. He is nestled firmly in Athens and instead of debating whether the game has passed him by, folks are wondering if this can be the Dawgs' year.

That's something Dawgs fans haven't thought since 2008 and to finally feel comfortable enough to start thinking big again is a beautiful thing.

For Georgia, the spring practices will need to be about staying out of trouble. The team does not need to absorb more time on the police blotter as Commings and Smith are enough. The Bulldogs need to keep their heads low, keep moving and just get their work done this spring. Solidifying the depth chart, identifying new starters on the offensive line and, most importantly, getting out of the spring without injury.

Getting back to the SEC Championship game is the first goal for this Richt-led team. With a team that's a year old and a year better, they stand a good chance of walking into that game wearing their game faces and ready to finish the drill.