Georgia Football: Extensive Spring Ball Preview for the Bulldogs

Remember this time last year, when Mark Richt was on the hottest of hot seats and nobody thought he could make it through 2011?  One SEC East title later, Richt's Bulldogs are poised to not only contend for the SEC Championship, but also for the national title.

Important dates: Georgia kicks off spring practice Tuesday, March 20.  The Bulldogs' spring game is slated for April 14.

Biggest Question Marks 
 

Offensive line 

It all starts up front, and Georgia has some issues there.  The Bulldogs lose center Ben Jones and offensive tackles Justin Anderson and Cordy Glenn off of last year's line, so offensive line coach Will Friend has been working overtime to try to fill those holes.  

Junior college transfer Mark Beard is a likely candidate to step in and play tackle right away.  The 6'3", 290-pound Beard spent last season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and has three years of eligibility left.  

John Theus will likely contend for the right tackle spot once he arrives this summer.  Until then, it's probably sophomore Austin Long's spot to lose.  Don't be surprised if he keeps it into the season.

Running Back

Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year Isaiah Crowell returns for his sophomore season, but the spot isn't necessarily his.  Crowell's attitude and susceptibility to injury have opened the door for a talented duo of true freshmen—Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley.  

Gurley won't arrive until summer, but Marshall has been in Athens since January, and he's gunning for Crowell's spot.  

Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome all have seen work at running back during their careers and will also contend for playing time.

Secondary

Despite losing Brandon Boykin to the NFL, the secondary was supposed to be a strength for Georgia.  And then Chris Sanders and Nick Marshall were dismissed, Jordan Love and Derek Owens transferred, Sanders Commings got suspended for two games after a domestic violence arrest and Branden Smith got arrested with marijuana on his way to spring break.  

Safeties Baccari Rambo and Shawn Williams return, but the big news is that the Bulldogs will experiment with wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell at cornerback this spring.  Mitchell was a star cornerback in high school, so you'd think he would be able to handle the transition.  But he's Mark Richt's top offensive weapon, and you have to worry about wearing him down mentally and physically.

Early Predictions for 2012  

Can the Bulldogs repeat as SEC East champs?  Absolutely.  

On the field, they're even with South Carolina in terms of talent and coaching, but their schedule shakes out better than that of the Gamecocks.  The Bulldogs avoid LSU, Alabama and Arkansas out of the SEC West, and the SEC East isn't exactly a gauntlet these days.  Georgia will dance around the 10-win mark again, but if they catch some breaks, don't be surprised to see the Bulldogs contending for the crystal football in 2012.