The SEC Shakeup: Georgia Navigates

Victor CooperMar 6, 2009

New coaches on important teams with tradition, highly paid assistants that may be related to the head coach who approves ripping shirts off, accusing other coaches of violations, assistants switching teams, talent leaving early for the league; these are just a few selected themes for the SEC 2009.

Different starters and different attitude: time to take it back to '02 and '05.

Now, more than ever, the Georgia Bulldogs must contend with the new onslaught of new coach and assistant hires throughout the conference to remain in the top tier of the league. During the past decade, Head Coach Mark

Richt and his stable of assistants, recruiters, and trainers have defined competitive, intense football on Saturdays. After managing to retain Rodney Garner and a host of other quality assistants, the Bulldogs plan to start fresh with a new man under center and backfield.

From an outside perspective, one would think that Stafford, with his careless decisions and non-chalant attitude on the field, couldn't wait to declare and choose an agent. Stafford just so happens to be the man that struck gold with Matt Ryan's agent: Tom Condon.

Good thing they didn't change the rookie payment structure. With the fresh face of Joe Cox and Caleb King and company, the offense should be able to take care of business on their side of the ball after managing 31 per game last year with

Bobo's guidance. It's going to be difficult to outscore everyone again this year; plus, it will be difficult to get breaks against opponents compared to Kentucky and Auburn of last year.

On the other side of the ball, Willie Martinez and his defense must focus on the defensive line rush that is important to his coaching and schema.

The Dawgs must come out hot to make a statement. Overpowering the Big 12 spread will be a key factor in establishing the attitude. This said attitude was non-existent in 2008. The very first test for Cox to lead the team to victory are the T. Boone Pickens' from Stillwater.

With so many shakeups in the SEC, these games are just as crucial to remain as an elite team. Obviously, they are doing something right in the Richt camp with so many NFL players. Of course, Florida will be a big game. Hopefully, Tebow, clad in jorts and pulling his best Warner, has become bored with Georgia.

He got us back and pleased Urban, who will be in the NFL very soon, probably in an 'urban' city. We still own the overall record with the blurange company below us! Same situation with Auburn.

Chizik wants to make a statement. Gene will be battling in the West for the title spot. It should be wide open over in that division due to LSU being young, and 'Bama losing some players.

I'm sure Saban will recover; they have plenty of money, I mean persuasion. A decisive game in late November will decide rankings: Georgia Tech will be influential because, most likely, both teams will be contending for a higher rank to impress the voters.

Plus, that beat down in Athens made the cold that much worse. I realize the option is tough to defend, but you have to put some effort into the play.

Where the hell was Reshad Jones? When I was an All-American, we had to defend the option on every play in the rain and mud with leather helmets! I must admit, Paul has that scheme down pat. He rivals Bill

Cowher as the toughest coach in football, in my humble, unbiased opinion.

On to the other SEC game:

After all the hype in the offseason, the Volunteers better deliver.

Even Peyton got into the coach search, but he wanted to keep Fulmer. First time that a Tennessee coach has had no connection to General Neyland. Now the song can actually ring true; it's definitely going to be rocky, but on the bottom with Vanderbilt.

Rocky Top of the garbage pile

The goal is to beat Florida, Tennessee, and Auburn in the same season. It hasn't been done since 1982, I believe. That's my birth year; I must be a curse.