The Dawgs Land Orson Charles, But Will He Live Up to the Hype?

Orson Charles (pictured above, right) was a big coup for the Dawgs this offseason, as he spurned USC to wear the red and black come this fall. However, I would be lying to you if I didn't say that I was a bit turned off by his decision to draw out this process until long after every other recruit had signed.

I'm not a fan of that sort of thing and it often gives me pause on the overall value that the recruit will have as a player in the long-term.

Now, do I think that Orson Charles will be a bust? No. However, it remains to be seen if he or Aaron Murray (pictured above, left) will lead us to the promised land-that being a National Championship trophy.

Charles, at 6'3", 225lbs does not have the height of a Leonard Pope, who at 6'8" provided quite the target for his quarterback. However, he does seem to fit the mold of most of the successful tight ends who have gone on to pro play from Georgia (i.e. Martrez Milner, Ben Watson, and Randy McMichael).

However, what does that say about out current group of tight ends, of which we have six, five of whom are underclassmen? Of those six, five are bigger than Charles.

Georgia has long been known to like their tight ends to weigh in at 250lbs or more. At 225, Charles will have a lot of work to do.

And, what of Aron White? Remember him? He was the nation's top tight end in 2007 according to Rivals scouting service. His tally in 2008 was two catches for 88 yards. The tight end position has seen a serious drop in production at Georgia.

Where we were becoming known for producing NFL level players at the position, we have now found it difficult to even get them involved in the games. Last season they had ten catches total.

Of course, much of the lack of production at the tight end position can be blamed on a poor offensive line which required our tight ends to be used more as blockers than  receivers. Plus, it didn't help that former end Tripp Chandler seemed more adept at dropping balls than catching them.

Adding further complications was the inability of our tight ends to stay healthy. Bruce Figgins will miss the spring due to shoulder surgery and Aron White has been dealing with his own stable of nagging injuries.

Put all of that together and you have a position that seems to be reeling.

Will Charles be the answer?

Let's face it, for all the reasons highlighted above mixed in with the emergence of playmakers at wide receiver and running back, the tight end has become the least important position in Bobo's offense; which begs the question, again, why is the Charles signing a big deal?

His size and speed could make him a better fit at wide receiver, but I think it will be hard enough to spread the ball to both Brown and Green.

And if Charles came to Athens hoping to play catch with high school quarterback Aaron Murray, well that remains to be seen too as the signing of that other Elite 11 quarterback, Zach Mettenberger, promises to hint at a controversy at some point during their tenure.

It's all a crapshoot and it's a dangerous thing to put too much emphasis on one player. Georgia has signed three top tight ends in three years, NaDerris Ward (transferred to Oregon), Aron White (limited play, limited production), and now Orson Charles...Nothing is promised.

Listen, I'm not saying that Charles is a bust in waiting. I'm not saying that it wasn't a big "get" for the Dawgs. I love the signing and I love the story that comes with the player, ya know the one about him breaking that 2006 Gator National Championship trophy? Gives me a smile every time.

However, what I am saying is that I hope this big show he put on to get to that letter of intent, turns into dividends for the Dawgs, otherwise it was all for nothing.

Whichever way it turns out, I am excited yet again about the prospects of what this 2009 signing class will do. I hope by the time they are set to graduate, that picture above is Murray and Charles holding a crystal football between the two of them.

That would be a pretty picture.

Go Dawgs!