Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Guys More Important than the Dream Team
Despite Georgia's 6-7 record from a year ago, there is a considerable buzz around Athens, Georgia, right now regarding Bulldogs football.
Most of this hype has been a result of Mark Richt's "Dream Team" going from a water cooler joke to a reality, topped off by the commitment of Ray Drew and Isaiah Crowell.
The truth is that freshmen likely aren't going to turn the program around. Georgia will still have a lineup similar to last season and significant improvements from veteran players will be key to any type of success Georgia achieves in 2011.
Here are 10 players who hold much higher value than their incoming freshman teammates.
Cordy Glenn, Tackle
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Cordy Glenn has been a participant of Georgia's offensive line carousel that has existed for the past few seasons, and will be moving again this spring.
Glenn, who spent last season at guard, will switch over to tackle.
The Bulldogs need the right combination at offensive line—which has under digressed two seasons in a row.
Having the number one running back recruit in the country is great, but not when the offensive line is getting pushed backward.
Marlon Brown, Wide Receiver
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With A.J. Green's premature departure, Georgia loses their number one weapon at receiver and arguably one of the best athletes in UGA history.
Green cannot be replaced, and Georgia's offensive philosophy will have to adjust without having a game changing receiver in the line up.
Regular production at receiver will be vital.
Marlon Brown will have to step up. Despite being a highly recruited prospect, he's seen limited playing time. As an incoming redshirt sophomore, Brown is expected to be the second receiver on Georgia's depth chart.
He's a mystery right now, but Brown could very well blossom into a top SEC receiver. He won't be A.J. Green good, but if he can be a 50 catch receiver, he'll help the offense drastically.
Alec Ogletree, Middle Linebacker
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Georgia returns safeties Bacarri Rambo, Shawn Williams and Jakar Hamilton, who are all expected to battle for spots on the first team this Spring.
It's even expected that Hamilton might switch to cornerback. As for Alec Ogletree, who was Georgia's top recruit in 2010, a switch to middle linebacker will get him on the field as soon as possible.
With the talent level he has, Ogletree's playing time will be a priority and is expected to greatly benefit the defense. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham expects Ogletree to thrive as a middle linebacker in the 3-4 defense, replacing Akeem Dent.
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DeAngelo Tyson, Defensive End
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DeAngelo Tyson played out of his position last season, playing nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
Tyson, as well as converted offensive lineman Justin Anderson, struggled to become productive players in the new defense.
With the commitment of John Jenkins, Tyson can now move to defensive end—a position he should see much more success in.
Orson Charles, Tight End
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With A.J. Green gone, Orson Charles might become Aaron Murray's favorite target.
That would make sense, considering the two have been playing together for six years and counting. The chemistry between Charles and Murray goes back to their high school days and could become something special that keep's Georgia's offense rolling.
Jay Rome, the nation's top tight end, committed to Georgia, however Charles will be the main man at that position as long as he's enrolled at UGA.
Many claim he has a chance to be the best tight end Georgia has seen. Considering Georgia has established itself as "Tight End U," that's quite a claim.
Brandon Boykin, Cornerback/Kick Returner
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Instead of pulling an "Asher Allen," which is what Georgia fans have quickly coined as a term that refers to leaving to the NFL as a "bad NFL prospect, but good team prospect for college", Brandon Boykin is returning for his senior season.
Boykin was considered an All-SEC contender in the 2010 preseason but had a quiet campaign.
He's coming back because he "wants to be part of turning the program around."
Saying that might have made Boykin, or "Bam Bam," a fan favorite. Boykin should be a reliable staple at cornerback, and also will have the entire 2011 season to rack up return yardage.
He's already Georgia's all-time leading kick off returner.
Bruce Figgins, Fullback
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Tight end Bruce Figgins, who will be a senior in the fall, had little to no chance of playing with Georgia's stacked tight end group.
Figgins will move to fullback and fill the void left by Shaun Chapas and Fred Munzenmaier.
Mark Richt seems to think Figgins will thrive at his new position and will benefit from already knowing tight end assignments, making him a useful utility in audible situations.
He'll definitely be the biggest fullback to play in the system. Things will be interesting, to say the least.
Branden Smith, Multiple Positions
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It's time Branden Smith fits in somewhere with the Georgia football team.
Despite his undeniable talent, Smith has been nothing more than an unproductive utility.
But he has potential to be a game changer, and with A.J. Green gone, he could become more of an offensive weapon.
He might need to fight at cornerback with Sanders Commings projected to be the starter opposite of Brandon Boykin.
Smith also will be expected to return punts, where he hasn't quite mastered just yet.
Carlton Thomas, Offensive Specialist
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Junior running back Carlton Thomas might not be considered the candidate to be an every down back with Crowell, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey all battling for position.
But Thomas is a scat weapon who needs to hit the field at least 10 times a game.
As a shotgun back or a slot receiver, Carlton Thomas could ignite Georgia's offense.
Aaron Murray, Quarterback
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Even though Georgia had a bad season in 2010, Aaron Murray found ways to break records as a freshman.
His tenacity, intensity, and leadership qualities were apparent during the entire season. Murray stood composed in SEC games, and even followed a terrible start against Florida to have a breakthrough performance.
Murray threw 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions as a freshman, and compiled over 3,000 passing yards.
Georgia fans are already convinced Murray will be better than Matthew Stafford, and could be better than David Greene.
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