Georgia Football: What to Expect in the G-Day Game
On April 16, the Georgia Bulldogs will take the field in a game situation between the hedges for the first time in 2011.
The only thing is their opponent will be themselves as that Saturday, half of the team will take on the other half in a classic "Red" vs. "Black" matchup.
Known as G-Day, this is the beginning of the crucial part of the offseason for the Bulldogs. The depth charts will become just a bit more finalized, and unheralded players will have a chance to prove themselves to Mark Richt and the coaching staff.
But more than anything else, G-Day is going to get the fans and the players excited about the 2011 season. Read on for what to expect.
Plenty of Support from the Georgia Faithful
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Sanford Stadium will be packed with as many Georgia fans as are allowed into the stands. G-Day is almost like a mini-holiday in Athens.
Students and fans alike want to get a sneak preview at the Bulldogs squad that will march out between the hedges when fall finally rolls around. Sure, there's a long time to go before the season begins, but all that means is that this is the only opportunity to watch some Georgia football for quite some time.
Especially after the disheartening 2010 campaign, Sanford will be rocking.
Comfort in the 3-4
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When Todd Grantham installed the 3-4 system as the defense of choice last season, his first as the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs, there was a bit of unease. After all, it was an entirely new scheme, one that would likely take quite a bit of adjustment.
As expected, the defense was shaky at times but improved markedly as the season unfolded. Now, the Bulldogs have had a full season in the 3-4 and an additional offseason of study, plus the few spring practices that have taken place so far.
The returning players are going to be much more comfortable and able to fly around the field with much more confidence.
Aaron Murray Will Look Good
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Aaron Murray was one of the few bright spots for the Georgia Bulldogs during last year's 6-7 letdown.
Now he's poised for an even bigger breakout during his sophomore year. This is his first chance to show off his skills to the public in 2011, and he's been working hard all season long for that opportunity.
He's going to come out firing while making good decisions. The decision-making is something that Murray spent a lot of time working on during the offseason. He's tried to improve upon the times when he chooses to scramble, and he's studied film on every single incomplete pass he threw as a freshman.
When he goes back over the G-Day tape, something tells me there won't be too many incomplete passes for him to look at.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Hard Running from the Backs
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No one really knows how Washaun Ealey and Caleb King stand with head coach Mark Richt right now. Either of them could be considered the favored tailback at any moment.
Both have had problems, whether fumbilitis or disciplinary, but both also have massive potential.
You can bet that both Ealey and King will be running as hard as they possibly can during G-Day with the hopes of impressing Richt and the rest of the coaching staff.
Plus, they have to worry about incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell, who I have to believe is the favorite for the starting spot right now.
Enthusiasm from the Players
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With jobs and coaches' favor on the line, each and every member of the Georgia Bulldogs spring team is going to be playing with as much passion as is humanly possible.
Enthusiasm will abound and the fans will be able to feel it emanating from the field in between the massive hedges.
As easy as it is for those fans to get pumped up about the beginning of football, just imagine how easy it is for the players whose lives revolve around the wonderful sport.
Jakar Hamilton Will Step It Up
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A junior college All-American in 2008, Jakar Hamilton transferred to Georgia last year and couldn't really get it going at any point.
But now he's been talking a big game throughout the offseason and will need to back it up on the field at G-Day if he wants to be one of the team's starting safeties.
Hamilton has bonded with Bacarri Rambo and has brought remarkable enthusiasm and athleticism to everything he has done since the loss in the Liberty Bowl.
Now it's time to see if it will pay off.
Some Big Punt Returns
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The two projected starting cornerbacks, Branden Smith and Brandon Boykin, are currently engaged in a bit of a dawgfight for the privilege to return punts.
Smith was the primary punt returner last season because of his quickness and remarkable speed, but Boykin is the Bulldogs' all-time leading kickoff returner.
Then there's Carlton Thomas. The talented tailback is going to be behind three young men on the running back depth chart, but he's too skilled to rot on the bench. Mark Richt is going to have to get him on the field somehow.
Thomas may very well earn the job in the long run because Smith and Boykin are too vital to the team in other areas.
While there is no clear answer to the question of who the punt returner should be when the regular season rolls around, some big returns during G-Day might make the answer a little more clear.
Positional Battles on Defense
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There are still quite a few spots on the depth chart that remain unsettled.
With Akeem Dent missing from the middle linebacker spot, many were expecting Jarvis Jones to come in and replace him. But with Todd Grantham thinking about moving Jones to outside linebacker, it appears as though Richard Samuel and Alec Ogletree will fight over that spot.
Jones on the other hand will likely be battling Cornelius Washington for a spot as a starting outside linebacker. This battle may eventually prove to be irrelevant if Ray Drew takes over when he arrives in Athens as a freshman.
Then at safety, Jakar Hamilton hasn't exactly locked up his job yet, even though I fully expect him to do so in just a few weeks. He still has to fend off Shawn Williams.
Even with all those mentioned, positional battles still remain and G-Day is a great way to see them at least partially settled.
A Low Score
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With players fighting for their jobs on defense more than offense, I'd expect to see the defenses playing with a little bit more enthusiasm than the offenses.
Additionally, offenses take more time to get in sync because so much of the offensive game relies on timing.
Because of that, I wouldn't expect the score to get too high.
Plenty of Optimism
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One thing that you can be absolutely sure of when it comes to G-Day is that optimism will reign supreme.
After a terribly disappointing 2010, every single person associated with Georgia football is desperately hoping that the 2011 campaign is much more successful. But they're doing more than hoping. Everyone is doing everything in their power to make sure that wish becomes a reality.
It's only natural to go into each and every season with heightened expectations. After all, the Bulldogs' record is currently unblemished and will continue to be for quite some time. The Georgia faithful are going to enjoy that for as long as it lasts.
Until there's a reason for pessimism, there won't be any.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
