A stronger offense gives hope for a strong season
As much wind as there was at Saturday’s spring football game, the winds of change were just as strong inside Sanford Stadium.
Fans present at the G-Day game were able to get a good look at the 2007 Bulldogs from the big plays on the field to the newest recruits signing autographs off the field.
There are 106 days between today and the team’s first practice of the fall, but here are some things to take away from spring practice:
The offense has the potential to be a lot better than last season. The Georgia offense was exciting at times last season, but overall, the Bulldogs had a lot of trouble making big plays and holding onto the ball.
Coming into the spring, the recurring questions centered around the offensive line and the growth of sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Both leave the spring on a good note.
The starting offensive line of Trinton Sturdivant, Chris Davis, Fernando Velasco, Scott Haverkamp and Chester Adams stayed together for most of the spring and got time to work as a unit.
“The offensive line played better that I thought they would,” head coach Mark Richt said. “I thought it might have been an ugly situation with all the new guys.”
The line blocked well, giving quarterbacks time to make throws and running backs the holes they needed.
Stafford completed six of 12 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
He had no turnovers, which is a good sign for a guy who threw 13 interceptions last season.
Add the return of Sean Bailey to a receiving corps that combined for almost 400 yards Saturday, and the offense looked very good.
‘THAT’S WHAT HE SAID’: QUOTES FROM G-DAY
“I think we did well, and I think we’re going to win the national championship.”
- Freshman offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant with a prediction for the upcoming season.
“I’m still working on that fourth gear. I’ll work on it in the off-season.”
- Redshirt freshman running back Knowshon Moreno on his speed
“We didn’t communicate or help each other out. We missed tackles. We’re nowhere near where we have to be.”
- Senior safety Kelin Johnson on the defense’s struggles on G-Day
“We moved the ball well all day. We picked up third downs and got some explosive plays. That’s what we needed last year, and it’s going to help us next season.”
- Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford on the Georgia offense
“We, as receivers here (at Georgia), pride ourselves on being playmakers. If you want to catch 80 or 90 balls, you can go to Florida. Here, we like to be well-rounded.”
- Former Georgia player and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward on what it takes to be a Georgia receiver.
The defense has a long way to go. While the offense had a field day, the defense looked like it needed a couple more weeks of practice.
The Black team, which had most of the first team defensive players, allowed 20 points in the first half.
“As far as (the first team) defense goes, we didn’t get the job done at all,” senior safety Kelin Johnson said.
Richt attributed the tentative play to guys still trying to earn a starting position or transition into a new position.
“Once we settle into a starting lineup, I think it will help the defense,” Richt said.
Running back Knowshon Moreno led all players with 68 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns.
The redshirt freshman from Belford, N.J. turned some heads and will push for time behind incumbent starter Kregg Lumpkin with Thomas Brown still recovering from knee surgery
“Knowshon ran like he’s been running since he’s been here,” Richt said.
“If he keeps progressing, it’ll be hard to keep him from getting touches next season.”
Reshad Jones, a redshirt freshman safety, had the game’s only interception and some hard hits to accompany it.
Kris Durham made some big catches on his way to 137 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Tripp Chandler, the only tight end on the Georgia roster with playing experience, had three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
