Offense looks for consistency

Last season, the Bulldog offense was a revolving door at several positions. Three different quarterbacks logged significant snaps, wide receivers shuffled in and out of the lineup and it wasn’t until the end of the season that Georgia had a lineup that put points on the board.
Still, the Bulldogs ranked seventh in the SEC in scoring, with 25.2 points per game, and 10th in the SEC in total offense, with 321.1 yards per game.
Georgia will look to be more consistent this season, and that starts with sophomore quarterback Matt Stafford. Stafford started eight games for the Bulldogs last season.
At running back, seniors Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin will be the featured backs. Redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno should be in the mix as well.
Who will start is still being decided, but in the end, all three will be heavily involved in the running game.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal to them (who starts),” Stafford said. “All of them will get carries, and it’ll keep them fresh.”
At fullback, junior Brannan Southerland led the team with 10 total touchdowns last season and continues to be a weapon for the offense.
“I don’t think anybody forgets him (in the game plan),” Stafford said. “He’s a big-time talent.”
At wide receiver, the Bulldogs return lettermen Kenneth Harris, A.J. Bryant, Demiko Goodman, Michael Moore, Mikey Henderson and Kris Durham.
The key for the receivers will be senior Sean Bailey, who missed all of 2006 with a knee injury and whose seven career touchdowns are more than any current Georgia receiver.
“Last year was the first time I ever sat out a full season,” Bailey said. “It makes you appreciate the game more.”
At tight end, junior Tripp Chandler will miss the team’s first game against Oklahoma State.
That leaves redshirt freshman NaDerris Ward and senior Coleman Watson to be a safety valve for Stafford. True freshman Bruce Figgins, from Columbus, could see some playing time.
The offensive line has been the biggest question going into this season. Three starters had to be replaced, while seniors Fernando Velasco and Chester Adams have the task of holding the line together.
Junior college transfer Scott Haverkamp and redshirt freshman Chris Davis are set to start at both guard spots, and true freshman Trinton Sturdivant will get the nod at left tackle.
“The offensive line is getting there. We’ll keep pushing them every day,” junior defensive tackle Jeff Owens said. “We just lack experience up front, but that will come.”
Another key for the offense will be eliminating turnovers. Georgia’s 31 turnovers in 2006 were the most since 1979 and turned into 80 points for the opposition.


