The boos that rained down on Georgia’s pass catchers during Saturday’s loss were nothing new.

Last season, Bulldog fans and media alike focused their attention on the merry-go-round that was the quarterback position.

But Georgia’s passing offense wasn’t ranked ninth in the SEC just because of its trio of signal callers.

No one wanted to talk about the Georgia receivers. Their 2006 season was marred by drops, missed opportunities and injuries.

“It was terrible,” redshirt sophomore Michael Moore said.

“We went into the games looking over our shoulders. One dropped pass and we’d look straight to the sideline, thinking we’d get taken out of the game.”

It got so bad that at one point during last year’s game against Mississippi State, junior receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was booed in Athens and was cheered when he left the field.

In retrospect, flanker Mikey Henderson said the receivers’ problems were magnified due to the offensive system.

“Look at Florida and other places,” Henderson said. “They’ll throw it at least 25 to 30 times. Last year, we were throwing about 10 to 15 times, so when you drop three or four balls, that really stands out.”

Against Oklahoma State, the Bulldog receivers were making plays all over the field, but when the Gamecocks came to town, the inconsistencies that plagued them last season suddenly reappeared.

“When you have those running backs, defenses have to honor the run,” senior Sean Bailey said. ”

All we have to do is do our job and catch the ball.”

Bailey’s return has been key for the group, as his veteran presence has provided quarterback Matthew Stafford with a reliable target.

“He’s a veteran guy that’s been in the wars, and you need that,” Henderson said.

“Sean’s a leader by example, but this year he’s taken it on himself to talk more. I get a lot of moves from watching him,” Moore said.

Bailey is the unquestioned leader of the receivers, but the production can not come from just one person.

It seems Moore has learned a lot more from Bailey, as teammates and coaches have seen a big change in the Fort Lauderdale native.

Moore has fought injuries and the depth chart in his two-plus seasons in Athens.

This fall, receivers coach John Eason said Moore finally started to play up to his skills, culminating in his first collegiate touchdown against Oklahoma State.

“It seems like he’s totally different. He’s competing and putting in more effort,” Eason said.