Other than the unresolved situation at tailback due to the departure of Knowshon Moreno, three other critical positions and/or units remained question marks after Georgia’s spring practice finished up last Saturday with the annual G-Day Game. Here we take a look at the uncertainties surrounding the defensive end, offensive line and kicking unites. All pose key, albeit distinct, questions.
DEFENSIVE END
The play of the defensive ends last season was about as underwhelming as it has ever been in the Mark Richt era. Departed senior Jarius Wynn led the ends with only three sacks. Add to that the injuries that affected the position this spring, and Georgia has to wonder if the ends will be ready to produce by the season opener. The Bulldogs finished spring practice with just two healthy scholarship defensive ends in Justin Houston and converted offensive lineman Kiante Tripp. The injuries may have been a blessing in disguise for the two, as they were forced to get more practice time. Houston especially took advantage, finishing the spring strong and racking up three sacks in the G-Day Game. “The more reps I take, the better I’m getting, so it’s starting to pay off,” Houston said. “All the defensive ends, we’re disappointed about the season we had last year. We take it as a challenge to step up to the plate and hopefully defensive end will be a main factor this year.”
Another effect of the injuries is that some linebackers were moved to defensive end. Senior middle linebacker Marcus Washington lined up at defensive end in the G-Day Game and matched Houston with three sacks. “I think that is something that we probably have missed out on,” Richt said about not moving any linebackers to end during pass rush situations in the past.
No matter who lines up at defensive end come fall, the production of the group will have to improve.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Much like the trenches for Georgia on the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs’ offensive line was also affected by injuries. But unlike the defensive end position, which will first need to show it can be productive once healthy, the offensive line may be ready to show its dominance. A dozen players return on the line, most with valuable playing time under their belts thanks to the injuries and the lack of depth of the last two seasons. Four linemen with starting experience missed spring because of injury, and all but one, Josh Davis, is expected to be back before the start of the season. That will give Georgia its most experienced line in years, but also will give the Bulldogs some hard decisions to make about who starts, and where. “It’s going to be tough,” said tackle Clint Boling. “Once we get all those guys back, we’ll have some options as far as where we’re going to plug everybody in.”
Boling has experience playing tackle and guard and currently lines up at the left tackle position that Trinton Sturdivant held before missing all of last season. Richt called Boling his most consistent linemen of the spring, but he may be moved when Sturdivant returns. “If Trinton comes back very healthy and plays well, I can see Clint playing the left guard spot, that is if we see Cordy [Glenn] playing right tackle,” Richt said. “Cordy might be a guard, Vince Vance might be a right tackle.”
When the dust clears, Georgia’s offensive line will be able to rotate more players will have considerably more experience than last year, which should give the Bulldogs a very strong group.
KICKER
While the question mark is not as big as it was last year when he was a true freshman, placekicker Blair Walsh’s performance is worth watching. Walsh started last season 10-for-12 on field goals, but hit only five of his last 11 and struggled with kickoffs. In the G-Day Game, he hit his only try, a 51-yarder. “I’ve been working hard this spring just trying to get more consistent,” Walsh said. “I didn’t miss many kicks this spring, so it was nice to go out and hit a long one like that.”
Earlier this spring, Georgia added kicker Brandon Bogotay as a late signee out of Grossmont Junior College in El Cajon, Cal. Bogotay is expected to provide competition to Walsh, especially as a kickoff specialist. Still, Walsh thinks he will handle kickoff duties in addition to placekicking. “I feel like I will,” Walsh said. “I don’t know what the coaches are going to do philosophy-wise, so we just have to play it by ear once camp comes.”
Points and yardage in the kicking game this season could be more of a factor for a team that may have less room for error than it did last year.
Butler can be reached at jbutler@scoreatl.com.
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