University of Georgia Athletics
2006 Football Outlook
June 26, 2006 | Football
Just a few hours after the 2005 season ended, Georgia coach Mark Richt was asked if he felt the 2006 Bulldogs would be rebuilding or reloading. After all, the questioner pointed out, Georgia was saying goodbye to 15 of 26 starters, including several All-Americans, All-SEC performers and future NFL players, and 22 letterwinners.
“We’ve got a lot of good players coming back,” Richt said, not missing a beat. “We’re losing a lot of good players and a lot more seniors than we lost last year, but we have talented guys who are excited about their opportunity. When one guys leaves, another one steps up. Will they produce as well and will the seniors lead as well? That’s the big question. We’ve got good ingredients and strong seniors who can play the game, so we’ll see how well they can lead. I feel like we’ve got a good group of seniors coming up who are excited about the challenge of taking the lead here.”
Georgia is enjoying one of the finest runs in the program’s history, and the returning Bulldogs are accustomed to double-digit wins. Dating back to 2002, Georgia has posted 44 victories, won two SEC championships and played for another, and has been a constant fixture in the national top 10. So as the Bulldogs embark on the 2006 season, their goals remain the same.
“Every year is a new challenge,” Richt said. “The league is very tough and there are so many close ballgames. You can be a heck of a team and lose three or four games by one or two points and people don’t think highly of you. Our players and coaches believe we’ll be challenging for the title every year. That’s the goal.”
The 2006 Bulldogs have a strong nucleus on which to build. Georgia returns its top three rushers from a year ago, and they teamed up for more than 1,500 yards and eight touchdowns. There will be spirited competition at many offensive positions during the preseason, including quarterback for the first time in many years. On defense, the Bulldogs appear strongest at linebacker and defensive end, with burgeoning talent in the secondary and on the line. Special teams again should be strong as Georgia welcomes back its top scorer along with an experienced punter and returners.
Here now is a position-by-position look at the Bulldogs heading into preseason workouts:
QUARTERBACKS: For the second time in as many years, the Bulldogs must replace the starter at quarterback, but the competition this preseason will include no less than four contenders, led by Joe Tereshinski III (6-3, 217, Sr.).
D.J. Shockley passed and ran his way to All-SEC recognition in 2005 and was named the MVP of the SEC Championship Game. However, when Shockley went down with an injury against Arkansas and was unable to suit up for the Florida game, Tereshinski filled in admirably. For the year, Tereshinski completed 25-of-49 passes for 371 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass against the Gators.
Blake Barnes (6-3, 219, RSo.) picked up some valuable reps in a reserve role, seeing action in three games, completing 2-of-3 passes. His spring was cut short due to a thumb injury, but he should be full speed for the fall. Joe Cox (6-1, 200, RFr.) impressed Georgia’s coaches during his redshirt season by successfully piloting the scout team as well as in the spring by elevating his game. Matthew Stafford (6-3, 225, Fr.) is a highly regarded prospect who joined the team in January after passing for more than 4,000 yards as a high school senior in Texas. Stafford threw a touchdown pass on his first play as a Bulldog in the G-Day Game.
RUNNING BACKS: This figures to be a strength for the Bulldogs in 2006 with the return of the top three tailbacks as well as experience and depth at fullback. New running backs coach Tony Ball, who came from Virginia Tech, is expected to bring a new element to Georgia’s offensive scheme.
Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin ranked 1-2-3, respectively, in rushing for the Bulldogs a year ago. Brown (5-8, 185, Jr.) paced the Bulldogs with 736 yards and four touchdowns. Ware (6-1, 223, Jr.) added 492 yards and a touchdown, while Lumpkin (6-1, 220, Jr.) appeared to regain his form late in the season after an ACL injury in 2004 to pick up 335 yards and score three touchdowns. The Bulldogs also have experienced walk-on Jason Johnson (5-9, 191, Jr.), who can play either tailback or fullback.
At fullback, Georgia welcomes back Des Williams (6-1, 245, Jr.), who missed all of last season with a pectoral muscle injury. Williams got the majority of the work in the spring as 2005 starter Brannan Southerland (6-0, 242, RSo.) sat out the drills due to shoulder surgery. Stephen White (5-11, 217, Sr.) and Brett Thomason (6-1, 240, RSo.) also return to provide depth.
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Bulldogs are blessed with some exciting young talent at this position. At split end, Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 198, So.) emerged as a go-to guy for the Bulldogs last year, catching 38 passes for 505 yards and two touchdowns. Mario Raley (6-1, 190, Sr.) also returns at split end after catching six balls for 78 yards a year ago, including memorable grabs against Georgia Tech and LSU. Kris Durham (6-5, 195, Fr.) graduated from high school early and joined the Bulldogs during bowl workouts and already has impressed the Bulldogs’ coaches. Speedster Demiko Goodman (6-2, 189, RSo.) sat out the spring following shoulder surgery.
The flanker position was hit hard by injury before the end of last season when Sean Bailey (6-1, 176, Sr.) tore his ACL. He could miss all of the 2006 campaign. In addition, A.J. Bryant (6-2, 195, Jr.), who had five catches two that went for touchdowns a year ago and Michael Moore (6-2, 195, RFr.) missed the spring due to injuries. The Bulldogs did get a good look at Kenneth Harris, T.J. Gartrell and Mikey Henderson at flanker in the spring. Harris (6-3, 214, RSo.) had 11 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown last year, while Gartrell (6-1, 186, Jr.) hauled in three for 76 yards. Converted cornerback Henderson (5-10, 165, Jr.) caught a touchdown pass in the G-Day Game and is expected to see significant playing time.
TIGHT ENDS: Even with the early departure of All-SEC Leonard Pope, the Bulldogs return experience and depth at tight end. Martrez Milner (6-4, 240, Sr.) had his best year as a Bulldog in 2005, catching 14 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Tripp Chandler (6-6, 253, So.), Coleman Watson (6-6, 250, Jr.) and Trahern Holden (6-5, 238, Jr.) all saw action on offense and on special teams.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: With stalwarts Russ Tanner, Max Jean-Gilles, Dennis Roland and Ryan Schnetzer gone, the Bulldogs’ line will have a new look in 2006.
Nick Jones (6-3, 295, Sr.) started at guard last season, but has shifted back to center, a position he played extensively two years ago. Ian Smith (6-3, 295, RFr.) is coming off a redshirt campaign and will back up Jones, and Kevin Perez (6-3, 260, Fr.), a freshman who enrolled in January, also will provide depth.
Chester Adams (6-4, 320, Jr.) is on top of the depth chart at tight guard, followed by Seth Watts (6-4, 313, RSo.). At split guard, the Bulldogs have Fernando Velasco (6-4, 315, Jr.), who is coming off a redshirt season after seeing backup action in 2003 and 2004. Zeb McKinzey (6-3, 285, Jr.) also will compete for the starting job at split guard, followed by Perez. Chris Abbott (6-0, 282, Sr.) is also available at the position.
All-SEC performer Daniel Inman (6-7, 319, Sr.) returns for his fourth year as a starter at tight tackle and he is backed up by versatile Michael Turner (6-4, 295, Sr.). Ken Shackleford (6-5, 315, Sr.) will take over at split tackle. John Miller (6-6, 290, Fr.) enrolled in January, but shoulder surgery sidelined him in the spring.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: The Bulldogs said goodbye to Kedric Golston, Gerald Anderson and Darrius Swain, but they have veterans and talented newcomers ready to take their place. Versatile Ray Gant (6-2, 277, Sr.) is penciled in at one of the tackle positions. Gant, who can also play end, made 19 tackles a year ago. He is followed on the depth chart by Dale Dixson (6-2, 308, Sr.), Marquis Elmore (6-4, 281, Sr.) and Justin Lyles (6-2, 293, Jr.), though Elmore missed spring drills due to wrist surgery. At the other tackle, 2005 Freshman All-American Jeff Owens (6-3, 280, So.) is listed No. 1. He recorded 17 tackles for the Bulldogs in 2005. Kade Weston (6-5, 310, RFr.) had a promising spring after redshirting in 2005, while Ricardo Crawford (6-1, 303, Fr.) enrolled in January, went through spring drills and appears to have run-stopping ability similar to Anderson.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: All-America candidate Quentin Moses developed into one of the country’s top pass rushers a year ago, and he returns to anchor the line. Moses (6-5, 250, Sr.) had 44 tackles in 2005 and he led the Bulldogs with 11.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. He will be backed up by Marcus Howard (6-2, 220, Jr.), who had 24 tackles last year and impressed the coaching staff in the spring. Jeremy Lomax (6-4, 220, RSo.) did not participate in spring drills after shoulder surgery.
At the other end, the Bulldogs have Charles Johnson (6-2, 275, Jr.), who recorded 23 tackles overall, including 4.0 sacks and 8.5 for loss, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Roderick Battle (6-4, 249, RFr.), who redshirted last season, showed plenty of potential in the spring and will enter the mix in the fall.
LINEBACKERS: Injuries and attrition thinned Georgia’s ranks last fall, but the Bulldogs now have both depth and experience at linebacker.
Jarvis Jackson (6-2, 218, Sr.) is Georgia’s leading returning tackler with 84, and he will take over the Mike position. Marcus Washington (6-0, 245, So.) will back him up. Tony Taylor (6-1, 237, Sr.) battled injuries all of last season, yet still recorded 56 tackles in nine games. In 2006, he will take over at the Will position for the Bulldogs. He will be backed up by versatile Danny Verdun Wheeler (6-2, 244, Sr.), who had 62 stops a year ago. Dannell Ellerbe (6-1, 228, RSo.) also will be in the mix. The Sam position is led by Brandon Miller (6-4, 248, Jr.), who had 41 tackles last season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: The Bulldogs lost some familiar faces in All-SEC performers Tim Jennings, DeMario Minter and Greg Blue, meaning some young players will have opportunities this fall.
Rover Tra Battle (5-11, 176, Sr.) is the only returning starter in the secondary. A year ago, Battle recorded 71 tackles, third-best on the team, and picked off two passes. Donavon Baldwin (6-2, 193, RFr.) will enter the mix this fall.
At free safety, Kelin Johnson (6-1, 192, Jr.) finished the spring atop the depth chart. Johnson has played extensively on special teams each of the past two years. He will be backed up by CJ Byrd (6-2, 186, So.), Antavious Coates (6-4, 200, RFr.) and Andrew Williams (6-0, 197, Jr.).
Paul Oliver (6-0, 205, Jr.) showed marked improvement last year and will go into the fall as No. 1 at one of the cornerback slots. Oliver had 28 tackles in 2005 and is Georgia’s leading returner in interceptions with three. He will be backed up by Ramarcus Brown (5-11, 173, RSo.), who returned an interception for a touchdown in the G-Day Game.
At the other corner, the Bulldogs have Thomas Flowers (5-10, 186, Jr.) listed at the top. He will be backed up by Asher Allen (5-10, 180, Fr.) and Bryan Evans (5-11, 180, RFr.). Allen enrolled in January and showed his explosiveness with a 100-yard interception return in the G-Day Game.
SPECIALISTS: This area should continue to be a strong one for the Bulldogs with two All-America candidates holding down the kicking jobs.
Punter Gordon Ely-Kelso (6-2, 215, Sr.), 2005 All-SEC Second team, averaged 42.9 yards per punt and had a net average of 40.1 yards last year. Ely-Kelso will be backed up by Brian Mimbs (5-11, 197, RSo.).
At kicker, the Bulldogs have been able to build depth. All-SEC Brandon Coutu (6-0, 185, Jr.) led the SEC in scoring last year as he hit 23-of-29 field goals and all 45 of his extra points. Coutu also connected on a 58-yard field goal, the longest in school history without a tee. Andy Bailey (6-2, 220, Jr.) did not see in any action last year, but he hit 14-of-20 field goals and 36-of-37 extra points in 2004. Ben Wilson (6-0, 208, RSo.) is also backing up this position.
A new snapper will have to be found and the starter will be determined between two candidates: Benjamin Boyd (6-1, 206, RSo.) and Bo Fowler (6-2, 215, So.).
Thomas Flowers, who finished second in the SEC last year in punt returns (13.7 ypr) is back but Mikey Henderson and Asher Allen could also get work there. For kickoff returns, the Bulldogs have Ramarcus Brown and Thomas Brown. The former took up duties late in the season and averaged 21.2 yards per return.
