We are 25 hours removed from the kickoff of the 2010 UGA football season and I must say I was impressed. I have high hopes for the Dawgs this year. Yes, I am aware that we have a red-shirt freshman quarterback; whom has but one college start under his belt. Yes, I am aware that we have a new 3-4 defensive scheme. Yes, I am aware of this and that. I am also realistic regarding my high hopes; as the Dawgs do have a favorable schedule this year.
Back to the game; I am extremely impressed with the defense. It has been a long time since I have witnessed a pack of Dawgs surrounding a ball carrier and actually tackling him!! 9 tackles for losses yesterday is an impressive statistic. The defense persistantly harassed the ULL quarterbacks. Pressure, pressure, pressure! And lo and behold; something I have been convinced had become extinct at Sanford Stadium! The cornerbacks on the line directly across the receivers. Could it be? Is this true? Can the Laws of Gravity be defied? Can the Martinez Law of soft zone coverage be overturned? Will the earth now stop spinning? Well; Martinez Laws have been disputed and proved to be a hoax hypothesis that only the demented Choklahoman nation will unfortuanately have faith in. On a side note; Oklahoma's defense gave up 341 yards passing to Utah State (Way to go Willie!!!). The Georgia "D" was able to intercept ULL 3 times. Not only that; there was a UGA player near a ULL receiver on most every play, if not two UGA players. In fact; I now realize that if a defensive back is near a receiver at the time the ball is arrives, the DB has a good chance of breaking up the pass!! Wow!! Another Law of Willie disproved. On some plays, there were even 2 Bulldog defenders near a ULL receiver. Also; if ULL was able to complete a pass, there was a defensive player nearby who actually made the tackle. Yes, I know Rambo made a mistake and it led to the only points ULL were able to score. But; he paid dearly for that mistake. I am all for encouragement for players ages 4-17 at a recreational level; however, at the collegiate level players need an intense scolding upon making a mistake. And by gosh; Coach Todd Grantham is just the man to do it. After Rambo bit on a route and became toast; Grantham was in the face of Rambo and other defensive players pronto!!! Coach TG would walk away; only briefly, and returned to fellowship intensely with Rambo!!! This occured for about 5 minutes. That's the passion that has been missing of our beloved Georgia Bulldogs. The Dawgs D proved they could play with intensity and passion aggresively; without a SINGLE PENALTY!!! Only 5 penalties Saturday; four by the offense and one by the special teams.
The offense performed well; most likely, utilizing a very limited playbook due to Murray's first start and not wanting to display too much for South Carolina to prepare for. Murray missed a few receivers, and made one bone-head freshman mistake by not throwing the ball out of the endzone. He also ran a bit more than Coach Richt and much of Bulldog Nation would prefer. I suspect with the return of Ealey and a little more coaching up of the offensive line by Coach Searles; our rushing attack will improve. Considering that Ealey, AJ, and T. King were not in the game; the Dawg offense racked up 377 yards. The return of Kris Durham was just what the doctor ordered.
The special teams are indeed special as Blair Walsh continues his PAT streak and was able to accumalate 13 points. Drew Butler also punted well. With B Smith and Boykin returning punts and kickoffs there is a possiblity of a TD return at any given moment.
So look out "Coots"; for you are soon to be introduced to the new and improved GEORGIA BULLDOGS!!!
