“Jon Stinchcomb leads the offensive line as a
consistent All-American and All-Conference vote getter.”
I read with much interest VineyardDawg’s excellent post at Dawg Sports this morning, which is a position-by-position rundown of this year’s Georgia squad vs. the 2005 SEC Champion team. The results are disappointing. However it allows me the opportunity to make what I believe to be (how’s that for wordy, T. Kyle King?) a more applicable and encouraging comparison: this year’s team compared to the 2002 Bulldogs. Now, one fault I find with Vineyard’s assessment is that, by and large, he compares the August 2009 squad against the December 2005 squad, which is not a fair comparison. Let’s go back to 2002, and you’ll see this year’s team faces pretty much the exact same problems.
I found what I believe to be a good Standard Conventional Wisdom analysis of the 2002 Georgia Bulldogs (ranked #13 by coincidence), and the quotes are from the piece.
2002 Offense: STRENGTHS: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Kicker. CONCERNS: Tight End, Running Back
Last season young David Greene set freshman records in Athens in passing yards and touchdowns, and started all 12 games for the Bulldogs, which earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors. However, depth at quarterback through the spring has created a heated battle at the position. Redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley was a heralded recruit out of high school and is pushing hard for the job. Cory Phillips is another incumbent in the rotation. Phillips has the edge in experience over Shockley after starting five games in 2000. The cupboard is totally full for second year Coach Mark Richt with his signal callers.
At quarterback in 2002, Georgia brought back David Greene for his sophomore season. Greene had a solid but uneven performance in 2001, partially due to a new coaching staff and offense. Greene was a system quarterback without the great physical tools but made correct decisions, and Richt, then offensive coordinator, called plays that fell within Greene’s abilities. Now, with the benefit of hindsight it’s impossible to say Cox will outproduce Green, but Cox shares virtually all of Greene’s advantages, as well as his limitations. At least Cox has 4 years in the system and a smattering of game experience. Logan Gray compares favorably with DJ Shockley as well, and like 2002, Gray will make his first appearances under live fire this year. I like the comparison of Greene/Shockley to Cox/Gray very much. The key here, in fact the key to the whole season in my opinion, will be whether Cox can maintain his composure on the field and execute within his abilities as Greene did. I for one believe that he will. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: 2002, somewhat reluctantly.
The veteran wide receiver group is led by senior Terrance Edwards, who is in line to paste himself inside the Georgia Receiving Record Book. On the other side is returning starter Damien Gary, but the person most talked about seems to be Fred Gibson, who sat out the spring with a separated shoulder. Gibson has all the tools necessary to become a great asset.
And let us not forget the great Michael Johnson; not exactly a lot of preseason buzz about him in August 2002. AJ Green certainly is an acceptable substitute for a senior Terrance Edwards in my view, but does Michael Moore or the other returners (Troupe, Wooten, T. King, et al) fill the possession receiver role of Damien Gary? The role of Fred Gibson will be played by Marlon Brown. Can Brown be as good as Gibson? Let’s hope the bar will be set a bit higher than that. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: Slight 2002 advantage.
Possibly the most shining group will be the offensive line as the Dawgs return four starters from a 2001 season that only allowed 15 sacks and was a large reason for the success last year in the running game as well. Jon Stinchcomb leads the group as a consistent All-American and All-Conference vote getter.
The 2002 starting five were, George Foster, Alex Jackson, Russ Tanner, Kevin Breedlove, & John Stinchcomb. In 2002 there was no second string line to speak of (Ian Knight? Chris Hewitt?). With all the depth and relative health so far, I think I will take a healthy Sturdivant, Davis/Vance, Jones, Glen & Boling over that squad. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: 2009 comfortably.
Gone is the leading rusher from last year in Verron Hayes. His apparent replacement is super recruit Musa Smith, who still continues to have the injury bug follow him around in Athens. Musa really started out strong to start last season and became one of the leading rushers, only to be stifled by lack of durability. If he could stay healthy, people would really see big things from this gifted athlete. In that regards, it is tough to paper stamp the running back position a major need for concern.
Sound familiar? It would sound even moreso if Caleb had himself a healthy fall camp. However note the following: in 2002, our second string backfield was Mike Gilliam at Tailback behind Musa, and Braxton Snyder behind J.T. Wall at Fullback. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: 2009 comfortably.
The early departure of Randy McMichael at tight end is cause for the most apprehension. The spot is wide open and is a battle between a few candidates.
In August of 2002 nobody would’ve dared wish for the production we got out of Big Ben Watson. Was he a JUCO transfer? I can’t remember. Anyway our current crop of TEs look to be an effective bunch, especially if Orson Charles or Arthur Lynch pan out. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: Slight 2009 advantage.
The kicking game looks good. Kicker Billy Bennet set a school record by hitting six field goals in the win over Georgia Tech.
Here the analogy breaks down somewhat, but again with the benefit of hindsight we know Bennett would be an all-timer for Georgia. Blair Walsh, here’s your shot in year 2. August 2002 vs. August 2009 comparison: 2002.
Outlook: this comparison reveals the essential questions we have about the offense this year: Will Cox be the calm field general? Who will help AJ Green at WR? Who totes the rock? Will an effective TE emerge? Can we count on the kicking game? We got the right answers in 2002. What gives the 2009 offense the edge to me is a significantly deeper team at running back and offensive line.
Back with Defense later.
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