Dog O-Line in the spotlight this year….
By Editorial Staff
With a new QB at the helm and 2 high profile RBs the Georgia Bulldogs offensive line has alot on its shoulders this year. Here is a quote from Clint Boling in today’s AJC:
“If we can accomplish what I think we’re able to, I think we’ll be pretty special.” “I think we’ve got to take it upon ourselves to help Aaron [Murray, the redshirt freshman starting quarterback] out. Be able to run the ball. Give him time to throw the ball. Make his job as easy as possible.”
That very well may be the key to a successful Dawgs season. Not to put to much on the young freshman QB and give him time to throw when he is called upon to do so. If Georgia is successfully able to run the football this year, Murray may not have much to worry about and that success will hinge on a very experienced offensive line. O-Line Coach Stacy Searels is in year 4 of a process that included a freshman laden offensive line in year one. Searels is renowned for his high intensity practices and can usually be heard a block away from the practice field in Athens on even the hottest of days.
The Dawg line this year will start 2 juniors and 3 seniors, but Searels will rotate in about 9 different lineman throughout the season with the oft injured Trinton Sturdivant hoping to make his return to that roatation this year.
A quote from Searels also from todays AJC:
“They’re a veteran group, and they know what we expect of them.” “They should know what to do. They’ve got a lot of knowledge. It does make it a little easier to coach those guys. You’ve still got to produce when the lights are on and the pads are on.”
Searels knows all about production. Coaching top offensive line units at LSU during their National Championship years. Searels feels good about this years group but is only cautiously optimistic. ”
We really kicked butt in walk-through [Monday] morning,” Searels said sarcastically. “We were awesome. … Walk-throughs, we are world-beaters.” Then, he added sternly: “You don’t walk through a football game.”
My opinion is that the Dawgs line will be dominant this year barring any injuries. I think we have a chance to have two backs go over 1,000 yards this year. If we can rotate 9 guys on the o-line this year, we should be fresh well into the 4th quarter and with Caleb and Washaun running downhill all game, lets hope the Dawgs will be salting games away at money time.
Leash Laws:
Trinton Sturdivant has held up well after 2 days of practice. Sturdivant is sporting the Green non-contact jersey at practice as he tries to work his way back from a second season ending knee injury. Also…Tanner Strickland was held out Tuesday after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder. Richt doesn’t think the injury is serious.