FOOTBALL
Sixth-ranked Georgia conducted a situational scrimmage Thursday at Sanford Stadium in preparation for its season opener.
On Wednesday, the Dawgs held a “practice game” in full pads at the stadium featuring two quarters of play against their scout team. Thursday’s two-hour session addressed any scenarios that were not covered during Wednesday’s action as the team worked out in jerseys, shoulders pads, helmets and shorts. Afterwards, assistant coaches met with the media on an array of topics.
Associate head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was asked about the potential impact of the freshmen class.
“The lifeblood of a program is recruiting and when you do your evaluations, you look for guys that can make plays and are core guys; guys that are solid and do things the way you want them done,” said Grantham. “I do think this class has these core guys.”
Grantham commented on a couple of seniors in Cornelius Washington and returning All-American Jarvis Jones.
“Jarvis is working harder this year, not to say that he didn’t work hard last year, but when you lead the SEC in sacks, we’ve got good coaches in this league, and we know they are figuring on how to take him out of the game plan,” Grantham added. “We’re aware of that; it’s like with Demarcus Ware when I was in Dallas. Jarvis is working on specific things to develop his craft and allow him to make plays. Cornelius should have a big year; he’s going to play both end and outside linebacker. He can put his hand in the dirt, and he’s got the body type and ability to play outside linebacker too and get a pass rush.”
Assistant coach Bryan McClendon provided an update on the running backs and said the newcomers are very anxious and excited to contribute.
“I see them staying focused, that’s one of the reasons we’ve practiced at the stadium some, to get them used to that, to playing Between the Hedges,” said McClendon.
McClendon said that redshirt sophomore tailback Ken Malcome likely will be the starter in the opener, but there are still a few more practices and the evaluation continues for the pecking order at that spot. At fullback, McClendon said redshirt freshman Merritt Hall and senior Richard Samuel are “1A and 1B,” and that Hall likely will start. Samuel has split time at fullback and tailback.
Also of note at Thursday’s practice, actor Samuel L. Jackson was in attendance, and he spoke briefly to the team before their workout.