Tomorrow is the big spring game for the Georgia Bulldogs football team and many of us will be excited to see what a 6-7 offseason has meant to the guys who will represent the red and black come 2011.
We've already heard a lot about the re-energized sense of purpose that surrounds the team—despite the departure of three key players from last season—so naturally we should expect to see a more spirited scrimmage than in past years.
The format for the game is different than before, as the teams were chosen by the players as opposed to the coaches, and that should make bragging rights for both sides—one led by Aaron Murray, the other by Christian Robinson—a point of playful contention come Saturday.
Either way, we shouldn't hope to see too much revealed (from a strategic standpoint) as no coach is going to open up his playbook this early in the process.
That said, here's what I am hoping to see tomorrow:
1. A sharper Aaron Murray:
needless to say, he was not as statistically impressive in last year's game. Hopefully this year he's a lot less intimidated by the pressure, the crowd, and the overall weight of the game.
2. The wide receivers:
Rantavious Wooten and Marlon Brown have a lot to prove—both need to make their presence felt in this game. Tavarres King is the new No. 1, it will be interesting to see how he handles the role.
3. More tight end play:
As already stated, I don't expect to see much of the playbook, but it would be nice to see the tight ends get some work in tomorrow—particularly from Arthur Lynch.
4. Michael Bennett:
I've been hearing about him all spring and have often wondered if he's going to be the guy who blows everyone out of the water this year.
5. Caleb King:
He says he's ready to showcase his best season yet, and that's a good thing, because it's past time for him to become the guy everyone thought he could be.
6. The nose:
DeAngelo Tyson won't be saddled with the job this season so it will be interesting to see if Kwame Geathers can own it like I believe he can.
7. Alec Ogletree:
Many believe moving him to linebacker was a mistake, I'm not inclined to agree. On the other hand, I wish he'd had a clone to continue playing his former position of safety as Georgia still hasn't locked in his replacement.
8. The Will Friend Effect:
His early comments regarding the offensive line said a lot—he wasn't impressed—so his coaching influence there should be noted with much interest.
9. Jakar Hamilton:
He's no longer considered the "hitman", nor has he been a hit. At this point, unless he starts taking in that playbook through osmosis, he may not be more than reserve material. That said, he still has value to the team and I will be looking for maturation in his overall approach to the position.
10. The fullback spot:
Bruce Figgins is set to be the guy, if rumors and reports are to be believed, but I am more inclined to watch and see what Zander Ogletree will do.
What will you be watching for on G-Day?
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