Monday ‘Dawg Bites

Is there anything more difficult than concentrating on actual, productive work during the week before the first Georgia Bulldog game of the year? Maybe. But there aren’t many. Before you set nose to grindstone for the day let’s catch you up on what’s going on in Bulldog Nation.

Jake Rowe looks at the expectations this year for the Bulldog defense. I think he’s right that communication is going to be an issue early on for a group missing Richard Lecounte at safety. For all the speed and physicality Lecounte brought to the position, his growth as a vocal presence on the field last year can’t be overstated.

JT Daniels spoke over the weekend about his long-standing habit of putting a lot of air under deep balls. It turns out there’s a good reason for it, and that he’s not just underthrowing receivers. Not to spoil the article, but I’d also point out that throwing balls that give your receiver a “50/50” shot of coming down with it requires receivers who are willing to fight for the ball on every throw. Fortunately Georgia has recruited receivers able and willing to do that.

Speaking of Daniels, while he’ll lead the ‘Dawgs into the field against Clemson for the first time since 2014, it will be the third time he and Clemson signal caller DJ Uiagaleilei have faced off since then.

Our friends over at Shakin’ the Southland, SB Nation’s Clemson site, confirm what most of us probably suspected: Georgia’s the toughest opponent on the Country Gentlemens’ schedule by a wide margin. Personally I take no solace from that, and while I find “motivation” storylines a little misleading, I’d rather Dabo Swinney not have the ammo of convincing his team that this is their shot to show they can hang with the SEC’s best from week one on. Those folks also have a slew of solid position group previews that I’d recommend you check out.

Remember when we talked yesterday about the big night future UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton had on Friday? Lest we forget, his future backfield mate tailback Branson Robinson had quite a game as well. Robinson tallied 140 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 17 carries in his Germantown High (MS) team’s win over Vicksburg. That included this absolute beauty of a run.

As we also discussed yesterday, Georgia isn’t exactly hurting for backfield talent. But more and more I believe Robinson might turn out to be something special.

Here’s hoping you escape this Monday with the type of elusiveness Mark Richt demonstrates while running from a wild grandchild.

Go ‘Dawgs!!!