G-day coverage

I took my wife, daughter and father to the G-day game in Athens on Saturday. I can tell you that I was the only one watching who truly cared. However my wife surprised me periodically by calling out names of people I didn't think she knew (I wonder what ELSE I've been saying that she's actually been listening to?)

Anyhow, here's a rundown of what I saw:

QB - Stafford is Stafford. If he really is as smart as he is talented, then good times are ahead. I saw something that I haven't seen in awhile - receivers catching the ball in stride. Even with DJ Shockley's passes, they had to stop a lot to catch them. Joe Cox looked ok, too. I think that's important. I think we all know what happens when the back up isn't ready. Barnes, I don't know, he just doesn't look like he's comfortable. I hope I'm wrong.

RB - Everybody was talking about Moreno and rightly so. He seems to get to the holes quicker than Ware, Lump or Brown. But I'm not exactly worried if he has to come off the field and Lump takes the ball. Kregg can still run very well. I almost hate to see Thomas Brown come back next year. It would be great to have Brown and Moreno AND Caleb King next year in 2008. Brannan Southerland is just a mountain of a man. He really should be an all SEC fullback in '07 - he can run, block and catch and he's almost an automatic two plus yards every time.

WR - Same old story. Lots of talent, but who's going to step up? All the sudden it looks like we are really stocked. Having Sean Bailey back is just HUGE. And I hope I'm wrong about Mikey Henderson, maybe he'll shine. He seemed to have a great G-day last year, but only made plays as a punt returner in '06. I guess his injuries bothered him a lot more than they let on. Anyway, add Kenneth Harris, Mohamed Massaquoi, AJ Bryant, Kris Durham, Mikey Moore, PLUS Tony Wilson.........the list goes on. By the way I was down at the hedges trying to get some video of the players and I saw Israel Troupe signing autographs for kids. Nice guy.

TE - can't tell much here. Tripp Chandler was the only one playing, but he certainly did well. Everyone is clamoring for NaDerris Ward once he's rehabbed, but I think Chandler will do just fine.

OL - Was the defense that bad or the OL that good? Who knows, it's just a scrimmage. But considering there are so many new faces I was pretty impressed. I'm still concerned that Trinton Sturdivant is the starter at left tackle. He better be damn good. I think the most important thing is that new O-line coach Stacy Searels is giving them all a new attitude. The depth chart will change between now and September 1st, but the song remains the same.

DL - Again, was the DL that bad or the offense that good? Lots of new people on the line. One thing that surprised me was that sophomore Geno Atkins replaced Kade Weston as a starter just last week. Not much was said about that, but I hope that bodes well for Geno. I remember reading that Kade was destined for greatness. The defensive ends are what the defensive ends are. They will get better with experience, which is good since it seemed like they got pushed around.

LB - I distinctly remember about two weeks ago Coach Richt saying that we are "in good shape" at SLB, referring to Akeem Dent and Darius Dewberry. Then a week later Dewberry replaced Dannell Ellerbe at the will. I don't ever recall him being so optimistic in April, so that makes me feel better. Even after seeing Brandon Miller & Co being abused most of the day.

DB - Maybe Stafford really is that good. I mean, we've been saying how he can thread a needle, right? So even if he did it against our own D, should we be worried? I feel pretty good about having Paul Oliver and Bryan Evans on the corners. And if the safety positions are manned by Kelin Johnson and CJ Byrd, I can handle that, too. All anyone wanted to talk about was Reshad Jones. Specifically the hit he laid on Jason Johnson and the interception he had. Fine. Johnson got up after that hit and the interception was thrown by WR Kris Durham. Big hits don't impress me. COVERAGE impresses me. Anyone remember 'big hitter' Greg Blue getting toasted in the Sugar Bowl by West Virginia in '05? If Jones and Quintin Banks learn coverage they will be awesome.

Special teams - I paid no attention to this. In warmups I saw a couple of guys (including Coutu) punting with the wind and the ball sailed. But no one punted that well in the game. Besides we won't know anything until Drew Butler arrives this summer. And even though Coutu missed the field goal, he's still the man.

Overall, I think this game is really just a showcase. It's not something to get worked up over. Having said that, it's all we have to talk about until fall practice starts. So nerds like me will analyze and analyze and analyze until we are worked up over it.

Now if these guys can JUST STAY OUT OF TROUBLE..............