Georgia is heading into this spring a little more relaxed than at this time a year ago.
"Last year the whole talk was you don't get to the SEC championship game, you don't win 10 games, blah blah blah, coach (Mark) Richt's gonna be fired," Georgia junior quarterback Aaron Murray said. "It was stressful, I think not only for us but the coaches.
"So I think this year everybody's a little bit more (like), 'Relax, let's just go out there and play.' I don't think anyone's on the hot seat or worrying about that."
The Bulldogs enter the 2012 season with increased expectations after going 10-4 and winning the SEC East last season. For Georgia coach Mark Richt, spring is a chance to evaluate each of his players on both sides of the ball. Though Georgia returns 15 of 24 starters, Richt is hoping that players will work hard to fill the nine open starting spots and provide depth for the upcoming season.
"Spring is a great time of the year when there are no scout teams," Richt said. "So when everybody gets a rep, they get a quality rep on the side of the ball they came to play."
Georgia also has had to deal with its share of offseason distractions, including arrests to starting defensive backs Sanders Commings (domestic battery) and Braden Smith (marijuana possession). Commings has been suspended the first two games of the season. Richt has yet to make a decision on Smith's discipline.
The Bulldogs started practicing in pads on March 24 and Richt has been pleased with how physical his team is playing.
"The defense won the day again, but it wasn't a shutout like the last time, which tells me the offense is improving and making progress," Richt said following Georgia's first practice in pads. "We are going to continue to work hard and get better every day."
NOTES, QUOTES
-RB Isaiah Crowell has set a goal to become a better teammate after serving a pair of disciplinary suspensions last season. Crowell, who finished second in the SEC in rushing at 850 yards as a true freshman, is running with the first-team a tailback and is up five pounds to 220 pounds. Crowell said an MRI revealed he played with torn ligaments in his left ankle last season that did not require surgery. He said he did not run for six weeks of winter workouts due to the injury but is now pain-free.
-OLB Jarvis Jones said the defense is ahead of the offense early in spring drills. "Our defense being much older than our offense right now, especially up front, our offense is grinding it out," Jones said. "We're making plays. They're getting a bit frustrated. That's what we want. We want to put them in situations, so they can learn and they can improve in those situations."
Can Georgia's new-look offensive line come together this spring? Will the number of off-field disciplinary issues distract Georgia's focus this spring?
SPRING MOVERS
CB Malcolm Mitchell -- Mitchell is making an impact at a new position. He switched from WR to CB during the offseason to replace departed CB Brandon Boykin. Mitchell hasn't taken a snap of offense this spring after a freshman season that included 45 catches for 665 yards and 4 TDs. "His skill-set is such that he can be a dynamic corner," Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "He can be really good."
DT Kwame Geathers -- Defensive line coach Rodney Garner said the "light is starting to come on" for the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Geathers. "I really expect a big year from him," Garner said.
CB Damian Swann -- Swann will get his chance to win the starting CB job with the departure of Brandon Boykin and expected suspensions to CBs Sanders Commings and Braden Smith.
C David Andrews -- Georgia coach Mark Richt has been pleased with that he's seen of Andrews playing with the first-team. "At one time I would have been predicting that (Chris) Burnette would be the guy," Richt said. "I think it would be better for Georgia if David could stay inside." Andrews is looking to replace the departed Ben Jones.
TE Arthur Lynch -- Lynch is vying to take over the starting TE job after Orson Charles declared early for the NFL draft and Aron White graduated. "He's been taking his role and done a good job with it," Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. "He's been very positive, he's been physical at times. ? There's little things Artie's got to continue to work on. He's a smart guy, which has enabled us to do some things."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2012 OUTLOOK: Georgia made big strides last season, winning 10 straight games to clinch its first SEC East division title since 2005. With 15 starters returning on both sides of the ball, there is reason for optimism heading into 2012. How Georgia handles the increased expectations will determine how far it will go. Georgia's defense has a chance to be dominant, while its offense returns several key skill position players. The question remains the talent and depth of Georgia's offensive line, which returns just two starters.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Georgia returns experienced junior QB Aaron Murray and a deep backfield led by sophomore RB Isaiah Crowell. But with the projected move of WR Malcolm Mitchell to CB, questions remain in the receiving corps. WR Michael Bennett emerged as a valuable possession receiver and senior WR Tavarres King will need to be more consistent as the deep threat. TEs Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome also must emerge to replace the production left by TEs Orson Charles and Aron White. Georgia's revamped offensive line returns just two new starters, with starter Kenarious Gates switching from LG to LT. How well the new offensive line comes together could determine Georgia's success this season.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Junior linebacker Jarvis Jones said he feels Georgia's defense has the chance to become the best in the nation. There's plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball, led by Jones, who led the SEC in sacks last season (13.5). DTs John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers have developed into the inside run-stuffers that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham needs to make his 3-4 scheme work. There are some issues in the secondary because offseason arrests involving CB Sanders Commings and CB Braden Smith could result in some suspensions. Moving Malcolm Mitchell from WR to CB, though, gives Georgia a potential playmaker in the secondary to replace departed CB Brandon Boykin.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Georgia loses both PK Blair Walsh and P Drew Butler to graduation. The Bulldogs will bring in a pair of kickers, two-star prospect Collin Barber and three-star prospect Marshall Morgan, for its 2012 incoming freshman class. Georgia also will spend its spring to evaluate its returning scholarship players, which include P Ethan Jackson, P Cody Johnson and K Jamie Lindley. With the departure of CB Brandon Boykin, CB Branden Smith will take on an increased role in the return game.
TOP NEWCOMERS
RB Keith Marshall -- The incoming freshman 2012 early enrollee is getting reps at running back behind Isaiah Crowell, Richard Samuel and Ken Malcolme. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Marshall, a four-star recruit from Raleigh, N.C., has looked very quick, according to Georgia coach Mark Richt. "He seems to have good running instincts," Richt said.
QB Faton Bauta -- Bauta, a three-star recruit from West Palm. Beach, is an incoming freshman 2012 early enrollee. With Hutson Mason redshirting this season, Bauta has made an early impressing battling Christian LeMay and Parker Welch for the backup QB job behind Aaron Murray.
ROSTER REPORT
-RB Carlton Thomas has announced he will transfer. South Alabama, Akron and Memphis have all expressed interest in Thomas.
-OLB Sterling Bailey is out for the spring after undergoing foot surgery.
-CB Sanders Commings has been suspended for two games following a domestic violence arrest in January.
-CB Branden Smith was charged with possession of marijuana during spring break.
-S Bacarri Rambo and LB Alec Ogletree will be suspended for at least the first two games of the 2012 season, according to DawgPost.com, for violation of team rules.
-Georgia coach Mark Richt said he "anticipates" OL Kolton Houston to be able to play this season. Houston has been playing with the first-team at LG this spring.
-WR Rantavious Wooten has missed spring practices with a pulled leg muscle.
-OLBs Ray Drew and Cornelius Washinton have both moved to DE.
-OL Keanarious Gates is working with the first-team at LT this spring, replacing the departed Cordy Glenn. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound junior has lost 10 pounds since last season when he was a starter at guard.
-WR Chris Conley is practicing in a non-contact green jersey after wrist surgery and will be held out of full contact.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Everyone's really excited about the potential we have for this season." -- Georgia junior quarterback Aaron Murray, on the state of his team heading into spring drills.
