This Saturday will mark the end of Georgia's 2009 spring practice with the annual G-Day game at Sanford Stadium. While the game it self often tends to be boring, there is typically a large amount of excitement heading into the game. I went to my first G-Day in 2001 and just look at the stories that have surrounded the annual spring game each year since:
2001 - Coach
Richt and the New Quarterback
- Coach
Donnan was fired and replaced with Mark
Richt, the young offensive coordinator from Florida State. While many people were excited about the new coach, the biggest headline was around the battle for the starting quarterback position. Quincy Carter had left Georgia, leaving the battle between Cory Phillips and
redshirt freshman David Greene.
2002- Excited about Shockley
- After spending his true freshman year on the bench, Coach
Richt's prized QB recruit would finally get to see the playing field.
2003 - Defending SEC Champions
- Coming off its first SEC Championship in 20 years, the
Dawg Nation was still buzzing about the
beat down of Arkansas and the win over Florida State. Fans had their eyes on the running back position, as
Musa Smith had left early for the NFL leaving Tony Milton, Michael Cooper, amongst others, competing for the job.
2004 - Senior Leadership
- A senior laden team, led by David Pollack, David Greene, Reggie Brown, and Fred Gibson were expected to open the season in the top5 of most polls.
2005 - A Rebuilding Year?
- During the spring of 2005, most people had a feeling that Georgia would be rebuilding around senior QB DJ Shockley, finally getting his chance to start. Little did they know just 8 months later they would have the second SEC championship of Mark
Richt's tenure in Athens.
2006 - Matthew Stafford's Debut
- The highest profile recruit of the
Richt era enrolled early in 2006, allowing him to take part in G-Day. The freshman from Texas did not
disappoint the fans, throwing a 67-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Henderson on hist first pass attempt.
2007 - Who is this Moreno guy?
- The coaches had been buzzing about this tailback from New Jersey who did not see the field as a true freshman in 2006. This was the first action for Moreno, who would put on a show that fall.
2008 - The
Anticipation of #1
- After finishing the electric 2007 season #2 in the country, everyone was fired up about the
possibility of opening the season at #1. There was much
anticipation about the Bulldog debut of running back Caleb King as well.
So what are the stories for 2009? The competition at running back, the lack of healthy players, particularly
DEs, seeing the freshmen quarterbacks, or just the fact that the game is on ESPN. Vote on the poll and leave your comments below.
The Braves helped usher in the 2009 season by beating the Phillies on Sunday night. New ace Derek Lowe was masterful and homeruns by Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, and Jordan Schafer helped the Braves to a 4-1 victory. I look forward to some games at Turner Field soon.
The end of March Madness culminated in the National Championship game last night. The upstart Spartans of Michigan State were no match for the star-laden North Carolina Tar Heels. The Heels victory cost me the pool I was in (stupid Louisville!).
