The Countdown 2012 - 99 Days to Go

No matter what happens this fall, no Georgia fan will forget Richard Samuel for his play in the 4th quarter against Florida last year.

Hopefully, Dick Sam the 4th will shove it down Florida's throat again this year.

2010 G-Day Preview - Part 2: “Bring the Rain”

The 2009 Georgia defense was a complete and absolute failure. A team once known for putting constant pressure on the quarterback was reduced to a team more famous for letting Jonathan Crompton look like an All-SEC quarterback. Georgia managed to win 8 games last year in spite of the defense and it was clear that regime change was needed. Georgia fans got their wish in the hiring of former Dallas Cowboys line coach, Todd Grantham.

Grantham brings with him the 3-4 defense, a departure from the traditional 4-3 defense that was run under Willie Martinez. The new defensive scheme means players in new positions, such as former defensive end Justin Houston now lining up at rushing outside linebacker. The defense is designed to get more pressure on the quarterback, which was seriously lacking last year. Hopefully, more pressure will not only lead to a lower third down conversion rate for opponents, but hopefully a few more turnovers to boot.

This Saturday, most of my attention will be on the linebackers. With so many guys in new positions (including Richard Samuel now at linebacker), it will look a lot different than it did in the Independence Bowl. A few sacks on Saturday would be nice as well.

G-Day Preview Part 3 – “Don’t Blow my Cover” – coming tomorrow.

Just 3 more days…

GO DAWGS!!!

Richard Samuel and His Pygmy Goat are moving to Linebacker!

Coach Richt announced today that Richard Samuel will indeed move to linebacker under Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense. Coach Richt said Samuel was anxious to make the move and I think this will definitely help turn his career around. While Samuel had some decent plays at running back, I think he always had the mentality of a linebacker. This play will go down as Samuel's most memorable on the offensive side:

When Earl and I went and saw him play at Cass in '07, he was definitely more impressive on the defensive side of the ball. We were there to witness what people simply called The Play, when Samuel blocked a 20 yard field goal attempt at the end of the half by jumping over the Sandy Creek offensive line. He then picked the ball up and ran it back for a 96 yard touchdown. If Samuel can bring plays like this one to Georgia's defense over the next two years, he will make himself one hell of a linebacker.

Of course, with Samuel moving to defense, it means he will not be scoring too many (if any more at all) touchdowns. With that, I am retiring the Richard Samuel Touchdown Pygmy Goat:

Give 'em hell on defense, 22!

GO DAWGS!!!

Richard Samuel and the Cass High School Pygmy Goat

Over the years, Earl and I have taken a number of trips to high school stadiums to check out future Dawgs in action. We've seen Caleb King run for nearly 280 yards and 4 TDs against Grayson, Washaun Ealey lead ECI past the semifinals in the Dome in 2007, and Christian Robinson man the linebacker position for GAC. But, out of any trip that we have taken over the years, the best experience we have ever had visiting a future Dawg was our fall 2007 trip to Cass High School in Cartersville, GA to see current Georgia running back Richard Samuel.

Cartersville is home to one of the largest Budweiser Breweries in the Southeast.

We arrived at the Cass High School stadium expecting a good game between the Cass Colonels and Calvin Johnson's high school team, the Sandy Creek Patriots. Samuel was being recruited as an athlete because he played both linebacker and halfback for Cass. We didn't have to wait long to see the talent that made him a five star recruit. Earl would describe Cass's first offense play of the game to a friend in an email a few weeks later:

"The best was the first play of the game for Cass, though, when he lined up at FB on an off-tackle play, and absolutely killed the LB. I have never seen a harder hit in a HS game in my life. We were confused when he lined up at FB, but holy hell. It was one of those, "Whoa", moments. I love football.

While Samuel was clearly the best player on the field, Sandy Creek was clearly the more dominant team. With Sandy Creek on the verge of going up 20 - 6, Samuel made what would simply be known as "The Play" amongst recruiting websites. On a short field goal attempt, Samuel jumped over the offensive line, blocked the field goal, and proceeded to go 97 yards the other way for a touchdown. You can check out the play here for yourself.

Samuel was clearly the best player on the field and he had just turned 16.

While the first half ended on an amazing play, the most memorable part of our trip to Cass High School took place during halftime. After Cass kicked the extra point and the teams left for the locker rooms, the Cass announcer came over the speaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen, keep your seats as tonight we announce the winner of our raffle contest. The winner of the raffle will take home the Cass High School Pygmy Goat!!!"

I'm not making this up.

As Earl and I looked at each other in amazement, out onto the field the walked a tiny goat with a little Cass blanket over its back. They were really giving away a goat as a raffle prize. The winner of the goat ended up being the principal at the local middle school. The announcer joked that if he did not claim his prize that night, someone would be over at his house at 6:00 AM the next morning to deliver him his new goat.

After the game, all the talk was about the potential for Samuel at linebacker and the ridiculousness of the Pygmy goat. We were shocked to hear the news that Samuel was being recruited as a halfback as opposed to a linebacker, but after this past weekend, we have seen where his hitting ability can come in handy.

In honor of Richard Samuel touchdown this season, we will now present the Official Richard Samuel Touchdown Goat!

Let's hope we see many more of these at Bubba N' Earl this fall.

The Countdown 2009: 26 Days to Go

26

Carries by running back Richard Samuel in the 2008 season. Samuel should get more carries this season with Knowshon Moreno gone to the NFL.

Who is poised for a breakout year in 2008?

We start out Kick-Off Week 2008 with a look at players on Georgia’s 2008 roster who are poised for breakout seasons. Each of these players will see the field this season with a chance to have a direct impact on the success of the 2008 campaign. Here are the breakout players for 2008:

Kris Durham, Junior Wide Receiver

Durham came to Georgia as a member of the recruiting class of 2006 after being an all state performer at the Class AA Calhoun. Durham saw plenty of action during the 2006 season, including a critical reception during the Bulldogs’ comeback victory over Virginia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Durham’s 2007 campaign got off to a blazing start during G-Day, catching 6 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Durham carried this momentum into his sophomore campaign, tallying 11 receptions for 169 yards. Durham was named most improved during the practices leading up to the Sugar Bowl and he responded with a career high 3 catches for 48 yards.

Durham was once again named most improved wide receiver at the conclusion of spring practice in 2008. With the graduation of Sean Bailey, there is an open receiver spot and Durham, along with Kenneth Harris, Demiko Goodman, and freshman A.J. Green, are all looking to make an impact. Kris has displayed good hands and ability to be a valued blocker down field. Look for Durham to be used frequently on quick screens, plays on which he had a lot of success in the Sugar Bowl. I also look for Durham to become a key receiver in the slot this season, particularly in the red zone (similar to how the Falcons have used Brian Finneran in the past) and on third downs.

Richard Samuel, Freshman Tailback

Richard Samuel enrolled early at Georgia in the spring of 2008 as a just-turned 17 year-old college Freshman. In 2007, Samuel played both ways for Cass High School of Cartersville, making plays that would earn him a 5 star recruit status. After arriving on campus, there was debate as to whether he would play running back or linebacker. Samuel saw carries from the back field during G-Day and his role as a running back was solidified. During summer practice, Samuel has entered into competition with Caleb King back up Knowshon Moreno.

There is little doubt in my mind that Richard Samuel will see significant playing time in 2008. Earl and I attended one of Samuel’s games at Cass last season and we saw him make one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen in person. On the last play of the first half, Candy Creek was attempting a field goal from inside the Cass 10. Samuel jumped the snap and hurdled the offensive line. He proceeded to block the kick and after picking up the ball, return it for a 96 yard touchdown. His talent level is amazing, particularly for a kid who will only be 17 during his freshman season. I see Samuel being used in tough situations where his power can be used to gain that few extra yards.

Kiante Tripp, Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Tackle

Kiante Tripp was a force on both lines during his senior year at Westlake High School in Atlanta, picking up numerous honors and rewards. During his 2006 redshirt year, Tripp was used on the defensive line, however lack of depth prompted a move to offense in 2007. Appearing in eight games primarily at right tackle, Kiante was penciled in as the starter at the position for 2008. And then came summer practice.

Tripp continued to impress coaches during the early days of summer practice when starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant was lost for the season with a knee injury. As rumors swirled about who would take over, many media outlets began to cast doubts on the Bulldogs’ #1 ranking. The solution soon became apparent: Tripp would switch from right to left tackle to provide coverage for Matthew Stafford’s blind side. As a true freshman in 2007, Sturdivant had an amazing season opening holes for Knowshon Moreno and giving Stafford plenty of time. Tripp will be that anchor in Sturdivant’s place and will be a dominating member of an experienced line in 2008.