A lot of you are going to accuse me of reading way too much into this – hell, you’re probably right, too – but I can’t help but admit to being intrigued by something Josh Kendall tosses out in his early look at Georgia’s offense:
Samuel, a former starter at tailback, could line up at fullback at times in 2012 to give the Bulldogs flexibility in play-calling and formations.
If by that he means that Georgia will try to run Samuel out of two-back sets, à la Georgia’s offense from the late 90’s, I’m down with that. Those types of formations will make better use of Samuel’s ability than lining him up closer to the line of scrimmage as a fullback in a traditional I-formation set.
It’s not as if Bobo lacks familiarity with two-back sets, either.
And while I’m on a “the more things change” kind of kick here, check out something from this other piece I came across looking for more on Donnan’s offense:
… But the converted defensive back’s latest injury has Bulldog fans talking. On the radio, the streets and the Internet on Saturday, many fans questioned Edwards’ toughness, wondering why he seemed so injury-prone. Donnan dismissed those observations Sunday after seeing the tape of Edwards’ injury.
Bitching about the toughness of your best running back, a proud Georgia tradition.
Get The Picture 
Yummmmm, Happy Juice …
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just read the article on the 97 Dawgs … Geez that was one talented team. If not for Edwards freak injury at the Pro-Bowl everyone mentioned had a long NFL career. Why wasn’t that team better? I forgot,Blame Bobo.
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Donnan was an offensive semi-genius at Xs and Os. Also a great recruiter. Why WASN’T that team better?
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For one thing, he needed better help at defensive coordinator than he had during most of his stint in Athens.
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+1
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Joe Kines didn’t learn how to stop the “TROUT” until his brief stint as interim HC at Alabama.
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In fairness, I think it was only the inside trout that gave him problems. He was fairly effective against the rainbows, brooks, and browns…
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Zing!
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Thanks, AD. I was wondering how well a fishing joke would go over here at the Senator’s place. 🙂
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“It’s not as if Bobo lacks familiarity with two-back sets, either.” Follow the link and they mention Pass and Edwards but not Orlandis Gary. He must have been a sleeper cause he really out played Pass.
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I remember Olandis Gary as a real fighter whenever he got close to the goal line. Ran for over a thousand yds his rookie year in Denver – another in our long line of fine RBs. There was a LOT of talent on those Donnan teams. Other than a few exceptions like Gary Gibbs, Donnan had a real talent for picking assistant coaches who had no business being in D1 cfb.
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Was this just an off-handed comment, filler for an article, or has anyone seen us practicing with different looks and different sets?
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Does it matter?
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I have been a UGA fan my whole life. I remember the following seasons so well, because they were definitely MNC teams that somehow wet the bed. 1992, 1997, 2002 & 2007. Why do I bring this up……well it looks like every 5 years is our time. I am a little superstitious when it comes to college football, as are most fans and players. Maybe 2012 is our year.
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That 1992 team was a national championship quality team that only had 2 losses, one to UT by 3 points and 1 to FU by 2 points. The QB was Eric Zeier, the primary receiver was Andre Hastings, the star RB was Garrison Hearst and the fullback on that team was Mack Strong. All of those guys played several years in the NFL, Strong lasting for 10+ years. This has to be one of UGA’s all-time best teams that didn’t win a championship.
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We also have a trend of having talented teams disappoint lofty preseason expectations in election years. I hope we buck that trend this year.
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Not only did Mack Strong rack up 10+ years, but I couldn’t help but notice Shaun Alexander coincidentally went from superstar to average RB the week after Strong had his career-ending injury.
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Amazing what a Pro-Bowl FB can do for a team. But they also lost a road grader pro-bowl guard to free agency the next year. After that SA was average at best.
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I’ve been pining for Bobo to use a 2 tight end set for play action ala Donnan circa 97 and it never seems to pan out. This would have been especially useful last year against a disciplined well coached smallish Boise instead of the stupid spread we put our linemen in.
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Every year for the last several years, we’ve had lots of sunshine blown up our skirts about using sets with multiple backs or multiple tight ends or some other variation. It never happens. I’ve stopped worrying about it. Such talk just goes in one ear and out the other these days.
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Have you been hanging out with Skeptic Dawg? 🙂
You just got to believe.
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No, Skeptic and I aren’t acquainted. But, regarding the offense, I’ve been reduced to hoping for more of the same sets and plays with fewer turnovers and tackles for loss. If that could actually happen, and the defense actually turns out to be as awesome as we all hope it will, they will win a lot of games.
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Hello Gravidy! I am Skeptic Dawg. It is nice to meet you. I am not a Disney Dawg in any way, shape or form. Actually, I am a….well?….Skeptic Dawg. I too believe our coaches blow sunshine up our cornholes regarding the offense and special teams. I do have high hopes for our defense (once everyone returns from suspensions that is). Again, nice to meet you.
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“I am a….well?”
“Is you is or is you ain’t an Eeyore Dawg?”
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Pi$$ on Sceptic Dawg but I am with you on this one. I BLAME Bobo, just kidding Senator, this would be MY serious issue with Bobo. Seems like we could have had mismatches with the double tight end set for the past few, or three, years.
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Apparently you have a little skeptic in you after all! Welcome aboard the bandwagon!
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Let’s think awhile before we breakout the Donnan play book, please.
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What…you got tired of the tunnel screen too………
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Well…. we did run it twice in a row against the Gnats for big gains.
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While entirely off topic I can hardly wait for the appropriate article to come along. Everyone is aware that trailers are being allowed on campus this season? Just came to my attention when I got my season tickets.
ADGM sees your crappy home schedule and raises you a trailer.
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“Bitching about the toughness of your best running back, a proud Georgia tradition.”
Just like whatever that guy’s name was who won AP SEC Freshman of the Year last season. On the other hand, it’s good to know that at least Bobo led the league in something
“Despite his league-leading 16 interceptions a year ago, ‘Mike Bobo is the starting quarterback,’ Donnan said.”
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I knew it was Bobo’s fault, even back then.
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Shame on us. We all should have known…*sigh*…we all should have known.
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We had a similar strength last year, on paper at least, that we never seemed to utilize properly in my opinion. I wrote about it about this time last year, Big Bruce Figgins clearing a path for big Richard Samuel. http://dawginexile.blogspot.com/2011/08/whats-that-coming-down-tracks.html
I’ll be damn if we didnt go and waste that tandom, I mean correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t recall seeing those two line up and pound it like I wanted.
I hope this year is different!
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