It’s football season, and today continues a series where I preview the Georgia Bulldogs position by position. Today’s section focuses on the offensive line position.
Much of the attention during the 2011 offseason has been focused on the running backs and wide receivers, but it will be the offensive line that will be the key for the 2011 season.
2010 Recap:
Cordy Glen and Clint Boling were the only offensive lineman to play in every game last year. Glenn started all 13 games at left guard, while Boling started six times at left tackle, five times at right guard, and two times at right tackle.
Of note, in 2010 Ben Jones started 12 games at center, Josh Davis made 11 starts at right tackle, and Trinton Sturdivant made seven starts at left tackle.
The Bulldogs graduated Josh Davis, Chris Davis, Boling and lost Sturdivant to a season ending knee surgery during spring practice.
Other early losses from the offensive line include A.J. Harmon and Brent Benedict who both transferred, along with Tanner Strickland. who graduated early.
2011 Outlook:
Former UAB offensive line coach Will Friend will join the Bulldog coaching staff at the same capacity as offensive line coach.
Senior Ben Jones said, “Coach Friend is able to communicate with his players in a way that we understand completely and in a way that teaches us to do things the right way.”
The Bulldog offensive line will be lead by seniors Ben Jones (center) and Cordy Glenn (left tackle). Glenn enters the 2011 season with 36 career starts, including 33 consecutive games. He played all 13 games last year at left guard, but will make the transition to left tackle this year.
Jones has 35 career starts, and started 12 of 13 games last year at Center and will be the leader of the offensive line heading into the 2011 season.
One of the major question marks for the Bulldogs this upcoming year, is who will run the ball following the losses of Caleb King and Washuan Ealey, but Ben Jones won’t let that affect him
“As offensive line, we’re going to get up and block for whoever is back there,” Jones said at SEC Media Days. “I have faith in whoever they put back there. We’ve got a lot of great backs; a lot of talent.”
Outside of Jones and Glenn, the picture at offensive line looks inexperienced. Justin Anderson, who will play right tackle, is making the move back to the offensive side following a year on the defensive line, where he only played one game before suffering a season ending injury.
Anderson made seven starts in 2008 and five starts in 2009, before switching to defensive line for the 2010 season. As a senior, Anderson will play right tackle.
The two spots that are up for grabs are the two guard spots, and sophomore Kenarious Gates, and sophomore Chris Burnette are the leading candidates.
Gates appeared in seven games last year, and made three starts at right guard next year. Burnette has not appeared in a game yet.
The picture beyond Burnette and Gates looks bleak, with true freshman likely to compete for back up spots.
Although much pressure will be put on the wide receivers, running backs and quarterbacks, it will be the offensive line that will be the key for the Bulldogs offense to succeed this upcoming season.
The reason is simple, the offensive line will open up the holes for the running backs and protect for Aaron Murray in the passing game.
The key for every good running back is the offensive line, because regardless of how good the running back is, if he doesn’t have a good offensive line, then he won’t have the opportunities to make plays.
The problem for the offensive line isn’t the starting five, there is a lot of size and experience in the starting unit, it is the depth, and when dealing with offensive linemen, injuries are always a major concern.
It’s simple, if the Georgia offensive line plays well and stays healthy in 2011, the Bulldogs will have a very successful year. If they don’t, then it will be another long season for Georgia Bulldog fans.
