Georgia Bulldogs in 2011 - Post #7

I think we can lay to rest Father Coach Mark Richt (2001-2010). I won't go as far to say that there is a new sheriff in town, but we can at least say that FCMR is no more. In his place we have the new Four Star General Coach Mark Richt. Tough, stern, demanding, semi-angry.
Washaun Ealey? Catch the Greyhound out of town, my friend.
AJ Harmon? Don't let the door hit you on the but on the way out.
So the question is this: Is it addition by subtraction? Or will the Dawgs feel the affects of these departures come fall?

We're a better team without Ealey. He failed to live up to his billing as a sought-after instate recruit, and he let his brief success two years get to his head. He didn't work hard, wasn't a leader in the locker room, was a distraction off the field, and never showed up in big games. King is a better player, even though he probably has less natural talent than Ealey. Both are stories of what might have been. But at least King has a relatively acceptable excuse. He blew out his knee his senior year in HS, and he has been a step lower and a little afraid of contact ever since. Ealey had no excuse for his lack of work effort and dedication. Make no mistake, Georgia is better off without him.

AJ Harmon's departure is going to hurt. Despite the fact that the O-line was less than stellar last year, we were already moving into a transition period this spring after the departure of O-line star Cordy Glenn. The O-line, with anchor Ben Jones at center, some rising talent, and a new (thank goodness!) O-line coach in Coach Friend, looked as if it would not be a liability heading into the season. Then, Trinton Sturdivant blew out one of his knees for the third time in his college career. Just like that, the two best tackles from 2010 were gone, making Harmon that much more crucial for success.
CMR cited "personal reasons" for Harmon's decision to transfer, but for those who have been paying attention, it seems clear that Harmon was to be declared academically ineligible. So in a sense, his place in the starting lineup was unlikely even if he stayed.
The main point is that the offensive line, which was already an area of concern, has suffered major losses coming out of the spring.

As long as CMR is the HC at Georgia, we will run a pro-style offense. That means that we will need big, talented offensive linemen. Spread offenses can get away with undersized and less than spectacular linemen because they employ misdirection and quick hits. Georgia's offense, when it was at its best under CMR, was strong enough to permit a solid run-game which set up CMR's bread and butter - the play action. I firmly believe that Crowell has the talent to be an elite RB. So long as he works hard and stays focused, he could help assuage Dawgs fans of their longing for Knowshon-like production at the position. However, a team can win 8 games with a shoddy O-line, but it can't win any more than that. Not in the SEC.
This fact is what solidifies my belief that Harmon was going to be out for the fall due to poor academic performance. CMR would have done everything he could to keep one of his starting O-lineman if there was any way that he could play in the fall.

Unfortunately, Harmon's departure has led me to downgrade expectations for the 2011 season. Georgia has its most friendly schedule in years. But, we'll face stout D-lines against Boise St, South Carolina, and Florida. A loss to Boise will sting, but it won't have any bearing on SEC standings, and in a year in which Georgia won't contend for a national championship, a non-conference loss won't be terrible in the big picture. I believe that we can still make it to Atlanta with a loss to Florida, as quickly as it make Dawgs fans' stomachs turn to accept another loss to those who wear jean shorts.
However, if we lose to South Carolina, we won't win the East. Of this I am certain.

Hopefully, some of the younger offensive lineman step up. But as of now, Georgia is vulnerable at the offensive line. And that is one of the worst places to have concerns heading into the fall.