Georgia Bulldogs at SEC Media Days: Transition doesn’t mean drop off

The University of Georgia was well represented at the annual SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama this week. Todd Gurley, Chris Conley, and Ramik Wilson joined Mark Richt on stage as they fielded questions about the upcoming season for the new look Bulldogs.

If Thursday’s media days showed UGA fans anything, it’s that the Dawgs remain confident after a tough finish to 2013. Despite losing an all-time great at quarterback, Georgia’s offense is still expected to be one of the best in the conference, if not the country. Of course, the success will depend heavily on fifth year senior QB Hutson Mason. The transition to him from Aaron Murray is one not lost on Coach Richt.

“I’m not gunna start chanting ‘we’re number 2,’ he said. We don’t believe that.” – Mark Richt

Mason, although not present in Hoover, was the topic of conversation early and often. Richt noted that Mason “has the respect of his teammates” because they know “Hutson is the guy.”

Georgia’s head coach went on to reference former one-year starters at Georgia who had success including D.J. Shockley and Joe Cox. Shockley, who replaced another legend in David Greene, went on to win the 2005 SEC Championship in his only year at the helm.

Mason will have plenty of targets to throw to in 2014, including fellow senior Chris Conley. A man who has emerged as the top target for Mason, Conley believes that “the wide receiver group looks great” as well as “deep.” Frankly, it’s hard to disagree with him.

Georgia returns stars such as Malcolm Mitchell (preseason 2^nd team All-SEC), Michael Bennett, and Justin Scott-Wesley to team up with Conley, as well as having tight end Jay Rome as a receiving option. Conley sees “no drop off” in the transition from Murray to Mason but he does see some stylistic differences.

“Aaron had a stronger arm, but Hutson tends to throw receivers open.” Conley also went on to note that although “Aaron wouldn’t like me saying it, Hutson is considerably taller.”

“Mark Richt accepts that challenge head on, and he isn’t using the early season hurdles as a reason to shoot for anything less than first place”

While the receiving core is deep and talented, it doesn’t hold a candle to what the Bulldogs have in the backfield. Todd Gurley, one of the nation’s premier backs, is joined by junior Keith Marshall as well as highly touted incoming freshmen Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.

Gurley says that he has “lost about five pounds” in preparation for camp in the hopes that he’ll be lighter on his feet, and lighter on those sometimes fragile ankles.

If the Dawgs are to make a run at an SEC title, it will surely be behind the legs of the All-SEC tailback, but when asked if he feels any added pressure to carry the load now that Aaron Murray has departed, Gurley shrugged and said “Hutson will do a great job… he’s the leader and it’s his team now.” A dodged question, but well rehearsed nonetheless.

Gurley rushed for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore despite missing multiple games with injury. The expectation is for Gurley to exceed those numbers in 2014, and he believes that a rebuilt offensive line will “lead the way”

The line loses contributors such as Chris Burnette, Dallas Lee, and Kenarious Gates but returns key performers like John Theus and David Andrews. Andrews, who Gurley says is the “leader” on the line, will play a big part in helping the new line to gel before the season starts.

If the offense in Athens is the backbone of the 2014 team, the defense is, for now the Achilles heel. It is the weakness based only on last year’s performance, but players like Ramik Wilson are confident that new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt can whip the unit into shape.