2002 Statistics

written by Collin Mickle

Quarterback David Greene, the SEC's leader in 2002 passing efficiency, returns for his junior campaign. Greene makes up for so-so arm strength with excellent accuracy and a thorough knowledge of the offense. He is also likely to be much more relaxed in 2003, since head coach Mark Richt appears to have decided to end the two-quarterback system that saw Greene lose playing time to sophomore D.J. Shockley.

A case can be made that Greene was also one of the luckiest players in the conference. Protected by an all-senior offensive line, he could stand calmly in the pocket before releasing a pass to the SEC's all-time leading receiver, or he could hand off to the conference's second-leading rusher and let him do the hard work. Although Greene is a very talented player, he undeniably benefited from a supporting line that was the best in the league. Hopefully, Greene was not spoiled by the experience. The road gets rockier in 2003, with the departure of all five starters on the offensive line, as well as All-SEC wideout Terrence Edwards and All-SEC tailback Musa Smith.

Greene will have an excellent group of targets this season. Georgia will have one of the SEC's top receiving corps. Junior Fred Gibson is an excellent athlete who has improved at every step in his career and will be Greene's top target, and one of the SEC's top wideouts. Opponents will double-team Gibson at their own risk, however, thanks to his capable set of running mates in seniors Michael Johnson and Damien Gary (27 catches as the fourth receiver). At 6-3, Johnson will team with the 6-4 Gibson to give Georgia the tallest starting pair of wideouts in the SEC. Gary will operate from the slot, where his notable speed and quickness can be used to the greatest advantage.

As a redshirt sophomore, Tony Milton had 82 carries as departed All-SEC RB Musa Smith's backup. Milton is built in the traditional mold of a Richt-tailback. Unlike the more powerful Smith, Milton is a shifty, quick player with the ability to make plays in the passing game - much like former Richt protégés Warrick Dunn and Travis Minor.

Despite the plethora of returning talent, Georgia's offense will not be able to do much if the offensive line cannot gel quickly. The all-senior 2002 O-line combined for 144 career starts. All five players have since departed, and their replacements - Dennis Roland, Josh Brock, Russ Tanner, Bartley Miller, and Max-Jean Gilles, all sophomores - have a combined four starts, three by Brock. The group averages 6-4, 306 pounds and does have plenty of potential. They also have three seasons of eligibility in which to develop that potential together. However, the absence of an experienced player means that veteran defensive fronts may give the line problems. The line's inexperience will also make it harder on Milton, who does not have the build to break tackles in the backfield. Key will be the TE and FB. Either/both could provide that extra blocking or ball handling when needed.

WR Fred Gibson

written by Collin Mickle

The Georgia defense was the team's strong suit in 2002. The unit, which finished first in the SEC in scoring defense and fourth in total defense, lost only four starters, and returned several outstanding players, including junior defensive end David Pollack, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Pollack will look to turn in another superlative season after a breakout 2002. In his first year as a starter, the former fullback had 102 tackles and 14 sacks, forcing teams to change their game plans to account for him. Also returning on the defensive front are end Will Thompson and hole-clogging NT Ken Veal, a 311-pounder who excels at taking on blockers and freeing Georgia's linebackers to make plays.

The only newcomer to the starting lineup up front will be sophomore tackle Kedric Golston, who played both interior positions as a reserve. Golston was one of the nation's top freshman defensive linemen. He will have to pick up his game, however, in order to make up the loss of Sullivan's 18.5 stops-for-loss.

Georgia does return its entire defensive backfield. In 2002, pass defense was their weakest area as they finished ranked ninth in the conference. But, like many great run-stopping teams, passing was their opponents' only vestige. Senior cornerbacks Decory Bryant and Bruce Thornton combined for just three interceptions in 2002, but the numbers are misleading - opponents averaged just a single passing touchdown per game. Thornton and Bryant's talents also allowed defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to play his safeties closer to the line of scrimmage in run support. Thanks to that strategy, safety Sean Jones recorded 91 stops in 2002. Senior rover Kentrell Curry also plays well against the run. Curry is also the segment's biggest ball-hawk. The secondary did improve markedly in the team's final three games, picking off four passes and holding Georgia Tech, Arkansas, and Florida State to an average of just 147.6 yards through the air. Finishing 34th ranked in all I-A for pass efficiency defense is something on which to hang their hats, regardless. They will obviously only get better.

First-team All-SEC defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan and linebacker Chris Clemons declared for the NFL draft, forcing Brian VanGorder to replace four starters instead of two. Their departure also call into question Georgia's ability to stay strong on defense to make up for the expected early struggles on offense.

With Sullivan's departure, all three starting linebackers from 2002 are gone. Sophomore Thomas Davis, who started games at safety and linebacker in 2002, will have the task of replacing playmaking all-conference strong side 'backer Boss Bailey, who led the team in tackles. Davis is a versatile player with good speed who may be slightly undersized for a career on the strong side. Time will tell. He is an excellent blitzer, recording two sacks against FSU in the Sugar Bowl. Sophomore MLB Derrick White played in all 14 games as a reserve, but finished with just 19 tackles on the season. Sophomore Tony Taylor will take over Clemons' weak side linebacker position.

This middle layer of defense is evidently key - LB corps can make or break the entire effort on this side of the ball. The other defensive parts are too strong to be the source of any problems that may occur. They represent the same vital role on D as the O-line does for their half - most 2003 shortcomings will be easily traced back to them as a source.

DE David Pollack