STRENGTHS: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Kicker
Last season young David Greene set freshman records in Athens in passing yards and touchdowns, and started all 12 games for the Bulldogs, which earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors. However, depth at quarterback through the spring has created a heated battle at the position. Redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley was a heralded recruit out of high school and is pushing hard for the job. Cory Phillips is another incumbent in the rotation. Phillips has the edge in experience over Shockley after starting five games in 2002. The cupboard is totally full for second year Coach Mark Richt with his signal callers. The veteran wide receiver group is led by senior Terrance Edwards, who is in line to paste himself inside the Georgia Receiving Record Book. On the other side is returning starter Damien Gary, but the person most talked about seems to be Fred Gibson, who sat out the spring with a separated shoulder. Gibson has all the tools necessary to become a great asset. Possibly the most shining group will be the offensive line as the Dawgs return four starters from a 2001 season that only allowed 15 sacks and was a large reason for the success last year in the running game as well. Jon Stinchcomb leads the group as a consistent All-American and All-Conference vote getter. The kicking game looks good. Kicker Billy Bennet set a school record by hitting six field goals in the win over Georgia Tech.

CONCERNS: Tight End, Running Back
We shift away from the weakness label and instead call this category more of a concern. The Bulldogs make a great example of this analogy starting with the running backs. Gone is the leading rusher from last year in Verron Hayes. His apparent replacement is super recruit Musa Smith, who still continues to have the injury bug follow him around in Athens. Musa really started out strong to start last season and became one of the leading rushers, only to be stifled by lack of durability. If he could stay healthy, people would really see big things from this gifted athlete. In that regards, it is tough to paper stamp the running back position a major need for concern. The early departure of Randy McMichael at tight end is cause for the most apprehension. The spot is wide open and is a battle between a few candidates.

STRENGTHS: Defensive Tackle, Linebacker, Punter
The defense starts at linebacker with two solid senior performers, Tony Gilbert and Boss Bailey. Tony was the leading tackler from last year's ball club and both bring valuable experience to the heart of the group. Look for a great competition this coming August to find out who figures into the depth chart rotations. The injury bug also had a way of reeking havoc in 2001 up front as a consistent combination of starters could never really be found. Only a few players return with any starting experience except for some of the hogs in on the inside. Senior punter Jonathan Kilgo was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award and returns to give the defense a little support in the field position department

CONCERNS: Defensive End, Defensive Back
The playing time logged at defensive end is short. Replacing some top-notch talent will be quite a task with the departures of Mallard and Grant. If the coaching staff has any hopes of pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they may have to look to the linebackers. David Pollack looks to play end in 2002 after garnering some All-American attention from the spot on a few long lists. If pressure can't be found up front, passing situations could become quite a task as the Bulldogs have a difficult challenge of finding new replacements for three opens spots vacated by some key names from the 2001 squad. Both interception leaders are gone. Only one cornerback, Bruce Thornton, dots the roster with any real playing experience. The corners should be fine if Decory Bryant can continue as a solid cover man. This area has to be one of the biggest mysteries facing the relatively new coaching staff. If the Bulldogs are going to have any success at competing with the SEC frontrunners, this unit will need to learn quickly. Claiming the backfield does not possess any talent may not be suitable; there is just no starting experience.