Better Late than Never

When it hurts to read, you know it's gotta be the flu. But, after 48 hours of pure misery, I'm back among the living, if barely. Before I went into a delusional state, I was trying to point out the number of players that UGA will rotate into the game on a regular basis, regardless of the situation or opponent. I wanted to see how we stacked up talent-wise to some of the other big programs.

Here's a summary:

To get a handle on that question, let's look at the number of players that actually see the field in an important, hard-fought game....no blowouts......special teams don't count.....just offense and defense.....and make it a conference game, just to make sure that no holds are barred.My three models from 2007 are UGA vs Florida, USC vs Oregon, and LSU vs Auburn.

UGA used 52 players
Florida 51
USC 53
Oregon 47
Auburn 49
LSU 48

45 looks like a good solid number to slug it out with the big boys. These don't have to be 4 or 5 star players (although that doesn't hurt), just solid D-1A players. Having more than that doesn't seem to matter, since only 50 or so are going to play. Having less.....you may be in trouble.

I'm reasonably certain that the majority of the Dawgnation is aware of how our coaching staff likes to get alot of players into a game. But for the few who may not be aware, I'm going to list the players that, barring injury, will play in every game in 2008.

I'd like to point out that the majority of these guys will get plenty of snaps. Last year, Jeremy Lomax averaged 23 snaps per game as a backup DE. Reshad Jones finished 3rd on the team in tackles as a backup. Knowshon came off the bench for half the season. Geno Atkins did the same.
The point is that these guys don't come off the bench to give the starters an occasional breather. They are part of a rotation, and given their talent level, the Dawgs don't lose much in the way of performance.

Yes, there is a reason that we have a depth chart. The starters earned their positions. But the guys that come off the bench on Saturdays are pushing those starters everyday in practice.

Ok, before I slip back into my flu-like delusions, here's the list.......
Safety (3) - Reshad Jones, CJ Byrd, Quentin Banks
Corner (5) - Asher Allen, Prince Miller, Bryan Evans, Remarcus Brown, Vance Cuff
Linebacker(6) - Dannell Ellerbe, Akeem Dent, Rennie Curran, Darius Dewberry, Daryl Gamble, Akeem Hebron
D-Tackle (4) - Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins, Kade Weston, Corey Irvin
D -End (4) - Roderick Battle, Jarius Wynn, Jeremy Lomax, Demarcus Dobbs

O-line (8) - Vince Vance, Josh Davis, Chris Davis, Kiante Tripp, Trinton Sturdivant, Clint Boling, Justin Anderson, Chris Little.
Tight End (3) - Tripp Chandler, Bruce Figgins, Aaron White
Wide Receiver (7) - Mohamed Massaquoi, Kris Durham, Kenneth Harris, Demiko Goodman, Tony Wilson, Michael Moore, Walter Hill.
Fullback (2) - Brannan Southerland, Shaun Chapas
Tailback (2) - Knowshon Moreno, Caleb King
Quarterback (1) - Matt Stafford

Thats a total of 45 players that look to share the bulk of the snaps in a close game this season. By the time opening day rolls around, I look for 8-10 more players to add their name to the list, especially on defense.

If I've missed someone who obviously should be on the list, leave a note in the comments section.