One of the longest-played rivalries in college football provided plenty of great entertainment. The Georgia defense welcomed back their starting QB and DT from injuries and were looking to move up after South Carolina beat Florida earlier in the day. Auburn needed Alabama to win against LSU (which didn't happen) in order to set the stage for a possible SEC-West winner-take-all next weekend with Bama and Auburn. The game went back and forth with neither team really making any headway on the other. It was an offensive showdown that looked more Pac10 than SEC. In the end, it was Auburn who made the most timely plays and won with a clutch Vaughn field goal.
AUBURN PRO PROSPECTS:
Courtney Taylor #86 602.0 204 4.53 WR - Taylor only caught one pass in the game, but was still impressive. On his catch, he was able to beat the press by out-physicaling the defender. He caught the ball cleanly with his hands and fought hard (using a nice spin move) for the first down. On another play, Taylor received the ball on a reverse and was going to throw it. With all the receivers covered, he did the smart thing and pulled the ball down and ran for a two-yard gain instead of trying to force a pass. Taylor also was an effective blocker downfield. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Antarrious Williams #31 511.0 208 4.52 LB - Williams had a decent game. He was an aggressive run-stopper and even showed some good cover skills, particularly in one instance against the much bigger Leonard Pope in the endzone. Williams has very good speed for a LB, however he overran plays on a couple occasions. His strength at the point of attack is lacking and he fell victim to a stiff-arm from one of the Georgia backs which allowed the back to gain extra yards. Williams still looks more like a strong sagety at the next level. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Devin Aromashodu #1 602.0 202 4.47 WR - Aromashodu had a good game and was a big-play threat for the Tigers. He caught passes of 53 and 62 yards that set up excellent scoring opportunities (the 62-yarder led to the game-winning FG). Aromashodu displayed his size and speed and took advantage of an inexperienced sophomore CB who was an unexpected starter. He needs to do this a few more times against quality competition to improve his draft stock. (POSITIVE)
David Irons #4 600.0 195 4.45 CB - Irons had an up and down game. He had a chance for a couple INTs (one off a tip and one thrown almost directly to him) and dropped both. Irons showed good effort and production in run support. He was able to get off blocks well in order to make plays. Irons wasn't tested much in the passing game, although he was beaten for a TD by the true freshman, Mohamed Massaquoi. (NEUTRAL)
Tommy Jackson #58 601.0 302 5.16 DT - TJ is one of the harder-working big men you'll find. He moves his feet well and gets a good push on the interior of the line. He does need to improve his strength (particularly his base) a bit as he was turned and driven out of the play a few times. Even if TJ got run out of the hole, he'd get off the block and pursue the play downfield, never giving up on it. (NEUTRAL)
Marcus McNeill #73 609.0 337 5.28 OT - McNeill has the great wingspan needed to keep edge rushers at bay. He was able to drive Will Thompson and/or Quentin Moses wide and right around behind the QB for the most part. McNeill ran into problems when he was locked up with a stronger DT as they were able to get him off balance or drive him backward. He was much better as a run blocker than a pass blocker. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Anthony Mix #9 605.0 248 4.65 WR - Mix is a big target who has enough speed to get downfield and uses his body and strength to keep the defender away from the ball. With his size, he is a very effective blocker downfield. He only caught a couple balls (for 41 yards) in the game, but contributed to the offensive effort with his blocking skills. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Ben Obomanu #2 601.0 198 4.45 WR - If it wasn't for a 30-yard reverse that he ran in for a TD, I wouldn't have even known Obomanu was on the field. He was a non-factor in the passing game, catching only one pass all night. He was able to use his speed to get to the corner on the reverse and then outran a player who seemed to have the angle on him before he scored. (NEGATIVE)
Troy Reddick #66 605.0 335 5.46 OT - Reddick was very impressive. He doesn't have the speed to get out onto the edge rushers when they line up wide, but frequently has help. When he is lined up right on a defender, he showed good hands, feet, and power to keep the defender locked up and out of the play. Reddick also pulled very well, paving the way for the RB on a few occasions. He really looks like he could be a solid offensive guard at the next level. (POSITIVE)
Cooper Wallace #8 603.0 265 4.78 TE - Wallace had a very good game. He was active in the passing game, showing a good release, soft hands, and power to break tackles after the catch. Wallace was also a solid blocker, helping primarily on the right side against Thompson and Moses. (POSITIVE)
Travis Williams #51 601.0 209 4.49 LB - Travis Williams is a bit undersized as a Mike backer, but projects well as a Will at the next level. He has outstanding speed and tenacity. He is a very sure tackler who wraps up each time. He was able to jump a gap and get into the backfield to stop the Georgia back for a loss. All-in-all, a very solid game. (POSITIVE)
Stanley McClover #75 603.0 250 N/A DE - McClover seems to draw the attention of the announcers more than any other player on the Auburn defense. (Maybe it's his hair?) Anyway, he had a very ineffective game. Sure, he made a great move on Inman and beat him to the inside to get to the QB for a sack, but he was quiet for the rest of the game. He has the speed to be a good edge rusher, but he needs to be muchmore disruptive than he was. Some have speculated that he might declare for the NFL draft this year, but that would be a terrible mistake. McClover needs to really gain some more experience, increase his strength, and learn some better technique to accompany his raw talent. (NEGATIVE)
Jake Slaughter #44 FB - Slaughter really played a nice game, was fairly consistent with taking the first blocker he encountered right out of the play. Slaughter also opened nice holes on both of Irons' TD runs. There were a couple times where the gap he was supposed to lead through wasn't there and he hesitated to look for another alternative instead of just reacting and continuing to play. He also had a token catch for a short gain. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Others to watch:
Kenny Irons (Junior HB) - Irons wasn't slated to be the starter this year, but injuries to other players gave him a chance to shine. He continued his outstanding running with 179 rushing yards, 31receiving yards, and a pair of TDs. Irons has speed and power and the ability to make people miss with a good stop-start bounce cut. He is especially effective on screen passes where he has a chance to see the field and use his blockers to their best advantage. Next year's backfield of Irons and Lester could make people quickly forget about Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams.
Brad Lester (Freshman HB) - Crazy quick player who finds the holes quickly and shows an excellent burst to get through them. Also big enough that he's tough to bring down, especially once he hits the second and third levels. Made Greg Blue look silly on a 30-yard scamper up the middle.
Montavis Pitts (Junior CB) - Has outstanding size and provided tight cover at times. He's still too inconsistent and needs playing time to become more effective.
GEORGIA PRO PROSPECTS:
Gerald Anderson # 92 602.0 315 5.24 DT - My goodness he looked big and slow. Anderson appears to be playing at well over his listed weight. He was able to get in on a number of running plays merely because the undersized Auburn center was unable to move him anywhere and he wound up falling on top of the runner. Anderson came into the season with a very nice pedigree and plenty of expectations. Injuries and a lack of production have moved him down the draft boards quickly. He'll need a real good showing at a post-season all-star game or the Combine in order to climb back up the charts. (SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE)
Greg Blue #17 602.0 214 4.37 S - One of the more disappointing games from Blue. He seemed to be around the ball a lot (and was credited with nine tackles, seven solo), but wasn't the difference-maker he should be. On one occasion freshman RB Brad Lester easily got by Blue for a 30-yard gain. On another occasion, Kenny Irons slipped Blue's tackle attempt without any trouble. A few of his tackles came on plays where the WR caught the ball in front of him near the sideline and Blue was the closest player when the WR went out of bounds. His name is no longer being bandied about as a first round pick and seems to have fallen well below LaRon Landry, Michael Huff, and Darnell Bing in draft discussions. (NEGATIVE)
Kedric Golston #97 604.0 295 4.93 DT - Goltson was returning from injury this game and only played about half the game before he reinjured his ankle. He wanted to come back in, but the coaching staff left him on the sidelines. While he was in the game he looked good. He's a very athletic DT who might be an ideal DE in a 3-4 scheme. He was able to get pressure on the QB with a nice stunt all the way around the LT. He also read a couple screen passes quickly, but was unable to catch up to the play. In limited time... (POSITIVE)
Max Jean-Gilles #74 604.0 340 5.38 OG - The announcers were certainly willing to talk up Jean-Gilles as the top OG prospect for the upcoming draft, and with good reason. Georgia threw the ball more than they ran it, so we really got a great opportunity to see MJG's pass-blocking abilities. As a pass defender, there are few (if any) better. He is so physically dominant that he just engulfs defenders and mauls them (the color commentator mentioned that MJG benches 530 pounds). Despite some criticism of his mobility, he was able to pull effectively and get to the second level quickly and productively when UGA did run the ball. (POSITIVE)
Leonard Pope #81 607.0 250 4.58 TE - One of the best games I've seen from the junior TE phenom. Pope was a very effective blocker, lining up aside Dennis Roland on the strong side of the line (UGA doesn't have a permanent left/right alignment... they use a strongside/weakside alignment with Roland/Jean-Gilles/Pope on the left or right side, depending on the playcall) and helping to keep the quick Stanley McClover and Marquies Gunn at bay. Pope also dominates (obliterates?) LBs and DBs when he is blocking downfield. As a receiver, Pope gets a good release off the line and shows decent quickness for a guy who is 6-foot-7. He has good hands and excellent concentration. On one catch near the goal line he caught the ball, got hit from behind and the ball popped loose, but Pope managed to grab it while it was still in the air for an important completion. (VERY POSITIVE)
DJ Shockley #3 601.0 206 4.42 QB - Shockley was returning from an injury and was very impressive. For the most part, he had time to throw the ball as the offensive line protected him well. When protection did break down or the receivers were covered, Shockley was confident enough in his knee to take off and run. As a scrambler, he was very effective and showed no ill effects from the injury. In the pocket, Shockley was generally able to find his receivers, although he seemed to be zeroing in on Leonard Pope and Mohamed Massaquoi. He could buy time to give his receivers time to get open. For the most part, Shockley was very accurate and showed the ability to throw short, intermediate, and deep balls without any costly mistakes. (POSITIVE)
Daniel Inman #72 607.0 322 N/A OT - Overall, Inman played a fantastic game. He allowed McClover to get around him with his speed for a sack once, but otherwise shut him down. He had very good footwork for a man his size and was able to get out to the defender quickly and smoothly. He also showed the power to get a very good push on running plays, driving the DE to the second level. Unfortunately, the Auburn LBs were quick and didn't allow the Georgia RBs to take advantage of this. He'll be one of the top OT prospects next year (his senior year). (POSITIVE)
DeMario Minter # 2 600.0 198 4.42 CB - Minter played one of the more impressive games from a CB that I've seen this year. He wasn't challenged much through the air as there was a first-time starter playing opposite him at the other CB position, but when he was, he shut down the receiver. The thing that really impressed me about Minter was his ability to read the running plays and use his speed to get to the ball-carrier and his size to end the play. He was very aggressive and made plays on at least three different run blitzes. I'm not sure whether these were designed run blitzes or if they were read-and-react plays, but Minter positioned himself well, ran past blockers, and made sure tackles. Minter could be one of those players who, if he runs well in post-season workouts and impresses in a bowl game, sneaks into the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. (VERY POSITIVE)
Quentin Moses #94 604.0 248 4.72 DE - Moses was active and relentless from the DE position. He had a hard time with McNeill and his long arms and was frequently doubled when he lined up on the other end of the line. He was able to get penetration a few times on stunts and added another TFL when he was able to beat McNeill with an inside move. Moses needs to add another 15 pounds of muscle without sacrificing his speed and quickness, and he'll be one of the top DE prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft. (NEUTRAL)
Others to watch:
Brannan Southerland (Freshman FB) - He's going to be the best FB in a few years. He's big (240) and fast (4.55 forty) with excellent hands for outlet passes and tremendous strength and power as a lead blocker. He's a throwback type of fullback, reminding me of a bigger Tom Rathman.
Mohamed Massaquoi (Freshman WR) - Has already earned the trust of his senior QB and is clearly the most dangerous WR on the Georgia roster. Has tremendous speed and outstanding hands. He's just as likely to take a big hit across the middle or streak down the sidelines untouched. He's fun to watch.
Martrez Milner (Junior TE) - If Pope declares, Milner will be the top TE in the SEC next season. He's big, physical, but also a good enough athlete to be a force in the passing game.
Dennis Roland (Senior OT) - Roland is a huge player, nearly 6' 9" with long arms and good strength. He packs a nice initial punch and gets good push as a run blocker. His feet are a bit slow though. Someone will likely take a chance on Roland in the 2006 NFL Draft and see if he can hack it in the NFL.
Jeff Owens (Freshman DE) - He's 6' 3" and 280 as a true freshman. He is freakishly quick for a man his size and is still learning to use his natural strength. He'll be a very dominant player in a few more years.