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2000'S ALL-DECADE TEAM
I know 2009 is yet to be played, but I thought this would be a good time to take a look at Georgia's All-Decade team for the 2000's. I considered any player that played in any season in the 2000's, so a senior in 2000 (i.e., Richard Seymour) would be considered eligible. I did try to focus more on players that played the majority of their career in this decade, but some, like Seymour, were simply too good to not make the team based off their 2000 year alone. There are a couple players that make the team based off an expectation level for 2009. The 2009 season could solidify or nullify guys like AJ Green, Rennie Curran, Trinton Sturdivant, Ben Jones, Geno Atkins, Jeff Owens and Reshad Jones.
QB - David Greene.
The winningest QB in NCAA history, 2 SEC East titles and 1 SEC title. You really can't argue with that. Also considered - Matt Stafford and DJ Shockley.
RB - Knowshon Moreno.
It is really sad that he only got 2 years, but there's no denying the excitement and impact he had when he wore the Red and Black. Also considered - Thomas Brown and Musa Smith.
FB - Brannan Southerland.
With the style of offense UGA has run this decade this team would not be complete without a fullback, and Southerland is the perfect fit. A smash-mouth blocker and very capable runner and receiver. Also considered - Des Williams and JT Wall.
WR - AJ Green and Reggie Brown.
Green has the potential to be the best receiver the Dawgs have ever had. Brown was better than average for 3 years and better than that his senior year. Also considered - Terrence Edwards, Mohamed Massaquoi and Fred Gibson.
TE - Leonard Pope.
Others were more consistent and others were better blockers, but no one could stretch the field and command more respect from opposing defenses better than Pope. Also considered - Randy McMichael and Ben Watson.
OT - Jon Stinchcomb and Jonas Jennings.
Both played early in the decade, but Jennings was dominant and the younger Stinchcomb helped pave the way (literally) for the 2002 SEC championship. Also considered - George Foster and Trinton Sturdivant.
OG - Max Jean-Gilles and Clint Boling.
Both guys spent time at tackle also, but I think guard is their natural position. Jean-Gilles was an All-American, and Boling may be as well before his career is over. Also considered - Kevin Breedlove.
C - Ben Jones.
He still has more work to do to earn this spot, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's smart, talented and nasty enough to be the best. Also considered - Nick Jones, Fernando Velasco, Curt McGill and Russ Tanner.
DE - David Pollack and Charles Grant.
Pollack is obvious, and I decided to go with Grant on the other side. Grant could play the run well and get to the quarterback. Also considered - Quentin Moses and Marcus Howard.
DT - Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud.
These two both played only one season this decade, but they were just too dominant to ignore. Also considered - Gerald Anderson, Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens.
LB - Boss Bailey, Odell Thurman and Rennie Curran.
These three would make a LB dream team. Speed and athleticism to burn and none of them miss tackles. Also considered - Tony Gilbert, Tony Taylor, Kendrell Bell, Will Witherspoon and Dannell Ellerbe.
CB - Tim Jennings and Asher Allen.
Jennings was small, but he just made plays. Allen had solid cover skills, but his trademark was how physical he was. He was very good at jamming receivers and was always willing and able to help against the run game. Also considered - Bruce Thornton, Tim Wansley and Demario Minter.
S - Thomas Davis and Sean Jones.
This one was tough. Three All-Americans and I had to pick two. Blue is on the outside because TD was more physical and Jones had better cover skills. I wouldn't argue with anyone working Blue into one of these spots though. Also considered - Greg Blue, Jermaine Phillips and Reshad Jones.
K - Billy Bennett.
I would have said Brandon Coutu until I read this. Also considered - Brandon Coutu.
P - Jonathan Kilgo.
Kilgo and Ely-Kelso are all over the record books for punting at UGA. Kilgo had just slightly better numbers. Also considered - Gordon Ely-Kelso.
PR - Damien Gary.
Gary was smart and elusive as a punt returner. Also considered - Mikey Henderson.
KR - Fred Gibson.
Often forgotten about as a returner, Gibson was very dangerous returning kicks. Also considered - Asher Allen.
QB - David Greene.
The winningest QB in NCAA history, 2 SEC East titles and 1 SEC title. You really can't argue with that. Also considered - Matt Stafford and DJ Shockley.
RB - Knowshon Moreno.
It is really sad that he only got 2 years, but there's no denying the excitement and impact he had when he wore the Red and Black. Also considered - Thomas Brown and Musa Smith.
FB - Brannan Southerland.
With the style of offense UGA has run this decade this team would not be complete without a fullback, and Southerland is the perfect fit. A smash-mouth blocker and very capable runner and receiver. Also considered - Des Williams and JT Wall.
WR - AJ Green and Reggie Brown.
Green has the potential to be the best receiver the Dawgs have ever had. Brown was better than average for 3 years and better than that his senior year. Also considered - Terrence Edwards, Mohamed Massaquoi and Fred Gibson.
TE - Leonard Pope.
Others were more consistent and others were better blockers, but no one could stretch the field and command more respect from opposing defenses better than Pope. Also considered - Randy McMichael and Ben Watson.
OT - Jon Stinchcomb and Jonas Jennings.
Both played early in the decade, but Jennings was dominant and the younger Stinchcomb helped pave the way (literally) for the 2002 SEC championship. Also considered - George Foster and Trinton Sturdivant.
OG - Max Jean-Gilles and Clint Boling.
Both guys spent time at tackle also, but I think guard is their natural position. Jean-Gilles was an All-American, and Boling may be as well before his career is over. Also considered - Kevin Breedlove.
C - Ben Jones.
He still has more work to do to earn this spot, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's smart, talented and nasty enough to be the best. Also considered - Nick Jones, Fernando Velasco, Curt McGill and Russ Tanner.
DE - David Pollack and Charles Grant.
Pollack is obvious, and I decided to go with Grant on the other side. Grant could play the run well and get to the quarterback. Also considered - Quentin Moses and Marcus Howard.
DT - Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud.
These two both played only one season this decade, but they were just too dominant to ignore. Also considered - Gerald Anderson, Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens.
LB - Boss Bailey, Odell Thurman and Rennie Curran.
These three would make a LB dream team. Speed and athleticism to burn and none of them miss tackles. Also considered - Tony Gilbert, Tony Taylor, Kendrell Bell, Will Witherspoon and Dannell Ellerbe.
CB - Tim Jennings and Asher Allen.
Jennings was small, but he just made plays. Allen had solid cover skills, but his trademark was how physical he was. He was very good at jamming receivers and was always willing and able to help against the run game. Also considered - Bruce Thornton, Tim Wansley and Demario Minter.
S - Thomas Davis and Sean Jones.
This one was tough. Three All-Americans and I had to pick two. Blue is on the outside because TD was more physical and Jones had better cover skills. I wouldn't argue with anyone working Blue into one of these spots though. Also considered - Greg Blue, Jermaine Phillips and Reshad Jones.
K - Billy Bennett.
I would have said Brandon Coutu until I read this. Also considered - Brandon Coutu.
P - Jonathan Kilgo.
Kilgo and Ely-Kelso are all over the record books for punting at UGA. Kilgo had just slightly better numbers. Also considered - Gordon Ely-Kelso.
PR - Damien Gary.
Gary was smart and elusive as a punt returner. Also considered - Mikey Henderson.
KR - Fred Gibson.
Often forgotten about as a returner, Gibson was very dangerous returning kicks. Also considered - Asher Allen.