Bulldogs, beware

Georgia begins football practice today without the burden of last year's expectations, but the Bulldogs have their share of questions that need answering in a hurry.

The Sept. 5 trip to Oklahoma State could be the program's most challenging opener since a 1982 clash against defending national champion Clemson.

1. Will Joe be ready to go?

Fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Cox has been admired for his loyalty to the program. The last Georgia quarterback receiving similar praise was Joe Tereshinski, who was replaced midway through the 2006 season by freshman Matthew Stafford.

Cox is generously listed at 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, and his big heart is accompanied by accuracy and consistency. He appeared in three games last year, completing 11 of 15 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

"Obviously there is pressure, but it's not something I think about," Cox said. "I won't carry the team. We'll work together."

2. Can this King take charge?

Sophomore tailback Caleb King is probably a bigger question mark than Cox because he hasn't been in the system as long. King missed a block in last year's Florida game that resulted in a sack of Stafford, and he had only one carry in the four games after that.

King enters camp No. 1 on the depth chart, but coach Mark Richt said there are 29 practice opportunities for Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas or even freshman Washaun Ealey to state his case.

3. Is Green the only playmaker?

With Stafford, tailback Knowshon Moreno and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi now property of NFL teams, sophomore receiver A.J. Green is the only returning player who accounted for more than 250 yards last season. He will be an obvious focal point of opposing defenses.

Green is among just four returning receivers on scholarship, so freshmen Marlon Brown, Orson Charles and Rantavious Wooten will have opportunities to compete immediately.

4. Can the defensive ends improve?

Roderick Battle, Demarcus Dobbs and Justin Houston provide experience at defensive end, but can they be effective? The Bulldogs struggled coming off the edge last year, and Houston is suspended for the first two games.

"Since I've been at Georgia, our defensive end position has been highly productive," Richt said. "We've had many first- and second-team All-SEC performers. We've had guys lead the league in sacks, but last year we fell short of what was normal for us."

5. Are injuries on the horizon?

Hopes for a national title last year took a quick hit in preseason camp when top offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury. Early in the Georgia Southern opener, the Bulldogs lost top defensive lineman Jeff Owens to a season-ending knee injury.

Dannell Ellerbe, Darryl Gamble, Vince Vance, Justin Anderson and Brannan Southerland were among the additional Bulldogs who missed chunks of last year, so staying healthy is an obvious key to another 10-win season.