Georgia looking for answers this spring

Three untested quarterbacks and an entire defense untested in the 3-4 scheme highlight Georgia's 10th spring practice under coach Mark Richt, which begins today.

The Bulldogs slipped to 8-5 last season, their first five-loss year under Richt, and a win at rival Georgia Tech was not enough to prevent the firing of three defensive coaches. Out were coordinator Willie Martinez along with Jon Fabris and John Jancek, and in came Todd Grantham, Scott Lakatos and Warren Belin.

Grantham was hired as coordinator after two years as Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach, and he is employing a 3-4 system that only Alabama used last season among Southeastern Conference schools.

"One of the things we want to get the players to understand is that they shouldn't get too worked up about the depth chart," Richt said. "That really goes for either side of the ball, but probably a little more defensively, because our new coaches are still learning about these guys. So don't worry as much about the depth chart as proving yourself as a football player, and we'll get you in the right spot."

DeAngelo Tyson and Kwame Geathers are scheduled to work today at the nose position, with Demarcus Dobbs, Abry Jones and Brandon Wood at defensive end. Akeem Dent, Darryl Gamble, Marcus Dowtin and Christian Robinson will be at inside linebacker, with Justin Houston, Montez Robinson, Cornelius Washington and former tailback Richard Samuel at outside linebacker.

"There will be change," Grantham said. "We want to see what guys can do at more than one position."

Logan Gray, Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray will receive equal snaps in the quarterback competition that immediately gets put on hold after today. The Bulldogs will conduct their second practice March 16, after the university's spring break.