Questions concerning Georgia's defense and Tennessee in general were evident Tuesday afternoon when the Southeastern Conference released its preseason team compiled by a vote of the 12 head coaches.
There were four first-team selections from the Volunteer State, but none who play for new Volunteers coach Derek Dooley. Making the first team from the state were Alabama offensive guard Barrett Jones (Memphis) and linebacker Dont'a Hightower (Lewisburg), Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve (Memphis) and Kentucky all-purpose back Randall Cobb (Alcoa).
Tennessee and Vanderbilt were the only league teams with just two overall selections, while only the Vols and Mississippi State were shut out of first-team picks. Representing the Vols on the second team were tight end Luke Stocker and defensive lineman Chris Walker.
2010 SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC TeamGeorgia has replaced defensive coordinator Willie Martinez with Todd Grantham since the end of last season, and Grantham seems to have his work cut out as the Bulldogs had no first- or second-team defenders. Receiver A.J. Green and offensive lineman Clint Boling represented Georgia on the first team, as did punter Drew Butler and place-kicker Blair Walsh.
Georgia players on the second team were offensive lineman Cordy Glenn and return specialist Brandon Boykin.
Defending league and national champion Alabama had a league-high six first-team representatives: Jones, running back Mark Ingram, receiver Julio Jones, Hightower, defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and defensive back Mark Barron. Quarterback Greg McElroy and running back Trent Richardson were among the Crimson Tide's three second-team picks.
Alabama's nine overall picks were topped by 10 from Florida, which had seven second-team selections.