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5 Things we’d like to see from Georgia football in 2016

By Michael Collins

Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) celebrates a blocked punt returned for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) celebrates a blocked punt returned for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Better Special Teams Play

During the early part of Mark Richt’s tenure as head coach, the Bulldogs were renowned for excellent special teams play. Their kickers and punters were always ranked among the top in the nation, and they found ways to win games on special teams with all-purpose players like Brandon Boykin.

But that all started to slide in 2010, and Georgia’s special teams play has ended up costing them more games than winning them, including the 2012 Outback Bowl against Michigan State, when a missed field goal in overtime cost Georgia the game.

The place kicking duties are up for grabs, with redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship seeming to have the edge right now, and former starting quarterback Brice Ramsey may have to handle the punting once again, depending on how freshman Marshall Long handles things early on in the season.

But kick and punt coverage is where Kirby Smart needs to find some fixes, as Georgia allowed five kickoff returns of over 20 yards, two of over 40 yards, and one of over 50 yards in 2015 – placing them 57th nationally in long kick returns allowed.

Next: Throw It Deep

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