Receivers up for challenge
Young trio anxious to fill in for injured Gibson
By Anthony Dasher
anthony.dasher@aol.com
Sean Bailey says he's ready. Bryan McClendon said it's why he came to Georgia. The same goes for Mario Raley.
Any way way you describe it, this trio of Georgia receivers is anxious to show coach Mark Richt and their teammates what they can do when seventh-ranked Georgia plays 11th-ranked LSU.
They'll definitely get their opportunity.
With Fred Gibson out with a pulled hamstring, the Bulldogs will be looking to the three youngsters to fill the void, along with providing backup help for Reggie Brown, Michael Johnson and Damien Gary.
"You can't replace Fred, but we're doing to do our best to fill his shoes until he gets back,'' Bailey said. "It's going to be a great experience. Hopefully, I'll put some good numbers up while I'm in there. I'm looking forward to it.''
So are McClendon and Raley, who were suspended for the first two games of 2003 by Richt in April after they were arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession.
"It was hard seeing Fred go down,'' McClendon said. "I'm a big fan of Fred myself, but I love the opportunity. I came to Georgia to play football, so I'm going to try and make the most of this opportunity.''
A sophomore, McClendon has the most experience of the three.
The Atlanta native played in 11 of Georgia's 13 games as a freshman, catching five passes for 90 yards, including one for 37 yards against Vanderbilt.
Raley, who teamed with Florida quarterback Chris Leak at Independence High School in Charlotte, played in eight games as a freshman with three catches for 43 yards.
"The thing we've got to do is just go out and play like we practice,'' Raley said. "Fred's a good player, don't get me wrong. But I've worked hard. I've watched lots of film. Coach (receivers coach John Eason) has given me lots of advice and I plan to follow it.''
Bailey intends to do the same.
A first-team Class AAAAA selection in 2002, Bailey was one of the country's top rated receivers after a senior season at Milton High when he caught 86 passes for 1,382 yards and 18 touchdowns.
In Georgia's three games, the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder has caught two passes for 26 yards.
"It's going to be a challenge for these guys because they're going to have to be ready,'' Johnson said. "The vets, Damien, Reggie and myself, we're going to make sure they're ready. But I have a lot of confidence in them. They're going to have to step up.''
Gibson's loss would appear to put the Bulldogs in somewhat of a bind.
Georgia's best deep threat has averaged 20.4 yards on 10 catches for Georgia, six yards better than any of the Bulldogs' other receivers.
But McClendon doesn't believe Gibson's loss will affect the Bulldogs' ability to throw deep against LSU.
"I think we'll be able to stretch the field. We have people who do everything,'' McClendon said. "(Brown) can stretch the field, myself, Mario, Sean. I think we can all do that, and we're going to get that opportunity come Saturday.''
Bailey added it's not like he and the rest of Georgia's young receivers are going into the contest Saturday with wide eyes.
"We're all very comfortable working with the quarterbacks, it's almost like second nature,'' said Bailey, who began working with the pair once he arrived in Athens during the summer.
"That got me a chance to get a head start on the plays so I'd have an understanding of everything. Without that, I'd be a step behind where I am right now,'' he said. "I feel like I can go out there and just play, and not have to worry about what I do and what assignment because I know the plays and everything.''
Saturday, Bailey, McClendon and Raley will see if their knowledge pays off.
Georgia at LSU
3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: CBS; Radio: 960-AM/1340-AM/106.1-FM
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, September 17, 2003.
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