On when they will know who is going to start…
“I think we have been focusing on culture and unselfishness and buying in. Guys like Jamaree [Salyer] coming back and [Justin] Shaffer and Warren Ericson, they have been doing a great job of leading. I think, with guys that have some experience, it does give you a little bit of flexibility. Without having a spring last year, I am really excited about the competition coming up this spring.”
On his expectations for Broderick Jones…
“I am excited to see him compete in the spring. He does have a lot of ability. I’m just excited to see him get in there and compete and get the reps. Going against quality guys on defense, I think that will be key as well.”
On the difference that having spring practice this year will make…
“It is big. The best way for guys to get better at football is to go play football. To go get those reps, it is invaluable. Losing guys like Trey [Hill] and Ben [Cleveland] that have had a bunch of reps. Those reps will be huge for us moving forward.”
On the offensive line in the bowl game…
“I think that anytime you have to replace people, it is tough, especially going against a quality defense. I do think that, moving forward, we do have some pieces to the puzzle, but they have to go in there and get the experience. That is why guys like Jamaree [Salyer], guys like [Justin] Shaffer, guys like Warren Ericson, that have been around, they can help set the tempo and lead these guys moving forward with spring coming up.”
On the offensive line performance in the Peach Bowl…
“To me, that was just a starting point. Now you move forward. You have 15 practices in the spring, then you have all summer, then you have fall camp. It is some experience, like for Xavier [Truss], he got his feet wet. You are looking to build off of that in these practices and obviously summer and fall camp, so you are excited that you can really build off of that experience.”
On the depth at offensive line…
I think, anytime you have some flexibility with guys like Jamaree [Salyer] that can play multiple spots, and [Justin] Shaffer and Warren [Ericson] that can play multiple spots, it gives you some flexibility. Obviously, competition is huge at every position. Anytime that you have competition, I think that is what makes Georgia special, the ability to have competition at those positions. It makes everybody better.”
On working with Todd Monken…
“I have really enjoyed being around Coach Monken. Obviously, I have known of him in coaching circles for a long time. Just very impressed with how he sets everything up. He is very intelligent. He coaches with passion and energy. It has been really good to get around that pro style, and I have learned a lot with the short time that we have been together, and it is only going to get better moving forward, so that is what I am excited about.”
On how difficult it is to get the five best guys on the field…
“That is ultimately my job, to put the best five guys on the field. That is what spring practice is for. That is what all of the lifting and running right now and in the summer, that is what it is all for. Ultimately, when the game kicks off, we have to have the best five out there.”
On how wrestling translates to football in his linemen…
“I think there is a lot of good hand-to-hand combat, leverage, toughness, quickness, all of those little things. There is a lot of carry-over from wrestling to offensive line. That is something that does go hand in hand.”
On Amarius Mims…
“I am really excited about him. He has handled his business. You got to think, he should be probably getting ready for senior prom, but he is here working. I am just really excited to see how he does in spring ball.”
On Jamaree Salyer’s flexibility…
“Not only his flexibility, but his leadership. I think that is huge. Coach [Kirby] Smart has done a great job this offseason preaching unselfishness, preaching about culture and Jamaree is a huge part of that with him coming back. With his flexibility, he is going to play guard, and he is going to play tackle. Based on how some of the other pieces do, it does give you some flexibility and competition.”
On his expectations for Warren McClendon…
“I just want to see him build off of what he started. He got a lot of experience. He played a lot of football last year, and just really build off of that. Getting bigger and stronger in the offseason, and then improving this spring, this summer and then fall camp. He built a solid foundation this year, so now, let us take the next step.”