Like I was saying earlier...

Following the 2008 season, I posted the following (Jan. 9, 2009):

Richard Samuel is a key player the team needs to look at from a position move standpoint.

Many coaches would look at a player who is big, strong, fast, relishes contact, was an elite high school linebacker, and who fumbles or bobbles the ball regularly and they would say...."That is a linebacker." If Samuel doesn't learn to hang on to the ball, he's not going to play. That's pretty evident by his decreasing minutes to bobbled balls ratio this season. Giving him a long look at LB in the spring makes enormous sense to me.

Having him at LB is particularly intriguing given the speed we're facing in Jacksonville. The idea of having a guy with Samuel's wheels going against Demps and Rainey is much more appealing than a guy with Gamble, Washington, or Dent's feet. Richard is blessed with great speed, but it won't do him any good on splinter patrol due to fumblitist. He's a kid to watch.

Richt told the Atlanta Touchdown Club that he's open to moving Samuel to linebacker after the season. (ht - Blutarsky) I applaud the opened mindedness.

I like Richard Samuel's athletic ability very much. In high school, he was a truly spectacular linebacker, and I hope that the move (if it happens) pans out the way other famous UGA position switches have such as:

1. Robert Edwards from scorched earth CB to 1st Round draft pick RB
2. Chris Terry from little used DL to 2nd Round draft pick OT
3. Bruce Thornton from visionless RB to 4th Round pick at CB

See Also:
-- Saw Samuel - David Ching (Oct. 11, 2007)

PWD