Athens, GA-  As the preseason magazines flood the stores this summer, it seems the Georgia Bulldogs have eased out from under the microscope that was focused on them last year. By most accounts, the Bulldogs are ranked somewhere around #14, with the exception of Phil Steele's magazine predicting them a "surprise National Title contender".  The team seems to have taken on a renewed "TEAM first" attitude this spring and the Dawgs may have a bit of a chip on their shoulders for how last season went. As we enter July and you fire up the old grill this July4th afternoon, here are a few reasons to be excited about the upcoming season......

- The return of Jeff Owens to the interior Defensive Line. You gotta love this guys personality and attitude!

- Linebacker Rennie Curran......the "heat seeking missle" had over 100 tackles last year and is on everyone's pre-season All- SEC team...need I say more?

- Safety Rashad Jones had 5 INT's last year and still has the potential to continue to step his overall game up another level.

- The defensive tackle rotation of Jeff Owens, Gino Atkins, Kade Weston and Deangelo Tyson.

- Joe Cox.....he finally gets his chance to lead the team as a starter and something tells me he will deliver quite well.

- The mystery of the running backs.....regardless of who starts or if Georgia goes with a "running back by committee" approach: Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Carlos Thomas, Dontavious Jackson and freshman Washaun Ealey should be fun to watch.

- A.J. Green....one of the top receivers in the SEC.

- The offensive line....the feeling is these guys will go from boys to men and lead the offensive attack.

G-Day 2009 Video