Mettenberger punishment ‘certain to be’ one game

Count one quarterback out of the race to start under center — at least for the season opener.

That’s because red-shirt freshman Zach Mettenberger’s arrest March 7 will likely have him sidelined for the season opener, according to head coach Mark Richt.

“I’m pretty certain it’s going to be a one-game suspension and all the other internal things that we do that he’s in the process of doing right now” he’ll continue doing, Richt said of Mettenberger. “It could change, but I think it’s doubtful that it would change from that.”

According to Mark Richt, freshman quarterback Zach Mettenberger (5) will likely be suspended for the Bulldogs’ season-opener for his March 7 arrest. PHOTO BY WES BLAKENSHIP

However, Richt is waiting to finalize the suspension until he sees if another police report comes in besides the initial one, which he said is often the case.

Offensive tackle moves to nose tackle

As soon as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham brought in his 3-4 scheme, Richt said the staff began discussing the move of offensive tackle Justin Anderson the nose tackle position on defense.

Richt confirmed the move Tuesday, and Anderson has in fact moved to defense, although he hasn’t been able to practice this spring due to a shoulder injury.

“[Anderson] is injured, that’s the bad part,” Richt said. “So we’re not going to be able to really see him do what we need to see, but he’s going to be there to at least learn the terminology and learn the position.”

Richt said he believes the move fits Anderson well and says it is one that Anderson has expressed excitement about.

“He’s big, strong, quick, powerful and, in this scheme, he’s the type of body that we think can help us at that nose position,” Richt said.

With Kwame Geathers as the only true nose tackle before the move of Anderson, the dearth in depth at nose tackle  contributed to the move, as Deangelo Tyson, Abry Jones and Brandon Wood

have been cross-training during spring practice, learning both defensive end and nose tackle.

“Right now, if everybody who is projected to be healthy [on the offensive line] will come in healthy and make it through camp, then we’ll probably keep him on defense,” Richt said.

“But it’s always subject to change if we get in there and start practicing him and it doesn’t work out. But I think he will do well.”

Anderson received snaps in every game last season at offensive tackle and will have to adjust to a more “attacking mentality” that playing defensive line requires, according to defensive line coach Rodney Garner.

Anderson wasn’t available to the media, but defensive end Brandon Wood said he believes Anderson is going to “cause havoc in the middle.”

“[Justin] will do real good,” Wood said. “He’s just got to get out there from offensive line to defensive line because we move a little faster than the offensive line, so I think he’s going to be alright.”

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