How much Todd Gurley participates in spring practice depends on whom one asks.
Georgia coach Mark Richt tends to think the star tailback will be very limited when spring practice opens March 18. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo believes he needs suck it up and go. Gurley himself seems unsure of what he can do and what’s expected.
“It’s going to take a little time,” Gurley said. “I’ve been down there in the training room just getting healthy. Ron (Courson) and his staff have been doing a good job of helping me get my treatment and try to get back healthy. … I don’t want to have an injury but this is the best time to have one.”
Gurley played in just 10 of the Bulldogs’ 13 games last season and missed parts of others mainly due to an ankle injury suffered early in the LSU game. He also suffered a thigh injury in the opener against Clemson. He finished with 1,007 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Asked Wednesday if the ankle was still the problem, Gurley said, “No. It’s just my leg. You know, whatever, it’s just my legs.”
It sounds as though Richt has written off seeing much of Gurley in the spring and seems OK with not risking any further injuries.
“I really don’t know what to expect from Todd in the spring,” Richt said. “Let’s say that ankle was 100 percent on Jan. 30th and he’s been doing fine and doing all of the off-season things, we’d hook him up and play ball with everyone else. But right now he’s been less than full speed. My guess is that unless he’s completely healed by March 18, there will be some modification to what he’s doing.”
Bobo had a decidedly different opinion.
“I’ve already talked to Todd about how we’re going to push him in practice. I expect him to go,” said Bobo, who spoke to media Wednesday after Richt and Gurley had been interviewed. “I think that’s the only way you can get better. We’re going to treat him like anybody else. I expect him to get better and give maximum effort.
“I believe he’s at the point in his career, as a third-year guy, he’s got to step up and be a leader for this football team. He’s not a big talker but he can step up and be a leader by how he practices and that’s what I’m looking for this spring.”
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