DawgNation Nickel: What's the alarming Georgia football trend for spring?

DawgNation now has five staffers who cover the Georgia football team from every angle: Beat, live streams, photos, podcasts, recruiting, etc. The “Nickel coverage” aim is simple: 1) Present a topic; 2) Offer a reasoned response; 3) Share a brisk statement to support the informed opinion.

DawgNation has amplified the “Cover 4” concept which was in regular rotation in 2018. We now have five staffers who cover the UGA athletics program on a full-time basis and that means the focus shifts from a “Cover 4” to a nickel look with five guys now manning the secondary here.

The name has changed but the quick in-and-out game here still remains with this feature.

The third “DawgNation nickel coverage” question of 2019: Which spring practice storyline has been the most alarming so far?

These takes are designed to come out quicker than former Bulldog Mecole Hardman Jr. ran the 40 this year at the NFL combine.

There will be a clear theme with this.

Brandon Adams: The defensive line

Tray Scott has needed a few more healthy bodies to go up against the Georgia OL this spring. (Curtis Compton/AJC)/Dawgnation)

The why from Adams: “UGA wasn’t great vs. the run last season (53rd in S&P+ rush defense), and Smart has already described the defensive line as “thin” this spring.“

Chip Towers: Lack of depth on the defensive line

Off-season knee surgery has left the Bulldogs without senior DT Julian Rochester in the middle. (Bob Andres/AJC)/Dawgnation)

The take from Towers: “Between injuries, a general lack of premium talent and the fact that any help arriving later will be freshmen tells me Georgia’s defensive front is not going to be ready for primetime in 2019.“

Mike Griffith: Missing men on the defensive line

The lack of depth along the DL has definitely increased the anticipation level for 5-star DT Travon Walker and his arrrival this summer. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why from On the Beat: “Championships are won at the line of scrimmage. Georgia needs to get healthy and get better on the defensive front.”

Connor Riley: Lack of available bodies on the defensive line

Georgia senior DL Michail Carter has also been sidelined this spring for practices. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why from Good Day UGA: No Julian Rochester this spring. David Marshall is still recovering from a foot injury. Travon Walker, a 5-star defensive lineman, doesn’t arrive until the summer. There’s a long way to go till Aug. 31, but Georgia needs more bodies on the interior of the defensive line. “

Jeff Sentell: The third, fourth and fifth WRs in the rotation

It does seem like receivers coach Cortez Hankton is looking for a little more consistency among the talented receivers in his room. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why: “D-line? Anyone? Bueller? In all seriousness, the wide receiver spot has been the one Kirby Smart has his eyes on all spring, too. There are no injuries there. Kearis Jackson and Matt Landers are great talents but must be more consistent. Can D-Rob consistently stretch the field? There’s no wonder Smart openly wonders in press briefings about talented wideouts like Dominick Blaylock, George Pickens and Makiya Tongue who will all arrive in late May.”