ATHENS, Ga. -- John Eason hasn't always had this luxury, but he's got it now.
Because of injuries and attrition, Georgia's receivers coach sometimes hasn't had the chance to be selective.
But with at least 12 healthy scholarship receivers at his disposal, Eason can force competition through a simple equation.
If you drop passes, you don't play.
That was the rationale Eason used when detailing the rotation he envisions for next Saturday's opener against Oklahoma State -- Sean Bailey as the starting split end, Mikey Henderson at flanker and Mohamed Massaquoi as the slot receiver. Backing them up will be Tony Wilson, Kris Durham, Kenneth Harris and Michael Moore.
"It was close, it was based on (practice and scrimmage) grades and some of them eliminated themselves with a dropped pass," Eason said.
Among the veteran names who didn't make Eason's list were A.J. Bryant, who started 11 games last year, Demiko Goodman and T.J. Gartrell.
"The ones that I did not name basically threw themselves out of the mix at this point," Eason said. "They've got to kind of earn their way back in. They've got to do a better job in order to earn playing time."
Eason said as many as 10 receivers will likely dress for the opener, but the aforementioned rotation includes the players who will see the field. He said their final opportunity to convince him one way or another came in Thursday's practice game.
Bryant was understandably unhappy to be left out of the top seven, but part of that status stems from missing several practices with heat and sinus problems. He expressed confidence that he can work his way back into Eason's rotation.
"Coach said don't worry about the depth chart," Bryant said. "I know I'll still be in there. Nah, I'm not worried about what the depth chart says."
Perhaps the most pleasant surprises of the preseason were Wilson and Moore, the No. 2 and 3 flankers, respectively. Eason complimented Moore on his route-running and pass-catching in camp and said redshirt freshman Wilson brings toughness that was sorely lacking amond the receivers last year.
"It's one of the things I talked about in the meeting room. I said, 'Tony Wilson's the toughest guy in the room,'" Eason said. "And I feel that he is based on the way that he blocks -- he really gets after it. I think that's what we need."
Brown's comeback
Thomas Brown wasn't ready to declare himself next week's starter yet, but the senior tailback said he's excited that things appear to be heading in that direction.
If he does hold onto the starting spot he currently occupies, Brown understandably said it will be much more meaningful than last year's starting nod in the opener against Western Kentucky.
After all, only 10 months ago there were questions whether he'd play this season at all.
Brown tore his the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Vanderbilt last October -- an injury that often requires a year of rehabilitation -- but Brown worked his way back to have an outstanding preseason camp.
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