The Tony Award

Tony Taylor won this year's Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player Award for the Georgia Bulldogs. He currently leads the team with 87 tackles and is second on the team with 5 interceptions. One of those picks was returned for a touchdown. He had another touchdown when he returned a fumble against Georgia Tech. I recently talked to the linebacker as he prepares for his last game for the Dawgs.

Dave McMahon -- This is your last set of practices as a Georgia Bulldog, do you ever think about that?

Tony Taylor -- I am not thinking about that. I am thinking about what I have to do.

DM -- This is not a BCS bowl, but you are playing in your home state...

TT -- Atlanta is like a second home to us. Any time you play there it feels good.

DM -- You had two touchdowns this season, that is the same amount as players such as Thomas Brown, Martrez Milner, Mohamed Massaquoi and some others, do you find that strange?

TT -- That is strange. I never thought about it like that.

DM -- Speaking of touchdowns, tell me about that last touchdown you scored against Georgia Tech?

TT -- I saw the ball the whole time. I just wanted to pick it up without anyone seeing me picking it up and then take off.

DM -- Which other SEC linebackers have impressed you the most this season?

TT -- Patrick Willis. He had a ton of tackles this season. It is unreal how many he had. He stands out more than any other linebacker.

DM -- How soon after the bowl game do you start thinking about the draft?

TT -- That has yet to be determined.

DM -- Do you have a favorite NFL team?

TT -- Whatever team gives me an opportunity.

DM -- You were a leader to many young linebackers this season, who were the leaders for you when you were a freshman?

TT -- Tony Gilbert and Boss Bailey. Everyone looked up to them.

DM -- What will you remember the most about your time in Athens?

TT -- The friendships and all we had to go through together.

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Tony Taylor's career stats... (Chick-Fil-A Bowl will count, too)
Games - 48
Starts - 34
Total Tackles - 263
Solo Tackles - 167
Tackles for Loss - 16 1/2
Sacks - 5
Forced Fumbles - 3
Fumbles Recovered - 4
Interceptions - 8