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Friday, March 25, 2011

A more in-tune Bulldog defense?

It will take until this fall to determine if the Georgia defense, in the second year of the 3-4 system, is actually better. So far this spring, however, the mantra around the team is that the defense is definitely “faster.”

Not because the players are physically quicker. But because they’re comfortable enough in the system that they’re reacting to the play more, rather than worrying about whether they’re doing things right.

“They are playing faster,” head coach Mark Richt said after Thursday’s practice. “They’re playing with a little bit more certainty as to what they’re doing.”

Richt said he could tell that players are getting better fundamentally.

“You’ve always got to learn what to do first. And then you’ve got to learn how to do it well,” he said. “Last year was a whole lot of time spent on just knowing what to do. And now that they have a better idea of what to do, they’re learning how to do it better. So the techniques are improving.”

The players echoed Richt.

Christian Robinson, the inside linebacker and appointed leader of the defense, spoke over and over about helping the player next to him. He meant that players are more focused on helping the next guy, rather than making sure they themselves know the system.

“It’s not making sure everybody is where they need to be. It’s more the technique things, little things, that just make it easier,” Robinson said. “It’s more work now because we’re focusing on those little things. But going out there is not an issue now. We can move faster, we’re already farther ahead than we were last season.”

Jarvis Jones was on the scout team last year, while sitting out his transfer year. But he said he could still tell there was a difference between last year and this spring.

“They know it more,” Jones said. “We’re going faster. We’re having fun.”

Another difference is the amount of returning starters. Last season the team had 10 first-time starters, but this year’s team – while it loses Justin Houston and Akeem Dent – returns six of its top 10 tacklers.

There are some position switches – Alec Ogletree to linebacker, and DeAngelo Tyson from nose tackle to end – but Tyson said the larger issue is the 3-4.

“The relief is everybody knowing the system,” Tyson said. “Because once you know what to do and how to do it, you can play unstoppable and fast. So the part of not knowing what to do, will keep you out there guessing and not playing full speed.”

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Time will tell I'm very optimistic

Anonymous said...

Defense played better than Auburn last season. They wern't the problem.

Anonymous said...

Georgia's defense was better than the National Champions Auburn in scoring and total yards. They played well enough to win a National Championship.

Pl0we said...

The secondary is still going to be an issue.

Atticus said...

We'll see, we'll see. Pardon me if I wait on the results. I really hope Rambo plays like his pre-concussion self.

Anonymous said...

Murray's ankle still looks gimpy in practice. Add in his shoulder injury last year, his 2 leg injuries, it all adds up. Probably effect his accuracy.

Hairy Munson said...

Okay, I've been having this discussion with my friends recently and could use some more opinions. We are trying to comeup with the starting lineup on opening day and the the starting lineup for the bowl game (knocks on wood). Here is my list:

Opening Day:
QB: Murray
RB: King
FB: Figgins (pumped about this guy)
LT: Sturdivant
LG: Gates
C: Jones
RG: Bean
RT: Glenn
TE: Orson
WR: TK
WR: Marlon

DE: Abry
N: Jenkins
DE: Tyson
OLB: Jarvis
ILB: C Rob
ILB: Samuel (Tree splits time)
OLB: Washington
CB: Boykin
CB: Commings
SS: Rambo
FS: Jakar


Bowl Game
QB: Murray
RB: Crowell
FB: Figgins (pumped about this guy)
LT: Sturdivant
LG: Gates
C: Jones
RG: Benedict
RT: Glenn
TE: Orson
WR: TK
WR: Mitchell(+B Smith if in 3 wide)

DE: Abry
N: Jenkins
DE: Tyson
OLB: Jarvis
ILB: C Rob
ILB: Tree
OLB: Drew
CB: Boykin
CB: Nick Marshall/Commings
SS: Rambo
FS: S Williams

Bizzaroneck said...

You know what I love about spring football. You never read man we are going to suck this year. I bet if we looked back to last year at this time we could basically find the exact same story on our defense or any spring football news for that matter.

Michael said...

I'm sad the comments to the last article got closed.

The article that "predicted" Crowell as a Heisman runner up was a fantastical article about the 2014 season!

I think "Anonymous" missed that little detail. :)

A College Football EXPERT said...

In my opinion, Orson Charles will have a break out year and be the first tight end ever to win the Heismann. He may not be the first, because I'm too lazy to research this, but I'm sure he's going to win it.

Seth please write an entire article about my opinion. If you don't than you shouldn't call yourself a journalist, because this is a HUGE story. Good GOD, I a college football expert am predicting Orson Charles to WIN THE HEISMANN. WRITE ABOUT IT DAMMIT!!!

Calif Dawg said...

Seth, Thanks for what you do. Those guys whinning about what you think is a story or not don't need to click here to read your stuff. I enjoy it and appreciate it. All the positive spin out of Athens sounds alot like last year. Do it on the field- 2 games in will tell alot.

Anonymous said...

Hey Calif Dawg,

Remind me again, what exactly is "whinning?"

Anonymous said...

Brown noser

ben said...

We are ALL Georgia fans. Why is everyone so mean to each other?

A College Football EXPERT said...

Seth,

Don't make me take my AWESOME prediction to that bastion of journalistic integrity, the Red and Black, because by Gawd, I'll do it.

In fact, I suggest that you convert your blog to just writing about what other bloggers put on their blogs about Georgia. That way we can just read your blog, but really we'll be reading all the blogs. Please spend more time writing about what other people further from the program write. That is the kind of information we need.

BTW, another big story Drew Butler will win the Ray Guy award. You should work that in your story somewhere too.

Seth Emerson said...

Thanks CalifDawg.

And CollegeFootballExpert ... my compliments.

Anonymous said...

Guys just go to ESPN to read te good stuff about Crowell, they're all over the story, so is pretty much everybody who covers college football, scout, rivals, not hard to find great info on Crowell. When Crowell steps onto the campus, expect the whole nation to notice. Good grief, Crowell's announcement about Georgia measured on the earthquake scale.

Anonymous said...

Spring is about guessing stuff like will Figgins succeed at fullback, will Samuels succeed at Linebacker, will Ogletree succeed at linebacker, will the defense be more in tune, will Crowell win the Heisman.

A Concerned Reader said...

Who is this Crowell gentlemen? Why, I've never heard of him. Seth, what is up with your conspiracy of silence regarding this Crowell. Other sources cite him as good up and coming footballer, but your silence regarding this is deafening. What, may I ask, do you have against Crowell? Why haven't you written a single word about him?

A Concerned Reader said...

Upon further research, I see you have written about him. Great prospect. Signing with Georgia is a very big deal. May start. Recruiting visit shenanigans led to minor NCAA violations, but he’s worth it. High hopes, but hasn’t played a down yet. Yep, I’d say you’ve covered it well. Sorry about my earlier rant.

Anonymous said...

You "concerned reader" types are morons.

Anonymous said...

David Hale would've written a 500 page tome in homage to Crowell.

I read David Hale. I loved David Hale. I stalked David Hale. You Seth are no David Hale.

Because you are ignoring my favorite ESPN blogger's opinions, I will no longer pester you with questions regarding your favorite Athen's restaurants and bars. I hope you are prepared to move on without me.

EndOfMyRope said...

Dear Seth,
I love this blog and have been a reader for a few years dating back to Dave. I enjoy your work. I hope you do as well this Fall with football as you did on B-ball this past season. Heck of a job IMO. Thanks for what you do covering the Dawgs. In case you haven't noticed, and I'm sure that you have, some of these Anon clowns are ruining this blog thread by thread like it's open mic night at a crappy comedy club. Can we please have some sort of fan Wonderlic test score to qualify to post here? Or can you set up a mirror site that just sends said clowns to the AJC where they belong and real fans can hide here? S.O.S.

The Proctor said...

Sure,

Fan Wonderlic Test to qualify to to post here:

1. Should Mark Richt be fired?

2. Will someone besides Isiah Crowell win the Heisman over the course of the next 4 years?

3. Have you ever made love to a woman?

4. Do you think that maybe, just maybe, we should think about a healthier breed of Bulldog for our mascot?

5. Have you ever entertained pre-season thoughts that somebody besides the Bulldogs will win the national championship in a sport?

6. Have you ever agreed with Mark Bradley?

7. Have you ever left a game early?

8. Have you hid behind a Anonymous screen name rather than taking up the time to make up another screen name to hide behind?

9. Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

10. Did Herschel Walker have a disappointing NFL career?

Scoring: If you answered No to every question, then you are a true Dawg fan. Post away.

If you answered Yes to fewer than four questions, you may post, but you must identify yourself by using your legal name and address.

If you answered Yes to between 4 and 7 questions, you may no longer post here. Go post on the AJC.

If you answered Yes to more than 7 questions, you are a Tech Troll.

BicDawg said...

I got your back Seth. Im gonna hang in there with you. By far this is the most objective and informative site for Dawg info. We got some fans who have an ax to grind and maybe have good reasons but despite last few seasons woes, there is still alot to be positive about. I dont agree with earlier analysis by the Anons that the D was better than the O. In fact I thought Murray was outstanding during the Auburn game. UGA has more going for it in 2011 than any other college team that I am aware of. If thats too much optimism for the Anons then sorry. Im a fan. Thats what fans do.

Anonymous said...

Why do you call them trolls? I don't get where the term came from.

But my real name is Anonymous! said...

OK seriously. What is up with dissing Anons? Not picking on BicDawg, but just as an example, how is that screen name any different than Anonymous? I don't know who BicDawg is, do you? Anybody could type in BicDawg and pretend to be him/her. How is somewhere courageous to type in a fake name (typically incorporating the word "Dawg")? Don't you people see that BicDawg (again just as an example, not picking on him/her) is just as anonymous as Anonymous?

The Real Anonymous said...

I've been saying that the whole time! All of these people say things like, "Man up! and type in a name!" And then you look and their screen name is Go Dawgs! or something lame.

BicDawg said...

Just ignore everything I say, I'm an idiot.

Anon 4:20 said...

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with posing under BicDawg or Go Dawgs! of Calif Dawg or any other name. It makes it easier to respond to a question or comment to your post. But don't pretend like it is a great act of courage to make up a fake name. If anything you are to be commended for not being lazy and just clicking the "Anonymous" radio button. I guess if you put your real name that would better represent standing behind your opionion, but what kind of idiot would put their real name out there to be read by a bunch of possible psychos.s

suomynonA said...

Man up folks - use a proper name or go sit in the corner with Bradley or Shultz.

Billy Sims said...

DicDawg

Fan or not, Sooner nation has more going for it headed into fall 2011 than any other unit in college football. Should be hands down favorite to win it all. UGA could not cast a shadow on the balls of OU this fall. Willie gets a title before Richt.....damn!

Anonymous said...

Its BOO BOO stupid. 6 points against Mickey Mouse U.

Anonymous said...

FIRE DAVE PERNO!!!!

Al said...

We don't need defense. We have Isaiah "The Dream" Crowell.

GasketCase said...

Crowell is not a story. He has not done one thing in college ball. His high school accomplishments amount to nothing at this point. He may become a big story, maybe not. Let him earn it. The obsession with Crowell is a sign of desperate times in Bulldawg Nation.

Cojones said...

Right on, GasketCase.

Seth, your report overall shows the "We Are Brothers" mentality of the team. The continued remarks about having learned more about the D positions and what that has done to speed their reactions to the ball demonstrates this. Differing players are placing the spotlight on other players during Spring Practice. It's nice to feel. It can only lead to a better team play and atmosphere.

Anonymous said...

Crowell hasn't done anything, not a story, neither has Samuels, Figgins, and the like. Just because they havn't done anythng, doesn't mean they arn't news worthy.

Anonymous said...

Jarvis jones ain't done nothing yet, not story worthy.

BicDawg said...

Billy Simms. We all know about Chokelahoma.