Dogs can learn from Justin Houston’s NFL slide
One of Justin Houston's "poor decisions" might have been taking plays off. (Associated Press)
There’s a lesson in the Justin Houston story for his former teammates who remain in Athens, and not just the one about getting caught one toke over the line.
Houston’s surprising slide to the third round of the NFL draft, after being considered a consensus second-round pick and some analysts even speculating he could go late first round, would have been a real shock had it not been for the FoxSports.com report this week that he had tested positive for marijuana at the February NFL combine in Indianapolis.
After all, in his junior year, playing outside linebacker in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme at UGA, Houston became a regular visitor to opposing teams’ backfield, racking up 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 44 quarterback hurries, along with 38 solo tackles, 67 total tackles, forcing two fumbles, recovering a fumble for a touchdown and making an interception. He wound up all-SEC, made several All-America teams and was in the running for the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski awards. If he’d returned for his senior season, he probably would have been considered one of the nation’s premier defensive players.
All of that and only a third-round draft pick?
But while Houston seemed to be thinking of the failed drug test when he told reporters he attributed his drop in the draft to “some of the poor decisions I made,” there was another factor pointed out by ESPN analysts Todd McShay and Jon Gruden, who criticized Houston’s work ethic.
Working hard every day has made Orson Charles an MVP in his head coach's eyes. (Associated Press)
Both complained that, as Gruden said, Houston doesn’t “play hard all the time.” As McShay put it, “The problem is this guy doesn’t play every single down like it’s the last play of his career, which drives you crazy because he has so much potential.”
Actually, I’d heard UGA fans complain sporadically last season about Houston occasionally taking plays off — something that unfortunately has been a recurring problem for the Dogs over the past five years or so.
Perhaps it was the lack of conditioning that eventually resulted in an overhaul of Georgia’s strength program this offseason, but the Dogs have become known for sporadic effort. Even Knowshon Moreno, famed for popping up from a tackle and sprinting back to the huddle, seemed to take himself out of the game with alarming frequency during his time at UGA.
One encouraging sign for the coming season is that the Dogs have among them an example of the kind of player who draws comparisons with the legendary David Pollack, whose motor was never off. That player is Orson Charles, who’s even been known to take offseason early morning exercise with the ROTC cadets at UGA to improve his fitness and who Mark Richt praised recently as “the MVP of the entire spring.” Richt noted that, “Even wind sprints at the end of practice, he goes as hard as he can go. The last guy I can remember giving that kind of effort every play, every day was Pollack.”
So, sure, I hope current Georgia players take note of the fact that smoking an illegal substance can cost you professionally. But I think the greater lesson is that if you’re not playing every play like it could be your last (and ask Trinton Sturdivant, that’s a very real possibility), you’re not only likely to get beat, but someone at the next level is going to notice.
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133 comments Add your comment
1953 dawg there you go again
April 30th, 2011
5:12 pm
Good Lord man dont you EVER have anything positive to say? Not only are you always negative but you write way way too much. Why dont you just choose another team to pull for and save everyone the trouble of reading your whining epistles?
I iwsh I was a smart as tide roll
April 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
the pearls of wisdom that pour out of his mouth are awe inspiring. I wonder if he was that smart prior to 2007 when Bama sucked for 15 years?
UGASlobberknocker
April 30th, 2011
5:16 pm
Aimee Lou do you know something about Crowell that the rest of us dont that makes you categorize him as a potential trouble maker??
or is it that you just dont like his looks or his dread locks?
1953 Dawg is jusy a bitter old man
April 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
Go gum some dinner you old fool
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 30th, 2011
6:01 pm
Congrats to the kids who realized their dreams today….good luck gentleman!As for this year’s team well…no Searles.no Tripp and Wood at DT,sounds great to me so far!This team has better talent than last year’s and hopefully better coaching too.Belin was good for the special teams but I wasn’t all that impressed with his ILB coaching
1962 DAWG
April 30th, 2011
6:21 pm
What we need is to hire ” tide roll” to recruit a new O-line for us and all our problems will be solved.
tell me again
April 30th, 2011
6:30 pm
I come on this blog and – am stunned – over and over again by the simpletons who claim to be Dawg fans who think firing Richt is the only answer. And as for other programs hiring winning coaches – Tennessee? What has Dooley won yet? Florida? Urban tanked in his final year – won with somebody else’s QB his first year and had a run with Tebow similiar to Ga’s with Herschel – his winning ways were gone the minute Tebow hit the door. And the new guy ain’t won crap yet. AUBURN ? Are you kidding me? One year out of 5 they beat us with Mr. soon to be jailed and the program heading for probation with ex players ADMITTING they took money?? THAT is a winning coach and program – THAT’s what you want???? Are you stupid or something?
pj
April 30th, 2011
7:47 pm
This blog was EXACTLY what was on my mind as I watched Houston slide. Great point, great article – hope somebody of consequence will read it and share it with the team…
AdMan
April 30th, 2011
9:43 pm
What the hell do all you know-it -alls know that CMR doesn’t know?….nothing! What a bunch of idiots….none of you naysayers have even spent one second with Crowell….you know nothing of his character or his heart…you trash him because he has long hair…Go take a good look in the mirror you idiots…because you most likely look and act like the kind of person most people try to stay away from…..you know… people that constantly run thier mouths and tell anyone who will listen how great they are…people who get laughed at behind their backs by everyone else….go route for Tech or Bama cause we don’t need losers like you who claim to be dawg fans.
dawgster
April 30th, 2011
10:29 pm
Thank goodness there are still some fans that have some common sense and know the game of football…Shane#1…”tell me again”, “1953 dawg there you go again”, Adman” just to name a few that are probably as disgusted with some of our so called dawg fans as I am…I mean just go find another team if you are so unhappy..Heck none of us are pleased with last season, but its done, finished…lets move on a actually see if things turn around, if they don’t then I’m sure there are people more capable than us that will do what’s best for UGA….go dawgs
Taco
April 30th, 2011
10:51 pm
Let me say what I mean. I am from Georgia. Crowell is a thug from a thug school. Don’t drink the Kool Aid. I hope he does not embarrass the state and the school like his high school teamates who just stole everyones stuff from the locker room on G Day. Carver is the HOOD and go down there and look for yourself. I hope the kid can rise above it and make it in the world but he comes from a rough place.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
April 30th, 2011
10:53 pm
I have always told “Roll Tide” and Aubum fans to just go back to Alabama and enjoy their work at Toomer,s Corner. I guess they have nothing better else to do, not unlike those North Avenue classy folks who display their school’s image on those waterless urinals (See them at Callaway Gardens, some malls and hotels) Have you not seen them yet, they are right where your stream ends.
RED DOG 77
May 1st, 2011
1:44 am
@Bill King……You sir, certainly don’t need my approval, but I must say, after criticizing you for a lack of “team” effort, this one is dead-on………Great sory, had some serious “red meat”, and it talked to the future………..of what “our” beloved BULLDOGS can, and probubly will do in 2011. I won’t spend any “ink” on Justin Houston………just thank you for highlighting DAWGS like Orson Charles, and reminding current DOGS of players like David Pollack……..I don’t give a rats rear-end who Alabama, LSU, Florida and the likes have on their rosters, “MY” BULLDOGS are loaded with talent……..and when that chemistry gels, there is not a prouder program in all the land…….”I feel a change comin’ on”…….back to the days when you could pretty much count on the University of Georgia BULLDOGS to prevail on just about every Saturday………..GO DOGS!!! SIC’ ‘EM WOOF…WOOF…WOOF !!!!………Regards, RED
Destin Dawg
May 1st, 2011
6:53 am
this is the YEAR for CMR… with a huge boost in energy from T.G. and the new recruits… to turn the program around… serious S. and C. with an attitude…..play ‘em all play’em early… no seniority system.. schedule is there for the taking… win the 1st 2 and it could be a special season !!!!!
Barf
May 1st, 2011
7:35 am
These guys are volunteers,which means they do not get paid. Why not take a play off.
It is what it is
May 1st, 2011
9:16 am
Excellent article. While Justin’s decision ultimately lies with him, he probably needs some new friends. It’s time to stop trying to “keep it real” Justin.. They just cost you hundred’s of thousands of dollars. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
AltamahaDawg
May 1st, 2011
9:45 am
What is the obsession with “seniority system” in these blogs. How many examples of younger player starting over upperclassmen does it take to disprove the silly notion that this or any coach would ever play who he thought was not best. I get that not everybody have always liked his choices for starter but that is a you thinking you know more than him about that particular situation, just say it. That’s fine. That’s being a sport fan. I like this guy, I like that guy. Or this guy or that guy didn’t work out, so obviously that was a mistake in hindsight. All fine. Don’t make up some farce to gloss over the real issue of not wanting to say that you could do the job of evaluating the pieces of the puzzle better than the professionals.
The Reaper
May 1st, 2011
10:22 am
Discipline starts at home and should be transferred to anything that a person does. Houston brought all of this on himself. These kids get every break in the world and some know how to blow it big time. These kids fail to realize that what they do starting in high school follows them all the way through college. In life we have choices and it seems like these kids don’t know how to make the right choices. Now, with being said. When I played Football or any other sport, you learned discipline on the practice field or you would lose the game or not even play. Remember what CMR told the fan a couple of days ago, “I know what the hell I am doing”. So let’s see if it shows on the football field and in the W column or will UGA have a new coaching staff in 2012. He talk the talk, now lets see if he can walk the walk. So far, now arrest have been made and the S and C seems better. We’ll see if that transfers to the regular season and if we can get back to playing SEC football.
FB Fan
May 1st, 2011
11:04 am
Taking plays off? These guys took whole games off! Not to mention dozens of arrests the past few years. But don’t worry. CMR says he knows what the hell he is doing.
Tally Ho
May 1st, 2011
12:05 pm
You bunch of trolling fools.
Tom
May 1st, 2011
12:42 pm
It only took you three words to make a mistake……
“Dogs can learn…..”……
Selah.
This Dawg Want Hunt!!
May 1st, 2011
12:54 pm
Let’s see, Richt admits his teams don’t play hard, Gruden calls out one of Richt’s players as being a loafer, Richt adnits that he feels the fans frustration over his pathetic coaching ability, than he turns around and says he knows what he is doing. If this idiot knows what he is doing why does he continue to have players that don’t work or play hard, and why does he have a .500 record in the SEC east the past 3 years? This guy is lost, and after 25 years of coaching, he still has no clue how to develop an offensive game plan, nor does he know how to motivate his players, and get them prepared to play a big game.As for you idiots that contiune to drink his bitter Kool-Aid, don’t come on blogs and calll out other UGA fans that simply want a winning team, and they want a team that plays hard, and represents the University of Ga. with pride. If you are satisfied with this pathetic coach and his coahcing staff, then maybe you should go cheer for Tech, because that is what Tech fans deserve, not UGA fans. UGA has the money, facilites, andfan support to compete with any program in the country, yet we have to settle for this clown and all of his excuse, and now we have to put up with his losing record for God’s sake. He proved once again that he is a loser and a spineless head coach when he kicked a field goal in a meaningless bowl game against Central Fl. There is no defending this clown, and his pitiful offense. Any decent coach could have won with Stafford, Moreno,MoMass, and A.J., but not the wonderful offensive genius that Ga. fans call Coach Richt. Yea, he knows what he is doing alright. He has no clue, and his offense speaks for itself. The definition for Insane is to continue to do the same things over and over again and expect different results. That is the UGA offense under Richt and his wonderful O.C. bobo the past 5 years. You clowns had better have some vodka to put in that Richt Kool-aid this fall, ibecause that’s the only way you will be able to stand to drink it anymore
No more Richt
May 1st, 2011
1:04 pm
Taking plays off? These guys took whole games off! Not to mention dozens of arrests the past few years. But don’t worry. CMR says he knows what the hell he is doing.
At least he thinks so.
Richt is a pretentious hypocritical jerk. He should have been fired after last season.
JDOG
May 1st, 2011
1:28 pm
Amen! Dawg want hunt. Are you my brother, we talk about this too.
7576DAWG
May 1st, 2011
2:06 pm
This Dawg Want Hunt
A lot of what you said is true , facts speak for themselves. I have always supported CMR 100% until starting 3 years ago he stubbornly kept Willie Martinez an extra year . Everybody knew what was going to happen but CMR refused to accept it. Same thing last year with Bobo as offensive coordinator. I knew we were in for a long season when South Carolina had the ball approx. 17 minutes longer than we did. No defense can stay on the field that long against a good team and win.
I still think CMR is a good coach and want him to stay but his attitude was got to change and I hope that everything that has happened since last year with getting rid of a lot of the cancer on the team and bringing in the new S&C will do the job.
The only thing that still could have helped was to demote Bobo to just quarterback coach. CMR and Bobo are two peas in a pod , they think exactly alike meaning they support everything each says and that is NOT good. That’s why every coach we play against say preparing for Georgia’s offense is one of the easiest games on their schedule. You need an offensive coordinator that brings something different.
And for the Dawg FANS that come on here and only want to patronize and ignore that we have had a big problem the last 3 years have never played in any sport as one of the leaders that everybody counts on to put the team over the edge against good teams to win the game. Leader or great players only think about one thing, WINNING. Nothing else is acceptable.
So far McGarity has made a lot of changes which I applaud and have a feeling he is just getting started. I for one hope that CMR is able to find a place to fit in. BUT THE LAST THREE YEARS WAYS CAN NOT CONTINUE.
Pago Pago Dawg
May 1st, 2011
2:08 pm
This dawg want hunt/1953dawg…please hit the “enter” button every 10,000 lines, gessh.
Big Dawg
May 1st, 2011
2:22 pm
Tide Roll while I agree with you on somethings, I don’t completely agree with you in that we did not get the o-linemen you mention i.e. James Carpenter, Chance Warmack, Jujwuan James, and Brandon Greene. I disagree with you because not getting those guys is only part of the equation. It seems every year we recruit players who were hurt in high school and never seem to recover. While I can understand taking chances on guys it seems that our o-line has been pretty injury prone and beat up and not ready to play especially the last 3 years. Hopefully that has been rectified and we will see a take no prisoners attitude on both sides of the ball this year and we won’t hear other SEC coaches talking about how soft our guys are anymore.
Now some of my fellow Dawgs who are talking about Isiah Crowell, well I would suggest you give the young man a chance before you start throwing him under the bus. I would suggest a change of attitude on your parts and some patience. I know you have a right to express your opinions but you know what it is ONLY your opinion and we all have one and yes we are entitled to it.
Besides Coach Richt knows his team has to show marked improvement this year or he could be replaced. Right or wrong he is the head coach and guess what he gets to make the decisions as long as he is. I for one support Coach Rict because he is a Christian, do I agree with everything he does “NO” I don’t and those of you who are regulars know that I have criticized as well as praised Coach Richt over the last 5 years that I have been coming on this blog. Anyway I will support my Dawgs no matter what and I am hoping and praying that Coach Richt has righted the ship and we will play hard for 4 quarters this year and we won’t lose games we should have won.
Go Dawgs
AltamahaDawg
May 1st, 2011
6:10 pm
SC held the ball for 35 minutes that game.
BYRDDAWG
May 1st, 2011
7:01 pm
Some of these posts are STUPID!!!!!! Almost everyone recruited him & they want to blame Richt for this….that’s a bunch of CRAP!!!! BTW Bubba just won another golf tournament….GO DAWGS
Ringleader
May 1st, 2011
7:38 pm
Tide Roll…………Don’t you have a little bit of tornado tiddy up you need to be doing?
powerhouse?
May 1st, 2011
8:14 pm
cross-eyed-jack, you must be kidding to think WCu will score only 77…LOL!!!!.
However the doggies start their season against a top ten ranked team that might just whip you.
RED DOG 77
May 2nd, 2011
1:05 am
No way in hell Boise St. comes anywhere close to beating the BULLDOGS in the dome on September 3rd………..Todd Grantham will have his defense so ramped-up, I doubt Kellin Moore has more than 40yrds in the air in the first half………..Dudes going to be so shell-shocked he might not even come out for the second half……….yea, yea, yea……we run a 3-4 defense, but don’t be surprised to see Grantham put two 350lb tackles on either side of a 5ft 10in 280lb Boise St. center with De Angelo Tyson on one end and Abry Jones on the other opening the way for our Linebackers to reak havock on Mr. Moore……….Our Offense might not set any records scoring that night, but they won’t have to………Remember Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl?…………This one will be the new benchmark for Georgia’s Defense………..University of Georgia Bulldogs 34 Boise St. 7
12 CRIMINAL CHARGES 6 wins 7 LOSSES
May 2nd, 2011
8:00 am
nuttin like a little weed to celebrate duh draff….aaahhhhhh
Judge Judy
May 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
I bet alot of the posters on here that are slaming UGA players for goofing off, are doing the same thing. If you’re not doing it now, I’d be willing to bet you have done it. Now, GET BACK TO WORK!
DawginLex
May 2nd, 2011
9:13 am
We have had our problems off the field in prior years.
Name me ONE arrest in recent months.
Now list the schools that had arrests recently while UGA has ZERO
Auburn
Florida
Arkansas
Iowa
Just to name a few.
I believe Richt has decided to lay down the law and it is reflected in ZERO arrests.
DawginLex
May 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
tide roll,
Your offensive line is rated behind ours by Rivals now.
Smoke on that
12 CRIMINAL CHARGES 6 wins 7 LOSSES
May 2nd, 2011
9:29 am
DawginLex
May 2nd, 2011
9:13 am
WOW. but 51 in 4 years. Nice.
Reality
May 2nd, 2011
9:32 am
DawginLex
May 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
tide roll,
Your offensive line is rated behind ours by Rivals now.
Smoke on that
When was your last NC? And how many NC’s do you have? Yeah, Smoke on that.
Superior Offensive Line, Huh ?
May 2nd, 2011
9:33 am
DawginLex (wherever Lex is, and if it’s KY, what do YOU know about football anyway?)
I’ve heard pre-season plaudits for Georgia’s OL several years in a row now. Just how good did those lines turn out ? Ratings and opinions are like “you-know-whats”.
I-DOG
May 2nd, 2011
9:54 am
FH Mertz:
Washaun has not exactly been “in and out of jail”. That term just doesn’t apply to him. He has done some dumb things, I think we can all agree on that… but in and out of jail isn’t a characterization that matches up with what he has done. In and out of the doghouse? Definately.
DawginLex
May 2nd, 2011
10:18 am
Bristled some Bama feathers?
Dish it out but can’t take it?
If Bama loses 3 games again this year after being preseason #1 or #2 for the second year in a row, who will have underachieved more?
SABAN
12 Idiot Bammers,6 posts, 7 boxes of donuts Eaten
May 2nd, 2011
10:29 am
Speaks volumes doesn’t it???????????????????
12 Idiot Bammers,6 posts, 7 boxes of donuts Eaten
May 2nd, 2011
10:31 am
tide roll-black racist
saban-god’s gift to football yet can’t win his own division-4th place?
can’t beat arch rival at home-blew 24 point lead
3 losses yet preseason ranked #1
Arkansas SEC West Champions 2011
LSU 2nd
Miss State 3rd
Bama 4th-AGAIN
Reality
May 2nd, 2011
10:33 am
Nothin like typical mutt fans…dreamers and idiots.
wde
May 2nd, 2011
10:43 am
Reality I’m confused is Bama still on probation or has that ended yet?
wde
May 2nd, 2011
10:44 am
Reality think your D can hold a 24 point half time lead this year?
Reality
May 2nd, 2011
10:49 am
wde
Do you think your team can win 7 games this year?
Reality
May 2nd, 2011
10:50 am
wde
Will you retain The Richt Cup this year?
Reality
May 2nd, 2011
10:55 am
wde
Let’s see, seems your 6-7 team had a 14 point lead, and lost by 18…49-31.
wde
May 2nd, 2011
11:01 am
Reality I think Bama is ahead of UGA in the Fulmer Cup standing but we are all way behind the Barn.And yes I think we could win a few more than 7 and I wish you were on the schedule I really do..now how long before Saban leaves and will he take his statue with him when he goes?