Shawn Williams’ comments on Georgia’s ‘too soft’ defense poorly stated but on target
Shawn Williams gets there too late to stop a Tennessee receiver from scoring. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Anyone who’s watched the Dogs this season knows safety Shawn Williams was on point Monday night when he called out the Georgia defense for playing “too soft” and without “the same attitude we played with last year.”
It’s understandable that the senior is frustrated with the way the D has been playing this season, especially after getting shelled in the South Carolina game and then coming out of a bye week looking meek against the lowly Kentucky Wildcats.
The Bulldogs’ defense deserves to be called out and maybe Williams’ rant will have the same sort of galvanizing effect as Mizzou’s “old man football” insult did on the team overall earlier in the season in what was, probably not coincidentally, the best game the Georgia defense has played to date.
But as is frequently the case with the overly aggressive Williams, who’s been flagged for a few unnecessary penalties in his career, No. 36 went too far when he started suggesting which of his fellow defenders should get more playing time, indirectly pointing a finger at others.
Williams noted, “I’m sitting here and I’m giving all I got, and I feel like I’ve got some guys that’s not,” but that comment would look a lot better if his own play had been exemplary, which it hasn’t. Too often this season he’s bitten on play-action fakes or been out of position in coverage and wound up getting burned by opposing receivers.
It won’t be helpful if there’s dissension on the team caused by his comments.
And Williams definitely crossed the line when he invoked the New Orleans Saints’ bounty system. More personal foul calls is definitely not what the Georgia defense needs against Florida, but you can bet the SEC officiating crew will be quick with the flags if there’s even the hint of a late hit by anyone in a red jersey Saturday.
Still, despite the ham-fisted way he went about it, I’m hopeful Williams going public with what he was already saying to his teammates on the sideline will produce a positive result.
It’s now or never, basically.
As Mark Richt said to his team, with the cameras rolling, after the Kentucky game, “It’s going to be a war in Jacksonville. … You leaders, I want you to think about what this game means. You’ve been talking about it all offseason since January. ‘Our team, our time, no regrets.’ Well, here we are. We’re at the moment of truth.”
In other words, put up or shut up.
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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126 comments Add your comment
fishook dawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
When Grantham was hired 2 years ago, he stated that he” wanted the oppoisitions team to go away saying that they didn’t want to face that defense again”. I doubt very seriously if any team has said that since he’s been here. I bet LSU said it the first time they played Alabama last year and the 2nd time they played cost them a national championship. I believe that all this big talk after last year of all the guys on defense coming back and not going pro has led to some kind of entitlement. As sorry as this defense has played, the same guys, when available, have been starting. If this experienced group of players keeps on not getting the job done, then do what Alabama does and change players.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
2:08 pm
They say the same thing about Bobo’s predictable offense
Old Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Erk had the best line: play like it’s the play in the world.
How easy can it be?
mike addington
October 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
I agree with BMOC
LakeDawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
I haven’t seen anyone on this D play well. That includes Williams and Herrera, who look slow to me.
Tallydawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm
Mark Richt is a POS coach who lives off his and his staff’s ability to convince young men to come play for UGA where they won’t have to work hard, or study, or worry too much about losing their spot on the depth chart to a better young player. He has no idea how to motivate men other than to offer them a cool new uni. He’s more concerned about their faith than he is about football. I hope Florida beats the living s*** out of us this year and puts the last nail in this worthless POS’s career at UGA.
gbal
October 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm
I like that SW recognizes the problem… I hate that he feels he has to go public with it BUT…
He has a coach say9ng all is good, glad to be 6-1, and we had fun today in practice….. when all know that UGA is not poaying to their potential. This casual attitude from coaches hasnt seemed to light the fire…. It really sould have been the coaches making these stements but I am not sure AMR recognizes that there is a problem???
GO to the SC Website and isten to CSS presser after the Fla game!!! Compare it to UGA’s after SC or UK. CSS states that SC has to figure out who wants to play ball and who wants to lay around!!!! He wants to hold the players accuontable for poor performance.
IF CMR would take some action to do the same, his players may not feel the urge to handle it and wouldnt put themselves in this position to have locker room probems. Go listen to that CSS press confrence and see what you think.
NCDawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm
Shawn Williams should not have delved into who should be playing. He was quite right to have called out the defense for effort and emotion. Naming names is not something you ever want to do. As for the coaches blaming players… if you coach them what to do and they don’t do it, who’s fault is it? You can’t make someone do what you tell them to do. You can threaten and punish but if they choose not to listen then you are stuck. All you can do is bench them and with our depleted depth that is tough to do.
Some people mistaken emotion and intensity with playing dirty. It is not the same thing. You want a player to be focused and play hard but also within the rules. That last Kentucky drive would have amounted to nothing without the personal fouls. We kept the drive alive and provided momentum to the other team. That is not what we want. We want crushing hits and aggravating 1/2 yard runs. College football is about momentum shifts. Bama plays with great intensity under control. They stifle momentum by not setting the ball rolling. Turn overs, big plays, penalties all can start the ball rolling. I want controlled fury from our defense.. not cheap shots and stupid penalties.
Boise Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm
I don’t recall the D playing all that well against Missouri. Yes, Jarivs made two big plays late in the 4th quarter, but I recall a lot of yards and points being given up in the 3rd. I think you are thinking of the Vandy game, which I would argue was Georgia’s best game on defense.
NCDawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:55 pm
You idiots still complaining about Bobo’s predictable offense… it doesn’t matter what you run… if the line doesn’t block it looks stupid. If you can call a better game then get out there and start coaching. Maybe one day you can be the supposedly overpaid coach that everyone is ragging on because you called the right play and it wasn’t executed.
TN Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
3:04 pm
Considering how they’ve been playing – what have they got to lose. Giving up 250 yards of rushing to Kentucky kinda puts you near rock bottom. Besides, it’s not like the public can’t see they’re really playing poorly so motivate publicly. Motivating privately isn’t working very well.
Scott Lakatos
October 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
I love the picture of shawn trying to come up from 6yds deep in the end zone to make a tackle. Way to fly to the ball buddy. Trying running to the receiver when the balls in the air next time.
gbal
October 23rd, 2012
3:19 pm
Dawgs
Reality
October 23rd, 2012
3:21 pm
So, Bill, I see you’re blocking Gator fans who make intelligent points that can’t be disputed.
Way to man up.
Dog4Life
October 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
Hopefully this is a wake up call and a sense of urgency for Jacksonville. AS an earlier poster posted, it would be devastating if if were the proverbial straw creating a loss of the locker room. Just remember this, “nothing so focuses the mind through the night than certain death the next morning.” If we are focused and ready to play, we can beat the gators, if not–oh, well.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
Im just glad to see we have one individual on this UGA football team; players or coaches who is upset about the how the team is playing.
I thought the coaches would have done this but I guess they are too busy making CAR commercials and reading New York Times best selling books like ENERGY VAMPIRES
preston thompson
October 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm
Well Mr King. Now we all know what the correct way to align words now. Thanks for you assistance.
Now that that’s taken care of, it is possible Shawn’s issue with displeasing you could have to do with him feeling as though he has to do more to take up the slack. The defense has been an enigma at the least. It is a shame a player has to do what these non-coaches won’t do.
But until Richt finds he really does need a ST coach things are going to be dicey on put returns.
beanster
October 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm
NCDawg — How is it the “right” call when everybody and their mother knows what UGA is going to run. Opposing teams have said after they played us that they knew what we were doing. They knew that AM would tap the center before the snap. They knew that if a back was lined up to Murray’s right then it was a run all the way. How many times have we seen the “right” call get blown up? It isn’t player execution when the deck is stacked against you before the ball is snapped.
We have seen the same predictable plays stuffed at the LOS or worse for years. It isn’t player execution, it’s that the opposing defense knows exactly what is coming their way. And our OC sits there and scratches his head while or head coach does his best version of a statue.
00mpa L00mpa Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm
Maybe Shawn Williams should have said more and pointed some fingers at the sorry coaching staff. Its bout time folks get their heads out of the sand!
Swami Sez
October 23rd, 2012
3:43 pm
Dawgs have played one decent game this year and that was against Vandy.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
Swami
I would say the Vandy game was the best game they played in several years
but hey its Vandy so big deal
Since Vince
October 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm
Maybe Shawn should have also pointed out that the dawgs should hit the practice fields till they puke and puke some more. Not having Pool parties and going to cosmic bowling courtesy of our soft Head Coach.
Hey Dumbo they still got a first down
October 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Our team is so undisciplined. Like thumping their chests when the opposing player still makes a first down. Grantham is a bust!
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
3:56 pm
Wait now we cant be stopping those FUN practices; they really help our team
NCDawg
October 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm
All the people complaining about posts not getting through… especially you gators that on a UGA blog and really should stick to your own… I am a Bulldog and I have had several posts that do not make it through. Some I have agreed with Bill and some I did not. He doesn’t set the filters. It may not even be filters because I rarely write anything I couldn’t say to my grandmother. So take a big fat chill… jeez people have to whine about everything these days.
Swami Sez
October 23rd, 2012
4:12 pm
Be careful what you say on homer Twit Towers blog or you will get banned. Dawg Fan or not!
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
4:24 pm
Swami
You are correct Towers blocked me for what I have no idea; I didnt cuss; threaten; or whatever just posted my same thoughts as always and he blocks me
Swami Sez
October 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
He blocked me with my accurate predictions…… So what he is a homer.
I-DOG
October 23rd, 2012
4:41 pm
This defense has been as big a dissapointment as I can remember one being for UGA. Talent, depth, experience, and very few injuries to date so there are no excuses why the D is playing so poorly.
Some might say, “we are 6-1 and it is only one loss.” That doesn’t pass the eyeball test.
After being embarrased at South Carolina, this coaching staff and team had 2 weeks to prepare for Kentucky. This is the same Kentucky that is winless in the SEC. They are 1-6 with the lone win coming against Kent State. They lost to Western Kentucky and it is doubtful they will win ANY SEC games this year.
With 2 weeks to prepare and rest… KY carved up the UGA D on the opening drive with runs up the middle seemingly averaging 8 yards per and scoring a TD. It was the first TD that KY had scored in the FIRST QUARTER of ANY game going back over 2 years, let alone the opening drive.
KY couldn’t score in the opening quarter against Kent State, Western Kentucky, Louisville, or Arkansas and every other opponent they have faced, but they came down the field like the ‘83 Auburn team with a “powerful” ground attack and this game was very much in doubt deep in teh 4th quarter.
The excuse that Jarvis Jones didn’t play isn’t valid. We had our top 3 nose guards and all of our linebackers, but couldn’t stop the run against KY?
I don’t know what the problem is, but the performances the last two games have been travesties.
Mark Richt
October 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
How can these boys be soft? I sing Happy Birthday to them and hug them……
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 23rd, 2012
4:57 pm
Whatever ever happened to all those screaming for these coaches to have a contract extension
TMC DAWG
October 23rd, 2012
5:30 pm
Williams is justified for calling people out. He did what a shell of a coach would not do. I for one believe that we will get run out of the stadium on sat. This is the most UNDER COACHED TEAM IN AMERICA. I AM SO TIRED OF THE FAN BASE SETTELING FOR MEDORCITY. TIME FOR CLEANING HOUSE
ZinoDawg
October 23rd, 2012
6:08 pm
Someone please pass the Marshmallows.
Gators 48
Dawgs 6
UGA Coaching Staff
October 23rd, 2012
6:37 pm
Laughing all the way to the bank and also at you stupid urchins……
Light in the loafers
October 23rd, 2012
6:41 pm
Ever notice how Aaron trots out onto the field of play?
Neutral
October 23rd, 2012
8:33 pm
Yes……like the SEC offensive player of the week!!!
HOUDAWG
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Got no problem with all Williams said. Some folks can’t handle truths, period. The TRUTH is (for whatever set of reasons), this D has played poorly almost ALL season. If this bears fruit & gets players and coaches on fire , fired up, etc., then GREAT ! It’s overdue ……..
BravesFan77
October 23rd, 2012
10:19 pm
I really hope Florida beats our boys down like the babies they are. Then I hope Grantham and CMR get the boot. Then I hope we hire someone that returns UGA football to the 7-5 program we’ve always been. THEN, and only then you people will realize that CMR was probably better than you thought he was.
Oh, don’t be surprised to see a Uniform Change this week. Sounds like they are calling for snow in Jax this weekend.
Natureboy809
October 23rd, 2012
10:36 pm
“It’s going to be a war in Jacksonville”
Yeah, we hope it’s a war, and not a massacre.
Finally!
October 24th, 2012
6:25 am
I liked what William said , and I liked that he went public about it. All of the Dawg nation have been say the the D was soft since the beginning of the season, and all we heard was ” not to worry”From the player and coaching staff. At least someone on the ” big bad D” isn’t in denial! I agree Robinson has looked lackluster this season and so has Gillard….also so has alot of other guys this season. My point is…. Say it in the locker room probably nothing changes…but call someone out in front of the Dawg nation….. now all eyes on you buddy and you better preform. But really don’t think it will change much To late in the season, and I don’t understand why Richt and the coaching staff haven’t already done something about this soft D we have seen this Season.
Finally!
October 24th, 2012
6:34 am
I personally think we will ever see the Dawgs win the NT with Richt at HC. Yeah we will see 9-10 wins a year and maybe a Sec champ visit now and again. Which is good, but. Nothing more than that. It’s the coaches job to have these guys prepared… Mentally and physically….there is no excuse why guys should see any kind of playing time when they take plays off, and come out playing half ass! When it’s ok to do so , or when it’s aloud by the head coach….major problem because if some players can get away with it they will.
Brown Dog
October 24th, 2012
7:30 am
For the manic-depressives predicting a rout …. Florida got less than 200 yards against South Carolina last week. Your defense has a chance to keep you in the game. Your offensive line will have to win it.
ARdawg
October 24th, 2012
9:06 am
Bill
Kudos to Shawn for calling them out. It appears directed at the coaches as much as a few players. It NEEDED to be said and should have been said after the Mizzou game. When the tailgate drops, the bullshyte stops. All this talk in the press and blogs is just talk. Let’s see some play on the field. Let the playing do the talking, not the other way around
Dawg Tired
October 24th, 2012
9:27 am
“[I]f there’s dissension on the team…” Right Bill – the whole rant, especially when considered in conjuction with a wuss, i.e., one of the softies, linbacker’s public reaction, is clear and convincing evidence that there is in fact dissension on the team. But at least they are mad enough at each other to hit each other in practice for one day. I guess that is worth something, though probably not much.
Dawg Tired
October 24th, 2012
9:29 am
Of course, under-performing falls directly on the coaches, especially the head coach – he sets the tone, or lack thereof.
OrlandoDawg
October 24th, 2012
9:53 am
No one has more talent and can play with the Dawgs when they are fired up…ie…last year’s Auburn game…this year’s Vandy game…guys remember you have only 12 regular season games to showcase to the nation who you are, who we are! That’s 12 hours a year for all the work put in…PEAK in those 12 hours! It’s only 12 hours to play lights out and it’s over! 12 hours (4qtrs. @ 15 min) and out of those 12 hours you may only get into the action 50% of the time…MAKE EACH PLAY COUNT! IT’S ONLY 12 HOURS TO SHOW FOR ALL THE HARD WORK! DON’T LET US DOWN, BEAT THE GATORS!
OrlandoDawg
October 24th, 2012
9:55 am
If we lose to the Gators I will have to move out of Orlando! Please don’t make me do that!
LawDawg
October 24th, 2012
9:58 am
I’m just glad SOMEONE on the team seems to actually be disappointed in the play of the last two games. Everyone else was taking it too in stride.
BazookaJoe
October 24th, 2012
11:09 am
Flat tire (btw you might want to get that tire fixed, riding along on the rim is not good….) I think you are right – remember that was the reason/excuse used to keep Okie Lite out of the national champiuonship game last year – they lost to Iowa St, Bama lost to LSU. I think even if we were to win out, we dont get a shot unless we are the only 1 loss team (or the other 1 loss team had a similar embarrassment).
Lance
October 24th, 2012
11:24 am
Whats the difference? If they get mad and play inspired. If they don’t. it will not look much different than the weakness they have played with all year. nothing to lise