Fan talk: Can 2013 Dawgs defense outshine heavily hyped predecessors?
Damian Swann looks to be a defensive leader for Georgia this season. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Let’s get straight to some Junkyard Mail …
WinderDogg writes: Bill, am I crazy to believe that despite losing John Jenkins, Kwame Geathers, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams, that this year’s Dawg defense might actually play better than last year’s? I know part of the problem early in the season was lack of continuity and rusty players as a result of the suspensions, but with the exception of a couple of games (mainly Florida and Auburn), I thought last year’s D never really lived up to its advance billing. And the run defense consistently was poor from the opener against Buffalo on through the game against Bama. My thinking is that all that hype went to their heads and they didn’t play as hard as they could. This year, with a younger and hungrier crew, I’m thinking the defensive performance might actually more closely resemble the defense we saw much of the 2011 season. What do you think?
I’m hearing that idea about Georgia’s defense actually being improved this year more and more, and not just from UGA fans indulging in wishful thinking. The fact is that the 2012 Georgia defense did underperform, especially the defensive front coached by now-departed Rodney Garner. Do I think the Dawgs will be playing shut-down defense right from the start with a bunch of new starters? No, that’s unrealistic. And with the daunting schedule that Georgia faces in September, the start could be rough. But as Todd Grantham has pointed out, it’s not like this year’s defenders lack game experience (except, maybe, in the secondary). And there’s a lot of very promising talent on the team. Garrison Smith has shown what he can do up front. Ray Drew and Josh Harvey-Clemons now get a chance to justify those stars that were attached to their names out of high school. Many observers already have pegged Jordan Jenkins as a rising star. And then there’s the player I think is likely to be the Bulldogs’ defensive leader this year: Damian Swann, known to his teammates as “Cinco.” Swann is the lone returning starter in the secondary, but he already is a playmaker, having finished last season in impressive fashion. Remember the Florida game? Swann forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and got a sack. In the Ole Miss game, he recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned 53 yards, and got another sack. He had seven tackles against Alabama and six tackles and two interceptions against Nebraska (giving him a team-leading four interceptions for the year). If Swann picks up where he left off, it’s going to be a big plus for Georgia’s defensive hopes.
John V. writes: Bill, The opening kickoff for 2013 being moved to prime time on national TV makes me nervous. Another bad loss on the national stage could damage any momentum we have coming into a huge opening month schedule. What say you?
A loss to Clemson might damage Georgia’s standing in the polls, but early nonconference losses tend to hurt a team less in the long run, especially if they’re to a Top 10 team. Basically, the Dogs’ September schedule this year is a high-risk, high-reward scenario. Still, wouldn’t you much rather see Georgia playing Clemson than some cupcake with a directional name?
Will Josh Harvey-Clemons wind up playing safety or outside linebacker? (University of Georgia)
Strong Sauce writes: Mr. King, Enjoy your blog. I’m a Georgia ex-pat who currently lives in Cleveland, Tenn. I co-host a sports talk show on 101.3 FM The Sports Drive, Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m. … and have a question: We’ve seen a couple of cases recently where we’ve (UGA) recruited 5-star guys whose bodies haven’t fully developed and finished growing, i.e. Josh Harvey-Clemons and Ray Drew. It worked out well with [Alec] Ogletree moving from safety to MLB, but isn’t this a risk? JHC is still playing safety at 6-5 217, and Drew now has his fist in the dirt, learning a completely different position. Do 5 stars and innate talent mean anything if the player will be hindered by learning diferent positions? By the way, I have high hopes for both of these guys. Great kids, too. Just wanted your opinion. Go Dawgs. Sic’em.
Thanks. A lot of kids, not just five-star recruits, arrive in college still growing and needing to build up their bodies. That’s not unusual. Drew, who now weighs 280, basically outgrew his original outside linebacker spot, but he’s had a season now playing off the bench at defensive end and finished last year with 23 tackles, 8 quarterback pressures and a tackle for loss. Plus, he’s feeling comfortable at the new position now. As he told our Chip Towers recently, “I have good size and I can move well for my size. I’m working on my quickness off the ball also. So I feel with my combination of size, speed and power I can be — I don’t want to say a force to be reckoned with — but I believe I’ll do very well this year.” As for Harvey-Clemons, while Grantham is very high on the kid and has talked about possibly playing him some at outside linebacker, so far in spring practice he’s worked exclusively at strong safety and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the position where he spends most of his time this season since he’s still a bit light for a linebacker. As he bulks up a bit and Georgia develops other talent at safety, a move for him like Ogletree made could pay off for the Dawgs eventually.
Howard Unger writes: Bill, a friend of mine told me he read that if the ACC falls apart, the SEC might not be interested in Florida State. I can pretty much see why the University of Florida would object to FSU joining the conference, but other than that what might be the obstacle to getting the Seminoles in the SEC?
Basically, it comes down to television. Thanks to the Gators, the SEC already has the Florida market in its TV footprint. And as FSU athletic director Randy Spetman noted in a recent talk with ESPN, “Unless you bring in a revenue [stream] for them so that they don’t reduce their conference distribution to themselves, they aren’t going to bring you in. That’s what I don’t think people evaluate as much. It would be great to be in the SEC with our radius of schools and the way our fans travel and their fans travel, but if they bring Florida State into the SEC, I’m trying to see, how do we sell that we bring them enough additional revenue that we pay for ourselves and they make more money off of us? They have Florida just two hours away that has the TV market here.” In other words, if the Seminoles don’t bring a new TV market to the table, why give them a piece of the SEC pie? Of course, the argument in favor of the SEC taking FSU is that it’s a marquee program with a national reputation. But a good case can be made that if the ACC falls apart, the SEC would be better off adding TV markets by taking Virginia Tech and/or one or more of the North Carolina schools (who would burnish the conference’s basketball and academic standing).
Bubba King (no relation) writes: UGA has been blessed in recent years with stellar play out of the long snapper position. I mean, how many bad snaps can you remember in the last 5 years? I can’t really recall one on a field goal or punt. With Ty Frix exhausting his eligibility and Nathan Theus taking over, I am concerned. There is not a more valuable spot on special teams than the LS, in my honest opinion. It all starts with him, and I was wondering how many guys on the roster cross-train at the position in case something unforseeable happens to our up-and-comer?
OK, I know we college football fans tend to be obsessive, but I’m not sure we need to be fretting about what Vince Dooley used to call the “long snappah.” Theus has been in the program a couple of years and was recruited specifically as a long snapper (though being John Theus’ brother also might have been a factor). So we should be fine. But another redshirt sophomore, Wright Gazaway, also is competing at the position, so the Dawgs aren’t just relying on Theus.
Dennis Felton and the Georgia Bulldogs play a starring role in ESPN Films' latest documentary. (ESPN)
That’s it for this week. A tip of the cap to Mark Fox and the basketball Bulldogs for a great win over Kentucky. Speaking of basketball, if you haven’t yet seen “Miracle 3,” the ESPN Films documentary about the 2008 tornado-hit SEC tournament (in which former UGA coach Dennis Felton and the Dogs play a surprise starring role), you can check it out Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU, 1:30 a.m. March 15 on ESPN2, 5:30 p.m. March 15 on ESPNU, and 7 a.m. March 17 on ESPN2.
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? If so, send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
CATCH UP WITH THE JUNKYARD BLAWG!
Will the Dawgs’ defense be ready for prime time against Clemson?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
78 comments Add your comment
Desert Fox
March 9th, 2013
10:49 am
Go DAWGS.
Desert Fox
March 9th, 2013
11:08 am
Folks must still be in bed or its a slow news day. Last seasons def, especially the run stop, was a disappointment considering all the “talent” that returned from the 2011 team. Its too soon to say the new crop of players will be better and if they’re just as good thats not saying too much after Buffalo and AL and all others in between ran their fair share up the middle on that squad. A lot will be on the backs of the few returning def starters. Its unrealistic to think the new guys and 2d teamers from last season will surpass in performance the stars that have departed. The key to GA’s def in 2013 will be how well the offense plays. Most of the games are going to be shoot outs and you just have to hope GA will come out on top. Unless the newbies are better then expected I do not see them as a top SEC def right yet.
Desert Fox
March 9th, 2013
11:11 am
Forgot. It’s Spring Break.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
11:33 am
If we get any worse than on run defense we may finish last in the nation. We had a good DC back in 2001-2004. But he thought to highly of himself and went thru several jobs before realizing his best job was at UGA. Now he is a pathetic small time coach who I don’t even know if he even employed at this very moment. BVG u ruined your career by leaving us, I hope u are happy. Now we have had two terrible guys willie and Grantham
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
11:44 am
I’m sick and dang tired of people talking about the 2011 defense like they were great. We didn’t stop any good team that year.
2011defense= fools gold
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
11:47 am
Chris Conley at least was humble enough to apologise about catching that pass. When he didn’t even have to…..why didn’t swann apologise for letting cooper make mince meat out of him on that long td pass
dawggirl
March 9th, 2013
11:52 am
Just a slight addition, I would say our defense played well against Vandy last year as well. And this is not the Vandy of old, this is the 9-game win Vandy.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
12:26 pm
Vandy are u kidding me, they moved the ball up and down the field. They just couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. Why do these 5 star guys on defense come in and take so long to get a going. JHC and drew are just not going to make it….the chickens have the best player in the nation as in clowney. Why can’t we get a guy like clowney damn it…..I have a sickness and the only prescription is a erk russell junk yard defense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
12:30 pm
The men’s basket ball team will not make it to the NIT. They will lose to the tide……just like football. We done lost to them one time. Anybody that thinks we will get within 5 yards of Texas a&m or Bama this year…..then your insane!!!!!!!
Murphy
March 9th, 2013
12:51 pm
Defense issues last season:
Too easy to score on in almost all big games over last 2 seasons–gave up 30+ points vs. SC, Bama, and Nebraska in 2012, and gave up 30+ against Boise St, SC, LSU, and Mich St in 2011
1) Poor run defense scheme, Grantham needs to study Smart/Saban more, he’s clueless in this area
2) 5 star prima dona syndrome–believing they’re great before they earn it
3) NFL focus–playing to not get injured so you don’t hurt your draft chances
4) Quality Depth–not 2-3 deep at key positions, led to 4th quarter conditioning issues
5) Strength & Conditioning: weak at best, look at the dline, sacks? rush yards? tackles for loss?
6) Poor technique–guys just couldn’t tackle a rb or a running Qb, even Jarvis Jones vs Bama
7) Poor in red zone–Grantham struggles in these situations and needs to fix the scheme
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
12:51 pm
We shut out liberty in baseball…..whoo hoo….hallelujah!!!!!!! Heck when r we going to beat a real team
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
1:02 pm
The best post and the most accurate post of the week goes to u murphy. We are a place where guys play not to get hurt their junior and senior season because they already know they are going to the Nfl. Point proven corn Washington Jenkins JR.
Murphy
March 9th, 2013
1:11 pm
The defense also is one of the worst in the country at giving up LONG RUSHES.
UGA ranked #111 nationally in number of 10+ yard rushing plays given up.
Bama ranked #1.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
1:20 pm
Haha haha….we defitley suck at stopping the run….no one would ever mistake us for the 85 Chicago bears
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
1:28 pm
Can 2013 Dawg Defense outshine its predecessors?
Hmmmm
Well if our Defensive Coordinator gave 30+ pts per game to almost every top 20 team he coached against the last 3 years with 2 of those seasons being one of easiest schedules we faced in UGA football
I think its safe to say I dont think so when we are losing so much talent and the schedule is much harder next year
But you know;
Im sure glad he kept last years starters in games where he should have given more playing time to future players to gain valuable experience but instead he chose to keep them in to pad his stats
Joey
March 9th, 2013
1:29 pm
“…but with the exception of a couple of games (mainly Florida and Auburn), I thought last year’s D never really lived up to its advance billing.”
********************************************
How about vs bowl winners Vandy (3 pts) and Ole Miss (10 pts)? How about vs Tech (10 pts)? And before somebody says Tech wasn’t any good, ask VT, FSU and USC is Tech was any good. The D held Mizzou and Nebraska, to 1 TD each in the 2nd half after adjustments.
Now, the UT and SC games, I have no answers for – but those outcomes would have been much different later in the year, after Shawn Williams’ dressing-down of the D.
As for the SECCG, we did better than any other Bama opponent in a title game, and had a shot at the end. With their 5-star depth, nobody’s gonna do any better against them than that in big games in the future, either.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
1:37 pm
Joey……you are delusional, the defense was bad against sc…Kentucky….Bama…..Tennessee. Nebraska. Fla Atlantic…….buffalo. Average against mizzo….gt and ga southern……
They were good against ole miss fla and vandy. How’s about dem apples brah????
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
1:44 pm
Joey
Last years Bama D was a rebuilding year and they won another National Title
We lost 2 ballgames once again
Our D was more experienced and had to be motivated by a player not an overpaid coach that again is a no show in big games but boy Tech Vandy and Ole Miss are some powerhouse teams I tell you that Grantham showed how to get it done LOL
dawg85
March 9th, 2013
1:46 pm
Not too worried about the defense. From a statistical standpoint last year won’t be too hard to match. Talent is not an issue. Chemistry and attitude will define this bunch. Sad little Tech trolls have to get on here and pretend to be Dawg fans. Pitiful.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
1:59 pm
Dawg80005…the defense was supposed to play like bama’s did. We had 9 future Nfl players on defense. Mcgarity gave Grantham a raise this year, he is spine less goat….kind of like u 85
Joey
March 9th, 2013
2:12 pm
Flat Tire, Bama, with Saban being the best roster manager in America, will never take the field, in ANY SEASON, without being 2-deep in every position, with 5 and 4-Star talent. If you can do better than Richt and Co did vs that, you should be on the waiting list of every program in the NCAA.
The day after NSD, Bama had 95 scholarships out – but with the kicking off of the muggers, they have 3 or 4 fewer now. Saban, all strictly by the rules, will have to pare that 91, down to 85 by the first game.
Mark Richt will NEVER, EVER, have more than 85, and actually will have 82 players available for ‘13, with Alex Ogletree keeping a schollie, while not playing.
You are aware I’m not on the koolaid, but I’m not gonna start sniping before we even have a spring scrimmage this year. I’ve said all along that THIS is the season that will “tell the tale” of this staff, not ‘11 or ‘12.
Joey
March 9th, 2013
2:18 pm
“Mcgarity gave Grantham a raise this year, he is spine less goat”
*******************************************
dawg85,
We would pay good money to see that fool walk up to Todd Grantham and say that to his face, wouldn’t we? $50 for the Pay-per-view? Ahh, that is a vision I’d love to see on my Mitsubishi 73″.
Bulldawg35, in case you haven’t noticed, you are the biggest joke on any UGA blog, more laughable than the techies.
You are uninformed, and apparently too lazy to look up UGA stats and facts.
Please don’t leave, though. You alone provide me 3-4 LMAOs per day . . .
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
2:59 pm
Joey
I agree with what you are saying
Unfortunately with the roster we had last year and our schedule; and with past rosters like the one in 2008 we still continue to have those “South Carolina Games” with 2 or more losses every year;
All you are going to get is the same ole same ole 2 or more losses with Richt coming up with another marketing campaign for next year stiring up all the delusional idiots into believing that we are heading to better and brighter days
Why do I continue to say this?
Its because most likely after this years NFL draft, UGA will have put more players in the NFL than any other school in the NATION!!!! since 2001 and all we get out of this coaching staff is 2 or more losses every season with loss after loss in big games and pay raises
Like Bill King said on his radio show several weeks ago; All this coaching staff is going to do is give you 10 win seasons, put Spurrier Meyer Saban Peterson and some others that I cant remember he said as the coach and we are winning titles at UGA
But hey I love winning the Marketing Award for best Marketing Campaign almost every single year
Dream Team, Knocking on the Door to Greatness, and Cutting Edge football were a success
Bill King
March 9th, 2013
3:31 pm
Just a note to readers who might be confused:
The Bill King with a radio show referred to by Flat Tire is not the same Bill King who does this blog.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
4:01 pm
Joey…..you are wrong…Mcgarity did give Grantham a small raise u go look it up. Name some stuff I’ve been wrong about???? Now I’m sick and durn tired of a pathetically challenged defense and now I’m maaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddddd!!!!!!!!
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
4:02 pm
Bill King
Sorry I didnt clarify
Here is his radio link to clear up the confusion
http://www.billisking.com/
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
4:50 pm
My gawd…….my gawd…we are down 30-16 to Bama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just turned the damn game!!!!! I can’t take any damn more!!!! My gawd my gawd…..Mcgarity do something!!!!! Help!!! Help help help help help help!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mcgarity!!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
6:02 pm
How in the hell did he make that shot……we just got swept by Bama…….damn it. Mcgarity help us!!!!!!!!
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
7:22 pm
Bama broke our hearts just like they did in football….geez
I-DOG
March 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
would love it if the D is strong this year. I think the addition by subtraction argument is wishful thinking though. There are plenty of players left and I think they will get better as the year goes on, but there were a few games where Jarvis Jones was the difference last year. Even the Missouri game might have been a tight one, if JJ isn’t playing. You just can’t replace a guy like that very easily, let alone all the other players that we lose on defense.
Best hope is that the offensive line continues to improve and it should as well as having more depth this year and the offense carries the team through the first month of the season. I’ll be pulling for them, but I don’t think we can count on the defense being BETTER than last year.
I-DOG
March 9th, 2013
8:28 pm
Is 2014 signing class a down year for talent in state. Don’t get me wrong there us ALWAYS a ton of talent in Georgia, but is it down a litle compared to the last 2-3 years?
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
8:52 pm
I’m going to write Mcgarity an email and ask him why Grantham makes more than bobo
NCDawg
March 9th, 2013
9:08 pm
Great blog Mr King… too bad the sad sacks hijacked the blog. You know the “Dejected Duo” masquerading as “realists”. Hint: It isn’t being realistic if you only see what is bad in everything. Being realistic is pointing out that the D underperformed last year and that on the college level a second teamer can become a starter at ANY time because the light can come on in between halves and suddenly everything clicks into place for a kid. It is possible that after a few games that this year’s defense can be better in all phases. It might take a couple of games or it might several. If the kids are hungry and listen to their coaches it could happen at any time. They may also struggle for most of the season too.
That is being realistic. The best case scenario CAN happen. Will it? Who knows… But constantly puking up doom and gloom ALL the time is as delusional as ya’ll accuse everyone else of being. Go see a shrink or something. You seriously ruin almost every blog.
Bulldawg35
March 9th, 2013
9:18 pm
Ncdawg…..who are u talking too???lol. While u are in the mood to insult people, lets start with the Uga defense….how passing yards will the defense give up against Clemson…..thanks, and I will hang up the phone and listen to your call. Lol
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
10:05 pm
NCDawg
Losing 2 or more games every season while putting more players in the NFL since 2001 after this years draft is living in reality
Next year will be no different and so will the next several years to come since will we be trying to find a QB that is good enough to play
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 9th, 2013
10:33 pm
we will
RED DOG 77
March 10th, 2013
12:58 am
As a “loyal Dawg” having witnessed the famous “hook ‘n ladder” to defeat Alabama in hmmm 1964 ?…………..yup, memory gets a little fuzzy for an old fart [18 - 17 ]…………this year seems like so many I’ve seen in years past……………..yep folks, “my Dawgs” may well blow the doors off Clemson, squeek out a SC victory, move past North Texas, and run right down LSU’s gullet……….en rout to a showdown with Florida………..I can see it I really can……….or we could fall flat on our face…………………history would suggest betting on the former not the latter………….yeseree, this time of the year, yearning for the smallest tid-bit of college football info, especially Dawg talk? I’m so greatfull to be a GEEEEOOOORRGIA BULLDOG I can hardly stand it…………….Let the Summer arrive and melt into the night of August 31st quickly for folks like me………..RED
stendek
March 10th, 2013
3:56 am
Hi Bill. Sweet. Dodo back? The Saint back? Two losses? Nah. Chalk up three plus one to you know who in SEC championship. Will be close though. Another moral victory celebration in Athens. Another win it all party in state due west.Then wait till 2014…15…16… When things never change they never change. GO PUPS!
stendek
March 10th, 2013
3:58 am
Best Flat Tire. Do not drink the kool aid pal. Ever!
stendek
March 10th, 2013
4:04 am
Okay No Class (NC)Dawg. The D underperformed. Granted. The Mike Dodo offense was in a position for greatness bur failed miserably. That is not underperformance? It sure as Hell is to me! Was then. Will be till day I croak! Drew worldwide praise. For losing? An insult to all who attended that grand university in Athens. Which I did! So bronze that damn loss to Bama. It was a defeat and will ALWAYS be a defeat. There are some TRUE Dawg fans who will never celebrate failure. While others…
stendek
March 10th, 2013
4:05 am
So I am an insomniac Bill. Be well pal.
stendek
March 10th, 2013
4:14 am
One final note Bill. It appears yours is the only blog I can still sign in to then post comments. Oh well. Lucky you. That was a joke. Nighty night. Uh. Morning. ZZZzzz
Joey
March 10th, 2013
7:52 am
Flat Tire (2:59), I agree with that post. And I’ve written some of the same things in the past. Richt-led teams do, inexplicably lose games that they shouldn’t. In ‘12, SC was one of those games. Bama, better coached, and deeper, was NOT one of those games.
I guess with the new contract last season, after the 10-4 record, I came to the conclusion that Richt will be our HC as long as he wants to be.
I’ve accepted it. I don’t accept losing, but I’m tired of being a broken record. Richt won’t win a BCS Title for UGA. Not because Richt can’t beat the Sabans and Myers and Spurriers from time to time – he does occasionally – but because he loses games he shouldn’t.
Some coaches/teams seem to get away with unseemly (and untimely) loses – Myer/UF in ‘06 and ‘08, Miles/LSU in ‘07, Saban /UA in ‘11 and ‘12 – and still get in the Big Game, but not Richt/UGA. I don’t think it will happen either.
But I’m gonna pull for it to happen though.
sowegadawg
March 10th, 2013
8:25 am
Certainly no one is going to dispute we have had issues on defense. The optimist in me says if we had fired Mark Richt after the 2010 season as many wanted and hired a new coach who had the results the Dawgs have had the last 2 years, improving each season, getting within an eyelash of playing for the NC that this thread would be a lot more positive. Probably to much so, as the fringe tends to rule, either to negative or to positive. We were woefully short on scholarship players which really hurt our depth on defense especially. Hence, we were able to sign an unusually large recruiting class in order to rectify this situation. This shortage of bodies greatly contributed to our problems against the run, especially on the D line which is where stopping the run begins, that and we didn’t play that well either. Depth doesn’t affect just the games either, lack of bodies means you can not practice as you might like which I am sure hurt our line play also. I feel this coaching staff was reinvigorated after the changes is responsibilities made by the AD, which has allowed them to concentrate on their primary duties and not other administrative tasks and it is paying off. If you have been paying attention to the entire sports program you would know that McGarity has no problems letting coaches go who are not getting it done a championship level. Coaches had better be doing things properly and moving their respective teams forward in quest for championships or they are working somewhere else. This is a huge year for this football staff in-order to show that the last 2 years are not an aberration but a road leading to a NC. I do not think we have to win it this year(although that would be extremely sweet) but show we are capable. It sure looked like it sitting on the 5 yard line didn’t it. The optimist in me(and I am one) says we are, if we are not, changes will be made until we are one.
Bulldawg35
March 10th, 2013
9:42 am
Which sports team will get over the hump first
1. Baseball team beating a team ranked in the top 50
2. Men’s b- ball team beating Bama
3. Football team beating Bama
4. Football team winning the mnc
5. Women’s b-ball team beating Kentucky
6. Men’s b- ball team winning a NCAA tournament game.
Okay friends which one of these transactions do u think will happen firt
Flat Tire Doesnt Live in Delusionalville Ga.
March 10th, 2013
1:37 pm
sowegadawg
sorry but the world of reality says we will win 10 games lose 2 or more as usual and beat Div III Tech
and almost everyone will continue to say wait til next year cause this coaching staff is saying something new like Dream Team; knocking on the door to greatness, and this year the defense is smaller but faster Yea Yea Yea!!!! National Title here we come
LOL
Give me a break; and guess what nothing but raises will be handed out not pink slips
Rabun Dawg
March 10th, 2013
6:20 pm
The mighty UGA baseball just won 2 of 3 from Liberty. Liberty? Falwell’s school has a baseball team? The diamond Dogs are now 7-8, and have yet to start conference play. Just how does Perno keep his job?
RED DOG 77
March 10th, 2013
10:18 pm
Bill, why is it your blog is the only one on the ajc site that I can post at?…………used to be fun talkin’ fooball with shultz, bradly and them…………..whatz zup Bill?……….wish someone could give us knukle-draggers an answer………………..Thank you in advance…………….Regards, RED
NCDAWG
March 11th, 2013
6:53 am
The other blogs are using a different format. I had trouble until I turned off my pop up blocker. If you use anything but Internet Exploder then you will have trouble unless you use a IE emulator or just use IE. You also have to sign in every time to post. Hope that helps.
UGA Insider
March 11th, 2013
8:58 am
Perno is safe b/c he is part of the UGA hierarchy. McGarity won’t be able to hid his face at local cocktail parties if he fires Perno. Understand that Athens is a click city and McGarity doesn’t like to ruffle feathers. Perno is as safe as Bobo/Landers. Perhaps more.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing Can Stop it!
March 11th, 2013
9:30 am
I tried to tell you morons all last off season that you did not have a good defense in 2011 and that Todd Grantham would have been fired at Alabama.
New coordinator with half a brain last year could have at least slowed down Bama = National Title.
This is why the penal colony doesn’t win titles. You’re so football stupid and desperate to believe that you are elite, that you don’t see the gaping holes in your team.
32 years….
Just become a basketball school already so you can contribute something to the SEC besides #1 party school.
Bulldawg35
March 11th, 2013
12:52 pm
Yep…..I agree tide rolling, Grantham should of slowed down Bama. All y’all rednecks were doing was running the ball the whole 2 half. All Grantham did was sit back and act scared of getting beat with a long pass play that eventually happened. Against Nebraska was some of the most poor tackling I’ve ever seen. None of our guys though could tackle Eddie Lacey who ran thru us like he was at the park om a Sunday afternoon stroll. For Christ sake, even vandy has a better DC then we do
Bawbie
March 11th, 2013
3:23 pm
Clemons gonna put a beatdown on our young defense….!
Bawbie
March 11th, 2013
3:25 pm
Mark Fox will be toast after next year too!
Bulldawg35
March 11th, 2013
4:11 pm
Does anybody think that the Cleveland browns want Grantham back???
Bulldawg35
March 11th, 2013
4:12 pm
Bawbie…….you maybe on to something homie
Bulldawg35
March 11th, 2013
5:06 pm
Right now, we are behind the 8 ball in recruiting were 7th in the sec. We have not recruited well since the dream team…….damn we stink……Chris Wilson get to work
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
March 12th, 2013
8:55 am
We are young in the secondary and at linebacker. We have more depth and it is talented.
To think that we are going to shut down Clemson is delusional.
This game will be 80-90 points total. We can only hope we get Boyd to throw a pick or two and that our OL is able to give Murray time and we are effective running the ball to eat clock.
It’s gonna be 45-40 or something like that.We have the offense to do the job if the defense can offer just something until they get better through the year.
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
10:18 am
I think the issues in the backfield was big part of the story with the run defense. We had to protect them early on. Grantham did a great job adjusting at times, and (as Joey points out) we did shut some folks down, but when we did have to pull coverage in to help with the run, we did get burned a few times.
Plus I believe we had some DL issues, and expectations outweighed the reality. Playing BOTH NG at the same time, should tell us that we did not thave the best situation going on there. Pure mass is/was not the answer. As far as being “better” now, we’ll see, but I don’t see us being in worse shape now.
Sort of like the Oline going into last offseason. Yes, we lost some guys, but they were playing out of position at times. So to think that younger and less expereinced is automatically worse, might be true IF the situation before was all that great. But it wasn’t really. So, (as I said about the OL last year) being better off is not that far of a a stretch.
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
10:33 am
As far as potentially losing to Clemson. What “momentum” would be damaged? Recruiting is recruiting. SEC east is unchanged. Fan are fans, some will scream, some will not. So what are you worried about? What rivals will say? That the score will make ESPN?
Win or lose, Clemson is a more exciting opener than Buffalo. Stop worrying about about hypothetical momentum. This group of guys have proven that they don’t let one loss casue another.
Nobody is going to go undefeated in the SEC next year, including UGA. Everybody will lose a game. Since 3/4 of our toughest games are early, its a statistically high probality that our loss will be one of these early games. And then a few games later most of the conference wil be right there with us. Then the race is on, per usual.
For ther record, I expect us to win that game.
Bulldawg35
March 12th, 2013
11:33 am
Well I believe we are going to get whipped by Clemson and Carolina…..we should go undefeated if our offense lives up to expectations……..but u know ever since 1980 their has been a missing piece. This year will be the defense and fieldgoal kicking again
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
12:01 pm
So you obviously think our offense will not live up to expectations against Clemson?
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
12:02 pm
To summerize: of the defense, the offense, and the special teams, you like nothing.
Dog4Life
March 12th, 2013
1:20 pm
My thing is this-same old tune for me, but one I find is absolutely credible–probably more so this year than last—BALL CONTROL!!! We have a tendency to score to fast; some say that is a good thing, but I see it as a curse. When Richt called the plays we did not score as much as the BoBo offense, but we controlled the ball better and always seemed to get those critical first downs we needed to run the clock and keep the other offense off the field. Our Defense, not so much because of athleticism, but young and learning schemes need to be able to come to the sidelines and talk with the D coordinators and rest. To be on the field 35 or 40 minutes of the game will kill even the best defenses. I would like to see less scoring averages and more clock control. Time of possession doesn’t always suggest a win, but a tired defense does suggest a loss. There are not so many cupcakes on this schedule, at least not early–padding stats are over-rated anyway. Run the ball and not just between the tackles, Marshall more so than Gurley needs the ball in space. These guys are incredible in space. We keep tying them up in between the tackles. We run well and with imagination, we free up play action. It could make our Offense almost unstoppable–but we need to always consider the defense unless it is a shootout we desire. Don’t forget we only scored 21 offensive points against Bama, 16 against Fla, and 7 against carolina. I have the faith that the D will come around, but not if its confidence is broken early by spending too much time on the field, which results in too many points given up.
yep
March 12th, 2013
2:04 pm
Great documentary on the tornado and tournament. Check it out. Showed depth of damage and a very inspirational weekend for all Bulldogs.
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
4:05 pm
In theory I follow, but……….I think the danger is more so when you keep sending your defense back out there after unsuccessful offensive series. I’ve never really seen a team lose by outscoring it’s opponent.
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
4:18 pm
The flip side to scoring often and quick is that UNless they can keep pace from the get go…….they are forced to be much more predictable and easier to defend late.
Plus IF the issue is that our scoring too quick, potentially gives up too many quick points on the other side, (which I would take those odds) wouldnt THIER defense also be tired for the same reason?
Again not arguing the logic of ball control. Obviously a 12 play 8 minute drive capped off by a TD, every time, is ideal. But if we hit a 80 one play scoring drive every time, (hypothetically), what difference does it make how tired our defense gets late after we are up by 20?
Bulldawg35
March 12th, 2013
5:24 pm
I think the offense will probably look good against Clemson …..because they are like us…they don’t play defense
Bulldawg35
March 12th, 2013
5:27 pm
Here we go again with the scoring to fast crap….Richt said if the defense wants off the field then they can get more 3 and outs…..I agree with what Richt says more than some delusion Disney
AltamahaDawg
March 12th, 2013
6:43 pm
Our offense looks good against a no-defense…..but we get “whipped”? How many points do you think we give up in that game?
Bulldawg35
March 12th, 2013
7:44 pm
Haven’t u been paying attention, I said we are going to give up 45 points and lose by 3 points….geeez
Dog4Life
March 12th, 2013
7:55 pm
The problem 35 is against the good defenses we do not score quick and often. We tend to more 3 and outs. That by nature leaves us out there too long. If you will go back and watch the games rather than spout off garbage you would have a better idea of the concern. I agree with Altamaha, if it is Gt or some second tier group it really doesn’t matter, but against bama, Fla and Carolina it will matter a great deal. Spurrier said it best last year and I know Altamaha you hate SOS but he was correct. he stated Ga usually scored so quick that our offense can take advantage of their D. Then once we have momentum we can control the game with a few offensive stops and then expose the D–which by the way is the proper way to scheme against us–wear down the D–get a few stops on the Offense and game, set, and match. Keep in mind that a 3-4 defense is not geared to stop the run; it is geared to scheme and disguise multiple blitz and coverage packages to stop a passing attack. Bama’s 3-4 is more geared to a flex with everyone shooting the inside gap. We tend to shoot hard outside pass rush leaving the middle open. IThe 3-4works in the NFL because they have 250 lb mike and mo backers to take on those guards, ours is 230 at best. Having said this, I still believe UGA will be fine. The improvement should be in the middle with faster more agile D-Lineman and better coached now that garner is gone. I graduated UGA and I played D-1 ball so I have some knowledge of the game at that level. I am not Disney, but I am DAWG through and through–so screw you and your GT heritage 35.
Moist Dawg
March 12th, 2013
8:22 pm
Some of you so called “Dawg fans” make me want to throw up. the Dawgs really need to get nasty. we need to run up the score on everyone we can and keepthe defense starters in the whole game. a late hit on a qb now and again would be ok too. sweep the leg, do whatever it takes to make the UGA defense the defense of destiny and champions.
RED DOG 77
March 13th, 2013
12:02 am
Reading giants like “bulldog35″ and “Tide rolling to a sudden stop” simply makes my backside burn……………..Where do these guys get their stuff? they seem to know what the great unwashed out here might pick-up on next year………’n Lacy ran right through you like water…………..’n Clemson gonna smack us in the mouth that August night……..er……….a………5 1/2 months from now…………….Give it a break, young fellas………you don’t have a clue, no one does really……….Georgia Clemson Alabama South Carolina Florida………..and on and on have really great programs…………me? I prefer Georgia………..hope they do well. I’ve followed them from the early 1960 s………..But I couldn’t for the life of me, get red in the face and tell you how they will do in 2013…………and for a 12-2 team sure as hell can’t tell you how bad they were in 2012………………RED
AltamahaDawg
March 13th, 2013
10:09 am
Well 3 and out is an entirely different situation than scoring too fast. (as I had eluded to earlier)
Of all the folks that hate Spurrier, not sure whay you count me as an outspoken one. I’ve never said that. I am critical of his silly comments at times, and the way he scoffs at discipline, but as a football coach and person.he pretty darn good. I hate thier fans, if that counts.
And I don’t recall him saying we scored too fast. Maybe he did, but thats out of context LAST year since the problem was NOT that we were scoring too fast. The scenerio that you are describing (thru him) is simply outplaying the opponent all the way around.
Cannot the same thing be said in reverse. IF you can score fast, and often, are you not then just a couple of defensive stops, or thier offense sputters a couple of series in the game… away from game, set, match? So it’s basically who playes best on both side of the ball.
I’m actually trying to remember a loss , when we played well BUT scoring too fact was the actual problem. I can’t. Thats not why Alabama beat us. They simply had a better all round game. period. We had too many 3 and outs. That’s why we lost. Not the speed at which we did score. Our offensive TD were actually pretty long, multi-play drives. More so than Alabama’s, really.
Again I agree with the theory of “ball control”. Obviously everybody thinks thats important. Coaches talk about that all the time, including ours. . I just don’t see that as a real issue here. (in our losses) We lose when our offense sputters, not when it scores too fast. I guess if they score fast, then can;t again, thats a problem. But the problem is the back half of that equation.
Also you described earlier some ideas to make our offense more effective and to me “out in space” or “setting up the play action”….are all scoring ideas. Not grinding it out “control” ideas.
AltamahaDawg
March 13th, 2013
10:16 am
That being said, I assume………. that with Gurshall AND our Oline a year more mature………with a young Defense, you will see us try to grind it out a lot more this year. I think they will have the confidence that they can be more conservative and still score.
Dog4Life
March 14th, 2013
7:41 am
Alt I understand your logic and agree to some point–however, Ga scoring drives average around 2:00 a little over. My point is BoBo is geared for the quick score. I just want ball control and 4 or 5 min drives. The “D” always need some down time–they have to work harder than the O. As stated I played D-! (never good enough to start, but I was there for 4 yrs)–The “D” expends way more energy. One idea was to run between 70-80 plays and leave the D sucking wind. As stated in my first thread–it is a concern of mine–maybe paranoid, but I worry about not so much ball control throughout the game–but when we really need it in the fourth quarter to run out clock etc….UGA has a low ball possession average–not always bad–but against the Bama’s and top tier teams it usually hurts us in the long run–again, just my own pet peeve. Moreover, for the record, I live in Columbia and listen to the sports show here–Spurrier did say that–and to be honest I agree with what he says most of the time–just hate his genius against us. If you remember I also stated that I thought our O-Line is going to very good this year barring injuries. We will beat Clemson and carolina this year–I am just not sure where we lose–we generally lose at least 1 or 2–so I am unsure who we lose to. Go Dawgs!!!!
AltamahaDawg
March 14th, 2013
9:28 am
Hey, we are not in disagreement that ball control is very improtant. I completely understand how some things are pet peeves.
The basis of my debate about this is not philosophical. It’s that I cannot think of a single loss when scoring quick was the reason that happens. Now i certainly remember 4th quarter, not being able to run the ball effectively to run the clock out. Still though….my recollection of that was not for a lack of trying. It was a lack of doing. In fact I seem to remember a lot more critisism for going conservative late, insisting on running the ball, and giving the ball up. I’ve prefered that we DID try to strick for a score late, personally, in those cases.
And I certainly not disputing the dangers of a tired defense, but it just seems to me that they were tired, out there too long, more so from the standpoint…………………..well let me put it this way….. we agree that we have NOT been able to grind out 1st down late in a games as we should, and that has cost us…………..but I don’t attribute that to being “geared to quick scores”………because we weren’t doing that well OR running it well.