Bryan Evans up to speed at safety
Bryan Evans, shifted to safety after some disappointing results early last season at cornerback, is getting rave reviews in Georgia’s spring practice.
He’s listed as the No. 1 free safety, and all indications are that he and Reshad Jones are pretty solidly entrenched for now as the starting safeties.
Mark Richt said Evans’ skill set is a good fit for safety: “He’s always been very strong. He’s fast. He has no problem with contact. And he’s very smart, and safeties, quite frankly, have a bigger responsibility in the defensive scheme to make adjustments and things like that. And it hasn’t been difficult for him.”
Also, Evans has been a force as the Georgia defense attempts to regain some swagger lost last fall.
”He’s probably got as much spirit out there as anybody,” Richt said. ” He’s enjoying what he’s doing, practicing with high tempo and high energy. I think that’s really a good sign he’s enjoying it and understands it and is doing a nice job with it.”
Almost from the afternoon in mid-season 2008 that he shifted to safety, Evans – now a senior – has said he wishes he’d made the move sooner. He started the first five games of last season at corner, got notably burned a few times, then backed up at safety the rest of the way.
He talked with his friend, Tennessee safety Eric Berry, upon making the move. Berry told him the new position would allow Evans to better use his speed in open areas. Evans also thinks his athleticism and fondness for big hits serves him well at the position.
Georgia didn’t practice Wednesday but will be back at it today and Friday, the sixth and seventh sessions of spring ball.
Richt was unexcited by the most recent practice on Tuesday. “It didn’t fire me up that much,” he said. “It wasn’t bad, but I don’t know if it was championship level, to be honest with you. The energy wasn’t quite what I had seen to that point. We’ve got Thursday-Friday this week to get back on track.”
Georgia’s spring coaches clinic, by the way, will be held today and Friday, with Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore as featured speaker.
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103 comments Add your comment
Huh?
March 26th, 2009
12:15 pm
Sounds like Evans is practicing well. Those of us that have followed Georgia football for longer than 2 or 3 years (we seem to be a dying breed) know that Mark Richt doesn’t praise players in the media unless he has a good reason too. I will take his word for it over yours.
reality check
March 26th, 2009
12:18 pm
Several posters have mentioned the kicker as a welcome addition. I think it is huge. Georgia’s defense last year was not as far off statistically as some believe. 312 yards average defense is respectable even in the SEC. The things that jump off the page statistically were penalties and poor kickoff field position. Georgia was last and next to last in the conference in those two categories. Maybe this fixes the kickoff problem
Doc Reem
March 26th, 2009
12:19 pm
Hey Cliff Levingston get off your soap box maybe you’re saying that because you never played past 9th grade but alot of us did. It is a blog dude. Speciffically for opinions.
TW
March 26th, 2009
12:32 pm
With Jancek still coaching the LBs, we better have some tough safeties. If the LBs are anything like the last four years, the other teams RB is gonna be in our secondary as soon as he gets through the line.
crs
March 26th, 2009
12:33 pm
i don’t blame Evans too much, the dline got no heat all last year on quarterbacks, corners in general look as good as their dlines.
Jeff
March 26th, 2009
12:45 pm
I think Evans at safety is a good deal.We will have corners that will cover.SOOOOO if we don’t have the right DE’s,we will HAVE to blitz….
which we didn’t do enough last year at KEY times! We will surprise on D if the O can score.
crs
March 26th, 2009
1:02 pm
get over this idea that we don’t blitz that much, we did last year, our linebackers are not great blitzers nor were the corners or safties when we brought them.
Cuz
March 26th, 2009
1:09 pm
Improved play by the DE’s should make the DB’s look better. A quick throw by an opposing QB should help our guys with the coverage. Unless it is delivered by Tim Tebow, the greatest Quarterback ever to don a college jersey. Then we are doomed.
Spike
March 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
Face it, Evans sucked pretty much all of last year.
Kenny Powers
March 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
maybe i should put down the fastball and take my god given talent to the secondary of UGA with my awesome hair and pen!s like a burmese python…oh yeah, Cliff L. your f*cking out!!!!!!!!!
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:21 pm
modawg..
You are off your rocker. Evans does not run anything remotely close to a 4.3. Allen was our fastest secondary player last season, and he duns not better than 4.55. So, umm, what in the hell are you talking about?
Please, if we had any DB’s last season that ran even close to 4.4, we wouldn’t have given up 16 TD passes last year. That awful number would have been cut in half.
Keeping It Real
March 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
Why don’t you whinning Dawg fans call Lance Kilfin up in Knoxville to see if he will loan Eric Berry to you on weekends when the Vols are not playing. He can play both positions simultaneously. LOL. Seriously, why do you bash your players so much on these blogs? I have never seen so many would-be experts.You are really helping recruiting in Tennessee. Thanks.
MoDawg
March 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
dawgfan4life…maybe you need to wake up and get off your rocker a time or two and read a paper or watch TV. Asher Allen just ran a 4.39 at the Pro Day in Athens. If you’re a real “dawgfan4life” I’m Herschel Walker.
If you still have a problem with these 40 times, take it up with the AJC, Athens Banner and the NFL Network, there Sport!!
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
I think it is good that CMR is praising Evans and ‘they’ think they have found the right position for him(4years later). Great job. Happy for ya, coach. Still love and root for you guys no matter what.
However, I am not for a minute gonna get my hopes up about our defense in any way, shape, or form until I see it on the field.
Show me the money as they say in some circles of life.
After the hell that out Defense and Willy put us loyal paying fans thru last year, talk is cheap, my friend.
Teach Evans and anyone else back there how to tackle. Not just deliver a hard hit.
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
I have no clue why everyone bashes our players, and coaching staff for that matter. Evans wasn’t a bad cover guy. He got burned sometimes, but all corners do at some point. He played with his back to the ball too much, as did Prince and Asher. Evans definitely can play safety. The only thing that would worry me about him at safety is his height. Typically, you want a safety to be between a legit 6′1″ to 6′3.” I think he will surprise everyone though. And, yes he is our fastest DB and id faster than Asher. Nothing pisses me off more than uneducated fans.
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
I do not believe for one second what the Athens banner herald writes about their times in the secondary.
And Asher Allen DID NOT run a 4.39 at the combine. I watched it. Only 2 out of 18 cornerbacks ran under 4.4, and he was not one of them..
Allen ran a 4.55 and 4.47 in his two runs.
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:41 pm
Evans wasn’t a bad cover guy?
In his 4 starts at cornerback last year, he gave up 19 pass completions, 2 passes defensed(batted down), and 6 TD’s.
Are you kidding me?
He couldn’t start at Jacksonville state with thos numbers!!!
Much less UGA! Why are you defending the guy, is he in your family tree or something?
Facts are facts, my man, so just deal with the fact he stunk!
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:44 pm
Of course he ran his fastest time in Athens at “pro day”
I directly stated his times from the COMBINE. You know, that little place some players are invited to so they can perform in front of the scouts AND the coaches.
Noone for a second is going to buy that time of sub 4.4 because it was on his campus.
Why do you think they run at the combine?
uga_b
March 26th, 2009
1:47 pm
Man, just think…if we had 2 safeties better than this guy last year, we could have won 11 games…
We won 10 games in the SEC, so I don’t believe everyone on our team stinks. They did play out of position some, but there had to be moments of good play to win that many games.
If Bryan and the coaches are happy, I am happy. And, I am still excited to see Banks.
dawgfan4life
March 26th, 2009
1:49 pm
keepingitreal…
What are you, 12? Criticizing my team that I pay 3500 dollars annually in donations to, 1000 annually in website revenue(UGA site), 800 annually in tickets purchases, is going to hurt recruiting? What?
You think what I am typing is bad, you should have been to any of the 4 games we gave up over 31 points in last year, and listened to what my fellow UGA alumni were saying…errr yelling.
This is our team and our university, so we can criticize if we wish.
It did not seem to hurt CMR’s 2009 class, which was top ten(again).
Go away.
Doc Reem
March 26th, 2009
2:02 pm
Some of you all need to go back to your Mark Richt shrines and bow your heads. Just because people have a criticising opinion of Coach or Player or thinks they could do certain things better it does mean they’re bashing that person or the team. Why does every comment have to be good about all our players and coaches. If that’s the case why even try to point out problems and get better? I’m from Athens, Ga born and raised and UGA is not freaking perfect. I love UGA to death but we don’t always play the right players, or always make the right calls, or always give our best effort. But just because some of you love tailgating and the UGA vibe on Saturday’s so much you think it’s blasphenmy to point out any difficiencies involving CMR, C.MARTINEZ or our players. Well I would rather improve our problems and point them out to talk about rather than sweep them under the rug. To some of you it’s more important to drink a beer with your boys on Saturday than win and play well. I’d rather do both… You guys love to say we’ll get em next time. I say let’s get em this time!
Keeping It Real
March 26th, 2009
2:03 pm
dawgfan4life,
Thanks for defining what kind of fan you are. You are a true credit to UGA and the state of Jawja. Again, thanks for helping UT recruiting in Jawja. I will go away now.
Dawgilama Deux
March 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
Allen ran his fastest time at Pro Day, not the combine. However, anybody in the “know”, knows that from point A to point B, Brian Evans is the fastest guy on the team. Yes, it has been documented that B. Evans ran a 4.2 on the track…who cares, really. This, however, has nothing to do with a players coverage skills. It’s a reflection of a players straight line speed…Nothing more, nothing less. Sure, top end speed for a corner is critical, but not near as important as their results in the 20 yd shuttle. Deangelo Hall, many claim, was (may still be) the fastest man in the NFL for many years. How did that work out? For the record, dawgfan4life is clueless.
Cuz
March 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
Well if we insult each other enough, we will leave the players alone.
Alpharetta-bound
March 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
Thought Evans played well in his time at safety last yr. Look at the first half against Tech — he was there making plays before getting injured. Sometimes a guy’s skill set translates better at one position over another. And sometimes coaches don’t know until later on in their careers. Look at Haynes the last part of 2001.
Lewis
March 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
ANy improvement will be welcome- where ever it comes from. Last years backs were always suspect- how many penalties kept drives going for the opposition? Because- they were getting beaten and had to grab a shirt, hold, or interfere just to keep their man from scoring. Also, I believe that a d back must also keep one eye on the q back. We had numerous pass intercept opportunities lost when the ball was RIGHT THERE FOR THE PICK.
Word2yaMother
March 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
MoDawg: If you’re a real “dawgfan4life” I’m Herschel Walker.
You must be one of the 50 personalities that he has, which one are you?
shards
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
Rashad Jones is terrible. He MISSED the tech runner on the corner last year by tying to shoulder pad tackle him and the guy went 64 yds TD. He is one of the most over rated Dog players in quite some time and I in fact, fear that the new D recruit B Smith is of the same ilk. That is to say, lay low until your eligibility is there, then bolt. I’ve had enough of these all world failures at UGA. Give me a kid that wants to make the tackle. Scott Woerner? Bill Krugg, Jake Scott? Where are you when we need you??
Jeff
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
IT doesn’t matter how FAST you are… IT’s if you can REACT to change of direction. There are TOO many NEGATIVE people on this blog…….GET REAL!!!
Jeff
March 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
CRS,
Have you HEARD of having the RIGHT scheme?? It is clear you don’t have A clue about D. The Falcons did a great job of SHOWING blitz…..make the QB think !!!I think our linebackers were QUALITY players but needed a plan.
Kenny Powers
March 26th, 2009
3:36 pm
mad props shards, Reshard is not as awesome as many believe. He should get a mullet like me or some of my mulletude and then he will be on like neckbone, yeah comeon!!!
i can throw a 101mph fastball right in your eyehole!!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
March 26th, 2009
4:42 pm
Cuz, just run beside that Tebow bandwagon, don’t jump on to it unitl after he wins his second Heisman, the Maxwell, O’Brien and Outland award. Plus his third NC to boot. These guys can run a 40? Sh!t I would be pulling up at 10 and on the ground by 13, in the ambulance in 4.56 sec.
Einstein
March 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
I am not questioning your comments about the speed of our DBs, but if they’re so fast, why are they always chasing their cover man? And, getting beat? I didn’t know that Fla, Ala, Tech, etc. had backs and receivers that ran 4.1’s. Or, could it be that we just might be playing out of position? Go Dawgs! Peace.
BAMA STAN
March 26th, 2009
5:41 pm
12 National Titles – 21 SEC Titles
Kid has very good athletic ability – but needs better coaching so he knows what he is doing out there.
Maybe his senior year will be his breakout year and give him an opportunity to go the next level – wish him the best.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tennessee Dawg
March 26th, 2009
5:50 pm
BAMA STAN – finally – a nice post.
A post that you are not pontificating about the following:
- UGA’s position amongst in the national elite in college football.
- Comparing us to Michigan State
- Placing UGA in the middle of the pack in the SEC – despite us having a winning record against every SEC team this decade with the exception of Florida.
- Warning us that Tennessee is going to take over UGA’s spot in SEC East football standings.
Are you feeling sick today buddy?????
77DAWG
March 26th, 2009
5:59 pm
Anyone know what hapenning with UGA recruiting next year? Look like CMR is trying to load up a bunch of “one star recruits”. Very poor goal setting IMHO.
David
March 26th, 2009
6:05 pm
I’m just loving the amount of faith that my fellow DAWG fans here are showing the coaches and the team. You guys call yourselves Georgia fans but your going to sit here and bash Bryan Evans. WOW your the kind of fans that Georgia does not need so all of you that wunna bash Evans just shut your mouths and go back to Florida
GO DAWGS!
SamoanDawg
March 26th, 2009
6:16 pm
I agreed with you Cuz, our front will make our DBs look good. B. Evans will be fine. I think Safety might be his best suit.
I’m looking forward to see Brandon Boykin and Sanders Cummings at the BC. Cummings looks like a friggin LB.
Sic’em!
Jborodawg
March 26th, 2009
6:25 pm
Needs repeating: we gotta have a better pass rush, especially off the corners. We gotta LB’s making more tackles; wouldn’t hurt for a few from the D line. Can’t put all the blame on the DB’s.
CMR didn’t say B Evans is looking like All Sec. He just said he appears to be doing well at safety. I believe him more than most bloggers.
SamoanDawg
March 26th, 2009
6:39 pm
I can’t wait to see Kiante Tripp to man up the strong DE.. 6′6, 290-lbs, is a good size for OTs to handle. Cornelius Washington is another kid im forward to see play.
uga_b
March 26th, 2009
6:48 pm
I don’t mind discussing some negatives because no one is perfect, but sometimes people act like we didn’t win a game. Granted, last year was some of the least fulfilling victories ever and I cannot remember a season since Richt was here where I took no joy in the outcome of any game. Outside of LSU, but that is because I was post-wedding reception buzzed in a bar in charleston high-fiving in suits.
Still, we have some pretty good players and if we can get a push and play disciplined I think this defense could compete. You play with who you got.
Robert
March 26th, 2009
7:11 pm
Fix the D-Line and the DB’s will look a lot better. Can’t cover WR’s forever no matter who you are.
B. Evans had a rough time at CB last year. Maybe FS will be a lot better for him. I hope so but there is a lot of young talent at DB. Now if only the coaches can get that D-Line fixed.
PAUL3084
March 26th, 2009
8:37 pm
I’m supporting Bryan Evans. He got lit up a few times last year; however, I believe he will be much improved this year and ready to play. I’m ready for football season already!
Chip Towers
March 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
dawgfan4life: Asher Allen ran a 4.38. I know. I was there.
Fools Gold
March 26th, 2009
9:47 pm
Yes Bryan Evans has speed! The question here is can he wrap up and tackle? ….Opposing offenses are licking their chops to play against the big bad paper tiger dawgs of clueless Willie! Its gonna be comical when the lamechickens whip the mutts again at the Sanford cow pasture.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
March 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
I want to hear about Quinton Banks! We thought(and heard) that this guy was the next Greg Blue. But he has been nothing but injured in the last two years. Is he good to go this year? B/c B. Evans and R.Jones are not going to be scaring any WR’s going over the middle. When T.Davis, Sean Jones, and Greg Blue were patrolling the open field, countless balls were dropped or there was a bone crushing hit awaiting them. R.Jones and B. Evans don’t strike the same kind of fear in opponents minds.
What about Quinton Banks at safety?
FLDAWG
March 26th, 2009
11:06 pm
It would be great to see another dawg safety in the mold of Davis. I hope Banks can step up. Evans proved to be a be a better safety than corner, so at worst he will add depth to both positions.
CowDawg
March 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
Bryan Evans and Reshad Jones have a lot of improvements to make and they must make them in a hurry. O.K. State is right around the corner and they love to throw it. If UGA doesn’t get any pressure from the D-Line it’s going to be a long year. I don’t think any of the D-backs that played significant roles last year can get it done without major pressure up front. The current DB’s are average at best. Hopefully, some of the younger guys can step up and take over at DB. I’m interested to see how Brandon Boykin does this year. He’s such a great athlete, I have high hopes for him. I think he has the best chance of becoming UGA’s #1 corner.
SamoanDawg
March 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
Charlotte Dawg, I feel ya bra.. I too been dying to see “Q” play. Sad injuries has plagued him.. same thing with Antavious Coates.. he was supposed to be the next big hitter like Blue, but knee injuries caused the young man to give up football. What about Bacarri Rambo and Makiri Pugh?
Two walkons I would love to hear more about or see them get on the field more: Chris Cloer.. this kid is a player. He would make a good safety. Brandon Wheeler is a DT in a making. Geno said, his motor don’t stop.
UGASlobberknocker
March 27th, 2009
6:37 am
He was one of the biggest problems last year. Maybe we can hide his laclk of coverage abilities at safety but no way he is in the top half of SEC safetys ; which means he should not be starting at UGA