Day 1 of spring practice for Dogs’ defense: ‘We all looked lost today’
(Updated 10 p.m.)
ATHENS — Mere minutes into spring football practice at Georgia, Todd Grantham did not like the way his players broke from a huddle. So the Bulldogs’ new defensive coordinator ordered them to do it again with more enthusiasm.
The revamping of the Georgia defense began in earnest Thursday, the first day of spring football for the Bulldogs and the first day on a practice field with college players in 12 years for the intense Grantham.
“You can tell he came from The League,” said safety Nick Williams, meaning the NFL. “You can tell he’s used to coaching grown men.”
Grantham, an NFL assistant for the past 11 seasons, began the process of converting Georgia’s former 4-3 defense to a 3-4, meaning three linemen and four linebackers rather than vice versa. Many players took the practice field in unfamiliar positions.
For example, former defensive ends Justin Houston, Cornelius Washington and Montez Robinson were playing outside linebacker. And their transition is tame compared to that of Richard Samuel, who has moved from running back to outside linebacker.
“We all looked lost today,” Houston said, “so [Samuel] fit right in.”
After practicing the 3-4 for the first time, Houston conceded that the transition might be a bit more difficult than he thought from watching film. “There was a lot of stopping and looking around,” he said. “It’s not as easy as it looks on film. Those guys in the pros make it look easy.” Houston said the biggest adjustment for him and the other ends-turned-linebackers is dropping back in coverage on occasion.
Defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson, who is playing the nose position in the 3-4, said he was encouraged that “we didn’t have as many mental errors as we thought we would have” in the opening practice. “As we continue learning, we can play faster,” he said.
Georgia opened practice with three defensive coaches who were working elsewhere when the Dogs were last on the field – Grantham, formerly with the Dallas Cowboys; inside linebackers coach Warren Belin, formerly at Vanderbilt; and secondary coach Scott Lakatos, formerly at Connecticut, who donned red pants for his first UGA practice.
“I got a chance to walk around the field a little bit and observe our new coaches do their job,” head coach Mark Richt said after practice. “I just thought they looked locked in. They were very decisive about what they were doing. They all looked like they had been working together for quite some time.”
Grantham and the other assistants were not made available for interviews after practice.
Players said the new coaches brought new teaching methods, new styles, new philosophies. But not everything was new.
“Ultimately it’s all the same,” Williams said with a smile. “When you do something wrong, you get your butt chewed out.”
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As promised, the three candidates for the starting quarterback job –- Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger –- divided snaps evenly.
So who’s the starter based on Day 1 of practice?
“I am,” Gray said with a laugh.
Turning serious, Gray said his sense is that “no one has an upper hand” at quarterback. “I think right now, it’s just everybody trying to get better, [like] at all positions.”
—————————————————-
Tailback Washaun Ealey is wearing a new number: 3.
Ealey wore No. 24 –- Knowshon Moreno’s old number –- last season, but lobbied the coaches for a switch to No. 3, which he wore in high school. Ealey said it’s a tradition for athletes in his family to wear No. 3, which was unavailable when he arrived at UGA last year because it was being worn by senior safety Bryan Evans.
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– The Bulldogs’ first practice of spring ball also will be their last for a while. UGA’s spring break runs from this weekend through March 15, so the Dogs won’t practice again until March 16.
– Georgia lost both of last season’s starting safeties, Evans to graduation and Reshad Jones to the NFL draft. But Nick Williams, like most other observers, sees only one opening for a starting spot at the position. “Because [Bacarri] Rambo’s got his locked,” Williams said after practice Thursday. “He’s ready to go.” Williams returns to safety, his original position, from linebacker this spring. “I knew I wasn’t big enough” for linebacker, he said.
– These players were wearing green non-contact jerseys, signifying injury: wide receivers Marlon Brown and Israel Troupe and defensive linemen Kiante Tripp, Brandon Wood and Kwame Geathers. Geathers was riding a stationary bike off to the side. Wood was jogging. Brown and Troupe, who seemed to be moving around fine despite hamstring tweaks, are expected to shed the green jerseys for the next practice.
– Here are the jersey numbers for the two incoming recruits who are participating in spring practice: junior-college-transfer safety Jakar Hamilton No. 23 and freshman offensive lineman Kolton Houston No. 66. Linebacker Michael Gilliard has switched from No. 55 to 35, Rennie Curran’s old number.
– Among those playing inside linebacker: Darryl Gamble, Akeem Dent, Marcus Dowtwin, Akeem Hebron, Gilliard. And among those at OLB: Houston, Washington, Robinson, Samuel, Chase Vasser.
– There seems to be a larger than usual amount of media interest in Georgia’s spring practice, undoubtedly because of the QB battle and the defensive makeover. About 20 media members were on hand Thursday.
Please follow me on Twitter for updates throughout spring practice.
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161 comments Add your comment
OEJ
March 4th, 2010
8:45 pm
ryan…have you thought that maybe he wants the team not only to play well on the field but to show enthusiasm just for the morale aspect and fun of the game. I personally liked what he did. that shows me that he wants the defense to be pumped at all times ready to play.
McDawg
March 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
did dewberry graduate?
LOSER ALERT AKA LOUIE JR.-BIG L- PORTY
March 4th, 2010
8:59 pm
I’m lurking, can’t wait till Louie shows up so I can decide who I’ll be today . Nothing better to do but mess with people. I am a pathetic dweeb who has multiple issues. I was picked on repeatedly while growing up.
UA Alum92
March 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
Does CMR really think it is a good idea to have this much media access to the players and coaches? I really think there is something to be said for the “One-Voice” philosophy.
Dawg D On Fire!
March 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
With Grantham’s 3-4 and a punishing D-line and LBs, the dawg D will be the best in the SEC in 2010. The Dawgs finally have a coach that knows what he is doing. The Dawgs will shut down the florida offense this year for sure—Brantley will be running for his life.
Louie
March 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
Well, where do I start.
jackhammer, glad to see you on the program son.
Let’s get the phone back on. NOW !!
Amused how Louie Jr. getting called out and exposed. He only needs one name .
I have one for him, just can’t say it here. Nuff said…
Oh, one more thing , yes I DID take a test today louie jr. and FYI I am about to gain a Masters degree at Georgia Tech. How far does your education carry you ?
I thought so.
STILL…
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
9:37 pm
espn ’s joe schad top 100 players of 2010 has BAMA leading the way with 7 players, 4 of them on a defence that lost 9 starters ,how can that be? becuse BAMA is reloading with bigger faster stronger and smarter players. enjoy your spring practice,maybe we’ll see you in december with them black shirts.
FL Dawg
March 4th, 2010
9:38 pm
Grantham wants the D to put forth max effort in everything they do…hence break the huddle with some passion and intensity. He is setting the tone for how the D is expected to practice and play. That is why it is important.
sling blade
March 4th, 2010
9:43 pm
Dawg D On Fire!, it will be the same as when Zook was coaching.
ga gator
March 4th, 2010
9:44 pm
Cant wait til fall.
Suckers are First
March 4th, 2010
9:45 pm
I love momma
athdog
March 4th, 2010
9:45 pm
Spanky, I just threw up when I was reminded of James Jackson. Thanks, dude.
ryan
March 4th, 2010
9:53 pm
Some of you guys are silly.
Every coach in the history of football has done that same ploy.
It’s a cliche tactic, and it’s pointless news.
What’s next? An update on new t-shirts that say “No pain, no gain”?
StAugDawg
March 4th, 2010
9:59 pm
Where is Sonny Clusters? I really do miss him…
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:05 pm
High Tide – You may be right, but i don’t think you can loose 9 starters on defense and be as good or better. Offense wins games, defense wins championships. Most championship teams had great D’s and were adequate on offense.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:11 pm
i know—— it’s hard to believe, how could a team that just won the N.C be better
Racine Dawg
March 4th, 2010
10:11 pm
The alabama D will be nothing like last year. they lost all their top talent and will be second dog in the SEC west behind LSU, which will be loaded. In the East, Ga should take control after beating florida and win the division easily. Ga’s D may be one of the top 3 in the country, especially with Grantham running the 3-4.
andy
March 4th, 2010
10:12 pm
UGA Should Decide QB ASAP
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:15 pm
BAMA will be a lot better…believe it and believe this todd grathom is scared to death of the coach——-NICK SABAN
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:21 pm
You Alabama fans are so far up Sabans ass you can’t see for yourselves.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:22 pm
YOU FORGET… BAMA will have 2 # 1 recruiting classes that will be playing this year as jr’s and soph’s a qb thats never lost a game and a defence that will run like a machine
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:24 pm
Is that what Nick told you, or do you actually think that for yourself.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:26 pm
that 3-4 grathom runs will make a lot of mistakes just like all 3-4’s in the first year
Old Coach
March 4th, 2010
10:27 pm
Ryan
I am positive you never pulled up a strap in your life! You probably will have to ask one of your friends who actually played ball what that means!!!!
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:28 pm
hows that everybody speaks working out for ya
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:30 pm
And I will be giving our saviour Saban hand shandy’s between drills so I get to contribute!
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:30 pm
well when it happens you just think either he was right or we just suck
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:32 pm
somebody left the barn door open
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:34 pm
High Tide – You don’t hear me saying how great UGA will be next year, but you Alabama fans don’t seem to think you can lose a game. I don’t believe you can score enough points with that offense and win those close like last year, but we will see.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:41 pm
we’ll score when we have to,BAMA is loaded everywhere 3 5* to start on ol this year that are rs fros or soph heisman winner and a would be heisman winner in richardson
Old Coach
March 4th, 2010
10:43 pm
HIGHTIDE
Help me remember , what was the Tide’s record 2 years ago?
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:45 pm
So your a one dimensional running team this year. Good luck.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
March 4th, 2010
10:45 pm
So it was Land of the Lost today huh???? Wait till this fall when the dawgs get really LOST!!!!!
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:47 pm
the memory of la. monroe is why the tide wont slide ,oh yeah that was our first year in the 3-4 to
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
10:53 pm
hey pt nobody,s stoped us in the sec except fla. 2 years ago when they know the runs coming. put11 in the box it dont matter
Dawgman
March 4th, 2010
10:54 pm
Urban Meyer; Intense, demands execution from his players. 2 time NationalChampion Nick Saban; Tough, focuses on the fundamentals of football. The defending National Champion Mark Richt; A really nice guy who loves his players. 0 National Championships Folks, it starts at the top. I like CMR as a man, but we need new energy from the top spot. Remember, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban were’nt in the SEC in 2002 and 2005.
cantondawg
March 4th, 2010
10:55 pm
I can’t think of anything more classless than to continue to ridicule Bryan Evans or Joe Cox. I’m sure these players gave their best when on the field. Unfortunately, everyone makes mistakes. I would like to see the people on this chat that criticize others play football. I bet Herschel Talker is a band member and never played football.
PT
March 4th, 2010
10:56 pm
High Tide – I can tell you have never played a down of football at the high school or college level.
cantondawg
March 4th, 2010
10:59 pm
Hightide,
If we wanted to talk about Alabama football..I believe we would go over to your damn website..This blog is about UGA spring practice and we really don’t care about your opinion
PT
March 4th, 2010
11:04 pm
The problem with Ala and Fla fans is thier web sites suck, I know I’ve been to them.
JasonT
March 4th, 2010
11:05 pm
HIGH TIDE, you mentioned Grantham is scared of Saban. Interesting since Todd Grantham turned Saban down twice for d-cordinator jobs.
FL Dawg
March 4th, 2010
11:05 pm
How many years had Saban been a head coach before he won a NC? How about Meyer? Coach Richt is in his tenth season as a head coach. I bet Saban and Meyer were HC for at least 10 yrs before they won a NC. It simply does not happen overnight. Richt is headed in the right direction, especially with the coaching changes he made this off season.
cantondawg
March 4th, 2010
11:05 pm
Dawgman,
You need to check your facts before you type…Saban was at LSU in 2002 and Meyer at FL in 2005. Are you trying to discount Richt’s two SEC championship? If so, you are truly a douche bag…Do you remember 2007 when UGA was better than both Saban and Meyer. That was only two years ago. Yes UGA has struggled the past few years but Meyer and Saban both have had bad years…Saban lost to LA-MONROE and Meyer lost to the same Michigan team that lost to Appalachian State. UGA has recruited well enough in 2007,2008,2009 to play with anybody.
PT
March 4th, 2010
11:08 pm
Yea, Jason T, I thought about telling high tide that but his head is so far in the clouds it wouldn’t matter.
cantondawg
March 4th, 2010
11:10 pm
Fl Dawg,
Great post..It’s amazing how short peoples memories are…We have one bad year and people want to go back and criticize Richt for the 2 SEC championships that he won by saying Saban and Meyer weren’t there and Al and Fl were down. UGA hadn’t come close to winning anything in 20 years until Richt got here and then he won 2 in his first 5 years. Looking back, He should have made a coaching change after the 2008 season but i can understand why he didnt want to. However, he’s made the change and we should be loaded offensively and better defensively..Plus, i don’t ever see us having the miserable turnover ratio and penalties we had this year ever again.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
11:12 pm
well ok then like you know anything about football in the last 30 years anyway , good luck with grathoms 3-4 you’ll need it and ROLL TIDE 22 SEC AND 13 N.C CHAMPIONSHIPS something the DOGGIES know nothing about. keep thinking about CMR winning % thats all ways a moral victory
Georgia D
March 4th, 2010
11:17 pm
Once they figure out the 3-4, the Georgia D will dominate—best in the SEC—bank on it!!
PT
March 4th, 2010
11:17 pm
Oh yea, HIGH TIDE, how is that statue coming along and when are the first worship services scheduled for.
HIGHTIDE
March 4th, 2010
11:26 pm
its going good right next to the other 4 next to newly renovated 101,000 seat stadium
gary
March 4th, 2010
11:30 pm
Hey Hightide, allow me to apologize for hogging the Tide’s blog.