Notes and quotes on Samuel, Geathers, Williams and “Hitman”
(Updated 11 p.m.)
There was no football practice Wednesday. Georgia resumes spring ball on Thursday and also practices Friday and Saturday, the latter a closed scrimmage in Sanford Stadium.
Meanwhile, a few notes and quotes:
- I chatted with Richard Samuel about his on-the-move spring (from tailback to outside linebacker to inside linebacker). He seemed cautiously optimistic about how things are going. “It’s good so far — learning, coming along slowly,” he said.
After working at OLB the first two practices and at ILB the past three, he said inside seems a better fit for him. He said he doesn’t expect to take a redshirt season this fall but did not completely rule out the possibility. He said it’s too early to gauge how much progress he will make by the start of the season.
“I still have to get used to using my hands and getting used to doing certain techniques you need for defense,” he said. “Just because I know the plays and how to get to the ball, I need more than that to contribute to the defense.”
He reiterated that he thinks his running-back days are completely behind him.
- Defensive lineman Kwame Geathers said he has lost 36 to 38 pounds since reporting to Athens famously overweight last summer. The 6-foot-6 Geathers said his weight is down to 308.
“I felt like I had to get in better shape,” he said. “Just on the field running around, getting off the ball, going back and forth, I feel a lot better than when I first came in.”
Geathers said he’s the lightest he’s been since at least his sophomore year of high school. He has been working exclusively at the nose position in Georgia’s new 3-4 defense this spring. In fact, he’s the only player who has concentrated solely on the nose; others, including DeAngelo Tyson, have been cross-training at nose and defensive end. “I think it fits me pretty good,” Geathers said of the nose. “I feel a little more comfortable there [than at DT in the 4-3 defense].”
Justin Anderson, who started five games last season on the offensive line, will join the competition at the nose when he returns to practice from a shoulder injury this summer. (If you missed it, Mark Richt said Anderson will shift to the defensive line.) “I think he’ll be a good nose tackle,” Geathers said of Anderson.
- Speaking of position changes: Former linebacker Nick Williams is working at first-team safety, although “it really doesn’t mean anything yet,” he said of depth-chart status.
“Nick plays with a lot of speed and energy and enthusiasm,” Richt said, “and the more he understands what’s going on out there, the better it’s going to be for him. He’s like the rest of them — still trying to figure it out. But one thing about him is, he’ll play fast and he’ll hit you.”
Williams is delighted to be back at safety, his original college position before moving to linebacker last year. Safety “is where my heart was, coming in,” Williams said.
Bacarri Rambo is the other first-team safety.
- Speaking of safeties, Richt said: “I’ll tell you who’s really catching on pretty good is Jakar.” Junior college transfer Jakar Hamilton, whose nickname is “Hitman,” enrolled at UGA in January from Georgia Military College.
- And finally, here is Todd Grantham’s latest assessment of how the transition is going on defense: “I thought they showed improvement [Tuesday]. I thought it was one of our better days. I thought we improved in both our base and our nickel package.”
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90 comments Add your comment
Bobo, Bobo, a pirates life for me
March 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
I really want to see this Jakar kid hit somebody (on the field)
Well. whoopdee dang doooooo...
March 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
Wooohooooo
Hunt
March 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
First!
Hunt
March 24th, 2010
1:52 pm
close….look forward to Hamilton, Williams and Rambo in the secondary, should be a solid lineup
BULLDOG MAN
March 24th, 2010
1:55 pm
WILL THE OFFENSIVE LINE HOLD UP FOR THE YOUNG Q.B. IS THE QUESTION!!!
EW
March 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
Linebacker moving to safety, that’s the type of player we like back there…Can’t WAIT to see the new defense…we can only get better from last year
JB
March 24th, 2010
2:04 pm
Pass blocking wasn’t an issue, last yr. It was the run blocking, until about Nov. With good health, we should be fine.
HBTD!!!
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
2:12 pm
I’m guessing it would be in Samuels best long term interest to redshirt this season. Then he’ll have two seasons to play his way into the NFL. I fear if he doesn’t redshirt, he’ll be a backup this season and already be heading into his senior year.
Geathers wasn’t quite in Mount Cody territory was he? I was under the impression this position demanded a huge guy, even moreso than offensive linemen?
Vinny D
March 24th, 2010
2:18 pm
I said a while ago that I thought Samuel was an inside LB. He ran the ball like he was an ILB!! If he isn’t one of our best 3 ILBs by the start of the season, red shirt him and he will be a beast next year. He has great speed and loves contact. That G-Day game is gonna be a lot of fun this year.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 24th, 2010
2:26 pm
ugaaccountant, I wouldn’t call 6′6″ 308 lbs tiny. It is amazing how fast these dudes can move being that big.
Phoneguy71
March 24th, 2010
2:29 pm
I’m really digging the new defensive philosophy. Put the best players at the best “POSITION” for them. When Willie was here, I think me and the guys from work could put up 21 on us. We’re starting with a clean slate. It was obvious with the last DC, we were not coaching them up or the players were out of place. Maximize the talent at the optimal position. I’m liking what I’m hearing thus far!
Mike Pouncey
March 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
Can’t wait to knock Gathers on his a$$.
Dawg Fan in Grayson
March 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
The word on Nick Williams from some players is he is a BEAST!!!
Kwame Geathers
March 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
Can’t wait to knock Pouncey on his a$$. Then poke him in his eyes. Then steal his deceased uncle’s credit card and max it out!
GATA Dawg
March 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
Mike Pouncey, it looks like a Spelling Bee would knock you on yours.
SC Boy
March 24th, 2010
2:41 pm
Kwame sounds a little more motivated which he was not in HS. Still, he’ll play two years more then bolt for the NFL like all the Geathers..
Kwame Geathers
March 24th, 2010
2:48 pm
Lets see there Mike im 6′6 308.u 6-4 310…i squat 735 lbs ..u 620…i bench 475…u 425…i kill my food and eat it…u microwave yours from the frozen food section….
See ya in Jax…. i will crush you!!!!!
patrick
March 24th, 2010
3:00 pm
yeah baby
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
3:05 pm
your defense will be horrible this year you will give up at least 45 to the CHAMPION JACKETS this year book it its a done deal
your offense will probably put up about 18 points a game which is terrible when you are giving up 45
Cherokee
March 24th, 2010
3:07 pm
MELLER YELLER …..who let you out of your cage??
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
3:10 pm
its spring break i got out on good behavior
Pi$$onaDawg
March 24th, 2010
3:15 pm
But can Gathers get to the QB? How is tackling going? That was a problem last year. Making the hit was onething but wraping up was another.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
grantham the 4th or 5th choice may be a decent coach but by the time he gets his type of players it will be to late Richt will be gone and so will he , kirby is not coming , neither is whats his name out in tExass, CPJ is building a dynasty wouldn’t surprise me to see back to back championships.
but you will always have the weedeater bowl unless those 6 wins are REAL hard to come by
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
3:24 pm
“MELLER YELLER
…you will give up at least 45 to the CHAMPION JACKETS this year book it …”
Wasn’t “book it” a program in schools where you got free pizza if you read enough books? Because the only thing we might give up 45 of to the Yellow Jackets is pizzas in a charity last supper before the game.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
3:26 pm
everybody knows it was a fluke last year a new standard has been set in the state
its a done deal but you still have gymnastics
loran smith's latest topic
March 24th, 2010
3:27 pm
the dawgs are drinking lemon lime gatorade this week in spring practice. when asked about this coach richt said the players are hydrated….. but in all seriousness, im really looking forward to seeing “hitman” in action. jakar plays with reckless abandon and can still cover speedy recievers. something we have been missing the past few years with run first reshad (although the system made him look worse). i dont know about you guys but ill be relieved to not see any bump and run cover 2 for a while….
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
3:32 pm
Question: What do Yellow Jackets do for spring break?
Answer: “MELLER YELLER – its spring break” and i’m trying to trash talk on a newspaper message board.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
3:35 pm
loran smith now there is Journalistic Excellence
what have you got loran
well it seems we have changed the brand of ice that the poodle is sitting on , will report later if its a permanent change or just a one game experiment
way to go on the kool aid though your special
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
3:38 pm
Meller Yeller – So, you clearly have an idea about who our sideline reporter for our radio show is. I don’t have the faintest clue who anybody associated with your radio team is. That should be clue #2 that you are obsessing about the Dawgs.
Clue #1 was multiple posts in the middle of spring break. Go chase a girl or something while they’ve “let you out of your cage” as you put it.
loran smith's latest topic
March 24th, 2010
3:40 pm
maybe his next piece could be about insects infesting dawg message boards. may be a good time to call the Orkin Man
Sanford Drive
March 24th, 2010
3:41 pm
ugaaccountant,
I don’t think Tech receives sports coverage.
Spring Break 2k10
March 24th, 2010
3:48 pm
Wahooo Meller Yeller! Getting crazy on spring break….reading the ajc and blogging!
Anonymous 'Cos
March 24th, 2010
3:48 pm
— to ‘ugaaccountant’ @ 3:32pm—
Simply hilarious. Best comeback/off-topic post i’ve seen in quite a while. I’m still laughing, mainly because you are so right…
Go Dawgs! I SURE AM EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR>>>
Lowcountry Bulldawg
March 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
Is Geathers Uncle, Jumpy, teaching him the forklift move? Would be impressive if he could master the technique.
Pi$$onaDawg
March 24th, 2010
3:53 pm
Guys get over the other fans being on “YOUR” blog because everybody does it. Atlanta has fans of almost every school you can name. It is just the nature of College football trust me it will be OK. The only blod I will not and do not read is the A.Hole Tony Blowhole’s. He says the samething every year about the same teams he is too full of himself. Could be interesting for Tech and UGA with both of us going to the 3-4. UGA will play the lil sisters of the blind for the first month of the season so I figure you guys should have it done pretty good by the time all players are off probation or parole for the stupid crap they do over the year.
Anonymous 'Cos
March 24th, 2010
4:00 pm
‘Pi$$onBee’…Being as you said, i personally don’t go to “YOUR” blog. Or is this YOUR blog? You don’t seem to know either. I think with YOUR handle, you should be on the blog titled “Tech” or “losers”. We will help you find YOUR way home to your hive. Bless YOUR heart…
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
4:01 pm
Ah, I see you defaulted to “guys”, because as a yellow jacket that’s the only gender with which you are familiar. However, UGA actually has female fans as well.
Dawg > Jacket
March 24th, 2010
4:02 pm
Silly bees. Your guys will put up 45 points on the UGA defense for SURE in NCAA Football 2011. Your modified X-box controllers will allow you to dominate, no doubt. You will surely beat our boys, who spend their time being a first class program and crushing co-eds, regardless of the difficulty level.
Pi$$onaDawg
March 24th, 2010
4:10 pm
I didn’t call you names or questioned your manhood? You own this BLOG I was on the AJC website not the crying mutt website. Well lets all get to name calling. We will see learns the 3-4 better and sooner I guess. That is the issue right?
dawgs01
March 24th, 2010
4:10 pm
I like how Richard Samuel plays football. He looked for contact as a running back and i think linebacker will fit him better. I think it will be in his best interest to redshirt bc he is still a young guy. Some of our incoming freshman were born the same year he was. An extra year in the strength program and just aging will make a huge difference in strength and speed. Good luck young man and go dawgs. What a beautiful in day in GA.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
4:13 pm
I really think crushing co-eds is illegal dude
Anonymous 'Cos
March 24th, 2010
4:16 pm
…and mugging co-eds is also illegal. There’s much, much more ‘mugging’ than ‘crushing’ going on “on the flats” now isn’t there? I’ll take ‘crushing’ please!
Anonymous 'Cos
March 24th, 2010
4:17 pm
…Dude!
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
4:20 pm
No P-D, the issue is not “who learns the 3-4 better and sooner”. This is a UGA blog, read the title. What matters on this blog is UGA. We don’t care how Tech’s 3-4 is coming along.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
4:21 pm
Good one Anonymass but you are thinking of crushing beer cans I hate to have to tell you but tailgaiting has all but been banned so now a bunch of your fans will be sober when they see the product you put on the field its going to get ugly
My Friend
trojan94
March 24th, 2010
4:24 pm
People forget that Georgia played alot of freshmen and sophmores last year those player now have a year of SEC experiance under there belts,I think everybody who is overlooking them will be shocked by the end of the season outcome. SEC CHAMPS!!! GO DAWGS!!!
ugaaccountant
March 24th, 2010
4:30 pm
Meller Yeller – I understand you might be confused about what size a major University campus is, but there’s alot more tailgating room than just north campus at UGA.
MELLER YELLER
March 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
so the fans can still get drunk and not realize what is happening on the field
good deal
and good day
TXDawg
March 24th, 2010
4:34 pm
I can’t believe that fool said they would win back-to-back championships….oooohhh haaahaaa….rofl!!!
His brain is on spring break…or just plain broken!
Calhoundawg
March 24th, 2010
4:45 pm
Ah, the offseason! How ’bout a sellout for the G-day game, boys? I can feel a Florida ass-whoopin’ and Mark Richt’s third SEC Championship comin’ on. Aaron Murray will be the first red-shirt freshman to win the Heisman — book it. Go Dawgs !!!!!!