With Robinson gone, Gamble shifts to outside linebacker (PLUS: practice notes)
(Updated 8:40 p.m.)
ATHENS — Georgia coaches were concerned about depth at outside linebacker even before one of their most promising players at the position, Montez Robinson, was kicked off the team last weekend.
So they tried to shore up the position at Tuesday’s practice by shifting Darryl Gamble there from inside linebacker, where he had worked exclusively this spring.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Gamble said they talked last week about cross-training Gamble, a rising senior, at outside linebacker. “And with the situation that just came up, it’s obviously a natural fit now,” Grantham said.
The situation, of course, was that Robinson was kicked off the team after he was jailed Sunday on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery/family violence, his third arrest in five months.
The dismissal of Robinson left the Bulldogs with just three scholarship players at outside linebacker — Justin Houston, Cornelius Washington and Chase Vasser. Robinson and walk-on Reuben Faloughi had been the top backups behind Houston and Washington through most of spring practice.
“I guess I was the next best available to move,” Gamble said. “I was, like, ‘Somebody has got to help them [at the position]; why not me?’”
Said Grantham, who coaches the outside linebackers: “I thought [Gamble] did a real good job today. I thought he made some plays. . . . It was a good first day.”
Coach Mark Richt said after Tuesday’s practice that it’s his guess the move will stick and Gamble will play outside linebacker in the fall.
The Dogs are considerably deeper at inside linebacker, where they have six scholarship players not counting Gamble –- Akeem Dent, Christian Robinson, Marcus Dowtin, Richard Samuel, Akeem Hebron and Michael Gilliard. Dent and Robinson were working as the first team inside linebackers Tuesday.
“Our whole deal is . . . the guys who produce and make plays and give us the best chance to win are the guys we’re going to put on the field,” Grantham said. “And to do that sometimes you got to move guys around.”
Other notes from Tuesday’s practice:
- It was the hottest session of the spring — 89 degrees at the start of practice.
- Defensive line coach Rodney Garner said his first-teamers right now are DeAngelo Tyson at nose and Demarcus Dobbs and Abry Jones at ends.
- Wide receiver Israel Troupe missed practice because of a concussion suffered in a scrimmage last weekend. Richt said Troupe is doubtful for Saturday’s G-Day intra-squad game.
- Wide receiver Marlon Brown’s shoulder injury had him in a green non-contact jersey again, but he participated in practice.
- The three quarterbacks – Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger — continued to share snaps.
- Tailback Caleb King, still bothered by a strained knee, missed his third consecutive practice. He did some light running and rode a stationary bike on the sidelines.
- Just two practices remain before the G-Day game completes spring ball. For those who have asked, G-Day admission is free, and the game will be televised on CSS, and the starting time Saturday is 2 p.m.
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83 comments Add your comment
dawgs
April 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
cant wait for g day
Dawg Stephen
April 6th, 2010
3:26 pm
The last few times we were thin at positions like that the coaches came up with something.
In 2002, “hey we are thin at Defensive End, lets try that Pollack kid, he plays hard”
In 2003, “hey we need a safety, take that Thomas Davis guy from LB and let him try it”
Someone will step up and make a great LB…just wait and see.
http://dawgstephen.blogspot.com/
jaglaw
April 6th, 2010
3:29 pm
second fiddle
Roc
April 6th, 2010
3:29 pm
I’m with you Stephen. With all the talented players we have we’ll be able to plug a few holes here and there.
RxDawg
April 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
Yeh we should be fine. I can’t help but think of some big time WR and LB recruits that passed on us in the past couple of years. They could of really made an impact. Oh well, it should mean good things for recruiting a few this year.
19th Hole Dawg
April 6th, 2010
3:38 pm
We’ve got several incoming recruits with high potential at OLB. Some of them among the most talented football players in the state. So I think this is more of a short-term challenge than a long-term problem. But we won’t know if any are going to be ready to play until later this fall. Let’s hope we can plug the gap and get through this rough spot — and stay healthy!
Go Dawgs!
gdawginkalamazoo
April 6th, 2010
3:38 pm
Tim, from what you are seeing at practice, is the defense just confused, out of sync, or is the offense just that good?. I saw the stats on the QB’s on a previous post and it looks like they are lighting it up. What’s up with the defense?
JimDog
April 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
Montez Robinson is a fool. Glad he won’t be on the team any longer. I have confidence that CMR and CTG will get it figured out.
DawgScout
April 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
Cheap headline, Tim. There isn’t any news regarding UGA and crime. So, you pointlessly mention Robinson in your headline anyway. Is that how you want to earn your clicks?
jaglaw
April 6th, 2010
3:44 pm
Dawg Stephen,
just looked at your blog….cool page. keep up good work and support of UGA.
Yes, someone should pay for these allegations. As a lawyer, I see police reports all the time that are no where near the truth. Fact is, over 90% of the information on the report is allegation based comments and is one party’s side of the story.
Note: In Fla., police reports are inadmissable evidence and presumptively invalid on there face as it pertains to evidence in a case. If everyone knew this, we all wouldnt get so carried away at the allegations. Truth is, most reporters know this, but fail to remind the public of this “law” when they are writting a story.
Peace
441 North
April 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
With a name like “Faloughi” he’s got to be good.
McDawg
April 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
whats the matter w/ this Vasser guy-he is hurt all the time-wasn’t he the one moaning that there were too many LBs recruited in his class
jaglaw
April 6th, 2010
3:48 pm
“Faloughi” sounds too much like “Furlow” , hope the gov. doesnt make him take time off?!!
Bruce Mac
April 6th, 2010
3:55 pm
We would really love to hear about all of the other drunks, speeders and the like that have nothing to do with UGA athletics also. Geez man, move on.
harry's dogs
April 6th, 2010
3:56 pm
Hey Tim-
ESPN had a nice write-up about Ealey. Didn’t know if you saw it.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/10001/dogs-ealey-poised-to-take-off-in-2010
Jazzed about Ealey, he’s working harder on his conditioning, blocking, and breaking more tackles.
With him and AJ, gonna be fun.
Dixie Clear
April 6th, 2010
4:00 pm
how ’bout them jaildogs!!
how2fish
April 6th, 2010
4:01 pm
Dixie Clear yeah how is UT getting along with their spring practise ?
Eaassyy
April 6th, 2010
4:04 pm
Hopefully Robinson uses this whole mess as a learning experience and can walk away a better overall person. Such a shame to let so much talent go to waste. I hope things turn around for the kid.
Can’t believe it’s already 88*. Straight from Winter to summer almost. Should do the kids well preparation wise. Hope everyone stays healthy during the game saturday.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 6th, 2010
4:05 pm
Thanks for the link Harry’s dog. Nice article.
Dawg Stephen
April 6th, 2010
4:08 pm
Harry’s Dogs, thanks for the link, actually a cool write up coming from Chris Low. The UT guy extraordinare.
TIM, actually a good write up today. Comparing where Montez COULD have been, and with his team, instead of 10 minutes later standing in front of the judge. 3 arrests in 5 months, so yes he had to go, but still a sad story, you hate to see a kid lose it that way.
DollarDawg43
April 6th, 2010
4:13 pm
Stephen, cool blog.
Gonna be a great year to be a Georgia Bulldog. There is an abundance of talent that is being coached properly (not a knock on Willie but we did upgrade) and someone will step up to fill in where needed.
We are frightfully young in a couple of areas and it will show from time to time but this bunch will get better each and every day. By season’s end no one is going to want to see us on the schedule. The start of the season will be tough (hey, its the SEC, its supposed to be tough) but pay no attention to the naysayers-Mark Richt will prove those claiming the program is in decline very, very wrong.
In the mean time, enjoy what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog and get ready for some great football. This will be a fun year and we are going to be an absolute FORCE for the next several years.
DollarDawg43
April 6th, 2010
4:18 pm
As for Montez Robinson, perhaps he needs to get closer to home and close this chapter of his life. He is young enough that he has ample time to put this behind him.
A fresh start in a locale with no connections to the problems he had here (if the law allows it) is likely the best option for him. He has to go at this point but you hope he uses this as a learning experience, grows from it and becomes a better human being in the process.
Hawk n the Ham
April 6th, 2010
4:19 pm
Those of you worried about the defense because of the quaterback #s from the scrimmages, remember this. The qb’s are with the 1 team against the 2 team defense.
southside DAWG
April 6th, 2010
4:36 pm
Does anybody know the fee to get into G-Day and can you buy tickets in advance?
JPB
April 6th, 2010
4:43 pm
Southside – G-Day is free.
southside DAWG
April 6th, 2010
4:46 pm
thanks JPB I just wanted to make sure because in the past it was 10 dollars.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
me thinks a true freshman will backup houston & washington. we have some great recruits coming in this year..expect stripling or dorant to be in the mix.
Debose
April 6th, 2010
4:59 pm
“Gonna be a great year to be a Georgia Bulldog. There is an abundance of talent that is being coached properly.”
Sounds a lot like 2008 talk
http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/2008/0812_large.jpg
Popi
April 6th, 2010
5:01 pm
How many more players will the felonious UGA team have arrested this year?
Sickening, isn’t it, that Richt continues to recruit these thugs.
Sickening.
Jeff
April 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
Here we go again with Caleb…..same old song and dance
jack bull
April 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
R Samuel hasn’t seen his last move. Look for him end up at safety(just doesn’t have the hips to play LB,,or RB for that matter), N Williams will move back to OLB. This isn’t coming directly from me, but from someone who would know. Gilliard will get some looks at OLB also. Also, from what i’ve been told, Mett has been looking real good, but that suspension is looming large, unfortunately.
Jeff
April 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
Hey Debose…..difference might be the one in the middle of the picture….all about himself…no leadership….all around “it’s about me” kind of guy. This year, maybe we have a team and a leader. I for one am glad stafford left…we could not even win the east with him- when we had moreno….probably 8-4 best if he had come back…….
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 6th, 2010
5:06 pm
squidbillies- are you retarded? robinson did this to himself moron. the fans didn’t tell him to beat up some girl.
Popi is a Punk
April 6th, 2010
5:11 pm
Well Punk, notice you didn’t mention your team….Hmmm, we all know nothing happens with football players and the law at places like Tech, Tennessee and Florida. There were a lot of other schools who recruited Robinson.
Popi
April 6th, 2010
5:11 pm
Spring break or whatever, it’s always fun to count how many UGA illiterate thugs are arrested each week.
Stinger
April 6th, 2010
5:16 pm
The prison must have been an empty lonely place once the dawgs returned to practice.
Lakko Displin
April 6th, 2010
5:17 pm
This wouldn’t have happened with Robinson at Bama. He should have played for Saban, who would have made a man out of him.
Dawggirl
April 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
Caleb still in green? What a shocker that is.
Another perspective
April 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
Lakko, you’re right. At Bama this would have been swept under the rug like they tried to do with the textbook crime which cost them 3 years of probation. Go on back to the shadows with your buddies from GT
Waycross
April 6th, 2010
5:52 pm
WHAT IS UP WITH WITH MARLON? IS HE IN CRITICAL CONDITION OS SOMETHING? SHAKE IT OFF! MY GOODNESS MAN, LIVE UP TO THE HYPE! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!
zulucanbial
April 6th, 2010
5:59 pm
When can Reuben Faloughi get a scholarship…the kid deserves one. Not in trouble with the law…great student…a gem of a walk on….really there is a ton of talent where he is from (evans ga) that goes unnoticed.
zulucanbial
April 6th, 2010
6:01 pm
REUBEN REUBEN REUBEN!!!!!!
Summit Dawg
April 6th, 2010
6:02 pm
Hey Popi….
I guuess your smart a_ _ could do a better job of recruiting, coaching and keeping them
all in line than coach Richt! You are a punk and probably Tech one at that!!
DollarDawg43
April 6th, 2010
6:19 pm
Jeff, your response to Debose is dead on. Also, there is no talk of this team contending for a national championship, nor should there be. Now is an important time to put the pieces in place to contend for a NC but it is foolhardy IMO to predict that for any team during spring or fall practice. Simply put, no one knows what the season holds and predictions like that are a waste of time.
I do believe we learned a valuable lesson from believing all the 2008 hype: don’t.
This will be a great year to be a Georgia Bulldog because we will get back to the basics that make Dawg Nation a great place to be. This team will also be that: a TEAM. I will even go out on a limb and say that we will again be very happy when we wake up for Church the Sunday following Thanksgiving. These predictions I am confident in. Championship predictions? You won’t get any from me. I don’t write what I am not certain of.
Go Gators
April 6th, 2010
6:20 pm
Bet you Dawg fans wish you had Ronald Powell coming in this summer to play DE for the Dawgs!!!
Bling and blang
April 6th, 2010
6:21 pm
CMR should dismiss Garner for recruiting these tattooed thugs and start getting some corn fed country boys coming to UGA ! Iowa hawkeyes come to mind.
crazy dawg
April 6th, 2010
6:48 pm
I think Gamble will be ok on the outside but a better fit for the middle. What about #45 Christian Robinson. This guy made some nice plays in what little playing time he got last season. At 6′4” 213 lbs would be a good off the edge lb. Its a shame to lose a talent like Montez but if you use bad judgment off the field you will use it on the field the team will do better with out him I hope he starts using better judgement and gets his life together. Maybe a good start would be to get a new girl friend and move back closer to home untill he gets things in order
Grandad
April 6th, 2010
6:53 pm
Listen up:
All you Dawgs & ‘Posers’!
All these young men are just that: “Young Men”.
Whether arrested or not:
In the USA we are ‘presumed’ innocent until proven otherwise.
Those who sterotype all UGA fb players as ‘thugs’ or attach
an unwarranted as well as unsavory caricature upon any
sub-culture, then you just unveiled your bigotry.
I’m insulted when a person from the north uses the term:
‘cracker’ or ‘red-neck’. So, when I used the term “bigotry”,
there was no [0] racial connotation. Only human!
too bad
April 6th, 2010
7:16 pm
too bad they didn’t beat Florida w/ those black helmets…they’re actually pretty sharp looking…guess they should have worn them against Tenn Tech
DawginLex
April 6th, 2010
7:27 pm
Stinger,
Your blow up doll date is waiting on you to take “her” to the Varsity for a chili dog.
Remember, driving with the blow up doll in the front seat still doesn’t qualify you to drive in the HOV lane.
enjoy.