Defensive line: Do Dogs have a nose for the new scheme?
(Note: I’m on vacation, so the UGA blog is on quasi-hiatus. But rather than shutting down entirely, I thought we could use this lull for a leisurely look at the 2010 football team. I put together synopses of the various position groups, and one posts each weekday -– last week the offense, this week the defense. Please share your thoughts, hopes, concerns, etc., about each position.)
TODAY: DEFENSIVE LINE
- Returning starter: Senior DE Demarcus Dobbs, although his position is the same in name only in the new 3-4 alignment.
- Others to watch: Sophomore Abry Jones is No. 1 on the latest depth chart at left end (as is Dobbs at right end), and junior DeAngelo Tyson is No. 1 at the nose position. Justin Anderson, a junior who missed spring practice after January surgery on his right shoulder, has moved from the offensive line, where he started seven games in 2008 and five in 2009, to the defensive line, where he is expected to be a big factor at nose in preseason practice. The top backups at each position on the post-spring depth chart are senior Brandon Wood at LE, redshirt freshman Kwame Geathers at nose and senior Kiante Tripp at RE.
- Key losses: The defensive line was decimated by the loss of three senior tackles, all of them chosen in the NFL draft — fourth-round pick Geno Atkins and seventh-round picks Jeff Owens and Kade Weston.
- Key fact: The transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4 — three down linemen and four linebackers, rather than vice versa –- comes at a propitious time for the line, given the loss of Atkins, Owens and Weston. One less spot to fill.
- Key questions: How will the talent on hand fit the new scheme? How effective will Tyson or perhaps Anderson be at the critical nose position?
- Recent developments: The move of the 6-5, 330-pound Anderson, decided upon during spring practice even though he was injured, speaks to Georgia’s comfort level with the depth on its offensive line -– but also to concerns about depth on the defensive line and the nose position in particular. Anderson is expected to be 100 percent healthy for the start of preseason practice, and his progress at nose will be a closely watched storyline. Said Mark Richt, speaking of the nose position: “It’s going to be a challenge to see if these guys can really control the double teams that they need to inside. That’s part of the reason we moved Justin Anderson in there — because he is a big, giant, powerful man. And if he can take to it, I think he’s going to be tough to block.”
- Outlook: Very much a work in progress, very much an area of concern.
———-
Links to previous entries in this series:
Tomorrow: Inside linebackers.
———-
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172 comments Add your comment
Griff
June 21st, 2010
2:49 pm
We also have Bobo—the coach who can’t average 35 points a game with Stafford/Knowshon & AJ.
BullDawgMike
June 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
Hey Tide Roll……….Stay thirsty my friend..
Bulldog59
June 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
I peruse articles about our rivals occasionally just to keep up.
Last week, after reading an article critical of Urban Meyer, I posted a comment for the first time in an article about rival school.
I actually defended Meyer. Stating simply that ALL schools have discipline issues. Meyer has an enormous ego and in this case that works to UF’s advantage. The last thing Meyer could stand is for himself and UF to be viewed as Peter Carroll and USC are viewed right now.
So “haters”, if you must speak, state something with some merit, pro or con, it doesn’t matter. That doesn’t mean quoting every stat you can find on the internet either.
The next time you want to post one of your juvenile comments, be sure to email your parents, it will confirm their worst nightmare, specifically, they did in fact raise a complete idiot.
jdog
June 21st, 2010
2:53 pm
We should have a party for bloggers, the only catch is you have to wear your blog name(s) tag. Wouldn’t it be fun to attach a face to some of these comments?
I’m optimistic about our defense but I’m not holding my breath. I did that the last few years and Richt about drowned me.
Ted Striker
June 21st, 2010
3:09 pm
I think the line should be fine. And for what it’s worth, I would love to see Kiante Tripp have a stellar senior year, no matter whether it’s as a starter, backup, or on special team. My hat is off to that guy, who has been a consummate team-player his entire career.
Thank you, Kiante.
Hunker Down
June 21st, 2010
3:11 pm
The Dawgs are going to have a good chance to always beat anyone in the SEC. With that said the one team that has had our number of recent years is UF. However, things tend to go in cycles as Georgia still leads the series against them. But the sun doesn’t alwways shine on the same dogs backside always so we will have our turn again, hopefully soon. As for Roll Tide, he reminds me a bit of St. Simons. Instead of staying on a blog devoted to Bama football he deems it necessary to come on a Dawg blog spewing propaganda that is a lot like swiss cheese, full of holes. Yes, GA dones each year have a higher grade of hs prospects as does Fla in comparison to Alabama and TN so yes neighboring states do come in and tap into our hs football resources. But just as St. Simons had their one year when the Bee’s upset the Dawgs remember St. Simons 8 out of 9 we have won against Tech. Remember Roll Tide 3 out of 4 we have won against Bama. So to all the nay sayers have your fun the year you beat us coming on GA blogs as that seems to give you a thrill. But for me, I stick to blogs about the program I love and have enough respect for the great Universities that we play to avoid trying to down trod their Universities especially on their blogs and more importantly the very talented athletes.
Brusky
June 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
D-Line was stout against the run last year but got no pressure on the QB. I’d like to see the DL go lighter and faster–going with speed over size, except for Nose. With 3 NFL D-lineman, we got no pressure on the QB. Of course, we were running the 4-3 too, now it’s the 3-4. Like to see TJ, Garrison, Jones, Tyson and Thornton use their quickness and speed and get in there and reak havoc.
UGA has 4 top 5 ranked pass rushers in the nation Tyson, TJ, Garrison, & Jones.
Let’s go light, and play run and gun defense.
schmeckdawg
June 21st, 2010
3:43 pm
K Man, where exactly is it that you coach? Why don’t we just leave picking the defense to Grantham, Lakatos, & Belin!
Schmeckdawg
June 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
Bill W, love your passion but Cornelius Washingotn running a 4.29 40, come on man!
Mt. geathers where are you?
June 21st, 2010
3:52 pm
Why have we not been talking about kwami geathers?????????????. He is a true earth mover with NFL pedigree.
Dawg Tired
June 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Boys!!! Boys!!! Leaave ROLL TIDE alone. Anybody who follows college football recruiting at all knows that Auburn, Alabamer, Clempson, and South Caroliner couldn’t even field a team if not for Georgia high school football talent. We win most of the time against all those teams. Why do you think a Bamer fan is over here on our blog. We sure don’t waste any time on their’s. Accept the compliment and go on.
Bulldog59
June 21st, 2010
4:27 pm
Mt. geathers where are you….You hit it on the Nose, pun intended.
Geathers is currently listed at #2 on the depth chart behind DeAngelo Tyson. I contacted my best source for reliable info. He says, Geathers will make waves this fall, as he did in the G-Day game. Extremely quick feet and difficult to block one-on-one. We “might” even occasionally see Tyson at one of the DE spots with KG in the middle.
Hunker Down
June 21st, 2010
4:34 pm
I know geathers came in way out of shape when he landed at UGA. Probably knocked him way down the depth charts and not sure if he has recovered completely.
CDAWG
June 21st, 2010
5:07 pm
The “D” will be just fine. CTG will have the guys believing in themselves and believing they can win. That is half the battle right there.
CITY OF GRANTHAM
June 21st, 2010
5:18 pm
CAN’T WAIT TIL FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! WHO’S GONNA BE THE NEXT TO COMMIT TO UGA? ANY GUESSES?
Bulldog59
June 21st, 2010
5:24 pm
Hunker Down, Absolutely correct. They basically had to “reinvent” Geathers in the weight room during his redshirt year. All reports is that he has worked hard and we should begin to see the payoff this season
Bulldog59
June 21st, 2010
5:25 pm
is=are
SEC recordkeeper
June 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
“Anybody who follows college football recruiting at all knows that Auburn, Alabamer, Clempson, and South Caroliner couldn’t even field a team if not for Georgia high school football talent. We win most of the time against all those teams.”
Dawg Tired,
No. You don’t win most of the time against all those teams. Maybe carolina and clemson. But certainly not AU and Bama. UGA holds a 1 game edge in the series vs AU so I would hardly call 1 game over .500 is winning most of the time.
As for Bama they own the series lead over UGA by a double digit margin of 11 games. They own you and while Mark Richt has won 3 of 4 against Bama he padded those stats against Mike Shula probation era bama teams. Alabama has won 4 of the last 7 against UGA. Say what you will about that annoying Bammer fan but the truth of the matter is that alltime the bammers own you by a wide margin and that isn’t gonna change anytime soon.
Palu "Bear" Bryant
June 21st, 2010
6:11 pm
SEC recordkeeper , keep living in the past. We all know Mark Richt cheated to get his 3-1 record against Alabama and we know I never cheated.
college is forever
June 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
http://collegelunchboxes.com The defense is on the right track and the good news is that give the new coaches a couple of years to get their own players in place, then watch out. Also with an offense expected to carry a good part of the load will give the defense time to catch up, still worried about the DB’s. Check out the new website for the UGA retro classic tin lunchbox. Go Dawgs!!!
UGAY has always sux and always will
June 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
UGAY too scared to play Bama and LSU. TENN and Florida will continue to beat UGAY and dumb UGAY fans will rant and rave about what will happen in 2011.
MVP
June 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
CHOKE !! THE OFFICAL DRINK OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS !!
Cindy Hendrix
June 21st, 2010
7:18 pm
this is for all UGA fans & our opponents who want to know whart kind of coach
Todd Grantnam is go to http://www.savannah morning news.com 6-5-2010
there is an article called Saban’s Impact: Vol’s Dooley amoung former Saban
assistants now in big jobs . He talks about CTG & says that he’s certaintly somebody I would have no qualms about hiring as a defensive coordinator if the opportunity ever presented itself & other things CMR made a good hire!!
as always GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF!!!!!! GATA!!!!
M2
June 21st, 2010
7:32 pm
Here’s the link where saban says he’d have no qualms hiring Grantham as a defensive coordinator.
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/060410/foo_648676517.shtml
M2
June 21st, 2010
7:48 pm
Todd Grantham might just be the only defensive coach who has rejected Nick Saban TWICE.
1) Grantham was offered the defensive head coach of Mich St.–said ok, then rejected Saban for the NFL a few weeks later
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/060410/foo_648676517.shtml
2) Grantham was offered the defensive head coach of Miami Dolphins–rejected Saban to work with the Browns.
http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2010/01/22/grantham-dogs-can-be-better-than-florida-texas-southern-cal/?cxntfid=blogs_uga_sports_blog
Even though he spurned Saban more than once to run Saban’s defense, Saban continues to hire Saban in the off-seasons to train his Crimson Tide.
Saban trained Kirby Smart & Muschamp, Grantham will be better than both combined. Look for UGA to be a top ranked defense in 2010, THE top defense in 2011 once Grantham gets his exact body types in here.
Grantham’s the man.
M2
June 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
If you want to read it, the link to ESPN’s SEC guy Chris Low (not a Georgia fan at all folks) talking about how Grantham turned down Saban, and how Saban has brought Grantham in for years to train Alabama.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/8165/richt-zeroing-in-on-cowboys-grantham
Reza
June 21st, 2010
7:58 pm
The DL players are the biggest morons on a team overflowing with morons. Don’t expect anything from these idiots and you won’t be disappointed.
Yale
June 21st, 2010
8:03 pm
Go ahead and fool yourselves into thinking the dawgs will be any better than the sorry, mangy mutts of last season.
Or go ahead and fool yourselves if that’s what makes you happy while waiting to see if you get your old job back when Waffle House starts hiring again.
M2
June 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
Michael Thorton, new Georgia DL, scored a 1280 SAT.
HD
June 21st, 2010
8:05 pm
Don’t worry about these Bama “fans” on this blog. If you lived in one of the poorest, most illiterate states in the country, where Birmingham and Mobile are “big cities” and you have nothing but college football to hold on to–not even an MLB team–you’d probably be on a UGA blog too.
Sadie
June 21st, 2010
8:06 pm
Florida and Alabama own UGA lock, stock, and barrel. And always will.
It’s too bad that UGA is scared sh*tless to play Alabama.
--I-,
June 21st, 2010
8:13 pm
Wow! Yale. How did it take to think up “Or go ahead and fool yourselves if that’s what makes you happy while waiting to see if you get your old job back when Waffle House starts hiring again.”?
A mighty mind you have there, little pudding pop!
CharlieAlphaBravo
June 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
Ummm… What about Justin Houston?? Did he move to LB or something??
Yeah! Real scared of Bama
June 21st, 2010
8:22 pm
2002 UGA 27 UA 25 in Tuscaloosa
2003 UGA 37 UA 23 in Athens
2006 UGA 26 UA 23 in Tuscaloosa
2007 UGA 30 UA 41 in Athens
The SEC makes the schedules years in advance and we rotate one SEC West team per year, besides AU.
Tide Roll
June 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
Hey Uga Fans, What do Marcus Mcneil, Jonathan Palmer, Kurt Quarterman, Stephon Heyer, Chris Scott, amd Duke Robinson have in common? Answer: they’re all homegrown Georgia boys and offensive lineman who attended out of state schools and are now playing in the NFL! These guys are obviously being passed over (and we Know why don’t we) and this kind of crap is what’s costing you championships.I think the s. ga. good ole boys on your staff with their “chew tobacco country strong” attitude is whats hurting you .you need a more sophisticated staff and program with opened minded coaches like at Florida. this is the reason they’ve whipped you 17 out of 20 years. Unbeleivable and unacceptable at any school other than UGA, who acts like losses don’t count. What a rip off for the fans. I’m glad I’m not a dog, it must be soo tough just accepting mediocrity year after year. Roll Tide.
Don't Give A S____!
June 21st, 2010
9:13 pm
Mr. Roll Tide,
You Sir are a F_______ idiot.
Paul (you doesn't have to call me Johnson)
June 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
Tide Roll
You are absolutely NOT an Alabama fan. Alabama fans have much more class than that. Yep, you’re a Florida fan incognito.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
June 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
Why get all uptight about somebody getting on this blog and expressing an opinion? Thats what college ball is all about. UGA has a big, popular sports program. And some are uneasy about UGA this season. I love SEC football. Theres no better conference in the country. I have no ties to any school but love to watch 2 SEC teams go at it. So get over it. And enjoy the controversy.
doug
June 21st, 2010
10:33 pm
Grantham may very well do a good job. However Richt is still there and what ever problems crop up………….he simply wont be able to fix them. He is not a problem solver. We need luck and lots of it. We can still win 10 games with some luck but an SEC title is an impossibility. Big game MOJO is gone for good. The talent pool is drying up. We are being out recruited and High school coaches know players develop slowly at UGA.
Dawg Tired
June 21st, 2010
10:40 pm
Sec Record Keeper – I prefer to talk about recent history. Hell, we have beaten Florida much more than they’ve beaten us if you look at the overall record. Unfortunately, reality is they currently own us. The same is not true of Bamer, Auburn, etc. Richt has a winning record against all of the ones I listed. Since he’s entering his 10th season, I stick by my statement. I been a UGA fan for over 50 years, These things go in cycles. I’ve seen us dominate Florida, I’m seeing Florida currently dominate us. I’ve seen the series with Auburn go back and forth as well. Same with Tech. I assume you are smart enough to get the picture. Of course, my assumptions are not always accurate.
My main point was to point out the absolute absurdity of Tide Rolls even being on this web site making comments in the first place, much less indicating Bamer dominates UGA in recruiting the top prospects in the state of Georgia, which anyone but an idiot would know not to be true. Bamer gets some of their best players from this state Otherwise, they would be much less of a team year in and year out. They are currently on a high. They currently have a great football coach who can not be trusted to remain loyal to the hand that feeds him. Simple fact. Recruiting has not been our problem. Richt gets most of the in-state players he goes after, which is to be expected.
Dawg Tired
June 21st, 2010
10:48 pm
Doug – So you think recruiting is not going well? I get the opposite impression. The 12 commitments so far look strong to me. Are you saying we are simply recruiting the wrong guys? I ask that because we seem to be getting most of the kids we go after. As to not winning the big game, hasn’t Coach Richt won 2 out 3 in the SEC title game? Or are you convinced that last year is the start of bad times? Well, why don’t we play the games and see what happens?
I don’t know what the future holds. However, I’ve been through worst times than this in following the Dawgs for more than 50 years. I’m cautiously optimistic about the future. I see you have soured on the Dawgs. Sorry to see that.
Cindy Hendrix
June 21st, 2010
10:50 pm
Hey Sadie UGA is not scared s less to play Bama or Fl we don’t back down from anybody!! bring it on!! oh & don’t forget we now have Grantham 1 of Saban;s favorite asst coaches whom he said he would have no qualms hiring again why don’t you go back & find the site I put on here!! & read it for yourself straight from the horses mouth Saban! as always GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF!!! GATA!!
The DW
June 21st, 2010
10:55 pm
Dawg Tired-
Optimistic about this season? Serirously? Georgia’s not ranked #1 anywhere, or even finishing #1 in the SEC, or even in the SEC East. This ain’t the year man, maybe next year.
Paul
June 21st, 2010
10:57 pm
Most say UGA not good yet, new 34 defense, not Grantham’s recrits yet, not experience QB. to’s, penalties.
Erik
June 21st, 2010
11:07 pm
Didn’t UGA lose 3 D-Linemen to NFL this Spring? Hard to replace those. Will take a few years but look out in 2012.
The DW
June 21st, 2010
11:10 pm
You guys need to know, UGA’s been feeling optimistic for 20 yearsd against Florida, and dissapointed 17 of those years. I don’t know how to get that turned around, nothing’s worked so far.
Dawg Tired
June 21st, 2010
11:11 pm
The DW _ Maybe you’re right, but the future I was talking about is more than just next season. However, Sporting News College Football mag. picks Dawgs 2nd in SEC East behind Florida. While I’m not saying finishing 2nd behind Florida is my goal, you gotta admit that being picked 2nd behind Florida at least indicates they think we’ve got a pretty good team. We are talking about the best conference in college football. Only one team will be ranked # 1 in the nation when it is all said and done. I assume any one with average intelligence has enough sense to know that “cautiously optimistic” does not include a number 1 ranking. Hell, we just came off a terrible year at 8 and 5. Only Tech fans think 8 and 5 is good, although they seem to sort of understand that 8 and 5 in the SEC equals at lteast 10 wins in the ACC (.SOME of them sort of understand that).”Cautiously optimistic” for the upcoming season to me would be 10 and 3 or 11 and 2 for a team playing in the SEC. Anything less than 10 wins would be disappointing. I’ve been disappointed many times in the over 50 years of being a Dawg fan. I was cautiously optimistic before the 1980 season. No one picked us # 1 then either. And that friend is why they play the damn games. Yes, seriously.
The DW
June 21st, 2010
11:25 pm
Dawg Tired- Well, as long as Florida’s on the schedule, losing 17 of 20 is the cas.e. Hate it. 17 out of 20 times Georgia have lost, so we’ve learned to set low sights, mabe just winning 1 game every 3 or 4 yers against Florida woud be improved?
Paul
June 21st, 2010
11:29 pm
What I dn’t see is how UGA can win more than 8 games this seasons with a brand new qb, and with a brand new 34 dfense, and coach G needs to get recriuts in here next year. takes time to stop to’s and penalties.
Dawg Tired
June 21st, 2010
11:33 pm
I just want to beat em this year. Then, I’ll want to beat em next year, etc. As a former coach, I tend to think about the next game. The last 20 years have been very painful 17 times in Jax and very good three times. As a more than 50 year fan of UGA, I’ve seen us win more than we’ve lost to those rascals, but this current stretch has been dreadful.