Outside linebackers: Rising star Houston leads Grantham’s group
(Eighth in a summer series looking at Georgia’s football team by position.)
TODAY: OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
- Returning starters: In last season’s 4-3 alignment, Justin Houston started 10 games at defensive end and Darryl Gamble 11 games at middle linebacker.
- Depth chart: In the new 3-4 defense, there are two outside-linebacker positions — the “Will” and “Sam” linebackers. Houston, a junior, and Cornelius Washington, a redshirt sophomore, will enter preseason practice as the first-teamers. Reuben Faloughi, a former walk-on who was put on scholarship this spring, is No. 2 behind Houston at “Will.” Gamble, a senior who moved from inside linebacker to outside late in spring practice, is No. 2 and Chase Vasser No. 3 behind Washington at “Sam.”
- Key facts: Houston has the credentials of an ascendant star –- second-team All-SEC last season; the SEC’s top returning player in tackles for loss (15 last season) and sacks (7.5); on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the nation’s best defensive player each season; Georgia’s defensive MVP in spring practice. You get the idea.
- Key questions: Will Houston be the dominant player the Dogs expect him to be in new defensive coordinator (and OLB coach) Todd Grantham’s pressure-the-QB 3-4 scheme? Will Washington, who seems to be a good fit for the 3-4, thrive in his first shot as a starter? And will lack of experienced depth at the position prove problematic?
- Recent developments: The move of Gamble from ILB was a response to the OLB depth concerns, which were exacerbated when Montez Robinson was kicked off the team during the spring. Three incoming freshmen who arrived this summer –- Brandon Burrows, Dexter Morant and T.J. Stripling –- eventually will help. “Those guys are the body types we think will fit into that role,” said Mark Richt, adding: “I hope we don’t have to rely on [them] as they’re trying to figure it out. Some of them have to grow a little bit physically.”
- Outlook: Promising … provided Houston, Washington and Gamble stay healthy.
- Your turn: What say you about the outside linebackers?
————
Links to previous entries in this series:
Tomorrow: Defensive backs.
———-
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125 comments Add your comment
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
8:42 pm
Mason’s 4th all-time for most TD passes in high school career;
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=17
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
8:43 pm
Ealey holds state record for td’s in a season at 58.
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=3
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
8:45 pm
Ealey holds the state record for most career td’s at 133:
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=4
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
8:47 pm
Ealey’s on the all-time list rushing record for 7 td’s in 1 game:
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=1
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
8:49 pm
This one blows me away.
Mason holds 4 of the top 12 single game passing yardage records in high school history in Georgia:
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=12
harold
June 23rd, 2010
9:12 pm
CAUTION:YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER THE NO SPIN ZONE. SO SIT BACK SHUT UP AND GET READY FOR THE FACTS!
FACT:GEORGIA WAS 4-4 IN THE SEC LAST YEAR.
FACT:GEORGIA IS AVERAGE COMPARED TO ALABAMA AND FLORIDA-THEY DON’T DREAM
FACT:RICHT IS AVERAGE COMPARED TO SABAN AND MEYER–20-12 LAST 4 YEARS!
FACT:GEORGIA WENT TO THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL LAST YEAR.
FACT:4 DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS “REJECTED” THE CHANCE TO BE D COORDINATOR!
FACT:GEORGIA’S OWN—KIRBY SMART REJECTED IT TO STAY AT ALABAMA!
FACT:GRANTHAM WAS FIRED FROM THE CLEVELAND BROWNS—LOL!
FACT:THAT DREAM THINGY IS THE JOKE OF THE SEC. WAKE-UP&SMELL THE COFFEE!
FACT:GEORGIA IS NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM! ONLY IN A DREAM–LOL!
FACT:GEORGIA HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SEC TITLE GAME IN 5 YEARS!
FACT:GEORGIA HAS NOT WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 30 YEARS!
FACT:GEORGIA TECH WILL WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE GEORGIA!
FACT:SO HOW DO YOU LIKE “THE FACTS”? NO DREAMS! NO SPIN! JUST THE FACTS!
guy
June 23rd, 2010
9:33 pm
Uga will be strong at linebacker.Defensive line and defensive backfield??????
harold's mom
June 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
FACT: HAROLD STILL LIVES WITH ME
FACT: HAROLD NEEDS TO GET HIS OWN COMPUTER
FACT: HAROLD SCARES LITTLE KIDS
FACT: HAROLD’S IDEA OF A BIG NIGHT OUT IS WATCHING RERUNS OF THE GOLDEN GIRLS
FACT: HAROLD REALLY NEEDS A GIRLFRIEND….BUT REALLY WANTS A BOYFRIEND
FACT: HAROLD WISHES MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE HIS FRIEND ON MYSPACE
FACT: HAROLD ALWAYS GOT PICKED LAST FOR FOOTBALL AND WANTED TO BE A CHEERLEADER
K-Town Dawg
June 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
Nice “facts” harold.
Here’s another one for you, 8 out of 9.
Willis
June 23rd, 2010
9:56 pm
Ok, not me saying it, but Philsteele.com
Georgia will ascend past Florida, Meyer’s reign is over!!
Why?
1) No Charlie Strong
2) No Tim Tebow
http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/Individual_Team_blogs/Georgia_Blog.html
1980 Dawg
June 23rd, 2010
10:09 pm
Hey Willis…Nice job making your point, and providing supporting documentation.
harold
June 23rd, 2010
10:20 pm
HI EVERYONE—–IT’S HAROLD AGAIN. JUST THE FACTS ABOVE. THE NO SPIN ZONE LIKES DREAMS. SO WAKE UP AND GET OVER THAT NIGHTMARE GEORGIA IS HAVING. READ THE FACTS!
Kasey
June 23rd, 2010
10:45 pm
MEYER IS DEFINATELY DONE.
IT’S MROE BECAUSE STRONG & NFL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR PERCY HARVIN GONE, THAN TEBOW.
PRE-PERCY, POST PERCY, BIG DIFFERENCE.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME ATHLETE, LIKE GEORGIA GETTING HERSCHEL WALKER.
Russel
June 23rd, 2010
10:48 pm
Wouldn’t want Florida’s October schedule for 2010/2011:
Oct 2010
Georgia, Miss St., Bama, LSU
Oct 2011
Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, LSU
Too funny, Georgia doesn’t play Bama or LSU in 2010 or 2011.
bkbroila4224
June 24th, 2010
12:39 am
Yeah, Russel…UGA had them 07 thru 09…went 2-2 against them…Hopefully, Florida won’t fare as well…LOL
bkbroila4224
June 24th, 2010
12:43 am
BTW…for those of you all wondering why UGA is recuiting and getting these tall, rangy guys to play OLB in Grantham’s new system, it is because he likes these guys to be able to contort around would be blockers and have outlandish reach advantages…UGA’s OLBs are all going to be MONSTERS…trust me, it will be fun to watch…
Defensive backs: Will three new starters and new coach spell new results? | UGA sports blog
June 24th, 2010
6:02 am
[...] Outside linebackers. [...]
How2fish
June 24th, 2010
9:36 am
Delusions of granduer I remember that game and we did blow up Bama that day..2 points and a whole wagon load of butt kicking we ran the ball down the mighty tide’s throat that day. This win was IMHO only surpassed by the 2007 win in O.T.
Ditto
June 24th, 2010
10:22 am
I love you big al.
Go Dogs
Hi Harold
June 24th, 2010
10:28 am
When you wake up in the morning, do you ask what if I get hit in a car wreck or what if my coffee tastes awful or what if my boss yells at me or what if I ask that gal out or what do I do when I view UGA on Fall TV and they are winning, like they always have.
Alabama? They have had how many coaches in the last 15 years???? ONe SEC title over 15?
UGA, as “bad” as you portray US, is the only school to win 8 or more over 13 and soon to be 14 years. Alabama and Florida have FAILED In that endeavor.
Now ……….when your boss yells at you ( if you even have a job ) walk out and get another one, if you are man enough.
Go Dogs
Hi Harold .......... here is what matters
June 24th, 2010
10:34 am
Um, ah, Harold ………….. I am retired and I did so at age 56 …….. 5 years ago. Life is so good.
My point? I graduated ( something that you have never accomplished ) in 1971 and emarked on a career that my FINE UGA education allowed me to do and my ship came in, as they say. See? It is not about how many nat’l titles that your alma mater has ( they are nice ) it is about a job, a career and living a good life. UGA provided me with all the tools, baby !!!
HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS, HAROLD???
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs. Sic em, woof, woof, woof.
POAD
June 26th, 2010
1:30 pm
Can we just get to the games? TV sucks without Live College Football.
Tech Buzz
June 26th, 2010
11:15 pm
Georgia: another 5 loss season in 2010–take it to the bank. But, they can still play old larry munson tapes from the 1980s to feel good!!!
harold
June 28th, 2010
12:12 pm
A LITTLE INFO ABOUT ME AS YOU WIMP GA FANS THINK YOU KNOW SO MUCH. I WAS BORN IN CELL BLOCK E IN REIDSVILLE PRISON IN GA. I AM A RESULT OF THE UNION BETWEEN CEDRIC AND A GREASY PLATE OF SARDINES. MY FIRST MEMORIES WERE SWIRLING AROUND IN A STAINLESS STEEL BOWL BETWEEN THE BUNKS. SO THERE!
Kickoff/punt returners: A new role for A.J. Green? | UGA sports blog
June 29th, 2010
6:02 am
[...] Outside linebackers. [...]