Defensive backs: Will three new starters and new coach spell new results?
(Ninth in a summer series looking at Georgia’s football team by position.)
TODAY: DEFENSIVE BACKS
- Returning starter: CB Brandon Boykin.
- Starters lost: S Reshad Jones (drafted in fifth round by Miami Dolphins); S Bryan Evans (signed as undrafted free agent with Cincinnati Bengals but was cut last week); CB Prince Miller (signed as undrafted free agent with Baltimore Ravens).
- Cornerback depth chart: Boykin, a junior, is the clear starter at one corner, and Vance Cuff, a senior, is No. 1 at the other after a strong spring. However, the competition between Cuff and ultra-promising sophomore Branden Smith will continue in preseason practice. Look for Boykin, Cuff and Smith on the field in nickel situations. Redshirt sophomore Sanders Commings and redshirt freshman Jordan Love also are in the cornerback mix.
- Safety depth chart: Redshirt sophomore Bacarri Rambo is the clear starter at free safety, and junior Nick Williams emerged from spring ball No. 1 at strong safety. Williams will have to stave off continued competition in preseason practice, with prized recruit Alec Ogletree joining JUCO transfer Jakar “The Hit Man” Hamilton, sophomore Shawn Williams and injury-plagued senior Quintin Banks in the mix.
- Key fact: Georgia allowed 25 touchdown passes (the most in the SEC) and intercepted only 10 passes (the second fewest in the SEC) last season. Four of the 10 interceptions were by Jones, who left early for the NFL.
- Key question: Will a fresh start in the secondary –- three new starters, new coach (Scott Lakatos), new approach — produce better results after back-to-back shaky seasons?
- Recent developments: The arrival of Ogletree and Hamilton in the 2010 signing class adds some serious talent. Ogletree, from Newnan, was rated the No. 3 safety prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 3 outside-linebacker prospect by Scout.com. He’s working at safety this summer but might play OLB down the road. Hamilton, who came to Athens by way of Georgia Military College, was ranked the nation’s No. 4 safety prospect (and second best junior-college player) by Rivals.
- Outlook: Up in the air. There’s a lot of talent — albeit largely unproven at the collegiate level other than Boykin — and players are genuinely excited about Lakatos’ vision of an aggressive, physical secondary that stresses press coverage and interceptions. As Cuff said during the spring: “Coach Lakatos, he wants the ball.”
- Your turn: What say you about the secondary?
If you missed ‘em, take a glance at other positions:
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
NEXT WEEK: Special teams.
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277 comments Add your comment
Barkin Dog
June 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
DL (top 35 in country) and LB (top 10) unit’s solid, but secondary unit doesn’t have much experience, Phil Steele sees the secinday unit as the weakest unit and biggest concern for the team. Losing Prince Miller, Reshad Jones, and Bryan Evans, hurts a bunch. Jakar Hamilton was ranked top 5 JUCO and Alec Ogletree was ranked top 5 safety, so the unit will improve from #74 ranking under Willie Martinez.
Barkin Dog
June 26th, 2010
2:47 pm
According to Phil Steele, when teams lose as many to the NFL as Florida did, 87% have a worse year record the next season due to the heavy loss. Also, says, 85% chance Alabama will have a worse season than last year fr same reason.
87% chance Florida goes 11-2 or worse this year.
85% chance Alabama goes 12-1 or worse this season.
Barkin Dog
June 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
Phil Steele says 208 teams over last 17 years had a -10 or worse TO margin. Of those, 143 had a BETTER record the next year.
So, 70% chance Georgia will have a better record next year because of less to’s.
Barkin Dog
June 26th, 2010
2:53 pm
According to Phil Steele, UGA was ranked #4 hardest schedule last season, he has UGA at #44 this season.
Teams that get that kind of strength of schedule bump , UGA had the 2nd biggest climb on this, 77% chance team gets better or stays same.
77% chance UGA goes 9-4 or better this year.
Smokin Joe
June 26th, 2010
3:06 pm
Spurrier’s going to have Garcia test Georgia’s secndary, and Mallet will test the inexperienced secondary too. Those are the only 2 great QB’s Georgia will face this seaosn, unfortunately both come early in the season, before the defense learns to play the 3-4.
Let’s hope Lakatos secondary does as good as he did in the Bowl game against SC where he shut out Spurrier. The UConn secondary wasn’t as talented as Georgia, so you have to think there’s a chance.
Heady Eddie
June 26th, 2010
3:32 pm
1- UGA got some BIG safeties and some FAST corners, get help early in season from LB’s blitzing like Houston, stop the run with the D-Line, and help the corners/safeties, might happen.
2- Need to force turnovers against South Carolina & Arkansas (2 a game). This will help until corners/safeties get experience.
3- Need a shutdown corner.
4- Lakatos can coach, had UConn top 10 in pass efficiency in 2007 & 2008. Just needs some early help until he gets guys experience. Lakatos is already familiar with Spurrier’s passing game, studied it for weeks before the Bowl game, so he should be ready for that game for sure.
Dalton Fan
June 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
Cuff will take the Z receiver, Richt said Cuff was the best corner over Spring, he needs to be the shutdown guy. Needs to have monster year. Cuff set the Georgia team record for the 40 time, hope he can stay healthy. Going up against AJ Green can’t hurt.
Heady Eddie
June 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
Like what Secondary coach Lakatos did against South Carolina in the Bolw game last year.
Spurrier & Garcia had a terrible day againt Lakatos’ secondary at UConn:
42% accuracy, 0 Td’s, 125 yards passing, 3.5 yard per pass
Against Florida, Spurrier & Garcia had a BETTER day:
55% accuracy, 1 TD, 188 yards passing, 6.5 yard per pass
In other words, Lakatos outperformed Charlie Strong against South Carolin last year.
Pitbull
June 26th, 2010
4:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Pitbull
June 26th, 2010
5:00 pm
All this preseason hype every year and then we get the crap beat out of us. Yeah RIGHT! Bama recruited a offensive lineman. His bio reads, I like to knock people on their ass! Does that remind you of any particular game! That’s what Saban recruits for. Knockem on their ass! How would you like to play a bunch of mean, nasty bast**** with a bunch of do gooders!
Murray > Brantley
June 26th, 2010
5:25 pm
With murray lighting up UF’s secondary, UGA beats UF in Jax—mark it down!
Louie, Jr.
June 26th, 2010
5:28 pm
I’m just happy that the L O S E R, Louie has qut writing his junk! What a weak little fella he was.
AltamahaDawg
June 26th, 2010
5:58 pm
We get a lot of preseason hype? Haven’t seen a lot of that. Or is just the idea of discussing the players by position your idea of “hype”?
Remarkable
June 26th, 2010
8:04 pm
Please take this article OFF the AJC. I’m tired of seeing it up there day after day!
The Truth Hurts
June 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
BOLD PREDICTION: UGA will send more of its alums to prison this year than the number of football games they will win!!
Gator Sly
June 26th, 2010
11:02 pm
Florida’s beating georgia again like a rented mule. Murray doesn’t have it. The dude’s only 6 feet and can’t even see over his own o-line. It could be another long year dawg fans. Florida? On to the BCS, again!
Bride of Chucky Knapp
June 27th, 2010
12:00 am
With names like “Rambo” and “The Hitman”, they gotta be better than last year!
superDawg
June 27th, 2010
12:12 am
AMEN BROTHER!
Nashdawg
June 27th, 2010
12:33 am
Georgia 22-8-2 against Clemson after the 1940’s. Dominance!!!
RED DOG 77
June 27th, 2010
1:23 am
BuLLdawg………..unless you were doing those jello shooters again, at, say 2:13am on 6/25…………….you might remember your post ” Yes, the defense is impressive “……..Now, that Mr. BuLLdawg is a logical point. But, then again, someone may have “stolen ” your name to make people like you or something. Mabe you shouldn’t get all liquored-up on those jello shooters before you post…………you recon ?…………….It’s not as though I want to take warm showers with you, I guess I just had a weak moment, and thought I would point out how much you’ve grown-up by saying something positive……………….Yup, it was a mistake, you are indeed the ” Little Miss Debbie Downer ” we all knew you were…………..Hugs and kisses……………RED
BuLLdawg
June 27th, 2010
4:29 am
Yes, I see the post. Thank you. It is the one where I said :
“There is no reason with only 1 ranked team on the schedule # 5 Florida, that we cannot go 12-2.”
Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
God Almighty Above, Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
1. Attitude bad on the team
2. Execution bad on the team
3. The whole season 2009
4. 2009 SHADOW of 2008, when we played 3 games teams lost all
5. That covers 2008 season
6. 2007 beat 1 team, a 4-loss team, that’s it
7. 2006 lost 4 games no QB prepared
8. 2009 lost 5 games no QB prepared
9. 2010 now you say is going to be same 8-5 record
10. Playing soft easy schedule with only # 5 Florida
11. Coach Richt have to defend whole staff all players
12. Talent level not there
13. Serious problem areas with players on the field
That is the MOST NEGATIVE POST EVER on the AJ-C and it is by
Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
We do have an impressive Defense and we do have impressive special teams, and there is no reason with only 1 ranked team on the schedule # 5 Florida, that we cannot go 12-2.
GatorJimBob
June 27th, 2010
7:06 am
At the end of the day ot still won’t matter as the Gators just reload. Gators 41; Puppies 17
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
8:33 am
Our run game should be better, if we improve our kick off coverage the defense will have a sporting chance at survival.Allowing opposing O’s to start on the 44 yd line will be suicide again.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
9:12 am
UGA’s kick off coverage was #117 last year out of 120 teams, BUT, Alabama ranked #115 in KO return yards, and went undefeated and won the National Championship, so it’s an irrelvant concern. Just like penalities, Florida is penalized about as much as Georgia and wins 12 or 13 games a year, so it’s irrelevant. Turnover margin isn’t important either, as Vanderbilt was best in SEC in TO margin and went 2-10.
The only thing to worry about is scoring margin. Finish top 5 in the country there, average +14 to +20 points more than the other team and you’ll win 12 or 13 games a season.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
9:17 am
In the last 5 years, the only team that finished #1 in rushing and won the SEC was Florida, in 2008, The other 4 years, the team that finished #1 in rushing, didn’t win the SEC. Takes more than running the ball. You need run/pass balance, and solid defense.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
9:19 am
The Florida game under Richt comes down to how good the tight ends play. Whoever plays the best, wins that game 8 out of 9 seasons.
Buzzer Beater
June 27th, 2010
9:26 am
Ark struggled against the 3-4 last year, only completed 12 passes for 150 yards, 1 td, 1 int. Georgia will study that film closely in prep for Ark. Ark’s offense doesn’t match up well to the 3-4.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
9:37 am
Florida finished #96 & #106 in penalties both years Meyer won the National Championship, so aggression isn’t a bad thing. It’s one of those myths that are irrelvant.
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
9:38 am
Nice stats Tom, I think we can all agree Bama’s D was pretty solid last year. They did not need kick support aka field position nearly as much as most teams. As far as Fla. game is concerned, the team that wins the ground game usually wins total game. This particular blog is a discussion about the dog’s defensive strengths and weeknesses. I say again,a strong running game and improved kicking game will help our DEFENSE.We agree about the tight ends, if they BLOCK, we run the ball and win.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
10:06 am
Most years, when Richt outrushed Florida, he lost. Has nothing to do with it.
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
10:07 am
Also, BAMA had a pretty good running game last year(can you say HEISMAN trophy winning run game with arguably this years HEISMAN trophy winning run game !!! )
AND FLA., I don’t know the stats as well as you do,but I think we can agree that their special teams rival the best in the country (I want mention TEBOW’S run game).
FLA. & BAMA defenses have enjoyed GREAT support from strong run games and kick support.
shane#1
June 27th, 2010
10:08 am
T.Kyle King has it figured out. David Hale is a jinx! Hale came on board in July of 2008. At that time the Diamond Dawgs were on there way to a CWS title, the football team was ranked #1 in the country, and the Gym Dawgs hadn’t lost a meet since Moses was found in the bullrushes. So what happened? Almost immediately the Diamond Dawgs were upset in the finals, half the football team was involved in a bar fight after a pre summer camp party, and Sutherland had to have a second surgery on the stress fractures in his foot. That was just the start, in the next few weeks UGA lost it’s best tackles on the O line and D line beginning a chain of injuries that eventually cost the football team 20 players, arrest and suspensions multiplied resulting in 4 star players being handed their walking papers, and both starting DEs and TEs were listed amoung the walking wounded. That was just 2008 but the bad luck has continued resulting Sturdivant not contributing for two years, possibly the best QB-RB combination in UGA history along with the shutdown CB leaving early for the pros and a promising pro style QB being kicked off the team. Richt lost to Tech for the first time ever and the Gym Dawgs didn’t make the finals. David Hale, you are a good sports writer and an excellant reporter and I wish you the best. I am glad you are going to the Phillys, now the braves have a good shot at the playoffs. As for us Dawg fans, lets get up a pool of money and hire David Ching, I don’t care what it costs!
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
10:13 am
Contrary to popular belief,we did’nt beat FLA. with an end zone celebration. We beat them with a 188 yd Moreno run performance. I know it, MEYER knows it,and now you know it. He has stuffed our run since that time and pounded our lights out !
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
10:19 am
Dang Shane, I had not put all that together. Find out who is Jinx’n that game in JAX.
shane#1
June 27th, 2010
11:36 am
UGA Bill, I am glad King thought this up. All this time I thought I was the Jinx. I bought this black UGA dress shirt for the AU game in 2007. After the win against AU I thought I had a lucky shirt and wore it to every game. Well the Dawgs won every game. I did not go to the Alabama game in 2008 and the Dawgs lost. Not going jinxed my lucky shirt so I don’t wear it anymore. As for the UF game, isn’t it obvious? It began with Spurrier. I think he was so ticked off at Stanfill that he slept with a Voodo priestess and sold his soul to the Devil! How else could you explain the fact that his team will play UGA down to the wire every time and stink up the joint against Missy State? Now I have mentioned old scratch so I have to go outside and draw an x in the dirt and spit in it. Man, once the jinx starts it never lets up!
Preston
June 27th, 2010
11:39 am
It better bring new and improved results! I have faith!!!
Paul (you doesn't have to call me Johnson)
June 27th, 2010
11:48 am
“In the last 30 years” while Rip Van Winkle has been asleep UGA has won a National Championship, 5 SEC Championships and has been to more consecutive bowl games and has been ranked in the top 10 teams more times than any team in the last 10 years. Last year they were rebuilding after losing the #1 and #8 picks plus several more NFL players and still wound up with a winning 7-5 record and another bowl win ( considered by most a “bad” year ). Wake up people!
AltamahaDawg
June 27th, 2010
11:48 am
Good lordy, this is your plan now? How funny.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
12:16 pm
Richt outrushed Florida 3 times, 2003, 2005, 2007, lost 67%.
Using that formula, run the ball to beat Florida, Richt has lost 67% of the games against Florida.
Obviously, doesn’t work.
Miss St. led the SEC in rushing and went 5-7. Obviously, that’s NOT the way you win the SEC.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
12:20 pm
There are 2 things that give Richt an 89% chance of beating Florida:
1) TE has more catches and yards than opponent
2) Be leading after the 1st quarter
Whoever has done either of these 2, has won the Georgia Florida game 8 out of last 9 games.
2 plan that lead BOTH lead to a win 89% of the time, that’s an excellent plan, maybe Richt should try em’ out?
The Big G
June 27th, 2010
12:32 pm
CMR does best like 2005 & 2007, where the defense is top 20 ranked in defensive scoring. If CMR gets little help form defense, that’s usually great year, offense is consistently good for 29, 30 points a game, just need defense to hold under 20 points a game average.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
12:52 pm
Outrushing Florida as a team results in a loss for Richt 67% of the time.
But, getting a 100 yars rusher, results in a win, 100% of the time.
2004, Ware went over 100 yards, 2007, Moreno went over 100 yards, Richt’s ONLY 2 wins.
So, give the ball, to your best guy, use your best playmaker, and focus your carries on that RB.
Works for Richt against Florida 100% of the time.
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
12:56 pm
Let”s throw tight end dumps for the first 15 minutes and head to the airport. I’m sure that will increase our win percentage another 67%.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
1:22 pm
Let’s run the ball 60 times to outrush Florida, never pass, and let them score on our defense every time, and lose on special teams. Win the ground game, and you win every time, right?
The Big G
June 27th, 2010
1:29 pm
Hey UGA Bill-
Florida stuffing the run ever since 2007, what? Wrong!
Samuel got 6.7 yards a carry in 2009. Florida didn’t stuff the run. Georgia’s top 2 backs ran the ball effectively.
The Big G
June 27th, 2010
1:31 pm
Samuel average 10 yards a carry in 2008. UGA Bill, wrong again.
The Big G
June 27th, 2010
1:32 pm
Samuel got 10 yards a carry in 2008, 6.7 in 2009, Florida couldn’t stop him. Florida sure didn’t “stuff the run” after 2007. Wrong!
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
1:41 pm
Yeah, pardon me ! Samuel was SOOOOOOO good at tailback that he got moved to LINEBACKER!!!!! Real smooth there Big Goat
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
1:50 pm
Tom, you are losing out on FOCUS. First you say that the kicking game is irrelvant(your spelling).Then you post that we need special teams. NEWS FLASH— the kicking game is a special team.
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
WHAT!! No more stats?