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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
277 comments Add your comment
Suckers are First
June 24th, 2010
6:19 am
Enter your comments here
Kramer
June 24th, 2010
6:29 am
This group has the potential to be the most impressive on the field. We’ll see.
topdawg70
June 24th, 2010
6:31 am
can’t be any worse than last year, when the opposing teams game plan was ” go stand in the hole in Willie’s zone and I will throw it to you” Oh and don’t worry they can’t tackle either
Army Dawg in Iraq
June 24th, 2010
6:31 am
Ive got to believe that Hamilton will emerge as the starter before the season starts which in turn allows Olgetree to move to Linebacker where he will be a star. Good coaching and great talent makes this the most improved area of the team. Go Dawgs!!!
dawgfan
June 24th, 2010
6:37 am
Seems to me that we’ve got guys back there that can run real fast in a straight line but haven’t proven they can do it on a football field. We’ll see…
25 touchdown passes last year? Really guys? REALLY?
BDAWG
June 24th, 2010
6:50 am
NEW SEASON, BETTER PLAYERS, BETTER SECONDAY COACH AND HOPEFULLY A BETTER OVERALL DEFENSE. SECONDARY SHOULD SHINE PLAYING PRESS COVERAGE. WILL BE A LOT BETTER IN 2011 WITH BIGGER CB COMING IN. LB AND SECONDARY MUST BE PUNISHING HITTERS TO STRIKE FEAR INTO THE OPPOSING TEAMS PLAYERS. AFTER THE SC GAME, HOPEFULLY THE DEFENSE WILL GAIN SOME KIND OF SWAGGER AND CONFIDENCE. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE DEFENSE WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION. COACHING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. HOPEFULLY THE OFFENSIVE COACHES RETHINK THEIR APPROACH BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON. MORE AGGRESSIVE OFFENSE. THE QB WILL BE FINE. HE WILL GET BETTER EVERY GAME. THE MAIN THING IS, WE CANNOT BE PREDICTABLE LIKE WE HAVE BEEN THE PAST THREE SEASONS.
chazzo
June 24th, 2010
6:55 am
The D in its entirety will be fast. There seemed to be a renewed emphasis on fundamentals in the spring. I am more concerned about the interior line being able to stop the run.
tony
June 24th, 2010
6:59 am
3 words describe Olgetree(future leader) – Playmaker The Destroyer
Addition by subtraction « Get The Picture
June 24th, 2010
6:59 am
[...] by subtraction Jump to Comments I get Tim Tucker’s point about Georgia’s secondary this season… Outlook: Up in the air. There’s a lot of [...]
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 24th, 2010
7:00 am
this will be a much improved secondary. love Rambo & his passion..i think we have some true talented players back there. Lakatos’s scheme at UCONN was great- i can see our #s from last year going in reverse. My only question is Boykin- love the the guy, but will he still return punts/kicks exposing himself to injury??
puppydawg
June 24th, 2010
7:03 am
Willie’s gone. It’s a case of addition by subtraction.
Paddy
June 24th, 2010
7:13 am
I see talent and depth in this unit. They would have played much different last year if WM would have turned them loose. No worries for me with our secondary.
RomeDawg
June 24th, 2010
7:16 am
May turn out to be the strength of the defense.
redeployed dawg
June 24th, 2010
7:22 am
Very atheletic group. 3 of the 4 starters (Boykin, Rambo, Williams) were QBs in high school. It will be interesting to see how they come together.
SatchelBuzz
June 24th, 2010
7:23 am
Whew,…..lots of question marks with this group.
THWG!
JB
June 24th, 2010
7:24 am
Talent and a much better coaching staff. It has to be better and potentially, markedly so.
HBTD!!!
Steve Spurrier
June 24th, 2010
7:33 am
Uh, no. 3-4 has plenty of holes I intend to exploit.
destin dawg
June 24th, 2010
7:35 am
Boykin, ” hit man Hamilton”, Ogletree, coached by Lagotos ???!!!! What’s not to like…. I can see turnover ratio much improved … we’ve had the talent, now we have the coaching !!!! go Dawgs !!
oledawg
June 24th, 2010
7:46 am
These fast and feisty Dawgs should be fun to watch as they mature into the team flavor. Lakatos will keep their feet on the ground while they grow on the field as a bunch of Dingo Wild Dawg Defense men.
59bulldawg
June 24th, 2010
7:47 am
Otto coaching 3 grannies and a blind man would be an improvement over Martinez and last year’s secondary. There’s no where to go but up. Of course we’ll be better!
Bulldog
June 24th, 2010
7:54 am
I think Martinez could have turned it around if he had one more year.
Not really.
I like the new attitude and the players seem to dig it. That’s great.
Too bad to hear about Bryan Evans getting cut. The kid came close to filling a dream, but missed. That’s a heartbraker. I wish him the best.
The real tragedy is that he might have made it had Richt done the right thing and fired Martinez when everyone else knew he wasn’t cutting it. If Evans had someone actually coaching him and preparing him for the next level, even for just one year, the kid might be living his dream. Loyalty has a price.
joe
June 24th, 2010
7:59 am
3 new starters, new coach and new scheme may lead to disaster. Think Mallet will be throwing 50 times in Sept? Might be loss #1 or #2 for the pups at that point of the season. Safe to say secondary is the achilles heel.
Steve
June 24th, 2010
8:26 am
Not enough experience, and not enough good depth at corner. CB will be one of the weakest areas of the team. Boykin, Cuff, and Smith are good cb’s, but not shutdown corners. Love will probably be good in a couple of years, but not so much now. We needed Robey. Lakatos will help. Hope dawg faithful will give him a couple of years to recruit and develop a great secondary.
Safety – long on talent – short on experience. Again, we will struggle. Trust me, i hope I’m, wrong!
Billy O
June 24th, 2010
8:31 am
Hey joe…..we beat Ark last year in Fay with CWM…..we’ve got better coaching and we’re playing @ home…..see that glass over there…..it’s half FULL…..not have empty. You’ve got to be positive. I understand the trolls coming on and being negative…..is that what you are or are you a BULLDOG?
kydawg
June 24th, 2010
8:35 am
B. Evans already cut by the Bengals???? Surely Not!!!
Magic Man
June 24th, 2010
8:38 am
I think the secondary play will be like night and day from last year. First of all, we will be playing a whole lot more bump-and-run, instead of turn and gallop. We will also be looking to intercept the ball more, which should happen with the added pressure expected.
Lakatos seems to be a really good teacher and a stickler for fundamentals. Willie Martinez…was not. We have a lot of talent, albeit young talent. Still, I expect big things.
1eyedJack
June 24th, 2010
8:39 am
Lightning and Thunder!!
Go Dawgs!!!
wsewell525
June 24th, 2010
8:43 am
I honestly think we are going to dominate people. With the Houston up front attacking, and the speed of boykin, and Cuff, vision of Ogletree, Hamilton intimidating people in the middle. The only thing we will have to watch for are the double teams when they run, and maybe don’t bite on the play action. We should finally go back to the days when a team barely scored 10 points on us in a game.
Joe, 3 new starters
June 24th, 2010
8:44 am
These guys all have plenty of playing time in Cuff, Williams, and Rambo. Its not like they dont have experience. Hard for Mallet to exploit when he is on his back. That is the first line of pass defense.
Delbert D.
June 24th, 2010
8:46 am
The comments all bear some merit. Boykin may be the most experienced, but in last year’s scheme, it was he who sometimes got caught with no receiver near him. There were several plays where he looked confused as to his responsibility. Hopefully the change in coaching will bring clarity to what was a weakness last year.
Mike S
June 24th, 2010
8:50 am
People need to remember that a lot of the reasons for those 25 TD passes are gone — Namely Willie Martinez OLE! zone defense that created huge holes for recievers to run in, compounded by Martinez’ complete lack of agression on the D-line and LB corp which created situations for the QB to just stand back there and find the huge holes the zone was creating, and topped with a complete lack of tackling fundamentals that Martinez’ and co apparently weren’t teaching.
HMMMM — I see one recurring theme throughout that last paragraph. I wonder what (MARTINEZ) that theme (MARTINEZ) could be? (MARTINEZ!!)
DawgGirl32
June 24th, 2010
8:51 am
Probably the group I’m most excited about on the team. Sooo much talent back there. I could seriously see any number of them playing on Sundays in a few years. They’re going to hit some speed bumps this year because of their lack of experience but wait and see. We’re going to have the best defensive backfield in the SEC in a couple years.
JB
June 24th, 2010
8:55 am
This will be the BIGGEST area of improvement…Better athletes and A LOT better coaching, and the REAL PLUS will be that the QB will have to HOLD the BALL a little longer because of tighter coverage which will make an AGGRESSIVE front 7 that much more effective. Can’t do anything but be an improvement !. GATA
hirsutedawg
June 24th, 2010
8:56 am
If we are simply fundamentally sound we will be better than last year. With aggression comes mistakes but also opportunities. We’ll be fine folks.
robodawg
June 24th, 2010
8:56 am
“Coach Lakatos, he wants the ball.” Great quote.
Yeah, we have playing time experience coming back, and a lot of talent back there. I expect the secondary to be pretty good. It’s a new coach with a different philosophy, but it’s not a whole new system like the 7 guys up front are learning.
mgdawg
June 24th, 2010
8:56 am
Press coverage at UGA, I have missed you so much. The corners have all the talent, with improved coaching the sky should be the limit. The safeties are hard hitters once again, I still remember that hit williams laid in the spring game. I hope people aren’t expecting too much out of hamilton, I watched him play at GMC and he is impressive physically, but he’s not a big hitter. I’m not saying the kid isn’t good, but that really isn’t his style of play.
dbc
June 24th, 2010
8:58 am
I’m just happy we have a coach who finally has these guys looking for the ball instead of face guarding. That alone should be a big improvement!
RxDawg
June 24th, 2010
9:03 am
Bad: losing Rashad
Good: losing Evans – seriously, was this guy blackmailing the coaches?
Bad: Q Banks having his entire career demolished from nagging injuries.
Good: new coaching philosophy for the 2ndary.
Awesome: actually having a player named Rambo. That instantly makes us the coolest team in college ball.
Rip Van Winkle
June 24th, 2010
9:03 am
It’s only been 30 years; is it time for me to wake up humpers?
DawginLex
June 24th, 2010
9:12 am
We threw 25 and gave up 25.
We took 10 and gave up 14.
See why we went 8-5?
Goals for 2010:
Reduce the TD’s given up to 12-15 and get more takeaways.
Score more TD’s on the ground than through the air.
Create twice as many overall turnovers versus how many we make.
Finish in the top 3 in the SEC in fewest penalties.
Go back to BVG defense that never gives up more than 30 points.
Eisendawg
June 24th, 2010
9:25 am
Rip, I you will put a D’rick jersey on, and go long down the middle, Rambo will put you back to sleep for another 30
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 24th, 2010
9:28 am
Martinez was a good position coach but not DC material. Do we now have a real DC or another position coach at DC? The talent is there in the secondary but inexperienced. The key is do the Dawgs have a consistent pass rush this year? A whole new defensive scheme, new players in the secondary and a new coaching staff – how fast can they learn?
Von Van Halanger is a clown.
June 24th, 2010
9:34 am
Too many injuries and too many excuses will be the Dawgs downfall once again. UGA coaches needs to go and get some pointers from Clemson’s strength and conditioning program which has been making strides in all sports. Football, basketball and Baseball. BTW Boo Boo is still a joke too. Mark it down Midgets !
Chris
June 24th, 2010
9:42 am
No Brian Evans = 110% improvement. End of discussion.
Big Albany Dawg
June 24th, 2010
9:44 am
“I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him. “
How2fish
June 24th, 2010
9:48 am
Von Van Halanger is a clown. really??.Clemson ?? If you haven’t noticed they are in the ACC and we own the ACC…ask the Bugs if we were strong enough last Nov.Clemson…really thanks for the laugh.
Rip Van Winkle
June 24th, 2010
9:50 am
eisendawg Rip, I you will put a D’rick jersey on, and go long down the middle, Rambo will put you back to sleep for another 30
Your grammar is dog typical. By the way, Rambo is the only player who falls asleep on the field.
CHDawg
June 24th, 2010
9:54 am
I think the advantage to the 3-4 is pass D, no? So, the real question on D is can we stop the run? I think the extra/more disguised pressure up front, coupled with more aggressive DB play will create a lot more picks, poorer overall stats against us (better UGA stats) and maybe a few more big plays against us. That was CWM’s goal in playing loose/conservative–don’t give up the big play. The problem is that sometimes you give the opposing O free reign when you do that. These guys are much younger than the O. Our D is the key to any major aspirations for ‘10 imo. If we end up having a good to great D, I think we make a serious run for the NC. That would be a huge accomplishment based on our youth and past record, but I’m excited to see what the new D can do in ‘10!
Eisendawg
June 24th, 2010
10:02 am
Yeah, you got me there, Rip. I need to start proof reading my posts. I’ll still put my money on Rambo though.
Von Van Halanger is a clown.
June 24th, 2010
10:03 am
How 2 fish get a clue dude….How about that beat down in baseball by Clemson. Clemson owns the dawgs in Basketball too. Dont even start about the fooball sreies when most of UGAs wins came before WWII.
npgator
June 24th, 2010
10:09 am
Different names but expect same results – TOAST!
free
June 24th, 2010
10:09 am
topdawg70
Daddy, did you plug the hole, yet?
http://www.dougsmugscoffee.com/datagrid/obama_golf.php
Since Vince
June 24th, 2010
10:17 am
Wow its been 30 years already…oh well SOS !
Elton John
June 24th, 2010
10:19 am
Dawgs have a lot of holes to plug………
PTC DAWG
June 24th, 2010
10:23 am
As far as our pass D, I don’t see how it could get worse than last year.
RxDawg
June 24th, 2010
10:23 am
Now that’s what I’m talking about Albany.
KeithB
June 24th, 2010
10:27 am
The back end is only as good as the front. If the front 7 can keep the pressure on, you and I could be back there and be fine. Good fronts make an average secondary look good. If those guys have to cover for 5 or more seconds, anyone would be in trouble. The new scheme may make up for a lack of experience. Looking at the schedule, UGA really only faces 4 pass happy teams. If they can split those, they should be in ok shape.
Me
June 24th, 2010
10:34 am
They’re gonna get “jacked” in Jax.
I-DOG
June 24th, 2010
10:38 am
Altamaha:
I have to disagree with your earlier comments that it is more the Jimmys and Joes than X’s and O’s and there might not be another d-coordinator who could have done better at UGA the last two years than who we had.
UGA was 10th out of 12 SEC teams in scoring defense the past two years. Last year Vandy, Kentucky, Arkansas, and South Carolina all held their opponents to fewer points. There is absolutely no way that those teams outrecruited us on the defensive side of the ball. Someone got more done with their Jimmys and Joes than UGA’s staff did.
Three d-lineman got drafted to play in the NFL. As did 2 guys in the secondary and one at LB. That isn’t a bad bunch to start your defense with in 09. There were other guys on the roster that will go into the NFL the next year and beyond that and some very good players that won’t quite make the NFL, but could have been excellent college players. There were Jimmys and Joes.
It is almost as if Jeff Owens didn’t understand the relationship between athletics and nutrition, that he literally had no concept of it. I’m not 100% dumping that on coaching, but overall 10th in the SEC the last two years in scoring? Not acceptable, not even close.
What will the new regime do? I don’t know. I think it will take a little time for the 3-4 to sink in and become 2nd nature. However, I do believe that we will see a difference on the field this season and am not expecting to be 10th in scoring, 12th in td’s passes given up and 11th in interceptions taken away from the other team. This bunch is no more talented than the D players we have had the last 2 years, but I believe the results will be better.
Coaching matters.
Dawggonefan2
June 24th, 2010
10:47 am
Boykin WILL BE a SHUTDOWN CORNER THIS YEAR! NO DOUBT!… seems to me he’s undervalued on the team by you fans… wait until he leaves for the NFL next year then you idiot fans will realize his true worth.
CHDawg
June 24th, 2010
10:49 am
Good points, Idog. Coaching matters; nutrition matters; conditioning and stretching matter. Any of those slip, and you might have an explanation for high injury rates.
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010
10:49 am
I actually think you guys who are trying to simplify this particular topic byt saying “its all Willie fault” are really complicating it more than it needs to be. If that were true then the several years that UGA WAS stout and DIDN’t give up a lot of burns cannot be explained. same coach, same philosophy. For several successful year… same DC, but doesnt matter because even going back to BVG we still did the same thing.
And now to say that the solution is a new name despite not really knowing much about him, or any idea of what going to happen. I will guarantee you that if you started plucking his player off one by one , there is a point at which Granthams defense will fail.
I thinks it really a lot more simple.
Is the pass rush going to be better? Have we upgraded talent in the D-backfield? Period.
That’s how you know if we give up less TD in the air.
Not to say that the debate about who can recruit, direct, train, and motivate talents isnt legit. It is. I personally think that’s what cost willie his job. Not his scheme, thats worked plenty in the past, you guys used to LOVE it.
We need a better defense, not a better coach. Did we need a better coach to produce a better defense…..we’ll see, I think we all like what we see so far, but you guys are missing the point.
I-DOG
June 24th, 2010
10:49 am
Mike S:
I will sound like I have multiple personalities in “defending” Martinez a little, but it wasn’t that he wasn’t agressive with his front 7. We blitzed a lot last year and actually had the 2nd or 3rd most sacks in the SEC.
As you pointed out, we had holes in the coverage. Can we even call them holes? It doesn’t seem to be the right word for just how open our opponents were for 20-30 yard passes so many times, but I am 100% with you on that.
Add to that a lack of turnovers caused and some really dumb penalties to keep the opponents offense on the field even after we stopped them and you end up with one of the worst defenses in the SEC, which we were, 10th! and 11 and 12 were basically right there with us, only about 15 more points given up all season by the two cellar dwellers.
OC_Dawg
June 24th, 2010
10:56 am
It’ll spell different results. That I’m pretty darn sure of.
Bruce Mac
June 24th, 2010
11:03 am
It is great to be a Georgia Bulldawg. Prepare for the azz whoppin you are about to receive SEC East. A new day is dawning, deal with it.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 24th, 2010
11:11 am
AltaDawg, I think the part of the problem with the D was it’s inability to ADJUST during a game. The coaches are responisble for the adjustments. Tell me that Crompton was as good as the game he played last year? That Tech is able to run up 26 points in a 3rd quarter just because they want to. That we can’t stop Vandy from making a late drive to possibly win the game. Kentucky is unstoppable? As someone mentioned above I don’t think talent was the issue. We have been supposedly stocked for years at most positions. Now getting the correct players on the field in the correct positions to make the plays will no longer be a part of the problem. But you are correct it is not 100% Willie’s fault or the players fault. Combine incorrect personel, redshirts, out of position, poor tackling, poor scheming etc and you end up 8-5. For all the raging on the O last year we scored a lot of points. But then again they laid the ball on the ground at the most inopportune times.
Rip Van Winkle
June 24th, 2010
11:11 am
Bruce Mac it is 2010 not 1980; I’m sorry dude.
Romeo Crannell
June 24th, 2010
11:13 am
You humpers are going to be sorry; you will find out why I fired fat boy Grantham soon enough. Belin should have been the DC.
I-DOG
June 24th, 2010
11:14 am
Alt:
Agree that the problems the last 2 years weren’t Martinez’ scheme per se. The 4-3 v. the 3-4 isn’t the debate. I’m sure the scheme didn’t call for the opposing players to be so far open that the play by play guys are nearly speechless. I actually prefer the 4-3. It just didn’t fit our personnel strengths in 09.
However, Martinez players weren’t picked off one by one in 2009. He had PLENTY of talent, at least the NFL thinks so. Injuries can’t be the excuse for 2009, they weren’t that bad.
Our D was not good the last 2 years and he was the guy responsible for the product. Many players did not live up to anywhere close to their potetial. Rashad Jones, Jeff Owens, Rennie Curran, Bryan Evans, Kade Weston to name just a few. Some of that may be the players faults for not becoming the Dawgs they could have been, but the one constant was the coaching they were getting.
Vandy and Kentucky held their opponents to fewer points last season than UGA. Would those D Coordinators have liked a crack at coaching the guys named above?
B-ham Dawg
June 24th, 2010
11:16 am
Von Van Halanger… I just got done reading a blog about Clemson strength and conditioning. HaHa. Are you serious. You get on a UGA blog and rip the strength and conditioning program with references to baseball and basketball come on. Oh yea, check out the gymnastics and swim programs girls are jacked up. Get a life dude.
To the topic, the secondary has more talent however it will take a few games to mesh. If we can make it through september unbeaten we could make a serious run. And whoever said the Jakar Hamilton wasn’t a big hitter, how did he get the name “Hitman”.
Dawg Trainer
June 24th, 2010
11:18 am
“It is great to be a Georgia Bulldawg. Prepare for the azz whoppin you are about to receive SEC East. A new day is dawning, deal with it.”
That’s what I like about you Dawgs. Everyday is the dawn of Dawg dominance.
Me, I look back at 51-33, 35-14, and 45-19. And I see the same old, same old in 2010. Only change is, a Dooley will be in charge of the azz-whooping! Ain’t THAT ironic…
wildbill
June 24th, 2010
11:26 am
Ex CWM and Bryan Evans still leave nightmares about UGA football. The ppl who hired and recruited those losers should also get a pink slip. It is hard to get excited about this fall when those BAD memories are still fresh!!!!!
Barack Dawg
June 24th, 2010
11:27 am
Bryan Evans could not cover a paper plate with saran wrap, which is why we had 25 TD passes last year along with Prince Miller, who did make a few plays but missed more than he made. The combination of Belin and Lakatos should take the speedy talent and coach them up. Lakatos stated when he accepted the UGA job – I will put the players in position to make plays – they still have to do it. Miller and Evans were both undersized and not near as speedy as Boykin, Cuff, or Smith. Then you factor in the disappointment of Jones who seemed more concerned with a big hit than a big play and you easily see why we had 25 TDs on the secondary.
Now with Belin’s basics on tackling and Lakatos aggressiveness – I would say we will have some burned plays but I would expect we have more positive plays than negative plays. But that might take a little while to get into after the season starts.
The entire D was an achilles heal last year with Taco’s bend and don’t tackle scheme. That should not be the case this year and with the coaching we should see improvement. If we cover the fundamentals then everything else will fall into place and get better as the year goes on. We just need to survive SC, Arkansas, Miss State to get the year going.
Bruce Mac
June 24th, 2010
11:34 am
Keep looking back Dawg trainer, that is all you have left. Prepare and Deal. Go Dawgs.
dawgs01
June 24th, 2010
11:35 am
Boykin is as athletic as they come. Saw him play qb and basketball in high school. He can jump out of the gym. He will put on a show this yr. just watch and see.
Bruce Mac
June 24th, 2010
11:38 am
You too RIP Van. Good name by the way. Hope you are a Gaturd, they are only ones that should talk smack on a Dawg Blog, all others kiss the feet of CMR. If you are a Yech fan you are pathetic in every way and you know it.
DawginLex
June 24th, 2010
11:52 am
Dawg trainer are you too stupid to realize how bad UT is going to be this year?
BTW, Richt is 5-4 vs UT and will be 6-4 after this year. Don’t think he doesn’t have that one circled on the ole’ calendar. The guy who hired him-his son coming into Athens with UT to coach against Richt and UGA?
We may see something out of character from CMR like intentionally running up the score.
DDPO
June 24th, 2010
11:56 am
Bruce Mac:
Speaking for some of the UF alums, you know exactly what you can kiss. Using your thought process, I guess you as a UGA fan are pathetic in every way. And you know it, right?
DDPO
June 24th, 2010
11:59 am
DawginLex:
I bet you thought CMR was going to be 6-3 before last year’s UT/UGA game…
But I bet you think allowing his entire team to run onto the field after a first quarter touchdown would be out of character, right?
Dawg Tired
June 24th, 2010
12:00 pm
This is too easy. It can’t be worse than last year (or the year before that for that matter). I could’ve coached ‘em up better than Willie did.
Moosh
June 24th, 2010
12:01 pm
Dawg Trainer – It’s funny a UT “fan” making jokes.. Will Dooley last a year before he bolts for a better job like your boy Lane?
Von Van Halanger – Why in the world are you talking about Clemson. In any sport. They are irrelevant. Win more than 8 games in a season and we’ll talk. In the ACC too. Yikes.
DawginLex
June 24th, 2010
12:04 pm
No I knew we were going to lose in Knoxvegas last year.
Just wait and see toolhead.
UGA is gonna blast DD all the way back to hillbilly land.
Dan
June 24th, 2010
12:09 pm
Improved tackling and more forced turnovers or sacks are what UGA needs from their defense. If they don’t do that, the results will be exactly like they were under Martinez. The 3-4 won’t matter all that much other than to help disguise the blitzes (which y’all never did under Martinez).
If they run the ball the way they are capable of, the defense won’t be on the field very much which is what will really decrease the number of points allowed.
Eisendawg
June 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
On a different note, UGA grad John Isner has won the longest, and one of the greatest tennis matches in history! http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga-grad-wins-wimbledon-555858.html
Milburn Drysdale
June 24th, 2010
12:19 pm
The only thing Spurrier can exploit is Clemson and maybe the azaleas at Augusta National. Loser.
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010
12:22 pm
I suppose I should have bold lettered a better disclaimer. Did not mean to get into a debate about why Willie should have been fired.
The point that I was making was: everything gonna be better just because he was, is overly simplistic.
There is a reason UGA gave up 25 TD passes in 2009 and THAT should be the debate. (WM “responsibility” is obvious given it cost him a job)
But responsibility and cause are not the same thing.
UGA gave up 8, 11, 12 in his first 3 years then balloned in 2008. there is a reason. And its not that all of a sudden in the summer of 2007, at the pinnacle of his career, he just wigged out.
Blame him, great. Its his job and he paid the price. thats the way it should be, but that doesnt change the fact that ON THE FIELD there is a reason that the defense wasnt up to the task in 2009. They were before doing the exact same thing, but not in 2009. Why? what was the variable? Doesnt matter whose “responsibility” it was, thats workes itself out. What was different in 2009 than 2005-2007 when they were very highly national ranked in all categories including the topic we are discussing?
Pass rush, DB talent. If those aren’t fixed, it doesnt matter who the DC is.
'94 UGA Grad
June 24th, 2010
12:33 pm
Hey Dawg Trainer,
UT is one of the teams I am the least concerned with this year. New QB, new coaching staff, and no starters return on the OL. LMAO! Trust me…we are going to smoke you guys this year. UT will be lucky to go 8-5 this year and 7-6 or 6-7 is more likely.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 24th, 2010
12:43 pm
“Pass rush, DB talent. If those aren’t fixed, it doesnt matter who the DC is”.
Altadawg. True. From the sound of all the post on here regarding the personel we have coming back from Willie’s defense and the guys that were available but did not play last year, AND the new defensive scheme, all of our D problems are solved. That was easy. Do you think Houston will have more sacks this year? Better stats? IMO our defense wasn’t that agressive last year, ie, blitzing, pounding the WR/TE at the line. The UT game was a train wreck. Crompton put up Heisman numbers against us.
Chris
June 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
I would like to know how many of those 25 TD passes were given up by Brian Evans. I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that atleast 15 TD passes were a direct result of his terrible coverage. It seemed like every time a big play was made, you would see Brian Evans in hot pursuit trying to catch up. Unfortunately, his hot pursuit was about as affective as Rosco Pico Train’s pursuit of those Duke boys….he just never could catch em!
Why would ANYBODY give Brian Evans a chance? I’m sure he’s a good kid, and I hope he got good degree from UGA. He just never should have been a starter on a college football team. That was Willies fault for not playing his best players.
Good luck to you Brian in whatever you do! The DAWGS defense will be much better off.
ugaclassof2004
June 24th, 2010
12:52 pm
This unit should have been embarrased to look at themselves in the mirror last year. How can you give up 25 TD’s and then go downtown afterwards like you actually did anything? How can you not care THAT much. Jeez… Bryan Evans and Prince Miller were terrible.Period.
Rashad Jones actually has the talent to be pretty good and is capable of knocking a guy’s lights out ala Eric Berry style when he wants to. But he has that loser ” I’ll turn it on when I feel like it” mentality. Boykin is a good athlete, but he needs to learn the nuances of the position. He could coast on his athletic ability in high school, but at this level your football IQ is key, otherwise teams will take advantage of you.
I’ll tell you what though, that Bacari Rambo could be a very good football player with some decent coaching. He’ll knock your lights out!Overall this unit will have some bumbs in the road, but I’m not as concerned about the DB’s as much as I am with our pass rush, or lack thereof the last few seasons.
UGAgrad71
June 24th, 2010
12:57 pm
If speculation was worth the present price of Gold, all these bloggers would be very rich indeed. All comments, with very few exceptions, are just speculation. I, too, am looking forward to the up-coming season. I believe UGA will be much improved on the D side, if the O line can move some folks and put the RB’s in the endzone, UGA will be fine.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
UGAgrad71, sh!t without specualtion in the off season we would all go crazy. Bring on the season! BTW, we were okay last year except for the 5 losses.
Urban Meyer
June 24th, 2010
1:14 pm
Hope my players are as tough as I am !
Bruce Mac
June 24th, 2010
1:17 pm
All hale the Gayturds. We bow at your feet until October 30, 2010. Then prepare and deal.
jason
June 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
the key to UGA’s defense being better is for UGA’s offense to DOMINATE the time of possesion with a good strong run game behind a veteran OL full of experience.
jasont13
June 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
Von Van Halanger is a clown- Are you speaking of Aaron Murray? Saw that you mentioned Clemson, so I am taking it your a Clemson grad and fan. Kind of hard to call him a midget when Kyle Parker is the same height as Aaron Murray!!!!
Bruce Mac
June 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
I love those unis with the angel wings on the shoulders, those are so cute. I especially liked them when Bama was stomping a mud hole in them. Yea, I know black helmets are equally lame.
JB, question...
June 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
Call me ignorant, but what does HBTD mean? you include it after every post and i’ve always wondered…
ugaclassof2004
June 24th, 2010
1:44 pm
Do ya’ll know that the Dawgs were -16 in turnover margin last season? Do you have any idea how bad that is? That means that not only is the offense turning the ball over, but the defense is generating next to nothing when it comes to fumbles and INT’s. With that many turnovers, it’s a miracle they went 8-5.
When a team does that bad, they almost never turn the ball over that much the next year. The same is true for + turnover differential. I think the Gators were like +22 in turnovers in 2008, and they were only like +8 in turnovers this year, hence the closer scores in games. The charge for this defense is to get back into the + catergory of turnover margin. They do that while not turning the ball over 3-4 times a game on offense, and watch that win total go up.
Santa Cruz CA Dawg
June 24th, 2010
1:54 pm
This group could be as good as when Thomas Davis and company were at UGA!!!!!!
Lakatos has an excellent track record with much less talented players.
sfaulkner
June 24th, 2010
1:56 pm
addition by subtraction thank God brian evans is gone!
The Other St. Simons
June 24th, 2010
2:12 pm
What was the score of the Tech game last year? Anyone? Is it on a ring somewhere?
I think these guys playing blindfolded can stop the bees from their vaunted “passing” attack. As for real teams, we’ll have to wait and see.
Joseph
June 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
I see the secondary as having enormous potential and frankly by midseason could be the strength of the Defense. Coach L is a great coach who has done great hings with much less talent. I think we will all be pleased with this unit come Bowl time!!!
Joseph
June 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
“things” sorry
Dawg Trainer
June 24th, 2010
2:47 pm
Gotta love you Dawgs. Yep, Richt is 5-4 against Tennessee. Fulmer went 12-6 against Jawja and all that got him was ‘fired’ (well, resigned).
Go ahead and circle the date. I’ll be there to make sure my hedges are trimmed, my turf mowed, and my coeds ready to service me after the game. That’s the one thing I DO like about Athens…yer womenfolk are always willing and able! I’ll be at my usual suite at the Hilton Garden. Stop on by. The Dawg Trainer is always magnamious in victory! Tell the desk lady you’re looking for Tennessee T. She’ll know what to do.
There are some things missing in 2010
June 24th, 2010
2:54 pm
Prince Miller is gone. He was fair on punt returns.
# 09 Reshad Jones is gone.
Evans is gone.
WM and his team of confused coaches are gone.
The LOUSY attitude of the above is gone.
Thank God and Greyhound.
We will be better just by this attrition list. We should add two victories, at least to last year’s 8, which I also hope is missing, only 8 wins, that is.
Go Dogs
Dawg Trainer
June 24th, 2010
2:55 pm
While I’m on a roll, don’t forget we went 7-6 in 2009. Still spanked that Dawgie azz 45-19 with 2 walk-ons on the O-line. So until proven otherwise (or the offense finally crossing our 30 yard line), so what if we go 7-5 again? We can chalk up our usual butt-kicking of Jawja regardless.
bo Williams
June 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
1. Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina Tar Heels
This defense is overflowing with freaks (Mel Kiper thinks so too), but it’s Carter — a three-year starter at OLB who has led the nation with five blocked kicks — who merits top freak status this year. He’s part of the country’s fastest linebacking corps. Carter’s workout numbers are every bit as impressive as his football stats. He has set UNC linebacker records in the power clear (374) and the vertical jump (40.5 inches). The 238-pounder has also been clocked at 4.39 in the 40 and bench-presses 440. Asked which of the testing numbers he’s most proud of, Carter says it’s his power clean, which is tied for tops on the team with DE Robert Quinn and Zach Pianalto.
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010
3:05 pm
Zoo, I do think Houston is due to have a better year irrespective of who is calling the plays.
Dawg in Vinings
June 24th, 2010
3:13 pm
Now, now Tennessee T, that wasn’t a very classy comment about our ladies in Athens. Our ladies typically don’t go for big boys in orange coveralls bragging about their suite at the HGI for a weekend. But I understand the attempt- the Lulus in Knoxville are all about your Pigeon Forge Motel 6 suite with a heart shaped hot tub.
How2fish
June 24th, 2010
3:19 pm
I get it Tennessee T= Tennessee Tool…brother I grew up in Knoxville and we were taught to talk about the ladies with a little more respect. The ladies at UT or UGA deserve better .
DawgDad
June 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
Can’t look at DB’s in isolation. Front needs to stop the run and generate pass rush so the DB’s can concentrate on cover instead of covering up mistakes and breakdowns. That said, last season’s secondary was subpar and it’s hard to envision even mediocre UGA-level talent being that bad again.
This team will go as far as the defense takes it. I’ll remain concerned until I see them stop the SEC big boys from pounding the ball down their throats without overcommitting the secondary and getting burned in the process. Generating more turnovers would be huge; if this defense can consistently get off the field and not play three quarters of every game I really like the Dawg’s chances.
heeldawg
June 24th, 2010
3:50 pm
Georgia’s secondary players were perpetually out of proper defensive position last season. The attitude was bad, and the execution was worse.
The talent level of this secondary is outstanding. With Lakatos actually coaching these kids up, this could be the most improved defensive unit of any team in the SEC. And the secondary was clearly the weakness of the defense last year. If you add in an aggressive, talented pass rush with OLBs Houston and Washington (both of whom could be All-Americans IMHO), this could be a very special year on defense. The “Age of Grantham” is upon us, and it will be an upgrade from the Wille Martinez circus almost by default.
And Dawg Trainer, you’ve got very little to talk about. Yeah, you guys beat us last season, and you shouldn’t have on the basis of talent. That was all due to our sorry coaching staff–and they are gone. By contrast, there is a talent deficit in Knoxville that will not be rectified in a single year–or even in two. Even if Dooley is a great bench coach, you’ll lose a bunch of games this season, and the next one after that, as well. The skills just aren’t there. So just prepare mentally for Richt’s record against the Vols to move to 6-4 this season, to 7-4 the next one….and who knows after that.
UGA is Just Fine....
June 24th, 2010
4:12 pm
Martinez leaving is the best thing that could have happened to the defense.
Players under Willie actually regressed. Look at how players like P.Miller, B.Evans, R.Brown played in their freshmen yrs compared to their senior seasons, they all showed great promise until they learned willie ball.
Again look at what the defense did in the bowl game WITHOUT willie against Texas A&M who had a top 10 offense btw. CWG and two grad assistants put together the game plan and basically just got more agressive and look at the results. That was with only a few weeks to prepare.
I for one will be glad to see the 10yd cushion and his soft zone gone! One of the reasons our secondary got torched was many times they were out of position. Like in chess the most powerful pieces are only as strong as the position they are put in. Lakatos is a great pick up to the staff and I like the fact that he likes his corners to be physical and go after the ball.
May take a few games to get going,but if the Dawgs can survive early tests against SC and Arkansas they could be unbeaten heading into the Fl game.
The Dawgs do have a lot of questions this year, but in most cases where the questions are we were so bad last year that it’s hard to fathom we would perform worse in those areas.
Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010
4:51 pm
“The attitude was bad, and the execution was worse.”
Pretty much 2009 in a nutshell. No matter what/who I would expect the team to be more excited to play, and be more exciting to watch this season. Much of that coming from a new staff, exited to coach rather than just trying to recover or survive. 2009 just seemed like the shadow of 2008 to me. Bad vibes all around. And if you think about it, why should we have been excited coming into the season last year? Lost your big star players, the talent level not where it should have been, an unpopular staff, and a Head Coach having to spend his energy defending everybody from top to bottom, and some serious legitamate problem areas on the field that would have been a drag despite none of the above.
2010 feels more like the first of the next few years stretch. I think the fans will enjoy this season more it more even if the record isn’t much different.
UGA is Just Fine....
June 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
AltamahaDawg- agree to a point. I think the talent was lacking to a degree but the coaching was lacking even more. from WM. He coached scared (soft zone, DBs playing WRs 10yds off the line). You just have to wonder what C.Strong, M.Kiffin, W.Muschamp, or K.Smart would have done with that bunch.
Willie’s resume hardly qualified him to be a DC at a major school
Willie Martinez Coaching Experience:
1985-86, Miami (Grad. Asst.); 1988, Bethune-Cookman (Quarterbacks / Wide Rec.); 1989-90, Boca Raton H.S. (Def. Backs) 1991, Olympic Heights H.S.- Boca Raton, Fla. (Def. Coord. / Def. Backs); 1992-93, Grand Valley State (Def. Coord. / Def. Backs); 1994, Central Michigan (Def. Backs); 1995-96, Central Florida (Def. Coord. / Def. Backs); 1997, Eastern Michigan (Def. Backs); 1998-99, Central Michigan (Def. Backs); 2000, Central Michigan (Asst. Head Coach / Def.); 2001-04, Georgia (Secondary); 2005-09, Georgia (Defensive Coordinator / Secondary).
CMR hooked up his best friend and ended up getting burned. With the above resume would he even have been considered a viable candidate if he WASN’T CMR’s friend? Hardly.
Even with the 3-4/new secondary coach learning curve the defense should be MUCH improved even coming out of the gate. Hopefully they will hit their stride around game 6 or so. If we can survive early tests against SC & Arkansas we should be fine AND don’t fall prey to MSU – they will be better than most think.
Go Dawgs!
Only 2 months to Sept.
June 24th, 2010
5:33 pm
if anything, losing the three starters will only help. it was like having 3 jamie hendersons on the field at once. terrible
Delbert D.
June 24th, 2010
5:47 pm
“Rashad Jones actually has the talent to be pretty good and is capable of knocking a guy’s lights out ala Eric Berry style when he wants to.”
Top 5 NFL pick?
Saben
June 24th, 2010
6:02 pm
Georgia`s defense will be a lot better this year.
Believe Florida should only score 40 and South Carolina will be held to the high 30`s. Suspect Kentucky and Auburn will hang 50 on us.
Richt will get a new hairdresser and everything will be wonderful at the mobile home park here in Athens behind the Wal Mart.
Saben
June 24th, 2010
6:04 pm
Also Martinez will be back in 2011.
waterboy
June 24th, 2010
6:39 pm
Mama says “Saben is the Devil”.
New Guy
June 24th, 2010
6:39 pm
Hunter Long the new Bulldog! 13th Commit! Go Dawgs
Jethro
June 24th, 2010
6:49 pm
Welcome Hunter Long! I am glad you picked us over your other offers….Arkansas State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Murray State, Southern Miss, and Tennessee-Martin. Go Dawgs!
mgdawg
June 24th, 2010
7:53 pm
bham dawg, he gave himself the name hitman. As far as the db’s, I don’t think when van gorder was there the cb’s played 10 yards off the line of scrimmage and as soon as the ball was hiked they started backing up. To whoever said rennie curran didn’t live up to expectations, the guy was the leading tackler in the SEC for a couple of years I believe, what else do you want out of the guy.
CLEVON LITTLE
June 24th, 2010
8:45 pm
BDAWG… FYI — You left your CAPS LOCK on.
The D will be much better this year. Talent + confidence from the coaching staff + new players = new attitude & better play.
CLEVON LITTLE
June 24th, 2010
8:48 pm
Saben …WEW….At first I thought it said ‘Saban’, and I was thinking ‘What the heck is the Alabama coach doing on this blog??!!!’
Johnny DangerDawg
June 24th, 2010
8:53 pm
With 3 new starters, I expect this group to start the season a bit shaky but with flashes of brilliance. In the second half of the season, I think this group will be excellent.
SOS Dawg
June 24th, 2010
9:11 pm
If this team doesnt get really serious in the weight room the dawgs will gut pushed around by the weak sisters of the SEC and endure the usual beatdowns by Tenn. and the mighty Gators.
buzzDawg
June 24th, 2010
10:15 pm
You’ve got to think coaching was the problem when two graduate assistants successfully handled the defensive coaching responsibilities during the bowl game. As I recall, the defensive philosophy was simple – have fun and get after the other guys. With Grantham, Lakatos and Belin coaching up the awesome defensive talent the Dawgs have, the defense has the potential to be very good and, just maybe, great.
Urban Meyer
June 24th, 2010
10:17 pm
You got to be kidding, this group leaks like a BP oil well. Are we still selling the “dream” Dawgy fans? Oh I’m sorry, with LeMay is it now the “wet dream team?” How about selling the dream:
PASS DEFENSE G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards Avg. TD Avg/G
1. Florida 14 208 396 20 52.5 2139 5.4 10 152.8
2. South Carolina 13 192 349 6 55.0 2119 6.1 11 163.0
3. Vanderbilt 12 171 305 12 56.1 1979 6.5 13 164.9
4. Alabama 14 210 449 24 46.8 2324 5.2 11 166.0
5. Tennessee 13 220 393 10 56.0 2200 5.6 5 169.2
6. Ole Miss 13 198 396 13 50.0 2267 5.7 12 174.4
7. Kentucky 13 163 336 16 48.5 2298 6.8 17 176.8
8. LSU 13 222 416 13 53.4 2525 6.1 13 194.2
9. Georgia 13 218 388 10 56.2 2772 7.1 25 213.2
10. Auburn 13 253 452 17 56.0 2834 6.3 19 218.0
11. Miss. State 12 187 332 17 56.3 2640 8.0 18 220.0
12. Arkansas 13 239 404 13 59.2 3230 8.0 22 248.5
col fot
June 24th, 2010
10:38 pm
they will be just fine techie Tim!!
Bville Dawg
June 24th, 2010
11:02 pm
The D WILL be better. CWM and staff spent lots of time coaching scheme and not nearly enough time coaching the fundamentals of football. “alot of people want to make alot of things of this game but in the end it comes down to 2 things…. blocking and TACKLING” Vince Lombardi….
I love the talk of getting back to coaching these fundamentals of football. HOPEFULLY we have seen the last UGA defender try to knock and opponent off his feet instead of wrapping up and driving him to the turf or a DB with his back to the football chasing a WR with his hands sticking up like an 8yr old covering a little league receiver.
CANT WAIT…. well known in couple of months!!!
hop
June 25th, 2010
12:52 am
DAWGS season depends on the O/Line dominating this year, if that happens the defense will not be playing very much!
Let’s hope that BOBO has finally learned his lesson and run the football,and not pass on every other down.
the defense will be awesome when needed,but the season depends on the dawgs ability to run the football successfully!
the East will be interesting with tebow gone and ut sucking eggs,but carolina could be the real deal with the only experience qb in the DIVISION.
BuLLdawg
June 25th, 2010
2:13 am
Yes, the Defense is Impressive. The offense is where we need to be concerned, and although we play a soft easy schedule this 2010 season with 10 returning starters on offense, we have not done well on offense and nothing changed – except at QB when it is said repeatedly in this blog that Mike Bobo is great, that Joe Cox was a great QB with a great arm, that our OL that has struggled against every good opponent for the last 4 years will be great this season somehow, and that Caleb King is great. There is no reason with only 1 ranked team on the schedule # 5 Florida, that we cannot go 12-2. Will the Special Teams be great this season ? Yes. Will the Defense be great this season ? Yes.
chazzo
June 25th, 2010
7:14 am
UPDATE: According to this blog: Steve Surlier wants to take advantage of “the holes” in the 3-4. Problem is, Stevo, you aint playing. Your QB battle became a QB exodus. And, while Garcia is solid and experienced, he just isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. Grantham will have our guys give Garcia fits all day. Urban Minor thinks that recruiting for 2011 and stats from 2009 have something to do with 2010. Urbane, your assistant rats jumped shipped. There’s no Tebow. And, you play Alabama and LSU back to back. Why don’t you just curl up in the fetal position and suck your thumb. There is an ultra-delusional Tennessee fan, calling himself dog master, who not only insulted dawg fans and promises to rape, pillage and plunder in Athens, but told us all where he would be staying. Be sure to knock on his door. He will be the one with a stack of porn mags and the giant orange blow up girl. Hmmm? Based on these clowns, I’d say we have nothing to worry about.
Mobile Dawg
June 25th, 2010
7:24 am
The foundation of this football team eroded the last few years. As with a building, cosmetics can cover blemishes for a while. However once the foundation passes a point and starts sagging it can no longer be covered by paint.
Our program reached that point, our foundation, i.e. discipline, conditioning, fundamentals, game planning, and yes “coaching” caught up with us. We have some new blood infused and this should have “IMO” an immediate short term benefit and impact. However, if the foundation hasn’t been repaired we can look for similar long term results and more coaching changes.
Altamaha was right on with his point on a yet unproven coaching change, but I believe he misses the main point of our problems which is the foundation, i.e. the identy of the program. This team needs a mission statement, let’s go further, this “program” needs a mission statement of what we want to be and how we’re going to stay there.
Macon 1 Dawg
June 25th, 2010
8:06 am
With this 3-4 D, the Dawg D will be the surprise team of the SEC!!!! The Dawgs will win the SEC east—take it to the bank!
orlando Dawg
June 25th, 2010
8:15 am
With so many unaswered questions at this time about this team, I remain cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. Mobile dawg has raised an interesting point about team identity. When BVG left a few years ago, I had this forboding feeling come upon me then. It was as if UGA had lost a part of thier identity(our defensive mind set). That identity where the oposition had at the very least, some trepidation when they played UGA. Now days my beloved Dawgs have been reduced to the likes of Kentucky and Vandy due to incompetence of the former coaching staff. I remain cautious about the new coaches and the new scheme. In time, we all will know if these guys are better. We have always had the talent, but I question the hearts and desires of the players. I do want our identity back. The indentity that a great coach gave us years ago. (coack Irk Russell). Scoring 50 points a game is nice, but when we had little or no defense to speak of, we lost our identity. Let’s hope we get that back this year. GO DAWGS….. SIC ‘EM
tim
June 25th, 2010
8:37 am
john brantley is chomping at the bit to get to the puppies secondary…meyer will probably sit him after his 6th TD pass in jax
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
8:58 am
Urban Meyer I’d worry less about Lemay and how well your MEDS are working out for you..stay strong coach we want you healthy in Jax. tim even with CWM last year Brantley has never played against a D that good in a game with live rounds in the gun.Anyway you slice it the Dog D this year will be a lot tougher than say Charleston Southern.
Greensboro, Georgia
June 25th, 2010
9:00 am
————————————–
……Nesbitt for Heisman……
————————————–
Urban Meyer
June 25th, 2010
9:08 am
Hey How2fish, those are excellent points you bring up. Just curious, how many live rounds has Murray faced? Once again, he certainly didn’t appear very impressive in the G-Day game and by most accounts, was second to Zach Mettenberger before his departure.
tim
June 25th, 2010
9:18 am
Brantley plays against a D that’s much better than the puppies…I’m talking about UF’s second stringers
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
9:18 am
By what “most accounts”. Not the coaches or players or media. Whose accounts are you refering to?
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
9:19 am
Urban Meyer he hasn’t faced anyone yet..difference is that while Brantley may turn out to be the 2nd coming of John Elway he still has to prove that..Charleston Southern and the other mop up duty he has seen is not what he will face this year..From what I’ve seen (not much really) of him he has all the tools and from all reports has the leadership skills to run that offense he still hasn’t proved anything. We know Murray has to a lot to prove however a LOT of Gator fans seem to think Brantley is a sure fire all SEC QB…my point is that remains to be seen, while CUM is a great coach and the team is loaded with talent the proof is in the pudding and on the field.
BigGuy
June 25th, 2010
9:21 am
Pup fans,
The secondary looks like the same UGAY story. Boatloads of talent w/ no coaching. Outside of Champ Bailey, can you guys tell me another legitimate UGAY DB in the NFL?
That’s what I thought! You recruits pay attention, UGAY gets 4-star and 5-star players every year but FAIL to make them into NFL prospects.
However, I do think UGAY will win the National Championship w/ their freshman QB.
Dawg Trainer
June 25th, 2010
9:24 am
Actually, I’m the Dawg Trainer…but I LIKE Dawg Master! Thanks.
And telling you Dawgs exactly where I’ll be staying when I come to inspect Neyland South is just how the Dawg Trainer rolls. If any of you get out of hand when you come to see me, keep in mind that I’ll have a rolled-up AJC handy for additional Dawg training.
And for yer women…I’m Tennessee T when it comes to them. But I’m an equal opportunity lover…everywhere I go, the women are glad to see me (well, maybe not Starkville. Or Tuscaloosa.)
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
9:25 am
tim exactly how do you back that up? The Gators 2nd string D is much better than UGA’s starting D ? Or is it just another example of wishful thinking on your part? Tell you what if that’s so I’m sure with your considerable influence with the Gator coaching staff you can persuade them to only play the 2nd string D in Jax this Oct?
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
9:27 am
When a guy named BigGuy uses the GAY reference 4 times in a single post, somebody might be peeking out of the closet.
I would dispute the history of previously 5 star recruits failing to make an NFL roster as well.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
9:31 am
BigGuy your a gasbag of the first water..how can you gauge the coaching staff when they have yet to coach a single game at UGA?? Guys like you and Dawg Trainer are equal opportunity tools are you perhaps related? And Dawg Trainer I have a suggestion on where you can put your rolled up AJC by the way.
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
9:39 am
Urban???? what “most accounts”?
Bud
June 25th, 2010
9:56 am
This is the only weak unit on the team.
Offense: O-Line, TE’s, WR’s, RB’s, QB’s, all stellar.
Special teams: punter, kicker, kick returner, stellar. Need a good punt returner like Green (returned 12 punts for td’s in high school).
Defense: D-Line, LB’s, stellar. Safeties, Ogletree, Hamilton, etc., stellar. CB’s need some guys to step up, don’t have tall guys there. Boykin, Cuff were not impressive last season.
tim
June 25th, 2010
10:02 am
hey how2fish if the gators played the 2nd or 3rd tean D they would still kick your ass…and you know it 17 out of 20 soon to be 18 of 21
Brainiac(Dawg for life in Louisville, Ga.)
June 25th, 2010
10:11 am
AFTER ONE GETS HIT BY RAMBO THERE IS USUALLY ENOUGH TIME FOR RAMBO TO TAKE A NAP WHILE SOMEBODY CLEANS UP THE CARNAGE. ASK AUBURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bud
June 25th, 2010
10:15 am
How tall are the corners?
Cuff?
Branden?
Boykin?
Might be a problem against teams like Arkansas, South Carolina & Auburn.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
10:17 am
tim I don’t know that at all in fact I think we take you to the woodshed this year.but if you feel the need to play the 2nd and 3rd team guys go ahead.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
10:20 am
Bud not sure how tall the corners are however a lot can be overcome as far as a lack of height if they just turn and watch the ball! Something it seemed they never did last year!
gdawginkalamazoo
June 25th, 2010
10:51 am
Delbert D, I think that was Top 5 Rounds NFL pick.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 25th, 2010
10:55 am
Orlando Dawg, I say 750K to the new DC better give us some kind of identity on that side of the ball. If not I will very disappointed. Grantham can do it I think. 750K reasons he should.
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
11:03 am
Tim, why do Gator fans always look at 20 exactly? Why not 25 or 23, or 12 or 6? any number . Why 20 exactly? It’s always puzzled me what was magic or significant about exactly 20.
Dawg Trainer
June 25th, 2010
11:22 am
Just letting you Dawgs know that the Dawg Trainer will be in Athens July 2nd to inspect his new turf. Unfortunately, ladies, Tennessee T won’t be able to stay overnight…Fortunately for the women of Atlanta, I WILL be staying there overnight!
And after further review, it’s a good thing that the UF-UGa game is in Jax. Neyland South/Ben Hill Griffin North is a bit unwieldy!
PowerDawg
June 25th, 2010
11:37 am
We are not completely devoid of experience in the D backfield. Every position is loaded with talent and they will finally get to play the ball instead of that 15 yrd cushion and bend-but-don’t break crap.
If Lakatos could put together 4 ball-hawks that smothered recievers and tackled cleanly at a place like UConn, he will make our secondary fearsome. Plus, take a look at UConn’s penalty to passes defended ratios. This guy knows how to coach.
Looks like we’re going to make some offenses “Lakatos Intolerant” this year.
Uh oh, Chongo!
June 25th, 2010
12:03 pm
Bring back the Junkyard Dawgs!
“Bryan Evans cut by the Bengals last week”
What took them so long? It’s already been 2 months. It must have been the pass coverage that wowwed them.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
PowerDawg LMAO “Lakatos Intolerant” great phrase I like it !
Hayseed Dixie
June 25th, 2010
12:14 pm
UGA has had National Championship calibre recruits and money for over two decades.
harold
June 25th, 2010
12:15 pm
HI GANG IT’S HAROLD AGAIN! YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ THE NO SPIN ZONE. SO SIT DOWN WAKE UP FROM THE DREAM THEY ARE TELLING YOU TO HAVE AND LET’S FOCUS ON THE FACTS!
FACT:GEORGIA AND RICHT ARE NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM OR COACH.
FACT:ALABAMA AND FLORIDA ARE A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM & CHAMPION COACHES!
FACT:GEORGA WAS 4-4 LAST YEAR IN THE SEC
FACT:GEORGIA IS 20-12 THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN THE SEC
FACT:GEORGIA IS DREAMING ABOUT IT WHILE ALABAMA & FLORIDA DO IT!
FACT:FOUR COACHES “REJECTED” THE D COORDINATOR POSITION.
FACT:THE DIGRESSION WITH GEORGIA FOOTBALL IS OBVIOUS BASED ON THE FACTS!
FACT:WAKE-UP—-SMELL THE COFFEE–AND GET IN THE REAL WORLD!
FACT:THE DREAM OF GEORGIA WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IS DELUSIONAL
Houdawg
June 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
How the secondary plays this year : …….. ” See the Ball …. Get the Ball ! ”
OK , more details I know , but we WILL get better results this season ……
Houdawg
June 25th, 2010
12:29 pm
Hi Harold …….. stuff it !
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
12:58 pm
Hey Big Guy…how about Tim Jennings, Sean Jones, Jermaine Phillips, or Thomas Davis (S @ UGA now an LB), not to mention Reshad Jones who was drafted.
Dawg Trainer
June 25th, 2010
1:02 pm
I see Harold has arrived…so he’ll continue the training for today.
See you tomorrow!
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
1:04 pm
….oh and Greg Blue.
See Big Guy when you spout ignorance…nevermind anything else would just be a waste of both time and words.
Go Dawgs!
Newnan Cougars
June 25th, 2010
1:10 pm
Right on Chris. Bryan Evans probably got cut because he can get burned by an offensive guard. I always hate to say it about any Dawg, but that guy was garbage. Prince Miller did as well as any 5′8″ corner could, and was a great return man, but no way he’s matching up on any NFL receiver. He’s no Brent Grimes.
We’re looking great this year though & I can’t wait to see Ogletree get on the field! Safety though. He would have to get beastly in the next few months to even think about playing OLB in the 3-4. This is also the best I’ve ever felt about our corners though. Freakish atheletes with decent size are always welcome……..Unless named Bryan Evans.
Newnan Cougars
June 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
UGA is just fine/Big Guy – Don’t forget about Asher Allen & Paul Oliver(who would’ve been a 1st or early 2nd rounder if he wasn’t an idiot and didn’t fail classes heading into his senior year). Oh yeah & every one of those guys other than Jennings & Phillips left early, so don’t pretend you know what you’re talking about Big Gay (for any gays out there I’m not a hater, just returning the favor to this loser). We have the occasional injury plagued 4 or 5 star guy who never pans out or turns into a crack head (cough cough! Jasper Sanks), but we consistently put quality players into the NFL in every position, so take it and like it Big Guy.
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
Newnan, thanks, forgot about those two!
shane#1
June 25th, 2010
4:24 pm
I like this defensive backfield. This is the biggest D backfield since the Davis-Blue days and possibly the fastest group ever. A 220lb SS, a 210lb FS, and three CBs with game breaking speed. You talk about one hell of a nickle package! Plus there will be solid backups with Hamilton, Banks[provided he stays healthy], and Cummings. I don’t think Ogletree will get much PT at Safety or LB, he needs a lot of work with pass coverage. I do not think he should be red shirted, he is too good at special teams play. Ogletree has a knack for blocking kicks and is murder on kick returners. So train him at lB or safety and play him on kick block and coverage teams. By the second half of the season he may be ready for the defensive rotation.
chazzo
June 25th, 2010
4:30 pm
FACT: HERALD IS ANNOYING.
MountainDawg
June 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
@ Milburn Drysdale – LOL! Dadgum hilarious!
These DBs have good straight line speed, and hopefully the can translate/utilize it on the gridiron. BTW, I don’t put much stock in the (pro-caste) recruiting services (Rivals, etc.). They listed busts like Jasper Sanks & Marquis Elmore as “5 stars”, but (the best defensive player in UGA history) David Pollack as only “3 stars”.
orlando Dawg
June 25th, 2010
5:19 pm
I appreciate your comments and the point of view gdawginkalamazoo. Still with all that money being paid out to CTG, I want(and expect)to see UGA get that swagger back, and instill fear into the opposition the way UGA use to do, or at least show a glimpse of that, some time early in this season. Time will reveal if indeed we do regain that.
I also recall another DB that was drafted into the NFL, although from an earlier time period… Jake Scott.
Neutral observor
June 25th, 2010
5:44 pm
Harold happens to be right.
savannadawg
June 25th, 2010
7:11 pm
Ask yourself? Would I run a pattern against these guys? One word comes to mind. FEROCIOUS!!!! I for one do not want to lose my head to any of these men. Specifically the safties.
savannadawg
June 25th, 2010
7:18 pm
MountainDawg, I will agree about Sanks but Mudcat got a back injury at that prep school he went to and never fully recovered.
Browndog
June 25th, 2010
7:44 pm
UGA should be much better but they have to win the turnover battle. Will be a very interesting season. Could lose 5 or win 11. SC game will set the tone for the season. I’ll be happy with team showing improvement each game, regardless of the win/loss record.
DawginLex
June 25th, 2010
7:55 pm
Neutral,harold and dawg trainer are all DA’s and that doesa not stand for district attorney
chazzo
June 25th, 2010
8:01 pm
Herald, right or wrong, is annoying. When the fashion that you post info is annoying, chances are you are annoying. But, his post, which I equate to throwing an egg at someone’s house and running like hell, is foolish and wrong, as well. Let us start with the 4 D coordinator statement. No one, at least no one who has sense thought Smart or what’s his name at Texas were coming. It would be a bad move for them. Richt, however, had to offer, because all the fans with no sense would forever be riding the new D-coordinator and saying we should have hired Smart. Now, the championship thing. Last year was tough. We all know that. Therefore, Herald is just being a little jackass. If your definition of “championship coach” is one that has won championships, then Richt clearly is a championship coach. If your definition is only coaches that win NCs, well then you are excluding a bevy of great coaches (including Bear Bryant) that haven’t had the right formula and timing and luck for that distinction. But, what really makes Herald a complete little sucker punching dweeb is that he showed up to put us in our place by telling us we weren’t as good as (arguably) the two best teams in the country LAST season. Well, Herald, neither were 148 or so other D1 schools. My point is last year is gone. the last ten years gone. The last twenty gone! You have no FACTS about 2010. You have nothing to add to the conversation. SO SHUT UP!
Bulldog59
June 25th, 2010
9:18 pm
Chazzo, DawginLex, etal, you all raise some good points.
As for Harold, anyone that can’t figure out the CapsLock key on their keyboard or phone, certainly can’t understand SEC football. Personally, I don’t know how old he is physically, but mentally, I’m guess 10 to 12 max.
As for Tim Tucker’s question at hand, our thoughts on the DBs? Superior talent is there, as it has been almost every year since I attended (and yes later graduated) in the early 80s. The difference this year is, vastly superior coaching and work ethic. Lakatos and Grantham will have them performing at a very high level.
RED DOG 77
June 26th, 2010
1:23 am
BuLLdawg……….While I disagree with your take on the 2010 UGA offense, Son, you are starting to make some logical points. I also disagree that we play a ” soft, easy ” schedule………Now really BuLLdawg, South Carolina, then Arkansas………in the first three weeks of the season ? South Carolina always plays us tough, because we play them early. They usually don’t have the depth to continue playing good football after the 5th or 6th game, thus they begin to fold, but not week two, hell early they are capable of beating anyone in the SEC !………and Arkansas ? soft? easy ? Hell no they are not even close to being “soft”…….There are alot of bright college football minds that are saying “watch out ” for Arkansas in the SEC west, and I for one agree ! As for the defense, I agree, we will be pretty dern tough to move the ol tater on, the talent is there, the coach is top notch, but more importantly, I believe coach Todd Grantham has created a little “Chemistry” ………and you and I both have seen alot of good college football play come out of the teams that have that “it”, or in other words “Chemistry ” working for them……IMHO, chemistry is the key to championship calibre college football. Oh and by the way, on the subject at hand, the defensive backs, they will be the strength of the D., especially with the pressure I believe Houston and Washington will be putting on the other guys QB……………….GO DOGS………..Regards, RED
BuLLdawg
June 26th, 2010
4:04 am
QUOTE
by
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010 4:51 pm
“The attitude was bad, and the execution was worse.”
Pretty much 2009 in a nutshell.
2009 just seemed like the shadow of 2008 to me. Bad vibes all around.
And if you think about it, why should we have been excited coming into the season last year? Lost your big star players, the talent level not where it should have been, an unpopular staff, and a Head Coach having to spend his energy defending everybody from top to bottom, and some serious legitamate [SIC] problem areas on the field that would have been a drag despite none of the above.
2010 … this season … even if the record isn’t much different.
END 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
Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
BuLLdawg
June 26th, 2010
4:14 am
RED DOG 77
You say I am starting to make some logical points, but you don’t cite any of them.
And, I don’t see a post by me in this blog – do you ?
chazzo
June 26th, 2010
5:12 am
As per soft schedule comments: UGA has a softer schedule than the last two years that is for sure. There is no easy schedule in the SEC. I’m not taking the time to do it, but I would be interested to see which SEC champs drew the easier teams in the other division the year they won in Atlanta. I know the Chris Leak led Gators drew the tough West opponents. In fact, I said at the beginning of the season if they run it they will win the NC. They ran it. That was one of the best teams in NCAA history as was last year’s Bama team. Of course, UF does not play Auburn every year anymore. So, they never play Bama, LSU and Auburn in addition to UGA, USC, and UT. Georgia did in 2008 (sub UF for UGA). Last year the dawgs did not play Bama, but made a rival of themselves in addition to playing fairly tough out of conference teams comparably speaking.
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
9:24 am
At corner, you have Boykin, who’s 41 inch vertical is legendary, watch his slam dunk highlight reel on youtube. Boykin will start at one corner, and will develop into a great player. I look for him to lead the SEC in interceptions in 2010.
The other corner will be a battle between Cuff, Smith, and Love. Cuff can motor at 4.29 40 speed, top 25 ranked CB. Branden Smith was the #2 ranked CB in the country, can fly, and has a 37 inch vert. Smith was also ranked the #1 athlete and had 5 td’s on ko/punt returns in high school. Jordan Love is a guy to watch for, 37 inch vert, was recruited pretty hard by Florida, SC, Louisville & Penn St–those teams can play some defense.
We need speed & vertical at corner, have plenty there.
So CB looks like:
Boykin
Cuff, Smith, Love
We’ll end up with the 2 best athletes at CB: Boykin & Smith.
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
9:30 am
Safety is solid.
you got Nick Williams & Rambo, then Jakar & Ogletree.
Nick looked awesome on G-Day, he’ll end up starting if he keeps that up.
Ogletree is the tallest 6′ 3”, and best defensive back we have, he has to get on the field, #1 ranked safety in country.
A lot of talent at Safety.
Gonna be Ogletree on one side, an either Nick or Rambo on the other.
I-DOG
June 26th, 2010
11:16 am
I shouldn’t have put Rennie in there as a guy who underachieved on the D. He had a great Freshman and Soph season. I don’t think he played up to his capabilities as a Junior, but he certainly met or exceeded expectations during his UGA career.
Dawg Tired
June 26th, 2010
11:57 am
Saban – Is that the same Walmart where the Bamer fans go to see the trophy while shopping for groceries and bug spray and teeth?
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Boykin is only 5′ 10” or 5′ 11”, but has a 40+ inch vertical, also has blazing speed. Here’s the video highlights from the slam dunk contest in Florida, which Boykin won, with an amazing slam dunk from the free throw line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_dFEWYqEUk&feature=fvw
PowerDawg
June 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
No pats on the back for you, BuLLdawg…
Everything you post is negative and derogatory.
You are the Anti-dawg and you $uck.
Go back where you can slime around in like company.
AltamahaDawg
June 26th, 2010
1:43 pm
How funny that you would choose to crop out the part about fan enjoyment. I guess that’s what offended you the most. Big surprise.
Greg
June 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Georgia has some corners with Deion Sanders-like speed. Wish Deion owuld mentor one of these CB’s about how to be a great CB and a great returner, maybe Boykin, or Branden Smith.
AltamahaDawg
June 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
(sic)? you actually used (sic)? and you wonder why folks call you GTech-nerd all the time.
Fog Hog
June 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
2010 the year of Branden–makin da noise, on offense, defense, and special teams. Branden has Percy Harvin talent, needs to learn how to protect the football, if he can, gonna be da playmaker in da prime time.
Z-Town
June 26th, 2010
2:03 pm
Cuff & Boykin both got most improved players on defense in the Spring. Guys on fire. Time to shine.
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?
Neutral observor
June 27th, 2010
2:07 pm
Samuel got 6.7 yds a carry in 2008? How many times did he rush the ball? To have a 6.7 yard average he probably rushed very few times or in garbage time to run his stats up.
Florida didn’t stuff the Georgia running game in 2009? If that were true then how did UGA only score 10 pts in a 49-10 blowout?
SECFan
June 27th, 2010
2:14 pm
Not gonna beat Florida with a young secondary and new coaches. Maybe not even UT since they beat you as bad as the Gators did last year. UGA/USCeast winner takes third in the east and a trip to Atlanta for the Peach.
Tom
June 27th, 2010
2:44 pm
To win the SEC:
CMR needs to lead the SEC in scoring margin, that’s it. That’s all he has to worry about.
To beat Florida:
Use a 3 pronged attack.
1- Get a 100 yard rusher–dominating RB with attitude sets the tone (track record: 100% sccuess rate vs. Florida for CMR)
2- Win TE Battle –UGA’s TE must outgun Florida’s TE (track record: 89% success rate vs. Florida for CMR)
3- Win 1st Quarter to set the tone (track record: 89% success rate vs. Florida for CMR)
GatorLand
June 27th, 2010
2:50 pm
It doesn’t matter how many new DBs UGA puts out there. Brantley and the 5 star crop of UF receivers will light up UGA’s D like a Christmas tree in 2010—mark it down!
uga bill
June 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
We will beat Tenn this year,I can’t say the same for Fla.The gators will score often,but they will be scored on a lot too.
Moss
June 27th, 2010
3:54 pm
Phil Steele Magazine has UGA scoring 37 a game, giving up 22 a game, Florida scoring 34 a game, giving up 19 a game. Brantley won’t be lighting up people like UGA will be–Florida not in UGA’s league offensively this time. But UGA’s defense will give up a field goal more than Florida a game–UGA’s defense not as strong as Florida yet.
AltamahaDawg
June 27th, 2010
3:56 pm
UF has a 5 star crop of WRs?
Moss
June 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
Steele has UGA’s WR’s #2 in nation, Florida’s ranked #29. Niether Florida or UGA’s QB units are in Steele’s top 25, just no real experience for either team at QB.
Moss
June 27th, 2010
4:02 pm
Arkansas’ QB & WR’s will give UGA fits, Ark Steele’s #1 ranked QB & WR unit in nation, going up against an inexperienced secondary at UGA.
chazzo
June 27th, 2010
6:00 pm
Samuel was a very fast back who broke for a few big yardage runs. Given his speed, it is understandable why they would want to make a TB out of him. Cons were he couldn’t pass protect, and he couldn’t hold on to the football. He played LB in high school. He is a great athlete. How are you going to exploit his gifts? It is kind of a shame. He is so terribly young. It would have been nice to be able to redshirt him for his first two years; however, they were short running backs due to injury in 2009. Richt and co. try to pull the best team together every year. Back to back seasons of injuries and departures didn’t leave a lot to pull.
Guesswho?
June 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
If JAWJA has perfect offense, perfect passing, perfect running, and blocking. Perfect defense, hard hitting, and tackling. Great special team play. Great pass protection. Great feild goal kicker. Great play calling. They should win some games. BUT THAT AN’T GONNA HAPPEN. So live with it fans!
Lame
June 27th, 2010
6:20 pm
Huddle up: Hut—hut…Here’s the plan. Run the ball. Period. Defense don’t need to show up, don’t need any dad-gum special teams, don’t keer bout any passing. Have a good ground game. That’s it folks. I liek to simplifie things for ya’ll. Ain’t I smart?
Pink Panthers
June 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
Well, as I examine the evidence, I see there’s much going on here. Let me see……Georgia needs to survive the early tests against Arkansas and South Carolina. Not an easy task.
First, I’d suspect Georgia to send blitzers from every angle, catching the opposing QB’s off-guard. One or two mistakes a game is all it takes.
Second, Georgia’s 3-4, like Alabama, will double down on a receiver on 3rd down passing situations, so the QB will have to read the coverage correct or the ball will be intercepted.
Third, the early teams will have little video to prepare for Georgia’s defense, so this is an advantage for Georgia.
Fourth, if Georgia survives the first 3 games, the defense will have the time to be MORE than ready for Florida in late October.
Jimmy C
June 27th, 2010
6:43 pm
Here’s an article about how embarrassed Spurrier was the last time he faced Scott Lakatos secondary, he apologized. Garcia was baffled all day. Receivers were so rattled with some of the hits by Lakatos’ secondary they got alligator arms and starting dropping passes. Lakatos was the seoncday coach for UConn, tough year, Lakatos’ CB was stabbed. But the team was resilient and so was Lakatos secondary. Amazing game plan by Lakatos to overpower Spurrier with much less talent and experience. Georgia’s in good hands with Lakatos.
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=82468
Jimmy C
June 27th, 2010
6:49 pm
Spurrier still talking about loss against UConn in Bowl game 4 months later, Lakatos’ secondry beat him so bad he couldn’t stop thinking about it:
http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1079716
Jimmy C
June 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
Deion Sanders called Lakatos halfway through a season because he was so impressed by his corners. Deion ended up mentoring Butler, one of Lakatos DB’s. Deion Sanders is a HARD dude to impress. Nice article about how Lakatos goes about his business and how his DB’s play:
http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/predraft/2009/03/darius-butler-ready-for-prime-time.html
What do you call a team without a QB?
June 27th, 2010
7:46 pm
There is no substitute for experience.
New QB and a bunch of new db’s.
I smell trouble.
SECFan
June 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
uga bill:
Why will you beat Tennessee this year guaranteed? They beat you real bad last year. Both u and UT have new QBs. I think they return more starters on a defense that was pretty good last year? I wouldn’t be so sure. The Gators will win the East but if you think you will beat UT easy this year, you may be sadly surprised.
Lame
June 27th, 2010
10:22 pm
Gators are obviously a much better team without Tebow & Strong & the 9 NFL players they lost. The inexperience at QB and new defensive coach won’t hurt the Gators at all-they’ll be a much stronger team and blow away every team on the schedule. Strong, Tebow, and the 9 NFL players were all over-rated. Brantley will throw for 4000 yards and 36 touchdowns. Also, who cares if Florida’s got the 16th toughest schedule in the NCAA this year, and had the 39th last season, doesn’t matter, Florida will dominate.
Urban Meyer
June 28th, 2010
4:06 am
Georgia football fans definition of optimism. “We were average at that position last year and therefore it’s going to be a position of strength this year, hillarious.”
chazzo
June 28th, 2010
7:55 am
There are no gimmees in the SEC. That is the plain, simple truth. UF fans will tell you all about Miss. State. It is an any given Saturday kind of conference. The idea of giving one’s absolute best week in and week out, the idea of doing an assignment correctly each play because to do less would be an insult to one’s character, the very notion that making one’s self better is an obligation that must be accepted daily: I am not sure I see a lot of this kind of character anywhere in college football. Tebow (and I just don’t really like him so much) exhibited that and led others to do the same. Which guys from UGA will rise to the occasion and lead with that kind of quality? Which Coaches? To me, these are the tantamount questions. Not returning starters, stats from seasons past, or award watch lists…
SEC realist
June 28th, 2010
12:20 pm
Florida wins the SEC east easily again, with another big win over UGa. But, bama’s loaded and will beat UF in the SEC title game again, maybe worse than last year. However, due to depth issues, bama will lose in the BCS title game.
Urban Meyer
June 28th, 2010
1:05 pm
Chazzo, acknowledging the lofty platitudes and truisms you point out, yes no game in the SEC is a gimme but Georgia hasn’t been in national title picture since Bear Bryant & Bo Schembechler were roaming the sidelines. I appreciate your spirit, keeping fighting for your Dawgs.
AltamahaDawg
June 28th, 2010
1:21 pm
How do you define “in the national title picture”?
Dawg Trainer
June 28th, 2010
1:52 pm
It’s Monday. You pack of curs have exactly 91 hours to get Neyland South inspection ready. As always, line up properly leashed and at heel. If my second home passes inspection, I’ll let you call it Sanford again until we arrive later this year. I’ll even throw you a couple of Scooby Snacks! If not…well…PETA will be very upset with the Dawg Trainer!
uga bill
June 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
SECfan,
Guarantee is your word, not mine. I simply believe that UGA will field a better team than TENN. It is only my opinion. I think will will be strong on offense & special teams. Hope the defense will have some wheels by the Tenn game. Yes, I will be disappointed if we lose.
Also, Monte Kiffin & Erric Berry are gone.
GoldenDawg
July 9th, 2010
10:50 pm
I saw what Lakatos has done with his players at UCONN and how prepared he had them. I wouldn’t be surprised if UGA leads the SEC in take aways this year.