Rodney Garner’s rebuilding job
ATHENS – In his 13th season at Georgia, defensive-line coach Rodney Garner has quite the rebuilding job on his hands –- replacing three NFL draft picks and converting the returnees from a 4-3 to 3-4 scheme.
So how’s it going?
“We got to get better,” Garner said Wednesday evening. “Like I told them the other day, they got a lot of room to improve. The guys we lost off last year’s team, changing of the scheme and all of that -– there are lot of big shoes to be filled. And I’m not for sure we’re there yet.
“I see [Demarcus] Dobbs trying to take ownership, trying to be a leader. We need other guys to step up and be leaders, too. To be a good football team, you got to have leadership up front. And that’s one thing that has to emerge. Hopefully, as they become more confident in the system and become better fundamentally, maybe some of those characteristics will start to come out.”
Dobbs, a senior, is the projected starter at right end, and sophomore Abry Jones and senior Brandon Wood are competing at left end. “I can’t say Wood or Abry has taken over at that spot; they’re 1-A and 1-B,” Garner said.
DeAngelo Tyson would be the starter at the nose position “if we had to play tomorrow,” Garner said. “If you ask him, his choice would be to play one of the ends, but we’ve got to play the personnel that gives us the best chance to win.”
Converted offensive lineman Justin Anderson got some snaps at first-team nose in Tuesday’s scrimmage so that Tyson could shift to end, Garner said.
“He’s improving,” Garner said of Anderson. “He’s got a long ways to go. But he’s improving. I like his attitude. I think he’s trying to take the teaching and trying to implement it. But obviously it’s something different than he’s done his whole career here. . . . I’ve been pleased with how attentive he is and how he’s been able to retain the information.”
As for the other player at the nose, redshirt freshman Kwame Geathers, Garner said: “He’s coming. Slowly.”
Dobbs started at end in the old 4-3 defense last season and has adjusted smoothly to the 3-4, Garner said.
“I think he’s done an excellent job of adjusting to it,” Garner said. “His motor runs so high, and he plays with a lot of energy and emotion. I think the kids really respect him.”
———————–
It was just one pass in one closed-to-the-media preseason scrimmage, one of hundreds of balls Aaron Murray has thrown this month, but it must have been a really bad one.
“Sometimes an interception is a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, and sometimes it is just a foolish decision,” Mark Richt said Tuesday. And then, leaving no doubt which category he put this one in, Richt added: “And this one in particular was not a very wise decision.”
Putting it more colorfully, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo told reporters Wednesday the pass was a “bonehead decision.”
On balance, Richt said Murray is “progressing very well,” and Bobo has had much more praise than criticism for him, too. But the coaches clearly want that ill-advised pass, picked off by freshman safety Alec Ogletree, to be a learning experience for Murray.
“Just got to make sure every once in a while, when things aren’t the way they ought to be, you don’t have to be a hero,” Richt said. “Throw it out of bounds. He just tried to force one down in the red zone, and it got picked.”
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147 comments Add your comment
JB
August 12th, 2010
11:11 am
Vance, do a little homework. Georgia self imposed higher entrance standards ( excluding Vandy, and they ought to be ACC) than ALL the other SEC schools, and they are still implace today. Look it up…..We lose recruits all the time to the other SEC football schools because of this. Your blog is written out of typical Tech blind hate… We don’t let players get caught with drugs in the trunk of their car and START the next Saturday.
UGAfan18
August 12th, 2010
11:14 am
This is off topic, but in response to that horrible “Party in the UGA” song that the orientation leaders put together, it gets much much worse if your a Techie….enjoy fellow UGA grads!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEdkLVzHUO4
JB
August 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Vance, look up and compare Football players who were Rhodes Scholars at Tech And Georgia.
I’ll be waiting, but don’t take to long…….
CDAWG
August 12th, 2010
11:20 am
I have 2 at UGA this year and could not be more proud.
Dumbo
August 12th, 2010
11:21 am
When you’re short….just sail it in the general direction of a receiver…it does wonders for the other teams defense and offensive field position…Yike the QB is a Runt.
You Ain't-Know Gaily Whacker
August 12th, 2010
11:21 am
I pull for Tech and UGA eleven games a year. They always run into at least one of these each year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGDi8TqqeX8
They can’t help it.
Keep America strong, build more submarines.
Vance Duly
August 12th, 2010
11:27 am
As long as we’re living in the past, how about remembering the Jan Kemp trial, which exposed UGA and Vince Dooley for the jokes that they were. My favorite quote from the trial was this one:
O. Hale Almand Jr., a lawyer for the defense, offered a justification for the favorable treatment accorded the athletes, citing a hypothetical player. “We may not make a university student out of him,” he told the jury, “but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbageman when he gets through with his athletic career.”
Nothing has changed in the almost three decades since the trial. If anything, the abuses are even worse. Exhibit #1: Jim Harrick and son.
Today the players are even more illiterate and felonious and, well, just plain stupid, as evidenced by their arrest records and record number of penalties. Even Vince Dooley couldn’t have controlled this mob, much less Mark Richt. And now even the AD is a drunk debaucherer.
There’s a reason why UGA is known as The Cesspool of the South.
WonderDawg
August 12th, 2010
11:27 am
“How about Beating FL coach”, I’ll bet you $50 dollars ….no, let’s make it a nice, round, Obama number…I’ll bet you a trillion dollars we don’t lose to Ole Miss this season!
We don’t play Ole Miss, dummy . . .
Dumbo
August 12th, 2010
11:32 am
Vance Dully…..Techie don’t let your arrogance show to much….Still scared crapless of Richt aren’t you butthead…what his record against the MidTown Boys club…uh 8-2….hows the Swedish basketballer doing…still getting her head pounded in by a GT footballer I bet!
PaulPaul
August 12th, 2010
11:33 am
Anyone have any idea how Chase Vasser is progressing. I have not heard anything about him for a awhile. He was highly rated coming out of high school but he seems to have fallen way down the charts. The defense should be much improved with the 3 new coaches. Talent is definitely there just a few breaks are going to be needed. Championships are as much a matter of luck and timing as talent in some instances.
For those who doubt what new coaching can do just look at Tech and Paul Johnson. In two years he produced a champion. We Bulldogs have to give him credit. We have the offensive mind in Richt but we definitely needed the defensive side to be improved. Gantham will make a huge difference in play and attitude.
Looking forward to a very interesting season for the Bulldogs.
DawginLex
August 12th, 2010
11:35 am
If we can beat SC, the confidence level for this group is going to skyrocket. If we lose, we could very well lose the next week but not likely. The motivation factor will kick in big time and plus we are at home.
Beating SC is a must to win the East. Plus I don’t want to listen to Spurrier run his mouth.
The reality is that this team could go 9-3 and lose 2 of its first 3 games.
laguna Darren
August 12th, 2010
11:37 am
I know everone is down on Cox from last year but if he had a top defense Georgia would have won 10 or 11 games. What do you think Alabamas QB would do if he knew that he had to score 30 to win. Stafford would have won National Championships if we had a defense. Georgias offense is fine and our defense will get their. I am sure our defense and special teams will be better than last years. more wins!
Old Dawg
August 12th, 2010
11:37 am
It does take a while to change systems. At the same time Garner is a coach who really pushes his players with tough talk … it’s his coaching style.
As for the interception, always remember that Mr. Am I Gonna Stay Retired Farve leads the NFL record books in TD passes and interceptions and times sacked. It’s like Babe Ruth’s record, third leading home run leader balanced by a ton of strike outs.
True, you don’t want the INTs, but it appears the kids is making progress. Let’s watch him grow into the position and support him when he throws strikes, and let him know we support him when he makes a bad throw.
As for Vance Duly, if you look at a lot of schools they could be considered the cesspool of the south. You’re right, UGA isn’t perfect and neither is any other university of organization run by people.
DawginLex
August 12th, 2010
11:37 am
Vance duly,
You must be mentally retarded.
It is exponentially harder to get into UGA now than it was 20 years ago. Coach Richt has led the SEC in APR scores since 2003.
Why don’t you just do us all a favor and drift away from this blog so we don’t have to read your inane drivel?
WonderDawg
August 12th, 2010
11:40 am
Vance, you are quoting a shyster, who’s trying to make a million dollars, in a trial? If you buy that BS, you probably loved John Edwards mimicking a deceased baby in one of his multi-million lawsuits against a hospital.
Oh yeah, if a shyster says it, Vance believes it!
WonderDawg
August 12th, 2010
11:41 am
Richt vs Tech, Dumbo, 8-1.
LawDawg
August 12th, 2010
11:44 am
Marianela,
Have you got ANY originality? That is the same garbage you have been cutting and pasting on different blogs for the past 4 months. Get lost loser!!
15 wins in 50 years
August 12th, 2010
11:44 am
Vance Duly : 2005 tech NCAA probation , Academic fraud. And will you please explain the coincidence between flunkgate and Morris Brown losing accreditation?
LawDawg
August 12th, 2010
11:46 am
Vance Dully = dawgtards ruin…
Hey Vance:
cut and paste…cut and paste…cut and paste…
Born 2 Bark
August 12th, 2010
11:47 am
@ Marianela,
Richt has won 2 SEC titles and has gotten us VERY close to a national title, but like with any school it just takes some luck. Besides, it’s our right to be excited and have lofty expectations just like it’s your right (i suppose) to spew your trash. Go DAWGS! I’m ready for the games to be played to shut some of you dbags up.
WDE
August 12th, 2010
11:54 am
The quotes are just to challenge the players into improving. I wouldn’t look into it too seriously, I think the only coach who doesn’t use the tactic is Urban. Chizik did it on the second day of practice, saying Auburn was sluggish and lazy.
That said, I’m looking forward to and planning on a change in fortune this season. We’re way overdue.
Michael
August 12th, 2010
11:56 am
PaulPaul…………saw the Vasser kid in the spring game and he looked lost.
3 Martini Lunch
August 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
Bobo would know a “bonehead decision” when he sees one, given the number of boneheaded plays I’ve seen him call.
PaulPaul
August 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
Michael
Who do you think really stood out. The tackling seemed to have really improved from the previous year.
Fundamentals over all seemed to have improved also.
Thanks for the reply.
Bobo, Bobo, a pirate's life for me
August 12th, 2010
12:05 pm
Anyone else starting to get worried about our Defense? Too many injuries, still too new to the new system, makes me more and more anxious as the Carolina and Arkansas game approaches…
B-ham Dawg
August 12th, 2010
12:08 pm
Saying Murray is an upgrade from Cox is an understatement. The first game we need to develop the run game and then let Aaron air it out so he can get his feet under him. The defense will be much improved. Look for Jakar Hamilton and Alec Ogletree to make big contributions on defense and special teams. I also think that Marlon Brown will have a break out season. I predict 9-3 at worst with the possibility of 11-1 if we get lucky here and there. I still think we are 1 year away.
GATA
Dawg Gone It
August 12th, 2010
12:11 pm
Thanks for the Garner quotes. Pretty funny!
How2fish
August 12th, 2010
12:17 pm
Marianela your back and using yet another name…how sweet! Please even talking about practice is better than listening to the same on drivel from you under that entire HOST of names you use…please blow away!
harold
August 12th, 2010
12:20 pm
GEORGIA GOES ALL THE WAY AND WINS THE SEC AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. TONS OF TALENT.
WonderDawg
August 12th, 2010
12:21 pm
Marianela’s spends a great deal of time blowing, I suspect, How2fish.
How about Beating FL coach
August 12th, 2010
12:33 pm
My honest opinion, I really think we will be 1-2 after the first 3 games
I hope Im totally wrong but with a new defensive scheme against two offenses that can load up points quickly and
With a freshmen QB with no experience with a coaching staff that will continue to be conservative fans we might want to come to reality here.
If we get behind early in these ball games dont expect us to run the ball to victory or hope Murry will bring us back. Im not certain that he is all that
Big Jim
August 12th, 2010
12:40 pm
Rodney Garner has always been there for recruiting. That’s it.
SSIgator
August 12th, 2010
12:46 pm
Last year UGA threw four interceptions against UF in the Gator Bowl. Will Murray be able to rise to that level this year on his own or will he need help from his backup like Joe Cox did?
LawDawg
August 12th, 2010
12:53 pm
SSIgaytor…
Stay classy my friend. Do you not have anything better to do then troll on a UGA blog day after day, all day?
Spike
August 12th, 2010
12:54 pm
Since when is being 6′1″ a “midget”. How tall are you idiots? Isn’t Nesbiit (for Heisman) 6″ 1″?
Garner needs to go
August 12th, 2010
12:56 pm
He recruits well but can’t coach a lick.
AltamahaDawg
August 12th, 2010
12:57 pm
I am a lot less concerned about a completely bonehead decision being made by a RSfreshman in camp than if the INT was thrown slightly behind the receiver because he was throwing off of his back foot, or trying to thread the needle out of arrogance. Bonehead means flat out mistake. You can correct that. Even if just left to nothing more than Time and Experience, boneheadedness is easily correctable, and I think you can accelerate that process too.
Coach or not Meyers
August 12th, 2010
1:06 pm
Hope my Gators are as tough as I am! The Pope and my shrink said that I would be fine but…I miss Timmy so much!! I think I will cut my hair like him now!
Newsflash for Marianela
August 12th, 2010
1:19 pm
“Nothing is going to change until UGA changes its mediocre coaching.”
Coaching change occurred at end of 2009 season. Look for the Dogs to be back like they were in the BVG days.
AltamahaDawg
August 12th, 2010
1:20 pm
Wonderdawg, I’ll up and that bet that Murray’s TD/Int ratio is better than Stafford’s first 2 years.
Although, I think your complete overexageration or rather oversimplification of Bobo’s play calling is not very true. Very few sprint draw since Stafford was a freshmen (and we all better get ready to see more this year with Murray) and Coach called some pretty good games with AJ on the bench. When he was in the game, I don’t recall that many screen passes to him, although that sounds like a pretty good plan.
Dawgtards ruin this state
August 12th, 2010
1:28 pm
How many days till Shreveport?
AltamahaDawg
August 12th, 2010
1:29 pm
A further newsflash would be that, aside from the major overhaul on the defensive side, the coaching staff on the offensive side is fairly new and has undergone several changes in the past several year, including OL, TE, RB, WR coaches. Even old man Bobo is only going into just his 4th year as a co-ordinator.
30-24 Dawgs - We Run This State!
August 12th, 2010
1:37 pm
Coach Garner’s recruits did a great job pancaking gt’s def line all night long en route to 330+ rushing yards and a 30-24 victory as Caleb and Washaun ran WILD over the best the ACC had to offer!
Sambo
August 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
AltamahaDawg,
Of course Murray’s TD/Int ratio will be better than Stafford’s. Stafford came in as the top rated QB in the country. The 2nd half of his freshmen year, the coaches let him throw the ball all over the field. Everything I am hearing out of the Dawgs says they are NOT going to do that with Murray and he will end up managing the game just like Cox did last year (partly because the dawgs have a proven running game and solid OL) and picking his spots to throw to Green. I’d be surprised if Murray averages more than 20 pass attempts per game this season.
Will
August 12th, 2010
1:43 pm
After reading this article Coach Garner has lowered my expectations of the defense. I thought Geathers would be better and it doesn’t sound like Jones and Wood are performing that great. Added with injuries that always seem to happen to UGA and the loss of Smith UGA may be in trouble this season.
UGAfan18
August 12th, 2010
1:45 pm
Vance Duly, your are a moron.
UGA arrests are more pronounced around these parts and message boards b/c you READ THE AJC. The newspapers don’t care about the Ohio U. incident, where over half the team was suspended for reckless endangerment and burglary charges. This kinda stuff happens to all teams across the entire nation. Like they say, you can take the girl outta the trailer park, but you cant take the trailer park outta the girl. CMR cannot be held responsible for an 18 yr old’s actions in the off-season. So take your BS propaganda elsewhere.
Paul
August 12th, 2010
1:47 pm
Murray only has to be McElroy like. Hand off to Ealy 20 times. Hand off to King 20 Times. Throw to AJ 10 times. Even Bobo can call those plays. Let the O line do their job. Then ply defense. Game over.
Let’s see if Bobo has figured out that on 3 and 10, you have a better chance of throwing the ball 10 yards for a first down rather than throwing a screen and trying to run 15 more yards.
It took an entire season for Bobo to realize that he could not call the same passing plays with Cox throwing vs. Stafford. Stafford’s arm strength covered up a lot.
Jason
August 12th, 2010
1:51 pm
Dedicating half of an entire “story” on one badly thrown ball in practice? Come AJC, is it REALLY that slow around there today?
Sambo
August 12th, 2010
2:00 pm
Paul,
Isn’t it that “play defense” part that the Dawgs had so much trouble with last year?
Jacketman
August 12th, 2010
2:01 pm
Just plain football, you dawg fans should be happy to have that big offensive line, with a FR QB. Rather than a small, young, offensive line with a SR QB. And what QB isn’t going to make some bad throws, FR or SR? Better he make bad throws now, than against SC, Ark, Fla.
Would like to see the mutts and my jackets have a strong season, and then a great game to close it.