Attitude and defense are better, Dogs say
ATHENS – Thursday night’s post-practice interviews brought upbeat assessments of two key components of the Georgia football team: its attitude and its defense.
- Without naming any past offenders, inside linebacker Christian Robinson made it clear he likes the attitude of this team better than last year’s.
Christian Robinson is a projected starter at inside linebacker. (AJC photo/Curtis Compton)
“I think the guys that are here and that are playing right now and that coach [Todd] Grantham has trust in are those guys that stayed positive and kept working,” Robinson said. “Our whole thing is just being intense and doing what you’re supposed to, and I think the guys we have out there at this point are those guys who will make those plays and do what they’re told.
“I mean [if you have] a cancerous attitude, if you don’t have the right attitude, if you’re a ‘me’ guy –- we can’t have that. . . . I think the guys we have right now are the guys that are going to do it right, and you don’t have to worry about having off-the-field issues, things like that. The guys that are here, that are going to stay here, that are doing the right thing — we don’t have to worry about. And if they do [wrong], they know the consequences.”
Robinson suggested an issue with “people talking down” in the locker room last year.
“It’s a general attitude,” he said. “I think that at this point the guys we have are going to talk positive. There are going to be days you’re tired, you don’t want to be out there, it’s hot and the coaches are on you, and I think everybody is mature enough in this group that when you go out there it’s time to work and [coaches] are going to push you and you just got to deal with it.
“I think the guys we have here . . . know how to contribute to the team where it’s not all about themselves. I think we have guys that care about each other.”
- Meanwhile, coach Mark Richt made it clear he is encouraged by what he has seen from the defense in the first three sessions of spring practice. The unit spent last year adjusting to Grantham’s 3-4 scheme.
“You can already see the kids are getting better at … the technique of their job, of their position,” Richt said. “You’ve always got to learn what to do first, and then you’ve got to learn how to do it well. Last year there was a whole lot of time spent on just knowing what to do, and now that they have a better idea of what to do, they’re learning how to do it better. So techniques are improving. I think that’s the biggest thing I see defensively.
“And they are playing faster. They are playing with a little more certainty as to what they’re doing, so they’re able to turn it loose a little bit better.”
Reflecting on last season, “I don’t know if we ever turned it loose as a [defensive] group,” Richt said. “There were probably certain moments in time when it looked like we were getting it, but as an entire group, I don’t know if we ever played as fast as we hope we will this year. I think we’ll do better this year in that regard.”
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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375 comments Add your comment
journalist
March 25th, 2011
9:18 am
ANY THOUGHTS ON WHO THE BAD EGGS WERE LAST YEAR…..
AltamahaDawg
March 25th, 2011
9:18 am
Yard dawg, there is not a coach in the nation, at any level of the game, that doesn’t run up the middle on 2 and 12 more times than they do not. Did you catch the super bowl by chance?
Timbodog
March 25th, 2011
9:20 am
GT1977,
I happen to like Paul Johnson, but he won’t do crap with Tech. Your school just isn’t on the same level. Sorry…and if you think Richt is a good coach, I would make the trade right now.
Richt with Tech’s talent level would win about 2 games a year…
Don’t worry; we’ll get rid of Richt soon and Johnson will get a better job and maybe you guys can beg Gailey to come back!
DawginLex
March 25th, 2011
9:21 am
Hey Aunty,
You need to reference my list of oft used stereotypical moron phrases that I printed a few weeks back.
You have about 5 of the 20 on the list.
Just reference a number next time.
Saves time for idiots like you.
DawginLex
March 25th, 2011
9:23 am
Bad egg?
My guess is justin Houston.
From Robinson’s perspective, he said someone talked down to them.
Houston was a LB like Robinson
Did you notice who commented after the Auburn game about “same mistakes, people not in the right place”?
It was Houston
Total guess on my part
DawginLex
March 25th, 2011
9:24 am
Timbo, I’m of the belief that Johnson could win big at UGA with our talent base.
Steve
March 25th, 2011
9:25 am
This year, with Christian Robinson leading, 14-0! With Robinson in charge, everything will be perfect!
Steve
March 25th, 2011
9:26 am
14-0, 14-0, say it 1000 times, and it happens.
Timbodog
March 25th, 2011
9:28 am
Agreed, DawginLex…I am ambivalent about how his offense would work at the highest level. With really good talent, it could be great. I begrudgingly admit it is fun to watch. I actually don’t hate Tech; I just don’t really even consider them to be on our level.
david
March 25th, 2011
9:29 am
Timbo-
I agree, but doesn’t that prove my point? If the freshman qb was our best player, how can you make the argument that we had tons of talent last year??
The result
March 25th, 2011
9:29 am
UGA grad from the very early 70s here. We know what this year is all about. It is about winning at least 9, including some “signature” wins like vs Florida. It is about being competitive in all games and having a shot at winning the East. It is about minimally the Outback Bowl or the Cap One.
Intangibles are also on the table. Are the kids staying out of T? Are they progressing in the classroom? Are the young kids showing promise? IS the UGA D what it needs to be?
Has Murray shown that he can win vs any decent team? Has Murray LOST those Batman gloves?
This is the year. The talk about so and so is hitting hard or so and so is displaying the right attitude. Been there and done that. UGA’s 2011 fund raising is up for a reason ………… UGA IS $$ big boy ball and we SUPPORT $$$ our alma mater. Follow the money.
Boise State is indeed a must win and so is SC> beyond that …………. UGA needs to be ready and mentally prepared in every game. No more UCF games or MSU or SC or Arkansas games.
Florida? We all know THIS is the year.
If we do not achieve these MODEST goals ……………… UGA is in fertile HS grounds and we would land a ton of applicants for the HC job. ESPN proclaimed UGA to be one of only a couple of “jobs that are world class like Ohio State, Texas or Florida” or Alabama or LSU. It is what it is.
Goooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Go Dogs.
Prentiss
March 25th, 2011
9:29 am
If having a great attitude could make cancer go away, that owuld be so wonderful.
Atlas
March 25th, 2011
9:30 am
Murray will throw for 4000 yards, Crowell will run for 2000.
Foster
March 25th, 2011
9:31 am
Atlas,
That would be great, are you sure?
Kyle
March 25th, 2011
9:32 am
Fan since 59……REREAD ARTICLE MORON! Its fans like you that make me sick! are you TEAM or ME? Sounds like it’s all about you…..either you are with this team or get the H……… off the bandwagon and head to North Ave.
YardDawg
March 25th, 2011
9:34 am
My bad, Altamaha, didn’t realize we had a OC on par with the rest of the coaches of the nation. Ha.
I suspect that most of those coaches establish at least a hint of a down field passing game before attempting the 2nd and 12 run up the middle. I also suspect that most OCs let a QB change that run up the middle if the D has 8 or more in the box.
Timbodog
March 25th, 2011
9:35 am
david,
Because talent and on field results are two separate things, and that is precisely MY point.
Take, for example, the O-line. How many years in a row has every publication in the country pointed at our O-line as being one of the top in the nation from a talent standpoint? Yet, it seems that we are constantly saying our O-line is a problem. Now we have had a few injury problems, but not that many. The bigger issue, it seems to me, is that these guys are not getting “coached up,” or that they are even being “coached down.”
It is the coaches’ responsibilities to maximize the talents of the players, and I don’t see that happening enough under Richt. The fact that Murray played better than any other of the MANY more talented players on offense speaks to that observation.
Scooter McDoogle
March 25th, 2011
9:36 am
@ dogs smell, why do we even try to talk football with morons like you ruining our blogs. Bubba is right, some of this stuff is just plain ole embarrassing.
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
9:37 am
mark, mark-TheHairLipDog
March 25th, 2011
9:15 am
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The same old song and dance from juvenile, dumb dog fans. Most cannot compose a comment wihtout a personal insult. It is spring practice stupes. You have not “finished the drill” yet. None of you have a pair much less a brain. The dogs ain’t jack.
Now ain’t you a BIG hypocrit?
Alan
March 25th, 2011
9:37 am
Yardawg is the same blogger who posts every day under various fake names, at least 25 times a day, about Bobo running the ball up the middle.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
9:38 am
We all shall see how the attitude and defense are improved when uga is down three scores with 9 minutes left in the 4th against Boise in September.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
9:39 am
But hey, at least Stafford and AJ will be on the sidelines rooting you on and grabbing face-time.
Kirk
March 25th, 2011
9:40 am
Dogs Smell,
Farting posts. What has this blog come to. the 9:19 post was in poor taste, I also wish you are banned forever form this blog.
Kirk
March 25th, 2011
9:40 am
Buckeye,
Can you break down the top 6 challenges facing Ohio State?
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
9:42 am
DawginLex,
Didn’t watch the late games but shocked to see Duke outsted. Sounds like Wisc had a bad shooting performance.
MiltonDAWG
March 25th, 2011
9:42 am
@ Kirk, 1-6 = the 5 players suspended + Tressel
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
9:50 am
Kirk,
Here’s a link for you if you want such answers.
http://www.theozone.net.
Our Spring ball has not started so I cannot speak to our attitude or defense. After 3 practices, I’ll lest you know. Deal?
In the meantime, two words for you reserach. I’m not going to do it for you.
Braxton Miller
P.S. Is Ohio State in your bracket? Sorry about uga, one and done.
Dogs Smell
March 25th, 2011
9:53 am
wow, you can bash UGA all day, say the mascot killed himself but you fart on one guys pillow and everybody gets bent outta shape…
DawginLex
March 25th, 2011
9:55 am
Always a pleasure filled day in Lexington Kentucky when Duke loses.
Laettner wouldn’t stop in KY a couple of years ago when his car was running out of gas. LOL
I still say UK wins in 3 overtimes. Sullinger gets a ton but the others get limited by UK’s length.
DawginLex
March 25th, 2011
9:57 am
buckeye
I tried to tell you that wisconsin sucks.
Florida has the easiest bracket just as I said.
If Kentucky had gotten the 2 seed and florida the 4, you would have a rematch tonight favoring the buckeyes big time. Kentucky would waltz to the FF
Now 2 of 3 elite teams are gonna get eliminated in a regional (UK,OSU,UNC)
YardDawg
March 25th, 2011
9:58 am
I hope UK stays in this thing. I’m running out of teams to pull for, what with UGA’s one-and-done, and now Jimmer losing last night.
Kirk
March 25th, 2011
10:00 am
Buckeye,
A lot of us think you’re not a real Ohio State fan because you don’t seem to quickly be able to answer any specific questions about Ohio State.
You’re:
Dogs mell = Buckeye = DawginLex = 1eyedJack etc.
All the same person.
No, ok, real quick, describe your wide receiver situation for this season?
GT1977
March 25th, 2011
10:00 am
You turds are on the wrong blog. Basketball sucks.
Rikky
March 25th, 2011
10:02 am
Hey Tim Tucker:
can you please permanently ban Dogs Smell (see 9:19 post here) from all AJC blogs?
Enough of his posts about FARTING.
Thanks Tim Tucker.
Scott
March 25th, 2011
10:04 am
Agree guys, Dogs Smell = DawginLex = Buckere
They are all the smae person, just blogging under different names.
Kirk
March 25th, 2011
10:05 am
Buckeye,
Must be busy looking up the answer somewhere.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
10:07 am
DawginLex,
Three overtimes? It’s past my bedtime as it is!
I doubt it would go three. Neither team has a deep bench. We play 7, I read UK plays 6. It that the case? Three overtimes would suggest the refs let them play and don’t call the ticky tack fouls. It that’s the case, whoever shots better 3’s will win.
I though early that Duke in the West might be their downfall – not from anyone team but from the time change.
The only thing that sucks about Wisconsin is their weenie democratic state senators that had to run away bevause the didn’t like the rules of the game they were elected to play.
Good luck tonight. Let’s have one to rival the Duke/UK Laettner classic.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
10:10 am
Kirk,
Sanzenbacher will be drafted ( Rouns 2) . Posey is suspended 5 games. Correy “Philly” Brown is expected to step up and we’ve got a 6′10″ tight end coming up.
DawginLex and I are not one in the same. Sorry, KIrk.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
10:15 am
Kirk,
“A lot of us think you are not a real fan”……for whom are you speaking in addition to yourself?
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:17 am
Kirk, I don’t use any of those nom de plumes. I am the one and only 1eyedJack.
Kirk
March 25th, 2011
10:17 am
Buckeye,
Good, down to 10 minutes to answer a question.
Here’s another:
How’s the tight end battle shaping up?
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:18 am
And I don’t profess to know anything about Oh-lie-o State….or basketball either.
Buckeye
March 25th, 2011
10:39 am
Kirk,
For DawginLEx , perhaps, For you, nope.
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:42 am
Richard, wrong.
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:45 am
i am Tide Roll
Scooter McDoogle
March 25th, 2011
10:46 am
no UT Jimmy, that’s one moron trying to ruin the blog. And doing a pretty good job of it. Dogs Smell is a loser.
I-DOG
March 25th, 2011
10:47 am
The only thing I don’t understand is how all three service academies can win it EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Seems like they could only win it every 3rd year if the service academies were going to dominate college football because of their attitude.
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:48 am
Whoever posted that I’m Tide Roll…now that is a down right insult. First of all I don’t like Bama and secondly I’m white. You must be a Tech nerd with nothing to do. Go engineer a better solar panel.
1eyedJack
March 25th, 2011
10:49 am
I am racist too
mcdawg
March 25th, 2011
10:51 am
so who were the bad apples? not Akem Dent -J. Houston ???? Nick Williams always seemed to be complaining -who was the other guy who left??
i didn’t think our defense played bad just didn’t come up with the big stop