‘Tree’ turns LB from position of weakness to one of strength for Dogs
On paper, Georgia’s linebacker situation appeared to be a weakness coming into spring practice. The Bulldogs were looking to replace three of the four starters, including career starters Akeem Dent and Darryl Gamble and All-SEC pass rusher Justin Houston. But what defensive coordinator Todd Grantham saw on the field over the course of 15 spring practices has him convinced the position will be a team strength come fall.
Todd Grantham pronounced the move of former safety Alec Ogletree to inside linebacker an unqualified success. (Photo by 247Sports.com)
The reason? Two moves, mainly.
Grantham moved rising sophomore Alec Ogletree from strong safety to inside linebacker. In turn, that allowed him to move Southern Cal transfer Jarvis Jones from inside linebacker to outside linebacker.
“Those two moves were definitely the right thing to do,” Grantham said following the G-Day game this past Saturday. “It gets us more linebacker-type guys on the field and, in a 3-4, those guys make plays for you.”
The linebacker corps definitely looks to be a more sleek, swift unit. Ogletree (6-3, 225), Jones (6-3, 234), Christian Robinson (6-2, 226), Richard Samuel (6-2, 234) and Chase Vasser (6-3, 225) all combine prototypical linebacker size with defensive-back quickness.
But make no mistake about it, Ogletree was the linchpin for the success or failure of this experiment.
“If you watch him on film, ‘Tree’s’ running around making plays everywhere,” said Jones, who also played outside linebacker for the Trojans. “He’s pretty much making a play on every down. You can see it on film. I saw it. Coach saw it. He knew what he wanted. This is definitely an improvement and we can’t do anything but get better from now on.”
Said Grantham: “There’s no question in my mind Tree is going to be an outstanding linebacker. It really started back when we started doing our [video] cut-ups [after last season]. When he played safety, sometimes we played him in the box, which really is no different than a linebacker. Just watching the way he could run and hit and the way he struck guys, I started having visions of him playing linebacker full time. With our line-backing situation, I thought it was pretty much a no-brainer. You’ve got a young guy who’s going to be very big, he’s very physical and he can run. I mean, I’m looking forward to seeing him play in our system.”
If Ogletree is a former AJC Super 11 selection and five-star prospect as a safety from Newnan. If he was resistant to the position change, he hasn’t admitted it.
“I feel pretty good about it,” he said after tying Vasser with a game-high seven tackles Saturday. “I knew there had been a lot of talk about it or whatever, so I just had to talk to my family about it. They felt like it was OK if I decided I wanted to go down there. I decided to do it and I feel like it’s going to be a pretty good move for me.”
Ogletree’s playing style has drawn early comparisons to Rolando McCain, who was all over the field in Alabama’s 3-4 defense two seasons ago. People often forget Grantham’s ties to Nick Saban. He was assistant head coach and defensive line coach for Saban in the late 1990s at Michigan State and shares his defensive philosophy. Chiefly that is to be strong and athletic — and smart — up the middle.
“Once I got to see Tree line up in the box and take on blocks and diagnose those plays, I felt good about it,” Grantham said. “He’s a smart guy; he’s got instincts. And, because he played safety, he kind of understands the fits with the coverage rotations and things like that. So that part of it gives him some insight. We’ve got to work him hard because he’s a young guy that’s just going to get better.”
The hope is, so will the Bulldogs’ overall defense.
By Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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242 comments Add your comment
Troll Power Ratings
April 21st, 2011
9:19 am
Timbodog, what is Richt’s coaching record against the 6 coaches that your commercial service ranks above him? What is their record over the past 10 years vs. Richt’s record over same?
Columbus Dawg
April 21st, 2011
9:20 am
First off I don’t want to put something on the blog that is bogus, so I won’t. Does anyone know what all was on the faked Twitter acct.? If I knew that it may shed some light on this crap I am hearing.
BYRDDAWG
April 21st, 2011
9:39 am
WOOF WOOF!
bitter her shell
April 21st, 2011
9:41 am
Gaytards fall hard. Saban looses 5. War slugs 8 loses
Dawgs rule sec
DawginLex
April 21st, 2011
9:42 am
Bottom line for Dawgs success is improvement on defense.
A little history:
2001-Allowed 19 ppg. Gave up 30 or more points ZERO times
2002-Allowed 15 ppg. Gave up 30 or more points ZERO times
2003-Allowed 14.5 ppg. Gave up 30 or more points ONCE(National champ LSU
2004-Allowed 16.5 ppg. Gave up 30 or more points ZERO times
2010-Allowed 22 ppg. Gave up 30 or more points FIVE times.
3 of the losses(SC,MSU,UCF) you can put on the offense 17-6,24-12,10-6
4 of the losses squarely on the defense-(Ark,CU,UF,AU) Gave up 31,29,34 and 49
Improve the defense to 2004 level and we improve to minimum of 8-4 or 9-3 even with no offensive improvement. Murray in his 2nd year with Lemay for change up should offer some improvement.
Defense is the key though.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
9:43 am
To ALL TECH FANS if you have a chance today get down to Juniors Grill. Today is the last day of operation. Juniors opened in 1948 so I know many of you have enjoyed a meal or 2 there.
BYE JUNIOR’S we loved you.
Beast from the East
April 21st, 2011
9:51 am
DawginLex,
I think the Gators are the opposite of UGA. We should have a stout defense with a big question mark on offense. UGA should have a stout offense with a big question mark on defense. We’re both thin on the o-line and the receiving corps are unproven. Should be an interesting year while we see how it unfolds. South Carolina is the more than likely going to be the team to beat in the East. They have less question marks than either UGA or UF.
DawginLex
April 21st, 2011
9:57 am
I like our defense. I like the changes Grantham has made. Murray is going to not be forced to carry the load if we get any semblance if defensive improvement. The o-line first group is solid. The depth worries me, especially if true freshmen are involved.
Florida’s defense should be good. Not many folks left.
I’m hoping Georgia can win 9 and improve on defense and recruit well again and head into 2012 with some positive momentum instead of all the complaining, grumbling and questions.
Timbodog
April 21st, 2011
9:59 am
“Troll Power Ratings,”
Who cares about living in the past? Go read the article. If you disagree with their logic, dissect it here. Don’t go spouting off about past ten year records, though, cuz no one cares.
For the record, though, those coaches were:
1. Saban (not even an argument he is better than Richt)
2. Petrino (I hate him, but he has done great with much less talent in a short amount of time)
3. Les Miles (everyone makes fun of him, but he just keeps winning)
4. Mullen (has done better than Richt since joining Miss State with FAR inferior talent; in fact, I would put him right behind Saban and would GLADLY put him in Athens right now)
5. Chizik (you really want to argue with the National Champ?)
6. Muschamp (highly debatable, but he is very young and the article is about who you would want to START your team with)
shankit
April 21st, 2011
9:59 am
Word out of Birmingham News is Nick Saban’s statue will be mounted on wheels.
Beast from the East
April 21st, 2011
10:00 am
I think 9 wins for UGA is realistic. The first two will be tough. I’m thinking about 8-4 for the Gators. If the offense starts to click it could be much better, but that is one big IF.
icallbs
April 21st, 2011
10:02 am
DawginLex: I heard Richt speak last night. He is so conscious of what he is saying you have to read between the lines for any insight, but the most praise I heard all night was for Hutson Mason. He also said Lemay is going to be special but is clueless (my words) about what is going on at the moment. Based on what was said last night I bet Lemay redshirts
He also left no doubt that Murray is the starter and he seems very, very sure and comfortable with that.
Oh, he also had a lot of praise to A. Ogletree and in particular his move to LB. I think he is liking what he is seeing on the D. He did mention Z. Ogletree and indicated he will be a factor at fullback.
Timbodog
April 21st, 2011
10:05 am
Now that is funny shankit
DawginLex
April 21st, 2011
10:10 am
I could be dead wrong(I am a lot, just ask my wife) but, I would be shocked if Lemay redshirts. Think about it. He went to the trouble of enrolling early. He is already showing flashes of good play in the spring game. He is the highest rated QB recruit Richt has had since Stafford. He adds another dimension to the offense. His dad is I’m sure in Richt’s ear about him playing now. Richt may not have another year to coach him. Richt HAS to find offensive playmakers.
My guess is that Richt knows he can’t afford a drop off from Murray and he is looking for any answer there be it Mason or Lemay.
dawgforlife
April 21st, 2011
10:14 am
Leave it too tide roll to take a story about LB’s and turn it into a UGA is racist because every offense lineman isn’t black…tide, we offered everyone of those players you mentioned and they “chose” to go to another school….thats how the process works…the players get offers sometimes 30-40 from all over the country…and sometimes, as hard as this is to believe, they decide to go somewhere other than UGA…I know, I am just as floored as you are that they would want to go anywhere else.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 21st, 2011
10:34 am
51,
Kind of funny that you should mention “To all the Tech. Fans, on here”, when talking about a grill in Atlanta that I guess must have been a favorite spot for tech. fans. Read how all the tech. fans complain that UGA fans come on thier blogs and trash them, and of course they never do the same on a blog concerning UGA.
If UGA should not be on a tech. blog, why do you and other tech. fans come on here then? I thought that engineering was such an exact science and if it is what your fans are known for, how can there be a double standard? I guess physics and trig. were taught wrong when I took them in college. There are two answers to every equation if you are a tech. fan, or better even, “Tech. doesn’t have to follow the rules, they want others to observe”. Hummmmm, very interesting.
uuugghh...
April 21st, 2011
11:12 am
Lex…I’ll bet LeMay does redshirt. He lost an entire year of game experience, he’ll need the practice.
Timbo Dawg:
1. Saban–Shady. Oversigns classes uses Spring as a tryout, cuts people to make room for the incoming oversigned class. Likes Oatmeal Cream Pies.
2. Petrino–Shady. Will never be able to sustain any sort of recruiting momentum because he switches jobs as the wind changes direction. Micromanages offense for success, fails without a strong DC (like Richt!)
3. Les Miles–Bumbling. Anybody could do the same job there with the Recruits they get. Almost all of LA recruits, poaching a few from TX…good set up there. His main job is to stand out of the way long enough for the team to win.
4. Mullen–If i didn’t hate the Spread Offense, he would be my favorite. Clearly the architect of da Corch’s offensive success at UF. Puts players in a position to be successful (Wish Richt did more of this). Needs a strong DC (Hey–like Richt again!)
5. Chizik–Super Shady. Auburn Boosters bought–neh rented this National Championship. Chizik is just the face on TV with plausible Deniability. He will also be the captain that goes down with the ship. A strong coach he is not. See his time at Iowa State was it? Would rather have any coach in the world than this guy.
6. Muschamp–I am curious to see how he works out. Like his intensity (Like to see some out of Richt!)
7. Dooley–Also curious about this guy. Sharp guy–may have stepped into an enormous pile of Lane Kiffin’s $hit that will take a few more years to clean up.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
11:51 am
It Ain’t Rocket Science
I know Tech Fans read the UGA stuff as much as the UGA fans read the Tech stuff.
My dad loved Junior’s Grill and the Varsity during his years at TECH. He is taking mom on a DATE there this afternoon. She didn’t know Dad when he was at Tech so they are having a First and Last Date at Juniors. Hoping mom’s chemo taste buds will allow her to enjoy a Cheese Burger Basket for the First and Last time.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
11:54 am
SHANKIT
word is Richt’s Statue is going to be placed outside the SWAMP while O’Leary’s statue will be placed outside of Sanford.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
11:55 am
O’Leary owns UGA and Gator Fans Love Richt at either FSU or UGA.
McDonough Dawg
April 21st, 2011
12:05 pm
I truly believe that this defense will be much improved and the key statistic that will determine that will be stopping the opposing offenses on third down. Too many times last year we would have a team at 3rd and 5,6,7 + yards and low and behold they would run some vanilla play and manage a first down. If this statistic improves drastically, no matter who is in the starting 11, our defense as a whole will be tough as nails. This is what I will be paying the most attention to during the Boise game as they have a very experienced quarterback who knows how to move the ball in pressure situations, now if our defense is successful at stopping Moore and the boys on 3rd down all game then I think that we will have that “hobnail boot” of a defense that we all have been wishing for since Van Gorder left.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
12:11 pm
Richt in his life can’t beat the Gators, but He can beat TECH and all Dawgs are PROUD of that.
Miami 1980-82 1-2
FSU 1985-88 2-2
FSU 1990-00 4-8-1
UGA 2001-11 2-8
Total 9-20-1 against the GATORS. I guess that 9-1 against TECH really overshadows the Gator Loses.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
12:16 pm
correction
Richt did split Sugar Bowls with the Gators. And That was a HUGE GAME in Richt’s Life. It got him the UGA job a few years later.
1eyedJack
April 21st, 2011
12:30 pm
And Coach Fishfry is 1-2 against Richt.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
51,
It seems to overshadow the techie fans a lot. That is why you are on this blog, making negative comment about UGA. Would never hear from you if you had the 9-1 record in your favor. No, correct that, you would be on this blog, bragging how the bee’s are so far superior to UGA. It is an instate rivalry so naturally, there are bragging rights involved. To be truthful though, the DAWGS worry a lot more about the SEC wins, versus a win over an instate rivalry.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
OneeyedJack
I guess only time will tell. LOL
The FISHFRY thing is OK, but as bad as Richt’s Tan and Hair. I don’t usually “GO THERE”. I typically call him Coach Richt or Richt. Would you do the same respect to my coach when referring to him when responding to me? I would appreciate that. LOL
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
1:35 pm
ROCKET
And when Coach Johnson said “We Have Bigger Fish To Fry” because of the exact thing you just stated the UGA Fans went APE S..T. Tech wants to beat UGA and UGA wants to beat Tech, but like you said in the Long run it is not a HUGE deal unless it will determine a BCS Bowl bid/ Ranking.
AdMan
April 21st, 2011
2:13 pm
Hey 51WTGW50, Are you kidding me?…..who the hell appointed you the king of college football? Especially Georgia football….You’ve got to be tide roll posing as another person….like I told him yesterday….go away little boy …..please just go away. We don’t care what you think…It’s clear you don’t know sh_t any way by the way you rant on this blog. You apparently lead a dull life. Most people don’t care to post made up statistics on this blog like you do…so please go away…we just don’t care….. 9-1 over the bee’s in the last ten years says it all!
ugaownsmuschump
April 21st, 2011
2:38 pm
Washington is the will lb until Ray Drew gets on campus. You were wrong on that Mr. Towers.
ugaownsmuschump
April 21st, 2011
2:42 pm
Lemay will def. redshirt. He has not played football in over a year. Mason is a way better option as backup right now. That being said Lemay should be something to watch in a couple years. Murray was a higher rated qb prospect by the way.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
ADMAN
Why do I have to leave? I never asked to be King of College Football.
Why don’t you talk to D A DoubleU G and get him to stop on the other blogs if you want the same RESPECT on your blogs?
What MADE-UP stats did I post? UGA fans like to talk about Richt’s record and Heisman Trophy winners to include FSU. I just posted Richt’s LIFETIME record playing/coaching College against the Gators. If UGA fans want to use Coach Richt’s records at FSU for the GOOD, then Allow other people to use his same record in the BAD. I like Mark as a person. He is just not that great of a coach. Hell, I like Leeburn because he keeps the liquor flowing all over the state. I think Susan Y is a GREAT coach too. The fact that her and Leeburn are morally reprehensible is another FACT that can not be debated.
Jackson
April 21st, 2011
3:19 pm
@DawginLex — I absolutely agree with your assessment. The defense will be much improved. I think our O line is going to be pitiful again this year but if the D improves, it will keep us in games. The defense is what ultimately kept us successful early in the Richt years. My concern on the Oline is we haven’t been recruiting/producing the same caliber of talent we were 7-8 years ago. We don’t have a lot of players heading to the NFL off of the line. I don’t really see that chaning with the group we have. If the D can step up and play lights out, it will allow for more mediocre offense. The SEC is a traditional D league. The 3-4 is built on holding the point of attack. CTG has better personnel and last year the D was not horrible, it just wasn’t good enough to keep us in games consistently. Stock rising: UGA D stock falling: UGA O line…
Dawg Tired
April 21st, 2011
5:17 pm
Now safety is an even bigger problem. We just seem to be short-handed back there and on the o-line.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 21st, 2011
5:25 pm
I do believe this young man will be special and a real beast of a LB for the DAWGS. He should get a lot of opportunities to lay the wood on some opponents, because the LB’s should see a fair amount of action, by blitizing and shutting down the outside run. I don’t see a lot of teams being able to run up the middle with the folks we have lining up on the D line. If our safeties step up a little more, the D is going to the strong point of this years DAWGS. I feel sure, he will make TE’s running a dink route pay for a catch also. He, from what I have been able to read about him, hits hard and is fast. The learning curve of a new position may throw him off a little for the first few games, although, LB is more of a reaction position, and he is used to moving to the ball so he will probably be pretty good from the start.
goodness gracious
April 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
Swann is a stud and will play early and often. Might start out of the gate. He is that good.
ratfink
April 22nd, 2011
1:20 am
Enter your comments here
ratfink
April 22nd, 2011
5:38 pm
With all the good players going to the NFL early it is very hard to build a great team every year…freshman are better coached and are on solid weight programs in most H.Schools now days!
Beast in the south
April 23rd, 2011
9:17 pm
I was talking to ogletree when he first was moved to linebacker and he was upset about it. They didn’t tell him about the move until one day in practice and he said he thinking about transfering, but he decided against it.
Saban
April 25th, 2011
5:10 pm
Does Georgia play Central Florida again this year? Another loss.
Saban
April 25th, 2011
5:11 pm
A lot of money on Coastal Carolina to beat the dawgs at homecoming.
amy
April 26th, 2011
9:34 am
He was ALL OVER the place on G-Day!
amy
April 26th, 2011
9:35 am
@ Dawg Tired, I totally agree with your comments on Safety and the O line. Definitely what I am most concerned about.