Defensive line: Massive changes give Bulldogs great expectations in trenches
Sixth in a series breaking down Georgia’s 2011 football team by position groups. . . .
Noseguard Kwame Geathers (99) spent a lot of time in the backfield at Georgia's G-Day Game, which earned him Defensive MVP honors. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
DEFENSIVE LINE
- Returning starters: DE DeAngelo Tyson (Sr., 6-2, 290), DE Abry Jones (Jr., 6-3, 297)
- Others to watch: Sophomore NG Kwame Geathers (6-6, 350) was the most improved defensive player during spring practice. He’ll be joined in the fall by junior college All-American John Jenkins (6-4, 350) which should dramatically improve the Bulldogs’ interior presence so critical to the success of the 3-4 defense. . . . Sophomore defensive ends Garrison Smith and Derrick Lott and freshman noseguard Mike Thornton are ready to take a step up into the playing rotation.
- Key losses: Defensive end Demarcus Dobbs started 42 games in his career and his versatility and big-play capability will be missed. Brandon Wood and Kiante Tripp also graduated and junior Jeremy Longo received a medical disqualification.
- Key fact: This time last year we were asking if the Bulldogs “had a nose” for the new 3-4 defense defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was bringing to Athens. The answer in retrospect was a resounding no. Tyson started every game at the position but, the truth was, it was not not a physical or mental fit for him. It was a perfect fit for Geathers but, for whatever reason, he was slow to master the techniques required until this past spring, when he was the most impressive defensive player in camp. Add Jenkins and Thornton (6-1, 287) to the mix and that gives the Bulldogs an ideal three-player rotation for plugging the middle.
- Key fact II: Abry Jones was probably under-valued as a defensive end last season, though he certainly earned notice after recording 16 tackles in the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech. He ended the season with 34 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Tyson’s move out to end from nose guard is one of the more interesting and potentially beneficial for the Bulldogs this fall. Playing head up over a tackle is a more natural position than nose for this 6-4, 306-pounder from Statesboro. He managed 36 tackles — he also had 16 against the Jackets — and 7 quarterback pressures as it was. Those numbers should increase as he gets more one-on-one matchups. With Georgia’s talent infusion inside, look for Jones and the other players playing this end/tackle position to contribute more big plays.
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JUCO transfer John Jenkins has been dominant in strength and conditioning drills this summer.
Key developments: The word out of Georgia’s off-season strength and conditioning program this summer was that Jenkins showed up in shape, motivated and, in fact, has proven to be the fastest lineman the Bulldogs have on campus. His impact is expected to be substantial. . . . Griffin’s Chris Mayes, the only other D-lineman signed in the 2011 class, was unable to meet freshman eligibility requirements and has enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jenkins’ previous school.
- Key questions: Will Geathers and/or Jenkins prove to be the real deal at nose guard? If so the Bulldogs can expect dramatic improvement on their overall big-play-making capabilities on defense. If not, they will have similar problems as last year.
- Outlook: Encouraging. At the least this would appear to be a drastically improved area for Georgia. But with so many changes in the overall front seven, the Bulldogs will have to go out and prove it on the football field. And lack of depth could be an issue. They will enter camp with just seven scholarship players for three positions. But if the injury bug stays away this area is potentially a team strength.
- Your turn: What say you about Georgia’s defensive line?
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323 comments Add your comment
Joey
July 8th, 2011
8:06 am
Good news and bad news about Jenkins – big, strong, fast, and in shape.
If he stays injury free, he will probably dominate. But if he dominates, he be playing on Sundays in ‘12.
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:07 am
I bet Lattimore doesn’t get 100 yards. CTG will have them foaming for him.
how2fish
July 8th, 2011
8:08 am
@old time dog you have a point any fan has a right to his/her opinion. However JB, myself and others see way more trolls poising as Dog fans trying to create a mountain out of a molehill all under the guise of “telling it like it is” than actual fans that care about the program. The fact remains this year CMR is the HC we are what 50 something days away from the start of the season it will as always be a wild ride thru the SEC time to start thinking positive. We have questions in a number of areas every single team does too. We need a good year where the program shows we are moving in the right direction or it will be time for a change..but and I really think this CMR has been and I think still is fully capable of turning this around..I hope he does..can’t promise that he will but still hopeful…Go Dogs!
BirdDog
July 8th, 2011
8:11 am
Just askin has posted that exact same blurb dozens of times using different monikers. Give the cut n paste a rest loser.
7576DAWG
July 8th, 2011
8:12 am
The improvement of the defense is why Spurrier is going to tell Garcia to put up or shut up. Even though Lattimore will get 15 or 20 carry’s just to keep us honest, the game will be won or lost depending on if we can put pressure on Garcia before he can throw to Jeffery .
Paul N Destin
July 8th, 2011
8:12 am
OK time is running out on the best team in college football (March thru August)….put your hands together for demm UGA Dawgs…
Rhall55
July 8th, 2011
8:13 am
“Just, Win, Baby, Win”!!! Solves all the problems!! You “Snooze, You Lose”!!!
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:14 am
BTW, A. Murray got a lot of love last night on ESPNU on their college football show. These guys are not Georgia or Southern guys. Todd Blackledge ( sp?) was saying that he is the best in the SEC and showed more promise than anyone he could see. I watched the full 9 minute youtube highlights of Murray yesterday. The kid is pretty awesome. Watch it and get excited.
Zoli
July 8th, 2011
8:16 am
This D has NFL size and speed. We jumped in D stats in all categories in Grantham’s first year. I look for this D to be even better with a legit nose guard. This part of our team will be solid and better prepared in scheme. I am excited to see how they perform. Kwame, now in shape, is going to be a man amongst boys out there! Watch out SEC, talk all you want but you aren’t going to like how dominant this group will be!
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:17 am
C’mon! Let’s strap em up and get it on!!! I am counting down the days!
dkg
July 8th, 2011
8:17 am
Our defensive line will be solid. As it mentioned in the article, Abry Jones has been an under-valued player. This kid is going to be a great player. If you know football and have watched him in his development, you had to have noticed how fundamentally sound he is. Thanks to the new more aggresive strength program, he has become faaster and stronger. As a defensive linemen your job is not always to make the tackle, but to clear the way for your linebackers. With Jenkins and Geathers in the middle, jones will not see as many double teams as he saw last year. Mark my words, this kid will shine this year. I also think you will see Chase Vasser come on this year. He looked good in the spring game. He has gotten huge. Go Dawgs!
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:18 am
Hey Paul………Gators lost 5 games last years. Defined as the other team scoring more points and out coaching the Genius who quit half way through the season, who decided to resign before they fire my butt. Yea, those Gators. probably will not be much better this year. Does two years make a trend?
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:18 am
Zoli, I don’t think we will be out of the top five in rushing yards allowed in D1 footbal this year. The secondary is worrisome to me (Lord I worry more than Munson) but if this line GATA then maybe the QBs won’t have time to throw and the secondary can make some plays.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 8th, 2011
8:20 am
UGA fans have the same attitude of Ron Kovic earlier on in the great movie Born on the 4th of July about America during the Anti-War protests during the Vietnam War
“America, love it or leave it.”
UGA fans during this time as every other dedicated fan of there school should be excited about this time of year. College football is around the corner. To many rivals get there kicks outta calling how UGA fans think we will win it every year, which is laughable, when that is rarely said. Or reminders of how 1980 was sooo long ago. Well, hell we realize that also,lol.
UGA fans, expect that if UGA faulters out of the gate, which is possible, and you come on these blogs and critize you to will hear, “UGA, love it or leave it.”. You will have die hard Kool- Aid drinkers who support blindly. You will have moderate fans who can step back and see a larger picture and understand the state of the program as it is. I for one consider myself this type of fan. Finally you will have your Anti-CMR and CMB who nothing short of a SEC Title should get them fired.
I think we can all agree in our support of how affinity for UGA. It is simply we get to that point in different manors. We still should respect the fact that UGA is a wonderful school, with a proud tradition. Football time in the Fall is almost upon us, and I for one am damn ready for it.
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:23 am
sandman………you are correct. The improved play of the nose and ends will give the LB’s more opportunities to make plays. They will double team jenkins and Arby, giving more space/less blocking on our 4 linebackers. Boy I hope we don’t lose Jarvis Jones……But throw Drew in there.
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:24 am
LowCountryBullDawgL Well said my friend. I’ve been a fan since the 70’s and have seen good teams play poorly and bad teams play above their talent. I think this year we have that rare combination of superior talent, desire, coaching, and strength. It’s gonna be a good year to be a Dawg!
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:25 am
jb who was the walk-on kid that really shined in the Spring game? I can’t remember his name, but he even had an INT.
Zoli
July 8th, 2011
8:25 am
sandman053: You may be right, but I have more faith than you in our secondary. What don’t you like about Boykin, Owens, Commings, Love, Rambo, Smith? All have experience and will be better this year knowing Grantham’s system. Last year they looked confused when the LB’s broke off. This year they will have a better understanding of where to be on the field in passing situations..
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:25 am
Dawgs win the first two, we will be in the Dome.
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:27 am
I can’t remember. I know he made a ton of plays. Reminded me of Terry Hoague. He’ll see the field.
Zoli
July 8th, 2011
8:27 am
sandman053: Blake Sailors
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:28 am
He certainly should see the field. He was playing lights out, of course that was a full-spead audition and I hope the coaches saw that desire that I saw.
JB
July 8th, 2011
8:29 am
Thanks Zoli
7576DAWG
July 8th, 2011
8:30 am
I think with Grantham having been given a year to make all the changes , if McGarity doesn’t up Granthams salary to 1 million a year we will not be able to keep him. I liked seeing a coach get so into what he is trying to implement that CMR had to tell Grantham to dial it down a few notches. And I hope Grantham will be allowed to bring more of that OLD SCHOOL FOOTBALL back, just make sure he is not near a mic.
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:30 am
yes thanks Zoli. He certainly looked impressive to me.
Jimmy Crack
July 8th, 2011
8:30 am
I will ask again, specifically, why aren’t Ray Drew and Jarvis Jones, 2 of the three or 4 most impactful defensive players on our team this year, named in this article? Heck, even backup players are noted, but no mention of the Minister??? Woof! (tilted head look)
Zoli
July 8th, 2011
8:30 am
I agree…I know our secondary has game experience, size, and speed. They will be a nice surprise for you…mark it down!
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:32 am
lol yeah I can certainly see CTG pulling a Joe Biden “that’s a big f(*&^%*&^ing deal”. lol But I love his intensity for sure. I think it is something that has been missing since BVG left.
Rheemus
July 8th, 2011
8:32 am
We will know if UGA is good after playing Boise State. UGA is unranked and Boise State is ranked # 3. Richt better not start out 0-3 or he will be fired !
Whiskey Breath
July 8th, 2011
8:33 am
Why don’t you just hire Saban’s staff away? Isn’t it pretty obvious that is what Richt thinks will win?
Get a clue, Saban’s way of winning only works for Saban. You can’t copy him. Grantham probably has a good idea what makes Saban’s defense work, but Richt will get in the way.
Rheemus
July 8th, 2011
8:33 am
10 wins is a minimum IMO for UGA this year. Anything less is unacceptable.
Saban
July 8th, 2011
8:34 am
Tennessee 54 Blama 3
old time dog
July 8th, 2011
8:34 am
JB… You made the statement nobody who is unhappy with Richt would dare confront him face to face with their thoughts. eYw merely pointed out that eYe would. In fact, eYe have had the opportunity in Columbus, Ga. to speak with Mark Richt briefly about some of my concerns. He was attentive during our conversation and told me he had heard many of my same concerns voiced often and strongly by numerous UGA fans and supporters. eYe enjoyed the brief visit with Richt but still feel the same as eYe indicated earlier. eYe want to see it coach. By the way, the verbal exchange with Richt was acknowledged with a handshake and his response of appreciation for the professional manner eYe presented it with. Judging from his direct attention by making eye contact, eYe actually felt he might have appreciated someone mentioning what they felt was lacking other than patting him on the back and patronizing him just because he is the head coach of UGA. eYe want to see it.
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:35 am
Zoli I hope that they improve. I think the talent is there and I am willing to chalk the mental breaks down to a new system. They did look much better later in the season, but I keep watching that long pass from Malette over and over again in my mind. If they step up, then I see us holding folks to 17 points or less per game.
And I bet that CTG has #21 from SC pictures all over the locker room on September 10th.
DawginLex
July 8th, 2011
8:37 am
the defensive line has to be better than last year doesn’t it?
That GT game was an embarrassment.
That game was so typical of Justin Houston’s career. Make a great play, forcing the fumble to return for a TD, then pretty much take every other play off the rest of the game.
We had no size up the middle at all and we got gashed by more than one opponent.
Putting players in the positions where they belong is great and wonderful but now they must perform.
The defense is the key to the season. Drop the PPG and we win a lot. Continue last year’s style and Richt is history.
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
8:39 am
DawginLex, yeah and they need to play for 60 minutes, not 48. But I think Coach T has that problem well in hand.
I quit posting yesterday before I saw the answer to my question, but this year aren’t they going to take points away for unsportsmanlike conduct? Like the diving into the endzone with no one within twenty yards of the player?
Joe
July 8th, 2011
8:40 am
Time of possession for UGA last year was 30 minutes less than the opponent. We had the ball longer than the opponent only two games. Either we need a good running game to control the clock be more efficient in passing the ball to various receivers, or scheme to control the ball on offense. On defense we must have more three and punts, more pressure on the qb, more stuffs on the rb, great coverage on the receivers, improvement in overall toughness and a determination to get the ball back to the offense. It is great to have all american punters and kickers but it would be great to have them make extra points and kickoffs consistantly instead of having to settle for fgs and punts. Yes we scored 30 points many times last year but not against the good teams where we did not control the clock consistantly and we never outscored them because of lack of ball control and putting so much pressure on the defense. Kick off returns for tds are sometimes devistating for the defense. Especially after a long time consuming drive for a score and then no rest after the one play on special teams they are back on the field for defense after one play and no rest. Defense has to improve the threes and out and the offense has to control the ball and time on the clock to win consistently against the good teams.
Central Georgia Dawg
July 8th, 2011
8:45 am
I find it comical that the SC fans are crowing on this blog. Even when UGA was horrible last year, SC couldn’t put them away. You have a QB with serious off field issues, and the HC who is scared to punish him. Oh you did hold him out off season workouts. I am sure he will have served his suspension just in time for the season. I will give Lattimore and Jeffrey their props. But the running lanes are going to be tough. I see a lot of 7-8 in the box. You can’t throw the ball from your back or while your slightly buzzed!
old time dog
July 8th, 2011
8:46 am
DawginLex… That pretty much says it.
Matthews Dawg
July 8th, 2011
8:48 am
JB, sandman, lowcountry, how2fish, dawgster and a few others…..I usually only read your blogs, because you all have some insight others do not. You do state your opinions with facts, some are positive on the Dawgs and some are not! JB, I agree 100% with your comment that “I’m not going to bash the HC/CMR or the Dawgs at all. I’m going to cheer for them”!! That the way it should be starting now! As in spring training for baseball…”Hope springs eternal” for every team in the pre-season! Right now, we Dawgs should be positive, we should be excited, we MUST back our team no matter what was in the past. Everyone can give their opinion and I will fight to the death for all of us to state it. I’ve just decided I’m not going to let some person (who I have no idea if they are a Dawg fan or not. No matter what they say on here) try to ruin my excitement for the Dawgs. We may split the first 2 games. We may win them both or lose both. But, 2 games won’t make a season and I expect win or lose, we have to come ready to play each weekend! It’s the Dawgs year! I will back CMR as long as he is our coach! Go Dawgs and let the season start!
gsuga
July 8th, 2011
8:49 am
Richt was pleased about the many times GA scored more than 30 points a game. Makes sense that when the offense scores quickly and the defense is back on the field that the defense would falter in the fourth quarter. Just a thought did the offense falter in the fourth quarter due to fatigue and lack of conditioning or was the defense just on the field too long to be effective in the fourth quarter. Don’t fix the wrong cog in the machine.
Central Georgia Dawg
July 8th, 2011
8:51 am
Please don’t tell me that Connor Shaw is going to lead you to the SEC champ. IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN! SC sounds a lot like UGA in 08. I hear the hype, now I have to see results. You have really only been a player in the SEC East for one or two years since 92″. And you got blown out of the SEC championship!
Watch much college football, Ms. Ruth?
July 8th, 2011
8:52 am
Actions you describe go on all over the nation, and are in no way limited to Sanford Stadium
Mr. Dawg
July 8th, 2011
8:53 am
One of the reasons I like the move to the 3-4 is that a dominate, explosive presence at the nose position has a domino effect that literally takes the pressure off of the rest of the defense. If Geathers and Jenkins are what they’ve been cracked up to be and the Bulldogs can then rotate two and stay fresh at that position, I don’t think you can overestimate what that would mean to the team this year.
AltamahaDawg
July 8th, 2011
8:53 am
Lattimore is the best RB in the SEC and “probabaly” the nation? really? you studied all the RB in the nation did you?
Or did you base that on SC finishing in the bottom half of the league in rushing last year. Or perhaps it was that Lattimore had the lowest ypc average of all the top 10 RB in the SEC last year? He wasn’t the top RB in the SEC last year and that guy is also returning.
But yea, he “probably” goes from 31st to #1 this year. There’s only a bunch of junior and senior ahead of him to leadfrog. I could easily see him going for 1800 yards against the SEC.
Dawg1
July 8th, 2011
8:53 am
I see the idiots were out early today
Only comment needed. They know who they are and so does everyone else.
The Mark Richt farewell tour
July 8th, 2011
8:54 am
Keep drinking MY koolaid ! Yeah baby!
Narvie
July 8th, 2011
8:56 am
MY STOMACH FEELS BETTER!!!! Do ya’ll think we can handle the Phillies? Big series starting tonight. Go dogs!!!
coachx
July 8th, 2011
8:56 am
Expecting big things out of the defense this season. 2nd year in the systems and now they have players who actually fit the scheme.
The offense was not broken last season (well accept for that bowl game travesty). The defense lost the Dawgs the majority of their regualr season losses last season. That should not be the case this year.
GO DAWGS !
AltamahaDawg
July 8th, 2011
8:57 am
TIME OF POSSESSION G Poss. Time Avg/G
1. Miss. State 13 409:57 31:32
2. S. Carolina 14 432:33 30:53
3. Ole Miss 12 369:39 30:48
4. Alabama 13 399:59 30:46
5. Georgia 13 396:00 30:27
6. Arkansas 13 394:44 30:21
7. Kentucky 13 393:16 30:15
8. LSU 13 392:12 30:10
9. Auburn 14 410:11 29:17
10. Tennessee 13 375:20 28:52
11. Florida 13 371:51 28:36
12. Vanderbilt 12 323:31 26:57