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
tide roll
July 8th, 2011
12:50 pm
Then move Richard Samuel (6′2″ 230lb) back to tailback and feed him the rock. It’s comical to see the wealth of talent at Richt/bobo’s disposal and how they combine to squander it!
Dawgs Tell
July 8th, 2011
12:54 pm
@old time dog-Winfred is in bad shape,arthritis.Bobby is working for some type of real estate commercial firm.Saw Bud in Helen a few months ago.Tell Garrison that Shelton said Hello.
big john 360 lbs
July 8th, 2011
12:57 pm
Silly, silly rumors boys
CHDawg
July 8th, 2011
12:57 pm
Insider,
Harmon, Benedict, Ealey, Gray…I could be missing a few. I watched the last few minutes of the CSS replay of the 04 Dawgs and Gators, and we had two true freshman sharing the playing time. Ware got over 100 yds, I think. Brown did fine, too. It can be done with young guys, but we would miss the depth and experience, if true. As I said the other day, though, I think the RB story for 11 is Malcome. Crowell could be great; we will see how he makes the jump.
Football Insider
July 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
Ok, I think it’s official now. http://twitter.com/#!/search/Caleb%20King
Tweets are starting to confirm that UGA officials have confirmed that King is academially ineligible.
News is spreading like wildfire.
I love it when I am right!
RedandBlackDAWG
July 8th, 2011
1:05 pm
Insider, I would have thought some of the local publications like the AJC would have been on top of this story. I am going to wait to see if anything offical comes out about it. Twitter rumors are easy to start. I didn’t see anything yet, from any of the big sports news site yet as well.
CHDawg
July 8th, 2011
1:06 pm
Still in the rumor stage, but there are a lot of people saying it with authority. The other name mentioned is Derek Owens…we’ll see
Dawg in Malta
July 8th, 2011
1:07 pm
@saban
After you repeat 3rd grade and learn to spell…”choak”…choke??
Go back to your trailer park and quit poisoning trees!!
Go Dawgs!!
sandman053
July 8th, 2011
1:09 pm
I am not surprised the AJC didn’t have breaking news; however with it being possibly negative about a UGA player you’d think they would lead with it
Football Insider
July 8th, 2011
1:13 pm
CBS sports is now reporting and 680 just reported it.
It’s official.
Freshman depth at the RB position for UGA this fall.
Delbert D.
July 8th, 2011
1:14 pm
As CHDawg posted early this morning, the NT is the critical player on the DL in a 3-4. The DE responsibilities are primarily to occupy the OTs and let the linebackers make the plays. The NT has to take on C-G double teams and still plug up his gap when the RB runs inside. The prototypical NT has great size, strength and technique. Probably the guy who defined the position was Ted Washington, who played in the early ’90s through late 2000s
big john 360 lbs
July 8th, 2011
1:15 pm
What about A. Murray Insider? Is he ineligible too?
CHDawg
July 8th, 2011
1:17 pm
Delbert,
we may have to move Jenkins to TB! How would you like to tackle him…hate this for King and the Dawgs, if true.
bham dawg
July 8th, 2011
1:21 pm
I live in birmingham and they just said on jox that Caleb King is academically ineligible for next season. Is there truth to this? If so we are royally f’d.
Football Insider
July 8th, 2011
1:21 pm
Big John,
There are some kind of rumors about AM out there in message board world, but I don’t believe them.
That would be one of the biggest blows to UGA in one day.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 8th, 2011
1:24 pm
The AM one is that he got caught cheating on a psych test. I find that one very hard to believe. Someone apparently read on his FB page where he said he posted, that he royally screwed up and he is sorry to dog nation. Then the message was pulled off his fb page. I really am thinking that one is a hoax just to pile on the CK4 mess.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
1:29 pm
Breaking News Caleb King ineligible to play .
big john 360 lbs
July 8th, 2011
1:30 pm
Jenkins could run the ball on the goal line.
We’ve always heard how hard it was to get CK in school to begin with.
What a sad way to end such a disappointing career.
He’s got to go down w/ Jasper Sanks as the biggest hype to biggest flop.
big john 360 lbs
July 8th, 2011
1:31 pm
I’m also hearing that Bean Anderson is also ineligible.
CHDawg
July 8th, 2011
1:39 pm
Insider wrote,
“Freshman depth at the RB position for UGA this fall” Don’t forget Thomas. But also remember, Malcome ran against the 1s last year and they were very complimentary. Last time that happened the 1s were talking about Knowshon Moreno…he did pretty well as a “freshman.” Also, we have one of the highest ranked recruits coming in, and Harton outran the whole pack in the spring. (Malcome was injured along with Ealey for much of the time). Like I said, we beat the Gators and had a fantastic ‘04 with two true Freshmen RBs–Ware and Brown, so we will be fine hopefully.
AceDawg
July 8th, 2011
1:51 pm
I’m crossing my fingers, as Grantham’s D will not get it done if this D-Line doesn’t control the line much better this year. In my opinion, shutting down Marcus Lattimore and the South Carolina offense in general will be when we find out; If UGA’s line is questioned after playing a smaller Boise team, it’s already going to have been a long season.
East Repeat
July 8th, 2011
2:00 pm
AJC where are you on these potentially ineligible players? Please give us the facts when you get them! No way AM has screwed up academically, just don’t believe it. Caleb was bound to happen as the young man should not be at a Div 1 school. UGA did all they could and then some but not enough to work with IQ wise.
Dawgs Tell
July 8th, 2011
2:01 pm
Just to let you know AM was sitting in class this morning in the Psych bldg.Start of second session of classes. This is fact.My son is in class with him.
East Repeat
July 8th, 2011
2:02 pm
Thanks, Chip. We will be looking this afternoon for an update, if available.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:12 pm
I hope Chip is right that these are just rumors been hearing this has been coming from Bama blogs .
TBone
July 8th, 2011
2:12 pm
@BryanDFischer
Bryan Fischer
Sources at Georgia say RB Caleb King will be ineligible this season due to academic issues.
Dawg Tired
July 8th, 2011
2:14 pm
This just in – Tyson is now up to 6′6″ 319 lbs. Further updates coming as he continues to grow at an amazing rate.
big john 360 lbs
July 8th, 2011
2:14 pm
Can’t we get Trinton Sturdivant and Chris Burnette to tutor some of these guys?! They’re suppose to be smart. I hate the offseason b/c of days like today.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:21 pm
This most likely will move Ken Malcolm up the chart to be the starter also here comes Crowell Christian Robinson tweeted earlier to try put all these rumors to bed but who knows what going on right now i want to see a comment from Richt .
Athens is Hell
July 8th, 2011
2:25 pm
“Ex-UGA doctoral student pleads guilty to conspiracy, theft and fraud charges”
http://www.redandblack.com/2011/07/07/ex-uga-doctoral-student-pleads-guilty-to-conspiracy-theft-and-fraud-charges/
Oh yeah … and Mark Richt is the Devil.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:26 pm
Hey Chip do you have any new info on the developing story i want to here from Richt’s mouth will he make a statement on this matter soon .
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:31 pm
Ohio St. vacates wins and there bowl win so you have to ask your ask your self who is in worst shape Ohio State or UGA .
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:40 pm
Its official statement from UGA King is out can anymore sh@!t hit the fan i am very worried now what else can go wrong .
Terry
July 8th, 2011
2:43 pm
Chip Towers,Why do you say there is nothing to report then I here 680 the fan say that you just reported to them that King is ineligible.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 8th, 2011
2:43 pm
Concerning the C. King rumor,
The guy that reported said, he heard it from reliable sources, will not state his source on the UGA campus he heard it from. His name is Bryan Fischer, and it appears he is some kind of student writer for the DAWG Post. Sb Nation’s T Kyle King, said as of now, it is just a rumor but he will not be able to report the full story and it’s origin until Sunday. It appears it may have been a comment made from a Facebook comment a while back from Caleb King, and then somebody transferred it over to the twitter social network and it got a life of it’s own.
I personally feel that if he were not eligible, that it would have been known long before now, say, like at the end of the academic year, but with summer school and all for athletes, who knows.
These things take on a life of their own on these social network pages, so until it is formally announced by the administration at UGA, I will place about as much trust in it, as I do our current President.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:46 pm
I guess i have to agree with the board i hate to say this but Richt has lost control i don’t think UGA can take much more bad news .
Zoli
July 8th, 2011
2:47 pm
Hey old time dog, what’s up with the eYe for an I?
Tampa Gator
July 8th, 2011
2:47 pm
Caleb King……as I recently said….I will take a 3 star with a 5 star brain over a 5 star with a 3 star brain (probably less star brains in King’s case) every time.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
2:50 pm
Rivals UGA Sports .com is now reporting it King likely done at UGA news is spreading fast i agree Tampa Gator .
Tampa Gator
July 8th, 2011
2:52 pm
Perfect example of a 3-star with a 5-star brain (or higher in his case)……TREY BURTON at Florida. Perfect example of a 5-star with a 3-star brain…..JANORIS JENKINS at Florida.
Uuggh...
July 8th, 2011
2:52 pm
Jasper Sanks > Caleb King = Really Sad. Good luck though Caleb.
Please, please coach–no more 20 year old Freshman RB’s!
@Fire Rodney Garner
July 8th, 2011
2:52 pm
It happens at every SEC school. With the exception of Vandy, we are all fishing from the same pond.
Tampa Gator
July 8th, 2011
2:57 pm
….and you still have the 5-star player with the 5-star brain….MURRAY…..and he is going to be dynamic this season, I think. He is a potential Heisman winner…based on his play as a freshman in the SEC last year….especially against the Gators.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
3:02 pm
If there is any silver lining in this we are getting rid of a guy that always getting in trouble and opens the door for Ken Malcolm who has been waiting for an opportunity to start and also maybe bring in Kieth Marshall thanks Tampa Gator .
RedandBlackDAWG
July 8th, 2011
3:07 pm
Rats,
It is now official that C. King blew it again. I think it is time for CMR to just close the book on him, and dismiss him from the team.
I hope he realizes that his future just went out the window as far as the NFL goes. This guy has had more chances than Garcia, so it is time for him to move on. He can’t meet academic standards to even stay eligible for an athletic scholarship, and I think it is mainly the fact that he is lazy. Too bad, because I think he could have done well this year. Just by opinion as to the reason he let UGA and his team mates down once again, but since this is a recurring thing with him, I don’t see any reason for him to occupy a scholarship on this team. This does put a lot of pressure on the other RB’s or sure.
ryan
July 8th, 2011
3:11 pm
As Charlie Brown would say Urgggggggggggggggggggggg.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 8th, 2011
5:11 pm
Oh well,
They say adversity measure the true character of a team, and it looks like we are going to find that out a little earlier than we thought. LOL. Here’s hoping that the RB’s, though low in experience, are fast in the learning curve. Someone is now going to have to step up to the plate and swing for the fences. I hope UGA has that guy in the backfield. Of course, we can look at it as giving someone a wonderful opportunity to step up. I hope that is the way UGA team members approach this.
bamadawg
July 8th, 2011
5:31 pm
It’s a new…Lean, Mean, Junk Yard Dawg Defense!!!! We will dominate the East and beat LSU/Bama in the Dome Baby!!!!
dapperdanman
July 8th, 2011
5:31 pm
Thunder Dome!!!!
This Sept. 3 in Atlanta, we Georgians (and Dawg Fans) have the opportunity to make a statement.
This may be the most pivotal game we play in deciding our outcome this season. Even if we were to win out the remainder of our schedule and win the SEC championship (the best you could hope for after a loss in the opener), we would not play in a National Championship if Boise remained undefeated, or anybody else for that matter, thus ending the SEC streak with the title game. Well this just can’t happen. We must win. Not because we think we should because we are the bigger program from the SEC and that should be enough to win. Not because we think we can play in a National Championship if we do. Our toughest games will be still to come. It is not because they think they will destroy us since they beat Va Tech last year right before James Madison did and “this isn’t the same team we beat in 2005”. It is because… THIS IS OUR HOUSE. THIS IS IN OUR STATE, IN OUR CAPITAL. THIS IS OUR COCA~COLA. THAT IS OUR DAMN CHICKEN SANDWICH. Do they even have Chic-fil-a in Boise?
When Boise St comes to the Georgia Dome to face us, we the fans have a responsibility to do our part to help our team. If you have ever been to the Dome you know how loud it can be. It is our job to make the walls crumble from our thunderous roar!!!!!!!!! Anytime the Boise offense is on the field it is our job to make as much noise as you’ve ever made. STAY ON YOUR FEET between plays still SCREAMING with all your might. STOMP THE GROUND and CLAP YOUR HANDS. SHAKE YOU KEYS. Bring those CRYING BABIES that you always bring to restaurants. Take off your belts, fold them in half, hold both ends, move your hands in then pull away making the belt pop. Try it, pretty loud. I don’t care if you wear tap shoes. We might take some heat for it if we all showed up in tap shoes, but that would make a ton of noise. Just sayin…
The point is we help win games too. We help motivate our kids to sell out body and mind for us and we strike fear and confusion into the other team. Though our part is nothing to what the players’ and coaches’ roles are, we must still show up prepared and ready to give our all, just like we expect from the team every Saturday. I don’t care if the score is 100-0, we don’t quit making noise or leave early. I want the TV announcers to show the noise meter at the Dome showing new records. Noise can cause miscommunication with play calling, unheard check-offs or audibles from the QB or sidelines, missed kicks, penalties, and turnovers. It can strike fear into the other team and kill momentum. We don’t need to take our feet off the gas, on the field or in the stands, till the game is over and we get that chicken dinner.
I WANT THAT CHICKEN DINNER!!!!!!!!
Then I want to eat chicken again the next week.
Don’t let me down Dawg Fans.
Don’t let our team down.
We will only become champions with each other. Standing behind one another proudly and united. It’s time to bring the noise. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bamadawg
July 8th, 2011
5:42 pm
@dapperdanman…..Dang! I’m pumped!! Got six tickets to the Dome, Will be there with my tap shoes and belt!!!! Hunker Down Dawgs!