Linebackers: Promising group despite virtual makeover since last season
Seventh in a series breaking down Georgia’s 2011 team by position . . .
Georgia is counting on junior Christian Robinson's leadership and play-making abilities at linebacker this fall. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
THE LINEBACKERS
- Projected starters: SAM Jarvis Jones (So., 6-3, 241), MIKE Christian Robinson (Jr., 6-2, 226), MO Alec Ogletree (So. 6-3, 236), WILL Cornelius Washington (So., 6-4, 260)
- Returning starters: Robinson started 11 games at the “Mo” inside linebacker last season and Washington started eight at the “Will” outside position. Alec Ogletree was moved to the Mo in the spring after starting five games at strong safety as a true freshman last season. Robinson moved to Mike.
- Others to watch: This is the much-anticipated debut season of Jarvis Jones, who had to sit out this past year after transferring to Georgia from Southern Cal. Jones (6-3, 241) is slated to start at “Sam,” or strongside outside linebacker, but first he has to clear some recently-raised eligibility issues. . . . Former starting tailback Richard Samuel will be playing his first season on defense for the Bulldogs. He redshirted his junior season last year while making the initial transition. He is currently second-team at “Mo” but could play outside linebacker if called upon. . . . Reuben Faloughi, Michael Gilliard and Chase Vasser will be counted on as backups.
Moving Alec Ogletree (9) from strong safety to inside linebacker was bold and potentially bountiful. (AP photo)
- Key losses: Georgia lost a massive amount of production from this unit. Gone are leading tackler Akeem Dent (126 tackles); pass-rushing specialist Justin Houston (10 sacks); No. 4 tackler Marcus Dowtin, who transferred out; and No. 7 tackler Darryl Gamble, who graduated. That’s 259 tackles, 14 sacks and 52 games played just from last season. The Bulldogs also lost linebackers coach Warren Belin to the NFL.
- Newcomers: Georgia signed five linebackers in February to shore up depth, including five-star prospect Ray Drew (6-5, 250) of Thomasville, who will be expected to contribute immediately. The Bulldogs also inked Sterling Bailey (6-5, 260) of Gainesville, Amarlo Herrera (6-1, 224) of College Park, Kent Turene (6-3, 225) of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., and Ramik Wilson (6-2, 218) of Tampa.
- Key developments: As alluded to earlier, the eligibility issues facing Jones threaten to dog Georgia up until the season opener like those facing A.J. Green did last year. A police investigation into alleged corruption within the ranks of the Columbus parks and recreation department revealed that some of Jones’ flights to Los Angeles his first season at USC were paid for by the department’s director from state funds. Even though Jones was at Southern Cal, the NCAA could require Jones to sit out games at UGA. Georgia has launched its own investigation and will fight to get the situation resolved well before the season opener, unlike last year’s fiasco with Green, who ended up sitting the first four games.
- Key question: This is year two of Georgia’s switch to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. But due to all the reshuffling, three of the four projected starters will be playing new positions. How quickly and how well will the group adapt to new assignments and new inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti?
- Outlook: Uncertain but promising. If there were no issues facing Jones, it would be tempting to say this is an across-the-board improvement. But the drop from Jones to Vasser would be steep and moving Samuel back outside could be complicated. Meanwhile, moving Ogletree to Mo from strong safety was a bold move and, even though Grantham says he’s “100 percent certain” it was the right thing to do, it’s an uncertain how he’ll perform in games.
- Your turn: What’s your view of Georgia’s linebacker corps?
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262 comments Add your comment
JackDennis
July 11th, 2011
9:08 am
Promising group? dawgs always have promising groups…only to languish in mediocrity.
always next year
July 11th, 2011
9:09 am
Fire Richt and staff? Who is going to replace him? You cannot just fire someone for the sake of firing him. If we can run the ball with consistency, and continue to get above average special teams, we will win our 8 or 9. Have to start 2-0, not 0-2 or even 1-1.
B.G
July 11th, 2011
9:10 am
@ Chip is Ramik Wilson, Amarlo Herrera, and Kent Turene in Athens yet? I saw on 247sports that Ramik Wilson, and Kent Turene were having some issues with qualifying to get in UGA.
JB
July 11th, 2011
9:12 am
RxDawg. #3 on the depth chart is a walk on…..now, I ‘m not gonna say that’s a bad thing, he might have more heart than any of the other RB’s, but we all know Richt and Bobo play a lot of backs, and getting to a walk on that quick will give any team pause. Maybe he love’s UGA and could be starting at a smaller school, who knows. I do know that ANY time in the next few weeks we hear or read a National story about the Dawgs, this will come up, and it won’t be good.
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
9:12 am
B.G.: Turene is the only one who hasn’t arrived yet.
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
9:13 am
Macon dawg: Yes, Jones is a sophomore.
@Tide Roll = GT Fan
July 11th, 2011
9:14 am
You may be on to something. I don’t know about the Tech angle, but for a “Bama fan” he certainly does not act like one with many of his posts. Notice how he seems genuinely upset that Cam Newton did not go to UGA. You would think a true Tide fan would have been slightly ticked off at “the greatest QB in the history of college football” choosing Bama’s biggest rival. And why would he want Newton at UGA being tutored by those incompetent Dog coaches?
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
9:15 am
RxDawg: I plan to ask about moving TBs next time I get to talk to CMR. But they also have three walkons they could turn to in a pinch.
Tide Roll
July 11th, 2011
9:15 am
Chip, Talk about a promising group. Our inside linebackers are Courtney Upshaw (6′3″ 263 lb.), and Donta Hightower (6′4″ 258 lb.) Roll Tide.
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
9:16 am
Left out “newcomers” section. It’s in there now.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 11th, 2011
9:18 am
I know a young man that went to high school with Samuels. He has said that he would rather be at LB and most that watched and played with him, know he is a much better player at LB than he would be at RB. He appears to have to work hard as a runner, because he doesn’t have the natural skills that most RB’s have. His size helped him at that position in H.S. but it didn’t translate well to the college level.
UGA has the bodies to play RB, the experience level is is just not there yet. We have a natural dynamic runner in Crowell, but he lacks the experience at the college level. Crowell does have all the tools and the making of a great back. He just needs to mature a little physically and a lot mentally. I hope he will. He will just have to grow at the position. Malcom is a bruiser of a back, but has to hold onto the ball and not give it up. he just doesn’t look as comfortable as Rb as you would like, but more experience may do the trick. Thomas is small, coughs up the ball, but is a good option on some plays, but could not hold up for game after game as a starter. He is just too small to continuously take the pounding. He is a good change of break RB, but no full timer. He might be a good one to have if you have a two back set, every once in a while. He probably is not big enough to be a real effective blocker.
Bwkdawg
July 11th, 2011
9:20 am
Chip any word on TJ Stripling. If he is healthy I see him getting in to the rotation, this is a very talented group and with the improvements to the D line they should be able to occupy those linemen and keep them out of the second layer of our defense, I think they willl give QB’s fits.
JB
July 11th, 2011
9:22 am
I don’t know about Tide Roll…..Techies are pretty easy to spot because they hit on Academics, Arrest, Working flipping burgers etc, the usual crap they are taught when they show up over there and realize there are no women ( except middle easterners) to date. Tide Roll mostly sticks to football, and a Techie can’t resist the usual shots they take.
big john 360 lbs
July 11th, 2011
9:22 am
When me and Kwame plug up the middle it will allow Tree and Robinson to wreak havoc.
Dawgs will be much tougher on 3rd down and 4 this year.
Nate the Great
July 11th, 2011
9:27 am
Where’s everyone reading about the smoke on the plains? I have thought the hammer would fall but I just haven’t heard anything from a credible source.
Nate the Great
July 11th, 2011
9:28 am
JB the techies also talk about the red panties.
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
9:31 am
If Jone can’t play the 2011 group will be average at best. But whoa buddy 2012 and beyond look really good.
dawgpost
July 11th, 2011
9:31 am
Enter your comments here
Bwkdawg
July 11th, 2011
9:36 am
JB he may not be a techie but he’s no bama fan. Why would a fan of a school that has such a rich history and much recent success as well be so obsessed with who uga is recruiting.
dawgpost
July 11th, 2011
9:37 am
What’s with South Cackalacky winning back to back baseball championships and now in the drivers seat in football? We’ve definitely lost a step or two on them IMO. We can quote all the history we want but it’s all about what have you done for me lately. We need a complete overhaul. We are a disgrace no two ways about it.
JB
July 11th, 2011
9:37 am
Nate, we would have to Show a techie what panties look like. never seen a pair except their mama’s in the laundry room…LOL
JB
July 11th, 2011
9:40 am
Tide Roll………you’ve been called out this morning.
McDawg
July 11th, 2011
9:51 am
Corneilius Washingtonn is up to 260-watch out
RamboDog
July 11th, 2011
9:54 am
Ralph D. , thought you were going to post today?
schmeckdawg
July 11th, 2011
9:56 am
DaculaDawg
July 11th, 2011
6:49 am
Why no mention of the impact Ray Drew could have ?
FYI.
Newcomers: Georgia signed five linebackers in February to shore up depth, including five-star prospect Ray Drew (6-5, 250) of Thomasville, who will be expected to contribute immediately.
@dawgpost
July 11th, 2011
9:58 am
That was a strong effort on your part at winning the “TROLL of the Day” crown. I would say that you are in the driver’s seat at this point in the competition, but remember that you are competing with some world class window lickers so you can never get complacent. Keep the TROLL posts coming my man!!
Sir Barks A Lot!!!
July 11th, 2011
10:00 am
UGA’s defense and LB corp should be a positive in 2011 in year 2 of the 3/4 scheme.
Jones should be OK – all Jones has to say is that we was not aware of any illegal transportation arrangements – as the NCAA has set a precedent in the Cam Newton case.
Samuel needs to stay at LB – he was a better LB in HS than RB. All of his workouts and training have prepared his body type to be LB – not RB.
Carlton Thomas is not the answer at RB – he is a third down situational player – great speed to hit the corners – by all means – keep him away from running between the tackles – he FUMBLES way too much – even the spring game – he lost the handle 3 times – including his touchdown run – the ball squirted out – but he had broken the goal line. Malcome, Harton and Crowell will be the answer.
I mm clueless about other SEC programs
July 11th, 2011
10:03 am
I suspect that most major programs in the SEC have issues like somebody quit or someone blew his knee and so and so went back home to be with Suzy Lou, etc. This has been going on for 50+ years that I have watched UGA with some stellar years and then, not so stellar in there. Last two years for UGA have been very bad.
One year a UGA D player in the mid 70s dove into Lake Lanier and badly cut up his shoulders and knees on submergaed barbed wire fencing and ended up not being a factor that year. It happens.
The thing about this year is that CMR has got to win big and has got to show a major turn around on this team with no car wrecks, DUIs, or flunk outs, apparel sales,etc. ………… or we make changes. Depth should always carry your program through the rough patches. We are lately, short in that regard and faced with key guys that are hanging on with bloody nails regarding grades or trouble off campus. Alumni are sick and tired of it.
It is what it is. 10-2 with a trip to the Ga Dome ranked around 13th in December would be great. Losing in the Dome and a trip to a major bowl would be fine ………… a trip to Shreveport to rematch Ga Tech would be awful, especially after whupping them for the 10 th time in 11 years. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
FredDawg
July 11th, 2011
10:06 am
Sounding like Larry Munson and Tide Roll – just do not see anything out of Georgia – again – more issues and too much transition – and the OL is a huge question mark….. again.
Hate it for Caleb King – but his career at UGA has been a bust – he never got over his broken leg and showed flashes of greatness – but nothing consistent. He has been his own worst enemy in terms of off field and academics.
His is off field issues and academics are not buttoned up – and translated to his preparation and on field perfromance as well.
Ealey and King gone – it is what it is – they were given all kind fo chances – time to move on.
AltamahaDawg
July 11th, 2011
10:16 am
There are 2 other TB on scholarship, plus the walk on that we saw a bit of in the G-day game. (I’d guess he get a scholarship granted now?) Not saying they are the answer to the RG, but an answer to your question.
Plus the mention of more B. Smith carries and perhaps others in some capacity. We are not without options, just known experience. Bringin somebody over on a permanent basis doesn’t really solve that plus I’d think that just creates the same depth issues someplace else. With Samuel, everybody knows he “could” be an emergency plan if it came to it. I see no point in announcing or declaring him, anything other than what he is, at this point.
My guess is that they just try a variety of different things in fall camp to fill in the 3rd, 4th, 5th option.
beebee's girlfriend sleebee
July 11th, 2011
10:16 am
Dawgs fans, is anybody a wee bit concerned that 3 sophomores are stating in this unit, and the most “senior” member is a junior?
I see trouble Dawgs fans.
What’s the secondary looking like?
Johnson, The Tech one, not yours
July 11th, 2011
10:16 am
Hey, let’s talk about the big opening day with Western Carolina..Heck, I know most of those boys at Western.I tried to get them to come to Tech……Ya’ll come on…I’m told we’re down to 15-20 thousand tickets left.
AltamahaDawg
July 11th, 2011
10:19 am
Oh, are all 3 all walk-ons? I thought 2 of those guys had papers.
dkg
July 11th, 2011
10:24 am
I wish both Ealey and King well. I do not think it it going to be that bad for the team. I do see Malcome turning it up this year. Hopefully, now that King will not take him under his wing, Crowell can mature and contribute this year. Keep Samuels @ LB. You will see a lot of Chase Vasser this year, I do not see a significant drop from Jones. Leave Brandon Smith on Defense, he is basically the same thing as Thomas, too small to run up the middle.
intheknow
July 11th, 2011
10:25 am
Tide Roll is an idiot….!
forever dawg fan
July 11th, 2011
10:28 am
in my opinion no one knows what the hell is going to
happen until we play. hey Herschel Walker was a
rookie and look what he did (THERE GOES HERSCHEL)
GO DAWGS
Bama in Atlanta
July 11th, 2011
10:37 am
@ Are these questions too hot for Tide Roll to answer? who wrote:
Feel free to NOT answer if the following questions are embarrassing or uncomfortable for you to answer. Since you appear to be quite knowledgeable and opinionated on a number of issues, they should be easy, however.
1. Do you think Alabama would have won more games last year with Cam Newton at quarterback or Greg McElroy?
2. On Bana and Cam Newton’s recruitment: choose one
A. Saban got outrecruited by Chizik
B. Saban chose to not recruit Newton
3. If the answer to #2 is B, what possible reasons do you think led to Bama passing on Newton?
=============================================================
I don’t always agree with Tide Roll but I did want to address these questions. Alabama probably would have won more games with Cam as QB but regarding Question #2 I choose (C) Saban did not recruit Cam Newton because Cam committed to UF in 2006 and Saban did not sign on with Bama until 2007.
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
10:40 am
BWKdawg: Stripling is on schedule to come back sometime during preseason camp. At the moment he’s not a factor. Probably should have mentioned him, though. May amend eventually.
murfdawg
July 11th, 2011
10:44 am
Does the NCAA really have the time to foolishly look at Jones’ travel arrangements by a basketball coach? If there is a penalty, they should tack it on to the So Cal penalty. If the NCAA suspends Jones, then UGA should lead the secession revolt and start a new coalition of 24 schools. I really think football will come to this one day.
JDawg1785
July 11th, 2011
10:47 am
Chip, I’ve seen Drew listed as an LB by some sources and as an end by others. Any insight into CTG’s ultimate plan for him? I’m in favor of whatever gets this kid on the field the fastest.
Black Mountain Bulldog
July 11th, 2011
10:50 am
I think the Offense will run several ‘Wildcat” type plays, in the first two ball games.
Also I bet we will see a bunch of two tight end sets.
Richt will take over the play calling, if he has to.
CMR knows that his job is on the line.
The Defensive front seven is going to be awesome!
Mobile Dawg
July 11th, 2011
10:57 am
I think the “Red Shirt” should officially be declared dead in today’s times. A guy has one great season, or two good ones and he’s usually gone anyway. It’s a revolving door.
Mobile Dawg
July 11th, 2011
10:58 am
With the exception of injury.
tide roll
July 11th, 2011
11:00 am
Saban would have recruited the heck out of Cam if he were 45 minutes from our campus, like he was from yours,(Atlanta Westlake), and if his mentor since grade school had been a former offensive line starter like yours (Resty Beadles). But probably NOT AS A TIGHT END, like your Richt/Bobo braintrust did. Uga fans, there comes a point where you just have to shake our head, and admit how incredible all of this is. Your staff evaluated the greatest Combo QB. in the history of college football. the Heisman trophy winner, and the 1st player selected in the NFL draft as a Tight End. Since everybody’s asking questions, I’ve got one for you: How the hell does that happen? I think we all know the answer,and it’s been happening for ages at UGA!
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
11:00 am
JDawg1785: Ray Drew is an OLB. Likely “Will,” behind Cornelius Washington.
Chip Towers
July 11th, 2011
11:01 am
beebee’s girlfriend sleebee: Will be breaking down secondary tomorrow.
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
11:07 am
to squash rumors about ramik wilson and kent turene both players have been cleared to enroll in school. they graduated high school the first week of june so they could not enroll for the first session of summer school. wilson is on campus and turene has a family issue to take care of and will be in athens by the end of the week.
ATL Sports Fan
July 11th, 2011
11:19 am
Tide Roll your a racist. Your as racist as they come, its all about color for you. Who cares if UGA didn’t recruit Cam Newton. At the time they had former #1 overall pick Matthew Stafford at QB. So tell me why Saban didn’t recruit Newton out of Blinn? Instead he decided to stick with a non athletic QB with a noodle arm. Newton is a spread style QB and from watching Gruden grill him it doesn’t seem like he is that bright when it comes to the QB position. Newton is a run first QB, a pro style system is not a run first system. Heck look at Michael Vick. He has stated many times that he should have been more of a pass first QB when he first came into the league.
murfdawg
July 11th, 2011
11:20 am
Didn’t Georgia have a qb from Texas in 2006, who was pretty good at throwing the ball? I saw Newton in high school and he was amazing. Georgia had Stafford and was building the team around him. Newton was being touted as the next Tebow and fit the fl offense at the time. So I don’t think you could really say that the Dawgs whiffed by not signing Newton. Besides that, we didn’t have an extra lawyer to be assigned to him and his 13 traffic violations and “flying, painted computer problems”. Auburn got lucky for 90 days and made it pay off. Can we now talk about 2011?
tampabigDAWG
July 11th, 2011
11:22 am
Whoaaaa Nelly!!!. I am not worried about our front 7 on D this year. Scheme is being understood alot better and the players look a little more able. I just hope that the front 7 can make the DB’s better. Rambo and Hamilton aren’t going to cut it. We actually had a top 30 pass defense last year, except on third down. Some could argue that this goes to play calling also, which I can see, but I saw Rambo trot around so many time. Ogletree looked liked our best bet as DB and now he moved to ILB. He is a beast for sure. I bet he will be dropped deep alot in 3 down plays. Like urlacher on the bears, or bruski did back in the day. I wish CTG would use some of the schemes the steelers use on occasion. 3-3-5 and just push Tree back to safety for a play or two. Confusion is the key.
I am a die hard Dawg fan through and through, but the beginning of next year is scary. I know Boise St. doesn’t play near the competition as the SEC does yearly, and Stats say there D-Line is a little skinny in the tush, but they are gamers. I hope our O-Line can hold up and especially with our RB’s running away from us. I Didn’t like King coming out of HS, and Samuel was just a hopeful 2 side star in my mind, both showed skills but no conviction, same for Ealey. I will say I thought Ealey was going to be dynamite regardless the level he played in HS. I think our D can handle BSt Offense but can our Offense handle BSt D?
Just the opposite Applies to SC. SC has good CB’s but I think TE usage will help us with their week LB corps. But we all must admit Garcia is still a good QB, (Shaw pretty good too) Jefferey is as good as AJ was for us, Lattimore bulked up and will freaking run over our Secondary, our big boys on the Dline better slow him down. One good hit from a LB after a quick grab by Big John could atleast make him second guess some head drivers he had last year against us.
Whatcha think, especially AltamahaDawg. Only a few guys have good convos on here. And Chip what is your feelings on BSt D-Line.