Secondary: Star power, depth, versatility give the Bulldogs reason to bark
Eighth in a series breaking down Georgia’s 2011 football team by position groups. . . .
The return of senior cornerback Brandon Boykin is a big reason for optimism that Georgia's improved play in the secondary will continue this season. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
THE DEFENSIVE BACKS
- Projected starters: CB Brandon Boykin (Sr., 5-10, 183), FS Bacarri Rambo (Jr., 6-0, 218), SS Shawn Williams (Jr., 6-1, 220), CB Sanders Commings (Jr., 6-2, 217)
- Returning starters: All of them. Rambo started all 13 games (nine at strong safety and four at free safety) while Boykin has started 24 of the last 26 and has played in every game since he’s been at Georgia. Commings started nine games at cornerback while Williams started three games at free safety.
- Others to watch: You might as well add Branden Smith as another returning starter as the junior from Atlanta got nine starts last season as either a corner or nickelback in a five-defensive back formation. Senior Jakar Hamilton started five games at free safety and will be in the playing rotation. Redshirt freshman strong safety Marc Deas is one to keep an eye on.
- Key losses: Vance Cuff, who started five games at cornerback and played in 44 in his career, graduated. One-time starting safety Nick Williams, who would have been a senior, transferred to North Alabama.
- Key newcomers: Georgia loaded up on elite defensive backs in recruiting. The Bulldogs landed a pair of AJC Super 11 selections in Damian Swann of Grady and Nick Marshall of Wilcox County. Marshall starred as a quarterback but agreed to sign with UGA as a defensive back with the promise of getting some looks on offense. Devin Bowman, Quintavious Harrow and Corey Moore also came in as defensive backs. Valdosta’s Malcolm Mitchell, who was nationally rated as a cornerback prospect, is listed on Georgia’s roster as “athlete” but is expected to begin his career as a wide receiver.
- Key fact: Boykin bypassed the chance to enter the NFL draft in order to return for his final season and is being rewarded by seeing his named on virtually efvery preseason watch list, including the Thorpe, Bednarik and Nagurski awards. This honor roll student from Fayette County is also the school record holder for career kickoff return yards (1,871) and is the only player in SEC history to have three 100-yard plays of any kind. . . . Rambo also has found his way on some preseason lists.
- Key question: Can the Bulldogs maintain the trajectory of improvement in pass coverage it established this past season? A year after allowing an SEC worst 25 touchdown passes and intercepting only 10, Georgia gave up just 15 scores and picked off 16 passes (13 by defensive backs).
- Outlook: Very good. In their second year under secondary coach Scott Lakatos, with the return of an experienced and deep unit, the addition of young talent and the anticipation of an improved pass-rushing presence from the front seven, there’s reason to expect this group to only get better.
- Your turn: What are your thoughts on Georgia’s secondary?
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130 comments Add your comment
NWGA Dawg
July 12th, 2011
10:42 am
Bring Back Wally Butts –> I 100% agree with your statement about Rambo. Ever since that AU knockout, he doesn’t seem to be able to wrap up and tackle anyone.
We need him to step up and make some tackles for us this year, and quit trying to hit without wrapping up.
lifelongdawg
July 12th, 2011
10:47 am
If you have Charter cable, and perhaps comcast, though I havent confirmed comcast, the SEC spring games are all loaded in the “On Demand” section under “Sports”.
Homepage | MrSEC.com
July 12th, 2011
10:47 am
[...] World Championships. (The Americans finished fifth in a sport we invented.)4. Georgia’s still appears to be deep and talented in its secondary.5. New Kentucky defensive coordinator Rick Minter has found a way to [...]
cornbread
July 12th, 2011
10:52 am
Thanks lifelongdawg.
DawginLex
July 12th, 2011
10:54 am
Dadgum it. I been spelling it Paul “Bear” Bryant all these years.
It is really “Bare” Bryant.
Those teachers at UGA never corrected me.
Dadgum it.
Charlie Hayes
July 12th, 2011
10:57 am
Chip- What happened to Chris Sanders? He was a really good snag for UGA at 6-0 and 185 as a FS. Is he on the team? I noticed you didnt mention him in the article.
WDE
July 12th, 2011
10:57 am
@DawginLex “Bare” Bryant was the Bear’s gay half brother…they don’t talk about him much in Bama..
Uuggh...
July 12th, 2011
11:24 am
I too am excited about the Defense for a change. I remember when the whole game could change for us based on one outstanding Defensive play. As dependent as this team (and the coaches apparently) is on momentum…a few big plays could really help us out on that front.
Not only that a few explosive defensive plays could also keep Bobo from flat out giving up on offensive series where his first deep ball call ends up incomplete. Boy–it would sure be nice to see that!
Use what you got
July 12th, 2011
11:31 am
We have no proven long drive backs and we have no O line really capable of crushing folks. We must use what we have ………….a talented D team to take the ball over and run with it. We must create turnovers like we have not done in many, many years, so that we can get the ball close to the opponent’s goal line ……………sort of like Florida did when they got A Murray to fumble in his pass drop past year.
12 games and counting …………… lack of depth, poor O line, no tested running backs and no proven game breaker flankers ……………….. a BIG BOY coach has to anticipate this possibility each and ever year …………………IT IS WHY a SEC coach is paid the big bucks.
CMR ……………..make it happen. We are watching and pulling for the DOGS.
Go Dogs.
UGA man, class of 71 7 73
puppy in KY
July 12th, 2011
11:33 am
Every position is in Good shape. How do you go 6 – 7, lose your 3 best offensive players (Green, Bolin, Durham) all your RBs, your 3 best def players and everything is in good shape? Oh, it’s Athens in the preseason!
Jax 2011 – Florida 31 Georgia 17 Todd Grantham chokes on cuss words (aimed at a college student) and a lack of class.
azdawg
July 12th, 2011
11:36 am
The only returning starter that impresses is Boykin. As a unit they allowed to many long TD’s last season and left receivers wide open most of the time. The difference maker for this unit will be a (hopefully) much improved def front w/run stop and pash rush ability. Otherwise, it’ll be deja vue all over again.
One real fact
July 12th, 2011
11:38 am
Folks, the UGA D line is nothing of what it was in 2011. John Jenkins and Gathers were not on the playing field last year. Period. This year in the middle, UGA ought to be much improved and the former N Guards are either second string or moved to D End, their natural positions.
Abry Jones and DeAngelo Tyson are not natural Nose men. They will be supported by Ray Drew and a company of faster LBs and Frosh LBs and D Ends. Our entire D line depth barring disastorous injuries will be much improved.
It should be entriely different on D line, thusly providing help for the D backs in pass coverage with PRESSURE.
Go Dogs.
***UGA FAN BEFORE 2008
July 12th, 2011
11:41 am
You will see a TEAM play this year. Cancer’s are gone.
jp
July 12th, 2011
11:42 am
st richt show your ignorance the d gave up 22 pts a game in the first year and ranked 4th ovreall in d in the sec. it is idiots also got 13 more take aways than last year. it is bosos like you that never played a down of ball since pop warner when your mon pulled you out to play dodge ball with a helmet . keep up your ignorance and go pull for some other team .go watch world cup soccer ,you blow
SkokieDog
July 12th, 2011
11:44 am
Will Grantham have this unit practice defending (or even recognizing) the wheel route this August? If not, look out for some more long TD’s scored by our opponents. I hope the incoming freshmen will be allowed to play rather than wearing the red shirt. There is room for some playmakers in the defensive backfield.
anotherdawg
July 12th, 2011
11:52 am
Need to add Ogletree to this “key Loss” list since he was moved to linebacker, although I do think he fits linebacker better than safety. Also, I hope the Jakar ( the hitman ) lives up to his name this year. I don’t how he got that nickname.
JB
July 12th, 2011
11:54 am
Change Jakar’s nick name from “hit man” to “sit man”……. Glad he is not starting…unless somebody has been coaching him. I’m hoping with our improved line play our VERY FAST linebackers will make the hitting plays. We will have the fastest LB’s in the SEC. They were all sprinters in HS.
Braves fan
July 12th, 2011
11:54 am
Trust me….. Nick Marshall will be a name that UGA Nation will hear over and over…..This guy is going to be a star
Palm City Dawg
July 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
2005 Auburn at Georgia with Willie running the D…4th and 11 for Auburn, receiver wide open over the middle and takes it to the 2. Auburn kicks winning field goal. No we have Grantham and I feel he will not let that happen, but we look back to the 2010 Arkansas game…I really feel we will have the heat on the QB this season and not as likely. Dawgs D dominate the SEC this season!!!
I-DOG
July 12th, 2011
12:09 pm
I think the jury is still out on this defense. It looks good on paper other than maybe the safety position and if we lose Jarvis Jones for any length of time due to the issues he had at USC, that would leave us awfully thin at the critical OLB position in the 3-4.
I saw some improvement at times with the defense last year, but as late as the Kentucky game we simply could not get off the field on 3rd down. On KY’s opening drive, we stopped them pretty much cold on 1st and 2nd and they would convert a 3rd and 7 or a 3rd and 12 with what seemed like relative ease.
We had to be one of the worst in the SEC in percentage of third downs converted against.
Lots of reason for optimism especially with two 350 pound nose tackles that can play at a high level, but we won’t really know until after the 2nd game.
I-DOG
July 12th, 2011
12:15 pm
Rabid Dawg Fan:
Toward the end of the first quarter against Hawaii, I was actually concerned about Colt Brennan’s safety. Our DE’s were blowing by the slower tackles of Hawaii and we started rushing just three and still getting to the guy. I was worried that Colt might suffer a Joe Theisman type sack/injury. It was about as one sided as things get in college football.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 12th, 2011
12:16 pm
I would sure like to see some plays where both Jenkins and Geathers are on the field at the same time. I can’t imagine much running up the middle with them both out there. If our LB’s are as good, fast and strong as advertised, UGA will be very formidable on defense, if the secondary can hold up their end. If the front 7 can force teams to be one dimensional, then we can be very special. If you force a guy like Garcia to throw more than his comfort zone allows him, because the running game is severely hampered, you stand a good chance of controlling S.C.’s offense.
There is no question that our D has to play big this year, and create turn overs. Our offense is going to be largely a works in the making for the first few games. Hopefully, with minimal injuries and game experience, the offense will be up to par after about 5-6 games. Some first year players on the O side of the line will really need to step up.
RabidDawgFan
July 12th, 2011
12:36 pm
Why is everyone against the offense? I know on paper our offensive line looks thin, and we don’t have a spectacular receiver but maybe that’s a good thing? Obviously Green couldn’t lead us to the SEC title game so what good would he have done us this season? In fact, the 2 SEC titles that UGA won, they didn’t have a dynamic receiver. They had great TEs, which we have. They had a GROUP of receivers that could get the job done and a QB that managed games.
We have two RBs with Crowell and Malcome and although they’re very young, they can get the job done IMO. Malcome is so big and strong and he’s a banger at 6′0 and a solid 226 lbs. We’re going to be just fine on offense and if the defense can create a few turnovers and hold teams under 20 points a game, we’ll be fine.
Rabid Dawg'84
July 12th, 2011
12:44 pm
Question, how do you compete in practice and let those 5 300-350 lb D-line guys hit our O-line without someone getting hurt? We have to hit so that we are not soft in the game, we tried not competing with Willie and couldn’t tackle or cause a fumble. If you go full speed in practice, those D-line will hurt someone – our thin O-line.
Ca dawg
July 12th, 2011
1:07 pm
Agree w dawg in lex: I was saying 9-3 before king was out; now I’m thinking 8-4.
Dawg in Malta
July 12th, 2011
1:07 pm
@coach bare?? bryant = legend
For someone who can’t spell…
I wouldn’t be calling out people about reciting their ABC’s?
“bare” is spelled “bear” in Coach Bear Bryant.
Go back to your trailer park and poison some more trees!!
Go Dawgs!!
GA_BOI 24/7_365
July 12th, 2011
1:12 pm
Good Question Rabid Dawg’84 and I’m still kinda iffy on the secondary other than Boykins. Hopefully the front seven can help them out
DAWGMAN
July 12th, 2011
1:16 pm
“Richt has the offensive genius to score with what he has.” “If he wants to(score”. Please
Black Mountain Bulldog
July 12th, 2011
1:18 pm
Rabid Dawg 84: That is what the scout team is for.
Joe T toughening them up.
Just ask Benedict.
hunker down
July 12th, 2011
1:24 pm
If the Dawgs can keep JJ eliigible for play then they should be really solid on D. Love to see us flying to the ball like I once remmebered.
Jimmy Crack
July 12th, 2011
1:25 pm
Our newly improved defensive line and linebackers will make our secondary alot better because of less time needed in downfield coverage. Take away a second or two of pocket time from decent QBs like Moore and Garcia and suddenly you have a mediocre QB who has to force throws into tight spaces, or at the very least throw to a check down in front of the defense. Two good things in our favor about the Boise State game are Titus Young and Austin Pettis, both of whom are no longer in Kellen Moore’s arsenal. Additionally, Garcia lost his best TE in years (Saunders) and another tall receiver (Gurley). Our defense will have to dominate to win both these games.
nobody
July 12th, 2011
2:03 pm
if you limit the conversation to speed, strength, jumping ability, quickness, mobility, or any other athletic skill, Jake Scott would probably tell you straight up that he couldn’t touch today’s kids, especially these kids…however, if you are comparing their football instinct and smarts to his, he would probably just grin….as blessed with both as were Terry Hoage and Kirby Smart, I suggest that not even their skill sets could hold a candle to those Jake possessed.
Uuggh...
July 12th, 2011
2:11 pm
Can we please all agree that it is possible to be a UGA fan and enjoy soccer?
I am talking to you jp. Just call the clown a troll if you have to…why insult the rest of us by lumping him in with all soccer fans?
BTW…Soccer fans as a demographic in the US, are better educated and better earners than non-soccer fans. Just FYI.
indianman
July 12th, 2011
2:15 pm
i predict undefeated season
7576DAWG
July 12th, 2011
2:16 pm
CHIP
Will Fall practice start on August 1st and will there be 2 a day. Do you know if Georgia will have open practices or are fall practices usually closed?
RxDawg
July 12th, 2011
2:22 pm
I can’t help but wonder if the coaches aren’t tempted to try Boykin out at RB. Since he’s a senior and incredible CB I doubt they will. But he’d be one heck of an option.
cadawg
July 12th, 2011
2:33 pm
rxdawg: there have been rumors about using boykin on offense, but more at WR than at RB. i agree that he’s so dynamic — and our offense so hamstrung by lack of depth at RB and OL — that we’re going to need to think outside the box a little bit this year. i’d like to see boykin on offense a little bit, too.
choke
July 12th, 2011
2:36 pm
Safety is a huge liability. Boykin is extremely good and reliable; no doubts about that. Sanders showed a lot of improvement and will be more than serviceable at corner. Smith is good in the nickel role. At safety, though, Rambo is only a starter by default; he was a huge liability in pass coverage last year. Shawn Williams is unproven and has a lot of promise, but he’s got a long way to go. I’ve never heard of a more ironic nickname than “The Hitman.” Nobody knows anything our freshmen. I’m sure there are some future stars in that group, but clearly none are physically or mentally ready for extended play on Saturdays. Look for Moore to see the field the most and earliest out of any of them.
cadawg
July 12th, 2011
2:38 pm
i feel pretty good about our secondary, but we need to get more out of williams/hamilton (”sit man” is hilarious, btw). i think rambo will become more consistent this year, but i worry about those other two guys.
lex is right about an improved front 7 making for an improved secondary as well. talking about the defense makes me feel good about the season. talking about offense… not so much.
choke
July 12th, 2011
2:42 pm
The pass rush from the front 7 will certainly make a huge difference. A formidable pass rush, however, is still not going to do a whole lot about safeties just blowing deep coverage or getting split deep on Cov 2. W/ this, corners share some of the blame, though. Gotta be able to press receivers in this scheme. That’s hard to do when corners are undersized. Boykin (despite size) and Sanders are actually decent at this, but they can’t play every snap.
Uuggh...
July 12th, 2011
2:43 pm
Sounds like we have promised too many recent signees Offensive playing time to give Boykin any touches. They’ll give Branden Smith and the two new kids a chance before Boykin. Plus the other teams special teams has to play us differently when he is back there returning kicks. Don’t want to give that threat and our lock down corner up because he gets injured pass blocking or blocking on a tricky end around or something.
Stinger2
July 12th, 2011
2:43 pm
UGA fans are paranoid. They have great talent at every position and yet continue to worry, whine, and rationalize about how bad this or that position is going to be. Are any of you glass half full people? How sad would you be if you faced this season with the GT team?
RxDawg
July 12th, 2011
2:47 pm
Rambo catches more grief from fans than he deserves. He is not a bad player at all. I remember he missed a tackle because he didn’t wrap up early one year and everyone seemed to write him off. In reality he has made a lot more plays than he’s whiffed on. Anyone remember that INT he got while fliping over the hedges? Rambo is a good ball player. It’s the rest of the safeties I worry about.
Uuggh...
July 12th, 2011
2:49 pm
You are right. That would really be hell Stinger2.
cadawg
July 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
rxdawg: agreed 100%. rambo is going to be fine; it’s williams/hamilton that scare me a little…
JDawg1785
July 12th, 2011
3:23 pm
JB, I’m still laughing about “sit man” 3 hours later!
Vance
July 12th, 2011
3:26 pm
Congratulations to Boykin for understanding the importance of completing his education, as well as having a football career! I hope he wins many awards this year for his dedication and outstanding performance for UGA. Fortunately this appears to be a strong area for UGA this year.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 12th, 2011
3:28 pm
Folks,
I wouldn’t worry too much about our defensive line hurting our thin offensive line during practice. We have to think that the offensive line can do what is needed and be OK. If they are going to get hurt bad in practice, that is still better than them getting hurt in a game. At least if they are hurt in practice, we can get a youngster prepared to step in, where in a game, if it happens, the youngster might be stepping in unprepared. Practice is the time to get hurt. I would think also, on two a days, the reserves are going to get at least half of the workout and play on the line. The coaches know they need to step it up a little with reserves maybe training for full game situations a little more than normal. Hopefully, with the added emphasis on S and C and step up in that program, injuries will be at a minimum. You can’t play fearing you are going to get injured and win.
TallyDawg
July 12th, 2011
4:27 pm
The offense will be so bad, the D better be top notch or we will have another 6+ loss season
JDawg1785
July 12th, 2011
4:47 pm
I’m surprised that there’s been so little mention of Sanders Commings in the discussion. He came up with some huge picks last season. Assuming he continues to improve, we’re in good shape at corner.