UGA practice update: Defense wins day on first day of full contact
1:25 pm August 8, 2011, by Chip Towers
ATHENS — A quick post-practice update. . . .
- S Shawn Williams on first day of full contact: “All I know is Branden Smith came up and hit somebody so hard he knocked their helmet off.”
- DE DeAngelo Tyson said Isaiah Crowell so quick and shifty that nobody got a good shot on him today.
- CB Branden Smith confirms he’ll be returning punts again, or at least intends to. “There’s competition there. Me, Boykin, TK and some freshmen. But I’m not going to make it easy for them.”
- B. Smith on sharing No. 1 with Crowell: “Me and Isaiah are both all right with No. 1. He plays offense and I play defense so it’s not a problem. If they asked me to I’d wear another number if they needed us together on offense. . . . The number doesn’t make me. I make the number.”
- Injuries: TB Brandon Harton out with “mild concussion.” Will return later this week “hopefully,” Richt says. . . . CB Chris Sanders held out of contact due to bruised shoulder suffered yesterday. . . . Boykin and Jakar Hamilton still out with hamstring pulls. “Usually 7-10 days,” Richt says. Going on six days tomorrow.
- Lot of talk about “energy vampires.” See blog later.
- Sophomore Chase Vasser solid No. 2 at SAM (strongside) outside linebacker. This means he’d start if Jarvis Jones unable to go in Game 1. T.J. Stripling and freshman Ramik Wilson also getting work there.
- Vasser into theater, acting, movies and modeling. Looks the part of action hero.
- LB Michael Gilliard having phenomenal camp, per Richt and others. Busted lip in 3-on-3 drill today. “Mike’s one of the guys who has flipped the switch, so to speak. He’s decided he’s going to do it the Georgia way and he’s doing it well.”
- CMR gives more love to Damian Swann and Malcolm Mitchell. Go ahead and put them in the “definitely will play” category along with Crowell, Ray Drew.
- CMR said Crowell “really good at running behind his pads.”
- Defense “won the day” in very close competition. Coaches keep score every day using points system. Was 17-17 going into last four or five plays of days. Then No. 3 D whipped up on No. 3 O.
- Freshmen thrilled about “first chance to get to wear Silver Britches,” Richt said.
- Richard Samuel and Crowell both running with No. 1 offense.
- Richt says Samuel “trucked” freshman safety yesterday. “He’s a locomotive when he gets up a head of steam. . . . Crowell faster getting around the end.”
- Richt said only injury was a “mildly sprained ankle” but could not recall who.
255 comments Add your comment
here we go....same story...different year...
August 8th, 2011
6:05 pm
look at the koolaide falling from the sky…….
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2011
6:06 pm
More than the other 11 teams combined? That’s a lot.
Coach Grohbo
August 8th, 2011
6:08 pm
Ricker,
Let the dawg fans bark and feel good about themselves now. It is preseason and their sad reality is still weeks away.
They are the new South Carolina.
ugab
August 8th, 2011
6:11 pm
R. Samuel has always been a good rb. He had a couple of bad fumbles. Who has not fumbled at ga the last few years?. OMG it has been awful seeing all the fumbles in important game the last few years. . R Samuel is the man. I am excited to hear about Crowell doing well. I do not see him in passing situations to much to start the season. Teams are going to know this also. So they will be expecting Crowell to run when he is in the game. I am still hoping Malcome gets healthy. He is my sleeper. I like his attitude. Brandon Smith is having a heck of a preseason. HE WILL BE TESTED IN THE 1ST GAME. SO WE WILL SEE. I am loving the ‘Georgia Way Theme’. It basically means shape up or ship out. This needed to be done 4 years ago. I hope it is not 2 late for our Coach. Gooooo DAWGS!!!
Real Dawg Fan
August 8th, 2011
6:11 pm
why does everyone keep talking like SC is going to blow us away…first off their record last year wasnt that impressive and it was not a blow-out game UGA/USC…if Ealey didnt fumble on the goal line, game momentum may have shifted in our direction, i admit a loss is a loss but….
Coach Grohbo
August 8th, 2011
6:11 pm
Paddy,
Georgia does their swimming during the regular season, using up valuable practice time.
You should know this by now.
ugab
August 8th, 2011
6:14 pm
I know our TE is going to be double teamed this year. I hope M. Brown comes out this season along with a few more to take the pressure off our TEs. I would love to see some ground and pound.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 8th, 2011
6:14 pm
We are the new Carolina? Sounds good to me, hell been listening to the fanbase crow after getting smoked in the last two games last season and looks like they are playing for the National Title this year. They have already played the season. They are the ones who are going to have some serious back peddling to do in a couple of weeks. My guess is all these Carolina fans will then turn into UT fans, then magically become MSU fans then gravitate to Auburn fans. Same rhetoric, different handles. All it means is its great to be a Bulldog!
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:16 pm
We are going to run Lattimore up the middle.
Throughout the season, Grantham has proven his 3-4 defense can’t stop it.
Guess they don’t teach that in the NFL.
alabamaDawg
August 8th, 2011
6:16 pm
Ricker, maybe you are smarter than all the experts that rank UGA 22 in the nation. Even after 6-7 last year the experts have us ranked, wonder why. Is it reality or destiny, who knows, it’s very plain that you don’t. 1979 we were 6-5, won a national title and three SEC championships! You just never know. Who do you support? Florida, South Carolina, or maybe Tenn. Does your team have a blog?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 8th, 2011
6:18 pm
UGA game plan to stop Lattimore? Duplicate the Greg Reid play. Have him looking for his teeth after the first series and that will shut them up.
Water, water, everywhere
August 8th, 2011
6:18 pm
Is Israel Troupe wearing his diaper at practice?
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:21 pm
UGA lost out on Greg Reid. Carolina did too.
I don’t see any Greg Reids on your roster.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 8th, 2011
6:22 pm
Neither will Lattimore when he is trying to figure out what planet he is on after the a couple of carries.
P_The_Ricker
August 8th, 2011
6:30 pm
alabama dawg,
i’m a uga alum and fan. don’t start questioning someone’s allegiance b/c they’re not getting all hyped-up over “ifs” and “maybes.”
can you question the point i brought up? following the ‘06 season and during the summer of ‘07, most dawg fans were pointing towards ‘08 as a championship-type season. i don’t think i have to remind you about all of the hype during the summer of ‘08.
i can’t help but notice how many dawg fans are already talking about 2012. good grief!
my point, focus on the here and now and try taking a more realistic observation to the team. if you do, you won’t get all twisted on someone’s comments like mine above.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 8th, 2011
6:30 pm
WOW!! First time in many years that UGA will have 3 or 4 legit corners to counter the spread offenses they will face in the SEC.
—————————————–
Too bad South Carolina and Florida are going back to the pro-style offense. Richt and Co. behind the curve again.
Real Dawg Fan
August 8th, 2011
6:31 pm
Anybody for some smoked Chicken in Athens 9/10??
Chris
August 8th, 2011
6:31 pm
I am feeling great about this season!!!! Everyone sounds like they’re working hard and we have any easy schedule! If we can split sc and boise we will probably go 10-2 or 9-3!!! Can’t wait til september 3!!! The dome is going to be rockin!!!!
Chris
August 8th, 2011
6:32 pm
im happy that branden smith is having a good camp. If someone can step up at free safety beside rambo our secondary and whole defense will be strong.
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:32 pm
Yep. We saw last year how well those “legit corners” tackled.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 8th, 2011
6:32 pm
Yeah Nothing keep on coming up with those gems. Quality depth at corner back is definetly a problem apparently in your opinion? Good job, keep’em coming…
Real Dawg Fan
August 8th, 2011
6:33 pm
NCBF –
behind the curve? besides the 4 legit corners to counter the spread, theres also some guys named Geathers, Jenkins, Drew, J. Jones to counter the pro style…sounds like getting ahead of the curve bubba
RedandBlackDAWG
August 8th, 2011
6:33 pm
Nothing could be finer,
You would find something negative to say if they hung you with a gold rope. Hummm, come to think of it, I bet I could get a fund started to pay for the rope.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 8th, 2011
6:35 pm
Carolina fans are funny. I actually support the program outside the UGA games, but some of you guys show just how big of tools the fanbase is.
Francis from Lilburn
August 8th, 2011
6:36 pm
Obviously, there’s been a run on Kool-Aid by by all the hopeless optimists who think Mark Richt can actually win with these guys. How many more years do we have to put up with this clown before we acknowledge that he’s just a loser?
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 8th, 2011
6:38 pm
Those “legit” corners are gonna be creepin up to try and stop Latti, then Alshon’s gonna burn em.
Pick your poison.
Francis from Lilburn
August 8th, 2011
6:38 pm
I really believe Richt finally realized that all the embarrassments off the field eventually led to on field embarrassments and reached its low point last year.
Duh! And how many years did it take Richt to figure that out?
Chris
August 8th, 2011
6:39 pm
how soon fans forget! Richt brought uga two sec championships and we should have been in the sec and national championship in 2007. Richt is a good coach
Chris
August 8th, 2011
6:41 pm
we will stop lattimore this year. we were small on the defensive line last year. This year tyson (290) Jenkins (350) Geathers (340) are all on the defensive line. Lattimore wont rush for more than 100 vs us. GO DAWGS
Real Dawg Fan
August 8th, 2011
6:43 pm
NCBF -
I’ll take either poison…Latti got rocked by FSU and was out by halftime and Alshon burned em then fumbled….just helping your short term memory…hey whats up with the drunk, i mean Garcia?
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:43 pm
Alshon won’t be needed for this one, other than our coach’s “statement TD” at the end of the game.
Our running game will again dominate it.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2011
6:44 pm
Gator fan,…..here to bring a dose of reality……
If you want some, go to ESPN.com and college football and watch Muschamp coach the Gators’ D at the Gator practice today……..and Brantley looked good in practice throwing the ball…actually, very sharpe….different from yesterday. And Chris Rainey is bigger, much quicker, and smarter…..and a man’s beard growing on his face. The Gators are serious….and are getting some serious, big time coaching on both side of the ball. No more Steve Addazios on staff.
WARNING: The view may interrupt your summer dreams!
Now…..back to your summer fantasies……fall and November will be hear sooner than you think.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 8th, 2011
6:45 pm
Security Dqawg,
CMR explained it the other day. They were both promised the number 1, because they had both worn it in high school, and both wanted it for college. Since it is legal as long as they are both not on the field at the same time, CMR accomodated them both. Simple reason, simple solution.
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:48 pm
I see they are serving kool aid in Florida too.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 8th, 2011
6:49 pm
I actually expect Garcia and Alshon to have huge days against Ga. The dog D will be so desperate to stop Latti, after last year, that they will be stacking the box more than ever. Next thing you know, Garcia burns em.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2011
6:54 pm
Rabid…..
If Georgia loses to Boise and SC to start the season……….well…….you would not be on page 5 of a blog right now……it would be page 105…..and none of it would be supportive of the Richt era….which would be nearly over. Lose to SC and there would be 65 pages right now. Lose to Boise and it would be on page 35 right now. Mr. Richt better be praying on his knees for 2-0……and get God on his side, which he says HE already is.
Big Spur
August 8th, 2011
6:54 pm
Georgia stacked the box in their last home game and gave up over 400 yards rushing.
Trust me. Alshon won’t be needed.
Real Dawg Fan
August 8th, 2011
6:59 pm
Tebow got exposed when he got hit with a concussion…season went alittle downhill from there.
Lattimore got exposed when he got hit with a concussion…season went downhill quickly
Its too early to start drinking fellas
RedandBlackDAWG
August 8th, 2011
7:06 pm
I beleive yo will not see a lot of safeties and CB’s for UGA having to mae any plays on runners this year. With the front 7, UGA has in place, there is not going to be a lot of room for RB’s to operate in, and that includes Lattimore. I don’t care how good you are, when faced with a man in front of you that out weights you by 80-100 pounds and is quick and can get in your way, you are going to face a problem. If you are lucky enough to get around the DL’s, then you have to face some very fast, and good sized LB’s, that I don’t think you can intimidate. UGA’s defense is going to be very good this year, and they will control the line of scrimmage a great deal of the time.
GO DAWGS
RedandBlackDAWG
August 8th, 2011
7:13 pm
Real Dawg Fan,
I think about the only thing you could smoke with them is pullets. Now, if you can just make B.S. taste good, we got us a BBQ, with NCBF and a few other pullets.
GO DAWGS
full of it
August 8th, 2011
7:40 pm
as an idahoan who absolutley hate boise state i am praying for a dawg vicotry to shut all the annoying bsu national champion fans up…. please beat boise state
Coach Grohbo
August 8th, 2011
7:53 pm
You would better off hanging out on the Fresno State, Nevada, or TCU boards.
Boise is going to embarrass UGA.
AdMan
August 8th, 2011
8:19 pm
Tampa Gator….ask Muschamp what went wrong at Texas last year…He screamed and yelled at Four and Five star athletes and what did it get him….a losing record….the Longhorn faithful was glad to get rid of him…just becuse you can scream loud doesn’t mean you can coach.
'94 UGA Alumni
August 8th, 2011
9:36 pm
Hey Francis,
How does a coach win 96 games and 2 SEC Championships in 10 years if he’s a ‘loser’ as you say?
UGAKEV
August 8th, 2011
10:18 pm
WOW!! First time in many years that UGA will have 3 or 4 legit corners to counter the spread offenses they will face in the SEC.
—————————————–
Too bad South Carolina and Florida are going back to the pro-style offense. Richt and Co. behind the curve again
Well atleast those two teams are not as good Mississippi State.
HardTruth Soldier
August 9th, 2011
12:00 am
Bust BSU in the Mouth and USC-East gives you respect. Play them close and they’ll come out ready to punch you in the mouth. Champions are made right now. Unselfishness, Guts, Attitude, Believe, Unscathed, Loyal,Listen, Dedication, Appreciation, Willingness, Grow.= UGA BULLDAWGS
I-SAID-IT
August 9th, 2011
1:46 am
iF THE LINE HOLDS UP, The dogs will play twice in the dome!
and when they end the year as champs……all the call for Kirby will die!
thanks god.
GO DAWGS ALL THE DAMn WAY THIS TIME!
I-SAID-IT
August 9th, 2011
1:48 am
Enter your comments here
ALL the WAY?
August 9th, 2011
1:51 am
One thing that is important is what they are saying about the running back is that he like to Practice……..that’s is something to have a player who wants to get better and is willing to go out and work for it.
uga…..time for the national championship you think?
Thomas Brown
August 9th, 2011
5:40 am
4.43 Isaiah Crowell Nike 40-yard dash time to 4.52 Richard Samuel Nike 40-yard dash time, yes Mark Richt Isaiah Crowell is faster than Richard Samuel, however, there are 150 faster recruits 2011 recruiting class alone and 750 faster on rosters this 2011 season than Isiaiah Crowell, according to Nike. Isaiah Crowell is not that fast. In fact, we have 2 dozen players far faster than 4.43, which is average speed while 4.52 is not a good time at all in the 40-yard dash – not for a coach talking about the speed of his running backs. Isaiah Crowell is not fast; that is not why he is ranked the # 1 running back in the nation. Balance, cuts, change of direction – these are Isaiah Crowell’s real advantage, while we have to teach him to hold onto the football this season – which I have already pointed out will end the season with UGA having put the ball on the carpet and up for grabs 30 times.