Georgia freshmen holding their own physically, overwhelmed by playbooks, meetings
ATHENS — Here’s some of the freshman defensive player interviews. This is not a comprehensive transcription, just some of what I considered highlights, for lack of a better word, from the conversations I had with some of the guys.
I already provided a pretty comprehensive account of my entire conversation with John Jenkins. Here I’ll share some nuggets from outside linebacker Ray Drew, linebacker Amarlo Herrera, safety Corey Moore, cornerback Damian Swann and cornerback Chris Sanders. I haven’t had a chance to transcribe Quintavious Harrow yet.
If there was any type of theme I noticed from all these guys it’s that they’re heads are pretty much swimming at this point from all the information that’s being thrown at them. They’re all confident they can hang physically but all the meetings and the sheer size of the playbook they’re expected to master has been a little overwhelming for them.
So here’s a little bit from each guy. . . .
CB DAMIAN SWANN, ATLANTA
- On difficulties so far: “I’ve just been trying to learn so much in a short amount of time. It’ll get better. I’m working at all three corners, strong corner, boundary corner, and I’m playing nickel.
- On catching eye of coaches: “Well, I mean, I try to do my best. I didn’t think it’d be this early that I could make an impression on the coaches. But I just trust myself and play. When you know more, you can play faster. At this level, it has to be like that because there’s so much going on on both sides of the ball.”
- Hardest part of playing corner: “The zone coverages. There’s just so much going on with that and you have different responsibiolites in different zxone coverages,. I mean, if you can tell me I’ve got a man, I can play. But I’m going to strengthen up on all those other aspects of being a DB and make improvement.”
OLB RAY DREW, THOMASVILLE
- On first impressions: “My first impression of the collegiate level is just the speed of the game, how up-tempo everything is and how much more technical it is than high school as well. Here you’re trying to learn the whole playbook, while you may have had one or two responsibilities in high school. You have to do certain things according to the other team’s alignment. All these things are running through your mind. You have all these people trying to get lined up and yelling at you to do this and do that. It’s a lot to take in. It’s a big transition, but I think a lot of the young guys are doing well at it.”
- On Wednesday’s scrimmage. “It was different. It took a little while to adjust to the heat. Coming out of high school, playing every Friday night, it’s kind of cool. Playing in the heat of the day, that was the biggest thing for me. As far as the scrimmage as a whole I thought I did OK. I still have a lot of room to improve, which is why we’re going out to practice each day. I’m continuing to improve and I’ll continue to work.”
- On finding a church (he’s a licensed minister): “I’ve been to church every Sunday since I’ve been here. The first day I got here I made it my obligation to get out and find a church to go to. I’ve gone to a number of different churches. I went to Cornerstone Church and a few others. The church I made my home church is Timothy Baptist Church.”
- On if he plans to preach: “Actually last week when I was headed home [a pastor] texted me that he wanted me to preach at his church down in Norcross. I told him we needed to keep that option open since I couldn’t do it at that time. I hope there will be some opportunities in there somewhere.”
CB CHRIS SANDERS, TUCKER
- On his expectations for the season: “All we want to do is come in and help and contribute to the team and just help win a championship. In the secondary, if somebody goes down, we want to be there to help make plays and just getting playing where we can to help get this championship.”
- On impact of “Dream Team:” “I think we are the real deal. I’m not just saying the Dream Team, I’m talking about Georgia period. I think we’re all good. But we do have a lot of skill guys with talent coming in with the Dream Team that are going to help this team win a championship. That’s really all we want to do, just come together and help out.”
- On advice of lettermen: “They just said come out here and get into the playbook right away, right away. They’ve been real helpful. So I’m just trying to get in the playbook every night. We didn’t really expect all these meetings and stuff like that. But it’s all right; it’s college. We’ve got to deal with it. At the end of the day, it’ll work out.”
- Has their been any type of freshmen initiations: “They were talking about cutting all our hair off or we’re going to have to go to class in shirts and high heels. But I think they were just fooling around.”
LB AMARLO HERRERA, COLLEGE PARK
- On working with the No. 2 defense: “Im just trying to do what I can do to help the team. I ain’t worried about whether I play or whether a walkon plays or second strong or third string. I’m just trying to get in and help the team. If they need me they’ll put me in.”
- On playing UGA football: “Really you have to convince yourself you can play every day, because if you get down on yourself then you won’t practice good, you’ll start thinking negative and you’ll start talking about people and you’ll feel like you’re a victim if you don’t think you can compete. I haven’t surprised myself. I’m really just trying to work hard and learn the plays.”
- On learning the defense: “There’s a lot to learn because Coach Grantham,came from the NFL and it’s an NFL-type defense. Really it’s about studying and knowing what you’ve got to do in different formations and just knowing itlike the back of your hand.
S COREY MOORE, GRIFFIN
- On speed of SEC game: “It was the first day we were in helmets and they did a play-action pass. Orson Charles, he came in and acted like he was blocking and he came back out and he crossed my face and he swiped my helmet when he went by. I was like, ‘dog, he moved past me pretty fast.’ I was like, ‘man where’d he come from?’ That kind of woke me up then. I thought,’ man, I’ve got to get ready. I’ve got to move a little faster.’ Ever since then I’ve been on it.
- On playing safety: “The safety position is like the quarterback of the defense. You have to know all the audibles, what the cornerbacks are doing, the middle linebackers. You just have to know your stuff. Sometimes I had to help the cornerback with his plays and stuff like that. Every formation I have to holler out calls to the cornerbacks and let them know and then translate that to the middle linebacker so we can all be on one page. The big playbook we have, it’s been pretty hard. But I’ve been sitting down every day going over it and I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
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93 comments Add your comment
Delon Dawg
August 11th, 2011
9:22 pm
Will the incoming freshmen begin their remedial studies on Monday when the fall semester starts?
RedandBlackDAWG
August 11th, 2011
9:45 pm
Ross,
gator meant to say they swam through thier practices and never opened their mouth. Otherwise they would have drowned.
North Ave Trade School Hater
August 11th, 2011
9:59 pm
hey , it’s “Dostoevsky” Dostoyevskiy . You either went to Bama or Florida, if you could get in at all…moron.
this dawg want hunt!!
August 11th, 2011
10:05 pm
Drew and Malcom Mitchell, another long line on 5 star recruits that come to UGA and what do we get? So far nothing, seems like Drew was alot of talk during the recruiting season, and now that it’s time to walk the walk, and he is one of the least impressive freshmen on campus. Same can be said for Mitchell. All we heard from Murray and other players was how impactful he was in summer drills. If he was so impressive, where was he during scrimmage, and where has he been all camp? If the kid was that talented, he would make an impact with the lack of talent UGA has at w.r Same can be said for Drew, UGA lacks depth and talent at O.L., and they desperately need someone to rush from the outside, but Drew has been a none factor. Hope to GOD this coaching staff has not lined this kid up in the wrong position as they have done with so many other big time recruits. This kid was a stud D.E, yet Grantham has him lined up outside in space, this guy will outgrow the l.b position, and he should be a D.E with his hand on the ground. And Mithcell was the #1 corner in the country, and UGA has him lined up at W.R., this kid should be playing corner with Swann, and Mithcell, and UGA would have 3 lock down corners to drive teams crazy. Yet here are this pathetic coaches wasting all of this talent so far. UGA will never win with this coaching staff, and it looks like once again, UGA gets top talent on campus, and they don’t know what to do with it once they get to campus. Mitchell would be in the top 3 corners at bama,and he would be in rotation on defense, and drew would be a d.e. that wrecks havoc on opposing Q.B’s at bama, but at UGA their talent will be wasted until this coaching staff is gone. One more year and the nightmare ends at UGA
LHarding Dawg
August 11th, 2011
10:11 pm
It’s obvious dawg hunt is a troll. Who cares what he writes.
UGAgrad71
August 11th, 2011
10:26 pm
Hey, dawg that want hunt, I am sitting on something you can kiss.
moleman
August 11th, 2011
10:48 pm
the man speaks the truth harding and uga71. he’s not a troll, just smart enough to see what the average homer won’t. 30+ million for 2 SEC titles and a win over hawaii. since cmr arrived, lsu and florida have won it all twice, bama and auburn once each. but atleast you have the hawaii game on dvd. keep on thinking like a loser. eventually you’ll get there.
Prison Mike
August 11th, 2011
10:54 pm
Keep dropping these 10 pound nuggets Chip, real fans appreciate this.
Pago Pago DAWG
August 11th, 2011
11:04 pm
dawg won’t hunt….plz look up the word…”paragraph” and have your mother teach it to you.
UGA science at its finest....
August 11th, 2011
11:10 pm
Ross
August 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
@ Tampa Gator
It is impossible to be 95 degrees and 100% humidity. There is a thing called a dew point which is when the humidity is at 100% and dew is formed.
——
I didn’t realize it was IMPOSSIBLE to have a dew point of 95 F. Must be news to the people in Dahran.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/askjack/archives-weather-extremes.htm
Piney Woods Pete
August 12th, 2011
12:03 am
Florida 42
Georgia 17
Gonna be a very long drive back to Atlanta for the Dawg homers. Again!
track dawg
August 12th, 2011
12:22 am
Why do none Uga fans read uga blogs? I don’t read GT, FLA, or any other blog. I guess they just like swinging on BULLDOG NUTZ. Just sayin
Levondawg
August 12th, 2011
2:00 am
Everyone should remember that these are recent high school grads. Not one of them, aside from early enrollees, has a GPA in college. Let them get their dadgum feet wet before we start making a big deal about meeting expectations. Oh, and some of you should study the nuances of positional coaching at the college level before making cracks about a player’s supposed ability to translate X’s and O’s to the turf. Fans should cheer and jeer, and leave the rest to those that have chosen to specialize in an area that some of you trivialize. Focus on your own rolls; as sons, as fathers, and leaders of your communities. These young men dig deeper in a single practice than some of you would in an entire work week. Instead of heaping undue praise or condemnation upon an 18 year old, translate your high expectations into your own livelihood. If you feel you have enough football knowledge to make a contribution, sign up to be a coach at your local recreation department. Do something positive with your time, make a difference. No one will remember a funny dig you made at the expense of an opposing fan on this forum, but a young man in need of instruction and guidance will remember the impact your time and effort made on his life. God Bless UGA football, the SEC, and the freedom to speak our minds, no matter how asinine or truculent some of our comments may be.
Columbus
August 12th, 2011
2:22 am
Talk it up Tampa Gator. Your team is going to be horrendous this year on BOTH sides of the ball again. Well me just average. You might start out well with that cream puff schedule and manage a couple more wins before the HUGE weaknesses are exposed and then it’s all down hill from there. Come October when the Dawgs roll in, there will be zero confidence left and it will be a shellacking of Biblical proportions. A short weak-armed QB who threw for more int’s than TD’s last year is back to lead the team and even an offense built around him wont help those weaknesses. That’s 4 losses right there. No running game, no ability to stop the run, not much experience to talk about from your heralded “Big 3″freshmen last year. So that is a big problem. They had and have potential but when push came to shove, well they were on the pine pretty much all last year after expecting big contributions and playing time. No experience gained cuz they sucked. They were huge disappointments. Can’t protect the Qb too well either. Can rush the Qb pretty well, but if you cant stop the pass and cant stop the run and cant throw it, that is just too much to fix all in one year and even if you do have an improved running game, which cant be worse, and do have a better run defense, which cant be worse, you STILL have no QB and without a QB in the SEC, you better have the Heisman winner at back and All-American lineman to block for him. Since you have neither, Weis will do some good things, but it will be new and it will be exposed after the 1st 1 or 2 SEC games. The defense will be new too and just so much to learn, along with so many weak areas to fix at the same time. You can only hope for no turnovers by your offense and for the defense to force a lot of them or you will be Gator soup. I say Gator soup. Too many holes, too many new things to learn, not enough experience and a Qb that is not an SEC QB.
So you can talk all your trash, but anybody with half a brain knows that the Gators are going to be next to Vanderbilt this year and that the best they can hope for is to beat Tenn at home. That is the big question for Florida fans. Who is going to finish 3rd in the East? Florida, Tennessee or Kentucky? Georgia and USC are obviously heads and shoulders above the rest. I will give Gators 3rd though since they play Tenn at home. Watch out for them Wildcats though. I haven’t seen their schedule but if they play any of the top teams in the West, well then just forget I said that.
Gators 9-3 at best.
Crime Dawg
August 12th, 2011
2:44 am
But how about UGA’s owner, Sonny Seiler? His daughter is mixed up in the most prominent criminal network in GA’s history. Search on ’scopolamine’ and ‘island.
Bama Fan#2
August 12th, 2011
5:15 am
Tampa Gator can talk all he wants to. Gators OWN the dawgs, hate to say it!! RTR
Stinger2
August 12th, 2011
5:45 am
The Dream Team will win it all. No need to worry. UGA is stacked. Maybe one loss along the way to the SEC Championship.
Destin Dawg
August 12th, 2011
6:20 am
this is Todd Grantham’s lifetime opportunity….he knows it… next couple years… he’s a great coach… we have the players… favorable schedule… Junkyard Dawgs are Back !!!! BIG DDDEEEE plus the awesome kicking game will give the offense time to gel… Richt needs to call the offense … Bobo coach the Q.B.s… Go Dawgs !!
RedandBlackDAWG
August 12th, 2011
8:11 am
UGA SCience,
I think what he probably meant to say, as past 72% water vapor content in the air, it doesn’t make any difference as far as relative humidity goes. That is the saturation level and anything above that mositure content, is not noticable anyway, in realationsp to relative humidity.
Absolute humidity is the real indicator of moisture in the air, and beyond 72, actually 64% saturation content, it makes no difference. Your body is not going to know the difference anyway. At that point, your body sweating has no purpose because the water in the air exceeds your bodies ability to sweat and cool down. There are unusual cases, of that being broken in places like deserts and also high altitude where the vapor pressure is lower, but seldom is it seen. It’s all relative but at 95 F , and 100% humidity, you are not anymore uncomfortable, than if you were at 75 F and the water vapor has reached it’s limit. It is all relative. The sun might be hotter, but unless you are continuosly exposed to that sun, your body doesn’t react any differently than it wouuld at 75 F with the saturation level present. The sun is just making you evaporate the sweat off of your body quicker, and your sweat is not having any colling effect.
TampaGator
August 12th, 2011
8:31 am
Not me at 8:16 pm…..I would not say that.
I wish those who post as another to make inappropriate comments would be banned from the AJC websites……just saying, whomever you are….
And….Columbus…….
“Florida is the next Vandy”……
well…..that was a real funny one…..knowing that Florida was 8-5 with all those sorry players….and beat PSU in the Outback Bowl….. and Georgia was 6-7 with all those great players…..and lost to UCF in the Liberty Bowl….and Florida beat Georgia with that totally sorry team……so…..where does that put Georgia then….using your insightful analysis of the Gators? It is summer, totally delousional
ramblings like yours that me not like some Dawg fans very much. Dude….I have said all summer that I think Georgia is right now the #2 team in the SEC East, with SC clearly first…..but that Florida has the talent and the coaching this year to surprised both teams in the East. But you just keep on with your ramblings about me and how bad the Gators were last year and how great the Dawgs are going to be again this year……..proof has been and will be in the FALL PUDDING….not in the summer puff cake….as it has been for 18 out of the last 21 years. Anyone having the right to talk smack about the SEC is a SC fan…..because they beat both Florida and Georgia last yeat and won the East. Beat SC and Florida….win the East…..then talk your smack about other teams and how great your team is…..until then……just continue to foam at the mouth. Most of the Georgia fans on here are on hear talking about and getting excited about their team and players….and saying this is the year we can beat Florida and win the East…..not ripping apart other teams. I think Georgia, for various reasons (Florida’s very difficult schedule for one) has a real shot at the East…..but Florida does as well…..and will be back big time next year for sure……and…..PS…..Vandy now has a very good head coach and he is recruiting well…..so I think Vandy will be gettign a lot better in the future as well…..so I would watch ripping them apart as well.
TampaGator
August 12th, 2011
8:38 am
The 95 and 100 was never meant to be fact…..and my knowledge of weather facts and science….is totally limited and any statement I make about such has no validity at all…….
but…..the entire post was in jest…..whiich does have validity.
I have lived in both Atlanta and Florida…..and it gets just as hot in Atlanta and is does in Florida. But the dampness in the air tends to drain you more down here….and I have no scientific reason for saying that…..only life experience. If you don’t believe me, come on down here in August and early September (went the hurricanes seem to form the most) and experience it…….you will have to change you shirt at least 2 times a down and wish you had more.
TampaGator
August 12th, 2011
8:40 am
Sorry for all the typing errors in the last post…I have not had my coffee yet.
Born2Bark
August 12th, 2011
8:50 am
@this dawg want hunt,
camp just started and they just had their first “real” practice Wednesday. get off their arses and give them a minute to adjust. the playbook these kids have to master is bigger than anything you’ve ever read. They are considering Mitchell for both positions because of he was standout receiver in HS and the need for more big play receivers due to AJ’s loss
Drew has the tools and will be just fine at OLB
Born2Bark
August 12th, 2011
9:11 am
@this dawg want hung,
Bama also runs a 3-4 scheme and Drew’s weight of 260 is too small for end and Kirby Smart would put him at OLB too. Grantham knows what he is doing, Saban even tried to hire him before so have a little faith in our coaches, if you really are a Dawg
Mad Dog One
August 12th, 2011
9:15 am
@ tampagaytor I don’t see how you can hear anything about the Gay Tu&%s. I don’t think Chip reports much about them and you are on here all of the time. And before you start about me not having a job I am retired and don’t have anything much to do that I like better than reading about my beloved DAWGS.
Mad Dog One
August 12th, 2011
9:16 am
And trying to find that da%$ little white Ball.
TardDawg
August 12th, 2011
9:19 am
Must be difficult knowing the dawgs will start the season 0-1.
Lexington Dawg
August 12th, 2011
9:28 am
Bulldogs are the best team in the world.
Vandy Dawg
August 12th, 2011
11:14 am
@ достоевский,
I think of “arrogant” as taking pot-shots at football players on a team’s blog. Всего хорошего!
aint conVinceD
August 12th, 2011
11:21 am
These players havent seen “overwhelmed’ untill thaey face Boise. Boise 52 UGA 6
Overwhelmed Dawg
August 12th, 2011
11:25 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HeTQBMoSRI
GET DOWN BIG MAN
August 12th, 2011
11:47 am
Doc, you don’t have to use yoiur real name — lol .. but then again, maybe it’s free advertisement???
258DAWG
August 12th, 2011
12:17 pm
ALL GATOR FANS – the reason you dont hear anything about what your players are doing is because your practices are closed down. UF very well could be having the same issues but the need to hide the offense that couldn’t beat Air Force and Navy needs to be a surprise to have a chance….
Its funny I see the same few gator fans come on here with nothing but negativity about UGA’s football program, and the funny thing is UF has it’s own problems that need to be addressed as does every other school in america.
I understand we are rivals and thats fine, that’s why we play once a year.
Have a better prospective and outlook or go back to your own blogs and figure out your own demons. I’ll even help you out with the first post.
why do UF players continue to fail drug test – 5 years and running!
T DOG
August 12th, 2011
12:18 pm
C’mon Richt!! Time to start blowing people out so we can get these guys some playing time. It’s not all about Crowell. I personally think Ray Drew is the next David Pollack.
AltamahaDawg
August 12th, 2011
2:10 pm
Because every player, every day, every comment, from the gators camp is reported daily?
Gatormeat
August 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
The biggest question for the dogs should be, are they finally going to end a year with more wins than arrests? It has been quite some time since they have, it seems doubtful
Alabama | MrSEC.com
August 12th, 2011
3:31 pm
[...] impact this season.7. The rest of UGA’s freshmen are holding up okay physically, but learning their playbooks is a challenge.8. Juco transfer “Big John” Jenkins is facing high expectations at nose tackle.9. [...]
TampaDawg
August 12th, 2011
4:47 pm
Did some gator fan (gatormeat) just talk about the Dawgs having more wins than arrests? Even with the gators having some great seasons, they still have more arrests. Very hypocritical gator fan!
ugab
August 12th, 2011
5:05 pm
Oh yeh Aint is a word in ga. gooo dawgs
Bodda Getta
August 12th, 2011
5:09 pm
If Richt’s players could win their physical matchups, they wouldn’t need such a large playbook.
The beauty of Malzahn’s playbook is that it is simple.
Coach Grohbo
August 12th, 2011
5:17 pm
Bodda,
Chicken and egg.
Joe Momma Angie Daddy
August 14th, 2011
3:09 pm
the days of Florida beating our a$$es is over!!!!!!!!!!!!
joe murphy
August 15th, 2011
4:04 pm
Where is Zack Debell (OT from Tampa) on the depth chart? Thought he was higly recruited.