Practice report: Emergence of Shawn Williams eases pain of losing Hamilton
ATHENS – The bad news is the Bulldogs lost one-time starting safety Jakar Hamilton to a season-ending ankle injury this week. The good news for Georgia is there was a good chance Hamilton wouldn’t have started had he been healthy.
Williams
That’s chiefly because of the emergence of Shawn Williams. The junior from Early County has been one of the success stories in year two of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. With Hamilton sidelined for the entirety of preseason, Williams has been as solid as a block of granite in the back third of the No. 1 unit.
And he knows it.
“I pretty much know each and every play what I’m supposed to do,” said Williams, who started three games and played in all 13 last season. “I’ve got it down pat. I’d say [I'm grading] at least 95 percent.”
Not only has the light come on for Williams in terms of understanding schemes and knowing responsibilities, but his confidence has gone through the roof.
In regard to his ability to field the position, he said: “I’ve got the perfect size at 6-1-and-a-half , 220 [pounds]. I can run real fast. A lot of people underestimate my speed. And when I hit, I hit real hard.”
On losing Hamilton to injury: “We’ve got enough to play. We’ve got enough to play two or three secondaries. I feel comfortable about it. If the ones can’t get it done, the twos can get it done. We’re good.”
Heading into the last two weeks of the preseason, Williams appears to have locked down the safety position opposite Bacarri Rambo (the strong and free positions are interchangeable in Grantham’s system). Hamilton, a five-game starter last year, was listed behind Rambo entering camp but figured to be the next safety on the field regardless.
So that means some playing time is on the table. Sanders Commings is working much more now at safety than cornerback. Georgia also has Marc Deas and Connor Norman to turn to.
But Hamilton was also a prominent special teams contributor.
“I would think a young man like [freshman] Corey Moore would probably get a better opportunity to play on specials and he’s one step closer to the field as a safety also,” Richt said. “I would imagine that will light a fire under him a little bit.”
Williams’ flame is already burning hot.
“My name’s coming up because every day I’m just working to get better,” he said. “I try to make plays. That’s what I ask myself every time I step out on the field. What can I do to make a play?”
Crowell gets some work
Freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell was able to get in some limited work after missing four practices over the last six days due to a groin injury.
“He didn’t look full speed,” Richt said, “but he was healthy enough to get out there in a green jersey and run some plays.”
Originally Richt had predicted Crowell would return on Friday. Fellow tailback Richard Samuel, sidelined with a strained thigh muscle, won’t be back until “sometime next week.”
Practice update
Georgia held a two-hour special teams scrimmage at Sanford Stadium on Thursday. The workout was punctuated with 20 minutes of 11-on-11 work.
Richt said junior cornerback Branden Smith is currently running first team as the punt returner. Smith was the top returner last season with 10 for 143 yards. Behind him is record-setting kickoff return man Brandon Boykin and freshmen Malcolm Mitchell and Damian Swann are “battling” for the No. 3 spot.
Asked if Georgia would operate with two deep safeties/return men on kickoff return this season, Richt said, “that’s classified information.” Boykin is the school record holder with 1,813 career yards on kickoff returns and four touchdowns.
Narrowing it down
Heading into the last half of preseason camp, the Bulldogs are almost ready to set the depth chart and start determining playing rotation. Richt said he and the coaching staff sat down this week and went over every freshman to determine whether the assistants were slating them for the two-deep on offense or defense and whether or not they’d be available for special teams.
Off of those evaluations the Bulldogs next week will organize the scout team and begin earnest preparation for the opener against Boise State. Richt wasn’t prepared to unveil any of those decisions.
“There’s some guys we’re pretty sure, there’s some guys we’re not sure and there’s some guys that probably won’t,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m ready to give all that out because that usually causes players and moms and dads to maybe be happy or sad or whatever. I’m not ready for that today.”
Etc. . . .
Sophomore defensive end Derrick Lott, who had a deep cut on his right leg from a scooter accident late this summer, is now practicing without limitations. He backs up DeAngelo Tyson at right defensive end. . . . Georgia has now completed 15 of 29 preseason practices. Number 16 will be a full-contact practice Friday at 4:30 p.m. . . . Picture Day is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs are expected to unveil the Nike Pro Combat uniforms they’ll wear in the Sept. 3 opener.
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280 comments Add your comment
East Repeat
August 19th, 2011
12:01 pm
Lex- 1988 in Columbia was one hot year. I was sure Dawgs would dominate (Henderson, Worley, et al…)
Slydog, help me out, NCO?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
You people dont get it.
Well no worries I just sit back and watch the same crap every year
Preason National Champions
Beat Div II GT
Lose to FL
Lose to two teams we shouldnt lose to
Watch FL or another east team play for the SEC championship
Listen to AL and FL fans on the call in shows laugh at how the fanbase at UGA love 10 win seasons
But hey all is well we beat the high school team from North Ave thats something to brag about
DawginLex
August 19th, 2011
12:04 pm
flat tire
Can you comprehend what you read?
Retro Dawg
August 19th, 2011
12:05 pm
God bless Saint Jan Kemp.
JAWJeRDAWG
August 19th, 2011
12:07 pm
@ Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
I usually don’t question anyone on these blogs for their comments, but if you’ll permit me, I’d like to make a comment and ask you a question:
No UGA fan is happy with our win / lose record these past several years.
Most of us true Dawg fans are just hopefully optimistic that sufficient changes have been made and the ship has been righted, and we have a new team that will play well and focused for four complete quarters, not give up, and play the best they can.
I can take a loss if they do that and our opponent wins the game, and we just don’t lose it because of last of focus, game planning, and team effort.
Can you just tell us exactly what you want and hope for Coach Richt and UGA this year? I just don’t understand.
Not demeaning you and your posts at all; I just would like to know what you want from our coaches and team this year.
Regards, and .. Go Dawgs!
DawginLex
August 19th, 2011
12:07 pm
so let’s go down the road with a flat tire.
We go 8-4 this year. McGarity fires Richt.
We hire Dan Mullen
How long you gonna give him to beat Florida and win a national title before you want to run him?
i got a newsflash for you ace, it will be like this:
Several recruits back out of UGA commitment.
Several current players transfer
New scheme on offense
New scheme on defense
I hope you aren’t making any BCS bowl plans for 2012 or 2013 because we won’t be in one.
How long you gonna give him?
DawginLex
August 19th, 2011
12:09 pm
Yeah, that’s what i thought.
No response
Just gripe
Later, I’m going to eat lunch and go play golf.
Have a good weekend
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 19th, 2011
12:10 pm
UGA grad your 12:01 post,
I think we are essentially saying the same thing. How misleading stats can be. Might need to re-read my post,not sure what you mean.
Mobile Dawg
August 19th, 2011
12:10 pm
Flat Tire, we get it. Honestly I share “most” of your exact opinions, just choose to express them less. I’ve done battle with the kool aid krowd, shown facts, stats, logic, until I’m blue in the face. Some people are convinced that Richt is the answer, win or lose, some admit he’s fallen but he’s earned the opportunity to correct it. Fact is that is where we are, best thing you can do is accept that, hope they are right, and for now, try and enjoy the product.
Richt doesn’t want to lose, let’s just see if he has what it takes. If not I’m confident that McGarity will do what has to be done. “Let the Big Dawgs play Defense, and Eat!”
Dawg Gone
August 19th, 2011
12:10 pm
@LogicalUS last years USCe game was NOT a matter of the genius of the Visor, our D was in position to make plays all day..on a couple of plays we hit Lattimore before he got to the line and he still got 5-8 yards a pop. It was a execution problem, we have we hope better personnel for the 3-4 this year but only after seeing them execute can we really know if we have upgraded or not.
Joey
August 19th, 2011
12:35 pm
Right. It is what it is for ‘11. I’ve been vocal in my criticisms of Bobo, and to a lesser extent, Richt (mostly because he keeps Bobo at OC) but, I’ll stay optimistic til it’s all said and done.
And, Grantham’s D is making me optimistic, not Bobo.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
12:56 pm
DawginLex
Hey Ace as you call it. Ever heard of a lunch break big talker
#1 your a moron
Have I said fire Richt now, moron
No moron I havent
My posts have been talking about the kool-aid drinkers like you who think Richt can do no wrong, you get on here talking crap as if things have been fixed
I too am waiting to see this season if things have been fixed, but people like you will stay with the status quo as long as we beat TECH. Thats been my point
As for down the road with Dan Mullen
If in 3 yrs he hasnt beaten FL and cannot at least come close to playing for an East championship, LIKE FL DID WITH ZOOK, he’s gone
And as for national titles did I ever make any demands about winning a National championship no my thing is winning the SEC east,
To win the SEC east who might I ask is the most important team to beat in the SEC east? Hmmm
See the problem with you is your so drunk on Mark Richt kool-aid that UGA takes a back seat
Ok ACE
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:05 pm
Dawgin Lex
I agree with everything you said above. Anyone that is successful in the business world knows it “costs” more to fire someone and start from scratch than to trying to correct mistakes with what you have. He is our coach in 2011. I will root for him in 2011. I am convinced he will turn this ship around. I just get sick of the moaning and bicthing from “those fans.” I get it you’re not happy. Me neither. I want to win too. I just happen to be realistic and actually understand the nuances of Football. We can all agree Flat tire is the type to take the ball and go home. Waaaaaaaa. Support your team through thick and thin.
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:05 pm
I think the AJC is racist….lmao Just kidding. My posts have been blocked for some odd reason
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:08 pm
Flat Tire
“#1 your a moron”
Enough said.
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:11 pm
@Mobile Dawg I am 6′2, by the way…lol.
Fellas, Fellas, I think we are all a “little” bit too tense right now. 2 weeks and one day. The anticipation is killing everyone. Admittedly, I am a CMR dissenter, my first year as so. However, you bet your bottom dollar everyone like me wants this team to do exceptionally well, with CMR, not some new guy. But if it comes to that, then so be it. This is business. Nothing personal.
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:14 pm
Flat Tire
The past five years (thats what “you fans” love to bring up) we faced possibly two of the most dominant football players in Tim Tebow and Cam Newton. Hardly anyone beat Tebow and NOBODY beat Newton. Give it a rest. Richt has had us in line 3 times in the last 10 years to play for a NC. With a little luck we win all 3. IT TAKES ALOT OF LUCK.
We have won the east 3 times in the past decade compared to NONE the last 20 years. And you want to fire him bc he loses to Florida. Waaaaaaaaaaaaa. I would like to fire you. Go root for Bama. They love fans that stay quiet in down years and are obnoxious in “good” years.
Support your team.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:16 pm
Tobias FLUNK
Tobias was the kid that when the school bully took his lunch, he did nothing about it
Kind of like FL beating UGA every year, you do nothing about it
Little Tobias thought that thinking positve thoughts and drinking DREAM TEAM kool-aid would one day cause the bully to stop, instead of standing your ground and punching the enemy in the mouth like UGA should do to FL instead of coming up with schemes like dancing in the endzone and uniform changes
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:17 pm
For “those fans,” 2012 and 2013 is our best chance since 2007 (four years ago) to win a SEC Championship and NC. Fire Richt and it all fades away. Use your brain.
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:18 pm
You are a real tough guy, Flat Tire. Please teach us more.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
Little Tobias FLunk
Have I said fire Richt on any of my posts
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
@Tobias Funke 2011 is the best chance cause you are aware that Alabama and LSU are back on the schedule, along with a game or two against Clemson. For all we know, the SEC may have 16 teams by 2013.
WDE
August 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
Man I thought I would never say this but bring back the Trolls, we are so keyed up for the Boise game we are turning on one another..fella’s deep breath and repeat after me…Beat Boise, Beat Boise…
AltamahaDawg
August 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
Mobile, I believe that sells tax on home sale (if my buddies in that business are correct, and frankly there has been some confusion on this), if basically an additional capitol gains tax on profile, if you’re not exempt, which most folks are. Still it’s a further tax on investment property flips which is the very last thing the housing market needs. the fact that it was buried in the health care bills probably tells you it was not an idea that would have held up to any scrutiny.
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:24 pm
Instead of attacks on your fellow Dawgs, why don’t you calm down and ENJOY the season? I can picture you being upset after every Dawg victory with your arms crossed bc you want Richt fired. What will you do when UGA beats UF this year? Will you be happy? Do you have friends to share the happiness of victory? You can talk all you want after Sept. 11 if we are 0-2. If we are 2-0, you better jump on board.
Wow
August 19th, 2011
1:25 pm
Flat tire is an idiot. I don’t care if you support Richt or you don’t… that guy is too stupid to be a UGA grad. Must be one of those south Georgia boys who follow the school and criticize it, but never actually went there or donated any money to it. Gotta love the Walmart fans
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
Let’s kill the politics talk, unless it’s Congress vs The People for an exhibition football game between the hedges…lol
WDE
August 19th, 2011
1:27 pm
@AltamahaDawg in hindsight getting to read that bill before it passed might have been a good idea..
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:27 pm
WDE
Im taking the wait and see approach
my whole point is shut up please about changes have been made. We dont know that
Really changes have been made, did I miss the start of the season because I havent seen UGA hit the field yet to see if changes have been made
Im fed up with the Bong Smoking, Kool-aid drinking crowd on here acting like the coaching staff has made the changes when there have been no visual results to prove this
JAWJeRDAWG
August 19th, 2011
1:28 pm
@ Flat Tire
Without your direct reply, I think I get your answer anyway.
Hope you can get positive for 2011. Others are right; if we must have a coaching change, it will set us back years.
From where we are LOOKING to be now in pre-season, 2011 should be good for UGA if the changes that have been made hold true. .. Go Dawgs!
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:29 pm
So you don’t want to fire Richt? You want to keep Richt around to bash him and his supporters? Huh?
Arrests are way down, year two of all SEC QB, year two of 3-4 D, people are underestimating us (including you), Great schedule, AIN’T NOTHING FINER IN THE LAND…etc.
Cheer up bud.
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:31 pm
Fellas, fellas calm the he$# down. No one here knows each other personally. We are shouting through a screen where no one can read each other’s body language. We all want wants best and that’s the kind of team and program we ALL can be proud of. There is nothing better than being around my military buddies and talkin smack, until the Texans come in….lol. Maybe we need to be in pre season camp to work out some tension until the season starts.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:34 pm
Little Tobias FLunk
Again, I repeat did I say fire Richt
#2 Um I was attacked, not me attacking anyone I just responded to you
#3 again Im going to repeat, dont come on here talking crap when UGA goes 11-1 this year which I think they should given our schedule. PLEASE COME ON HERE AT THE END OF NEXT SEASON AND LETS SEE WHERE WE ARE AT
1 year is not a sign of improvement
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
If you haven’t seen any changes, then why do you bash this team? Its a new year and new team. Griping won’t get you anywhere, except to an early grave and without a lot of friends. Relax.
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:38 pm
Again with the name calling? How old are you?
BIGDAWG37
August 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
Grantham will have his guys ready!!! Don’t worry!!! The bigger question is how BOBO is gonna do this year!!! Unleash the hounds…GO DAWGS!!! RUN THE BALL…SETUP THE PASS…RUN THE BALL!!!
WDE
August 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville I understand but we can’t find out until we play…until then its all smoke and mirrors. I am a CMR fan but I’m a UGA fan first hoping he can turn it around but if we don’t see positive results and improvement in this years effort over the last couple of years a change will need to be made..I’m going to try and meet the season as optimistically as I can, no predictions of 10+ wins etc but with hope we have turned a corner. But that’s just me different strokes for different folks…Go Dogs !
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
11-1 isn’t a sign of improvement? Huh?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
Little Tobias FLUNK
You said “So you don’t want to fire Richt? You want to (keep Richt around to bash him and his supporters? )Huh?
I put the most important point Ive been trying to make all day in parenthesis
UGA is what I pull for. Coach Richt is not UGA, I pull for the program. You just pull for the coach. If the program suffers because of its coach as long as the coach is ok everything is fine
If people talk about your coach everything is not fine
I bet you voted for Obama. You were enthralled with Obama instead of worrying where he would take your country
AltamahaDawg
August 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
I wasn’t talking politics. That’s a federal law on the books that American Citizens are expected to pay. That’s not politics any more, that realities.
honest harry
August 19th, 2011
1:49 pm
GOTTA GET OFF THE FIELD ON THIRD DOWN AND HANG ON TO THE BALL! END OF STORY
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:50 pm
Please stop talking about Obama. They ALL are bad news. Does anybody think Geroge Bush IV (Rick Perry), is going to be better? He is a more articulate Bush and backed by just as many oil and energy interests. If you think gas and your light bill is high now, then vote him in by all means.
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
This is the last time I will comment to Flat Tire.
I pull for the team (the guys on the field), which is why I keep all my negative thoughts to myself and not in a public forum. I always have pulled for my beloved Georgia Bulldogs. I bleed Red & Black. I am bulldog born and bulldog bred. When I’m 6 feet under, I’ll be bulldawg dead. If THE DAWGS don’t play hard and don’t win a lot of games this year, Richt wil be fired. I’m okay with that. IT WON’T HAPPEN THOUGH! I will support my coach BECAUSE HE IS THE COACH IN 2011. This team is hungry. And who gives a flying you know what “other people” say about OUR coach?
Reading your comments make me mad at myself that I wasted this much time on you. No, I did not vote for Obama. I did vote, however. You? I didn’t think so.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:54 pm
slydog
Im still waiting on CHANGE
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:58 pm
Only you and no one outside of you, can bring that change my friend. That’s why we have “leaders”, the human race was too lazy to lead themselves. No matter who sits in that office, we are forced to play by the rules of the game, until we can break free, create our game, and make up our own rules.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
Little Tobias FLUNK
Your mad because you have no facts, thats what happens when you drink kool-aid
I know what Ive seen and Richt owes most of his success to Van Gorder
and Richt is to blame for VanGorder leaving due to his friendship with slick Willy
Hopefully he has made changes we will see in 2 weeks
slydog
August 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
I so, so hate to say this (I’m an AA), the only change was the color……. Got me?
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
2:00 pm
YOU’RE not worth the comment.
slydog
August 19th, 2011
2:00 pm
What if BVG returned as HC? HHHMMM
Tobias Funke
August 19th, 2011
2:01 pm
God, YOU’RE stupid.