Notebook: WR Marlon Brown used to extra attention Tennessee week
ATHENS – It is Tennessee week, so Georgia’s Marlon Brown knows exactly what that means for him. It means he will be the subject of multiple media interviews.
“What a surprise,” he said sarcastically when surrounded by reporters after a recent practice.
It has become routine for the junior receiver from Memphis. When it comes time to play the Vols, everybody wants to know how he feels his decision to choose Georgia over the home state university and when he might finally have that breakout season.
And when the Bulldogs are heading to Knoxville as they are this year, Brown knows he’ll be booed every time his name is announced over the public address system.
“I already knew the day I committed [to Georgia] when I was sitting there chilling with my family and friends, I was like, ‘every time we play Tennessee I’m going to get booed. I know I am,’” he said. “So I’m ready for it. It doesn’t matter to me.”
And he did. In his first game at Neyland Stadium two years ago, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound split end was booed mercilessly after hauling in his first reception. “It was pretty loud,” he said with a laugh.
The reason Brown draws such ire from Tennessee fans is the same reason Georgia fans get after Da’Rick Rogers so badly. Like Rogers, Brown was a five-star prospect and the No. 1-rated recruit in the state when he chose to sign with the Bulldogs.
Unlike Rogers, who was a UGA commitment for seven months, Brown never committed to the Vols. But Brown was generally considered a UT lock when former head coach Phil Fulmer was there.
“I guess they just felt like I should have gone there,” Brown said of Vols’ fans. “Whatever.”
That would seem to make Brown and Rogers kindred spirits, if not friends. But they’re not really.
“I met him a few times on his visits here and I’ve talked to him via Twitter and Facebook,” Brown said. “But I don’t really know him too well.”
Brown has had his own concerns in Athens. While Rogers is having his breakout season as a sophomore, Brown is still waiting for his. He toiled in the shadows behind A.J. Green his first two seasons and has battled injuries in this one.
Brown was the toast of preseason practice, drawing profuse praise from coaches and teammates alike. But then he suffered a serious ankle sprain on the last play of the last day of camp. He tried to wrap it up and play on it in games against Boise State and South Carolina before finally succumbing to the pain.
He came back for spot duty against Mississippi State but hopes to be “full go” against the Vols on Saturday.
“I’m a lot better than I was the first few games of the season when I played on it,” Brown said. Even last game when I played on it I felt a lot better.”
Fortunately for Georgia true freshman Malcolm Mitchell has stepped up and carried the torch nicely. Mitchell leads the Bulldogs with 22 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Brown’s happy about that, too. But he’s still eager to prove that he was worthy of fuss he caused with his signing 3½ years ago.
” I’m just trying to get back in the groove of things and get back to 100 percent so I can earn my spot back,” said Brown, who has just 17 catches for 182 yards and TD in his career. “That’s what I’m trying to do right now. Definitely I feel an urgency. I have this year and next year and that’s it.”
He figures there’s no better time to make a big splash than Saturday. “It’ll be awesome to do it any game, but probably even better to do it in this game.”
Robinson ready
Junior linebacker Christian Robinson came back from an ankle injury and played about 25 snaps against Mississippi State last week. He expects to play more at Tennessee on Saturday.
“I think they feel more confident after seeing me get some reps in the last game,” Robinson said. ” I think they want me out there to help us communicate and get everybody on the same page. That’s the biggest thing for us. Whatever I get I’ll take. I know Coach O [Kirk Olivadotti] has been telling everybody it’s on our shoulders. He expects a lot out of our group.”
The question is how the Bulldogs might look with Robinson taking most of the reps at “Mike” linebacker. Junior Michael Gilliard has led the Bulldogs in tackles starting there in each of the last three games while freshman Amarlo Herrera started at the “Mo” position.
Georgia coaches and players declined to discuss it other than to say “they’ll all play.”
Georgia Vols
There are 17 players on the Tennessee roster who call Georgia home, including several that are in the starting lineup.
In addition to Rogers, right tackle Ja’Wuan James of Suwanee, tailback Tauren Poole of Toccoa, and inside linebacker A.J. Johnson of Gainesville are all expected to start against the Bulldogs on Saturday and several other Georgians are expected to play frontline roles.
“It’s an important state for us in recruiting,” Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said. “But it’s an important state for about five other schools in recruiting who are close by. Not only does the home-state school depend on all that talent — they’re going to make up probably 80 to 90 percent of their clas — but then you have Alabama and Auburn and Florida and Florida State and Clemson and South Carolina who are all are just as close or really closer than Tennessee.”
Etc. . . .
Jim Booz has been named Georgia’s new senior associate athletic director for compliance. He comes from Virginia to replace Eric Baumgartner, who left to UGA to take the same job at Virginia. . . . Senior flanker Israel Troupe is expected to return from a leg injury on Saturday. . . . Georgia held a closed “dress-rehearsal” scrimmage at Sanford Stadium on Thursday. The Bulldogs will depart for Knoxville Friday evening.
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143 comments Add your comment
Spaceman Spiff
October 7th, 2011
8:07 am
Will the real Thomas Brown please stand up! We have a troll on here that is so in love with you that he must use your name as his handle! Please take him in the back room and give him the attention he so greatly desires
Thomas Brown, Seek Help!
October 7th, 2011
8:08 am
We understand that you are not satisfied with the program overall (coaches, QB, WRs, watergirl, band, cheerleaders, time of kickoff etc). Now that you are trying to justify your comments I must ask this. Does a reasonable person post to these blogs throughout the night? Your comments over the past few days and weeks express many of the frustrations many of us feel. However, you really need to take a deep breath. You are coming across not as a frustrated fan but as a real headcase.
Nothing you can say or do in these silly blogs will change the team. They only make you look like a “child”. If you are a booster I would suggest writing to Greg McGarrity expressing your frustration with the current program and explain to him why you will not be making future contributions to the program. That may be the best solution. Otherwise, stay off these blogs, get some sleep, regroup, refocus, and then seek help.
DawginLex
October 7th, 2011
8:20 am
Don’t feed the pig
Don’t argue with the pig
Georgia is going to win this game I predict.
If we don’t, the course will be set
2012
New coaching staff
New starting QB
Murray is on the hot seat big time this week. No turnovers, run the ball and let our D do its thing, we win. Keep forcing throws and trying to do too much, turn the ball over, and we lose.
Simple stuff.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
8:29 am
I dont even waste my time reading what Thomas Brown ever post. I have a good feeling about the DAWGS coming out focused and playing all 4 qtrs and coming out of there with a convincing win!!!!!
Go Dawgs!!!! GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark
October 7th, 2011
8:36 am
@DJ and DawginLex
Couldn’t agree with you more!Have said all along the the Dawgs are going to surprise people, no matter what the trolls say…
sogadog
October 7th, 2011
8:37 am
Great Q & A with Derek Dooley. He reminds me of Vince, praising the upcoming opponent, and anxious for his team to establish his running game. D. Dooley will probably have a great deal of success at Tenn.
CMR could take a lesson from Vince Dooley. Unlike CMR’s recent teams, V. Dooley’s teams didnt beat themselves with mistakes and turnovers.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
8:45 am
Establish the Run and that will open up the play action pass! Do that and its an easy win!
Richard Tardits
October 7th, 2011
8:51 am
DawginLex, agree. I think we will win but a loss may set the course. After the 41-14 win last year a UT win this year would suggest both programs are sharply heading in different directions. However, that being said I don’t think UT is markedly better than they were last year and I really do think we have improved at least with the X’s. Not greatly improved but enough to get the job done. If the Aaron Murray from last year shows up we win no question about it. A loss and that may seal the deal.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 7th, 2011
8:54 am
DawginLex, nice summary of what this game means.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 7th, 2011
8:55 am
We need to get that “largest O-line in ALL of football” to make a statement this weekend and for the rest of the season.
DawginLex
October 7th, 2011
9:00 am
UT gave us that game last year
Simms played QB
Bray came in late
This won’t be 41-14
Mark
October 7th, 2011
9:02 am
I feel pretty good about this game. Our D needs to put Bray on his back or at least keep the pressure on him. If they can’t, then he may end up looking like a heisman candidate. But I believe our D can do it. I hope the changes to the O line will make a difference and actually be dominant.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
9:06 am
Mark
I agree.We cant let Bray sit in the pocket or he could pick us apart. We need DB’s to step it up as well and hang on to some of these pick’s!!!
Paul is a Johnson
October 7th, 2011
9:11 am
This is not the same TN team we beat last year 41-14. Truth be told this is a great measuring stick for both teams. Both just re-entered the SEC East race with SC and FL losing last week. We both have a ton to play for. This UGA team seems different this year. They fight hard and nobody is quitting. I think the difference in this one will be our D. Grantham has them playing at a high level and if the D shows up we win.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
9:21 am
That is correct the SEC is wide open, that is why I cant understand why all the Murray bashers are calling for CMR to play Mason. I know the kid needs and maybe deserves playing time but now is not the time to do it.I just dont think Murray is the type of QB that could handle being platooned in and out of the game and be as consistent as we need him to be.
Richard Tardits
October 7th, 2011
9:30 am
Mark, agree. We don’t need to let Bray look like a Heisman Candidate like we did with Crompton. Bray is much better than he was and that has me a little concerned.
Buck Blew
October 7th, 2011
9:35 am
Murray will not be playing in the game until after 7:48……….the end of Yom Kippur in Knoxville. As many of you know he is Jewish and won’t play on the holiest day of the Jewish year….the Day of Atonement. It’s going to be interesting to see how his fasting will affect his energy level.
UGA Insider
October 7th, 2011
9:38 am
UGA 28 UT 27.
I pray UGA does not get beat on special teams however.
Mark
October 7th, 2011
9:39 am
@DJ,
One thing that we have to remember is that the Murray bashers are, more often than not, Tech trolls. I see the O line gelling and providing stout play – protecting well and opening holes for Crowell and company. Is Malcome redshirted?
Spaceman Spiff
October 7th, 2011
9:41 am
@Buck Blew
You, sir, have joined the candidate list for “Do you just say stupid s**t?”
why??
October 7th, 2011
9:42 am
thomas brown… please get a job or at least a girl friend.
Spaceman Spiff
October 7th, 2011
9:44 am
@why??
He does have a gf – rosie palm… they meet quite often while he is looking at his pictures/posters of the real Thomas Brown…
why??
October 7th, 2011
9:45 am
nothing SUCKS like a BIG ORANGE!! GATA!!!!
why??
October 7th, 2011
9:45 am
WHAT ABOUT A JOB?
UGA Insider
October 7th, 2011
9:49 am
Also, look for Orson Charles to have a monster game… If he doesn’t against those freshman LB’s then Bobo should retire on the spot! No excuses in this game for the offensive coaching staff….The defense has their kids ready to play now it’s your turn!! If you try and play conservative you are going to lose!
Real Dawg Fan
October 7th, 2011
9:56 am
TO UGA HATERS (alumni included)
Stop bringing up the past. True we had some bumps along the way til now but I do see a new program being formed here. Team first players and a coach/staff who will “help” you go to another school if you feel UGA is not the place for you. Nobody’s position is safe, example, Damian Swann came in and took alot of PT from those who thought otherwise………GO DAWGS!!!!
WDE
October 7th, 2011
9:57 am
My Lord but it is GREAT to be a Georgia Bull Dog !!
duronimo
October 7th, 2011
10:01 am
When goth teams are stocked with good players, games like this comes down to the intangibles. For several years now I’ve been seeing Georgia teams minus whatever it takes to simply “will” themselves to a win. Tough-minded teams end up on top. The character issue in recruiting needs to go further than whether or not a player will get in trouble. That’s important, but perhaps more emphasis should be paid to what a player is going to do when toughness is required. Toughness can also be instilled in players but a mild mannered coach can’t do it.
harold
October 7th, 2011
10:01 am
TO SHOW YOU HOW THE TALENT AT UGA HAS GONE DOWN——BROWN WOULD BE ON THE BENCH BEHIND RODGERS AND JUSTIN HUNTER!
HOWEVER UGA SHOULD STILL WIN THIS CAKEWALK.
DOOLEY HAS GOT TO START WINNING ON ROCKY TOP OR THOSE FANS WILL BE GOING “BUCK WILD!”
Not Really
October 7th, 2011
10:13 am
The one thing i’ve noticed is that when fans see a 5 star rating they automatically conclude that he will be great. And he very well maybe. But in due time. Aside from good coaching, the thing i’ve noticed about the teams such as Boise St., is that there are alot of 3 star players who play together for 5 years. Thus making a TEAM. Our coaches are good enough to compete at this level, however most of our greatest recruits have only commitments to themselves and not the TEAM. I don’t blame them I blame the media for the hype,the NCAA for not allowing some sort of stiphon, and the companys that rank them only to sell their services. 5star’s only sells magizine’s, its good for business. There is so much parady in college football today that if you can get teams to stick together for four or five years you can build a winning team. On any givin saturday any team can be great. Hopefully saturday will be one of those days for the dawgs. One more thing, if you can’t or don’t want to contribute to a intelligent discussion. Find something meaningful to do with your life and stop wasting my good air.
ugab
October 7th, 2011
10:14 am
I hopeM Brown has a break out game against UT. It is going to hurt losing our best pass rusher this game. I do no know what Washington was thinking. Someone needs to step up.
TANKER264
October 7th, 2011
10:14 am
The dawgs will win if our O gives Crowell room to run and pass protection, they have to pick up the blitzes, I believe that they blitz us all night long since that is one of the dawgs’s weaknesses. That is when we have the most problems at, throwing ints, fumbling and not converting on 3rd downs. I believe that if we can pass protect better and keep Murrary off the turf and give him time to sit and throw the ball like we know he can then we will pick ut apart. And we will win if our D puts pressure on Bray all night long, blitz him on 1st and 3rd downs, and our secondary not allowing big plays, nothing behind them. If they let Rogers or Arnett by them it will be 6 and it will be a long night. We can give them some short passes but if we do we have to swarm tackle them, no dang arm tackling or they will shake and bake and take it to the house. If the dawgs do what they are suppose to and do all of this then the dawgs will win and will be on top of the SEC and in recruiting. GO DAWGS. GATA…
Mark
October 7th, 2011
10:15 am
@harold
Really, now you can’t be serious – basing our talent level off of 1 player. What about Mitchell, OC, IC, Rambo, boykin, and the rest? Are they of lesser talent also?
Oh, and please stop the all caps – makes you look stupid…
Mark
October 7th, 2011
10:19 am
Like ugab, I hope that Brown will have a breakout game. But I think Mitchell and Charles will be even bigger. Also think that IC will have another 100+ rushing…
UGA Insider
October 7th, 2011
10:21 am
I’m ready to see what Ray Drew has when he gets to play on third and long. He will basically be asked to speed rush off the end. Vasser will be in there on 1st and 2nd. Drew has not played more because he came into camp unprepared for SEC Football. Perhaps in good enough shape for AA HSF but not SEC. The wreck slowed him down more and it’s been tough to catch up with the veterans. I personally would have liked to see a redshirt year. Also, Washington can be replaced. His stats were not that great leading up to the MSU game and he was non existent in the Boise, USCe game. I personally think we can get better production from his backups.
All my worries are with the offense and the comments coming out of Athens regarding our game planning.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
10:24 am
UGA Insider
What comments are you referring to?
AltamahaDawg
October 7th, 2011
10:25 am
Not too worried about Special Teams. Walsh will just end his slump at some point and then he won’t be in one. That’s not a strategic failure or lack of preparation/coaching. He’ll just make a few and it’ll be over. Punt return defense has been oddly a problem, but it’s not been costly. Fortunately we offset being the worst (giving up yardage) with being the best (in punting). Actually looking at Special teams on the whole, we are actually in the upper part of the league in most categories, AND a far cry better than TN than practically every one of them.
FaithfulDawg86
October 7th, 2011
10:27 am
Thomas Brown: Quit defiling the name of a great Bulldog. You’re an idiot. That is all.
Mark
October 7th, 2011
10:34 am
I know this question has been beat to death, but has Malcome been redshirted?
AltamahaDawg
October 7th, 2011
10:39 am
He was last year, yes.
Mark
October 7th, 2011
10:43 am
@AltamahaDawg,
Thanks. Didn’t (still don’t) know his status. I think his new attitude will turn him around.
UGA Insider
October 7th, 2011
10:49 am
DJ Dawg,
Bobo did an interview with the AJC and basically said that in the 2nd half they go conservative and hope the defense wins the game. That’s the reason for the poor numbers against Ole Miss and MSU. I just hope Bobo realizes UT is a quick, fast scoring offense unlike our previous 2 opponents. I just wish CMR would step on someones throat one week.
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
10:51 am
UGA Insider,
Im with you 100% on that. Put somebody away,play to win and stop playing not to lose!!! Sooner or later that prevent stuff will come back to haunt you.
TANKER264
October 7th, 2011
10:52 am
I believe that Bobo needs to open the field more, call some swing passes to Crowell and Thomas and let their speed take over, they will wear down UT’s D in open field, run some screen passes to them and to Mitchell or Brown. They need to spread the ball and their d. They need to keep their d on their toes. If they do that then Crowell will be able to put on a show. If we can estabalish the passing game then the passing game will set up the running game. If anybody watches Florida games then you see how they use their speedsters, they throw swing passes to the running backs and screens and let their speedsters use their speed to get more yards after the catch and possibly take it to the house.
Dirty Dawg
October 7th, 2011
10:54 am
Hey ‘c’mon man’, SnoopDawg has a wife or girlfriend? You’re kiddin’, right? And Derek’s defending the wearing of those OOOOrange pants wouldn’t seem like much if it were, at least, the same color orange as the rest of the team. Met an Auburn fan once at an SEC Championship game where they were playing Tennessee (this was back when I was actually speaking to AU folks), and asked him what the deal was with all these ‘orange’ teams surrounding Georgia – we’re pretty much boxed in if you hadn’t noticed – he mentioned that while that was so, that there was a difference in, at least, their orange and UT’s orange…UT’s is the one that had been left out in the sun too long. Derek’s don’t even look as if they’ve been washed once.
I’ve been to a lot of big Georgia-Tennessee games – almost always with UT friends – and it’s always been pretty cordial. Seems to me that nothing seems cordial anymore. What’s that all about? Have we all become jaded, cynical and, basically, smart-a$$ed because of politics? Is it what I call the ‘anti-social’ media that allows people to anonymously say crappy things about someone else without worrying about gettin’ your face re-arranged? Whatever it is, it’s not nearly as much fun. I recall the first GA-UT game I ever attended, again with UT friends, the ‘68 tie. Yeah we wuz robbed, but I had as much fun – sittin’ in a UT section, by the way – as I’ve ever had at a game, win or lose. Hopefully, that kind of feeling of just being able to enjoy the competition and the camaraderie, hasn’t been lost forever.
GT Joe
October 7th, 2011
10:55 am
Tennessee 48-4 (yes, two safeties).
UT hung tough at Florida, and drubbed a good Cincy team.
Bobo and the Bobettes on offense put up a goose egg. Book it.
RxDawg
October 7th, 2011
10:55 am
“The reason Brown draws such ire from Tennessee fans is the same reason Georgia fans get after Da’Rick Rogers so badly”
Eh… not exactly. Marlon Brown chose between UT and UGA. Da’Rick Rogers reneged on UGA after commiting to them. UGA fans feel like Da’Rick betrayed UGA and Richt. Now it was his choice to do this and it wasn’t illeagle. But it speaks miles for Da’Rick’s character and what his “commitment” is worth.
WDE
October 7th, 2011
11:00 am
@GT Joe hey good luck to your bunch this weekend.
One week at a time it is
October 7th, 2011
11:04 am
UGA lost our first two games allowed for the entire season. If Richt cannot win out, then he is toast. Sorry.
Minimally, UGA needs to land a spot in the Dome or …………or “tie” SC for the East but by the head to head rule, we would not go to the Ga Dome but could possibly end up in the Capital One Bowl at 9-2. THAT last scenario MIGHT save his job.
Losing the first two games, badly hurt CMR’ds chances of hanging on to his job.
Folks, it is what it is. The last 2.3 years have put CMR in this spot.
Lose to UT up in Knoxville again …………….knowing that we choked up there in 09 and 07, would possibly get him fired by Sunday morning. The alumni LOOK HARD at this game and he knows it. THIS GAME IS VERY CRUCIAL for CMR.
Gooooooooooooooooo Dogs !!!
DJ Dawg
October 7th, 2011
11:05 am
WDE,
You are to nice! lol GT Joe we will see whos talking in November!! Thats all I have to say to you.