With Ogletree slated to return, what should Dogs do at linebacker?
ATHENS – One of the most welcome sights at Georgia’s practice Tuesday was a guy in a green jersey running by himself in one end zone at the far end of the field.
Starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, out since the first quarter of the first game of the year, was in full pads and running — quite swiftly and fluidly, in fact — through a series of speed and agility drills under the watchful eye of sports medicine director Ron Courson. Earlier in the day, head coach Mark Richt had made a rather bold pronouncement on what until then had been merely a wishful goal.
“Ogletree is looking really good,” Richt said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “We don’t think there is any question at all that he’ll be ready for the Florida game.”
“Tree,” as he has come to be called by coaches and teammates, was the talk of preseason camp because of the athleticism he brought to the “Mo” linebacker position from strong safety, where he started as a freshman the previous season. But Ogletree broke a bone in his foot early against Boise State. Not coincidentally, the Broncos were able to exploit Georgia’s defense late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter in that 35-21 loss.
The trouble regarding Ogletree’s return is the Bulldogs’ defense has developed quite nicely in his absence. Even after losing fellow starting inside linebacker Christian Robinson to an ankle injury in Game Two, Georgia’s linebacker corps has been a strength on a unit that is ranked sixth nationally and third in the defensive-minded SEC heading into Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt (7:08 p.m. Fox Sports South).
Robinson has been back for the last two games but has not returned to the starting lineup. “Backups” Michael Gilliard and Amarlo Herrera, who were working with the first-string defense again on Tuesday, have simply played to well in their absence to unseat.
Gilliard, who has started at “Mike” linebacker the last four games, was named SEC defensive player of the week after a 12-tackle effort against Tennessee that included a game-clinching sack. It was the fourth consecutive game he led the Bulldogs in stops and he now leads the Bulldogs with 40.
“I just feel like it’s my time to step up,” said Gilliard, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior from Valdosta. “I just go out there week in and week out, learn the playbook, learn our opponent and try to make plays and help my team win.”
Herrera, a 6-2, 231-pound freshman from College Park, has started the last four games at “Mo” linebacker and is tied for fourth on the team with 24 tackles.
Gilliard was asked what should happen upon Ogletree’s return. “Only time will tell,” he said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. It’s up to the coaches.”
Ultimately it will be up to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who is thrilled to have the dilemma.
“There’s 11 spots out there,” said Grantham, in his second season with Georgia since being hired away from the Dallas Cowboys. “Each Monday we’ll know who’s available. Based on who’s available we’ll figure out where we need to play guys by combination to give us the best chance to win.”
Gilliard, Grantham admitted, may be hard to move. Plus, he doesn’t know yet what he has in Ogletree.
“The plan is to get him out there next week and work a little bit and I’ll have a better idea then,” he said. “But I haven’t seen him do anything yet. I’ve been around him in meetings and on the field this week. That’s all I have. But the reports have been good.”
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158 comments Add your comment
Dude
October 11th, 2011
8:28 pm
First
Tdawg
October 11th, 2011
8:29 pm
First
Tdawg
October 11th, 2011
8:31 pm
I say start tree and have Gillard and Amarlo be in a steady rotation to keep em fresh
Barticus Maximus
October 11th, 2011
8:33 pm
Next..and not really adding anything meaningful like Dude.
Barticus Maximus
October 11th, 2011
8:35 pm
Chip,
This is not a problem this week. Tree is not in playing shape and will not start. He will get a few reps throughout the game. It is a great problem to have now..
Barticus Maximus
October 11th, 2011
8:39 pm
Chip,
Why did you mention Gilliard and Herrera’s height and weight but failed to mention Tree’s?
Niceville Dawg
October 11th, 2011
8:43 pm
I aree Barticus.Slip Tree in on a few plays to get the game speed back in his head.An off week then bring on the lizards.
Army Vet
October 11th, 2011
8:44 pm
Dude….Get a life and grow up! You too Tdawg. How pathetic!
bwell
October 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
Redshirt Tree, or let him come off the bench and strenghten our depth chart for the rest of this year and be strong and have competition for next season.
Big Dawg
October 11th, 2011
8:50 pm
Fellow Dawgs you continue to start Gillard and Herrera with Robinson and Ogletree getting playing time maybe move Olgetree out to Washington’s position and see if he can play the position properly. That way you get your best players out onto the field, Gilliard and Herrera have been very pleasant surprises and have added depth at a position that was considered a possible weak point before the season started. Now it is a strength because these guys have stepped up in a big way.
Go Dawgs
Ocee
October 11th, 2011
8:57 pm
Start David Andrews, Merritt Hall and Kyle Krinvalis
Cali Dawg
October 11th, 2011
9:16 pm
These are the the kind of “dilemmas” we need to see more of…
Mark (another one)
October 11th, 2011
9:16 pm
Now that the opinions have been expressed, I would add, leave it to Coach G. He’ll evaluate things and make a decision based on what he believes is best. The defense has been great!!
Niceville Dawg
October 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
No doubt Cali.Wish we could put em all out there together
Bwk Dawg
October 11th, 2011
9:19 pm
They all will play as far as who starts let them dicide that on the feild. I think they will keep the line up the same and rotate the guys in and out and who ever makes the most plays will start and get the most playing time.
Doc Dawg
October 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
Back up at Linebacker AND Saftey !!!
Dr. Morpheus
October 11th, 2011
9:22 pm
Depth on D is good- just ask the Detroit Lions…
CJJScout
October 11th, 2011
9:34 pm
Redshirt him
yearofthedawg
October 11th, 2011
9:35 pm
Lets just beat Vandy.
Roaddawg80
October 11th, 2011
9:48 pm
niceville dawg
You can put them all out there. Tennessee did against LSU of the last play of the game last year except they got a flag. You just have to take chances with it. they almost got away with it.
Jwall
October 11th, 2011
9:49 pm
THE DAWGS ARE ON THE RISE!!!!!!
MaconKnight
October 11th, 2011
9:49 pm
I dont see tree as an outside line backer, he isnt as big as washington or houston , this kid was made for the inside linebacker position either one, mo or mike, he just has to work his way back on the field , get back to practicing at a high level then he will be able to compete for a starting position , this is great problem to have. we need washington back, we really didnt have a pass rush without blizting the linbackers…. this only going to push him harder and all the guys harder… the thing he brings is that he brings the lumber, when tree hits a rb, wr , te they all go down, its an intimdating factor to have in the middle of your defense.. to our coaches credit we have played good defense but you havent seen someone lay the lumber since the boise st game… although washington’s sack of miss st qb was a very big hit… but thats the only one that comes to mind… just saying tree brings it.. im for one glad he is getting ready to come back… our linebackers have become our strength..
Go Dawgs
Roaddawg80
October 11th, 2011
9:50 pm
I do think they should just redshirt Ogletree. I have said that for a couple of weeks now. He will only play in 4 more games after that.
Jwall
October 11th, 2011
9:52 pm
but we need tree for the last for games, we r going for an sec champ!
Horticultural Zen
October 11th, 2011
9:52 pm
@CJJScout: Redshirt him
The way he played against BSU, I would say…
REDSKIRT him.
Jwall
October 11th, 2011
9:52 pm
*four
Roaddawg80
October 11th, 2011
9:53 pm
MaconKnight
Jarvis Jones 6′3″ 240
ALec Ogletree 6′3″ 236
I think he is big enough to play OLB. Jones plays it pretty well.
Jwall
October 11th, 2011
9:53 pm
boise state was so long ago
Roaddawg80
October 11th, 2011
9:54 pm
JWALL
Can’t argue that point. Good one!
Brucerugby79
October 11th, 2011
9:57 pm
we have to beat Florida-don’t slip up on Vandy–but I think we all know what it boils down to-we have to beat Florida–I really don’t care about anything else–beat those darn Gators!!
athdog
October 11th, 2011
10:01 pm
Who really cares who starts? It’s who wins the game that counts. Having four good inside ‘backers only means that they won’t get tired. Rotate them in, keep them fresh through out the game.
Grantham and his coaches are doing a nice job, indeed. I was wrong about the 3-4. Keep rolling along and with all of the coaches back next year, it should just get better.
Delbert D.
October 11th, 2011
10:04 pm
“Ultimately we would like to be in the SEC. That’s where we think we belong geographically. We think we deserve to be.” — Memphis AD R.C. Johnson
Yikes! Just say no.
Roaddawg80
October 11th, 2011
10:06 pm
Wasn’t there a article this week on the recruiting blog about us needing LB’s and that is what they are selling to recruits about playing right away. We have no seniors at LB right now. The only person leaving off the defense is Boynkin. Unless Commings leaves early(god I hope not). We will be loaded next year. I mean LOADED> Junk yard DAWGS are back!!!!!!!
daddydog
October 11th, 2011
10:14 pm
Don’t change starters at this time. if someone outlays a starter, then he becomes a starter.
Dawg48
October 11th, 2011
10:18 pm
I think we should go with the starting line up we have, it might take tree awhile to knock off the rust. I hope the guy stays and plays for his 4 years of eligibility if theta red shirt him or not. I know we will need him for the tech game and that option.
ChattaDawg
October 11th, 2011
10:25 pm
Move him to Running Back….Just had to say it.
Get back soon “Tree”! We need as many LB’s as possible.
Go Dawgs!
What to do?
October 11th, 2011
10:37 pm
Rotate em. Mike Gilliard has played too well just to go sit down now. NO way should they do him or the other LB kids that way. THEY EARNED their PT.
Roate and rotate some more. THAT is why LSU and Alabama are so good. They have depth and to win big in the SEC ……………you need it. UGA is getting some now on D for a change.
Goooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
OkieDawg
October 11th, 2011
10:38 pm
We need to beat Vandy and then beat Florida. If those 2 happen, CMR’s contract should be extended immediately. This keeps the recruits we already have and gets the ones we need. Our recruiting class is weak because other schools are using the unsettled coaches situation against us. John Theus is looking around because of doubt about CMR’s future. CMR has proven his worth and he needs a contract extension asap. The remainder of this year is looking good. Next year should be great and these are CMR’s guys. CMR stepped up and got rid of the bad actors and it shows.
FloridaDawg
October 11th, 2011
10:39 pm
Thinking red shirt could be the answer for Tree. Let him decide.
I’m for what ever it takes to beat Florida. That’s the ONLY thing that bothers me living in Jax.
Loosing it the lizards is below average.
Mark Richt knew when he was hired that that was one of his most important accomplishments.
If you beat Florida, you have a chance to win the east. That has been true for 20 years.
Dawg48
October 11th, 2011
10:41 pm
@okiedawg Well said I agree!
Bob
October 11th, 2011
10:41 pm
What a bunch of lame idiotic comments. Tree has to play his way back in…Gilliard has been fantastic. He starts, no question. Tree plays back up, gets back in playing shape and doesn’t do to much to fast. After that, who knows……but you don’t sit the ones that got you here….if Tree outplays the starters over time, he gets his spot back….I think Tree will be great, doesn’t change the fact that he was out and needs to play his way back…..What a wonderful thing!!!!
Natureboy809
October 11th, 2011
10:47 pm
Many people questioned Grantham coming into the season. So at this point, would any of you give him and the defensive staff and the progress they’ve made a grade of anything below an A at this point?
ATL Sports Fan
October 11th, 2011
10:49 pm
You do not redshirt Ogletree. If you do you have a Knoshow situation all over again. You have him play the final 5 regular season games and then the bowl game. You redshirt him and have him play 13 games next year and he is able to leave for the NFL with only playing 26 games and not 31 or more.
Also he is not playing this weekend, he will be back practicing at full contact next Monday.
Scott
October 11th, 2011
11:16 pm
@ What to do?: I agree that they should rotate them. Gives each guy an opportunity to play and gives them more experience that will be extremely beneficial going into next season. Gilliard should not sit, he’s a DGD that has proven himself worthy of playing time. Rotating the guys also keeps them from getting so tired in the 2nd half which is crucial in pulling out wins.
Chip Towers
October 11th, 2011
11:23 pm
ATL Sports Fan: To be clear, there has been absolutely no discussion of redshirting Alec Ogletree, even though they could.
Chip Towers
October 11th, 2011
11:29 pm
Bob: Such a refreshingly reasonable response you provided! And I happen to think that’s what will happen. Gilliard and Herrera/Robinson keep on keeping on and you work in Tree where you can. And don’t discount Tree playing somewhere you might now expect. Grantham is always preaching that he ranks his guys 1-11 and will try to put the 11 best on the field however he can!
Chip Towers
October 11th, 2011
11:35 pm
Barticus Maximus: Didn’t mean to not mention Tree’s measurables. He’s every bit of 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds. As as physically impressive as just about any guy the Dogs have right now.
BobDawg
October 12th, 2011
12:08 am
Chip, Don’t you think the strong D is allowing Richt to be more aggressive with the overall gameplan? He seems energized and enjoying coaching again.
BobDawg
October 12th, 2011
12:15 am
@Bob good post . The 3/4 D eats up the LB and we will need them all down the stretch run
L.A. BULLDAWG
October 12th, 2011
12:21 am
WITH OGLETREE COMING BACK AND CORNELIUS WASHINGTON COMING OFF SUSPENSION, THE GATORS BETTER WATCH OUT! I HEARD GATOR MEAT IS GOOD, WHEN PRESSURIZED! LOL!
Turdinpunchbowl
October 12th, 2011
1:05 am
Who Cares! They all will play and the best ones will play the most(or should)! We need to look at the turn over machine called Aaron Murray and quit wasting carries on Richard Samuel.
Turdinpunchbowl
October 12th, 2011
1:06 am
I like money!
Turdinpunchbowl
October 12th, 2011
1:06 am
Put Artie Lynch on the D Line he is too talented to just play special teams!
cougars
October 12th, 2011
1:48 am
We havent played anybody! Tree should start because he is just better than both of them and you all will see he is the best defensive player on the team. Glad we are winning but look who we have beaten. Not one team that has any running game look what happen against SC. Go Dawgs,START TREE
hot dawg
October 12th, 2011
1:53 am
tree was already good……..now he is good and hungry and that element alone could make a difrrence and depth is always an advantage……….go dawgs
hot dawg
October 12th, 2011
1:54 am
difference..lol
dogdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:59 am
The turn around at UGA and CMR keeping his job is all thanks to coach Todd Graham.If we do win the east I’m affraid,some other schools will come after him.Hope CMR dosen’t blow it like he did with Van Gorder.
» Blog Archive » Dogs defense sixth in nation – Chattanooga Times Free Press
October 12th, 2011
6:18 am
[...] Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee, the Bulldogs have catapulted to sixth nationally …With Ogletree slated to return, what should Dogs do at linebacker?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 89 news [...]
Cmon man
October 12th, 2011
6:36 am
its funny how the comments go from uga cant beat this team or wont beat that team but when they win its oh uga hasnt played anybody. One minute the sec is the toughest conf now that uga is 3-1 the level of competition is weak. If you are really fans instead of trying to discredit what the team has accomplised so far just say congrats and focus on one game at a time. Stop looking for reasons to be negative.
dawg fan sitting on rockytop
October 12th, 2011
6:55 am
To quote the old ball coach when he was at Florida, “DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS” GO DAWGS!!!!!
Return to Glory
October 12th, 2011
8:09 am
“Tree” has done nothing when it counts, make him work and earn his postion back, the other’s have performed in games, If it was my call he is a backup until he proves otherwise. I do not mean to sound negative towards Tree but go with what is working, I wish him well in his comeback.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 12th, 2011
8:32 am
@ Return to Glory
Do you honestly think that Alec ‘has done nothing when it counts’?
In my opinion, he played stellar as an ILB until he broke his foot in the BS game.
Until he did, if I remember correctly, BS was having a hard time moving the ball.
Michael Gilliard has played amazingly well, and Amarlo Herrera not far behind.
Alec will probably be phased back into the lineup because of their outstanding play.
CTG has three good options here, and the UGA defense is much better off because both Gilliard and Herrera have proven their on-the-field mettle.
But, IMO, Alec has more than proven his value.
DJ Dawg
October 12th, 2011
8:45 am
I agree, bring him back slowly!
JDawg1785
October 12th, 2011
8:46 am
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Gilliard has been playing very well and to unseat him makes zero sense to me. CTG can still work Tree into the rotation as he’s been doing with Robinson and Herrera. Man, it’s great to see so much talent on D for the Dawgs!
DawgTired
October 12th, 2011
8:48 am
Are you kidding me. Tree is the best athlete on or off the field with a broken foot. Lets not forget the talent level this new mighty defense faced over the past 4 weeks. They have played well but it is the O-line that has me nervous. Aaron and I get happy feet just thinking about them. Tree can play a pass rushing D-end, LB and safety. Let him play all over the field in multiple positions. We need his speed against the Gatards.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 12th, 2011
8:56 am
DJ Dawg JDawg1785 and DawgTired
I agree with you all.
I just couldn’t see the validity with Return to Glory’s assessment that:
Alec ‘has done nothing when it counts’. …
With such good play from these young players, it’s a good position for our defense in!
beanster
October 12th, 2011
9:07 am
No way can we redshirt Tree. We only get one more season after this — he is too good of an athlete. I also like the idea of letting him play safety again and moving Commings back to the corner for Branden Smith. He is almost as fast and I would like to see the bigger hitters in there…especially the Saturday after Turkey Day.
Depth is the key
October 12th, 2011
9:12 am
UGA for awhile now, has lacked quality depth on their D side of the ball. Now, it appears to be changing for us. TG is the reason why. He deploys the talent as needed.
I will reserve final judgement on Coach Grantham but right now, he looks like a superb hire. I want to see UGA ’s D swarming all over Vandy, get a week off and get their legs ready for Florida and then, attack them.
If we do defeat Vandy and Florida and look good doing that, yes, we must destroy AU and KY and GT, then it will be a decent year. Very decent at 10-2 and a nice NY Day Bowl. After all of that and if UGA is still statisticlaly in the upper ecehlons of the SEC on D, then give Granthom a raise. Soon, he will be preceived to be head coach material for maybe Ole Miss or MSU ( yes, MSU) or maybe UT ( yes, UT) or possibly eslewhere.
This is a big if, but IF we can run the table all the way to the Dome, then maybe CMR stays. I am still undecided on that right now. First things first: Vandy must be dealt with.
I also fear the fact that SC runs the table in the SEC and we do too and they go to the Dome because of the head to head thing and we end up at best in the Chic Fil A Bowl. THAT WOULD NOT make the alumni happy.
Goooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Chemistry and desire are at work at UGA
October 12th, 2011
9:20 am
Alec O could actually upset the old apple cart at UGA. This D team is meshing nicely, or it appears to be. Ogletree needs to work slowly back ino the LB mix and fill in as needed. He will get his tackles and his big hits. Depth allows that, because UGA plays in the ever rugged SEC and kids need to sit down and get a breath of air.
I like knowing that we have Ramik Wilson and Tree and Vasser and Robinson and Gilliard and the several others to play D with experience. We need C Washington back for Florida. At least his legs will be fresh for them.
I believe that Coach TG is ALSO coaching the LBs, as their position coach. If true, I like that. His kids are showing the result of his D. teachings. Good stuff this is for a change on D.
Goooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
DawgTired
October 12th, 2011
9:22 am
Bring him back slowly? I say bring him back full-time against the Gatards. He has another 2 1/2 weeks to get in playing shape. We have to put all our chips in now. Losing to the Gatards is not an option. We need to run them over and then back up and run then over again while they’re down. Tree didn’t have a torn ACL. His foot will be fine. If he is a half step slower, he is still a half step faster than what we have. Rotate everyone to keep fresh legs on the field.
DJ Dawg
October 12th, 2011
9:26 am
@DawgTired
Yes slowly! I mean for this week. Dont throw him out there full speed and risk injury in this game before we head into off week and then the FL game!!!
I agree with Dawg Tired
October 12th, 2011
9:26 am
I like your suggestion about Alec playing rush end. THAT is good stuff. He and Cornelius Washington would be awesome !!!
He is a big time athlete, so we need to utilize him as we can ……………..when he is healed up. I suspect CTG will do that. HE DOES KNOW what he is doing and it is fun to know that UGA has a D coach that knows his bidnezz.
Go Dawgs.
roughrider
October 12th, 2011
9:31 am
This is a good problem for the dogs to have. Wish we had the same problem on the offensive line.
DawgTired
October 12th, 2011
9:34 am
I wouldn’t play him against Vandy. The off week is when he can practice with first team. He’ll have 2 weeks to prepare. I don’t think he is cleared to play against Vandy yet anyway. Unleash #9 on Oct 29th. He’s got some built up hostility.
beanster
October 12th, 2011
9:43 am
I can’t wait for this weekend’s AUB v UF match-up. Night game on the Plains and should be very telling for both teams. My wife (Auburn grad) notified me that they, like the Gators, have their bye week before playing UGA. I will definitely be pulling for Auburn until they play us…and then I hope John Jenkins does a spinning headlock elbow drop off the top ropes on Barrett Trotter. Sorry you have to play the victim, Barrett, but fair is fair.
LawDawg
October 12th, 2011
9:51 am
Horticultural Zen: I know you were just trying to make a terrible joke, but he played great against BSU before getting injured.
The multiple calls for a redshirt on here are the perfect example of the naivety and low football IQ of the commenters on the various AJC sports blogs.
DawgTired
October 12th, 2011
9:52 am
Beanster- it’s also payback for the cheapshots Fairley put on Murray and 3 other SEC QBs last year. Can we root for a tie between UF and AUB ? I hate them both. SC might lose this weekend vs MSU but we just need to take care of our business and hope SC slips up one more time…minimum.
38 Yardline Dawg
October 12th, 2011
9:56 am
Play them all, if need be. There’s NO EXCUSE for not beating the Gators this year. NONE.
38 Yardline Dawg
October 12th, 2011
9:58 am
Beat the Gators once since the end zone celebration and extend Richt’s contract immediately? Hmm…Maybe. Does that mean we open up the head coach search immediately if we LOOSE?
NHS DAWG
October 12th, 2011
9:59 am
Tree is one helluva talent. He must be on the field in some fashion!! He will be your starter as soon as he is 100%. That is guaranteed!! Too gifted physically
Alabama Dog
October 12th, 2011
10:07 am
I say start Ogletree. It’s a basic rule that a starter cannot/should not lose his starting job due to injury.
It is what it is
October 12th, 2011
10:12 am
“..have simply played to well in their absence to unseat.”
Dear AJC; two, to and too. Know the difference.
gomdawg
October 12th, 2011
10:21 am
Georgia Rated # 6 in the Nation in Defense I say the coaches know what their doing so let’s leave it to the coaches. What we need is get our off. playing ball .Go Dawgs Vandy then Gators
BobDawg
October 12th, 2011
10:24 am
@beanster… I’m not worried about the AU weekoff before playing us… We probably have Ky or New Mex. the week before and should not be a problem….
beanster
October 12th, 2011
10:29 am
It is what it is — I think there’s a spelling blog or grammar blog on one of these pages. I am sure you could start up a riveting algebra blog over on one of the techies blogs.
beanster
October 12th, 2011
10:34 am
@BobDawg — Yep. New Mexico State is homecoming this year. We play KY the week before the nerds so that is essentially a week off then, too. I really don’t mean to rag on KY but man, they are awful this year.
Lakedawg
October 12th, 2011
11:06 am
Coach Grantham will work Tree in to get all the guys playing time and the best shot for Dawgs to win. Yes we do need linebackers this class because we may lose 3 of the 4 after next year.
Coaching staff intact for next year and team looks even better, plus recruits not yet committed could yield another top 10 class to go with the Dream Team bunch.
Recruiting needs remaining 2 RB, 2 DB, 2ILB, 2 OL.
VegasRick
October 12th, 2011
11:13 am
Now we find out if favortism is still rampant on defense, we know it is on offense, as Murray continues to start, regardless of leading the nation in sacks and interceptions, and the worst in the red zone accuracy.
The other LB’s have played better, but Ogletree seems to be a favorite. I expect UGA to cotninue to play favorites, it’s “The Georgia Way”.
duronimo
October 12th, 2011
11:15 am
Should it take injuries to figure out how good of bench you haved? Isn’t it the oaches job to know what each player brings to the table? The fact that Robinson can’t unseat Herrera or Gilliard illustrates my point. You simply can’t judge a player entirely by what they do in practice. Some athletes are simply not good practice players but turn in to animals in an actual game. You have to play everyone in an actual game to figure out what you have. I think there are a lot of other surprises sitting on the bench.
azdawg
October 12th, 2011
11:48 am
The dawgs D will surely have their first real test when they play FL. By then Brantley will most likely be back and the trio of Dent, Rainey and Dubose on the field at the same time, provided they get out of AU w/o any serious injury. The dawgs D will have a better chance of stopping those three speedsters if Grantham can work Tree, Herrera and Gilliard on the field either at the same time or in some combination to keep them fresh. The dawgs will need their best 11 on the field to hold FL in check. The way the D is playing gives the Dawgs their best chance in years of stopping FL’s speed to the outside and deep threat. AL and LSU proved that when they shut FL’s running game down and made them one dimensional. Then its all up the the Offense and Bobo to put points on the board.
Dawgs worst fear is one of these 3 guys is going to hurt their own during practice to prove they deserve to be on the field as a starter. Don’t go sacrificing your own to make a point. Prove it on Saturday’s.
VegasRick
October 12th, 2011
11:50 am
The defense played a LOT worse with Ogletree and Robinson in the first 2 games. Gave up 40 points a game in those 2 games. There is no valid reason on earth to give these 2 guys their jobs back.
McDawg
October 12th, 2011
11:52 am
lets worry about Vandy!!!
Choke
October 12th, 2011
12:20 pm
This iis very simple. As soon as Tree is in game playing shape again, you start him at Herrera’s spot, regardless of how well Herrera is doing. You gotta give Tree the opportunity to make plays; he’s a freak. Robinson, however, doesn’t start; he only comes into to back up Gilliard, who should start in his place.
WDE
October 12th, 2011
12:23 pm
@VegasRick before you were VegasRick what was your troll name?
WDE
October 12th, 2011
12:24 pm
@McDawg you make a great point we are improved but not good enough to look past anyone !
Dawgs1
October 12th, 2011
1:29 pm
Ogletree should be medically redshirted. But if selfishly they decide to play him, there is no way he should be given the job; he needs to earn it all over again.
Gilliard and Herrera have stepped up big time.
Mad Dog One
October 12th, 2011
1:30 pm
Coach TG is the second DC we have had with the fire of ERK RUSSELL. I think we might let him coach and make the call on when & where Tree will play. I know we have made great strides against some bad teams but if you look at the other teams ( gt, sc etc)you will see the same. But in some of the past years this has not been true so I say well done CTG and D. As always GO DOGS & GATA
UGA Insider
October 12th, 2011
1:35 pm
Tree will NOT play this week. He will come back and take his starting spot that Herrera now occupies. Gilliard is staying put in front of Robinson for the time-being. Gilliard and Tree do NOT play the same positions guys so it’s not an issue. Tree/Gilliard will dominate the rest of the season.
schmeckdawg
October 12th, 2011
1:36 pm
Agree with Dawgs1 for the most part. Since he is only going to be here 3 years, I wouldn’t redshirt him. If we did, we would only have him playing for two years just like Knowshon. And I don’t know what kind of shape that he going to be in after pretty much 2 months of inactivity. Finally, he has to earn it, Gilliard, Herrera, Vasser etal. have been teriffic!
GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone ever thought------
October 12th, 2011
1:41 pm
UGA loves to have experenced backups everywhere but QB. Asfor Tree our D will only get better with his return. Something I would like to see is Figgins, Little Tree, and Crowell in the backfield together.
schmeckdawg
October 12th, 2011
1:42 pm
VegasRick
October 12th, 2011
11:50 am
The defense played a LOT worse with Ogletree and Robinson in the first 2 games. Gave up 40 points a game in those 2 games. There is no valid reason on earth to give these 2 guys their jobs back.
*************************************************************************************************************
You are WRONG BIG TIME. Against South Carolina, the defense only really gave up 14 points. I’m not going to put Crowell’s fumble that was run back to the 2 yard line on the D. The other points came from a Murray fumble that was run back for a TD, a Murray pick 6, a missed chip shot field goal and a fake punt that they ran in for a TD. So being realistic, I will only hang 14 on the D in that game.
Since that game, our defense has given up the following:
Coastal Carolina (0 points)
Ole Miss (7 points the other points came on a punt return for a TD)
Mississippi State (0 points. They scored their TD on another Murray pick 6)
Tennessee (6 points)
DawginLex
October 12th, 2011
1:52 pm
We shut down Boise until Tree got hurt. Probably would not have made enough difference long term but during the time he was in, they didn’t score.
dawgfacedboy
October 12th, 2011
1:55 pm
I don’t think “Tree” is going to go pro as a RS Sophomore having played two different positions. That being said either find a place for him or RS him. IMO there is no sense wasting a year of his eligibility if he isn’t going to play and contribute. Playing a handful of snaps a game seems a waste of a season to me.
Play him or shirt him.
Matt
October 12th, 2011
1:56 pm
Move him back to safety.
hmmm
October 12th, 2011
2:02 pm
they still don’t have a game changer at ILB.. gotta play him over the freshman asap.
ga fan1
October 12th, 2011
2:22 pm
we done decent so far 4-2 but lets all be honest we lost to the only 2 good teams we beat we have beat 3 bottom tier sec team and 1 div2 team we dont play anybosy good til florida…
i think we will win all the rest of the games besides the gt game. we will end 9-3 and richt will still have his job
stadawg
October 12th, 2011
2:24 pm
It won’t do any good to redshirt Tree, he will be gone in 3. Kid is an absolute beast.
bucket
October 12th, 2011
2:34 pm
First, the redshirting talk for Ogletree should cease. UGA’s biggest games are still to come with UF, AUB, and GT. The Dawgs are going to need all hands on deck to finish strong. Second, there is way too much emphasis on who starts on defense in my opinion. I think the starting positions should be awarded to the players at each position who play the best in the previous game and the ones who have a great week in practice. In other words, the competetion for starting positions should continue into the season and not end in August. Gilliard and Herrera have been playing well and in my opinion should continue to start until Ogletree or Robinson or someone else outplays them on the field. All of this will only make the defense better moving forward. This should enable CTG to have more players to substitute in more often during the game regardless of who starts.
The ugly truth about UGA
October 12th, 2011
2:37 pm
The athletic history of UGA is full of so many sordid, sleazy incidents – dating back to Vince Dooley and continuing through Mark Richt – that it’s impossible to overlook. The school has come to stand for drunkenness and lawlessness, coddling of illiterate athletes who should never have been admitted to college, and rampant cheating by coaches.
UGA and Mark Richt are an affront and an embarrassment to all decent people in this state.
BIGDAWG37
October 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Keep them rotating and keep them fresh! 4 or 5 linebackers is a good problem to have!!! GO DAWGS~
Judge Dawg
October 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Another attempt by the AJC to stir up controversy where there is none. You cannot have too many good line backers.
crusher
October 12th, 2011
2:45 pm
Could make for a good rotation. Keeping fresh defenders in the game at all times. Work as a team.
LHarding Dawg
October 12th, 2011
2:49 pm
Most coaches ahere to the rule that a injury does’nt lose you a starting position. Therefore, Tree won the job in Spring and Summer and it’s his until he loses it on the field. Its a great problem to have. I wish we had it on our offensive line.
LHarding Dawg
October 12th, 2011
2:50 pm
Hey UGLY – You’re an idiot.
jay
October 12th, 2011
2:52 pm
The defense has been stellar against Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, Miss St. and Tennesee. Certainly
the three SEC teams are in the lower half of the conference. Most unfortunately, so are we. Six
National Championships in the conference and none of them are us.
bucket
October 12th, 2011
3:01 pm
The Ugly Truth: Jealousy and hatred are such petty emotions. If you weren’t jealous you wouldn’t feel the need to come on a UGA blog and spew hatred.
fan
October 12th, 2011
3:01 pm
Amazing that there is another Niceville guy on the AJC blog. It is a small world
Rampdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:12 pm
Ugly Truth is a Techmite, who is so stupid that he still thinks Tech is not on NCAA probation right now.
dawgfacedboy
October 12th, 2011
3:13 pm
Jay- the D looked good against SC. 28 pts is not their’s.
lifelongdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:16 pm
Gilliard, Tree, JJones, and Washington…..simply put the best 4 football players at starter.
Beltway Dawg
October 12th, 2011
3:29 pm
Wally Pipped. He got Wally Pipped.
Lucky Dawg
October 12th, 2011
3:32 pm
The ideal place to get game experience for backups and youngsters is on special teams. Instead we choose to dress out a bunch of under-sized and under-talented walk-ons. I admire their heart and determination, but we’ve got bigger fish to fry than rewarding the scout team.
red&black
October 12th, 2011
3:45 pm
There is no such thing as too much depth, at any position. The rigors of the SEC will wear teams down. Jones, Herrera, Ogletree, Gilliard, Washington, Vasser, Robinson. Such a sweet situation to be in. Too bad we couldn’t have had Kent Turene this year. I’m told he may be every bit as good if not better than some of the aforementioned.
ARdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:53 pm
I’m not seeing the brain science here. All 3 are platooned in the game and finding the starters or another available D position. Keep the best and hungriest on the field
schmeckdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:57 pm
dawgfacedboy
October 12th, 2011
3:13 pm
Jay- the D looked good against SC. 28 pts is not their’s.
*********************************************************************************************************
dawgfacedboy, I’m with you. As a matter of fact, I will only put 14 on our D in the South Carolina game. I don’t put the points that the Crowell fumble that got run down to the 2 yard line and they scored a couple of plays later on the D. The rest of their points come on 2 Murray screw ups and 2 special teams screw ups.
schmeckdawg
October 12th, 2011
3:58 pm
Sorry I meant came not come!
Loyal Dawg
October 12th, 2011
4:21 pm
Heck, if one of these guys can block, put one on the O-Line!
DawginROCKY FORD, Screven County
October 12th, 2011
4:27 pm
We had Boise SHUT DOWN untill TREE got hurt. They never did anything while he was on the field. It was a game changer for sure when he went down. I never really thought about it untill “DawginLex” made me think of it. That guy knows the dogs like my wife knows VERA BRADLEY HANDBAGS. I wish I knew HALF as much about the SEC and GEORGIA in particular as DawginLex!! He makes observations all the time like, “if we score more points we should win”, wow what insight. I bet HIS kids are in the advanced classes in school.
mcdaviddawg
October 12th, 2011
4:32 pm
Make one of them the head coach.
savannadawg
October 12th, 2011
4:52 pm
Chip, at the risk of sounding like an idiot. Why do you let idiots post on your blog? Most of what I have read so far is pure mugg wash. These folks don’t know crapola about shinola. IF Alec Ogeltree comes back he will have to work his way “back in” just like anyone else would. I think 35 and 52 have played dawn good together. You can see they are starting to learn one anothers tendances and attitude. That more than anything can lead to a devastating combination. The biggest thing is don’t kill the continuity these guys have built!
Tyler2011
October 12th, 2011
5:24 pm
We are fortunate to have 4 really good linebackers. I say use them all; rotating them out every so often according to who is playing the best. Start Robinson and Gilliard for Vandy and rotate in Herrera. I believe that Robinson and Gilliard should be in the game on 3rd downs most of the time. And when the time comes to play Florida, just start whoever is playing the best ball and whoever is showing out best in practice. But we have to play them all to keep them fresh because Florida, even without Brantley, is a fast team.
ugab
October 12th, 2011
5:44 pm
MR can not just put TREE in for the Fl game without knowing if Tree is ready for contact. Fl game is too important to bring rusty players back. MR has learned to start the best players. Tree will be back. All I heard at the beginning of the yr is ‘we are thin at Mlb. Now we have depth. Welcome back Tree. We need Tree and Guillard. Goooo Dawgs!! Compete to play!! Compete to win. I would like to see the running game bust wide open before the Fl game. Should I spend my $ and go to the Ga=Fla game this year? Hmmmm! Can Ga Defense stop the Fl speed on the outside? Al sure did
ugab
October 12th, 2011
5:45 pm
P.S. Murray; WE need that deep ball on the money!!!!!
bubba4dawgs
October 12th, 2011
6:37 pm
Best chance we’ve had in many years to nail the gators and it’s about time!!! Let’s get it started and don’t let’em up from here on!! The gators should be outmanned in most every position except running back and the Dawgs “D” should take care of that! Sic’em Dawgs!!!! Then we go after the Nerds, catch one of their “pitch outs” (here you take it, I don’t want it) and take it to the house!!
this dawg want hunt!!
October 12th, 2011
8:04 pm
Tree has done nothing so far, just like UGA. Everyone is going crazy about how much the team has improved and how great the defense is, my God people i hope you realize that the 3 SEC teams UGA beat haven’t won a single SEC game between them. And as bad as these teams are, UGA still couldn’t put them away because of Bobo and Murray. Between Murray’s lack of ball protection, and Bobo’s pitiful play calling, UGA had to sweat out games against inferior competition. Yet UGA fans are in love with Richt and this mediocre program again. Well UGA fans you will probably get what you wish for, another 3 or 4 years of Richt and his mediocre coaching ability, and after this pitiful recruiting class, if he follows that up with another mediocre class, UGA can forget about beating any of it’s rivals. BAMA already has the top linebacker in 2013 committed, and probably the top player in the country who is from Ga. is all Bama. This staff is done, and you will see how wonderful Richt and his buddies are after they go 1 for 3 against Fl, Auburn&Tech, if they win one. Then McGarity will show how great he is at evaluating coaching ability, and he will give Richt an extention. If he does, it will show all UGA fans that McGarity learned nothing from Foley at Florida. Foley would not accept Richt’s pitiful performance in big games, and he would bite the bullet and get rid of this clown. So go beat your chest UGA fans for beating the 3 worst teams in the SEC as usual, but unfortunately you want get to beat it when UGA plays an average Florida and Auburn, Tells you all you need to know about where this program is, and where it is going. It is mediocre, and it is going nowhere. See you in a couple of weeks so i can say i told you so.
dawgfan0617
October 12th, 2011
8:31 pm
I dont know how you take a guy that won SEC LB of the week (read somewhere he won national LB of the week too) out of his starting spot. Gilliard is a beast. Leave him as the starter, red shirt tree and move him to OLB next year. Dont mess with the LB corp. Those guys are tearin it up and tree will be awesome at OLB with his speed and athletic ability. I dont think it matters what they do this year bc the depth at ILB is incredible. Its funny how we all thought that ILB depth was a problem at the beginning of the season and now we have the deepest LB corp in the SEC and maybe the country.
stafford Infection
October 12th, 2011
8:48 pm
I agree with some of you and disagree with most of the rest. First, Grantham will manipulate the scheme in order to get the guys who are playing the best in the game. Assuming Tree and Cornelius are back by florida: Jarvis Jones at sam, Cornelius Washington at Will, Gilliard with Robinson backing him, and Tree at Mo with Herrarra backing him. Also, I hear that Grantham and Richt also liked Herrarra for OLB in the fall so don’t be suprised if he gets a little practice time the next few weeks. 10-2. Richt back. Grantham back. Bobo gone. And I’m done.
Sensei John Kreese
October 12th, 2011
9:04 pm
I’m thinking you start Gilliard, and rotate Herrera and Ogletree this week. No reason to rush him back, we don’t want him to get hurt again before the Florida game.
Delbert D.
October 12th, 2011
9:10 pm
10-2, seems possible.
Vandy: Can’t run the ball
Florida: No QB, No smash-mouth RB
New Mexico St.: New Mexico St.
Auburn: Trotter, not good. Dyer, good. Defense, stopped only Garcia.
Kentucky: Experience and depth on O-line and defense, 2 and 4 against tough sked
Ga. Tech: Wait and see; very young team, up-and-down; lately, down.
BobDawg
October 12th, 2011
9:58 pm
@ this Dawg will hunt… I’ve “captured” your comments and we will revisit what you have said when the time comes… So are you a Dawg fan or not?? I can’t tell…. and do you have a license yet???
JE
October 13th, 2011
5:15 am
It sure is a shame to see Richard Samuel sitting on the bench as just a 20 year old redshirt junior. What a waste. I hope no one accuses him of not being a good dawg.
joe
October 13th, 2011
5:24 am
Wow, He has only played half a game as a starter at linebacker…..and some of you have him going to the NFL as a first round pick already? Now we have debth at LB. Vs. BS he did not play enought to tell how great he was but we hurt when he went out and hurt the next week because of inexperience. Now we have others with more experience at lb than he does. If we are weak at S or C switch him back to DB if needed. No one should get into the swithcheroo situation they have put on players like Samuel and waste a kids talent.
Spaceman Spiff
October 13th, 2011
8:23 am
Looks like our friend posting under “the ugly truth…” (one of many handles) has won today’s “Do you just say stupid s***?” award…
Spaceman Spiff
October 13th, 2011
8:30 am
We can add “this dawg want hunt” to the stupid stuff award list… But I have to ask – “want”????
uga 2010
October 13th, 2011
9:10 am
We need him for the Florida game because his speed and size will stop Raney and Demps. I don’t like rotation because it cause too much confusion and potential penalties.
dwayne
October 13th, 2011
12:19 pm
one…tree is not playing this week
two…better beat Vandy
three…since when did it matter who is QB’ing the Gators?
GO DAWGS!!!
HD27
October 13th, 2011
5:30 pm
I don’t know who will start, but I’d love to see Tree and Gilliard on the field at the same time! Athletes!
Tech Sucks
October 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
We are so stacked on D.
I am Jarvis Jones - LB-UGA
October 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
LB Jones has quietly made big plays all year and with all kids healthy, now with some modest depth, UGA IS FAR BETTER on D than we were in September. The LBS supposedly make the 3-4 work. Now, we have some LB depth for a change.
Let us see if MR can gather his resources toward a SEC East title.
Go Dogs.
Spike 80DF
October 13th, 2011
8:12 pm
stop talking about redshirting Tree, that will just waste the rest of the year since he’ll leave a year early anyway…we still have UF, AU, and GT left and we’ll need him for all those games.
Just saying...
October 13th, 2011
8:28 pm
Could we have one blog where some one doesn’t rail on the immature who have to declare “first”? Ignore the beggars and they will go away. Just saying, I’m not sure which is worse.
Just saying...
October 13th, 2011
8:29 pm
Go Dawgs!!! Get well and get stronger…looking foward to the rest of the season.
Thomas Brown
October 14th, 2011
2:52 am
“With Ogletree slated to return, what should Dogs do at linebacker?”
Play them at running back ?
Play them at wide receiver ?
Thomas Brown
October 14th, 2011
2:53 am
Play them at Fullback ?
Thomas Brown
October 14th, 2011
3:10 am
Put Alec Ogletree back in the Secondary where he belongs and where Rivals, where Scout, where ESPN, where Sporting News, where Under Armour, where AJ-C, where USA Today, where SuperPrep, where PrepStar, where MaxPreps, where Parade Magazine – where they ALL ranked Alec Ogletree the # 2 best Strong Safety in all of America.
Oh, I forget we know what we are doing coaching football here at UGA – all these AWARDS are all just Georgia tek fans. RED DOG 77 says this morning that the season is over – so we should medical redshirt him after NOT starting him in the Secondary for the 1st 7 games last year, then starting him on Offense that game, then back to the bench, then starting him at Strong Safety the last 5 games only. Played 6 games this now, and he has a few minutes of the 1st quarter only. Game 7 now. Vandie. Week 8 is an off-week. Alec Ogletree will play here 3 years, and that includes THIS WASTED SEASON.
zbulldawg
October 14th, 2011
9:53 am
CHIP chip chip First we have drama with Tree out then We have Robinson out! Oh no UGA dosn’t have depth. Well the so called NO DEPTH HAS DEPTH NOW!!!! OH ME WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS? PLAY FOOTBALL Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO DAWGS Sometimes it seems like your not a DAWG fan ?
Jborodawg
October 15th, 2011
9:49 am
“…Ultimately it will be up to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who is thrilled to have the dilemma…Gilliard, Grantham admitted, may be hard to move…”
It’s a no-brainer, as Bob and others have pointed out. Tree comes off the bench and plays his way back in as a starter. Besides, with the plentiful rotation that CTG uses, it hardly matters who starts. Somebody off the bench can end up with as much or more playing time as a starter.
Redshirt Tree?! No way Jose. It wasn’t long ago that the headline was that the Dawgs were thin at LB. Some fools…er, I mean knowledgeable fans…even suggested moving Samuel IV back to LB. Yeah, we’re just eat up with RBs.
Ultimately it will be up to DC TG….our two cents worth notwithstanding.
Layne Tagge
October 16th, 2011
3:58 am
Got a shock at tennis this morno!