Notebook: Dogs’ defense reshuffling lineup yet again
ATHENS – The Bulldogs found out on Wednesday they would be without two defensive starters for the Florida game on Oct. 29. They also added two more with the returns this week of Alec Ogletree and Cornelius Washington.
For defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his staff, being able to mix and match the lineup is old hat at this point. Thanks to injuries and suspensions, Georgia has utilized seven different starting lineups in seven games this season.
There’s a 100 percent chance it will be 8-for-8 against Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 29.
“I’ve always said you rank your players and figure out your best combination for that week,” Grantham said Wednesday. “That’s what we’ve done every week. Guys have been in and out. We really haven’t played a game yet with what started out as our first 11. That’s OK, too, because guys have worked hard and built a lot of mental toughness on our defense and are finding a way to finish.”
Despite losing Ogletree and fellow inside linebacker starter Christian Robinson for multiple games due to injuries in the season’s first two weeks, Georgia made it to the eighth week of the season ranked No. 8 nationally in total defense.
Now they’ll have to adjust yet again as noseguard Kwame Geathers and strong safety Shawn Williams – who have started 10 games between them this season – have been ordered by the SEC to sit out the first half versus the Gators due to unsportsmanlike infractions in the Vanderbilt game.
“I just told them whoever is going to play in their place needs to play hard enough to where when these guys get in during the second half we’re still in contention in the game,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “Somebody’s going to have to step up.”
Grantham and Richt anticipate junior John Jenkins, who has started the last two games and alternates regularly with Geathers, to simply get more snaps at noseguard in the first half. Defensive end DeAngelo Tyson, who played noseguard last season, will slide inside when Jenkins needs a breather in the first half.
As for Williams’ strong safety position, there’s a good chance cornerback Sanders Commings will move there. Commings started at safety when Bacarri Rambo was out for the season opener against Boise State. Branden Smith and/or Damian Swann could fill in at the corner, where they already get a lot of snaps.
Getting Ogletree and Washington back softens the blow.
Starting “Mo” linebacker Ogletree missed the last five games with a broken bone in his right foot. He entered the season with a reputation as potentially Georgia’s most dynamic defensive player. Washington started the first five games at weakside outside linebacker before his Oct. 2 DUI arrest led to a two-game suspension. Robinson, the starting “Mike” linebacker, missed two games and parts of a third with an ankle injury.
Michael Gilliard, Amarlo Herrera, Chase Vasser and Ray Drew all have filled in admirably.
“Guys have stepped up and embraced their roles and some have taken advantage of their opportunities,” Grantham said. “Moving forward we’ll do the same thing, plug guys in and keep moving.”
One option that Grantham took off the table is moving Ogletree back to strong safety.
“I think we’re past that,” he said. “I think he has shown up as an inside linebacker. I think he’s really good there.”
Grantham on SEC decision
Grantham said he wasn’t sure what might happen as the SEC mulled his fate for last Saturday’s postgame confrontation with Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin. But he was clearly happy Wednesday to have it behind him.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure about anything,” Grantham said. “I’ve pretty much said what I’m going to say and moved forward. We’ve got an opportunity to get better this week. That’s what you use the open week for, to get better. We obviously have a big game next week so we’re preparing for that. I’ve moved on and we’re moving forward.”
Grantham did, however, express regret for his actions and said that his outburst is not a reflection of Georgia’s defense.
“I tell our guys you want to play hard from the snap of the ball to the end of the play,” he said. “After that, get back in the huddle. During that time you play hard, you play fast and you play physical. We’ve done that and had very few penalties on defense all year.”
Richt mum on video comments
A Nashville television station released Wednesday an unedited version of video that captured the postgame exchange between Richt and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin. Richt’s voice is nearly inaudible on the video but, according to an transcription being distributed on the Internet of that conversation, Richt uses an expletive to describe Williams, who is accused by Franklin of “rubbing our faces in it.”
Richt was asked after practice Wednesday whether that transcription was accurate.
“I don’t have a comment on that; I don’t think it’s worthy of a comment,” he said. “But I wasn’t happy after the game. I can say that. I wasn’t happy.”
Asked why he was upset, Richt said: “The thing I was bothered by mostly was, the game’s over, it was a great game, let’s all go shake hands and say good luck. Let’s do that. Can we do that? That’s my goal personally and that’s my goal for our football team and that’s how I want to operate from this point forward. Hopefully that will be the case.”
Stafford takes up for Richt
Former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is now starring for the Detroit Lions, was asked the “hot seat” question Richt on a teleconference call with reporters on Wednesday. Stafford’s Lions play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
“I’ve always been a huge Mark Richt fan,” Stafford said. “He’s one of the huge reasons I went to Georgia from Texas. I think he’s great for that program, he’s great for the community, he’s great for the kids in that program. They’ve really started stepping up and playing better these last couple of weeks. They lost to two really good football teams the first two weeks. They are a young team in many spots, still learning the defense and acclimating to some new players they are mixing in. I have total confidence that he will get the job done, for sure.”
Etc. . . .
Georgia cornerback/kick returner Brandon Boykin missed practice while undergoing a dental procedure on Wednesday. Boykin busted his mouth and several lower teeth on a kickoff return against Mississippi State on Oct. 1. . . . Bacarri Rambo also sat out portions of Wednesday’s full-contact workout due to a turf-toe injury. It’s not expected to limit his play against Florida. . . . Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was on the field in a green jersey but did not dress out in full pads and did participate in most drills. . . . Tailback Carlton Thomas dressed out but remained in green with an undisclosed leg injury. . . . Former Bulldog A.J. Green attended Georgia’s practice Wednesday. The Cincinnati Bengals’ star receiver was in town on an off week.
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407 comments Add your comment
RedandBlackDawg
October 20th, 2011
10:59 am
GTFAN1951,
And your statistical analysis has what to do with this article and the game of football? Just more sour grapes by a Tech. fan. Can’t beat UGA on the field 9 out 10 times, so try to beat them some other way, by relying on a news report.
GO DAWGS and GATA
LHarding Dawg
October 20th, 2011
11:10 am
This base member is fine with Coach Richt.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
11:10 am
tenndawg
The state of Georgia ranks 3rd in 4 and 5 star recruits
The state of Georgia has been a top 5 recruiting state for 20+ years
Under the Mark Richt era UGA has put more players in the NFL than anyone in the SEC
Since 1999 UGA ranks 4th in putting players in the NFL
UGA is second in money behind Texas
UGA has been a top 5 merchandise seller for years
UGA has one of the largest fanbases
With that mentioned above UGA fans should never expect to beat FL or top 10 teams, or actually win the SEC east outright for once
But hey, UGA fans like Gary and Columbus think the crystal trophy is awarded to teams that have 10 win seasons, lose to your #1 rival every year, have a losing record against top 10 teams and a 500 record against top 25 teams and lead the nation in player arrests the past 5 years.
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
11:18 am
ARdawg October 20th, 2011 10:33 am
“If I had heard it I’d be calling for Richt’s butt now.”
____________________________________________________________
So, what you are saying ARdawg, sir, is that you are calling this libel by Jeff Schultz this morning ?
____________________________________________________________
“Here’s the transcript from the news video:
Franklin: “36 comes up, after a tough game, talking **** to me!
Richt: “Okay.”
Franklin: “Rubbing our face in it right after the game!”
Richt: “He’s a dumb***.”
Franklin: “And then your coach when I tell him about it, then he goes after me and the fight starts.”
Richt: “That’s what I thought happened, I apologize. It’s horse **** horse ****.”
Then coach Franklin finds another coach to express his feelings to.
Franklin: ” Hey, 36 after a tough game, come over and going to talk **** in my face after the game. That’s NOT how my guys do it!”
____________________________________________________________
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/10/19/sec-punishes-players-but-no-reprimand-for-coaches/?cp=13#comment-379539
Please advise
DJ Dawg
October 20th, 2011
11:25 am
@Thomas Brown
Drop it already!! If dumbass is to sensitive for your little ears then get off the blog… WUSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DJ Dawg
October 20th, 2011
11:28 am
Franklin: ” Hey, 36 after a tough game, come over and going to talk **** in my face after the game. That’s NOT how my guys do it!”
My guys just act like a bunch of wussies and run up from behind and take your knees out!!! What a loser!!!!!
Spaceman Spiff
October 20th, 2011
11:32 am
@Thomas Brown
Please answer the question that all of us are just dying to know – what is it about the real Thomas Brown that makes you so in love with him that you just have to use his name as your handle? It’s ok to love someone, but you may have upped it to the stalking level…
WhoDat?
October 20th, 2011
11:34 am
Will be the answer to beat the Gators? i think the Gators just suck and are more banged up than the dawgs are.
bucket
October 20th, 2011
11:36 am
The cover-up continues in the Domique Easley case: One month and counting, “Police said their attempts to get Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley’s version of what happened between him and a former University of Alabama football player early Sunday have stalled after Easley retained an attorney. Former Crimson Tide and Cincinnati Bengals player Reggie Myles filed a complaint with the University of Florida Police Department alleging he was attacked by Easley. Easley is being represented by Huntley Johnson, a Gainesville lawyer with extensive experience representing UF athletes.” Maybe our crack reporters at the AJC can get off their high horse long enough to do some investigating on this rather than trying to figure out what Mark Richt did or did not say to Coach James Franklin. There are real good stories out there to be found and investigated and apparently the UF police aren’t going to do it!
Jasont13
October 20th, 2011
11:39 am
No one knows what Richt said to Shawn Willams after the game, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or even today. Who knows. He could have apologized or said you were acting like a dumb as$ etc. Like I said nobody knows what has been said behind closed doors. Real Fans support the team no matter what. I would rather have fans that give their full support than the ones who want to bitch and complain. Yes that means you Thomas Brown AKA BuLLdawg and Flat Tire.
Delbert D.
October 20th, 2011
11:43 am
Weis is going to have to come up with something unusual to get the Florida offense working for this game. 2 weeks off helps. When I lived in Oakland in the early ’70s, the Raiders were heavily favored over the Chiefs at Kansas City. Hank Stram surprised the whole NFL by using the straight-T formation and running the ball right at the Raiders all day for the upset.
LHarding Dawg
October 20th, 2011
11:47 am
Apparently all you need to gash our defense in a running quarterback. Rogers ran through us like his brother does against the Falcons.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
11:49 am
Jasont13
Fans like you is the reason UGA will never be on the level of AL LSU FL USC OHIO ST etc
Fans like you accept mediocrity when the ability to win big is at UGA
Real fans want the best for their team not you
Oh and you show your ignorance thinking Im Thomas Brown switching names. There are plenty of other people in this world that dont drink kool-aid like you
I guess Im tenndawg and Joey, and others who see the big picture too
I bet your still crying because your buddy Willy Martinez was fired
kybodawg
October 20th, 2011
11:50 am
i was listening to paul finebaum monday. he thinks franklin is great for saying we wont take it anymore, he said richt doesnt have controll of his program and that grantham is a punk who should be fired. how does he know what franklin said to williams or grantham. i guess geathers over reacted to. finbaum is an idiot who always shoots from the lip. 2007 mark richt was the greatest coach he had ever seen and now he is viral on richt.
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
11:52 am
Guys, please stop beating me up. I am young and just can’t handle it. I don’t really understand football, certainly never played it and in fact, Madden and Play Station College football is my only real experience with it. I haven’t ever even been a bulldogs fan either which is probably obvious by my postings. I am 16 years old and blog out of my mom’s house in my underwear. I haven’t been to class consistantly in about 8 months but I guess that’s obvious too. The reason for the name Thomas Brown has more to do with calling out mediocrity as the real Thomas Brown epitomized. Anyway, if you guys could cut me some slack since I haven’t really got much in the way of actual game knowledge, i would apprecate it.
Here’s more stats for you
PENALTIES G No. Yards Avg/G
1. Kentucky 6 23 160 26.7
2. Alabama 7 22 198 28.3
3. Miss. State 7 37 278 39.7
4. S. Carolina 7 46 341 48.7
5. Arkansas 6 40 303 50.5
6. LSU 7 47 368 52.6
7. Tennessee 6 39 320 53.3
8. Vanderbilt 6 42 327 54.5
9. Georgia 7 48 388 55.4
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
11:54 am
I certainly know where all this played out, here in the Press. And, I certainly have seen no apology from Mark Richt other than some wimp response that he “cursed.” I expect a real man to apologize in the press to the student in good standing at my alma mater. You get that, JasonT13 who has never posted the 1st post ever on any blog at any time ? You just want all this to blow-over. I want the BAD PRESS that has gone on for 11 years, to end. I also don’t like losing 17 games in 11 years to teams who would not have finished in the Top 25 without beating Mark Richt, to end. Further, I would like to not be # 35 in the nation over these last 11 years now vs teams who finished Top 10. Further, I am trying to keep MORE of than the 31 ALREADY MISSING from the 1st half a week from tomorrow from also not leaving from lack of support by this wimp coaching staff. It is HARDLY only me, and of course, if you read my posts, you certainly read all their posts – all saying the same. In fact, there is NO DIVISION in The Bulldog Nation this morning that MARK RICHT IS WRONG. But, hey, you are welcome to your opinion. Anytime. Whatever you want to say, JasonT13.
C from Marietta
October 20th, 2011
11:55 am
Really? We are still talking about this? I am behind you Coach Richt all the way. GO DAWGS! Time to stop whining bout it.
bobby
October 20th, 2011
12:02 pm
Look uga has has great chance at 10-2 but the offense has to play better and also the special teams.
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:04 pm
kybodawg October 20th, 2011 11:50 am
Here is what has happened since that time, sir :
1-#27 in nation in won/lost record after 2005
2-#2 in nation Most Arrests Fulmer Cup after 2005
3-Bad Press daily
4-31 Scholarship recruits missing 1st half vs FL
5-more losses to CUPCAKES which was already 1 a yr
6-more losses to teams finishing top 10 – now 1 a yr
7-no wins over any team finishing top 10 except 06 with 4 Loss
8-Suspensions
9-Transfers out
10-undiscipline # 85 nation 2011 in penalties
11-not even been to SEC CG after 2005
12-2005 was Seven (7) seasons ago
Football Programs get out of hand, don’t they kybodawg ?
Now, Mark Richt calls 1 of his scholarship recruits in good standing at UGA a DUMB*** and has no set to go to the press and apologize in the same forum where he runs to BLAME THE PLAYERS after EVERY MOUNTING LOSS. This season, he has BEAT NO ONE. Not 1.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
12:06 pm
the 2 decent teams we played ended in a loss
the 10 wins will be against garbage this year
something to brag about
C from Marietta
October 20th, 2011
12:07 pm
@Thomas Brown
I don’t know if your a freaking genius or some kind of fool. Hard to time from a blog. However, one thing I know is you want Coach Richt fired! LOL. Lighten up. It’s 18 to 22 year olds playing a GAME.
Lakedawg
October 20th, 2011
12:09 pm
Thomas Brown—It’s a shame for a Tecchie to use the name of a DGD as his/her handle. Who gives a crap about the inane stats you keep posting.
Write something about your your own head coach and that sorry program.
Coach Richt handled the situation about as well as possible, get the players off field, get Franklin out of his face, and address problem with Grantham and players afterwards.
C from Marietta
October 20th, 2011
12:10 pm
I think it comes down to special teams. O and D have been solid. BUT the O needs to stay on the gas petal. I think the analysis above is correct. They get conservative.
C from Marietta
October 20th, 2011
12:12 pm
Flat tire is a Gator fan. How lame is it to come here and pretend to be a UGA fan.
C from Marietta
October 20th, 2011
12:14 pm
Oh the “drink” the Kool Aid saying is really lame. Jim Rome anyone lol.
TampaDawg
October 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
I am just ticked that CMR didn’t just tell that piece of crap Franklin to worry about coaching his own players instead of whining like a 5 year old. That jerk has the audacity to say “that’s not how we play” .. you’re right, your players don’t talk smack while the players are upright but I bet they sure do after every cut block with an intent to injure. And by the way Coach Franklin, who was your sissy center seeking his thumbs up approval from? Was it you?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
12:18 pm
C from Marietta is a loser UGA fan that thinks the following:
The state of Georgia ranks 3rd in 4 and 5 star recruits
The state of Georgia has been a top 5 recruiting state for 20+ years
Under the Mark Richt era UGA has put more players in the NFL than anyone in the SEC
Since 1999 UGA ranks 4th in putting players in the NFL
UGA is second in money behind Texas
UGA has been a top 5 merchandise seller for years
UGA has one of the largest fanbases
He thinks that mediocrity is ok and fans like me that know we can do better arent UGA fans
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:19 pm
“The Offense has been solid” by C from Marietta.
Good heavens.
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:21 pm
Flat tire, he is in the minority.
He knows that.
But, like all the rest of us, he will come around
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
I can’t believe the number of people on here who don’t like me. The amount of amazing stats that I spend all day looking up formatting and copying and pasting on here should be enough to help you all out. I am a tech fan. I don’t have a job being as young as I am but I don’t plan on getting one either, I am a tech fan, since I think it’s the government’s job to take care of me while I blog all day. I chose the name Thomas Brown because it sounded better than Joe Hamilton, I am a tech fan. It may be time for me to go make mom some grilled cheese. Be right back.
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
You left off we are # 11 all-time in 1-A wins
but # 27 after 2005 in 1-A wins
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
C from Marietta
instead of kool-aid drinker how about:
Bong Smoker
Delusional Retard
Mental Midget
Richt Appologist
layinlow
October 20th, 2011
12:24 pm
This horse has been beat to freakin death. Can we please get some articles on the up coming Florida game? Anyone want to talk GA/FL? I’m not a big fan of Richt but he handle this situation like he should have done. All this bs about not having Grantham’s back is stupid becasue he acted like an idiot. Lets move on and see how this season plays out. I do agree that if we lose to UF and don’t end up is the championship game Richt should be let go. But lets get behind the team and rally the troops and see what happens.
OldFan
October 20th, 2011
12:43 pm
I’m all for moving on, too. On the dumbass meter this episode plugs in at about average for stupid things said by agitated people when they’d rather not have a microphone around. If you’ve ever been on the field, on the court, or on the course in any competition, you should realize that sports is a showcase for both integrity and stupidity—and in my experience, a pretty even blend of each. It’s had its 15 minutes of fame. Let’s get ready to beat Florida.
Delbert D.
October 20th, 2011
12:46 pm
I’ve been posting on the blogs for 3 years now, and I didn’t know that Flat Tire was a Florida Fan. I have always thought that he is a Georgia fan who isn’t happy with the coaching.
Delbert D.
October 20th, 2011
12:50 pm
Somebody answer this: what is Florida going to do at QB for the Georgia game? Is Brantley going to be back? Are they going to run the single wing with Burton? That team has presented no identity on offense in the games I’ve seen (some were against pretty tough competition, though.)
kingsfoil
October 20th, 2011
12:51 pm
I agree with layinlow. Go Dawgs!!! Beat the Gators!!!
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:51 pm
Delbert D. That’s what I thought, too. When did he say he was a Florida fan ?
Thomas Brown
October 20th, 2011
12:54 pm
layinlow October 20th, 2011 12:24 pm
” I’m not a big fan of Richt ”
____________________________________________________________
kingsfoil October 20th, 2011 12:51 pm
” I agree with layinlow. ”
____________________________________________________________
Me 3.
Buttsex
October 20th, 2011
12:59 pm
CMR must go!
DAWGtired
October 20th, 2011
1:02 pm
These posts crack me up.
1)Arkansas will ensure our place in the SEC title game.
2)Florida is a bad team. No two ways around it. If we lose this game, it is due to poor coaching.
3)Why didn’t Mark Richt assume the responsibility for the poor discipline that this team in showing as of late? Oh yeah, he’s so arrogant that the idea is complete inconceivable.
4)The game is already a mismatch. Same problems on Special Teams, Florida has a poor offense, and we have a great defense. We have an explosive offense, and their defense is POROUS against anyone who can move the ball in a balanced fashion (lost the Bama/LSU game b/c of this, won against Tennessee b/c they are one dimesional) AUBURN BEAT THEM WITH NOTHING MORE THAN A RUSHING OFFENSE.
5)The suspension for Geathers was legit. That’s his trade-off. Williams suspension was arbitrary (non-mandatory suspension) and Slive should be exposed for his blatant bias.
6)AJC is garabage. No journalistic integrity, and they are doing NOTHING to get the fans amped about the ACTUAL GAME which should be the focus.
7)Don’t be blind, we will make it to the SECCG, but will be handed so much power, speed, and experience that we would have wished SC had won out.
s
October 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
Flat tire is a Gator? I thought that a few years ago then I thought I heard him defending the Dawgs.
FLAT TIRE what/who are you a fan of there seems to be some confusion.
Still@theBAR
October 20th, 2011
1:04 pm
Wow what happened to the rest of my name?
Still@theBAR
October 20th, 2011
1:06 pm
Flat Tire will you change your name if UGA wins in Jaxville this year. Maybe “Rolling on Retreads” LOL.
DAWGtired
October 20th, 2011
1:10 pm
@theBAR-
You’re one of the few ojective bloggers on here that I trust (for a Tech fan) with an nonshaded opinion (besides T.Brown). What’s your take on the FL game? Read my opine above.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 20th, 2011
1:14 pm
s
why is there confusion. Im a UGA fan through and through
When I post stuff such as this:
The state of Georgia ranks 3rd in 4 and 5 star recruits
The state of Georgia has been a top 5 recruiting state for 20+ years
Under the Mark Richt era UGA has put more players in the NFL than anyone in the SEC
Since 1999 UGA ranks 4th in putting players in the NFL
UGA is second in money behind Texas
UGA has been a top 5 merchandise seller for years
UGA has one of the largest fanbases
And then say why cant UGA beat FL and compete for championships. Why am I called a Tech fan or a FL fan.
I know what UGA can become and want that
Some people just cant handle the truth of this program has a FLAT TIRE with no one to fix the problem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoNE14U_zM
1eyedJack
October 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
Some things I like about the way Coach Richt handled this situation, some things I don’t.
Some things I like about Todd Grantham, some things I don’t.
I’m a half-blind homer.
Notebook: Dogs’ defense reshuffling lineup yet again – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) - My Best Dogs
October 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
[...] Oct, 2011 Dog News webmaster@technorati.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick [...]
concern
October 20th, 2011
1:19 pm
Franklin as a coach should not have been raving and pointing his finger at UGA player. Unbelievable not suspended by the SEC and Vandy. Am I wrong? Unfortunately Vandervilt is not the class school I had thought they were.
UGA players have taken many unsportmans hits from opposing teams during past year with no action from SEC with the exception of punch in the eye by Flordia player and that was only after hugh out cry by fans and press.
Still@theBAR
October 20th, 2011
1:21 pm
Flat Tire I don’t know but it seems some UGA fans think you are not one of them. By your name when i started reading the blogs I thought you were a Gator. I then understand your name from the frustration.