Jarvis Jones thinks Dogs’ defense just as good as LSU’s, ‘if not better’
Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones (L) may have inadverently threw down a challenge to LSU when he talked up the Dogs' defense on Monday. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – It was a simple question that was posed to Georgia’s Jarvis Jones during a teleconference call with reporters on Monday. The sophomore outside linebacker was asked if he thought the Bulldogs’ defense was somewhat overshadowed by LSU’s and how he thought the two units stacked up.
Jones answered it quickly and honestly.
“I mean, everybody praises LSU defense, but I know we’ve got a pretty good defense,” said Jones, the SEC’s leader in quarterback sacks with 13.5. “We’re not cocky at all. We’re just going to play. We do our job and get after it on the field. We like having fun. We love playing football. We’re aggressive. We play just as well as them. A lot of people don’t give us credit [for] how we play. I think we play two different styles.”
Then came the line that caught everybody’s attention.
Said Jones: “I think our defense is just as good as theirs, if not better.”
That statement, tweeted out by several reporters, reverberated all the way to Baton Rouge. LSU wide receiver Russell Shephard quickly noticed it on Twitter and forwarded it to his teammates with the message, “is this guy serious?” That was followed by more than a few “ha-ha’s” and multiple exclamation points.
Suddenly, a little interleague argument has developed between the teams about which one has the best defense. Not surprisingly, Jones’ teammates have come to his defense, so to speak.
“He said it, so I’m going to back him up,” Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo said. “I’m going to be right there with him. That’s my brother, that’s my family, so whatever he says we’re all going to back him up. . . . I also can say I believe we have one of the best defenses in the country, right up there with the LSUs. We have some very talented guys on the defensive side of the ball, too, and I can back it up when I say that.”
Said junior linebacker Christian Robinson: “Look at the numbers. We’re hanging. We’re up there in numbers, too. If we go out there and do what we’re supposed to do on this Saturday, we can end up better than they are not just in the numbers but by winning the game. You don’t want to get into word battles, but if they want to go and say things like [Shephard said], that’s the worse thing to do. There has been a lot of teams that go out there and run their mouth a lot and get beat.”
LSU is ranked slightly ahead of Georgia in every major defensive category and the Tigers have done it against a tougher overall schedule. But the Bulldogs are no slouches. They, too, rank as a Top 10 defense. Following are the latest national rankings:
LSU——-Category———Georgia
2——–Total Def.———-5
4——–Rush Def.———-6
3——-Pass Eff. D———-4
2——–Scoring D———10
6——–Passing D———11
16———Sacks————17
The one thing Georgia feels it may have going for it on Saturday is a more diversified offense. The Tigers are very much a run-first offense while the Bulldogs throw the ball a little more. Georgia feels the Tigers’ propensity for wanting to run the ball straight at opponents with their bevy of big backs and dare them to stop it actually plays into its hands.
“They’re not going to go away from their game scheme, so we’ve just got to bow up,” Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo said. “We’ve got to keep attacking and making tackles and not allow big plays. We know they’re going to run the ball, so we’ve just got to be prepared for it.”
Said Robinson: “I think we’ve shown we can hang with teams that run it. Auburn relied heavily on the run and we shut them down. LSU is not shy about their run game. That’s all they want to do and then they’ve got some receivers that can go get it. So we’ll take the challenge, not in a cocky way, but we can hang. So we’ll be ready.”
Said Jones: “It’s a challenge for us as a defense. But you always want to be challenged and you want to step up accomplish those challenges. So it’s going to be a big day for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
An intriguing matchup just got more intriguing, don’t you think?
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683 comments Add your comment
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:49 pm
DP
November 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
TampaDawg, Aaron Murray’s QB efficiency rating is all of 5 points higher than A.J. McCarron’s, roughly 154 to 149.
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Yeah, I know, but then again, not many except Bama fans and those who hate UGA would even put the two in the same category. Might be because of the 125 three yard out passes that McCarron throws. Murray is a MUCH better QB than McCarron.
DawginLex
November 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
bulldawg under his 100th blog handle at 2:49
TexasDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
@ GTBob – “B’dawg, yeah, i’m real sad that my team isn’t going to get embarrassed this weekend by a team we have no business playing.”
Yeah, like they did last weekend.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
Flat Tire, so are you saying that there is something wrong about running Carlton Thomas off tackle or up the middle?
Smokewagon
November 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
I called for a pizza delivery so GT Joe will be back in a while.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
“But, according to Richt-0-Philes, Mark Richt had a better season 2005 than LSU.
Right.”
I am assuming that was a question but there was no question mark so I wasn’t sure. But who walked away with the SEC title in 2005? That was a question.
kybodawg
November 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
what i would like to imagine is ga. playing at the beggining of the season like they are now and see there stats.
No, we get to play in The SEC Championship Game because we didn't play Arkansas like you had to.
November 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
“in five seasons when Mark Richt played a quarterback starting for the first time, Georgia went 41-23 (.640), with one 10-win season. That would have been senior D.J. Shockley, who played regularly in previous years behind David Greene, leading the Dawgs to a 10-3 record and the SEC title. In the six seasons in which Richt has had a returning starter at quarterback, the Dawgs are 65-13 (.833) with one SEC title and four SEC East championships.”
That’s not true.
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
Cheer up Carolina. Put aside the fact that your mascot is poultry and your stadium is in a demilitarized zone and look at the bright side- this might be the year that you get that elusive 5th bowl win.
GTBob
November 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
Yeah, like they did last weekend.
Exactly. Losing to UGA by that many points was pretty embarrassing. UGA losing to LSU by probably twice that will be worse.
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
GT Bob ladies and gentlemen. He’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
Matthews Dawg
November 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
Just found this on ESPN website and found it very interesting!!
Thanks to reader Matt Heyes for this note: in five seasons when Mark Richt played a quarterback starting for the first time, Georgia went 41-23 (.640), with one 10-win season. That would have been senior D.J. Shockley, who played regularly in previous years behind David Greene, leading the Dawgs to a 10-3 record and the SEC title. In the six seasons in which Richt has had a returning starter at quarterback, the Dawgs are 65-13 (.833) with one SEC title and four SEC East championships.
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Been saying that all year. It’s called transition seasons in college. Or another way of saying it is “the real reason why U R B A N .. M E Y E R left UF”
billy gee
November 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
oh get real GA,during that vwinning streak u didn,t beat no quailty teams, so when saturday nite gets here, you Dawgs fans will being crying da same old thing year trying to fire your coach,for example LSU beat Oregon,Bama,WEST vA JUST TO NAME A FEW……….
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
2:59 pm
GT Bob, thanks for your concern.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
won’t be worse to YOU Bob.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
billy gee
November 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
oh get real GA,during that vwinning streak u didn,t beat no quailty teams, so when saturday nite gets here, you Dawgs fans will being crying da same old thing year trying to fire your coach,for example LSU beat Oregon,Bama,WEST vA JUST TO NAME A FEW……….
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Oh really? I have never heard that …. you must work for Reuters being able to break news like that.
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
billy gee can break news and has a way with words- a double threat guy!!!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
gdawginkalamazoo
Yea I say there is something wrong with running Carlton Thomas up the middle
He’s been way more successful to the outside as has Crowell.
JMac
November 29th, 2011
3:03 pm
@Tampa, and all those pretty stats mean what?? How many NC have those pretty stats produced?? How about these stats: Since CMR took over at UGA, Alabama, Auburn, have won a NC and Florida and LSU 2 each. In other words, to quote the late, great UGA grad Lewis Grizzard… “If you ain’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes”. The scenery has not changed in many years, regardless of all the pretty stats.
BILLY GEE
November 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
oh get real GA fans, u gonna get a real ass-whomping sat-nite, u want to find some HOPE in beating LSU cause you made it to the SEC championship ,just face it an be true to yourself ,so yall DAWGS wont raise u guys blood pressure……LSU 34-GA 10
Joshua
November 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
I think people are reading into what Jones is saying too much. He points out that UGA’s numbers are just as good as LSU’s. But all the so called experts are saying it doesn’t match up to LSU’s and that Georgia can’t last with the size and strength of LSU. Jones is pointing out that Georgia’s just isn’t getting the respect that they deserve.
It is interesting that Georgia has the bigger O and D lines, both averaging over 329 lbs. It also has bigger linebackers. The talent is there for Georgia, the question is the consistency. LSU has been more consistent at defense than Georgia in rush defense. LSU has given up less than 90 yards five times, between 90 and 100 yards, three times, and over 100 yards four times. Also the most they gave up was 148 against Ole Miss. Georgia on the other hand has given up less than 80 yards seven times (less than 65 in all seven), and in the other five over 100 yards (three of which were 200 or more). LSU hasn’t had the stellar performance in the run defense that Georgia has had, but they have been real consistent. Georgia on the other hand has given up a lot or nothing. To Georgia defense with the exception of South Carolina, Vandy, and Tech, Georgia has been the better run defense (All three LSU didn’t play). Not sure South Carolina would run that well without Lattimore against Georgia. Vandy may have been a fluke. And just ask Bama about the triple option (they gave up 221 yard against it to GA Southern).
I know people want to say that with LSU’s schedule and Georgia it is apples to oranges, because LSU played the tougher schedule. So lets compare the teams that they both played. LSU gave up 52 yards on 34 carries to Miss State. Georgia gave up 56 yards on 34 carries. LSU gave up 113 yard on 32 carries to Florida. Georgia gave up -19 yards on 22 carries. LSU gave up 111 yards on 29 carries to Tennessee. Georgia gave up -20 on 23 carries. LSU gave up 87 yards on 34 carries to Auburn. Georgia gave up 51 yard on 25 carries. LSU gave up 148 yards on 42 carries to Ole Miss. Georgia gave up 34 yards on 26 carries. These are the apples to apples comparisons. I think that Jones may have some room to talk.
I’m not going to say that Georgia will win, but we have a good shot. Spy Russell, and watch the Boise game again. Look at what Kellen Moore did to us. LSU gives up a lot of short passes. They don’t give up much after the catch, and not many big plays. But if we take 3, 4, or 5 yards every down we can score. I think the key to the game will be Aaron Murray, will he be able to keep the defense guessing? Georgia will be the second best defense that LSU will play this year. Look at what Bama did and find a way to get points, and we can win this game.
No, we get to play in The SEC Championship Game because we didn't play Arkansas like you had to.
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
In the 3 seasons Mark Richt had a QB starting for the 1st time, he is 8-4 2001, 10-3 2005, and 6-7 2010, a total of 24-14.
In the 8 seasons Mark Richt had a QB returning as a Starter, he is 82-22.
2002 David Greene did not start for the 1st time 13-1, 2003 he was 11-3 and 2004 he was 10-2. 2006, Joe Tereshinski III did not start for the 1st time, because he had STARTED AGAINST FLORIDA 2005, so that is 9-4 with returning starter at QB. 2007, 11-2 Matthew Stafford did not start for the 1st time. 2008 Matthew Stafford did not start for the 1st time and went 10-3. 2009 Joe Cox did not start for the 1st time, since he had started the Colorado game 2006, so that is 8-5 on the ledger for not starting for the 1st time. 2011 the 10-2 is Aaron Murray not starting for the 1st ime.
82-22 when QB wasn’t starting for the 1st time.
24-14 when QB was starting for the 1st time.
You’re just wrong. And, the guy you are quoting is wrong. You should have thought about it. I knew it was wrong on the face of it.
bulldog steve
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
I saw somewhere that the LSU offense is ranked somewhere in the 70’s, but their scoring is in the teens, so that means special teams and defense play a huge part of their scoring, which scares the crap out of me. We can absolutely not have any turnovers or special teams blunders in order to stay with them. Maybe that Honey Bear guy will miss the bus or something. He seems to be in the middle of everything!
Preston
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
Carlton Thomas does not have the frame to be running up the middle in the SEC. His speed and agility make him dangerous when he gets in the open field. That’s why he should be running sweeps or catching screens.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
Will Coach Meyer be referring to himself in the third person at the press conference?
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
Flat Tire, yesand that is the source of my frustration with the play calling this season.
I sincerely hope that Mr Jones backs up these statements this Saturday afternoon!
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
BILLY GEE
November 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
oh get real GA fans, u gonna get a real ass-whomping sat-nite, u want to find some HOPE in beating LSU cause you made it to the SEC championship ,just face it an be true to yourself ,so yall DAWGS wont raise u guys blood pressure……LSU 34-GA 10
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Who is saying we are going to win bonehead? Way to join the conversation late .. got anymore brilliant analysis there Mark May Jr.?
GTBob
November 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
He points out that UGA’s numbers are just as good as LSU’s.
I don’t think he is saying this and if he was then he would be wrong. UGA’s numbers are not as good as LSU’s.
WDE
November 29th, 2011
3:09 pm
My God is it Great to be a Georgia Bull Dog !! The better we are the worse the trolls hate it!! Fellow members of the Bull Dog Nation these are fine times !!! Win or lose this weekend it has been a Hell of a ride this season and a pleasure sharing the ups and downs as the season has unfolded with all of you !!!
Old Dawg
November 29th, 2011
3:09 pm
First rule of football communications: Never give the other team bulletin board material.
Like many folks, I agree UGA has a shot at beating LSU. However, giving it a rallying cry doesn’t help the cause.
TexasDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
@ What It’s Worth – “ESPN has said over and over and over and over that the only two teams that exist are Alabama and LSU.”
Yep, ESPN, those protectors of pedophiles really know how to pick and choose.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:15 pm
Joe Cox came into the Colorado game. He did start the Ole’ Miss game though. Still pretty hard to consider him the returning starter in 2009 though, since that had been 3 seasons before.
1969 Graduate
November 29th, 2011
3:15 pm
We’ll find out on Saturday. It should be fun.
To me, sandbagging is a better tactic than boasting before the game.
I prefer the pregame prognostications by the “experts” who say Georgia has no chance, LSU can mail it in, LSU can have their scout team play, LSU can use their band instead of their football team.
These professional prognosticators don’t have to know what they’re talking about, but their “expert” sandbagging is a real help to the team they frame as the helpless underdog.
Truth is, LSU is a formidable opponent, and an excellent football team. It will be an honor to be on the field with them. We can respect them, and also try to stomp their heads into the ground.
We’re supposed to try to beat them, and our guys are supposed to believe in themselves, and their potential.
I’m glad our defense is confident, and I really want them to have a good time playing. It’s a fun game to play when things are going your way, and things go your way when you’re having fun.
LSU is an excellent team. They seem a bit too prideful, and invincible for their own good, and look ripe for a whipping, but what do I know. Maybe they are the best team in history. Maybe they can beat us by 30 points, or more…
I’m pretty sure all Georgia fans know we’re the underdogs.
Go, Georgia Bulldogs!
No, we get to play in The SEC Championship Game because we didn't play Arkansas like you had to.
November 29th, 2011
3:16 pm
Alabama and LSU are not pedophiles
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
3:17 pm
dawginzoo
I say there is something wrong running Thomas inside the tackles, he is very ineffective. How many of those have been positive gain 3+ yards? Why not hand off to the FBs instead in that situation?
No, we get to play in The SEC Championship Game because we didn't play Arkansas like you had to.
November 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
Yes, he started Ole Miss. I remember. Came in and BAILED OUT Matthew Stafford in the Colorado game OR WE WOULD HAVE LOST BOTH GAMES TO COLORADO thanks to Aaron Murray and Matthew Stafford.
That is not
not returning starter
TexasDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
@ DP – “Georgia would like to have a dimension like Trent Richardson instead of the guy who takes himself out of the game every time he gets winded or nicked up, Isaah Crowell”
No argument on that one! I hope Richard Samuel is ready to go like he did VS Florida. I have zero confidence in IC; when the Honey Badger smacks him, he will head for the sidelines.
Congrats on LSU’s great season, here’s hoping you end up 12-1!
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
LSU is 12-0, got the entire world up thier skirt and appearantly guaranteed a spot at the MNCG. Does anyone really think that some Georgia player saying that they can hang is going to motivate them in the least?
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:20 pm
You too WDE .. win or lose this weekend, either way it has been a fun year.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:21 pm
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:15 pm
Joe Cox came into the Colorado game. He did start the Ole’ Miss game though. Still pretty hard to consider him the returning starter in 2009 though, since that had been 3 seasons before.
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Don’t bother Altamaha .. it’s “Thomas Brown” with more spin. He got revealed earlier and has used about 5 different tags today so far.
Whatever
November 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
LSU will win there is no doubt. Georgia might keep it close for a little while . Happy day Mutts
We Ruin This State
November 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
When will UGA step up to its responsibility as a football school and win a national championship ?
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
Well one thing is for sure, he was not “a QB starting for the first time”. Matt Heyes needed to work on his wording a bit on that one.
The idea that having experience rolling over from the previous year is way better than not, was a solid point though.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
3:27 pm
To all, I know that running any of our backs, except maybe Boo or Samuesl, inside the tackles won’t work. I was being sarcastic. Thomas is almost a 1/3 the size of one of our OL’s. I think Bobo believes that the DL might confuse Thomas for an OL’s thigh or something and allow him to get away.
Living in America's drainfield can make you silly
November 29th, 2011
3:28 pm
LSU is a double digit favorite and should be. They have beaten some great teams this year and have looked like the best team in the country.
But lets set a few things straight. Every single Georgia starter was a four or five star player out of high school, except Robinson who was a three star player. 4 starters were 5 star recruits. 9 Georgia starters were offered by LSU, the other 2 by 75% of the SEC. Georgia gets top 5/10 talent every year and has for ever. There are more D1 athletes in Georgia than in LSU, and there are every year.
5 of Georgia’s front seven will start on Sunday, the other two will play on Sunday. The big difference is Georgia’s secondary is pretty good, LSU’s is elite.
Georgia is also 6-3 against LSU in the lifetime of the players on the field.
That’s “doing something”.
Georgia has more wins than LSU
Georgia has won the SEC more than LSU
Georgia has more bowl appearances than LSU
Georgia has more bowl wins than LSU
Georgia has more heisman winners than LSU
Georgia has had more all americans than LSU
Georgia has put more players in the pros than LSU
Georgia has managed to finish a season undefeated in the last 50 years…..LSU hasn’t yet
That’s “doing something”
LSU has managed to back into two BCS mythical national “championships” recently.
They defended them by getting blasted by Georgia 45-16 in 2004 and 52-38 at home in 2008.
Again, LSU is the favorite, they look like the best team, they have some great wins, and nobody will be suprised if they win on Saturday.
But don’t be shocked if Georgia’s players aren’t intimidated and believe they can win. I’d be upset if they didn’t.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:30 pm
Altamaha, I think it was just poor wording too. There is a difference in a QB getting a spot start due to injury (like when DJ was hurt before the Florida game in 05) and being the cemented starter. In other words, the years when Greene, Shockley, Stafford, Cox, and Murray all became starters were the toughest ones we have had. I am not expecting a guy like “Thomas Brown” who knows nothing about playing QB to understand all that though.
Everybody Listen Up
November 29th, 2011
3:32 pm
@ JMac…It is funny that you mentioned Zach Mettenburger. UGA kicked him out for drug use and LSU took him! Real class act of a program. 2011 Jefferson gets “in trouble” and comes right back to the team WHAT A JOKE. Les Miles runs up the score and calls unnecessary fake punts when ahead, that get penalized because he doesn’t teach his players how to win with CLASS.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
3:32 pm
@Living in America’s drainfield can make you silly
GREAT POST! Good historical stuff. Nice work on the current roster.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
gdawginkalamazoo
If I were Bobo almost every pass play would be in the shotgun to give Murray the extra time. Plus I hope we throw to our TE more.
But dont worry 3rd and 8 will run Carlton up the middle
Gimme a break
November 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
Richt and 2nd QB’S. David Greene= SEC CHAMP. DJ SHOCKLEY=SEC CHAMP. STAFFORD=FINISHED RANKED #2. AARON MURRAY=? Something about 2nd year qb’s in Richt’s system. HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.