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
MDTiger
November 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
I have no problem with JJ talking about being better than LSU. If you do not think you are the best, then you should not be on the field. Everyone disrespects LSUs offense due to the lack of numbers. If you look at the scoring we are doing pretty well. Many times we have a short field to work with due to special teams or turnovers. You cannot put up 500 yard games when you only need drives of 40-60 yards to score.
Should be a good game. GA has really stepped it up and Richt deserves a lot of credit for overcoming all the negative talk at the beginning of the year.
What many people are forgetting though is that LSU is extremely young also with most of the starters in their first two years of playing time. We lose very few players from a two deep team. It is not the age that matters, it is the swagger and confidence. I like the confidence of JJ with his statement, but he better be ready to back it up come Saturday.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
6:57 pm
TampaGator
Your question, like the Gators this year is completely irrelevant. It could also equate to “who felt the sorriest for the Gators this year?”
Dawg89
November 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
I hope Richt shuts down the tweeting and interviews. There is nothing to be gained from such BS.
Big D
November 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
sec east has a record of 3 wins 16 losses to sec west case closed now smoke your dope isaih
Larry Hamm
November 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
It is funny to see the Dawg fans barking about their defense and how they are going to beat LSU. The Dawgs will get a major dose of reality on Saturday when they realize that there is a reason that LSU is number 1; Georgia will be another double digit win on LSU’s belt. The two best teams in the land are LSU and Alabama, period. Georgia is in the SEC championship because they didn’t have to play either one. My prediction: LSU 27 – 10 over the Dawgs.
Big D
November 29th, 2011
7:38 pm
who has ga played this year worth bragging about thats what I thought nobody
Jarvis Jones thinks Dogs’ defense just as good as LSU’s, ‘if not better’ – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) - My Best Dogs
November 29th, 2011
7:42 pm
[...] Nov, 2011 Dog News webmaster@technorati.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick [...]
Barry
November 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
Come on all you “yakers” – all the pregame commentary by the Dogs, the Tigers, the media or the bloggers won’t mean a hill of beans once the ball is kicked off.
We (Dogs) will need a great game by all 3 phases (OFF. DEF. & SP. Teams) to beat a truly outstanding LSU team. We will need all available bodies especially at running-back – and Crowell has a chance to prove that he is what he was billed to be – if he will stop picking and biting his fingernails on the bench.
Big D
November 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
must be second hand smoke from crowell smoking dope the whole teams dilusional
Tarryuga
November 29th, 2011
7:52 pm
Just fire on ALL cylinders and do what needs to be done…on OFFENSE, DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS, and quit with all of the TALK!
FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“LET’S HUNKER DOWN ONE MORE TIME!” And this time, IT’S A BIG’UN!!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tripwire
November 29th, 2011
7:54 pm
LSU will beat you dawgs like a rented mule. That sort of thinking cost the first two losses BS and SC.
Murray can not take pressure. LSU comes at you in so many ways and often. You cannot forget the teams they played and the weak schedule you played.
Tarryuga
November 29th, 2011
7:55 pm
Sorry BARRY, didn’t see your post, well put.
astrojeff
November 29th, 2011
8:10 pm
Just shut up and play!
garrian
November 29th, 2011
8:23 pm
I never said that uga was going to win i just said its not like they have played a team thats well balanced in run and pass like georgia lsu will give up yards its just can you get into the endzone or not against them that’s what i was saying and lsu can’t pass the ball the best quarterbacks in cfb are luck,barkley,and moore and anyone of them will give lsu problems also and it’s a fact if lsu is put in passing situations were they have to pass to win is anyone that confident that they can move the ball down the field on uga. I think our defense is pretty good also
Ricky Grooms
November 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
You dog fans are just whistling passed the grave yard. LSU will beat the dawg crap out of uga!!!
uga 2010
November 29th, 2011
8:48 pm
LSU is the best team that Georgia will face since CMR’s tenture. I am wishing for a close and competitive game. Just win the SEC championship, and 2012 will our year.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA
November 29th, 2011
8:56 pm
THIS IS A NEW DAY SINCE WE BEAT FLORIDA,THE NEW PLAYERS AINT GETIN CHUMPED OFF NO MO!
UGA AINT SCARED OF THOSE YELLOWCATS!
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA
November 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
MARK RICHT-2
VS
LES MILES-1
MARK RICHT HAS LES MILES NUMBERS
doggie
November 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
Watch the fake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doggie
November 29th, 2011
9:01 pm
Watch the fake punt or field goal….Pleaseeee be ready for this its coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arx Ferrum
November 29th, 2011
9:05 pm
Here’s my opinion:
If UGA should somehow come away the winner of the SEC championship game and LSU is still picked to go to the national title contest, I would favor a congressional investigation into the BCS organization.
spcmoney
November 29th, 2011
9:19 pm
This is a joke, really. Georgia beat one team with a winning record, TECH and we know how the ACC is. LSU has played the toughest schedule in the nation and they still came out on top. Georgia couldnt even beat a pathetic South Carolina team. They are the 5th best team in the SEC, sad but true. Records dont lie.
guy
November 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
j,If they did the correct job of drug testing there may not be anything but reserves on the field! We’d all be shocked beyond belief most likely.NCAA,NBA,MLB,&NFL ARE IN THE SAME BOAT!
k483
November 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Remember the 2009 Sugar Bowl? Alabama got smacked by a Utah team nobody thought could hang with the Tide. I see more than a couple of similarities here.
Dawg
November 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
I like this attitude. To Hell with LSUs locker room especially if they need to post some player who believes they can win. Guess what, the DAWGS just might win
bubba4dawgs
November 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
Georgia is loaded up front! I think they are geared for the run. Now, Rambo and Commings, get ready back there and back up what you said. Shut’em down! Don’t let’em get past you! I have every confidence the DAWGS will be fine! It will be a hard fought game.
Actually, I thought Alabama should have won the game with LSU save for the 3 FG’s they missed. Hopefully, Blair Walsh will bring his “A” game. I certainly believe Murray and receivers will get the DAWGS in range. Try and keep the ball in the middle of the field in kicking range and give him a better chance. Gee, I can’t wait!! I want the DAWGS to win so bad!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Football guy
November 29th, 2011
9:54 pm
Dude’s going wakeup to reality on Sat. night
dagrapevine
November 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
you judge a team not so much how they started,but where their level of play is toward the end of a season.i would say lsu has played even keeled so far this season.looking over their season they’re playing now where they started the season at as far as level of play.which is a very high level and the trick is can they maintain it.uga is playing considerably better than they where at the start of the season.uga is a very young team that had to grow up on both sides of the ball and overcome quite a few injuries that i didn’t think they could overcome.i look at the auburn game for both teams since both played them late.lsu on oct.22 a 45-10 game and uga nov.12 a 45-7 game.auburn at the time they played both was the 2nd leading rushing offense in the sec.
lsu gave up 87yds rushing and 146yds passing to auburn for a total of 248yds.uga gave up 51yds rushing and 144yds passing to auburn for a total of 195yds.
id say both defenses are pretty close to level of play verses a common opponent both played within the past 3-5 weeks.
lsu had 174yds rushing and 219yds passing on auburns d for a total of 393yds.uga had 304yds rushing and 224yds passing on auburns d for a total of 528yds.
football is about match-ups,not who played who and how bad one team beat a team compared to the other team playing the same common opponents.
i looked at the auburn game because both teams played them late in the season and it’s a good judge of seeing where both teams are playing right now.
lsu without a doubt will be the best team uga will have played this season.this is a good measuring stick for uga to see where they are and how close they are to reaching those lofty goals for this team that can play together for the next 3 years.
murray and uga’ss wr and te’s i think its fair to say will be the most talented group that lsu’s d has faced this year.murray will get one on one match-ups and if he’s on fire uga will move the ball.uga will need crowell,samuels,malcome and figgins to have a big game to keep lsu’s d on their heels.lsu will have to have a better passing game than they’ve shown to date to score points.i would say uga’s front 7 on d can slam the door on lsu’s rushing game.i think they match-up with lsu’s o-line and backs.both teams play a lot players so depth i don’t think will be a factor.both special teams are some of the best in the country.
will lsu play to not lose and be tense with the natl championship and a date with ala a few weeks away.what does uga have to lose anyway.if they get blown out well they’re suppose too anyway.so what!
if i’m mark richt i throw the football kitchen sink at em and let the chips fall where they may.
i’m just sayin
go dawgs go!!!!!
Terry
November 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
This is a list of the same teams LSU and UGA played, these are Net yards, so it does not take in account, the yards that the special teams gave up.
Plays-Net Yards allowed
————-MS——-MISST——TN———-FL——-AUB——–KY
UGA—56-183- —67-213—63-270—-56-226—48-195—57-165
LSU—-61-195—-59-193—49-239—–48-213—58-248—64-155
This is the yards gained on the same teams played.
Plays-Net Yards gained
————-MS—–MISST—-TN———–FL——–AUB——–KY
UGA—82-475—74-315–63-366—-83-354—-74-528—75-317
LSU—58-458—-65-361–69-383—63-453—-59-393—67-348
Joseph
November 29th, 2011
11:01 pm
Now who has Georgia played ? Who has Georgia lost to? Yeah guys, good luck against the Bayou Bengals……they live and thrive off of these types of games, UGA fades and suffers through hoping they will succeed against mediocre teams at best.
flagboy?
November 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
mambo
November 29th, 2011
10:07 am
There is nothing dumber than a 19 year old with a big mouth.
________________________________________
Obviously you don’t frequent the blogs around here. . .
Stinger
November 29th, 2011
11:34 pm
What is this guy smoking????????????????????????
Stinger
November 29th, 2011
11:36 pm
This could easily be a 50 pt blowout. Dawgs have no chance what so ever. NONE !!
teger
November 30th, 2011
12:14 am
UGA will be embarrassed! Believe me LSU will run the score up if possible. They are very capable of doing just that. UGA has never been up against a defense as good as this. Nor do I think they have faced an offense that is as good. After Ga. Tech they dropped from number 2 on defensive rushing to number 6. The Dawgs have not remotely faced such a talented team this year on both sides of the ball.
wsewell
November 30th, 2011
12:40 am
Um…We are just as good as LSU’s defense. Our Defense held Boise St for most of the game, it’s just we had no offense, so eventually it won over, plus ogletree went out in the first quarter. After that, we held Lattimore, and Garcia for most of the game, it was their defense and special teams that scored. I’m worried about Arron Murray not being accurate when he needs to be. Sometimes the ball sails on him, and a defense like LSU will probably capitalize, but our Defense will keep us in the game. Malcome Mitchel, Orsen Charles, Conly, and bennett. LSU better have a good plan for that. good luck
Eric C.
November 30th, 2011
12:59 am
Teger, you are moron…that is all Ga Tech does is run the ball in their option style offense. How about the 300+yds and 21 pts Ga Southern racked up against Alabama? Based on you logic, Ga Southern has a heck of a lot better offense than the Tigers.
GoldenDawg - UGA - 2011 SEC Champs!
November 30th, 2011
2:03 am
The Defenses are virtually equal. (And ours might just be better).
The Junk Yard D is Back: Aggressive Coaching! Our Big Boys Up Front – Top Tier LBs – Athletic opportunistic DBs & (once again) hard-hitting safeties. Now our defense will be even more fired up.
However, our (UGA) Offense (Murray, Crowell, OLine, TEs, and WRs) is better than at LSU’s all over the field. Note: We don’t have to challenge those corners too much – Just kill em slowly with TEs across the middle, RB screens and quick out routes; THEN when they pull those safeties in, BOOM over the top.
Special Teams: Our coverage teams are still a bit scary. Our Kickers and Punter are better and will stepup. Both team’s returners are great.
The difference will be our Offense.
The outcome will be: UGA 30 / LSU 17.
Cupcake
November 30th, 2011
6:48 am
Don’t compare Georgia’s defense with LSU. Stats are misleading. Look at the schedule and then talk.
Cupcake
November 30th, 2011
6:53 am
After years of not winning the big one I like the enthusiasm of the “dawgs”. Here is the reality your goal is accomplished. You made the wedding party as the bridesmaid. You will never be the bride.
buckblue
November 30th, 2011
7:33 am
While all of Georgia’s defensive statistics look very impressive, one has to realize that the Bulldogs have only faced two teams all season whose offenses are ranked in the top-50.
mike
November 30th, 2011
7:45 am
Everybody and their brother is handing this game to LSU. Games aren’t won in the papers or on ESPN. We’ll find out Saturday won’t we?
dawgSECfan
November 30th, 2011
8:00 am
well……now LSU has bulletin board material……their ONLY motivation for at least driving to Atlanta to play this game in the first place……GO dawgs anyway…i love the dogs…but i want SEC domination in championship games…i want lsu to go the National title game undefeated so that it can set up a great storyline with alabama….willl BAMA settle the score
4EVER LSU
November 30th, 2011
8:22 am
Typical GA fan, living in GA GA Land! If your team is so awesome, how come you’re not at LEAST in the top 10? Our players do their talkin on the field, NEED I SAY MORE? GEAUX TIGERS!
keniboy
November 30th, 2011
8:55 am
just gotta go play, like the comment earlier this week, “when i was 18 i couldn’t tie my flip flops”. one will win one’ll lose. i like uga and 13, though.
zbulldawg
November 30th, 2011
9:15 am
UGA WANTS SOME SUGAR !! HERE KITTY KITTY !! SICK EM
bamarolltide
November 30th, 2011
10:15 am
Georgia is always on my mind…..the people and the state not the DAWGS!! Every year it amazes me how UGA fans talk about their National Championships before the season ever starts! The year of the “BLackOut” the fans and the GA Press proclaimed the DAWGS the Champs before Summer practice ever started. That year BAMA put a beatdown on the DAWGS in Athens! Now here it is GA playing LSU in SEC Championship Game. The players and fans talk the talk but LSU is going to WALK THE WALK and put a whipping on your DOGS! UGA’s Defense as good if not better than LSU? Saturday Jarvis Jones is going to get a reality check!! GEAUX TIGERS and ROLL TIDE!!
Texcoot
November 30th, 2011
10:36 am
This is the funniest thread ive seen in some time, no doubt Ga is an excellent team some of the insight from the posters are just plain delusional. Lswho will physically destroy their will and then have their way with Ga. Big difference between intensity and physicality of the two teams
flo-ri-duh
November 30th, 2011
10:37 am
Time to play – not talk. Georgia is a 12-13 point underdog which means that Vegas expects LSU to win the game in the 3rd quarter. Looking at the schedules and the scores among common opponents it is hard to argue with this. That’s why the game is played on the field and stats are for losers. Some times UNDER DAWGS win. Winners by 17-16 – UNDERDAWGS!!!!!
JL
November 30th, 2011
11:11 am
LSU fans and your “bridesmaid” talk…it seems to me that recent history has us beating you often! And one of my favorite memories is an SEC Championship game where UGA was wearing out your beloved Saban Tigers and your “super talented” returners were taking knees on the 1 yd line on kick offs b/c they didn’t want to get hit in the mouth again! LSU is good, no one argues that…but UGA has grown into a good team. who knows the final score, but it will be close…LSU knows that they have a limited offense with trick plays. UGA doesn’t turn the ball over and LSU doesn’t get a cheap one…I think LSU will be hoping Oklahoma wins to salvage their season. but what do i know…I said UGA would blow out Auburn and beat UF as i watched us give away the game to SC by providing them 4 non-offensive touchdowns. Plus your big wins include WV and Arkansas? Who WV beat? Who Arkansas beat? for that matter who Bama beat? UGA’s not the best team maybe but they could win this game…and they want it…LSU you thinks they deserve it!
MarkDShark
November 30th, 2011
11:22 am
At first glance, UGA’s D looks pretty good, but it’s not in the same class as LSU. When compared to their respective opponent’s averages, LSU’s D is considerably better. Values are rounded to one decimal. Parentheses indicate national rank.
Points Allowed: UGA 17.8, LSU 10.6
Opponent’s AVG PPG: UGA 24.0, LSU 25.8
Defensive Delta: UGA +6.3 (26), LSU +15.3 (2)
Points Scored: UGA 34.0, LSU 38.2
Opponent’s AVG Pts Allowed: UGA 27.5, LSU 25.0
Offensive Delta: UGA +6.5 (24), LSU +13.2 (8)
Total Delta: UGA +12.7 (18), LSU +28.4 (1)