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?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
683 comments Add your comment
Energy Vampire
November 29th, 2011
10:33 am
There’s a better defense in UGA’s division. They just played Arkansas instead of Ole Miss.
Technically Correct
November 29th, 2011
10:34 am
Not….
DawgGone1
November 29th, 2011
10:34 am
@jaglaw
Best statement made today!!!!!!!!!!!
Dap01
November 29th, 2011
10:34 am
I believe that the SEC should cancel the game. ESPN thinks that it is not necessary. Hail to ESPN.
jaglaw
November 29th, 2011
10:38 am
Wonder what I. Cry-well will do when one of LSU’s defense hits him hard. Will he quit? History says yes.
UGA/BOBO has used the backdoor pass (purposely thrown behing/short of the WR) a lot this year. LSU will be ready and their safety will pick it off. LSU will press us man-man, and Bobo will try that pass play and they will bait us into it.
While I think BOBO has done much better with calling plays this year. LSU will force him to go to the well one too many times.
I am so proud of our dogs, but they arent at LSU’s level yet. However, I was there in 05, when we were and underdog. It was great. I hope it happens again. GO Dawgs. And great job CMR and CTG.
BMDPD
November 29th, 2011
10:39 am
DP, Brandon Smith was also offered by LSU.
Alphare
November 29th, 2011
10:41 am
I think this is how the game will end up in 4 quarters:
1st Quarter: UGA 10, LSU 3
2nd Quarter: UGA 3, LSU 7
3rd Quarter: UGA 3, LSU 14
4th Quarter: UGA 0, LSU 17
RiffRaff
November 29th, 2011
10:42 am
Yes, the D is pretty good, but save it for the field. Don’t give LSU anything. They are #1 for a reason and have dominated just about everyone they have played. I still like the Dawgs chances though.
THE REAL PHIL
November 29th, 2011
10:42 am
The attitude of the defense, not just JJ is perfect for a football team. Not arrogant, confident with am affinity for challenges and a true belief that they have the ability to reach that challenge. It’s also what has been lacking from the UGA football team for a long time. Credit CTG for an excellent job not only schematically but mentally. When you can yell and scream at your players and they love you and have the belief you are looking out for them and want the best for them, you are doing things right as a football coach. There is obviously much more to CTG and his relationships with his players than the screaming we see on the sideline from time to time.
Can you imagine how good this team would be if AJ and Houston had stayed? I believe that keeping your best players for 4 years is very important and I am not quite sure how to do that. But its an area that needs to have maximum effort applied to. Probably the bad record last year and the coach on the hot seat had lots to do with it as far as last year is concerned but it happens to all teams even after good years.
Not sure if we can beat LSU or not. I think that our defense is comparable to Alabama’s right now and if it’s clicking our offense is better. Someone mentioned consistency and I think that is what we lack. If UGA plays to its ability we can compete if they don’t it won’t be good.
Go Dawgs!
jaglaw
November 29th, 2011
10:42 am
Thanks DawgGone 1, everyone once in a while I get right…..or at least thats what my wife tells me.
DP
November 29th, 2011
10:43 am
So who would Brandon Smith replace in the starting lineup at LSU, Claiborne, the #1 rated corner on NFL draft boards, or Mathieu, candidate for the Thorpe Award?
leslie22h
November 29th, 2011
10:45 am
I find it amazing that the Techies are back on the UGA blog talking smack mere days after their annual smackdown at the hands of UGA. Newsflash, Tech fans – UGA runs this state!
As for JJ’s comments, I like the confidence. I don’t think he should have said the “as good if not better” part. Either way, I thnk UGA can make a ballgame out of this matchup. No predictions here, but I sure would like to see our Dawgs hang in there for 4 QTRs. GATA!
Contractor
November 29th, 2011
10:45 am
I love how Jarvis Jones continues to show it on and off the field. The guy is a player, and I am glad he finally chose to become a Bulldog. I personally feel as if LSU’s defense is better, just like the statistics show, but one busted play in our favor and we can win a close game if our guys play 4 complete quarters. Just look at how Alabama’s defense did against Georgia Southern, and they kept their starters in well into the 4th quarter, so any defense can be penetrated, and with their shaky offense with Jefferson at the helm, our 3-4 can maintain the run between the tackles if our guys stick to their assignments and not allow LSU’s athleticism get them out of position. God Dawgs, and give those Butkus Award voters some more to think about Jarvis!!!
jaglaw
November 29th, 2011
10:45 am
I think we may see these two teams in Atlanta again next year with Mettenburger at QB. How ironic that would be? Both team return a lot of starters.
DawgGone1
November 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Les Miles has a way of motivating his kids, although I love the Dawgs confidence we cannot give an already confident team more motivation by making those such statements to the media. I belive in the Dawgs but their defense has the chemistry we do not have yet. But in regards to talent, we are just as good if not better.
BMDPD
November 29th, 2011
10:48 am
DP, they also recruited Garrison Smith. Branden Smith would probably be a returner.
Chris
November 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Don’t forget about UGA’s Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins. They’ve been flattening people all year. Sanders Commings hits as hard as anyone in college football. He’d fit in on any team too. I think they’d all match up to anyone else at their positions in the SEC.
BMDPD
November 29th, 2011
10:50 am
DP, once again, I did not say we were as good as LSU. BUT the comment that you made shows your ignorance about UGA defenders.
THE REAL PHIL
November 29th, 2011
10:51 am
jaglaw ever play football? I don’t disagree with anything you said except the deal a safety picking off a back shoulder ( not back door) pass. Just exactly how do you think a safety can get to the sideline in time to cover a pass thrown anywhere except maybe a long one? Makes the rest of what you say seem less credible if you actually wouldn’t know a football from a flying saucer. Back shoulder passes are thrown on the sidelines. Safety’s don’t cover the sideline. Opinion is fine. It’s America. Just know what you are talking about before you put all the X’s and O’s up.
Alphare
November 29th, 2011
10:53 am
By a UGA fan: “our defense is comparable to Alabama’s right now”
So dawgs only let LSU score 9 points? just curious what you mean by that line.
reality DAWG
November 29th, 2011
10:56 am
It’s okay to think it and it’s okday to even know it… but please DON’T say it.
Now we have fired up a team that very easily could have slept walk to the dome knowing win or lose they are in the NC.
GO DAWGS!
Murphy
November 29th, 2011
10:56 am
I like the confidence our Defense is showing but I also reconize the achievements of the LSU defense. I for one think our defense will play very well but Im very concerned about our offense.We must be able to run the ball and protect Murray.The LSU defensive front is the stoutest in the country.
Get Real
November 29th, 2011
10:58 am
@Alphare
It only makes sense after you drink the special Kool-Aid.
AceDawg
November 29th, 2011
10:58 am
It’s not good to fire up LSU even more, but then again, the Dawgs need to make sure they have an edge and some major confidence going into the game too. I’m glad UGA players feel up to the task, and their defense could indeed be more disruptive than LSU’s on a given Saturday.
crusherdawg
November 29th, 2011
11:00 am
Don’t care what he is thinking. Keep your mouth shut and do your talking on the field. Do not say anything that be used by LSU to fire them up. Be careful your words can hurt you………..
Get Real
November 29th, 2011
11:01 am
Well yeah, AceDawg… If that Saturday happens to be September 17, 2011.
Georgia’s D is downright oppressive vs. the likes of Coastal Carolina.
Contractor
November 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Get Real,
What Kool-Aid do you speak of? The statistics are there that Georgia’s defense is pretty good and up there with LSU and Alabama’s. Yes, LSU has played way better competition than Georgia, but you can only play the games on the schedule, not the ones every fan wants to see to settle arguments. Georgia has performed well enough to be a Top 10 defense, and it is splitting hairs down the line with the differences between some of those. Georgia’s offense has a hell of a task ahead of them, but I think Georgia’s defense can run with LSU’s offense, which is not to near the same level as their own defense.
Matt
November 29th, 2011
11:02 am
I love the hypocritical double standard that is college football. You can’t hold it against HOuston and BOise St. for who they play (their schedules are a joke) but you can damn sure hold it against UGA??? The fact that UGA has won 10 games in a row means nothing apparently. IF they lose to LSU then I have to watch Michigan v.s. Houston??? Are you serious??? Or I can watch VaTech/WVU??? Or I can watch a rematch for the MNC??? I think I’ll take up tap dancing this bowl season.
UGA can’t play for the MNC a few years back because they didn’t even play for their conference but now BAma can? So if Bama wins the game on the 9th are they going to share the trophy since they each beat eachother??
Get Real
November 29th, 2011
11:06 am
Georgia can’t play for the NC because they aren’t good enough. It’s really just that simple. You’ll find out next Saturday.
dbc
November 29th, 2011
11:06 am
They never learn. Boykin’s tweet before Boise made him look foolish, now Jones is gonna give LSU even more motivation. I wish for once UGA players would just be quiet and play the game. Let your play do the talking.
Don
November 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Just go out and play, Dawgs. Let your effort and success speak for itself, and I will be satisfied.
My View
November 29th, 2011
11:07 am
I abolutely love the fact that jj made the comments. He is showing his teammates that together they can be great. He said nothing negative towards LSU which is what should be avoided. Does any Dawg fans that watches this team play regularly think that the Dawgs D should take a backseat to LSU.
Win P
November 29th, 2011
11:08 am
If you do it…..then it ain’t bragging. J J. is on to something.
Delusional Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:11 am
@My View
I agree. Georgia has the best offense and defense in the nation. We coulda beat Boise State and we shoulda beat South Carolina.
LSU and Alabama aren’t all that hot. LSU will be a cakewalk for the Dawgs!
flatsdawg1
November 29th, 2011
11:11 am
I am a big proponent of keep your mouth shut and let your game do the talking so hopefully that’s the end of that so this makes it a little more intriguing but the DAWGS have a golden opportunity to prove the old we haven’t played anybody consensus wrong. Guess what, most of the SEC’s defenses are actually pretty good Florida,’s was 17th before they played Fl. St. Miss. St. in the top 25 , .Also despite the ranking of Arkansas, obviously weren’t as good as their #3 ranking and now #8, they have the 40th ranked defense and 80th rushing offense, We are much bettter than that and I believe this game will be decided in the fourth quarter. .
Bremen Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:12 am
I’m glad the D has their swagger back, now GATA. Now Jarvis needs to have a big day and throw some big hits, sacks and force some fumbles.
nipple Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:15 am
im tired of hearing the crying… The Dawgs LOST to Boise and S.C. we lost 2 games we shouldve won …so we are ranked 14. Deal with it! With that I hope the Dawgs Beat the Hell outa Lsu. They are beatable!
Mike
November 29th, 2011
11:16 am
Please don’t give LSU bulletin board material. Use your head dude.
Delusional Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:17 am
LSU doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hell against the Mighty Dawgs!
boots
November 29th, 2011
11:17 am
The Dawgs do have a great defense. This will be a good game, and I am going in very hopeful. Sure, we are playing the #1 team who is one of the best anyone has seen in years, but anything can happen. Go Dawgs and GATA!
nipple Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:17 am
It all depends on which Murray shows up… Auburn Murray… or S.C. Murray?
KBP
November 29th, 2011
11:17 am
Screens, slants, sweeps, and draws. If we do enough of this and if we can block them, the game is ours.
Our defense is vastly underrated. To hold Tech under 300 yards is remarkable. They run the ball extremely well. I doubt LSU can beat us running the ball and if we get a 10 or more point lead, Jefferson nor Lee scares me as passers.
nipple Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:20 am
Oh yeah…Irena Crowell… Or Isaiah Crowell?
security dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:20 am
THIS BLOG IS JUST THE TYPE OF B.S THAT WE DON’T NEED/ TRUE IT’S GREAT THAT JJ WANTS TO STEP UP FOR THE “D” BUT HE IS PROVIDING THE LOCKER ROOM MATERIAL THAT A TEAM LIKE LSU DOESN’T NEED, BUT IN THE SAME BREATH “GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPRIT OF FEAR” AND MY DAWGS FEAR NO TEAM…NOT LSU BAMA OR PIGSAW////we heard no complaining about our schedule when we were 0 – 2/\some of the same new names on here were the same ones hiding thier hands from the keyboards unless it was to bomb-bard CMR/\now yall on here talking about how we going do this and going do that/\I SAY TO ALL MY TRUE UGA FANS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 0 – 2/(TAMPADAWG,JaxDawg05,Destin Dawg
AND A FEW OTHER) WE GATA THIS SATURDAY @ 4PM…….WE ALL WE GOT!!!!
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
11:21 am
Jarvis Jones is very likely the best defensive player in the country. He can not only only voice his opinion, he can do it with authority.
UGA defense has the numbers to prove it. They can state it and they can back it up. Are they as good or better than LSU? We’ll see come Saturday. I believe that they are. You can compare schedules until the cows come home but it won’t make a bit of difference.
Georgia’s defense didn’t just wake up one day and were good. Through some trial and tribulation they have learn to be a solid unit. Stopping LSU for 4 quarters by anyone has proven difficult. That doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t be done. UGA has the depth. Do we have enough, we’ll see on Saturday. I believe we do but thats not as important as the Defense believing we do. Early successes on defense will be the momentum builder. Georgia’s defense does get stronger as the game progresses.
Go for it Jarvis. Make it happen
Alphare
November 29th, 2011
11:22 am
Matt,
not sure what you are complaining about. The BCS is pretty consistent.
About your Houston/Boise/UGA comparison, they all have weak schedule. None of them play in NC, even the undefeated Houston. Houston/Boise rank higher than UGA as they should.
About this year’s BAMA and 07 UGA. BCSCG only play the 2 best team in the nation. This year’s BAMA is the 2nd best. Almost all voters say so and even all computers say so. You are maybe among 5% of population that don’t think so, but you are entitled to your opinion.
Was 97 UGA the 2nd best team that year? No. They lost to SC, blown out by TN, compared to this year’s BAMA that only lost to the #1 team in the nation in overtime.
BCS is not perfect. But it does a fairly good job as designed.
What do you think is important ? To discuss 1 area where we do well ?
November 29th, 2011
11:22 am
Yeah, but our secondary is not as good as their secondary. Our punt coverage sucks. Our kick-off return coverage sucks. We have no clue what to call on 3rd and long we will face all night. We have no TB. We have no FB. Our offense fumbles and throws interceptions. We don’t score in the Red Zone. Our Quarterback gets sacked. And, every one of these areas of the game LSU is absolutely fantastic at compared to us. When you add in that Les Miles has 82 percent wins since he started at LSU and Mark Richt 10 percent worse win percentage overall since the day Les Miles took over at LSU, and 10 percent worse than Les Miles in The SEC and add in that Mark Richt has not beat more teams all 11 years who finish in the AP Poll Top 10 than LSU’s Les Miles ALREADY HAS this year alone…
Well, what our Defensive Stats are compared to their defensive stats when Mark Richt has LOST every game vs every team finishing this season in the top 25 while LSU beat 3 teams ending in the top 10 already with another coming up Jan 9th and another top 25 win too, I hardly think what our defense can do is what this GAME is all about.
Billy
November 29th, 2011
11:22 am
Until Georgia can start winning the Line of scrimmage they can’t hope to win a game like this, they could not run the ball last week against tech. They fell from no. 2 against the run to no. 6 after playing tech what do you think is going to happen when they go against LSU offensive and defensive lines? Until Georgia starts recruiting or coaching up their offensive lines they can have all the 5 star skill players they want.
Delusional Dawg
November 29th, 2011
11:22 am
@nipple Dawg
If you can talk Les into letting Auburn play in their place, then maybe we’ll get the “Auburn Murray” again.
Hey! Stranger things have happened… Right?
joe kill
November 29th, 2011
11:23 am
Our defense is just as good as theirs we just have to take care of what we do best and i would love to see jj and crew jack up russel sheppred hes a tool
GO DAWGS!