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
Dap01
November 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
If UGA loses, well then UGA loses. No one expects UGA to beat the immortal LSU Tigers. If we win, we are SEC Champs and it will be raining SUGAR, if we lose we are 10-3 and going to an excellent bowl game.
And at least we won’t be a Techie, wearing yellow in a small empty stadium.
BurytheBone
November 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
hahaha = another disguntled tech fan
PAUL7
November 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
rcb yes…….LETS! the offense didn’t score a point on BAMA…….they recovered a fumble for 7 then ran the kickoff back for 7
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
BCS hoping for a beat down to continue their cause for this LSU team being the greatest in a long time….and that ONLY Bama is WORTHY of trying to beat them as they almost did last time, thus just like a marriage in the old country, it’s being arranged.
PAUL7
November 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
oh and btw…….we played them at their house
hahahaha
November 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
WDE and RCB. Now UGA is better than Bama. Good lord you two are delusional.
Peace out silly puppies.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
@hahahaha, if you had any clue, you would realize that most of the regulars on here aren’t on here Sunday, win or lose. I popped on a couple of times this year on a Sunday and it’s slow going. But if you want to come on and play by yourself, as I am sure you probably had to do during most of your childhood, be my guest. See ya Monday though.
PAUL7
November 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
i got to admit though GT didn’t look CONFIDENT against uga why is that? i mean are they that INTIMIDATED?
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Has the computer service at GTBob’s house been turned off I wonder?
WDE
November 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
@hahahaha how little man will you get to rub it in our faces unless your a LSU fan? Which I know your not or you would have declared that already…face it loser we are better than your bunch whoever they are and LSU losing to us or beating us won’t change that…I’m betting we already wiped the floor with your team that’s why you crawled out from under that rock.
kevin
November 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
No matter whether UGA wins or loses, at least we will not step on the field in uniforms that look like the offspring of Prince and Big Bird.
Ezra
November 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
Well all those brilliant sports analyst have predicted LSU and Ala to be in the NC game. Now you can play in the NC game without winning your conference or division? It is about money is it? It is a business right? That is why we do not have playoffs in college. What will happen if there is an upset in the SEC? Will new standard suddenly appear.
Larry Munson
November 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
If Georgia can somehow get Richard Samuel back this week, it improves their chances tremendously. They have to find a way to run the ball. They need to pound it with Samuel, Figgins and Ogletree and then let Isaiah come in a break one!
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
Word out of Tech is that Vad Lee is transferring. For Real.
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
would like to see some two TE sets and toss sweeps with Crowell with Figgins leading him. Between the tackles will end there I’m afraid.
DP
November 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
A ranking of 79 dog breeds for intelligence rated the Bulldog 77th. That explains a lot.
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
JB- GT Bob is busy crunching numbers and assessing Georgia’s opponents in 2012 in an attempt to build an argument as to why he thinks Tech will beat GA next season.
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:28 pm
DP………………..where does a Bee rank?
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
Say it all together now Bama fans “thank God for Trent” .. because AJ McCarron is mediocre at best.
And Paul7, you also played LSU at YOUR house. How did that work for ya?
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
Yellow Jackets can be terminated with a quick shot of RAID or with a simple swat. THAT explains a lot.
Nick B
November 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
UGA won the SEC Championship under Richt in ‘02 and ‘05. Both wins against a top 3 LSU team. Also, Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Sprint cup. This year? He won the Sprint cup.
Go Dawgs
Aaron Murray
November 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
If we had an OL that could punch thru rice paper, we might stand a chance.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
Word out of Tech is that Vad Lee is transferring. For Real.
—————-
Seriously? Wow .. that may crush their little spirit!
DawginLex
November 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
You can consider it a guarantee that I will be back on here regardless of the score.
I will also be on here under 1 blog handle.
You on the other hand will continue to blog like a 5 year old and change your blog handle the way the rest of us change underwear.
LSU should win but I’m glad we are playing them.
to be the best you have to beat the best.
Will you be here if LSU loses? Doubtful
Plus, if LSU were to lose, your blog handle wouldn’t fit anymore would it?
KingDawg88
November 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
sure is alot of lsu bandwagon riders this year i wonder what team they will go for next year
RCB
November 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
@Paul7- I do concede Alabama was probably trying harder than UGA for 2 full halves. The first Auburn drive ended with a trick play. Surely the #1 team in the country will not have to resort to trick plays???
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
OK, DP, from the Farmers Almanac, A Bee is considered Clueless, womanless, mates to honey as a female bee is too much to handle. Bee’s are considered a boor, kinda nerdy, and will pick their nose and eat it. Yep. sums it up.
WDE
November 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
@kevin Prince and Bird Bird that cracked me up !
Dawg fans are REALLY so damn stupid
November 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
That’s all I have to say.
JB
November 29th, 2011
2:34 pm
TampaDawg…Word is he’s homesick….for real. Got it from a student there who knows him.
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. Funny to see the Delusional Dawg talk about how Alabama’s offense would struggle if you took Richardson off it. Funny I never heard a Dawg say anything like that when Herschel Walker was carrying Buck Belue on his back.
WeWantBama_Again
November 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
LSU – 54
UGA – 17
theight
November 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
I’m not worried about the Defense. I think they can hold their own. My biggest concern will be on offense and special teams. Hopefully Crowell can stay freakin healthy throughout the game and Murry play his best game. Special teams is almost hopeless.
drose
November 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
South Carolin’s defense is rated higher (4th), beat everyone in their division, has a high BCS ranking and better RPI. Georgia gets to play for the Championship because they won the East?
7576DAWG
November 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
I think overall LSU have better Defensive back’s but Georgia overall have better Linebackers. Murray will be the key to whether the game is close or not. Most of LSU’s defensive back’s will end up in Pro ball , they are real smart and know football and schemes as good as Murray. Murray need’s to be careful about being baited into throwing the ball into traffic which will improve the chances of turnovers. I think that Georgia will stay with LSU the entire game unless Murray get’s frustrated and start’s having turnovers which will put too much pressure on the defense against a great team like LSU. That’s what makes them so great , they wear you down and then they take control of the game in the second half.
Alabama did not make second half mistakes that would have allowed LSU to pull ahead in the game and that’s what Murray has got to do. If Georgia doesn’t beat themselves we can win this game.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
hopeless, in that it was outstanding several days ago?
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
Drose, is that a rhetorical question?
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Since he has been in the SEC Chavis has always had our number. Let’s pray that Richt and Bobo have something good planned.
Ginger
November 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
LSU is a great defense…but UGA players must believe that they are a very good defense too. That’s all Jarvis was saying….You gotta believe you can win if you are going to play with the Big Boys. Go gettum Dawgs…You have your chance to prove it.
JMac
November 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
@King,….according to most LSU fans in the know, if you think that this year’s team is good, just wait till next year when all these freshmen and sophmores that are playing now have another year to just get better. I could see a repeat in 2012 with Mett at QB.
OUTBACK BOWL is a great Major Bowl ? Huh ?
November 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
Playing a team who LOST to a 6-6 Nortwestern is your idea of Mark Richt proving he is BETTER than Les Miles or Nick Saban ?
What is the OUTBACK Bowl ?
The bowl game for the # 5 SEC team,
that’s us.
______________________________________
As for Georgia tek, “Tech has played in 1 of the 4 BCS level bowls in the last 45 years.” No, actually Georgia tek has not won a Major Bowl since 1955. That’s 56 years.
______________________________________
Not that we play in 1 this season.
DISNEYdawgs.com
Outback Bowl is a Major Bowl…
heard it all now. That’s like Tech nerds trying to tell us the
Citrus Bowl is a Major Bowl.
Well, it is MORE MAJOR than the bowl game we’re playing in this season. And, against a better opponent.
TampaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
Dawg fans are REALLY so damn stupid
November 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
That’s all I have to say.
————————————
Obviously, because an intelligent thought would be too much to ask for.
And yes, the Prince/Big Bird off spring is funny
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
Anyone heard from GT Joe
JMac with Mett at QB.
November 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
I knew that was coming. By the way, we see him in the game Saturday night too.
Ron Swanson
November 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
GT Joe and GT Bob are getting a couples massage.
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.
HondaDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Dear St Simons
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
go back to island time my friend
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
You may can believe
But you better have a good game plan to exploit their weakness
LSU was passed all over the field against WVU but
Im figuring Bobo doesnt watch that tape but instead sticks with running up the middle which you will not be successful against LSU as to what Ive seen to date
gdawginkalamazoo
November 29th, 2011
2:49 pm
drose, I don’t see SC going to the ATL this weekend so they must not have beaten everybody that they needed to beat to get there. I think we did.
No, we get to play in The SEC Championship Game because we didn't play Arkansas like you had to.
November 29th, 2011
2:49 pm
Eat your hearts out. Of course, come Saturday night the lone remaining poll will have South Carolina ranked AHEAD of us too. Just like 2005. Beat LSU and LSU ends up # 6 and we’re # 10.
But, according to Richt-0-Philes, Mark Richt had a better season 2005 than LSU.
Right.