Georgia’s Rodney Garner believes 2012 D-line stacks up with some of his best
Rodney Garner believes Georgia's 2012 defensive line can stack up with some of the best he has coached for the Bulldogs. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner is not one to toss a lot of bouquets, especially in the middle of the summer with actual games still three months from being played. But he can’t suppress his excitement (a relative term here) when it comes to the group set to hold the line for the Bulldogs this fall.
Noseguards Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins, defensive ends Abry Jones and Garrison Smith and backups Sterling Bailey, Ray Drew, Mike Thornton and Cornelius Washington, provide Georgia with the three most important needs of an exceptional D-line — size, athleticism and depth. They also bring some intangibles to the equation, according to Garner.
“I’m proud of these guys. I really am,” Garner said this past week. “I’m proud of the type of young men that the are. I’m proud of the things they bring to the table, not just from an athleticism standpoint, but for overall work ethic, for leadership qualities, everything. I’ll be honest with you, I’m really honored just to have the opportunity to coach them, just looking at how they’ve matured over the years.”
Garner has coached some great defensive lines in his 15 seasons with the Bulldogs. He stops short of labeling the 2012 group as the best he’s had — for him, the 2000 D-line is a slam dunk in that regard. But he said this year’s line does remind him a little of that unit, which included Richard Seymour, Marcus Stroud, Charles Grant and Josh Mallard, with Johnathan Sullivan as the primary backup.
Seymour (6th) and Stroud (13th), Grant (25th) and Sullivan (6th) all became NFL first-round draft picks, while Mallard and backup Demetric Evans also played in the NFL.
“Four first-round picks on the same D-line; that’s a pretty good deal,” Garner said. “And Tyrone Robertson was supposed to be on that team, too, but he got in some academic trouble and had to go to Hines (Community College). Jonathan Sullivan was the No. 1 backup as a true freshman and he blacked up Richard and Marcus pretty good [in practice].”
Garner wasn’t sure if the 2012 unit is destined for the level of NFL success the 2000 line did, but he likes what he sees in these individuals. His observations:
On Jones, the senior defensive end . . .
“I look at Abry, who I think is a heck of a player who doesn’t get nearly the recognition I think he deserves. I mean, this kid comes to play every day, he plays with energy, he plays with passion. And he’s been a very productive player for us. He made some really good plays last year and did some nice things. I just like his leadership; I like everything he stands for. I’m just looking forward to him having a real good year.”
On Jenkins and Geathers at noseguard and tackle, each of them a 350-pounder . . .
“The two big boys. They’re big men who are very athletic. It’s very rare that you can find guys who are that big who can move the way they move. God was good to them when they got in the line for talent.”
On Smith, the junior defensive end from Atlanta, and Thornton, of Stone Mountain . . .
“I think Garrison might have had the best spring of any of them. He’s coming on like gangbusters. I think he has a chance to really put his mark on that position. And I thought Mike had a good spring, too. He really did. Mike can play.”
On Washington, Drew and Bailey, each making the conversion from outside linebacker to end, or 5-technique tackle:
“Cornelius is adjusting to playing inside, which is different for him. But he’s bought into it and he’s adjusting to it and I think he’ll continue to improve and eventually be a different type of change-up guy in there. . . .
“I think Ray Drew’s going to be really good. Have you looked at how big he is? He’s 280 pounds. [Moving to defensive tackle] was not a negative thing at all; I hope people understand that. He saw it himself. It is what it is. Ray could’ve sat around and starved himself, but it wasn’t going to happen. He’s going to be a 300-pounder; that’s what God intended him to be. Ain’t nothing he can do about it. Next year he’ll probably play at about 290 and the next year he’ll probably be 300. That’s what his body is built for. Him moving in there is not a negative. In a 3-4, that’s just where he needs to be. In a 4-3, he could be a defensive end. He’s a good 5-technique tackle. He’s a great athlete. He’s going to be fine. . . .
“Same thing with Sterling Bailey. That’s what people have to understand. Those are guys who are very athletic at those positions. Sterling’s like 285. Of course he’s coming off that [foot surgery], but he’s a great athlete, too.”
Garner stops short of predicting greatness for this group. But he’s certainly excited about the possibilities.
“They’re a great group of young men,” he said. “I’m eager to see what they can do.”
Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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251 comments Add your comment
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:23 pm
@ FL Dawg
What is the difference between losing to UCF and Wake Forrest? I guess none in your mind. You say you leave in T-Town and you dont know the roster that Jimbo has put together? You can say that year after year approah all you want but Jimbo won 10 his first year at the helm and 9 last year will all the injuries. Talk to me once the season begins and throughout the season and you will eat your GA crow for sure. Our roster is more talented than yours and it is not even close FLORIDA DOG. So just go to Governor Square and get your FSU t-shirt son!
tidog
June 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
This could be a special season if the people at the top are 100% motivating the defense to go and take the SECC. A defense that could cover for a lukewarm offense every game may be able to take that offense along for a National Championship ride.
TampaGator
June 11th, 2012
1:27 pm
@ARDawgs……
Sorry…..FSU has a lot more than hype. They may have the most solid roster in the nation…and the deepest. The Noles only issue this year is at QB. If Manual steps up, FSU is perhaps the best team in the country. If you don’t believe me, go look at their roster. Young, solid, deep….and now….experienced. The Noles are the real deal in 2012….unfortunately.
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
@ ARdawg
Please remeber what you said about FSU. What will you say when they win 12 this year? It will catch you off guard right? I know it will. I bet they will have a better year than GA. Yes they fell out of the top 5 last year but I want you to bank on that this year.
tidog
June 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
The noles had high expectations last season and folded under the pressure. Can’t imagine this season being any different.
Say It Aint So
June 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
Jeeze, Doesn’t FSU have a blog somewhere? They won’t be in the NC picture. Believe That!
JB
June 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
Dawgs with this defense and a third year Murray with those WR weapons……….It’s early, but running the table is possible
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
@ Say It Aint So
And the dogs will be in the NC picture? I dont think so. Fsu is better than GA. like Tampa Gator suggested I believe you just need to sit down drink some coffee and take a look at the roster son. Please do!
DawginLex
June 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
Vegas lines just out
Dawgs favored in every single game, including 2.5 at SC
How long has it been since that happened?
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
@ JB
They will not come close to running the table son. Put that in your pipe in smoke it. GA will lose two other SEC games besides Missouri. I will be on this blog after the Missouri game.
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:43 pm
@ DawginLex
Dont believe it. They will lose three SEC games this year mark that down son!
robodawg
June 11th, 2012
1:51 pm
I’m liking the looks of our D line, that’s where it all starts. And I’m liking the quality depth we’ll have there. Nothing at all wrong with having a Ray Drew at end. He won’t have as much room, but he can still beat his man and create pressure up the middle. Very few OLs will be able to block these boys without committing extra players against them.
We saw in the SECCG how solid our starters have become, but it’s depth like this that will enable us to go for 4 quarters against the best.
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
1:56 pm
Kmac….FSU does have a good defese, better than UGA probably not. Problem w/ FSU is that the defense spends too much time on the field because they have a poor running game and a avg O-Line at best. A good year at FSU, no doubt, but nothing spectacular.
Say It Aint So
June 11th, 2012
1:57 pm
Continue to look for a Conference that will suit your needs, you won’t win a NC while a member of the ACC. Shame, can’t live in the past.
Beast from the East
June 11th, 2012
1:58 pm
I love these guarantees before we even know what type of attrition will occur over the summer. Kmac, for all you know, the Semis may have half the team flunk out of clown college before the season. Putting on those big flappy shoes, the make-up and those those giant red noses is a daily grind that not every student-athlete is able to master…LOL!
Kmac
June 11th, 2012
1:59 pm
@Tidog
You know nothing about FSU son? GA Will lose to SC and Missouri for sure. Take that to the bank. Fla is the other team that will beat them. Dont you want to know how they will do it? Pure defense sucker. That offense want have to score more than 20 points for Florida to beat GA.
ARdawg
June 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
Famous last words “take that to the bank” and “bank on it”
ARdawg
June 11th, 2012
2:06 pm
Kmac
You homers never cease to amaze me. FSU with a 12 win season? Not even in that high school league in which they play will that happen. 12 wins, you’re right, I don’t see that one coming.
Say It Aint So
June 11th, 2012
2:07 pm
Claimaing to be the best in the ACC is nothing to shout about. Once the playoffs start, the ACC teams will be on the outside looking in. Not a strong enough conference.
AltamahaDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:09 pm
Kmac, how good is MO’s secondary against our passing game, and how will thier running game stack up to our front 7? Since you seem to be a guy who follws college football, surely your KNOWledge of how that game will pan out is a lot deeper than you reading some place that we had a few secondary players in our rotation sitting it out. Right?
And exploiting our secondary hardly equates to our defense staying on the field longer, does it?. That’s not even the logical conclusion. Actually, it’s the opposite.
GtDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
@ TampaGator, He wasnt recruited by the dawgs, lol
Florida Gator recruit tweets about “bottles, blunts, music, and bitches!”
JaFarMann is a 2012 Florida Gator recruit who committed to the Gators on March 25th, 2011. The defensive tackle was rated as a three star recruit by Rivals.com and receives offers from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (FL), Ole Miss, Mississippi State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Jafar Mann also goes by @jayruu_uf on Twitter and posted this ill advised photo on Instagram. The photo contained possible plans for “bottles, blunts, music, and *******!” and listed an address for something that was probably taking place on June 8th. We don’t know if he was the one to type the note and just because they discuss these topics doesn’t mean he is partaking in them. Obviously, this looks really bad for the Florida Gators though who have had some troubles with Marijuana arrests in the past
Lakedawg
June 11th, 2012
2:12 pm
Kmac–Lets take a look at FSU schedule:
Murray State
Savannah State Believe you get by both of those
Wake Forrest
Clemson Both at home, but a loss here
USF Bulls
NC state
Boston College None to good, but one more loss here
Miami– Away—Loss
Duke
Va Tech–Away–Loss
Gators–Loss
Sorry man 7-5 possible best for this year
AltamahaDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:16 pm
“but I predict they will be on the field way too long. Especially in the 2nd half.”
Please explain.
GtDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:16 pm
2012=a Different Dawgs Team so why are everyone referring back to last years games. BTW when the Dawgs play Missouri, the secondary will field 2 backups, The #1 and #3 rated Corners in the country from 2011 recruiting class. Its gonna be a Beatdown.
Jay
June 11th, 2012
2:16 pm
To all the Florida fans, please hit the back button on the upper left hand of your screen!
PS. Aaron Murray will pick apart your weak a** defense in October and I will be there to watch your team get beat just like last year!
AugustaDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
It’s not the D line that we are worried about…It’s the O-line. If they hold up, (block, pass protect and opne lanes) it should be one heck of a year. It can’t get here quick enough.
Joey
June 11th, 2012
2:19 pm
So . . . I read Chip’s blog (UGA Sports, by the way), then scan over the comments. I had to back out and go back to Chip’s article to make sure it is about UGA.
First, Tampa Gator comes on the playground to say his daddy is stronger than ours… I mean, UF’s D-line is better than ours – and he knows this in June.
Then, geez, now we got an obnoxious fsu fan on here too? And suprise, his DL is better than ours too. The silver lining is Beast of the East gets distracted by the seminole, and forgets to insult UGA.
Well welcome all, and sure sorry to hear there are no online blogs for Florida colleges so you can brag to you own fans . . .
Gulf Shores Dawg
June 11th, 2012
2:24 pm
UGA is on the way! Love all you guys and coaches. Ready for Sanford to be ROCKIN this fall and our Dawgs to play lights out all 4 qtrs. This year is gonna be special! Go Dawgs!
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
Kmac…..that “take it to the bank” is sooo 10 years ago. If you are going to post w/ the big dawgs, get some new material!
Dawg Squeeze
June 11th, 2012
2:36 pm
Our class of professors posing as transvestite prostitutes is really looking good too. I’d put ‘em against anyone. Another bulldog point of pride.
DawginLex
June 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
I wasn’t guaranteeing results.
I was asking how long has it been since we were favored in every game before the season starts by the Vegas lines?
2008 we were not favored against florida by Vegas
Don’t know the answer but i bet it has been a long time
AltamahaDawg
June 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
Well in all fairness, he wasn’t a football fan 10 yrs ago.
Kerryb
June 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
Enter your comments hereTampaGator
June 11th, 2012
12:14 pm
Very good Georgia DL…with plenty of depth……but
Florida counters that DL with Jonathan Bullard, Sharrif Floyd, Omar Hunter, Dominque Ealey, Leon Orr, Larentree McCray, Ronald Powell (when he returns from injury at mid season) and others…..no way I trade those for yours….and I am sure all Dawg fans feel the same way about yours.
P.S. NCAA 13 has rated Florida’s overall defense higher (better) than Georgia’s overall defense. The Florida secondary this year will be second to none in the country, and the LBs are terriffic as well. Everything for Florida rides on the development of Driskett and Brissett. Should be interesting to watch. The SEC East is going to be tough this year……and much, much improved.
__________________________________________________________________
You can take Ronald Powell out of that group. No way he comes back from an ACL tear in March.
Kerryb
June 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
I’m not quite as worried about the O-line as some are. I think they played pretty good against a tough defensive front in the G day game. You add Theus (who is a beast) to that line and they are going to be okay.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
June 11th, 2012
2:58 pm
Oh boy, here we go again…UGA is going to run a table…what ever that means? We’d rather win all the games.
JB
June 11th, 2012
2:59 pm
Muschamp will be sending wife and kids to parents house in North Georgia after the Georgia loss. At Bama, they throw bricks in the window…..I don’t know about Gators.
Joey
June 11th, 2012
3:05 pm
You’re right – one offensive “genius” was a bust. Will better hope his new “genius” won’t be – but not to worry, Foley will give Will this year and another . . . (see Ron Zook)
ARdawg
June 11th, 2012
3:06 pm
Kerryb
Excellent point. The young O-line practicing against that beast of a defense will step up their game a few notches. I’m not as worried about them either but, I see them as possibly the weak link on the team. I hope I am wrong.
yellowfever
June 11th, 2012
3:06 pm
How can you compare this defense with others of the past with this schedule. I think Uga has a good shot at going undefeated but does that make them the best team in college football. I think not.
bham dawg
June 11th, 2012
3:14 pm
jenkins will be a first rounder. survive the first 4 games and the season could be special
@DawgInLex… they really have us favored at SC?
bham dawg
June 11th, 2012
3:18 pm
@yellowfever… we don’t make our schedule we play the one given to us. so all you can do is win. if they do win and take home the title they are the best team in the country period.
7576DAWG
June 11th, 2012
3:19 pm
Glad to hear that Garner feels our defensive line is that good because the opponents offensive line will have their hands full which will let our great linebackers and other defensive backs blitz and be effective the whole game. Big year for Jarvis Jones, Ogletree, Robinson , Washington, Herrera, and Rambo coming.
Joey
June 11th, 2012
3:22 pm
“How can you compare this defense with others of the past with this schedule.”
*******************************************
Yellowfever – because maybe Mr Gardner is a coach?
Dang, be honest and admit you wouldn’t think UGA was the best team in college football – ever.
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
3:22 pm
ARdawg & Kerryb……I will join you as another Dawg fan that is less concerned about our O-Line as last season. They can’t and won’t be as ineffective as the last 2 seasons. We were told they were a talented group and some did get drafted but come game day we were less than over-powering. Not as bad as the vaunted FSU O-Line but not up to UGA standards that we are all used to seeing.
Bigboy
June 11th, 2012
3:23 pm
TampaGator you will getting that butt kicked this year buddy!!Not a close loss but a true old fashion A-whipping!! Get ready
Bigboy
June 11th, 2012
3:25 pm
FSU still has a hangover from Mark Richt leaving…they have yet to recover.
Fl Dawg
June 11th, 2012
3:25 pm
KMAC….Honestly a loss to wake forest is probably not as bad as a loss to UCF, but you will not find me on FSU blogs nominating our dawgs as world beaters. That’s the difference my friend! All you noles are the same! And yes I’m aware of you guy’s recent success in recruiting but the losses and disappointments still mount! Sorry, just not convinenced you guys are all of the sudden BACK. And you’ll never catch me in garnet and gold!
GO DAWGS!
Dawg Haus
June 11th, 2012
3:25 pm
No doubt, a strength of this team. Go Dawgs!
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
3:26 pm
Yellowfever………I believe that a coach has the latitude to compare players that he has coached. My guess your job is not as a Sports Information Director.
Beast from the East
June 11th, 2012
3:28 pm
“At Bama, they throw bricks in the window…..I don’t know about Gators”
At UF we throw their carcass in the Swamp for the Gators to dispose of. Zook got away and the Gators went hungry!
All kidding aside, as long as Will wins at least 8 this year, I think he’s got one more year (2013) to show what he can do. 7 wins could get ugly. 6 wins will more than likely seal his fate.