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
01HAWK
June 11th, 2012
7:39 pm
Is this the same DEFENSE that gave up 42 points to LSU ? …………………..LSU scored 9 points on BAMA in 2 games……………….WOW
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
Tampa Gator is at it again..
Yeah Florida will be better in 2012 than they were in 2011. They could not get much worse. The defense at Florida was never the problem, being on the field too long WAS a problem because the offense was so horrific.
I would not go as far over the top as TG did and say their DB’s will as good as anyone in the country or the SEC, however they will be decent early in games, but if the defense has to be on the field for most of the game due to the offense then life will be very long for the Gator fans.
The gators should compete in every game and will make a run at the SEC East, but they need to improve alot and will need to find a fullback or big back who can tote the rock to compete reqularly.
They however will not be in the same league as LSU or Alabama but they have the same or better overall talent as UGA or USC, Tennessee.
Taylor Stuck in Bammer Land
June 11th, 2012
8:27 pm
This is a Championship defense. We should be able to compete nationally with a Defense like that. However, until we do the small things and all the intangibles, we will be in the same position. Murray has to take care of the ball and not force it. He has done that numerous times in his career. We need to run power up middle and use our speed with our new backs to mix things up. In the past we have been so predictable and that has been our achilles heel. I think we will turn the corner this year and Malcome Mitchell will be 2012’s Champ Bailey.
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
8:48 pm
@ Big Surprise:
Yep, Murray is acquainted with USCe’s mediocre defense. He dropped 40+ points on your boys!!!!!!!!!!!!
kingdaddy
June 11th, 2012
8:54 pm
Brains, more brains…
Tampa Gator Needs to Sober Up
June 11th, 2012
8:54 pm
TG,
You must be drunk or stoned today. There is no way UF’s depth on the d-line will hold up this year. Powell will not be back at all until mid-season, and he won’t be full strength until the end of the year at best. Omar Hunter is 5′11 and quick, but he is only a 2-down player. I think I recall that Easley tore up his knee late last year. Who’s to say he is full strength until mid-season. I believe Bullard is a true freshman. Floyd is the real deal, but he is your only quality, experienced d-lineman who can play.
UGA’s D-line is full of mature, grown MEN. You know enough about the SEC to know that it’s not about your starters. It’s about quality depth, which UF does NOT have.
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:01 pm
@ ARdawg:
I demand that you apologize to “pimple faced 13 year olds” everywhere. How would you like being compared to Kmac?
ARdawg = DGD
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:07 pm
@ Kmac:
You are correct. There was a huge difference in losing to UCF as opposed to losing to Wake Forest!!!!
UCF was ranked either 10th or 11th in the nation and the Deacons????????????????????????
tabasco
June 11th, 2012
9:10 pm
kmac, you’re an idiot
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:12 pm
Howdy Kingdaddy!!!!!!
Been on the disabled(mental) list for a while. My little 9 lb. Jack Russell puppy tangled with a Rattlesnake and lost but did survive for 12 hours, I loved that dog like family and better than some of my family!!!!!
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:15 pm
@ tabasco:
Now you apologize to idiots everywhere because you have no reason to compare them to Kmac!!!!!!!!!!!!
tabasco = DGD
Kmac = zero
StackedDeck
June 11th, 2012
9:20 pm
I want to see them play…2000 DF was a #$%^& of a line….Mallard, Grant etc., they were bad! But, this years DF line has that “stuff ” which a good football team is looking for and needs. Flip the coin’ and sec’em dogs….GO DAWGS!!!! Hooorah!!!
UGA / ‘74
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
@ Kmac:
” We wuz about to score but C Ponder fumbled the ball”, How many times have we heard that????
LMAO
Jimbo is winning with Bowdens recruits!!!! 10 wins the 1st year, 9 wins the 2nd year, 8 wins the 3rd year, 7 wins the 4th year!!!!! See where this is going???
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
@ 01 Hawk:
Basically it is the same defense except we took a page from Louisiana Monroe’s Defense Manual.
You remember the one that came into Tuskalooser in 2008 and kicked Elephant A$$ all over town!!!!!!
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
9:34 pm
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
@ 01 Hawk:
Basically it is the same defense except we took a page from Louisiana Monroe’s Defense Manual.
You remember the one that came into Tuskalooser in 2008 and kicked Elephant A$$ all over town!!!!!!
Everyone else copied UCF against UGA
Neutral
June 11th, 2012
10:07 pm
@ 01hawk
Yes indeed….the same defense that held the #1 team in the nation (before the mulligan game) to no 1st downs in the first half. This year the Dawgs have the depth to go 60 minutes so stay tuned!! !
@ Kmac
June 11th, 2012
10:12 pm
I’ll be you anything you want Dogs destroy Missouri.
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
10:17 pm
Neutral
June 11th, 2012
10:07 pm
@ 01hawk
Yes indeed….the same defense that held the #1 team in the nation (before the mulligan game) to no 1st downs in the first half. This year the Dawgs have the depth to go 60 minutes so stay tuned!! !
Yes, the same team who has been ranked in the Top 10, Pre-season No.1, Pre- Season Top 15, Pre-Season Top 25 ONLY to go backwards, not beat a Top 25 ranked team, and loses any game that really means anything of importance. Yet once again Summer SEC Champs, Summer BCS Team, Summer All Everything.
No one thinks the talent is not on the campus at UGA, they are loaded, but no outside of Georgia or UGA fans has any confidence that CMR and his staff are able to win the big games to get themselves into the big boy talk. If CMR does not do it this year with all this talent, then he will not make it and the UGA fans should revolt instead of making excuses for the losses.
Everyone still doubts the OL will perform.
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
10:19 pm
Brainiac
June 11th, 2012
9:07 pm
@ Kmac:
You are correct. There was a huge difference in losing to UCF as opposed to losing to Wake Forest!!!!
UCF was ranked either 10th or 11th in the nation and the Deacons????????????????????????
Losing to UCF in Richts 9th or 10th year and losing in your first or second year says alot about your coaching……
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
10:27 pm
A little information for fans:
ATLANTA, Ga., (May 15, 2012) – The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is pleased to announce its top-selling institutions and manufacturers for the third quarter of the 2011-2012 fiscal year. These rankings represent royalties reported January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 on all collegiate merchandise sold.
Top-75 Universities
(1.) The University of Texas at Austin (2.) The University of Alabama (3.) University of Florida (4.) The University of Michigan (5.) Louisiana State University (6.) University of Kentucky (7.) The University of Georgia (8.) University of North Carolina (9.) University of Oklahoma (10.) University of Notre Dame (11.) Auburn University (12.) The Pennsylvania State University (13.) University of Nebraska (14.) University of Wisconsin (15.) University of Arkansas (16.) University of Tennessee (17.) West Virginia University (18.) University of South Carolina (19.) University of Missouri (20.) Texas A&M University (21.) Florida State University (22.) The University of Kansas (23.) Oklahoma State University (24.) Clemson University (25.) University of Illinois (26.) Texas Tech University (27.) University of Miami (28.) University of Washington (29.) Purdue University (30.) Arizona State University (31.) Boise State University (32.) The University of Arizona (33.) Syracuse University (34.) University of California Los Angeles (35.) University of Louisville (36.) Oregon State University (37.) Duke University (38.) University of California Berkeley (39.) University of Utah (40.) University of Minnesota (41.) Washington State University (42.) The University of Virginia (43.) University of Mississippi (44.) Stanford University (45.) University of Maryland (46.) University of Pittsburgh (47.) Texas Christian University (48.) Georgia Institute of Technology (49.) University of Connecticut (50.) Brigham Young University (51.) University of Cincinnati (52.) University of Colorado (53.) State University of New Jersey (54.) East Carolina University (55.) Boston College (56.) The University of Montana (57.) University of South Florida (58.) Georgetown University (59.) University of Central Florida (60.) University of Nevada (61.) Vanderbilt
FRED
June 11th, 2012
11:09 pm
whats the story with Ray Drew why is he taking so long to come on?
choot em liz
June 11th, 2012
11:13 pm
The Gators should win at home against Bowlin Green and Kentucky. Maybe Louisiana-Lafayette if they can stop their QB, and maybe Jack state if they can stop Washaun Ealey. That’s it, Ya’ll can’t move the ball against anyone else. Gators are terrible.
The Real Brains
June 11th, 2012
11:39 pm
FRED
June 11th, 2012
11:09 pm
whats the story with Ray Drew why is he taking so long to come on?
One word and that one word has long been UGA’s PROBLEM.
COACHING
zbulldawg
June 12th, 2012
1:11 am
This Defense will measure up to the D’s of Bama & Lsu. It could be the BEST of all D’s at UGA. Speaking from front to middle to the rear. They will be 2 deep at every position & 3 in some. Not counting who’s coming in this year. And got the coach to match. NFL coach ! Gardner has already shown he’ll get these guys ready for the NFL. All you negative CRY babies should be proud that these young men are from THE MIGHTY SEC !!
SEC Football Daily: June 12th | Saturday Down South
June 12th, 2012
4:34 am
[...] Georgia’s DL coach thinks his DL is among the best in the country. I agree with him. As a matter of fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say the Bulldogs have the best front seven in the country. Their DL has some big men who have some big-time talent. At linebacker, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the best LB in the country in Jarvis Jones is rushing the passer from his OLB position. This front seven will try and prove they are tops in the country. [AJC] [...]
Me
June 12th, 2012
6:33 am
Mark Richs genious decision to put Todd Grantham in the booth shows how much of a non-leader he really is. Rodney Garner is the worst defensive coach on staff and should have been fired 3-4 years ago. This program will never win a N/C so long as Jesus lover is head coach.
Double Zero Eight
June 12th, 2012
7:45 am
I am not worried about the starters.
It’s the depth that concerns me. That
is the difference between us and Alabama
or LSU. There is very little drop off when
their starters come out. By the second half,
our starters are worn down when we play
teams like LSU and Alabama.
John
June 12th, 2012
7:45 am
Gotta love that attitude. I’m about two cheeseburgers away from 300 and that’s just the way it’s meant to be !!! Go dawgs!!!
TampaGator
June 12th, 2012
8:25 am
“The Gators should win at home against Bowlin Green and Kentucky. Maybe Louisiana-Lafayette if they can stop their QB, and maybe Jack state if they can stop Washaun Ealey. That’s it, Ya’ll can’t move the ball against anyone else. Gators are terrible.”
@choot em…and the rest of you burying your heads in football ignorance concering the Gators.
Get your head out of your behind end and go read the current article on the Gators on ESPN.com. Pay special attention to the writers comments about the Gator D and the two things on offense that will put them back in the national title picture…..this coming year.
“They are closer than most think.”
TampaGator
June 12th, 2012
8:30 am
Oh……..end of the season reminder…..and spring and summer bosting warning!!!!!!
Georgia get blown out by LSU in SEC title game……
Georgia is the only team in the country to lose to a Big Ten team in a bowl game….and be dominated by that team.
I again will remind you…….SEC and National titles are won in the fall….not in the spring and summer.
TampaGator
June 12th, 2012
8:32 am
That would be…….”boasting warning”
Spike 80DF
June 12th, 2012
8:44 am
tampagator, any guarantees from coach boom this spring? i guess dawg blogs are the first thing you check in the morning huh?
AltamahaDawg
June 12th, 2012
8:46 am
You might want to review the bowl results one more time before posting there, Mr. Drama.
BobDawg
June 12th, 2012
8:47 am
I think we are all “splitting hairs” when talking about each others D. Looks like plenty of players on most of the South’s power teams this year as always… Let’s play the games and see where we all stack up…
AltamahaDawg
June 12th, 2012
8:52 am
The article is about the fine group of starters, perhaps the best in recent UGA history, (some say in the country) that the coaches have in place……check. Then somebody is asking why the true freshman Drew did not overtake thier starting job last year as a true freshman, then the next guy says its poor coaching. Classic.
Go Dawgs
June 12th, 2012
9:14 am
The D Line has never been the problem……….TOO BAD THE O-LINE CANT COME CLOSE TO BEING AS GOOD…..AFTER ALL THEY’RE THE REASON MURRAY MAKES MISTAKES…….AT LEAST THAT’S THE REASON WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS
Smitty
June 12th, 2012
9:22 am
Wow, one of the best lines UGA has had, and its probably the 3rd best in the SEC EAST.
Kmac
June 12th, 2012
9:32 am
@ BigDawgK
Your mother is the one that is stupid son. very stupid for having someone dumber like you. Your dogs will lose three sec games at the least. Say what you want about FSU but they are better than UGA. I need to stop talking about your mom like that because she has been so good to me!
Kmac
June 12th, 2012
9:37 am
@ Brainiac
I am still trying to determine why your dumb self goes by Brainiac. You are as dumb as they come. If you take a look you will find that FSU finished 4th in the country in defense. SO for you to say several teams dominated them you are dumb. Your mom is dumb and her mother is dumber for having someone as ignorant as you. UGA will lose to Missouri, South Carolina, and Florida. I want you to think about what I said as the games unfold ms brainiac!
italian_29
June 12th, 2012
9:49 am
Wow Kmac, your mama jokes???? That is almost as old as “BOOK IT” Don’t they have an FSU blog that you can check out? I like FSU, I always thought that they were a classey team. I have found out, based on your blog comments that they don’t have classey fans.
Kmac
June 12th, 2012
9:56 am
@ italian_29
if you take a look at some of the posts on this board then you will see just how classy UGA fans are. I decided that I am going to be just like them.
The General Feeling
June 12th, 2012
10:01 am
Here we go…. it’s June so it must be time to start the “greatest” talk….
This UGA team, like all others, will lay an egg sometime during the season.
DawginLex
June 12th, 2012
10:02 am
Brice Ramsey just told florida to shove it
No more recruiting visits
“I’m going to Athens to play for Mike Bobo.”
DIT
June 12th, 2012
10:16 am
I for one do not think that UF will be down. I have always said that there is too much talent over there. However, the reason why I feel that UGA should be favored in that game this year is that our offense is just a TD better than UF’s. Both defenses will be very good.
everyone loves to say that UGA has an easy schedule coming up. If you look at it that they don’t play Bama or LSU and that’s it, then that would be correct. However, for those that think UF & Auburn are going to be push overs this year, I have swamp to sell you in the Mojave desert. They will be tough!
Sleepers will be UT & Vandy. They won’t be patsies. It’s really not as easy of a schedule overall than what most people think. @Mizzou, @So. Car. @ JAX @ Auburn. How is that easy?
For those that want to jump on this, I’m not saying it’s the hardest schedule in the SEC, only that it’s not as easy as many believe it is. That’s why I think UGA loses 2 games min. this year.
Just my opinion!
DIT
June 12th, 2012
10:25 am
@Me – “This program will never win a N/C so long as Jesus lover is head coach.”
Please clear this up for us. Are you saying that because CMR loves Jesus he will not win a NC? What’s the purpose of adding that comment? Sounds to me that you are missing something pretty special in your life if you have that much anger inside of you. That’s too bad. Really!
UGA Insider
June 12th, 2012
10:35 am
Sterling Bailey and Ray Drew are the backups is all you need to know about how good this defense is. These guys would be starting for anyone in the SEC not named Bama or LSU.
ddawg
June 12th, 2012
10:35 am
SSGT You are right about Geathers and Jenkins. However, Abry Jones is already predicted to go in the 1st or 2nd round. Mel Kiper thinks he is one of the top Defencis Ends in the nation. I realy can not fathem why people do not give Abry more credit. Look at the Stats.
UGA Insider
June 12th, 2012
10:38 am
DIT,
UT and Vandy will stink this year. UT will win 4 or 5 games this year and Dooley will be gone by November. Satsuri went there so he could take over program mid-season.
ps.. Bray is a headcase.
DawginLex
June 12th, 2012
10:39 am
DIT
Agree about florida. I think they will go 9-3 or maybe 10-2. Look for them to get SC in the Swamp. Sc goes 8-4 or 9-3 and spurrier retires but only after proposing SEC realignment that does not include Georgia, florida, Lsu, Ark or Bama………….
DIT
June 12th, 2012
10:45 am
@UGA Insider – I don’t think they will be 9 to 10 game winners. I just don’t think they will be the pushovers as most perceive. If our LB’s get in in Bray’s face he will melt like a cheap suit.
@Lex – I’d be surprised if SC falls off that much. If somehow, we can take care of business in Columbia (big if), then that could be a possibility because Spurrier hates losing to UGA and every time he does the season turns to crap afterwards.
UF is the sleeper this year! If their offense finds a grove with that defense they will be very tough.