Extra effort needed for Jarvis Jones to duplicate 2011 production
Georgia All-America linebacker Jarvis Jones is working overtime with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to make sure his production does not wane this season. (AP photo)
ATHENS — Much is expected of Jarvis Jones this season, and deservedly so. He was, after all, the SEC’s sack leader and a consensus All-American.
But duplicating his tremendous production — 70 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 49 QB pressures — won’t be easy this year. That’s why Jones has been working overtime in the film room with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
“He’s got to understand that there are a lot of good coaches in this league, and they’re going to say, ‘All right, we’re not going to let this guy wreck the game,’” Grantham said after the Bulldogs’ morning practice on Saturday. “They’re going to try to find ways to take him away. You’ve got to have answers for that.”
Grantham said Jones has unique athletic gifts and intelligence that allowed him to record the second-most productive season for a pass rusher in school history. But that won’t be enough in year two as a starter. Jones will have to become more sophisticated as a defender and the Bulldogs will have to use more ingenuity to put him in position to succeed.
“From a development standpoint, he’s only played the position for one year,” Grantham said. “So the more he understands formations, where people are, how he can play things, will allow him to make even more plays. . . . And then he needs to just work on his overall technique.”
Searching for The Great 8
Georgia’s top six players on the offensive line has been well established at this point. Kenarious Gates, Dallas Lee, David Andrews, Chris Burnette and John Theus are the starting five with Watts Dantzler as the chief fill-in at guard and tackle.
But the Bulldogs have said they’re looking for “seven or eight” they can take into the season and depend on. Line coach Will Friend was asked Saturday who the best candidates were for those last two spots.
“It would probably be trying to get Mark Beard totally ready; he’s not there yet. We’re trying to get Austin Long ready; he’s not there yet,” Friend said. “I think those two can be those guys by the time we get to the season. We’ve got to get them and those other guys to fall in and be counted on.”
Friend said sophomore Hunter Long, who was backing up both the center and right guard positions, was emerging as a contributor before he broke his foot in Friday’s workout.
Meanwhile, Friend said not pencil in Theus as the starting right tackle just yet. “We haven’t named him a starter yet or anything like that,” Friend said. “He and Watts are getting equal reps with the 1s. But John still has a long way to go. That’s not over yet.”
Bobo on RBs
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo likes what he has seen from freshmen tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. But he wasn’t ready to say they’ll unseat lettermen Ken Malcome and Richard Samuel.
“I like the attitudes of the two freshmen,” Bobo said Saturday. “I like their attitude and their commitment to doing things right. They’ve really done a nice job of taking Coach McClendon’s coaching and improving every day. There’s a lot of mistakes being made out there, but I’ve seen improvement and guys learning from their mistakes. So I’m excited about that.”
Watermelon Day’ for Dogs
Saturday was “Watermelon Day” for the Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. It’s a tradition that dates back to the Vince Dooley in which the team celebrates the end of “camp” by sharing watermelon after the morning practice on the last day of two-a-days.
Of course, the significance has dwindled considerably in recent years as Georgia is limited by NCAA rule to just two twice-a-day practice sessions during the preseason. But the Bulldogs have practiced 12 times in nine days and will get their first day off Sunday since the first practice on Aug. 2. Also, classes begin on Monday, so Georgia will shift into its regular afternoon-practice routine.
This & that . . .
All three of Georgia’s projected starters at cornerback were wearing green, non-contact jerseys during Saturday’s evening practice, though each seemed to be fully participating in all the drill work. The newest addition is converted receiver Malcolm Mitchell (shoulder contusion), who joined Branden Smith (shoulder) and Damian Swann (neck) on the injured list. UGA has not yet released details of Mitchell’s injury. . . . Despite its rapidly-growing popularity, head coach Mark Richt shaved off his goatee before Saturday’s practices. It lasted nine days.
MORE ON GEORGIA FOOTBALL
- Freshman tailbacks Gurley, Marshall ‘definitely going to play’
- Freshman OL John Theus making no assumptions about starting
- WR Marlon Brown ‘not satisfied, not done yet’
- Freshman kicker Marshall Morgan getting a kick out of all the attention
- Pecking order in backfield appears unchanged
- WR Rantavious Wooten emerges from lost season focused, determined
- Marlon Brown, Todd Gurley star in Dogs’ first scrimmage
- Focus intensifies on Georgia’s kickers
- Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’
- UGA changes policy on injury info
- Rodney Garner talks roster management, Penn State and recruiting character
- Malcolm Mitchell all-defense for now, but double-duty starts soon
- Georgia clears Branden Smith to play in opening game
- Aaron Murray spends summer honing craft with football’s finest
- The Kolton Houston case
- The top five priorities of preseason camp
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
70 comments Add your comment
Polo Club
August 11th, 2012
6:33 pm
Micah is the Chief!
ringleader
August 11th, 2012
6:43 pm
And they take another Sunday off!
dawgcrzy
August 11th, 2012
6:44 pm
33 min and only one post, and it doesn’t even make sense4
McDawg
August 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
what is Ray Drew’s status
MaconBulldog
August 11th, 2012
6:48 pm
Let the other Teams key in on Jarvis and let Washinton and Jenkins put them on their backs
Augusta dawg
August 11th, 2012
6:58 pm
Can’t get here fast enough. GATA!
dbc
August 11th, 2012
7:02 pm
I love this quote I read from an interview with Keith Marshall:
“I know that I will not be in trouble with getting suspended or anything like that,” Marshall said. “I think me and Todd will keep each other out of trouble and some of the other guys.
I’ve just never been one to get in trouble. My parents didn’t allow it. I found out at an early age that getting in trouble was not an option.”
This is precisely why this young man will be a success at anything he chooses to do in life. Love hearing from an athlete who has his head screwed on right. His parents obviously raised him right and should be very proud.
Pj
August 11th, 2012
7:26 pm
21 days!!!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 11th, 2012
8:04 pm
How much time is he spending with his Professors that teach ” JARVIS JONES; Born: Oct. 13, 1989; Major: Child & Family Development.” Classes?
WDE
August 11th, 2012
8:12 pm
@Ricky Bobby Richt your head up you butt ? Your there!
davidinloganville
August 11th, 2012
8:43 pm
i’m sure that Jones has very good earning potential next year with his major what ever it is.
davidinloganville
August 11th, 2012
8:50 pm
53 (notadog) how about Matt Stafford did they get anything out of him?
davidinloganville
August 11th, 2012
8:56 pm
I’m not an expert like all the anti-Bobo “coaches” on this blog but i don’t see how you can blame him for a linebacker that did not live up to his high school rating?
dawggirl
August 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
Ray Drew is injured, which is a part of the game, unfortunately. How exactly is he a disappointment? The negativity here sickens me. No, everything is not all sunshine and roses, but would it kill you to show a little optimism?
Dawg-Gawn
August 11th, 2012
9:47 pm
“Stick with Richt”
Coach Mike Bobo spent the off season in San Fransisco, visiting with Jim Harbaugh talking football philosophy. Right now Harbaugh is the very hottest commodity in coaching and is known for his run blocking schemes of the physical smash-mouth style. Harbaugh has developed the single back TE power running formations and also uses the Tight Ends more specifically in two TE sets!
Harbaugh had really good success while at Stanford running these schemes, in fact may have been what helped Andrew Luck’s QB career take off! (opening up the passing game)
UGA has the players to pull these schemes off with JR Arthur Lynch 6′5″ 260 lbs & RS/FS J Rome 6′6″ 257 lbs, an offensive line that is 6-7 players deep and Aaron Murray at QB. I hope Bobo was able to secure a Stanford offensive playbook! It will be an exciting season to watch!
Senior players own slogan “Our Team, Our Time, No Regrets!”
Believe in the “G”……… it’s coming!
Wow
August 11th, 2012
10:04 pm
@1953Dawg I have to say in reading your comments I totally agree with you. One thing about Drew is one of his HS football coaches said during his recruitment that he could not understand all the hype about Drew. He said Drew was good but not 5 star good. However he may turn out to be a good player with more playing time but how they coach at UGA you never know.
@davidinloganville What exactly did Stafford do while at UGA? UGA never went to the SECCG while he was there. He had good numbers but he never led UGA to any championships.
He has turned out to be pretty good in the NFL when healthy but I was actually disappointed with him at UGA. He was suppose to be “the quarterback coming out of HS but a guy named Tebow made sure it wasn’t. Not being a hater….just sayin
Dawg Whisperer
August 11th, 2012
10:25 pm
With UGA fans like ‘53, who needs haters? I’ve got a great idea. How ’bout give Ray Drew 3-4 years to evaluate him but hey what’s the fun in that?
Dawg Whisperer
August 11th, 2012
10:32 pm
@ Wow…. wow. And all these years, I thought football was a team sport but you just changed that dynamic. Let’s get real, when you hate a particular school, no individual or team can do anything right. GT football stinks. Wow.
jj
August 11th, 2012
10:33 pm
Jarvis Jones has recovered from a career ending injury, put himself in position to be the best defensive player in the SEC (and the country) and put the NFL on hold to improve his game. He’s gonna be better.
Dawg Whisperer
August 11th, 2012
10:38 pm
So many UGA haters… so little time before the season starts but never enough time to wallow in bitterness. GT fans really need a find a life beyond UGA football.
Dawg Whisperer
August 11th, 2012
10:46 pm
Good insight from coach Grantham. Staying one step ahead of the other team’s adjustments before they are actually implemented is further evidence of Grantham’s football acumen. Wow.
Jerry Seinfeld
August 12th, 2012
12:08 am
Some of you are such geniuses… you assume Drew will be a bust already because he got a concussion. Did you expect him to be an All-American as a freshman or something? David Pollack broke out his sophomore year after all. Tebow got a concussion his senior year and then he never got one again so don’t overreact. He could be back any day.
North Georgia Dawg
August 12th, 2012
12:19 am
Seinfeld, I agree.
The Factor
August 12th, 2012
12:35 am
@1953dawg
“Oh, the sky is falling”, what a loser…go pound sand or something, but take your negative attitude elsewhere….get lost…we don’t need your a–
dbc
August 12th, 2012
1:49 am
Just ran across a show called “My Big Redneck Vacation, Paris Edition.” Not only was I embarrassed for the concept of loudmouth Americans (and their, fat, ignorant wives) in Paris making fools of themselves, but two of the male dudes were wearing LSU hats. Yikes!
Hairy Dawg
August 12th, 2012
6:57 am
That good hearing how OLine coming together. We have talent at skillls position but OLine got to give them time to expose talents and use skills in exposing Dawgs dominants.
Army Vet
August 12th, 2012
6:59 am
1953dawg got a little free time at the nursing home and felt good about bashing the football program…you need help!!..you’re not a real fan! Call a nurse…no..call shrink!!
Destin Dawg
August 12th, 2012
7:02 am
Great TEAM attitude this year…. ” Our team, our time, no regrets ” it’s good to see the coaches saying ” we’re not there yet “.. it’s way too early to be satisfied.. need to always be improving.. that’s coaching ‘em UP.. Go Dawgs !!!
Destin Dawg
August 12th, 2012
7:07 am
Don’t forget O line depth… Zach DeBell and Xzavier Ward… Red shirt frosh up close to 290… ready for some playing time !!
hope no more arrests
August 12th, 2012
7:46 am
Jarvis Jones is a player and Tech has none…jackets suck.
Destin Dawg
August 12th, 2012
7:51 am
Number one Tech fan “THERE STUDYING CALCUSUS ” really try ” they’re studying calculus “
independent
August 12th, 2012
7:54 am
NumberOneTech Fan… must just be a fan not a student for sure !!
Topp Dogg
August 12th, 2012
8:44 am
1953 go soak your dentures and strap on those Depends, we will come back to check on you later Pops.
Beast from the East
August 12th, 2012
9:09 am
Jones has had a long road to get where he’s at. He’s emerged as a great player and a solid leader for the Dawgs. Wish him the best this year, as he seems to be doing everything the right way.
Go Gators!
independent
August 12th, 2012
9:30 am
GT needs a seminar on living in the Getto… surviving drug war, gangs, stay at home at night.. carry a stun gun… living with out women.. etc.
TDawg
August 12th, 2012
9:34 am
20 days. Time to GATA Dawgs. Lay off Ray Drew. He’s injured but he looked great in the spring game and by all accounts had a great spring. His body type has led to his move to DE and we will be deep and strong in all of our front 7 positions. This defense could be very dominant, especially when secondary is back to full speed.
1953 will have to fight with the ladies in the home for control of he TV during football season. Hope he likes watching Golden Girl reruns.
Destin Dawg
August 12th, 2012
9:49 am
yes TDawg… Junkyard Dawg defense is back under Todd Grantham… S & C and nutrition will help running game.. and 4 qtr… Go Dawgs !!
Mark Richt's Goatee
August 12th, 2012
9:52 am
I would have been worth at least one or two wins this year on the swagger alone. Sorry but CMR has decided to remove me.
TDawg
August 12th, 2012
10:03 am
Careful MR Goatee. Some of the wonks on here will start blaming the loss of goatee on discipline or talent evaluation. Before they start let me say IT’S JUST FACIAL HAIR
I-DOG
August 12th, 2012
10:22 am
Number One Tech Fan:
I assume your incorrect use of “there” two times in one short sentence is a joke that you meant to make. If not, the irony of your bashing a UGA player for his major while being unable to properly use one of the most commonly taught grammar lessons from elementary and middle school is laughable.
Ghost
August 12th, 2012
10:41 am
1953Dawg, Drew’s a bust, but has yet to play his sophomore season? Thats a classy post. The NFL disagrees with you on this staffs evaluation of talent and developing it, but what do they know compared to someone with your experience.
ROFLMAO
August 12th, 2012
10:42 am
Taco, what the hell are u talking about. U moron, are a clown.
kingdaddy
August 12th, 2012
11:17 am
Ghost
“53″ makes a habit of Dawg-bashing. Most of his post are extermly critical of this current staff. Seems the only thing CMR could do to make him happy would be to jump off a really, really tall bridge and take Coach Bobo with him. With doggy-fans like him, who needs trolls, lol…
PaulPaul
August 12th, 2012
11:26 am
1953Dawg
Many times a kid needs to be moved because he fits another position better. Remember Alec Ogletree started out as defensive back. I don’t think anyone thinks he needs to be moved back. Drew got hurt it happens sometimes when you play hard. Give this young man a chance. Every coach in the country would have taken this kid. Great football skills and good character. Our coaches know much more than any of us about evaluating talent. Our program has some problems such lack of such as lack of killer instinct sometimes but we are headed in the right direction. Did you ever play football and get hurt.
Just curious.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
11:36 am
KingDaddy we have WnE on the Tech blog that does the same thing. I like to poke fun at all school but when a guy is a FAN of said team and only finds fault it gets old.
kingdaddy
August 12th, 2012
11:42 am
When you stop having confidence in your own people, you cease being a part of the team. A lot of Doggies upset at Richt and will never forgive him. Hate it for em, cause Coach Richt will win this year and they will be even madder. Think about it, fans rooting for their team to fail. TREASONOUS, DOUBLE-CROSSING, FAITHLESS, SUBVERSIVE, TREACHEROUS & MUTINOUS. The lowest of the low…
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
11:46 am
I can understand some of the tech hate for CPJ and the same for UGa fans towards Richt, but at some point you have to accept These guys are the COACH and good or bad you have to try to back the TEAM and Coach.
kingdaddy
August 12th, 2012
11:46 am
Twink
Mustang Sal likes the Browns, a hometown thang
Great article in the Savannah Morning News about Merrit Hall this morning…
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
11:50 am
KingDaddy Ken banned me from the Tech blog for a few weeks cause I went off the other day. LOL
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
11:51 am
the BROWNS? You got you a YANKEE girl? LOL or is it the DAWGPOUND thing? lol
Baltisraul
August 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
Ricky Bobby …….. after reading your post, it is easy to see you never played any sport that had pre-season practice.
Ghost
August 12th, 2012
12:36 pm
Kingdaddy, To each their own opinion , but 53 needs to learn its best to keep your mouth shut an let people think you’re dumb, than opening your mouth and proving them right.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
12:42 pm
Ghost if that were really true then the blogs would not have any post to read.
PennGeorgia State
August 12th, 2012
12:46 pm
see that Chad Ochocinco Johnson got arrested. What years did he play at UGA?
Game Changer
August 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
J JONES will he be able to tackle SEC running backs in 2012. He was run over by the running backs of the SEC. CAN HE STEP UP AND TACKLE?????????
PennGeorgia State
August 12th, 2012
1:04 pm
Good point Changer..Jones is a chaser, kinda in the Keith Brooking mold.
RHall55
August 12th, 2012
1:16 pm
From the sound of things Kolton Houston seems out of the mix….suspended for this year also??? Why hasn’t UGA gotten things setteld…since April 2010….why so long!!!
@Gamechanger
August 12th, 2012
1:21 pm
John Jenkins still on the team?Georgia still going to put on probation? Jones is horrible Yep he was selected 1st team all American as a redshirt sophomore because he got put on his butt by SEC RB’s., unless he’s injured a #1 draft choice,(but what do NFL scouts know that you don’t?) he can’t tackle SEC backs?
WDE
August 12th, 2012
1:43 pm
@RHall55 really you missed the entire weeks worth or articles ….really?”
WDE
August 12th, 2012
1:48 pm
Oh and troll boys JJ was a first team All American they don;t give those to defensive player that can’t tackle….so troll on ..
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
2:05 pm
WDE and they don’t give Heisman Trophies to QBs that can’t beat top 25 teams. I guess Murray is out then.
WDE
August 12th, 2012
2:22 pm
@I dropped my fried twinkie never said they should twinkie old boy did you actually have a point to your post?
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 12th, 2012
2:44 pm
yes, JJ being an All American tackling the weak teams on last years schedule is about as valuable as the Heisman talk about Murray this year.
@twinkie
August 12th, 2012
4:25 pm
Twinkie 21 of Jarvis 70 tackles came against teams that finished in top 10. If All America teams are going to be selected by Strength of schedule, no one from Boise , Illinois , Stanford , Wisconsin or Oregon, Boston College should make the AA team since they all played weaker schedules than Georgia.
Game Changer
August 12th, 2012
5:41 pm
OK, ready for true stats from 2011
Jarvis Jones 39 solo tackles in 14 games — 2.78 tackles per game from wide side of the field
Jarvis Jones 31 assisted tackles in 14 games – 2.21 assist per game from wide side of the field
Jarvis Jones Avg: a total of 5 tackles per game ( very weak numbers for what he is asked to do )
The above two stats are very poor for any linebacker in SEC FOOTBALL ( ESPECIALLY THE UNASSISTED TACKLES )
Jarvis Jones – 19.5 sacks ( this is a tremendous number to put up at any level ) NFL teams are looking for a ” SPECIALTY ” type outside pass rusher, Jarvis Jones at this time is leading college player for this, could lead to a first round draft pick.
Please do not get top linebackers and specialty type players mixed up: Jarvis Jones understands he needs to improve his overall game, this is good for UGA
WDE
August 12th, 2012
6:06 pm
Perfect troll logic the article is about a defensive all American and they want to talk about a QB ….is there no shame…
@gamechanger
August 12th, 2012
9:48 pm
Another bit of brilliance from Gamechanger, could lead to # 1 pick. He would’ve been a #1 pick in 2012. Try on 49 QBP.
He was 1st team all american linebacker , by more than one service, not a specialty player at all.Of course the coaches and writers who choose all american teams know much less about football than Gamechanger. Wonder where a 6′ 9″ 350 lber might play, certainly no success to be had on this level. LOL clueless , Do you watch football ? its fairly obvious you’ve never played. Which program are you doing talent evaluation for?Is John Jenkins still going to be academically ineligible?According to gamechanger Josh Harvey Clemmons was leaving Athens? TROLL somewhere else.
UGA Insider
August 13th, 2012
11:14 am
Coach G is doing a good job of keeping JJ motivated. But real football insiders know that the big boys up front in Geathers and Jenkins command a double team first and foremost. That is why JJ and Tree/ Herrera/Wilson will have MONSTER seasons. And for the person who said JJ can’t tackle and Tree is undersized is drunk. Tree is a monster. 240 atleast.
scholarpon
August 14th, 2012
2:28 am
Your school Need a fundraiser? check out scholarpon.com
The Ghost of John Brantley
August 14th, 2012
1:09 pm
What he needs this year is more 1-legged QB’s like me so he can pad his stats.