UGA safety Shawn Williams rants that Dogs’ defense is ‘too soft, playing wrong players
Georgia strong safety Shawn Williams, here tackling South Carolina tailback Marcus Lattimore, called out Georgia's defense and some teammates for not playing hard enough. (AP photo)
ATHENS – You figured somebody would say something eventually. Monday night, Georgia strong safety Shawn Williams obliged.
The Bulldogs’ senior and de facto defensive captain ripped into his unit for what he called “soft play” all season. And Williams wasn’t above calling out a few teammates, identifying a couple of linebackers he didn’t think were playing up to snuff.
Do you like that Williams spoke out?
- Yes. Somebody needed to give a wake up call. (86%, 1,144 Votes)
- No. He should have kept his complaints in-house. (14%, 189 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,333
Loading ...“We’re playing too soft as a defense,” said Williams, talking to reporters after Monday night’s practice. “That goes for the D-line, linebackers, corners, safeties, everybody. We’re just not playing with the same attitude we were last year. I don’t know what it is.”
Asked if he had communicated his frustration to his defensive mates, Williams said he did during the Kentucky game and he plans to again this week as the Bulldogs prepare for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Florida in Jacksonville.
“After the first series [against Kentucky], I told everybody we played too soft,” said Williams, Georgia’s leading tackler with 51 stops. “They got the ball at the 20 and went 80 yards right up the middle. I came to the sideline and said ‘y’all are playing soft.’ It gets frustrating because I’m sitting here and I’m giving all I got and I feel like I’ve got some guys that are not. I feel we’ve got some guys that are in a whole different place.”
Asked what he thought needed to be done, Williams said, “I don’t know. I’m trying to see if I have to take somebody’s helmet off and slap them and say, ‘what’s going on’? We’re not playing with any emotion right now. Period.”
Willliams then got into specifics.
“Personally, if I was the coaches, I can’t tell them what to do, but I’d have Amarlo Herrera in the game more,” Williams said of Georgia’s starting Mike linebacker. “I wouldn’t bring him out. . . . I want to see Amarlo (Herrera) and (Alec) Ogletree in the game at linebacker; I don’t want to see anybody else at linebacker. I feel like they’re two guys that are going to go out and give you all they got, no matter if they mess up or do right. I feel like they’re going to get to the ball and tackle. That’s what we need.”
As it stands, those two are playing the most at Georgia’s inside linebacker positions. Seniors Mike Gillard and Christian Robinson split time with Herrera at the Mike. But Herrera played less against Kentucky than he has in the previous six games. He came in averaging 7.8 tackles per game. Against the Wildcats he had three, tying his season low.
“I just feel like he’s better,” Williams said. “I don’t know what he’s doing that’s better than them, getting off blocks, getting around blocks. He just gets to the football, and that’s what we need, somebody who gets to the football and tackles.”
More than any specific individuals, Williams indicated it was attitude in general that has seen the Bulldogs plunge down the national defensive rankings. Heading into Saturday’s game against run-heavy Florida, Georgia is ranked 47th in total defense (367.43 yards per game), 72nd against the run (167.86) and 49th in scoring (24.14 ppg). They were top 23 in all those categories to end last season. Kentucky rushed for 206 of their 329 total yards in a 29-24 Georgia victory.
“Right now, Florida plays very physical and they’re going to come out and try to just manhandle you,” Williams said. “So I’m really looking forward to seeing what we do. Somebody’s gonna get punched in the mouth. It’s going to be us or them. Whoever gets punched in the mouth is going to have to decide, ‘what do we do now?’ You’re either going to give in or you’re going to fight back. Point blank that’s what we’ve got to do.”
Williams’ teammates – at least those available after Monday night’s late-finishing practice — concurred with his assessment.
“I understand where he’s coming from,” senior free safety Bacarri Rambo said. “He wants to win and he wants to be the best in whatever he does. I’m in the same boat with him. I see him as a leader and a captain of the defense. He just wants what’s best for the team and the defense. So if he feels like that I feel the same way. . . . That’s what we’re upset about, because we’re not playing the best we can play, not to the potential we have as a defense.”
Said Malcolm Mitchell, who played nearly half the season at cornerback before switching back to defense full time: “Yeah, we’ve got to amp it up. We’ve got to play harder.”
Williams was asked if he thought some players were worried too much about NFL and complacent because they’ve already proven themselves. Williams is among four Georgia starters that have been projected as first-round draft picks.
“I don’t know if it’s the NFL or worried about messing up or worried about a game down the road,” Williams said. “We’ve just got to do what we do and play physical football. And we’re not. That’s what you’ve got to do to win.”
NOTES . . .
Junior outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who was nominated as a Butkus Award semifinalist on Monday, was not listed on Monday’s injury report. Generally that means he was able to practice without limitations. The 2011 All-American was unable to play against Kentucky due to right ankle sprain. Neither Jones nor any coaches were available to comment after practice… . Starting defensive end Abry Jones was listed on the practice report as “out.” He left the Kentucky game on the second defensive play with a left ankle injury… . Quarterback Aaron Murray was named the SEC’s offensive player of the week Monday for his 427-yard, four-touchdown passing performance against Kentucky. Murray was also tabbed a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s best quarterback on Monday.
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527 comments Add your comment
FRED
October 23rd, 2012
8:59 am
this is what CMR is suppose to say what a joke this man is.
CFB fan
October 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
What a clown show over there. Same ole UGA ‘talking’ about playing tough.
Dawg Tired
October 23rd, 2012
9:01 am
Dean – Uh – that is not going to happen. When is the last time you saw any Georgia defensive player really put a hard hit on anybody? Hell, we’re usually chasing them from behind trying to pull on their jersey just trying to get ‘em on the ground somehow. Or, it it’s our new defensive coach Williams, grabbing their facemask for a 15 yard penalty.
YESSUH!
October 23rd, 2012
9:02 am
Props to Mr. Williams for taking it upon himself to try to fire up his teammates. His coaches apparently are not doing that. In football, there’s really nothing worse than telling a defense they’re “playing fine,” or that “we just need to clean a few things up.” Perhaps Grantham should take some of the energy he usually wastes on opposing teams’ coaches and kickers, and use it on his own boys. They need a swift kick in the pants. They have played like privileged spectators all season and it’s a sickening waste of talent.
UGA safety Shawn Williams rants that Dogs’ defense is ‘too soft, playing wrong players – Georgia – Dawg News
October 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
[...] the original post here: UGA safety Shawn Williams rants that Dogs’ defense is ‘too soft, playing wrong players ← Back to Home Tags: amarlo herrera, defense, defensive, florida-georgia, focal, [...]
Jim
October 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
Plenty of talk about how things are going to be different this week coming out of Athens- the problem is, it’s that way every week. McGarity seems to pride himself on taking a wholelistic view of the program- what planet is he on? If he took that view to make a decision- he would see we are beating and pading numbers against poor to bad teams. If he cant figure that out or worse, lets it continue to happen, then he needs to go also. Florida is playing with passion- we havent done that for years.
Gene
October 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
Maybe this should have been said by a coach, instead of “I’m real proud of our players. We’re 6 and 1.”
Arby
October 23rd, 2012
9:11 am
There is definately a lack of intensity this year, than last year !
Morning Reads 10/23/2012 — Peach Pundit
October 23rd, 2012
9:12 am
[...] team members realize they really aren’t that good. Can we survive Saturday? Maybe. I’d gas up the bandwagon if we lose or win, [...]
ben t
October 23rd, 2012
9:13 am
I have absolutely no problem with this. At least we know someone is fired up. Talk is cheap. But I like this for some reason. Players respond to each other anyway. Too much talent and too many good players. I like that Sean…pointed out what Florida does this year…they rough you up…try to make it ugly. We HAVE to do the same. Get physical…let’s deliver a punch and then show we can take a punch. Who’s fired up?
slydog
October 23rd, 2012
9:13 am
“Asked what he thought needed to be done, Williams said, “I don’t know. I’m trying to see if I have to take somebody’s helmet off and slap them and say, ‘what’s going on’? We’re not playing with any emotion right now. Period.”
Now that is what I’m talking about. It’s too bad that the players have to hype motivate themselves. And then there is this:
““I wouldn’t bring him out. . . . I want to see Amarlo (Herrera) and (Alec) Ogletree in the game at linebacker; I don’t want to see anybody else at linebacker. I feel like they’re two guys that are going to go out and give you all they got, no matter if they mess up or do right. I feel like they’re going to get to the ball and tackle. That’s what we need.”
Now, did I not say that at the beginning of the season? But I was called an idiot. Herrera would be starting right now if this was Alabama or Florida. C. Robinson is and always has been a back up. He is a good leader but he is a back up. So is Chase Vasser. Move Ray Drew back to OLB. Put some more athleticism, speed, and aggression on the field, not players you think you owe a favor to.
Big Wally
October 23rd, 2012
9:16 am
It’s pathetic that the coaches could not see this. Makes you wonder if the coaches even know what is going on, who is hustling, who is missing assignments, etc. Looks like the coaches don’t even have a clue.
Mobile Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
I think we would all be amazed at what a “real coaching staff” could do with this team. It’s a real shame we continue down this road. I think the house collapses for Mark Richt on Saturday. If we get taken to the shed again, look lost again, have no answer again, Richt has to be shown the door, otherwise majority of the fanbase revolts.
Tony BarnFart
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
If we could get Christian Robinson a twitter feed to run through his helmet he would probably play harder.
DDawg10
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
Shawn I agree with what you are saying but you stopped short. The fire need to start at the top and CMR needs someone to light a fire under him. this team is developing CMR laid back personna and that will not win football games. CMR it is time to step to the plate and get your fired up and then the team.
CR
October 23rd, 2012
9:18 am
The player’s tough talk will not matter against Florida. The Gators are tough and very motivated. They don’t have to resort to complaining and teammate bashing to get fired up for the bulldogs. Nice try though.
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 am
Funny, our players are considered talented in high school – stars galore. Yet gobs of them go to the NFL every year – some even a year early. How many this next draft, 4 first rounders on the D alone, so maybe 7 or so total?
But somehow in between high school and the NFL, while they are at UGA, it’s those same players’ fault we lost (usually ugly) everytime to equally talented teams, and could only beat the less-talented teams. Our players just don’t seem to “execute” in the big games.
Strange . . .
Mobile Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 am
I have no doubt the coaches are trying but, they aren’t “top notch coaches”, second thing is it’s so hard to overcome an apathetic, entitled, attitude that has permeated this program.
ARdawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:20 am
KUDOS to Shawn Williams for saying it! The head coach is in denial, the DC is apparently short timing. Some of those kids want to win. Williams plays like he does on every play. He’s earned the right to say it. It’s not like he’s making anything up
slydog
October 23rd, 2012
9:20 am
I think Georgia would be better with a 4-2-5 defensive lineup with their current personnel. Just my opinion. They have a better secondary than linebackers at this point. Speed, aggression, and winning their individual match-ups. They don’t need Baltimore Ravens or Steelers-style stunts, switches,and buzzwords( wonder where I got that from?) Just beat the man in front of you, stay in your lane, and go get the football. Simple as that. And stop all that hand waving after a deflected pass. You do not look cool.
ARdawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:22 am
CR
The only difference between the players of GA and FL is coaching. In fact Georgia has more talent unfortunately, they also have less motivation
mambo
October 23rd, 2012
9:22 am
Well, it’s about time! I wish the highly overpaid coaching staff had said this after the first quarter of the Missouri game. This is amazing that a senior captain has to say this. Where’s the coaching? Who is the one subbing Herrera and Ogletree out?
DIT
October 23rd, 2012
9:23 am
Hopefully with Jarvis Jones practicing at 100% with no jersey, he will give this team some confidence. I have to say for most of you that never played football at a level any higher than pee wee, but sometimes it takes a player like Williams, who the defense and team respects, to kick their butts and open their eyes moreso than the coach.
I’m not saying that the coaches don’t need to be equally verbal if not more so, but when one of their own states the obvious… Just saying, I’m still not convinced that we will see this huge turn around Saturday. It’s not like you can flip the on switch on.
For me, Jarvis needs to smack several of the defensive players around. Do some one on one drills and let him wake them up. Man, the players are there to have a great defense, but the players have to find the heartand drive to get after it!
Still, as always, Go Dawgs!
dean
October 23rd, 2012
9:23 am
@ Dawg Tired.
And that is exactly why I’ll be observing the wonder of nature come Saturday afternoon/evening rather than wasting 3 hours. If GA wins, great. If not, I got to watch something much greater than a football game.
Red Pants
October 23rd, 2012
9:24 am
The point regarding the NFL was a good one. I won’t name names, but one prominent UGA player told me directly to my face before the season that his top priority this year was his draft stock….saw the let down coming back in June.
DP
October 23rd, 2012
9:24 am
Really pathetic that the coaching staff is so weak at UGA that a safety has to tell the coaches who should be playing at linebacker. I’ve always wondered how Christian Robinson ever sees the field for an SEC team that aspires to be better than Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Shawn, the team delivering the punch in the mouth on Saturday will be Florida. Georgia will be the team taking it and what they’ll do is roll over like a whipped puppy, as they always do in the big games. Teams that are soft through 7 games don’t suddenly become tough. But it’s good to see there’s at least one Dawg who is disgusted enough to speak out.
Dawg Fud
October 23rd, 2012
9:25 am
I love the passion but vetting through the media tells me that we are on a sinking ship. If you have Richt stock then sell it before Saturday at 3:30.
Richt has lost the majority of the alumni. Has he lost those with deep pockets?
Obviously, Williams and others are venting their frustration and you would never see this under Saban, Miles or Meyer.
Richt is toast.
JDP
October 23rd, 2012
9:25 am
Florida Is going to punch him in the mouth! Go Gators
flatsdawg1
October 23rd, 2012
9:27 am
Kudos to Shawn for that but we all saw what happened in the game after they were called out, we almost got beat by one of the worst in college football. Richt has hemmed in Granthum forcing him to call conservative schemes, it’s Richt’s personality. Granthum hates this I’m sure. The team has it and it takes a senior to call it out. No chemistry. Last year if Richt hadn’t thought outside his own box we wouldn’t have beaten Florida,we would have gotten beat. This year it looks like a miracle will have to take place for this team to play with Florida. Thjs defense is set up to not get beaten deep, letting everybody run on us,and everybody has. They will have to take chances on Offense AND Defense to win.
older1
October 23rd, 2012
9:32 am
The S.E.C. REFS looked at this quote and said , LET’S GET OUR YELLOW FLAGS READY WE ARE GOING TO THROW A TON OF THEM AT UGA SAT. WE WILL SHOW THEM HOW TO BE P.C. CORRECT.
Same Ole Stuff
October 23rd, 2012
9:36 am
Are we that slow on D or just too confused? Not sure what happened to the D line this year. They can’t penetrate even when thay blitz. Our below average DBs (including you #36) are lost. Quit thinking and go play like you are capable of playing. As corny as it was…maybe the team should read a copy of Tebow’s speech etched on the Swamp wall. He didn’t point fingers. He took accountability. He then lead his team to the NC. It’s a far better approach than calling people out especially when you jump up-and-down celebrating a tackle 15 yards down the field. (you again #36)
UGA Insider
October 23rd, 2012
9:37 am
Didn’t the insider ask you about Ramik Wilson and Ray Drew and their lack of playing time just yesterday?
Didn’t I tell you you back in August we had the worst ST in the nation?
I amaze myself sometimes.
Fidlin1
October 23rd, 2012
9:38 am
Shawn, Shawn, I hope you’re contagious. Big Thanks!
LHarding Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:40 am
Fud man – You’re toast!
flatsdawg1
October 23rd, 2012
9:43 am
Red Pants, It looks like that player that told you that, told the rest of the D they should worry about their stock too.I felt that was going on too watching them this year. Sad thing is, with the talent in place, we could beat this team soundly with the right coaching, but Florida will beat us by 40 with the team that played Kentucky. Come on Dawgs, give me something to watch Saturday. It’s for UGA and the state of Georgia. If this D shows up with the same schemes as Kentucky, driskel will run for 150 yds and throw for 250. Must blitz!!!
NCDawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:43 am
For all the pessimists, wait to make judgement… if we lose Saturday then you all get your wish because CMR and staff will be gone… If they win then we have something to look forward to. I can’t tell you which it will be. All I know is my gut tells me unless we win Saturday, the coaches are gone. Don’t expect McGarity to say anything until the season is over… it would do any good any way. There are certain moments when fates are changed and Saturday will be one of them. So sit back and relax… its a win-win.
UGA Insider
October 23rd, 2012
9:46 am
I think NCDawg is right… as bad as recruiting is right now and the fact that we will lose so many kids to the NFL…. I think if UGA loses this game badly the CMR era is over.
McGarity knows this may be his only chance to get Kirby. The fact that UF has surpassed us again with yet another new coach has been infuriating to the UGA money men.
Mobile Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
NCDawg, I have to disagree with your discription of those who have cast judgement, we’re not pessimists, we’re realists. I’m very positive about things I believe in, I just don’t believe in tooth fairies, pixie dust, nor the power of kool aid.
Chris Snow
October 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
NC Dawg, Do you really think so? If Fla blows us out, and we end up loosing to Ole Miss or Auburn, then yeah I could see it. But I just doubt anything will happen if we finish 10-2.
LHarding Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:50 am
Chris – Don’t listen to these so called fans. I call them sidewalk fans because they don’t donate, go to games, and just grip behind a nameless computer screen.
tdawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:51 am
Here’s Florida with a second year coach and already contending for a National Champ.
Why is that?
Is it coaching?
e burrell
October 23rd, 2012
9:52 am
Muschamp addressed the issue his first year. Play for the decal on the side of your helment and not whats on the back of your jersey. He dismissed 13 former players. We have been soft for years and our lineman look fat and not cut and lean. Strength and conditioning is still a joke at UGA. We hired a guy who has never trained a footbal teaml or even been around football very much. I hear good things about the coach form PSU. The players are sold this crap about the NFL during recruiting.Our man Garner is the king of selling this line. The truth is our Head Ball Coach needs to address the softness of his players and not his player doing this in the media. With all do respect he is soft and runs a soft program.
flatsdawg1
October 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
It would be easy to say that this is a pivotal win, and it could be, If we make a game of it somehow, then everybody stays, If we get blown out, which appears to me, Kirk Herbstreit and everybody else in the nation, that will probably happen, then is Richt on the hotseat? Probably a little , but not enough.Dawg fans deserve better than this, think about that Richt!!! Get your team together, its what they pay you for!! Pray , then Play!!!
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
If we look like we did the last 2 games, we will lose at least a couple more games. Getting blown out by a team that si now looking just so-so. Then barely slipping by a 28-point underdog? A team that lost to Western Kentucky? A team playing their 3rd string QB?
And our victorious coach was happy with the win . . .
RxDawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
A FREAKING MEN Shawn!
I know this is gonna probably piss off the coaches, but who cares. About dang time someone called a spade a spade.
Jborodawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
Monday night’s teleconference:
Richt said. “They had third down situations where they ran the ball into what would be considered more of a pass stopping type of a defense, more two safety looks. At that point, you’ve just got to defeat a block and make a play. We didn’t do a good job of doing that.”
So for all you armchair fans who only see CMR on TV, he does “call out” the team every now and then. The HC shouldn’t be name-calling in public anyway. Fine for Williams and other players. I just hope it works.
This is a great opportunity. After we beat the Gators we’ll have the East in our pockets. It CAN be done.
Go Dawgs! GATA!
Chris Mike
October 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
Finally a player from UGA steps up and saythe truth. At first Idid not like S. Williams when he was at saftey two years ago, but last year I saw a player that have grown. I thought he was a twiner LB/ S I thought he was to big hit prown. Now he is the consistant in the secondary. Those word was meant for Rambo, Tree, Jones, J. Jenkins all players are slated to being drafted this year and he right they are thinking about the draft. Good for you shawn. By the way, what happen to that five star DB B. Smith I forget he is even playing. Let him retrun kick offs
joe jenkins
October 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
I just don’t see us winning….even if we play well on defense…that will just mean the offense will play good…..when is the last time we played well in all three phases…….With richt being our coach from here on out just means something will always missing that will keep us from winning a championship!! defense ranked 5 last year and 47 right now…..just sad!!! grantham is not earning his money
Sammy
October 23rd, 2012
9:58 am
I see Williams’ point about being strong up the middle. It was wierd seeing so many 3rd down conversions on draw runs up the gut.
My guess is Herrera and Ogletree are getting the reps in practice, so Williams felt comfortable reinforcing that.
To beat Florida, you have to force the runs inside. Geathers and Jenkins, Herrerra and Ogletree, I’ll take that matchup.
But the only time we looked bad up the middle is when they ran in long 3rd and long passing situations when we didn’t expect it. Still, needs to be fixed, and it will be.
G-Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
“I think Georgia would be better with a 4-2-5 defensive lineup with their current personnel. Just my opinion.”
Slydog…i said that last week, and almost got neutered for suggesting it. Dline cant stop anyone in their 3 man front…no pressure coming from the outside. Solve it by running four big boys across the front by filling the box, with speed and tackling ablility at linebacker. Man on outside, cover 2 with the safeties, since both Commings and Rambo are rangy and athletic. Let Williams roam all over the field (star position) depending on UF’s schemes. Since Jarvis is having a hard time reaching the QB from the outside position…try it from the inside.
DLine – G. Smith, J. Jenkins, K. Geathers, C. Washington (give Drew some PT)
LB – Tree and Jones (sub with Herrera)
DB – Swann, Smith, Commings, Rambo, with Williams (star position)