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
Sideline Guest
October 23rd, 2012
1:29 pm
Shawn Williams, I appreciate you addressing that there is a FLAW in the DEFENSE.. Now say what you really want to say. IT’S THE DEFENSIVE PSYCHO-PATH–WANT TO BE IN CHARGE OF HEAD COACH POSITION COORDINATOR that determines who plays, when, and how long. HE is also the ONE showing favoritism by playing ALL THESE SO-CALLED TRUE FRESHMEN that still need the time to develop MENTALLY IN THE POSITION. STANDUP TO THAT GUY THAT BELIEVES HOLLERING & CURSING WILL GET THINGS DONE THE WAY HE WANTS THEM ON DEFENSE.. HE is the one that is allowing PLAYMAKERS to sit on the bench weakening their spirits of playing for UGA by not giving them opportunities to show that they can compete on a certain level. Shawn, I don’t recall U NOR RAMBO doing SO GREAT!!! When the opposing receiver get behinds U and RAMBO at THE SAME DAMN TIME, U BOTH LOOK STUPID!!! Rambo, I understand that you agree with Shawn. However, YOU ARE PLAYING JUST AS LACKADAISICAL AS ANYONE ON THE TEAM. Every game prior to you coming back WE had to hear about UGA can’t wait to get the SUSPENDED GUYS BACK. Since when do we ANTICIPATE HOW GREAT THINGS WILL GO WHEN KNUCKLEHEADS got into MISCHIEF that they KNEW could cause a DISTRACTION TO THE TEAM AS A WHOLE. Shawn, those players COULD OF HAVE CARED LESS FOR U OR THE TEAM AT THAT MOMENT.. You might want to be selective where you AIR DIRTY LAUNDRY because I believe as a TRUE CAPTAIN, you could have addressed this Monday night with the team or HELL when the season started. UGA is paying for U GUYS to have A FREE EDUCATION that you probably won’t use or had no desire to pursue if it wasn’t for YOUR athletic ability; BUT because of believing that NFL IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL.. IMPRESS ME BY SUGGESTING which players play together the BEST even if you have to ROTATE to keep fresh legs as well as the element of surprise to the opponents. I wonder if you VOICED your frustrations on Twitter or Facebook even though players are asked to stay away from such postings PER THAT PUNKAZZ HEAD COACH!! If ALL OF YOU spent more time reading the PLAYBOOK and strategizing which players fit the profile to EXECUTE EFFECTIVELY, UGA DEFENSE WOULD BE A FORCE TO BE WRECKON WITH… Once again, information that don’t get READ is in a BOOK..HINT!!!HINT!!! IF YOU SHOW UP SATURDAY WITH MORE THAN JUST MOUTH, MAYBE THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW BUT BE READY FOR THE BLOWS THAT ARE SURE TO COME!!!!
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2012
1:29 pm
Jock sniffer….
I think the auto industry workers will vote for Obama…..since Obama helped them keep their jobs when Romney wanted them to be laid off and rehired at a much lower pay rate so the big companies would make even more money and the working people less. Typical of those who have money and want to take more of it from those who don’t have it…or have very little of it.
But your post is typical of extreme right wing voters…..
Lonnie
October 23rd, 2012
1:31 pm
Kerry B. I agree with u. I just watched GA-FL 2007 and GA-AL 2007. I can see us playing like that. 2007 we beat 4 top 25 teams and two great coaches. Meyer and the great Saban!!!!!! Yes we can win!!!!!!!! Let’s go dawgs!!!!!!
Dawg89
October 23rd, 2012
1:35 pm
Just do it and try to act like you have been there before and avoid the smack and “Look at ME” after the play. And PLEASE no head-shots when they are near the sidelines…RAMBO!
son's who?
October 23rd, 2012
1:35 pm
Richt told the sideline reporter at halftime of the Kentucky game that the problem on defense was players not staying in their gaps. Also, anyone who thinks CTG has been muzzled hasn’t been paying attention to his sideline demeanor during games.
7576DAWG
October 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
I hope the 8 to 10 defensive players who will make a Pro team realize that they have all dropped some in where they were projected to land in the draft. Even Jarvis Jones who was going in the first three chosen has dropped to somewhere in the top 12. They are only hurting themselves and losing a lot of money.
This group has 7 games left to show the scouts they are disciplined and can get the job done and play like they should be playing. The problem is not the coaches it is the players.
beanster
October 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
You know who is a powerhouse in the Big 10? That’d be Indiana. Afterall, OSU could only beat them by 3 measly points, 52-49. You know who else is a powerhouse? Purdue. OSU needed a last second score + a 2 pt conversion to beat that behemoth of a team.
Ohio State….talk about the tallest midget….geeez
B. Thenet
October 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Well at least UGA is becoming more efficient, normally they wait until the Florida game actually starts before the team implodes.
When this one gets ugly you just might see a few UGA players fighting each other on the field.
WDE
October 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
@TampaGator we are the people who paid for those auto workers to continue to be grossly overpaid so they can send their union dues to prop up Democrats all over the country. If you don’t think we can make cars cheaper and workers still make a decent living I have a KIA plant near me you can tour. And TG this from a hard working stiff without a lot of money.Now I’m off the soap box, lets strap them on and GATA..Go Dogs!
Jay
October 23rd, 2012
1:52 pm
This dude is 100% correct. However not only is the defense weak so are these lame offensive play calling. We need some creativity, mindful aggresive playcalling to beat florida. The defense has been playing weak all season long its time to give it your all and play lights out domination football.
Lets go!
Go Dawgs!
ga gator
October 23rd, 2012
1:53 pm
Tampa Gator is a freaking New Yorker and is why I moved to Georgia and brings shame on a fine University. Dumbass!
beebee
October 23rd, 2012
1:55 pm
And THERE you have it! Our first big-mouthed piece of evidence of what is wrong with this team, aside from the 233 other peices of evidence that we know about already. Disunity and malcontent by who knows how many players.
Sorry, but this little rant, the week of the Florida game, comes much too little too late.
While the Gators are morphing into ONE like some slimy, fatat-to-the-touch super alien creature, the Bulldogs
are about to disentegrate like a microwaved bean!
Finally coming together just won’t happen in what? 3 days?
They better go buy some extra big bulbs and some plush green turf down in Jacksonville, ’cause Florida is gonna LIGHT UP that there scoreboard, AND, wipe the field clean with bulldog a.z.z.e.s.
Tech laughs!
bee
beebee
October 23rd, 2012
1:56 pm
“fatal” to the touch, I mean
Bpm
October 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
As the doghouse turns……….
ROB
October 23rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Ga fans need to realize that georgia is not an elite team. They havent won anything since 1980. People talk about the sec but without alabama lsu and florida the sec is weak. They are in the top ten in recruits every year but on the field they are weak just like the coach. So be thankful when they win nine or ten games cause that is all they can give you. They have not beat a top ten team in years and the syart of every season they want to beat florida. But what about winning all your games.
DT
October 23rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Im a big Georgia fan, glad somebody spoke out, thank you Williams. We have so much potenetial offensively and defensively, they need to get it together before this Saturday at Florida. I don’t mind a loss but damn put up a fight. The South Carolina game was just embarrassing. Atleast fight for the game, they just gave up, very dissappointing. We still have faith, get it together and put them Gators down. Go Dawgs!!
TossSweep
October 23rd, 2012
2:02 pm
Sounds like a lot of penalties from UGA this weekend. They better be smart if they want to be aggressive at the same time.
World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
October 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
” Hit Real Hard ”
……………………… and come back to Athens 7-1.
bags on head's dad
October 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
ga gator,
please go back. we have enough rednecks down here as it is. We dont need a mass migration of all the white trash from the north too. If football knowledge is any indication of this crowds’ intelligence, then america is in for a long cold future.
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
Well done, WDE (1:49).
ROB
October 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
One more thought. Sanders Cummings was suspended for slapping a woman downtown. How about slapping around some receivers on the field, or some running backs. I talked to Gurley and he said he wished he had thought more about going to bama or oklahoma.
Angie O.
October 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
Finally someone the team speaks the truth!!!!! Kentucky should NEVER had been in the lead or scored that many points. The game against Tennessee was an eyesore too. The defensive line needs to BUCK up or Florida is going to run all over the team.
GwinnettDad
October 23rd, 2012
2:07 pm
Doesn’t it seem clear that if the coaches were doing their job, an evaluation by a player wouldn’t be necessary? Think Miles or Saban need to have a player do the job the coaches are supposed to do?
Dumb Mistake
October 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
I can’t believe some of you guys are applauding this…. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb mistake by Shawn Williams…. the kid is not very bright anyway.
This type of “motivation” from a player is what is going to cause us to get other dumb 15 yard penalties. Guess who had one of the dumbest ones against UK – Shawn Williams. The kid needs to keep his mouth shut. It is not that the players have been too soft, it is just being too stupid. You can’t correct stupid in a week.
If there is anything we did not need right now it is DIVISION. Do you think the coaches are going to reward a player for talking against them to the media.
This is a BAD, BAD sign for the UGA-FL Game. We needed unity and not division.
Have you seen the SEC records of the teams we have beaten?
Missouri is 0-4
Tenn is 0-4
Vandy is 2-3
UK is 0-5
That is freaking 2-16… we have beat no one this year. Oh, I left out Buffalo (1-6) and Florida Atlantic University (1-6).
Add that to the 2-16 and you have 4-28!!!!!
How we are ranked in the top 25 I will never know, but am glad we are.
It is a shame this young man did not have enough discipline to keep his mouth shut.
As I have said before:
No Discipline off the field = No Discipline on the field.
Hardtruth and Reality
October 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
The reality finally set in, and someone grab there’s and spoke out. RAMBO, SHUT THE HELL UP PLEASE! I dare you come forward and say one word after you got suspended four games. Where was your team leadership then? A player saying this isn’t exceptable, and a coach saying we won is definately two ships moving in opposite directions. Pointing ut the obvious(Herrera) as the better player was evident last year. Heres your solution: Move back two the 4-3 with Geathers and Jenkins in the 2 gap, C. Washington, and A. Jones at DE. Jones at OLB, with Ogletree and Herrera inside. Commings should’ve been at Free Safety, Williams at SS, and Swann and Smith at CB’s.
Krak
October 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
Come on coach Todd G. Get them up for this game.. .GATA they need to be ready, leave nothing on the field.
Krak
October 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Coach Todd, what do you think?
Georgia safety rants about defense being too soft and playing wrong players – Florida – Gators News
October 23rd, 2012
2:14 pm
[...] safety Shawn Williams ripped into his fellow defensive unit last night after practice. You had to figure it was coming sooner or later, as evidenced by the [...]
OnTheMoney
October 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Fair n Balanced
October 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
Ok, we got a problem. If playing for a possible NC is not motivating enough, then there is a problem. And there is desention. These comments are either going to escalate it or cause everybody to wake up. The bottom line is that the coaches have failed in leadership here and that points mainly to CMR. Richt has become a political manager, is not hungry for victory and not going to take this program to the next level. I’m done with kind of thing at GA. Bring on some hungry coach that wants to go to the top and willing to pay the price. Some who will call a spade a spade! I’m tired of this listlessness at GA. It has filtered from the HC down to the players. Get is a coach not a manager. Ga football needs a house cleaning! I really was happy when Grantham almost got into a fight at Vandy last year. We finally had some fire at GA. Now what? Is there something in his new contract that makes him dumb down to a Richt personality? Tired. Sick! Sick and tired!
OnTheMoney
October 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Florida 38 UGA 10 and the chaos will continue in Athens. It’s gone on long enough and I defy ANY of you to tell us how it is going to get any better unless a change is made!!!!!!
oldfart
October 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
A player should not be naming who they want on the field. That is the coach’s job, period. If Shawn Williams wants to impress then he should quit doing his celebrations following a tackle after an 8 yard gain. Even if it is for a loss or sack he should go celebrate it with his teammates who helped make it possible and not do the NFL strut. It is a TEAM game.
Pitbull
October 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
Rants?he rants?
Can you just try to be a little more professional in your headlines and articals?
How about he states or he comments?
I guess “rants” draws more readers and that is good for advertising rates and profits.
Not too professional though, is it?
Cliff
October 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict the following for the Florida game: excessive penalties, dropped passes, missed field goals (and maybe a missed PAT), turnovers, no punt returns, short punts, Murray chokes, and a porous defense.
You can't blame the Defensive Coach for not being emotional
October 23rd, 2012
2:24 pm
If Todd Grantham is one thing, he is emotional.
From giving the choke sign, to shooting a bird, to grabbing his crotch and stealing signals from the offense call in to the sideline before calling his…. he is emotional.
Was it a good hire in retrospect – No. If we had a decent defense, we would be awesome, but this conversion to the 3-4 was a bad move for UGA. We need to go back to the 4-3. Other teams have already figured this out. Grantham and his manjugs are going to be stubborn.
Hardtruth and Reality
October 23rd, 2012
2:25 pm
Oh and One more valuble piece of info, How is it that you have two # 1 TE’s on your Team (Rome,and Lynch) and utilize them so little. Richard Samuels, a kid that came in and started as a FRESHMEN at RB in his freshmen year can’t see the field now. Truly UGA WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON with your program.?????????????????
Fair n Balanced
October 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm
Lonnie, I like your spirit. Now go to the practice field and get these guys fired up!
A Doubter
October 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
Maybe Georgia can change their fight song to the Garyowen this weekend as they ride towards Jacksonville
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
2:30 pm
Have you seen the SEC records of the teams we have beaten?
Missouri is 0-4
Tenn is 0-4
Vandy is 2-3
UK is 0-5
That is freaking 2-16… we have beat no one this year. Oh, I left out Buffalo (1-6) and Florida Atlantic University (1-6).
Add that to the 2-16 and you have 4-28!!!!!
********************************************************
But you know who thinks 6-1 is “pretty good.”
Bama Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Somebody send Rambo some brownies. We played a lot better when he was suspended and certainly didn’t get stupid penelties for late hits out of bounds, like the one that helped KY score another touchdown.
I hate Saban, but he certainly wouldn’t put up with the lack of effort or desire that our D has shown this year. Pathetic.
OnTheMoney
October 23rd, 2012
2:32 pm
The definition of UGLY will be spelled out Saturday from 3:38 until Florida mecifully takes a knee around 7 pm!!! Florida goes from the outhouse to the penthouse in 2 yrs and we just continue to tread water somewhere between good and tolerable. Auburn is way down and they get a lot of our homegrown talent every yr and we can’t even get good enough to take advantage!
Hopefuly Saturday night Dawg Nation will be a team pulling together and saying “enough is enough”
Newman
October 23rd, 2012
2:32 pm
You practice soft, you play soft.
hit a single
October 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
Like I said earlier, I would have told the team Saturday night, that when you get home you cut the dreadlocks, the hair and by god you better shave or don’t show up Monday for practice. Then you would find out who really wants to be a Dawg. If hair means more to you then go and grow your hair but not around the Dawg Nation. Then the discipline will have started.
mike addington
October 23rd, 2012
2:39 pm
hardtruthandreality, I second all your comments. For two years now, I’ve seen teams run straight up the middle on and on and on. Dang, has anybody heard the word “corrections?” If you guys notice, most of the times, the runners are tackled from the side, not straight ahead. UGA players try to tackle with their arms and not wrap up with their weight behind them. guess they’re afraid of a little contact. I havnt heard C washington’s name hardly any this year and I thought he’d be a beast this year. Geathers played a good game vs Kentucky. Cummings seems to be playing but where the heck is Rambo? Herrara has been the best tackler by far. S Williams does play hard, I’ll give him that & am glad he spoke out. I too am sick of the CMR era. I thought he was the bomb his first five years. what happened since then is a mystery.
Jerry Gray
October 23rd, 2012
2:39 pm
The team mirrors its leader. CMR shows no emotion. His players follow his lead. Simple axiom of leadership: speed of the leader, speed of the team. UGA has an emotion problem because they have a leadership problem. Spurrier, Saban, Miles, and now Muschamp are emotionally charged coaches and their teams respond. Football is a fierce game that must be played fiercely. I’m afraid CMR doesn’t have that in him.
NFL Scout
October 23rd, 2012
2:40 pm
Memo to UGA Players:
During this upcoming weeks game with the gators, many of us will be in the stands performing our analysis of your abilities, your techniques, your determination and your “heart!”
Be it known, If for whatever reason we find that you are NOT giving it 100% each and every play you are involved in, should have been involved in, or decided to take the play off, and failed to play to your committment to your school, your fans and your community, you will NOT be rewarded with the prizes bestowed upon the elites that are chosen for the NFL…My friends, simple really, “slackers are NOT welcome” in the NFL, whiners are NOT welcome in the NFL…take off your diapers, pull on your jock straps and show everyone that you are NFL material, a MAN and not some “jack wagon!!”.
Be warrned, pay day is in the offing, but you must continue to earn it!
Jerry Gray
October 23rd, 2012
2:40 pm
The team mirrors its leader. CMR shows no emotion. His players follow his lead. Simple axiom of leadership: speed of the leader, speed of the team. UGA has an emotion problem because they have a leadership problem. Spurrier, Saban, Miles, and now Muschamp are emotionally charged coaches and their teams respond. Football is a fierce game that must be played fiercely. I’m afraid CMR doesn’t have that in him. Time for UGA to give a different leader a chance.
Rick James
October 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm
@JB
We’ll see saturday won’t we Rick
———————————————
What does Arkansas beating Kentucky have to do with Saturday?
J.T.Keene
October 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
WHO DAT? read every comment and not one soul mentioned that hated coach comments when he would always say “How come Georgia always gets credit for having the most highly recruited players and we win the game” Haven’t even heard any “run Lindsey run” clips this week. Hope my Gators don’t get overconfident.
TrailerParkTed
October 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
Florida 44 UGA 10, sad but true! Exposed and out of the top 25!