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Georgia’s Mike Gilliard: ‘I felt disrespected and, yes, I definitely took it personally’

10:00 pm October 23, 2012, by Chip Towers

Linebacker Mike Gillard, here tackling a Florida Atlantic player, was not at all happy about Shawn Williams' characterization of his play at inside linebacker. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)

Linebacker Mike Gillard, here tackling a Florida Atlantic player, was not at all happy about Shawn Williams' characterization of his play at inside linebacker. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)

ATHENS — OK, here are a few addendum’s from Tuesday’s post-practice interview opportunities. Todd Grantham, Mike Gilliard and Jarvis Jones talked about Shawn Williams’ comments on the defense and a few other things. So here they are kind of raw and unabridged:

SENIOR LINEBACKER MIKE GILLIARD:

On Williams’ remarks about Amarlo Herrera being the better linebacker . . .

“As a man, I wasn’t hurt at all. I felt disrespected. And, yes, I definitely took it personally. Today in the linebackers meeting, I stood up and told them, ‘no disrespect to Amarlo and Ogletree, but when I read that I felt disrespected and I’ll definitely taking it personally. But there’s no issue between me and Shawn Williams. All it is is fuel for the fire and basically its given me motivation to go out there and give 100 percent. And that’s what I did today. You can ask any of my teammates. I was upset today at practice today any time the ball came my way I tried to knock the [expletive] out of him.”

On the response of the defense to Williams’ remarks. . .

“He called us out. Us as linebackers and asa defense as a whole, we’ve just got to deliver. This week, that’s what I plan to do. You best believe whoever’s carrying the ball, I’m gonna know the (expletive) out of them.”

On talking to Williams on Tuesday . . .

“He told me it was nothing person. Then again, by saying their names, he said my name without saying my name. I took that personal. I feel like when another man calls me soft, he’s disrespecting my manhood. So all I can do is go out there and deliver. It just gave me motivation. You best believe, on Saturday I’m going to be ready. And as a defense as a whole, we had a great practice. We flew around the ball, tried to hit hard. That’s what we’re going to continue to do for the rest of the week.”

On how he might have handled . . .

“Me, personally, I never would have told the media something like that. I’d keep it in-house and talk to the defense. I would have sat down and talked to the defense and tried to resolve the issue then and there.  But there’s not going to be any issues after this right here. It’s just if another man calls me soft, I’m gonna show him there ain’t nothing sweet around here.”

JUNIOR OUTSIDE LINEBACKER JARVIS JONES

On Williams’ remarks . . .

“Everybody knows Shawn is a very passionate guy. He loves this game of football. Looking back at last year and this year, we’re playing down a level and not executing like we’re supposed to. I feel like that woke a lot of guys up. Guys understand where he’s coming from and definitely respect him. It wasn’t like he was throwing anybody under the bus, coaches or anything like that. Personally, me and a lot of other guys feel like it was just a challenge for us to go out there and just re-focus ourselves and get back on the right track and play the defense we’re known for playing and that’s smash-mouth football . Last year that’s the kind of football we played and that’s what Shawn is looking for, the team that played hard, that ran to the ball, that hit people, that got sacks and turnovers. Obviously we haven’t been that team and that’s what he wants to get back to.”

Has the controversy had an effect . . .

“Oh, yeah. Guys were turned up on both sides of the ball. They really pushed themselves to get better. I definitely think we got better in a lot of area today. Guys were giving everything they had as far as the mental stage and physical.

How might he have handled it . . .

“I’m more of a quiet guy; I’m not that vocal. I probably would have just called my defense in together and talked about it. But sometimes you have to look into different ways to get your team’s attention. Shawn was coming from the heart with it. He definitely got our attention. So we’ve just got to look past the negativity of it and what other people think. We understand where Shawn’s coming from. We’re a brotherhood here. We’ve just got to keep grinding and keep getting better this week.

“I know what kind of guy Shawn is and I know how he meant it. He’s just challenging us to get better and just push ourselves physically and mentally.”

On practicing Tuesday after sitting out since Oct. 6 with an ankle injury . . .

“It was good to get out there and move around a little bit,” said Jones, who hasn’t played since injuring his right ankle against South Carolina on Oct. 6. “Everybody’s working hard and focusing, and it was good to get back out there with the guys. I feel good right now. It’s just Tuesday, and I’m still getting better.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD GRANTHAM

On Williams’ comments . . .

“It’s no big deal. Shawn’s a passionate guy. He cares about the way he plays and the way the other guys plays. I think it was probably taken a little bit out of context from the way he meant it in some ways. But really you’ve got a guy who wants to win and cares about his players and he’s ready to move on.”

On whether he had any advance notice from Williams . . .

“Shawn and I are pretty close and we talk. He’s a guy who wants us to play well and physical and do those kinds of things. So, you know, I don’t know.”

On Williams making lineup suggestions . . .

“Players have opinions. Everybody’s got their opinion. I have my opinion about (reporters), too.”

On how he addressed the situation with defense . . .

“We always have meetings before practice as a team. I let him have the floor for a couple of minutes and basically explain what he meant and what he cares about. The most important thing is getting ready to play Florida and it’s really not an issue. So we moved on with practice. “

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370 comments Add your comment

I-DOG

October 24th, 2012
11:38 am

scapegoating the fourth ILB in Senior Christian Robinson isn’t going to solve the problem. I don’t have a big problem with William’s comments. SOMETHING is definately wrong with the D and probably multiple things.

I don’t think Gilliard and Robinson are any more a part of the problem than the rest of the players. Sure, they can probably play better than they are… but Tree and Emarlo got plenty of snaps against South Carolina and Kentucky, so I think this problem is a lot more widespread than just our backup inside linebackers.

Kentucky ran the ball down our throats and were sucessful in converting a 3rd and 15 and I believe a 3rd and 13 by just running the ball up the middle. Anyone who was on the field during those two plays shouldn’t be pointing fingers.

Mobile Dawg

October 24th, 2012
11:53 am

There is one thing that is almost always constant on any championship team, leadership. Where does that it come from? It starts with the man in charge, setting the expectations, laying the foundation, providing the discipline, surrounding himself with quality, qualified individuals and developing them, laying out a long term plan. The intangible is “chemistry”. This team has neither, yet they are 6-1. Short of the Oline this is a championship caliber team personnel wise, and the Oline is capable of supporting that IMO.

TMLCDawg

October 24th, 2012
11:54 am

I don’t understand why we always have to come up with gimmicky motivation. This is another example of a way to try and motivate the players for a big game. This time it came from a player. Why aren’t our coaches and players amped up to stuff our opponent every saturday. I don’t understand why we always need some form of extra motivation to play hard. Coaches and players should be giving maximum effort and playing at the top of their game all the time. Florida is treating this as just another game and business as usual, and we’re having to have a player come out and call our own team soft in front of the national media to motivate and prepare.

I’m a big dawg fan and looking for a big win this weekend. I also want to see the coaches step up and get this team prepared.

dawgs01

October 24th, 2012
11:56 am

This is making me feel better about this game this weekend but on saturday night i admit i thought we had no chance. These comments by shawn definitely hurt some feelings and called out the coaches and sort of backed us into a corner and a team backed in a corner is dangerous. i feel like we have something to prove on defense and that will definitely help us. we might not win but i got a feeling we at least keep it close.
I totally disagree with Mark Richt about a loss is a loss no matter if you lose by one point or by 28 points. I have watched a ton of football and sometimes a team might lose but you see that they are a good team maybe that night things did not go there way but they still kept it close and almost won with things not going their way. You also see games were you hate to see either team lose bc you have just watched both teams give it everything they had and maybe it comes down to the last play or overtime. everyone has seen one of those games where you think it sucks someone has to lose this one. Well, when i see georgia get totally embarrassed on national tv again by a top ten team with college gameday (same when bama killed us) like they did against south carolina, i dont see how richt can say that he should have at least said the coaches let the team and the fans down bc the coaches are the ones getting paid in college so you cant throw kids under the bus unless your punk head coach and you see that from time to time. i just dont see how mark can say that i know he was trying to make the situation not seem as bad as it was but it was bad and i cant take that kind of pansy @ss response. man up and say they spanked our butt and i let everyone down or we let everyone down.

McGoo34

October 24th, 2012
11:58 am

Watched Gilliard get knocked around and pancaked over and over Saturday night. Williams’s statement was dead on.

FLA DAWG

October 24th, 2012
12:01 pm

Our Dawgs our now biting each other instead of the teams we play.
When a team begins to fold or knows its about to get whacked this is what happens.

There is no leadership. Richt, Bobo and Grantham are not leaders nor are they SEC caliber coaches.

McGarity had better remedy this quickly or the already disappointed and disgruntled fanbase will depart in droves.

Just think………….we could’ve had Muschamp a couple of years ago!

WDE

October 24th, 2012
12:02 pm

@He Hate Gator I seem to remember CMR won the East last year…that has to account as “something” hmmm

Tailback U

October 24th, 2012
12:02 pm

Hearing how that Saturday is to a windy day adds to my concern.
That’s not helpful to the passing game ,and when it comes to crunch
time we all know that that is exactly what CMR offense is going
lean on.

dawgfacedboy

October 24th, 2012
12:04 pm

If players felt disrespected and amped up their play then it served it’s purpose. I’ve been in “in house” meetings before, they don’t work. When someone goes public you better step it up a notch. As a former college athlete and now a coach I’ve come to understand that players always may think they are giving a 100% but you can always get more out of them. If this doesn’t light a fire under their butts nothing will. I’d do a follow up interview with Williams on Friday just to poke the fire another couple of times.

Mandrell Dawg

October 24th, 2012
12:06 pm

“You best believe, on Saturday I’m going to be ready. And as a defense as a whole, we had a great practice. We flew around the ball, tried to hit hard. That’s what we’re going to continue to do for the rest of the week.”

That is good to know guys, but how about keeping this attitude from now on (It should have been you attitude from the beginning)

RunninWithTheDawgs

October 24th, 2012
12:09 pm

He Hate Gator — You’ve got me on that one. It has been a while since the Dawgs have shown signs of greatness. I have also seen the NFL rob us of some juniors that could possibly led us to a national title. Stafford, A.J. Green, Moreno just to name a few. I agree up to a point with the get rid of MR theory, but I have nightmares about having a losing team year after year like………….nevermind names. We all know who. I remember the Ray Goff era and don’t want any part of that. I guess my concern is if we lose MR who do we put in there that can and will do better. Richt has created a pretty hard act to follow especially in the SEC.

AGTFan53

October 24th, 2012
12:10 pm

I don’t think you guys are going to beat Florida, but I’ll be pulling for you. We’ll see if Shawn Williams rant has a positive effect based on how the defense plays. If they step it up a couple of notches they can Beat the Gators.

AGTFan53

October 24th, 2012
12:11 pm

RunninWithTheDawgs – I remember the Ray Goff era. As a Tech fan I was hoping he’s be named coach for life.

Cal22

October 24th, 2012
12:13 pm

Grantham is an idiot. Glad he’s one of yours and not stinking up a good team somewhere.

bubba4dawgs

October 24th, 2012
12:16 pm

Atta way to go, Shawn! The DAWG Nation is glad you did what you did. It’s just sad that Todd Grantham didn’t do it before you did! Where has he been? The defense has been playing poorly all season…..at least not playing up to their potential! That is clearly the Coaches fault! You’re making enough money, Grantham…..just do your job! Or else, give it to Shawn and pay im half of what you’re making!

Ghruten

October 24th, 2012
12:17 pm

So, was Grantham saying he hates you?

Ray Goof's Hat

October 24th, 2012
12:19 pm

Good Lord, all this drama sounds like a bunch of teenage girls. UGA may get flagged on Saturday for slapping and pulling hair.

David

October 24th, 2012
12:23 pm

Most of the time a team reflects the attitude of the coach. I’m not saying that a coach should always been screaming, throwing tantrums, lose his composure, etc…but there’s a fine line between remaining calm in the midst of adversity and showing a total lack of emotion and enthusiasm. Nothing really seems to get CMR fired up; the team seems to play like that. Not saying this is the only problem, as the team has fared well in past years, but I think it important now more than ever to show some real fire & passion from the head coach.

Ed

October 24th, 2012
12:44 pm

How a Georgia Fan would like to see this handled…

Play well on defense Saturday.

80sDog

October 24th, 2012
12:44 pm

Been a fan for a long time. Every year we are suppost to be a Natl Championship contender according to US, the fans. It never pans out, always the same result. We may as well just play a rerun tape every year because we never correct any of the problems associated with the team. I am just going to be more realistic about my Dogs from now on. 8 to 10 wins a year and a mid teir bowl game is what I will now expect. That will save me from my 32 year disapointment. A real team plays like Alabama, they bury teams that they are expected to bury and they just don’t get blown out like our Dogs do at least once or twice a year. I am hoping that the Dogs can pull off a victory on Saturday against the Gators but do I expect it, No.

JFKDawg

October 24th, 2012
12:44 pm

If playing for UGA in the SEC isn’t motivating enough, have a seat.

Just another personal foul for Shawn. I have the over/under on personal fouls against FL at 2.

I do hope the Dawgs kick FL back to the swamp in a big way.

DogD

October 24th, 2012
12:51 pm

The angry Dog D will be on fire against fla—they will shut down driskel and gillisee, their only 2 good players. Look for 3-4 sacks and some INTs—Ga is going to pull a big upset and fla’s offense may not get 13 points! Ga 27 Fla 10!

JMac

October 24th, 2012
12:55 pm

If it takes smearing teammates in the media to get the team motivated, do they even need a DC to lead them. This is sad commentary on a sad season. Heard Mark Packer on the radio earlier in the week bashing UGA, saying that they are the most disappointing and underacheiving(with all that talent on both sides of the ball) team in the NCAA this season. He also said that with the talent difference, UGA should be able to win Saturday, but probably will not. The reason is quite obvious…. COACHING, or a lack thereof. Florida has it; Georgia does not.

Steve

October 24th, 2012
12:58 pm

I am glad someone finally had enough balls to call out the defense who does play soft! This should be one of the best defenses in the NCAA right now with all of the talent it has. They have only showed up at best a few quarters this year. It’s just sad that it took a player to call them out and not a coach!

Vampire Bill

October 24th, 2012
1:03 pm

I think that Gillard’s comments proves he’s soft. He admits he got called out so NOW he’s going to hit hard. Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do all the time?

Dawg Pile

October 24th, 2012
1:04 pm

It’s funny that everyone refers to all the “talent” on the Georgia defense, and then in the next breath they say how bad the defense has played. Seven games into the season, if a defense is playing poorly, isn’t it time to question the assumption that they’re talented? The confirmation of actual talent is on-field production. Talent and hype are not the same thing.

drugdog

October 24th, 2012
1:06 pm

Good for you Shawn! Somebody HAD to say it!

everyone considered Georgia the coward of the conference

October 24th, 2012
1:07 pm

if you don’t believe that this whole issue was manufactured by Richt, using Williams as the pitchman, then you are a dumb Georgia fan…all this comes to a head right before the Florida game…right!! gimmicks and excuses, the real “Georgia way”…

everyone considered Georgia the coward of the conference

October 24th, 2012
1:11 pm

guess next year CMR will break out the “uniform gimmick”…or the “team endzone dance”, my personal favorite act of uga stupidity…can’ tell you how many times Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, and Ara Parsegian used the “dance” to fire up their squads…stupid is as stupid does…

BR Dawg

October 24th, 2012
1:11 pm

Seriously?

It takes another player calling out the defense before they can get motivated?

Playing for a top ranked team doesn’t motivate you? A full ride scholarship doesn’t motivate you? Your highly paid coaches aren’t motivating you?

The UGA football program needs to be blown up and rebuilt. This season, and ESPECIALLY those comments are the proof. McGarity has lost control. Richt has lost control.

Bama Mike

October 24th, 2012
1:13 pm

Loose cannons sink the strongest of ships. Maybe it needed to be said but not through the media. I now understand why more coaches are going to the one voice system. CMR allows way too much media access.

I look for the Dawgs to play there best game of the year and win convincingly. Nothing about Florida should scare you match up wise. Let the players play and keep the game plan simple. Defense should focus only on effecting the quarterback. If I were Granthem I would watch the tape of last years Alabama/Florida game. Nothing has changed in the play calling since Brantley went down.

WDE

October 24th, 2012
1:15 pm

I’m thinking defense is the second most important issue vs the gators. If we can keep Murray upright and able to throw we win, gators can’t match our offense. We have better overall receivers this year and if Murray can get time to pitch it they will catch it..big if I know…and then if the receivers are catching it we will be better able to run it and we have a lot better run game this year.

GB's Hamburgers

October 24th, 2012
1:17 pm

Football 101. Motivate your players. If your coaches don’t know that, don’t do it or can’t do it, then by all means back off and let a player do it. In a program devoid of leadership, Coach Williams has stepped up to do the job while they get the money. Good leadership simply doesn’t care how many people will be angry, feel uncomfortable or unloved when they are told to do their job.

G-Dawg

October 24th, 2012
1:22 pm

Coach Richt with be on ESPN radio, Van Pelt and Russillo, at 1430.

G-Dawg

October 24th, 2012
1:23 pm

Saban at 1330. FYI.

dawglova

October 24th, 2012
1:25 pm

just out of curiosity… for those wanting richt and staff gone, who are your candidates to take his place?

JaxDawg

October 24th, 2012
1:28 pm

@James K Polk

October 23rd, 2012
10:53 pm
Looks like Gilliard got his feelings hurt. Good. As for his interview, all I hear is talk, talk, talk. Hit someone Saturday and I’ll be a believer.

Something I’ve noticed…Richt, Grantham, and Jones all said the same exact thing about this…it was almost verbatim. It makes me think Richt planned this from the beginning. Of course, that would make him smarter than I think he is. Someone needed to call SOMEBODY out. We have to grow a pair as a team, coaching staff, and defense. We are neutered dawgs

That’s exactly the samething I was thinking when I heard their comments.
Hey when I coached HS Football there were times when I used different players to callout their team mates when they were not giving 100%. It proved to be affective on many occasions. There’s something about hearing comments like that from your peers. It makes a difference. Let’s hope it will make difference on Saturday also.

AltamahaDawg

October 24th, 2012
1:29 pm

Anybody know of a blog where they are talking about the football game?

everyone considered Georgia the coward of the conference

October 24th, 2012
1:34 pm

in typical Georgia fashion, they have only played one team with a winning record for the season…and got beat by 28 points!! yeah, they’ll crush Florida!…what a bunch of morons the state of Georgia has produced…Georgia, where losers learn their craft…

hit a single

October 24th, 2012
1:34 pm

I haven’t seen a defensive player, especially linebackers, put their facemasks on the runners numbers and run thru him. We might run them down, but we very seldom take them head on.Our defensive backs have been lost since the Missouri game. We may have the Al Groh syndrom. Pro defensive schemes that are too complicated. Bottom line is that we better play D soon.

CaliDawg

October 24th, 2012
1:35 pm

Prove everyone wrong with your play! Why does it always take someone to call out UGA to get some emotion out of these guys?

LISTEN...This song sums up what UGA is going through right now!

October 24th, 2012
1:36 pm

http://youtu.be/DmI8ms5-tB8

True?

JFKDawg

October 24th, 2012
1:38 pm

And don’t say Kirby Smart. He’s a puppet for Saban. Chris Peterson of Boise State would be a start. How about Bobby Petrino? You know he’s passionate and knows how to score!

SEC Fan

October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm

AltamahaDawg
October 24th, 2012
1:29 pm

Anybody know of a blog where they are talking about the football game?

Georgia fans should be talking smack this week leading up to the big game. Too bad Darth Visor stole all their smack in Columbia… ;)

Hate Silver Britches!

October 24th, 2012
1:48 pm

Red Helmet. White top and white pants. Classic!

Mr. Hankey (Pankey)

October 24th, 2012
1:51 pm

So let me get this right. After hearing those comments you decided to go out to practice and give it a hundred percent? Sounds to me like Sean Williams WAS right. What percentage have you been giving this past season, sir? And I hate that word disrespected. It’s totally ghetto. the proper term is lack of respect or Rodney Dangerfield no respect. How can the defense even look in teh mirror after the 1st drive against KY? My god, man, if not for teh hustle of a former walk-on you might have lost the friggin game on and onside kick. Where is John Jenkins, Cornelius Washington, Brandon Smith? CW is supposed to be a high round draft in 2013? Really? BY WHO? Please don’t let it be the Falcons. Heck, Ray Edwards has more sacks the CW and Jenkins combined. What’s that say. I say bring on Gaethers full time. He plays his butt off and THAT, my friends, takes some doing.

old dawg

October 24th, 2012
1:53 pm

based upon their collective performance so far this year i will give ya’ll a preview of the game:
1. fl will come out and kick the dawgs in the teeth
2. dawgs will stagger and jump behind by 14 points
3. fl will control both lines of scrimmage the whole game
4. dawgs offensive will do diddley squat all game
5. dawgs defense will “settle down” after the half
unknowns:
1. how many turnovers will the dawgs commit? more than 2 will push the point gap to 21+
2. will the dawgs give up the special teams big play? highly probable based upon performance this yr

to help ya’ll get through this embarrassment, i recommend copious amounts of your adult beverage of choice
the defense is following the advice they are receiving from their informal sports agents about protecting themselves for the upcoming draft.

FLA DAWG

October 24th, 2012
2:00 pm

old dawg,

After the last three or four years of this believe me – I know the drill!

Mr. John Daniels and I have become good friends.

WDE

October 24th, 2012
2:01 pm

@everyone considered Georgia the coward of the conference ,,just who is you team tough guy…your a ball of fire behind a keyboard.

everyone considered Georgia the coward of the conference

October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm

the truth sometimes stings don’t it WDE…this is a Georgia blog, i’m here to talk about UGA…and the livin’ is easy!!!!!!!!!

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