SEC Media Day

alen1 · Jul 22, 2010

Anyone else watching this? I tend to watch these things to see if any of the coaches will give any information on their defenses or just mention that they have a new defense, so I have something to go research. Robbie Caldwell is HILARIOUS! His accent and just some of the random things he says is so funny.

Regarding profanity in practice, "well I'm no angel."

"I do have an education, even though it may not look like it."

anlgp · Jul 22, 2010

nope I don't watch. What new defenses are bein' put in?

alen1 · Jul 22, 2010

anlgp said:

nope I don't watch. What new defenses are bein' put in?
Click to expand...

Well I missed day 1 of Media day but from this morning, I just know a little more about Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense that he's brought to Georgia.

alen1 · Jul 22, 2010

The defensive line: The defensive ends have to be big, strong run gap cloggers, and Grantham has a few big bodies to work with here. On the spring depth chart, Abry Jones was listed at 290 pounds — and if true — would be an ideal size in this defense. Jones’ big body will be needed in this defense to occupy the right tackle and, if possible, draw assisted help from the right guard. This would ideally free a gap for a linebacker to come through.

Jones was a defensive tackle in the old 4-3 scheme, as were a lot of other defensive tackles on Georgia’s roster. However, Demarcus Dobbs was a defensive end last year and is still listed solely at defensive end this year. He’s listed at 274 pounds, but I’m sure Grantham wouldn’t mind if added six or seven more pounds of bulk to get around the 280-range.

As of now — going by the spring depth chart — Dobbs is matched up against the opposing team’s left tackle. Dobbs is quick off the snap and will need to apply pressure, whether it’s getting to the quarterback or allowing a linebacker to get through. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts.

At nose tackle sits DeAngelo Tyson, who’s strong and quick for a 294-pounder. Nose guard is a make-or-break point in this defense as this position absolutely needs to occupy two defenders to work efficiently. Usually, you plug in a beast of a man — or a whale if you’re lucky — and let him go to work. While Tyson is big, he may not be big enough to generate much of a pass rush on many of the 310-pound offensive linemen…

…Enter Kwame Geathers, a 326-pound specimen that fits incredibly well into what Georgia may want to do. His huge frame is what the Bulldogs need in the middle, so it all depends on his motor and drive to get the job done. If Geathers can exceed expectations as a redshirt freshman then he could end up winning the job. It’s my humble opinion that Grantham has to figure out a way to get him on the field.

That is, unless he turns out to bust and isn’t a valuable player — like the Laurent Robinson theory. His measurables are there. He just has to perform when the pads come on.

All in all, the line has to occupy four guys with three players. The worry from this end is that none of these guys have likely played in a 3-4 and this is all a learning process. Yeah, the 3-4 has worked at Alabama (it would work anywhere with Mount Cody). But it hasn’t worked at Virginia coach Al Groh, who now brings his scheme to Georgia Tech as an assistant.

Outside linebackers: A couple of defensive ends in the Martinez 4-3 are now outside linebackers in the Grantham 3-4. This is the exciting part that fans keep huffing about because on each play a linebacker is blitzing (even though it’s still four players rushing the quarterback in the base package). The idea is that the linebacker that’s sent can come from anywhere, which will confuse the defensive line.

And if the team elects to send two linebackers, then look out, what will the offense do? We’ll talk about this later, but there’s also the option — see: the Steelers and the Ravens — to use a bandit safety as a blitzing option. To sum it up (again), the whole idea is to disrupt the quarterback’s pre-snap read and to confuse the

So let’s talk about some of the players making this transition. Justin Houston and Cornelius Washington (who will be referred to as Mr. 4.29 for the rest of this post) are now outside linebackers who will have a better opportunity at rushing the quarterbacks.

They will also be the guys to fill the run gaps. Mr. 4.29 and Houston’s combination of speed, strength and power seem to be ideal fits. Either could line up in a three-point stance in different formations, or rush standing up. They immediately become hybrid backers with rush end instincts. This could be a really good thing if you’re a glass is half-full kind of guy or gal. Then again, maybe not if you’re not a fan of defensive transition. It all depends on how they adjust. It is worth noting the lack of returning depth at outside linebacker, though. The only one with experience behind Mr. 4.29 and Houston is Darryl Gamble, who will be forced to stay at outside linebacker after Montez Robinson’s, dare I say, transgressions.

Other outside linebackers returning to take part in year one of this scheme are Chase Vasser, Reuben Faloughi and Brock Boleman. As you can see, returning depth is thin.

However, the Dogs add head-hunter Alec Ogletree to the mix and he could contribute immediately. If Grantham wants to get creative, Ogletree could play in a bandit safety role (wishful thinking as I’m a sucker for Thomas Davis-types). My guess is he won’t, but you never know. Wrinkles are available to install for a reason.

Georgia also brings in Demetre Baker, who has said he expects to blitz a lot in this new defense.

Remember though: Blitzing is great when it works. It can be detrimental when it fails. The reports are Grantham is a fundamentals first guy, so we’ll see how this position group translates on the field. A friend of mine recently said, “We can’t be any worse defensively than we were last year.”

Inside linebackers: Unlike the outside group, this unit is strong and deep. It looks like Akeem Dent will stay inside during his senior season after cross-training between the Sam and Mike throughout his collegiate career.

Maybe a little consistency is what Dent needs, as he’s got the athleticism and speed to make plays.

Accompanying Dent inside is Christian Robinson, who came on strong during the last half of 2009. Backing them up are Marcus Dowtin, Mike Gilliard, Akeem Hebron and Richard Samuel.

The beauty (in theory) of this defense is that any of the inside or outside linebackers can blitz. It’s unpredictable, and, with a strong nose tackle that occupies blockers, easier to get away with rushing two linebackers.

When you think about it, the concept of disguising when Mr. 4.29, Houston, Gamble, Dent, Robinson and Dowtin can be sent to rush the quarterback makes you motivated to see the season to start, in hopes that the reel playing in your head turns out to be what you see on Saturdays. Again, though, a lot of the linebackers’ success will rely on how well the three up front do.

Cornerbacks: Given that I’m not familiar with how the Cowboys were schematically outside of what I’ve learned about Grantham, I don’t have a grasp on what he’ll want to do.
Click to expand...

- Todd Grantham's defense by position. Seems like he's running a lot of Man-Free with Fire Zone Blitzes.

alen1 · Jul 22, 2010

Just reading that above, it always is funny when people try to compare weight and say a guy can't do the job because of his weight.

"While Tyson is big, he may not be big enough to generate much of a pass rush on many of the 310-pound offensive linemen…"

Lol.

Btw, we have any UGA fans here?

Fin-Omenal · Jul 23, 2010

I like Grantham's scheme Alen, alot of what I would desire as far as personell in my 3-4.

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