Is this the best defense of the Richt Era?

Todd Grantham has done an amazing job with the Georgia defense. The idiots on television can say what they want about weak schedules, but the improvements we have seen this year speak for themselves. You don't have a top 10 defense in the country by luck. My question is whether or not this year's defense is the best of the Mark Ricth era, even better than the Van Gorder units. Take a look at this comparison of the national rankings for Georgia's defense during the 2002 SEC season, the 2003 SEC East Champion season, the 2005 SEC Championship season, the 2007 #2 final ranking season, 2009 (Willie's last stand) and this year:


Of the 9 major defensive categories I examined, the 2011 squad had the best national ranking in 5 of them. Arguably, this is the best defense since 2003 when the unit featuring David Pollack, Odell Thurman, and Thomas Davis helped the Dawgs win 10 games despite an offense that struggled all year. What sticks out even more is the deterioration under Martinez and the rebound under Grantham. Georgia finished second in the nation in 2007 because of the strength of the offense and the ability to get sacks, not because of their ability to cover receivers.

Can I honestly say this is the best defense of the Richt era? I don't know. But what I can say is Coach Grantham has returned us to the defense glory we once had and I don't see that changing with the very experienced group we having coming back in 2012.

Numbers Mean Progress (Even If They Don’t Mean Victories)

With a 3-4 record, Georgia has certainly not lived up to the expectations that many had during the summer of 2010. That being said, the Dawgs have certainly shown improvement over the 2009 team, even if the record is worse than it was last year. Stastics, while not telling the whole story of a season, at least provide insight into the ability a team has to perform on the field. For example, Georgia was third to last in the FBS in turnover margin last year and lost a number of games (such as Kentucky) that should have been won.

In total, I found 10 major team categories in which the 2010 Georgia Bulldogs are better than their 2009 counterparts:

#41 Passing Offense – 244.8 yards per game (201.1 - 71st in 2009)
#53 Total Offense – 395.1 yards per game (362.2 – 66th in 2009)
#51 Scoring Offense – 29.7 points per game (28.9 – 51st in 2009)
#16 Rushing Defense – 103.43 yards per game (126.1 – 36th in 2009)
#30 Passing Defense – 186.71 yards per game (213.1 – 51st in 2009)
#20 Scoring Defense – 17.43 points per game (25.9 – 64th in 2009)
#13 Kick Off Return Defense – 1st in the SEC (117th in 2009)
#23 Punt Return Defense (82nd in 2009)
#48 Penalties – 5.71 for 44 yards per game (8 for 67 – 113th in 2009)
#30 Turnover Margin - +4 for season (-1.23 per game – 118th in 2009)

Todd Grantham has clearly made a difference on defense. The only major statistic that Georgia is actually worse in this year is rushing offense, thanks in part to suspensions to Caleb King and Washaun Ealey. After seeing these numbers, you can’t help but wonder what might have been if AJ Green had been around for all seven games.

2010 G-Day Preview - Part 2: “Bring the Rain”

The 2009 Georgia defense was a complete and absolute failure. A team once known for putting constant pressure on the quarterback was reduced to a team more famous for letting Jonathan Crompton look like an All-SEC quarterback. Georgia managed to win 8 games last year in spite of the defense and it was clear that regime change was needed. Georgia fans got their wish in the hiring of former Dallas Cowboys line coach, Todd Grantham.

Grantham brings with him the 3-4 defense, a departure from the traditional 4-3 defense that was run under Willie Martinez. The new defensive scheme means players in new positions, such as former defensive end Justin Houston now lining up at rushing outside linebacker. The defense is designed to get more pressure on the quarterback, which was seriously lacking last year. Hopefully, more pressure will not only lead to a lower third down conversion rate for opponents, but hopefully a few more turnovers to boot.

This Saturday, most of my attention will be on the linebackers. With so many guys in new positions (including Richard Samuel now at linebacker), it will look a lot different than it did in the Independence Bowl. A few sacks on Saturday would be nice as well.

G-Day Preview Part 3 – “Don’t Blow my Cover” – coming tomorrow.

Just 3 more days…

GO DAWGS!!!

Who Does the Defense Need?!? The Hanson Brothers

Earl sent me this link today to a story about the Johnstown Chiefs, a minor league hockey team which takes its name from the team of the same name in the classic Paul Newman comedy, "Slap Shot". If you have never seen Slap Shot, shame on you. It is one of the greatest sports films ever made. Remembering Slap Shot got me thinking about what Georgia needs on defense to get that swagger back that the team had under Brian Van Gorder. How would Paul Newman's character have gotten the bite back into the Georgia D? With the Hanson Brothers, of course!


Georgia's needs its own group of enforcers, tough guys who step on the field and strike fear into the other team. In recent years, the most success has come at the safety position, where Thomas Davis and Greg Blue wreaked havoc on SEC receivers. But who will lead this new breed of Georgia defense? My first nominee is the man with best name in sports, Bacarri Rambo. Ask Mario Fannin if he likes going over the middle with Rambo flying around.


After Rambo, there is a long list of other guys ready to join the fight and bring the ferocity back to the Georgia defense. Guys like Akeem Dent, Justin Houston, Jakar Hamilton, and Alec Ogletree will all have their chance to make their mark this fall.

Maybe Grantham's boys won't take it this far, but knocking opposing teams around sure would be fun to watch.


GO CHIEFS....err DAWGS!!!

Dawgs get their DC, Vols still looking

Todd Grantham has been hired as the new defensive coordinator of the Georgia Bulldogs today. Grantham, who is currently the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys, has had coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL level. Grantham was a member of Nick Saban's staff at Michigan State and later served as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. He runs a 3-4 defensive scheme and it should be exciting to see how he brings this defense to Athens.

Meanwhile, Tennessee tried to go the safe route by offering their vacant head coaching position to former Vol OC David Cutcliffe. While some media outlets reported the deal as done, it turned out to be as real as the deal Georgia had with Kirby Smart (in other words, a final deal never existed). They have now whiffed on Muschamp and Cutcliffe, let's see if they make it 3 strikes with their next target.