General Thoughts: Defense

The offense went yesterday, the defensive outlook today.  This will be more enthusiastic, with similar depth concerns (that's what happens with sub 70 loi signed scholarshipped players).  The plus side of all this is, Grantham.  The man showed his immense abilities last year, not only in the overall scheme, but in adjustments as well.  When the Bobo and special teams didn't hang them out to dry, the defense was as good as any we've ever had.  And aside from Brandon Boykin and Deangelo Tyson, we return that unit.  If healthy, even with the depth problem, it should be a dominant crew.

DL-In a 3-4, you need some pressure, but mostly 3 big boys that can control the tackle box and occupy 5 OL freeing up the LBs to make plays.  We've got that as good as you'd want.  Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins man the nose.  Johnathon Taylor may see some action, but it's not necessary.  Between Geathers and Jenkins, you can rotate 350 pound bulls to keep them fresh.  Abry Jones is as good as it gets at strongside DE, and has shown the athleticism to be a pass rush threat as well as a blocker eater.  Add Ray Drew, Garrison Smith on the other side, and you've got a dominant front.  The problem, as everywhere, is depth.  Have those 5 healthy, and you've got a unit that can rotate to stay fresh and always have 3 strong players.  Add a little Cornelius Washington from OLB, and it's 6 rotating bodies.  But have someone go down, now you're relying on a true freshman in Taylor, or a yet to be healthy Sterling Bailey, or maybe some walk ons.  It's good, but not without potential problems.

LB-The talent abounds.  Even with the pending suspension of Alec Ogletree, this unit has talent and depth, about the only one on the roster with both.  Add Ogletree, and you've got an NFL 1st round freak talent in the mix making plays all over, and knocking about 1 person out per game.  Jarvis Jones needs now comment as great as he plays.  That's quite possibly the 2 best LBs in the country free to roam and cause havoc.  Filling in alongside, or while they sit, are seniors Mike Gilliard and Christian Robinson.  Both steady as it gets, smart, and solid against the run or pass.    Sophomores Amarlo Herrera, Kostas Valvas, and Ramik Wilson showed an ability to make plays all over last year, and should add strong depth keeping a group of play makers on the field at all times.  Cornelius Washington was coming on strong as a pass rusher before injuries and shenanigans messed up his season last year.  And then there's freshman Jordan Jenkins, Josh Harvey Clemons, and maybe Josh Dawson or James Deloach who could make impacts.  Jenkins especially could work his way in to a majority of snaps per game (since a veteran like Washington or Vasser will "start") at the OLB spot opposite Jones before the year is out.  Then there's TJ Stripling, who if finally healthy, may be able to produce off the edge after spending much of the last two years with Ron Courson.

S-Like the DL, should be excellent if healthy, but very scary if not.  Bacarri Rambo was a huge play maker creating turnovers at FS.  But he's going to be suspended for some period of time (and we love Richt not saying a thing about it).  Shawn Williams is the most underrated S in the country, and arguably the best all around SS we've had (meaning pass coverage too) since Jermaine Phillips.  We're listing Harvey Clemons as a S, so he may be Williams backup for now (while he grows into being a LB ala Ogletree).  Corey Moore looked solid as a freshman, and is said to have developed nicely over the summer.  Odds are, he'll be our 3rd S off the bench, and starting until Rambo returns.  Beyond those 4, we've got the little used Marc Deas, and walk ons.  It's not promising.  If healthy, we're fine, at least once Rambo returns.  But a single injury, and yikes!

CB-Just like S, while healthy, you'll be hard pressed to find better, and it's just deep enough to stay fresh.  But a single injury, and uh oh.  We'll have Branden Smith at CB, and while he's not as physical as Boykin was, he's still a fine cover man thanks to his speed and agility.  A little stronger as he's matured, and should be even better.  Malcolm Mitchell and Damien Swann will work in until Sanders Commings returns from suspension.  Swann has had a good summer reportedly, and Mitchell is as talented as you get on the edge.  His hamstrings are suspect, but his game isn't, even if he did spend all last year at WR.  At worst, he'll be similar to Smith in a glue cover man that lacks physicality tackling or off the line.  Shelden Dawson adds depth as a freshman, but if we're relying on him for 30 or more snaps in a game, let's hope it's an FAU, Georgia Southern type game.  Devin Bowman adds bigger depth, and may help at S some.  Beyond them, walk ons.  Walk ons can produce (see Tra Battle, etc).  But until they step up, they are suspect at best.

Great talent in the starting 11, and even the top 22.  Our problem is if we have to go lower than the 2 deep, except at LB where depth is solid 3 deep.  Stay healthy, and we're a top 5 defense nationally.  Have just a couple long term injuries, and that plummets accordingly.