Georgia Bulldogs' Defense Gets Makeover with 3-4 Scheme: A New Look

For the UGA defense there is nowhere to go but up.

In 2009 the Bulldogs gave up 26.4 points per game, which was the third-worst total in the SEC. They also gave up over 320 yards per contest, which was in the middle of the pack, but what really hurt the Dawgs defense was turnovers. They had a turnover differential of -16, which was ranked near the bottom not only in the conference, but also in the NCAA.

So changes had to be made, and it started with head coach Mark Richt firing former defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and hiring Todd Grantham who was previously with the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive line coach.

The big difference between Grantham and Martinez is the schemes they run, as Grantham likes to run the 3-4 front. This will be something very new to most of the players on the roster because most, if not all of them, are used to playing in a 4-3 front. But this could be a good thing for them because the 3-4 allows players to make plays in space and cause more turnovers.

So here is a breakdown of the 2010 UGA defense before it heads into its first game on September 4.

DEFENSIVE LINE

With the 3-4 front the Bulldogs are installing, this means there will be only three down lineman on the line of scrimmage: a nose tackle and two defensive ends. DeAngelo Tyson will get the nod at nose while Abry Jones and DeMarcus Dobbs will go into the 2010 season as the starting defensive ends.

Tyson is not your prototypical NT, only weighing in at 295 pounds, but he has played well in the defensive tackle rotation the last two years and could have a breakout year.

Dobbs had a strong 2009 season with 4.5 sacks, but can he produce those numbers again in scheme where he won’t be on the edge?

Jones will look to build on his 2009 season, when he racked up eight tackles and one sack in 12 games.

LINEBACKERS

With three down lineman in the new front, this means there will be an extra linebacker available to make plays. The two inside linebackers will be Akeem Dent and Christian Robinson while Justin Houston and Cornelius Washington will man the outside spots.

Dent, one of the leaders on the defensive side, will look to build on a 2009 season where he tallied 32 tackles in eight games.

Robinson is one of the younger Bulldog defenders expected to make plays. He had a solid 2009 season, racking up 19 tackles in 12 games.

Houston was a monster last year at the defensive end spot, as he compiled 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He should put up the same numbers because he will be expected to apply pressure on the QB as an outside linebacker.

Washington is also a guy who can get after the quarterback after notching a four-sack season last year.

Other linebackers who will see time are Darryl Gamble, Mike Gilliard, Marcus Dowtin, and converted running back Richard Samuel.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

One of the weak spots for UGA last year was the secondary, and it’s going to be interesting how it comes together this season considering there is only one starter coming back.

That one starter is cornerback Brandon Boykin, and he had a breakout 2009 campaign with 54 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.

Vance Cuff will start at the other corner spot while Branden Smith will likely play the nickel. Smith was used on both sides of the ball last year, rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

Nick Williams will be the starting strong safety while Bacarri Rambo will start at free safety. Williams started only one game last year, but he played in all 12 games and recorded nine tackles.

Rambo is a guy who came on strong towards the end of the season, notching two interceptions and a breaking up a huge pass play in the win against Auburn.

As mentioned earlier it’s going to take some time to get all the players on the same page when it comes to running the 3-4. But if they buy into the system and listen to every word Grantham tells them, improvements will come sooner than later for a defense that has struggled the last few years.