Georgia Football: Can the Bulldogs Defense Be Even Better in 2012?

It was something Mark Richt did not want to deal with.

This past Friday, several of Richt’s defensive players had a press conference concerning their decision on leaving for the NFL draft or staying for one more year.

It turned out to be a very good day for the veteran head coach, because Cornelius Washington, Bacarri Rambo, Shawn Williams, Branden Smith, Sanders Commings and Abry Jones will be back for one more year.

The Bulldogs defense was one of the best in the conference and in the nation. They were ranked third in the SEC and fifth in the nation in total defense, and the reason for their success was the six players that were considering leaving for the NFL improved their play.

So the question has to be asked: With all but two starters (DeAngelo Tyson and Brandon Boykin) returning for the upcoming season, can this group be the best defense in the country?

This will be the Bulldogs' third year in the 3-4 front, and they have improved each year. The reason they have improved each year is because defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has worked hard to get the right players to fit his system.

Junior college transfer John Jenkins had been a force at nose tackle during the second half of the 2011 season, and that is something needed to have a successful 3-4 front. The Bulldogs also have a great set of linebackers in Washington, Alec Ogletree, Christian Robinson and All-American Jarvis Jones.

All four are athletic and get after the football, which is also something crucial to have a successful 3-4 scheme. Because the defensive line and linebackers were playing well, the secondary was able to make plays, and Rambo was able to lead the SEC in interceptions and passes defended. In fact, the Bulldogs were one of only five teams in the country to have 20 or more interceptions last season.

So they have all the tools to become the best defense in the country; however, South Carolina, LSU and BCS Champion Alabama always have great defenses, and there is no reason they can’t be successful in 2012.

I think what has to happen next season is, everyone has to be committed to being the best. The defense had a good 2011 season, but they have to realize their work was incomplete because they did not achieve their goal, which is winning the SEC.

In the four losses the Bulldogs had, they surrendered over 30 points in each of those games. In the games against LSU and South Carolina, the Bulldogs gave up 45 points. That is kind of skewed because the Bulldogs offense did turn the ball over a few times, which led to easy points for the opposing team.

The talent is there for the defense to have a better year in 2012, and they had a year to remember in 2011. But in order to take that next step and be the absolute best in the country, they have to work harder during offseason workouts, spring football and summer camp.

They can’t settle for being a good defense because like the saying goes, good is the enemy of great.