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Thursday, February 28, 2013
 Georgia will experiment along the D-line
By Brent Sobleski

UPDATE: Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will get creative in his attempts to replace four major contributors from last year's defensive line.  Multiple defensive linemen are expected to play multiple positions along the Bulldogs' defensive front.

"Todd Grantham talked this week about 'mixing and matching' John Taylor and John Atkins between end and tackle, so it seems he may try what he did with John Jenkins, playing him at both spots as well," Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph wrote. "Conversely, guys that would clearly seem to be ends, Garrison Smith and Ray Drew, will get a look inside."

Drew's priority is start at defensive end first and foremost.

"(Ray Drew and Sterling Bailey) are competing with each other to start opposite Garrison Smith, but if the coaches are true to their word, then both Drew and Bailey will play -- as long as they earn confidence from those same coaches," Emerson wrote. "Otherwise, some of the options at nose tackle could get a look at end... In other words, Drew and Bailey aren't really competing against each other so much as they're competing with every defensive lineman."

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Gone are the likes of John Jenkins, Kwame Geathers, Cornelius Washington and Abry Jones from Athens. Georgia must reload along its defensive line this fall. And the Bulldogs plan to throw waves at opposing offenses.

“I want to play two deep,” Georgia's new defensive line coach Chris Wilson told Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. “I want to play anywhere from six to eight guys in a game. That’s the only way I believe you get better. You get better by practicing, but you get even better by competing in SEC football games.

“You want guys who can really create disadvantages for the offense. The more guys you have like that from guys who can play on first down, second down, guys who can play on third downs, short yardage, it really builds depth. I think later on in the season when you have a chance to play in those SEC title-type games, you’ve got a really good group of guys who have been tested. I think it’s critical. That’s the only way you win is up front.”

Only Garrison Smith returns in a starting role for Todd Grantham's defense. Ray Drew and Mike Thorton should compete to start at the other defensive end.

Nose tackle has plenty of unproven talent to add to the defensive line rotation after the departures of Jenkins and Geathers.

"I tell you what, (signee) Chris Mayes and (redshirt freshman) Jonathan Taylor, and I would be honest, even (rising junior) Mike Thornton is an older guy, and sometimes older guys their last year through it end up giving you some spark, and some maturity and some toughness," Grantham told Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph.

David Ching
Plugging the middle of UGA's defense
"Perhaps the most notable position battle this spring will be at the nose, where John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers played nearly every significant down over the last two seasons. Since the noseguard is one of the most important spots in Grantham’s 3-4 base defense, the Bulldogs have to settle on at least one or two reliable candidates to take over in the middle of the defensive line. Michael Thornton is the lone veteran at the position, while Jonathan Taylor is coming off a redshirt season and could figure heavily into Georgia’s 2013 plans. Also, two early enrollees -- Chris Mayes and John Atkins -- will be key figures in this spring’s competition."