Interesting article

Talent should be least of problems for Georgia’s defense
by Chip Towers
Based on the recruiting rankings of the players playing defense for Georgia, talent should be the least of the problems for the Bulldogs.
As we all know, Georgia is experiencing serious defensive issues this season. The fact is, just looking at bottom-line numbers, the Bulldogs have been trending downward on that side of the ball for the past five years. Scoring since 2005 has gone from 14.6 points per game to 17.1, 21.0, 25.6 and now 27.8. Average yards allowed over the same period: 298, 264, 325, 318 and 358. After giving up 30 or more points to opponents only three times under head coach Mark Richt from 2001-06, Georgia has let it happen 11 times in the three seasons since, including 37 or more points eight times in the last season and a half.
So that got me wondering — is Georgia just missing out on good defensive talent?
I’m going to qualify this finding by saying what I’ve done here is hardly scientific and probably could be explained away by Richt or anybody else who cares to argue the point for Georgia. In fact, feel free to make an argument either way. That’s what we’re here for. But all I did was go through the Bulldogs’ current starting lineup and look up each players’ 1-through-5-star recruiting rankings coming out of high school from Rivals and Scout. I averaged the rankings for each guy and totaled up the numbers.
Based on that simplistic approach I was able to determine that Georgia’s defensive starters totaled 44.5 stars for an average of just over 4 stars per player. That, by the way, was without factoring in freshman Branden Smith, a consensus 5-star prospect who plays in the nickel package, and Geno Atkins, who brings a 4.5 average and usually starts but hasn’t lately.
In a nutshell, , Georgia’s defenders were all highly-rated prospects. And with an average of three years experience on that side of the ball, you certainly would not expect them to be ranked 75th in the country and next-to-last in the SEC in total defense at 377 yards or 100th in America and deal last in the league in points allowed (30.7 pg).
Next, I applied the same method to one of the elite defensive teams in the nation and in the SEC — Alabama. I was surprised to discover that the Crimson Tide, which is ranked No. 2 nation in total defense, totaled only 37.5 stars, or an average of 3.4 stars per player on defense (who knew that Javier Arenas was a three-star recruit or that Cory Reamer got only two stars from Scout?)
There wasn’t really any need to break down the whole league. It’s easy to deduce that South Carolina (4), Vanderbilt (5), Ole Miss (6), Kentucky (8) or Mississippi State (9) — five of the 10 SEC teams whose defenses are ranked ahead of Georgia’s — probably doesn’t have higher-ranked prospects than the Bulldogs, who were considerably ahead in national recruiting rankings. And we all know Florida, which leads the country in total and scoring defense, is chocked full of bluechip recruits, as is LSU. You get the point.
Now some people will say that’s irrefutable evidence that defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and/or members of his staff are simply not getting the job done. But one could also argue it merely illustrates the imperfections of recruiting rankings. And, of course, everybody hasn’t played the same teams, so any head-to-head comparison is going to be skewed.
As is the case in most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in between. Either way, it’s clear that some very good prospects are playing very bad defense for Georgia.
Here’s the breakdown of the Bulldogs’ defensive starters:
DE Demarcus Dobbs — 3.5 stars
DT Kade Weston — 4.5
DT Jeff Owens — 4.0
DE Justin Houston — 3.5
LB Darius Dewberry — 5.0
LB Darryl Gamble — 3.5
LB Rennie Curran — 4.0
CB Brandon Boykin — 4.0
SS Reshad Jones — 4.5
FS Bryan Evans – 4.0
CB Prince Miller — 4.0
Total — 44.5 stars

wlayton, good read. Sometimes it is the un-scientific type of polls or materials randomly put together that get closer to the truth.

One thing for sure, every player listed below was on more than one major college list coming out of high school. I would venture a guess that probably 3, 4, 5 or so SEC schools had the list below on their heavily recruited and most wanted group of players.

These young men have talent, but it sure does not look like it is being coached up when you look at how wide open many of the receivers are in our games so far. Tennessee rolling out and passing, every young fellow on defense saw that in high school, probably more than straight drop back passing. Inexcusable. One scoring drive had 4 rollout passes.

One more thing . . . WM is not going to resign. If he did, that would pretty much end his college coaching career and both he and Coach Richt understand that. I hear rumors of this being his last season at UGA, that I will believe when I see it for myself.

Today there is some interesting reading by David Hale in the AJC. Probably most have read it, but if not, take a look.

Sure will Buc, always like your take on things. Btw, did you notice that Justin Houston was tied with the lowest ranking of 3.5 and other than Rennie, is probably playing the best on D?

it doesn't take stats to realize that something stinks on defense. Missed tackles and penalties are due to bad coaching. Screw Martinez, the players deserve better. The coaches main job is to help these kids have fun and prepare for life. A lot of these players dream of playing on Sunday. They deserve a coach capable of optimizing their chances of landing NFL jobs (if that is their career choice). Keeping Martinez isn't doing them any favors. (or Bobo)

If I'm not mistaken former Dawg and NFL rookie Dannell Ellerbe is a starting linebacker (if not starting, I know he's seeing plenty of playing time) for the Baltimore Ravens (historically a pretty good defensive unit to say the least).

We've HAD talent and still HAVE talent...IMO it's absolutely absurd to think that ALL of our 4 & 5 star defensive recruits have simply been busts. Recruiting rankings are certainly flawed but decent players become good players and good players become great players and great players become legendary players with a little bit of GOOD COACHING!

Goose, you are right on Dannell Ellerbe, and that is one stout Raven defense. Have read a couple of articles on DE, and they really like him. Yes, we have that type of talent on the current team. Think the Ravens play the Vikings this weekend, probably get a chance to see Dannell.