Yes GatorinGA, you do have grave concerns for your reptilian clan. It is true that they don’t seem to be firing on all cylinders at the moment. But as we all know, it is extremely rare that a football clan does that all year long. And also, as we all know, the best teams are still able to “find a way to win” games when they are not cruising along at optimum output. Most often, the way that they find to win is by
relying on their defense. It’s extremely rare for championship caliber teams to become and remain championship caliber teams without the solid defense. Need I point to Florida and Alabama again to make this point?
Gator, you have nothing to worry about compared to us
Dawg fans, but I know you will worry, because you are in the thick of the quest for the MNC. You will scrutinize every game and every play, looking for encouragement for your team to take you back to “the realms of crystal ball heaven.” I am sure you understand if I do not wish you good luck. But as a fan of the
toothy lizards, you need no well-wishes from me. I do appreciate your insightful, respectful comments on this forum. We can all respect each other as fans of the game.
But to go back to philosophical approach to the game of football for a moment, please indulge me. You may note that in my opening comments on this thread, I remarked about Alabama’s defense that “they challenge everything.” UF does this as well. Both teams seem to be neck and neck in that regard. UGA appears to approach defense completely differently. UGA appears to play
prevent defense “all game long.” I CANNOT SAY THIS LOUDLY ENOUGH! WE PLAY PREVENT DEFENSE, TWO-HAND TOUCH, WAIT-AND-SEE, LET’S GET HIM AFTER HE CATCHES THE BALL, type of defense ALL GAME LONG! Why? I know why!
It is the philosophy of containment, the philosophy of “let’s be careful now”, we don’t want to get beat deep.
Is it a philosophy or approach based on aggression? No. But one based on fear, trepidation, lack of confidence and suspicion. Are the players fearful or lacking in confidence? No!
Rather, they are told, instructed, coached (if I can use the term loosely) to play this way. I believe that our players are better than they are showing on the field, but they are crippled by this approach of “defense by containment.” Do you think Alabama plays this way? Does Florida? Does USC? NO! They don’t play that way because they are coached to play aggressively. Challenge everything. Do they ever mix it up? Yes; of course. Sometimes it’s fine to play that way for a play or a series. But you must know that your basic approach is AGGRESSION!
Aggression, confrontation, challenge everything; every block, every run, every pass, every receiver. We have got to get back to that approach, not only to win , but to win consistently and to improve the program!
“Football is not a contact sport; dancing is a contact sport; football is a collision sport!”
Lombardi 
