From Athens - Still quite-A very good thing

yankeedawg1 wrote:

Wlayton- Buc.... what I said before we handle the first two games and running the table is well within our power. I like us being tested early. CJT will be on the job all season to keep the troops grounded. No big heads will last on this team for sure... Go Dawgs

Yep......coaches are limited during the year with practices etc but coach T can work on them EVERYDAY of the year.

After watching NFL day in Athens on ESPN3, think that I understand one of Grantham's comments about replacing Houston with Jones. Even though they apparently play on opposite sides in the linebacker scheme, think that Grantham is talking about the "overall" play.

These guys busted their butts today trying to improve their stock with the teams that will be drafting them in the near(?) furture.

Grantham said not too long ago that Jones does some things that maybe Houston does not do as well. Watched number 42 going through the drills today, convinced that he is better suited with his hand on the dirt. Not just quick, very quick first step, almost impossible to turn his body one way or another. No doubt in my mind that he is a DE in the pros, does not have the hip movement for the linebacker position. We will see. Going to make life miserable for some QB's in a year or two. Believe that he is better suited for the four man front.

Brings me to Jones. If Jones is better than Houston, folks we do have a winner. If Jones has leadership qualities, our defense is going to be more than improved, it is going to be awesome.

As many have said on this board, we get the "big body" for the 3/4, in playing shape, last years nose playing defensive end . . . . I like it. Kwame Gaithers comes to play under the tutelage of Coach JT and the defensive staff, going to be fun to watch. Spring practice is going to be interesting, Fall practice is going to be like no other in many years. Lots of above average athletes heading to Athens.

One last shot about a young man that I think is going to surprise in the "league" . . . Kris Durham. This young man is the type of player that basically went unnoticed for most of his college career. He is the REAL DEAL. If I was a betting man he gets drafted a little later and has a very productive pro career. New England loves this type of player. KD made some super plays for us this past season, hands equal glue on this dude.

Looking forward to reading some of the coverage of today's practice.

Go Dawgs!

Below is an article that I copied. Appears that Coach JT has inspired another young man to move forward.

March 23, 2011

Fresh start for Harmon


Anthony Dasher
UGASports.com


Junior A.J. Harmon has heard the whispers.

One of the state's top prospects when he signed with Georgia in February of 2008, the former defensive lineman turned offensive tackle was expected to make a huge impact with the Bulldogs.

His high school resume was certainly impressive. Rivals.com rated Harmon the country's 54th-best overall player, while USA-Today tabbed the former Jefferson County star a Parade All-American.

Following a heated recruiting battle with Clemson, Harmon decided to become a Bulldog, but for a variety of different reasons enters spring practice still trying to find his niche after appearing in just seven career games.

With early expectations being what they were, a number of Bulldog fans on message boards and blogs have wondered aloud if Harmon wasn't over-rated to begin with. Some have even used the word "bust" to describe the 6-foot-5, 345-pounder, claiming he'll never make an impact with Mark Richt's squad.

Harmon politely disagrees.

"I feel real uplifted now, just having a chance to play ball through all the bull with the blogs, people talking I'm a bust, asking where I've been at," Harmon said. "I'm using all that fuel for the fire."

Harmon admits it pains him knowing some fans might feel that way.

"It does hurt. I can't lie about it. It gets me when I go back in the weight room, I go back to work. I'm glad they feel that way about me; I'm glad I've got the spring and summer to get better," Harmon said. "They (his detractors) don't know what I've been doing here. They don't know about my struggles, they don't know why I haven't been playing, why I've been in the situation I've been in. I do know this much, when the time comes and the coaches call me - especially this coach (offensive line coach Will Friend) - when he calls on me, I know I'm going to be ready."

Harmon said he's already taken care of the academic issues that resulted in him being ruled ineligible for last year's AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Central Florida.

Assuming there are no further setbacks, Harmon said he will be on the field when the Bulldogs take on Boise State in the season-opener at the Georgia Dome as a backup for Trinton Sturdivant at left tackle.

"Sometimes you've got to wait your turn. Sometimes you've got to go harder. Me, I was behind Trinton and Clint Boling and those guys are not sorry," Harmon said. "I'm kind of glad I got to sit behind them and learn from some great athletes."

Getting a fresh start with Friend as his new offensive line coach also has Harmon in a better frame of mind.

The two have already struck a bond.

"Coach Friend, he's awesome. He everything you want in a coach. He's a teacher. I'm not saying anything about Coach (Stacy) Searels, but he has more patience and I can deal with that. He understands it may take me a little bit to catch onto something, but once I do, I'll get the job done," Harmon said. "I appreciate that for him to have the confidence in me. He believes in me. He's not making me do something that I don't feel comfortable with. He's telling me to do this better but he's not getting out of line, he's not fussing at me. I'm not soft-hearted, but I frustrate myself because I want to do it the correct way. With him here supporting me, I can perform a whole lot better.
"People may not believe I can perform, but I can. I can go as high as I want to go."

As long as he continues to focus, Richt sees no reason why Harmon can't do just that.

But Richt also acknowledges it's going to take some work.

"He's very athletic. He can do it, he's just got to focus and he's got to compete. He's got to keep grinding," Richt said. "Sometimes guys get an opportunity year one or year two, sometimes they don't get to play until their fourth or fifth year. Even if he's a fifth-year starter, that will be great for him and great for Georgia. He can do it; he's just got to keep grinding."

Harmon credits strength and conditioning coach Joe Tereshinski for adding an extra spark of motivation.

At the end of last season, Harmon weighed "only" 320 pounds before adding 25 to his 6-5 frame during the team's winter conditioning drills.

"Coach T, I love him to death. He's an animal. He's a tough joker and he doesn't care, but I kind of think that's what we really needed," Harmon said. "It wakes you up. People have forgotten about Georgia. When they hear the name Georgia, they don't fear us no more. It's a good thing for us, because when we step out there in the fall, they're going to see that Georgia's back."

Harmon hopes the same will be said about him.

"It's been a long time, man," he said. "I got my feet wet a little bit last season, but now I'm ready to go swimming in the big ocean."

Good article, Buc.

I get the impression Joe T is giving the entire team a fresh infusion of nasty. I sure hope so. I hate hearing that Georgia is no longer feared. That has to change.

thriller, definitely with you on the nasty. Takes me back to last season, many games we were in only to come out on the down side. Wonder what the 6-7 would look like if Coach JT had ran the show . . . . anyway, really good to hear folks like Harmon and others buy into the "overall plan". Big bodies in good or excellent shape mean a lot these days in college football.

If I read the article correctly, Harmon has added 25 pounds to his frame since joining forces with Coach JT. Guessing that is muscle from all I have read about the diet and lifting.

New folks coming in, should be able to muster up depth on both sides of the ball. Shows that these young men do appreciate tough, honest approaches from the coaches. Still only one negative about Coach JT from one player, and that apparently was resolved quickly.

The first two games on our schedule mean so much . . . .

You are so right, Buc. Those first two games are critical. I hate to think what would happen if we get two "L"s hung on us.

Just read this:

"Richt said the defense made progress on Tuesday, including interceptions by Branden Smith and Jordan Love. Converted fullback Bruce Figgins "had a very good day," Richt said. The team will practice in shoulder pads and helmets on Thursday. ... Saturday is Georgia's Junior Day for high school prospects."

This is why I hate spring - two interceptions? I sure hope that means the "D" is getting good, and I sure hope that was a backup QB throwing to 'em - like someone we've never heard of. I can never get a good read on the team in the spring. But a little bit of NASTY will go a LONG WAY!