I posted the offensive side yesterday, where I described the three categories of this post, so let’s get right to the breakdown. Per usual, feel free to dissect it as you wish. I’m no expert, just someone who likes to put out stuff for us Refugees to discuss.
Winning on Defense:
KJ Bolden – While he’s had a few miscues, it’s hard to argue that he’s come in as a freshman and been an instant impact contributor to the defense. As his reps have grown his comfort in the system and his impact have increased to where he’s a reliable and trustworthy member of the defensive unit.
Dan Jackson – Same as above, he’s quietly become reliable and an enforcer on defense, currently second on the team with 37 tackles and two turnovers to his credit.
Christen Miller – Honestly this guy doesn’t have flashy stats or the physique of others along the defensive line, but somehow Miller always seems to be in the mix of things and is constantly warthogging his way into the offensive backfield and being a problem. If injuries hadn’t occurred across the unit, we wouldn’t likely see much of him, but he’s been making the most of his time this season.
Wilting:
Cornerbacks, in general – While there’s been some flashes of greatness, most notably in the Texas game, this unit has been a concern from Aguero down through Harris. They possess the skills and toughness to be Junkyard Dawgs, but Kirby’s bread and butter group has been having a rough season. As one reader posted yesterday, that’s likely because the defensive front hasn’t done their due diligence in disrupting the passer, which has been spotty, to say the least. It’s not the deep plays, per se, but the way the unit is getting burned on said plays. Position issues, playing the ball, and more PIs than a 1980s crime drama, this unit has been underperforming for Georgia standards this season.
Tackling – Not much to say here that already hasn’t been said, but this has been the most obvious difference in the 2024 defensive unit than groups from the last three seasons.
Wondering on Defense
Smael Mondon – Serious question, what happened to him? One day he’s answering questions at a presser, next day he’s gone and without much explanation. Whenever there are injury updates Kirby’s usually pretty straight forward about the nature of the injury, except for Smael. Even prior to the injury, something just seemed a little off about Mondon and the LBs, in general, which seemed to be much better by the Texas game. What’s more is that Mondon was tabbed as the leader of the LB unit…was that really the case or was there something more going on there?
Outside Linebackers – I put this here in the wondering because I honestly don’t know what to make of Chambliss. The LB room is loaded, but he sees the field a lot…but my bigger question here is where did Samuel M’Pemba and Quintavius Johnson get off to? Johnson was the darling of the fall scrimmages and I don’t know if I’ve seen M’Pemba once all season. As far as Chambliss, one minute he’s making a great play and the next it’s a missed tackle or something seemingly boneheaded and I’m left wondering why the other OLBs aren’t getting into the mix more often.
Is this a staff issue, two dc’s, new secondary coach and less Boom in the office/side lines….GO DAWGS!!
I think it’s no coincidence that in the only game all season that the D-line was close to full strength (Texas), the secondary magically looked a lot closer to the 2021-2022 secondary.
As you said, quoting another reader … “the defensive front hasn’t done their due diligence in disrupting the passer”. Injuries played a major role!
I know next to nothing about football, but I have to think it’s a lot easier to cover guys when you have to do it for 2.8 seconds instead of 5!
Thanks for the good reads.
My main gripe these days is db’s not looking back for the ball when in position to make a play. I’m left thinking that is how they are coached. Just keep your eyes on the receiver, put your hands up and hope you get lucky. That way if you don’t get lucky you haven’t lost contact and can hopefully make the tackle w/o giving up a td.
Willie Martinez abides.
The two things about the defense that frustrate me the most are:
#1-SET THE EDGE. How many times do we see the lack of outside contain cost us (technique, talent, coaching??).
#2 PLAY THE BALL. The DB are often in position to make a play but don’t get their head around to look for the ball. There have been more than a few where if they had found the ball, it would have resulted in an INT, pass break up, or at the very least no PI. Most of the time, if you’re making a play on the ball, the same contact with the receiver that would have resulted in a PI call is overlooked. Keep your head turned away from the ball and it’s almost as automatic as Auburn cheating that the flags will be flying. I have not seen the numbers, but it seems we have been hit with more PI call this year than we have at any time that I can remember. Is it a falloff in talent (they were all highly rated coming out of HS) or was Fran Brown that much of a difference maker as a coach?
Edge setting dramatically improved with Mykel in close to full health. Guessing that’s the case going forward. DB play is a mystery…
I’m guessing we miss Boom. Kirby yelling in the mic on the practice field is one thing, but Muschamp in your face is another. This unit is just taking longer to gel, especially with the injuries, but “they coming”.
P.S. Dan Jackson is a bad man.
In a previous time before DBs had to be so nice to receivers, Dan Jackson would have been another Greg Blue. The guy does seem to enjoy contact.
A Greg Blue sighting, well done! Thomas Davis was another monster in the secondary
Our defense has two issues Chaz Chamblis not setting the edge and Jalon Everette being targeted because he is the soft spot in our secondary… for the last 2 years. Last week Everette had a great game Blitz, fumble recovery and an interception. Where has this been?
You guys are all seeing what I’m seeing. As JP mentioned, M’Pemba is a mystery, as well as Bowles for me. Anyone know what’s going on with those two as well as Ellis, Harris at DB? Ellis is young I know but can’t play the ball any worse than Humphries. I would think Kirby would at least give him a bit more opportunity. However, I’m not at practices and know Kirby will play those that he thinks gives us the best chance of winning.
And this: KJ has upped his game. His tackling is so much better.
Once Kirby decides to hang up his whistle, he should be put in charge of security for one of the intelligence agencies. NO information is leaked out on his watch that he doesn’t want leaked.
M’Pemba is lagging. Remember he was more of an athlete in HS a rather than a true OLB. Bowles is just behind 3-4 guys that are better, and he got passed by Chris Cole. Ellis is coming and Harris gets burned/lost too much.
The Smael Mondon mystery is bizarre and the defense’s answer to Nate Frazier. I’m not criticizing Smael’s play too much because he has had to fight through a lot of injuries but what happened to him and Pop both? They were absolute monsters in ‘22. At least we know Pop is at Kentucky even if we dont know why he ended up there. Smael has just disappeared. It’s one of the weirder things I’ve seen since Kirby arrived.
Gabe Harris is another odd situation.
Chaz’s defensive grade this far suggests y’all do t see what you think you see. Agree with NotMyCrossToBear, it’s weird that our dbs almost never get their head around and try to locate the ball.
I think KJ struggled a little switching positions from safety to star. Seems like he was thinking too much early on. But he’s still a great one and I suspect he will continue to improve.
To clarify, apparently he’s been playing both leading to the over thinking.
Mondon suffered a lower-body injury to his left leg between the Auburn and Alabama games.