2010 DEFENSE cfbstats.com - 2010 National Team Leaders
#1 in the nation in TFL's.
#8 in the nation in Sacks.
#3 in the nation in Passing Defense (yards).
#3 in the nation in Completion Percentage.
#19 in the nation in 3rd Down Percentage.
#11 in the nation in Red Zone %.
We didn't blitz a ton. We played a 1-gap 4-3. Mainly Quarters coverage with some man coverage mixed in. (usually during 3rd & medium situations)
And this was with an arguably less talented roster than we have now. Our Defensive Line consists of a young Olivier Vernon and Marcus Forston, Bailey, Ojomo, Porter, Regis, Andrew Smith and an extremely undersized Marcus Robinson. Two NFL starters but the rest were relatively average players. I'd like to think that we have at least two future NFL starters in this current DL unit. If I remember correctly this was the one year we had Petri coaching our D-Line.
Our DB unit wasn't full of studs either. The CB's were Brandon Harris, Ryan Hill, DVD and a young Brandon McGee. Ray-Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque were our Safeties and they were both Sophomores. The only consistent NFL player in that whole unit is Ray-Ray and he had to switch to LB.
Those were some good college players but I'd like to think that with Richt's recruiting we can assemble a much better defensive unit than that. (on a regular basis)
I guess the point I'm trying to make is, we don't need any extravagant blitzes, especially not that "Fire Zone" stuff. We just need to line-up and play. Be aggressive but be sound. Make offenses execute. Don't
GIVE them ****. Once you start blitzing for the sake of blitzing, you begin giving gifts. Sure you'll make a few plays but then you'll leave a guy wide open in the flats or in the middle of the field and now you'r giving up 30+ yards net gain on a measly 8 yard completion.