Georgia cornerback Damian Swann (5) returns an interception in the 2012 win over Florida.ATHENS, Ga. – There is no doubting the talent on Georgia’s defense last season, which was reflected by seven Bulldogs defenders being selected in April’s NFL draft.
Yet several returning players have commented this month that complacency and entitlement may have accompanied the undeniable ability of last season’s defenders. The most notable to speak out was junior receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who was asked if this year’s veteran offense could experience a similar issue.
“I don’t think we’re in the same situation that we were in last year,” Mitchell said. “You had a bunch of seniors and a bunch of people who were worried about where they were going. Granted, we do have offensive linemen who might be in that place, but, as we know, offensive linemen won’t get as much attention as our defensive players did last year.
“I don’t think we’ll have that problem.”
Georgia had one of the nation’s top five defenses in 2011 and returned nine starters last year, including All-America outside linebacker Jarvis Jones and All-America safety Bacarri Rambo. The Bulldogs allowed an average of 277.2 yards a game in ’11, but that average swelled to 357.8 last season.