Hump Day Practice Notes From the Defense

Eliot will continue to coach from the booth

If you didn’t notice, Coach Eliot coached from the booth against Tennessee and will do the same on Saturday. “Can’t see much down there, but up in the booth you can see what’s going on, see the adjustment sometimes a little bit better, and see the whole picture,” Eliot said. As a position coach at Florida State, Eliot coached from the booth all the time.

Marcus McWilson playing different roles

McWilson, who normally plays defensive back, was used a little bit as a linebacker against Tennessee. With the absence of Jason Hatcher, McWilson filled in that gap nicely for the defense and made some plays.

“I think Marcus has that body where he could be a hybrid. He’s in between a backer and a DB, and we kind of used him in that position on Saturday. He has that ability. Made a lot of plays on the perimeter, which who we would have expected one of our linebackers to do, and that’s what he was playing,” Eliot said.

When asked about the role the coaches had him in, McWilson said he liked it. “I’m here for the team, not as an individual. So wherever they put me, if it’s on the d-line, linebacker or safety I’ll play,” McWilson said. McWilson did not know whether or not the coaches will continue to play him in the different roles. I guess we will find out on Saturday.

On scouting a struggling Georgia offense

Georgia’s offense is nothing like it has been in the past. With quarterback struggles and no real identity, the offense has struggled to put the ball in the endzone. The defense has to play fundamentally sound and smart to stop a “mysterious” Georgia offense.

McWilson and the rest of the defense know that playing on the road in the SEC is no easy task, even against a struggling offense. “Being a DB, their receivers are good. They got fast guys on the outside. I think we we are going to shut them down,” McWilson said. “As long as we clean up everything and clean up our mistakes, I think we’ll have a good game,” McWilson said.

The defense remains focused

After giving up 52 points against Tennessee the team has been very focused this week. “I think that the leaders have done a good job of keeping the team on track, and the players and the defense have been very focused and have the right attitude,” Eliot said.