Josh Dawson on Playing Defense the Right Way, the Georgia Way

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Josh Dawson on Playing Defense the Right Way, the Georgia Way

Josh Dawson
Josh Dawson
Photo: Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated
[su_spacer size=”20″] Senior Bulldawg defensive end Josh Dawson talks with the media about Georgia’s up-and-coming game with Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday and starting the season off the right way by playing Georgia football.
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I am very excited. We put in a lot of hard work this winter, this spring, and this summer; so, I’m excited to get out there on Saturday.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh is asked how does he and his teammates get ready to play a team like ULM, and if they do anything different because the Warhawks are not a Power 5 team like the opening season opponent the last two years where Georgia faced Clemson:
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No different at all. Its football. We’ve got to play every game like it’s our last, like it’s a championship game; so, we are going to start off how we’re supposed to start off, playing Georgia football. Start the season off right.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh is asked what can fans expect to see from the defensive line in year 2 under d-line Coach Tracy Rocker compared to last year;
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Execution. Last year, we had some games that we didn’t execute as well as we should have, but this year, there is a lot of emphasis on execution … We are just trying to get back to playing the Junkyard Dawg defense, playing with emotion and passion, and just leaving everything out on the field each and every Saturday.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh is asked to explain Coach Rockers fascination with telling players to go get him a leaf off a tree:
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He likes things done right, and when it’s not done his way, there’s consequences for every action. That is one of the things we do is get a leaf. Just a little conditioning throughout practice; so, it’s a positive thing for both sides.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Just to elaborate here; when a player does something wrong in practice or keeps doing something wrong, Coach Rocker has the player go pick him a leaf from a tree which is located all the way on the other side of the practice fields. How many leaves has Josh Dawson had to go collect for Coach Rocker this season in practice so far?
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None. Knock on wood; so, I don’t have to get any.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh is asked whether the defensive has a “chip on its shoulder” this season because of their performance versus Florida and Georgia Tech last year. Are they motivated?
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Most definitely. Every competitor wants to be the best at their position and at their skill; so, that is one thing with us. We have a lot of competitors in our room … Coach Rocker brings out the best in us, and especially Coach Pruitt. He wants everything executed the right way and his way; so, we all got to be on our toes out there.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh is asked about junior transfer QB Greyson Lambert who Coach Richt named the start this week, late in the afternoon on Monday.
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He’s a competitor … We are confident in his play and are ready to see what he can do on Saturday.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Josh Dawson: Tracy Rocker’s Leaf Collection
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The University of Georgia 1991-1994. Lanier Tech 2009-2012. Writer and graphic artist covering UGA athletics, college football, and recruiting. Peach cobbler fears me!