Bulldogs' sack tape introduces Von Miller

By Chris Starrs

For the AJC

ATHENS – Georgia coach Mark Richt said Monday that special highlight tape has been prepared so that the Bulldogs’ offense could get a good look at Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, who leads the country in quarterback sacks (17, 1.42 per game) and is fifth nationally in tackles for lost yardage (1.75 pg).

“We put together a 'sack tape' on him and it was longer than most everybody else in the country – 17 sacks – and we just started watching him,” said Richt. “He hasn’t been bull-rushing people. It’s predicated on speed and change of direction and a relentless attitude.”

“He’s got plenty of sacks,” said Georgia quarterback Joe Cox, a primary Miller target. “He’s a guy you’ve got to game-plan around. He’s quick and they put him in a lot of places to give him his best chance to get penetration on the offensive line. They know what they’re doing with him and he’s an incredible player. We’ve definitely been practicing a lot of looks especially for him.”

Georgia (7-5) squares off with Miller and the Aggies (6-6) on Dec. 28 at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.

Richt added that many of Miller’s sacks have come in situations when opponents were in obvious passing downs.

“The majority of his sacks came when teams were forced into third-and-long situations, which is a big key for any pass rush ... but when it’s high-percentage pass, he can get off on you and create all kinds of problems,” said Richt. “He’s a very tough guy to block for one person.”

“(Miller) can go inside or outside,” said Mike Bobo, Georgia’s offensive coordinator. “He’s a speed rusher but he’ll use power at times, too. He does a nice job of getting to the quarterback. I’d like to not get into situations where we have to throw the ball or in a third-and-long where he can get in a wide technique and jet up the field. But we’ll have to do a good job of knowing where he is, the line’s got to do a good job of communicating and the backs have to do a good job helping.”

Offensive tackle Clint Boling, who expects to get up close and personal with Miller, said a strong running attack may be the only way to neutralize the Aggies’ 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to run the ball and kind of take him out of the game and I think that would help a lot,” said Boling. “Hopefully, we won’t be in that situation but if we are, I’ve got to do a good job against him.”

Means to the ends

Despite missing the first two games for a violation of team rules, sophomore defensive end Justin Houston has enjoyed a standout year, which made Richt contemplate how the 6-3, 259-pound Statesboro native would have fared playing all 12 games.

“His production per game was outstanding,” said Richt of Houston, who in nine games had 38 tackles, including a SEC-leading 1 2/3 average tackles for loss. “Who knows what he could do with an entire season for us as a team? And I’d think a lot of people would recognize him for postseason honors.”

Richt also said he feels the Bulldogs’ defensive ends could prove to be a force against A&M and in the future. Houston’s colleagues on the line include Demarcus Dobbs (27 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks) and Cornelius Washington (10 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks), all of whom are set to return in 2010.

“I really think our d-end position is ready to take off,” he said. “I also see Cornelius coming on strong, too.”