Champ Bailey reveals success of Georgia defense

Hall of Fame cornerback and former Georgia Bulldog Champ Bailey joined Paul Finebaum on Thursday to discuss what makes the 2021 defense special. He raved about the job coach Kirby Smart has done with a talented group of players, managing to produce on-field chemistry and off-field comradery.

“I was able to see it up close and personal in Charlotte, the first game of the year,” Bailey said, referencing the 10-3 win over Clemson. “Impressive win, I see them flying around making plays. I think the thing that sticks out to me now is there’s so many of them.

“There’s so many elite players, and that’s what really comes to my attention is – I can’t just point to one guy and say he’s making a difference – there’s no Roquan Smith so to speak. There’s a few of them.”

To Champ Bailey’s point, the Georgia defense features several stars who make the defense special. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis anchors the defensive line in front of an experience linebacker group, Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick brings star power to the secondary with multiple edge rushers rotating through the lineup.

“It’s kind of baffling to sit back – how do you assemble this kind of talent and be able to please everybody,” said Bailey. “It looks like all the guys love playing together, winning definitely helps that but you can tell they prepare, they go hard in practice. These guys are fighting for positions so it shows up on Saturdays.”

Smart has shown an ability to recruit and retain talent in the era of the transfer portal, making the defense as deep as it is strong. Georgia’s defense has been historically strong, allowing just 5.5 points per game over the first six weeks.

More praise for the Georgia defense

Following Georgia’s 37-0 win over Arkansas, who entered as one of the hottest offensive teams in the country, former quarterback Brady Quinn issued high praise to the “grown men” he watched on defense.

“I remember in sixth grade, we had to find a new [football] league, and we played up with seventh and eighth graders,” Quinn said of Georgia’s defense on the Dan Patrick Show. “They looked like grown men, and that’s what it feels like essentially when every team goes up against Florida. You look at that front, and they just look different.

“They are massive, they obviously all have futures playing in the NFL, but even more so than that, the way they move to the ball, the way they’re coached by Kirby Smart and their scheme — because that’s what gets overlooked. They’re also out-scheming teams. It’s not just pure talent and strength and ability.”