By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Smart has a tall task ahead of him, getting this group of largely unknown commodities to become a tone-setting unit for the 8Dawgs.

Success for just about every defense starts up front. The 2016 Georgia Bulldogs will not be an outlier. While the secondary may be elite, the overall potency of Kirby Smarts defense will begin and end with an inexperienced front seven.

cThe game is won and lost up front, in the trenches,d stated Jeff Owens, a former UGA and NFL defensive lineman, now coaching at his old high school in Plantation, Florida.

Matt Storm, another former Bulldog D-lineman, echoed Owens sentiments, cThey establish the line of scrimmage. Thats the, no pun intended, first line of defense,d Storm joked. cIts very key. If you dont have a solid defensive line, then your defense is kind of shot.d

Smart has a tall task ahead of him, getting this group of largely unknown commodities to become a tone-setting unit for the 8Dawgs.

The newly minted head coach has, interestingly, been very forthcoming about his anxiety towards the line and linebackers.

cThe biggest concern for me and our team is the defensive line,d Smart admitted at SEC Media Days, last month. cTo be honest with you, Im scared.d

He also mentioned concerns, at a coaches clinic on St. Simons Island, Georgia, that the defensive line may be undersized, especially compared to what hes used to at Alabama.

The front seven is losing over 60% of both its tackles for loss and sacks from 2015, and just shy of half of its quarterback hurries.

Plus, while the secondary was, statistically speaking, the best in college football last year, that was, at least in part, a byproduct of a good pass rush.

Sophomore Trenton Thompson, the undisputed gem of the group, was the nations top rated prospect in the class of 2015. He exhibits all the tools to be an elite interior lineman, but questions about his work ethic are cause for concern.

Thompson aside, there are no other returning starters, with the exception of Tim Kimbrough, who many expect to play in more of a reserve capacity.

There are plenty of raw materials at Smarts disposal, however they all still have much to prove.

At 66d, 240 lbs., Lorenzo Carter has the ideal frame of a rush linebacker. Ahead of Georgias 2015 campaign, most people within and around the program had the Norcoss-native pegged as the breakout star. He proceeded to underachieve dramatically, registering neither a single sack, or tackle for loss.

Inside linebackers Natrez Patrick and Reggie Carter both possess the physical ability to make an impact, but have yet to actually do so in real games.

cThis is a great opportunity,d Owens commented, cfor the young guys to make a name for themselves. Theyve got no one to look up to, but themselves.d

In fact, of the projected starting linebackers, only junior Davin Bellamy has anything to show for himself, as far as actual productivity.

The defensive line is a similar story, with a cast of a few potential starters, but no one, except Thompson, that has separated himself from the pack.

cIf its a running situation they need to hold their own. They cant get blown off the ball,d Storm began. cTheyre going to get better and better as they play against SEC opponents every week. In passing situations, they need to get off the ball and stay in their respective lanes. Dont freelance. Especially with a young defense, if you dont run whats called, offense has even more opportunities to take advantage of you.d

cI think Kirby and his staff definitely have these guys in the mindset to accomplish what hes wanting,d Storm continued. cI think physically, it might take some time for them to adjust, and get used to it, but mentally, theyll be on point.d

Both former UGA defensive linemen agreed that its important that they come out with an aggressive, hardened mentality — that they must operate as a unit.

Also, even if this group does find its groove at some point, the question remains, can they start to gel before its too late?

Offering a glimmer of hope to Georgia fans, Storm added, cTheyve seen what hes done over at Alabama, so if they all buy in, theyll be alright. He must be doing something right.d

The prospects of all the unknowns in Georgias front seven leave plenty of apprehension about whether or not Georgia can contend in the SEC East. However, the thing about unknowns is, if they figure it out, no one will see it coming.