Recent rumors about Georgia football defensive coordinator Willie Martinez’s potential departure have reignited conversation.

Many fans have taken the initiative on the Internet and voiced their disapproval of Martinez.

This disapproval inevitably increased after a disappointing 2008 season in which the Bulldogs had a worse defensive year, statistically, than any of the four in Martinez’s tenure at Georgia.

One petition site is even collecting electronic signatures from those in favor of firing the Bulldogs’ defensive brain.

Yet despite the rumors and shellacking he’s taking in the increasingly influential blogosphere, it seems defensive coordinator Willie Martinez will remain a Bulldog, for now.

But the pressure is on.

The Bulldog defense better be more ferocious than ever in the 2009 season, or Martinez’s critics may have their way.

And they should.

Tradition and performance have set an absurdly high standard for Bulldog defense.

Good.

The Red & Black’s editorial board pointed out in a Thursday editorial that the defense was plagued by injuries and weakened by odd rules from head coach Mark Richt that did not allow tackling in practice for much of 2008.

True.

At the college and pro levels injuries will definitely – not probably – happen.

But Martinez is responsible for preparing the entire defense rather than just the starters.

What concerns me is Martinez’s failure to adapt to such an inevitable problem.

There were times when certain defensive backs and defensive lineman looked so confused it was almost laughable.

I won’t mention names, but hopefully, anyone who watched No. 3 on the field knows what I mean.

The only thing stopping me from laughing was yelling a stream of obscenities that always follows a big play for the opponent.

Another statistic from the 2008 season that worries me is penalty yards. The Bulldogs were backed up more than 900 yards because of penalties according to ESPN.com.

Though Richt assumes the majority of blame for the lack of discipline, I watched countless defensive plays for the Bulldogs ruined by penalties.

Perhaps the most devastating was a pick-six – interception returned for a touchdown – against Florida that was nullified. For plays like that, Martinez must share the blame.

But he’s not a terrible coach. Allow me to enlighten you with some statistics courtesy of NCAA.com.

In the four years Martinez has been defensive coordinator, the Bulldogs have not finished the season ranked worse than 22nd nationally in total defense.

In his first three years, the Bulldogs did not finish worse than 20th nationally in scoring defense (this past season they finished 59th).

These statistics suggest firing Martinez now would be a mistake. Three of four seasons, he has been more than up to par.

Unfortunately for us fans, the only consolation that offers is that he will land on his feet if he leaves.

Whoop-di-do.

In 2009, the Bulldog defense will be opposite a young, inexperienced Georgia offensive backfield, and instability is the last thing the team needs on either side of the ball.

Firing one of the team’s leaders as National Signing Day (the day recruits officially commit to a university) approaches would undoubtedly hurt Georgia football for more than just one season.

Thus, in this unforgiving sport, he deserves only one more chance in 2009 to restore Georgia’s defensive reputation.

I hope fellow fans can join me in supporting Martinez for at least one more year with collectively raised expectations.

Best of luck.

- Chris Giallanza is a senior from Snellville majoring in journalism and Spanish