Leadership, focus and discipline.

Georgia’s defense has used this offseason to establish these three characteristics to build toward execution.

Last season the Bulldogs gave up 41 points against Alabama, 49 to Florida and 45 at home against Georgia Tech.

Leadership was questioned.

“That’s one of the biggest things we harp on right now,” said senior safety Bryan Evans. “We had an OK season last year, but the thing that we’re really focusing on is leadership early on. We’re not trying to have leadership in the middle of the season. I think leadership early on will build chemistry during the season. That’s the biggest thing that we’ve tried to change.”

Missing at times last year was focus, as giving up big plays snowballed into big quarters and halves. Alabama dropped 31 first half points in Sanford Stadium. In Jacksonville, the Gators embarrassed Georgia, scoring 35 in the second half. Tech torched Georgia’s defense on the ground, reeling off 26 third quarter points.

“I guess we’re just going to try to prove that we’re a little more prepared,” said junior linebacker Darryl Gamble. “We had a lot of good things going last year, but a lot of guys just weren’t focused. I think we have a focus this year, with guys tuning in to what the team goals are. I think we should prove that on Saturday.”

Discipline was lacking last year, as Georgia racked up penalty yards in uncharacteristic fashion. Worse, the Bulldogs nixed tide-turning plays with dumbfounding moments. On Alabama’s first drive of the game, a Georgia fumble recovery was washed away because of a roughing the passer call. In the first half against Florida, a Prince Miller interception was nullified by a Jarius Wynn personal foul, setting up a Gators touchdown.

“We just lacked discipline,” said senior defensive tackle Geno Atkins. “We had players jump offsides, rough the passer or [commit] pass interference. We got those penalties when we came up with some big plays and we had to redo the play. So we want to focus on discipline, the fundamentals, which are key to the game.”

The change in mentality took place before the season ended, while in preparation for Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.

“It really started with that bowl game, having some time off, and getting ready to prepare for Michigan State,” said junior linebacker Rennie Curran. “We all knew that we had things that we needed to change that really affected us during the season. So it started with that game right there, even before the end of the season.”

And since the commitment in those bowl practices, the defensive attitude has continued its transformation.

“Right after our game against Michigan State, we got back to school for the spring semester, everything changed,” Gamble said. “The atmosphere has changed 180 since last year in a good way.”

The coaching staff ignited the movement early this offseason, referencing last season’s faults as motivation.

“[Defensive Coordinator Willie] Martinez illustrated how many points Florida put up on us, Alabama, Georgia Tech,” Atkins said. “He said, ‘How did you feel after that?’ As players and competitors, we felt bad and we wanted to change. We want to have a new focus and a new mentality on defense.”

The players bought in, understanding how important leadership was to perfecting the turnaround.

“We always have the coaches pushing us and telling us the right way to go about things and trying to motivate us,” Curran said.

“But we knew if we really wanted to establish true leadership it was going to have to come within the group. We knew that’s what it would take. We knew that it started with guys who had experience, guys who have been on the field.”

Saturday’s G-Day game will be televised nationally by ESPN, providing a stage to display the new look Bulldog defense, with DNA encoded with leadership, focus and discipline.

“You’re going to see the intensity the defense is going to have, how physical we’re going to be,” Atkins said.

“We’re all going to run to the ball, make tackles and set the tone. You’re going to actually see some big plays, like interceptions and sacks.”

Said Curran: “Really we just want to show everybody how hard we’ve been working, how we’ve been preparing this offseason and coming in this whole entire spring trying to improve as a defense. Just showing those things that held us back in the past, that we’ve improved those things, like the discipline, lack of execution. We’re going to show the nation what to be prepared for.”