Georgia’s problem is direction, and that falls on Richt
Here's a common sight: A Tennessee receiver (Gerald Jones) making a catch in front of a Georgia defender (Bryan Evans) Saturday. (AP photo)
KNOXVILLE — The problems just became big picture.
This isn’t just about the quarterback looking overmatched or the coordinators looking lost. It’s not about the schedule or the injuries or maybe some conspiracy theories about SEC referees having an agenda because the team got too excited with an end-zone celebration in Jacksonville two years ago.
Plug in, folks. Georgia just lost to Tennessee like no team should lose to Tennessee (45-19). The offense didn’t score a touchdown. The defense just made Jonathan Crompton look like Jonathan Unitas. Lane Kiffin just schooled Mark Richt.
Six games and they’re going backward. Six games and they’re 3-3, their worst start in 13 years. And you begin to realize: If not for those late wins over South Carolina and Arizona State and surviving mayhem against Arkansas, we could be talking scorched earth at midseason.
This is when you wonder about direction. The same coach who two years ago we were toasting for finishing the season with a No. 2 ranking is now walking off the field and into news conferences looking like toast.
On Saturday, Richt was asked a question one never could have imagined two Januarys ago: “Are you worried about the state of the program?”
His answer: “We didn’t play very good today. We haven’t had a game this season where we played a really solid football game. So I’m concerned about that.”
Is it just me, or did he not completely shoot down the premise of the question?
Let’s make this clear. This is not a “Fire Mark Richt” column. His body of work speaks for itself. But Florida and LSU and Alabama have boat-raced Georgia in the SEC, and of maybe even greater concern is the lack of separation between the Bulldogs and everybody else.
This isn’t a former No. 2-ranked team that has maintained its level of excellence. It’s a program that has regressed. Significantly. Whatever Richt was doing before is not working now. Either the wrong players are being recruited, or the right players are being coached the wrong way.
Blame Mike Bobo for the offense. Blame Willie Martinez for the defense. Blame Stacy Searels, the vaunted offensive line coach, who, by the way, hasn’t done bupkis. Blame anybody you want.
But it starts with Richt. It’s his program. He sets the tone and establishes direction. He is the one coaching at a school that hadn’t started a season so poorly since Jim Donnan’s first year in 1996 (3-5 on the way to 5-6). Richt is the one whose team committed three more turnovers against Tennessee and ranks as the worst in the conference and among the dregs nationally with 16 giveaways and a minus-11 turnover ratio.
Volunteers quarterback Jonathan Crompton threw touchdown passes on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter and finished with four. He had been largely lampooned in Knoxville and had never thrown more than two in his career. Well, with one exception. He threw five against Western Kentucky.
So that’s where Georgia’s defense belongs: in the Sun Belt.
Asked what he would think if he was a Georgia fan watching this game on television, Martinez said: “Well, I am a Georgia fan. I’m not happy. We just got whipped.”
Things are no better on offense. The Bulldogs have failed to score an offensive touchdown in 10 of the past 11 quarters. Against Tennessee, the offense (field goal) was outscored by special teams (nine points, off a kickoff return and a blocked punt for a safety) and the defense (interception return).
Didn’t Richt make his bones in offense at Florida State?
He somewhat came to Bobo’s defense: “I like his play calling.”
When asked if he felt quarterback Joe Cox was regressing, he said: “I’ve got to look at the film before I start making comments like that.”
Just as well. This isn’t the time to be throwing anybody else under the bus.
“We’ve got a long way to go before we become a good football team,” Richt said.
And he should know. He’s the one driving the bus.
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1,679 comments Add your comment
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:38 pm
tech will not score 50 on us. guaranteed.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:39 pm
thanks nate. but babe, i wont go for free. remember my buddy ray. still paying him.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
9:39 pm
GaTech guy,
Do they have a video on tackling? Could you send it to Willie?
Free Willie!!!
David
October 10th, 2009
9:40 pm
I am not a Communist, but the UGA coaches make too damn much money to put out a failed product like the one we have seen this year. I would call Richt in now and read his ass the riot act! Get it in gear or hit the road. Someone owes the faithful that much. Fans will tire quickly, vote with their feet and bail out of this embarrassing fiasco. When the smoke clears, there will be no damn Federal bailout!
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:40 pm
Just the truth – If you can’t handle the truth, I don’t care! For I am king and I will do as I please. You accepted mediocrity when you hired me and I will give you mediocrity and you will love it. Never question me or I will leave! Never criticize me or I will leave! Your program stinks with out me! UGA is nothign without the great CMR! For I AM CMR!!! I am the greatest backup to Jim Kelley ever!!!!!!! Learn to love it or bite me!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:40 pm
i just want everybody to know: i dont have to coach. just doing it for the health insurance.
tony
October 10th, 2009
9:40 pm
I think M.Richt is trying to punish Damon Evans for making him play a tough schedule this season.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
9:40 pm
Leonard Bernstein….
Gator CHOMP Champ
October 10th, 2009
9:41 pm
GTbuzz…no one likes ridiculing GA more than me, but you run a high school offense.
Get a real coach that knows how to build a real program…or just watch FL win championships and beat GA more than once a blue moon. We could beat GA with our 2nd stringers.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
let you in on a little secret. damon’s middle name is dooley.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
Willie speaks for me – Tech will score 50. Florida will score one hundred. Put that in your pipe and smoke it UGA fans for I tire of your criticism of me and my coaches!
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
Birthday party, cheese cake, jelly bean, boom!!!
Awwww Shucks
October 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
This game finally did it for me. I am absolutely sick of this poorly coached talented team. We have great talent. There is no doubt in my mind. That talent is the only thing keeping us afloat. It really comes down to some really simple things. And CMR must fix those things if he ever wants to be a top-tier coach. It’s up to him. The life of a team comes from the coach.
1) Emotion- I am so sick of seeing the stoic face of CMR. Get fired up. Show some emotion. Show on the sidelines and in post game interviews. Get mad. Get happy. Get something! Call out the bad calls. Applaud the good plays and throw something on the bad, even if its a cup of water onto the ground. Do SOMETHING to show the kids you care. How did you save 07? Emotion. Dig deep and find out how to express it. Every coach shows it but you. If I hear that awww shucks crap again I am going to hurl something at you. Why? Because you wont do anything about it.
2) Fire CWM- He has to go. It’s been 3 years too long. The stats say it all. His D is terrible, but we have good players. It’s not the kids, it’s him. Fire him. If you are having trouble doing it, try these approaches. 1 ) stand next to a canon with him and yell “fired” as the canon fires. 2) Ask him if he like Earth Wind and Fired! Do it. Do anything. Or we will push for the same to be done to you
3) Fire Bobo. Sorry dude, that offense is TERRIBLE. It was terrible with a #1 and #12 pick in your backfield. It will always be bad as long as he runs it. He was an average QB and is an average OC. We have never had that “thing” since he has been calling the plays. I watch other teams and think “damn, why don’t we do that”? I am sick of asking that question. You should be too.
That is it. See, 3 simple steps. If you don’t think the team needs to feel the passion for winning, then you sir must go. You don’t get it. If you don’t get that these kids play because of passion, then beat it. We were all excited when you started. Okay first year, great second and always close from then on. Don’t get comfortable because it will suck to go somewhere like Minnesota like Tubby did. You’re on top, now act like it.
xxooxx,
fan
Northwest Dawg
October 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
This opinion is spot-on, Schultz. Who was masquerading as you at the game today?
Atticus
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
Richt sets the tone, you are correct. There just doesn’t seem to me to be a commitment to excellence. All he makes are excuses. Coach why not hold your players and coaches accountable. Since Van Gorder left his teams have always been soft, even in the overrated year of 07 when we got so much credit for beating Hawaii. We were fast then, but not tough.
He just doesn’t seem to DEMAND attention to detail and discipline and creating mental toughness.
Yes Dooley and Erk had some bad years but I don’t recall so many games where we lost as bad as Richt’s do the last several years. We just get landslided and give up huge chunks. It’s not just about the record, but it’s HOW we execute and he doesn’t seem to know how to get through to the coaches or kids, he just offers up excuses.
Dawg is spelled d-o-g
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
That was a beatdown. Plain and simple.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
and if shultz is so smart, how come he’s a write and not a great coach like me??
siskel_god
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
JoePa is a great example of how important assistants are and how the HC is more of a figure head. MR is not the problem, just like Bowden is not the problem. The problem is MB, and WM and in Tallahasee it’s Chuck Amato and Mickey Andrews. New assistants who aren’t UGA guys preferably because you don’t want coaches that are scared to death of UF and UT.
TYLER
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
GOOOO VOLS! was at the game and I have not seen the stadium that electric in a while.. It was great to get a BIG win over one of your rivals and Georgia is probally the top state the vols recruit. GO VOLS!!!!!!!! 45-19!!!!!!!
Gator CHOMP Champ
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
Hey tony, Damon Evans can’t do anything about the yearly loss to FL every year.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
9:43 pm
Willie,
Tech will run up 300 yards on the ground this year. The offensive not good enough this year to help the defensive.
Study the You Tube Video and the video the GaTech fans are going to send you. Let’s start with the pee wee league video.
Phillip Fulmer
October 10th, 2009
9:44 pm
Hey Dawg Fans…..I’m available.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:44 pm
aw shucks: think you can do any better then give me a call at the half way house in the morning
Lou Holtz
October 10th, 2009
9:45 pm
Crompton for Heisman
ROTFLMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gator CHOMP Champ
October 10th, 2009
9:45 pm
Tyler: celebrating beating GA is like being a Ga Tech fan. All you lower tier schools are pretty funny. Congrats though-I never thought that clown coach of yours could outwit a handicapped junior high school team.
RxDawg
October 10th, 2009
9:46 pm
“Either the wrong players are being recruited”
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:46 pm
nate, guarantee you tech wont have 300 yards on the ground. maybe 301. offense is gonna put my guys in a bad position anyway. i keep telling cox to look off the defense, but it only seems to work in practice.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:46 pm
I’m moving to Knoxville! UGA losers
TTindall
October 10th, 2009
9:47 pm
Didn’t CMR say the same thing after the Tech game last year to protect our poor coaching. Looks like he has done nothing since then, he is way too soft, as are his coaches. How can he say that he likes Bobo’s Boo Boos when we have not scored an offensive TD in 11 quarters? Do you think Urban or Nick would act this way? I thinks heads would be rolling. Looks like the “mat drills” have become a thing of the past. This is great for recruiting. CMR, get mad and do your job, quite protecting your old roomy, what pics does he have on you?
Nate
October 10th, 2009
9:47 pm
Come on Georgia fans: Free Willie!!!
gmac
October 10th, 2009
9:47 pm
this team sucks
corners and safetys always out of flace
play calling on both sides of the ball sucks
we make bad teams look like title contenders
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:48 pm
nate, you say that again and i will whip your willie
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:48 pm
Hmmm, so you’re saying UGA is a handicapped junior high team? Thats about right with my DC and OC. Just how I planned it!
Go Dawgs
October 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
Something’s gotta give. Poor coaching and a very weak effort.
Old Gator
October 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
It’s time to ask question about the program and the direction it’s headed. We seem to win each year in recruiting wars but can’t make it pay off on the field.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
gmac< i thought you went broke.
Dawg Whisperer
October 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
Football is for animals. I’m focusing on the gym dawgs. They’re talented and more fun to watch than this year’s edition of the football team.
dawgerbrown
October 10th, 2009
9:50 pm
I like Richt, but one negative trait he picked up from Bowden is having blind loyalty to his people, coaches, etc. Loyalty is fine, but, he needs to be loyal to his University and his team. Make tough decisions, and do what’s best for the program.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:50 pm
go dawgs: just keep giving to the athletic association. we gotta fund loren’s retirement.
liz boy
October 10th, 2009
9:50 pm
Well, Richt got lucky with some of talent he had when he first came in to UGA. But those days are gone. And in the SEC you must run the ball hard. Richt really has a problem being dedicated to the running game. His idea is passing. Oh well. And how is that going to work against Fla, Alabama and LSU? Never Mind. The one thing I kept thinking was—why not let the second string play–the first string is not playing–what do you have to lose? I predict that Richt will retire or go to Clemson or FSU. Richt has Alabama to contend with now—and Florida is not getting worse. Does not look good at this point at all. Guess I will get back to the LSU –Fla game.
Kelly
October 10th, 2009
9:50 pm
We rarely if ever got humiliated under Dooley. Always played hard and smart. Can’t say the same for Richt.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
If you weren’t such a lousy defensive coordinator, I wouldn’t have to say that: Free Willie!!!
Georgia Fans: Free Willie!!!!
Dog poop
October 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
I don’t care how great your program is, how great your tradition is, you’re gonna have some off years fans. I’ve heard that B.S. saying from many fans”we don’t rebuild, we reload.” Yea, sure. UGA is going through it, Alabama went through it, Tenn. is going through it. Auburn is still going through it. But we’re the greatest, we should NEVER have lean seasons. I will bet anyone that UFA. is gonna go through tough times soon. Just sit back and watch. I love to see the big ones get knocked off. They always do sooner or later.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
dawg whisperer: aint them gym dogs pretty in them leotards!
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
Why should I win NC’s when you guys all root for the gym Dawgs over me! Don’t you know I am King and there shall be no other Kings before me! For I am CMR – All knowing – all seeing – I am greatness unto you!
baffleddawg
October 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
coach smith -
I agree with you that this is a young team but it is not the youth we are all so upset with. It isn’t the Boykins, Smiths, Ealeys, etc. It’s the coaches and the seasoned players. I left the game after i watched the long touchdown pass at the end of the 3rd quarter…the one Miller had poor coverage on but should have received help from Jones – we had more spectators on the field than we had in the stands. Reshad Jones is a terrible player. I hate to speak so bluntly but he was standing still as that pass went over his head. He can’t tackle like the rest of our defense. Curran is one of the best undersized players in college football but I saw him get picked up 2 or 3 times like a little girl. Who are we? Where are we going? What are we doing? I understand mistakes are made because these are kids, but those aren’t kids coaching them. We aren’t learning from any of our mistakes. We throw five yard passes when it’s 3rd and 10. HELLO? We bring in Logan Gray at QB for what reason? To run? My wife called that one. Maybe he should throw the ball sometime as a QB. I don’t know…I am just guessing. But then again…so is Bobo, Fabris, and slick Willie!
gmac
October 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
broke down like uga’s team
Dawg is spelled d-o-g
October 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
GO VOLS!!!!
CMR
October 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
I love a free Willie!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
kelly, humiliation is a game i play at home. subject has no business in this blog. willie