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
10:14 pm
big dawg: i was christened william. got my nickname cause of… well you know.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:14 pm
Like you do Willie? You’re gonna get us both fired you nit wit!
Nate
October 10th, 2009
10:14 pm
UT stinks but our defense is even more lousy. Blame Willie!
UGA fans come on: Free Willie!!!
barry
October 10th, 2009
10:14 pm
Hire Boise State head coach
JPaul
October 10th, 2009
10:15 pm
vols you still suck! you just exposed willie. Thank you
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:15 pm
i”m telling you peasants: florida will not put up 75 on us.
SEC fan
October 10th, 2009
10:15 pm
I guess Tennessee should be thanking UGA for giving them such a win, especially giving them so many points and taking very few for themselves. I see very little credit thrown UT’s way for playing the way they did. I realize UGA is not that good, but from my perspective, UT has been one decent QB showing from winning every game they have played…including their game against Florida. Crompton also seemed to finally hit on something at the end of the Auburn game and that obviously carried over. I would not be surprised to see them finish the season out strong, and consequently UGA fans turn back to realism to see this was not such an epic loss. Wait until UGA loses to Vandy or Kentucky to really get down. UT is a team with a great defense and an improving offense. They just happened to put it all together today.
bigdawg88
October 10th, 2009
10:15 pm
dawgfanatic24-7,
Oh man, you must be in pumpkin hell right now!! I suppose you live in E TN like me.
Our support group (DAWGSSTUCKINPUMPKINLAND) meets tomorrow. BYOB!
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:16 pm
shhhh, I’m betting on only giving up 70. You’re trying to get me fired aren’t you!
kmac
October 10th, 2009
10:17 pm
check out FireMarkRicht.net
the time has come to face reality
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:17 pm
cmr, us fussing on this blog dont help things. what time do we meet dowdle in the morning?
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:18 pm
cmr< we agreed on 69 cause thats our favorite number.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:18 pm
I don’t know you’re in charge
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
10:18 pm
I am not going to rehash the same redundant points that true UGA loyalists and people that are college football enthusiasts already know.
My observation is that looking into Coach Richt’s eyes today you see a look of intrepidation, something that I have’nt seen before. There is not that look of confidence, that cool demeanor and swagger has bben replace with one of uncertainty.
I certainly understand his devotion to his faith but I think he has become a New Testament “turn the other cheek” Christian rather than an Old Testament ” an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” kind of of guy and I think that his convictions are clouding his vision as to what action he needs to take.
I believe that he is truly at a crossroads at his tenure at UGA and it will be interseting to see what decisions he makes.
I just find it hard to see him overcoming his loyalties, convictions and friendships within his staff, and doing the right thing for the UGA.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:19 pm
kmac, thanks for that web site. got so tired of looking at firewilliemartinez.com
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:19 pm
So true!
southgadawg
October 10th, 2009
10:19 pm
i said it last week and i say it again this week. those “coaches” cannot coach !!!! get rid of them, please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this has been going on for years, it is not a new problem.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
paul’s johnson: dont you know the peace you can find knowing youre a millionaire?
WeSuck
October 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
Jeff,
You are wrong here. The reason UGA is off to its worst start in 13 years, is that we have our the worst QB and running backs of the last 13 years.
Did you even watch the game today? Cox looked awful. Our players are not performing. They are prepared but don’t execute. The only mistake Richt made was having any sort of confidence in Joe Cox. I want Cox gone. I want Samuel gone. I want Boykin to quit playing defense….if that’s what you call his coverage.
You and the rest of these idiotic fans are insane to completely overlook lack of execution and performance as THE MAIN reason for our crappy season.
It’s like Tiger Woods blaming his golf coach every time he loses. Give me a break!
It’s like you blaming your editor every time you write a crap article.
I’m sorry you don’t have the balls to pin our losses on a bunch of 20 year old kids, but that is what it comes down to. Wake up!
Nate
October 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
UGA fans: Free Willie!!
bigdawg88
October 10th, 2009
10:21 pm
Hee hee, looks like Tech’s been watching Martinez’ defensive strategy DVDs.
Courage
October 10th, 2009
10:21 pm
southgadawg – you’re right – its been going on for at least 3 years and its getting worse!!!!!!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:21 pm
soutgadawg: my name is “Coach William Martinez”. please address me properly from now on.
DHD
October 10th, 2009
10:22 pm
The Blame Game begins…actually it started with UGAs first loss. Why not just accept the fact that UGA sucks and wait until next year??
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:22 pm
courage, have you lost faith in me ?
bring coach goff back .cum
October 10th, 2009
10:23 pm
we puupies play with our little peepees
45-19————–jawja sux
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
10:23 pm
Gator CHOMP Champ”
“GTbuzz…no one likes ridiculing GA more than me, but you run a high school offense.”
Yeah but this is why you suck..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc-2EGPQNVM
bigdawg88
October 10th, 2009
10:23 pm
Ha ha, Tech’s corner looks worse than Bryan Evans back there!! Should Tech fire their DC?
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:25 pm
just want to remind all of this:
mark is the father
i am the son
the defense is the ghost
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
10:25 pm
Sorry for the typos but I am drowning my sorrows.
Joe
October 10th, 2009
10:26 pm
Let me help you GA fans…Richt will be done in 2 years at your school, Lane doesn’t even have his players let and he destroyed you. Richt is a lame duck coach! Do you really think Bobo will EVER, EVER out scheme Monte Kiffin
gomdawg
October 10th, 2009
10:26 pm
This is the sorry football game I have seen Georgia play in 23 years. Prince miller _OUT _ Rambo IN
this has got to be the lowest I have felt as a Bulldog in my life and I’m 60 years old. The best players need to play and the hell with seniors I mean NO NO leadership and No No coaching .this is the low for georgia football. I have seen 9Th graders play better with coaching that work week days for a living.
40 years of being a bulldog I’m gone I think I will take up fishing the river will not quit flowing. the coaches for georgia should take a long lookin the mirror and think what in the hell I’m I doing coaching football.
Joe
October 10th, 2009
10:26 pm
Bobo v Kiffin Sr….Martinez v Kiffin Jr….I wonder who will win that battle year to year….
Courage
October 10th, 2009
10:27 pm
I said it once and I’ll say it again – Cox is not to blame! Quit ragging a kid who’s devoted his life to UGA! Coaching and coaching alone is the problem with this team! Of course I’m sure CMR will throw Joe under the bus. According to his highness its never his fault or his staff’s fault – its either the Ref’s, the AD, the wind, or the players fault as to why we lose!
Cox is doing the bes the can, giving his all, which is all we can ask of our players as dawg fans.
Coaching plain and simple is the problem here!
Cox is not Green or Belue, however he ain’t the problem either! Nit Witssssss!
Stop drinking the kool aid and blame the coaches, not the players!
WeSuck
October 10th, 2009
10:28 pm
I love the UT fans here….
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:29 pm
For Saint Willie speaks the gospel!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:29 pm
kaylee, my defense kept the vols from puttin 50 on the board.
Joe
October 10th, 2009
10:30 pm
GA….UT is back…well in 2 years when Lane has his players…that means back to 3rd and 4th place for you…unless Urban goes to ND…..
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:31 pm
and i reiterate, teebow and floria will not, will not put up 75 on us. take it to the bank.
Joe
October 10th, 2009
10:31 pm
TN would have had 50 if Lane had left the 1st team in…see Lane isn’t that bad after all….lol
GtBuzz81
October 10th, 2009
10:31 pm
Hey bigdawg88,
At least our offense has been able to score touchdowns.Hell,our qb rushes for more yards than ugay’s offense.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:32 pm
cmr, i understand we have a meeting with president adams. what do you think he wants?
Dawg Fud
October 10th, 2009
10:32 pm
I just wish he would get rid of that stupid smirk when we are getting killed. He won’t be smiling when the U-Haul shows up at his house.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:32 pm
Shall we say 80? Willie? 80 or 90? Whatta ya think?
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:32 pm
hey joe, i left my first team in so take that.
BamaDawg1
October 10th, 2009
10:33 pm
Seen the good, seen the bad, this is the worst team I’ve seen since Vince came over from Auburn.
I think a team mirrors the head coach’s personality. So…..
we coach with no passion or emotion…we play the same way.
We do not have sound fundamentals, we can’t tackle, poor game mgt., we are built on lightweight speed, and to win the SEC you have to have ground power (look at Bama) and be physical.
I can give a pass on some things, but my dad (God rest his soul)a Ga Grad told me after MR first season that he did not have the fire to take us all the way….
Willie needs to go tonight! I wont watch my Dawgs until he is gone! See Ya..
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:33 pm
i dont think the scoreboard will accomodate 100 so it will have to be less than that.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:33 pm
To give us an extension of course. We rule – no one shall blaspheme us! We are
The father
The son
and the ghost
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
10:34 pm
bamadog, aint gonna happen. i go to church and thats all that matters.
CMR
October 10th, 2009
10:34 pm
I don’t know. I know some team scored 222 points in a game once. Surely we won’t give up less then that!