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
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:11 pm
Did the Americans give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour, he11 no!!!!!!
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
7:11 pm
For the last couple of week, We georgia fans have blame everybody except the personals who’s in charge of the program. Just a tought this week let’s blame everybody.
UGA's Hurtin:
October 10th, 2009
7:11 pm
How bout dem there dawggies? Maybe, you should stick with the Gym Mutts. At least they can win at something. Can’t wait until you lose to UF, AUB, and GT. Throw in another upset with Kentucky and you all will be pulling out the KY Jelly, coz you will need it. THWG! GO GATORS and GO JACKETS! THWG!
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:12 pm
I will now do my imitation of a sightless Greek poet.
Macho Man
October 10th, 2009
7:12 pm
DOES ANY ONE THANK WE CAN BEAT FLA THIS CENTURY?
JUST WONDERING SINCE THE CURRENT STAFF DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS GAME IMPORTANT I KNOW DOOLY DID
Paul H
October 10th, 2009
7:12 pm
I agree that Fabris and Martinez ARE a huge problem, and some changes need to be made. BUT, they still fall under the scope of the head coach.
UGA's Hurtin:
October 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
Hey Cuz, if you believe UGA has a chance to turn their season around this year, your smoking a fatty and snortin a line. Go back to your doublewide, get a chew and have a beer, coz your team sucks azz!
HireJohnGrudenNOW
October 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
Now is the time to hire his brother in law John Gruden for Defensive Cordinator. Don’t waste anytime…get a motivator in there.
Pissed off UGA Student
October 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
To whoever just tried to say Tuscaloosa is better than Athens….you must be on crack (which is the norm for TTown)
I have spent many a weekend in Tuscaloosa visiting friends and that place makes Athens look like New York City. Tuscaloosa is an absolute piece of crap town.
Irun100 plays
October 10th, 2009
7:14 pm
I was shocked at the way UGA played today, they looked totally unprepaired and it’s starting to happen to often. Fla. is going to embarrass us
YOUR GT BOSS
October 10th, 2009
7:14 pm
Get back to work. BEFORE I FIRE YOUR ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAWGFAN669
October 10th, 2009
7:15 pm
GOD HELP
Haiku Man
October 10th, 2009
7:15 pm
Richt is the driver
The bus has wrecked sure enough
Drive for MARTA, Mark
cmac
October 10th, 2009
7:15 pm
joe cox = jo terashinski = greg talley
mark richt = jim donnan = ray goof
The wheels are off & there is no coach in athens that knows how to fix it! There have been some bad losses in the richt era, but today was the worst. That is a poor tennessee team … and that speaks volumes about uga!
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
To borrow a Tech analogy, sure it Stings. But don’t fold up the tent yet. I have seen worse, I may see worse next weekend, but regardless or irregardless, I think we could use a few good guards, the sun will come up and the Dawgs will tee it up again next week. As I said earlier, breathe, just breathe.
TN VOL:
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
You guys looked awesome today! Thanks for the easy win. We are partying in Knoxville and you guys are partying in Coxville. 45-19 ouch! Can’t wait to see what Florida and Georgia Tech will do to your team. It’s goin to UGLY!
Jsmuga
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
How is UGA going to win games when the team is at the bottom of the national rankings in almost every category.
Pissed off UGA Student
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
Cuz…
I’d be fine with it had it been a full speed full pad practice…
It was a half speed helmet and shoulder pad only practice…
Dawg Gone
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
I know Georgia has fallen from the SEC ranks when AJC comedian wannabe Schultz covers the game. You might worry about YOUR job at the AJC instead of Mark Richt. I hear your days are numbered clown. Dawgs will be back—Vandy comes next week and Tenn Tech in 3 weeks.
45ACP
October 10th, 2009
7:16 pm
You blind homer.
Que Marshall Tucker band- Can’t You See
DawgFan
October 10th, 2009
7:17 pm
if richt isn’t smart enough to see there are major, major problems on our coaching staff, the evans should enlighten him. if that makes richt leave, then i don’t want him.
everyone says this happened so quickly. Did you watch our 3 losses last year and virtually every other game we had to win IN SPITE OF OURSELVES? Did you watch the game in knoxville in 2007? Did you watch the sugar bowl against WV? Did you watch the peach bowl against VT? WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF 4 QUARTERS OF QUALITY FOOTBALL AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. AS I SAID YESTERDAY, THIS TRAIN HAS BEEN CAREENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND IT IS OFFICIALLY OFF THE TRACKS!
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:17 pm
I still think we can win the NC this year! I mean 3-3 and outta of the polls. Don’t give up on the team. We can run the table and win the SEC.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
Hurtin, I live in a house by the Augusta National. I don’t smoke laced blunts nor have I snorted coke since the eighties. The foam makes my nose itch. I do drink beer and dip skoal if that helps with your sterotypes.
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
Cuz
Surley you meant the JAPANESE
LOL
Army Vet
October 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
The day wasn’t a total lost….ARMY won!!!!!!
dawglover
October 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
In the second half of the Fl game last year I saw something that upset me more than losing ever could. Ga quit. They layed down and quit. That was the same thing that I saw today. The bad thing is, this horrible season is for nothing. Who cares if JC gets a little better by year end, Hes gone. As long as WM is the DC we have seen our last SEC championship and dont even think about a national. What will it take to sit Jc and fire WM. I think we are there. As far as Mark Richt, he is one of the best coaches in football, he is just loyal to a fault.
Livid
October 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
OK, let’s all use the Obama slogan. UGA NEEDS SOME “CHANGE”, and I am not talking about the kind that you throw in the cup holder of your car. Richt either needs realize that 3 of his assistants are awful and fire them, or be prepared to be run out of town with them. Furthermore, at this point we are playing for next season. We will barely make a bowl game. We need to either play one of the true freshman at QB or see what Logan G. can do the rest of the year. Cox has been a true DAWG, but he just isn’t cutting it….Oh and what happened to UGA’s running game. You can’t tell me its the RB’s fault.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
Hey that is pretty good, except I don’t think we will win the MNC or the SECC.
GT65
October 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
UGA lost a lot of talent last season. GT fans like to joke about the pre-season #1 ranking and subsequent tumble, but UGA did have a very talented team last season. Unless you’re a top-tier program like UF, UT, OU, USC, you just don’t plug in new parts and finish 10-2 the following season.
UGA is going to suffer a down year –I said 6-6 prior to the start of the season– but your dawgs will more than likely recover. IMO it would be a mistake for you guys to get rid of MR.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
coach smith, I was channeling John Belushi’s motivational speech from Animal House.
JJ
October 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
CrawforDawg, just sent my email to Damon Evans as well. Maybe we could email this article to him as well, perhaps?
This game made me physically nauseated. Thanks for your on-the-money analysis, Jeff – well done. This program is going NOWHERE any longer under Richt and especially Martinez and Bozo. Tired of the excuses.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:20 pm
and dont call me Shirley.
Pitbull
October 10th, 2009
7:20 pm
Perhaps Mrs. Richt should be promoted to Defensive Coordiantor and Willie M. should work as the water girl.
If that happened, we wouldn’t have done any worse than we did today.
I still cannot believe how open the Vol receivers were. I think my 85 year old mother could have covered them closer.
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
I pretty sure this was the SAME reaction that most UGA fans had in 2007 when UGA had lost to SCAR and got beat 35-14 to TENNESSEE to be at 3-2
and the sky was falling, “we stunk” “fire everyone”
and what happened
UGA ran the table including beating Florida and winning the Sugar Bowl
UGA can get it turned around
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
Cuz
I thought about that after I posted LOL
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
Nauseated, really? Maybe you should check what you had for your tailgate party. Keep the mayo in a cooler, not on the table.
RFP
October 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
I just finished watching the Alabama game and comparing that team to UGA makes you realize what a difference there is in the coaching. When Ole Miss threw the ball, every throw was contested, Snead was pressured on every throw. On the flip side, Crompton had all the time in the world, receivers were wide open and he looked like Peyton Manning. If our D is going to be competitive in the SEC, we have to learn to play man coverage, we have to bring pressure (when was the last time a safety or corner blitzed) and we have to take some chances. Bama ran a fake punt in the first quarter and it worked.
I’m just really sick of seeing the same 4 running plays and about 10 pass plays. Our coaches have not had an original thought in two seasons.
Not to mention, when calls didn’t go our way Richt just stands on the sideline. There were two pass interference calls where the ball was uncatchable. Richt just stands there, no emotion. Makes me sick.
I sincerely believe that our athletes can match up with any teams athletes in the SEC. It all comes down to coaching and we are bad from the top to bottom. Make some changes Evans, Richt’s not going to.
dawgdude
October 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
never in my life would I have thought we would have been outplayed….and I mean really outplayed as we were today. UT has won 3 of the last 4 from us and now that they have Kiffin and staff….if we continue with our staff it is going to just get worse. they have a coach that gets them fired up and has gotten recruits fired up. i wish we had a coach that could get someone fired up.
daddo
October 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
But your team dances well.
Haiku Man
October 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
Jeff Schultz is the man
He tells it like it is, man
Like it or lump it
DAWGFAN669
October 10th, 2009
7:24 pm
Reminds me of another season not long ago with another senior QB named JOE! Had a highly ranked freshman on bench and mid way he was starting,that guy went on to be #1 draft pick and brought hope and excitment his freshman year. Thanks for the loyalty Joe now her is your clip board
Fed up - Fire Willie
October 10th, 2009
7:24 pm
We’re the WORST COACHED TEAM IN THE BCS. Why won’t CMR face the truth … his coordinators and assistants are terrible. Why can’t he look at the stats and facts and face the music. He’ll wait until Demon Evans or Priss Adams has to step in and then he’ll be upset and mad. The Tenn game was totally unacceptable but I have yet to hear CMR say that Georgia has coaching problems and they will be addressed or changes will have to be made. This is the worst Georgia team I’ve seen in 50 years. It’s time for change …. print off the pink slips at Office Depot and get them delivered.
gatorhater
October 10th, 2009
7:25 pm
The writer summed it up best by saying….Lane schooled Mark! nuff said. UT is going to be back to their glory days…..UGA is on the way down and we fans are pretty much helpless in watching it happen.
hjay
October 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
Richt is one of the best coaches in football. He used to be the best in the SEC, then the other schools went out and got good coaches. Richt should reconsider his coordinators. Georgia won when he was OC.
Wreckmaniac
October 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
Jeff; Just between you and me, do you get paid extra to babysit this group? Writing an article is one thing but having to monitor this version of War and Peace and make sure it stays clean seems like punishment to me.
KillerBee
October 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
Gutless Mutts ….. can’t run, can’t catch, can’t tackle. Good luck making 4-7 ……
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
October 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
Look at it this way:
Tennessee is now the acknowledged 2nd best team in the SEC East, and lost, at home, to the middle-of-the pack PAC-10 UCLA. Georgia nearly lost, at home, to one of the worse PAC-10 teams, Arizona State.
Face it, the SEC is Florida and Alabama, and a lot of mediocre (UT) to garbage (UGA) to dumpster (Vandy) teams.
Partisay
October 10th, 2009
7:27 pm
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
6:56 pm
firemarkricht.net
Do you want TENNESSEE’s record over the past 3 seasons?
18-19?
Two 7+ loss seasons and NO Bowls?
No SEC titles in 12 years?
Do you want that?
Coach Smith….Where do you get your info? From Rush Limbaugh? Let’s review…
2006 – Won 9, Lost 4 Played in New Years Day Bowl
2007 – Won 11, Lost 3 Played in New Years Day Bowl & SEC Championship Game
2008 – Won 5, Lost 7
That’s 25 wins, 14 loses in the last 3 years, plus 2 bowls & SEC Champ game.
Do we want that? you ask…No, just correct information. Now you and Rush go and work on that.
PMC
October 10th, 2009
7:27 pm
This team…. may not go to a bowl. That’s incredible.
Earnest T Bass
October 10th, 2009
7:27 pm
I knew it,there no sat test @ugay. all you need is to dip skoal, have a belt buckle with a rebel flag and your name on the back of your belt! right cuz?