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
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:27 pm
Nick Cillini
TO The REAL Nick Cillini
Unstick your ears from the top of your head….DEFLATE that HUGE MELLON on top of your neck, move back up north, marry a fat woman and realize that you never had one speck of athletic ability
Jeff Schultz
October 10th, 2009
7:28 pm
Questions – Good questions. Two specifically: 1) Will Damon dictate to Richt; 2) Will Richt change, whether Damon dictates or not. We watch. We wait.
Bob Horner – I think you know, it’s so not even worth responding to.
Coach Smith – Won a game in Athens last year. Won every game last year until SEC championship. Won every game this year so far. That’s pretty good.
Coach Smith – Look around the conference. EVERYBODY is playing freshman and sophomores.
Firemarkricht.net – Thanks.
Ginger – Thanks. I know a lot of fans want to see public anger. That’s just not his way.
randyarnold
October 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
Dawg fans: As a UT alumnus all I can say is “Welcome to our world.” As long as you have Bobo and Martinez, then you will join the Vols (for the time being) in the world of football mediocrity. Those of us in Obknoxville realized that changes had to be made, hence the university hired a staff that can recruit high school players and back them up with coaches that maximize their talent (hey, it will take time). UGA needs to realize their coordinators are, at best, adequate and can never take the talent the state has to a championship level.
As for Vol fans, see you in Nashville for the Music City Bowl.
WildBill
October 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
So, who do we pull for tonite? The Gaytors or the Tiggers? It will be better than what we saw today. I will admit to turning on the SC/Kentucky game in the 3rd qtr……..
chattanoogavol
October 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
There was a telling line in this story when CMR said I will have to look at the film. Guys….we Vol fans heard this for the last few years in every loss UT had from Fulmer. It was always I will have to look at the film. Sorry, but I see alot of similarities about what is happening at Athens and what we went through in Knoxville. You may or may not be there yet but it looks very similar. Our new coaching staff has brought new life to our program.
UGA =
October 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
bottom feeders of the sec.
firemarkricht.net
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
Coach Smith, YOU = LOL
Even if we went back to Donnan and Goff, we’d be saving millions with the same results AND we wouldn’t be at the bottom of every statistical category, which you seem to be so fond of.
I want proven coaches who can take this program to the next level.
THE JOKER
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
Ha Ha Ha ooh ooh eh eh ha ha ho ho
Hello Ga fans this is your good friend the Joker
Do you really think 10 wins is something HMMMMMMMMMMM
Do you think the black jersey’s will help you?
Do you think not playing other QB’s now is good idea
Do you love zone defense
Don’t you just love a half were you are blown out of the water?
Are you ready to lose to FLA TECH AND TENN from now on? HMMMMMM???
If you answered yes to all these questions please join me in arkham asylum
Guess what you are now the joke of the SEC
HA HA EEH HA OH HA EEH HA HA
icedawg
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
It is time to throw someone under the bus.
BigEtellEm
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
Well…I will keep it real with all the REAL UGA Fans out there. University of Georgia Football is soft from top to bottom. Some of these fans are saying “Richt has won 2 SEC Championships since he has been here”. BIG DEAL!!! SO WHAT!!! What does that mean now? Absolutely NOTHING!!! No Identity on offense or defense. Believe this…the talent is there. So what’s the problem. You just 45 points hung on you by who…Tennessee. Please? No future 5 Star Recruit is gonna wanna go there. I would not send my son to UGA to play football…would you? Let’s face it the program is dying…all you sorry UGA fans are satisfied with what Richt has done “in the past”. Please? You keep talking about the past while our team is getting smoked in the future. I AM NOT SATISFIED AS A UGA ALUM & A FAN!!! I hate to see what Florida, Auburn, Georgia Tech & even Kentucky or gonna do to us. I can’t accept this…no sir. No way. The coaching staff is to blame. Something needs to be done about this ASAP! See you in the Music City Bowl Baby!!! Sic em!!!
Puppy Dawg
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
Pissed off UGA Student—LMAO reading your posts. Your football team is so weak your posting like a Vandy student except your not that smart. It all started with the Black-Out affair er Blow-Out affair in Athens last year—Bama DOMINATED your pup-pee dawgs. 31-0 at half before Saban eased off the hammer. Then your annual beat down via Gators. Now a weak Tennessee team DOMINATES your Offense & Defense. You managed to make Jonathon Crompton look like Colt McCoy today. Now you have problems all over the place. Welcome to the cellar of the SEC east. Auburn & Florida are licking their chops waiting for your pup-pees. Oh–the FSU administration just faxed a page saying sorry but they aren’t interested in Saint Richt.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
I just spoke with General Neyland and offered him my congratulations. He was as gracious in victory as he is humble in defeat. And yes, he is having a grand old time. He told me that he and his wife attended the Pep Rally at the indoor facility last night and Layla Kiffin came in and stood a few feet away from him. He said that today at the Vol walk he noticed she was across from him. Mister and Mrs. General stayed in the stadium after the game to soak up the ambiance. As they were leaving he noticed Layla Kiffin was walking the stairs behind him. He said Cuz, I think she was stalking me. I told him Layla was a blonde from the University of Florida. She just wanted to meet the man that the Stadium was named after.
Mowreck
October 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
I don’t think the BIGGEST problem is the coaching. Remember, these guys were around when Georgia was winning. Problem is all you Georgia fans got spoiled when you dominated everyone. That is why you want to get rid of a coach. First, I think you have a young team. Second, not the greatest offensive line. When you can’t block properly and so young that you keep making mistakes, no matter who coaches your team it isn’t going to be very good. I’ll bet these same guys will grow up some next year and be a lots better. This comes from a Georgia Tech fan.
The Thin Guy
October 10th, 2009
7:31 pm
Oh please you crybabies! UGA lost two first round draft choices in Stafford and What’s His Name. Last week they almost beat LSU, the No. 4 Ranked Team in the country. Tennessee had only beat Western Kentucky and Ohio (Not State). They lost to UCLA, Florida, and the Auburn Tractor Jockeys. Therefore, no one on either the Tennessee or UGA team or coaching staff expected Tennessee to do anything other than roll over and croak. If Richie Rich leaves you will regret it. The most impressive thing about Tennessee is Lame Kippling’s wife who is a TEN. Or maybe a TWENTY. Conceivably a THIRTY. Next week UGA will demolish poor hapless and helpless Vandy and Tennessee will turn back into a pumpkin.
Dawg Tired
October 10th, 2009
7:31 pm
After the OK State fiasco, I predicted 6 and 6 IF we improved. Well boys and girls, we have gotten worse. 6 and 6 is not likely. 5 and 7 looks more likely IF we can bet Vandy. Otherwise Tennessee Tech looks like the only victory on the horizon.
Obviously something is seriously amuck in Athens. A week ago this team looked good enough to beat LSU (we may be about to find out just how significant, or insignificant, that effort was as the Tigers and Gators go at it). This week not good enough to beat anybody else on the schedule except Tennessee Tech (maybe). That’s a long way to fall in one week. What is the problem? Can our coaching really be that bad? Are our players that bad? Neither one seems to explain today’s poor performance against a poor team that will also struggle to finish above 500 (didn’t UT loss to UCLA?). This is total melt- down.
DAWGFAN669
October 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
Who the h*ll thinks Cower wants to be a college coach. I mean that wouls be sweat but dont see it hapening at UGA
secondguesser
October 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
Erwic Berwwyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Erwic Berwy Erwic Berwy don’t be scarwy……………………………I wonder if they played that today on the stadium jumbotron? Still can’t believe they actually released it to the public! Coming from a gator fan, GET OFF RICHT’S BACK! The man’s a winner! …………………………See you in Jax!!!!
ChipperDoodle
October 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
I was thinking “train wreck” and somebody beat me to it. This is real mess. There is absolutely no attempt apparently by the coaching staff to prepare this team for a game. Richt has become a definitive incompetence. He is completely in over his head. Good night. Don’t forget to say your prayers, Markie Mark. That’s about all you have left. No respect here.
baffleddawg
October 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
I wonder how much longer UGA will allow Martinez to wear red and black. I don’t care to see it but it is rather obviously he has a picture of somebody with some firing authority and a goat in his back pocket
gadawg
October 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
I am just sick to my stomach. We looked terrible. The UT coaches had their team well prepared on offense and defense. I just don’t see this year getting any better. Congrats to the Vols on a great one sided game.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
The Dawgs on the bus gone’s round and round until they get’s bet down. GO JEFF. you rule!
Jeff Schultz
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
A Jeff Fan — You got T-shirts made up?
Haiku — Thanks
Wreckomanic — Nope. But I like responding to readers, whether it’s positive or negative. I like the interaction. I just don’t have as much time to do it as I’d like.
Pitbull
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
I just think that if the coaches and players are going to turn in this kind of performance each week then we might as well switch to white helmets and blue jersies and call ourselves Kentucky.
Buckhead Bulldog
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
Coach Smith – Why is that every year after every year I hear the same excuse of ” we have a lot of freshman playing”. You know….I do believe freshman evetually become sophmores, juniors and seniors. Where do they vanish to? Amazing! Just poof…all freshmen playing, again. Same shoot, different year.
Ronald McDonald
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
why would we even hire a home grown offensive coordinator that trained in the old traditional offensive scheme when the spread is killing people ? Bobo and Martinez “the soft” have to go.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
Adams and Evans must step in and give direction to this program and make Richt fire CWM and CMB. If this is not handled by CMR then the his job status is no longer secure. Changes need made and now. The program is a joke and it is due to CMR inability to be the “General Manager” for this program. For that he is responsible for and for that alone he should take the fall.
And please don’t start w/ the damn Goff/Donnan comments, to many Titles have been won by LSU and UF for me to allow any more debate about it.
College football is like a career in sales, you are only as good as your last month…and this staff at this point would have been canned along time ago due to these results.
Thogwummpy
October 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
Well, I hope Martinez and Bobo are enjoying their final season on Athens’ beautiful campus! At a minimum, Richt either dumps Martinez (who’s body of work ALSO speaks for itself—gee, we didn’t even lay a finger on the Vol QB all day!!!!!) or risks having his own job in jeopardy. However, if Florida doesn’t hang a hundred points on the Dawgs, Willie’s job is probably safe. Richt is too concerned about loyalty and kindness (Mark, if you want to be a preacher…quit coaching and go be a preacher). And Bobo better quickly get away from these lethargic sloooooow developing delay handoff plays that fool no one and perpetually get snuffed; and start using some imagination (Cox didn’t attempt one pass I think over 20 yards today). I tell ‘ya…after last year; I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE ALUMNI AREN’T MARCHING WITH TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS. Up until last year, I’ve never been embarrassed to be a UGA fan…but I surely am lately! Willie, you’re going to make one heck of a high school P.E. teacher somewhere.
Sugar
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT
Wreckmaniac
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
Coach Smith: What are you saying ? That the 05,06,07 recruiting classes just weren’t worth a damn ? They were, like all the others, in the nations top 5 or 10 . You must be the one that makes the Koolaid.
You know, the Koolaid that guarantees that all the problems will be solved when by next year’s recruits. Many millions of gallons of this juice has been sold to UGA fans and Dr Richt has a very famous recipe.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
oop, beat down
NIGEL WEDDINGTON
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
THE ALUMNI AT GEORGIA CAN”T BE HAPPY WITH MARKRICHT HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO WAITE FOR A NATIONAL TITLE. RICHT HAS BEEN AT GEORGIA FOR 5YEARS WITH A NEW CONTRACT. ONLY PRODUCE 2SEC CHAMPIONSHIP AN BOWL GAMES WE GEORGIA FANS WANT THE BIG ONE? ARE WE GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 20 YEARS? GEORGIA HAS ALOT OF TALENT BUT IF THE COACH CAN”T COACH THEM WE NEED TO FIND A NEW ONE.
HairyDawg
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
The dawgs problems is a bunch of stinky players. They don’t practices enough to be real good for SEC football. It was a tough loss but we just needs bettar players. Richt know what he doing. Mark, everything OK if you just get rid of bad players and starts wins. Also things be good tonight after FSU stomps those pesky techmites.
JohnnyT
October 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
Clearly Schultz who’ve never coached. The coaches can coach. There’s not as much talent on this team as in year’s past. When you lose a first round QB and RB, lose your best lineman due to injury, have no pass rush, and are forced to play 2 freshmen in the secondary, you will struggle. Go coach a game or two and then make those comments
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
hi folks! i admit it: my defense can’t rush the qb, can’t stop the run, can’t make a tacke, and can’t tell who is an eligible receiver.
but look, bobo’s offense can’t run, block, throw or catch the ball.
and fabris special team couldn’t catch a wheel chair bound deep receiver.
so i aint so bad, am i??
N ,,,,, m's wingman
October 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
I love it when the MUTTS eat their own!! It’s pathetic when special teams was the better aspect of your game — Shreveport in late December may even be a reach. Well, gotta go now and pull my stint on Doug Roberson’s suicide watch.
Ronald McDonald
October 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
Damon Evans doesn’t have a clue why we should not slam the team with the early hard schedule.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
Earnest, I don’t have a rebel flag belt with my name on the back. Who is your haberdasher? I will give them a call. Do they have UGA belts that I can put my name on the back?
RedMan
October 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
Jeff, I hope this is going to be in the print AJC tomorrow. Thanks!!!
Johnny T stop your crying...
October 10th, 2009
7:37 pm
and making excusses. uga been in the top 3 in recuits for the last several years.it’s the coaches fault.
Rabid Dawg
October 10th, 2009
7:37 pm
I still believe we can beat FL TECH and AUB what do you think
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
Partisay
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!!!!!!!
2003 Tenn goes 9-3
2004 Tenn goes 9-4
2005 Tenn goes 5-7 no bowl
2006 Tenn goes 8-5 losing to Penn St in bowl
2007 Tenn goes 9-5 losing in sEC title and bowl
2008 Tenn goes 5-7 no bowl
here is the LINK for proof go look for yourselves
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/tenn-m-footbl-sched.html
Steve
October 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
I’m done. A total embarassment. CMR has lost control of his program and he won’t get it back. There is no way you can play in the SEC being an undisciplined team like Georgia. As much I I love CMR, the SEC is a cut-throat business. You have to be a real man to coach in this conference. Jeff was right when he said that we are far behind the three powers in the SEC and they have turned the corner and about to lap us. I don;t think the recruits are the problem, I think it’s the coaching. I truly believe that Richt will either be forced out or resign at season’s end because we have at least three more losses (Ga. Tech, Auburn, and Florida) and just hold our breath with Kentucky and Vandy next week. This team is the most undisciplined team I have seen in years. They made Crumpton look like an all-sec qb. My suggestion be be to keep Garner and get rid of the coaching staff. Hire either Brian Kelly from Cicinnati or Kirby Smart from Alabama. I think Smart would be a better choice because he understands defense and being under Saban, he will preach discipline. This is going to be a long season.
Courage
October 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
Belue stated last year, If anyone dictates to Richt he will leave. Waht do you think Jeff? Should we let this go on until next year, and the year after, and the year after? Or, do, we the fans demand excellence now?
I for one am tired of waiting until next year.
Green and Pthat Pollack guy, should have been a NC. LAst year two of the top two picks in the NFL draft and we get shalleced by UF. Only one thing has remained the same!
Can anyone name that one thing?
UGA has not beaten a top 5 team in 3 years. Is this as high as we go?
Answers? anyone?
Brian
October 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
Well considering we havent won a big game in 2 years.. he is dead on. Last years record was a joke. We got blown out in the big games. We won 2 titles when Saban and Spurrier left for the NFL.
Richt has to go.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
I think you need your shots Rabid.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
JohnnyT is a typical rosecolored glasses homer. Where is the rest of the apologists? Good grief.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
What was Hawaii ranked when we beat them and knocked them into the cellar?
2011 uga vs gt
October 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
on the bright side, damon evans said there is a chance uga vs gt could be in the ga dome.
Take a dump
October 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
I Just sobered up did we win today
Ronald McDonald
October 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
What a thought! we meet and march with torches. too old to streak anymore. good idea thowgummpy=