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
Brian
October 10th, 2009
7:40 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 and then lost at home to our in state rival. We won 2 titles when Saban and Spurrier left for the NFL.
Richt has to go.
Taylor
October 10th, 2009
7:41 pm
Sweet Home Alabama….you have a lot of room to talk considering you are praising the sh*tbucket of the south. The only good thing that ever come out of Alabama is I-20
Bill
October 10th, 2009
7:42 pm
I don’t feel the offensive and defensive game planning is at fault. I believe what is missiing in on the field coaching Monday thru Friday. We can not run block with what was suppose to be the best offensive line in years. We can not play a secondary coverage with out major breakdowns. When we get to the play we may be the worse tackling team in the SEC, no one wraps up a ball carrier. I believe that is where this team is lacking, basic fundamentals, blocking, tackling, discipline to stay on sides, not late hit ect ect.. In short they are a very poorly coached team.
Tech Tony
October 10th, 2009
7:42 pm
While I agree with Mr. Schultz that it does indeed start at the top, I think the vast majority of the UGA faithful have it down cold as well: there has to be some staff changes made. The reality is the Tennessee sideline was laden with fine assistants and I don’t think anyone here could honestly say the same for Georgia. The Vols have Ed Orgeron, the Dogs have Stacey Searles. The Vols have Monte, the Dogs have Willie Martinez, who is still chasing Gerald Phelan. The Vols have Jim Chaney, the Dogs have Mike Bobo. I could continue but I think the point is made.
For as boastful (or obnoxious if you want to go that far) as Lane Kiffin has been, he did assemble a darn fine staff around him; not too many are saying the same for Mark Richt.
Micheal
October 10th, 2009
7:42 pm
Hey coach smith,
Tennessee was starting Freshmen all over the field today plus two walk ons on the OL. CLK has them on the way up and UGA is on the way down. Two of the last three recruiting classes Tennessee had with Fulmer there were ranked in the 40’s. Tennessee may have the #1 class the year with Kiffin. Once they have some talent, they will be rolling.
Super Dog
October 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
I think we lost today because we weren’t allowed to dance
Willie had an off day come on he looked great for 3 quarters last week people
You can’t expect a team to play all 4 qtr’s people cmon
Buck Belue
October 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
We have 53 players in the program who are either 4 or 5 Star studs. I don’t want to hear excuses about lack of talent. We are getting outcoached every few weeks the last 2 seasons. We have the studs but you have to play smart & physical.
Mutts R Stupid
October 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum, Fire Mark Rectum,
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
Schultz
I ask you again WHAT has BAMA won?
If Richt is going to be kiled for underachieving by winning SEC titles, top 5 and top 10 finishes, Sugar Bowl wins, preason #1 rankings and 10 win seasons…IF that is BELOW your standard and that is meaningles THEN BAMA HAS WON NOTHING
They haven’t won an SEC title, they didn’t win the Sugar bowl, SABAN is 23 and 8 at BAMA
in the same time UGA is 22-10
1-1 vs Bama
what have they actually WON?
Darkjuice 4 u
October 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
Hell Tebow taking warm up snaps right now. We need a qb like Tebow.
superjackets
October 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
found a very interesting article about the state of the UGA football program with some great fan comments
http://beta.sportsiplay.com/Football/T1/Fan-Feedback-Article-Georgia-Football-UPDATE
Techie Since '59
October 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
coach smith – poor excuse, no doubt you got it from CMR himself. Ga. Tech STARTED 16 freshmen and sophomores last year against your pathetic coaching staff in Athens.
Ross
October 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
Maybe Georgia (the state) has been drained of football talent by Florida, Alabama, Auburn – Ga Tech..
Football at Georgia is no fun. The fans are whiners, the coach is a yuppie, the players are too busy pointing at God to execute a game plan. Great to be a fuzzy bee.
-drl
savanadawg
October 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
I hate writing this. I just don’t know where to begin. What do we do? CMR is a good coach. What we have to do is just learn how to block and tackle again. That is all. Now the hard part. The coaches don’t seem to know how to get the players to do that on a consistent basis. We have to throw everything out the window right now and start from scratch. Mark Richt needs to stop replying to questions with bogus answers. The only thing he should have said today is “we got our A##’s handed to us BUT I promise you that won’t happen again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian
October 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
What does a preseason ranking have to do with anything? That year the biggest games of the year, they got blown out.. one of them at home. Not even competitive.
The 2 sec titles came when the sec was abysmal. Saban and Spurrier left college because they were tired of beating UGA.
I'm Jeff's, like, biggest fan EVER
October 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
OMG Jeff, we like sucked sooooo bad. Let’s talk politics, UGA football is sooooo depressing. Obama rocks because he, like, cares more than Republicans, who are all racist, sexist, bigoted, homophobes who, like, oppose partial birth abortion and cradle-to-grave entitlements! Rush Limbaugh is such a MEANIE because he, like, doesn’t agree with us EVER. Nobel Peace prize, baby! Whewwwwww! Hope and change!
Army Vet
October 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
UGA willgo to a bowl…….the TOILET BOWL !!!!!!
Darkjuice 4 u
October 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
Tebow taking warm up snaps right now. damn we need a qb like Tebow.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
thanks for the compliment superdog.
by the way, forgot to mention i hate that a j greene.
what’s he trying to do, win a ballgame???
Fire Everyone
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
We just plain old suck. richt is an ex-quarterback who never got any playing time. Hes a softy and thats how he leads the team. There is no discipline in any phase of the game and the penalties show that completely. UGA will NEVER win a National Title with Richt. NEVER
joe taxpayer
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
Who is the head coach at bufflao he was interview for the auburn job.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
CAN WE NOMINATE JEFF FOR THE PULITZER AWARD! DAWG FAN STOP HATEING ON JEFF YOU GUYS THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR PODDLES. JEFF RULES.
joe
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
Wow…what a wallop, haven’t seen that since….UGA’s last trip to Neyland. Gonna be a looooooonggg
rest of the year for the pups…lucky to get into a bowl facing losses at FL, AU, GT…
HairyDawg
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
Richt has not lost the program. The problem is stinky players because Adams has clamped down on some of those courses so we no longer can recruit players against Alabama. Evan needs to grow a pair and stand up to Adams. Adams and his school buddies is making a ruin of the football program. We need to wins more on the field and Adams hurts us from bringing in the NFL talents that have the speed to win in the SEC.
THE JOKER
October 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
Martinez coach of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sign to new contract before someone gets him
HA HA EEH OH EEH HA HA HA HA HA EEH EEH OH OH HAA HAAA HAAAA HAAAAA
Law Dawg
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
That was an emotionally drained team playing in Knoxville against a talented Tennessee team due to put together a good game. We haven’t had the benefit of playing the Ball States of the world this year. Every week’s been emotional and physical drain. We were due for an emotional letdown week; they were due to put together an offensive effort. The result: an ugly loss.
We’re a loss on the road with a sick QB against a then-top 10 team and a break against LSU from being 5-1. And we’re a UF loss tonight away from being back in control of our own destiny in the SEC.
LSU lost 5 games last year. UF lost 4 a couple years ago. It happens in this conference. It’s happened to Coach Richt’s teams less than others.
DAVID
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
Richt isn’t the problem, THIS ISN’T A GOOD TEAM… No d-line, suspect secondary, offense is so so… Correct me if I’m wrong,but Richt hasn’t had a losing season since he’s been UGA’s coach…Good news is lol they can only go up with good recruiting….
Courage
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
Hey Bundy! You just shot yourself in the foot! Dammit man, have you no shame? You just lost all credibility!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
and ALL this is the offense’s fault. always putting my guys in a bad position. i’m making my man bryan evans permanent defensive captain.
isnt he related to damon?
Early Curly of the squidbillies
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
GO Dawgs !! beat Tennessee!!
San Francisco Dawg
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
The good news in all of this is that Richt will be forced to play everyone on a more consistent basis, which includes quarterback…since we have no chance of winning the SEC or maybe going to a bowl game (we need to win 4 more games) its time…on the field experience is what these freshmen and sophs want…and it will work wonders for next year…yep, I have given up on this year, let’s get everyone to play…
Just Think
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
UGA looks bad and Im a fan and im piss right on! But as I read the comments I read “We’re Georgia” and we contend for national titles! Well when was the last time we won one or was close to winning one?? I think the phrase national title was a joke before coach richt! Would yall have said NC in 1995 or 1997 or even 1988 Hell no! UGA has had the best winning pct in the SEC of the past 10 years! Yes UGA needs to look at the problems but is it the Head Coach Hell no! If we was to beat UF and UF slips up to LSU tonight that would put us tied for first in the SEC east. Then would yall still call for the Head Coach to be gone! answer that one!!
Mutts R Stupid
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Note to Recruiting: Do Not Recruit anymore Red Headed Step Children to play quarterback!
ALDawg
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Jeff,
You are correct! This team has ZERO direction thanks to the “bus driver”! CMR seems content to collect a fat paycheck every year (along with his coaching staff)! NO D&MN HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK AT THE TN GAME FROM 2007 WHERE HE SAID THEY WOULDN’T COME OUT FLAT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AUG24
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
I have seen enough. I’m tired of all the excuses from Richt. “I like his play calling.” when talking about Bobo. Is he kidding? Fire the OC and DC. I have been screaming for Martinez to be fired since 2005. The defense just keeps getting worse. Nobody in the SEC would hire Bobo or Martinez. They are both overmatched at their positions. Damon Evans will be forced to make the decisions that Richt won’t. There will be less donations coming to UGA if this keeps happening.
Buck Belue
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Coach Smith—too funny reading your what has Bama done vs Georgia. It’s well known that Georgia is the Michigan State of the South. Just good enough for “experts” like you to ask dumb questions. You haven’t won a NC since Herschel “psycho” Walker was playing. If had your problems I would focus on MY team instead of worrying about other SEC programs.
Courage
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Law Dawg – OMG man! stop drinking, you’ve lost your mind! 5 – 1? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are watching the same team we are?
Brian
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
lmao big deal he hasn’t had a losing season.. glad you like mediocrity. He also didn’t even win his division much less conference with some seriously high draft picks.
damndawgs
October 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
just a few words…FIRE THE WHOLE DAMN COACHING STAFF!!!!!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
thanks for the compliment the joker. several a class football teams are trying to get me right now.
LoyalDawg
October 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
The problem does start with Richt. We are getting outcoached plain and simple. Not saying that they are bad coaches, but Bobo and Martinez are over their heads in the SEC. Let’s just look at the last couple of seasons…penalties (many of which are just stupid and come at critical times), turnovers, missed tackles, missed assignments, dropped balls (both offensively and defensively), lack of making adjustments, etc. This absolute lack of fundamentals and discipline just comes down to poor coaching. Again, plain and simple. You cannot argue that. We come up against Saban, Meyer and the like and we get destroyed. We are easy pickings to those superior coaching staffs. And now Kiffin…are you kidding me! Richt’s downfall in Athens may just come down to his loyalty to his guys. I love Mark but Bobo and Martinez have to go or unfortunately Richt does along with them. If he doesn’t have it in him to do it then he must go because our players look completely lost out there and unprepared to play in the rugged SEC. We have the talent to compete with the best but are not even close on the coaching side of things.
2N4YEARS
October 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
DAWG COWBOY, You Sir, are 100% correct. I could not have said it better.
Get The Puck Out
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
I was totally embarrased by martinez’s defense. He’s gotta go. I think it’s time to try the backup QB.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
hey damndawgs. i’m making $500,000 a year. what do they pay you at the taco bell drive through?
AUG24
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
The fans see the problems. We are not stupid! Why can’t Richt? He just doesn’t have the guts to fire anyone. This is a business! Like it or not!
HairyDawg
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
Tebow is good because he is a Christian. UGA players need to do the same thing and show leadership in following Richt and Bobo as Christians. The problem is weve got to get rid of the bad players because they aint following Christian rules to develop there talents.
shell-shocked
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
I found myself pulling for the Vols to put up over 50 points on us after our performance in the first three quarters today. That’s something I had not done since Donnan coached Georgia (pulling for the opposing team to make us look bad). I think it has to get much worse before it will get any better.
Also, you guys can forget about Damon Evans interfering with Richt’s staff. He just isn’t going to do it. The only way Richt’s staff is going to change is if Richt is the one pulling the trigger. To be frank, I don’t see him doing that with either of his coordinators. Bobo has too many kids to feed, and Martinez was Richt’s college roommate. He won’t fire either of them, and Evans will let the lot of them stick around UGA until the money stops flowing in from the donors (hint hint).
That said, I do think Richt is a good guy. I think that he wants to win, but I don’t think it’s the most important thing to him. For coaches like Meyer and Saban, winning is the only thing. Maybe Richt will decide to retire and go to Central America on some missions with Tebow or something and Georgia can hire someone with some fire like Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher.
Super Dog
October 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
What happened to the a win is a win crowd
How about the 10 win season crowd
How about the defense is looking good crowd
Please stand up Please stand up Please stand up
Seriously?
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
Change this stupid offense! Put some more wrinkles in there and so we utilize the play makers. This offenser relies to much on an accurate QB with a big arm. Cox does not have that! Give it to the speedsters! Spread out the offense a bit! Good gosh, if there’s no fire from the coaches then there will be none from the players! I am so F*%#*^ P($$%# off right now b/c of this horrible playcalling and lack of energy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
agree
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
I love the dawgs, but man they have played terrible all year, no offense against ok st, an lsu, no defense against sc an ark, an today every one stunk, Joe Cox is the worst quarterback I have seen what happend? where is the offensive line i heard was so good? an the defense made tn quaterback look like Tom Brady. I never thought it would get this bad under richt. game plan during the week please, the players look lost out there. if you need a quarterback email me im not saying im better than Joe but i couldn’t be worse, we are wasting AJ talent an also that of Drew. God bless