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
Ronnie
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
Georgia’s problem? Richt doesn’t seem to have any interest in physically dominating the opponent. Not sure why. That plan works for Saban in LSU and Alabama and it has helped the Pittsburgh Steelers to six Lombardi trophies. But what do they know…
superjackets
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
BTW- i have an ex gf on the UF training staff who told me that Tebow is out for 6 weeks minimum. All this stuff about him playing tonight is just smoke and mirrors.
But then again she is kinda nuts and might be full of it.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
hey get the puck out, fine with me. i’ll sit on my ass while uga pays out the rest of my contract.
Dogtired
October 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
Ginger:
I echo your sentiments. There is no need for speculation or analysis based upon Richt’s game demeanor or post-game reaction. The truth is on the field. I think Mark Richt is a delightful human being and a welcomed changed from the Goff/Donnan eras, but one has to wonder how far we can go with the coach that trots out our perenially underachieving or undisciplined squads (notwithstanding bad luck and some bad calls). Look at our tackling. Our guys look like projectiles without arms. I was watching the Alabama game after the UGA loss and the disparity between their guys wrapping up and our guys hitting and assuming ballcarriers will crumble is amazing. Likewise, what is with all of the penalties? It is clear to me that (regardless of our team’s relative youth) Richt does not command the respect necessary to keep the guys in line. Machievelli said, “It is better to be feared than loved” for a reason. If UGA was concerned about Monday’s practice after 17 penalties on the Saturday before, we might see some different outcomes in the games. You can never discount field position and momentum in a football game and the penalties that are team have been saddled with this year have been significant, frequent and inexcuseable. Also, our kick-off coverage stinks, so why do we keep angling it only to have the opposition run it out to the 35+ yard line? Let’s have Walsh send it to the back of the end zone every time forcing a 20 yard touchback. You start doing some statistics and consider the effect of an 80 yard field (even with Martinez’s schemes) and the outcomes in some games (like LSU) might be different. There is so much to say about the merits of Richt’s contributions in the past and the way he has turned around the program, but it is evident to this Dog that we’ve got to do something substantially different if every Saturday we are going to feel like we are going to win (even when we are playing Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, etc.). Go Dogs.
Jeff Moron
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
UGA’s defense has given up 379 points in the past 12 games. Change has to begin on the defensive side of the ball. As much success as UGA has had under Mark Richt, if he isn’t willing to make changes, the administration will find someone who will.
dawg for life
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
is coach dooley available
coach smith
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
Buck Belue
I’m still waiting on an answer
What has BAMA won…..how long between SEC titles? 20+ years?
Beat UGA once in 4 tries
You can attack UGA all you want BUT you, nor Shcultz can answer the question….What has Bama won?
Regular season games (in the last 2 years)
UGA and Richt average 10 of those a year and nobody is satisfied
shell-shocked
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
Hairy Dawg: “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.”
Just wondering, how does it feel to be the dumbest mofo on this blog? Are you freaking kidding me with this crap?
PS. It’s “their talents,” not “there talents.”
Grandad
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
1.Coach Richt should ask for Coach W.M.s’ resignation tonight.
“for the greater good”
2.Our youth will be well served next yr. (experience)
3.Our youth will crest again this yr. However, we should expect another letdown @ some pt.
4.Our kids play hard.
5.Our kids do not play smart, well drilled, disciplined,or alert.
*experience,repetitions,coaching,experience*…Have patience my friends.
6.Coach Richt needs to say” This is my team, my problem, and it WILL BE FIXED!”
7.LSU game was disheartening for our kids, too much so, for them to overcome.
8.Joe Cox is our QB.
9. Coach Bobo was overmatched today. No shame for a young coach going against CMK. He will learn from this.
10.LSU wins tonite…we overcome v. Fla.; we win SEC East.
DAWG
October 10th, 2009
7:54 pm
What a joke of a team and this includes all of the coaching staff, we will be lucky if we beat Tenn Tech. Thank you Georgia, my wife and i will have a free night when the bowl games roll around, Georgia will not be playing. This team needs to man up and play like a team.
Macho Man
October 10th, 2009
7:55 pm
Willie Martinez
I make $9 an hour I pay lots of money each year to watch you coach a good defense
I thank you deserve a raise
Can you see if FLA can score 75 on you
joe taxpayer
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
coach smith its not about the past its about the future. The tide star is rising UGA star has faded.
Early Curly of the squidbillies
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
Coach richt still can advertise for ford trucks and carpets of dalton.
Courage
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
I have to say one thing here. Joe Cox is not the problem!!!!!!!!! This kid has given 5 years of his life to UGA, always wanted to be a Dawg! Quit ragging him!!!!!!!! What you saw today is not his fault, what you see this season is not his fault.
CMR stated at the end of last year when he would not make changes to his staff, that he would evaluate everyone on his staff and they would be measured and held accountable.
Who is to blame I ask? Not Joe Cox who is a kid, playing a mans game, which 99.9 % of you have never played, and he is playing his heart out! The on to blame is CMR. You doggone fools!!!!! and you’re right you are fools for blaming a kid, hwo all he wanted to be was a Dawg, and yet you defend a HC who has his head in the sand, who thinks that nothing is really wrong!
Idiots!!!!! Look in the mirror – We are to blame, CMR is to blame, We, the fans and alum, have let this go on toooooo long! CMR must be held accountable for his actions or, in this case, inaction.
Quit ragging Joe Cox. If any of you are Buck Belue or Johhny Unitas then you can rag, the rest of you shut the hell up!
Seriously?
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
HEY, IT’S NOT ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN AND THEREFORE YOU SUCK AS A COACH. TONY DUNGY IS A STRONG CHRISTIAN, NEVER SCREAMED AT HIS PLAYERS, AND NOTHING FOUL CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH YET THEY WON A SUPER BOWL AND STILL A GOOD TEAM. SO STOP SAYING THAT MARK RICHT IS A WEAK B/C HE’S A CHRISTIAN. WHAT CMR NEEDS TO DO IS TAKE THE HELM OF COORDINATING THE OFFENSE BACK FROM DO-DO. WHEN CMR WAS BOTH HC AND OC, HE GAVE SEVERAL 10+ WIN SEASONS. FREE WILLIE AND BRING KIRBY!
Huffington Post
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
Mr. Schultz, we could use a good man like you in our ranks! I know, I know, you are not liberal, and certainly not a partisan Democrat (wink, wink). Hey, neither is Keith Olbermann, but that doesn’t stop him from slamming anyone to the right of Bernie Sanders on his nightly show and on his Daily Kos blogs.
Have your people call our people, let’s set something up for next week!
Michael
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
Under achievers…maybe a bit spoiled..lack toughness..3 more possible losses…Fla., Auburn, and Ga. Tech. We could even lose to Kentucky. Just not prepared to play football this season. Man I’m so sad…
Thogwummpy
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
FYI, I watched the Lowndes-Valdosta H.S. game on TV last night. Lowndes could beat this UGA team by a dozen points! Sorry, CMR…you’ve got to pink slip your coordinators. Geez…if I knew coaching was a job where one couldn’t get fired, I’d have gone into that career years ago!
CG
October 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
I hear Chan Gailey”s available!!!!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
7:57 pm
macho man, bet you 500 bucks florida won’t put up that many points.
Vol Fan
October 10th, 2009
7:58 pm
Woo hoo – you realize how much fun it is to get on this site and read this stuff? I’ve been “that guy” on the UT sites for two years now and to see you guys complaining it’s downright funny.
I was there on the 40 yard line on the UGA side. You guys’ defense is pretty weak, keep in mind our QB was a top recruit but melts down under pressure, once you guys let him get in a groove it was over for you. Your QB basically sucks too – I read the hype on him but he wasn’t worth a damn.
But in the end, relax people, you guys are in a down year. You have a good coach and decent players. Don’t get impatient and do something you’ll regret. It’s just that the rest of the SEC is hungrier than you…..
Mark Richt
October 10th, 2009
7:58 pm
Cuz,
Shut up drive the bus then super size me mutt.
Water Girl Wants To Know
October 10th, 2009
7:58 pm
Why is everyone on the coaching staff so much
The coaches coach hard. Just because we lose doesn’t me they weren’t prepared
Blame the losses on the ref’s crazy penalties
Lay off or go pull for another team
How soon ye forget....
October 10th, 2009
7:58 pm
Wow….maybe the problem here is that the remaining teams have upgraded their programs by bringing in good coaches. You just can’t run on to the field a expect to win. Say what you want about Lane and Tenn. they played hard and took it to the dawgs…Last year he walked on water…now he is going down for his last breath….
heather
October 10th, 2009
7:58 pm
Smith—Bama rubbed your black out garb in dawg poop last year. A complete butt whipping. Complete domination with your NFL studs looking hapless.The first of many to come from Bama. You have so many holes in that staff and team you might want focus on weak team. You can twist wins & losses however you like. But viewers who watch Bama this year would laugh in your face if you asked to play us in the SECCG.
dandydawg
October 10th, 2009
7:59 pm
Georgia fans should not miss the message in Jeff’s article. Although it pains us with the state of our program it this very moment, these can be changed. I watch Willie’s interview on TV and she could not even hold his head up.. so, I know he is embrassed by the way these went today. Someone has to take a stand… Does Damon really care.. Georgia is still making money so a change will not come until the fans demand one.
Again the season is not over.. maybe we cna be ready by the TEch game. It would be nice to just shut them up with a sorry team.
Embarrassed UGA Alum
October 10th, 2009
7:59 pm
Never seen a UGA team play with this little heart. I’ve been critical of Richt’s coaching style for a few years and have caught a lot of heat for it. He is just to relaxed out there. That is okay if your an offensive coordinator but as a head coach it kills the team. Still he has won games over the years so I have just dealt with it. It has gone to far now. His loyalty, which is great, is killing him. Coordinators who obviously don’t know how to prepare a team and a QB that works his ass off but just not the ability. At least try Logan or Aaron, at least they might e able to run a little. I now believe it is time for a change. As for suggestions how bout that Standford coach, Jim Harbaugh. If he can win at Standford think about what he could do at UGA with all that talent.
Courage
October 10th, 2009
8:00 pm
Willie Martinez – I’ll bet you the score will be 222-0 Florida wins! Should make Tech fans happy! UGA at this point in time = Cumberland University!!!!!! LMAO – How that for a history lesson Jeff?
Frank
October 10th, 2009
8:00 pm
Lord the Dogs looked awful today. They’d have alot of trouble beating UC Davis right now.
The Ags would eat them up.
gasportsfan
October 10th, 2009
8:00 pm
I’m not advocating Richt be fired because if nothing else he deserves at least 1 bad year before the administration considers that but it’s so obvious to me and just about everyone else that changes need to be made to his staff…How many times do we have to watch the defense be so clueless or the special teams giving up big play after big play…It’s embarrassing watching this team perform and i never thought i’d say that during the Richt era!!!!
Faithful Dawg
October 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
ok I am not happy either… but dawg fans do not know how to loose!! Support or hunsh!!! We cannot be the best every year. I love our coach! Not interested in him leaving. Going to Nashville next weekend and will hope for the best! Looking past this. Still wearing red and black…still yelling “go dawgs” and still hoping for that “run Lindsey run” moment.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
Simple: Fire Martinez. The defense couldn’t tackle and couldn’t cover a simple bootleg pass to the left. There was numerous mis-tackles and the bootleg roll out was done successfully (6-8 times > 10 yards) by UT.
This was a problem last season (eg. Ga Tech game); however, we were able to overcome this problem because the offensive was more effective. This season we have an average offensive with a lousy defensive. UT offensive is simple power I run between the tackles and simple roll out passes. Easy to cover unless you lack a solid defensive game plan and ability. Blame Martinez or better fire him.
My only wish was that UT didn’t roll up the score more so they could justify firing Martinez. Wait until UF plays UGA. If they win, I hope that it is by the largest margin possible.
Conclusion: It is not a direction problem as alluded to but poor defensive coaching.
UGA alumni 1990
La Jolla Dawg
October 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
You nailed it Jeff.
I think everyone would feel a tad bit better if Coach Richt would take some personal responsibility and not blame the wind or the kicker or the inexperience on special teams (those are a few of his favorites from last week)… I know I’d also feel better if he showed a sense of urgency and some passion.
Pi$$onatechie
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
ok! you know what drives me crazy is that in the NFL OC or DC get fired in the preseason when they dont perform and Richt just keep covering up of his mediocre assistants for years until they truly stink
Macho Man
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
Willie Martinez
I might have to take you up on the bet
I think your a great coordinator, good enough to hold florida to 75
Early Curly of the squidbillies
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
Cuz hold the onions, gives me gas. also super my fries and sweet tea.
Article from Atlanta Journal Constitution - VolNation
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
[...] Article from Atlanta Journal Constitution You might enjoy reading this. Georgia's problem is direction, and that falls on Richt | Jeff Schultz [...]
Damon Evans
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
E-mail me and tell me how you feel.
Thanks,
Damon
devans@sports.uga.edu
GatorGuy
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
Dawg Fan
Greetings. I know most of you are still nursing a hangover after celebrating Barack’s Nobel Prize win, but I must be allowed to speak to you, even in your diminished state.
Dawgs NOT good.
CMR is now in jeopardy of losing that Chick-Fil-A franchise that he was counting on when his Dawg Days were over. Who could have imagined such a fate. Next thing you know, Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Georgia) will be appointed president of UGA. First thing she will do is order a complete review of the white-man’s contribution to UGA football. Lindsey Scott took the snap from center and sprinted 99 yards to beat Gators in 1980. Georgia is being held down by the white man.
You get the picture. Dawgs come to your senses. CMR needs CPR.
Happy Holidays
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
does anybody out there think i should just go ahead and resign?
dawgdays
October 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
I told you guys before the season started. All of you blasting “Lame Kitten” and all of that. We stunk up the place today, but “Lame Kitten” is building a team with all of those great coaches. We need to give credit where credit is due. We almost beat LSU last week except for that stupid call. We have a chance to have a good season, but ran into an improving team who got hot today.
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
Sweet Home Alabama:
“no big name wants to go three because of the crappy town.Roll tide ROLL……………….”
Crappy town? Are you kidding me? Athens is a nicer town than EVERY town and city in AL.
The best thing that ever came out of AL. is I-20.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
Dawg Fans I’ll make a deal with you, if yall stop crying and BLOG that the FL. Gator’s rules, I will tell Coach Meyer to let you compete with us the first Qter. Deal….
Jborodawg
October 10th, 2009
8:04 pm
I’m sick over this loss. BUT, most of you people sound just like Vowels fans the last couple years. And Awbun fans…and look what happened when they changed coordinators mid-season…down the crapper big time.
Isn’t it unbelievable that SC hasn’t fired Darth Visor? Ohio St should have fired Tressle last year. USC should fire Carrol after losing to lowly Washington. Penn St shoulda fired Joe Pa last year; or especially this year after losing to Iowa. …ad nausea.
And presuming to know how CMR ‘feels’ about being here, the team, coaching, etc is just absurd.
Today: Joe C looked pedestrian; I don’t recall hearing Rennie C’s name called by the announcers the whole game; yall yelled this past week for more Ealey…but we still had no rush game. It’s true that there’s not much positive about today’s game and the play of the Dawgs. Maybe it’s time for Jancek to be D coord, not just co-coord. Maybe someone else should be QB coach. However, I’m going to support my Bulldogs the rest of the season and I hope that CMR makes the necessary changes at the end of the season…if we don’t improve and win, say, 4 out of the next 5. Of course we’ll all be singing a different tune if the Dawgs up and beat Flawduh.
Gooo Dawgs!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
8:05 pm
a jeff fan! gators rule!!
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
8:06 pm
WHO is cmr?
Courage
October 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
Willie – Do us all a favor and resign immediately – You have no business coaching an SEC defense.
As for CMR – If you are tired of us the fans – then you can leave too!
Goodness I am so angry I could chew a hobnailed boot!
Marci Summer
October 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
I understand Coach Richt & Coach Bobo’s empathy for Joe Cox, playing behind quality QB’s….however there is a time to stop thinking like back up players & start acting like first rate COACHES!!!!! Do what is best for THE TEAM & the UNIVERSITY!!!
Jethro
October 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
Damon Evans is the MAN. Posting like a champ.
HairyDawg
October 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
Dang strait law dog. We need the tigers to win tonite. Then we’ll whoop that arrogant jacka** Meyer all over the field in Jax to win the east. We just needs a shot at Bama or LSU in the Dome and we’ll be champs again. If we get thru this year as champs then we can recruit some good player and get rid of the bad ones.