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
Partisay
October 10th, 2009
8:52 pm
Coach Smith….Still wondering where you got Tennessee was 18 – 19 over the last 3 seasons. Any Comment?
Kenny
October 10th, 2009
8:53 pm
People don’t want anger they want to see the “fire in the belly.” They don’t want Richt to go crazy. They want him to share with the many thousands of fans the same intensity he supposedly shares with players. The fans, me included, look to the coach to see how to weather the storms. Richt seems like he is shutting out his fans with the nonchalance (at least it looks that way). I think if Richt shared some of that “fire” there might not be such a cry for change. I don’t know. I do know that way too many games over the past few years the Dogs have been lit up by opponents–embarrassed really. That’s the worst part. Getting hammered. Without Munson, there’s no one to share the angst with. Munson used to do that for the fans. We need another Munson!
Super Dog
October 10th, 2009
8:53 pm
Another year of losing to FL yip eee
Courage
October 10th, 2009
8:54 pm
Water Girl – The score will be 222-0 Florida Wins! Folrida Win! Florida Wins!
Are you UGA fans as sick of this as I am?
This is bad and its going to get worse! We will beat Vandy, then one more win and thats it for the year!
As someone just posted – “The king wears no clothes!”
An Observation
October 10th, 2009
8:54 pm
NEWSFLASH TO UGA FANS: Your team is really not that good this year so be prepared for them to lose more games.
Real fans don’t bolt but will support their team throughout the remainder of the year!!!!!
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
8:54 pm
LSU/UF…did you see Les Miles get in the face of #3 after the facemask call? Stupid mistake and he was called out on it by the COACH. never seen CMR do that…never, That’s what is missing at UGA.
Jackson
October 10th, 2009
8:55 pm
Jeff,
Typically I am not a fan of your columns but today, either from reading my posts over the last three weeks or just getting the joke today, you hit a home run. UGA is in big trouble and it starts with coaching… not fundamentals or philosophy but in understanding exactly what you have as a team and calling the right X’s and O’s. Georgia right now is trying to be a pro team… in the pros, you have your system and you find the players to fit your system. In college, there is no money so it is determined by who selects to attend your school. Georgia’s coaching staff has done a miserable job in using the tools they have to select a system for the players versus the players for a system. I love our philosophy, just the execution of that, we don’t have the right players. If our current offensive scheme is not putting our O-line in position to do more, then you CHANGE THE FREAKIN SCHEME… change the play type. On D, WIllie Martinez a, doesn’t inspire passion but b, doesn’t run the right scheme…. okay, we don’t have great DE’s for a 4-3… then change things and run a 3-4. We have three beasts in Weston, Atkins, and Owens. Move Houston to a OLB, move Rennie on the other side and let Gamble and Washington control the middle… Now you have two defacto DE hybrids able to rush… or if you don’t like that… run a 3-3-5… we have great physical specimans on the d backfield…. use their talents… don’t scheme for what you run but where your strength lies… Today against Tennessee, we see the flaws in the coaching and a flaw in what we really deserve to see. Richt needs to re-evaluate Bobo’s ability to be the O coordinator and fire both Martinez and Searls…. both are not making it happen. If Coach SS is not at fault for the O-line play, then Bobo is at fault and needs to go. Either way, we have the talent to compete. I don’t ask for NC every year or SEC Championships every year, but put a consistent product on the field. Deliver what we all want… a hard nose aggressive D and a strong running attack peppered with the ability to see fantastic receiver play.
Jeff
October 10th, 2009
8:55 pm
Coach, I understand that Tennessee has not won the SEC since 1998, but they also won the National Championship that year. UGA got their tails handed to them today, plain and simple. Forget the past. Tennessee moved on and got rid of Fulmer; a good move. Tell me the last time UGA won the National Championship. You need to give it a rest. Your dawgs were demobilized; live with it you moron.
Delusion is Better than Reality
October 10th, 2009
8:56 pm
I keep reading:
Hire Bill Cowher or John Gruden.
What in the wide wide world of sports do you guys think? Why would either of those guys want to coach a second tier SEC team in Nowhereville Georgia? Those are Super Bowl coaches pinheads. They ain’t coming to UGA.
You really need to do a reality check. You haven’t won a championship in 30 frickin years. (I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you won’t be winning it next year either).
You’re just not all that – might as well start dealing with it.
Ronald McDonald
October 10th, 2009
8:56 pm
Lets raise the minimum on contribution for everyone $5 per season per tix. We might can get a Offensive and Defensive Czar for each. It appears Creekside and Grayson HS must have some that will be easy to vet.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
8:56 pm
you know Super Dog!
Nighttrain99
October 10th, 2009
8:57 pm
CMR was a good coach for a while but not anymore. A 2 year slide is a trend not a fluke.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
8:57 pm
Haha dawgs,
$$$$$ and he is alumni
I would really go after the DC at VaTech. Offer much more than $$$ than VaTech. UGA alumni foundation has considerable funds to make this happen. The lure of cash changes minds!
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
8:57 pm
“LSU/UF…did you see Les Miles get in the face of the official after the bogus holding call? He was livid. Never seen CMR do that…never, That’s what is missing at UGA.
never dull
October 10th, 2009
8:57 pm
Tenn lost to UCLA by 4 pts, Fla 10 pts and Aub 4pts–they are probably the best 3-3 team out there and UGA is the worst 3-3 team. UGA is lucky not to be 1-5. Bright side-at least we have a good punter.
Dawson Devitt (D3)
October 10th, 2009
8:58 pm
Unbelievably great examination of the University of Georgia Football Program, Jeff.
Richt has “lost” control of his own program. He is, by the way, the most senior coach in the SEC.
(hope it doesn’t gray, Jeff)
JSS
October 10th, 2009
8:58 pm
Sammy (AKA Blowhard)
Richt already sold you “Hope” and “Change,” it was: “Finish the Drill!” This in turn became “Mission Accomplished!” And we all know that ends, I forgot, this is GEORGIA, it is always someone else fault that you started something, screwed it up, and now you have no plan to fix it! Other people have the plan, get out of the way and shut up!
Super Dog
October 10th, 2009
9:00 pm
Courage
Im more sick of losing to FL year after year than watching this sorry season unfold
To many UGA fans are wimps like the coaching staff when it comes to FL game they just lay down and say well we have 10 wins though
azdawg
October 10th, 2009
9:00 pm
Its time for D. Evans to look forward to next season. This season is lost. The AD cannot wait for CMR to decide what to do. Its time for changes. Begin looking for a new DC and OC. Go outside and spend some money on one of these talent tanks to recommend some bright young coordinators w/winning records. Be forthright w/both Bobo and WM. Let them know they will not be working for the Univ next season. Do not demote them just release them. They’ll find a job somewhere I’m sure. Allow these new coord to bring in their own asst’s. Keep Searles and Gardner but the rest go.
CMR is a born again christian. He needs to become a born again head coach or he’s not worth keeping either.
Ronald McDonald
October 10th, 2009
9:00 pm
heck yeah we have a good punter. almost not offered a scholarship. go figure. thanks Drew.
Law Dawg
October 10th, 2009
9:01 pm
“But if you’re a leader, or if you’re a player and you’re brave enough to be in the arena, there’s going to be people outside the arena who want to throw things at you and say things about you. But there’s honor in being in the arena, and a lot of people don’t understand that because they’ve never been in there. But we’re going to get right back in and fight.”
–Coach Mark Richt.
We’ve got the right guy in there, folks.
Steve Brooks
October 10th, 2009
9:01 pm
Mark Richt has not earned his salary. I call on him to return it to the University of Georgia.
A JEFF FAN!
October 10th, 2009
9:01 pm
We are the champions, We are the champions! Gators Rules, Jeff rules, willie rules
ARE U FRIGGING KIDDIN
October 10th, 2009
9:02 pm
NOBODY NAMED IN THIS ENTIRE SERIES OF IDIOTIC POSTS WOULD COME COACH THE OVER-RATED EVERY YEAR SNOT-LICKING MISRABLE DAWGS WITH THE WORST DELLUSIONAL FANS IN AMERICA.
GO PI$$ ON A FIRE HYDRANT AND LICK IT OFF—ITS CLEANER THAN WHAT YOU ARE USED TO LICKING.
AND RICHT’S WIFE GRAZES ON THE FIELD AT HALF-TIME—-KIFFIN’S IS HOT
ONE NC IN ITS SCHOOL’S HISTORY BECAUSE OF ONE RN——–NO MORE NC’S IN YOUR LIFETIME—GO ITCH YOURSELF BOYS AND QUIT DREAMING
NC Dawg
October 10th, 2009
9:02 pm
There is no reason for a UGA team to get blown out like that…EVER! We aren’t just losing…we lose BIG! Richt is running the boat and he needs to make changes now…both assistant and attitude!
45-19??? My goodness. Speechless and extremely disappointed in this team. SC beat themselves on that last drive and Az St. simply handed the game to us. We lose to Vandy, Fla., Auburn, and Tech. We won’t make a bowl game and next year better be different!
Sickening performance today boys and I mean boys!
Rimfire
October 10th, 2009
9:02 pm
Steve Spurrier used to ask, “What happened to all those star recruits?”
Well, it should be asked again…and Ray Goff ain’t the Coach anymore, is he?
Gator Fan
October 10th, 2009
9:04 pm
You wimps are like that sorry program Ga Tech you have settled the last 20 yrs and thats why you will never beat the mighty gators again
Our 3rd string will beat Tech and our scout team will beat Ga
CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
Courage
October 10th, 2009
9:04 pm
Super – You are right on!
Law Dog – What kool aid are you drinking?
If CMRis unwilling to change things – Where does the problem lie?
And then – What is the answer?
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:04 pm
thanks water girl. courage got you covered on the florida tickets.
super dog: dont worry about florida. me and urban working on the over and under already. best bookie in the state is schultz.
banjo player
October 10th, 2009
9:05 pm
If TN can score 45 points then FL will score 145 points!!
I hope FSU calls Richt and offers him a job. Maybe he’ll take Bobo, Martinez, Jancek, Fabris and any of the other pointed heads on his staff with him. Some of you act like Richt is the second coming of Christ! No wonder he believes he’s above reproach. If you think UGA can’t replace him with a better coach then pass the bong around for the rest of us to get in on your secret potion.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:05 pm
steve brooks: your name aint michael adams buddy, so get a life.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:06 pm
banjo player: confidentially i did see mark walk on water one time.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:07 pm
the water girl rules!!
Courage
October 10th, 2009
9:08 pm
Steve Brooks – You’r e more right then Willie will ever be!!!! LMAO
Willie – go learn some D, then you can talk smack!
Courage
October 10th, 2009
9:09 pm
Willie – How’s that TV series on lifetime coming along?
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:09 pm
tallahassee is a better college town than athens anyway. cant wait to get there. bowden is bread and i’m the toaster.
Cuz
October 10th, 2009
9:09 pm
It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivHaMNBt_kk
Courage
October 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
you ant’t right Willie!
Super Dog
October 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
Spurrier
Used to always say that beating Ga is our number 1 priority HMMMMMMMMM
I wonder why
Why don’t everyone take a look an the last 45 yrs in the series and you might see a pattern.
What might that be national championships and sec championships
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:11 pm
courage, the tv show will be great. third episode is about a guy who is inept, lazy, dumb and stubborn. wait, that’s my episode on the biography channel.
Nate
October 10th, 2009
9:12 pm
Law Dawg,
The problem is not Richt; it is Willie Martinez. Fire Willie!!
Remember the Tech game last year. This is no excuse for a defensive that can’t cover power I running between the tackles. Just what UT did to us today. If Willie continues to coach, here a simple visual aid for the simple minded coach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnRwBsOb5c
Can this forum agree: Free Willie from his contract!!!!
Paul's Johnson
October 10th, 2009
9:14 pm
So, i’ve watched the Bama game and am watching the UF/LSU game and I have two observations.
1) Has SEC officiating reallt become inept for the last two seasons/
2) The parity in the SEC is UF, ALA., LSU then UGA, USC, UK, ARK…in no particular order. Just wondering.
Ron Burgandy
October 10th, 2009
9:14 pm
Tennessee is one of the banner programs in the SEC, second only to Bama in tradition, wins, etc…UT, being down for a few years, stepped up and made some changes…Georgia needs to think of doing the same. Not sure if pink slipping CMR is the answer but the Willie and Bobo show needs to go. Georgia too is one of SEC’s banner programs and it would benefit to act sooner than later. Just use Tennessee as an example. CPF, as important he was/is to their program, they waited a couple years too long to pull the trigger.. But, now they got something brewing up their in Knoxville and the rest of the SEC will be served notice soon enough. Kiffin hit the ground running, both his mouth and with a plan. As much as he been lampooned, I actually think he may be the right hire for them. He’s got a set and he and his staff don’t seem to give two chits about what the media or anyone else thinks. Recruits have obviously responded to this favorably and so has the players, compared to last year. UT is young, inexperienced but unlike last year, they keep playing hard and don’t quit. I don’t see that fight in Georgia and that’s not Georgia football…I don’t want to see Georgia struggle, nor do I want to see Tennessee, Bama, LSU, AU, or Fla. struggle…These six programs are the SEC and the more competitive and strong, the better. Well, on second thought, screw the Gators.
Stay classy, Athens
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
nate, i’ll be glad to go if i’m not pleasing you. i always wanted to be an unemployed millionaire.
Gator Fan
October 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
Hey Ga Fans
Call up your boy Willie and the coaches tell them to watch FL and LSU
Make sure you tell them to take notes
And then tell them to go ahead and forfeit because you don’t have a chance
CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
45ACP
October 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
They are playing hip hop music in Death Valley. Florida vs LSU.
Can you believe that?
lowcountry dawg
October 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
SUPER COLUMN, JEFF!! You nailed it perfectly!! I feel us regressing to the Goff/Donnan days. For the first time, I’m starting to lose confidence in Richt. I hate to say it, but this “nice guy” persona is starting to aggrevate me! No emotion and no excitement. Just plain stares…
dawgydawg47
October 10th, 2009
9:16 pm
This just in. After meeting with Bobo, CMR has resolved all the offensive problems. We need more screen passes. Damn, I should have thought of that.
Willie Martinez
October 10th, 2009
9:16 pm
what’s all the complaining about. yeah so urbans won national championships. we win the georgia state championship, most of the time…
Chris
October 10th, 2009
9:17 pm
It’s pretty simple. Richt didn’t make changes after last year when he obivously needed too. Instead, he gave Willie a raise. We are now seeing the results of Richt’s ridiculous inability to realize the talent he has and use it as best as possible. I get so sick and tired of hearing Richt and Bobo talk about how we need to improve in the run game, and then we run the ball 1 out of every 10 plays. It’s kind of hard to average over 100 yards rushing per game when you do that!!!
Our QB sucks, our o-line sucks, Richard Samuel sucks and should never be allowed to touch the football again. Brian Evans should have been benched last year, yet for some reason he still starts, still gives up big plays, and still misses tackles game after game after game. All the problems we had last year that Richt vowed to fix are 10 times worse.
This is all a result of bad coaching. If Richt doesn’t make changes after this year, and go out and find a GREAT DC and OC then his days are numbered. I’m a die hard Georgia fan but I have seen this before. It happened with Golf and Donnan, and now Richt is headed down the same road.
If he keeps these terrible assitant coaches after this year, and doesn’t make any changes, Mark Richt will be FIRED after the 2010 season.
Mark it down!