There’s too much comfort, too little accountability, at Georgia
Mark Richt needs to realize that the Georgia program can't survive on autopilot any longer. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@AJC.com)
ATHENS — Smart coaches don’t go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning dumb. They don’t suddenly design bad plays, or create bad game plans, or recruit bad players.
They don’t suddenly forget how to prepare and motivate a group of young men (even if at times seemingly way too much energy is being spent worrying about the color of their helmets or jerseys).
Mark Richt is not dumb. He did not wake up one recent morning less of a football coach than he was when he led Georgia to two SEC titles. But by now he probably has realized something: He has to change. His methods have to change. Everything that might affect direction and atmosphere has to change.
Richt did not wake up dumb. But he did wake up to find the Bulldogs no longer rank as an elite program in the nation. Or in the SEC. Or in the state.
Things got too comfortable. The program has been on autopilot for too long. You watch the results — the Bulldogs are a shockingly pedestrian 10-7 since the Alabama debacle last season — and you see how Richt reacts, in that, “Don’t worry, it will all work out because it always does,” kind of way. Fans can’t help but wonder, “Where’s the fire? Where’s the anger?”
There’s also this question: Where’s the accountability?
The problems at Georgia are similar to those that can afflict any long-time success story. The Bulldogs have declined partly because they’ve grown stagnant. Autopilot doesn’t work in sports. It’s why coaches get fired so often, particularly in “emotion” sports like football and hockey. Old messages and old methods have a limited shelf life.
Georgia doesn’t need a new voice. It just Richt to raise his voice — or his foot. The program needs some tension.
Question: Do you think anybody in Gainesville or Tuscaloosa feels “comfortable”? Ever. Or do you believe like I do there is always some tension in the air? And do you believe like I do that the assistant coaches who work for Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, and the athletes who compete for them, always are on edge? There’s never a chance of things getting stale.
I don’t get that feeling at Georgia. Didn’t have it last year, either. There has been too much comfort. There has been too little accountability. Richt will tell you that he’s a different guy out of public view, that, “People who know me know I have an edge.”
Know what? I don’t want to have to go looking for it. If a team lacks an edge, the coach’s edge is buried too deep somewhere. Or it has been dulled like an old knife. That’s Georgia right now: no edge. The Dogs are like a dull, rusty old knife that really only works in the Vanderbilt game.
“If you’re going to be accused of something,” Richt said Tuesday, “being accused of being a nice guy is not the worst thing.”
Not really. Not if you’re losing.
Richt defended his resume at Athens, as he should. Then he took the appropriate detour: “It’s not like we’ve just been floundering around. [But] this year we have been, let’s face it. I don’t like it.”
It remains to be seen what he does about it. He can shake up his coaching staff. He can change his schemes and his approach to recruiting.
But the major changes need to be bigger picture. Coaches and players need to be worried more about playing to a standard. Fearing the head coach wouldn’t hurt. They’re sloppy. They’re undisciplined. That’s not talent. That’s coaching.
Where’s the accountability? Why don’t these problems exist at Florida or Alabama?
Mark Richt: Is anybody listening to you anymore? If not, why not?
Richt knows these issues can’t be fixed during the season. “It’s got to be more of a tweak than a wholesale change,” during the season, he said. “But [after] every season, you must reevaluate. You must.”
He’s not dumb. He should know where the problems start.
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423 comments Add your comment
MyBoy
November 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
truebluebravesfan
“Ive met the man and he exudes strength and confidence and players also feed off of that.”
That “exuding” called pheromones. He makes you want to mate with him.
trueblueBravesFan
November 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Hey MyBoy………………..take it somewhere else low life
G8TR
November 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Mark Richt: Just the ticket to excel during the vaunted Ron Zook / Phil Fulmer-twilight era in the SEC East. Now, not so much. The SEC title drought has only just begun for UGA — again.
trueblueBravesFan
November 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
G8TR……well see how you feel once Tebow checks out………I don’t think your Coaches philosohy will work with most quarterbacks in the SEC
MyBoy
November 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
blue
Put some acetone on a dust mask next time you meet him. And leave off the rosey glasses.
Barry Jay
November 3rd, 2009
10:07 pm
I don’t know about the O Line being a bust. They have not performed well as a unit, sure, but we can’t deny that those guys have been shuffled into different positions far too often. Injuries have taken a toll. Considering the instability on the line, I think these guys have played better than might be expected. The line coach expects these kids to do more than many NFL vets can do.
Jared Jones
November 3rd, 2009
10:07 pm
this is retarded. everyone needs to chill out. Richt will correct the ship, people like Schultz are just trying to create panic to get readers.
Jeff, this time, you're wrong
November 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
JS, I usually enjoy and agree with your assessments, maybe that makes me a moron (ouch!), but in the first place, living in Athens, seeing the practice over the wall from time to time, CMR is NOT the rose petal bearing milquetoast you would assume. He gets on guys, and hard, at times. I’ve seen it. His sideline persona varies from cucumber cool to explosively irritated (ask Penn Wagers) but my point is that ranting and raving for no reason serves no purpose. The kids stop listening, then you lose the program. The calm demeanor that everyone seems to be so irritated about now is the same demeanor that kept the team from panicking during the drive that produced P-35 Haynes and X-Takeoff to Michael Johnson against Auburn, drives which were lauded for their lack of panic and abundance of success. No, he hasn’t forgotten how to coach, yes, we need to upgrade the defensive staff immediately, and if left to it, he will do what it takes to right the ship and perhaps even learn a great lesson going forward into the remainder of his career.
murfdawg
November 3rd, 2009
10:12 pm
How good of a coach would you think CMR would be if he had Stafford and MOreno and Allen back this year? Richt did get dumb (or unlucky) when he lost those three to the NFL. Where would Fla be without Timmy,EyeGouge and Cooper?
Richt has a winning record against everyone except fl.He has turned us from a 7-8 win team into a 10-11 win team. This year is the exception to 9years of really good football.
Mark Richt has one problem(maybe two) that he is being slow to act upon and that is the defense and Willie Martinez. He can’t fire his DC in the middle of the season. If changes are not made after the season, then you may have some small morsel of truth to your article.
Jeff, this time, you're wrong
November 3rd, 2009
10:12 pm
For those joining us late, P-35 Haynes was of course against Tennessee. Sorry for the poor sentence structure, and I’ve deducted 5 points from my final grade
G
November 3rd, 2009
10:13 pm
Right on Jeff couldn’t agree more. Urban Myer says if you sneeze you might get passed on the depth chart. Saban will get cuss you out if you don’t run fast enough out of the locker room. The loyalty to coaches and senior’s has got to go. Why is Evans still playing when Rambo is our best saftey including Reshad who has lost millions this year by his inability to adjust and read plays. Let’s not forget Richt’s number one goal is not to win the national championship it’s to mold good christian men. Our team doesn’t seem as tough or mean as Ala, Florida,Tenn and LSU. And they have to get a new strength and conditioning program and coaches and state of the art facility. And the coaches don’t matter until Richt gets tough and is somewhat feared by his players. Hate to say it but we are soft as butter and teams look forword to playing us because of this and the fact that they know are plays. Do we have a mole on the staff that sells playbooks and game plans???
Tellin it like it is
November 3rd, 2009
10:17 pm
The coach’s mentality is not the problem. How come his past teams won? I think you have to look outside of Athens for your answer. Meyer > Zook; Johnson > Gailey; Kiffin > Fullmer.
UGA is not and never has been a top national program. They have flirted with elite status, but never obtained it. The fan base expects what’s never happened. If Richt is let go, the program will get worse before it gets better.
The Alpha Male
November 3rd, 2009
10:20 pm
Wow… if you keep writing like this, you’ll ruin your reputation as a smarmy hack. Congrats, Schultz…. I never knew you had it in you.
Allen
November 3rd, 2009
10:21 pm
Agree with you 100% Jeff . . . we have lost our edge . . . and the record will show we have become a pedestrian football team no longer part of the SEC elite (read: Alabama, Florida, LSU . . . and it now looks like Tennessee, too). Is it possible we have the sixth best head coach in the conference? . . . behind Saban, Meyer, Miles, Spurrier, and (gasp) even Kiffin? It’s a tough situation because of the connection the players have with the assistants . . . but someone is not producing as they should.
doggone
November 3rd, 2009
10:22 pm
B Davis- FSU was a top 5 team for 14 straight years, won two national championships and consistently beat Florida in the 90’s. Nothing CMR has done at Georgia even comes close. As for the present, I think most FSU fans would more than settle for a CC and a top 5 ranking less than 2 seasons ago.
icedawg
November 3rd, 2009
10:23 pm
Tellin it like it is is probably right. We’ve never had a sustained dominance. We’ve had sustained “good” teams but not sustained championship challengers. I also agree with one of the earlier suggestions that time will tell whether Meyer and Saban can sustain their successes. They’ve not stayed around anywhere that long. Even Pete Carroll at USC has had some down years and you know they’ve got deep talent. There are a lot of variables that play into success. But you have to wonder about the quality of Coordinators and the talent at some critical positions, like db and both sides of the line. I still can’t figure out how a 5′8″ db is going to be successful against a 6′4″ WR or TE. What are they thinking? Maybe he would be a good kick returner.
Ted Striker
November 3rd, 2009
10:27 pm
I heard about 15 minutes (the very beginning) of Richt’s call in show and didn’t have a problem with a single response from Richt.
Richt didn’t gloss over anything, was nice to everyone who called in and was smart enough to know that engaging in a debate with some Joe Blow who already has his mind made up, set in stone, ain’t gonna change for nothing — is pointless.
Richt is a smart guy. He’s a classy guy. He’s also a guy who isn’t going to throw his coaches under the bus in mid-season just because fans want him to. And if you want someone else to be the coach because of that, you just need to get someone else to coach the team.
Things are rarely as good as they appear (example: GA Tech) and they are rarely as bad as they appear (example: UGA). I ain’t with no lynch mob types on this.
G8TR
November 3rd, 2009
10:34 pm
True Blue: Last time I checked, UF won a national title w/ Chris Leak. who Meyer coached before Tebow was anything but a role-player. Not exactly a QB for the ages but, somehow, superior coaching won us an SEC and an NC in ‘06. If UGA thinks UF’s long-term success is tied only to Tebow, you haven’t been paying attention since, uh, 1990. Once Herschel was gone, however…well, that’s another story.
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 3rd, 2009
10:39 pm
Mediocre coaches + Uninspired players + No discipline = Average season.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
10:43 pm
Biggdawg33 – Thanks. Are you a Dabo fan?
Elmo – Gotta say: Kiffin’s doing pretty good, I think, given what he has to work with. He has people excited, which is half the battle.
Atlvol – Could be. I’m not ready to write off Richt yet. Not even close. Two more years of this, maybe. Remember what it was like before he got here. That’s difference between he and Fulmer. Johnny Majors did pretty well before Fulmer. Richt had Goff and Donnan between he and Dooley.
Macrotech – I’m not all that articulate, but thanks.
Jeff this time you’re wrong – I don’t think Richt doesn’t get on kids. But not sure if there’s enough creative tension either. I also don’t think the problem is as simple as changing a defensive coordinator (though that would help).
G – I hadn’t heard Meyer said that but I like the quote. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Allen — Thanks
still a dawg fan
November 3rd, 2009
10:47 pm
How do you spell relief for an ailing offense?
***** U-G-A-D-E-F-E-N-S-E ****************
Tenn Tech can’t wait to go against our D-II DEFENSE
godawgs
November 3rd, 2009
10:51 pm
Our tight end committed 2 penalties in a short amount of time Sat. ANY other SEC coach benches him. Not Richt. No accountability.
Richt gave up offensive play calling duties to get rid of accountability. Just what is he accountable for? How about motivation? How about penalties and turnovers being 119 out of 120 teams? How about judgment when it comes to assistant coaches? How about the ability to make tough decisions that arn’t popular, like firing a coach who is a close friend, but cannot perform the job? How about long-term strategic focus–being willing to have a bad down year like LSU does every few years in order to get a young QB and talented freshmen experience? How about this stat—0 National Championships?
You have to expect coaches and players to perform at a National Championship level–when they don’t—give them IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK to let them know what they need to change.
godawgs
November 3rd, 2009
10:54 pm
Until Richt TRULY feels the GAP between how he has perfomed so far as a head coach, and where he needs to BE in the FUTURE (National Championship), nothing’s gonna change.
If you’re going to be a rah-rah coach like Pete Carroll, then get emotional and go for it. If you’re going to be a coach like Sabam, get after some people every once in a while.
People need IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK to change their behavior. It’s not CRUEL to CORRECT a FAULT. That’s good coaching.
Dawg '88
November 3rd, 2009
11:01 pm
JS…you’re the one who works for a company that has been on autopilot for too long and has little accountability for crappy articles, opinions, and stupid blogs. Mainly, yours and Bradley’s. You guys do a terrible job day in and day out but you still have jobs despite poorly written, pot stirring comments based on little fact…IOW mostly fiction. You don’t know how the UGA is being run…simply know because you are not in on the meetings or practices everyday. You have personal or first hand knowledge of what CMR does with his staff or players. Your mediocrity is however on full display with each published word. You have personal vendetta against CMR and everyone knows it. He has ignored you in press conferences or cut you off rightly. This is personal with you. Back off!!! Between you and CMR in a battle of wits…I’ll take CMR. You always come unarmed in that comparison. When you improve and write something other than boring drivel, maybe you’ll be taken serioulsy. Until then…shut up!!!
JaxDawg
November 3rd, 2009
11:02 pm
Jeff well said, you are DEAD ON!!!
This coaching staff is so out of touch it’s scary. They can’t motivate the players because the players know they haven’t been properly prepared. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball. Here’s a question: What do Jeff Owens, Bryan Evans, Prince Miller, Reshad Jones, Marcus Washington & Darius Dewberry have in common?
They have all REGRESSED under Martinez! Don’t believe me, go and look at each of these players and how they played in their freshman and soph years as compared to how they’ve played this year. Shouldn’t a senior be better than when he was a freshman or soph?
Willie had TWO FREAKIN WEEKS to prep for the gators, AND both Arkansas & Miss St gave him the blueprint on how to stop the gators…blitz, blitz, blitz. But oh no, he trots his same tired “one-size fits all soft zone prevent defense” out there. The one that he never makes ANY adjustments to regardless of opponents and their strengths and weaknesses. You got a strong running game but a QB that can’t throw, no problem- soft zone, you can air it out, no prob-soft zone, balanced attack- soft zone, spread option-soft zone, pure option- soft zone. Now I’m no expert, but common sense tells me that his defense CAN NOT possibly work in EVERY situation!! Now it doesn’t work at all because opposing OCs know EXACTLY what UGA will do on that side of the ball. THAT’s why we’ve given up 37pts or more on D 9 out of the last 17 games.
NOW we’re to beleive that Joe T IV with his noodle arm and 12 picks gives us the BEST chance to win?! UGA has had 21 turnovers this year and Cox is responsible for 13 of them!!! Over half the turnovers this year can be attributed to ONE player. I know Murray and Logan are unproven but c’mon they can’t possible do WORSE. Joe T IV has at least one pick in EVERY SINGLE GAME this season.
All we heard during the offseason is how penalties are a major issue and they are going to be addressed. We actually have gotten WORSE since they addressed them. Now the party line is “When I was at FSU we were the most penalized team in the ACC but we still won, so I don’t think it’s as big an issue as some may think” (not the exact word for word quote but right on the money) Are you kidding me?!
I had season tix in 1995 (Goff’s last year) and that wasn’t nearly as painful to watch as this train wreck is. Goff was a coach who was in over his head, but at least you knew he was TRYING. At least his teams lost with passion and fight. Now we just roll over, play dead and hope the mauling stops before someone gets hurt. Oh wait we can’t even say that since Joe T IV decided it was a good idea to hang our best player in AJ Green out to dry and get him a bruised lung.
I’m disgusted by what I’m seeing, and the alumni, boosters, fans AND players all deserve SO MUCH MORE than what they are getting out of these coaches!
I’m not saying Richt should go, but he HAS to grab the reins and get this program going in the right direction, and that means making some tough decisions.
1. Bench Cox
2. Fire Willie
3. Fire Janceck
4. Fire Fabris
5. Hire a PROVEN DC
6. Let the DC handle the D, and Richt focus on Bobo’s development.
Anything less than this and he will be on the hotseat next year for sure!
Paul's Johnson
November 3rd, 2009
11:08 pm
I am astounded by the number of posts from you fantasy league football playing, armchair riding, fat, overweight, never played organized sports in their lives, idiots that come on these blogs and attack some one like Jeff Schultz, a sports journalist that actually takes home a paycheck writing about sports, for pointing out cold, hard facts.
I read these blogs just to laugh at you knobs. There are valid points here and there but mostly moronic posts from fans of other SEC teams and GT posers and losers.
Keep up the good work phantom internet football analyists. Thanks for posting the same redundant diatribe over and over again.
And, most of you take yourselves seriously, that’s the real kicker. lighten the F up.
Voyager Dawg
November 3rd, 2009
11:35 pm
I wonder if back in the 70’s when Coach Dooley was 5-5 or 6-6 people were calling for him to be fired? I don’t remember it. Bottom line is Coach Richt is a sharp guy and he will make the changes that need to be made to make Georgia a winner. He has been a winner the entire time he’s been in Athens. It is obvious the defense has been sliding since 2005 and changes will probably be made with the coaching staff to put the players in a position to make the plays. Special teams has been a big questions mark. At one point in the Florida game, we didn’t even run out 11 players to defend a field goal. Again, that’s coaching and someone not being focused. When will we ever rush a punt and how many more times this year will a team take advantage of the fact that we abandon the line of scrimmage in punt coverage. Coach Richt will get it together. Go Dawgs!
houstondawg
November 3rd, 2009
11:35 pm
Another point for you guys that still do not see the light. Yes Saban, Miles, Stoops and Meyer have had bad years, butttt they wear a natl championship ring and they find a way to get back to the big game. There is a difference, ex. the Braves, they have one world series title, if they were to keep on winning and not get the big one, do you think Cox will be as likable as now. At least getting one takes the sting of a bad year and proves to the Nation that UGA belongs with USC, LSU, FL, AL, Texas, etc. Right now definantely no, and when Stafford was here with moreno nope, david green , nope. nothing to show for except Sec Rings that got pawned after the season.
Coastal Dawg
November 3rd, 2009
11:41 pm
Agree completely Jeff!
The fact that some of us are so outspoken and frustrated is that these changes should have taken place after last season instead of this one. He is just now realizing he has a problem. If he had made the appropriate changes instead of telling his constituency what idiots they are…it pisses you off.
You are darn right that there should be plenty of tension especially when things are spiraling downwards and the pilot is telling us we’ll be ok.
Pecan
November 3rd, 2009
11:50 pm
The Dawgs reming me of some teams that Brookwood High School used to play back in the late 80s. Those teams had more D1 players by far, much better athletes. But they were not disciplined, were not as well coached, were arguing amongst themselves, had more penalties and turnovers. Brookwood, on the other hand, only ran a hand full of plays. They rarely had a turnover or a penalty. They played together as a team, not a bunch of individuals who seemed less concerned about a victory than “show-boating” and showing off. The Brookwood boys knew their responsibilities, on and off the field, and took care of them. That’s why for a number of years Brookwood was one of the top high school programs around. I watch the Dawgs now and cannot believe what I see, and I’ve been watching them since 1955.
G Man
November 4th, 2009
12:01 am
I like our coaches, assistant coaches and our innovative game plans. I like our cheerleaders and dancing girls in the stadium we play in. You know, the one we call Sanford. I like officer ______, because he never writes me a ticket. So I don’t think anything needs to be changed. We’re all having fun, spending money, where’s the rub?
Brandon Spikes (and gouges)
November 4th, 2009
12:50 am
das rite, aint no cumfut in afens gawga nowdayz. jus ax corch myers
jojatek
November 4th, 2009
12:55 am
Not quite spot-on, Schultzy, but very close…
Production is certainly down and layoffs are looming at the “football factory” out in Athens. However, I don’t think complacency is the issue. Somewhere along the way, it seems, CMR and his players may have lost sight of the humble confidence, the discipline, and the “lunchpale-like” work ethic that came to define UGA football under Vince Dooley and, ultimately, formed the basis of the program’s success since 1980. CMR promised (and has largely delivered) an exciting new brand of offensive football when he took the reigns at UGA nearly a decade ago. Ironically, however, he may now be learning that it was the brand that he inherited – rather than the “brand” that he brought – that was (and remains) the true strength of the program…
During the first several years of his tenure in Athens (and despite preaching a different and more contemporary style of play), CMR clearly seemed to recognize the long and storied football tradition that had been entrusted to him to preserve and protect. In many respects, he seemed humbled by the responsibility and weight that accompanied that tradition and, arguably, appeared satisfied simply to stand proudly on the shoulders of the men who built that tradition to win two SEC championships of his own, and the admiration and respect of his opponents, players, and coaches…
In recent years, however, it seems that we have witnessed a subtle shift in both behavior and style on the sidelines at UGA. At times, CMR’s behavior now suggests that he may have decided that he is bigger than the program… that his own personal philosophy and coaching style have now eclipsed the tradition and transcended the “brand” that is UGA football. That perception – regardless of whether or not is accurate or fair – should be cause for serious concern to CMR not because the fan base and alumni are confused and upset but, rather, because of the effect that it appears to be having on his players and the future of the program. Excessive celebration when it is clearly unwarranted… taunting, trash-talking, and sloppy execution on the football field… these are all symptoms of a coach who may have temporarily taken his eye off the ball, and players who have lost sight of the philosophy and core values that have formed the basis of UGA football and the success of the UGA brand. The corrosive effect of these symptoms on a football program – or, frankly, on any Fortune 500 company or professional organization – cannot be overstated…
Unlike the situation that existed at Florida when Steve Spurrier took over the Gators back in the day, UGA football is not, and never has been, a program in search of motivation or an identity. Changing the color of the football helmets (arguably the single-most identifiable marker of the UGA brand) was an unpleasant and, for many fans, inexcusable reminder of that fact. CMR can correct the current situation by simply taking a long, hard look in the mirror first, then by making the tough decisions necessary to restore the humble confidence, discipline, character, and work ethic that, collectively, have formed the basis of UGA football success over the years… in any era… and regardless of who is wearing the headset…
My .02, Jeff, offered humbly from the perspective of someone who grew up with Dooley’s “Junkyard Dawgs”, and who, as a graduate of Georgia Tech, is now very pleased to see many, if not all, of these same core values reflected in the philosophy and coaching style of CPJ…
Doc
November 4th, 2009
1:17 am
Hire a defensive coordinator like Charlie Strong and most of Georgia’s problems are eliminated. he is a very good evaluator of talent.
ButlerDawg
November 4th, 2009
1:33 am
Good work. See, Mark? Stick to writing about sports because your opinions on politics are not welcome, nor justified.
Brandon Spikes (and gouges)
November 4th, 2009
2:16 am
Doc
das rit cawz corch challie know me and how goot i be
Joseph Cox, QB
November 4th, 2009
2:30 am
I’m only up because I have a cold, but I want to remind everyone that you can’t be critical of our team or program if you haven’t played the game. So unless you’re an ex-player, I only want to see POSITIVE comments from here on. Now have you panty-waists got that ?
mick6701
November 4th, 2009
3:07 am
Pink UNIs will solve all of the problems!!!
Old Gator
November 4th, 2009
5:34 am
Good article. I think this is the first time that he is really facing questions about his program. He is a smart guy, I think, and should make some changes at least at the end of the year. He has a great freshman class to build on. Next year will decide. Still, IF you are a great coach, you don’t need black helmets to get your team up for a Florida-Georgia game…..do you?
Richt's Elephant
November 4th, 2009
5:49 am
The whole problem will be solved when Tebow leaves and Urban meyer takes the Notre Dame job, which is bound to happen in a year or two. Weis can’t coach and they will run him out of there, and offer meyer $5-6 mil per year to take the job, which he will. Then, Georgia can get back to winning the SEC east every year when florida hires another ron zook type coach!!! Tennessee? Get real—lane kiffin will not win in the SEC.
Gator 4 Life
November 4th, 2009
6:12 am
I didn’t realize Florida’s dominance over GA in the last 20 years had everything to do with Tim Tebow. Was there a prophecy or something? Leak smacked your around. Grossman smacked you around. Heck, two generations of humans have beaten you like drums. It’s time to change the schedule and get a REAL rivalry game and just let this game be called “The Mounting of Georgia.” I can’t wait to see the desperation in Slick Willie’s eyes when Paul Johnson runs the ball down the throat of the worst defense in the SEC. You guys should try and get in the ACC so you have a shot to get in the top three of your own division every year.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 4th, 2009
6:17 am
A select handful of fans noticed this to begin in October ‘07 and brought it to the attention on Chips blog. Its not only that the program seems stagnant, but lets face it, UGA is a soft football team. When UGA lines up against Bama, LSU, UF, UT and now GT the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball is not dominated by UGA.
If UGA where to entertain the idea of letting go of CMR w/in the next 2 years I gotta have a vested interested in seeing Cinncy’s Brian Kelly get a big time look. The offense is cutting edge, progressive and is in line with UF and GT. Not Triple option, but looking for creases to attack in the running game and multiple formations and option routes in the passing game. Secondly w/ the fall out some alum will have you would look to bring in Kirby Smart as the DC to ease some of the faithfuls concerns. Also it helps that Smart seems overly qualified w/ having had Saban as a mentor.
Paddy
November 4th, 2009
6:38 am
Jimmy….. you are mortified that coaches would teach their players to cheat! Don’t tell me, you never played “big boy” sports? If you do not know sports go to the cooking blogs.
Alabama Jack
November 4th, 2009
6:38 am
Georgia football is so irrelevant. BTW, that Charlie Strong rumor wasn’t quite correct. Its Charlie Weiss to UGA and Houston Nutt to Notre Dame.
Macon dog in the Middle East
November 4th, 2009
6:55 am
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for hitting the nail on the head. Why haven’t we seen the fire with which the Bulldogs breathed when they came back to whip UT in the “hobnail boot” game? What about the way that they caught fire after being embarrassed in that UT game year-before-last and roared down the stretch? Yes, we had Stafford and Moreno, but our line should be playing better for our backs today, even if they’re not playing as well as Matthew and Knowshon did.
Here’s another point: I know it doesn’t often make much sense to compare games that common opponents have against each other, but in regard to last season, please tell me why we couldn’t handle Tech’s option? We handled LSU pretty well, and LSU throttled Tech in their bowl game. Why did we permit Tech to come back from 16 down to kick our tails at home?
You’re right, once again, to focus on what we have done since last season’s blowout loss to Bama (again, at home). Not much extraordinary, except for that fine win over LSU. Of course, Damon Evans deserves a healthy dose of the blame for his “adventurous” scheduling. The SEC + Tech schedule that we play demands that we schedule the lesser lights as breathers. We really don’t need to be giving an OK State an opportunity to “mature” at our expense!
One more time: Can CMR rehire BVG?
One more time: those black helmets and pants should be burned.
Curtis
November 4th, 2009
7:00 am
CMR has one more year to fix this third rate program. If he can’t, he should go. UGA is already the second best program in GA. UGA ranks in the low 70s, 90s, in scoring, defense? Are you kidding me? Does anyone out there honestly believe UGA’s athletes rank that low? It’s bad coaching, plain and simple. If he can’t, or seemingly, won’t, get rid of his butt. There’s too many hungry coaches out there, and UGA has too much talent. Go hire Turner Gill from Buffalo, for instance. My first choice is Charlie Strong, two national championships already, maybe a third. He sure wouldn’t put up with this complacency La-La land crap. My guess is the CMR really wants to go into the ministry, and has lost the fire to succeed.
dawgma
November 4th, 2009
7:09 am
Bobo – Martinez.
Would any team in America start their national championship campaign with these guys at the helm of their O and D strategies?
Nope.
Lightnin
November 4th, 2009
7:14 am
Hank has UGA’s problem nailed. Spurrier or Johnson would be doing a lot better at this juncture. And they are. With, supposedly, less talent.
Now is the winter of Mark Richt’s discontent. « Get The Picture
November 4th, 2009
7:16 am
[...] there’s much of Jeff Schultz’ argument that resonates when he writes this: The problems at Georgia are similar to those that can afflict [...]
Lightnin
November 4th, 2009
7:33 am
JC – those number you are bragging about have been dropping like autumn leaves for the past 20 years. THAT IS NOT GOOD! What part of that don’t you get?