We’re live from Georgia — and are you still watching?
An empty doghouse. It has been that kind of season in Athens.
ATHENS — They got bruised in Stillwater, blindsided in Knoxville and humbled in Jacksonville. Also, their dog died.
Put it all together and Georgia’s season is a like country-western song.
So here’s my question for you: If you’re still watching, what is it you’re hoping this team can still accomplish?
The Dogs play their final home game of the season tonight against
Mark Richt has tried to keep everybody focused on the season, not what comes after.
Kentucky. The backdrop isn’t what this team’s seniors were hoping for, especially after what seemingly was projected two years ago when Georgia finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation. But there are still some tangible goals left.
I’m guessing if Bulldog fans could lay out a perfect finish to an imperfect season, it would go something like this (in order of priority):
1) Beat Georgia Tech next week.
2) Win the season’s final three games (Cats, Jackets, bowl opponent) to finish a respectable 9-4.
3) Blow up the coaching staff.
I’m adding the last one because I’m guessing that even closing the season strong would not eliminate the bitter taste left by the 4-4 start and all that came with it.
This could be Willie Martinez's last home game as defensive coordinator.
Most of you still believe in coach Mark Richt — as you should — but want changes in his staff and/or some of his methods.
Pure my speculation here, based on no inside information, other than what I see and hear and how Richt is now reacting to questions about his off-season plans: 1) Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is gone; 2) There will be other changes on the staff, mostly on the defensive side of the ball and possibly with the strength and conditioning coach; 3) Some or all of these changes may be announced fairly quickly, possibly soon after the Georgia Tech game and before the bowl game.
I would be stunned if Richt made no changes. I would be surprised if he makes only one.
Let me add one more thing: While Martinez’s shortcomings as a defensive coordinator have been debated for a while, I still believe the team’s problems run deeper than one assistant coach. The problems start at the top with accountability. That’s Richt’s department. I thought his decision last week to pull out any players who committed a bad penalty was a terrific first step.
Now, about tonight’s game. Kentucky is in that, “We should beat them,” category. But this game won’t be easy. The Wildcats have won four of their last five and beat Auburn (21-14) by the same margin as Georgia (31-24). They’re averaging over 200 rushing yards per game and the defense, while not great, is among conference leaders with 13 interceptions. They’ve also committed about half as many penalties (46) in 10 games as the Dogs (89).
So here we go. Let me know what you’re looking for tonight and I’ll be back shortly.
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2,054 comments Add your comment
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:29 pm
Jeff Baylie is A redhead and she will be in a wheelchair. Go to Junkyard blog and see the article of the fan of the week and there is a picture of Baylie and Cuz’s ex-wives as he likes to call them.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:29 pm
Big Bad Johnny
yea free country so why don’t you contribute to your own blog
oops I forgot nobody cares about Tech thats why there’s only two people ever on the Tech blog and never a sell out at BOBBY DUDD HIGH FIELD
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:29 pm
You are a good Jacket POAD.
But who didn’t know that?
BIG BAD JOHNson
November 21st, 2009
6:29 pm
ajc
…..GT-Clemson in ACC Title Game
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:31 pm
Hey I just saw the ghost of UGA VII taking a dump on Grant High Field
Chipped Tires
November 21st, 2009
6:32 pm
Why no mascot at this game. Poor planning and no back up plan. This sports program and football team cannot make adjustments……
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:33 pm
Big Bad Johnny
I just heard they are paying tech fans to show up at the ACC championship game. Maybe now Tech might fill a stadium
Its CJ Spiller Time
November 21st, 2009
6:33 pm
Clemson Plays MEAN D!!!!! # 1 in forcing 3 and outs in the nation!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:33 pm
Thanks 45ACP it is all talking Crap in Fun. I really am sorry Baylie didn’t get to get a Pic with UGA VII In her lap.
big dawg 89
November 21st, 2009
6:34 pm
pi$$onadawg, i wouldn’t say he was ugly, be he didn’t seem to be in great health. always kinda just laid there, and yes, he was a lil overweight. well, maybe a lot….
Not Disappointed!
November 21st, 2009
6:34 pm
<————- Tech Fan here! ……."Evening All.
Howdy Jeff, POAD, 45ACP and others……………. "Am I Tardy for the Party?" Ramblin Wreck!
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:35 pm
Now POAD, what about those anit-freeze comments? Hmmm
Just kidding!
You got the Jack and ice ready?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:35 pm
Small Johnson We just made space in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field to bury Willie after the game.
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:36 pm
Not Disappointed! – We are just getting started!
Welcome to the party!
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
6:37 pm
hey CJ ……Play in a real conference and lets see how well you do!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:37 pm
Jack is ready and Now you have to give me credit I said UGA VII would kill himself if this season kept going the way it has. Well If Richt had fired Willie I think UGA VII would have stayed around for another year at least.
Finger N Cider
November 21st, 2009
6:39 pm
getting my drink ready here! hope Dawgs win but the Vibes are somewhat not too good!
Go DOGS
November 21st, 2009
6:39 pm
UGA LIVES ON!!!!: I’m with you, bro’. This joking about UgaVII’s death is not cute, witty or funny. It is really kind of sick.
falcon 71
November 21st, 2009
6:40 pm
better get your umbrella out Jeff its raining in Gwinett. Should have gone giggin
Not Disappointed!
November 21st, 2009
6:40 pm
Thank you 45ACP…A dawg and a gentleman………..”Who would thunk it?”
Lets beat the wildcats and then the “Old Baptist Revival Begins.”
Ramblin Wreck!
forgot my camera
November 21st, 2009
6:41 pm
4 losses already? sad
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:41 pm
45ACP what part of the world do you in? You don’t get to many games are you far away or it is just too much? Not being mean at all just asking. If you do make it to a game watch those frat boys they held that clemson boy hostage and beat him. Now it had been the Tri Delta’s I am sure he wouldn’t have called the cops. HAHAHAHAHAH
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:42 pm
Bah Humbug
The rambling train wreck from Ga Tech
He’s one hell of an janitorial engineer
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
6:43 pm
Better get out the Tums for this one………
Joe
November 21st, 2009
6:44 pm
Go cats, bury dem dogs!!! Oh, sorry, was that disrespectful??
Go DOGS
November 21st, 2009
6:44 pm
pretty good LSU Ole Miss game CBS.
Rebels = 22
Tigers = 17
9 min to go in the 4th
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:44 pm
POAD – Who do you think will win the SEC?
Gators or Tide?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:46 pm
Jeff have you had a chance to get to find BAYLIE? You need to let CUZ get on at halftime and give us bloggers an update of how their day went and is going. If not tell him POAD said HI and congrats. If not to scary give Baylie a kiss on the cheek for me.
Clay
November 21st, 2009
6:47 pm
This is crazy. Tonight’s game is huge…a win tonight locks up the SEC East #2. That’s the team that traditionally goes to the Outback Bowl. Playing in Tampa on January 1st would be an incredible way to end the season! Playing a New Year’s Day bowl game after the worst season in a decade would be a pipe dream to 98% of the programs out there. Most teams don’t get to play on New Year’s Day after their best season and our worst season still lands us in a New Year’s Day bowl game! When Tech was having decent seasons earlier this decade, they played in the Nut Bowl and on the Blue Turf. Even last year, when Tech beat UGA for the first time in 8 tries, UGA landed in a better bowl game on a better date (New Year’s Day). Get the job done tonight and let’s get ready for Tampa!
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:47 pm
Pi$$onaDawg
Thats great to hear where can I send my flowers and thank you card.
Seriously this is the first time since Jim Dummy that I will not be upset if we lose to Tech if getting rid of Willie as D coordinator is the final result
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:47 pm
TIDE i think. Ole Miss is beating LSU right now with a 5 pt lead the ball and 6 min to go
Dixon
November 21st, 2009
6:47 pm
No Joe….that was jus 7th grade humor. We understand your capacity. You will be okay.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
6:48 pm
Rebels are poised to put the dagger to LSU inside the 10 of LSU
Buckhead Bulldog
November 21st, 2009
6:50 pm
Hey Jeff- Do you and Mark have any special AJC blog for the smack talk that will be going down next week for the GT/UGA game? Could get crazy…better get your IT people to oil it up.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:50 pm
Sm Johnson You can visit as often as you want We do need another ass in a set during games. HAHAHAHA
Thanks for the memories
November 21st, 2009
6:50 pm
Let the big Dawg rest, the good die young.
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:50 pm
I like the Gators to win out.
The ACC and SEC Championship games should be good.
I like the Jackets to beat Clemson again.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:50 pm
Bah Humbug
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:52 pm
That was ASS in a SEAT sorry and I have just cracked the seal on the Jack and put ice in the glass. Could be a bad typing night. AHHAHAHAHA
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
6:52 pm
25 – 17 LSU ’s D holds to a FG 4:00 min left
Pit Bull
November 21st, 2009
6:52 pm
I’m looking for the exact same thing you are lookin for. If Richt does it. I will be totally in his corner again. Because he will be showing the leadership that he owes the Dawg Nation!
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
6:53 pm
Clay – I concur.
Chipped Tires
November 21st, 2009
6:54 pm
Im so glad I dont write too much for this blog anymore……..
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
6:54 pm
Jeff, I dont think its my last home game as defensive coordinator. maybe my last game in athens.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:54 pm
Clemson really only has Spiller to move the chains regularly. A pitch and catch here and there yes, but if you don’t kick, or punt to Clemson you basically just have to beat Spiller
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:55 pm
On the 1st day of Christmas The Ramblin Train Wreck gave to me
A new defensive coordinator
On the 2nd day of Christmas The Ramblin Train Wreck gave to me
A new Special Teams Coordinator
On the 3rd day of Christmas The Ramblin Train Wreck gave to me
New offensive play calling scheme
Its CJ Spiller Time
November 21st, 2009
6:57 pm
POAD….. You are stupid, Better watch Kyle Parker and Jacoby Ford. UGA’s QB cant hold Parkers Jock strap. Plus Clemson has a mean D…… Not a soft Willie
Athens Litter Patrol
November 21st, 2009
6:58 pm
Do not Trash the campus like last week,
Georgia Fans,
You will be arrested.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
6:58 pm
I have no fear TECH can run the ball and eat the clock making Parker have to pass too much.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
6:58 pm
Pi$$onaDawg
Could I get two more seats I have a few other Ga fans who would like to attend the mourning ceremony