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
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
7:41 pm
paul, no, weis doesnt want me upstaging him.
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:42 pm
go dawgs beat UK
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
7:42 pm
del, i was intending to leave uga until damon begged me to stay.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:43 pm
What did UGA start with this uniform crap? I mean ohio state and Fla. state whats up with that?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:43 pm
Jeff Noron I know you have always done your job great and jour boss always gave you a pat on the back for what you did. YEA right. Jeff makes people talk and that is HIS JOB you MORON.
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:43 pm
wiess is gone, urban takes his dream job, tebow is gone, ding dong the witch is dead….
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
7:44 pm
there once was a guy named mark
who liked to coach in a park
when things went bad
it was awfully sad
the fans said coach youre a lark
Norton
November 21st, 2009
7:44 pm
Damnit. I told thouse guys not to drive,ever! Was that flag against us again? The dog up and died? Dag gumit
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
7:45 pm
cant think of a thing that rhymes with schultz
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:45 pm
CMR on the hot seat?
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:45 pm
have a little respect, UGA VII, damn good dawg
jesse james
November 21st, 2009
7:45 pm
I just heard on CBS, that they are sure the first ND call will go to Urban. They think with Tebow and Spikes leaving that Urban may run like a Chicken. Oops, I’m sorry Gamecock fans.
icedawg
November 21st, 2009
7:45 pm
This just in, Tebow converts to Roman Catholicism and gets to play 4 more years, transfers to ND to join the new coach Urbane Meyer
Delbert D.
November 21st, 2009
7:46 pm
Weis is getting sooo much disrespect from the ND fans.
They are calling him Coach Tub O’Lard.
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:46 pm
icedawg, works for me….bye bye urban, see ya
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 21st, 2009
7:46 pm
Run the friggin Ball!!!Let’s go!!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:46 pm
AMG you could be right. I am glad I don’t have to pull for BAMA you kick a Dawgs butt in the SECCG. HAHAHHAHAHAHA. Nice to see a UGA fan would pull fo Clemson that is too funny. 42-24-2 Tech vs Clemson I ain’t scard of no Camo wearing DABO.
UGA VIII.5
November 21st, 2009
7:47 pm
How does one do decimals in Roman numerals?
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:47 pm
come on dawgs, win this one for UGA VII
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:48 pm
DAMN GOOD DAWG DAMN GOOD DAWG DAMN GOOD DAWG
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
7:48 pm
Okay, the empty dawg house did it.
I nrrd a tissue.
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
7:48 pm
need
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
Willie Martinez: Bolts, Holtz, Colts, Orange – no wait, not orange.
UGA VII.4 — Which I guess means the Romans didn’t invent decimals. So that’s one thing.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
48-24-2 sorry I miss typed. that will start happening more as we hit halftime.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
Hey CUZ !!!! HOPE BAYLIE is havin the time of her life!!!!!!!
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
hey Pi$$, you better be scared, clemson looked damn good today…
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
Great Bob Davie as tonights ESPN color commentator
I just can’t wait to hear what thoughtful insights of another one of ESPNS loser coaching lineups has to say
hunker down
November 21st, 2009
7:50 pm
Here’s the latest on the new UGA:
For the University of Georgia’s beloved English bulldog mascot UGA VII, who died of a heart attack Thursday,, a replacement has been found – however fans of the Bulldogs are not happy.
About 100 mourners silently watched Uga VII’s body was laid to rest at Sandford Stadium, unaware that a replacement had already been christened Uga VIII.
Unfortunately, due to a poor telephone connection a Bullfrog will be the new mascot of the Bulldogs – forcing many to consider a name change for the Football team.
“What happened was that I called a pet shop and asked for a Bulldog – but the line was bad and anyways they sent a Bullfrog!” said Georgia president Michael Adams. Uga VIII is indeed a Bullfrog.
He’s a good one though.
Adams continued “Uga is a very powerful symbol of strength and tenacity, this new animal will be a unifying element for the entire Bulldog, I mean Bullfrog, Nation.”
Georgia fans though say that they do not want to be represented by a frog and are angry.
“It don’t sound right” said one fan, Matthew Mckunty of Athens “I ain’t saying ‘Sic ‘em, Uga. Ribbett! Ribbett!”
Adams though says fans won’t know the difference after a few drinks.
“We are going to dress him up in the outfit and drag him around on a bit of rope – lets not make a big deal out of this – I think Georgia Bullfrogs sounds good – forget Bulldogs. We are the Bullfrogs now.”
Delbert D.
November 21st, 2009
7:50 pm
Is Oklahoma now the best 5-loss team?
willie martinez
November 21st, 2009
7:50 pm
ok, thought is was shuultz phonetically.
UGAVIII.5
November 21st, 2009
7:50 pm
maybe I’m supposed to sign my name UGA VIII.i
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:51 pm
OK, football time . . .
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:51 pm
HAVE A DRINK for me too for UGA VII 45 ACP. I will make fun on the blogs but all my dogs are buried above the pond under a huge oak tree.
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:51 pm
go dogs!
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:51 pm
fabris is a TOOL
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:51 pm
What kind of kick was that
bugsquacher
November 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
ok bobo, run the ball, run the ball, run the ball
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
I guess Stoops is getting out coached a lot.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
Willie has made adjustments look out Tech your next
Delbert D.
November 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
Bob Davie was excommunicated by Notre Dame, remember. He can soon use his 2 successors’ failures as buffers to his ego.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:53 pm
Why do the coaches dont want to kick the DAMN ball?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:53 pm
2 and 3 RUN the F….ing ball and new 1st down.
icedawg
November 21st, 2009
7:53 pm
Reedeep, reedeep, reedeep
buzzDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:53 pm
Kickoff questionable but defense looks good in the first series.
icedawg
November 21st, 2009
7:53 pm
or should it be kneedeep, kneedeep, kneedeep?
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:54 pm
rub your head willie for good luck like those rock petters at klimpson
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:54 pm
I want to drop back 7 yards deep and fo for 3 yards when I am 10 yrds from the marker. 3 yards on second down you run the ball and go again
45ACP
November 21st, 2009
7:54 pm
Delbert – I have been busy all day.
Did Oklahoma lose again?
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm
I think I just saw a cat marking UGA’s house.
Delbert D.
November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm
The Gators beat Florida International Airport 62-3.