Georgia is showing problems are deep and widespread
There are more than a few problems with Mark Richt's football team, as evidenced by a 2-6 record in the last eight SEC games.
ATHENS – It’s not about one player not being here. It’s not about playing a freshman quarterback or having a certain soft spot on the depth chart or the big, bad NCAA being out to get Georgia.
When a program sinks to lows not seen since the Ray Goff administration, it’s not an aberration.
The head coach (Mark Richt) is 2-6 in his past eight SEC games. The vaunted offensive line coach (Stacy Searels) frankly hasn’t done bupkis since his arrival, recent evidence being that his supposed top group of linemen just allowed six sacks to a projected average defense. The new defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, isn’t looking much better than the old one (Willie Martinez).
When all of those things happen, we’ve transitioned from downward trend to potential new identity. Georgia is an average team right now.
The Bulldogs lost to Arkansas 31-24 on Saturday for the first time since 1993, dropping to 0-2 in the SEC for the first time since opening 0-4 in that same season under Goff. Richt has built far more credits than Goff ever dreamed off, including two SEC titles. But there’s as much uncertainty about direction right now as ever before.
This latest loss was not devoid of positives. The Dogs displayed the kind of resolve that seemingly was missing last season, scoring two touchdowns in a four-minute span in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 24-24. But one late-game rally can’t whitewash the flaws.
The question now is: What direction do they go? Next week’s game at Mississippi State hardly is a gimme. Then comes a non-conference game at Colorado, before the Dogs return to Sanford Stadium for an emotional meeting against Tennessee and the new coach with a familiar last name (Derek Dooley).
Is there any game one can mark down as an automatic win right now?
Richt maintained Georgia continues to “get better,” but he conceded: “When we reach that peak [later this season], hopefully the games will still be meaningful. Right now it’s hard to say if they will be.”
Aaron Murray goes down for one of Arkansas's six sacks, a poor showing by the offensive line. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
It’s easier to project success when the problems are limited. Not the case here. Consider:
♦ Last week at South Carolina, the defense got ripped by the ground game. Saturday it got ripped by the pass. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. He was sacked just once (with three minutes left). Almost as disturbing: Grantham put it all on the players, seemingly accepting no blame. Quote: “Guys have to do what the calls tell them to do. If you don’t do that, that’s why there’s inconsistency. You may play for 60 plays and 54 of them you look good, but then all of a sudden you give up six explosive plays and those can override a lot of good things.”
Coach: 54 out of 60 doesn’t get it done, especially when there’s not a defender within a zip code of a receiver on touchdown plays of 57, 22 and 40 yards (the decider with 15 seconds left).
♦ The offensive line was supposed to be the strength of the team. The Dogs ran the ball better this week, but quarterback Aaron Murray was sacked six times. Some of that was Murray holding onto the ball too long, but most of it was poor protection. Searels has not lived up to his billing since leaving LSU in 2007.
Murray was knocked dizzy at times and afterward wore a bandage under his chin to cover cuts (he said from his chinstrap).
Bobo looked like a wounded soldier himself, as if he had been punched in the nose. A gash ran down the top of it, but he said he didn’t know how it got there.
“I just saw blood trickling down [in the first quarter],” he said.
Maybe it will show up on film. All of the wounds will. They’re significant, they’re widespread and there is no indication that they’re going away any time soon.
♦
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981 comments Add your comment
DEEZ NUTZ
September 18th, 2010
10:35 pm
I am proud of the Dawgz for the resolve they showed today, alot of heart it took to storm back to tie the game. Its a shame that these kids had to loose this game today. This one is all on Boo Boo. Calling a hail mary on 3rd and 4 in that situation should cost Boo Boo his job. This is a horroble play call beyond any I have ever seen.
Chuck Uga
September 18th, 2010
10:38 pm
P.S. Perhaps a losing season will bring change. I forgot to mention upcoming losses and toss-ups.
Losses:
Fla, Aub and KY
Toss-ups:
Miss State, Tenn, Ga Tech
Wins:
Colo, Vandy, Idaho St.
If I were the AD and Richt loses to Tennessee, I would fire him without any question after the season. After this season, it is going to be funny watching Derek Dooley OWN him (if he lasts that long). Tenn fought harder today against FLA than any GA team has fought in years.
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:40 pm
They will lose at Missy State. Its pretty sad when the likes of S.C.,Missy State,Ole Piss,and Vandy surpass you…
Give us something to cheer for UGA. I’m losing interest in the Dawgs games. This isn’t Bama,Texas,and Ohio Stste you are losing to. Its lowly S.C. & Arkansas. SEC doormats…
Hunker Down
September 18th, 2010
10:42 pm
The huge let down has been the dismal performance by the OL. But we are misfiring on defense as well.
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
10:42 pm
That great strategy of not having two-a-day practices is really paying dividends. I can tell that the extra time spent studying game film has been a tremendous help, especially to our secondary.
Athens Rose
September 18th, 2010
10:43 pm
Now dawgs, just surrender and you’ll be treated humanely. Your war will be over, with no more fighting in the trenches in the heat and humidity.
Surrender. You know it’s the smart play.
DEEZ NUTZ
September 18th, 2010
10:43 pm
Hey Boo Boo, I HAVE A NEW PLAY THAT YOU NEED TO CALL IN THE NEXT GAME: PLAY ACTION YOU’RE FIRED!
mayor bob
September 18th, 2010
10:43 pm
When do we ever play 4 qrts. of football….trust me….this program..under the Richt Regime is heading to the level of Vanderbilt….I watch football teams in all conferences…Washua would not start for any other SEC team….Carlton #30…is 5′2…no chance against SEC defensive front …we have 2 qrt. backs. the last 2 years that have started the season..without ever starting a game…BOBO would not be an OC in any division 1 program…no dominate players on defense….watch how Florida and Alabama..manage a football game…not coach…they are great in every area of managing the game….last time I looked their players are the same age as ours….I will not go to another UGA game…as long as Richt and BOBO are on the sideline…it’s just to painful to waste a good Saturday on watching “bad football”…Richt is the guy that red-shirted Moreno..best back we have had in 10 years…it’s get everyone together at the beginning of the 4th qrt…and do a mo speech..and then execute the worst 2 minute drill in the history of Ga. football!
Dawgdoc
September 18th, 2010
10:43 pm
The problem is lack of character. All the off season problems can be blamed on it. The coaching staff has failed to instill it or failed to recruit it. If you allow your actions to cause you to be unavailable for the team your lack of character is the underlying cause. On Thursday, May 15, 2003 the following article was published in the Athens Banner Herold Scandals By Kate Carter
University of Georgia President Michael Adams issued a strong statement Thursday in response to the latest scandal to rock the university’s athletic program.
Signaling the end of his tolerance for athletic scandals, Adams said, ”My patience, the patience of the faculty, and the patience of most of our supporters is exhausted over this continuing improper behavior by athletes. What was probably our best academic year ever is too often overshadowed by such incidents. I am disappointed and I expect corrective actions to be taken.”
Adams’s statement was prompted by the fact that nine UGA football players, including receiver Fred Gibson, sold their Southeastern Conference Championship rings. The sale of the rings violated NCAA rules, and on Wednesday UGA declared the players ineligible.
Things have not changed. The University has a Director of CHAMPS/Life Skills, Robert Miles serves as Director of CHAMPS/Life Skills Program for the Athletic Association. He is charged with preparing student-athletes for the challenges of life beyond the playing field. The focus of CHAMPS/Life Skills is on five commitments that are critical in the personal growth and development of student-athletes. They are: Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Personal Development, Commitment to Service, and Commitment to Career Development. The Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association has selected the University of Georgia CHAMPS/Life Skills program as a “Program of Excellence”. If this is the results of a “Program of Excellence” maybe it’s time we evaluate this program so that the coaches can be reasonably assured that they can play the players that that have counted on.
dbc
September 18th, 2010
10:43 pm
What’s worse is watching old Kirkie boy suck up to Brent like he is the second coming of Pat Summerall.
Wreckmaniac
September 18th, 2010
10:44 pm
Overtime between an ACC and and SEC teams ?? Is the world flat ? Auburn, win or lose, obviously sucks and FL is now proven to be a pack of pansies. Georgia is a joke. Are there any good teams in this conf other than Bama and SC and AR ?????
Wreckmaniac
September 18th, 2010
10:45 pm
Forget Arkansas. They should have been beaten today. If they had played a quality opponent they would have. The SEC conf champ game is SC vs AL.
Pitbull
September 18th, 2010
10:47 pm
RICHT NEEDS TO CALL THE PLAYS!!!!!!!!
SG
September 18th, 2010
10:48 pm
So much for “opeing up the playbook for Murray,” 6 passes in the first half! Bozo, you are a joke, my middle school coach had a better playbook than you. Bobo needs to go, now! Richt needs to go back to calling plays, for now. But, the jury is still our on CMR keeping his job though….
PdDawg
September 18th, 2010
10:49 pm
Just got back from Athens and can state unequivocally, Grantham is a complete and total sham and a fraud. If that is what passes for a relentless, aggressive attack oriented defense then I’m in a bizarro mirror universe where the meaning of those words mean the exact opposite of what I was taught they meant. That lame spread ‘em wide as wide as you can, put ‘er in reverse bend over as far as possible and take it deep in the a$$ prevent defense he called with 1:30 left in the game would embarass even weak Willie… words cannot express the shame and disgust these DC’s UGA has been employing the past twenty two years have brought to the once vaunted “Junkyard Dawgs”, I just pray some day before I die UGA hires a Head Coach with a clue who’ll hire a DC with some balls who’ll GATA once again like they did when Erk and Lewis ran the JYD when I was a student in the early 80’s, but I’m beginning to lose hope..
Raynard
September 18th, 2010
10:49 pm
No other good teams left on the schedule except what, Ga Tech (Richt’s 8-1 against those boys), Auburn (Richt’s 4-0 against the War Eagles). Florida is hurting this year. Georgia goes 12-2, finishes in the top 5.
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
10:50 pm
My memory may not be so good, but I don’t think that our offense was that great when Richt called the plays (granted it was better than it is now). I always thought that Van Gorder’s defense covered up a lot of the problems on the offense.
Beast from the East
September 18th, 2010
10:50 pm
Wreckmaniac,
“FL is now proven to be a pack of pansies”? How’s that? They haven’t played well, but they’ve managed to win all of their games. How about Tech? Lost to a bottom-rung Big12 team last week didn’t they? Had to fight for all they were worth to beat a UNC team that is missing 60% of their starters. Watch your mouth, son. UF would steamroll your second rate team!
Chuck Uga
September 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
Got to recognize the IDIOTS on this board as well. They constantly bring up Vince Dooley comparisons. Fact is, Dooley was a MEDIOCRE COACH! He would never have won a National Title without Herschel Walker. May have only won 4 or 5 SEC titles without Walker. Those “living in the past” people are what is wrng with the program. Dooley managed to finish second numerous times to Bama, but he was average himself. Unless you count wins over Vandy, Ole Miss, Kentucky and two or three non-conference patsies as superior. Give me a break. It is time to recognize the Georgia program is SECOND TIER in the SEC and will be until all the SECOND TIER management is out of the picture.
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
Richt should resign and become a preacher. We need a football coach. Someone with urgency and fire. Not Mr. Cool & laid-back.
NBA
September 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
0-2…I posted several weeks ago that they had no business being ranked in the preseason top 25. I was right. Are you just now figuring it out that they are a [below] average team?
nolalbigdawg
September 18th, 2010
10:53 pm
All of you so-called DAWG fans can kiss my big white A@%!!! This is only football. It is about playing the games and getting better. These kids played their hearts out and came up a little short. SO WHAT!! There will be another game next week!! All you “EXPERTS” calling for the firing of CMR, CMB and CTG after three games should just get over yourselves!!!!!! All the doom and gloom and whining coming from the same people who were lauding the DAWGS after the first game, makes me want to hurl. Please find some other avenue in your life in which to find some happiness, because you have completely lost all perspective. Football as in life is about competing and trying to get better.
GO DAWGS!!!
P.S. The writers posing as journalists at the AJC are just plain sad!!
Gary
September 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Jeff-
There you go again with your sensationalism.
“Deep”, “widespread” “problems”.
Give me a break.
UGA lost to Arkansas with 10 seconds left, lost to Spurrier with a minute on the clock.
UGA’s a 1:10 seconds from 3-0. Lost to 2 SEC teams on the rise that are both undefeated and amnd the top 10 in the country.
UGA will move UP in the rankings, this was a respectable loss and they made Arkansas work hard.
Wreckmaniac
September 18th, 2010
10:55 pm
Clemson proved tonight that Auburn is third rate.
Dawg555
September 18th, 2010
10:55 pm
Good for Auburn! Great game! Go SEC
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:55 pm
Auburn acts like they won a National Championship. All you did was beat unranked Clemson in overtime.
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:56 pm
Gary, got any extra weed ?
bill
September 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
Richt wanted to be a coach/ceo — and he’s done what too many ceo’s do — get rich while running his company into the ground
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
I hate Auburn.
Wreckmaniac
September 18th, 2010
10:58 pm
So the two goals now are:
1. Beat Tech
2. Avoid the Shreveport bowl.
What else is there to pull for ??
william
September 18th, 2010
10:58 pm
I just don’t get it, we are a great program, but for the past few years we just haven’t looked polished. in 07 I saw flashes of talent and saw it unfold. This year I see flashes of talent, but they they aren’t doing something right. I’m going to say it though, our fans are sucking. Every year we are calling for somebodies head, no wonder these people are playing scared. If you don’t like our team go somewhere else. You act like you deserve to win more than the coaches or the players who are actually out there. I think if we could have won this game from behind it would have been the confidence we need, but we will get one, and hell enjoy this season because win or lose we aren’t playing for the national championship so no reason to cry about it.
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
Gary, UGA never led in either game.
Biggus Piggus
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
Schultz, you are an idiot. Georgia couldn’t have been beaten by a good opponent. Something must be wrong! Petrino can’t be a good coach. Georgia must suck! You are a moron.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
SEC ref calling a game at an SEC team who didn’t see ref calls affecting the outcome. Clemson’s Int should have been a touch back. USC, Auburn, and Arkansas are not top 15 teams.
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
Watching our horribly coached team makes me want to hurl.
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
There’s 2 million reasons why I expect to win games. Ask Mark Richt, he gets that 2 million I’m talking about…
nolabigdawg
September 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
Hey Wreckmaniac, tell us about all of the accomplishments of that machine on the Flats!
In case you missed it, that was sarcasm.
Come on tell us all, about the big time football they play over in the ACC.
Alphare
September 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
UGA fans, the season isn’t over. If you can beat Florida, you will still have a decent season.
I’d say if you lose to FL again, your season is a total waste. Forget about SEC or NC, just set your goal to beat FL for the remainder of the season.
coach smith
September 18th, 2010
11:03 pm
LAZY article JEFF
If the Dogs held the ball and kicked a field goal (bad play calling Mike Bobo) everyone including you would be talking about a great win
Georgia is still very likely to be 6-2 heading into the Florida game with alot to play for
Calm down everyone, we have a BUNCH of young players and a whole new defense…..It will turn around
Aiken29801
September 18th, 2010
11:03 pm
Hey 5150 P.O.A.D. What happened to that beating Clemsucks was giving to your friends in Auburn? There’s a heap of difference in giving and gave……
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
Kinda like in racing when A.J. Allmendinger sets his goal to qualify for a race, not win one or race for the Cup ? Yeah, lower your goals now that the original goals have disappeared…
coach smith
September 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Bleeding Red
September 18th, 2010
11:07 pm
Reminds me of Meet The Fockers movie when Gaylord had all those 7th place ribbons… Let’s celebrate being sorry…
monkey says
September 18th, 2010
11:08 pm
This is what I wrote last night around midnight forseeing a UGA loss:
BY 7:15 p.m. there will be 417 uga bloggers calling for CMR to be fired, resign, quit, and of those 417, 209 will want Muschamp to be the next head coach to bring some grit and attitude back to Athens. By 3:10 a.m. a UGA player will have been booked into the Clark County Athens jail…
JacketNation
September 18th, 2010
11:08 pm
Well, the so called sissy’s of the ACC could beat the pants off the mutts!
Wreckmaniac
September 18th, 2010
11:08 pm
Other than Bama and SC, the SEC is third rate.
ct
September 18th, 2010
11:08 pm
i have never seen a team celebrate every play like they just won the super bowl like Georgia does, i think they expend more effort with their bs celebrations after simple tackles than they do playing the game..just a bunch of undisciplined thugs.
Fire Richt
September 18th, 2010
11:09 pm
Is he still here ?
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September 18th, 2010
11:09 pm
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Red Panties Rick
September 18th, 2010
11:09 pm
You don’t mean a bottom feeder ACC team beat a ranked SEC team?
*GASP*