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
Chuck
September 18th, 2010
11:10 pm
Not too long ago, Georgia got rid of a good defensive coach, but Georgia appears to not be able to recruit the best defensive players anymore. Plus, the coordinator had a Latino name so he had to go-Bo Bo got a pass.
Year after year, no title for Rich and company.
It is so entertaining when the Bulldogs lose, people crying and lamenting what the rest of the country already knew.
Georgia is overrated.
nolabigdawg
September 18th, 2010
11:11 pm
Hey Jacket Nation,
When was the last time that happened?
And WreckManiac,
So where does that put the ACC? Tell about the big wins of the powerhouses of the ACC.
dawgfan
September 18th, 2010
11:12 pm
This just makes me sick. Richt is the face of Georgia football be he simply isn’t getting it done anymore. If you’re looking for some 2007-style miraculous turnaround this year it isn’t happening. That 2007 team had no business losing to anyone that year anyway. That’s the thing. Its always something. We can never put it together for a full 14 game season. It happened once in 2002 but that was a loooong time ago.
HORACE LEDBETTER
September 18th, 2010
11:12 pm
Do any of ya’ll remember back in 1980 how we won the national championship? Our boys sure fought hard and we won. We beat a good Notre Dame team with Mr. Hershel Walker leading the way. I watched every game and have always been a GA Bulldog fan. We will be back, just wait and see.
Fire Richt
September 18th, 2010
11:13 pm
I was looking forward to college football season but Richt’s girly-boys have messed that up.
BOBBY JACKTARD
September 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
Remember: tell your friends about the BLACKOUT for the Tennessee game. I love you. GOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
11:15 pm
I wish I had some of yall’s optimism. Our safeties look dazed and confused on every play (watchout for that play action fake). Our def. line is out of shape (per SC running back), and the off. line doesn’t know what they are doing (quote from Boling), and our starting running back had a crucial fumble in one game and a couple of lookout blocks in the game today that killed us.
sandyspringsjacket
September 18th, 2010
11:15 pm
Where have all the 4 and 5 star recruits gone?
jackete keep winning with our 3 stars? Star ratings are overrated, its about coaching and heart.
Although THUGA coaching is really pretty bad!
DaltonDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
The play calling and time managment was ridiculous on Georgia’s last possesion. No way should Ark. have got the ball back with about a minute to play and 2 timeouts. Simply keep the ball on the ground and make them use their timeouts and hope for a fieldgoal opportunity as time ran out. The worst thing that should have happened would have been overtime. COACHES YOU LET YOUR TEAM DOWN.
Chucky Dowdle
September 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
“Coach Richt,how does 4 consecutive top 5 recruiting classes translate into a 1-2 team ?”
Reality Check
September 18th, 2010
11:18 pm
It’s time to just face it fellas. Your Georgia……
The most underachieving program in the history of the SEC. Think about it. It’s the truth.
mariettadawg
September 18th, 2010
11:18 pm
Richt did not lose this game, Washaun Ealey had a lot to do with losing this game. Two pathetic blocking attempts, both resulting in sacks, stopped two critical UGA drives. The last sack almost cost Murray his head. That, coupled with last weeks goal line fumble, means that Ealey needs to take a seat until he’s ready to get serious. Richt needs to take over the play calling again; Bobo is doesn’t have what it takes. I have always liked CMR, but current times call for drastic measures. His job depends on it.
hmmmmm
September 18th, 2010
11:18 pm
when does basketball season start…
Mike
September 18th, 2010
11:19 pm
Right on new blood
Gary
September 18th, 2010
11:20 pm
The competition’s blog sure doesn’t view Richt as negative as the AJC writer named Jeff.
http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=361981.0
slick
September 18th, 2010
11:20 pm
Well, there’s always recruitin’ season!
nolabigdawg
September 18th, 2010
11:20 pm
Wallydawg,
Why not have some optimism? What is the alternative? These kids are young and will improve. Again, it is just football. If you let a kid’s game control your emotions….well I think you know the answer to that.
All DAWG fans, let’s stay positive, and show that we will always be proud DAWG fans, win, lose or draw!!
IT’s time to HUNKER DOWN
Chucky Dowdle
September 18th, 2010
11:22 pm
“Glad to interview you today Sir Richt. The Dawgs came up short. The coaching was magnificient. I have no idea why we lost, must be bad calls from the referees ? Loran Smith has a good deep voice. I see why he’s a valuable asset to UGA. The coaching was superb. Let’s just blame the loss on Larry Munson leaving. The offense and defense played well. Did I mention the coaching was great ?”
sandyspringsjacket
September 18th, 2010
11:23 pm
A trip to Shreveport this year will look to the Dawg nation.
I really hope it’s warmer in Miami this year when the Jackets arrive for the 2011 Orange bowl.
DIZZY DOGG
September 18th, 2010
11:24 pm
Can somebody tell me why we are hunkerin down? Oops, I might have done a stinky, sorry bout that. My bad.
Wait Till Next Year
September 18th, 2010
11:25 pm
Get ready for another long trip back from Jacksonville next month. We’ll even lose to a weak Florida squad at this rate.
Nobodys Somebody
September 18th, 2010
11:25 pm
BOBO THE CLOWN BLOWS ANOTHER ONE. BETTER WISE UP CMR.
Mark Richt
September 18th, 2010
11:26 pm
Yes we lost to the Hogs today. However, on the bright side, did everyone notice my deep dark tan? Well guess what? I did not have time to hit the tanning booth this week so I had Bobo give me one of those spray-on tans! Son-of-a-gun….its hard to tell the difference. I may go spray-on the rest of the season! By the way, next week ain’t looking too rosy for Ms. State……just saying.
dawgster
September 18th, 2010
11:27 pm
Right now if i had to make a prediction on the rest of the season based on what the dawgs have done to this point..i wouild say toss-up at Miss State, win over Tenn at Home,(and thats being very brave), a win in colorado, but will not be easy…win against Vandy, loss to Kentucky, Florida,Auburn and toss-up against Tech….Lets see maybe 7-5 or best 8-4…I’m usually not this negative, but i am so frustrated with the Offensive Coaching staff….We are not using weapons that we have and the play calling at times is absurd…I know the players have to execute, so don’t give me that, but the bumbling play calling or whatever you want to call it is mind boggling…Maybe when AJ comes back things will improve…I’m going to say this one more time tonight…Why are we not using the talented tight ends that we have…O. Charles can line up as a tight end or receiver but he gets not one ball thrown his way, now maybe some of that is the reads that the QB has, but i played this and coached this game long enough to know you can get your tight ends involved, especially with the talent we have…
Gary
September 18th, 2010
11:27 pm
Georgia looked better tonight, and gave a good effort, even to the last play, just bounced out of Marlon’s hands, what can you say. Defense stopped the run, which was a good adjustment after the SC game, offense ran the ball better and scored a lot more points than last week. Branden Smith was out,so they picked on Cummings a lot, which was smart, they didn’t burn Cuff 1 time. Rambo did great. Houston got burned on the wheel route.
Murray ran the ball 14 times and got sacked 6 times instad of throwing the ball quickly for 20 wasted plays–that was the story of the game.
BUZZ ME
September 18th, 2010
11:28 pm
what’s the matter little dawgies…tough enough to get arrested…just not tough enough to win football games HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AJ Greed
September 18th, 2010
11:28 pm
I is AJ – I dont give dam what u thank – cause I is the Sh*t – Eyes almost like GT song where they say “to hel* wit Georgia” – cause I will be a mult-mellionaire in abt 6 mths. then it will be “to hel^ wit UGA” Now back to my Twitter.
Chucky Dowdle
September 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
“Mark, your team does just like you say on those Ford commercials, they Finish The Drive.”
nolabigdawg
September 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
sandysprings,
getting a little ahead of ourselves aren’t we? Lord you must be the most deluded, immature little man on the planet.
I really feel sorry for you. Sad, Sad, Sad!!
Gary
September 18th, 2010
11:31 pm
Really hurt having so many key guys out, Chapas out–hurt the running game, King out hurt the running game and pass pro, AJ out hurt the run & passing game. When you have your starting fullback, rb, and wr out, hard to score points. Guys put up 24, not bad considering that.
monkey says
September 18th, 2010
11:33 pm
coach smith…i really hope you are not a real coach…if you are then you must be one of those guys who hands out trophies to everyone and does not keep score so the kids will not get their feelings hurt.
This display in the last 8 games of the SEC is pathetic, and now being 5-6 against the SEC East teams is even more pathetic. If UGA finishes 6-6 or 7-5 it would be a miracle.
Goff's Ghost
September 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
We need to support these players. They CHOSE to come to UGA and play football. Maybe we just need some motivation. Why not bring back the black helmets and see what happens? It can’t get any worse. I’m hoping Kentucky and Vanderbilt don’t embarrass us. Again.
JacketNation
September 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
SteveW….your sorry mutts couldn’t have beat UNC even with the 12 players missing. So, don’t bash Tech for doing something you can’t do. Looking forward to November and bringing back a lot of the hedges! LOL
Porky Pigg
September 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
I just watched a replay of the game again…..and same results……UGA lost this time too. Get used to it rednecks…..gonna be a looooooooooong season over in slum-city Athens.
Chucky Dowdle
September 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
“You gonna ask for a raise Mark ? Based on your 1-2 performance I think you are due another half million.”
nolabigdawg
September 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
It’s no use. The inmates are running the asylum
Monkeysays, you are one stoopid monkey.
I’m out, the rest of you gentlemen and technerds try and get some sleep
Dr. Phil
September 18th, 2010
11:37 pm
Murray showed some toughness. It is tacky of Boo Boo to call him out in the media. Murray is lucky he wasn’t maimed. There is no question that Green would have made a difference in both losses, but stop defending him. He’s an idiot. He let the team down, and he is angry about being caught. Richt, as usual, is clueless. He has produced a group of very talented, entitled individuals who behave as they please. There will be more disappointments.
Chucky Dowdle
September 18th, 2010
11:37 pm
Ealey played outstanding. The MVP of the game wouldn’t you agree, Mark ?”
Apostle
September 18th, 2010
11:39 pm
Face it,Bobo is not up to being an SEC OC.A QB coach maybe,but that is it.It wouldn’t surprise me if they lose to Miss. St. next week.They may end up 6-6 when all is said and done.Changes are needed!!
BOBBY JACKTARD
September 18th, 2010
11:39 pm
Good night grandpa. Remember the BLACKOUT for the Tennessee game. WOOOOO. I’m so excited. Anybody want to get together later for some coco?
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:40 pm
“Sometimes you really don’t want what you get… The grass ain’t always greener…”
CDAWG
September 18th, 2010
11:41 pm
I disagree laying the blame on Bo Bo today. He put up 24 points and I saw Murray get a little more freedom. He did stand in the pocket too long a few times. The problem today belongs to the “D”
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:42 pm
“Georgia is currently ranked # 92.”
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
nolabigdawg:,
umm, our offensive line are all Seniors and Juniors. They aren’t young and they aren’t learning a new system. What’s their excuse?
JacketNation
September 18th, 2010
11:45 pm
UGAG fans talk smack on our Tech blogs all the time. You can dish it out, but you can’t take it. You’re team is worse than average….you’re in last place where you belong!
Tron Jackson
September 18th, 2010
11:45 pm
Speed kills and this team has none. 6-6 or 7-5 (if they get very lucky)
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:47 pm
“I’m picking Idaho State in a upset.”
Ray Goff
September 18th, 2010
11:48 pm
Hey guys you need to leave me out of this mess. Just calm down and drop by your nearest Zaxby’s for some chicken fingers.
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:48 pm
“Face it folks, if you’re watching the same effort I’m watching this UGA team will be lucky to finish 2-10.”
DIZZY DOGG
September 18th, 2010
11:49 pm
Who’ll be upset? I don’t care.