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
The One Constant
September 18th, 2010
11:49 pm
We still have our average coach! We may not be that great with the top QB and RB taking in the NFL (two years ago); we may lose to Vandy, Kentucky and Tennessee when each of those programs are below average; we may win the Fulmer Award for most arrests now at 10% of this years team; but by Richt we certainly have our coach.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 18th, 2010
11:49 pm
Well, let’s break it down…
1. No offense or OC
2. No defense of DC
3. An arrogant and obnoxious fan base
4. An AD who gets busted with panties in his lap and DUI
5. A program who has to look to Florida for an AD
6. A program that can only live in the past
7. A program that cannot even lure a former player and DC from Alabama
8. A program that has a head coach who is more worried about how he looks in his pretentious sungalsses as opposed to winning and being intense
9. A program that has been getting worse since 1981 and only has 1 title in 117 years.
10.A program that has no clue which direction to go
Yelp, that would be UGA. By the way, has anyone seen DawginLex or AltamahDog? Crazy how this just disappear.
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:50 pm
Hey Ray, you still getting paid by UGA ? I am.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
September 18th, 2010
11:51 pm
You nuts need to lighten up on “Hit and Run” Ealey…he showed me some great sideline dancing moves….with the score tied 24-24, he hopped up on the bench and pulled some classic gansta rap moves…didn’t let a tight ballgame in the 4th quarter bother him one single bit…
Why focus on blocking assignments late in the game when you have to freedom to dance?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 18th, 2010
11:52 pm
I told you once and I will tell you again, CMR is on track to be fired from UGA within 2 years or less, then Miami will replace Shannon with CMR. You made a typical dumb Terry College move by giving CMR a long-term agreement before he really did anything.
It is like you bought Enron at $65, then it tanked to $1 the next day. You pay too much, and think you own this state, well you don’t.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
As far as Barnhart and the SEC, he has no clue. Teams of today best start focusing on teams and not conferences. I will give you that the SEC is the most powerful conference, however, all the SEC has this year is Alabama and Florida, because the jury is still out on LSU.
I love the fact that this is an off year for Florida and they are still ranked #7. Heck, UGA cannot even make the top 25 and 0-2 in the SEC.
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
I donate all my UGA severance paid money to Georgia Tech.
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:55 pm
Ray, you remind me of your defense when you coached. You dissappeared.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 18th, 2010
11:55 pm
The Ghost of Wally Butts
Are you referring to Washout Ealey? Do you remember No Show Moreno? UGA is nothing more than a group of uncontrollable thugs attempting to pick fights on the sideline. Today was a classic example of how this team is out of control.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 18th, 2010
11:56 pm
Everyone needs to pile on!!!
Ben
September 18th, 2010
11:57 pm
Stubhub Colorado tickets LOL!
Jerry Glanville
September 18th, 2010
11:58 pm
Pssst…Thug-Dawg fans…
I am tan, rested, and ready.
Brian Asselstine
September 18th, 2010
11:58 pm
After watching how physcial Auburn and Clemson played, it is plain and simple. UGA can not “Man Up” and bring the physicality you need to win in the Top 10. I said earlier that it is not the Coordinators that will lose Richt his job, it is the strength and conditioning coach that allows these top 10 recruited classes to get pushed all over the field
Jim Donnan
September 18th, 2010
11:59 pm
Michigan St. acts like they just won the NC by beating Notre Dame. What’s up with this excessive celebration ? Act like you’ve won a game before… Dang.
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:01 am
I could coach for any team in the country with my resume but I prefer doing tv & radio. Just like the great Jimmy Johnson. I’m his idol,you know ?
BOBBY JACKTARD
September 19th, 2010
12:01 am
Don’t forget – BLACKOUT for the Tenessee game. It will be sooooo cool. Who cares if we win? With all the coolness it will be like a rock and roll concert!!! I love you. GOOOOO DAWGS!!!!
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:04 am
I remember on the Bees linebackers celebrating a sack like he really had done something. I pointed to the scoreboard and smiled at him. We was kicking their nads Dawgs 34 Ga. Tech 17.
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:06 am
Excuse the previous post, I’ve been drinking ale tonight.
LOL
September 19th, 2010
12:07 am
Are tech fans really talking trash? Please. Go beat Kansas and we’ll talk. Until then your irrelevant.
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:08 am
I’m all thumbs tonight. I really am. All my fingers were severed in a horrible crocheting accident.
Sean
September 19th, 2010
12:09 am
I don’t think that our program has deteriorated as badly as many think. Yes, the last couple of seasons have been rough. Last season we had an inexperienced QB and a terrible D. This season is starting badly with a Freshman QB, struggling offense, key players out with injuries and a suspension, and an unpredictable D. I can deal with the loss today because we showed signs of wanting to win in the 4th from the offense, but fell just short. We stayed on the field and made Arky work for the win. It could have been a blowout, but we contained an explosive offense and a Heisman hopeful from running away with the game. The talent is there, they just need to work on some simple mistakes and play hard all 4 quarters. Bobo needs to reevaluate his play calling b/c it is leaving fans and analysts baffled (but not in a good way). Dawgs will not fall to TN, Colorado, Idaho St, Vandy, GT, or Kentucky. The other games could go either way. I say a 9-3 finish is not totally out of the question.
Mark R.
September 19th, 2010
12:09 am
My team lacks discipline; my team lacks control; my team is not being well-coached; my team does NOT think; my team should be and could be much better than it is; my team should be able to convert a 3rd and 4 when the momentum has swung heavily in my team’s favor. My offensive line is not what I thought it was – we only have one way to go and that’s up – hopefully.
My Dawg Has Fleas
September 19th, 2010
12:10 am
Maybe CMR can contact the big shoe company and get some brown jerseys . The Dawgs can wear them for our next home game,call it a “Brown Out”.Because the Dawgs and our coaches are not worth a S#$T right now.But as bad as it looks right now I still think the Dawgs will still be able to crap all over the Techies and ruin their season. Go you brown Dawgs!!!!!!!
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:10 am
All Dawgs fans should wear red panties on their heads to the Tenn. game in honor of their former AD.
Bottom dwellers
September 19th, 2010
12:11 am
Southeastern Standings
East Conf All
South Carolina (13) 1-0 2-0
Florida (10) 1-0 3-0
Kentucky 0-0 2-0
Tennessee 0-1 1-2
Vanderbilt 1-1 1-2
Georgia 0-2 1-2
Hunker down
September 19th, 2010
12:12 am
The point is that we were supposed to be better this year, remember???? New, blue chip QB, new DC and defense. I don’t see any improvement at all, do any of you?
Bottom dwellers
September 19th, 2010
12:13 am
Furman 19 points against South Carolina
Uga 6 points
Now that is funny!
Sick Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:13 am
We need some vitamins. Our owner isn’t feeding us right. We get scraps.
G8TR
September 19th, 2010
12:15 am
Please keep coach Richt as long as possible. After all, what’s so bad about being “average”?And remember, his road record is so excellent, too. No worries, Dawgs.
Sick Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:15 am
We got parvo from the Gamecocks and rabies from the Razorbacks. We are doomed.
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:15 am
Sean 9-3? You are a true fan. You are also obviously out drinking with Donnan tonight. You guys have fun and remember dont drink and drive.
Buford T. Pusser
September 19th, 2010
12:15 am
All is not lost Dawg Fans. At least you get to return to your minimum wage jobs Monday morning; except for those who work the midnight shift at at the convenience store. It must me a miserable life living vicariously (I know it’s a big word, you can look it up in the dictionary) through a bunch of 19-year olds. The Sheriff has spoken.
DIZZY DOGG
September 19th, 2010
12:16 am
We’re at the bottom of the SEC? Well we worked awfully hard to get here. It’s time to wake up and smell the basement.
Sick Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:17 am
We got parvo from the Chickens and rabies from the Hogs. We are doomed.
Sick Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:18 am
Why can’t we say the South Carolina team name ? Its not a bad word. Its their team name !
JacketNation
September 19th, 2010
12:19 am
At least the Kansas loss was out of conference. We’re 1=0 and you’re 0-2! LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:20 am
Our bark is MUCH bigger than our bite !
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:23 am
Sean, if you were on the Titanic just before it went down you would have cancelled your life insurance…
THEX
September 19th, 2010
12:23 am
You people are so pathetic – GO DAWGS!
Hi Christopher
(VSU)
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:26 am
If UGA fans want fire up their a$$es. One word- Gruden
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:27 am
We were defending for overtime but Arkansas was still playing that last 20 seconds…
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:28 am
We need Bill Cowher.
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:28 am
And some false teeth !
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:28 am
The only problem with Gruden would be that the kids tough enough to play for him probably would top the arrest record of Richts players.
My Dawg Has Fleas
September 19th, 2010
12:29 am
And when you lose to UGA it will also be a non-conference loss ,if you call that dump of a conference you’re in BCS worthy. Even if the bugzz win the ACC you will never play in the BCS championship game.However even with a win against the bugzz Dawg fans will be making reservations for Shreveport again this year.
Sean
September 19th, 2010
12:29 am
“Sean 9-3? You are a true fan. You are also obviously out drinking with Donnan tonight. You guys have fun and remember dont drink and drive.”
Brian: Auburn is beatable, UF is not impressive, Tech is very beatable. 9-3 is not unreasonable if we can win the ones we should (i.e. Idaho, Colorado, Vandy & Kentucky) and pull out a win against Miss St, TN, and two of the 3 aforementioned teams (which is not impossible). Extremely tough to do? Yes. Impossible? No. May likely go 8-4 but we can only dream about 9-3 at this point.
So where is Patrick Sulley tonight?
September 19th, 2010
12:30 am
Patrick,
Yo! How about that offensive line that you say is the best in the nation? 6 sacks, non existent running game against both the chickens and the pigs.
Or how about Washout Ealey who you said was better than Mark Ingram or Trent Richardson? How much has he run for in the last 2 games? Yassir, he shore looked like Heisman material to me the last 2 games.
So is Todd Grantham still the best D-coordinator in America? That looked like Willie Martinez defense out there with all the big plays given up and the pee wee tackling.
I now understand why this guy was richt’s 5th choice as D coordinator. For all his big talk, his bravado, his self hyping and and that bluster one thing is certain when its all said and done. He’s just plain terrible.
With Florida and AU looking like sure losses the dawgs are a 4 loss team right there. Tech, Miss state, UT, and Kentucky have to be considered toss up games or with the dogs very slight favorites in each except for Tech. Dogs will probably lose at least 1 of those 4 games if not 2. Best case scenario is that UGA ends up 7-5 regular season but quite possibly 6-6. Even Vandy isn’t a guaranteed win. Man it must suck to be a dawg fan.
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:32 am
We will laydown and finish 2-10. What do you expect from us ?
tt44
September 19th, 2010
12:33 am
Hey my fellow Dawg fans…Look, I didnt expect uga to win today with Mallet , however, they showed grit n 4th qtr. Several questionable plays
WERE called at critical times! This week and last week. I like bobe BUT, he dont seem to make the right calls to give our team the best chance. (reminds me of Bobby Cox, waiting on the long ball). UGA has always been able to grind out w the running game…The o line…Didnt perform well!
CMR does have his hands full, however, I truely believe every Dawg has his Day, and CMR will get this program on the winning track!
Just seems to me that, we need to get back to TOUGH SMART FOOTBALL! As I am with the Braves, Falcons….I am in your corner! Always will be too! Go Dawgs!
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:33 am
Kentucky put up 47 points today. We can score only 24 max. we are done.