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
babstolstoy
September 19th, 2010
12:33 am
I know I’m one of a thousand but its good to see ya’ll suck. Gravity does indeed kick in given enough time. Now if only Saban can get caught with a boy scout or cheerleader then all the world will be in its proper orbit, that is until the next gravatational shift comes along, but for the time being, and you dawg fans know its true, you guys are on the short end of fate and karma’s stick, Enjoy and WAR EAGLE., we are going to kill you guys and you know it. I’ll be behind the goalpost in the visltors end liquored up when it happens if you want to look me up. You’ll know me by my idiotic smirk. Good luck with lowly Miss. St. you red clay Georgia red necks.
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:33 am
Sean Just messing with you. You are a true fan though. UGA needs those right now. I think .500 would be more realistic. I saw UT, UF and Auburn all today. They are not what they usually are but they are so much more physcial than UGA. I just do not see them beating them and KY, Co., and Miss St on road. It will be tough.
Sean
September 19th, 2010
12:34 am
It’s called optimism folks. Try it some time.
dbc
September 19th, 2010
12:34 am
Gruden with John Daly as OC — forget silver britches, fuscia and puke green madras folks.! Let’s get some beef on the line, says John. Big bellies are cool! Hopefully his wife will only stab those who don’t perform. Run for your life Rambo!
B Tush
September 19th, 2010
12:35 am
Stupid idea to close in the stadium and block the view from the railroad tracks. Never went back for a game but did catch the b-52’s at the 40 watt club.
Toothless Dawgs
September 19th, 2010
12:35 am
Finish The Drive ! Does that mean fumble now ?
Rest of the SEC
September 19th, 2010
12:36 am
Please keep richt. He is a fine coach whose players take after him with good Christian living- never mind the 42 arrests since 07 are the 8 or 9 arrested since march. And he is a great coach on the field in recent years. Never mind 10-10 in the sec east over the last 4 years or continued blowout losses to Florida, UT, the blackout embarrassment, or going 2-6 against the sec in the last 8 games. He is still a great coach. Please dawg fans. please keep him. Please
dbc
September 19th, 2010
12:36 am
Alright, now I’m slaphappy like CMR. Disregard that last comment. Off to bed. Dreaming of 3rd and 4, ball on the 50, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:37 am
No Gruden with Jaws as OC and Tureco as DC
Hunker down
September 19th, 2010
12:37 am
Get ready for the cow bells
LostDawg
September 19th, 2010
12:37 am
Where is the leadership and passion?
aladawg
September 19th, 2010
12:38 am
Blue, you are so right it looks like Richt has ordered Grantham to go easy on the poor boys. Man when Richt became the head coach I started thinking NC are coming hell, we are national chumps. Bobo is the worse OC in the SEC. Hell, I am not that much football savy but even I can predict the plays Bobo will call. I am like the other fans sick and tired of loosing. And it is the same o same o with the penalties. This team is not coached very good plus some of the fault goes to the players such as Elay and his blocking and Rambo allowed another receiver get past him. Damn I am rambling I am just so sick of our program.
Georgia Tech
September 19th, 2010
12:39 am
As an average team, we take exception to the comparison. Georgia is below average right now. Oh sure, they’ll probably beat us because that’s just what they do, but big deal. We lost to Kansas.
dawgfacedboy
September 19th, 2010
12:40 am
I’ve never seen a team that not only doesn’t contest the punt but doesn’t attempt a return (majority of the time). Couple that with TERRIBLE play calling (even the tv analysts were questioning) and the complete lack of run blocking (when our QB is the top rusher by running for his life) how can we expect to win?????
Richt will get a pass for the next couple of years with a new D and an inexperienced QB but you have to consider that 10-12 in the East and 8-8 in the last 16 home games is a def. cause of concern.
You can’t coach heart. Other than the last 8 minutes of the ballgame (arkansas’ last drive exlcuded) we showed known. We won’t win another game until we can run the ball (blocking).
There is a big problem in Athens, the question is how long will we watch the ship sink?
My Dawg Has Fleas
September 19th, 2010
12:41 am
As far as the Dawgs getting a new coach. I am told the new coach in Atlanta, buyout is only a dozen varsity chili dawgs or $20 give or take a few pennies . The only man more pious than CMR, Bill “The Yellow Belly Jacket” Curry.
dbc
September 19th, 2010
12:41 am
Might I add that the most devout Christians I have known were the most dysfunctional weirdos, perverts, wife swapping, hypocritical weasels on the planet. Go to church on Sunday and then screw everyone else Monday-Friday. Just food for thought…
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:41 am
According to the NCAA crew on CBS today, Kiffin will be available soon. You never know maybe he can come back south and bring some fire- and Layla
Charles Barkley
September 19th, 2010
12:42 am
your team is turrible
Loran Smith
September 19th, 2010
12:42 am
Calm down fans. If you are a UGA fan here, return your tickets,take off your bumper stickers,burn your caps and stained t-shirts. We don’t need fair-weathered fans. We need fans that drink the kool-aid,don’t complain, and support a 6 win team.
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:42 am
dbc- are you trying to tell us something?
Shane
September 19th, 2010
12:43 am
I agree that it’s not impossible given that a lot of the SEC is looking vulnerable. We stayed in the game with the #12 & #13 teams in the country. If those were blowouts then I would say we are lost causes. Yes, no SEC Championships for us this year but a 8-4 finish is not delusional. 9-3 would be amazing and could happen (seen crazier things happen in sports) since we get AU, Tech and UF late in the season. Who knows… We MUSTwin next weekend (most important game of the season IMHO b/c of our situation) and all games leading into Jax. Given that the next 5 opponents are unranked and we get the meat of the schedule late in the season, Sean you may a point.
The bright side of life
September 19th, 2010
12:43 am
Always look on the bright side of life. At least you don’t have to play the bammers this year. That would be real, real ugly.
Jasper Thanks
September 19th, 2010
12:44 am
Richt looks similar to Gailey (in coaching and the new balding and expanding waistline style)
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:46 am
I thought I was the only one that thought he was getting pudgy
Mark Richt
September 19th, 2010
12:46 am
My clock management and timeouts are impeccable. You fans don’t see it by my expression but I actually get mad at some players, I just don’t show it. I’m CCC baby. Calm,cool,cheezy.
Delusional
September 19th, 2010
12:47 am
9-3? Wow! Amazing. 2 humiliating losses that show just how bad this team is and the dawg fans are still delusional and talking about 9-3 or 8-4. 8-4 isn’t impossible but 7-5 is much more likely and 6-6 is possible.
Delusional
September 19th, 2010
12:48 am
jasper thanks,
Richt has an expanding midsection because he is just like his offensive and defensive lines- soft in the middle
Ed
September 19th, 2010
12:48 am
“We (UF) own UGA”
You’re bragging about that? I know Florida has looked a little shaky this year, but I didn’t know your standards had lowered that much.
At this pace, you guys might catch up with UGA in the all-time series by 2020.
Brian Asselstine
September 19th, 2010
12:50 am
2020 is not really that far away
Mark Richt
September 19th, 2010
12:51 am
This is all Moreno’s & stafford’s fault. they left me hung out to dry last year and made A.J. think about all that NFL money that he sold his jersey. A.J. Green is our team pretty much on offense. I had 95 % of plays for him. Heck, he’s leaving for the NFL next year anyway.
benchwarmer
September 19th, 2010
12:53 am
Finally on page one of this blog someone stated what I believe to be the truth. Richt rode to prosperity on the strength of Donnans recruiting. And he and the Dawgs fortunes have been slipping every since. Richt acts like he has no connection with what is happening. Time for a change.
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
12:54 am
I agree with benchwarmer.
steve
September 19th, 2010
12:54 am
Bobo just looks totally clueless and confused on the sidelines. Don’t most other OC coach from from upstairs anyway? No way ARK has more talent than UGA. Out coached once again.
Sam
September 19th, 2010
12:55 am
Good analysis Shane. 8-4 is not out of the question since our toughest opponents are played late in the year. I say a win next weekend and against TN is possible. Win the other ones that we are supposed to (Vandy, Kentucky, etc) then 8-4 is plausible. The Gators haven’t impressed me yet. But they may become a force by the time Jax comes, who knows. They will probably get us this yr anyway and AU may get us as well. Win the others and I will say the season was not what we had hoped for but could have been worse. Lose 3+ more and I will just hang it up and prepare myself for next season.
benchwarmer
September 19th, 2010
12:57 am
What does it say about your program when that lieing coward that coaches the Hogs makes your staff look like little league.
Ed
September 19th, 2010
12:57 am
“At least the Kansas loss was out of conference.”
Whatever gets you through the night, JacketNation.
Gatorjaws
September 19th, 2010
12:57 am
I’ve been reading all this crap. I’m still laughing to your poor excuse for a team. Tim Tebow slapped you around for 4 years. Now Arkansas,S.C.,MSt.,Vanderbilt will slap you around. Your team is not worthy of being a rival to us. Our rivals are now FSU,Alabama, & Miami only.
benchwarmer
September 19th, 2010
12:58 am
Time to go. The reptiles are sneeking in.
This team sux...
September 19th, 2010
12:59 am
Other than the new AD, All associated to the FB program in Athens need to be fired.
Bobo is, at best, a high school coach and CMR is an FSU flunkie. He should hire Jim Donnan as his recruiting coordinator.
Mr. Positive Thinking
September 19th, 2010
1:01 am
“What does it say about your program when that lieing coward that coaches the Hogs makes your staff look like little league.”
Nothing that getting blown out by a 6-loss, Lane Kiffin-coached Tennessee team last year didn’t already say.
Jim Donnan
September 19th, 2010
1:02 am
I agree with This team sux. No wait, I love my tv job.
Gatorjaws
September 19th, 2010
1:04 am
I didn’t sneak in here. I easily knocked all the UGA fans out of the way.
John
September 19th, 2010
1:04 am
As a Bama fan observing this site, I have never seen such a defeated fan base after 2 close games against ranked opponents. 9-3, 8-4 could happen for this team because they have yet to be blown off the field by some very good teams. They kept it close against a potential Heisman candidate today and lost at the last minute. It was a great effort. Yes, there were some key mistakes but they can be easily remedied. Murray is a good QB that will improve with each game. AJ will be back in 2 weeks. Looking at the UGA schedule, it appears that the next several games should be won as they are against shaky, unranked teams. A loss to Florida and Auburn are likely, but TN and GT should be a win for the Dogs. Stop tearing down your team and just support the guys! RTR!
Delusional
September 19th, 2010
1:05 am
Gatorjaws is right. The sec is pretty much just Alabama and Florida right now and I seriously doubt either of them consider Georgia a rival and neither of them considers Georgia a long term threat as long as Richt is there. Richt did real well in the early 2000s when there was no Meyer at Florida and no Saban at Alabama. Things are different now. Dawg fans should just learn to deal with what they always were- an average 8-4 9-3 team that does okay but is not an elite national team.
Ed
September 19th, 2010
1:06 am
Now Gatorjaws, let’s not exaggerate. We beat Tebow by 12 his Heisman year. He was 2-1 against UGA as a starter.
ronnie
September 19th, 2010
1:07 am
Bobo Needs top go!!! Green should return next year because if has conscious due to his suspension. He let UGA down big time! Again Bobo need out by noon tomorrow and Coach Richt try to save his job!
Gatorjaws
September 19th, 2010
1:08 am
How much money did your university pay rivals.com to rank your recruits top five ? They must not have paid up this year and rivals had them where they should really be.
Harry Dawgsack
September 19th, 2010
1:08 am
Gator Jaws: I didn’t sneak in here. I easily knocked all the UGA fans out of the way.
With your breath?
ronnie
September 19th, 2010
1:09 am
Bring on Bolles High along with Jim Rome, Issaih Crowell and Swain and maybe we can beat someone.
Gatorjaws
September 19th, 2010
1:10 am
We got 2 recent NC’s and LSU got 2,Alabama got 1. What have you got ? Hold on,I forgot about that ancient 1980 NC.