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
Mark Richt
September 18th, 2010
8:29 pm
Don’t panic boys! This team will recover and make it back to Shreavport or better! I’m excited.
gss303
September 18th, 2010
8:30 pm
what happened to playaction passes with a QB like murray that can move …?
confused!
B Petrino
September 18th, 2010
8:30 pm
“Yeah, but UGA will still beat Tech.”
If it comforts you to think that after two SEC beatdowns…
But you need to start thinking about your own wretched situation, you dawgtard moron.
Sports Review
September 18th, 2010
8:31 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
dbc
September 18th, 2010
8:31 pm
I just watched the post game interview with Richt. My first takeaway is that he looks like a thoroughly beaten man. He almost seemed a bit punch drunk. I kind of feel sorry for him because I know in my heart that he wants to win. And he may someday. I just don’t think it will be at UGA. It honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see him resign at the end of the season. While we’re all ripping him – and I’ve done my fair share of ripping – we all may want to think about that. Regardless of today or yesterday, he still deserves our respect.
The truth
September 18th, 2010
8:32 pm
UGA is irrevelant. GT won a big game today.
co-nun-drum
September 18th, 2010
8:32 pm
“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).”
Jeff sounds like to me you’re making Coach Grantham’s point…
Krogunner
September 18th, 2010
8:33 pm
My early list: Chris Peterson, Dan Mullen, Bobby Petrino. Those would be my first 3 calls.
TheAntiMe
September 18th, 2010
8:33 pm
I think Georgia will win next week because Mark Richt has ordered all of the Georgia players to play next week in their lucky red panties. Kind of a red-out, so to speak.
Tom B. Stone
September 18th, 2010
8:34 pm
There’s a blue light special on rose-colored glasses on aisle five and from what I hear they’re giving free kool-aid as you leave the store…Hurry while supplies last! Look em’ over but don’t overlook em’!
Thomp
September 18th, 2010
8:35 pm
Mediocre is as mediocre does! Boy i wish were mediocre again. Those were the good old days!
Don’t forget that Coach Richt sure is a good man!
I can’t wait to watch AJ make Vandy pay! AJ tweet some more to explain why you are the most selfish Bullgog of all time but you are going to make the SEC teams pay!
MCGARITY GET RID OF RICHT IF HE CANT BEAT FLORIDA THIS YEAR
September 18th, 2010
8:35 pm
RICHT TAKE YOUR SISSY BALL BACK TO FLORIDA STATE!
P.S. TAKE BOBO THE DUMB FOOL WITH YOU!
AND PAY THE GUY WHO PUNCHED BOBO IN THE NOSE!
Why Georgia Why
September 18th, 2010
8:36 pm
I hate to admit this but i hoped for uga to lose to tech and in the bowl game last year so we’d have to address these major holes in our program. Who knows if we have the talent because in most tough games we get outcoached! Just today, no short route available on a key late 3rd down where all we needed was to move the chains! And sending the safety to the weak side when we needed to contain on that last play! Last but not least, offensive playcalling that I can predict what we’re running offensively 9 out of 10 times (and I’m a woman for goodness sake)! It hurts more that the boys actually played hard and still lost but there’s no amount of talent that can overcome coaching that repeatedly leaves you out of position to make a play. I can’t believe I’m typing this but Arkansas, seriously Arkansas, called better plays hands down!
MCGARITY GET RID OF RICHT IF HE CANT BEAT FLORIDA THIS YEAR
September 18th, 2010
8:37 pm
HOPE YOU CHURCH GOING PEOPLE PRAY TOMORROW AT CHURCH THAT MARK RICHT AND BOBO GETS FIRED ON MONDAY!
Rosezeee
September 18th, 2010
8:37 pm
Hey I think this is brilliant – – – – lets go it on 4th down on our own 30 IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
We’re down by 7 and cant given them the ball back with a short field – except, of course, if we dont make it.
Man am I smart
icedawg
September 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
Being a coach ain’t no picnic for sure. You’ve got a million experts looking over your shoulder. But the record speaks for itself. Apart from the Green-Shockley years this train has not had much momentum. Even the Stafford-Moreno years were underachieving. The coaches can draw up the plays but they can’t play them. The talent bank is lacking.
Thomp
September 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
In McGarity we trust! Tough to have to walk into this mess! Greg don’t accept this crap…
stendek
September 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
Best Major College Football Team In Georgia Mans Up…
http://stendekk.wordpress.com/gritty-jackets-upend-host-north-carolina-30-24/
MCGARITY GET RID OF RICHT IF HE CANT BEAT FLORIDA THIS YEAR
September 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
GOOD OLE CHRISTIAN MAN IS HATED NOW! SAINT MARK!
Rosezeee
September 18th, 2010
8:39 pm
RICHT AND DOE DOE
What a train wreck!
college is forever
September 18th, 2010
8:40 pm
http://www.collegelunchboxes.com There is good news and bad news. First the good news, the Women’s Tennis team won six singles matches on Saturday, and the Women’s Soccer team beat the College of Charleston 3-1 on Friday night. The bad news is that the Football team really sucks bad.
Aiken29801
September 18th, 2010
8:40 pm
Boo-hoo hoo, After the loss to Carolina, all you bunch of nuts could say was, we needed AJ Green, we’ll spank The Razorbacks, we’re OK. Shoot Georgia wasn’t very good last year even with that bum Green. Go home and whine some more and by the way……… have a nice season.
Tech Sucks
September 18th, 2010
8:41 pm
Rough game to be at. How many times can you sit in Sanford stadium and watch the opposing team come down the field in like 1 minute or less and win the game.
Arkansas
LSU
South Carolina
Auburn
I’m seriously tired of it.
MCGARITY GET RID OF RICHT IF HE CANT BEAT FLORIDA THIS YEAR
September 18th, 2010
8:41 pm
SUFFER KARMA REDNECKS,STOP BEING SO EVIL!
You're all fairweather fans
September 18th, 2010
8:45 pm
Quit with the fire Mark Richt whining! Richt has done great things for the program, Grantham is new. Give Richt til the end of the season.
Bobo has been the common denominator for the past several years. The first several years of Richts tenure – it was our DEFENSE that kept us in games. The last two to three years we had some good offensive players but were very PREDICTABLE. Now we have a young new defense, and a new quarterback in the same predictable scheme.
Bobo is the one that’s on the hot seat.
Rosezeee
September 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
Man are we stout at the line of scrimage. Love the way we dominate both sides of the ball.
ad
September 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
Someone needs to teach Ealey how to block and protect his QB.
NO BODY YOU KNOW
September 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
No big fan of the ACC but (Clemmons) seems to be kicking the big bad SEC Auburns but. I like it because I would like to see the conference(ACC) get more competitive.
Rosezeee
September 18th, 2010
8:48 pm
Now this is a brilliant man:
http://www.georgiadogs.com/allaccess/index.html?media=195765
Dawg Tell
September 18th, 2010
8:49 pm
We have become a 2 tier team in the SEC and going down lower than that.Our program is not important in the SEC anymore and has the direction of becoming the laughing stock of the nation.I do feel for Richt,but he brought this on himself for actions taken the last five years.Our recruitment of players shows we have a big problem in this area. Both in judging talent and the overall character of the player. He(Richt) has lost all control of the football program. He will resign or be replaced at he end of this season.
Carlton Smithee
September 18th, 2010
8:49 pm
Somebody please teach Washon Ealey how to block!
FORTUNATE segment of the populace
September 18th, 2010
8:50 pm
`
I wanted UGA to be part of the
” Jeff Schultz Bounce Back Week ” and it did’nt happen.
Losing to Petrino hurts even more.
Taco
September 18th, 2010
8:53 pm
Dawgs will be fine. They are playing very close to their historical performance. This has never been a 1st teir program and the sooner the fans realize this all will be good in the world. It will reduce stress. Mediocrity is where UGA came from and where they have returned. I just thought it would take longer. I guess all the jail time pushed the clock forward.
dan
September 18th, 2010
8:53 pm
We’re a program with no identity, focus, or confidence and that’s frustrating to watch. I liked the way the guys fought today, and because of that I think they will eventually break out of this funk. But it just seems like this team is trying too hard to figure out how to win. This is the equivalent of a slump in baseball. They just need to settle down, take what the other teams give them AND play smart. The foundation of any good team is strong fundamentals. In the past UGA could get by with sloppy play because their talent could carry them to victory, but not anymore. If this team goes 6-6 because of bad fundamentals then this coaching staff needs to go.
Sickdawg
September 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
Dawg fans Get use to it CMR isn’t capable of coaching in SEC
Great OC, but cannot handle head coach job that has become obvious
This year is a bust. One more year to get rid of the current staff
At least 4 years to rebuild if they can. Dawgs are doomed to less than average team for next several
years
Saw it coming
September 18th, 2010
8:58 pm
All spring and fall, every coach harped on Murray “protecting the ball.” No interceptions! The kid’s going to be a good QB but right now he’s scared to throw unless the receiver is wide open. That’s a coaching problem. They’ve taken his confidence away and made him afraid to take chances. So, he gets sacked six times.
PorkOpine
September 18th, 2010
8:58 pm
Time to die Schultz! How do you like the “piggies” now you loser?
OldBo
September 18th, 2010
9:01 pm
Hey Krogunner, I don’t think I would call “cut and run Patrino”
for nothing. I’d be looking up S. Spurrier’s number. Yes, he is a
real A—– but he can out coach most of the coaches that’s around
now.
Bobby Petrino and Ryan Mallet
September 18th, 2010
9:01 pm
Suck it dog fans. 20,000 of you weak ass ‘fans’ left in the 3rd quarter. Yall should have known you cant hang.
Your tears are delicious
Dan
September 18th, 2010
9:04 pm
In the NFL the test for keeping a HC is whether you think he can lead your team to a Super Bowl championship – for most college programs the bar realistically is set lower (winning the conference championship for most programs)
The SEC is different for the top programs = Georgia aspires to be measured against Alabama and Florida, which means Georgia presumably either sets winning a NC as the standard or should concede that standard is unrealistic
Since UGA presumably does not concede it should not be competing for a NC, ask yourself if Mark Richt’s career path at UGA is on that trajectory – I bet the new AD is
Ed
September 18th, 2010
9:05 pm
UGA, bulldogs have been average for about two or three years now you guys just didn’t want to accept it or address it…. South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn and a few others have gotten better over the past couple of years….. All you get from the bulldogs is excuses, the coach doesn’t have a clue anymore, just look at the other SEC coaches at the football powerhouses he’s not even in their class.You have an average team because you have an average coach, and I give you a couple of years before you figure that out too!
BobDawg
September 18th, 2010
9:06 pm
… I like what “SteveW” and “Knockahoma have said….. as this team will improve, grow up by years end…. Maybe it needs to be just the TEAM now and let the fans jump off the train at the next station…. as for me… I will be going to Starkesville……
WHO ELSE IS GOING???? WHO ELSE IS GOING???? WHO ELSE IS GOING?????
AtlantaNativeInDC
September 18th, 2010
9:07 pm
3 win season….oh well..LOL
BobDawg
September 18th, 2010
9:08 pm
…BTW…. Clemson is putting a big time whooping on Auburn and all of their 5 Stars….. so Dawg fans… who are you gonna hire that will do a better job?? and how can you be sure????
See ya’ll in Starkesville…..
Douglas
September 18th, 2010
9:11 pm
I’m a UGA alumni and it’s funny how UGA fans kept criticizing UT for its hire of Dooley. But you know what: his UT teams look a lot better prepared than UGA’s teams. Vince always had his teams prepared — looks like his son is taking after him. UT may lose but it will not be because the coach has not prepared them. I think he will end up being a winner. He has good assistant coaches and he is a heckof a recruitor.
Eddie Haas, Bob Weiss, and Dan Henning
September 18th, 2010
9:12 pm
Just to be contrary . . .
Why I hold out some hope (and none of this is to deny the o-line problems, the defensive lapses, the questionable play calling, etc.)
1. Penalties way down, especially moronic personal fouls (that will pay off sooner or later)
2. What Lattimore and Mallet have done to UGa the last couple of weeks they’ll do to a lot of other teams this year, too – we’re not losing to chumps.
3. We’re in it right up to the end.
4. Despite the hysteria here, these coaches have a good track record.
5. A.J. is coming back.
The end is NOT near.
sawdawg90
September 18th, 2010
9:13 pm
There are some people on here that are poor excuses for DAWG fans!! Yes, we had some growing pains with the newbie QB today. Yes, we definitely blew coverage on two HUGE passes that were TD’s. But, at the end of the day I still bleed RED and BLACK for my alma mater!! For the rest of you yahoos that are ready to throw in the towel……all is not lost because as of yet there is not a beast in the east division. Gators still look vulnerable as does everyone else! As always in the SEC, you don’t know what you are going to get from week to week! GO DAWGS!!
Wallydawg
September 18th, 2010
9:13 pm
Mike Bobo’s playbook; #1, everybody go deep. #2 Run up the middle for no gain.
The Thin Guy
September 18th, 2010
9:13 pm
For enough money you could get Lame Kiplin and his hot wife. As long a Richie Rich keeps beating Tech he can be The Top Pooch for as long as he wants.
B. Thenet
September 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
Yeah, ol coach Dooley had UT ready for the 2nd half vs. Oregon…..right.
The last time the UGA secondary looked this bad, Kirby Smart was missing assignments and tackles in the backfield,