Poll time: Who deserves most blame for Georgia’s offense?
Mark Richt, Aaron Murray and Mike Bobo are wondering what happened to the offense.
Before getting to the point of this blog, let me quickly weigh in on Georgia coach Mark Richt’s decision to kick Demetre Baker off the team for a DUI and underage drinking: kudos.
This isn’t to celebrate a foolish youth’s mistakes. Baker isn’t the first college kid to be involved in underage drinking and driving. But Richt’s only hope of getting through to players in his program — which has seen 10 arrests since the spring — may be a zero tolerance stance because clearly nothing else has been working.
Loading ...Baker will be fine. Public humiliation is a shock to the system but it can be good for one’s personal growth.
Now, about the Georgia offense: No kudos.
The Bulldogs were held to two field goals at South Carolina, smothered for a good part of the Arkansas game and were limited to two field goals Saturday at Mississippi State until a meaningless touchdown with 1:27 left in the game.
Pass protection has been erratic and run blocking has been poor, surprising given that the offensive line was supposed to be the strength of the team. Quarterback Aaron Murray has made typical freshman mistakes but for the most part he has been impressive. The running game has been disappointing and Kris Durham has been the lone receiver to make big plays in the absence of the suspended A.J. Green (who returns this week).
So who should take the most blame for this? Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has been the most criticized. He deserves some credit for falling on the sword in Starkville, saying: “You can’t turn the ball over, and you can’t have penalties. That’s coaching. It’s our fault.”
But by now, you should know where I stand on this: Issues always start at the top. To me, the problem is less play-calling (albeit, that’s some of it) than it is attitude and intelligence. That’s on the head coach.
Whom do you blame for the struggles? Here are some options:
♦ Richt: The Dogs did not look prepared to play Saturday in Starkville, nor have they looked well prepared in the past several SEC games (2-7 going back to last year). They often don’t play with a sense of urgency. They’re not committing as many personal foul penalties in the past but we still see too many mental breakdowns and times when they get beat physically. The head coach sets the tone.
♦ Bobo: He has been criticized for not using more high-percentage short passes in the game plan, and for a lack of creativity in the game plan. But as we’ve previously discussed in this corner, Xs and Os don’t work if a team isn’t knocking over the opponent.
♦ Stacy Searels: Either Georgia’s linemen have been way overrated or the offensive line coach isn’t coaching them up. Searels is in his fourth season in Athens. He was highly regarded when he arrived from LSU in 2007 and was believed to have been given a raise to not go to Auburn with new head coach Gene Chizik last year.
I’ll throw two other choices into the poll: All of the above and none of the above (which is a vote to blame the players).
So who takes the hit for this?
♦
SACK SCHULTZ: Dude, this contest is like totally ruining my street cred. Went 10-5 last week. At 31-14 overall. Two guys named Ills (Georgia) and Axmann (Wisconsin) lead at 39-6. I’m pretty sure they’re cheating. If you haven’t played, it’s not too late too humiliate me! Click here for details and then here to enter.
♦
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845 comments Add your comment
Billy2121
September 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
The time as come for Richt and his entire underperforming coaching staff to be fired! Richt has done nothing in the last 4 years (almost half a decade for you die hard Richt supporters) The situation we find ourselves in currently did not happen in the past 3 weeks people, the issues began way back in 2005 starting with us being 7-0 and of course once againg losing to Fl, AU and then the beatdown we experienced at the dome with WVU and it has not stopped since then. UT beadtowns, loses to USC, KY, Vandy, TN again and again, keeping Will way to long, Penatlies, off field issues to the boiling point. I could go on and on people. Mark Richt is a wonderful human being but he will and I repeat will not every win a national championship at UGA, he does not have the killer instinct to do it people, face the music!
girl know better than you
September 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
honestly I think the 19 year old kid, Baker, is the genius of them all. If I were home watching this fiasco of a game Saturday night and thinking I came to this school to win and it ain’t happening, how can I get out of this nightmare. That’s it, I will go out and get drunk and get pulled over and CMR will blame the entire mess, oh and 3 and the other 9 arrest on me and I am OUT OF HERE! whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, so long SOUTH EASTERN CHUMPS
Gatorbait 17-3
September 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
Colorado obviously is adjusted to the altitude, if they can keep it close for 3 quarters, they have a good shot at winning.
Burdell
September 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
“Mistake #6 = Not playing Murray or Metzenburger last year (I know Murray was hurt but not the entire year, if Murray continues to progress then he will leave early)”
And where exactly will Murray be going???
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
Thanks Dogfather!
Also how do UGA fans have unreal expectations?
2007- Final ranking #2
2008- Preseason #1
Apparently it was more than UGA fans who thought the program had in fact “arrived” and was ready to take the next step. This period of 10 months in the reign of CMR iswaht is destroying him right now.
He has to answer how we got from that position to were in 2010 we are winless after 3 games in the SEC.
It’s not fan expectations, it’s the coaching staffs inability to deliver results.
War Eagle!!!!!!
September 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
“Poll time: Who deserves most blame for Georgia’s offense?”
AJC sports writers who built UGA up AGAIN!!!!!!!
Les Miles Clock Management Team
September 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
We’re doing a better job than the UGA coaching staff and we can’t even tell time!
GDAWGS65
September 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
The fault does fall on Richt’s shoulders because he’s in charge. In charge? He isn’t taking “charge” of anything. He doesn’t have the guts to fire Bobo and disiplince the players. I don’t think he really cares as much as a coach should about the team winning or losing.
tony
September 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Those of you who keep saying that we will lose those top recruits because they read the negative comments about Mr.Richt, you better think again. We lose those 5 and 4 star recuits because they read the racists comments(thugs) posted by white folks. Do you people really think these young men appreciate the negative comments made towards Obama? They know Obama doesn’t have anything to do with ga football problems so why is his name being mentioned on this message board? This could also contribute to why these young men don’t play hard you. Just keep on showing disrespect toward my young black brothers and lets see how far it get you.
Will Stockdale
September 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Mississippi State just scored again….. Georgia stinks !!! hahahahaha
Matty Ice....Real Name No Gimmicks
September 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Why is Stacey Searels getting a pass in all this?!?! Is it not his veteran offensive line that is in shambles? Sounds awfully familiar to last season
Joey A
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
One of the announcers from Saturday night made a comment about BoBo referencing his play sheet. The first thing which came to my mind was that he only needs an index card to hold our plays. It has become that sad. Handoff up the middle left side. Handoff up the middle right side. Sprint draw to either side. Everybody run deep! I think that sums up our play choices. We have the most boring offense around. I understand some boring offenses are effective but ours isn’t so it just adds to the humiliation! How many times do we have to run up the middle with no gain for them to realize it isn’t working? BoBo’s play calling is suited for Pop Warner at best! What about pitching the ball to the outside? None the less, we stink! BoBo is to blame for being inadaquate! Richt is to blame for keeping him! Do you all realize, we have only scored 42 points in 12 quarters? Do the math and see what that gaudy average is per quarter! 15 of those 42 have been field goals. This is going tro be a loooooooong year! Richt has no fire! Grantham did, until Richt killed it from what I hear. We are not babysitters! I can’t stand the Strawberry Shortcake approach to coaching. Richt’s new name for me is going to be Barney. The big purple whatever who wants everyone to like him.
UGA VIII
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Someone might need to check on Russ……started 3 – 0 and look at what has happened.
Gatorbait 17-3
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Hey, take a look
Forget all the shoulda’s, woulda’s coulda’s, IF the queen had balls, she would be KING (Undefeated)
George Bush
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Sorry Dawg fans–I had nothing to do with this one!
Concrete Pete
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING! WHY DO YOU THINK THAT A TEAM LIKE MSU, WITH ZERO KIDS RECRUITED BY ALA, FLA, UGA, LSU CAN BEAT A TEAM OF H.S. ALL-AMERICANS THAT UGA HAS? STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING. UGA DOES NOT MAKE KIDS GROW AND GET BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER AND MENTALLY TOUGH. THE WAY THEY COME FROM H.S. IS THE WAY THEY LEAVE 4 YEARS LATER
UGA 1990
September 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
Many I speak with are fond of touting Richt’s persona [non grata] and record [mediocre] as reasons he should remain [in-situ]. But with an emerging rap-sheet in lieu of a roster, I think it’s time for Mr. [thug-a-rama] Bowden’s prodigy to take his final bows as head of a [once] glorious SEC franchise [yes it is, even with an unpaid labor force].
Mike Singletary
September 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
I will soon be available for any coaching vacancies!
Gatorbait 17-3
September 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
George Bush
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Sorry Dawg fans–I had nothing to do with this one!
But, Obama said you were, do you mean we can’t TRUST the chosen ONE.
larry
September 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
thanks Jeff attitude and intelligence is what i have been telling everbody for 2-3 years CMR is a great person but the game has passed him by. We also are not getting the right players obiviously(character wise). He did the right thing booting baker, should have been doing this for 2 years.This is one of your better articles.
Chris Peterson
September 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
It’s no secret folks- bring in smart 2 and 3 star kids- get them in the weightroom and coach them up! The NFL is full of kids with 2 stars coming out of high school.
Richt ties Goff with 0-3 SEC start
September 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
I said earlier, Richt will go the way of Goff and Donnan, ride off into the sunset, never to coach again.
Kerryb
September 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Richt needs to take back over the play calling. From 2002 until 2005 while he was doing it we won 2 SEC titles. We were also doing no huddle back then that we never do now. Since Bobo took over we have been steadily going down hill. I know 2007 was a good year but, we had Stafford and Moreno to make up for any mistakes in play calling.
WonderDawg
September 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
Bo, I don’t care how good, big, and skilled you O-line is. If you are telegraphing your plays (and isn’t it obvious that we are?), and opposing DCs know what’s coming, your 5 interior lineman cannot block a defense with 8 IN THE BOX. It doesn’t work anymore.
Successful offenses now spread the field, men in motion, 4 receivers, and then run the ball. That’s the way to get man-on-man blocking. Bobo/Richt still put the Dawgs in the Power I for running the ball, and we can’t do it anymore.
Vince Lombardi is dead and gone.
jsmiith
September 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
at the end of the day, does it really matter who is the coach of the georgia football team? my god you people need to get a life!
its a damn game!
Kerryb
September 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
We also need more 3 star players who are football players. These 5 star guys are just a bunch of prima donnas trying to get to the NFL. Don’t care much for their college team it’s just a ticket for 3 years to their NFL goal.
FLA DAWG
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
When there are multiple problems that have been ongoing the answer is an easy one…………………………..Mark Richt. He hand picked these losers. He has continued to defend and support these losers. We now know that Mark Richt is also a loser.
The sooner this season ends and he resigns the quicker UGA can build a great program again.
DawgDad
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
To a certain extent the coaches have lost this team. All the arrests, the Green thing, the ring sales a few years ago, lack of conditioning, lack of disciplined play, and last but not least the probable locker-room influence of the past AD – all signs of a loss of some measure of discipline and control. The current situation is the result of about three+ years of deterioration.
Things are never as good as they appear nor as bad as they appear. This team could still rally and play out the schedule with a measure of toughness, earn some respect, and lay a foundation for the future. Problem is, there just aren’t enough signals to grasp onto to lead one to believe that will be the case (kind of like hoping the Braves can make the playoffs; you want them to, but they keep kicking away ball games).
Richt has been a very capable and accomplished coach, after all, there are UGA alums all over the NFL and some very distinguished ex-Dawgs that didn’t stick in the NFL. This earns him the benefit of the doubt until all the arrows are pointed and collected. But he’s been losing some key recruting advantages while battling coaching and discipline issues. He’s got to regain control and enforce it through the coaches and team leaders, and somehow get the players focus back on the team and doing their assigned jobs, on and off the field.
Dumbdawg
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
It’s Bush’s fault!
Chris Bush
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Good job Jeff. We need a new Strength and Conditioning Coach. It is obvious that GA is not as physical and in shape as the top SEC teams. Bobo may need to go along with Searels. If that doesn’t help us, then Richt would have to go. He is a great man and I am a huge fan of his, but UGA is consistently on the same level as Miss State, Ole Miss and Kentucky now. Tennessee is ahead of us and have been since 2006. We are a joke in the SEC right now and have been since 2006. Say what you want about 2007. We beat a bad 8-4 FL team and lost to a bad SC team at HOME and a really bad TN team. 2007 was a fluke. No leadership on this team and haven’t had it since D.J. Shockley left. Stafford and Moreno weren’t leaders.
Jeffro Bodeen
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
For ANY offensive play to work, the O-line must be able to perform as needed. Ours doesn’t, hasn’t and probably won’t for the rest of the year. Blame whomever you want, but the O-line coach has gotta go.
'65 Dawg
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Maybe the “Wonderlic” for the coaches?
Hamad Meander
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Georgia would be crazy to fire Mark Richt. The truth of the matter is that there are just aren’t many Meyers, Sabans, and Harbaughs in the world of college or NFL football. Mark Richt is one of the better coaches in the nation, but he needs a re-boot. If it takes replacing all of his assistants, then that is what it will take. There needs to be some sense of urgency in Athens right now. Not at the end of the season. Richt brings good talent in, but it seems that there is a huge drop-off if a star player leaves the team. I’m sure they have plenty of money in Athens to have world-class facilities, so now they need to start selling these high school kids that Georgia is a great place to develop into NFL talent.
Birther
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
It’s Bush’s fault.
christophorm
September 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
some of you need your Genseng …remember… richt has had three times the winning teams, finishing around #5 most years ,better than any other coach from dooley…and dooley did not have the bar/party college town that richt has to deal with,plus he had the best running back in college history per ESPN. I hope richt gose somewhere that has a good tradition and he dose not take bobo .He will be fine in his second coaching Job you can believe that !
MJ
September 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
Who on earth are we going to get thats better than Mark Richt. All you people need to calm the F down. Good god, we are playing w/ a FR QB and no one wins w/ a FR QB, especially in the SEC, plus, you all are missing a huge factor here which is there is no AJ Green. Green is only going to be a top 5 pick in the draft and he is a difference maker. Defenses defend differently when they do not have to slide a safety down to help the CB cover Green which means less running room and less space to throw the ball. Green not being out there is huge, absolutely huge and one of the main reasons this offense is struggling. When Green is back this offense is going to look night and day different.
Gator Fan
September 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
I for one do not think that Mark Richt should fear for his job if this year doesn’t go as he would have liked. I like Richt because of the morals he stands for, but don’t see how anyone can blame a head coach or his assistants for the stupid decisions or behavior of players. You can teach and coach….teach and coach till you are blue in the face, but you cannot babysit them 24/7 and make the stupid decisions for them….the players that make those choices are the ones that need to be help accountable for their OWN actions and thats goes for the Florida program or any program. Why put the blame on the coaches….that’s just ridiculous if you ask me. Should my boss be held accountable for the decisions or takens I take outside of work….NO….and neither should the coaches. if the players want to continue to make those childish decisions….then continue to punish them….kick them off the team…take away their scholarship and make them earn it back….but bottom line is…..the coach cannot take the blame for a players actions at midnight.
JB
September 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
Richt has not fired Bobo because he spends his free time at his house warming up formula.
WonderDawg
September 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Richt needs a boot alright, Hamad, but just to kick Bobo back to QB coach . . .
bware
September 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
If there is no discipline off the field. How can we expect it on the field?? Players have no respect for Richt. Its time for him to go!!
JB
September 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
MJ………..Are you new to this area of the Country?
mdr
September 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
We can blame the assistants, we can blame the players, we can blame the administration, the NCAA, or the cops in Athens…..but ultimately it all falls at the feet of Coach Richt. He makes 3 mil a year to win football games and represent the university well. He is currently doing neither. When this season is over, we will probably have twice as many arrests as victories on the field. That is simply unacceptable.
P. Bull Terrier
September 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
I blame the media. All of the 4 & 5 star recruiting rankings sell subscriptions and page views to the fans and get everyone excited about the players of the future, but they don’t mean much when it’s time to line up and play the game. Now that we are forced to see this team for what it is, it’s obvious that the players just aren’t very good. They may have speed, size and strength, but they aren’t good football players and they aren’t winners.
Nothing against Kris Durham, but when he’s your best offensive player, you’re not going to win many games in the SEC.
The coaches deserve some of the blame for recruiting these guys and the players deserve some of the blame for not being as good as their physical skills allow, but the media deserves a big share of the blame for setting everyone up for a big disappointment. As fans, we can’t spend our time on the practice fields evaluating things for ourselves. We have to rely on reports from the media. If the media had correctly reported that the talent at UGA was a little thin and the program was in the middle of a rebuilding stage, expectations for this season might have been more realistic.
JB
September 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
What’s Al Groh doing ?
Jerry Glanville
September 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
Padna, you want me to mosey on up to Athens and straighten out the team?
dadoftnt
September 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
I was upset and disgusted with the the past three games played by this UGA team. Then I attended my son’s high school game this past weekend and heard the jeers of some of the teams parents. Some comments were “you are playing like retards”, “that was stupid”, “you idiots stop that guy”. Then I thought, we are playing a team ranked No. 9 in the State and taking them to triple overtime. The guys were not quitting and playing as hard as they could. I trying to look at the way the Bulldog team has played. Aaron Murray, Kris Durham, Tavaris King, Jeremy Houston, and many more are playing their guts out. We have not been blown out just look at the scores. The past situation with Damon Evans didn’t help for morale. Maybe you have to hit bottom to build character and then climb to the top. I don’t know, just a thought.
jack bull
September 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
I’m one who doesn’t jump the gun as soon as others when it comes to the “fire the head coach” mentalilty, so, with that said, IF CMR shows up in Boulder with the same exact players playing, coaches coaching, and same exact game plan, then it fully rests’ on his shoulders..i’ll give him credit for trying to let his subordinates do their job, but the time has now come that there better be some pretty big changes to show me he is trying everything in his power to right the ship…he can’t trot out the same guys and expect a different result at this time, whether it be coaches, or players…
I’m still not sold on A Murray either, he’s inaccurate and seems to be ’short’ on his decision making also..for that matter, i’m not sold on Ealey any more, also….other than C King in the Tech game, i think the last RB to break a long run was R Samuel 2 yrs ago….not good!
Top Dog
September 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Hey, does anyone know what happended to that “Dream Team” recruiting class that we were putting together last year. That was CMR’s motto in recruiting supposedly the best of the best in the state.
JB
September 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
you cover 10 -12 plays to defense us……………I never saw MSU worried about a play wide left or right. I didn’t see us challenge the edge. Did any of you ?
Wash-On Ealey
September 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
I’m sorry I played so bad. I’ll try to do better after I go get drunk in downtown Athens tonight.