Ex-Dawgs don’t always follow party line
The Urban Crier doesn’t like former Florida players criticizing the way his team is run, as he made clear in recent comments widely viewed as being aimed at ex-Gator quarterback Shane Matthews, who was critical on his radio show of the lizards’ offensive plan in their loss to Ole Miss last year. Said the Crier: “You’re either a Gator or you’re not a Gator.” The subtext: If you criticize the Crier, you’re not a Gator.
Over in the Bulldog Nation, Mark Richt thankfully has a much thicker skin and lets the very occasional criticism from former Dawgs roll off his back, at least in public. Mr. 60-Yarder, Kevin Butler, has been openly critical of the Dogs’ approach to the kicking game, particularly coverage of kickoffs, in some of his post-game broadcasts in Athens. And another UGA kicking great, Rex Robinson, has posted comments here critical of the Richt program’s penchant for directional kickoffs.
Well, Robinson apparently isn’t thrilled with the Dawgs’s defense over the past couple of years, either, as he makes clear in a post on his new blog. Says Robinson: “As an old school guy that played when Coaches Dooley and Russell were in control, I understand the bend don’t break philosophy of defense. I also understood the ball control offenses we employed then. Y’all hated both of them then and you hate them now. Some things never change. The thing is, if you are gonna employ that conservative approach to defense, you have to be able to tackle, and we couldn’t much of the time last year. Especially in blowout games.”
He goes on to make the point that he thinks Richt may be too loyal to certain staff members, and obviously he’s talking about defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. “Let me be clear,” Robinson says. “I love and respect Mark Richt. I hope he stays forever, but does that mean he’s perfect and does not make mistakes? No. I just want him to scrutinize the performance of his coaches and hold them to the same level of accountability as he does his players.”
Now, I know there are readers of this blog who take a view along the lines of the Crier: If you support a team, you shouldn’t criticize it. As longtime readers know, I don’t subscribe to that philosophy.
And I’m glad that in the Bulldog Nation, even if you don’t agree with the head Dawg, you can still proudly call yourself a Dawg.
Woof woof.
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109 comments Add your comment
JP
May 18th, 2009
10:16 am
DAWGY if u need a quote from meyer saying he isnt going to coach up north go to gatorsports.com and you will see it.
Georgia News - 5/18/09 | MrSEC.com
May 18th, 2009
11:10 am
[...] once every four years.Urban Meyer wouldn’t like this if it happened at Florida… but one former Georgia football player is being a bit critical of the Dawgs in his new blog. (That’s him at left with the wound on his head… click [...]
Freelemur
May 18th, 2009
11:59 am
The inaccuracies of this blog do not surprise me but I’ll comment anyway. Shane Mathews made repeated comments regarding John Brantley and how he shouldn’t have come to Florida because his talents would be wasted in Urban Meyer’s offense. This is the issue Meyer was speaking about as he feels it could negatively effect recruiting.
Urban Meyer could care less if Shane Mathews criticizes his game plan.
I also find it ironic that you continue to use this “crier” moniker for Meyer when Mark Richt has been carrying on about having to play in Jacksonville and how unfair it is for his team. I suppose when your record is as miserable as his you’d have to start reaching for any excuse.
GatorInNC
May 18th, 2009
12:52 pm
As a fan and alumnus of Florida, we don’t care what anyone thinks of Meyer. Matthews’ show is hardly one that would be getting any kind of national recognition if not for this indirect attention that’s been brought to it. As my colleague, Freelemur, has so accurately stated, those idiotic comments by “the QB” could hurt our recruiting. If you want to criticize the Gators play for one game, fine. But, conversely, the same coach who was being criticized already won more national titles than Shane did at his time at UF. And now, has 2 more than Shane won. And that number will most likely increase again. Could it be Shane is a little miffed that his idol didn’t get the job again at UF? And that his “help” isn’t needed? And the last question I have is…should I add a clever “chomp, chomp” to the end of this post? You know, seeing as how “woof woof” rally legitimized the original blog entry.
H&L
May 18th, 2009
1:48 pm
What’s lost in all this idiocy is the context in which Meyer made his comments… he was actually praising ex-players like Jack Youngblood, and he was trying to illustrate how helpful or beneficial their support has been by contrasting and comparing it with criticism in general–not specific criticism from any one player in particular. The media INFERRED that it was a direct reference to Shane. And even if it was a veiled shot at Shane, it was warranted because of the effect Shane’s negativity might have on recruiting. Anyone with half a brain would see it that way, even a bitter rival… so it’s really not surprising at all that someone who concludes their blog entries with “woof woof” cannot be bothered to do actual research and instead simply regurgitates ESPN’s incomplete and useless take on the subject, but what do I know… I guess if Bill King is entertaining the nitwits among the dawg fanbase, he must be doing his job right.
Rob
May 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
What we have here is another columnist who neglected to do his homework or take the comments in context. First, Freelemur makes a great point about the comments that Shane made about John Brantley which were probably out of line for a former player. Second, the rift between Matthews and Meyer goes back a few years to a summer camp. Apparently there were some heated arguments regarding offensive philosophy between Meyer’s staff and former players who played under Spurrier in the fun n’ gun. Word has it that was never ironed out.
So what we’re left with are journalists who not only are desperate to find fault with the top dog and to appease their reader base but are also scrounging for a story in a slow time for sports.
PHIL
May 18th, 2009
2:19 pm
JMO, ever played football? Rex was not in defensive meetings with coach Russell. He would absolutely be my favorite kicker of all time, he’s the first one I remember. But he is not my favorite defensive lineman, back or linebacker. The logic he used in making his points would also translate in to saying that the field goals he missed were somehow the fault of his coach. There for, the are not valid.
D-Dawg
May 19th, 2009
12:46 am
You gates get outta da Junkyard!!! Yall don’t add nuthin but big fat lies. And you may not belive, but we still in yalls head. You aint got no percy, so Teeboy aint doing all by his purty self. Urban’s gonna cry again, the D-Dawg told ya so. Hunker down on dat gate meat, Woof Woff!!!
bp
May 28th, 2009
8:18 pm
Where did the great Coach Paul Johnson play college football?