Two-minute drill: Richt on Joe Cox’s inexperience
Total UGA has some quotes up from Mark Richt’s press conference in Athens today, and I think some of Richt’s remarks on the starting quarterback are interesting. Asked if he’s worried about Joe Cox not having as much game experience as D.J. Shockley did when he took over, Richt said: “A little bit, but Joe milks every moment and opportunity in practice. He’s been through a bunch in practice and [offensive coordinator] Mike [Bobo] has done a really good job of allowing him to take reps with the [first team] so it’s not like it’s the first time Joe has stepped in the huddle with the No. 1 unit.”
As for Bobo having said Cox is a more accurate passer than Matthew Stafford, Richt said: “Accuracy depends on a lot of things: protection, how a wide receiver separates from a defender and then the fundamentals take over. Are you on balance and can guys catch your ball? So Mike making that statement doesn’t surprise me.”
Also from Total UGA, Richt confirmed he sees Michael Moore starting opposite A.J. Green at wide receiver in the base set and Tavares King joining them “if we go to a three-set.”
New kick returners?
The Macon Telegraph looks at the Dogs’ depth-chart battles and notes that whereas last year Georgia primarily used Prince Miller and Richard Samuel as kick returners, “Neither is likely to reprise their role in 2009, leaving the door open to second-year players like [Brandon] Boykin and [Carlton] Thomas or freshman speedsters like [Branden] Smith or Jordan Love.”
No more ‘mystery meat’?
I know from the two years my son spent on the UGA meal plan that the dining hall food is much improved over my days there (when we tried our best to avoid the fare at what was known as revoltin’ Bolton), but as our Meridith Ford points out, the school actually placed 12th in the 2010 Princeton Review’s list of “best campus food.” (Yes, these are the same folks who do the “best party school” ranking.) Virginia Tech came in first.
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51 comments Add your comment
Class of '98
August 4th, 2009
4:16 pm
Not sure if I’ve ever rooted harder for one player to succeed…. YOU CAN DO IT JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Class of '98
August 4th, 2009
4:18 pm
And dude, I was at UGA from 1993 to 1998, and I still salivate thinking about the dining halls. If there is a better meal plan anywhere in the country, I’d have to see it to believe it.
Saint Simons
August 4th, 2009
4:18 pm
(((((45-42)))))hahahaha and a great Tickle Pile
Mikey
August 4th, 2009
4:21 pm
SS, how’s that Tech blog going?
Oh, that’s right….you dont have one…nuff said.
Ben
August 4th, 2009
4:21 pm
I am really excited about Joe. I think he’s ready to become a player.
dawgfanatic24-7
August 4th, 2009
4:32 pm
With that great line joe will be fine. Nov. 28th saint simons. We will win.
Blindog
August 4th, 2009
4:45 pm
Joe Cox knows the playbook as well as Coach Bobo and will surprise a lot of people with his make-no-mistake attitude.He is surrounded by talented four and five star players and the best offensive line in the country!Just sit back and enjoy a great season!!
Cuz in Minnessotta
August 4th, 2009
5:09 pm
The food was so bad at Bolton in the late seventies that the Hogs at the Swine reserch center on Millidge Avenue Ext would turn their noses up at it.
Cuz in Minnessotta
August 4th, 2009
5:18 pm
One night on the way to Bolton for supper, me and a few guys off my Hall at Russell, the 8-West Midnight Riders, heard a bunch of sirens converging on Bolton. We figured an armed gunman had taken hostages as there were all the Campus Cops converging. We got there and someone had yelled enough of this krap and hurled his tray in the air. Yep it started a massive food fight with everyone in the cafeteria throwing what food they had all around. The Keystone, uh Campus Cops quickly quelled the riot by grabbing the first students they could find and threw them against the wall and cuffed them. They looked at us as we walked in menacingly and I said hold on dudes we just got here. They said the cafeteria was closed because it was a crime scene. I told him it looked like an improvement to me. He snarled and said I can take you in for that. I told him, screw it, I’m going to Krystals, the grease is better there. Of course I was a little more radical back then.
BG
August 4th, 2009
6:39 pm
Cox would have been the starter at most SEC schools the past 4 years. He was just unlucky that Stafford was in front of him. I guess it can be hard to beat out the first player taken in this years draft.
BG
August 4th, 2009
6:40 pm
Saint Simons tell your mom I enjoyed last night.
BigMike
August 4th, 2009
6:56 pm
Best meal plan in the country ? Army! Bar none. Government takes care of the nations finest.
DesertDawg
August 4th, 2009
6:59 pm
Wow, Not sure what Scout.com sees in our Dawgs that nobody else does. They have the Dawgs ranked #5 in their preseason rankings. Very generous!
PeligroPero
August 4th, 2009
7:00 pm
I wonder how Cox could have gotten more game experience. Hmmm, can’t figure out why Joe didn’t get into more games.
BigMike
August 4th, 2009
7:03 pm
OK. now back to the article at hand. Joe Cox was ranked the #6 QB in the country coming out of school, is it his fault that you sit behind the FIRST player taken in the draft ? A. Murray is the #3 QB this year, but I’m guaranted to see him sit a year. Just timing and fate !
45ACP
August 4th, 2009
7:05 pm
I believe that Joe Cox never lost a game in High School. He has the right attitude. Lead, follow or get out of the way. Joe Cox is a leader. All of the guys from last years injury list will be back along with another great recruiting class. The Bulldogs will be a very, very good team this year.
Nov 28 – at Georgia Tech, TBA
Finally a sellout for Tech. I can’t wait!
todesertdawg
August 4th, 2009
7:08 pm
DesertDawg
because Chad Simmons works at scout and is the biggest UGA homer in the world. I am a UGA fan myself, but he has the Bulldog fans blinded into thinking he is unbiased and has integrity.
And Scott Kennedy worships him, so hence the ranking difference in the UGA commits too. He uses that to get info from the UGA coaches. All you have to do is pay attention to his “insider” info.
Why is he the Southeastern Recruiting Analyst when all he does is provide Bulldog content? Rest of scout did a poll today, and they said they all wish his homer writing would leave.
dawgfan1911
August 4th, 2009
7:09 pm
I say let the games begin. We will see how good or bad Joe Cox will be in game 1 versus Okiie State on the road. I think the offensive game plan will be short passing game to TE and running backs with some shots tro the recievers depending on the defense and a steady diet of Caleb and Samuel. They will run some screens for Carlton out of the back field and you may even see a goal line package with Logan in. In my opinion, you have to attack Ok State defense to see if they are any better from last year. I say Georgia will need at least 34 points to win. If they dont get them, they will be 0-1.
Paddy
August 4th, 2009
7:11 pm
Really don’t know much about Joe Cox. But reading between the lines the past few mons tells me alot. IMHO this kid is going to make believers out of all dawg fans. This season more than most, promises to be one for the ages. UGA by 10 over ok st.
Ted
August 4th, 2009
7:17 pm
You better worry. You got this coming!
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=971286
Paddy
August 4th, 2009
7:18 pm
Hold on… I know this has nothing at all to do with football. Just read that the owner of the Atlanta Dream wants to sell the team. What is an Atlanta Dream? And what sport do they play? Need some help here. Never heard of this . Gosh I hope it is an on-line poker team. If so, I want a piece of that action.
CJDawg
August 4th, 2009
7:25 pm
Joe Cox ill bring passion to the position that Stafford may have lacked. Stafford is more like Richt in his demeanor. Never shows how he feels.To me, that’s why Knowshon was the fan favorite. He let people see his desire, as wll Joe. I woder if our teams plays with ZERO reckless abandon because our head coach exudes none himself.
Paddy
August 4th, 2009
7:29 pm
Ted, I read the attached. Seems like a mid level SEC team to me. I am not worried about that PR blurb.
Old Dawg
August 4th, 2009
7:33 pm
Yo, Ted! UGA played a high-powered OK State in 2007 and blew them away. And the Big 12 stinks in games against other BCS Conference leaders. The Cowboys may have players on offense and a new DC, but they still have 1-AA talent on defense.
The game is in Stillwater this time but I think the Dawgs will win to start the season on a bang!
Ted
August 4th, 2009
7:36 pm
Paddy
#10 ranked team is a mid level sec team? LOL. I guess that would make you the same, ya thick mick.
Ted
August 4th, 2009
7:39 pm
Yo dawg. Man are you an idiot. So teams don’t improve in a year. If a team was average two years ago, they are the same today? Nevermind the fact OSU was a stellar team last year and ranked by rivals ahead of your dawgs.
1-aa talent on defense. LOL. And what did your D do last year? It was just as bad as OSU’s. And they played against great offenses. Man I can’t wait to come back in September and see all you bitching and whining. Clueless arrogant idiots.
Dawg95
August 4th, 2009
7:44 pm
CJ Dawg….I’ve had the same thoughts myself. I really think that is not who CMR is, and he will never be the hellraising leader.(At least not in public anyway) I’m still happy with him though and the direction he’s taken our program. To be voted into the top 10 best teams of this decade is pretty strong!
Now, having said that, I think the dawgs were at their best with CMR at the helm, and fiery Van Gorder running the defense. The team needs CMR to be who he is, but they also need a super strong personality a$$ kicker in an assistant coach or coordinators position, to light a fire under evrybodys butts!
Remember...
August 4th, 2009
7:49 pm
Joe was 31-0 as a HS starter. Elite 11 qb camp invitee with Sanchez, etc…out in California. I know it’s high school, but he was a big time recruit. He’s a leader who will get in the face of the guys and they will follow him…don’t think it is a coincidence that we’ve had no problems discipline wise this off-season. Joe and the other senior leaders are the difference. 12-0? Probably not. But this will be a season to remember with pride. And…..it’s almost here. Almost time to make it 8 of 9!
kd4uga
August 4th, 2009
7:54 pm
Oh God, I remember revoltin’ Bolton. It sucked in the mid 80’s too! I was on 8th floor in Russell Hall which also sucked back then.
Dawg95
August 4th, 2009
8:02 pm
Ted….your conference hasn’t faired very well against the top SEC teams. That’s a fact. I’m not going to proclaim a bulldog victory over OSU, because it’s going to be a battle. But I really think your trash talking is a little premature. Sure come on here and talk smack if you beat us. But along the same lines, I’m going to expect you to be man enough to come on here and give us props if we win.
Not Disappointed
August 4th, 2009
8:22 pm
O-House’s caferteria sucked as well. Dated a girl from there in the early 80’s.
Ramblin Wreck!
Ted
August 4th, 2009
8:26 pm
Trash talking. Give me a break. Im responding with facts. Those bringing the trash are the ones I was responding too. Like calling OSU’s defense a 1-aa defense. You guys are so high on yourselves it’s unbelievable. You act like you are Florida. And it cracks me up to read these blogs and see ga fans say that uf and lsu were just lucky to win nat champs and then in another post brag about the champ that the sec has won. How contradictory can you be? I never said anything demeaning about uga. all i said was to look out in September. I didn’t call uga’s defense 1-aa. Or say they were overrated. Or call them a mid grade sec team. But of course birds of a feather….
Dawg95
August 4th, 2009
8:37 pm
Ted…I’ll give you that about the 1-aa defense comment. But it comes in the same tone as your comments. And the insulting name calling just adds to that. As you said, you are responding with facts. The facts are, your defense wasn’t good last year and you and everybody else knows it. Our defense had a bad year and was still the 21st ranked defense in the country.
I’m not interested in picking a fight. I just don’t get why everybody gets their back up about these games ahead of time. OSU is a program on the rise, and to open with OSU in their stadium will be a challenge. We will see what happens….like I said, I will be on these blogs win or lose. The question is, will you?
Ted
August 4th, 2009
8:53 pm
Not sure what stats you are going by but if you go by total points, then you are not even close to the 21st ranked defense. You were the 64th team on points allowed which is really what matters. True our defense wasn’t better however we played against hi powered offenses. You can’t say that the big 12 didn’t have the best offenses last year? Every major analyst said that. Anyway, I expect a high scoring game and being at home and a first start for Cox, I expect him to struggle a little. And I expect a 7 point win. Btw, vegas has us favored so you are in the minority of who the pros think will win.
If we lose I will be here to congratulate. If we win, I won’t come gloat. But I bet there will be a lot of excuse making and complaining on here by the likes of some of the posters. Good luck.
Ted
August 4th, 2009
8:56 pm
BTW, here is a link to the defense from last season. From what I can tell you were 64th in total defense, 30th passing, and 40th on rushing d.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=971286
note to joe
August 4th, 2009
9:04 pm
don’t throw a pick in Stillwater or you’ll be in hot water with the dog fans barking for someone new!
ps,,,joe was a backup @ Independence behind Chris L
Dawg95
August 4th, 2009
9:06 pm
Ted…you might ought not get your stats off an OSU website. You are completely wrong in your last two posts. But I will give you that I was wrong. We were 22nd in total defense. Not 21st.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org
And the best offense in your conference put up 14 on the gators. That does sound like a group of scorers.
And I have never said we would win. Only that it will be a battle
Ted
August 4th, 2009
9:19 pm
I got them off yahoo and posted them. If you want to go by that one, that’s fine. They base if on total plays by total yards. But that excludes points and sorry but points are what matters. I did notice from the link you gave that ga gave up an astounding 42 td’s last year. No team in the top 30 gave up that many and you have to go to # 37 to find the next team with that many td’s. Anyway, you go by that site and I will go by one that measures what matters. Points. BTW, OSU gave up 49 td’s against the likes of TT, Texas and Ok. 3 top 10 teams.
Dawg95
August 4th, 2009
9:25 pm
I’ll go by the stats posted by the NCAA vs off of something called yahoo. Ok…this is getting old. Good luck to OSU. And after the game if OSU wins, I will give them their props. I would like the same respect in return if you don’t mind.
Ted
August 4th, 2009
9:25 pm
As for the gator game, i give them credit. However that game had some fluke plays in it. You are forgetting one thing. I hate OU. I was pulling for UF.
Ted
August 4th, 2009
9:28 pm
Dawg do you think there is only one way to measure a teams defense? Look at how the link you provided measures a teams defense. It’s based soley on plays and yards. Come on. That can be VERY misleading. To not take into account how many scores a teams defense gives up is very flawed analysis. But you go ahead and use only that one. I’ll look at everything. 42 td’s in 13 games. And people on here gloat about the defense. Too funny
Ted
August 4th, 2009
9:56 pm
One last comment and I will go back to my cowboy boards. Looking at the stat Dawg95 gave is misleading. Im sure the ncaa has other defensive rankings. But looking at just total yards does not give a clear picture of how good a teams defense. It gives a good bit but not everything. The fact that GA gave up 42 td’s illustrates this. You have to take total points into account. And with that you have to look at special teams. If a team has a sorry punter and kicker or lousy special teams coverage, they may not give up large amounts of yardage. I will admit I dont know how Ga’s special teams fared. But if you have a couple of bad kickoffs or a couple of punt returns to the red zone, and the team scores, how important is yards a defense gives up? On those two occasions they may only give up 50 yards. Which looks good on paper, but there were two td’s, which don’t show up in this particular link DAWG95 supplied. Also INT’s. If your qb throws a few too many and runs it back to say the opponents 20, and the team scores, well that’s just 20 yards given up, but a TD to boot. GA gave up 42 last year. Far more than other teams in the top 30 on total defense. Looking at just one stat, total yards is misleading. I compare it to looking at a stock and only looking at the balance sheet. What about the income statement and cashflow statement. You need to look at the big picture. Perhaps GA’s defense will be much improved this year. Could happen. Maybe the 42’s td’s was due to some of the reasons I offered above. One thing is certain. I think whoever wins will have to score over 30 points. This will not likely be a 24-21 affair.
Not2007
August 5th, 2009
12:07 am
The thing is, this is not 2007. In that 2007 game, OSU started Bobby Reid at quarterback. He was replaced soon after by Robinson (around the time of the infamous Gundy Rant). Robinson is about 1000x better at qb than Reid. Excellent runner, good arm, very tough player. Similar in ways to Tim Tebow. Now he has started 24 games and has 6000+ passing yards and 1500+ rushing yards in his career. Also Dantrell Savage, OSU’s starting RB in 2007, he was injured for the UGA game. That hurt OSU. He played hurt but was not very effective. OSU has a very strong backfield and Oline. Dez Bryant is a unique talent. The 2007 UGA game was his first college game he had one catch for 8 yards and did not start or play much.
This will be a much closer game than 2007. UGA will have to fight to win in what promises to be an extremely hostile environment. At OSU the fans are right on the field with your team, there is no breathing space. There are guns going off and Bullet the OSU horse running all over the field loud music and 4 video boards and it is like a freaking rock concert there in that stadium which is very enclosed on all sides. At 61,000 not big by SEC standards but state of the art and designed to be loud.
'Bama 1
August 5th, 2009
6:41 am
He’s a loser, just like the rest of them!
Big time?? Not
August 5th, 2009
6:55 am
St. Simons……..did they get hot dogs and a coke?
Jackets’ ticket sales up
By DOUG ROBERSON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There are 31 days remaining before the opening game against Jacksonville State, and 25,661 season tickets have been sold, according to Wayne Hogan, associate athletics director. That’s 1,761 more than were sold last year.
Related Tech stories »
Jackets’ ticket sales up
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Tech has sold 205 season tickets along with other packages in 19 days, and generated $76,667 in revenue.
Tickets are still available for the Can’t Wait Till Kickoff Luncheon on Aug. 28 at the Cobb Galleria. Tickets are $35. Call 1-888-832-4849. The Tech ticket office is open six days a week and is closed on Sundays.
third quarter fan
August 5th, 2009
8:13 am
full house = win…not
kentucky dawg
August 5th, 2009
9:26 am
Remember Colorado! Joe you are our DAWG! Play hard,and Good Luck.
Mike
August 5th, 2009
12:28 pm
No surprise to me either about the comments…especially from Bobo. It was no secret that Stafford was all about impressing the NFL scouts which led to stupid passes….into double, triple coverage and throwing a ball as hard as he could to impress- not to have the receiver catch it. sooooo glad he is gone….Joe will be a complete package (which includes being a leader which in Staffords case was a total zero
AceDawg
August 5th, 2009
12:37 pm
Let’s face it. Losing to Tech hurts, but I can stomach the loss for now because I don’t believe it’s going to be repeated frequently. UGA needs to right the defensive ship, but I believe they can and will. GT will have a chance to win the ACC (any halfway decent team would), but they have a big hill to climb still before they are regarded like UGA. Johnson is indeed a solid coach, but playing in front of 40,000 nerds will always be less appealing than 90,000 plus Dawgs.
45-42, bleah
August 5th, 2009
2:11 pm
While a Dawg homer, I’ve got to agree with Ted. The most important measure of a defense is points allowed. If Georgia (and bobo and the special teams) can reduce the number of short field drives, the points allowed will go down and the defense will look a lot better. That said, even with short field drives, a good D turns those into FGs, not touchdowns.
bigdawg88
August 7th, 2009
1:31 pm
Good ‘ole Bolton; inventor of the Soybean gut bomb! And that was about all they cooked that was worth it, except for the quarterly steak nights.
Do they still close up shop on Friday afternoons leaving the kids to starve all weekend? In the ’80’s I dropped the meal plan after my freshman year and cooked for myself. It was really sad to see the other guys in the dorm begging me for food late on fridays and all weekend. Glad they improved the service, but I guess it would be criminal to keep it as-is.