Keys to success for 2009 Dogs
I was a bit under the weather yesterday and away from the Blawg, but I was still thinking about Georgia football (I know, it’s ridiculous, isn’t it?).
I started pondering keys to success for the Dogs this season, prompted in part by reading on Georgiadogs.com that Mark Richt noted the preseason emphasis on reducing penalties didn’t really pay off in the practice half-a-game on Wednesday.
“There were too many penalties,” Richt said, adding: “One of the penalties forced us to kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown.”
While he did note that “we substituted pretty freely because it was so warm,” which might have been a factor in the number of flags, the hope here is that the coach made the point forcefully with the team that this is a great way to lose games. And that he continues to make that point.
So along those lines, I offer here five pretty obvious but essential keys to the season. (I didn’t include injuries, which was a major negative factor last year, because that’s something that really can’t be controlled.)
1. Like I was saying, fewer penalties, especially those that occur when Georgia is in scoring position or that extend an opponent’s drive. This really killed us last year.
2. Pressure from the defensive ends. This is the most obvious area where Georgia needs improvement, and so far the reports from preseason drills are encouraging. Rod Battle especially has been snagging sacks. Now he and his cohorts just need to do it for real against something other than the second team or scout team lines. Lack of pressure on the quarterback and the resulting problems this causes for the secondary was probably the single biggest reason for the failure of Willie Martinez’s defense in key situations last year, even moreso than poor tackling.
3. Establish the running game. It sets up the passing game, gives your quarterback more options and eats up clock. The offensive line should be one of the best of the Richt era this season. It’s up to the backs to hit those holes, hold on to the ball and produce. No one expects any one of them to be another Knowshon Moreno. But overall as a group they need to at least come close to matching his stats.
4. Turnover ratio. The Athens Banner-Herald had a good look at this yesterday. Georgia recovered just five opponent fumbles last season, which tied the Dogs for 111th out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. They intercepted just 11 passes, which put them in a tie for 67th. Overall, Georgia’s 16 takeaways ranked 104th nationally last year. That just won’t get it done.
5. Showing up for big games. This is the intangible that has haunted Richt’s teams for the past few seasons: the maddening tendency to only play one half of good football against a top opponent. Last year this was especially evident, what with the first half against Alabama and the second half against Tech. I don’t know if this comes down to team leadership on the field or preparation by the coaches. Probably both. But improvement here is mandatory if the Dogs are to have a successful season.
Any other elements of the game that you think will be a key to the 2009 season?
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136 comments Add your comment
Trade School Junkie
August 28th, 2009
1:10 pm
How “bush league” was it to retire Sapp’s jersey……for scoring a TD?
Now, THATS…”bush league.”
Cuz
August 28th, 2009
1:12 pm
Baccari Rambo(gotta love that name) and Sanders Commings will have opposing receivers asking for the name of the bus that hit them.
Get well Bill, I knew something was up when you didn’t post ten blog topics in one day.
richtfan
August 28th, 2009
1:13 pm
special teams have to come up big. we need some big kickoff and punt returns to change momentum. we need to be much better in our kickoff coverage.
toccoadawg
August 28th, 2009
1:14 pm
So let me get this straight. Georgia has the best set of receivers EVER in school history and we should just RUN the ball? No sir a balanced attack is the only way to win in the SEC. And isnt that our top priority to win the SEC championship. Let coach Bobo coach until we get to the red zone. He tends to go super conservative there. Which we should give him the benefit of the dought because he is still quiet young as O cordinator, still getting his legs so to speak. DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE… I truely hope this year CMW proves us all wrong. But in the end I have a very good feeling about this years team. Because they will play TEAM football.
Cuz
August 28th, 2009
1:16 pm
That is why I don’t smack talk about the rings Trade School. Same principle far as I am concerned. Both appear to be a tad ridiculous and Sapp lives in my area.
reebok
August 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
Tech fan here…good luck on the road against Okie State, Dogs and Dog fans…that’s a tough first game and will say a lot about how your year is going to go…see you on The Flats in November!
Cuz
August 28th, 2009
1:18 pm
I am glad Bill is back. The tech fans did not have any place to go.
38-3
August 28th, 2009
1:19 pm
Hey RAMBLE ON!!!!
Still waiting on those chick-fil-a bowl rings?
What…got nothing smart a&& to say now?
That’s what I thought.
UGA owns your SIMPLE MIND RAMBLE ON!!!!
Dave In Tampa
August 28th, 2009
1:25 pm
Concentrate on one game at a time!!! Be ready to play and execute on every play.
Hey Dogtards
August 28th, 2009
1:26 pm
“38-3 BEATDOWN in ATLANTA by the SEC”
Does Georgia claim LSU’s national title from a few years ago too?
toccoadawg
August 28th, 2009
1:29 pm
Let me just say as a Dawg fan. I’m glad the trade school went out and got a quality coach like Coach Johnson. With all the talent in the state there isn’t any excuse for yech not to play for an ACC championship alsmost every year. UGa cant take all the good talent in the state. So it might as well be yech getting them so Bama and Florida dont. Coach Johnson is an outstanding person and it will start showing up in their recruiting.
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
I love men. All types. All sizes.
WildBill
August 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
I do not believe CMR, nor his coaches, listen to the fans, nor do they read these comments. The comments above really are accurate and truthful, and most are honestly made by committed fans. Lets hope they will pay heed to what is being said by the bulldawg faithful. I stll say, the Pokes win, 31 to 17 largely because the dawg staff are still behind the curve.
Michael Scharff
August 28th, 2009
1:33 pm
Bill, I hope you are feeling better. 8 DAYS TO KICKOFF!!!!!
SuperB
August 28th, 2009
1:46 pm
Ditto on the tackling: the DB’s were horrendous– especially missing a tackle on the winning run that cost them the GT game.
There is no excuse in all these penalties– a hallmark of Mark Richt’s teams. He must have brought that with him from FSU. “Stupid is as stupid does.”
Willie Martinez’s defense needs to either put up or he needs to pack up.
And finally, be ready to play at the opening kickoff, not at halftime. (Refer to the Michigan State game.)
dap01
August 28th, 2009
1:48 pm
Can we actually be an average kickoff team?
Can positive adjustments be made on defense at halftime?
Can we scrap that stupid punt formation?
Can we use our heads and not have so many personal fouls?
Jake
August 28th, 2009
1:50 pm
A respected sports writer says the dawgs will go 7-5 this year and says UGA is the most overhyped team. Can’t wait to see if he’s right.
Stevie Bs
August 28th, 2009
1:53 pm
Oklahoma St 52
Georgie Puppies 10
Cox 4 Int’s, one fumble. It’s gonna be funny.
But we have trenton sturdivant back. ROFLMAO!!
Sanford Drive
August 28th, 2009
1:56 pm
Really cool people say stuff like “ROFLMAO.”
I think you hit the nail on the head, Bill. Finding a running game will be important as well.
shankit
August 28th, 2009
1:57 pm
Every game Georgia has lost has been the result of
the defense giving up more points than the offense scores.
Should be a simple solution to this.
Jake7
August 28th, 2009
1:57 pm
Cuz,
I believe OUR D is going the be BIG! I like these new players.
how2fish
August 28th, 2009
1:58 pm
Wild Bill you Sir are correct..Thank God CMR doesn’t listen to the fans…talk about a recipe for disaster…fans are fans…and we know half of what we THINK we know 100% of the time…please don’t drive while your in this state of mind..and when UGA beats Okie St will the coaches then in you mind..be ahead of the curve??
Ray Croc
August 28th, 2009
1:59 pm
Free Big Mac for every redneck with a ticket stub to a Georgie game and a mullet. We expect to give out thousands of free big mac!
Reality
August 28th, 2009
2:01 pm
Georgia will have 6 losses this year
Ok St by 21
Ark by 10
LSU by 14
UF by 45
Auburn by 3
GT by 17
how2fish
August 28th, 2009
2:02 pm
Wow Ray how many hours in your Momma’s basement did it take you to come up with that gem of a post?
Trick or Treat
August 28th, 2009
2:02 pm
smell my feet
georgie lost by 33
big dawg 89
August 28th, 2009
2:04 pm
wait…..another tech player just robbed someone else!!! dang they’re good at that…
Who's that comin down the track
August 28th, 2009
2:04 pm
A big fat redneck with a uga hat.
Dawg Fan 4 Life
August 28th, 2009
2:04 pm
Has Tech ever won their division? Ever won the ACC championship?
hatfieldgeoff
August 28th, 2009
2:06 pm
All good points but tackling has to improve. The second half of the Tech game was a perfect example. The safeties and linebackers started loading up for big hits as though to knock the runner off his feet as opposed to wrapping them up, thus Dyer and the other quick backs just bounced off and kept going. Looks like OSU has some similar players in their backfield. Again this is coaching and discipline plain and simple. No player is going to make those mistakes more than once under a Nick Saban so Martinez(and Richt) needs to get that across to the players by pulling them off the field if necessary.
Mad Max
August 28th, 2009
2:07 pm
Gonna be 30 years since georgie’s last championship. wow. that long. That’s a lifetime for some of you. And tech it’s only been 20 years. Now that is funny.
Burdell
August 28th, 2009
2:09 pm
Obviously the most recent SEC title means more to these bed-wetting fans than it did to the UoG players. Speaking of rings….I think I saw some SEC title rings on eBay. Quality!
Andy
August 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
OSU favored by 6 according to the vegas oddsmakers. I think they will win by 20. Rookie qb to start against a tough opponent on the road. The dawg fans sure are sippin down the kool aid. There’s gonna be a lot of redneck trailer trash a cussin around these parts next weekend.
Topp Dogg
August 28th, 2009
2:17 pm
Camel rides free with proof of purchase of any two GT home tickets.See Ali Akbar in south parking lot after game or just follow the smell.
ZP
August 28th, 2009
2:18 pm
reality- good point, but is that the cause or the effect? When we are winning and get ahead, we are going to run the ball a lot more and chew up clock. When we are in a tough game and we get behind, we will then pass the ball a lot more often because we are having to play catch up. Therefore, due to the higher probability of tough games being close, we have a higher probability of passing in those games and because they are tough games we have a higher probability of losing them than the easier and more lopsided match ups. therefore, to complete the syllogism, we will have passed more in the games we lose than in the games we win.
Andy
August 28th, 2009
2:19 pm
No proven running game. Big time player gone. Big time qb gone. First game on the road against a top 10 team. QB with no experience to start. Same defense and def coord as last year. It all spells disaster for the dawgies. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
ZP
August 28th, 2009
2:20 pm
excuse me, **we will have passed more in most of the games we lose, and ran more in most of the games we win.
Sid
August 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
Free tickets to any play on uga campus with game stubb. Just watch out for stray bullets from professors.
john
August 28th, 2009
2:22 pm
We have got to do a better for our defence by improving the return position on kick-offs. I think this is a must. We cannot keep giving good offenses so little to go after their returns.
Ed
August 28th, 2009
2:24 pm
That makes sense ZP since we will be passing more to try and come back when we are down. And face it, we will be down a lot this year. This will not be a easy year for us with so many question marks.
Huh?
August 28th, 2009
2:27 pm
The only ones drinking the kool-aid are the delusional Tech fans. Sorry but you all are gonna see a lot more games resembling the Peach Bowl this year. PJ’s gimmick offense has been figured out!
Fred
August 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
Halloween coming early to Athens. It will be scary watching the dogs get pummeled next week.
42-7
Dawg Fan 4 Life
August 28th, 2009
2:34 pm
I see Fred started drinking a little early today… 42-7??? Dream on.
Fred
August 28th, 2009
2:35 pm
Huh–the epitome of a kool aid drinking lard uga redneck fan. his beer gut proves it.
olddawg66
August 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
The passing game opens up the run. The run opens up the passing game. We need to do both good. Cox is going to be a consistant passer with a good completion ratio. Samuels will deliver for us. The D is going to be much improved. I think 10-2 or 11-1 is realistic.
Fred
August 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
Okay how does 55-14 sound? It’s gonna be fugly. Dementia has set in on dawg nation. no exp qb = explosion of turnovers. frustration will set in very soon. better get an appointment with your shrink today.
Fred
August 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
olddawg never failing to show the uga kool aid drinkin fan. yes an unproven qb is just going to dominate. lol. but he won in high school….haha
how2fish
August 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
Mad Max your right on the 30 vs 20 years…..for a in your case co-national camps…but you haven’t won anything in the way of a ACC title or even a top tier bowl since then and that is a 20 year drought….and I hate to tell that won’t change this year..Tech’s 7-5..and one of the 7 wins won’t be Nov 28th.
how2fish
August 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
Fred, Fred slow down son you and the rest of the Bugs are gonna have a stroke and its still 8 days to kickoff…oh yeah and for the “lard” comment…everyone knows what handsome folks hang out at the flats…face it the muggers are the “beautiful people” at Tech.
Ben Tramer
August 28th, 2009
2:51 pm
Ga will have a tough year with a tough schedule. The fans thinking they will win 10 or 11 games with their lack of starters at key positions and the schedule they have really is just wishful thinking. I am from out West and I like the dawgs but I like them as a 8 win team. JMHO And 8 wins with their schedule is not bad to me.