Why go away from what works?
A few random observations, impressions and questions from Saturday’s game …
For Georgia, it was largely a game of mistakes. My brother Tim, who joined me to watch the game at Allen’s in Athens, summed it up well when he noted that even with the offense falling off after the first quarter, what the game came down to was two turnovers that produced 10 points and a long kick return that set up another OSU score.
Speaking of the offense, what happened to the game plan after Georgia’s opening scoring drive? The Dogs came out with a varied attack that relied heavily on the run with Richard Samuel, had a seemingly confident Joe Cox spreading the passing game around to various receivers and saw a few new wrinkles in the red zone with backup QB Logan Gray in for one play and two-way freshman Branden Smith taking a direct snap in a “Wild Dawg” play and running it a couple of other times.
And then Mike Bobo seemed to turn the page. The Dogs moved away from the run and tried to rely primarily on the arm of Cox, who suddenly seemed a lot more hesitant. He wasn’t on target much of the day; even on some balls that were caught, the receivers had to reach behind or high for the ball. Of course, there were a couple of other passes that, while not perfect, should have been caught. All in all, the passing game was not at all impressive.
Why would Georgia’s coaching staff go away from what was working?
And whether it was the flu or just a mediocre day on Cox’s part, why didn’t we see more of Gray at QB, especially in the second half after Cox overthrew several people and fumbled?
Defensively, the Dogs played a good game. Not a great game, because they still seem incapable of catching interceptable balls that hit them in the hands. But the offense did them no favors, giving OSU a short field several times, and the Georgia defense held OSU’s offense in check most of the first half and kept them well below the number of points they’re accustomed to scoring.
Where was the supposed improvement in the kickoff game? OK, at least none of them went out of bounds. But Blair Walsh made a 53-yard field goal, the longest of his career, and yet he can’t put a kickoff in the endzone? And the coverage on kickoffs was still abysmal. On that long Cowboys return, the seam down the middle of the Dogs’ coverage looked like an open interstate highway.
As for the punting game, Drew Butler was superb (helped by some great bounces when OSU’s Dez Bryant unwisely let the ball hit the ground a couple of times), with an average of 57 yards for six punts, and Prince Miller had some great returns. Unfortunately, they were nullified by block-in-the-back penalties. The Dogs didn’t draw as many flags as the Cowboys, but ours hurt more. And we had to punt way too often thanks to the sputtering offense.
On the subject of the officiating, it was inconsistent. That first flag on Georgia for unnecessary roughness on a receiver was pretty lame. It was a vicious hit but a fair one. In the chest, not the helmet. Even ABC’s Sean McDonough, not one of my favorites, was all over that, noting, “If they’re gonna throw a flag on everything that looks bad, you might as well go play touch football.” Sure, they threw a makeup flag against the Cowboys for the same thing. But how could they not call it again later against OSU when it was blatant?
That lack of a pass interference call on the Cowboys in the first quarter was another poor showing by the officials. And there was that bad spot down near the Georgia goal line. Why on earth didn’t Mark Richt challenge that?
And can a few days of cooler weather in Athens this week really be blamed for the fact that the Georgia team seemed to be wilting by the third quarter? A team that trains in August in Georgia shouldn’t be that fatigued that early.
More on Sunday. …
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261 comments Add your comment
BugKiller
September 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
joe cox < JOE TERESHINSKI
dogcrap
September 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
losers!!!
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:10 pm
I am usually one fo the more reserved poesters here. But I am DONE. Tired of the offense going away from what’s wokring. Then the D, while better in some series than others, backs off in critical situations. How can UGA not recruit DEs that can rush the passer??? And give the ball to one of the 4+ RBs on the depth chart. Give ‘em the ball till they shut it down. Enough with this “pretty stuff”!!!
Atticus
September 5th, 2009
9:10 pm
This team will never reach it’s potential offensively under Bobo. His offense depends upon the morst exceptional talent which he doesn’t have at RB or QB. He did nothing to help them, no motion, no moving AJ around…..and we waited a whole offseason to have Fabris $hit the KO coverage again?? We drop two INTs, and had two poor calls by the officials. But you make you rown luck. This team is just not held to the highest standard and I am not sure the players believe in their coaches outside of Richt and Searels. Just a hunch.
dogcrap
September 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
you mutt fans deserve it. Everybody hates you!! 24-10 baybee!!!!!!! HA!! HA!! HA!! HA!!!!!!!!!!
Yellow Fuzz
September 5th, 2009
9:12 pm
I hate to say I told you so but I told you so.
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:14 pm
Somebody hire Kirby before he gets too entrenched with the Tide!!!
GeezusDawg
September 5th, 2009
9:16 pm
Guess Cox had the arm flu?
Heath
September 5th, 2009
9:17 pm
Ah well, won $150 on the game board. Dogs suck. Time to bench Tereshinski-Cox and get ready for next year. Thanks for your heart Joe, now go refill the water jugs.
Yellow Fuzz
September 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
45ACP
Sugar Hill Dawg
Mountain dawg
Habersham Dawg
1eyedjack
Kendawg
WTF???
Reservoir dawg
Altamaha dawg
MiltonDawg
Reality Check
SECrules
Jax Dawg
Miami Dawg
DirtyDawg
NC Dawg
PTC DAWG
G Dawg
CLTDawg
GeoffDawg
Bugkiller
SimpleDawg
CUZ
RxDawg
DawginLex
ToccoaDawg
L-Dawg
Pumpdawg
Denver Dog
I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments and excuses.
Matt the Brave
September 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
I agree with you. We’re known as Tailback U for a reason! I’m also wondering why we didn’t really use the supposed ‘depth’ that we had at running back to give Richard Samuels a rest as well.
Dawgs2009
September 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
Mark Richt is a chump. I am sick and tired of fooling myself each year. The radio call in show was a joke also. Everybody was so positive and they said we are just playing with “House Money”! The Georgia football program is in serious trouble. At what point is enough enough? Mark Richt has peaked and this is the downhill slide. His better days are behind him!
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:21 pm
This blog crap sucks!!! This is the 3rd time I’ve posted this season and it’s NOT saved…
Saint Simons
September 5th, 2009
9:22 pm
(((( 24 10 )))) hahahahahahhaha
George
September 5th, 2009
9:23 pm
Poor Poor Poor! No brains, no guts, cant win the big games. B+ Program. Always have been, always will be until we get a head coach with some Ba!!s. Just look at Florida, they were nothing before Spurrier, then terrible again until Meyer got there.
We need a change or we will never see a NC. Its been 29 looooong years. How much longer must we wait. I have a feeling Kiffin will get one before Richt. Hope im wrong but that guy wants to win. Period. Our coach is just a nice guy.
poopdawg
September 5th, 2009
9:25 pm
Hopefully we will learn something from this game that will help us down the road. South Carolina looked very similiar on offense thursday. Probably a low scoring game next week. Dawg fans don’t give up yet , we should see a gradual improvement on the offensive side . GO DAWGS
Ant Cee Dawg
September 5th, 2009
9:31 pm
It’s looking pretty ugly for the Dawgs. Possible regression back to the days of Jim Donnan (5-6 win seasons). Serious, next week is a toss up, Ark, Tenn are much improved while our defense under Silly Martinez is still weak!! Then later we have LSU, and FL???? Damn, that could be 5 or 6 loses right there and that doesn’t include the game with insects from the Flats. If we lose 3 more, then we might as well start the Freshman Murray to get him prepared for next year.
BeatDawgInOk
September 5th, 2009
9:32 pm
The offense is totally inept. 7-5 if we are lucky. Team looked dead with no excitement or emotion. Was it as bad on TV?
To their credit, OSU fans are a class act.
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:32 pm
Am I blocked or something?!?! I am ONE of the more respectful and educated posters, yet my post somehow disappear. C’ya Bill! You and this stupod site have NO control over who/what gets posted… Oh, wait a minute, yes you do… only CRAP and IDIOTS get thier input posted. I’m GONE…
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:34 pm
Hey guys, don’t pile on the defense totally (not defending some of the D calls). But the offense didn’t take control when they should’ve either. Complete coaching let down today.
Good news...
September 5th, 2009
9:34 pm
If UGA wins out, they will be National Champions. Finish the Drill!!
Fat Phil
September 5th, 2009
9:34 pm
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha….I told you rednecks that UGA would lose in Stillwater. Even I did not think you would get blown out! Can’t wait til next week when the old Ball Coach waxes your asses. How does 0 – 2 feel to start the season? Can somebody remind me of the UT score? Goooo Big Orange!!!!
StL Dawg
September 5th, 2009
9:35 pm
Additional observations. Cox has got to take deeper drops as he had trouble seeing down the field. Orson Charles should be moved to receiver (too light to play TE in SEC). Aron White is not big enough to be a blocking tight end. UGA will have problems this year when it’s 4 and 1 near the goal line. I don’t care how loyal Joe has been to the program, but it was obvious today why he sat the last 3 years. He played worse today than he did 3 years ago as a redshirt freshman. AJ Green was very frustrated as it appeared Cox could not get him the ball down the field. He was open several times, but Cox had trouble seeing him it appeared. I thought UGA was supposed to be more conditioned this year? We have all american Sr. DTs that spent more time on the sideline than field. Was someone injured or just out of shape? Tyson played more than our 2 starters. UGA even had a walk-on play at DT. Same old story with WM, lots of arm tacklking, no pass rush, and DBs can’t catch a cold. I watched the Spring game twice and it appears UGA is as bad as we looked in the Spring. Joe was terrible in that game and Murray was the best QB on the field that day. Play him now.
Dawger
September 5th, 2009
9:36 pm
You’ve humiliated the state and the conference. Nice work jerks.
Statue for CPJ
September 5th, 2009
9:36 pm
UGA will pull it together. I remember when Stafford started out. UGA sucked for a couple of games. Tech could have easily lost if they played someone good today.
Go VT, beat SEC. Shut-up the moronic ESPN announcers about “SEC speed”. Tired of the brainwashing.
Good news...
September 5th, 2009
9:36 pm
If UGA wins out, they will be Nat’l Champions. Finish the Drill!!
It'sTheDawgsTime
September 5th, 2009
9:36 pm
Opening drive look like the Michigan State bowl game. Great variety and then we hit the snooze buttom. Southern Cal started a freshman quarterback. Coach needs to play our best (future)player, even if he doesn’t know the system inside out. Who was the player(s) first down on the punt team who was so out of control they flew by the punt returner when he took one step to the side.
Jacketnation
September 5th, 2009
9:37 pm
OK Tech fans, we should keep this professional and be good sports; but it’s just too dang funny! AAAAAHAAAHAAHAA. You LOST and we WON! Go Yellerjackets!
RomeDawg
September 5th, 2009
9:37 pm
It was a disappointing game from an offensive standpoint. I would have like to have seen Logan Gray in more just to “mix it up”. The officiating sucked but that is NOT why we lost. We best not overlook South Caroline or we may be 0-2! Yikes! All the fair weather dawgs will be barking for Richt to go. Hey George, just curious, who would you hire. Your comment about Kiffin is laughable. He beats up on some high school team and he is now capable of a NC. What a joke. Go pull for the Vols, fair weather fan.
WALMART MGR
September 5th, 2009
9:38 pm
I know that the bulldog loss is really hurting, but I need you all to be on time for work tomorrow.
boxcarar
September 5th, 2009
9:40 pm
Bugkiller,
Strange that the first thing my sister referenced was your first post about the two Joe’s. I believe UGA staff was just out-coached.
Dawgstink
September 5th, 2009
9:41 pm
So the one thing you thought you were good at is a lie. You’re pitiful.
ATL Dawg
September 5th, 2009
9:41 pm
I am a 40 year old man….overweight ex athlete…….and I PROMISE you I can throw a fotball better than Joe Cox. Note to coach Richt….you might better get a hold of what is going on or you may not win a SEC game this year. At least try Logan Gray…..what do you have to lose? Nothing as it cannot be much worse than what I saw today.
monty
September 5th, 2009
9:43 pm
Does anyone remember any tackles for losses by our vaulted D-line? What I saw all day was their running back get hit at the line and drag our guys 2-3 yards after the initial hit. I can’t remember how many arm tackles brought down Samuel. The kids at our local high school run tougher than he did.
bigdawg01
September 5th, 2009
9:44 pm
pathetic…just pathetic. Start Logan next week. Sorry Joe, time to go.
Good news...
September 5th, 2009
9:45 pm
The season is not over folks…take one game at a time!
WilliamG
September 5th, 2009
9:47 pm
I thought the defense was adequate at times. The offense – other than that first drive – must have missed the flight from Athens. My thoughts:
1. Cox – flu or no flu – didn’t play well. Worse yet, I think he gave it everything he had – think he’s a good kid. I think he gave all he had and it wasn’t very much.
2. The play calling seemed bizarre.
I hope I’m wrong about how bad the Dawgs are. But if I am not I think, fairly early in the season, Gray needs to start getting some experience. That way a bad season won’t be a total loss, we’ll at least be getting him ready for the next year.
All this could end up an over-reaction and I’d be pleased to be wrong. But I don’t think, especially on offense, that we have the horses.
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:47 pm
Rome, I don’t think George was saying that Kiffin was a better coach than Richt… just that he had more EMOTION towards winning than Richt. CMR and Damon have put more emphasis on the UGA PROGRAM than just winning. I admire that. However, I cannot admire ignorance of coaching deficiencies… that kid McClain should be suspeneded for a while… you don’t push a REF!
BB's
September 5th, 2009
9:49 pm
Wow. And they say Tech fans get on the bandwagon. One loss to a top 10 team and you’re ready to fire a coach who has lost only 4 non-conference games? Go Jackets!
benny hodges
September 5th, 2009
9:51 pm
For a program that ranks in the top ten in recruiting, you just wonder why you play a 5th year player and an inexperienced back. Could it be the coaching?
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:54 pm
BB – not ready to fire the coach, just make some decisions instead of going with the de-facto. Gray might not be a bad decision. I didn’t see a whole lot for Cox today. Could’ve been the flu, might not have been. J. Cox had some time today, and for all the accolades for accuracy, I just didn’t see it. The Dogs need to go to a mauling game with the OL and TBs, and play-action occasionally from Cox. Otherwise, put Gray in to transition to a spread O. HATE the spread, but that’s the O that suits him.
AUG24
September 5th, 2009
9:55 pm
Can we get better OC & DC Cordinators? We recruit well, but don’t coach to well. We have the money. Let’s go get better cordinators!
Gman
September 5th, 2009
9:56 pm
So the star of the team is the star. Uh oh, we have no stars
David
September 5th, 2009
9:56 pm
Wow, I couldn’t have said it better. Agree with you 100%….I saw the same way you saw the game, unlike one person who must have been on crack and said we should have thrown the ball more in the first half???What?!?!?!
Bill King band wagon fan
September 5th, 2009
9:57 pm
Bill why didn’t you attend the game/
He Hate Gator
September 5th, 2009
9:58 pm
Very bad performance by Cox. He looked no better than a freshman with his decision making, panic, lack of looking for the secondary receiver, and on and on…might as well put the freshman in there for that kind of performance. Extremely POOR play calling after that opening drive didn’t help the situation.
Defense actually played decently with most points for OSU coming off of turnovers and poor execution on kicking game (a probleme area apparently for the 4th year in a row…). Defense still needs work on coming up with turnovers but better effort on holding down the penalties at least for this game…Martinez still employing that terrible 3 man rush that puts no pressure on the passer (he never learns…) overall, team badly outcoached as OSU made adjustments and Dawgs collapsed…Team C, coaching F…
AUG24
September 5th, 2009
9:59 pm
Mike Bobo’s playcalling is way too conservative. The first drive was great. We mix up the plays and formations. Did we forget about A.J.Green?
Wil Walton
September 5th, 2009
9:59 pm
I guess I’m one of the IDIOTS… my post hove gone thru now.
AUG24
September 5th, 2009
10:01 pm
He Hate Gator, I totally agree with you.
Kenny G
September 5th, 2009
10:02 pm
Bill King, i think your commentary is right on but at some point you have to speak the truth.We have a bunch of top scout players that under-achieve.Do you think a team like Florida gives a rip if tebow has the flu ? why should we ? well,i will tell you why…..as a long time dawg fan we make excuses for our inability to reload, even though we get the best athletes in the nation.I could go on for awhile but please bring it like you see it and quit trying to be bigger than the nation!!!!! you have the voice to make a change so quit sugar coating the truth