Still more reasons for UGA fans to feel good … or bad
Caleb King has been maddeningly inconsistent. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
It’s the nature of this year’s Georgia team that for every performance or trend that gets fans excited there’s something disturbing to fret over. Here are the more notable ones from this week. …
The offensive line so far is only average. They did a pretty good job of protecting Joe Cox Saturday night, keeping ASU sackmeister Dexter Davis at bay, but Cox was hurried several times, including on the first of his interceptions when a blocker failed to pick up a stunt by one of the Sun Devil defenders. The run blocking was also poor, expecially in short yardage situations. Every time the Dogs needed just a yard, it seemed the line got no push at all. Yes, there’s been some reshuffling by coach Stacy Searels in the wake of the loss of Trinton Sturdivant in the opening game, but considering the collective experience and versatility of this bunch, you’d have expected the OL to be further along at this point. And the false starts just have to stop.
A.J. Green is phenomenal. As long as he’s on the field, Georgia fans should feel optimistic.
Joe Cox is running hot and cold. He made some great throws Saturday night, particularly to A.J. Green and Rantavious Wooten, but he also threw two boneheaded picks on the same skinny post pattern to the same defender and threw into double or triple coverage too many times. Cox is still a relative rookie and hopefully will learn from these mistakes.
Turnovers. Argh! This merits a separate discussion, but it’s a trend that can’t continue. The fact that Georgia is 3-1 after giving up three turnovers in each of its games is mind-boggling. How long can Georgia defy the odds?
These Dogs are comeback kids. This may explain why the turnovers haven’t proved fatal since the opener. Unlike last year’s Dogs, this team refuses to give up. They’ve come from behind in each of their three victories. That trait, combined with Georgia’s obvious talent, is a reason to be extremely hopeful.
But where did the running game go? Neither Caleb King nor Richard Samuel seems to want to lay claim to the job fulltime. King so far is the more productive runner, but he’s plagued by fumbles and dropped passes. Samuel showed what he can do with a big opening against Arkansas, but he doesn’t run hard consistently and still goes down to easily. I think King is our best bet, but he needs to step his game up a couple of notches.
Which defense will show up against LSU? Hopefully the one we saw Saturday night and not the one from the two previous games, since the Tigers are likely to come out throwing long after their success in that aspect of the game this past week. Georgia did get a lot more pressure on the QB against Arizona State, but they weren’t facing a first-rate offense. And while the pass defense was better this week, the rushing defense lapsed a bit. Still, progress was made. Now let’s see if Willie Martinez can dial up that kind of performance from his players two weeks in a row.
By the way, it was great to see Geno Atkins get a couple of big stops. It seems like starting Kade Weston over Atkins lit a fire under him.
Players I look forward to seeing in action more: Rantavious Wooten, who had a couple of clutch catches Saturday; Justin Houston, who gives the Dogs a legitimate pass rush; and Cornelius Washington, who shows the potential to complement Houston in that area.
What else did you see that makes you feel good or has you concerned?
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185 comments Add your comment
Windale
September 28th, 2009
12:25 pm
Hire Matt Tillman for head coach!
TW
September 28th, 2009
12:28 pm
LSU’s coach is overrated…with all remnants of Saban now gone, he will be too, soon.
We’re it not for his players bailing him out on horrendous play-calling year before last, he’d be on the hot seat now…Mississippi State is just awful…
Chris
September 28th, 2009
12:30 pm
We turn the ball over constantly what else can be said. October for the Dawgs is brutal and if the turnovers don’t stop we can’t survive. We will be looking at the Music City Bowl if we give LSU, Tenn, Florida the ball three extra times a game.
Running game has to show up…….Cox is not the kind of QB that you can say “Put the team on your shoulders and take us to victory”.
uuugh...
September 28th, 2009
12:31 pm
Ksleezy…that is classless. I never heard anything like that from the people near us. As a matter of fact there were several ASU fans nearby that were super nice…and they thought the same of us.
Redd
September 28th, 2009
12:31 pm
I’m campaigning 4 RAMBO! This guy is the real deal. He was all over the field. RAMBO IS DA TRUTH!!! START RAMBO instead of evans.
Charleston DAWG
September 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
Rambo was very impressive in place of Evans. He didn’t get beat long and made some game changing plays. I like Sanders Cummings in there. I feel they were the reason, along with the DL, were the changes we needed on D.
Cuz
September 28th, 2009
12:33 pm
Maybe if they played some ABBA over the PA system.
DawgNation
September 28th, 2009
12:35 pm
uuugh…
September 28th, 2009
12:13 pm
“Play the music if that is what the students like during the breaks…but I would hope that we are trying to coach the kids up on the sidelines. Maybe trying to fix some of the mistakes that we make every single game!? That seems like a better use of that time than dancing…but then again that’s just me.”
Bottom line on this subject. I agree.
Mike
September 28th, 2009
12:36 pm
I’m with you there Mikey. Everyone and their mother knew what was going to happen when Logan Gray got in the game. Moreover, the next time it happens, everyone and their mother will know that he’s going to throw it.
They need not be so predictable when he gets in the game.
takedowndawg
September 28th, 2009
12:36 pm
Nausea, is not pleasant for anyone to experience. During last Saturday’s day, I felt nauseated . This best describes the sensation I feel as I watch our beloved dawgs when viewing our team as a whole. We appear to be about as disjointed and disorganized as one could be a Division 1 level. Very inconsistent. I personally believe we are talented enough but are deficit in leadership and structure. Our talent has kept us afloat to this point in the year but talent alone is not a long term soluction to our issues. We are about to find out next weekend! On the other hand: Elation, well suites ones mind when pondering Green or Walsh. They are having a SENSATIONAL(opposite of nausea) type of year and they have been the consistent bright spots who have given us hope for the year. Thankyou, A. J. Green and Brian Walsh from this old dawg and alumni 75.
DawgNation
September 28th, 2009
12:36 pm
OMG Cuz now that would make this blog a funny place.
Dawg Pound
September 28th, 2009
12:37 pm
Caleb King needs a swift kick in the ol rear or something. Underachieves way too much. News flash: When you bring Gray in how bout let him throw the damn thing! Might actually cross somebody up!!
Starring Peter Graves as Capt. Clarence Over
September 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
shards1967: Only you would think that Clemson got slaughtered by TCU. The score was 14-10. I guess you think UGA stomped Arizona St. too. MORON.
Dorsey Hill
September 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
DawginMemphis,
I saw Marlon take a slant to the house in the US Army All-American game and none of those HS all-Americans made up any ground as he went 60+ for the TD. If I had to guess its not his ball skills as much as its may be more of an issue with the playbook, blocking, toughness or a combo of the three. In other words a lack of maturity. Once those intangibles come together, I have no doubt that he can play with and beat any corner out there. Its a shame that Marlon hasn’t stepped up already because I fear that Chavis and Monte Kiffen will have a plan to take away AJ and we’re 0-4 without that guy. I just hope that he is so good that you just can’t take him out with any plan or scheme. I know everyone has tried to keep it away from him with little success so far.
Ed
September 28th, 2009
12:40 pm
I’m happy about the kicking game – Walsh is perfect so far, and Butler is having a great season (I attribute rain and a heavy, wet ball to his problems Saturday). AJ Green is as dominant an offensive player as I’ve seen in a long time. Finally, the defense shows at least the potential to be dominating, and Rambo showed that he might be the missing piece this defense needed to get real good.
There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this team. If we can turn around the negative turnover ratio – a must if we are to compete for the SEC – then this team is a real contender. Also, the offensive line seems a little out of sorts, but if it improves from week to week, watch out.
westerndawg
September 28th, 2009
12:41 pm
Matt – agree about Samuel, too! And the caption on the picture, “Caleb King is maddeningly inconsistent”…?? He’s been in two games this season, and some of the inconsistency from the running game can be put on the shoulders of the o-line.
I can think of 10 players/coaches off the top of my head that I’d say that about before I’d say it about the TBs.
The thing to me that’s key is understanding that all of our opponents this season so far have prepared for Georgia – it was THE game for OK State’s new stadium (the biggest opening EVER, they called it), Arkansas spent the offseason prepping for Georgia, South Carolina always puts a special target on Georgia, and AZ State hasn’t faced anyone that would distract them from getting ready for Athens.
We’ve had a trying schedule against teams that have had the luxury of early off-weeks and easy opponents to get ready for us.
Sanford Drive
September 28th, 2009
12:42 pm
I wish my last name was Rambo
Dave In Tampa
September 28th, 2009
12:42 pm
If we don’t cut down on the foolish penalties and turnovers LSU will have a field day against us. KUDOS to the Defense. They played a good game. Keep it up!
I agree, where is Marlon Brown?
To the people that respond to M….. Stop! ignore him, you give him want he wants when you resond to him. Let’s use our heads.
Go Dawgs!
Ben Dover
September 28th, 2009
12:44 pm
These dawgs to man up and take it. Now Stacy Searls is falling down on his job because his guys cant open up holes and knock people off the damn ball. I mean 1st and goal on the 2 1/2 and settle for 3 points. 4th and inches and get stuffed sheesh! This is just lackluster effort but boy them dawgs sure can dance to the hip hop when its a blaring over the stadium loud speaker. Maybe CMR should have the team audition for dancing with the stars instead of playing a damn football game.
Sanford Drive
September 28th, 2009
12:44 pm
LSU is going to light us up like we did to them last year. Look out, those boys are out for revenge.
GT Que
September 28th, 2009
12:47 pm
shards1967
I’m not defending “m” because he came on your blog picking a fight when honestly, neither Tech fans nor UGA fans have any room to be talking trash or picking fights…
BUT
Granted the ACC has been taking it on the chin this year in the OCC, but I wouldn’t talk so despairingly about a conference that posted a 6-4 record over you last year in the regular season; 6-6 including the bowls games. The ACC has a LONG way to go but facts are facts.
Nick
September 28th, 2009
12:47 pm
O-lines are average at best. These guys are averaging 6′ 5” 330 lbs and can’t push the line is very disturbing. We should be able to rush at least 5 yards per carry and pass block better. Maybe these guys are too FAT and SLOW.
Bobo plays calling are for D-II. It’s not up to SEC standard. At time he tried to be like USC coach Steve S., only his tricks are not fooling anyone.
And where was Marlon Brown??? Why are we not putting him in? Why are we wasting such talent? We should put our BEST on the field and then get the supporting casts.
As for defense, we need to blizt more when it is 3rd and 1 or 3rd and long.
GT Que
September 28th, 2009
12:48 pm
*OOC
georgiagirl
September 28th, 2009
12:48 pm
My God you old farts are never happy, let this team dance or what ever they need to do to keep them motivated. This is 2009 motivation is the key, no one was bitching 2007 when this team was dancing and winning big. It seem that you bitch no matter what, one game that they are to dull and the next because they are dancing well I guess you never dance before. I have sit around a bunch dull fans at the games and it so much better to be around the fans that screaming their hearts, that a fan sitting there looking at magazine. Oh I am 51 so don’t come back with your smart a@@ mouth because I will only laugh at you. This is the time of these young kids life and they have a bunch of death beats putting them down day in and day out. Maybe someone should stand over you everyday and put you down from the time you wake until you go to sleep.
There are a lot of people that would love to go watch the DAWGS and DANCE with them on a HARD VICTORY
SO GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is sad that you have to put someone down every day I am truly sorry that life is that bad.
I love GEORGIA and The DAWGS.
So guys keep pushing forward and tune all the negative out and keep the positive and never give in..
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg Dude
September 28th, 2009
12:49 pm
I hate the dancing but its just one of the things UGA fans are gonna have to get over since this coaching staff obviously doesnt mind them doing. Things UGA fans need to get over:
1. Dancing (at all points of the game winning or losing)
2. penalties (I have learned to accept these as fact)
3. bend dont break and give up 400 yds a game defense (atleast until Willie is gone).
4. Unimaginative play calling (until Bobo is gone)
5. Lack of fundamentals and coaches not caring(i.e. Branden Smith not being scolded for running kicks out from the back of the endzone on multiple occassions; this is just one example of many)
Get over these things and your UGA football experience will be much better. Thats what I have done and it has worked. Good luck.
I HATE M
September 28th, 2009
12:49 pm
I am a GT fan. But I hate m. He is the epitome of the a@#hole fans in college football. THIS IS A NEW SEASON! STOP MAKING US LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF MORONS!
Football Ken
September 28th, 2009
12:49 pm
Dawgs problems are these: 1.Cox has a glinch in his delivery, takes to long to get rid of the ball. 2. Samuel can “jook” anybody and King doesn’t hit the hole hard. 3.Move Boling to LT, most important part of line. 4. Bobo needs to use Gray to throw the ball(see reason 1.) 5.Play Wood, Washington more on d-line, 6. Practice maintaining blitz lanes, our guys are running into each other. 7. Move R.Jones to linebacker(can cover) and B. Evans to nickel back(busted coverages). 8. Tell Willie to blitz on running downs(ATTACK!). 9. EVerybody on team runs 10 extra gassers for every turnover lost. If UGA does this, they will win out!!!
takedowndawg
September 28th, 2009
12:50 pm
gator chomp, I don’t think that I would be casting too many dispersions toward our program when your “unbeaten year” could be in jeopardy with the injury to Tim Tebow. Hating seeing it happen to a quality player and person. Hope he recovers completely. A severe concussion is no minor thing gator chomp. Check it out on Web MD. Wish him the best.
NCDAWG
September 28th, 2009
12:50 pm
Number One Concern being ranked in the Bottom of the almost every Defensive category, while having top 10 recruiting classes for the past 5 years…………I am tired of the excuses…..Are the players punished for penalties or turnovers? Or is it gosh oh mighty fellas don’t do that again…
FLDAWG
September 28th, 2009
12:52 pm
UGA won a close game against a legit opponent in the rain. Let the kids have some fun.
Coach Smith
September 28th, 2009
12:54 pm
I’ve heard a few complaints about the fact our RBs carry the ball in the “wrong hand”. I coach football and there are two schools of thought; 1-Always carry the ball in the “sideline” arm away from tacklers and, 2-One it’s seated in the arm, do not remove it for anything. I know for a fact #2 was Tony Ball’s philosophy and would assume that is why we see it so often from our players even though he no longer coaches the RBs. The idea is that there is far less chance fumbling it taking on contact than there is while switching it to the other arm.
So, to make the complaint that it is “fundamentals” that we don’t get, is innacurate. The players are playing the way they are coached. If you believe the method of coaching is incorrect then I assume your experience and occupation leads you to be better at a coach than those who are paid to do it. I encourage you to begin a new career in coaching. However, beware, you will not make all the right decisions and there will be those who disagree with you no matter what you do. Not only that, as you work your way to the top, you’re not going to make much money.
Best of luck!
CaliDogg
September 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
Beware false optimism over the “improved” defense. The ASU quarterback couldn’t hit the side of a barn, much less the numerous open receivers. Better rush on occasion, fine, but wide open receivers still roaming the secondary. Wet ball probably had an effect, particularly since ASU seldom sees rain, but this guy was laughably bad. Which was good for us. But not a good omen for the future. He made us look far better than we played.
Already having nightmares of our defensive secondary strutting as if they’re suddenly world beaters while LSU’s receivers run by them.
I’d love to be wrong. But I have an ominous feeling about this game.
Jeff
September 28th, 2009
12:59 pm
Where are all the martinez bashers at today?????????????? where???? Idiots and lame excuse for UGA Fans. That Martinez defense won the game…did you losers see that???? get back into your hole. Point being- this is a team. when one is down other lifts up. Thats the concept. We can do without all the losers who call themselves “fans” bashing this team and their coaches.
11Dawg
September 28th, 2009
1:02 pm
Those 4th-and-1 plays where we tried to run the fullback really make me miss Branno.
Chris
September 28th, 2009
1:06 pm
Watch Alabama play and that is one serious football team. They are ferocious, focused, and don’t make mistakes, they don’t beat themselves.
You used to be able to say that about Dooley coached teams. I love Richt and he has done an exceptional jobs…easily one of the top ten coaches in the country based on record but this season’s team is just baffling.
Once we got up 14-3 it was time to ratchet up the intensity and step on their throat but it’s like we relaxed and thought we had it in the bag. 3 turnovers every game…12 in an entire season isn’t acceptable for a solid team.
This was the most depressing win I can remember in a long time. I can easily see us focused and intense and wax LSU this Saturday and then go up and lose to a below average UT team.
Cuz
September 28th, 2009
1:06 pm
I called plays in sandlot football. Do I qualify?
If we can somehow cut down the turnovers and get positive in that ratio versus an opponett, I think we can be a much better team and everyone will quit having to take a Zannax before the games.
Coach from my recollection, sometimes that ball bounces funny too.
When are we going to start the AJ for Heisman campaign. I will go door to door on that one.
DawgLady98
September 28th, 2009
1:07 pm
I can understand some of the points made by uuugh…players should not be celebrating a tackle when we’re down (or tied)or showboating at all during a game. Music should not be motivation (the scholarship, school pride, ranking should be). I think the music is just a hype factor, that at times seems to be strategically played, to hype up the players and the students.
Therefore, I don’t think that dancing to music during a timeout or celebrating with their peers is classless. I saw the act of them running over to the student section after the game as a “thank you” for coming out in the rain and cheering them on to the very end.
86 Dawg
September 28th, 2009
1:10 pm
Here is an original thought: Since Bryan Evans is so fast but is unable to cover any opposing receiver, why not make him a tailback? It worked for Robert Edwards and we all know Evans is great at running away from the other team…
Gary
September 28th, 2009
1:10 pm
Some things I noticed that weren’t mentioned Bill.
1) Bacarri Rambo needs to play more. He looked like the only DB who knew what he was doing and the reason why I think the pass defense was better. Every time AZ St. went his way, he was on the receiver like you-know-what. Also noticed that Reshad Jones seemed to play better when Rambo was back there with him. Small things yes, but they seemed to have worked.
2) Gamble playing the middle. Did I hear and see right? Did they finally realize Gamble is not a good SLB and put him at MLB for this game?
3) The Jumbo backfield only works if you roll out to hit the flank or run the QB sneak occasionally. To keep handing it off to our FBs (although very talented) will eventually get snuffed like we saw Saturday night.
4) So tell me, how does an OL false start when the stadium is totally silent? And on top of that, not once does this happen, but twice. Is Joe not telling these guys the snap count? Or are they not bright enough to listen.
5) And on the communication front. How many times is Chapas going to field a kick off that Boykin should being fielding and he is standing directly behind him? Does Boykin not know how to say “I got it”?
6) Houston looks like he is a definitely pass rusher. He should be in prime form going into the LSU game. This can only help Atkins and Owens get more push up the middle.
UGA ALL THE WAY
September 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
m??? you dont have any room to talk…. 33 – 17 hahahahaha. and y’all are 25, barely… hahahahahha. yeah i cant wait till we shut GT up for another 3 or 4 years..
murfdawg
September 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
Miss ST had four turnovers, gave up an interception for a TD, gave up a punt return for a TD, couldn’t score from the 6″ line and lost by FOUR POINTS to the #4 team in the nation. Either Miss ST is a pretty good team or LSU is not as good as some people think. I think this game took a lot out of LSU and they may not be at their best Sat in Athens. I think it would be great for UGA to knock off a #4 team like USC did last week. Just don’t let it rain!!!
georgiagirl or gundygirl?
September 28th, 2009
1:18 pm
I’M A WOMAN!!!! I’M 51!!!!
UGA ALL THE WAY
September 28th, 2009
1:18 pm
Thanks i hate m… let THIS season depend on the bragging rights!!!!
uuugh...
September 28th, 2009
1:19 pm
GeorgiaGirl…I am younger than you think and I love our dawgs. It seems to me that our football team is not as motivated as other teams are. You say that the dancing is fine as long as the kids are motivated.
Well I don’t see other teams, that perform a lot better than we do, dancing during any point of the game. We all recruit the same kids; so why do our’s need to dance when the other team’s players don’t need to?
If I was an ASU player, I would have been really mad watching our kids dance. How disrespectful.
I think the way other school’s fans stereotype our players might be closer to true than my opinion of our players–What a shame!
Kendawg
September 28th, 2009
1:21 pm
A play other than the fullback dive on short yardage would be something I would try. Also how about starting Bacarri Rambo. He looked good at safety. Where is Marlon Brown?
Chief5-Dawg
September 28th, 2009
1:21 pm
Question: Why is there so many 6 foot plus receivers and hardly any 6 foot corner backs to cover them? Just wondering.
Gatornation
September 28th, 2009
1:22 pm
Doc Holiday, u are a true classless idiot….I come on here to give you UGA fans a hard time, but it’s all in fun and sportsmanship…never have I or will I celebrate the injury of one of your guys or anybody’s for that matter….completely classless…but for the record, word out of gainesville, our fierceless leader will be just fine with rest and time….glad the bye week is here….he’s a football player and a tough one at that, so he will bounce back….
the glass is half fulll
September 28th, 2009
1:23 pm
defense played great.
asu might just have the best defense we have played all year….so far….
lsu struggled against Mississippi State. Had the MSU QB pitched the ball on the triple option call on 4th and goal, they would have been done. LSU did not win that game, people, MSU lost it. Therefore, How can anyone say that they are a legit #4?
Right now, the only dominant teams in the bsbcs are texas and bama.
This year, someone is gonna sneak in the back door….and, it might as well be us.
WildBill
September 28th, 2009
1:26 pm
CMR is making progress, tho slow. He did furrow his brow once at an official’s call, and display some faint redness in his face. He will get really pale and maybe faint this weekend if the team doesn’t control the penalties, fumbles, poor coverage, and coaching deficiences. It will be ugly if drastic measures aren’t implemented.
HBTD
September 28th, 2009
1:33 pm
Good points Bill. I think this may be one of the most exciting UGA teams I’ve seen in awhile. They remind me a little of the 1978 Underdog to Wonderdog team. They are just finding a way to win. The turnovers and other miscues are frustrating, BUT that’s what happens with a youthful and inexperienced team. The fact is however, they are growing leaps and bounds every week and they’ve attained a 3 – 1 record against some quality teams, i.e. no cup cakes so far.
As a long time follower of the Dawgs, I’m as excited about this group of players as any I’ve ever followed. Giv’em time to grow and I really believe there will be GREAT days ahead.
Go Dawgs!!!