Blind loyalty doesn’t make you more of a UGA fan
Rex Robinson in his playing days. (Roughingthekicker.com)
Some folks in the Bulldog Nation have an awfully narrow view of what a “fan” is.
The way they see it, if you want to be a fan of the Dogs, you woof, holler “Go Dogs!” and say bad things about the opponent. If you dare criticize or question Mark Richt and his staff, they say, you’re stabbing the Bulldogs in the back, or some such nonsense.
I get accused all the time of not being a true fan because I point out areas where the program needs improvement or question some of the staff’s decisions or statements. My lifelong devotion to the Bulldogs, my season ticket holder status, the fact that I care enough about the Georgia program to want it to be the best it can be … none of that counts, as far as the say-nothing-critical bunch goes.
Which is kind of ridiculous since my experience is that 90 percent of the devoted, longtime Dog fans I encounter — the kind who talk Georgia football all year round — have complaints about something to do with the team and aren’t shy about expressing those concerns.
The latest bout of don’t-say-anything-if-you-can’t-say-something-good bashing has been directed at Rex Robinson, a member of the 1980 UGA national championship team who posted a blog critical of Mark Richt’s handling of the Dogs’ problems with kickoff coverage.
Robinson should shut up, some of you have said. If he deviates from the party line, he’s not a real fan.
Come on, this isn’t Gatorland, where former players must either kiss the feet of Pope Urban or be banished.
As a supporter of the Dogs, Robinson has every right to voice his views, and since he has forgotten more about kicking than Richt has ever known, we should pay attention to what he says. He’s not alone, either. The most storied and celebrated of Georgia’s kickers, Kevin Butler, has also been critical of the Dogs’ approach to kickoffs.
Robinson puts it nicely in his latest blog when he writes, “Anyone that is a regular reader of [Roughing the Kicker] knows that I respect Mark Richt as a man and a coach. You also know how much I have written about my support of Coach Richt. But does that mean I have to agree with everything he says or does? Or does it mean that if I do disagree, I have to just to keep my mouth shut as some have suggested.
“Well, you can forget that. As I said earlier this week, if I’m going to do this blog, I have to be honest and say what I really feel. There are some real problems going on in Athens. … If the Dawgs suddenly click and play a complete game, a lot of you will feel differently about things. Winning always cures what ails you the most. But what most of us complain about are the symptoms of the problems in Athens. There is something systemic that has gone awry.”
The way I see it, Robinson is a true fan because he’s willing to step up and say there’s a problem, even though he’s considered part of the official UGA “family.”
Thanks, Rex.
Go Dogs!
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359 comments Add your comment
dawgdays (the other one)
October 9th, 2009
1:34 pm
huh?
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
1:36 pm
REX STFU!!!!!
JERK!!!
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
1:38 pm
rex u suck and the dawgs have no problems anywhere that richt cant fix. i am sick of these haters onthis blog. if you dont like the dawgs go to the teck blog
gooooooooooooooooooooo dawgs
sicem woof woof
L-Dawg
October 9th, 2009
1:39 pm
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!
CHEERING/SUPPORTING > BOOING/ENVYING
GO DAWGS!!!!!
23 HOURS TIL WE REBOUND IN KNOXVILLE!!!!
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:40 pm
Ok, here is task for all those that say we shouldn’t be talking bad about the program!!!!!!
Give those of us who are frustrated something to look forward to other than AJ Green, Ealy, Curran, Butler, Rambo, T King, Wooten, Brown, Smith, Boykin, Houston, Charles, Thomas, etc… Give us something good other than the obvious we complain about. I’m willing to listen unfortunately this isn’t even a debate other than you all saying we shouldn’t be complaining.
how2fish
October 9th, 2009
1:41 pm
yeah Bill after 10-3 last year and 3-2 both loses to team in the top 5 at the time…we need to circle the wagons, set our hair on fire and run in circles screaming “The sky is falling” and fire all the coaches and bring back Coach Donnan. Everyone should voice their opinion…and if they don’t like someone elses they should voice that too..seems you want it both ways…you can “call out” the program but don’t want to be “called out” by other fans…the ones I call out aren’t the Dog fans I don’t agree with but those of a Buggish bent that try and pander to or disguise their Buggdom..keep on keeping on Bill I enjoy your blog even when I don’t agree and Go Dawgs!
Army Vet
October 9th, 2009
1:41 pm
I’m a UGA graduate and a lifelong UGA fan and I’ll tell it like it is…….UGA football sucks. They could easily be 0-5 instead of 3-2. Those thugs “dancing” did it for me……show some discipline and self control. Everyone is laughing at UGA!
Otto
October 9th, 2009
1:42 pm
I vote to have Rex take over special teams.
Herschel Talker
October 9th, 2009
1:42 pm
L-Dawg: Bill is talking about people like you, you blind homer.
john
October 9th, 2009
1:42 pm
Robinson has a type of blind loyalty to kickers because he was one. In that respect, he is like Richt (who has a blind loyalty at times).
And because of that loyalty he is perhaps viewing the kicking criticism thru a narrow tube. Yes it is true that our kick coverage team has issues. But if the kicker can’t get the ball consistently deep, that is a kicker issue that must be dealt with separately.
Dawgs brought Bogotay in for long distance. What happened? If the guy can provide extra distance, especially in situations such as the one last weekend when walsh had to kick from the 15yd line, then he should be used. This refusal to pull good players off the bench who may can provide something extra to the team is getting old.
So not addressing the kicking issue because of a blind loyalty to a kicker is, thus, just as bad as not addressing the DC or OC issue due to blind loyalty.
Otto
October 9th, 2009
1:44 pm
how2fish, the team has been on a slide since Bobo took over as OC. The 2 teams UGA lost to willnot be Top 5 or Top 15 when the year is finished and more are coming. Pull your head out of the sand or spend less time fishing.
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:45 pm
10-3 last year #1 preseason ranking with two top 15 picks in the NFL draft. 3-2 this year, penalty problem being corrected as promised we are 5-0.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
1:45 pm
Army Vet, you can drop dead!!!!
UGA is the best!!!
Anyone who says differently is crazy. 10 wins every year richt is been coaching.
top that bees!!!
Haralson
October 9th, 2009
1:46 pm
Rex is tired of hearing the coaches blaming the players, you would have to be blind to not see that directional kicks are not working. The kicker is just doing what he is told. Stats never lie, we suck on kick off coverage and did last year too.
ugaaccountant
October 9th, 2009
1:46 pm
senoiadawg – that’s brilliant sarcasm! You list 12 Freshman or Sophmores + Curran and act as if that’s not a ton to be optimistic about. This week the blogs are giving AJ his due, a week ago Rambo and Commings got some love. So actually, these blogs are already doing exactly what you say. This is just a great sarcastic post and I applaud you for it!
Otto
October 9th, 2009
1:47 pm
Kicking problem corrected as promised 5-0
cajdawg
October 9th, 2009
1:48 pm
I agree 100% with this article.
The “Blind Loyalists” are way to content with mediocrity for me. They also like to wallow in past UGA successes and use that as an alibi for current and future mediocrity.
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:49 pm
I’ll put it simple for some of you to understand.
Last year we lost games due to poor special teams, penalties and discipline. Something seems familiar to me about that and I remember somebody up in Athens promising to correct all of those problems in the offseason and admitting those are problems coaches can correct.
Otto
October 9th, 2009
1:50 pm
ugaccountant, Bama rebuilt their OL and have a new QB and they’re #2 in the country. UGA has been rebuilding since ‘05 yet never seems to have the depth to win the big games.
how2fish
October 9th, 2009
1:50 pm
Otto perhaps we should wait till the games are played to count our losses is what I’m saying..and Dude you don’t get to predict where a team is going to be ranked at the end of the season..your in the wrong business you need to gamble for a living…actually since you KNOW who will win its not really gambling is it.And Herschel Talker your the buggish type I’m talking about…BTFO.
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:52 pm
Yep, the only problem is I have no confidence our staff as any clue what to do with them.
Miami Dawg
October 9th, 2009
1:53 pm
Just like being a season ticket holder doesn’t make you any more of a fan?
how2fish
October 9th, 2009
1:53 pm
yep senoiadawgs its a real shame they can’t figure out how to use A.J Green.
Mikey
October 9th, 2009
1:54 pm
Rex is right.
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
ugaaccountant, my point being those are the obvious good things to talk about to all of us. Give me something other than individuals. We always have great individuals it takes coaches to turn that into a team.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
haralson go bakc to the tech blog. you guys suck
L-Dawg
October 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
Mr. Herschel Talker….
I direct these positive comments at the non-UGA “fans” that come on to this blog strictly to bash the UGA program. The ones that know nothing about thier program, just that they are suppose to hate ours. The ones that spend so much time talking negative on our blogs they forget to buy tickets to their Thursday night games… get the picture??
I am not knocking the UGA fans/critics on here. I am one to. I know exactly where we have problems and acknowledge them. I just like to let the other fans know that we spend our time being true fans of our program and not concerning ourselves with the problems of another.
L-Dawg
Bulldawg
October 9th, 2009
1:56 pm
Even Coach Mark Richt has said in numerous press conferences and interviews that the Dawgs have issues. If the HEAD COACH of the team feels there are issues and isn’t happy with how the team has played, then the fan base should be the same. Come one guys! GO DAWGS!
Otto
October 9th, 2009
1:56 pm
I get to predict where teams will finish just as much as you get to predict that things are fine in Athens.
LSU hs been struggling against some mediocre teams, and Okie St. lost to Houston. It does not take a rocket scientist to know the offense is stale and problems persist from last season have not been fixed.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
1:58 pm
HUNKERDOWN YOU HAIRY DAWGS!!!!
WE WILL BE NATIONAL CHAMPS IN 2010 WHEN TEEBLOW AND MYERS LEAVE FLARIDA!
BUNCH OF JORT WEARING MULLET HEADS!!!
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
1:58 pm
You guys are falling right into the trap: Yeh, they really have figured out a brillant way to use AJ Green. Have Cox throw the ball up and pray AJ makes the play or it’s intercepted. As so many have said this week and week’s past, about 3 or 4 other receivers in the nation make the plays he does. Imagine what AJ would look like this year and next being hit in stride by his receiver so he could make real plays instead of stealing the ball from DB’s and making circus diving catches.
David
October 9th, 2009
1:59 pm
No problems with anyone with fair criticism of Georgia football. But… seems like all of the arm-chair quarterbacks know more than our Coach. If you include Jim Donnan’s 2000 season and Coach Richt’s vision for our program since 2001, the Georgia Football program is in the Top 5 for wins in this decade. We are right there competing for championships in the toughest division in the NCAA and winning them. Only USC, Texas, Oklahoma and Boise State (I think( have won more games before this season. Get a grip people. Fair criticism is part of the pageantry of College football, but it gets pretty ugly around here and other places and there seems to be a real lack of respect mostly from foul mouthed fans who hide behind their computer screen. I know everyone wants a National Championship, but it takes time, luck and CONSISTENCY from a program. See FSU, Tennessee, Nebraska, etc. We have an outstanding program that isn’t perfect, but a lot of you so-called fans really bring the team down and embarrass yourselves and the great University of Georgia.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
2:00 pm
Senoia stop crying, we dawgs are awesome and will dominat tennesee and Florida this year!!!
Spike
October 9th, 2009
2:00 pm
Boys, we need some run blocking, give the rock to Ealy, play much better on special teams, and cut out the stupid a$$ penalties! CMR needs to light a fire under some a$$es.
Will
October 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
why does every idiot Georgia fan think that anyone who questions what CMR does think that we suddenly are trying to bring back Jim Donnan?? Donnan was a moron and so is Richt…..you forget that Richt was hired without one day of experience as a head coach…a big mistake for a big time program like Georgia
senoiadawgs
October 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
yep, heard the same thing about OSU, SC, ARK, ASU and LSU. Those have been really dominating performances. You know what I said the same thing about OSU because I believed what was said during the offseason. Just go back and ask pokesfan
Otto
October 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
senoiadawgs, I agree on the AJ comment. Also how would Mullen, Whipple or Malzahn be using Carlton Thomas? He is explosive if you can get him in space. A little motion and changing up the formations would help everyone on offense and sustaining a drive for more than 3 min would help our defense.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
David
my thoughs exactly!!!
LTBDE
WOOF WOOF
ugaaccountant
October 9th, 2009
2:04 pm
Fair criticism is when people were pointing out that Ray Goff wasn’t getting enough wins out of his players, who were also pretty high on recruiting rankings.
Unfair criticism is forgetting we were #2 in the country in 2007.
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
2:04 pm
Are couch isthe best ever!!!
TYPICAL BULLDAWG FAN
October 9th, 2009
2:05 pm
#2 in 07
#1 preseason 08!
whos complainin?
MtnDawg
October 9th, 2009
2:06 pm
Agreed, blind loyalty does not make you a good fan.
Neither does throwing the coach out after one bad season–when he is perennially a contender on the national stage. Face it, CMR made UGA football what it is today. He has made it into what it could have always been.
Give positive things the coach or players can do–real fans don’t just say “They suck.” Real fans question calls at specific times. Real fans question putting in one player over another. We have plenty of real fans here. But, we also have obnoxious whiners.
Macclenny_dawg
October 9th, 2009
2:06 pm
There is no problems in Athens. Mark Richt is a good coach. He just needs to quit being so loyal to his staff. The first few years Richt was here we was more aggressive and had the team fired up and they played with a attitude. Well Dawg fans now the team and coaches are mirror image of Coach Richt. They take things in stride and play not to lose instead of play to win!! This Dawg fans is great for a team that plays on the road in the S.E.C. But as for playing at home where we should be unbeatable we seem to lack focus. This team plays only when they are challenged. By that I mean we score feel good about the game then don’t execute until we lose the lead. Then the team starts to focus as does BOBO and we seem to score on our next possession. But in the past when that seemed to be the case we would get aggressive and try to block a punt and it seemed to work. Now we get the lead and we seem to be scared to become aggressive because of penalties. But last time I checked every team gets them but the great teams are able to overcome them. But Dawg fans I think Richt knows Martinez is gone after this season. That is why he named a co-defensive coordinator to try to make the fans take some heat of him. But know do you hear about a co-defensive coordinator? This team needs some coordinators to get in these kids face and play with some urgency!!! Then when this team gets down let Richt and his calm demeanor coach them up!!!!
how2fish
October 9th, 2009
2:07 pm
Otto is must have been great to be you growing up..getting everything you wanted when you wanted it…I mean DAMN there is always room for improvement but and I REALLY think this there are a lot of “FANS” here that if we were 5-0 and averaging 50 points and giving up 3 or less a game would STILL be screaming “The Sky Is Falling” . To me I think we have made progress every game and that’s why I’m still hopeful about this team..sorry I’m not getting on the doom and gloom train just yet a couple of bad beatdowna and sure but not yet..that’s all I’m saying have a great weekend .GATA.
St Simons
October 9th, 2009
2:07 pm
i have to admit that the dawgs do look cool in their away uniforms
F-105 Thunderchief
October 9th, 2009
2:07 pm
It’s OK to criticize. I’ve been very critical of the critics when they are all bile and no substance, i.e. the blather about Joe Cox being worse than JTIII after one freaking game. He’s no David Greene, but he’s no Jonathan Crompton either.
Paddy
October 9th, 2009
2:08 pm
Army Vet I agree. But I will remain a true fan and stick with them. Discipline can happen on this team but the staff does not seem to make it a high priority. The excessive celebration is easly solved. So staff lets solve it!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 9th, 2009
2:08 pm
Bill, I think it is YOU who do Rex Robinson a dis-servise because you only seem to reference him in a piece that you need to cut a line to help paint a negative picture of something. I think this post is nothing more than your own guilt.
As far as fans, anyone simple needs to read this blog about tomorrow when its full, and figure out who is who. It’s comical to even suggest that “just support the team” is some big issue. And for every 1 of those there is going to be 10 over-exagerating name-calling fact-butchering idiots. Hell there are going to be 5 times as many people calling everyone Gay, which you don’t seem to have an issue with.
The blind-homer is nothing more than the straw man set up by over the top, never have anything positve to say bloggers, who know damn well they would embarassed if anyone actually knew thier identity.
m
October 9th, 2009
2:08 pm
can you be gay and still be a loyal dawg fan
how2fish
October 9th, 2009
2:09 pm
Will…please stay one the Bug blog…your a bug or the dumbest dog of all time.