How ’bout them halftime adjustments?
Some random thoughts and questions in the wake of Saturday’s humiliation of the Dogs by Tennessee …
Mark Richt again proved the master of understatement Saturday in noting that, “When you’re geared to stop the run, you’re vulnerable [to play-action passes], and we didn’t adjust very well to it.”
It's time to sit Bryan Evans on the bench. (Associated Press)
Of course, this is nothing new. Much has been made of Willie Martinez’s trouble making midgame adjustments. And rightly so. Georgia’s inability to figure out Jonathan Crompton’s bootleg passing Saturday was just plain embarrassing. One thought: Might Martinez have a better grasp of the big picture if he was calling Georgia’s defensive signals from the booth?
I’ve got a better idea: Let’s move him out of the stadium altogether!
On the other side of the ball Saturday, Mike Bobo also appeared unable to adjust when his game plan, whatever it was, failed to click. How does Georgia’s offense do coming out of halftime? Three consecutive three-and-outs, racking up minus 1 yard in the third quarter. But, hey, his boss is still a fan of his playcalling. More about that later.
Richt made his reputation as an offensive whiz at FSU. I frankly don’t think Bobo is capable of fixing what ails the Dogs’ offense right now, particularly the running game, so I’m hoping Richt will take a hand. As A.J. Green so correctly put it after the debacle in Knoxville: “It starts with the running game. If you can’t run the ball, nobody’s going to respect it. Everybody is just going to try to play the passing game.”
Oh, and after being touted in the preseason as one of the Georgia team’s strengths, the offensive line is now officially a liability.
You hate to single out individual players from a performance as overwhelmingly disappointing as Georgia’s against the Vols, what with all those missed tackles, dropped passes and muffed blocks. But, really, why is Bryan Evans still getting playing time? He simply is not an SEC-caliber defender. And Prince Miller got burned pretty badly out there as well on Saturday. It’s time to give the bulk of the snaps to the younger defenders.
Here’s a quote from Lane Kiffin that stings as much as any of Steve Spurrier’s barbs from the Ray Goff era: “I don’t know that I’ve ever been involved in a game where the defense didn’t let a team into the red zone one time.”
Bright spots? There weren’t many for Georgia. Drew Butler continues to be a beast of a punter, averaging 49.8 on six tries, including a 61-yarder. Brandon Boykin tied Gene Washington’s Georgia record for two kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season. He’s the first SEC player to have two 100-yard kickoff returns in one season, the UGA athletics folks report. Bacarri Rambo’s interception was about the only positive out of the whole day for the defense.
And Georgia’s special teams had a good day generally. But still … a facemask penalty on a short directional kick gives Tennessee the ball at Georgia’s 45. I suppose Richt blames the wind.
And all season long we’d seen Logan Gray back there to receive punts in Georgia territory, usually to fair catch them or wave everyone off if the ball was inside the 10. So why on Saturday did Georgia suddenly decide to use Prince Miller in those situations? Miller proceeded to field a punt at the Georgia 1. Yes, he managed to return it to the 13-yard line, but in what playbook does it call for you to catch that ball?
Speaking of strange decisions, why on earth would the Dogs fair catch a kickoff at their own 14?
And, finally, Richt reportedly got kind of shirty with the press after game. Seems he took umbrage at folks wondering if he was satisfied with Bobo’s playcalling. He said he is.
I think maybe that concerns me more than anything I saw on the field Saturday.
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588 comments Add your comment
Blindog
October 11th, 2009
11:28 am
What the hell is going on here!!!!!!!!
CentralFLDawg
October 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Bill…you’ve been patient and reluctant to criticize unlike many whacko commenters. You’ve tried to see the glass half full. You’ve looked at the program from a historical perspective avoiding rash, emotional comments. You’re a UGA fan through and through. But, you’ve finally had it.
Me too!
Denver Dog
October 11th, 2009
11:33 am
What can you say, this was as poor a performance as we have ever seen from a UGA team, coached by Richt. SC 95 was pretty bad, and 90 Ga Tech was bad too! These are great players and good coaches. Here is a good adjustment, free Willy, spread the offense, keep the opposing defense gusessing. It is not that simple, but it is a start.
Go Dogs, beat Vandy
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:33 am
You Gator fans make me laugh…it hasn’t even been 6 years since your team was the laughing stock of the SEC with Ron Zook as your coach…back when UGA beat ya’ll, and ya’ll lost to MISSISSIPPI STATE !!!
You gator fans should know exactly how we feel right now, because ya’ll lost games with better talent, and it was because of coaching!!
But you are gonna talk trash now?
That’s funny. That’s also why gator fans are so hated and despised, because you are ignorant AND forgetful. How convenient.
Tombo
October 11th, 2009
11:35 am
It would be one thing if we had occasional screw ups that were corrected by the next game, but we keep seeing the same screw ups game after game…dating back to last season. No changes mid-game or any other time. Lack of coaching.
When Van Gorder was DC, the D might give up stuff in the first half, but he always made adjustments at half time and shut down what had been working for the other team. That was coaching…prepare, plan, adapt.
VolNation
October 11th, 2009
11:35 am
Get use to it. Maybe things are clicking in Knoxville finally, maybe UGA is just that bad, either way, you guys get to live with the fact that for the next year, Lane Kiffin is your daddy. Love him, hate him, he’s not your daddy. I guess that would make Monte Kiffin your granddaddy too. Anyone who thought Mike Bobo vs Monte Kiffin would be anything more than what it was yesterday should be checked for tumors. Things are looking good in Knoxville, Crompton still isn’t the answer, but maybe this is finally clicking with him and he’ll be able to manage it till the end of the season. Life is good.
ATLVOL
October 11th, 2009
11:37 am
Actually Willie Gault from Tennesse had 3 100 yard kickoffs in one season.
surfdawg
October 11th, 2009
11:37 am
CWM, Coach Richt has been a very loyal friend to you and your family to the point it is about to cost him his job. Why don’t you reciprocate that friendship and resign today. There has been talk of demoting you to Secondary coach. Please don’t entertain that thought.It is now time for you to walk away from this level of football.As a dawgs fan all my life (44yrs) I like Mr. King do no longer want you anywhere near the stadium on game day.So please gather up what self respect you have left and resign today ….Thanks in advance
Blindog
October 11th, 2009
11:39 am
Richt CAN’T be happy with Bobo’s play calling, it looks like he has no olue and never makes adjustments when what he’s trying to do does not work! The defence?? It has no direction,they look so lost,something has got to change RICHT NEEDS TO RETURN TO CALLING THE PLAYS….NOW!!!
Dr M
October 11th, 2009
11:40 am
What an embarrassment. I’m anything but a nay-sayer; but, I haven’t been this concerned about the direction of the football program since….Ray Goff was coach. It’s gut check time for CMR. The team appears to be demoralized. The leaders among the players need to step up, too; but, leadership starts at the top.
BurtDawg
October 11th, 2009
11:40 am
How did it get this bad, this quick? It just is wild to try figure this out. As far as adjustment (s), I don’t think we ever make any. It seems to me they stick with whatever the game plan is, and just hope it works better in the second half. How they can get paid what they get is not worth it. Any coach from anywhere can do what they do.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:40 am
needless to say, bill king and I are on the same page the last 18 months as far as this team goes. I will not ruin any more of my weekends on watching this team perform until there are coaching changes made.
Also, if I hear one more fan say that CWM needs to be demoted instead of fired, I am gonna throw-up.
That is like saying Bobby Petrino should have been demoted to offensive coordinator last year for the falcons!?
I do not want a man who cannot be a DC in the SEC(proven that in 4+ years) to be our DB coach, when our db’s and safety are the worst I have ever seen. EVER.
Bobo can go to qb coach, maybe, but Richt has got to be the coach AND call all the plays, like he did his first 6 and 1/2 years.
Bobo CAN NOT call plays.
Oh, and Fabris needs to be FIRED. No question.
5-1
October 11th, 2009
11:41 am
How bout that Georgia Tech High School OFFENSE ? ……………………………………………………………………Go JACJETS !
benadawg
October 11th, 2009
11:42 am
i think the only thing that will make CMR make any changes is Donors pulling money…My god can we get any worse, We cant tackle, block, run the ball, coach, i canceeled my trip to Jacksonville yesterday and i feel sad about that. I hope to see some red in Nashville but this team is a waste of money to pay to see…I swear from my living room i called an offense that would work against ours and sure enough it was ran….damn painful…pitiful….embarrasing….need i add more…
browndog
October 11th, 2009
11:43 am
If we have comparable talent on the roster with the other schools, then it has to be coaching. Recruiting is going to suffer with Tenn taking a major step forward with the high school players in Georgia. The fence around Georgia home grown talent has been torn down by Kiffen. On a positive note, no where to go but up!
ArmyDawg
October 11th, 2009
11:44 am
I’m just as frustrated with the offense as everyone else, but I find it to be the pinnacle of hypocrisy for people to be BEGGING Richt to take over play calling duties. I seem to remember a short time ago people BEGGING Richt to relinquish duties to Bobo.
Anyone? Anyone?
VolNation
October 11th, 2009
11:44 am
Lane Kiffin is your daddy.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:45 am
I guess another thing that bothers me the most, Coach Richt is not doing himself (or me) any favors by saying “He liked Bobo’s play calling”
I’m sorry? WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!
I do not want CMR to be fired, but statements like that make it hard for me to believe what I posted earlier, because I simply think that CMR is not capable of doing what is obvious to everyone else what needs to be done.
Fellow UGA fans, how in the hell can he state that he liked Bobo’s play calling!?
WHAT!?!?!?!?!
Blindog
October 11th, 2009
11:45 am
That being said …10-3 is still out there.
Sir Duke
October 11th, 2009
11:45 am
Roll Tide
VolNation
October 11th, 2009
11:47 am
10-3 is out there…but so is 7-6.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:49 am
Army Dawg, I never asked him to give up play calling, and I NEVER heard any of my friends/ fellow fans EVER ask for CMR to give up calling plays.
Maybe you have, but frankly, I disagree with you totally. We had our best years when CMR was calling plays, so what you are saying makes NO SENSE
coastal dawg
October 11th, 2009
11:51 am
The game yesterday was the most disappointing loss I have ever witnessed from a Georgia team.The sideline said it all,they looked(including coaches)completely bombshelled and at a loss of what to do to stop the bleeding.This coaching staff is the most uninspiring bunch in the country and it translates to the players where there is no “team leadership”period.I am a Georgia fan and will be regardless of where this train wreck ends up, but MR needs to step up and take responsibilty for the lack of direction this team has.Bobo and Martinez are second rate at best and need to be replaced.Warner Robbins highschool could have beat the dogs and thats sad.The offensive line is as passive as a bunch of monks,and are extremely out manned week in and week out. We have had a total meltdown,we may win two more games at best,pathetic Coach,grow a pair and show us some leadership,PLEASE.
firemarkricht.net
October 11th, 2009
11:51 am
I don’t want Richt to call plays because I don’t remember him to be an outstanding play-caller. Isn’t that why Bobo was brought in? We need a brand new OC.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:52 am
We are not going to go 10-3. or 7-6
We will go 5-8**
** We will go 8-5 if tomorrow morning CMR announces that CWM is fired, Bobe is demoted, and John Fabris is fired.
Otherwise, see 5-8 above…
Go Dawgs
October 11th, 2009
11:52 am
Denver Dog. The worst performance since 95????? Do you not remember two years at the same exact place? That game was a replica of the one we saw yesterday. And do you remember Richt’s words after that game. (not exact, but close)….. We might lose games, but I promise we will never take the field not being prepared and ready to play again. Yep, he lied to the whole Bulldawg Nation. No way in hell they were ready to play yesterday. Richt can say what he wants, but this team is in turmoil and finished(see past teams of Alabama, Miami, GT, FSU, FL) They all had athletes, got better coaches and look at those teams now. It’s an embarassment that the Univeristy of Georgia cannot put on a better display of football than what we saw yesterday. The president, the AD, the coaches and the players should all be ashamed. No other so called big time university puts on the display of football that we do week in and week out. Maybe all the other fans are right, we’re just a middle of the run football team that has no business be thinking we are going to contend for anything more than the 2nd or 3rd in the east every year.
Sir Duke
October 11th, 2009
11:53 am
see you in T-town viles- back to reality for the hillbillies. Bring Kiffin w/you- don’t forget
surfdawg
October 11th, 2009
11:53 am
Blindawg I know you could’nt see the game yesterday (thank goodness), but I promise you 10-3 is most definately NOT still out there.
George
October 11th, 2009
11:54 am
Alumni- speak up! WE need change.
Richt’s base salary will increase from its current total at around $2 million to $2.8 million per year.
Go Dawgs
October 11th, 2009
11:55 am
Piss off dawg. You nailed it, this team has declined ever since Richt decided to give up play calling and get more involved in all areas of the game. The D has declined, the special teams have sucked, and the O hasn’t been the same. He needs to go back to calling his plays, stay out of the other areas of the team and see where that leads.
ArmyDawg
October 11th, 2009
11:55 am
Pissed Off…
I wasn’t singling anyone out here, but I’ve read a lot of boards in the last 24 hours and it’s been thrown around quite a bit (not necessarily here). I think he should have never given up play calling.
I’m not sure what the answer is, but I’m tired of being heartbroken every season. Yall watch. We’ll roll into Jacksonville and beat Florida this year now that we have nothing to play for.
George
October 11th, 2009
11:56 am
Alumni- we are being robbed!
Richt’s base salary will increase from its current total at around $2 million to $2.8 million per year.
benadawg
October 11th, 2009
11:56 am
We make all struggling QBs’ look good, i know the coaches will never hear this but i agree, step down now and save yourself from any more embarrassment….MR is the only one safe at this time…and that WILL change soon…by the way to hell with tennessee…A win in nashville is not certain either….work tomorrow will be hell, thanks Dogs (sic)
SEC1
October 11th, 2009
11:56 am
yes, 10-3 is still out there. So is my date with Jennifer Aniston…
I still have confidence in Richt as CEO. However, Bobo and Martinez are not SEC caliber coaches. UGA is in a BIG TIME league, with some big time coaching staffs. We have all the tools in place, including the money. Let’s recruit a top tier coaching staff and be done with it!
Sir Duke
October 11th, 2009
11:56 am
Saban might not be very tall, but has a very hard foot. rtr
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
11:57 am
Bobe was brought in to coach QB’s. hence that is what he was. Hello.
CMR wanted to be involved more in the team aspect of coaching, that is why he let Bobo call the plays at the end of 06. BTW, that is an exact quote from what CMR said when he announced it to the media.
Has not worked out well for us at all.
And CWM has got to go. How can anyone, including CMR, defend him now? I was fed up at the end of 2007, but I got shot down. Now what do fans have to say?
And he needs to be fired NOW, not at the end of the season. That way we KNOW CMR means business
George
October 11th, 2009
11:58 am
9 years is plenty of time. 2 SEC championships, good but not great. For $3M a year, we deserve great. Alumni- voice your opinion.
“Richt’s base salary will increase from its current total at around $2 million to $2.8 million per year.”
GWB
October 11th, 2009
11:59 am
The only comments Mark RIcht needs to make are to Mike Bobo and Willie Martinez personally. Maybe you guys are the kind of non-leader types that would publicly keelhaul your employees making a bad situation worse. Mark Richt will never scapegoat his staff or players to pacify all you fair weather bandwagon crybabies. Are you idiots so damn stupid that you think Richt accomplishes anything throwing his guys under the bus? Personally I think Willie has already been told he is out of there after the season. Richt is loyal but he’s not stupid.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
12:01 pm
Army Dawg, I do not read other blogs on UGA football other thatn AJC, becuase ESPN’s and others are horrible. They attract a bunch of 18 to 25 year old smach talkers that tend to not know SH*T about SEC football, much less UGA football.
Anyway, I stand by what I wrote. I never have ever heard that in 2+ years since Richt gave up playcalling, and that covers thousands of conversations / blogs/ friends.
George
October 11th, 2009
12:02 pm
Georgia football is a business for the school and more importantly a passion for us alumni and fans. What successful business rewards failure? We need change and we need it now!
“Richt’s base salary will increase from its current total at around $2 million to $2.8 million per year.”
Sir Duke
October 11th, 2009
12:03 pm
get ready Viles… it’s definitely coming, and you’ll know it when you sober up. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
VolNation
October 11th, 2009
12:03 pm
Please, Bama Fans, it’s not like we think we’re gonna beat you, we aren’t delusional Dawg fans.
surfdawg
October 11th, 2009
12:03 pm
GWB where on this blog have you seen where anyone told Richt to fire these people publicly
Raleigh Dog
October 11th, 2009
12:04 pm
Go Dawg has it right. He promised never to be unprepared or outcoached. I had forgotten that. Maybe he had more passion back then. Maybe he’s given up. Maybe he has plans to leave already. Wouldn’t surprise me.
Go Dawgs
October 11th, 2009
12:07 pm
Nothing like watching the Mark Richt show and seeing nothing but TN highlights.
George
October 11th, 2009
12:08 pm
GWB- Are we fair weather because we want to win? Thats absurd! Maybe you are comfortable being second tier, but most of us are not. We pay CMR $3M a year to win football games and more importantly a BCS championship. WE do not have to settle for this. You really think that theres not another coach out there that cant deliver for us? Richt has been very good but not great. How many games have we won under him that we werent supposed to? How many have we lost that we werent supposed to? Go back over the last 9 years, and you’ll get your answers.
“Richt’s base salary will increase from its current total at around $2 million to $2.8 million per year.”
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
12:08 pm
GWB…
I understand what you are saying, but I am going to disagree with you totally, and here is why…
CMR has been quoted as saying to us for 2 years now that he is going to look at and make changes in the entire UGA football program, with ” the exception of the coaching staff”.
Well, that is keeping it private, but OBVIOUSLY his conversations in private have not worked at all.
This is not something new, BTW, that horrible display that our team put on the field yesterday. This is 2+ years in a row now, so please, everyone that is acting surprised is kidding themselves. A lot of UGA fans have seen this horrible coaching/ playing out on the field for some time.
So I for one am not going to buy into this lip service from CMR like I did in the middle and end of last year.
We gave him more than enough time to fix the GLARING problems, and they are still that a FULL YEAR LATER = The same thing is happening again.
Go DAWGS!
Mike Addington
October 11th, 2009
12:08 pm
Hire Van Gorder as head coach. Make the Richter the offensive coordinator. Problem solved!!!!
NJDawg
October 11th, 2009
12:09 pm
I have seen alot of Georgia football since arriving in Athens in the mid 60’s, and have seen some really bad games. But last night was just too much for me to handle. It was as embarrassing as any Bulldog performance I can remember. It was bad on offense. It was bad on defense. And, maybe worst of all, it was bad on the sidelines. Things better change!
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running)
October 11th, 2009
12:10 pm
Blind Loyalty does not make you a better UGA fan!!!!
I am sure I read that somewhere recently!!!???
Bill?! Help, I am being attacked!!