For Dogs, the colors were black … and blue
Is Joe Cox pointing to the next Gator he'll be throwing the ball to? (Bob Andres / AJC)
Florida defeated the Georgia Bulldogs again Saturday in Jacksonville with a large assist from … the Georgia Bulldogs.
After spotting the Gators two touchdowns in the first quarter, Georgia managed to pull back within four points. But the two bugaboos that have plagued the Dogs all season derailed any chance of staying in the game: penalties and turnovers.
The Dogs had eight penalties in the first half. They fixed that problem in the second half, drawing only one flag, but switched to their other favorite way of shooting themselves in the foot, turnovers, with four.
I don’t think that’s what they had in mind when Mark Richt and his staff have said the Dogs need to play “balanced” football.
Starter Joe Cox was lifted halfway through the fourth quarter after throwing his third pick of the half, and then we got the answer to the question of why we haven’t seen more of Logan Gray at QB this season. He is an absolutely terrible passer. The interception he threw from the Georgia end zone to Brandon Spikes, who literally walked in for a score, should become part of an instructional video on how not to play quarterback.
There were positives in the game for the Dogs, mainly in the second quarter when they showed their resiliency and threatened to make a game of it. While Florida looked on its first two drives like it was going to move the ball at will, the Georgia defense stiffened after that and was doing what it could to keep the game in hand, considering the Gators have Tim Tebow. But the second half giveaway staged by Cox and the Georgia offense put the defense in an untenable position, giving Florida a short field too many times. And Mike Bobo actually called a decent game, mixing up the run and pass and moving the ball … until a penalty or turnover would kill the drive.
Basically, the lack of discipline that has characterized recent Richt teams undercut everything good that they did. It’s tough enough to beat a team like Florida if you play your best football. Make that many mistakes and it’s impossible.
One last thought: I’m sure the idiot fringe of Dogs fandom will blame the loss on Georgia reviving the black britches for the first time in 11 years and breaking out black helmets for the first time in UGA history. That’s asinine. The color of what you’re wearing doesn’t cause you to commit penalties or turn the ball over.
Florida won because they’re the better team. But Georgia made it easy for them with too many stupid mistakes.
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414 comments Add your comment
Fladawg
November 1st, 2009
8:38 am
Being at the game and seeing the way our teams acts on the field is an embarrassment. Ealey and King and others constantly dancing to every light thug rap song tells you the kind of players we are moding…Ritch can not keep discipline in check. Even when we brought it to 14-10, he had to do stupid celebration dance on the sidelines…it just fired up the florida players even more and they put another quick 10 points on us after that. Ritch has lost my confidence as a coach and leader. The UGA team is totally out of control and in its worst downward spiral in years. I don’t think I have heard so many analyst on ESPN and talk shows disrespect the Georgia program like this. Even in the Golf and Donan years, we were not known as undisciplined thugs as we are now. BTW, Logan Gray screwed the team by not catching the fair catch on the 10 yard line as well. Why put a player back there to catch the ball who does not want to catch it? Another huge error…he could have caught it on the 10, instead it rolled to the 2 1/2. In addition, he is not the quarterback of the future and should transfer somewhere where he can play instead of pulling Joe Cox where coach felt obligated to give him the starting position because he waited around 4 years. You can’t recruit these guys who are 6 foot tall or smaller and expect them to be able to pass in this league. Cox’s passes have been batted down all season long.
UGAGRAD02
November 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Now I know what Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State feel like almost every football season. Richt better do some changing because it will not get any better.
UGAGRAD02
November 1st, 2009
8:46 am
I forgot to mention that Joe Cox sucks.
Navigator
November 1st, 2009
8:46 am
On one of the other blogs someone said that Cutcliffe has done better with a lot less at Duke. Well that may be true, but Duke doesn’t play Florida, and the point is: If UGA is looking for a replacement for Richt they need to be very careful. The grass is always greener somewhere else, but from a Tech and Georgia fan perspective, we got Chan Gailey for 6 years, and that was about as painful as you can get. Let’s hope all UGA fans will get behind Richt and wait out this 2 year misery and look forward to returning to what the team was 3-4 years ago.
Don't Sweat It, Objective Gator
November 1st, 2009
8:48 am
They have to have something to focus on other than the reality of losing 17 out of 20 to you guys. They don’t have excuses like the refs or injuries this time, so it has to be something else. Pretty much an indication of their lack of class.
doodle
November 1st, 2009
8:48 am
Damon, do you remember when you said you were setting our bar on the level with FL? how low does it have to go??
Nashdawg
November 1st, 2009
8:52 am
Simply put it is time for Martinez to go and for Coach Richt to evaluate the team as a whole. Bobo should stay because he did have the offense ready to go and with exception of the interceptions and penalties, the team was moving the pigskin. Certainly discipline is lacking on the team and I am not sure how the coach corrects it but it needs to be done. Hopefully, the boys can come out of the season with 7 wins. Memphis here we come. Woo Hoo.
stu
November 1st, 2009
8:54 am
That guy is Right Grambling played a heck of game
willisrog
November 1st, 2009
8:56 am
UGA fans only need to ask themselves ONE QUESTION: Would a Saban, Meyer, or Johnson coached team EVER do the things we do on a regular basis? The tribal dancing when behind, the same inexcusable penalties, the arena league gimmicks with uniforms (don’t compare our situation with Oregon please), and the same blowout losses that have become a Richt tradition…..
We will NEVER beat Florida again under him and at BEST we can hope we can now split with Tech over the next 10 years. This is not knee-jerk, folks, what have you seen in the 4 seasons to suggest otherwise? A win over Hawaii?
Pago Flyer
November 1st, 2009
8:59 am
We wish they would stop with telecasting the disasters in JAX! The DAWGS wont’ beat FL or TENN until 2030…maybe!
Pah17
November 1st, 2009
9:00 am
Richts gimmicks are embarrasing. We have one more huge embarrasment to come when the Jackets hang 50 on the puppy dawgs.
verge
November 1st, 2009
9:03 am
GatorGirl! You hit the nail on the head with these GA fans. You are dead on! First, let me say I don’t think CMR is the coach they think he is. He’s average! Second, there are other teams in the SEC that’s getting ready to blow them away. Third, whatever you do, please don’t say anything bad about UGA, because that’s when they start cursing you out and calling you bad names…
verge
November 1st, 2009
9:07 am
Can someone tell me why CMR teams feel they have to do something stupid after scoring? Blew me away they were celebrating while getting pounded.
SuperB
November 1st, 2009
9:09 am
Two words: AARON MURRAY
georgiadawgg
November 1st, 2009
9:09 am
The dogs are not the oakland raiders in their black uniforms.Mar Richt is laughing his a$$ of this morning eating his ham and eggs.SUCKERS
coach excuse
November 1st, 2009
9:12 am
PROBLEM WITH CHANGING DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IS IF THE NEW ONE IS GOOD RICHT WILL NEVER SAY THE OLD ONE WAS BAD , BUT HE WILL BLAME IT ON SOMETHING ELSE , AND THATS WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT HIM HE IS A POLITICIAN AND YOU KNOW THEY NEVER TELL THE TRUTH……
coach excuse
November 1st, 2009
9:15 am
ACCORDING TO MARK RICHT AARON MURRAY IS NOT THAT GOOD , OTHERWISE HE WOULD BE STARTING NOW , BASE ON WHO WE HAVE NOW , AARON IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE JOE COX POSITION
The Other St. Simons
November 1st, 2009
9:20 am
Well, it is a beautiful day down here. Sorry the Dawgs lost, but I had a blast last night. The good news is that we all know what is coming next. Bye Bye coaches.
Raleigh
November 1st, 2009
9:21 am
UGA’s administration (Adams, Evans, Richt) need to decide whether they want to invest in a proven coaching staff. When Richt arrived, he had the luxury of putting together the staff that he wanted. I don’t think any of us can complain about those initial coaching decisions. The problems seemed to arrive when Richt had to make replacements.
When he replaced himself as O.C., did he look for a proven commodity? No – let’s give Bobo a shot. He played QB here and he’s a good kid. Let’s see if he can get it done. The result: an offense that relies solely on playmaking ability due to a predictable and uninspired scheme. The competition: when having to replace his O.C., Nick Saban brings in an innovative and experienced coach from Fresno State who transforms a second rate QB (JPW) into a division champ and national championship contender.
When he replaced Van Gorder as D.C., did he hire an experienced, proven coordinator. No – let’s give Willie a chance. I’ve known him since high school. We get along real well and he’s done a nice job with the secondary. The result: a meandering, clueless effort on defense that leads to top-notch athletes performing at the bottom of their conference. The competition: after a one-year poor effort by the internally promoted crew who replaced Bo Pelini, Les Miles hires John Chavis to lead LSU’s defense.
“Promote from within” is a mentality at some institutions (athletic and otherwise). In a large organization with multiple tiers, that can work out fine as people have an opportunity to feel their way along and learn from others. But it doesn’t work so well on a small coaching staff. Rather than hiring and paying people to do what they’re good at, UGA seems in the rut of hiring people and hoping they become good at it. And that includes silly promotions to justify pay increases like Jancek to Co-DC and Searles to “running game coordinator”.
I have a couple questions about Richt and this administration:
- Will UGA spend the money necessary to hire proven coordinators and coaches?
- Is Richt capable of effectively hiring and inspiring a seasoned assistant coaching staff? Or is he a coordinator in the head coach’s office?
'65 DAWG
November 1st, 2009
9:21 am
You say you want change, Bucky? Do you really want change? There’s only one sure fire way to get the attention of the powers that be – cut-off the money. Be sure to remember this coming May when you’re filling out your ticket requests and about to make contributions to the Athletic Association. Otherwise, nothing will change. However, we all know what you’re going to do don’t we Bucky!
Alabama Jack
November 1st, 2009
9:22 am
Holy batman. Next week we have to play one of those Tech teams. Quick, decide on a color so we can start dying the uniforms. How about fuschia – it doesn’t show blood and will look nice on smurf turf if we are lucky enough to get there.
Steve
November 1st, 2009
9:23 am
UGA is recruiting dumb athletes, not FOOTBALL players!!
#2 BAMA FAN
November 1st, 2009
9:29 am
TWO WORDS!!! PAPER BAGS!! I LIKED THE BLACK HELMETS!!
Dawggy Style
November 1st, 2009
9:31 am
WILL MUSCHAMP is still making less than $1 million per season as Texas’ defensive coordinator and head coach in-waiting. Would you sit around for 10+ years waiting for Mack Brown to retire (while your good efforts as a LEADING DC ironically prolong that decision), or would you come home to Georgia, recruit the state like a mad man (and stay out of the south Florida housing projects), coach your players up to their potential, make UGA a respectable football program again and a NATIONAL TITLE CONTENDER – and then run for governor? Oh, and you’ll be making $2.5-$3.5 million per season rather than your current salary. Damon Evans, pick up the phone and do what’s needed – I don’t believe that money will be an issue!!
Supes
November 1st, 2009
9:33 am
Let’s get this out of the way. The better team won the game.
It’s the matter the way UGA played (or rather failed to compete) with FLA for 4 quarters that is not acceptable. A loss should never be acceptable, but some are to be expected when facing a superior team like FLA poised for a National Championship run.
UGA has much bigger issues than Joe Cox, penalties, discipline, etc. Its the program, starting with CMR. It’s the schemes, the recruiting, the type of players, etc.
If the rest of the year goes the way I think it will…UGA will not be going to a bowl game (which is fine, we don’t deserve it)…but CMR and most of his staff need to be FIRED.
If they are not, we are willing to accept MEDIOCRITY in an SEC where others are getting better while UGA is constantly regressing. We went 10-3 last year with 2 NUMBER 1 draft picks on offense (I guess we really understand how much better Stafford and Moreno are than the garbage that took their place).
UGA = Flawed Program (and it pains me to watch as a UGA fan, but I won’t stick my head in the sand like others who refuse to recognize the signs of decay that are eating away at the Dawgs Football Program.
savannah dawg
November 1st, 2009
9:35 am
Watching CMR getting on the ref after a late hit out of bounds was a joke. He should’ve been getting on his player’s a$$ instead of the ref. That is what is wrong with this program. No discipline and sorry coaching. Gary Patterson at TCU would be a great hire at GA, because CMR looks like he has lost his passion for UGA.
Supes
November 1st, 2009
9:41 am
On offense, UGA should be starting Aaron Murray out of the SHOTGUN, with 3-4 wide and a SINGLE tailback on EVERY play. Spread the FRAKING field. We have the skill position guys (granted most are young, but we have nothing to lose, so play the KIDS now). Line up AJ, Tavares, Rontavious and Marlon Brown out, but Ealey back there (as a single back) and just go for it. Develop the offensive talent you have. Why is CMR insistant on running a PRO style offense when the Personnel ISN’T Here? That’s what I don’t get (from x-o’s) point of view with Richt. Look at Meyer (as much as I dislike him), the guy is willing to change the offense based on the PLAYERS available to him. Not Richt…he’ll run the same unimaginative Sh*t every game. It only works when you have the PLAYERS. Unreal.
(aside from that, those who don’t want to spread the field and play 3-4 wide with a single tailback) then WHY recruit players that DON’T fit into the Pro style offense?
Where is our 230lb tailback (our version of Charles Scott, or Dwyer), where is the 6-4QB (like a Ryan Mallet) that are BUILT to run a pro style offense?
Instead we have a sub 200lb RB and a QB who can barely see over the line and looks overmatched and lacks the ARM strength to play in a pro style set.
Why isn’t anyone talking about this? (any CMR backers care to debate me?)
Supes
November 1st, 2009
9:43 am
UGA recruiting has a serious issue = They don’t recruit to the STYLE of offense/defense they wanna PLAY. I guess we can blame the black helmets or the current players for that rather than the COACHING staff.
SHANE
November 1st, 2009
9:45 am
I blame Dooley for our Florida problems with some other beat downs we have taken since 1990. He had the chance to go out and hire a top tier coach in 1990 and decided to hire Gump instead. It is hard to over come the seven years and the level of which he sunk the program too. A great hire back in 1990 and the numbers might be a little different. I have tried to find every reason to back our current defensive coaching staff. I can no longer find any good ones. First rule of business: Never hire your friends because one day you may have to fire them. That day has come. I also think Rodney Garner has become very complacent in his position too.
GT For You And Me
November 1st, 2009
9:47 am
Black just made a good target for FLA’s defense………
Dawg Doo
November 1st, 2009
9:49 am
Go Daaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwgs, Friday night high school football at its best.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Steve in Conyers
November 1st, 2009
9:49 am
Richt has to go, and the sooner the better.
Murray County Mystic
November 1st, 2009
9:50 am
don’t fret UGA fans; LSU will take out Tebow and the boys in the ATL at the SEC Championship game, and, represent the SEC proudly as they throttle Texas in the NC game…three crystal footballs in 6 years in the red stick…hide and watch…
Saint Simons
November 1st, 2009
9:51 am
41 – 17 !!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Melanie
November 1st, 2009
9:53 am
The problem lies within the coaching UGA fans. Your coach has lost his control of this team. He lost the control last year. When you have players getting arrested every week for public drunk, fighting & DUI’s YOU have a problem. I know Dooley is just about ready to have a stroke over all the bad publicity this team has gotten, but you put the blame where it needs to be. You have to have discipline people! The coaching staff can have the best in the nation, but if there is no control or discipline, you have what your team has. So all you UGA fans who want the head of your coaching staff on a stick, send all your e-mails to Dooley; make him do something about what is happening in your own back yard. If you pay coaches millions of dollars & they hand you this type of team every year, you have a problem. Just look at the other coaches within the SEC & the ACC; look at who has discipline with their teams & you will winning teams because of the strict discipline & absolute control the coaching staff have over their teams.
T-Dawg
November 1st, 2009
9:56 am
Benadog you are stupid. You sound like the redneck you are. You are a complete idiot.
matt
November 1st, 2009
9:57 am
Yeah lets put our backup in whose only thrown about 4 collegiate passes (if that) in against Florida on our own 2 yard line and see how he does!! Brilliant!! The coaches have already admitted that his progression at QB has been hindered by practicing on special team so much. The kid was a 4 star prospect and is a hell of an athlete. I wonder how much time he wastes during the week practicing fair catching punts!!!!! GREAT COACHING JOB BOYS!!!! SEE YA NEXT YEAR!!!!!!
Courage
November 1st, 2009
9:57 am
To those of you who are still behind CMR, and who are calling those of us who want him fired idiots, I have this to say.
Obviously you know nothing about football, you know nothing about UGA tradition, and you should not be allowed to say anything to those of us who actually care whats happened to this once great tradition!
Do you think this kind of play would have been tolerated by Vince Dooley? No! By Urban Cryer? No! By Saban? No By Bear Bryant? Heck No! BY paul Johnson? NO! You people know nothing!
You folks who say its not CMR’s fault have no idea what you’re talking about. Each and every program gets its lead from the top dog, pardon the pun, and this teams identity is a direct relection of the headcoach. While most are nice young men, like their coach, on the field they are soft, way too soft, with no fire in their bellies!
Too soft, too many excuses. Too much of an oh well attitude. Its like the man is biding is his time until he gets the FSU job. And I’m sure his players see the lack of fire, the lack of attention to detail, the lack of preperation. CMR cried until he got his bye week before UF. So his awful staff now has two weeks to prepare and this is how we play? This is a joke! And until something changes in Athens, this team is done!
CMR promised changes after last year! These are the changes he promised? How’s that hope and change working for UGA now? Heres a clue for the clueless. Its not working and nothing has changed!
This team is undisciplined, has no real identity and is under coached. As Spurrier said – Georgia gets all these great recruits, and then I don’t know what happens to them.
Nuff said!
GT For You And Me
November 1st, 2009
10:00 am
Richt says GA does not have a problem…. Pray tell… This is your coach talking DAWG fan! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2BRV_bU2jE
neil marlowe
November 1st, 2009
10:00 am
In wat has to be the dumbest idea in years, the hated Dawgs came out in black and white. Apparently those dumbass rednecks in Athens don;t know that black and white are not colors!! RED is the primary color of the University of Georgia. Whoever thought up the idea of wearing black pants and black helmets should be fired – right now. Over the years, UGA has remained faithful to the grey pants/red jersey and red helmet style which has become classic, while my alma mater has experimented with uniforms for 40-50 years. What is wrong with the classic gold pants, white shirt and gold helmets. In the late 60s, we even went to old gold, a low point if there ever was one;. At any rate, congratulations to UGA for their first losing season in a long while – they will finish 5 and 7, hopefully.
Courage
November 1st, 2009
10:00 am
Melanie – You speak the truth! Well said girl!
To you other maroons – She’s a girl and gets whats going on. Thats more then I can say about some you maroons who are still in love with CMR!
builder dawg
November 1st, 2009
10:02 am
they had two weeks to prepare for that? wow this program needs to be cleaned out and started over.players can be taught to lose as well as win,they can be taught to play with or without dicipline,how to read defenses how to not throw high and behind recievers how to tackle and wrap up,see a pattern here? taught …teaching,oh thats right,coaching!!!!!! not happening from strength to execution,something is missing CMR needs to take that Bible and smack these guys upside the head with it.use some fire and brimstone. this season is over,no matter what he says.we beat TN tech, maybe UK, 50/50 AU,and i hate this, loose to GIT.all this while programs all around us are getting better,Christ, UT is having a better year with that moron as a coach, lets not even talk about bama or UF the last two years.
Steve in Conyers
November 1st, 2009
10:02 am
It’s hard to get in in my head that we’re doormats now. I never thought I would see the day when UGA invoked no more respect and fear than Vanderbilt or Mississippi State. It’s not just this year, we’re sinking lower every year under Richt. Wally Butts must be rolling over in his grave.
It’s hard to deal with.
DOG GONE IT
November 1st, 2009
10:08 am
Two weeks to prepare and it looks like the only thing this coaching staff and seniors were working on or should have been was their resumes.
SHANE
November 1st, 2009
10:10 am
If posters want to invoke the Dooley era, You may want to look at some of his seasons where the record and talent was laking. There were many times the Bulldog nation wanted him fired. Most of his legacy is based on one man the Erk Russell. The offense was not the Junkyard Dawgs. It was all about the the defense.
Also, the thug comments that are being made about the current players are a little uninformed. At least most of these guys are getting a degree. UGA and other schools had the same if not worst problems back in the days of Dooley,Jordan and Bryant. Back then the police worked with the atheletic departments and there was not the internet to broadcast all of the problems. Coach Dooley was a career 8-3 coach with one special player and a GREAT DC. I guess everyone also forgets before the 1980 national championship game he considered leaving for Auburn.
savannah dawg
November 1st, 2009
10:10 am
WE ARE THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE SEC.
#2 BAMA FAN
November 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Sorry dawgs fans and me included we have not reached the bottom yet!! Watch out for the nerds
from the flats!!
StraightJacket
November 1st, 2009
10:11 am
What the program needs now, more than EVER, is STABILITY!
Coach Ricked neeeeeeeds to sign Coach BooBoo and Coach Willie “Vodka” Martini to LONG TERM CONTRACTS!
Only THEN can the dogs continue to sign 4 and 5 Star recruits to improve the program in the coming years.
I IMPLORE the dawg fans to have PATIENCE! STABILITY is the KEY!!!!!
-SJ
michael
November 1st, 2009
10:13 am
I knew it was not a good sign when the media incorrectly posted the overall series record 46 wins 38 losses and 2 ties in favor of the gators.
Atlanta Gator
November 1st, 2009
10:19 am
Cuz—-I left a comment for you on the last page of Tony Barnhart’s blog.
There will be other days, my friend.