Dogs explore territory between terrible and bad
Joe Cox: One bad decision after another. (Bob Andres / AJC)
If we use Georgia’s performance against Tennessee as the baseline for “terrible,” then the Dogs did not look terrible Saturday against Florida.
On offense, they were able to move the ball successfully against the Gators … until a penalty or turnover would kill the drive. By the time Georgia made its second first down, Florida already had 10. On defense, they started out awful on the first two drives (still not recognizing play-action passes), improved in the second quarter, and settled in at mediocre in the second half.
No, the Dogs weren’t terrible Saturday. Merely bad.
A lot of us don’t understand Georgia’s use of Washaun Ealey on Saturday. Ealey started at tailback and ran 17 times for 70 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per run, and caught a 20-yard pass. Said Mike Bobo after the game: “I’d say right now he’s our No. 1 back … We think he’s a very good back and just needs to get playing time.” Fine. So why didn’t Ealey get more playing time? I’m not sure he even stayed in for an entire drive. Bobo kept pulling Ealey and putting in Richard Samuel and Caleb King. If Ealey is your man, why not stick with him more? Is his pass blocking that bad? Is it a conditioning problem?
I said Saturday Mike Bobo called a decent game, and he did for the most part. But, really, calling for runs on third-and15 and third-and 16 against the Gators? End result was pretty much what you’d expect: no gain.
And I can’t begin to understand why Willie Martinez didn’t feel it necessary to put a spy on Tim Tebow, as other teams have done and as former Georgia quarterbacks David Greene and Eric Zeier both had noted was necessary.
Except, oh yeah, I forgot. Willie doesn’t change his defense for anyone.
Mark Richt really nailed it when he said, “I’m not doing a very good job of keeping the turnovers and the penalties down.” Those of us who aren’t there at practices can’t say what it is that Richt and his staff could or should be doing differently. But obviously what they’ve been doing for the past season and two-thirds isn’t working. It’s well past time for shaking things up somehow in terms of dealing with one of the most undisciplined teams in college football.
If Joe Cox had gotten meaningful playing time the past three seasons, perhaps he wouldn’t be making so many bad decisions out there on the field … the sort of decisions you’d expect from a green freshman. We’ll never know. But what is difficult to understand is why he isn’t getting any better in that regard as the season progresses.
Looking at Saturday’s interceptions, let’s say you can write off the first one on the opening play of the second half to the fact that he doesn’t have a very strong arm. (That showed up earlier when he had Tavares King wide open at the goal line but underthrew it into a bunch of Gators, nearly getting another pick. We had to settle for a field goal on that drive.)
But throwing the ball up for grabs off your back foot as you’re being sacked is never a good idea. And on the tipped ball where he tried to hit A.J. Green going up high in a crowd? While Cox’s faith in Green’s ability to make such a catch might be understandable, as was his desire to get the ball to Georgia’s best offensive threat, the fact remains that if Green had four Gators around him, someone else was wide open.
And what of the black tops and bottoms? As I said Saturday, I don’t have a problem with Richt’s decision to go with black helmets and black pants. Some fans I’ve heard from liked the look; others hated it. I like the black pants but am cooler to the black helmets. What is disturbing, though, is why Richt felt the need to try such a ploy. “I think this was a situation where we were trying to find a way to find some more juice,” he said. “I have no regrets. These guys like that kind of thing and when there’s any time I can get these guys more excited about playing ball, I’ll do it.” Why can’t Richt’s players get “more excited about playing ball” against one of their biggest rivals without a gimmick?
Speaking of playing with “juice,” I liked the fact that Georgia’s players didn’t seem at all intimidated by the Gators. Unfortunately, they frequently lost their composure in the first half, drawing some unnecessary personal foul penalties. They let the mouthy Brandon Spikes get in their heads, as on the play when offensive lineman Josh Davis ripped Spikes’ helmet off. It could have been worse, too. Nick Williams should have been called for a late hit on Tebow that he got away with.
The Georgia coaches didn’t do so well, either. There’s really no excuse for drawing a delay of game flag on third-and-nine.
Overall, Georgia’s special teams had a decent day. Blair Walsh nailed a 49-yard field goal and got three touchbacks out of his four kickoffs. Drew Butler, the nation’s leading punter, continued to shine, averaging 52.5 yards per kick. Brandon Boykin had a 37-yard kickoff return. But on Boykin’s other returns, he spent way too much time running horizontally to little effect. And Branden Smith again tried to return one out of the end zone when he should have taken a knee for a touchback. The Dogs also were poor defending field goal attempts, at one point apparently not even having enough men on the field and making no effort to block that 56-yarder that took the wind out of the Dogs after a good defensive stand. Again, clueless coaching.
Finally, does no one at CBS bother to find out how players’ names are pronounced? We repeatedly heard about “Way-shaun” Ealey. And was Verne Lundquist simply caught up in the whole Halloween theme when he thought No. 7 for Georgia was Orson Welles? I thought Gary Danielson’s analysis was pretty spot-on throughout the game, though.
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388 comments Add your comment
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:27 pm
First!!!
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
Bill,
I wonder if your as embarrassed and upset with our coaching staffs performance yesterday as I am…
I WARNED everyone that I talked football with to not think we were going to put up a respectable effort yesterday just because we had a by-week last week…WHY?
Because the last time Willie had 2 weeks to prepare our defense was last year before the Gtech game, and we all know how that turned out…
Saint Simons
November 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
41 – 17 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha Carpets of Dalton bowl if your lucky!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahaha
Saint Simons
November 1st, 2009
12:31 pm
(((((( 41-17 ))))) hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
music city dawg
November 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
Jon Gruden
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:33 pm
Bill,
I also have a stat question…
In the history of the SEC, has there ever been a starting QB, like Joe Cox, who has thrown an interception in every single game that he has played in during the regular season?
Look out now, but the “great leader and great game manager” that CMR told us about for 10 months now is about to do just that.
I am just sick. All the talent we supposedly have at the QB spot over that last 8+ years and Joe Cox is the product our coaching staff reps and puts on the field?
william cranman
November 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
Bill did you notice the graphic at the beginning of the game that said that UF leads the all-time series against UGA 47-38-2? I blew a gasket when I saw that! UGA leads the all-time series against UF 47-39(now)-2. It is amazing how CBS could screw that up. And its unfortunate that the entire nation saw it as well. Inexcusable.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
Saint Simons,
You really are an immature little boy.
As a UGA fan, I could care less at this point what “Bowl” we go to.
Personally, I believe now(and before the season) that we will not get enough wins to attend a bowl game.
Our concerns as fans are with what our coaching staff puts on the field and their performance, not any diluted bowl game.
We have BIG BIG problems right now, and it starts with our coaching staff.
Just when I thought last year was painful to be a DAWG fan, this year is 100 times WORSE.
Dawggone-It
November 1st, 2009
12:38 pm
Looked like Grambling – played like Grambling.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:40 pm
I didn’t blow a gasket.
I and everyone else that saw that stat knew it was wrong, even the UF fans.
It amazing that we have lost 17 out of the last 20, and we still lead the overall series 47 to 39.
That means that we were leading 44 to 22 before most of those obnoxious, stuck-up, I am better than though Gator fans even began to be an itch in their daddy’s pants, so-to-speak.
But don’t tell gator fans that, they think they are the only team that has gone on a run like this.
Too funny. And sad.
Eric C.
November 1st, 2009
12:41 pm
William…I feel your pain, but it sure “feels” like UF has the advantage after the past 20 years.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:43 pm
I really think that people need to get over AND shut up about the uniform-ploy.
Who freaking cares. That should be the LEAST of our concerns.
It is purely cosmetic. It did not cause the coaching staff to put up another embarassing performance from our players.
This was just as bad as the UT game, but UT sucks compared to UF.
Dawggone-It
November 1st, 2009
12:44 pm
My apologies Grambling. Grambling has a lot better turnover ratio and much fewer penalties.
Eric C.
November 1st, 2009
12:46 pm
STOP PUTTING THIS ENTIRELY ON THE COACHES
At the end of 2007…this team was #2 in the nation, and if not for a few lucky plays for UT against UK and Vandy, I really believe the Dawgs would have won the SEC Championship and won it all that year. How can they have fallen from that high point to this low point so fast???
The coaching staff is still the same…the players must be held accountable…the talent is just not there. When you don’t generate a rush with your DL…bad things happen folks!!! When you don’t have a running game and when you start a guy like Joe Cox at QB who can’t check down to open receivers…you are going to be inconsistent on offense, are going to have a lot of turnovers, and that puts a LOT of pressure on the defense.
Sure, the coaching could be and should be better, but they have proven in the recent past, that with the right talent, they can coach a team to be in the thick of the SEC/National title races. My points are made in terms of on-field/off-field team and game management, not in terms of recruiting.
Chan Gailey
November 1st, 2009
12:48 pm
You should have waited and hired me when you had the chance. This season is what I would have brought to you. Welcome to the promise land. I am affraid Georgia Tech will hang 60 on you guys since you can tackle.
Droopy Dawg
November 1st, 2009
12:48 pm
Changes must be made. Solid coaching teaches young players to recognize play action. Solid coaching teaches young players to keep a level head and not hurt their team with silly penalties. Bill? I can not fiqure out why other less talented teams give more of a fight against the same opponents that we fall flat against. CMR has been great but how long can we continue to struggle in all phases before action is taken. This is the “University of Georgia” for goodness sakes!!!
dog gone
November 1st, 2009
12:48 pm
The Saint/St Simon crew is coming from the dawg rant forum of losers and RambleOn/yellowfuzz/m.
The reason Cox doesn’t progress is because of who is QB coach is. I don’t know why this concept is so hard to grasp.
Maybe Ealey didn’t get to stay in much because Spikes gouged his eyes.
Dawggone-It
November 1st, 2009
12:50 pm
Penalties and turnovers ARE directly related to coaching. We have as many 4 and 5 stars as anybody. Richt best get a grip of the wheel.
Droopy Dawg
November 1st, 2009
12:51 pm
Eric C? The coaches continue to play Joe Cox. The coaches continue to play soft zone with little or no blitz. Our guys are the same recruits everybody else wanted so the talent is there. The coaching is not. BTW, coaching also is the reason we fell on our face in knoxville a couple of years ago.
Chan Gailey
November 1st, 2009
12:52 pm
Eric C. Did those players recruit themselves? Who picked King over Jon Dwyer? Why didnt Richt want to give Nesbitt a chance to play QB at UGA? How many top 10 recruiting classes has UGA had in the past 9 years?
Looks to me that the talent is there, but the coaching is bad. This isnt the SEC of Zook and Fullmer anymore. Richt is against better coaches now such as Saban, Meyer, and even Paul Johnson. The wheel has turned and its time for some changes….
SC Dawg
November 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
Could Ealey’s playing time have been impacted by the fact that Brandon Spikes attempted to gouge his eyes out? Horriyfing clip on youtube of a hit in which Spikes purposely and intentionally forces his hand inside of Ealey’s helmet.
My concern is that we have a strength and conditioning issue underlying why these backs can’t stay in the game for more carries.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
Well great win for the Gators. Now they look like National Champions. Congrats Gators and have fun in Atlanta again.
sicdawg
November 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
We’re headed to the 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl.
Buddy Rae
November 1st, 2009
12:56 pm
I dont like the uniform gimmicks, thats something South Carolina and Klimpsun has always done. But on the other hand UGA’s program has stooped their level. At times UGA had some flashes but then we reverted back to lackadaisical effort and undisciplined play. Our strength and conditioning on this team a a lot to be desired as well because both lines of scrimmage are getting manhandled as if it were boys against men. We have wasted a lot of talent in the last three years at UGA and the trend has reared its ugly head with the frequent blowouts. I like CMR but I think UGA needs to start going in a new direction. If CMR doesnt make SERIOUS changes in the off season it will only get worse.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
Eric C.
What? Tell me you are joking?!
You stated…if not for a few lucky plays for UT against UK and Vandy, I really believe the Dawgs would have won the SEC Championship and won it all that year
What you conveniently LEFT OUT… In 2007, we lost to hapless south cackilacky 16 to 12!! Also … We lost to Tennessee 35 to 14 !! Willie defense gave up 411 total yards and 4 rushing TD’s to a RB who was not drafted in the NF freaking L !!! Our team was down 28 to 0 at the half in that game!!!
With all due respect, stop picking and choosing half-facts to back up your arguments, because it is not giving the full picture.
Our coaching staff is the problem, PERIOD. End of discussion!!
We non-blind fans saw that last year. Now EVERYONE SEES IT THIS YEAR!!!
Too bad you can’t take off your blinders and see it’s not the players on the field, it is the way they are coached AND the schemes/ play calls they are instructed to run!!!
Hello Captain Obvious!!!
saint simons
November 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
Enter your comments here
doggit
November 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
Come to UGA – where you can wear a different color uniform every once in awhile and still get your pants beat off…s-t-o-o-p-i-d…just coach and play ball coach…..
spurrier
November 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
i still wonder what happens to all the great players Ga signs
Uncle Tom
November 1st, 2009
1:03 pm
Upon SOBER reflection, this much seems clear to me: What made Dooley so good was Erk Russell and his defense. After Erk left, look what happened to the program in the ’80s. What made Richt so good early on was Van Gorder’s defense. After he left, look what’s happened.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
1:03 pm
Eric C.
Are you even a UGA fan? I wonder…spout off some mess and then roll out.
Typical.
Coaching is the issue. CMR, you have some issues that need to be taken care of now, IMO, not at the end os the season or the recruiting deadline.
Our season is pretty much over, so you may as well not put off to tomorrow what you can take care of today!
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17 20 45 41
November 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
<<<<<<<< And the beat goes on La De Da De Da……………………..
The Golden Age Is Over
November 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
I’m not suprised that Bobo would bestow the #1 status on Ealey – he fits the mold that CMR has created….makes some good plays, but dances happily to gangsta rap on the sidelines while his team is being STOMPED in the game.
But then I guess, CMR would say that’s no big deal.
Why should we even worry about if we make it to any bowl? Our thugs would only sell any rings they get on e-bay.
Whatever happened to poise, and maturity, and preparation? Oh wait, that was Dooley.
Dawg'em out!
November 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
looks like CMR will have to make almost a entire staff change to keep his job. another yr like this with his contract coming to an end, might mean a new HC at UGA? charlie strong i hear is a strong canidate…..
G. Seth
November 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
Trying to be objective as possible considering my distaste for Gator meat, I recall in circa 2005 that Marcus Vick was caught on tape stomping a player’s arm and suspended/dismissed from the team. Am I the only one who saw Brandon Spikes gouging at Washaun Ealy’s eyes, showed but not commented upon, on two separate replays?! Sadly too common a tactic in football, but typical of Gator Football.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
1:06 pm
From here on out I want players recruited to UGA who are AND want to be BULLDAWGS, not guys who want to just follow certain coaches like Willie “gonna be a long day” Martinez.
Ya’ll know who I am talking about, too.
If we recruit one more 5′8″ corneback I think I am gonna go outside and just bang my head up against a tree.
DownDawg
November 1st, 2009
1:07 pm
I’m am so sick and tired of Georgia making lousy teams look good, and good temas look great. I am a great admirer of CMR as a man, but as a coach, it is simply time to go. This team is almost never emotionally up for big games, and that IS a coaching problem.
Spurrier
November 1st, 2009
1:07 pm
Georgia….where great high school players go to fade into the Weed Whacker Bowl
DawgInMemphis
November 1st, 2009
1:10 pm
Joe Cox,
Its been real, its been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun. Thanks for trying. Now pack your bags and get the eff outta here. Bryan Evans, you have to be the dumbest human being on planet earth. How you have managed to start for so long is a mystery to me. Thank god that receiver for Florida bobbled the ball 100 times because, like every other game this year, you weren’t even in the widescreen viewing angle of my flat screen TV. Take a long walk on a short pier.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
G Seth…
Very well said, my friend, that is exactly what happened to him.
I bet you will not hear a peep about it today or tomorrow.
There is CLEAR video evidence that he (twice on the same play) stuck his entire hand inside the facemask area and raked his fingers back and forth.
The video is as clear as the Rodney King video. But I am sure it will just be ‘explained away’
I love Washaun Ealey. That kid played his heart out yesterday, and he pooped up and showed he was not gonna take no crap off any crap talking Gator. Now that is a true bulldawg.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
G Seth…
Very well said, my friend, that is exactly what happened to him.
I bet you will not hear a peep about it today or tomorrow.
There is CLEAR video evidence that he (twice on the same play) stuck his entire hand inside the facemask area and raked his fingers back and forth.
The video is as clear as the Rodney King video. But I am sure it will just be ‘explained away’
I love Washaun Ealey. That kid played his heart out yesterday, and he popped up and showed he was not gonna take no crap off any crap talking Gator. Now that is a true bulldawg!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
Thanks Bill, these blogs are comedy gold!!! (Pun intended).
Keep’em coming.
I’d say this is karma, but if it were, the mutts would only have 2 wins.
Anybody catch that Tech win over that SEC rival?
dan
November 1st, 2009
1:14 pm
A little more juice?…really?….you are playing the top ranked team on national tv and oh by the way a team that has regularly kicked your ass for 15 or so years you need more juice? please
Bill Gates
November 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
GT’s #8 > Uga’s #8!
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 1st, 2009
1:20 pm
GT had over 600 yards on offense yesterday.
Pissed off Bulldawg(2 years running!!)
November 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
Brandon Spikes…
Literally Man humped (for 5 seconds) while screaming in the face of Moreno after a tackle last year…
After a gang tackle, proceeded to search for the open area of Ealey’s helmet and raked his fingers for 3 seconds across ealey’s eyes, and you can also see Ealey try to turn his head and put his hand up there in self defense, a reaction assuredly caused by extreme pain.
Hmm, think someone should be suspended for a few games?
It is one thing to get our tail whooped, that’s fine. But the video does not lie. There was no reason for that to happen, not to mention it is not a ‘football play’.
And I do not want to hear crap about the late hit on Tebow not being called, because that is a football play, and if it was called, it would be a 15 yard penalty, and that’s it.
If Brandon Spikes transgressions had been seen AND called, he would be KICKED OUT OF THE GAME, because it is not a football play!!
Video does not lie, folks. Check it out on YOUTUBE.
Shawn
November 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
What a turn around, preseason #1 to a .500 team in less than 2 seasons. 6-6 is going to be lucky, but what happens if Uga ends up 5-7? Will Damon Evens do anything?
Pago Flyer
November 1st, 2009
1:23 pm
Do they have to keep showing this JAX disaster on tv every year!!??
38-3
November 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
I hope Saint Simons gets hit by a truck and dies!
RAMBLE ON!!! is too occupied with UGA on that simple mind, even after a GT win can’t let go of posting on a UGA blog.
Staff Promised to Buy ME a New Pair TOO!
November 1st, 2009
1:25 pm
Gotta wonder if Ealey decided to bring out some of the punk attitude he always displayed at ECI. Did Spikes let himself get dragged down?
Leebo
November 1st, 2009
1:26 pm
The reason that Cox hasn’t gotten any better this year has to do with who the QB coach is. Bobo is a great recruiter and for all I know is a great guy, but he sux as a QB coach and OC. Cox hasn’t shown improvement this year. If you think about it real hard, Stafford didn’t look like he improved a lot whole hell of a lot during his time in Athens. His footwork was lousy and we all know that he invariably took a quater to a quarter and a half “off” during almost every game last season. That’s a direct result of poor coaching. Ealy has clearly shown that he’s the best back that we have. And after three or four consecutive plays, he pulled to the sideline. Who makes personel changes? The OC. We’re getting the talent to Athens friends, they’re just not getting any better once they get there. Coach MR, love ya and don’t want to see you go anywhere. But pride and and being loyal to a fault get you unemployed. The alumni are talking, loudly, and the AD is listening.