What would empty seats on Saturday really mean?
How many empty seats will there be on Saturday? (University of Georgia)
One of the recurring themes this week among sports media types looking ahead to Georgia’s meeting with Tennessee Tech has been talk of how many empty seats there’ll be at the game in Athens on Saturday.
The implication is that with the Bulldog Nation clearly depressed over the current state of the team, many Georgia fans aren’t in the mood to watch the Dogs play a weak opponent and will sit this one out somewhere other than Sanford Stadium.
However, I think it’s mostly hogwash to consider attendance at this week’s game some sort of referendum on the state of UGA football.
Even in a good season, it wouldn’t be that surprising for there to be some empty seats Saturday. Although still a sell-out because all tickets have been bought, traditionally you see a smattering of empty seats whenever Georgia has one of these less than compelling midseason match-ups with a team from the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as 1-AA.
With the Dogs at a particularly ugly 4-4 and not playing a very satisfying brand of football right now, the idea that a few more fans than usual will opt out is not an unreasonable scenario.
But, frankly, I’d be surprised if the house isn’t at least 90 percent full this week. I mean, most of us love watching Georgia football even when it’s the intrasquad G-Day game, and we only get six opportunities to do so in person Between the Hedges this season. I’d be there even if the Dogs were 0-8 at this point and I’m far from the most fanatical UGA fan.
Mark Richt was asked about the prospect of more empty seats Saturday and basically said that’s not something he worries about because he can’t control it. But, he added, “I wouldn’t underestimate our fan base. Our fans do love the Dogs. You can tell by the passion. I’m sure they want to support the young men. We want the fans to handle adversity well too. I can understand their feelings of being upset or being curious, whatever it might be, there’s different levels. But we’re all still Bulldogs. We all still want to support these young men, so I think our fan base will do a good job.”
Joe Cox said the players “are not worried about who’s in the stands or how many people are watching or what TV station we are on, or if we are even on one. We just want to finish up these last four games as strong as we can, and it starts Saturday whether there’s 10 people in the stands or 90,000 in the stands.”
So, if you have tickets to Saturday’s Georgia-Tennessee Tech game but are not going, I’d like to hear why you’re staying away. Is it because you’re dissatisfied with the team? In other words, would you be going if Georgia were, say, 7-1 or 6-2? Or is this one of those games you’d skip anyway because of the opponent?
And if you’re not going, I urge you to consider giving your tickets to someone else who otherwise wouldn’t be able to go. There are ticketless folks out there who’d love to experience a day Between the Hedges, even if it’s not a great game.
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126 comments Add your comment
dobearsbare
November 4th, 2009
10:41 am
You’re right Bill. The referendum will come next week against Auburn.
Cuz
November 4th, 2009
10:44 am
I do not have tickets, will listen to Howard and Z.
DawgsForever
November 4th, 2009
10:45 am
We tend to always have empty seats except for the Bama game last year. Shoot there were probably 7 to 8,000 seats empty during the Yech game last year and many more of our prime seats were filled with yellowish rain jackets that stood and yelled every time the opposition did something worthy…in other words they weren’t Dawg fans.
Having 5,000 empty seats against weak opposition always is the norm. But if there are 10,000 or more empty seats then it is an indictment of this years team and specifically the coaching staff.
Saint Simons
November 4th, 2009
10:46 am
45 – 42 !!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha
Jason
November 4th, 2009
10:47 am
I’m a season ticket holder and thankfully saw the writing on the wall in August and I sold my tickets on Ebay for around $1100. I’ve bought tickets to every game for less than $20 (including LSU) and have already used the money made off the tickets for my Hartman Fund donation this year.
I will not be at the Tennessee Tech game because of my disgust with our players and their general loser attitude.
Saint Simons
November 4th, 2009
10:49 am
sec loves cupcake teams!!!!!!!!!!! Tenn Tech !!!!! hahahahahahahaha
Shananeeeee Fananeeeee
November 4th, 2009
10:51 am
It would mean fairweather fans which is typical. It’s kind of like the people leaving during the 3rd Quarter on Saturday when the Dawgs were down two scores.
GatorHaterinJAX
November 4th, 2009
10:51 am
I sold my tickets for the rest of the season after the Tenn. loss. In the week building up to the Florida game, I realized that the Florida fans no longer see the GA game as a rival game. In fact, fans between the age of 20 and 50 are so used to seeing Florida win, that they can’t understand what the excitement in JAX was all about.
With Richt at the helm and Meyer in G’ville, we will never have a chance at an SEC or National title.
Richt has one more year to beat Florida. With Tebow and the rest of the Gators leaving, next year is do or die.
Arkansas TD club
November 4th, 2009
10:53 am
We live in a “I WANT IT NOW’ society. Winning is important, real important, but Saturday will be great weather wise, clear and 65. Everyone will go because of the game day experience.
Yea, we’re not happy, but we love our school and our team and WE WILL BE BACK. THWT.
Jacob
November 4th, 2009
10:54 am
I am a young(23) BULLDAWGS fan. I have been all my life and was born and raised in athens. I would love to go to the game this weekend if anyone has any extra tickets!
Bryan G.
November 4th, 2009
10:55 am
If we had beaten Florida or if someone other than Cox were starting at QB, I would be going. I just have no interest in seeing us flounder around against a crappy team.
I’m still on the fence about Auburn and Kentucky. I’m voting with my feet this weekend, though.
JB
November 4th, 2009
10:59 am
You are right gatorhater hater. Richt is a GREAT guy, a pretty good coach, but no ‘it” factor.
Saying we ‘reload” at Georgia is a joke. We are imploding. I’ll hold on to Richt if he hires himself some help. Good help. If he fires no one at years end, and there’s a chance of that, the Bulldog nation will not recover until Mark is gone. I don’t want that. But, he’s needs help.
dogcrap
November 4th, 2009
11:00 am
Dang, I’ve never heard of Tennessee Tech. But one thing for sure is that I am for them to beat the mutts!!
SWFLJacket
November 4th, 2009
11:00 am
If I were given a choice of winning a 25 million dollar lottery or having the doggies loose every single football game for 100 years…..well guess they would be tearing down sanford and son stadium and planting soybeans.
Fletcher
November 4th, 2009
11:00 am
Coach Richt and his less than able assistants, plus the lack of enthusiam amongst the players, have brought this program down to what Vandy once was, a team to schedule for homecoming. I never thought I’d see this at the university I love so much. We keep going with this bunch and high school players are going to schools where they at least have a chance to prove their talents.
BugKiller
November 4th, 2009
11:02 am
Until Willie Martinez is fired, or Mark Richt is fired for his refusal to fire Willie Martinez an putting his personal relaionship with Martinez ahead of what is best for our team, the Dawgs don’t get my support in person or my money.
Munson #1
November 4th, 2009
11:06 am
Are we having an earthquake or is the ground shaking from all the bandwagon fans jumping off?
Robert
November 4th, 2009
11:06 am
I’ll be there. You are completely right. There are so few opportunities to see the dawgs per year so might as well take advantage. Might be nice football weather too.
Herschel Talker
November 4th, 2009
11:07 am
BugKiller @11:02am:
Amen! Throw Fabris and Mike Bozo on there also.
PDawg
November 4th, 2009
11:07 am
I have a bad feeling about the game with Tennessee Tech. I think we will probably win but I think we will not look too good doing it.
35-21?
timthebrave
November 4th, 2009
11:07 am
I’ll take your tickets
Herschel Talker
November 4th, 2009
11:07 am
Robert @ 11:06:
Are you the same Robert that hates Booby Cox the idiot on the Braves blog?
Herschel Talker
November 4th, 2009
11:09 am
Bill King = Jim Varney
You know what I mean, Vern?
Saint Simons
November 4th, 2009
11:09 am
How dare Georgia play Tenn. Tech.
The Dogs should have booked a real team, like Gardner Webb or Navy.
SSI gator
November 4th, 2009
11:10 am
Your right Bill. I don’t go to the “pre-season games” as Spurrier used to call them. Love to go to Gator games, but it just is not that exciting to watch. We give our tix to games like these to the Gator Ticket Bank. They distribute them to local kids less fortunate that would otherwise not be able to see a game live. GO GATORS!
DBalcer
November 4th, 2009
11:10 am
We will be there. People who don’t use their tickets because of the how the DAWGS are performing are spectators not fans. Real fans get behind their team especially when the season is not going their way. GO DAWGS.
Charles David
November 4th, 2009
11:16 am
Nice picture of Sanford Stadium … although it’s quite outdated!
Munson #1
November 4th, 2009
11:27 am
“There are ticketless folks out there who’d love to experience a day Between the Hedges, even if it’s not a great game.”
Don’t overestimate Georgia, it could be a great game!
I am with Jason...
November 4th, 2009
11:28 am
…I tried to sell my season tickets on Craig’s list but nobody wanted to buy them for what I thought they were worth. However, I was able to sell them to one of the major ticket brokers here in Atlanta for the same $1100 that Jason got on eBay. So, all was not lost!
And, I also tried to sell my GT season tickets to the same broker, but he said there was just no demand for GT tickets so he would not take them. Just as well, I have been able to sell them on Craig’s list to the “bandwagon” Tech fans on a game by game basis, so I came out OK on them, too!
ButlerDawg
November 4th, 2009
11:28 am
Fans like “DBalcer” are the reason why Richt’s boobs (coaching staff) might well return again next year for more mediocrity. Settle for chit and you get chit everytime.
Joe's Sack-Shack
November 4th, 2009
11:31 am
Jacob(23) hasn’t seen a lot of success against Florida.
When WAS that picture taken...
November 4th, 2009
11:32 am
1990?
Dawg Nation
November 4th, 2009
11:46 am
After next year A.J. Green should take a lesson from Brandon Spikes and stay all 4 years for the Dawg Nation. Resist the payday and play ball for the TEAM for 4 years.
What??
November 4th, 2009
11:46 am
I am as frustrated as anyone with the state of the team this year, especially the readily apparent lack of discipline. But I think it should be considered how difficult it is to replace a quarterback or a running back much less both. I think most dawg fans could handle the 4-4 record to a certain extent if it weren’t for how we are losing these games. The continuation of the penalty struggles is just not acceptable especially when Richt stated that this was going to be a major point of emphasis in the off season. It lends us to believe that it is a problem that he is incapable of solving. I don’t think that it is a coincidence that he came up under Bobby Bowden who has always had discipline problems at FSU. Richt, just like everyone else, must not be blind to his own short comings.
On another note, I watched the Falcons game on Monday night. And while they lost, what a joy it was to watch a team that was tough and made adjustments to their opponent. Brian Van Gorder realized that the only chance to stop NO was to pressure Breeze and despite the fact that Atlanta is not a blitzing team usually he adjusted his scheme – not something that you would see with old “soft zone” Willie. Very refreshing.
dixie clear
November 4th, 2009
11:47 am
wait a minute, isn’t it the bulldog fans always bashing Tech about empty seats????…how much crow is being consumed in athens this year??
ColoradoDawg
November 4th, 2009
11:47 am
Does anyone think CMR would consider trying to lure Kirby Smart away from Alabama to be the D-Coordinator at his alma mater?
He may not have gotten a lot of pub sharing the secondary with Champ, but it was easy to see he was one of the brightest guys on the field (Terry Hoage-style).
Jefferson
November 4th, 2009
11:49 am
Blue jerseys with orange pants this week?
Me
November 4th, 2009
11:49 am
Well, er, um…..ah….empty seats?
Oh I get it….good business for ”pay per view’?
Doers the Cox family own that as well as this excuse for a ”paper”?
Abilene
November 4th, 2009
11:52 am
I doubt if the attendance this week or for the other two remaining home games will reflect the dissatifaction with Mark Richt and the team’s poor showing so far. But I wouldn’t be surprised to hear some booing when the Dawgs screw-up, and the booing will be for Richt and the coaching staff.
There shouldn’t be any problem beating Tenn Tech, but Auburn and Kentucky will be challenging.
Hootie Bookems
November 4th, 2009
11:56 am
Hootie will be there. I expect the crowd will be small and quiet. I think the Auburn game will eb well attended and since it is at night I think it will have a decnt if not great atmostphere. Should be an interesting next 4 weeks in Bulldog Nation.
billytdoogan
November 4th, 2009
11:56 am
i had planned to go to two more games this year. however, after watching the poor excuse of coaching and sloppy play through the Tenn. game, i canceled my reservations and actually hope that whatever the score, the other team scores at least 30 points.
hopefully, willie, fabris, and the OL coaches will be gone next year and a real DC and OC will be brought in. I am still for richt, but he is responsible for this team as he is the head coach. bobo needs to go back to QB coach and murray needs to keep his redshirt.
MT
November 4th, 2009
11:57 am
The picture is obviously pre-2004, before the upper deck was added. There has to be a more recent pic than that floating around…
Abilene
November 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
I know this sounds like heresy, but losing three of the next four games (no way the Dawgs can lose to Tenn Tech) would be the best thing for the program, since it would force the administration to make at least some changes in the coaching staff, preferably at the top. I’m talking about Richt, not just his inept assistants.
Ending up with a 5-7 record and no bowl game would be a very bitter pill to swallow, but we could start rebuilding with a new coaching staff and have hope for the future.
matt
November 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
If you are not going, I will take those tickets off of your hands…
319 Dawg
November 4th, 2009
12:16 pm
I’ll be @ home leaving my seats empty. Only way to send a message is when butts are not in the seats.
Cuz
November 4th, 2009
12:21 pm
Butts won’t be in the seats but they will be on the blogs.
Bob
November 4th, 2009
12:21 pm
I sent my tickets to a couple of Soldiers at Fort Benning. They seldom get a chance to go to College Football games. I will be there loud and strong for Auburn and Kentucky.
Bryan G.
November 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
Actually the picture has to be pre-1998 when they first started painting a “G” midfield. So the pic is from 1995-1997.
Johnny
November 4th, 2009
12:30 pm
Empty seats in Athens on Saturday will mean the same thing we always say about the bugs on North Avenue, weak fan base, bad team, etc.
And the team/school doesn’t care if the seats are empty. If it is truly a sell out, they get their ticket revenue money, announce a 90,000+ crowd and could care less.
Top Dawg
November 4th, 2009
12:32 pm
That photo does not have the uppermost level on the north side.
Steve
November 4th, 2009
12:33 pm
Nice comment from Joe Cox….hmmm…seem like he said something that sounded almost the same before the UF game. maybe passion will be enough this week. maybe his passion will overcome his usual interceptions and the total lack of discipline on this team. Yes, we are all dawgs and yes, we all want to support these guys but it is time for these coaches and players to “man up” and act like they have a clue. You keep saying they deserve our support- dont you think we deserve more than this team is showing. Sloppy plan….looking like they would rather fight a team than play football….penality after penality….turnover after turnover. Joe may not care who shows up or what channel they are on but these coaches that are paid millions to put a decent team on the field better start real quick.
Interesting
November 4th, 2009
12:38 pm
CMR: “Even afterwards you can see how badly he hurt about this thing. I can’t tell you how many guys, offense, defense, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, came up to him and wanted to let him know how they felt about him.”
(NOTE: He doesn’t say exactly HOW they felt only that they told him.)
Said Cox: “It’s not just me. It’s all the seniors and all the young guys. This isn’t the way that Georgia should play football.”
(Way to drag everyone else with you Joe T IV! It’s not ALL my fault???!!! He’s right I suppose, it’s only about 62% his responsibility!13 of 21 turnovers!)
Jeff
November 4th, 2009
12:38 pm
Thanks for the comments Joe- as usual lash back at the fans. How about this jerk- TRY your best not to throw an interception….please……you know there is no danger of losing your starting job. I for one am count down the games before you are gone. HOPEFULLY, we can send you out on a nice note with a BLOWOUT loss to the Jackettes. That at least would make changes that need to be made happen!
mikie g.
November 4th, 2009
12:45 pm
we were told last year that the coaching staff recognized their problem(s) and were going to correct them. this year we have the same problems, but worse. lack of discipline, very poor fundamentals, and unwarranted arrogance on the part of players and coaches are underlying problems. we were lied to. i would just once like to see one of the quarterbacks hit AJ Green with a pass on a fly pattern without him having to break stride. Georgia football owes us that much, at least. until then the quality of football at Sanford Stadium is too painful to watch.
Bubba Sparxxx
November 4th, 2009
12:45 pm
Reasons why someone might not go…
1. A D-II school sandwiched in between the UF and Auburn games.
2. The team is not very good, and there is no optimism for the future.
If they would have announced Aaron Murray was starting I guarentee there would be more people going to the game.
Troy
November 4th, 2009
12:47 pm
The fact that Bobo and Coach Richt were “joking” with Cox about sweating makes me RAGE! It’s like they could care less- Its all a joke. I am done with UGA- tickets in the trash…and WILL NOT SEND MONEY NEXT YEAR or any other year. Wish I could pass my priority level to someone-
Robert
November 4th, 2009
12:48 pm
If your a true fan you have to support your team through the wins and losses. If your not a true fan than don’t come because we need people in the stands that are loud and passionate about our Dawgs! There is are great deal of satisfaction when your team is on top and you were there when they were down. We will be back on top and I will be in the stands busting my lungs on Saturday! Gooooo Dawgs! Sic ‘em!
UGASlobberknocker
November 4th, 2009
12:48 pm
I am not going to the game..but I wouldnt be going no matter what. A lot of season ticket holders will give away tix to a pitiful game like this..to people who normally wouldnt see ANY game..so those people appreciate iut more. Also if you go to Jax, this week (the one afterwards)is a killer..if the game the next week is Ky, ill go but if its Troy or Tenn Tech or some other team we shouldnt be scheduling, Im giving the tix to my student daughters for their friends or to sell if they can for spending money. It doesnt mean I dont love the Dawgs.
Also I dont care what others are saying (Barnhardt today for one). I dont want to see crappy teams like this..i still have to buy them but I dont have to watch it. If you want to guarantee a full stadium every week,,quit scheduling two pansys every year.
DawgGirl32
November 4th, 2009
12:50 pm
So many bandwagon fans on this blog. So sad.
Michael Scharff
November 4th, 2009
12:53 pm
Bill, it’s HOMECOMING! My Dad tried to get extra Alumni Cheerleading tickets from CHEER as little as two weeks ago, and he was told theat there were no more to be had. With all the Alumni groups in attendance, plus the usual loyal Georgia fans, I would think that there will probably be less than 1000 actual empty seats spread across the entire stadium.
Pat
November 4th, 2009
12:54 pm
reason’s I am not going to game:
1. Tired of watching a team that doesnt care.
2. Tired of watching a team that would rather fight than play football
3. Tired of watch Joe Cox throw interceptions
4. Tired of watching penality after penality
5. Tired of watching a poorly coached team
6. Tired of hearing all the excuses
7. Tired of watching our secondary look like dear roaming in a field
8. Tired of listening to a sewage mouth senior (Cox) get an attitude with the fans and people who give money to this school
9. Tired of coaches that do nothing to correct problems
10> Tired of it all- i am thru with UGA Football as of last week and will show my displeasure when it is time for my check to be sent.
pete
November 4th, 2009
12:56 pm
Funny….people are not going because they dont want to watch crappy teams- we think they are talking about Tenn Tech….hahah think again…..they are talking about us- UGA
UGASlobberknocker
November 4th, 2009
12:57 pm
Hey Dixie Clear..the difference is that at GA, the empty seats are no shows..at Tech they are “no buys”..not to mention Grunt Field at Bobby Dud holds aboput 40000 less people as Sanford..so if our stadium is 3/4 full it still beats your sellout..that is if you ever had one.
Did you guys ever pave the dirt floor in the lower level mens room? just wondering.
Bobo's BBQ
November 4th, 2009
12:59 pm
Mike Bobo invites you to a BBQ at his home to watch the SEC Title Game
December 5, 2009
4 P.M.
4117 Gator Lane
B.Y.O.B.
JaxDawg
November 4th, 2009
1:00 pm
Everyone hoping for Kirby Smart is just wishing and dreaming, he’s not leaving Bama and Saban. It’s my understanding that he and CMR had a bit of a falling out as well.
I still think one of the most likely scenarios is Willie demoted to DBs coach, and Chuck Amato comes in and takes over as DC. This wouldn’t be a bad thing as two things would be addressed right off the bat, discipline and fire/passion on the sidelines.
Go Dawgs!
Ogeechee Dawg
November 4th, 2009
1:01 pm
I would hope that the studium is full and the crowd will support this struggling team. The players work hard – and deserve our support.
Richt has done a tremendous job – and this year is the exception as our key juniors have left a huge void – and the DC and penalty situation is obvious. Richt knows that he will need to shake a few things up. He is a BULLDOG – and a competitor!
Here is a question that was someone posted yesterday:
IF STAFFORD, MORENO AND ALLEN ALL STAYED – WHAT WOULD OUR RECORD BE?
Here is my answer: 6-2.
We beat OK STATE and LSU
Probably lose to TENNESSEE and FLORIDA
We would still have penalties – but much fewer turnovers.
We would finish the REGULAR season either 9-3 or 10-2 – depending on the outcome of TECH.
Our fans would still be complaining about Martinez, penalties and lack of turnovers.
The Bulldog nation would be looking forward to 2010 as a transition year when we see what Aaron Murray is all about – comparing it to 2006.
HOWEVER – Stafford, Moreno and Allen did leave and that left a huge void – of which true backups in are starting in key positions.
Our DC has been exposed and this needs to be addressed (which I am confident will be done).
We are talent rich in Freshman, RSFreshamn and Sophomores!
Our future looks bright – as other schools will be losing a ton of upperclassmen this year (see Florida and Tennessee)
GUYS – THIS IS A TUFF LEAGUE WITH A LOT OF PARITY. Do you think Florida would be undefeated without TEBOW and DEMPS this year. They would have lost at least two games.
I URGE ALL TRUE BULLDOG FANS TO SUPPORT THESE YOUNG MEN AT THESE GAMES!!!
We still have some bigtime recruiting taking place – we have very good young talent – and our HC will do what’s right for the program.
REMEMBER – our team – our players – would like nothing else but to win all the remaining games for themselves and our fans…. that means you!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!! GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!
BULLSEYE
November 4th, 2009
1:03 pm
If the fans want to act responsible they can recycle their preseason national championship hardware and their bandwagon components At 1-800- dogs-blow.
Ogeechee Dawg
November 4th, 2009
1:18 pm
Pat – so you are a bulldog only when the team wins? Dude – gotta love and support the DAWGS win or lose. Does not mean that we give anybody a free pass?….NO!!!!!!! I do understand your frustration!
I respectfully disagree with your list on most items.
These players do care – and are passionate and concerned about their play. Believe me – they want to win – and I have not seen them quit in any game this year!
I am not hearing any excuses! The coaches admit that the penalties and turnovers are killing us. Richt even stated that the Defense has been poor on several occasions this year – and the offense has not helped themn out either.
Joe Cox makes a statement out of frustration – and you judge the kid on this? Cox is doing the best he can – his confidence is shaken – and he has made plenty of comments stating that he has made mistakes and needs to get better. He is a great kid – a leader – but has mediocre skill. He is a true badkup – thrust into a situation where he is a key starter – this is not his fault. It is the fault of the staff that we do not have a better QB waiting in the wings.
Coaching – you have a point – this team has way too many penalties.
Pat – I am telling you – hop off the bandwagon – and come root for these kids….OUR TEAM!!! If you want to ride out of town on the bandwagon – make sure you are not on it when the it turns around and comes back into Athens when we are apart of the SEC ELITE in a few short years!
GO DAWGS!!!!
Dahlonega Gold
November 4th, 2009
1:19 pm
I’ve learned over the years that the real fans root for the players, no matter how well they perform and no matter who the coaching staff might be. Heck, I sat through the B**L L***S years at Tech while he single-handedly ruined a National Championship caliber program.
Being a native Georgian, and with family at both Georgia Tech and Georgia (I myself have a Tech degree), I always somewhat rooted for both teams. When UGA started making an embarrassment of my state with academic scandal, arrests, etc. I jumped off and become whole-heartedly against the dogs. As long as the crowning achievement of the dogs is being #1 party school in Playboy, there will be deep-seated problems in Athens.
All I can say is this, vote with your feet if you want, but don’t come over to North Avenue. We’re happy with our 80% full stadium of true gold & white beelievers.
Saint Simons
November 4th, 2009
1:23 pm
Tenn Tech 77 uga 0!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun at Carpets of Dalton bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGA 80
November 4th, 2009
1:24 pm
If less fans show up that’s great. That just means our campus will be less trashed that it usually would.
UGADawg83
November 4th, 2009
1:28 pm
Bill, you mean you are actually going to a game this week and not just popping off after sitting in front of the television?
Alabama Dawg
November 4th, 2009
1:34 pm
I agree with the sentiments of most Dawg fans. The season is in the tank, and it’s tough backing them when there appears to be a MAJOR lack of discipline, and the players don’t really seem to care that their play is sloppy and lackluster to say the least. On the other hand, true Dawg fans back the team regardless! Keep supporting the guys in Red & Black! They need us now more than ever.
Raleigh_Dawg_06
November 4th, 2009
1:38 pm
I don’t think the empty seats will be a referendum. However, there may be a few empty seats as I personally am tired of paying over inflated prices for tickets on the street and I reticent about turning loose of few extra dollars during this current economic climate. And for what? Until we QUIT talking about 1980, Herschel Walker, and settling for mediocrity, I may be watching quite few games on TV.
If only someone other than Vern Lundquist would start calling games on CBS…..
NCDAWG
November 4th, 2009
1:39 pm
potential DCs: I say we go after Muschamp, Smart, Strong, Foster, The DC from Boise State, Cincy, TCU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Anyone other the Willie
love them dawgs
November 4th, 2009
1:41 pm
I’m tired of all you people hating on Coach Richt. The man has a .768 win percentage with UGA, 2 SEC championships, and he’s beat florida twice. he’s a damn good coach and I’m glad we have him. you all can bite me.
NCDAWG
November 4th, 2009
1:51 pm
The problem is that you have to be a fool or no nothing about football to see that UGA is getting worse defensively, which leads to another problem; Richt’s loyalty to his coaching staff. In most cases this is ok. However, if certain individuals on a staff are not performing, something must be done. Based on the supposed talent UGA has, they should be more competitive than what they are. I am afraid that Richt’s loyalty may be his downfall.
NCDAWG
November 4th, 2009
1:51 pm
know
JaxDawg
November 4th, 2009
1:52 pm
ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY is issue #1
Joe T IV- responsible for 13 of 21 team turnovers (62%)gets CMR’s vote of confidence, retains starting job.
Willie Martinez- 2 weeks of prep time for the biggest game of the year and he just rolls his same ol package out there.
Pick-a-player – Countless penalties, 8 for 88yds in a half is got to at least sniff at some kind of record.
Overall lack of team preperation – poor game plans, no focus by coaches or players, no passion, fire or pride!
All of these things are the result of coddling of both coaches and players.
Richt should cut Willie, Jancek, & Fabris loose. Hire a PROVEN DC and let him handle the defense. Then he should become a hands-on mentor to Bobo and get the offense cranked up again.
On the first day of Spring practice CMR should gather the team and coaches and say the following:
“Men, as you know we are coming off the worse season in my tenure here and what happened last year is completely unacceptable. As you know we’ve made some changes to the coaching staff, and while there were issues there we also had some accountability issues with many of you. I’m putting you all on notice that this spring you will be playing not only for pecking order but for your scholarships as well. We’re not going to allow players to just coast and do what they want to do without consequences. We have 85 scholarships this year. I will retain the top 80 and save the remaining 5 for kids that WANT to be Dawgs and buy into giving their all, 100% of the time. Take a good look around, because Monday after the G-Day game, 5 of you won’t be here. Will it be someone to your left or right? Will it be your roommate? Will it be YOU? You all control your own destiny. You will all be graded out based on performance in practice, performance in the classroom, and how well you conduct yourselves on and off campus. If there is anyone here that thinks this is unfair or unreasonable feel free to leave the program now. I’m sure the ones who stay will appreciate you reducing the number from 5 to 4. Coaches, same goes for you. If I’m going to hold the players feet to the fire I will expect no less of you. Any coach caught not pulling his weight and not giving these fine young men the tools and preperation to succeed will find himself looking for work elsewhere. I have a stack of resumes in my office and will not hesitate to pull the trigger at any point during the season on ANYONE who is not performing up to championship standards! Now let’s get out there and GATA!!!”
IF Richt did this he would see a 180 degree turnaround from top to bottom. If at the end of spring practice no one deserves to lose a ship let them all keep them, with the understanding that any slipage going forward could still warrant the loss of employment or scholarship.
Too easy, but won’t happen. Before anyone says it can’t be done regarding scholarships, it most certainly can. Kids don’t sign up for a 4yr scholarship, it’s renewed each year.
Villa Rica DAWG
November 4th, 2009
1:53 pm
This game has been on my calendar as a game that I won’t be attending all season long. In fact, I am planning on Auburn being the only other game I will be going to this year.
However, you will not see empty seats in my place. The tickets have been accounted for.
Big time?? Not
November 4th, 2009
1:54 pm
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes.
Billy Ray Valentine
November 4th, 2009
1:56 pm
Ogoochee Dawg.
yes the dawgs are talented with freshmen, but what good does it do anyone, if you stick with Joe Cox for the majority of the remainign 4 games, and you dont get Logan Grey, A. Murry, or Mettenberger any substantial game time?
You end up at spring practice 2010 talking about “who is going to take snaps this year? We’ve got 3 guys who have never taken meaningful snaps in a game”
Southern Cal is taking their lumps (if you can call 2 L’s lumps) but they are doing it with a guy who 6 months ago went to his high school prom. USC will be a top 10, maybe top 5, team next year because they will have a veteran soph. quarterback who has a year of games under his belt.
NCDAWG
November 4th, 2009
1:57 pm
Jaxdawg, well said. I have to agree with you. Maybe Rich should ask Donnan to be a recruiting consultant. Richt did a great job with the players Donnan recruited
Ted Striker
November 4th, 2009
1:58 pm
Bugkiller — What percentage of the games have you attended in person the last 5 years? From a quick review of in-game blogs this year, you don’t seem to go to very many — even if they’re home games. And since you mentioned withholding your money, exactly how much money have you actually contributed in the last 5 years? Dude, you’re an awfully big talker, but it seems like that’s the sum extent of things.
Bill King — Very nice article. I give you props. And a great suggestion to pass along tickets (if you can’t personally go) to someone else.
Raleigh_Dawg_06
November 4th, 2009
1:59 pm
Too true on the Defensive Coordinator. Willie needs to go. Our guys possess great talent, but no discipline. Anybody can watch a tape on Georgia defense (and offense for that matter) and require ony 10 minutes of footage before being able to predict what is going to happen next. Its either run, run, pass, then kick away for the offense OR 3 on one zone defense. I wish my investments were that predictable.
This is because of poor coaching, plain and simple.
Paul's Johnson
November 4th, 2009
2:02 pm
I sold my tickets to a transplanted Yankee (Rutgers fan) so that he can take his son and experience the excitement and pageantry of SEC football and my beloved UGA.
I thought about keeping the tix just to see what uniforms we bust out on Tenn Tech but opted to take advantage of a beutiful day by striper fishing on Lanier.
Go Dawgs. THWGT!
Billy Ray Valentine
November 4th, 2009
2:04 pm
3 on one zone?
Usually you have to pay double for that.
NCDAWG
November 4th, 2009
2:04 pm
Look at the number of Schools Ahead of UGA http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/stats/byteam?cat1=defense&cat2=Total&conference=I-A_all
icedawg
November 4th, 2009
3:11 pm
I’m too doggone far away, but if I did have tickets I would probably given them to someone else for this one.
JCD
November 4th, 2009
3:14 pm
I wouldn’t have gone to this game if the Dawgs were 8-0 and ranked #1. I spent 1995 thru 2005 going to every game, home and away, except for these games at home. No interest. This is one of those games that young kids can go to b/c 1) The dogs will win (or should), 2) There should be a lot of scoring by the Dogs 3) It’s an “early” game, meaning you can take your kids to the game and get there and back home at a reasonable hour & 4) It’s not a big tailgating game, so you don’t have to expose kids to all the “partying”.
Dawg Fud
November 4th, 2009
3:18 pm
I gave my tickets to a client who is taking his son who has never seen the Dawgs play. The client tells me his son is super excited.
I will be a father for the first time in May. I think about this client going to the game with his son and it reminds me that even though this season is a wash to most of us, there is a little boy out there that cannot sleep at night because he is so excited to go see the Dawgs play.
Ain’t football great?
GO DAWGS!
Saint Simons
November 4th, 2009
3:19 pm
I can’t wait for nov. 28!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg Fud
November 4th, 2009
3:21 pm
Me neither, Saint Simons. I hope we beat the hell out of the Jackets.
GT JJ
November 4th, 2009
3:41 pm
Wow, sitting at 4-4 midway through the season and you can’t fill the stadium? All I ever hear from the ga faithful is what great fans they are and how tech sux because we don’t get as many butts in the seats. UGA has one down season and people start calling for coaches heads, calling their players losers, etc. Pathetic hypocrits. try having this record for 6 years in a row and see what your attendance looks like.
By the way, you “fans” probably shouldn’t miss this game. It will be your only shot at beating a Tech (or a Tennessee for that matter) this year.
swimdawg68
November 4th, 2009
3:44 pm
Hey, Saint Simons maybe we should schedule Jacksonville State, Duke and Virginia next year. Talk about YUK hahahahahahaha
Bill King
November 4th, 2009
3:49 pm
Michael Scharff:
It’d be great if you’re right, but just because a ticket is unavailable (meaning it’s already been sold) doesn’t mean it’s going to be used and that someone will be in that seat.
By the way, I think it’s ridiculous that the alumni cheerleaders and alumni band now have to buy a ticket in order to get into the game. Up until a few years ago, that wasn’t the case.
charles
November 4th, 2009
3:49 pm
I sold my tickets to all 3 remaining home games because I simply can’t take it anymore. We aren’t badly coached–we’re uncoached.
Paul in RDU
November 4th, 2009
3:54 pm
JaxDawg @ 1:00PM
Bring in Chuck Amato??? He’ll instill discipline??
You can’t possibly be serious. NC State was FSU North when he was HC here in Raleigh. The Wolfpack were one of the worst teams in Div 1 in dumb penalties – especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Shards1967
November 4th, 2009
3:54 pm
I agree with jaxdog. He/she is 100% right about the team meeting come spring 2010. “Play hard or lose your student aid/scholarship and you are outta here” approach by richt. Won’t happen, nope, not gonna do it, says Richt. They went see that midget 5′5″ CB in Frostproof,Florida and informed him on the off weekend that CWM was going no where, so that kid would not break his committment. Why do we continue to recruit fricking midget corner backs???? THS IS PART of the problem.
Speaking of committments for 2010 ………….I expect that we lose around 40% of the incoming class due to all the turmoil. This should happen to the staff………… it maybe will hasten their exodus from UGA. Something has tocause them to leave. It sure won’t be Dr Adams or Evans.
Go Dogs.
Class of 71 & 73
Paul's Johnson
November 4th, 2009
3:58 pm
Dawg Fud:
I gave my tickets to a client who is taking his son who has never seen the Dawgs play. The client tells me his son is super excited.
“I will be a father for the first time in May. I think about this client going to the game with his son and it reminds me that even though this season is a wash to most of us, there is a little boy out there that cannot sleep at night because he is so excited to go see the Dawgs play.”
Nice gesture there. I can remember as a little boy getting the chance to go to the game and I could’nt sleep either! A truly great bonding experience for a dad and his son.
Congrats on becoming a father. I too became a 1st time dad 2 1/2 yrs. ago and can’t wait until he is a little older so he can explore all that is the proud traditon of UGA football with 80,000 plus of his closest friends on a beautiful fall day.
Go Dawgs!! THWGT!!