Dogs have a lot of questions to answer at G-Day
Will the pressure be on Mike Bobo this season? (Associated Press)
This year’s G-Day game, set for April 10, should be one of the more interesting UGA intrasquad matches in a long time.
While some aspects of the 2010 Dogs at least appear to be pretty well established — the offensive line and the two top running backs — there are a lot of big question marks hovering over Mark Richt’s 10th team.
Will Logan Gray still be competing for the starting quarterback job by G-Day or will he be a receiver or in the secondary? Will forgotten running back Richard Samuel have taken his speed to the linebacking corps?
And the two most intriguing questions: The quarterback battle and the implementation of a different defensive alignment under new coordinator Todd Grantham.
About half the defensive starters from last season are gone, and the defensive players are a little nervous about the switch to a 3-4 scheme and where they’ll fit into it. Who’s going to play nose guard? Who will those blitzing outside linebackers be?
But at the same time they’re excited about Grantham’s preference for an aggressive, attacking defense.
As fans, we’re feeling the same way, but come G-Day it’s likely we won’t get a true picture of what kind of D the Dogs will field in the fall. Chances are the players will still be learning what they’re supposed to do and making a lot of mistakes. It’s likely to be a pretty sloppy game on the defensive side.
Which could give us a possibly misleading view of where our offense stands, particularly the play at quarterback. Still, it will be instructive to see how Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger have progressed since we last saw them play in the 2009 G-Day game. At that time, Murray definitely looked to be farther along and impressed with his ability to roll out, while Mettenberger still had a ways to go on his footwork and dialing back his cannon of an arm. We’re told both players have improved since then. It’ll be fun to see how much.
The spotlight obviously will be on Grantham since he was brought in to clean up Willie Martinez’s mess, but I’m thinking there actually may be more pressure this season on offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who’ll have two redshirt freshmen and a true freshman (incoming recruit Hutson Mason) taking snaps this fall if Gray does switch positions, and a pretty inexperienced quarterback even if Gray stays in the mix.
Some folks felt Bobo skated a bit in the blame game last season in that the embattled Martinez took the lion’s share of the heat for the Dogs’ troubles when in many cases the offense’s sputtering and turnovers left the defense with a short field to defend. This year, with the defense in a rebuilding mode, the onus is on the offense to lead the way. Is Bobo up to it?
What other G-Day story lines are you looking forward to seeing?
LADY DOGS MEET THE LADY IN ORANGE
Tonight’s game between Andy Landers’ 8th ranked Lady Dogs and the 3rd ranked Lady Vols at Stegeman Coliseum is a big one and I know at least one Georgia fan who’d sell his soul to see UGA beat the orange pants suit off Landers’ longtime nemesis, Pat Summitt. (Right, Steve?) Reserved seat tickets are still available for the 7 p.m. game and are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Tickets can be ordered online (using the print-at-home option only) until 3 p.m. today or can be bought by calling 1-877-542-1231 before 4 p.m. They’ll also be on sale at the Stegeman ticket booths starting at 5:30 p.m. Mastercard, VISA and cash are all accepted forms of payment at the Stegeman Coliseum ticket windows. UGA students get in free when presenting their valid UGA ID Card at Gate 4 of the Coliseum. The first 300 UGA Students will receive a “Beat Tennessee” T-shirt and free pizza. All UGA students can register to win a Nintendo Wii, iPod Touch and other gift cards during the game.
Go Lady Dogs!
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
160 comments Add your comment
Pauls Johnson
January 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
Jack Bull, We fixed alot of the turnover problem when we brought in Ealey for Richard Samuel. He and Brandon Smith are better suited for defense.
JB
January 21st, 2010
2:13 pm
WE had to give Bobo a big raise this year to keep him from being hired away………………………
…………………………………………………………………Yea, right.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Bobo may very well be on the hot seat or if you look at it kind of like the Saban , Smart situation is bobo anything more than a puppet and Richt the puppet master , that is the perception many have of smart , and maybe bobo to a lesser extent only because UGA is not on the level of ALA,or FLA, so if bobo doesn’t produce is heat on richt. Does Grantham get a one year pass because of the mess I don’t think when you make 750000.00 you even get one day off much less a year. That means Richt should be held to the same standard and produce . All that dribble being said I am satisfied with CMR and happy to have him at UGA and if he has another bad year I still hope he stays , but maybe he should take a pay cut if he doesnt produce results on the field .
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawgmeat
January 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
My only concern about Murray is that he missed parts of 2 seasons with injuries in High School and then last year Richt’s excuse about not playing him was his arm was injured.
augusta dawg
January 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
First martinez–next Bobo…………. He is not a top tier offensive mind………. Just ask Fla.,Ala, TN and S.C. He is going to be CMR down-fall………… Ga will never develope a qb with his coaching…….
Even Stafford with all his talant,never reached his full potential while at UGA……………………………
eltrompoDAWGSfan
January 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
Here’s my question: When did Samuel play LB while playing running back? He was recruited as a RB wasn’t he? That’s going to be an interesting storyline to watch. I just hope his talent is used effectively, whether that’s on the D side or O side of the ball!!
Dawgmeat
January 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
augusta dawg, he has done fairly well coaching QB’s (green, shockley, stafford, even cox) he just cant call plays.
Fair and Balanced
January 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
Unanswered questions? Huh? This is really quite simple: Win the turnover stat and win games. We will win the turnover stat with Grantham’s defense and a better ball handling QB. Simple.
Frank Wren
January 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
Here’s my question: When did Samuel play LB while playing running back? He was recruited as a RB wasn’t he?
No he wasnt. He played both ways in High School and he was recruited as ATH (athlete)
All the news thats fit to print
January 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Richard Smaule and Brandon Smith fumbled way too much.
Period.
Ealey looks special and has a great “motor”. He has a little Knowshon in him in that he cant wait for the next play to start.
robodawg
January 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
With a new QB with basically zero experience, Bobo will have some charity thrown his way. If the whole team isn’t clicking in every aspect of the game in 2011, however, there will be some hard questions to answer. But I think we should be pretty good by then. Whether we can keep up with the Bama and Gator juggernauts by then is hard to say. The deck is stacked against us somewhat, but at least SOME years we should be able to win the SEC (and thus be in the running for a BCS title game).
Doyouknowshon
January 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
During the Richt Era at UGA, one thing has been a constant in all seasons that were a success : POSITIVE TURNOVER MARGIN. In years where UGA made it to the SEC Championship Game and/or the Sugar Bowl (2007, 2005, 2003, 2002) UGA’s turnover margins were +9, +11, +11, and +8, respectively. All other years, UGA’s TO Margin was negative (-16 in 2009,-3 in 2008,-1 in 2006,-2 in 2004 and-3 in 2001). I know this is not a groundbreaking analysis, I just thought it was interesting to see the way it worked out.
jrmdvm1
January 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
Just a few points:
Need the Strength and Conditioning program to put more emphasis on conditioning; strength has been good, but conditioning may be more important.
Coach TG successful at Dallas with “undersized” nose guard.
Protect the ball and take it away from the opponents.
Kick coverage needs improvement.
Coach MB needs to not “give up” on the run as quickly.
Big Daddy
January 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
The Bulldogs suck. Who the hell cares who they get. All they go on is that 1980 championship. Mark Dumb bo and the rest of the staff suck!!!!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!! It only took 3 years!!!!!!!!!!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
January 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
DawgFan24, Murray’s team to lose because his name is easier to type than Meetin, Metterburga, Met’nberg, Mettenburger.. Ahhh you know the tall kid.
eltrompoDAWGSfan
January 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Frank Wren- thanks for the clarification! Just put the kid somewhere so that the other team is intimidated!
puppydawg
January 21st, 2010
2:36 pm
I love the 3-4 D but it works best if you have a behemoth at noseguard who is also quick on his feet. I am interested in seeing who CTG puts there as it should be someone who is a man among men.
Bremen Dawg
January 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Defensive will be improved in one year. The biggest question is fumbles and who plays QB. This pro style offense has to have a great QB running it and making great reads.
eltrompoDAWGSfan
January 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Big Daddy- glad you were able to navigate on the internet and type something in! Aren’t you supposed to pray to your Nick Saban shrine in your bedroom?
gatorman
January 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
jrmdvm1, agree with the strength and conditioning comments. Went to home games this year and even observed the Dawgwalk (I cant believe it) and the team looks small “getting off the bus” compared to other programs.
Big Daddy's daughter
January 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
Get off, Daddy. You’re crushing my cigarettes.
augusta dawg
January 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
Bobo doe not have the experience as other top tier coaches …..He is not multi-dimensional in his play-calling…… The offence is much too predictable……. Teams watch film and on first down -its a run up the gut 90% of the time…..First down is the time for play action and high percentage pass for close to first down or even more……………. On third down and long,he’ll throw a bomb……. You have to keep a defense off balance and guessing all the game…………………….
gdawginkalamazoo
January 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
gooddawg, I am afraid that if you hire Pollock for any type of coaching postion that he might actually come off the sideline pop somebody running down the field. At least give him some meds before the game or only have his chain reach 5 yrds short of the sideline.
On Top
January 21st, 2010
2:43 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4844960
DAWG ED
January 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Zach Mettenberger, with his arm & height, may be the better starter – at least in the beginning. Also, the short pass just over the line is usually good for a few quick yards, but, moreover, it builds confidence and accuracy with the QB. It should be the 2nd or 3rd check-down on every pass play. It will open up things down field, too!
gatorman
January 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
DAWG ED, actually I have heard just the opposite; that Murray is the most mentally prepared to start but Mettenberger has more upside with size and arm. No matter who, one of them should have seen the field at least some last year. If they are as good as touted, they won’t be around for 4 years anyway.
Tom
January 21st, 2010
2:51 pm
I agree, its CMR’s mess! It still falls on the man at the top. Move Richard Samuel to linebacker, move Gray to wideout and no kick returns. continue to alternate king and ealey on a game by game basis.
Aaron Murray and Mettenburger should compete heavily for the starting QB job. Matson will be 3rd string and Gray will 4th as worst case senario.
NerdHerder
January 21st, 2010
2:54 pm
A 3-4 DEFENSE IS EASY TO LEARN. WATCH FOR THE DAWGS TO RUN OVER PEOPLE EARL AND PLAYACTION IN THE SECOND HALF. PS, UCONN DB COACH PART OF THE D THAT SHUT DOWN SPURIER. BIG GAME IN COLUMBIA THIS YEAR
tampadawg86
January 21st, 2010
2:57 pm
DAWGMEAT,
Bro we have no worries about Murray’s health. He broke his leg got hit really hard it happens. He’s injuries aren’t like Trintant Studivant’s.. Also he came back his senior year in Highschool to lead his team to a State Championship with a cast still on his leg. The kid plays with a lot of passion has a good head on his shoulder. He’s a winner. I will be surprised come the Fall that Murray isn’t our QB and Sophomore Junior year be in the Heisman race with his buddy from HS Orson Charles ( mind you we wouldn’t have Charles if Murray didn’t recruit him to Georgia) AJ Green, King, the freshman Reciever coming in, Marlon Brown… I get chills just thinking about the next few years. Go DAwgs.. Excited to see our Defense be some junkyard Dawgs again! HUNKERDOWN BABY!!! WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
UGA can win SEC every three or four,five, years
January 21st, 2010
3:02 pm
If Richt hits the mark this year and wisn the East and goes to the Dome and loses………..UGA grads ( the kye ) will think it a good to great year. Then, if he wins it all in 2011 ( SEC champs ) and stumbles abit in 2012 and then hits his stride again in 2013, it will be exactly what UGA fans ( grads only count ) want for the program.
UGA fans do not expect that mythical NC but it would be nice but hey, who besides UGA finished # 2 in 07??? THAT is better than all the other major schools, except the NC that year. See?
UGA fans ( grads ) are not eaten up with the smae attitudes regarding a NC that are displayed on this blog.
UGA class of 71 & 73
NerdHerder
January 21st, 2010
3:03 pm
What mess people? Just because we didn’t win the popularity contest known as the bcs and get a shot at the title in 2002 or 2007 doesn’t mean we are lacking!!!!UGA is the only program to have 8 or more wins for 13 seasons running!!!!!! We are the hallmark of consistency for the entire nation. We won two titles in the toughest conference in the past decade, and may get one more if we can get a d and a qb.
Will
January 21st, 2010
3:04 pm
Kwaeme Geathers is the name to watch next year at NG. Currently about 330 and will probably go up to 340 by seasons start. Players say he was unstoppable on the scout team last year and would have started but Sweet Willie wanted to let his seniors get their time to shine. Which is one reason he is gone. Anyways, K Geathers will be our Mt Cody next year.
GT51
January 21st, 2010
3:04 pm
anyone with any sense knows that while bobo might be calling the plays, they are cmr’s plays and cmr has alot of input of what kind of plays are being called( run or pass). so cmr cant put too much blame on bobo.
gatorman
January 21st, 2010
3:04 pm
tampadawg86, good points on Murray. Plant HS won again this year with a junior who filled in as a soph for Murray when he was out. Heard he will be a top QB in the 2011 class.
NerdHerder
January 21st, 2010
3:06 pm
Only two teams can play for the title. Untill there is a playoff nobody knows who the best is. Could you imagine if the NFL settled things this way? No more wild card runs to the superbowl, which would happen in the ncaa if we had a playoff.
Diamond Dave
January 21st, 2010
3:12 pm
Just block and tackle.
McDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:12 pm
Zach Mettenberger
gdawginkalamazoo
January 21st, 2010
3:18 pm
I think that Richt will be more involved on the O side of the ball this year. I think he was behind the Tech game plan. I think he got tired of people saying that he can’t coach and he took to task with the no pass game against the bees. The man can coach and with a rejuvenated D, a well stocked offense and two of the best kickers in the country, in the enitre freaking country people, things look good for next year and great for the year after (I hope).
crazy dawg
January 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
April 10 cannot get here soon enough. Richard Samuel should be a fit as a mad dog type linebacker that can provide a pass rush from the outside and has the speed to drop back as a nickle back in the nickle package. The 3-4 defense gives players the opportunity to do different types of tech. and stunts depending on what the other teams offense is trying to do against it. I look foward to seeing a much more aggresive defense this year with DBs that can lay the wood to wide outs. The tackling and discpline will be much improved on this team. I thik that Murray will the starter but i can also see Zack getting playing much like Green and DJ did or even more like Ray Goff and Matt Robinson each of these tandums won an sec championship no reason Aaron and Zack cant do the same.
I-DOG
January 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
I’m not sure the college 3-4 HAS to have a 340-350 pound stud nose guard. To quote Elaine from Seinfeld “Now, don’t get me wrong it would be nice… I mean I’m not going to sit here and say it wouldn’t be nice.”
Tyson could turn out to be the solution there, but I think you can have a successful college 3-4 if you can just get a big strong NG that can engage 2 offensive lineman for a couple of seconds on each snap (easier said than done). I’m not sure they have to be an all world performer if the rest of the D is well coached and talented.
gatorman
January 21st, 2010
3:28 pm
gdawginkalamazoo, I think he was involved last year in the offense, that’s why he didn’t fire Bobo. When he was at FSU they ran a simlilar offense to UF’s with Charlie Ward and Dunn. Even when he first got here with David Green UGA ran a lot out of the shotgun. Now with the talent he has he seems to be going back to the power I.
Otto
January 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
No I sense that CMR has handed more and more off to Bobo and the seasons have reflected it. I did feel CMR called the first half at GT but mid 3 Qtr it was very typical of UGA the past few years and GT started to come back.
For those claiming UGA grads do not expect a national title (which is not mythical) this is correct but they do expect to atleast to go .500 against UF. Also I witnessed a few intense arguments over Bobo’s play calling and plenty of snide comments about taking odds on what the next play call would be and this is in lower level season tickets.
Otto
January 21st, 2010
3:34 pm
Gatorman, One of my big complains with Bobo was the misuse of Cartlon Thomas. He is not an I back. Urban and Mullen could find many creative ways to get a small, quick back in space but UGA hands off a draw to him.
chazzo
January 21st, 2010
3:34 pm
The problem wasn’t the schemes. The problem was turnovers and fundamentals. Also, I would throw in a lack of intensity on D. The athletes are there. Get them to hustle, and it will be a solid season.
Why are Georgia fans so dumb?
January 21st, 2010
3:35 pm
OK….I was hoping to see some posts in favor of Richt. My posting name should really say “Why are SOME Georgia fans so dumb?”
To address some comments:
Contrary to what some of you are saying, I still see and hear a large number of UGA fans unhappy with Richt. It may be true those are fans of other schools looking to make UGA fans look dumb…..Maybe.
Solich was run off by an idiot AD at Nebraska.
Nebraska was not hosed in the Big XII championship game. They kicked the ball out of bounds on the kick off, allowing Texas to start on the 40. They allowed a big play that put Texas in FG position. Take away one of those two errors and the clock would not have been an issue.
I know a lot of UT fans that wanted Fulmer gone, but quietly wish they had not been so quick to get rid of him. Starting over yet again……
The above is true for any team in todays NCAA football. It is far more competitive and staying on top is far more difficult. Judge a program for it’s last 10 years, not it’s last season. Also, don’t believe the recruiting rankings. Those guys can be just as wrong as the NFL scouts can be about college talent.
Whats most important is we enjoy football and not let it run our lives.
GO BIG RED
puppydawg
January 21st, 2010
3:38 pm
I-DOG, in a perfect world I would probably agree with you that a 350 lb. NG is not a must. But having to replace 6 starters on D will be a helluva lot easier if we can find a Mt. Cody or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Although I think he wants to play DE, I look for Geathers to be our NG for the next few years. He is supposedly the best player yet to come out of a great football family.
1eyedJack
January 21st, 2010
3:44 pm
Some people try to find things in this game that don’t exist but football is only two things – blocking and tackling. – Vince Lombardi
The 3 secrets to winning football games:
1.)Run the football – Being able to run the football is absolutely necessary to winning. If you can successfully do this you control the clock keeping your own defense rested on the sideline and the opposing offense off the field. This also cuts down 1 type of turnover, the interception. To be able to run the football successfully you need big, ugly, nasty, yet smart linemen, and good running backs. Both UGA and Tech have the backs, but I think Tech is sorely lacking in the big linemen department.
2.) Stop the run. Again you need big nasty linemen and fast linebackers that hit like an anvil. UGA- check but needs to wrap up, Tech – see #1.
3.) Play sound on special teams. UGA has two great kickers, good return men, no more Fabris. Must hold on to the ball. Tech – average kickers at best, don’t know enough about the other things to say.
Otto
January 21st, 2010
3:45 pm
Chazzo, Agreed turnovers and fundamentals (especially on defense, chest bumps and arm tackles) hurt. Yes without those problems UGA would be solid but not great and likely another loss to UF and Bama if they were on the schedule.
Nebraska, I judge CMR in 2 parts before Bobo was OC and after. BVG leaving as DC was close enough to the same time. He is still figuring out how to be a CEO.
UT maybe in for a long rebuilding process but I have not heard anyone seriously want Fulmer back as anything other than AD (which is understandable given the hire of Lane and demands that kept Cutcliffe from returning). Rumor is if Dooley fails Fulmers comes in as AD and brings back Cutcliffe if he isn’t to old by then, which sounds very much like something that happened at your school.
gatorman
January 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
Otto, I agree and I would also consider putting Boykin on offense as a 3rd down back. He can cover as a corner but cant tackle.
Christopher from NC
January 21st, 2010
3:52 pm
I agree with you 1eye. Maybe Bobo will finally learn to go with the flow instead of changing the game plan in mid-stream. Pass as you have too, but run the ball first, stop it when the other guys have it, and for goodness sake, let’s get physical and hold on to the ball and everything will be fine in the Dawgnation!!!!!