If Grantham coaches like he talks, Junkyard Dogs era has returned
Dogs defenders will have to earn playing time, Todd Grantham says. (Associated Press)
This time last week, we were examining what little we’d heard so far from new UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and getting excited about his pronouncements that he favored an aggressive, attacking style.
Over the past few days, Grantham has been making the rounds of the sports talk stations and sat down Friday with reporters to elaborate. And he’s still saying what we want to hear. Of course, it’s often a big leap between talking the talk and producing on the field and we’ve yet to see how Georgia’s players will execute what Grantham wants.
But from what I’m reading and hearing, reaction across the Bulldog Nation has been very positive to what he’s saying. Grantham thinks recruiting successfully close to home is the answer to winning the SEC and beating elite teams like Florida. He embraces the passionate, impatient fan base and says he understands who Georgia needs to beat.
And he is stressing to his players that they’re going to have to compete and produce if they want to take the field for the Red and Black.
He said his first message to the team is “we want to be physical, aggressive and relentless in our approach. … To do that, you’ve got to be in great condition and I think you have to have great preparation.”
More importantly, he said, “I think it’s important that you find ways to get your best players on the field. … Ultimately, you have to make plays on defense and to do that you have to have guys that are playmakers. I think you do that by getting your best players on the field.”
And players won’t be on the field just because they’re a senior or have started in the past. Grantham says he’s opening up all the positions and playing time will be earned. “I think competition makes everybody better, and I think you have to work to win a position before you can help us win a game. … The bottom line is you’re going to put the players out there that are going to be the most productive.”
As for which current SEC defense Dog fans can expect Georgia’s D to resemble, Grantham said exactly what I wanted to hear: “Alabama.”
All good stuff. Now we’ve got to see if he coaches as good as he talks.
WILL RICHT EMBRACE SPECIAL TEAMS?
On another note, Grantham also said that while it’s “not etched in stone right now,” the final member of the coaching staff still to be hired likely will join him in coaching linebackers, meaning no full-time special teams coach.
Considering the task ahead in fashioning a new defensive scheme, I can understand that thinking. I assume the special teams coaching will still be split up among various coaches and one of them will be asked to be the special teams coordinator in addition to his regular duties, as has been done in the past.
But what that really means is that if Georgia’s special teams play is going to improve and become more consistent, the onus is going to be on Mark Richt, who to date has never appeared to attach as much significance to that aspect of the game as some other coaches do. If Georgia’s special teams play is going to improve, that means more time spent on it in practice. Upgrading the personnel on the kickoff coverage team. And demanding a higher level of execution.
It’s not enough to have a terrific placekicker and punter if you’re populating your kick coverage team with walk-ons and regularly give up great field position on returns. Or if you consistently fall for fake punts. Or if your return men don’t seem to know when to run it out of the end zone and when to take a knee.
At the schools where special teams are truly special and viewed on an equal footing with the offense and defense when it comes to winning games, that mindset starts at the very top.
Richt needs a come-to-Jesus moment with himself about what he’s going to do to make sure that special teams play becomes a strength for the Dogs across the board.
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155 comments Add your comment
Krogunner
January 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
Unfortunately, talk doesn’t translate into wins on the field. Just ask Lane Kiffin…
De' truth
January 23rd, 2010
11:13 am
Bill,
As usual, well put.
1eyedJack
January 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
I agree. Special Teams can win or lose a game quicker than offense or defense.
Krogunner
January 23rd, 2010
11:17 am
The problem is at the top. There is no reason we shouldn’t be up there with Florida and Alabama. Nobody does less with more than Richt. We recruit the same level of talent and the problem is discipline within the program. Just think what the guy at Boise could do with our talent. Anyone watch them play? Now that is a well coached football team.
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
Bill,
What in the heck do you expect the guy to say? Wow, that’s you best shot at journalism? Well UGA journalism! They play the game on the field not behind the microphone!
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
11:25 am
Hey “Krogunner” you get to the top by beating AL and FL not believing you belong there. Does less with more. Are you freaking kidding me. Now puppy dawg fans are crying about their recruiting classes when you regularly parade your recruiting status every year. Sorry, based on the recruiting rankings, for whatever they are worth, UGA gets the athletes they need. They just don’t beat AL or FL or KY or TN!
Krogunner
January 23rd, 2010
11:30 am
“Less with more” means recruiting is not the issue. We need a Head Coach that teaches players to play with heart and discipline. That is the difference.
Tailback U
January 23rd, 2010
11:36 am
Good comments on the special teams Bill
There is much to be excited about with Grantham I just hope CMR
is focused on the fact that with youth at the QB position special teams
breakdowns would be especially harmful to the teams prospects.
I have a little concern that the linebackers we have are not the
type that excel in blitzing schemes. Is it your take different
on the linebacker situation ?
WHAT THE HELL
January 23rd, 2010
11:36 am
GEORGIA JUST DOESNT GET IT. WE ARE FALLING OF A CLIFF. THIS TEAM IS GOING NOWHERE, HOW LONG BEFORE THE REBUILDING STARTS? THIS WAS A VERY POOR DECISION. ALMOST AS POOR AS THE ONE TO KEEP RICHT.
Diamond Dog
January 23rd, 2010
11:39 am
Imagine how great they would have been if they had been able to hire their 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice to run the defense… Its the same crap every year. We’re going to win the SEC and NC. Top 5 recruiting classes for the past 25 years haven’t even had a sniff of greatness.
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
11:39 am
“Krogunner” – UGA won’t get the coach you want. Why, because of folks just like you! You have this over blown image that UGA should be playing for a National Championship every year. Well, the last time that happened was 1980, 30 years ago! UGA fans first need to get a grip on reality. You replaced Stafford with Cox and all your fans were convinced because Cox sat on the bench for 4 years he’d be just fine. And lost Moreno and you’d just replace him. The type of coach you want won’t come to UGA because he knows just 7 to 9 wins isn’t enough to keep a job. Yea, go ahead and fire Richt. You don’t seem to remember the last coaching search. Remember Glen Mason taking the job and then leaving after he’d been in Athens a couple of days!
Dawg 3/20
January 23rd, 2010
11:49 am
Lane Kiffin was a big talker too. The guy is going from having 11 All Americans on Defense to 0, stopping offenses is going to be a little tougher in Athens then it was in Dallas.
RedandBlack
January 23rd, 2010
11:49 am
Granthams’s philosophy will spread throughout the Georgia Bulldog team and not just remain with the defensive team members. The fire is back and it will help to build a formidable Junkyard Dog Team. Go Dogs!!
Dawglover
January 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
Hey Dawghater, why don’t you come out of the closet and tell us who you pull for or maybe you rather just stay in your dark little closet and keep pulling and rubbing yourself.
Your mama wants to know whe your are finished with her Glamour magazine.
((((30-24)))) Still hurts doesn’t it
lastgrad
January 23rd, 2010
11:53 am
Although I know it would never happen, wonder how UGA would stand up to the likes of Miami (OH), Fresno State, Bowling Green, UC Davis, Tulsa, Hawaii, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Idaho, Utah State Nevada or New Mexico State if they were blessed with such a schedule? That was a list of Boise State’s 2009 football schedule. We have had glimpses of what it would be like to play Boise State (05) New Mexico State (3 meetings 3 wins) Tulsa (2 meetings 2 wins) and Hawaii (can someone help me with this one time meeting). I do remember back in 1974 when Miami (OH) did put a loss on UGA. We need to fix that problem and fix it now.
Come on folks, keep focused. Georgia needs to first start winning against the likes of FL, AL, TN, LSU, AU, KY ….you get this point. This is our arena. Let’s get behind the Dawgs and be there as we once again take over the SEC. The nation is easy.
All You Can Eat
January 23rd, 2010
12:01 pm
Coach Grantham is more concerned where the all you can eat buffets are then he is about finding players that will fit his style…………….oh yeah their already in the NFL.
UGA 2010
January 23rd, 2010
12:02 pm
I have faith in Grantham. I believe he is passionate about gettn UGA back to the defensive contender we use to be…. Thanks for the article Bill, now hopefully all of you at the AJC can still come up with some good articles throughout the day. I always look forward to them…thanks again
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
12:05 pm
Yes I am in the closet, but I’m just reading the articles in Mommy’s “Playgirl” …
Grantham's Stout
January 23rd, 2010
12:06 pm
People need to understand that this guy has a PROVEN SYSTEM for turning around a defense in 1 season. He’s already done it several times.
I like how playing time will be based on merit. It’s flat out dumb to start someone because they had a higher ranking on rivals coming out of High School. Or age, or what year in the program they are. If they perform, play em’. He’s right, a merit based system will cause his guys to compete and perform at the highest level.
Er(a)ror
January 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
When did the Junkyard Dog Era begin? That “Era” brought no more then 1 Title to Athens in only 1 National Championship appearance. Daddy has been there 4 times since 80′.
Krogunner
January 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Let’s see it on the field. Didn’t like how he was crying about Favre laying a late TD pass on them last week. News flash coach: this is the Big Leagues, not Boys Club. It is you and your fellow coaches job to stop the other teams offense. Hope he doesn’t bring this mentality with him to the SEC. Given the chance, Spurrier won’t hesitate to lay a couple late tds on him. Good thing he’s not still at Florida!
augusta dawg
January 23rd, 2010
12:09 pm
Reality is demoting Bobo because he is not a top tier sec coach…..So much has been made about the defense that Bobo’s play-calling has escaped the attention…..His play calling is so predictable….Ask Ala,Fla,Tn,Sc …..A run up the gut 90% on first down…. No play action and passing…..Teams watch film……..Get used to 9-4 seasons and no sec championship much less national….. An OC needs to be multi-dimensional and seasoned…………..THE HEAT WILL BE ON HIM AND CMR THIS SEASON!!!!
J. Jones
January 23rd, 2010
12:13 pm
“People need to understand that this guy has a PROVEN SYSTEM for turning around a defense in 1 season. He’s already done it several times.”
Yes he has, with Proffesional Athletes. Not many 1st rounders on that UGA D. Are there even any 2nd rounders?
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
12:13 pm
Dawghater is not a Techie. He’s a gaytor. And he used to post on another board as “proside” before he was banned for being a complete jerk that everybody hated.
Urban Cryer is in crisis and the “mighty” gaytors have got some pay back coming. Talk about delusional, they lost the guy that they all hail as the greatest college football player of all time and they think they aren’t gonna miss a beat. LOL!!!!
il5
January 23rd, 2010
12:13 pm
Bill-
Good stuff here. Grantham could have said the wrong stuff like “Seniors will get first preference”, or “I’m not talking about Florida” or “I’m not making any promises–you’ll see it on the field”.
Focused on top priorities (recruiting, off-season conditioning, aggressive attitude, merit based system, etc.)
greg
January 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
way to turn a positive story into a negative, do you like constant turmoil. Enough of your whining already, it’s one thing for outsiders to come on here and stir the pot; you can do better.
bali smith
January 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
well he can talk the talk, now will see if he can make the dog s defense walk the walk
H
January 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
augusta dawg, WELL SAID. BOBO MUST GO. WE NEED BETTER PLAYCALLING AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT, A COACH WHO CAN DEVELOP TALENT BETTER THAN BOBO. STAFFORD AND MORENO COULD MAKE ANY COACH LOOK GOOD…NOW WE KNOW JUST HOW BAD BOBO IS AT HIS JOB.
H
January 23rd, 2010
12:16 pm
our D will be better just having had BRYAN EVANS graduate.
BigGAdawg
January 23rd, 2010
12:16 pm
If we have to have an Outside Linebackers coach we should steal Kevin Greene away from the Packers. Can you imagine the intensity level with him and Grantham on the same sideline. That would be entertaining — and maybe a little frightening to opponents.
In a more likely scenario I would rather see a fulltime Special Teams coach.
CDAWG
January 23rd, 2010
12:17 pm
I like Grantham’s passion, what he is saying and what he will be bringing. We are long over due for a foot up the A$$ to get us back on track. If the dawg defense steps up like we think and hope that it does and the rest of the team is lacking, I predict Grantham will be the new HC. G.A.T.A.!
Joe
January 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
“Urban Cryer is in crisis and the “mighty” gaytors have got some pay back coming.”
You guys have been looking for pay back since 2002 when the Gators ruined your shot at the National Title. It is 2010 now.
Really?
January 23rd, 2010
12:21 pm
Keep thinking that the “Mighty Gators” are in crisis. They have a redshirt junior coming in that NFL scouts are already watching, have talent upon talent, not to mention by far the #1 recruiting class coming in. Keep your middle school “gaytor” (like we’ve never heard that before)references coming and just remember Florida is going no where. Keep hoping though, it’s fun to see the hopes rise and see them crushed along the banks of the St. Johns.
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Now the puppy dawgs are resorting to poising as my blog name. Expected by a bunch of dawg fans who can’t even sniff and Nat’l Championship or another SEC Championship. And for “dawglover” why does it make any difference who my team is? You need that info so you can start sending insulting emails. I speak the truth dawglover. The reason UGA has so much difficulty getting their 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice for D Coordinator is because these candidates see a leak in the boat and they didn’t want to a ride unless the ship was fixed first!
J Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Please, with all the negative comments. Grantham is sayin all the right things, what more can he do right now. Give the guy a chance to coach at least a game. As for all the Richt haters, do you realize how dumb you sound. I mean he only has the 4th highest winning % in the last 9 years of all active coaches, and he’s doing it in the toughest division in the country. I believe the Dawgs are really primed to do really great things in the not so distant future. The SEC east is wide open with the loss Tebow and all the other NFL players the gators lost, the DAWGS will be back on top
Go DAWGS!!!!!
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Type the UT score Dawglover. Rocky Top
JS
January 23rd, 2010
12:23 pm
If UGA plays like their fans talk, you would be Florida.
Urban Meyer
January 23rd, 2010
12:23 pm
The beatings will continue until morale improves!
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
12:28 pm
All you have to do to beat UF is to get them out of the players AND coaches heads. I have been to many games since the 60’s in Jax and for about 20 years UGA was in UF;s head and since 90 it has been the reverse. UGA doesnt need better players because many times they had the better team and lost; what the need is a sports psychologist to work on their heads. Spurrier started the stuff in 1990 when he said at a press conference that UF should win when they only have to travel 90 miles to the game and UGA has to fly in.
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
12:28 pm
You gaytors crack me up. The way that yall think you will always be on top is hilarious. I can’t wait to see Alec Ogletree rip John Brantley’s head off. I hope we do another end zone dance since you nancey boys are still crying about the first one. I can’t wait to see that stupid look on urban Cryer’s face again. Assuming of course that he can be back on the sideline this fall. maybe he’ll righ another book and talk about himself in the third person again. We all found out what UF was about with a certain recent arrest. Yall must be proud. See you girls in Jacksonville.
John Brantley
January 23rd, 2010
12:33 pm
Can’t wait to introduce myself on October 30th. Plus remember the names Andre DeBose and Carl Moore. Both were injured last year, are now healthy and will catch a lot of passes in the fall. DeBose has Percy Harvin like speed and moves. The cupboard is far from bare. Can’t wait
Please consider the black helmets again.
really?
January 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
I know that you know that I know, Your Mom said to get off the computer now!!! Blogs are for big people not inmature children.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
12:36 pm
I know that you know that I know. Not worried about freshmanr Ogletree; both teams will be different next year. UGA will be better on both sides of the ball. We will be better on offense because we will have the best receiver from 08 back that was redshirted and several from the 08 defense back that were redshirted. I think I would rather have the 06 High School QB of the year at QB rather than an unknown. You’re just an ignorant redneck so I won’t insult the rest of the UGA fans by a stupid reply comment.
bwell
January 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm
Dawgoneit Bill you are on it again. Three areas of football, O, D, and Special team. To be a complete champion, you have to employ all the phases, time has caught with CMR, now is the time to hire a full time STeam Coach. If we are to get to the top, I like the coach G, talk of attacking, so much in past was drop off 15 yards to a receiver and blown coverage….”throw it deep Georgia DB’s will watch the ball over their heads and give a up a score”. I can’t wait till Aug.
JC in Powder Springs
January 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm
Grantham is a real shot in the arm to the program, and he arrives at a critical time. It’s easy to see the guy has football passion and knowledge. He should be a catalyst to help the Dawgs recruiting to finish strong. Problems with some parts of the special teams and offensive playcalling remain, but Grantham’s responsibility is D. The Dawgs have come a long way on D with this hire.
I know that you know that I know
January 23rd, 2010
12:41 pm
I am so tired of these mean old gaytors. First they lay the wood on us 17 out of the last 20 games and now they are being mean to me on blogs!
GaGators
January 23rd, 2010
12:42 pm
Murray was ranked higher than Brantley coming out of high school, #1,2 or 3 QB, depending on the grader. Georgia has 10 of 11 starters coming back, Florida lost 6 key starters. We also can run the ball now with King & Ealey, so it should be a rout.
The 3-4 of Bama killed the spread. Grantham will handle the Gators. I predict they won’t score more on Georgia than they did on Bama.
GaGators
January 23rd, 2010
12:44 pm
Georgia has averaged 28-32 points a game on offense from 2007-2009, points have not been the problem. With the Grantham hire, we’ll hold opponents to 11-13 points a game average.
cowboys were #2 in scoring defense in 2009.
JB
January 23rd, 2010
12:49 pm
really?? inmature is not a word big boy!
Georgia Duck
January 23rd, 2010
12:50 pm
Though I am not a Georgia fan, it would be nice to see Georgia return to what it did best. That’s a strong running game with a nasty defense. That has been missing for a while though the running game came alive against Tech and A&M.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
12:50 pm
GaGators, you must be an imposter. Brantley was the High School player of the year his senior year and has played very well win playing with backups. His only action with first teamers was against Kentucky and he threw a 25 TD pass on the first play cold off the bench. Yes UF lost 6 key starters but they get back some people from the 08 team that were medically redshirted last year. Murray might be great at this level but he hasn’t thrown a pass yet. The UF offense will resemble the one when Chris Leak was QB was there except Jordan Reed (6-3 230lb) instead of Tebow will come in short yardage. Brantley has a much stronger arm than Leak and I think that team was ok. Don’t think they will be SEC champs but the schedule falls pretty good for them and going to Alabama will be the only regular season loss. But you read it here first, Auburn with a former UF QB (Cam Newton) will win the SEC West and championship.
Diamond Dog
January 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
Grantham has a PROVEN SYSTEM? I wonder why he didn’t use it as the DC of the Cleveland Browns. And he brought his own style of players.
I’m sure in a UGA fan’s pea sized brain, he’ll make the Dogs defense better than the 1985 Bears!
doggoneit
January 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
Great hire, now CMR can concentrate on the offense. We are def a 10 win season team next year. Go Dogs!
SuperB
January 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
Mark Richt reminds me of Bobby Cox during the Braves’ heyday. Wins a lot of games each year, but not the big prize.
If Richt ever wants to be mentioned with the great coaches– he needs to be more agressive in all aspects of the game– including special teams. It doesn’t take a genius to see what our special teams did in the bowl game and how that was the difference.
poopdawg
January 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Ga gator would you be happy in 2010 with the offensive production from 2006? Other than the national title game that offence was anemic. In 2010 the offense will be better than 2006 but very similiar. What will Florida do on 3rd and 2 or 3? Brantley will have to be a stud running the ball in addition to his throwing for the spread to be effective. Can’t wait for 2010 !
Grantham
January 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
Grantham will be typical of dawg fans and the dawg football team in general. All bark. No bite.
DamnGoodDawg@
January 23rd, 2010
2:21 pm
Hay, Doghater..kiss our collective doggoned ass!
“It’s not enough to have a terrific placekicker and punter if you’re populating your kick coverage team with walk-ons and regularly give up great field position on returns. Or if you consistently fall for fake punts. Or if your return men don’t seem to know when to run it out of the end zone and when to take a knee.”
DawgBone
January 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
Hopefully he will pan out. I am optimistic yet cautious that he will turn out to be successful as a DC. I have read on these blogs that he has only served as a DC for one year and was fired from that job. We apparently gave him the keys to a vault with little experience heading up defenses and must keep him for three years to boot even if he turns out to be no better than Marinez. We also risk losing the experience, and the terrific recruiting that Garner has given UGA for years by passing him up as a candidate to be the DC. I for one have my fingers crossed that Grantham turns into the next Russell or VanGorder for us but see nothing from his background experience to be overly optimistic. I guess the proof will be in the results this year!
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
poopdawg, Brantley is far better than Leak and I wouldn’t call the offense anemic. On short yardage they will have a redshirt freshman QB (6-3 230) who will do just fine or a FB from Buford HS who is 6-2 240. They also have the #2 receiver from 08, 2 2009 beginning of the season OL, and 2 08 defensive starters back who were all medically redshirted last year. Myer has said that Brantley reminds him of Alex Smith from Utah, plus he was National High School Player of the year in 06. What you have to worry about is the years (like many since 1990) when you have more talent than UF to not let them get in the players or coaches heads before game week. Since Richt has been there the only time he beat UF was when he had a bye week before and that doesnt even happen this year.
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
2:40 pm
really, go pound sand junior. It’s only immature when UGA fans do it I guess. That’s the kind of garbage we here from you reptiles all the time so…what’s good for one is good for another.
Nobody cares about you supposed percy harvin clones that yall claim to have. You girls said the same stuff about Emanuel Moody and Chris Rainey. Harvin they are not. I see from recent developments that we Dawgs should keep our kids as far away from you gaytors as possible. Yall stay away from those school zones now.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
2:46 pm
I know that you know that I know. Thank God you are not like most UGA fans. The reporter is a scumbag who needs to go to jail but it takes an idiot to generalize people for one creep. It would be like labeling all UGA fans because of the imbreeding you see in the N. Georgia Walmarts.
haha
January 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
JS – HAHAHAHHAHAHAA YEP U NAILED IT
I know that you know that I know
January 23rd, 2010
2:52 pm
Now you mean old gaytors got me in trouble with my Mommy! She caught me making mean comments again on the computer and now I can’t ride my bike the rest of the weekend. I hate those mean old gaytors and gaytor fans
Reggie Ball
January 23rd, 2010
2:52 pm
haha, Amen Bro!!!
TopDawg#2
January 23rd, 2010
2:54 pm
I know that you know that I know. – Grow up boy! We are talking football here.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
2:56 pm
Like I have said before, Grantham is a hug upgrade over Willie. and I suspect his comments are to fire up the base and are actually true.
JB
January 23rd, 2010
3:05 pm
Now that we have a journeyman NFL position coach running the D,I just know that Meyer, Saban, Miles and the rest of the SEC will just throw in the towel. We should win the next 4 national titles!
poopdawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:08 pm
Ga gator your right Brantley will be far better than Leak, but will he run the ball? Florida’s 2006 offense was anemic, the defense won the games . So your saying Brantley’s ability to throw will be enough for Florida’s offense to improve in 2010. Did not know Florida used a fullback. How will Florida’s ground improve in 2010? May not need to if Brantley can throw for all the yards. GO DAWGS
$750K
January 23rd, 2010
3:09 pm
Here we are in the middle of a financial freefall, and UGA is cutting its budget for instruction, but who cares so long as you have football. It really sucks that our priorities are so completely screwed up in this state.
Woof, woof, woof is about as far intellectually as most UGA fans can go. I know.
$750K for a freaking football coach.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Well I expect the pass defense to improve now that our two worst coverage players are gone.That would be Evans AND Curran…yeah Curran…he was horrible in pass coverage and I do mean horrible Renne probably blew more assignments than Evans or Miller combined by a long shot.There is a lot of talent on the roster on defense but it will be mostly young and inexperienced which could be a plus when you are changing to a new scheme.Grantham has the right idea when he says the instate talent is top shelf and as long as we dominate the state we will be loaded.Willie and crew are gone so most folks got what they wanted now we will see how it plays out.One thing I hope to see improved is recruiting at LB…we have not signed premiere athletes at LB in years.
Top Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
I like all the things that Gantham is saying, but let’s be real here people: We won’t know anything until the fall gets here. That’s the reality of it, and that’s the beauty of sports. You gotta play it out to know the outcome, if the opposite were true then you would get trophy’s for the best recreuiting class!! I’m sick and tired of all these people coming on here and claiming they know what’s gonna happen because of this stat or that stat, SO WHAT if you guys have the interenet and can look up numbers. BIG DEAL, with all those stats and research you can’t win the game. You gotta strap it up, and go hit somebody in the mouth!! That’s what matters!! And I’m a HUGE bulldawg fan, but before we order our SEC championship t-shirts and hats let’s let the guy at least coach in the G-Day game and see what he’s got.
Furthermore, I read a post from someone on here earlier that gets the whole Florida/Georgia thing. The reason they been manhandling us is because we go down to Jax every year expecting another beatdown, even after ‘07 the confidence still wasn’t there in ‘08. What it’s going to take is for UGA to beat UF back to back to get them out of our heads, I hate having to admit that and I know every Gator on here is gonna simply love that. But to to conqure your fear you gotta face your fear, and that’s the biggest problem UGA has to overcome. The Gators.
So with all that bein said, I think the right moves have been made. Grantham’s pedigree may attract some great talent, but more than anhything for the Dawgs to prosper from having an NFL guy in the program his system is going to have work. THAT along with his NFL experience will convince everyone that he knows what he’s doing, and then the rucruits will flock to UGA. But that’s gonna take time poeple, I know that doesn’t sit well in our society where instant gratification is often our main focus but if we can hang on and sit through a rough patch we’re gonna come out on the other side as much stonger and competitive team year in and year out.
Oh, and lastly, PLEASE leave Bobo alone. Joe Cox just finished a season where he threw 24 touchdowns!! In the SEC!! 24!!!!! JOE COX, this guy isn’t even on the NFL’s radar. I think Bobo’s play-calling is okay, he doesn’t control execution. That’s up to the players.
Go Dawgs!!
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
poopdawg, Good talking with you. The main difference if you remember was Leak would actually slide, indicating to me he was afraid to run. Brantley will be just more of a scrambler and the offense from friends close to the program will run about 60-40 I formation/spread. The ground game was actually top 5 or so this year and will obviously not be that with Tebow gone, but the passing game will be a big improvement with young receivers maturing and getting the #2 receiver back after being injured from the 08 team. Go Gators, Go Dawgs(except in Jax) and go SEC.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
$750K, the money doesn’t come from the school budget, it comes from your athletic program(private funds), so you dont have to worry about the Sociology program being cut.
suwaneedawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
To build success you have to start with attitude. This guy is doing all the right things to start on the right course for the success of this defense. Let’s all take a deep breath and see what happens.
Preston
January 23rd, 2010
3:27 pm
Music to my ears! Players have to EARN playing time. “Just because you’re a senior doesn’t mean you’ll be a starter.” If only a certain QB hadn’t been left in all year last season……hmmmmm. Excited for the future though.
Whopper Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:30 pm
Top Dawg – I agree with much of your post. But I am glad to hear the type of philosophy the Grantham is espousing. 1/4 Willie obviously didn’t believe the same. The only way to get the Gators “out of their heads” is to be able to compete with them and beat them as often as they beat us. We would never do that with 1/4 Willie, we have a chance with Grantham, we’ll see.
We have to do something about the special teams. It appears that there will not be a special teams coach, which staffs normally do not have, but someone has to take the reins.
I am not sold at all on Bobo. I think next year is a big year for him. We aren’t consistent on offense and don’t have an offensive identity. I also believe that as offensive coordinator he is responsible for execution as well as everything else. I don’t think that you will be hearing Grantham say he is not responsible for the execution of the defense. If we do, we are in big trouble.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 23rd, 2010
3:35 pm
Fla beating UGA usually boils down the 2 things to me.1.FLA has better players on Defense than UGA. 2.The Gator D does a better job of shutting down our Offense than we do with theirs.Simple as that….go back to the vast majority of UGA losses in this game and you see the same thing over and over.Their D is the dominant unit on the field and we struggle moving the ball.Whenever we can move the ball and score we win….if the UGA defensive talent improves then this series will be back to a toss up.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
3:37 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88, that’s exactly correct. In 07 we scored 30 points which should be enough to win a game, but our D that year was weak and we could not stop Stafford and Mareno.
superDawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:38 pm
UGA will come out this year with more fire and determination than in the previous couple of years.That gets me excited as a UGA fan.Once the momentum kicks in I think it should carry the team right into the tenn. and uf games with more desire and passion to win.It is great to be a GEORGIA BULLDAWG.As far as tek goes well you know,just another win.
Mr Me
January 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
With all the media coverage Grantham is getting it really seems as if he’s the head coach now. With that being said I think this was a great hire because of the system he brings and his passion. UGA players seem to fit in a 3-4 better than a 4-3 with many of our pass rushing d-ends being a little undersized to be on the line. Now with the switch these guys can play the OLB positions and the bigger run-stuffing d-ends like Dobbs can play the line.
And for the person talking about academic funding, please use whatever size brain you have and do some research. With that research you will realize that UGA academic income and UGA athletic income are two different entities, as is the case for most large public universities. So if the athletic department wants to pay 750k for a coach they have every right to. Go back to your little university in the ghetto.
superDawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:43 pm
Regarding the O Coach Richt needs to be more involved with play calling and schemes like he was when he started his HC position.That should put us back on top.
livi t
January 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
what the hell………….. what the hell are YOU talking about. get rid of Richt? that is the stupidest thing i have heard. he has only been to 3 seccg and 3 sugar bowls in nine years. that is much better than what we had been doing. he is a great coach and i hope he is here for a lot longer.
get a grip
superDawg
January 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
Mr Me you called them a university.Wrong it is the instatoot of nerdology.
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
4:07 pm
ga gator,
Sounds like you are nearly as much of a cry baby as your coach. maybe you should take a leave of abscence. So you’re defending that guy? Yuck!!
Grantham's Stout
January 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
Grantham has a track record. 2 of DLine went to the Pro Bowl this year. Helped Dallas get to #4 against the rush, #2 in defensive scoring in the NFL. 2 teams had 1 year turnaorunds that were nuts–Colts from 3-13 to 13-3, Browns from 4-10 to 10-6. The guy has a proven track record.
Another way we know he’s not just hype, Saban asked him to be his DC. And Saban just led the nation in defense. Says a lot about Grantham’s skills.
But I know Grantham will want to prove it on the field. I know he wants Meyer to come back so the Gators will have no excuses, but it won’t happen–Grantham sent him into retirement from Florida–no way he wants a part of that beatdown.
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
4:13 pm
…by the way ga gator,
you’re exactly like most UF fans.
augusta dawg
January 23rd, 2010
4:13 pm
Hey top dog,How many passes of the 24 did Cox throw were against Fla???
where were you people???
January 23rd, 2010
4:25 pm
richt has brought the more success to this school than anyone besides Dooley. It was twenty years between conference titles, wasn’t it? We did win the Sugar Bowl two years ago, didn’t we? AND PLEASE, DO NOT COMPARE US TO BAMA OR FLORIDA, our program doesn’t compare. Richt has improved UGA’s program to where its at. Getting rid of him would set us back to the ?Donnan years? Remember, A GAME ON CHRISTMAS EVE?
Hey Krogunner, don’t compare success in the WAC to success in the SEC. One reason BSu is always outcoaching is because if a team that they play has a good coach, he will be gone in two years. So tnew coaches emerge.
Mike P
January 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
I hope your team remembers their sneakers for their “big game” today. Idiots. LOL
S.E. Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
5:02 pm
superDawg, a reporter once asked coach Richt why he didn’t assist Bobo in play calling. His answer, how do you know that I don’t? He doesn’t have the headset on at times during games just to be wearing them.
Skeptical Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
5:02 pm
Seems we all heard this before about the JYD Defense returning. I believe it when i see it. We all should shut the hell up till G day and see if this Grantham guy will deliver. ” Bo Bo doesnt execute the players the players do” Im so sick of that excuse. But he sure as hell better coach execution or his a$$ is grass just like Willie. Just sayin………
Skeptical Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
5:05 pm
BTW who recruits players who forgets their sneakers ? Pathetic I say….
Top Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
5:07 pm
I wasn’t saying he doesn’t coach execution people, I was saying he can’t make them do it!! All coahces coach execution, but Willie’s schemes were stupid. THAT’S why he was shown the door!!
Top Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
5:11 pm
Remember when Tebow scored the touchdown against us to break Herschel’s rushing record? Bryan Evans and Brandon Boykin were standing right in front of eachother leaving the MIDDLE of the field WIDE OPEN!!! Who’s idea was this?!?!?!? Gee, let me think…………. O I know, 1/4 Willie!!! That’s why he was asked to leave and Bobo’s job is safe, his plays SHOULDA worked, we just had a bunch Key Stone Cops running our offense!! He can’t make a wide receiver catch a pass, he can’t make a running back hold on to the football, he can’t make a lineman finish his block. He can tell em what they should be doing but he can’t go out there and do it for em, that’s up to them to go out on the field and execute!! That’s not Bobo’s job, if that were his job, he’d be a player!!
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
5:23 pm
I know that you know that I know. Who’s crying? If you are happy with your program, be happy with the most consecutive 8 win teams; I don’t think the rest of UGA fans are. You are correct, I am like most UF fans, we would have fired somebody who had a losing record against Zook.
I know that you know that I know.
January 23rd, 2010
5:27 pm
Does anybody else on here think that Joe Cox is a cutie?
Nobody Knows It
January 23rd, 2010
5:43 pm
I liked that pose by Joe for a sports mag that was oh so revealing !
ONLY SERIOUS
January 23rd, 2010
5:43 pm
97rd
BUCK
January 23rd, 2010
5:47 pm
No matter what is said about CMR look around he is a class act. The only problem I see is his loyalty to under preforming coaches.
GatorNation
January 23rd, 2010
5:58 pm
Talk is cheap.
$750K
January 23rd, 2010
6:02 pm
Actually, Mr. Me, you are the one with a tiny brain, no doubt due to your obsession with watching 20 year-olds chase around an inflated (that means blowed-up) bladder.
So many people associated with the university wish the football team, and especially its ignorant, redneck, tobacco-chewing followers would disassociate themselves from the school so we would have a chance to stop being the laughing-stock. You all are really embarrassing.
Do you really believe in Everything for football, and to h*ll with everything else? $750K for a freaking football coach. I don’t really care where the money comes from. It shouts out loud and clear how screwed our priorities are in this backwards, inbred state.
Since you like to cheer, here’s one all the other states are going to be shouting soon enough: “Thank God for Georgia! Thank God for Georgia!” I doubt if you care as much about education as football, but you should.
You, Sir, are the one with an intellect permanently stuck in early adolescence: woof, woof, woof. It’s a pity that’s enough for grown men.
Senator Blutarski
January 23rd, 2010
6:02 pm
c’mon Dog fans–where’s the spirit?–where’s the guts?–LET’S DO IT!!!!!!
Winderdawg
January 23rd, 2010
6:12 pm
Hey Dawghater, tell your mom she left her keys at my house last night.
Dunkley
January 23rd, 2010
6:18 pm
Georgia isn’t tough enough to win a BCS Title, they will slip up somewhere on their schedule.
UGA Fan
January 23rd, 2010
6:23 pm
Boo Hoo, ESPN stole the National Title away from us in 2007 even though we didn’t win the East and never played in the SEC Title Game. How dare ESPN put SEC Champion LSU in the title game that year, it was all a big conspiracy against Dawg Nation.
jesse james
January 23rd, 2010
6:27 pm
Talk has never beat anybody. I hope we can return to the Junkyard Dawgs and really get back into forcing turnovers the way we use too. And any team that let’s Chism dress like he is into today’s basketball team has no pride in the way their school is represented. Pearl may be the greatest coach (Clown) but he is an embarrassment to NCAA athletics.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
6:31 pm
$750K , do you really understand how much cash comes into an institution by the athletic programs? Without major college sports, the tuition, taxes or both would have to be raised to support “intelectuals” such as your self!
$750K
January 23rd, 2010
6:55 pm
ga gator,
Your posting contains so many errors that I can only assume that you are functionally illiterate. Did you not pay attention in class?
Yes, the football team brings in money, but how much it benefits the university is questionable (that means not certain) at best. For example, we faculty are taking furlough days, and there are budget cuts to instruction for next year. However, and I’m sure you think this is great, we have $750K to pay a freaking football coach, not mention what St. Mark gets.
Try this real slow if it is too difficult for you: “Thank God for Georgia.”
Maddawg
January 23rd, 2010
7:04 pm
Please be careful with your irreverant use of God’s name. It’s very offensive to those of us who hold His Name high and dear. Thank you.
Big L
January 23rd, 2010
7:05 pm
Alright you guys, lay off gagaytor, he’s got that whole stutter thing happenin and he’s got it real tuff. They quit carryin jean shorts at wal mart and he can’t afford the ones at kohl’s. He won’t meet requirements for his gaytor club meetins where they watch UF on the big black and white. Plus in the recession, natty lite case prices are goin up. Gagaytor has it real tuff right now.
Downtown Gator
January 23rd, 2010
7:14 pm
$750K evidently, you are just stupid. What are you a non-tenured Sociology prof? Without bigtime college athletics all Major Institutions would have to raise tuition. Big L, the only thing Ive seen in Walmart is Inbreds wearing UGA sweatshirts.
904DAWG
January 23rd, 2010
7:24 pm
gator fans are seeming like their scared a loss this year might just turn the tide!
Boca Baby
January 23rd, 2010
7:32 pm
Come to Jesus moment? I personally do not think that Jesus is interested in special teams play at UGA. And what if the other guy has a “come to Jesus moment” before Richt does? Whose moment carries more weight? And I understand the cute phraseology and it’s context but it is not necessary. Let’s try to leave Jesus out of this. Jesus is more interested in a person’s character and future. Win or lose.
tony
January 23rd, 2010
7:35 pm
Krogunner, you nailed it dude, it does start at the top. Like you said, Mr Richt does less with high recruits than Florida, Alabama, USC and even LSU. If it weren’t for Brian VanGorder’s firery personality and his aggressive defensive approach, Mr Richt would not be as successful as he is.
It took Mr Richt 41/2 years to realize that he needed a better defensive coordinator. He should have change coordinator after we lost to WV in the Sugar Bowl. Not only does he need to hire a new DC, but he also need to hire a new OC. How many times have we seen our boys pick up 5 or 7 yards on the ground and then throw the ball on the very next play? They do this every singleyear.
I like what I’m hearing from our new DC. Now our boys won’t have to stand around like robots and let opposing teams throw the football down their thoats. Now instead of letting the action come to us, now our boys will be allowed to go to the action. He also mentioned that he will put his best athletes on the the football field rather they are seniors or not. If Mr Richt had done this from the get go he would have won a NC by now. Starting with DJ Shockley. With DJ’s mobility and arm strenght we would have won a NC if he was the starter in his 4 season especially when VanGorder was the DC. Marcus Howard was a better pass rusher than Quentin Moses but Mr Richt played Moses instead. Knowshone Moreno was a better rb than Thomas Brown but Mr Richt played Brown instead. Aaron Murray is ten times better than Cox but Mr Richt wanted to play his senior qb instead.
Buckhead Bulldog
January 23rd, 2010
7:38 pm
Dawghater
January 23rd, 2010
11:39 am
Actually, UGA played for, and lost the Nat. Champ game to Penn State in 1982….I still hate Todd Blackledge for that! Although, I do like him as an announcer.
Boca Baby
January 23rd, 2010
7:42 pm
While I would really like to the return of the junkyard dog defense we will surely not be seeing it in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Coach Russell ran a “Wide Tackle Six” defense which was based on a lot of the things we just fired Martinez over. The defense was designed to flow everything inside and was a bend-but-don’t-break scheme. It was when the opposing defense moved the ball down to the 30 to 40 yard line that Erk would then turn on the pressure. If I understand coach Grantham it is his intention to turn on the pressure right from the start. So, lets bring back, in spirit, “The Junkyard Dog Defense.” As long as the results are the same.
Boca Baby
January 23rd, 2010
7:43 pm
Correction: offense not defense.Sorry.
Buckhead Bulldog
January 23rd, 2010
7:45 pm
$750K
January 23rd, 2010
6:02 pm
Yet, you pay $75 to watch male figure skating at Philips Areana. Where is the sense in that, huh?
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
7:45 pm
tony, I agree with everything you said until you said that Murray is 10 times better than Cox. He might well end up better and even 10 times better. But if he is what does that say for Richt for red shirting him? If he is 10x better he won’t be around 4 more years.
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
7:46 pm
Buckhead Bulldog
ditto Buckhead!!
Buckhead Bulldog
January 23rd, 2010
7:48 pm
Right on….Boca Baby!
Buddy El
January 23rd, 2010
7:56 pm
I agree that Bobo is not a big league OC. If Richt is going to spend time in actually coaching some unit it should calling the plays. He did pretty good doing that at FSU.
One thing I still don’t understand is Richt said he was going to play everybody that deserved to play, be they true freshmen or 5th year senior. Why didn’t he give one/both of our stud QB’s an occasional chance on the field? Maybe he thinks neither is a stud QB.
Big L
January 23rd, 2010
8:16 pm
Richt did’nt let Murray or Mett play cause he can’t let go of that old style thinkin. Damn shame too. Murray is the real deal. A little experience woulda made a world of difference.
PT
January 23rd, 2010
8:16 pm
$750 – You might get 92,000 people to come watch two college teams debate if you paid them $40, but i doubt it.
tony
January 23rd, 2010
8:18 pm
ga gator, everybody will be shock when they see Aaron Murray throw for 300 yds a game except me. Mr Richt is going to look like a fool for red shirting Murray when he set the sec on fire next season.
Reggie Ball
January 23rd, 2010
8:21 pm
goot one PT
.
January 23rd, 2010
8:23 pm
tony, say what?
ga gator
January 23rd, 2010
8:25 pm
tony
You are correct man, I saw him play in Tampa when he was a junior and he was the real deal then. My friends who have kids who go to Plant say he has Tebow-like leadership ability and quality of character. He will make the Dawgs proud. I just don’t understand why Richt didn’t play him some instead of Logan Gray.
DawgtrappedinFL
January 23rd, 2010
8:38 pm
I welcome the return of the JYD Defense, and like what I have read and heard from Coach Grantham. An aggressive, attacking defense is what we need, but we also need discipline. Too many penalties in the past and many of them were late hits or roughing the passer and those type of penalties which are signs of an undisciplined team. Maybe a reporter needs to ask Coach G about how he plans to instill discipline in a defense that has been lacking in the past. GO DAWGS!!!
Buckhead Bulldog
January 23rd, 2010
8:41 pm
Maybe, Richt is timing his development to coincide with the O line and Ealey hitting full stride so the Dogs hit pay dirt in 2 years???? Who knows….
KM
January 23rd, 2010
8:57 pm
Haha, he says he wants his D to resemble Alabama’s? He must be a good DC! Now if Bobo would just go on the radio and say he wants Aaron Murray to resemble Peyton Manning, the Dawgs will be number 1! Arf arf arf!
suwaneedawg
January 23rd, 2010
9:26 pm
Great news gator fans, Urban is going to coach the spring game. The, and only then, will he annouce he is stepping down due to health reasons. Then he will be arrested for having dog and cat porn on his computer. Bad times in Florida lie ahead.
gtfanfrom1951
January 23rd, 2010
9:39 pm
Grantham is going to have to use to facing different offense that the NFL. College offenses change from week to week depending on who you are playing. In the NFL they all run the same offense. He will need to adjust to having work with young people who will nor be there for a paycheck and he has been away for college for 12 years.
UGA will need to be ready to play each week or they will get beat and out of it before they get to Fla. It would be something if both Georgia and Tech were both undefeated in Nov. Would that be something!!
hind tit
January 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
did you notice how quite it got in the war of words after grantham was hired and then after a few days the propaganda started.same thing happened with hitler just before the allies gata.
FL Dawg
January 23rd, 2010
10:04 pm
Tony, GA Gator and For all those wondering why Murray didn’t play this season…HE WASN’T READY!!! Murray suffered and injury to his throwing arm in fall camp. By the time it had healed enough for him to get meaningful practice it was four weeks into the season. With the missed practice and repitition, he was never there. This is not a knock on him…it just the reason we didn’t see him this year.
exNFLplayer
January 23rd, 2010
10:34 pm
“And he is stressing to his players that they’re going to have to compete and produce if they want to take the field for the Red and Black.”
That statement tells me everything I need to know about this guy’s approach. It’s a page right out of the NFL playbook. You produce or get cut. At the college level it means produce or grow callouses on your butt. Earn your playing time with your work ethic and bring your A game everyday. Be teachable. You will get what you earn. And folks it’s real simple. The guys that want it, the guys that practice hard, the guys that soak up the coaching, the guys that perform and produce will be the guys that play. Guys like this make the cream rise to the top and Grantham will play the producers. This approach will also develop the tools these kids need at the next level if they have that ability. Grantham is going to give them nothing they don’t earn while at the same time giving the ones that deserve it everything they need to succeed. I trust this coach to have the best players on the field at all times. He will bring professional ways to these kids. Teach them that there’s a bottom line in college too. Grantham is exactly why I wanted an NFL guy in this job.
Dog haters are just exactly like Obama lovers
January 24th, 2010
11:08 am
Most current Dog haters are aware that their time to crow has very likely come and gone. TG will make UGA come up on D and play with wreckless abandon and the Dog Haters know that 2010 and likely 2011 and 2012 will be quite good for UGA. If they do not believe that, then they are exactly like the Obamarons that have Boston mud splattered all over their faces and in DENIAL about Downtown Scott Brown and the fact that UGA is gonna ATTACk on D.
The CWM era is over …………like Obama’s is. Over. UGA is back.
AltamahaDawg
January 24th, 2010
11:43 am
There is absolutely no evidence that Richt “has never appeared to attach as much significance to that aspect of the game as some other coaches do.”
My heavens Bill, the only person who spends more time talking about it is Mark Richt himself. What exactly would you want him to “appear” to do?
UGA special team have held their own with any team in the SEC during Richts tenure. With the exception of KO, and that is a very recent issue, coinciding with 2 very distinct factors.
And on KO, every team (including teams coached by whoever these other coaches are) has struggles at times. Saban just won the NC with one of the worst KO team in the SEC, and nation. If he is attaching significance to it, he failed miserably. Most SEC teams have been near the top and bottom of this category before. Spurrier had one the best 2 years ago, one of the worst last year.
And Meyers has had his various personally-coached squads be in the bottom of the barrel at times as well. Didn’t outperform UGA in several categories just this past year.
AltamahaDawg
January 24th, 2010
12:20 pm
Meyers won the NC in 2006 being next to last in both Ko coverage and Ko return. I know he was coaching both of those squads, but that must have been before he was attaching significance to that aspect of the game.
exNFLplayer
January 24th, 2010
12:20 pm
Saban’s D eased that pain Altamaha. Amazing what a defference good D will make. With Grantham UGA is about to get real familiar with that safety net. Any team that has to rely on offense to carry their water is a house of cards getting ready to fall.
exNFLplayer
January 24th, 2010
12:24 pm
Alabama 12 – Tenn 10. Prime example. That game was the test of a champion. D and STs carried the day.
AltamahaDawg
January 24th, 2010
2:17 pm
I’m sorry, are you in agreement with me, or disagreeing. I;m saying that having KO issue in certain year (as Bama and FL both did during thier NC runs) is not some kind of indictment that the HC doesnt think that it’s important.
For example, Bama gave TN the 35 yrdln on Ko in that game, which is about what UGA has done for the past two year.
Preston
January 24th, 2010
3:30 pm
It doesn’t matter to me whether they hire a coach that focuses solely on ST or not as long as they realize that they need to spend more time getting better at it. Sometimes ST is the difference in the game.
Fairtax.org
January 24th, 2010
3:37 pm
I can’t wait til next season! GO DAWGS!
shane#1
January 24th, 2010
3:52 pm
Alt, the media has been hyper-critical of Richt for the past couple of years and most of their criticism turned out to have no factual basis. I contend that the firing of Fabris had as much to do with KO team goof ups as poor defensive end play. Firing a long term associate is not a sign of someone being unconcerned with special teams. Then some AJC writers said Richt had bungled the coaching search and could not get the coach UGA needed. Well it turns out that Richt and Grantham had been having talks since mid-December! It was said on some blogs that Richt would stick with Willie and make no changes. Wrong again, the two coaches that were offered contracts both use the 3-4 D. Does anyone think that was by accident? I contend that Richt decided in 2008 that changes might be necessary in UGA’s defense and by mid-season ‘09 he had decided the 3-4 may be the way to go. The 3-4 offers so much flexability against all the different types of spread offenses in vogue today. I don’t think Willie was fired because of a couple of bad seasons, I think Richt wanted an entirely new approach for his defense and I believe he has been studying the situation for some time. It amazes me that so few reporters listen to what Richt says, he said that it might be the middle of January brfore a coach was hired when the search began, by January 1 some writers were calling the search a failure. I have found that Richt is too open, if anything when asked questions, why reporters and some fans ignore what CMR actually says is beyond me.
Fairtax.org
January 24th, 2010
4:29 pm
Very well said shane#1. I’m very happy that we have CMR and I truly believe that if there were a playoff system (by the grace of God, we’ll have one soon), we would have played for at least two NC’s under him. It’s going to be exciting to see how our defense comes together under CTG!
exNFLplayer
January 24th, 2010
5:09 pm
I’m agreeing with you Altamaha. Just saying that when you have a D like Alabama that flaw doesn’t hurt so bad. Of course Saban cared. Richt cared. It’s no indictment of the coach, They all attach significance to that part of the game. Did you catch the look on Richts face aftr a couple of those kicks went out of bounds? He cared.
AltamahaDawg
January 24th, 2010
5:10 pm
Good point shane. I have contended that I think Richt would be better off clamming up, since no matter what he says, it’s crafted in order to maximize tire advertisement hits anyway. It seems to confound some that he is actually telling the simple truth.
BTW, some of our bloggers were jumping on that DC search panic button too werent they? “Total embarassment” as I recall from a particular poster that I notice now brags about the hire.
exNFLplayer
January 24th, 2010
5:17 pm
I’ve said here before I absolutely despise those directional kicks. It seems to me that the damage is greater if the return man breaks contain. Kick the ball as far as you can right down the pipe. If it gets returned and the return man breaks the wedge it seems to me the the rest of the KO coverage guys have a better angle to him and can funnel him inside or pinch him on the sideline. When the return man breaks contain with those directional kicks he’s got a lot of grass to work with.
exNFLplayer
January 24th, 2010
5:20 pm
Let these big leg kickers attack the ball. Be aggressive. Those directional kicks are like playing in fear.
shane#1
January 24th, 2010
11:40 pm
exNFLplayer, IMO, the theory behind directional kicks is sound. Kick the ball high and into the corner and pin the opposistion inside the twenty. Unfortunately, the kickoff coverage team at UGA lacked the speed to get downfield in time and a young kicker lacked the skill to get the ball high enough or place it in the right spot. So what was sound in theory did not work in practice. For Fabris to continue using a scheme that hurt the team was bullheaded and wrong. People that know Fabris tell me that he is extremely smart, so possibly he had been in control of special teams too long.
Dawg Fud
January 25th, 2010
10:07 am
let’s see some tangible evidence before we go annointing Grantham the second coming of Erk.
like the hire but let’s see what he can do first
Dawg Fud
January 25th, 2010
10:08 am
good point about special teams
many like to reference how great they were against Texas A&M but i believe it was more of a case of how bad TAMU was at special teams. they made three huge blunders.
so before we go patting ourselves on the back, let’s have an honest look at the opponent
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 25th, 2010
12:17 pm
Lets hope for less penalties and good solid defense. Hard hitting tackles made by kids who know where to be and what to do. Also, cut the stinkin Shuck and Jive nonsense. I hope our new DC knocks the head off the 1st dawg that starts dancing and acting the fool when he makes a play.
We need play makers, not showboats.
THWGT (30-24)
AltamahaDawg
January 25th, 2010
11:17 pm
Shane I agree with that. Look at nearly any college or pro team and see that they do exactly the same thing. Although I don’t believe the goal was ever kick it high and NOT deep enough. The problem in my mind was a freshman kicker (who admitted his leg tired as the season went on) and a very depleted roster in 2008. Notice the problem really only became obvious later in the year. Wilting kicker and no back-up LBs ain’t a good recipe.
However you cannot contend that Fabris stubornly stuck with a high and shallow kick because they simply did not do that in 2009. Kicks were easily inside the 10, and usually inside the 5. By my totally unrecorded count, he kicked the ball to the goaline or beyond more often that he didnt. That’s textbook as far as placement, isnt it? And lead the SEC in touchbacks by far over anyone else.
The coverage stunk, whatever the problem was. The ball placement was not a problem in 2009.
So, I would have to disagree with exNFLplayer. (and why wouldn’t formerNFL player be prefered? “ex” always sounds like your not invited to the reunion) about the geometry. Given the poor coverage/tackling/tenacity/speed, whatever it was, doubling the size of the field to cover does not seem like a good answer.