Differing views of Dogs’ 2010 prospects
Will Dogs be better this season than in 2009? (University of Georgia)
Most UGA fans I’ve talked with are expecting at least marginal improvement for Mark Richt’s Dogs in 2010.
Yes, Georgia will be breaking in an inexperienced quarterback (whoever it is) and rebuilding its defense with a new scheme. But the Dogs also will have a veteran offensive line, they’ve finally figured out who their running backs should be, and there’s an awful lot of young talent for new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to work with. Plus the schedule looks a whole lot more advantageous for the Dogs.
Not everyone sees it that way, though.
In addition to predicting that 2010 will be Les Miles’ last season at LSU, Clay Travis of NCAA Football Fanhouse thinks “Georgia’s continuing decline will be the story of the SEC east in 2010.” Travis predicts another 7-5 regular season for UGA, saying “The Bulldogs are taking on water and they can’t bail out fast enough. Both the offense and defense will be weaker. And even in a weakened SEC east, the Bulldogs will be in trouble.”
Whoa. Look, I’m not saying Georgia will win the SEC East this year, but that sounds way too dismissive of the talent assembled in Athens. What do you think?
BULLDOG BITES
The Red and Black has a good overview of the 3-4 defensive scheme, including why Grantham thinks it matches up better with the spread and option offenses Georgia is increasingly facing, and how it differs in personnel from the 4-3 the Dogs had been using. … SI.com reports Georgia’s Geno Atkins “elevated his game on the first day of Senior Bowl practice. Atkins was explosive and unstoppable for most of the afternoon session. He was constantly getting penetration behind the line of scrimmage and regularly beating bigger, stronger opponents.” … A lot of buzz about that quote in Chip Towers’ blog on recruit Nikell Robey where Frostproof High School athletics director Charles Loveless says of other schools going after the UGA-committed player: “He’s planning to visit Southern Cal next week. Monte Kiffin has been very persistent. He’s probably been in here more than is legal. Of course they don’t pay attention to the rules.” You’ve got to figure someone has forwarded that to the folks at the NCAA. … UGA’s sports information department points out that with ex-Bulldogs Tim Jennings (Indianapolis Colts) and Jon Stinchcomb and Charles Grant (New Orleans) on teams reaching this year’s Super Bowl, Georgia now has had at least one representative in the Super Bowl for nine straight seasons. That is the longest streak for former Dogs in the Super Bowl, breaking the tie of eight straight in 1985-92 and 1971-78. … Because of President Obama’s State of the Union address, the radio coverage of Wednesday night’s Georgia-Florida basketball game will be split between WSB-AM (pregame and first half) and sister station WSRV FM 97.1/The River (second half) so that WSB can carry the speech. All other affiliates of the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network will carry the game as usual. … Improved play definitely sells tickets when it comes to Georgia basketball, so it’s not surprising that nonstudent tickets for the men’s game against No. 1-ranked Kentucky on March 3 are now sold out. Reserved-seat tickets ($15) are still available for all the other home games. If you’d still like to catch the Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie and Co. in Athens and haven’t bought tickets yet, a good deal is the SEC Mini-Plan, which offers a reserved seat for the Arkansas, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Alabama games for $50 and also includes a $10 gift card for Raising Cane’s chicken. … So if you don’t follow college gymnastics and can’t understand how the Gym Dogs moved up two spots to No. 8 in the latest national rankings despite losing two straight matches, well, it’s basically because Georgia posted its highest point total of the season in its latest loss at Utah. The Gym Dogs had season highs in all four events and their overall average of 195.717 puts them in eighth place. My brother Jon, who follows college gymnastics, explains it is a “crazy system” where “nothing matters until the Regional Qualifying Score starts after so many meets. All that counts is being in the top 36 at the end of the season so that you will go to a Regional.” And if you do well enough there, you go to the Nationals. This is indeed a sport where the regular season takes a back seat to the postseason tournaments.
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191 comments Add your comment
L-Dawg
January 26th, 2010
11:50 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!
I GUARANTEE YOU THE NERDS ON NORTH AVE WILL BE THE ONES WITH THE 7-5 SEASON.
AARON MURRAY SURPRISES THIS YEAR, AND WE WIN 9, INCLUDING A 24 POINT VICTORY MARGIN OVER THE BUGS.
Steen
January 26th, 2010
11:50 am
Clay Travis is a Clown
UGA Dawgs
January 26th, 2010
11:52 am
I don’t see how you can take a look at the talent in Athens and make that kind of assumption. Only one way to shut him up!
Uptown Lounge
January 26th, 2010
11:57 am
Ballinnn!
Duh George
January 26th, 2010
12:00 pm
Didn’t the Bulldogs finish 8-5? Did I miss something? Where did this guy get 7-5 from? Didn’t we play a Bowl game somewhere and win that?
The only 2 games Georgia won’t be favored to win are Florida and Auburn.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
Typical shock post by somebody looking for page hits. His rationale is specious at best.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:02 pm
Not only does our SEC slate get easier next season, so does our OOC matchups with only two teams from BCS leagues. Even if we stayed exactly the same in terms of team quality (which is something that practically no one thinks would happen) then we’re still bound to have a better record due to the easier strength of schedule.
Dayman
January 26th, 2010
12:04 pm
8-4 at the worst. Depending heavily on QB play and the effectiveness of CTG’s 3-4.
GatorNation
January 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
8-4 for the Dawgs in ‘10. They will beat Tennessee this year.
dawg26
January 26th, 2010
12:06 pm
hahaha wow… we return 10/11 starters on Offense, and it’s supposed to be WEAKER?! Is he INSANE?! Or just STUPID?!
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
12:06 pm
I think the offense and defense will be better even with a new QB and DC. Running game and offensive line are improved and defensive attitude will be much improved. I predict 10-3 with a bowl win and close loss in Jax.
Joe Cox "The Leader"
January 26th, 2010
12:08 pm
Sat, Sep 04 University of Louisiana-Lafayette Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep 11 South Carolina * at Columbia, S.C.
Sat, Sep 18 Arkansas * Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep 25 Mississippi State * at Starkville, Miss.
Sat, Oct 02 Colorado at Boulder, Colo.
Sat, Oct 09 Tennessee * Athens, Ga.
Sat, Oct 16 Vanderbilt * Athens, Ga.
Sat, Oct 23 Kentucky * at Lexington, Ky.
Sat, Oct 30 Florida * at Jacksonville, Fla.
Sat, Nov 06 Idaho State Athens, Ga.
Sat, Nov 13 Auburn * at Auburn, Ala.
Sat, Nov 27 Georgia Tech Athens, Ga.
Compare that schedule to last year’s… If UGA can get competent play from the QB position they could easily be 7-1 going into the Florida game.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
Wow, it goes from bad to worse for USC’s trouble with the NCAA. Already facing severe scrutiny and they go and hire Mr. Secondary Violation, Lane Kiffin himself, who apparently is picking up right where he left off. The Trojans need to worry that they’re going to get the dreaded “lack of institutional control” label and suffer some serious repercussions.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:11 pm
Joe Cox “The Leader” – who do you have as Georgia’s loss in that 7-1 scenario?
Matt
January 26th, 2010
12:12 pm
Offense will be worse this year? Fat chance. Our backs got better as the year went on, our line should be at least as good as last year, we’ll have a talented young QB, and our receiving corps could be better as well (especially if Da’Rick Rogers actually signs with us). I see our offense getting better this year. And our defense? The switch to a 3-4 takes some of the sting off of losing so many linemen, and I believe our new DC will have the guys playing much smarter, more disciplined football, and with a better scheme and gameplan. We get 8 wins at LEAST.
richtfan
January 26th, 2010
12:15 pm
this clay guy is obviously a moron
Dawg Nation
January 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
Starting QB will be Mettenberger!!
Not Joe Cox The Leader, but...
January 26th, 2010
12:17 pm
…I’d say Carolina, maybe Arkansas.
Duh George
January 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
If you look at the wins the last 8 years, it looks like this:
2002 13
2003 11
2004 10
2005 10
2006 9
2007 11
2008 10
2009 8
Coach Richt has never had a season with less than 8 wins, and there’s only one 8 win season on my list here in the last 8 seasons. I’d say we’re looking at 11-2 if if our defense gives up too many points against Florida and Auburn, National Champions if the defense holds Florida and Auburn to 14 points.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
I’d agree that Arkansas following what’s usually a tough, physical USC matchup or Tennessee after a long road trip to Colorado could be classic trap games but realistically, we should be favored each week heading into Florida. That’s assuming our we get at least decent QB play from the new starter.
Paddy
January 26th, 2010
12:23 pm
Dawgs are loaded with talent and will win big this season. That guy is a Maroon!
GW
January 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
The truth is UGA has to play a LOT better than last season to go 8-4 in the regular season regardless of the schedule. I see only 3 automatic wins. That does not mean that they can’t go 10-2. We just can’t count on raw talent alone to improve.
Duh George
January 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
Florida and Alabama both had great defenses in 2009 that held opponents to less than 13 points a game average, and around 250 yards a game. That’s how you win in the SEC. Georgia gave up 28 points a game and 355 yards a game in 2009 on defense. Georgia score plenty, 28-32 points a game over the last 3 years. Georgia just has was not good on defense in 2009. Bur Coach Richt fired 3 defensive coaches, and has hired 2 so far that look terrific, and 1 more to go.
The 2010 Georgia Defense will look TOTALLY DIFFERENT with the 3-4, 7 new starters, and the 3 new coaches. It can’t get worse.
Denver Dog
January 26th, 2010
12:39 pm
Ga Gator, good call. I think the dogs might slip by the Gators this year, but it will be a slip by. I think the D gives everyone problems, but QB is the key to the season. I look for good ground game, and good pass defense, passing game, and run d are suspect right now. Same as UF! I’d hope that the UGA d is what we expect.
64 dawg fan
January 26th, 2010
12:40 pm
No mexican defence;That should count for at least four more wins.
Dorsey Hill
January 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
Said it before and I’ll say it again: The University of Georgia will be the 2010 SEC East Champs.
Lance
January 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
UGA should have no more than 1 loss going into the Gaytor game. You pick – Arkansas or Tennessee. Good news both at home so could be 8-0.
hate to tell you
January 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
I believe it is spelled…….blog
Vince Dooley
January 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
wish we had 4 National Championships…….dead gum Techies !!!
Dave H.
January 26th, 2010
12:51 pm
Geez. Show me one bandwagon that a sports writer has failed to jump on. Georgia had a poor-by-standards year, but Richt made changes and our talent is in tact. There’s no reason to assume the worst.
If anything, I’ve learned – on a daily basis and especially in football – to expect the unexpected, because more times than not, that’s exactly what you’re going to get.
hammerhead
January 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
I love it – I hope more people like Clay Travis dismiss us… For some reason it’s the best way to motivate our players and the UGA program. The last thing we need is the national media singing our praises.
HOUDAWG
January 26th, 2010
12:56 pm
Think being 7 – 1 going into FLA is a possibility , but the realistic part keeps telling me an 8 – 4 or 9 – 3 season is about the best. Considering the new QB ; first year adjustments to the 3-4 …. just seems it’ll be a transition. Would love to be proven wrong ….. would take my chances on a great season if we’re 7 – 1 or 8 – 0 going into Jax.
Joe Cox "The Leader"
January 26th, 2010
12:57 pm
I think they will probable be favorites in every game until FL, maybe a slight dog to SC b/c they are on the road. The one loss would probably be to either SC/ARK/TENN.
Then again it would be almost impossible to give up more points to those teams then we did in 2009.
1eyedJack
January 26th, 2010
12:57 pm
What is sad is we’re gonna have eight months that we have to listen to this kind of crap before we can make them eat crow.
Wha's with UGA and the Falcons...
January 26th, 2010
12:58 pm
…both hiring secondary coaches? Seems to me they would be better off hiring primary coaches who can coach! Besides, what’s the difference between a “secondary” coach and a graduate assistant?
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
12:59 pm
Fake Vince Dooley – Georgia would recognize five national titles instead of two if it used the same criteria as tech.
HardTruthSoldier...
January 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
Realistically DAWG nation, Who the hell is Clay Travis? Why do you always here from these guys who never coached, played(at the highest level) or could run a forty in 5 sec flat! I mean for people to say that a coach who in 9 seasons hasn’t had ONE losing season, and his one 9 win season in 2006 was followed up by 11, and 10 win seasons, can’t get it right, you must be smoking the best weed that’s grown in the tropical islands.
how2fish
January 26th, 2010
1:02 pm
Duh George anyone thinking we are going to be NC with having to replace the entire D line,learn a new D..and replace your starting QB..in the SEC is well intentioned but just wrong..could this be the beginning of a great run for UGA yes but a NC this year…I’m not sure we will be much better than last year but I see potential..and try to stay grounded in reality ..at least until kickoff of the 1st game …lol
ugaaccountant
January 26th, 2010
1:06 pm
Just begging for page hits, both “clay travis” and this blog. Can’t be taken seriously because he’s obviously unaware of how much easier our schedule is than last year.
DawginLex
January 26th, 2010
1:06 pm
There are many land mines in the 1st 8 games. Even if we win at the chicken coop, Arkansas returns Mallett and can score a lot. They need to improve the D more than UGA. Next trap is at MSU.
Win at Columbia and i believe UGA will be undefeated until jacksonville.
TROTTINGHOME
January 26th, 2010
1:07 pm
Clay Travis must be related to M. Bradley. His perspective on whats going to happen is as bad as his knowledge of what did happen. The last time I looked a bowl win/lose counts on the overall record. 8 and 5 is what we went
BILLY JACK
January 26th, 2010
1:08 pm
The fact of the matter- Georgia will probably favored next year in every game but the Fla game.
Calhoundawg
January 26th, 2010
1:08 pm
I hate the off-season. Thank God for David Hale, T. Kyle King, and the Lady Sportswriter.
Go Dawgs !!!!
HardTruthSoldier...
January 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
Tennesee? You hand the keys of a lamborgini from a coach that walked out, to one who didn’t win in the WAC! Please stop having dillusions of grandere!
JaxDawg
January 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
The SEC will be wide open next year, I think besides some minor growing pains with a new style defense, UGA can go 10-2 easy as long as the penalties are shored up. A new QB regardless of who it is will be fine due to an experienced O-line (please sturdivant stay healthy this year) and a strong running game to keep pressure off of him. As stated above, I hope everyone does write off UGA… it will make talking trash to the doubters even better. GO DAWGS!!! GATA!!
JB
January 26th, 2010
1:13 pm
10 -2, same as Florida, and hopefully in the SEC title game……………. Seven wins with that schedule and top ten classes, we need a new coach
Bright Idea
January 26th, 2010
1:13 pm
If the new DC is as smart as we hope he is the plan will be very simple thru the first 3-4 games. The defense will have to be fundamentally sound until the wrinkles of the new scheme are ironed out. Hopefully even with a new QB the offense won’t turn the ball over like the Vikings and the 09 Dogs. That should be enough to win 8 or 9.
FLA DAWG
January 26th, 2010
1:14 pm
Considering our schedule and the absence of Martinez & Fabris (but with the presence of Bobo) I think we could win 10 games next season.
Richt should have played one of the freshmen QBs last season to prep for next and we’ve lost alot of talent (Curran, etc.) but I still think 10 wins is a realistic number.
gadawgs
January 26th, 2010
1:14 pm
Taking on water? Give me a break Mr. Travis. You my friend are an idiot. Our QB play will be better even with a redshirt freshman playing. Our running game with Ealey and King has come around and our defense will be better than last year even changing schemes. CTG will teach fundamentals like tackling, being disciplined and actually putting pressure on the QB. Our schedule is easier this year than it was last. I for one see a 10-2 or 11-1 record. If that’s taking on water I hope we take it on every year moron.
FLA DAWG
January 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
JB,
I agree.
But Evans would give Richt one more year.
Bremen Dawg
January 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
Run the ball 70-80% of the time for the first 3-4 games of the year to let the QB get a feel for the offense and the speed of the game. Defense will be improved in just one year but will need 2-3 years to become one of the best in the nation again.
Buck Belue
January 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
We will pay for letting a proven leader in Willie Martinez go. I told you all throughout the year that he is doing great work. I will all let you know on my radio show today.
Ozzy
January 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
National Championship baby!!
Wooohooooo!!!!
Herscel Walker
January 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Buck Belue,
I made you look like a good QB, you had the arm strength of an average Joe and the receivers were open all the time because they thought I was fixin to bust one up the middle.
Preston
January 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
Clay Travis is an idiot! LMAO! What kind of goon (other than a rival’s fan) would predict something so assanine? This guy doesn’t read the news or pay attention to recruiting. I kind of like this though. I like it when people disrespect us because we respond by kicking their asses. What a fool!
Saint Simons Caddy
January 26th, 2010
1:30 pm
Clay Travis is a Jack Ass. Need i say more……….Labor Day can’t come soon enough.
Preston
January 26th, 2010
1:33 pm
Just a thought. Isn’t it funny how Tubberville was defending CWM but he didn’t hire him at TT? Maybe he was trying to help him keep his job here to sabotage us so he could take CMR’s job from him. Hmmm.
AndyC
January 26th, 2010
1:33 pm
I think the 2010 season will depend heavily on the play of our young QB. I think the running game will be solid and if nothing else the defense will play with more purpose than it did this past season. The schedule is indeed favorable so I think 7-5 is a little pessimistic.
Looking objectively
January 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
Can Georgia win the SEC East…….maybe.
Florida: Replacing their best QB ever, 3 of 5 Olineman, their Defensive Coordinator, and most of thier defense. Their head coach has also been flaky at best this offseason. Still, I’d say they are the favorite until somebody beats them in the East. They have talent galore.
Georgia: Replacing their quarterback……, though not a real impact player. Otherwise they’ve good talent and depth at RB, WR, & TE. The offensive line returns intact and UGA has the best 2nd string OL in the SEC. Both kickers were finalists/winners of their position’s highest honor. The defense returns 5 starters, and 7 players who contributed meaningful minutes. If Grantham is better than average, the defense should be dramatically improved. If UGA doesn’t compete for the East Richt needs to move on, especially given Florida’s situation AND the fact that Georgia has brought in a top ten class every year since the Reagan Administration.
Kentucky is replacing their head coach and a number of impact players
UT is replacing their head coach, thier QB (be he Joe Cox like), the best Safty in the country, and several starters.
South Carolina looked to be moving in the right direction, until they got shelled by Connecticut.
Vanderbilt….they’ll be competitive, but they aren’t winning the East.
Clay Travis
January 26th, 2010
1:39 pm
I was WRONG! I’m sorry, UGA will go 13-0 and win the NC. Go Dogs!
Oracle
January 26th, 2010
1:45 pm
Bill, don’t forget to let Clay and Chip know what time the turnip truck will be by today to pick them up – otherwise they’ll never find their way home.
The Truth
January 26th, 2010
1:54 pm
“Florida: Replacing their best QB ever, 3 of 5 O linemen and their Defensive Coordinator, and most of their defense. Their head coach has also been flaky at best this offseason.”
Gators couldn’t ask for a better QB to replace the great Tim Tebow and they are replacing 1 of 5 O Linemen. The D will be plenty of good and about the offseason, it hasn’t even been a month since their last game yet.
Hootie Bookems
January 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
Clay Travis is good, but he doesn’t take the emotion out of his writing/predictions. As a UT fan he often predicts with his heart, not his head. Orson over at EDSBS is probably the best blogger with an SEC centric view point.
hop
January 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
schedule more friendly and qb got to be better than cox,but dawgs need to finish strong with recruiting. we need to also sign rogers and not allow ut to sign him.
flagboy?
January 26th, 2010
2:13 pm
Offensively, we’re solid everywhere except the most important position on the field. . . .so, that’s a wash. . If Murray is good, we’ve got a shot to be good. . .
Defense. . . . I think Grantham is a good hire, but i still question if we have the talent on that side of the ball. Boykin could be good, Rambo could be good, Justin H, will be good/great. . .but we have very little in the LB positions from what i’ve seen coming back.
I don’t think 7-5 would be a total surprise. . .of course, i’d rather not see it, but the possibility is certainly there.
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
Did I read somewhere that UGA looses 11 seniors after the 2010 season?
Dawghater
January 26th, 2010
2:29 pm
Puppy Dawg Facts
- Every year more & more bravado about UGA’s recruiting class ranking! Tell us puppies what was TCU’s, Boise State’s or even Kentucky’s 2009 rankings!
- All the joy about Grantham. The 4th choice no less for the job. Grantham was fired from his last D Coordinator job in the NFL. Then “flagboy” covers Grantham’s butt by saying it’s the talent on the field? Hum, bet Willie Martinez thought the same thing!
- Finally, UGA fans think they should compete for a Nat’l Championship every year. Really, because the last one was 30 years ago. Before any of your current players were even born. Funny thing, a number of the players on the Nat’l Championship squad are stilling trying to GRAD U ATE from UGA!
Hey Dogtards
January 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
Hey L-Dawg, what do uga and Tech fans have in common? They both obsess about THEM JACKETS. Whatever happened to just cheering for your own team and not rooting against others? Lol, hypocrite.
“Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Alabama games for $50 and also includes a $10 gift card for Raising Cane’s chicken”
I see uga has opted for something similar to the GT free hot dog promotion from the 80s. I guess you gotta figure some way to sell tickets when you don’t have the travelling fans of UT or UK to help you out.
indianman
January 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
clay is stuiped
indianman
January 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
i see ga going 11 and 2 wish a sec title
Sting em
January 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
I predict UGA to go 10-2! They will lose to the Jackets and Gators!
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
Sting em, I think some of the venom has absorbed into your brain. NO WAY UGA loses to Tech.
Looking objectively
January 26th, 2010
2:55 pm
Truth……My understanding was that the Pouncy twins were declaring for the draft? Not so? My bad if that’s the case.
Hater…….try not to be such a knuckledragger.
Georgia is always going to bring in top talent, it’s a top 20 public university in the fourth most talent rich state in the country. Georgia lacks but quality coaching and leadership from winning the SEC every 2-4 years instead of every 7-8 years historically. Grantham is the most qualified coach UGA offered, save Bud Foster. The fact that they were foolish in the hiring order and the way that it was handled speaks to poor leadership.
There is no “National Championship” in college football, UGA didn’t win one thirty years ago, because no D1A team has EVER won one. They don’t exist. The NCAA neither awards nor recognizes a champion. Hence you won’t find their trophy….the wood plaque with the gold ensignia in Austin or Tuscaloosa, or Auburn, or South Bend, or Ann Arbor, or Columbus OH, etc, at least not for football. What we do have is a glorified pageant winner where nobody faces the same criteria to become it’s “champion” and you may or may not get the best team in the nation as the pageant winner. So using this “National Champion” milarky to mark milestones is as relevant as a Super Bowl trophy awarded by Chrystler and not the NFL Offices. SEC Championships, however, are real, they are won on the field, all teams face the same criteria, and the trophy is awarded and sanctioned by it’s governing body….the offices of the SEC.
PTC DAWG
January 26th, 2010
3:02 pm
Life is TOO short to worry about it…I’m looking forward to a nice spring a long hot summer by the Pool/Ocean….
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
3:06 pm
Good post; even Urban Meyer has lobbied for some form of playoff system. What we have is not perfect but even if we had a 16 team playoff, team #17 would complain. It’s pretty safe to say if an SEC team wins it’s division and then the Championship game they should be considered for a spot in the BCS game. I think UGA missing out in 2002 and Auburn getting hosed in 2004 really woke some of the National people up. I wish they would at least have a + 1 game.
chemdawg
January 26th, 2010
3:10 pm
Bill King: Were the Red & Black reporters in the room when Mark Bradley was interviewing Grantham or were these interviews conducted separately? I ask because those answers seem like essentially the same responses that were published in Bradley’s interview.
Bill E. Goat
January 26th, 2010
3:14 pm
Florida loses only one Offensive Lineman from their 2 deep OL. Only one of the Pouncey Twins declared for the draft.
Overall UF loses 11 starters and UGA loses 8. Both will have new coordinators.
Florida still has more talent than UGA.
Urban will coach circles around Richt per usual.
gdawginkalamazoo
January 26th, 2010
3:16 pm
Who is Travis Clay anyway? Obviously a UGA hater. We just went through our worst year yet under Richt and still managed to win 8 games. Hugh problems on defense that Richt addressed. Sure we will be getting a new QB but he will actually have to perform to keep his postion. Does this Clay guy even follow football or is he a casual fan with a blog?
CvilleDawg.
January 26th, 2010
3:17 pm
Can we please compare georgia to alabama this year I mean were kind of in the same shoes as them as of defensive losses and the way we started running the ball over and over again and we got so much better thats all we need to do with this veteran o-line because im telling you now no one will be able to stop munzenmaier, ealey, & king flying up through the middle and then we have vertical threats all over the place in aj green, marlon brown, tavarres king, rantavious wooten and da’rick rogers, I would prefer mobility and accuracy over a big arm everyday just because stafford wasnt all that good in college and we all know that but anyways look how good bama done with an average qb in mcelroy they won the freaking national championship!
CvilleDawg.
January 26th, 2010
3:20 pm
But any quarterback that gets the starting job will have my support!
War Jacket
January 26th, 2010
3:33 pm
No championships in college football? What rock do you live under? Merely a feeble attempt to rationalize the fact that UGA only has one in over 100 years of playing college football – in spite of all of those great recruits.
poopdawg
January 26th, 2010
3:37 pm
Bill E. Goat but Florida is Teboboboboboless.
gtfanfrom1951
January 26th, 2010
3:39 pm
UGA Fans DON’T DRINK THE KOOL AID AND WATCH OUT MISS. STATE. I’M GLAD WE STOP PLAYING THEM JUST WHEN THEY ARE GETTING BETTER!!!
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
poopdawg, I still think what we have coming back (plus reserves from last year) is better than what everyone else in the east has, atlthough UGA will close the gap this year considerably in a wild one in Jax. Until someone else knocks them off, they are the team to beat.
GeoffDawg
January 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
War Jacket – my black lab is more rational than you. And he chases squirrels.
DawginLex
January 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
dawghater,
You can kiss my white a$$.
No one cares what a tool like you believes or thinks. go to the nerd herd blog and talk about your date with your blow up doll and how that went.
gdawginkalamazoo
January 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
ga gator, you didn’t mention all those beast you guys picked up athe Army all star game. Those kids could start tomorrow, or the next day at the latest. Yes you guys are stilled stocked. Wonder if Meyer will be back on the sidelines? He had “family” issues to address.
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
4:18 pm
gdawginkalamazoo, It’s nice to have all those kids come in and 11 are already enrolled so they must have decent grades. But, they still have to gel and find their spots which usually is on Special Teams. The kid that excites Gators the most is the Dubose kid who was redshirted last year with a bad hammy. Everyone compares him to Percy.
Will
January 26th, 2010
4:27 pm
10 of 11 offensive starters back – splendid groups of red shirts – best assistant coach hire in the nation – easier schedule – 10-11 wins – no excuses, no retreat, NO SECOND OR THIRD tier bowl acceptable – be great or be gone !!!
Old Dawg
January 26th, 2010
4:30 pm
With the talent on the O line, tight ends, running backs and wide receivers, UGA should be able to hold its own for the majority of the season. The OL should allow the new starter time to settle in and get comfortable, especially with play action passing. Obvious passing downs will present bigger problems, but that’s the case for a lot of QBs.
The kicking game should continue to be solid with both punting and place-kicking stronger than the majority of teams in the country. With Butler’s ability to place punts inside the opponents’ 20, UGA should be able to win the battle for field position.
The 3-4 is a bear for any quarterback to work against and college QBs will have trouble adjusting to the scheme with only one week to prepare. Granted, UGA’s players are inexperienced in the scheme and there will be a learning curve. That said, the changes in attitude and talent available should make for a pretty dynamic, but not totally dominating, unit.
Turnovers. Eliminate them on offense and get them on defense. The new 3-4 scheme is taylor-made to generate TOs.
All that being said, I see 8 to 9 regular season wins. And another bowl victory.
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
Old Dawg, Good analogy; I predicting 10-3 including win in Outback and maybe even 11-2. I just hope some of these fans that are predicting and SEC East title will be patient if that doesn’t happen because even with all those starters on offense you will still be young. 2011 you should be scary good.
chazzo
January 26th, 2010
4:44 pm
Willing to bet Clay Travis is a fan of a rival SEC school. He just wants to send out flack to try to aid picking off recruits. UGA has the best receiver in the land and a host of fellow receivers and tight ends to accompany. Then, there’s an established running game. Speed Speed Speed on both sides of the ball. I would say the dawgs are to be rckoned with, but let ‘em think we suck.
If anyone in the east is bailing water in the east, it’s the Gators. They’ve lost a great O-coordinator and a great d-coordinator in back to back seasons. Tebow is dealing with his fate in the NFL. And, Urban is freaking the f— out. They’ll always have awsome athletes, but this year ol’ Urban’s gonna earn his living.
raleigh
January 26th, 2010
4:49 pm
undefeated national champs
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
4:50 pm
chazzo, UGA never sucks, and neither do the gators. Urban has earned his living everyear and although I don’t think they will win the SEC, reloading for them is not as bad as most. Truth is most Head Coaches wish they had good enough staffs to be raided each year. If Grantham is as good as fans tout him he will be gone to a top program as a HC before the 3 years.
BigDawg
January 26th, 2010
5:00 pm
L-Dawg…if we only win 9 games…I for one will not be happy!!! We have a much easier schedule and the argument for lack of success the year we were pegged to win it all was that we did not have offensive line depth. Well that certainly will not be the case next year. We return everyone on offense of note! Richt has made his livelihood working with QB’s so I expect solid if not great play at this position out of those 5 star QB’s that have been waiting in the dawghouse.
Tennessee is in shambles. Florida is in disarray and is certainly losing far more talent to the NFL than we are. I do not know of a single Dawg fan that expects us to lose to the likes of South Carolina, Vandy or Kentucky. We do not play either LSU or Bama!!! We play a horrid Colorado team instead of Oklahoma State. We play a Tech team missing 5 huge starters. There is absolutely no reason for us not to win 9 games. I really expect at least 10 wins realistically. Nobody other than Florida has anywhere near the talent level and depth we have thanks to years of top 10 recruiting classes. All we need is for the coaches to perform as a top 25 coaching staff for us to be successful. If we don’t….then changes need to be made.
chazzo
January 26th, 2010
5:00 pm
ga gator,
Just having fun with the FL statements. Don’t take it seriously. Urban is a great coach (even if he is a little whiney). LOL
The SEC rules. As for the dawgs, I am not too worried. QB is a question mark. Much will depend on the off season. If these guys can maintain discipline and commit, it should be great to be a Georgia Bulldog in 2010.
FL Dawg
January 26th, 2010
5:07 pm
Bullentin Board Material. That is all it is…
jerry
January 26th, 2010
5:21 pm
11-1. Book it.
calhoun dawg
January 26th, 2010
5:25 pm
Da rick Rogers switching to Vols..from his own mouth..
F-105 Thunderchief
January 26th, 2010
6:00 pm
Clay Travis is stupid beyond belief.
East Atlanta
January 26th, 2010
6:05 pm
Clay Travis is a tremendously gifted writer, but as far as predictions go, he’s nothing but another blind homer. I guess as a Tennessee native and die-hard Vols fan (read his book “Dixieland Delight”), he should know about programs taking on water. The Volunteer Navy is at the bottom of the ocean.
Bill King
January 26th, 2010
6:13 pm
Chemdawg:
Grantham spoke to a group of reporters.
mason Sanders
January 26th, 2010
6:28 pm
Agree with Old Dawg, need someone to emerge like Knowshon in ‘07, then the season will take care of itself.
Dawg Tired
January 26th, 2010
6:31 pm
Obviously no one knows what the 2010 record will be. Play the games! These folks who somehow claim to know what a team’s record is going to be before even one game is played are in LALA land, and that’s the polite way of describing them.
Beam me up Scotty.
SuperB
January 26th, 2010
6:32 pm
I can’t believe you pay any attention to Clay Travis. anyone who “really” knows CFB knows Aaron Murray is the real deal and the Dawgs offense will be great next year. Travis is– as always– a gasbag. Georgia will NOT decline but will improve it’s record.
KJ
January 26th, 2010
6:49 pm
Anyone who definitively states that UGA will be worse on offense OR defense cannot be taken seriously. They lose Cox on offense, and whoever replaces him will likely be an upgrade. Moore is also gone, but UGA is stacked at WR. On defense, the front seven will be thinner, but the secondary will be better, as will the coaching. Throw in an easier schedule, and 9-10 wins is the most likely result.
nash
January 26th, 2010
6:55 pm
the gators have to reload the vols have to reload the dawg have great talent and what we see is what the coachs except paul johnson had techs o turned into what he wanted in one year. If the coachs ask for the best and motivate for the best we will see the best the o line is solid the recieving corp is solid with or without the rogers the running game has a great 1-2 punch and and the te came alive at the end of the season if the best qb plays that offense can put up 21-28 points a game and if the coachs demand it the d could hold teams to 14-17 points a game with the peices from years pass this team could be a 10 or 11 win quod go DAWGS
Tebow Struggles Continue...
January 26th, 2010
7:08 pm
Poor Tebow, they’re now saying 3rd or 4th round. He had a terrible day today.
Gotta hurt Florida’s recruiting to see a spread guy struggle so bad in the NFL again.
Watch the video from the Senior Bowl Practice and hear comments:
http://www.nfl.com/seniorbowl/story?id=09000d5d815f9058&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Aaron Murray 30% Better Than John Brantley
January 26th, 2010
7:17 pm
Murray was the #3 ranked QB in the Nation.
Murray threw for over 4000 yards his best year, Brantley, 2800.
Murray threw for 51 tds, Brantely 41 td’s.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Aaron-Murray-66179
fan
January 26th, 2010
7:46 pm
clay never played football and he sound like a fool
chemdawg
January 26th, 2010
8:11 pm
Bill King: Yay, that was my question (via Bradley).
Buckhead Bulldog
January 26th, 2010
8:20 pm
Bill, my man…..tell me you did not quote Clay Travis? Please tell me you did not read and give any credence to what that bozo wrote, right?
Losing faith in ya! Come on now….
bamadawg
January 26th, 2010
8:22 pm
Will…I b with ya dude…11-1….maybe 14-0 Babeee!!! NChamps!!!
Big L
January 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
Hey Bamadawg, luv your ferver bubba, but you gotta quit drinkin that water over there. It might come from georgia , but it passes bama trailor parks before it gets to the faucet. I will be happy with 10-2 if we beat Floriduh and Tech. That is realistic.
johnson's army brigade
January 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
schedule looks alot friendlier to us except that game after thanksgiving…we never beat those guys…..LMAO… later dawg fans
grant stadium
January 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
go tech flagboys..buzz buzz…the chief recruiter is gone ..left for a real job..see how paul’s johnson handles the rest of the baton twirling recruiting for his majorette Army brigad…there are some great players to choose from back at Georgia Southwestern coach where you first started …and you own the dawgs…besides “what has Georgia done since 1980?” say coach
Here's the deal, Dawgies
January 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
1) You’ll find out Cox was better than you thought
2) You still have Bobo as OC
3) You had a veteran OL last year and what did it do for you ?
4) You’ll have a new defensive scheme, but the same personnel.
5) All of this translates into a less than favorable season for you. I’d say 7-5 is optimistic.
6) Chew on that bone.
calhoun dawg
January 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
darick rogers is now tennessee bound..got it from him!!
U forgot something, Here's the Deal
January 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
You forgot to mention that injuries affect UGA more than any team in the nation. It’s time for that one to rear its ugly head again. So let’s make it 6-6. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
My prediction for 2010 Dawgs.
5-7 record.
Mark Richt gets run out of town.
Hershel Walker admits to taking steroids in 1980.
UGA 15 chokes on a chew toy and dies.
Athens gets napalmed by accident by Obama.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:00 pm
“Poor Tebow, they’re now saying 3rd or 4th round. He had a terrible day today.”
This statement is really sad.
A: Tebow has 2 national championships and 1 Heisman. UGA has nothing to show for the last 30 years.
B: Tebow, no matter what, will get drafted and make millions of dollars.
C: UGA will suck next year, and the next and beyond infinity.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:01 pm
“Agree with Old Dawg, need someone to emerge like Knowshon in ‘07, then the season will take care of itself.”
Ahhhhhh, so UGA will lose two games, not win the SEC East, cry about getting left out of the NT game AND be pre-season number one for 2011?
WOOF WOOF
UGA Valedictorian
January 26th, 2010
9:02 pm
YEEEEHAWWWW!!!!!!!!! That there naypalm don’t mix well with sewage either, ol’ buddy !!!! Athens’ll go up like a torch !!!!! YEEEEEHAWWWWW !!!!!!!
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:02 pm
What is Mark Richt’s biggest concern?
Does the NCAA count bail money as a recruiting violation?
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:03 pm
What do you call a drug ring in Athens?
A huddle.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:04 pm
The Dogs are hoping for an undefeated season this year….
11 Arrests, 0 convictions.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:04 pm
How did the Dogs spend the first week of Spring Training?
Studying their Miranda Rights
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:05 pm
“I will be happy with 10-2 if we beat Floriduh and Tech. That is realistic.”
Do you get cable in your trailer?
Dawg Fan
January 26th, 2010
9:09 pm
Naw, but I can bark and otherwise act my IQ.
Dawg Fan
January 26th, 2010
9:11 pm
It ain’t easy being a Dawg. Takes a LOT of mental faculties, ya know. GATA !!!!!! ROFLMAO !!!!
Booby Hill
January 26th, 2010
9:12 pm
“Naw, but I can bark and otherwise act my IQ.”
I didn’t know carrots had IQ’s.
Sorry for you!
January 26th, 2010
9:17 pm
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha-
Does posting your garbage on an AJC/UGA blog make your small, insignificant life seem better than it truly is?
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
“Does posting your garbage on an AJC/UGA blog make your small, insignificant life seem better than it truly is?”
No, it’s a real joy to make UGA fans angry.
Sorry for U-2
January 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
So I guess responding to a small, insignificant person says a lot about you, huh ?
Sorry for you!
January 26th, 2010
9:21 pm
Sorry for U-2, I hate you!
Sorry for UB40
January 26th, 2010
9:21 pm
I HATE EVERYONE!
UB40, IB27
January 26th, 2010
9:22 pm
Give or take.
So, uh, How Bout Them Dawgs Now ??????
January 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
WOOF WOOF WOOF !!!!!
Sorry for you!
January 26th, 2010
9:27 pm
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha- I’m happy that you can admit your many insecure faults on a a public blog. It takes courage for a lil’ like you to come out.
Do your parents know, yet?
Big Bob
January 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
We will be 10-2 and win the SEC east and play Alabama for the SEC championship. I RUN THIS STATE (((30-24)))
Where's my money, Bill ?
January 26th, 2010
9:32 pm
Hey Bill, have we run up enough posts yet? I’m runnin out of insults.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:45 pm
“I’m happy that you can admit your many insecure faults on a a public blog. It takes courage for a lil’ like you to come out.
Do your parents know, yet?”
Oh crap, I forgot to tell my parents about you being pregnant. Whoops.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 26th, 2010
9:47 pm
“We will be 10-2 and win the SEC east and play Alabama for the SEC championship. I RUN THIS STATE (((30-24)))”
Yep, in video game world that will happen. In the real world, UGA goes 5-7.
Uga's fire hydrant
January 26th, 2010
9:49 pm
Sorry for you!, are you perhaps one of those feminists who is angry at Tim Tebow?
WestOfAthens
January 26th, 2010
9:51 pm
Whoa…..
Clay Travis can eat it
That be it, his words.
What a schmoe
HBTD
jesse james
January 26th, 2010
9:57 pm
Larry Munson you are right. UGA is not nearly as good as we think, we have no depth, I don’t see how we can stay on the field next year, we are too thin, it will take a miracle to get things going and then before you know it, there is that hobnail boot, great play by Pollock in the endzone, Johnson’s great catch at Auburn, Stafford to Green, run Caleb run, and the Dawgs will be fine.
TheGazoo
January 26th, 2010
10:13 pm
Just google Todd Grantham released from Browns. Here is a comment from one of his former players.
“There were too many things going on week-in and week-out for coach Grantham to remain with us. He was not trusted by many those that played for him, overall his assistants certainly did not seem comfortable with him and I know that the head coach had issues with him. So, yeah Grantham was removed to make room for coach Tucker in a sense.”"
Hutson Mason 40% Better Than Brantley
January 26th, 2010
10:13 pm
Georgia has some great QB’s.
Hutson threw for over 4500 yards, Brantley 2800
Hutson 55 td’s, Brantley, 41 td’s
http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/n_3xU2SFC0-tZYtLSM9lLw/football-fall-09/stats-hutson-mason.htm
Todd - Dacula
January 26th, 2010
10:23 pm
DAWGS are 8-0 come October 30, 2010 and looking to do soem damage against the Gators.
The defense will play a lot better and the Offense will be excellent. I am predicting 11-1 regular season. Anythiung after that means (possible) the SEC title Game.
Washaun Ealey Owns Georgia Record
January 26th, 2010
10:30 pm
Georgia is loaded at running back.
Running back Ealey ran for 2700 yards and 55 td’s in high school in one year to set the Georgia record, AJC player of the year.
Here’s a great video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7DYJzBtcAc&feature=related
TheGazoo
January 26th, 2010
10:33 pm
7 wins
TheGazoo
January 26th, 2010
10:34 pm
Gaylord Hotels Bowl
Grantham Video
January 26th, 2010
10:41 pm
A little taste of what Urban Meyer has to look forward to.
Grantham’s defense doing their thing.
Great video called Sack Attack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_29MX9yx88
DaddyDawg
January 26th, 2010
10:54 pm
Bill:
Sorry to disagree with you, but the Red and Black article on the 3-4 is pitiful as it pertains to the version of the 3-4 defense Grantham will run at GA. Grantham will run a 1 gap 3-4 whereas the Red and Black article doesn’t even recognize that there is a 1 gap version and a 2 gap version of the 3-4 and wrongly suggests, by the diagram on the chalkboard in the article, that GA will run the 2 gap version of the 3-4 where the 3 defensive linemen line head up (rather than in the gaps as in the 1 gap version) across from the offensive linemen and are responsible for playing the gap on both sides of the offensive lineman in front of them as they read and react to the play. The 1 gap version that Grantham runs allows the defensive linemen to line up in the gaps (on the shade or shoulder of the linemen) and attack that one gap in front of them and read as they attack and hopefully penetrate that same gap.
If you want to see what a good article looks like on NFL defenses generally, including both versions of the 3-4, go to the following link and let me know what you think!
http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2009/09bramel_idpguide.php
Chuck Uga
January 26th, 2010
11:06 pm
Clay Travis is an idiot. If you read his article, every team except Florida will be bad in 2010. Do the math…you have to have the same number of wins as losses. Who does he think will be UGA? It makes no sense. Anyone with an ounce of SEC knowledge can see UGA is looking at 9-3 as worse case scenario. The talent will provide the necessary bump over 2009’s disapointment, not to mention the coaching improvements.
Chuck Uga
January 26th, 2010
11:18 pm
P.S. One team awaiting a 3 or more TD beatdown in Athens is Tennessee. That you can mark down.
Dawg Nabbit
January 26th, 2010
11:22 pm
Don’t worry about Arkansas and Mallat. That was Martinez who made him look like a superstar! CTG will eat his lunch!
Grantham Video #2
January 27th, 2010
12:39 am
I like this one better, Dallas nosetackle does damage.
This D-Line of Grantham’s is a Nightmare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_ve04SwV7Q&feature=related
Fair and Balanced
January 27th, 2010
12:47 am
Travis comments sound like stuff that ought to be in the GA locker room all season.
Caleb King & Washaun Ealey Video
January 27th, 2010
1:03 am
King & Ealey bring Georgia a great running attack. They averaged over 200 yards a game in the last 5 games in 2009.
Here’s a sample against a top 10 ranked team–Ga Tech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-zZ_qIJ3aQ&feature=related
Jason
January 27th, 2010
2:01 am
Who is this Clay Travis anyway? Oh wait, just another person with an internet connection who can blog and then others credit him with some sort of pre-season wisdom. Rubbish. No one can say what kind of season UGA will have, nor can anyone accurately say NOW which kind of season UA, UF or USC will have either. The season is c months away, no Spring practices have happened yet, no summer practice stories, heck not even signing day. So what does this guy have to say that is so important that AJC chooses to credit him as basis of this story? For every opinion how how bad or mediocre the Dawgs will be this year, there are just as many poi8nts of view regarding looking forward to a much improved season with new coaching staff, new recruits, a new QB which has GOT to be a better bet than Joe C. was…not to mention a much easier schedule on paper than the last seasons. Feature that, AJC…better yet, write a story based around that (and you can quote me).
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 27th, 2010
7:39 am
i want to know what to do with carlton thomas/marlon brown next year? hardly even saw them in 09…will they see more action in 10?
Truth Time
January 27th, 2010
7:39 am
Washaun Ealey Owns Georgia Record, Not only is Ealey great, I heard that he doesn’t plan on leaving early. He is a pre med major and has nearly a 4.0 average and says he wants to be an Opthamologist. He said he has been in contact with Brandon Spikes and they might go into practice together.
Truth Time in the ACC
January 27th, 2010
7:41 am
Grantham Video #2 How long will it take him to replace the interior line with players similar to the Cowboys?
Standing on the sidelines
January 27th, 2010
7:52 am
If this guy Travis is right, Richt might as well have hung on to Willie. What’s one more year?
TommyJack
January 27th, 2010
8:28 am
Clay Travis is on the money.
how2fish
January 27th, 2010
8:50 am
TommyJack
Clay Travis is on the money.And TommyJack your on crack.
clemcudtlhopr
January 27th, 2010
9:05 am
The offense will be good, no matter who is at QB. The Defense needs to learn to tackle, persue, and that you can’t hit someone 2 yards out of bounds. They should also get a Darnelle Revis instruction video on how to play DB. A two loss season is within our reach.
Ryan
January 27th, 2010
9:25 am
<== wondering why UGA is supposedly doomed with a new QB, but everyone assumes Florida will win with theirs.
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
9:32 am
Ryan, Because UF’s is a red shirt Junior who has played some the last 2 years and whoever UGA’s is hasn’t stepped on the field. But still I wouldn’t say your doomed at all; just unknown and I would guess pretty good as season goes on as long as the fans are patient.
nemov
January 27th, 2010
9:47 am
I think a 9-3 season next year would bode well going into 2011. The defense will be a work in progress next season. 2011-2012 should be the seasons we see the finished product. Look at Saben’s first season at Alabama. It wasn’t pretty. Hopefully we’ll be be good enough offensively to bail the D out next season.
superDawg
January 27th, 2010
9:50 am
Its funny all these idiots on here trying to demean UGA ya’ll must really be scared.
greginellijay
January 27th, 2010
10:26 am
Why all the crying about losing all those guys from last season’s defense? That’s the GOOD NEWS! Combine that news with a new DC and new talent and things can only improve over last season’s debacle on defense. On offense, the Dawgs are LOADED. First, they will have an experienced, talented, big OL with superb talent backing them up. The OL will have more depth that CMR has had since he’s been in Athens. Second, the running tandem of Ealey and King will be second only to Alabama’s tandem. Third, with A.J. Green in his final proving season before going pro, along with fellow receivers Orson Charles, Tavares King, Rontavious Wooten, and possibly Da’Rick Rogers and Kris Durham, NO TEAM in the country will have a better corps of receivers. The only question, of course, will be at QB, but like with the defense, either Mettenberger or Murray will be an improvement over last season.
Finally, an easy schedule that includes a warm-up opener will work to Georgia’s advantage. If Georgia doesn’t win the SEC East this season, the problem will be coaching. Mark Richt’s flaws will be fully exposed this coming season if Georgia doesn’t win at least 10 games, but I believe they will. Along this line, flipping the turnover ratio and eliminating stupid penalties should be the focus of the entire coaching staff. That and beating Florida. The Georgia-Florida rivalry is a rivalry no more. That has got to change. The same way Spurrier changed the no-rivalry when he came to Florida.
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
10:45 am
greginellijay, I think Dawg fans are being a bit premature about the problem being coaching if you don’t win the east this year. It would be a huge accomplishment to do that with a redshirt freshman QB who has never taken a snap. You also have some major losses on the D line, Defensive leader in Curran and at DB. That being said I think you will have the second best talent overall and if the breaks and injuries don’t fall against you, you never know. About the rivalry thing; Spurrier did change that because before he came back to UF, UGA was in their heads and what he accomplished was to reverse that. The talent levels at both schools never really changed and Richt has to make the players believe that they are going to win rather than think they can win.
nemov
January 27th, 2010
11:09 am
Florida has been really good the past five years. As far as the rivalry is concerned a win against the Gators this season would make UGA 3-4 the past 7 seasons against the Gators. That’s not terrible considering what’s going on in Florida. The Gators have benefited from the Nols and Hurricanes being down. Both of those schools look to be righting the ship and UGA should benefit the next five seasons.
dog man 25
January 27th, 2010
11:38 am
Ranking the SEC in 2009 focusing on special team, defense, and offense:
Georgia
Alabama
LSU
South Carolina
Auburn
Tenn/Florida Tie
greginellijay
January 27th, 2010
11:40 am
Enter your comments here
FLA DAWGs
January 27th, 2010
11:41 am
Florida looking at 7-5, or 8-4 with new defensive coordinator, losing 5 starters on offense, losing 6 starters on defense, losing 4 coaches.
Florida will lose to Georgia, Bama, LSU, FSU.
greginellijay
January 27th, 2010
11:41 am
Ga gator, you’re right. Spurrier did change what had become a no-rivalry between the dawgs and the gators by reversing the thinking. Spurrier accomplished this by focusing from the start on beating Georgia as his main goal and transmitting that goal to his players, similar to what he’s tried to do at South Carolina without the talent to do it. Richt and his staff need to do the same thing by marking the GA-FLA on the calendar and keeping it foremost on their minds from the beginning, starting today. I know you have to play each game; but in doing so the ultimate goal has to be to go into Jacksonville and WIN. All else will follow.
Concerning a redshirt freshman QB with no snaps, that doesn’t concern me when there is so much talent surrounding him. And I forgot to mention Marlon Brown, another potential All-American receiver. I’ll repeat what I said earlier about the defense. Good riddance to the players and coaches leaving. New talent and new coaching will mean a new way — focus and fundamentals and more focus. I look forward to a defense that cares about winning for their school, more that winning for themselves and their NFL future.
Again, I want to agree with you, ga gator. The talent levels at both schools are relatively equal. The difference in the no-rivalry has been in coaching and the approach to the game. Things must and will change, as they have before.
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
12:43 pm
nemov, I think the reverse is true. Miami and FSU used to at least equal the Gators in talent, but since Meyer has been there, he has pretty much selected who he wanted and kept most of the best. They are down because of UF not the reverse. Fisher might turn that trend some, but Miami is staying the same at best and maybe are getting worse.
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
12:47 pm
greginellijay, I am sure you know though and the offensive coaches know that until one of those QB’s can prove themselves, other defenses will put 8 in the box and dare them to throw. I think the victory that spurrier had that really got into UGA’s head was the “half hundred in Athens”. It impacted the thinking the same way that “run Lindsey run” did for UGA.
Carl Spackler
January 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
ga gator…if they put 8 in the box against Murray, he’ll light them up…the issue you’ll have w/ Murray is the speed of the game…it’s amazing how fast everyone is when you get to the next level…Murray’s transition shouldn’t be too difficult being all the 7 on 7’s he plays, however the curve will be w/ the receivers and how they run patterns…I’m sure they are already working out on their own getting their timing down…I doubt if his work ethic has changed much since HS…hopefully he also has the DB’s out there covering the receivers and this will make those guys that much better…this should be a fun season
Bill King
January 27th, 2010
3:09 pm
Buckhead:
Where in what I wrote could you possibly get the idea that I was putting credence in what Clay Travis wrote? I thought I made it pretty clear I disagreed with him.
Win P.
January 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
Bill King, You asked what do you think? In reference to Clay Travis’ predictions about the SEC teams for the 2010, specifically UGA. Don’t believe you share his views on UGA.
Recent actions by Coach Richt in response to problems with UGA’s football program took too long to address. By firing 3 coaches and hiring replacements, I don’t think the action was taken in order to continue the same problems with higher paid personnel. To simplify UGA’s football problem, it was coaching. The behavior of players on and off the field, game planning, recuitment, evaluation of performance, corrective actions, conditing, game preparation and staff ability all go back to coaching. Half of a problem is understanding it. The rest is taking the necessary steps to correct. I believe Richt is headed in the right direction and the 2010 season will provide the proof.
DawgBuzz
January 27th, 2010
7:12 pm
If Georgia can get by these two early in the season then I don’t see anyone left that can stop ‘em.
Sat, Sep 11 South Carolina * at Columbia, S.C. ( usually a close game )
Sat, Sep 18 Arkansas * Athens, Ga. ( Ark QB puts up big numbers )
Also, this one can go sour if you don’t watch it, just ask Ole Miss -
Sat, Sep 25 Mississippi State * at Starkville, Miss.
SO FUNNY..A UGA FAN
January 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
guess what…just seen on espn that the recruiting coord and linebackers coach is goin to the bills with chan gaily.that sucks fro GT, as if they were going to have a solid D anyways..Oh well sucks to be GT recruits.
GaGator
January 28th, 2010
8:57 am
Not hard to believe at all, if you look at Rickt’s record
since Meyer, Saban and Miles came to town.
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January 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
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Looking objectively
January 28th, 2010
2:59 pm
War Jacket….stunning retort, I don’t live under a rock. And it’ not my opinion that a National Championship doesn’t exist. The NCAA says it doesn’t exist……being that THEY DON’T recognize it. You’ve heard of the NCAA right buddy? The ONLY sanctioning body for intercollegiate athletics at the D1A, D1AA, DII, and DIII level?….the one who had the authority to revoke a passle of GT’s wins from 1998-2000 for cheating? That authority, you know, the one capable of putting you guys on the probation you served. The one that awards a championship to every single sport………….Except D1A College Football. But you keep right on claiming fantasy titles. Georgia will keep slapping around the Trade School, the one that UGA GRADS FOUNDED, as they have been doing a regular basis for 100 years. You didn’t win this year, You haven’t won the majority of games the last 5/10/25 years, and you don’t lead the series. What the heck are you talking yap about? By the way…..UGA could “claim” five mythical national championship by the logic Tech claims four.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 28th, 2010
5:24 pm
Enter your comments here
GaDawg
January 31st, 2010
8:05 pm
Truth Time
January 27th, 2010
7:39 am
Hahahahahahahaha! Even if you are a Dawg Fan, ya gotta admit, that post was witty.
It reminds me of something I might have heard in an old Johnny Carson monologue. Hahahahahaha
Good Jab – (no pun intended)