Richt to opponents: Guess what, we’re throwing to A.J.
Mark Richt says everyone knows Georgia wants to get the ball to A.J. Green. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
The common theme of many preseason assessments of the 2010 Dogs has been that with an inexperienced quarterback, a veteran offensive line and two good (possibly great) tailbacks, Georgia is likely to lean heavily on its running game.
And to an extent, that’s probably going to be true. At least early in the season, while Aaron Murray gets his first game experience, the offense might not be quite as balanced as Mark Richt and Mike Bobo generally would prefer.
But the way a Richt offense works, a successful running game opens up the passing game, and vice versa. And with a weapon like A.J. Green in their arsenal, not to mention a slew of tight ends who are talented receivers, the idea that Richt and Bobo are going to be offering up Dooleyball this season is pretty unrealistic.
Richt said as much this week speaking to fans in Macon. “If we don’t throw the ball to A.J., we’re not very smart,” he said. “We better get the ball to A.J. Green, and I don’t think it’s a news flash to any defense that we’re going to get the ball to A.J.”
Everyone knows Green will be the Dogs’ top target, and Richt is basically saying to opponents: Stop him if you can.
Of course, if defenses load up on A.J., that makes it more likely Rantavious Wooten or Tavares King or Kris Durham is open. And then there’s those tight ends, led by Orson Charles and Aron White.
As Richt put it talking about the tight end position: “For a while there, whether through injuries or recruiting, we didn’t quite have the guys who could become a mismatch for a linebacker or safety, but we have that now. So we’ll definitely use the tight ends, and I’d imagine we’ll have more two tight-end sets than we have since the days of having Watson and McMichael at the same time.”
Ah yes, those were good times.
So, yeah, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King are going to get plenty of carries this fall. But the Dogs’ young quarterback isn’t likely to just be handing off the ball.
Does that put a certain amount of pressure on Murray to make smart decisions and avoid Coxian picks? Sure. And you can bet that defensive coordinators will be crowding the box to try and shut down Georgia’s running game and force Murray to throw.
With targets like Green and Charles, though, that strategy might come back to bite them.
IF YOU’RE KEEPING TRACK …
Georgia has made a preseason Top 20. The Athlon Sports 2010 College Football Annual has UGA at No. 15.
Their somewhat outdated analysis of Georgia’s offense is based on the idea that Logan Gray is still in the running for starting QB and that the Dogs will have to lean heavily on the run, opining that A.J. Green “may go hungry for a while.” But, they say, “With that rushing attack and a 3-4 defense that is light only in the secondary (stud corner Brandon Boykin excepted), Georgia should be just fine until Gray or redshirt freshman Aaron Murray comes around.”
Of course, as the Senator noted, you have to hope they didn’t base their Top 20 prediction on the version of the Georgia schedule that they have on their Web site, which is missing a certain game in Jacksonville.
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171 comments Add your comment
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:08 pm
Totally agree ga gator.
To make this a true rivalry again CMR needs to get that monkey off his back. I like the coaching changes that he has made. Time will tell if they pan out. I have always hated last year’s game coming out with the different uniform. I kind of liked the black helmets, but do it for a permanent change at the beginning of the season not just for one game. The “Blackout” game against Auburn was great, but it should have been laid to rest after that.
The only way to win any game is to line up and play football. The old smash mouth football.
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:11 pm
I think the whole uniform thing was him subconsciously admitting he had an inferior team and needed to get them and the crowd jacked. Urban did the same thing with the new Nike uniforms against Bama last year.
SSIgator
May 14th, 2010
1:11 pm
guy -
Is that you Patrick? Setting yourself up to go on another statistical rant? If it is you and you do start at least spare us all and use some new material. Using the same stats over and over gets really old.
bigdawg
May 14th, 2010
1:12 pm
@SSIgator
to make it competitive again its simply a matter of UGA BELEIVING they can beat UF. the last 12-14 years or so they’ve had NO confidence in themselves whatsoever. its like they expect to be beaten even years like 08 where some actually pick them to win
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:13 pm
“it’s the fans that need to shake the monkey” = L.O.L.
Being that UM has won 2 NC’s I can see why you say he’s better. I would put CMR 3rd on the SEC list of coaches behind UM & Saban. I still think CMR is one of the best coaches in the country. Most of us would not want any other coach at UGA than CMR.
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:16 pm
Richt is a great coach; he just got a little too comfortable. I think somebody either woke him up or got his attention because he seems a lot more into it now. Could be Uncle Bobby being let go at FSU.
bigdawg
May 14th, 2010
1:16 pm
@DaveinTampa amen and amen
SSIgator
May 14th, 2010
1:16 pm
bigdawg -
That point simply comes down to coaching. I know a lot of people like the way Richt portrays himself on the sideline, but I have to believe that it has an effect on the players. Like Urban or not the one thing he isn’t is placid.
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:19 pm
Tom Landry and Tony Dungy were stoic on the sidelines but still great coaches. Richt needs to be himself on the sidelines. Who knows what goes on in the locker room. Spurrier hasn’t been as successful since he calmed down because his wife told him to try and be calmer.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 14th, 2010
1:21 pm
I’ve got the feeling that Grantham will have the D poppong this year. And tackling. I suppose if too many tackles are missed that he will keep putting players on the field until the tackles are made. No complacency this year.
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
Good point. He did get comfortable. I think he felt the fire some last year when we got kicked by a sub-par UT team. The Alumni was starting to call for his head. Something that he was not use to. I think it was an eye opener AND I also think he has gotten more aggressive this year. I applaud him for kicking Mett off the team. It was the right move. He needs to keep discipline on that team and it will go a long way.
The team does take on the personality of the coach. Again, hopefully with CMR getting more aggressive it will mean the team does as well. Myer is a great coach and knows how to get the most out of his kids no doubt. Most UGA people recognize that. For that we don’t like him. ; )
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:23 pm
gdawginkalamazoo, I went to G day and Grantham certainly gets excited on the sidelines. Course Willie did too.
SSIgator
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
ga gator -
Spurrier has not been as successful because he has never had the talent at USC that he had at UF. As for what goes on in the locker room, having been there it is the usual stufff, but then they have to come out and play the second half. Seeing your coach not getting fired up during the game does have an effect.
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:25 pm
Myer is a great coach and knows how to get the most out of his kids no doubt. Most UGA people recognize that. For that we don’t like him. ; )
Dave I think that is why a lot of UGA friends of mine don’t hate Spurrier anymore.
throwback
May 14th, 2010
1:26 pm
running the ball, throwing to the tight ends….can it be?
And this time we actualy have a deep threat who can catch the ball when the game is on the line
Unlike (insert name of “top” greasy handed, choking receivers for the last 9 years….apologies to reggie brown and momass.)
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:27 pm
I hope your right gdawginkalamazoo – Because our Defense is my biggest concern.
guy
May 14th, 2010
1:27 pm
nut will you have a qb that can get it to them?
bigdawg
May 14th, 2010
1:27 pm
@tthrowback possibly…
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:28 pm
SSIgator, It had no effect on Tony Dungy or Tom Landry or others. Coaches have to be themselves. Played years ago myself and I always thought assistant coaches were more effective going crazy in the locker room instead of the head coach.
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:30 pm
ga gator – YEP!
Florida Dawg
May 14th, 2010
1:30 pm
We should have beaten UF in 2008, but we had way too many mental issues. Moreno and Stafford weren’t in it, receivers were dropping balls, Defense was still under WM. We had all the talent and the capacity to do it, it was just poor team unity and execution.
2009 would have been closer had we not shot ourselves in the foot with 4+ turnovers. UF scored on 4 of those turnovers. Take back the turnovers and the game was 24-17. UF didn’t do anything special to make the turn overs happen, we just gave the ball away. Hopefully that will NEVER happen again.
bigdawg
May 14th, 2010
1:30 pm
man this is great. Gators and Dawgs having an enjoyable football conversation with no trashing involved. too bad I gotta leave, but you same gators come back for the next blog cuz id love to keep this up
ga gator
May 14th, 2010
1:32 pm
Been fun fella’s. Got to go start my weekend. Have good ones.
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:33 pm
I agree bigdawg it was because the Tech Trolls did not try to join in.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 14th, 2010
1:34 pm
Dave, the thing with the D is that it couldn’t get much worse. I just had fits last year watching/listening to the games when the opponent had the ball on the last possession with the chance to drive the field and win the game. I don’t know why I did other than I knew that they would take play after play and move down the field with ease. IF it got to third down then I knew it would be a big gainer for a first to extend my anxiety. It seems that was Willie’s hobby extending my anxiety attacks until the last possible moment. For that Willie good riddance but good luck at Oklahoma.
guy
May 14th, 2010
1:35 pm
i think the lack of a certain uga troll certainly helped.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
1:36 pm
I’m as big a dawg fan as any of you guys. But it’s hard to say “This year is going to be awesome” because thats all I heard last year. I’m not going to say it until I actually get some results. I don’t want to jinx anything like we did last year. Just sayin’.
Patrick
May 14th, 2010
1:38 pm
guy are you talking about me?
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:39 pm
gdawginkalamazoo – Your right. Willie had no game plan to stop the most crucial drives in most of the close games. It can’t get any worse. It could only get better. If the defensive guys in the off-season take this new scheme to heart and study the heck out of it,ready to apply it from the get-go them we could be in for a great year.
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:43 pm
DGD – I’m tired of the talk as well. I do feel good about the off-season changes and also the change in CMR’s attitude. I want to see it on the field as well, but being a Alumnus, I can’t help each year to have the feeling of “what if” going on in my head. This year will present a better chance for us. The coaches, talent level and schedule are lining up pretty well.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
1:45 pm
Dave, agreed, I really want this year to be special and I think that it can be. But like I said, I dont want to talk the talk until we haven’t walked the walk yet. Go Dawgs!
guy
May 14th, 2010
1:47 pm
damn good dawg: to be fair ‘next year is the year’ has been the uga motto for 30 years now.
Dave In Tampa
May 14th, 2010
1:49 pm
guy the Tech Troll had to appear. You guys have a great weekend!
Ugaman15
May 14th, 2010
1:52 pm
@Delbert D
Boykin was not frozen dude, I know your referring to the Arkansas game but he was actually in the correct coverage, the saftey Bryan Evans blew that coverage… you dumb fans need to get your facts straight before you open your worthless mouth.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 14th, 2010
1:52 pm
DGD, for three years 2007, 2008, 2009 we have seen the defense get progressively worse. We know that Richt had his best man as DC. It was a tough tough move for him. Remember the Tech game last year? We didn’t throw a pass for God knows how long. I think Richt had a lot to do with that game planning and I think he will be in on it more this year. One very tough decision behind him I think he will have a much better handle on it this year. The UT game will tell us everything IMO. Whip UT ten ways to Sunday and we will know that Richt has changed for the better. Struggle in that game and we will know it is the same old same old. We have had a better team than UT for most of this decade and yet they have stomped us consistenly, we have failed to get off the bus. Just my opinion.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’ve only been saying it since ‘02, I want to see what happens if I keep my mouth shut for a change.
SSIgator
May 14th, 2010
1:53 pm
Been fun guys, but the Cubs are coming up on TV. Talk about an ever hopeful fan base. Then again there is nothing like an afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Too bad they had to spoil it and install lights.
Rufino Linares
May 14th, 2010
1:54 pm
Orson Charles would be a weapon if he could catch the ball. He drops everything thrown in his direction.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
1:57 pm
kalamazoo, I think CMR has a fire lit under his butt (don’t mean the perverbial “hot-seat”) I think he is hungry. I just hope it rubs off on the players too. I want to see some fire. Say what you will, but I think Ealy is going to catch the buzz quick.
AceDawg
May 14th, 2010
2:05 pm
I agree with those who say it’s beat Florida or bust. I wouldn’t give up on the Dawgs if they dominated all games except Floriday and lost that, but I’d nonetheless probably consider that loss painful enough to make the season a disappointment.
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
2:10 pm
What? No Richt bashers talking about how dumb ol’ Richt is tipping his hand by saying he is going to throw the ball to a pre-season All American? You guys are slipping! This is the time of year when I try to think up oddball plays because I am bored and have nothing better to do. How about a three TE formation with Figgins, Lynch, and Charles lined up tight and then splitting Charles out wide? Even a rookie QB could watch the safetys call run or pass at the line.
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
2:11 pm
That should be “and call”.
AltamahaDawg
May 14th, 2010
2:19 pm
Pretty clever spin when its “with a new QB and defense” for one team but the exact same situation is called “reloading” for the gators eh?
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
2:20 pm
shane, I think it sounds like a great play. But I think a bit too “spreadish” for Richt’s and Bobo’s taste.
guy
May 14th, 2010
2:27 pm
better have cox run the qb draw on 3rd and 14.
SOUTHGADAWG88
May 14th, 2010
2:29 pm
Run the damn ball!!!!
AltamahaDawg
May 14th, 2010
2:30 pm
You don’t think the defense was better in 2007 than they were in 2006?
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:32 pm
You’re not going to win the SEC throwing the ball.
We need to ride the running game trio all the way: Ealey/King/Smith
AJ needs to contribute like Julio did for Alabama, good numbers, do what’s best for the team.
AltamahaDawg
May 14th, 2010
2:35 pm
Then wouldn’t that be throwing the ball?
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:36 pm
There are a few games where AJ can actually be the difference, maybe Arkansas, Auburn & Ga Tech, all 3 teams have a porous defense.
AJ needs to play big for the moments in the games where Georgia is facing 8 men in the box, that’s when he is most needed, say the South Carolina or Florida game. Just make some key plays in those games.
AJ Needs to play extremely well when Georgia faces a weak defense: Ga Tech, Arkansas, and Auburn.
AJ also can be a difference maker in the red zone.
AJ can often be a decoy, and set up his teammates.