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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
171 comments Add your comment
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:37 pm
Julio contributes by being a decoy, and by blocking, and by making plays when needed.
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:40 pm
AJ needs to put team first this year, and realize, if he goes down in an injury again, for the 3rd straight year, he’s really hurting the team. He needs to care enough about his teammates to stay healthy for at least 1 season. If he doesn’t, his NFL stock will fall and it will cost him ten million. We need AJ to be more Julio than TO this year
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 14th, 2010
2:47 pm
Blah Blah Blah
Ive heard this kind of big talk for years, and personally I used to get my hopes up, but reality bites.
We will go down to Jacksonville with a conservative play calling scheme and hope FL can’t stop us.
The play calling scheme will also have a new set of uniforms in the hopes of they will get distracted for a QTR or two in the hopes we can jump out in front.
If that doesn’t work we will not change anything, but just sit and watch our teeth get kicked in again.
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:47 pm
Aj’s deadly on 3rd down with 7 or more yards to go and he’s better in the 1st half, especially the 2nd qrtrt. His sweet spot is between the 40’s on the field.
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
2:53 pm
When Mett left, we just don’t have a QB left with the arm to get it to AJ down the field. It’s a waste.
Dawg Days
May 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
Thanks Mark! Murray hasn’t played in a game in 16 months….against high schoolers….most of whom are sitting in the stands now on Saturdays.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
2:59 pm
The one thing that Urban has done that seems to give Florida an advantage over UGA every year, is scheduling. It seems like
Florida always has their by-week before UGA. UGA, on the other hand, does not. This is the case again this year. An extra week of preparation and rest does make a difference. When Dooley was here, this was opposite, with UGA getting the bye, and Fla playing consecutive weeks, and the results reflected that.
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
3:02 pm
DGD, if two tight ends lined up in a power run formation is considered spreadish maybe somebody needs to re-think something.
Dooley Time
May 14th, 2010
3:07 pm
The keys are going to be rushing game, defense, scoring margin and and turnovers. Since your passing game can help with scoring, it counts, but it can also make you more apt to commit turnovers. So you need to pass enough to keep the defenses honest. And the passing attack must be efficient, at least a +4 touchdown to interception ratio.
Dooley Time
May 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
An effective running attack will create opportunities in the passing game.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
We had off the week before last year
And for the usual reasons we looked liked Snellville High was playing FL
I know players who played for Dooley and they have told me that Dooley would find different ways to fire them up before the FL game.
Spurrier made it his number 1 priority every year to beat UGA every year
Not this staff.
Oh no, we will come out with pink uniform dresses and tip toe onto the field.
Until this coaching staff see’s the importance of this game we will never win even if we have 2 months off.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
Shane I was talking about when you said 3 tightends… you did say that right?
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
Dawg Days, 4 of Murray’s Teammates have gotten offered schollys this year, 3 are going to florida, and 1 to FSU. I’d say Aaron had some pretty good competition, at least in practice if nothing else.
Dooley Time
May 14th, 2010
3:16 pm
The passing game was extremely inefficient last year, Boise St. throws 39 TD’s, and only 3 interceptions, Georgia throws 25 td’s, and 16 int’s. If Georgia is going to make some noise, that must change.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
3:16 pm
Flat tire, you know what, you are absolutely right! Heres hoping that maybe with an aggressive defense, and less absolutely stupid penalties, and mistakes, UGA can GATA.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
At least, I am excited about the possible return of an aggressive defense, instead of that soft read and react crap. Oh, and a straight kickoff and touchback would be nice also.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 14th, 2010
3:22 pm
anotherdawg
Hope Grantham can be what has been needed.
I just cant seem to get Willie Martinez’s Coach of the Year bend but don’t allow them more than 35 yds per play scheme out of my head
You remember, Tenn, FL, WV, AL, Tenn, FL, Kentucky, FL, AUB, OK St
My confidence has been shot
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
3:33 pm
DGD, yep, I said that right, for a change. Go with Green and the three TEs I named, plus the RB of your choice. Then split Charles out wide and leave the other two TEs in tight. Figgins is like having another OT in the game and Lynch is also a load at 6′6″ and 260. So you are in a power run formation, just minus a FB. If the D tries to cover Charles with a CB you have a mismach, if they cover him with a safety then a tackler is out of the box. If the FS drops back to help out with the pass two potential tacklers are out of the box, if he stays in close you have Green in single coverage. There are so many options with this play if Murray does his job something will work. On a lighter note, hey Dawg fans, want to help out our country cousins at Auburn? You can vote for a new AU fight song! Orson Swindle at EDSBS is getting everybody to vote for a song by some kid named Beirber, or something like that. I am not up a teenybopper’s musical taste. One poster suggested the theme from “Green Acres” but that strikes too close to home for a South Georgia boy. “Green Acres” is shown on GPTV down here in the “Bill Moyers Journal” slot.
Damn Good Dawg
May 14th, 2010
3:39 pm
Shane, I like it, send it off to Athens and see what they think. In about four months or so, your play could be winning us games! With so many options, it would be hard not to try.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 14th, 2010
4:05 pm
Shane
Smart play and it will probably work.
Heres the problem you like me don’t know anything your a fan like me.
Us fans wanted Martinez gone for yrs but we dont know anything were stupid fans
The bend but give up 35 yds per play works in Athens
Like Martinez always would say “its the players fault they just didn’t execute my brilliant scheme”
Me
May 14th, 2010
4:11 pm
I think Richt is playing a little psychology saying that the Dawgs are gonna throw the ball come hell or high water. Look for UGA to rely much more on it’s running game and defense this year. #15 by Athlons?? Guess that’s why more often than not, they are behind in line when it comes to predictions compared to Lindys and Phil Steele.
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
4:14 pm
DGD, if I have to send plays to Athens we are in big trouble! I have never been a head coach and have never coached or played D-1 football. I do like Grantham’s style looking for mis-matches. Why not look for mis-matches on offense? UGA has four good but very different TEs. Why not make use of all of them and try to get single coverage for A J whenever possible? A starting slot has been a motivational tool for coaches forever, but I think starting is being over stressed at UGA. You have talented guys that can contribute in different ways so don’t let their talent go to waste by leaving them on the bench
jerry
May 14th, 2010
4:20 pm
“But the way a Richt offense works, a successful running game opens up the passing game, and vice versa.”
Does that include the 25-30 times Richt’s offense has failed to score more that 20 vs. the SEC?
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
4:25 pm
Shane, I don’t think theres any doubt about us using the tight ends. We’re loaded there, it helps the running game tremendously, and we’re a little short on receivers. That, plus a young, inexperienced quarterback, you can count on it.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
Jerry, We’ll be fine, as long as we’re not giving up more than 19. If we can keep the other teams offense off the field, and win the field position battle, it’s got to be better. With Willie, most of the time, we let the other team drive the field, then try to stop them in the red zone. Maybe we can stop them on there side of the 50. We’ll see.
shane#1
May 14th, 2010
4:52 pm
anotherdawg, I just hope someone sits in the cover two and lets one of UGA’s TEs run free over the middle like Willie did against USCe last year. SOS should have sent Willie a thank you note for keeping them in the game.
What??
May 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
AJ is not thick enough to take the hits. He gets the quick pass outside a few times last year and breaks off a run only to get slammed to the ground by the defense. Once slammed, he had to sit out.
So, if he is that fragile, only send him long!
What do you call a team without a QB?
May 14th, 2010
5:13 pm
big daug says Murry is better than Cox….really? How can you tell? He has been hurt so long no-one can tell if he will splinter the first hit or not? An he did not seem better last year…Cox played all year.
Your best bet is no longer a daug…just a dog.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
5:17 pm
I just hope we see a little better touch on the ball from Murray, than what I saw in the G game. If he can deliver the ball on target, and I really think he will, we should be pretty solid.
anotherdawg
May 14th, 2010
5:24 pm
Whats wierd is last years G game, Murray and Gray looked better than Cox, and Mett looked awful. This year, Mett looked better than any of them. But, according to the coaches, Murray has looked the best overall if you factor in all the practices. One thing I really like about Murray is that he has that “Peyton Manning ‘work ethic’”
Kelsey
May 14th, 2010
5:26 pm
The problem with Murray this Spring, was that he threw more int’s (3), than td’s (2). Even worse, his passes to interception ratio was worse than Joe Cox’s. 3 int’s and only 2 td’s on 56 passes, not good at all.
Kelsey
May 14th, 2010
5:27 pm
Murray can’t keep throwing an interception for every 17 passes.
Jim
May 14th, 2010
5:29 pm
Look for Wooten or Tavarres King or Durham or Olson or White to have a bigger year than AJ Green, not due to talent, but due to who’s covering them.
Adam
May 14th, 2010
5:32 pm
I wish Coach Richt wouldn’t tell our oppoentns our game plan. Geez.
Dawg 3/20
May 14th, 2010
5:46 pm
Murray hasn’t played in a game in 16 months…….Cox has the edge right now.
Adam
May 14th, 2010
5:47 pm
Brantley hasn’t played a complete game in 4 years.
Adam
May 14th, 2010
5:49 pm
Murray played 3 games in the last 8 weeks.
curtiss
May 14th, 2010
7:57 pm
talking about it and doing it are 2 different things.Each season brings about a new optimism,will this finally be the one?I don’t see the schedule as an easy one.SC early,Petrino’s high powered offense at Arky,that’s just the early test.Dawg’s lose 3-5 games,Richt’s job will be safe another year,unless no improvement after midseason,getting blown out in big games is not getting it done.Just keeping it real
steve
May 14th, 2010
8:43 pm
Is Coxian a word?
Vol Fan
May 14th, 2010
11:09 pm
Way to go guys on national television, losing to Florida… again. Yall have invented ways to lose this year. Yuppie Nerds. Glad I don’t hire you anymore. Poor Perno… he used to be a part of a good group of country boys that could get the job done… now he’s got these snot nosed suburbanites.
By the way, don’t you think you geeks could have degrees that pay more than Mississippi State. LMAO!
Terza
May 14th, 2010
11:24 pm
Green won’t make a difference against the better teams. He’s badly overrated, which will become obvious in the second game.
Wait till the Gators hand him his head on a plate.
And he’ll probably be arrested and suspended before the season starts.
Terza
May 14th, 2010
11:29 pm
I love how the Dawg fans get all pumped up like this every year, only to see their bunch of illiterate goons go down in flames. I love it. I seem to recall UGA being ranked #1 in preseason polls just two seasons ago. How did that work out for you?
BuLLdawg
May 15th, 2010
3:37 am
“I don’t do jumping jacks like some people do when they’re excited, but I can promise you, I’m as excited about this season as I have been for any one since I’ve been at Georgia,” Richt said. “I think we’ve got the right stuff.”
The last coach to make such a statement as that preseason here, was Jim Donnan. Then, he went out and lost his 13 th game in his last 4 years here and was fired, instead, by Michael F. Adam$.
Coach Richt has already lost 14 games his last 4 years here and was stubborn about keeping Mike Bobo as Offensive Coordinator despite our only 10-10 SEC East record the last 4 years now. Once Coach Richt decided to keep Mike Bobo, then Coach Richt had to DEMOTE Mike Bobo admitting Bobo is not a good Offensive Coordinator and that Coach Richt then was taking over complete responsibility for the offense from Mike Bobo.
2006 no QB ready, lost 4 games. 2009 no QB ready, lost 5 games. 2010 no QB ready and Coach Richt is the most excited about this season of all the entire Decade of Coach Richt Era. Coach Richt, that is just plain stupid to make that statement in Macon last night, sir.
BuLLdawg
May 15th, 2010
5:29 am
Home and Neutral Site Games vs SEC in the Coach Richt Era :
Last 9 Years SEC Games only Home & Neutral Games :
33 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 Florida
29 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 LSU
26 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 Georgia
25 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 Auburn
23 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 Alabama
23 Wins Home & Neutral SEC Games starting 2001 Tennessee
which is the same position Georgia is in in all games overall since 2001 :
56 Wins overall vs SEC starting 2001 by Florida
53 Wins overall vs SEC starting 2001 by LSU
52 Wins overall vs SEC starting 2001 by Georgia
Everyone concedes that Alabama too is better than Georgia
In fact, in the preseason polls now for this up-coming 2010 season
# 1 Alabama
# 5 Florida
# 16 LSU
# 18 Arkansas
# 25 Georgia
either that, or Georgia is not ranked at all.
BuLLdawg
May 15th, 2010
6:12 am
10/3/2009 vs. *Louisiana State (9-4) L 13 20
10/10/2009 @ *Tennessee (7-6) L 19 45
10/31/2009 vs. *Florida (13-1) L 17 41 @ Jacksonville, FL
9/13/2008 @ *South Carolina (7-6) W 14 7
11/1/2008 vs. *Florida (13-1) L 10 49 @ Jacksonville, FL
11/15/2008 @ *Auburn (5-7) W 17 13
9/8/2007 vs. *South Carolina (6-6) L 12 16
10/6/2007 @ *Tennessee (10-4) L 14 35
10/13/2007 @ *Vanderbilt (5-7) W 20 17
9/9/2006 @ *South Carolina (8-5) W 18 0
9/30/2006 @ *Mississippi (4-8) W 14 9
10/28/2006 vs. *Florida (13-1) L 14 21 @ Jacksonville, FL
11/4/2006 @ *Kentucky (8-5) L 20 24
9/10/2005 vs. *South Carolina (7-5) W 17 15
10/29/2005 vs. *Florida (9-3) L 10 14 @ Jacksonville, FL
9/11/2004 @ *South Carolina (6-5) W 20 16
10/9/2004 vs. *Tennessee (10-3) L 14 19
10/23/2004 @ *Arkansas (5-6) W 20 14
11/13/2004 @ *Auburn (13-0) L 6 24
9/20/2003 @ *Louisiana State (13-1) L 10 17
11/1/2003 vs. *Florida (8-5) L 13 16 @ Jacksonville, FL
12/6/2003 vs. *Louisiana State (13-1) L 13 34 @ Atlanta, GA SEC Championship
9/14/2002 @ *South Carolina (5-7) W 13 7
10/12/2002 vs. *Tennessee (8-5) W 18 13
11/2/2002 vs. *Florida (8-5) L 13 20 @ Jacksonville, FL
9/8/2001 vs. *South Carolina (9-3) L 9 14
10/27/2001 vs. *Florida (10-2) L 10 24 @ Jacksonville, FL
11/10/2001 vs. *Auburn (7-5) L 17 24
28 SEC games Coach Richt Era where we scored 2 touchdowns or less.
23 of those, we LOST.
28 games of exasperation on Offense for Georgia vs SEC
And, it is not for lack of talent handed the Coach Richt Offensive Coaching Staff
We have one of the worst run offenses in all of America
We cannot line up and run a play like we know the play, without a penalty
When we finally do, we either fumble or throw an interception
Or, go 3 and out, calling a running play on 3rd and long
while the entire Sanford Stadium BOOS the play calls.
More than 3 SEC games every year of Coach Richt Era, we get 2 TD or less.
We have had at least 3 games EVERY SEASON scoring no more than 2 TD vs SEC
except for DJ Shockley 2005 season when we had 2 (DJ injured Florida game.)
That was the game started by Joe Tereshinski III, who became # 1 Depth Chart the next year
Joe Cox # 2 Depth Chart 2006
Matthew Stafford # 3 Depth Chart 2006
Orson Charles not made starter until game 12 of 13-game season despite 23 catches
Knowshon Moreno Redshirted so that we got to see him only 2 years.
Washaun Ealey # 11 RB in nation rip his Redshirt off 3rd Quarter of 5th game
Led the team in rushing ANY WAY
Even then given only 2 starts, and not even the last 2 games
Marlon Brown threw him 2 passes all season long # 2 WR in nation
Branden Smith the most highly recruited player on the team
Threw Branden Smith only 2 passes too all season long
We play FAVORITES on Offense
We do not recognize TALENT when it stares Offensive Coaching Staff in the FACE
We have the MOST POORLY COACHED OFFENSE in the nation
and, have had
BuLLdawg
May 15th, 2010
6:14 am
In the 3 games in 2008 when we were ranked # 1 in the nation with Knowshon Moreno
We handed the football to Knowshon an average of only 14 times a game
We LOST all 3.
Consecutive points vs us of 31 to nothing Alabama, 42 to nothing Florida and 29 unanswered by Georgia tek
In fact, the very night we were ranked # 1 in EVERY POLL, the whole entire team went out and got arrested / suspended.
14 players one night.
What do you call a team without a QB?
May 15th, 2010
8:48 am
Wow! With friends like BuLL, you guys do not need any enemies.
Richt to opponents: Guess what, we’re throwing to A.J.
May 15th, 2010
9:00 am
As long as our midget QB can see over the line.
Topp Dogg
May 15th, 2010
9:22 am
UGA will beat GT with or without him just like last year nerds.
midget QB?
May 15th, 2010
9:50 am
Richt to opponents: Guess what, we’re throwing to A.J.
May 15th, 2010
9:00 am
As long as our midget QB can see over the line.
*****************************************************************
Saw Murray recently and I’m 5′ 10 1/2″ and he’s easily 6′1″ (towered over me in sneakers)…told him he looked thinner, but he said he’s just keeping his weight around 210 and doesn’t want to get much bigger, so that he can keep his speed and quickness…still is the nice polite, respectful kid that I used to watch in pee wee football…maybe he should change his demur and become an a$$, so he can get some of you goobers on his side