A.J. Green in the Wild Dawg or is Bobo just teasing us again?
Is Mike Bobo serious about direct snaps to A.J. Green? (Associated Press)
It would be easy to get all excited about Mike Bobo’s recent comments indicating he might use A.J. Green in some new ways this season.
Talking with the Macon Telegraph, Bobo said he was considering sometimes using Green as a running back or having him take direct snaps in what some call the “Wild Dawg” formation.
“That’s what you do as offensive coaches — you identify who you think the playmakers are and then you find a way to get them the ball, and obviously he’s our No. 1 guy,” Bobo said. “Really every game we go into it, we think, ‘How do we get A.J. the ball out of this set? Is there something new that we can do?’”
But we should keep in mind that all during the 2009 preseason, Bobo kept teasing us with comments about special offensive packages that we might see, including some involving Logan Gray and the Wild Dawg offense.
As it actually played out, Gray’s “special packages” consisted of being inserted into the game a few times for quarterback option runs so obviously telegraphed that everyone in the stadium knew they were coming. And while Branden Smith had a couple of scintillating touchdowns as a running back, Bobo never really did much with the Wild Dawg last year.
It’s possible that having an inexperienced redshirt freshman quarterback this year might mean Bobo mixes it up a bit more to take some of the pressure off Aaron Murray.
And, certainly, moving Green around on the field would be a smart move, especially considering the double coverage he pulls in his usual spot.
Since this likely will be the last season the Dogs have him, I’d love to see some special plays for A.J. out of the backfield.
But considering Bobo’s past record of talking a more varied game than he actually calls, I’ll believe it when I see it. How about you?
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152 comments Add your comment
Huey Dewey
July 20th, 2010
5:45 pm
and
bjohndawg
July 20th, 2010
5:46 pm
DougTrainer is right…get it to him in spaceForget the gimmicks.Lets run the ball 30 times with the running back, suck up the safety and run a play action post in for AJ.I am excited about this offense. I can see him catching 3 passes for 110 yards a game and see King and Ealey rushing 35 times for 300 a game. I guess we will need to throw a TE pass once in while.
Should be interesting to see what Bobo does call. I think we are in for a really fun season if you a Dawg fan.
Okay haters you can jump in now.
dog789xyz
July 20th, 2010
6:01 pm
I would love to see us run the ball. That won’t happen. CMR will not let that happen. He wants to throw 35 to 55 yards downfield. Low percentage passes.
MrGoodpliers
July 20th, 2010
6:24 pm
Trick plays are fun and all, but I’d rather have an offense that everyone knows what’s coming, but they can’t figure out how to stop it. Run Ealey ’til they put enough people in the box to slow him down, which will open up A.J. and Charles.
1eyedJack
July 20th, 2010
6:35 pm
OK, our OL averages what…6′5″ 320? Let’s line ‘em up, hit ‘em in the pee hole, and knock ‘em on their big, fat, bootays.
Sweat Socks
July 20th, 2010
6:43 pm
I’m so tired of hear about ‘Wild’ Whatever. How about just hold on to the ball and beat Florida?
BG
July 20th, 2010
6:48 pm
Just give AJ the ball!!
Destin Dawg
July 20th, 2010
6:48 pm
Smash mouth football… Run the ball .. control the clock!!! we got the horses.. let’s ride “em !!! then pass.. less than 20/game…… I feel like we’ll see some smash mouth Defense !!!! Great kicking.. good field position.. Killer attitude has been lacking… SEC champs.. THIS year !!
Junkyarddawg81
July 20th, 2010
7:19 pm
It continues to amaze me how many gaters, vols and bees post to DAWG blogs. WE do not care about your opinion! Go to your own blogs.
A few rules that should help the DAWGS win in 2010.
1. Cut the penalties, especially the unsportsmanship
2. Cut out the dancing to the rap being played on the jumbotron, especially when you are one of the 11 on the field
3. In the words of #34, “when you score, act like you have been there before”, hand the ref the ball and get in the huddle or off the field
4. When we kick off, kick it deep into or out of the endzone – eliminating the chance for long returns that put the defense on their heels
5. Score one more time than they do!
what?
July 20th, 2010
7:29 pm
old texdog must have “watched” a few games…he knows futball well.
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
July 20th, 2010
8:02 pm
Boo Boo asking” Is there ?” and “How can? ” instead of “There is ! “and “We will ! “get the ball to
Mr.Green. Clearly this guy is in over his head…………
ol ' seadawg
July 20th, 2010
8:26 pm
I can’t see what it would hurt to at least line him up, as if you were going to direct snap it to him, especially after we’ve pounded them with Ealey and King. Remember AJ makes a lot of yards after the catch because he’s tough to bring down. Run some spread stuff too! Think about boys, we got the players to run with anybody! Man I’m ready to see them Dawgs! Baseball just don’t cut it, but helps the Braves are winning.
mike
July 20th, 2010
9:32 pm
Good rules junkyarddawg81. couldn’t agree more.
AltamahaDawg
July 20th, 2010
9:42 pm
Bobo is just clowning around.
AltamahaDawg
July 20th, 2010
9:46 pm
dog789fxyz, you know what would really hammer that point home? if you were show up in here with the stats showing the run/pass ratios under Richt and how that is dramatically different than the other SEC coaches.
The Real SugarHillDawg
July 20th, 2010
10:46 pm
I’m all for getting the most out of AJ while we can BUT he’s NOT a good fit for the wild dog formation. his frame isn’t built for that kinda pounding and he would wind up getting hurt way before UGA gets the good out of him.
wes
July 20th, 2010
10:57 pm
UGA wishes they had a gimmick offense.
SOGADOG
July 20th, 2010
10:59 pm
Put Brandon Boykin in the “Wild Dawg”! He turns kickoff returns into touchdowns.
BT
July 20th, 2010
11:26 pm
While AJ has great “top end” speed he doesn’t have that explosive off the ball acceleration needed for Single Wing formations. He is injury prone and is better suited for long routes and open space. Get those long legs gliding down the field, that’s how you best utilize Green. Any goof-ball antics in the Wild Dawg will get him injured. We’ve got 3 other guys better suited for that, Boykin, Smith, and Gray.
Chuck Uga
July 20th, 2010
11:41 pm
TERRIBLE idea.
Jose
July 20th, 2010
11:42 pm
I am sorry to say it but, Bobo doesn’t have any imagination about any offensive plays that haven’t been run before. I don’t understand why Bobo is holding that position od OC.
PeachJam
July 20th, 2010
11:42 pm
All this is mute unless our O Line mans up. If the O line plays dominant football, we don’t need AJ in the backfield.
Kyle
July 20th, 2010
11:52 pm
I would like to think we can generate offense without resorting to the flavor-of-the-month – too cutesy for my taste. if you want to use him that way, set more screens for him, Carlton Thomas, etc.
on second thought
July 21st, 2010
1:22 am
aj is one of the purest wrs in the collegiate game. keep him running traditional wr plays. if it ain’t broke, don’t go and try to break it!!!
Dawg Daily 21July: Leather Helmet Blog
July 21st, 2010
4:04 am
[...] Season ticket sales are down 20 percent at South Carolina in the past two years. Of course, there are economic factors at work but is it possible USC fans have finally realized that they will never compete at the top of the SEC. Their last two coaches have national championships at other schools but have been unable to compete even for division titles in Columbia. (h/t The Wiz of Odds) Bobo is talking about using A.J. Green from different positions in 2010: [...]
German-Dawg
July 21st, 2010
4:41 am
I say we keep 1 coordinator too many from Last Year’s coaching staff! Heck with the weapons the Dogs have Stevie Wonder could have called more successful Plays!
AJ is clearly an open field runner and at 6″ 3 he would get blasted in the back field… not too many Eddie Georges even at the Running Back Position, that has graced the Backfields long!
Use AJ more on Screens makes more sense, Brandon Smith with his Body structure could be effective running gadget plays in the backfield, but the truth of the matter is Murray is a much better QB than Cox and will display pretty good accuracy to the Heisman AJ Green this year!
Mark it down, I said it Heisman AJ Green!
12-2
July 21st, 2010
6:04 am
AltamahaDawg,
You don’t think these are dramatically DIFFERENT from EVERY OTHER COACH in ALL of America ?
Last 4 years :
Average # 96 NCAA Rank Penalties
Average # 3 worst as well in Fulmer Cup Standings
Average 21 fumbles per year
Average 14 interceptions per year
dawginflorida
July 21st, 2010
6:32 am
throw the damn ball and let him do his thing, the wild dawg sucked last year with gray behind center
DawginLex
July 21st, 2010
6:38 am
No no no. Use the players we have
Mikey in the SAv
July 21st, 2010
6:49 am
Here’s an idea- Have Aaron Murray throw the ball down the field to AJ.
case closed.
Spike
July 21st, 2010
6:59 am
Blah,blah,blah. Less talk, more action, coaches. Start beating Florida first. Frieda, I need another beer, and can you please give me another foot massage?
SatchelBuzz
July 21st, 2010
7:01 am
Wild dawg formation+black uniforms= major fail.
THWG!
Jaydawg
July 21st, 2010
7:14 am
He might as well tease us because he sure as Hell cant put togetherl an intelligent offensive football game.
Jaydawg
July 21st, 2010
7:28 am
This guy reminds me of Jerry Glanville with all his zany ideas and BS.We go up 7-0 vs Oklahoma St. RUNNING THE BALL and he abandons it and does not commit to it again until the Tech game at the end of the year.And I’ll be dang IT WORKS again,IT’S A MIRACLE!!This incompetent will soon be following ”coach” Martinez out the door if Richt dosen’t take back control of the offense.
Jaydawg
July 21st, 2010
7:31 am
Enter your comments here
G
July 21st, 2010
7:32 am
Last year when they let Logan run it was always the same play qb counter and everyone knew it including the D , mix it up so he doesnt get killed. My vote is for some Wild Ealey and King and Wooten. Smith is electric with the ball but scares me because he fumbles alot , hopefully he has learned to hold on to the ball.
Single Wing
July 21st, 2010
7:39 am
When people realize that these formations are not new. Just running ‘em from open set.
Grandpa Right
July 21st, 2010
8:08 am
Give the ball to the tailback 25-30 times a game, throw the ball to AJ in space, and look for your TEs underneath. We need very little imagination beyond that. We get in trouble when Bobo thinks too much.
Some Guy
July 21st, 2010
8:31 am
Maybe we could wear black jerseys too!
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 21st, 2010
8:42 am
If you just want to get AJ the ball, put him in as QB–better yet, center!
Ok, here is one
July 21st, 2010
8:42 am
Allright, here is one lil play. Use Orson Charles in a fullback spot, with the two other tight ends lined up and get the ball out to Charles ………… he is very talented and needs to be fully utilized. AJ Green is without a doubt really talented ………..but …………but with Wooten and Charles and Marvelous Marlon Brown ………………UGA has too many OTHER weapons. We can ding them out all day to Chris Durden who I predict, will be the go to man on drives ……..moving the chains,etc.
Besides ……….. they will grind it out and grind it out, then maybe pop a big one. Then, grind it out and grind it out, allowing the Frosh QB to get settled in.
Go Dogs
Go Dogs.
Fast Eddie
July 21st, 2010
8:48 am
Junkyarddawg81: This may come as a surprise to you but the AJC is of interest to a wide range of college football fans in the state. They have no reason to write columns about Bama, Gators, Vols, Auburn, etc. so we read and comment on college football. Most articles just happen to be about UGA or GT.
JY
July 21st, 2010
8:50 am
Very dumb idea. Keep feedin the star and let the other players never develop to their potential. Waste some other players opportunity, spend all that time on A.J. then he gets hurt. What then. What else are they going to experiment with. Try something that is tried and true a success. How much wasted time will he do with this. Will he do the same on the hidden pass trick (David Greene) successful and forget that David was left handed, When trying this with Stafford he almost got killed because evident they forgot he was right handed turning the same direction to throw as greene? Why copy everyone else by trying to use our athletes to do things other people are doing. What have they won running the POLECAT or what ever it may be called. Get away from fads and play football.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 21st, 2010
8:51 am
MIckey in the SAv: Are you crazy!? That’s exactly what they’ll be expecting! Besides, that looks so boring on the board and requires you to read the defense and other boring football stuff.
JY
July 21st, 2010
9:09 am
Greene has a better chance in open space where there are few defenders than behind the LOS where there are blockers and a defense determined to tackle him. Again his experience should be used where his experience was gained. Another think someone on here said AJ had to make those great catches because Cox could not throw accurate. Why not those catches were where they were because that was the only place they were open… Get off Cox’s case..He is gone..
How2fish
July 21st, 2010
9:27 am
JY great points, if we can run the ball well..A.J should be used as the primary receiver down field. TE’s underneath the coverage and the backs out of backfield. IF we can run the ball someone will be open.And your right about Cox he may have lost a couple of games but he damn sure won a couple, he was giving his all..true it might not have been enough at times but not one on that team wanted to win for UGA more than Cox and I for one am not throwing stones at a young man that tried to always help his team to win.
JB
July 21st, 2010
9:30 am
I’ve watched Bobo’s play calling the last two years, and he’s leaves his imagination at home….
We are so Vanilla. Richt, As head coach, would call a few surprises now and then. Bobo is as predictable as the sun rising in the East. He has that chart and based on down and field position, he pretty much sticks with it…..All DC’s we play know it.
JB
July 21st, 2010
9:38 am
What will really help us……………………If Murray knows going in we don’t have to 45 points to win…..That would help…..I couldn’t help but think all the games in the last two years we got behind 2 -4 TD’s early and had to abandon the game plan to try to “catch up”.
Evansdawg
July 21st, 2010
9:40 am
With our RB tandum, pressure should be taken off AJ. We have playmakers, and AJ is not the only one on the field. Granted, AJ is a special athlete, but we cannot be predictable nor should we have to be with the talent we have at the RB and WR positions.
this is why bobo isn't a good OC
July 21st, 2010
9:55 am
you have two solid running backs and a veteran offensive line and you are talking about a wildcat?
seems to me that this year we would want to play it close to the vest to protect murray and let our “new” defense get the training wheels off….
this makes about as much sense as throwing on 3rd and short with the game on the line vs GT…..after you have run for 300+ yards.
my money is that bozo pulls out the wildcat at the most inopportune time and it costs us a victory.
CMR knows how you win in the SEC and it aint by throwing it 50 gabillion times….look at south carolina…..