Mike Bobo’s playcalling didn’t do his young QB any favors
Aaron Murray did get to use his running ability a bit more Saturday. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
We talked here earlier this week about Georgia’s game against Arkansas as something of a test for Dogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
Well, it was.
And he failed.
Yes, there were defensive lapses Saturday that the Razorbacks capitalized on, including biting on that play fake on Arkansas’ first score, but thanks to too many three-and-outs again this week the Georgia D was on the field entirely too long to try and keep a high-powered offense led by a talented QB like Ryan Mallett in check.
And showing a lot of grit the Dogs did battle back from a 24-10 deficit to tie it up 24-24 with 3:55 left in the game.
But after a fine defensive series got the ball back for Georgia and the Dogs had moved to midfield thanks to runs by Washaun Ealey and Carlton Thomas, the bizarre playcalling by Bobo that had plagued them all day reared its ugly head again.
Third and 4 and rather than a quick slant pass across the middle, or sending Ealey or Thomas wide, or rolling Aaron Murray out with the option to pass or run, instead Bobo sends all the receivers at least 20 yards downfield and has his QB standing back there way too long. The result is a sack that took Murray’s helmet (and nearly his head) off and the Dogs let a chance to win the game get away from them.
I’ll grant Bobo that Murray has a tendency to hold on to the ball too long in some situations. As Bobo said after the game, “We need to work on getting rid of the ball a little bit quicker.” But that’s to be expected of a redshirt freshman and Bobo knows that. So why put Murray into those situations?
And the play of Georgia’s offensive line continued to fall short, with run blocking up the middle virtually nonexistent and Murray’s protection falling apart too often.
But time and time again Saturday, Bobo showed a lack of a short-yardage game outside the red zone. On an earlier third and 1, Murray was sacked waiting on receivers to get open on long routes. All they needed was 1 yard and he’s looking to throw long??!!
This wasn’t a great defense the Dogs were facing in Arkansas, but at times Georgia made them look that way.
Yes, the Dogs missed suspended ace receiver A.J. Green on some plays, but especially in the second half Dogs receivers, including Kris Durham, Tavares King and the little-used Israel Troupe, came up with clutch receptions.
And because of the poor line play, the running game was inconsistent, though it occasionally showed flashes of what we had expected.
I’ll also give Bobo credit for at least loosening the reins on Murray and allowing him to take off with the ball, which resulted in Georgia’s first touchdown. But where were the tight ends for most of the day? Why didn’t Georgia make more use of the screen and quick hits over the middle?
And there was the predictability factor again in Bobo’s playcalling. When fans in the stands are consistently calling out what the Georgia play is going to be before the snap, you know your offense has a problem.
And I hate to say it, but I think that problem is Mike Bobo. Absent the superior talent of playmakers like D.J. Shockley, Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, who made Bobo look good in the past, he is revealed as a rather pedestrian offensive mind.
I’ll have more on Sunday, but for now, have at it. …
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612 comments Add your comment
crap sandwich
September 18th, 2010
5:58 pm
Bobo the idiot, do you see him talke to Richt right before that play was run! Amazing
GoDawgs
September 18th, 2010
5:59 pm
Option A: Fire Richt and the whole offensive staff or Option B: Keep Richt as a Figure head and COMPLETELY clean house on the offensive side of the ball. I think the D will get better when the right players are being recruited. I think Alec Ogeltree needs to start at safety.
GoDawgs
September 18th, 2010
6:00 pm
UGA needs to hire JIM HARBAUGH!!! at the end of the season.
Frankie
September 18th, 2010
6:01 pm
Dogs might get 3 or 4 more wins this season, that’s it. Idaho State, Vanderbilt, Colorado. Then Dogs might beat Tennessee, but they’re playing Florida tough today, so doubt it. Gonna lose to Miss St, Auburn, Ga Tech, Kentucky. Looking at a 6-6 season. 7-5 if you beat Tenn.
Cobb Dawg
September 18th, 2010
6:01 pm
I’ve resisted jumping on the fire Bobo bandwagon for a long time now — but the last straw has at last been loaded. The commentators on TV — including Bob Griese, who knows a thing or two about the game — were scratching their heads about the play-calling. We need to bring in a superstar — but everyone should remember that when (not if) CMB gets canned, we will likely lose a few recruits, just like we did when Martinez left. It’s inevitable — and Christian Lemay may be one of them. That said, I think it’s the right move for CMR to make. I imagine new AD McGarity will provide the prodding, if any is needed.
crap sandwich
September 18th, 2010
6:01 pm
Go Dawgs, yep anyone but Rambo and Hamilton. They are worthless.
JRock
September 18th, 2010
6:03 pm
Bobo made the same stupid calls when Stafford was there with a lot of the same results. Richt was only good when he first arrived because he inherited a good ball team. Our time should have been when Stafford and Moreno was there but it didn’t happen then and will never happen when you are content with a winning season, which is 6 games to be bowl eligible. I’m sick of getting pumped up for the season to start only to have to say, “maybe next year”. We need a coaching staff, bottom line !!
Glenn
September 18th, 2010
6:03 pm
Talking about hot seat this is going to kill our recruiting. If Bobo is not fired Mark will feel the heat as he should. Sat night at Miss. St. is no pic-nic. The defense, yes made some mistakes but they are learning. How many more years of Bobo, this was it with me. Booboo has to go.
dawgy 2003
September 18th, 2010
6:04 pm
Enter your comments here
Jason
September 18th, 2010
6:05 pm
Bobo needs to:
1- Have more short checkdown options for QB
2- Stop calling long developing passing plays in short yardage situations without a checkdown receiver within 20 yards
3- Be creative on 3rd down
4- Pass on 1st down
crap sandwich
September 18th, 2010
6:06 pm
If Bobo goes, can he take Searels with him? What a bunch of pansies on the OL.
Ole Yeller Dawg
September 18th, 2010
6:07 pm
The Georgia Coaches do not have a clue! Finally, Mark Richt showed some emotion on the sidelines and sparked the team to a comeback!!!! Why wait till the final quarter to bring out the emotion? I wonder how the game would have turned out if he would have started the game with that same emotion? How the team plays and their game attitude is a complete reflection of the head coach, Mark Richt! With just a little more emotional coaching we easily could be 2-0 in the SEC instead of 0-2. Both games were winnable! We have discovered the missing ingredient…….now pick it up Georgia coaches, turn this season around and lead us to a winning season!
dbc
September 18th, 2010
6:08 pm
CMR actually stated post game that he knew the D was gonna get burned for the first TD and that he should have called time out to correct the coverage. Are you serious? He had no problem calling multiple time outs last week. The ineptitude just goes on and on. And will somebody please bench Rambo and put someone, anyone, in the game who can cover a receiver and tackle? He ’s the second coming of Bryan Evans, only worse. And Jakar “hit man” Hamilton is also a bust.
crap sandwich
September 18th, 2010
6:10 pm
The pansie OL kept Murray under harassment all day. Give Murray credit for his toughness.
wildbill
September 18th, 2010
6:10 pm
When do we play Georgia State, Furman, Western Carolina, Citadel, and Converse College? We need a win.
crap sandwich
September 18th, 2010
6:11 pm
dbc, dump these two clowns and lets try Ogletree and anyone else.
RAID
September 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
I still say the dawgs may run the table on the remaining schedule despite Bobo….We possibly have faced the two best teams we will face this year……..The only calls I didnt expect all day was the bootleg TD and them just going for it on 4th down….and I think that wqs a Richt call….maybe he should take over OC again…….dont know what the answer is but I do’nt think Bobo will ever be let go cause he is a Richt guy running his offence…..to hire someone else would probably mean running a new scheme…..and I do’nt think he wants to give up on the pro style offence which is a good scheeme but I think it can be ran with much moe immagination than what we’re seeing……ok, we’ll finish 9-3….
Lilburn Dawg
September 18th, 2010
6:14 pm
Yep, it was pretty bad today. All of you are right. We don’t have a defensive line and our offensive line shows it can often pass block but never run block. And Murry did OK for a young kid. He shows signs of being a good QB. But I am equally disappointed in that we don’t have any elite, powerhouse running backs. Yeh, Ealey had a few good runs, but overall I’ve come to realize he’s a pretty average running back in the SEC. Lots of runs for 2-3 yards but usually none for 20 or 30 yards. And what has happened to Caleb King? For all his hype, he has fallen off the face of the earth and hasn’t helped this team out one bit. Watching Lattimore for SC last week, and Richardson and Ingram for Alabama this week…….it makes me wonder why we don’t seem to get guys like them.
Our secondary stunk it up today. Don’t know where our new secondary coach is. Don’t know what our OL coach is doing. Don’t know what our DC is doing. Don’t know what our conditioning coach is doing. Don’t know what our OC or HC are doing to earn their money either.
Our football program at UGA seems to be crumbling and eroding away over the last few years. It needs a change of direction starting at the top.
elvisaintdead
September 18th, 2010
6:14 pm
“All they needed was 1 yard and he’s looking to throw long??!!”
The offense (and maybe the entire doggone season now) in a nutshell. Bill, you absolutely nailed it.
You can’t spell ‘boob’ without Bobo!
Embarassed dawg
September 18th, 2010
6:16 pm
Bobois nothing more than an extension of CMR. His play calling is exactly waht Richt would call. We need an OC with some imagination, not predictability.
Facethefacts
September 18th, 2010
6:16 pm
We can change coodinators all we want, but the fact is no top tier offensive coordinator will come work for Richt. We would end up with a 4th or 5th choice just like last year. And a new OC won’t fix the arrests, suspensions, lack of discipline, or the attitude that losing is okay at UGA as long as we were close. If allowed, CMR will take this program to the very bottom of the SEC. 0-2 in the SEC should be unacceptable at UGA.
MindHead
September 18th, 2010
6:18 pm
Okay, we know the drill. Now the ball is in Richt’s hands. IMO he should take over as OC starting Monday and put Bobo back as QB coach. McGarity should be on the phone starting Monday morning looking for new OC, OL, RB and WR’s coaches.
Overall, I think the D played much better with the notable exception of Bacarri Rambo, who is rapidly becoming the next Prince Miller.
FIREBOBODOTCOM
September 18th, 2010
6:18 pm
Wow, I have tried to put it off. I have bit my tongue. But I can stand it NO more. Bobo is just terrible. TERRIBLE. This was embarassing. Total lack of imagination. I know we are a bunch of Monday morning quarterbacks. But, perhaps that is the point. We STILL know what Bobo will run. Save us, PLEASE.
Red
September 18th, 2010
6:19 pm
Bobo was a decent quarterback for UGA back in the day but I think we need a fresh mind in the OC department. Coaches keep saying that having multiple scholarship players in each position keeps the competition intense and keeps the players hungry for playing time. Basically, the coaches make it known that each week, no one is guaranteed to be the starter. I think coaches need to be in the same boat as these players to avoid being complacent. What I’m saying is that Bobo needs a little hint that his role as an OC is in jeopardy unless he starts playing to keep his position.
Bobo was a decent quarterback for UGA back in the day but I think we need a fresh mind in the OC department. Coaches keep saying that having multiple scholarship players in each position keeps the competition intense and keeps the players hungry for playing time. Basically, the coaches make it known that each week, no one is guaranteed to be the starter. I think coaches need to be in the same boat as these players to avoid being complacent. What I’m saying is that Bobo needs a little hint that his role as an OC is in jeopardy unless he starts playing to keep his position.
Too Much Wrong
September 18th, 2010
6:19 pm
There were definately some bright spots. The effort was tremendous I thought considering the pressure the players had to be feeling. The momentum was there. I think I even saw a Junkyard Dawg once or twice. What I didn’t see at all was any creativity on offense aside from Murray’s own instinctive play. It’s a shame really. I remember a couple of years ago when we were all calling for Bobo to be promoted. Nowdays it’s hard to figure what the game plan is, if there is one at all aside from don’t lose and don’t throw a pick six. We’re coaching scared. Take a look at the 2011 schedule…it’s a cake walk comparatively to seasons past. Do we risk wasting that year on a new offensive coordinator and or a new line coach? Tough decision for sure, but one that has to be made at some point for the long term good. In the short term, I think our best hope is that CMR will resume play calling, take off the restrictor plates, and let the chips fall. I feel for the Dawgs…I think our players deserve better. If that means CMR and or Bobo have to go, then so be it.
CentralFLDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:21 pm
Prevous comments have about nailed it.
I recall last year’s TN game when Crompton, their mediocre QB, killed us on rollouts. Murray’s 5 times the athlete Crompton was but we never roll him out. Can’t believe rollouts are too much for for Murray to learn!?!?
And another comment on the lack of use of the tight ends. I didn’t see them in may patterns…mostly kept in to block for Bobo’s bomb calls. Is the O-line so bad we have to use the TEs just to keep Murray from getting killed?
UGA Fan in VA
September 18th, 2010
6:25 pm
I have to agree; Bobo’s play calling is horrendous and only sets Murray up for failure. Would Bobo and CMR please inform the offensive line that their job is to protect Murray and open holes for the running backs. I thought this was one of the best offensive lines in the country. Apparently not.
SKB
September 18th, 2010
6:27 pm
Firing Bobo is NOT an option, he has 5 kids, we can’t just throw him in the streets. What UGA can do is make him head coach, and give CMR the offensive coordinator job. Richt was a VERY good OC back when he coached for Florida State. We CAN fire Bobo, but not until he’s kids are in college or are older to get jobs.
CHDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:27 pm
We also ought to put Gray as flanker, put him in motion and then run a Tech style option–FB off of tackle, Murray could run, TB is lead blocker, Gray is the pitchman coming from motion. For crying out loud, he is a QB–toss him the ball and give him the option to run or pass. I can’t believe we haven’t used this, and I also don’t understand why we don’t roll Murray out and give him crossing routes to pick the D apart.
dbc
September 18th, 2010
6:27 pm
I feel sorry for A. Murray. He’s a baller and deserves better than that crappy O-line. I’ll admit he had “happy feet” at times, but that’s just a function of youth. Ealey’s lack of blocking skills almost got him killed, just like Caleb’s lack thereof almost got Stafford killed a few years ago. Again, it comes down to coaching. Durham also deserves a positive mention. Other than that..is it just me, or does it appear that CMR has stifled Grantham’s coaching style? Maybe Richt’s virgin ears couldn’t take the language.
NCDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:29 pm
I hate to say it, but Richt’s time has about come to an end. I just don’t think he can ever crest the mountain. Sure he has gotten a couple of SEC Championships, but that had more to do with other teams losing instead of the Dawgs having control. I think as long as he is here we are looking at consitant 8 to 9 win seasons. Sure a lot of teams would love to have 8 to 9 win seasons, but I would love to see something more. Hopefully they turn things around and finish the year stong. I know I pull for them as hard as I can every game. Go Dawgs!
CentralFLDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:29 pm
One more thng…anybody notice the ’stand around’ play on a couple of Ark punts?
The reciving team didn’t rush or drop back for the return…just stood there.
Big L
September 18th, 2010
6:30 pm
I am sick of it. It’s just not good enough any damn more. Either Richt makes a change that works or the school makes a change. I have always defended Richt, but I am over it. The rest of the league laughs at us and this staff just does squat about it.
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2010
6:32 pm
Can you say, “Bloblo?”
ARdawg
September 18th, 2010
6:33 pm
Painful, painful to watch
Bobby Y
September 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
Great article, Bill. You are right on with your comments. If we had opened up our offense verse South Carolina we would have had a chance to win. And the play calling for the final drive verse Arkansas was pathetic. Why throw the ball when we had just run the ball so effectively. Heck, we only needed four yards, but Bobo had to call for consecutive pass plays. I do not get it. The coaches should have to run for this loss…they did not do well today.
YoMama
September 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
It’s not Bobo’s fault that he is an idiot. It’s Richt’s fault for keeping an idiot as his offensive coordinator. Richt is the problem, unless you’re looking for a chaplain. He has to go!
ARdawg
September 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
It’s official, we are the SEC East punk
edumacated
September 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
We can keep hacking limbs off of a sick tree all day long, or just put a chain around the stump and pull it up. Nobody’s gonna come and work for Richt, unless they want to be thrown out with the bathwater either next year or sooner.
ARdawg
September 18th, 2010
6:35 pm
Enter your comments here
NCDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:37 pm
I really wish the best for Logan Gray, but am I the only person who feels like just putting someone back there to make a fair catch is just a sign of not really trying? It just seems like the coaches worry more about making people happy than winning a game sometimes.
Hawg on a stick
September 18th, 2010
6:37 pm
Wooooooooo Pig Sooooooieeeee!!!
fire bobo
September 18th, 2010
6:37 pm
grantham’s defense kept us in the game.
bobo got the ball with a chance to win it and we failed.
now, we have to wait for richt and his stupid A*** belief in continuity to do something.
RexTheTrickDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:38 pm
Richt won’t take play calling duties away from Bobo. He fired Martinez to buy another year. Richt figures a new AD won’t have the spine to fire him in his first year on the job. Next year he’ll fire Bobo to save his job. MR’s last year will probably be 2012.
When coaches are as highly compensated as Richt and their programs get in trouble they start doing what’s best for their wallet at the expense of the university. MR ain’t leaving until he’s bled $10 million more out of UGA. It’s the same way today’s CEOs think.
MindHead
September 18th, 2010
6:38 pm
How many Dawg fans think we’re going to struggle to beat Miss. St. next week? To be quite honest, I think we’ve got a better than 50/50 shot of losing. Miss. St.’s defense is far better than Arkansas’.
We’ll be very lucky to win 6 games this year and go to a bowl. There’s clearly a major problem in Athens.
Here are some solutions:
1. Effective immediately Mark Richt should take over OC duties.
2. Effective immediately Mark Richt should ask Greg McGarity to start looking for a new OC.
3. At the end of the season Mark Richt should fire Rodney Garner. It is very clear to me that Georgia’s talent is not nearly as good as advertised. We have far too many thugs and not nearly enough guys who are tough. Garner needs to pack his bags.
4. Mark Richt should as Greg McGarity to start looking for a new OL coach.
5. Greg McGarity should tell Mark Richt that if Georgia loses to Georgia Tech his tenure at UGA will be over.
All replacement coaches should be hired immediately at the end of the season, so that it doesn’t dramatically impact recruiting.
FWIW – I think Grantham is better than Willie Martinez and will have his type of players after a couple of recruiting classes. He’s working with Garner and Martinez’s scraps.
McDawg
September 18th, 2010
6:39 pm
we don’t have better talent that is the problem-we need another safety, Boykin should not be returning kicks, we need a legit nose tackle-and beside B. Jones is anyone ready to play on the O-Line-it took ealey until the 4th quarter to hit a hole
3 and 4 game on the line and we take a sack ?????? how about boot leg or a crossing pass
close don’t cut it and all due respect for Arkansas but they are NOT the 12th best team in the country
we can easily go 1-3 after travelling to Starkville-they still are looking scared and soft to me
Big Harry
September 18th, 2010
6:39 pm
Bobo has been the problem for sometime we just had the talent to cover it up. However, even when Bobo had the talent we went nowhere…
There was no way Richt was going to let BOTH coordinators go at once. This will be Bobo’s last year and UGA is going to have to spend some dang money on a REAL OC!
Bobo has gotta GoGo
Dawg on a stick
September 18th, 2010
6:39 pm
Ok, I admit it, we suck. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to pick UGA 63-9.
dbc
September 18th, 2010
6:40 pm
My wife asked me why I keep subjecting myself to this torment week after week. She has a point…
Boo Boo's boo's from Sanford Stadium.
September 18th, 2010
6:41 pm
Too many players standing around. Just like CMR’s practices. Google Bama football practice and just watch Saban control his practices. Its the difference in winning and losing . Your eyes will be opened !