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
Xenophon
September 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Wow. 1 – 2 this early? It’s going to be a looooong season.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Strange ending for a brutal game. Wow.
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
10:56 pm
Bobo is the top Offensive Coordinator in the SEC. None can do what he does. His playcalling overall has been sound. I think he does a great job, and it is just unfair to single him out. He is imaginative, innovative, and just one the best in the Country. He will turn this into a monster in a few years.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
10:58 pm
Tim Tucker is even more brutal: “The loss left Georgia in sole possession of last place in the SEC East — behind even Vanderbilt, which beat Ole Miss on Saturday.”
Donna Hayes
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
Dear Playcalling Best,
You need help. It is not easy but you can return to reality if indeed you really try. By the way, are you Mrs. Bobo?
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
DK, if you think 8 other SEC teams want a fired Richt, you are insane. Don’t get me wrong. He’s a helluva person, but his time has passed. We need someone with some fire in his belly
Boo Boo's boo's from Sanford Stadium.
September 18th, 2010
11:00 pm
AWBURN hangs on by a thread. Clemons could be an SEC team and would whip THUGA
GatorGuy
September 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
Is it my imagination or is UGA the Atl-Fulton County Stadium of SEC Football. Once great, now sad, smells like a urinal. I hear CMR is bringing in a motivational speaker to address the troops, wait for it ……………….Balloon Boy!! Get it!?
UGA starting to resemble Rep Cynthia McKinney. Lotta noise, but it just doesnt make any sense. Anyone know if Bama or UF won today?
Here’s a statistic for you. Ever since they cancelled Freaknik, UGA can’t seem to win the SEC East. Are the 2 related? Please help, if you know the details. Aaron Murray, Bill Murray, Arthur Murray, doesnt matter when the playcalling is staright out of Rich Kotite’s vault. You think Sam Wyche could help this bunch? Nipsey Russell? Heck, Jemarcus Russell.
UGA football is like that AirTran flight that never pulls back from the gate. You just peer out the window and see the big birds taking off for the promised land (SEC or BCS, take your pick) but you remain on the ground. Until next time.
Kenny Powers
September 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
Biggest rhythm killer is that idiotic WILDDAWG. You take a big chance by taking the ball away from your QB who has been handling all of the snaps and intrust it to someone who just lines up 5 yds back of center, because they get inside the red zone-idiots, what a joke. Holding Murray down again the first half before opening it up with him back in the shotgun after half-time. Did Murray really hold on to the ball too long? Really, you’re down by 14 points and the kids back there trying to make a play, because throwing the ball away sure isn’t going to put any points on the board. They should sack the 3-4 for the remainder of the season. They just don’t have the personnel to run it correctly. What happened to Rambo? Did having his brain scrambled last year make him timid? This is not a team, these are a bunch of individuals playing in the same style of jerseys. Put CMB back up in the booth and have CMR send in the plays. Murray throws less than 30 passes in back to back games losses. He should be throwing the ball at least 35 to 40 times a game when you’re trying to play catch up. Why run the ball and use up the clock? Pass the dang thing to TE’s and RB’s underneath if nothing is open. Well, one more loss and Murray will tie the total number he experienced in his H.S. career. Gee, I wonder if he’s second guessing himself? He had 50 some offers at the end of his junior year. Maybe the coaches will get out of Murray’s way and let him play! If so, maybe he can say their jobs.
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:02 pm
No Ms. Hayes I am not. Look at all Bobo has done with his expert playcalling, the development of a great Freshman QB, a stub OL and great wideouts. Who could do more, in fact the wildcat today was brilliantly executed, he had a sound game plan, good playcalling and a motivated team. Look for great things from Bobo and I am glad he will be at my school for many years.
DK
September 18th, 2010
11:03 pm
No, I don’t think they would hire a fired Richt. Not right away anyway.
But I do think their are eight teams that would have stood to upgrade their coaching position if they swapped with Georgia before the season.
Imagine Richt losing his job and getting hired at LSU is a couple years…I shudder to think of that.
The only thing keeping LSU down is their tendency to hire morons. Please don’t hand them a good coach.
Please.
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:03 pm
Would anyone take Tuberville? He has had SEC success. Any mileage left in those retreads?
dawg2
September 18th, 2010
11:04 pm
I like CMR and don’t advocate getting rid of him. He has won too many games. He just needs to dump Bobo.
The thing that makes his seat hot is Saban, Meyer, and Miles. If they hadn’t been winning NCs, Richt would have more rope to work with.
Former Georgian
September 18th, 2010
11:04 pm
Bobo is blaming Murray for some of the sacks but I’d rather see a rookie quarterback take the sacks then throw it into the hands of the other team.
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
September 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
Did UGA open up the play book today? Looked like the same ole crap to me.
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
Bobo is great with how he has handled Cox and Murray for consecutive years. This season look at how we have cut down on Penalties. Bobo hears his boss, makes corrections and is a BRILLIANT TECHNICIAN, the best OC in the COUNTRY
GatorGuy
September 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
I like the Gruden idea. He stockpiled all this talent in Tampa. Did such a good job, they lowered ticket prices and blacked out all the games. What a genius. They had a waiting list for season tix, but Johnny G solved that one too, now you can get 50 yard line 10 mins before kickoff. If UGA agress to hire him, the whole Gator Nation will take turns lugging his butt up to Athens. We could hail it as the second Goff dynasty. Make sure you put that on your holiday wish list.
bigdawg87
September 18th, 2010
11:06 pm
Next week! Match up of the SEC cellar dwellers! Bulldog vs bulldog! Ex UF asst. coach with 2 and 3 star recruits vs ex Fla St. coach with 4 and 5 star recruits! Will this be the SEC game of the week?
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
11:06 pm
1,000 pounds of DTs go to the NFL. Hey, let’s put in the 3-4! Yeah, that’s the ticket!
Jonathan
September 18th, 2010
11:07 pm
0-2 in the conference way to go Bulldogs… or better yet pound puppies… irrelvant in the SEC… and how about Clemson! Who says the ACC cant play with the SEC when they show up… I will give you that they arent always consistent… but damn Auburn got away with one… for a conference that doesnt matter much they sure where acting like they won the super bowl afterwards… good thing UGA doesnt play clemson… they would have a chance….. Ole Miss was representing again… hopefully there are no more FCS schools on the schedule… God you gotta just love SEC football…cant we all just be BAMA fans… and forget about the rest of the teams
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:09 pm
I disagree with all that is written here. Bobo is smart, a genius as a coordinator and all you do is bash him. His playcalling was outstanding today, as it always is. Some of you are just wrong about him. He is the best in the SEC and the NATION.
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:10 pm
LSU tendancies to hire morons, are you serious? Joking right? ‘03 Saban Team won NC. So did Miles LSU a couple of years ago. Morons? I’ll take LSU morons anyday.
Richt might get hired at LSU as team chaplain, but wouldn’t be allowed on the field for fear of his “softness” becoming infectious
DK
September 18th, 2010
11:13 pm
Yes. Morons. Saban was the exception, and look what happened. They were a titan of a team, and they won that second NC in spite of Miles, not because of him.
And if you really want to take LSU’s morons, I’m sure they would trade you coaches straight up. No hesitation.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
11:13 pm
Oh, yeah it’s easy to just become a ‘Bama fan. Just call for your official Fan Card to their office in Fairweather.
Former Georgian
September 18th, 2010
11:13 pm
Richt’s problem is an inability to hire good assistants since Callaway and Van Gorder left. And as mad as we all were at Martinez after Kentucky, his defense played well enough to take care of chickens and hogs.
Kenny Powers
September 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
“Bobo: Aaron Murray to blame for some sacks”
By Andy Johnston
“Murray has been sacked nine times — all in the past two games — playing behind the same line that allowed Joe Cox to be sacked only 12 times in 13 games in 2009.”
Yea this may be true, but how many int’s did he have by just getting rid of the ball.
I can not believe a coach is calling out a kid who played his heart out. What a PUTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
Dawg2, but that’s the point right? Fl, Al, LSU all have NC titles. Will the second most money grossing football program be happy with “pretty good” teams, or do we want aspire to getting a Crystal Football trophy?
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
I hope Georgia gives our coach Richt another Long Term Extension on his contract after this season and that rehire our entire coaching staff. While most of you see all the problems, I don’t. This coaching staff will prove itself. Especially Bobo.
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:19 pm
Sorry DK, I don’t buy it. I will guarantee you that if UGA had 2 national championship trophies since ‘03 like LSU has, the fans here would give him a lot more slack. Fact is, he hasn’t delivered in the past 5 years, and in college football, that’s an eternity, especially here in the SEC
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
11:20 pm
If that is a real quote from Bobo, that is disgraceful. It is disgusting. If CMR doesn’t rip him a new one for that remark, McGarity has to say something.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
11:22 pm
I’m getting really PO’d. I’m leaving the blog.
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
September 18th, 2010
11:24 pm
Furman hs a better offense than the dawgs…now that is pathetic
Dylan
September 18th, 2010
11:25 pm
I’m sick of this. Over the last three years, we’re getting worse and worse!! With all of the talent we should have at least got one win against either USC or Arkansas. New defense or not, that defense at the end of the game was much worse than Willie’s ever was. There’s no discipline at all. I’m not worried about Murray. He’s a freshman and it’s overwhelming and he’ll become more comfortable. But Bobo’s playcalling is just awful. You can literally tell what play he’s about to run when they set up their formation. These 5 star athletes are being coached DOWN, not up. If UGA doesn’t beat Florida this year, Richt better watch out.
BeerDawg
September 18th, 2010
11:27 pm
Unless these current team pulls off a miracle by running the table on the rest of the schedule and somehow win the SEC East (which ain’t gonna happen), the new AD McGarrity needs to take controll, covertly have someone ready to take over and fire Richt at the end of the season.
Give Richt his due, a plaque, certificate, ceremony, whatever. But this is SEC football. Big Boy football. Right now we’re boys among men. If we can’t beat SC or Ark, how are we going to do against Fl, Al, LSU?
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:28 pm
Dylan, don’t loose faith. The Dogs have a great play caller in Bobo. We will be back.
Playcalling Best
September 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
Bobo had every right to call out Murray for the sacks.
Donna Hayes
September 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
Whether CMR is a nice guy or CMB is perceived as a potential great coach in 2025 is not the point. We lost today, again. Too bad that these coaches will be holed up somewhere and not read these rants because they apparently aren’t answerable to all of us who give a damn but don’t have a paycheck that enables us to hide.
Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
September 18th, 2010
11:32 pm
I have to admit Im getting a little impatient with CMR’s approach to playing close to the vest. Way too conservative in my book and very vanilla to say the least.This playing not to lose has caught up with CMR Im afraid.
Fancy Hats
September 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
Bobo called an excellent game. Chapas was not playing. King was out. Green didn’t play. Branden Smith didn’t play. A lot of offensive firepower was gone. But Bobo’s offense put up 24 points, and 400 yards on an SEC defense with all the key weapons out: RB, WR, FB. Murray got sacked 6 times, and ran 14 more times for 9 yards, that’s like 20 plays on Murray, because he didn’t throw the ball away or hit a checkdown. Bobo might have to give Mason a shot, Mason has a quick release and rarely is sacked. That’s an extra 20 plays a game.
The #1 Team
September 18th, 2010
11:37 pm
We will be great again, our coordinators are great, the whole coaching staff. Give it about 2 mores seasons we will all by happy with Bobo and Richt. I like what I am seeing with the development and improvement each week. We may lose but the coaching gets better and the players play hard.
redryder
September 18th, 2010
11:38 pm
DIDN’T LOOK POLISHED; NOT IN SYNC, NOT SHARP EITHER.HOGS WANTED THE GAME. DON’T MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON OFFENSEOR DEFENSE. AND BOBO BLAMING THE LAST SACK ON HIS QB IS THE LAST STRAW…………UNBELIVEABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE. WHERE ARE THE GRADUATE INTERNS.? I LIVE IN GATORLAND, AND THEY MAY BE TERRIBLE BUT THEY ARE 3-0 AND THEY ARE STILL IN THE HUNT FOR THE SEC EAST. BEATING TECH HELPS BUT IT DOES NOT REDEEM A SEASON. I FEEL FOR THE PLAYERS AND THE LOSS OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
Typical Ga Dog fan....
September 18th, 2010
11:38 pm
If MY beloved Dogs don’t win EVERY game they EVER play then someone has to be fAR’d.
See that’s the way delusional, redneck, dumb-arse fans think! But I’m proud, and 99% of everything I own is either red & black or has a bulldog on it!
You guys are a bunch of jokes!!!!!!!!!!
And look at the loser who writes THIS column. To steal from CHET … “he couldn’t get laid in a morgue”
Hey doggies …. they’re not all Louisianna Laffayette!!!!
Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha Be-OTCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg gone
September 18th, 2010
11:39 pm
Richt is going to need players with at LEAST 6 stars to compete. Never have seen anyone waste so much talent! Wow weeza! Woof Woof!
The #1 Team
September 18th, 2010
11:39 pm
Fancy Hats I agree with your post. Everyone seems so foolish right now. Look Bobo is doing a great job, we are improving and yes Mason needs some time too, but it will come
GT Fan...
September 18th, 2010
11:42 pm
I know many dog would never admit to this, but deep down they know it’s true ……
GT simply has better coaches than GA!
Sorry ladies, but the future is bright for Yellow Jacket Football – get used to it!!
Lane
September 18th, 2010
11:46 pm
They all need to go. Richt is basically a mime, Bobo has no clue, and im sorry was that willie martinez coaching the dfense again today? You know the wheels are fallin off when coaches are calling out players and naming specific individuals to cover their butt. Offer Will Muschamp whatever it takes to make him the head coach at UGA. let richt go back to fsu to stink with Jimbo.
srcdawg1
September 18th, 2010
11:46 pm
Truly the worst play calling i have ever seen. Even when we has stafford we could not win the big ones. The play calling then sucked and still does. Good generals don’t surround themselves with bad officer’s.
I like cmr however, i still say on this team THE TAIL WAGS THE DAWG and as long as this happens we want compete for squat!! Get tuff on discipline, let these kids know who’s the boss and let the DAWG WAG THE TAIL…
Johnny3Steps
September 18th, 2010
11:47 pm
I think we are missing the key issue in this game and it’s our Defensive backs got faked out of their Dawg jocks……LOL
GT Fan...
September 18th, 2010
11:47 pm
Don’t worry “Beer Dawg” the new AD is going to make GA’s schedule a cream puff b/c he’s got no NADS!
He’s just like the 4th string tackle in high school that pumps his chest about how good the team is yet doesn’t contribute a thing!
Hopefully, by then there will be a playoff system, so your Dawgs can lose in the early rounds b/c they play a bunch of nobodies!
Lane
September 18th, 2010
11:48 pm
point blank- ask yourself this question: can richt and this coaching staff lead UGA to a National Championship? You all know that answer, so unless your happy with going to the outback bow or the capital one bowl every year at best.. its time to man up and pull the trigger and get on the path to fixing things now, before its to late!