Do the Dogs have to win for you to stay a fan?
Any time you start out 0-2 in conference play, you can expect unrest in the fan base.
Mark Richt seems to be looking the other way when it comes to Mike Bobo's handling of quarterback Aaron Murray. (Brand Sanderlin / AJC)
It’s been a rough couple of seasons in Athens, with a few highs and way too many lows. And the unhappiness with the mediocrity that the Dogs have exhibited of late has been exacerbated by the fact that Mark Richt had gotten off to such a great start in the first half of his tenure in Athens, with two SEC titles.
So it’s not surprising that most of the barking of late in the Bulldog Nation hasn’t been the kind the cheerleaders elicit.
But there are two sorts of college football fans: those who enjoy the ride on the bandwagon when everything’s going great, but are ready to jump off when it gets bumpy, and those die-hards who support their team even when they’re not happy with the way things are going.
A caller to Richt’s Monday night weekly radio show who apparently falls into the former category asked the coach to “sell” him on continuing to support Georgia’s football program.
Richt rightly demurred.
“The bottom line,” he told the caller, “is if you’re a true fan, in my opinion, you’re going to support your team no matter what. I don’t think you’re going to just love the boys when they win and hate on them when they lose, you know.”
I’m certainly not happy with the current state of the Georgia program. There’s lots of room for improvement.
But as a lifelong fan, whether it’s the mostly good times with Vince Dooley and Richt or the mostly painful times with Johnny Griffith, Ray Goff or Jim Donnan, I support the Dogs. I love it when they’re riding high, but I’m still invested in the program (literally, thanks to my season tickets) even when things aren’t going well.
I still think Richt is the right man to lead this program. Of course, that view might change at some point.
And as a fan I certainly reserve the right to criticize the problems I see, whether it’s the work of an assistant coach, players besmirching the university’s name with dumb decisions or the head coach who at times doesn’t seem to demand quite enough from his players or coaching staff.
But whether the Dogs are challenging the conference elite or struggling to keep from slipping into the perennial also-ran category, I’ll be there at Sanford Stadium, cheering them on and proudly wearing the red and black.
I grew up as a Dogs fan. I graduated from UGA.
They’re my team, no matter what. And nobody has to “sell” me on supporting them.
SPEAKING OF PROBLEMS …
I’m puzzled why Richt refuses to acknowledge (at least publicly) that Mike Bobo’s playcall on that third-and-4 sack Saturday was a bad one.
Talking about the play, Richt said, “I did watch the TV copy myself, and I know the commentators were saying … there was no outlet, there was no short route, that there ought to be. I don’t know what he saw, but there were actually two routes that were about a five- or six-yard depth and a couple of them that would be deeper routes.”
Maybe so, though you certainly can’t tell it from the replays. And obviously Aaron Murray didn’t see them, either.
As we’ve already discussed here, Bobo blamed Murray for holding on to the ball too long and blamed him for most of the six sacks the Razorbacks got. Richt did at least spread the blame around a bit more, saying, “It’s a combination of an offensive line issue, a running backs issue as pass protectors and quarterback issues. It was spread out across the board.”
He didn’t mention a “playcalling issue,” though. Whatever the problems with execution by the players, I’d feel a whole lot more encouraged about the direction of things if Richt was willing to concede that Bobo’s call in that situation at the very least did not maximize Murray’s chances of success.
Murray will learn and get better. But if his boss continues to give him a free ride, I’m not so sure about Bobo.
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404 comments Add your comment
Mar_Dawg
September 21st, 2010
4:23 pm
I’m a DAWG forever. AMEN!
fan
September 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
UNLIKE MOST OF THE SELLOUT FANS, HELLLLLLL NOOOOOO!!!!!!
Rod
September 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
I would never acted like I know more about coaching and play calling than CMR. I will always be Dawg fan, win or lose and I support CMR. I do wish Bobo would go back to the booth and I would like to see coach Richt talking in the QB’s earhole as the QB starts to head to the huddle like he did with Greene and Shockley.
jack bull
September 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
just going to ask a hypothetical question here, What if we run off 6, maybe 7, wins in a row? then what will we be talking about??
aaron in arizona
September 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Georgia fan all my life.
The season is not over. As I looked over the schedule for us and the rest of the sec east teams, i see that if we continue to improve, don’t give up, we do have a chance to win the rest of our games. we have a chance for the east title. however, SC has to lose 3 sec games and everyone else in east will have to lose at least 2 for us to win the east title. looking at SC’s schedule, they do play teams where 3 sec loses are very possible. everyone else looks like they could lose at least 1 other sec game aside from losing to us. again, we have to win out.
at this point, i read many writing comments like we heard in 2007.
so, am i too much of a fan/too optomistic to think this?
papadawg
September 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
jack bull, you’re talking 7-2 or 8-2
Coachdawg 2000
September 21st, 2010
4:32 pm
Morons. No coach has ever drawn up fumbling,arm tackling,missing blocks. Sometimes the other guy just makes 1 more play than you do.I do not believe that any player says I want to screw up or I want to get arrested/embarass myself.These guys hurt when they lose. They are the ones out there in july running and lifting. They are the ones going through 5 a.m. mat drills. So I think that they are very invested. So my not so friendly advice is to either support the team or shut up and find a new team to support. I am concerned about the direction of American society than the Bulldog program.
ARdawg
September 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
jack bull
Good point. But, if the last two are any indication of the next 6-7 those postings will never take place. We are an underdog against MS ST. I suppose it’s time we can actually come in under the radar and hope for a 7 win season?
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
I humbly apologize for questioning the direction of our program Mr. King, and others. I have dipped my ladel into the kool aid, adorned my rose colored glasses, and am back in line. Things are different now. I’m expecting the game of the century in Starkville, and beyond. Crap, I just dropped my glasses into the ocean, my kool aid dipping ladel snapped, and I’m back in reality. Unlike some.
Those of YOU who question the loyalty of US who voice our opinions and ignore the obvious are doing more to hurt the program than those of us whom you say are tearing it down.
Mean Machine
September 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
I’ll be a fan of the Dawgs no matter what, but they have to win for me to have a better quality of life. When Georgia loses to teams they should beat, and they consistently underachieve, then I find that I’m in a bad mood much more often. Needless to say, I’ve been angry since that 2008 loss to Alabama. I can’t take too much more uninspired, soft play before I will spontaneously combust!
RedDawg
September 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
Georgia has some of the best recruits but still cannot manage to be a stand-out team. The coaching staff has absolutely no clue as to where to place the recruits; if they get a great player (i.e., Moreno recently) then he will surely be red shirted. WHY????? Murray never, ever should have been red shirted and now it’s hurting the Dawgs. Does UGA know how to recruit? Yes! Does UGA get great talent? Absolutely. Do the coaches know what to do with the talent? I can sort of hear crickets chirping right about now. Hey, let’s all watch Arkansas against Alabama this Saturday just to prove my point. Alabama would never, ever allow that many passing yards against ANY team. Arkansas will get a complete beat-down because Saban knows how to coach and Richt just doesn’t. Richt knows how to keep his buddies on his staff though….gotta give him that. Now…..would Saban settle for that?
Jason
September 21st, 2010
4:39 pm
Dawgs could lose every game from now until the end of the world and I will always be a fan. It’s in my blood and for this I will always be a Dawg.
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Winning the MNC next year jack bull.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
Damn blogs turned into guys having to stand in line wait there turn and then step forward to say, “yes I support the program” and then fall back into place. Laughable.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
Next blog title, where to buy your UGA pledge pin support badges…
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Coachdawg 2000, it’s obvious you’re a Dawg fan and a passionate one. I admire the players working their you know what’s off. What aggravates the pure crap out of me is the lack of coaching imparted upon these individuals while they are working their cans off. This staff is doing them a disservice IMO. Everyone is agreeing we’re getting our share of talent. Winning with good atheletes is directly proportional to good coaching. I fear we will continue to have these discussions a bit longer before things change.
ARdawg
September 21st, 2010
4:47 pm
Is somebody doing roll call?
MyView
September 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
That was a silly question in my opinion. They could lose to Hellen Keller school for the Blind and I would still be a fan. After last season I have chosen not to place my opinions in public forums, i.e. blogs, or call in shows, when they are negative and aimed at a particular individual. No matter how correct I may think my opinion is. We can do a great deal of harm with our words. Im sure Mcgarity does not need my two cents just to realize that the Dawgs are underperforming, and I would think that he is smart enough to deal with the situation when and however he deems appropriate. I will just do my part and remain a fan.
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Lowcountry, this has turned into a two party Bulldawg Nation. Suck it up, pay your dues, and take what the Guvament gives you. No questions allowed.
GaGator
September 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
jack bull
September 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
just going to ask a hypothetical question here, What if we run off 6, maybe 7, wins in a row? then what will we be talking about??
You would be talking about how nice it is on MARS!
Braddawg
September 21st, 2010
4:53 pm
Hell No! I’m Bulldog Born and Bulldog Bred and when I die I’ll be Bulldog dead. I’ve been a fan since 1966 and since that time I have had ups and downs. The downs are soon forgetable but the ups last a life time. Any so called fan that jumps ship when time are bad, aren’t really fans at all. This too shall pass and the Bulldogs will be making us proud again! You can take that to the bank!
droopydawg
September 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
I am not happy with the way things have gone since the start of the 2008 season, but if you have to be “sold” on being a UGA fan, then you are not actually a UGA fan. If the person saying that is an alumnus, they should have their degree repossessed.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
I mean really guys. Read some of these.
1- If you are an Alumni you are the superior fan for the University?
What school does that sound like? Sounds like Tech to me and you are a Dawg?
2) Apparently if you began pulling for the school pre Herschel you are vested and have the right to pull the I have been a fan longer than you card.
3) Side Walk Alum (which I am proud to be apart of), apparently the red-headed step child of the fan base, but who once all said and done does more for the university than ANY Alumni would care to admit financially.
droopydawg
September 21st, 2010
4:57 pm
ARdawg: There is more indication so far that SC and ARK are good teams than UF and, especially, LSU. Both were without a doubt big games, and while they may not be traditional powers, AR has arguably the best QB in the country and SC has one of the best running backs. Also, both teams are in the top 15…what more do you need?
Smart like a Fox
September 21st, 2010
4:58 pm
Dicks has Bama caps for under 25 bucks…..and UGA buy one get two free. this “A” looks like the “A” on the Braves caps……I best get two, one for winter, and one for the warmer weather.
droopydawg
September 21st, 2010
4:59 pm
Lowcountry asked “If you are an Alumni you are the superior fan for the University?”
Answer: YES. Anyone else has decided to be a fan of UGA and they can decide not to be a fan anymore. Going to the school gives you a lifelong connection that goes beyond “rooting.” Sorry to disappoint, but this is not a GT attitude.
Smart like a Fox
September 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
hey lowcountry…..how about a BAMA hat?
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
Droopy, I don’t think that’s what Lowcountry asked. But, thank you for letting us know how you feel about it.
Mobile Dawg asks, Do you have to be an alumni to be a superior fan of the UGA?
I know many tax paying citizens of GA who contribute to the scholorship fund at UGA. I bet that makes some of the North Avenue bunch stay awake at night.
DawginOH
September 21st, 2010
5:09 pm
I’ve oftentimes been embarrassed by a Georgia loss, but have never been embarrassed of the G on my shirt. I will love my alma mater and its football program forever, win or lose. These kinds of seasons just make winning that much sweeter.
PMC
September 21st, 2010
5:12 pm
Hmmm. I did not know John Galt graduated from UGA.
Stop SHRUGGING MAN and get underneath this TEAM!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
Three types of posts Droopy. Like was mentioned though, thanks for your input. Nice touch of class, you my friend came across even through blogs as a first rate a-hole on that reply.
PMC
September 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
Richt is going to continuously defend Bobo because he’s his guy and he’s calling the plays the way Richt wants them called.
Hmmmmm
September 21st, 2010
5:20 pm
I think to really show support for our team and university is to demand the jumbo-tron to be taken down. Fans would be able to see an unobstructed view the Sanford Bridge, Tate Center, UGA Book Store and beyond. We wont have to keep score any more and truly support our team and our fine universirty! Go Dawgs !!!
DUSTIN
September 21st, 2010
5:21 pm
I did not attend UGA, but i am a huge fan. With out fans like me UGA would not be as great as it is. So get over over it yoiu people who think at you have to be an allum to be a fan.
just saying
September 21st, 2010
5:23 pm
well it appears most of you have gotten over Saturday and have calmed down and the hope seems to rest on the remaining schedule which you all think UGA can win. But what if they do not? The upheaval will start up again.
51YRDOG
September 21st, 2010
5:24 pm
I support the University of Georgia. I do not support Mark Richt. I will continue to support the University long after Richt is gone— God willing. Hopefully ,as far as I am concerned, that will be in the near future. So far as criticizing Bobo is concerned, when has that mealy-mouthed Richt been critical of any one specific staff member since he has been head coach? It would probably precipitate a nervous breakdown.
ROCK DAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
we do not need the caller who wants coach richt to sell him on why he should stay a fan of the DAWGS. my dad saw the first georgia game in 1929 . i was 8 yrs old when he took me to my first DAWG game when fran tarkenton led the DAWGS to a 4th quarter win over auburn to clinc the SEC championship.i have been hooked ever since . like the song says :can’t win every game we play but every DAWG has its day . look at the turmoil the program faced from 1990 until 2001 . last but not least DAWG FANS always remember that a bad day in ATHENS is still better than a good day at tech.
BONAIREDAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
DONT LIKE LOSING ANYMORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE BUT IM A DAWG FAN, BELIEVE IN MARK RICHT, AND WILL SUPPORT THE DAWGS NO MATTER WHAT! ESPECIALLY NOW..!!!! GO DAWGS UGA 1970
ca dawg
September 21st, 2010
5:39 pm
win or lose, i’m a dawg. my dad is from athens; both my folks went to UGA. i got my MA there; my brother is finishing up his grad degree there as well. losing a couple of games doesn’t diminish my enthusiasm for the school of the football program.
i’m 32 and, frankly, georgia hasn’t been very good for most of my sports-watching life (first dawg game i remember watching was our last national championship… i was 2. i will now go ram my head through my car windshield). i grew up with ray goff, so it’s odd for me to think about cheering for a team just because it competes for chapionships.
certainly i think dawg fans have every right to be concerned about the way the season is going (and perhaps about the direction of the program, though i don’t want to weigh in on that right now), but i can’t imagine staking my affection for the university on the success of the football team.
i hope we see improvement on both sides of the ball this saturday. having caleb king in there will sure help; i guarantee he doesn’t whiff on that block on 3rd and 4.
RedDawg
September 21st, 2010
5:49 pm
Dawgs go 7-5 this year. Sorry about that, fans. Also sorry about Richt, Bobo and Grantham. Losers. Seasons will remain the same (especially since the Hogs and Chickens will just get stronger) until a change is made. UGA should go after the Boise State coach – that guy is relentless in coming up with ways to win a football game.
Preston
September 21st, 2010
5:58 pm
Who is John Galt?
loosecannon61
September 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
Alway’s a fan, but knew not to expect much this year, I firmly believe a coaching change is in order. CMR deals with or should does not deal with the same problems all sec coaches deal with. He does not have the troops respect
RedDawg
September 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
I think he was in the original Rambo movie – the deputy who died falling out of the helicopter after trying to off Rambo with a high powered rifle. Just guessing.
SonofaDawg
September 21st, 2010
6:02 pm
The question should be will you stay a Richt fan if UGA loses? You AJC sports writers are more cowards than Richt and Bozo! It’s disgusting.
Preston
September 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
What a silly question to headline this blog. Anyone even considering switching to another team can go ahead and do so. Your heart isn’t with the Bulldog Nation anyway. I am a true fan that will stick with UGA until I take my last breath. And if I can take my loyalty with me to the afterlife, I’ll do so. To any and all that have even let the thought of jumping ship enter their thoughts: Take a hike! Don’t need you and don’t want you! When we get all the right pieces together and win the MNC, don’t come running back.
[Mr. Georgia Football Returns
September 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
I will be watching every game win or lose. I am tired of the years of “Bogus Hype” that has been spread by the Mark Richt Apologists and am not going to put up with it. I like Coach Richt and I think he is a excellent and passionate coach. However, the UGA faithful are clearly tiring of all this talk and no walk.
There is a difference to the way Saban had his team prepared for PSU and how Richt has his team prepared for South Carolina and Arkansas.
The Dawg Nation is like me, we saw it under Goff, Donnan and now under Mark Richt. We know when the team does not look “well coached” and we don’t need an apologist to interpret mediocrity and placate to us.
ARdawg
September 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
droopy
Bullkaka. AR has possibly the best QB in the country, SC has possibly the best TB in the country but that doesn’t make either of them “Good” teams. Georgia has the best WR in the country. Are we a good team? Thats debateable and still to be determined. We were out coached and man-handled by two inferior teams and before you celebrate those teams champions, let them beat someone besides Georgia, mmmmmkay?
And NO, I’m not buying it. Your UGA degree doesn’t make you any more of a fan than redneck Joe Six-pack that buys his hat once a year at Wal-Mart. You’re no better droopy and deserve no better or say than he does. Sorry to disappoint
RedDawg
September 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
loosecannon61, yeah but Mark Richt is a good guy. He’s a nice man. Mark is a real class act. Yeah, Richt is a gentleman. Now tell me – how does that equate to winning football games? I’d much rather have a no-nonsense coach like Saban who demands perfection from his players. Wouldn’t you? Time to jettison this Richt guy I think.
THIS IS A.D.MCGARITY & RICHT IM WATCHIN U!
September 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
THANK YOU MARK RICHT FOR MAKING SO MANY REDNECKS MAD!
SteveW
September 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
Fan if we were 0-12 every year….but not everybody is that way. I suffered with the Braves thru the 70’s and much of the 80’s, the Falcons for most of the franchise history, the Hawks for forever – so I’m a Dawg for life I guess.