Time for Dogs fans to shake it off …
Caleb King should give the Dogs a boost both with his feet and his blocking. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Midweek after the Dogs’ second straight SEC loss and with a tough night in the land of the cowbells coming up. Feels like a good time to get out of this funk and focus on ways in which things are looking up for Georgia.
Like, for example …
Caleb King is coming back. Really. Positively. Of course, King said the same thing last week, but he and running backs coach Bryan McClendon swear it’s true this week. And that’s a really good thing, not just because Georgia’s running game is stronger with the one-two punch of King and Washaun Ealey, but because the coaches say King is the strongest pass-protection blocker of their three tailbacks. Aaron Murray should be especially glad to see Caleb in the backfield again.
Murray now has three games under his belt. The kid is getting better each week. After six sacks last Saturday, he’s probably not going to be holding on to the ball too long much any more. Sure, we have one more week without A.J. Green, but Murray and Kris Durham are becoming a really dangerous combination. If Murray can just get the ball off a bit quicker and hit Durham in stride rather than making him wait for it, one of those long passes is going to go all the way.
And Murray showed against Arkansas several times how valuable it is to have a quarterback who’s a threat to run. Heck, he has the Dogs’ longest run from scrimmage so far this year. (Uh, let’s not dwell on that too long. We’re looking for reasons to feel good.)
Bottom line on Murray: He’s still a rookie but is developing at an accelerated pace. I think he’s going to be a terrific player before the year is out.
Overall, there are still a lot of games to play and plenty of chances for the Dogs to turn things around. Sure, there are lots of problems with this team. Until the line play improves, the offense is going to be hobbled. And the defense has got to learn not to give up those big plays.
But the Dogs have been competitive in both their losses and the schedule now turns a bit in their favor. Let’s think positive today.
Feel free to share your own reasons for being optimistic this week. It beats the heck out of all that handwringing. …
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409 comments Add your comment
Mississippi Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:06 pm
That’s “to 2″ for the grammer/spelling police…
JJ
September 22nd, 2010
2:06 pm
You’re trying to bring UGA fans off the ledge and the first thing you bring up is Caleb King coming back????
dawggonebad
September 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
We’ll beat MSU handily and turn it around for the rest of the year. 11-2 is still within our grasp.
dawggonebad
September 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Another positive note: Not one arrest all week!
dawggonebad
September 22nd, 2010
2:08 pm
At least someone is showing the Athens PD some love and keeping them off our backs.
MURPHY
September 22nd, 2010
2:09 pm
cantondawg,
It is easy for fans to call out players when they have no idea what it takes to play sports at the college level. I have played and my son plays now and it is 20 times tougher for him to succeed at this level than when I played. Any young man that can play at the D1 level is talanted,It is up to the coaches to see that they improve and succeed.
popabear
September 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
I have an idea. Maybe we should fire every member of the football coaching staff and make all of you experts “coaches by proxy.”Hell, we’d be a shoe-in for the National Title every year with all you bandwagon jumpers in charge. Coachdawg2000 was right on in his earlier post. You all with all your negativity and lynch mob mentality make me sick!!!
bitter
September 22nd, 2010
2:12 pm
go dawgs
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:16 pm
Damn Good:
Just playing devil’s advocate here. The 07 10-3 season was a whisper away from being a 6-6 disaster. We were STACKED on both sides of the ball. Granted 10-3, not a bad season. However, Martinez should have been gone before that season started. For that matter, looking at the guys resume, he should have never been the D-Coordinator in the first place. Martinez gave up 30pts or more an average of 3 times per year. That is until 2009 when he did it 5 times! He had to go. How do you lose your recruiting class by letting a failed D-Coordinator go and bringing in a guy from the NFL. Is’nt that where these kids aspire to be? Not only that, but look at UT. They brought in an entirely new coaching staff late in the recruiting cycle and still took players out of UGA. Steve Spurrier had his best recruiting class to date while at SC b/c of what he was able to pluck out of the state of GA. As far as our recruiting class this year, I will believe it on signing day. One thing that is without doubt is that a verbal committment and 50 cents will get you a coke.
I want CMR to succeed. I want UGA to do well and when a pattern of soft, worry about it tommorow type of football takes hold of your team, you want something, anything to change. CMR has been dealing with the same problems on this football team that he did back in 07. Why did we have the party in the endzone at the UF Game? Because CMR felt like his players were not playing inspired football and were going through the motions. He wanted them to play with emotion and get fired up. Huh, is’nt that kind of like “loafing” on a play?
papadawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Do you really believe the Dawgs are so bad they won’t ever have another winning season. I Don’t. Go Dawgs
Damn Good Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:18 pm
Wishing we go 4-8 is pathetic. Way to fall off the edge fair-weather fan. Real fans take the good with the bad. Even if it does mean the bad starts with a 10 -3 season. (By most teams standards thats an awesome year) then goes 8-5 (2 times has a CMR team only won 8 games) and now by losing to two teams in the top 12. We will bounce back, just got to get the wheels rolling.
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September 22nd, 2010
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ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
PopaBear:
Well, go be sick at 6-6. I would rather move toward change than sit in a stagnant pool of mediocrity.
When I say “change” it does not have to be a change in the entire coaching staff. Honestly, I would be happy if CMR would take over the offense again and move Bobo back to QBs. What I hate is the fact that no one is willing to impliment the changes necessary to move UGA in a positive direction quickly. As said before, the “snails pace” is going to do CMR more harm than anything else.
Damn Good Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:24 pm
The same can go for last year. We could have easily been 10-2 with out the blown call to LSU. With out the 4th quarter ints by Cox. And the Okie state game was pretty close till the end. As for the 2007 team, we went 11-2 and shallacked Hawai’i. we should have been in the title game.
I guess I’m about as passionate for waiting to see what happens to this team in the next couple of games, and next year for that fact (when our fr qb and D grows up) as you are about jumping ship at the thought of a 8-4, or 9-3 season. Most sportscasters had us losing 3-4 based on those facts alone.
mdawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
MSU is a game that we certainly could win. Then again, that’s the same way I felt about ARK at home last Saturday. The truth is that every win will be a struggle this year. We will have to work for 6-6, and 3-9 is a real possibility. Be optimistic now while you still can, because that will be way over if we lose this weekend. Richt has peaked. If he were to be fired, do you really think any other top tier team will be scrambling to get him? The answer is no. The best he could hope for is a spot on ESPN. Bring on Jon Gruden!
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
Damn Good:
Like I said before, if we can get this thing back on track and go 10-2, 9-3, GREAT. I would be the most estatic fan out there. But if I have to sit and watch UGA play “loaf” ball week end and week out. Then yes, go 4-8 and get somebody else in there.
Rick S
September 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
I agree- enough has been written and said about all the negative things going on with the Georgia Football team so it is time to move forward and accentuate the positives, i.e. Aaron Murray, a great QB in the future, Freshmen stepping-up in 2010 and gaining valuable experience for the 2011 season, and much more. Bottom line negativity will only hurt the program so if the fan base wants to provide constructive criticism then go ahead but let’s keep in mind we are still dealing with 18, 19, and 20 year olds who are trying to do their very best to make Georgia a winning program and hopefully a championship program and one which all Georgia fans can be proud!
59bulldawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Popabear, that’s the kind of crap people say when they really don’t have anything to say at all. So I guess in addition to defending everything that Richt does you also refuse to vote, right? Have you ever been president? Do you know a crappy president [or CEO] when you see one? I’ll venture that you do! You don’t necessarily need experience as a coach to recognize poor coaching when you see it.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
Good post @ 1:12 59Dawg. Patrick, your scenario is achievable as you described it. I would like to see which scenario most Dawgs believe is most likely to happen.
I can start it off saying I try to be positive, move forward and drink from the kool aid trough, but I’m a man of reason, and common sense. I observe, listen, and formulate an objective, unbiased opinion. 59Dawg is right on with his assessment.
About the only thing I can agree with Canton about is stop calling out the players, period ! ! That shows a true lack of class.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:29 pm
Murphy,
It’s easy to spot the ones on this board who’ve never played football. They are the ones that are the most critical and vocal. I played football in college and know the hard work these young men go thru. I also know that sometimes you just have a bad day which we all do. I will continue to support UGA win or lose and to encourage the players. There’s absolutely no excuse to call a player out like i’ve seen on here.
Damn Good Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:29 pm
Apopka, I will say ,again, though that I would rather see CMR call the plays just for AT LEAST one game to see how it goes. Might help to get “Mr. Nice Guy” his fire back for the game.
Mike Bobo
September 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
If we get a 3rd and 4 this week against Miss St, I have a new play.
Everybody go 50 yards deep instead of a measly 20 yards deep!
Bad Dog
September 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
Gonna be a good game Saturday. Two desperate teams. One will get a little fresh air. The others gonna be the official cellar dweller. Gonna be good!
Phil
September 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
I’m not wishing we go 4-8 but it very well could happen with this team and especially this coaching staff.
Alabama Jack
September 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
Hey dawgs, it ain’t my problem, but saw today where UGA ranks 12 in average per rush @ 3.69 yards, and 10th in pass attempts per quarterback sack. Sounds like your veteran O-line ain’t doin’ their job.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
Phil,
No way we go 4-8 with the talent on our team.
Alabama Jack
September 22nd, 2010
2:38 pm
That’s in the SEC
Phil
September 22nd, 2010
2:42 pm
cantondawg,
Well like I said, I hope not. But with Bobo’s play calling and the way the defense can’t tackle anybody, it’s very possible. The only game I see on the schedule you can pencil in a win is Idaho State. Miss St won’t be easy, Vanderbilt won’t be easy. We can’t beat Florida even when we’re loaded. There won’t be many wins this year.
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September 22nd, 2010
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September 22nd, 2010
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We are 1-2, its the end of the WORLD!
September 22nd, 2010
2:45 pm
It hasn’t rained two weeks in a row. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that means the world is going to end. Let’s not wait to find out, lets just all off our selves right now and spare the trouble of waiting to see what is going to happen. See you at the bottom of the river.
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:47 pm
Season scenarios
Good
Miss St – WIN
Colorado – WIN
UT – Close, but UGA pulls it out a home – WIN
Vandy – WIN
UK – At UK, close – WIN
UF – LOSS
IDAHO – WIN
AU – Beat up by the end of the year – WIN
GT – c’mon its the ACC – WIN
9-3
Go to a decent bowl, concentrate on recruiting and work on next year
Bad
Miss St – LOSS
Colorado – WIN
UT – At home – WIN
Vandy – At home – WIN
UK – At UK – LOSS
UF – LOSS
IDAHO – WIN
AU – at AU – LOSS
GT – again, c’mon its the ACC – WIN
6-6
No Bowl likely, Bobo must step down as O-Coordinator and move back to QBs, at which time CMR takes over or finds someone else to run the offense
UGLY
Miss State – LOSS
Colorado – WIN
UT – LOSS
Vandy – At home – WIN
UK – LOSS
UF – LOSS
IDAHO – WIN
AU – LOSS
GT – if UGA is down – LOSS
4-8
Everybody is gone and McGarity is interviewing candidates before recruiting day
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Phil,
I beg to differ with you. AM is improving every week and will be a star. AJ comes back next week and will help offense tremendously. Defense is getting better. The defense will not face an offense as talented as Arkansas all year. Mallet is the best qb in the nation and they have the best wr in the nation. UF is not the team they once were and they are very beatable. The OL will come around i promise you.
We are 1-2, its the end of the WORLD!
September 22nd, 2010
2:49 pm
No, I’m not a weatherman, or an ecological expert, just take my word for it.
Apologist
September 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
It don’t matter that we can’t beat FL. We avg 10 wins. CMR is a really nice guy. Top recruiting classes.
erika
September 22nd, 2010
2:52 pm
http://pricezack.wordpress.com
DDPO
September 22nd, 2010
2:56 pm
Because it’s not the coach, its the players, right?
According to Grantham, this statement is accurate.
Phil
September 22nd, 2010
2:56 pm
cantondawg
Just being realistic here. The UGLY scenario looks very possible from the post above.
AJ is not the savior. He doesn’t play on the offensive line, call the plays on offense or plays defense.
Marion
September 22nd, 2010
2:57 pm
MSU 23, UGA 20.
A catastrophic start of the season with several predictable losses to come.
But NEXT YEAR with the Dream Team…
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
2:59 pm
Cantondawg:
What are you smoking? AM is improving every game and he is a heckova QB. NO WAY AJ is coming back next year. You are smoking crack if you think that. Mallet is a great QB and will probably do well in the Hesiman Race, but to say that AR is the best team we are going to face all year? Did you say that after the SC game as well. I would say SC is a more complete team. If SC can get Garcia to settle down, or promote Shaw (who is a GA recruit by the way) and get some production out of him, my money would be on SC and Spurrier. He has the receivers (all 6′4″ or over). He has the running back in Lattimore. He has a huge offensive line. He has a good FUNDAMENTAL defense. Plus, are you trying to tell me that AR is better than UF? I will wait and see on that one.
Parker
September 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
The Dawgs will be back.
Could you narrow the time frame down to the decade when that will happen?
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
cantondawg well said!
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MURPHY
September 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
South Caroline would come closer to beating Bama than Ark would. Face it Carolina and Ark beat a weak Uga team. We are not a good team at all.
Phil
September 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
cantondawg also said Arkansas has the best WR in the nation. I thought AJ was. But I like I said, AJ can’t do everything.
St. Bernard
September 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
Best news of the day would be that Isaiah Crowell committed and they’re sending him to pass blocking camp tomorrow. Did we drastically overestimate Washaun or what?? Two years and you still don’t know how to pick up the blitz???
Zach Fan
September 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
Does anyone have Zach’s phone number? Seriously.
MURPHY
September 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
Carolina has played 3 games( and the rest of the season) without their all-start Alshon Jefferies and are 3-0.
Uga has played 3 games without our all star and we are 1-2
We are not a good all around team.
Phil
September 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
St. Bernard,
I saw Crowell’s game the other night on ESPNU. Richt better not let this kid get out of state like he did with Eric Berry and Greg Reid.
Too Easy
September 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
welcome to being #12 in the SEC
Miss State makes a statement; uga falls to 1-3(0-3 SEC)
Your stadium may be half empty when you roll into your next home game at 2-3