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
how2smoke
September 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
I’ve been shakin, but it still stinks.
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Phil what do you think CMR should do to ensure Crowell comes to UGA? I hope to God the kid’s not reading these blogs one look at the supposed UGA fan’s comments on firing the entire coaching staff and he is gone for sure .
Bulldog
September 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
Really, worse than Vandy….That ia a new low…Good job in Oxford last week Vandy. Fire the coaches, I mean all of them. The inmates are running the place anyway….Maybe a trip to the swimming pool instead of practice might help.
rilo
September 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
uhhh…still blaming that loss on the young rookie quarterback I see. He didn’t seem to struggle when in the shotgun…just in play-action….which we ran over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. I know Bobo gets it now but about every third game his “gameplan” is just awful. It wouldn’t be that bad if he made adjustments but the only reason we went to the shotgun is because that’s the formation of our hurry up. I’d go 70% with what the kid (Murray) is comfortable with and 30% whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy Bobo….This is basic coaching 101…
Shankit
September 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
There are a lot of kids that Richt’s recruiters
are letting get out of state.
One is a wide receiver at Valdosta, Malcom
Mitchell, had receptions of 68, 54, 45, and several
others, over 200 yards in receiving. Has offers from
LSU, Auburn, Alabama, USC, Notre Dame, and
several others, yet no one from Georgia has contacted
him. Ga. is only after Rome, who is great, but Mitchell
is another Percy Harvin. Blinding speed, good size
and great hands. ???? Just hasn’t hit Scout’s 5 star
rating.
Reality Stinks
September 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
I’ll be optimistic again when we beat FL 2 yrs in a row
Cullowheedawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Yes I want to see it turn around but I also want all the other distracting stuff like arrest and dumb things like selling a jersey for $1,000 when the player will get millions later. Maybe a tougher policy like benching for the year all players that do those dumb things would cause less of them to happen. The players might accept more responsibility for what they do hurting the team and not just themselves. Yes maybe AJ should miss the rest of the year. That would be a message and also tell the ones that do not do these kind of dumb things that we value their courage and commitment.
Cullowheedawg
For what its worth
September 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
Its hard to believe that some of you are UGA Fans, only an idiot runs their team down, if anything its counter productive, would you run your kid down in front of a crowd of people, I would hope not, neither should you run down someone else’s kid, why would a parent want their kid to play for your team after reading some of the trash that’s written on here, knowing that you would trash their kid as soon as he made a mistake, I just hope these parents and their kids don’t judge all the UGA Fans by you imposters.
REAL FANS SUPPORT THEIR TEAM WIN,OR LOSE
Hmmmm
September 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
“Still Developing” aka “All Hail The Return of Joe T 3″
popabear
September 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
I am not saying that all is great with the Ga football program. I will admit that certain areas need improvement. and yes, it starts at the top. I am not happy with all the play calling and it definately needs to improve, Fundamentals need to be stressed and stressed again. I think that the new pieces in the coaching staff will get it done if given a chance. I will reserve judgement and be patient for a while. But the bashing by some of these posters goes way overboard especially if it’s pointed at some of these young players who are trying to represent UGA. I know that you are disappointed. So am I !!! Things will get better.
Too Easy
September 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
Reality Stinks
The last time that happened you were either not born or still in 2nd grade
Mark (another one)
September 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
The team better be focused on Saturday night because they will have their hands full. State is another SEC team, and conference games are always a battle. That said, I am confident King and Ealey as a 1-2 punch will help the running game. The coaches have always pointed out that King is the better blocker, but I bet Ealey received quite a lesson in film study this week.
The real concern is the defense. If one guy make a simple mistake on a single play, it can cost a score. Being 90% right is a loss. With a new scheme, these guys need to keep their heads in the game on every play, trust each other and do their assignments. That will put them in the right place to make the play. Then it is called execution. Something most people struggle with.
As for who is better, SC or Ark? I can tell you I would fear SC more. Ark won in the last 15 seconds. SC simply dominated. SC executed (no pun intended) by running it down our throats. They made it look effortless. Our defense did better last week, but I also don’t believe Ark can control a game in the same manner.
We are still on track for the 3 loss season I predicted and I hope for a only 2. Go Dawgs!!!
hotbobby
September 22nd, 2010
3:35 pm
You people crack me up! It’s like you are talking to your 12 year old daughter who didn’t make the soccer team! “oh, it’s okaaaaay. I know you were the best one out there! You just didn’t make it because you are prettier than all the other girls!” QUIT making excuses! Get out of the dark. Noone has answered my question yet. Outside of Murray, why will be better next year?
what is going on
September 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
I don’t understand why everyone seems to be soooo excited that KING is coming back. He was a very highly recruited back – but hasn’t really lived-up to crap, I won’t make a much of difference weather King is there or not – he ain’t that good. The only GOOD game that he has had was last year’s GT game – which he rushed for 168 yards – with 75 coming on ONE play. Take that away and he averages about 4 yards and that’s it
Big Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Great points ApopkaDawg and funny stuff dbc – “Rambo sitting in a lawn chair on the goal line to keep his man in front of him.” Gotta laugh sometimes to get us through the rough spots. And whether or not we all can agree on how it’s going to take place, everyone should be able to see and agree that some big changes need to occur. We can’t just keep doing what we’ve always done, because in the end we’ll get what we’ve always gotten, as the old saying goes. Up until the past few years, CMR has been given a lot of room to operate. And judging from his track record with issues such as “not too concerned about penalties” to “what defensive problems” (see Willie Martinez) to having Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi and getting whipped badly by UF and the Tide in 2008, he has proven time and again that he is either too slow in making decisions or ignores the facts or just sticks his head in the sand and hopes it all works out. In the business world as we all know, this would not cut it over the long haul. I believe one of the things that has most fans alarmed is his lackadaisical demeanor. Such as his recent statement regarding the Arkansas game “At least we didn’t get shellacked.” Not really what you want to hear from your leader. The much better response would be that he will not tolerate losing, no matter how it’s done. The title of Nick Saban’s book is “How Good Do You Want to Be?” And I think that’s a more than fair question to ask of Coach Richt and his entire coaching staff.
Hmmmm
September 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
UGA’s coaching gets a C- but our recruiting gets an F. Unbelievable how far behind we are in recruiting and id-ing talent. Saban doesn’t care about Stars… he and his staff finds football players and recruits the kids he wants hard. I’m witness to that!
They're Not That Good
September 22nd, 2010
3:45 pm
They’re Not That Good,,,wasn’t that posted on UGA blogs for SC & AR. Now it’s being said about Miss St. A certain coach recently said, “good teams don’t lose 2 games in a row.
When those poodles come riding back into town 1-3, what you Jawja fans goin’a say?
Unv. Jawja ain’t no big time college football program,,,,ain’t ever been,,,won”t ever be!!!
Bama and the Gators are the elite of the SEC,,,that’s it,,,,that’s all.
Dogs Smell
September 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
FDawg any win puts you in the right direction. There is only one way to go when you’re 0-2. Good Lord you homers will be buring cars if you win in Starkville. Remember its Mississippi State!!!!!!
Time for Dogs fans to shake it off … – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog Online Shoping
September 22nd, 2010
3:50 pm
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Reality Stinks
September 22nd, 2010
3:50 pm
Too Easy
Sorry bud but I’m much older than that
I personally remember the days when UGA went down to Jacksonville and came back with multiple victories
We dont have a coach that cares about beating FL, thats why we play them the worse of any teams
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:53 pm
Well Big Dawg, we’ve been pretty good over the long haul, I think. I think as good as the kids will let us be. That ought to satisfy them for a couple of days. If they keep playing hard we will get a win.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:53 pm
Apopkadawg,
You dummy. I said AJ is coming back next week. Everyone knows this is his last year at UGA and he won’t be here next year. Perhaps you should learn to read before you make comments. As far as Arkansas, i said that they have the best passing attack in the SEC and possibly nation and i will stand behind that comment. And yes AM is improving every week and i do think he will be a heckuva QB.
Yesterday's AJC
September 22nd, 2010
3:54 pm
I think there’s a very outstanding innovative coach right here in Atlanta, Ga. He maximizes his talent and he’s very creative and I think he’s an outstanding game-day coach who knows how to manage a game. Excellent play-caller. Paul Johnson is one of the best I know.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/majors-on-derek-dooley-617662.html
collegeballfan
September 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
I did some research on southern football teams and how they have performed the last 30 years, since 1980 to be exact.
The SEC:
ALA has 2 national champs -NC- and 5 conference champs – CC.
AUB has 0 NC & 5 CC. FLA has 3 NC & 8 CC. UGA has 1 NC & 5 CC.
LSU has 2 NC & 5 CC. TENN has 1 NC & 5 CC.
By awarding 2 points for a NC and 1 point for a CC FLA takes the prize with 14 points followed by ALA & LSU in a tie with 9 points. Next is UGA & TENN in a 7 point tie. AUB at 5 brings up the rear.
All have been in the SEC for the past 30 years.
Other local “of interest” teams where conference affiliation is all mixed up with the ACC expanding a few years ago.
CLEM with 1 NC & 6 CC. FSU with 2 NC & 12 CC. GT with 1 NC & 3 CC.
MIAMI with 5 NC & 9 CC. VT with 0 NC & 6 CC.
Again with 2 points for a NC and 1 point for a CC the results:
MIAMI with 19 points is on top with FSU with 16 following. CLEM with 8 points with VT with 6 and GT with 5 brings up the rear.
Combing all the schools MIAMI is on top with 19 points, FSU second with 16 points and FLA third with 14 points.
Notice that the top 3 are all Florida schools!
Someone check my math. Did I leave anyone of note out?
Sandman053
September 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
hotboby @3:35 I think a couple of things besides AM would point to us being better next year. #1 any RB we go after recruiting-wise would be almost guaranteed a starting position over Ealey as long as he is big and can pass-block. #2 we are losing AJ, but we are still deep with WRs and TEs…just IF #3 we can find an offensive-minded OC that can utilize them. #4 the defense will have some CTG recruits, not Martinez’s midgets and #5 they will also have a year of the 3-4 under their belts. This should surely help in the GATA department. Finally #6….a big mountain of a nose tackle can possibly emerge or be recruited.
Now I know some of that could be wishful thinking on my part, but it is certainly my hopes. I don’t want us to lose any more games this season. If we do, so be it, but I’ll still be in the stands on Saturdays in Athens and it is always good to be a Dawg on Saturday night in Athens.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Phil,
i meant to say that Arkansas has the best wide receiving corps in the nation. Collectively, they are the best. Individually, i think AJ Green is #1 and Julio Jones is #2. But, Arkansas as a unit is the best..
30 Years
September 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
TRADITON!!!! Sorry folks but college football tradition was / is established much longer than 30 years!!! Checking 30 years of math don’t mean squat.
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
4:02 pm
Yesterday’s AJC …really what did the Great Innovator do in say the Kansas game…
Dogs Smell
September 22nd, 2010
4:02 pm
Why would anyone think AJ is coming back next year is is already getting paid? Oh I see its that wait till next year mentality coming out already !
Bama Has It
September 22nd, 2010
4:04 pm
If you good ole boys have ever been any farther away from your trailers than Panama City beach. The word all over the country when you mention football in the south is,,,,,,ALABAMA. A football historian would never, ever mention Ga in the same sentence regarding wins / losses / championships with ALABAMA!!!!
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
Bama has it,
Granted Bama has a better history than UGA. You’ve won more NC than us
However:
Your fanbase is by far the most obnoxious and jackass fans in the nation bar none.
Even though some of our fans come close, Alabama has by far the worst.
Bama Has It
September 22nd, 2010
4:08 pm
Cantondawg,
That’s a compliment!!! We have reasons to be obnoxious jackass fans!!! Our TEAM WINS!!!! WE HAVE TRADITION!!!
ga gator
September 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
Cantondawg you have hurt my feelings; most people say the gators are the most obnoxious. Just kidding.
Bulldog fan
September 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
For all the UGA fans here dogging on State saying that it is offensive to even have to consider beating MSU a big deal. Well that is why you are upset at the state of your program. You are one Herschel Walker away from being exactly like us.
One National Championship 30 years ago makes you basically Ole Miss. Florida has 2 in the last 4 years. Lower your expectations back to something close to reality and you will enjoy football season so much more. And don’t give me any of this ‘10 win seasons’ junk under Mark Richt. You got lucky that UK, SC, Tenn, and Vandy all stink lately. During those ‘10 win seasons’ you won the SEC East what once? We’ll even lowly Mississippi State has won the SEC West once.
‘More Cowbell’!
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
cantondawg Bama and then Gator fans are REAL close..good news Oct 2nd I’m going to I hope watch the Bama/UF game in the RED NECK Palace know as the Flora-bama…right on the FlA /ALA border. Should be a “interesting” evening.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Bama has it,
Along with NC’s, you forgot to mention the other things that Alabama is #1 in.
1) Illiteracy rate
2) Teenage pregnancies
3) Trailers or mobile home per square mile
4) inbreeding
5) number of high school dropouts
Of course, we understand why these things happened when you have to call the male figure in your life “Uncle Daddy” because of inbreeding.
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
ga gator notice I had your back just then…lol
Bite'm
September 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Bite’m Cowbell!
These neutered dog fans live in a fantasy world.
Bama Has It
September 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
Enter your comments here
Bama Has It
September 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Stupid comment!!! When you uneducated jawja rednecks can’t put up an argument you resort to displaying your ignorance.
hotbobby
September 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Sandman, with all due respect, you are reaching-wishing! Me, too, for the longest. But you can not suddenly snap your fingers and think that these kids are going to get the discipline they need under St Richt. That is the reason we are in the condition we are. We have great recruiting classes every year-they are just get no direction.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
How2fish, make sure you wear your Dawg garb so I can recognize you. You’re coming to my neck of the woods. Seeya there….
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
Bite’m sorry but it’s kind of hard to tell who your rooting for? I mean both schools are Bull Dogs so both fan bases are dog fans.
Coachdawg 2000
September 22nd, 2010
4:19 pm
Apopka-
You made my point.It is both coaching and players making mistakes. As far as Lattimore, we’ll see how much was our guys not laying wood and how much is the fact that Lattimore is beast (the chix play allbarn). Allbarn ,if you watched them play clempson, then you know they are physical. If lattimore runs over them then I say it is 50% us not getting it done and 50% him being a hoss.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:19 pm
Cantondawg, for someone who rails on name calling you sure like to toss the insults. Where do you think your Daddy Vince came from?
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:19 pm
Simply paying half attention will tell you that we are a much better team with BOTH Ealey and King in the lineup together.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
I believe Lattimore was a hoss. By the end of the game our guys were shying away from hitting him directly. We, as has been mentioned before, are not a very “physical” team anymore.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
Mobile Dawg,
“Bama has it” deserved everything he got
how2fish
September 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
Mobile Dawg you got it a few years back I wandered into the Flora-Bama during the UF/Bama game with a UGA shirt on…I’d gotten killed if they could have agreed which fan base go to do the killing..truth is it was a great afternoon good folks and great fans.
RxDawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:23 pm
“Time for Dogs fans to shake it off …”
I hear that! It’s time to rally the boys and go out there and win some games baby. Goooooooooooooo Dawgs!