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
wildbill
September 22nd, 2010
4:26 pm
My dog BO would chase that fake Bulldog Russ outta the state. Russ has been a hex on the team, get him out of town.
MURPHY
September 22nd, 2010
4:28 pm
Coachdawg 2000
Lattimore is good but we made him look like a Heisman canidate. Im anxious to see if he can hold up to the beating he is gonna take by some very physical defenses he has comming up. Hope he is able to stay healthy,but its up for debate. UGA is going to make alot of players look like allstars this year.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:29 pm
How2fish, I will see you there, also dressed appropriately, albiet with a War Eagle accompanying me. First rounds on me.
cantondawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm
Shankit,
You mentioned the Wr from Valdosta as one whom the UGA coaches are letting get away. Unfortunately, UGA has a limited # of scholarship and already have 3 top wr’s committed. They are trying very hard to get the kid out of Dallas to decommit from Stanford. I assume if they think they do not have a chance with him then they may offer the kid from Valdosta.
Coachdawg 2000
September 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm
I just remember how much I always hated when Fulmer used to refuse to give the other team any credit when tennyshoes lost. I acknowledge that we are not YET the team i thought we would be but I don’t believe that you should cut your head off when you get a headache.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:33 pm
Canton, I live among them and they are a very arrogant, but passionate bunch.
Say It Again
September 22nd, 2010
4:33 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!!!!
REAL FOOTBALL,,,,,REAL COACHES
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:34 pm
It’s at the migraine level 2000. If it doesn’t get better soon and I mean real soon it’s off with the old head.
Coachdawg 2000
September 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
On the criticism of our recruiting, we do not use a system that some schools do(i.e. bammer, cackalacky,lsu,old mess) of over-signing then asking 2nd tier players to gray shirt. Then they run off any guys who can’t live up to expectations. Look at slimy Saban. He recruits guys then asks them to enroll on their own dime then boots somebody else off the team. Have we missed on some guys but the recruting star rankings are a travesty.
Say It Again
September 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
As Furman Fisher so elouently put it,,,,”Selah”.
Dostoyevskiy
September 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
Just saw where two UNC defensive backfield players received 4 and 6 game suspensions respectively for their illegal contact w/agents (revloves around travel to Ca., Ga., Fl), and with former players now in pros. Their profits fr contacts assessed at circa 1300 and 1500 dollars.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
The bigger they are, the harder they fall, Say it all….This is the only place in the country I know of that they fly the “game day flags” on their cars year round. When Bama isn’t thriving the fan base is suffering from withdrawls, year round. A major portion of the population’s identity is with the football team. That says it all.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
4:42 pm
I agree with you Altamaha, at least offensively which is what you meant. Question would be why? They are both backs, they both run the ball, different styles but that really doesn’t make that much difference. Offensive line still has to block. Do they block better with both backs playing?
David Putty
September 22nd, 2010
4:45 pm
Go Gators! Beat Georgia.
Fair and Balanced
September 22nd, 2010
4:47 pm
I agree with Savannah and ApopkaDawg! CMR is a poor CEO. 30 years ago, it was probably good practice to train up loyal friends and GA people within the program. Now days – you can’t do it that way. The HC is a CEO and has to hire and fire people so the program can win. CMR does not get it. If he can’t fire friends then he should not hire them. Everybody is expendable including CMR. The fact is that if he will not make the hard decisions – then he should be fired. The sad thing is that perhaps he does not know that Bobo is a liability and can’t get it done! If that is true – wow! We are in for mediocrity as long as CMR is here.
Another idea: If CMR feels that his job is a “ministry” then he should be paid like a minister. The fact is though, that he was not hired as a pastor of football players. He was hired to win football games. I for one would prefer a clean program than a winning program if I have to choose. But right now – we don’t have either! And we won’t until this man becomes a proper CEO!
Gatorbait 17-3
September 22nd, 2010
4:54 pm
Don’t get ahead of youself Putty my man, we’ve got a very good Ky (3-0) team this week.
Kentucky ranks second in the SEC in scoring (44.3 points per game), No. 2 in total offense (497.3 yards per game) and No. 3 in total defense (257.7).
Tenn was avg 270 yards peer game rushing and we held them to 23 yards on 29 carries, we need to do that again this week. We will proably lose to Bama, but I think it will be closer than people think.
Mike Bobo
September 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
3rd and 4 new play:
All receivers go to the goal line and Murray throws a Hell Mary. It almost worked against Arkansas! I’m getting the hang of this OC stuff!
Big Canoe
September 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
Bill…you need to find out what the grandest Dawg of all…Dan McGill…has to say about the rest of the season.
DawginLex
September 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
If you take UK lightly, and your offense struggles, UK can win.
I don’t think you will do either but I don’t think you cover the spread.
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:00 pm
No, I don’t think that the line blocks better….well actually I’m not sure about that. There may be some psychological angle going on when the line knows they have a by-far third string RB in the game, rather than one of our co-starters. Worth pondering I suppose, but that’s not the point. King is a better blocker. I also think he does better hammering up the middle. Ealey is a better pure runner but has proven that he is just not up to the task of playing in every situation. He might be in the future. But he benefits from King in the game, even if King doesn’t get the yards. I just think Ealey is better off right now, just tossing him the ball and letting him do his thing, and not having him over think how he is the main (do this, do that) game hinges on me guy.
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:00 pm
It seems like every week we are telling ourselves, “this is a do or die week. After this week we will know how good or bad it really is.”
Week #1 vs. Rajun Cajuns
Questions:
How good is UGA?
Will our Defense be better or worse than last year?
How will Aaron Murray do as the starting QB?
How good is our O-Line?
How good are King going to be?
Is AJ going to dominate opposing secondaries? Oops, he’s not playing
Is Ealey going to develope into our full time RB? Oops, he’s not playing.
Week #2 vs. SC
Questions:
How will our Defense stack up against a Spurrier offense?
Can Aaron Murray handle a hostile enviornment and an SEC Defense?
How good is our O-Line?
Will Ealey develope into our full time RB?
Is Brandon Smith going to get into the offense?
Will AJ be able to dominate an SEC secondary? Oops, he’s not playing.
Will King emerge as our full time RB? Oops, he’s not playing
Week #3 vs. Razorbacks
Questions:
Will our Defense play better against AR and tackle better?
Will our secondary not have as many blown calls?
Can our Defense stop a deceint running game?
Will Mike Bobo open up the playbook?
Can Aaron Murray bounce back from a tough loss?
Is our O-Line going to live up to expectations
Is Ealey going to develope into a compelte RB?
Is AJ Green going to dominate an SEC secondary? Oops, he’s not playing?
Can Durham and King pick up the slack for AJ?
Is Bobo going to use the TEs?
Is Brandon Smith ever going to get into the offense? Oops, he’s not playing.
The questions surrounding our team are growing. We need some answers and we need them fast before the season has gotten away from us. My concern is that the list of unaswered questions is GROWING!
GOP
September 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
I’m thinking if we lose this week to Miss State, we will lose 2 of the 3 games with Tenn, Vandy and KY.
GOP
September 22nd, 2010
5:03 pm
DawginLex
The dawgs can’t cover the spread, they will be a 3-6 point underdog!
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:06 pm
CEO can replace any worker on the floor any day, for any reason. They can also or alter realities and to suit thier goals. Football coaches are not CEO’s of private profit driven selfish enterprises. Football coaches are comparable only to football coaches.
If Richt was a CEO of a company with his record of success, his parking spot would be gold platted, and he would have a lifetime appointment.
how2smoke
September 22nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Driving through Alabama is like visiting a carnival. Every truck, dog, fat woman and kid has Tide gear!
1eyedJack
September 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
cantondawg, you forgot to mention false teeth and overall sales in your list.
a broken record
September 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
well, here we go again……this same record plays every fall….
preseason: offensive line is decimated by injuries…
SEASON
1. we sleepwalk through two conference games…. (s.carolina, tennessee, alabama, auburn, uk, etc.)
2. the coaches blame the players.
3. the fans get upset.
4. the fans realize that statistically speaking, we are a second division SEC program.
5. the media starts questioning the coaching staff..
6. the coaches still blame the players.’they aren’t executing.’
7. the media starts to insinuate that there are some ‘bigger problems’
8. we hit a ’soft’ spot in our schedule and win some games
9. everyone gets their hopes up.
10. Media says, “we told you not to worry’
11. everyone has delusions of grandure and begin to act like football versions of chicago cubs fans (if we can beat the gators, and everyone else loses, we could play in atlanta.)
11(a). playing the gators = wake up and smell the coffee…..
11(b) repeat 1-7, skip to 12.
12. dawgs either finish strong and just miss going to atlanta, or sleep walk through another conference game….and go to florida or nashville for new years….
a. (strong finish): richt offers excuses, says next year will be better,
b. (weak finish): richt offers excuses, says next year will be better.
13. nothing changes.
14. go back to #1 at the start of the next season.
“to repeat the same action and expect different results is the definition of insanity.” -einstein.
a broken record
September 22nd, 2010
5:15 pm
one year, we ain’t gonna make it through the soft underbelly of our schedule……
maybe then, things will change.
if you want to comisserate georgia fans, ask any buckeye about John Cooper….they will share the same feelings that we have now….
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:17 pm
AltamahaDawgs:
Not really sure where you’re going with the CEO “responsibilites”, but as we all know, Richt is a self described “CEO” of the UGA Football Program. That was his whole reasoning for stepping down as O-Coordinator. As far as a CEO being able to replace any worker on any floor for any reason. Maybe in a family run business, but in Corporate American that is laughable. I have yet to work for a CEO in Corporate America that could replace his secretary let alone anyone else in his workforce. As far as Richt being the “CEO”, the point that is being made is that he is ultimately responsible for everything having to do with the football team. If he wants to deligate Offensive responsibilites to Bobo, fine. However, he has to be able to pull the trigger when one of his employees is’nt performing up to standards (much like a CEO would in Corp America). If Richt wants to be more like a “Football Coach”, then my suggestion to him would be to pick up the playbook and start running the Offense. When UGA hired CMR, they did so based on his Offensive resume at FSU, not his “CEO” like ability to deligate responsibility. Get back to your roots CMR. Take over the offense and save our season.
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:22 pm
a broken record:
PERFECT!! Could not have written it any better. Goes back to my point that 8-4, 8-5 gets us the “broken record” all over again.
1eyedJack
September 22nd, 2010
5:23 pm
You recliner coaches need to polish up your whistles and apply for the job. Ya’ll have all the answers…just don’t know any of the questions. All you really know is what you read in the sensationalistic media and that’s your excuse for your ignorant rants. You really have no idea of the dynamics of this team or the coaching staff. You’re football giants in your own minds. Well, the bandwagon has slowed down enough for you to safely jump off and feel better about yourselves and life in general. You can score 100 points with this team in Madden football so you know you’re right.
Phhhhffffttttt!
Go Dawgs!!!!
how2smoke
September 22nd, 2010
5:29 pm
Don’t you just hate the Kool Aid drinkers?
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:29 pm
Be careful there 1eyedJack, that horse your on is pretty high, don’t fall off. I don’t have to have the questions. The results speak loudly enough where we don’t have to ask questions. When one is versed in a little psychology they can see the signs of an organization going in the wrong direction by detecting patterns of behavior, systematic breakdowns and other signs. By the way the signs are obvious, you just choose to ignore them.
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:30 pm
1eyeSmack:
What are your suggestions for UGA? I hear you running down everyone else for venting their frustration and offering suggestions. Yes, there is an element of armchair quaterbacking going on, but some of these fixes are so damn obvious its sick. Ranther than running people down for venting, what do you think UGA needs to do? Oh, let me guess, “everything will be alright” or maybe we should all just hang on until the weak ass part of the schedule hits and like Broken Record stated, we will all get back into our state of bliss. Let’s here it 1eye, what do you think about the way the UGA program is going?
drzlstrangelovejr
September 22nd, 2010
5:32 pm
How2suck, or whatever you sign in as, Crowell would be an idiot to come to Georgia. He would only play if he was a great blocker. Great runners run, lines block. Thank goodness Herschel Walker was judged on his ability to run, not block. Coach Mark Richt is an idiot. Fire CMR. You suck How2fish. Report this comment.
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
You must not have worked in corporate America in a looooong time.
And let’s stop this nonsense about the need to fires somebody right now to prove he is serious or in some kind of control. You don’t fire your damn coaches in the middle of the season. He has proven he is willing to evaluate his coaches and fire them if and when he sees the need. He will fire any of them including Bobo, if he was convinved its the best thing for the program. And he will do it in a manner AND timing that other folks will line up to work for him.
The problem is that you guy evaluate the situation differently than him. Particularly timing. It’s really just that simple. Not sure why that causes so much angst to accept that. I suspect that’s because he has a lot more at stake and a lot more angles to consider.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:38 pm
Apopka, have another cup of kool aid, I have extra glasses too, the rose colored ones. Seriously, I’ve wasted a lot of time on these blogs the last couple of days. UGA football is near and dear to my heart, been around it a long time. We can all just agree to disagree and keep the mean spirited stuff to ourselves. It will be a boring blog from that point on. Maybe that’s best, will be out of the office a couple of days, hitting the streets tomorrow morning for a couple of days. Good luck Saturday night in Starkville Dawgs.
See you at the Flora Bama How2Fish.
UGA Not Elite
September 22nd, 2010
5:38 pm
The coaches are responsible. Period. If change is needed then change should start there – just like any other business out there. The players ate amateurs but the coaches are not!
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:43 pm
Altamaha, again I agree with some of what you say. Richt can’t fire Bobo in the middle of the season.
He can however, if he thinks there’s a problem assist Bobo as one blogger pointed out earlier. Bobo needs to go back upstairs and draw CMR a picture of what’s going on, suggest plays, and together they call it.
We are a deeply divided nation at this point. A lot of us just don’t think CMR has what it takes anymore, either that or he’s just to nice and doesn’t have the backbone to do what needs to be done. It didn’t take 3 years to decide Willie needed to go, his seat was starting to get hot. Nothing more, nothing less.
1eyedJack
September 22nd, 2010
5:49 pm
@Apopka
I don’t claim to have any answers. I’m not a coach. I’m not involved in player evaluation, film sessions, coaches meetings, game planning sessions or practices.
I’m just a fan who loves his team and I’m not into negativity, especially in the middle of a tough season. McGarity will address any problems in January. I’ll let him do his job.
Surely, players read these blogs and so do recruits. You’re not going to motivate them to action with this crap. Just because you buy tickets or contribute to the athletic association does not give you license to denigrate our kids on the Internet. What constructive function does that serve?
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:52 pm
Altamaha, man up and give me your honest opinion. Did CMR, in your opinion, wait to long to fire Martinez? Did their friendship have anything to do with the length of time it took, also in your opinion?
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:53 pm
AltamahaDawg – been working for Corporate America for the last 17 years. If you have a CEO that can replace any one of their workers at any time, at any position, you let me know. I would love to work for them.
Mobile Dawg – like you, I am on the road and have spent too much time on this Blog today. As far as KoolAid drinkers go, if wanting to see my beloved Bulldogs break out of mediocrity and join the SEC elite is “drinking the KoolAid”, then yes I will have a full cup.
I’m out.
GO DAWGS!
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:54 pm
Good post 1eyedJack @ 5:49, and you make a good point. No one is on here to denigrate the players.
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:56 pm
I have absolutely no problem with anyone thinking that UGA needs to hire a new head coach. Pure opinion either way. Not right or wrong. My question is: where were you (maybe not you specifically) a month ago? Because nothing we are doing, no players, no scheme, no coaches, no playcalling is a bit different than what everybody knew was taking the field.
It’s extremely possible that UGA could be 3-0 right now, or 2-1 (which is what everybody said going in) and the difference was about 3 or 4 plays. I suspect that folks would be seeing everything a lot differently, which to me is hard to understand because nothing about what Richt is doing would have been a bit different.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:56 pm
I was being sarcastic Apopka. My intent was that we just take a sip of the kool aid and everything will be OK. There are a lot of kool aid drinkers here, you are not one of them. Regards.
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
5:57 pm
1Eyed:
I have not said one negative thing about ANY Players on this Blog. I am not advocating firing anyone midseason. If players look at this blog, fine. Are you going to tell me that there is’nt much worse being posted on other blogs all over the SEC. Man up! I want our players to go into each and every game knowing they have a GREAT gameplan and coaches who can adapt to gametime situations. Thats all, thats it!
ApopkaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
6:05 pm
Gotcha Mobile Dawg. No worries.
Mobile Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
6:05 pm
A month ago Altamaha, I was saying that if CMR, and Bobo would game plan and stick to it, to protect their young QB, with a veteran offensive line, 10 returning starters, we would have a chance to have a really good year.
My blogs also stated that if my worst fears came true, we would see the same game plan in place we used during the Stafford years, and last year, we could be in trouble. I saw the game plan CMR devised for Georgia Tech last year and prayed for it. My worst fears came true, we are seeing the same things you spoke of, i.e. playcalling, scheme, etc. That is the travesty. Did you read my question on a later blog about letting CWM go?
1eyedJack
September 22nd, 2010
6:11 pm
@Apopka
My intent was not to point my finger at you personally, but after reading through three pages of “I want what I want when I want it, and I want it right now” comments my temper got the better of my restraint.
When I played football coach would say “don’t listen to what people say, they’re not part of this team. They haven’t bled with us or sweated with us. Their opinions mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what that guy next to you thinks and will he put his body on the line for you and will you put your body on the line for him. If so then we have a team.”
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2010
6:18 pm
I have said many times that I think that the timing of making an entire change to the defensive staff was handled properly. Richt gave that staff an appropriate opportunity year to right the ship, which included recruiting, and made a decision.
As I was saying earlier, some folks thought it was as simple as fire Willy, everything was just Willy, if only we would fire willy, while obviously Richt saw the situation entirely different and much more complicated and make his decision by his criteria.