Richt’s warning to players: ‘It could get worse’
"We are where we are," Mark Richt told the Touchdown Club of Athens. (Associated Press)
Mark Richt didn’t hang around long at Tuesday night’s Touchdown Club of Athens meeting, showing up late and leaving immediately after some brief comments and taking a couple of questions from the floor. But he didn’t skip the fan gathering, as some had speculated he would, and when he took the microphone he didn’t duck the issue of Georgia’s 0-3 conference start, either.
“We are where we are,” the coach said to the full-house crowd assembled to hear his mentor, Bobby Bowden. “We’re going to have to get better or it’s gonna get worse. It’s not going to stay the same. I told the players, you think it’s bad now; it could get worse.”
But no matter what, Richt said, “we’re not gonna lose our poise, we’re not gonna lose our integrity. We don’t want to take our frustrations out on anyone, except maybe Colorado. … We just have to keep working hard and keep together. We must stay together.”
Generally, Richt’s update for the club echoed what he’d said earlier in the day at his weekly news conference: The coaches need to work on helping the players correct their mistakes and teach them how to handle adversity while maintaining a positive outlook.
“That’s all we can do right now is keep grinding and keep it positive,” the coach said.
Richt didn’t get into a lot of specifics about the Dogs’ problems, but he did note that in the Mississippi State game it seemed that every time Georgia made a big, positive play, something happened to negate it, whether a turnover or “the penalties got us again.”
On the bright side, he said that the return of A.J. Green to the lineup is bound to open up the middle some for the Dogs’ tight ends as defenses double-up the celebrated wide receiver. “It’s nice to see No. 8 out at practice again and know that you might actually be able to use him this week.”
The Georgia coaching staff is hoping Kris Durham can play against Colorado. (Associated Press)
Even without Green, Richt said, the Dogs have been close to breaking several long touchdown passes with Kris Durham if only quarterback Aaron Murray had been able to hit Durham in stride. The problem, Richt said, has been Murray overadjusting after tending to overthrow receivers in the spring game. “We told him to keep it in play and give the guy a chance to catch it,” which is better than overthrowing, but “if he had hit Kris on the run I think he would have scored four or five times.” Richt also singled out receiver Tavares King for praise.
Durham, Richt said, was able to practice Tuesday in a noncontact jersey after suffering a stinger to the neck in Starkville, and “We hope he’ll be able to play” against Colorado.
Asked by a fan about dealing with the higher altitude the Dogs will face in Boulder, Richt said, “There’s not much we can do about it.” He said he consulted with UGA director of sports medicine Ron Courson and asked if getting out there 24 hours earlier would make any difference and Courson said no. Richt said Georgia will have oxygen available on the sideline but “we’re not going to make a big deal out of it.”
At that point Bowden interjected that Richt should just ignore the altitude and later during his own comments the former FSU coach said his teams’ experience playing at Colorado was that the only difference the altitude made was “the ball goes further,” which helps kickers. “They want you to think it’s a big problem and they try to psych you out,” Bowden said, but his advice on the subject is: “Don’t pay any attention to it.”
As for Georgia’s undersized defensive line, Richt was asked about additional playing time for redshirt freshman Kwame Geathers, the biggest of the Dogs’ nose tackles. The coach said that part of the problem has been Georgia’s opponents haven’t been playing two-receiver sets, which means the nose guards haven’t played much. Geathers, he said, “is coming,” though he’s still tending to favor the hand on which he had offseason surgery. “He’s not, in Coach [Rodney] Garner’s opinion, as ready to get as many reps as the other guys.”
After Richt left, Bowden, who regaled the crowd with amusing stories from his long career, assured the Touchdown Club, “I feel sure Georgia’s gonna pull this thing out” and said that frequently it just takes one player to make the difference. “It’s not like they need to replace all 30 players.”
HOPEFUL SIGNAL ON OFFENSE?
I thought it was interesting that in his news conference Tuesday, Richt talked about Georgia still wanting to run the ball and keep the play-action passing game that hasn’t had much success so far this season, but he also said, “We do have ways to get the ball to our receivers quickly on quick screens. We have screens to our backs. We have ways of throwing quick game if we feel like they have outnumbered the run and we want to get some one-on-one situations. We are still very multiple in what we do.”
Sounds like the head coach wants offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to mix it up a bit more. At least, I hope that’s what that means.
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427 comments Add your comment
LSU Fan
September 29th, 2010
4:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Dennis G. Berdanis
September 29th, 2010
4:40 pm
Pretty sad that after we’ve gone 1-3, now Richt has to tell Bobo in the paper to mix it up. That message couldn’t get communicated after the South Carolina loss?
Blackberry Cobbler
September 29th, 2010
4:40 pm
I agree. It gonna get a LOT worse before this season is over and then CMR will be history.
It’s sad to see UGA sink to this level of talent and coaching.
drzlstrangelovejr
September 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Get Bobby Bowden the hell out of Athens! Mark Richt is bad enough. Bowden and FSU crossed the road like the chicken to avoid the SEC. Mark Richt is inept. Fire him today.
Mobile Dawg
September 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Because Coachdawg 2000, we are nationally known for having the most Kool Aid consuming fan base in the country. And we pay big bucks to coaches who come here, the expectations and accountability are really low. This is one of the most desirable jobs in America.
The Kool Aid Krowd is starting to get under my skin just a bit.
Wally Butts' Designated Stumbler
September 29th, 2010
4:45 pm
Anything on the Ben Jones suspension, yet? When is it going to be announced?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
4:46 pm
If Perterson wants to make the Jump and get a big payday the time is at hand. Peterson needs to leave Boise in the next 2-3 years. Fans do grow tired of getting just close ie the UGA fans right now.
Wally Butts' Designated Stumbler
September 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Unless he sits Ben Jones, The Reverend Richt has NO BUSINESS talking about “maintaining integrity” within the program, period. That piece of crap tried to MAIM MSU’s Fletcher Cox on Saturday.
Walk the walk, Richt!
Fire Mark Richt
September 29th, 2010
4:52 pm
Interesting debate on Coach Richt. What do you think? Is Richt trying to weather the storm?
http://thesportsdebates.com/category/tsd/the-fire-mark-richt-debate/
Georgia Tee
September 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
The biggest problem facing Coach Richt is the fickled UGA fan base! Go ahead and fire him. He can have a job at any number of major colleges pronto. UGA fans are spoiled red necks that should defect to Alabama.
Jeff
September 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
Coachdawg–YES I would if I had any pride and ambition. You would never be considered great by coaching at a school like BSU for the rest of your life.
Delbert D.
September 29th, 2010
4:59 pm
Hire Leach? Buy his “System” copyrighted DVD and book set and save a bundle.
Delbert D.
September 29th, 2010
5:01 pm
The Colorado job may be open next year. Hawkins is on a flaming hot seat. Ex-Boise State coach that promised the world and has delivered only the desert.
Red Panties
September 29th, 2010
5:07 pm
If Richt loses his job here he will never coach again———–who would want him???????????? He will go the way of Goff and Donnan and ride off into the sunset.
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
September 29th, 2010
5:07 pm
I’d like to see the fans make Sanford Stadium as hostile an environment for the opposing team as the supposed Dawg fans make this blog for our team.
RAMBO &THE HITMAN
September 29th, 2010
5:09 pm
Any one else agree that Alec Ogletree needs to see significant playing time this Saturday
Jeff
September 29th, 2010
5:10 pm
To the Dooley lovers: Yes, all in all a very good-to-almost great coach. He stayed on for two main reasons: (1) His teams regularly beat our arch rivals (Tech and FL) and (2) A little recruit named Herschel Walker. He was soft against his Alma mater (the Auburn War Eagles/Plainsmen/Tigers) though. And then he abandons us when he could have challenged Paterno and Bowden for the most wins. So I am mixed on his legacy overall.
Good win vs. Tech last year but let’s please at least get back to beating Florida more than once a decade!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
5:10 pm
UGA Head Coaches don’t go on to bigger and better jobs because thay get all the talent in the world at UGA and don’t play for enough championships. Richt will not get a great job offer if the departs UGA. The last four seasons on his resume is terrible and the arrests don’t help him at all.
Come on Brave we need a win today for sure.
Topp Dogg
September 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
Sccream it loud and far Mike Leach for OC, hire him now.
chris
September 29th, 2010
5:13 pm
It’s going to get worse. You haven’t even played your eastern conference schedule (sans South Carolina) and you already have 3 conference losses. Tell Bobo to pack his bags…
Tide roll
September 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
BILL, DO YOUI THINK MISS. STATE WILL SEND THE TAPE ON BEN ” HIT AND RUN ” JONES, to the SEC, and how is the kid doing whose career he attempted to ruin. It took place way behind the play, which was all but over. Same type of cheap shot Chris Davis gave Trinton Sturdivant Why doesn’t Richt do something. It’s inexcusable.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Leach maybe the right crazy fit for Athens. Couldn’t you see him running around town dressed as a pirate conducting torture sesions in the field house?
Fair and Balanced
September 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Sorry about that integrity thing – sort of lost that one already. 10 arrests? Integrity gone my friend. Gone, gone, gone. Could get worse? Sorry my friend. That ain’t the way to fire up the dogs! You need simply to get yourself fixed and go out, guarantee a win and then get it! Sorry, this man is not a leader.
drzlstrangelovejr
September 29th, 2010
5:18 pm
Georgia Tee. I have never seen a more idiotic comment.What program would be interested in a coach who has had 10 years at a program who has top 5 facilities, recruiting base, fan support and so on and is going down, not up? CMT has prove how inept, how soft , he is. UGA fan base is fine. We deserve a top notch program. It will not happen with an idiot coach. Why don’t you spit out CMR’s member from your mouth? Maybe it will free up your brain.
Tide roll
September 29th, 2010
5:19 pm
Ealy got suspended for his hit and run, What about Jones for his hit and run. Richt needs to take it upon himself to act on this rather than waiting fior the SEC to dicttate to him what to do. He should have more concern for the program.
Einsteindawg
September 29th, 2010
5:23 pm
This may have been mentioned before (I don’t read all the posts), but don’t listen to Rodney Garner…he is part of the problem. His inner-city, Rivals-overrated recruits just don’t pan out. That is, when they are not suspended or arrested. And when has he ever coached anybody anything? His usual “mo” is extorting a salary raise by starting a rumor that another school is just dying to have him. Play Geathers and our other freshmen and watch them whup a$$, and get rid of Garner along with Bobo and our ficticious strength & conditioning coach. Just my opinion.
Damon Evans
September 29th, 2010
5:26 pm
I think Dan Mullen should be the next coach of the Georgia Bulldogs and if you fans don’t agree look at this (24-12)
punkin14
September 29th, 2010
5:29 pm
Boy Richt, its comments like this that make you such a pansy. Man up and breathe some fire into the program. Amazing that you give a sideline speech against Arkansas and the players responded. Try using the same mentality before a game and at halftime and we may just notch some W’s this year. If you don’t have it in you just resign. Saban and Meyer would be identifying the problems and fixing them instead of making statements like “things could get worse.” Its no wonder our Dawgs seem to be defeated before the first snap.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
5:29 pm
Coach Richt is planning an addition to the game uniforms. To get the feeling of being a champion, Richt is having all the players wear the Gym Dawgs Leotards under their football uniforms.
JB
September 29th, 2010
5:46 pm
Article in the Boulder paper this week ( read it for yourself) About hoping their AD runs into Richt and hints that we would love to have you as our coach…..He lived near there as a young child…….Read it, I’m serious….. Going to Pac 10 and Hawkins doing nothing…..His rope is as short as Richt’s.
Paddy
September 29th, 2010
5:47 pm
Can someone please tell me what is Georgia footall ? Have not seen it in a few years and I forgot what to look for. This can’t be how we always played is it?
simplythetruth
September 29th, 2010
5:48 pm
Not lose your poise? Jones damn sure did when he tried to cripple that MSU player. Talk is cheap Richt.
JB
September 29th, 2010
5:48 pm
No Dan Here…………..please………..Did you see him interviewed….Starkville a good place for him
powerhouse?
September 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
Hope you guys will enjoy playing on Thursday night next year.
JB
September 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
If Richt goes this year or next, we will have to go the Tennessee route and give someone the biggest break in their life from a successful,smaller program…. I really don’t see a big name “taking a chancing” rebuilding this program IMO
JB
September 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
s/b taking a chance
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
JB since you watched the game saturday tell me who won that game?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
Dan Mullen the Georgia Bulldogs won Saturday. The Dawgs got to leave Mississippi, but the MSU dogs had to stay. That sounds like a win for UGA.
Wasted tallent
September 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
Put Logan Gray in the backfield and he could either run, throw, or catch the ball.
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
GatorFan, Ask Arkansas if one player can make a difference, Ingram is the single most reason Alabama beat them, without Ingram they lose that game, he changed the whole out come of that game. Ask Tennessee, in 1980 when Georgia was losing and Walker step on the field it changed the whole out come of that game, any one that says one player cannot make a difference, don’t know Jack. you are probably the only one on this blog that believe that. One player can make a good team a great team, what about Tim Tebow do you really believe Florida would have been as good a team without him?
Urban Meyer
September 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
I believe I will win. That’s why I do. I will accept nothing but 110% effort from my players and coaches. I get so intense about it, it causes me heart problems. Anyway, Mark, you have to be intense out there man..come on! Just do it.. so what if people might think you are an arrogant jerk. Who cares really? I don’t. We are making a fine living doing what we love. I know you have it in you Mark, you know that competitive fire.? You brought it out that one time in Jax. Gotta let go a little more and let the boys play. Oh, yeah if you need some OC referals I can hook you up with a few. Don’t quit and keep your head up!! Your buddy, Urban
Snake Doc
September 29th, 2010
6:15 pm
Who has a sterling resume? I can think of one, maybe two coach that may have a sterling resume. Hah! What are you smoking?
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
6:15 pm
5150 P.O.A.D at least we played a real team and didn’t get spanked by an overrated NC State team, tell me how did that butt whoopin feel
Snake Doc
September 29th, 2010
6:17 pm
Who was Richt before he got here? A OC with no HC experience. A nobody, he got the biigest break of his life when he was offered this job! Some of you use amazing logic. It makes amazingly no sense what so ever!
Let me try it one more time
September 29th, 2010
6:19 pm
UGA’s number 1 issue is that they do not have an O line that is of SEC caliber and this same issue cropped up last year until the latter part of the year vs then not so good Auburn and weak lil acc GT. The GT game was a false indication of UGA’s ability to run.. They then and now are horrible on D.
As for UGA, this season is toast. DUMP Richt and get a coach in here that can recruit SEC caliber ( not FSU in the 90s caliber ) and recruit 4 or 5 nose guards and two big time running backs and within two years UGA can be fine. CMR has had 10 years and done nothing.
We also need some QUALITY running backs. Ealey and King would not play for any SEC teams ……..none.
Go Dogs.
UGA, class of 71 & 73
Snake Doc
September 29th, 2010
6:24 pm
As for Ingram being one player who does make a difference in a game, sure! A RB will touch the ball 20 to 30 times a game. a receiver maybe 10 at most if you’re lucky. With UGA’s offense, a WR might touch the ball 6 times, if lucky. Then you still can’t run or block at the line of scrimmage. Whose more important RB or WR?
I guess if A.J. Greed would’ve played we’d be 4-0. Amazing logic!
Alabama | MrSEC.com
September 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
[...] his team, “We’re going to have to get better or it’s gonna get worse. … You think it’s bad now; it could get worse.”2. Here’s a stock report on the Dawgs as they head to Colorado.3. Kentucky’s coaches [...]
GT76
September 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
Richt’s warning to players: ‘It could get worse”. Well, it must to put the necessary pressure on the Coach to fix it or A Dir to get the Bums out of the kitchen.
Football is cyclic, that is you win for X years and you will eventually go down for X years. UGA is going down fast. The longer Richt is kept the longer it will be before the turnaround coach will be hired to get UGA up out of the dirt and become what they once were. Look at the ups and down of ALA, AU, Notre Dame, Tech, many others.
Look at Tech had three coaches with over 150 wins each (Heisman, Alexander, Dodd). But tough years in between. Tech hopes CPJ will be another long term winner and not just a Bobby Ross who won a Nat Champ and left.
UGA win out this season (except end of Nov)!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
6:35 pm
DAN MULLEN Miss St. record since 2000. 42-76 with only 2 winning seasons. Please don’t talk about how good Miss St is ok? Tech is 81-48 with no losing seasons during that same time period.
Dan I am glay you go to Miss St but please realize what Miss St is. You school is one of the SEC CUPCAKES and always have been.
Dave from GT
September 29th, 2010
6:38 pm
Even us GT guys would hate to see the dawgs lose in Colorado. ……….. You guys need to win out till just b4 Thanksgiving, then we can get down to business and ruin your season”in house”/