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
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
6:39 pm
Miss State 2 losses are against 2 undefeated teams:Auburn and LSU. Who did GT lose to once again? And why do you always have to go back in the past? Both teams are 2-2 this year and past records don’t mean anything
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
6:47 pm
Snake Doc, a good reciever can open up the running game, and a good running back opens the recievers. They are both important, without a good reciever the running back would find little room to run.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
6:47 pm
OK DAN MSU is a top 25 team for sure since you have only lost to Auburn and LSU. Your right history doesn’t matter if you don’t mind repeating it. MSU might have a 8-5(07) or 8-4(00) year so then you could have a third winning season since 2000. Boy Dan you are really getting those bulldogs turned around for sure. Nobody in the SEC will want to make you their homecoming game ever again.
Glenn
September 29th, 2010
6:49 pm
Is Bobo going to make the trip to Boulder, I hope not.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
6:49 pm
DAN NCSU is an undefeated team and in the top 25 ok?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
6:53 pm
For what it is worth: I don’t see Tech with any great receivers and we don’t seem to have a problem running the ball. Remember the rule I before E except after C? RECEIVER.
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
6:57 pm
5150, If you would have had a good receiver you would have had a chance to win the NC State game.
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
6:59 pm
Isn’t that what lost the game against UGA last year?
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
7:02 pm
What I was talking about to begin with, is that one player can make a difference in if a team is a good, or great team.
For what its worth
September 29th, 2010
7:06 pm
And without Joshua Nesbitt you don’t have that either.
footballfan.
September 29th, 2010
7:09 pm
As a fan of other teams in the SEC besides UGA, I have to say it isn’t bad at all to see the team with some of the rudest fans loose. Quite enjoyable actually and it has been furfilling for three years.
PT
September 29th, 2010
7:28 pm
Someone has got to be able to convince me that this coaching staff even knows how to teach a player how to handle adversity. It doesn’t look to me like the kids are buying into what they are telling them, much like the fan base.
GT SUCKS
September 29th, 2010
7:52 pm
Explains it all
59bulldawg
September 29th, 2010
8:08 pm
Bobby Bowden as a consultant to the Georgia program? Are you freakin kidding me? I think 10 years of Bobby Bowden style football in Athens is enough. Don’t need any more.
powerhouse?
September 29th, 2010
8:12 pm
Just read were The University of georgia is changing their plans on tuff games and also changing from the bulldogs to the georgia chickens.
air moreno
September 29th, 2010
8:23 pm
I’ve watched many other teams play this year, and those teams were aggressive and wanted to hit someone. We’ve yet to show this on both sides of the ball. We need controlled VIOLENCE on the field.
edumacated
September 29th, 2010
8:25 pm
Tide Roll
a.k.a
Richt ties Goff with 0-3 SEC start
Did Ben Jones kill your cat or something? Lay off of the guy. Offensive linemen take cheap shots every week on every team.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
September 29th, 2010
8:42 pm
stay strong and learn from this play hard and finish the drill
FIRE RICHT
September 29th, 2010
8:47 pm
Mark Richt must go!!! He is a lowsy coach and has lost all control of this team on and off the field!! He needs to be relieved of his position asap! With the talent UGA has there is no excuse for this kind of play!! No more mediocre coaching and no more mediocre performances! this football team is an embarrasment to the University of Gerogia on and OFF the field
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
8:50 pm
edumacated did you see the hit? did you see the play. What Ben Jones did was way uncalled for. Ben tried to cripple the guy. You UGA fans cried like lil girls about the Gator trying to poke a guy in the eye. Ben Jones needs to have a Nancy Carigan pulled on him just to be fair I mean.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
September 29th, 2010
9:09 pm
Another Coach trying to place the blame on someone else. I am sick of the lack of manhood shone by these current coaches. The running back fumbled —- well, you recruited him; you trained him.
The quarterback waits too long to throw the ball——well, you recruited him; you trained him. The linemen don’t weigh enough ———– duh; you recruited them; ou fed them.
It is time for someone to fall on the sword, and shut-up blaming the kids, the fans and the jhedges around the field.
SEC Ball is the best
September 29th, 2010
9:17 pm
I would have NEVER thought Miss. State would beat UGA. But it happened. Glad I’m not a betting man. I don’t know anything about Colorado, but I hope the dawgs are ready.
ARdawg
September 29th, 2010
9:18 pm
I am not amused. Please Coach, I’m choking on turd sandwiches, stop, stop.
Staying together? Is that what you HAVE been doing? Staying together?
KimZ'sPackage
September 29th, 2010
9:22 pm
I bet the dawgs are in great shape to play in Colorado. Good thing the coaches didn’t work the boys too hard in the summer. The dawgs should be really rested to play in the high altitude. I am betting Russ can’t even jog across the field without needing oxygen. Ralphie and the Buffs are going to play the dawgs so tough.
Pitbull
September 29th, 2010
9:26 pm
I think the new AD is going to guide the program to new heights. Especially with discipline issues and scheduling. . Why do you think the last player was kicked off the team. AD, that’s right!
PT
September 29th, 2010
9:31 pm
If you watch Ben Jones you will see a very intense player. You will not see another current UGA offensive lineman of his caliber, I wish we had 4 more just like him. We would not be 1-3!
GDBurdell
September 29th, 2010
9:32 pm
Whatever, still pullin for the dawgs.
At the very least they will still be able to dismantle the jackettes, just like last year.
PaulieOldSchool
September 29th, 2010
9:38 pm
Time for some changes to be made, starting right after this lost season concludes. Starting at the top, they all gotta go. It’s past time.
Delbert D.
September 29th, 2010
9:46 pm
Colorado OL & DL: Big OL, small DL
* Number of letters
OL
LT 6-9 315 SR ***
LG 6-4 315 JR *
C 6-3 290 JR *
RG 6-8 310 JR ***
RT 6-4 290 FR-RS
TE 6-5 245 JR **
DL
LE 6-1 225 JR **
DT 6-1 280 JR **
NT 6-4 280 SO *
RE 6-2 280 SR ***
KimZ'sPackage
September 29th, 2010
9:47 pm
PT if you had more like Ben Jones you would have more than 10 arrested this year. Ben Jones is White nad a UGA THUG. See I can call a white kid a THUG and feel just fine doing so.
PappyHappy
September 29th, 2010
9:49 pm
NOT GOING TO LOSE “OUR INTEGRITY”?????? For Pete’s sake, how many players have already been arrested this year?? And tell me again why AJ Green was suspended for FOUR GAMES??
WHERE IS THE DISCIPLINE? WHERE IS THE COACHING??
Richt is right on one score, until the above changes, “THINGS COULD GET WORSE!”
BEN JONES = UGA
September 29th, 2010
10:03 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reVnna38sPI
This is disgusting. Cox is a p*ssy, just like the rest of the team. no wonder this uga team is 1-3 and going down the tubes. they play like freaking women.
Snoop Dawg
September 29th, 2010
10:03 pm
Let’s face it… we suck.
Our fans are weak and our program is awful. Hope is not a strategy.
BEN JONES = UGA
September 29th, 2010
10:03 pm
sorry – Jones is the UGA coward here…
T Rainer
September 29th, 2010
10:16 pm
Mark Richt and Bobo had to be separated by members of the coaching staff in a film session moments ago. Wheels coming off.
Tide Roll
September 29th, 2010
10:20 pm
Integrity!? Ben Jones tries to maim the Miss. State kid, and Richt puts him back in the next series! Integrity!?
T Rainer
September 29th, 2010
10:24 pm
Getting ugly. Our coaching staff is screaming at each other.
KimZ'sPackage
September 29th, 2010
10:24 pm
Richt is a great judge of character and I am sure LeMay will never have any issues the whole time he is at UGA.
T Rainer
September 29th, 2010
10:24 pm
Enter your comments here
saban
September 29th, 2010
10:27 pm
Told you not to try to steal my defensive coordinator.
Colorado wins by 30.
Out of respect for a good program, Florida we will only beat them by 10.
Class of 86
September 29th, 2010
10:40 pm
Hard to imagine getting much worse than losing to Mississippi State. I guess if we lost to Idaho State it would be worse. With UT, FL, AU and GT still come it is easy to see four more losses. Where are the real Bulldogs????
MariettaDawg
September 29th, 2010
11:24 pm
Sorry y’all, I just feel like it’s time for Richt and Bobo to go. The killer instinct that Richt arrived with is long gone and, as for Bobo, he never had it to begin with. I hate to say it, but I would rather have a coach like Saban, Miles, Spurrier, or Meyer, that recognizes when it’s time to put a nail in the coffin. I would rather everyone hate Georgia because they fear us than have their respect because we have a classy coaching staff. Fix the ongoing (for years) problems, or get out! The people that support this team demand and deserve more than mediocrity!
F U G A
September 29th, 2010
11:51 pm
WE DON’T CARE ! ! ! KEEP IT IN YOUR ATHENS NEWSPAPER (WHATEVER THAT IS).
CMR is the Problem
September 29th, 2010
11:59 pm
Here is an interesting blog from someone who obviously knows what he is talking about – great article. Just copy and paste it into you search.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/2010/09/greg-mcgarity-didnt-know-he-was-buying.html?spref=fb
drbasic1
September 30th, 2010
12:07 am
kimZ
tide roll
wally butt
It is caled football, you have never seen crack back blocks?…..it was a clip, big deal, watch every game and see how many of those you see every game. Can’t take the hit, even a cheap shot as you call it….don’t play the game. Get over yourselves
Ronan
September 30th, 2010
12:20 am
UGA has been overrated since the mid 80’s after Hershel was left.
Foster Brooks
September 30th, 2010
12:28 am
I’m with Ralph. Until we start recruiting some high character kids instead of the gangsta dancing 4 & 5 “star” athletic but low character thugs things will not change. It is time to clean up this program and make us proud again instead of the laughing stock that we are viewed as. Maybe others like all this dancing on the side lines when we are behind in a game or getting up and beating their chest because they make a tackle, but it is so classless, and when you are behind and 0 and 3 it looks so stupid. We could certainly use a dose of classy kids to represent UGA the right way, instead of some of the thugs we have out there now.
Foster Brooks
September 30th, 2010
12:42 am
One more thing, this was not meant to be racist. What Ben Jones did in that game was totally uncalled for. I am older (57) and not sure I have ever seen a bulldog take such a cheap shot like that. He could have ruined that other kid. I am sure he is frustrated like a lot of pepole are, but that was the height of bush league play and just shows what lack of character Mr. Jones has. More so than the losses, it is things like Mr. Jones lack of class and sportmanship that is really troubling to an older fan. The thugs need to go and lets get some classy hard nose junkyard dogs who want to play and do it with some class and dignity. Mr. Jones should be ashamed and his coach should be ashamed. I do hope the coaches are not teaching this kind of play, and do not beleive they are, but if they are they should all be fired. There is no excuse for this, and I still think it goes back to recruiting.
BoWeevil
September 30th, 2010
1:45 am
Winning Percentage Coach at Current School
.928 # 1 Chris Petersen Boise State 52-4 year 5
.859 # 2 Urban Meyer Florida 61-10 year 6*
.823 # 3 Mack Brown Texas 131-28 year 13
.823 # 4 Jim Tressel Ohio State 98-21 year 10
.823 # 5 Chip Kelly Oregon 14-3 year 2
.822 # 6 Nick Saban Alabama 37-8 year 4*
.812 # 7 Bob Stoops Oklahoma 121-28 year 12
.795 # 8 Brian Kelly Cincinnati 35-9 year 4
.785 # 9 Les Miles LSU 55-15 year 6*
.760 # 10 Gary Patterson TCU 89-28 year 11
.752 # 11 Joe Paterno Penn State 397-130-3 year 45
.752 # 12 Mark Richt Georgia 91-30 year 10*
After 2005 to-date :
# 1 at 52-04 Boise State Chris Petersen
# 2 at 52-07 Florida Urban Meyer
# 3 at 48-08 Ohio State Jim Tressel
# 4 at 48-09 Texas Mack Brown
# 5 at 47-09 USC Lane Kiffin after Pete Carroll
# 6 at 46-10 TCU Gary Patterson
# 7 at 46-13 Oklahoma Bob Stoops
# 8 at 44-12 BYU Bronco Mendenhall
# 9 at 44-12 Utah Kyle Whittingham
# 10 at 44-13 LSU Les Miles
# 11 at 43-13 West Virginia Bill Stewart after Rich Rodriguez
# 12 at 43-13 Penn State Joe Paterno
# 13 at 43-15 Virginia Tech Frank Beamer
# 14 at 42-15 Cincinnati Butch Jones after Brian Kelly
# 15 at 40-17 Boston College Frank Spaziani Jeff Jagodzinski Tom O’Brien
# 16 at 40-19 Central Michigan Dan Enos Butch Jones Jeff Quinn Brian Kelly
# 17 at 42-14 Wisconsin Bret Bielema
# 18 at 42-16 Missouri Gary Pinkel
# 19 at 40-16 Oregon Chip Kelly after Mike Bellotti
# 20 at 39-16 Texas Tech Tommy Tuberville Ruffin McNeill Mike Leach
# 21 at 39-17 Georgia Bulldogs Coach Richt & his sorry butt “coaching staff”
MaxxDawg
September 30th, 2010
4:50 am
In defense of Coach MR…he’s not on the field…UGA’s secondary is the worst..can’t cover and can’t tackle..the QB can’t throw over 40 yds…he under throws the receivers every game..very frustrating to watch. Coach Bobo play calling is horrific…I’ve seen better play calling in pee-wee football. We have to do better..if not..this season is a wash. Time to look towards the future..there is a lot of good young talent at UGA right now who is getting limited play..e.g. the Ogletree brothers, Stripling, and a few others. The 2011 class is looking good…some pretty good DB’s are coming..the two young big hitting DB’s out of Griffin and Tucker will be huge additions for the secondary…and let’s not forget the QB from N.C…Hold your head up Dawg Nation…these things happen..we’ll bounce back.