Georgia-Florida was basically even … except for the coaching
When A.J. Green did get the chance in the fourth quarter, he was simply amazing — as usual. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Some more thoughts on Georgia’s latest loss to Florida. …
The verdict is still out on defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Until we see at least another season of his work, we won’t be able to gauge whether the lack of progress shown by the Dogs’ defense this season is a result of the level of talent Grantham inherited from Willie Martinez or is an indictment of Grantham’s coaching. But I think it’s safe to say at this point of the season it’s unlikely the light bulb is suddenly going to come on and this defense is going to get markedly better. The problems that have plagued the Dogs all season are still there. Too many times Florida receivers were wide open Saturday, even on plays where the Dogs not only didn’t blitz but didn’t really pressure the QB. How does that happen? And stopping a running quarterback? They don’t appear to have a clue. Still giving up the big play, too. If Cam Newton doesn’t set a bunch of records against Georgia, it’ll be a failing of his own making. …
And was anyone other than Grantham surprised by Urban Meyer going to a hurry-up offense? …
Still, it’s worth noting that the league’s worst defense on third down didn’t play that way Saturday. Florida converted on only four of 14 third-down tries and whiffed on its one attempt to convert on fourth down. …
On the other side of the ball, Mike Bobo didn’t do a bad job with his offensive calls for most of the game, though I still wonder why Georgia didn’t run it more. But Bobo’s decision-making in overtime definitely was questionable. I’ll give him trying the throw to Kris Durham in the corner of the end zone on first down because if the ball had been properly placed, it would have been a touchdown. Still, it was a fairly low-percentage play for Aaron Murray, who hasn’t really looked good throwing into that corner most of the season.
From there, though, Bobo got predictable: a run up the middle that got stuffed and then look for A.J. Green over the middle. And another tipped ball turned into an interception. You don’t have to be a offensive guru to wonder if maybe rolling Murray out on that play might have been a safer choice. And also to wonder whether the best choice of all might have been to just run it three times and kick the field goal. As Florida’s session of OT turned out, the worst that would have resulted in was a 34-34 score and a second period of OT. …
Kids don’t come much tougher than Durham. Not only did he hold on to the ball despite taking a vicious hit that had him coughing up blood on the sideline, he later returned to the game. …
Man, on that one Florida drive even the Gators’ false starts worked in their favor, including one that negated a Bulldogs stop on third down. And another time a sack of the Florida QB was wiped out by another Gator false start. What are the odds? …
As we noted Saturday, turnovers by Georgia — compounded by the Dogs’ failure to take it away when the Gators gave them the chance — really were the difference in this game. First downs, overall offensive yardage and time of possession were basically even between the two teams. …
As my brother Tim noted, thanks to CBS’ claustrophobic camera-work, you couldn’t really tell most of the time whether Florida’s coverage really had A.J. wrapped up or whether Murray was just looking elsewhere for most of the first three quarters after throwing a pick on the first play of the game trying to hit Green. CBS’ Gary Danielson seemed to think Green was open quite a few times when Murray went elsewhere.
But when Murray did go to Green in the fourth quarter, the receiver was amazing as usual. The 3rd-and-10 catch he managed to hold on to despite being hit immediately after he’d laid out for the ball was a thing of beauty (and made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Day Saturday). And the touchdown catch a few plays later in the midst of triple coverage was nearly as impressive. …
Give the devil his due, Meyer knows how to make use of an off week and outcoached Mark Richt. Again. …
I have to agree with Jeff Dantzler of “Bulldog Brunch” that the location of the game in Jacksonville isn’t the reason for Florida’s dominance of the series the past two decades. It’s the same place they played when Georgia dominated the series the two previous decades. But Greg McGarity should make scheduling a bye week before Florida whenever possible a priority. During his years in Gainesville he’s seen firsthand how important that is.
As for the mental challenge facing the Dogs in playing Florida, Richt is probably right in his assessment that the only way to get out of that mind-set is to win a game like this one. Georgia didn’t do it, unfortunately, and that’s going to make Richt’s job even harder next year. …
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382 comments Add your comment
Ga Dawg 97
October 31st, 2010
10:59 pm
And “I think our D played very well”? Seriously, they gave up 34 to UFs worst offense since before Spurrier. I think we need to enroll the ItalianDawg in Football 101. Maybe he should follow soccer.
Choo Choo Charlie
October 31st, 2010
11:09 pm
I doubt any othewr defensive coach in America could have adjusted to that QB shift thing the way Grantham’s D did in the 2nd half.
Great move by Meyer to use something innovative, but great counter by Grantham in the 2nd half to shut it down.
Learned Meyer’s pretty good when he has 2 weeks to prepare, but Grantham’s awesome at halftime adjustments.
We got ourselves a winner in Coach Grantham folks, superstar.
Since Vince
October 31st, 2010
11:10 pm
THIS SEASON IS OVA !
Jesup
October 31st, 2010
11:10 pm
I was there…. and AJ was being covered one on one, but he was not running deep routes despite floridas safeties crowding the box….
Since Vince
October 31st, 2010
11:11 pm
NEXT SEASON IS ALSO OVA !
Ramsey
October 31st, 2010
11:12 pm
Would have loved it if Georgia had called a double move on that 1st pass to AJ, anticipating the Florida DB jumping the route, would have been a different ballgame.
DawgTired
October 31st, 2010
11:14 pm
UGA Mark…
There is certainly nothing wrong with demanding results from your team. Trust me, I want to win every game we play. To go back and review the game to correct mistakes is exactly what needs to be done. For us fans to demand better….I totally agree with you.
What I was referring to is the fact that a lot of UGA fans want to go back after every loss and state why we should have won….saying that “the better team didn’t win,” or “we beat ourselves,” or “we kick a field goal and we win.” Instead of us living in some fairly-tale world where the other team has nothing to do with our winning or losing, we need to realize that occassionally, we might just have not been the best team that day. I think you can be a great team, and a great sport at the same time…I don’t think the two are mutually exclusisve.
Ace
October 31st, 2010
11:34 pm
The Georgia Possums – Play Dead at Home, Get Killed On the Road
tide roll
October 31st, 2010
11:38 pm
ONCE OUT OF WESTLAKE, THEN OUT OF BLINN, MISSING ON CAM NEWTON TWICE IS A SIN. Uga fans are like, what’s this guy talking about? Is this a poem ? Who’s Cam Newton? Getting beat 19 out of 22 times and your AD not making changes is factual confirmation that you accept mediocrity. Roll Tide!
Runner up Richt
October 31st, 2010
11:40 pm
dont worry folks we’ll be second next year I promise.
Runner up Richt
October 31st, 2010
11:42 pm
psssct. Just poped the top of the JESUS JUICE 40 ounce. want a sip.
For Real
October 31st, 2010
11:42 pm
Except for a few rare rational posters the AJC boards are populated by the biggest collection of jacklegs outside of the Georgia Tech forums.
rincon dawg
October 31st, 2010
11:45 pm
For all u folks who think CMR is such a great coach listen to his post game comment. He said I looked at the flags to see if the wind was blowing and I was willing to drive into the wind to give us a better shot. Seriously, any idiot will tell you to put the wind at your back but he didnt even give the all american kicker a chance did he?
jack bull
October 31st, 2010
11:46 pm
i’ve been tough on Murray not only because of the fumble and int’s, but rather, during the game, i felt like he was missing some open guys pretty bad, and after watching the replay today, he did (a bunch).. he threw 2 passes in OT, both of which were awful. we can all second guess the play calling in OT, but the fact is, if we play it safe and kick a FG and they score a TD, well, we all know what would be being said then….
rincon dawg
October 31st, 2010
11:46 pm
its on http://www.georgiadogs.com see for yourself homers
Runner up Richt
October 31st, 2010
11:48 pm
blah blah blah. I know one thing I still get paid
rincon dawg
October 31st, 2010
11:50 pm
700,000 dollars for 4 wins. money well spent alumni
Florida Mayor
October 31st, 2010
11:54 pm
Why does Georia suck so bad!!!! 34-31 Mutt Losers
tide roll
November 1st, 2010
12:00 am
ONCE OUT OF WESTLAKE, THEN OUT OF BLINN, MISSING TWICE ON CAM NEWTON IS TRULY A SIN, WAS BOBO ON GIN? I DON’T THINK WE’LL WIN AGAIN. PUT “UGA” IN A PEN. A poem by William “Red Panties” Shakesrear.
rincon dawg
November 1st, 2010
12:06 am
My fault thats 700,000 per win. Things dont need to change huh? Puts things in perspective a little now.
Burroughston Broch
November 1st, 2010
12:26 am
Let’s look at choo choo’s stats again and add the 2009 and 2010 seasons:
01- #22, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
02- #3, SEC title Yes, SEC championship game Yes
03- #6, SEC title No, SEC championship game Yes
04- #7, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
05- #10, SEC title Yes, SEC championship game Yes
06- #23, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
07- #2, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
08- #10, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
09- #33, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
10- #TBD, SEC title No, SEC championship game No
Coach Richt did well at the beginning of his tenure but has tailed off since 2005. Over the 2001 through 2009 span, LSU has been in the SEC title game 4 times and has won it 3 times, Florida has been in 3 and won 2, Alabama has been in 2 and won 1, Tennessee has been in 3 and won none, and Georgia has been in 3 and won 2. The big one is that Georgia has not been in the SEC title game since 2005, and the future prospects don’t look encouraging.
I’d agree that Coach Richt can coach up a storm if this were 2005, but it’s 2010 now and those days seem gone.
Jared
November 1st, 2010
12:43 am
Dear Lord I hope no one important, who can actually make decisions, reads and listens to these comments.
Urban Meyer didn’t outcoach Mark Richt. And its pretty dumb to think so. They won a close game because their player made a play and our players didn’t.
Meyer had 2 weeks to fix his TERRIBLE offense coming into this game. They threw more looks at us than they had against MIss. State or any of those other teams. Watch, Florida’s offense will pick up a lot of steam in the coming weeks. They had a healthy Demps back and a healthy Rainey. You don’t honestly think Miss. St. would have held them to 7 points with both of those runningbacks healthy and available do you?
Of course Bobo didn’t run the ball as much, we were down by 14 points most of the game, we needed to score and score quick. If the game had been closer I promise we would have run more. Bill, please, just think through things before you write something that you know everyone will agree with, like, “I Still don’t understand why Bobo did this……”
And yes, I guess Mark Richt was dumb for having a freshmen quarterback kneel with the ball on his own 5 with 30 seconds left in a tie ballgame. He should have had his qb, who had thrown 3 int’s that game and fumbled, chuck the ball downfield and hit the wide open reciever that of course would be there since UF would never have deep safeties ready to get the turnover, then kick a field goal and win the game in regulation.
Georgia fans need to realize that we’re having a down year. It may be Mark’s fault that we’re here, but that game wasn’t. stop sounding so whiney. Geez.
tallahasseedawg
November 1st, 2010
2:01 am
UGA fans , the real ones.CMR is a darn good guy , but he has gotten out coached .Fool yourself if you want to but UGA has not improved none in the last couple of years.CMR has had damn good talent, but he seems to hold them back for some odd reason.THis is not a down year for some of you idiots that keep thinking that, its bad coaching.CMR hired that fraud CTG ,which bit him bad. 3-4
my #$$ (ADJUST TO YOUR TALENT MANNN!).Manny Diaz is having fun with less talent.CMR i hope this works out for you.BUT do i believe it will.
Hogwash
November 1st, 2010
4:29 am
There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that Bobo has to go at the end of the season but getting rid of him now would not be a mistake. Richt could always go back to coaching the QBs and calling the plays. I do think that we should be looking for a OC now and not after the season. This should not take over a month to find a highly qualified OC. The guys played a hard fought game and the inept coaching still continues to show up on both sides of the ball. Grantham’s defense should be a whole lot better, especially on the pass coverages. We are not very physical in the secondary and it shows in our tackling and not being in the proper place on each play is just poor discipline and should have already been addressed. We have to start making changes for next season now and not later because I think this one is over. We have to play better for recruiting purposes.
Reality
November 1st, 2010
4:43 am
where is the running game?
Mr. Georgia Football Returns
November 1st, 2010
4:46 am
Bill-
Tell me again why your bringing Mark Richt back again next year?
Kirby Smart, Will Muschamp, Chris Peterson, Gary Patterson, John Gruden
Jim 007
November 1st, 2010
6:07 am
With a 2-8 record aganist Florida, why the H _ _ _ is Richt still coach ?
Also the THUGA atmosphere he condones is Totally Unacceptable !
southside dawg
November 1st, 2010
6:14 am
McGarity will earn his pay this winter. The problem UGA now has is recruiting. A looming coaching change always does that. McGarity has a short window of oppotunity to make a change. If he pulls the plug right after the season, recruiting is hurt for next year only. If you keep Richt another season that only prolongs the pain if next season is a repeat or even an 8-4 kind. It is now a cluster F— in Athens and McGarity has to keep the big hitter contributors coming back. Coach Richt is a fine man but 10 years in the SEC pressure cooker is too long. It is time for a change.
BoWeevil
November 1st, 2010
6:22 am
Coach Richt’s job is hard now. He’s not & hasn’t been getting the job done
3 wins 11 games CMR Era vs Top 10 Final AP Poll teams in 10 years now
2 wins 10 games CMR Era vs Florida in 10 years now
10 losses 10 teams not ranked Top 25 Final AP Poll 10 years CMR Era
CMR will have in 12-months fired every coach he hired
We are to believe that CMR knows how to hire a coaching staff now ?
42-19 CMR record over these last 5 years now this season; he is great ?
In same last 5 years, CMR # 2 nation Fulmer Cup Most Arrested / Suspended
13-12 CMR record vs SEC East these last 5 years now this season; great ?
20 better college programs than our won / lost over these last 5 years
I’m not satisfied these last 5 yrs & you are not a better fan because you are
We lose 14 seniors after this 2010 season & 4 juniors; how is 2011 different ?
chazzo
November 1st, 2010
6:30 am
I think you are right about the secondary. Key play: Rambo sets up for the big hit instead of breaking up the pass then struts around like he’s done something great after giving up a key first down that led to a score. He also dropped another INT. 3rd and long is just atrocious.
I was a little disappointed early on when Murray was needing to settle down and Urban was trying to wear out our D wiht the hurry up that didn’t run more. The RBs were picking up 3 and 4 yards a carry. Keep the D off the field, and give Murray a chance to settle in.
I thought both teams were just so bad. I hope Richt does not get fired still. Even though I was shouting it at halftime. After cooling off, I think that if Richt goes your going to have at least two years of transition if not more. That’s a waste of some of these kids whole careers all because we want bragging rights. It also may be the loss of some recruits.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
6:42 am
How Georgia prepares for Auburn will tell volumes about whether we have the right coaches for the future. I can appreciate the players not coming through when we needed it but it strongly feels that our coaches are not up to speed with the upper level SEC coaches. We just look unprepared and our SCOUT coaches must be awful. We look second tier. Sorry Coach Richt,, I am currently not convinced you can lead the Dawgs not only to a NC but more importantly to a Div. SEC championship in the future. I have never not supported you until now. I may be in the process of changing my mind. Please, convince me otherwise. Loyal DAWG fan for life. Old alumni.
larry
November 1st, 2010
6:51 am
MARK RICHT GAVE UP WITH 54 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION! His (or his and Bobo’s)refusal to play to win is the reason they should absolutely not be back next year. It’s time for a desperately needed change in coaching – offensive and defensive.
georgia87
November 1st, 2010
6:57 am
The problem with scheduling the bye week is that the SEC schedule is set by the league office. So, they give Florida a week off before us every year and send us on the road to Kentucky.
TRU DAWG
November 1st, 2010
7:11 am
Dawgs stand tugether. Roff, roof, roof. We gon be allrite. Com on dawgs, how bout them dawgs. we stilll love gorga, and aj is the best player ive ceen sinse i dont no when.
gorga grad–nine tee ninter nine
11 Arrests 4 Wins
November 1st, 2010
7:32 am
Dawg Whisperer
October 31st, 2010
10:28 pm
“Bama wasn’t good before Saban”?
Hey Moron!! Bama had 12 NC’s before Saban. Keep “whispering” til you get your facts straight.
lawdawg
November 1st, 2010
7:44 am
Some people complain because Richt has never beat Tenn. and Fla. in the same year,but since he is 2-8 against Fla. HE’S ONLY HAD 2 CHANCHES TO DO THAT.
Ramsey
November 1st, 2010
7:46 am
When Georgia sent AJ in motion, and stopped him inside the WR, nice wrinkle by Richt to get AJ and durham in some mis-matches. Meyer wasn’t ready for that wrinkle. And Durham torched him over and over.
reality
November 1st, 2010
7:49 am
1-4 in turnovers. That was THE difference, the ONLY difference.
You are an idiot.
longtimedawgfan
November 1st, 2010
7:58 am
am I overly critical or does anyone else notice what appears to be a lack of effort and willingness to hit by Rambo …. in fact, he seems lost back there all the time….
Dawg Hater
November 1st, 2010
8:14 am
THWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
powerhouse?
November 1st, 2010
8:15 am
If the dogs think CMR cannot coach, just wait until Mia discards Shannon and CMR goes south to Mia.
lapdawg
November 1st, 2010
8:33 am
It is the same story every year and that drive home from JKVL is sooo awful.
We beat a TN, Vandy and KY over the last few weeks and it seemed like the old GA was back but those teams only have 2 SEC wins between the 3 of them. They are the dregs of the SEC. I want to do more than beat the bottom feeders.
Yes, we will kill some 3rd rate Idaho ST team next week and I sure some will think the program is back on track. I just can’t believe it. I can’t see us beating Auburn. I don’t see beating GT as a the big deal like some do. We are in the SEC and to be relevant we have to win those games.
This program used to be elite. We get the best talent coming in every year but I don’t feel that our coaches can develop that talent. Realistically, we can only say we are in the middle of the SEC pack. I know we have better talent that SC, ARK and MST yet lost to them all. That says bad coaching to me.
I want to contend for SEC championships every year. I want to at least be mentioned when they talk of the National Championship. The last one was 30 years ago!
To be that SEC power and therefore a National power, we have to beat AL, AU, LSU amd most especially FL. Does anyboby really think we will start beating FL on a regular basis under CMR???
One more year of what? If we beat SC next year and we get 7 or 8 wins does he get another?? Look what happened to AL when they hired Saban. They went jumped back to elite status. We have a great fan base and the program has $ for a great coach. Why can’t we expect the best?? Ask yourself WHY NOT GA?
Dawgstank
November 1st, 2010
8:43 am
Is Richt still the coach ? I thought it was the UGA coaches job at UGA to beat the big four of Florida,Auburn,Tenn,and Ga Tech ? 1 for 6 against Florida ain’t getting it done Dawgs fans.
Dawgstank
November 1st, 2010
8:46 am
Richt is the laid-back non-chalant coach. UGA will never play with the passion needed to win a Championship while he is the coach. Cut your losses now and go get a proven winner like the TCU or Boise St coach. Somebody with fire in the gut that won’t accept mediocrity.
Hairy Ballz
November 1st, 2010
8:50 am
Same results in a different year. Florida beats UGA again. This has gotten beyond unacceptable, Dstank. But you are right, Richt looks like a choir boy out there…
Dawg Tired
November 1st, 2010
8:51 am
Bill – I respectfully disagree that we were outcoached. That open week is tough to overcome on the preparation level. We lost because we turned the ball over. I don’t blame the coaches for that. As for those who are criticizing us for passing in OT, I call BS. Remeber Alabama in Tuscaloosa? Those same “fans” (I use the word loosely) thought that was a great call. The ball was tipped. Stuff ahppens during a football game that you can’t control. Anyone watching Saturday knows the best team lost, but it happens.
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALTER
November 1st, 2010
8:54 am
Free A.J. and BILL:
Come on idiot the Dawgs scored 31 points….You rail on Bobo, yet say nothing about the defense which gave up 34 points to the worst offense Florida has put on the field in years….Defense also gave up 29 points to a Colorado team that hasn’t scored half that many since then….You just looking to blame someone, you don’t have clue about football….If Bobo had run it 3 times into the line, it would have been the playing it too close to the vest….Bobo is well thought of in the collegiate ranks and can find a job coaching elsewhere…I know I wouldn’t want to work for people like you who don’t have the intelligence to realize when the offensive coordinator calls a great game, as he did Saturday….STUPID FANS ABOUND….CRYBABIES ALL……
5-5 Bowling ?
November 1st, 2010
8:54 am
I hope UGA doesn’t accept a bowl invitation as a .500 team. They will play in the Toilet Bowl if they do…
DawginLex
November 1st, 2010
8:56 am
Game was lost in the first quarter. Should never have gone to OT. QB was nervous and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. AJ didn’t help him on that first pick either. Dawgs should have jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Good teams do that. This is not a good team.
Macclenny_dawg
November 1st, 2010
8:56 am
All right enough is enough we can settle this once and 4 all!!! Richt should be told now he will be given 1 MORE SEASON TO WIN THE SEC OR HE IS HISTORY!!!! I agree he is a fine coach BUT he fails to make the tough decisions. He knows what is wrong but he fails to make a change!!!! With our schedule next year and Murray with 1 season under his belt it should be ripe for the picking. Tennessee is struggling. Florida is struggling and will have a new 1st year QB!!! Our defense will have plenty of time to know how too execute. Even though Miss. State didn’t take a year to learn Manny Diaz defense. I also think Richt blew that call by not hiring him BUT!!! NO EXCUSE FOR NEXT YEAR. The reason to give Richt 1 more year is the schedule and no new coach can come in 1year and run his system to a championship. The reason Richt should be gone next year is this!!! 2-8 against Florida. But most important is 2 SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 10 YEARS!!! 0-10 NATIONAL TITLES!!! This program deserves better as us the fans!!!! 1 More year Richt and NO EXCUSES!!!! GATA OR GET OUT THE DOOR!!!!! That should make the WHOLE BULLDAWG NATION HAPPY WITH COMPROMISE!!!! ENOUGH SAID!!!