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
Bones1968
November 1st, 2010
8:57 am
When will CMR FINISH THE DRILL!!!
Bobo's A Dildo
November 1st, 2010
8:57 am
Hey Bobo, I hear Thomasville High School needs a new offensive line coach. You are qualified for THAT job.
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALTER
November 1st, 2010
8:59 am
BILL:
BOY, YOU AIN’T A COACH, SO WHY ARE YOU SITTING HERE TRYING TO TELL US UGA’S GUYS WERE OUTCOACHED….ALL YOU KNOW IS WHAT SOME IDIOT ANNONUNCER SAYS, AND YOU TAKE IT AS THE TRUTH…MOST OF THESE ANNOUNCERS COULDN’T COACH, THAT’S THE REASON THEY ARE IN THE BOOTH….THE GEORGIA PLAYERS LOST THIS GAME WHEN THE GAYTORS ROLLED TWO FUMBLES INTO OUR HANDS AND WE COULDN’T RUN THEM IN, HELL, WE COULDN’T EVEN RECOVER THEM…SHAME ON YOU BILL, YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A SECOND GUESSER AND A BANDWAGON DAWG FAN….DON’T GET INTO EVALUATING COACHING, CAUSE THAT IS WAY OVER YOUR HEAD…YOU DON’T KNOW JACK ABOUT X’S AND O’S…..DISAPPOINTED IN YA, BILL…..
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALTER
November 1st, 2010
9:02 am
Bobo’s A Dildo:
SCORED 31 POINTS AGAINST A GOOD FLORIDA DEFENSE….SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO WIN….YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT FOOTBALL….YOU, MY FRIEND, ARE THE DILDO…..YOU SAY NOTHING ABOUT THE DEFENSE….ONLY ABOUT BOBO…GO ON AND GET BACK IN THAT DEER STAND, RED NECK….YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THE GAME….
Bill King's Right
November 1st, 2010
9:03 am
Excellent blog Bill. Ignore these idiots that are drinking the Richt koolaid. Especially the one posting under 2,000 different names. UGA was outcoached. Meyer had the no-huddle offense working to perfection. Fla’s defense is bad though. But a bad defense or even team (Colorado) can beat these sorry Dawgs.
Bobo's A Dildo
November 1st, 2010
9:05 am
I’ll get back in my deer stand if you promise to walk under my tree ?
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALTER
November 1st, 2010
9:06 am
GOT A NEW PLAN:
HIRE 3 FULL COACHING STAFFS, AND EVERYTIME THE TEAM LOSES, FIRE THE STAFF THAT IS THERE AND PUT THE NEXT ONE IN PLACE….STUPID FANS JUST LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO PUT THE BLAME….UGA FANS BIGGEST BUNCH OF CRYBABIES OUT THERE…..
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALTER
November 1st, 2010
9:08 am
31 POINTS NOT ENOUGH FOR YA, OLE BOY….HOW MANY YOU EXPECTING, ABOUT 60….I WOULD WALK UNDER YOUR TREE STAND, CAUSE IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO SHOOT A GUN ANY BETTER THAN YOU KNOW FOOTBALL, YOU COULDN’T HIT A BULL IN THE BUTT WITH A BASE FIDDLE…..
Joe Tess Fish House
November 1st, 2010
9:14 am
Those of U suporting Rick are ensane. No way can he get this team redy 2 win N E more games. Liek I said B 4. If they dont fire Rick by the end of the season I will B come a Tech fan
NUFF SAID!
hatfieldgeoff
November 1st, 2010
9:18 am
I also agree that Richt and his staff were outcoached, but this talk about how we clearly had the better team is being way overplayed. We had the edge at some of the skill positions, but I can’t say Florida is better on defense. And on offense they have much more speed. Speed, and coaches ability to use it, continues to be the main difference in this series the last 5 or 6 years. UGA has a few players with speed but offense and defense don’t use it effectively. Meyer on the other hand has it top to bottom on his roster and he take full advantage of it. Rainey and Demps this year. Percy Harvin the last 4 years and their were others whose names I can’t remember. Big plays result from speed and good playcalling, UGA is short on both. If Richt want to save his job he better bring in a OC from outside the staff that can get it done. And on defense he better hope Grantham is better than he has shown because that ship has sailed. I agree with the earlier poster Manny Diaz was out there for the taking but Richt passed on him. Most fans would probably have complained, but that was bad decision.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
9:24 am
Well, powerhouse , your suggestion about MIA. might not be a bad fit for one current HC. Gruden, is looking a lot better at the moment. I am tired of a laid back approach from HC. Composed HCs? I would remind our uga fan base, that, we also have a composed current US president as well. When he attempts to act tough, it is hilarious! In my opinion, his wife is tougher. Composed, may not be what we need at UGA. Even Eric Dooley at tn, shows that he is intensely involved in the game and the decision making offensively. CMR, you have trusted bobo too much, too long. Overtime play calling during the game was mediocre at best. And, that is being very generous. CMR, I do hope that you are involved and astute enough to knowledge this. The game has changed, in the last 5-6 years, and I am not sure that we(UGA) have changed accordingly in our strategies in staffing/recruiting and play calling. The evidence would indicate otherwise.
Skitty Fritty
November 1st, 2010
9:24 am
The Bulldogs did not get out coached. If Rainey doesn’t play in this game then the Gators lose. Everyone attacks Richt for his lack of discipline but what about Meyer?
Joe Tess Fish House
November 1st, 2010
9:27 am
Why not Dan Reeves 4 Coach?
RED GATOR
November 1st, 2010
9:28 am
@ Macclenny “Dawg”
Florida will still have Brantley and Burton Next year you moron. UGA may take a step back with AJ leaving, the other leading reciever leaving, and still having Mark Richt on the sidelines.
bart
November 1st, 2010
9:29 am
Free A.J., why give Richt another chance? He’s had 10 years, and the program is obviously regressing. Good programs have their ups and downs, granted, but never this far down. GA has been steadily getting worse since Van Gorder left. Richt is making 3 million $ a year. With that kind of salary, 3 mediocre seasons in a row is just not acceptable. And Grantham is the most overpaid defensive coach in college football. Do I think Richt will be fired? No. Do I think he should be fired? Yes.
TRU DAWG
November 1st, 2010
9:31 am
Dawgs just gotter hunker down, i mean we shuld uh wun that game. im still proud too bee a georga fan, and graduate. i love coach richt and think hes got us on the rite trak.
Macclenny_dawg
November 1st, 2010
9:38 am
Red Gator,
$100$ Says Brantley is not qb next year for them!!! He doesn’t run Meyer’s spread like he likes!!! He proved he can’t coach a Pro style qb!!!
JB
November 1st, 2010
9:41 am
I don’t think Mark is a horrible coach. I think we just need a change. Fresh start. New ideas. New hope. New energy. New schemes. New accountability…… See Auburn 2 hours south.
Tuberville is still a good coach…..and Mark will be successful somewhere, likely an ACC team, where 7-8 wins get you voted Governor.
ConeDawg
November 1st, 2010
9:43 am
I’m mad… The Dawgs should go all out (change schedule to get an off week, bring in sports psychologist, extra weight lifting, etc.) to beat Florida and end this cycle. And if Coach Richt, whom I greatly admire, cannot show overall significant improvement in the next two years, then we must begin to think about a change at the top.
Red Rules
November 1st, 2010
9:43 am
Do you actually get paid to do this?
Otto
November 1st, 2010
9:48 am
Unlbelievable homerism Grantham catch the heat and Bobo did a decent job? How many turnovers and dropped passes did UGA give up?
Run it on 3rd and Bobo late in the 4th but pass it (for an INT no less) in OT when you may only need a FG with a defense that was playing well enough to come back from 21-7 after giving up an INT deep in UGA territory on the FIRST play from scrimmage. I know Bobo played at UGA but it is time to be objective about this staff.
UGA is teetering on a Fulmer style (keep the guys who grew up in the program) slide and the overly optimistic UGA fan base shown in this article will let it happen. As a life long UGA fan who rarely missed a home game even during the darkest of the Goff years maybe it is time we learned from Auburn, Bama, and UF get the right guy for the job.
Various Blogs have shown Gratham year 1 is very even with Bama and Saban year 1.
JB
November 1st, 2010
9:50 am
ConeDawg…..Richt doesn’t have two year to correct this. We go 6-6 ( maybe) this year and next year will be about the same, maybe 7 wins. Follow the money. This off season will be bad, but we are in a holding pattern with this staff. The whole sports world see’s it, but will howl at firing a coach with a .760 winning percentage. But, he’s like 13-24 during this span, and throw in another defeat this year and 5 or 6 next, he’s toast I’m afraid. His reward for his success is next season, plus another 3 mil off the current contract.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
9:50 am
skitty fritty, yes our defensive coordinator did get out coached as well. When we brought the house, fl was stopped. Look at the 3rd quarter. When we were conservative with stunting, fl marched down the field on the ground and in the air(Brantley even looked good then). What were you not seeing?
Sam
November 1st, 2010
9:53 am
so, after all the complaining in years past about how Richt plays for the field goal too much, now all of the sudden it’s what he should have done. Really?? Had he done so and UF scored a td on the next possession everyone would be screaming for his head because he’s not aggressive enough.
JB
November 1st, 2010
9:54 am
Richt stays of course for next year, anybody see him making changes on this staff after the season, or just take the whole crew down with the plane?
GApeachdawg
November 1st, 2010
9:54 am
Let me give you my unique perspective: I’m a UF graduate, living in Gainesville for the past 24 yrs and working at UF, but I’m a diehard DAWG fan…always will be. I’m not a fair-weather fan and have taken a lot of hits the last 24 yrs from my friends and coworkers about GA losing so much to the Gators. That’s okay, I’m a big girl and I can take it because I bleed red and black.
But this game was TOO much. We should have won, plain and simple.
All that said–The Gator fans down here pretty much expected GA…they told me so! I expected GA to win…there’s NO reason why GA didn’t win…except for the horrible coaching. Sorry, but Bobo has long overstayed his welcome.
As for Richt–yes, he’s a fine man, but he’s just not doing it as a coach. We need someone with some spunk, some fire, and a desire to WIN!!!! He needs to stop trying to be the players substitute dad/reverend, and light a fire under them!
Frankly, I’m tired of making excuses for the Bulldogs, and I will ALWAYS be a Dawg fan because I grew up in GA…but enough is enough! Heads need to ROLL!!!
jsmuga
November 1st, 2010
10:01 am
As long as MR is the coach, UGA will not beat Florida………………. Anyone who watched the game Sat. can see the difference in coaching.
Charles1540
November 1st, 2010
10:02 am
Can some please explain with the best receiver in the country we almost totally ignore him till late in the fourth quarter. There does not seem to be any imagination with Georgia’s offensive it is run, run pass or pass, pass, run. I think all of Georgia’s opponents have figured out the offensive game plan. It like coach’s are phoning it end this year!
Coachdawg 2000
November 1st, 2010
10:03 am
I’m hoping for 2 things #1 that Boise State gets left out of the BCS Championship Game and #2 an NFL lockout. If #1 happens, then perhaps Chris Peterson might get frustrated enough to want to “prove himself” in SEC(just in case we finally accept that 2-8 isn’t good enough). MAYBE #2 encourages AJ to come back. I think we need to realize that WE MUST at least play Florida even for next several years if we are EVER going to get to where we want to be. florida is in the SEC East and we cannot even win a division if we rarely beat them head-to-head. Let’s face it in 2002 if we hadn’t blown this game we probably would have been the ones playing Miami and in 2005 we backed in by the Chix beating the Gators. WE HAVE TO BEAT THE GATORS PERIOD. And it is now apparent that for whatever reason Mark Richt can’t get it done against the Gators.
JB
November 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Richt is being retained because he’s a wonderful human being. We’re in year 3 of this slide.
Call it what you want to. 2011 will not be a lot better if you study this roster. We we got the ball in OT Saturday, you get 3 chances to score or make a first down or you HAVE to kick a field goal. Bobo/Richt choose to run off tackle on second down and gave up 33% of our chance to score. I’m sorry, but that was a big blunder, and exposed this staff…………….If you’ll notice when Florida got the ball after not scoring on the interception, Meyer threw into the end zone on threr second down. Compare…..Bobo should have thrown the Ball to AJ 3 times in OT…….We got out coached !!!1
Chris
November 1st, 2010
10:10 am
Bye week should not have made a difference……..Not many times you are going to throw 3 INT’s and lose a fumble and come out with a win.
Coachdawg 2000
November 1st, 2010
10:10 am
Just for full disclosure. I do coach football and I can tell you if you go 2-8 in region against you’re biggest opponent then you will be looking for a new job. I have been on here for weeks defending CMR. But we can’t beat Florida and that’s what got Ray Goff (who was a True Dawg). I respect Mark Richt,the man and the coach, immensely but I no longer believe he can get us where we want to be. I know we have new regressed to below where we were in 2001. We are two games away from worse than 1996.
Bo
November 1st, 2010
10:11 am
Gary Danielson is an idiot. He actually called UGA’s offensive line the strength of the team. Was he reading The Sporting News from August?
yarddawg
November 1st, 2010
10:13 am
Nice post Gapeachdawg. That was one of the best Ga/Fla games I’ve seen in awhile. I just wished the the outcome would have been different. Congradulations to any Gator fans that are on this site right now or that will read this. Its truly sad to have the record we have with the talent of players that we have on this football team. I know the players are the ones playing in the games and either making the plays or making the mistakes, but coaching really does have alot to to with. There are some serious problems with the Georgia program and its sad because anybody and everybody that watches or follows the team,(especially the last two to three years)knows what the main problem is. Now I’m really interested in knowing with the new AD in place,what is going to be done about it and how long will it take to make this change. Love my Dawgs always will,Go Dawgs!
shankit
November 1st, 2010
10:17 am
Richt threw Murray to the Wolves.
It was evident early on, Murray was off,
probably real up tight, playing in his
home state….
But, Richt hung his whole offense on
Murray. After Ealey had five TD’s the
previous week, Georgia ignored their
running attack completely and just
kept too much pressure on Murray….
gt45
November 1st, 2010
10:17 am
The good thing about ya’ll losing is it keeps the da’s off the Tech blog. With that said, I thought ya’ll played your hearts out.
Robundrh2o
November 1st, 2010
10:20 am
Funny how nobody seems to mention the ‘Choke’ sign from Grantham to Chaz Henry after CMR called the T.O in OT. Very good role model there coach.
Otto
November 1st, 2010
10:26 am
In OT UGA was looking for the homerun ball like they did against Bama in that OT game when all they needed were 1st downs, another recycled game plan.
UGA still wins if TEs/WRs hang on to the ball. UF had the UGA ground game under control and I do not blame Searles the one coach on the offensive staff proven outside of Athens for that.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
10:28 am
coachdawg2000, you summed up it SEC east with your last statement. I do not know whether it is a mental block on CMR’s part or coach/player talent deficient? If I hear another statement about “FINISHING THE DRILLl”, I think that I will throw UP! Have you ever heard of beating a dead horse????THE HORSE DIED YEARS AGO!!!!!!,Coach. An “alive,” vibrant,”on a search-and-destroy mission” type of horse is needed. It can be done without head shots! Have we(at UGA)lost the concept of a “pancake” block or a vicious, legal hit? I do not see one Georgia LB who ALWAYS know where the ball is, like a Rennie Curran. Jumping off the high dive with the players in preseason is obviously not doing it either,Coach. They are not fighting for you and you know it. The question you must answer is, WHY they aren’t? When you answer that question, then you can proceed forward.
Rick
November 1st, 2010
10:29 am
OK, are all of my sensible fellow fans ready to admit now that the Dawgs, despite all the 4 & 5 star players, are just not a very good team? Beating UT, Kentucky, and Vandy obviuosly erased the start of the season for some fans. This loss to what is by far Meyer’s worst team ever at UF should make people wake up. Then again, a loss to Colorado didn’t so maybe I expect too much.
ConeDawg
November 1st, 2010
10:30 am
JB: I get what you are saying about making a change sooner rather than later, but hiring a new coach can often lead to more misery for the next few years. See: Tennessee, Colorado, ND. Because Mark has won 2 SEC champs, I am willing to let him dig us out of the hole we are in–at least, for two more year.
timthebrave
November 1st, 2010
10:33 am
This team needs to learn to just jump on a loose ball and not try to pick it up. Hard fought game but a disappointing ending. I think Murray was a little nervous starting off the game. A lot of high throws in first quarter. He played great in 2nd half. One too many interceptions in overtime. This team didn’t quit. If they had quit I would be screaming for a new coach but that isn’t what happened. Lets win the next 3 and win a bowl game and go out on a good note. Go dawgs!
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER
November 1st, 2010
10:42 am
Saint Simons:
You can’t even beat the KANSAS JAYHAWKS….You should be ashamed to come on the blog….
UGADawg83
November 1st, 2010
10:43 am
Bill-you are not qualified to comment on this game in a major newspaper. To comment in such a forum you should ATTEND the game. Junk this column and lets get a true fan that will actually GO to the Florida game, (the Florida game for crying out loud, not a game in Starkville) to write this column. Bill this is a disgrace.
cantondawg
November 1st, 2010
10:46 am
My biggest fear with UGA now is that we have lost so much in the past two years that we have become complacent and OK with losing. When you lose alot you can get used to it and lose the mental edge. The truly great teams are ones that absolutely hate losing and do everything to keep from losing. I don’t see that mentality with UGA now. I hate to say it but i see a team that is becoming accustomed to losing and that doesn’t bode well for us.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
10:49 am
conedawg, two years is too long. One year only. A team mindset of losing has set it. And it stinks, to high heaven! If you have been directly involved in athletics for a long time, and I have, and have witnessed this mindset with other programs, regrettably,it is very hard to change without a change at the top. ?to ask. Would Les Miles lost this game if he had been the HC of the same players for the entire game? Sobering, isn’t it?
cantondawg
November 1st, 2010
10:51 am
I like Mark Richt and think he is a great guy but something is bad wrong with the program now. I thought last year was an aberration and was certain he would get it turned around now. My thoughts are mixed on a coaching change. I really believe that Coach Mullen from Miss. State would be the type of coach that would win championship at a school with the facilities like UGA.
takedowndawg
November 1st, 2010
10:53 am
didos, obviously, cantondawg.
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER
November 1st, 2010
10:53 am
GApeachdawg:
O ye superfan and band wagoneer, what did Coach Bobo do that made you want to get rid of him…450 yards offense, 31 points, even on a day when his QB was off the 1st half….Why Bobo? The defense gave up 34 points to a team that could only score 6 or 7 against Miss. State….Think you must have gotten offense and defense mixed up, cause if you ought to be mad at someone, it would be the defense and not the offense on this Saturday…Coach Mike Bobo called a great game, you just do not know enough about football to appreciate that…..The gaytors tried to fumble the game away to us, but we could not recover, much less run back the fumbles they were trying to give us….That is probably Coach Bobo’s fault too, I guess….Got a novel idea for all the crybabies out there, everytime we lose a game, fire everybody…..HOW STUPID CAN STUPID BE????
droopydawg
November 1st, 2010
11:01 am
Is there some animosity between Murray and AJ that I am unaware of? Murray literally would not even look to his side of the field for the first three quarters. I actually went back and watched the first half, and if you identified the side of the field AJ was on during a pass play, over 90% of those plays, Murray did not even scan that side of the field off the snap. It was also weird how often he targeted Charles (even though they were HS teammates) considering that Charles drops about the ball about 75% of the time he is targeted and does little even when he does catch it.