Wild Dawg or not, Richt should use defensive talent on offense
We’ve been down this road before, with Mike Bobo teasing us in seasons past about possible scenarios for the “Wild Dawg,” only to see it rarely used by Georgia and even more rarely used effectively.
Two years ago it was Logan Gray who was supposed to be a threat in Georgia’s version of the single-wing formation and all that ever produced was a few highly predictable QB option runs. Last season Washaun Ealey occasionally took the direct snap, again without much success.
But, like most college football fans, I’m a sucker for a coach touting some possible new wrinkle in the offseason, so I could’t resist getting a little pumped up about Mark Richt telling UGA fans in Greenville the other night that we might see incoming freshman quarterback-turned-cornerback Nick Marshall taking snaps in the Wild Dawg formation.
As Richt himself put it, having Marshall run the formation would add a new dimension to what Georgia has tried in the past. “We’d stick Washaun back there or Caleb [King] back there. It’s nothing like having a Nick Marshall back there,” the head coach said.
That’s because Marshall has, up to now, primarily been a quarterback and quite a successful one at that, completing about 55 percent of his passes for 2,728 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior at Wilcox County. So while it might be pretty obvious what’s going to happen when an Ealey or King takes a direct snap in Georgia’s offense, defenders would have to be thinking pass, run or handoff with Marshall back there, creating confusion — which is actually supposed to be the whole point of the “wildcat” offense.
I’ve no idea how serious Richt is about using Marshall this way, though back when Marshall signed with the Dogs in February his high school coach said Georgia’s staff had told him they planned to have packages on offense at quarterback for him. So it sounds like it’s been part of the plan all along.
I’m not really a fan of offenses that shuttle different quarterbacks in and out, depending on the situation (like Florida last season), but Marshall is a special athlete and I’m glad Richt is thinking about using his talents on ofense as well as defense. Same for G-Day star Branden Smith, whose speed gives Georgia a breakaway threat, and Brandon Boykin, who probably will see some time as a kick returner and, who knows, might be able to boost the depleted receiver corps.
With A.J. Green gone, the Dogs are going to need all the offensive juice they can muster this year.
I’m on board with more two-way players. How about you?
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158 comments Add your comment
Bawbie
May 13th, 2011
12:31 pm
Fire Dave Perno!
scdawg
May 13th, 2011
12:33 pm
What about jenkins and Geathers at TE’s on the goal-line. That would add a wrinkle of playing defense on offense.
Patriot fan
May 13th, 2011
12:33 pm
Nick is an exceptional player who could/should excel at a number of positions.
McDawg
May 13th, 2011
12:35 pm
lets see its 3rd and 3 on our opponents 30 -the dawgs are lined up in a wild cat w/ Logan Gray/Mick Marshall/Branden Smith its a direct snap to exactly who you thought it was going to for a gain of 2 1/2 yds and out comes the FG unit
10 -6
May 13th, 2011
12:41 pm
@ McDawg…. my sentiments exactly!
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
12:43 pm
I don’t see LeMay playing this year, unless Murray and Mason both are injured and out at the same time. Why have him play 3 years behind Murray and then play 1 season as the starter? Yes, it worked with Shockley, but wouldn’t you rather have liked to see 2 years with Shockley as the starter?
DIT
May 13th, 2011
12:44 pm
Just come up with a game plan to beat Boise State! They just need to look at one game at a time and concentrate on that and that alone. Find their weakness and exploit it. This can be a great year or a sucky year. It will lean one way or another. I can see UGA winning 10 games AND I can see UGA winning only 6 games again.
That mental attitude has to change from the past couple of years. They have been playing to “just don’t screw up” instead of “we are going to win” Conditioning and attitude has to be there 1st. UGA has the talent, now the other factors must fall into place.
Just my opinion, but if we win 10+ games this year it will be because of the defense, not the offense. Should be interesting! Go Dawgs!
Bama, sorry to read about your player. God be with that family!
Ca dawg
May 13th, 2011
12:45 pm
Steve superior: did it ever occur to you that our coaches may not do everything they say they will, and might do some things they didn’t say they would? Notice bill’s first paragraph, where he said we’ve heard this kind of talk before, but that coaches didn’t follow up on it? Its called a smokescreen. These spring speaking tours are full of gamesmanship like this.
The Reaper
May 13th, 2011
12:46 pm
UGA’s offense is boring and highly predictable. Bobo has not shown much imagination in being an SEC OC. We need to show four to five WR formations and we have to do more to confuse the defense. In college football the DCs get better each year, so that means the offenses have to become less predicatable. It is truly time that the Dawgs become more creative on both sides of the ball and also more physical. I am really looking forward to the game against Boise St. and I hope that I’m not dissappointed like the Oklahoma St. game. We looked out of sync and not well coached on both sides of the ball. There are major questions and I hope that we can answer those and find a formula to being a consistent contender for the NC and also win some.
RedPantsDawg
May 13th, 2011
12:49 pm
Gimmicks. All gimmicks. Do anything but run Thomas up the middle behind a line that can’t block. Richt is paid $3M a year to win and he claims he knows what he’s doing so it’s about time he proves it. Just win because I can care less how it gets done.
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
Absolutely, you have to find a way to get your best “athletes” on the field and be able to utilize their special talents. We definitely need to open up the offense and put some “flash” in the gameplan, if for no other reason than I’m tired of reading about how terrible Coach Bobo is on these blogs.
Joey
May 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
Delbert, LeMay may not have to play three years behind Murray. If this season doesn’t turn out like we hope, LeMay may be competing for the starting spot under a new HC and OC.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 13th, 2011
12:53 pm
How about 3rd and 3 from the opponents 30 and we roll Marshall out and have Charles rolling out with him 5 yards downfield ALONG with King about 15 yards beyond that. Thus giving Marshall 3 options. Run for the 1st, check downfield to King or dump it down to Charles. Makes the Saftey stay back on the deep crossing route, holds linebacker up at Charles. This is why you utilize the speed and QB versitility of a Marshall.
DIT
May 13th, 2011
12:56 pm
@Lowcountry Bulldawg
Agreed! Heck, we can do that with Murray as well. The guy can run. Opening up our predictable offense would be a plus.
truedawg
May 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
I like that Lowcountry. But even more i like a O line that can hold their own and impose their will on a Defense. We will win or loose with the O line. I believe the D will be great against the run. Get a back, a workhorse establish the run, make them respect the run, then see what Charles and TKing can do. No gimicks, just hard nose, GATA game plan. GO DAWGS!!!
DawgDawgDawg
May 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
You’ve got too be kidding me! The “wild dawg” has proven to be nothing but a “lame duck”.
Dawg4life
May 13th, 2011
1:06 pm
I am all about having explosive threats on offense, but it is kind of a catch-22. I feel you become extremely predictable when you use these types of formations, especially with a true freshman at quarterback. I think the dawgs might want to establish Marshall as a legitimate threat as a qb before they let Bobo try to get cute. To me, Bobo needs to work on the regular play-calling before he tries to get “innovative”.
The Ultimate Running Back
May 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
If Richt and Bobo could only see beyond their face they would realize that they have the best running back in the SEC playing on Defense. Brandon Boykin would be a lights out RB. He shoukd be given that opportunity. Blazing speed, balance and strenght are the characteristics of a special RB. Too bad he can play a little corner as well.
just a sucka, sucka in a three piece
May 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
yes Bill, you are a sucka for this stuff.
last year’s “wild dawg” was such a phenomonal success (i particularly remember great success on the goal line) that i thought bozo was going to ditch the offense and go all wild on us.
what would really be wild is Bozo calling some 10+ play drives where we move the chains and eat up clock instead of our current offense aka: CHUCK IT DEEP AND PUNT
Old Fart
May 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
Yessir!
bandit dawgg
May 13th, 2011
1:14 pm
It want be announced till monday but Caleb did not pass this semester.Now were 2 running backs short for next fall.Is it to late to move Samuel back to running back.
Bama Mike
May 13th, 2011
1:17 pm
My take is “The Wild ” whatever is fading D Coordinators especially SEC love it as they can audible defensive signals to pretty much negate its impact now. My take on Georgia is if they can stay healthy and they may very well lose the first two games but I see them as team this year that gets stronger as the season goes on and very well could be a factor in the East. Defense will be the key. As far as offense Richt has to be creative and get away from his soft sideline routes. Spread offense maybe?
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
1:19 pm
Too much of this last year:
1st and 10 – incomplete
2nd and 10 – RB up the middle, 2 yards
3rd and 8 – Pass, now against a nickel D, incomplete
4th and 8 – punt
JAWJeRDAWG
May 13th, 2011
1:22 pm
This year, do whatever it takes to move the chains and get us across the goal line. Go Dawgs!
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
1:23 pm
Yeah Delbert. We were pretty predictable. Yet we did score some points.
What frustrated me more was on defense…3rd and 12…first down!
mgdawg
May 13th, 2011
1:23 pm
I like it to an extent. I don’t really like using starters on defense to play on offense, they need a rest and I don’t want their offensive play to affect their defensive play. However, someone like branden smith who is a nickel or dime corner, use him a good bit on offense. Not using him on offense is just wasting talent. The only thing is, use the defensive players as decoys just as much as you give them the ball. I’m personally not a big fan of the wildcat, it just has never seemed to work for georgia.
Charmaigne
May 13th, 2011
1:26 pm
These Illiterate bozos can barely read, and you expect them to fIgure out a playbook?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 13th, 2011
1:28 pm
If running a wilddawg allows us to be more successful inside the 20 I dont care if ya call it a gimmick or not. It is about W’s, plain and simple. Murray can be used in that same scenario also as pointed out. Charles,King,White and either Brown or Wooten are going to have some lofty expectations on them this Fall. We don’t need 8 receivers we just need 1 above average one. King along with Charles have each shown us glimpses of being that type of player. Now the Running Back situation will need to unfold.
This team can move the ball from 20 to 20. CMB has got to figure out a way to get 6 on the board more frequently. I dont Walsh to be a All American. I want his ass board on the sideline because we score so many touchdowns all he is doing is kicking extra points and handling kickoffs.
banditdawgg
May 13th, 2011
1:29 pm
It want be announced till monday but Caleb king did not pass this past semester … Maybe he can do the summer school route Im not sure does anybody know what his satus on the team would be if this is indeed true.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
May 13th, 2011
1:30 pm
Tide drool has an issue with the way Richt coaches and recruits for the offensive line? Say it ain’t so. I used to actually like Bama, thanks to Tide drool, I will pull for U Tn and Aubun over them. What a maroon!! And boring as well as misinformed.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 13th, 2011
1:31 pm
Mixing in a little well-executed razzle-dazzle is a good idea. Might use of Branden Smith as a running back bearing the same number as Isaiah Crowell also add a little to defense confusion?
Richard Samuel and even ‘Tree might get to run a few downs if we need them to.
But I’d rather Coach Bobo, Coach McLendon, et al. get Caleb, Boo, Isaiah, Carlton, Harten, and the rest of the supposed-to-be running backs playing up to their potential. Only if that’s not working should we start looking to take guys off the D.
Either way, though, if the O line is the problem, Herschel Walker could have his eligibility restored and back in the red and black but our backs could still lack the productivity we need.
The O line is the key to our 2011 season. They play well; we’ll do well. They play meh; we’ll do meh. They play poorly, we’ll do poorly.
I like what I see from Coach Friend and I’m optomistic we’ll have a great year. There’s no one on the 2011 schedule we cannot beat; the only question is will we. We just need to get on the field every game and GATA!
Patriot fan
May 13th, 2011
1:31 pm
Ass board? Did you mean bored?
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
1:33 pm
Tide Roll probably didn’t even shed a tear at the news of the Alabama offensive lineman found dead in Florida. Want to guess why?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 13th, 2011
1:33 pm
LOL! That reads a little funny doesnt it
! You get the point though,lol!
Einsteindawg
May 13th, 2011
1:38 pm
I’d like to see JS-W at tailback…he has the size and blazing speed, but it’ll never happen. Unfortunately, our coaches have a difficult time utilizing the talents of gifted athletes and putting the best players on the field. Nick Marshall would be awesome in the Wild Dawg.
UGA always had one or two AAs on the O line
May 13th, 2011
1:44 pm
As a kid, I can recall Lynn Hass who played for UGA in the Fran Trakenton era on the UGA line and I believe he did the same for the old 60s DC Redskins. Over the years since, we turned out Royce Smith ( RIP) and Tom Nash and simply too manyy to name. I suspect that over the last 35 years dating back to Dooley’ era and up to the early 2000s, UGA had maybe 20? or 30? AA linemen? If not AAs, then All SEC will get it done.
Why UGA cannot recruit about 4 or 5 top notch O linemen each year lately, is lost on me. This is the core of any top SEC team. Basics. UGA could be in deep doo doo w.o. the O line blue chips this year.
Go Dawgs!!
Brian Harbach
May 13th, 2011
1:47 pm
I couldn’t disagree more with this statement, if you can’t run block or pass block for your normal players…how do you expect to make it work with a guy who touches the football maybe 3 snaps a game and maybe double that in practice?
Sure it’s a great idea but the basics have to be executed well before you can get into using defensive backs with elite speed in an offensive set.
AltamahaDawg
May 13th, 2011
1:48 pm
What I want is MORE predictable. I completely disagree that the better program are using 2 way players and tricking anyone with razzle dazzle. I can’t think of a single example of that. Even offenses that are perceived as more “creative” are not unpredictable. They still do the same things over and over, and everybody knows what it is.
JB
May 13th, 2011
1:51 pm
It has to be coached better and more creative. ANY DC scouting us would KNOW that when Logan Gray got the direct snap, he was going to give a head fake and run left or right looking for a hole. Nothing more, nothing less.
AltamahaDawg
May 13th, 2011
1:52 pm
If being “unpredicatable” was the answer, any/every OC in the country would be a genious. That’s the easiest thing in the world to do.
Tony
May 13th, 2011
1:54 pm
It’s designed to throw off Boise & SC. Did the same thing last year, didn’t work, got off to 1-4 start.
Bobo/Richt keep trying stuff that didn’t work last year, like acting like they’ll go wild dawg. Sure.
UGA runs the most predictable, boring, conservative offense in the SEC, that’s why UGA didn’t score against ranked teams more than 16 a game on the average.
They don’t like risk. Easy to prepare for.
Herew’s last year’s “wild dawg misdirection attempt”, for those that were bamboozled last year:
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2010/07/20/a-j-green-in-the-wild-dawg-or-is-bobo-just-teasing-us-again/
reebok
May 13th, 2011
1:55 pm
Tech fan here…I don’t have a dog in this fight (sorry), but I see no way a team as loaded with 4 & 5 star recruits as UGA should be working with trick formations & wildcat stuff…UNLESS georgia has a freak like Tebow or Cam Newton at QB. How about this: line up in a pro set and run a stud running back behind a bunch of earth-mover linemen? seriously?
7576DAWG
May 13th, 2011
1:55 pm
I have always liked any team that can run the ” NO HUDDLE ” if they can run it smooth and without mistakes. I think the players could do just fine with it every 3rd or 4th series . Any more often than that would expose our lack of depth on offense. BUT I REALLY QUESTION WHETHER BOBO CAN KEEP UP. he has a hard enough time just keeping up in the SEC using your standard offensive schemes, now.
My criticizing Bobo has always been because he can not keep up with the pace and speed of the SEC. He is better suited for a slower league or Division 1-AA.
AltamahaDawg
May 13th, 2011
2:03 pm
If SEC defensse have such fast pace and speed, why would you run the no-huddle which is designed to take advantage of slower opponents.
Muley Powers
May 13th, 2011
2:04 pm
Is a wild look offensive? I figure it is. I learned it the hard way when I got a knuckle sandwich at The Gator Bowl cause the Florida fan said he didn’t like the way I was lookin at him. I wear mirrored sunglasses to all the games now!
7576DAWG
May 13th, 2011
2:10 pm
I think our defense is set this year and will make us proud. It will be one of the best in the nation. But after only scoring 6 point in the bowl game against UCF can not be ignored. I hope that CMR is coming up with something different than last year.
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 13th, 2011
2:10 pm
Holy cow! The single wing. What an innovated concept from master motivator Richt. It’s nowhere near like it was the offense of choice many many years ago and started making a comeback about 5 years ago. Mark Richt is a mastermind. First blackouts and now this. With your rich high school system, biggest competitor being a tech school, huge fan base, and millions of dollars, this extradinory idea might get you a 4 loss season! Wuff Wuff!
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 13th, 2011
2:15 pm
So are we going to call it the “Wild Dawg” or the Dingo?
JB
May 13th, 2011
2:15 pm
Tide, Maybe Saban should of tried it in the second half of the Auburn games last year
UGA Insider
May 13th, 2011
2:17 pm
Every coach I have ever talked to in this league say that UGA is the easiest team to prepare for. We run the same plays year after year on 1st,2nd and 3rd down on certain spots on the field. After 10 years UGA fans now complain(and rightly so) that we are boring to watch on offense. That is because we are running the same plays folks!