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
JDAWG
May 13th, 2011
10:53 am
First
jboog
May 13th, 2011
10:54 am
I think one of the things that separates the good and great teams are the utilization of the truly gifted athletes. And sadly, I think that is one area where UGA has frankly failed in recent years. So I agree with more two-way players.
JDawg
May 13th, 2011
10:55 am
1st? I am all for anything that will help the bulldogs win!
Go Dawgs!
ray burnette
May 13th, 2011
10:55 am
I hope you are right about using Marshall I saw him in high school many times and he is an awesome talent that I believe can play quarterback in college let’s see some : Wild Dawg” this year!
Fred
May 13th, 2011
10:56 am
First! I agree with you Bill…We need an explosive package for our offense! We were way too predictable last year at times with our offense and especially in the Central Florida Bowl Game.
NWGA Dawg
May 13th, 2011
10:58 am
I would love to see that as well, but like you, I haven’t seen where we untilize our guys in that kind of offensive formation much. Imagine having Marshall back there, and using BSmith motioning across the formation to do the Jet sweep. THAT I would like to see!!!!
FU-UF
May 13th, 2011
10:59 am
I think it is a fantastic idea. CMR has the recipe for success with this team next year, but can he bake us some wins? I think so…
LC Dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:01 am
How many more posts until a Techie wants to turn this into an academic debate??
Mobile Dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:03 am
Richt really can’t afford not to use all available talent can he Bill? That said in the past the “wild dawg” was always a thing of predictability, which is one of the knocks folks seem to consistently hang on Bobo.
I’m like others, I just want to see some Dawgs that are hungry, can’t remember any “Hunting Dawgs since, Blue, Davis, Pollack, Greene, Shockely, and a few others come to mind. I remember a “lot” of “entitled Dawgs” lately including a “Head Coach”.
Scrambled Dog
May 13th, 2011
11:04 am
Let’s do anything that will help us win and win now……….Let’s Go Dawgs, GATA !!!!!
Mobile Dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:06 am
Just for the record Bill, more than the “wild dawg” I would like to see a solid running game behind “five bulldozers”. I say to Richt, commit to the running game, force this line to perform at a high level, you will be well served by that philosophy often and early. Seriously doubt he would do it, Richt is to much “fluff and stuff”.
Watkinsville Hound
May 13th, 2011
11:06 am
LeMay actually impressed me the most at G-Day.
I am excited and hopeful that Bobo will utilize he and Murray similarly to the way David Greene and DJ Shockley were utilized in different scenarios in the early aughts.
Dawg_Mike
May 13th, 2011
11:08 am
Every time i saw Logan Gray trot onto the field in that formation I ( and EVERYONE else ) knew what was coming.
predictability = failure.
keep em guessing and your success rate goes up.
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
11:09 am
Absolutely.
With no depth at running back and our offensive line losing players, we MUST get more creative on offense. I am hoping Richt tells Bobo to study some spread formations and actually implement them.
Also, why just limit this to Marshall? Murray and Lemay both ran variations of it in high school. Running a pro style offense relying on a talented kid who is only 6 feet tall standing behind an inexperienced offensive line is a recipe for disaster.
Make the other team game plan for different sets. Spread them out and use our speed and athleticism.
sonny
May 13th, 2011
11:11 am
is it true? first
Timbodog
May 13th, 2011
11:15 am
I actually don’t think this is a really good idea. Trickery like this is better suited for teams who don’t have enough talent to play straight up.
As a side note, please Bill…can you find out if there is any truth to the rumors floating around about John Jenkins and/or Crowell not being academically eligible for the upcoming season?
NWGA Dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:16 am
@ Dawg_Mike:
It worked for Arkansas with McFadden & Felix Jones…EVERYONE knew what was coming, but could not stop it.
I’m not saying do this all the time…but it is a good change of pace, and forces the other teams to spend time on working to defend it(Less time working on stopping our base packages/plays).
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 13th, 2011
11:18 am
This could be a huge weapon in the Red Zone for this offense that seemingly struggles inside the 20.
icedawg
May 13th, 2011
11:18 am
Makes an interesting story. However, the real question is line play on both sides of the ball. If they do not dominate their opponents the gimmicks won’t help that much.
Nomobama
May 13th, 2011
11:21 am
Use defensive stars on offense? Sounds like CMR realizes his team isnt going to score a lot of points…
lawdawg
May 13th, 2011
11:25 am
The real benefit of the wildcat type formation is the extra blocker. A passing threat adds an extra wrinkle but its definitely not the true advantage of the package. See, e.g., McFadden at Arkansas a few years ago. Wildhog was deadly even without much throwing from him.
tide roll
May 13th, 2011
11:30 am
Bill, Forget the “Wild Dawg”. Richt and Bobo’s lack of foresight have left you absolutely no depth on the offensive line! For example, there’s no competition at center (there should be!), because the loss of Harmon has forced the move of Burnette to guard ! Richt and bobo have completely removed the most essential element of all – COMPETITION FOR PLAYING TIME – out of the offensive line equation! There’s not another program in the Conference that has to put up with this mismanagement. At least threaten to use Geathers, Jenkins, Garrison Smith or some other defensive lineman, at least part time, on the offensive line, in an effort to keep the starters motivated. It’s unbelievable for a program like Uga’s to be in this predicament! There’s no legitimate competition for playing time on your offensive line ! Total negligent lack of foresight. Why can’t Richt and Bobo catch these issues before it’s too late!?
jarvis
May 13th, 2011
11:30 am
The “Wild Dawg” would still require adequate run blocking?
Gatadawg
May 13th, 2011
11:31 am
I’m more excited about marshall then lemay. As far as the “wilddawg,” if we commit to the idea then we should use it often enough with different variations so it’s not so predictable. We really won’t need it though if Crowell is legit. Think back to the offenses of 07 and 08, we need those kinds of offenses with defenses like 03 and 04. Time to put if all together and win the weak sec east Dawgs!!
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
11:32 am
We have been way too easy to prepare for in 2008-2010. If we can change the mindset of the offensive line to run block effectively, having things spread out can only help with a power running game available too.
Ealey is gone
King is most likely gone
Crowell is a freshman
Malcome is unproven.
We are going to have to do somethigs differently to get defenses out of their comfort zone.
Timbodog
May 13th, 2011
11:33 am
Please, PLEASE, someone tell me the rumors are unsubstantiated.
Ca dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:34 am
I think well see more of boykin and smith on offense than nick marshall, but with the unsettled RB and OL situations it’s looking more and more like we’re going to have to scramble to score points. Marshall, smith, Boykin, and swann are all playmakers. Were going to need to get them the ball in space to give them a chance to make plays.
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
11:36 am
tide roll,
The front line OL is big and talented and has good experience. The depth has taken a hit because of Sturdivant and possibly Harmon. There is some depth and we do have recruits coming in.
This blog is about what we are going to do on offense to add some playmakers, not gripe about richt and Bobo and what you think should have been. Your nagging nelly attitude does no one any good. Your OL depth just took a unfortunate hit as well in a very sad way. It happens. There is no sense whining about things you can’t change at UGA just like there is no sense whining over an untimely death.
Grow up.
sogadog
May 13th, 2011
11:37 am
We are pinning our hopes on a lot of players who are still in high school right now. (Nick Marshall, Isaiah Crowell, Ray Drew, Jay Rome) These guys should develop into key players, but its going to take time. There is plenty of talent already in Athens to get the job done and they will be the key to success this season, not the high school guys.
And Icedawg, you are right.
Ca dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:38 am
Timbodog: no one knows anything yet. I’m worried too. I know there were concerns about Jenkins qualifying from the beginning, and there have been whispers about Crowell for awhile, but don’t worry until there’s a real reason to. Jenkins is in Athens now, but not sure what that means. Just cross your fingers bro. HBTD!
Reginald
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
Who cares Bill?, boooooooooooooooooooo.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
We have to stop the fear mongering here about Caleb King. No one knows for sure about what is going to be the result. Speculation is only going to get the fanbase rised up and if nothing come up if only ad fuel to the fire as to how many UGA fans look foolish. Lets let the situation unfold as it will. Nothing we can do about it anyway. So why get ourselves all worked up about King and his acadenic status?
tide roll
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
i am an idiot and a racist, but everyone knows that already.
Richt`s Hammer
May 13th, 2011
11:41 am
Boise State 256 Dawgs 3
Richt`s Hammer
May 13th, 2011
11:43 am
Wild Dawg.. Is that Choakdawg without his 500 krispy kreme`s each day?
Ca dawg
May 13th, 2011
11:47 am
Btw, tide roll: Harmon is a tackle. Losing him (which isn’t official just yet) didn’t force us to move burnette– previously a center– to guard. And burnette got moved while Harmon was with the team because we wanted to get our best guys on the field. Seems like an OL guru like you would know that. But then, there is the possibility that you’re just a moron.
Joey
May 13th, 2011
11:48 am
Somebody’s got an obsession with Coach Richt’s body part.
Gandolph
May 13th, 2011
11:50 am
Forget the wildcat!! Seriously come on. Gimme a few different 3 TE sets out this group. I cannot believe this coaching staff has not developed such a formation. Lack of creativity from Bobo once again. I mean the Patriots are doing it…
Joey
May 13th, 2011
11:56 am
Surely Richt’s comments about studying football and cutting edge means that he is gonna add some stuff to the playbook. I would love to see the no huddle offense Greene and Shockley ran multiple times per game, and lots of spread fields – even on running plays.
Jonkdawg
May 13th, 2011
11:56 am
My fingers cross this year hopefully the defense is taking to another level, i aint worried abt the offense like ftball xpert said theyre not that good, we’ll see!!
bjohndawg
May 13th, 2011
11:58 am
Two way it.
And just win the whole damn thing!
Matt
May 13th, 2011
12:02 pm
I have no problems with this. Plenty of teams do this and have success doing it. Hell, on 3 and 3 you knew Tebow was going to run it and you still couldn’t stop it. It can work when run properly. Problem is that UGA’s staff has failed to show they know how to run it. It usually blows up in our face when we try it. If he was such a a versatile stud at QB then why the F is he playing defense???
Matt
May 13th, 2011
12:04 pm
Not to mention they have shown they aren’t creative enough to run anything that is not obvious to 90,000 fans and the opposing D when in these formations.
Mobile Dawg
May 13th, 2011
12:05 pm
Three times….Did I just get censured twice, or just a glitch in the program Bill? Let’s try again.
Cutting Edge my arse. Anyone remember real football players like Eddie “Meat Cleaver” Weaver? Just give me some football players and play ball, I’m just sick and tired of gimmicks and excuses presented by this regime. Forget the gimmicks and play football.
School Dawg
May 13th, 2011
12:11 pm
I say put Lemay, Marshall, and Murray all in at once. Triple reverse with option to throw on the run…
Matt
May 13th, 2011
12:14 pm
School dawg- that is way to complex for this coaching staff. It will be an endaround where we lose 5 or possibly gain 2, a standard off tackle run where the RB runs into the back of the OL, or a misread “read option” netting 0.
the u
May 13th, 2011
12:19 pm
Just coach the defensive and offensive guys up and they won’t have to rely on a defensive player carrying out an offensive play. Haven’t the bulldogs learned from past experience this flip flop stuff has no benefit for player or team. Hard to imagine a team couldn’t find a capable offensive player to run the “wild whatever”.
D Bag Trolls
May 13th, 2011
12:21 pm
Why monitor this blog now. You have let it get completely out of control over the last several months. This rag is a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Superior
May 13th, 2011
12:26 pm
Richt needs to mix it up because his offense is so predictable …… just ask the Kentucky coach.
Steve Superior
May 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
The coaching staff at UGA are buffoons. Why tell everyone you may have a different wrinkle. Its called the element of surprise not transparency. Silly Coaches.
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!
JB
May 13th, 2011
2:19 pm
UGA Insider. you ARE right. Any DC just looks at film and studies trends and puts his guys in place. You win some, lose some. In our case, they win most
JAWJeRDAWG
May 13th, 2011
2:22 pm
@ UGA Insider
Are you hearing / seeing anything that would lead you to believe that will change this year? Thanks. .. Go Dawgs!
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 13th, 2011
2:29 pm
Yes, but you change your uniforms so often. Do coaches take this extra motivation into consideration?
AltamahaDawg
May 13th, 2011
2:37 pm
Alabama is just as predictable. And will be this year. Auburn wasn’t exactly fooling anyone this past season. I could tell you with a fair degree of certainty was UF was going to do most play, during thier heyday(s).
SEC Fan
May 13th, 2011
2:43 pm
Richt scrapped the no huddle a decade ago and the wild dawg has been abused by defenses ever since.
Time to put this wild dawg to sleep.
truedawg
May 13th, 2011
2:46 pm
They did recruit some oline men this year, some really big kids coming in the fall. Maybe one or two will become the real deal. We’ll just have to wait and see. Really like Danzler. Big kid that can move.
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 13th, 2011
2:47 pm
Just wow! Maybe AltamahaDawg should coach the Dawg’s defense. Especially if he knows what UF is going to run with a “fair degree of certainty.” But, I digress, UGA doesn’t really need any help with UF.
tk
May 13th, 2011
2:50 pm
use all your speed dawgs. I love seeing bsmith in the backfield. If we have the depth on d i would love to see those guys on offense. slip screens; jail break screens and hand offs to a speedster can be easy blocking for o linemen and add a new wrinkle to our offense
BG
May 13th, 2011
2:51 pm
I like it. GO DAWGS!!!
ERK
May 13th, 2011
3:20 pm
. . . . . . . . Is Ealey going to Georgia Southern?
Shannon in Athens
May 13th, 2011
3:39 pm
I’m tired of all the xxxxcat offenses: the wildcat, the blank cat.
Simply call it the “marshall plan”
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
3:59 pm
2007 we were pretty good and ran the same offense. 198 yards passing, 198 yards rushing.
Defense was not bad, not good but not bad.
The offensive shortcomings will be masked if the defense performs better.
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
3:59 pm
Ealey headed to Valdosta State.
Return to Glory
May 13th, 2011
4:08 pm
Add all the wrinkles you want..the bottom line is the offensive line, if they play hard, smart and physical and can contol the line it will work, if not it and the dawgs will fail.
Get nasty up front on the line and good things will happen.
GO DAWGS
RiffRaff
May 13th, 2011
4:19 pm
Stay away from the ‘wilddog’ crap. It has never worked, never will.
ARdawg
May 13th, 2011
4:34 pm
Bill King, good story. I call’em when they are good and bad btw. I say go for it Richt. You are one man with nothing to lose. Of course generally speaking we’d love to have a predictable offense that nobody could stop even knowing what was coming. Instead we’ve had a predictable offense that everybody and thier granny could stop cold. I’m up for anything at this juncture
Fire CMR
May 13th, 2011
4:37 pm
Another off season of talking about how many great formations, great recruiting and splendid depth chart the Dawgs….any somewhat educated fan can clearly see that when the Dawgs need a good play called, it seems that just the opposite happens. How and why Bobo is still calling plays is beyond me…oh, its because CMR has to much to handle…joke!
red&silver
May 13th, 2011
4:41 pm
If the defense goes back to the top 15 in the country it will not matter if the offense is predictable or not.It’s hard for any team with a pro style offense to put up 40 a game. When UGA was winning reguarly there were 1st round draft picks on defense not offense.
GADawg43
May 13th, 2011
4:48 pm
Nick is a special talent. I live in Turner Co which is a rival of Wilcox in the A division so i have seen him play and he is awsome. Maybe even a better basketball player than football.
Dawg Tell
May 13th, 2011
4:51 pm
Marshall is an exceptional football and basketball player! If he was put a QB full time;I believe he would beat out Murray and Lemay with one year of learning the playbook and playing experience.He is that good.Reminds me of Hines Ward.Hell of a player.However until we improve the offensive line what ever plays are called will not matter.
Sven Ottke
May 13th, 2011
5:24 pm
Wild Dog…..oh goody! Look at this! More gimics! How original.
Dawg89
May 13th, 2011
5:28 pm
They better think of something different than they have done in years past. It’s time to throw out the old playbook and come up with something new.
Snoop Dawg
May 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
The Wild Dog, huh… With Bobo and Richt calling the plays, we’re screwed…
NEBDawg
May 13th, 2011
5:40 pm
I suggest putting in 6 QB’s in the starting offense.Are you kidding me? BOBO and Richt have to go.
Predition. Mr Mason will be the starting QB. Great head on his shoulder with great talent.
SEC1
May 13th, 2011
6:09 pm
The past couple of seasons we probably needed to use the talented offensive players on defense rather than the other way around…
Seriously folks, until we have the Junkyard Dawg defense of the past, we will not be playing for the SEC crown, much less the NC.
Here’s to year two under the new 3-4!
roughrider
May 13th, 2011
6:27 pm
Marshall was one of the best high school q.b.’s to ever play the game. Not grooming him as a q.b. is a mistake on Richr’s part.
the REAL Phil
May 13th, 2011
7:38 pm
I had no idea that Tide Roll Was a racist. Now as to being an idiot……………………….
Joe
May 13th, 2011
8:04 pm
Do not forget that Marshall played for a class A team just like Ealey did. Neither one was in the same class as Herschell or Hearst. So he never played against a defense like Lowndes, Camden, or Parkview, where everyone is a great athlete. In the SEC the athletes are even more advanced. Richt should let all the teams know his thoughts and make it harder on himself to be successful. These trial and error, miss or hit experiments have jumped up and bit the team in the backside. Lombardi use to run the sweep over and over and over to get it right. To spend time on one or two fancy plays takes away from the time needed to be the most effective they can be on the basic plays that make a team successful. The more plays you have the less time each one has been practiced. The more changes made in lineups or positions limits the time needed for the player to become excellent in what he should be doing. The worst example of wasted talent is the jumbling and bumbling of the 20 year old Samuel. Just poor judgement on the staffs part.
Nub
May 13th, 2011
8:23 pm
It’s third and nine ….. Bobo call the Wilddawg…. Better yet a draw play … Or maybe a screen pass… No worries …. The deck will be cleaned if we don’t win the east this year….. !!!! And you can take that to the bank!!!!
G8tor Girl
May 13th, 2011
8:23 pm
“With Bobo and Richt calling the plays, we’re screwed…”
Yes, indeed, you are. And it won’t get any better while Richt is there.
jonwan 1353
May 13th, 2011
8:55 pm
I’d really like to see Brandon Harton return some
punts or ko’s. He is electric and hard to tackle
one on one.
T-Dawg
May 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
Joe said: “To spend time on one or two fancy plays takes away from the time needed to be the most effective they can be on the basic plays that make a team successful.” To quote Mr. Wrestling II, “truer words were never spoken – so true!”
Macclenny_dawg
May 13th, 2011
9:10 pm
Bill, what I would like 2 see even more is Jenkins and Geathers used on goal line for offense!!! Also some starters used on punt block team!!! I would like 2 see some wilddawg but with Murray staying on the field as a wr.
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
10:26 pm
“The 6-1 Scott-Wesley is approaching 220 pounds these days.”
I lifted that from Tower’s blog. 6-1, 220 with blazing speed is approaching Herschel territory. Let’s put him at tailback and see what he’s got. There’s you a “wild dawg” right there. Didn’t he play some QB too?
ReddDawg
May 13th, 2011
11:25 pm
I don’t see the problem ……….. we always have midget up the middle on 2nd & 23.
sports
May 14th, 2011
12:20 am
You can watch the Georgia offense of TV and know what play their gonna run. The offense is so vanilla…what do they have, 5 plays. They always run on first and second down, and you guessed it they pass…real confusing. Pretty pathetic!
RED DOG 77
May 14th, 2011
12:21 am
@Bill King……..I am quite confident I know as much, probubly more about football than you do…….I played the game Bill, and as a seasoned observer of college football, and former “highly ranked recruit” that was injured and never made it onto the gameday sod of sanford stadium……I will tell you one thing ‘ol buddy………You don’t tell Coach Mark Richt what he should or shouldn’t do, you fool…………You Bill, made yourself look downright silly with this one………Telling a coach of Mark Richt’s stature what he should do?………..indeed !………..Regards Bill, RED P.S. I sure wish you had the courage to respond to me sometime, I guess you are too busy “licking” your wounds though.
A-Ville Ranger
May 14th, 2011
12:47 am
We’ve had addled secondaries for years. Nick Saban doesn’t allow defensive players to play on offense. He also has the smartest secondaries in the business. I think Richt should only consider letting players play both ways after they’ve trained at their primary positions at least 2 years and have proved they have it down cold.
FanSince59
May 14th, 2011
7:20 am
King, don’t hold your breath for anything new or innovative from either Richt or his homeboy, Bobo, the Willie Martinez of the offense.
Verlaine
May 14th, 2011
7:40 am
Wounds my heart with monotonous languor.
slobodan
May 14th, 2011
7:44 am
Put emphasis on defense. Stop the other team. No more getting plowed by the other team’s offense. The dawg’s offense? Get the blocking and use anyone you please.
Brucerugby79
May 14th, 2011
7:54 am
I want all 5 TE in the game one at FB white and Charles split out lynch and rome in tight put a split in motion and run the ball down hill–I believe the opposition would get tired of it quickly-we are very big this year and should wear em down
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 14th, 2011
8:04 am
Not real sure we need to put any defensive players on offense for a few plays, but I think we could mix it up a little with a few plays not considered standard by most teams. If that young man Marshalls insertion into the backfield can cause defenses a little haeartburn and have them guessing, By all means do it. The more unpredictable you are, the better chance your team will be successful. It is like having a Tebrow or Newton in your backfield. Do they pass, hand off or do they just take off. Imagine being on the other side of the line and trying to prepare for any of those circumstances. There are not a lot of teams with defensive players that can react quickly enough, once they have commited to a play they think is going one way and it turns out they were wrong.
DawgByte
May 14th, 2011
9:42 am
At times Florida did a fantastic job of using a special talent like Tre Burton on offense. Nick Marshall may be a similar talent that could be used in a variety of packages that have multiple options. As most have pointed out… use the talent you have and do so in an unpredictable way.
bubba4dawgs
May 14th, 2011
9:58 am
Big concern is the Ol line stepping up. It seems that so many pieces are coming together and yet the big question is the O line. Surely, there’s plenty of backfield talent to make some exciting things happen. How many wins did we get when Ealey had 20 or more carries? Hopefully, King and Crowell can do he same! GO DAWGS!!
waytogoRicht
May 14th, 2011
10:48 am
Year before last I decided to attend the state championship game between Wilcox County and Savannah Christian, not thinking Wilcox had a snowballs chance at winning(I have Wilcox ties and thought it was neat they were there).
Savannah Christian was favored with a perfect record, but Wilcox had beaten two other undefeateds in the playoffs-Greenville and Wesleyan. Sure enough in the second half Wilcox is down by 11 points, and then Nick Marshall put on a show. The favored team couldn’t touch him as he very elusive, and bided his time back and forth until an open receiver was found(usually Lonnie Outlaw or Tay Porter). In the end Nick Marshall lead them to a nine point victory for the first time Wilcox had ever been there, and then win it all.
Nick Marshall should be given the chance on offense in the wildcat, as he appears to be a Champ Bailey type of guy on the field.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 14th, 2011
10:59 am
SEC 1,
Do you see a much bigger jump in defensive talent and playing under the second year of the 3-4? I gotta admit I wasn’t a real big fan of the fornmmation the first year but I guess that was because we did not have the big ulgies on the line. I tend to think with the big ole boys we have this year, we could be very good. I am old school thinking in that if you own the line of scrimmage and put pressure on the backfield, you can get away with just an average secondary, because they will not have time to stay in the pocket all day or rush and get the yards they need. I still think also, that UGA will have to have real good D this year because the Offense is somewhat fractured and not as sure at their positions and starters as they need to be. I don’t really believe that they expect Crowell to come right in and be a barn burner right from day one. He will need to adjust to the speed and the toughness of the game as I don’t see him being a Lattimore that makes holes for himself if need be. If the D controls the game and gives the offensive side some good ball locations on turnovers sometimes, it will make the transistion to a good offense that much easier.
vadawg
May 14th, 2011
11:23 am
sorry…. the oline is the weak link for our running game…To bad there isn’t enough competition in the oline. Skilled postion players r important but EVERY YEAR a coach MUST go after the best possible recruits (in state or out) to keep the trenches ROCK READY!!!!!!!! John Madden always said that the game is won in the trenches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111…
Joe
May 14th, 2011
11:56 am
Nick Marshall is no Champ Bailey… He is good but not that good…
Dawgman
May 14th, 2011
8:11 pm
Nick Marshall needs to be a QB, wilddawg or not. He’s a trump card there, even in the SEC. Use him. The guy is Charlie Ward with a verical jump.
FLA DAWG
May 14th, 2011
11:27 pm
Richt has the smarts to make something like that work but if you’re counting on Bobo then you better start taking some Tums………………………………my 9 yr old son’s ice hockey offense if better coached in my opinion.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 15th, 2011
7:46 am
I think this year, CMR will have a bigger part in the offensive game plays. I think, as he admitted, he became a little too much CEO and not enough on field coach. I look forward to the offense being a little more wide open this year, provided the O line can do the job.
Vick=Dog killing Thug
May 15th, 2011
8:48 am
Not to bash CMR or even Bobo but I don’t see CMR doing anything creative like that. He’s pretty much a fundamentalist and not a “out of the box thinker”
BullDogMike
May 15th, 2011
10:22 am
All this conversation concerning alternate offenses sounds good up to a point. But here is the point….the failure over the past couple of seasons to sign some really stud offensive linemen will show up this year in a big way. With out an OL that can dominate, you’re just pi**ing in the wind.. sorry but that’s just the way it is.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 15th, 2011
10:36 am
Vick, Hope he breaks the mold a little this year and trys some trick plays. We need to be a little less predictable for sure.
ugab
May 15th, 2011
11:03 am
Why let the world know what we are going to run?! It is going to be another long season.
waytogoRicht
May 15th, 2011
7:58 pm
Joe
You’re right, Nick Marshall is no Champ Bailey. Actually he’s much better than Champ Bailey ever was on offense, and obviously doesn’t play bad defense either, as that’s where UGA has him.
Mayo
May 16th, 2011
10:18 am
I’m all for Wild Dog or anything that works. For too long we’ve suffered with “MILD Dog”…..