Richt addresses tailbacks, nose guards at fan gathering
Some quick hits from across the Bulldog Nation …
Mark Richt laughed off Florida coach Will Muschamp’s guarantee of a win over Georgia this year when asked about it Tuesday night at a fan gathering, the Albany Herald reports. “I thought that was a good thing coming from him,” Richt said at the Doublegate Country Club. “I heard about it right away, but I also know how those things happen. That’s why I don’t answer some questions.”
Richt did answer other questions, though, including addressing the status of running back Caleb King: “We expect Caleb to be here in the fall.” And as for walk-on Brandon Harton, who was a surprising third on the tailback depth chart released this week, Richt said, “Our best runner in the spring was Harton. Is he ready for the SEC? We’ll see. But we expect him to compete for a job.”
The key to success for the 2011 Dogs, Richt said: “We have to stay healthy. That, and we need some of our upperclassmen like [Orson] Charles, [Christian] Robinson and [Ben] Jones to really step up and show our younger guys what to do.”
Meanwhile, Dawgs 247 reports that prior to the Albany appearance Richt talked a bit about how big John Jenkins and an improved Kwame Geathers might both play on the defensive line at the same time. Richt noted that last year in passing situations Georgia usually pulled its nose guard and went with two defensive ends and the outside linebackers applying pressure “because we didn’t really have that nose guard.” But if the nose guard is “worthy of staying in the game and rushing the passer, you might have those two big o’l boys in there” as the interior linemen in the nickel package, he said, referring to Jenkins and Geathers.
DREW READY TO PUSH
We talked yesterday about which of Georgia’s incoming freshmen might push for early playing time. The Athens Banner-Herald talked with one of them, the Rev. Ray Drew, who noted, “just because I’m a freshman doesn’t mean I’m going to come in and sit back. Every football player, if you ask them, they’d rather be on the football field than on the sideline any day. That’s really what I want to go in and do.” As for starting outside linebacker Cornelius Washington, Drew said: “I want to at least push him for it a little bit. Let him work for it.”
GOOD SECOND-PLACE FINISHES
Sometimes coming in second isn’t so bad. Considering what an off year the marquee football team had, it’s noteworthy that UGA still managed to take second place in the SEC all-sports competition sponsored by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, finishing behind only Florida. The Dogs were second in overall men’s competition and third in women’s and were helped by SEC championships in men’s tennis and women’s swimming and diving. Georgia last won the All-Sports Trophy in 2005-2006. … Meanwhile, the UGA football team tied Florida for second place behind Vanderbilt in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate listings released Tuesday. Eight UGA teams were among the top three in the conference in the APR scores, which measure eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team. All of Georgia’s teams were well above the cut-off that triggers penalties.
GO HINES!
I don’t watch talent competition shows on TV and only ever caught one of Hines Ward’s performances on “Dancing With the Stars” when I was at someone else’s house, but I’m very happy Ward won the competition Tuesday. And I’m also pleased that after he did so he gave a shout out to the Bulldog Nation as well as to Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Classy move, Hines.
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155 comments Add your comment
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:16 pm
Jim, when Terrence Cody, and Nick Fairley came out of the JUCO ranks did they have any Div 1 experience? No. But they have championship rings. Just a though and just sayin. Doesn’t really matter. Did Marcus Lattimore, Michael Dyer have Div 1 experience when they exploded onto the scene as freshmen? No but Dyer has a ring. Know what your talking about because if you debate with me, you better have some facts and good points.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 25th, 2011
1:19 pm
You know I am glad that college football tried another forward pass after Saint Louis University attempted the first one in 1906 only to throw it incomplete and turn the ball over. Imagine that, if the coach after failing that one time never tried it again. Then no other coaches ever attempted it.
My point? Who gives a crap about how Floridas front seven faired last year against Alabama. Every year every team goes through youth and lack of exp in college ball. If this is a rally cry then 100 out of 112 FBS teams might as well fold up shop.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
1:26 pm
Cody & Fairley are exceptions, and had better teams, better teammates, and better coaches. UGA runs a platoon running back rotation system, South Carolina runs a Herschel Walker 1 back type of system, totally different.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:26 pm
That’s right Lowcountry, every team has had their share of down seasons or seasons that don’t go accordingly. But that’s football. Football is a game of inches. And one crucial mistake can cost you the ballgame. Alabama went 6-6 in 2007 and lost to a powerhouse known as Louisiana-Monroe (sarcasm abundantly) but no one says anything about that? They lost to Utah in 08, not a word said. And yes Alabama has proven themselves but why not give Georgia a chance to do the same thing? Wait and see what we have on the field in 2011 before we make any assumptions because if we come out firing and lighting people up on both sides of the ball, there are going to be a lot of people eating crow and a lot of people looking dumb, including that Jim guy.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:29 pm
How are Fairley and Cody exceptions to the rule? That’s your rule right? There’s laws out here in the world that says if you commit a crime you go to jail…do you think that if Terrence Cody or Nick Fairley committed a crime they don’t go to jail? No they go to jail just like everyone else so if they are not an exception to the rule of the law, then they are no where near an exception of football. Terrence Cody comes from the exact same place that Jenkins is coming from. Until we see what Jenkins is made of, I don’t want to hear you bash him saying he has no experience. He might be just as good as Cody or even better.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
1:30 pm
Richt’s direction last 4 seasons? 11 wins in 07′, 10 wins in 08′, 8 wins in 09′, 6 wins in 10′, 4 wins in 11′?
Jim
May 25th, 2011
1:32 pm
Richt rarely has a 1st year guy come in with 0 Div 1 experience and become All Amercian? Could it happen with a defensive genius like Saban or Chavis? Sure, but Richt? No way.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:36 pm
Alright Jim since your obviously a basher of the University of Georgia, and if your predicting us to finish 4-8 and not make a bowl game since only God knows when, then tell me the 8 teams that we will lose to. I want you to do that for me right now.
Damn Good Dawg
May 25th, 2011
1:40 pm
The difference in the seasons from 08-10 is a first year QB. Cox, only a 1 year starter. Murry was in his first year last year. When Richt has a returning starter at QB, the team always does better.
1eyedJack
May 25th, 2011
1:42 pm
Jim’s a troll. Sitting at his computer throwing sucker punches.
Athens= God's Country
May 25th, 2011
1:43 pm
Just ignore Jim.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:43 pm
FACT: Did you guys know that A.J. Green never played with the same QB in consecutive seasons?
FACT: Since 08, UGA has had a different QB under center.
FACT: 2011 will be the first season the same QB will be under center.
It’s kind of hard to win consistently when you have a different QB leading the way. It’ll feel so good to be able to sit back and watch Murray year after year torch defenses because you see, he’s only going to get better. He’s got this offense in his hands.
Real Dawg Fan
May 25th, 2011
1:46 pm
I love how every1 talks so much about UGA..same people said the same about Auburn last year and they won the NC..As I said before and say to all, we’ll see who talks what in 100 days!
GO DAWGS!
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
FACT: EIGHT of the 12 games that we play this season will be in the state of Georgia and you’d be surprised how much that helps not having to travel.
FACT: Our longest road trip will be to take on Ole Miss in Oxford.
This season could be special if we stay focused, stay healthy, and stay out of trouble off the field. Stay disciplined and hungry and go head hunting.
tide roll
May 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
Can your OL stay healthy, and will your lack of depth on the OL limit what you can do physically? In other words, will you remain a finesse type offense to prevent injuries to your offensive line. The drop in talent is significant from the 1st unit to 2nd. It’s unfortunate because this was the year to have a physical AND deep offensive line to take advantage of, for example, a team like Auburn, that suffered signifcant losses on their defensive line. Richt needed to tighten up his recruitment of physical, athletic, in-state OLs. Too many studs have left the state and are lining up for your competition.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
Jim, your stupid. That’s all I have to say to you.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
1:50 pm
Richt loses to winning teams, and wins against most losing teams.
In 2010, Richt went 0-6 against winning teams, and 1-5 against teams with a losing record,.
Richt will lose to all of the these teams that will finish with a winning record:
1) Boise 2) SC 3) MSU 4) Tenn 5) Florida 6) Auburn 7) Georgia Tech
Richt will also lose to Kentucky, who will finish with a losing record 5-7. Remember, Richt lost to Colorado last year.
Richt will finish 4 & 8 and will never head coach at a major D1 school.
The trend direction is headed towards 4 & 8:
11 wins in 07′, 10 wins in 08′, 8 wins in 09′, 6 wins in 10′, 4 wins in 11′?
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:53 pm
Tell me what Auburn has that should scare us? Tell me what MSU has that should scare us? Tell me who Georgia Tech has? Georgia Tech has only beaten us 10% of the time since Richt has been here. You do the math. Boise will get crushed again. Kentucky won’t beat us. Who do they have? Literally.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
1:54 pm
Lucky for them they don’t have Richt, a coach who loses an average of 2 more games than the year before each season since 2009. A guy who went 0 & 6 against winning teams in 2010, a guy who went 2-9 against ranked teams since 2009.
Face it, Richt can’t beat good teams anymore.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:55 pm
Better yet Jim, who is your team? Who do you represent? If they have a blog, why are you over here? I can honestly say I NEVER have gone to another team’s blog. I don’t care about what’s going on with them. Your probably an undercover Dawg fan. Having the luxury of a win/win situation. If the Dawgs win, you are happy because it’s your team to begin with, if we do lose, you will say “I told you so”. It’s a win-win for you so I take it your a Dawg fan.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
1:57 pm
Let’s talk about last season. That season is gone and over with. I’m worried about this season. I’m ready to see what we have NOW. But your entitled to your opinion.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
2:03 pm
In fact, if you go back even 8 season, to look for a Macro direction, you’ll find there’s something very disturbing, 88% of seasons, last 8 seasons, Richt loses more games than the season before.
So, you have a 12% chance of thinking Richt will have a 7+ season, I have an 88% chance of thinking Richt will have a 5 or worse season.
I like my odds.
Real Dawg Fan
May 25th, 2011
2:05 pm
who is your team Jim?
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
2:10 pm
See they don’t bring up the fact that Mark Richt lead us to a No 2 ranking after the 2007 season, and we started at Number 1 in the country in 2008. Granted we didn’t finish well but we still had a 10 win season that year. They don’t bring up that we won 2 SEC titles with him, they don’t bring up that we have had lots and lots of players come through here and become All-Americans, All-SEC players, and go on to get drafted. He doesn’t mention that UGA is in the top 2 in the SEC in players drafted. He doesn’t mention that UGA has had a player go in the top 4 in two of the past 3 drafts and two in the top 15 in 2009 when Stafford and Moreno were drafted in the top 15 overall. No, they don’t mention the good. Just the bad.
Old Blind Dawg
May 25th, 2011
2:10 pm
Jim’s team – he’s probably holding it in one hand as he types with the other.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
2:13 pm
I’m willing to bet ANYTHING that Jim is a GT fan or an Auburn fan whom we both own.
tide roll
May 25th, 2011
2:14 pm
And I’ve tried to name them, these in state athletes,along with the high school they attended in Georgia, and the SEC teams they are starting for now, but this site won’t allow me to. Must be afraid to face facts, a common ailment of UGA football and its fans. That’s why nothing ever changes there.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
2:17 pm
Even UGA fans are split 50/50 on Richt, so there’s really no bad or good side, both sides are 50. ESPN thinks Richt’s in the most trouble of any SEC coach and South Carolina will win the East, Scout says Richt’s on a hotseat and the 2011 UGA team isn’t good enough to save Richt’s job.
Again, if you like 12% odds of Richt winning more games than the year before, which he has only done 1x in last 8 seasons, and if you prefer going against the experts at ESPN & Scout, feel free.
Real Dawg Fan
May 25th, 2011
2:21 pm
Jim what ESPN were you watching b/c I just watched College Football Live and they got UGA winning the East b/c its an SEC rebuilding year
I agree tho, prob GT cuz he’s giving meaningless stats…own this stat Jim for the past 10 years, GT only won 1
Jim
May 25th, 2011
2:29 pm
All bloggers who disagree with your posts MUST be labeled as Tech or Auburn fans Really? It’s a big world, people have different opinions, get over it.
A lot of UGA fans are unhappy with Richt’s performance in the last several seasons. If McGarity chooses to keep a coach on, who loses so many games, and can’t fix his own problems, then yes, you get a lot of heat.
If you like 12% odds, pull for Richt winning 7 games or more.
If you like 88% odds, you’ll feel Richt will win 5 games or less.
Out of last 8 seasons, Richt wins less games than previous year 88%.
Jim
May 25th, 2011
2:33 pm
Out of 30,000 votes, ESPN votes say Richt need to win the most:
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/42147/fans-say-richts-seat-the-hottest
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
2:33 pm
Ok Jim, your repeating yourself which usually means your trying to convince yourself of something. We’ll see what happens on the field.
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2011
2:52 pm
I think Black helmets rolled out the day of a game was more of an interest factor, a diversion at best. Not real sure why anyone talks about that in terms of a “motivation” ploy. How does that work anyway?
Reminding a team of what somebody said about guaranteeing them losing thier game, over and over, for a few months,on the boards of the workout room, and talked about the weeks leading up to that game certainly would be considered a motivational tool.
There really is no comparison between the two is there?
College Football Quick Hits: Auburn, Tate Forcier, Washington, Georgia, USC, West Virginia | Downfield Block
May 25th, 2011
3:07 pm
[...] Coach Mark Richt talked a bit about his tailbacks and nose guards. [...]
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2011
3:09 pm
Interesting math puzzle here. If in 10 year a coach win 5 games or less, never, what are his chances? Wouldn’t there also be a 90% chance of him winning more than 5?
And maybe I don’t underdstand what “losing more than the season before” means, but wouldn’t that have to be an 8 loss season to hold up to your 88% bet?
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2011
3:14 pm
Actually there is a 90% chance he wins 8 or more games.
Ron Smith
May 25th, 2011
3:16 pm
My predictions:
SEC EAST
1. South Carolins
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt
SEC WEST
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Arkansas
4. MSU
5. Auburn
6. Ole Miss
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2011
3:18 pm
Ron what do you like about Tennessee?
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
3:20 pm
Ron, what makes Tennessee better than Georgia? Inform us.
RabidDawgFan
May 25th, 2011
3:21 pm
These people really have no clue and don’t follow the program obviously. They say things based on what has happened. They don’t look into the future and see the possibilities that we have for 2011 and beyond.
DawgByte
May 25th, 2011
3:22 pm
DawginLex – Chip has banned me as well, so don’t feel bad!!! He’s a weasel.
DawgByte
May 25th, 2011
3:24 pm
Ron Smith -
It’s a little early in the day for drinking Jack Daniels isn’t it??? Your predictions are way off.
SSIgator
May 25th, 2011
3:25 pm
“I thought that was a good thing.”
Translation:
I have already taken these schmucks for a ride at almost $3,000,000 per year. When I lose to UF again this year there will be a huge buy-out of my contract and I can quit my phoney baloney job and go back to being a bartender.
DawgByte
May 25th, 2011
3:34 pm
SSI Gator – Perhaps your study of history isn’t so good. Richt has won 2 SEC Championships and won the East Div. title 4 times.
Before you start flapping your gums you might want to test the waters with this newly untested HC and OC that couldn’t win at ND.
D Bag Trolls!
May 25th, 2011
3:42 pm
tide roll: if we have told you once or a thousand times “WE DON’T CARE”! Go cut your grass or something………
slimmy gator: you sir are the definition of a d bag troll. Get it?
D Bag Trolls!
May 25th, 2011
3:44 pm
RON “my breath stinks” Smith- Can you give me the winning lottery numbers too?
BiggdawgK
May 25th, 2011
4:03 pm
Am I banned here too
Beast from the East
May 25th, 2011
4:05 pm
Jim,
I’m a Gator fan and I think you are an idiot. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but to be on UGA blogs ALL DAY, EVERYDAY posting all of these “stats” is just nuts. Go seek therapy……or a bridge to jump off of. Either way, you and the rest of us will be much better off.
BiggdawgK
May 25th, 2011
4:16 pm
Two straight comments from me have not shown up because I mentioned being banned by dol and chip towers. I guess censorship is in full swing as usual at the ajc. It’s sad hate filled comments about the Bama kid dieing are ok but pointing out how petty dol is for taunting UGA gets you banned.
BiggdawgK
May 25th, 2011
4:19 pm
I have to question having chump towers be the UGA beat writer when he sides with an ohio st lover like dol against UGA alums.