Dogs need to erase memory of a woeful effort
Aaron Murray and Mike Bobo had one of their poorer games the last time Georgia took the field against an opponent. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
If you’re running down the checklist of things Mark Richt’s football team needed to improve from last year, many of the personnel needs seem to have been addressed and a new approach to strength and conditioning looks promising.
But what we won’t know until Georgia is facing adversity on the field is whether they’ll consistently play as hard as they can, something last year’s Dogs didn’t always do.
Richt talked during the offseason about how distressing it was to sometimes see his team outplayed and Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald recently followed up with the coach for specifics. “When you watch the film and you see another team played harder than we did, that’s sad, that’s my fault,” Richt said. “We had some games like that in my opinion. I can name one for sure and that’s the bowl game. It was most evident that game, maybe that’s the one in my craw and is the one I’m talking about the most.”
No argument there. But what I found really interesting was the response Weiszer got from Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who flatly said the lack of effort didn’t come from his unit. “It ain’t happened on defense. When you look at the Central Florida game, I thought the guys on defense were busting their tail. Now we didn’t finish the game the way that we wanted to, but to say that those guys outworked us, that ain’t right. That didn’t happen.”
Sounds like Grantham was calling out Mike Bobo’s offense as the laggards against Central Florida, which pretty much jibes with the way I remember that particular game, a low point for the program during the Richt era.
But that isn’t entirely a fair assessment of the 2010 Dogs. I can recall some times last season when the defense was guilty of arm tackling and diving at running backs’ feet, so you can’t pin the lack of effort completely on Bobo’s troops. In general, the 2010 team just didn’t seem to be the hardest working bunch ever to play Between the Hedges.
Richt’s right about one thing; ultimately, he’s the one who shoulders the blame. His teams have had a tendency in recent years to come out flat at times and to just plain not want it as badly as the opponents.
If the Dogs are going to turn things around — and turn down the heat under the head coach’s seat — that’s definitely going to have to change.
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291 comments Add your comment
SSIgator
August 24th, 2011
12:36 pm
Joey -
I hate to break the news to you, but Richt has been telling the UGA fans what they want to hear ever since he got there. And the Ponzi scheme rolls on.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2011
12:40 pm
SSI
Who did you take with you for the 2 for $10 mullet cuts at Cost cutters?
securiyt dawg
August 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
@ JimDog 85 (you hit the nail on the head) that was the crowning nail in the coffin to last 2 years of CMR tenure. We drove the better part of 65 -80 yards on that drive, we had UCF thinking and then reacting on D, and we get down to the 2 yard line and instead of going for it and even if they stop us we put them on the 2, we kick an extra point and loose every chance of taking the wind out of their sails from the jump!!!!! After that thier D felt like they could stop us at any time and our D looked like Dang our coach has no trust in us to stop a C-USA team…not to mention that the O was handcuffed from that point on by CMC and BOBO’s lack of creativity after that…..sorry to say with all changes CMC or BOBO maybe next if we don’t do a 1-1 out gate
allwehaveishope
August 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
The ghost of seasons past keeps me from getting too optimistic on the dawgs upcoming season. The memory of Lattimore running over our defense still haunts me and others brave enough to mention it. Same for the late TD by Ark to win last years game, et al.
Those “ghosts” are difficult to erase from memory and as much as I try too I see no proof on paper that this years team is any better than last years. Kellen Moore is as good a QB as the dawgs will see this season and Lattimore as tough as ever barring any injury against East Carolina.
If the dawgs can keep both Moore and Lattimore in check while the offense does its job it’ll be the biggest turn around in bulldog history. Go 2-0 out the gate and stay focused and injury free it could be a great season for the dawgs and erase for many a dawg fan the ghosts of last season.
SEC Fan
August 24th, 2011
12:42 pm
SSI-Gator—you are right about 2 NC and one Heisman. THOSE ARE FACTS. I would not say Urban Meyer walks on water.
The best thing he did was recruit Tim Tebow. Tebow made better than average teams (7-5/8-4/9-3) and made them great. In the 2 years he did not have Tebow he lost 9 games with great players from great recruiting (both his and Zook’s).
Meyer spent way too much time in 2009 running up the score with first teamers though 50-55 minutes so the back-ups had vey little experience. What would have happened with those great recruits were starters in 2010 (pre-season All-SEC John Brantley for example) if they had been used in games for a quarter so? I guess Tebow’s stats would not have been so impressive. THOSE ARE FACTS.
The saddest part is the greatest SEC QB was never coached correctly to be an NFL QB. He could have been another Steve Young or greater. Instead, he plays 2nd or 3rd team on an average Denver team that wants to cut him but can’t because of the PR backlash.
Tim Tebow as a 3-year starter he won 1 SEC championship. Danny Wuerful (sp?) won 4 SEC championships as a starter. THOSE ARE FACTS.
How did he ever lose a game with Tebow? How did Vince Dooley ever lose a game with Hershel Walker? GREAT PLAYERS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.
DirtyDawg34
August 24th, 2011
12:44 pm
Dawgs will be ok,especially on defense and defense wins championships,all of the opposition fan base likes to keep living in the past for some reason,anyone with any football I.Q. knows that trannsitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense takes time,we have the pieces in place on defense now,they will be fast and always in attack mode now because they know their assignments GO DAWGS GATA!!!!!!!!
SSIgator
August 24th, 2011
12:45 pm
DawginLex -
I told you before. Don’t wait by the phone for Jay Leno to call.
Joey
August 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
Come on SSIgator, you don’t think Richt has had success at UGA? He hasn’t ever got us into the Big Game, but with a little luck, could have won it had we gotten in.
He has let the program slip, but we’ll know soon enough if he can get the Dawgs competing for the East again. If he can’t, it will be time for U-Haul.
SSIgator
August 24th, 2011
12:56 pm
Joey -
Speaking of luck, you have to win the SEC East before you go to Atlanta. Then you have to win there before you can even hope to play for a NC. Richt has never gotten to Atlanta unless UF has lost more games than UGA. Luck? Sounds more like wishful thinking.
edumacated
August 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
I’ve seen more than a few things written lately that somehow confirms we are going to be stronger physically this year. Where is everyone getting the positive feedback about our new strength and conditioning program Bill? The eye test? That doesn’t count for much. We won’t know how Joe T’s program works until we face USC in the second game. If promising means that they changed coaches, well then ok.
Lindsey
August 24th, 2011
1:02 pm
Not sure if this makes since, but it seems to me that the Dawgs play to their opponents capacity, not their own. They should always be playing Junkyard style and hopefully this year they will. GO DAWGS!!!!
GTBob
August 24th, 2011
1:02 pm
That may be the first time I have ever seen one assistant coach call out another assistant coach before. Richt needs to control that a little better.
Joey
August 24th, 2011
1:09 pm
SSI Gator, your Gators got in the game in ‘06 by .001 of a point over Michigan in a season with only 1 unbeaten team. In ‘02 UGA had the same record, but there were 2 unbeaten teams, both of which got in the game.
Now isn’t that good luck / bad luck?
AnnapolisDawg
August 24th, 2011
1:12 pm
@dawginlex: I for one think you should sit by the phone and wait for Leno’s call! That is some funny stuff. As for you SSI, I think you have a little dawg envy… At least you’re not alone, there are many in your shoes.
JB
August 24th, 2011
1:17 pm
It is all on Richt’s shoulders. ESPN ( or someone) recently analyzed recruiting the last 10 years and found Georgia to have the second best classes in the country. Well, maybe, that’s a lot of opinion, but I wouldn’t think it’s not far off. My opinion has been that our assit. coach’s have not been on par with the talent and money this program has. Mark has had the money and the freedom to go out and hire the very best….and he hasn’t. He also allows staff to coach positions they either didn’t play or aren’t qualified to coach. He’s also allowed coach’s who are not performing to continue on staff. This in a nutshell is a big reason we have not been the SEC title game lately.The few who have left have pursued other jobs for the most part, not recruited away. It HAS held us back.
T2go
August 24th, 2011
1:18 pm
I think Richt needs to stay outta Granthams way….cut him loose. They can agree to disagree..they are big boys. I for one love Granthams intensity!! We need more of that. I also agree w everyone on here speaking of past lacks of effort. I have felt that for at least 5 years about these guys. Not always of course….but there are games where they just seemed to have their heads in the clouds(Bama in Athens opening a can ..31-0) or get frustrated(remember all the flags 2 years ago) or just plain thought they SHOULD win(Liberty Bowl). Yes I think Richts conservative play calling didnt help….but that game should not have even been close…no matter who calls the plays.
I dont know where it comes from. The players?The Coaches( hated to see Richt calming Grantham last season)? But there does need to be some heart.
Watched the youtube highlights from the Hawaii Sugar Bowl….Mark May had to eat his words after picking against the Dawgs saying,”Georgia just wanted it more” They sure as h*ll did!
I am always gonna root for these guys….I will root harder and harder if I see these guys giving it there all. They have to want it. They have to want it as a team! FIGHT DAWGS FIGHT! GO DAWGS! GET MEAN AND UGLY!!!!!!!
bill
August 24th, 2011
1:20 pm
Enough talk…the fan base will know around Midnight on 9/10 whether this team has changed. 2-0, and the SEC Championship talk ingreases…0-2, and the bunson burner under CMR hits 5000 degrees!
jay
August 24th, 2011
1:23 pm
One of the worst Dawg performances I’ve ever witnessed. If I hadn’t gorged on ribs in memphis, the
trip would have been a total waste of time.
Joe
August 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
he said …she said….what a bunch of crap…..are you surprised that the Offense laid back…caleb….Ealey…..O line…..that was the biggest cancer of the team…poor play calling….same old crap…bottom line…..its suppose to be a team…TEAM….maybe someday coaches and players and so called fans like you will get the concept……article like this are part of the cancer….move on….
JB
August 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
Jay, I agree, but Louisiana Monroe beat Saban and Bama so anything can happen. Dawgs win the first two, I can see them going 11-1
Top Recruit
August 24th, 2011
1:26 pm
One way to end that is like with grades. If you do not perform, there goes your scholarship to someone who will.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
Grantham came from the NFL, he should have a chip on his shoulder when running his defense. Now if you are going tohave that chip you better make sure you are coaching these guys up enough to get off the damn field on 3rd down. Teach these kids how to play fast, aggressive and get some turnovers for the offense. Help the offense help themselves. Short fields would be a welcome addition this year.
ugab
August 24th, 2011
1:29 pm
STEVO!!! Lattimore ran all over our D, last year!!! That you tube video says it all. SC has the same team this year. The dawgs could not get off blocks and could not tackle. Man that was a rude awakening
@SSIgator
August 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
I see where Tebow is way down the chart at QB. Since he basically only took snaps from the shotgun, he has no experience at snaps over center. That’s not a very good endorsement when a Heisman trophy winner is battling a walk on free agent for 3rd on the chart.
Fletch
August 24th, 2011
1:34 pm
Is Corrine Brown still getting re-elected in Gaynsville?
ugab
August 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
MR hired Gratham to be aggressive. His D looked like WM’s D to me last year. We have to blitz more often. Watch some of Alabama’s D. The 1st two games is going to set the tone. The offense has not stood out yet this preseason. We need consistancy in the running game to beat Boise and SC. Murray is going to be hung out to dry this year. Murray needs a running game to open the pass. MRs offense is set up off the running game, which is so predictable.
@Fletch
August 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
Good point Fletch! I gradulate you on bringing it up!
iowa dog
August 24th, 2011
1:40 pm
Oh yes you can coach effort. I(t is either you give all effort or you do not play.South Carolina is going to be the real test with Marcus Lattimore possibly the best running back in the country, except maybe mr Crowell.
Flo-Ri-Duh
August 24th, 2011
1:41 pm
Attitude is the reason UGA lost the bowl. The offense looked like they did not want to be there and AJ’s mind was already in the NFL.
7576DAWG
August 24th, 2011
1:41 pm
Grantham was correct in taking up for his defense against UCF. Our defense had a hard time last year changing to the 3-4 and aloud a lot of easy touchdowns because a lot of the defensive back’s hadn’t learned all of their responsibilities yet. But by the UCF game they played a very good game . They may have bent at times but didn’t break and the progress the defense made deserves our praise.
The reason’s we lost that game was :
1- Poor play calling
2- Driving down the field and on fourth and inches we kicked a field goal on a 1-AA team. Against Alabama maybe okay but not UCF. Offensive line gave up after that lack of confidence move.
3- Murray’s worst game of the year. Very poor execution. He has got to be able to play in front of his home state people without panicking.
That loss was definitely all on Bobo and the offense. It was definitely our poorest effort I can remember. NO pride at all. Just didn’t want to be there.
If Grantham really had a pair instead of choking again,
August 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
He would have called out Richt for kicking it on 4th and inches inside the 5 on the first drive of the game against UCF. That is where the team quit and it was not Bobo’s decision it was the Preacher Man!!!
7576DAWG
August 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
spelling check with allowed. Should have proof read it.
AltamahaDawg
August 24th, 2011
1:45 pm
Athens Dawg, have tou read what the actual conversation was on the sideline prior to kiccking that FG? I don’t think anyone walked away thinking it was really a “trust” issue. Ironically he did that speficially TO motivate them. Didn’t work, but he went for it on 4th down something like 8 times last year, and that didn’t seem to prop up thier execution eitehr.
For my money, if players are giving up because they don’t get their way on one call,(especially when they brought it upon themselves) they need to turn in their uniform and hit the road. Which I don’t think is what happened.
iowa dog
August 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
By the way Urban Meyer did not recruit Tim Tebow. Ron Zook recruited Tebow.Meyer inherited a nc team from Ron Zook.
This is what is wrong with the Hump Nation
August 24th, 2011
1:47 pm
iowa dog
August 24th, 2011
1:40 pm
Oh yes you can coach effort. I(t is either you give all effort or you do not play.South Carolina is going to be the real test with Marcus Lattimore possibly the best running back in the country, except maybe mr Crowell.
THINKING THAT A KID WHO HAS NEVER CARRIED A SINGLE DOWN IN COLLEGE MIGHT BE THE BEST BACK. HOW DID HE LOOK IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAINST A MOSTLY WHITE CALHOON TEAM DREAMER?
ga gator
August 24th, 2011
1:49 pm
iowa dog, I hate to correct you my friend and I do not and did not care for Meyer, but it was him who closed the deal on Tebow not the Zooker.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 24th, 2011
1:49 pm
What does the color of Calhouns team have to do with a damn thing?
Boise in ATL
August 24th, 2011
1:49 pm
As I have mentioned before – I think UGA is a potential monster if they can jell.
However – coming out of the gate – there is going to be some inconsistency and growing.
For that reason – I see BOISE STATE winning a hard fought game against UGA?
– Boise is rolling in terms of high level team play, consistency, motivation, strategy and game day preparedness, game day play calling.
The consistency factor is how we prepare and the type of players we are getting. Overachievers that are extremely athletic – but not at USC or Oregon.
- UGA has underachieved, gone through the motions, players goldbricking off season workouts.
Now – I think UGA is on the upswing with the changes Richt has made.
Must of been humbling to look in the mirror and determine what and where the deficiencies are.
Congrats to Richt for the changes he as made – after a few games – this team will jell.
Predictions for UGA:
Losses: Boise, USCe
Probable Losses: Mississippi State, Florida
Potential Losses: Tennessee, Auburn
Wins: Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, Vandy, New Mexico State, Kentucky, GT
After that bowl loss to UCF – it would have been justified to make a coaching change. That was a pathetic effort and really showed a lack of pride.
I hate that word
August 24th, 2011
1:54 pm
you know the one…………………………….
tide roll
August 24th, 2011
1:56 pm
You kicked a field goal vs. Middle Florida on 4th and short. You attempted a fade route to Durham in OT vs. Florida when they had a punter tying to kick field goals. You’ve replaced Tanner Strickland and Boling with Bean Anderson and Chris Burnette. Instead of trying to make it work with Munzemeir at fullback,you now have Figgins and Zander “Stump” Ogeltree. Substantial upgrades at OT,OG, and FB. Now when faced with these decisions, Richt/Bobo go for it vs. C. Florida,and make it, and pound it down the Gators throat in OT. It’s all about personnel, especially on your offensive line. Better stay healthy though, because your OL backups don’t belong in the SEC. Signed for one reason and one reason only.
tide roll
August 24th, 2011
1:57 pm
To balance the roster. Shameful.
iowa dog
August 24th, 2011
1:58 pm
I love “The Hump Nation” I think we should adopt that as our battle cry. I still believe tebow was a product of the zooker.
Shrimp N Grits
August 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
The players had 3 chances to score on that D2 team in Memphis. The players flat out did not want it. Funny how most of those players are out of the program now. Thank God.
Shrimp N Grits
August 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
Happy Hump Day to Hump Nation.
Shrimp N Grits
August 24th, 2011
2:04 pm
tide roll is a Tech fan. Pretty sad he hides behind “tide roll.” How are things on the Flats, you bugg, nerd, virgin, troll?
bugsquacher
August 24th, 2011
2:04 pm
we went 5-6 in ‘77, we went 6-5 in ‘79, in ‘80 we went 12-0, before the start of the ‘80 season there were a lot of unknowns….dooley was getting hammered, this season is starting very similiar , I think it has the signature of great things…. the dawgs understand their past mistakes, they are focused, they again have the drive in their guts…..
Get ready …… the big DAWG is about to eat again!
anotherdawg
August 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
Not to make excuses, but it’s not that uncommon for the underrated team to upset the favorite when:
the favorite is not that excited to be there, makes mistakes, and takes winning the game for granted. Couple that with the underdog believing it can win, minimizing mistakes, and playing their heart out, and it can happen. This game reminded me of the Tangerine bowl in 1974 with Miami of Ohio in one of Dooleys most embarrassing losses. But, maybe this will turn out to be a wake-up call and some good will come out it.
DIT
August 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
Have to say DawgInLex that is some of the funniest posts I have seen on a blog in some time.
I don’t question the fact that UF has owned us for some time, but I do question why SSIgator is always on a UGA blog? Last year none of our teams fared well. Not sure why you are so worried about what is going on in the UGA world when you will have more than enough issues down there in Gainesville.
7576DAWG
August 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
A few years ago Notre Dame was 6-6 and decided their effort was so bad they didn’t deserve to go to a bowl game that year. I always have respected them for that decision knowing how much money they were walking away from. UGA should have made that decision last year.The UCF lose was the most embarrassing game I have ever seen Georgia play. Not because we lost but because nobody wanted to be there including the offensive coaches , which does include CMR.
Ech
August 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
Mark Richt is a heck of a coach, but patience is wearing thin. I just read a piece, earlier today, at http://www.thedailyhattrick.com about 10 college coaches on the hot seast and guess who was NUMBER ONE?!? Richt!