Finding the good amid a lot of sloppy play by Dogs against Vandy
Michael Bennett stepped up big for Georgia against Vanderbilt. (Associated Press)
A few more observations from Georgia’s win over Vanderbilt in Nashville …
Georgia came out of the game with the Commodores a bit of a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, as Winston Churchill once said.
The Dogs seem incapable of putting away even a mediocre team and yet have won four straight conference games and are tied for first place in the SEC East. Georgia had way too many penalties called Saturday night (11), got gashed at times by a Vandy team ranked 100th in the nation in running, and has turned special teams play into something resembling Russian roulette.
But they still won, and managed to get back into the AP Top 25 on the basis of that very flawed performance.
There were other positives to be gleaned from the Vandy game. Aaron Murray had several career bests despite still being occasionally off-target with his throws. And his one interception was more a case of superb defense than a poorly thrown ball.
Also, Michael Bennett and Marlon Brown did a more than able job of stepping into the breach in the absence of injured Malcolm Mitchell, with Bennett catching seven passes for 89 yards and Brown finally showing what he can do, with four catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. It probably would have been three if Murray hadn’t missed a wide-open Brown headed toward the goal line on a third-down play in the third quarter.
And despite being unable to stop Vandy on a couple of long scoring drives, Georgia’s defense did rally to snuff out the Dores’ last three chances.
Also on the plus side, Mike Bobo finally seems to be warming up to the short passing game.
Only not on third down, for some reason. Why does he insist on having Murray trying for long pass plays or tricky sideline throws on third-and-long instead of going with something quick and more likely to produce a first down like a slant or crossing route or even throwing to a back?
Georgia fans also were left wondering Saturday night why the Dogs couldn’t successfully kill the clock after an interception of a Vandy pass had seemingly handed Georgia the win. Without a healthy Isaiah Crowell on the field, Georgia basically doesn’t have a running game.
And why, on a punt where everybody in the stadium and television viewing audience knew Vandy was going to come after the block, the only possible chance they had of staying in the game, could the Dogs still not keep it from happening?
And is the Georgia punt coverage team and coaching staff the most gullible bunch in college football? Let’s see, Vandy’s backup punter comes in and the line suddenly shifts en masse so that the center is now an eligible receiver, and no one suspects a fake is coming up?
As for Blair Walsh, it’s pretty obvious he’s no longer money in the bank. Four out of six would be great in baseball, but not kicking field goals. Though it has to be said that Georgia having to attempt six field goals, which tied a school record, doesn’t make you feel very good about the Dogs’ red zone offense.
Finally, some thoughts on the sorry post-game scene on the field.
I don’t care if Vandy was cut blocking (retaliation for which apparently played a part in Georgia’s three personal foul calls) or if Commodores head coach James Franklin should have picked a better time and place to address some complaint he had about a Dogs player with the UGA coaching staff.
The fact remains that Todd Grantham is supposed to be setting an example as a teacher and a leader and instead he acted like an immature school kid, screaming at the opposing coach, inciting a near riot among the milling players and hurling f-bombs at the Vanderbilt fans in the stands.
He set such a disgusting example that Georgia players started taunting the Vandy fans, which is just plain embarrassing. I mean, it was a close win over Vanderbilt!
Richt said Sunday that he has “addressed it with everybody involved,” but if that doesn’t result in some sort of public apology from Grantham at the very least, if not a fine from UGA or the conference, then it hasn’t been properly addressed. Grantham was reprimanded last year for making a choke sign at the Florida kicker, but he apparently didn’t get the message that juvenile behavior on the part of a UGA coach is not acceptable.
He may very well have been perfectly justified in disagreeing with what Franklin had to say about one of his players after the game, but throwing an on-field tantrum is not the proper response.
And, please, don’t try and justify what he did by saying he’s a fiery, competitive coach and just what Georgia needs. Hey, if he wants to scream at his own troops and that works, I’m fine with it. But screaming obscenities at the opposing fans and coaches is just classless.
And don’t compare him with Erk Russell. Erk might have been fiery, but he was always a gentleman and never made Georgia fans ashamed he was one of our coaches.
That can’t be said about Grantham.
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392 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
October 17th, 2011
12:21 pm
Ellijay
IMHO, if Richt wins out, there’s no question. The hotseat has cooled.
If we lose to FL, he should be flamed and gone.
Who cares about Tech?
9-3 as long as the loss isn’t FL, he should get another year. 8-4 shouldn’t be much debate as that isn’t significant improvement.
JB
October 17th, 2011
12:22 pm
The future of Mark richt all plays out in the next month and a half. He has his time at UGA sitting on a silver platter right in front of him. Win out and McGarity will be forced to give him an extension, although I believe he really doesn’t want to. The schedule is Richt’s friend this year, not our play. Replace the 2 Mississippi schools this year with Arkansas and LSU, and Richt would be a dead man walking at 3-4.
AltamahaDawg
October 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
Who would force MCgarity to do that despite him not wanting too?
Joey
October 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
Um, Ellijay, can you read? I was responding to a techie (Parker House) with an acc stat.
Matt
October 17th, 2011
12:27 pm
According to Butler on the morning show yesterday it had to do with the chop blocking by Vandy. Apparently UGA coaches said something to the officials who blew them off and told them they would “call the game as they saw it”. I imagine that Grantham was not too happy about this and if Franklin said something to a UGA defender it was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back. Don’t see a problem with what Grantham did at all. Hes’ an intense guy who stuck up for his players when he saw some BS happening. I promise you he gained a ton of points with his defensive players!
AltamahaDawg
October 17th, 2011
12:32 pm
I guess they studied film and determined that if they went for the knees with the chop blocks like some schools, they would have a chance to win every nine years or so.
bi-polar dawg
October 17th, 2011
12:36 pm
I think CMR is gone regardless of how this season ends; he’s going to pull the plug himself. The SEC is a different animal than it was in 2000. Blame Saban and Meyer for that. They have raised the bar beyond where Richt is willing to climb. Meyer flamed out due to the pressure. Miles and Chizik were there to take his place. Right now, Richt is probably mid-pack as an SEC head coach. Right now; don’t tell me about the first 5 years, that’s the past. Leave it there. Is Richt doing a better job than Saban? Chizik? Miles? Petrino?I’d say no. Spurrier, Muschamp, even Franklin with much less talent?..maybe, who knows. I do know he has as much or more talent to work with than those three. In my opinion, it might just be time to move on.
Alphare
October 17th, 2011
12:37 pm
Bill,
Look at the thuggish attacks to your blog from lots of UGA fans, you will know it’s the UGA fan base that feeds the culture of the thuggish behaviors of UGA players. Those players simply play to the taste of the fan base. The behaviors of Grantham as a teacher and coach is OK with lots of UGA fans, just like the behaviors of some UGA players.
That’s the taste of UGA fan base. They like mud, you feed them mud.
Bill, if I am columnist, I will write thuggish columns to feed the UGA fan base’s thuggish appetite to secure my job. Of course, I know you have a higher standard.
MarineDog
October 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
@(STILL) 2-10 against ranked teams,
Nobody cares what you think! We will agree that your opinion has no bearing on the coaching situation at UGA. You post the same thing over and over and over and over…..Get over yourself please!
truedawg
October 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Todd is Todd. Erk was Erk. You can’t compare these two. Todd is good, but not great and NOT Erk!! Erk, was the best coach ever at UGA!! in every way.
I am not proud of his taking it so far, but Franklin is even more to blame, since he started this. I look back at the last time UGA tried to jump for joy and talk smack after a Vandy game and CMR shut them up! ITS VANDY!! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WIN AND WIN BIG!! Shut up and get off the field!! Todd stand up for your players but set an example even more so. Coach ‘em up to stop Vandy!! If you have a problem with that lil kid franklin, then hit him where it hurts…beat his team down and imbaress him that way!! I’m still behind him, but just watch the temper a lil. Go Dawgs!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
If I were Bill, I’ll write to try to feed all you troll for maximum hits. I mean, without trying half his blog is taken up with it. Imagine if he actually acknowledged you.
Mobile Dawg
October 17th, 2011
12:49 pm
Hindsight is 20/20. If CTG had it to do over he would probably have done it differently. I seriously don’t think CTG is capable of controlling his emotion, he’s a reactionary type person. Just another quality you look for in a Leadership role, tactical vs reactionary.
38 Yardline Dawg
October 17th, 2011
12:50 pm
UGA is currently the favorite NOT TO LOOSE (instead of WIN) the SEC East, simply because SC and FL have to play West teams with a winning percentage in the SEC. Are fans satisfied with being SEC East champs just because we didn’t play any tough West foes in the season?
I’m sticking with what I’ve said all season: There’s NO EXCUSE to loose to the Gators this year. NONE.
However, after watching us find numerous ways to loose to Vandy (poor special teams, clock management, offensive play calls…you know, the ususal stuff), I doubt our coaching staff will get us past the Gators. Please, please prove me wrong!
Mobile Dawg
October 17th, 2011
12:51 pm
How do you figure out these filters?
cliff from waleska
October 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
AltamahaDawg = troll for the status quo…see ya in Birmingham at the BS Bowl vs. Boston College
georgedawg
October 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
Bill, I think Gratham has accomplished significantly more than any journalist on the AJC staff. The V coach was out of line going after our players. He coaches dirty play that can ruin a young persons carreer. That’s okay with you, I suppose. I’m glad we’ve got Gratham – he’s doing a great job or haven’t you noticied. Pay more attention to improving your articles and not second guessing our Defensive Coordinator who is a coach not a saint. I, too don’t care what you think.
Joey
October 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
Amen AD. Nothing like a smarmy techie . . .
Hey techie, must be nice to have a coach who doesn’t use F-bombs and advocate “punching Dawg fans right in the face.”
Desert Fox
October 17th, 2011
1:03 pm
I just hope there will be no (GA) player or coach suspensions coming from the SEC office if that is possible. Cannot afford to lose any player between now and FL game, even during practice. Put a green jersey on IC, Mitchell, etc. W/O Crowell, GA has no running game to count on. Walsh has become a non factor. Bobo cannot afford to go long on 3rd and 5 and leave it up to Walsh to kick a FG. GA needs TD’s in the red zone something they have a lot of trouble accomplishing.
Enough w/the TG bashing. Hit him where it hurts the most, in the wallet, same for Franklin who provoked the whole incident. Be done w/it. The media make their living off this and their holier than thou attitude. Let him who is w/o sin cast the first stone.
Gary
October 17th, 2011
1:08 pm
You can bet he earned some respect from his players. I don’t care what the media or the fans think if he players walk out on the field not wanting to dissappoint their coach.
Ticketmaster
October 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
“Let him who is w/o sin cast the first stone.”
Won’t have to worry about any rocks flying out of Athens.
J.T. Keene
October 17th, 2011
1:18 pm
Ohhh..close one that UGA almost let get away.. Good thing that Vandy guy stumbled when the punt was blocked, nothing but green between him and the goal line. Anyone else remember the Alabama kicker putting the hurt on Demps and probably causing him to miss a lot of the season, certainly thus far. The UGA kicker didn’t wan’t any part of that dude running for a touchdown. If you get the replay, watch it.
Dawgsgone
October 17th, 2011
1:22 pm
How can CMR not understand how important SPECIAL TEAMS are?? Cost us the South Carolina game and almost this one. Are we the only big time school that spends no time and/or money on this part of the game. Never played or coached but just common sense should tell you that is a big part of the game.
Gary
October 17th, 2011
1:23 pm
I don’t think any coach has done more to clean up a program than Richt in the last two years. The behavior issue has been addressed. I am pretty sure crowell was benched for a quarter for some small team infraction. If it didn’t make the AJC it was not a big deal because you know Athens finest report players to the AJC before they finish writing down the kids name in the report. At Florida Cam gets busted for cheating and stealing and still plays. Chris Rainy is a criminal still playing. Garcia is suspended all summer but plays, and is finally done when they have a better replacement. LSU lets their QB back on the team after an assualt charge is reduced (Pressure?) and signs the QB Richt threw out of school at UGA for sexual assult. Alabama owns the state. I dare an bama trooper to arrest a player and keep his job. Say what you want, but Georgia is dealing with its problems. It is getting harder and harder for Athens finest to catch these players. 1 DUI for 80 plus players. I bet that is better than the student body average at UGA this year. Keep doing what your doind CMR. Keep throwing stones from your glass houses Trolls.
Alphare
October 17th, 2011
1:25 pm
Bill,
thugs are not thugs, thugs can be heroes to lots of UGA fans.
Coaches with thuggish behaviors are OK with lots of UGA fans too, especially if you can find a reason for the thuggish behaviors, you become a hero to those fans too.
C from Marietta
October 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
Bill King = lame excuse for a UGA fan.
Georgia Fans
October 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
We might not be able to compete in football, but we’re the kings of thuggery.
We celebrate it!
Billy
October 17th, 2011
1:30 pm
It is a case of no class by Grantham not only did he act like an idiot but he did in front of his players then once he stirred it up he takes off for the locker room and leaves all the other coaches to calm down the 2 teams keep them a part. Like Erik not even close that was a great coach and I am not even a Ga fan.
AltamahaDawg
October 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
I think we all “liked” what Grantham did. Been more than a couple of comments about growing a pair if you don’t like it. All true. The flip side is that everybody needs to man up and not whine when the AD and the SEC, and the HC, criticize him for it. When an assistant coach does something like that in public, he will have to be slapped on the wrist. He is a big boy and he knows that.
AltamahaDawg
October 17th, 2011
1:35 pm
yes cliff, I vote that we continue winning ball games. Good catch there.
Roaddawg80
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
Bill
You want disgrace, look at the paper you write for. I can’t stand even coming on here anymore and look at your pathetic articles. We need fresh blood at the AJC.
Grantham did what every parent would have done and that was stick up for his kids. You worry about writing (which you should do more often).
THIS I PROMISE< I will never read another one of your articles. YOU MY FRIEND ARE A DISGRACE OF GEORGIA BEAT WRITER! WE NEED BETTER FANS THAN YOU.
BBB
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
Granthams’s a nut!!.
It might be different if he could actually coach, but why Dog fans want to stcik up for this undisclined fruitcake is beyond me. His actions on the field are the same as the way he coaches. All emotion and very little knowledge of the situation at hand. What a joke!
Texas Dawg
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
If we loose to Fla CMR must go! If we win the rest to include the bowl game at a minimum we need a special teams coach and new OC………………….don’t think the OC bit will happen even though my 7th grader knows just what Bobo will do…….Bobo needs to go today!
Texas Dawg
October 17th, 2011
1:46 pm
Got no problem with what Grantham did if as long as he was not the provocateur! Need to see more emotion from cmr…..acts completley flacid 99% of the time.
Dawg Tired
October 17th, 2011
1:55 pm
CTG’s response was wrong. The fact that Franklin apparently called out a UGA player during the post-game “good game stuff” is just as, maybe more, inappropriate. Both coaches were wrong. Is one more to blame than the other? I assume reasonable minds could differ on that one. CTG must learn to control his temper even when the other coach acts like a jerk. Later, in private, he can tell Franklin what he thinks, but must conduct himself better on the field and in front of players. It does seem rather clear that Franklin started the whole mess and that should play a role in how punishment is meated out.
Dawg Tired
October 17th, 2011
1:59 pm
If dropping “F” bombs is wrong, then what about CWM of UF during the games? Is it ok for him to drop “F” bombs, not to mention some very obvious GD’s while the cameras are focused in on him? It appears to me that both CTG and CWM are in need of some serious couseling.
Ronnie
October 17th, 2011
2:02 pm
Who is Bill King? He does not represent any fan’s perspective.
TallaDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:09 pm
Why did the player (I am sorry I forget who it was) talke a knee on the interception with 1:10 left? He had plenty of running room. Is this more of Richt’s “let’s not embaraass anyone let’s be nice” personality and lack of wanting to put teams away by scoring as many points as they allow you to score?
TallaDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:09 pm
*take*
MoDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:10 pm
Ask the players what they thought of CTG standing up for one of his players. I’ll bet they appreciate that he did it. Franklin showed his lack of head coaching experience by coming at one of the opposing teams’ players. Grantham got a little carried away, but I am happy to see some fire from this program. That’s what has been missing for a few years.
To quote Dan Hawkins, “This ain’t intermurals…this is Division I football!!”
Slap CTG wrist, give him a wink and a nudge and let’s go cook some Gator meat, already!!
TallaDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:11 pm
F bombs are not nearly the taboo they were in 1957. Almost every adult male (and some females)uses them when they are excited or angry … or just making a joke amongst friends. Grow up.
SenoiaDawgs
October 17th, 2011
2:12 pm
Let’s see I bet 90% or better of those criticizing CTG are the very same ones complaining about CMR never showing any fire. I know for a fact the Bulldog blogger Mr. King was one of those. Now we get some fire from a coach and many are saying he is a disgrace. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!! I hope that the AD and CMR are only saying what has to be said in this PC world we live in and behind the scenes are sticking up for CTG like he stood up for his player.
CTG is a D$MN good DAWG!!!!
I for one see much progress with the D since CTG became the coach. He brought an entire new scheme is and the D was improved in year 1 and is much improved from year 1 to year 2. Again in essence they gave up 2 scores only. The punt return allowed 1 drive to continue and of course the kickoff return. Special teams basically gave up two scores and nearly the mind blowing third one. Fortunately the D stood tall.
Do you all remember in the last couple of CWM years how often receivers from the other team caught the ball and there wasn’t a UGA player in the field of view on the TV. Now when the opposing team catches a pass someone is right there to put the hit on them.
My biggest bone to pick at this point is 2 fold. How much of an idiot is Bobo? Last please fire the Seiler family it is insane that we have basically gone 2 1/2 years with an UGA.
TallaDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
If people do not want to see such exchanges, cut the camera (or just your TV) off.
SenoiaDawgs
October 17th, 2011
2:14 pm
obviously suppose to have been without an UGA
Dawg_Fan
October 17th, 2011
2:19 pm
Half way through the season: Coach Richt I am a huge Georgia fan and a big supporter of you as coach but if you are listening (I know you aren’t) Please, please, please hire a special team coach as they are killing us on trick plays on special teams. It is becoming easy to predict!
Hammerdawg
October 17th, 2011
2:25 pm
Mike Bobo’s ineptness as a OC grows with every game! MIKE BOBO, please submit your resignation, its the only hope we have to maximize all our offensive talent, because you sure can’t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BBB
October 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
Lets see???
Everyone thinks CTG can coach now because he shows fire??
Were you watching the game???
HIs defense gave up over 200 yards to a team that didn;t total 50 over the last two.
Florida has 10 times the talent as Vandy. What in the world gives you hope that he is going to stop their attack on the ground. Maybe CTG will show more emotion and pitch another fit on the sideline.
That sure makes me feel better.
DawgTrue
October 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
Bill King has been hanging around the halls of the AJC too long … once anybody hangs around such “do-gooders”, they believe themselves to be “do-gooders” and everybody else can be criticized. YOU, not Todd Granthnam, would be an embarrassment to the University of Georgia if we associated you with UGA … but we don’t. Please just go away with your misguided assessments of everything.
BillKing_is_an_IDIOT
October 17th, 2011
2:37 pm
TODD GRANTHAM wouldn’t waste spit on Bill King.
OldJock
October 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
I believe I read where you were in the band at UGA or mybe it was your brother. in any event, go blow a horn. you don’t know squat about the heat of the battle during a game. What was done and said in times past on and off the field makes that little chat look like a Sunday School talk. Wimp…..
dap01
October 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
I have never heard of the AJC writing about the always cool Paul Johnson. He never curses or loses his cool. He does have moobs however.