‘Hotline’ chatter on the shotgun and UGA’s red zone blues
Should Mike Bobo be trying something other than the shotgun in the red zone? (AJC File)
I caught most of Mark Richt’s segment of “Bulldog Hotline” Monday night and some of Hondo and the all stars, and a theme that kept cropping up in comments from callers was concern over Georgia’s ineffectiveness in the red zone and especially when in the shotgun formation.
Richt noted correctly that Georgia uses the shotgun elsewhere on the field, not just in the red zone, and said he’d have to go back and watch some film to see whether the shotgun has really been responsible for the Dogs’ problems down close to the goal line.
I’m hoping that wasn’t just a sop to the caller and that Richt really does plan on taking a look at what’s going wrong for the Dogs in the red zone, where they’ve been more times than any other SEC team (20 trips so far this season in conference games) but have gotten touchdowns only 10 times. With the fallback to attempting a field goal no longer a sure thing with Blair Walsh, that’s going to be especially problematic as the level of competition rises down the stretch.
Certainly, there are times the shotgun works well, especially when there’s a lot of field ahead and Isaiah Crowell is at tailback. He likes space.
But Mike Bobo’s penchant for switching gears once he hits the red zone and abandoning what got him there has been a recurring complaint the past few seasons. Yes, as Richt noted Monday night, you have less room to work with the closer you get to the end zone. But it’s pretty obvious what Georgia’s doing down there isn’t as effective as what it’s doing between the 20s.
So what do you think? Are you like the “Hotline” callers who think the Dogs should dump the shotgun and stick to working out of the I-formation once they get in the red zone, or do you see some other solution?
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351 comments Add your comment
Macclenny_dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
Week in and week out we are getting out coached.To listen to Richt and here him say “That is something we will have to go back and look at.” Folks that is why we are not elite its coaching. Its Monday night the game was played Saturday night 2 days ago!!! You haven”t looked at tape yet!!! Are u kidding me??? Guess Monday is a wasted day of practice. I thought that was the day set aside for showing plays from previous game to players and explain what they did wrong on a certain play. I am fed up with this staff!!! As long as Richt is coach he will never demand excellence!!! We will be stuck with winning only the games are talent is able to overcome our inept coaching!!!
Mobile Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
Should have been Big John !
So McDawg, you don’t think his performance at press conferences is indicative at all of his style of communication or coaching when addressing his players and coaches.
Student Athlete
October 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
Grantham will be punished by the SEC.
Mobile Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:11 pm
I would like to see a stat on how many of our TD’s are scored on “big plays”. I’m sure someone can do the research on that. Partly right Altamaha, I don’t like our offensive philosophy, I would rather see us have the ability to physically dominate teams when necessary. Seems like that would make the big play opportunities even better.
dap01
October 18th, 2011
2:11 pm
Bobo is clueless on how to coordinate an offensive game plan. He calls a game like a “flag football” coach.
He’s bad.
'77 Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:12 pm
On the shotgun- Never seen a team trying to run out the clock from the shotgun. 70 seconds to play and we are risking a mishandled ball/bad snap, scoop and score and Vandy wins. Then, with 11 men on the line for Vandy we call timeout before we punt.We put 10 men on the line to block, no personal protectors for Butler. Never seen either occur in over 45 years of watching all levels of football. My conclusion is that one or more persons on our staff are insane and that falls on Coach Richt. UNBELIEVABLE!
Gadawg
October 18th, 2011
2:15 pm
Dump Bobo!
Mobile Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:15 pm
Not debating you on the RZ TD’s, just going back to some painful memories of bonafide “stupid” play calling by Bobo when in the Red Zone. Especially early in the UF game two years ago, with Joe Cox?
beanster
October 18th, 2011
2:15 pm
Careful Altamaha, you’re almost agreeing with me (re: coyness). Frankly, I was surprised he admitted after the UT game that he trumped Bobo’s call on the 2nd going-for-it on 4th on the opening drive.
Gadawg
October 18th, 2011
2:16 pm
And hire a real OC…if we think back not too long ago Richt wasn’t doing a very good job calling plays either.
dap01
October 18th, 2011
2:16 pm
Bobo is bad, our special team coaching is bad. The only “good” coach right now for UGA is Grantham and he will probably be suspended.
Dawg48
October 18th, 2011
2:17 pm
This shows how much king bradley shults actualy investigate what they wright about bill said he “caught most of richts segment” like Bradley watched some of the tape on granthem.
Macclenny_dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
We are just getting outcoached every game. When I hear Richt say “We will have to go back and look at that” it makes me sick to my stomach. Really?? Its Monday night and coach you haven”t looked at the tape??? Explains everything i need to know why we can”t become a great team!!! Two days after the game and we will have to go back and look at the tape. Pathetic!!! Explains why we never change anything if we don”t study our own team!!!Thanks Richt for the 1st few years but I sure want complain when You and your inept staff leaves Athens!!!
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
tide roll….usually i get tired of your rambling OL comments…but you’re right on spot with your first comment of the day!
successful teams stick to their recipe..
example, bama’s ingredient…
1. play hard nosed, physical, fast, disciplined defense, who is motivated.
2. recruit in the trenches..the big nasties.
3. stick to your offensive gameplan….RUN the ball.
4. a heady QB would doesnt have to do too much, just effectively run the offense without having to win games in the air
My beloved Dawgs need to determine if they’re gonna be a Pro Style Rushing Offense…or Spread Pass Happy Offense. Our boys on the field are not suited for both!!! IMHO…its one reason the Oline cant get in a groove.
When the run game is moving the ball…dont fix wont aint broken…including in the red zone.
Stop running Samuel off the edge!! He’s a north south runner!!
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
Just seems like a pretty big reach there to be as offended by what he actually said, but would rather have heard something equally as vague just worded the way you made up. Not real sure there a lot of difference there.
And to answer your question, is he just ignorant as to what his team does as far as specific sets and philosophies………or just being evasive about a radio call in question about divulging information on that………..I’m guessing the later..
WKH
October 18th, 2011
2:20 pm
Quick slants, screens, play action, pass to the FB and RB out of the backfield. The short game needs to be perfected with the running game to become effective in the redzone.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
2:20 pm
Team Red Zone Scoring Attempts per Game Ranking
#11 Alabama
#15 LSU
#24 Arkansas
#33 Tennessee
#63 Florida
#71 Georgia
Red Zone Scores Per Game
#8 LSU
#11 ALABAMA
#14 Arkansas
#16 Tennessee
#53 Florida
#58 Georgia
SEC Team Statistics
Points Per Game
#1 ALABAMA
#2 Arkansas
#3 LSU
#4 South Carolina
#5 Georgia
SEC Total Points
#1 ALABAMA
#2 LSU
#3 Arkansas
#4 South Carolina
#5 Georgia
And we have played lousy defenses the last 5 games
Boy the stats above are something to brag about
Another round of KOOL-AID; UGA’s FAVORITE BEVARAGE PLEASE
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
2:21 pm
TampaDawg September 12th, 2011 4:37 pm
“No bowl birth means no post season money for the school either.”
No, sir, TampaDawg, that is NOT what that means. We do Revenue Sharing. I thought you knew everything about college football, sir ? In This Conference, if you do not make a bowl game, you still get your Revenue Sharing. It is what Georgia tek, left, The SEC because of in 1963. That was Bobby Dodd’s doing. Not once did he ever beat Vince Dooley and left The SEC he said over Revenue Sharing. Nice try Georgia tek fan, TampaDawg. Only in the Georgia tek world is this statement of yours true, TampaDawg.
Honest Abe
October 18th, 2011
2:24 pm
Here’s a major problem with CMR. One that really does make you wonder if this guy is intense enough, is he simply focused on football enough to be a head coach in a conference with Saban, Miles, Muschamp, Petrino,Spurrier, etc.? We UGA fans have been voicing concern regarding our red zone offense, more correctly, lack of effective red zone offense, for several yaers now. CMR, from his own statements, seems essentially unaware of the problem, whether the shotgun in the red zone is a problem or not and then sighs that he ill have to look into it. What does this man actually do?
sic'em
October 18th, 2011
2:26 pm
01 Hawk, BAMA has not won a big game since sabans arrival. first year horrible. Second year loses SEC CG and Sugar bowl back to back. The following year gets handed the biggest gift of his life with McCoy leaving on the 5th play form scrimmage and the greenest QB in the country nearly picked you off. McCoy would likely have destroyed you. Then last year well with 3 monumental meltdowns, UA, USC and LSU to finish 4th in the east. This years big game loss is just around the corner. Some time around Nov 5th. You are a typical misguided delusional BAMA fan. Wake up!
animaldr
October 18th, 2011
2:29 pm
I really think rolling the QB out and either running or throwing to TE, FB or RB would be very productive. Use Murray’s scrambling ability. Can do it out of the I. The Falcons use this alot.
beanster
October 18th, 2011
2:29 pm
He is a former QB. He’s coached two Heisman winners. I am pretty sure he isn’t telling Grantham what to do.
Mobile Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
OK, I didn’t say he offended me, and let’s agree to disagree “again”. I emphatically believe that his inability to communicate effectively with the press, and us, is directly proportional to his inability to coach at a “high” level. Maybe he’s realized his weakness in communicating and is responsible for stealing the teleprompters from Obama. All you Dawgs, and a few others have a good day. I got to head back to McDonalds for my OJT.
Joey
October 18th, 2011
2:31 pm
AD, my statement was intended to reference the Grand Canyon-sized gap between the Alabama and UGA football programs, not the difference in # of touchdowns in the red zone . . .
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
Flat tire….who has bama, LSU, Ark, SC all played in your rankings? They havent played really any outstanding teams….mainly a few teams who are having down years as well.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:35 pm
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
2:21 pm
TampaDawg September 12th, 2011 4:37 pm
“No bowl birth means no post season money for the school either.”
———————————
Dude, GET A LIFE!!! I can’t believe you are pulling a post from over a month ago. What a child!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
Well, I have to admit that’s my bad. I am often frustrated by that kind of thing in here. I usually discuss very specific things and am slow to recognize when the debate suddenly goes universal.
I sliced your tire in jacksonville that's why it's flat
October 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
@ G -Dawg
He just likes to complain all he has to say is fire richt
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
sic’em,
I-A Winning Percentage 2008-2011 to-date (4 years)
1 Boise State
# 2 TCU
# 3 Alabama
…
# 34 Georgia
Hello, wak up sic’em
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:38 pm
And to make the point, yes, there is revenue sharing, but if you think every team gets an equal spread, YOU’RE DUMBER THAN I THOUGHT! Vandy will never get the same money from LSU or Bama or whoever in a BCS game as the actual school will.
Dawg 39
October 18th, 2011
2:38 pm
As Usual, I disagree completely & totally with all of the Bobo Bashers.
The Dawgs Offense has been better than the Defense since Bobo took over as OC. Statistically better than when Richt was OC.
Not only better but fun to watch. Also CMR Does have his input in on the QB play & on the Play Calling..
Since his job is on the line, I believe he has been more than satisfied with his OC, & so have I. Beat the Gators & everything will be OK in Athens. GATA.
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
TD, a month ago? The guy has every post you have ever made recorded and indexed.
Dawg 39
October 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
Question: How many SEC Teams have scored at least 20 points in every game they have played this season?.
Joey
October 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Wow! Beat a 4-3 UF team ,and everything will be OK in Athens?
Alphare
October 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
BigDawg,
You said: “glad to have the fire that Grantham has brought to the team, BIG difference on defense!!”
You gave up 27 points to Vandy. Can you imgine if you face a few more teams as good as Vandy?
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
Hey Thomas Brown, since, as usual, you are on a statistical parade, go grab the winning percentages from 2002-2008. And by the way, Why on earth would you even include Boise St and TCU in that? Neither of them play a year long schedule that amounts to anything.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
Joey
October 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Wow! Beat a 4-3 UF team ,and everything will be OK in Athens?
————————-
As if the records have ever mattered before .. never in the 33 years of watching those two teams play has that been something anyone ever cared about before the game.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
Yeah Altamaha, kind of creepy actually. Kids these days are just a different breed I guess.
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
2:48 pm
Ok so I actually 14 years old .. I skip school a lot because I am up late researching very useful data and writing a report about it on here. But not being in school actually gives me time to respond to my fans on here when they read my articles .. I mean, posts.
kybodawg
October 18th, 2011
2:50 pm
its not just the shoutgun. how many times have we passed ourselfs down close and them ran 3 up the middle.
layinlow
October 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
It’s pathetic that fans have to beg the head coach to step up and do some actual coaching. He makes 3 million per year and is clueless about whats happening in the redzone? Red zone efficiency is critical to success in football and you would think he would know all about formations and whats working and whats not working. I’m sick and tired of hearing- I’ll have to go back and look at film. Were six games into the season and he should know exactly whats going on in the redzone! I’m sick and tired of mark Richt and think a change is absolutely neccessary for the future of the program.
LagDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
I promise with an overhaul of the offensive staff the problems will be gone. Will Friend is not getting it done. He’s not attracting any big time OL recruits and the line looks like it did last year. They can’t run or pass block. With all that size on the OL a new line coach should be able to motivate them into becoming top blockers and he hasn’t. Bobo’s knowledge of playcalling is middle school at best and as long as he is the OC and Richt is the coach UGA will never win a NC. Too much talent not being properly coached. CMR apologized for winning and celebrating but, not backing up his coach or the players. Way to go CMR. Keep UGA looking like the doormat of the SEC.
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
If only he were 14. So much worse to be 61 and be that way.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
G-Dawg
WOW
They havent played anyone
step away from the kool-aid bar
I guess Penn St, Arkansas, Oregon, West Virginia are bad teams. You do know those teams only loss came from Alabama or LSU
Hey SC played us what was the result
You might want to have another round of kool-aid to keep your delusions going
JB
October 18th, 2011
2:57 pm
Murray has only completed 40% of his passes in the red zone.
He also has only completed 52% between oppt’s 40-20.
And, when we get a lead of 1-7 pts, Murray’s comletion goes down form 57 to 50%, and when up by 15 points or more, completion rate drops below 40%.
Murray chokes under pressure.
Simple as that.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/player/257/1024001/passing/situational.html
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
Does everybody else in Gainesville, Fl have a kool-aid fetish too?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
I sliced your tire in jacksonville that’s why it’s flat
Thats your best comeback as usual with nothing to back it up.
Wait a minute, no I forgot to add you will do a grammar check on Microsoft Word like every other Moron does who cant come up with anything to say
And then think everyone on here will think your Harvard educated
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
3:00 pm
AltamahaDawg
Whats the matter Hand Fishing Man
Give you stats and your once again defending the garbage
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:02 pm
I’m sorry, as usually, I am not sure what it is you are asking me.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:04 pm
LagDawg, “He’s not attracting any big time OL recruits and the line looks like it did last year. ” We have the number one OLineman in the nation committed for next year plus another 4 star already committed.