‘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?
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
351 comments Add your comment
DrRobert
October 18th, 2011
3:04 pm
JB, excellent post & analysis. you are on to something.
Here’s what I found as cause of wins or losses against good teams:
If Murray throws 27 or more passes, we will lose. 24 or less, we win.
Look at last 4 wins, Murray threw 24 or less (except for Vanderbilt).
In 6 of 7 wins in 2010, Murray threw for 24 passes or less.
Murray is the key, when he tries to be a hero, which he is not, we lose, when he hands the ball off to playmakers, we win.
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
Boise State amounts to nothing ?
That why they just beat Mark Richt 35 to 21 ?
Excuse me, they were nearly TWICE our score
You might want to try some new material
Joey
October 18th, 2011
3:06 pm
Apparently not, AD. UF fans grumbled an awful lot last season (even had a fireurbanmyer.com web site). And that was after 2 BCS titles in 6 years.
Based on the free pass Richt has, Myer could have got a contract for life with that record at UGA.
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
3:06 pm
If you don’t like being held accountable for the BS you write, don’t write it
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2011
3:06 pm
Trotter is not starting against LSU. Moseley is going to get a trial by fire.
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:09 pm
Flat tire…he is right. LOL i read your comments from time to time….hard to tell if your a gator hating the dawgs…or a dawg hating their HC. LOL either way…you get the point.
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
3:10 pm
You add 2 OL to the 2 we have now, subtracting both of them for being seniors, and you have what, exactly ?
gomdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:11 pm
Simple, you can not take away that Vandy is a better team with Rogers and you will see this as the season goes on. But Georgia had a lot of chances to put this game and we did not , yes when we get inside the redzone BOBO does not know what to do its like well we can get a boot it from so he goes crazy, with the talent that we got we should be able to put it on in ,it like our off. line is not set up for the redzone? It Gator time so lets put all this 2 weeks getting ready NOW THIS IS THE GAME WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE SEC EAST IS ON THE LINE. GO DAWGS
Randall
October 18th, 2011
3:12 pm
Don’t get forth and short and not letting the 260 lb. fullback run the ball. Has Figgins ran the ball at all this year? Remember when Brannen Southerland would run the waggle pass play out of the backfield, it was a sure score at the goal line or a long run down the sideline.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:12 pm
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
Boise State amounts to nothing ?
—————————
So you can quote me from nearly a month ago but not half an hour ago? Let me help you there little buddy …
“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.”
That’s what I said. Their SCHEDULE doesn’t amount to anything. Nice try though.
DrRobert
October 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
Limit Murray’s passes to 24 or fewer, and we beat Florida.
If Murray throws for 27 or more, we’ll lose to Florida & Auburn.
In 6 losses last year, Murray tried to be a hero and threw the ball 27x or more.
In 4 wins this year, Murray threw it 24 or less.
Dawg48
October 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
New stats on the blog!
People wanting bobo fired 22% of the time
People wanting richt fired 18% of the time
People defending richt 21% of the time
Trolls 29% of the time
Talking smack back to the troll20% of the time
Thomas brown being a moron 100% of the time!
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
Thomas Brown
October 18th, 2011
3:06 pm
If you don’t like being held accountable for the BS you write, don’t write it
———————
If you are going to skew what I say, then don’t speak, don’t put words in my mouth and leave the dumb stats to the tech fans. Oh, that’s right, I think you are one.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
Dawg48, a finer post has not been written brother.
Realist
October 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
Maybe if Grantham would do less taunting, less running of the mouth, and put more effort in having his defense play, Bobo would be less stressed with having to keep putting points on the board in order to stay out front.
Gary
October 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
Could it be that it is just harder to make a play in the redzone than on the 50 because the defenders cover a lot less space? WIth no down field threat it is much easier to bring people to the line quickly and disrupt a run play. The defenders are pretty much stading where you plan to throw the ball. I am not saying adjustments need to be made, but it is a different environment in the red zone. If we could sustain a long steady time consuming play getting there, the defense may not be as strong. Increasing the speed of play would really help the team. Don’t give the Defense a chance to rest or think. Get them back on the line quick. We saw how well Boise did it to us.
AthensDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:16 pm
I think we need to dump the freaking idiot Mike Bobo.
Tech=highSchoolOffense
October 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
grantham freaking rules…..don’t take no jive son….
DrRobert
October 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
JB, the question is, and remains:
Can Murray trust his rushing teammates to win a big game?
So far, he hasn’t.
Hammerdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
As long as Mike Bobo is calling plays this offense will never achieve it’s potential! Bobo is way over his head, he has no idea how to make adjustments to the defenses or the ability to scheme his play calling to keep the defense guessing…. Mark Richt has shown himself to be completely out of the play calling loop and game preperation… His lack of attention to OC Bobo’s incompetence will get them all fired!
The only way the offense improves is if Bobo resigns today!!!!!
Realist
October 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
@ terry
Bama didnt give up 28 points and allow Vandy a chance to win in the closing minute of the game.
DrRobert
October 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
And Murray can’t trust his defense.
Joe
October 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
Well said Dr Robert. Aaron Murray seems to only trust Aaron Murray ninstead of Crowell, his o-line, and his defense. Love the way LSU plays, run the ball, play good defense, good special teams, and win. Don’t have to pass it so often.
Joe
October 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
Jarrett Lee is attempting 18 passes per game. He trust his defense, and run game.
Aaron Murray is attempting a WHOPPING 28 PASSES PER GAME!
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
Does Aaron Murray call the plays Joe? No, that’s left up to the only guy on here getting bashed more than Murray and CMR, Mike Bobo.
gomdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
Our defense can’t trust BOBO
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
3:24 pm
G-Dawg
the Flat Tire is meaning that we have a coaching staff that could care less if we win against FL as it has shown the last 10 years
2 of the FL wins came when Ron Zook was fired the week of the FL game and when FL coming off their national title fielded a mid level team loaded with sophmores and freshmen
Those 2 wins are nothing to write home about
So UGA keeps getting a Flat Tire in Jacksonville with no mechanic to fix the problem except for excuses from Richt at how playing in Jacksonville is an Unfair advantage even though the stadium is half FL half UGA
But people like you fall for the garbage kool=aid just like with all the other excuses we have heard since Richt decided keeping Van Gorder was not a problem
Energy Vampires Dream Team, Uniform changes, and the list goes on; its just laughable
I am a dawg fan and I do not hate Richt but any smart coach would not put up with the mediocrity that has gone on here for 5 years
He refused to get rid of Martinez until forced
And Bobo who is a good QB coach and not an OC refuses to man up and step back to QB coach. I dont hate Bobo and dont want to see him fired but he is no OC period.
But the CEO continues with the sloppy play with continued no changes and folks want to get mad when you get tired of the same garbage you have seen the last 5 years
gomdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:24 pm
TampaDawg well said its not Murray calling the plays DAMN GIVE MURRAY A BREAK
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2011
3:26 pm
Looks like we’ll know if Missouri is in the SEC within the next week and a half. If they get slotted in the East to preserve traditional rivalries, Alabama may drop off Georgia’s schedule next year.
Realist
October 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
Lay off Bobo. He caught all that flack in his playing days, and he tried to commit suicide. Go easy on him, I dont think UGA could afford two coaches seeing a psychologist.
RunDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:29 pm
Agree DrRobert, Murray is not good enough to take the team on his back and win with his arm and judgment. He lacks poise. The more passes he throws, the more UGA loses. Good thing Richt hasn’t figured that out yet.
On the other hand, Richt is 44-4 when he gets a 100 yard rusher.
Bet Murray doesn’t know that, or care about winning
Note:
Murray’s now 0-7 vs. ranked teams and keeps trying to SINGLEHANDIDLY beat teams with his arm.
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:30 pm
Yooo…Flatty Tired….i’ll break down the delusions for you, since you’re only good at insults on here!! its okay weee man…i have a few friends with that napolean complex as well.
Ark is the only team i’ll give a lil props…but i give bama homefield advantage in that game!! Ark still a good team, but hasnt played anyone significant. Mizz St? New Mex? Troy? Tex AM (which they should have lost)…but i’ll give them the win. and dont even dont even try to pour me any Auburn kool aid as a significant win for Ark.
PSU is not going to pass the kool aid test as a quality win. PSU schedule Indy St…Temple…E. Mich…Indiana, Iowa, and finally the powerhouse of PURDUE!! Okay…please enlighten me with delusions.
Oregon hasnt proven anything….yeah, laid a duck fart to LSU in the first game of season after playing in Dallas. Since then, havetn proven anything with wins against lousy 12 Pac teams, except the win over ranked sun devils. Yet, where does any of that make them a bonified team?
Lets see, who’s left on your list…the good ole mtn dew mountaineers!!
are you seriously throwing htem in the mix, with wins against the mighty marshall, norfolk st, maryland, bowling green and uconn.
maybe its cause i’m drunk of the kool aid, or just prefer to not buy the ocean front property you’re selling on here…one way or another…go dawgs….hunker down one more time!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
3:30 pm
New Stats on The Blog
Kool-aid drinkers 58% of the time
Bong Smokers 38% of the time
Blind Homers 42% of the time
Believers in Uniform changes, Energy Vampire reading assignments, and Dream Team to the championship most of the time
Jim
October 18th, 2011
3:31 pm
the commentators noted during the VU game that Bobo called 4 straight passing plays during one trip into the redzone, which resulted in a FG attempt. We used to use the fullback significantly in the redzone and in short yardage situations, but have gotten away from that almost completely. If you go back to the BSU game, we get a first down on the first 4th and short if we hand of to the fullback (who blocks the linebacker 3 yards down field) he gets the first down.
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
i’d have more respect for ya if you just say a win is a win…regardless the quality or performance of it.
RunDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
DrRobert,
You nailed it. That is the question. Murray does not trust his teammates, I’d like to seem him aubiblemore to runs for example in the red zone instead of trying to build up his STATS.
Gary
October 18th, 2011
3:33 pm
Realist, I could not find the thread you are refering to but I would be shocked if any dawg fan tried to compare a UGA performance to a Bama performance. I will agree Vandy is a better team this year than Ole Miss, Kentucky, Miss State, maybe even Tennessee. But Bama and LSU are playing on a different level. If you took the best players from FLorida, Georgia, and Tennessee, my money would still be on Bama to win. Honestly a best case scenario for Georgia would be for us and USC to win out. Let USC get destroyed by Bama in the SEC championship and let Georgia play is some nice Bowl game with two losses. Richt keeps his job, hopefully we get some more depth with recuits, and the younger guys get some good experience for next year.
coachx
October 18th, 2011
3:34 pm
I’m OK with the shotgun in the red zone but not when its 3rd & 1 or 3rd & 2 unless its a designed QB run.
RunDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:34 pm
Think Murray will ever win a game that matters like SC or UF?
go dawgs
October 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
Do we know how to pull a lineman? Ae they not quick enough? Run a trap back side. do something differant every now and then.
TampaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
Let’s try it again for RunDawg …
A A R O N M U R R A Y D O E S N ‘ T C A L L T H E P L A Y S !!!
If he throws a lot, especially towards the end of the game, its because they are behind as in, the Florida game last year, in which the defense didn’t help out a whole lot.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
G-Dawg
You forgot one team
UGA
What have they proven
Oh yea we havent beaten a top 25 team since 2009
Oh yea we are 3-11 under this staff against top 10 teams the last 10 years
But hey all is well isnt it
GATA
October 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
Must establish the RUN every game, between the 20s and red zone. Period.
This is more than just having a set number of run plays called. It is a total commitment to the imposing your will on the opponent’s defense, and it begins with the O-line. Get these giants moving people and sustaining blocks so anyone toting the rock can get into the secondary.
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
What is the stat for using the same old worn out cliche over and over?
G-Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:38 pm
I’ll admit Bama and LSU are sticking to their original recipe how to win games…Dawgs have no idea if they’re gonna be a shotgun offense or run offense. We cant do both well! And i’m just as frustrated as any die hard Dawg fan…but i’m not going to be one of yoru so-called energy vampires and be a distraction to our team and players. Support the program, or jump off the so called “kool aid” wagon.
Its not what has this team done for you….its what can you do for your team!!! either you’re part of the solution, or part of the problem!! only you can determine that for yourself.
Long-Time Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:40 pm
I think that focusing on the formation used is not the angle that this problem should be addressed; having coached for 33 years, with many years as an offensive coordinator, my opinion is that we have a poor red zone play selection. We have to have a plan to attack ALL areas with the run (inside, off tackle, perimeter) from a variety of sets and with the pass ( both 3 & 5 step as well as play action). I have no problem with stretching the field horizontally in the red zone to create vertical seams but we need to have a better plan to attack the fronts and coverages we are seeing in the red zone.
Niceville Dawg
October 18th, 2011
3:40 pm
I have read more than once on these blogs that the coaches are responsible for “messing up” Blair Walsh’s head.Will someone,anyone,please explain how this is possible.Exactly how are his misfires the coaching staff’s fault?I guess global warming is Bush’s fault?That is an idiotic statement.He’s been a great kicker.It’s called a slump.
gomdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:40 pm
Gary, let me say this if Georgia gets to LSU or Ala. we will play them a very good game and yes I can see us beating them .When our defense is on yes we can beat them so don’t think it will be a cake walk
DawginLex
October 18th, 2011
3:41 pm
If Aaron Murray had not been on top of his game, we would have lost to Vandy.
Vandy loaded the box and Bobo called short routes to overcome it.
I had no problem with Murray
Our defense looked tired, especially when rodgers escaped contain out of the pocket.
Like it or not, Vandy will be much better than ever with Franklin as coach and rodgers as QB.
RunDawg
October 18th, 2011
3:41 pm
UGA has a 2-1 run/pass ratio in red zone.
LSU has a 4-1 run/pass ratio in red zone.
That’s on Bobo.