‘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
CHUCK UGA
October 18th, 2011
10:52 pm
If Richt can’t see now that he needs a full time Special Teams Coach, he needs to be rushed to the hospital for a brain MRI.
Niceville Dawg
October 18th, 2011
11:26 pm
Noble Lesley,you win the prize.Longest post I’ve ever seen.And I think we all agree with a lot of it.I don’t know who you are but I do think you are very knowledgeable.One thing I really disagree on….Crowell.He is by far the most talented back since…….well you know,but he has no heart,no motor,no discipline.I know he’s young,immature and all that stuff,but trust me,this kid ain’t gonna be around long.
DawgVoiceofReason
October 18th, 2011
11:26 pm
We fired our special teams coach and turned it over to several position coaches.
From http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2010/02/26/uga-names-special-teams-coaches-clarifies-player-positions-on-defense/
” Warren Belin will coach the kickoff-coverage team, Bryan McClendon will handle the punt return and block units, and John Lilly will coordinate special-teams meeting and practice schedules. All of those roles previously were handled by Jon Fabris, fired in December. Richt said Lilly will continue to coach the punt team and Tony Ball the kickoff-return team, as they did last season.”
DawgVoiceofReason
October 18th, 2011
11:29 pm
Some people seem to have short memories. The primary reason Coach Richt turned over the play calling to Coach Bobo in the first place was lack of success in the Red Zone. The more things change, the more things stay the same (as they say)….
DawgVoiceofReason
October 18th, 2011
11:34 pm
To follow up on the subject of your previous blog and ALL of the talk on sports radio, Coach Grantham, however justified he may have thought he was, went berserk after the Vandy game. That can NOT happen again by him as a representative of the University of Georgia. We need him and we need his defense to work and boy do we need that on October 29, 2011, but I say again, three strikes and he’s out.
DawgVoiceofReason
October 18th, 2011
11:49 pm
Noble Lesley Devotie,
You seem to know quite a bit about UGA football, but you lost me with the statement that “Aaron Murray is average at best”. You say that and then you say that the line stinks and the receivers are “pitiful”. Is there any QB anywhere that could even be average given those facts?
How do you define average? Remember, you just said he is missing the two of three key ingredients in an offense that are required to be able to succeed as a QB. And the third, Crowell, only takes pressure off the passing game. He doesn’t directy contribute to it with his running and is not experienced enough to help much in the passing game (either blocking or receiving). Murray has some of the best stats of any young QB in the nation. He has shown toughness, skill and running ability. You’re WAY off base to say he is only “average”.
yearofthedawg
October 19th, 2011
12:11 am
Just once could we get an article that doesn’t rip Bobo?
Bill: WE GET IT. You don’t like the guy. I’m not saying you should write positive things. But can we just please give it a rest for ONE day? Just one. Talk about something else for one day.
DAWGMAN
October 19th, 2011
1:41 am
Folks,
3d in the SEC is bad. Our university, our athletic department is not supposed to be satisfied with it’s team and coach performing like they are. C’mon man!
Has winning become non-PC at Georgia?
Are our coaches and athletes afraid of hurting our opponent’s feelings?
Good grief !
HD27
October 19th, 2011
1:55 am
lol
Tater Tot
October 19th, 2011
5:17 am
I wish we could put a real good a**whooping on opposing teams on the field scorewise like Florida and a couple other teams in years past but no, that is not the case with us.
chazzo
October 19th, 2011
7:01 am
1) I’ve said over and over again that Bobo tends to outsmart himself. Something gets going and he scraps it. I don’t know if he is just addicted to his old stuff that he thinks will suddenly work or if he is just trying to be one step ahead of the other team figuring it out.
2) With a 275 fullback and an inconsistent line, why not use him?
3) It’s not so much the shotgun as it is some of the plays run out of the shotgun. Everyone knows that sooner or later there is going to be that little pass to the sideline. It is usually squashed at scrimmage or picked with no one there to stop the defender from scoring. Certain plays out of the shotgun take to long to develop (again with a o-line that is still somewhat suspect and rbs that don’t always block). Handing off to Samuel in the shotgun and trying to have him make the corner at the end of the Vandy game was just plain dumb.
Thomaston Dawg
October 19th, 2011
7:17 am
I have said the same thing …If you watch the films you can see that the only time they consistently move the ball is in the I..they need to use the tight ends more !!
Indy
October 19th, 2011
7:21 am
It’s kind of sad to see all the Dawg fans getting so excited this year (just like the year before, the year before that, etc.). How long is it going to take for UGA fans to realize that UGA is simply no longer relevant in the SEC? In the national picture, UGA isn’t even a blip on the radar, and hasn’t been since the preseason #1 ranking several years ago.
Sit back and be grateful for the six or seven wins you’ll get every year. Coaching genius Mark Richt may take you to 8-4 or even 9-3 occasionally, but other schools will still win the SEC, meaning no BCS bowls and no top 10 final ranking. Most years, UGA will be very lucky to finish in the top 50, and only after a big bowl win over a nobody opponent.
It’s a different world now, and Dawg fans need to adjust their expectations downward to reflect reality.
Unfortunately nothing is going to change until UGA changes its mediocre coaching. That’s where the difference is, and that’s why everyone outside Dawgtard Nation just laughs at Dawg fans getting so excited year after year about what a great recruiting class UGA gets. It doesn’t matter how many blue chip high school players go to UGA, they simply don’t get the coaching they would get at Florida or Alabama or Auburn or USC or LSU, to name a few schools whose programs are far ahead of UGA. And that’s not going to change as long as Mark Richt is in Athens.
Get your heads out of the sand and face reality. And mediocrity and irrelevance.
Doofus Dawggy
October 19th, 2011
8:12 am
Indy,
Your not no reel Dawg fan. If you was you wood no that were the most best and we have the most best coach. yall just jellus of us. Dawgs will stomp you ina mudhole liek all the rest.
G-Dawg
October 19th, 2011
8:50 am
Phi Alpha Devotie!!! Ga Sigma!!
Old Coach
October 19th, 2011
9:49 am
@yearofthedawg
Good post! You are right, old Bill just could not have a blog without ripping coach Bobo. He just has to try to get the folks that do not understand the first thing about football in a rant. He needs to stick to the Redcoat band, something he may know something about!
bigdawg
October 19th, 2011
10:06 am
I had said going into the game that i would be happy just to escape Nashville with the W no matter how tight or frustrating. as a UGA fan, I have just accepted that 80% of the time Vandy is going to play us tough, its not even worth being mad at it. 5 Ws in a row and w/o Lattimore USC is going to lose at least to Arkansas and possibly to UF or UT, which means if we beat either UF or Auburn we will win the East (im counting Kentucky as a given), and I cannot be mad a coach who gets us to the SECCG.
bigdawg
October 19th, 2011
10:08 am
as much as we harp on Bobo, our offense is the most consistant offense in the Eastern Division
AltamahaDawg
October 19th, 2011
10:18 am
What is funny about this blog topic is that we hear the complaint all the time that Coach Bobo has success doing something then goes away from it inexplicably. I think that gets way overblown and simply ignores some of the events on the field all too often BUT let say that’s the rub.
Then Bill post a topic talking bout how Bobo was being questioned for NOT going away from what brought them down the field, when he get up close and some of the same people say, Yea that’s right. (and a few actually agreed by saying he always goes away from what works, anyway)
So basically the details aren’t really the point, just the idea that Coach Bobo couldn’t have been doing it right.
Texas Dawg
October 19th, 2011
10:18 am
The bottom line on Murray…………..when he beats sec teams with winning records and wins the big games that will say more than his…………………. stats
The guy could throw for 5,000 yards a season and I could care less……
Let hope he has a better performance this year against FL…..Go Dawgs!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 19th, 2011
10:20 am
ps, Chazzo, that wasn’t intended for your comment.
ARdawg
October 19th, 2011
11:17 am
Texas Dawg,
I don’t follow, what could Murray possibly have to do with the oppositions records?
DawgSTILE
October 19th, 2011
11:32 am
Whats up with us not using the fullbac? On the good side Murrae had his best game. The real star in Georgia football is this wunderkid in BLUFFTON, CLAY COUNTY. His name is name is Antoine Stampson. This junior high TB is tearing it up on South West Georgia football fields. Word is Sabin (Bama) and Johnson (Ga Tech) are already watching this kid. Google the name, watch the tapes, he can’t miss! Soon DawginLex will be blogging about him. Sometimes he’s a little slow because he gets home a late from the pine straw bailing facility.
Dog fan for now
October 19th, 2011
11:45 am
Doesn’t really matter what we think, as long as MIke Bobo and Mark Richt are still at Georgia we’re going to have the same problems. I don’t know what more needs to be done for Coach Richt to see that Bobo can’t get the job done. But I guess since he has to go back and check to film he doesn’t have a clue either. If you don’t know and you are running the team then UGA is in trouble.
Rilo
October 19th, 2011
11:54 am
No confidence in Bobo at all. Anyone that would call back-to-back play action passes while backed up to our own goal line is not all there in the head. Also, Bobo finds a play that works at one point in the game and instead of building off it he just says “run it again”. I.e. Off tackle run to the short side of the field. He runs this at least every 4th play.
AltamahaDawg
October 19th, 2011
12:01 pm
Correct, it doesn’t matter what a “for now” fan thinks.
truedawg
October 19th, 2011
12:16 pm
It all boils down to poor, poor, poor, poor, POOR O LINE PLAY!!!
The O line is under performing!! The O line is biggest in football, either its strength or coaching. On short yardage we should be able to get 3 yards up the middle with a huge FB and big RB in Samuel. Something has to change!! That O line is not capable of performing at the SEC level. Bobo isn’t the greatest, but that O line does effect what he can and can’t call in the red zone. Go Dawgs!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 19th, 2011
12:51 pm
but the caller said…….
doctor
October 19th, 2011
1:18 pm
run the sweep ——or off tackle—-or straight up the middle——-Georiga has enough size to run—but the coaches are robotic passers————–and thats it folks. They dont train to run alot and they dont run alot———–big problem in the SEC I think.
doctor
October 19th, 2011
1:21 pm
when in doubt run the defense over—–forget the ballet technics.
Texas Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:38 pm
ARdawg….not trying to be rude but really??????
QB are remembered for their win/loss records AND could they get it done against teams that matter……..Murry has beaten teams with losing records and has not beaten the teams that matter and yes I understand it’s a team sport but Murry has made critical mistakes in big games! He may pass for more yards than any QB in the sec this year but I could care less if we don’t win the east and compete for sec championships.
Texas Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:45 pm
ARdawg…..I think a UGA football fans understands what’s I’m saying…..don’t get me wrong…I HOPE Murry goes undeated for the next three years……and I do think he is a good QB but I would really like to see him dominate Fl, AU and Tech this year…and not turn the ball over in the most critical times.
valleydawgnsav
October 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
I know this will be edited but for Bobo it’s d*MN if you do and d*MN if you don’t. I for one have been one of his harshest critics but who would have ever thought that UGA would be running a pro style version of a spread offense? Has it always worked no but at least there was an attempt to make our offense different. With this being Coach Friend’s 1st year, I would look to see a difference like what has been demonstrated by the defense this year under Coach TG.
GATA
October 19th, 2011
4:30 pm
Fire Richt!
Paul Garmon
October 19th, 2011
4:43 pm
FIRE BOBO THE BOZO!! CMR is a very fine man but a terrible head coach. This man needs to clean house on this coaching staff. Who in the world gets less production out of highly reguarded recruits than this staff. If it wasn’t for the weak scheldue that Ga. is playing they would probaly be 2 and 5. Don’t let this decline continue. We must stand up and let our voices be heard. I WANT A CHANGE. Come on people and send those e-mails and calls to the President of the University. Don’t go through another season of disapointments. We can’t land a top coach the way things are. We need to be looking at Skip Holtz or coach Franklin at Vandy. Ask yourself why would Coach Franklin leave a program that is on the rise to come to GA? It not like it was when I played for THE BEAR!!!!!!!!
RomeDawg
October 19th, 2011
5:26 pm
Bobo has been a problem and is in over his head as am OC…Although he is a beloved bulldog and I was glad to have him as our quarterback back in the 90’s. The love is fading. Bobo, Please let CMR take over play calling again before you cost him his job and and yours.
CarolinaMan
October 19th, 2011
6:55 pm
Ha, ha, ha!! I, too, am laughing at those ccccccrrraaazy Georgia coaches! Our coaches do not even think out their responses as do the more gifted coaches from other big football teams. Ha ha again, I say. I, too, love my school but choose to pout at home until they become much better and begin to win contests at the same percentage rate and speak with well thought responses. I am punishing my team because I love them and because I know that they will know that someone else has bought my tickets and is sitting in my seat foolishly enjoying myself at the football games and having fun while the crazy Bulldogs win and win and win (5 times in a row).
bubba4dawgs
October 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
It’s a “no-brainer”!! If something is working, stick with it, why change? I never understand a running back running into a pile instead of spinning out to the side, especially a speedy back like Crowell. Moreno was good at this. The line of scrimmage gets mighty crowded in the red zone, fake it to the inside and take it outside, throw it in the middle or the corner but for goodness sake if you can’t move the line of scrimmage, quit trying to ram it up the middle. Nuff sed, GO DAWGS!!!
Hmmm?
October 19th, 2011
7:38 pm
Funny to me how they put Samuel and Figgins the 2 bigger backs in and try running outside. Then they put Thomas and ogletree the 2 smaller backs and try up the middle? Not fooling anyone Bobo so play the odds.
Stu
October 19th, 2011
10:16 pm
Please move Bobo back QB coach and let’s find a legitimate offensive coordinator. Someone with proven success.
A-Ville Ranger
October 20th, 2011
12:21 am
How in the world could we be half way into the season and Richt not have stats on our redzone offense ? he shows time after time an inability to see and cover important details.
Dawgtownrambler
October 20th, 2011
1:01 am
The big problem is the coaching staff we have (excluding Todd Grantham) are not coaching up the talent that we have. We can go toe to toe with any school in the WORLD based on talent. Once the “coaching up” factor is put in the mix we start falling sort. I like Mark Richt’s ability to keep the NCAA off our back. We are one of the few schools that have pretty much ZERO major problems with the NCAA. The problem I have with him is he is spotty on coaching up our players. Seems like they do not progress unless they are just physical specimens and get better because of the talent they go up against week in and week out in the SEC. Does anyone else see it this way???
meh
October 20th, 2011
8:29 am
if you come all the way across the field using the I formation than keep using all the way into the end zone. or go for the TD once you hit the 25 and skip the red zone all together.
savh dawg
October 20th, 2011
9:09 am
I would love to see the “Tebow jump pass” in the red zone, especially against Florida.
Snake Doc
October 20th, 2011
9:39 am
Dawg fans looking through Orange tanned glasses will berate, criticize, slam anyone and everyone who they think is responsible for the Dawgs poor play and record.
They’ll bash a 19 yr old QB who’s playing his heart out, they’ll say “he stinks”, “its all his fault.”
They’ll bash Bill King for pointing out whats obvious to everyone else but them, and then they’ll say its all Bill King’s fault.
Its the OL fault today. Tomorrow it will CTG.
They’ll blame the referee’s, they’ll blame the chalk line that was too thick, the grass is too long, too short, too slippery.
So many excuses, so little time to see the truth.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Although most boneheads with their orange tanned glasses on are more stubborn then mules, not at all intelligent like a horse, they”ll never be made to see what the real problem with their beloved program is.
To point it out for you boneheads one more time. The problem with UGA Football is the Orange CEO!
Capice!
Woodstock Dawg
October 20th, 2011
9:39 am
I want to see the dawgs in the “I” inside the 20 yars line. Passing in less space is to the defense’s advantage. As Gary Danielson would say, “Truck and Trailer”
zbulldawg
October 20th, 2011
11:14 am
Lining up in the I formation would be great.Boy when you think of Figgins at fullback with a TE in motion.The shotgun with one back limits what you can do unless you let Murray keep it on draws bootlegs etc.A good ole option would be nice.You still can throw out all these.The spread one back only works down there if the Quarterback can keep it. All you need is a crack to gain positive yards. BOBO needs to learn patience.
RedandBlackDawg
October 20th, 2011
11:34 am
You go to the Shotgun formation, for the specific purposes of giving your QB more time to pass and be away from the rush. So, you are basically telling the defense, you aren’t going to run. If you do hand off to a RB in the shotgun, it is usually not that successful, because you haven’t really done anything but slow down an offensive play even more, and the run is easily defensed at that point.
One thing I haven’t seen at all this year, is the utilization of our big FB, close to the goal line or how about an end around and hand it off to one of our big TE’s. Hey, we could even use our big NG, Jones, in a “Refrigerator Perry” run up the middle. UGA seems to disdain any type of run or hard nosed football, once inside the 20. If the average fan, which we all are, can figure out what he is going to do, once he hits the red zone, you know the average Dc on the opposing team can as well. I just don’t see any sense in trying to go pass happy, tell a team you are going to throw the ball, and then, try to operate in a short playing field, and expect to score a TD.
I think CMR and Bobo could learn a lot by watching some of the successful teams operate in the red zone. We need a fresh approach in that area, and I still think we lack a killer instinct when we have a team down. Let’s get rid of this trait and step on some folks hard when we have them down.
Go DAWGS and GATA
P.S. Note to CMR. Don’t sell your players down the stream by trying to appease an opponent. If you do, the players are going to feel you lack confidence in them, and will play accordingly. Honest CMR, showing a little emotion in a emotion packed profession will not get you in trouble as a Christian.
B RED E
October 20th, 2011
11:39 am
red zone, should be play#1 play action fullback up middle,stops @ goal line, QB rolls right, TE down and out @ goal line wide outs criss cross in back of endzone.HB picks up blitz. play#2 play action to HB goes to back of endzone settles in, TE runs corner pattern QB rolls slightly to left creates new pocket, FB picks up blitz,wide outs criss cross @ goal line. play#3 screen pass, actually it is all about execution. Perfect practice = perfect execution = TD. I just don’t know S#!%!
bobby
October 20th, 2011
10:57 pm
UGA has had offensive problems this year. to me it’s just not in the red zone there other problems too.