Big questions temper optimism as Dogs look ahead to 2012
Georgia returns a lot of talent, including Aaron Murray, but still has some major concerns to deal with in 2012. (Associated Press)
A week ago, in the wake of the SEC’s 2012 schedule being announced, optimism was running wild in the Bulldog Nation.
This week, after watching the Dogs again collapse in the second half amid continued problems with special teams play and establishing a running game, many Georgia fans are tempering their optimism.
The Dogs still may start out next season as a Top 10 team based on a load of returning talent and an even more favorable schedule than this year’s, but there will be some big challenges, especially if the team is hit with major losses to the NFL. Orson Charles going pro would hurt, but the chance of the defense possibly losing two or three underclassmen is more worrisome.
Meanwhile, the offensive line, which was good enough against middling teams this season but gave up 33 sacks and faltered against the four best defenses Georgia faced, will lose three senior starters and will have little returning experience.
The Dogs will have to replace both their placekicker and their punter and still haven’t solved the problem of spotty special teams play overall.
Record-setting QB Aaron Murray will return but has some ball security problems to deal with (his turnovers when pressured or scrambling played a major role in three of the Dogs’ four losses), and Georgia could lose what little backup experience it has at the position if Hutson Mason decides to transfer.
And then there’s the running game, which went from inconsistent to pathetic late in the season as Isaiah Crowell found myriad ways to stay off the field. The bright spot there in 2012 is the arrival of Keith Marshall and probably at least one other freshman tailback, but we learned this season that signing a five-star recruit at that position is no guarantee of long-term success.
So, yes, Georgia reeled off 10 wins in a row this season and took the SEC East but as Mark Richt said, “our guys had a good year, not a great year,” losing to the four teams they played that ended up ranked in the Top 20 while getting their wins against teams that finished the season unranked.
All of which raises this question: Were the 2011 Dogs that much better than the 2010 team that finished 6-7, or was the SEC East title more a function of scheduling?
I think the answer is a qualified yes, the Dogs were much improved — mainly on defense. But they remained, as Richt noted, far from a great team. There’s no denying that a schedule that didn’t include the toughest teams from the SEC West probably was the biggest factor in Georgia’s 2011 turnaround.
They’ll get that break again next season. But it’s going to take more than that for Richt and company to improve on a 10-4 record.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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828 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
True Dawg Fan
Richt and Bobo are doing a fine job arent they kool-aid boy
evil empire
January 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
evans had you on the right path by scheduling home and home ooc games…mcgarrity will NEVER do that…
True Dawg Fan
January 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
ARdawg
January 4th, 2012
5:03 pm
True Dawg
We’ve fallen a mite bit far there guy. We get no respect and we have earned none. Next year’s schedule won’t change that at all. We’ll hear more about a weak schedule next year than we did this year. Our “R-E-S-P-E-C-T ” is gone. We won’t get that back until we start (again) beating some teams who have it
Well yes they dont respect us but it dont bother me. and shouldnt you either. Fact is a 13-0 SEC team goes to the title game period.
Our schedule isnt our problem, check most other schoold schedules during title years. (LSU this year was a fluke)
True Dawg Fan
January 4th, 2012
5:06 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
True Dawg Fan
Richt and Bobo are doing a fine job arent they kool-aid boy
Richt yes, Bobo no.
timbo
January 4th, 2012
5:06 pm
Oh man, ‘True Dawg Fan’ is leaving???? Must be nap time.
Go Dawgs!
January 4th, 2012
5:07 pm
I’d like to see Richt open up the competition at QB. This blind loyalty stuff has to end. Any other position on the field the competition is open to allow the best player the opportunity to win the game.
Now I know when things don’t go well on offense the most popular player is the back up QB, but from what little I’ve seen, Mason seems to have a presence that Murray doesn’t. Anyone can have presence against little sisters of the poor, and who knows Mason may fold under pressure as well, but based on what I’ve seen the kid do in the little time he’s given, I sure would like to see what he can do if given a fair chance.
We’ve got the talent, the problem we’ve had is simple – Offensive play calling and execution.
they come out like gang busters with nice methodical drives, throwing in an occasional big play. The defense is rested and when they are in they throw many 3 and outs. Then if we get a lead bigger than 3pts all of a sudden we go to conservative vanilla play calling. “we got this all we have to do is let the defense do their thing and walk out with a 3pt victory”
The problem is then WE start going 3 and out, do that 3-4 times in a row and now OUR defense starts to wear down, and we let teams back into the game that should have been closed out a quarter sooner.
If your offense is doing something that’s working, you don’t go away from it until the defense PROVES they can stop it. It’s like Bobo is on a clock or something and regardless of how the game is going winning or losing he has a point where he feels the need to change up. When we get a lead we go conservative. I just don’t get it. If all of us casual fans can see this McGarity has to right?!
evil empire
January 4th, 2012
5:08 pm
true dawg…do some research and get back to me…
ARdawg
January 4th, 2012
5:08 pm
Johnny Medley
I think you just did.
Funny Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:11 pm
At least we don’t have to worry about any linemen leaving early for the NFL
chaz
January 4th, 2012
5:14 pm
I realize that we will have problems next year with the OL, special teams and the fact that our strength and conditioning program still isn’t state of the art as evident by the second half collapses in the past two games.
The biggest problem is Bobo. He has to go. We had over a month to get ready and Bobo got totally outsmarted by the Michigan State coaches. The horrible performance against Michigan State was just an example of what has been happening consistently under Bobo.
1. The offensive game plan was terrible. We decided to run right at an All American DT versus running toss sweeps AWAY from the future All American DE Gholston. Knowing that we were overmatched on the offensive line because out strength and conditioning program obviously isn’t up to par, why the heck didn’t we have a plan to include Orson Charles in the game plan other than as a blocker? Charles got ONE pass today for 4 yards. Why didn’t we figure out a way to utilize the second best TE in the country?
2. I’m not against going for it on 4th down early in the game BUT we ran the wrong play. A running play in that spot was doomed because we couldn’t run on Michigan State’s DL.
3. Once again, we decided to play dead and not get first downs late in the game when even my wife who sometimes asks me what inning the game is in knew the defense was gassed and couldn’t stop Michigan State from scoring.
4. The crowning blow of incompetence was the decision to again play dead and try and kick a 45 yard field goal with a kicker that had already missed 12 field goals this season. Every person at our party knew this was a mistake and was first guessing this decision BEFORE the kick was missed.
Bobo has made enough money the past few years to retire and never have to work again. He needs to retire.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 4th, 2012
5:14 pm
Richt allowing Martinez to hang on forever and now Bobo
So Richt is doing a fine job even though he stood right there and allowed Bobo to call those stupid plays, and I wouldnt be surprised if it was Richt calling those plays
UGA FRIEND
January 4th, 2012
5:18 pm
UGA….Great University
UGA Football….A program to be proud of
UGA Fans…Some are very loyal. Many are pitiful.
Dawg48
January 4th, 2012
5:18 pm
Flat
Georgia does not have a problem scoring point’s.
The problem is keeping the lead.
And sustaining a long time consuming drive to run the clock when they do have a lead.
Only game this year where they did was the auburn game. UGA took a 3 score lead and ran downhill the rest of the game.
The failure is in personal and execution in the conservative play calling.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 4th, 2012
5:18 pm
ALL is GOOD No need to PANIC. Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the USS Richt Bobo Tiantic
Orange11
January 4th, 2012
5:21 pm
Main concern is how many games Murray is going to give away next year.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 4th, 2012
5:21 pm
Dawg48
And whose fault is it when these players continue to not execute
Richt has won a big game since 2005 and hasnt beat a top 20 team in 3 yrs
Richt is the problem
robodawg
January 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
Every QB will throw some picks. Obviously the fewer the better, but tipped passes and throwing under pressure will do that to you. What Murray has been particularly prone to is the costly fumble. Whether taking a sack or scrambling, he’s got to secure the ball.
After that bowl game, I’m still worried about how our offensive line will be next year.
dawgster
January 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
Guys, I have posted this before, so i’ll try it again…whether you want to accept it or not, based on the practices and making the reads that are required by your QB., Murray is ahead of Mason at this point….How di I know such, lets just say a certain fellow on the team is kinfolk and has told me without a doubt Murray is our QB..Mason is good, no doubt, and he does work with the first team unit on a regular basis….Take it for what its worth…The coaches are playing the QB that gives us the best chance of winning right now…doesn’t mean he won’t make mistakes…I learned a long time ago that the backup QB is always the most popular person on the team when it comes to the fans…go dawgs and I hope Mason stays, he is very capable of stepping in if needed…Should he get more quality reps in game situations…Maybe, at least I would like to see it…but from what I have been told, and believe me its very reliable, Murray is the best at the present time for our team…go dawgs
DawgFan?
January 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
Dear Bill King, please tell the AJC to hire “true dawg fan”. He must be the smartest college football fan in the world. Even thought several outlets and common sense says Georgia will have some issues next year (as your blog says) if you listen to him all is well and 13-0 is within reach. He bashes anyone who differs from his opinion and is ruining your blog as well as all the others he posts on.
Burma Shave
January 4th, 2012
5:25 pm
The dawgs will never win
As long as Richt is there
All he wants is money
And to have the coolest hair
BURMA SHAVE
SCMAN
January 4th, 2012
5:26 pm
0 catches for Charles against SC. Nice coaching.
Mizzou
January 4th, 2012
5:28 pm
Missouri 35, UGA 17
You heard it here first.
Stephen A.DAWG: Gee whiz, ......There will never be another Herschel at UGA.
January 4th, 2012
5:29 pm
Hey, y’all, let’s stop all the vitriole and acrimony toward Crowell. If we must play the “blame game”, let’s place the blame on those to whom it’s rightfully due. Most true freshmen don’t have the maturity to come in immediately to contribute, much less start in the SEC. Crowell is no exception to the rule. It was a poor coaching decision by Richt in the first place to toss an immature and physically unprepared Crowell in as the de-facto starter at RB, because he ran Ealey off and watched King flunk out. Isaiah was not ready to play and should have been awarded a red-shirt in order to set priorities and adequately prepare to be a starting RB in the SEC on and off the field. Richt cheated this kid by forcing him to play prematurely. It’s a miracle Crowell hasn’t given up or was seriously injured after the physical pounding he took . He was not ready for it, and a good head coach would have known it before the opening kickoff of 2011. I’m convinced Richt knew Crowell wasn’t ready but threw him out there anyway. Now this kid’s body is as fragile as his mind was, because everytime he gets hit he’s hurt. Why didn’t Crowell get the same treatment as Thomasville LB, Ray Drew? Because Grantham knew Drew was not ready in his body physically to play at the D-I level. Thus Drew was all but red-shirted and was hardly played by Grantham. It’s not great coaching to toss a player into a starting role because he was highly recruited and has so much talent.
Richt because of Richt had no choice but to play Crowell ready or not. The kid did his best whether we like it or not. So let’s stop pounding on Crowell because he’s already received enough physical pounding and pain. Let’s pray for the kid’s body to heal and for him to mature enough to take his training seriously in the offseason. Crowell had been coddled in high school and had no idea of what he was getting into. But now he knows and it’s up to him to work on his body to get stronger and better prepared. Hopefully he won’t need a red-shirt for the upcoming ‘12 season, but if he’s not ready Richt should be smart enough to grant him one this time. It’s overdue.
evil empire
January 4th, 2012
5:29 pm
good call mizzou….welcome to the resistance…
Dawg48
January 4th, 2012
5:30 pm
Flat
Richt and Bobo are conservative when having the lead.
And that’s fine. But you can’t be conservative if you do not have a running game to run the clock.
UGA does not have the O line or the running backs to run a conservative offense when they have a lead.
That’s how the last game was lost
We don’t have the personal or players to run that style of getting a lead and just running the ball.
We need to get that style of players if that’s the type of ball they want to play.
That’s where I see the biggest failure in my opinion.
GulfShoresDawg
January 4th, 2012
5:30 pm
Was Orson Charles open or was I seeing things all game long…
timbo
January 4th, 2012
5:31 pm
DawgFan?
January 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
I have asked the AJC staff, and Bill King to capture all posts from ‘True Dawg Fan’ and compile a book. That would be better than any book the Lewis Grizzard ever did….and I love Lewis Grizzard books.
Dead Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:33 pm
DAWGS HAVE NO CHANCE OF BEING GOOD NEXT YEAR THEY MAY WIN BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH GOOD TEAMS OR EVEN MEDIOCRE TEAMS PLAYERS AREN’T THERE COACHES AREN’T THERE THATS THE WAY IT WILL BE FOR SEVERAL YEARS RICHT CAN’T GET IT DONE
tony
January 4th, 2012
5:33 pm
The DAWGS need a coach like this man >>> http://youtu.be/ENJyS1OOzfM
Second place is not an option…….
Return to Glory
January 4th, 2012
5:34 pm
There should be an open QB competition this spring and fall. Murray is great against weak teams and so-so with a turnover problem against good teams
CPJ 2K11
January 4th, 2012
5:34 pm
True Dawg Fan works at a bank. His financial planning consists of making sure your checks are the right color.
Snoop Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:35 pm
I like Bill King. That’s funny–we are tempering our optimism for next year…
But isn’t that what the Koolaid is for? Drink up, you mindless sheep. Da Preacha Man will lead you to the promised land as the Pied Piper led all the rats into the water!
Richt doesn’t have the faintest clue. He’s a small time scam artist. Great recruiter? Just tune into the Army UnderArmor HS all-star game next week and count how many of the eight all stars from Georgia have signed with UGA. Answer: NONE.
Great football coach? Remember last year, Richt was actually reilieved of all his administrative duties so that he could focus full time on studying the game of football. What a joke…
Richt’s entire universe is Bobby Bowdoin, FSU and the ACC back in the 1990s… The world has changed but has hasn’t nor can’t. It does not matter the the SEC never was the ACC…
Bobo has been in over his head ever since he was promoted to OC.
Couldn”t these two clowns just do the honorable thing and put in their resignations? They should also return most of the unearned income they have received the past few years.
Yes, we have tempered our optimism indeed…
Dead Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:36 pm
ALL DOG FANS NEED TO GO BUY A BULLDOG ON IT GET USE TO SEEING THEM STEPPED ON
dawgster
January 4th, 2012
5:37 pm
Yeah it was Copach Bobo’s fault that the dawgs didn’t get the firrst down in the first quarter when it was 4th and less than one yd…Should have called a pass,….wait what if its intercepted…or what if our receivier drops it or what if Murrauy gets sacked….Thats all on Bobo…Amazes me tht that we can[t hold the our players acccountable for making plays…Our team was in position and you can argue the call foreer, but boottomline is the players have to execute…notheing else or nothing more…We can argue the OT call to kinc a field goal with Walsh, but he has made tgat kick for the dawgs many, many times ion his career at UGA…No not this time, but thats Coach Bobo’ fault..right or better yet Coach Richt…He makes the kick and we are not evern having this discussion…Some of you have asked where are some of the more respectful and knowledgable bloggers have gone…Like Lowndes and Naganole…They left here for one reason and thats unfortunate because they added alot to the discussions..but they are still out there, just not on the AJC..Me I prefer to come on here at times and usually get called a homer, perhaps, but I do have valid reasons for what its worth…go dawgs
ARdawg
January 4th, 2012
5:37 pm
D.ouche*bags for $100 Alex
“Who is a poet and don’t know it?”
The answer is “Burmashave”
dawgster
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
don’t know what a Copach Bobo is?..sorry misspelling..probably will happen again as I hurry to type in info….
Rodster
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
I doubt the O line could be worse than this year. They really couldn’t block anybody and don’t tell me about the strength of SEC defenses. Boise State absolutely b&tch slapped UGA’s O Line. It was weird really, they seemed like they should be much better than they were. I really have high regard for Ben Jones. The O line next will probably be ‘ok’. honestly, if they are worse than this year, watch out.
ARdawg
January 4th, 2012
5:41 pm
There was more meat on the OL than any other line in college or pro’s and still couldn’t block a biscuit
Snoop Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:42 pm
Hey Dawgster,
Bobo is also responsible for training up the offensive squad. Not just deciding when to send the midget up the middle… So yes, you are right. It is his fault when his QB gets the deer in the headlights look then hands the ball over to the enemy under pressure. Get a grip on it, brotha…
Dawg48
January 4th, 2012
5:43 pm
ArDawg
Just cause they are big doesn’t mean they can block.
Rabid Dawg'84
January 4th, 2012
5:44 pm
The 40th run up the middle would have busted for a TD. One more overtime and you would have seen that I know what I’m talking about.
ARdawg
January 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
Dawg48
You can say that again. We have proof. That then begs the question, is that execution or coaching?
timbo
January 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
dawgster
January 4th, 2012
5:37 pm
I have asked before, but when will the player(s) be held accountable? Great players make great things happen. I am not a dog fan at all, but even I was impressed by Boykin in the Outback bowl. That had nothing to do with the coaches, that was just an unbelievable athlete making unbelievable plays.
guy
January 4th, 2012
5:48 pm
Our offense using the run and pass protection is as sorry as it gets.It’s sad when Carlton Thomas is the runnig back in a close game.OC is a huge disappointment and he doesn’t care if the moon turns to cheese and the rats eat it.Grantham needs to explain life to the offensive unit.Do you think Saban would put up with the effort at UGA? There would be some heads rolling before you could turn your head!
Snoop Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:48 pm
The coaches decide who to play and when to play them. The coaches prepare the players to play. If they do not play well, and the coaches leave them on the field, then whose fault is that?
Snoop Dawg
January 4th, 2012
5:51 pm
The problem with Bobo is that he does not let the opposing defense get in the way of his game plan. If they are stopping the run, not to worry. Because Bobo will continue to run the midget up the middle. Bobo demonstrates absolutely no understanding of how the enemy requires adjustments in the game plan. If the Army did not change its tactics in response to the adaptive enemy, we would lose every war. Football is like war in many ways.
Preachers do not make good generals.
Mike the Tiger
January 4th, 2012
5:51 pm
Give Richt and Bobo a five-year extension and a big raise. They had a good year!
Rabid Dawg'84
January 4th, 2012
5:53 pm
Murray should not be blamed for the 2 INTs. He and King need to communicate by pointing – “throw here” or “stand there” and then King would not have turned to block when Murray threw to him being open. The other out pattern INT was tipped at the line, you could see it on the replay. those things happen. It isn’t like he threw into double coverage or threw high over the middle. Jason Campbell wasn’t polished until he was a senior at AUB – 14-0.
Dawg48
January 4th, 2012
5:53 pm
ARdawg
Probably both……
Our tackles should be guards ( wow I’m starting to sound like tide roll….lol )
Should not be playing the tackle positions.
We do not have a running game no next level RB or a good fullback.
Not to the level of fullbacks that we have had in the past.
If you do not have a running game that kills purr offense since it is based off of playaction.
The others team defense does not have to play honest.
RamboDog
January 4th, 2012
5:55 pm
Mizzou, how much cash can you get up before next year? I’ll take all you can borrow. Sell the trailer if needed.