What’s the biggest concern on Mark Richt’s to-do list?
Mark Richt has some work ahead of him if he wants to have another celebration like this in 2012. (Associated Press)
Outside the Bulldog Nation, Mark Richt’s 2012 team is being viewed as a preseason Top 10 lock, thanks to returning talent (including virtually the entire defense) and a favorable schedule. But all that enthusiasm is being tempered among many Dogs fans by concerns about some of the things on Richt’s offseason to-do list.
The head coach himself has listed improvement on special teams as a top priority for the offseason, saying “there’s no doubt that we’ve got to be a whole lot better on special teams top to bottom.”
In the absence of naming a special teams coordinator (which many of us still would like to see), that’s likely to come down to a commitment to play more starters on the punt and kick teams and an overall greater emphasis on preparation in that area of the game. Of course, the Dogs also will be breaking in a new placekicker and a new punter, so those remain question marks, too.
Then there’s Georgia’s anemic running attack, which limped its way to near-irrelevance in the last couple of games of 2011. Bringing Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley into the backfield is a big step, but there’s still the shorthanded offensive line to deal with.
Not exactly a major strength this past season, it has to basically be rebuilt thanks to graduation, and there wasn’t a lot of depth to start with. Can an OL that’s likely to start a true freshman get the job done? As Richt said, “That’s going to be a big challenge for us breaking in some new linemen offensively.”
There’s no mystery who’ll be Georgia’s starter at quarterback, but as we’ve discussed here at length, Aaron Murray still needs some polishing, and with Hutson Mason planning on taking a redshirt season the backup duties most likely will fall to the promising but untried Christian LeMay, who hasn’t played football in a couple of years. So there’s work to be done developing depth there as well.
And while the Bulldogs overall looked to be in better shape in 2011 thanks to a revamped strength and conditioning program, there’s still improvement needed there, as Richt noted after the defense looked gassed late in the bowl game against Michigan State. As the coach summed up, “we’ve got to make sure we can finish games like we start them.”
So there’s still quite a bit of work for the Georgia coaching staff before the team is ready to live up to those preseason expectations.
Which aspect of the 2012 Dogs concerns you the most, and what would you like to see Richt and company do about it?
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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413 comments Add your comment
Vance Duly
January 20th, 2012
11:14 am
With a top-notch offensive line (which we’ve NOT had in many years), and improvement from Coach Bobo’s playcalling, we could be a Top 10 team, maybe even Top 5.
I would love to know if Coach Richt runs his coaches through self-improvement exercises during the off-season. For example, I would suggest that Richt have both coordinators scheme against each other. Grantham could show Bobo his habitual tendencies, and how predictable and dull our offense is in certain game situations. Why would this not be a good idea, to help Bobo improve? (It would also be a subtle way to say that improvement is not limited to the players only!)
Against the better teams, it seems like we come out early with some variety of plays and a bit of ingenuity, and we do well. THEN, it’s like we’ve run out of ideas and we crawl into a turtle shell if we have a modest lead. Our 4th quarter offense is mostly dull and INEPT against good teams, and play-calling is part of it. GO DAWGS!
MDB
January 20th, 2012
11:15 am
I think S&C is still a big issue. I do not understand how we hired a retired jock when there are trained/certified professionals who are experts in the field of strength and conditioning who are way more qualified for Director of S&C than Joe T. Look at the work LSU does around plyos and relative strength vs. weight and we look like a bunch of cavemen. This is science and I think it will continue to hold us back. We have the largest OL in the world, yet we get man-handled and run-around continuously.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:17 am
Get something new to say. Richt isnt going anywhere. He will be here with CTG for a long time, which means it will be a long time before tech wins more than 1 in a decade!!
Thank goodness. We wouldn’t have any chance at 1 per decade if Richt left. It will be funny though watching UGA fans get agitated when UGA wins 10 games next year and continue to do nothing to try to improve.
OkieDawg
January 20th, 2012
11:18 am
Last year it was not so much a lack of talent on the O-line as it was missed assignments. After all, Jones, Glenn and Anderson were all invited to the NFL combines. Anderson, a DGD, missed assignments all season. If the defense changed up the look after the O-line assignments were called, he was lost as to who to block. Simple slants, stunts and blitzes resulted in missed assignments. Maybe CTG could spend some of the offseason mentoring and teaching Bobo basic O-line skills. Our defense is great because CTG knows the opposing offense and their tendencies as much as he knows his own defense. I don’t think any coach on the offense has a clue what the opposing defense will do or how to counter any unusual look they may give.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:20 am
old dog
January 20th, 2012
11:11 am
dont worry too much, Friend is doing an excellent job and has helped land some great O-line studs (Dont listen to that moron Tide roll) Theus and Beard can both come in and start right away. And Houston should be out of the NCAA clearing house and good to go for this season, plus pyke who is a beast and could see some early playing time. Then if we land Avery Young (Which is 99.9% likely) we will have lots of depth. Plus do not forget the OL class of 2013 in the state of GA is the best it has been in decades, with plenty of them already strong UGA leans. O line will be dominant in no time.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:25 am
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:17 am
This is exactly why your opinion about UGA football mean nothing, bc you know nothing about it. Are you in the coaches meetings hearing them say “Well we do win 10 games so lets just keep everything the same”?????
No you dont you clown. They are addressing everything that needs to be addressed. They have some great OL coming in, the 2 best RBs in the country (Gurley is every bit as good as Marshall)
He will correct the special teams errors rather easily, by assigning some as the STCoord. and having some of the starters play on the unit.
So seems like they ARE addressing the needs and concerns even though you and all your wisdom thinks they arent. Heck they are even recruiting guys with great Character now (Marshall, Gurley,
Theus, Jordan Jenkins, JHC…)
O and I saw your post about rivals having us ranked 17th in recruiting. And all I have to say is you clearly dont understand how rivals works. So read this and you will understand.
http://leatherhelmetblog.com/2011-articles/december/socrates-updates-uga-recruiting-20dec11.html
The Bear
January 20th, 2012
11:28 am
In my humble opinion “Team Depth” and “Coaching” are the two main contributing factors to a program’s success. Today teams cannot compete being 1 deep at most positions (Some positions more important than others). Coaching has to evaluate the talent they have and utilize it to its fullest extent. The term “coaching up players” cannot be overstated. Coaching is just as much a part of the game as “strapping it up” and getting on the field.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:28 am
No you dont you clown. They are addressing everything that needs to be addressed.
Oh ok. They addressed the problem by signing some top notch talent. That’s good because talent has always been their problem. Only having top 5 recruiting classes every year is really holding them back.
sogadog
January 20th, 2012
11:31 am
Establish the running game which means getting the O line to run block and finding a go to running back.
This will solve 90% of the Dawg’s problems.
31-17 Dawgs STILL Run This State!
January 20th, 2012
11:32 am
Bobo, THAT is the biggest concern
RedandBLackDAWG
January 20th, 2012
11:33 am
O line and special teams were the two glaring weaknesses last year.
I think the OL has a lot of potential and enough depth although it would be nice to pick up a few more this year. Not having a lot of experience is going to be a problem, but perhaps they will learn how to play well together, and complete their assignments and become darn good. It will be a growing process but I think they will be OK.
Special teams is a big concern only from the stand point that they weren’t coached up very well last year. I think some of our highly recruited players that aren’t starting right now, will have to at least play on special teams to prevent a repeat from last year. I hope the two young kickers they have coming in can come on big and if all works well, this problem could be fixed for 2012.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:33 am
O and I saw your post about rivals having us ranked 17th in recruiting. And all I have to say is you clearly dont understand how rivals works.
You have fallen to 18th now. Signing one 5 star and a few 4 stars isn’t going to get it done with the coaching staff that you have.
old dog
January 20th, 2012
11:35 am
@TDF,
Man, I hope you are right!
ozzfest
January 20th, 2012
11:35 am
MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BREAK-EVEN SELLING MY TICKETS ON EBAY.
BUFFALO, FLORIDA ATLANTIC, GA SOUTHERN, VANDERBILT & KENTUCKY ALL IN ONE YEAR.
BARF.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:36 am
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:28 am
Wow how do you take that out of what I said??? Are you really that stupid or do you just enjoy looking like a retard that much???
If you knew anything about UGA recruiting you would know that Sellars who was in charge before Gardner really screwed us on evaluations and was frequently late discovering guys and killed us on Oline recruits but was filling needs and adding depth everywhere else. So yes they recruited even better talent than years past.
As for RB’s they just went after guys with better character, so still a diff recruiting mind set from years past (Crowell, Ealy, and King can be thanked for this new approach)
And FYI since I know you wont read that article bc you would rather continue to look stupid. The ppl that have us ranked as a top 10 class already are the ones that are correct. Rivals star system is a joke, which you would know just by simply reading that article. Only cater to the places that have large amounts of subscriptions (Alabama and Florida)
He is as good as he is going to get.
January 20th, 2012
11:37 am
Beat UF twice in a row for the 1st time.
snoopy
January 20th, 2012
11:37 am
GT Boob – Would rather comment on the team his team cannot compete with, than commenting on his own team..
LOSER!!!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:40 am
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:33 am
hahahahahahha 1 5 star??????? you mean 4 5 star right????? bc Rivals is a joke and their stars dont mean anything.
Marshall- number 1 RB in the country a 4 star????? with 3 guys behind him 5 stars???? hahahaha what a joke. Gurley was never given any respect and is now ranked right around marshall so thats really another 5 star.
JJ is a five star and in some places rated as a top 10 player in the country
and Theus at 5 star. Then when JHC commits that will make 5 five stars.
But go ahead and believe rivals and be another one of the morons that cant see right through it. (Even there own writers dont buy into their star ratings, Dash and Jake have said it multiple times. But let me guess you are right and everyone else is wrong!!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:41 am
ozzfest
January 20th, 2012
11:35 am
Run along fringe fan, we dont need you
DawginLex
January 20th, 2012
11:41 am
To do list
1.)Get the O-line in the weight room
2.)Plan on playing scholarship players on special teams
3.)Plan on alternating QB’s against the cupcakes
4.)Plan on playing all of the running backs
5.)Move Richard Samuel to fullback
6.)Re-assign Mike Bobo to fulltime QB coach
7.)Take over play calling from the sideline and go back to speaking directly to the QB’s
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:42 am
The ppl that have us ranked as a top 10 class already are the ones that are correct.
lol. Well isn’t that convenient. Rivals and Scout are the two biggest recruiting sites out there but they are apparently meaningless now. UGA is the 8th ranked SEC team right now according to Scout. They must really hate UGA to be manipulating their rankings that much.
dawgfan
January 20th, 2012
11:42 am
it’s definitely the o line. we controlled the line of scrimmage against a decent to good opponent ONE time this year….Auburn. what happened? ran for over 300 yards and won by 40. thats how you do it
brookhaven dawg
January 20th, 2012
11:42 am
I would like to see coach Richt take over all special teams duties, a la Urban Meyer @ Florida. He can make it more important, and get the guys we need from the 2 deep on special teams. There should only be a walk on (or 3rd string/scout team) or 2 on each unit at the most. Well, that’s if you wanna win a championship…..
Happy Warrior
January 20th, 2012
11:45 am
Taking over the play calling from Mike BooBoo!
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:45 am
I would like to see coach Richt take over all special teams duties
He would probably be better at that. You still have to find a head coach to replace him though.
Dogz
January 20th, 2012
11:45 am
GT -Bob worry about your sorry progarm over in crime city. Your whole sports program sucks, Your basketball team scored 38 total last night, your fat PJ has lost every bowl game, you nerds need to get a life outside of sports something you truly dont understand!
ARdawg
January 20th, 2012
11:45 am
An effective offensive attack that can consistently execute and help to keep the defense off of the field. Basically, a whole different thought process for Richt. Special teams dedication.
We’re very close to being a very good team but, I just do not seeing it happening and getting over the hump.
Dap01
January 20th, 2012
11:46 am
1. Better coaching/coordination on the offensive game (Sluggish at best)
2. Better coaching on ALL special teams (UGA is decades behind special teams coordination of others)
Hunkerdown
January 20th, 2012
11:46 am
To me no doubt the OL. The trenches are where games are won and loss. With thew departure of Jones, Anderson and Glenn we will have a tough time replacing a line that was good but certainly not great. Go Dawgs!
DawginLex
January 20th, 2012
11:46 am
I don’t care about overall recruiting rankings. I want to see needs being met and that is what this class is shaping up to be.
JH Clemons, 2 more big uglies come on down
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:46 am
I love Paul Johnson’s man boobs and so does my husband
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:47 am
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:42 am
Just read the article you moron and you will understand. The star ranking are manipulated to keep the bulk of the subscribers happy. If you believe they are right then please tell me how in the heck Theus dropped so far in the rankings after dominating in the all star game???? If you cant tell me that one then tell me why they did the same thing to marshall after a great performance??? Or maybe you can tell me why they mysteriously added a new category to RBs so that Marshall could be number 1????? Or maybe you can tell me how they missed the boat on Gurley so bad that they jumped him up into the top 50 and I belive ahead of marshall?????????????? (Who some have as the number 5 player in the country?????????
Please give me some answers as to why they are so correct in their ratings??? Read the article moron.
DawginLex
January 20th, 2012
11:48 am
hunkerdown
Write this down
Our depth and using a combo of kids at Bean anderson’s position will prove to be better in 2012 than Bean was in 2011
That solid prediction will score you countless earnings
I also know the Poweball numbers for this weekend……………..
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:50 am
DawginLex
January 20th, 2012
11:46 am
JHC, Avery, and both Dawsons will be dawgs no doubt. Also watch out for Brandon Greene to flip, after Satan chewed him out so bad for visiting us (That almost caused Geno to take a visit hear, but Satan clamed him down and got him to stay)
chilidawg
January 20th, 2012
11:50 am
Richt in interview after Vandy: “We have to address special teams.”
Richt to special teams: “I want you guys to know that I think you are special. Now hit the showers.”
High Expecations
January 20th, 2012
11:50 am
The biggest concern is the hype that will be going into next season and delivering on that hype. UGA has historically NEVER delivered when the expecations were high. Alot of “pundits” think UGA will be top five next year. Watch out for a early season disappointed in Mizzou….
The Bear
January 20th, 2012
11:52 am
Those ranking systems are garbage to me; they are good for fans to have something to talk about around the water cooler and on blogs. Some of those kids may have played against weak opponents their whole High school career. Whereas a lot may have played against much better competition and really never stood out. Some of those middle of the road players will have breakout years when they get to college because they are surrounded by a good supporting cast.
tony
January 20th, 2012
11:52 am
Run more and pass less. The dawgs were more successful when they lineup in the power-I formation with Crowell or Ken Malcome. With Gurley they need to stay in the power-I formation and run sweep plays either to the right or left because Gurley has the speed, strength, balance and vision to get outside of the defense. The last rb to do that consistently was HW. Gurley is that good. He is going to surprise alot of people. The question is: will Mark Richt maximize his talent or will he remain loyal to Richard Samuel?
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:53 am
The best recruiting sites according to TDF:
1. His own mind
2. Whoever has UGA #1
3. Whoever has UGA in the top 10
4. Michael Carvell
5. Magic 8 ball
6-8. Random die rolls
9. Scout
10. Rivals
Does that look about right? I bet Scout and Rivals will be just fine when UGA is back in the top 10 next year.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:54 am
The Bear
January 20th, 2012
11:52 am
Ding ding ding….. Rivals also is known for being slow on recruits in rural areas and out west.
Check this article out, it tells you all you need to know about the rivals rating system
http://leatherhelmetblog.com/2011-articles/december/socrates-updates-uga-recruiting-20dec11.html
JB
January 20th, 2012
11:55 am
Why does the D never get a finger pointed at it? We won the time of possession in both the LSU AND MSU games. Are D is good but until they make a game changing stand or two, in big games, they will not be great.
HBTD!!!
zbulldawg
January 20th, 2012
11:55 am
Just understanding that this team is a work in progess ! The things they need to improve on is something that should be approaching every year ! Understand you have “NO” Team right now ! No strenghts nor weakness “O” Start all over again ! And it should start NOW !!! Drive this TEAM from average TO good TO great ! Forget about who ’s going to play where & just do it ! Talk’s cheap EARN IT ! This coaching staff will not survive another wasted opportunity !!!!!!!
Desert Fox
January 20th, 2012
11:56 am
With all due respect, this question is like beating a dead horse. As much as I support the dawgs its always something year in year out that requires some kind of fix. The only fix that has arguably been resolved is the D and the DC. With the exception of being “gassed” late in some games they have played very well most of this season, especially vs LSU where they dominated play in the 1st half. Same can be said vs Mich St. Coaching and the inabilities on Offense cost the dawgs those games. The coillapse of the special teams lies solely on coaching aqnd getting the best players on the field and right formations. No one would have predicted the collapse of out FG kicker. Bad luck I guess but w/o a kicking coach specialist on staff there was no one there to try and correct his mistakes or whatever was the cause for erratic FG kicks. Its the same w/the offense. There’s a lot of “blame” to go around that touches players and coaches. Its been like that for a while or at least since Moreno left. Out of all their problems there was one thing that remained a constant, w/the exception of the OL coach the other coaches have remained the same especially the OC. One thing you can count on w/Bobo is not being able to count on him. His playcalling at times is just plain dumbfounding. This brings into question the HC and his decision making. Seems he’s lost that drive it takes to win championships. He has good players and good enuf to compete w/the big boys but they fall flat or short of getting over that hump it takes to win.
Argue all you want about what are the biggest concerns for CMR next season. W/few exceptions its the same dang things we’ve discussed year after year and if no coaching changes are made we’ll have the same discussions here after 2012 season.
Athens= God's Country
January 20th, 2012
11:58 am
Having a good Special Teams is all about having depth. The Dawgs were not very deep last year. They should be pretty deep in 2012.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:59 am
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:53 am
Still wont read it will you??? Or you have and now realize how stupid you look so you try and belittle me??? hahahahahhahaha good try, but keep being one of those idiots!!!
mcdaviddawg
January 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
Big to do for Richt, COACH.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
11:53 am
FYI Carvell wouldnt make my list of 100 best recruiting sites. He is an absolute joke in the recruiting world.
DawginSewer
January 20th, 2012
12:02 pm
We wishes Richt would upgrade theses sweres unders the stadiums. Richts toodl usese his was tod does this after his beig raise.
praisess theese lord.
Snoop Dawg
January 20th, 2012
12:03 pm
Duh–biggest problem area for next year is coaching. Richt evidently still doesn’t get it, since he has given the Bulldog Nation the middle finger about hiring or assigning a special teams coach to improve this deficient area. Maybe the AD can force this during contract negotiations. Another problem will be an expected contract extension for Richt. Once the heat on his seat dissipates, I anticipate the anemic return to “laissez faire is everywhere” by this multimillionaire. The final problem area is Bobo. Everything about the offence is substandard. Bobo is in charge of it all. Evidently there is no accountability. I don’t think he has the acumen or ability to improve over what we have seem and come to expect from this turkey.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:04 pm
DawginSewer
January 20th, 2012
12:02 pm
Why do you waste time making these dumb comments???? Just shows that you are a racist ignorant punk.
FYI we know its you GTBob