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?
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413 comments Add your comment
Ted
January 20th, 2012
12:05 pm
Where do I start??? How about have CMR read a book? Coaching 101 for dummies. Our offensive line has been weak for 5 years straight, Our play calling is absolutely horrible, Richts game decisions are usually terrible. We make no positive adjustments at half time. He has shown over the last few years that he is not capable of making the changes that needs to be made.
UGA fan...not fanatic
January 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
Tony, Ken Malcome is slow. I can not tell you why UGA did not run alot of sweeps, my guess is a bad o-line and a slow Malcome. Maybe that changes with Gurley and Marshall. O-line is the key.
DawginSewer
January 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
i is a uga graduates thats reads and rites. Playes sposts too.
Dawg258
January 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
BILL JUST DOESNT GET IT!!!!!
Please find any entry I’ve had since the bowl game –
If Bobo contiues to have no faith that his offense will tuurn the ball over and keep taking his foot off the gas as well as start trying to run out the clock right after halftime, UGA will continue to hand over all the momentum gained from being defensively dominant in the first half free of charge, which in turn will commit the defense being on the field 3/4 of the second half to wear down and watch the game slip away………… Sound familar????
Bill if you are as big of a UGA as you claim to be (and I thought you were) Answering that question would be a blog in itself.
If this Offense had West Virginia’s OC mentality to go along with CTG’s defense and the schedule UGA would go undefeated and finially get back the crystal ball!!!
I’m waiting (as I’m sure evryone else is) on that story………
GO DAWG!!!
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
Still wont read it will you???
I don’t have to read it. They ranked UGA low so you think they are useless. Im sure you think the same about Scout. It doesn’t really matter what their mechanism for ranking is. And FYI, I only post as GTBob. I have no problem taking all the heat myself.
dawgsfan
January 20th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hey GTBob. Worry about your own crappy program. The only reason you are on this blog is because you are jealous of UGA. Because we acually have success in recruiting and on the field.
OkieDawg
January 20th, 2012
12:08 pm
Can we just skip January through August and go straight to September? I’m bored.
The Bear
January 20th, 2012
12:09 pm
@TDF yea that is pretty much sums up recruiting sites. There are a lot more intangibles’ that are not measured; heart, work ethic, desire, love of the game and knowledge of the game of football itself.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
Because we acually have success in recruiting and on the field.
When was the last time UGA had success on the field?
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
12:14 pm
I know nothing about football but 2 things I do know is my team will never beat UGA and I will never have a date with a girl.
Ted
January 20th, 2012
12:15 pm
Well one recent time was when UGA beat TECH
dawgsfan
January 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
When we whipped yall’s behind this past season. We won 10 games this year playing in the SEC. How many did yall win in your the crappy ACC?
Half Century Dawg
January 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
DawginSewer
January 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
No Sir, u is an idiot
dawgsfan
January 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
I meant- How many did Tech win in the crappy ACC?
hecuvadawg
January 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
Coaches that can motivate. I used to want to suit up when i’d see Irk with blood on his forehead, dang I miss that guy.
SSIgator
January 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
“What’s the biggest concern on Mark Richt’s to-do list?”
1) The manufacturing capacity at the Kool-Aid factory
2) Keeping my endorsement contract with SprayTan
3) Will I get a new Ford truck this yrear
4) Will my stylist at the Ritz Salon stick around
5) Get a new dance routine co-ordinator for the palyers
6) Have the fashion police preview our wardrobe selection
7) Make sure the bail bond account is fully funded
9) Re-write my list of excuses for post game loss comments
dawgfan4life
January 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
The first thing is to get BoBo gone and do something with the O-Line. the running game would be better if the line would open up wholes and stop just standing and looking around like they have done there job and they are done.
jsmooth
January 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
GT Bobbette:
This year and the past 10 out of 11 with beating Yech.
DrSugar
January 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
Concerns:
Special Teams:
Opponent punt return-12th in SEC
Opponent Kick off ret- 12th in SEC
Field Goal Percentage 11th in SEC
Overall:
7th in turnover margin against ranked teams in SEC, negative for 4th consecutive year
-7(2008), -3 (2009), -1(2010), -4(2011)
Offense:
33 Sacks Allowed-10th in SEC (Bama/LSU allowed 17-18 sacks)
Red Zone Conversion vs ranked teams- 10th in SEC
Defense:
Opponent Red Zone Conversion 12th in SEC
Scoring Defense vs. ranked teams- 11th in SEC, 39 points per game
BILLY JACK
January 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
GTBob you are a pathetic loser and nobody from UGA cares about what you have to say.UGA will sign around 9 more kids and end up around 4 or 5 in recruiting on every board.You need to give it a rest and go back to the tech blogs -its the site that looks like a ghost town-if UGA had techs recruiting class Mark Richt would probably kill himself.
Nom Nom Nom Chuck's Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
January 20th, 2012
12:24 pm
“And while the Bulldogs overall looked to be in better shape in 2011 thanks to a revamped strength and conditioning program”
Which team were you watching dude? Were you (along with Richt) checked out for the second half of the last two games.
Unbelievable.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:25 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
And you will continue to look like an idiot for not doing so. Thanks for letting us know you are fine being uniformed and spewing garbage about stuff you know nothing about
UGA Alumnus
January 20th, 2012
12:26 pm
@BMDPD
January 20th, 2012
10:28 am
The D was gassed in the second half of the MSU game. But we were missing 2 of our best backups from the beginning of the game and I think Jenkins went out too, at some point.
T'ville Dawg
January 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
The reason the defense looked gassed in the last 2 games. 3 and out and 3 and out and I bet you’d look gassed too. The plays called in the first half of the last 2 games makes your entire team look great. The O has got to stay on the field longer beacause no one can leave the D out there most of the game, ask the Falcons.
old dog
January 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
Whoever is in charge of getting us a great o-line, teaching them to run-block, etc. will look like the hero if we can improve. Bobo is NOT in charge of that area. I ain’t defending him, but our line play (especially in the run-game) will make any coordinater look bad! We cannot beat a good team, ‘coz the good teams whipped our tails at the line! This limits play calling. Bobo tried a running play in tough games at what seemed like an inopportune time because POSSIBLY catching the other team off-guard was the only chance we had to get positive running yards! (It still did not work, though, because we got smashed up front!) Murray ended up running for his life at the end of games not because he was not a “comeback kid”, but because all the decent teams had figured that we could not run. Then, they concentrated solely on stopping the pass game and it was all she wrote! If we do not improve immediately up front, you can bring in Tom Brady at QB and the best OC the NFL has to offer and our trench guys will ensure that we have this SAME CONVERSATION next year!!!!!! Come on line! (And line coaches/recruiters!)
Frank Lane
January 20th, 2012
12:29 pm
Offensive line is most important.
Improvement will make the new backs real threats, as well as give Murray time for better reads without mistakes.
DrSugar
January 20th, 2012
12:29 pm
Your offense needs to average over 5 yards per carry if you want to be a player in the SEC. We are not near that number.
Skokie Dog
January 20th, 2012
12:31 pm
My main concern is the coaching staff, excepting Todd Grantham of course.
JB
January 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
The real story is that Richt is better guy than a coach. End of story.
Jeff
January 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
O-Line is No. 1 without a question. Depth at positions of strength outside of the starter.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
JB
January 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
Cant even come close to agreeing with you on this one.
SSIgator
January 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
“What’s the biggest concern on Mark Richt’s to-do list?”
Got to huddle up with Booboo and refine our three offensive plays:
1st down – throw that deep ball and hope one of our players catches it
2nd down – the pass out to the flat fools them every time
3rd down – run one of the Doobie Brothers up the middle from the I-formation
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
January 20th, 2012
12:36 pm
Until we get some real coaches on offense as we do on defense. We will ALWAYS BE SECOND TO NON. We stink like an elephant circus on break.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
SSIgator
January 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
Funny coming from a 6-7 team with an insane HC. Better start worrying about UF bc we are about to take another top OL from your state hahahahahahha.
DFWdawg
January 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
Issues? Well let see, my 10 year old daughter can predict the play calling of Bobo. That could possibly be a problem next year. just sayin.
DrSugar
January 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
Bottom Line is Points, Scoring.
Mike Bobo did an excellent job this season overall and big (10 points per game) improvement. His offense finished 4th in scoring against ranked teams.
Grantham’s D just tanked in the red zone against ranked teams, gave up more td’s than almost any team in the NCAA, finished 12th in SEC, gave up 39 points a game. He has to learn how to teach his guys to be resilient after a mistake, limit teams to fields goals, force turnovers, or get more sacks in the red zone.
Walsh missed far too many field goals, left 42 points on the board with his 14 misses.
Matt
January 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
“Finish games the way we start them”??? Surely you are talking to your offense. I don’t care if you are in world class shape, eventually you get tired. Tell your offense to stay on the field, stop turning the ball over, and keep their foot on the gas and you wouldn’t have a tired D. Everybody has limits.
Not 1 of the 4 losses goes to the D. Chalk those up to the special teams, the lack of a consistent running game, play calling, and Aaron Murray
BILLY JACK
January 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
SSIgator-the doobie brothers are down to thier last srike and I will be surprised if they make thru spring.
Harry "Squab" Jones
January 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
Ten things that we need before we win the mythical NC again:
1). Bring back the old scoreboard with the bulldog holding the pick ax
2). Return the electric bass to the Redcoat Band
3). Get rid of the McDonald’s add on the scoreboard where fans are asked to find Uga.
4). Oust Michael Adams
5). Get Herschel back for his final year of eligibility
6). Bring back the Chipwich Ice Cream sandwich to Sanford Stadium (and the Poss BBQ)
7). Bring back Leonard’s Losers
8). Let the band play Dixie
9). Bring back the pre-game prayer (”the invocation”)
10). Have coach Dooley do anothe add for Wise Snacks (Cheese Doodles and Bravo Tortilla Chips)
SSIgator
January 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
TDF -
You have your teams and records mixed up. UGA was 6-7 in 2010. UF 7-6 in 2011. Thanks for playing though.
dawgfacedboy
January 20th, 2012
12:43 pm
I have a concern. How bout the fact that our scrub backup took a redshirt and our 3rd string who is now the 2nd string hasn’t played in a football game in 2 years.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:45 pm
SSIgator
January 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
hahahahahaha o wow forgot you beat the worst OSU team in 5 decades hahahahahahahahaha big win there.
Fact is though you still have an insane coach and lost 2 of the best OL in your state to your rival school!!! Mushchump will drive UF into the ground before he leaves!! Hope you enjoy watching it as much as we will!!
DrSugar
January 20th, 2012
12:45 pm
Offense put up 30 points against Mich State, and 42 against South Carolina. Defense couldn’t get stops in the red zone.
PT
January 20th, 2012
12:47 pm
TDF – I can’t believe you are taunting someone who supports a team that has won two National Titles during Mark Richt’s rein.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:47 pm
Matt
January 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
We have a winner folks. You should come and join us at:
Leatherhelmetblog.com best recruiting and UGA information you can get and its free.
hecuvadawg
January 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
How was the D tired against LSU they only played 3 & outs? Motivation, Motivation, Motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
PT
January 20th, 2012
12:47 pm
Hahahahhahaha really??? Where are all of those players and coaches that won those titles??????
TDF
January 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
GTBob where di you go??? hopefully you are finding out the answers to those questions since you think rivals and scout are good at rating recruits!!
Vance Duly
January 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
Coach Richt should have Grantham and Bobo locked in a room, for Grantham to analyze the offense, with Bobo not being allowed to leave until he has confessed and repented of his playcalling. Something like this, from Coach Bobo:
“Yes, sir, I will NOT run up the middle on 2nd & 10 following almost every incomplete 1st down pass.”
“Yes, sir, I will NOT run a poorly formed screen pass or run up the middle on 1st & 20 following a holding penalty.”
“Yes, sir, I will not send Carlton Thomas up the middle to get decapitated, when the outside remains as untouched as the Alaskan wilderness.”
“Yes, sir, I will not crawl into a turtle shell out of fear once we get a 10 point lead, just to assume that we will magically hold the lead and win.”
“Yes, sir, I will design some 5 yard routes for 3rd & 4, instead of sending everyone 20 yds downfield.”
“Yes, sir, we will have some quick hitting and some outside runs for 3rd or 4th & 1, instead of copying the Falcons’ Michael Turner model of handing the back the ball 5 yards deep, hoping he can claw his way back to the line of scrimmage. I WILL remember my fullback’s name.”
“Yes, sir, I will move my 6′0 QB out of the pocket more, so that he can see the field better, avoid sacks and tipped passes, and be able to run the ball when he needs to.”
“Yes, sir, football is a 4-quarter game, so I will creatively call all 4 quarters, instead of running out of ideas by halftime. If we are dominating with the pass, I will pass UNTIL the defense stops us. If we are running all over them, I will NOT stop. THEY will have to stop us. — Wait, Todd are you sure about this one??!! Isn’t “balance” the politically correct concept, here?!!”
GO DAWGS!!!
PT
January 20th, 2012
12:54 pm
In the NFL and at Ohio State respectively, who by the way, may win a National Title with in the next four years. I’m pretty sure it won’t take more than 11 years.