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
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:09 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:01 pm
Yes they may have given up TDs on those late 4th quarter drives, but they are only in those situations bc ST and the Offense gave up as many points as the Def did and in some instances gave up more points than the def. And yea they prob are a little gassed at the end of the game bc they are on the field a lot in the second half vs the first half. Many more 3 and outs in the second half due to conservative play calling than in the first half.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:09 pm
Fact UGA gave up the same amount of pick 6’s,punt returns and fumbles returned for a td as LSU.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:11 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:09 pm
Huge difference in depth from LSU and UGA. Even Les Miles said once we get depth we will be able to compete with anyone.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:13 pm
TDF that is an excuse.Our defensive play calling is just as conservative late in ballgames as our offense.The defense was not tired…they were giving up too much cushion..go back and watch the games again.It’s obvious…furthermore when you look at plays ran in the 2nd half of all the losses…we are even with the oppinsing team in each game.There was no large gap at all.Following your logic the other team should have been gassed too.
who cares
January 20th, 2012
2:14 pm
REALLY?????? UGA fans honestly think UGA is close to a National Title. U should just be happy competing for the SEC Easy for the next couple of years. The National Champ will come from ACC or the SEC West for the forseeable future.
clint_atl
January 20th, 2012
2:16 pm
The offensive line and believing the preseason hype. Many prognosticators say UGA has the easiest schedule next year for a contending team. I hope after beating lessor opponents UGA doesn’t get the big head and have another SECCG like the one against LSU. Afterall, UGA has beaten an opponent they were supposed to lose to in a few years.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:18 pm
We just like to bash the offense around here.The D get’s a pass when they fail….maybe because we expect them to choke.All I know is that Bama held LSU to 9 pts in 8 quarters played.We are no where near that level.
DogFace Blues
January 20th, 2012
2:19 pm
what happened after halftime? UGA used to be a second half team. The last 2 games they look like they could beat anybody then come second half fall apart. hmmmm…….
G-Dawg
January 20th, 2012
2:19 pm
Whats status of Kolton Houston??
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:13 pm
What exactly did I say that was an excuse?? We had no depth anywhere this past season so yes everyone was gassed at then end of the game. Especially when the def was on the field as much as they were the second half of MSU game. Grantham doesnt ever go conservative, he blitzes all day long and doesnt do the prevent def very often (Only game we needed it wawws AU game bc we were so far ahead).
You arent using logic in your thoughts on comparing number of plays run. Just bc they were even for each defense doesnt mean both have to be gassed. Different players, different plays called, facing diff offenses, differences in both teams depth.
Its not comparing apples to apples.
And if you look at that last drive they were airing out making completions hurrying back up to the line and doing it again. Thats tiresome on the defense, especially the def line. And the big difference is we were running the ball and going no where so the Def barely had to move. They were throwing the ball down field, big difference.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:24 pm
G-Dawg
January 20th, 2012
2:19 pm
Whats status of Kolton Houston??
Hearing he should be cleared to play this year.
LagDawg
January 20th, 2012
2:25 pm
People, get a grip. Bobo is in charge of the O and the O Coaches. If they fail it is his fault. Hire a competent OC and he will put the proper coaches in place to motivate the people. As was proven last season. Biggest OL in the country and couldn’t block their way out of a wet paper bag. Biggest is not better. Still the S&C needs improvement. They need to be strong and physical, not just big. There is still a lot of work to be done with the coaching staff. Also, what happened to the Secondary playing man coverage, because the D could also improve in shutting down the passing game. Lakatos also needs to step up his coaching in the secondary and UGA needs a Special Teams coach. Special Teams and Defense will always win or lose the game for you. The decision needs to be made that if Murray keeps making the costly turnovers, he needs to be benched.
Fire Bozo
January 20th, 2012
2:25 pm
FIRE COACH BOZO.. How many times will it take this season for him to see running the same run play 3 times in a row {outback bowl, kentucky game as examples} that gets stuffed at the line, or getting the ball back and doing nothing with it {outback bowl} only to let the other team win. You can only judge a coach on facts, fact is coach bozo cost the dawgs the outback bowl, and i would say the boise state game as well with ignorant calls. How much more will we be forced to watch of crap before BOZO IS FIRED??? They need to get help asap, bozo is not the answer!!
Not so fast
January 20th, 2012
2:25 pm
Not to worry Dog fans we will again beat the stuffing out of UF so its all good.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
2:18 pm
No one gets a pass. The losses arent on the defense. They are on the team as a whole. But if you have to point a finger it goes at ST and offense, and not def.
Failures on ST kept the def on the field longer and too many 3 and outs ensured the def would have to keep going out there. Def made stops but they cant be forced to make as many stops as the ST and offense was trying to get them to make this past year.
JB
January 20th, 2012
2:30 pm
Muschamp lose to Dawgs again, and he will, he’s in big trouble. They have( Gators) been lulled to sleep the last 20 years to think it’s their God given right to beat Georgia every year. They seem to forget the 40-50 history before then. Muschamp has caught the Dawgs at the wrong time. Gators are rebuilding and Richt has this team loaded. Gonna be sad in Jacksonville next year, and at the Muschamp home that night.
G-Dawg
January 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
Oline will surprise a few fairweather Dawg fans next year. Another year of true freshman getting plenty of playing time!! Prob start slow again next year, but will come around about halfway through season…barring any significant injuries!!
gbal
January 20th, 2012
2:46 pm
Good point SGAdawg – But our O did give up entirely too many points in those big games.
DIT
January 20th, 2012
2:47 pm
Pretty Simple:
1) Much Better Play Calling
2) Better Special Teams
3) Better play from the Offesive Line
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Why won’t my posts show up here?
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:51 pm
GTBob where did you go??? I thought I could never run you off a blog????? But there you are over in recruiting where you know im banned???? what a coward
DIT
January 20th, 2012
2:51 pm
“The National Champ will come from ACC or the SEC West for the forseeable future.”
ACC!!!!! How on earth do you figure that one? UGA winn win a NC before an ACC school wins one….. and that’s not anytime soon!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:52 pm
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Why won’t my posts show up here?
Filters
DIT
January 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
The national Champiom will come from the ACC…..
Man, I’m still bent over from laughter on that one.
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
OK then. I’ll start all over. Murray needs to have someone enlighten him to the fact that Mason’s red shirt can come off as easily as it went on if he continues to throw INT’s and throwing away key wins vs ranked opponents. Bobo gets a lot of undeserved criticism for mistakes made by his players. I don’t like a lot of his running up the middle against stacked D lines but UGA has put up some pretty stout numbers offensively only to have the game given away by turnovers.
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:56 pm
Filters? Why would it filter something out that has nothing vulgar or indecent?
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
GTBob where did you go??? I thought I could never run you off a blog?????
Im back. Had some things to take care of. Sorry for the delay. Why the name change again? Can you not stick with a name for more then week?
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
DIT, yeah maybe in basketball! LOL
Preston
January 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
They might as well rename the BCS “world vs SEC” because the only team to beat an SEC team in the BCS CG was another SEC team. That’s just the truth!
DIT
January 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
No kidding Preston. Heck and I thought we as Bulldog fans drank the Kool-Aid a little heavy at times. This guy must be a “binge” Kool-Aid drinker.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
hahahaha TDF stands for True Dawg Fan you clown. So why have you been hiding over in recruiting??? Waiting for my answers on why those players were dropped in rivals rankings???
Preston
January 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
I mean, really? The ACC? What do they have in football? VT, Miami, GT, Clemson, and who else? None of these clowns can compete with the SEC championship caliber teams. NONE of them! Trying to remember who it was that drummed up 70+ points on Clemson. They could’ve scored 100! LMAO!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
Preston
January 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
If serious think BIG EAST 2011 / BIG 12 2012team
Dublindawg
January 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
O-Line! And their lack of intensity!
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
None of these clowns can compete with the SEC championship caliber teams. NONE of them!
Neither can 3/4ths of the SEC including UGA. You keep riding Nick Saban’s coattails though.
The Quizzer
January 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
I’ve never understood why we have a “tight end” coach and more importantly why he could not also be the special teams coach. I mean how tough is it to coach tight ends? Just sayin’.
DIT
January 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
@GTBob
10 out of 11 Bob, 10 out of 11.
UGA FRIEND
January 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
UGA should realize that GTBob is only posting his nonsense to get attention. He will go away if nobody responds to him. He is an embarassment to GT by using it as part of his handle. I doubt that he is a real GT fan.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
Waiting for my answers on why those players were dropped in rivals rankings???
I can’t remember what post you are talking about. All I can remember is that you think every recruiting site is a sham because they don’t have UGA #1. Refresh my memory.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
10 out of 11 Bob, 10 out of 11.
You can count? That’s advanced stuff. Your UGA degree is in the mail.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
Thats what I thought. You know im right but just refuse to admit it. And only one saying they all suck unless UGA is number 1.
We clearly have a top 10 class already and its only going to get better.
Keep being stupid, its what you do best!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
UGA FRIEND
January 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
Its more fun to show how stupid he is!
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:18 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
Go back and check the recruiting blog for the post about how UGA has faired in the Richt ERA you clown.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
TDF
January 20th, 2012
11:47 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.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
Ill be awaiting you answers GTBOB
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:22 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Funny seeing as most employers that see a UGA degree see a great education. And a school that will shortly eclipse tech as a tougher school to get into.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
We clearly have a top 10 class already and its only going to get better.
You clearly have the 18th best recruiting class according to the two biggest recruiting sites out there. Sorry, no amount of crying is going to change that.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Those UGA fans that would like a real recruiting website check out the recruiting threads by socrates on:
Leatherhelmetblog.com
Best info out there and its free.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:25 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
hahahahahahahahhaha yes bc you techies know all about great recruiting classes hahahahahahaha.
Keep showing your stupidity!! It makes it more fun for me bc you cant even come up with a good arguement.
Still waiting on your answers to the questions above this post.
Okef Dawg
January 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
You ask “Which aspect of the 2012 Dogs concerns you the most; I say the entire offense and special teams. And you asked “what would you like to see Richt and company do about it; I say, get serious about it – like they have on defense – or find someone who will.