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
3:29 pm
http://leatherhelmetblog.com/2011-articles/december/socrates-updates-uga-recruiting-20dec11.html
Check it out for yourselves people. Rivals is one of the worst recruiting sites out their, closely followed by scout.
ESPN has the best paid for site but the leatherhelmetblog.com is light years better and its free.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:30 pm
there
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:31 pm
Still waiting GTBob?????
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:33 pm
Come on Bob where are you?????
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Keep showing your stupidity!! It makes it more fun for me bc you cant even come up with a good arguement.
Yeah, i’m the stupid one. You are trying to convince everyone that Scout and Rivals are useless and that some site called Leatherhelmetblog is a top notch recruiting site. You might as well just make up your own site and make your own recruiting rankings. I can show you how to do that if you need help.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Still no arguement huh??? What a surprise.
If you believe in rivalsso much then give me answers to my qquestions and stop side stepping it.
And yes leatherhelmetblog.com is better bc they actually evaluate the players and go see them play. They were former college scouts and currently own a company that helps place HS coaches across the SE, so they get more inside info than any other site. And they are close friends with Jake Rowe of rivals who has even said himself that the rankings suck. So if an employee of rivals says it then….. well you prob will stick to your lame arguement of having lots of subscribers blah blah blah.
Also why dont you ask the guys at dawg nation who used to work at rivals what they think of the ratings.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:41 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
And yes you are the stupid one here.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
3:42 pm
We don’t have a depth problem on defense either….we have a failure to substitute problem.Nobody plays other than starters unless there is an injury.That is a coaches decesion.Take ILB for example…preaseason all the talk was how important C.Robinson was to our defense…he was the QB of the defense…blah..blah..blah,guess what…once he got hurt we found out he was at best the 4th best ILB in the team.I don’t but fatigue as an issue either…if we had made stops they would have gooten off of the field.I continue to look at the 6-6 tie Bama/LSU played to illustrate this point….both teams offense stunk up the joint but neither teams defense rolled over and used that as an excuse…they continued to do what they were recruited to do…shut the other team down.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
Socrates is the truth btw.I agree
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
3:42 pm
Yes we do have a depth problem. are you kidding me?? We lost Robinson and Tree right at the beginning, Turene couldnt make the grades, thats 3 LBs off the top of my head right there but I know there were more on defense.
Failure to substitute??? Thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Sorry I tried to be civil with you, but its apprent you are just one of the UGA cry babies. Go cry somewhere else about your phantom substitution problems.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:48 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
He would have destroyed your post about substitution problems. Thats no were near a problem on defense for us. Depth is the biggest killer of our defense.
wins-by-a-link
January 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Offensive line is probably the main focus, The running game should improve with new additions,(Gurley and Marshall) and better blocking from line This also will make Murray a better QB with improved pass blocking, Special teams will continue to be a concern until Richt gives in and uses starting players instead of walk-ons, Looks like we will be stuck with Bobo again as OC and his preditable play calling, Easy schedule should propel the Dogs into SEC east tittle if they can beat Fla and Tenn again, SC will be another story along with an improved Auburn team.
Treeofwoe
January 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Offensive Line. Offensive Line. Offensive Line. Offensive Line. Offensive Line. Pretty much that.
Treeofwoe
January 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
Oh and have Bobo hang out with Kutter to shake off the Mularkey syndrome.
fishook dawg
January 20th, 2012
3:51 pm
Samuel definely needs to move to FB. Crowell, Marshall & Gurly should be able to rotate enough to move the chains. CMR should open up the QB competition in the spring & fall, instead of just giving the job to Murray like he’s done the last two years. I know CMR was a QB when he played at MIami and I’m sure he should know that competition makes everyone better. I don’t know that I can take 2 more years of Murray playing Santa Clause.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
3:42 pm
Both of them have horrid offenses too ya know.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
Did you run away scared again GTBob?????
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
And yes you are the stupid one here.
Ok, I will modify my TDF recruiting site rankings from earlier:
1. His own mind
2. Leatherwhipblog.com
3. Whoever has UGA in the top 5.
4. Iloverecruiting.com
5. recruitthis.com
6. ranking18yearolds.com
7. pickingahat.com
8. Mike Bobo’s personal opinion
9. Scout
10. Rivals
Is that more accurate.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
Still nothing??? Come on GtBob you have to have some kind of answers to those questions??? I mean you believe in rivals so much surely you know the answers???
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
still waiting Bob?????
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
I still don’t believe we have no depth on defense…where is the lack of depth exactly?DT?DE?OLB?
Bama plays 2 NT.They play 4 DE’s.They sub on occasion 1 guy at ILB.They play 1 other kid at OLB other than the starters.I watch games too.Niether Bama or LSU are mass subbing kids on defense.That is one of the lamest excuses I have ever heard about our defense.When you look at the teams who supposedly have all this depth you actualy find that they are only playing a couple more people than we do.Of course I am talking about games against teams with winning records.I could care less how many players play against the scrub teams.Our lack of depth is a BS premise that has bandied about with such regularity that is has become accepted as fact.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
TDF, im not sure what else there is to say. You think UGA has the best recruiting class in the country and you think Rivals and Scout are garbage because they don’t agree with you. We have pretty much exhausted that argument.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
LSU/BAMA are not some offensive juggernaughts this is true…which further enhances my point about Defense is what seperates UGA from them.
gbal
January 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
The players are gassed this year because the “Water Girl” has left the sideline and is not keeping the team hydrated. Mrs. Richt is a slacker… get her back out there doing her job!
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
The fact remains…I don’t see a Saban or Chavis defense allowing a team to march the length of the field with little time on the clock to score a TD with the game on the line.Period…regardless of whether their offense coulda woulda whatever.BVG didn’t allow it either.
Bulldog59
January 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
@Reality Check (the original) and @59bulldawg from page1.
Short and sweet, to the point, good posts. I’ll just add that O-line, running game, and play calling all work together.
Better play calling can make the O-line look better. Healthy RBs and a solid running game allow for more open play calling, etc.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
You say we have depth, if I accept that for a minute and look at the quality of that depth its mostly walk ons and sub par players. Where as at Bama and LSU those back ups are extremely talented.
Our depth issue this year was at LB. In one game I believe we had only 2 back ups which forced cummings to come down and play LB. They dont move a safety down to LB unless there is a depth problem my friend.
So when you look at we really dont have depth until this coming year thanks to all the great DE/LB combo players we are getting. We have minimal depth at ILB thanks to Turene going to Marshall and need one in this class to sure up the depth. We need to be at least 2 deep at every position (And not including walk ons)
First you say we have substitution problems then you point out that bama and lsu arent out there mass subbing and only playing a few extra guys, which way do you want it?? Players can take themselves out of the game simply by tapping the helmet if they need a quick breather (Just ask IC)
Im sorry but substitution problems is a lame arguement. Its depth that hurt us this year (Hence why it was mentioned frequently throughout the season)
kerryb
January 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
I think the O-line will be more athletic with Theus, Lee, Andrews, Gates, and Dantzler (Beard, Ward, the Long brothers, and Zack DebBell will add quality depth). Last year’s line was big but it was mostly big and not very athletic. Anderson was getting beat consistently at RT. The defense being gassed last year was not because of the S&C program, it was mostly because of an offense that couldn’t stay on the field and a lack of depth which will be addressed with this recruiting class and the players we red shirted last year. UGA will be just fine next year.
DawginLex
January 20th, 2012
4:12 pm
southga
Didn’t watch the 2009 sugar Bowl did you?
Utah?
What is a Ute?
Better ask GTBob
dawgsfan
January 20th, 2012
4:13 pm
GTBob take a look at see where Georgia Tech ranks on Scout and Rivals. Point proven have a nice day and GET OFF THE UGA BLOG!!!! Go bother some of your Georgia Tech buddies.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:13 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
Still side stepping my specific questions regarding certain recruits dropping in rankings after stellar all star performances????????
I think UGA has a top 10 class easily so far and should have a top 3 class when NSD is over.
Yes rivals and scout are garbage just like you!!
Let me know when you can answer my questions little guy!!
BIGBOY
January 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
88 you are wasting your breath..Grantham is a god and Richt/Bobo are idiots.That’s pretty much how it is now.Never mind that our defense has pretty much given up 30 or more to EVERY good team we have played since Grantham got here.Yeah but we sure do crush those 5-6 loss teams on D!!Well most of them at least!!
gbal
January 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
I have to say that a college athelete should be able to play a full game with limited substitution without giving out of gas. Reveivers and RB’s, maybe being the exception. I know its a different level, but I played both ways in HS…. Playing basicall 30 minutes of ball out of a three hour game with breaks scattered throughout, Common Man … Now depth to cover injuries! this is another thing.
Joey
January 20th, 2012
4:15 pm
“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.”
************************************************
Someone should point out that vs MSU, as well as Boise, those dozens of 3-and-outs by his and Bobo’s pathetic, second-half play-calling have as much to do with the defense being gassed, as does the conditioning.
As usual, blame the players, Richt. Not youself and your assistants.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
BIGBOY
January 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
show me one game that the DEFENSE gave up 30 points????? Which means doesnt include points off the offense and ST.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
Lex we are in 2012 now ok.You of all people should know what I’m talking about on D!!!You are old school like me…Erk Russell old school….you KNOW this is some BS excuses about our defense folding!!!Cmon dude
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
Joey
January 20th, 2012
4:15 pm
He didnt blame anyone how did you get he is blaming the players there??
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
gbal
January 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
If you give it receivers you have to give to the guys running with them the whole way, LBs and DBs thats 8 out of 11 players that can be gassed from covering recievers on any given series.
BIGBOY
January 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
TDF points off the offense and special teams have been counted against a Defense’s scoring avg ever since the stat has been keep.What are you saying?Ok take away those points from every teams scoring average and we still are subpar in comparison to the best teams.Does that sound better for you?
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
Lex you think old Erk or BVG would be making lame ass excuses about being tired or the offense put us in a bad position?You know better
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
BIGBOY
January 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
Its called the defense didnt give up the points so they dont count against the def. And the stat you are thinking of refers to the team as whole on giving up points. It doesnt single out the defense big guy. So when you look at how the Def. did they never gave up 30 points.
But lets throw that out the window and blame the def for ST and Off. problems. Good arguement
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
GTBob take a look at see where Georgia Tech ranks on Scout and Rivals.
47th on both. About what I expected with a small class being signed this year.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:23 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
No he knows better than to think that we have a substitution problem instead of a depth issue. Anyone can see that, except you. Might be time for some new glasses old man.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
Where are my answer you clown??? come on let me know why marshall and theus dropped so far and why they completely missed the boat on Gurley???
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
show me one game that the DEFENSE gave up 30 points????? Which means doesnt include points off the offense and ST.
Boise St.
You know who I am, and I aint hushin
January 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
The biggest concern for CMR is that no matter what he does, so called “lifelong” fans and his employer are going to write the worst pub, hinder recruiting, and screw the program in a bad light as much as they can. Do us a favor Bill.. get a job where you write FOR the school instead of about it… a FAN blog tries to help.. even if it aint postive, its still meant to HELP the program.. not stir up shet and fock the program for a buck. either HELP the program you supposedly love or come out of the tech closet once and for all.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
If lack of depth is an excuse for the defense then the same thing should be said for the offense.The defense had more talent to work with than the O IMO.
kerryb
January 20th, 2012
4:27 pm
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
You say we have depth, if I accept that for a minute and look at the quality of that depth its mostly walk ons and sub par players. Where as at Bama and LSU those back ups are extremely talented.
___________________________________________________________________________
That is an absolutely false statement.
LB
C.Washington
J. Jones
A. Ogletree
M. Gilliard
C. Robinson
A. Herrera
R. Drew
B. Burrows
C. Vasser
S. Bailey
R. Wilson
J. Jenkins
DB
S. Commings
B. Smith
B. Rambo
S. Williams
D. Swann
D. Bowman
N. Marshall
C. Sanders
M. Deas
C. Moore
DL
K. Geathers
J. Jenkins
A. Jones
G. Smith
M. Thornton
D. Lott
Adding
Jonathon Taylor
Leonard Floyd
John Atkins
Theses are NOT sub par players and walk on’s. Know what you are talking about BEFORE you post.
GTBob
January 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
they completely missed the boat on Gurley???
Gurley was a 3 star athlete before signing with UGA. He signs with UGA and he becomes a 4 star RB. Oh the horrible bias against UGA.
TDF
January 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
You are correct there. It was a huge issue at RB and OL this year.