All hands on deck: Richt sounds ready to shake things up
Malcolm Mitchell will get a look as a two-way player, Mark Richt said. (Associated Press)
It’s the time of year in college football when all teams are undefeated, most fans are optimistic, and coaches talk a lot of ideas designed to get those fans excited (though in many cases they never pan out). There might have been some of that in a few of Mark Richt’s comments to reporters Thursday, but I still found a lot to like in what he said.
Richt sounded a lot more flexible in terms of shaking things up and making the best use of Georgia’s talent base with position switches and two-way players than he has at times in the past.
Malcolm Mitchell playing offense and defense?
“Quite frankly, we’re going to experiment with that a bit,” Richt said.
Same with Richard Samuel possibly playing fullback. And there’s not a lot of difference in Todd Grantham’s defense between Ray Drew playing outside linebacker and defensive end, he said. Versatility is a hallmark of defensive players under Grantham, Richt noted. “A guy who at one time might be standing up as a linebacker, the next play he’s got his hand on the ground rushing the passer.”
Freshman linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons also might get to play some offense as a receiver. (Associated Press)
Also, while incoming freshman linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons isn’t likely to play safety, as had been rumored, Richt said he probably can stay in the game when the defense is in a nickel package, and “he’s also got some offensive skills and he may be just the right guy to throw the ball to in the red zone. So whether he can handle all that as a true freshman, I don’t know. But before his career is over we’ll definitely give him an opportunity to do some things offensively as well.”
Of course, chances are not all of those changes will stick in the long run past spring drills. But I like the way Richt is viewing his talent base.
And while I’m not thrilled that he isn’t budging on not naming a special teams coordinator, he did again emphasize that change is coming in that department.
As the head coach put it: “If that means a guy playing both ways or two positions on defense or if that means we have to put the entire starting lineup on offense and defense playing special teams, I don’t care what it is, we have to do whatever we have to do to get the best players on the field. … We may have to stretch guys a little bit here and there from a learning standpoint and from getting more reps. … [Most] guys are going to play some special teams at one time or another. So we’ve got to get all hands on deck. We’re going to make sure everybody understands how crucial they are and how special teams are just as important as playing first down on defense or offense.”
Sounds like Richt has gotten religion, so to speak, when it comes to improving the Dogs’ special teams play.
I also liked the fact that he reminded the defense that while they were highly ranked last season and return most of their starters, “The one thing they all want to do a better job of is finish. We could’ve finished better in our last two ballgames as a team, not just defensively. Our defense knows, at the moment of truth, when we’ve got to get a stop, we’ve got to get a stop. Same thing offensively; when we’ve got to score, we’ve got to score.”
Sounds like Richt wasn’t satisfied with just getting back to a 10-win season. Like I said, sometimes these offseason chats are simply the coach playing to the fans. But I get the feeling Richt is serious about making the moves necessary to get his program back to the next level.
What did you think of Richt’s comments?
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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220 comments Add your comment
funny....
February 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
Oh the offense, more specifically Aaron Murray, cost Georgia the South Carolina game as well.
The boat sank against LSU, but I have to think if Mitchell and King catch TD passes Georgia beats LSU as well. 13-0 becomes 24-0 at half (with the addition of a missed Walsh head case kick)
NotheGADawg
February 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
What is it with the Alabama fans and their obsession with UGA bashing. Geez, you think they would be happy with their own program.
JB
February 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
gtbob has no life or program to support or a woman, I’m guessing. He needs to go support Bama. Being a Tech fan and talking about the Dawgs short comings is Rich.
Brian
February 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
Funny we scored 10 not 13
GTBob
February 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
Ghost, so basically you are saying that Aaron Murray cost UGA 4 games last year and made the defenses job harder. If that is true why is he still the starter?
UGA 17
February 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
everyone stop using CMR, he’s a coach, not a 70s rock band
GTBob
February 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
Being a Tech fan and talking about the Dawgs short comings is Rich.
Not really. It’s not hard to recognize your own teams short comings and another teams short comings at the same time.
ARdawg
February 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Bill,
Richt shouldn’t be satisfied with the 10 win season. In a season with 14 games it is no longer the crowning achievment it use to be. Coupled with the fact that all the opponents we beat had losing records. Of the 4 we lost, should have won at least two of those, could have won them all. It’s good to not hear the excuses he’s become patented for. Hopefully, he will step up and improve the coaching on gameday which is what has been woefully under addressed in the last 6-7 years.
Chris
February 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
I didn’t hear the 3 magic words that would’ve really got me excited.
“I’m firing Bobo!”
hipdawg
February 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
CCR, I mean CMR (LOL) knows he better get it done this year. Would love to see multiple QB packages w/ other players. I still think Murray is ok for a short QB but I think when the pressure is on w/ young OL that put in Lemay or somebody else that wont cost us any more games…just sayin
Ghost
February 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
Bob I didn’t say that at all ,The picks sixes didn’t help, special team break downs. Walsh missing 14 fgs , Murray wasn’t the source of every turnover nor is an interception always a qbs fault. Without Murray Georgia wouldn’t have won 10 games. I said the points per game numbers are skewed the defense wasn’t on the field when many of these points were scored or they were put in a bad position at times by untimely turnover s whether it was Murray or someone else.Defesne handed the Michigan state game to offense in OT and Walsh misses yet another FG.
b-ham dawg
February 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
Malcolm Mitchell is the next Champ Bailey. I am excited about next years team but then again i am always excited this time of year about our team. The difference this year is that we have a proven defense that i thing is going to take us back to the top. Hope richt gets it done this year because 2013 is going to be a lot of rebuilding.
GATA Always
SHANKSHATESRICHT
February 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
Can someone please tell Bill Shanks to shutup and try to support UGA! It is obvious he hates Mark Richt but guess what Shanks Mark Richt will be at UGA longer than you will be on the RADIO!! Please pull for GT or Florida since your other cohost don’t rip their coaches!!!
ville dog
February 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
Problem with UGA is poor coaching decisions. When they play top rated teams it really shows up. They have enough talent to beat average teams inspite of the coaching.
sogadog
February 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
Murray’s mistakes and interceptions lost some games last year but in his defense, it all started with the lack of a running game which caused Murray to force the ball passing to keep the offense moving.
If the Dawgs establish a running game in 2012 there is a great chance they bring home the SEC title.
G-Dawg
February 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
Ole Bill is just speaking his mind…and theres a few other die hard Dawg fans that have lingering questions regarding the program. Seen some improvements..but still see some of the ole lingering issues. But none of us are against Richt or our boys…just frustrated like many other fans.
Just Curios
February 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
Since when is winning 83 % of the regular season games you play not a success?Only 13 teams won more than 10 games last year.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
February 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
So I guess this will mean UGA wins the national championship again?
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
February 24th, 2012
2:11 pm
“What is it with the Alabama fans and their obsession with UGA bashing. ”
It’s the same as when UGA fans bash Bama, Auburn, Florida and every other team in the SEC. Get over it.
Gene
February 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
I watched the Mich. State offense roll down the field to tie the game in the Outback Bowl, and I question the statement that the 2011 defense was effective. It was effective against Coastal Carolina, but the big boys ran all over it.
Just Curios
February 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
villle dog, please point out some of the poor coaching decisions that have cost Georgia games?
DIT
February 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
Coming into this year it will be the 1st time in awhile that out defensive issues will be addressed. I agree with a poster above. If we can muster up a good running game it will open the year up for a special one. This year will ride on how the offensive line performs.
Just my opinion
Bama home of the T-bag special
February 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
@HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH no what this means is that your a troll and not a very good one…
Alabama "Fan"
February 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
I HATE TREES!!!!
I CAN’T STAND EM!!!!
GTBob
February 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
Since when is winning 83 % of the regular season games you play not a success?
When you play the schedule that UGA played.
Big Crimson 75
February 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Can a Program turn on 1 game? 1 play? 1 bad idea?
Before the Black-out,
Richt was a very impressive 76 & 18.
After the Funeral —- 30 & 19.
Numbers don’t lie.
What happened?
What was exposed?
Just Curios
February 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Gene, Mich State had 391 yards in a 3 overtime game , had on 78 yards total at the half. 85 yards came on 1 drive in the 4th quarter , they were moving the ball up and down the field in the 4th quarter? Did you just watch the last 1.55 of the 4th quarter?Lsu had 237 yards total offense, the Georgia defense was the first to hold a team in a n SEC game without a first down in a half since 2002.
Da Bammer
February 24th, 2012
3:02 pm
Mark Richt 3 Bamer 1 (head to head)
Ops, I better not say that. The Bamers will get excited and think I meant T-Bag to head.
B.Beaver
February 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Well, let us see. The dogs are going to finish the drill, climb the mountain, cowboy up, man up, complete the mat drills, slap your girl friend/wife/mama/grandmama, leave it all on the field, give 110%(out of 100), eat mor chickn(sic), don’t whiz in the wind, thank all of our sponsers?, blame the refs, paint it black, thank the Lord, wonder aloud……and on and on.
Big Crimson 75
February 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Roll Tide
invictus mon
February 24th, 2012
3:37 pm
Back to the next level? We just got back to the highest level we’ve been at, and we’re about to reach critical mass. We’ve always had the talent, it’s been coaching that’s limited our ceiling. I think the only way we get better from here is to sure up the OL, and subordinate Bobo. And for those of you wandering, we’re losing all that home grown talent to Bama, 1 because Bama is good, 2 because we’re stacked everywhere on the depth chart. We’re too young. Like that kid who went Vandy, he didn’t spurn us. We offered him because he was too good not to, but at the end of the day he saw there wasn’t any room for him.
GT Bob = Joke
February 24th, 2012
3:42 pm
You are a typical Tech fan. Your program is a joke, so all you do is troll on the UGA boards and take shots.
Buckeye
February 24th, 2012
3:44 pm
This is the time of year when the dogs are national champions. Feb is always a great month to be a dog. Thing change, however, when they line up against other teams in September-January.
SEC Fans for Richt
February 24th, 2012
3:45 pm
Will he continue to sing Happy Birthday to recruits or will that policy change too? It’s very important to his “recruiting.”
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
February 24th, 2012
3:52 pm
Stacked with depth…LOL… The only reason Jordan Jenkins chose UGA was the depth chart at Alabama and he can play today with you leg humpers. Alabama has 6 DE’s bigger and better than Jenkins and he and his Dad understood that and Jordan would be at Bama today if not for Daddy and Mommy.
1-Who has UGA beaten worth a sheet since Grantham came to town? Long pause.
2-Murray is colorblind and chokes when it’s time to stand…see all big games he has played in at UGA and won….real long pause
3-Bobo isn’t the problem
4-Other than Grantham and the guy that came with him from the NFL and Friend then your current staff have little discipline and nobody on your team fears Mark Richt…NO Damn Body
5- The talent level on your squad is no way near the level of your mouths! NO Damn Way and it’s proven in the W’s & L’s
Thank you for your time and attention….please continue with your Mark Richt lovefeast
Nick Saban says tell everyone hello. Why was Shag Wiggins in T-town on Thursday…..HUMMMMMMMMMM
JB
February 24th, 2012
3:54 pm
3 reasons Dawgs should win the east next year. Dooley,Chisik,Muschamp.
JB
February 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
And Wet Willie………….after all that, I’d still rather be a Dawg than a tree killer, just say’n
JB
February 24th, 2012
3:57 pm
Shag was there to either get his money or learn to kill a tree.
Bama home of the T-bag special
February 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
@Wet Willie…keep on smiling lets see our coach is 3-1 vs your bunch and that is a fact…..we damn sure don’t fear the Tide and if Saban would quit using his infernal powers to cow the SEC office we would get a chance to play him and his spawn, funny how if you had beat LSU the first time we would have gotten a crack at you…but no your couldn’t beat LSU until the threat of having to play us was eliminated…..
JB
February 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
What do all Bama fans have in common???? Their Bama wear all smells like moth balls for being in storage for 10 years waiting on a winning team….
RxDawg
February 24th, 2012
4:05 pm
I’m with ya Bill. I loved that interview. It was very… candid. Usually Richt is so reserved and secretive his interviews are a flat out bore. But I felt like this interview showed a little bit more of what it’s really like as Mark Richt Head Football Coach. I’m sure by the time the spring game is over the kool-aid will be delicious!
Nothing Could Be Finer
February 24th, 2012
4:35 pm
Haha, Richt just fed yall dogs a tranquilizer to calm you down.
He’s done this year and he knows it.
Big Crimson 75
February 24th, 2012
4:40 pm
30 & 19 since the blackout.
…….let’s do some research & see what other programs that’s compatible with…..
gofortwo
February 24th, 2012
4:42 pm
YAWN! Heard it all before.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
4:56 pm
Is RICHT saying this to get his contract done?
WILLIE would still be at UGa if McGarity didn’t FORCE Richt to fire him.
Richt and Shake-up used in the same sentence is like using Hooker and Heart of Gold in the same sentence.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
4:57 pm
Where is my bestest friend TDF(True Dwag Fan)?
shane#1
February 24th, 2012
4:58 pm
Samuel to FB is interesting. I think he will be better at H back than a more traditional FB. The Reverend Drew at DE was expected. He knows the position, he has the frame to gain weight easily, and for a man of God he was hell on QBs in high school. Mitchell at CB should also work, he was a four star DB. I might try JSW in the defensive backfield and let Mitchell concentrate on those deep passes.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
5:00 pm
RxDawg
February 24th, 2012
4:05 pm
Usually Richt is so reserved and secretive his interviews are a flat out bore.
Do you figure he is a 2 Minute Missionary Man? he has to so fun in the dark….NOT! LOL
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
5:01 pm
he has to be so much fun in the dark….Sorry Typed faster than my brain read the post.
Blackberry Cobbler
February 24th, 2012
5:08 pm
Good recruiting.
Good talk.
Little to show for it on the field. Still the 3rd to 5th best team in the SEC and maybe wrose than that.
CMR talks a good game but hasn’t beat a ranked team in foreever.