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
Joey
February 24th, 2012
5:29 pm
DawginLex, you have never been one to be nonsensable, but how do you expect 14-0 this season? Last season, if nothing else, should convince you that Richt has lost his nerve with offensive football – he simply does not play to win. Richt’s whole HC career proves that talent alone wils not get a team to the BCSCG, let alone win one. Lord knows we’ve had the teams talented enough to do it, but they always stumble, always against underdogs.
That approach worked ok, barely, vs Ole Miss, Miss State, UT, Vandy, UF, and KY. However, with 7 and 10 point leads vs Boise, LSU, and MSU, he immediately sat on the ball, 3-and-outs-galore. The D is excellent, but there has to be some O also, or the D gets worn down. Hense the routs.
The Richt/Bobo offense is not good enough to beat quality teams in the SEC, and now, out of the SEC, it seems. And not one little thing will change with his offense.
That fat new contract is his seal of approval. He ain’t changing anything.
beanster
February 24th, 2012
5:34 pm
It’s Friday afternoon, Joey. Think happier thoughts. Go drink a beer.
SmyrnaGuy
February 24th, 2012
5:46 pm
Ditto what TJ said
SmyrnaGuy
February 24th, 2012
5:48 pm
7576 Dawg…
We beat GT, so I doubt preventing “chop blocks” will help UGA vs. the meat of the schedule.
Doug
February 24th, 2012
5:54 pm
Shake it up even more — replace Bobo
SmyrnaGuy
February 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
I’d be more concerned whether Saint Richt says the right things if he were on the pulpit. Wait, he’s a football coach…. which is measured by wins and losses. How’s that been the last 5 years? CTG did fine in 2011 and, based on the returning starters and talent brought in, I would expect the D to perform even better in 2012. The OFFENSE is the problem people.
beanster
February 24th, 2012
6:06 pm
I am not sure how anyone couldn’t think that 2012 will be an improvement to last year. Shoulda, coulda, woulda been better than 10-4. I agree that we probably won’t see much difference in coaching philosophy, but as we have seen in the past if the right horses gel together at the right time, that very philosophy indeed works. Given the returning D, that philosophy really has a chance to be successful. We’e got a ton of playmakers on the offensive side. National championship? Not so sure. But 12-2 or 13-1, beat UF again. I am not complaining.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can Stop it
February 24th, 2012
6:07 pm
14-0! Ha! How many times are you playing Kentucky and Vandy this year?
RainbowDawgbutWhoIsnt
February 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
Yeah he’s shaking things up alright. Has to decide between stripes or pokadots for this years swim party.
PleaseGo
February 24th, 2012
6:45 pm
I cannot wait for CMR to “shake up” the entire team by going on a mission to anywhere, except Athens.
PlanetG
February 24th, 2012
6:59 pm
I know what Richt means by that ‘top ranekd” defense.
In red zone defense:
ranked 88th in nation in td %
ranked 116th in nation in scoring %
Got to get stops in red zone.
PlanetG
February 24th, 2012
7:00 pm
Agree with Bill.
Richt makes a bunch of promises every Spring, and rarely follows through.
Just ‘happy talk”.
PlanetG
February 24th, 2012
7:02 pm
Didn’t figure Richt would make any of the off season changes necessary to become a Championship team.
#1 New QB who beat ranked teams–NO
#2 Special Teams Coach- NO
#3 Get a new defense coach who doesn’t average 39 points a game vs. ranked teams- NO
Same ole, same ole team next year.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
How many Panties fell out when RICHT did the shake-up?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
7:13 pm
Richt will have to do Domestic Violence classes, Anger Management classes, Community Service, and be on Probation for a year if he SHAKES-UP the lil girls that he calls the UGa football team. Richt and Sanders Comming can carpool I guess.
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
7:39 pm
Still, are you hanging upside down right now?
wins-by-a-link
February 24th, 2012
7:44 pm
Richt has lost his last two bowl games, Bama is eating his lunch on recruiting instate, Bobo will return as OC, And he is going to get a contract extension?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
7:57 pm
48 NO laying back in the bed. I did about 4 hours work today. I am paying for it now.
ROUSH Fords looking GOOD. LOL
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
Still, I’m watching the truck race right now.
CitizenK9
February 24th, 2012
8:03 pm
Correct me if wrong. We are set up for an early season loss by being Missouri’s first SEC home game. They will be jacked just like OSU was when we Christened T Boone Pickens Field.
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:03 pm
Your girl Danica had a nasty wreck yesterday.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:07 pm
I will be at the HOSPITAL soon then. If she is on drugs then amaybe she will not know I am not her husband when I crawl in the bed with her. Hahaha…I will take it anyway i can get it! LOL
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:09 pm
I don’t know what would scare her more? Hitting the wall head on at180mph or you crawling in the bed with her. Lol
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:10 pm
Nasty wreck on the truck race.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
1 Eyed WILLIE would SCARE her for sure. LOL
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
Looks like Joe needAcheck raced his way in the 500 but Mikie Waltrip wrecked coming off pit road and failed to qualify. Now we have to hear him talk all day Sunday.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
He would cause a WRECK of a different Kind and in a different place. She would walk like she rode a horse from Daytona to Charlotte. LOL
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:14 pm
Can we not get away for the Waltrips ever?
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:15 pm
MW is doing the truck race.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:17 pm
I almost miss TDF(True Dwag Fan) posting. LMAO
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
You got him banned.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
Yes. Yes I DID. LMAO
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
Well Bully Dawg Fan did technically.
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
Poor fella. I think he post on 247 also.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
February 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
He does and he will have to stay there i guess. I just finished a nice Salmon Filet and a Pain pill. I think I am going to fall asleep for a lil bit. I will hit you back SUNDAY for the race for sure. I might be back in minute but I am feeling a lil High right now.
Dawg48
February 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
Get some sleep
mike mcintyre
February 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
i feel we have lost our recruiting edge and think we should hire hines ward to our staff. he has 2 superball rings and is famous for his smile and never give up positive ways. he would jumpat the chance to come back home and bring in the big name 4 and 5 star recruits and keep sabin out of georiga.kids will follow hines he’s a real hero from GEORIGA!!!!!
Thomas Brown
February 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
Mark Richt is a liar.
True Dwag Fan
February 24th, 2012
10:21 pm
All Hands on Deck….All Hands on Deck….Get on DECK of the USS Titanic aka the USS Richt & Bobo and listen to the band play and please help rearrange the deck chairs.
Thomas Brown
February 24th, 2012
11:05 pm
JB February 24th, 2012 3:54 pm
“3 reasons Dawgs should win the east next year. Dooley,Chisik,Muschamp.”
____________________________________________________________
Gene Chizik is not in The SEC East, JB. Hate to inform you, sir. Being # 1 in The SEC East is like being # 1 in the ACC, because there is no great team in The SEC East.
____________________________________________________________
Just Curios February 24th, 2012 2:10 pm
“Since when is winning 83 % of the regular season games you play not a success?”
__________________________________________________________
Since the season is a 14-game season and we won 71 percent of the games instead, a percentage which found 27 teams – not 13 – who did better than us in 2011. Us having beat none of the 27 teams with 10-Win Seasons and having the Most Losses of the 27 teams with 10-Wins with our 4 Losses, sir.
Did you really expect that comment to go undetected Just Curios ?
I know you wish you could talk about the whole season 2011 and leave it out that we Lost both the last 2 games, and leave it out we Lost both the 1st two games, too.
___________________________________________________________
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.”
__________________________________________________________
These latest lies by Mark Richt that he is going to fix the # 80 special teams we put forth without changing the coaching staff coaching the kids to such sorry results, is an admission that his own profession of coaching in his eyes, is unimportant.
These latest lies by Mark Richt that he isn’t saying he is and he isn’t saying that he isn’t letting the 3 players he failed to call the Police on for Felony theft of over $ 500 in cash and other valuables from a teammate last week, come back to the team and that no one really knows what happened with his girlfriend this time but the actions by Sanders Commings are absolutely wrong – when the back-ups were booted from the team and the Starter given a weak 2-game suspension only for abusing a co-ed in good standing at my alma mater, just make it all the more clear how Mark Richt gives preferential treatment to his Starters while booting back-ups from the team.
Mark Richt latest litany of lies, does not, I point out discuss one word about the now 26 players Mark Richt gave scholarships to to play for us this 2012 season, all 26 of whom this blog said Good Riddance to, to have us now at just 77 on scholarship of our 85, yet he over-signed by 24 at 109 signees for his 85 scholarships.
Mark Richt hasn’t said anything about Aaron Murray playing every snap of every game, exclusively even after he gets the YIPS and is sent right back in scared as he already was, and as everyone else noted 0-9 vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 25 (with 2 other losses thrown in for good measure who did not make the Top 25.) No discussion of now 5 Quarterbacks Mark Richt has in the fold now with our latest commitment, and only Aaron Murray all 2012 and 2013, as per usual. Frustrating ? Not sure that is the word for it anymore G-Dawg.
Offensive Coaching staff of ninnies.
No Special Teams’ Coach.
Oh, and now Mark Richt says he was wrong all along telling the fan in Macon that he Mark Richt knew what he was doing; and that when he refused to put AJ Green back there returning punts because he said he didn’t want him to get injured – well, that was just all wrong on his part, he says now.
Our # 80 special teams. Walk-ons whom Mark Richt already has given 5 of them scholarships again for 2012 and has 85-77=8 more to give away and we wonder why we are under scholarships.
Because Mark Richt has RUN-OFF 26 players transferred out he gave scholarships to for 2012.
We’re doing fine. We won 83 percent of our regular season games, beating not 1 team who finished in the Top 25. We’re going to play all Starters on Special Teams now.
Hey, Mark Richt what about :
lost 7 games in a row vs teams ending top 10
lost 9 games in a row vs teams ending top 25
He is not addressing the issues. Good point, G-Dawg, sir.
Red Elephant
February 25th, 2012
12:02 am
I had no idea TB07 could compose a lucid point, much less make an articulate argument.
kudos
6-18 Against Ranked Teams Since '05
February 25th, 2012
12:23 am
You know, I bet if you flashed back to ‘ol Bill’s Feb blogs of ‘06-’10…..you’ll find the same headlines of how Richt will “shake things up”
….I mean, after awhile….it just gets pathetic, doesn’t it???
RED DOG 77
February 25th, 2012
1:36 am
@ Bill King…….I couldn’t agree more, a special teams coach is way over due. I support coach Richt whatever he does……….but don’t be surprised Bill if coach Richt doesn’t pull out the ‘ol bag of tricks with our special teams this year. Coach seems to learn a little more every year, and something tells me he knows when we get to the “Big Games” special teams will be the difference between a win or a loss…………anyways, good article…………Regards, RED
slydog
February 25th, 2012
3:56 am
I am totally in disagreement about Malcolm Mitchell becoming a two way player. He is a great athlete and all, but how many Charles Woodsons exist on this planet? There may have been one or two since 1997. If you want to use him at multiple positions on either offense or defense, then that’s fine, but not on both. I believe this is what happened to Branden Smith and his development. In an effort to please, he was allowed to spread himself thin before he became comfortable at his own position. Mitchell is no AJ Green at the WR position, even after a pretty good freshman season. Heck, he isn’t even Sammy Watkins at this point. Maybe all he will play is some nickel and dime back.
slydog
February 25th, 2012
4:17 am
Now I know next to nothing about football (at least according to the coaches, although by me watching, they actually have a team to coach in the first place), but here goes:
Shake this up
1. Play more starters on special teams, especially more starters on defense kickoff and punt coverage. They’re not scared to actually hit anybody coming straight at them (see Tyron Mattheiu tape)
2. CMR needs to coach special teams personally. (I didn’t suggest he hire a special teams coach…lol)
3.Go with shorter, quicker throws and allow your athletes at WR to make a play. Run more screens on offense. (the O-line will be lighter in the arse and less experienced. So they don’t need to hold off pass rushers the entire game.)
4. Use shorter throws even while employing play-action. Furthermore, if the running game isn’t effective from time to time, then DO NOT CALL PLAY-ACTION. It’s not fooling anybody, even the camera man nor the crowd in the stadium.
5. Run, run, run the ball at least twice as much as you did last year or in years past. The line is young and the QB is short. You now have the horses (albeit young). Let’s be honest, Moreno was good, but he got a lot of yards because folks feared Stafford and they know Georgia isn’t a running team.
6. Move Aaron Murray around in the pocket more and let him run A LOT more. He is just simply more effective (Drew Brees tape please).
There, just a handful of tweeks.
Thomas Brown
February 25th, 2012
4:30 am
Did you just call Aaron Murray Drew Brees?
Thomas Brown
February 25th, 2012
5:16 am
Shake it up :
(1) Fire Mike Bobo and move him out of the program, as his coaching of our Quarterbacks has been atrocious.
(2) Let the new OC hired from the NFL bring in his own entire staff.
(3) Make do with 1 less offensive coach, and go hire a Special Teams’ Coach, as what we’ve been doing ain’t working.
(4) Build an indoor practice facility so we are not at a disadvantage when it is raining and we unable, then, to practice if the Falcons don’t give us their practice facility inside.
(5) Build us a gym so women’s and men’s basketball recruits in this state want to come here; we haven’t had a meaningful game in that small gym played here ever, while all these other schools are hosts instead with their far better gyms nationally and in the conference.
(6) Sit Aaron Murray when he gets the YIPS before we are losing by too much for anyone to be able to do anything about it.
(7) Tell Aaron Murray he is NOT a dual-threat QB with his 174 rushing attempts in 27 games with a miserable 1-yard per carry average for his career along with his 22 fumbles, 23 interceptions and 56 sacks.
(8) Recruit 5 top-notch OL each of the next several seasons. If Rodney Garner cannot do that, get a Recruiting Coordinator who can.
(9) We lose our entire defense, as many as 12 defensive players all 12 of whom have Started here, after this 2012 season. This is a 1-year window for a top season, where we might end up 1-9 vs teams who end up top 25 teams over the last 3 years – that is if we can beat a top 25 team, which I highly doubt.
(10) Play some of these 5 Quarterbacks now with the latest commitment.
(11) Punish Starters equal with punishment for back-ups.
(12) Cease and desist with kicking off 26 players from our team, or better yet quit with recruiting them based upon number of stars, leaving us so short of our 85-scholarship limit.
(13) Get rid of all the Strength and Conditioning Coaches, as we were worse at the end of games 2011 than we were in 2010.
(14) Quit telling lies about the numbers from S&C.
(15) Quit giving scholarships to walk-ons solely because they only played on the # 80 Special Teams’ teams, 5 more for 2012 already.
(16) Get the game out of Jacksonville and give us season ticket holders at least 1 game every other season to look forward to.
(17) Grow a pair and play good teams from other conferences each year instead of running up our stats and making everyone believe we are great with 10-win seasons like 27 other teams every year. Play Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State, Southern California, Oregon, Oklahoma and quit with this watering down of our schedules.
(18) Have some expectations around here for this cushy job you’ve given to Mark Richt where # 6 in The SEC is great. I’m tired of it.
(19) win a game against a team finishing in the top 10, something we’ve not accomplished since 2006 when we lost 4 games including to 8-loss Vandie.
(20) quit losing all these games to lousy teams like we do to ruin every season all 11 years.
(21) Design some offensive plays which are exciting.
(22) Tell players who only want to come here if they can be # 1 that # 1 is taken by a starter and if he wants to play, he can be # 01 where you don’t have to design plays where both, when both play offense, cannot be on the field at the same time.
(23) Get the players up in the morning and have them run.
(24) Tell Aaron Murray to quit watching tapes and go the gym and work-out.
(25) Tell every player, especially Aaron Murray to not ever tweet anything.
(26) When a player taunts the cupcake opponents, take them out of the game the rest of that quarter. That should fix that.
Thomas Brown
February 25th, 2012
5:56 am
2001 – ended # 5 team SEC all polls
2002 – ended # 1 team SEC all polls*
2003 – ended # 2 team SEC all polls
2004 – ended # 2 team SEC all polls
2005 – ended # 3 team SEC all polls
2006 – ended # 5 team SEC all polls
2007 – ended # 2 team SEC all polls
2008 – ended # 3 team SEC all polls
2009 – ended # 7 team SEC all polls
2010 – ended # 9 team SEC all polls
2011 – ended # 5 team SEC all polls
* only 1 other SEC team ended up in Coaches’ Poll Top 25, a 4-Loss Auburn 2002.
Average # 4 team in The SEC finish for UGA all 11 years of Mark Richt to-date in the polls when the season is complete and the teams’ success can be properly judged.
For the Current 6-Year Period, average worse than # 5 in The SEC in the polls for the season.
Average # 2 team in SEC in the polls for the First 5-Year Period for Mark Richt, worse than # 5 in SEC for the Current 6-Year Period for Mark Richt.
Something is seriously amiss.
Thomas Brown
February 25th, 2012
6:17 am
Average # 7 finish in SEC all polls Current 3-Year Period.
villedog
February 25th, 2012
7:43 am
Decisions that come to mind. Wasting downs in the bowl game at the end instead of making trying for a first down at the end of regulation. Wasting 2 downs in overtime to set up a 42 yard field goal. The play calling has been awful at times.