Fan talk: UGA’s football players must battle ‘soft’ reputation
Offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, just drafted by the Buffalo Bills, started 50 games for the Georgia Bulldogs. (University of Georgia)
Let’s jump straight into some of this week’s Junkyard Mail …
Robert Nesbitt writes: Junkyard, I heard on the [NFL] draft coverage of the 1st round something that has me hopping mad. Gil Brandt, the resident draft guru, was pontificating on why Cordy Glenn may not have been drafted. Gil indicated it is well known Georgia players do much better in the pros (than college)and that Glenn (and by association) other Bulldogs are soft in they way they play college ball. This burns me up, because the truth hurts. What are your thoughts?
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this rap on Georgia players. NFL scouts were dissing the strength and conditioning of Mark Richt’s players at least a couple of years before the head coach decided an overhall of the conditioning staff was in order. And while the team overall looked stronger last year, the fourth-quarter fade in the bowl game showed there’s still room for improvement in that regard. Of course, Georgia has still had 57 draft picks in the past 10 years (tops in the SEC), though the rate has fallen off somewhat in the past five years. Still, I’m not sure Brandt’s citing of the Dawgs’ reputation around the league for being “soft” was really at play in Glenn not getting drafted until the Bills took him in the 41st spot in the second round. There was some talk about him occasionally showing lazy technique, plus there probably were questions about his weight (somewhere in the vicinity of 345), though he’s shown himself to be remarkably quick for a big man. More likely there were questions about his suitability at tackle, since he was a guard for 32 of his 50 starts at UGA. Still, those 50 starts for a team playing in the SEC (tying Clint Boling’s record for a UGA offensive lineman) belie the “soft” tag and it should be noted that another draft guru, Jon Gruden, professed himself “shocked” that Glenn was still available in the second round. “I thought he was a legitimate first rounder. He’s handled consistently SEC competition,” Gruden said. But back to your overall point: Joe Tereshinski has only had one season to turn things around in the strength and conditioning department. It’ll take some demonstrable improvement there to get rid of the Dogs’ previous reputation among NFL types.
Terry Lively writes: Bill, I appreciate your insights. I just have to ask: Why do you think the Dawgs consistently struggle in recruiting the offensive line position? This is prompted by the most recent “should have had him” in Max Garcia. We have the need, we have the skill players and we have the offensive style (allegedly) that should make it attractive for MANY linemen, yet we always seem to lose way more than we win. Take Garcia — wanted to be closer to home, an OT (and Lord knows we need them), and we were his leader at least at one point … but we lost him. Tell me where I’m off in my assessment or why you think we are always lagging at that position. And by the way, yes I know it’s a long way to signing day, but we seem to say that every year down the stretch but don’t close well in this area, and right now out of 15 commitments we have ONE OL on the board. It just doesn’t make sense given the opportunity in Athens.
We all know the offensive line has been a weak point for Richt’s program in recent years and recruiting no doubt lies at the heart of that. Of course, Will Friend is only in his second year as OL coach but, yeah, letting Maryland transfer Max Garcia slip away falls on him. The Georgia native left the Terps because he wanted to play closer to home and listed Georgia as his favorite early on. You can’t say Georgia doesn’t ever get quality OL players, though. John Theus, who’ll join the team this summer, is a highly touted five-star signee. And while three-star tackle Aulden Bynum is currently the only offensive lineman committed to Georgia in the 2013 class, recruiting experts see the Dogs having a good shot at quite a few others, including five-star player Laremy Tunsil. The Dawgs are considered likely to sign several tackles and another center and guard or two. I’m not ready to write off Georgia’s OL recruiting just on the basis of not snagging Garcia.
Steve Yearta writes: First, I thought that we should be as good as last year; maybe [Aaron] Murray will make it through the season without throwing pick 6’s at inopportune times; the running back corps will be vastly improved; and the OL and special teams probably won’t be any worse; and we’ll wind up winning 10 and losing 3. Now, however, I’ve drifted to: the offensive line will not be, even with the starters healthy, a strength and if, heaven forbid, injuries occur, it will be a struggle to have any consistency; no, [Murray] hasn’t beaten a good team yet, and I have great concern about his effectiveness and health if the OL is ineffective; and considering the lack of attention to special teams under this regime who knows what will happen there? Obviously, my concerns are with the offense and special teams. I think the defensive line and backers are excellent and can probably cover up some deficiencies in the defensive backfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if we wound up losing 1 game or 5. Just too hard to read this team. Thanks for your blog!
You’re right that on first blush it’s easy to think that in 2012 Georgia should at the very least repeat as SEC East champ and perhaps be a bit better than the 2011 team. But, as you correctly note, there are a lot of questions still to be answered. As I’ve made clear here, Murray isn’t among my primary worries. I’m much more concerned about the offensive line and whether it will allow our impressive stable of tailbacks to get anything going. And, as you noted, there’s a huge question mark hanging over special teams play. Until we see how the freshman specialists perform and whether the offseason tinkering improves kick coverage, that must remain on the list of the Dogs’ major liabilities.
Will competition from new running backs provide a spark for Isaiah Crowell? (Associated Press)
On a more positive note, Jerry Cochran writes: Bill, I truly believe Mark Richt’s team this year has a chance to be special. I know the offensive line has to be rebuilt and we’re going to be missing some starters in the secondary against Missouri, but I really feel Aaron Murray is about to come into his own and I’m just plain excited by the prospects in the running game. I think the addition of Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley is going to spark Isaiah Crowell to fully live up to his potential and give Georgia the kind of versatility in the running game that LSU showed this past season. Am I being overly optimistic?
A lot depends on how the OL develops, in terms of both Murray’s progression at QB and the running game, but if that unit can gel before the South Carolina game, Georgia’s defense plays up to its considerable capabilities and the aforementioned special teams situation stablizes, the 2012 Dawgs certainly could be a Top 5 team.
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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466 comments Add your comment
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
12:18 pm
this year
mark richt will not let anyone touch murray until Spetember, no contact
this is Richt’s plan to prepare Murray for contact in the Fall
Our Coahc is very smart.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
12:21 pm
oUR cOACH HAD 2 15 MINUTE PHONE CALLS WITH NFL SPECIAL TEAMS COACHES
THAT WILL FIX EVERYTHING
tide roll
April 30th, 2012
12:28 pm
I really like what Will Muschamp is starting to do at Florida. He beat Friend for Max Garcia. Took advantage of Friend and Bobo’s attitudes in landing 6′4″ 290lb. OG Joshua Outlaw from Atlanta MLK. Brought in 6′6″ 315 lb.OT Jessaman Dunker ( The Chewtobacco Brothers. Friend and Booboo, weren’t even there when Dunker visited Athens), and OT D. J. Humphries, 6′5″ 270lb. And has landed another commitment from Rashad Johnson, 6′6″ 300lb. OT.Are you guys sure Muschamp went to UGA? I’m sure Bobo and the rest of you rednecks are ready to disown him for behavior such as this. The very idea of signing athletic and physical offensive lineman, when you can land Bynum from some school in Southwest Ga. named VALWOOD. Do it Dawgs. Y’all are gonna outsmart everybody. What a joke of a program. What a joke of a coaching staff. And most of all, what a joke of a fan base. 31 friggin years of doing the same thing, over and over.Memo to Xzavier Ward: Get the hell out of there. NOW!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:32 pm
@SSIgator
Thanks for confirming that Dawgnilex is the Queen of stats. Quite frankly, that is all she has.
Presuming you are part of the great Gator program, which has all of my respect, hit Dawginlex with the record on the last 22 games between the Gators and the Dogs.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:35 pm
@tide roll
First congrats on that 14th national championship, and you have all my respect with that 2012 brutal road schedule.
Second, you hit the nail on the head regarding how this program is a joke, but it makes great entertainment for us local folks listening to them blog about next year, year after year.
Third, Saban has it right….it is all about defense and setting high expectations.
Fourth, Saban is the head coach, and he can hire a chaplain for $32k annually.
Brainiac
April 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
@ UGA Fan-not fanatic:
I am really disturbed now that you have spoken out about how terrible AM is at QB. I, like most of the civilized world, was going along with the experts like, you know, NFL scouts, college coaches who spend a huge amount of time preparing their defenses for AM and voting him 1st or 2nd best QB in the SEC, as have MOST football publications plus our very own opinion after watching AM play and last but not least of all CMR, dean of SEC coaches, winningest coach in the SEC, fastest SEC HC to reach 100 career wins(6th fastest in the nation) and never landed UGA on probation and certainly, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, would ever play ANY player that doesn’t give UGA the best chance of winning. I guess since you disagree with most all of the sane folks, ACTUAL experts, etc. we will just have to discard ALL of our previous opinions and subscribe to your way of thinking since it is quite obvious that you far exceed the knowledge and expertise of ……………………………………………………………………..NOBODY.
DAYONE
April 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
Look, I know I know
Richt has worse wins after HE FINISHES 1ST IN THE eAST
Happened all 4 times
I know,
But
this time everything will be different
Richt’s gonna wear black uniforms
OR GO ALL RED
And we’re gonna have the whole stands rush the field after the 1st td in the Florida game
Oh yeah
Richt is READY…
k9DOG
April 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
@DAYONE
BRILLIANT!
HutDawg
April 30th, 2012
12:39 pm
@DAYONE, funny man, but sadly, so true….
88Dog44
April 30th, 2012
12:41 pm
@DAY ONE—
Genius, you hit it out of the park, my sentiments exactly….on point.
tech rules
April 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
how come nobody wants to talk about Stephen Hill? at bama he would never get to play because of his skin color.same as the QB Saban just ran off. winners in life get college degrees and make lots of money. losers like bobo 17 int and tide roll and ssigator get on blogs and criticize others while remaining incapable of doing anything athletic.
money talks, losers blog
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
Let me see if I can expand on tide roll’s comments:
1. Approx. 118 years for playing college football and only 1 national title to their name.
2. Former AD busted with panties in his lap and a prostitute in the car.
3. Players that are unable to pass drug screens and have criminal activities, leading to suspensions.
4. Steve Spurrier owns them.
5. 2008 Blackout against Alabama, and Saban drilled them between the eyes.
6. Florida has dominated this program for the past 22 years.
7. This program cannot man up and admit 2 losses to GT in ‘43 adn ‘44.
8. Started claiming a 1942 national title lately, when OSU actually on the AP poll under Paul Brown.
SSIgator
April 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
Mike Bobo 17 INT -
That is not worth doing. She only comes back with, “Yeah, but UGA owns the overall record.” I have wondered what she will say when UF has the overall record? I guess it won’t be long before we find out the answer to that one.
DimlyLit
April 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
Hey day one
So original, blog hall of fame, just magnificent stuff….
bubba4dawgs
April 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
It is what it is! Unfortunately, the Dawgs don’t do too well in the fourth quarter in big games. I really thought the strength and conditioning program would have corrected that last year. Perhaps they need to look at what LSU and Alabama are doing. The State of Georgia is a treasure trough of top players. Are UGA recruiters lazy? They shouldn’t be out-recruited by schools outside of the state. There is no better facility anywhere than at UGA, the blame has to be on the recruiters and then the conditioning after the players get there. If they can’t show a lot of improvement this year, then a major overhaul needs to be done! If Murray is having a bad day (and he does have bad days), pull him out and put someone else in. Poor play should sit on the bench! Regardless, I love the Dawgs!!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
SSIgator
Yeal, you can see that one coming, but you can always hit them with the ‘95 game between the hedges when the Ole Ball coach hung 52 on them. Spurrier wanted to make it “special” for Gator Fans, and it was very special for me.
What just makes me giddy is that their own boy Muschamp goes to the Gators, their biggest rivalry, and they are going to get drilled by their own boy. I guess Muschamp understand the progam was tanked, just like Kirby Smart did when he decided to remain with Saban at Alabama and work on national titles.
HobNail
April 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
@DAYONE
CLASSIC BLOGGING.
YOU HAVE THE GIFT FRIEND, KEEP WRITING
AND STAY THIRSTY….
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:47 pm
bubba4dawgs
Totally agree with your last blog, and I respect your comment. Everyone should take a page from your book and place more pressure on this program, instead of making excuses. Top-tier talent recruited year after year, and nothing to show for it. That is the bottom line.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 30th, 2012
12:49 pm
This epitomizes the entire program:
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/3/29/2910822/bacarri-rambo-alec-ogletree-suspended-uga-football-2012
tech rules
April 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
Calling me a girl is the best you have?
You both really need to grow up
Fortunately for both of you, neither one of you come to UGA games or we could discuss in person how I am “not a girl”.
Continue to sit safely behind your computer and call me names like children.
DimlyLit
April 30th, 2012
12:51 pm
Richt’s post game interview crib notes:
When asked about Murray’s interceptions:
a) receiver falls down
b) ball got tipped
c) receiver ran wrong route
d) defender made great play
e) miscommunication
f) poor pass protection
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
12:54 pm
bubba4dawgs
i agree with your post
Murray needs to learn from his mistakes
Richt and Bobo have put all the eggs in his basket
Of course interception idiot and his sweetheart SSI never read any of my complaints
tech rules
April 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
tech tuns out more NFL talent than florida now. they get degrees too. sad how florida has fallen
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
Florida better find a QB if they want to beat anyone with a pulse
Texas A&M 24
Florida 14
dawgfacedboy
April 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
THere is no better option right now at QB, so if you aren’t a Murray fan you are going to be highly dissappointed. He threw 35 TDs last year. Think Hutson Mason can do that?? Think Lemay can do that??
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
SSi
how are you going to get the overall series lead if you can’t beat us?
Not too bright on the uptick????
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
Interception idiot predicted we would get “drilled” by Auburn and Florida last year too.
How’d that work out for ya Einstein?
You big dumas
tide roll
April 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
You know, if UGA had committed Anthony Jennings instead of Bryce Ramsey, and Ramsey was a UGA legacy like Jennings is ( Willie Jenning’s son), you people would be in Athens with your placards and red britches, marching in protest for the injustice to Ramsey. But with Jennings y’all are quiet as mice.. Y’all don’t have a problem with him being a legacy, and UGA not going after him. I wonder why that is? There must be something about the Jennings kid that y’all don’tlike or approve of. I wonder what it could be. You know, Bobo can’t help it. He’s who he is.It’s how he was raised. The fact that you people, including Richt, allow him to be on staff is what’s shameful. 31 years y’all.
SEC Football Morning Coffee: Texas A&M Shows off New Offense in Spring Game | SEC Football
April 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
[...] King of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Junkyard Blawg writes that Georgia needs to get rid of the “soft” [...]
SSIgator
April 30th, 2012
1:04 pm
Mike Bobo 17 INT -
Remember, it has to be baby steps for the puppies. First things first, let’s see if Mark “I can win games – just not big games” Richt can finally win two years in a row against UF. The so-called “dean” of SEC coaches has yet to be able to do that because:
a) The game is played in Jacksonville – I hate to break the news to him, but it was played in Jax when UGA was rolling up alot of wins against UF.
b) UGA has further to travel than UF – They don’t play the game on Friday, but I thought Richt knew that already. Maybe they should come down on Wednesday to have more time to recover from that exhausting trip.
c) It is hotter in Jacksonville than we UGA boys are used to – Yeah, and it has also been played on days when it is colder in Jax than UGA is used too. BTW, I would think that Richt knows that UF is playing the game in the same temperature as UGA, but then again, maybe not.
d) All of the above
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2012
1:04 pm
Why no mention of Tray Matthews committing over the past weekend in the ajc? Top DB in the state.
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2012
1:06 pm
RE-committing that is.
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2012
1:10 pm
errrrr, I guess just making it official that he is enrolling early.
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
1:12 pm
Dayone
Please do everyone a favor and quit pretending to be a Ga. fan. Nobody on this blog right now, agrees with everything Richt does, but we all want him making the decisions as H.C.at UGA. The only ones who disagree are not Ga. fans, but trolls like you. Get a life and quit you belly-acheing. You whine like a sissy, constantly. Why do you want anyone to think you like Ga.???
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
tide roll
Why is nick saban a racist? Why did he run Philip Sims off?
Why can’t bama players produce in the NFL? Mt Cody ZERO sacks
Why are the majority of Bama football players white except for the running backs?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
Still trying to figure out how
Georgia 45
Auburn 7
Georgia 24
Florida 20
is getting drilled?
How did we complain about Jacksonville?
How are we going to lose the overall series lead if we win?
Why is it Richt and UGA’s fault that Tech is in the state of Georgia and they are our rival?
I am beginning to think that SSI and the Interception Idiot are male prostitutes with all the refernces to Midol and “getting drilled”…….
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
You ask as if that guy actually follows Alabama Football?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:20 pm
and when I said after last year’s bowl game
“We need open QB competition in the spring and fall.”
That somehow, that gets overlooked by the interception idiot?
All I am is a blind homer?
December 2009: I said “Richt got outcoached by Johnson. Everyone knew except for richt that Tech was going to let us score.”
Yet I never complain?
Want to explain that Einstein?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:21 pm
December 2010, not 2009
AlbanyDOG
April 30th, 2012
1:22 pm
GUILLOTINE I GOT GUTS TO CALL YOU AN NUT
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:22 pm
That when I said I would like to see Richt take back playcalling and let Bobo just coach the QB’s
Didn’t notice that one either???????????
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:25 pm
SSI and the Interception Idiot are both
COWARDS
Brainiac
April 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
@ NC DAWG:
Don’t waste time on the idiots on here bashing AM and CMR!!!!!!!
We have several things going for us.
1) AM has been voted 1st. and 2nd best SEC QB by SEC coaches.
2) CMR “Knows what the hell he is doing”
3) CMR is the DEAN of SEC coaches, got to 100 career wins quicker than ANY current SEC coach, has best won/loss record of ANY SEC HC, never had his team on probation and if AM wasn’t the player/QB to give UGA the best chance to win the game then CMR would NOT keep him in the game since winnig is the big factor in job security for CMR and staff. To believe otherwise is to be a suspect of the Single Digit IQ virus.
4) CMR has a nice, new, fat contract and will be at UGA a loonnnnnnnnnnng time!!!
5) A large percent of these clowns are NOT UGA Fans but are simply attempting feeble efforts to cause some DFINOs(Dawg fans in name only) and a few weakminded UGA fans a little grief/concern with their BS
6) The naysayers and KNOW-IT-ALLS on here have exactly ZERO to do with the hiring/firing of anything Dawg Nation related.
Life is GOOD in Dawg Nation!!!!!!
LagDawg
April 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
Conditioning continues to be a problem but, with the addition of the two new guys, hopefully that will bring in some better ideas. Yes Theus is coming but, without his brother not being here, I don’t think UGA gets him. UGA has a problem recruititng top OL. Look at what Auburn has done over the last four years and look at Fla. with a new HC over the last two years. Friend needs to change his recruiting pitch and the entire Offensive staff needs to step up its game. Not only are they having problems bringing in top OL, but also top WRs also. UGA still has not shown a true commitment to be a consistent powerhouse in college football. Too many excuses and a severe lack of discipline. It all starts with the HC and his staff and right now UGA still doesn’t have top quality assistants on the offensive side of the ball. People can criticize Saban Chizik, and Kiffin alll they want to, but they get the job done.
Brainiac
April 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
@ Dawg In Lex:
Great posting my man!!!!!!!!!!!
However, I hope you will go back and apologize to IDIOTS everywhere.
How would you like be compared with SSI and INTERCEPTION???
rescue dog
April 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
Someone help! The homers are getting hammered on their own board. Guess thats what happens when you support a boys program in a man’s league. Stupid dawg! And Lex, let that cut between your chin and your nose heal up, ok.
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
1:36 pm
All I hear is a bunch of scared kids who know UGA will be better than they were last year. Why don’t y’all climb into your clown car, drive to the nearest bridge and crawl back under it until we play your teams and beat you again and again. You’re giving sissys everywhere a bad name by your insessant catter-whouling!!! What a bunch of babies. Grab a Binky, and go take a nap already…
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
1:42 pm
Rescue
If you were a dog, which you’re not, SSI and int. Could be your dingle-berrys…
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
1:44 pm
rescue dog needs to get his glasses fixed
The trolls are running away in droves!
You need to join them!
rescue dog
April 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
shut up little boys.