What pieces need to fall into place for the Dawgs?
Aaron Murray has gotten off to a slow start in games but has finished strong. (Associated Press)
So, with Georgia having won the first of what are likely to be its three or four most challenging games this season, what needs to happen for the Dawgs to live up to preseason expectations?
In other words, what needs fixing, improving or tweaking?
Several folks I’ve heard from this week have pointed fingers at quarterback Aaron Murray’s slow starts in the first two games, and that’s certainly an area that could be improved. But taking into account the patchwork, hobbled, inexperienced offensive line Murray is operating behind, his early jumpiness and tendency to overthrow receivers is understandable … and his smooth play as the game progresses has been impressive.
Murray threw some really fine passes against Missouri, including a couple of touchdowns and several of the passes that were dropped by open receivers. As Buck Belue put it, Murray “delivered a big-game performance. … He was under constant pressure, in the first half. The O-line and John Theus had some issues providing a clean pocket, but Aaron stood in there strong and threw some nice balls. I was impressed.”
Despite the continued false starts (which really need to be addressed), the offense seemed much more in sync in the second half after Mike Bobo started going much more to four- and five-receiver sets that allowed Murray to get rid of the ball quickly, making the offensive line less of a liability.
Still, the OL is where the greatest improvement is needed, especially if the running game is to become more consistent (which also would take more pressure off Murray). If Theus and company can get healthy and stay that way, we should see improvement in both pass protection (which would free up the tight ends to become part of the receiving equation again) and run blocking.
The latter is especially important, because the Bulldogs need opponents worrying about the run in order to keep them from locking down the passing game. Georgia has three talented tailbacks, but their production has been spotty so far. As Mark Richt said this week, “We have to get better. We missed some opportunities this last game maybe more than game one as far as hitting it in the right spot. We missed some good blocking a couple of times I thought, more than a couple of times actually. It wasn’t just one guy. I think all three of them really, there was probably a run or two that all of them had that could have gained some yards.”
As for the defense, I’ve heard from a couple of fans who’ve been alarmed by the number of yards the Dawgs have given up in the first two games, particularly in the air. But keep in mind that Georgia has been operating without four defensive starters, mostly in the secondary. Considering that fact, I think the defensive showing so far has been remarkable. (Thanks in large measure, of course, to Jarvis Jones.) Just think what it’s going to be like in a couple of weeks when Todd Grantham’s troops are full-strength.
As for special teams, generally there’s definitely been improvement so far (with the occasional hiccup like Malcolm Mitchell’s ill-considered attempt to field a bouncing punt against Mizzou), but the kicking game remains a little shaky. That’s to be expected, though, with two true freshmen. Placekicker Marshall Morgan has shown a strong leg, and I think consistency will come as he gets more game experience. Let’s hope he gets plenty of PAT opportunities to work on his timing the next three games!
What else do you see that needs to happen in order for the Dawgs to be operating at peak efficiency?
JUNKYARD MAIL CALL
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
157 comments Add your comment
mad~catfish
September 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
i think marshall is fine on the long kicks…but it might be time for one of the others to kick some pat’s…offensive line will gel as time goes buy…dnt worry bout scar they will never be able to run the ball against our “D” and as soon as jarvis lays one good lick on connor shaw…there done baby!
SOUTHGADAWGG88
September 13th, 2012
12:49 pm
Wins are more important than stats,both team and personal stats.I could care less where we rank on Offense or Defense,how many yards this back or that back has,who catches the most passes,has the most rcv yds etc…just win the games baby!!
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
12:49 pm
Ya’ll people need to get over it. we are a passing team team now…and always will be under richt. Plus we didnt start kicking mizzo sorry asses till we went to 4 wides…We have to go with what’s working and that offense broke mizzo into half. I’m more disappointed in the o-line…how our depth is so bad we have to depend on a true freshmen at RT. CMR has never had a solid o-line to start any season…he most defintley does not earn his 3 million a year when it comes to the o-line!!! For us to win the sec this year the o-line better improve greatly and they better hurry the hell up and do it. and defense better back their words up about wanting to become the best defense in the nation…even with the four starters out we shoudn’t be ranked so low in total defense.
ARdawg
September 13th, 2012
12:50 pm
Bill
I disagree. Murray was well composed on on the mark in the Mizzou game. Other than the pick I saw one pass the receiver couldn’t catch. The Buff game, not so much. I was quite proud of Murray’s performance last week. This does bring up the Jekyll and Hyde scenario though. One aspect is Murray. The Mizzou Murray needs to be the one on the field every week. Why the difference in Murray for the two games I can’t say. Which leads up to the second aspect. Coaching.
I sensed a little more vigor from Bobo and Richt on the offensive side of the ball. Risk taking. This escalates confidence on the field. Players (I believe) will will it and make it happen if you let them.
We have the talent, we have the schedule. There is nothing stopping the Dawgs from getting to Atlanta undefeated but ourselves
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
September 13th, 2012
12:52 pm
As a coach you need two deep if not three. So the defense giving up all those yards with the back ups is no exscuse. they still need to pl;ay like they have a freaking purpose. Stop allowing UGA to be mediocre at best ALL THE DA&? TIME. Also the line and play calling sucks along with Aaron Murry and his CANT CATCH RECEIVERS. then maybe we can win and NOT HOPE FOR WINS. GEEZ PEOPLE GET A REAL LIFE AND COMMON SENSE
BP
September 13th, 2012
12:56 pm
I don’t think Grantham knows how to run the 3-4 scheme, bottom line, in rush def, total def, scoring, sacks, int’s, it’s not working.
t
September 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
GO DAWGS! LOVE COACH RICHT! http://www.wedgeorgia.com
Bama=home of the T-bag special
September 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
@BP I mean this with all the respect you deserve… I have a hammer smarter than you..
BP
September 13th, 2012
1:06 pm
Grantham couldn’t stop the Buffalo Bisons!!! Guy needs to be coaching in high school somewhere, he’s above his head.
Finished LAST in scoring against ranked teams in 2011.
Grantham is the weak link on this team.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
September 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
@BP
you do know that Georgia Tech, who gets yards sheerly by virtue of teams having difficulty preparin for that annoying offensve system, has rushed for more yards over the last 3 years than Mizzou right?
we held them to 2.7 yards per rush and right around 5 yards per pass attempt. That is winning defensive football
Thank God for Reggie Ball
September 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
sorry, I did not correctly say that ONLY Georgia Tech has more rushing yards over the last 3 years than Mizzou. My bad
BP
September 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
Lattimore has run for @400 yards in 2 games vs. Grantham’s 3-4, it ain’t very good when run by Grantham.
Boise scored 35 points, SC scored 45, LSU scored 42, and Mich St scored 33.
Make all the excuses you want, the guy’s schemes don’t keep even BAD teams in 2012 from scoring 20-23 points.
BP
September 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
10th in def scoring, last in sacks and interceptions, 8th in total yards, 8th in rushing.
Grantham’s defenses perform better than teams like Ark, Kentucky, and Auburn.
Winning football?
We’ll see when Tenn and SC come to town.
BP
September 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
Grantham’s D averaged 39 points per game vs. ranked teams in 2011.
The guy is in ove rhis head.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
September 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
@BP all your statistical information, much like mine, is absolutely correct. However, let’s break down why yours is extremely misleading
the teams ahead of UGA in scoring defense:
Alabama: played great against Michigan (Denard Robinson didn’t show up for that game) other than that Western Kentucky
LSU: North Texas and Washington. smh
Mississippi State: JACKSON STATE??!!, and played very well against Auburn
South Carolina: Vanderbilt and ECU, not terrible, but no Mizzou’s on there
Florida: Bowling Green and Texas A&M, A&M may have the 3rd or 4th worst offense in the SEC
Tennessee: NC State was impressive but more offensively than defensively, Georgia State? irrelevant
Ole Miss: CENTRAL ARKANSAS and UTEP. CENTRAL ARKANSAS scored 27 on them. they make Buffalo look like Alabama
Texas A&M: skewed becaue of playing only 1 game. that was against a Florida offense that is still struggling to find itself
Vanderbilt: South Carolina and Northwestern. USC lost Connor Shaw in the middle of the game and Carolina’s offense was out of sorts the rest of the night.
Georgia’s defensive ranking will rise significantly over the next 2 weeks
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
1:27 pm
Put in Bauta! I know we have a great lineup of QB’s, but I can’t wait to see this guy in action. He’s an amazing athelete flying under the radar, just like Knowshon Moreno. As for Knowshon, I saw him coming way before anyone knew who he was.
Big piece of the Puzzle
September 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
Fire Richt then hire Jon Gruden.
Willie
September 13th, 2012
1:32 pm
My D was better than Granthams.
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Yeah, I’d take Gruden.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
September 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
@Willie
I Bob Stoops disagrees with you
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
@Willie….Seriously???? Your D lost to Tech.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
September 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
pardon me I THINK Bob Stoops disagrees with you
ARdawg
September 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
In floods the nerd trolls…who’d have thunk?
Bama=home of the T-bag special
September 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
@BP your making my hammer look smarter all the time….a lot smarter.
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
I agree with BP….how can you give a man a raise like we have and rank so poorly on defense. We have jenkins…washington and abry jones…our front seven has so much talent….No damn ass excuse for being last in the sec against the run. grantham is the problem not bobo
funny...
September 13th, 2012
2:41 pm
BP is bringing some quality dumb to this blog
Macclenny_dawg
September 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
Bill,
The 1st thing is playcalling. Bobo has 2 get Murray going alot faster. He needs to call some quick throws out 2 the w/r and let them make a guy miss!!! Call a qb rollout and tell Murray to run and get some of the adreniline to leave him. On 2nd and 6 or more throw the football on 2nd down. We have to keep Murray out of 3rd and long because our line is 2 inexperienced to have that much pressure on them. Special teams need more work in practice. We always seem to be setting up a return but more than 70% of the punts are not returned!!! If not for Samuels great play we would have had another fake punt pulled of on us again. If I can see it why can’t our coaches??? Why can’t we send the house to block a punt every once in a while and just have our returner just call a fair catch like he will probably do anyway!!! Kickers is what it is since they are freshmen. Defense will be fine but until we can sustain drives the defense continues to wear down. Bottom line is the coaching must improve if we ever gonna be great!!! We have as much talent as anybody now we just have to not be scared of using it!!!This coaching staff just seems to call a conservative game until we get behind. This has to change!!! I am tired of hearing GATA!!! Just go GTA!!! Go DAWGS!!!!
USMCDAWG
September 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
I’ve seen a lot of complaints about Morgan or saying he makes ya’ll nervous…Really?! Didn’t he nail a 52-yarder to give us our first points of the Mizzou game when we weren’t really moving the ball? I think he’s fine. He shanked a PA, which should show him he needs to focus anytime he’s on the field. But overall I think he’s doing damn good job.
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
Hey funnny….it’s funny how we boasted about being the best defense in the nation…and now here we are last in the sec in run defense. Also their has been talk of grantham leaving to become a HBC.lol. He has alot to prove to becoming a hc….what has he done at uga…thats been so impressive the last two seasons…he is overated…bobo has less talent to work with and is doing better this year.
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
Yeah, how is our front seven getting beat against the run? They’re having trouble against the mobile quarterback.
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
macclenny has some good points…we stay conservative till we get behind. We have to stop being so conserative to start the game.
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
yeah granthams 3-4 defense is not set up to stop a mobile qb…we did shut franklin down though…just not sold on grantham till i see this defense post bama /lsu like numbers…we have 9 of 11 starters return on defense this year…i know some have been suspended…but i dont think the backups arethat bad to be last against the run…
Newman
September 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
ROLL MURAAY OUT! He’s only 5′11″…
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
Hmmm…Hey Joe! What has CTG done?? His Defense was winning games when our offense couldn’t. Anyone that disagrees that the Dawgs defense has improved immensely under him either knows nothing about this program, or is not taking their meds, or is a Tech nerd trolling this blog.
Macclenny_dawg
September 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
For everbody that thinks Bobo is not the problem I ask you since ya’ll like to look at stats. If the offense continues to get 3 and outs and cannot sustain a drive the defense will be on the field longer!!! Just like last week against Missouri the defense got a turnover in field goal range and the offense went backwards!!! The offense has to sustain drives because the defense is geting wore down because its has no time to rest when our offense is on the field. Its Bobo’s job to have a game plan that will work no matter who the qb,rb, wr, and linemen are. GTA!!!! Go DAWGS!!!
UGA Insider
September 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
joe,
We have had 4 suspended and MM has been hurt. Give us a break. Adams is in charge of suspensions and won’t tell us how long suspensions last. Team has had no idea of these 4 so we are handicapped there as well. Adams is mad because he didn’t get the big NCAA job because of infractions within the football team.
mopardog
September 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
Sorry about that last comment Joe. It was a little harsh. I think we’re doing better than we were with Willie though.
Bama=home of the T-bag special
September 13th, 2012
3:21 pm
@UGA Insider heck I’m mad as heck that Adams didn’t get that job, love to promote him the heck out of Athens…but take it out on the team….that’s just wrong.
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
It’s cool morpadog…..I’m just ready for us to back up all that summer talk about being the best defense in the nation and it all starts with one of the worst teams in div1 football sat… We should shut them out or at least hold them to one score. I know the suspendions hurt, but i just dont think we should be last against the run…and this talk of grantham becoming a HBC needs to chill…at least till he has our defense giving up under 20 points a game
Bama=home of the T-bag special
September 13th, 2012
3:49 pm
@joe jenkins exactly who said we were the best defense in the nation this summer… I missed that part?
richie
September 13th, 2012
3:53 pm
BP you are a punk,the defense will be just fine,SC defense isnt that good,FL is a joke and TENN well they havent played anyone yet.
GET A LIFE
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
3:59 pm
I think it was shawn williams who said they wanted to be the best defense in the nation….Last year he did say we were better than lsu and bama. on defense…Just sick and tired of the the talk man…time to back it up…You really think we will shut the owls out sat…i dont think so. I bet lsu and bama and possibly the loser chickens in columbia could. I think fla could to…So why we couldnt shut them out…simple answer..we are not on par with these teams on defense. we should be we have more talent than they do…except for bama…geez it has to be coaching
Dirty Dawg
September 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
Bill, two points…first the phrase ‘Damned by feint praise’ and second your ‘body of work’. Even when you have something positive to say, you, seemingly, feel compelled to either qualify it or it’s on the heels of an earlier criticism. Further, I don’t ever recall you correcting those that truly have a hard-on for those two guys. Sorry, but that’s my reaction to the tone of your pieces. Tell me, do you agree with the comments/observations of John Gruden about Bobo?
UGA'68
September 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
No need to apologize to joe mopardog, you had it right the first time!
Dawg Haus
September 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
For the Dawgs being 2-0, there sure is a lot of bickering on the blog today.
Joshua
September 13th, 2012
4:46 pm
Personally, I’m getting really tired of people complaining about the O-line. The only complaint I have is the repeated false starts – that is inexcusable. But once the play starts, they have done pretty damn well imo. If you can’t watch the game and realize that when the other team sends 6-7 pass rushers every play, there is going to be pressure, then you are too stupid to have an opinion anyway.
beanster
September 13th, 2012
4:56 pm
How can any UGA fan complain about Grantham? Are you serious? Or do you have a very short memory? The guy has been the answer to UGA fans’ prayers. And someday, hopefully not soon, he will be hired away to be head coach at any number of schools who would love to have him.
We won the game we needed to win. We are in as good of shape right now as we could hope to be. Stop being so damn pessimistic and support your team!!
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
5:05 pm
It wouldn’t be wrong or right to apoligize…mind your own business chump. Yes i’m happy to be 2-0….but it won’t last. The Vol’s will expose us in a couple of weeks. bray will have his way with our defense….because when is the last time we slowed down a good qb
joe jenkins
September 13th, 2012
5:08 pm
I’m complaining because we are last in the sec against the run…I think thats a legit concern to complain about…hey what team is going to hire grantham when they look at his stats against good teams?
Dawg Haus
September 13th, 2012
5:15 pm
Joe, people were saying the same thing about Bray last year. No doubt he’s a good player, but I believe Georgia won up in Knoxville last season, taking him out in the process.