Shawn Williams’ comments on Georgia’s ‘too soft’ defense poorly stated but on target

Shawn Williams gets there too late to stop a Tennessee receiver from scoring. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)

Shawn Williams gets there too late to stop a Tennessee receiver from scoring. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)

Anyone who’s watched the Dogs this season knows safety Shawn Williams was on point Monday night when he called out the Georgia defense for playing “too soft” and without “the same attitude we played with last year.”

It’s understandable that the senior is frustrated with the way the D has been playing this season, especially after getting shelled in the South Carolina game and then coming out of a bye week looking meek against the lowly Kentucky Wildcats.

The Bulldogs’ defense deserves to be called out and maybe Williams’ rant will have the same sort of galvanizing effect as Mizzou’s “old man football” insult did on the team overall earlier in the season in what was, probably not coincidentally, the best game the Georgia defense has played to date.

But as is frequently the case with the overly aggressive Williams, who’s been flagged for a few unnecessary penalties in his career, No. 36 went too far when he started suggesting which of his fellow defenders should get more playing time, indirectly pointing a finger at others.

Williams noted, “I’m sitting here and I’m giving all I got, and I feel like I’ve got some guys that’s not,” but that comment would look a lot better if his own play had been exemplary, which it hasn’t. Too often this season he’s bitten on play-action fakes or been out of position in coverage and wound up getting burned by opposing receivers.

It won’t be helpful if there’s dissension on the team caused by his comments.

And Williams definitely crossed the line when he invoked the New Orleans Saints’ bounty system. More personal foul calls is definitely not what the Georgia defense needs against Florida, but you can bet the SEC officiating crew will be quick with the flags if there’s even the hint of a late hit by anyone in a red jersey Saturday.

Still, despite the ham-fisted way he went about it, I’m hopeful Williams going public with what he was already saying to his teammates on the sideline will produce a positive result.

It’s now or never, basically.

As Mark Richt said to his team, with the cameras rolling, after the Kentucky game, “It’s going to be a war in Jacksonville. … You leaders, I want you to think about what this game means. You’ve been talking about it all offseason since January. ‘Our team, our time, no regrets.’ Well, here we are. We’re at the moment of truth.”

In other words, put up or shut up.

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.

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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg

126 comments Add your comment

Hiram Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:02 am

So glad to see that one of the team leaders is recognizing and addressing the problem. We’ve all known something was wrong, but only those on the inside can really name the problem. Hope this lights a fire in their bellies and gets on on track for Florida.

coondawg69

October 23rd, 2012
11:03 am

Our team, our time, no regrets.’ Well, here we are. We’re at the moment of truth.”

Is that Bill Murray in Stripes?? Because it is kind of funny

Time for a change.

October 23rd, 2012
11:07 am

I wish our QB would have taken a stand and spoke out to HIS team!

PrimeTime

October 23rd, 2012
11:07 am

Enter your comments here

Tony BarnFart

October 23rd, 2012
11:11 am

Im afraid UGA is on the brink of implosion…

NC Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:13 am

Defense wins or loses this game. Go DAWGS!!

t.trippe

October 23rd, 2012
11:14 am

What is this going to do for recruiting. Seems like some of the players UGA has been trying to
recruit has already heard of the problem. Maybe that is why all the decommiting.

Bremen Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:19 am

Someboady had to say it, #45 is a terrible linebacker. Not sure why he gets to play so much. Yes Shawn has had missed some assignments but he is always hitting hard and flying to ball. Need more players like him.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
11:20 am

Hey coach Our Team, our time, No Regrets; what happened to that during the SC game

The SC game was regretful

And our time has passed since we got completely embarrassed by SC no one will let us play for the national title after an embarrassing loss

Bremen Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:20 am

I’m just afraid he will be pulled aside and made to be more soft.

Macclenny_dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:21 am

Bill,
The defense,special teams,and Bobo play calling is going to play lights out. Gonna have to have a gameplan out of the ordinary. Bobo is going to have to run out of I formation to protect Murray and roll him out when we are out of the I. Special teams need to get creative and try to block punts because we want return any with the hang time their punter gets. Oh wow who am I fooling we don’t even no who calls the plays for special teams. I know at some point the gators staff will try a fake punt!!! This coaching staff better not get out coached or it will be a long sad night!!! SICK OF RICHT!!!

Bremen Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:25 am

Folks if you don’t agree with what Shawn said, then go to a game and sit in the end zone where you can see the linebackers. Watch who fills the gaps and flies to the ball.

gofortwo

October 23rd, 2012
11:26 am

We need to play Old Man Defense!

bill arp

October 23rd, 2012
11:29 am

going public is always questionable with this kind of stuff. we’ll see if it works, won’t we?

JRW7

October 23rd, 2012
11:30 am

DAWGS are soft and I blame the coaching staff, they play not to win, but not to lose. DAWGS have 6 wins over below average teams, teams with a 12-31 record. Maybe SW is right?

Mike

October 23rd, 2012
11:31 am

Agree with your comments Bill. I like that Shawn has challenged his teammates, but didn’t like him bringing up his thoughts on pesonnel. That stuff can tear down a locker room. Bottom line is, he shouldn’t be the one pointing out the teams play is unacceptable. It should be the coaches.

We might win this weekend, but I feel like Bill Murray in ‘Groundhog Day’ waking up to Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe”. Every year its the same story, we don’t play up to the level of good competition, play down to lesser competition, and consistently come out flat, unprepared, and out coached.

UGA Insider

October 23rd, 2012
11:32 am

This team just doesn’t seem to play that hard. UK manhandled us up front. They average 107 yards rushing a game and we make their tailback look like Reggie Bush. I think we have several who are looking to April’s draft. I hate to say this but all the ingredients are there for a UF blow-out this weekend.

Fridawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:32 am

I’d rather have heard that kind of tough talk from our head coach earlier in the season. When nothing is said publicly, eventually a player will say something like this. If Richt had spoken up earlier, he could not only motivate the team, but control the way it comes across to the team.
I’d like to think that Williams’ comments are going to fire everyone up, but it smells of a rotten locker room to me. Let’s hope they can work together this week in Jacksonville.

Go Dawgs!

DAWG with two bags over head

October 23rd, 2012
11:34 am

Looking at the big picture, Williams was right on point and it’s embarassing, disgusting, and nauseating that our coaching staff is apparently incapable or unwilling to acknowledge the same. It took some guts to call them all out. I agree though that Williams’ play has been less than stellar and he probably shouldn’t have named players, but I’m willing to give him a pass for having the courage to say something. Somebody needed to step up. Afraid it’s probably too late. As many others have posted, you can’t just turn emotion on and off when it wasn’t there to start with.

Coach Muschemp

October 23rd, 2012
11:34 am

Trick plays are not necessary against the UGA punt team! All you have to do is kick it and no one will catch it, it just rolls and rolls. My kicker averages 50 against teams who field punts too.

UGA24-7

October 23rd, 2012
11:39 am

JUST GLAD TO SEE SOME FREAKING EMOTION.

beanster

October 23rd, 2012
11:41 am

As much as I have complained about #36, I have a lot more respect for him now. The middle of the field has been soft all season. It’s about time somebody stand up and say something.

No more favorites. I don’t care if they are a good guy or not. I don’t care if they represent the team well off the field. I don’t care if they’re the team spokesperson. If they’re getting whipped on the field then no playing time.

UGA24-7

October 23rd, 2012
11:41 am

ANGRY EMOTIONS. HIT THEM DIRTY GATORS EARLY AND OFTEN

beanster

October 23rd, 2012
11:52 am

How long will it be before one of the called out players puts his feelings out on Twitter for the whole world to see? “Poor old me. Will somebody rub my back and tell it me it’ll be okay? I need a hug.”

Zoomie

October 23rd, 2012
11:57 am

Well, it’s either gonna be the spark that ignites them, or it’s the harbinger of the total locker room breakdown that’s ocurring.

We’ll see . . .

(FWIW: my bet’s on the latter . . .)

LHarding Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
11:59 am

It’s time for some “Grown Men Football”.

Desert Fox

October 23rd, 2012
11:59 am

If williams calling out certain players angers them hopefully they’ll direct that anger at the FL offense, and indirectly our OL as well. FL is brimming w/confidence, #2 in the country, a lot riding on this game for them. A controlled angry GA team is just what the Dr ordered. They have to demoralize FL and make their players doubt themselves. Its a tall order, and the FL players and coaches are counting on GA to continue their mediocre play. You have to pound that ball down their throat and allow Murray the time to find the open man. Break FL’s confidence and the dawgs can win this game, a huge victory that hopefully puts this team back on track on and off the field.

Scott

October 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm

#36 may have missed a few assignments, but he has NEVER been accused of playing “soft”. In my opinion, the toughest player on our team.

jaglaw

October 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm

IF the players that are slacking are easily identifiable, why does Grantham keep putting them in the game? Willliams is correct, despite having made mistakes, he does play with intensity. #9., #6, #99 and the rest of the DL need to step it up.

Mobile Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
12:16 pm

Not sure I can get a post past Bill’s filters anymore. Last few times the beast has eaten my comments.

jaglaw

October 23rd, 2012
12:16 pm

Look again at the picture above, #9 is on his back. nuff said.

ncdawg

October 23rd, 2012
12:39 pm

Screens and dump passes will be key to beating Florida, Bobo does not call it or Murray doesnt look to dump it off. Either way, unless we learned to run those plays successfully this week UGA loses.

hornblowermg

October 23rd, 2012
12:56 pm

i see what you mean, Mobile Dawg. if Bill doesn’t think that your comment fits in with the flow of whiney blogger wishful thinking garbage mucking up this place, then he doesn’t let it appear. this ain’t the first or thirtieth time either. Bill, you deserve the coaching staff and attitude prevailing at Sanford Stadium these days.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
1:02 pm

Hopefully Shawn Williams woke up the coaching staff they have been asleep for years

slobodan

October 23rd, 2012
1:03 pm

I have a feeling; Media and probably Todd Grantham saying Florida offense is one dimesional; Jeff Driskell can’t pass; Florida has no receivers, blah, blah..Stop the run and beat Florida; load up to stop the run, blah, blah..Georgia is balanced; Murray has more authority to change plays; Murray is experienced, blah, blah..
My prediction: Florida has at least 2 touchdowns from passes of 30 yards or more..Florida tight end has about 11 or 12 catches. Jeff Driskel will look like the second coming of Joe Montana..And after the bulldogs “adjust” they give up 300 yards rushing to the gators..Even if dogs get to Driskel a few times, he will turn it into huge running gain. They might hit him, but he ain’t going down easy.The dogs are perfectly set up to think that Jeff Driskel can’t beat them; trust me, he’s no immobile John Reaves.
I hope I’m wrong, but what in recent history should make this long time dog fan believe otherwise?

Mobile Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
1:03 pm

hornblowermg, don’t think I’m being censored, but not sure. I tried to post a couple of times on his previous blog but was locked out. I scrolled over what I had typed, changed a few words and still no go. It’s gotten so bad on Bill’s blog I usually the post before submitting it.

Mobile Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm

Like Richt Van Winkle?

Flo-Ri-Duh

October 23rd, 2012
1:16 pm

What UGA needs this week is a lot of REPTILE DISFUNCTION! You know – for the Lizards to fumble, throw interceptions, create blunders that result in penalties at opportune times, shanked punts and kickoffs out of bounds, missed blocking assignments and confusion in the secondary, poor tackling and maybe even a few key injuries (nothing permanent – a sprained ankle would be good).. Is that asking for to much? Throw in an inept game plan by the coaching staff for good measure. That should do it!

Disgusted Dawgs

October 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm

Poorly stated?? He’s a kid and he spoke up just fine. Kudos to Williams for saying what our “Leadead” and Coach refuses to admit. King, some of your blogs are poorly stated and you’re old man.

Dawg'88

October 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm

“….Williams definitely crossed the line when he invoked the New Orleans Saints’ bounty system.”

Where did that come from…he never did such a thing. I have read his comments….nowhere does he say or do this in any way.

JAXDAWG

October 23rd, 2012
1:19 pm

Look the Dawgs need to establish the run against the gators. LSU did a decent job in the first half, however when they found themselves in 3rd and long situations their QB could not deliever. If the Dawgs get in 3rd and long we have a QB that can convert. Run the ball and go play action. I have not seen anything great from the gators secondary. THE DAWGS CAN BEAT THE GATORS!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!

Flo-Ri-Duh

October 23rd, 2012
1:23 pm

Williams naming players publicly is wrong. He was right on the rest. Poor coaching and poor execution on defense over all. The special teams is hit and miss but better than last year – not saying much. Punting and kickoffs need to improve….. not mention extra points. Coverage of kicks is much better with a couple of exceptions. The OL is still a work in progress and is very young. The defense must account for Florida’s QB who will run if given an opening.

441North

October 23rd, 2012
1:28 pm

Has Chase Vasser made a single tackle this year ? Clay Matthews he ain’t.

Strat Cat Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
1:29 pm

I hope the coaches gave Williams a green light to rant and won’t second guess his criticisms. If the players he called out don’t like it, let them show he’s wrong by stepping up against UF and not allowing a so-so offense to drive on us.

beanster

October 23rd, 2012
1:29 pm

Please Coach Bobo — UGA fans do not want to see ANY shotgun draws, especially on 3rd down. UGA fans beg you to not run that “see it from a mile away” reverse that you ALWAYS run within the first 5 offensive plays (that gets stuffed every time you run it, even with the ball in Mitchell’s hands).

Coach Bobo, you have never “fooled” anyone ever, so please don’t try it this game. We need to call plays to keep their D off balance. And for pete’s sake, if it is working, DON’T ABANDON IT!!!!!

beanster

October 23rd, 2012
1:33 pm

Vasser made a great play against KY. Straight up hustle and grit and determination and he shut down the play, unlike the rest of the line who couldn’t handle their blocks.

AirForce1

October 23rd, 2012
1:43 pm

“In the absence of leadership, people will listen to anyone who stands up and actually does some talking.” If coaches do not stand up and take accountablity and “call out thier team” then a player will.

Paul Midler

October 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm

I just want to see basic football. Wrap your arms around the ball carrier and tackle. Stop trying to pull the ball out of their hands or hitting with a shoulder and hope they go down. I would not have called out names though. I would have said that in the locker room. I am glad someone stepped up and said something though.

BMOC

October 23rd, 2012
1:55 pm

Bill, I disagree with you on this. You said it best at the end: ‘It’s now or never, basically.’

I believe this is EXACTLY what Williams is thinking. Face it Bill; Nothing else has gotton them motivated, so can it get much worse than SCar looking like world beaters (which we all know now that they’re far from it) & Kentucky’s running game looking like the best in the country? If it can get worse, then let it. Perhaps that wil spark a needed change of events.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
1:55 pm

This coaching staff blames the players everytime a loss occurs; whats new

fishook dawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm

When Grantham was hired 2 years ago, he stated that he” wanted the oppoisitions team to go away saying that they didn’t want to face that defense again”. I doubt very seriously if any team has said that since he’s been here. I bet LSU said it the first time they played Alabama last year and the 2nd time they played cost them a national championship. I believe that all this big talk after last year of all the guys on defense coming back and not going pro has led to some kind of entitlement. As sorry as this defense has played, the same guys, when available, have been starting. If this experienced group of players keeps on not getting the job done, then do what Alabama does and change players.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
2:08 pm

They say the same thing about Bobo’s predictable offense

Old Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm

Erk had the best line: play like it’s the play in the world.

How easy can it be?

mike addington

October 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm

I agree with BMOC

LakeDawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm

I haven’t seen anyone on this D play well. That includes Williams and Herrera, who look slow to me.

Tallydawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm

Mark Richt is a POS coach who lives off his and his staff’s ability to convince young men to come play for UGA where they won’t have to work hard, or study, or worry too much about losing their spot on the depth chart to a better young player. He has no idea how to motivate men other than to offer them a cool new uni. He’s more concerned about their faith than he is about football. I hope Florida beats the living s*** out of us this year and puts the last nail in this worthless POS’s career at UGA.

gbal

October 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm

I like that SW recognizes the problem… I hate that he feels he has to go public with it BUT…

He has a coach say9ng all is good, glad to be 6-1, and we had fun today in practice….. when all know that UGA is not poaying to their potential. This casual attitude from coaches hasnt seemed to light the fire…. It really sould have been the coaches making these stements but I am not sure AMR recognizes that there is a problem???

GO to the SC Website and isten to CSS presser after the Fla game!!! Compare it to UGA’s after SC or UK. CSS states that SC has to figure out who wants to play ball and who wants to lay around!!!! He wants to hold the players accuontable for poor performance.

IF CMR would take some action to do the same, his players may not feel the urge to handle it and wouldnt put themselves in this position to have locker room probems. Go listen to that CSS press confrence and see what you think.

NCDawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm

Shawn Williams should not have delved into who should be playing. He was quite right to have called out the defense for effort and emotion. Naming names is not something you ever want to do. As for the coaches blaming players… if you coach them what to do and they don’t do it, who’s fault is it? You can’t make someone do what you tell them to do. You can threaten and punish but if they choose not to listen then you are stuck. All you can do is bench them and with our depleted depth that is tough to do.
Some people mistaken emotion and intensity with playing dirty. It is not the same thing. You want a player to be focused and play hard but also within the rules. That last Kentucky drive would have amounted to nothing without the personal fouls. We kept the drive alive and provided momentum to the other team. That is not what we want. We want crushing hits and aggravating 1/2 yard runs. College football is about momentum shifts. Bama plays with great intensity under control. They stifle momentum by not setting the ball rolling. Turn overs, big plays, penalties all can start the ball rolling. I want controlled fury from our defense.. not cheap shots and stupid penalties.

Boise Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm

I don’t recall the D playing all that well against Missouri. Yes, Jarivs made two big plays late in the 4th quarter, but I recall a lot of yards and points being given up in the 3rd. I think you are thinking of the Vandy game, which I would argue was Georgia’s best game on defense.

NCDawg

October 23rd, 2012
2:55 pm

You idiots still complaining about Bobo’s predictable offense… it doesn’t matter what you run… if the line doesn’t block it looks stupid. If you can call a better game then get out there and start coaching. Maybe one day you can be the supposedly overpaid coach that everyone is ragging on because you called the right play and it wasn’t executed.

TN Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
3:04 pm

Considering how they’ve been playing – what have they got to lose. Giving up 250 yards of rushing to Kentucky kinda puts you near rock bottom. Besides, it’s not like the public can’t see they’re really playing poorly so motivate publicly. Motivating privately isn’t working very well.

Scott Lakatos

October 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm

I love the picture of shawn trying to come up from 6yds deep in the end zone to make a tackle. Way to fly to the ball buddy. Trying running to the receiver when the balls in the air next time.

gbal

October 23rd, 2012
3:19 pm

Reality

October 23rd, 2012
3:21 pm

So, Bill, I see you’re blocking Gator fans who make intelligent points that can’t be disputed.

Way to man up.

Dog4Life

October 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm

Hopefully this is a wake up call and a sense of urgency for Jacksonville. AS an earlier poster posted, it would be devastating if if were the proverbial straw creating a loss of the locker room. Just remember this, “nothing so focuses the mind through the night than certain death the next morning.” If we are focused and ready to play, we can beat the gators, if not–oh, well.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm

Im just glad to see we have one individual on this UGA football team; players or coaches who is upset about the how the team is playing.

I thought the coaches would have done this but I guess they are too busy making CAR commercials and reading New York Times best selling books like ENERGY VAMPIRES

preston thompson

October 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm

Well Mr King. Now we all know what the correct way to align words now. Thanks for you assistance.

Now that that’s taken care of, it is possible Shawn’s issue with displeasing you could have to do with him feeling as though he has to do more to take up the slack. The defense has been an enigma at the least. It is a shame a player has to do what these non-coaches won’t do.

But until Richt finds he really does need a ST coach things are going to be dicey on put returns.

beanster

October 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm

NCDawg — How is it the “right” call when everybody and their mother knows what UGA is going to run. Opposing teams have said after they played us that they knew what we were doing. They knew that AM would tap the center before the snap. They knew that if a back was lined up to Murray’s right then it was a run all the way. How many times have we seen the “right” call get blown up? It isn’t player execution when the deck is stacked against you before the ball is snapped.

We have seen the same predictable plays stuffed at the LOS or worse for years. It isn’t player execution, it’s that the opposing defense knows exactly what is coming their way. And our OC sits there and scratches his head while or head coach does his best version of a statue.

00mpa L00mpa Dawg

October 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm

Maybe Shawn Williams should have said more and pointed some fingers at the sorry coaching staff. Its bout time folks get their heads out of the sand!

Swami Sez

October 23rd, 2012
3:43 pm

Dawgs have played one decent game this year and that was against Vandy.

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm

Swami

I would say the Vandy game was the best game they played in several years ;)

but hey its Vandy so big deal

Since Vince

October 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm

Maybe Shawn should have also pointed out that the dawgs should hit the practice fields till they puke and puke some more. Not having Pool parties and going to cosmic bowling courtesy of our soft Head Coach.

Hey Dumbo they still got a first down

October 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm

Our team is so undisciplined. Like thumping their chests when the opposing player still makes a first down. Grantham is a bust!

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
3:56 pm

Wait now we cant be stopping those FUN practices; they really help our team

NCDawg

October 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm

All the people complaining about posts not getting through… especially you gators that on a UGA blog and really should stick to your own… I am a Bulldog and I have had several posts that do not make it through. Some I have agreed with Bill and some I did not. He doesn’t set the filters. It may not even be filters because I rarely write anything I couldn’t say to my grandmother. So take a big fat chill… jeez people have to whine about everything these days.

Swami Sez

October 23rd, 2012
4:12 pm

Be careful what you say on homer Twit Towers blog or you will get banned. Dawg Fan or not!

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
4:24 pm

Swami

You are correct Towers blocked me for what I have no idea; I didnt cuss; threaten; or whatever just posted my same thoughts as always and he blocks me

Swami Sez

October 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm

He blocked me with my accurate predictions…… So what he is a homer.

I-DOG

October 23rd, 2012
4:41 pm

This defense has been as big a dissapointment as I can remember one being for UGA. Talent, depth, experience, and very few injuries to date so there are no excuses why the D is playing so poorly.

Some might say, “we are 6-1 and it is only one loss.” That doesn’t pass the eyeball test.

After being embarrased at South Carolina, this coaching staff and team had 2 weeks to prepare for Kentucky. This is the same Kentucky that is winless in the SEC. They are 1-6 with the lone win coming against Kent State. They lost to Western Kentucky and it is doubtful they will win ANY SEC games this year.

With 2 weeks to prepare and rest… KY carved up the UGA D on the opening drive with runs up the middle seemingly averaging 8 yards per and scoring a TD. It was the first TD that KY had scored in the FIRST QUARTER of ANY game going back over 2 years, let alone the opening drive.

KY couldn’t score in the opening quarter against Kent State, Western Kentucky, Louisville, or Arkansas and every other opponent they have faced, but they came down the field like the ‘83 Auburn team with a “powerful” ground attack and this game was very much in doubt deep in teh 4th quarter.

The excuse that Jarvis Jones didn’t play isn’t valid. We had our top 3 nose guards and all of our linebackers, but couldn’t stop the run against KY?

I don’t know what the problem is, but the performances the last two games have been travesties.

Mark Richt

October 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm

How can these boys be soft? I sing Happy Birthday to them and hug them……

Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville

October 23rd, 2012
4:57 pm

Whatever ever happened to all those screaming for these coaches to have a contract extension

TMC DAWG

October 23rd, 2012
5:30 pm

Williams is justified for calling people out. He did what a shell of a coach would not do. I for one believe that we will get run out of the stadium on sat. This is the most UNDER COACHED TEAM IN AMERICA. I AM SO TIRED OF THE FAN BASE SETTELING FOR MEDORCITY. TIME FOR CLEANING HOUSE

ZinoDawg

October 23rd, 2012
6:08 pm

Someone please pass the Marshmallows.

Gators 48
Dawgs 6

UGA Coaching Staff

October 23rd, 2012
6:37 pm

Laughing all the way to the bank and also at you stupid urchins……

Light in the loafers

October 23rd, 2012
6:41 pm

Ever notice how Aaron trots out onto the field of play?

Neutral

October 23rd, 2012
8:33 pm

Yes……like the SEC offensive player of the week!!!

HOUDAWG

October 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm

Got no problem with all Williams said. Some folks can’t handle truths, period. The TRUTH is (for whatever set of reasons), this D has played poorly almost ALL season. If this bears fruit & gets players and coaches on fire , fired up, etc., then GREAT ! It’s overdue ……..

BravesFan77

October 23rd, 2012
10:19 pm

I really hope Florida beats our boys down like the babies they are. Then I hope Grantham and CMR get the boot. Then I hope we hire someone that returns UGA football to the 7-5 program we’ve always been. THEN, and only then you people will realize that CMR was probably better than you thought he was.

Oh, don’t be surprised to see a Uniform Change this week. Sounds like they are calling for snow in Jax this weekend.

Natureboy809

October 23rd, 2012
10:36 pm

“It’s going to be a war in Jacksonville”
Yeah, we hope it’s a war, and not a massacre.

Finally!

October 24th, 2012
6:25 am

I liked what William said , and I liked that he went public about it. All of the Dawg nation have been say the the D was soft since the beginning of the season, and all we heard was ” not to worry”From the player and coaching staff. At least someone on the ” big bad D” isn’t in denial! I agree Robinson has looked lackluster this season and so has Gillard….also so has alot of other guys this season. My point is…. Say it in the locker room probably nothing changes…but call someone out in front of the Dawg nation….. now all eyes on you buddy and you better preform. But really don’t think it will change much To late in the season, and I don’t understand why Richt and the coaching staff haven’t already done something about this soft D we have seen this Season.

Finally!

October 24th, 2012
6:34 am

I personally think we will ever see the Dawgs win the NT with Richt at HC. Yeah we will see 9-10 wins a year and maybe a Sec champ visit now and again. Which is good, but. Nothing more than that. It’s the coaches job to have these guys prepared… Mentally and physically….there is no excuse why guys should see any kind of playing time when they take plays off, and come out playing half ass! When it’s ok to do so , or when it’s aloud by the head coach….major problem because if some players can get away with it they will.

Brown Dog

October 24th, 2012
7:30 am

For the manic-depressives predicting a rout …. Florida got less than 200 yards against South Carolina last week. Your defense has a chance to keep you in the game. Your offensive line will have to win it.

ARdawg

October 24th, 2012
9:06 am

Bill
Kudos to Shawn for calling them out. It appears directed at the coaches as much as a few players. It NEEDED to be said and should have been said after the Mizzou game. When the tailgate drops, the bullshyte stops. All this talk in the press and blogs is just talk. Let’s see some play on the field. Let the playing do the talking, not the other way around

Dawg Tired

October 24th, 2012
9:27 am

“[I]f there’s dissension on the team…” Right Bill – the whole rant, especially when considered in conjuction with a wuss, i.e., one of the softies, linbacker’s public reaction, is clear and convincing evidence that there is in fact dissension on the team. But at least they are mad enough at each other to hit each other in practice for one day. I guess that is worth something, though probably not much.

Dawg Tired

October 24th, 2012
9:29 am

Of course, under-performing falls directly on the coaches, especially the head coach – he sets the tone, or lack thereof.

OrlandoDawg

October 24th, 2012
9:53 am

No one has more talent and can play with the Dawgs when they are fired up…ie…last year’s Auburn game…this year’s Vandy game…guys remember you have only 12 regular season games to showcase to the nation who you are, who we are! That’s 12 hours a year for all the work put in…PEAK in those 12 hours! It’s only 12 hours to play lights out and it’s over! 12 hours (4qtrs. @ 15 min) and out of those 12 hours you may only get into the action 50% of the time…MAKE EACH PLAY COUNT! IT’S ONLY 12 HOURS TO SHOW FOR ALL THE HARD WORK! DON’T LET US DOWN, BEAT THE GATORS!

OrlandoDawg

October 24th, 2012
9:55 am

If we lose to the Gators I will have to move out of Orlando! Please don’t make me do that!

LawDawg

October 24th, 2012
9:58 am

I’m just glad SOMEONE on the team seems to actually be disappointed in the play of the last two games. Everyone else was taking it too in stride.

BazookaJoe

October 24th, 2012
11:09 am

Flat tire (btw you might want to get that tire fixed, riding along on the rim is not good….) I think you are right – remember that was the reason/excuse used to keep Okie Lite out of the national champiuonship game last year – they lost to Iowa St, Bama lost to LSU. I think even if we were to win out, we dont get a shot unless we are the only 1 loss team (or the other 1 loss team had a similar embarrassment).

Lance

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am

Whats the difference? If they get mad and play inspired. If they don’t. it will not look much different than the weakness they have played with all year. nothing to lise

Moondawg

October 24th, 2012
12:00 pm

It’s not about playing soft or lack of emotion. Our defense can’t tackle properly. They try to deliver a hard hit hoping it will knock the runner off their feet, when they should be wrapping them up and putting them on the ground. Good defense is not about hurting the opponent. It’s about stopping their forward progress.

atl dawg

October 24th, 2012
12:33 pm

the toghest dawgs on the defense is s.williams, tree, rambo, and our corners and some time jarvis jones……c.robinson neds to get moved to scout team becaue he jus dnt have the ability to me

Hines Word

October 24th, 2012
12:42 pm

Here’s hoping Gilliard goes all Charles Jefferson in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” against FU.

That said, Alec Ogletree is the one whose manhood should be called into question. He plays like he’s scared, and that was against Kentucky jelly.

NCDawg

October 24th, 2012
2:14 pm

Ok… another of my posts didn’t make it through… SEE I am not whining about filters. It happens to me about every 5th or 6th post no matter what blog I’m on. I don’t know why but I know it isn’t Bill King or Chip Towers flipping the switch… it just happens. Deal with it folks.

NCDawg

October 24th, 2012
2:21 pm

Anyway… the post that was eaten was about this: The soft Williams is talking about is intensity…not physical softness. Tackling is a function of intensity. Stick and drive is all about intensity. Our tackling has been spotty and that corresponds directly to lack of intensity. If the guys get pumped I fully expect that the tackling will be crisper. If the tackling is crisper we won’t see 6-7 yard runs up the middle. That will be a big help.

dawgfacedboy

October 24th, 2012
3:00 pm

Bill- “Giving it all you got” does not imply laziness. Williams is accusing his colleagues of being lazy and not giving 100%. YOu can be out of a position and still be giving a 100%. They will make mistakes but laziness or lack of effort is completely different and unacceptable.

I-DOG

October 24th, 2012
3:45 pm

Braves Fan 77:

So, you don’t want to make a change of coaching staff’s because you fear going 7-5? How many times has UGA gone 7-5 in the last 30-40 years? Not many and with four different coaches.

All a coaching staff has to do with this year’s schedule is beat the teams that have less talent and they go 10-2 or 9-3 at the absolute worst.

Georgia has a 90,000 plus seat stadium, great facilities, academics are strong with an average SAT of like 1200 for all students. One more thing: UGA has the greatest recruiting advantage in the entire country.

Stephenson high school produces more D1 football players than some ENTIRE STATES do (Idaho and Colorado combined don’t produce the D-1 talent that Stephenson HS does and we lost to CO and Boise State recently)

All a coach has to do is keep a dozen of the top 20 players in the state of Georgia and they will be a top 10 class (enough talent to win 8-9 games every year with average coaching). Most of the top 20 kids in state will have grown up being Georgia fans and/or want to play within a 4-5 car or bus ride from where they live. We haven’t had recruiting problems since the early 90’s and that was mostly defensively. Heck, the 1992 team was an offensive juggernaut. If they had an average defense and hadn’t turned the ball over 5 times at home against TN, even Goff would have had a team in the national title game.

I don’t see how paying $5,000,000 or so to a coaching staff would leave us with the only option being a really bad coach who can’t beat more than 7 teams. Heck, 3 of them are gimmees this year and then add Vandy and KY and it doesn’t take the next Bear Brant to rack up 5 wins a year.

I-DOG

October 24th, 2012
3:54 pm

Brown Dog:

Nice to see some optomism. Georgia has the better roster this year, but I’m not sure we will even be in the game against FL. Nothing about the last three weeks shows us that UGA can stay on the field with a top 20 team.

On paper, I like our chances against FL. However, the game will be played in real life and that is a problem. Florida’s chances of scoring on their opening drive are about 90% unless they commit penalties or make a dumb turnover.

From there, we will likely struggle with special teams (watch how many times we don’t field a punt correctly or take the ball out of the end zone on a kickoff and lose 10-15 yards of field position.

If we get behind, we will likely throw 9 straight passes from the shotgun formation like we did against the top pash rush in the nation at South Carolina.

If we get the ball 1st and goal at the 2, we will likely try three straight passes from the shotgun like we did against Missouri since Todd Gurley isn’t much of a runner and has no nose for the endzone.

We will probably run one toss sweep out wide and it will gain 6-7 yards and we will tuck that play neatly back in the playbook where it will rest for 2-3 games so as not to be predictable.

The Rest of the SEC

October 24th, 2012
4:05 pm

Flo-Ri-Duh
October 23rd, 2012
1:16 pm

“What UGA needs this week is a lot of REPTILE DISFUNCTION!”

I agree. The only way Georgia will back into a division championship is to back into a win over Florida. If the Gators don’t defeat themselves, then they have nothing to worry about.

I-DOG

October 24th, 2012
4:15 pm

What has the coaching staff done with Malcom Mitchell?

I think we can all agree that Mitchell is a top 10 if not top 5 athlete in the country. Elibility goes by quickly and next season will be his last and he will likely be a top 10-15 draft pick just based on what he does at the combine alone.

This coaching staff moved him from offense to corner, which I don’t have a problem with given the boneheaded suspensions by our senior class of defensive backs. Then, they added punt return responsibilities and some offensive snaps and he showed that he was not prepared properly to return punts.

Then, we took him off of a struggling defense punt return and ADDED kickoff return duties as if his head wasn’t spinning enough. He has had one nice kickoff return and several hold your breath moments. I’m not sure if he has had a net positive impact on Georgia Football this season when you factor in the turnovers and other bad plays versus his contributions.

What would Boise State’s staff do with an athlete like Mitchell? Same thing or something different? All due respect to that program, but I would think he would be the single greatest athlete to ever play for Boise by a large margin. What would Oregon or USC do with him? Heck, what would Spurrier do with him?

Some of the blame for his lack of impact this season can be placed on Mitchell, but this coaching staff has misused him and they need to take responsbility for that. They only have one season left before he ooohs and aaaahs people in the NFL and the talking heads are left saying “why didn’t Georgia use him more when he was there?”

dale

October 24th, 2012
4:20 pm

It’s going to be the South Carolina game all over again. For both teams.

Ed

October 24th, 2012
4:41 pm

The Rest of the SEC

October 24th, 2012
4:44 pm

MackDaddy

October 24th, 2012
7:48 pm

EVERRYBODY ON DIS PAGE

ALL THE SAME DUDE

WITH A BUNCH OF FAKE NAMES

DON’T FALL FOR HIS FAKE NAMES.

ED = REST OF SEC = DALE

jIM

October 24th, 2012
7:48 pm

MACDADDY, SO TRUE,

ALL THESE FAKE NAMES

ALL JUST 1 PERSON ON THIS BLOG

DUH!

AJ

October 24th, 2012
7:49 pm

Yowsa
ALL THESE FAKE NAMES

Flat tire = BMO

ALL THESE FAKE NAMES

SAY SAME THING OVER AND OVER

ALL THE SAME GUY

MackDaddy

October 24th, 2012
8:01 pm

ALL THE FAKE NAMES ON THIS PAGE

ALL THE SAME GUY

HE POSTS HUNDREDS OF POSTS

ANTI UGA

TRIES TO GET TO A 100 NEGATIVE POSTS PER DAY

HE AIN’T BRIGHT

Ed

October 24th, 2012
8:34 pm

I feel disrespected as a fan having to justify my team’s dreadful defense.

Tampa Dawg

October 24th, 2012
9:22 pm

It’s a shame Shawn Williams had to step up and state the obvious. He cares more about winning than the coaching staff. This should have been the job of CMR. Why don’t you give him some of your outrageous salary MR? UGA has sent more players to the NFL in the past 5 yrs than Alabama, and what do we have to show for it? NOTHING! Imagine if Saban, Miles, or even Muschamp would have had this level of talent for the past 5 years.

joe jenkins

October 24th, 2012
10:03 pm

I blame tree and rambo for mitchell’s slow progression at WR……because of them mitchell had to spend the first 5 games DB….when he should of only been working on becoming the best WR in uga history….. I was thinking today of how good we could of been with this lineup of mitchell…t.king and bennett!! I hope bennett recovers well for next year….like i said before our running game has not been the same without him….his blocking out on the edges is surely missed

dale

October 24th, 2012
10:12 pm

It’s not even that we lose, it’s the way Georgia loses. From the opening drive against willful teams, you can see the Bulldogs know they’re beaten and accept it. And years ago, thinking Shockley vs WV and even the blackout game, the Georgia teams came back and showed some heart. Now, the team just submits as soon as they get ‘punched in the mouth’ (as the players like to say).

McGarrity has a real short fix-it-list

October 24th, 2012
10:16 pm

Bring back the Grambling Uniforms.

7576DAWG

October 25th, 2012
1:03 am

I hate for a game to be influenced by the weather but they are calling for 25 MPH winds and 80% chance of rain.

PigIron

October 25th, 2012
7:23 am

If Georgia is lucky, they’ll cancel this game. Then UGA can spend even more time being overrated in the polls.

DirtyDawg82

October 25th, 2012
6:28 pm

Well here it goes . . . Discipline and execution, that wins games. Unfortunately for our 2012 version of the Dawgs, when we play teams of lesser talent we still lack the first but execution is easier to achieve because of the talent gap. However, our records against ranked team the past four years it reflective of what happens to discipline and execution when the talent gap is minimal. It’s not that our dawg players don’t care, it is just that those ranked teams at the leadership and coaching staff level have a lower tolerance for failures in those two areas than our staff. Accordingly, the losses continue to pile up. You can change game plans and players, but culture, that is harder to change and won’t on a weeks notice. Long drive back to Georgia again I am afraid. That long drive is getting old and tiring.

Pcoladawg

October 27th, 2012
9:56 am

Need some Old Man Coaching