G-Day: Not much of a game, but there’s still a good team here
Athens — If you saw the game, be it live from Sanford Stadium or via the high-def glory of ESPN, you’re wondering how in the world Georgia is going to beat Vandy. And here, being the committed contrarian, is where I say: Relax. Georgia is going to be fine.
It’s not going to win the national championship in 2009, but it’s not going to collapse under the cannonade of verbiage emanating from little Lane Kiffin. This is a very good program that will continue to be a very good program. (And, as measures go, spring games offer zilch. Remember how awful Georgia Tech looked 12 months ago? Remember that same Tech winning between these same hedges on Nov. 29, 2008?)
Yes, Matthew Stafford is gone, and no, there’s no more Knowshon Moreno, but Georgia under Mark Richt has suffered other losses — David Greene and David Pollack and Thomas Davis and Brian VanGorder in the span of one offseason — and chugged ever onward. You know all those recruits about whom folks get so excited? They’ll keep the Bulldogs on track.
More important, Georgia learned last season that skill alone guarantees nothing. “It doesn’t matter how talented you are,” said Rennie Curran, the gifted linebacker. “We’ve definitely got talent, but it’s going to be the intangibles, the leadership, the discipline and the technique that makes this a team.”
That didn’t happen in 2008, when a multitude of penalties and three protracted defensive lapses undid the team voted No. 1 in August. Said A.J. Green, the splendiferous receiver: “We’ll be real good if we play as a team, and we’re pushing each other harder.”
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Was such urgency not in evidence a year ago? Green again: “Yeah, just a little bit, probably. We maybe believed the hype. But [not being ranked No. 1] is a better place to start — it gives you something to work for.”
Nothing happened Saturday to make Bulldog Nation stand and shout, “Hurrah!” Big deal. When you’re playing yourself, there really can’t be a winner.
Said Joe Cox, the new No. 1 quarterback: “If the offense goes up and down the field, people would be talking about how bad the defense did. It’s a grind going against each other every day in practice, and this was just the last day of it. We just did it in front of a bunch of people.”
The offense didn’t go up and down the field. There were 18 first downs made and 329 yards gained, and the game’s only touchdown came on the final snap. Cox and Logan Gray, the second-stringer, looked OK. (The early enrollee Aaron Murray looked quite good.) Lots of passes were dropped. And the great Green caught a flea-flicker from Cox on the game’s first play and then nothing else.
Again, it’s April. Were this September, the Bulldogs would have been more assiduous in the attempt to feed their best player. But September is five months off.
Is this team apt to win the SEC East? Not with Tebow and the reigning BCS titlists still sitting there, no. But these Bulldogs will build the bridge to the post-Tebow years, and it will be a sturdy structure. They’ll go 9-3 and position themselves for 2010 and beyond.
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184 comments Add your comment
casual observation
April 11th, 2009
8:00 pm
I think Georgia will surprise and be better than people think, especially with all the walking wounded that should be back. having said that here is some bad news. Cox is no Shockley as it was compared to 5th year senior. King is way overrated( at least so far). I like Gray so far, with his competiveness it seems. Not the best arm or the biggest guy, but seems to have a will to win. That’s all you need.
wreckmaniac
April 11th, 2009
8:01 pm
Wow, how exciting. Tickets for the next G Game should be $100. National
TV audience ? Why dosen’t UGA get a Notre Dame football deal from one of the major networks ? You know, all games, 10 year contract, the works.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2009
8:01 pm
As much as I’d like to stay and schmooze, I’ve got to go to Easter Vigil. I’ll check back later.
Cautiously Opptimistic
April 11th, 2009
8:06 pm
“did willie martinez miss those tackles against tech? was martinez in bad position against UF? no, our players didn’t step up, they didn’t make the plays. I m tried of you so called fans dogging WM. Give him break.”
You’re right Willie Martinez didn’t miss tackles and he wasn’t out of position BUT he sure as hell could’ve TAUGHT the players how to do those things! And if you want to put it on the players then answer this, who recruited those players in the first place? We either have great talent and poor coaching or great coaching and poor talent. We’ll find out soon enough. Every year we hear about these great recruiting classes. Hope we get back to fundamentals.
Barrie
April 11th, 2009
8:19 pm
I thought the game revealed possible answers to the many questions we’ve had. If Cox struggles, look for Gray to get a start. Running back will not be a problem. DE and DT looks to be improved. TE looked a bit more promising than in years past. I think it’s way too early to say this team won’t compete in the SEC East. UF looks to repeat, but as Chris Berman says, “that’s why they play the games.”
gp295
April 11th, 2009
8:24 pm
A good defense will win more game, thats what make champions. The dog can win 8 game on talent along, throw in if they play as a team then the sky is the limited.
Yard Dawg
April 11th, 2009
8:26 pm
You can’t get worked up about this game, folks… it’s an exhibition game… dawgs against dawgs. This game is for the fans… that’s it. Come September nobody’s gonna give a gator tail what happened in the spring game. And for all the Techies that read the UGA news more than we do… you celebrate beating us by three points in the rain after we had the most disappointing season in the Richt era… ok, great, but you are the #2 college football team in this state. That’s just the way that it is… enjoy the view. “1-2-3 National Championship” > I’d be embarassed by that if I were a jacket. Heck, I’m embarassed for you. That has to be the lamest thing I’ve heard all day. He must not have played in that game against LSU or maybe has a bad memory. He’s been drinking the cool aid.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 11th, 2009
8:29 pm
Good Day Dawgs! See you on Turkey Day weekend in Bobby Dodd on The Flats.
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 11th, 2009
8:38 pm
Wow, 13 points on that defense.
Virgina Highland Jacket
April 11th, 2009
8:39 pm
The intangible to Uga’s season is how many players will be arrested between now and August. Survey says 6 which is about normal under CMR’s tenure.
Mike T.
April 11th, 2009
8:43 pm
Aaron Murray is the future. Richt needs to bring him along ASAP. Logan Gray looked better to me than Joe Cox.
Ted Striker
April 11th, 2009
8:44 pm
Virgin Highland Jacket: Police blotter discussion is 5 clicks back. Use your mouse and right hand to get there.
Eureka! A SECOND use for your right hand!
MG
April 11th, 2009
8:45 pm
Murray looked like a beast out there. His arm strength kind of looks like stafford out there.
Mike T.
April 11th, 2009
8:46 pm
Virginia Highland Jacket, worry about your own bunch of Crooks there in Hotlanta.
WatsonOne
April 11th, 2009
8:46 pm
I’m getting a lot of negative vibes here! You people have a little faith. This is a spring game. This team is loaded with talent. 10+ wins! Go DAWGS!!
p
April 11th, 2009
8:58 pm
7-6, and we win a bowl game on a blue field.
JustCallMeChamp
April 11th, 2009
9:02 pm
Watched the game down here in Gator country and it was frankly hard to stay awake. Very sloppy,fans seemed disinterested, very ragged performance especially by the receivers. Of course Green is a good player and Troupe was decent but they better hope that Marlon Brown is the real deal or those guys will be constantly double teamed. Logan Gray showed a little flash as did the little running back out of Florida, but if you came away feeling good about that game, you really must have the Bulldog glasses on. I’ll be surprised if ESPN is back anytime soon for G-Day because even the announcers seemed subdued by it all. Of course, it’s only a spring game so you can’t take THAT much away from it, but I was looking forward to “scouting” UGA a little and came away unimpressed.
Frank
April 11th, 2009
9:02 pm
Tech sux. That is all.
THWGT
How much did UGAY Pay ESPN
April 11th, 2009
9:17 pm
To broad cast one boring spring game. Oh that’s UGAY Football for you.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
April 11th, 2009
9:20 pm
1970 Dawg … you sound like a Tech fan. Joe C is ten times the QB Joe T was.
BS Patrol
April 11th, 2009
9:21 pm
THE HORROR! THE HORROR!
Yard Dawg= Retard
April 11th, 2009
9:21 pm
he just an average mutt fan.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
April 11th, 2009
9:26 pm
Caleb King, so far, appears to be the second coming of Jasper Sanks.
Halsey
April 11th, 2009
9:27 pm
I’m not convinced Cox will be the starter all year. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence and just hasn’t shown starting quality QB play yet.
chris82_atl_ga
April 11th, 2009
9:28 pm
ppl its a sprig game, remember that we’re flying under the radar. an that alot of teams will underestimate us. an imo it’ll cost them too. need i mention that we’ll have almost all our players back and healthy by the seasons start too!!!! im just glad to see the D is looking good, just wait till we get our team fully healthy again! i see 9-10 wins this yr!
chris82_atl_ga
April 11th, 2009
9:31 pm
and we have from start to finsh imo the toughest schedule in the SEC, if not cfb again!
AtlMike
April 11th, 2009
9:34 pm
Aaron Murray should be brought along much faster. Aaron has amazing accuracy and can complete the long bombs. Check out his statistics at Plant High in Tampa. He has an amazing future at GEORGIA and will be tremendous representing UGA. He has many intangibles that will help UGA win. Coach Richt, please give him more playing time.
casual observation
April 11th, 2009
9:39 pm
To all Tech women have hairy legs and hairy arm pits
McDonough Dawg
April 11th, 2009
9:44 pm
Joe Cox and Logan Gray were AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are definitely looking at 8 – 4 at best. When the talking heads say Cox will be fine, they mean that he is average and hopefully can hang on until one of the freshmen become ready. We are in big trouble.
SAVANNAH DAWG
April 11th, 2009
9:45 pm
Some of you are so sad. You need a life, a job, a woman (or a man), You have too much time on your hands. It’s Easter………………….stop bad mouthing the Dawgs and go to church!!!!
ok, jackets
April 11th, 2009
9:47 pm
Ok, Yella jackets, even as a die hard dawg, i’ll even admit i like Johnson, from the Gsouthern days. etc. I think Tech will be a top 10 top ten team real soon. But, 1 win over the dawgs in what is it 8 or 9 years, doesn’t warrant cockiness yet. As of now. you still are # 2 in the state. just a fact.
David
April 11th, 2009
9:48 pm
people! you can not make any assumptions as to how the season will go based on this game. There was over 20 players including a lot of big time playmakers not able to play today because of injury. They will be ready for summer practice in June trust me Georgia will be a lot better than what they showed today
GO DAWGS!!!!
john
April 11th, 2009
9:50 pm
Murray is the best QB of the group. Mettenberger will be redshirted I believe. Cox is better than Joe T.. true, but big whoopee cause everybody is better than Joe T.
Cox will be the Field General unless he puts Richt in the unenviable position of having to put him on the bench because of some key losses…much like the Joe T fiasco, in other words.
It was a typical Spring game, imo. >yawn<
But, with Boobo and martinez at the helm, it doesn’t matter what’s on the field cause these two goofs are going to screw things up.
Jim in Athens
April 11th, 2009
9:51 pm
Yes Murray was impressive in limited duty. Made some terriffic throws. But Herbstreit alluded to him getting passes blocked at LOS and suggested the coaches need to get creative for him to have some lanes to throw. Possibly rolling out some. But Murray is a highschool QB who made a few throws in a scrimmage against 2nd string players. He won’t RS like the kid from Watkinsville. But don’t expect to see him against SEC teams in his frosh year. It’s way over the kid’s intellect. Stop the whining when Cox starts. You don’t win in the SEC with a frosh.
Joe Cox was steady & won’t lose a game. Logan shows some promise & could get increased PT this season. One of those two will lead Georgia in 2009.
Caleb King as the main RB….WTF. King has to be the most overrated Georgia player by the AJC. He looked great against private school talent. Were in for a long season with this kid. Carlton had his moments.
Look for Green to be doubled after watching today’s film. Where has the talent gone at WR & TE???
Defense looked good today. I’m still concerned with Martinez at the helm. Richt won’t be able to save him if he has 2008 type performance again this year. Talented LB’s. I would get excited about the sacks today, except the blocking was iffy. Was it great DE play or shoddy OT’s?
PK had a 51 yarder, nuff said. Anyone know how Sir Butler looked?
heeldawg
April 11th, 2009
9:53 pm
Ahh, the spring game. It’s like fool’s gold–looks like the real thing, in a way, but it’s really not worth a lot.
The Dawgs will be fine. Caleb isn’t Moreno, but who is? Samuel (all 6′2″, 225 pounds of him) will be back in the fall, and Thomas will be a nice change of pace.
It’s good that the defense dominated. That’s the kind of performance we need to win in the SEC–an ability to stop folks. Offense will only get you so far, and that comes with time and repetition (and a full complement of offensive linemen).
Tech fans are delusional if they think Tech will win the BCS title next season, Tech won’t in the ACC–they’ll lose to UNC, among others. Again. And Georgia will take care of the Jackets in the ATL.
The game means nothing. Dawgs will be fine next year. And to the guy who says that Georgia will be “no better than last year,” I’ll take 10-3 with this schedule any day.
richard glover
April 11th, 2009
9:55 pm
everyone just chill out, i was at the game and it was what it was a gloifed practice, you can not take any thing from this game. cox will be fine and what richt will likely do is use cox and gray like he used greene and shockley getting gray in the each game a couple of series a game to help him in 2010, to all you know it all’s just quit makeing an *ss of yourself’s. richt has the players to win dogs go 9-3 or 10-2. for all you cox hater’s out there one player does not win game it takes a whole team offense and defense working together. red and black til i die loyal to the end GO DAWGS
The Big Bug
April 11th, 2009
10:35 pm
10-win seasons are in the rear view mirror for the next few decades at least.
Dawg For Life
April 11th, 2009
10:37 pm
Really how can anyone judge the season based on what people have correctly stated is a glorified practice game? Especially when you have players out like Trinton Sturdivant, Vince Vance, Josh Davis, Bruce Figgins, Jeff Owens, Demarcus Dobbs, Roderick Battle, and Richard Samuel…Not to mention the Freshmen coming in this Fall? The receivers dropping sure passes was disheartening to see again and needs to improve by the Fall…
More of the Same
April 11th, 2009
10:50 pm
I know one thing…. these guys need to hit the weight room. Our strength and conditioning really lacks. Some of our players look like they have scurvy. BTW Even the ESPN people were not impressed with the dawgs today. Some of these fans are the sames ones last year wearing the rose colored glasses and drinking kool aid as usual while making the same old excuses. Ive heard it before…. its just a spring game, we have folks injured and they will be back this fall,and we have newcomers in the fall bwah bwah bwah…. SOS! These coaches are buffoons and cannot recruit players to catch a football. Yeah everything is gonna be ok, its the SOS…..
BS Patrol
April 11th, 2009
10:57 pm
There you go Mark, Polish that turd!
mike b
April 11th, 2009
11:12 pm
If Ga. had Stafford and no Moreno they would be a 500 team..Stafford was over rated ,plain and simple thats why the NFL scouts are unsure….no decent back for ga..big problem,you can win without a nice back…..they dont recruit the best athelete…hell most of the best player go elsewhere florida st.,auburn,tenn….you can win a championship without speed on the offense… or return man or just as a playmaker…we dont get those kind of guys..they are known as game breakers…cant win a ring without them…This will be the dogs worst yr in a while….unless there is a sleeper on D or O….SORRY
S.E. Dawg
April 11th, 2009
11:13 pm
Been to several spring g-day games and this one is no different than the others. With the game on national TV the coaches are going to keep it low key, vanilla if you will. You’re not going to show your A-game because you have your competition watching. The coaches keep it simple to allow the younger players to learn and develop. With all respect to Mark Bradely, I think it’s a little early to predict anything. Only one think that concerned me was the dropped balls by the receivers. Let’s hope that Marlon Brown can learn quickly but like I said it’s only a spring game and way to early to tell.
SamoanDawg
April 11th, 2009
11:23 pm
Omg, some of you already criticized and it’s only a spring game. goodnight! relax! y’all will see a different O and D when we get most of injury starters by fall camp.
All QBs looked good. Logan placed the ball well. Joe will do just fine.. he’s better than Joe Terenshinski. Cox will lead us to Stillwater.. we should beat the Pokies.
No one stood out at RB… it’s still open. I think Samuel will be the starter and Carlton rotating in.. Caleb King will be a role player, imo. Jackson will be lost in the shuffle, he was very rusty coming back from injuries.. fumbled the exchanges couple of times.
Other than that, it was was a nice day!
son_sir
April 11th, 2009
11:26 pm
Come on Bark Madly ! Tech was learning an entirely new system last year. Mighty lean analogy. And to even include a link ! Whatever makes you and the nad lickers feel good….. Fact is, the void left by Stafford, Moreno, and MoMass is all too glaring.
BTW, The GT high school offense was just partially installed at last year’s Dwyer/Jones Track Meet. Good Luck this fall and may God be with you in Jacksonville.
AltamahaDawg
April 11th, 2009
11:43 pm
I dont think we are likely to use 4 different QBs during an actually game. relax folks.
Denver Dog
April 12th, 2009
12:06 am
The dogs looked pretty good. If anyone thought they would see a track meet, or flag football pass game they were surely disappointed. The coaches saw a lott of defense making good plays, and alot of offense making good plays. Good running backs are made great by good lines. Good db’s are made great by good d-lines. Special teams looked good. Did anyone jump out at me? Aaron Murray and Logan Gray on offense, and the Evans, and Houston on Defense. It is along time til Ok State, UGA is going to be real good, but they have to get through a couple of tough road games, and then they will go fast and long.
Go Dawgs
CHill Dawg
April 12th, 2009
12:10 am
Logan Gray looked awesome, I really hope he gets some playing time and loyalty doesn’t keep him from doing so.
GT4Life
April 12th, 2009
12:25 am
A few observations from a college football fan (who likes the Jackets above all others):
Joe Cox will be a good QB for UGA if he can survive the 1st couple of games unscathed. I really think that Logan Gray will be a better QB and is more talented than JC. He has shown himself to be just as accurate as Cox with the added dimension of his running abilities. The kid Murray looks like the star of the future at QB with Mettenberger holding the clip board. Mettenberger looks like a kid whose mom’s affiliation with the school got him the hype and the schollie to attend UGA.
Caleb King does not look like the runner that he was destined to become. He may still have it in him but it doesn’t look like it. I think the RB position will win/lose more games for UGA than the QB position. RB doesn’t look to have a true star but it’s still early…maybe Samuel will wrestle the reins from King.
See you all Thanksgiving weekend and good luck!
GO JACKETS!!!
St Louis Dawg
April 12th, 2009
12:31 am
Richt’s comments on Cox sounds like a replay of what we heard 4 years ago when JoeT was clearly the number one QB going into the Summer. I think a couple of posters summed up my thoughts earlier. If Marlon Brown is not ready we are in big trouble as AJ will see double coverage every game. The lack of a running game is what could be Cox’s downfall. I understand that JoeT (Joey) has paid his dues and his team mates really respect him and his leadership, but Cox lacks the ability to stretch the defense and without a solid running game he will be exposed early. Looks like a disappointing year to me and what’s up with the poor recruiting start on 2010? The two that verbaled today will ensure UGA does not have a top 5 class next year. We seem to be reaching early this year.
Billy
April 12th, 2009
12:59 am
Im a die hard DAWG and always will be. I was really impressed with our DE play and I see a strong future in Logan Gray and especially Aaron White. This kid is 3 months from a devastating injury and playing H.S. football, and he didnt looked like he was comfortable in the game. I hope his height does not become a problem. Im not a pro, but I played ball for 11 years in Warner Robins. I cant see how every year we have so many problems catching the ball. Between Coaching and these gloves they wear, I cannot believe it. If you have never used them, these gloves aqre so good and stick so well to a ball that its CRAZY to think we have this problem. And I could be way off base, But I wonder is Caleb King scared when he runs the ball. Im not saying it in a silly way, but I have played with guys that were scared to get hit and he reminds me of that. Just my opinion. Im ready for Sept. We have a long hard year ahead. Tougher schedule than last year.