For Bulldog Nation, 2009 promises to be a holding action
Mark Richt seeks to exhort the masses by going to Fist City. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The mood was as sedate as is possible in a ballroom containing 1,000 or so barking human beings. There was anticipation, yes, but the annual meeting of the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club always brings anticipation. What was lacking at the Cobb Galleria this July was the sense that Georgia’s time is at hand.
Because, to be blunt, it probably isn’t. The Bulldogs will play football this fall in a division that houses the reigning national champion, which is also the prohibitive choice to retain its title. A year ago the Bulldogs sat preseason No. 1 for the first time in school history, but the 2009 team seems properly slotted somewhere in the second 10.
This won’t be a bad team. (Mark Richt has never had anything close to a bad team.) Neither does it seem a champion-in-waiting. It has a new quarterback and a new tailback and the same defensive coordinator, though Willie Martinez has gotten a co-coordinator in John Jancek. Also different is the air of expectancy. This time there isn’t one.
Most summers since 2002 have been filled with Georgia optimism, Georgia bluster (from fans if not Richt), Georgia manifest destiny. That’s what happens when a new coach arrives and wins three division titles and two SEC championships. His constituency comes to believe anything is possible, and for most of that time anything was. But 2009 has been all but conceded to the repellent reptiles.
Yes, the first question to Richt from the audience had to do with “stomping the Gators” and it drew the expected cheer, but there was no passion behind it. Even as Richt was saying, “We’ve never gone into a game thinking we’re not going to win it,” the game in Jacksonville on Halloween already seems a bridge too far. If you couldn’t beat Florida in 2008 with Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, are you apt to do with Joe Cox and Caleb King?
That said, we shouldn’t confuse this season of presumed retrenching with those two angst-ridden decades that spanned Vince Dooley’s last SEC title and Richt’s first. Bulldog backers believe in Richt in a way they never believed in Ray Goff or Jim Donnan, and for good reason: Richt has proved he can win at the highest level of the nation’s finest conference, and there’s no reason to think he won’t again soon.
Loading ...Tim Tebow has one year of eligibility remaining. Shrewd as he is, Urban Meyer will never find another Tebow. (Has Georgia found another Herschel?) To use a Meyer expression, the checkers will be equal — or at least more equal — when Georgia and Florida meet in 2010. And now for the really good news: There seems no other school in the SEC East apt to trouble the top two anytime soon.
Kentucky and Vanderbilt are just happy to have the occasional winning seasons. The threat of Spurrier in Columbia has all but subsided. And Lane Kiffin might be able to recruit players to Tennessee but will have to coach them once there, lest he become a brasher Ron Zook. We can believe the Vols are back only when they beat somebody on an autumn Saturday, not a Wednesday in February.
If this sounds like cold consolation to Georgia folks — your team is still good but not quite great — it really shouldn’t. The Bulldogs aren’t going away. Last season didn’t turn out as planned (not that 10-3 can ever be dismissed) and this one wouldn’t appear to be a great leap forward, but there’s always 2010. Tim Tebow won’t be around then. But Mark Richt will be.
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141 comments Add your comment
Gen Neyland
July 28th, 2009
8:18 pm
Cuz : With CLK having some roots laid down at USC West, I gotta believe a win over UCLA in 2009 will be demanded by him…
Wes Stansbury
July 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
Mark, watch the games – you can do your retraction after GA-FL game.
AltamahaDawg
July 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
Kade Weston was hurt over half the season, and Tyson was a freshman. Actually UGA was at least middle of the pack in stopping the run last year, even with a partial crew, so obviusly there is reason to be encouraged. .
Buddy El
July 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE? MB HAS A JOB TO DO AND DOES IT. TO WHINE THAT HE DISSES THE DAWGS IS BULLSH*T. tHERE HAS NEVER BEEN TWO PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET OR ANY OTHER PLANET THAT SAW EVERYTHING EXACTLY ALIKE. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET A LIFE. IT IS JUST ONE MAN’S OPINION ABOUT A GAME.
DOOLEY………….IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MORE THAN 100% FROM ANYONE/ANYTHING.
jarvis
July 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
Somebody needs to spray Coach Richt with some SPF 50 before he gets a melanoma on his melon.
DOGGIE IN NC
July 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Da Richt gets richer – Doggies win it all! Ok, so I’m dreaming, so what. Stranger things have happened – Obama won, didn’t he? GO DOGGIES!
Gravy Train
July 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
Some of you all are dense and need to get your heads out of your keesters. Mark was just ribbing on “the Urban Cryer” yesterday. He’s also taken jabs at the immortal Tebow. Bradley doesn’t have a dog in this fight, except to maybe get it right with his picks. Let’s face it, Florida is a good program with a dirty coach and a seeming awsome QB. Here’s the kicker, if we’ve beaten them once, we can do it again.
Keep doing your thing Mark. But you are wrong about Tech and Texas. The SEC Champ will win the whole thing again. Defense wins championships. The D of Tech and Texas are very suspect.
FL Dawg
July 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
I’m tired of hearing all the negative comments about UGA. UGA has all the potential in the world. I can’t wait for the season to begin.
Gravy Train
July 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
They made Bradford look like a rag doll. Is Colt and Co. gonna be able to stop that train?
Awwwwwwwwwww Yeah
July 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
It amazes me that people can get so angry with others’ opinions. Loyalty is instilled. Blind loyalty and childish bickering is ridiculous. In any sport, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. However, there are some common ingredients required to be successful regardless of the sport (or level). In football, it is the offensive and defensive lines’ performance,cohesiveness, and depth. Finesse, might be Georgia’s style (per Mr. Bradley). If that’s the case, finesse is nothing but fizzle without manipulating the line of scrimmage. Flavored water might be someone’s “style”, but it has to have hydrogen and oxygen. Some things are fact despite the well written and fervent opinions of others. Go Dawgs. Smack em in the mouth
Awwwwwwwwwww Yeah
July 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
Wow. I was so proud of my articulate (although lengthy for me) response, but it got lost in cyberspace. Boils down to this: other people’s opinions never make me angry. There are many ways to be successful (style or scheme) regardless of the sport. However, there are some common ingredients that are sport specific that must be present for success. In football (at all levels), it is manipulating the line of scrimmage. Finesse may be our style (debatable of course), but it won’t be anything but fizzle without a cohesive offensive and defensive line. Opinion has no bearing on this issue. Go Dawgs! Smack em in the mouth!!!
UGA Grad '08
July 28th, 2009
11:30 pm
Altamaha Dog I stand corrected, UGA was 6th in the SEC and 27th in the nation last year in rushing defense at 122 yards a game. (i think 3.6 yds a carry) I’m still skeptical that having one good DT back is going to change that much on our defense but I would LOVE to be pleasantly surprised.
Denver Dog
July 29th, 2009
12:04 am
Roll Tide, why is it that UGA didn’t have a problem with the WAC team we faced? Ok lost, Bama lost. My guess is that it was all coaching, or was it all timing. I’m tired of hearing about this team would’ve beaten that team or any team. The bottom line was Bama lost a couple of games, to good teams, UGA lost a couple of games to good teams, and you know what? IT WAS ALL LAST YEAR! It is time to understand that this is next year
Jay in VA
July 29th, 2009
7:02 am
Many are getting way too manic depressive about a sport and season that should be fun for those of us who spectate. Too up last year, too down this year. Preseason chatter is always rendered meaningless when the bands start playing and helmets and pads start clashing. Let’s celebrate the coming of a new football season, and see what happens on the field. Football is it’s own reward. Go Dawgs!
Mike
July 29th, 2009
8:12 am
Hey Roll Tide…..tell me more about last years Sugar Bowl or in the case of Blama- Sugar Blowout
warhorse
July 29th, 2009
8:19 am
the mantra of every pup fan I know is “Wait until Tebow leaves.” Sounds like the fans have mailed in the season. Wonder if this has any effect on the poodle players? Will be funny next year to see pup fans counting the days until John Brantley leaves.
third quarter fan
July 29th, 2009
8:31 am
To Mister Ed; UG always wins after an open date….just ask anyone at Drooly Day last year…all 93000 ofum.
bettingman
July 29th, 2009
8:38 am
All I read about is Tebow Tebow Tebow…what everyone seems to be missing is Florida’a Defense is going to be unbelievable this year! They bring back 21 of the top 22 players, many of them future NFL players. This defense is going to be one of the greatest in the last 20-25 years in college football, like some of those great Miami units of the 90’s…I dont think they give up more than 6 or 7 points a game, as they can substitute freely and dont lose a thing with the 2nd unit. I dont think there is anyway they get beat this year, just too talented on defense. And even with injuries or an off day, when you have a 2 deep defense like they do, they just wont give up any points. And their offense will always put up at least 20 points, even on its worst day. Just my thoughts on the Florida team for the upcoming season.
Georgia News - 7/29/09 | MrSEC.com
July 29th, 2009
10:18 am
[...] Georgia opens the season at Oklahoma State… a team that views itself as an equal of Oklahoma and Texas.Mark Richt has moved all of his players’ workouts into the heat of the day and out of the early morning hours.Richt says that if he ran the NCAA, each school would be forced to take a two-week break from recruiting at some point during the summer.Mark Bradley of The AJC writes that the sense around Georgia is that this year’s Bulldog squad will be good but not great. And that’s caused a decrease in fan passion. [...]
HH
July 29th, 2009
10:47 am
The only way that UGA will beat UF more then once every five years is to go out and find a coach and a staff that can do it. Richt & Co can’t do it.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
July 29th, 2009
10:52 am
Okie State is the 1st game, on the road, and ranked #10 in the nation…. concentrate on that – UF is way off.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
July 29th, 2009
10:56 am
Tebow doesn’t make Florida great, Urban Meyer doesn’t make Florida great – it is Charlie Strong and the defense. Word is that if Urban Meyer doesn’t take the Notre Dame next year the head coaching job will be offered to Charlie Strong! If that is true it will be a major blow to urban Meyer and his recruiting efforts and don’t believe that Urban Meyer isn’t concerned about losing Charlie Strong.
Dawg Tired
July 29th, 2009
11:32 am
Mark – All I know is if Joe COx had been put in the game against FL while the game was still within reach, the result may well have been much better. Score 14-7; UGA on the move to tie game in 2nd half; Stafford throws terrible pass; FL intercepts; Stafford never same rest of game. I was begging for Cox to enter game. May not have made any differecne, but who knows? I submit we lost the Fl game because of Stafford. So, in my opinion, your premise of we couldn’t beat FL with Stafford and Moreno means we can’t beat them without them is terribly flawed.
Mike
July 29th, 2009
12:02 pm
Roll Tide: You Blama guys always seem to know the score at the half from reading these blogs…tell me Roll Tide: What was the score of the Sugar Bowl- AT THE HALF??? Thanks for embarrassing the conference
Arthur House
July 29th, 2009
12:30 pm
We beat Tebow in his sophomore season. We can beat him in his senior season. As a freshman Tebow helped Florida but they won the title because of other players Florida had. last year Florida had other great players. Tebow is great but needs others aroundhim, Looks like he has them again but can they play as well or better than last year maybe, maybe not. We were in the game in 2008 until the interception at the start of the second half. Then it looked like we lay down like whipped pups. It didn’t help that in the first half Richt sent the message that we could no beat Florida headup when he went for the stupid on side kick. Show your team you believe in them. Go DAWGS!
Jimbo
July 29th, 2009
12:32 pm
UGA still has more to pay for that classless endzone celebration Richt orchestrated in 2007. Look for Meyer to be calling more timeouts to prolong the “experience” for CMR in yet another lopsided Gator win this year. Kiffin will also be learning the same lesson Richt was taught…don’t screw with the Gators and don’t piss off Urban Meyer.
Jeff
July 29th, 2009
1:32 pm
Jimbo- you’re an IDIOT. Trust me when i say FLA will pay dearly for the timeouts…….trust me dirt bag……just watch and see this year in Jax. ohhhhhh….we’re all sooooo scared of UF and Urban. Jimbo you are a piece of
Joe
July 29th, 2009
1:33 pm
Jimbo….Ole Miss dude here…..think we screwed with Upchuck and his BOYS…….Ole Miss 31 National Champions (ha) 30
Steve
July 29th, 2009
1:35 pm
Talk to me Jimbo UM 31 UF 30. Did Urban and Teblow get upset?? Guess so, watching Teblow cry after was a sight to behold!
jerry
July 29th, 2009
3:22 pm
POLL: If it would get his a$$ run off. would you be willing to see the Cowboys hang half a hundred on Willie?
jerry
July 29th, 2009
3:25 pm
POLL: Would you give half a hundred to buy Bradley a one way ticket out of Dodge?
Jimbo
July 29th, 2009
5:47 pm
Sorry, Jeff. Don’t forget the game is in Jacksonville. All you little neutered pups have been crying that it’s too hot to play there, it’s too far away, it gets dark at night… Every excuse other than UF has better talent and better coaching. And that gap is only wider this year. So CMR can pout about timeouts all he wants and Joe “Tiny Tool” Cox can throw a temper tantrum at midfield, but you’re going to get PUNKED again.
Joe, Steve: Nice win for UM last year. GREAT win in your bowl game. Hope we get to play you in the SECCG this year. Upset last year? About the loss? Yes. About anything your coach or players did? Absolutely not. you guys conducted yourself with class. CMR should take notes.
Camden Mark
July 29th, 2009
6:58 pm
UF could very well win out this year.With thay wimpy schedual Vandy would have a chance.
But with the SI curse,the preseason no. 1 curse and making excuses to defend thier lame schedual I think, snake bit.
They will lose 2 (LSU,GA) on bad jojo (karma?) alone.
This years UGA team on the other hand looks much better than last years to me.Short on “star” power but much more solide and stable across the roster.This team will surprise a few folks,starting on 5 Sept.
BruffDawg
July 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
Agreed. UGA will stun some people this year. Willie knows OKST is his job. Jan will be d-cord. if they score more than 30. They won’t we win 35-17. No hype lots of heart. Fla doesn’t want it anymore, thats why nobody repeats. Get ready UF. Halloween approaches and stranger things have happened on that day. UGA 38 UF 35 in a “spooky” game.
Bill E. Goat
July 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Comedy….Talking smack to a team that kicks your tails in. Now you guys know what it’s like to be Tech fans. A fluke win here or there goes a long way.
I also remember when these AJC blogs began around 2002 and how you UGA fans cried up and down the streets of Atlanta that you would now beat UF since Spurrier was gone.Even with Ron Zook at the helm you couldn’t even beat him until a week after he got a pink slip.
So if UF does kick your tails again and wins every game and the National Title you’ll all be here talking smack like Tech fans do that gets laughed at because it’s so damn funny to hear. You’ll make up stuff about how that mean Urban Meyer is a dirty coach and run around acting as if Tebow graduating means he’s taken with him the players that will be Jrs. and Srs. for UF next year that were more highly ranked as recruits than UGA’s. Get a grip, a life and a clue. In the meantime it’s always fun listening to your false bravado when it comes to UF. You should become UT fans, you’d fit in great with Lane Kiffin…
dan
July 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
Mark,
Texas has the talent to beat Florida, and I think Colt Brennan and the Texas offense would be a good match-up to the Gator defense. But the Texas Offense would have to get a LOT tougher mentally to beat Tebow and Co. on offense.The Longhorn defense had a tough time with Ohio State for Godsakes!
dan
July 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
whoops, I meant to say Colt McCoy not Colt Brennan. My bad!
BIGBOY
July 29th, 2009
10:08 pm
The thing about college football that’s so great is that each season is full of surprise,disappointment and everything in between..who knew that Fla and LSU would go 8-5 after winning NC’s?I don’t know of ANY sportswriters,publications or bloggers who were out front predicting that fact!Every year is different…the best we can do is see how well we’ve ..addressed our weaknesses,developed an effective gameplan maximizing our strengths and molded all the new and returning players together as a team.The staff will have around 20 very talented,highly regarded kids to work with who didn’t play last year(injured/freshman true/rs,)…that’s a lot of talent added to the kids we have coming back.We should be fine and looking at next year’s group of recruits.. it looks to me that Mark Richt is setting the table for another run at the top of the league
Mark Bradley
July 29th, 2009
10:14 pm
Actually, I just finished writing something about Mark Richt. It should show up around 7 a.m. Thursday. Willie Martinez’s name is mentioned.
Oh, and thanks, Gravy Train.
macrotech
July 31st, 2009
8:51 pm
Bill E. Goat, YOU’RE the comedic relief here….if you think that the sun is going to keep shining on your hind parts forever, then you’re not comedic…you’re the saddest thing I’ve ever seen dribbling on these blogs! Your gators have had a solid run lately….but, this won’t always be the case. They will find themselves back in their little place of insignificance and you’ll have nothing to say other than, “I remember the good ol’ days”…..bet it won’t be on any blogs, though!
Roland Daniel
August 3rd, 2009
9:48 am
Of course we have a chance for BCS championship. Top 10 program, Top 10 Coasch, Top 10 athelets. It won’t hurt (as much) without Matthew because Cox is a firey leader. Some players repond better to that. It will be special teams that make the difference. Can we kick it off into the end zone consistently? Coastal Dawg, St. Simons Island