There’s something missing at UGA, and it isn’t talent
Athens – Mark Richt admitted it himself: Something’s missing.
Speaking of his offensive linemen, he said Tuesday: “I don’t know if we weren’t as intense as much as we didn’t play with the speed we needed. They played pretty hard, but they can play harder. We want to see a little more fire. They gave good effort, but they can give great effort.”
Think about that. A key unit of a Georgia team that was opening its season on the road against a Top 10 opponent didn’t, as coaches are forever urging, leave it all on the field. Could we have said the same of any part of a Georgia team in 2002 or 2005? Hasn’t playing hard been a staple of Georgia football since Ben Zambiasi was throwing up before every game?
No, something’s missing. If recruiting rankings are to be believed, it isn’t talent. Georgia should have better players now than it did in 2002 because Richt has had nine years to build. But if the offensive line isn’t going full-tilt — and an offensive line is generally a barometer of a team’s mood — in such a massive game, isn’t that the strongest evidence this program has lost its edge?
The Bulldogs got the start they needed in Stillwater — they drove 80 yards to a touchdown on their first possession — and had the game going their way deep into the second quarter. They were outscored 24-3 over the final 33 minutes. They made three first downs the fourth quarter. Richt chose to punt on fourth-and-11 trailing by two touchdowns with 6 1/2 minutes left.
We contrast that to the road victories on which Richt made his reputation — at Tennessee in 2001 and 2003 and 2005, at Alabama in 2002 and 2007, at Auburn in 2002 and 2006, at South Carolina in 2002 and 2004 — and we realize Georgia hadn’t really fizzled in an opponent’s stadium since the trip to Tennessee in 2007. That game told Richt something was indeed amiss, and the lack of enthusiasm in Knoxville begat the famous end-zone stomp in Jacksonville.
This was supposed to be a tougher and more cohesive Georgia team. It was supposed to feed off its red-headed quarterback and prove to the watching world UGA cannot be discounted just because it lost some big names to the pros. But the fire died over the final three quarters Saturday. It wasn’t a go-down-swinging loss like at LSU in 2003; it was simply a workmanlike defeat.
Loading ...And that’s not a compliment. A team doesn’t have to be outrageously gifted to give maximum effort. The 2002 team wasn’t outrageously gifted, but we recall Jon Stinchcomb — an offensive lineman, wouldn’t you know? — making the impassioned halftime speech that cold day at Auburn and then falling on the fumble in the end zone that touched off the epic comeback.
Richt said Tuesday he was looking forward to the Sanford Stadium crowd to get his team juiced for the now-pivotal South Carolina game, but Georgia was once able to carry the requisite juice wherever it went. It wasn’t that the Bulldogs lost a season opener for the first time under Richt that was troubling; it was that the loss seemed so readily accepted. Put bluntly, that’s not Georgia football.
And if it takes another penalized end-zone dance for this team to remember who it is and what it represents, then I say, “Dance away, Dawgs.” Because if this is to be a true Georgia season, something needs to change.
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840 comments Add your comment
Tom
September 9th, 2009
10:04 am
Waldo?
Correct...
September 9th, 2009
10:08 am
…and the missing something is called coaching – as I wrote elsewhere, look at Kyle Willingham at Utah, Peterson at Boise State, Meyer, Carroll, Saban, Kelly at Cincy, and even Johnson at Tech if you want to see what real coaching looks like!
If UGA loses to SC they are staring at 0-6 and possibly 1-11 square in the face!
Matt
September 9th, 2009
10:10 am
I agree Mark. If recruting services are even half right then talent should be the problem. What is missing? Coaches stepping up? Unable to motivate the players? Is Bobo really an SEC playcaller? Does more need to fall on Martinez than most are willing to put on him? How many years do we need to see receivers drop passes? I’m not a football coach, not my job to answer these questions. Something obviously needs to change.
Soulja Boy
September 9th, 2009
10:11 am
Richt’s undoing was the unsportsmanlike end zone dance. He will pay for it again this year when UF runs up the score. The “entitled attitude” of Richt’s teams and the lack of sportsmanship and discipline will never produce championship teams.
dandydawg
September 9th, 2009
10:11 am
Here you go again Bradley.
Stick this in your cornpipe and smoke it. Mark Richt isn’t even the best coach in this state! That infuriates me! Why should that damn school in Atlanta have a better coach when we are THE football factory here?
Get rid of Mark Richt, send him packing to FSU. Bring in Phil Fulmer or Norm Chow. NOW!
Cuz
September 9th, 2009
10:12 am
The “it” factor.
ugajersey.com
September 9th, 2009
10:13 am
I’ll tell you what Georgia is lacking. Georgia is lacking more fans with dogs sporting their new EXACT Replica of Uga VII’s jersey. Well, now you can help solve Georgia’s biggest concern by going to http://www.ugajersey.com and buying your dog an Uga Replica Dog Jersey.
SSI gator
September 9th, 2009
10:14 am
Mark -
This is like beating a dead horse. Everyone knows that the coaching is mediocre at best and until that changes the situation will remain the same. UGA will remain a “good” team and on occasion get that special win.
Saint Simons
September 9th, 2009
10:14 am
(((((( 24 – 10 ))))) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
BullyMack
September 9th, 2009
10:15 am
Agreed. Heck, it seems our coaches weren’t prepared or even on the same page on gameday (ala Bobo’s playcalling to Coach Ball not even knowing Brown and Wooten didn’t play to Fabris’ stubborn kick coverage). How in the world can the players do anything but follow suit? It’s too early to claim UGA has lost it’s edge but it’s a very slippery slope. It starts with the coaches….period. We ramped it up in the offseason so I have no doubt Mark Richt will ramp it up during to season to expect more and not make excuses. Go Dawgs!
Tim
September 9th, 2009
10:15 am
My concern if for Joe Cox. Not sure how much the flu drained him and affected his play. But, when I read that he talked with AJ Green about how folks might be talking about him and the team this week, that concerned me. A leader needs to be able to not worry about what the fans and media say. He needs to KNOW that he can and will lead this team to victory. His team sees him as its leader. He needs to step up this week in practice show some passion. Hopefully, that will infect the team and not the flu bug!
Barks Madley
September 9th, 2009
10:17 am
Missing: It’s called fire in the belly. And I’d prefer no end zone dance this go round. Not sure we can afford to lose another offensive lineman. Ask Sturdivant about that bitch we call Karma.
Paddy
September 9th, 2009
10:18 am
You just know that CPJ is going to get more out of his players at GT. Thats just not right! Mark you are correct, this needs to be addressed and soon. I wish I had an answer for you but I don’t. This must come from the top and should be marked “urgent”.
SECFootball
September 9th, 2009
10:19 am
Mark…
Why don’t you also mention that Richt has never beaten a team that finished the year above #18 in the polls out of conference? NEVER!!! Sure he will occasionally have the Dawgs prepared for a mediocre LSU, Bama or Auburn team but he never beats those teams either when they are truly having great years. But he never fares well out of conference. Hawaii finished #20 something. Michigan State finished #18. Lost to GT last year that finished #21. Lost to Boston College ranked #22 in another season. Lost to WVU ranked #6. Lost to OSU that will finish in the top 25 but doubtful they will finish in the top 10. Who has UGA beaten???? Richt gets 10 win years playing 7-5 Vandy, Kentucky, Auburn, UT, GT, and a couple from the West like Ole Miss and Miss St. plus the two or three cupcakes. HE can’t coach up the team to win in the really big games that would have UGA playing someone other than the Hawaii’s and Michigan States of the world. Likely the most overrated coach in America and certainly not a top 5 coach in the SEC much less the nation.
RedKneckerson
September 9th, 2009
10:19 am
Even here in this article, and on the call in shows there is an awful lot of references to Tennessee. I heard call after call after call after Saturday’s game talking about 2002 in K’ville etc. The hosts of the show seemed to be measuring UGA’s success (or lack therof) to what the Vols have done.Does it occur to anyone else that they should be measuring themselves against the current real heavyweight in the league? Florida anyone? Florida. Also until the fans can accept that UGA is not any better of a program historically or otheriwse as a Tennesse, LSU, Bama etc. they will never be satisfied. By and large their fan base thinks they wrote the book on football dominance.
Marshall
September 9th, 2009
10:20 am
UGA, we will be OK,no, WE WILL BE GREAT! Don’t get your panties in a wad! Dawgs go 11-1 from here on out…The refs scored 14 points for Okie St. Did you not watch the game!!!?
La Jolla Dawg
September 9th, 2009
10:20 am
I agree in theory with what you have written Mark, but think we need to see another game played before theory gives way to fact.
I don’t like what Joe Cox said about not caring what fans think of his play this past Saturday, but I do think he deserves a chance to play without the lingering affects of flu before we say he has no fire in his belly. Richt, unfortunately, seems to have lost his fire/hunger/edge years ago. Yes, the end zone penalty against Florida might have been a bit much, but Richt realized (correctly) why it was needed. I fear he has retreated back to the play it safe mentality that doesn’t work in the SEC (or Div. 1A for that matter).
UGA needs to find another “finish the drill” type rallying cry. Maybe they should have John Isner address the team, that guy knows a little bit about playing with a bulldog mentality. Isner was down several times in his match against Roddick (after initially being up) and managed to remain calm and yes, finish the drill, maybe if the coaches can’t inspire the team, a UGA graduate can.
Having said that, I am willing (what choice do we have?) to see what happens Saturday night before making a more pronounced judgment. It sure does seem like we are heading for disappointment, but who knows…
dandydawg
September 9th, 2009
10:21 am
It comes down to a coach showing PRESENCE
Paul Johnson = Bill Parcells
Mark Richt = Marion Cambpell Uggh.
JB
September 9th, 2009
10:22 am
Coaching from the guys in the trench’s is the problem. Bobo and Martinez. Shannon at Miami brought in Experienced
new OC and DC’s this year. They did not look like the same team. One coach is fighting for his life, the other coach is selling carpet on TV. I hope Mark takes a look around at Tuberville and Fulmer and realizes schools want to win, and not just win Ugly. We have the players, the facilities,the money, the fan support etc. Mark needs help. He can’t coach up his coach’s. I’m sorry, but put these players under Saban or Meyer and we wouldn’t be having this conservation. It pains me to say that.The ’stay the course approach” mentality in Athens is not working. I hurt about the lost potential in Athens. Martinez REFUSED to put ANY pressure on their QB last week, rushing 3 men, with no avail. Richt, AS CEO, should have walked over and said, turn up the heat. At almost 3 mil a year and one of the most punitive ticket structures in football, we need something better.
George
September 9th, 2009
10:23 am
You nailed it. If the coaches cannot get the juices flowing (and maintain it 60 minutes) in 18 to 22 year-olds playing spoiler to a Top 10 team on national TV, the dogs are in big trouble. Turnovers and untimely penalties lost the game, but this was the chance to make a statement – and we made the wrong one.
Boise Dawg
September 9th, 2009
10:23 am
It is anybody’s guess really… but I definitely agree something seems to be missing. My guess is we are lacking those 1 or 2 really special players on offense or defense that provide that extra spark and rally others around them. In recent history we have had more of those guys on defense side of the ball ex. David Pollack, Boss Bailey … but we haven’t had very many of those types of players on offense. Moreno was probably the best example and was the spark that turned things around in 2007. Tim Tebow definitely fills that mold at Florida.
ChewDawg
September 9th, 2009
10:23 am
Hades has frozen and the devil has frostbite. For the first time in forever, I completely agree with everything Mark Bradley just said about UGA football. Wow. I can’t say I saw that coming. Great write-up Mark.
Something is missing and it starts with the head coach. I love Richt and want him to stay at UGA for the rest of his career. To do that, he’s got to become the kind-hearted SOB we need. Martinez and Bobo have been allowed to be inconsistent too long. He’s got to tell them, “I want you here, but you’ve got to get your $#!] together or you’re gone.” Defense played great on Saturday, so maybe Martinez has gotten the picture. We’ll have to see. But now it’s time for Bobo to put up or move on. I’m glad that Richt turned over the play-calling, but maybe Bobo wasn’t the right call.
At the end of the day, Richt HAS to realize that his coaches are employees paid to do a job. It’s great that he cares about them and wants to do everything to help them succeed. But at some point, if the results aren’t showing up on Saturday, it’s time to say thanks and move on to someone new.
UGA has historically been and should always be a powerhouse for football and a consistent and legitimate championship contender. We’ve got the talent, the fans, the atmosphere, and certainly the money to make it happen. I support Richt 100%, but I figure 2 more years of under-achieving is about all I can handle. If the ship isn’t righted by then, it’ll be time to say, “Thanks Coach, but we’re trying something new.”
HH
September 9th, 2009
10:24 am
Overrated and Overpaid.
Saint Simons
September 9th, 2009
10:24 am
I am a homosexual. I suck
Herschel Talker
September 9th, 2009
10:25 am
Mark Bradley:
Indeed! You are all over it! There is clearly something missing. Something that is not missing at Alabama and Florida, where talent is clearly comparable. It’s quite simple. Mark Richt has taken this program leaps and bounds beyond where Jim Donnan did (which itself was leaps and bounds beyond where Ray Goof did). However, he doesn’t have the fire and moxie. Urban Meyer has fire. Nick Saban has fire. They also have the “jerk” factor, to their credit. Richt’s wholesome, religious schtick is great for molding young men into good human beings, to his credit. But it is clearly a hindrance in taking the program to the next level. Anyone who denies this is just not looking at the facts and is not thinking impartially about the situation. What other excuse can there be for not getting up for a Top 10 team on the road? Florida was darn fired up for Charleston Southern, and Bama was darn fired up for Va Tech. Where else can the lack of fire lay but at the feet of the head coach? There’s obviously a reason why the kids at Florida and Bama are mentally sharper by far than those of UGA. And as you said, it isn’t a talent issue.
Richt is a great man and has done well, but he doesn’t have it to get to the next level. This is obvious at this point. If they stick with him, they just need to recognize that they’re hitching their wagon to a guy that will get them 10 wins a year, consistent Top 10 finishes, and an occasional sniff of the Top 3 or so. But year-in, year-out contender? I think not.
Herschel Talker
Brad in Jasper
September 9th, 2009
10:27 am
As I’ve said in previous posts, let’s see a couple more games before we throw in the towel on the 2009 Dawgs. We heard the same baloney after the UT loss in 2007 – and that didn’t turn out too badly – darn near lucked out into the SEC title game, possibly NC game with a couple of breaks (I know, candy and nuts). We have problems to be solved, no doubt. However, on the more pessimistic side, I know the nature of the business enough to know if the season turns out to be a stinker, Richt must make major changes. Otherwise, HE will be the change, and I personally don’t want that to happen. We just want the confounding problems that have trailed good UGA football to end so we can watch great UGA football. Agreed?
Herschel Talker
September 9th, 2009
10:29 am
Marshall – stop blaming the refs. That’s what losers do. Good teams don’t put themselves in position to be victimized by the refs. I don’t hear Urban Meyer or Nick Saban bitching about refs. If the refs hadn’t blown it, then maybe the Dawgs win. But that is in spite of themselves, not because of themselves. In which case, we wouldn’t be looking at the true cause of the problem here. The loss was a good thing in that it causes people such as Mark Bradley (whose writing is getting better every day) to discuss the true state of affairs.
dandydawg
September 9th, 2009
10:29 am
Does anyone really think CMR is a better coach than CPJ? I say he is not as good. And if that’s the case, should we settle for the second best coach, in this STATE?
JB
September 9th, 2009
10:30 am
Oh, but the way, we can talk about Knowson and Stafford all we want to, but bottom line, the trophy case has tumble weeds blowing through it during their stay.
TommyP
September 9th, 2009
10:30 am
It’s ONE GAME. Damn. Can we wait until a few more games to say, well, what so many are saying????
Herschel Talker
September 9th, 2009
10:32 am
TommyP: Sure, let’s wait until we’re 2-3 before we start addressing problems. Brilliant idea. I bet you also sold your stocks in March.
The Lone Trumpeter
September 9th, 2009
10:32 am
Mark,
The way that Richt was able to produce all of those road wins was by having teams that played smart. I do think that we need someone to step up and be a visual leader on defense. We need a pollack waving his arms, or a howard thumping his chest on the sidelines. The offense just needs to execute, but the defense needs to bring the fire. We now have one loss. WE MUST BEAT SC!!!! PLAY WITH URGENCY AND FIRE DEFENSE!!! GATA!!!!!
cmann
September 9th, 2009
10:35 am
What I don’t understand is how UGA could have so many top ten recruiting clases over the past 9 years and still be a team on the verge. Is it a function of ranked recruiting classes not really meaning much or coaching not taking advantage of talent?
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 9th, 2009
10:37 am
Richt is a lousy coach, great recruiter but that’s easy to do: loaning escalades, no restrictions for the thugs, etc…
These last 7 years will go down as the greatest years in fleabag history, but it’s over. 6-6 Haha. There is a new sheriff in town, and we all know his name.
Even funnier is, Joe Cox don’t care what the mutt fans think if you never played football. Maybe he’ll flip ya’ll the bird this Sat.
Take that, girls.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 9th, 2009
10:37 am
Herschel Talker likes men who like men.
wyldbill
September 9th, 2009
10:38 am
Hey, where’s that a**hole always shooting off his mouth about crime near the Tech campus? Read this morning’s news, you dimwit.
SickandTired
September 9th, 2009
10:39 am
Well it is refreshing to see that Dawg Fans are finally getting what I understood a long, long time ago. Mark Richt is not the coach you thought he was…..It should have been abundantly clear to all Dawg Fans back as far ago as 2004 that he was not the guy for the job. He was more worried about putting a smile on a backup QB’s face than he was about having just won a come from behind game against SC….from that day forward I had no faith in him…..It’s just now that people are seeing that he’s neither a tactical genius or a motivating influence on a team that he’s priviledged to coach. Eight years into his program and this is what he’s putting on the field….it seems as though he’s in a steady decline and it’s only gonna get worse….
Richt Still Sucks
September 9th, 2009
10:40 am
Oh, now all you Dawg fans are saying CMR should go. I’ve been saying this for years and so have some others, but we were beaten to death by devout Georgia fans who were delusional. Coaches that recruit much less talent do much more with it. And coaches that have the talent we have have a UGA do much more with it. Haven’t you people figured out yest that wins start at the top????
Quote of the day: “Richt Still Sucks.”
GDawg
September 9th, 2009
10:41 am
If coaching is the problem, its Richts soft heart. Once he plays Logan or Murray, he will no longer be able to defend Cox’s popcorn arm. Unfortunately Cox has no weapons – no speed, no arm strength, and Spurrier knows it!
theo
September 9th, 2009
10:42 am
Simply put, great programs retool. It seems like UGA is rebuilding every year. Is the goal to compete or win? We have been competing for 9 years, it’s time to start winning.
AngryStarFish
September 9th, 2009
10:43 am
Steve Spurrier is gonna come in to Athens and do what he always does. Out-coach our coaches. Our record might not be that bad against Spurrier at SC but he always out-coaches our coaches despite our highly superior athletes. Last year after we took a trip west of the Mississippi River we came home to an SEC team and got lit up to the tune of 31 – 0 at the half. Ole’ Steve has had a few extra days to prepare and the dawgs aren’t near as talented as the ones that outplayed Spurrier’s boys in the years passed. After a loss this weekend start Murray and Ealey, fire 95% of the coaching staff, and start over
richtfan
September 9th, 2009
10:44 am
when paul johnson wins 80% of his games consistently and can fill a stadium with over 92k, then maybe he’s close to where richt is. otherwise, he’s just another geek from north avenue in search of a slew of pocket protectors. one win in 8 years is not a trend.
Chill
September 9th, 2009
10:44 am
How is your starting RB a converted LB? Is this Georgia or some Div II school? Richt does not use his talent wisely. Georgia should be 5 deep with 4 to 5 star RBs on the roster. Samuel looks to fall down when I look at him run. Did you see the RBs at Alabama? All of them were true RBs that were physical and never look to fall down. Samuel is not even in that class. I know nothing about Caleb because we never see him on the field when it counts. The offense is too gimmicky, looking to trick it’s way up the field, instead of playing consistent balanced offense. I hate to go back to Alabama, but they have totally caught up and passed Georgia on the field and unfortunately it goes back to COACHING!!!
budfox
September 9th, 2009
10:44 am
SECFootball…UT, AUBURN, GT and the other West randoms are not cupcake teams. No matter what you think Hawaii was undefeated and we ended up second in the country!
Johnny Test
September 9th, 2009
10:45 am
Well, it goes back to the Tennessee game a couple of years ago… 28 to zero at halftime… Alabama 31 to 0 at halftime, Ga Tech 26 to 0 third quarter, West Virginia.. 28 to 0 before we showed up. We come out flat or go flat way too often.. If a team takes on the personality of the Coach then at some point CMR is going to have to get the joke that playing with his personality ain’t getting it done. He needs an ERK Russell on his staff and he ain’t got one.
Football is a game of emotion and that is what UGA is lacking. They don’t hate losing because CMR doesn’t hate losing. If he does he sure doesn’t show it. I like him and what he represents but he’s gonna have to find a way to create more intensity in his players and more coaches.
Full Moon Dawg
September 9th, 2009
10:45 am
Coaching is the problem….great article. More importantly, our defense is a read and react style of play. Watch Alabama, FSU, Miami, etc. They dictate the tempo and when they hit ball carriers, they fall backward because they are attacking. We stand still and get in the way to make a tackle. Watch the aforementioned teams prior to the snap and see if you can tell where the pressure is coming from. Then watch UGA….there are 4 down lineman and three, maybe 2 LB’s depending on down and distance. The opposing team has no problem picking up pressure. Willie Martinez knows that he is not going to out-coach anyone, so he depends on his athletes to keep everything in front of them and hopefully the opposing offense makes a mistake before going 70-80 yards for a touchdown. With talent like we have, this is ridiculous!!
coach smith
September 9th, 2009
10:45 am
I pity you Saint Simons
How miserable must your life be?
The Lone Trumpeter
September 9th, 2009
10:46 am
Johnson beat richt once and let his players trim the hedges and make rings over it. Best coach? Not even in the ACC. Wait till tomorrow night and the talk about who is the better coah will end. Bowers just bought an apartment in atl beacuse he will live in the GT backfield for 3 hrs this year.
Doggit
September 9th, 2009
10:46 am
Saint Simons was touched as a small boy – please forgive him
shards1967
September 9th, 2009
10:46 am
Bradley has hit the nail squarely on the head. We fans know there is a problem. His poll indicates it is coaching.
Leadership inspires a can do attitude and then the troops get it done or fight on valiantly. The OSU game had no valiant play at all. The CMR preaching and hand holding is be fitting a pastor. Fine attributes he has …….if CMR is a pastor. He is not in that capacity at UGA>
He is however, working at UGA as a motivator, teacher and football coach. The hand holding needs to go away and he needs to instill a kick ass FEARFUL attitude. Watch UT this year. They will kick UGA’s butt. So will Florida and LSU and Auburn and sadly, tech. Bama has the attitude and the players and COACHES and their scheme to win right now. Last year they were good and with a NEW QB they are still really good and maybe better than 08. Their backs could play in the NFL right now.
The SC game will be the beginning of the end for this coaching regime and it needs to happen. Bobo, Fabris, Ball and CWM and yes, CMR need to exit the stage and then, maybe then, UGA could hire a kick ass coach. With the residue of talent, possibly 2010 and 2011 would yield big time results. This season will go down as on of the worst in UGA history. It will get ugly by season’s end.
We should play the under classmen QBs right now ………..they are the future. Cox can lead them from the sidelines and in practice.
UGA class of 73