5 reasons Georgia needs to demote Willie Martinez ASAP

Great points Mark,
I used to believe that Willie was the victim of field position and turnovers like Richt. However, the Ark game opened my eyes. You can not give up that many points playing zone all night. Players REGULARLY out of position is coaching. Our offense is now a plug new starter here and go score 35 kind of team. Our defense though is way too conservative. They have all the players, all the heart, yet lack a truly talented DC to put us in the elite category. I know we are young in the secondary, but blitzing and creating more pressure is another way to guard that weakness. A win is a win, but Richt is facing a difficult decision. With our offense now we could regularly score 40, but keeping the other team under that has become impossible with a very bland defense. I used to be a Martinez “wait and see” guy, but the time has come. Martinez just doesn’t have the ability to get us to the next level. Let Janeck finish the season. Enough is enough

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt’s blind loyalty to Soft Willie is exactly the type of thing that got Fulmer canned at UT. When a coach isn’t cutting it, and Martinez isn’t, you gotta cut him loose.
As a UT fan, I hope they keep him forever.

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt will never fire martinez—the dawg D will suffer in mediocrity for years, not winning anything. I need a drink.

• Link
• Report this comment

P.S. It IS time for Bobby Cox to go.

• Link
• Report this comment

Move CWM back to DB coach, fire CJJ (the real weak link), hire a DC/ LB coach.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why did we force Hugh Durham out? Georgia basketball will never recover.

• Link
• Report this comment

Actually, I meant number three. I think about BVG all the time. We’d be top 5 right now (and last year) with him.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, you just made Bug Killer’s day! …the stats speak for themselves…

• Link
• Report this comment

DADGUM….Mark…you had me at #1….inconcievable!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

He Hate Gator…

… I’m not so inclined to blame Jon Fabris for the ST as I am Mark Richt.

For some ungodly reason, Richt has decided to make his DE coach also work special teams. He has a DE coach and a DT coach (instead of a DL coach), but no ST coach?

It makes no sense, but it speaks to the general lack of urgency and attention to the details that this coaching staff obviously lacks.

All of the successful, MNC-winning coaches either work as their own ST Coach (Meyer) or have a dedicated ST coach (all the rest).

I just don’t understand Mark Richt’s philosophy, as it comes to his coaches (it’s NEVER his coach’s fault, it’s always the players not executing the coach’s AWESOME schemes, ahem, but WHO’S coaching the players, dammit!?!?!?) or his thinking that he can keep on getting away without having a dedicated ST coach.

No attention to detail on this staff. No urgency. Why would they have urgency? They know Richt will never fire them.

It was the same thing that brought Tommy Tubberville down. The SAME thing. He had his BBQ Boys, and they KNEW they were untouchable.

You people don’t think Martinez and Fabris feel the same way? Why else would Fabris continue insisting that his kicker do these RIDICULOUS directional kicks when they’re NOT WORKING??? Why else would Martinez stick with his horrible gameplans without making ANY adjustments (besides, you know, that he doesn’t know how)?

They think they’re untouchable.

It’s time for Damon Evans to do what Mark Richt refuses to do.

This is a BUSINESS. It is not a country club for Richt’s best friends to have lifetime memberships to, or, you know, for Richt himself. I think Coach Richt is outstanding.

But his loyalty will be his undoing. And the shame of it all is, while I’m sure Willie Martinez is a great guy and deserves Richt’s loyalty as a FRIEND, Richt has confused the situation, and given Martinez his loyalty as a boss, when Martinez has done NOTHING to earn it.

Mark,

Some other things of note:

When Willie Martinez took over Central Michigan’s defense, they were one of the BEST defenses in the MAC.

When he left for Georgia two years later, suddenly, Central Michigan had one of the WORST defenses in the MAC.

This is NOT coincidence.

ALL of the trends are AGAINST success under Martinez. He’s horrible. He’s inept. He’s in-over-his-head.

He needs to go.

• Link
• Report this comment

I would like to see what a different scheme could do for this group, but then I really watch the entire defense play and I notice several things that any scheme in the world might not fix:

1. Our defensive ends are not getting off their blocks. Between Jeff and Geno on the interior, one of them should be commanding double teams, while the other gets in the back feild.

2. Our corners can’t handle man coverage. All of the deep TD passes Mallett had were in single coverages. How do you make a play on the ball when you have your back to it? They have their back to the ball because they got dusted and are trying to catch up.

3. Delayed LB zone blitzes are not very effective and leave the middle of the feild wide open.

I think Willy is bald from pulling his hair out trying to come up with ways to mask these deficiencies.
This squad has been stout against the run and they are very young in the secondary. I don’t remember Van Gorder ever having that problem. BVG had the luxury of inheriting a great group of seasoned players. That’s why I would be curious to see what he might do with this group, because I’m not sure there would be much of a difference.

Are Pete Carroll and Jim Tressell on the hot seat now? How about ole Turkey Neck down in Atlanta?
What happens to Dogs that bite the hand that feeds them?

• Link
• Report this comment

Damn. Forgot about “i before e.”

• Link
• Report this comment

Sounds like Mark’s been hanging around too much with some Awbarn players when he starts a sentence with “Does you think …?”

• Link
• Report this comment

Willie Martinez HAND-PICKED every single one of these players.

BVG did inheiret some great players.

He ALSO took average to nothing players and MADE them great.

Martinez inheirited some great players. He then proceeded to coach them down.

Now that he has the MOST RAW TALENTED RECRUITS IN GEORGIA’S HISTORY… what is he doing with them???

He is NOT coaching them up. He is NOT making them better. He is NOT getting them drafted.

Willie Martinez is a FAILURE as a coach.

The afternoon show here in Athens had some interesting numbers.

Last year, Georgia had turnovers on their side 14 times. Our defense then gave up over 90 points.

Florida’s offense, surprisingly, turned over the ball 12 times on their side. Not that big a difference, CERTAINLY not as big as the Willie-defenders would have us believe.

The gave up 26 points!!!

The difference in BVG’s defenses and Martinez’s defenses is that when our offense was bad, and the offense was WORSE during BVG’s years.

Why don’t you people remember THAT? Why don’t you remember all the games when our offense couldn’t muster more than 17 points???

BVG’s defenses CARRIED this team.

Now, if the offense can only score 17 points, we KNOW we’re gonna lose.

When the offense is bad now, the defense doesn’t carry the team, the defense lays down.

That’s about COACHING. That’s about ATTITUDE.

COACHING!!!

What the hell is wrong with you people? What the hell is wrong with you Gravy Train? Why do you feel the need to defend the mediocrity that is Willie Martinez?

Why do you not want to see the Dawgs win?

And why in the high holy hell do you find every way you can to attempt to tear down BVG (and lying the whole time) while trying to defend the indefensible Willie Martinez???

I swear to God, dude, your worse than the Vick Fans. You’re worse than Bad News who has nothing else to say but calling Matt Ryan “Noodle Arm.”

How can people attempt to tear down one of the best DC’s this team has ever had, whose unit CARRIED this team for four years, whose unit NEVER let the team down, and then stand there and defend the WORST DC this team has ever had?

You people are mentally challenged.

How many times over the last 4 + years has Martinez’s unit carried the team? How many times have they let the team down? How many times did they need to make a stop, but couldn’t. How many times have they failed to pick up the offense when the offense made a mistake???

You idiots really need to take a long, hard look in the mirror, take off your red & black colored glasses, and firmly pull your heads out of your a$$es.

IDIOTS!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Hairy Dawg… who are our preseason all americans on defense?

I credit the defense for stepping up against Arkansas late. I credit them for limiting the damage from all of those turnovers and gimme field positions to South Carolina. I credit them for playing respectable against Oklahoma State on the road.

They are doing this with smoke and mirrors. I would not guarantee anybody on our defense a starting position in the NFL. There are a few 1st day draft picks…
but Geno Atkins was above average without Jeff Owens on the other side last season. And both of them have been good thus far in the season (good in college football does not equal starter in the NFL).
Rennie Curran is very small for a LB in the NFL. And he isn’t known for his cover skills (if someone thinks of converting him to safety). He’ll play and contribute. But I don’t know if he starts.
Reshad Jones has not excelled at this level of play. He’ll get picked up by an NFL team… but he’ll have the fight of his life to make a squad out of pre-season camp.

I have no problem if you blame Martinez for the talent we have.
But recognize the level of talent we have. It’s not Pollack, Thomas, Thurman, Seymour or Grant.
It’s definitely a notch below.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller…
I remember an LSU game where we scored 2 defensive touchdowns in Baton Rouge. We won the game by 14. Everyone talks about or offense scoring 52 points on LSU… But they seem to forget the real reason we won.

Bugkiller…
I remember when Brian Van Gorder left the Bulldawgs. Then he left Georgia Southern. He somehow managed to find time to leave South Carolina.

Now he has managed to operate a bend but don’t break defense for the Atlanta Falcons ranking #22 in the NFL last season.

Good grief. He’s the defensive version of Bobby Petrino. Why the heck is he held in high esteem when he runs out of town in the middle of the night? That’s not a coach. That’s a coward.

• Link
• Report this comment

Once again, you’ve proved you’re an idiot. Where is Terrence Moore? At least he probably knew he was writing dribble.

• Link
• Report this comment

Could not agree more with BugKiller-spot on!

meansonny, you obviously haven’t been paying attention for a few years. What comes first, the chicken or the egg…preseason individual accolades or performance. If the defense wasn’t getting torched each game last year, you don’t think we would have had a lot of preseason awards? Also those misses by Mallett late in the game were on him…He had time on many of those throws, his receivers were wide open, and he just missed them.

Most of the 3rd quarter our DBs weren’t even in the same zip code as the Ark receivers. Pathetic! And I do not believe these gifted athletes just became average players.

And if we don’t kick the ball deep in the endzone, bullheaded Fabris needs to be relocated also.

• Link
• Report this comment

Agree!
Regarding Blair Walsh… he’s the 2nd best kicker (kickoffs) in the SEC right now.

Do you hope he struggles too so you can blast Fabris? Maybe you can be right about that all along, too! How great would it be to wish people to lose their jobs and get your wish?
Maybe that could overcome your personal shortcomings in this great economy of ours.

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny: truer words have never been spoken. all starts with pressure up front. this d hasn’t changed much schematically since when bvg was here. the only difference was back then we always had a stud defensive end and usually great safeties. reshad jones has been a major disappointment ever since he stepped on campus as has bryan evans. as for the corners they’ve been burned but they’ve been in position to make plays… i can point to several throws by mallet that could only have been caught by the reciever and it was.

having said all that the d needs to improve. it starts up front. i actually saw pressure from our ends for the first time in two years. cornelius washington and justin houston might be the answer to all of our problems. the secondary need to improve their play. period.

• Link
• Report this comment

just because a recruit is a five star athlete it doesnt’ mean they will succeed on the college level.

dobbs hasn’t shown me anything except the fact that he has long arms. i have no idea how rod battle was a starter for a such a long time (that says something about georgia’s depth at defensive end), he’s been about as unproductive as jamaal anderson for the falcons. as for the safeties reshad jones was about as heralded as eric berry coming out of high school. but he hasn’t proven to be a playmaker. are all of you willie bashers trying to tell me if reshad had went to tennessee he’d be playing like berry and vice versa? didn’t think so. willie might not be a mastermind as a defensive coordinator but he’s not as bad as people are making him out to be. the d will improve.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,

Just like the journalistic courage you exemplified yesterday on Bobby Cox, your candor, boldness and willingness to professionally and politely challenge (or at least open for debate) questionable practices continue to fertilize my growing respect for you. Touché!

Your evidence against Martinez is overwhelming, convincing and indisputable; yet, despite such, amazingly you have a couple of dissenters here whom are lacking the standard cognitive necessities to comprehend the facts and facts are unwavering, unlike opinions.

Good job!

Larry (1-14)

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, you’re right. That’s all I have to say about that.

• Link
• Report this comment

The knee jerk reaction is to say fire the guy. You have to ask yourself what you want from your collegiate football program. Richt is loyal. Is that such a terrible thing? This loyalty and commitment to his family is also apparent when coaches like Rodney Garner and Stacy Searels turn down more money from other big time programs, including their alum schools to stay with Richt. You praise Mark Richt’s family values and Christian nature when we win but you rip these values or forget them altogether when a unit struggles. Willie Martinez is a great person and nobody that you’d rather have around young men. Personally, I do think he deserves the rest of this season but if it doesn’t turn around then the demotion needs to happen. However, you fans that can only scream “fire the man”, I ask this, would you fire your freind? Would you want to be cutloose from your livelihood which you love doing and done so by you friend? If you want Bobby Petrino types running your program then be honesst with what you want. Immeidate results and rebuilding every five years when those types leave your program or bring in such athletic degenerates that your PR department is on overdrive and your staring at NCAA penalties. Do you want to have class and steady success or win at all costs environment? I know the answer from most of you. It’s not the program I want.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

Willie Martinez got to go. We need another DC. We need someone like a Charlie Strong, someone who knows defense, someone with that passion and fire. Right now Georgia is to soft and that zone crap has got to go

• Link
• Report this comment

These are great points. I just don’t think demoting or firing a coach is the way to go three games into the season. That D could completely fall apart. How did it work out for Tuberville firing his O coordinator half way through?

A) It simply doesn’t matter what we are ranked in the stats when most teams have played patsies at this point. I’m not knocking the guys at Charleston Southern, but it is easy to ring up big stats against them.

B) There have been some bright spots, and the D has come up with big plays when they needed.

C) SC has Spurrier and a very athletic QB. Arky has the much maligned Petrino and a goliath QB. It remains to be seen how good these teams actually are. But SC always plays above their heads against UGA, and Ark was prepping and up for this game for the past nine months and had a bye week.

Do I think Willie Martinez is doing a great job? No. Do I think it is an incredibly bad idea to make a major coaching change three games in? Absolutely.

In the past Martinez has had some big games. I’m willing to bet that the D improves and continues to come up big when they need to.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, your real time blog during the Arkansas game was a truly enjoyable read, thanks for the running commentary. It seems you have really riled up the insomniacs with this one.

I am goal oriented and think this team will benefit from a good old fashon mantra such as
” save the whales”. We need a good Green initiative after the tailgating debacle (no pun intended). Saving the whales will entail a team effort and will not be accomplished by whacking Willie repeatedly about the face and chest, It will include substantially reducing turnovers, minimizing penalties and getting a consistent pass rush that creates the sound of footsteps coming from the left side in the opposing QB’s mind. If these goals are achieved then everything else should fall into place.

I am still very optimistic that this team will pull it together and overachieve on both sides of the ball. When you combine the Dawgs totally sloppy play at times with the brilliance of the big plays that we have seen to date, I look in wonderment at our record. The big plays have overcome a lot of self inflicted adversity and deserves a certain amount of optimism. We are extremely fortunate to date and nothing short of a team improvement is required to make this year successful given what we have left on our plate..

I agree with the premise that you evaluate performance (offense, defense, special teams) after the season and do what is right at that point. Saving the whales will be a team effort, but again the whales have to do their part.

• Link
• Report this comment

leave coach martinez alone. give him a chance. things will get better

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks for speaking out on this Mark. While your points are obvious, they needed to be said by someone in a position to be heard by those that need to hear it. Some of the less astute among us, think every time someone calls for accountablity in connection with the defense and its obviously poorly coached, but supposedly talented, players, that the writer is suggesting that Coach Richt be fired. That clearly is not the case with most of us. I like Coach Richt and am very thankful we hired him to lead our program. However, Willie needs to go and, as the leader, Coach Richt needs to take action to correct this situation.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,

Similarly exemplified yesterday with your journalistic courage to question (or, at least open for intellectual debate) the recent practices and results of Bobby Cox, please again allow me to express my appreciation and respect. Touché!

Your research illustrates overwhelming, convincing and indisputable evidence based on facts, not simply opinion, yet most amazing are the few here whom lack the fundamental cognitive necessities to comprehend and embrace facts, and thus inject (or infest) into this discussion opinion based on pure emotion. Facts are unwavering and unfaltering; opinions are the reciprocal.

In the world of leaders and innovators we refer to your dissenters here as “followers” or “laggards” and these are the weak links and inhibitors to growth and improvement, thus you and other courageous leaders of well intended provocative thought must never let these gnats deter you for a moment in the quest for the betterment of your chosen profession and those your profession can positively influence. Your suggestions and this debate can help lead to either the necessary and obvious need for improvement of the defense from the current staff, or the recruitment of one or more individuals to achieve such, thus the end result will be improvement and this cannot be a negative in a leader’s mind.

Good Job, Mark!

Larry (1-14)

• Link
• Report this comment

Blame Martinez for not adjusting to Stephen Garcia. Geargia had a great pass rush on Carolina and Garcia still ate them up because Martinez did not put in a “spy” linebacker/safety to mirror Garcia. Curran would have been perfect spy linebacker to neutralize Garcia. Does Martinez make an effective half-time adjustments?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, you should know CWM is going nowhere soon. Yes UGA has good players on defense, and speed on defense, but CWM is not the senior saftey that stood dead still and watched a ARK reciever blow past him for a touchdown. That was Evans. Players have to make plays in a game regardless of who’s standing on the sidelines calling the shots.
Sure i think CWM could do a better job in some areas, I personally hate a zone defense, CWM loves it. having a 3 man rush when a team is 3rd and long makes no sense to me either.
I don’t think CWM is going anywhere. CMR has been here 9 years now and has gotten rid of anyone, just promoted and he ’s not going to change until, as someone posted above the Alumni or AD starts complaining. My opinion Coach SS the o-line coach is the best position coach on the field. Fabris and Martinez and Janeck have gotten very little out of top recruits, but like i stated, PLAYERS HAVE TO MAKE PLAYS.
We as UGA fans were spoiled with the play of Blue, Davis, players like that were ballhawks. Wherever the ball went they went MAKING PLAYS. Davis had 18 tackles 2 weeks ago for Carolina.
Only player that comes close to that on our defense is Curran.
I think Willie stays Mark, whether you want him to or not.

• Link
• Report this comment

Those of you that continue to make excuses for a D that has demonstrated a downward trend are making yourselves look like naive (or you could be other fans trying to stoke the fire). The bottom line is Georgia’s D is awful – There is no getting around this fact. For people like you that continually defend Martinez, you use the ‘he doesn’t have talent’ argument. Believe me, this team has DEFENSE TALENT. The problem isn’t talent, it’s coaching. Georgia has some of the most explosive LBs in the nation, however, they continually play out of position and fail to wrap up on a tackle (fundamentals). Georgia has some of the fastest and hardest hitting DBs, however, they continually play out of position and fail to wrap up on a tackle. That is not a talent issue, this is a coaching issue. I am hoping that CWM turns it around. But in all honesty, if the D has another game or two like the previous three, then I believe the spirit of Georgia’s D will be broken (those guys looked shell shocked on the sideline in the 3rd Quarter). CMR better keep his finger on the pulse of his team’s spirit, if not this team will go down in a hurry. . . Exhibit A: See Auburn’s D’s from last year (early in the year, they kept that team in games; however, because the offense was very anemic, over time, they gave up and Tubberville was doomed).

• Link
• Report this comment

[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC gives five reasons why Georgia should demote Willie Martinez. [...]

• Link
• Report this comment

Bill,

I am glad you made yourself clear.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ok, here ya go…….Will Muschamp at Texas, head coach in waiting, makes 950,000 a year….please never mention him again. Kirby Smart, DC at Bama, Georgia grad. Loves Saban, been with him since LSU. Not leaving unless he’s coming for the head coach job or a crazy amount of money, 1 mil +.Forget it.
Charlie Strong, DC at Florida. Why would he leave there for the SAME job. He will not. He wants to be a HEAD COACH, and will probably end up at Carolina when Spurrier leaves. To ALL my Georgia friends, never mention these three again !

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny we had NO all americans van gorders 1st year we had ONE honorable mention the year before van gorder. If you are foolish enough to think Van Gorder didnt have a huge impact on those players who became all americans since they were freshman and sophmores when he got there you are kidding yourself. Players at that level are not naturally great they have to be coached to get there. And ofr all of your bashing of Van Gorders falcons they were in the top ten in scoring defense last year and thats with a team that most pundits said would win maybe 1 game. I remember someone on TV saying the falcons had only 1 playmaker on the whole Defense and that was Abe, yet we were still one of the hardest teams to score against. Its funny on a more level playing field in the pros with a team that most EXPERTS at the time thought was terrible he STILL did a better job of coaching and putting players in a position to win than MARTINEZ

• Link
• Report this comment

Everyone can scream at the top of their lungs but CMR is not going to make any changes during the season. Period. End of discussion. To barneyb, exactly what is it about the offense that makes you want to fire Bobo? Do you have a reason or are you just caught up in the moment? Or possibly just stupid? JB, methinks you’re on to the truth

• Link
• Report this comment

The point is made that WM has no talent to work with compared to BVG. BTW, I don’t remember David Pollack as a 5-star Parade All-American coming out of Shiloh. I believe some of the current DL were more highly rated than Pollack. This goes to show that you can’t measure the intangibles that players like Pollack bring to the table.

• Link
• Report this comment

Here’s the thing. The Georgia defensive players couldn’t keep my year old grand daughter out of the kitchen cabinets. Willie hasn’t suddenly gone brain dead, the problem is that the highly rated recruiting classes have turned out to be busts on the defensive side of the ball. You can cut it, slice it, dice it and put a real nice sauce over it but the bottom line is there isn’t very much talent in the defensive line, linebackers or secondary and I think that just about runs the table on that side of the ball. Run Willie off if you like, but the real problem with UGA is and has been Mark Richt. The Wisconsin of the SEC ain’t gonna get not better as long as Mark Richt is the head coach. Enjoy your 10 win seasons because that’s all you’re gonna get. Marky is a lightweight with no fire and no eye for talent.

• Link
• Report this comment

josh mallard, nic clemons, robert geathers, gerald anderson, arnold harrison, will thomson, jonathon sullivan, odell thurman, will witherspoon, boss bailey, tony gilbert, david pollack, greg blue, terrell bierra, jermaine phillips, tim wansley, sean jones, charles grant……

these are some of the players on defense that bgh inherited when he got to georgia. not a bad bunch. so am i to believe that bvg’s defensive scheme helped david pollack’s miraclous play in columbia? or maybe it was the technique that bgh taught that allowed greg blue and thomas davis to his so hard. odell’s tackling ability can only be attributed to bvg but how about rennie’s tackling ability? oh ya he’s just a freak. georgia’s really good d had some really freaking good players. guy’s that got drafted in the first round…

once again, i’ll admit that bvg was a better coordinator than cwm, BUT the some of the players simply haven’t lived up to potential. i remember everyone blaming coach eason for fred gibson never living up to his hype. i hear the coaching in the nfl is much better and he couldn’t even make a roster. sometimes it’s not always the coach. sometimes its the player.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here
It is defenses that WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. Wake up call to CMR!

• Link
• Report this comment

Well meansonny, if you’re convinced that we don’t have the personnel of GA teams in the past (which is debatable looking at our recruiting class rankings every year), answer this question: Who has better talent on the defensive side of the ball, UGA or Vanderbilt? Vanderbilt plays the same teams UGA plays, and how many points per game do they give up?????

• Link
• Report this comment

honest_abe so i guess your saying those players would have been just as good with me or you out there coaching them? Oh and some of the players you named i am pretty positive were not inherited BVG brought them in and DEVELOPED them thats how high school player become great they are DEVELOPED BY GOOD COACHES.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sick and Tired. I understand you might be frustrated. But to throw your team under the bus like that is pathetic. The Wisconsin of the SEC? Don’t remember the last time I saw Wisconsin playing in a BCS bowl, but I do remember UGA there not too long ago. And TONS of teams would give their left arm for a 10 win season in the best conference in the FBS. You do know what the FBS is right? It’s bandwagon fans like you that make real fans look bad.

• Link
• Report this comment

Just for argument sake, here’s Vandy’s defensive numbers for the past four years(and i believe we have WAY better talent than they do, and they play in the SAME division we do):
2008- 255 points – 21.3 ppg
2007 – 271 points – 22.6 ppg
2006 – 284 points – 23.6 ppg
2005 – 321 points – 29.2 ppg

This is VANDY!!! Do they have better athletes, or better coaching??

• Link
• Report this comment

Alumni, freeze your donations changes will soon happen D Evans is about income for UGA not losses.

• Link
• Report this comment

DISHONEST_ abe…

… that is EXACTLY what we’re saying.

Eric Berry under Willie Martinez would be EXACTLY what Rashad Jones is right now. You forget, but people were so excited by Jones, they thought he could start as a freshman.

You just don’t get it. Coaching means EVERYTHING. Under Martinez, Pollack would have NEVER have been Pollack. Davis would have NEVER have been DAVIS.

I know BVG isn’t coming back. But Rashad Jones under BVG WOULD be Eric Berry.

Your inability to see this is the sickness caused by your blind homerism.

You’re not honest about anything. Just another liar who wants to excuse and accept the mediocrity that now permeates this team.

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny, I agree with you there is a certain amount of mob mentaility.

But here’s why…because Georgia’s defense has sucked and people are tired of it. You say that offenses have changed and I agree, the offenses have become much more creative while the defenses have been left behind. But that is part of it. The SEC may be giving up more points but why is GA at the bottom of the conference?

It’s the defensive coordinator’s job to recruit the talent and then coach them up, use a scheme that fits the talent and then get results. We can argue about why we aren’t getting results all day. But excuses get old and that is what attracts the mob.

Making excuses about not having the talent is a freaking joke. Reshad Jones was the #1 or #2 safety coming out of high school. Dent, Dewberry, Hebron, Evans, Washington, Ownens, Miller….and more were all highly recruited. We don’t have all conference players because we evaluate talent incorrectly or we don’t prepare them and help them develop.

He is a good coach but not an elite coach and GA should have an elite coach at defensive coordinator. Elite coaches get results they don’t make excuses.

• Link
• Report this comment

Email Damon Evans today! devans@sports.uga.edu

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, This is the best article you have ever written, 200% agree with you, Martinez is the reason for not winning the National championship in 2007 and 2005 , he is a total disaster! our 11 players on D are all without exceptions are NFL caliper players, all are blue chips. Martinez cant call defensive plays, we are hanging in there based on talent alone. It really sickening me to see Tennessee defense and compare it to Georgia’s, we become a joke, yes a joke there is no team on the land respect our D. F U WM! F U dammit!

• Link
• Report this comment

Merely to play the devil’s advocate, Van Gorder did not have to deal with the offenses our D is facing these days. And, his D was absolutely stacked with NFL quality talent.

• Link
• Report this comment

Agreed MB- this year is going to be tough to stomach if the previous 3 games are any indication. i’m even more concerned about the great HS recruits on the D side of the ball we have coming in next year. We have some really great DEs and DBs coming–some the best in the state or country for that matter. I would hate to see all that talent screwed up.

• Link
• Report this comment

final things i’m going to say.

everyone used to blame coach eason for wr’s dropping the ball. i know this because i used to be one of them. but last year i realized it’s not the coach its the player.

aj green is aj green because he’s a helluva talent. michael moore is michael moore because he’s got heart and he hangs onto the ball even though he knows he’s going to get licked. tavarres king, aron white, martrez milner and fred gibson had/have butter fingers.

we can disagree till we’re blue in the face but firing cwm in the middle of the season would be an awful move. it hurts the stability of the program and thats one of the major things that recruits look for when coming to school. good players make plays.

and saying reshad jones would be eric berry if for another coordinator makes me ashamed to say i’m the fan of the same school as you.

• Link
• Report this comment

Without damn turnovers GA potentially blows out SC and Ark. Ten turnovers inside your own 30 leads to 40 pts, its a wonder they can still win! They did a pretty damn good job against Okie St, but had no offense to help! It’s a little too early to slam the door on GA’S D don’t you think. They get Houston back, but lose Battle at end. Looked like pretty good coverage against Ark and we played closer off the receivers on the line, but just some well placed balls. I did see some blown coverages, but hell Petrino is a very good O-coach and Mallet threw some ropes that only his receivers could catch. I rewatched the game last night and finished first half of SC, GA D will get better and they are not as bad as everyone thinks, although Bryan Evans has got to get better or ride the pine. Quit turning the f#^@$#g ball over! If Bobo opens up that kind of play book against Okie ST and they don’t turn the ball over in all 3 games, were not having this discussion about the D . Oh, by the way MB I admit being wrong about Tenn vs Ucla. I thought playing in Knoxville would be the difference, but give credit to a tough Ucla team that is well coached. Also, Tenn has absolutely no QB play. I belive USC will lose 3,4 maybe even 5 games this year because they are that bad (lost too many players and both coordinators)!

• Link
• Report this comment

I know Texas paid Muschamp a lot of money to be the coach in waiting at Texas. However, with the new SEC TV deal and the new marketing package UGA just signed, we have the money to offer more than the $900,000 Texas is paying. Also, how long will Brown remain the HC at Texas? maybe five more years? Muschamp can come to UGA for 3-4 years, help us win a national titile, and STILL be the guy who takes over at Texas someday.

WM just has a bad philosophy. How can we play a DEEP cover 2, and STILL get burned deep 3-4 times per game? On Arkansas’ first TD pass, the CB was further down the field than our safety Jones on the play—and Jones was playing DEEP to start with!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s obvious that the Dog’s defense is underachieving. There’s no question about that. The big question is what does CMR do about it and when. I had hopes after the Oklahoma St game that the D would be improved this year, but they made Garcia (for crying out loud) look like all SEC. The qb at Arkansas is good but not THAT good. The talent is there. The Dogs can stop the run but there is NO pass rush.
I don’t want to see an uprising during the season, that would be distracting and destructive to the team. Let’s hope the D improves during the season and then CMR needs to make a change at D coordinator after the season. We still have a chance for a good season.

• Link
• Report this comment

Y’all stop calling Reshad Jones by the name “Cheap Shot Jones”. We can hear y’all morons when we are standing on the sidelines.

These players have fragile egos and we work hard to coddle them before they become zillionares.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,

I can’t believe you are actually advocating and endorsing demoting an assistant head coach three games into the season.

If this team was 0-3, then I say not only demote him, but fire him. But we are not 0-3. We are 2-1 including 2-0 in the SEC. Demote him, and the internal staff sniping and chirping begins and the season goes into the toilet. Fire him, and there is no coach in America who could restore order.

Unlike Bugkiller, who wants to play all the freshmen to get ready for 2010. I want to win now. I want to let Joe Cox win a bunch of games. I’m not ready to roll over and say “Timmy and Urban, we won’t even show up in J’ville because, well you are Tim Tebow and we are not”.

You go through the year and win as many games as you can and let the coaches coach. By the end of the year, it will be obvious what needs to be done.

• Link
• Report this comment

Willie needs to get his sh!t together. we can’t be given up 40+ to teams like Arkansas and South Cackalacky.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller is dead on it. It is no wonder why Florida and Alabama are so far ahead of Georgia, because they won’t put up with being losers. Do you really think Nick Saban or Urban Meyer would put up with this? No, of course not then why do Georgia fans defend the indefensible? This is starting to remind us of the Ray Goof debate. Most realized he was a terrible coach but there was always that group that wanted to keep him because he was “one of us”. If Georgia is ever going to move its’s program to the next level this type of thinking has got to stop.

• Link
• Report this comment

We’re not talking about firing CWM during the season right Mark? We’re talking about handing the calling duties over to John Jancek who was promoted this summer correct? If so I completely agree.

• Link
• Report this comment

Personally, I’m tired of hearing about BVG. He chose to leave because he wanted to be in the NFL. Well, he’s in the NFL and he ain’t coming back so please get over it and stop bringing his name up in every conversation about UGA’s D! Dude’s gone, been gone.

• Link
• Report this comment

Agree…we need to do something….Defense is way underperforming…Admire CMR loyalty to assistants…but CMR needs to be loyal to the players, fan and university….Defense did badly last yr and see no change in the 1st 3 games……Choices are 1. demote or fire, 2. do nothing or 3…get CWM some help…..Since CMR will probably not fire….Le’ts get CWM some help…Hire consult or defensive guru to come in and evaluate and make recommendations…..Surely there are some very
qualified folks out there who could come in and do this…..

• Link
• Report this comment

Bring back the Dutchman, Van Gorder. Mexicans are just awful coaches.

• Link
• Report this comment

It is funny how long some of these UGA fans take to come around. This is nothing new and many of these same bloggers calling for his head were defenders overthe past two seasons. They refused to take off the rose colored glasses and now the program on the defensive side of the ball is paying for it.

This may not just extend to CWM.Who is the defensive line coach and our recruiting coordinator? Where is UGA having issues at right now? The coaching staff needs to be reviewed by CMR.

This program has taken it to its greates level since the Walker era that is a given, and no we do not miss the Goff or Donnan era. That is not the argument here. Now in college football it is an era of results and titles. CMR certainly has the stats in the win column to never get fired at UGA, but he needs to do some soul searching for the greater good of these young men and the university and ask himself does he have the necessary pieces in place for these young men to win national titles.

This is the burden he has placed himself with. He no longer can win 10 games and shake hands and get the pats on the back. He must find a way to displace Florida as the team in the SEC. This is where he is at in 2009. He must ask himself, “What will it take for me to win a National Title at UGA?”. It starts with making the tough choices with the staff. Fire Martinez at seasons end and bring in Kirby Smart.

• Link
• Report this comment

One simple thing to help the defense is simply to kick the ball into the endzone for a touchback on kickoffs. From the -25 to the goal line the average team scores a TD 7-12% of the time. From the -25 to the 50 the average team scores 20-30% of the time (or 80% of the time if playing UGA). From the 50 to the 25 that number jumps to 40-60%. Simple “strategery” but evidently effective.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Mark – did I see an entry on your blog from you on Saturday evening in which you announced that Virginia had beaten Southern Miss? What is up with that?

• Link
• Report this comment

Last year GA lost a ton of personel, the turnovers on the short side and the kickoffs OB killed GA. This year the ball has been turned over 10 times on the short side of the field and Ga continues to kick the ball OB on kickoffs. You people get a f@%%&#g life!

• Link
• Report this comment

BVG’s gone, gone like a freight train, gone like yesterday, gone like a soldier in the civil War, bang bang. Gone like a ‘59 Cadillac, like all the good things, he ain’t never coming back, he’s gone, gone, gone.

• Link
• Report this comment

You are right on Mark bradley.

My concern is that if this defensive play continues throughout the season and we lose 4 or 5 games, possible future recruits will definately reconsider coming to UGA. Do you not think that the nation’s top defensive recruits who are considering UGA are not aware of the stats? Do you not think that they are aware of the rumblings surrounding this program?

I don’t think that this program can afford to take a “wait and see” stance at this point and some will say it is early in the season but this season is just a continuance of last year when the D gave up 41 to Bama, 38 to LSU, 49 to UF,38 to Kentucky and 45 to GT.

Enough is enough.

• Link
• Report this comment

WM is why we didn’t win a NC in 2007? really? How’s that?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Bradley
You been reading the Arkansas Gazette?
Same identical article about Petrino and his defensive coordinator.
The Hawgs are wanting their defensive coordinator fired, because
in spite of the Dawgs turnovers and the offensive points put on the
board by the Hawgs, they couldn’t pull off the win.

• Link
• Report this comment

I said pre-season give WM through October before we throw him under the bus. We have one more game in September. Have I been happy with the defense so far, mostly no except for those red zone stops. I don’t think the answer is fire or demote a DC in the middle of the season. I think Tubbs would do things different if he had the chance again. I want WM to succeed because I want my team to succeed. If there is zero improvement then a change will have to be made. But only at the end of the season. Unbelievable to some, but we have more class than firing a guy in mid season.

I said it yesterday. BVG and Erk are gone and they aint coming back.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why would Richt demote Martinez? This is one of the finest Defensive Coordinators in the Country. Why do we continue to compare Martinez to VanGorder? Do dawg fans forget that Martinez was co-defensive coordinator in Richt’s thinking? Look why get rid of an excellent football coach for whom? Garner? We tried that once before. Let Martinez do his job, he is one of the best.

• Link
• Report this comment

How many of those did we win? How many points did we score picking out 9 games. Can’t we basically score 40 points a game anytime offense has a game its not floundering on it’s own issues? (and that handing over a handfull of points, or at the least leaving come on the table) Is our offense really just that good in the few years, are is every other DC we play just that bad?

• Link
• Report this comment

WM is a great recruiter in Florida so he does not need to be fired and Richt won’t fire him anyway!

So to solve this….MARTINEZ needs to be demoted to Defensive Backs coach and assistant Recruiting Coordinator

Then the simple answer is to BRING KIRBY SMART HOME!

Smart is the D-coordinator in Alabama BUT SABAN has the most say on that defense AND Kirby is a Georgia guy who has coached here before…He WOULD COME HOME

Another option that nobody is talking about….TOMMY TUBBERVILE for d-coordinator….would he be interested? Just saw him on ESPNU and he talked about loving to coach but not liking the media…he could do that as a D-coordinator

• Link
• Report this comment

Yes, I am saying that doing something as drastic as a demotion or a firing now will destroy this team and this coaching staff. Do it after the season is over.

Who are you going to hire now? If you fire him or demote him, do you really think the scheme is going to change? By firing Martinez, is that going to add 4 inches in height to our corners trying to cover a 6 ft 4 inch receiver?

Think folks before you type. You wait until the season is over.

• Link
• Report this comment

I love Mark Richt to death, but it is just sad to hear him STILL defending Willie with that “turnovers have given offenses a short field” crap. Whatever happened to a defensive making a stop when it is urgently needed? Just every now and then? Mark said it all in reason #3. Giving up an AVERAGE of 30 PTS per game! And for every UF and Bama on that list, there’s three unranked teams. How can anyone defend Willie’s record?

• Link
• Report this comment

DawginLex – I don’t think height was the problem. The secondary had no idea where to be and they were continually beat on both short and long passes. So you were in favor of canning Martinez in the offseason, but once the season started, you’re saying it’s too late and that we should just wait until next offseason?

• Link
• Report this comment

Is there any chance we could hire Miami’s
offensive and defensive coordinator.
They appear to be the best coached team
I have seen.
Make an attractive offer.

• Link
• Report this comment

For the defender who said UGA only scored 10 points a game in Hershel’s day, here are some stats:
in 1980 season UGA scored 20 or more 9 times and 30 or more 5 times. This was all while Erk’s junkyard dawgs were putting up ridiculous numbers: Opponents scored 10 or less 5 times including THREE shutouts; and only scored more than twenty three times (barely over since the three were all at 21). Not counting the bowl game the 1980 dogs allowed 107 points total 5 more over a season than this team has in three games. Offense for that season? 316

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, DawginLex, ANYONE COULD DO BETTER THAN WILLIE AT THIS POINT!!!! FIRE HIM!!!! “Ok guys, we are not going to fire Willie because we want to keep your spirits up. And we think that giving up an average of 30+ points per game thus far will keep you headed in the right direction”.?. Yes, I am thinking before I type.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Bradley thinking that Bobo will soon be a commodity makes me wonder if he actually saw the Ok State game. He only had nine months to prepare for that game.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller whatever happens with Willie and his D this year happens, but last year the D (along with the O-line) was devastated with injuries, 22 season ending for starting players. These started in the spring with the D-backs and snowballed from there. It’s hard to field a quality unit when you lose so many experienced players…..ask any coach that. Now with that being said, I think Willie’s on the hot seat too, but the year has got to play out!

• Link
• Report this comment

I am very glad you Headlined this Mark – Thanks! Many of us saw the DC issue last season and begged for change. It fell on deaf ears. Hopefully this will be acted upon soon. My guess is The Dawgs will have to lose some games by 50 points before Richt fires his buddy. If Martinez had class he’d walk away now and save Richt, UGA, The Players and Fans the trouble.

By the way, I disagree with you about Bobo. Although I was critical of him last season and in the first game of this season, he appears to be calling better plays and the O seems to be clicking. But it will take more time to know if he is for real by how the O performs against a quality D. We will find out this season for sure.

• Link
• Report this comment

#4 Is a crock. Teams back then didn’t score 40-50 points ever like they do today. I agree our D isn’t looking very good right now. But someone also brought up a point about how tough our schedule has been from the get go. Were 2-1 right now and 2-0 in the SEC. We are winning games. Should we adjust some things on D? Hell yeh! But I don’t think things are so dire that we fire/demote our D-coordinator after 3 games. I want to do things that will let us win, canning our coaches before the season is even half way over will not help us win. Let Richt work WITH Martinez to fix things. Now if we drop out of the SEC race that’s another story. At the end of the season were still giving up 30something points per game, that’s another story.

• Link
• Report this comment

Amen BIGDawg.

• Link
• Report this comment

RxDawg, this is more than a 3 game issue. It will not improve. We will drop out of the SEC race and we will still give up more than 30 points per game. Our guys are not coached well at all. Someone else said it earlier, it is not a 4″ height difference that is creating the problem. It is not knowing where to be. It is not recognizing a play as it develops. It is flat out poor coaching.

• Link
• Report this comment

Watch DB Evans, same as last year beat everytime but he does have the best seat in the stadium.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, let’s kick it out of bounds and start the ball on the 40 yard line. Yeah, that is the best strategy, average stupid fans don’t understand that. (CMR)

Willie is not an average. Our defense if very below average. It has been for years. CMR needs to get involved and make some changes this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Listening to some of you reminds me of WWI. Willie is the general who keeps charging troops toward machine guns–and they lose everytime. These type of events happened with real people and real lives. But they kept sending out the troops. Hundreds of thousands died. Suddenly, someone came up with the idea of a tank. Some wanted to use more airplanes for ground support. The point is they continued to send troops until the tank arrived! Is this Mark Richt’s plan? Wait for the tank!

• Link
• Report this comment

Martinez has to go !!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Cuz, I agree with that. He won’t be fired midseason for sure so why all the talk about it. Get him some help to figure things out for sure. We won Saturday and nobody got hurt did they? What’s wrong with some exciting football? Glad to see Cox and the O clicking.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bobo deserved a raise after last year, now that’s funny. Two plays away from GA being 0-3 and that’s Willie’s fault…….hello… 7 g@@#$@m turnovers! The year has to play out and then hard or easy decisions made.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Dawgs D is as poorly coached in the fundamentals as it gets, especially in the pass rush. The front four (NOT SEVEN) is talented enough to pressure green-as-grass QBs into making poor decisions. I mean how does a QB who has started fewer games than Joe Cox and was not a backup to the #1 pick in the NFL draft throw FIVE TDs on this defense? Did the #1 pick in the last draft ever throw 5 TDs? I still do not understand why the Columbia Chicken QB actually looked all-conference against this D. But to get back to my point, too many times I see the front four (especially the DEs rushing the QB with their heads and hands down. If our front four learns how get their hands up in order to deflect and/ or alter passes, they force these green QBs to throw bad passes more than half the time. If we can get this out of the front four, along with LBs who do a much better job reading the QB and DBs fly to every attempted pass, our defense would never give up more than 21 per game (and that should get us ten wins easily; might even give us a chance against Urban Crier). Fundamentals: hands up: read the QBs eyes: Fly to the ball. This might not be the recepe for a 50 sack defense, but it is a recepe for an efffective defense.

• Link
• Report this comment

I said it last night on the Bulldawg Blawg…Willie Martinez must be terminated from his contract NOW. This nightmare is not going to get better over the next 9 games. Anyone who believes otherwise is deluding themselves. Let Fabris go, too. He can take his directional kicking with him to whatever high school that will have him. I didn’t watch the Arkansas because it was bad enough listening. I can’t bear to watch the defense get beaten on play after play.

• Link
• Report this comment

If we had VanGorder as D-Coordinator over the last games, we very easily could be 3-0 and dealing with a couple of blow outs.

• Link
• Report this comment

Daddy Dawg. Stick to bbq recipes on Dawg Chat.

• Link
• Report this comment

bugkiller: you’re killing me. you need to stop. i can’t stop laughing. so bvg had marcus howard for 1 yr and cwm for the rest. but you give all the credit to bvg for his coaching him up for that one year. too funny.

i bet all of you georgia isn’t going to be the last team arkansas hangs 40 on.

• Link
• Report this comment

Agree with most, but have to say… Those fumbles and turnovers are not helping us… remember, we have had to dig ourselves out of holes created by blunders on the offense too.

• Link
• Report this comment

doctors are smart folks. most are as smart as it gets. Most folks get SECOND opinions, and they are glad they did. Mark, bring in someone to HELP willie.

• Link
• Report this comment

How is it that when the Dawgs try a trick play it never works but when anyone else tries anything we are always fooled? A kick off reverse? That doesn’t even work in Pee wee football.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anyone who doesn,t think WM needs to go is either stupid or knows nothing about football. There have been some valid points from some of you such as we are getting little or no pressure on the quarterbacks and our DE are non-factors,however, when your DBs are consistently beaten deep and often are 15 and 20 yards out of position it is poor coaching. Yes, CMR is ultimately responsible but the defense belongs to WM. They run the schemes he instituted as DC and practice them under his scrutiny. If the defense is ill prepared as you can obviously see on any given saturday, who’s fault is it?

• Link
• Report this comment

To all of the Van Gorder freaks out there:
How many seasons did VG face offences from Spurrier, Miles, Petrino, Saban, and Jones? Answer: zero.

How many out of conference BCS teams did he face? BC scored 20, FSU scored 13 (w/o their starting QB), Purdue scored 27, Clemson scored 28 and 0, Tech avg. 13.3.

If you look at the big games during his three seasons, it is interesting to note who was coaching.

Bama averaged 24 points against VG with two different coaches (price and shula).

UK averaged 26.5 against VG.

Spurrier took over at SC in 2005.

Tech avg. 13.3 over those three season with Chan Gailey taking over as head coach in 2002.

VG did face Spurrier at UF in his first season, a loss in which UF put up 20 pts. The offensive juggernaut Ron Zook put up 20 and 16 the two following seasons. He was a loser in Jax three times.

VG did face Saban’s LSU team loss to them, giving up 17 pts and 34 in the SEC championship.

The 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 UGA teams were phenomenal. That was a team that comes together once in a great while. It was just at special group at the height of maturity and all healthy. I think last years team would have been on of those special teams had the injuries not crippled them, and then the key guys graduated or went pro. This team is building and we’ll see another special team in two or three years if everyone stays healthy.

The comparison between VanGorder and Martinez is just not a just comparison. Raw data doesn’t mean a thing. You can use stats to say whatever you want.

As long as the D is coming up with big plays when needed and the dawgs are getting the W, I don’t care how many points or yards the other team gets.

• Link
• Report this comment

Great article……. All that disagree Buzz over to GT……..

• Link
• Report this comment

Abe you say the only problem is talent let me ask you this whose job is it to recruit the defensive talent? that would be Willie so either way he is a failure just depends on which area you want to say he fails at. I say he is a bad coach you say he is a bad recruiter either way the guy sucks.

• Link
• Report this comment

In 1980, the national championship team yielded 137 points in 12 games.

Yeah but they had Erk.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,
As usual you have it bassackwards. And I am here to set you straight and argue the point with you until you say “no mas”.Point #5 should be point #1 and nothing else needs to be said. As a lifelong Dawg, I have to admit every point is spot on. Good column.

• Link
• Report this comment

I hate to jump on coaches, but to be fair, IF Georgia was looking for a DC, would they hire Willie?
The answer is obvious, so….
The scheme hasn’t changed but the caliber of player has, and that is directly linked to the DC at school who can recruit like GA.

• Link
• Report this comment

Tech fans – stay off this blog! Let the big dawg self-destruct on it’s own! They don’t need our help!

• Link
• Report this comment

It is clearly just a situation where Blind Willie has been promoted to his level of incompetence. Nice guy but the job is too much for him.

• Link
• Report this comment

I notice that this a few hundred post later but did anybody else notice that Bradley said that WM needs to be DEMOTED and not fired? Can we lay off the firing right away?

• Link
• Report this comment

Damn, I guess when you had one DE suspended for two games and had to have your DT’s play DE, or one of your LB’s play DE due to thinness at the position because of injuries and the aforementioned suspension, well, that kind of crap is going to happen.

Not to mention playing three BCS teams, two on the road and one at home. Starting at OSU and turning the ball over three times(offense ad ST) doesn’t help one bit, especially when the QB had the flu. (Hey, if precious Urban Meyer can use the excuse, so can a dawg.)

Then, to come home and play a hated rival that you all predicted would be a 13-9 type game and ended up being a scoring shootout. Maybe that too was, turnovers. (What’s this? 3 turnovers again, putting the D in bad field position) Then scoring too quickly, if that is even an excuse, but the result, putting a D that was already tired, back out on the field. Remember, USC had 83 plays to UGA’s 53 plays. Don’t tell me that D was not tired. And to make it worse, played a 4 hour game.

Then they had to travel again, on the road and play an Arkansas team that you all, the media, were touting as the second coming, Ole Miss of 2009 as their offense and Mallet got rave reviews. He lights up UGA’s secondary with some laser accurate passes early an built a nice lead.

UGA answers and then takes the lead. The D stepped up in the second quarter, while the O decided to give them a breather, slight as it was, and was statistically strong. Arkansas blazes them in the third where the secondary had some major issues, and it was easy to see. But when it came crunch time in the fourth, they held up.

So yeah, there are some issues on Defense, obviously, but three turnovers a game by the O and ST, playing thee BCS teams and not one frickin’ cupcake to be seen in the immediate future, and you want to call UGA out statistically. Your prerogative, sir, but damn, I wonder how UGA’s D would rank statistically, if they played Charleston Southern, Troy, North Texas, Florida International, Louisiana Ragin Cajuns etc, as some of our brothers in this league have played.

At least give UGA the credit for playing three tough opponents to start the season, 2 on the road, all BCS and that is after praise was given to each team played. UGA was an underdog in two of those games. So, let me get this straight, when the media picks another team to win, the talking heads credit OSU as being the second coming of the Big 12, gives USC tons of credit with there defensive prowess and then tells everyone how Arkansas O is all the chit, and then UGA goes and loses to OSU in a game I wish I had not seen, spanks and torches the USC d for 37 points, (30 offensively), and then goes down and spanks Arkansas, even though all everything Mallet got his TD’s(did you even see some of those throws and catches?), UGA needs to fire Martinez, oops, demote Martinez immediately.

No sir, Mark Bradley, I will wait and see what USC does against Ole Miss this Thursday and see how good that USC D is, and how good Stephen Garcia has become.

I will wait and see what Mallet and Arkansas does to the precious and highly touted D of Alabama before I write UGA off on the D side of the ball. Hell, maybe Mallet lights them up, then what?

Yeah, UGA D has some scheme issues, or coaching issues, but the talent is there and can not wait to see that complete game get played where the penalties, ironically mainly on the O side of the ball, the turnovers are kept in check, and the team is actually a bit rested.

In a perfect world, UGA gets past ASU with a victory and saves this performance I dream of against I am sure, your precious team out of the West in LSU. You know, a game like the last three times we played LSU, where we just line up punch them in the mouth and kick their azz. I mean it hasn’t been close in the past three games.

That is what I wish, Then, a 5-1 UGA team hits the road and plays UT. By then, our O should be a fine tuned machine and we can see what we have against the Kiffin’s and the rest of the Chippendale clan and can go from there.

But I digress, it is what I wish, and a way of allowing myself to enjoy a season that comes around to late, and ends to early. I will always wear my “Estrada”, I mean, “Bulldawg” shades and do my best to enjoy the season. But you sir, have to write this schlock and try to get people to tune in by being a bit controversial. Wow, now that is difficult journalism. Hell, I could do your job, how hard could it be. Log into UGASports, hop on the Vent, see what everyone is bitching about, then write on that topic. Done. Article for the day.

Enjoy. And please, if Arkansas offense is for real, and if USC actually has a good QB and a solid D, don’t write some fluff piece trying to make amends as it will only sell you that much shorter in my eyes.

Damn, I miss Lewis Grizzard. At least he could make me laugh with his wit.

• Link
• Report this comment

Not only did the 1980 team have Erk… well, let’s be honest, they didn’t take on any real offensive power houses. I know everybody is going to rip this apart. I am not taking anything away from that team. I loved every minute of it. But, there was a lot of speculation about Georgia’s #1 ranking and ease of schedule. They shut everybody up when they defeated Notre Dame. But, there were some nail biters. Besides, the game was just terribly different twenty nine years ago. I loved Erk. Loved to see him with blood dripping down his face from head butting players. But, the comparison with Willie just aint valid.

• Link
• Report this comment

Can’t fire the players, so get rid of the coach….That will always solve the problem….Talent rules the day on defense, you can’t hide talent on defense, and when players don’t make plays, they either don’t have the talent to make the plays or they are unmotivated to do so. It looks like the Dawgs play hard and are motivated, but somebody (seemingly a bunch) of these cats on defense are definitely over rated….When the ball snaps, it ain’t up to Willie to get to the QB, that’s where talent takes over. Willie’s scheme is basically the same scheme Van Gorder ran, so it is not where the guys are lining up….Think cover guys are over rated also….Sometimes getting caught up in all this 4 star and 5 star recruiting stuff gets coaches fired…What matters is what you do when the ball is snapped, not how much talent you have….And for Coach Richt, who generally wins 10 a year, I am sure he will listen to the bashers who come on this site and fire the coaches the bashers want fired…If there are mistakes made, it has been in recruiting. Willie is not coaching a bunch of All-Americans as some of you who come on this site would have people to think….Talent will rise, if it is there….Still waiting for the talent to rise, and I am sure Willie is too…..It ain’t Willie, its the players…Players make plays….If they can’t make plays for Willie, why do you think they will make plays for anybody else…..They have been bashed by the media, the fans, and I am sure their own coaching staff. Somebody has got to step up on defense and respond…But, it takes talent to respond….Show me the talent….

• Link
• Report this comment

Would Central Michigan take WM back as its DC? 5 will get you 10 they would pass on that offer.

And I don’t believe this is a mob mentality against WM. There are many smart football comments that appear on these pages day after day. All you have to do is look at the games and then use the numbers that were supplied to us today by Mark. Of course it is never that easy and there are always circumstances that we as fans are not privy too.

With that said, we can only hope for a vast improved defense soon or we are going to have more defeats that we consider acceptable.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ok, so I have read several posts for and against keeping/firing Willie Martinez. I am an OBJECTIVE fan and I see things for what they are. I see GOOD coaching and I applaud it. I see BAD coaching and I question it…human nature. My OBJECTIVE side tells me that Willie while not being SOLEY responsible for the sub par performance on defense, is still the coach. If he is not the reason for the defense of performance, then who is? If those of you who are FOR Willie honestly believe that he is getting the job done, then PLEASE STATE YOUR CASE IN THE FORM OF FACTS. I have no personal animosity against Martinez, I just want the absolute best possible coach at every position of our beloved DAWGS.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

To borrow a quote from the comments yesterday: “Willie Martinez and The Touchdown Factory.” The Dogs have plenty of talent on defense, however, they are consistently set up in the wrong schemes. Why can’t Willie Martinez make the appropriate adjustments???!!! The rushing defense can give up a few more yards if it will drastically improve the pass defense. Drop more guys back in coverage!!! Get after the damn quarterback, and make something happen!!! You’ll never beat the big boys of the SEC if you can’t rush the passer or cover wide receivers!!! On another note, how bout a blackout on Saturday night against Arizona State? Put the red tops back on for LSU, though. Coach Richt could call for a blackout today at his weekly press conference.

• Link
• Report this comment

Time for Richt to put aside friendship and start making the hard decisions that every CEO must. Bring Kirby Smart home from Bear Bryant Whiskey U to be the D-coordinator – give him Martinez’s $250K salary, plus an additional $250K more (Richt should give $250K of his salary if necessary – he can afford it), as Tutorsee has raised the bar for coordinator pay. Kirby is one of the brightest coaches in the country, and is a great recruiter. He has also been apprenticing under Saban, so his schemes and coaching technique should be top notch. It is my desire for Richt’s tenure to exceed even Dooley’s, but I am afraid this will never happen unless he wises up and starts making the tough choices that every good leader must. The stats speak for themselves, as well as many notable “defensive breakdown games” – Miss. St ‘05 (remember when the defense was within a dropped pass of losing that game to Croom’s “juggernaut” offense?); losses to Vanderbilt ‘05 (winning drive); Florida ‘05 (Florida’s struggling offense scoring on its first three drives); Auburn ‘05 (4th and 17); West Virginia 2006 Sugar Bowl (28-0 1st qtr); Tennessee ‘06 (51 points); Tennessee ‘07; Alabammer ‘08; Florida ‘08; Georgia Tech ‘08; and our fortunate to win games this year with South Carolina and Arkansas.

• Link
• Report this comment

I can’t wait to play Florida. The score of that game should be 80-65.

• Link
• Report this comment

Remember, USC had 83 plays to UGA’s 53 plays. Don’t tell me that D was not tired. And to make it worse, played a 4 hour game.

Can’t have it both ways. Maybe if the defense would have made a stop they wouldn’t have been on the field for 83 plays!

• Link
• Report this comment

Someone had a great point about Kirby Smart. Another former Dawg coaching a great defense elsewhere is Will Muschamp at Texas.

• Link
• Report this comment

St. Simons Beach Lover—-What points specifically can you name where our defense doesn’t look prepared. What would you do to prepare them better? Where did you get your football pedigree? We have made mistakes in recruiting….We talk about what a player can do on a vvertical jump, but will he put his hat on somebody…Some of these 4 and 5 star recruits have all the good stats like 40 times and whatever but won’t put the hat on somebody….Come off that beach and start coaching…You may be the answer to our problems at Georgia….

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s the “chicken or the egg theory”. It’s either the players or the the coaching. Personally, I think it is a little of both, and I’m tired of the argument. CWM has been DC for five years. Jancek has been here 5 years, and we still don’t have adequate play out of our Lbers. Fabris has been here coaching DE’s and ST’s for 9 years. Garner has been here since ‘98. There is no excuse for a program like UGA to have a bottom tier defense, and still have fans 5 years hence, defending this ineptitude.

Maybe Houston, Washington, and Robinson will become playmakers off the edge in the near future. We have 5 DE’s committed in this upcoming class. One has two damaged knees and is a three star recruit. Another is 215 lbs, while another one is a highly rated recruit who is very rangy and raw, but seems to lack football instincts.

After watching Pollack dominate for 4 years, and watching Marcus Howard wreak havoc the second half of ‘07, it’s pretty obvious how important de is (and applying pressure on the qb)to make this scheme work. But this staff just can’t seem to get it right. There is no sense of urgency and it comes directly from the head coach. Allen Bailey and Cameron Heyward were two NFL bodies that were in our backyard, and we let them get away. Bailey didn’t hear from his UGA recruiting coach for months. We didn’t show much interest in Carlos Dunlap out of SC and he’s starting at DE for UF now. We didn’t want Omar Hunter out of Buford a couple years ago, now we have 3 SR DT’s and only one committed.

Look at it this way, this staff has signed two NFL proto type DE’s since they’ve been here: Charles Johnson and Toby Jackson. One is in the NFL, the other didn’t get in school. The problem may not be all Willie’s coaching and his scheme, but he’s too catious and laid back to be a DC. But, as far as I’m concerned, I’m not laying ALL the blame at Willie’s feet. It is a joint effort, and everyone bears responsibility, even Garner, who, everyone seems to be worried might leave if he’s not offered the DC position if there is a change. Who cares? Rodney is widely known around SEC circles as being a recruiter and not a coach. He was the running game coordinator at UT for crying out loud. Handing him the keys to the defense would be a disaster of Kevin Ramsey proportions. Hopefully, Richt is smarter than that. HOPEFULLY. Fact is, this defense staff is in need of an overhaul, from every aspect: talent evaluation development, and coaching. Damon has already said we need to be competitive with UF. If that message has sunk in with Richt, and he’s as competitive as all his supporters claim, then he’ll do the right thing in Jan. If not, he’s not going to be here in two years.

• Link
• Report this comment

(((((( 33 – 17 )))))) boo hoo boo hoo boo hoo

• Link
• Report this comment

The jury should still be out on Willie. While the stats are accurate and depressing at best, we should take a hard look at what is going on. Without DE’s that can get to the QB our pass rush is awful. While our recruiting classes have been highly ranked, we have not got DE’s that can get to the QB. Cornelius Washington and Houston are our best chance right now, but they are still developing. The secondary has some ability but Boykin, Cuff, and Smith are all basically inexperienced and have to learn on the fly. Their techniques will improve and the amount of busted coverages will decrease with experience. When comparing VanGorder and Martinez we must remember that Coach V had 11 NFL guys some of which are All Pro (mostly Donnan recruits) at the time and this defense appears to have about 5. I am disappointed in the D just like everyone but a knee jerk reaction when we don’t have the skill at DE or the experience at DB would be a mistake.

• Link
• Report this comment

Random musings…..BVG had better players than Martinez…look at the rosters the BVG teams had most of the very best players on the team…DE and CB recruiting have been subpar for the last 4 years…with a quick strike big play offense teams generally gave up more points on D…if ARK puts up 35 on Bama will people say Saban is slipping?Is Tenn really good on D or is it the fact they run a lot more than they pass and control the clock?How many passing teams have a great Defense?If UGA is 6-1 going into JAX are people going to still be calling for WM’s head?So far what games have we lost that you can HONESTLY blame directly on the defense?Go back a couple of years and point out those losses..FLA and ALA last year were NOT because of WM..GT I would say is one…most of these games people point out we ACTUALLY WON!! ie..ARK and SC..OK State was not on the D..point is most folks scream and holler over the scores of the games overlooking the fact that the Defense has NOT been directly to blame for losing many games under WM.TO’s and poor Offensive play is a much bigger factor!! I challenge ANYBODY to go over all our losses under WM and show me the Defense was the biggest factor..it all sounds good…WM sucks,poor coaching,outdated scheme,no adjustments,blah,blah,blah,but when you ignore the stats and look at the games it’s not so cut and dried as it seems.Personally I don’t give a damn about style points I just want to win the ballgame.

• Link
• Report this comment

UGA defensive personnel are out of position on a regular basis. If R.Curran were to miss a game or two, the D would give up even more points…BTW, Rennie would make a fine safety in the NFL…He certainly has a knack for being first to the ballcarrier…

• Link
• Report this comment

Some random reactions/thoughts…I don’t know if Mark Bradley actually believes the stuff he says, but I do know that his job is to ‘get the fight started’ and he tries everyday to think of just what will do it – today it was this, and obviously, plenty of us are patsy’s for it…so you think Van Gorder was a hot shot? Ask the folks down in Statesboro just how ‘hot’ he was…comparing what offenses are doing now to what we did thirty years ago is laughable – hell, Buck only threw the ball six or eight times a game, and it seems to me that there was a kid at Auburn and another from Mississippi, that had some success throwing the ball against Erk’s defense…I too have questions about how our DBs and LBs react to receivers and thrown balls while playing in the zone, but I also know that the game we lost we played more man-to-man and got beat…pressure on the QB is the key and it’s obvious we either don’t have that combination of speed and strength called for or we haven’t yet found the right combination/rotation that can be successful. Although something good happened in last Saturday’s game in the fourth quarter that won the day and we also held SC to field-goals for the better part of that game…finally, stats are for losers – winning is for winning. I don’t care how many yards we give up, so long as we win…hey Atticus, with a handle like that one would think you’d be more thoughtful and wise, and I don’t see Martinez making any excuses, he’s too busy trying to correct the mistakes of his cover guys.

• Link
• Report this comment

Simple question: why not fire or demote Martinez and bring Van Gorder back?? Smith is obviously not enamored with his performance as the Falcon’s DC, he could probably be had (at least after the season ends).

• Link
• Report this comment

Let’s get the campaign started here today—you heard it hear first from “no d in Dawg”—

HIRE KIRBY SMART!

(Another thing about Kirby—he was our RB coach a year or two for Richt before going back to Saban’s staff when he took the ‘Bama job…)

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark you know CMR is not going to do anything so drastic after three games. And by ‘drastic’, I mean demote Martinez after three games not fire him. What’s going on behind the serene public facade is another matter.

BTW, that running post during the GA game last week…I know you’ve done it before during Braves game and such but did the blog set some kind of record with 2-3K responses?

• Link
• Report this comment

How many people on this board will still be complaining if we beat LSU 51-35?41-37 over FLA?40-30 over TENN?36-30 over GT and AUB?How do you know our Offense will not continue to put up big numbers?Be honest is anybody out there really shaking in their boots over LSU?Tenn?EVEN the mighty GATORS?I’m not…from what I’ve seen so far we can beat EVERY team on the schedule…there are no invincible teams in college football period.

• Link
• Report this comment

I saw Willie giving Mark Richt a reacharound in Fayetteville.

• Link
• Report this comment

Atticus is 100% correct. We supposedly sign the GREAT D kids and then? Well, um, ah, um, they um, simply do not perform. A David Pollack comes along about like Haley’s comet. Pollack was a revved up kid ( still is on tv show ) and he had the ethic of a hard working man. Pride too. Talent was not evident until he was a frosh A American at UGA> probably a three star kid in HS.

CWM cannot get it done. IF he could, then we would be blogging about Logan or Rontavious and Marlon not getting playing time. Martinez will be either forced out by Adams and evans OR allowed to remain as a “athletic department at large coach” Happens all the time with the good ole boy network which is NOT unique to UGA.

The record, by year’s end will reveal whether we have the perfect blend of TOP QUALITY coaches. 6-6 or 7-5 here we come. Music City bowl played in a driving cold rain in front of 14,000 screaming fans.

UGA,class of 73

• Link
• Report this comment

CWM must be demoted or fired now. and if CMR won’t do it, then Evans should show him the door too. Those Dawgs fans who are accepting of this D need to sack up. This is pathetic and you should be man enough to realize it, NOT stand for it, and say something!

• Link
• Report this comment

I THINK COACH GARNER SHOULD RUN THE DEFENSE AND BRING FORMER PLAYER KIRBY SMART IN . FABRIS DOESN’T HAVE THE RIGHT COMBINATION WITH GARNERS DEFENSIVE FRONT. WILLIE MART DOESN’T KNOW WHAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE. IF I’M A OFFENSIVE COACH I WILL JUST DUMP IN THE FLATS OR JUST GIVE IT TO THE TIGHT END. USC DID IT. DUMP FAB&MARTINEZ AND IF THAT DOES’T HAPPEN DAMON EVANS WILL PUT THE HEAT ON THE HEAD MAN.

• Link
• Report this comment

CMR, please, oh PLEASE, do not replace CWM. As soon as they play someone that knows how to play D, then it is lights out for the talent laden but SEVERELY undercoached Dawgs until next year. Their talent pool on both sides of the ball is superb, but it is obvious they lack something. I do believe I know what that something is – IT IS COACHING. UGA has a bunch of 4 and 5 star athletes being coached by a group of one and NONE star coaches, starting with the boss himself. So, I say again, PLEASE do not replace Martinez or any other coach. It tickles me each year to see them go up in flames and all you idiots and jerks say “We’ll get ‘em next year” When are you going to realize that as long as CMR and his cronies are there, next year will NEVER GET HERE.

• Link
• Report this comment

As a UGA fan….I hope Richt gets rid of Martinez AND Bobo soon. If not, I hope UGA gets rid of Richt.
Sincerely,
A Dawg for Life

• Link
• Report this comment

Having gone through denial, bargaining anger and depression regarding our defensive shortcomings, I have finally arrived at stage 5-Acceptance.

Most would agree we are better of with CMR than without him. Richt sees no problem with CWM’s ability and/or performance (see last year’s bonusand the regular post game alibis). As such, CMR will NEVER fire CWM.

Acceptance isn’t really such a bitter pill-just sit back and enjoy the spectacle of our offense trying to keep pace with our pathetic defense. And really-admit it, aren’t the Kentucky and Vandy games so much more exciting now than in the previous 100 years of Georgia football?

• Link
• Report this comment

all of you, who say you’re a dawg fan are the same ones who ran off vince dooley. saying the same thing, you all said then((he’s being out coach’d and he bring in bust recruits)) dont know who or whut you cheering for as a bulldog fan

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,

Your comments are right on target. Willie Martinez is embarassing the SEC Brand of Football!! When a weak offensively challenged team like South Carolina puts up that many points and then an almost as weak team like Arkansas puts that many points up on you.. It is a disgrace to the SEC brand of footall. I don’t know what else to say. Willie Martinez needs to go to the PAC 10 where numbers like that are not only accepted..where they are encouraged. This is the worst Georgia Defense I have witnessed since I have been alive since 1968. Actually, Willie Martinez should walk into Coach Richt’s office and say he is sorry for embarassing him and turn in his resignation. I can’t believe this has not happened yet.

THE WORST GEORGIA DEFENSE EVER!!! I am embarassed!!

• Link
• Report this comment

meandsonny,

you are wrong Sir! Tell that to alabama…How many all americans do they have on defense, or va tech? they have decent talent, but great coordinators..willie is not good at getting the best out of his players, and frankly there is no excuse for players not knowing which way to run on the cover routes. That starts with coaching! UGA does have all american talent on D…ever heard of Geno Atkins, Jeff Owens, Rennie Curran, and even Branden Smith? the first three on the watch lists for position awards..

• Link
• Report this comment

Hiring Kirby would cost 750-1 mil…….then you’ve got to upgrade the rest of staff, say another mil or so for those guys. Ain’t gonna happen. Adams wants to win, but doing whatever it takes to become champions ain’t in his DNA.

• Link
• Report this comment

These should certainly be on the short list of replacements: Jon Tenuta, Kirby Smart and John Chavis (well, at least last year we could have gotten John Chavis). I know there are other plenty of qualified candidates too. The question is: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

• Link
• Report this comment

My Gwinnett “youth” football team is 0-3 and I still would not let Martinez be my DC, much more a top-tier program like UGA. Too much talent being wasted with WM at the helm. If this loyalty continues with WM, maybe it’s time CMR step aside as well.

• Link
• Report this comment

The argument about firing anybody and reminding us of the Goff and Donnan era’s is so old. That is a tired act. Yeah, like if we fire CMR will will do that. Not in favor of it at all, but Florida did not fall off the face of the earth because Spurrier left did they? CMR is a great coach and man, but STOP with the Goff, Donnan crap. That is ridiculous banter.

• Link
• Report this comment

CMR just had a news conference. He is gonna make changes. He’s gonna keep all the coaches and fire all the FANS.

• Link
• Report this comment

Regarding #5, note that fan ‘interest’ is considered classy, but Mark said nothing about the fans themselves being classy. One of those things that makes you go, ‘hmmm’.

• Link
• Report this comment

The number 6 reason: We will never beat a good team again with Willie as defensive coordinator.

He is not good, he is not average. CMR needs to quit trying to explain to us. The defense is terrible as a whole and but good on paper. That means that the coordination and coaching is NOT good.

• Link
• Report this comment

Maybe it’s just me but I would rather win 50-49 than lose 7-6

• Link
• Report this comment

Not defending Willie, but one thing that must be remembered when looking at current SEC defensive stats is that most SEC teams have started the season playing at least one if not two patsy teams, whereas the dawgs have played 3 BCS teams, which makes our stats look worse than they should at this stage of the season.

• Link
• Report this comment

fire the hole staff at the end of the year and bring in a coach that will kick some butt when needed!
JON GRUDEN!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Go SAints

• Link
• Report this comment

Folks, there are virtually no more excuses for CWM and his defense. You are right on target, Mark.

Yes, we lack talent at DE the past few years which leads to less pressure on the opposing QB which leads to more time to find an open receiver. But this gets back to recruiting, and that is CWM’s responsibility in part.

Yes, our players have not been executing plays properly, finding themselves out of position. But this gets back to coaching and preparation, and that is CWM’s responsibility.

Yes, our defense has been put in a tough position several times over the past three weeks by having to defend a short field. But it seems like even on a short field, we would stop the opposition at least some of the time or limit them to a field goal. Instead, it seems like they are always scoring TD’s. On top of that, even if you take out the short field scores, we are still giving up nearly 30 points/game. That is CWM’s responsibility.

As far as solutions go, many of you are kidding yourselves. For good or bad, CMR strongly values loyalty to his coaches – no way he fires CWM mid-season, and frankly I think there is a pretty low chance he ever fires CWM. CWM will have to volunteer to leave or be offered a position somewhere else. That is the only way we get rid of CWM while CMR is here, and I don’t want to lose CMR.

But let’s say we do get rid of CWM, the replacements some of you are mentioning – Smart and Muschamp – can you please explain to me why either of those guys would come to UGA to be DC, aside from their UGA connection? Both of them are DC’s for teams that are going to be in the national championship discussion for the foreseeable future. UGA, while potentially in the mix from time to time, is not currently up to the level of Texas or Bama as far as in the BCS title mix year-in and year-out. Sorry, but it is the truth. Muschamp has been given the keys to Texas if/when Mack Brown retires, plus he has a huge contract. What the hell can UGA offer him to get him to leave?

Sure, we could maybe beat Smart’s $350k at Bama, but again – why would he leave there when he has a chance to be in the title game most years? Which is more likely to lead to a head coaching job somewhere – DC with UGA and playing for the SEC title once every 5-7 years, or DC with Bama under Saban and playing for the national title once every 5 years?

You’re going to have to look to a non-SEC school, mid-major, etc., to find UGA’s next DC. Or a guy like Tuberville who still is interested in coaching and wouldn’t mind being able to get back at Auburn every year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Mark,

Any feedback from Athens yet on your article?

• Link
• Report this comment

The only way Willie Martinez won’t be back next year is if Damon Evans steps in and fires him. Richt will do nothing but give him another raise.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here Where are Joe Lee Dunn and Joe Kines when you need them

• Link
• Report this comment

Amen Mark! Great job! If the man had any class at all he would step aside. This is not a few game spurt. This is Martinez defence. C’mon Willie………take one for the TEAM!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Yes, it is time for Willie Martinez to go – not to be demoted – but to go……

If CMR won’t do it, then Martinez needs to fall on his own sword and resign. Hopefully Martinez is classy enough to leave on his own accord and preserve his boss….

Richt’s background is offense and offense has never been much of a problem at UGA – its the defense, and if your head coach’s expertise is offense – that head coach needs a strong defensive coordinator – we have not had that since Van Gorder left.

Willie, please do Bulldawg nation a favor and just leave…..

• Link
• Report this comment

There’s too much talent on this defense to suck this bad. Aberrations have become the trend It’s officially time to get back to the junkyard mentality. Hunger, tenacity, violence…

I’m more than skeptical that Ol’ Willie can deliver us that mentality.

BerniesDawgBlawg

• Link
• Report this comment

for whoever said georgia has no NFL talent on defense:

walterfootball.com
pre-season rankings
Geno Adkins(2nd round)
Rennie Curran(2-3)
Reshad Jones (top 20 pick)

nfldraftdog.com
Adkins(8 ranked DT)
Curran (4 OLB)
Jones (6 S)

collegefootballnews.com(scout.com)
Adkins(7 dt, 46 overall)
Curran(3 olb, 35 overall)
Jones(4 S, 39 overall)

nfldraftscout.com(cbs sports)
Jeff Owens(59 overall, 7 dt)
Adkins ( 79, 9)
Curran(2 OLB in 2011)*
Jones(2 S in 2011)*
*does not rank juniors in 2010 yet

im not an insider at espn so i cant get their rankings, but these credible sites all have Georgia defensive players going in the first couple of rounds, so to say that Georgia does not have NFl talent is absurd

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Bradley- Rabblerouser leading a lynch mob. This is low-life journalism. I think some of us should begin publishing articles on the cheap-shot yellow journalism you have reduced your paper and staff to over time and mail them to Furman Bisher. If you have nothing uplifting to say in your field of endeavor, then you should come under scrutiny. Take a look at your own work before you attack a coach using scoring stats. The mob you attract are the same ones around sniffing Schultz’s crap from yesterday. Coach Richt laid things to rest last year and tries to do so each game, but no one has accepted his honest straight-forward assessments. Most of the rabble you attract do not have the good interests of my University at heart. We should ignore you and the ajc as well. Sorry article that tears down our school qualifies you as the Fox News of newspapers. I think the UGA alumni should demand you writers step down and not accept any explanation that you put forth. In fact, I think a note to your publisher and Furman Bisher is a good start to let you know how it feels to have your job threatened in print while you can’t defend yourself from distorted data. In my book about my youth in Sowega, you will find ample references to the AJC leading the desegregation fight in the South with Ralph McGill’s brave and intelligent editorials. Inspiration is at a low in this country due to the lack of civility even in sports.

Tear away, jackals (animals that go underneath in a pack). CMR runs our football program and if you don’t want to listen to him then enjoy your ignorance. Intellectual honesty can no longer be claimed on this blog and I will not blog in the face of such printed scat.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments hereDeon Sanders

September 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Too bad you don’t know how to spell your own name….agree with firing Richt (he will NEVER win a NC as head coach) but to compare him to Bob Stoops is IGNORANT ! Stoops WON a NC !
You big dummy

• Link
• Report this comment

I agree with you Mark Bradley….Willie Martinez sux

• Link
• Report this comment

Let’s see we have played Ryan Mallett (6′7″ former starter to be at a little known program called Michigan), Zac Robinson (one of the more notable QB’s in a conference not known for QB play), and Stephen Garcia (hand picked and coached by a guy who is not known for his QB expertise). Sure we look so called bad so far but let’s really take a
look at the competition we have faced. These kids just might be pretty damn good at what they do. Damn 6′7″ playing QB? Robinson didn’t do that great against us. Garcia is going to have a great day sooner or later or SOS would have sat him a long time ago. We haven’t exactly been playing directional schools or FCS opponents this season.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oledawg…

… you claim to be intellectually honest?

How can you claim this?

You ignore EVERY single fact and trend that follows Willie Martinez like stink on a skunk.

You claim to be intellectually honest for the simple reason that you buy the excuses that Mark Richt makes for his friend???

Shame on you, Oledawg. Shame on you. Shame on your blindness. Shame on your eager acceptance of lies.

Shame on your acceptance of mediocrity.

Have you no decency, Sir? In the end, have you no decency?

• Link
• Report this comment

Oledawg, please get back on your med schedule. What’s the matter – did your pharmacy get flooded?

• Link
• Report this comment

I like Martinez. I have met him and heard him speak. He does not lack in enthusiasm. I do believe you will see improvement. There must be more to the story than the critics know about. Arizona State will be another win. LSU will be the test. I am reserving any criticism until then.

• Link
• Report this comment

I know watching on TV isn’t the best way to evaluate a defense, but I couldn’t help but note the difference between the Bulldogs D and the Falcons D this weekend. Relatively speaking, the Falcons probably have less talent in the defensive backfield than the Bulldogs, but at least when the Falcons DBs got burned for long passes, there was a man trying to cover the receiver. Maybe he was a little out of position or the receiver made a great catch, but there was always at least one DB nearby trying to make a play.

In contrast, it appeared that receivers frequently ran through the UGA zone defense completely unnoticed. Quite a few times receivers caught long passes with no Bulldog DB in sight on the TV screen. I know UGA was using a lot of zone coverage, but that hardly explains leaving large portions of the field uncovered and not having defenders in position to make a tackle after the catch. Either play an aggressive style of defense and go for the sack, interception, pass breakup, etc., or play a conservative style and keep your players in position to make a tackle after a short gain. Playing conservative but out of position just isn’t going to work.

I think it’s in the best interest of the program to wait until the end of the season to evaluate Coach Martinez’s performance over the whole season. Richt knew there were some questions about the defense after last season, but had enough faith in Martinez to keep him in place. If the defense improves significantly over the course of the season, then maybe Richt made the right call. I hope that’s the case. If the defensive play continues as it is right now, an 8 – 4 or 7 – 5 season record will leave Richt with no choice but to make some changes or risk his own job by continuing down the same road in 2010.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments hereYes, I think that we should lose him, he has had plenty of time to prove his self, and has not done it. Hate to see Richt get fired over it.

• Link
• Report this comment

You don’t fire the man in the middle of the season. IF the defense doesn’t show improvement through the course of the season, then at the end of the year you have to assess whether it’s the coordinator, positions coaches, talent, or some combination of all-of-the-above. For now, we just have to hope the defense gels and shows some improvement.

I’ll be watching to see if SC and the Hogs can pull some upsets in the conference. In retrospect, I think the loss at Okie State was much more productive for the Dawgs than some of the other teams’ cupcake walkovers.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ole Dawg………you just keep reading each day Bud…………Do me a favor…care a little more about YOUR University! I remember you…..You’re the guy that always ate at the Yellow Jacket! Yup…..that’s you…..the brother-in-law of Saint Simon

• Link
• Report this comment

I graduated from UGA in 1993. I don’t go to many games but always watch the games with friends. I’m not a passionate fan – if we lose it might ruin the rest of the day but I forget about it by Sunday morning. However, the last couple of games have been troubling. I just couldn’t watch the last quarter of the ARK game – didn’t care if we won or lost. I’m simply tired of investing my time in their games. Anyway, I agree that a change is in order.

• Link
• Report this comment

Childish comments revels youth and immaturity.

• Link
• Report this comment

BugKiller is right on the mark, well said!!!! Now if someone in the athletic dept. reads your remarks, things just might get done.

• Link
• Report this comment

If Bugkiller is a Dawg fan, we need a lot less fans lioke that. Im no blind homer, but I dont start throwing people under the bus and calling them pathetic losers if i disagree with their analysis. I also think Willie needs to go, but I dont have to be an a$$hole to express my opinion. Hey Bug Killer, take a big old snort of that DCon and go spank yourself.

• Link
• Report this comment

As others have already pointed out, when the influential alums begin to put pressure on the AD it will not matter whether or not CMR wants Willie to stay, and when a certain beer, wine, and liquor distributor down in Columbus, Ga. says it time for Willie to go he will be gone.

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t care how fired up WM can act. Look at our stats the last 2 years. They are bad and getting worse.

UGA is playing a poor brand of football. Even if you have inferior talent, a fan can recognize what brand of football is being played. A fan can recognize that players are doing things the right way. We don’t have that with the Dawgs at this point.

• Link
• Report this comment

the true test will come in 3 weeks when you all play the Vols….if the Vols can move the ball and score, then YES, you all need to get rid of Willie. You should be able to pad some defensive stats that week (definitely a couple of INTs)

• Link
• Report this comment

As I have posted before, Willie has a pattern of giving up a LOT OF POINTS. This is nothing new for the man. Check out his prior coaching experience:
1992-93, Grand Valley State (Def. Coord. / Def. Backs);
Year Record Defensive Break downs (pts allowed / Team)
1992 8-3 45, Indian (PA);
1993 6-3-2 34, Indian (PA); 38 Hillsdale
After Willie
1994 8-4
1995 8-3

1994, Central Michigan (Def. Backs); 1995-96, Central Florida (Def. Coord. / Def. Backs);
Year Record Defensive Break downs (pts allowed / Team)
1994 9-3 52, Iowa; 52 Las Vegas, NV
1995 4-7 34, E Michigan; 48 W Michigan
1996 5-6 55, Virgina; 46, Miami (OH); 51, Kent St.
After Willie
1997 2-9 Willie left for 1 year (abandon ship)

1997, Eastern Michigan (Def. Backs)
Year Record Defensive Break downs (pts allowed / Team)
1997 4-7 44, Missouri (opening game); 38, Toledo; 41, Kent St.; 47, Ohio; 48, Marshall; 41, W Michigan;
After Willie
1998 3-8
1999 4-7

1998-99, Central Michigan (Def. Backs); 2000, Central Michigan (Asst. Head Coach / Def.);
Year Record Defensive Break downs (pts allowed / Team)
1998 6-5 38, Iowa (opening game); 38, Michigan St.
1999 4-7 47, Syracuse; 58 Purdue; 38 W Michigan; 31 Bowling Green; 32 Toledo
2000 2-9 48, Purdue (opening game); 31 Wyoming; 47, Boise St; 41, Toledo; 52, Ohio; 38, Ball St; 31 E Michigan; 40 N Illinois
LEFT TO BECOME A COACH AT UGA
After Willie
2001 3-8
2002 4-8

Notes:
Defensive break downs are considered games in which 30 or more points were scored on the defense in a losing effort.
Willie had a least 2 blow up games each year he coached (except for his first year when he only had one).
The year before coming to UGA, Willie was Asst Head Coach / Def Coordinator and went 2-9 with 8 blow up games (by far his worst coaching performance).
Grand Valley State is by far the most telling: Willie comes into an 8-3 program, turnes it into a 6-3-2 program, leaves, and the program goes back to 8-4.
Central Michigan was a 9-3 program when Willie arrived. When he left is was a 2-9 program.

• Link
• Report this comment

the way to get rid of willie if cmr want do it is to get rid of Mark Richt

• Link
• Report this comment

How come EVERYONE BUT RICHT can see this?????

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, maybe CMR gets a bonus for controlling payroll (hence the double duty coaches are doing).

Seriously, I have long said Little Willie needs to go; I don’t believe CMR will do his job and put the program ahead of his man-crush. Willie may be a fine DB coach but we need a serious DC. Maybe BVG would like to coach the dawgs….

• Link
• Report this comment

I do agree on everything that mentioned by BugKiller. amen brother
WM is a disaster from hell, he should have submitted his resignation after the Arkansas game. he is a BIG TIME FAILIURE

• Link
• Report this comment

The fact that all of you doomsayers are siding with Mark Bradley speaks volumes.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller are you a drama major?

Your posts remind me of a script from a soap opera.

Nothing is going to be done until the end of the year. Herschel Talker, I’ll bet you $1,000 in monopoly money that if UGA’s defense is not any better by the end of the year, Richt won’t have to make a change. WM will resign.

• Link
• Report this comment

It won’t matter after Tennessee crushes the PunneyPups in 2 weeks. It will all take care of itself. Trust me, I’m a doctor.

• Link
• Report this comment

He should go now, but if GA doesn’t beat TN who has NO offense, he should be fired immediately after the game.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bug Killer is right on the money

• Link
• Report this comment

Some of you imagine that we can lure an assistant away from a major program three games into the season. Some of you think that Tuberville would come be an assistant under Richt. Some of you think Fulmer is a good choice for something. LMFAO. Where do you come up with this stuff. Hey, George Bush has some free time on his hands. Maybe he would consider.

Richt gets coach of the year. the dawgs will finish in top ten and contend for NC in the next two or three years. Leave it alone, folks.

• Link
• Report this comment

From David Hale’s blog (looks like CMR is pretty satisfied because they all work hard! Jackpot!):

– Willie Martinez and the other coaches haven’t been paying much attention to the extensive criticism this week, Richt said. “I think people don’t understand how busy we are,” Richt said. “We’re working our tails off — somewhere around 80 hours a week. We’re going, looking at the next opponent, looking at the next game and trying to correct mistakes. We’re moving forward constantly, and we don’t get too caught up in those kinds of things.”

– As expected, Richt mostly dodged questions about the defensive problems, mentioning a.) turnovers hurt, b.) penalties hurt, c.) both of the poor defensive games ended with wins, while the poor offensive game ended with a loss

• Link
• Report this comment

…and your exactly what half of UGA fans are, a Middle-School dropout.

I love it when posts that criticize others’ intelligence contain a glaring error.

• Link
• Report this comment

Any takers on how many points Arkansas will put up against Alabama???

• Link
• Report this comment

SEC1… I’m gonna say less than 20.

Perhaps 17.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here
PLEASE don’t fire Willie!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Deon Sanders go to your room the adults are talking…if we don’t see huge improvements on D willie should go…after the season..IMHO kiss of death for the rest of the year to can him 3 games into the season.And I think if we have a repeat of last year on D he will go on his own..all of CMR’s coaches have shown as much loyalty to him as he has to them CWM by all accounts I’ve heard is too good a man and friend of CMR to let CMR take the heat or to undermind CMR’s relationship with the fan base…just my 2 cents.

• Link
• Report this comment

OK-here we go. Demote cmr to d-coordinator. Make cwm, lead recruiter. Fire bo bo, he’s a cheater. Make chuniz alla-babba off. coord. Lastly make vince didley head coarch because he can cheat and act innocent about it. p.s. pat dye might take the job huh?

• Link
• Report this comment

WOW YOU IDIOTS ARE AMAZING!! I REMEMBER WHEN MARK RICHT COULDN’T SCORE POINTS BUT HIS DEFENSE SAVED HIM. WE SHOULD HAVE FIRED RICHT BACK THEN!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Very fine points. Since 1999 how many games has georgia won over florida? Also, how many national championships has georgia won? You know, just curious.

• Link
• Report this comment

ANSWER THIS FOR ME??? WHO DO WE REPLACE HIM WITH??? PLEASE DON’T SAY GARDNER

• Link
• Report this comment

Willie Martinez = slightly south of Joe Kines and just north of Kevin Ramsey.

• Link
• Report this comment

To RJ

Using stats after 3 games to support a weak argument? What are you talking about? Are you saying coach Willie is doing a good job? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. If so, please explain.

• Link
• Report this comment

Willie Martinez should have been out of that position last year. Now if Mark Richt is worried about him feeding his family and being thrown on the street with no job, then put him in a position doing something else. Let him run the cameras or something like that. Put him in a position that is not detrimental to the team. But one thing for sure, Willie Martinez has to go and go now………

• Link
• Report this comment

I see after 417 comments NOBODY including you MR.Bradley has come up a list of games we lost that was directly on WM’s Defense besides GT last year.TO’s and poor Offensive play have factored way more into this picture than most of you are willing to admit.IF we lost every game we did lose by only 1 point 10-9 would that make you feel better or something?

• Link
• Report this comment

Sad part of the losses is that we didn’t even have them in the overtime period which according to Les Miles makes them a win during regulation.

• Link
• Report this comment

MB I see where you are coming from with most of your points here, but how can you compare the 1980 defense to the 2009 defense? Offenses are now lightyears ahead of and MUCH more complicated than they were in 1980. That comparison is simply irrelevant. If you were to say the 2005 or 2002 defense only gave up 137 points in 12 games, I’d be with you, but come on….1980?

• Link
• Report this comment

I will keep my name to my self.Re-place soft zone Willie sure.I can do a better job with the 4/5 star talent and furture pro player’s than no d adjustment Willie.
My resume reads as follows I am a jr.college d cord.In my second year.
I have to be hired soon because if Willie stays on. Coach Richit will be seeing the Mayflower moveing men in his front yard. Willie can help them tote the boxes out of CMR office.

• Link
• Report this comment

I see you are still awake Bradley!8 games in 5 years….I would not include ALA and FLA last season to that list our Offense did nothing in those games when we were still the game.i’d say 6 games in 5 years with 3 in 06.There have simply been very few games we have lost where we did not come up on the short side of the TO margin.I’d also like it if you could point out how many of these teams with GREAT defenses that have turned over the ball inside there 20 and NOT been scored on or mostly only gave up a FG.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, 5 in the first half? Is that all? It seemed liked 50 to me.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, yes I was sober so I do remember that. I wasn’t going to drink during that game until we took the lead. I still have the beer.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here
Georgia has a larger problem that JUST Willie. We are NOW the THIRD and maybe the FOURTH best program in the SEC. Don’t know if Mark is making the hiring decisions. If so, we have a larger program. Is he selecting the best coaches available. I believe we have serious issues with our defensive ends coach as well.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, I know that Willie has allowed too many points in the last couple of seasons, but it’s also important to note that over his entire tenure as UGA’s defensive coordinator, UGA’s opponents average just over 20 points. Now, some will argue that the first couple of years were carry over years from BVG’s time at UGA. That may be the case. There was a stretch, from the SEC CG in 2003 through the home opener in 2004 against GA Southern that UGA’s opponents averaged 30 points. We gave up 28 points to Southern…at home!
Something more constructive for UGA would be to stop coughing up the ball three times a game. That will keep points off the board of our opponents and keep the defense more fresh, potentially resulting in fewer points.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bottom Line: UGA’s corners give too much cushion on the WR’s. Spurrier loves to run those hook routes (run 6-8 yards, then turn around & the ball is there), and ARK proved the other night you cannot play 10-15 yards off the WR’s because by then they are running full-speed and you cannot JAM them at full speed, and by the time you get to them, because the CB may be faster, they the ball is in the air & there. Corners should JAM the WR’s because it slows them down, knocks them off their routes & buys more time for the pocket to collapse,. Even a ‘FAN’ knows this.
And don’t give me that crap about ’small CB’s’. He also recruited these guys.

• Link
• Report this comment

I sure hope that CMR and Willie Martinez are reading these blogs… Had he (Willie Martinez) been the DC for Alabama or Florida, he would have been gone…. The Alumni would not have stood for it. They (Fans & Alumni) would have ran him away from there.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Bradley,

Do you think that UGA will do better against Arizona State? Do you think the Defense will stop the run and the pass? Can UGA when against Arizona State? What are you thoughts and opinion?

• Link
• Report this comment

well i’m still fuming over the “they don’t have nothing, they’re just throwing grenades out there” comment that Martinez supposedly said during the game saturday night. what the f—? i mean, what game was he watching??? and exactly where does a comment like that come from?? and like Blacklege said,”well, the problem with that is, grenades explode!!”

what would it take to get the guy down here from Va. Tech??? that’s who i want as our D-Coordinator!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller: I love you man!

• Link
• Report this comment

Doubt if Tuberville would come. First, he got a ton of money upon his departure from Auburn. Probably some clause about not coaching at a competing SEC school. Second, he was making (I believe) over $2 million as a head coach. What would he get as a DC? 300K – 500K?? Doesn’t Willie fall in that range?

Some college will dump their coach this year and Tuberville will probably be high on that list. Just my thoughts.

• Link
• Report this comment

I understand and join the chorus against Martinez, but Bobo? I don’t think Georgia’s offense has looked this explosive in a long time. For some reason, a lot of Georgia fans have it in for him.

On the flip side, I’m not sure how anyone still defends Martinez, but there are many fans who still do. It couldn’t be more obvious that he simply isn’t a competent defensive coordinator. Probably a fine positions coach, though. A demotion is definitely in order.

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m not jumping on a bandwagon. This problem goes back to the huge hole dug against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl, Tennessee hanging 50 on us in our own house, etc. Loyalty is a great strength, but a weakness when one loses objectivity. The other place where we are ranked at the bottom is in special teams. Could the answer be that we keep Willie and put his personal intensity over all the special teams, and grab John Tenuta when Charlie Weis melts down at Notre Dame?

• Link
• Report this comment

To 45ACP

So using your logic about how the coaches know more about football and the players than do the fans, Ray Goff should still be the head coach. Is that what you’re suggesting? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

I think its time for Bobo to go and Martinez to go. How long will they just not be consistant. One game things are good the next you wonder what happen. We can not win it all like this. If Mark dosen’t make some changes soon he needs to go right along with them.

• Link
• Report this comment

Here’s an article on the UGA coach salaries:

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/022809/foo_399405625.shtml

• Link
• Report this comment

Grinch – you know exactly what I mean.
Very bad analogy.

• Link
• Report this comment

45ACP… how is that a bad analogy???

Basically, you believe that Coach Richt can do no wrong. That if he says Willie Martinez is awesome, he is.

You’re satisfied with 2 SEC titles in 2 years. So satisfied, you’re now willing to accept the mediocrity facing the program right now.

You know, when Bobby Bowden hired his son to be his OC, and stubbornly decided to remove him when it is was more than obvious for YEARS that Jeff Bowden just wasn’t getting it done, well, old Bobby, resting on his laurels as Richt seems to think he can do now, at least had two MNCs and about a dozen ACC titles to rest on.

What Richt has done in 9 years gives him NO RIGHT to allow Willie Martinez to bring down this program simply because they’re best friends.

You want to accept Richt’s bullcrap excuses? You want to drink the Kool-Aid. Go right ahead.

But you’re wrong. You’re so blind and so wrong.

• Link
• Report this comment

Does anyone but me think that it’s odd that every fan knows more about coaching defense than the Georgia staff? That’s a good paying job. Probably more than 99 percent of the people commenting on this post. Maybe they should apply for a job as a UGA defensive coach.

• Link
• Report this comment

We need to go after Texas’ DC Will Muschamp and hope that his ties to UGA are stronger than UT. Give him what he wants with the promise to take over in the next 3-5 years and bump Damon Evans to president and Richt to athletics director….i know thats far fetched….so let me dream but we need a DC like muschamp. Why didn’t we fire Willie and go after Chavis when fulmer got sacked….beats me..but willie sucks….plain and simple…

• Link
• Report this comment

GA will never reach the level of Fl, Tx, Ok
Or any of the biggies that compete and win
national championships. Dawgs play the season
hoping to do better than the Outback Bowl.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark… nice attempt at picking the games that our defense cost us.

WVU in 2005? Seriously… 2 turnovers in the 1st quarter alone and WVU scores 21 points in the first 15 minutes of play. We ended up losing the handle 3 times in that game and lost by 3 points after a strong 2nd half.

Alabama 2008? A fumble and an interception in that dreaded 2nd quarter where the Tide scored 21 points. We lost by 10 or 11 in that game after a strong 2nd half.

We would have won those 2006 Kentucky and Vandy games if Andy Bailey wasn’t our placekicker. Coutu’s hammy and lack of any decent backup gave up 2 very winnable games.

• Link
• Report this comment

One thing in defense of WM, we do play the weakest part of our schedule at the end of the year, specifically the last game.

• Link
• Report this comment

CWM may be Coach Richts bane. I trust Coach Richt to get it right.
Coach Mark Richt is not going to fire CWM 3 games into the season.
Complain about it all you want.

• Link
• Report this comment

Another often overlooked aspect of WM’s defenses: inability to force turnovers. I’ve never seen a more talented bunch of blue-chippers that can’t force a fumble or pick off a pass. Something’s wrong with the entire culture of UGA’s defense, and those who don’t see it either don’t understand football or are relatives of the coaches.

meansonny, the performance in the Sugar Bowl against W. Va. was a flat-out disgrace, at least in the first half. After that it was too late. We seemed baffled by the option or even a simple dive off tackle, and gave up yards in big chunks. We made a big underdog look like the ‘93 Dallas Cowboys. Then, a repeat in the ‘06 & ‘07 Tenn. games and the ‘08 Alabama games. Sometimes the defense simply doesn’t show up. How can that be anything other than coaching?

• Link
• Report this comment

Anybody that cant see that Martinez IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE THEN THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL! The last 4-5 years GA”S defense points allowed per game as risen to a terrible level! But if you think Richt will FIRE THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE THEN YOU ARE CRAZY! He BETTER WAKE UP & DO WHATS RIGHT FOR THE UNIVERSITY BECAUSE IF HE THINKS MARTINEZ IS A GOOD DC THEN MAYBE THE REASON WE WIN 10 GAMES EVERY YEAR IS BECAUSE OF HIM! WHATS WRONG WITH WINNING MORE? MARTINEZ IS A LEECH SUCKING THE BLOOD OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY! DAMN SHAME HE DID”NT GO TO MIAMI BUT WHY WOULD HE? HE DONT HAVE TO PERFORM AT GA LIKE HE WOULD AT MIAMI! GET THIS JUNK OUT!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Dawg Nation lets get together and start a : FreeWillie.com If Richt wont listen, then let’s boycott the games and stop sending money to the school. Willie Martinez is playing for the other team!!

• Link
• Report this comment

BadgerDawg… UGA was top 20 nationally in defense in 2005, 2006, and 2007 under Willie Martinez.

What happened after 2007? We lost 2 playmakers. Our stud DE (Marcus Howard) and our stud Safety (Kelin Johnson).
Nobody stepped up last season. We know what happened.
Nobody has stepped up this season. Unless we get pressure at the DE like Howard came on in 2007… it will be more of the same (not ranking in the top 20 nationally in defense)

• Link
• Report this comment

Our defense takes a turn for the worst without NFL talent at DE and Safety.

When you’re playing strong offensive teams that have the ability to pass (or a team like GT), you need to have huge production in these areas.

I have no problem blaming Willie Martinez for these deficiencies. But these deficiencies do not merit firing him right now. Let’s see if he can get the defense back on track like in 2007.

• Link
• Report this comment

because with Willie UGA will never win another SEC Title or ever ever be a contender for a National Title. also Richt will never ever fire Willie. Evans will and Mark Richt leave Georgia.

• Link
• Report this comment

The last time we had production from the DE spot was 2007.

We held Oklahoma State to their lowest point total of the season at 14. 5 sacks

We held South Carolina to their 2nd lowest total of the season at 12 (only Vandy did better). 2 sacks.

We held Florida to 30 points (that was their 2nd lowest total of the season behind Auburn). 6 sacks.

We held Kentucky to 13 points (that was their lowest point total of the season). 5 sacks.

We held Georgia Tech to 17 points (that was their lowest point total of the regular season). 5 sacks.

We held Hawaii to 10 points (that was their lowest point total of the season). 8 sacks.

In those 6 games, Howard had 8 sacks.
DE’s Battle & Lomax each had 2.5 sacks.
Pressure on the ends allow the DT’s to gobble up the QB with the inside pressure, as well.

Hawaii, Florida, Kentucky & Oklahoma State were all ranked around #20 or better nationally in scoring.

EVERY COACH will tell you that you can’t win without the athletes. EVERY COACH will tell you that you need playmakers on defense.
When we get a playmaker at DE and Safety, our season will turnaround. We are not that far off from where we want to be. It all starts at DE.

• Link
• Report this comment

Here now!! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! You critics out there who dislike our defense could be a bit quieter!! If you make enough fuss, it is entirely possible that UGA could play boring defensive football again. I’ve seen my last snail race across an acre lot and it would be best not to return to that pastime. For the last time, “Forget about trying to play great defense! ” It makes no sense to score quickly on offense while quickly forcing a punt by the other team. It puts the offense right back on the field again! If you do that regularly in a game, the offense is exhausted by the second half and has nothing else to offer. The smartest defense is to allow the other team to score almost as often as your own team scores. That way the offense gets to rest enough to put on a big show for the next drive. Another benefit of this tactic is that it makes the game exciting which is why fans are willing to pay 40 dollars or more for a ticket. Who wants to pay $40 to watch two teams struggle to in a 2-3 score. Please forget this ‘we need a respectable defense” nonsense!! We don’t need any such thing! Let’s keep a rather poor defense and work on our offense, the part of the team with all the talent. This way all you thoughtless fans can act lazily and not have to construct those silly “Fire Mark Richt” or “Fire Willie Martinez” signs. This way you won’t have to live up to your neurotic reputation when the other teams score lots of points as they are wont to do. If UGA coaches devoted more time to the offense and ignored the defense, we could outscore everybody. And if we outscore everybody, why worry about all the touchdowns and fieldgoals the other teams scores; we scored more! Don’t make me resort to making equally silly signs that read “Retain Mark Richt” or ” Retain Willie M.” Let’s just be satisfied with what we’ve got (a great offense) and let somebody else waste their time making football more boring (with great defense). It is probably that for the rest of the season our ‘great offense’ outscores our opponents and by how much is not to be mattered. “POOR DEFENSE, SUPERIOR OFFENSE wins games! Maybe we lose a couple more to teams who have defenses and offenses better than our own; shouldn’t the best team win?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mr. Bradley,
I agree that Willie is not an elite DC. I don’t even think he is good enough to coach in a major college setting. I also think it is ludicrous for him, or any coach, to be evaluated by a second rate sports writer like you. What coaching experience do you have that gives you the competence to evaluate any of them? You haven’t shown the competence to even be a qualified sports writer. Go get drunk and laid and forget sports writing.

• Link
• Report this comment

flat out brian evans is the worst player in history at any position

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny, are you MR or are you WM? Or are you a spouse of one of them? Give some credit to WM for recruiting if you’d like, I’m sure that is fair, but we have top 5/10 talent on the D year in and year out and he doesn’t do enough with it. You seem to be one of the few here that realize that.

• Link
• Report this comment

How are we still even discussing it? This guy should’ve been gone after the 06 TN game in Athens.

• Link
• Report this comment

tizzle – great that you brought up Amato and Andrews. Because Richt’s head coaching demeanor is, of course, similar to the guy he coached under for so long, it is IMPERATIVE that a guy like Richt have himself a couple of gunslingers like Amato and Andrews on the sideline. Richt had that with Van Gorder. I can remember David Green not wanting to look at Coach Van after he’d gone three and out was coming off the field. A DC with stones, big ones of the HC is mild mannered, is a must.

Today Richt has nothing but girls scouts coaching his defense.

• Link
• Report this comment

Every one of Mark Richt’s assistants got a raise last year. Here’s what I would’ve done if I were Mark Richt. I would’ve called Willie in and said this:
“Willie, we go way back and are good friends, but it is abundantly clear that your tenure as defensive coordinator has been a disaster. Matthew Stafford, AJ Green, and Daryl Gamble are all that are standing between us and a 6-6 record, and the O ain’t the problem. I am prepared to publicly announce in a month or so that everyone on the staff- but you- is going to get a raise. This will send a message to our supporters that I am full well aware of your shortcomings. I am asking you to make a choice: stay or go. If you want to find another job, I will give you a good recommendation and try to find you a good job, and publicly say that we wish you well in your decision to go elsewhere to do what is best for you, your family, and your career. If you think you can stay and turn it around, then I will support you in that. However, if your defense performs in the next year as it has in this, I am prepared to quite publicly fire you midseason. I will throw you under the bus and say I had your assurances you could turn it around and that you have failed me and the Dawg Nation. I am willing to give you one more chance, but I am through risking my reputation on you. I have a good job at a school that has a good fan base, a good tradition, practically recruits itself, and pays me mad bucks. You are messing up my chi. Your choice: stay or go.”
It is T-minus 15 months or so until Richt is shown the door with Willie if things continue along the current track and he does not cut him loose. It is indeed possible to be loyal to a fault. $2.5 million would be enough for me to cut an awful lot of ties and not think twice. And I don’t care what Jesus would do, ’cause I already know. Jesus would run more man coverage and blitz more often.

• Link
• Report this comment

Easy solution to this problem…hire top notch coordinators…look at USC, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida…they all have top notch coordinators and it shows…we on the other have do not and the results should clearly speak for themselves.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

No bigger Mark Richt fan on than face of this earth. Just like in the business
world, we either win or lose together as a collective team in sports as we do
in life. However said, these five points speak volumes and are hard to argue.
Coach has a decision and I don’t envy his role. I’m sure Coach Richt will make
the right call at the end of the day after spending time talking with the Lord.

• Link
• Report this comment

Will… nobody spends more money on their coordinators than Tennessee (about $5M in coordinators).

They’re 1-2 right now. And unless they can find a QB better than Crompton, that will not improve much as the season rolls along.

We might find a suitable replacement for Willie in the offseason… but it sure as heck won’t be here in week 4 (not to mention the lost recruits and lost season for our team). Willie’s performance in 2007 merits an opportunity to find that DE to right the ship.

• Link
• Report this comment

We have a running back that fumbles twice in a game and he is subject to be demoted. We have a Defensive Coordinator whose defense is like a sive and gives up more points than a bad high school team and we make excuses for him. Are you kidding me? Please Coach R should some guts and get rid of that no talent non – recruiting bum NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny, yes tennessee is 1-2, but they are also in their first year under completely new coordinators Monte Kiffin and Jim Chaney…change takes time, but I think it is fair enough to say that Willie Martinez is no Monte Kiffin just by looking at his resume

• Link
• Report this comment

Can’t believe we didn’t make a real attempt to get Muschamp

• Link
• Report this comment

Fire Martinez. Tired of being made fun of by other team’s fans b/c they know what a lower we have. I love Richt but Martinez could be HIS down fall.

• Link
• Report this comment

meansonny – right on. Tell it like it is so these “fans” get it.

• Link
• Report this comment

completely and totally agree

• Link
• Report this comment

anyone who has watched uga’s three games this season, has to know uga has coaching problems, they may have other problems too, but they have coaching problems.

• Link
• Report this comment

The stats speak for themselves…unacceptable. Sorry…no offense (or no defense!), but Willy has to go. Too much talent…too much speed…too much strength…no way this group of guys is as bad as their stats…it has to be coaching.

• Link
• Report this comment