A midseason assessment of the hard-to-assess Bulldogs
Hope on the horizon: Washaun Ealey. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Mark Richt said it himself: “It’s been an unusual year in terms of knowing what you’re going to get on a week-to-week basis.” And it has: Georgia yielded 78 points in consecutive games and won both. Georgia yielded only 44 points against two Top 10 opponents and w0n neither time. A midseason appraisal of this strange bunch of Bulldogs:
Plus: The effort has returned. After a strangely tepid performance in Stillwater, the Bulldogs have taken to playing in the full-tilt manner to which we’re accustomed. Indeed, effort was all that kept Georgia in the game against LSU.
Minus: Georgia hasn’t yet run the ball to appreciable effect. Wasn’t the line supposed to be the strength of this offense? Yes, Trinton Sturdivant has been lost again, but didn’t Georgia advertise itself as having six starters for five positions? Isn’t Stacy Searels supposed to be some hotshot line coach? So how come the Bulldogs rank 105th among 120 FBS teams in rushing?
Plus: Washaun Ealey looked good against LSU. Let’s not go crazy. The freshman isn’t Herschel Walker and isn’t Knowshon Moreno. But he hit holes, such as there were, harder and faster in the second half Saturday than any other Bulldog back has this season. (Then again, his longest gain was eight yards.)
Minus: The only thing Georgia does well is throw the ball. Joe Cox detractors should cover their ears, but if not for the red-headed quarterback and A.J. Green the Bulldogs might well be 0-5. Georgia ranks last in the SEC in rushing; next-to-last in pass defense, scoring defense and total defense; 10th in total offense, and eighth in rushing defense and scoring offense. It’s third in passing offense.
Loading ...Plus: A.J. Green is the greatest Bulldog since Herschel. He’s better than David Pollack, better than Garrison Hearst and Eric Zeier, better than Champ Bailey. More than simply the best receiver in the country, Green might well be the best player.
Minus: A.J. Green doesn’t play defense. He has, as we know, worked on special teams to spectacular effect, blocking a field goal against Arizona State. Perhaps he should be pressed into service as a safety. Because Georgia has induced four turnovers in five games.
Plus: The latest batch of recruits doesn’t seem to have been overrated. Orson Charles has made a half-dozen big plays. Branden Smith has made one. Ealey has tantalizing potential. Rantavious Wooten will do something soon. The only disappointment: Marlon Brown hasn’t yet gotten a real look.
Minus: The emphasis on playing by the rules hasn’t yet panned out. Georgia is 115th in the nation in penalties. It finished 116th in 2008. This would seem to fall under the heading of “incremental improvement.”
Plus: Whoops, found something else Georgia does really well. It can punt the ol’ pigskin. It’s almost like Drew Butler’s dad was a professional kicker or something.
Minus: The feeling persists that the Bulldogs have better talent than early results would indicate. Let’s see. If you’ve got good players who are again playing hard, what does that leave? Coaching, you say?
Plus: The schedule is about to ease. Georgia should be 5-2 headed to Jacksonville and 6-3 when it meets Auburn in Athens on Nov. 14. That game now seems the difference between an OK season (8-4, which assumes another loss to Tech) and the worst under Richt.
Minus: Given its wax-and-wane capabilities, Georgia could go lose to Kiffin in K-Town this weekend. But it won’t. Georgia is puzzling. Tennessee is just bad.
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365 comments Add your comment
jack
October 5th, 2009
3:22 am
first
Mark Bradley
October 5th, 2009
3:23 am
Yes you are, Jack. Kudos.
Jeff
October 5th, 2009
3:24 am
I’m failing to see how AJ Green is the best reciever in the nation. Demaryius Thomas has fewer catches, more yards and more yards per catch than AJ Green. And Thomas plays on a team that doesn’t focus on passing the ball.
Mark Bradley
October 5th, 2009
3:25 am
Bay-bay is an excellent receiver. A.J. is a great receiver.
NecUga
October 5th, 2009
3:52 am
We will always be a good program; never a great one. The reason I’m up at this hour is because I’m accountable to my employer and customers. The coaches at UGA obviously are accountable to no one.
Boris1s
October 5th, 2009
3:56 am
Enter your comments here
another great well written article
keep up the thoughts
thanks
Ross
October 5th, 2009
3:58 am
Holy cow, where are all the whiners? Did they leap from that RR bridge in Athens?
It’s great to be a fuzzy bee!
MagnaCarterGT
October 5th, 2009
4:04 am
I don’t think Tennessee is as bad as you think they are, Mark – all their losses have been pretty close (or relatively close, in Florida’s case). We’ll just have to wait until Saturday to see which one of us thinks right, though.
GATORMAN 722
October 5th, 2009
4:36 am
Georgia needs to join the Big 10, with Ron Zook up there they may win something.
Yellow Fuzz
October 5th, 2009
5:10 am
Mark,
“More than simply the best receiver in the country, Green might well be the best player”.
AJ Green is GREAT. And granted he will only be at georgia through his junior year. But the best “player” in the nation right now? At age 19? That kind of Koolaid is exactly why georgia fans are the way they are. They really believe that kind of stuff. Two years ago some guy at ajc wrote that Caleb King was the 2nd coming of Hershal too.
RomeDawg
October 5th, 2009
5:16 am
Maybe we aren’t so bad! Our loses come to teams currently ranked in the top 14. As a Dawg fan I expect us to win every game but I am a realist. The football program is in fine hands. And Ross, in case you haven’t noticed Tech ain’t so great this year, but with lower standards losing is expected!
Jim007
October 5th, 2009
5:47 am
Georgia is Very lucky….record could easily be 1-4
Kendall
October 5th, 2009
5:49 am
Why don’t we start the growing for next year and remove Joe Cox and let the freshmen quarterbacks get some experience so we don’t have to go through the same thing next year. Joe Cox is not helping us this year with his incosistencies. The penalty at the end of the game would not have been an issue if Joe Cox had hit one of the three opportunities is the first half to score.
Dave
October 5th, 2009
6:11 am
“The only thing Georgia does well is throw the ball” – I’ve been watching some other team play that is wearing GA’s uniforms. GA’s passing game is marginal, at best. If the receivers were 10 feet tall them maybe Joe would be doing a whole bunch better. Give me a break!
Larry
October 5th, 2009
6:12 am
Enter your comments here If, and that is a big IF, we had not lost two Junior players to the NFL we would be at least #3 are huigher in the polls, so lets give Mark Richt some slack and let the young kids get a little experience before we write the dogs as a lost season. GO DOGS!!!!!!!
J. Michael Blakely
October 5th, 2009
6:20 am
Mr. Bradley,
I am in agreement with your assessment. I’d like more to be written as to why the UGA team annually leads the nation in penalties. Of all the problems a team can have, leading the free world in penalties is not one to have, much less OWN. Coach Richt has to accept blame for not taking steps to correct this problem. As for the lack of coaching that you touched upon, I would like upgrades at offensive coordinator, offensive line, special teams, and running backs; those coaches have proven their lack of work and talent during the past three seasons. The offensive line is below UGA standards. The special teams play is horrible, especially the coverage teams. If not for another great punter in Butler and place-kicker in Walsh, the fans would have little to look forward to on special teams. As for the defensive coordinator, Willie Martinez, I’d like to see him move on so that a proven DC can be hired. UGA has as much talent as any team in the SEC and in many cases, better talent; coaching is the problem. Sub-standard coaching is something I never expected from Coach Mark Richt. Let Coach Richt lose to the north avenue trade school once more, and the heat on his coaching seat will turn up many more times than he ever expected; as for a third loss, let Mark Richt refer back to Jim Donnan for proven advice.
dawgerbrown
October 5th, 2009
6:34 am
Georgia is playing hard……..but, what coach on the staff are the players afraid of? I like Richt, two SEC titles is impressive. Does he have any assistant that gets in the players’ face? Gets them fired up? Should an offensive coordinators first job be at a D1 program. Doesn’t it seem Martinez begs more than coaches? Where is this team’s Erk or VanGorder? One trait that Bobby Bowden is guilty of is blind loyalty to his staff, this may be the one that we didn’t Richt to inherit from Bowden.
VADAWG
October 5th, 2009
6:40 am
Bottomline, Coach Richt gets paid a lot of money to run this team successfully and whatever the team does or does not do is his ultimate responsibility. As talented as they are, Coach Richt and his team clearly lack a “killer instinct” and are more into finesse than physical smash-mouth football. They need more balance in this respect. A healthy dose of aggression and physical smash-mouth play would improve the running game and defense immensely (along with a first rate DC).
Ozzy
October 5th, 2009
6:43 am
Just curious.
How many stars did Caleb King have? How many did Richard Samuels have?
A.J. Green would look good in a Falcon’s uniform. One more year and he’s gone like Stafford and Moreno.
George
October 5th, 2009
6:43 am
I simply can’t understand why Georgia is not in the same league with Alabama, Florida, and LSU every year. Lord only knows they have money, alumni support, and the facilities. But there’s always something standing in the way. Anyway, it’s quite possible that we will be talking of the same thing 20 years from now. Oh well, won’t be long till basketball season and that playoff thing you do each year.
Top Dawg
October 5th, 2009
6:44 am
Mark: Do you think we will stumble around in relative assistant coach mediocrity, or will CMR make changes? I am in favor of retaining CMR, but it is mind-boggling to consider retaining some of his assistants/coordinators. What do you see happening?
Marie
October 5th, 2009
6:47 am
That depends on who is supposed to win this game. NO, I did not say who I want to win or who I think will, but Who is SUPPOSED to win?? Figure it out yet, with the happenings Sat. it is obvious now.
J. Michael Blakely
October 5th, 2009
6:50 am
Not my question, but I’ll throw out an answer: Coach Richt will make no changes. Zero. None. Nada. The current staff is like a “family” to Coach Richt. If UGA fans are fortuante, maybe Fabris and Martinez will leave or get hired away. Same for the offensive line coach (Searles?).
Larry
October 5th, 2009
6:56 am
Excessive penalties, the opponents best receiver frequently complete uncovered, poor return coverage, after three RB’s now the OL still can’t open any holes and thus the worst running game in the SEC, one game with a pass rush, missed open field tackles, bizarre calls at the worst time by the OC, the seemingly inability by the defense to stop a game winning drive, save the miracle play in the end zone, and not playing hard in the opener.
How could anyone conclude there isn’t a coaching/motivation/leasdership issue?
Reality Check
October 5th, 2009
6:59 am
Searles is one of the best oline coaches in the country and you are crazy if you want him to leave. You don’t just clean house because of an average football season. I agree changes need to be made to the staff but lets be smart about it.
jdawg
October 5th, 2009
7:04 am
We are talking about adding on to the stadium, and colesium, and we have sub standard bathroom facilities in Sanford, but we have two new engines on the King Air. Now, my point is that when you sit in the stadium behind the bench and see the confusion….you want to question everything. All of those posting should advise whether they are watching on TV or from the stadium….if stadium, you see what the writers observe. I really hate that folks do not attend and make a comment. Being live is the only way….right now after Sat. Fab needs to move on….anyone that cannot line up for a kick-off and a fair catch when you are not rushing….just basics….this is going to be up and down the rest of the year…CMR…it is your hands and you need to move to the job, not emotions for friends…jdawg
chazzo
October 5th, 2009
7:05 am
A lot of the great players you mentioned were in high school last year. There are two seniors on the offense and neither started a whole season in their careers. The D did well against LSU. that’s the bottom line. Even if they were helped by some boneheaded LSU offensive calls, the D did pretty darn good. Is it surprising that a team that lost something like 85% of its fire power and coming off a strange season last year should be struggling with its identity a bit? You also failed to mention that there were two major grey-area calls that went against the dogs in both losses: Rashad Jones’ unnecessary roughness clean hit on an OK St. receiver and AJ Green’s excessive celebration with his own team after catching a game winner. I am not saying that there weren’t far more serious problems that contributed to the losses. I am saying it is part of the puzzling if you want to puzzle.
Thank you for not comparing Ealey to Walker. Oh, but wait, you kind of did. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER A WALKER, DOOLEY, TARKENTON, BUTTS, SINKWICH, ET AL! Get over it dawg fans. How come every good player that comes along has to be the next Walker???? Knowshon Marino was not the next Walker. It gets ludicrous. Nothing matters except the Tennessee game. It doesn’t matter how many times someone won the SEC or what the record is when the dawgs play in Nashville at night on an even numbered day. It definitely doesn’t matter that we had a phenomenal player and a number one rating in 1980. Great memories and tradition…. but it just doesn’t matter. Herschel was my childhood hero, but it doesn’t matter. None of these players had even been born yet. Let them be who they are.
You are absolutely right about AJ Green. Definitely in next year’s Heisman race, if not this year’s.
Peachtree John
October 5th, 2009
7:06 am
Amen to Kendall’s comments. Joe will never make the big time at QB. The skill set is just not there. Bring on the freshmen–all over the field. Let them gain valuable reps before the 2010 season begins.
It also seems that the fire in the players’ belly is misdirected. Coaches need to focus the fire on every play, and restrict it when a decent play is made.
MR is a great individual and a good coach, though he might be a bit stubborn in keeping hires who are not doing their jobs.
GA DAWGS.
JB
October 5th, 2009
7:09 am
This is what is scary…..Richt said ALL OFF SEASON that he was going to get back to basics, hard work outs, return to our first year focus,more hands on yada yada yada……HOLY MOLEY………………..We look more lost than ever……………………I am beginning to believe some folks on here who say some of our defensive problems are because of our offense. The pass coverage still stinks, but I was proud of the pressure they put on the QB in the second half. We need to dial that up more often.
Michael Scharff
October 5th, 2009
7:09 am
I think that Caoch Richt is a fine, humble gentleman, and I know he cares about his players. On the other hand, I’m afraid he lacks the “killer” instinct that keep Meyer and Saban, and therefore Florida and ‘Bama, in the top tier of the SEC East and West. Our team suffers from this, as well as from a lack of hard-nosed discipline. I know people, including the AJC’s own Bill King, who thought it was fine that the Dawgs were dancing on the sideline two weeks ago during a tie ball-game with the outcome still very much in doubt. I think personally that this shows a lack of discipline and a lack or respect for the other team. Someone has go to step up and teach these young men to stop clowning around. A lot of this can be attributed to the chest thumping, finger pointing, football spiking/dunking over the goal-post pros these kids every Sunday on t.v. That being said, I agree with with Kevin Butler on the post-game show Saturday night. Since the Florida celebration two years ago, the SEC refs have placed a yellow target square on Georgia’s back. Our coaches must recognize this and teach our players to kep any celebrating of big plays strictly to the side-lines.
chazzo
October 5th, 2009
7:09 am
I certainly don’t think Richt will fire anyone because anyone here makes the recommendation. All we are doing is stirring up controversy and animosity.
Go Dawgs!! Whip the Vols!!
WhatAbout...
October 5th, 2009
7:11 am
Jon Gruden? Any thoughts Dawg Nation? You gotta admit…he’s got Junkyard Dawg potential.
SatchelBuzz
October 5th, 2009
7:12 am
Hello Shreveport!!!!
JB
October 5th, 2009
7:12 am
Anybody catch the sideline shots of the Auburn coach? Notice anything different from Mark. I know all coach’s have their style, but that guy was in to it. That team was jacked……….as was their coach.
JB
October 5th, 2009
7:13 am
Satchel…………………….I hope we don’t do like Tech, and take any bone thrown our way….I hope we stay home.
AZ Jacket
October 5th, 2009
7:14 am
RomeDawg, you make no sense at all. Expectations are the same for everyone, including Tech. As a fan I expect them to win every game they play. Maybe you are thinking of the old regime at the Flats where 7-5 was considered a good season. Those days are gone. I have one observation about UGA and that has to do with their Top 10 recruiting class. I spent 25 years around Ga. High School football and saw some the finest player this state has produced. I even saw Hershel before his time at UGA. Top 10 recruiting classes are fine on paper but that is not the true judge of how a player will do in college. Give me a few of the 2 and 3 star players who have the heart and the drive to improve. The guys who are not anointed to be super stars. They will be the ones who put your program over the top. Just my opinion.
AZ Jacket
October 5th, 2009
7:17 am
Larry, I am sure the coaching staff knew they were going to see those two players in the NFL this year. I believe Stafford chose UGA because he felt it would give him the best chance to leave early and be drafted high. Just as they know they have one more year with AJ.
JB
October 5th, 2009
7:18 am
whatabout……………………………I’m just hoping for a change in Assit. coach’s. Mark will have to lose
5 to 6 games a year for 3 years or so and lose to Tech those three years for any change at the top.
I will say this. If we go 7-5 and all this staff comes back, there will be a large financial backlash that will get a lot of people’s attention………Prez Adams for one……
JB
October 5th, 2009
7:23 am
AZ jacket………………………I totally agree with you……..Your Jackets are proving that. That roster is loaded with 2-3 stars players and Gailey could do little with them, but they are getting coached up……………………..and winning. The problem in Athens is NOT a lack of talent.
Douglas
October 5th, 2009
7:24 am
I used to have the ultimate respect for CMR as a coach but I have never seen someone make up so many excuses for his coaches and blame the players. If we have so many great Assistants, then why aren’t other schools going after them? CMR also seems to now accept losing. I don’t expect us to go undefeated every season but the stats do not lie. It’s time the fans started putting heat on our AD Evans because CMR is not going to make changes or accept responsibility. Why should he? Even if he gets fired, he will get paid a lot of money. He has no incentive to do well — the man has lost his passion to win.
AZ Jacket
October 5th, 2009
7:25 am
Why does UGA trail Ala, Fla, and LSU? It is called coaching. You can say what you want about the devil Saban but where was Ala. before he arrived. Middle of the pack, lack luster play. Fla., the dawg nation wanted nothing more than for Ron Zook to stay on the Fla. sideline. Under him Fla. was not really a major threat in the SEC east. How many SEC championships games has UGA seen since the arrival of Mr. Urban Meyer. Look in the mirror dawg nation and you will see where your problem lies. You just can’t show up and beat well coached teams the way UGA once did.
SimpleDawg
October 5th, 2009
7:26 am
The Bar has been raised.
This ain’t the Limbo. It’s a high jump.
Somebody had better start jumping higher.
Sautee Dawg
October 5th, 2009
7:27 am
Mark
You need to get off the Serals idea before it even gets started. He’s a line coach, not a play caller. Bobo is responsible for this offense. Or irresponsible.
As far as Cox and the passing game, A.J. Green makes Joe Cox look like a quaterback.
BTW, you forgot to mention Rennie Curran had 16 tackles,
BTW you also forgot to mention UGA had 6 sacks.
You also forgot to mention UGA held the number 4 team in the country to 2 fieldgoals through 3 quarters.
Lot of respect for you and your articles Mark but, this Serals remark is not worthy of reading, You know what the problem’s are with this team.
WhatAbout...
October 5th, 2009
7:29 am
JB I don’t think we will see Richt cut anybody lose. I also think, and it saddens me to say this, that we have seen the best Richt has to offer as a head coach. So, we’re doomed to be mediocre until Damon Evans or Michael Adams can no longer defend the issue, or until Richts contract can be bought out. A long wait however you look at it. If Richt would clean house, I would say keep him. We all know he won’t, so here we go, back to the days of Jim Donnan.
AZ Jacket
October 5th, 2009
7:30 am
I am not sure when the dust settles this LSU team will be #4. Damn, I was impressed with that Auburn offense Sat. night.
Saint Simons
October 5th, 2009
7:31 am
(((((( 20 – 13 ))))) hahahahahahahahahahaha
AZ Jacket
October 5th, 2009
7:32 am
Saint Simons is here and the average IQ of this blog just dropped 20 points.
JJ
October 5th, 2009
7:38 am
I can’t believe anyone would get on here and argue that AJ Green isn’t the best player in America right now. He’s probably one of the Top 10 wide receivers playing at ANY level right now. He’s every bit as good as Calvin Johnson ever was, and Calvin was the best player in America for a couple of seasons (in my opinion.)
BufordDawg
October 5th, 2009
7:38 am
Mark, I disagree with your assessment of UT. They concern me greatly. I could see the UT defense stifling the UGA offense, Montario Hardesty getting his yards and Willie’s back pedal defense making Crompton look like an All-American. The potential for an ugly loss in Knoxville is there… I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how prepared the Dawgs are for the Vols.
I am still holding out hope that both sides of the ball will show up for a game this season and would like to see all the cylinders on offense firing instead of just Cox to Green.
I agree with Peachtree John, I think there’s fire and energy it’s just misdirected.
I joked to my wife while listening to the 1st half of the LSU game on the radio that it was going to be a long day when all we had to brag about is our punter. Walsh and Butler are about the only thing “special” about the Special Teams.
Maybe they’ll get it together and the best is yet to come this season…
Golden Hand
October 5th, 2009
7:40 am
I agree on the AJ/Baybay comparison. Thomas is a heck of a receiver, but Green has perfected the art of pushing off without getting flagged — in announcer-speak, gaining separation — which is the difference between them. Green runs better routes, too. Thomas is a better blocker, but that’s because he’s bigger and does a lot more of it.