For Richt, change will be tough; for Johnson, it won’t be

and that’s exactly why Paul Johnson has a chance to win a national title and why Mark Richt never will…

Like Meyer, Miles, Carroll, and Saban, Johnson is WILLING to do what it takes to win.

Mark Richt simply is not willing to do what it takes, whatever it takes.

This is why I am firmly in the Mark Richt must go camp, now.

And every member of Dawg Nation who wants a disciplined, smart, and WINNING football team should be, too.

Mark Richt is a guy who can steal a few SEC Titles when Ron Zook and Mike Shula are running teams in the SEC.

He is not the guy who can even beat frakking Lane Kiffin!!!

All of you people satiated with 10-win mediocrity and stupid, undiscplined football teams can have your Mark Richt.

Give me Paul Johnson or Chris Peterson or Brian Kelly… guys who can take chicken s–t and make Thanksgiving dinner out of it.

• Link
• Report this comment

can’t sleep because of our priest…very angry thinking about him!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Amen & Halleluyah!
For old man gutter weasel Grinch & all his other aliases, suffer in the sewer,toad. BTW, ((((((((((45-42)))))))) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

• Link
• Report this comment

put my thoughts in another way:

Richt is a coach willing to excuse mediocrity in his coaches (Martinez and Bobo) and in his players (Cox) and has either lost his team (all of the indisciplined play in the last two years) or is simply unable or unwilling to correct it.

This paints a picture of a man who no longer deserves to coach a flagship football program, no matter what he’s done in the past.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul Johnson has won national championships and knows what is required to attain that goal. I’m certain that he will make the right choices when they are necessary. In the meantime, we have to move forward and see how we play not only this Saturday, but the rest of the year as well. Georgia Tech is on the rise because of Paul Johnson and Radakovich’s decision to make a hire that other AD’s would not have had the courage to make.

Go to http://isportsweb.com for more Georgia Tech Football articles on the Virginia Tech game, as well as how to properly cheer at the game. Go Jackets!

• Link
• Report this comment

Johnson is a great coach..which is why he wont be at Tech for long.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Slobber, can you imagine Johnson at Athens? With the talent we have? I guarantee you that our team would be better disciplined and ready to play although I’m still not convinced that the option would work in the SEC (see Yech vs LSU last year). But I think a lot of our problems would get fixed fast under Johnson. Let’s hope CMR toughens up… NOW!

• Link
• Report this comment

Let me begin by Thanking God and Greyhound that chan gomer gailey is gone forever. Hallleeeeeeeedamlooooyah!!!

Secondly, which coach is more like gomer…..Richt or Johnson??? That’s right…Richt is almost a Gailey clone. Johnson is the anti-gomer.

Ugag seriously considered hiring chan gomer gailey before they hired Richt. Maybe this time after Johnson beats him a couple of more times they will fire Richt and get the real gomer. LOL

Paul Johnson is like a train…he will run over you…back up…and run over you again (and in ugag’s case it is going to be again and again and again…)

• Link
• Report this comment

By my count, this is installment number 4 in the Mark Bradley lets stir up the rivalry saga. 1)Which coach is inspiring 2)Lets move the game to September in the Dome 3)Which defense is worse 4)Now which coach has backbone…….I love the way you think Mark……This should be eight or ten pages of fuel for the rivalry fires. And I will be hear reading all the foolish posts. Mark, I love the way you think.

• Link
• Report this comment

I hope CMR is at uga for a verrryyyyy loooonnngggg time, LOL

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark: You’re going to bed way too late (early). But the AJC probably lets you drift in the office about noon-ish. Right? Anyway, I think you’re right-on about CMR v. CPJ. Nice guys usually finish last, or near the bottom. CMR is probably too many sins away from the priesthood, but there a plenty of Baptist churches looking for a good man. Let’s have something about the baseball playoffs from you.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bring on Kirby Smart as DC and show BOO BOO the door as well. Or…bring in Will Muschamp and show them all the door.

• Link
• Report this comment

What about the UGA football teams suggests that they are well coached?

This will be the last year Richt is allowed to remain as head coach if staff changes are not made.

• Link
• Report this comment

Well Jonas – I guess we’ll see if Coach Richt holds his staff accountable. However, regardless of what he does at the end of this season, the fact remains that he let Coach Martinez remain DC at least one year too long for the exact reasons pointed our by Mark in this article,to wit: It is difficult for him to replace someone in spite of their incompetence. As a result, we are looking at the worse defense at UGA in the modern era. This should have been fixed last year! Unacceptable.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller, everyone’s got an opinion, but your spelling is awful dude.

Why should we put any credibility in what you have to say? At least, Richt can spell.

• Link
• Report this comment

UGA has discovered that other teams can play a game it excelled at for decades–special tutors for academically unqualified players, recruiting five-star athletes, a pro-ball atmosphere, oodles of alumni cash, etc. Get used to mediocrity. Replacing a few coaches isn’t going to change the future.

• Link
• Report this comment

OK all you Mark Richt haters, be careful what you wish for…

• Link
• Report this comment

Everyone relax. I think we all need to realize that if D.Evans is stating in public that he is concerned about the football team, his REAL feelings are CONSIDERABLY more pointed. Nothing should be done right now. This season is in the books. It would not surprise me if notices have not already been issued to staff coaches advising them that they will not be offered contracts for the ‘09-’10 season, and that the UGA AA will assist them in locating new positions elewhere. The hard truth is that UGA has been walking this tightrope of falling off the cliff for several years, and somehow managed to survive. In ‘07 the team “caught lightening in a bottle,” so to say. I would not put my hopes in such a similar scenario this year. Let the players currently playing play through the FL beatdown. Then the ‘10 season begins. Let the young guys play the entire month of November. They can get lots of good experience and set the table for a much improved next season. Yes, the program has won 10 games over the past few years, but often the losses were against teams that UGA measures it’s program against, so the results are somewhat skewed. I have had this discussion with several “old line” UGA boosters and contributors in the past several days, and this is the message I am getting. They ALL acknowledge changes have been/are needed, and are watching carefully to see how the situation plays out. Should be an interesting December.

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t hate Mark Richt. I love CMR and want him to stay for a VERY long time. But I realize he’s got to wake up and face the facts. Numbers don’t lie. We’re the most “outcoached” team in the BCS. Barely 500 and unranked for a major football power in the SEC. What’s wrong with this picture? It’s not talent … it’s coaching … Martinez, Bobo and Fabris all need to go and wipe the slate clean. New blood, fire and passion at Georgia is what’s drastically neede. I’m not so upset at the fact that we’ve lost and are losing. I’m upset at the way we are losing and upset at how little concern CMR seems to be expressing about losing. I’d be as made as Hades and I’d light a fire so big under my coaches that it could be seen all the way to Gainesville, Florida. What’s it going to take to get some fire in CMR?

• Link
• Report this comment

Generally, the mindset of hardcore fans who post on blogs is mystifying. With coaches, its strictly “what have you done for me lately?” and “lately” means last week. After LSU humiliated Tech in front of a home town crowd (a mere 9 months ago), PJ wasn’t seen as the second coming of Lombardi. Contrary to the impression created by the posts here, GT has not dominated anyone worthy this year, besides North Carolina. Whipping hapless MS State and eeking out a win against FSU (clearly in disarray) doesn’t warrant installation in the Coaches Hall of Fame. Why UGA fans are slobbering with envy over PJ is, again, mystifying. The so-called Bulldog Nation (stretching all the way from north of Jacksonville to south of Chattanooga) would be in an uproar if our team let FSU score over 40 points and happened to win just because they scored last. I liked the comment that PJ has “won championships”. So had Jim Donnanl.

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t hate Richt. I just would like to see an offense that can score against someone other than cupcakes. Offense was his forte”, was it not? I think his offense is a finesse offense that just not work against good teams except for an occasional outburst.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul Johnson may have an offence but he sure as hell don’t have a defence.i thank we will all find out this weekend what kind of coach he really is.I look for tech to get blown out by V Tech.You can’ win games with the caliber of a team like V tech without a strong defence and spec teams.

• Link
• Report this comment

Correct-a-mundo about Richt, but maybe a little off base with your assessment of Johnson’s oh so brilliance, self-deprecation, self-critique and inner questioning. Are you kidding me? Take it from this huge Jackets fan, This guy is the poster-boy for “my-brilliant-schemes-or-the-highway” mentality. He makes Spurrier look almost down right modest! Look I wants to see Tech win as much as possible, but Pluueese enough with the fawning over CPJ brilliance and coaching style, ok? Hey, we’re in year 2 now, Gailey’s gone, the deicision is made, Johnson HAS the job. Yes I hope he’s successful for MY team as heck….but let’s be truthful…This guy IS ego-in-shorts-with-a-whistle.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Richt is a good coach. He is the kind of coach I would want my son to play for; however, he doesn’t have the stuff (like a Meyer, Saban, etc.) that is needed to win a national championship. He is too nice a guy and I don’t sense that he has the drive or the focus or the extreme desire to win national championships.

• Link
• Report this comment

Are you guys nuts? Richt is the best thing for UGA! Yes, he does have to make changes..but going as far as “Fire Him!” is nuts! What % of players make it big in the NFL? Should also include this question before you “Fire” him… is he graduating men you would want to live in your sub division? Are they mature? Did they get a degree? Will they support the community? I think the answer is yes to those questions!

• Link
• Report this comment

Remember bugs, the present and temporary state of football in Georgia is not the bugs rising but the Dawgs falling in quality play. The world will right itself soon. Enjoy it while you can.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s the age old debate of which is better: integrity or a Machivellian approach to winning at all costs. The Machivellian approach seems to appeal to almost everyone and does win prestigious awards, Championships, ect. But those programs also produce cheating, poor characters, and destroyed families. Recall Nick Saban’s interview in the Sporting News and how he spends less than two weeks a year, total, with his son’s; and he prefers it that way. How about Oklahoma? How many free steak knives did Barry Switzer get for all the time Charles Thompson was arrested? And look how long it took that program to come back to life.

Mark Richt may or may not win a National Championship. He may never win another SEC crown. He maybe fired at the end of the year. But no one can complain about the program he has built at Georgia. To be sure, some kids decided to embarrass themselves and humiliate Coach Richt and their teammates by their poor decisions. However, unlike other programs, under Mark Richt coaches are encouraged and required to spend time with their families, the players are, too, and the coach works hard to develop a family-like rapport between players and coaches.

If Richt is fired at the end of the year, then so be it. His record against Florida and his inability to win a National Championship will certainly be discussed and bantered in the press. Yet no one will complain, ever, about the student-atheletes tutored under Richt because they will be too busy praising them for their tremendous quality of character as a human being.

Given the horrendous remarks often printed after these stories, it is a lesson I think many could use.

• Link
• Report this comment

It doesn’t hurt Tech’s record that they play in an inferior league. I doubt Paul Johnson could have won 10 a year in the SEC East.

• Link
• Report this comment

Stupid Mark. You obviously know nothing about the inner mark Richt. Not only will he change he will be better. This man is as or more competitive than anyone.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bug Killer- change your name to Bug Lover- you’re an idiot. It’s one thing to talk about your team it is quite another when your calling for a great coach to be fired. Not even dooley matched this record and even dooley lost to the Miami of Ohio’s, KY, Vandy…..and it took him 16 years to win a NC.

• Link
• Report this comment

I agree! Bug Killer is no DAWG that’s for sure. He ranks with the likes of St. Simon, m and the other morons. Backstabing jerk- hopefully you are a “former” UGA fan if you were ever really a fan to begin with.

• Link
• Report this comment

BedBug or whatever you are- one word for you- LOSER!

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark Bradley is 100% correct! Hopefully, the puppies can get get up for Vandy!!

• Link
• Report this comment

CPJ should be at GT for a long time. Everything about the job fits his style. Why would he leave? And GT will pay him to keep him in place. CMR is also and good coach and the right guy for UGA. My guess he will make those needed changes when the season is finished.

• Link
• Report this comment

Fire Richt and hire Gruden!

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt reminds me of Bill curry when he was at ALabama.

• Link
• Report this comment

F-105 Thunderchief – Hello? Have you watched Tech this year?

No way they can run “any kind of offense.” HA. Their quarterback could NEVER be counted on to actually make passes on a regular bases. When he throws, no one knows where it’s going.

• Link
• Report this comment

Leadership styles are different….but really good leaders surround themselves with talented assistants that have complimentary skills. Mark Richt is a good person and a good football coach but not good enough to get the job done with lousy assistants. Look around, where you have strong, recognized assistants (OCs and DCs) you have solid schemeing and effort. Right now UGA has neither. When Richt had BVG UGA played better. BOBO ain’t cutting it as an OC either. Nothing new for defenses to have to figure out and very predictable play calling. The answer for UGA is obvious… Will Richt act? What he’ll do is everything he can to save these guys jobs. He’d have to beat Florida and Tech to do and that ain’t likely this year

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt had better “toughen up” and do it fast. If he doesn’t make the changes necessary to improve things drastically next year, then the next year will very likely be his last. He will get the reputation of being a “loser” by the majority of fans, in the “football” sense. Then the ” I love Mark Richt” crap will be history.

• Link
• Report this comment

When Tebow leaves, Florida will be back to mediocre—Ga will start beating them again like the old days. Plus, Weis will probably get fired this year or next at Notre Dame and Meyer will probably take that job when they offer $5 million per year plus benefits. Richt will be able to win the SEC east after that with ease!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Okay…granted DAWGS give up 45, Tech gives up 44. Lets stay wi. def. here for a min. Everyone wants CWM gone yesterday! Richt is soft for not firing him Sat. nite. Nobody even knows Tech’s Def. Coordinators name, much less calling for his firing.(nor do I care) But Paul Johnson is tough and hard nosed. They gave up 1 less pt. than we did. My point is this, Paul Johnson has created an image and people are willing to overlook tech’s weakness’s due to his personna. Also, he has only been in place 2 yrs., therefore you can only compare him to CMR’s 1st two yr’s., as he has not had the time to experience all the pitfalls that come with coaching any program. CPJ appears to be a fine coach. We know CMR is outstanding as he has proven over time. Let’s see how CPJ deals wi. the absolute certainty that teams will catch up to his off.(historically proven). This is not a bash Tech post…just trying to see things in perspective. Thanks

• Link
• Report this comment

Look at the Tech fans lapping it up! A month ago they were calling Bradley a UGA homer that bashes Tech at every turn, now his word is gospel. Gotta love the nerds, god bless em.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bugkiller-

You nailed it. I think Richt is more concerned about his hair than winning football games. The sad thing is, most dog fans I speak to are very happy with Richt and 8 or 9 wins a year.

As an Alabama fan, this is very hard for me to understand. We expect to win the NC every year and anything less is not acceptable. There is too much pride at many top tier programs to accept a person like Richt. But as many Ga. fans have said, he is the best coach they have ever had.

Are ya’ll afraid of sucess and the expectation that come along with winning. The 10 years after Stalling left Alabama were pure hell for me and I do not wish that on anyone. So maybe Richt is best for Ga. if 8 or 9 wins is acceptable. You don’t miss what you never had.

Roll Tide!

• Link
• Report this comment

The problems with The Dawgs has been so obvious that a blind man could see it. Poor game preparation, poor gameplan, poor playcalling, poor execution.

The solution is to unload Martinez, Bobo & Fabris. For a major SEC school to have put Martinez (with his previous record) and Bobo (on the job training) in as DC and OC is a bonehead move.

This is Richt’s last chance. If he does not unload these guys for the betterment of the team, school, students, alumns and fans then Richt should be fired.

• Link
• Report this comment

UGA won’t sniff 2nd in the East for quite a while. My team which is doing nicely is the second youngest team in the NCAA and youngest in the SEC. 17 frosh or RS frosh on the two deep. 8 seniors of which only 5 contribute. Yeah, Richt’s days are numbered. He’ll get destroyed in Columbia and Jacksonville next year. Looking forward to his breaking in a new QB next year too. Probably a new defensive scheme as well. Major problems for Dawg nation over the next few years.

• Link
• Report this comment

This is great stuff. It amazes me how the GT return to prominance and UGA’s momentary decline can refuel the flames of a great rivalry. I think it’s great for football in our state. Keep up the good work Mark. You’re doing your part. I love the way Mark thinks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Spurrier, Are you guys gonna start your typical November slide early this year? Beat the Rush! Saturday looks like the beginning of the end for the cocks, it was fun while it lasted.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Spurrier-yall have been to 2 bowls in like 100 years, you probably need to get on a SC website before you get embarrassed.

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny, I read all the time about how UGA’s offense is down because of two guys leaving to the NFL. Yet, GT lost three guys to the NFL on defense and the GT people (including Paul Johnson)don’t use that as an excuse. Speaks volumes about each team/schools perspective and culture.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s big money.It’s got 1.5 to 2.0 million people tied emotionally to the outcome weekly. People put more energy in it than family, work and church. People live and die with the results. It’s a “results” oriented business. The man at the top gets paid almost 3 mil a year to win games, which by the way is more money than a high school teacher will make in a CAREER !. so, yes, he better make changes.
We don’t really care about 2005. Not ONE TENNESSEE fan sat around Sunday and said, Boy, Georgia sure was good in 2005 and 2007. They cared about the enjoyment of kicking that Dawg while he was down. We didn’t lose 28 to 24 in a hard fought game, we were embarrassed because we have a host of problems that have been cumulatively building over the last two years.

• Link
• Report this comment

We will see about the SC hype this weekend, they will play the tide, not SC State. I don’t think we need criticism from a team that we beat. The problem with the dogs is freshman and sophomores. Even the experienced line is freshman laiden. The NCAA leading punter, is a sophomore. A couple off of the D, and on reciever and the QB are seniors. They make underclass mistakes, so the team is solid, but they are young. I’ll take an average team with CMR any day over CPJ. What is good about the GT defense. Not much, the quarterback one the game against FSU when he stole the ball back. They haven’t stopped anyone. At least we made a few goal line stands.

As far as UGA, here is what you need to figure out. What happened before and during the first drive of the season, and what happened afterwards and since? Look at it, that was a great classic drive with runnning passing and blocking. Why did it change? Figure that out, and you may figure out the offense. Defense, what was happening in the RedZone d, and what is happening now? I’m not savvy enough to figure it out, but someone with a football brain could/should.

Go Dogs

• Link
• Report this comment

There is not as much pressure on GT as there will be on VT Saturday. Relax and play football.
Go Tech!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny to me that a recall reading these same articles about GT after the Miami game

• Link
• Report this comment

To TECH, Auburn, Bama, Tenn ………………….You’ve ALL got warts that the scares still show. This is a what goes around comes around type business. Mark had the best Winning percentage in the SEC his first 8 years, and most of the time, in your house, HE BEAT YOU. LOOK IT UP. So, excuse us while we tend to this wart, and wait for YOUR next one to POP UP……..HBTD. The fact that most of you haters on here are in such a delight, IS because the butt whoop’ens from us have been regular. Kick a dawg too much, he;ll bite the hell out of you.

• Link
• Report this comment

“The so-called Bulldog Nation (stretching all the way from north of Jacksonville to south of Chattanooga) would be in an uproar if our team let FSU score over 40 points and happened to win just because they scored last.”

RealityTrain – isn’t that what happened in the UGA games against SC and Arkansas??

• Link
• Report this comment

There is way more to life than winning football national championships! I would much rather have Mark Richt as my coach becasue he ultimately realizes this! Yes, we want to win, but that is not the most important goal!

• Link
• Report this comment

wow it must be miserable being a bulldawg these days! when will you folks realize that UGA is not, was not and never will be a national power. CMR has been the most successful coach in your very average programs history. calling for his head is beyond silly. let us all remember the fact that UGA was, is and will always be a midlevel progarm where 8-4 is the norm. VD was an 8-4 coach even w/ those 3 glory years from 80-82. who exactly do you think UGA can get that would be better? dear lord you people are the living example of the bandwagon mentality and watching ya’ll fall apart is funny and sad all at the same time.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lifelong DAWG fan , richt supporter, I still think he is the best coach for the DAWGS if he refuses to adapt and has more than one BAD year I will agree , but I for one give the man i one year pass. Martinez and Bobo can go though , no problem with that plan .
play the youngsters get AJ the ball early and often and
go DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Jerry G, you are a typical dawg moron. The one thing that is said about a good football coach, “He can beat you with his team and then turn around and beat his team with yours.” I don’t think that could be said of CMR as much as it could be said of CPJ.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anyone close to the UGA football program for years and years, has known that Bobo and Martinez have not/cannot get their jobs done. Look at their record. Bobo did have the advantage of one of the quickest throwing releases in NCAA with Stafford, which made his O line appear to be better. Also, Matt S could bolt up the middle running it and that too made the poor line play go away ….first down or TD usually, when he ran the ball.

With Clueless Joe Cox, well, um inability to run, sloooooooooooooow release, you can see that result. HE IS part of the problem …………nice young man but simply mis cast he is as QB starter. He is simply not athletic enough at this level to be a factor.

No Show Moreno also made the line appear better because he could reverse field and use his quick feet to get something. He did not always get yardage but against fair to middling SEC teams and teams like Mich State, he did all right. Excellent college runner he was. NOw? UAG has not one kid that IS a quality SEC running back. Not one. Why? We missed on recruiting them is why. Period.

Richt is faced with major, major adversity and it will not get better even in 2010. I am afraid that he has boxed himself and his program into a 6-5 or 6-6 corner with the last two or three years of recruiting. We have no big time backs, we have no big time d ends and we have no big time game changer d backs that can TACKLE. Key word is t-a-c-k-l-e. They ARE FAST but do not naturally like to tackle and that is one huge part of UGA’s problem. This is why Rambo is seeing PT as he seems to be able to t-a-ck-l-e. Safeties Evans and Jones ought to leave campus now. They are wothless. Why? Poor Martinez recruiting is why. He IS the d back coach too. He missed with these two clowns.

We need a new regime at UGA to clear the air and regenerate enthusiasm. Period.

UGA, class of 73

• Link
• Report this comment

Rod:

How about when the kid from Carter-Columbus AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY showed up in Athens to accept his offer, only to be “hosed” by UGA.

Yeah, that was classy.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,
Why do you catch hell with Ga fans when you tell it like it is? I don’t feel sorry for you because that comes with the job, but you are the only objective reporter the AJC has. I guess our society loves to be told what we want to hear. Paul Johnson obviously knows what he is doing and Richt has lost it.
I hate both schools but that is the way it is.

• Link
• Report this comment

SHARDS1967….YOU ARE SO TYPICAL OF THE BLOGGERS…MATT STAFFORD RUNNING UP THE MIDDLE AND MAKING THE OFFENSIVE LINE LOOK GOOD….DON’T KNOW YOUR FANNY FROM SECOND BASE…..MATTHEW STAFFORD BOLTING UP THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE LINE AND MAKING THE OLINE LOOK GOOD…YEA, STAFFORD WAS KNOWN ALL AROUND COLLEGE FOOTBALL AS A GREAT SCRAMBLER AND RUNNER….WHAT UGA TEAM HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING???? MANY PEOPLE WHO KNOW AS LITTLE ABOUT FOOTBALL AS YOU HAVE SOME OF THE LOUDEST VOICES CALLING FOR REGIME CHANGE….WHAT A JOKE….

• Link
• Report this comment

Who cares..gosh, get off the uga bashing….CMR will make the changes that are necessary…it’s not like we woke up one day and forgot how to coach….get off his back….we support you Coach Richt..!!!Go Dawgs!

• Link
• Report this comment

Attention “the truth”

Dont pretend to be..the truth.

I…am the truth. And the ENTIRE UGA fan base couldnt handle it.

• Link
• Report this comment

I really like Coach Richt. I hope he doesn’t go anywhere!

• Link
• Report this comment

Look, it’s pretty simple. Richt will do what he has to at the end of the season, but not before.

He may not like it, but he will; and if he doesn’t want to, Evans will make him do it OR ELSE.

The biggest challenge will be – who do you replace them with?

And – and you better hope this doesn’t happen – what if by some stroke of luck UGA wins out except against FL? That could happen. And that would put Richt in a really dicey situation.

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m insulted when I hear CMR say we are “battling as hard as we can battle”. Did he see the same UT game that I witnessed last Sat. He team gave up the entire second half! We didn’t even try to win the game. It almost appeared Bobo & Martines had money on UT to cover or something.

• Link
• Report this comment

I can tell you I wish Coach Johnson was still @ GSU, but we could not outbid other suitors for his services. GA Tech, prepare to ante up one day or he will be a memory. I can see him going to Nebraska one day to bring that program back to its former glory. And you know they have the money to spend on a can’t-miss coach…

• Link
• Report this comment

Mare Bradley at 9:46am:

Has it ever dawned on you that maybe Richt never had it? Maybe that it’s easy to win SEC titles with Ron Zook and Mike Shula around. That maybe it’s easy to win SEC titles when you have natural-born leaders David Greene and David Pollock on your team. That maybe when you get a bunch of undisciplined but talented kids, the true nature of one’s coaching abilities really come out?

I like Richt, and I think he represents the university well as a person. But I’m sorry. To come out at the end of last year and tell us that assessing Willie Martinez’s performance wasn’t on the table does not make of a man making good decisions. Either he was too loyal, too stupid, or some combination of both. In either case, that man is not fit to lead this team and make decisions. Urban and Nick would have run Willie out well in advance of that debacle. But at that point, Richt wasn’t even willing to assess his performance! When this program is steeped in mediocrity, and people start calling for Richt’s head at that point, remember that there are those of us who recognized that he was exposed when the going got tough and that this problem could have been nipped in the bud in 2009, not 2011 or 2012.

• Link
• Report this comment

I keep waiting for someone to point out the similarities between Richt’s situation and that of his former mentor, Bobby Bowden. UGA and FSU have slipped badly, and neither coach seems capable of adjusting. In Bowden it’s understandable; in Richt it is not.

• Link
• Report this comment

Vandy will keep UGA out of the “RED ZONE”.

• Link
• Report this comment

Is GEORGIA TECH……. MAN ENOUGH ……….TO PLAY beamer ball this week?

• Link
• Report this comment

I thought I smelled a skunk around somewhere I thought it was the defense but some one mentioned the name Kemp , that has to be where the smell is coming from.

• Link
• Report this comment

I recommend Mike Bobo be designated “Head Coach In Waiting”. – It does wonders for the program.

• Link
• Report this comment

Let it be said…nice religious folks have killed lots of people over the years. Mark is firm in his beliefs but don’t think for a second he is ignorant and about to go down with the ship. Don’t confuse demeanor with fortitude. He just isn’t giving the media and fans what they want which is to throw himself and others under the bus to make “us’ feel better. They will make changes. They got too many damn kids not to.

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt’s problem is he let the program get out of control. The nail in Richt’s coffin was the notorious end zone dance against UF. Richt not only condoned this outrage, he engineered it. How can a coach induce discipline when he encourages his team to violate the rules of the game?He will pay for it again this year when Meyer and Tebow run up the score. Penalties and player arrests are all part of this atmosphere.

• Link
• Report this comment

People, Smart will not leave Alabama to come to UGA to be DC. What kind of sense would that make for him professionally, not to mention that UA probably has more than enough $$$ to trump UGA if that becomes the final issue.

No, the only way to bring Smart home is to offer him the head job. Which is why it won’t happen, b/c the UGA administration is too weak-kneed to let CMR go after the season.

HIRE KIRBY SMART!!

http://www.saturdayinathens.com

• Link
• Report this comment

To those who believe CPJ will leave for a better payday:

Tech will pay what it needs to pay to keep CPJ, but only if the following is the case:

1. He represents the Institute in an exemplary manner.
2. He upholds the academic traditions/standards.
3. He stays out of trouble with the NCAA.
4. His players achieve academically at the levels we expect.
5. He gets us to, keeps us at that “next level”.

If he does that, the alumni base will make sure no one can “buy” him from us.

The only wild card I can think of would involve variables out of Tech’s control – how happy his family is in this area, etc.

• Link
• Report this comment

And by the way, I lke CPJ a lot, but the jury is still out regarding whether he will do what is necessary with his coaching staff.. I’ve seen evidence that he’s willing to do it with players, pulling those who don’t perform, and giving others that work hard in practice a chance. If our Defense doesn’t show some real improvement in last 6 games, I hope CPJ takes action in the off-season also.

Wommack had a petty shaky record coming in to GT, and he hasn’t shown much in 1 1/2 years he has been here. With even a decent defense, this team will win, today and in the future.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bobby Bowden said when Richt left FSU for UGA, “I’m not sure if Mark is tough enough to be a head coach”. Remember the Peter Principle?

• Link
• Report this comment

CPJ wants an ACC title bad. This DC and giving up 40 a game won’t get him there, even in the ACC.

• Link
• Report this comment

and for those of you that call their offense a “High School Offense”, I say this : The puppies had TWO (2) weeks to prepare for that HS offense last year, and their defense still could not shut it down.

• Link
• Report this comment

Richt is soft, we get it.

• Link
• Report this comment

I’ll answer that for Bama fans…………………Let Saban have 2, say 3 years of of 10-11 win years and No SEC titles and no NC, they will be just like Dawg fans. Only difference, I don’t see Saban allowing Bama to get blown out on National TV 2 -3 times year and go 6-6 or 7-5.

• Link
• Report this comment

Good grief! Everybody take a step back. I’ll be the first to agree that I am extremely disappointed about the last 2 seasons. I think Georgia has played like a team that has been under-coached. I think changes need to be made. But this is the first really trying time UGA has had under Richt. My hope and belief are that he didn’t get to the position as head coach at Georgia by being incompetent. He’ll make the adjustments. And why is it a negative that he is loyal? All programs have dips and go through cycles. I think the thing I appreciate about Mark Richt the most is that he is able to keep things in perspective. He is resolute about the path he is on and isn ‘t so short-sighted as to be blown about by the variances that may happen in a given week, both good and bad. I think he absolutely has the stuff it takes to win a national championship and will continue to keep UGA at the forefront of major college football for years to come. AND I completely agree with Nativebird about Paul Johnson. He is ego in shorts. I think he’s a good coach, but let’s let him face the test of time. All programs have ups and downs, and if this is an up time for Tech, give me Mark Richt any day. Georgia will be back.

• Link
• Report this comment

First off CMR is a great honest man maybe that is his fault at this level of football in a SEC that has the cash on hand to hire the coaches that will win at all costs. CMR is faced with a program that seems to be out coached in all 3 phases of the game. Changes of some sort need to be made. CMR is ultimately responsible for the actions of all in the program. IMO give him one more year to show improvement and ability to adapt.

Fire CMR? Is that really more of a risk than replacing coaches. I am not in favor of it just yet but I do not see it as that much riskier. Geogia has the in state talent, facilities, and fan base to win SEC championship and by default play for national titles. UGA was loyal to CMR for nearly a decade and any new coach can clearly see the results have not been living up to expectations for 2006 forward.

CPJ is every bit the ego maniac of Les, Urban, and Saban. CPJ has not reached the level of salary or success that those 3 have. Yes the offensive is explosive. But he has not been to a ACC championship game and beat a down UGA team. The GT fans love to point out how bad UGA is and then in their next post how great CPJ is. If UGA is so bad what makes CPJ so great? Chan atleast went to the ACC CG and lost many close games to Top 10 UGA teams. CPJ maybe the second coming of Bobby Dodd but only time will tell. If he is does GT have the cash to keep him in Atlanta?

How many fans of GT or UGA would like to have Tenuta in place of their current DCs?

• Link
• Report this comment

Bottom line is PJ has the drive and discipline to make the Jackets the best they can be. He will hire and fire at the drop of a hat, and his coaches know it.

He expects the best, and nothing less. PJ could have drilled FSU into the ground 53-0 and still would have come away with some areas of improvement.

CMR comes away with a squeaker over USC or ASU, has no clue what happened and thinks it is business as usual. Bottom line is the rest of the league has caught up with him, and have passed him including GT.

The problem with UGAY is they gave CMR too fat and too long of contract, and now they are stuck financially. Also, UGAY’s reputation for quality coaches is in the ditch, because there are no quality coaches who want to touch this program.

• Link
• Report this comment

[...] It’s interesting that a lot of Georgia writers seem to be giving Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson an edge over Mark Richt.  Of course, we can all check back in once Johnson has been at Tech for nine years to see if folks [...]

• Link
• Report this comment

carney and other spread option doubters,

I believe that the option works fine in the SEC, see Fla at LSU this past weekend and Fla vs SEC last 3-4 years. The main difference in what Fla runs and what GT runs is that Florida runs it out of the shotgun and GT runs it from under center. It is well documented that Meyer has consulted with and drawn from what Johnson is doing while at Utah and Florida.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

PM, 3/4 of their defensive line. What I think is so stupid is that people come on here saying that it was thought that we would be even better this year after losing Staff, MoMass, and Moreno. That is an absurb statement. Noone belived that. At least I didn’t. I just did not think we would lose games the way we have lost them after it was promised that things would be corrected. Things such as PENALTIES, DISCPLINE, CWM’s DEFENS. None of theses things have been corrected. UGA should never let USCe score 30 something points. UGA should never allow for an ARK QB to throw for over 400 yrds. UGA should never allow anyteam to run 40+ on them, Yes even the Gators. I am not saying we should win eveygame, but we sure as hell don’t need to lose the way we are losing. The showing up unprepared and looking lost in theses games should not be happening. This is at least been going on for 3 years.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bradley, all you are trying to do is stir the pot!! I’ll take CMR any day over PJ. PJ is a good coach and will win games. CMR is winning games year in and year out. Tech doesn’t have a better or worse chance in winning a NC than UGA does. CMR will do what he has to do to make the team better. I’ll take CMR all day long!! Go Dawgs

• Link
• Report this comment

bb, LSU also runs the spread option at times and it did not work that great against UGA or UF.

Urban runs elements from many coaches. He is a true student of the game trying to stay on the cutting edge. Malzahn at Auburn is the same way. It was well documented Urban also talked regularly with Monte Kiffen before he went to UT.

Keeping play calling varied and well executed are very important as well as overall talent level. I am not saying CPJ can’t win the SEC but GT even with a Tenuta defense would be upper mid pack in the SEC. If he had UF talent level who knows.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Spurrier, if that is really you out there!

We’re still waiting in the locker room at the VCC,
for you to get back from you car in the parking lot
to get cash to pay off your golf bet losses.

• Link
• Report this comment

Johnson seems “exactly the sort of man you’d want [Tech] running your [Tech's] business.” (My take: With one caveat. “Yes, right now.”)

Johnson’s indeed a fine tactician. However there are numerous reasons coaches might grow long in the tooth sooner rather than later. What happens when the honeymoon is over and the tides shift, as tides are occasionally want to do? Could Johnson’s NFL-caliber temperament — widely by many as a “breath of fresh air” — begin to be viewed as simply more hot air from a hothead?

• Link
• Report this comment

Charlotte Dawg – Well, this is “year out” I guess, and he is 3-3. That’s not winning, that’s mediocre.

• Link
• Report this comment

Careful guys, the rabid fan mentality is beginning to show……Yes, Mark Bradley sure knows how to stir the pot…….Personally I think it’ good for football in the Great State of Georgia…….Keep up the good work Mark……I like the way Mark thinks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ted Striker , you make no sense at all. Your point?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark,

Are you that stupid?

• Link
• Report this comment

Good comment BugKiller, I believe you are correct and it does not make him a bad person. As far as Cox goes, not sure he is to blame for all of the problems but the QB usually gets most of the blame when an offense sputters. Cox is being rewarded for his loyalty for staying in the program…that is nice but does not win games.

• Link
• Report this comment

tj:
“Average, at best” would be be somewhere around 50th to 60th in the Division 1 rankings. Neither Tech nor Georgia’s defense is “average”. And in their conferences, they are 11th out of 12.

Not criticizing your statement, just pointing out current numbers.

• Link
• Report this comment

I am not saying that I was expecting us to be bad. I thought it would be a little harder to win some games. With the schedule we had this year coupled with losing 3 MFL starters. I knew there would be a drop off, not a huge drop off but some. The problems on defense is embarrassing. Like you I thought the OL/DL line play would be what kept us in games and winning them. The OL was vastly overated as shown the true talents that Staff and Moreno had. This is the same OL they had last year. The DL is the worst of all. We had a 3 headed monster at DT that has done absolutely nothing. They were the key to the pass rush from our ends. Geno has all but disapeared. Owens is always off sides in the opponets backfield. Weston is the only one playing decent. I was expecting more hard fault and close games this year. A record alone the lines of 9-4 or 10-3.

• Link
• Report this comment

BugKiller, you and I need to get together for a beer sometime. This is a pated passage from some religious mag that proves Richt has no right to coach on this level:
Richt spoke of how time consuming his position as Head Coach is. He praised his wife for being such a supportive spouse. With some of the off-season problems involving players getting in trouble, Richt spoke of how his goal is to be a role model for them. He doesn’t just want to coach them on the field, he wants to teach them principles and … Read Moredisciplines. He hopes to teach them life lessons so that they will become better men. He strives to prepare them spiritually by his own example. He really cares for his players and wants them to “be great fathers one day.” Coach Richt really loves Jesus. He seeks Christ in decisions by constant prayer and fasting. His motto is love and obey God. This coach spoke from his heart. As he said it best he wants to “serve the people instead of himself.”

• Link
• Report this comment

tech75, crack kills my man, as your assessment of both tech football and standards show that you must be as high as a kite!

• Link
• Report this comment

jason said: “I thought it would be a little harder to win some games. With the schedule we had this year coupled with losing 3 MFL starters.”
This statement is nothing but an excuse. With the schedule you had? OKS, overrated to start the year, Ark, SC, Tenn (offensive cellar dweller). LSU is the only team that has played well over all. Every team has starter leave for the NFL, good coaches prepare for that. two of the three lost games could have or should have been wins, look at OKS now and Tenn…well that was bad. Before the season started the dawg nation was feeling they would be 7-0 going into the Fla game. If you say different then you are playing games with the truth.

• Link
• Report this comment

Island Dawg, excellent post on CMR. Question though. Does that intefere with his ability to be the HC of UGA? As the HC he does have the platform to lead and teach these young men, and to also serve them as you stated. But the end game for a HC is all about wins and losses.

• Link
• Report this comment

I need to say it simply, Mark Richt is a great person, a good football coach, but he gets paid 2-3 million dollars a year to win, and that involves being able to make tough decisions-luckily for him, firing willie martinez as a coach (not as a friend) is an EASY decision, but there may be other shake-ups that need to be made too-aka bobo

• Link
• Report this comment

CFB Lover, actually I had them at 6-1 going into the UF game. Losing to either LSU or USCe.

• Link
• Report this comment

sorry cfb, the “outsiders” that come on to read (and comment) on our articles get to me once in a while-I apologize to you, but not to them, plus I took my meds so I am feeling better, lol

• Link
• Report this comment

Hope you are feeling better, dawgrific

• Link
• Report this comment

that will come..but if it doesn’t just remember it is a game to be enjoyed.

• Link
• Report this comment

I hear alot of people tell Kandi to give back the kids. Well, I don’t feel that way. A woman who takes kids an raise them with love, warm, etc. That’s the mom. Maybe she needs these kids?

Kandi isn’t a selfish person. Unlike some of these self loathing grinches!

• Link
• Report this comment

Can anybody say, “Wrong Blog?” LOL!

• Link
• Report this comment

What we’ve all learned in the world of work is this : We’re all expendable and replaceable. Is it commendable to save one in order to sacrifice all..?

“I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which I must stop and look fear in the the face…I say to myself, I’ve lived through this and can take the next thing that comes along…We must do the things we think we cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

• Link
• Report this comment

Keep in mind that Georgia Tech, under Paul Johnson, went into Athens and beat the dogs with a team that early in the season was not supposed to have a chance. Georgia was supposed to win the National Championship.

Georgia will always get more talent than Tech. That is why a man like Paul Johnson is importent to the program. His offense neutralizes the difference in talent.

I remember watching Bobby Dodd`s teams for years and the most overlooked part of this as one poster has said the luck is back.

Tech will do well and Georgia will also do well. Georgia Tech will do well because of coaching and good talent. Georgia will do well because of talent.

• Link
• Report this comment

Gen Neyland – You never cease to amaze and impress me. Mme. Roosevelt eloquently expanded upon Friedrich Nietzsche’s “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.”

• Link
• Report this comment

I wouldn’t be surprise if the comments for this topic don’t hit the 1000 blog mark tonite.

CMR some adjustments they should be fine next year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wisconsin has not been to a BCS bowl or won a conf championship since ‘99.

Is UGA underachieving now? Yes but UGA is a long way from Wisconsin level.

Besides GT isn’t exactly over achieving. The most convincing win was in the pooring rain. GT has the chance to change that this weekend. We’ll see what happens.

• Link
• Report this comment

Otto, so true about Staff in comparison to Cox. I don’t think the play calling is the big issue. i like you think the inability to run the ball has dictated what Bobo wants to call. Having said that, I also think he has abandoned the run to early in games. Maybe that is because of lack of confidence in the run game. Here’s hoping Ealy is the answer. King shows alot of talent and potential (loce his hands), but he is more bad luck injury prone tham Thomas Brown.

• Link
• Report this comment

The thing about Staff was that everybody knew he was gone after his JR season. CMR knew, there is no living in denail on that aspect. That’s why alot are upset that Cox didn’t see the field more last year. Staff was a selfish player. That might have had alot to do with how last year played out. It has been mentioned alot about the team chemistry from last year’s team.

• Link
• Report this comment

Slide Rule, Agreed and my point on the leadership and off field problems since Cox took over. Related maybe, maybe not.

Jason, Is the running game not producing because of RBs, RB coach or Bobo’s play calling being predictable? All 3 have been blamed by various people. We can’t say as fans and its CMR’s job to fix it. I am not sure there is much he can do until the offseason. IMO Malzahn at Auburn and Mullen would be finding more ways to use motion and counters to get Thomas and Gray in the game and DCs on their toes. Urban was not happy with his RBs back in ‘06 and they won a title.

• Link
• Report this comment

Otto, True. I think it might be a combination of all three. That is depressing. When has UGA not been able to run the ball? Maybe the OL was just good as advertised and Moreno made them look alot better. Once in a generation RBs will do that. If you are not running the ball, the defense has no need to crowd the box thus leaving double and sometimes triple coverage on AJ forcing predictable play calling along the lines og quick hitters and screens. By Cox seeing this he then forces passes down field and has some picked off. Also, without sound pass protection, Cox is not having alot of time to set up and go deep as much as he wants.

• Link
• Report this comment

Slide Rule : I think she would have made a hellava football coach.

• Link
• Report this comment

Last year Bama fans commented on how Julio had a shortened play book and only learned one position. Seems Marlon Brown could do the same.

Auburn runs Kodi in all sorts of plays. Gray has been in the program and should be able to run a good percentage of the playbook. Preseason talk was he would have a package but he has not thrown the ball. Thomas could be used as Percy was at UF. Is he going to block as Caleb or Samuel? No but he can slow them down and create another weapon the LBs have to cover.

• Link
• Report this comment

I have not yet seen a UGA running back this year who uses a spin move on first contact like Moreno did regularly, especially behind the line. I don’t think the first two RBs have the quickness, even if that is a coachable move. Ealy seems to be much quicker to the line.

• Link
• Report this comment

Gen Neyland – Yes, truly a woman of conviction, able to overcome adversity. A coach who reminds me of those traits is Bobby Dodd, who learned from a true master. Dodd pulled Ga. Tech out of the SEC rather than accept what he viewed as an egregious rule that allowed SEC teams to void the scholarships of surplus freshmen recruits to get down to the required limit, essentially tryouts. The vote was 6-6, and the rule stood. Dodd announced the withdrawal from the SEC at the SEC meeting after the vote.

• Link
• Report this comment

hahahahah. paul johnson hasn’t won anything yet. the only “big game” he’s won has been, admittedly, against the dawgs. what’s funny though is that the uga-tech game last year had little national significance. every big national game johnson has had at tech, his teams have faltered. here’s another shot at a national win this weekend with the hokies – one my money says the nerds won’t get.
regardless, richt has won sec championships, the bugs cant even win that JV league they call the ACC. this conversation should end right there – the rest is irrelevant speculation.

• Link
• Report this comment

It pains me to say it but when I see UGA play and then watch GT, the GT players have more discipline than the UGA players. For example:

1 The GT players toss the ball to the ref and run towards their bench when they score rather than celebrating like they have never been in the end zone before.

2 The GT offensive line players block their assignments and open holes. UGA linemen look confused as to whom to block.

3 The GT defenseive backs stay with their assignments. UGA defensive backs were barely in the picture when UT recievers made Crompton look like Johnny Unitas.

4 The GT players stay with their units and their position coaches on the sidelines getting ready to go back into the game. I saw UGA players dancing for crowd behind the bench in one game this year.

5 The GT players seem determined to win. The UGA players look like they are playing scared and are hanging on.

6 The GT players do not make many penalties. The UGA players make stupid penalties that cost them wins.

It is all poor coaching. Coaching preparation for this season should have started with conditioning drills last February. Also, Evans needs to quit loading the schedule. The coaching staff needs to get the players on the same page with improved position coaching and an actual game plan for the week’s opponent.

Has success made the coaches and players at UGA lazy in their preparation and play? They sure do not appear focused enough to win. And that is on the head coach. I love him, but he needs to get their attention and if that means getting pissed off then that is what he needs to do.

The coaches are not his friends. They are his employees. The players are not his friends. They are student athletes that need to be taught the self discipline and position techniques to compete on the field.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s going to tear Mark Richt up to fire Martinez. Let’s let him stay one more year at least.

• Link
• Report this comment

UGA Class of ‘73 -
Third to last paragraph, I disagree. I’d say “Evans needs to quit loading the schedule” UNLESS the other statements in the paragraph are followed to the letter.

• Link
• Report this comment

12 NATIONAL TITLES -21 SEC TITLES!!!

QB SITUATION – Joe Cox is a good leader – and not a bad QB. Lack of running game is what is killing the offense this year.

With that said – UGA needs to be patient (yes, this is funny coming from a Bama fan) until after the Florida game.

Here are my thoughts:
Let Cox run the team vs Vandy – have a week off – play against Florida.
If UGA turns the ship around and competes well against Florida – then stay with Cox – as he is your best chance to win against AUB, KY, and GT – and a potentially and 8-4 season (not bad for a down year).

If UGA get’s totally hammered by Florida – mix in Gray or even burn the redshirt off Murray. Get them ready for 2010.

NATIONAL RESPECT
UGA has never been considered one of college footballs heavy weights like a USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, or BAMA – this is college football royalty……. and how Florida is now repsected due to the last 20 years or so with Spurrier building a CONSISTENT WINNER – and now has the arguably the best coach in college football with Meyer HAS PUT THEM in this group. But it took 20 years (yes Zook was in there for a few years – but give UF credit – they fixed that problem in short order).

Also about Florida – while Dooley may have won a ton of games against Florida – UF was the better overal program based on head to head competition the last half of the century – posting a 28-22-1 record against UGA from 1951 to 2000. So this nonsense that Florida was a weaker team up until Spurrier is just not so.

I travel the country and talk a lot of football to people up north – midwest – west coast – and college fans DO recognize how deep the SEC is. UGA is considered one of the better SEC schools (obviously) – that makes noise on occasion – but along the same lines as Auburn, or a Clemson, or a Michigan State or IOWA or GT (usually a better B10 team – but no Michigan or Ohio State).

My point is this: UGA fans should love their school and it’s unique history and tradition – but keep in perspective. UGA is not considered in the elite for a reason.

Dooley had his Hershall years – Butts had Trippi. Richt has brought UGA to the cusp of longer term national recognition with his run – but since 2005 – this team is IOWA, AUBURN, Clemson, FSU as far as the rest of the country is concerned.

In 2008 – the team rated #1 – and UGA lost the goodwill of the media and college football fans as far as national respect and recognition. The 2008 team was not ELITE – by a long shot – and BAMA and Florida both hammered UGA – and UGA was able to get by team like AUBURN and KY – but lose to GT in an embarrasing manner.

UGA is viewed as a team trying to break out of a competitive pack – and does so on occasion. But not a total program that stays in front of the pack – the benchmark. And history is proving itself again.

UGA is back to it’s roots and historical position – not a leader in the conference – but a team trying to stay ahead of the pack and deperately seeking National Respect and Attention. Best of luck for the rest of the season – don’t see UGA beating Florida – but I am hoping you guys can make it to 8-4 – with a bowl win 9-4 would be HUGE! However, with current state of running game and defense – just do not see it happening.

ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Oops..thought I hit “refresh”. Not to waste it: Bama Stan – Your thoughts about Arkansas and Miss. State (Mullen impact)?

• Link
• Report this comment

C’mon Bama, you’re crawfishing. Your post clearly states that teams “with enough talent” to run pro style offenses do, the obvious implication being that Tech’s talent is somehow lesser. I’m just stating facts that its not. Tech has three backs, a QB and a WR who could start on any team in the country, no matter what offense they are running.

That may not be what you mean’t but it’s dang sure what you wrote. Maybe you should read your posts before you hit submit to be sure you’re clear.

• Link
• Report this comment

GT’s QB could not start on any team in the country.

• Link
• Report this comment

Otto – That statement doesn’t make sense. None out of 108 or whatever programs?

• Link
• Report this comment

12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!

Hey Slide Rule – enjoyed your 11:00AM post.

Alabama owes a couple of apologies to GT. Which used to be a very fierce and respected rivalry.

Many BAMA fans are aware of the Holt / Granning incident. Which was an embarrasment to Alabama and college football. Also, Coach Bryant’s response was also an embarrasment as well.

Also – Bryant and Vaught changed their vote after Dodd made his “leaving the SEC” statement. Before hand – they both ensured Dodd their support. I was told that UGA backed GT and Dodd – and wanted them to stay in the conference.

Also – Dodd later revealed that he never should have pulled GT out of the conference. This was something he resented as he realized that it hurt GT.

Regarding GT and the SEC:
Many of us wish GT were still in the SEC.

With Atlanta being the true college football hub – imagine the press and focus if GT had regular home games with Tennessee, Florida – and rotated Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, etc. Atlanta would support these games – and GT would compete!

The GT/AUB, GT/ BAMA, GT, TN, GT/FL rivalries were huge in their day.
GT needs to be in the SEC!

I – along with many SEC fans would go to these games! GT would fill and probably need to expand the stadium.

I say less put KY in the SEC WEST – ARK to the B12. Iowa State to the B10. OR swop with the ACC – GT – South Carolina.

No offense to the ACC – but doe GT/NC STATE, GT/VA, GT/NC, GT/VT, GT/BC, GT/DUKE, GT/MIA really get you fired up?

Slide Rule – if offered – would you like to see GT back home in the SEC?

Looking forward to GT/BAMA renewing it’s rivalry – should be great for both schools!

ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

BAMA STAN go away!!You are becoming boring with the ALA is royalty crap.Bama wont make it 3 years with out being back on probation!Did you see what the NCAA had to say about good ol Bama recently?The NCAA Committee on Infractions called the University of Alabama a “serial repeat violator” with an “abysmal infractions track record” and an “extensive recent history of infractions cases unmatched by any other member institution in the NCAA,” in responding to the school’s textbook appeal, according to documents released today.Sounds to me that not everyone looks at Bama as royalty.Mind your own house or the chickens will be coming home to roost soon!

• Link
• Report this comment

I will keep off football for a minute. I have had encounters with both of these coaches and they are polar opposites. These encounters have been off campus. Mark Richt is a nice man who treats people with respect and has a nice personality. Paul Johnson is cold and doesn’t treat people with respect and has no personality. True story, no reason to lie I am a Gator fan. How bout’ that defense, 5 Games = 2 Touchdowns Allowed, 32 Points Surrendered.

• Link
• Report this comment

*would not put money on scholarships being removed.

• Link
• Report this comment

So Tech has exactly 1 win vs a BCS level team with a winning record and has lost the only game they’ve played vs a top 25 team and Paul Johnson is the second coming of Vince Lombardi? Richt who is for the first time going through some hiccups with a VERY young team vs arguably the toughest schedule in the nation and people want to run him out of town?

Tech fans, dont throw stones in glass houses. The Tech D is just as if not more porous than UGA’s right now. VT is going to put the Jackets out of the top 25 this Saturday, you can mark that one down.

I will admit some changes need to be made at UGA in the coaching staff, but firing Richt is not going to solve the problems. We do need a new DC and special teams coach, but keep Richt.

• Link
• Report this comment

Fire Willie from your screenname to post, you sound like a jealous hater that does not look past the surface. LSU was not put on probation after Saban.

• Link
• Report this comment

BAMA STAN, Your 2:00 PM post is accurate and sad to say, it is true. Think that could be why people are on the blame game with CMR, myself included.We all were under the illusion that since CMR has been here we have reached that National Prominenve. No, bot a MNC, but capable of contending for one annually. That is not the case. We are still trying to fend off USCe, UK, Ole MS. AUB, and now ARK just for legimecey inside the SEC. It doesn’t help to maintain national reconnigtion with losses like last SAt to a rebuilding TENN team. Also the losses of the embarrassing nature to your Tide, the Gators and Tech hurt even more. It is not the losses, but in the way we lossed. The black out that wasn’t. The UF redemption for the celebration, and the list goes on. Simply put, when UGA is on a stage to prove their National worth, more times than not we lose in GRAND fashion. On the rare occasions that we do win, we don’t show the opponet the proper respect for a hard fought game.

• Link
• Report this comment

And for the record I am not some young kid…I am 45 years old and have seen Bama’s history of cheating first hand.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bama Stan, wanted to say that your 2:00PM post was dead on the money. Sad but true.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ark and Texas were both in the SWC. OU was in the Big 8.

• Link
• Report this comment

Take Nesbitt over Cox any given day!

• Link
• Report this comment

In reply to:

Otto

October 15th, 2009
2:18 pm
GT’s QB could not start on any team in the country.

• Link
• Report this comment

12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!

Otto – as always – enjoy your post.
Still would love to see GT in the SEC. The GT/AUB series a few years back was very intense – both stadiums rocked – and GT won both games!
What does THWG stand for?

Would you be in favor of Tech rejoining the SEC?

Fire Willie Now: We have a long history of cheating? UGA has been on probabtion more times that Alabama? Let me correct you – we apparently have a long history of cheating BETTER than UGA!!!

The reality is that Alabama got exactly what it deserved with the probation and embarrassment. I hated seeing some high powered Alabama alums going after Tennessee – could care less who turned us in – we had a staff that was cheating and needed a regime change. It was difficult to go through – but it was needed – glad we were caught so we could clean the mess up. If Alabama get’s put on probation again – we have ourselves to blame.

As you can tell – I feel strongly about this. The integrity of the university and all univeristies – as well as college athletics – is at stake.

ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Otto – Thanks. Definitely mis-remembered that. The two conferences merged to form the Big-12, picking up 4 SWC member schools.

• Link
• Report this comment

you can’t judge a coach till he’s playing with his players, or on the basis of one off year-conclusions require data…based on the data, Tech leaving the SEC was the worst idea any Tech AD ever made_surely Josh could start for Navy…don’t vandy atheletes really attend peabody?

• Link
• Report this comment

Stan, Likewise enjoy your posts as well

Mark on the Nesbit vs Cox agreed.

White and Gold yes……?

Back to Stan… GT in the SEC? I would not be opposed. I really do not think much about it as in order for it to happen someone would have to leave the SEC. Nobody is going to leave by choice, so it just is not possible. From a historical point of view GT should be in the over S. Car. and SCar should be in the ACC. As an added bonus it would free up an OOC game for UGA.

Also this maybe a long shot but are you planning on going to the SECCG with a friend from Ellijay?

• Link
• Report this comment

Slide Rule, The Big 12 botched that expansion by destroying the OU/Nebraska game as it was put on rotation. OU/Neb. is one of the most historic matchups in all of CFB. How many Conf and National Titles were decided in that game?

It is just a shame that the SWC was destroyed. If we’re on the topic of bringing back historic matchups bring back the SWC and make the Cotton a BCS bowl. While we’re at it maybe add Boise St. Utah and BYU to the Big 8 or SWC.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh THWG is to he11 with Georgia.

Whats the Good Word? and the reply THWG is one of the old GT traditions.

• Link
• Report this comment

Coach Smith, Bama came dangerously close to going to a SECCG under Shula with limited scholarships in ‘06.

Fran won the SEC West but was not recognized due to sanctions in ‘02.

The last SEC title was in ‘99.

• Link
• Report this comment

OK, the Dawgs are “struggling”, playing lousy,etc…whatever. No Dawg fan likes it…but the only Dawg fans that can do anything to fix the problems are the coaches. I remember Bama, LSU, fla, Auburn, USC, Tenn, Tex,ND, Mich; all having years when they “struggled”. Seems to be part of the game. Now if you look at the record of teams Richt has coached…it would be obvious he knows what he’s doing when it comes to football. The unemotional commentators from the national audience frankly do not share the same view of some Dawg fans calling for his head. They think he’s pretty doggone good. This garbage about him being a Christian (Priest?) and therefore not having the stones to fire assistants is an absurd speculation. I’m a Christian. I’ll fire anybody. I just know I don’t have to enjoy it…and I don’t have to be mean or talk tough to get people around me to “like” me for it. I’ve been in the Army for 25 years…tough talkers don’t last too long anyway.
Richt is on track. He has to finish the season with as much winning as possible. He can’t do further damage by firing people right now, or long term damage to recruiting without setting conditions to preserve the current haul. He also can’t say thhings in the press to damage the team just to make himself look good as “tough coach”…who likes firing people. As a Dawg fan, I can whine publicly about not winning, bad defense, etc. or, I can support my team, display faith and loyalty…comport myself with a little class and make UGA the most attractive big time football school I can to bring in talent…whether that is coaches, players, or College Gameday.
Look around…the news is not UGA losing…it’s the “fan outcry”. Kiffin and Meyer and all the rest must just be loving it. By my way of thinking…a lot of you out there should contact our competition and see if they’ll send you an orange T-shirt for all the help in recruiting. It’s a good thing the head coach has better emotional control than many fans and is focused on getting better.
I am certain Richt will make the right changes, at the right time and the Dawgs will get better and better…again. If you still can’t control yourself then have a seat on Oprah’s couch and pass out your emotional baggage, she might even buy you a car.

• Link
• Report this comment

Unfortunately I must agree with you Mark. I cannot believe how loyal CMR is to his coaching staff and how he always seems to candy coat poor performances that result in victories. The most disconcerting statement, which has become a trend, following a sloppy UGA victory against a vastly inferior opponent is “We got the win.” To me, this is a hallmark statement of a sports program/organization that is not focusing on improvement and on the fringe of collapse. We heard this statement from Donnan. It’s also being uttered by Wade Phillips in Dallas, and there is a lot of concern about the Cowboys organization.

Coach Richt better start focusing on the negative and address it with swift action. There are several good Coaches with Super Bowl rings on the market right now who just might interested in coaching a college program.

• Link
• Report this comment

mcdawg6 -
I for one am not equating “toughness” with firing people. Mark Richt will figure out what to do, I can only presume.

My 2 cents worth, not directed at you or anybody in particular:
The toughness I’m talking about is leadership of the team. Discipline, effort, results, corrections. Same stuff the Army and USMC teach and demand. Paul Johnson will address correctable errors/lack of effort in real time during the game. Is he mean, nasty or rude? He is loud and direct, that’s for sure. Like my DI 32 years ago. Against FSU, he grabbed a DE on the sidelines, showing exactly how he was being hold-blocked: 2 hands, fists closed, thumbs up to fool the ref, twisting the jersey underneath the front of the pads, and demonstrating how to break that with leverage. His DC is up in the booth, so he gets with the offense and defense directly.

Some head coaches aren’t so hands-on. Some are. I guess one could work down the list. Meyers, Brown, Spurrier, Saban, Weis, Shannon, Beamer, Carroll, Miles all the way down the current list of Div. 1A. You get a mixed bag of CEO-types and “game operator”-types. It’s up to the schools to pick one who fits.

• Link
• Report this comment

Coach Smith, SHAME on you for mentioning UGA in the same breath with both of the TWO TIME BCS National Champions. UGA is down a notch or two from those elite programs. And yes, Alabama has passed them by on their way to becoming an elite program also. No, they have not won much lately, but neither have the “Run Hershel Run” Dogs. I guess you still remember that season just like it was yesterday, BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO. UGA is the 4ht or 5th best program in the SEC, and all those pretty stats you can throw out do nothing but confirm that. The Dogs are like the Atlanta Braves – win the Division and Bobby and CMR are satisified, and lately neither has been able to do even that.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s time for Richt and cronies to go, past time actually. It would be a blessing if Vandy beats UGA, since that would force the AD to sack Richt immediately.

Go Commodores!

• Link
• Report this comment

In your heart, you know it’s time for Richt to go. Fire him now before we get used to mediocre records and no-name bowls.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bama and UGA head to head results for 21st Century? Who has them?

• Link
• Report this comment

2007 against a highly overrated Hawaii team that even Chan’s Tech team could have slam dunked. Glad to see you are bustin’ your buttons with that W. Utah was a very good team, and I picked them to win the Sugar Bowl.
And actually I detest Alabama, but their program has walked a mud hole through your precious Dogs program in only 2 short years. All those high profile recruits, and lousy, lackadasical coaching have put your team in this position. Again, just like the Braves.

• Link
• Report this comment

At least you can be comforted with the fact that UGA did win last year’s PRESEASON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. The you all you do is go out and post a W in game 1 and drop in the polls. Then you go out and post another W in game 2 and guess what – YOU DROP AGAIN IN THE POLLS. That is how much respect UGA’s football program has nationally. That would not have happened to LSU, Florida, or Alabama.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Finish the Drill” Well when are we going to finish the drill. I have been thinking about this all day. I have not heard that MANTRA mentioned all season. “Finish the drill” That doesn’t mean a season, a week, a game, or a half. “Finish the Drill” means finish the one single play at hand. OL, Finish the Drill as you run block. Defense, Finish the Drill as you bring the ball carrier down. It is simply as that. “Finish the Drill. The coaches on this team need to “Finish the Drill” also.

• Link
• Report this comment

One other comment…Tim Tebow, noted world-traveled missionary (for real), will participate in the ultimate assessment of your Dawgs’ Dear Leader.

• Link
• Report this comment

CMR proclaimed that Georgia program is SOLID! and and his buddy Willy is too. If GA offence can score as easy as other teams scored on us, then we will be fine. Only the problem is to convince Willy to coach against us. One thing CMR and I have in common is we don’t watch film to criticize our team performance. We like what it is now, winning here and there just to look good and nothing more really. CMR WILL NEVER FIRE WILLY THE GREAT as long as those losers in Dawg Nation taking his side. The wholesale firing should happened 2 years ago, when Stafford, Allen, Morino, and Massaquei still here. This is so distressful.

• Link
• Report this comment

[...] View original post here: For Richt, change will be hard; for Johnson, not so hard | Mark … [...]

• Link
• Report this comment

All the talk about Bama. Yes they are having a good year. What have they really accomplished in the last 15 years?

• Link
• Report this comment

Yall all know this is all just a waist of time. No one ever reads this stuff.

• Link
• Report this comment

UT QB CRompton named AT&T All Ameican Player of the Week. Award looks good next to his SEC Offensive Player ot the Week. I would once again say ‘thanks Wille’ but in essence, Willie had nothing to do with it. CLK’s gameplan did…

• Link
• Report this comment

Dang…Tried to type an excuse for the hurried pecks in my last post but it didn’t show…YET. ajc software updates need attention, MB…

• Link
• Report this comment

I think Coach Richt has delegated to much of his responsibilities for the UGA football program. He needs to remember that in 10 or 20 years no one will remember who the assistants were unless they were really special. The teams will always be associated with his name, win or loose. Maybe he should not be involved in other advertising and devote all his time to Georgia Football.

• Link
• Report this comment

Where is Kalvin Daniels , he showed some spark last year at halfback, is he hurt or is this a numbers game. Promises ..Promises. Play the best players.and not your wanta be.(put King and Samuals on defense for next year and finish the season with Washsum and Daniels and Jackson.

• Link
• Report this comment

So all of Jim Donnans players are gone! And Ole Hot ROD , not delivering the local talent like he used to…………….Looks like the Golden Boy is is now just an average Coach again, Maybe he should return to FLA State so he can reclaim his GLORY, GLORY! OH no Guys he’s the bomb digity DAWG!! I hope he make’s the right changes so we can get another 9 yrs on you HAIRY DOGS!

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, check this out

From 2001 through 2005, Georgia was 52-14 (.788 winning %).

From 2006 through 09/12/2009, Georgia is 33-12 (.600 winning %).

Over the past 11 games, the Bulldogs are 6-5.

Georgia has only scored 1 offensive touchdown in the past 11 quarters.

Georgia has 20 three-and-outs and 16 turnovers (47% of the Bulldogs’ offensive drives in 2009 have ended with a turnover or a three-and-out).

2009 total time of possession – Georgia 166:30, Opponents 193:30

Georgia has allowed 37 points or more in 7 of the past 12 games.

From 2007 to present, the Bulldog defense is allowing an average of 24.5 points per game.

In 2009, the Bulldogs are allowing an average of 30.67 points per game.

Under defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder (2001-04), the Dawgs surrendered 30+ points 1 time.

Under defensive coordinator Willie Martinez (2005-P), the Dawgs have surrendered 30+ points 14 times.

In 2009, Georgia is averaging 97.2 yards rushing per game (opponents averaging 128.2).

In 2008, Georgia averaged 148.3 yards rushing per game (opponents averaged 122.3)

Come on Coach, step up and quit making excuses! You are getting paid HUGE $$ to recognize what is wrong and correct it, AND (I might add) to face adversity for the first time in your tenure in Athens. Part of that is UNDERSTANDING that people will bitch and complain when you perform the way the team has the past 3 years. It is not unreasonable to expect more even though you have significantly raised the bar on this program and for that we are very grateful. Now let’s step it up.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Irrelevant georgia dog nation,

Good luck in your game at Vanderbilt tomorrow at 12:21pm on Peachtree TV #2. I’m sure that the 2,000 or so non dog fans that watch it will be entertained by you and your appropriately ranked 60th in the nation program when you square off with the Commodore’s powerful 94th ranking.

I don’t even want to do the play-by-play on this blog for you this week for you lol.

Georgia Tech, on the other hand, ranked 19th nationally, will be playing in Prime Time (6:00 PM) in front of 20,000,000 viewers on “National” TV against a Virginia Tech Team that is also ranked nationally at number 5.

Good luck. Do yourself proud!

• Link
• Report this comment

Jonnytest,

lol. You best stop living in denial dude. YOU are Vandy’s Home Comming game, not us.

• Link
• Report this comment

LOL correct that spelling you uga dumbazz

• Link
• Report this comment

There is no doubt in my mind that Bobby Bowden has talked with Richt and told him not to fire any coaches. This worked fairly well for Bobby. Heck he had great coaches. It would have worked for Richt but he started promoting inferior coaches and now he is stuck with incompetence around him and refuses to fire them. I wash my hands of the program. Richt is not his own man, an original. He is a Bobby Bowden clone who can’t think for himself. What is he going to do if Bowden ever passes.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hickory Dickory Dock
I walk around the Tech Campus with my 9mm Glock
I beg for a Ni**er Thug to ask me to Stop
As I turn to face to the Hip Hop
His face turns white as I make him stop
I show him my Glock
Unzip my pants and tell him to suck my ****.

• Link
• Report this comment

Not so worried about the Vandy game. More worried about us playing Florida the way we played Tennessee. Granted, in any Division I program, there are bumps in the road, but I’m afraid we have a collosal embarassment in store for us in two weeks, unless something dramatic happens. Let’s say, something like, the Gators’ bus breaks down on the way to the game, and they are lost somewhere in the Everglades and can’t make it.

I am truly concerned the beatdown we’re going to get in two weeks will greatly effect the moral of the team AND the fans. So much so, that I’m afraid this will be the last we see of AJ in Red and Black. Who’d want to come back to this? I love CMR, but come on, coach! Loyalty is a great and admirable quality, but loyalty only takes you so far. Changes HAVE to be made at Defensive Coordinator position, and you, CMR, need to go back to the play calling on offense.

Ok…that being said….GO DAWWWWGS!

• Link
• Report this comment

About UGA: Keep stirring it Bradley, Richt’s retinue are frauds just as he is. This guy is a preacher not a head coach. He’s not tough enough as BB said in so many words.

Remember guys, if there’s nothing in the pot, there’s nothing to stir. UGA’s pot runneth over.

• Link
• Report this comment

djawjuh, since you are so observant, please tell me, WHERE did I mention the NFL? ..and you talk about writing about something you know nothing about…idiot.

• Link
• Report this comment

Maaaaaaaaaan….what a bunch of whining cry-babies! Don’t know who’s worse…. the coaches (Saban/Spurrier) or the so-called “needy fans”! Remember this fans….it’s always darkest before the dawn. Coach Richt is like Daniel in the Lion’s Den right now….funny thing….the lions are the fans who should be supporting him. I think all of you whiners and complainers are pathetic. Shut up and let Coach Richt do his job. Let’s go to Jacksonville and have a repeat of 1985!!!!!!!!!!! Go Dawgs!

RADLY DAWG

• Link
• Report this comment