Another black day in Jax reveals UGA as second-rate
One is hunting a third BCS title; the other isn't bowl-eligible. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Jacksonville — The game was a total loss, but the lesson imparted need not be. After yet another lost Saturday in Duval County, this much is beyond dispute: Georgia is no longer a major player in its division, let alone the nation.
Mark Richt began his somber media briefing by saying, “Well, here we are again.” And there they were, lopsided losers. It was 49-10 last season and 41-17 this time, and for all the good work Richt did in the early part of this decade, he and his program have been lapped by Urban Meyer. And Richt, once so clever and driven, seems to have run out of ideas.
He tried the color-scheme gimmick Saturday, presenting his players with black helmets after they’d warmed up in the usual red headgear. The upshot of this was to make Georgia look like an Arena league team and to cow the nation’s No. 1 team not one whit. After 11 1/2 minutes, the guys in the orange hats led the guys in the black hats 14-0.
“It’s not the helmet,” safety Reshad Jones said. “It’s what inside the helmet.”
Well, yes. With an extra week to prepare, Willie Martinez seemed even more witless than usual. As bad as the Gators’ first two touchdowns were, the third was an affront to everything Red and Black. Facing third-and-3 at the Georgia 23 with 1:32 left in the half, Florida ran a simple option. Tim Tebow faked a handoff and burst up the middle. He scored the touchdown that put him ahead of the hallowed Herschel Walker without being touched.
“They’re a good team,” said defensive end Justin Houston. “But it seemed like every time we made a bad play, they capitalized on it.”
In the first half Georgia had eight penalties. In the second it had four interceptions. If it was to have any chance against the Gators, it had to play a clean game. Instead it authored another in a series of messes.
If we’re to believe recruiting rankings, the gulf between Georgia and Florida shouldn’t be so pronounced. But Saturday was another installment of men against boys, and it called to mind the barb Steve Spurrier sunk into Ray Goff in this stadium 18 years ago: “Georgia gets all these players — I don’t know what happens to them.”
Players go to Florida and get, to invoke another Spurrier-ism, coached up. Players come to Georgia and are left to their own devices. Martinez is a substandard defensive coordinator, and no other position coach can be said to have done fabulous work. (Unless you count Kevin Butler, who isn’t a coach but who did sire the prodigious punter Drew Butler.)
Said Richt: “We’re 4-4 this season. I don’t think it’s an indictment of the program. I think it’s an indictment of where we are this year.”
Except Georgia has underachieved three times in the past four seasons, and as Richt himself noted Saturday: “There’s no guarantee of a bowl. The question is, will we play a game when we don’t do something that hinders us from being the best we can be?”
The Bulldogs have never lost more than four games under Richt, but they’ve never been 4-4 under this coach, either. Regarding possible changes, he said: “It’s not good to make decisions within minutes of an emotional game. You’ve got to settle your mind and settle your spirit, and then see where you are.”
As darkness fell on Halloween 2009, Georgia was again where it has been too often. The program that has all the resources was left to wonder why it has fallen so far behind Florida. And the ugly truth has never been more apparent: Florida might or might not have better players, but it absolutely has better coaches.
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1,165 comments Add your comment
Steve
October 31st, 2009
9:30 pm
I truly don’t know what to say. This was a total embarassment. I agree with Mark 110%, its not the talent but the coaching that’s crippling Georgia. CMR has lost control of this program and he won’t get it back. I’m not a prophet but I will guarantee that there will be some wholesale changes on his staff but enough about the future, let’s talk about the here and now: Joe Cox needs to be benched. This season is lost so why not put in another QB and get him ready for next year. We were actually in the game until he threw those interceptions. I feel sad for CMR (to an extent) because he can’t make decisions. How far are we going to fall behind the powers of the SEC? and What’s going to happen at season’s end especially if we don’t make a bowl? If i’m a UGA assistant, I’ll be putting for sale signs in my front yard. Don’t get me wrong, Georgia is a talented football team, the only problem is they have taken on the personality of their head coach. Oh well, there’s always next year.
JYD
October 31st, 2009
9:30 pm
I think next year the Dawgs should have David Pollack and Steak Shapiro give the motivational speech down there in Jacksonville. Go beat those Dawgs cha cha!!
Larry
October 31st, 2009
9:31 pm
Why Brandon Spikes needs to be suspended like LeGarret Blunt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDOy-RMIpF0
UGA is the Miami of the SEC
October 31st, 2009
9:31 pm
UGA’s unis looked like Texas Tech and butt ugly to boot. When Georgia ran out on the field today it was embarrassing. I guess the crowd didn’t get the memo that it was black out of sorts — most of the fans were in the traditional red.
Bat Masterson
October 31st, 2009
9:31 pm
probably not much you can do about the lack of intelligence
That is not a comment on your intelligence, Mark
The Joker
October 31st, 2009
9:32 pm
Hello Ga fans
this is your friend the joker
another loss to Fl
sad sad sad
thats ok maybe with willie be hear next and he will give a great performance with another raise to his salary
ncdawg95
October 31st, 2009
9:32 pm
Cutcliffe is looking good. Cowher sitting in Charlotte….
Charleston Dawg
October 31st, 2009
9:33 pm
I love Richt and am so appreciate of the years he’s been at UGA. But I think he’s lost his mind pulling out black helmets. Quite that junk and coach your players.
jj
October 31st, 2009
9:34 pm
Every UGA fan should be embarassed by the gimmicky black helmets displayed on a team that has absolutely no discipline or heart. How about worrying about eliminating the inane penalties rather than trying to play head games, Pious Richt? Coach em up, buddy or move on.
AJ Green for QB!!!!
October 31st, 2009
9:34 pm
that didn’t look like he did that on accident, he knew exactly where his hands were going
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDOy-RMIpF0
jhol
October 31st, 2009
9:34 pm
After first, at the start of the season, does CMR say that we have to concentrate on the penalties, then proudly say that at FSU we led the league in penalties and it did not matter, then after the game tonight say that we have to get them under control, WTF is going on?
UGA has traditionally played the game minus penalties and MISTAKES. This is not a disciplined team and it comes from the top. We used to lead the world in take aways and Thinking football,,,, so far have we fallen….after Tenn. Tech, God willing, I fear our fate
Gordon
October 31st, 2009
9:35 pm
Mark,
In 2002 you wrote your “program in full ascendency” column. I guess this was the “full descendency” column. Amazing how completely things have changed. I wonder if Martinez will be the only casualty, or if other changes will be made. I also wonder who will make the decision (Richt, Evans, or Adams). It doesn’t seem healthy to me when someone above the head coach makes coaching personnel decisions.
No, not yet
October 31st, 2009
9:35 pm
Mark will not be fired. If he doesn’t make changes, the heat will become awfully uncomfortable. BUT, if he’s the coach, then he has to run the program. If he runs it poorly, you replace him, and the new guy gets to choose his staff. Mark can turn it around, he’s a good coach. Don’t know if he will though, because I don’t know if he will be willing to make the necessary changes. Anyhow, Go Dawgs!
D.Ellis
October 31st, 2009
9:35 pm
First off hats off to the Gators fans for a great win. UF is a great team with great coaches and it shows every week.
-Now what Brandon Spikes did to Ealy is uncalled for and a terrible display of sportsmanship and he could have intentially casued damage to Ealy and his eye site. Who does Brandon Spikes think he is that he can just gouge his hands in the faace mask and eyes of a player like that. TOTALLY NOT CLASS on his part as that is a horrible didplay of charactar caught on tape. It obviously hurt Ealy cause in the video he immediatly reaches for his face while Spikes is digging his hand and fingers inside his face mask. TERRIBLE
Other than that UGA was out coached and out played on every level. A good win for them and good luck the rest of the season on the path for an SEC title.
Charleston Dawg
October 31st, 2009
9:36 pm
JJ is right on. The black helmets really brought to light some things today. Reality check for fans.
senoiadawgs
October 31st, 2009
9:37 pm
I don’t care about losing, playing like a street gang is not acceptable. Leading the nation in penalties is not acceptable. Starting guys like Cox, Miller, Evans and Jones is unacceptable. Not changing the coaching staff and hiring competent assistants is unacceptable. All of these are the responsibility of the head coach. I say fire Mark Richt and I never thought I would. I will continue to say that until I see wholesale changes which starts with TN Tech and doesn’t end until the GT game in 2010.
Remember folks penalties and dirty play was suppose to be taken care of in the offseason this year. It wasn’t!!!! Big changes were supposed to be made after the TN game. The big change was Bobo moving to the sideline. All positions were suppose to be open after the TN game. Bobo moving to the sideline was the only change. I cannot support CMR anymore until major changes are made and UGA becomes a respectable program again win or lose.
UGA is the Miami of the SEC
October 31st, 2009
9:37 pm
CMR is not going to be fired. But he is a hypocrite and a number of the players are thugs who should never been allowed into the University of Georgia
Starring Peter Graves as Capt. Over
October 31st, 2009
9:37 pm
Hey Rennie Curran: Did the better team win today? Probably in your delusional eyes, no.
Number 1 Gator Fan
October 31st, 2009
9:37 pm
We gator fans assumed that you knew you would get blown out….which is why you were your black helmets for MOURNING
Sad Fan
October 31st, 2009
9:38 pm
“And the ugly truth has never been more apparent: Florida might or might not have better players, but it absolutely has better coaches.”
It deserves repeating, Mark. The players have proven in spells that they have the ability to play with UF and LSU (except that, as much as I like Cox, he’s pretty average)….but Spurrier’s words ring true again. These players have been left to their own devices and the buck stops with the HEAD coach.
Pete
October 31st, 2009
9:38 pm
An extra week and all they could come up with was black helmets?
There’s a breakdown going on throughout the football program. Absolutely no discipline — we’re just about the nation’s most-penalized team. No offense. No defense. Nobody in the athletic department willing to stand up and admit it’s broken.
Look, coach, either start beating Florida or admit you can’t, quit and let somebody else try.
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
9:38 pm
Why is it that UGA alumnus and fans always think they are in the elite 10. Face it! You’re not… learn to readjust your mindset (at least the ones who actually went to the school) and understand you’ve got a good, top tier program that you should be proud to have Mark Richt as a head coach.
Concerned Dawgs Fan
October 31st, 2009
9:39 pm
In my opinion this is what UGA needs to become a top program again.
1) Damon Evans needs to hold Coach Richt more accountable, he has gotten too complacent, too comfortable. Richt needs to be a bit more down and dirty. Call a few coaches and players out IN PUBLIC, let them know this situation is unacceptable.
2) Hire new offensive AND defensive coordinators who are PROVEN to be successful at their craft and DEMAND that they coach the players up and DEMAND discipline.
-Both Bobo and Martinez were promoted to their positions with no big time previous success
-The offense is way too predictable (play action & throw to A.J.) and the defensive players are ALWAYS out of position
-Keep Bobo, but only as the QB coach
3) If Richt refuses to fire Willie Martinez or at least demote him, then Richt must be fired!
4) Bulldogs are aggressive! We want an aggressive, attacking defensive scheme. Too often the defensive backs are not even in the vicinity when the opposing teams receivers catch the ball.
5) Speed is important, but the Dawgs need to recruit bigger and stronger cornerbacks
6) See number 5, the Dawgs need to recruit bigger and more powerful running backs, I’ll sacrifice a few steps of speed for a bigger back that will run over a few people and make them think twice about making a tackle.
7) Football is not that complicated, the team that blocks the best, tackles the best and executes the best usually wins. Coach Richt’s team is currently FAILING and in three categories.
Jason
October 31st, 2009
9:39 pm
Hey Mark, if Georgia had Florida right where they wanted them for this game, then I’d hate to see what the outcome would have been if they didn’t have Florida where they wanted them.
I
BugKiller
October 31st, 2009
9:40 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT!!!
Mark Richt refused to fire Willie Marinez.
Mark Richt put his personal relationship with his best friend ahead of what’s best for our football team.
Mark Richt coaches the MOST UNDISCIPLINED football team in the nation, and REFUSES to do anything about it.
FIRE MARK RICHT!!!
The Most Interesting Man in the World
October 31st, 2009
9:40 pm
Really like the black uniforms. Let Richt stay for wardrobe design. Just hire someone else to coach.
Gator Bait!!
October 31st, 2009
9:40 pm
The leghumpers and their fans should wear teal next year – that way it won’t look so obvious when half the stadium is empty.
dd
October 31st, 2009
9:40 pm
Mark Richt will not be fired. After what he has given UGA,he doesn’t deserve to be fired based on this one year.
He and Damon Evans will sit down at the end of the season and evaluate the football program like sane, successfull business men do. I imagine big money donors have already bent some ears and they will be forced to make some moves.
I agree with Mark. Georgia will have a new defensive coordinator next year and there will be other changes too.
We as DAWG fans have to hope that the changes work.
Willy T
October 31st, 2009
9:41 pm
Even though I like CMR,he does need to make changes to his coaching staff. I wish he could make a change to his demeanor and show a little fire when his team messes up with all the turnovers and penalties. He reminds me of Bobby Cox in that he never publicly criticizes his team.And just like Cox he is loyal to a fault.Sometimes you have to make the hard decisions and fire or demote your buddy.Do you think that Urban Meyer or Nick Saban would put up with this mediocrity? Heck no.They would be on the next plane outta town.I’m afraid if he doesn’t make some changes soon then his seat is gonna heat up.
matt
October 31st, 2009
9:41 pm
UGA and Tech have the 2 sorriest defense coordinators in the country and both should be fired now not later.
HH
October 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
At the end of the season, the best thing for everyone, to include Richt, Willie, Bobo et al may be to just wipe the slate clean by buying out Richt’s contract and then to find a guy who can hang with Meyer and Saban, not to mention Kiffin and Johnson. They are out there. Evans gets paid a lot of money to be the athletic director. I say he starts earning it. Look at the guys at TCU, Boise State, Cincinnati. Don’t get someone who has never held a head-coaching position before. Pay the money to get somebody who has been successful as a head coach. Money is no object. Then tell him to hire the best asistant coaches he can get and pay them top dollar as well. You get what you pay for. If it takes 4 million to get a top-notch coach, well, that’s big time college football in this day and age. It isn’t 1966 any more. If you want to compete in the SEC, you got to step up to the plate. If you don’t, today is a pretty good indicator of what you are going to end up with. And one other thing, no matter how successful the next guy is, NEVER,NEVER,NEVER give him a ten year contract. Things can change in a hurry. Georgia fans can testify to that.
Volgrad1985
October 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
As an alum and fan of the Vols, I hope Mark Richt is signed to a long term contract extension and allowed to make all hiring/firing decisions for many years to come.
Go Big Orange!!!!
tim
October 31st, 2009
9:43 pm
black hats for dumb losers if you girls realized how inept you look you would beg not to be on TV what a horrible display of ineptitude….terrible team, terrible coaching staff just awful..you ladies suck at every phase of the game TECH will drop 50 on you idiots and you’ll continue to make excuses
Dawg Nation
October 31st, 2009
9:43 pm
This shouldn’t even be considered a rivalry anymore. Seriously anytime a team beats you 17 out of 20 times, how can you call that a rivalry. Mark needs to be read the riot act, either you beat Florida next year or you are fired. Another thing all of you idiots who listen to these recruiting gurus(Jamie Newburg) should have your heads examined. I mean Notre Dame and Georgia have these supposedly top 10 recruiting classes every year and they never do anything. These recruiting guys are in it to make a buck. Look at Georgia and tell me who you think is going to be an NFL player. Caleb King, Joe Cox, yea right.
Can’t wait for Mayhem and the AM to assess this game on Monday Morning. Steak and Diminio know a ton about college football after all they grew up in NJ and Massachusetts. Rutgers and UMASS turn out great football teams every year. Why wouldn’t we listen to these experts. Hey Mark Richt look Steak up next time you are in Atlanta becuase you will be working for his loser radio station when you are canned at Georgia, cha cha.
UGA COACHING STAFF
October 31st, 2009
9:43 pm
FANS YOUR A BUNCH OF WHINERS
WE ARE THE WINNERS
WE MAKE A LOT OF MONEY SPEND A LOT OF MONEY
YOU POOR CHAPS KEEP DONATING YOUR MONEY SO WHO’S THE DUMB PLAY CALLERS
YOU
WILLY DID YOU BUY YOUR 4TH HOUSE IN THE HAMPTONS
I WOULD LIKE TO CHARTER A PLANE TO SEE IT
USE THE DONATION FUNDS TO POOR CHAPS KEEP SENDING US
jack
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
I’m very curious to see if the SEC,, or even if UF and Coach Meyer does ANYTHING about the criminal assault that Brandon Spiked committed on the field today ? I know this is football, and I know it’s a rough sport,,but that was one of the most low class, THUGGISH, not caring if the other’s player’s life, not to mention playing career, was affected criminal acts I have EVER seen on a football field. You can get penalized for helmet to helmet, hitting with an elbow, horsecollar,,, but COME ON !!!! the guy tried to ripo the players eyes out. The Jacksonville police should be waiting outside the UF locker room to give Mr Spikes a ride to the Police Station.
WHAT A PUNK, and so typical of Gayturd football !!!!!
Dawggone
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
Come on back to Knoxville, Rodney Garner. You work with morons. They are not worthy.
Charleston Dawg
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
Sane Tech Fan, what are you talking about? We have been an elite 10 for several years but not this year. It’s reality now and this UGA grad nows that. You’re just ticked from the past 8 years bro. I would say most UGA fans know we aren’t elite at this point.
Beautiful Monte
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
Well, well, well. Saint Mark is FINALLY being recognized for being an overrated “coach”.
Now, if the pathetic jock sniffers who reside in Bulldog Nation can figure that Saint Mark is also a hypocrite, we’ll be cooking with gas.
In the meantime, let’s celebrate Saint Mark for being nothing more than a younger, slightly less senile version of his mentor, good ole Booby Bowdown. Like good ole Booby, Saint Mark can win when he has superior athletes, but put him in a situation where he has to actually “coach” against a team that has similar or better talent … well, dadgummit, it’s all over but the crying.
Anyway, Saint Mark has guaranteed that UGA will continue to “boast” the most underachieving program in the entire country. The Dawgs are blessed with a great recruiting base, excellent facilities, a huge war chest, and a (literally) rabid fan base … and yet they still haven’t won a national title since Herschel still had one personality.
Woof, woof, woof.
Sonny Clusters
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
A deer hunter has accidentally shot himself in the right hand while trying to lift his loaded rifle into a tree stand using a rope tied around the weapon. Could go on the DL with an injury like that. Mark, is it anyone we know?
Ohio State fan
October 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
It seems to me that Richt has lost his confidence, and the team has figured that out. Why result to gimmicks like the uniform nonsense? Why result to the celebration nonsense?
The program is stale, perhaps a new defensive staff will ignite something within the team.
Don’t look now but Georgia should be get used to be third best because it sure looks like UF and UT aren’t going anywhere . . .
Good luck, fellas.
Voice of Reason
October 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
Calm down people. This is all my fault. I went to my first G-Day Game last spring.
Bangkapi Ajarn
October 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
While I agree that the Defense needs new direction, that wont solve the problem.
How many of Florida’s points came off turnovers from the OFFENSE?
How many offensive drives were crippled by penalties?
I think these point to larger problems! Coach Richt got the job and did an outstanding job based on his offensive capabilities, and his knack for recruiting and teaching QB’s (as I recall). Has he gotten away from his strengths by assuming a “CEO” mantle as his mentor Bobby Bowden did? It would certainly contribute to some logical explanation as to how the program has slipped a notch despite consistently superior recruiting classes.
PCBUZZ
October 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
Another statement game for the dawgs. Just wondering what the statement is!
senoiadawgs
October 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
I just love how all of you have faith that after the season the coaches and evans will sit down and make tough decisions like businessmen do.
What in the crap makes you think they will do that? They said they did that last year. Those tough decisions they made really helped with the penalties and D this year didn’t they.
SAR
October 31st, 2009
9:46 pm
I’m all Georgia and frankly, I’m sick of him. I am sick and tired of hearing the phoney baloney bs about giving these guys integrity and all of that. They are undisciplined. They go out and get on scooters and get tickets and ride the pine in Jax in front of cooling fans when it was THEM WHO CHOSE to wear black in Jax. Ludicrous! It’s all the same ole song every season even when we win…too many penalties, poor tackling, and they don’t get better week to week. How bad would they have been today without a week off?
Joe M
October 31st, 2009
9:46 pm
Typical “Gator Leadership”
http://www.twitvid.com/AE9B6
Dana Dawg_89
October 31st, 2009
9:47 pm
Richt has to go. NOW.
You people are idiots!
October 31st, 2009
9:47 pm
Spikes belongs in jail. He and 30% of Fla’s team will be in 10 years… Not just a guess. Look it up.
Sonny Clusters
October 31st, 2009
9:47 pm
Paul Johnson looks like a slob. Mark Richt has on designer sunglasses. There is your problem. Of course nose pickers manage in the major leagues so who can guess what make a winner a winner? If this post is confusing read some of the others.