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
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:34 pm
Before anybody else says it, YES I am a downtodden Dawg fan… NOT a fair weather fan.
Go DOGS
October 31st, 2009
10:34 pm
God! We looked like a bunch of tools. It is embarassing…all this black out crap,dancing in end zones and on the sidelines, then getting smacked around like dogs at the Humane Society.Put us out of our misery, please! Wake up Dog Nation! The other teams in the SEC are LTAO at us, and chomping at the bit to recruit ATL/GA. Hell! ESPN is making wisecracks about us…..this is NOT fun!
Carl Spackler
October 31st, 2009
10:35 pm
posted by “You people are idiots!” October 31st, 2009 9:54 pm
“Murray now. We need hope for the future. Richt is not the problem.”
And who do you think is not playing Murray????? Here’s your sign!!!!!
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
10:35 pm
Defactodawg… always been here… just trying to help your fan base (largely from Toombs, Butts, Greene, and Elijay counties) understand many of you need to get a life. GT has actually had some decent seasons (even during the Gailey/Reggie Ball fiasco years). My point is we’re realistic. The ACC football conference is no where near the level of SEC play concerning athleticism and depth. We don’t pretend to be… You guys just need to get a grip and look at what your coach has really accomplished for your program over the past decade.
Bo
October 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
Every team in the Big 10 could whip UGA…
savanadawg
October 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
Is CWM on drugs??? Some of the crap that comes out of his mouth is absolutley unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
NASCAR, I agree. Hold somebody responsible. UGA should wear black helmets for a few games like the scarlet letter.
Headed to Talladega for NASCAR on Sunday
October 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
If UGA fires CMR do you think Damon could pry Paul Johnson away from the Tech geeks and hire him?
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
You’re wrong Mark! There’s a real chance he will be fired at the end of the season.
jhol
October 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
it is not about Spikes, we wish we had a Spikes, a hard nosed defensive player who can play and TACKLE and WIN, God knows we need someone like Strong
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Sane Tech Fan, tell that to some of your bretheren… and see what they say back to you.
Number 1 Gator Fan
October 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Maybe it would have been fair had we let you play our JV Squad…..little doggies would have only lost by single digits
ladawg100
October 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Richt’s best years were with Doonan’s recruits and VanGorder.
AUG24
October 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
I’ve been saying for three years get rid of Willie Martinez. Please! Also, Bobo probably needs to go. We have the sorriest assistant coasches in the SEC. We had two weeks to prepare for this game and still didn’t make a game of it. I feel like Miss. State is heading in a better direction. Richt needs to quit making excuses. I sick of this BS!
Dawggone
October 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
If Georgia loses the rest of its games, does it get a better draft pick?
Mister NFL
October 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
Richt is a good coach and Ga is a good program. But why would Richt waste the helmet and pants color idea (which was pretty cool to me) against a team that was such an overwhelming favorite?
Dumb move. And I don’t know how bad those two all-American freshmen QB’s are in practice but one of them should have been playing since game 1 while the other redshirted.
Grandad
October 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
You folks are using words like embarrassed and ashamed. If you are a DAWG…never, ever, ever use those words. I cannot think of a scenario in which I would ever be ashamed to be a Dawg fan. Folks I know the quick solution is always fire the coach. However, that is not necessarily the best solution. You don’t make a change just for change
sake. No one can say for certain that whomever is going to be an improvement. Be rational. Calm down, back our kids and coaches as well, if you have it in you. Let the season play out. Enjoy opportunities that may come our way. Enjoy football. One doesn’t always have to negative. Be proud to be a Dawg, no matter what. We/team/fans/etc. still have work to do. As far as “our” cochihg staff, just remember, in due time.
Ray Goff
October 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
How about some red shoes next….
Let’s send the entire team into BOTH endzones the next time we score a TD
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
ladawg… very good point. Said that many years ago to my dad and fellow tailgaters.
#1 gator fan… doubt the scout team would’ve done better, but might have been worth the shot, in RED helmets and standard UGA tradition.
jason
October 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
hereladawg100, been saying that for over a month now. So really, what has CMR done? Accomplished? Yeah, Yeah I know 80 wins and 2 SEC champs.
DC Dawg
October 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Mark,
Your column is right on point. But, the same problems existed last year that are so obvious this year: lack of tackling, penalties, uninspired offensive play-calling, an inept defense that puts no pressure on the opposing QB and cannot adjust to its adversary’s game plan. Talent like Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi helped cover a multitude of sins. However, it all came into sharp focus during the Tech game — and even Jeff Schultz wrote in one of his columns towards the end of last season that the poor performance hung on Martinez, but next year (2009 season) it hangs on Richt because he did nothing to fix the problem (even worse, defended the problem). I agreed with Schultz then, and I agree with him still. Richt is an honorable man who helped rebuild the program. But he is also the team CEO, and CEOs must make tough choices. I agree with you that Richt probably won’t get fired at the end of this season, and as much as I would hate to see him go, maybe it is time.
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
Will Walton, there are always fringe fanatics in every fan base… most core Tech alum recognize UGA football as a formidable and tough competitor. One that has a distinct advantage in terms of athletes and player depth.
Mobile Dawg
October 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
We’re 4 and 4, it’s not an indictment of our program? Continued comments like this are lame, coach is not manning up to our problems. I don’t know how he can continue to make excuses, his credibility and integrity is beginning to be questioned in my mind. All I ask for is for Coach to admit we have problems and promise he will do whatever it takes to try and fix them.
Everyone wants to blame Willie, and he is sub-par. How many picks did he throw today? There are problems in just about every area of this team, lack of discipline, poor fundamentals, we are and have been resorting to gimmicks, uniforms, blackouts, etc.
How many passes did Tebow intercept today? Their players aren’t any more gifted than ours, what’s the difference. Culture, Attitude, Discipline, Tenacity: where does that come from? Leadership….We all know it now, although some of us still won’t admit it, it’s time for change.
I for one am tired, no more excuses, CMR is accountable for all, he’s surrounded himslef by sub-par coaches. He won’t be fired, and I’m not advocating that, but he hasn’t earned his salary. Just calling it like I see it.
I swear, give me the money, I can sit down and draw up a solution to every problem we have, why can’t Richt. When you build a team, you always plan for the unexpected. When you have a top notch DC, you bring on an apprentice and groom them to succeed their boss. One, it puts pressure on them to perform, two, it gives you options should they move on to better things, or should they fail. Richt hasn’t built an organization, he has built a fraternity of brothers. They have grown stale. This philosophy is the cornerstone of successful businesses and programs. This goes from top to bottom, DC, OC, Assistants, players, and yes, even HC’s. Richt is not a CEO at this point, he’s lost. It’s his job to insure the people he has in place are capable and are doing their jobs. If Richt isn’t, then Evans should. Obviously Evan’s is asleep at the wheel also.
I’m complaining but not throwing Richt to the wolves. He needs to make many changes, often a subtle change is all it takes but he has to get sharper. I don’t have to throw him to the wolves, they’re already at the door. Coach, do your job! Richt needs to search his soul and see if coaching is what he really wants to do, it’s a huge committment, a 365 day a year job now, full of tough, unpleasant decisions. If he doesn’t have the fire, the will, the energy, the backbone, please don’t drag our program any lower to satisfy your income needs. Retire.
The longer he drags his feet the uglier this will be.
Ray Goff
October 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
Let’s recruit Charlie Trippi
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
One season doth not a legacy make.
Pop Warner
12/9/1895
After a loss to Auburn in Atlanta 16-6 to finish the season 3-4.
The following year the UGA team coached by Warner would be undefeated.
Doubledawg
October 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
I’m in Tampa and this Murrary kid can be better than Stafford,no $h!t
Headed to Talladega for NASCAR on Sunday
October 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
Here’s my thoughts on the ridiculous number of penalties:
If you’re going to be undisciplined, show some swagger when comitting these fouls.
I remember the Miami Hurricanes regularly chalking up 200 yards in penalties per game. But they won championships in the process.
jhol
October 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
I hate to say it, but as far as what I have seen so far, we have to be prepared to be the bitches one more year to the hated trade school of north avenue , if things do not get better, they deserve it, they have a coach with passion and a plan,,, God help for saying it, but true
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
mister NFL… don’t think either one of the FR QBs would’ve done better this year.
I think someone already pointed out that the SEC is an “arms race”. That is a very intelligent symali (or is it metaphor, or better spelling). UGA should at least be AHEAD of the curve, and have better assistant coaches (or possible HC). Just a thought.
RedcoatDawg
October 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
Jason,
I did not mention CMR, because those firings need to happen first. John Chavis probably kept Fulmer at UT for ten years longer than that it would have without him. CMR can coach and he can be a good head coach if there are quality assistants around him.
I will say this, If CMR does not have the cajoles to make these decisions to fire assistant coaches and hire quality ones – - then yes, he should be fired as well.
bart
October 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Richt must go.
Final Assessment
October 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Deal with it, CMR will never resign and will probably never get fired. Why? Look at his salary – would you quit if you were making that kind of dough and enjoying the prestige and priveledges that he has? Didn’t think so. Most coaches also have that competitive spirit that won’t allow them to throw in the towel. Like the great line from Planes Trains and Automobiles, you’d have a better chance of playing pick-up-sticks with your butt checks than expect CMR to resign.
Epiminondas
October 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Okay, fellow bloggers…how much money do you make per year? $2.8 million? No? Think maybe CMR is a little overpaid? By the way, in hindsight, it would appear that Stafford and Moreno made smart decisions. Their presence would have definitely made little difference this year. CMR has taken the program as far as it can go under him. Time for a change. Let’s get on with it.
Dennis
October 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Discipline is something you can’t turn on and off. You practice it all the time or not. Soljo boy and dancing and all the crap from 2006 needs to be scrapped and a new beginning based on hard nosed football is in order.
Wally Butts
October 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
Cut CMR’s pay
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
Richt is not going anywhere. Martinez will have a new zip code next year.
Sonny Clusters
October 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
They is some similarities here to baseball. Bobby Cox surrounds hisself with coaches that don’t coach too well and look at what has happened. They can’t bunt, they can’t run the bases, and they don’t win. Mark Richt has some coaches that has the players not wrapping up and not tackling. They also has some that are not behaving very well on the field and on the sidelines. Richt should teach them to be polite.
Wally Butts
October 31st, 2009
10:49 pm
It will be better tomorrow. It’s just one game in a season. We will still beat those pansies on North Avenue.
Yuck
October 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
Really. It took you this game for to figure out UGA wasn’t going to be involved in title talk this year? Isn’t that more an indictment on your own ignorance than anything else. Have you watched any games this year?
Secondly, if you have to question whether Florida has better players, you need to have your head examined. Tebow vs. Cox? Mark, are you insane. Look at every other position matchup. Florida has talent. UGA doesn’t. That’s it. Do you really think UGA and UF could flip coaches and UGA could win with those players? No way. Urban as good, but UGA is garbage. Why it took you 8 games to figure it out is makes me question your sports acumen.
Headed to Talladega for NASCAR on Sunday
October 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
Rember the reverse against South Carolina when Branden Smith turned on the afterburners and scored a touchdown?
That play went so well that Bobo decided to shelf it for the remainder of the season.
Mobile Dawg
October 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
If we’re undefeated next year I will buy your dinner, and eat every word for my dinner.
Seems I remember the same comments last year and a few the year before, with many excuses for the poor showings. I for one will not stand with the status quo any longer. Charge! ! !
verge
October 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
I hope you Georgia fans realize that CMR is not your man. There are other programs in the SEC thats making more strides than UGA even without top ten recruiting class. Martinez isnt the blame! It starts and ends with the head coach. Will you all wake up? The way it looks at this point, tech might do the same thing to you all Florida did.
Wil Walton
October 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
Sane Tech Fan… agree to a certain point, but UGA will be passed by CPJ in a few years if nothing is changed at UGA (as has been the case 3+ years and counting).
Cuz… I am as optimistic as most (told so to a fault by many “loyal” uga fans). However, this has been coming for more than Warner’s ONE year in the late 1800s.
The Cynical White Boy
October 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
The VERY FIRST PLAY from scrimmage was a perfect summary of the entire game, and UGA’s season.
Florida rushes for 8 yards – EIGHT YARDS ON FIRST DOWN. Brandon Boykin makes the tackle, then jumps up and beats his chest and struts around like he has just won the BCS Championship single handedly – after yielding 8 YARDS ON FIRST DOWN?????
Not that I am surprised, what with the arrests, the sideline dancing, the gansta signs after each tackle, the insulting comments toward the media and fans from players and coaches, the personal fouls, the inability to get the right number of players on the field for special teams, blaming the refs, whining about Jax “being a road game for us and not for them”.
And, to TOP IT ALL OFF…just to think that a portion of MY HARD EARNED MONEY WENT TO PROVIDE THOSE ASSININE GRAMBLING-ESQE HELMETS!
Signing off now,
- a former season ticket holder
Wally Butts
October 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
I hate Tech
Sonny Clusters
October 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
Tech has 600 yards on Vandy and the game isn’t over. The worm has turned.
Jim Donovan
October 31st, 2009
10:53 pm
I’m still available.
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
10:54 pm
Walton, possibly so… but UGA will always hold a big edge over recruiting and the ability to get a broader base of talent in most positions than GT. been that way for years since I graduated in the early 80s. Coaching could make the difference though in the near term.
Fran Tarkenton
October 31st, 2009
10:54 pm
CMR will turn this ship around! He will send Willie back to Mexico State.
Headed to Talladega for NASCAR on Sunday
October 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
I’m sitting here listening to Wes Durham talk about how Georgia Tech figures into the BCS.
A few hours ago, I listened as CMR explained why his team fell to 4-4 after being blown out by the Gators.
Yikes.