5+1 reasons UGA’s loss was even worse than it seemed
Here's the first of Joe Cox's several interceptions. (AJC photo by Bob Andres)
1. With Georgia within 14 points and still 10 minutes to play, some 10,000 Georgia backers up and left. Think about that. You’ve paid for tickets, parking, food, hotel and gas/airfare to come watch your team, and your team still has a theoretical chance. (One tipped pass and it’s a one-score game.) And you have so little faith in your team that you walk out. And your program has won 10 or more games six times in the past seven seasons. This would seem to say, at least to me, that Mark Richt is losing his constituency.
2. When Georgia pulled within 14-10, it did its huddle-up-and-jump-around thing on the sideline, and I typed on the live chat, “I smell a late hit coming.” It came on the kickoff. Michael Gilliard, late hit. It is uncanny how this team cannot play by the rules.
3. Florida scored 41 points without doing anything extraordinary. No Gator rushed for 100 yards. No Gator had 100 yards receiving. Tim Tebow’s longest completion was for 29 yards. Not until the game’s final drive did Florida gain 30 yards on a scrimmage play. And the Gators didn’t throw a fourth-quarter pass (though Tebow was sacked once). And a merciful Urban Meyer had John Brantley take a knee with the ball on the Georgia 20. Think Spurrier would have?
Loading ...4. Joe Cox was supposed to be a game manager. Instead the fifth-year senior has been wilder than Matthew Stafford was as a freshman. Stafford had 13 interceptions in 2006 and didn’t start every game. Cox has 12 interceptions in eight games. And the second interception Saturday was just sad: Pressured, Cox tried to throw the ball out of bounds but couldn’t sling it far enough. The exact same thing had happened in Knoxville. Which brings us to …
5. Tennessee. It’s coming fast. If Georgia didn’t figure to finish ahead of Florida in 2009, neither did it seem any other SEC East school posed an imminent threat to the Bulldogs’ hold on second place. South Carolina is ensconced as a 7-5 or 8-4 team, and Kentucky and Vandy are Kentucky and Vandy. But Tennessee has now beaten Georgia and South Carolina and has played Florida and Alabama close, and that’s a scary sign. Because if Tennessee in Year 1 under Kiffin can have the same overall record as Georgia in Year 9 under Richt, what happens in 2010?
6. The black helmets. Just embarrassing.
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1,240 comments Add your comment
douglasville doughs
November 1st, 2009
11:51 am
Vegas Line just out: Dogs PK vs Tenn Tech
Super Dog
November 1st, 2009
11:52 am
Im fed up with hearing fans boo hoo about where the game is played
I don’t care if it is played at Grant field, Neyland Stadium, or Oakland
If you can’t get motivated to play then your not going to win
there are 42,000 fans from each school its neutral
Stop whining
Your the same Morons who were jumping up and down when you saw the motivational BLACK HELMETS
5 Star Recruit
November 1st, 2009
11:52 am
UGA lives and dies by the quality of its athlete, not the quality of its coaching. It’s going to be funny to watch how quickly this program dies now that recruits are looking elsewhere.
Get a coaching staff that knows how to develop talent (instead of teaching how to dance/late hit/play ping pong), and you will start getting recruits again. Then your team plays better. Until then, expect 3 star talent and consistently mediocrity in the future.
Rev Jeremiah Wright
November 1st, 2009
11:53 am
Remember alll those years you’ve ridiculed Tech????? YOUR CHICKENS…HAVE COME HOME…….TOOOOOOO ROOST!!!!!!
Marcel
November 1st, 2009
11:53 am
First of all, let’s not forget that it’s still a game people. I think Coach Richt is an intelligent enough man to realize a change has to be made and he will make that change in due time. As an Atlanta native and lover of both GA and GTech football, it’s okay now to allow our other state team to finally get some love. In our state of GA, most of the love has always been geared towards UGA. I am happy to say I’m delighted that Tech is sitting on top of throne finally and I hope UGA turns things around very soon.
Refrigeratormover
November 1st, 2009
11:54 am
Have any of you georgie boys not figured out that you just aren’t that good? You can bitch and whine all you want but with top 5 recruiting classes the last 20 years and you don’t have squat to show for it.
Oh, nice showing in the 3rd quarter when your fans abandoned the team. What? you couldn’t wait to get back to the party to drown your sorrows.
D.Ellis
November 1st, 2009
11:54 am
It’s going to take more than OC/DC changes to turn this around. This is a 2 year project in the making. YOu don’t bounce back from losses like we have been taking for the last 2.5 years with just changes at those spots.
It;s a philosophy change that should take place….and it takes time to instill it and follow through with…and for elder players to pass that along to younger players….which in tunr makes a program a program.
Right now our program is not a program and our team is not a team, because the philosophy Richt came in with isn’t the philisophy that is taking place.
Dig deeper than recruting classes. Dig Deeper than athletes. Dig Deeper than what is on the surface and that is wins and losses and what you see on tv, and who should be fired
This program has no team…..and this team has no philosophy. Without that what you see is what you get and we are seeing it.
Go Dawgs.
harry
November 1st, 2009
11:55 am
is it me or is richt and his staff coaching guys down?Geno atkins came on strong in 2007 but has gotten prgressively worse. Same with jeff ownes who was huge his fisrt few years. Also all these guys are wusses. They are not getting coached up nd i question the jub van halanger has done. It seems like everyone on the o-line has gotten worse as the years go on.
how can u start someone who you got in a package deal for mo mass. I think they should start recruiting bada** 3 star o-lineman, but there should never EVER be a 3 star quarterback starting at Georgia unless they earn it like Greene did.Willie Martine should have been fired after the West Virginia debacle. More guys who have been coached down. daryle Gamble who brokeout after lsu last year but hasnt done squat this year. Prince Miller who last year had finally learned to cover and tackle, but has done awful this year. I have been calling for richts job after the tennesse loss in 07, but the finish of that year saved him. Why doesnt he go off and becone a mnister, and bring th guy at cincinati who makes 2 star players into a top 10 team. And great article I couldnt agree more. Lastly in the past there are more coached down guys like kedric goldston and asher allen. and bryan evans and reshad evans have no rihgt playing safety bacarri rambo should definatley be playing
Go Dawgs
whats up with that?
November 1st, 2009
11:56 am
got to say, the one thing you did not metion, UGA may not be going to a bowl game..when was the last time that happened? Duke will take your place
fieldofdreams
November 1st, 2009
11:57 am
Richt obviously knew this season was going to be a challenge, given the situation at QB, but I do believe he’ll have to make some changes with his assistants, or risk losing his job. No doubt UGA has the horses, but the jockeys- Bobo and Martinez – can’t seem to handle the reins. Considering all the failed NFL, and qualiifed college, coaches who would jump at this job, Richt better show UGA that his loyalty is to the institution, and not his assistants.
S Spurrier
November 1st, 2009
11:57 am
Ya know GA gets all these recruits….I jus’ don’t know what happens to em.
Rod
November 1st, 2009
11:58 am
I’m a TECH fan till I die and TRUST ME we are licking our chops I can’t wait I’m happy you guys stink and Auburn’s gonna roll you guys too and next years gonna be the same thing CPJ has more recruits coming that he coach’s up and you have recruits who gets coached down lol,now you see the difference between smart thugs and dumb redneck thugs!
Prediction
November 1st, 2009
11:58 am
GT will have as many SEC wins as UGA by the end of the season…just sayin
Keith B
November 1st, 2009
11:59 am
JOE COX: How do you actually walk around campus after playing like you have played all year long? Do the noble thing for your team and its fans. Ask that another QB take it from here cause your crap ain’t working.
P.S. I had planned on attending another game or two this year and even bringing my daughter, as she’d never been to a game. However, I will refuse to attend and financially support you guys again until you start ACTING like you’re an NCAA football team. In other words, discpline, effort, humility, intelligence. You’ve EMBARRASSED the Dawg nation all year long. Next class, please.
(Curran, Butler, AJ Green, Walsh . . . . hang in there. You’ve done your jobs.)
hey Georgia
November 1st, 2009
11:59 am
hey UGA, the House of Horrors called, they want their black uniforms back
BJohnDawg
November 1st, 2009
12:00 pm
OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!OUTCOACHED!
GAME AFTER GAME AFTER GAME!
You know why Meyer’s had Brantley take a knee at the 20? Because he is hoping Martinez is still around next year. Did you hear his comment at the half….Georgia has a good defense. Please, he is laughing it up saying ” Lets keep it under 50 and they will keep the DC so we can lite it up next year against them.
Just Sick of it!
These players were no more ready to play then against Tenn.
If you cannot get up for Florida( and you need Black helmets for pete’s sake) then you are just not ready to play college football.
Out of position, little effort, what is up with the offensive line….that was suppose to be our strength. Florida’s defensive made a beeline to Cox without a Georgia player putting an arm out.
Stupid late hits. Missed assignments. Passes thrown like popups into an outfield.
IF Joe Cox starts next week, the coaches dont give a rat f%#t about next year. No way it will be better. Logan Grey had not a thing to contribute.Get Murray ready. And I dont want to hear about arm tindinitis. That is a load. That guy played a HS championship game on a mending leg.
This is more embarassing then any lose last year.
As I said before on this blog….losing is one thing, not competitive is unacceptable. PERIOD.
This team has sucked all the fun out of watching Georgia football.
I use to look forward to a game. Felt we had a shot every time. And we lost, we lost wished the winners well , and moved on to the next week. This team…I am not sure they could but a quality game together if they were spotted 21 points. And the coaches, the worse ever assembled at Georgia. Period.
We will be lucky to be 6-6.
brewdawg
November 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
Mark,
I recall you were a big fan of the endzone celebration in 2007. You thought Richt had changed the course of the UGA/Fla series with it. Now you criticize the team for celebrating a touchdown on the sideline, which, ironically, doesn’t draw 15 flags like the endzone celebration did. I keep reminding everyone that UGA is one year removed from a 10 win, top 10 season that was viewed as a disappointment. That “disappointment” is the true indicator of where Richt has brought the program during his tenure. Because 10 wins was absolutely the gold standard before he got here. UGA is under the best run in school history under CMR, national title or not. (Sorry Dawg fans, we, as a program, have NEVER been on par with the USC, Texas, Oklahoma, etc. of the world. If we were we wouldn’t have only 2 national titles in our schools history.) This is definitely the worst stretch under CMR, but he has earned the benefit of the doubt that he can turn it around. And I’m not even going to get into the silly “has UT and Kiffin already surpassed UGA” argument. Like “Cuz” said last night, one season does not a legacy make. It’s sad that one truly bad year ( I do not count 2006, we started a true freshman and actually finished strongly after a start similar to this year ) is enough for everyone to start making a smear campaign against Richt. Having said all that, I will be very upset if changes aren’t made in the offseason. But I believe they will.
Always enjoy the articles Mark, even when I disagree. Be well.
Ripped Again
November 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
Ive burned my GA gear ,now im a man without a team !
brewdawg
November 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
Mark,
I recall you were a big fan of the endzone celebration in 2007. You thought Richt had changed the course of the UGA/Fla series with it. Now you criticize the team for celebrating a touchdown on the sideline, which, ironically, doesn’t draw 15 flags like the endzone celebration did. I keep reminding everyone that UGA is one year removed from a 10 win, top 10 season that was viewed as a disappointment. That “disappointment” is the true indicator of where Richt has brought the program during his tenure. Because 10 wins was absolutely the gold standard before he got here. UGA is under the best run in school history under CMR, national title or not. (Sorry Dawg fans, we, as a program, have NEVER been on par with the USC, Texas, Oklahoma, etc. of the world. If we were we wouldn’t have only 2 national titles in our schools history.) This is definitely the worst stretch under CMR, but he has earned the benefit of the doubt that he can turn it around. And I’m not even going to get into the silly “has UT and Kiffin already surpassed UGA” argument. Like “Cuz” said last night, one season does not a legacy make. It’s sad that one truly bad year ( I do not count 2006, we started a true freshman and actually finished strongly after a start similar to this year ) is enough for everyone to start making a smear campaign against Richt. Having said all that, I will be very upset if changes aren’t made in the offseason. But I believe they will.
douglasville doughs
November 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
Jeff Dantzler just announced Ga. accepted the bid to the Jack Licks Beef Jerky Bowl
Super Dog
November 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
I hope we play some dancing music during the game
I want to join the players in dancing this weekend on our first true test of the weekend
Keith B
November 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
How bout recruiting some Defensive Backs? Ours appear to be the worst in America. IMVHO
Herschel Walker
November 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
I am going to petition the NCAA. My other 17 personalities should have eligibility. Help is on the way.
Gator Fan
November 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
Bama fans I hear Utah wants to play you again! Watch out Bama Fans TCU is waiting in the wins to thump you like Utah did last year!
I have to agree with dumb dog! Where is the talent from all those top 5 recruiting classes? Can you say overrated!
jayjay
November 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
Embarrassing…yes, definitely.
Say UGA makes a coaching change…..who would they ideally hire?
Super Dog
November 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
TENN TECH POST GAME COMMENTS
Coach how did you feel about this game
Well
Our defense has really improved since the Fla game
I think coach Martinez has done a great job at getting the defense in position to make the play
our offense looks like we have made the turn around weve been hoping for
All in all TENN TECH is a real tough football team and we showed that we can hang with best in the nation today
TTindall
November 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Thank You Mark for stating the obvious. We should be embarrassed, if you need a gimmick like painting your helmets, in order to get your team up for the biggest game of the year against your biggest rival, then the coaches should give up their paychecks. We looked like Grambling or Grady High School, no offense to either. This team has become totally out of control, and getting worse as the weeks go by. I agree with your comment about Tennessee, and unfortunately, I still very strongly that we have the talent. Just poor coaching on both sides of the ball. CMR has become a major disappointment when it comes to making changes and adjusting. The offense is so predictable, and the defense is always in the wrong scheme. No wonder the opposing coaches have great things to say about us, they do not want to see a change. We had better do something soon, or we will lose more talent. We have some great kids, just not well coached. Enough said, I remember being in this position at the end of last year and CMR would not do anything about it. Sorry to say, but if he is such good friends with Willie, and will not let him go, then maybe they should both go. A sad time for the Dawgs right now.
not through yet
November 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Oh it gets worse, now all your former players pounding the Atlanta airwaves on Sportstalk with this mindless dribble have absolutely nothing to say that would be believable whatsoever. Hope these radio stations clean house with this cr@p, of trying to shove this team down our throats…..
Super Dog
November 1st, 2009
12:07 pm
play that music mr. DJ
I WANT OUR PLAYERS OUT THERE DANCING ON EVERY BIG PLAY
THATS HOW WE SHOW CLASS AND MOTIVATION ON THE FIELD
next door neighbor
November 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
well I hope that since absolutely nothing has happened in the last 29 years for your team, when the next recruiting class comes around in Feb., I do not have to hear about what talent UGA signed and how its the top 5 in the country…my God, shut up
charles
November 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
After watching Richt for 9 years, it is obvious that he is a good,but not great coach. We need a great coach and staff or Tampa or Orlando every year is about the best we can hope for.
muttssuck
November 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
Is it time to start bragging about “greatest recruiting class ever!”….blah, blah….blah, blah……LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
dawgfan23
November 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
You all are a bunch of idiots. Does anyone remember the days before Richt? I do, tickets were extremely easy to come by because the dawgs weren’t coming close to competing for any titles! Richt has done a great job since coming to UGA! Changes do need to be made at the coordinators postions, however 99% of you DA’s on this blog couldn’t tell the difference in schemes if it bit you in the a##! The coaches are doing the best they can right now and some of the ignorant fans are making things worse. Do you think bashing players and coaches helps the overall confidence of this team? All of these fans jumped on the bandwagon a few years ago and need to jump right off!!! Support your dawgs and maybe they will play with a little more confidence!!!!
DFWTX Dawg
November 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
Willie deserves the Broyles Award!!! He should have won it every year he’s been at UGA.
How 'bout them Dawgs
November 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
Yeah I Sonny Seiler just called me and said Ga. will receive $999 and UGA gets a 11 day supply of Jerky Treats
Spurrrier
November 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Aw….I could beat GA with their own players.
Daniel X.
November 1st, 2009
12:15 pm
For those of us who are or have been season ticket holders and to the strong Alum base, the time for action is here. Watching the 2009 Bulldogs’ is a very unpleasant expierence and waste of a good day. Leaving a game early in the third quarter is a statement of how this current undisciplined, under coached team is percevied by the loyal fan base. Georgia’s heritage is at stake.
A.D. Damon must start doing his job and correct the multitude of problems that exist. He must be up front and take immediate action to make the necessary corrections.
Only the A.D. and the Coach really know what is wrong and what will change this once great program get back to something we can enjoy and be proud to support. The time is now!!
George
November 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
Richt will make at least $2.8 Million this year. Alumni, stand up and let your voices be heard. WE need change! Boycott the home games and stop your donations if we have to. WE have a say so.
L Kiffin
November 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
I thought GA had all these recuits?
George
November 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
Alumni stand up…
Richt will make at least $2.8 Million this year. Alumni, stand up and let your voices be heard. WE need change! Boycott the home games and stop your donations if we have to. WE have a say so.
George
November 1st, 2009
12:19 pm
Before its too late…
Richt will make at least $2.8 Million this year. Alumni, stand up and let your voices be heard. WE need change! Boycott the home games and stop your donations if we have to. WE have a say so.
John
November 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Poopdawg,
Lemme try this response again with less invective directed at you personally. Somebody must be watching.
You stay a “dawg fan” buddy. But as one of the Goobers using his computer this morning, let respectfully request an elaboration from you. You’re not seriously putting forth the proposition that UGA’s current football ills are a by-product of the greatness of Tim Tebow, are you?
If so, here’s where your immense powers of elaboration will be helpful – even to a Goober such as myself. Tebow has never strapped on a jock for Tennessee or Alabama or Georgia Tech during his illustrious career, has he? How do you explain the Dawgs total ineptitude in those games?
So you’re one of those guys who refuse to find fault where there’s nothing but fault to find? OK, fine. more power to you. But then you feel the need to resort to a sweeping condemnation all who don’t share your enlightened perspective.
There’s a word for guys like you. It rhymes with SWOOSHBAG.
And you have a nice day too.
Sandyspringsjacket
November 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
What a great day, everything is wonderful. JaJa in disarry, loses BIG again to Gators, Jackets, 8-1 on the way to the Orange Bowl, 13-1 a real possibility. The Governors Cup less then a month away and the Jackets are peaking and the Dawgs are leaking. Who needs D when our little ole high school offense just keeps putting up the points and plays keep away.
THWG
George
November 1st, 2009
12:21 pm
WE need someone to take us to the top…
Richt will make at least $2.8 Million this year. Alumni, stand up and let your voices be heard. WE need change! Boycott the home games and stop your donations if we have to. WE have a say so.
Sandyspringsjacket
November 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
Hey Dawg fans, Chan’s available.
George
November 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
WE have the $$$..lets use it wisely..
Richt will make at least $2.8 Million this year. Alumni, stand up and let your voices be heard. WE need change! Boycott the home games and stop your donations if we have to. WE have a say so.
jojatek
November 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Beating a dead horse here, but…
As long as ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’, I really don’t care how highly ranked UGA’s recruiting classes are as along as CPJ is in charge on the Flats. We’ll beat the Dawgs on Thanksgiving weekend, to be sure. If, however, Grambling decides to shows up again, I’m a little worried… they have a long, storied football tradition over there… they’re well coached, disciplined and, apparently, can put up alot of points…
AUG24
November 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
The black helmets were a joke. Florida is ranked #1, you don’t need anymore motivation than that. This coaching staff sucks! It is funny how Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and now Lane Kiffin can get their players ready to play without freakin gimmicks! Your program is in trouble when it relies on gimmicks. RICHT GET RID OF MARTINEZ, FABRIS, AND BOBO!
Super Dog
November 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
AGAIN
Deduct $500,000 for each loss to and SEC east team and Tech
Beat FL he gets a $500,000 bonus
Tech $200 not that big a deal
You will see Richt have the guts then to make changes when it effects the pocket book people
All Bark and No Bite
November 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
Mutt fans leave early every time they lose – that’s the absolutely least noteworthy aspect of yesterday’s beatdown. It’s pathetic, but I’ve seen it all before. The UGA side turns teal sometime in the second half.