UGA in Shreveport: A low point, but also a needed jolt
Here's proof Willie Martinez realized pass-rushing was allowed. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Winning doesn’t educate. Winning endorses. Human nature holds that a winner doesn’t ask, “What can I do better?” but says instead, “Why change what works?”
Mark Richt is human. Even in the disappointment of 2008 — Georgia started as preseason No. 1 and landed in the Capital One Bowl — he had his talking points down. And when the Bulldogs beat Michigan State on Jan. 1, 2009, to finish 10-3, he trotted out TP No. 1: Six 10-win seasons out of the past seven was “pretty stinkin’ good.”
In his self-defense, Richt missed the obvious: That something was rotten in the House of Bulldog. All you had to do was screen a video of Richt’s 2002 team followed by one of the 2008 aggregation to see the difference. In 2008 Georgia had more talent but wasn’t as good.
The 2009 season will go down as the worst under Richt, but it many ways it was the best thing that could have happened. As the losses mounted — blown out in Knoxville by a Tennessee team working under a new coach; blown out again in Jacksonville; beaten at home by Kentucky for the first time since Herschel Walker was a sophomore at Johnson County High — it was clear the rot had spread. It took an upset of Georgia Tech for the Bulldogs just to finish above .500, and by then there could be no more pretense.
We’ve known all along Richt is smart. We weren’t sure how demanding he is. Firing three of his four defensive coaches provided the answer. As much as Mark Richt enjoys fellowship among his coaching staff, he enjoys winning more.
We don’t yet know the names of the replacements. We know the Bulldogs head into the Independence Bowl with a defense coordinated by Rodney Garner, the lone holdover, and some grad assistants. (Now watch Georgia shut down Texas A&M. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?) But no matter what happens in the game, there’s cause to believe there’ll be no more Shreveport jaunts in the Bulldogs’ immediate future.
It’s possible Richt could hire someone less adept than Willie Martinez as coordinator. It’s also possible — theoretically, anything’s possible — the sun could rise in the West tomorrow. What’s more apt to happen is an upgrade at the position that can galvanize a program more than the arrival of any five-star recruit.
Steve Spurrier had won four SEC titles and reached a national championship game, but it was only after he hired Bob Stoops to coordinate his defense — a defense that had just yielded 62 points to Nebraska in said championship game — that the Evil Genius took his national title. Mack Brown had posted five consecutive 10-win seasons at Texas, but it was only after he hired Gene Chizik from Auburn (which had just gone 13-0) that the Longhorns were able to win a BCS title. Yes, defensive coordinators matter.
Loading ...Defensive coordinators matter even more than offensive coordinators. A team that scores on every possession but can’t stop anybody feels vulnerable. (Yes, Georgia Tech, I’m thinking of you.) A team that knows it can stop somebody feels invincible. Offensive success is a function of skill and technique. Defensive success involves physical domination. Georgia used to play that brand of ball — ever heard of Erk Russell? — but had come to dominate nothing under Martinez.
That could well have changed by the time Georgia plays its first post-Shreveport game — Sept. 4, 2010, against Louisiana Lafayette. Even though Bud Foster chose to stay at Virginia Tech and Vic Koenning wound up at Illinois, there are good men out there who will see Georgia as the place to make a name by making a difference. There’s no reason to believe Richt won’t find one.
The tough part is behind him. It took some doing for this coach to convince himself that change wasn’t an option but a necessity, but finally he did it. When you’re accustomed to 10 wins and nice big bowls, nothing slaps you harder than a trip to Shreveport. This wasn’t the destination anyone associated with Georgia wanted, but it was, in the grand scheme, the destination Mark Richt’s program needed.
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526 comments Add your comment
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
7:22 am
I hear the dueling banjos are starting to play a little louder in Shreveport!
Jed Clampett Dawg
December 25th, 2009
7:26 am
“I hear the dueling banjos are starting to play a little louder in Shreveport”!
I was at a truck stop outside Sacksonia, LA yesterday evening and they were.
Marisa
December 25th, 2009
7:35 am
Shreveport, ya gotta love it.
Texas A&M 49, UGA 17. A real laugher.
Shreveport, does it get any better than this?
Marisa
December 25th, 2009
7:37 am
Hey BuLLdawg, remind me again how many UGA thugs were arrested this year. Oh wait, the year’s not over yet.
Heather
December 25th, 2009
7:43 am
BuLLdawg, we’re waiting for an answer to Marisa’s question, you loudmouth know-it-all.
Or are you on the road to Shreveport? HA HA HA HA HA!
BuLLdawg
December 25th, 2009
7:43 am
Arrests ?
Now we want to talk about Arrests ?
With all the CRIME on Tech’s campus, down there in the slums where all the CRIME is and where all the drugs are, that would be great to talk about.
(Far better than facing the REALITY of 1-8 against Coach Richt to run your record to 37-60-5 against us after you LOST 24-30.)
I know, right ?
yellowjacket82
December 25th, 2009
7:44 am
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all GT and UGA fans.
mike on lake hartwell
December 25th, 2009
8:01 am
i realize that rivalries and passion is what makes college
football so great, but people, it’s CHRISTMAS.
take a break, be nice.
and one more thing…
i have your gift of 30 – 24 you f’n nerds.
and a stocking full of 10 yard runs.
bwahahahahahahaha ahahhahhaha hahahhahahah
suckers.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
8:04 am
The 12 days of Shreveport
On the twelfth day of Shreveport,
my doggies got to see
Twelve banjos playing
Eleven dogs a squealing
Ten teeth a missing
Nine weeds a wacking
Eight fans stayed to the ending
Seven recruits switching
Six temp. coaches
Five rings on ebay
Four turn overs
Three biased refs
Another failed black out
And 30 tons of tailgate trash left behind
mike on lake hartwell
December 25th, 2009
8:08 am
ahhh, hello saint simons.
and if that happens to not be you,
let me tell you, it isn’t a compliment.
gtfanfrom1951
December 25th, 2009
8:09 am
7-6 for along time to come because of Tenn, Fla, LSU, Kentucky……Merry Christmas
BuLLdawg
December 25th, 2009
8:10 am
tek fans are POOR LOSERS
gtfanfrom1951
December 25th, 2009
8:17 am
Bulldawg
Stats are for LOOOOOOOSERS.
sanford stadium project
December 25th, 2009
8:18 am
Talk about mass….. Remember the Mass Exodus during the Kentucky game?
Nick Satan
December 25th, 2009
8:19 am
Hey 14 Mill Moron. Georgia is in its bowl because that is what it earned. Georgia Tech is in the bowl it is in because that bowl HAD to take Tech. No ACC team earned a BCS bid. They only qualified because of contractual obligation.
to take
Bling and blang
December 25th, 2009
8:28 am
Man I cant wait to see all the glitter in Shreveport. cant wait to smell the excitement and garbage in the air!!!!!!
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
8:29 am
sanford stadium project,
“Talk about mass….. Remember the Mass Exodus during the Kentucky game?”
Hahahaha. Yeah. I saw it. And obviously the Outback Bowl Reps did too. Hahahaha.
Shreveport Bound!
December 25th, 2009
8:35 am
Heading to Shreveport soon!! My girlfriend’s running me off, so I need to find me a new woman–hopefully, they got some purty women over there on the bayou! The motel 6 is all booked up, so I may have to crash in someone’s trailer—anyone know any good trailer parks over there?
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17 20 45 41 * 0 * 24 34 24
December 25th, 2009
8:39 am
<<<<<<< In Rememberance of Willie ! We will miss you! ……. The SEC Elite and the weak sister schools.
Chipped Tires
December 25th, 2009
8:44 am
Gee Chip called me a punk the other day. I guess the AJC didn’t want to waste the money for him going to Shreveport Baby ! He must be having a bad holiday season or something…..
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
8:54 am
http://i.imgur.com/C9pHj.jpg
Just received an email from my girlfriend’s brother (Most obnoxious dog fan in USA). He said “Just getting into Shreveport. Check out the picture from my I Phone. Good people over here”.
Chipped Tires
December 25th, 2009
8:59 am
1.4 mill … Now thats a classic ! Nuthin but good ole reindeer for some tailgating festivities in Shreveport !
GT Fan
December 25th, 2009
9:12 am
It don’t matter today who you pull for its “Christmas”…Merry Christmas to all football fans and God bless you. Great job Mark all year!
mason
December 25th, 2009
9:15 am
(( 1.4M v 14M is Yellow Fuzz ))
hahahahahahahahahahahaAAAAAAAAA
(( 30-24 ))
hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Who’s your daddy Yellow Fuzz?
hahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa
GO HAWKEYES!!
GT53
December 25th, 2009
9:22 am
Here is my comment to all of you Bulldog fans who are lamenting over your trip to the Independence Bowl. All of the folks in Shrieveport LA who worked hard to have this event would just as soon have a team that is appreciative of their efforts rather than a bunch of crybabies. Just clam up, enjoy the game, beat A&M and then get better next year.
Monticello Dawg
December 25th, 2009
9:25 am
Another in a periodic series of public service announcements to the football fans in Georgia, regardless of your college affiliation.
Bowl watchinng
Dec. 28 Independence Bowl UGA vs. Texas A&M. Traditionally one of the lower tiered bowls, the presence of the Dogs elevates the Independence for this year only. A “must see” for all Georgians, since the STATE CHAMPS will be in action. Even if you do not pull for the Dogs, watch and admire how WE RUN THIS STATE.
Insider Viewer Tips:
1. Check out the sideline shots of the Q-in-W (quarterback in waiting) and see Aaron Murray standing next to Coach Bobo.
2. Beginning at 7, during commercial breaks, surf over to Comcast Sports and get a peek at the UNBEATEN and TOP TEN ranked Lady Bulldogs of Coach Andy Landers. I would be remiss in not reminding everyone that the Lady Dogs have already earned the title of STATE CHAMPS by beating a gritty Top 25 Yellow Jacket squad recently.
3. Notice if Rashad Jones has come to play like he did in the Tech game. If so, he has begun his “NFL Salary Drive” and is as good as gone.
Jan. 5 Orange Bowl Georgia Tech vs. Iowa Although not being played in the primetime window of Dec. 28 through Jan. 1, check this game out if you have time. As you know the Jackets triple-optioned their way to the ACC championship.
Inside Viewer Tips:
1. Keep an eye on Tech’s fine wide receiver. Think about how someone with the nickname of “Bay Bay” will be razzed in an NFL training camp this summer.
2. Watch for Josh Nesbitt’s precision 5 step drops when Tech goes to the air… Sorry, I’m thinking about the Dogs Pro-style offense. Anyway Nesbitt is an outstanding competitor and great athlete worth viewing.
3. Observe Jon Dwyer as he runs the pig in his last game as a Jacket, and think about how he would do with a lead blocker like Shaun Chapas. Could he “RUN THE STATE” under those circumstances?
4. Compare the effectiveness of a 270 pound Rocket Scientist at center for Tech as opposed to Iowa’s 300+ roadgrader. I admire Bedford’s smarts, but will have to go with the cornfed Iowa farmboy.
Mutley
December 25th, 2009
9:31 am
Let’s see if Urban Meyer comes calling on Willie Martinez. I think not. Willie could not even get Valdosta High’s position and Valdosta is lot tougher job than UGA.
Joe
December 25th, 2009
9:34 am
Mark,
Disagree with you slightly on the 2002 team vs the 2008 team. I agree more offensive talent but the 2002 defense was loaded with future NFLer’s. The 2008 team defense wasn’t quite as talented.
Dawg Man
December 25th, 2009
9:38 am
Georgia’s going to beat Texas A&M like a rented mule! Mark it down: Dawgs 38 TAM 17
SEC power and speed—too much for this overrated big 12 team. In 2010—big things are in store for UGA baby!!! Dawgs win the east, blow out Tech, beat Bama for the SEC title!!!!! It’s hard to be humble when you’re a UGA grad!
Reba Dawg
December 25th, 2009
9:45 am
People please! It’s Christmas day. Can’t you put your differences away for one 24 hour period at least. Sheeeze! Get A LIFE!
Merry Christmas
December 25th, 2009
10:00 am
Merry Christmas to all of the Georgia fans from a Tech fan. Good luck Monday, and I will go back to hating all of you next year
A history lesson
December 25th, 2009
10:00 am
Usually, over 8 or 10 years, tech defeats UGA twice in a row or 3 times like with J Donnan and then they lose for years and years vs UGA. As lousy as UGA is this year, we physically handled tech at home and that broke tech’s sad little” tradition” of two wins in a row vs UGA. That makes me laugh. I can still see that stupid look on CPJ’s fat face as Waushauna and Caleb ( only very average SEC backs ) galloped past him. HAHAHAHAHA
Nesbitt and Dwyer combined for what/ 75 yard??? HAHAHAHAHAHA
That also says how pathetic Tech is to brag about the Orange Bowl trip. Second major bowl since I graduated from high school in 1967. I saw the last tech trip to the Orange in 67 and they lost to Florida.
Two majors in 42 years. LOL 30-24 and 1-8 and 4-15 and Taliban students. HAHAHAHAHA
Remember: Rontavious Wooten did drop a TD pass in full stride at the 40. It hit him in his hands and that pass would have blown it open. The 4th qtr Tech drop proves nada. Next play, Johnny Unitas Nesbitt could have tossed a pic 6 to UGA’s average to lousy safety Jones. HAHAHAHA
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 25th, 2009
10:01 am
Pi$$onaDawg:
YOU ONLY GET TO TALK SMACK WHEN YOU WIN…YOU, MY FRIEND, CAME UP SHORT ON YOUR HOME FIELD IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL TV AUDIENCE…WE CAN AND DID BEAT GT EVEN IN OUR WORST YEAR…TECH FOLKS STILL TOTEN THAT NOVEMBER 28 A$$ WHIPPING…YOU NEED A LUKE WARM EMEMAL TO GET OVER THAT GAME….
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
10:01 am
Sounds like someone is unhappy about having to go to Shreveport
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
10:03 am
Merry Christmas and Happy Shreveport to Reba Dawg and the entire dog nation!
Fear is a horrible thing
December 25th, 2009
10:07 am
All of UGA’s detractors ( that are NOT even college grads or who have never attended a college class beyond a JC ) are in F-E-A-R and they know with UGA’s offense next year coupled with a solid D co ordinator, will be bringing havoc. They know that UGA’s team this year was really one with two or three losses that could have been avoided with even average D coaches and now, the CWM days are over. FEAR is setting in nicely. Look around the SEC and who has the returning talent like UGA and with one more big time R back this incoming class we will dominate.
Great teams do have great D and tech has neither greatness or great D. LOL> 30-24 and 1-8 baby!!
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 25th, 2009
10:10 am
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl:
WE DON’T WORRY ABOUT MONEY HERE AT UGA LIKE YOU TECHSTERS DO…YOU BROUGHT IN A RAP ARTIST (BIG BOI) AT HALFTIME TO TRY TO PUT PEOPLE IN THE STANDS…AND THE 4 HOT DOGS, 4 COKES ALSO IS A GOOD PLOY…GT IS THE ONLY COLLEGE THAT I KNOW OF WHO DOWNSIZED THEIR STADIUM WHEN THEY SET ABOUT TO RENOVATE IT….THAT MIGHT TELL YOU A LITTLE…GLAD YOU ARE MAKING THE BIG BUCKS, IT WILL HELP TECH, BUT WE REALLY DON’T NEED THAT HERE AT UGA…ALL WE NEED TO DO IS BEAT TECH EVERY YEAR AND THAT WILL SHUT UP THE MASSES….HOPE ALL YOU TECH PEOPLE BUY A TICKET, CAUSE AT LAST COUNT YOU HAD A FEW THOUSAND LEFT TO BUY TO TAKE CARE OF SELLING YOUR SHARE….ACTUALLY AFTER WINNING 10 GAMES A YEAR FOR THE PAST 6 OF 7, WE WILL PROBABLY HEAD BACK IN THAT DIRECTION…COACH BEAR BRYANT, THE BEST THAT’S EVER BEEN, HAD TWO 5-6 SEASONS BACK TO BACK…
1 and 1
December 25th, 2009
10:11 am
against what their fans call a 4th rate high school team. Oh how the mighty have fallen. 7-5 unranked losers whose only accomplishment this year was to hang on in the last minute to barely beat a 4th rate high school team. Down go the dogs.
Dispair
December 25th, 2009
10:13 am
is what Ga fans are feeling because they know that they are going from Florida beat downs to Alabama beat downs in the SEC.
Top Recruiting Classes =
December 25th, 2009
10:16 am
2008 preseason #1 pretenders = 9-3 with the last loss to a 4th rate high school team BETWEEN THE STORIED HEDGES = 2009 barely beating that same 4th rate high school team = 7-5 unranked losers
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 25th, 2009
10:23 am
AngryDawg:
DO US A FAVOR, AND YOU HIT THE ROAD…WE DON’T NEED YOUR 10 CENT MILLIONAIRE TYPES HANGING AROUND OUR PROGRAM…PLENTY OF SEATS AVAILABLE AT THE “JOKE BY COKE” AND YOU CAN GET ROBBED, MUGGED, AND CARJACKED ON YOUR TRIP TO ATLANTA…..
Merry Christmas; Morning Notes | MrSEC.com
December 25th, 2009
10:25 am
[...] the Bulldogs did reach Shreveport yesterday.15. This writer believes Shreveport will serve as the slap Georgia’s program needs. (Again, the city of Shreveport must make a lot of money from its bowl because it certainly puts [...]
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 25th, 2009
10:26 am
The 12 days of Shreveport
On the twelfth day of Shreveport,
my doggies got to see
Twelve banjos playing
Eleven dogs a squealing
Ten teeth a missing
Nine weeds a wacking
Eight fans stayed to the ending
Seven recruits a switching
Six temp. coaches
Five rings on ebay
Four more turn overs
Three biased refs
Another failed black out
And 30 tons of tailgate trash to clean
Orlando Sentinel - College Gridiron 365 Blog – College Football High 5: McKnight’s status still unknown
December 25th, 2009
10:29 am
[...] Is a bowl appearance in Shreveport a needed wake-up call for Georgia? [...]
Mark and Willie
December 25th, 2009
10:32 am
Mark and Willie
sitting in the tree
KISSING
Mark pushed Willie
out of the tree
Willie told Mark
Go to that toilet bowl
without me
The Other Saint Simons
December 25th, 2009
10:42 am
Glad to see the Christmas Spirit is alive and well. Apparently St. Simons doesn’t have a family.
Merry Christmas to all. Nerds too.
whatever
December 25th, 2009
10:44 am
To MB – Thank you for another great year of writing and reporting. Though I don’t agree with you all the time (maybe 75% of the time – which in this day and time is still very good) – I always enjoy your thoughtful insight and analysis. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year. I look forward to your articles in 2010.
OrlandoDawg
December 25th, 2009
10:52 am
no matter how bad of a day I’m having, I can always remember that Willie is gone, and we just stomped Tech.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
keep up the good work
December 25th, 2009
10:53 am
5 STARS EQUALS 7 WINS, OH AND IT IS EVERYONE ELSES FAULT BUT RICHT’S
XL Dawg
December 25th, 2009
10:58 am
I am sick and tired of the veiled attempts at journalism by the AJC Sports Staff. Low point? Longest bowl streak in the country, top five recruiting classes, and apparently UGA is still worse than Notre Dame because of unrealisitic expectations created by omnipresent media. As a real Dawg fan I would love another championship but when you base your expectations on boys and young men. You hope they are prepared for life not just football. See you in Shreveport!