On a tepid Signing Day, there’s still reason for UGA to believe
Rodney Garner and Mark Richt meet the press on Signing Day 2010. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Athens – Just as it would be wrong to make too much of one lost recruit or one tepid signing class, it would likewise be wrong to ignore current events. And those are: Coming off its worst season on the field under Mark Richt, the Bulldogs have assembled their lowest-ranked recruiting class, according to Rivals.com, since Richt was so new to the job he hadn’t yet coached a game.
“I don’t expect Bulldog fans to be excited over an 8-5 season,” Richt said Wednesday, briefing the media on a subdued-by-Georgia-standards Signing Day, but that season is done and this recruiting class is essentially complete and the Bulldogs move on. And the question becomes: Is Georgia better suited today to win big than it was 12 months ago?
And the answer is: Yes.
We cannot know how good Da’Rick Rogers will (or will not) be at Tennessee, but we can know this: Georgia was never going to play for another SEC title with Willie Martinez coaching its defense. If firing Martinez and two assistants made for what recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner called “some difficulties,” that’s a trade-off worth making if in fact Todd Grantham, Martinez’s successor, is as clever as advertised.
“That’s why I did what I did,” said Richt, responding to a question about Georgia’s positioning for the future. “That’s the only reason I did what I did.”
As much as Signing Day matters, coaching matters more. Richt’s program had become the place where big-time defensive players came and were left to their own devices. Were recruiting alone the secret to success, Georgia and Richt — eight consecutive Top 10 classes, according to Rivals — would have taken a BCS title by now.
As disappointing as Rogers’ defection was, Georgia fans should nonetheless find reason to believe this February. Because the head coach bears a lean and hungry look. “[Last season] has given me more resolve to get this program where it belongs,” Richt said. And then: “We have everything we need to get that done.”
Last season wasn’t good. (No good seasons lead to Shreveport.) The coaching search took six weeks and included three high-profile turndowns. The recruiting class of 2010 numbered 18 commitments last fall and wound up with 19 signed letters-of-intent. But all that is past now, and what remains is a better defensive staff — couldn’t be worse, could it? — and a rejuvenated Richt. And also this:
“We’ve got some darn good football players,” Richt said. “That’s got me excited about what the future holds.”
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429 comments Add your comment
Circus Act
February 3rd, 2010
6:53 pm
CMR and CRG waring black on NSD …how appropriate to receive a beatdown in recruiting.
Circus Act
February 3rd, 2010
6:53 pm
wearing black
DawginLex
February 3rd, 2010
6:54 pm
outhouse eagle,
As has been pointed out to you, there is a big difference between playing a lot of true freshmen all over the field and playing a RS freshman QB who will be surrounded by 10 returning starters including what will probably be the best OL in the SEC.
Later.
Boss Dog
February 3rd, 2010
6:54 pm
I was one of the ones down on Richt last year and calling for his head ,which was kinda stupid thing to do ,because now I think he has seen the light and more Hungry to make a good program at Georgia then ever,so in one way it was kinda good to call for his firing If it woke him up..You can only go up when you hit your lowest and I think last year he did,maybe all this has made Richt more determined to bring a real Championship to the State of Georgia and hopefully not just a couple.I’d lvoe about three in the next 10 yrs and a quite a few SEC titles
The scoop on Aaron Murray future uga qb
February 3rd, 2010
6:55 pm
I remember Murray’s last high school game in which he tore it up in his last playoff game and just blistered the opposing defenses dbs. If i remember correctly he was something like 5 of 23 for 27 yards passing. And to think that all these dawg fans are pinning their hopes on this one kid who got exposed against a high school defense. Can you imagine what an SEC defense is gonna do to this freshman? Besides, I thought Logan Grey was the guy dawg fans were clamoring for when Joe Cox was sucking. Then again all Logan did was come in and throw a pick 6 on his first and only pass in the UF game. Sad times they are a coming to Athens. This is a program in a quick descent into the abyss. Gonna be scary to watch this 18th rated class go up against the Gator’s consensus no. 1 class over the next 4 years.
UGA Athletics Sux
February 3rd, 2010
6:55 pm
I don’t know Circus Act. Bishop Urban Myer managed to use religion to his advantage. He text recruits during church service and get messages from GOD in his dream telling him to coach at FL Maybe richt isn’t worshiping properly. (((((LOL)))))
DawginLex
February 3rd, 2010
6:55 pm
circus clown,
ringling brothers has openings for you to hand out cotton candy.
apply in person.
You may have to take someone with you to read the application
DawginLex
February 3rd, 2010
6:57 pm
Hey scoop,
I guess that is why Urban Meyer almost croaked when Murray didn’t commit to UF. He wanted him bad to run the spread because he is the ideal fit for it. Too bad he will be in Athens the next 4 years.
tim
February 3rd, 2010
7:02 pm
hey ugaaccountant do you get a bag of beans upon completion of your degree? UF will be “set up” well enough to spank you ladies in Jax
Circus Act
February 3rd, 2010
7:08 pm
Hey Dawg in lex… you still believe in the tooth fairy don’t you ???
DawginOH
February 3rd, 2010
7:26 pm
The Dawgs will be just fine next year. We’ve had higher-ranked classes in the recent past and have pretty little to show for it. Like Mark said, we were getting plenty of defensive stars only to have them coached down by CWM. I’m expecting great things from both Coach Grantham’s 3-4 defense and the play of a committed young QB like Murray or Mettenberger in 2010. CMR won the SEC in two years where no one (not even the vast majority of Georgia fans, myself included) gave us a shot at even winning the East. Go Dawgs!
UGA Alumn
February 3rd, 2010
7:44 pm
I have a solution to all of this! Let’s talk to Lane Kippin and get some insight into how we can break the rules to get that 5ft.9in, 10th grader from Beufort High early enrolled. He shut Da’Rick down in the state championship game. Case Closed!
chris
February 3rd, 2010
7:54 pm
Big deal about the recruiting. We struggled with all those top ten classes and our D has been under-coached since CWM took over for Van Gorder. Funny how NFL scouts are all of a sudden jazzed about Owens and Atkins while we could never consistently shut teams down. We just weren’t getting the most out of the talent. IF Grantham can coach we will be fine as we have plenty of athletes.
Lord of the Lizards
February 3rd, 2010
8:04 pm
ugaaccountant…it’s true, we have some very key players to replace. But on further inspection, 1) We have a RS Junior QB who has three years in the system who was National Gatorade Player of the year in H.S.2) A veteran O Line returning (every player has started) with plenty of depth. 3) Two of our top receivers will be back after being injured all last year. 4) Four D Linemen who have been starters return plus an incredible DL recruiting class 5) Three out of four who have started in the secondary. Biggest concerns will be TE and CB opposite of Jenoris Jenkins. We will still be highly highly competitive!!!!
UGA Alumn
February 3rd, 2010
8:10 pm
Lord of Lizzards: Tight end will not be a concern! Bruce Figgins will be back and Orson Charles, nuff said!
Unknown
February 3rd, 2010
8:13 pm
Folks, wake up!
Many experts predict that we will finish another 8-4 or 7-5 season in 2010. With a new quarterback and new defense scheme, I agree with such prediction because UGA belongs to SEC. The real question is what about 2011? We just got 18 new players, and with such lack of depth (after some injuries: this happens every year) our football team is going down from here. Being optimistic can blind you!
Florida = The New Notre Dame
February 3rd, 2010
8:16 pm
good to see Meyer making the Notre Dame FATAL strategic ERROR.
>>>>Thinking top 100 recruiting class will win you a National Championship<<<<<<<<<<
6-7 for Notre dame.
Doesn't work.
2010 will be HORRID for Gators.
UGA Alumn
February 3rd, 2010
8:17 pm
Hey Unknown, I know who you are! I saw you on getting your lunch money taken away on North Avenue today! Fly back to your hive, The Citadel had a better recruiting class than Tech!
Bama Loses 9 On Defense in 2009
February 3rd, 2010
8:17 pm
Bama will be weaker on defense in 2009.
3 DL’s–gone
3 LB’s–gone
3 DB’s–gone
Richard Simmons
February 3rd, 2010
8:19 pm
First !!!
Florida #1 Ranked Loser of Impact Players
February 3rd, 2010
8:20 pm
Florida couldn’t win a National Championship, but they did rank #1 in something:
They ranked #1 in heaviest loss of starters.
Gators lost 5 on defense, 6 on offense, 4 coaches, and 5 jrs who declared early for NFL draft.
8-4 Gators in 2010.
Losses to Bama, Georgia, LSU, Florida State.
dogfan
February 3rd, 2010
8:26 pm
Congrats to all signees to the SEC schools. After being transferred to Texas and after attending various games at Texas and Texas A&M, the SEC games are far superior. Always go back to two Georgia games per year. I graduated from GA many years ago and will always support the DAWGS. Trust me folks, after watching the “Big Twelve,” the SEC is far superior. GO DAWGS. See you at the Tenn and Tech games.
PHIL
February 3rd, 2010
8:31 pm
26.2 “Loved your line ” no good seasons lead to Shreveport”. Food for thought – wonder how many 4 and 5 star recruits schools like TCU, Boise State, Iowa, GT, Cinncinnati have yet they were in the BSC Bowl games last year.”
Although he didn’t mean it to be this is the whole problem with post season college football and rankings and BCS and all that goes with it. Out of the teams listed above, only Iowa REALLY had one of the best 30 or 40 football teams in the country. If UGA had played in the same conference as Cinci, TCU, or Boise, they would have been undefeated last year, a year in which we had the worst team in a decade. If we had played in the ACC only VaTech would have had a chance to beat us. But when you play in the SEC it’s much different than what ever that conference Cinci plays in. They make the ACC look like the big leagues. Yet they get the national rankings and get to go to the big bowls because they have great records when in fact they go all year and play NOBODY until post season. Boise and TCU STILL have played nonone. It’s a shame SEC teams don’t get the due they deserve when a 5 loss SEC team could drub Cinci or TCU or Boise. Oh yeah and Tech.
Unknown
February 3rd, 2010
8:33 pm
UGA Alumn,
You don’t know me. This is the first time I ever posted my comment here. Trust me…I love my Dawgs. I go to school here and been to many games. (Maybe more than you have.) I’m just being realistic. For the last 2 years, I cried over our Def. I cursed Martinez. We still have good players but when they get hurt, we will be in trouble. I just hate turning my TV off after the first half of the game.
Mark Richt 1 notch below average coach
February 3rd, 2010
8:39 pm
Georgia sux.allways have and allways will.
MVP
February 3rd, 2010
8:40 pm
CHOKE! …..THE OFFICAL DRINK OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS!
Soulja Boy
February 3rd, 2010
8:43 pm
I thought that Richt was having an awakening, but then he suspended his girlfriend-beating thug for two meaningless games next season which indicates his FSU mentality has not changed.
Garner sux and should have been fired with the other 3
February 3rd, 2010
8:50 pm
Richt does not have enough of FSU mentality which is why they won all the went head to head battles for recruits.
BTW white suburban sluts need to mess with their own kind instead of looking for a black boy to use for sex.
Look at it this way,
February 3rd, 2010
9:11 pm
If we still do directional kicks, along with poor Special Team play,
If we still tackle poorly,
If we still have strange play calling in the Red Zone,
If we still have a poor defense, in spite of our new DC talking a good game,
If we still just play poorly in certain games that we should win,
If we continue to get hammered by FL every year,
it will make no difference where the class of 2010 was ranked.
Moe Tate
February 3rd, 2010
9:21 pm
Well, if I ever want to feel good about myself I’ll just start reading the comments on these blogs because I don’t think it’s possible to encounter a larger number of morons, in-breds and complete friggin’ idiots as there are here. I’m pretty confident CMR knows what he’s doing and I have faith in him. Just because you’ve been in Sanford Stadium or played high school ball doesn’t mean you know a thing. Go back to your pitiful life, you pack of losers.
PJ
February 3rd, 2010
9:34 pm
Dawg Fans there is no need to worry about this class as I am very confident that there will be several outstanding players in this class, and another fact to be considered is that there will be coaches in Athens to coach them up. Let us wish the young man from Calhoun well, although his friends dad may have had more influence on him than his own family. We have an ounstanding Wide Receiver entering his Junior Year in A.J. Green and a host of young receivers in support, so we will be fine, and next year we will have our pick of some fine Receivers. When we see all the waffling and the make for T.V. antics by some of these Recruits we again see the contrast with A. J. Green, who made his decision to be a Bulldog and committed a year in advance without wavering and with all the attention grabbing antics. That is another reason why I admire that young man so much, and why he will be a hell of a pro.
jellybeandawg
February 3rd, 2010
9:50 pm
Dear Coach Richt,
Top recruiting classes and mediocre coaching hasn’t worked very well for us lately. Could better coaching and mediocre recuiting possibly work better? We shall see… although I am not so sure the coaching will ever improve.
Also please continue practicing your soulja boy dance moves, your trick shots on the bball court,& back flips and swan dives off the 10 meter platform. All of these things are much more important then actually trying coach the team.
Love,
Jellybeandawg
PS: I can’t wait until the team trip to the pool!!! See you there
gem
February 3rd, 2010
9:59 pm
Circus Act,
Pee Wee Herman would gladly come play with you. He’s probably lonely just like you.
Duh'Rick's Drama School
February 3rd, 2010
10:05 pm
All he had to do was say….I’m going where my home boy is going. Even Kiffin blew off giving the token scholly. Hope Mr. Nance has a good job up there. Bad thing was that he led Richt down down the path where we couldnt go after Christian Green and Markeith and others until its was too late.If only Mark had told him that he had a dream about him scoring in the NC game has he was dying on the sideline ( ala Oscar Meyer ).
We’ve done it before..taking Cox to get MoMass ( like it or not). We thought he was an AJ Green, but that is an insult. Yes, he’s only 17-18, but he was well versed in getting his butt kissed.
Here’s to meeting Mr. Rambo across the middle….unless Derek does the Dooley thing and “redshirts” him. Now, that would be hilarious!
frank james
February 3rd, 2010
10:07 pm
jellybeandawg – Where do you coach? You sound like a pro. Maybe you could go up to Athens and meet with Coach Richt and help him out.
jellybeandawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:13 pm
Frank I don’t get paid 3 mil. per year to deliver a consistently under performing product known as UGA football. Unfortunately for us Richt does.
Dunkley
February 3rd, 2010
10:13 pm
Richt is 2-7 against Florida, just saying.
frank james
February 3rd, 2010
10:25 pm
jAlot of people are 2 and 7 or worse against Florida. Am I happy about it? No. but let’s see how long Urban Meyer stays at Florida or Saban stays at Alabama. Richt had a tough year this year but I hope he is there for along time. You stay at a place for a period of time and you will have a down year. Was Bob Stoops a worse coach this year, was Pete Carroll a worse coach this year. You don’t have to win NC’s to be successful. Give me a coach that will stay with the program rather than one that will win with talent and then hit the road.
Bernie
February 3rd, 2010
10:27 pm
GATORS have a GREAT Class coming in this year. Already 11 enrolled and the rest in the summer session.All are qualfied ACT.. and ready to go. Meet all our needs defensive line and backs,linebackers,and wideouts.Coach Meyer is on leave now,will be back in Mar-Apr time frame for the Spring game, then on leave till August.Life is good in GATOR NATION.
Wreckmaniac
February 3rd, 2010
10:28 pm
Sugarcoat it any way you want, it was a bad day for UGA.
Jon Heisman
February 3rd, 2010
10:28 pm
Sad to see another group of kids with potential sign up to play for a mediocre SEC team.
jellybeandawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:31 pm
Frank I think Myer will stay at Florida until he dies, which given his recent heart problems may be sooner then later although I hope he stays healthy. I also doubt Saban leaves anytime soon either. He took his shot in the NFL and it didn’t work out so I highly doubt he will ever want to go back. At Bama he makes as much as an NFL coach anyway so if he does leave it will be to retire completely and not for another college program.
Dawg Truth
February 3rd, 2010
10:31 pm
The reason uga can’t sign any offensive stars? Two words: mike bobo
frank james
February 3rd, 2010
10:35 pm
I hope they both stay and you will see if they are there 9 or 10 years they will have a bad year.
kcg76dawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:35 pm
59 dawgs, it was the nfl. CWM was adjustments to the opposing team scheme, stsying locked into the tampa 2 and his love fest with bryan evans. He should have been 2nd team a long time ago. Dannell ellerbee is a perfect ezample of their abilities to be coached up at uga. Even kade weston showed vast improvement this year and from all reports; atkins and jeff owens both are looking like excellent prospects also. At the end of the day, the 2010 team will be improved but I do believe if murrsy or mettenburger had played we would really be ready to take the next step. One report that I read said that mettenburger had to work on his footwork. Plus murray and orson charles already have some type of understanding considering they played together @ plant h.s.
jellybeandawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:36 pm
Bozo is just an extension of Mark Richt. He runs Richts offense as Richt directs him to. Richt will never admit Bobo is the problem because then he will have to admit his own failure, although when the time comes I have no doubt Richt will use Bobo as a fall guy to buy himself a few more years.
Official Soft Drink of the UGA Bulldogs
February 3rd, 2010
10:39 pm
Choke-a-Cola……..LMAO!!!!!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
February 3rd, 2010
10:39 pm
Circus Act, I have one question for you…… why are you so stupid?
frank james
February 3rd, 2010
10:40 pm
Dawg Truth – How did we get A.J. Green and Knowshon Ealey? How did we get Charles and Murray out of Florida. I believe Bobo was at UGA. I am glad the Rogers kid went Tenn. That is where he belongs. He and the qb from Calhoun are typical of alot of athletes today. They don’t have a clue what it means to be a true team member.
lance
February 3rd, 2010
10:41 pm
We have to be waiting on Travis Jones for our third AC. nothing else makes sense/