Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb
This is where Todd Grantham earns his three-quarters of a million. No knock on the new defensive coordinator, but the Bulldogs could have won the three games they’ve won — Louisiana-Lafayette, Tennessee and Vanderbilt — with Willie Martinez or Marion Campbell or Kevin Ramsey as DC. But Georgia plays Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, and the Wildcats can score some points.
And this is where we learn if all the talk about the schematic advantages of the 3-4 vis-a-vis the 4-3 was simply talk. This is where we see if having an extra linebacker will help Georgia slow the most dynamic player in the SEC East. He’s Randall Cobb, whom Kentucky deploys as a receiver and a runner and a kick returner and occasionally a thrower.
He’s officially listed as wide receiver/quarterback and essentially acts as the joker in Joker Phillips’ deck, Joker Phillips being the first-year Kentucky coach. Cobb nearly beat Auburn and did beat South Carolina. Against the Tigers he threw for a touchdown, caught a pass for a touchdown and rushed for two touchdowns. Against Carolina he caught the winning touchdown from Mike Hartline with 1:15 to play, then rushed for the two-point conversion.
Randall Cobb of Kentucky isn’t to be confused with Randall “Tex” Cobb, the boxer-turned-actor who played the dreadnought biker in “Raising Arizona.” (Holly Hunter, who played Ed in the film, referred to Cobb’s expertly realized character as a “warthog from hell.”) But Randall Cobb of Kentucky has the capacity to unleash all manner of havoc if the opposing DC doesn’t mind his X’s and O’s.
The Kentucky game, not to put too fine a point on it, is immense. Win and Georgia goes to Jacksonville with a chance to finish first in the SEC East, which seemed unthinkable a couple of weeks ago. Lose and Georgia is 3-5 and we’re treated to another round of Mark-Richt-has-lost-it screeds.
Richt took a risk hiring Grantham, who’d never coordinated a collegiate defense. This is the week we see if the risk carried a reward. This is where the new man earns his money. Or doesn’t.
Here UK's Randall Cobb scores against a familiar-looking team. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
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225 comments Add your comment
GTBob
October 21st, 2010
11:00 am
It depends on which Kentucky team shows up. The one that lost to a terrible Ole Miss team, and got blown out by a mediocre Florida team, or the one who played Auburn tough, and beat South Carolina. There are many things that could happen in this game. Both teams are pretty unpredictable.
#1 Dawg
October 21st, 2010
11:02 am
Kentucky is not a national program.
Georgia is a national program, we will crush the ‘cats. We will demand respect.
Josey Wales
October 21st, 2010
11:03 am
#1 Dawg- Was Kentucky a national program two years ago? Was Georgia?
bill
October 21st, 2010
11:04 am
Hey Bart, don’t go encouraging Cuff to get all physical on us…he already holds the UGA record of THREE personal fouls in one game, set just a few weeks ago. All of our DB’s want to be like Davis or Buie, but it’s tough when you aren’t 6′2″ and weigh over 200 lbs!
Bart
October 21st, 2010
11:05 am
Willie only had 1 shutout in the last 3 years, it wasn’t against an SEC tea, it was against Tenn Tech.
Willie also gave up 10 points last season to Vanderbilt and 42 to Tennessee, Grantham only gave up 14 to Tennessee and 0 to Vanderbilt. That’s a 40 point swing on defense.
And no Willie could NOT have beat Tennessee, he didn’t last season.
MichiganDawg
October 21st, 2010
11:09 am
Take care of Cobb and Georgia wins.
Take care of Murray, Greene, Ealey, Durham, Carleton, Wooten, King, Boykin, Charles, White, Marlon Brown, Troupe, Munzenmaier, and Kentucky wins.
harold
October 21st, 2010
11:09 am
ANOTHER CAKEWALK WEEKEND FOR GEORGIA AS THEY CLOBBER THE CATS!
rlinaug
October 21st, 2010
11:10 am
Oh man. The Lone Biker of the Apocalypse. Thanks Mark for bringing back memories of the funniest movie of all time..
Smalls (Tex Cobb’s character):A: I hear you have a baby you can’t put your hand to. I can find him for you.
Nathan Arizona: Look, I’ve got the state cops, federal Bee Eye boys out looking for my son-
Smalls: Cops won’t find your boy. Cop couldn’t find his butt if it had a bell on it. You wanna find an outlaw, you call an outlaw. You wanna find a Dunkin Donuts, call a cop.
Bart
October 21st, 2010
11:12 am
Georgia Defense:
Pass defense, better than Alabama so far. #29 in country.
Rush defense, 1 yard less per game than Alabama.
total defense, better than Alabama, #14 in coiuntry.
Scoring defense, top 20 in country.
Sec Least
October 21st, 2010
11:16 am
http://pricezack.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/the-bcs-who-will-raise-the-crystal-ball/ check out this article. its a pretty interesting read
It took us Gators 60 years to win the SEC
October 21st, 2010
11:17 am
and Mark…PLEASE tell me what God Like Randall Cobb did against Floriduh???? hmmmmm…….agree totally that UGA had better be ready to play…but lets tell the whole story…..
Bubby
October 21st, 2010
11:18 am
Tech 56
Ugag 3
Mike
October 21st, 2010
11:18 am
I certainly hope CMR is reading this posting. Randall Cobb is one of the definite 2 guys that Georgia had better (you better believe it) sell out the defense to defend. The other guy is Cam Newton. I would recommend the defense assign 2 defensive players to do nothing by stay on those players on every play. For Cobb, a linebacker and a safety. For Newton, 2 linebackers.
AltamahaDawg
October 21st, 2010
11:20 am
The point totals are also down because the defense does not have to own the 7-10 ppg that thier buddies insisted on spotting the other side. Including the last time they met this very team.
Don’t do that and win the game. Taking care of Cobb will help, but taking care of the ball is a 100% recipe for victory.
Bart
October 21st, 2010
11:22 am
Sanders Commings will get some playing time at DB against Randall Cobb too. Sanders is big enough to be a safety, he’s a ballhawker, leads the team in int’s, and is 4th in tackles (only played in 4 games).
Kentucky is to be respected, Georgia will need to play at a high level for all 4 quarters to win the game.
Dwight Schrute
October 21st, 2010
11:22 am
This will be a good test for Grantham and his defense to how far they’ve really progressed the past few games.
Personally, I think Grantham should start awarding Schrute Bucks when his defensive players make a great play.
Tweets that mention Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 21st, 2010
11:29 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SECSportsWire, SECEastWire. SECEastWire said: WildcatWire: Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb – #NCAA #Sports http://bit.ly/ccvW1I [...]
TrueDAWG
October 21st, 2010
11:34 am
Mark- you forgot to mention that FL destroyed this Kentucky Team- lets tell the whole story now!
MURPHY
October 21st, 2010
11:38 am
Amen Mark,
Time for Grantham to step up his game. I feel his defense has gotten better but the next 2 weeks will either clarify that or show maybe Richt made the wrong hire.
reality check
October 21st, 2010
11:50 am
There are some guys in the picture that we need to help stop Cobb and as the picture indicated…. they didn’t.
This will likely be a high scoring game if we win. I hope ole Todd has corrected the lapses and mental breakdowns but know as indicated, Cobb offers much more than your average player.
Go DAWGS!
jaxf
October 21st, 2010
11:55 am
Kentucky? really? Kentucky?
#1 Dawg
October 21st, 2010
11:56 am
Josey Wales, we will demand our respect on Saturday and show that we are a national program, which Kentucky simply isn’t.
If you would like to discuss this, I will be at the game. I expect the Kentucky people to get out of my way and also to let me to the front of the line at the concession stands and in the restrooms, because I will demand that respect, as part of a national program.
I will be happy to discuss this with you before the game at my tailgate party.
Dontavius Supremo
October 21st, 2010
11:56 am
Georgia wins in Lexington, but not because of defense. It will take Grantham this year and most of next to solidify his system, but it will solidify. Meanwhile, Georgia’s offense will have to carry the weight. As I said, UGA wins, but they could just as easily lose if the offense sputters.,
needums
October 21st, 2010
11:58 am
Ed found out that her insides were a rocky place to, which my seed could find no purchase
randall cobb = hines ward
October 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
the defense did what they were supposed to do against the #11 and #12 scorring offense in the SEC. they padded their stats and now everyone feels better. whoopie flippin do.
can they do that agains the #1 scoring offense in the SEC? Well, they couldn’t stop the teams below them….so I don’t have much hope…..UK beat us last year in our house and now we have them in theirs in an elimination game.
add to that….
how many “must win” games (vs decent opponents) have we won this year?
how many road games have we won this year?
it’s not looking good….unless you have a shot of koolaide and some rose colored glasses.
TimothyC
October 21st, 2010
12:01 pm
Both teams are young. Both play a lot better at home. UK wins and then loses the week after at Miss. State.
Bart
October 21st, 2010
12:07 pm
Too bad LSU & Ole Miss couldn’t pad their stats against Tenn & Vandy like Georgia did.
DIT
October 21st, 2010
12:14 pm
Defense! Defense! Defense!
For me, It’s hard to believe that we have turned the corner until we have beaten a worthy opponent. Sorry Vol people, but this is a down year for y’all I’m sure you will agree. If we can not just beat UK, but hold them to a low score it will show we have turned the corner on defense and I will feel better about Florida the following week(I hate that they have the week off, but that happens)
As for Auburn, too tough, but crazier things have happened. I’m really interested to see how our Dawgs respond to UK’s offensive talent in Lexington. Go Dawgs!
Mike
October 21st, 2010
12:15 pm
Mark, I hate to tell you this, but (outside of the Colorado game) Grantham’s D has been keeping UGA in ballgames until these last two while the offense looked completely lost. How soon you forget that UT basically had Willie’s playbook and totally dominated him even with Crompton at QB. UGA hasn’t shut down Vandy like that in a very long time. In fact, they haven’t shut anyone down like that in the SEC since 2004
Grantham’s D is top 20 in scoring defense this year. His D played Arkansas just as well as Alabama, and far better than Auburn. His D played South Carolina far better than anyone has. His D played UT just as well as LSU, Florida, and Oregon.
Overall, Grantham has the D looking as good as it has in years. Yes, it is too soon to call him a total success, but I think he has more than proven he can make a difference here. Cobb will be a big test for him. Cobb absolutely owned Willie Martinez.
Wildcatter
October 21st, 2010
12:24 pm
Kentucky wins, 34-24. Grantham demonstrates how clueless he is.
Tweets that mention Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 21st, 2010
12:26 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Picasso Kat. Picasso Kat said: Todd Grantham time to earn your money #UGA #Dawgs RT @MarkBradleyAJC http://bit.ly/b7R5ws [...]
Dawgster03
October 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
Kentucky 42, Georgia 27.
Fire Mark Richt.
Josey Wales
October 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
#1 Dawg- just make sure you clean up after your tailgate.
Dawgs Roll!
October 21st, 2010
12:29 pm
UGA will shut down Cobb with Grantham’s 3-4 D, which the players are now buying into. Ga beats UK 27-13 and then gets an easy win against a terrible uf team next week. The key matchup is Auburn. Mark it down–UGA pulls the huge upset and wins the SEC east!!!!
Josey Wales
October 21st, 2010
12:31 pm
Why didn’t UGA “demand their respect” from Colorado or Mississippi State? Did they just ask politely for it?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 21st, 2010
12:31 pm
Scoring more points than KY should win it for us!
Really, what is Kentucky’s D like. I haven’t read much about them. We just need to control the TOP and keep the KY O off the field.
Pulpwood Smith
October 21st, 2010
12:31 pm
It’s not looking good….unless you have a shot of koolaide and some rose colored glasses.
It’ll take than a shot of koolaide. Maybe a couple of gallons, at least.
reality
October 21st, 2010
12:32 pm
Dawgs Roll has been smokin the ganga again.
longtimedawgfan
October 21st, 2010
12:35 pm
“get the picture”…Mark Bradley is no UGA fan…he is, first and last, a true blue Kentucky fan. He misses no opportunity to be negative in his relentless effort to destroy the UGA football and sports program….”kudos to Mark”….not hardly….go back to Lexington
UGABugKiller
October 21st, 2010
12:36 pm
Wow, Mark. I don’t think you’ve EVER missed the mark, pun intended, this badly.
You REALLY think Georgia would’ve beaten Tennessee playing Soft Willie’s Soft Zones, letting Matt Simms do as Erik Ainge and Jon Crompton did before him?
Seriously, Mark, by degrading Grantham here, you seriously lost touch with the reality of just how bad Soft Willie was as a defensive coordinator.
What you aren’t doing is looking at the FACTS.
Georgia is 14th in the NATION in total defense. FACT.
Georgia is 20th in the NATION in scoring defense. FACT.
You think we’d be anywhere near that improved with Soft Willie still at the helm??? We would have gotten BLOWN OUT by South Carolina and Arkansas if Soft Willie were still here.
You can talk about late defensive breakdowns all you want in those two games, but the FACT is, in between the first and last TDs in those two games, the defense HELD South Carolina and Arkansas IN CHECK.
You can’t blame the D for Mike Bobo’s innability to call a decent offensive football game. You can’t blame Grantham for Bobo’s inability to produce TDs instead of field goals.
FACT is Bradley, Todd Grantham has earned every penny this year.
Those who say otherwise simply ignore the big picture. You know… can’t see the forest for the trees.
kral
October 21st, 2010
12:38 pm
The guy who mentioned SC schedule forgot one tough ARK
DawgDad
October 21st, 2010
12:44 pm
If I were forced to pick this game I’d have to pick Kentucky, at home. I’m not convinced by the past two weeks the Dawgs have made any meaningful progress; we’ll have to see Saturday if they have or not.
It would be soooooo cool to see Vandy knock off SC and lead in the East. Snowball’s chance, but it’s interesting to ponder what the reaction would be should Florida, UGA, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina ALL trail at this stage of the season! As it is, somebody has to be in-line to lose in the SEC title game, and come January some high-profile bowl is going to get a real dud team from the SEC.
Corninmypooh
October 21st, 2010
1:11 pm
MB -
Check the stats, baby. UGA is number three in the SEC in defense behind LSU and Alabama. We’re also ranked in the Top 20 in total defense. Grantham is earning his dough working with Martinez’s recruits! There is statistically no question that Georgia’s defense is better under Grantham. Once Todd gets a couple of recruiting classes with players that match his scheme, UGA will be leading the SEC in defense.
JacketBacker
October 21st, 2010
1:12 pm
I remember when Sam Drucker was playing for the Petticoat Junction Polecats and Uncle Jed was playing for Bugtussle Flying Bugs and it was like this here Georgia game with them Kentucky Widcats! Sam was all that and a popsickle like this Cobb man but Uncle Jed’s team held him down and won even is the Sonny Drysdales thought he was jam and jelly!
TheItalianDawg
October 21st, 2010
1:12 pm
my gut tells me the Dawgs will win this game with ease, I think our D has drastically improved,our special teams play very good, and the sky is the limit for our offense if Bobo can make the right calls, we dont need to be conservative especially with exceptional talents in WRs and TEs. Kentucky is a good team but Georgia will be too much for them!
LCDawg
October 21st, 2010
1:22 pm
Yah gotta love the show boating picture above. UGA would have been flagged for 15 yards on the ensuing kick off..they weren’t
papadawg
October 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
You have to admit the defense is much better than last year. I think you’ll see a lot different result against the Cats this year.
jtdawg
October 21st, 2010
1:33 pm
Man, the more I laugh (and poke) at North Avenue Trade Schoolers being more obsessed with our Dawgs than they are their own swarmy pests, the more they come out of hiding.
First?? On a UGA Blog??!!?? I guess that Trade School certificate doesn’t do much at all for you guys. Still at home in mommy’s basement obsessing on anything related to UGA
Tex Cobb's self-description
October 21st, 2010
1:34 pm
“I’m a manhunter.”
IF UGA can finish this ugly season
October 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
KY has a big boy offense. UT and Vandy and MSU do not have. SC and Arkansas could ahve been won and won going away but for stupid Ealey mistakes,etc. That is in the past.
UGa to grow this year ………. has to throttle down on Cobb and the KY O. If they hold KY to say 24 points and we score 25+, I will say fantastic. I fear that this game goes into the final seconds and to whomever has the ball last.
Only a thought: What SEC schools besides UAG and Floorida have a quality starter coming back in 2011 at QB??? Brantly and Murray at Florida and UGA. Newton can turn pro in Feb. Ryan Malett will leave and LSU is still unsettled, regardless of who is a returning starter at QB. MSU and Ole Miss, it matters not. SC has that N. Hall kid but he is just so so and they will get some UGA paybakc regardless in 2011.
UT will have the Simms kid and who cares what kid is the Vandy QB.
Alabama loses McElroy.
UGA and Florida will be the two picked to win in the East come 2011.
Just some ramblings.
Go Dogs. UGA 44-40 KY.