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
Meatlake
October 23rd, 2010
7:35 am
Bill…You rather M Bradley have gone to an ACC, PAC 10, Big 10 etc. school instead? You rather T. Moore still be “writing” too? Don’t answer that last question. You feel “mocked and humiliated”… really? I don’t think Bradley being a UK alum is the issue here. On second thought, maybe you’re onto something. This article may just be a plot to get our beloved Dawgs to focus on R. Cobb instead of Hartline and his 68% pass completion, his QB rating of almost 150 and his TD/Int ratio of 13-3. Mutiny!!!
Thank you techies for “visiting” our blog and your continued obsession with UGA football. How many of you actually attend GT home games? No need to answer that last one either cause we both already know how GT fans “support” their team at home games. Sic em’.
Bain
October 23rd, 2010
7:54 am
Nice guy that quincy carter is. No surprise he went to the UGA. You recruit some standout fellers.
Chase
October 23rd, 2010
8:19 am
Hey Meathead
This IS NOT a uga blog you idiot. Just because the subject is about YOUR team, doesn’t make it a blog for YOUR team. Jacka$$
Alex
October 23rd, 2010
8:19 am
Kentucky 34
Uga 25
Richie Dawg
October 23rd, 2010
8:42 am
I know that the game is being shown on css and espn -gp. For those of us that don’t have comcast, I use directv, does anyone know how to get this game other than going to a sports bar?
Warpath1
October 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
Right now Ga is 3rd in total defense in the SEC. Would you believe me if I told you that they are only 2 yards difference per game between them and Kirby Smart all world defense in Alabama. Give him some time and I think he’ll get Ga’s defense where it needs to be. He just needs to get some recruits up front that will fit the 3-4 scheme.
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2010
9:50 am
SEC Fact Finder….
The Gator season has nothing to do with “identity” and more to do with two missed FGs by their outstanding punter (Henry) instead of their outstanding placekicker (Sturgis) that would make them 6-1 instead of 4-3…..and poor coaching by one Steve Addazio as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach….the two biggest issues with the Gators (other than losing the placekicker) this year.
My recruiting post on Gatorsports.com was mostly about Dominique Ealey and Joshua Powell, two highly recruited 5-star recruits who have been a disrupt force as freshman on the football team this year (neither dressed for the last game) and that both will probably transfer at the end of the year….and that will be a good thing. No panic…just hoping they leave town if they don’t fix their attitudes. Ronald Powell was one of the three for a while, but he seems to have turned his attitude and effort around and is realizing that being a high school superstar does not have you a super player as a freshman in college….hard work does.
All I know is that Georgia better be ready to play next weekend. I believe the Gators will be healthy (for the first time in a while), prepared, and very hungry to continue their recent dominance over the Dawgs.
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2010
9:53 am
and Fact Finder….(who might also be Paper Dawgs)…
To repeat a familar line…..what are Dawg fans doing on a Gator website? Don’t you have your own paper over their in Athens?
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
Also…..FACT FINDER
Florida lost to 3 top 25 teams, two of which are top 5 teams…and crushed Kentucky, the opponent the Dawgs are so concerned about this weekend. The Dawgs lost big to the team Florida lost to by 3 points. The Dawgs also lost Big to Colorado….again…Colorado…BIG!!! Florida lost BIG to Bama…..big difference.
I don’t think any Gator fan is in panic mode about playing the Dawgs. The only panic we feel is when Steve Addazio makes yet another stupid offensive play call that ends up costing the Gators a win because a game comes down to a punter kicking FGs.
The Gators will be at their most healthy state next weekend….and they should be better prepared and ready to play Georgia….I have no doubt about that. Georgia better be or it will be 18 of 21….but this is a great chance for Georgia to win…no doubt about that as well. Florida is down due to some poor coaching by Addazio, lots of injuries, a real bad decision by Rainey, two missed FGs, and some desention cause by some highly recruited freshman. But as bad as this season has been for the Gators…they remain in control of their own road to Atlanta along with South Carolina….Georgia doesn’t. Just the FACTS…Fact Finder.
dawgmatic
October 23rd, 2010
10:28 am
Looks like the tech nerds got to this blog first. Shame they aren’t more passionate about their own damn team. Silly virgins.
UKoverALL
October 23rd, 2010
11:42 am
For those who think statistics win games. it would be note worthy to point out that UK has played FL, SC, Auburn, and Ole Miss (3 powerhouses) versus GA’s games against AK, Miss St, Vandy, TN, and SC (1 powerhouse. The lone two wins for GA were against lowly TN and Vandy.
For those I also say that games are won on the field, and I give the advantage to UK considering that a) they have played the tougher part of the schedule, b) they played all their games very competively (except FL), c) the game is in Lexington and d) GA’s QB is a freshman and has not done much away from home.
But then again, who knows?
GO CATS!
UKoverALL
October 23rd, 2010
11:45 am
Also worth mentioning is that Hartline is a senior QB who is playing great football right now. UK’s problems on defense were against QBs who could run the ball.
Big Daddy Powell
October 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
1#DOGFAN, I will be at the game also and if you try to break line in front of I will put you where the past ug’s are homer. You make the other GA fans on here look bad you need to stay in your trailer in the middle of the that red mud and get some false teeth. To get respect you give respect learn it know it do it. good luck to you tonight GA.
Uga Football Schedule 2010
October 23rd, 2010
12:28 pm
[...] Excited for UGA Foot. Forum Code : [url=http://vidnux.com/sq/686197/uga-footbalUga Football Schedule 2010 - I know, I know, it's motivational. NEVER give up UGA fans, GO DAWGS!! *I o. Twitter: [...]
Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb | Mark … | ENA news
October 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
[...] Originally posted here: Mission critical for UGA and Grantham: Corral Randall Cobb | Mark … [...]
Ah, Peace at Last!
October 23rd, 2010
1:53 pm
This nonpartisan observer takes great relief in UGA’s mediocre season. Surely the most obnoxious fans in the South are Georgia fans, and they’re surpassed only by Ohio State fans for the national title. Keep struggling, Dawgs. I love the quiet and the moaning.
Steve "The King" Spurrier
October 23rd, 2010
2:09 pm
sent from my Blackberry…
Just got back from Lexington last Sunday night, all my Wildcat friends said they were preparing a BBBBBQ for the weekend. Big Bad Bruce will be on the rotisserie today… Wildcat style!
The dogs are entering their schedule’s Amen Corner and it aint a pretty site.
(Check back later and see whose head they’re calling for next.)
I predict the Wildcats will score higher than most UGA grads can count (even with both of their brogans off). They even beat me last week. (Lots of folks say I beat myself.)
Beating poor ole Vandy aint nothing to write home about boys. I’ll tell you more about that later today. It wasn’t exactly Battle of the Titans between those hedges. Looked like a couple of AA high school teams fighting it out.
SEC Fact Finder
October 23rd, 2010
2:13 pm
Tampa Gator…
Once again your ignorance shows and you have yet to catch up to current events. I have never been a UGA fan. I realize at your age you my suffer from Alzheimers.
Yes, every article for the past three weeks about FLORIDA has been, “IDENTITY”. You can just not face the facts that Urban has lost his edge. The same thing has been told to me privately from numerous beat reporters, columnist and others who are on campus since the return from the Sebatical.
As for the PAPER Dawg comment, I read that post and searched for the article and found your crying in the comments section.
As I have stated many many times, I live in TAMPA-Westchase and when not doing my “real job”.
I work with the officials in the SEC and attend many games each year, while umpiring Baseball games in the spring for the SEC/ACC/ B-East, and a few others. I am fortunate enough to own 2 national championship rings for working in two different D-1 programs(as it was known when I was in school) and worked for a couple of pro baseball teams while I was a much younger man.
So this Bulldog crap is pretty funny, since as a GATOR fan you pop up on every article about, Tech, UGA, or the SEC spouting off about your gators this year. Now I want the SEC to win the BCS game every year, and I always want any SEC team to beat every other outer conference school, (even when UF played USF), but while working I keep to myself, do my job and go home, then I post on here without worry for my words.
By the way I do work the USC/ UF game this year, and the Alabama/MSU game, in coming weeks.
So , I know you think you are in “the know”, but as I said much earlier in the season, there are problems in the UF program and many many other people knew before the season started and if Coach Meyer does not make the changes this off week, it could be a long remaining fall. I think he will and you will see a much different approach to the GATOR offense next week in Jacksonville.
Good luck to ya, in Clearwater….I will be in LARGO tomorrow after the BUCS get beat on, then
South Georgia
October 23rd, 2010
2:23 pm
Auburn has a soft defense. LSU will win today. Cam Newton will take a big hit to his Heisman hopes.
SECMAN
October 23rd, 2010
5:29 pm
Gotta win this one dawgs. Then we will see those gators go down.
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2010
5:52 pm
SEC Fact Finder….
EVERY ARTICLE! Wow! Really? Meyer and Brantley don’t think it is an “identity issue causing the loss of games. They think it is an issue of execution of the offense, injuries to key members of the team throughout the year, youthful mistakes, and three missed FGs that prevented the Gators from beating both LSU and Miss. State…but I guess you are “more in the know” than Meyer or Brantley based on you “press connections”…and we all know the press knows everyting about everything, right?
Also…speaking of ignorance….Alzheimers is not a disease directly related to aging (and when did 59 become that old anyway?). I would think someone of such a fine address as Tampa/Westchase would know that. I prefer the beauty of living on beautiful North Beach of Clearwater myself. Easier to walk the beach early in the morning. Come join me some morning and I will “enlighten” you some more.
william cranman
October 23rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Does the AJC not have Bradley in Lexington blogging for the game? Does the AJC know that UGA is playing tonight? Why would Bradley not be there? He is from there.
william cranman
October 23rd, 2010
6:08 pm
And Tampa Gator, that new Hyatt on Clearwater Beach is stunning. I had a conference there last week. Amazing. I live in Palm Harbor. The whole area is fantastic.
SEC Fact Finder
October 23rd, 2010
11:14 pm
I went back and counted the number of articles in the Gainesville Sun, Orlando Sentinel and Florida Times Union where the word “Identity” is used in article to describe The Gators in the last month…
17 out of 42.
As for Clearwater Beach…nice, but we have a house off of St. Pete Beach Gulf Side, and we own property in Panama City( that is where my lovely bride is originally from) but I would be glad to catch up with you sometimes on the Beach. I was only kidding about the Alzheimers deal, my grandfather suffered with it for years before passing away. That was probably in poor taste.
Those Dogs looked pretty good on offense, but that defense is still pretty pourous and poorus for UGA, the gators can stop UGA, the real question is which offense for Florida shows up next week.
Catchcha later…
SEC Fact Finder
October 23rd, 2010
11:17 pm
Another No. 1 is going down presently in Oklahoma, maybe next week (as bad as I DISLIKE LANE KIFFIN) USC can paste a spanking on Oregon in Cali…