Question: Will it ever get better for Mark Richt at UGA?
Has Mark Richt run out of steam? (AP photo)
AUBURN, Ala. — On the weekend of Cam-demonium, the Georgia Bulldogs were rendered a footnote. But one snippet of semi-news did emerge Saturday morning, courtesy of the Denver Post: Colorado is apparently interested in Mark Richt to fill its coaching vacancy.
And that might be the best for all concerned: Richt to the Rocky Mountains and a new challenge, Georgia spared a decision no program wants to make. Namely, when and how do you say goodbye to a man who lifted your program but seems incapable of further lifting?
In Year 2 under Gene Chizik, the Auburn Tigers clinched the SEC West by winning Saturday. In Year 10 under Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs fell to 5-6.
Said Bacarri Rambo, the safety: “I never thought the University of Georgia could be 5-6.”
Said Akeem Dent, the linebacker: “That would not make sense to anybody.”
It doesn’t make sense, but it’s grim reality. Georgia was 8-5 last season, its worst under Richt, and it will be worse this time — worse with 10 of 11 offensive starters returning plus a hotshot quarterback making his debut, worse with a $750,000 defensive coordinator hired as a presumed upgrade.
Georgia took a 21-7 lead on the nation’s No. 2 team Saturday, whereupon Todd Grantham’s defense yielded touchdowns on six of the next seven possessions. Yes, Auburn has a great offense, and yes, after days of uncertainty the famous Cam Newton not only played but played beautifully. Still: Had the Bulldog defenders even practiced?
Linebacker Justin Houston on Newton: “He didn’t do anything special.”
Then, asked how Auburn could score seven touchdowns and amass 463 yards: “Blown assignments — that’s what has been going on all season.”
How could a defense still be making mistakes in its 11th game? Have players not yet learned the scheme? Houston again: “I guess not. Some guys are not as focused as they need to be.”
That indictment of Grantham is a greater indictment of Richt. The failing of Georgia this season hasn’t been skill or desire but stamina. Players appear to tire, and even the coaching seems to flag.
Georgia had it going Saturday. The Bulldogs were throwing deep off play-action — Auburn doesn’t play much D, either — and running hard, and then coordinator Mike Bobo ordered a direct snap to receiver Branden Smith that gained nothing on second-and-five and blunted a second-quarter drive. Why throw a change-up when they haven’t hit your fastball?
Soon the game was tied, and Richt lost his nerve. Georgia took the ball at its 21 with 51 seconds left in the half and one timeout remaining. It ran a draw to Caleb King and let time expire, content in the belief that it would take possession to begin the second half.
“I guess we didn’t want to make a crazy mistake,” said A.J. Green, who to that point had caught five passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns against Ted Roof’s overmatched secondary. “We took the safe way out.”
Only it wasn’t safe. Chizik called for an onside kick. Auburn retook the lead without Georgia touching the ball. Richt said he told his kickoff-return squad to be wary of such a maneuver. He also said: “I guess you could only tell them so many times.”
Make no mistake: Auburn was the better team. But Georgia had a chance here, and its coaching failed. Same as in Jacksonville. Same as in Starkville. The same thing, again and again.
Richt on this saddening season: “A few key plays, if they went the other way, we win.” Then: “Teams that win championships win close games. We haven’t won a close game yet.”
For the record, Richt spoke in the same room that housed his triumphant press briefing Nov. 16, 2002, the day Georgia beat Auburn in an excruciatingly close game to clinch the SEC East. There was a time when Richt’s teams were the aggressor throughout, when they made the requisite plays at the end. No longer.
Asked about Colorado, Richt smiled and said: “Georgia is my home.”
Asked about Richt, the newly minted Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said: “I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
And yet you wonder if it will ever get better for Mark Richt at Georgia, if we haven’t already seen his best work. His Bulldogs had a chance to grab the nation’s attention Saturday, and they led by 14 points. They lost by 18.
They got weary. Then they got beat. The same thing, again and again.
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1,438 comments Add your comment
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:31 am
Here we go again…ALL season you Dawgs and Bammers have made excuses of how Auburn has made it to 11 and 0. EVERY week we…uh-hem….dodge a bullet. Don’t you get tired of wishful thinking? Breathe…in…out…in…out. Now…don’t you feel better? A poop might help expel that pent up colon as well.
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:34 am
Surfie…that’s just wishful thinking on your part. Auburn did not pay. Oklahoma did not pay. Tennessee did not pay. The ONLY team that talked about PAY was MSU. Dude…don’t be so desperate.
Eric C.
November 14th, 2010
12:34 am
Objective Observer, you said it. But…CTG throws a few choke signs to a kicker who laughs it off and two columns are written (Shultz and Barnhart) about suspension of the coach.
GT2010
November 14th, 2010
12:35 am
A 5-6 UGA team vs a hopeful 6-5 Tech team play in 2 weeks. I hope the damn game isn’t on TV!! This is pathetic football from both programs this year… Georgia and Tech are clearly off the map of college football and it looks to be that way for a couple of more years…..
RosGator
November 14th, 2010
12:36 am
UGA showed its lack of class by the entire team gathering on the Auburn mid-field AU logo before the game for a rah rah session. Seems I ve seen that bad behavior by the boys in Tallahassee. When your 5-5 its not to cool. What’s wiht Richt allowing such behavior.
Eric C.
November 14th, 2010
12:38 am
AU4EVR…Auburn is such a great school that he went there without taking any $$$ when the asking price was $180000
GT2010
November 14th, 2010
12:39 am
Ros gator, looks to me that Auburn started the fight. I thought UGA called the right play by trying to take out that #90 for Auburn. THWG!!
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:39 am
For inquring minds…..Oregon almost lost to Cal….15-13!!! I sure HOPE nobody from BAMA or Dawg country hypes up Oregon’s stats! They play nobody and this near-loss to Cal? Who? Cal? They will CERTAINLY have their hands full with Auburn when we play them for the National Championship. So empty your anger SEC peeps. Shouldn’t you be happy the Title can come home to the SEC FIVE YEARS STR8T!!! Or do you hate AU so much you’d rather Pac Ten take the title!
Derek
November 14th, 2010
12:39 am
AJC needs some balance. Mark and Jeff are wayyyyyyyyy left of center and obviously anti-UGA and for sure anti–RICHT. Where is Lewis Grizzard when we need him. He was true blue.
bardawg
November 14th, 2010
12:40 am
So damn sad , but it appears Mark Richt has relegated himself and the dawgs to a role of mediocrity , to think we had ‘em down by 14 points and let ‘em come ack and beat us the way they did does’nt speak to well for CMR”s ability to get the boys coached up . It was a valiant effort on our part , but we just fell short . Take Van Hellenger with you when you go , the man has’nt done our program any favors withb lack of strength & conditioning.
GT2010
November 14th, 2010
12:40 am
Enter your comments here
Coastal D
November 14th, 2010
12:42 am
No sour grapes. Auburn was the better team (not by much) and won. We could not stop Cam and he is as good as advertised.
I have always viewed Auburn as probably the SEC team I would support when not playing my Dawgs. This is a different team and it is a reflection of Chizik. He and his team showed absolutely no class after the game was well in hand. He encouraged the bad behavior. Hugging Fairley’s neck after the thug made a late hit.
Fairley was dirty all day. Multiple late hits that were never called and hits that we would have been flagged for every time. The one time he was flagged, he should have been ejected. 2 and 1/2 steps after the pass was thrown followed by a spear in the back. Body slams with his helmet into the QB. Glad Georgia’s players stood up for him after he had to leave.
Cannot believe I will pull for Bama against AU, but this classless team has convinced me, also. Yesterday I felt sorry for the true AU fans with what they have coming; now I have to admit for their coach and hot dog QB playing to the media, I am looking rather forward to it.
Interesting when they mentioned AU’s other undefeated seasons they also mentioned, uh, that they were on probation that year. Guess that trend continues.
John Jones
November 14th, 2010
12:43 am
In what way would anyone be led to believe it’s going to get better? Todd Grantham the new guy has had absolutely totally 0 positive effect on the team he’s “choked” if you will.
It’s the 11th game of the year, if these kids were worth crap, they’d have shown it by now. Grantham is a titanic waste of money. That’s 750K, and he’s in over his head. By week 11 you shouldn’t have a set of safeties as God AWFUL as Georgia runs out on a weekly basis.
Rambo should change his name again. He’s worn that one out.
Also, anytime this offensive line wants to actually start you know having their QB’s back and either block a guy or keep him from hitting their QB late would be a good time.
Fairley should be in a hospital tonight working on two blown out knees. Georgia’s offensive line that is supposed to be pretty good…. gutless wonders.
It can’t be said any other way. They let their Quarterback get killed. They took no action to protect him. Completely totally gutless. Searles has done NOTHING to build even a remotely credible line and he’s received nothing but credit since he stepped on campus.
Richt has had 5 years now some years with great talent obviously the last couple with not much and he simply hasn’t done anything with it. There is no reason to believe he’s going to wake up tomorrow and get it back.
They have their opportunities every week against good teams and they simply aren’t good enough.
Letting their QB get demolished should be the last straw. They should have been rolling up Fairley’s knees on every play, not one guy took a shot.
There isn’t a single player on that line that Georgia is going to miss when they are gone.
Pal Joey
November 14th, 2010
12:43 am
Naw, don’t fire Richt. He is good for a UF win every year and the Gators love him. Keep him around. Since UF and UGA both have miserable teams this year, next year should be interesting. UF will count on Richt bringing a team to Jacksonville next year as unprepared as the ones he has been bringing for years. Keep him around. He’s the best friend UF has.
CS22
November 14th, 2010
12:43 am
GT2010……Damn Right Richt ordered the code red on Fairley!!
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:45 am
Well Eric…he didn’t ask for money to play for Kiffen at UT nor did he ask for money to play for Stoops at Oklahoma. How do we know this? THOSE TWO COACHES CAME FORWARD THIS WEEK IN DEFENSE OF THEIR RECRUITING EFFORTS OF CAM! Are you that full of pomp that MAYBE he didn’t ask for money at AU either? Come on…Tennessee?….are they any better than MSU that Cecil would not ask them for cash as well? There’s something dirty at MSU. NOT Auburn. Dude…you can’t wish for something and “poof”…it happens. There ain’t no genie in the bottle to make CAM ineligible at AU for all the rubbing on that lantern you do!
Buckeye
November 14th, 2010
12:45 am
Damn…..I was one point off. I said ( look it up) that Cam would lay 50. Oh well….see you at
T H E B I R M I N G H A M B O W L
PMC
November 14th, 2010
12:46 am
Todd Grantham is in WAY over his head. This coaching staff has been swallowed by the rest of the SEC. The talent, not good enough.
Georgia desperately needs to make wholesale changes. They don’t have much that is right on defense.
Fig Newton is dirtier than an HIV prostitute under an I-85 passover bridge
November 14th, 2010
12:46 am
yeah yeah yeah… don’t matter barners. ALABAMA will ruin your season in 2 weeks.
you dirty, rotten, stinking cheaters
Bambi Downs
November 14th, 2010
12:47 am
same old, same old………yeah, let’s pin it on Richt. Sorry ass excuse.
surfdawg
November 14th, 2010
12:47 am
Thank you GT2010 for your objective comments. Just like you could see it I think everyone could see it, and hopefully The SEC will see it and Mr. Fairley will be suspended
Buckeye
November 14th, 2010
12:48 am
Go Bucks……..BCS Bound………again…..
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
12:49 am
Katherine
November 13th, 2010
9:49 pm
* I meant Nick Fairley in my previous post. This is a quote from another article:
Except for the ugliness that characterized the final minutes, thanks to the SEC officiating crew looking the other way throughout the game as Auburn headhunter Nick Fairley continually hit Murray late and tried to hurt him with his now infamous body slams.
Just says it all….
—-
Rumor is the SEC said they may suspend several UGA players as well after a review of the video.
Look, if Fairley played for UGA everyone on here would celebrate his Ray Lewis style of make you think twice before you drop back, run or catch that ball.
Let’s not be hypocrites because we lost. Block Fairley and he won’t nail your QB into the ground. That’s football 101.
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:50 am
Coastal…sounds like you’re buying into all the negative hype as well. Yes that one play by Fairley into Murray’s back was bad but ALL teams take cheap shots at the QB when they get the chance. The only reason it’s magnified against AU is because of our position and all the media hype with Cam Newton. It sucks but it’s easy to be impartial when your opinion becomes tainted. And let’s face it…everyone is hating on Auburn. They always have but especially now that we are undefeated and looking as if we’re playing for the BCS Title.
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
12:52 am
2 questions: a) why doesn’t Cecil Sr get praised for picking Auburn, they’re 11-0 now?
b) why did CMR and crew think Cam could only be a TE?
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
12:55 am
Fig Newton…that record is getting old. I have read blogs ALL season from Bammers. First you said it would be ARKY to take us out…then it would be LSU…and we know the rest of the story. Now you say it’s YOU…Bammers. Your Heisman trophy has been SHUT OUT! He’s not even an Honorable Mention this year. Georgia said they would own us today. You say you’ll own us 11/26. You”ve been rubbing that same genie lamp they possess! Are you boys just passing it around in hopes?
Coastal D
November 14th, 2010
12:55 am
AU4EVR, get a clue. They change their story every day. Cam knew about the money in Dec, but doesn’t know now???
UGA2002, no hypocrites, just dirty play when the game was still in doubt, but even after the game was well in hand. Fairley and his classless coach caused it.
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
12:56 am
Complaining about cheap shots won’t win the game, fwiw.
Look, McElroy will drop back in the pocket and be thinking about Fairley. The o-line will be thinking about Fairley. Everyone will be thinking about Fairley.
That’s why Fairley tries to knock players out of the game. We need a Fairley.
Fig Newton is dirtier than an HIV prostitute under an I-85 passover bridge
November 14th, 2010
12:56 am
Any team would be 11 – 0 if they paid $200+ for their QB
CS22
November 14th, 2010
12:56 am
Can’t wait until Bama eats up “Fib Newton”!!
GT2010
November 14th, 2010
12:58 am
Hey AU4EVR, You remember when that weak little ACC team in Atlanta called the Yellow Jackets beat the hell out of Auburn in 2003 and 2005… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srFm48Mt028
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
12:59 am
Coastal, what are you talking about? Knew but didn’t know about the money? Are you reading headlines or are you reading articles?
And anyone complaining about Fairley is being hypocritical. Period. End of story. Unless you want me to mention a certain 44 year old coach cussing at and showing a choke sign to a 20 year old and not apologizing?
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
1:00 am
In defense of Mark Richt….Georgia actually had a great game against AU. You shut down CAM in ways no one has been able to all season. So for that…give props to your Coach. You may have lost but come one people…you played the #2 team in the Nation. 11-0….not for no reason are they 11 and 0. I say lay off your coach and let him do his job. Remember….we are the SEC!!! WHO wins EVERY year? Certainly not BAMA or Florida as everyone previously thought! Who in the hell would EVER have thought we’d see the GAMECOCKS in the East? Everyone is surprised about Auburn in the WEST but Gamecocks? Hats off to Spurrier…no pun intended but good to see him back. He’s a much humbled man since the days at Florida.
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
1:00 am
sweet, GT in the mix talking about… 2003 and 2005?
Want to talk about 2010?
Coastal D
November 14th, 2010
1:00 am
AU4EVR, read my post. I pull for you, but your teams have not struck me this way in the past regardless how this game turned out. In 2004 I thought you got screwed and you beat us that year.
Certainly not an AU hater, but we’ll see how it plays out.
surfdawg
November 14th, 2010
1:01 am
AU4EVER you don’t want to believe your best player has done anything wrong when he is implicated in a possible NCAA investigation ie. AJ Green, but the chances are he did, you know and I know.
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
1:03 am
In defense of Mark Richt….Georgia actually had a great game against AU. You shut down CAM in ways no one has been able to all season. So for that…give props to your Coach. You may have lost but come one people…you played the #2 team in the Nation. 11-0….not for no reason are they 11 and 0. I say lay off your coach and let him do his job. Remember….we are the SEC!!! WHO wins EVERY year? Certainly not BAMA or Florida as everyone previously thought! Who in the hell would EVER have thought we’d see the GAMECOCKS in the East? Everyone is surprised about Auburn in the WEST but Gamecocks? Hats off to Spurrier…no pun intended but good to see him back. He’s a much humbled man since the days at Florida.
Tech…sorry but aren’t you the guys always bashing on Georgia? Next week you’ll be using this AU win against Georgia as a thorn in their backside. Another way to rub it in.
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
1:03 am
You know who the real winner is tonight?
Kirk Herbstriet. Predicted before the season started that Auburn would win the west while #1 defending national champions Alabama sat a top of the polls and projected national title game. Wow. Pretty boy was right.
Biggest shock of the season, however, is not UGA. It’s Auburn undefeated, Texas lousy and Florida lousy, Oregon #1.
So What!!!
November 14th, 2010
1:04 am
UGA 2002, Well if you wanna be a smart ass go right ahead. Your 5-6 and you suck. Tech is 5-5 and they suck. Tell me something i don’t know.
Objective Observer
November 14th, 2010
1:05 am
Not unexpected. Bradley (and, let’s face it, Schultz) supports Auburn’s cheap-shot play.
As well, again, as Chris Rainey’s antics of the field for Florida.
The AJC could do a lot better.
WAR CAM EAGLE
November 14th, 2010
1:06 am
GEORGIA FANS JUST CAN’T HANDLE THE FACT THAT THEY SUCK AND HAVE SUCKED FOR A WHILE. THEY PULL FOR GEORGIA, AND WHOEVER AUBURN, ALABAMA, FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TECH IS PLAYING. EVERYBODY, THAT IS SOMEBODY, HATES THE ONCE POPULAR GEORGIA BULLDOGS. GOOD AT WHINNING INSTEAD OF WINNING. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS! HEARD THE SEC WANTS YOU OUT.
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AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
1:06 am
In defense of Mark Richt….Georgia actually had a great game against AU. You shut down CAM in ways no one has been able to all season. So for that…give props to your Coach. You may have lost but come one people…you played the #2 team in the Nation. 11-0….not for no reason are they 11 and 0. I say lay off your coach and let him do his job. Remember….we are the SEC!!! WHO wins EVERY year? Certainly not BAMA or Florida as everyone previously thought! Who in the hell would EVER have thought we’d see the GAMECOCKS in the East? Everyone is surprised about Auburn in the WEST but Gamecocks? Hats off to Spurrier…no pun intended but good to see him back. He’s a much humbled man since the days at Florida and I think he’s here to stay.
Coastal D
November 14th, 2010
1:06 am
UGA 2002, Grantham’s choke sign? Give me a break. Even the kid said it was nothing. Doesn’t hurt him or ruin his career at all. Hits for which one should be suspended are an entirely different matter. No place for it and I am glad we don’t have a Fairley and if we did our coaches would not allow it. We had a player suspended for an illegal block earlier in the season when he did it in frustration; do you not remember? There is no place for such behavior in athletics. Never.
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
1:06 am
In defense of Mark Richt….Georgia actually had a great game against AU. You shut down CAM in ways no one has been able to all season. So for that…give props to your Coach. You may have lost but come one people…you played the #2 team in the Nation. 11-0….not for no reason are they 11 and 0. I say lay off your coach and let him do his job. Remember….we are the SEC!!! WHO wins EVERY year? Certainly not BAMA or Florida as everyone previously thought! Who in the hell would EVER have thought we’d see the GAMECOCKS in the East? Everyone is surprised about Auburn in the WEST but Gamecocks? Hats off to Spurrier..good to see him back. I for one missed him.
UGA2002
November 14th, 2010
1:08 am
surfer dude, I don’t think he did.
I’ve read most every article, the only common thread is out of control MSU boosters and the rest are a lot of anonymous folks who have no evidence.
There has been nothing to contradict the “I did nothing wrong” comment made by Newton. Nada.
Get over it. Auburn has a QB and is 11-0, beat us, SEC West Champs and possible Heisman winner and what did we say about him? He’d make a good tight end.
Sour grapes.
AU4EVR
November 14th, 2010
1:10 am
In defense of Mark Richt….Georgia actually had a great game against AU. You shut down CAM in ways no one has been able to all season. So for that…give props to your Coach. You may have lost but come one people…you played the #2 team in the Nation. 11-0….not for no reason are they 11 and 0. I say lay off your coach and let him do his job. Remember….we are the SEC!!! Everyone is so sure it will be Bama and Florida in East/West every year. Be proud that our conference is not so weak…the wealth is spread! As long as it’s SEC on January 1…be frickin happy!!!
surfdawg
November 14th, 2010
1:11 am
Hey BRADLEY could you go ahead and ban WAR CAM EAGLE before he ruins your blog with his full page HAHAHAHA session. He is also an arrogant jerk
wreckmaniac
November 14th, 2010
1:12 am
Its a disgrace for either Tech or UGA to go to a “bowl” game. Any game they play in after Thanksgiving should not be a “bowl” game but should be some sort of equivalent to the NIT tournament in basketball.
gabulldog66
November 14th, 2010
1:12 am
We lost this in the second half. Unlike previous game we cam out humming in the first half and we came out flat in the secord half. How do you loose the kickoff and then take a punishing on a quirk snap. We lost all our momentum in two plays. This is on the coaches not the players. Time for a change.
Angry Dawg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 14th, 2010
1:13 am
Bradley + Schultz = Bullsh-t