The doctor is in: What UGA must do to rise from mediocrity
Yes, but being 6-6 shouldn't ever be cause for celebration. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
This is the week, Mark Richt said late Saturday night, to recruit in earnest. And it’s true that one of the teams that played in Sanford Stadium on Saturday needs a talent infusion, but it’s not Richt’s Bulldogs.
Georgia Tech has a clear idea of what it is but insufficient manpower to get it where it wants to go. Georgia has, and has long had, enough players — not that it couldn’t use more — but has come to lack direction. As these middling-by-definition teams head into December and then 2011, we address their respective needs. First, Georgia’s.
Step 1: Get stronger. It has long been suggested that Georgia’s conditioning program has gotten soft, and we saw striking evidence again Saturday night. Tech ruled the line of scrimmage. Dave Van Halanger, Georgia’s strength coach, had a hand in building SEC championship teams here — those were his offseason mat drills, transferred from Florida State, referenced in “Finish The Drill” — but the Bulldogs have come to look comparatively peaked. (And not just against Tech; Auburn scored touchdowns on six of its final seven possessions two weeks earlier.)
The issue: Van Halanger is Richt’s best friend. Willie Martinez might have been Richt’s college buddy, but it’s Van Halanger with whom Richt goes jogging. Richt waited long — too long — to sack Martinez as defensive coordinator, but finally he did it. He needs now to make an even more difficult personal decision and upgrade a position that has become substandard.
Step 2: Get edgier. An acronym born under Erk Russell is still written on the board before every Georgia game — GATA. (Loosely translated, “Get After Them Aggressively.”) The Bulldogs, however, have become slow burners. They didn’t take a lead against an SEC opponent until the season’s fourth conference game. They trailed Florida 21-7 in a game they might have won easily had they built a two-touchdown advantage. When they responded to Auburn’s opening touchdown with three of their own, the question asked itself: Why don’t do they do this more often?
As we say in hockey and figure skating, Georgia football has lost its edge. Some of this has to do with preparation, but not all. Which leads us to …
Step 3: Get an idea. Richt is a finesse coach. Georgia runs the ball as a counterpoint. Its staple running play over these 10 years has been the sprint draw, and a draw is by design a fake pass. There’s no reason for Richt to change what he believes and become Woody Hayes reincarnate, and that’s fine. Where Georgia errs is in seeking to be both finesse offense and power offense. Artificial concerns over “balance” need to be tossed in yonder trashcan.
When Georgia fans rage at Mike Bobo for “going conservative,” they have half a point. Running isn’t a bad conceptual idea, but Bobo/Richt seem to feature the run at moments when all running can do is slow Georgia. The top two teams in the BCS standings have gotten there by playing fast and attacking for four quarters. Time for the Bulldogs to join the fun.
Have a seat in the waiting room. Dr. Bradley’s Rx for Georgia Tech can be found here.
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601 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
7:38 pm
“I think Dan Mullins would be made an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Not if you misspell his name on the offer letter.
dawgz
November 29th, 2010
7:41 pm
Whatever happened to those were saying that “when DJ Shockley took over the offense Richt was going to be able to finally open up this offense.”? Wasn’t his offense supposed to be more fast paced and airing it out? I know its a long way back to go but I’ve wondered about this all season long…
As far as identity, I like the Patriots’ approach – they attack whatever the defense is weak against. If its tough against the run they pass (with runs queued to keep the defense honest), against teams tough against the pass they run. Too many times this season we’ve seen a “committment” to the run or the pass when it wasn’t as necessary as they seemed to think it was.
Just saying…
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
7:43 pm
@Phil – ” I don’t think Stanford could keep UGA under 30″
Stanford may be the opponent in the Sugar Bowl. Unless Auburn blows it, the SEC representative will be Arkansas. That should answer the questions one way or the other.
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
7:43 pm
B.S. We have TALENT Bradley. If you knew football and you don’t, you would be able to consider the football defenses for example of the past and know it’s NOT HERE and NOT COMING. On Offense, we have only 2 pieces this year QB and TE and we designed no plays to take advantage of a guy who will play TE in the NFL a long time. We have 1 more piece AJ Green and we lost 3 games without him, 3 games with him and the reason is the TALENT on this offense has been DECLINING STEADILY. On Special teams, we play walk-ons. We gave away half a dozen scholarships to walk-ons who NEVER play. The 2009 class is not on the roster this season, the 2010 class is worst of CMR Era and the 2011 is more of the same. We’re not going to be good for a long time and only then when we do recruit. You left out Todd Grantham after a whole year and 2 weeks to prepare looked worse in Game 12 than in Game 1, Mike Bobo sucks, Rodney Garner has lost it, Dave Van Halanger is no good, the kick-off returns are # 77 worst in the nation, we can’t make 3rd downs, we won Fulmer NC most arrested / suspended and less anyone think it is just 1 year, we are # 2 in Fulmer Cup standings after 2005 through today. Our Offense is NCAA Rank # 50 Total Offense; we beat NO ONE. We lost to 2 nobodies. We have not beat a Top 10 Final AP Poll team since 2006 # 9 Auburn and we LOST 4 games that year and 20 games the last 5 years – 4 games LOST per season average over the last 5 years. CMR has not proved that he can HIRE 1 single coach for his coaching staff. The recruits do not want to come here. Try asking the recruits Mark Bradley. Remember Herschel Walker told you Mark we have NO RECRUITS, LOSE TOO MANY GAMES, and has NO DISCIPLINE.
bulldogforlife
November 29th, 2010
7:46 pm
Run Ealey run. Don’t take Ealey out after 2 or 3 runs. He can handle 20 -25 times per game. If u noticed he didn’t get any touches until late in 2nd quarter and 2nd half. The more touches he gets, the better he gets. Run Ealey Run. How many records did he set in high school? And yes he broke Herschel’s number of TD’s in the state. Just feed it to him and he will keep the chains moving.
Buzz Killer
November 29th, 2010
7:47 pm
CPJ doesn’t look like a genius. He looks more like a dude that ate too many prunes.
boog
November 29th, 2010
7:47 pm
Whatever… blah blah blah… You wouldn’t know a successful strength and conditioning program if it bit you on the ass. Tell me one thing you know about UGA’s S&C program as compared to another that you think is superb? I don’t know if there S&C program needs a facelift or not…and neither do you. Do you know a thing about plyometric training…in season and off season… do you know anything about CNS training as opposed to absoulte strength training? No you don’t… so just shut your pie hole and stick with your vanilla worthless journalism.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2010
7:48 pm
Delber D
With us losing those starters on D and you include Duram and Green
Why would anyone think we will do great next year come to reality people
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
7:52 pm
BoWeevil – Furthermore, I don’t think Christian Lemay will be willing to sit for 3 years behind Aaron Murray. Murray’s passer rating for the regular season is 9th in the NCAA FBS at 162.7.
Mark Bradley - NOT
November 29th, 2010
7:52 pm
Ouch boog, are you Dave Van Hallanger???
dawginduluth
November 29th, 2010
7:52 pm
So, another screed on how RIcht needs to change. Change his coaching. Change his staff. This guy is ten years into coaching in the SEC and he hasn’t figured it out? He won early with Donnan recruited and coached talent. This was the guy that knew how to coach…could hit the road running. So, here we are again with another “we’re going to do things different next year.” It’s always next year. It’s always trying a new way to coach. This guy has had as much raw talent as Meyer, Saban and, now, Chizik. He just doesn’t know what to do with it. Look at Chizik and all his young talent that he coached-up to produce beyond their years. Hell, Chizik came from a losing program at Iowa State. Don’t you lame ass Richt suck-ups know that there is another Chizik out there that can deliver for the Dawgs – at half the price? It’s time to terminate this dead wood.
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
7:54 pm
Arkansas will LIGHT UP
Stanford’s Defense who has played NO BODY
Neither has Oregon played 1 good team
Official NCAA SOS through November 28, 2010 :
# 104 Nevada
# 102 Georgia tek
# 70 Virginia Tech
# 69 TCU
# 66 Wisconsin
# 63 Stanford
# 54 Ohio State
# 51 Nebraska
# 77 Oregon
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2010/Internet/toughest%20schedule/fbs_9games_cumm.pdf
Buzz Killer
November 29th, 2010
7:55 pm
I also wonder about Lemay. With the way Murray played this year, I will be surprised if he sticks to his committment. I hope we can find a franchise RB and some tall athletic WRs out there somewhere. And we really need a big strong NT. I would trade Lemay for that wish list.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
7:57 pm
Flat Tire – Yes, and that was cut and pasted from the list of offense and defense that I posted last week. Here is the offense:
Starters
————
FB Chapas – 3 stars
WR Durham – 3 stars
WR Green* – 5 stars
OL Boling – 3 stars
Backups
————-
FB Munzenmaier 3 stars
OL C. Davis – 3 stars
OL J. Davis – 3 stars
I think Boling was clearly the best O-lineman, but there will be some returnees in 2011.
*Possible early departure to NFL
dawginduluth
November 29th, 2010
7:59 pm
Hell, even Richt’s Ford commercials suck. His phone is integrated with his pickup truck so he has quick access to recruits calling. Uh, Mark, I don’t think you’re going to need that feature for a while. “Is that you, Katherine?” Make me puke.
John McCain said it best...
November 29th, 2010
8:03 pm
it’s time for a regime change.
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
8:06 pm
Top Strength of Schedules by Top teams 2010 :
# 3 Auburn
# 3 tie South Carolina
# 7 Arkansas
# 10 LSU
# 16 Alabama
Auburn, for example, has WINS over :
# 22 Mississippi State
# 19 South Carolina
# 7 Arkansas
# 10 LSU
# 16 Alabama
Show me teams these other so-called top ranked teams beat ?
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=rivals-1158751
Barry
November 29th, 2010
8:06 pm
Bradley makes some very good points, but personally, I think our secondary play has been poor for at least 2 years. Too many blown coverages for big plays and TD’s. Zone coverage is very loose, safeties are usually late breaking to the ball, etc. Cornerbacks (and safeties) are frequently poor at tackling – particularly in open field. They seem to always go for the “big hit” instead of the sure tackle.
I am not convinced that we have the best D-coordinator that we can find, but he deserves another season to recruit the right players and to teach the system.
Mark Richt has earned another year as well, but in my view, the Dogs need to improve in every phase of the game, as well as conduct off the field. We are not a very smart team and we commit far too many stupid penalties. I felt the young QB, Murray was a real bright spot for the Dogs and he will get better each season – though he will miss Greem who certainly will go to the NFL.
BW
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
8:12 pm
Oregon has played *nobody* this year?
Tennessee (tied for 3rd in SEC East)
Arizona St.* (Unranked)
#9 Stanford
#24 USC
#21 Arizona
Arizona St. losses include:
20-19 to Wisconsin
34-33 to USC
31-28 to Oregon St.
17-13 to Stanford
Rankings are AP at time game was played
Paul in RDU
November 29th, 2010
8:13 pm
Stanford has played NO BODY??? And Oregon hasn’t played 1 good team???
BoWeevill / buLLdog – Stanford is 11-1 with their only defeat being to Oregon (11-0).
What is your definition of a good team? It’s obviously not a team that is unbeaten and rated at the top of the computer polls.
icedawg
November 29th, 2010
8:13 pm
I agree with most of what was said. However, I would differ on the point of talent. I think that overall the UGA talent has been overrated, especially on defense. Love you guys down south but you have tunnel vision when it comes to talent evaluation. There are good years and bad years everywhere and UGA has had a few mediocre years in spite of what the “experts” say. If UGA is going to play the 3-4 defense then the present personnel has proven that it is not well suited to play this configuration. The D line was sliced and diced all year long. 3-4 might be fine for the pros but it sure was a bust for the DAWGS.
bill
November 29th, 2010
8:14 pm
I keep hearing why get rid of Richt after one bad year, where have ya’ll been the last 4 years, it is not one bad year. I’ve been hearing give one more year since 2008, how many one more years does he get. If not for Vandy we would be at the bottom of the SECnow. Maybe we will make it after “one more year” to the very bottom. I know if I performed on my job like Richt has I wouldn’t have gotten one more year 4 times.
Damon Evans
November 29th, 2010
8:16 pm
The solution is to rehire me. I promise I will only handle red clothing as appropriate. Pleez. I want that salary again; I promise to behave. My wife has forgiven me; why can’t you all. And let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Jesus already has died for my sins — why can’t you forgive me. Pleez, people.
San Francisco Dawg
November 29th, 2010
8:17 pm
Mark Bradley does not know about football…I see it every time I read his column…I am waiting, Mark, for something more substantial from you…trying to critique the Dawgs is not your best shot at good writing..
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2010
8:17 pm
Delbert D
Well thats why I think 8-4 is our best at seasons end with a loss to FL again and 3 losses coming by way of stupidity and being out coached
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2010
8:19 pm
BoWeevil – The PAC-10 and SEC get only 2 spots in the BCS games. Unless Auburn stubs their toe against S.C., Auburn will play Oregon in the *big game*, and Stanford will play Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl (or possibly the Orange Bowl vs. the ACC; I hope not)
Those games should settle a few things.
Canton DAWG
November 29th, 2010
8:21 pm
Thanks Bullfrawg at least someone got it right!
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:21 pm
I’ve said for years, when Richt wins big, it’s scoring margin (see 2002 & 2007), when Richt has a subpar year, it’s scoring margin.
It’s the only stat that really matters.
Bama +17, Aub +12, SC +13, Ark +12, Georgia +7
It predicts wins and losses well.
Bobo has to average 36 points, and Grantham has to average 20 points.
Sautee Dawg
November 29th, 2010
8:21 pm
The comments on the o-line coach are out of line. Murray wasn’t sacked but 1 timw against Tech and it was a cheap one. He had all night to throw the ball. We also had some good runs. our o-line held up pretty good this year. as far as being pushed arounrd on the line of scrimmage, nobody whipped us badly this season on either side.
Mark did you watch the game saturday?? Does it look like our players are unhappy playing for the University of Ga? Or playing for Coach MR?
1 play in 4 of our losses goes a different way we win instead of lose and you know it Mark.
Why would Coach MR be asked to change the way he coaches? our players played hard this season they didn’t give up on a single game,
personally I think that our coach did a hell of a job winning 6 with a redshirt freshman QB in the SEC.
In case you haven’t noticed Mark the past 4 National Chapions have come from that SEC.
Do you praise our Coach for the turnaround in penalties this season. We had 2 saturday against Tech for 10 yards.
Our penalties are 1/3 of what they have been.
Our kick coverage and punt coverage is twice as good as last season.
We lead the SEC in Kick off return yards and have the BEST DAMN kicking tandem in college football.
Our turnover ratio is half what it’s been in the previous seasons.
Why don’t you find some good to writ about Mark?
we have one of the most promising QB’s in the land also The Ogeeltree kid from Newnan
is another freshman that will play on sunday.
We are loaded with tallent but, so is everybody else in the SEC.
Not a team in the SEC that don’t have players from the Great State of Georgia.
Why don’t just for giggles you do an article on the players in the NFL that’s been coached by Coach Mark Richt? While your at it Do the same for Tech, they too have some great players playing on sunday.
PRINT SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR A CHANGE!!!!! PLEASE!!!
Enough of the coach bashing, it’s every other day from you.
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
8:27 pm
Aaron Murray was great this year
# 50 NCAA Rank Total Offense he was the leader for
LOST 6 games
Each other qb all 6 losses out-performed Aaron Murray head-to-head
Beat no good team, not 1
# 8 team in SEC standings he led
# 8 team in SEC in Total Offense he led
Only 2 SEC teams settled for more field goals than Aaron Murray
Sacked 22 times in 12 games Aaron Murray
# 8 team in SEC in 1st Downs Aaron Murray’s Offense
# 12 team in SEC is causing defense penalty Aaron Murray
# 7 team in SEC 3rd down conversions, ie vs tek 2-7 Murray
# 9 team in SEC 4th down conversions Aaron Murray
# 9 worst team in SEC in red zone settling for field goals
http://sec.xosdigitallabs.com/Portals/3/SEC%20Website/football/confldrs.htm
It is Aaron Murray, not Mike Bobo, who has the last say about what play is called
Aaron Murray LOST 6 games, 6-6 as Starting QB or is there some other measure now for what you bragged about David Greene ?
Old Dawg Fan
November 29th, 2010
8:33 pm
Richt has the drive and personality of a “sloth”. He needs to go and take all of the coaching staff with him. Hell I won’t ever buy a F-150 again-if he showed any more emotion he would almost be “comatose”. Ford should be ashamed of him doing their commercials.
Johnathan
November 29th, 2010
8:35 pm
I thought Chuck Dowdell had retired. I’m sick of him. Why isn’t he in his rocking chair instead of pitching everything that comes in his face — no integrity whatsoever.
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:37 pm
Saban’s Defense averaged 22 points a game in 2007 in his first year installing the 3-4 system at Alabama.
But in 2008, the defense really became a shutdown defense, dropping scoring to just 14.5 points allowed per game.
Grantham didn’t quite keep up with Saban, unless he throws a shutout in the Bowl game, his current average is 23 points a game, giving up 1 more point per game than Saban did in 2007.
Grantham’s 3-4 will make a big move in 2011, with the right body types in, and a year for his players AND COACHES in his system. I think Grantham will improve to under 17 a game in 2011.
Georgia had a freshman QB. You’d have to think 2010 was the worst year as far as QB play went. So look for Bobo to average up around 37 a game in 2011 with more experience at QB. Replacing Durham and AJ will be tough, but King, Charles, Brown, and Wooten are very capable. Running game should be MUCH better with Ealey getting all the carries.
wdm
November 29th, 2010
8:38 pm
Anyone who thinks Mark Bradley knows about rising above mediocrity hasn’t read his columns through the years. Mark Bradley (and his columns) aren’t even mediocre. Unless he can put down or belittle, he has nothing. Now think about this. Mark Bradley has never coached anything so why is he even giving advice. Mark Bradley why don’t you write articles about something you actually know about like…like…like…what do you actually know about because it dang sure ain’t coaching or sports management. Do us a favor and move? Oh yeah, I forgot, you are tenured at AJC and no other newspaper would tolerate your less than mediocre columns.
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:40 pm
It’s not about personality. Wooden, Dungy, Tressel.
War Eagle!
November 29th, 2010
8:40 pm
49 – 31 !
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:43 pm
If you want to win the SEC, you need to be scoring 37+, and holding to 17 or less.
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
8:43 pm
# 63 Strength of Schedule Stanford
# 77 Strength of Schedule Oregon
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2010/Internet/toughest%20schedule/fbs_9games_cumm.pdf
When the BCS is the measure for what is a good team, or where the team WAS RANKED when they played them early in the year ranked # 1 only to end up NOT RANKED in the Top 25 Final AP Poll, please wake me up so I can then finally know something about SOS.
Oregon and Stanford beat NO ONE
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 29th, 2010
8:47 pm
War Eagle
Probation is coming to a plains near you!
BoWeevil
November 29th, 2010
8:50 pm
Washaun Ealey is going to get all the carries 2011 ?
How the hell is that going to happen with FAVORITE Caleb Darnell King ?
Coach Richt has coddled Caleb Darnell King since he was ranked the # 1 overall football player in the state of Georgia in 2006.
Since 2006, Caleb King has done NOTHING
He comes back next year so you’ll can brag about TANDEM RBs returning 2011
…Unless YOU can talk Caleb Darnell King into DECLARING for the NFL draft early
(I can always hope.)
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:50 pm
When Richt does ANY ONE of these, he almost never loses:
1- Get a 100 yard rusher
2- Get 400 yards on offense
3- Hold other team to less than 20 points
4- Score 1st
Wins 90% of games, when he does any one of these.
Sleeper Service
November 29th, 2010
8:51 pm
6ood point I-95. On the subject of running the 3-4, it’s more about having players who are smart enough to play the positions. It requires a bit more thought and that is a recruiting issue that TG will have to deal with. There are smart kids out here we just have to convince them to play their ball here.
joseph
November 29th, 2010
8:53 pm
i think defense is a problem to, but most of the problem on and off the field is coaching.
if you watched any of tn games this year even when they lost you never felt like they were not coached well, same with ms state. i watched every game uga played this year, and to me the coaching was bad. the only way we win any more games next year is if the coaching changes, and the defense improves, i have been saying wait until next year every year since mr has been hd, i am tired of waiting. and for those of you that thanks mr has been such a good coach over the last 10 years, why do we have so many loses to uf and tn.
amused
November 29th, 2010
8:53 pm
“Docter” ?? Lou Holtz may can get away with that(he actually has won some games). How many teams have you coached and how many games have you won? We’re tired of hearing about how Tech and Johnson are so undermanned. Tech has 85 scholarships just like every other D-1 program. This is his 3rd year so unless they are redshirt seniors they are Johnson recruits . That song just doesn’t work.
Dave
November 29th, 2010
8:57 pm
I thought King was a Senior. Even better. They work decent as a tandem, and with injuries and suspensions, it’s good to have 2 good backs.
Ealey has scored 11 td’s to King’s 2 td’s, but King’s been solid this year on ypc, and is devastating at Pass Pro and excellent on screen passes.
joe taxpayer
November 29th, 2010
8:58 pm
Texas AM hired the defensive cooranditor from the Air Force Academy.. There players had no trouble with the 3-4. There defense actually improved. We have had spring practice. summer camp, and 11 games before that showing against Tech. Saban was coming off of probation his first year. That had more to do with his poor showing than the supposedly hard to learn 3-4. Plus Tech is run offense 98% of the time. Yet we depended on them to make a mistake to win the game. CTG is not the answer then Willie was.
mayor bob
November 29th, 2010
9:00 pm
Richt needs to be brought forth to an Adams and McGarity meeting with a detailed plan on what he is going to implement and execute to get UGA to the 2011 SEC conference game. “Son… .. it’s like a last second field goal..make it and you play another day…miss it and your on the bus….
I trust most Bulldog bloggers are working in the fields of business or business owners…every year we have to hit a budget…hit sales goals…hit the competition in the mouth..does Richt have to hit anything? Richt…either hit the 2011 field goal..or get on the bus….
Bulldog Business Bloggers..your comments are welcome….The Mayor!
Dave
November 29th, 2010
9:13 pm
If Richt’s confident in his #2 QB, whether that’s Mason or Lemay, he could cut loose Murray to run the football. If Richt has the guts to do that, Georgia could be fearsome. That’s a big change though, and Richt doesn’t usually change that much. If Richt does this, it could be a game changing move. Can you imagine if you added 100 yards rushing from Murray to Murray’s passing prowess? It’s very hard to match up with a QB can run–SEC defenses just arn’t designed to do that, look at Tebow, Newton, etc.
From the WR, you have some productive guys in 2011, King will play AJ’s role, Charles and White will be big at TE, I’d look for Logan Gray or Marlon Brown to take Durham’s spot. You also have Wooten who might return to his 2009 form.
Logan Gray could be the X Factor, Wildcat, Slot, punt return/ kick return, etc.
Dave
November 29th, 2010
9:14 pm
I think Washaun Ealey is incredible. Big improvement in 2010. Just saying.
KaliDogg
November 29th, 2010
9:20 pm
Just thought I’d share a quote from a great coach with a down year, out there in Texas:
“I think it goes back on (the) coaches. It’s not talent,” Brown said. “People have said it’s talent. It’s not.”
Gee. Taking responsibility. What an interesting concept.