A UGA question: Is Richt getting tougher or more pragmatic?
Here we see a tight-lipped Mark Richt. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Georgia enters a put-up-or-shut-up season without its best holdover tailback. Had not the Bulldogs signed Isaiah Crowell, Washaun Ealey would constitute a major loss. But they did, and now skeptics have suggested Mark Richt might have been less inclined to let Ealey leave had Crowell not been inbound.
And here’s where I take up for Richt — you’ll have to excuse me if I wheeze; I’ve gotten out of practice — and say: Don’t think so.
I also say: Remember Zach Mettenberger.
There have been times when Richt’s famous patience seemed unending. (We think of Odell Thurman, the gifted-but-erring linebacker.) There have been years where Georgia’s arrest total approached — and last year even surpassed — double figures. We add those together to reach the obvious conclusion: Richt is too easy on his players.
But we’ve seen signs that Mr. Softee is casting a colder eye. Maybe this is a response to the direction of his program, which last season achieved the double whammy of off-the-field embarrassment and an on-field losing record. Maybe it’s just the weariness of a coach in his 11th season who’s sick of hearing excuses. Whatever the cause, I don’t believe it’s a triumph of pragmatism over altruism.
Richt had every reason to have tired of Washaun Ealey, whom he’d suspended twice. And I could be naive, but I don’t think Ealey’s departure hinged on Crowell’s arrival. Does it help that Georgia has a new tailback ready to take over? Uh, yes. But sometimes even the famous Richt forbearance reaches its limit.
Let’s recall Mettenberger, who got himself arrested in South Georgia on spring break 2010. Mettenberger was allowed to play in the subsequent G-Day game and was the best of the three quarterbacks on display, but Richt wound up booting him off the team. (It has been suggested that Richt was pushed by Damon Evans, the AD who would himself be jettisoned after his midnight ride in Buckhead. Still, Richt runs the football program, does he not?)
This left Georgia with two scholarship quarterbacks, neither of whom had played a college down. Had the redshirt Aaron Murray gotten injured last season, Georgia had only the true freshman Hutson Mason as backup. (Logan Gray had been moved to receiver.) Losing Mettenberger could have hurt the Bulldogs in 2010, and there’s a chance it could hurt in the future: He’s now at LSU, which could meet Georgia for the SEC title down the road.
The hope when a program signs a player is that he’ll fit athletically and otherwise. The reality is that not every signee pans out on both fronts. It’s a bit heartless to dump a guy if he’s not quite good enough to play for you: That’s not really his fault. If he fails to conduct himself in the way expected of a student-athlete, that’s something else.
Let’s not paint Richt as some scheming puppet-master. He gave Washaun Ealey repeated chances, and apparently Ealey didn’t seize them. This wouldn’t seem a case of Georgia freeing up a position — even if Ealey hadn’t started, he’d surely have been the No. 2 tailback — but of a coach cutting his losses. Had Richt done more of this sooner, he’d have spared himself much grief.
By Mark Bradley
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272 comments Add your comment
juvenal
May 10th, 2011
11:20 am
seems that way…….
juvenal
May 10th, 2011
11:22 am
but aren’t tougher & more pragmatic the same thing?
PK
May 10th, 2011
11:22 am
Great take, Mark.
Benjamin
May 10th, 2011
11:28 am
Ealey was a great running back, and will be missed on the field, but I’d rather finish 6-7 again with a crew of good guys than win the conference championship and go to a BCS bowl. And that’s the God’s honest truth.
Good article, MB.
UGA
May 10th, 2011
11:31 am
Mettenberger was arrested in Valdosta I though.
UGA
May 10th, 2011
11:32 am
thought.
Still in Jail
May 10th, 2011
11:32 am
Could one of you loyal Dawg fans please come to Auburn and get me out of jail? I’ve been here since the beatdown in Auburn last November. which led me to set fire to the trees at Toomer’s corner. Heck, Harvey Updyke’s Bama friends have come to his rescue. Why can’t you Dawg fans come get me? Go Dawgs!
reality check
May 10th, 2011
11:32 am
The scapel is cutting away those personalities that destroyed last years team….. AJ, Washaun and other “ME” types. Go DAWGS
Uga the Nueve
May 10th, 2011
11:32 am
FIRST!
Lemuel in Ludowici
May 10th, 2011
11:32 am
Are coach Mr Mark Richt is a died in the wool, true blue, Bulldawg…. Even though he did come from Flarda State. I thank he’s gonna be tougher than a ten penny nail frum now on out. Heck, he was about to go broke from bailin them boys outta jail!!!!
UGA
May 10th, 2011
11:33 am
He’s now at LSU, which could meet Georgia for the SEC title down the road.
Ha! Keep dreaming Dawgs!
Worm
May 10th, 2011
11:33 am
Mett was a tough call because his mom works in the AD’s office..This one was alot easier.
UGA
May 10th, 2011
11:34 am
Athens is a special place: Home to next year’s National Champions for the last thirty years.
UGA
May 10th, 2011
11:36 am
UGA can’t even sign their valued recruits before they start stealing from the locker room
GTT
May 10th, 2011
11:37 am
Is that a question, UGA? He was arrested in a little town that is surrounded on all sides by Valdosta.
It's CYA Time!
May 10th, 2011
11:37 am
Mark, it’s called CYA time for the Reverend Richt. The SEC East, as of today, is wide open. If UGA is not contending for the SEC East title in 2011, the Reverend Richt will be going on an extended mission.
Ron
May 10th, 2011
11:38 am
He’s the exact same as he’s ever been.
joe
May 10th, 2011
11:39 am
With a suspect O-line, pinning hopes on a true freshman RB and losing the entire starting WR corps…all means offense not looking good for Richt & Co…but still, championship predictions abound in Athens.
Joshua Barlowe
May 10th, 2011
11:40 am
This whole line of “The Georgia Way” cracks me up. Ealey was the poster boy for the Georgia Way – barely being able to read and getting into trouble more than going to class. That, my friend, has been the Georgia Way for a long, long time. It’s pretty much the SEC way, which explains why they are the best football conference. They can let anybody they want to into “school” to play football, pretty much just as NFL training ground.
Richt’s attempt to pretend like there is a higher standard at UGA is a joke.
Fingers Crossed
May 10th, 2011
11:40 am
Lets just hope IC is a good as everyone thinks and not another in a long line of disappointing highly ranked recruits.
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
11:42 am
There is zero chance that Richt would have let Ealey go without Crowell coming in. I think you are way off on that one. Richt cares much more about keeping his job then about discipline. The only reason that Ealey was let go was Crowell. The only reason Mettenberger was let go was Aaron Murray. These guys had capable replacements so it was ok to punish them.
dbc
May 10th, 2011
11:48 am
Players are interchangeable. With great play calls like a sideline pass for a yard, Carlton Thomas up the gut for two, followed by an incomplete 50 yard pass, how can UGA lose? Our punter is great…
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
11:52 am
Will we ever beat Florida again? We seem to always put more players in the NFL than Florida — significantly more — but Florida continues to manhandle the Dogs. Will we ever beat Florida again. I graduated twice from UGA…in late 70s and early 80s. Back then, we manhandled Florida. I won’t be happy with CMR until we beat Florida on a regular basis. Richt needs to show more passion on the sideline, at practices, and behind the microphone. I am tired of this laid-back, I-don’t-get-ruffled-about-anything attitude. I am tired of this passionless personna. I am becoming bored and disengaged from UGA football. I found myself really getting into Auburn. Now Trooper and Gene show some passion. Football is about passion. We need a coach who shows passions, not someone who acts like an accountant on the sideline.
Hey Markie, you like this type of criticism? You like the salary and benefits, though, right? It comes with the territory. Don’t forget that after UGA’s loss to Miami of Ohio in the Tangerine Bowl (1974 season), there was huge “Dump Dooley” campaign. Don’t forget that your former boss, Bobby Bowden, was hanged in effigy in West Virginia.
Herschel Talker
May 10th, 2011
11:53 am
MB:
Washaun didn’t even show up for a penalty run, and Richt didn’t boot him then. What a joke. The man commands no respect from his players, and clearly he hasn’t put any fear in them. If Richt were really what you say he is, he would have booted Ealey the minute he disrespected him by not showing up for his penalty run. Richt is a joke, his players know it. Let’s cut through the BS, shall we?
HT
Troll Power Ratings
May 10th, 2011
11:55 am
Excellent work trolls. Show up early and often. How’s your program looking? Hurry, hurry – scoot on over to the other blog on this topic and get cranking! Oh, and thanks for caring, so much, about the University of Georgia.
DawginLex
May 10th, 2011
11:57 am
HT,
So which is it? You want Richt tough and booting players off the team or keeping them around? With your criticism, he can’t win.
He gave Ealey chances. You gonna bash him for that too?
He is not going to get fired so you might as well support him and the team. If he loses, you get your wish.
SSIgator
May 10th, 2011
11:59 am
“Is Richt getting tougher or more pragmatic?”
Neither. It is called “setting the table” for this coming years debacle. Blame everyone and anyone, except for the over-paid coaching staff of course. And the KoolAid machine keeps humming along.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
12:00 pm
There you go embarrassing yourself again GTBob. Does the name Montez Robinson mean anything to you? A gifted freshman who was going to be a starting linebacker last year. He was summarily kicked off the team after being arrested and CMR still tried to mentor him after he was no longer part of the program.
You can arguably question his coaching at times but he’s nothing if not a moral and ethical person. You need to know what you’re talking about before publicly besmirching someone of his character.
Mr. Obvious
May 10th, 2011
12:01 pm
Using profanity at a UGA Booster Club Meeting in Macon HARDLY qualifies as “tougher.”
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
We love UGA and we love the Dogs, but we just get tired of getting beat by Florida. It is embarrassing. To tell you the truth, though, I have never been a Richt fan since he didn’t start D. J. Shockley in 2002. He was by far the best athlete and the best quarterback. I believe that Richt was perhaps too concerned about the Gridiron Society on this matter. He, unlike Donnan, apparently plays footsy with the Gnostics who call themselves “Gridironers.”
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
What does qualify as tougher in your book Mr. Obvious? Anonymously posting dreck on a blog? Is that tougher?
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
“Profanity”? What?! Because he used the word “hell”? Who made the word “hell” “profanity”? Damn! That’s the problem!
Mark (another one)
May 10th, 2011
12:07 pm
It’s so easy to sling mud. As for the article, I believe Richt is showing something else, growth. He has coached or played football all of his life, but the environment keeps changing and I think Richt does as well. As a head coach, its possible he is learning how to judge a person over time and trust his instincts as to how the future would play out.
I have never heard that Ealey was a bad person, only that he did stupid things that kept him in trouble. Richt evaluated the situation taking the past into account, and discussed it with Ealey to determine if Ealey really wanted to be a Dawg. Its not just saying it. It’s delivering every day. Read ‘Discipline Without Punishment.’ From what I read (I have no first hand knowledge), Ealey cut himself loose by not demonstrating that he was willing to correct his ways.
Cutting a kid is tough on a coach. Ask anyone that’s done it. No one was questioning his talent, just his heart and desire to be a part of the team. Making that decision had to be tough and I give Richt credit for being the leader, putting the team first and effectively cutting Ealey.
Being pragmatic has such a negative connotation and I don’t put it on Richt. I also don’t see it as becoming harder or tougher. I believe he has always been tough or he wouldn’t have been successful. He has cut players and fired coaches before and every day he evaluates players to decide playing time. That’s not a job for wimps. What I see I call growth. Something I hope to continue doing until the day our Lord calls me home.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
12:08 pm
Buck Blue, I’ll agree with you that losing to Florida so often is embarrassing but I don’t see how anyone could favor starting Shockley over Green. One became the winningest QB in college history and one gave you anxiety that he was going to throw an INT every time he stepped on the field. I’ll grant you that Shockley had a heck of a senior season when everything started to finally click for him but before then, he gave absolutely no compelling reason to make him the starter.
Still in the Woodshed
May 10th, 2011
12:09 pm
Still in Jail,
We would come bail you out of the Auburn jail if only the Auburn Family would let the rest of us out of the Woodshed.
Go Dawgs!
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
I thought he was Ford tough already. Can one be tougher than Ford tough?
trupert
May 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
Mark, I agree. Richt did everything he could to turn Ealey around and I think Richts statements at the Augusta bulldog club meeting was a last ditch effort to send a message to Ealey which he did not answer.
”It’s a bit heartless to dump a guy if he’s not quite good enough to play for you: That’s not really his fault.” Chip, is this your way of calling Nick Saban out for indeed being heartless?
”If he fails to conduct himself in the way expected of a student-athlete, that’s something else.” Ealeys failure at UGA are on Ealey. I just hope he can learn from his mistakes and turn his career around. Washaun, make the most of your next opportunity, and good luck.
rlinaug
May 10th, 2011
12:11 pm
Richt doesn’t mind grief… What he hates is seeing someone ruin a great opportunity.
EW
May 10th, 2011
12:12 pm
Can we stop acting like Richt made this decision????? Ealey did the dumb stuff, acted like a kid and is suffering the consequences. Richt gave him a chance to be accountable and he didn’t take it. Guys like that are a cancer and have no place on a team of winners.
Dawglasville
May 10th, 2011
12:12 pm
These blogs kill me. Coach Richt is a “loser” because he has not been the best coach in the country. Of all you guys who have been pissing and moaning about Richt how many of you have been the best in the nation in your field? The best salesman, best accountant, best electrician? I don’t know what will happen with Richt but at the end of the day I will be the first to trumpet that he was damn good for the University of Georgia.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:19 pm
By the way, I am not a Dooley fan either (well, I take this back; I like Derek Dooley) because of the treatment of Erk Russell. When Dooley danced about on the Auburn offer in 1981, Erk found out than, I do believe, who his real friends were. He was not going to be the one tapped to take Dooley’s place. I don’t think that Dooley was ever in Erk’s corner for Erk to be the Head Coach at UGA. This too left a sour taste in my mouth, although I cheer on the Dogs every Saturday. I just get disgusted at us getting whipped by Florida nearly every year now.
D. J. Shockley…Erk Russell…Herschel Walker…Ben Zambiasi…Knowshon Moreno…Moonpie Wilson…Cowboy Parrish…Willie McClendon…Tommy Thurston…Randy McMichael…Bill Goldberg…Pat Dye…Gene Washington…Bill Krug…Charley Trippi…Frankie Sinkwich…Fran Tarkenton…Andy Johnson…Craig Hertwig…Charley Dean…Tim Crowe…Buck Belue.
I am a Disgusted Dog. I love my Dogs. But, when are we going to beat Florida again?
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
12:20 pm
Montez Robinson. Great example GeoffDawg. Mark Richt really showed how strict he was by kicking a guy off the team who never really did anything for UGA after his third arrest. He may have been promising but every player UGA gets is promising. That doesn’t mean he was needed as a player. He was easily replaceable.
trupert
May 10th, 2011
12:22 pm
Dawglasville, most of these negative blogs are from fans of rival teams and I would bet that 45% are from fans of one of the two schools in the state of Alabama.
I’m glad Mark Richt is the coach at UGA. This team is about to turn the corner and this time next year we will be talking about another SEC championship for the 2012 season.
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
12:23 pm
Can’t teach an old dawg new tricks……………..
trupert
May 10th, 2011
12:27 pm
Buckeye, Trusell is a old dog, did he learn new tricks or has he been running his program like this the whole time?
Man
May 10th, 2011
12:28 pm
Sure would be nice to see more discussion and true opinions rather than out-and-out name calling and bashing. What team’s fans don’t expect a national championship every year? If you don’t expect the best, you will never get the best! And since when did winning the (mythical) national championship become the ONLY criteria for success? How many of you could win a national championship in what you do?
I am, and always will be a UGA fan, win or lose. I support my team, and always hope for the best. I expect us to win every game, but understand that, realistically, that’s not going to happen. If I were a Bama, Auburn, or Florida fan, I would still feel the same way. I will support Coach Richt until he is no longer coach, and then I will support the next guy.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
By all means, please keep regaling us with displays of your ignorance GTBob. As a true freshman, he garnered SEC Defensive Player of the week honors and was projected to be a perfect OLB fit in Grantham’s new 3-4 scheme. Given how thin the Linebacking corps was this season going into the spring, he’s not somebody I would classify as “easily replaceable.” The first rule when you’re in a hole bobbo is to stop digging.
Coach Grohbo
May 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
He is closing the door to the jail after all the inmates have escaped.
Too little. Too late.
Badgerina
May 10th, 2011
12:30 pm
Greg McGarity
Coach Grohbo
May 10th, 2011
12:31 pm
Tressel will have his team back in the National Championship Game this season.
Ohio State is loaded.
lawdog
May 10th, 2011
12:40 pm
You folks crack me up. Most of you don’t have a clue what you are talking about. Most of you couldn’t coach your way out of a wet paper bag, yet you seem to know what and why CMR took certain actions. Obviously most of you missed your calling. The way I read these post most of you could coach the Pee Wee team to a MNC every year. LOL
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:42 pm
Add Hines Ward to my listl…an ole Babb Jr. High grad from Clayco. Also, throw in the the Tereshinskis — all four of them. Don’t leave out Odell Thurman from Frogtown! Odell would hit you! I also like Kendrell Bell! Another cold-stopper! Passion! That’s what we want! Let the Gridiron Society meet on the Old Campus and pretend that they make a difference in Georgia, but leave the football program to the ball coaches. And, Markie, quit playing politics and just coach…not as rough as Wally Butts but get in the dirt and coach. Not as soft as “executive” as Dooley (Vince, that is; I like Derek) either. Just in the dirt (or turf) and coach. GATA!
PMC
May 10th, 2011
12:43 pm
I think it’s pretty nice of Coach Richt to give an unconditional release.
He handles these issues about as professionally as a program can. Washaun obviously wasn’t happy at Georgia, many other coaches only grant conditional releases to talented players if they let them out at all.
Tech fan wishing I was a Dawg fan
May 10th, 2011
12:44 pm
What AM station does the Paul Johnson show come on.Heard he’s talking cleaning crappie this week with Al Groh telling us where to buy Ensure cheaper.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:46 pm
You see how passionate I was. I jumbled up all kinds of sentences! I wasn’t pretty, was it? But, people got my drift! Mark, I don’t want you to get the program in trouble like Charley…well, let’s not call names! P – a- __S…s___–I–O ***n.
juvenal
May 10th, 2011
12:46 pm
Mark, one thing shifting the equation is sports media asking the tough questions now, moreso than in the past when they acted more like an extension of team’s PR departments-something many fans don’t like-keep up the good work, no matter what team it is…….
Douche Bag Trolls
May 10th, 2011
12:47 pm
Surf porn you will get better satisfaction. We know what we have at UGA, sorry you can not be a part of it.
Herschel Talker
May 10th, 2011
12:47 pm
MB:
When will you stop defending Richt and finally write an article that he should be fired?
HT
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:47 pm
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….Richt is OK. I like him as a person….good man. Messed up on D. J. Shockley…but needs more passion.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:48 pm
MB: It’s called the Homan Model. The more you hang around someone, the more you warm up to him or her. You’ve been hanging around CMR so much that you’re defending him constantly, ne?
Dontavius Supremo
May 10th, 2011
12:48 pm
I don’t care how he runs his team, as long as he produces. We’re not talking about YMCA ball here folks.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:50 pm
Muschamp…Darlington School…UGA…Valdosta State…Somewhere Else…Texas…Florida…Passion.
The Reaper
May 10th, 2011
12:50 pm
He’s coaching in the SEC and this is how he should have been from the start. If he stays this way it could mean good things for UGA football. Now, I also expect him to be this way with his coaching staff. If the offense sputters, he needs to really consider taking over the offense and start looking for a new very qualified OC. Glad to see CMR finally stepping up and becoming a total coach. Now let’s see if this carries over to football games.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
Kirby Smart…Bainbridge…UGA…Valdosta State…Somehere Else…Bama…Passion.
schmeckdawg
May 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
@UGA
Valdosta is South Georgia.
Bigboy
May 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
I wish Washaun the best and like Danny Ware I think he will end up in the NFL one day.
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
Mark…I have to run. I actually work…well, own my own businesses.
My word for the day, Mark…Boca Raton Mark… >>>>>>>>>> P…A…S…S…I…O…N.
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
Yeah GeoffDawg, he was SEC defensive lineman of the week for an outstanding performance against the great Tennessee Tech where he got 5 tackles. He did not have a single other tackle in his career at UGA. Yeah, hard to replace a guy like that.
Douche Bag Trolls
May 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
99% of you know nothing about football and how to run programs! Stop acting like doctors when you are unemployed. UGA will be back this season and will create many problems for teams that face us! Just took a gayturd and wiped my war eagle! Refeshing!!!!!!
BG
May 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
Name 1 coach in the SEC more strict than Richt. Mark Richt kicks players off the team when they get into trouble and suspends his players for multiple games. Richt kicked a freshman linebacker off the team last year for getting a DUI and this was the players first arrest. I haven’t seen any other coaches do that in the SEC. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
BR
May 10th, 2011
1:01 pm
Sounds like UGA needs to get a life AND a job!!!
Troll Power Ratings
May 10th, 2011
1:04 pm
I am sooo thin skinned that trolls just get the best of me!
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
Ha! I can’t believe you’re actually making the argument regarding who’s easily replaceable. Maybe I missed it but I don’t remember seeing new Coach Bob on the football staff recently. Obviously, if he’s a highly sought after recruit, shows high potential as a freshman and is slotted as a starter going into spring, the coaching staff just might happen to think a lot of his playing abilities. But of course, Bob on the Mark Bradley blog is sure to have a more discerning eye for talent.
phil
May 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
But lawdog, the good news is that us idiots have you around to help straighten us out. It’s the intelligent, like you, that motivate us each day to rise from bed and clean those floors, dig those ditches, tend those bars….
Thank you!
phil
May 10th, 2011
1:10 pm
No, Bigboy, Ealey will not end up in the NFL…he’s destined for real trouble I’m afraid. After all, if he couldn’t succeed on our sorry team the last 2 years, what makes anyone think he’ll succeed elsewhere, unless you have manure for your brains….
Really??
May 10th, 2011
1:12 pm
Prag what???? What the heck kind of a word is pragmatic??
Douche Bag
May 10th, 2011
1:13 pm
Trolls Run My Life!
the REAL Phil
May 10th, 2011
1:20 pm
GT Bob is a moron and GTphil isn’t much better
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
1:22 pm
GeoffDawg, im not saying he wasn’t a promising player. UGA recruits almost nothing but promising players. Some are more important then others though and those players will be protected by Mark Richt while others are made an example out of. It’s a shame that it happens that way, but it is what it is. In Mark Richt’s defense, he isn’t the only one who does this.
FB fan
May 10th, 2011
1:29 pm
Sorry, but this won’t re-establish any rivalry with Florida. There is NO rivalry there…they own the dogs.
Dawgma
May 10th, 2011
1:29 pm
Ealey is the epitome of the Georgia Way! For those dawg fans, that means he is the perfect example, the embodiment of the GA way.
7576DAWG
May 10th, 2011
1:36 pm
Let’s clear up one thing. I don’t think the coaches will agree that Mettenberger won during the G- game 2010. He mainly was in against the 2nd and 3rd string defense. And that would fit in with the worst performance at the LSU spring game this year.
McGarity has definitely let CMR know who is in charge. Things are getting better at Georgia. CMR told Ealey he wanted him to run hard on every play. I don’t think Ealey can carry the ball 30 time and run hard on every play. Ealey knew more was going to be expected from him in 2011 and he chose to leave. All running backs that excel in high school can’t cut it as a featured back in the SEC.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
1:36 pm
GTBob, you’re talking about a linebacking unit that had to convert a running back and a safety this season to bolster its depth. I don’t know how you would prefer to replace players, but resorting to poaching them from other positions doesn’t strike me as the preferable way to do it. Beyond that, you spend a tremendous amount of time, money, and energy identifying and recruting players into the program. I wouldn’t want a Head Coach who would view that investment as something that’s easy to overlook. You already have to deal with ones that don’t end up cutting it athletically and Coach Richt doesn’t just push them out the way Saban does. Your conjecture that it’s no big deal to toss someone who they actually think will be a valuable contributor on the field for years to come is just baffling.
PTC DAWG
May 10th, 2011
1:38 pm
Once again, I don’t understand why folks want to come on here and make fools of themselves….it never fails. Thank you trolls for the laugh..
Groover Gaddis
May 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
If you call getting rid of thugs that have hindered the program, then yes. In fact it should have happened sooner.
RGB
May 10th, 2011
1:45 pm
“Let’s not paint Richt as some scheming puppet-master.”
Maybe we should encourage him to become one–especially if it helps.
Better Richt have control of his players’ strings than vice versa.
And maybe Richt should have “# of arrests” as one of his “development goals”.
sup
May 10th, 2011
1:46 pm
this writing is slop please find someone new AJC
Bigboy
May 10th, 2011
1:46 pm
I’m sure you doubted Ware would make it to the NFL too phil.
Ralph
May 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
Rich and all his coaches have recruited and treated thugs with kid gloves. Academics are never considered for these “hired” gangbangers. No surprise that younger thugs follow older thugs to thUGA.
Getting tough now is too little, too late. thUGA is stuck with 4 years worth of thug recruits.
Carlton
May 10th, 2011
1:53 pm
@still in jail
We would come help get you bailed out from an Auburn jail, but as I understand it Auburn’s football team is “All In”..the jail that is. Maybe Washaun should go to Auburn, I think he’d fit in well with the Arrested Development cast you guys have going on over there this year.
As Cam says “I’m just glad to have finally put the cap on the bottle!” Good riddance to Ealey.
Go Dawgs!
gdawginkalamazoo
May 10th, 2011
1:59 pm
Guess what? Caleb King will be auditioning for the NFL this year, all season long. I hope the kid knows that his step to the next level is on the line. He can be the best he can be or just sit back and let his future flounder. Go to class, keep your grades up enough, stay out of trouble, and run like the wind. Oh yeah, hold onto the rock.
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
Wow! More Techies on here every single day. Get a life losers. I would be focusing on how to muster up enough courage to talk to a REAL girl. And no the gals at Tech don’t count. Actually, I would even be proud to see yall talk to a Nerd coed.
DawgTroll
May 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
I wish I were a dawg fan and had my own trailer.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
Ralph, “Academics are never considered for these “hired” gangbangers”
Shouldn’t you be on an Auburn blog?
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
A gotta hot lead for everyone:
Paul Johnson has just contacted East Paulding High School…
Gary
May 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
Buck Blue,
You haven’t a clue what you are talking about with Dooley and Erk. I remember talking to Dooley at a Bulldog club meetig after Ray Goff was chosen as his replacement and it was very obvious that he wanted Erk, not Goff for the job, but he was not the AD yet or in charge of hiring the new coach. He was very diplomatic when asked about Goff’s inexperience but very blunt in telling us he would have hired Erk if it was his call.
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
Paul Johnson’s Miata just pulled up at EPHS…
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:08 pm
Two students were just called to the coach’s office…
Douche Bag
May 10th, 2011
2:09 pm
Hey, Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!, want to “Surf porn you will get better satisfaction”.
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
2:11 pm
GeoffDawg, you are right. Im sure if Montez Robinson was AJ Green, or Aaron Murray then Mark Richt still would have canned him. He was a promising defensive lineman and it still took three arrests before he was let go. Ealey got in trouble last year and got a 2 game suspension. This year he basically gets pushed off the team. You are right though. It has nothing to do with Crowell. Use some common sense.
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
A packaged deal is in the works…
Douche Bag Trolls
May 10th, 2011
2:13 pm
Love the spirit this sloppy outlet of a so called news media allows.
If UGA cheated like our fellow SEC crow we would have won a national title by now!
Everything about UGA rocks!
Moof,Moof---TheHairLipDog
May 10th, 2011
2:16 pm
What is the georgia way? Is it liken unto the cowboy way? Do you man up or finish the drill? Man, please what a bunch of horse —-.
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
2:17 pm
“It’s a bit heartless to dump a guy if he’s not quite good enough to play for you: That’s not really his fault.”
Tell that to Nick Satan over in Falseteeth land.
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
May 10th, 2011
2:22 pm
Confirmed!!! PJ just got committments from arguably the two best Bassoonists east of the Mississippi.
“I saw they were being recruited pretty hard by Berkley, so I decided I would go hard after them before Marshall, UAB, and Louisiana Tech gets in the race.”, Paul Johnson said with a mouth full of Catfish.
Its a shame PJ didn’t know that these kids were being recruited by the Berkley School of Music.
Kerryb
May 10th, 2011
2:22 pm
It’s funny when someone starts a UGA blog and all the idiots from other schools come out of the woodwork like cock roaches. Go to a blog about your team and stay off the UGA blogs spreading your moronic trash that no one cares about. Dumb***es!
Kerryb
May 10th, 2011
2:25 pm
I guess all the little AJC censors are at work today. they don’t like what you post they cut you off.
UGA
May 10th, 2011
2:27 pm
As a UGA fan, I look forward to next year’s National Championship. The loss to UCF really provided motivation more so than the 5 other loses. As I place my 8th black and red Green Bay G on my truck and listen to the hob nailed boot call, I dream of seeing Crowell become the next Herschell Walker. My church is so confident that UGA will win they title they play their fight song every Sunday. This morning, I barked at my neighbor as he left his house until I spilled beer on my Ford tough F150. I can totally see Matt Stafford stopping his military press of his keg and coming back to lead us to another thrilling bowl victory against powerhouse Hawaii. Go Dawgs, Wuff wuff!!!
UGA
May 10th, 2011
2:28 pm
As a UGA fan, I look forward to next year’s National Championship. The loss to UCF really provided motivation more so than the 5 other loses. As I place my 8th black and red Green Bay G on my truck and listen to the hob nailed boot call, I dream of seeing Crowell become the next Herschell Walker. My church is so confident that UGA will win they title they play their fight song every Sunday. This morning, I barked at my neighbor as he left his house until I spilled beer on my Ford tough F150. I can totally see Matt Stafford stopping his military press of his keg and coming back to lead us to another thrilling bowl victory against powerhouse Hawaii. Go Dawgs, Wuff wuff!#!
Another Ealey~King~Green
May 10th, 2011
2:35 pm
Will Richt never learn that recruiting illiterate low-class goons like Ealey and King doesn’t pay off?
Apparently Richt is a very slow learner. Isaiah Crowell will give Richt just as much grief as Ealey did, probably more.
People like Marcus Dowtin, A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey, Caleb King, and others too numerous to mention are not team players, they’re thug wannabes who are much closer to a gang than a team.
It’s sickening to see punks and goons like these representing the state’s flagship university.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
2:36 pm
GTBob, I’m basing all my opinions on what we know about this coaching staff, what we know about how players are recruited and evaluated and what we know about the personal history of Coach Richt in mentoring and leading young men. You’re basing your ramblings on some unsubstantiated opinion of the Georgia program and its staff and are pretending to know what constitutes value to them and how they view their responsibility to the players they bring in.
You’re the same guy that was describing Ray Drew as “whiny” because he expected more of himself at a High School track and field competition. You obviously have some kind of chip on your shoulder and axe to grind with Georgia but when you’re this blatant in your biased attacks, it undermines your credibility.
RTR
May 10th, 2011
2:37 pm
GoeffDowg…
Since you know so much about the “Saban Way” of treating players let me mention David Ross. He was a 5 year player he never started a game. He was a back up his entire time at Bama. Not only did Saban not kick him off of the team he praised Ross every chance he got. Saban told everyone what an outstanding leader and example of being a team player. He was also voted by the coaches to be a game captain for several games.
Please give me one example where Saban kicked a player from the team for not beeing good enough.
You Dawg fans have bigger fish to fry than looking for ways to bash Alabama’s program, that don’t exist. We did not have a very good team last year either but we still won 10 games.
Seths Emerson's Bulldog blog killed the anon poster
May 10th, 2011
2:38 pm
Too little too late and Richt will be toast after this season with an already weak as baby pee offensive line.
Seth Emerson's Bulldog blog killed the anon poster
May 10th, 2011
2:40 pm
Florida and SC are loaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddeeeeeed this year.
Dawgy Style
May 10th, 2011
2:45 pm
RTR,
You’re wrong, dissing the successful programs makes us Dawg fans feel better.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
2:46 pm
RTR, first off, you really butchered my name there. Secondly, on average, what’s the size of the typical Saban recruiting class? Thirdly, how about the names Chuck Kirschman and Jeramie Griffin?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703384204575509901468451306.html
Poison
May 10th, 2011
2:46 pm
Seth Emerson is a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooser!
so sick of this subject b/c it's nothing but boloney
May 10th, 2011
2:47 pm
This is such BS. Richt has ALWAYS held his players accountable for their actions off the field. In fact, he’s the ONLY SEC coach who has done so for the past 10 years (the Vandy coach doesn’t even have to).
You bring up ONE…ONE “problem” player but the details are that Odell got removed from the program when he misbehaved and was allowed back after he cleaned his act up. How many Georgia rejects have gone on to play at other SEC schools? I can come up with 6-7 without even thinking too much about it.
Oh, you also bring up the number of arrests but they have all been either minor/petty bullcrap (that the players still got disciplined for) or the player was suspended for multiple games or even kicked off the team.
Stop acting like this is some new phenomena just b/c your lazy a$$ needs to write an article.
And I’m by no means a Richt apologist. He needs to win the East this year or he’s history.
Washawn Ealey
May 10th, 2011
2:48 pm
I run from this state!
Washawn Ealey
May 10th, 2011
2:50 pm
Well, maybe I run to a different part of this state.
destin dawg
May 10th, 2011
2:54 pm
we’ll be just fine this year…. bad attitude by a few that are getting weeded out…. Bear Bryant, Dooley, Saban and most other coaches in major conferences have had a couple down seasons over a long career…. Crowell and Malcome will be a great compliment…. I think these trolls from Alabama and Florida should stay home… I think they have their own newspapers ????
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
2:56 pm
You’re the same guy that was describing Ray Drew as “whiny” because he expected more of himself at a High School track and field competition.
Nah, I said he was being a brat, which he was. He claimed that only winning the state championship was a fail and pretended that he would have broke records had he not gotten injured. That is pretty much being a brat. The good news for him though is that he has more stars then Montez Robinson had so he will be allowed more arrests.
Big Dawg Daddy
May 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
Hey Buck Blue, please become an Auburn fan, they need more like you and we need less.
anotherdawg
May 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
I agree with you Destin Dawg. All teams have some of this. AJC column today noted Arkansas receiver was released because of smoking a joint. Most of the stuff UGA players get in trouble with is minor.
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
3:01 pm
That’s not exactly the way it happened there Bob. He stated that he expected more of himself which no one in their right mind could have a problem with. Especially not for a football player. He was asked what caused his off-throw and he explained about the tendon, or whatever it was, popping in his foot during his wind up. Just what the heck do you expect him to do. Distract the reporter and run away so people like you won’t disparage him online?
Either way, you’re out of your gourd. But even nutty people are entitled to their opinions.
Funny comments
May 10th, 2011
3:12 pm
He’s now at LSU, which could meet Georgia for the SEC title down the road.- Mark
That is pretty funny. LSU could get there to the seccg although they have some powerful Alabama teams to contend with in the coming years. But Georgia? Surely you jest. It will be years before they are taken seriously again by anybody.
juvenal
May 10th, 2011
3:15 pm
really, these kids as a group probably have a lot lower % in trouble than their peers…have more discipline from sports than most teens, i’d bet……..
Anything can happen
May 10th, 2011
3:18 pm
And it can happen fast. Two years ago Alabama and Florida met for SEC championship, Alabama won the NC. Auburn and South Carolina were not on the radar. Last year, the roles were reversed.
Beast from the East
May 10th, 2011
3:20 pm
Who really cares why he’s gone? The bottom line is that he is gone and the Dawg Nation should be saying good riddance. The guy was totaly undisciplined and I don’t think he is interested in being “coached up”. Next!
gdawginkalamazoo
May 10th, 2011
3:20 pm
GeoffDawg, with all due respect sir, you are out of your gourd for trying to debate GTBob. You should know by now to ignore those types or at least make comments about them and ignore their responses. Even make follow-up comments but never address them directly. Those Tech fans crack me up.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
May 10th, 2011
3:21 pm
Mark: You are probably right about CMR. getting tougher. My guess is that he had no choice because his boss gave him strict orders to do so without fail.
Funny comments
May 10th, 2011
3:25 pm
Anything can happen,
Usually anything can happen. But not at Georgia. They just don’t have it. Plain and simple. Georgia has no Cam Newton, Michael Dyer, Cam Fairley. They had AJ Green but he is gone. Bama only had a couple of star players like Ingram, Richardson, Dareus, Julio Jones, Arenas, Kareem Jackson, Terrance Cody,etc in their 09 title run. Come to think of it I guess they were pretty loaded after all. But they are loaded everywhere. Georgia has not one PROVEN impact player that I can think of. Not one. And don’t say Murray. He is a midget and looked better than he was because of AJ. I think he threw all of 6 tds against teams with winning records last year.
Bassoonists Dawg
May 10th, 2011
3:33 pm
Murray will be fun to watch without Green and Durham. He maybe scrambling for his life if the line doesn’t get better.
BjohnDawg
May 10th, 2011
3:34 pm
I say move on without Ealey…..and just win the whole damn thing!
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
3:34 pm
Nobody has ever won or lost anything based on “last year”.
Anything can happen
May 10th, 2011
3:35 pm
Don’t bet the house funny comments! I didn’t think the Hawks would win the series against Orlando or a single game against Chicago. Dang sure didn’t think the Falcons would ever go to the Super Bowl. A UGA player just won the Nationwide Golf tourney, I think only one amateur has done that before. I agree the odds are against UGA, or any team, for that matter, winning it all in a single year. I don’t know if you were around in 79, but I was, and if you looked at that Ga football team, no way would you have picked UGA to win it all the next year, but they did.
bigcalidawg
May 10th, 2011
3:41 pm
Enter your comments here
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
3:42 pm
I see your point gdawginkalamazoo. Some people are just touched in the head.
bigcalidawg
May 10th, 2011
3:43 pm
I recall CMR feeling relieved that certain duties were removed from him and he can now focus on coaching football again. I don’t know exactly what it was that was taken off, but I just think we are seeing the benefits of a coach with the time to be more “hands-on.”
I’m noticing that nearly every kid with a disciplinary problem in the past is being run off, albeit later. No more Fulmer Cups in the near future…..
Watch out Tree……..
Paul N Destin
May 10th, 2011
3:45 pm
I think the President of UGA should give us some more words of wisdom about the evil greyshirting and oversigning! It must be true that the new AD is now running the show for Mark.
cantondawg
May 10th, 2011
3:55 pm
Can someone please call PETA…Herschel Talker is beating the same old dead horse again for the 500th straight day..
Hoops Guru
May 10th, 2011
3:57 pm
Bradley, I will just tell it like it is….I like to read you!!!
cantondawg
May 10th, 2011
3:58 pm
Here’s some simple arithmetic
Herschel Talker < Douchebag < Idiot < Schmuck
Dbalcer
May 10th, 2011
3:58 pm
I saw an interview with Ealey that made me glad he was released. He didn’t want to compete and that is an issue. I always wanted the best for him but he needed to earn it. I believe in Coach Richt and look forward to Saturdays next fall. It is great to be a DAWG!!
Ted Striker
May 10th, 2011
4:09 pm
Excellent article.
Mettenberger was a perfect example of a guy who seemed like a UGA fit, but it just didn’t pan out. Happens at every school, sooner or later. (Cam Newton — UF, Ryan Mallett — Michigan, Troy Aikman — OK Sooners, etc)
Hopefully things will work out for both Ealey and UGA.
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
4:16 pm
GeoffDawg, with all due respect sir, you are out of your gourd for trying to debate GTBob.
Now this I agree with. He should start out with easier opponents and move his way up with more experience. Right now he is a little outmatched.
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
4:22 pm
Watched the end of a Big 10 Classic yesterday on Big 10 Network – Ohio State v Mich State – John Cooper was still the coach. Ohio State ranked #1. Late October game. Michigan State won. Guess who the Michigan State coach was?
Saban.
I wonder if that makes us 1-10 v the SEC?
SEC! SEC!
danny
May 10th, 2011
4:23 pm
Is Caleb King next on the plank?
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
4:23 pm
bigcalodawg,
The Fulmer is still yours. Reining Champ. Be proud.
as predicted
May 10th, 2011
4:29 pm
Good riddance, Washout.
i have heard that there were going to be some departures from the team due to the increased intensity of the S&C workouts. Coach T and K weren’t going to stand for any crap…and this falls right in line with what I heard. (all Koolaide drinkers can take this, and cussing at a bulldog club meeting as a ’sign of toughness’)
For me, the jury will be out on that one until the second week in December…….
MC
May 10th, 2011
4:29 pm
A GT fan trashing anything is funny as hell with the sorry excuse for a football program they have over at the joke by the coke.
Bubba From Athens
May 10th, 2011
4:31 pm
Dang, CMR is pragmatic. I thought he was on birth control pills.
Snoop Dawg
May 10th, 2011
4:32 pm
Pleeeeeeze. Put the koolaid away…
Waushaun is a product of Preacha Man Mark Richt the Coach. Problem is, leadership is lacking. Richt is supposed to add value to the high school kids he trains up physically, spiritually, emotionally. Mark Richt is a no go at this station. It doesn’t matter, though, because he will still collect his $250K at the end of the month, just as he does at the end of every month. How long will the carousel turn?
Snoop Dawg
May 10th, 2011
4:34 pm
Obviously, the buck doesn’t stop at the coach’s desk. The buck goes all the way into Preacha Man’s multimillion dollar bank account…
gcs
May 10th, 2011
4:34 pm
You call this getting tough??!! Five strikes and you’re out?
.
Not surpised
May 10th, 2011
4:35 pm
Good point MC, but it’s typical of Tech fans. They still think they are the best in spite of having their rear ends plowed every year.
Barbara Dooley
May 10th, 2011
4:42 pm
Herschel, honey, did you hear that CMR is pragmatic? We better be sure we use protection. I sure don’t want to wind up pragmatic.
Charlie Hayes
May 10th, 2011
4:45 pm
Ealey wanted out several months ago and CMR talked him into staying with the Dawgs. CMR cares more about Ealey’s future than any other coach would these days. Most coaches only care about winning. Dont get me wrong, CMR wants to win, however he also wants these kids to get a good education so they can have life after college and improve their well being. Ealey wants to play football with his best friend Dexter Moody and most likely they will both be playing at Georgia Southern this year. Ealey is wanting to play and be a star instead of fighting for playing time with four other RB’s. You cant blame Ealey for wanting to be the man, but it just shows that Ealey isnt as good as we all hoped when he came our way courtesy of ECI.
All I can say is that CMR is a coach with a lot of integrity, he provides second chances to mistakes and is a Damn Good Dawg! You guys that dont like CMR will never find another coach that will bring the level of success to UGA that he has brought in the past ten (10) years. Just think back to the Donnan and Goff days for a few minutes and you too will be proud of CMR. Now, let’s focus on talking crap about Boise State and get behind these Dawgs! Go Dawgs!
Charlie Hayes
May 10th, 2011
4:52 pm
Another point. Copied from Wiki on Jim Donnan……. was fired by University President Michael F. Adams, against the wishes of athletic director Vince Dooley, in 2000 after the Bulldogs struggled to two consecutive eight-win seasons, and three consecutive losses against Georgia Tech. Donnan’s inability to return the program to the national prominence of Dooley’s era and to compete with longtime SEC Eastern Division rivals such as Tennessee and Florida, combined with certain off-the-field problems for players, are believed to be the reasons for his dismissal.
Last I checked we have been whacking GT’s rear-end and we have been dominating UT. The “off-the-field” problems will always be present and can only be managed, not eliminated……What more do you Richt hatters want? Just tell me who you feel will be a better coach and we can start a blog on that topic. I dont think you will find one……
Vince Dooley
May 10th, 2011
4:58 pm
Barb, honey, did you hear that CMR is pragmatic? Wonder who the father is?
Sven Ottke
May 10th, 2011
5:00 pm
Neither. Richt grew up in the steps of Bobby Bowden, the king of the “aw schucks, boys will be boys.” Ealy wanted out awhile back.
And Joshua Barlowe nailed it early on, on this blog. This whole “Georgia Way” is as big a joke as the “Dream Team.” Ealy WAS doing it the “Georgia Way.” Trouble from the word ‘go.’
CMR
May 10th, 2011
5:02 pm
Can’t we all just get along?
Kirby Smart
May 10th, 2011
5:03 pm
Keep your chins up. I will be there next season.
Washin' Ealey
May 10th, 2011
5:03 pm
Dream team, smream team. We don’t need no stinkin’ dream team.
National Champs
May 10th, 2011
5:04 pm
UGA — undefeated once again and gets the glass football. Bwa bwa bwa bwa bwa bwa bwa bwa.
Athens Police Chief
May 10th, 2011
5:06 pm
Can’t wait for fall practice. We have several new cells to accomadate the thuga-letes.
Doctor Phil
May 10th, 2011
5:08 pm
“What was he thinking?”
Remember 1980
May 10th, 2011
5:10 pm
This is our year…..go dawgs. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bwa bwa bwa bwa
Cam Scootin'
May 10th, 2011
5:11 pm
Show me the money.
McDonalds HR
May 10th, 2011
5:13 pm
Wahshawn … please send us your resume.
Steve
May 10th, 2011
5:16 pm
“…have been years where Georgia’s arrest total approached — and last year even surpassed — double figures.” Really? We had 100+ arrests? Not sure how the University kept that quiet. Or did you mean to write, “and last year even reached’? Tighten up, Mark.
Arthur Dent
May 10th, 2011
5:32 pm
Richt is a joke, his players know it. Let’s cut through the BS, shall we?
Yes, please do. Richt is the biggest joke in Athens and the SEC. And the average reading level of his “student-athletes” is 4th grade, so they’re a complete joke too.
No, Georgia Tech can’t compete with UGA’s illiterati and morons, but Tech players don’t end up pushing shopping carts or riding the back of garbage trucks like UGA players after Mark Richt dumps them when their eligibility is up.
That’s just one of those inconvenient truths for dawgtards.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2011
5:36 pm
Are you trying to set a record for consecutive blog posts with a colon in the title?
GeoffDawg
May 10th, 2011
5:37 pm
Right on the money GTBob. The old adage of never wrestle with a pig comes to mind.
But I digress…enough about tech cheerleaders.
John
May 10th, 2011
5:42 pm
Richt has a pattern of doing this.
Beat his favorite, he makes you really unhappy until you transfer.
Mett, Gray, Ealey.
Richt wants his guys starting, not the best performers.
How do you start Caleb King over Ealey when King has 2 td’s to Ealey’s 11?
Only if King’s your fav because you feel he passblocks better.
John
May 10th, 2011
5:44 pm
If Richt getting:
1) tougher 2) more pragmetic 3) dumber
Since his win totals have gone down every year from 11 to 10 to 8 to 6, I’d go with door #3.
The Real Dog Catcher
May 10th, 2011
6:13 pm
The old saying that a little too late, or water over the dam, water under the bridge, that ship has sailed, and on and on.
The Athen program was once a program that teams had to bring their “A” game to play, now they just have to bring a game. The thuggish players of the UGA team during the Outback bowl against Wisconsin still embarrasses me and those of us from Georgia who had to live through late hits, tackling out of bounds, players barking at Badgers and the total lack of class.
When a prison warden loses control, he is replaced with another warden and folks the players in recent history at UGA have acted more like convicts and rule breakers than football players. The record speaks for itself.
Coach Grohbo
May 10th, 2011
6:45 pm
Catcher bringing up ThUGAry from 1998. Keep up the good work!
Coach Grohbo
May 10th, 2011
6:47 pm
John,
Don’t forget about Dowtin.
he is not above criticism
May 10th, 2011
7:41 pm
for jettisoning a problem. The decline/spiral/spinning out of control seems to be a trend instead of an anomaly. 11, 10, 8, 7, 6…can 5 be far away?
What will crosseyedjack say then?
Former Mayor Bill Campbell
May 10th, 2011
7:52 pm
UGA will suck worse this year than a $10 ladyoftheevening on Stewart Avenue. You will be lucky to finish 5th or 6th in the EAST this year.
The Real Dog Catcher
May 10th, 2011
7:53 pm
2005..Outback Bowl
MC
May 10th, 2011
8:02 pm
Let’s all go over to the Tech blaog and talk about a program that’s really swirling around the bowl.
FLA DAWG
May 10th, 2011
8:04 pm
Mark,
After having read your article I come away with the certainty the continuation of player non performance of this program is Richt himself. A decade of “Warm And Fuzzy” did nothing to correct the on and off field problems.
Are you aware of the attitude change of Dooley during and after the “Dump Dooley” years? I can tell you he’d walk by players and often not acknowledge them. He left the details to the asst coaches. Tough for them to swallow but he had their respect.
I don’t think Richt can be that tough and cold. More’s the pity as this season will likely be the final allowance for this once highly touted Head Coach.
dawgtime now
May 10th, 2011
8:27 pm
without crowell, richt doesn’t kick ealey off the team. Richt knows crowell is the starter from game 1.
David Granger
May 10th, 2011
8:44 pm
Mark, I think Richt is trying to be a hard-ass, no-nonsense coach…but I’m not sure he can do it now. He has NOT been that kind of coach the last couple of years, and when you let a team get away from you…it’s almost impossible to get them back. For one thing, you’re raising hell at players for doing some of the same things you’ve just winked away in the past. And nobody respects inconsistency like that.
Look at Will Muschamp at Florida. He just got rid of Janoris Jenkins, the team’s best player who was projected as the top cornerback in the 2012 draft.
He didn’t wait for the legal system to run its course, he didn’t cover anything up and say he would handle it “internally”, he didn’t decide that Jenkins should remain on the team because he needs the structure and discipline football provides, and he didn’t suspend him for the first two “thump-a-chump” games of next season. Jenkins committed his third strike, and is OUT.
And that was a gutsy call for a rookie head coach. He didn’t do the easy, expected, or expedient thing…he did the RIGHT thing.
Sure wish we had him running things at UGA.
Davis
May 10th, 2011
8:46 pm
Mark,
No, no, no.
The question is:
Why does Richt lose more games than the year before,
7 out of 8 last seasons, 88% of the time?
Dialing it in...
May 10th, 2011
8:52 pm
CMR is like the Rip Van Winkle of college ball this year. It appears that he is having an epiphany and has finally realizes that he needs to right the ship. He stated earlier in the year that he needed to release some of his CEO duties and get back to field. He stated that he needed to get back in contact with how the game is being played now days. He has a player admit that he didn’t know how to play his position. His veteran O-Line was suspect all season, yet he waited until after the season to replace the coach (yea, I know he resigned…wink, wink). He has a very public display with his running back of 2 years and openly embarrasses him with that dog and pony show with the RB position vacant during Crowell’s visit. Not to forget Rip losing his cool with a fan
Well, it sounds that Rip Van Richt is finally stepping up and doing what he should have been doing all along. Perhaps ol’ Rip should return a few million from the time when he was just dialing it in.
tater tot
May 10th, 2011
9:05 pm
RUDY RUDY RUDY !!!
test
May 10th, 2011
9:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Who Cares
May 10th, 2011
9:24 pm
Too little too late for Richt. He is showing all the signs of a desperate coach that is trying to do anything he can to save his job and his own ass. He has turned on his friends, Martinez, S&C coach(Neither should have been hired to start with), and now his players. This guy has lost control of the players and the program, and trying to instill discipline at this stage of the disaster he has created just want work. He has proven over and over again that he is terrible at making difficult coaching decisions, whether it be on the field during games, or off the field as it relates to hiring and firing coaches. He waits until too much damage has been done to fire coaches, just like he waits until too much damage has been done on saturdays on the field. This guys should stop firing coaches, and stop bad mouthing his players in public, and look in the mirror at the root of all the problems facing the UGA program now. He will never admit he is the problem, but like many leaders that have lost control, he is pointing fingers and blaming everyone else. He will never be able to turn the UGA program around, and unfortunately for UGA fans, the damage he has done will take several years to repair.
Real Tech Engineer
May 10th, 2011
9:48 pm
Richt loses 3-4 games, but keeps his job again—because he is such a “nice guy.” Keep it coming uga!!
dawgster
May 10th, 2011
10:11 pm
@GT Bob…Have to admit that your posts are some of the most absurd I have seen on here over the past couple of years…Your knowledge of Coach Richt and all his thoughts are just mind boggling…Probably the most absurd was your comments regarding Mett and his dismissal from the team…I know for a fact that it was one of the toughest decisions that he and the UGA administration had to make…You can spin it anyway you like but you have absolutely no clue on what took place with that decision….but there are people that actually do know, don’t pretend to be one of them because sir you are not…It was an uncomfortable and difficult situation that was dealt with in the best interest of all parties involved…I f you are going to run your mouth, at least make sure you have some knowledge of the actual events….Don’t mean to come down on you so hard, but it disgusts me when you or others that have no knowledge of what took place with the discipline of players but have all the answers….Think about some of the stuff you posts, if you expect any respect from others….
dawgster
May 10th, 2011
10:13 pm
And GT Bob…if you want to know how Zach and his family feel about what happened, then you should look them up….Zach accepts responsibility for his actions…but yet you want to blame Coach Richt….go dawgs
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 10th, 2011
10:18 pm
Washaun may not be welcome in Statesboro after all.
“Georgia Southern has not been and will not be in conversation with Washaun Ealey,” Rose Carter, Georgia Southern assistant athletic director for athletics media relations, said by email this afternoon.
Maybe Ealey burned his bridges across the Oconee River before he figured out where he’ll be the premier back without need to share.
PT
May 10th, 2011
10:20 pm
It’s hard to do preventative maintenance on a sinking ship.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 10th, 2011
10:44 pm
It is truely amazing that you negative posters know just what to do with UGA’s coach and the team as a whole. You post the same old crap, day after day. So many of you do not even come close to having an original thought. I suppose you pull out your crystal ball to forsee the future.
Also amazing is the fact that a Tech. fan or whinner actually, comes onto these blogs about matters UGA, and does one of two things. Either it is the fact that tech. has such high moral standards and educational ones as well, and therefore we are better than UGA, or UGA only has thugs at the school. I would think tech. fans would be well served to find a way to not lose consistently to UGA before you critsize UGA. When you quit getting your lunch handed to you, almost every year by UGA, then you can make positive comments and even offer suggestions about how UGA needs to improve in the football area. But when you are getting your butt handed to you with another loss in the column, you need to be quiet since you are only putting down your master.
rocketfuel
May 10th, 2011
10:55 pm
After this year DawgFans one of UGA’s own will be coming home to coach the Dawgs.Kirby,Greg Mcgarity on line 1.
Concerned!
May 10th, 2011
11:38 pm
I keep reading over and over again about the players, and their actions. Why CMR should step up and why it is about time. After ten years on sitting on his hands as well saying come on boys please be nice, it should be no surprise that CMR is reaching in all directions for relief.
The bottom line is CMR has not done a very good job assembling a strong coaching staff to direct players to higher standards. The asst. coaches are not doing their jobs. I know I was there once and Georgia coaches from the past higher character decades would not put up with this sort of stuff. One offense and you are gone. ONE! So weak coaches give you exactly what you have. A grouping of players who do not care, are there for themselves, and are unwilling to be serious about life because they never came to UGA to be a student/athlete.
Case in point in that the true leaders on the recent teams have come from Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and North Carolina. There are no in state of Georgia true leaders. The kids playing from Georgia for the Bulldogs do not graduate, cause trouble, and are there for the free ride. Another case in point, is that the overall school system that you are pulling from in the state is ranked 49 or 50 in America. Maybe someone really will speak truth here in acknowledging that UGA has recruited non students coming out of Georgia High Schools that need a huge face lift, as well a great change in the course of non parents in Georgia who hang out at the lottery store, the local fishing hole, and some wing shack. This is what we have, and God knows CMR cannot fix this. CMR knows he cannot fix this. How then does one get past the obvious fact that our resources in the state of Georgia are so poor that we must take kids that should not be in the UGA system?
The answer is to raise the bar, change how we look at recruiting. Only take a few not 20 kids that have no chance but maybe an NFL Degree. We did not loss anything, we never had it. # 34 was a surprise, and it would take three of him to win with the cancers within the recent UGA Teams.
Truth is never taken well. If we keep washing ourselves in the same water, expect for the smell never to change.
Say recruit nationally, say get rid of coaches that are not there for the right reasons, say no more 30 players majoring in Housing, say sorry good bye when you do DUI, break the law, disgrace your self and the university. Someone needs to be reading, and hearing the truth.
Greg are you there?
Buck Blue
May 10th, 2011
11:39 pm
Gary, if you are right about VD and ER, then fine. I hope that VD appreciated what all ER did for the Dogs and VD for years. Look what he accomplished at GSU. Just short of a miracle. I think that VD is a good fellow and smart fellow and good coach, but he seemed to lack that passion…like CMR. Maybe Richt is trying to pattern himself after VD.
I like the visors being thrown. That’s just me. Satan — erh, Saban — gets after their asses. And I notice that he doesn’t have a backfield by committee. He finds his starters and sticks with them, regardless if feelings are hurt.
I guess I was spoiled by the blood rolling down Erk’s forehead before the game. That does inspire. GATA.
I love the Dogs. Pull for them constantly. Bleed Red & Black. But, getting beat by the likes of Colorado? I remember the terrible 1979 season…with us opening up with Wake at home with John Makovic (very passionate) at the helm for Wake. We got beat, and we got beat by four or five other ACC opponents that year. We didn’t win against a single ACC team. But, in 1980…well, you know the story.
I give Dooley are hard time…and Richt…because they don’t fit my personality. They are good guys…and good coaches…but I want to see more passion…like Derek Dooley. I think that Derek is a lot like his mama, Barbara. Now she’s a passionate one. I’d to see her on the sideline! You’d have to have a “Get Back Coach” keeping her on the sideline!
macrotech
May 10th, 2011
11:40 pm
Mark (another one)’s 12:07 p.m. post is dead on…well spoken, sir. I agree with you…couldn’t have said it better.
VININGSDAWG
May 10th, 2011
11:55 pm
Great once again we are putting all of our hopes on our annual revival of the next Herschel. Crowell scares me since he has had chronic foot and ankle injuries in high school and in case none of you fellow Dawg fans know, Crowell is no chior boy with his run ins with law.
RED DOG 77
May 11th, 2011
12:25 am
Oh hell people…….with the kind of defense coach Todd Grantham is going to put on the field this year, coach Richt knows full well……he won’t have to score too many points to win alot of ballgames………GO DOGS………..RED
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
6:18 am
Washaun has sunk his own boat.
How many big-time FBS schools would want to take a guy who doesn’t want to compete for playing time? Or who thinks he’s entitled to be the premier player? Or who cannot get along with the famously-affiable Coach Mark Richt?
Nope, unless Washaun signs with Georgia Southern (and it appears Statesboro is giving Ealey a pass too), chances are we won’t be seeing WE playing against us even in a couple of years.
Fears of giving Washaun an unconditional waiver are misplaced.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
6:22 am
The road from Athens back to Stillmore, Georgia Highway 15, runs right through Wrightsville,
When Washaun drives pass that sign that says “Wrightsville, Georgia. Home of Herschel Walker,” Ealey should think what might have been.
Thomas Brown
May 11th, 2011
6:49 am
Ran off Washaun Ealey so Crowell can Start
Ran off Zach Mettenberger so Aaron Murray 4-year Starter
Mark Richt is as inconsistent on punishment as he can get
Branden Smith deserved suspension for using fake ID
Matthew Stafford Beer Keg deserved suspension
Montez Robinson deserved kicked off long before he was
on and on
New Day
May 11th, 2011
6:50 am
Ga will win the SEC east in 2011—bet the house! Florida’s way down with talent and coaching issues, usc will not beat Ga in athens and Grantham’s 3-4 will be the best in the SEC. Look for 10 wins, SEC east title and Ga v. Lsu for the SEC title!!!! These dawgs are back!
New Day
May 11th, 2011
7:14 am
Ooops….I forgot to mention that I also believe in Santa, The Tooth Fairy, and The Easter Bunny. Gotta run…my Mommy is making me french toast with a chocolate chip smiley face.
Buckeye
May 11th, 2011
7:17 am
Ohio on the Gulf,
Don’t think Ealey gives a rat about Herschel.
Mark Richt
May 11th, 2011
7:22 am
@ New Day (6:50 comment) Just curious. When you do crack do you smoke it or snort it? Whatever the case, please get to rehab, FOOL.
Coastal Dog -- SSI
May 11th, 2011
7:34 am
Mark, have you run out of something to write about?
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
7:55 am
Buckeye, you’re probably right Washaun doesn’t give a rat about Herschel. His comments suggest he gives a rat about nothing but Washaun.
Had Ealey emulated Herschel’s attitude, though, Washaun would have achieved something at Georgia. Ealey’s unachieved greatness at Georgia is “what might have been.”
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
8:00 am
Thomas Brown,
Do you suppose we could run you off as well. What a bunch of dribble to post. Ealey has had numerous chances to be a team player and chose not to do so. Ealey has been all Ealey since day one it would appear.
Mettenberger sexually molested a young lady in a public place. After committing another law violation, just a few weeks earlier. He ran his own self off.
Don’t confuse soft as pertains to CMR, for being a truly caring coach who maybe gave players a few too many chances, but he takes care of transgressions, he just doesn’t air out every one of them to the public. Some players, interpret that as being soft and lenient, but I think in light of the past couple of years of a high rate of misdemeanors by some of the players, he has reached his limit of being super nice guy. Contrary to what a lot of folks on these blogs think, I do not believe he is worried about his job. He is simply trying to change a perception about him being too soft, and if you watch or read his interviews, he readily admits his mistakes. Of course I realize, he is not perfect like you, but I am sure he is trying to obtain your lofty standards.
GO DAWGS
Father Flannigan
May 11th, 2011
8:01 am
What? Is Mrs. Bobo pragmatic again?
Cradle Dawg
May 11th, 2011
8:02 am
Is Mrs. Bobo pragmatic again?
Phildo
May 11th, 2011
8:11 am
I suspect that Greg McGarity had more to do with getting rid of Ealey than Richt and was willing to let it look like Richt’s decision to save face for Richt. Yeah, sure, Richt is counting on Crowell to be the man, but he knows that things can happen and would have preferred to keep Ealey “just in case”. Plus, had he not signed Crowell, he would have been (and maybe still was) begging McGarity to give this “fine, but misguided young man” one more chance. Long term salvation for UGA lies in McGarity, not Richt.
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
8:40 am
Still amazed at the idiot postings on here…yes i’m talking about you “Concerned”…I can assure you that as UGA has issues with other players long before Coach Richt’s tenure….and yes under Dooley, but alot of stuff was handled in house, not on the blogs or in the AJC everyday…but you wouldn’t know anything about that would you?…No, didn’t think so…I love it when some that have no clue when it comes to running a major college football program spout off while sitting behind their precious computer…No matter what Coach Richt does, it doesn’t please you…he’s not tough enough, he’s too tough on some, he’s a Christian, he thinks he’s a Saint, should of kicked someone off sooner, shouldn’t have kicked someone off…Unbelievable the nonsense that some of you put out…
Here’s a solution…Find a team that you can support that will never have a problem and where the coaching staff will do exactly what you want to appease “you”…Help in the recruiting..go with the coaches and only recruit good, outstanding character, make sure they will never, ever, get into trouble…;.I mean these guys are 18-19 year old kids, no one at this age should ever make a mistake…what kind of upbringing do they have?…Do they meet “your standards” But, hey let’s do all we can to not support this team and the coaching staff and if we are lucky our AD will find a Saviour for the program….Oh, by the way, “Concerned”, I actually did play at Sanford Stadium and fully support this program and the players…Am I happy about the past few years, “NO”…but bashing the players and coaches is non-produictive so I would rather focus on the positive things that have taken place and also realize that the majority of our players have done the right things….It was no different in the 70’s in case you want to know….Unfortunately you hear more about it and word travels much differently nowadays…go dawgs
FACTS
May 11th, 2011
8:47 am
I’m skeptical of any college coach anywhere in America about thier intentions now & forever…..Tressel’s actions at OSU, the Newton debacle, & the Fiesta bowl’s chairman fiasco….college football seems like it is being ran by Don King instead of the NCAA….I just have a gut feeling there is a little more to this story than is being reported….for Richt to be this great Christian or whatever he was very classless when he spoke in Augusta….coaches don’t throw players under the bus Tressel did’nt do it to Clarrett nor did Carroll do it to Bush….I’m not saying Ealey is getting paid or anything, just that the undiscipline acts of our UGA players the last few years shows there is a possible underlying problem that exists under Richt!
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
8:50 am
Dawgster,
I think you are spot on with your comments. I believe the ole saying goes, ” Don’t critisize someone, unless you have walked a mile in their shoes”. I know I would not want to be in CMR’s shoes, and before I retired, I would always look for a challenge in my career. I couldn’t stand to be just good enough. I am betting that CMR has just as much desire as any coach in the NCAA, and I am sure he knows where to make corrections when needed. I am a loyalist to the max and believe he will get it turned around. What I like about CMR though is I believe he will get it turned around the right way, without having to resort to defending his moves every day. He is an honest, treuly good man, and if people can’t see that, I am not surprised that they also can not see that he is a good coach as well.
Richt`s Hammer
May 11th, 2011
8:52 am
Mark has traded his pink purse in for black one that is more forceful and impressive.
Choakdawg has been hiding under the front porch for days.
Whisky Breath
May 11th, 2011
8:57 am
Mark, please, you give CMR more credit than he deserves. He is neither pragmatic or tougher. He is just being Mark. He is neither consistent or bright. Simply, he did not handle the Ealey/ Crowell situation very smartly. He basically told Ealey the job was his from the first ball game. How in the hell did you expect Ealey to react? I would have packed my bags that day. As a coach, you NEVER tell a recruit he will start. Can you imagine Nick Saban telling a recruit that? Buy hey, I know you want the GA people to feel good about their coach. I say shame on CMR.
Richt`s Hammer
May 11th, 2011
8:57 am
Just in. Richt`s new line of purses go on sale today at Victoria`s secret.
UGA grad here
May 11th, 2011
8:58 am
We are nearing the finish ……….. one way or other:
1.) Arrests have to be held to maybe 1 or 2. This includes DUIs, driving w.o. a license and helmet grabbing, gal slapping, etc . One or two arrest maybe.
2.) The UGA w/l record needs to be around 9-3 or preferably 10-2 with a WIN over Florida, whether we are 6-6 or 9-3. Florida is in transition and UGA needs to win this year. THIS game IS important to McGarrity.
3.) If UGA can muster a 9-3 mark, with say a loss to Boise State but then only two other conference losses BUT IS STILL IN competition with Florida and SC for the East title, then that will likely be enough. Many intangibles will come into play with this final record, however. Arrests, team attitudes AND ALUMNI attitudes.
4.) If UGA can muster a 10-2 mark and go to the Georiga Dome vs LSU for the SEC title, then CMR is in good standing and possibly posed for a fun run in 2012.
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:03 am
FACTS, big difference factually between Tressel and Richt!
In fact, Tressel sought to conceal facts from NCAA investigators; Richt was communicating facts to Washaun and the public that Ealey’s attitude was intolerable. Nothing “classless” about making facts plain to those who need to know them.
You are very unfactual, FACT. Especially when you use the word “our” in your penultimate line.
Do not misquote
May 11th, 2011
9:03 am
CMR never told Crowell that he would start. He said something like this ……. IF you work hard, and do what is expected and show some leadership and display your talents consistently on the practice field ……….. then you might start. DUH???
This is what you tell 95% of your recruits. This is simply NOT news. This is the way that it was in the 60s when I was attending UGA. Do you think that Andy Johnson was told that you will sit for two or three years? in his day, they had to sit for their frosh year.
Walker was also told this same thing. SO was Buck Belue or Lindsey Scott or Scott Woerner or Jimmy Payne, or MIke Wislon or Joel Parrish or Ray Goff or Jeff Pyburn or Eric Zeir or Quincy Carter. Duh.
Get over pounding CMR and what he said to Crowell. It is not news gang.
Go Dogs.
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
9:11 am
@It Aint RocketScience…thanks and I agree with you…some great comments you have posted…I get frustrated by so many of our so called dawg fans that can only find a way to criticize Coach Richt and our players..Perfect example above with “Facts”…saying that Coach Richt threw Ealey under the bus…Just don’t see where he did, his comments were in regards to his status on the team as was asked to him.;..He responded truthfully in my opinion, and probably knew a little more than the “Facts” blogger what Ealey’s situation was….Its funny how we are the only program in some peoples eyes that have playeres that mess up…But i think you and me both agree that when the dawgs turn things around, I truly believe they will, these so called dawg fans will come out of the woodworks again and act like they were there all along….It’s amazing that so many forget the 90’s and where our program was vs where it has been the past 10 years…Yea, no NC yet, so I guess that is failure to some, but I’ll take the last 10 years and continue my support and will be optimistic about our future…I see no reason to dwell on who we should get to coach the team or what player we should or should not recruit…Thats for our Coaches an aour AD to manager…I for one am anxious for the season to start and see what we do….One final thing, does this mean I am happy about the past two seasons…NO…but I know some of the changes that have taken place to address our program which I believe are positive…As wiith any organization or college football program, you are constantly evaluating where you are and you take steps to improve, but you have to stay away from knee-jerk reactions ;that some bloggers feel should be done…go dawgs
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:17 am
Yes, Do Not Misquote, what Richt said, precisely was:
“I expect him to come right in and compete right away, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do.”
That’s not a promise to start. It is a promise to let Crowell compete for the job. That Crowell was competing for Washaun’s job is what made Ealey skitter away.
Best Regards
May 11th, 2011
9:18 am
In The Southeastern Conference,
a team can never have too many good running backs.
Summit Dawg
May 11th, 2011
9:20 am
With “Mr. Richt’s” & “Mr. BooBoo’s” offensive scheme, why would Washaun want to remain another
two years as a No. 2 back behind Crowell when he was never regarded as no. 1 for two years, even though he out performed all the others…….The problem with UGA’s Football Program isn’t the players, It’s Richt and BooBoo!!!!……love to see them both hit the road!!
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
9:20 am
@Whisky Breath…please tell us your inside information that Coach Richt told Crowell he would start…..Its funny that no one else heard that…Now did we let Crowell know that we could use a RB with his talent…Of course we did and so did Bama and others..Everyone turned Coach Richt’s comments he made that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Crowell carrying the rock some in the Boise St game in the dome…What actually is wrong with not only motivating a young man that with all the hype knows he has a chance to be on National Tv and lining in the Georgia Backfield, but also it lets the other RB’s know that someone has to step up and take that position…For as many years that I played and coached, I can find nothing wrong with that approach…You would be surprised at some of the motivation toolls that were handed out to me and ones I used to motivated players. And thats what it is “motivation’..If you have problem with that, then nothing I will say can changer your mind…I don’t believe you are a dawg fan, so not sure why it matters, but it’s amazing that no matter what Coach Richt does or doesn not do, we have people such as you that find only something negative in what he does or says….
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:23 am
As for the “missing man formation,” the only reason a man was missing from that formation is because Washaun did not step up to the plate and be the man he has the talent, skills, and potential to be, despite two years’ worth of chances.
Coach Richt gave Ealey every chance. Washaun’s choices and Washaun’s alone doomed his tenure at UGA.
I’m sorry to see him go, but it’s for the best.
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
9:27 am
@Don Not Misquote….great post…I actually played ball with Andy…still one of the greatest athletes I ever saw or played with and against….not just talking about football either, but baseball, basketball and track….Amazing how many bloggers on here can only focus on Coach Richt’s negatives….If they really knew the man and his family, and listened to former players talk about his influence they might rething some of the things they say….but I doubt it…you have some that will not be happy until he is gone and then they can focus on pounding the next coach with their uninformed comments….go dawgs
Best Regards
May 11th, 2011
9:28 am
In The SEC,
a team can NEVER have too many good running backs !
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
9:29 am
sorry…should be @ Do Not Misquote”
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:42 am
Potential 2011 Bulldog running backs if need be (in alphabetical order):
Isaiah Crowell
Caleb King
Brandon Hartun
Ken Malcome
Nick Marshall
Richard Samuel
Branden Smith
Carlton Thomas
More than enough there for a running back-by-committee approach if Isaiah doesn’t come in and nail down the job from the get-go. Running back may or may not be Georgia’s strongest point in 2011. But there’s no reason it should be a problem area.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
9:47 am
To blame Ealey’s predictament on anybody but Ealey himself, is just plain wrong. He has stated, just recently that he did not want to share time with any other player at RB, and yet he consistently showed on and off the field that he could not take the responsibility or shoulder the load. It was all about Ealey and his time at UGA, not the game plan, other backs on the team, or whatever else some of these folks on here chose to believe. As the saying goes, “there is no I in team”. Hope he reralizes what he has thrown away.
Where have you been kid?
May 11th, 2011
9:49 am
Richard Samuel is now a converted linebacker,
no longer a running back.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:52 am
Add Malcolm Mitchell to that list too.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
Where have you been….Note I wrote “if need be.” Not only Samuel but Smith and Marshall are on defense.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
9:54 am
Marshall could also quarterback if need be.
GT
May 11th, 2011
9:57 am
You are on the wrong end of the horse. This plot is a little like the Falcons not knowing Vick was trouble when they signed him. You almost have to try not to know in both these cases that there were character issues. Then as this sewage flows into the program it pollutes what may have been a healthy team. In Washaun Ealey case he was almost certainly going to put this attitude virus on the freshman class coming in, Isaiah Crowell would have been worthless. The problem still remains at Georgia and that is immature coaches. They recruit these kids as equals, even allow the alumni to illegally get involved,coach them as equals, the kids don’t mature, how can they when their mentors are mentally preforming below them. Tony Barnhart makes small potatoes of Todd Grantham’s choke sign in the Florida game. The local press has carried a lot of this atmosphere in allowing the PR department at UGA to spoon feed them what to write and people like Tony making UGA football his social country club. When you look at South Carolina or Georgia Tech or Alabama you see an adult on the sideline. When you look at Georgia you see a coach reacting only after the explosion never before it. Soft is still the uniform in Athens.
Georgia | NewsTrendr
May 11th, 2011
10:16 am
[...] LSU game (which was the fifth game of the …Ealey: Georgia wasn't right for meESPN (blog)Here we see a tight-lipped Mark Richt. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Running back Ealey leaving GeorgiaSavannah Morning NewsUSA [...]
Hackshaw
May 11th, 2011
10:22 am
Richt said, before Crowell ever practiced, worked out, or earned it, that Crowell will be used “heavily”.
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2011/02/03/richt-dangles-possibility-of-dome-start-for-crowell/?cp=4
That was the end of Ealey for Richt.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
10:24 am
The Falcons took incomparably bigger risk drafting Vick at number one than any risk Georgia has ever taken taking a chance on a kid.
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
10:32 am
Hacksaw, you need to re-read the link you posted.
Richt did not say Crowell would be “used” as you say, heavily. Richt said he would “contribute” heavily. That is certainly no promise of playing time, which is abundantly made clear in the paragraph that follows the word “heavily.”
See also the very title of the article you post. Uses of the word “dangles” and the word “possibility” absolutely negate any inference that Richt made unreaslistic promises to Isaiah that he would play without earning a spot.
Crowell has undoubtedly already “contributed” to the “Dogs cause, in inciting optimism for the 2011 season if nothing else.
FACTS
May 11th, 2011
10:40 am
@ Wonderful Dog
The comparison was made because having a family member that attends UGA & talking with them constantly I feel there is more going on the surrounding the program than being put out there….here’s food for thought I doubt very seriously that AJ Green was the only player on the roster last season that may have sold personal UGA items for favors or money….these are college kids remember or did you ever attend college & have to scrape up money just for gas or food…that being said I will not become delusional about Richt because of one stellar recruiting class…. UGA’s decline over the last few years is proof of Richt’s outstanding coaching ability while new upstart coaches in the SEC are taking him to the woodshed…..as for calling out Ealey there at least a page full of other names Richt could have dicussed at that dinner who also have made dumb decisions over the course of last season…sorry man when you play in the best conference in the land everything is simply black & white, win or go home…nobody wins championships on paper!
Marlene
May 11th, 2011
10:51 am
I’m a UGA graduate and ‘love’ college football. But the player should not be able to break the rules and still play; nor should he play if he or she fails courses. I taught in GA Public Schools for 41 years and saw too much of this. What are we teaching young people if we say you are above the rules because you are good at sports? I taught Andre “Pulpwood” Smith in grade school. Many of us tried to steer him in the right direction but others exploited his sports’ abilities and look where he is today! Football is a teaching tool; use it as such and when one breaks the rules several times, send one home.
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
11:08 am
Facts…please get your dang facts right…Coach Richt was asked about Ealey specifically as he as fielded this question over and over….so whats your point with your comments….also, as far as others selling jerseys or other items, perhaps you are right…Please tell us how you control that with other players…AJ was a high profile player and I’m sure the NCAA paid a litttle more attention to players such as him and others at other schools….What most of us alumni and former players alike would like is for you to take your gripes and follow another program…Maybe you can find some happiness that UGA dowsn’t provide for you….Still trying to figure out your so called “Facts”….
Whisky Breath
May 11th, 2011
11:11 am
What about the ” missing man formation” told Ealey he has a chance? No chance it told Crowell you have a position waiting for you? Not to mention it was a secondary violation and CMR supposed knew nothing about that. What about this man is honest? ” I knew nothing about the players rushing the field during the Florida game”. The list goes on an on, but true Christians normally don’t lie. But I guess the times have changed.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
May 11th, 2011
11:24 am
[...] not be in conversation with Washaun Ealey,” the former Georgia leading rusher. Ouch.4. Is Mark Richt getting tougher… or just more pragmatic?5. UGA’s Mark Fox has lifted a Twitter ban on his hoops team.More to [...]
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
May 11th, 2011
11:25 am
FACTS:
I remember cracking and eating pecans off trees near Snelling on an occasion that my food money ran out, so, yes, I understand what it’s like being a college kid.
But my experience and your argument undercut your larger argument that something especiallly sinister is going on at Georgia.
You infer by denial that athletes are being paid, then you claim every college kid has to scrape together money for gas or food. All intending to slander the whole program as corrupt.
Then you claim as your sole source of authority some unidentified family member of yours with whom you speak constantly. There is no reason to believe either that your relative knows any facts, has relayed any facts to you, or you have faithfully relayed what your relative tells you.
There seem to be no reliable facts in FACTS comments.
PS: Your comparison of Georgia to Ohio State is a gargantuan leap.
dawgster
May 11th, 2011
11:40 am
@Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf dog….I was going to comment to again to Mr. “Non-Facts…but you post was excellent and stated it pefectly….I think form now on we shoud address him as Mr. Non-Facts…..go dawgs
bobo rules
May 11th, 2011
12:58 pm
buck belue says on 680 that mike bobo is doing a “great job” in athens coaching QBs and the offense. Enough said: buck knows his stuff.
Latest Bama News 5/11/2011 - Page 3
May 11th, 2011
1:25 pm
[...] Latest Bama News 5/11/2011 A UGA question: Is Richt getting tougher or more pragmatic? Reply With Quote + Reply to [...]
WDE
May 11th, 2011
2:52 pm
@Wonderful…I know a guy who dated a girl that once said hello to a UGA player I think it was 1979..and she told her boyfriend’s mother that there was ………….going on at UGA…I swear it must be true.
goodness gracious
May 11th, 2011
2:54 pm
The grass is always greener on the other side, but it is just as damn tough to cut. Everyone wants Richt fired for a couple of bad seasons. Even though he maybe the savior of Georgia football. We were not doing to much until he came along. But just who would we hire to replace him. I think we would be hard pressed to find a better head coach. And anyone who does not believe that winning the right way matters at all. Well they just dont know much about Georgia at all. The Braves have been doing it for years. There is just something about the South that we Believe in right and wrong. And thats something that should be regarded highly amongst everyone. It will be a sad day in Georgia if we ever loose Mr. Richt.
WDE
May 11th, 2011
2:59 pm
goodness gracious great post kudo’s!
Quintin
May 11th, 2011
3:35 pm
Richt is more clueless or more clueless?
Goes from 11 wins in 07′
to
10 wins in 08′
to
8 wins in 09′
to
6 wins in 10′?
FLA DAWG
May 11th, 2011
3:40 pm
After years of dismal performance and off field hijinks leading to arrests, suspensions and releases some of you continue to support the status quo.
Who is the real Dawg Fan? One who supports a coaching staff and players with worsening problems or one who demands major changes – including HC?
FLA DAWG
Class of ‘79
WDE
May 11th, 2011
3:43 pm
FLA DAWG in the 20 years of no SEC championships until CMR got here..where were you? If we have a losing season this year a change needs to be…up till then we have a coach…quit crying.
FLA DAWG
May 11th, 2011
3:46 pm
Agreeing with the release of Goff and Donnan when they couldn’t cut.
WDE
May 11th, 2011
4:04 pm
FLA DAWG I understand that but we aren’t going to make a change YET…so what do you want a new HC or a winning team? If we win this year there won’t be a change so for you to get your wish we need to lose this year..I don’t think either of us wants that.
FLA DAWG
May 11th, 2011
4:26 pm
WDE,
I don’t remember The Dawgs ever having played so poorly as they have the past three years under Richt. I don’t think Goff or Donnan had so many on and off field problems. After years of this it comes down to the Head Coach. If it were not for those of us in Dawg Nation who complain (or cry as you put it) Martinez would still be on the sideline this season.
I want this ship turned around as much or more than you do. Where we differ is in the timeframe. Richt has been given years to improve the D and the O line and nothing has happened but a worsening of both.
I am glad (and very surprised) at the quality of the recruits. If the guy can’t field a quality SEC team and win 9 games this season he’s never gonna.
Ron Smith
May 11th, 2011
4:42 pm
It really doesn’t matter who is in the UGA backfield. UGA seems to be loaaded with talent every year and the team gets worse. It’s poor coaching, poor conditioning and keeping players out of jail. As I stated many times before: “Insanity is doing the same thing over & over and expecting different results”. UGA will have another 6-6 season. Very sad for this once proud program
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
5:06 pm
Can I buy one of these crystal balls some of you have in your possesion? I need it so I can look into the future and rest my brain after knowing how UGA will do this year and who the national champ will be.
And to think I am now 62 and used to be able to make up my own mind about things, but now I can come onto a blog about UGA and get 100 opinions all based on factual evidence, a clear understanding of the English language and all of these folks with their crystals balls. Shoot, I think I will just come onto these blogs before each game and then I can spend my time doing something else, assured in the fact that the results of the games are preordained. Thanks so much for most of your comments on here. You will become a real time saver. After all, Times a wastin’ when you are 62 so I can’t afford to waste any.
Richt's Butt Cut
May 11th, 2011
8:42 pm
Caleb ineligible…
nahladawg
May 11th, 2011
10:34 pm
Here’s the deal on Ealey…he couldn’t stay out of truoble and didn’t want to work hard and beat out his competition on the field. He was an average back on a team with other average backs. Maybe Crowell will see this unfold and bust his tail to be the BEST OF THE BEST on the team. I am tired of UGA recruiting the next Hershel Walker. Jasper sanks was also a five star rb from the same high school and didn’t pan out. Maybe Crowell will come in with a “prove your worthy” chip on his shoulder and finally be a back that lives IP to the hype. C.king has yet to do that too by the way! Of course the OL is a key here.
So let’s see…we still have King who has been a let down compared to his hype and falls down/dives forward at any hint of contact (not Hershelesque); then we have C Thomas who o think would be a great toss sweep/screen pass back to put in space and let the small shifty speedy guy eat up some yards…but NOOOOO….our brilliant OC wants to run Jim between the tackles 3 times every game for a total of 5 yards. If any RB wantsbto transfer because of the way he’s used it should be Thomas!
Then we have Malcom who I think will be a solid back if he can stay healthy at leather solid enough to replace Winey Ealey. I bet Ealey transfers to a small D1 or a D2 school where you will never hear his name again, but at least he wont have to work hard and can just talk about how Mr. Football he is!
PonGT
May 12th, 2011
9:05 am
Wellsaid! As a resident in Emanuel Co, I was hopeful for the young man from Stillmore to succeed and help UGA in the process. Unfortunately, and this pains me to say it, but Waushan was a washout. Should have been jettisoned last yeear.
Ralph
May 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
Do you think a change in AD’s has anything to do with it? I think Mark Richt has the most support now that he has ever had. E.g. this is not the only change that has occurred, and would it have been possible or happened if not for the famous midnight ride….NAWWWW ain’t happening in my opiinion. You are only as good as the team or in this case your boss, and seems to me he might have had a short coming or two.
batman » Blog Archive » Roundup: Soccer Player Helps Kid Confront Bully, Batman Gets …
May 12th, 2011
5:48 pm
[...] My theory is that Mark Richt is a most-talked about SEC manager this season. [AJC] [...]
truedawgfan
May 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
It’s CYA time. Why don’t you KTA of all UGA supporters of Coach Mark Richt who has something you don’t seem to have. CLASS ! Go Dawgs !
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 13th, 2011
3:57 pm
Well said Truedawgfan. Not sure a lot of these negative bloggers on here ever attended a class either. Using some of their reasoning would lead me to believe that.