Alas, fixing UGA will require more than a few Richt ‘tweaks’
"How the heck did we win that goshdarn thing, anyway?" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Looking lousy against Boise State was one thing. Looking good but losing anyway was, in its way, worse. After the Georgia Bulldogs congratulated themselves on their Great Effort against South Carolina, the thought occurred:
Does Nick Saban congratulate himself after losses?
There are two ways to regard the bizarre doings of Saturday night. Mark Richt’s sunny-side-up stance was to speak of his team having “all the ingredients” and just needing “to tweak a couple of things.” The burnt-toast way is to reference the scoreboard and note that, once again, Richt’s team did whatever it took to lose.
You don’t go from losing half of your past 30 games to winning championships by tweaking. If anyone should know, it’s Richt. The march to the 2002 SEC championship was fueled by the desire — Richt’s words — to knock the lid off Georgia football. (The Bulldogs had gone two decades without a title.) Knocking implies force. Tweaking implies rather less. For contemporary Georgia football, less cannot yield more.
Optimists among us will point to Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Mitchell and Aaron Murray and Orson Charles and laud, as Richt did Saturday night, Georgia’s “talent base.” But the Bulldogs haven’t lacked for talent — not under Richt, not under Jim Donnan, not even under Ray Goff. At issue is whether Georgia again can learn to win, and that’s a whole ‘nother matter.
There’s a troubling label for what Georgia has become, and that label is “South Carolina.” For more than a century the Gamecocks would try very hard and stir deep passion but never quite get it right. How many times did Carolina play the Bulldogs off their feet and lose at the end? It happened in 2002, the David Pollack sack/snatch game that also featured two Gamecock fumbles on the goal line; happened in 2004, when Carolina led 16-0 but lost 20-16; happened in 2009, when it outgained Georgia by 119 yards but lost because Brandon Boykin returned a kickoff to score and because DeAngelo Tyson blocked a tying PAT.
There was no reason for Georgia to lose Saturday. Indeed, losing required real doing. More than just being fooled on a fake punt, Georgia couldn’t intercept a defensive end as he thundered 68 yards to a touchdown. It was bad enough that nobody blocked Jadeveon Clowney, far worse that Murray waved the ball and left it unsecured, thereby turning a sack into a sack, strip and score.
“We’re going to shake off the mistakes and become a very good football team,” Richt said, and maybe Georgia will. But I’m more skeptical after South Carolina than after Boise State. More and more, Richt bears the look of one of those coaches who can take his’n and lose to your’n and vice versa.
Loading ...Did the coach order Murray and Crowell to botch a handoff at a time when Georgia was poised to take a 27-14 lead? Of course not. But the worst possible play at the worst possible moment has become a Bulldog signature. Georgia should have beaten Colorado last season, but Caleb King fumbled. Georgia could have beaten Florida, but Murray threw into a throng in overtime.
Mathematically speaking, Richt was correct in saying: “We’re still in the Eastern Division race.” Having watched Richt’s team contrive to lose a game that would have been far easier to win, I can’t summon up much enthusiasm for math.
Sure, it’s possible Georgia could win the next 10 games and take the East. It’s possible Richt could not only keep his seat but cement himself in place. It’s also possible Georgia will continue to do as Georgia now does — lose most every close game — and Dan Mullen will be tapped to coach the Bulldogs in 2012.
Speaking of Boise, Richt had said: “When you play a team that’s used to winning and that knows how to win, it’s hard.” Georgia has become the kind of team that’s easy to play. An opponent needn’t do all that much — just hang around long enough for the Bulldogs to mess up.
By Mark Bradley
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639 comments Add your comment
UGA Grad '90
September 11th, 2011
10:09 pm
And just check out those stats so far:
10% of UGA fans thing GA will finish the remainder of the season 10-0. These people are clearly mentally retarded.
51% (OVER HALF) think UGA will finish 8-2, 9-1, or 10-0. That means more than half of the UGA fans responding to this poll of flat-out stupid. For once I agree with my fellow SEC brethren – maybe the majority of GA fans are dumb, retarded, inbred, redneck, hillbilly, high-school drop-outs.
Mike
September 11th, 2011
10:11 pm
Tweaks my a_ _! That ain’t gonna get it. BooBoo at least has got to go. We’ve been putting up with this for too long now. It’s time to face the music in Athens. Heads have got to roll. It’s just a matter of whose hits the dirt first. Come on guys, Dog fans deserve better.
UGA Through & Through
September 11th, 2011
10:13 pm
I concur Mark. With this schedule anything other 9-3 or better is pathetic. No way a 4 loss season could be justified especially considering we have the SEC’s easiest schedule. We had truly really be thankful that we don’t have Bama, LSU, or Arkansas this year or we could be looking at a 4 win season (losing to those three in the middle of the schedule coupled with the two losses we have now would have led to a really, really bad year). We will likely be favored against everyone remaining on the schedule but I feel assured we will lose one, two, or three. We will find a way to lose.
UGA Grad '90
September 11th, 2011
10:18 pm
Thorugh his Junior year, Johnny has been arrested 3 times in high school for DUI, vandalism and sexual assualt.
Johnny has averaged a 2.0 during that 3-year stretch.
Johnny constantly makes bad choices andchooses the wrong friends.
6 weeks into his Senior year, Johnny going to TWEAK A COUPLE OF THINGS and get an Appointment to Westpoint!
Richt is so full of sh_t, he talks to Georgia fans as if we’re trolls, unbelievably patronizing. Nobody’s buying this garbage.
UGA Grad '90
September 11th, 2011
10:22 pm
Dan Mullen…no. Kirby Smart…yes.
icedawg
September 11th, 2011
10:31 pm
Good teams find a way to win. Georgia is not there and has not been there for the past few years. We lose games in the trenches. Other teams find a way to beat us. Talent squandered.
Missy LaDue, UGA Scholar
September 11th, 2011
10:41 pm
Well, I was promised we would win the National Championship this year and I’d get to go to the NC game. My boyfriend said it was a sure thing back in August. Now, all I’m seeing on the field is a bunch of losers and after I did That for the guy too. He’s cut off now and if he thinks I’m going to be impressed by a game against a bunch of Myrtle Beach surfing bums he’s crazy. I would say more but I have an 8 a.m. class tomorrow and I guess I’d better show up for it. I haven’t even been in the classroom there for three weeks. Just win something, please. I’m not sure I can withstand temptation for a whole season.
wreckmaniac
September 11th, 2011
10:44 pm
I would be the last to say it but UGA did outperform SC yesterday. They were very well prepared and made strong adjustments. Early in the 4th qtr Murray must have completed 7 or 8 consecutive slant passes and SC had no answer. Turnovers by the offense was the difference and coaching can affect that only to a point. Murray looked terrific and a lot better than Garcia.
Mikey-A
September 11th, 2011
10:44 pm
McGarity is a winner. He knows how to put winning pieces in place. He will do whatever he needs to get the program back. The red panties were the best thing that has happened to UGA in a while. CMR is a great guy but this is his last year unless the Dawgs go 9-3 and beat the gayters. Muschamp (Fredo) is in his first year. CMR can’t lose to a first year coach and be here next year.
SEC Fact Finder
September 11th, 2011
10:51 pm
After working the USC and E. Carolina game, and last night the UF and UAB game, I watched both replays of UGA and Boise and UGA and USC. Now I will be the first one to tell you that being at a game and watching a replay on television does not offer one to see the small things that go on off camera. Now with that being said, I will give you my two cents on the three SEC teams that will play into the East Division championship.
USC has a coaches swagger, they believe in what their coaches are telling them and have the attitude of getting the job done when necessary. The positive focus by players was very telling. I saw them get behind against E.C. and they had that look of a determined team.
UF has that confidence as well. Although they have not played anyone even close to the level of a USC or UGA or Boise St, they have that defensive swagger that flies around and makes plays and does not look for any one or two players to make plays. The offense at UF is a work in progress and no one doubts they have shown a tenth of their playbook against the first two opponents because they did not have to. Muschamp has the confidence of his team and he is instilling that confident attitude. They are going to be hard to score on.
UGA, just from watching replays from a television, show flashes of great players not playing together as a unit at times. The offense seems to have a ton of playmakers who just have not made plays, especially dropping passes against Boise St, and not making the easy play against USC when they had chances to put USC in a deep hole. The UGA defense has yielded 80 or so points against 2 very good offensive teams. However they are being beat at the line of scrimmage on too many plays. Their linebacker corps are now working with patch like crew and need to step up into the holes and keep the opposing offensive lineman from getting to their feet and legs. Go back an count the number of time a lineman takes a linebacker out with a brush block or gets to their feet.
All in all, with the exception of Miss. St, Tennessee, Florida and Auburn the offenses will not be close to what they saw in Boise St and USC. The MSU and Auburn game plan will be practically the same, spread, misdirection, power running back and working the corners.
In summation, the real question should be does Mark Richt have the “hunger”, “desire” and “passion” to keep his team focused? Who knows. The talent on UGA is very good about 1 and half deep, but the experience factor of not winning is depriving these young men from making big jumps in their growth.
wreckmaniac
September 11th, 2011
10:53 pm
To the portion of the fan base that says “show me a strong, passionate 60 minute all-out effort” you got that yesterday and should be proud. To those that say “the only thing that matters is a win” you have a problem.
Delbert D.
September 11th, 2011
10:56 pm
“You might weaken two spots if you take Jarvis away from what he’s doing and put him inside,” Richt said.
With the 2 ILB starters out, OLB must be in a shaky position as well, if moving Jones inside is not a good idea. That also implies that Jones would not be as good inside as Gilliard or Sulek, one of whom would be starting alongside Herrera. This is getting complicated.
Oldbush
September 11th, 2011
11:02 pm
UGA needs a coach with an attitude that shows anything less than perfect is not acceptable. That is the only mark of a real winner, Having winning seasons in the SEC just is not good ehough. We boast
that the SEC is the best conference in the country. When our tems can’t produce excellence we
ain’t getting the job done. Being happy that we came close to winning in not enough. When I see
the rest of the UGA schedule, how can UGA expect more than mediocre?. Oh we will have a blow out next week, but what about the rest of the schedule? UGA won’t beat Auburn, Miss State, UF;
then there is doubt whether victories will be easy over UT, Ole Miss. So where does that put UGA?
Mediocre and in some minor bowl, if any.. I.am ready to see a UGA team to be butting heads with
the best of SEC. Otherwise we will just get to be a Vandy! I hope McGarity knows its time to do
something to get the team moving to being better. And with a proven coach,Spend the MONEY!!!!
bitter vince dooly
September 11th, 2011
11:03 pm
adams was responsible for the firing of jim–lets sale some stock donnan—-49-19 and he was a recruiting genus—–brought in all the tallent that richt one with in 2002————its over
————the bible belt cares only about wins————thats why there is a seperation from chruch
and state——–or athens—-same same————keep y
braves fan forever
September 11th, 2011
11:04 pm
Hey Forth Worth Dawg did you watch the same game I watched.The defense really gave up only 17 points to USC.1.Murray fumble 7points 2.Murray int 7points3.Crowell fumble 7points 4.Fake punt(special teams) 7points.So I know you are frustrated but keep the facts straight.Yes we are 0 and 2 but there were some positives.Young team will get better if we can keep people healthy.
bitter vince dooly
September 11th, 2011
11:06 pm
seperation of chruch and state————includes athens——–dr adams—–heck you
fired a 49-19 coach who still had time to run a pon–cee—sceme——–traded him for
a king james bible————————–fire adams before richt
Tech Engineer
September 11th, 2011
11:12 pm
Georgia will run the table from here out.
Chris Peterson
September 11th, 2011
11:12 pm
Hire me.
derek
September 11th, 2011
11:13 pm
It is tiring to read the same ole stuff, week after week, month after month. Just come out and say it Mark…You want Richt fired. Why, I don’t know? The finest coach in UGA history and you want him gone. Makes no sense. A good man will likely lose his job–stirred by AJC writers. Sad.
Tennessee Dawg 4 Life
September 11th, 2011
11:27 pm
Will “Benedict Arnold” Muschump has done nothing who gives a rats a@# about what he says at half time. I can’t believe people are even mentioning that punks name on hear.
ATLG8TR
September 11th, 2011
11:32 pm
“Richt can’t lose to a first-year coach…” He already did – lost to Ron Zook in his 1st season. Only beat him after he was fired in Season 3. I wouldn’t be so sure about his chances against Muschamp. But please, keep Richt as long as possible.
Cobb Dawg
September 11th, 2011
11:37 pm
South Carolina is not a good football team. But they’re lead by a coach who has forgotten more than CMR ever knew about college football. Want a winning coach? Hire a former winning player. Come on Coach Benjamin Franklin Belue!!
Mike
September 11th, 2011
11:58 pm
I disagree, Mark. In 2006, UGA had Cox, Joe T, and Stafford blowing games right and left, but clicked at the end of the season to finish with 9 wins and a bowl win over Va Tech. Even Joe Cox was able to pull out several games they might have lost in 2009, but he was experienced. In 2010, UGA had a backfield full of delinquent RBs, a freshman QB, a brand new defensive scheme, and their best playmaker missing for 4 games. So they blew that Colorado and UF games. If they dont, they are a whopping 8-4 instead of 6-6…not exactly top material either.
Rebuilding happens, sometimes painfully. A lot of teams would be 0-2 on UGA’s schedule. I’m not trying to make excuses for Richt, but I think he’s correct about the youth. Their playmakers are mostly first and second year guys. They got rid of the cancer players, and seem to have found a tailback in Crowell. Now they need experience. The only other item that can be “tweaked” is OC. They need better overall direction and discipline on offense.
KEEP RICHT&BOBO PLEASE
September 12th, 2011
12:00 am
HEY YOU UGA HICK FANS,CAM NEWTON THREW FOR 422 YARDS!
FIRE RICHT AND BOBO FOR CHOOSING JOE COX OVER CAM NEWTON!
KEEP RICHT&BOBO PLEASE
September 12th, 2011
12:04 am
I GUESS WILL MUSCHAMP WILL WIN A NATIONAL TITLE AT FLORIDA BEFORE DUMBASS RICHT!
San Diego Dawg
September 12th, 2011
12:18 am
For the life of me I do not understand why UGA doesn’t replace Richt with either Hershel Talker, Mark Bradley, Jeff Schultz, 5150, Still at the Bar, Yellow Fuzz or Keep Richt & Bobo. Sure this brain trust has the collective IQ of a can of bean dip, but their individual football knowledge surpasses all other humans. I’m sure HT’s team would go undefeated for several decades.
Richard Cranium
September 12th, 2011
12:20 am
2 words – Every year.
OVER RATED.
It's a mindset
September 12th, 2011
12:23 am
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda… But didn’t… Again…
Don’t know what it’s going to take, but UGA as a team and a fan base have become accustomed to losing and accepting of that fact. Winners win and losers lose. It’s that simple.
Fans love to tout Richt’s W-L record, but he hasn’t won anything of note in 5 seasons. Fans keep calling Murray a “winner” but he’s 6-9 as a starter.
As you try to figure out why the wheels have come off, take a good long look in the mirror.
Richard Cranium
September 12th, 2011
12:24 am
“We will TWEAK a couple of things and be in good shape.”
“IT’S OK…. MY OLE MAN IS A TV REPAIRMAN – HE’S GOT A BITCHIN’ SET OF TOOLS…
Sue Henson
September 12th, 2011
12:24 am
Well said…the facts are the facts,
TIRED OF MEDIOCRITY
September 12th, 2011
12:30 am
Can you say Kirby Smart in 2012?
TXDawg3
September 12th, 2011
12:36 am
Mr. Bradley,
Just how many years did you coach at a major university with a football program like that of UGA? Did you play football in college? Did you play or coach at any other level?
It behooves me how you can continue to criticize those who may be doing something for which you may not have any first hand experience. Have you ever walked in their shoes? Maybe I’m wrong, but it sure feels that you are coming across as though you’ve coached and played on some really meaningful championship teams.
Maybe I’m missing it completely, but I just can’t seem to understand how sitting comfortably behind the keyboard of a computer is equivalent to the energy and preparation that goes into playing football.
If I am wrong, then I am wrong and shouldn’t be questioning your authoritative positions, but if I am not…
slydog
September 12th, 2011
1:06 am
Recruiting Cam as a TE? It’s ridiculous
MAD DAWG
September 12th, 2011
1:08 am
I don’t think losing close like UGA did to USCar. is all that bad. Mr. Mark Richt is 6-9 in his last 15 games and that is acceptable too now that UGA is an established mediocre third tier SEC team now. The Dawgs will go 7-5 or 6-6 and because these players are so young and full of so much potential MMR will deserve a contract extension when he brings in Dream team II. Delusional UGA fans now are content with moral victories as the losses continue to mount. So go Dawgs and it’s okay to lose as long as you look good in spots while you continually come up short in games. I’m pulling for UGA, but if the lose it’s not the end of the world. At UGA losing is acceptable. Go Dawggies and give it your all in the Hotseat Bowl vs. Ole MIss on 09-24-11. Hopefully UGA will look good when it comes up short vs. Miss St., the Vols, UF and Auburn to finish 7-5. Then the kool-aid guzzlers who love mediocrity will be yelling , “One more year for Mr. Mark Richt in 2012 “
Cowboy Bill Watts
September 12th, 2011
1:31 am
Hey Dawgs,we know UGA beat Carolina but not on the scoreboard and you are not alone. The Dallas Cowboys had the NYJets beat tonight and found more than one way to lose. Notre Dame had Michigan beat and found a way to lose. It happens and sometimes you gotta accept a moral victory in the loss. But not when your coach is on a hotseat.
But Poor Tony Romo was an identical clone of lil ole Adam Murray, and his turnovers practically gave the game away to the Jets. Just like Murray’s gaffes helped the Gamecocks to a win. Seems like to me Romo is running out of chances at Big D much like Mr. Mark Richt is running out of games as HC at UGA. Both organizations need some major changes to get back to winning !
mike
September 12th, 2011
2:19 am
muschamp would be 0-2 had he played georgia’s schedule
its simple
September 12th, 2011
4:31 am
This is my new mantra. The administration bosses in Athens are not true Americans. Americans hate to lose. All real Americans will not tolerate a loser. So what are the idiots in Athens. When they lose all they have to say is —-we are young, my foot got hurt, the crowd was too loud, the equipment was to fault. And then to top it off, they refer to the opposing teams as if they were Gods that cannot be taken down. God help us in this time of idiots and losers. Because I will tell you straight up=====================this program cannot be tolerated anymore—–Losers will not be accepted at UGA anymore.
Tennessee Tom
September 12th, 2011
4:32 am
When a man named Dooley puts it to the dogs,with a bunch of freshmen and sophomores
probley more than the leg humper nation can stand
Thomas Brown
September 12th, 2011
4:35 am
10-2 is what I chose because there isn’t any team on the schedule that Georgia should lose to. Clearly Auburn isn’t any good and just as clearly Missy State doesn’t have the talent UGA has either. Clearly Florida is not that great. Then, we play Alabama or LSU or even Arkansas without their great injured RB this year; and lose; then another lackluster opponent in another bowl game, as the previous 11 bowl games have been to. 11-3. We will have then, as per always not beat the top teams. South Carolina is not that great a team. That Boise State beat the # 7 team in The SEC and is their best opponent this entire season, doesn’t mean that LSU or Alabama, both with far more impressive wins than over UGA, would lose to Boise State. The real problem I have with Mark Richt besides his lies, is that he continues to BLAME everyone but himself for his “coaching staff” he alone is responsible for being unable to coach. The better team did not lose to the winner; that is some attempt at a moral victory. 21 losses the last 5 years, 0-2 this season, 13-13 vs SEC East teams these last 6 seasons, and 14-14 vs all teams. Not good. That is not the fault of the players.
Stinger2
September 12th, 2011
4:49 am
Mark Bradley: Why are you writing so much negative stuff about CMR and the UGA team. Just to inflame the fan base which certainly does not need it? The worst of the worst you wrote here in part is that the team contrived to lose the SC game. Hou ridiculious can you be?
Go Dawgs!
September 12th, 2011
4:55 am
I am a lot more optimistic about the Dawgs following the SC game than I was after the Boise State game. The Dawgs played with a toughness that I have not seen since 2005. That toughness combined with young talent is going to lead to success. The play calling was better and the defense was gang tackling for the first time in years. The Dawgs are going to be fine. 10-2. Go Dawgs!
Thomas Brown
September 12th, 2011
5:05 am
7 SEC teams ranked in the Top 25 today, and UGA not one of them. We were not in 2010 either, nor in 2009. 2008 we started out # 1 and ended # 13; had we started out # 13, having beat no one, we would have ended up not ranked 2008, which is where we belonged. We are the NCAA # 55 Total Offense 2011 after having averaged the # 52 Total Offense all 11 years. We are the # 111 Scoring Defense. We are # 44 in net punting, even with Drew Butler, because we play nothing but walk-ons on special teams. We are # 113 in the nation us being sacked after being # 72 last year with Aaron Murray either holding onto the ball too long – or fumbling it for the winning touchdown. Aaron Murray now has 100 rushes for 145 total yards in his entire career with now 11 fumbles and has also thrown 10 interceptions in 15 games. He has (1) thrown fuel on the fire at not establishing the run (2) held the football too long, not hitting the WR as they run their route (3) has been bettered head-to-head on the field by the opposing QB as better than he, 9 of the 15 games. He starts out slowly every game, and then fizzles out altogether. Mark Richt blamed him today for yet this loss. So, the question is where is Christian LeMay ? Poor coaching.
snoopdawg
September 12th, 2011
5:58 am
Mark u started your article by comparing Richt and coaching to Saben to totaly diferent styles Saban a Great Coach But we still have a clean program RICHTS RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITS SELF Dawgs will be fine if Bobo will line up in the i we go down the field everytime even when Stafford and Moreano was there get to the 20 shotgun no red zone points GO DAWGS
» SEC: MSU hopes to rebound against LSU; UT-Fla prepare John Clay's Sidelines
September 12th, 2011
7:03 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC says fixing Georgia will require more than tweaks. [...]
Thomas Brown
September 12th, 2011
7:04 am
Mark Richt runs a clean program ? Is that your comparison of the 2 football programs ? How about comparing wins vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 10 ? How about comparing losses vs teams who finished not in the AP Poll Top 25 ? How about comparing Nick Saban’s 2 National Championships to Mark Richt ? How about comparing his coaching staff to Mark Richt’s ? That is such a HOMER post, even from you. I notice that YOU can post this, while telling us we CANNOT :
“if Bobo will line up in the i we go down the field everytime”
Why can YOU criticize the coaching but you tell US we cannot ?
I must have missed that
snoopdawg
big hoss
September 12th, 2011
7:10 am
Crowley, the next Hershel-NYET!! This trash talking thug should not even be in the same room as hershel-let alone compared to him as a running back. Here is hoping (if the trash talking continues) that some linebacker hammer throws him by the mass of dreads hanging out of his helmet about 20 yards down the field. Dawg fans MUST realize by now that no collection of 4 star atheletes playing for themselves and a NFL contract will ever beat a good team effort-look no futher than Boise State. SC actually sucked with as sorry a QB effort seen lately and they still won due to stupid on field play by the Dawgs, Please quit blaming Mark Ritch-he is NOT the problem. It is the stupid play and arrogance of the players who Vince lombardi could not control. Look no further than the moronic comments of rambo after the Boise destruction-”it would have been different IF I had been there.” These type me, me, me comments would demoralize any team. Georgia may well win out this year, but only if these all about me players can put their love for themselves on the shelf and play as a team.
Jeff
September 12th, 2011
7:12 am
Only you Bradley would come out with this crap…..go crawl into a hole you sorry excuse for a human being……this is the crap the AJC is known for….maybe they would be considered a good publication if they would get a spine and fire idiots like you…..
NewCoach
September 12th, 2011
7:20 am
Goodbye Ex CMR – Hello new coach Jim Tressel. Thank you now for winning it all.
steve
September 12th, 2011
7:21 am
The way Mullen lost to Auburn Saturday, I’m rethinking my desire for him to coach Ga. 10 seconds left, no timeouts and he calls a running play that didn’t work.
Buckeye
September 12th, 2011
7:42 am
NewCoach,
Tressel? Don’t think so.