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
Buckeye
September 12th, 2011
7:43 am
Hey dogs,
Have another great week. Game day is only 5 days away.
RGP
September 12th, 2011
7:43 am
Points off turnovers will kill you every time. I counted 3 for 21 points. Ouch! Murray needs to quit throwing to receivers that are covered as in blanketed and hit the open ones. However the offense did look much improved from Boise game.
Buckeye
September 12th, 2011
7:50 am
According to si.com……….
Georgia is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011 and has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams.
QUESTIONS?
dogs are NOT a top program.
dog fans are, in fact, DELUSIONAL as Mandel pointed out.
woof woof
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/09/11/georgia.defeated.record.ap/index.html#ixzz1XjofzcbF
uga 5-7
September 12th, 2011
7:51 am
uga will get by Coastal Carolina and lose to Tenn.
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
7:52 am
Dawgs > Tennessee
Please tell us how georgia will do this when they havent shown they are even capable of it? Dont bank on Tennessee not to run it up on your pups ! You Homers like to talk big when you havent won a game in nearly a year.
NewCoach
September 12th, 2011
7:53 am
Buckeye – Tressel in 2012 for Georgia. With help from the NCAA with the development of players.
mike adams
September 12th, 2011
7:56 am
I don’t care if you loose them all Mark. I will keep you here till they kick ME out you hear me. I will never let you go because you are georgia. This week when we loose to east carolina high school come see me and we will make a game plan for the rest of the year. Remember im here for you till they throw me out. KNOCK KNOCK
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
7:56 am
mike , BS
Anymore excuses for losing?
Mike
September 12th, 2011
7:59 am
MB… you are right on time with this one. All these CMR apologist can stick it… it’s time for a change.
Buckeye
September 12th, 2011
8:00 am
NewCoach,
Huh?
It appears by your writing skills you attended Georgia schools.
Please try to make your point again and make it in a way that’s comprehendable.
Spokesman for the SEC East
September 12th, 2011
8:00 am
My brother said it best when he said, ” Take away Hershel and Georgia is Kentucky in football.”
My only hope is McGarrity gives Richt a lifetime contract.
still a dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
8:14 am
worse–we have become the Clemson of the SEC—we somehow find a way to LOSE
S GA AU FAN
September 12th, 2011
8:16 am
Give CMR a break, not everyone can win on Saturday. You guys have a lot of class and the preseason!
ga gator
September 12th, 2011
8:16 am
Waited until this mornging to write some reflective comments after watching at the stadium with my UGA wife;
1. The stadium was certainly rockin on Saturday night.
2. UGA clearly outplayed Carolina except for the final score.
3. Bobo called a great game and put up 42 on offense.
4. Carolina seemed lathargic the entire game with little sense of urgency except when a big play would happen.
5. Always expect the unexpected (fake punt) from the Ol Ball Coach. I once saw him go for it on 4th and 6 from his 45 in the rain in Knoxville in the 1st Qtr. and Wuerful threw a TD.
6. UGA Defense played well enough to win.
7. Was shocked that Spurrier did not pull Garcia after the 1st Qtr. I guess he has mellowed some.
8. Murray is too short for a normal drop and either has to roll out or take a 7-9 yard drop to see over the line.
9. Clowney might be the best pure pass rusher I have seen in college.
10. Crowell is the real deal and needs to carry at least 25 times a game.
11. Latimore will be star in the NFL.
12. Richt/UGA is snakebit.
13. Boykin needs more touches on offense.
14. Murray has still not won a game against a team with a winning record.
15. UGA has the most loyal fans in the SEC.
16. Christian Robinson will be sorely missed while out.
17. Jenkins is no Mt. Cody or Nick Fairly
18. UGA offensive line blocked well most of the night.
19. SC did a good job of taking away Orson Charles.
20. Carolina will not run the table with Garcia at QB, which means UGA still has a shot if Richt can right the ship.
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
8:17 am
Another reason to Hate the dogs,
We’re gonna whip UT” , is this NOT what you said about the last 3 games you played ? Yes you beat Coastal but , that is about the level of your winning.
Happy Happy Joy Joy
September 12th, 2011
8:18 am
How bout them Dawgs? 0-2 is looking damn fine on this September morning and all you cro-magnon UGA fans are getting that “Stunned” look they have shown on TV the last two games down to a science. You don’t even have to try to make that face any more… it just comes naturally. The only good thing so far this season is half the team is not in the Clarke County Jail…yet.
Seminole
September 12th, 2011
8:18 am
Good game.
Mark is right it is not who won the static, it is who had the most points.
You all, bulldog fans want to fire Mark.
Do it, and I would be very happy to have him back at FSU or even Miami.
I will even say that I would take your defensive Coordinator.
LOL, who is to blame, the DC has been here two years, you ran the last one off and now some of you want to do the same thing again.
Your problem is the same as Florida’s problem, between the sports casters, newspaper and the alumni you all think that you can coach a football team.
I am not even sure that Mark Bradley has ever coached to PeeWee Team, but he thinks he knows more then the guy you have hired to coach this team.
Fire your OC, can’t do that, he is a Georgia boy.
Maybe that is where the problem is, STOP HIRING GEORGIA BOYS.
All MB proved to me is what my Father taught me a long time ago,
Opinions are like ——-’s, veryone has one.
Cold Hard Truth
September 12th, 2011
8:25 am
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?
Shooting the messenger won’t change the message. One need not be a coach (nor even a player) to assess the state of UGA football. The record speaks for itself. Denial has worked so well for the past three years — why give up on it now? Six and six will make for a winning season if Tha Dawgs can just manage to win their little Bowl Game. Hope Mark can get those “tweaks” installed in time for that. If he has a six and seven season, then he might have to fire an assistant to get another chance to right the ship. I’d hate to see another assistant get the ax. It’s just not the Georgia way.
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
8:34 am
ESPN early bowl predictions-
Franklin American Mortgage Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)
Clemson vs. Georgia
Kendawg
September 12th, 2011
8:39 am
The Dawgs are likely to go on a winning streak with the schedule set up as it is. I wouldn’t pull the plug yet.
rcb
September 12th, 2011
8:45 am
How much of a bonus is your boss offering you for the scalp? Or is it just your ego? What would you be saying if Georgia didn’t have more talent and shouldn’t be winning the game (a la 2010)?? Would you rather have the players who can make the plays or not? Would you rather have the team who lost by 3 bad plays or the team that couldn’t have won without the three bad plays? Get serious. When Spurrior came to SC we were not expecting their level of play to decrease were we??? So the team that should of one but didn’t (a la Pollack) is now the team that should not have won but did (with Spurrier), and you conclude exactly what? If I was Spurrier I would be digging deep in my trick playbook to see how I was going to continue winning games I shouldn’t win (did you see Tennessee this week?). If I were Mark Richt I would be saying the fundamentals are good enough to beat SC (who was ranked 1 in the East) and start asking a young team to begin believing in itself –despite what scalp hunting journalists say.
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
8:46 am
Kendawg, Yes your dogs will go on a win streak against much lesser teams. So is that somethhing to be proud of ? They had a chance to beat quality teams and lost. So now as usual georgia will bow its chest after a few wins in a row over teams they are SUPPOSED to win. Instead we get excuses for losses and the talk of “we will get better”Well so will everyone else!
PMC
September 12th, 2011
8:47 am
The talent level alone pretty much indicates 7-5. Stop looking at recruiting magazines and start looking at how they play. The talent is not there. It’s not close to what the other good teams have, in the least.
Reality Check
September 12th, 2011
8:54 am
Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.
George S. Patton, Jr.
The above quote is from General George Patton, Jr. and it applies to what we have here at Georgia. How many of you on this board remember Vince Dooley laughing after a loss? For that matter Ray Goof or Jim Donnon. Mark Richt in the press conferences laughing and joking after a loss? Are you serious? He jokes about throwing things and breaking a camera BUT maybe that’s what it’s going to take to rejuvenate this rabble. Have any of us ever, ever seen Nick Saban, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer laugh and joke after a loss? Hell no because the very thought of losing is hateful to those guys.
Like him or hate him Spurrier has a point; to paraphrase: “Georgia gets all these 4 and 5 star recruits but what happens to them when they get to Georgia?” 60 percent of them become busts, 30 percent are mediocre and 10 percent actually live up to expectations. Why? Just think what Chris Peterson could do with the caliber of recruits we get — he would never lose. For years I have felt that our recruiting people and coaches were more concerned with star ratings on recruits rather than if they were the “right” recruit. I recently read a semi-autobiography about Herb Brooks the coach of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” US Hockey Team. Brooks was criticized something fierce by the Governing Board of USA Hockey when he was picking the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team. They kept saying “you’re missing the best players.” To which Brooks responded “I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right players.” Perhaps Georgia ought to apply this philosophy? Chemistry and hard work will overcome prima donnas who cannot or won’t play together. I recently watched the ESPN special on Herschel Walker and Herschel hit the nail on the head. He said [referring to the 1980 NC Team] “we didn’t have the biggest, strongest or best players BUT we worked great together and had each other’s backs.” Think about that statement: “we worked great together.” How long has it been since a Richt coached team truly worked great together? 2005 perhaps?
Richt is a good man but he’s burnt out on coaching I think. He has no fire and uses gallows humor to explain away loss after loss. CMR needs to go into ministry full time — he will excel in that vocation — he’s taken the Georgia program as far as he can. We should thank him for his service and let him fade into the sunset.
Like someone mentioned: Georgia’s next coach must be a proven commodity, not a celebrated assistant. Chris Peterson, Dan Mullen, Troy Calhoun, and Urban Meyer; take your pick, should be considered before the likes of Kirby Smart (although I like him). Something drastic must be done; a hard decision made, or Georgia will become what South Carolina was.
Greg Harris
September 12th, 2011
8:55 am
Mark – great article…..summed up what I thought most of the weekend. UGA has more problems than young talent!!
LMAO
September 12th, 2011
8:57 am
10 – 2 ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Record in last 21 – vs Florida 3 and 18. But hey chalk that up as a win no problem. Georgia will have 5 losses this season mark it down. Once again your ranked #1 in the most unrealistic fan base in the country.
AceDawg
September 12th, 2011
8:59 am
It was a tough loss, but Richt should be on life support right now. If the Dawgs lose to Florida, even if they win 9 other games, I’d fire him in a heartbeat. It’s Florida and 9/10 wins or there is a 0% reason to keep Richt. I’d have fired him in some years past, so needless to say, I’m 100% fine if they cut him now, but that’s just because I am reasonable and not a worshipper of Sir Richt.
Buckeye
September 12th, 2011
9:00 am
Things are looking up, dogs.
Only two months away from basketball season – Oh, sorry. Forgot Howard “before I was locked out of the NBA” Thompkins os gone.
Are the Gym dogs a winter sport??
bigtoombs
September 12th, 2011
9:09 am
Beat Fla that’s what I want for Christmas
Ole Ball Coach
September 12th, 2011
9:11 am
yep, recruits head on over to UGA and get coached down. Hate to say it, but I call ‘em like I see ‘em. On second thought, I don’t hate to say it. All that talent and is goes to waste, my oh my….
DawginLex
September 12th, 2011
9:12 am
Buckeye
The Big 10 or however many teams you have is an embarrasment. Short of Michigan, Saturday was a statement as to how bad the football is in that sorry league.
I hope we win enough to play one of those weak sisters in a bowl game. I might make the trip to florida to watch the destruction.
Okeefenokee
September 12th, 2011
9:13 am
Two imsple, yet undeniable facts:
1. Darth Visor OOOOOWWWWWNNNNNSSSSS the mutts.
2. 45-42 has proven to be a bad combination for the mutts.
Joey
September 12th, 2011
9:19 am
Still living in the past (’08), huh Oke?
Well here’s a little history for you . . .
9-1.
ADMan
September 12th, 2011
9:22 am
Tampagator…(post 2:10 Sept 11th)…How quickly you forget the video of the gator DE trying to poke the eyes thorough his face mask of the Georgia running back while on the ground from two years ago…You wouldn’t know how to spell class if we spotted you the c and your ass!
robodawg
September 12th, 2011
9:25 am
On the bright side… we are young. We beat ourselves with on the field mistakes. But these were the two best teams we’ll play all season and now the schedule turns in our favor. I did not expect to play that well against S Carolina. The improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 was impressive. Against lesser teams, we really can run the table.
BosieStateFan
September 12th, 2011
9:25 am
My Chicago Bears spanked the Falcons – I like Mark Richt but I hate all SEC fans….They are a bunch of inbreeds. The NFL rules, you suckers!!!!!
junkyarddawg
September 12th, 2011
9:26 am
Good lord, Bradley. Not Mullen. I certainly hope McGarity see’s further than that. Hell, McGarity’s former boss (one of the best ADs in college athletics) overlooked Mullen and picked Muschamp. That alone should tell you something.
Unbiased
September 12th, 2011
9:26 am
If UGA does not get rid of Richt, then they deserve the 3-9 season they are headed for under him.
Big Dawg Daddy
September 12th, 2011
9:27 am
Do you congratulate yourself after crappy columns? Fire Mark Bradley.
UCF Dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:29 am
You guys talk about how other coaches were upset about how their teams performed against ranked opponents…oh wait…that’s right… NONE of the teams BAMA or UF have played thus far have been ranked or won any sort of titles in years! What would it do to help the Dawgs if Richt got all ticked off at the presser and railed his team for making mistakes. Why fling mud and throw your players under the bus when they are already doing that themselves for the mistakes they made? Does that help them get better? No it doesn’t. The key is to build them up and help them realize the mistake does not define you. You guys have NO IDEA what it takes to coach or you would be doing so right now. Remember that! GO DAWGS!
Herschel Talker
September 12th, 2011
9:32 am
San Diego Dawg:
I appreciate the kind words. I suspect you’re the lone Richt supporter left. Please turn out the lights when you leave.
HT
HARDY DOG
September 12th, 2011
9:34 am
Mark Richt has lost his desire to WIN! He would rather be overseas on a Missionary Trip than between the Hedges. Grathan and BoBo need to be fired now, I beleive a fan from the stands could make better calls than those 2.
A. LeVay
September 12th, 2011
9:40 am
How’s that bible working out for you, Richt? Bwahahahahahaha.
honky talkin'
September 12th, 2011
9:47 am
The “Dream Team” is turning into a nightmare.
Cara Mia
September 12th, 2011
9:48 am
Coastal Carolina 45, Georgia 42
Buh bye to Muck Richt.
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
9:51 am
DawginLex -Your dogs might get to play in Florida next year. This year your dogs have yet to win a game. Oh yes i know you’re about to go on a win streak but against who? Your pups have proven they cannot beat a quality team and that goes back to a bowl game against UCF ! Your pups are NOT very good. Neither is SC.
Burma Shave
September 12th, 2011
9:51 am
Another stinko season
We must depict
It’s all to blame
On Mark Richt
BURMA SHAVE
kentucky dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:57 am
Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a LOSER.
shankit
September 12th, 2011
9:58 am
If Richt goes, I think McGarrity should consider an unknown but proven
winner, young and energetic and give him five years. I recommend Chris
Hatcher, or a proven and genious of a coach, Mike Leach. All have been
winners at every level and can coach, have passion and players love them.
Couldn't happen to a better fan base
September 12th, 2011
10:00 am
I get a kick out of the notion UGA outplayed South Carolina. When?
They put up 45 points on offense, defense and special teams. They weren’t down 24 to 42 and came roaring back on trick plays and turnovers to come roaring back to win 45 to 42. That’s not what happened. South Carolina played poorly, didn’t put UGA away when they had the chance but still had the lead for most of the game and had a 10 point lead with 3 minutes left. UGA was playing desperate football and South Carolina played some sort of lousy prevent.
South Carolina ain’t great, my bet they end up 3rd in the SEC behind UF and UT.
Honestly, I’m not thinking UGA gets past Ole Miss now especially since it’s on the road. Then Mississippi St, ouch. Then Tennessee after all that in Knoxville with a team looking for revenge and wanting to make a statement after UGA might have dropped the previous 2 or no less than 1 of the previous 2, man.
The wheels are about to come off your bus and we’re all going to be laughing.