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
Wren
September 11th, 2011
9:13 pm
Stop turning the ball over Murray!!!!! Geez!!!!
The Real Hairy Dawg
September 11th, 2011
9:13 pm
Jumpshooter=football novice
BluMan
September 11th, 2011
9:14 pm
GIVE THE BALL TO I/ CROWELL. HE’S A MAN
Trimmer
September 11th, 2011
9:14 pm
I want to see Michael Bennett.
Kid only dropped 1 pass since Jan.
GLUE HANDS.
FlatHead
September 11th, 2011
9:15 pm
Look for Boykin/Smith to get soem reps on offense.
DancingQueen
September 11th, 2011
9:16 pm
Tweak:
Get the ball OUT of AARON MURRAY’ HANDS.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:17 pm
Make this 1 tweak and start winning games:
CHRISTIAN CHAMPION LEMAY AT QB.
He’s a winner.
GarnetMoonshine
September 11th, 2011
9:17 pm
Coulda…..woulda……..shoulda……GO COCKS.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:17 pm
More passes to Figgins.
King Saban
September 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
Its good to be a crimson tide fan. Georgia fan? Not so much. Dawgs suck and thats all there is to it. Children of a lesser football god.
Phil
September 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
I think we would run Crowell into the ground with 45 touches. Where the heck is Ken Malcome? I thought this was going to be his coming out year! Put Samuel back at linebacker, we are extremely thin there. Let Crowell and Malcome share the load.
Mike G
September 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
…More Bradley the hack BS………Dawgs played their hearts out and they we well coached! It’s a shame we didn’t play a couple of patsy schools, Oh but wait then Bradley would not have anything to bash Coach Richt about.
Jumpshooter
September 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
Ok, Murray has now committed 7 turnovers against Fla/SC.
He’s killing this team.
Not a leader.
Has no timing.
Short Man Out
September 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
murray is too short to play Qb in the SEC—he’s not even 6 feet tall. Ga needs to go with their backup QB to win big games.
UGA Dawg 97
September 11th, 2011
9:20 pm
We are at a major disadvantage with a midget behind center. I say send Murray back to Florida where he came from!
Hose Job!
September 11th, 2011
9:21 pm
Georgia got hosed by the refs—they are better than south carolina and should have won the game. SC will lose 3 games and Ga will win the SEC east—bank on it!
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:21 pm
CHRISTIAN CHAMPION LEMAY!
Watch his highlight video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0kzh6hGXnQ
JAX DAWG
September 11th, 2011
9:22 pm
This is the problem with all of you neigh sayers. One can see the questionable play calling and botched opportunities, but it is posts like these that are rediculous. To think that any of these kids don’t read this stuff in which you place all the blame on Richt is rediculous. There is pressure felt through out the organization and it starts with the 18 year olds and works it’s way up. People need to jump off the bandwagon if they think that there is anyone else out there better than Richt. Were people this fire happy when Dooley had his struggles. This is a fairly young squad and people are dealing with the consequences of what they ask for. People beg Richt to put in the young guys…to put the best person on the field, then they expect them to be the next Hershel or AJ and not make mistakes. Crowell is going to make mistakes….it happend the same way when we put Stafford in. Progression is the key here, not added pressure. You are fools to think other wise.
SOS
September 11th, 2011
9:23 pm
Got you again boys!
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:23 pm
Here’s part 2 of Lemay’s Documentary video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G_W0aP0NI0&feature=related
LEMAY IS A WINNER, GET HIM IN, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
Phil
September 11th, 2011
9:23 pm
Fumbleruski
I agree, put LeMay in there some, he could be a running threat. Heck, even Boise State used 2 QB’s. The 2nd QB was more of a running threat than Kellen Moore. Stubborn Richt sticks with Murray no matter what and doesn’t give anybody else a chance to contribute.
The Real Hairy Dawg
September 11th, 2011
9:23 pm
Trolls=head cases.
Krogunner
September 11th, 2011
9:24 pm
I hate to say it, but Florida will win the East. They have crazy speed and speed kills.
XrAYED
September 11th, 2011
9:25 pm
1. Find a QB who doesn’t fumble for 6 points backwards.
2. Find a QB who doesn’t throw int’s for pick 6’s
3. Find a QB who can hand the ball off properly
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:26 pm
Lemay is POISED!!!!
XrAYED
September 11th, 2011
9:27 pm
Florida is out. They still have to play Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee, and Florida State.
Inside Information
September 11th, 2011
9:30 pm
Mark my word. At the end of the season Mark Richt will become the assistant AD and Mike Bobo will be named head coach.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:30 pm
Aaron Murray is now 0 & 8 as a starter against winning teams.
Time for Christian Champion Lemay.
put him in, he’s poised, and we will run the table.
HE
JUST
WINS
Captain Obvious
September 11th, 2011
9:31 pm
Tampa Gator is a loser.
virginia dog
September 11th, 2011
9:34 pm
Mark … thank you. You are right. UGA has become South Carolina. We are no longer winners and we know longer expect to win. Richt must go. Too bad coach Richt is such a fine christian man. Hold on i had to say that. Just joking. Fire him and let’s move on.
Pago Pago DAWG
September 11th, 2011
9:34 pm
Why on earth would the BS coach go to Athens and coach all the slap dancers/hip hop dancers.
UGA doesn’t want the Rockets, they were within 10 seconds beating the Bucs at The ‘Shoe.
Will Coastal Carolina/New Mexico State Teachers be favored?
Confucius
September 11th, 2011
9:35 pm
Confucius say that Tampa Gator cannot accept criticism.
lemay rules!
September 11th, 2011
9:36 pm
get lemay in the game against coastal carolina to get some good reps. Murray doesn’t have it. Let lemay start against ole miss and miss state—those should be easy wins and he needs some work.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:37 pm
This team needs a REAL LEADER.
This team needs a POISED QB.
This team needs a guy like Lemay, who beat Butler, at home, for 1st home loss during reg season, IN 22 YEARS!
His mindset, confidence, and poise, is what’s needed at QB, watch him do his thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G_W0aP0NI0&feature=related
Ace
September 11th, 2011
9:38 pm
If losing well will make losing acceptable, this team is right for UGA. Supposed to lose and did.
ugakev
September 11th, 2011
9:41 pm
Christian Lemay will be starting for Dan Mulleb next season….GoDawgs!!!
Delbert D.
September 11th, 2011
9:42 pm
South Carolina is now ranked #11 in the AP and Coaches polls. They did almost everything they could to not look like a top 25 team in their 2 wins. Melvin Ingram has recorded 3 assisted tackles for the season, 1 against Georgia. He also has a pass interception, a rushing TD, and a fumble recovery for a TD. That is is improbable to the point of being just plain weird.
ugakev
September 11th, 2011
9:42 pm
Christian Lemay will be starting for Dan Mullen next season….Go Dawgs!!!
Snoop Dawg
September 11th, 2011
9:43 pm
Just got back from yesterday’s game. Why can’t the Dawgs seem to be able to tackle? Why do they make stupid mistakes at the worst possible moments? Why do they choke? Why do the coaches come up with plays that the other coaches just lick their chops over? It’s the coaching, stupid. Spurrier as much as said it himself after the game. It was nice of the players to try to take the blame, but they don’t see the big picture–they just want to be team players.
Listen, Richt is a complete fraud. So are both Bobo and Grantham. I was happy to wait on Grantham, but yesterday’s performance has convinced me that he’s another idiot making way too much money. As is Richt and Bobo.
I really don’t see the Dawgs getting more than 4 victories at this point.
The UGA leadership is going to have to man up here and do the right thing: FIRE RICHT NOW! Graduate assistants could do a better game scheme than Richt Bobo and Grantham. It isn’t fair to those talented UGA players to not give them quality coaching.
Richt is making so much money he really don’t care. all he’s gotta do is pass the koolaid around andn make it to a losers bowl, right?
I’ve had enough. The season is already over.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:43 pm
UGA has great special teams, defense, now rushing with Crowell.
Be like LSU, find a QB who doesn’t try to be a hero & lose games for you.
Trust me, Murray’s a choker who cracks under pressure, we’ve seen him try and be a hero now 8 times against winning teams, and he’s failed all 8 times.
We don’t need a hero, we need a team guy who is poised under pressure, oozes leadership, and doesn’t beat the team.
We need a guy who isn’t trying to win the Heisman trophy, but wants to win the Crystal Ball for the team.
We need Christian Champion Lemay.
Tampa Wreck
September 11th, 2011
9:44 pm
First Off, Tech fans keep your mouth shut about beating the dogs until we have actually beaten a BCS conference team, much less a ranked BCS conference team. Our defense still sucks, and we are just lucky we are playing in the worst BCS confernce out there this year. If we had played the dawgs schedule, I expect we would be 0-2 also ( although CPJ would be cussing and mad as hell, unlike Mr. Richt)
Regarding the Dawgs, I think they do have a legitimate shot at winning the next 10, although you could also lose 2-3 more pretty easily too. However, if you win 10 ,it won’t be due to Richt and coaching tweaks, it will be due to some great talent. Crowell is a stud, and worth every bit of the hype that was laid on him. It’s a shame the UGA coaches don’t know how to use him to his maximum potential. He should get a minimum 25 touches a game, and the fact that he didn’t get close to that against SC is a big part of why the dawgs lost.
One thing you can say about Paul Johnson is that he figures out what is working and runs it until the other team stops it. Bobo and Richt seem to be more concened with showing off their nifty playbook than grinding out first downs.
Coach Richt is nice guy, a good representative for the school, and a great recruiter, but he will find ways to lose big games. If you’re satisfied with 9-10 win seasons and a mid tear bowl every year, he’s your guy.. If you really want to win it all, I don’t think he can deliver.
Fumbleruski
September 11th, 2011
9:49 pm
After 2 games, Crowell & Lattimore are tied in YPC, at 5.75 YPC.
But Spurrier has given Lattimore 50 carries, Crowell only has 30.
Snoop Dawg
September 11th, 2011
9:49 pm
Snoop Dawg agrees with a lot of these other bloggers on the QB. Murray just doesn’t seem to have the intangibles. He’s certainly got the technical tools required for the job, but seems to always choke whenever he’s playing any other team with mediocre or above talent.
If we had a competent coach, he would move LeMay in there and give him some experience. If we just leave him on the bench, he’ll transfer to somewhere where he can play more and we will all live to regret it. Murray was directly responsible for three South Carolina touchdowns yesterday.
Wake up, eggheads!
festus
September 11th, 2011
9:50 pm
Wow….. them thare South Cackalacky chikins sure did pull a faist one on them thare dawgies. Kinda lykes whut Waist Virginny did in thait thare bowal gaime a few yers baick. Ah Shucks looks lykes ole rickerty Richt is gonna haive to finds him a new purse now.
Jim Bob
September 11th, 2011
9:54 pm
Let
Lemay > Murray
September 11th, 2011
9:54 pm
Richt needs to start lemay from now on! murray is too short and doesn’t have it.
ATLG8TR
September 11th, 2011
9:58 pm
“It’s all correctable…” Ron Zook used to say that, too. Five games into his 3rd season, he was gone. Last time I checked, five different SEC programs have crystal footballs on campus. (Clue for Dawg fans: these are national titles in the modern era – not 1980.) Of course, we’re thrilled that your standards remain as low as they are. Please keep Mark Richt. Please. It’s only a matter of time before Muschamp catches him too.
UGA Grad '90
September 11th, 2011
10:02 pm
Georgia starts 0-2 for first time in 15 seasons
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.
Georgia is 14-14 since the start of the 2009 season
Richt’s answer: “We will TWEAK a couple of things and be in good shape.” ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delbert D.
September 11th, 2011
10:04 pm
Coastal Carolina is undefeated, and their mascot is a rooster. That’s the bad news. They will probably try to pass a lot, since they average 2.8 yards per carry on the ground. The thing that Georgia has to be concerned about is injuries to linebackers and the offensive line. Get ahead early and try to get the 3rd team and scouts in the game.
Ace
September 11th, 2011
10:07 pm
UGA will be like BUFORD HS this week, playing teams they know they can win against.