Counting down to Oklahoma State … and watching out for swine flu
Athens — Like the rest of you, Mark Richt is counting down.
“OK,” he said after practice Tuesday. “It’s getting closer. Down to 10 days after today. Seven practices to go.”
Georgia is immersed now in preparation for Oklahoma State, the opening opponent Sept. 5 in Stillwater.
All of Georgia’s practice Tuesday was closed to the media –- usually, the first three or so periods are open -– because the Bulldogs began working on stuff for the Oklahoma State game right away. Usually the first few periods are devoted to fundamental work, so coaches don’t worry about prying eyes on the field for that. Tuesday, “we were right into all our schemes right away,” Richt said after practice.
Late this afternoon, the Bulldogs will hold a practice game –- also closed –- in Sanford Stadium, with the scout team emulating Oklahoma State.
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With at least 20 cases of swine flu reported on the UGA campus, Richt was asked if he’s worried about it reaching the football team.
“Oh yeah, we’ve been keeping a real close eye on it,” he said. “We actually had a couple of guys that had those type of symptoms in the summer, and we either took them and moved them off on their own or took their roommates out of there. . . . We probably did that two or three times this summer.
“And we have kept a real close eye on the guys since camp started, but we really haven’t had anything since camp started. Haven’t had any symptoms like that. There are certain things, like that MRSA [infection], that can be spread throughout a team, and if you don’t watch it, you’re in trouble. So Ron [Courson, UGA director of sports medicine] is real proactive.”
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Much has been made of how the Bulldogs backed off physical practices as injuries mounted last year and of how Richt vowed not to repeat that mistake this year. The team-wide epidemic of hamstring injuries has not caused him to reconsider.
“I’m not too concerned about it, really,” Richt said Tuesday. “Quite frankly, we’re practicing about how we [had] been practicing before last season. It’s not a whole lot different. It might feel different to the guys this year because last year was different. But it’s just about the way we’ve always practiced.”
Many of the hamstring pulls have been sustained by veteran players, particularly at linebacker and safety. And if they had to happen, better that they happen to experienced players than to young players who desperately need practice reps, Richt said.
“I’d be more concerned if all of our young guys had hamstring pulls and all I had was veterans working,” he said. “I do think it could end up being a blessing. Those young safeties [Bacarri Rambo, Makiri Pugh, Sanders Commings] got a ton of work –- and a ton of work with the No. 1 defense. And some of our linebackers got some work they wouldn’t have gotten without the veterans having to sit. With the veterans having a working knowledge of the defense, I don’t think [the missed time] will hurt them too badly.”
It helps that most of those who were sidelined with hamstring problems have returned to full action just as — Richt’s words – “we’re getting into the guts of the game plan.” Among those recently returned: safeties Reshad Jones (”I feel like I’m right where I need to be,” he said) and Bryan Evans, linebacker Darius Dewberry and tight end Aron White. Injury update here.
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High among the UGA defense’s goals this season: Force more turnovers. Last season, the Dogs’ defense tied for 111th among the 119 major-college teams in fumbles recovered, tied for 67th in passes intercepted and tied for 104th in total takeaways. And remarkably, only one Georgia defensive back, Jones, had an interception (he had five).
In turnover margin, the Bulldogs tied for 73rd at minus-3, meaning they lost three more turnovers (19) than they gained (16).
“Football is game of momentum, and we gave away more momentum than we gained,” Richt said Tuesday. “I think most all of us know that if you’re going to win one statistic besides the scoreboard, [you'd want it to be] be turnover ratio. If you knew you were going to win the turnover-ratio battle every single game, you’d know for certain you were going to have a winning season and probably one of your better seasons.”
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86 comments Add your comment
Number 1 Gator Fan
August 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Tebow’s tears are a result from winning multiple national championships….you should actually try to play for one every 25 years or so
takedowndawg
August 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Bjy the way #1 gator fan, like 43 I suspect you don’t have any personal football experience either. Could that possiblly be true? What is your story? We DAWGS with personal experience would like to know. Haha
ZP
August 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
in 2007 Tebows tears were a result of the beating UF took and the beating he took at the hands of the UGA D-linemen.
Number 1 Gator Fan
August 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
takedownpuppy, I am a life long fan of football and played in high school. The fact that I did not play collegiately (let me know if that is too big of a word for you) is irrelevant. I root for the falcons….and I know a lot about the sport…yet never played professionally….I guess I should expect this level of logic from a redneck hick. Fact of the matter is that you have not seen a title since the 80s….and we have 3 in the last 15 years
Music to my ears « Get The Picture
August 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
[...] going to take to get his team to a better place. One example of that is this quote from this Tim Tucker post at the AJ-C page today: “Football is game of momentum, and we gave away more momentum than we [...]
takedowndawg
August 26th, 2009
4:18 pm
#1 gator fan, define, “played” what in HS and for how many years. Stating your HS and what years you played could prove helpful., Would there be anyone who remembers what position you played(if football) ? I doubt it. True hurts doesn’t it. Everyone “just” naturally assumed with all your wisdom and insight and daily post you had to be a real player. Maybe not.
Oledawg
August 26th, 2009
4:21 pm
Cuz- Great post (Do th’ Hokie Pokie), but how many posters on here do you think know the tune? Lyrical football posting could catch on since the Hokie Pokies have their own song. It’s a refreshing and entertaining idea! Thanks!
W-Dawg
August 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
Hey Gator fans, go drink some of Tebow’s fluids.
Number 1 Gator Fan
August 26th, 2009
4:30 pm
takedownpuppy, I played four years, as a offensive guard. started the last three. Northside Highschool. I actually played next to Billy Milner who went to the University of Houston and first round draft pick of Miami. Still does not detail why your puppies choke every year and have not seen a championship (national) game in 25 years…..but you go right on ahead and enlighten all of us about uga’s “greatness”
Oledawg
August 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
It’s great to hear that Courson is proactive because nothing less will matter if H1N1 gains a foothold. Seems I’ve heard that the Microbiology Dept at UGA is renowned. Wouldn’t that be something if they could work directly together to transfer latest knowledge from CDC to Courson and his staff ahead of the curve? Does proactive imply the wearing of surgical masks at some time?
UGAVII- Are you still using those clothes pins to keep a smile on your face? If not we may have to put a mask on you so you don’t frighten the visiting cheerleaders. How’s Lottie and Fay?
Gary
August 26th, 2009
4:48 pm
Really Tech Boys, you got up in the middle of the night just to post a football score of a game from last year. Did you set an alarm or ask your mom to wake you. Enjoy your basement. Just remember, it is your fault your dad left. He was always embarrassed by you and you D&D basement life. His only hope for you was that you liked football. Maybe you would grow up to be a man. Nope, you decided to root for tech and daddy walked out and left you in moms basement. Enjoy a few more months of middle of the night score posting. It will all be over soon and you can return to hours of world of warcraft, sipping frosted oranges into your fat diabetic bed ridden basement dwelling body.
BigMike
August 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
I would tell you pokies to go ask OU who played against an SEC team, but seeing that OSU was the last victim of the Fab five in the SEC(FLA,UGA,LSU,ALA.and the new boys on the block Ole Miss it is quite obvious that you boys don’t take us serious, I guess one call to Mike Leach down at (TTU) might help.I hope that ya’lls Cadillac (Texas) can eventually find it’s way to Big boy football, and get there tails handed to them. Until then biting a cowboy will just have to do, and anytime you boys want to come our way we’ll be glad to kick your buts right back to your home state. Since you doing alot of talkin we have decided to come whip yo behinds at Stillwater. We’ll get in 30 points, and ya’ll bout 17. Now after that you will beat alot of fella’s up, because you’ll be taught by the big boys by then. Just remember though, never disrespect a man and his DAWGS. Be warned now ya here.!!!!!!!
Look...Luggage!
August 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
Number One bite me Fan-
Get off this board, you pathetic reptile. Florida’s full of fleas.
dawgstephen
August 26th, 2009
5:32 pm
I am glad it is almost time. I personally think that the injuries to the veterans were a good reason to get some younger players some reps. They all returned at the SAME TIME…just in time for the scout team and scrimmages for OK State. I think they were held out of a lot of drills for precautions and for letting the others get reps. Gonna be a interesting season.
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
Corrine Brown
August 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
43,I Q?
ButlerDawg
August 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
“Forcing More Turnovers” should be 3rd on the defense’s list this year, not the top of it. Learning to wrap up and tackle and sacking the opposing QB should be #1 and #2, not grabbing jersey with one hand and slapping at the ball with the other…this only results in bigger gains by the opposing offenses. I swear to God it is time to show Willie the door!!! The D will probably look improved this year, but I’m telling you his recipe has future disasters waiting to happen!
jnhjxnhn
August 26th, 2009
5:56 pm
Injuries don’t worry Richt huh? His quarterback does. Florida’s defense if sure gonna worry him. Halloween for his boys this year is really gonna be a nightmare.
BigMike
August 26th, 2009
6:23 pm
Fla when Tebow goe’s down who’s going to run the ball? Please don’t say Demps, or Moody! Oh and by the way all you senics take a HARD look and realize USC’s starting TB is third on the depth chart! Now do you think it;s hard to play in the SEC?????
JBTs
August 26th, 2009
6:32 pm
wow I did not know you had to have a resume of where and how much you played to post on these blogs. I am a UGA fan and that is about the most stupid thing I have seen posted. Yes before you start I also played high school and college football.
dawgstephen
August 26th, 2009
6:38 pm
Good POST JBT’s!!!! if everyone who posts here would stick to their coaching experience, and wait..they dont have that either, they just happen to be better qualified than the coaches are, yet dont have the job. but they know more than the coaches…ask them, they will tell you.
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
Sad Richards
August 26th, 2009
7:42 pm
Hey dawgstephen…….. you sure don’t have to a seasoned chef to know if the food tastes good. But you know that you are the expert on kool aid my friend! It sure hasnt been that hard to watch and understand that Willie is a bald headed idiot.
Sad Richards
August 26th, 2009
7:44 pm
sorry …….thats to be a seasoned chef to know if the food tastes good.
DOGGIE IN NC
August 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
CUZ
raidrfan
August 26th, 2009
8:00 pm
It seems that you Dawg fans think it’ll be a cakewalk in stillwater. I’m sure no Cowboy fan but your Dawgs will have to pull this one out late if at all.
DOGGIE IN NC
August 26th, 2009
8:02 pm
CUZ – Man, I am still laughing at your Hokie Pokie song! Great one! Pokes are going to find out what a real defense can do to a good offense! GO DOGGIES!
takedowndawg
August 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
# 1 gator fan, ? How does a Northside High School southerner become a rapid Gator fan? I reminds me of the young teenagers always in love with the Dallas Cowboys when the Falcons were going through their first few decades as a professional team. A rapid gator fan from Northside! Very sad. Move your ass to Florida. Life is too short to live around all us loyal DAWG and Tech fans. Go down there where you can share the mutual love. Nirvana. It is nasuaeating. Show some loyality to your home state. You’re probably under 32 years of age, judging from your comments.
Number 1 Gator Fan
August 26th, 2009
8:28 pm
Easy takedownpuppy I had an academic scholarship to Florida. A free education is hard to turn down. Or in your case….any education is easy to turn down. Shockingly, you are wrong again. I am 36 and work for a hedge fund. Perhaps you should spend your time coming up with another exscuse why the puppies will once again play no role in the national championship game
dawg man
August 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
HEY TECH SCUM, I’VE STILL GOT 3 WORDS FOR YOU-HAHA
takedowndawg
August 26th, 2009
8:59 pm
#1 gator fan, or might we say academian. Congratulations on the scholarship. But, you might want to check your spelling of excuse on your last sentence on your last blog. On the age thing, I know individuals who are emotionally stuck at 13-14 years old and are 40+ years of age. So, I was off by four years in your case. I think that most would consider that within the margin of error! I ‘m just playing with you gator fan. You have a very good team this year. I do believe that someone is going to surprise you this year and it won’t be one of the minor league 2A teams you’ll be playing..
CatsFly
August 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
“When they snap the ball, the ball is the issue. If you’ve got that we will come and get you, and if your mama got the ball we will come and get her too.” Marvin Austin, UNC
tdog
August 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
Hey N#1 GAYTURD Fan why are you posting since the gayturds have already won another championship? why read this article it has nothing to do with gayturds or insects just wanted to know?
(45-42) wORLD TOUr
August 26th, 2009
10:05 pm
Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the stomping of the dawgs.
We will make those poor, dumb farm boys
Wish they’d stuck to slopping hogs.
When our team is victorious
We will sing a mighty cheer:
“We’ll do the same next year!”
To Hell, to Hell, to Hell with Georgia!
To Hell, to Hell, to Hell with Georgia!
To Hell, to Hell, to Hell with Georgia!
The cess pool of the South!
god and greyhound
August 26th, 2009
10:09 pm
To Hungry Dawg:
LMAO
Only a mutt fan would see an ADVANTAGE in losing all their NFL-caliber skill position players while the other team brings all of theirs back!! LOLOLOL. “Yeah, uh, we have the advantage because, uh, like, they don’t have any film on our guys and they, huh, have the same guys so we can watch the film and stop them, right??”
What tools uog fans are
DAWGBONE
August 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
51-7 …. much more convincing ;-o) Those rings are already irrelevant – try buygold.com
Amazing how the bugs come out of their holes after a narrow win and then the demolition by LSU.
pokefan – you are dreaming if you believe your defense will hold us to 21
DAWGBONE
shards1967
August 27th, 2009
9:34 am
I am really getting into my blogs that pound Tech. Normally, I do not even know who their coach is but, um, well, you know ……….this year is different. More later on the game w. them. They know that we are coming to see them.
As for Tech’s season? What conference are they in, and who besides UGA is on their schedule and are they still playing home games in Statesboro? Didn’t Pepper Rogers coach them for awhile? What is he doing now? I sure remember when he let ABC’s Wide World of Sports in their Thanksgiving night locker room meeting on nat’l tv as we had them 42-0 at the half. Poor Pepper, he had not recovered from getting hit in the head by another tech coach with the head phones. HAHAHAHAHAH
UGA 35-OSU 28
GO DAWGS!!
ofonemind
August 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
It seems the Ga fans are forgetting about the next game and have lost their concentration and are worried about Tech and Florida. I hope their players and coaches are too. They are too well coached for that, I know.
What you can watch for in this game are two things. First, If they run the ball down the middle and score with the first possession, watch out. It will be a long game for the Cowboys. Secondly if it is a tight game after 3 quarters, the cowboy defensive lline will tire in the 4th qtr. They are too small. Forget the listed weights, teams seem to inflate the listings. See how small they look on the field compared to your offensive line. We don’t have depth on defense and teams like O. U. last year rotated players on almost every down in the 4th quarter. We didn’t have the depth to contend with that. We looked to be in good shape in the 3rd qtr., but just wore out. Yep, this old cowboy is concerned, but I look for a great game. I’ll be there on the 49 yard line 12 rows up. I’m the guy wearing an orange T-shirt. You can’t miss it.