Bobo on fallout from Dogs’ five-loss season: ‘I think it’s lit a fire in everybody’
ATHENS — Georgia’s offensive coaches, unlike three of their defensive counterparts, kept their jobs after last year’s five-loss season. But the offensive staff feels the heat, too.
Listen to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, talking to reporters in a conference room at the Butts-Mehre building Thursday:
“Anytime you struggle as a football team and lose five games — which is not acceptable, we know it’s not acceptable — you’re going to soul-search for what we can do better. The first thing we can do better is block better, take care of the ball better and not turn it over, and [by doing those things] we’re going to be better immensely as an offense. Those [things] sound simple, but basically [it's] getting back to basics of what this program and this offense was built on when we first got here — a good run game, good play-action game and those fundamental basics of playing good football and taking care of the football.
“You’re always searching for answers, and anytime you lose it’s, you know, the-sky-is-falling. But you just got to go back to taking care of the little things and getting better at each aspect and coaching your position better. . . .
“We’ve had change. We’ve had turnover. We struggled last year. Eight and five. But sometimes that’s good: You need to be on the fire. And I think it’s lit a fire in everybody.”
In a half-hour meeting with beat reporters one week before the start of spring practice, Bobo stressed that the starting quarterback job will be a “wide open” competition among Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Bobo vowed that the winner of the job must demonstrate that he’ll protect the football. There’s no stomach for another 17-interception season, as Georgia had last fall.
“We got to play better at the quarterback position,” Bobo said. “I think the No. 1 way we can play better is take care of the football, and that is going to be our main emphasis at the position this year.”
Bobo acknowledged that inexperienced quarterbacks –- all three candidates are inexperienced –- tend to be susceptible to mistakes. But “we just have to do a better job of managing that position and managing those mistakes this year where [last] year we probably didn’t,” he said.
On a couple of other points:
– Bobo said that although the Dogs hope to have Trinton Sturdivant back at left tackle after two consecutive seasons lost to knee surgeries, they must not presume his return in building the offensive line. ”When we’re talking about our objectives as an offense and what we want to accomplish this spring, we want to establish depth on the offensive line without counting on No. 77, Trinton Sturdivant,” Bobo said. He agreed with a reporter’s characterization of a Sturdivant return as a “luxury.” Said Bobo: “We think he’s going to be back. He’s ahead of schedule. He’s doing great. But we got to establish depth besides him.” Sturdivant won’t be available for spring practice but if all continues to go well will participate in preseason camp in August.
– Logan Gray might not win the QB job, but he definitely has won Bobo’s respect. “The thing about this kid is, all he’s ever wanted to do is help Georgia and play and compete,” Bobo said. “And that’s what he wants to do this spring at quarterback. If he finds himself not in the mix, where he’s not going to be the guy [at] quarterback, he wants the opportunity to play another position. And that’s it. It’s been a great attitude. It hasn’t been, ‘Hey, I want to play this, Coach, and if not I’m transferring.’ He’s, like, ‘Coach, I want to play and get on the field and help this team, I love it here, I love the teammates, I love Georgia.’ You got to love kids like that.”
Also: Dogs’ Bacarri Rambo calls for truce in feud with Da’Rick Rogers.
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316 comments Add your comment
Dawg Tired
February 27th, 2010
10:33 am
The only thing that matters is what BuLLdawg thinks. He is the only person with enough sense to figure this out. Quit speculating and just listen to BuLLdawg.
BTW: Have we hired BuLLdawg to be our Head Football Coach yet? If not, why not? Of course, I see there are several other candidates for the job by reading these comments. I’m amazed at the folks who know more about football than Coach Richt and Coach Bobo. I would like to know how successful these folks are at what they actually do for a living. My guess is not as successful as either Coach Richt or Coach Bobo. Having actually coached football myself, I can tell you that these guys do know what they’re doing, and they are doing it in the toughest football conference in America and have done it well, appearing in the SEC Championship game on a regular basis. Trust me, if you think you could do it better, you are most likely delusional.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
February 27th, 2010
12:03 pm
To many weirdos on this vent – just an observation. If you just came out of the closet Yellow Fuzz – you need to go back in.
removed all doubts...
February 27th, 2010
12:52 pm
BuLLdawg…states: “No, I am sorry Aaron Murray especially is NOT known for having a strong arm.
Not at all.”
There for awhile, I thought that you were a huge fan with some passion, now you have made me a believer, you truly are a stooge…regards to Mo and Larry
big south mike
February 27th, 2010
1:21 pm
UGA has 3 Elite 11 QB’s? Not too bad. I don’t think Bobo would be wasting reps on anybody he didn’t think had a chance. I’d like to see a 1-2-3 running order by end of Spring, with #1 getting majority of reps.
Bobo did coach David Green, Shockley, and Matthew Stafford. All 3 were productive and won a lot of games.
No Clear Cut Fav at QB??????
February 27th, 2010
1:49 pm
Murray and Orson Charles played together at Plant High. They have great chemistry.
Of course, so did Logan Gray and Aaron White, in MO.
You would have to think that kind of chemistry with a TE would help Logan and Murray’s chances.
It’s another reason Aaron Murray has an edge as Orson Charles has emerged as a go-to type of TE. Charles could end up All-American if he and Murray start palying together.
Big Dawgs Eat!
February 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
ealey/king tandem will helpout our qb, whoever it is. also aj green and o.charles should be alot of help and now if only m.brown can step up to be the player he was advertised in hs??? defense can only get better and special teams.
big south mike
February 27th, 2010
4:22 pm
I’m lovin’ our WR situation this year. We have AJ on one side, and on the other we have 3 proven guys averaging 20 yards a catch: Wooten, Tavarres King, and Troupe. King will likely be the break-out #2 WR, although Wooten might give him a run for his money. Troupe has the least amount of touches. Brown has great size, just hasn’t been productive, but I’d love to see him used in the red zone with his 6′ 5” frame.
LAKE RABUN DAWG
February 27th, 2010
6:15 pm
Where is Bulldog daddy, LAKE OCONEE DAWG, today? He is the Lord of how all Dogs should think. Gettin’ plowed on the golf course, lush?
RED DOG 77
February 28th, 2010
1:05 am
Lets see here, I’ve read posts refering to several things, the least of which is coach Bobo’s comment on lighting a fire under the coaches and players after an unacceptable 8-5 season. IMHO That is the #1 key to getting UGA football back on track…………and I do indeed believe it will happen !!! Ok, armchair QBs, how many times have you seen a pretty good team begin to play like a great, championship caliber team ? Me ? Almost every year, a pretty good college football team gets the big idea that they can win anytime, against anyteam, anywhere………….Chemistry !!! sometimes it takes a down year to create a little fire in the belly. The University of Georgia football program, regardless of what some might say, has one of the best coaching staffs [probubly top 5] in the country !! UGA, has been a victim of our own success, having won 90 games in 9 years !! With a good bounce here, a non injury there, a resonable ref here, a little less ego there, a little more TEAM here, and a little less me there, alot of hard work and sacrifice, and watching out for your teamates back, doing your job and doing it well !! UGA will begin the 2010 campagne with a boat load of experienced players, that are chomping at the bit to redeem themselves !! Does’nt matter if we start a QB with no experience, like coach Bobo said ” protect” the ball, manage the game, and play your ass off !! Let the big dogs eat !! play to your strength, and smack the crap out of anyone that is not wearing RED and BLACK !! We have the talent, and I, for one am quite ready to see the University Of Georgia BULLDOGS……………GET AFTER THAT ASS………..and get that good old GEORGIA BULLDOG swagger back in 2010………….GO DOGS !!!! GATA !!!!
maddawg
February 28th, 2010
8:10 am
AM Dawg and others who question Bobo’s playcalling sometimes, if you watch the other SEC teams as well as any other team as often as I presume you watch the dawgs you will notice that even Meyer and Saban and all the others make questionable calls sometimes. Questionable to us it seems but often times we don’t know what is going on behind the scenes and what they may be trying to set up for future plays. It is so easy to be a hindsight playcaller. Try doing it before the play each and every play and see what your sucess rate is. If a running back had broken a tackle and sprinted for a 20 yard gain instead of being tackled for a 2 yard loss which resulted in your stupid screams for Bobo’s head you would be yelling “Heck yeah” and praising Bobo’s call. Grow up buddy.
MOPARDOG
February 28th, 2010
8:44 am
Mr. Bobo, some simple tips. First, when its 3rd and 15, you do not run the ball. Even if its Moreno carrying, you do not run the ball on 3rd and 15. Second, you do not call an on-side kick in the first quarter of the game…ANY GAME…especially against Florida. You get laughed at for doing that. And third…These funky “trickeration” plays that I’m sure you guys practice and practice, thinking they’ll never see it coming, has never ever worked, EVER! The Georgia Bulldogs have always had a simple design philosophy. That is straight up, power I, smashmouth football. Play well with what you got and design plays around your talent. But stop living in fantasy land and start living in the SEC.
Yellow Fuzz
February 28th, 2010
10:11 am
Yellow Fuzz
February 28th, 2010
10:09 am
Prediction on Dwyer
1. Selected in first 2 rounds
2. Finalist for NFL Rookie of the year.
3. Pro Bowl by 2nd season.
4. Great role model for entire playing career.
5. Retires wealthy
6. Gets his Tech degree by age 40
7. Represents a Fortune 500 company and draws an NFL pension his entire life
8. Probably helps coach his son’s youth teams
9. Gives enormous ammount back to his community
10. Helps recruit the state for Tech.
big south mike
February 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
1. I’m pumped about TE/WR Hybird Orson Charles. This guy caught 75 balls for 1500 yards his Senior year, 21 were TD’s. That’s NUTS! 1 out of 3 touches were TD’s!! And he got about 20 yards a catch. He’s a bear to tackle. One of the most competitive guys on UGA–he HATES to lose and is bound and determined to be the best. #3 TE by Scout. Had a great year last year becoming the #2 guy with 23 catches, got about 18 yards a catch. Charles is 6′ 4” but also has a 36 inch vertical to boot. Can you imagine trying to cover him in the red zone, with AJ Green on the wing? He and Murray played together at Plant High School and won the State Championship at the top competition level.
2- Bobo is right about the fire burning. In the SEC, the fire burns best after a bad SEC year for the GREAT coaches like Meyer and Richt. Both of Meyer’s National Championships came after 3 loss SEC seasons. Both of Richt’s best finishes at UGA (#2 in 2002 & #3 in 2007) both came after bad SEC 3 or 4 loss seasons. The last 4 years, whoever had the worst SEC season in the SEC East, of Richt and Meyer, usually finished #1 or #2 in the NCAA the enxt season. So UGA is on track for a monster 2010.
Bobo's #1 Reason for Int's?
March 1st, 2010
8:56 am
Brandon Spikes said in an interview the UGA QB’s were the easiest to pick because they stared down the receivers with their eyes. That’s also how Brandon Spikes picked Logan Gray.
Just watch the UGA QB’s eyes–they don’t know how to look off a receiver. They lock in on 1 guy.
That’s fundmanetals. Led to a LOT of INT’s in 2009—like 15.
Mike Bobo Fan
March 1st, 2010
2:50 pm
Bobo can coach people.
#1- He’s one of those rare QB coaches that played the position extremely well in college. Very effiecient, owns a LOT of UGA records.
#2- His QB’s have constantly thrown for yards and td’s as well as anyone in the SEC East.
I think Bobo had some bad luck with QB’s who don’t have great decision making skills when it comes to on the field decisions and ball protection. I don’t think Bobo should be responsible for the interceptions the UGA QB’s have thrown. Hopefully, UGA will get a QB over the next few years here who hates throwing interceptions as much as Bobo did as UGA QB.
If Bobo can get a QB that’s productive, yet protects the ball, we’ll probably throw it 50% of the time. I think that time is coming in 2011.
Georgia O!
March 3rd, 2010
12:32 pm
The Dawg Oline in 2010 will be the best in the SEC and the UGA running game should put up huge numbers. Look for the Dawg O to dominate UT and UF, leading GA to the SEC east title!!! It will be a big time matchup up in the SEC title game against Bama, but I think the Dawgs can pull it out!!