Richt reclaims seat in quarterback, offense meetings (PLUS: practice notes)
ATHENS –- Mark Richt says he might be a bit slower to answer his mail this year.
That’s because, for the first time in several years, Georgia’s head coach plans to make it a point to attend every quarterbacks meeting –- the almost daily, hour-long sessions at which the QBs meet with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to review film and, during the season, game plans. Richt said he also will attend every offensive team meeting.
“Like I told Mike and the staff, I’m not in there to make them crazy at all,” Richt said Tuesday night. “But I’m in there because, No. 1, I do miss it and because I want to be able to add as much value as I can as we go.”
Richt’s increased involvement in the offense comes after a 2009 season in which the Bulldogs finished 75th in the nation in total offense (362.15 yards per game), 51st in scoring offense (28.92 points per game) and 99th in turnovers lost (28).
Richt said he stopped attending the QB meetings on a regular basis around the time he delegated play-calling duties to Bobo at the end of the 2006 season. Part of the reason, Richt said, was to afford Bobo the same autonomy that Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden had afforded a young Richt.
“Sometimes when the head man’s in there,” Richt said, “they maybe worry too much about what I think.”
But Richt said he has attended all quarterbacks meetings, as well as offensive team meetings, this spring and plans to do so during the season as well.
The impetus for the change was this spring’s competition for the starting quarterback job, although Richt said he plans to continue the practice “from here on in.”
“This spring in particular, we’re trying to make a decision on a starter and I want to make sure I understand completely,” Richt said. “I want to see [the players] react to coaching. I want to see them answer the questions that [Bobo] has to ask them. I want to just kind of get a taste of how they are handling the pressure.
“A lot of times [in recent years], I would watch practice film separately from the staff and maybe make my notes and talk to the staff about things I saw. But what I have decided to do is just be in there every day as they’re going over it and make sure we’re all on the same page.”
The main tradeoff for more time with the offense, Richt said, will be less prompt attention to some off-field aspects of the head coach’s job.
“I was starting to let some of those extra things roll into meeting times,” he said. “Now, certain things are just going to have to wait. It’s not like they’re not going to get done. They just might not get done as quickly as some people may want them.
“I may not answer my mail as quickly as I used to, or sign a bunch of stuff as quickly as I was. But it’s good medicine for me, really.”
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From Tuesday’s practice:
- Richt ranked the practice as the worst of the spring -– “ninth out of nine.” After praising the tempo of the first eight practices, “it kind of fizzled on us a little bit” Tuesday, Richt said. “I just didn’t think we practiced like champions today. I felt like we practiced like we were going through the motions and just didn’t have the mental toughness to push through.”
- Based on Saturday’s scrimmage, Richt said he believes tailback-turned-linebacker Richard Samuel “is catching on” to the new position. But Richt did not rule out the possibility of a redshirt season for Samuel, who will be a junior in the fall. “He’s new to the position, and we want him to be ready to compete for us –- not so much compete for a job but get out there and play championship defense,” Richt said. “If we think he’s ready to do that and produce at a high level, we want him to play. If he’s still finding his way a little bit, I don’t think we’ll be in a big rush to get him out there.”
- Junior-college transfer Jakar Hamilton was working at first-team safety, along with Bacarri Rambo.
- After missing all of last week’s practices with a sprained shoulder joint, wide receiver Marlon Brown returned to work on a limited basis. He was wearing a green non-contact jersey.
- Backup offensive lineman A.J. Harmon, who will miss the remainder of spring practice because of a high ankle sprain, was on crutches Tuesday. Harmon becomes the fourth offensive linemen on the sidelines, joining Trinton Sturdivant, Tanner Strickland and Austin Long.
- Several players returned to practice after missing last week with nagging injuries: outside linebacker Justin Houston (shoulder), tight end Bruce Figgins (hamstring) and wide receiver Israel Troupe (hamstring).
- Quarterback Logan Gray, after practice Tuesday, reflected on Saturday’s scrimmage in which he completed only 6 of 14 passes for 37 yards: “I don’t think I had my best day, to be honest. I kind of felt a little out of rhythm. Luckily, it’s not our only scrimmage of the spring.” He added: “I would have liked to have gotten a few more reps with the [first-team offense]. But I’m sure it’ll even out Saturday [in the spring's second scrimmage] and G-Day because we’ve got a rotation going [among the quarterbacks].”
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480 comments Add your comment
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:25 pm
gatorgrowl’s definition of rational is for me to completely agree with what ever you say
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:27 pm
all time Hater
March 31st, 2010
11:24 pm
ga gator, you will slit your wrist after 15 minutes of dealing with that idiot
================================
another person that thinks a rational discussion should be onesided and that I should just say “yes sir you are right sir”
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:27 pm
Patrick, what do you base your opinion on Brantley on, because ESPN, etc, all predict he is going to be better (at least passing) then Tebow. I am sure you will take Mett or Murray or even Gray instead of Brantley, and hey that’s ok dude, cause no one in Gainesville would trade either. It’s ok if you like your boys.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:29 pm
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:24 pm
and………..Not arguing that, those are facts. But in Gainesville at least, the SEC title is thought of as a stepping stone to the NC game. Until we have a playoff, that’s all there is.
=========================
sorry to point this out but Fla’s stepping stone to a NC in 2006 and 2008 was USC losing to unranked inferior teams. Fla’s NC are more a testament to USC choking than Fla being deserving.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:30 pm
and yours in 07 was a result of UGA choking against Tenn, same logic. Like I said until we have a NC Playoff, its all we got.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:30 pm
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:27 pm
Patrick, what do you base your opinion on Brantley on, because ESPN, etc, all predict he is going to be better (at least passing) then Tebow. I am sure you will take Mett or Murray or even Gray instead of Brantley, and hey that’s ok dude, cause no one in Gainesville would trade either. It’s ok if you like your boys.
========================================
and you base your opinion on Brantley based on his High school stats against B2 competition. We just saw how he did against real talent this past week. Thats how.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:32 pm
Pat, I base mine on people who know a lot more than you or I. Your prediction is he will fail and mine is along with the experts that he will be great.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:33 pm
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:30 pm
and yours in 07 was a result of UGA choking against Tenn, same logic. Like I said until we have a NC Playoff, its all we got.
—————————————————————-
agreed ……..but as I pointed out if OSU had done in 2002 what USC did in 2006/8 UGA would have a NC (or at least have gone) UGA and Fla both had identical records UGA was not fortunate enuff to have a USC choke allowing UGA to back into the NC game like Fla did.
all time hater
March 31st, 2010
11:33 pm
ga gator, quit wasting your time, he talks in circles.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:34 pm
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:32 pm
Pat, I base mine on people who know a lot more than you or I. Your prediction is he will fail and mine is along with the experts that he will be great.
=============================================
the same experts that picked UGA number one in 2008?
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:35 pm
I agree with everything you said except backing into a game. USC couldn’t take care of business and UF did.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:35 pm
all time hater
March 31st, 2010
11:33 pm
ga gator, quit wasting your time, he talks in circles.
===========================
translation: “I cant find a particular fact to dispute so I will generalize and say he talks in circles to marginalize him hoping it effects Ga Gators opinion”
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:37 pm
They based the 08 prediction on having a future #1 and #10 overall pick in the same backfield. Talking about a players potential is a little different than a whole team. I will stick with mine and you can yours. So which of yours do you think will end up #1 at QB?
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:37 pm
If head to head match ups are the criteria for success, and if Meyer has a WINLESS record against MULTIPLE teams he has played multiple times, and richt does NOT have a winless record against teams richt has played multiple times, then richt is a better coach than meyer.
THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP, SORRY IT MAKES MEYER LOOK WEAK. PLEASE CONTINUE TO BRING IT UP SO WE CAN SHOW MEYER FOR HIS TRUE SKILLS. THANKS AGAIN
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:37 pm
ignore em pat, they are just like some of your fans.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:38 pm
Actually Fla didnt take care of business. It NEEDED USC to lose. Had they taken care of business they would have gotten in with regard to some other teams wins or losses. USC gave them the chance more than Fla deserved it. But to Fla credit they beat OSU (hasnt every SEC team in a bowl game against them tho)
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:39 pm
“without regard”
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:39 pm
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico, so is that you Pat? That logic is about as stupid as saying that since Meyer is 0-2 against those teams then they must be better than UGA.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:39 pm
Patrick only comments under patricks name.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:41 pm
I do not believe Fla’s success is directly related to Meyers however. More Charlie Strong than Meyers IMO
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:43 pm
Florida did take care of business, by winning the SEC East those years and then winning the SEC Championship game. Of course it took some luck, just like it did in 96 when AZ State beat USC I think to allow the Sugar Bowl to determine the Champion. All teams that are Champs need some luck, How lucky was Bama last year against Texas to put Colt McCoy out of the game. Still they took care of business.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:43 pm
but I notice you leveled a personal attack on whoever it was by saying it was stupid. Maybe I didnt mistake you for the other guy. Lets keep personal attacks out of this convo OK?
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:44 pm
I wouldn’t say it was all Strong cause Bama ate our Defense up last year. Course it didn’t help that stupid Dunlap got DUI’d the week of the game. How dumb was that?
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:44 pm
If coaching in National Championships is the criteria, richt has coached in 5, meyer 3. don’t think you want to go there either.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:45 pm
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:43 pm
Florida did take care of business, by winning the SEC East those years and then winning the SEC Championship game. Of course it took some luck, just like it did in 96 when AZ State beat USC I think to allow the Sugar Bowl to determine the Champion. All teams that are Champs need some luck, How lucky was Bama last year against Texas to put Colt McCoy out of the game. Still they took care of business
=====================
Ala took him out. Thats the brutality of the kinda game ALA runs. Thats not luck its being the bigger badder team. However, ALA was lucky against Tenn and that blocked last second field goal keeping their NC hopes alive.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:45 pm
Who ever you are dude, Meyer Head coached in 2 and won both, Richt Head Coached in none.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:45 pm
if coaching up multiple heisman trophy winners is the criteria for success, richt is better than meyer there too.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:46 pm
if sec wins in the criteria, richt has 90, richt is the better coach there too.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:47 pm
We will see if it was strong or Meyers this year. I predict Fla loses 4 to 5 games this year. Brantley will be replaced mid way and Fla finishes unranked.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:47 pm
if having a #1 nfl draft pick land a $50 million contract is criteria, richt wins there too.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:47 pm
Ala did take him out but it was a freak hit. Didn’t even look that bad at first. But you got to respect the Tide, they did what it took. In 06 Dunlap blocked an extra point and a last second field goal against SC, some would call that luck also. Never the less, they did what they had to.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:47 pm
if coaching up players into the nfl is a criteria, richt wins there too.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:48 pm
if going 13-1 and winning the sec is the best season, both are tied.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:48 pm
Ga Gator. Its become too difficult to continue. If you are on facebook look me up
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:48 pm
Patrick, I predict they will lose the game in Tuscaloosa and play a repeat in the SEC Championship game and lose again.
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico
March 31st, 2010
11:49 pm
if finishing in top 3 in final polls with MULTIPLE QB’S OR MULTIPLE DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS is a criteria, richt wins there too.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:50 pm
Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico, no dude not tied, 2 NC’s to none. UF doesn’t measure success by #1 picks and that’s not what Meyer is paid 4 million to produce.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:51 pm
meyers is 0-2 against Auburn and New Mexico….you forgot UGA has been ranked top ten 6 out of last 9 years to Fla’s 3 out of last 9
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:51 pm
Enjoyed it Pat, have a good one. Too old(57) for facebook, we will talk again.
georgia gil
March 31st, 2010
11:51 pm
Dude, ga gator just got smacked down big time. WOW. Impressive.
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:52 pm
How about them Hawks?!?!?!?!
destroyed Lakers tonight
all time hater
March 31st, 2010
11:52 pm
new mexico dude, did you mention Richts and Meyers record against Kentucky and Vandy?
all time hater
March 31st, 2010
11:54 pm
patrick, you and the mexico dude are the same trailer park trash.
ga gator
March 31st, 2010
11:57 pm
Patrick, you forgot to answer; which of your QB’s do you think will end up #1?
patrick
March 31st, 2010
11:59 pm
At first I thought Murray but Met is looking really good.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:00 am
The good news for UGA is, we got 3 Elite 11 QB’s in Logan, Zach, and Aaron. Hutson Mason, the 4th UGA QB, just threw for 5500 yards and 55 td’s with 72% completion rate and is a Parade All-American and won’t be on campus for a couple more months–nice size–love the guy’s skills. too bad Fla is stuck with one B2 QB lol
ga gator
April 1st, 2010
12:00 am
From what I saw at the pregame warmups last year, I thought Mett had a considerably stronger arm and was noticably bigger. He just needs to stay away from Valdosta this summer.
GatorGrowl
April 1st, 2010
12:01 am
ga gator, God bless you man but you are trying to take a horse to water that only drinks Kool-Aide. His whole premise is that Florida and Meyer simply got lucky and that’s the reason for their success. That way he doesn’t have to acknowledge Meyer’s abilities while at the same time explaining why his team can’t seem to get there. Of course, if UF is lucky, he will say how UGA is conversly, unlucky. It’s the old story of should’ve, would’ve, could’vee. At the same time, he tries to minimize the achievement of winning the ultimate prize by trying to minimize it. With SEC schools like rival UF, Bama and LSU having achieved the highest level, I’m sure that kind or mindset makes it easier than looking in the mirror and saying “why haven’t we??”
ga gator
April 1st, 2010
12:02 am
We are quite happy with Brantley the 06 Gatoraid High School Player of the Year, we just got to keep him healty.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:04 am
Frankly, I think you are almost as crazy as Patrick the New Mexico tool for even discussing anything with him. All they do is make excuses. They even think the refs cheated them against LSU.