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
April 1st, 2010
12:04 am
I never dismissed Meyers or Fla. If I compared them as equals it would be stupid of me to do so. Please learn to read my comments. Fla is very good but no more than UGA Hence the 90 wins a piece and equal SEC titles over last 9 years. But to be fair UGA has been ranked top ten 6 times to Fla’s 3. Gatorgrowl
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:04 am
Gatorgrowl, you can take a horse to water but a pencil must be lead.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:06 am
Patrick ol boy, 3 of those 9 years we had sorry Ron Zook as coach and Richt couldn’t even dominate the zooker.
ga gator
April 1st, 2010
12:07 am
Out fellows, been fun.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:07 am
“why havent we”??? Ummm Its interesting to note that UF and LSU have won national titles with the same record UGA had when it won its two SEC titles. Its not that UGA is not as good of a program as either of the two, they have just been luckier than UGA. And that’s the truth. Fla was fortunate enuff (lucky) that it got its SEC titles in a year a superior team (USC) choked and allowed Fla into the game. OSU was not as good as UGA but to their credit they squeaked out a win in several games they should have lost in 2002 keeping UGA out.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:09 am
In 2002, Ohio State went 12-0 in the regular season with a paltry five-point win over Wisconsin, a miniscule six-point win over Penn State, and a pathetic 10-6 win over Purdue where Craig Krenzel threw a 37-yard touchdown pass on fourth down in the final two minutes.
Then the Buckeyes needed a sadly pathetic overtime to beat Illinois and beat Michigan 14-9 with a miracle touchdown with less than five minutes remaining. Ohio State could have seen its national championship dreams derailed several times but to the Buckeyes’ everlasting credit, they always found a way to win.
Mark Richt’s best team at Georgia (12-1 with a loss to Florida), which finished No. 3 in the BCS Standings, just needed for Ohio State to lose one of those games and the Bulldogs are in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami.
I guess in a playoff UGA could not have beaten the mighty Buckeye’s? And we still think the BCSNC is legit? LOL
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:10 am
In your opinion USC was superior, but they play in a weak conference. UGA has no one to blame but UGA and their coach. If he hadn’t choked in a couple of games in those years, you wouldn’t be complaining. Until UGA fans quit blaming everyone but themselves, the misery will continue.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:10 am
Its hard to swallow for you gator fans but you aint all that.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:11 am
Was the loss in 02 to the zooker patrick?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:11 am
UGA didnt choke in a couple of games in those years. GA was 13-1 in 2002. Same as UF in 2006/8. Only UGA didnt have a USC to choke and allow them in.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:12 am
was the loss in 2008 to unranked Ole Miss?
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:12 am
UGA choked to the zooker, go ahead and say it, it’s like therapy.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:13 am
Fla was ranked in 2002 when UGA lost. Ole Miss was not. Jax is a neutral site and Ole Miss beat Fla AT HOME in the swamp.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:14 am
Where did Ole Miss end up at the end of the Season? Where did Vandy end up? Where did Kentucky end up? Or did the refs take those games away from you?
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:14 am
Since you are so up on facts? How long has it been since UF lost to Vandy and Kentucky at home?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:15 am
you go by how they are ranked at the time you play. not 6 weeks or 6 months or 6 years later
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:16 am
you go by how they are ranked at the time you play. not 6 weeks or 6 months or 6 years later
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
yet another of Patricks twisted logic.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:17 am
I’m waiting on the Vandy and Kentucky losses at home stat Patrick.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:17 am
Since I am up on fatcs (and you are using history) lets look at history shall we?
.
UGA 12 SEC titles to Fla’s 8
.
UGA has a winning bowl record Fla has a losing one
.
UGA is ranked all time at 11, Fla is not in top 25
.
UGA is ranked all time at 11 in wins. F;la is not in top 25
.
History is history. Dint use a small slice to benefit you
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:18 am
At least you dominate in the Equestrian Championships.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:19 am
twisted logic would be to wait for 6 years then say hey we beat Ole Miss and they are ranked #1.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:19 am
How old are you Patrick, did your daddy tell you about the Glory Days?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:20 am
Champions? UGA has 12 to Fla’s 8 in the SEC title games
.
UGA has 5 NC’s according to Nationalchamps.net to Fla’s 3. Looks like UGA dominates in all categories.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:20 am
twisted logic is thinking we have a rivalry. You have been replaced by the VOLS.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:21 am
glory days??? UGA ranked top ten 6 of last 9 years. Fla 3 of last 9 years. Yep glory days indeed
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:21 am
Champions? UGA has 12 to Fla’s 8 in the SEC title games
.
UGA has 5 NC’s according to Nationalchamps.net to Fla’s 3. Looks like UGA dominates in all categories.
Go ahead, you got to feel good about something other than the equestrian team.
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:22 am
glory days??? UGA ranked top ten 6 of last 9 years. Fla 3 of last 9 years. Yep glory days indeed
Don’t you hate it when you can’t even dominate in your own state?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:22 am
Fla would have to win 7 in a row to become a rivalry. Since UGA leads the series by 7 games. That would take 3 quarters of a decade merely to CATCH UP
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:23 am
Difference between us is our history started in 1990 and yours ended in 1980.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:23 am
glory days??? UGA ranked top ten 6 of last 9 years. Fla 3 of last 9 years. Yep glory days indeed
Don’t you hate it when you can’t even dominate in your own state?
======================================
UGA has won 8 of 9 against Ga Tech. Yep UGA really is dominated in state. LOL
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:24 am
Well if the next 20 are anything like the last 20, we will have a nice little lead. Go ahead and say to yourself, I wish we had someone else for a coach, its therapy patrick.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:24 am
Fla has played football for almost 100 years. Hardly 1990
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:26 am
Since you are so fond of playoffs, the SEC playoffs started when the conference split. How many you got since then?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:26 am
someone else? Why? No other coach can claim the following. Not even close
.
.UNDER Richt
Vs. SEC foes: 43-22
.
Vs. Top 25 foes: 29-18
.
Vs. Top 25 foes away from home: 18-12
.
Vs. Top 10 foes: 8-6
.
In postseason games (bowls and championships): 9-3
.
In games decided by a touchdown or less: 34-14
.
Record at home: 46-9
.
Record on the road: 42-6 (including bowl games)
.
Losses to unranked teams: 6
.
Top 25 finishes: 8
.
Top 10 finishes: 6
.
Fact:………UGA was 12-1 in 2002 (prior to bowl selections)
.
Fact ………Fla was 12-1 in 2006 (prior to bowl selections)
.
Fact ………Not UGAs fault there were 2 unbeatens that year. “unlucky”
.
Fact……….Not Flas credit that there was only one unbeaten in 2006. “Lucky”
.
Fact:………Luck (not merit) had more to do with Fla getting an invite to the BCS not that Fla was more deserving to go to a NC than UGA with identical records.
.
Fact:………No SEC team has ever lost a BCSNC game and if UGA would have been invited nothing indicates that it would have been different
.
Fact……….UGA has 2 SEC titles..same as Fla in last 9 years and equal amount of total wins (90) over all.
.
Fact……….UGA has been ranked more times top ten in last 9 years than any SEC team at 6. Fla has only been ranked top ten 3 times in 9 years (real impressive).
.
Fact……….In 9 years under Richt no SEC team has more wins
Fact………..UGA has won 4 str8 bowls….more than any other SEC team.
.
Fact……..UGA has won 11 of last 13 bowls…Thats more than any team (tied with LSU and more than FLA)
.
Fact…… UGA has won 8 or more games in last 13 years…more than any other team in the nation including Fla.
.
Fact…….UGA is clearly as good or better than any SEC team over last 9 years. Only a fool or a fan of the mythical BCSNC selection process (non playoff) would think otherwise.
.
Fact…….UGA had same record when they won the SEC title in 2002 as Fla did in 2006/8 when they won the SEC title. But UGA had the misfortune (luck) to have that record in a year that had 2 other teams with undefeated records.
Hardly an indictment on UGA but rather on the NC selection process.
6 times finished in the top 10
2 times finished in the top 3
3 SEC Championship Appearances
2 SEC Titles
3 BCS Bowls
2 Sugar Bowl wins
90-27 record over 8 seasons – 79% winning percentage (one of only 7 in the history of college ball to have ever accomplished this)
4 str8 bowl wins
7-2 in bowls (big games)
Mark Richt coached QB coach for Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke = 2 Heismans; Head Coach for David Greene = all time winningest college QB until Colt McCoy this year); and coached Matthew Stafford = very rich #1 draft pick)
No Probations
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:27 am
nice cut and paste. I cant debate with a robot anymore.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:27 am
the split? I am talking about Richt. and since richt UGA has 2 and Fla has two. But UGA has been ranked top ten 6 times to Fla’s measly 3
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:28 am
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:27 am
nice cut and paste. I cant debate with a robot anymore.
===========================
translation: “I cant win”
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:29 am
No wonder May, Holtz, Corso, Davis and the whole ESPN crew think UGA is a joke. Night Patrick, go take your meds. Nice Picture on facebook loser.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:29 am
copy and paste? Yes for statement facts its a common occurrence
GatorGrowl
April 1st, 2010
12:30 am
I see this all the time in this guys rambling posts and everytime it brings to mind that phrase that I can never remember about numbers not lying but how people try to use them to try to support a weak arguement. Or that Mark Twain saying, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” or something like that. Like anytime I hear that kind of bluster or nonsense at ballgames, I just point and yell SCOREBOARD! Don’t know if that works here but…Hey patrick…SCOREBOARD!!!
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:31 am
yes it is a nice picture. Thanks LOL. Dont be jealous!
all time hater
April 1st, 2010
12:32 am
Looks like you have a lot of nice gay girlfriends. Gatorgrowl, how bout the saying, stats are for losers.
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:32 am
Scoreboard? 90 wins a piece…2 sec titles…6 top ten to 3 top ten in last 9 years. Yep SCOREBOARD
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:34 am
and you would know all about what gay people look like, right?
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:35 am
Losers? UGA has a winning record against every team except ALA.
GatorGrowl
April 1st, 2010
12:37 am
OMG a picture DOES tell a thousand words or about as many as are in this clowns posts! Couldn’t make it out but is that a gun rack in the back???
Hershel
April 1st, 2010
12:37 am
This dude has more personalities than me!!
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:37 am
Oh and Tenn has the edge against UGA. Thats 2 teams out of 120 that have losing records against UGA. Hardly loserville. LOL
GatorGrowl
April 1st, 2010
12:38 am
Dude, no offense, but with that…I’m out. Everybody have a great night…
patrick
April 1st, 2010
12:39 am
** correction** Oh and Tenn has the edge against UGA. Thats 2 teams out of 120 that have winning records against UGA. Hardly loserville. LOL