An inside look at UGA’s famous mat drills
A much-discussed but generally unseen aspect of the Georgia football program -– the famous mat drills –- will be featured extensively on SportSouth’s “Under the Lights: Georgia Football,” a 30-minute behind-the-scenes look at the Bulldogs that airs for the first time at 10 p.m. Saturday.
“We haven’t had a camera man in here in 10 years,” Mark Richt tells his players at the start of the mat-drill session featured on the show. “We’re going to allow them in here today.”
The show — I watched an advance copy –- gives a good glimpse of the February mat drills: players arriving at 4:48 a.m., going through a grueling series of conditioning drills, then struggling to put the ordeal into words.
“It makes February the longest month of the year,” snapper Ty Frix says.
“Under the Lights” is SportSouth’s occasional series of behind-the-scenes looks into the lives of players, coaches or teams.
In addition to mat drills, the Georgia show also puts cameras in team meetings, practices and even Richt’s truck as he drives to the G-Day game.
On the practice field, Richt is shown reacting to another special play by A.J. Green: “Doesn’t seem right. Doesn’t seem fair. When in doubt, throw it to No. 8.”
Click here for video of the mat-drills portion of the show.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
182 comments Add your comment
Red but not red and black
August 5th, 2010
1:59 pm
Oh my goodness, those red panties are falling from the sky again. Will it ever stop raining red panties?
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
The panty thing over and over is truly weak.
But what can you expect from a group of men who have never had the privilege of removing a pair of panties from the hips of a female.
Hey, Hattie...
August 5th, 2010
2:08 pm
…who said the panties were moist – you know something the rest of us don’t?
Ugag 28
August 5th, 2010
2:13 pm
Tech #9. Nuff said
http://whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2010CFB_PowerRankings1
freelemur
August 5th, 2010
2:16 pm
As tommy says, you guys are right… The nfl is full of stud richt players on the lines. Please continue to believe you guys have the biggest strongest lines in the SEC and that Mark Richt is a great coach. its working out great for us.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
2:17 pm
freelemur,
I really don’t give a sheet what you think
Tom Selleck
August 5th, 2010
2:19 pm
The proof is in the pudding, Leems.
SEC fan
August 5th, 2010
2:21 pm
DawginLex -
You can only wish the panty thing is over. It hasn’t even yet started.
Coming to all UGA away games – “look at the panties falling from the sky, look at the panties”
In other news, the city of Shreveport has renamed their bowl game to the Minnie Pearl Red Panties Bowl since UGA will again be there.
The name Shreveport and red panties…only in America.
Rebel
August 5th, 2010
2:22 pm
Mats are thing you sleep on.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
2:28 pm
SEC fan,
AS I HAVE POINTED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES,
THE ACC IS THE TIE-IN FOR SHREVEPORT NOW. TECH MAY END UP THERE, NOT UGA.
Breaking News
August 5th, 2010
2:33 pm
Attention Alabama fans who have stated over and over that Saban’s oversigning was much ado about nothing: It’s now official, Alabama oversigned by 3 players even after non-qualifiers, etc. 3 players who were offered scholarships by Alabama for 2010 were told they had to either take a greyshirt and sign in the winter- basically wasting an entire season and having to pay their own way for the fall semester- or transfer to another school.
Nick Saban is a great football coach but he does not keep promises and is not a man of integrity.
Ramma Bama
August 5th, 2010
2:34 pm
It doesn’t matter what “mat drills” they do at Ga. Bama’s winning this conference again easy with another blowout over florida in the SEC title game—book it! This bama team may be better than last year. Title #14—on the way!!!
Da truth
August 5th, 2010
2:35 pm
why not call it fox sports-GA ….they give so much coverage to the dogs.
How2fish
August 5th, 2010
2:35 pm
Tom Selleck nice spin..really nice. Went from not sending anyone to the NFL to not being tough..enough your dismissed.
Proud of Panties
August 5th, 2010
2:37 pm
Why should UGA be embarrassed about red panties- we had an athletic director who liked to party and bang white chicks. How is that a bad thing? Only a bunch Nancy boy geeks who never get any would think that’s a bad thing.
SEC fan
August 5th, 2010
2:37 pm
Gee DawginLex – all those caps, scary dude. Did I hit a nerve with those red panties? Thought it was over but we know it’s not. And you’re the one trying to call out other teams given what your track record is. Pot meet kettle.
TampaGator
August 5th, 2010
2:39 pm
I was going to post a positive comment about how interesting this will be to watch….but obviously this is not the place to post something positive. See ya.
Tom Selleck
August 5th, 2010
2:40 pm
Once again for those with reading comprehension problems:
“The majority of the successful big-bodied players in the NFL were Donnan era recruits. It’s been a long time since UGA has produced linemen like Seymour, Stroud, and Grant. Richt’s teams have been soft in the trenches for years.”
Alabama's March to 85
August 5th, 2010
2:46 pm
Terry Grant, Running Back, Scholarship not renewed, graduated, quit football, might get a medical hardship scholarship
Travis Sikes, Wide Receiver, Scholarship not renewed, graduated, not good enough to see the field
Darius McKeller, Offensive Lineman, Medical Hardship Scholarship
Star Jackson, Quarterback, Transfer, Georgia State Div 1AA.
Blake Sims, Quarterback, Academically Ineligible, summer school, might enroll next year.
Taylor Pharr, Offensive Lineman, Medical Hardship Scholarship
Milton Talbert, Linebacker, Medical Hardship Scholarship
Rod Woodson, Safety, Scholarship not renewed; removed from team
Ronnie Carswell, Wide Receiver, Greyshirt; healthy and eligible
Wilson Love, Defensive End, Greyshirt; injured, eligible
ugaclassof2004
August 5th, 2010
2:46 pm
I don’t know if the ” Mat Drills” have been as successful the last few years. It seemed like they really worked earlier in Richt’s tenure, but lately this team has really tanked it in the second half of games. Not sure if that is a mental toughness or conditioning problem. But it seems like the whole point of having Mat drills is to develop mental toughness through conditioning. If that is the case, then Mat Drills have been a huge failure the last few seasons IMO. Either they need to change things up, or scrap the whole concept entirely. Surely Grantham could think of comparable drills in the Pros that accomplish the same thing.
YELLOW HAMMER
August 5th, 2010
2:46 pm
no wonder uga players are soft. mats!!!!!
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
2:53 pm
SEC fan,
My point is it is fine to be a hater, but at least know what you are talking about regarding shreveport.
REALIST
August 5th, 2010
2:56 pm
Tech rules the ACC! It’s like being the best baseball player in France.
SKB
August 5th, 2010
3:03 pm
I love when Tech Fanboys make fun of UGA for Red panties.. haha, its like something Tech Fanboys have never seen or heard of, wow girls exist that doesn’t look fugly.. wowowowow
LowCountryDawg07
August 5th, 2010
3:05 pm
I’m gonna buy 2k red panties with G’s on them to sell to our fans.
SEC fan
August 5th, 2010
3:07 pm
DawginLex -
It’s pretty obvious that you feel it’s fine to be a hater. Look at your posts at 1:02, 1:03 and 1:22. Very pithy with your Gator hate – how droll.
Taking shots at another program when yours has no room to talk is pretty weak. Then again, having your a$$es handed to you by that porgram 17 out of the past 20 years brings out the worst in some people I guess.
Try to at least have a little class.
SKB
August 5th, 2010
3:10 pm
@SEC fan
This is a UGA blog, thus it has more UGA fans that praise their own team.. durrrr then you have your gator alt, come here and trash talk, ALL on a UGA blog. See the problem here?
I Could Have Put Some Lame Name Here
August 5th, 2010
3:17 pm
get a life
AltamahaDawg
August 5th, 2010
3:19 pm
TampaGator, if you find an internet site where grown men can talk about the game of football, please let us know. Some of miss that.
SEC fan
August 5th, 2010
3:20 pm
SKB -
I just think that this forum would be fine if the juvenile behavior would stop. There are numerous ways that people can converse and make points without it degenerating to name-calling. Some of these guys still act like they’re in grade school.
SEC fan
August 5th, 2010
3:22 pm
Altamaha and TampaGator, ditto.
gdawginkalamazoo
August 5th, 2010
3:26 pm
Maybe the camera should have taken a ride with Evans to the Sting concert instead of in Richt’s truck. Oh, nevermind I remember her mug shot now.
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
3:26 pm
So this drill instills toughness and discipline?
When is the last time a UGA football team was tough, and isn’t discipline shown through a lack of penalties?
In short, it’s not working.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
3:30 pm
talk to SSIgator. i respond to her with venom. try to be respectful when respect is shown but not much shows up on here with comments about panties, drinking etc.
I enjoy talking football respectfully but it is a 2 way street. Bloggers show up with no interest in UGA other than to stir up crap.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
3:32 pm
SEC fan wants to discuss having class.
Posting about Minnie pearl, shreveport and panties falling out of the sky is classy?
All about perspective I guess.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
3:36 pm
One final thought:
you want to talk football?
Here you go.
No Tebow=No titles
He is your Herschel
2006 and 2008 he was there. Bailed Leak out numerous times.
Prove me wrong Urban. win a title without Timmy.
He won’t.
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
3:38 pm
Guys, it’s just a game. Quit taking everyone’s quips and insults so seriously.
No one is personally attacking you or your family when they slam UGA.
Get a laugh out of it or get over it.
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
3:44 pm
DawginLex- This seems like wishful thinking on your part. (but you probably realize that)
1. Many, MANY people said the same things about UF when Spurrier left. they were wrong.
2. To say that Tebow “bailed out Leak” is way overstating his roll on the 06 team.
3. UF certainly has the influx of talent to be a contender for some time to come.
4. Meyer is starting his 6th year there and he’s won 2 titles. It’s not like we was there for 10 years without winning one before Tebow showed up. History implies that he can win more.
AltamahaDawg
August 5th, 2010
3:46 pm
I believe the penalties were more an issue of technique than disclipine. If you get beat on the line and you just let the opponent sack the QB rather than grabbing him, is that a great sign of discipline? If you are beat on a pass route and rather hanging on, you just allow an easy TD, is that disclipine? The vst majority of penalties last year were associated with trying to play the position and not doing it well. I can think of very very few that were just hothead losing thier discipline.
I seriously don’t mind the tech guy in here talking football. Not even the barbs. I fully expect it’s not thier place to excuse or compliment thier big rival. We all get that. But some of you guys just don’t seem very up on the actual game. Its just “uh lets see what I make up” about from a list of negative lil talking points and the topic makes absolutely no difference.
JB
August 5th, 2010
3:50 pm
At Tech, it’s Bra drills
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
3:51 pm
Discipline is about more than losing your head and getting a personal foul. It’s about lining up in the right place, sticking to your assignment, fighting through exhaustion to keep good technique in the 4th quarter, not jumping offsides, etc.
The vast majority of penalties are about discipline and conditioning.
DawginLex
August 5th, 2010
3:55 pm
You can believe what you want and spin it however you want.
Tebow had the “it” factor. Without him Leak doesn’t win.
Let’s watch Brantley this year and the 1st time he struggles as a drop back passer in a spread system. Tebow won’t be there to bail him out.
I’m standing by my prediction.
No Tebow=No title
Ask not for whom the bell tolls
August 5th, 2010
3:59 pm
It tolls for you, if you are on the Dogs schedule. We are coming for you, Jack.
Mark Richt, first five seasons, 2 SEC titles, 3 trips to Atlanta. Last four seasons, no trips to SEC title game. We know Richt can win championships, if the defense is sound. The Dogs had a great DC early on. I think we may have another now, so it would not surprise me to see two more titles in next five years.
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
3:59 pm
I don’t think that I was “spinning” anything.
I’m just looking forward to seeing what Meyer does with this new group of guys. I have reason to be optimistic…just like I have for a long, long time now.
StupeDog
August 5th, 2010
4:00 pm
I sure do LOVE drilling on the mats.
StupeDog
August 5th, 2010
4:01 pm
How about you jb?
anybody but GT
August 5th, 2010
4:07 pm
You mean those famous mat drills that have made CMR the most sought after coach in America? Oh, wait, someone said no other program has any interest in CMR. His alma mater changed coaches recently, Miami didn’t want him. FSU, where he coached for a long spell changed coaches. FSU didn’t want him. UGA is stuck with his lack of coaching, his squandering of great talent, and his inability to coach recruits up. So sad. UGA fans and alumni deserve better.
Reality Check
August 5th, 2010
4:14 pm
“anybody but GT” speaks the truth.
ROLL on
August 5th, 2010
4:15 pm
I don’t think the gators need to be talking to much trash….Tech? Well they need some amusement cause they sure don’t get it from the gridiron…ROLL TIDE !!!
gdawginkalamazoo
August 5th, 2010
4:17 pm
anybody but GT, we will forgive your ignorance on the matter. Richt has stated that he wants be at UGA as long as UGA will have him there. Period. End of conversation being that Richt is a man of his word. So nobodyh is even going to bother calling. Get it? Probably not.