Richt: ‘0-2 for the first time in 10 years, and it’s not a comfortable spot’
Listening in on Mark Richt’s weekly radio call-in show Monday night:
- As you’d expect with Georgia’s 0-2 start in the SEC, there was some discord in Bulldog Nation. The first caller asked Richt for reasons to continue to invest in the program, asked the coach “to sell me” on Georgia football “not just for this year but 2-3 years down the road.”
Richt replied: “The bottom line is if you’re a true fan, in my opinion, you’re going to support your team no matter what. I don’t think you’re going to just love the boys when they win and hate on them when they lose, you know. . . . Our league is one that is a very, very tough league, and we’re not always going to win. We find ourselves 0-2 for the first time in 10 years, and it’s not a comfortable spot. It’s not a spot we want to be in. But it’s not like we got shellacked and run off the field. We actually, I thought, represented very well, even though we lost.
“The bottom line, of course, is the win. But the way the guys fought . . . there was a lot of courage; there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. . . . If you just watch the spirit of these young men and how they fought and how the coaches fought, I think that is admirable. And I would say you certainly should continue to support for those reasons. . . . ”
- Richt talked quite a bit about Aaron Murray, acknowledging the young quarterback has areas to improve but making it clear he’s a special player.
“We looked at the film and realized every time that kid moved up inside that pocket good things happened and every time he started up and then dropped back again and tried to reload, something bad happened. So he’s just got to learn, and he’s getting there,” Richt said. “But you can’t question his toughness, his ability and just his love for the game and love for Georgia. So we’ve got the right guy right now. We’ve just got to keep going.”
- Richt disputed accounts that said Georgia sent all of its receivers on deep routes on the late-game 3rd-and-4 play that resulted in a Murray sack and forced Georgia to punt to Arkansas, which scored the game-winning TD three plays later.
“I did watch the TV copy myself, and I know the commentators were saying … there was no outlet, there was no short route, that there ought to be,” Richt said. “I don’t know what he saw, but there were actually two routes that were about a five- or six-yard depth and a couple of them that would be deeper routes.”
- Richt didn’t disagree with a caller who expressed disappointment in the play of the veteran offensive line.
“It is a little disappointing,” Richt said. “I think the offensive-line play has been good but not great. Like you say, we got to find ways to sustain drives.
“I’d like to see us continue to run-block better, and I’d like to see us continue to pass-protect well, which I think we are. Some of the pass-protection issues really have nothing to do with the offensive line. It’s more back-related. The running backs have to step up and do their job too, and the receivers got to run the right routes, and the QB has got to put it on them.”
Murray, Richt said, needs to develop “a better feel” for when a receiver is open.
As for run-blocking, “we need to continue to … provide more space for the backs,” Richt said. “And the backs have got to get more than what [the linemen] block, too. If you watch around the country, you see backs breaking tackles, you see backs getting yards after contact and all that. I think we improved in that area last ballgame, but we still got a ways to go.”
- A caller asked why the Dogs aren’t getting the ball to talented tight end Orson Charles.
“There were a lot of calls that were made where Orson was the No. 1 priority or No. 1 read for the quarterback,” Richt said. “Sometimes that No. 1 option is taken away, so you go to No. 2. Sometimes protection breaks down. Sometimes the QB is moving right or left at the moment when he should be cutting the ball loose to his primary receiver. Those were some of the issues.”
- Another caller asked about “the state of the program,” noting that a few years ago Georgia was “considered one of the elite programs” in the nation and is “now 8-8 [actually 9-7] in the last 16 ballgames.”
“You’d be surprised,” Richt said, “but the same things we did when we were finishing in the top 10 and all of that kind of good stuff — we’re doing those very same things. Sometimes you win some close games and sometimes you don’t, but right now I can promise you our coaches, our players are battling as hard as we can to get a victory. That’s going to be the plan for this week against Mississippi State. Hopefully, next time on the show, we’ll be talking about all the good things that happened.”
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391 comments Add your comment
Sabanish
September 21st, 2010
9:04 am
and ya”ll dreamin of Isaiah do know he cancelled plans to attend the Ark. game last weekend don’t ya?
Spokesman for the SEC East
September 21st, 2010
9:05 am
All of you haters STFU already. We want this guy to stay at UGA forever!!!
PMC
September 21st, 2010
9:05 am
Fans are fickle everywhere, but fans of college programs aren’t going to really pull thier dollars unless they simply don’t have any belief in the program going foward. Mark Richt was as good as Georgia has every had for 5 years, unfortunately he’s been really average the last 5. Fans never go away, they just go dormant. It’s not like they are going to switch teams. They just lost faith in the coach because of several years now of regression and underachievement. Les Miles actually WON a National Championship and the people in Baton Rouge have had enough of him too because of his offense. When you pop the “True Fans” term… oh brother…it’s not getting better soon. True Fans…means essentially Friends and Family…and that’s about it.
People see other teams getting better around them with Georgia not making any significant improvements. Coaches get into trouble when they regress or underachieve. They’ve got serious issues with talent in more than a few areas right now and it’s making the coaching look that much worse.
GTJeff
September 21st, 2010
9:06 am
From his comments above, it appears as if there is no urgency in him. Its like “oh well, we lost no big deal, guys played hard”. BS. You don’t get an A for effort. You play these games to win. Looking at him on the sideline during any play good or bad, he is just standing there like he doesn’t want to be there. Mark, do Georgia fans a favor & resign. Its obvious that you would rather be a youth minister than coach the way these guys need to be coached.
jerry
September 21st, 2010
9:06 am
Why does Bobo continue to play action in crunch time when the defense knows UGA has to pass? Hell, the defense hopes they run it.
UT96
September 21st, 2010
9:08 am
Wow, getting rid of that sorry a** Fulmer was what needed to happen. Yes, we took a step but in the end we’ll be better for it. What really hurt us was hiring Kiffin. I wish Hamilton would have hired ooley to begin with. Listen, I’m not saying fire your coach or not fire your coach, I’m just saying sometimes it has to be done. You may to take a step back to take step forward. Also, I think it would be much easier for a program like UGA to bounce back because of your recruiting base.
PMC
September 21st, 2010
9:08 am
It’s not like you can go back in time to attend a different university either. Come on man. True Fans… Coach…. just say you’re dedicated to being better across the board…you’re going to fix the problem and anyone getting out NOW is going to be sorry very soon. FINISH THE DRILL COACH!
Bulldog Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:08 am
From my seat, there was NO short route on the 3rd and 4.
I think our coaches clearly are not recruiting or coaching the players very well. Remember when CMR and Bobo said Samuels was clearly our #1 RB last year or yr before, and was identified as the best RB going into fall. Wow if you can’t ID your kids better than that… well you have a problem.
I haven’t heard Saben blame not having Ingram the 1st 2 games. He just brought out another huge strong fast RB and ran behind a very well coached OL. Where would our RB’s fall on Bama’s depth chart? Where would any of our starters fall on Bama’s depth chart?
Time for Tough Love Coach. Your passive approach is not working and will not work. I am fully behind CMR’s values but someone has to be the Erk Russell type and put some disipline and fire in this team. CMR please sign up for a drill sergant crash course! You won’t make it without it
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 21st, 2010
9:09 am
Dawgs will get it together folks. Every program has a rebuilding year and this certainly looks like one of them
GOP
September 21st, 2010
9:10 am
After the dawgs lose to Miss State Sat, I would redshirt Green and let him watch Durham make all the plays. I would much rather watch a kid playing with alot of heart, than watching that spoiled, full of himself Green.
If Richt redshirted (discipined) Green, he just might send a message to the other starting 21, that this off field crap MUST stop.
Spurrier,Phillips,Meyer,Dooley,Caldwell Group
September 21st, 2010
9:11 am
We like Mark Richt. We like playing Mark Richt. We like beating Mark Richt. We know Mark Richt.
We know Mark Richt’s plays. We know how Mark Richt recruits. We think Mark is a fine coach and good for us…..err we meam he is good for the league. We do no fear UGA and Mark Richt. We know UGA will have more arrest than us and will keep our presidents off our backs. We also know AJ Greene is gone to the NFL next year and the offense we see now is what we will see in 2011.
So please keep Mark Richt.
dawgfan
September 21st, 2010
9:11 am
A couple of observations:
1. I’m surprised Richt watched the TV copy. I didn’t knwo coaches did that sort of thing. Spielman should refrain from speaking unless he’s talking about defense or special teams. He knows nothing about offense.
2. The old way isn’t working anymore coach. That’s the problem. The game has changed. Its not 2002 anymore. Its not even 2005 anymore. The SEC has taken it to another level and we are falling behind. I know we can bounce back but doing things the old way won’t get us there.
3. Murray is doing an excellent job for a freshmen and if you think he is the problem you are a brainless worthless idiot. All offense intended.
4. I am a true fan and will always root for the Dawgs no matter what. It sure beats the hell out of being a Tech fan. How many noon Raycom games can one take before they give up?
Thanks.
PMC
September 21st, 2010
9:11 am
NO one asked about the poor play of the running back position?
No one asked…Coach…what are you doing to encourage Isiah Crowell to come to Georgia?
Spurrier,Phillips,Meyer,Dooley,Caldwell Group
September 21st, 2010
9:13 am
GOP…So otherwords…let him go pro without playing any games his junior year? Hoo Hoo….we second that motion….
PMC
September 21st, 2010
9:14 am
It’s a tough job right now Coach but that’s why you get paid the big bucks.
It was impressive the way they clawed their way back last week. Murray is a gamer. I do think they’ll be a much better team at years end unfortunately they aren’t really playing for anything though.
Spurrier,Phillips,Meyer,Dooley,Caldwell Group
September 21st, 2010
9:15 am
We are too………………keep clawing
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:15 am
Keep Georgia irrelevant by keeping Richt and the rest of the SEC will love it. I still dont understand how the fans put up with this low standard. His press conference and call in shows show no fire to me, am I missing something?
#1 BAMA FAN
September 21st, 2010
9:16 am
WOW….if BAMA had to play without their number one playmaker they would step another player up. Oh wait they did have to play without their Heisman Trophy winner. You recruit depth and you build a program year after year. You put the best player on the field. When you recruit you ask the young man to commit and you let him know if he shops around that you will offer his schlorship to another. It is the process and it ain’t rocket science. Also expect perfection but accept hustle and hard work. Run the ball….it ain’t heavy. RTR
The Voice of Reason
September 21st, 2010
9:17 am
All those top recruiting classes; about three dozen guys currently playing on Sunday, and a frightful absence of championships. Sounds like a coaching problem to me!
Alphare
September 21st, 2010
9:18 am
I think some you UGA fans should stop blaming coaches or players. Sometime you have to give credit to coaches or players of other teams. It’s not UGA playing bad, but it’s other teams playing well.
The season is not over. If you beat FL, it’s still a good season.
SecGuy
September 21st, 2010
9:18 am
I’m a Bama guy and you guys are way too pessismistic. Check the schedule. Georgia has a cake walk the rest of the season except for Florida and Auburn. Ga. Tech is a tier below. If Georgia can’t beat Florida this year, when will they? Auburn is not invincible by a long shot. Dawgs have a decent shot at 10-2. If I happen to be wrong and you lose this weekend, at least you will be getting a gllimpse of your next head coach, Dan Mullen.
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:19 am
What happens if you dont beat Fla?
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:20 am
Wait until next year as usual!
GOP
September 21st, 2010
9:20 am
Alphare
September 21st, 2010
9:18 am
The season is not over. If you beat FL, it’s still a good season.
IF BULLFROGS HAD WINGS THEY COULD FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ED
September 21st, 2010
9:21 am
I PERSONALLY LIKE COACH RICHT AND BOBO. I OWN A BUSINESS WITH 12 RESTAURANTS. IF MY MANAGERS ARE NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE, THEY HAVE TO GO , WHETHER I LIKE THEM OR NOT.RICHT NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT BOBO IS TOO PREDICTABLE. MY 9 YEAR OLD SON KNOWS WHAT PLAY BOBO WILL RUN IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHAT ABOUT AN APPLEBY TO WASHINGTON PASS WITH LOGAN GREY THROWING. FAKE PUNT?? ON SIDE KICK?? ANYTHING TO GET THE CROWD AND PLAYERS PUMPED. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ENTHUSIASM ON THIS TEAM. THERE IS NO POLLACK, HOAG, WOERNER, OR TEBOW TYPE PLAYER. I AM TIRED OF GIVING MONEY TO A LOSING CAUSE.
Old Dawg
September 21st, 2010
9:22 am
I’m as frustrated with the losses as any Bulldawg fan, but I am forever a Bulldawg. I may not always agree with the way the program is run, I may not always agree with offensive play selection, I may not always agree with the defensive scheme or kicking game, but I am forever a Georgia Bulldog.
Instead of complaining all the time, let’s rally around our team and cheer them to victory.
That may an old-fashioned sentiment, but I am forever a Bulldawg.
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loyal fan
September 21st, 2010
9:23 am
It’s funny how some fans will always have something to fuss about. I mean, we could be 2-0 and still be hearing about how bad everything is at Georgia. Contrary to what many say, we have a great coach with a winning record. At this point and time we have a freshman QB and are trying to implement a new defense so it’s going to be bumpy; I think the future is bright.
Think about it: would you rather have a Ron Zook or Sylvester Croom? You may but then it would be the same old story…
GOP
September 21st, 2010
9:24 am
SecGuy
I think you are right about Mullen, he may be the best offensive mind in the SEC and maybe in the country. Florida’s offense just hasn’t been the same since he left.
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:24 am
Maybe another Black Out
GT51
September 21st, 2010
9:24 am
a shot at 10-2? uga hasn’t even played their toughest opponents yet. what have you seen that makes you think they can beat msu, kentucky, or even tennessee. everyone says that ut stinks. they played flordida even for 3 qtrs. uga hasn’t been able to do that for a couple of yrs now
GT51
September 21st, 2010
9:25 am
florida
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:25 am
Loyal Fan: At least Florida got rid of Zook!
WonderDawg
September 21st, 2010
9:28 am
If Richt gets some help for the offense, things will be fine, cause next season, the D will be a load.
“WOW,” do you really think if Richt resigned, and UGA hired Kirby Smart, it would take several years for things to get better? I don’t.
I want Richt to stay, and just get some new blood at OC. But who cares what we all think anyway?
David
September 21st, 2010
9:28 am
Let’s face it, the fans are a reflection of their coach. In this case soft. The schedule will get the Dawg’s 9 wins and they will salute CMR. Now even Florida rarely talks about you. Pathetic but nice.
GOP
September 21st, 2010
9:29 am
Bama Fan
September 21st, 2010
9:25 am
Loyal Fan: At least Florida got rid of Zook!
That’s right and McGarity had a hand in that and hiring Meyer. Maybe he will buy out Richt’s contract and get us a GOOD coach. Someone who has a little fire in their belly, you don’t sweet talk football players, you grab them by the face mask and yell right in their face
loyal fan
September 21st, 2010
9:30 am
Bama Fan: But Mark Richt is NOT Zook; compare the records.
Uuugh.
September 21st, 2010
9:31 am
I think Richt was too quick to turn it around on the first caller…”True fans” and all that. I think the question was specifically “Why should I keep giving money?” I can be a true fan and just not give any money. We vote with our dollars and the caller was trying to get Richt to give a reason to keep paying for the dismal performances we see on Saturdays. Richt shamed fairweather fans instead.
I don’t think he gets it. His attitude towards losing has always been way too passive. Just as his attitude towards penalties and arrests have been way too passive. I think he passively prepares the team on exactly what to do when they fail…rather than actively preparing them not to fail.
Greg
September 21st, 2010
9:31 am
9-7 in the last 16 games sounds bad enough, but it’s really worse than that when you consider 3 those 9 wins were against cupcakes Tennessee Tech, Louisiana Lafayette and Georgia Tech.
WonderDawg
September 21st, 2010
9:33 am
“you grab them by the face mask and yell right in their face”
****************************
Actually that would probably get a coach fired faster than going 0-12. I refer to it as the sissyfication of our society . . .
howard
September 21st, 2010
9:33 am
Richt needs a reality check. Things are NOT good with his team and the buck stops with him. His teams are barely competitive in the SEC anymore and he is the guy in charge. His players are undisciplined on and off the field and that is unacceptable….particularly OFF the field. Too many players’ behavior and conduct is embarrassing to the University. Richt needs to face the fact that the problems his teams are having start at the top. He needs to stop moonlighting for extra cash doing ads and focus on his day job….coaching, and that includes on and off the field. He has been given all the resources necessary to win at the highest level and it is not happening…not even close.
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
9:34 am
Horse manure. What did you expect Richt to say. I’m beginning to believe that Richt believes he’s doing the right thing after listening to his comments. I can believe anything if you give me enough kool aid. I think maybe CMR is drinking his own kool aid.
Trouble is we all want to believe. Having vision is being able to overcome all the emotional issues and doing what is actually right.
USC GAMEC0CK
September 21st, 2010
9:35 am
georgia folks are FUNNY.
Derek Dooley ain’t won SQUAT and some georgia folks want him???
Advice to georgia:
1. FIRE that Bozo DC – todd grantham – the new joke of the SEC.
2. Give BooBoo some time to work that new QB
3. Layoff Richt…seriously, lay him OFF! nobody does less with more than him.
QUESTION:
1. Where were the defensive backs in the game vs arky??
New SEC Joke of the season:
Todd Grantham and the georgia junk yard defense…thats funny right there, I don’t care who you are.
OrlG8r
September 21st, 2010
9:35 am
Just another “National Championship Year” for the bull puppies…. No different from the last….or the one before that….. or the one before that….or the one before that….or the one before that….or the one before that….
Spurrier,Phillips,Meyer,Dooley,Caldwell Group
September 21st, 2010
9:35 am
We love to see all this infighting…..makes our jobs easier…
Joemac
September 21st, 2010
9:36 am
For months now, I have been saying that the pups football program was no longer relevant in the big picture, and now the proof is in the pudding…… UGA was an underdog to S. Carolina and lost; an underdog to Arkansas and lost; and now they are an underdog to “hapless” (as Columbus Dog put it) Mississippi St. Bottom line, if you are an underdog to Mississippi State, your program is no longer relevent. Tried to tell you!!!!
Wonderdog
September 21st, 2010
9:37 am
Watching GA football is like eating old bread thats just about to go stale. It doesn’t taste fresh but its not quite bad enough to completely throw away.
TrueDawgFan
September 21st, 2010
9:37 am
I agree with richt if your a true fan you stick with your team through thick and thin and not just when they are winning so all you so called dawg fans that just come on here and bash them need to find another team to root for until they do crappy and you jump off the ban wagon. GO DAWGS
WonderDawg
September 21st, 2010
9:38 am
Look, Richt’s worst mistake was when Van Gorder left, he put friends and former roommates in critical positions in the program. It clouded his judgement and made him ignore the fact that his OC and DC were in over their heads. Nobody wants to fire your best friend.
Bobo couldn’t be an OC for any coach in the NCAA, except Richt.
USC GAMEC0CK
September 21st, 2010
9:39 am
“ED” sounds like you are one complete idiot.
yep, you are.
Mobile Dawg
September 21st, 2010
9:39 am
Nobody answered my question from last night. Somebody please tell me when this staff last won a game of true significance. Please prove this Dawg since 1968 wrong make me feel better about this staff. Someone tell me why an SEC coach has the lead in the middle of the 4th quarter and THROWS three and out, uses 23 seconds and loses the game.
This program has been sliding since 2005. Even though we finished #2, started #1. Tell me when we won a significant game that REALLY meant something.