Richt makes two changes, including one suggested by talk-show caller
Amid a four-game losing streak, Mark Richt decided on at least two changes Monday:
- First, the Bulldogs practiced in full pads on a Monday during the season “for the first time since I’ve been at Georgia,” Richt said on his weekly radio show shortly after the practice ended.
In the past, the team has practiced in shorts and helmets on Mondays, focusing on conditioning and special-teams work. But Richt had the team don full pads because, as he put it on his radio show, “We’re not tackling good enough. We’re not blocking good enough. We’re not physical enough.”
The first-team offense went against the first-team defense, and the second-team offense vs. the second-team defense, in Monday’s practice. Richt called it “a very high-spirited, high-contact scrimmage.”
- The second change will come just before the start of Saturday’s game against Tennessee in Sanford Stadium. A caller on Richt’s radio show, “Jill in Hoschton,” told the coach that she’d love to see him lead the team out on to the field “clapping and high-fiving our players like [Alabama coach Nick] Saban does.” She said she’s never seen Richt do that in 10 years.
Richt promised to follow the caller’s suggestion.
“The reason I’ve been the last one to go is I want the players to be able to have their moment hitting that field,” Richt said. “But you make a good point, and here’s what I’m going to do, Jill. I’m going to lead the pack coming out of that tunnel, OK? Now, I hope I don’t pull a hamstring and I hope they don’t run me over.
“But I think it’s a good suggestion. So just look for Coach Richt to lead the pack.”
Another caller, “Will in Sylvester,” had a change in mind, too, asking Richt if he plans to begin calling the offensive plays.
“Right now Mike Bobo is calling our plays,” Richt said. “And that’s the way it is right now.”
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343 comments Add your comment
Uuugh.
October 5th, 2010
1:33 am
HeHateGator…that only works if the kids take pride in playing for UGA in the first place.
If they took pride in playing for UGA do you think we would have lost to Mississippi State or Colorado!?
We obviously have no “Rudy-types” that want to lay it all on the line to represent UGA. We have a bunch of kids trying to make it to the NFL and not get hurt.
The personal recognition is obviously more important that any team success. See the defensive players beating their chest after making a tackle on a 6 yard gain on 3rd and 4.
Awesome idea but it will not work for this type of player.
BillnJax
October 5th, 2010
1:34 am
@Uuugh: When you look at the video at the 4:37 mark you will see that Murray hands the ball off to Caleb with his left hand and then continues to run away from the play looking over his shoulder. Caleb darts out the left and when he’s down field about 8 yards he spins clockwise to get away from a tackler and continues on for a 31 yard gain. When the fumble occurred, Murray hands the ball off to Caleb with his left hand and runs back about 3 or 4 yards and puts his hands down as though waiting for a pitch. Caleb, after receiving the handoff stops and spins to the left and it APPEARS that he is about to pitch the ball back but he is hit by #59 before that can occur and the ball pops out. Caleb says this was the same play they ran earlier when he ran for 31 yards but of course the results weren’t the same. I’m not trying to pull the wool over your eyes or “suck you in” just trying to share.
HeHateGator
October 5th, 2010
1:36 am
Yeah, kinda thought the taking away of their names would take away that personal recognition they want…but you’re probably right…
Uuugh.
October 5th, 2010
1:43 am
Bill…you see much more than I see in that video. From what I saw, on TV live, in replays and in your link…I can’t see what Murray is doing. The camera (which was awful all night btw) went from Murray to King. King almost has the ball and 2 black jerseys enter the frame. He tries to grab the ball and spin (Murray is no where in the frame)…fumbles and the Bucs dive on the ball.
End of story is this: If the O-line was worth a $hit, a running play or a flea flicker would have worked. The O-line is horrible; so regardless whether it was a Flea Flicker, a Running Play, or a Fumble Rooskie…it failed. Why does it matter? Get lineman that can block first…then we can argue about whether or not the play call was a bad one.
Crazy Vol
October 5th, 2010
2:00 am
Never thought I would see Tennessee and Georgia in this situation in the same year.
With that said – I think Tennessee has a much bigger upside and will dominate Georgia for years to come.
50% of our travel squad to LSU were either RFR or FR.
Georgia is just a sorry mess – and moving backwards with no direction. This is a bad team – and after we beat the hell out of you this Saturday – it will even get worse.
Georgia will be 4-8 this year – mark it down!
BoWeevil
October 5th, 2010
2:37 am
Bill King,
“don’t know if Richt taking over the playcalling would make any difference, but something’s got to be done”
What do you expect anyone to do ? Aaron Murray’s passes are batted down at the line and he has 34 carries for 39 yards in the last 4 games, all losses. AJ Green made 0 difference in the outcome of the game, exactly as I told you prior to kick-off that he would not; any way both AJ Green and Aaron Murray have both seen a huge amount or rust and lack of play to be prepared to make a difference.
The entire rest of the team have failed to stand out on TALENT. Push the poor coaching to the side please Bill King. There is no one who now would dare to tackle that position that our coaching staff are GREAT. But, I can see Aaron Murray has talent and AJ Green has talent, never mind they both are injured a lot. I am still concerned about several of those blows Aaron Murray has forced himself to subject himself to, too.
BoWeevil
October 5th, 2010
2:38 am
The sack when Caleb chose the outside rusher and left the guy up the gut, and the dive for the 1st down head first between 2 hard hitting tacklers to stop the little guy. Their TALENT is obvious. Those 2. Our kicker and punter have TALENT.
Your quote here is play-calling. And, you hit on coaching like that needs to be said. Motivating again missing.
My point remains that Georgia does not have the players we had 2001 through 2005. We don’t have the TALENT, either. And, that comes from a poor “coaching staff” one which obviously will result in Coach Richt in 1 year’s time, having to FIRE every coach HE HIRED. This “coaching staff has not brought us enough options that we have 4 players with obvious TALENT (disregard the poor coaching and poor game plan / adjustments Bill.)
We don’t have the TALENT we are used to here in Athens. I don’t see it. For 5 years now this season and you have been 1 of the worst Bill, EXCUSES have abounded :
BoWeevil
October 5th, 2010
2:39 am
Bill King,
EXCUSES have abounded : INJURIES, he’s not on the team any more (kicked-off transferred out), he never got past Admissions but had a nice GPA / SAT, that 1 had bad SAT, this other bad GPA, another had been expelled, another should have been for the 14 year old, etc.
Yes, we all know Bill that we haven’t coached them up a lick or even basic football skills such as strength with lies about what they did in S & C times for example.
But, I can STILL see TALENT. Where is our TALENT ? It’s missing. The recruits are making a statement, and YOU are missing it.
BoWeevil
October 5th, 2010
2:52 am
Another part of the talent issue is recognition of it.
Take Brandon Boykin for example. No doubt every NFL team thinks he might be able to run the ball.
Branden Smith for example. No doubt every NFL team thinks with 1085 yards receiving his senior year alone, that he might be able to make it as a wide out.
Orson Charles’ career here, I have no ready answer for. We squander him as much as we did Knowshon Moreno, whom we Redshirted so we got to see him only 2 years. He is an H-Back.
So there are 3 more. But, we haven’t begun to see any of them.
Jenn
October 5th, 2010
3:33 am
This is the time our Head Coach and players need fan support not all the negativity.
Ever thought it maybe a little harder job than some of you Sunday/Monday morning qb’s think.
Support CMR and the Dawgs or GTFO!!!
Go Dawgs….win or lose….I AM A FAN!
TheTaxJacket
October 5th, 2010
3:58 am
*** Nesbitt for Heismen ***
(((( 45 – 42 ))))
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 5th, 2010
4:49 am
Buzz 29: Do you have any complaints and dumb remarks for your Yeller Jackets? They suck bad and could use your advice – say OVER ON THE JACKET VENT where YOU belong. I support the Dawgs and Mark Richt and know that they can turn it around. I do agree that Richt has been a little gun shy since they had so many injuries last year and one reason for the poor tackling has been a lack of real tackling in practice. They need to be more physical in practice to be physical on saturday.
CvilleDawg
October 5th, 2010
5:10 am
I think I overreacted on a earlier blog, if richt can end this year on a good note we should give him one more year. I hope we take da’ricks head off this saturday..just sayin. Oh and put cuff back at safety to replace jakar please. He was the only player hitting other than boykin.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 5th, 2010
5:19 am
Branden Smith and Orson Charles should be moved to WR full time where their talents can best be utilized. We have a potential All SEC TE who is a soph that is being redshirted. Arthur Lynch should be starting at TE. He is an excellent blocker and is fast and has good hands as he showed in the spring game with Mettinbubba throwing to him. The TE play has been non existant. With Charles at WR (and a little lighter in weight) and Lynch starting at TE the Dawgs would be much better at blocking and much more physical. A.J. will turn pro at the end of the season and for that reason these changes should be made NOW, There are ZERO starting prospects in this years recruiting class and these changes should be made now. Branden Smith would be much better at WR and that is his natural position. He had over a thousand yards receiving his senior year in high school.Obviously they are using him at corner because of a lack of successful recruiting and depth at that position. They should move him any way. He would be a serious threat with his quickness and good hands. He is just not big enough or physical enough to play corner and as a result has had two concussions this season. This would greatly strengthen the WR depth and talent. Damien Swann would be a lock at CB next year but due to UGA’s poor record he is hesitaing to commit. The offense needs weapons to throw to. Other than A.J. and Durham (who is a senior) there are no consistent targets. King has had flashes but is not consistent… the rest have not shown much at all. Bobo needs to make these changes and quit being so consrvative and predictable on his play calling. With the current defense giving up big plays UGA needs to be more aggressive on offense. Pass on 1st and 2nd down every now and then and don’t wait until the 4th quarter when they are behind to start doing it. This o-line is better at pass blocking than run blocking though it is deficient there also. Throw short passes instead of going up the middle on second and 6. Use some imagination Bobo.
Douglas
October 5th, 2010
5:24 am
Please UT: beat UGA this Saturday…kill them…destroy them..humiliate them…place another nail in the cofffin so we can get rid of Richt.
nischal
October 5th, 2010
6:02 am
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Jaydawg
October 5th, 2010
6:09 am
Unbelievable.UGA coach is so clueless about how to improve team performance he is taking advice from a female caller in Jackson County.Richt is sounding more like Ray Goff every day.And people are wondering what the problem is with the program.How embarrassing.
dagnabit
October 5th, 2010
6:13 am
Georgia doesn’t do flea-flickers? Maybe Caleb King doesn’t know Georgia does flea-flickers.
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
6:14 am
Enter your comments here I think 79′ was Vince Dooly’s only loosing season and we all know what happened next and our team is capable we just need to STOP STUPID FATAL mistakes and hey if your playing zone D and the runner comes your way buddy you can pursue the guy before he gets in your bubble
dawgerbrown
October 5th, 2010
6:15 am
More “symbolism over substance”. Running on the field, like black helmets, black-outs, etc. The difference has to come from within the players and the program. These things won’t change the lack of discipline, lack of focus, and respect for rules, the game, and others. There’s no excuse in players doing the things they have, like #81 grabbing the cheerleader’s but as he was running on the field to begin the second half. Total lack of focus and respect.
Larry
October 5th, 2010
6:27 am
CMR running onto the field ahead of the players should solve everything !!!
FB Dawg
October 5th, 2010
6:32 am
I just finished watching the Colorado game the 2nd time. Two OBVIOUS conclusions:
1) Beginningof the 4th quarter, Dawgs drove the ball down to the Colorado 2 yd line! DAWGS down 24-29, 5 points. 2nd & goal. We throw it to AJ, incomplete. Why not run,..that’s how we got to their 2 yd line? 3rd and Goal – we THROW it to the TE, incomplete. Why not run?? 4th and goal – WE KICK A FIELDGOAL!?! Why not run??? Coach Richt loses the team right there, on the 2 yd line. WHAT’S the worst thing that will happen if we run? We fumble and Colorado’s offense gets the ball on their 2 yd line?? The COACH has no ba_ls!
2) #78, Josh Davis, right offensive tackle, just isn’t good enough. Probably a very nice kid, but nice isn’t what we need. IF GA doesn’t have a better OT than # 78,…then we’re REALLY in trouble.
Spike
October 5th, 2010
6:47 am
The Dogs have not won because I have not been at any of the games to cheer them on. Therefore, I am coming from Florida to the game this weekend to yell for the Dogs! That should do the trick.
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
6:50 am
You people want him to show more emotion nd he is trying to and you laugh at him you would never be satisfied just like LSU fans 5 and 0 and complaining terribly hey they could easily be where we are right now its a matter of the ball bouncing our way or not I would love to have 5 ugly wins
gomdawg
October 5th, 2010
6:51 am
I think C. Dooley is right it’s a mental thing , so CMR just turn them loose and play ball it’s like they are playing on glass like they may brake something, TURN THEM LOOSE AND HAVE SOME FUN. GO DAWGS PLEASE I BEG YOU BEAT TENNESSEE.
joe cox' Shadow
October 5th, 2010
6:52 am
I think we should have givin blocking help to Josh Davis, he got rushed to the outside all day. Am i the only one who knew this?
Old Gold
October 5th, 2010
6:56 am
The AJC gives Paul Johnson a free ride even though this is the worst Tech team in decades!
Top prospects watch Tide maul Gators
October 5th, 2010
7:00 am
http://www.tidesports.com/article/20101005/NEWS/101009823/1233?Title=ANDREW-BONE-Top-prospects-watch-Tide-maul-Gators
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
7:02 am
Coach Richt move Bobo back to QB coach use your God given talent of running an offense and thinking under fire before you squander a chance to be great all of your previous success that you have had is falling to the wayside in this what have you done for me lately world please take your offense back you big ole hardhead
Paddy
October 5th, 2010
7:09 am
hosy c……..CMR and FSU? They now have a great coach in Tallahassee, it has been in all the papers!!!!!!!!
LLoyd Christmas
October 5th, 2010
7:11 am
Jenn – such fine , ladylike language. Are you typing with a Marlboro in your mouth?
bitter coach paul bear (aka bammer)
October 5th, 2010
7:12 am
lissen i lost all my games my first year at a@m, so live richt alone his first year at georgia!!!, besides you can not have 8 hr practice no more, yaaaw su—-x mutts
Lilburn Dawg
October 5th, 2010
7:16 am
Him running onto the field won’t solve anything. The problem all along is that CMR has not been leading them. Period. As was pointed out yesterday in the article, the players don’t respect CMR. And why is he so slow and far behind everybody else in seeing the obvious? CMR is a figure-head as head coach. A paper tiger. The emperor has on no clothes. Everybody is recognizing it now.
LLoyd Christmas
October 5th, 2010
7:17 am
The dogs haven’t been following Richt so far, so what makes you think they will run onto the field behind him?
brad
October 5th, 2010
7:18 am
If my memory serves me right, Dooley and the Dawgs had many terrible years. Keep the faith in Coach Richt. The Seniors need to step it up!
JB
October 5th, 2010
7:20 am
He ought to stay out of the locker room until right before the time to go out. He should stick his head in the door and say ” All right Girls, it’s time to play”…….Then walk out. Bear Bryant did that once at halftime when his team was down 10-0 at the half and doing nothing………..Came back and won 31-10……( of course, they respected the Bear)
Nub
October 5th, 2010
7:24 am
Hey got an idea …… Dem’s/ Libs will love this one ….. Let’s take some wins from Bama , FL , AU and LSU and give them to good ole GA…. It’s just the CHANGE we need…. woof…
Munson's Toupee
October 5th, 2010
7:25 am
What Would Damon Do?
Mark
October 5th, 2010
7:28 am
I am confident Richt and the team will get this turned around. Mixing up practice and other changes we don’t know about are going to occur. They will watch the film, evaluate the players, etc., and do what they think is right to beat TN.
People try to make too much of the scheming, etc. in football. It starts with the basics, blocking and tackling. When a running back is hit during the exchange, someone missed a block or was defeated one-on-one. That is too often for such a veteran team. If it takes more hitting during the week, then so be it. We have already suffered some practice injuries this year. It happens. It is the price people play when they play a sport. I would bet our players are willing to do anything to turn this around. Some hitting in practice is not going to be an issue.
I saw the comment above about Thomas and picking up a blitz. When a linebacker throws a running back into the QB, that is losing an individual battle. I applaud Thomas for being in position and willing to stick his nose into the linebacker, but I bet he also learned a lesson. You can’t let the blitz be the aggressor. You need to fire into them with more force than they bring. The intent is to drive them back, not just get in their way. You settle for a standoff, it is not the goal. Thomas is a soph. I bet he improves next time.
As for the comment about Thomas’ block being a Bobo play calling mistake, I don’t see it. A blitz is always a possibility. An SEC running back should be able to pick up a blitz or they don’t belong on the field. We don’t know how that play would have worked if Thomas had been successful, and Bobo wasn’t the blocker. Players have to win the battles, especially along both lines. ‘Skill players’ get the headlines but most of the team is only called out when they make a mistake or get defeated. Those other battles are where we need to turn things around.
Richt’s team improve over the course of the season. This one needs to focus on individual improvement, doing their assignments and defeating the player on the other team. I see progress in that area but it needs to get better.
Dawgfan
October 5th, 2010
7:30 am
I think everyone needs to calm down. I don’t think coach Richt is the problem. This season isn’t over yet and if it turns out to be a losing season it will be his first. I think the man has earned atleast one bad season if not more. Joe Paterno had some bad seasons at Penn St, Bobby Bowden had some at FSU even coach Dooley had some at UGA. Coach Dooley didn’t win the National Title until 15 yrs into his career at UGA. I think if we’re honest with ourselves we’d acknowledge that this is jealousy. We see the instant success that coach Meyer has had at Florida and Saban at Bama and we want that. Well we had it in coach Richts first few years. The man won 2 SEC Championships and 3 SEC East division titles. We got snubbed in my opinion and ended up playing Hawaii instead of being in the title game where we belonged. The man can coach and he’s a good man on top of that. I want to issue a call for all the level headed fans to speak up in support of coach Richt and drowned out the lunatic fringe.
Old Dawg
October 5th, 2010
7:30 am
Saturday will be a significant day for UGA and CMR. While the head coach takes all the heat, its the coaching staff that gets the team ready. We have NOT been ready these last four games. If the current starters can’t get it done, then find someone who can! The O line can’t block , the D line (all three of them) can’t tackle and the secondary is a QB’s dream. Surely out of all those good recruits there is someone who wants to play in the SEC, or in Colorado for that matter. Oh, and get rid of the long hair hanging out of helmets. That’s a “look at me” thing that has no place on a “TEAM”. Forty six years and its come to this. See ya Saturday once again. GOD, how I hate Orange.
MURPHY
October 5th, 2010
7:31 am
I like the idea of Richt leading his team out. I think they should do like Tuberville at AU and Bowden at FSU-Arm in Arm. As corney as it sound I think Richt made a good call to acknowledge the callers request.Richt is in damage control mode and stuff like this will help him. I would like to see a uniform change,bring back to old red pants for this game. I would pull out every idea I had to try and raise the enthusiasm level for Sat. At some point the light will have to flicker on-I HOPE.
FLA DAWG
October 5th, 2010
7:32 am
So Richt will lead the team on the field!
And when UT pounds us by 21 we’ll all remember who once again led us to defeat.
Nub
October 5th, 2010
7:33 am
Hey Coach Mark ….. Answer this …. 10 returning starters on offense ….. O line EXPEcted to be a strength …. Failure so fair this year ….. why
Gimmick
October 5th, 2010
7:35 am
Oh yeah! That’s it! Richt, you go out first, then have the team come out in black jerseys! Yeah! Change helmets at halftime—you lead the team out again, except this time, they have the black helmets!!! That’s how you win football games!
W Ealey & C King
October 5th, 2010
7:37 am
We FUMBLE this state.
S Spurrier
October 5th, 2010
7:39 am
All thos recruits, same ol GA.
BigDawg
October 5th, 2010
7:40 am
The Dawgs are 11 1/2 point favorites against a very depleted Vols team with a brand new coach. For the second year in a row I can’t see how the heck we lose this game. Of course last years UT team had more talent than the current UT team but we were still favored heavily favored and got whipped. Another loss to what is likely the worst team in the SEC would be hitting below the belt!!! Vandy is likely the better team in that state this year. If we lose again…can we agree to just disband the team for the year? While we search for a new coach and coaching staff?
chiefdawg
October 5th, 2010
7:43 am
After he loses to UT maybe Jill will call in and asked him to resign.
Stokesy
October 5th, 2010
7:45 am
Someone please tell me what time that talk show is on the radio, and what radio station.. I can’t find it on any Augusta, GA radio station. I have googled until I’m blue in the face! Someone advise, please.
Thanks.