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
BayouBengal
October 5th, 2010
9:36 am
Hell you all are slow crackers. We are 5-0 and we are working behind the scenes to try and bring in Harbaugh from Stanford. Les Miles sucks as an SEC coach, he’s twice as good as Richt and we are trying to get rid of him. Maybe you Dawg Pups can take our leftovers and grab up Miles. We heard earlier Georgia might be interested but get real if offered BOTH jobs where do you think he would go? Dawggie cemetery in Athens or the Baton Rouge where we recruit top 5 classes every yr. You all better find you a real coach or you will be in the bottom half of the SEC with Vandy & Ole Miss. You all will lose to Tennessee, Florida and Auburn so thats 5-7 and the only bowl you will see is your empty dog bowl….get a coach and coach up your players, NOT coaching them DOWN or else maybe try to get in the ACC where it is a lot easier.
Are you crazy?
October 5th, 2010
9:37 am
Murphy…I think a uniform change is the last thing we need. Instead of spending valuable time planning special outfits, Richt needs to be out there teaching the Linemen to block and the Defense to tackle.
For the love of god man…the uni changes just heighten the embarrassment of getting our a$$es handed to us.
Codydawg
October 5th, 2010
9:37 am
jadawg34 My guess would be maybe 6 and that would be a little high. Most have never been to Athens.
Dogs Smell
October 5th, 2010
9:40 am
Will CMR leed them off of the field in defeat as well ? Tennessee 20 Uga 10
0ld timer
October 5th, 2010
9:40 am
If I had to make a comment, I would say RED DOG is the smart a$$ idiot.
G19
October 5th, 2010
9:43 am
For the UF game I say we come out in black helmets, black jerseys, black pants, black shoes, black tape, black sox, eye black and Richt calls the offense. We have tried every other gimmick to beat UF and nothing works. Perhaps ONE of these will at least keep the game from being a blowout. Guess which one?
Mike
October 5th, 2010
9:47 am
Strength and conditioning has been non-existant in CMR’s program for years. It resulted in so many injuries this year and the year prior that CMR decided that we should stop two-a-days this year. So, let’s prepare less for a conference that has been whipping our tails for the last several years. Strength and conditioning coach must go immediately. What would a significant change to an obviously underperforming portion of the program in midseason do to bolster fan support?
How do we continue to digress in a conference and against teams that we have historically out-recruited for years…excluding Alabama and Florida? Perhaps, our coaches aren’t finding the right recruits. I think that we are not getting our players to play up to their natural, God-given abilities; not to mention exceeding those abilities through superior coaching and motivation. That is an example of poor leadership. That is a reflection of the head coach. I like CMR, but he is not a Saban or a Meyer. Let’s face it, winning is what matters in the SEC. That said, CMR has earned at least one more year. For him to stay past that, we have got to pull out all the stops and find the best O-line coach, the best O coordinator, the best strength and conditioning coach available.
CMR needs to recognize the mediocrity that is resident throughout his program and to understand that his loyalty to mediocre coaches is killing the program and his longevity in it.
jb
October 5th, 2010
9:53 am
On any job if we do not perform to our companies standards (and out perform our competition) we are terminated and the company will give someone else the same opportunity. Why should Coach Richt get a pass. This program has been in decline for three years now. There is absolutely no discipline on this team, unless you are not a starter, no respect for the University as a whole. Stupid penalties, turnovers, lack of fundamentals, with the knowledge that there will be no penalty or punishment for. It is time to bring in someone that the University of Georgia means sometning to. Someone that will bring respect, discipline, work ethic and character to UGA. It is an honor and a privelige to attend this University and that should also be shown on the football field.
It is time to bring Will Muschcamp home
Still@theBAR
October 5th, 2010
9:53 am
Richt needs to jog more than just on the field with the team. He is getting a little chunky.
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
9:53 am
I hate the what have you done for me lately attitude people have now all of the legend coaches lasted 20 plus years and in between championships they would stumble a bit hey give the guy a break but if he has 4 or 5 bad years in a row then your chatter should be heard get behind your DAWGS be the 12th man on the field not a critic hiding in the shrubs and hey 12 is enough please not 13 way too many
tdog
October 5th, 2010
9:56 am
Put on the pink shirts and celebrate too much when a touchdown is made also. No gimmicks needed here.
r2chs
October 5th, 2010
10:01 am
Wow those are some really major changes to turnaround a seriously failing strategy…
NOT.
Jborodawg
October 5th, 2010
10:01 am
You’re right, Syrupmaker. Even the greats like Bryant, Joe Pa and even Mack Brown have down years. That being said, a loss to the Vowels (between The Hedges at that) will probably push even me (the CMR “lover”) to extremes.
Perhaps it is time for either CMB to go up to the “booth” or CMR to call plays.
Inthecellar
October 5th, 2010
10:02 am
You know UGA may win as few as three games this year! I like the QB, the front line, and most of the defense. I do not like the RB’s. Elay,(iguess its spelled that way) did not play I do not know why. Was he hurt? Since Bobo and CMR can not form good screens, third downs will always be a problem–therefore limited opportunities for scores. How about the red zone? Is that pathetic or what? With these kind of problems and no quick cures, UGA is indeed in-the-cellar.
ivebeenworkingontheRR
October 5th, 2010
10:02 am
Enter your comments here
Why the Gimmicks?
October 5th, 2010
10:03 am
UGA is the easiest team to prepare for says both Lane Kiffin and Charlie Strong.
I say
October 5th, 2010
10:04 am
it’s funny to see the ga bulldogs lose
ivebeenworkingontheRR
October 5th, 2010
10:05 am
“Inthecellar” Elay keeps putting the ball on the ground……..
BayouBengal
October 5th, 2010
10:06 am
Here’s a true evaluation:
Watch how Tennessee’s young undermanned team plays with emotion and high energy and then watch how the Dawg pups play. This game is a tossup and only because it is in Athens. When all is said and done Tennessee will execute and the Dawgs will be executed!
Vols 24 Dawgs 17
At least you will won’t hurt your recruiting much because looking at the top recruits schedules a big chunk will be at UF watching UF and the Bayou Bengals. To show you I am objective and realistic the Gators will be fired up after being embarrassed(unlike the Dawgs who don’t have enough pride to be embarrassed)by Alabama and will probably beat us
in the swamp 28-20. You Dawg pups only have the hope of beating Ga Tech to keep you going–there’s nothing else left in your season. Oh, and you can be sure your recruits will start jumping youring sinking(or should that be stinking) program.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
10:06 am
Richt needs to stay – as CEO. McGraity needs to open up the purse for a couple of top assistants, starting with OC and the strength and conditioning coach.
Go to the NFL for these guys, and get us back in serious contention for the SEC, Greg McGarity!
Byron
October 5th, 2010
10:08 am
When you start taking fan suggestions and changing the way you always do things it signals one thing.
You are scrambling and will be gone shortly.
The difference in Nick Saban winning and Richt is not what they do on gameday. Its what they do in the months leading up to the season. To late now Mark.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
10:08 am
Syrupmaker, most of those dufuses are Techies, disguised as UGA fans.
Concrete Pete
October 5th, 2010
10:10 am
Thats exactly the useless crap that a coach shouldn’t be worried about. You’re 1-4, with the “1″ being against a paid patsy and the “4″ against bad programs that haven’t won a conference title in 20 years and you’re concerned with how the team runs on to the field? Unreal. WE NEED A NEW STRENGTH COACH! YOU CAN’T BLOCK AND TACKLE WHEN YOU ARE WEAKER THAN YOUR OPPONENT! YOU MAKE STUPID MISTAKES BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD IF YOU DON’T FULLY INVEST IN THE OFF SEASON PROGRAM! P.S. COACH RICHT CAN DO THE JOB, HE JUST NEEDS TO UPDATE VAN HALLANGER!!!!!!!
Concrete Pete
October 5th, 2010
10:13 am
SadDawg it’s so refreshing to see another dawg fan that gets it. People that can’t see the negative effects of an inferior S & C program know absolutely nothing about football.
dawginduluth
October 5th, 2010
10:14 am
My suggestion:
Take a couple of weeks off, then
QUIT!
You think that it bad now??
October 5th, 2010
10:17 am
UGA grad here and married to UGA grad with tons of UGA family all over state and USA. Saw my first UGA game in 1959 @ age 10. I love em. Woof,woof. Sic em!!
Now ………if y’all think that it is bad right now …………wait until UGA is blown out by Vince Dooley’s son. That will cause such and EMOTIONAL OUT CRY from old time UGA alumni. No, right now is nothing compared to the post game noise if UGA plays a sloppy, dumb game like they have over the last two or three years vs UT.
It will be very ugly and Richt will simply not believe the out crys for his job NOW, if this happens. Folks this is big time SEC football and mediocrity at UGA will not be tolerated. ………why should it???
He let it go to seed ………not the fans. He has the money, the salary, the staff that he hired, the faciliities and the big time recruiting turf and he has blown it ……………like Caleb King and ealey have often. Enough is enough.
BY the way …………Walsh did miss a chip shot 40 yder FG vs Colorado and he was the game’s goat, along with Caleb.
GO Dogs.
UGA class of 71 & 73
DOO DOO LEE
October 5th, 2010
10:20 am
Richt can lead the team out of the tunnel , he can even lead the team out of the desert into the promise land sing Glory Hallelujah and ugay is still 1 ans 4..You do realize you have had a top ten recruiting class the last ten years? I mean, you have the cream of the crop in recruiting and your 5 stars have given you 1 win over Lafayette..and no you all want to gather and sing Kumbayah,…Good luck with that..bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaah
buddyc
October 5th, 2010
10:22 am
Though I believe he is a good man, CMR has lost control. The team has absolutely no discipline. Kirby Smart, Will Muschamp, Jim Harbaugh. Go get one of these guys and lets get the Georgia program back on track!!!
jack bull
October 5th, 2010
10:28 am
you think it’s bad now, you’re right, it was evidently CMR’s fault that Walsh missed that dang field-goal, and obviously his fault that King fumbled. Heck, it was even Richt’s when Ealey fumbled those TWO times going into the end-zone.. i think it was his fault too when Murray underthrew Green for a TD also..
buddyc
October 5th, 2010
10:29 am
We dont block, we dont tackle, we have penalties, we turn the ball over….FUNDAMENTALS!!!! Our O line was supposed to be one of the best in the country…REALLY? They block like a bunch of little girls!!!! Defense as a whole is terrible…especially the linebackers. Time to start over!
True
October 5th, 2010
10:30 am
It seems odd that alot of the posters on here that have all of these bright suggestions on here such as “hire Kirby Smart” or ” Call Muschamp” etc. have NEVER coached a single down of college football. Earler on this blog some were still blasting CMR about the blackout game against bama but yet I would venture to say you thought it was an awesome idea when they wore the black jerseys and beat Auburn and won the bowl game wearing them.
buddyc
October 5th, 2010
10:33 am
Jack. It IS CMR’s fault that the team has no discipline. That we dont do the fundamental things that it takes to win football games! I know the truth hurts…sorry.
LMAO
October 5th, 2010
10:35 am
PAPER BAGS FOR SALE THIS SATURDAY – $1 A PIECE FACE HOLES ALREADY CUT OUT
FSU Nole
October 5th, 2010
10:36 am
Mark Richt will NOT be back @ FSU. FSU doesn’t want him. After the 2000 NC game, Richt burned those bridges. Richt’s offensive coordination for that game cost FSU a title. Richt’s offense that game (when he had already accepted the UGA job) led to 0 points and an FSU loss. It is dilusional to think FSU would want him back. You can keep him as he has peaked at UGA. He won’t fire Bobo either, so you’re stuck with them unless they step down. With Richt’s buyout, he won’t step down. Congrats! You should worry about Idaho State and your invitation to the Bluebonnet Bowl.
buddyc
October 5th, 2010
10:37 am
True….You can wear any color jersey you want but as long as you dont block, dont tackle, turn the ball over, and commit STUPID penalties, does it really matter…LACK OF DISCIPLINE!!!
SLICK RICHT
October 5th, 2010
10:40 am
I am still STYLING AND PROFILING.
jack bull
October 5th, 2010
10:41 am
i know the truth hurts, and the truth is, we’re not a very good football team, period. and i think the players have a whole lot to do with it.. the truth is also this, it’s a game of 18-20 year olds..and as far as leading the team onto the field, well, that’s a huge ego thing…guys like Saban, Meyer and Dabo Swinney are those kind of guys..bottom line, it’s a players game…
CMR hasn’t just all of a sudden forgot how to coach or forgot how to lead…all teams go thru this..
jack bull
October 5th, 2010
10:50 am
i will say this, he can’t keep sending the same guys out there and expect a different result…i say he needs to make some serious changes, starting at the most important position on the field…
Ace
October 5th, 2010
10:50 am
Why not try Black jerseys or something kinda gimmicky like that
southga brave
October 5th, 2010
10:51 am
You guys kill me with how bad the character of this team is! There has been the A.J. jersey issue and the issue with a dismissed quarterback. The other issues(8)all involve alcohol in one way or another. If anyone of of you out there think that doesn’t happen by players and students at EVERY college across the country, think again. That happens at high schools as well! If you dont believe it think back to when you or your kids were in school. You give an 18 y/o his own freedom, miles away from home for the first time, and see what happens. The issue there is not with the coaching staff! Maybe it is with the parents and/or the student/player. You dont hear about all the student issues related to arrest because of alcohol. It happens get over it. That does not make anyone a thug! Check some of the other programs around the country. A player threatens to kill his girlfriend, a player caught with an enormious amount of pot he is selling, another on gun related arrest! Coach Richt doesn’t have these issues. If any of your kids were being mentored by someone, which program would you want him in, Richts or Meyers? Coach Richt does the right thing and and DISMISSES his only major issue from the team. Meyer SUSPENDS his major issue. Most of these players will never reach the NFL, but all will become public citizens. Which example do you want set for YOUR kid or the kid living next door to you? Coach Richt doesn’t have character issues on this team. That isn’t the problem.
This team does have issues, some coaching and some execution! This team is about 6-7 plays from being 5-0 instead of 1-4. They are not that bad, all is not lost. Three fumbles that shouldn’t have happen(at the wrong time) a couple penalties, and A.J. on the field, and a lot of thing could be different. Yes there are some OC play calling issues too. There are defensive issues with the scheme verus the player personnel on the field, but to fire the 5th fastest coach to 91 wins is a bit hasty and irrational. Besides which of you that has never coached anything above flag football can do better? Oh no one huh? Then why tell a professional coach how to do it? Yes I am disappionted as much as everyone, but do you really think CMR isn’t trying to do his best to turn it around? Do you really think he would tell you if he climbs Bobo’s a$$ in meetings about the offense? If you can’t tell by some of his comments he isn’t happy with the play calling you are deaf and blind!!!
Does your boss publicly crawl your butt in front of your subordinates and co-workers? If he does, he isn’t a very good manager. So why would you expect CMR to do that to Bobo or any coach or player in a public forum?
Either support OUR DAWGS or shout the hell up!
SKB
October 5th, 2010
10:52 am
CMR Is a nice guy Christian man, he should not be fired.
takedowndawg
October 5th, 2010
10:53 am
I just met with our CPA accountant recently and observed his mannerisms and appearance and was dismayed how strikingly similar he appeared to mirror Coach Richt’s demeanor. They could be brothers from an appearance standpoint and to their outward attitude and approach to problems. Although, our business was in sound condition I somehow left our CPA nauseated. Wonder why????
southga brave
October 5th, 2010
10:58 am
shut
True
October 5th, 2010
10:58 am
@ southga brave – excellent post !
BayouBengal
October 5th, 2010
10:58 am
Richt is cruising–knocking down $3.1 mil for 3 more seasons and a buyout by “either” side is the full amount of the remaining contract which is way to steep for the Dawgs & their alums to come up with! At least the recruits you get after this season won’t have to be coached down so far since they will be everyone in the SECs leftovers. You can bet the Gators will be happy you bring all the best Georgia recruits to the annual beatdown in Jax. Probably by half time Richt will look around and Crowley and the rest will be on the Gator side seeing what the good teams are up to……it’s a sad year for Dawgie fans and this is just the beginning…wait til next yr.
Top Dawg
October 5th, 2010
10:59 am
As much as I like and respect CMR as a man, WHY? WHY? WHY? did you take your eye off the ball and our program. As many posters have pointed out, GA is in the recruiting mecca, best facilities, etc. A bad year? No UGA team should ever be at the low level that we are today. Off years, yes. Toilet years- NO. AN off year should be 9-3 or 10-2. I have stated publicly and to McGarity my support for CMR, but the more I think about it the madder I get. The most unsettling part of all of this is that we are not leaving all out on the field as a TEAM- including the coaches. We are not fired up before the game, we do not tackle, we do not block, and we really do not FIGHT as a team. Yes, there are some great individual performances. I just do not see where this team really wants it. Earn the right to wear that “G” on the helmet.
Richt to call plays v. TN - VolNation
October 5th, 2010
11:01 am
[...] is calling our plays,” Richt said. “And that’s the way it is right now.” http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog…ga_sports_blog Last edited by VolDad; Today at 10:00 [...]
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
11:07 am
Hey at least UGA did win the ACC last year by beating the yellow bellies
dawgdrool
October 5th, 2010
11:08 am
In honor of Liz’s thoughtful suggestion, hre are my top 5 gimmicky ways UGa can get back to winning:
5. CMR leads the band at halftime.
4. CMB starts wearing a beanie with a propeller to really fire up the O-line.
3. UGA chooses plays by pawing at the one he likes best.
2. CWM returns to give the motivational speech to the D.
1. Red panties are handed out for the crowd to wave.
seabass
October 5th, 2010
11:09 am
Well that solved the problem! Richt leading us onto the field, we win the rest of our games. No more fumbles, bad blocking or tackling. Boy thats a load off. I watch Tenn. this weekend, and they are a much more physical team than UGA. They will beat us badly.