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
GT53
October 5th, 2010
11:10 am
CMR does not to be “one of the boys” and start high fivin the players. He needs to stand up and give expectations that his players follow or they are gone. He cannot be their friend or buddy. He needs to be the father figure that so many of the players did not have.
JB
October 5th, 2010
11:12 am
On Saturday we have 0-3 in the SEC vs 0-2. Sounds like a great game!
Fan-attic
October 5th, 2010
11:12 am
Sounds like the Bulldog Nation is showing it’s true color….RED, as in neck! Since the black helmets and jerseys didn’t work why not try red jock straps on the outside of the pants? Talk about a true idenity statement!
Top Dawg
October 5th, 2010
11:12 am
Seabass- I predicted a TN upset over LSU last week which didn’t quite happen. TN is very physical. They lack depth, but there starters will play with anybody for 2.5 quarters. They are way better than UGA based on what I have seen. I do not have much hope that your prediction is wrong.
AMSTERDAM SAM
October 5th, 2010
11:17 am
jdawgs34 – you do not have to attend games every Saturday (or ever) to be a dawg fan. While I was attending the University of Georgia (bachelor’s in journalism), I loved going to the games. But now I, like many, live prohibitively far away to attend games very often. But you bet I watch it on television when I get the chance now that I am back in the states and while living in Amsterdam I watched it on ESPN 360 on the computer (thank God for the internet). The money that comes from the TV deals also pours cash and support into the coffers of UGA and we who are not there hurt just as much as you who attend when we lose. Consider yourself geographically furtunate, but in no way superior as far as being a fan, for the marks of the dawg’s paws are seen around the globe wherever true dog fans trot.
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
11:23 am
some of you have confirmed the statement that most people have no sense. cmr is trying to change attitude of players with drills. Great. leading the team out great, show some leadership. being in management myself you do not call out people on your leadership team in public. if you find some problems with them you work with them behind closed doors. that way you do not show any divisions in your staff and no attitudes develop. cmr is not going to tell us about everything. i believe he will make those kind of things quietly. thats why he has intagrity and you do not
layinlow
October 5th, 2010
11:31 am
I think Richt doesn’t want to call the plays because he is afraid too. If Bobo continues in that job and this season doesn’t turn around then he will be the scapegoat. If Richt were to take over the play calling duties and the team fails to respond then he looks really bad. If McGarity doesn’t force Richt to make big changes after the season then we know we have a powerless AD. Personally I want Richt to be fired but I have a feeling that he gets one more year.
I Could Have Put Some Lame Name Here
October 5th, 2010
11:31 am
1’s against 1’s is the BEST Move EVER!!!!
SEC
October 5th, 2010
11:35 am
Let me ask everyone something that is a dawg fan….Where have we been as bulldog nation? I know everyone wants to point fingers at the coach or players or what have you, but where have we been? Sanford Stadium has been of no advantage to the bulldogs in at least the past two years. Its as quiet as i have ever heard it. Pathetic…….we have to support our program and team by rising up through thick and then and making that the loudest place in the country…and we have simply failed as of recent. Lets make a change ourselves
Southgeorgian
October 5th, 2010
11:36 am
Nothing will change at UGA until UGA/Richt instills some discipline in the program. There is no discipline on or off the field. Richt’s continuous ….it’ll be ok, we’ll get em next time, pats on the back/butt, one game suspenions and lackadaisical attitude have got to cease!!! Or is it the kid’s fault…oh yeah, it’s their fault not Richt’s. No rules or consequences leads to them doing whatever they want cause all they will get is a one game suspension or a little slap on the wrist. WOWWWWW!!! That hurt. Or maybe is it the character of the kids that UGA is recruiting these days! Hey, keep Richt…i’m sure Bama, UF, AU, SC won’t mind at all!!
I Could Have Put Some Lame Name Here
October 5th, 2010
11:40 am
South Georgia fan what character issues are you referring to?
JB
October 5th, 2010
11:44 am
The Fulmer Cup! UGA won it.
joe taxpayer
October 5th, 2010
11:45 am
between going to the pool, horese back riding, putt-putt,and boweling when does this team have time to pratice for Tenn. Also, CMR does not allow tackling to the ground so no one will be hurt and no two a days. This is a soft team and it shows..
I Could Have Put Some Lame Name Here
October 5th, 2010
11:46 am
Most of you naysayers are not true Fans or you have very short term memories. The expectations you have are because of Richt. I am not happy with the record right now either but I will not disparage my team for any reason.
Most of you have never played a sport at a higher level and for D@mn sure have no place judging the character of these kids or their families…so for the sake of the school and the team GET A LIFE!!!! Or into coaching and see how easy it is.
True Dawg Fan
October 5th, 2010
11:49 am
I dont know why you guys bust CMR’s chops so hard. He doesnt go to your place of employment and throw rocks at you while you cut the grass. Be a True Fan and support the team through the good times and the bad. Jeeez, what a bunch of pansies.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
11:52 am
SEC, I think there are 92,000 fans “supporting their program” at every home game. They haven’t failed anything, or anybody.
The failures come from a poorly prepared OC, who even scarier, cannot make in-game adjustments.
Then, when his QB makes plays out of the shotgun and moves the ball up and down the field, he goes back to plays that haven’t worked all season.
Sorry, but no amount of cheering by any crowd can overcome Bobo’s, 3-and-out play-calling.
hoppy
October 5th, 2010
11:53 am
Can anyone name me 3 players who are leaders among the squads? (not counting QB Murray.)
yogi2
October 5th, 2010
11:55 am
FSU and Mark Richt are a match made in heaven. Take the Bozo( bobo) with you. Maybe willie Martinez will join you.
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
11:56 am
this reminds of the time i was coaching little league football. there were no parents that wanted to coach the team. so a couple of us fathers decided to coach, because we had played some ball in school. we were coaching kids that hadnt played alot of football, going against kids who had. we didnt win many games that year. the thing that got me was all the problems we had with the parents complaining and yelling at us in front of the kids. believe me when i say, it hurt the kids. they would look at us like they were trying, but could not understand the feelings of thier parents. the only satisfaction we got was that the kids continued trying to get better, and that a coach from a team we scrimmaged in preseason and played at the end of the year was impressed with the progress we made. my point, we are working on anew defensive schene and coach. it takes time for players to learn. we used to say offense scores the points and defense wins the game. ctd has made improvements but when the players catch up to all changes and schemes, we will win again. it doesnt matter if the offense scores 1 or 100 the def. has to stop the other team from scoring more
StatesBurr
October 5th, 2010
11:57 am
So how is that “Coach” Garner coming along… Sorry, thats right, he is the “recruiting coordinator”
trey
October 5th, 2010
11:59 am
Ask Auburn about the UGA black out. lol
Even the Taliban do their redition of copy-UGA-mode by doing a “white out”. Only problem with their act was the visiting team was dressed in all white the day they tried to play dress up(rotflmao)
Why am I not surprised that Richt would agree to a power puff change like running out of the tunnel first, but ignore a more important change like taking over play calling for his brain dead OC?
Stay tuned Saturday for another beat down by yet another inferior team.
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
12:00 pm
spelling typo ctg not ctd
i think
October 5th, 2010
12:02 pm
he should go to his tanning salon……. block out ‘ Sickem Dawgs’ on his chest before getting an all over tan darker than normal. paprika may help with that.
than he should choose a pair of his best ugay monogrammed red panties and lead the ugay football team with died red hair *sic* .
hell maybe he should wear a black helmet too.
sorta a red n black out.
yeah that should gitr done.
go tenn or cee
we techies are pulling for you.
,lmao
JB
October 5th, 2010
12:02 pm
Trey, they must not be inferior if UGA gets a beat down.
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
12:05 pm
LMAO us true DAWGS bleed red and black till death do we part take your paper bag wad it up stick it in your piehole – I like the black just any game for a change at times just don’t like the hip it receives but I will say the devil is collecting his due this year for them selling there souls for the black headgear last year they looked like what comes out of my little white bulldog’s rear end
JB
October 5th, 2010
12:05 pm
They have shown that counting to 12 is difficult though.
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
12:08 pm
i do not think he is scarred of play calling after all those years of calling plays for fla st and ga even the great coach dooly took along time to bring a national title to ga and we didnt fire him when he had some tough times getting thier. cmr is going to bring ga another title. have patience it will come .
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
12:08 pm
my typing is bad today
DarkCloud
October 5th, 2010
12:09 pm
The kiss of death…..a coach starts listening to the fanbase for ideas. LMAO!!!!
Halsey
October 5th, 2010
12:09 pm
Didn’t Richt just stop calling plays a couple of years ago to appease people who cry about play calling all the time? The problem is play execution, not play calling. No plays call for your team to execute poorly.
"Da Real" Damon Evans
October 5th, 2010
12:09 pm
i done heared it all now. da coach be takin’ suggestions from callers on his radio show. Athens is falling apart, thank God i jumped off dat sinkin ship or I would have had to fire coach rix.
coach rix done gotten soft and knows his days are numbered now da whole dog poop nation gonna call in with they suggestions.
Lord have mercy.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
12:09 pm
” it doesnt matter if the offense scores 1 or 100 the def. has to stop the other team from scoring more”
****************************************
So, when the offense scores 6 points in a game, and 12 in another, it’s the D fault?
UGA’s D is spending too much time on the field, because of all the 3-and-outs by our offense.
James in AUG
October 5th, 2010
12:13 pm
Dwight Eisenhower on the verge of D-Day invasion was asked how to lead the men in such dire situation. He took a string and placed it on a table top in a straight line. He took his finger at the bottom of the string and pushed it…it curled to the left and right..he could not control it…he then took his finger and placed it at the top of the string and pulled it….the line was straight and went where the finger went. You cannot lead from the rear gentlemen was his answer.
bill
October 5th, 2010
12:14 pm
What kind of practice drills are being conducted this week to cut down on personal foul penalties? Besides sitting Cuff’s butt on the bench this week?
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
12:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Go Dawgs!
October 5th, 2010
12:15 pm
Glad to hear some changes are coming, but it is a bit concerning that he wants to STILL stick with Bobo calling plays. Richt is a great coach, but I think sometimes he’s a bit slow to react. Don’t if it’s being overly cautious or just flat out stubborn, but if he’s not careful he’s going to ride Bobo all the way out of a job. Bobo is CLEARLY in over his head.
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
12:31 pm
when ohio state won thier national championship against miami, it was our defense that was alot better than our offense was that year and when baltimore won the super bowl it was the way thier defense that played all year and dont forget when ga was great the junkyard dawgs were there. defense makes oppertunities for the offense to take advantage of even when we scored alot of points sat. colorado was on the field to long scoring points
DawgDad
October 5th, 2010
12:39 pm
Heath made a great point: the Dawgs eliminated two-a-days this past offseason. Now there’s something tangible to hang your hat on as to why this team plays soft and players (especially d-backs) seem to be out of position constantly.
Over the past several seasons there seems to be an over-focus on high-profile skill players and those few players being groomed for the NFL. Good teams are stocked with tough players grinding it out in the trenches play after play, and, of course, they have defenders that understand what position they play. Cutting two-a-days played to the mindset of keeping the skill players happy, not building team toughness.
Saban
October 5th, 2010
12:40 pm
So a caller suggested that Richt come out leading the team and high five the players in her words “like Saban does at Alabama”. Sweetie Mark Richt aint Nick Saban. Nuff said!
Saban's universe
October 5th, 2010
12:40 pm
Where ever your world is it resides in Saban’s universe.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
12:42 pm
buckeyedawg, it didn’t hurt that our offense averaged 33 a game in ‘02, either.
SEC
October 5th, 2010
12:43 pm
SadDawg,
So you think Sanford Stadium is just as loud as its always been? What game did you go to?
harold
October 5th, 2010
12:44 pm
IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO.
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
12:46 pm
Willie Martinez and Mike Bobo would have never been promoted to coordinators under Nick Saban.
Syrupmaker
October 5th, 2010
12:47 pm
What was the 1979 record compared to 1980
SadDawg
October 5th, 2010
12:49 pm
It sounded loud as hell on TV when UGA tied the game in the 4th quarter vs. ARK.
Mark Recked
October 5th, 2010
12:50 pm
Our players don’t like two a days. They say it makes them sweaty and stinky and too tired to get drunk.
SEC
October 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
Yeah….and quiet for three quarters from inside. Go to one….its died down alot
buckeyedawg
October 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
saddawg i know the offense has to score points, the more the better. but if the offense is struggling the defense has to take it on there shoulders to win the game. that is the way i felt when i played ball in high school i played def. and i didnt want to let the other offense out play us
Alan
October 5th, 2010
12:52 pm
Oviously CMR is a typical phony two faced money sick religious phony.If he had any integrity he would resign now.Instead he is doing what a scam artist money sick preacher would do[Fool as many people as possible and blame others for your glaring inabilities]