Richt: ‘Two teams really fighting like mad … to show people we can play football’
Partial transcript of Mark Richt’s news conference on Tuesday:
Opening statement:
“We have two teams in very similar situations. Both are coming off heartbreaking losses. Both of them are looking for a Southeastern Conference victory. Both of them are teams that have tremendous fan bases and tremendous tradition and history of playing winning football so we are both, I would say, pretty desperate for a victory right now. Of course I don’t want to speak for Tennessee.
“Coach Derek Dooley is heading up the team as we all know. I would think it would have to be an emotional homecoming for him of some sorts, being in Athens so long. I think he’s doing a fine job. He’s a heck of a coach.
“I would think it’s going to be a highly-emotional game, a highly-charged game with two teams really fighting like mad for a victory and fighting like mad for the ability to show people we can play football. It ought to be a good one. Tennessee-Georgia, enough said I guess.”
On whether Aaron Murray is the bright spot for the Georgia offense:
“Aaron has done well. I think he’s thrown for over 60 percent. I don’t know exactly how many TD’s he’s thrown but his touchdown-interception ratio is very good. He’s making decisions that are very wise so far. He just hasn’t thrown the ball up for grabs. Even the pick last week, it was a situation where he might have held the ball a hair or two too long, but he was getting hit as he released it and didn’t see the guy coming. He’s overall made very good decisions on not throwing the ball up for grabs. I think his ability to run is even better than I thought it would be. His ability to avoid trouble and to actually cross the line of scrimmage and get some first downs, that’s been even better than I thought it would be. I knew he was a good athlete, but I didn’t know he would be able to make that many plays. There are times where he needs to get to his second receiver a little bit quicker, and he needs to be a little more accurate here and there like most guys. To wrap up what he’s done considering he’s a first-year starter and a freshman, he has done very well. I’ve been pretty proud of him.”
On whether he will take a more active role in the play calling:
“Right now that’s not the plan. Right now it’s not the plan. I have to be more assertive to let Mike (Bobo) know certain situations. Sometimes if a coach knows he has three downs to get two yards instead of two downs to get two yards, he may call that a little bit different. Or there may be times I’ll say, ‘Let’s run this thing’ or whatever it might be. I need to be a little more assertive in that way just to give him direction and help him know how to approach it. The bottom line is if we score enough points to win, we don’t have to worry about that.”
On whether Caleb King will start at tailback:
“We have not sat down and said who is going to start this week, but Caleb has certainly made a good case to be the starter. I’m not going to name him that right this minutes. A little bit later in the week we’ll decide. We need to practice first and make decisions based on that. I do think that Caleb had one of his better ballgames and certainly no one is happy about the last play of the game, but there were some circumstances there. It wasn’t just your normal fumble in my opinion. It was right in the middle of an exchange. It’s really tough to know exactly what happened even on TV copy.”
On who will return punts against Tennessee:
“Carlton Thomas is getting reps there. A.J. Green is getting reps there. Logan Gray of course has been getting reps there. I’m not even 100 percent sure on who would start the game but they are all capable.”
On his assessment of Georgia’s offensive line play this season:
“I would say not good enough at this point. From an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint and a special teams standpoint and a coaching standpoint, I’d say not good enough. I’d say across the board we just haven’t been good enough. There have been some bright spots, there have been some good things that have happened, but we just haven’t done it good enough as a team so I don’t really want to single out the O-line because they’re in the same boat everybody else is in, in my opinion.”
On what Washaun Ealey needs to do to become more of a factor in Georgia’s offense:
“I think he’s doing it. He ran with a lot of energy in the game. Even though he didn’t get as many reps as he would like to, he was in the game, he was excited. He practiced extremely well yesterday just as far as his energy level. I think he’s helped himself earn more time. I’m not saying he wouldn’t win the starting job either. I won’t rule that out either, but I do like the attitude that he had even though he didn’t get to play as much as he wanted to play. He had enough ball security issues that the other guys got the opportunity basically, but he’s still a good football player. The pass protection is important too. Whoever plays the most has the most issues. The more you play, the more chance you have of succeeding, but also maybe not getting the job done. That doesn’t necessarily mean the other guy can do it better, so we’re looking at that. He’ll definitely play. I like what he’s been doing the last few days.”
On how Georgia’s defense has adjusted to the new scheme:
“We’re getting there. I can’t sit there and say they are 100 percent certain on everything that shows up exactly what to do and how to do it. We’re at least to the point where they are comfortable doing it where they can really play with the speed that you need to play with. As you learn something, you just can’t cut it loose like you do once it’s yours. It’s not an indictment on the coaching or even the players. It’s just a fact of life that as you install things from scratch, there is a learning curve for them. There is a learning curve for our coaches. There are certain situations we put our guys in we thought they would handle and afterwards realized maybe they can’t handle that as well as we thought. You have to make sure you don’t do it again the next time around. The point I’ve made about some of these opening drives, some of these situations where maybe something new popped up that wasn’t prepped for. There is just no experience to draw from to say this is how we would handle that. We are having still a little bit of that from time to time. The thing about collegiate offenses is they are all so different. When you are in the NFL you have the same offense over and over and over pretty much. There is some variance, but you have people running the option, you have the quarterback run, everybody just has a little bit different style. We understand the style, we know how to prepare for the style, but it’s so different as you go. I guess it’s the first time through, and you play the next game and maybe game four, but it’s the first time through on this particular scheme. I think that’s hurt us some, but the bottom line is we have to line up and play football and play good assignment football and make tackles and make plays.”
On the suggestion made during his radio show of leading the team out onto the field:
“When the team runs on the field some coaches go first and some coaches carry up the rear. I’ve always let the boys go first. First of all I don’t want to get run over. Not even first of all, but for the most part I feel like it’s their day, it’s their game. Let’s go get it. The caller made a good point. You’re the leader of the pack, why don’t you lead the pack? That makes good sense to me. I think we’ll try that. I’ve been stretching and I’m a little concerned about puling a hamstring if I go too hard. I hope somebody reminds me to do it because old habits die hard. It’s been 10 years and I haven’t done it. I have to get out front and lead the pack, so I think it will be good.”
On whether the head coaching job is always fun:
“Is it always fun? Head coaching isn’t always fun. I can tell you that, even when you are winning. Anybody who has head coached long enough knows that everything you do in your job is not fun. The purest form of fun in coaching is coaching. Coaching your position and getting to know those kids really good and just being there to show them the way. To be able to focus just on the art of coaching the game and the strategy and all the things it entails, that’s the most fun. Head coaching, you have all kinds of stuff you get to do. I get to hang out with you guys a lot, that’s fun. That’s one of the fun parts. Is it as fun as it has always been? If you said as fun, yeah it’s as fun. I can’t say it’s off-the-chain fun, but it’s a responsibility that I enjoy and I know that I’m where God wants me to be and that’s very important to me, so that’s what gives me the peace.”
On how his spiritual side keeps him going:
“The bottom line is I have faith in the Lord. I basically submitted my life to Christ in 1986. From that day forward my goal was to, on a daily basis, try to love Him and obey Him and try to do things that will please Him. That’s been my motivation and my focus, so that hasn’t changed. God is the No. 1 focus of my life, period. I just happen to coach football. If I did something else then my relationship to the Lord wouldn’t change. I’m true to myself, I’m true to who I am, and if that’s attractive to anybody that’s good. If not, that’s OK too.”
On Sanders Commings:
“I think he’s been one of the bright spots as far as a guy who maybe wasn’t sitting in a position where the coaches might have thought he was going to get a ton of playing time going into camp or even into game one. But he has steadily improved. He listens to what Coach (Scott) Lakatos says. He takes it to heart. He reps it everyday in practice and now he is starting to see more playing time. He’s earned it. That tackle he made out in the open field on that third down play, that was one of the finest open field tackles we’ve had here in a while. A guy out in space, a guy he had to get up on him, he had to wrap him and he had to run his feet and drive him back or it’s going to be a first down. That was just one play, but the other thing I think really helps Sanders is on this kickoff coverage team he really took off from game one making plays. That I think helped his confidence and it also helped our coaches’ confidence to watch him play and play physical and make plays. He’s done a really good job. I’m really happy for him.”
On the fourth quarter fumble against Colorado and whether Georgia’s defense is making enough disruptive plays:
“If they would just not block us I think we would make more plays like that. That’s what happened, we didn’t block him. We absolutely need more plays like that. I think there were three fumbles that they had. I think they had three fumbles and we got zero. I think that’s right. I hate to say it but it’s looking a little bit like a year ago. Fumbles are getting caused but they are landing next to their guy. Why? I don’t know. I wish they would land closer to us, because I do believe we’ve had enough reps at recovering fumbles that we would get it. Once we got it we wouldn’t let go, but the ball doesn’t always bounce to you. Most balls on the ground seem to be bouncing closer to the opponents than they are to us right now. But I think we are getting some of that, we are getting some of those balls getting knocked, but we have to get on it.”
On Branden Smith having two concussions:
“We do have to be very careful. (UGA Director of Sports Medicine) Ron Courson has been on some committees to even talk about on a national level how to handle concussions and what are the signs to say that a young man is concussed and what are the signs to say that a young man is ready to go back and play safely. There is no question we have to be careful. Ron has his procedures that he does and we are going to follow that protocol. When Ron says he is safe to play, then he’ll play. If he says he’s not, then he’s not. Right now we don’t think it’s going to be this week for sure and probably not any time soon. I can’t predict that. There are certain factors that are tested and gauged and whenever he meets that criteria to go play, then he’ll play.”
On whether he has talked to Vince Dooley about the Tennessee game:
“Once or twice. He did mention to me basically what he said publicly in that I think he said he was going to stay at home and watch this one. I’m sure he’ll probably see (Derek Dooley) the night before the game. I’m assuming he would. I don’t know what he’ll do, that’s their business. Coach (Vince) Dooley absolutely loves the University of Georgia. There is no doubt about that. It’s such a big part of his life, but I think he loves Derek more, which he should.”
On practicing the ones vs. ones and twos vs. twos in full pads on Monday:
“I’ve never done that. Monday is usually a day in shorts and we do a little running and lifting and meeting. We install a little bit just from a mental standpoint, almost a glorified walkthrough just to kind of mend up on all that. I decided that we just needed to put the pads on and we needed to go have a little spring ball, which is No. 1 vs. No. 1. We had a team run drill where each group had eight plays apiece and the team that won didn’t have to run and the team that lost had to run after practice. Then we had an 11-on-11, which is more of anything goes, 1st-and-10 type scrimmage where you can run or pass with the same criteria, winners and losers. Then we put the ball on the four-yard line and got in a goal line situation and said you have four downs to score a touchdown, but you have to stay in your goal line offense and defense and you can’t throw the ball. It has to be a physical confrontation. We did that and I thought the players responded beautifully. I thought it pumped some life into those guys. I think they had fun playing football and blocking and tackling. We haven’t been blocking and tackling good enough. I’m going back to my original philosophy when I came to Georgia and that’s when I would say it’s hard to get better blocking without blocking and tacking, so I went back to that philosophy. What got me off that philosophy? A lot of it had to do with the one season when we had 32 guys hurt going into the year. You start out with camp and another one goes and another one goes. There are different schools of thought. One is you have to block and tackle to block and tackle well. The other one is let’s get everybody to the gate healthy and let’s kind of play our way into this game and pick our shots when we do those types of things. We did the least amount of that in camp than we’ve ever done. Is it biting us in the rear end right now? Probably so. That’s a decision I made based on what I just told you. The only thing I know how to do is go back to the basics of blocking and tackling and make sure we do that well.”
On whether he will carry that philosophy going forward:
“Yes I would. It’s hard not to flinch sometimes when you have your red cross looking pretty rough, but it’s part of football.”
On Garrison Smith and whether Georgia’s record impacts what freshmen might play:
“Not the record, no. It was just a matter of feeling like we needed a little more punch up front. He’s a very strong play, very powerful guy. He’s still playing too high as rookies tend to do. He has to learn that he’s in a different league and that he’s going against much bigger, stronger, more physical people. He has the ability, and it was good for him to get that under his belt and learn and I think he’ll get better in a hurry. There is a chance that other guys will play. There are some other freshmen we have looked at to do that.”
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119 comments Add your comment
5150 P.O.A.D
October 6th, 2010
12:59 am
It is just by the # Tim. All these kids go to school and their parents should know this if their child doesn’t make it to the PORS in something other than Sports just like the NCAA commercial says. The SEC is not being fair to many of the population or the non White and non Athlete students. These colleges owe the student a well rounded college life and experience. Parents need to do the research and see what their money is buying or the scholarship is offering in all parts of campus life.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 6th, 2010
1:08 am
I would hate to be the Dooley House. There is just no win. Now that teams can’t play to a Tie it will hurt no matter the outcome. I think I will be harder om Barbara for sure. That is her “Baby Boy” out there having to fight the Dawgs she has loved for so long.
TheTaxJacket
October 6th, 2010
1:08 am
***** “Well, they’re losing a lot of games and have a lot of people getting arrested,” Crowell said of Georgia. “There’s just a lot of things going wrong. I do want to play right away but I also want to be where it’s disciplined and they win championships” *****
(((( 45 – 42 ))))
some guy.
October 6th, 2010
1:10 am
uga = lolz. can you make it halfway through a season without beating a D1 team? we’ll find out.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 6th, 2010
1:12 am
TAX do you know the score of the Tech v UGA game form 1952? Just wondering because it matters just about as much.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 6th, 2010
1:20 am
Richt leading the team on the field? Well I like what he says about it being the PLAYERS TIME. I like what he says about God being #1 too. I am not sure if he can’t seem more fired up on the sidelines and still love God and Jesus too. Richt is a very good and I would like my kids to learn from him Sunday-Friday, but on Saturday I want David to be ready to fight Goliath. I want G S PATTON talking to the troops before they go into battle.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 6th, 2010
1:22 am
DAWG players win one for the RUSS send him out 4-4 the white painted butt DAWG deserves at least that much.
cyberdawg
October 6th, 2010
2:52 am
Going back to the basics of blocking and tackling will definitely help. What most bloggers just don’t realize is that we could easily be 4 – 1 instead of 1 – 4. The difference in the two is just a handful of plays. In past years we have won the close ones but this year it’s just not going our way, but sooner or later that will change.
hop
October 6th, 2010
4:50 am
coach richt has his prioities in order and his faith will carry him through this very trying time.
dawgerbrown
October 6th, 2010
6:28 am
Yes, this all sounds good, but, shouldn’t all of this been in place prior to the season? It just seems the players don’t respect the coach, the game, the rules, others, and the opportunity they have. They play with a sense of entitlement. They need to develop a sense of urgency and maintain it from play to play.
Lilburn Dawg
October 6th, 2010
6:41 am
Richt’s comments speak volumes about the problems with the UGA football program. It’s very distressing. If I were McGarity and read this, it would make my mind up for me as to whether Richt needs to remain as head coach.
Jeff Dorsey
October 6th, 2010
6:57 am
I remember when Coach Richt came to UGA & reading how many injuries they were having from the aggressive hitting & tackling in practice when Van Gorder was there. I remember going to the games & was astonished at how hard UGA hit in the games & was delighted that UGA had finally reached the elite in college football. Since that time coinciding with Van Gorder’s departure, Richts’ teams have not resembled that, not even close. After the Bama embarrassment in Athens, I awoke in Athens & made a comment to a friend that the only thing that would make me feel good about the Dawgs was if I walked out of Cont Ed & heard helments popping on the practice field. Low & behold, I read the paper later & Meyer has the Gaytors on the practice field on Sun morning after their embarrassment to Ole Miss. Rict can do all the gimics & ploys that he wants, but until he gets his teams’ attitude back to where it was when VG was there, UGA will continue to get its’ ass handed to them. I don’t care how many black jerseys, helments, prayers or whatever you have. the team that hits the hardest & has the nastiest attitude will win the game & championships. End of story.
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
7:16 am
All that God talk didn’t set well with you eh Lilburn?
MURPHY(not to be confused with poster under MURPH)
October 6th, 2010
7:38 am
We must our physical UT to win this came. I question if we have it in us.
Van Gorder is a stiff ...
October 6th, 2010
7:57 am
…sure wish you guys understood football so that you would know that he is just not that good of a coach, just ask Ga. Southern, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Falcons (Mike Smith is the leader of the D, just like Saban at AL). I will admit he is better than CWM, and I said so when CWM was named the coordinator when VG left, but he is no great shakes as a coach…
Douglas
October 6th, 2010
8:10 am
Disagree with you about van gorder..he may not be a great HC but he was a great DC at UGA. Concerning Mark Richt’s faith, he does have his priorities in order. However, that does not mean everything is going to go right for him…as a Christian myself, I am wondering if he is being tested right now as a coach or if maybe God is calling him to do something else other than coach.
NORRIS
October 6th, 2010
8:12 am
How can we be the favorite when we just lost to a team that isnt as good as Tennessee.
Cracker Jacket
October 6th, 2010
8:24 am
Worst Tech team since Bill Lewis! Johnson will jump ship faster than Bill Curry !
DJ Dawg
October 6th, 2010
8:24 am
Somethings wrong when he says he needs to give his OC more direction………….? Are you kidding me?
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
October 6th, 2010
8:37 am
hopefully the team will come out swinging on saturday. battle of the sec east worst. IMO, advantage DAWGS. maybe this will change crowell’s opinion of UGA.
Gainesville Dawg
October 6th, 2010
8:37 am
5150P’ Do you not get any sleep or have a job???????? You are totally obsessed with UGA. You need help to get a life.
I Have so much respect for Coach Richt. He will get the job done, maybe not in the time and way all of you coaches think, but he doesn’t report to you.
Give some healthy comments or criticism and support the Dawgs!!!!!
Some lame name here
October 6th, 2010
8:42 am
So many dumb@sses sp little time…….
jtdawg
October 6th, 2010
8:42 am
Van Gorder is a stiff…
Idiotic comment.
Ga Southern didn’t embrace him because he was dead set on rebuilding everything and his wife couldn’t keep her mouth shut. He didn’t embrace the tradition and wanted it all his way – had nothing to do with his coaching abilities
Van Gorder did an outstanding job with linebackers in Jacksonville. And even though Smitty does drive the philosophy, make no mistake, the fast and physical, ball hawking play the Falcons are adopting, quite nicely I might add, eerily resembles what he had going on in Athens.
Look at UGA 2000 – 2005 and then since. Georgia’s identity is directly related to Van Gorder and what he brought here.
Do you people even think before you post or just babble out loud?
JB
October 6th, 2010
8:42 am
Here’s hoping the economy get’s better so 5150 P O A D can get a job. Yesterday alone was 74 post, and i thought my 20 or so a day was obsessive.
jtdawg
October 6th, 2010
8:45 am
I have been a very harsh critic of Richt. There is no escaping the fact that he is very late to recognize defficiencies and address them.
However I very much like the introspective thought process he (being forced) is using. I think alot of us questioned the line of thinking when he decided to lay up on the spring and summer practice intensity. I remember all the injuries and it was devistating, but it’s a part of this league.
Too bad it takes 1 & 4 and an upset DawgNation to figure it out..
hipdawg
October 6th, 2010
8:46 am
he is too nice.that was the question about cmr when he got the job.well it seems to be true.get somebody w/ some fire in da belly
CDAWG
October 6th, 2010
8:48 am
You want to see something that will get you fired up and excited? Watch this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a63wht7yA4w&feature=player_embedded#!
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
8:49 am
Hey Altamaha……It’s not his religion. It’s comments like these:
Re: Refferring to Murray: “I don’t know exactly how many TD’s he’s thrown….”, (Which means: Saban would be able to quote how many handoffs, passes, yards rushed, pass attempts, percent of completions, his birth date, his mother’s maiden name, his shoe size, etc…….but I don’t even know how many touchdowns he’s thrown)
Re: Referring to Bobo: “I need to be a little more assertive in that way just to give him direction…..” (What’s not said: I need to give him orders and demand he do what I say)
On Caleb King: “We have not sat down and said who is going to start this week…..” (I would think the coach would know this by now)
Re: Thomas, Greene, and Gray: “I’m not even 100 percent sure on who would start the game …..” (Translation: We’ve been evaluating our players since spring practice began and we, the coaches, don’t have a clue who to put into the game)
Re: The Offensive Line: “I’d say across the board we just haven’t been good enough…..” (Me: I’d say you were right)
Re: The Defensive Coaches: “There is a learning curve for our coaches…..” (Translation: The coaches don’t know what to do either)
Re: The Defensive Players: “There is just no experience to draw from to say this is how we would handle that….” (Just no experience after all this time??)
Re: Leading the Team: “It’s been 10 years and I haven’t done it. I have to get out front and lead the pack………” (UGA FANS: Yeh, I’d say it’s about time the head coach led his team)
Re: Coaching the Players: “I get to hang out with you guys a lot, that’s fun.” (Translation: I’d much rather go bowling and swimming instead of practicing football)
Re: Fumbles: “I think they had three fumbles and we got zero. I think that’s right. I hate to say it but it’s looking a little bit like a year ago.” (What it reveals: No improvement from last year on this??)
Re: Making Plays Against the Colorado Defense: ““If they would just not block us I think we would make more plays like that.” (Response: Sorry Coach, but blocking in football is what it’s all about….it’s going to happen…..we can’t ask them not to do it)
Re: Practicing: “I think they had fun playing football and blocking and tackling”. (I’m so glad they had fun too…….but did they put out enough effort to learn anything and get better?? I’d rather you said you made them practice till dark and they did not enjoy it one bit but it made them tougher!!!)
Re: Tackling: “We haven’t been blocking and tackling good enough. I’m going back to my original philosophy when I came to Georgia and that’s when I would say it’s hard to get better blocking without blocking and tackling….” (Seems rather obvious to everyone but apparently not to the coaches that you don’t learn how to block and tackle without actually doing it!!!)
So yeh, when you tease the real meaning out of these kinds of statements, it is very revealing. Any all of Richt’s comments in interviews are flowered with these kind of insightful self-revelations. And all I want them to do is play some good old-fashioned football like we used to see in years past.
Some lame name here
October 6th, 2010
8:49 am
Players have never shown a lack of respect for richt, and as soon as the black athletes start getting in trouble for anything outside of the same things as the rest of the white students I will be the first to call them thugs…. Butbrightnnow they r just kids being kids.
Stop using them to value your pathetic life.
jtdawg
October 6th, 2010
8:50 am
And by the way, on the Van Gorder note….
Although I am leary about how he handled the Georgia Southern gig, I truly believe Van Gorder simply wanted to put his stamp on the program to prove himself. And I know plenty of people from Statesboro that despise hiom for it… but NONE of them question his ability to coach.
If the decision is made to let Richt go at some point if there isn’t improvement in the outlook of the team, Brian Van Gorder would be the FIRST candidate I would call if I were McGarity.
The respect he commands in the SEC is unmistakable. He LOVES Athens and the University immensely, and unlike GaSo, he understands and respects the Bulldog Nation and the Dawg Tradition. And most importantly, he understands how to coach and demand big boy, physical, hard-nosed football, and that is UGA all the way…
GATA!!!
Lilburn Dawg
October 6th, 2010
8:52 am
Altamaha……..Sorry, the above comment was from me, Lilburn Dawg. Don’t know how your name got there instead of mine.
godoggo
October 6th, 2010
8:54 am
I agree with most of your comments 5150……and Yes, it would be interesting to “watch Vince, watch his Son, Coach against his former Team”….that’s a made for TV movie ? Can you imagine how animated it would look if Vince was “Velcro’d” to a chair watching the game ? He’d tear those bindings off like Lindsay Lohan going for a bottle of Belvedere : ) in her cell.
Say what some of you wanna say about Vince…..but I’d be mighty proud to have him as either a Coach, Father, or friend even though im a Gator!
Yes, a Gator. Im a closet Dawg fan though…even had my pic taken with Uga….I’ve also been fortunate to spend some quality time with his Daughter’s family, and they are just as classy and genuine. Great people ! For that matter, I had No idea who her Father was for the first year I knew her and the family ?
Im looking for UGA to prevail by 6…..with Mark leading them on the field !
Go Dogs (except in Jax), and Gators too !
icallbs
October 6th, 2010
8:55 am
Ahhhh…techsters can’t wait to hit the UGA blog topics. I do understand, though. GT will always have a ceiling and that must be incredibly frustrating. UGA will always have a shot at championships in a meaningful conference and on the national level, short-term dips in the program notwithstanding. Oh, and they will always own tech on the football field, regardless of how they may be playing against legitimate competition.
Frank Lane
October 6th, 2010
8:55 am
When Richt was hired I asked Jamie Dukes if he would be a good head coach. He said he would if he remembered that the SEC was a physical conference, not a finesse conference like the ACC. I guess we are seeing a loss of memory here.
RussDawg
October 6th, 2010
9:00 am
Some folks have a intersting outlook. This team could easily be 4-1 what are you smokin?
This team is an EPIC FAIL at all of the basics of pop warner football.
We don’t block, We don’t tackle. We don’t score 7’s against mediocre teams.
Unless CMR can pull off a hail mary and win out this will be a no bowl season and when is the last time that happened?
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 6th, 2010
9:06 am
Not a word about the mascot situation. I think that is telling. Not a word.
GRANDMA CROWELL
October 6th, 2010
9:07 am
I AM NOT GOING TO LET MY BABY COME OVER TO YOUR HELL HOLE.
MR. SABAN HAS PROMISED ME HE WILL BE VERY HAPPY IN TUSCALOOSA,
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 6th, 2010
9:12 am
I remember when Coach Bowden came out on the field holding his players’ hands. How did that work out for him? When I was just a pup, I wanted to be the next Uga. I watched as they picked around me and got dogs with bad hearts, weak bladders, and no teeth. Still, I held out hope though I have a brown a$$. Well, I finally get a shot as “temporary” mascot and what do they do? They paint my a$$! How humiliating! What kind of people paint a little dog’s a$$?
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
9:12 am
NP, I know nobody want’s the baggage of actually stealing my name in here.
But it is amazing to me how something as complicated as running a college football program , which involved hundreds of people, multiple sets of unforseen circumstances, years of recruiting, both players and staff, a list of other things stuff that the fans can’t even comprehend the complexity of, and somehow we can quickly access the issue by taking a look at a handful of comments and injecting your own personal opinion as to what he “meant” to say (some of which was just plain petty) carved out of a press conference. At the very least you have to understand that no coach is going to give anything but scripted coach-speak answer to predictably subjective questions where obviously he isn’t going to elaborate.
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:29 am
So Richt admits soft practicing because he’s afraid of injuries. Awful. That’s why they aren’t ready to play. Tennesse ain’t gonna hit you softly.
So now we know Bobo is solely responsible for this vanilla offense.
Its great that Richt is a good religious man but UGA needs a good football coach that coaches with some passion.
Russ
October 6th, 2010
9:31 am
One would think that with all the cheating, recruiting of thug wannabes and morons, and a saintly coach who’s making $4 million a year, that the dawgturds could manage something better. So let’s summarize the current situation:
0 SEC wins
1 AD forced to resign in shame and 1 pair of red panties
1 win overall
4 losses
0-3 SEC record
10 arrests
But there is one bit of good news – you have a lock on the Fulmer/Richt Cup! :-)
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
9:36 am
I saw that too DJ. Everytime CMR holds a press conference he sticks his foot in his mouth somewhere.
Alt, if you analyze CMR’s statements they never say anything, they beat around the bush. Maybe that’s his style, his skill level at communicating, I’m not sure. I listen to other coaches and hear statements, direct comments addressing or answering questions. Personally, I’ve had enough of CMR and the way the program is run. I’m ready for a change in Leadership, Direction, Intensity, Results ! ! !
I realize unfortuately he may get another year, as a result I’ve changed my Saturday schedule around. As much as I love the Dawgs, I have checked out, there are just to many other important things to do in life. I’m not invested into this CMR coached team at this point, I’m 53, been a Dawg follower, fan, supporter, for 42 of those years. I’ve seen enough of this once proud program sinking to bottom of the SEC. I love the Dawgs but just can’t bear to listen to the lame retoric any longer.
As a conservative southerner politically speaking, watching the Dawgs program sinking is kind of like watching our “Once Great Country” being eroded by high paid “carpet bagging” politicians. The only thing that can save us is change, beginning at the top. This country is now full of kool aid drinkers and the Bulldawg Nation has more than their fair share.
Good Day to the “Real Dawgs”
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:36 am
Didn’t California (a weak PAC-10 team) beat Colorado like 58-14 earlier this year ? Tenn 34 UGA 21
In Shock
October 6th, 2010
9:37 am
CMR and the Dawgs find a way Saturday. I’m betting it want be pretty, but it will be a W. The man can coach. This season is over, but a win Saturday can be a building block for getting the swag back. You can do it coach, I beleive in you.
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:39 am
I don’t plan on watching the Soft Dawgs game Saturday. Why waste 4 hours of my life on a team that doesn’t give 100 % ? I’d rather watch paint dry…
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:40 am
If it was LSU playing UGA all of you would say LSU would win. Well Tenn just beat LSU (except for a dumb 13 man penalty). How can UGA be a 13 point favorite ?
Tide Roll
October 6th, 2010
9:41 am
Richt: God wants you to start A. J. Harmon at Right Guard.
Doubledawgs
October 6th, 2010
9:43 am
I just read that Paul Johnson is tired of excuses and he is going to be up the players behind until they play up to their potential. I wonder if CMR has ever been up the players behind. He certainly hasnt indicated that he has in any public comments. I think it is time for our players and coaches to “man up”!
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:44 am
God wants him to put super glue on King’s & Ealey’s hands too.
As well as shown a little fire on the sideline when you’re getting beat by two touchdowns. Also when Vance Cuff makes a stupid unsportsmanlike penalty…
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:46 am
Paul Johnson shows the fire and has told the public and players his team will get better or else. Richt just says he hopes his team gets better. Now who is the better coach here ? Johnson hands down !
Another Change
October 6th, 2010
9:49 am
I have another suggestion to go along with leading the team out on the field and praciticing in pads on Monday. Take the names off of the backs of the jersies until we find an identity. If you want your name associated with UGA, go earn it!
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:49 am
Paul Johnson quote :
I’m not trying to be their friend, I’m trying to be their coach.”
Richt is just the UGA players friend…
Wednesday links and schedule « Sports 180 with Josh Ward & Will West
October 6th, 2010
9:50 am
[...] This is kind of a big game for Mark Richt and Georgia. Here’s his press conference transcript. (AJC) [...]
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:52 am
Richt, why didn’t you show SC,Arkansas,Missy St,and Colorado you “can play some football” ? UGA can play some football its just that all the other teams can play it too and better than UGA can…
Ralph
October 6th, 2010
9:54 am
The former “Fulmer Award” team UT against the current record holder for arrests in thUGA might be a game full of penalties. Expect it to go over 4 hours with all of the time outs to explain the penalties.
from cfn.com
October 6th, 2010
9:54 am
1. Georgia
The Problem: 1980. Thirty years ago. That’s the last time Georgia won the national title, and outside of a decent run in 2002, it hasn’t been close to the grand prize since losing to Penn State in the 1983 Sugar Bowl. Mark Richt was supposed to change all of that.
91-31 overall, 50-25 in SEC play (with 11 of those losses by seven points or fewer), and with two SEC championships, Richt has done a fantastic job over his nine year, five game run. However, Florida and LSU have won two national titles each during that time, Alabama has won once, and Auburn was close to getting one of its own in 2004. Georgia, to use Richt’s words, has never been able to “finish the drill” despite having the No. 1 team in the country in 2008 and being strong enough to be close in 2002, 2004, and 2005.
This year’s team was supposed to be good. We might have been nuts to put the Dawgs No. 3 in our preseason rankings, and while we were wrong, there was a reason we went so overboard. Based on the talent coming into the season (and assuming A.J. Green would be there from the start), there was just enough on both sides of the ball to come up with a special year if the offensive backfield was solid. The offensive backfield has been a bowl of pudding, and 2010 has been special in a much different way starting out 1-4 with an 0-3 start in SEC play and with an unforgivable loss to a mediocre Colorado team. Meanwhile, Alabama is once again front and center in the national title chase, LSU is 5-0, and Florida, for all its problems, appears to be the lead dog in the SEC East race.
The Solution: Cut bait. 2008 was the real hot seat season for Richt with a heater of a team led by Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, and A.J. Green, and it didn’t happen. If that team couldn’t win the national title, it’ll never happen under Richt. That was the Dawgs’ chance.
Richt is a great guy and the type of coach you’d love to have leading your program, but Georgia has been lapped by Florida, Alabama, and LSU, and there’s no sign of that changing soon with the emergence of Auburn and Arkansas as powers, too. It’s time to make a decision right now on what Georgia’s real goals are. If so, then keep Richt, go to bowls every year, and be a solid eight-to-ten win team after this storm passes. Otherwise, if it’s national title-or-bust, you realize that the rest of this season doesn’t matter, you fire Richt, and you find your new coach as soon as possible to get a jump on recruiting. Make the change after the season and you’re dead come early February and you’re a year behind in the process.
Take a look at Temple’s Al Golden before Penn State does. Try to gauge Jim Harbaugh’s interest to see if he’s looking to make his next jump to the NFL or to a bigger name program. Fine-tooth the contract of Texas-head-man-in-waiting, Will Muschamp, think about Illinois offensive coordinator, Paul Petrino, and see if Brady Hoke might have any interest in leaving San Diego for Athens.
Georgia, it’s time to become a national title contender. It would be nice if Richt could be the one to make that happen, but he won’t be.
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:55 am
If UGA loses at home to forever rival Tenn. its over for Mark Richt at UGA.
Friend of UGA
October 6th, 2010
9:56 am
Somehow, at this point in time, I do not feel that many UGA fans have faith in, or give a damn about, what Richt says. They have heard it all befor. What that recruit Cowell says is a lot more meaningful. Man up and make the needed change, UGA!
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
9:58 am
Alabama’s defense has like 9 freshman & sophmores starting. They will onlt get better and they’re the best right now.
BFALCON
October 6th, 2010
9:59 am
***Breaking News*** Ricth to step down.UGA to replace him with a Chinese coach. NGUYEN WON SOON. Every UGA fan need this to release some tension. If UGA does not beat UT, the season is a lost cause will go 3 and 9 rest of the way. Bobo has to go.
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
10:01 am
Throw Joey Jones name in to take a look at. He may be a “diamond” just waiting to be cut. I’ve put him up for discussion numerous times; has anyone else taken a look at his credentials and record?
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
10:02 am
I’ve heard of that coach in China. He’s the brother of Sum Cumm Yung.
buckeyedawg
October 6th, 2010
10:03 am
i like what i heard from cmr. the good coaches can see not only mistakes of others but also thiers. the fact that he can admit that he changed philosaphy and it didnt work is great. that he needs to go back to what he feels will to inprove the dawgs is great. it takes a great man to do that. nobody wants to tell others they need to change. there is nothing we can do about the past. but you give cmr time he will turn it around. he showed us that before. i only want recruits that bleed red and black, a player that will fight for ga on the field no matter what record or score. those are the kind of players that will win. dawg nation be positive the dawgs will rise again
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
10:05 am
That rising will be in 2020 after Saban and Meyer have 10 more SEC & national titles together. You willing to wait 10 years ?
mcdaviddawg
October 6th, 2010
10:05 am
He doesn’t have a clue. Fire Richt!
TazzDawg
October 6th, 2010
10:10 am
most just babble!
TazzDawg
October 6th, 2010
10:12 am
You know your season stinks when your team is on Peachtree TV!
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
10:13 am
I can see hoe the Tenn game will play out now…
UGA up 21-14 4th Quarter and its a 4th and 4 from the 50 yard line for Tenn. but Cuff runs into punter. Tenn drive continues and they tie it 21-21. UGA fumbles kickoff and Tenn. scores quickly to go up 28-21.
UGA drives 80 yards to the 4 yard line with 12 seconds left. King fumbles and a Tenn lb scoops it up and takes it in for the score making it 34-21 (xtra point not tried cause game over). Final score 34-21
Trix Is For Kids
October 6th, 2010
10:18 am
Can I get the physical mailing address to Sanford stadium ? I’ve got 20 cases of gorilla glue I want to send to Caleb King & Washaun Ealey.
buckeyedawg
October 6th, 2010
10:21 am
the clue, life like football has its up and downs. you have good times and bad. everybody struggles. please tell me of a team that didnt go on a winning streak and then never loose at some time. look at cower for pitts. peterno for penn st and others i could mention. those coaches with time were able to right the ship. cmr will do the same because he is able to see what worked and what is not working. i would rather have someone who is a veteran coach that realizes needs and changes than someone who thinks they know everything like you
RxDawg
October 6th, 2010
10:22 am
Article – A
Richt’s comments – A
Bloggers comments – F
In Shock
October 6th, 2010
10:31 am
Trix is for Kids…. go find something to do.
These bleachers have eyes
October 6th, 2010
10:33 am
Heavy scrutiny on Richt starts at home. Alumni will be chatting at the pre game sausage and biscuit gathering at Alums House and at the Pres of the University’s home,etc. Hot coffee, bloody Mary’s and biscuits. Hmm, good !!
The money boys in other words, will be enjoying adult bevarages and sausage and biscuits.
They ( we ) will be letting Greg McGarity know our feelings. They will have his ear. He is from Athens and has many old UGA pals around htere and Atlanta. He will listen.
Come game time ………..AD McGarity will observe the fans and how they react and how UGA players react in adverse conditions at home. He will guage how they defend the home turf, literally. He will watch the coacches ……….how they interact with the players and vice versa. Game conditions will be very, very intense.
The scrutiny is intense right now ……………..Richt if he wins out, can turn it around. He must exhibit his ability to rally the troops vs UT, Florida and Auburn and KY and Vandy, then GT. iF he can win MOST of the rest of the games ………..he can say, well we took long enough time for the kids to grow in our new D scheme and for our Frosh QB to settle in. If not??? Um, ah, you all know.
It is the way it is ……….. because these Sanford Stadium bleachers have eyes.
UGA class of 71 & 73
Still@theBAR
October 6th, 2010
10:33 am
Whoever keeps posting as Russ and then doesen’t even know his wrecord is stupid.
Russ has 2 Wins last year and 1 win this year and 4 losses
Russ is 3-4 with this weeks game he could have a .500 record.
DooleyNoted
October 6th, 2010
10:39 am
Huge game for both teams. I think the line has more to do with Georgia’s ability to score and UT not being able to keep up. If Ga scores more than 17 they win, if not UT does. GBO!
ol' balls coach
October 6th, 2010
10:40 am
Greatest respect for CMR the man, but as a coach he has lost his way. Even the interview reads more like a politician hedging his comments than a passionate, confident coach.
Still@theBAR
October 6th, 2010
10:45 am
How many FOR SALE signs do you think will fit in Bobo’s front yard if the Dawgs do lose? Dawgs should win but If they do I really don’t understand Introducing UGA VIII this season.
Still@theBAR
October 6th, 2010
11:00 am
Barbara Dooley just planted Drugs and a gun in Blair Walsh’e room. When Blair gets arrested how will the Dawgs score?
blazer
October 6th, 2010
11:05 am
Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!
reebok
October 6th, 2010
11:07 am
the team is 1-4 and the Head Coach doesn’t know how many TD’s his QB has passed for? wouldn’t that be kind of a nice thing to know?
Mac
October 6th, 2010
11:11 am
Has anyone seen this chart? One of the writers at ChuckOliver.net put this up. It has Cox, Murray, Shockley, Greene and Staffords numbers together and breaks them down. It pretty much just says don’t get down on Murray. But the stats are great.
I happen to agree. I think Murray has played great for a Freshman in the SEC. I think this ship will right itself.
http://chuckoliver.net/?p=7726
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
11:17 am
Mobile you are contridicting yourself. If you accept that Richt has a habit of saying nothing of much substance at a presser, how on earth would you “analyze” it. That’s my point.
I guess I just don’t have the option of tuning out UGA. I am invested. Always have been, always will be, win or lose. Plus for me, doesn’t matter if it’s the debate team, if its UGA, I’m a fan. I also have never categorized which other important things in my life were more of less inportant than watching the football team depending on if they are winning or not. Those categories are pretty much the same no matter what. Has nothing to do with condoning losing, or acceping mediocracy. I love the game, I love the school. I prefer to win, but if they don’t its still interesting to me. The Coach(s)….that all works itself out in time, always does, so I don’t waste mine pretending I have some influence in it. I also don’t need to complain about it to feel smart or edgy. I’m a simpleton. I like the guy, I pull for him. Mostly because he IS the coach of the team I want to succeed until somebody else is. I’ll like the next one and the next one, I’ll pull for them too. I’m also not a big grass is always greener guy.
egeagle
October 6th, 2010
11:23 am
BVG supporters, you are cracked if you think he is a good head coach. DC,? Top-notch. He trashed our proud system and then ducked and ran after a season filled with lackluster, half-hearted efforts. He belongs where he is.
What Crowell is confident about is that reporters ask permission of Saban and other Bama big wheels before they print anything about the Bama program. Regardless of how guilty they of malfeasance, they hang together.
Richt ’s main problem is that he’s a nice guy. PJ is a heckuva coach. I almost wish Ga and Tech could trade.
LLoyd Christmas
October 6th, 2010
11:24 am
Well suck me sideways!
After successfully building and maintaining a worm farm, I know I could do a better job of running this program.
LLoyd Christmas
October 6th, 2010
11:27 am
I went out to Boulder, but I expected the Rocky mountains to be a little rockier. The land was completely flat as far as the eye could see. That John Denver was full of $hit man!
Ed
October 6th, 2010
12:42 pm
Richt can be surprisingly long-winded. But he says very little of substance. Mark Richt for U.S. Senate, anyone?
Ed
October 6th, 2010
12:43 pm
Lloyd, I think all the big mountains are west of the Denver area.
87dawg
October 6th, 2010
12:44 pm
I have to guess coach wasn’t paying attention to King’s fumble because it happened well after the handoff. King took it cleanly from Murray and took 2 steps before just dropping the thing. I swer, you’d almost think our backfield is on the take the way they keep losing the ball in critical situations.
And it was funny when King said he never got the ball from the quarterback. Uh huh…….We saw what happened.
The obvious question
October 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
“God is the No. 1 focus of my life, period.”
So, that means his family is probably the #2 focus of his life.
The obvious question then is how much focus does he have left over to devote to being a winning head football coach at a D-1 school?
DawgsOnline » Lesson (re)learned
October 6th, 2010
1:19 pm
[...] The key bit of news has been a return to harder-hitting practices with greater emphasis on contact. Richt explained how things got to that point: A lot of it had to do with the one season when we had 32 guys hurt going into the year. You start [...]
Crazy Vol
October 6th, 2010
1:36 pm
Response to “from cfn.com”:
What are you – Stupid?
Believe me – as a Vol fan – I know what UGA is going through…. and so do Auburn fans.
However, 2009 season was truely a transition.
This season – switching to a 3/4 is very difficult – Saban went 6-6 his first year at BAMA – and he stated that it takes more than an off season to fully transition and change the culture to a 3/4.
Lastly – you do not fire a coach mid-season – and seek new coaches – in med-season.
1. Any successful coach is not going to talk publicly in midseason and disrupt his team – (except Petrino).
2. If a decision is made to go another direction – it will come at the end of the season.
jawga boy
October 6th, 2010
1:46 pm
Yeah, I guess you can say we have two teams desparate for an SEC win, but it ain’t UGA AND UT…….the two teams are our OFFENSE and DEFENSE. Both of those teams are desparate for a win. Let’s put a whole game TOGETHER guys, and FINISH THE DRILL!
59bulldawg
October 6th, 2010
2:02 pm
“I have to be more assertive to let Mike (Bobo) know certain situations. Sometimes if a coach knows he has three downs to get two yards instead of two downs to get two yards, he may call that a little bit different.”
Ummm . . . shouldn’t BooBoo know that already? Just saying!
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
BTW, Mobiledawg, I wasn’t intending any better or worse fan status interpretation there. I don’t think there is any such thing. Just different perspectives.
I’ve found (some small measure of) joy from watching Murray grown up week by week. No matter what happens to the staff, these are the boys we will be watching for next few years, so that a reason to still pay attention for me.
On the staff: it is not thier “fault” that they are employed right now. Nobody actually expects them to resign right now. That is probably easier for some of them, but what kind of coach would do that to their players? And no University worth a damn is going to fire them untill its all played out an evaluated. So even if so convinced they all or some, need to go next year, if I were so, I’d still be watching , and pulling for them. I’m not going to penalize myself by refusing to watch. Like I said, the game is fascinating to me, even sometimes to disect what is going wrong.
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
It’s very easy to analyze CMR Altamaha. Like I’ve said before, I’ve never personally met him so I can’t judge him based on that. I don’t understand the contradiction you speak of. I do however admire your laid back attitude and very non emotional approach, and common sense logic you use to rationalize and make your points. Sometimes, often times, I wish I could more paced in my temperament.
Without meeting him, the next best thing you can do would be to listen to what he says, how he says it, the words and soft paraphrases he uses, his body language, and finally the results of his body of work lately. We’ve beaten it to death, with all the talent in 2007 and 2008 we weren’t able to get up for the big games. We haven’t won a game of substancial substance in memory, with the exception of one win over UF in 07 and it had no monumental implications as far as being nationally important.
I have lost the “looking forward to Saturday, game day juice” I used to have. I posted a while back about how I missed UGA football, what it meant to me> The University is special within itself along with all things associated for sure. But for me, maybe I’m in the minority, there was nothing more special than “Game Day”. I hold CMR accountable for me not enjoying the experience as it should be enjoyed. His laid back attitude and responses, or lack of responses, to all the adversity has solidly cemented my decision to not support his future employement with UGA. He has made a lot of $$$ to watch over, maintain, and improve our main money making asset at the University of Georgia. The loyal family he’s built, at our expense, has failed the Georgia faithful and family, and IMO, it’s time for a change. I respect yours and everyone elses opinion, just voicing mine along with debating a few of you on the real issues.
Good afternoon to all fellow Dawgs….
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
2:17 pm
It’s not a refusal to watch, I watched a good bit of the Colorado game. We were surfing between that and the Bama/Fla game. Living over here can be challenging football wise. My wifes an AU grad, my father in law went to Bama, he tried to walk on and play for the Bear but was told by Bryant to go grow up a little more. Anyway it’s more of if it’s convenient at this time.
I think you’re right Alt, we can always pick out a bright spot to enjoy if we open our eyes, i.e. Murray. That’s one reason I enjoy exchanging opinions with you. I sometimes find a ground in what you say.
BTW, where did you get you handle? Are you a river rat?
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
2:20 pm
Is it so difficult to understand the statement of “Putting God #1 in your life.”? It’s not about allocating finite resources. Folks who profess to have great faith in GOD do so because they feel it makes them BETTER husbands, and fathers, and people, and yes, football coaches (or whatever they do for a living.) Not sure I have seen anyplace in the bible where God was presenting himself to be the reason that you short change those around you.
There was something quite “obvious” about that question all right.
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
2:25 pm
Crazy Vol, no logical fan wants a change in mid season. Problem is our coach is not a proactive guy. A proactive coach would have recognized WM’s problems long before the defense had deterioated to the sieve level.
CMR only replaced him because he knew he had to. Same with others on the staff now. I expect that at a minimum the offensive side of the house will be turned upside down at the end of this year along with strength and conditioning. CMR may salvage his job by doing that. I’m of the opinion that he shouldn’t have to be put into a corner to force change, therefore, he should also be gone.
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
2:33 pm
I have a deep faith in God, but I keep it within my perspective. I don’t share it with others vocally. In todays politically correct United States of America unfortuately when you’re a business person, or public figure, it’s not always the smart thing to do to be so open and forward with your religion.
It’s OK if CMR prays privately for answers, prays for his players, or for whatever, or whomever, he wants to pray for. It’s just not always the smart thing to do to be so public with it. That’s just my opinion.
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
2:37 pm
NO, he didnt replace WM due to pressure. No coach is going to replace his entire defensive staff the summer that they just finished #2, playing as well as anybody in the country, and everybody has them #1 going in. 2008 was a miracle that they won 10 games with basically about 3 defender on the team by the end of the year. He gave Willie and his assistants ONE year to get it together, they couldn’t, he made a move.
OnePunchNelson
October 6th, 2010
2:44 pm
Did Richt actually use the word “emotional” ? I’m not sure he knows that word!
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
2:50 pm
And I’ll bet the farm that IF he can indentify a change in the Offensive staff that will be a position move going forward, he will do it without hesitation, and not because of any pressure to make a move so the sake of saying he make some change. IMO way too much of that goes on at some places, and it rarely works out.
I think what frustrates people about Mark Richt is that they try to project what they think he should do, but they are basing that on assumption, or criteria, that aren’t the same the way he sees it. So obviously he isn’t going to act the same as your would when he doesn’t see the situation the same.
OnePunchNelson
October 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
The team takes on the personality of the coach… look at the play and look at the coach on the sidelines… identical.
The obvious question
October 6th, 2010
3:53 pm
I see a contradiction between being a man of God and being a football coach. Football is about going out and knocking your opponent senseless. It is a brutal, tough game that requires a hard, mean attitude toward the guy on the other side of the ball. I cannot square that with the message of Jesus. Seriously, would Jesus play football? I think not.
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
3:57 pm
Except that he looks the same at 13-1 as he does at 1-4. Explain please.
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
4:02 pm
So all football coaches, and by your logic, all football players, and to a lesser extent, football fans, need to be godless men?
ATL4LSU
October 6th, 2010
4:12 pm
UGA better not underestimate UT’s running back Poole. He is one tough back.
I bet he puts up 100+ on the Dawgs.
I see this one going UT’s way early, squeeeeeeeker in the end.
I like Aaron Murray’s play a lot. He has turned into one of SEC better QBs.
UGA is just having problems running the ball. UT is tougher on Defense than their record shows.
One team is going to win and get bragging rights for a year.
The obvious question
October 6th, 2010
4:14 pm
Yes
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
I think CMR ignored the numbers WM’s defense put up. The only reason UGA won in 07 and 08 was they outscored their opponents. My belief is he did cave in to pressure. He will do the same this year, mark my words, heads will roll this year, if his isn’t one of them.
If CMR had the programs best interests as his criteria he would have made a move at the end of 2008, however illogical it seems to you Alt. The numbers don’t lie. This defense was honestly in steady decline since Van Gorder left, and I’ve never mentioned Van Gorder’s name in any post I’ve ever made.
I would like to know the real story on CTG also. Did CMR throttle him?
Ron Smith
October 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
SAD UGA 17 UT 31
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
7:42 pm
Throttle in what way?
HeHateGator
October 6th, 2010
7:52 pm
I thought Richt was great the first couple years he was here, seemed to be on top of everything….now, he just seems out of touch with just about everything…if he doesn’t know by Wednesday who’s playing, what kind of game plan do they have?…also, sounds like he’s guessing he needs to add input here or tinker with something somewhere but not real sure…he’s been on autopilot for way too long now and appears to just now be waking up…
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
8:13 pm
It’s a pretty sure bet Richt has never ignored any statistical information about his football team. He may not have interpreted the numbers in the same way as you, me, whomever, but ignored????
When you drill down into the numbers there is always more than meets the eye. Great example would this idea that WM number got worse every year, which is not true. There were categories that his numbers actually improved at some specific year. There were also numbers in which he had better than BVG in a particular category in a particular year. And as far as score surrendered. While its technically true that his numbers did go up 3 or 4 points per year, in 05,06,07….that actually was under the pace that scoring as a whole was on the rise in the SEC over that span. It got away in 2008 and 2099. But any fair minded observer would say that he scoring was affected by the offense and special teams spotting the other guys 7-10 points every game. I actually don’t think it was the scoring that cost him the job frankly. It was the recruiting and development.
I believe Richt made a decision about the defensive coaching philosophy as a whole and not because he was just looking at the raw numbers.
I would also submit that a very important benefit from being very thoughtful and calculating before making coaching moves is that when you do have to make there, there is no shortage of Assistant around the country that respect just such a thing.
Mobile Dawg
October 6th, 2010
8:29 pm
Strictly rumor Altamaha, I have no first hand knowledge, but word on the blog said they saw an ESPN interview with CTG stating he had been told to “tone it down”. I’m sure there are more people that can shed some light on that subject.
I will concede that Willie’s defense was placed in “awkward situations” on more than one or two occasions. I think CMR single handedly lost the AU game in 05 with his play calling late in the game, which gave AU the ball back, and they proceeded to score the winning TD after the 4th and 15 conversion.
AltamahaDawg
October 6th, 2010
10:52 pm
What I saw him say is that he was discovering that it was a lot different dealing with college kids , than it was dealing with paid professional men in the NFL. To what degree he was given advice about that from Richt, I would hope so. But the idea that Richt told him to “tone it down” for the sake of being so??? I have a hard time buying that.
What I see from Grantham thuis far during the game is that he is completely focused on just calling the next play. I don’t see him having much time on his hand to be worried about tone. Him screaming and yelling would not impress me in the least anyway. I’d be more interested in him giving instructions to his player for the next 25 second to come. Plus, learning what it takes to do his own job as well right now. We are not talking about an experienced college co-ordinator here. Likely we see his tone all over the spectrum before he figures it out exactly right.
BTW, I don’t see Bud Foster, or Kirby Smart, or Charlie Strong being that animated during the game. Some DC actually are in the booth, and not even in contract with players face to face, game time. I am positive that they are, as I am sure Grantham is, very animated and toned up during the mid week when it matters.
Andy in Blairsville
October 7th, 2010
8:30 am
Just join the Big East where the tradition of Georgia mediocrity will suddenly turn into conference domination.
With FL and AL so strong, UGA doesn’t have a snowballs chance in reaching a NC game for at least another decade.
Jborodawg
October 7th, 2010
11:19 am
CrazyVol …@136
Thx! You fire a good coach and you get what you deserve. Coach Richt will turn this around. Keep the faith Dawgs fans.
Go Dawgs! GATA and beat the Vowels!
zoopslick
October 7th, 2010
8:09 pm
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CANTONDAWG
October 8th, 2010
1:21 pm
JTDAWG,
Van Gorder took a team that went 10-3 and made second round of playoff to 3-8 and worst record in GSU History. He’s a horrible head coach. However, he is a pretty good DC.