Mailbag: What’s wrong with O-line, who’ll play D-end and is it the end for Sturdivant?
THE MAILBAG
“The Mailbag” is something I did fairly regularly over at the AJC Recruiting Blog. So I figured I’d lug it over here to the UGA Blog and see if it’s something you guys might want to utilize.
Each week, I’ll ask you to send in questions you’d like to see answered on all things Dog to UGAmailbag@yahoo.com. Being the first week, the volume of letters/messages I got this week was understandably low compared to what I generally received on recruiting. Hopefully that will pick up as I continually hound you guys to write in.
We’ll mostly talk football and basketball, but those who wrote in and/or read the Recruiting Mailbag know that I make it a point to not to limit topics. So we ended up occasionally talking “Entourage” and other such guilty TV pleasures (Modern Family, Survivor, The Office are some others I watch). But Georgia and SEC sports will, of course, be our bread and butter.
So that’s enough of that. Let’s rip open this first mailbag and see what we’ve got . . .
Patrick from Roswell asks: It seems like UGA has grabbed a bunch of 4- and 5-star running backs and wide receivers over the years that haven’t produced much. But to me, the bigger concern is all of the top rated-offensive linemen we have recruited over the last few years that seem to have disappeared. It seems that the physical tools of a top-rated OL would translate more consistently from HS to College than a RB or WR, so why is our line so consistently bad with all these top recruits we get? And can we blame the surprisingly terrible production from top running backs like Caleb King, Richard Samuel and Washaun Ealey on the line?
This guy didn't suck.
Neither did this guy
Chip: Tell the truth, you’re really “Tide Roll” who hijacks every blog every day to talk about this, right? . . . Nevertheless, Georgia has had some failures and misses on the offensive line in recent years and that has contributed to some recent struggles. But that happens everywhere. And it’s certainly not the epidemic you describe. Granted, the Bulldogs didn’t run the ball very well last year, finishing 10th in the league in rushing offense (142 ypg). But they almost never come in that low in the past. They were fifth in 2008 and consistently in the top third the rest of the decade.
As for individual linemen, Georgia has at least one drafted almost every year. Clint Boling, last year’s starter at left tackle, is projected to go as early as the second round in this year’s NFL draft. The Bulldogs have had two All-American offensive linemen in the last eight years in Max Jean-Gilles and Jon Stinchcomb, the latter of which is wearing a 2010 Super Bowl championship ring.
But I hear what you’re saying. Georgia has lost more than its share of offensive linemen the last few years. Austin Long (back) and Brent Benedict (knee) both came in with preexisting serious injuries. They were also 5-star prospects, so it’s understandable why the Dogs took chances on them (and the book on them isn’t written yet). Career-ending injuries wiped out a few other guys. I’d say it’s a run of bad luck more than anything.
Beach Dawg asks: Chip, glad to see you on the blog. My question does not really relate to UGA but I think most people want to know what’s happening at AJC Sports. Are you now officially not doing recruiting and how does you blog relate to Bill King’s blog?
Chip: I am no longer the recruiting reporter, though I will occasionally report on recruiting here and there. I’m the UGA beat writer. As for the blog belonging to Bill King, aka The Junkyard Blawg, I guess you could say our blogs are distant cousins. Bill is a dyed-in-wool Georgia fan who happens to work at a newspaper. His is a fans’ blog and he writes from that perspective. The purpose of this blog is to provide “news, notes and discussion about University of Georgia sports.” Or at least that’s what it says on the right of this webpage.
Abry Jones is the only D-lineman with any significant experience. (AJC photo)
Bo asks: How is the two-deep rotation shaping up at D-line? I think we know who the starters will be, but how do the coaches feel about the drop off between the first and units?
Chip: If you’re D-line coach Rodney Garner, the best thing you have to say about Georgia’s two-deep on the defensive front is you’ve got one. But Garner would say that if he still had Marcus Stroud backing up Richard Seymour. The truth is, the Bulldogs are largely unproven but not necessarily under-staffed up front. Kwame Geathers’ MVP-type play in the spring was a big surprise and a huge boost for the whole of the D-line. Along with JUCO transfer John Jenkins and redshirt freshman Mike Thorton, they appear to have solid depth at noseguard. At end, only Abry Jones with four starts last year has any significant experience. Deangelo Tyson is a former noseguard and Brandon Burrows, Derrick Lott, Dexter Morant and Garrison Smith are all young and inexperienced. But, as they say, they all came highly recommended, and at least a couple of them are going to have to step up and play. I like what I saw and heard out of Lott. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see the coaching staff to ask Ray Drew to try to play with his hand on the ground as a true freshman.
SUHatter asks: What is your opinion on the Hutson Mason/Christian LeMay situation? Who should redshirt and who should be the backup? And who is Mr. Brave, Dale Murphy or Chipper Jones?
Chip: Thanks for playing again, Hatter, and I like your questions. First of all, I see the Mason/LeMay “situation” as pretty much a no-brainer. I think Mason plays and LeMay redshirts. And that’s not because I think Mason is better than LeMay. LeMay may end up being better than both Mason and Aaron Murray. But LeMay, a midyear enrollee from Matthews, N.C., simply hasn’t had enough time in the UGA playbook. Mason, on the other hand, has spent a whole year mastering that side of the game. He was telling me after the G-Day game how he could’t believe how much better “it clicked” for him this time around. LeMay, of course, didn’t play his senior season in high school. So I say he redshirts and gets back into the race to backup — or possibly beat out — Murray in 2012. If I had any doubts about that notion, Mark Richt erased them with his comments on the subject following the G-Day game: “I think Christian LeMay right now is only competing with the playbook,” he said. “Really you can’t play that position unless you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t even say it’s a competition right now.” So there you go.
As for your brave Braves question, it’s not even close for me. Dale Murphy is “Mr. Brave.” And I think that’d be the case for the many of us who had the unique pleasure of watching Big No. 3 from $4 general admission seats at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Of course, they both rank behind “The Great and Most Honorable Brave,” Hank Aaron.
Sturdivant
EaglesDawg72 asks: Where does Trinton Sturdivant go from here? Even if he is granted a sixth year of eligibility, how likely is it than an NFL team would take a chance on him?
Chip: If you ask me (and clearly you are), Sturdivant simply goes back to class. He’s actually quite good at that. A bright and affable young man, Sturdivant is pretty close to completing his degree in finance, as I understand it. I’m sure it’s very tough for Sturdivant — and many UGA fans — to let go of “what could have been.” Sturdivant was magnificant as a freshman, starting all 13 games at left on the 11-2 Sugar Bowl team. But I think after three major knee injuries in three years, it’s evident that his joints simply aren’t made for the wear and tear of football. Like they say, the NFL isn’t for everybody. Then again, neither is UGA’s business school. Sturdivant has done well.
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215 comments Add your comment
Father Flannigan
April 22nd, 2011
5:16 am
First!
William
April 22nd, 2011
5:23 am
Second. And how many offensive linemen do we have total?
Father Flannigan
April 22nd, 2011
5:26 am
William…. In reality UGA has none in toal because these guys still couldnt run block through a wet parer bag if their life depended on it. In other words the O line stinks.
Father Flannigan
April 22nd, 2011
5:27 am
“paper bag”
Father Flannigan
April 22nd, 2011
5:28 am
its too early ” in total”
Victorious Sakrete
April 22nd, 2011
6:02 am
Trident Studvent is not a “affable” as you think.
JB
April 22nd, 2011
6:34 am
If we can’t run the ball this year( like last year), We are trouble.
JB
April 22nd, 2011
6:35 am
s/b IN TROUBLE
Old Boy
April 22nd, 2011
6:39 am
As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, it is no contest that Dale Murphy is Mr. Brave. The fact that he was gone when they finally got good tears my heart out. Not only was he a class act on the field, he was a class act off (no chance of him having a kid out of wedlock; he wouldn’t even put his arm around a woman who wasn’t his wife for a picture). I vividly remember playing youth sports when #3 was the most popular jersey in every sport. I really wish he was in the HOF, which I feel he would have been had he been on any Atlanta championship teams.
GaTruth
April 22nd, 2011
6:41 am
Murray was the 14th most highly rated QB in the nation last year – AS A FRESHMAN. Why would any noise be made about Christian LeMay coming in and challenging him for the starting job two years from now? Between now and then Murray will have had exponentially more time with the starters, against better competition, in-games, and with the coaches. If LeMay has any chance of competing for the starting position he has the talent of Matt Stafford and headiness of David Green. That’s a little hard to believe.
doggoneit
April 22nd, 2011
6:42 am
Father Flannigan-How has that power of positive thinking thing been working for you in your life?
BIG Dawgs Gonna Eat
April 22nd, 2011
7:14 am
ENOUGH with the negativity. Last year was a fluke. The Dawgs have the best talent in the country because we recruit from the best state for high school football talent. I know because I played in Cobb and would have been a Dawg but I blew out my knee my softmore season.
The Dawgs will crush BS State and whip the Lamecoks (both home games with the fans barking up a storm). Call me crazy but I could see us as the surprise of this season by winning our 6th National Championship and Murry as a Heisman contender.
Go Dawgs!
RomeDawg
April 22nd, 2011
7:17 am
I think the “Braves” question is a matter of genre, given the hatter didn’t even mention Hammerin’ Hank. I also would like to include John Smoltz in that discussion. Murphys case may be hurt by the fact his teams were perenial losers. Can you believe Murphy was ever a Philly? Blasphemy!!!!!!
mgdawg
April 22nd, 2011
7:19 am
I have to disagree with the patrick from roswell. Receiver and runningback should translate much better, other then blocking as a runnigback. A lot of offensive lineman in high school aren’t taught how to block in a pro style offense, a lot of times they just cut or lower their head, get on all fours, and run, what some coaches call railroading. So these guys have to be taught a new way to block, not to mention put on muscle weight instead of just weight.
Bulldog Sam
April 22nd, 2011
7:20 am
Father Flannigan, “proof” before you post.
georgia87
April 22nd, 2011
7:22 am
Considering how many injuries and difficulties we have had on the offensive line over the last few years, I have been consistently amazed that OL hasn’t been a huge recruiting target. If it can be said that one thing has contributed to Alabama’s success since Saban arrived (given that he is a defensive coach), it would be the O-line. They haven’t had a powerhouse offense, but they have had some big bullies that complimented the strong defense well. It seems to me that we concentrate on skill players too much at the expense of the O-line. A great O-line will make an average QB/RB look good. A bad O-line will make the best QB/RB ineffective. Just look at how many times Barry Sanders was tackled behind the line in his career.
tony
April 22nd, 2011
7:22 am
I think the biggest reason why our running game has decline since Mr.Richt took over the program is because he has the tendency to abandon the run and settle for the pass too often. Also, the state of ga is a runningback state which means the offensive linemans in this state are accustom to run blocking than they are accustom to pass blocking. That’s why this state produces so many good runningbacks. We won a nc in 1980 because of the run blocking not the pass blocking.
I did not see the g-day game but I did see a 6 minute clip on youtube. From that clip I still see a bunch of oversize offensive linemans that plays with no pride or mental toughness. A team with pride is a very hard team to beat because they’re willing to do the little things that most teams aren’t willing to do. I still believe it starts with coaching. I watched the oregon and auburn game and I can tell you that oregon undersize offense line was mentally and physically tough. Those guys had PRIDE! I believe if you gave the DAWGS oregon entire coaching staff, we will play for a nc 90% of the time.
georgia87
April 22nd, 2011
7:25 am
And Chipper has grown into the job, where Murph was forced to carry it. Chip has had great players around him until he became the center of the franchise. Murph had Rick Camp and Larvell Blanks.
JB
April 22nd, 2011
7:26 am
tony……………..As much as i want to disagree with you, I can’t. My eyes see the same thing. We are physically beat most games lately.
@BIG Dawgs Gonna Eat
April 22nd, 2011
8:11 am
Love the enthusiasm brother, but you need to stay away from the booze this early.
Tom
April 22nd, 2011
8:13 am
Which number will be smaller…….AJ’s draft position or his Wonderlic score?
Atticus
April 22nd, 2011
8:15 am
Georgia’s running game design is pathetic and it completely depends upon and very elite RB like Moreno. No counters, very little motion,and the blocking scheme is not designed for good cutbacks. It is a high school running game. Watch Alabama’s running game or Auburns from Tubberville’s era. THAT is the way to design a running game.
Beast from the East
April 22nd, 2011
8:17 am
Even though it’s old news, I still feel for Trinton. Wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Atticus
April 22nd, 2011
8:18 am
And Dale Murphy was SO MUCH MORE the Brave than Chipper. So much more class and maturity. Chipper is a great baseball player and a good guy now after learning some life lessons but Murph was class from Day 1. And Chipper wore that Gator shirt in Atlanta at the SEC Championship and that is inexcusable!
Beast from the East
April 22nd, 2011
8:20 am
Atticus,
Why wouldn’t a guy from Florida wear a Gator shirt? Would you have preferred he wore the Green Bay logo? LOL!
Badgerina
April 22nd, 2011
8:24 am
Great article.
Atticus
April 22nd, 2011
8:27 am
How many many Braves fans are UGA fans??? He could wear it somewhere else but NOT Atlanta.
Beast from the East
April 22nd, 2011
8:30 am
Atticus,
Point taken. Just poking some fun.
columbus UGA fan
April 22nd, 2011
8:35 am
“Then again, neither is UGA’s business school. Sturdivant has done well.” – Complete class sir. I could not agree more with his situation and he will do fine in life. Sure would have like to have seen him play this next season though.
tide roll
April 22nd, 2011
8:39 am
Chip, I’m afraid you may have insulted Patrick from Roswell. Congratulations on the beat writer assignment ! Look forward to the reports.
Dunwoody DAWG
April 22nd, 2011
8:44 am
Our offense has suffered because we have a very weak offensive coordinator. Bobo is a good family man and a nice guy – but who really expects Bobo to coach at a level of a Steve Spurrier or Charley “Fat Boy” Weis? You cannot tell me that we have the best offensive coordinator that we can afford in that job. I love the Dawgs and hope we pull it off this year, but we do need an upgrade at OC.
Zoli
April 22nd, 2011
8:49 am
What is up with Tide Roll’s infatuation with our O-line problems? Seems a little OCD if you ask me…
Reginald
April 22nd, 2011
8:51 am
Great stuff, this puts Bill’s blog to shame. I would say Chipper and Dale can share Mr. Brave, too hard to choose. I agree the offensive line stuff has kind of been some bad luck combined w/ other stuff, it’ll get better.
And ‘tony’, I’m speechless. You think the running game has declined under Richt? Ummmm, not quite. You think we were just pounding the ball on the ground under Donnan and Goff. Might want to go check the tape on that one. And saying UGA abandons the run and ’settles’ for the pass? When the run is working it isn’t abandoned, in fact the opposite is true. Bobo seems to be obsessed with a balanced run/pass offense and at times is willing to worry more about balance than what is working. How many times last year did drives stall out because we had to run for the sake of balance on 2nd down, leaving 3rd and long and then a punt?
chilidawg
April 22nd, 2011
8:54 am
The O-line has to function as a unit. If they are not, that’s on the coaches.
706 > 404
April 22nd, 2011
9:03 am
Any chance we can get Charlie Sheen to come mentor our baseball team??
What a joke.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:09 am
You don’t run on 2nd and long for the sake of running. You do it so that you have a shot at NOT having 3rd and long. Every team in the country does that. College and pros. Saw that exact same thing countless times in the Super Bowl just as an example. It’s a calculated percentage thing, we just haven’t been able to pick up much yardage lately (in any situation). Doesn’t make it philosophically wrong. No evidence last year to think a short pass was going to any more effective on 2nd down, was there? I also think this much bemoaned series of plays happened way less than folks are making it out to be. Pretty much it was if the 1st down play was an incomplete pass. Probably happens twice or 3 times a game.
But I agree that “we abandon the run when it is working” might be the silliest accusation going.
Dr. Phil
April 22nd, 2011
9:15 am
If Charlie Sheen visits Athens, please don’t let him in the locker room. Chipper has been one of the best hitters in MLB, and Murph was a great player and very nice guy, however Hank Aaron is Mr. Brave.
Paul N Destin
April 22nd, 2011
9:15 am
If you intend to run the ball in the SEC then you must get physical and that has been UGA’s downfall. It starts in the weight room and then to the field. It appears someone at UGA had made the call to try and get physical and not Richt. You can still run the ball with a average back if that bunch up front can get it down. The run will open the pass and things start to get better if that happens. I can’t imagine what would happen at UGA if that selected at great coach with all the talent in the state. If Nick Saban were the HC at UGA they would be in the hunt each and every year . The UGA situation with Mark is much like the Gator deal before the Ole BallCoach.
QB stats are nice but, um, ah ............
April 22nd, 2011
9:16 am
I wonder if the UGA players really take Aaron Murray seriously. I mean in the Liberty Bowl with those dumb Batman gloves, he lost a lot of respect with the alumni. He choked in the Florida game and in the SC and Colorado game and was horrible again in front of his native Floridians in the Liberty. He for me, is too up tight.
Can he throw for empty stats? Oh sure he can. Eric Zeir did and so did Stafford but they did not win big. Zeke Bratkowski did too in his era ( 50s) and he was a NFL legend later as a coach, etc. These QB throwers at UGA do not win big. David Green directed a balanced attack with Musa Smith and other backs and threw for EFFICIENT yards, that continued SCORING drives. Look at his W/L record.
Murray? He simply throws it as far as he can and always to Orson Charles, with him triple covered. I want to see Murray WIN some BIG games, besides a beat up UT or LSU-Lafayette or sad GT. This season he needs to lead UGA to major victories.
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
Reginald
April 22nd, 2011
9:16 am
And I get that Altamaha, I don’t cringe every time we run on 2nd down. I just felt at times last year we killed our rhythm w/ unsuccesful run plays on 2nd down. If we could’ve run the ball I wouldn’t have had an issue w/ the 2nd down runs. My issue was that Bobo didn’t recognize; “hey we suck at running, if we run we will still have 3rd and long, let’s just keep throwing”.
I’m not a Bobo hater though, players ultimately got to get out ther and make plays. That was just something that irked me last year, and it probably didn’t happen as much as I feel like it did.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
April 22nd, 2011
9:22 am
Gripe gripe gripe. Get to work people. Its 9:21. The coaches are in place bc they know what they are doing. You are on a blog at work being useless. Should you be fired? Get to work!
Go Dawgs!
P.S. I hope every opponent we face this year underestimates us!
Old Dawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:23 am
Chip, here’s a story idea. Several people have written about the new conditioning and nutrition program at UGA, but all of the stories have only interviewed coach Richt and Greg McGarity. I think it’s a huge investment for the program, and I think the readers would like to see what the football players and athletes from the other programs think about it.
Again, thanks for all you do.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
9:23 am
Glad to see you back on the Bulldog beat Chip.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:26 am
It irked me too, so I am with you. But it irked me because it wasn’t working. I just don’t think they had better options, or they would have been doing it.
Also consider this: We seemed to have the same issue when Matt Stafford was a Freshman. I don’t think Bobo got any wiser the next year, but the play selection sure seemed to look a lot better. Have to keep in mind that it’s the QB who ultimetely decides what to do, at the line, based on what he sees on 2nd and long.
Redner
April 22nd, 2011
9:27 am
I AGREE with Big Dawgs: this is likely the year the Dawgs surprise everyone and take home the NC. When we’re celebrating our 6th National Championship in early 2012, are all of you haters going to be celebrating with us or still bad mouthing our coaches and players.
Go Dawgs!
nerds! nerds! nerds!
April 22nd, 2011
9:28 am
Well said Altamaha Dawg. Most people on here know NOTHING about strategy in football. You run on 2nd and long to make 3rd down more manageable. 3rd and 5 is easier than 3rd and 10. Respect. Most trolls on here want a TD on every single play. Thats not how it works fellas.
Reginald
Its time to accept the fact that the players on the field last year sucked. I have. Move on.
Beach Dawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:29 am
Enjoyed your comments to the questions and welcome back to the “beat”
1eyedJack
April 22nd, 2011
9:32 am
It’s not just about size and brute strength on the OL, although, I must confess, those qualities are highly desirable. Offensive lineman need to be intelligent, maybe moreso than any other position, excepting of course, the QB.
From all indications, and from the scuttlebutt, CMR runs a complicated playbook, though some of our opponents might argue that point, and it appears some of our all-world recruits have trouble grasping it. A successful offensive line is a well-oiled machine, meaning many hours of repitition, sweat, blood and pain. Consistency, shared hardship, and knowing your colleagues strenghts as well as weaknesses.
So we need to recruit smarter offensive linemen and quit bouncing them around from position to position.
Those are my opinions, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others.
mark
April 22nd, 2011
9:34 am
I think the suggestion LeMay could take the QB position from the guy most think is the best in the conference is a real eye-opener. We should only hope LeMay is truly that good. Chip, I’ve read you for years and appreciate your work…tell me what you base that comment on? Do you and the staff really see LeMay being that good?? Sorry, I can’t go along with Murphy…granted he won the two MVPs and they won the division once but that era was so difficult to stomach. Chipper is a Hall of Famer, and played in the franchise’s best era. His only fault may be he’s not quite the public figure Murphy was but on the field the individual and team stats aren’t close.
1eyedJack
April 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
Murph was the man. Too bad he got wore down carrying the team on his back.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
9:48 am
1eyedjack, “So we need to recruit smarter offensive linemen and quit bouncing them around from position to position”. Great statement. Seems like every single year we are switching the kids around due to injury etc. IMO that’s part of the problem, the kids aren’t truly comfortable due to lack of consistency at the same position.
Carl Spackler
April 22nd, 2011
9:49 am
“LeMay may end up being better than both Mason and Aaron Murray.”…or, maybe not…LOL…how about going a little further, and give us what you think happens if LeMay has to ride pine behind Murray and then Mason…will he transfer, switch positions to get on the field, transfer to Colorado…we know his father wants him to play sooner than later
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
9:51 am
1eyedjack, although the “smarter” linemen we seem to lose to injury. Sturdivant appears to have a great future even if he doesn’t on a football field again..
cantondawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:59 am
Chip,
Thanks for calling out Tide Roll and his annoying comments…Hopefully, he will stop beating the same old dead horse everyday
DawginLex
April 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
Georgia has always tried to get a 50/50 balance run/pass under Richt. To say he hasn’t run the ball is ludicrous. Some of you make it seem like Mike Leach has been calling plays. Richt learned after 2001 when Tommy T called him out and said to him “you gotta be able to run the ball in this league”. 2002 Musa smith got 1,200 yards as the featured back. Here are the stats since 1980. Can we get someone to interpret?
OFFENSE
Year Rush Game Pass Game Total
2009 2093 161.0 2615 201.2 4708
2008 1928 148.3 3610 277.7 5538
2007 2305 177.3 2579 198.4 4884
2006 1656 127.4 2397 184.4 4053
2005 2108 162.2 2977 229.0 5085
2004 1882 156.8 2972 247.6 4854
2003 1889 134.9 3435 245.4 5324
2002 1954 139.6 3435 245.4 5389
2001 1787 162.5 2974 270.4 4761
2000 1451 131.9 2365 215.0 3816
1999 1749 159.0 2827 257.0 4576
1998 1674 152.2 2745 249.5 4419
1997 1869 169.9 2890 262.7 4759
1996 1471 133.7 2536 230.5 4007
1995 1634 148.5 2377 216.0 4011
1994 1414 128.5 3721 338.3 5135
1993 1181 107.4 3552 322.9 4733
1992 2584 234.9 2370 215.5 4954
1991 1863 169.4 2428 220.7 4291
1990 1667 151.6 1436 130.6 3103
1989 1537 139.7 1928 175.3 3465
1988 2788 252.5 1450 131.8 4228
1987 3019 274.5 1307 118.9 4326
1986 2802 254.8 1586 144.2 4388
1985 3249 295.3 1005 91.3 4254
1984 2227 202.4 1205 109.5 3432
1983 2528 229.8 1269 115.3 3797
1982 3023 274.8 978 88.9 4001
1981 3102 282.0 1810 164.5 4912
1980 2647 240.6 1452 132.0 4099
Big Dawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:02 am
Coach Tommy Tubberville once told Mark Richt that to win in the SEC you have to be able to consistently run the football. Slowly over the last 10 years we have gone from a dominating and physical team in being able to run the ball to this finesse team. With all due respect Altamaha yes our overall number of plays says we have run the football about 50% of the time but in watching the games we have abandoned the run at times and become pass happy. I say we needed seasons like the last 2 to get our coaches and players all focused on the fact that real changes had to be made that status qou was not getting it done. The only problem with this is BoBo is still offensive coordinator and if there isn’t dramatic improvement in the win/loss column Coach Richt, who I admire, will be gone. He did do the right thing in getting rid of Coach Martinez who was over his head as a defensive coordinator, but was a very good defensive backs coach. But in my humble opinion he has stayed with BoBo a year too long and could not afford for him to learn on the job. Now before any of YOU hop on what I am saying, I HOPE I AM WRONG and we come out this fall and go 14-0 and win a National Championship. In saying that I realistically don’t see that happening because we don’t have the big ugglies as they are affectionately known on the o-line.
Go Dawgs
Dawgs du jour
April 22nd, 2011
10:04 am
Boise State is salivating over the coming feast.
Murray
April 22nd, 2011
10:06 am
“Boise State is salivating over the coming feast.”
So is South Carolina.
Let the big dawg be eaten.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:07 am
If the problem was that the plays were too complicated for the O-linemen that are here, thats on the O-line coach. That’s his job to let somebody know what the problem is.
I don’t know that I buy the notion that there is some “playbook” and by god we are using it despite our personel, however.
I am intersted to see how the new chain of command is going to work this year. McClendon reporting to Searels, who reported to Bobo, did not work. Searels seemed to be the swing man in what was not working. Fair or not. I don’t think the guy is a bad coach (and the style of offense that Texas’ runs will suit him), I just think Richt gave him too much rope.
Poopdawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
Mike Bobo is calling plays that have Richt’s offensive mindset. Kirby Smart is doing the same for Saben’s defense. So i don’t blame Bobo for everything. Watching the game all I see is Bobo looking at some play charts instead of the field of play. Statistics do not account for what a defensive team is doing when a certain play is called. Uga ’s offensive game plan against SC in 2010 killed any chance of moving the ball. Same as 2009 at OK ST. You see very little changing to UGA’s strategy once a game has started. I want to see UGA to compete on every offensive possession . It’s does not appear to happen. Sometimes throwing early in a game will set up the run the rest of the game. If our qbs are audibling it appears the opposing D has our change of sets well prepared for.
RxDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:18 am
“And who is Mr. Brave, Dale Murphy or Chipper Jones?”
WHAT!? Are you kidding, it’s Hank Aaron and it’s not even close.
Chip it’s great to have you back over here on the beat blog… but I gota say something just seems to be missing over on the recruiting blog now. Maybe I just have to get used to the other guy’s style. Maybe it’s just that no good news for UGA is being reported over there.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:21 am
Actually, it’s closer to 60% of the time, same as everyone else. I simply do not believe that everybody else’ 60% is thier committment to running, but our 60% is the only team it means we are abondoning the run.
And there has not been any plottable 10 yr decline. It’s been up and down, just like every other team.
Look back over the past 5 yrs vs the first 5 year, and UGA flips places back and forth with anyone you want to name.
And to agree with a previous poster, when exactly was UGA a power running team before Richt got here? If anything his play action style relies MORE on Running the ball more than his predicesors.
Reginald
April 22nd, 2011
10:29 am
Hey ‘nerds,nerds,nerds’, why are you attacking me for my opinion? You either didn’t really read what I wrote or have reading comprehension problems. I’m assuming you’re referring to me about knowing nothing about football and saying to get back to work. Yet you likely sit at work as well and have an equally uninformed opinion. Yet in your mind, people who you don’t agree with are ‘uniformed fans’ while you ‘really know football’. I’m betting you might have changed your handle from ‘tony’ and are trying to defend yourself.
Sir Barks A Lot
April 22nd, 2011
10:33 am
Still struggling with 6-7. Man, I lost a lot of faith in the leadership of our program.
All teams have rebuild years – the trick is to have reload years – but injuries, players leaving early, etc, make some years rebuild.
Richt has made coaching changes
HE has revamped strength and conditioning
He is recruiting hard to bring in good players
And hopefully – he is addressing the silly behavior and lack of discipline that effected our play on the field.
I would say 8-5 would not get it for me this year for the leadership of the team:
Florida is in coaching change
Auburn lost huge stars
Tennessee is still rebuilding
Vandy is starting over
Kentucky lost their big stars and rebuild mode
Ole Miss was a mess last year
South Carolina is up
Boise State scores points
GT- looks like could have a winning season – but does not look overwhelming.
If the Dawgs lose 4 regular season games to the above – well – let’s find some new leadership to give it the ole college try instead of paying the MILLIONS of Dollars to the current staff.
Sir Barks A Lot
April 22nd, 2011
10:35 am
Pascal Perez as Mr. Brave – as long as he can find the exit off 285!
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:40 am
With Bobo I don’t think its his play-calling that has been the issue as much as his overal job at organizing and preparing the offense as a whole. We have definetely paid for his education so far. Hate to throw the baby out with the dirty water now, but it’s put up or shut up time for sure. I don’t think he is going to cost Richt his job this year. But unless that has a noticable turnaround, I could see a move coming.
Could not IMO make that move one year removed from doing the same thing on the other side of the ball. I believe he just has to make sure the defense is on solid ground first.
But more to the point, I think we have paid for Richt’s education. I think its easy to forget that everytime he has to deal with some dynamic, it’s typically the first time he has had to.
He might had done something different in hindsight now, than promoting Mike Bobo. But rememebr what was going on at the time. Richt was a lifetime OC and as a brand new HC, that was how HE had to cope with the job, by doing what he knew best for a while. Bobo allowed him to transition.
Sir Barks A Lot
April 22nd, 2011
10:44 am
Poopdawg – there is nothing wrong with punting the football and playing field position.
The real issues that have causes UGA to be midlevel SEC are injuries, players leaving early, off field silly behavior, several aspects in caoching that include player evaluation, player development, player conditioning, game prep and game day coaching.
Staying on top for a long period of time is a lot harder than rising to the top. Look at what just happened at Florida?
LSU seems to be doing a better job with reloading and staying toward the top – but they have also had some problems. Saban might have ALABAMA in the midst of a good run.
trupert
April 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
Roll Tide and all the trolls from the West better quit counting their chickens before they hatch.
Yes, their worst fear is about to be realised with Ga now getting the missing pieces in place and it’s true, when Ga starts winning Championships again it will make it that much harder to recruit against Mark Richt and co and all those roll tiders still remember those great Ga defenses of the early to mid 2000’s that dominated their tide and ate their qb’s like just another dawg bone.
The bammers are doing the same thing they did last year and that is to start to compaire themselves to who they think will win the East as if they are a lock to win the West, how did that work out last year?
Saban better get his act together and start worring about the West because he is only one short year away from being on the hot seat and LSU and Arkansas will have something to say about who represents the West against the East Champ.
Troll Meter
April 22nd, 2011
10:47 am
1eyedJack = tide roll
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
10:49 am
Altadawg, that 10:40 post was my sentiments exactly.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
Bobo is looking at the chart because the has about 5 second to get the next set of calls out there. He has spotter up in the booth relaying every detail of what’s going on on the other side of the field.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:54 am
Really? Because I just made all that up.
Redner
April 22nd, 2011
10:57 am
Here’s the way I see us vs. the east this year:
SC – UGA by 3 touchdowns, by 4 if there QB isn’t back. Why? it’s in Athens and our guys know they need to step up and get back at them for there fluke win last year.
TN – UGA by 3-7. TN will be better than most think but won’t be able to hang with us for 4 quarters
KY – UGA dominates – can’t pick a score becasue it will depend on when we pull our starters.
Vandy – see above
FL – We’ll win by 14-17 as they learn new systems on both sides of the ball
GO DAWGS!
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
10:58 am
AltaDawg, then that is just plain scary.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
10:59 am
All day long!
SSIgator
April 22nd, 2011
11:01 am
Redner -
You must be new to the realities of FL/GA
juvenal
April 22nd, 2011
11:02 am
don’t usually come over here, but was hoping Sturdivant could make a full recovery…glad he is availing himself of an opportunity to get an education, doing what most of our S-A’s do…by the way, does d a ever post here?
Nashville4UGA
April 22nd, 2011
11:03 am
Chip, hate to see you not write the 10 at 10. The other guy is not hustling at all. This week we’ve learned about 2 recruits…..REALLY?
Redner
April 22nd, 2011
11:03 am
SSIgator: reality check for you. You have an unproven head coach and a OC that couldn’t get it done in college before. It might not even be that close. As I said before, we could surprise everyone this year and take the 6th National Championship back to Athens.
SSIgator
April 22nd, 2011
11:06 am
Redner -
I wondered who was now in charge of the UGA KoolAid machine – Now I know
Redner
April 22nd, 2011
11:09 am
SSIgator – ? you been drinking something besides kool aid
Sir Barks A Lot
April 22nd, 2011
11:30 am
Redner – I like your enthusiasm.
The key for us is our defense and better O-Line play.
If our defense improves like we are hoping – we will be in much better shape and our offense will be better with more aggessive play calling.
South Carolina – last year was not a fluke – they beat us fair and square – dominated the 4Q – more physical.
Actually – outplayed us in 2009 as well – but we won the game thanks to special teams that year.
I would say 50/50 game at this point
Florida – Richt has losing records against Spurrier, Zook and Urban. We have to change the mental outlook of this game – as we should have won more of these.
I would say 50/50 at this point.
Tennessee – agree with you
KY – agree with you
Vandy – agree with you
SEC WEST
Auburn – lost Cam, lost Fartly – but still returning some realy good players and a very good coaching staff.
I like our chances – but 50/50
Mississippi STATE – like S. Carolina – physically beat us last year – just the better team.
Richts team struggle against spreads (w. Virginia, Florida – now MS State)
Danger game – Mississippi State much improved and has momentum – a good coaching staff that is getting it done on and off the field.
UGA’s run defense should be much better – and something tells me that is the difference. UGA wins a nail biter
Ole Miss – will have some exciting moments for both teams – UGA wins.
Danger games:
USCe
Miss. ST
Florida
Auburn
UGA should be capable of winning all these games – but these teams are very capable of beating UGA – should be exciting.
That leaves us with Boise State.
The key to this game is:
Defense – keep Boise off the field
Offense – Set up the run with the pass – keep them off balance – and keep the ball.
UGA wins this game – 34 – 24
dawgfacedboy
April 22nd, 2011
11:36 am
QB stats are nice- I think you are the first person i’ve seen accuse Murray of throwing to Charles to much. I would say the TE position as a whole is underutilized in the passing game. IMO it wasn’t just run blocking that was an issue but pass blocking as well. It seemed that Murray hardly ever had time to sit back and “pick apart a D”. Seemed like he was always running for his life. Maybe my memory isn’t serving me like it used to.
Most games it seemed as if Richt could pull 5 drunkards out of the stands, put them in uniform, stick em up front and they would do about as good a job.
dawgfacedboy
April 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
Murph was great because he was a straight laced family man and was by far the biggest star on a terrible team. He just doesn’t have the numbers to get him into the Hall. Chipper has the numbers, played on great teams with a lot of great players but has some of the drama of Hooters girls and always looking like he just came off a 5 day bender.
Hank Aaron was before my time so I couldn’t comment.
RxDawg
April 22nd, 2011
11:47 am
“Hank Aaron was before my time so I couldn’t comment.”
He was before mine too, but all you need to know is that he had the most HR’s ever for 40-50 years… until some roided out meathead came along.
Honorable mentions as “Mr. Brave”: Bob Horner, and maybe even Phil Niekro.
JayD
April 22nd, 2011
11:52 am
Recruiting an O-lineman is a crap shoot. Lou Holtz once said that he didn’t bother because it is too hard to judge. He would simply take his worst D-linemen and try and convert them. He said they usually worked out better because of their aggressiveness. Some great coaches say a D-line recruit that doesn’t work out usually makes a great O-lineman, but an O-line recruit that doesn’t work out leaves you with an overweight water boy.
Dawglasville
April 22nd, 2011
11:54 am
???????
gdawginkalamazoo
April 22nd, 2011
11:54 am
Hammerin’ Hank was THE Brave IMO. Murphy was right up there with him.
All this KoolAid talk has made me thirsty. Everybody have a happy Easter.
1eyedJack
April 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
1eyedJack is definitely not Turd Roll!!
Alan
April 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
Morant will be the defensive player of the year in the SEC.
Dawg Gone
April 22nd, 2011
12:04 pm
SSIgator here’s a little “reality” for you…your HC has never won a game as a HC, your vaunted OC is one biscuit away from coronary arrest….your QB is at best questionable and you are learning a new offense.once “reality” sets in I think you might be headed for a breakdown.
SSIgator
April 22nd, 2011
12:17 pm
Hank Aaron by far and away. Was there the night he hit #700 and they gave all of the fans some kind of certificate with 700 on it. Murphy second.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
12:33 pm
Alan: Bold prediction on Dexter Morant. That would be big for Georgia’s D if that happens.
DAWG07
April 22nd, 2011
12:38 pm
Dale Murphy no competition.
Show me some clips of Jones signing autographs for the kids and doing something postive for the community and I might consider him a plus rather than a negative. Had said long time ago needed to trade him while could get something in return, but wish him the best in life after ball.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
12:38 pm
JayD: I haven’t had the chance to weigh in on this yet but you hit the nail on the head with O-linemen. In my 25 years of covering college athletics, it’s probably the single hardest position to judge. First of all, they’re always significantly bigger than their competition in high school, so they all look dominant. Then they get to college and run into guys that are nearly as big as them and much quicker. And the position it coached for more precision than any other in terms of footwork, hand placement, posture, body lean, all that. Then there’s the play book. It’s no longer just block the tackle on 42 dive. Blocking schemes change from play-to-play, defenses change play to play, and they’re often moved around from guard to tackle and left and right and back. Big, strong and quick is only haf the equation.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
12:40 pm
RxDawg: Phil Niekro should definitely be in the conversation. Good call. Knucksie’s name spans almost as many decades as Aaron’s.
AJC=Soon to be Out of Business
April 22nd, 2011
12:51 pm
Hopefully the AJC knows what they are doing, because I used to look forward to your 10@10 every Tuesday and Thursday. This shake up may cost you a few readers there AJC.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
12:51 pm
QB stats are nice but . . .: I couldn’t disagree with you more about Aaron Murray. You can say a lot of things about his inherent abilities or lack thereof, but knowing what I do about him he’s about anything but padding stats. And the passing stats he put up last year — 3,049-24-8 — came behind a line that couldn’t provide him a formidable running game. But most of all, your assertion he threw to Orson Charles too much is asinine. Charles had only 26 catches in 13 games and none in two contests. I’d argue that Murray didn’t throw it to him enough. But I think he’ll make up for it this season. They ought to have 10 plays a game with OC as primary receiver, IMO.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
1:03 pm
Nashville4UGA: Glad you liked Ten@10 but you can’t question Carvell’s hustle. The dude is a prolific blogger. He just employs a slightly different philosophy, which is to put up new blogs on subjects as they cross his desk 24-7. I tended to funnel information into Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 10s. Overall you’re still getting the news of the day/week.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
1:04 pm
Chip you are assuming BOBO is that smart. Murray will make those plays on his own call not the crap BOBO calls from the sideline or booth.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
O Charles needs to get out of UGA as fast as he can and hopefully the Falcons can get him. He could be the next Tony G.
Chris
April 22nd, 2011
1:07 pm
I agree with GA 87 regarding the offensive line and a number of comments particularly the one comparing Alabama’s current running game and Auburn’s under Tuberville.
Chip, you were way too easy to say ‘it has just been a run of bad luck’. All we heard offseason was that it was a foregone conclusion that our offensive line had the most talent and the most consecutive starts in the SEC so the running game was sure to be a strength. We could hardly run the ball against LA Lafayette. I heard an interview with Alabama’s offensive co-ordinator talking about the line and he said there was such a thing that has to be taught and that’s ‘emotional toughness’. Of course you want talented, mean guys that want to pancake their man but it also involves concentrating to know your assignments; understand how crippling it is to have a false start when you’re in the red zone. That all involves coaching and for all the hype over Stacy Searles, that group last year didn’t look like it could run or pass block.
I’m also a little concerned about Aaron Murray. Was it just me or did he look nervous…display a little too much happy feet out there during the spring game? I thought both Mason and LeMay looked much more confident. One thing about Richt though, outside of the dilemma he had with David Greene and DJ, once he’s made up his mind who the starter is, that guy is going to stay in there unless there’s a blowout one way or the other. I was given the impression that LeMay had a skill set similar to a Terrell Pryor; ability to both run and pass. If they don’t put the redshirt on him, I would hope they’d have some special packages in there for him to display the full range of talent.
Chris
April 22nd, 2011
1:10 pm
Just to clarify, I understand 99% of coaches are going to stick with who they think will get the job done at quarterback on the depth chart but just look at what a different team Texas A&M was when they put that wide receiver in after four or five games
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
1:11 pm
Carl Spackler: The QB position has the highest rate of transfer in college athletics because you can’t play but one. Christian LeMay signed with Georgia knowing he’d have to compete. I think he’ll give the Dogs a lot to think about once he masters the playbook, which will take at least a year.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
1:12 pm
gdawginkalamazoo: Injuries have been the single most significant factor for the offensive line.
Chip Towers
April 22nd, 2011
1:18 pm
mark: Christian LeMay is one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever seen in high school. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 48 TDs and 2 interceptions as a junior and led his team to an undefeated record and state championship while unseating perennial powerhouse Independence High of Charlotte. These aren’t insignificant things. He’s agile and quick but has one of the best pure arms you’ll see. His father put him in position to compete against the best in camps and combines and he always excelled. With the physical and mental training he’ll get in college, I believe his potential is off the charts. But that’s just me.
Brucerugby79
April 22nd, 2011
1:24 pm
Big dogs gonna Eat-I am with you all the way I got a feelin we are gonna be really good
DawginLex
April 22nd, 2011
1:24 pm
Chip,
All of your comments about Lemay are spot on and that is why I believe Mason will redshirt, not Lemay.
Richt is in desperate need of playmakers and needs something to energize the fanbase. I can see Lemay coming in and playing MORE than Shockley ever did with Greene.
That would leave Mason the opportunity to play with Lemay during both of their senior years.
Hey, what do I know. (I’m wrong a lot, just ask my wife)
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
1:31 pm
Richt, like we can take the word of some gal that decided to marry you?
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
1:32 pm
slip there..ha. “right”
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
1:33 pm
although some folks would agree with the typo
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
1:42 pm
Did the GATORS leave the SEC east?
no?
The Dawgs and Richt are not good at beating the Gators.
Richt is LIFETIME 9-20-1 against the Gators. 9-1 against TECH will not keep his job.
UGAHerschel
April 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
CHIP glad you are working the UGA beat again. I’ve always enjoyed your work. But what happened with Tim Tucker? I also think he did a fine job covering the Dawgs. Is he still with the AJC and just on another beat?
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
LIFE is good!!! I can still bet that Charlie Sheen will score more than A. Murray.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
1:47 pm
I can also bet that LEEBURN will have more sex/drinks with married women this year than C. Sheen.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
Try that Leeburn joke again sport.
KaliDogg
April 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
No disrespect to anybody, honestly, but regarding Trinton Sturdivant, can we get some input (even blog input) from a sports orthopedic specialist on this topic. Been down the ACL route myself and I wouldn’t call it a “joint” issue but that’s splitting hairs – it certainly runs through there. I’m just curious what the medical folks say about someone having ACL surgery as it relates to the strength of lack of strength of the ligaments in the body in general, the ACL specifically. There are any number of athletes who’ve had the surgery and played. Trinton being one of them. Can’t imagine they’d have put him back out there this year if they thought his left knee had no hope of holding up.
This isn’t about UGA football. Whatever’s best for him is what he should do. I just see what a dream it is for him and he can certainly be a smart kid, get a finance degree, and play pro football. Smart and NFL are not mutually exclusive (who thinks Brady’s brain, for example, has anything to do with his QB play — but there are many more examples).
Just asking. It’s a medical question. Not really a fan opinion topic.
DawginLex
April 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
ACL tears are more prevalent in girls than guys. No one really knows why. I have had three knee surgeries and each time my doctor told me to strengthen my quad before surgery. The recovery of the quad is key to quicker recovery. That much I know from peronal experience.
I do know that trainers of girls sports teams work the quads hard in the athletes to try and limit ACL injuries.
Don’t know nothin’ other than that.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
They quoted WebMD.com. What more is there?
DawginLex
April 22nd, 2011
2:13 pm
Altamaha, you alright? You on my a$$ about something I’ve said?
Black Mountain Bulldog
April 22nd, 2011
2:37 pm
I think Murph and Knucksie are Co Mr. Br. Braves, to me.
Recruiting is an inexact science. And coaching players up is much more important.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
Not at all. Are wife jokes not on the table anymore?
DawginLex
April 22nd, 2011
2:52 pm
I guess I just didn’t get it. My bad.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
3:18 pm
well, I butchered it for one thing.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
3:27 pm
Trinton Sturdivant is going to become the Finance director for Bubble Wrap. He plans to market and sell it to other WEAK bodied college football players.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
3:29 pm
Lex you have really been hurt that many times? I hope you get around well. Does the cold and wet affect you like it does my Broken back and Neck? My stuff is from racing motorcycles, but it still hurts.
AltamahaDawg
April 22nd, 2011
3:42 pm
Nice braggadocio wraped in a diaphanous caveat.
RichmondDawg
April 22nd, 2011
4:01 pm
Chip, I agree that LeMay has the chance to be a special talent at UGA, and LOL for calling out Roll Tide (AKA it’s raining O-linemen) in your blog! As to this whole thing with Bobo, nobody questions the play calling when the play works, and the coaches can’t execute the play on the field, so make of that what you will.
truth
April 22nd, 2011
4:16 pm
51WTGW50 = 1eyedJack =Tide Roll
Doug
April 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
lemay is the best QB Richt’s ever recruited. Let me clarify. Poise, leadership, Leamy’s accomplishments in High School are unparrelled. He led his team to beat Indep, who hadn’t lost at home in 22 years!!! Think this guy will be intimidated by Florida like Murray was? No way!!!
It’s Lemay, only question is WHEN.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
Truth
You are a NOT. I am not friends with 1eyedJack. We are fans of opposite teams but we try to be nice to each other. Tide Roll I don’t even chat back and forth on the blogs with him.
TRUTH
KEEP SELLING THAT truth LIKE OBAMA IS SELLING hope AND change. BOTH OF YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
Doug
Can I get some of that STUFF U DUG out of your backyard and are now smoking? LeMay the next Q. Carter or is he DJ Shockley? I forget witch one actually played and started in an NFL game?
CoolBreeze
April 22nd, 2011
4:33 pm
I’m a Tech guy, but my heart has always gone out to Trinton Sturdivant, since the first time he got hurt. Tough breaks, and so disappointing. But, the man has a good head on his shoulders, and the good sense to work at his degree. I suspect he’ll be successful at whatever he undertakes.
1eyedJack
April 22nd, 2011
4:39 pm
Truth
You are a NOT. I am not friends with 51WTGW50. We are fans of opposite teams but we try to be nice to each other. Tide Roll I don’t even chat back and forth on the blogs with him.
TRUTH
KEEP SELLING THAT truth LIKE OBAMA IS SELLING hope AND change. BOTH OF YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP.
Tide Roll
April 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
Truth
You are a NOT. I am not friends with 51WTGW50 and 1eyedJack . We are fans of opposite teams but we try to be nice to each other.
TRUTH
KEEP SELLING THAT truth LIKE OBAMA IS SELLING hope AND change. BOTH OF YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP.
badada
April 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
The quarterback is the leader of a team and a game is often on his shoulders. But you can’t blame Murray for the losses last year. I seem to remember some nasty looking fumbles at the end of multiple games last year. Murray was the rock of this offense last year. Look at how he persevered through that Auburn game. I don’t care what your stats are if you are getting hit after every whistle it takes guts to keep going. Sure he had AJ Green and I think his numbers may be down from last year because of that but he was too consistent to blame for the struggles. If we were to blame one position for the struggles last year QB would probably be my second to last option. RB would be my first.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
5:07 pm
DAMN
DAMN
DAMN
I have a Tide and Dawg fans covering my back.
Guys it is not like we are rolling through Fallugah and I am taking IED and Gun fire but thanks for having my back Like I stab you in yours. LOL It is all fun on the blogs. Please have a Blessed Good Friday and remember God’s promise is CHRIST’S Life.
Poopdawg
April 22nd, 2011
6:00 pm
Hey shorttard, that is 3 minutes you will never get back.
Jwall
April 22nd, 2011
6:04 pm
Leave it to a AL redneck to not believe Obama is a genuine person who cares about the well-being of every American. Your too stupid to realize the republicans are the ones who make it up as they go. Lamay redshirts gradually gets more playing time each year, Hutson never sees the field.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
6:16 pm
OBAMA and EVERY American? HAHAHA. OK I will Bite. ALL POLITICIANS get in the BUSINESS to make MONEY. OBAMA is no different. He don’t care more than the lil tramp down the street giving up her baby for adoption or abortion. GET THE F REAL.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
6:21 pm
If Obama or any Politician cared about AMERICANS then they would FORCE apartment and rental property owners to verify legal status of the renters. If the ILLEGALS can’t get a home then they can’t get jobs and can’t have their BAS..RD kids enrolled in Government schools. The Dems and Catholics love the ILLEGAL Hispanics because they bring money into their churches and vote to keep them in office.
LakeDawg
April 22nd, 2011
6:31 pm
Hank Aaron is Mr. Brave. End of discussion.
LakeDawg
April 22nd, 2011
6:32 pm
After Hank is Phil Neikro, then Murph.
Dennis G. Berdanis
April 22nd, 2011
6:32 pm
I loved Hank, Dale and Chipper, but for me Mr. Brave is Phil Niekro.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
6:41 pm
I thought it was HAMMER, TED TURNER, Smoltz, and Chipper.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
6:44 pm
Remember DALE couldn’t hit 2nd base with a Hand grenade. He was supposed to be OUR Catcher of the future, but he would throw the ball to center field better than 2nd base. HAHAH. The Boy Could HIT the Damn ball fo sure.
LakeDawg
April 22nd, 2011
6:50 pm
For about 5 straight years Murph was the best player in baseball. Then all of a sudden he couldn’t hit…. AT ALL. Very strange end to his career. If he had just faded into retirement like most ball players, he would of hit 50-75 more homeruns and been in the Hall of Fame.
Father Flannigan's alter boy's Lawyer
April 22nd, 2011
6:56 pm
The O- line is the big mystery of this season… but let’s not get carried away. They will have a more experienced quarterback and another year with a new coach.
Bo Williams
April 22nd, 2011
7:13 pm
I tend to liken LeMay to the other Charlotte kid who led Fl to a nat’l championship, but was not good enough to play in the League. He succeeded where Lemay might not because of his supporting cast.
AdMan
April 22nd, 2011
7:30 pm
tide roll, once again you post your childish BS on the Georgia blog. You are indeed a true limp wrist…a punk….a pu–y… a bulls–ter and most likely hung like a field mouse…..go away little boy…go play in traffic…or with your GI Joe… Go back to your double wide and call your buddy who poisoned the trees at Auburn. You two deserve each other….because you sure don’t know anything about college footbal.
chickenman
April 22nd, 2011
7:43 pm
GOO DAWGS
chickenman
April 22nd, 2011
7:44 pm
can we ban tide rolls’s ip adress? I mean it isnt that hard to do and clearly 99% of the readers would support that
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
7:45 pm
DAWG GOO
Ain’t that the Crap I step on in the yard when I get my mail?
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
7:47 pm
chickenman
WHY? Did he RUFFLE your chicken skin or feathers?
NorCal Dawg
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Appreciate the coverage on Trinton Sturdivant, Chip. I agree that he is a top-notch student and will excel in the business world. He is a super sharp guy as well as a genuinely nice person. Hope he recovers fully!
Father Flannigan
April 22nd, 2011
8:56 pm
Lemay is clearly the best QB UGA has.
dawg gone
April 22nd, 2011
9:03 pm
test
Coffee Bluff DAWG
April 22nd, 2011
9:11 pm
Asked Coach Richt about Trinton Sturdivant on Wed in when the coaches were here in SAV. He’s going to get his degree and graduate in Dec while rehabbing the knee as best he can.
I think it’s very unlikely an NFL team will take a chance on him. But he will rehab the knee and try and get picked up by an NFL team and then see what happens in camp.
Sic 'em
April 22nd, 2011
9:23 pm
I was at the Spring game and was very happy to see a big, fast back, Ken Malcome, pounding it up the hole instead of some 5′ 10″ squat ‘taking the load off” of our pass happy O. Maybe it is just me, but I really loved it when we had the big ole horses pounding and pounding the D into submission, and then breaking a 60 yarder…Tim Worley, Keith Henderson, Lars Tate, and of course HW.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
April 22nd, 2011
9:26 pm
Sic ‘em,
You’re right about Malcome. I was there too and thought the whole day he was impressive – big, hard running, and fast.
Biff Pocaroba
April 22nd, 2011
9:38 pm
Biff Pocaroba for Mr. Brave!!
ugab
April 22nd, 2011
10:15 pm
The dawgs havent had a good oline or a dline in years. Its not going to be this year either. It is going to cost MR his job i’m afraid. The last time we beat Fla it is because Moreno ran the ball. This is the SEC. It starts on the lines.
BigL
April 23rd, 2011
7:49 am
I think the main problem with the Lemay situation is that Murray, if he continues to play well, will probably stay thru senior season. Will Lemay wait 3 more seasons for a real chance at starting job?
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 23rd, 2011
8:58 am
Lemaqy is probably the most athletically gifted QB on UGA, but right now he is not the best QB UGA has. We will have to see him in a few games against the big boys to know whether he can put his gifts to good use. Will he wilt when he gets clobbered by a 340 pound man, bent on making his day a little bad. Don’t put so much pressure on him, as he is young and deserves to get worked into the team scheme. If he is indeed, a world beater, and can utilize his talent fully in game day situations, I would hope CMR would also realize this, and get him in games when he is ready.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 23rd, 2011
8:59 am
Make that LeMay. Coffee please waitress. LOL.
txdawg
April 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
mark – remember that was a UGA writer and not CMR saying that about LeMay. We would all lopve LeMay to be good enough to push a “stud” like Murray. Lets just wait and see
Michael "Punk Ass" Adams = Taking scuzziness to whole new level!
April 23rd, 2011
10:10 am
Where is the POS KimZ Package? Still drunk and getting used and abused at the clubs in Midtown?
Dawgtards have short memories
April 23rd, 2011
10:18 am
I can’t stop myself. I just wish someone would pay attention to me. Help.
AltamahaDawg
April 23rd, 2011
10:31 am
ugab on record as saying Georgia will not have a good d-line this season? which particular players on the d-line are not going to be any good by your analysis?
AltamahaDawg
April 23rd, 2011
10:36 am
BTW, a huge part of the last time we beat UF was collapsing the pocket around Tebow. I also think Moreno might say if asked, he had some holes to run through.
athdog
April 23rd, 2011
11:54 am
Keep in mind, David Greene as a redshirt frosh had Musa and Verron to run the ball, and an offensive line that put three guys in the NFL, along with an NFL tight end. Greene was a GREAT college quarterback and Murray will be a good one, possibly a great one, as well. His surrounding cast has to improve. A little help from the OC with play selection couldn’t hurt, either.
athdog
April 23rd, 2011
11:56 am
Braves? In order, IMO, Aaron (no brainer), Murph, Chipper, Glavine, Smoltz (or Smoltz, Glavine) .
Not a bad top five. In time, I think McCann, who is also the son of a former Dog baseball coach and himself born in Athens, will be on the list.
Tide Rising
April 23rd, 2011
12:19 pm
Sucks for Trinton Sturdivant. But at least the young man will get a decent degree and perhaps his masters before he leaves UGA. Good luck to him.
JT
April 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
is their not going to be a 10@10 anymore on the recruiting blog since you are over here now??
Yellow Fuzz
April 23rd, 2011
2:07 pm
The last 3 meeting between the dogs and Paul Johnson’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have been decided by 8, 6 and 3 points.
2008 (45-42) Hahahahahahahaha
2009 (30-24)
2010 (42-34)
Looking forward to making you eat more of your careless words this November.
Dave
April 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
What’s with all the Dale Murphy stuff? He was a good player, but not a great player. The man didn’t even have 400 HR’s and you want to put him in the HOF?? All he was was a slightly above average player wiith a moral compass. Get real, people!
Reaper
April 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
Being a top OC, you have to know how to break down the opposoing teams defense and prepare a gameplan. I don’t think as of right now UGA has a coach that is capable of doing that. It has not been proved since Bobo took over as the OC and I was not that impressed with CMR playcalling. I beginning to wonder if he actually called the plays at Fla. St. or did someone with some imagination do it. We had a great recruiting year for 2011 but I have noticed how we miss out on a lot of top offensive players. We haven’t been developing the talent and it shows with the lackluster recruiting of top offensive skilled position. Bobo brings in a top QB and he feels as if his job is done. This has to happen year in and year out.
63 Year old grad / fan
April 23rd, 2011
4:40 pm
My heart goes out of Trinton Sturdivant. He has persevered through mental and physical agony which 99.99% of us would not understand. I will miss him in Red and Black, but I believe he has a bright future…just not in football. THANK YOU, son.
63 Year old grad / fan
April 23rd, 2011
4:41 pm
…that’s “my heart goes out TO Trinton Sturdivant….”
Rabid Dawg'84
April 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
Phil Niekro is Mr. Brave to me. The Dawgs are due for some things going right this year.
AltamahaDawg
April 23rd, 2011
5:02 pm
So that streak of winning 10 games or more for 14 straight years at FSU must have been orchestrated by the man behind the curtain?
BirdDog
April 23rd, 2011
9:03 pm
Dave, you are obviously not from here so please keep your mouth shut. Murph meant much more to the franchise and fans than stats.
thwg
April 23rd, 2011
9:54 pm
Yeah, I hear a finance degree from UGA and a dime might get you a coffee at the diner.
The kid sounds like a great kid, too bad he wasted it on a degree from UGA.
thwg
April 23rd, 2011
10:01 pm
I hear lots of things. Most of it from other techies, but a lot of it comes from voices in my head. I’m sure it is all accurate.
thwg
April 23rd, 2011
10:04 pm
I could be posting about our spring game, but we suck so I’d rather spend my time on a UGA blog.
Class of 93
April 23rd, 2011
10:28 pm
If there is any need for another QB this year Richt would be a fool not to take off Lemay’s reshirt. But then again he may be one.
Fair and Balanced
April 23rd, 2011
11:34 pm
Ga goes 8 -5 this year at best. AD set us up to go 0 – 2 before we get out of the gate. Can’t beat Fl, Tn ia on the rise and gunning for us in Knoxville, Auburn will be too much for us and who knows what others will surprise us. Back up to mediocrity is about all we can do. At least it beats losing 7 games.
7576DAWG
April 24th, 2011
2:42 am
Last year Cam Newton was a one and done. He learned Auburn play book and played in every game. Not to think LeMay can learn enough to win games from the start is crazy and is an excuse that I hope CMR and Bobo will not use if LeMay shows greatness.
The red or first team would have never won if LeMay had not driven them down and scored. Some QB’s just have that leadership quality. When you are behind by less than a touchdown , they take the ball right down and score. Murray failed to even get us in field goal range last year on many occasions when just 3 points from our ALL AMERICAN kicker could have won the game.
I know Murray is one of the most dedicated players as far as studying film and technique and one day I think he will make a great 1-A head coach but so far he is only average as a Quarterback.
I just hope that CMR and Bobo will be open to play LeMay if he shows he can get the job done. Cam Newton sure did and I will put a lot of Quarterback’s intelligence ahead of Newton.
CMR and Bobo’s future at UGA is at stake and to play LeMay or not to play him is one of those decisions that could make or break CMR.
AltamahaDawg
April 24th, 2011
8:00 am
Tn is on the rise? How so? They have a few promising offensive players, but the D is still very far behind. I haven’t read any reports that have them on the rise other than second year coaches tend to do better.. Auburn is having to replace thier entire team. They will not be too much for anyone.
Skydawg
April 24th, 2011
9:20 am
In regards to the OL troubles the last few years, it seems funny how things went downhill when Calloway left. Searles was a disaster and I still don’t understand all the hype around that guy. Hopefully Friend can come in an restore things after coaching under Calloway for the past few years. Injuries you can’t help, they happen. But there is no doubt that UGA has had issues trying to run the ball with Searles at the helm.
Ken Parker
April 24th, 2011
9:52 am
What’s the big deal with who’s “Mr Brave”? Murphy and Chipper have both been great players. It just so happens that Chipper was on teams that had great pitching and won one World Series. I contend that with adequate managers, that group should have won three or four World Series. But we’ll never know. If I remember correctly, Murphy was very articulate and very good with the press, but Chipper is going to be a Hall of Famer.
Buckeye
April 24th, 2011
9:55 am
Florda Cornerback arrest on pot charges…………
SEC! SEC! SEC!
Buckeye
April 24th, 2011
9:55 am
Qualifies for Fulmer Cup points if I’m not mistaken.
atltiger15
April 24th, 2011
10:31 am
7576DAWG
But but but, there is no way Cam can learn a playbook over the course of a summer. How could someone with his lack of intelligence do that? hehe..Play the best man for the job plain and simple..Richt cant sit on his feelings for ole murray if Lemay is ready. Another 7 or 8 win season will do Richt in. UGA should win at LEAST 10 games this yr with that schedule..Should play for sec champkonship at least.
UGASlobberknocker
April 24th, 2011
10:43 am
Chip , I love your work both here and on the radio when I hear you there..I am glad to see you on this blog.
I also have great respect for Tim Tucker,,dating back to his days as the outstanding beat writer for the Braves back in the dark ages. What is he doing now? thanks and keep up the great work.
UGASlobberknocker, and Murph admirer
April 24th, 2011
10:49 am
@Dave, you obviously did not live here in the 1980s to appreciate what Murphy accomplished with a cast of awful players around him. He was ALL that we had. He had great numbers despite no one around him in the batting order to protect him (and that includes Horner). He won gold gloves in a position that wasnt his natural position..he had moved to the OF for the team. He signed every autograph and always had a great attitude. In short, he was the epitome of what a great player should be.
It is not possible to understand the attachment that fans have with Murph if you didnt live the horrible 80s with the Braves.
Team Dream
April 24th, 2011
10:50 am
Hank Aaron without a doubt … Murphy 2nd. Not only was Aaron the homerun king for years, he was voted to the All-Star game a record 25 (count ‘em, 25) times. That record still stands.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 24th, 2011
10:51 am
DAWG7576,
I bet Cam had a lot less complications in the playbook for last year than Murray and the QB’s have this year or last. Auburns offense was built around Cam for the most part.
I can not understand why folks like to blame Murray for UGA,s dismal record last year. A QB needs a supporting cast in order to be successful. If not, he will usually try and take up the slack for others and make hurried, sometimes ill advised decisions to lift the team up. That is the sign of a true leader, and that is what UGA needs on the field. He finished pretty high statistics wise last year. Can you imagine how good he might have been, if he had an offensive line, RB’s that contributed more, and a little more diverse of a game plan? LeMay is the more athletic of the QB’s at UGA right now, but he will need time to develope his leadership skills and if his skills were so far superior to Murrays, I think he would be starting for UGA. Maybe next year will be different and I sure hope they do not redshirt him, as we may need him if Murray were to get hurt and Mason had to start.
UGASlobberknocker, and Murph admirer
April 24th, 2011
10:55 am
One other thing..If Murph had played in NY or LA, his stats would have been much better, and he would have been a slam dunk HOF. He could have bailed out on the Braves via free agency but didnt. He is being penalized in the HOF voting for being on one of the worst teams in MLB history, Not his fault.
7576DAWG
April 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
atltiger 15
I totally agree with everything you said. Georgia will not see a schedule easier than this year. I think thats why they added Boise State.
7576DAWG
April 24th, 2011
2:39 pm
It Ain’t Rocket Science
Maybe CMR and Bobo need to arrange our play book to more complement our Quarterbacks style of play.
Murray will not have a lot of success staying in the pocket. He should roll out on nearly every play because I noticed on many occasions last year when he stayed in the pocket he was too short to see over the line and pick up open receivers. And when he finally picked them up they were no longer open or completing the pass became a lot more risky.
I hope CMR will play LeMay often to get him game ready quicker. A lot of very good QB’s are going to be on the market to recruit over the next two years and they will not come to Georgia if CMR insist on using a Quarterback that can’t win. Murray has a lot to prove this year and CMR needs to be willing to use LeMay if Murray can’t win games. We need to know if LeMay can get it done so we will know our QB needs in the future.
AltamahaDawg
April 24th, 2011
3:47 pm
I have a feeling Murray grew a few more inches since last year, and Lemay is standing about 5′7″ right now.
Beau Dawg
April 24th, 2011
5:02 pm
With Sturdivant out, thank goodness for Da’Rick Rogers and Derrick Dooley for giving us Kenarious Gates. Just shows you never know how things like that will turn out.
Randilou
April 24th, 2011
9:44 pm
I watch all the Georgia games. I hate it that tech isn’t in the same league – literally and figuratively. Georgia could have a great year. I’m fortunate to be able to watch really good football.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
April 24th, 2011
10:24 pm
Why is everybody so afraid of Spurrer? He lost his alcoholic quaterback. The gators are rebuilding. Auburn has lost many to the NFL.Its UGA’s year. Tech needs to move over to AA conference. Maybe they could win a game or two there.
Chip Towers
April 24th, 2011
11:19 pm
UGASlobberknocker: Thanks for the kind words. Tim Tucker is going back to the Sports Business beat, but he’ll still be helping me on UGA on occasion.
Q-Tip
April 25th, 2011
4:04 pm
Murph and Chip all the way!!!! I suspect Aaron had some “help” to last so long. Hank is probably the most selfish baseball player in the history of the game.
John
April 25th, 2011
5:29 pm
Why is UGA’s offense so complicated? I can guess the plays sitting on my coach with a chicken wing in my mouth. How does Auburn’s OC get Cam for 1 year, teach him the playbook and win a national title, but it takes Georgia’s QB’s 2 to 3 years in the system to figure out a predictable offensive game plan? The gameplan should surround your talent, not vice versa….
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 25th, 2011
8:00 pm
7576,
I think if UGa’s line does a better job and doesn’t end up sitting in Murrays lap, he can be an effective pocket passer with a 5 step drop. I am not sure he is big enough to take all the hits he would take if he decided to run a lot. I also don’t think it would have mattered who the QB was last year, he didn’t have a offensive line to give him time or protection and the RB’s didn’t get it done. LeMay is a physically more gifted passer but he isn’t too much bigger than Murray is he? I think CMR will go to LeMay if Murray doesn’t produce on the field, and I think it is good to have the competition at any position. I also think that if UGA utilizes their tight ends a lot more this year, then they can put some points up as long as the offensive line does its job. This is going to be a very interesting year to say the least. Our Defense, if it plays up to expectations will be our strength either way. Hopefully, our offense will be able to control the ball, and not keep the D out there all day long. If they do, this could be a very interesting and good year.
AltamahaDawg
April 26th, 2011
7:20 am
Guys Lemay is not going to see any significant time running the team this year. What on earth are folks talking about? The only way he sees any time at all is if he is put in for some special purpose (which I am not sure he has any special skills that nobody else has) or Murray gets injured and then he might be on the sideline suited up at the backup to Mason. If Murray doesn’t get it done, bringing in a less prepared QB is not going to be the answer. He doesnt throw the ball better than Murray right now, and he is 2 years behind in knowing what to do, and that includes how/when to direct the running game. As Buck said, he is just trying to not get somebody killed right now.
ugaclassof2004
April 26th, 2011
10:12 am
If IF’s and BUT’s were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas!
AltamahaDawg
April 26th, 2011
10:20 am
Meaning what?
ugaclassof2004
April 26th, 2011
11:52 am
Here are some things to take from last year:
1. UGA is NOT a power running team. I said that last year and I will say it again. They only went to the power I running game AFTER the coaching staff lost faith in Joe Cox. King and Ealey are not elite backs, so it would be silly to make them the vocal point of the offense. Now with that said, the coaching staff probably abandoned the run a little too early last year, but after starting 1-4 could you blame them?
2. I don’t know what some of you were wanting or expecting from Aaron Murray, but this kid far and away exceeded my expectations last year. By game 5 he was carrying the offense, AS A FRESHMAN! This cannot be underestimated. The ENTIRE OFFENSE ran through him! I think he makes good throws and can make things happen outside of the pocket. Murray, AJ, Kris Durham, and Drew Butler were pretty much the only positive things about our team last season. BTW, arm strength is overrated without accuracy. Trust me, Murray is more than sufficient at QB.
3. The biggest problem is STILL our defense! When you can score 30 points on offense and still lose games, that should tell you something. Except for Justin Houston, this is a talentless defense. Not only talentless, but fundamentally unsound. I know some of you will disagree with me on this and I don’t care. When Colorado and Tech can score more than 25 points on your defense, THEN YOUR DEFENSE IS NOT GOOD!!!
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Darn UGAclassof 2004,
I didn’t realize that 2011, was already played. Each year in college football is a new year with new players. If you can follow my thinking here, let’s try the fact that in 2010, we were trying a new defensive formation, and we lacked a true NG, just for one. We have now at UGA, one big ole boy already on campus and one coming in the fall, to fill that position. We also have some recruits coming in for the defense that will, most likely, see some time on the field. College football constantly changes for a team, as each new season approaches. That’s why they recruit each year. The defense for UGA will most likely be their strength this year, if the safeties step it up somewhat.
AltamahaDawg
April 26th, 2011
11:37 pm
Talentless defense? wow.