Practice report: Dogs 19th, Crowell wows and uniform debate
UGA and Nike showed off the Bulldogs' Pro Combat uniform that the team will wear for its opening game against Boise State. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
ATHENS – Online fan reaction to Georgia’s new Nike Pro Combat uniforms, publicly unveiled on Saturday, was generally negative. This came as no surprise to Bulldogs coach Mark Richt.
“I think there are a lot of people that just don’t want to get away from [tradition] and I don’t blame them,” Richt said. “That’s the reason we’re sticking it out there two weeks in advance, so everybody can get over it.”
The new design features a silver helmet with a wide red stripe down the middle, red jersey, red pants, llong black socks, all in the Nike “Pro Combat” style. UGA and Boise State both agreed to wear the specially-designed uniforms for one game only when they play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Sept. 3 in the Georgia Dome.
Georgia has a 2-2 record under Richt when it has changed its uniforms. The Bulldogs famously beat Auburn 45-20 in their first-ever “blackout” in 2007. They also rolled Hawaii 41-20 in black jerseys and pants in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
But the last two times it hasn’t gone well. Georgia lost to Alabama 41-30 – after trailing 31-0 at halftime – in 2008. Wearing black helmets and black pants in 2009, the Bulldogs fell to Florida 41-17.
“We’re due,” Richt said. “I doubt we’ll do any surprise uniforms anymore. At least everybody’s got time to digest it this time. If everybody just thinks about what’s most important and that’s playing the game, I think we’ll all be fine.”
Richt said it’s not about motivation or breaking with tradition.
“When the players saw it, they liked it and that’s the big thing,” he said. “And it’s a special game. It’s not what we would call a traditional uniform but it’s not a traditional game either. That’s kind of why we did it.”
Meanwhile, the players love them.
“I think they’re awesome,” junior wide receiver Tavarres King said. “We’ve still got to play so it’s not a magic potion or anything. But I love what Nike has done for us. We’re blessed to have those uniforms. I’m excited about them.”
Said linebacker Christian Robinson: “I do like tradition, but I think one game out of the year you can do something new. It’s not like we’re changing our whole style for the whole season. It’s one game. If it’s upsetting somebody that bad, I’m sorry.”
Dogs 19th in AP poll
The Associated Press Top 25 was released Saturday and Georgia was ranked 19th. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 22 in the coaches’ poll released earlier this month.
“That’s good,” Richt said. “It’s nice to be ranked.”
Said senior defensive end DeAngelo Tyson: “That’s pretty good. We can’t go anywhere but up starting at 19. We just don’t want to go down.”
Boise State, Georgia’s opening opponent, was ranked No. 5.
“Good. I’m very excited,” Georgia’s King said of the Broncos. “They should be 5, if not even higher.”
Crowell wows team at practice
Tailback Isaiah Crowell apparently is completely recovered from the groin injury that sidelined him for six days. In his second practice back, Crowell wowed his coaches and teammates in the scrimmage portion of Saturday morning’s practice.
“Isaiah went live today and he made some plays,” Richt said. “He had a couple of great runs and a great catch and run after the catch for a touchdown.”
Said King: “Isaiah Crowell came in and was just making plays all over. I was excited about that.”
It was the first time Crowell has gone full speed since injuring the groin on Aug. 12.
“He went a little yesterday and that was enough for him, I think, to realize he could go,” Richt said. “We had a great competitive day and he wanted to be a part of it. So I think his adrenalin took over and he competed and he competed well. It was great to see.”
Injury report
Crowell’s backfield mate Richard Samuel was not about to return. Richt said the junior will be out at least until “early next week” with a strained quadricep muscle.
Nose guard John Jenkins sat out after being sidelined with a mild hamstring pull on Friday. Fellow nose guard Kwame Geathers returned from an undisclosed injury that kept him out on Friday. Also, freshman wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was out Saturday due to a pulled leg muscle. Freshman outside linebacker Ray Drew will be out at least another week with a separated shoulder suffered in a scooter accident.
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797 comments Add your comment
Nice Unis
August 21st, 2011
8:09 am
The big shock is gonna come when the dogs enter and see the Ga Dome turf painted blue.
Stewballdog
August 21st, 2011
8:11 am
The uniforms look like something the Pointer Sisters would wear. I’m glad it’s just one game.
sigdawg
August 21st, 2011
8:23 am
The uniforms suck, but I’m still UGA all the way! It’s time for college football, even crappy uniforms can’t dampen that special time of year! GO DAWGS!
chris
August 21st, 2011
8:23 am
I think they r pretty sweet, and tradition well tradition hasn’t worked last two years so why not something new.
WalterEgo
August 21st, 2011
8:27 am
I like the helmet alot. Nike did a decent job. Silver “britches” would be better. I also used to like “black out” unis but getting spanked in them makes them ugly. Let’s hope our play causes us to bring these unis back.
Bama Tradition
August 21st, 2011
8:28 am
Alabama’s uniforms: classic — same uniform over the years, not something NIKE orders them to for a million.
GDawg65
August 21st, 2011
8:29 am
Too bad those ugly uniforms will be worn on a televised game. Richt is desperate and these out of character uniforms is just another mistake of his.
Stinger
August 21st, 2011
8:29 am
These Mickey Mouse uniforms are perfect for you losers!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will be just as successful as the Black ones. LOL
Rufus Bane
August 21st, 2011
8:32 am
Fans VS Fanatics: Fans understand football is a game played by kids; Fanatics think this is an activity designed to dominate, intimidate and destroy not just the players, but the fans of opposing schools.
Fans enjoy the many facets of the activity; Fanatics live and die by their teams performance on a field of “play”.
Fans have a life beyond the game and understand the players and coaches do also; Fanatics are one-dimensional and expect the players and coaches for THEIR team to be just as boring as they are.
Fanatics cause the kind of problems Miami now faces; Fans do not want their teams to WIN AT ALL COST- they want to be as proud of their team and coaches off the field as on.
Thank you Coach Richt, this fan appreciates you!
wastedyears
August 21st, 2011
8:41 am
listen up dawg nation, if u dont like them lighten up.i think that helmet is the bomb and im 45 yrs old the uni ? maybe black pants.hey its colledge football its supposes to ba colorful .i personlly would like to see different combinations at least 6 of the games and please bring back the black jerseys not for a special ”blackout” game. just cause they want to wear them life is to short lighten up and get over it im more concern about injuries and the sec games
Rearranging the deck chairs
August 21st, 2011
8:44 am
The uniforms look like clown suits, which for UGA is perfectly appropriate. Will the coaches and the mangy mutt have their own clown suits?
claytondawg
August 21st, 2011
8:45 am
I agree with most everyone: A uniform does NOT make a team; the players do. The next two weeks should be a time for the players to work out and tweak whatever needs to be worked on and tweaked. Let’s hope there’s a new attitude backed up by demonstrating great skills and motivation.
poopdawg
August 21st, 2011
8:45 am
Well said Rufus. I love watching the Dawgs but for them to lose does not ruin my day. I love Coach Richt also and admire what he represents but the uninspired play we have witnessed lately directly falls on him. Sounds like he’s made some changes this year and we will see what happens . GO DAWGS!
Big Al
August 21st, 2011
8:46 am
That new uniform is about as ugly as possible. But what do you expect when they were
designed by Nike?
Daisy in Between
August 21st, 2011
8:48 am
I wonder how much money Nike put in Richt’s bank account.
That’s really what it’s all about – making Richt even wealthier.
Gen Neyland
August 21st, 2011
8:49 am
Bama Tradition : Agreed and thankfully other programs do too…I see the new wave look and I think of cheap Glamour Shots.
ringleader
August 21st, 2011
8:50 am
The uniforms were chosen and approved by McGarity
McGarity also downgraded the non conference home schedule, making your tickets worth less, creating another kid day. Notice how the crowd will have less wives or women, and be diluted.
McGarity downgraded the nonconference travel schedule by eliminating it. I truly enjoyed the trips to Arizona, Oklahoma, and Colorado with 25,000 of my closest and dearest friends and was looking forward to the Louisville trip.
McGarity did it all, but he was brown nosing Adams all the way. His actions are at the direct order of Adams. You watch him at any away game, brown nose all the way.
dawginduluth
August 21st, 2011
8:53 am
UGA-ly!
willipic
August 21st, 2011
8:58 am
Awful!!
Another bush league gimmick, just like the black helmets in Jacksonville a few years ago. Did Alabama change their uniforms
before their Chik Fila appearances ?!
I am very disappointed at this gimmickry.
Lack of class!
once you go black....
August 21st, 2011
8:59 am
looks like we should be playing Florida A&M…..
Win P.
August 21st, 2011
9:05 am
Congraduations Chip, you have created the “Perfect Storm”.
georgytech
August 21st, 2011
9:09 am
I bet Damon Evans likes them! Are the panties underneath red too?
UGA Fans Have Too Many Bong Smokers
August 21st, 2011
9:14 am
For those of you kool-aid fans who cry and whine because another UGA fan says something negative about your ugly uniform.
Here’s an article talking about why Nike blew it with this UGLY uniform design
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/813469-georgias-nike-pro-combat-uniform-why-its-a-disaster
Black Out!
August 21st, 2011
9:20 am
Go with a black out for the Florida game–all black this year, not just helmets. The Dawgs will blow out florida finally and in black it will be even better!!!!!
Jay
August 21st, 2011
9:24 am
love’em!
Andrew Hughes
August 21st, 2011
9:25 am
COMBAT? It’s a game, COMBAT is happening to our MEN and WOMEN around the world in the MILITARY.
Get a life.
August 21st, 2011
9:29 am
good grief…you would think the world is coming to an end. These uniforms are for ONE GAME!!! I don’t particularily like the way they look either but I am around athletes enough to know that they love these unforms. Some of you are forgetting that they are state of the art for performance and designed for comfort and wicking away of moisture. If you are not a athelete you wouldn’t understand that. For those of you asking how much they cost, you are really behind on the times…Nike is paying for them. I too want to maintain tradition, but all this attention to something like uniforms for one game is embarrassing. UGA fans have to be the most complaining fans on the earth. The decision has been made, they are wearing them, so shut your mouth and support the team. ALl this complaining is just going to bring the team down….is that what you want.
Hit A Single
August 21st, 2011
9:30 am
LSU bar fight! Kid announces his school of choice on GPTV when he should have been with his teammates and all sporting companies robbing high schools while colleges get their stuff free and we wonder why the NCAA is like a prison outfit.
UGA Fans Have Too Many Bong Smokers
August 21st, 2011
9:41 am
Get a life.
LOL
What a stupid statement
“Some of you are forgetting that they are state of the art for performance and designed for comfort and wicking away of moisture. If you are not a athelete you wouldn’t understand that”
By the way, several people on here have said the same thing.
Just because they are (state of the art) doesnt mean they have to be STATE OF THE ART UGLY
hurting in ga
August 21st, 2011
9:44 am
love the shirt helmet ok but needed black paints to make it awesome. go dawgs
SLCDawg
August 21st, 2011
9:44 am
If you don’t like these uniforms , Nike is to blame, so vote with your wallet and stop buying their crappy products. Their ecological and human rights records are more atrocious than these hideous clown suits .
Jimmy Crack
August 21st, 2011
9:45 am
If the players want to look like the Star Wars security personnel, that’s great, they can wear those to the after party. If tradition is dead within the University football program and Richt thinks it is cool, then change our colors every game, or even wear “colors from around the world” representing the different continents. How about eco-colors, like the Oregon smokin’ Ducks wear? Maybe earth tones to match our future earthly resting places? I have a great idea, LET’S REPLACE THE “G”!!! Yes the world has been sucked into a free-for-all mentality. What’s next, wild mobs in the streets? Oh yea, we already have that. – - – - – - – ==>
The University of Georgia’ helmet color is RED…..not Red & White.
AJC Budget Cuts
August 21st, 2011
9:48 am
How about some additional pictures! It’s really hard to judge completely based on this poorly composed single photograph.
TC in Rome
August 21st, 2011
9:49 am
Mark Richt’s attitude is a real turn-off. “Tradition” is a huge part of following a team, college or pro. The traditional UGA football uniform is one of the coolest college uniforms out there and Coach Richt takes the attitude that it’s perfectly okay for him to change tradition at his whim. That’s pretty arrogant and egotistical for a guy who’s job, unfortunately, is on the line. I hope he does well and stays — I like him. But, Coach, lose the attitude and have a bit more respect for the fans.
UGA Fans Have Too Many Bong Smokers
August 21st, 2011
9:50 am
AJC Budget Cuts
Go to georgiadogs.com but be warned they are scary UGLY
BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Dogs Smell
August 21st, 2011
9:52 am
The game against Boise State should be as ugly as those uniforms in favor of Boise.
D Bag Trolls!
August 21st, 2011
9:56 am
Sound like a bunch of women on here. Unis are cool and it’s for one game. Players like them that is all that matters. We will get a ton of free pr from them around the country.
You guys sound like you should work for Tommy with all of your dress opinions.
GATA AND THWGT!!!!!!
heartofdarkness
August 21st, 2011
9:58 am
Nike is to fashion, what STD’s are to prostitution.
jerry
August 21st, 2011
10:07 am
Richt should feel a tremendous amount of pressure to beat BS, a team in a state that hardly has any people much less a high school football program. I don’t care where BS is ranked, a loss to them would be 100% unacceptable.
UGA Fans Have Too Many Bong Smokers
August 21st, 2011
10:09 am
D Bag Trolls!
Yea you will get a ton of PR on how stupid you look and that should go good with the high school kids who are all about looking good and not being laughed at by their peers.
Im still waiting to hear what 2 or 3 players out of the 50 loved the uniform so much.
Got a feeling it was Richt just saying that the players liked them in hopes to keep the heat off him
Chris
August 21st, 2011
10:10 am
Good to hear about Crowell and hope he can make the same impact when the games are for real. Get over the Uniform people…It’s not that bad and its not what you wear anyway, its whether or not you win the game. If Georgia win’s these first two games, nobody is going to want them to change
Hit A Single
August 21st, 2011
10:12 am
Nike doesn’t care about tradition. All they care about is money, so they are right at home with college football, where many players think they are entitled to the world. I thank God everyday for the players that play the game because they love it and love their universities.
Thomas Brown
August 21st, 2011
10:14 am
“Tell me, how does UGA’s previous 5 recruiting classes stack up against UCF before last year Liberty Bowl?”
I dunno. You got something to say, say it. And, don’t use “Dawg” in your handle, neither when you do do your own bloody work for whatever point it is you want to make about UCF finishing # 21 in the AP Poll. I mean if you are a Boise State WIMP who don’t let us say whatever we want on your blogs, calling it hijacking your stinking blogs on jersey # 24 that day, like anyone ever heard of that guy when he was in high school, or after he was in college while you play 10 of your regular season games against teams Rivals say average the # 81 opponent all season long this 2011 season, except for TCU and Georgia.
If Scout.com is so wrong that Boise State averages # 69 recruiting class, instead of talking about # 21 AP Poll UCF beating UGA when our coach settled for a field goal on the 1-yard line, why not talk about why the NFL only has 15 Boise State players ? I thought they were all so top-class players, and all according to you, right ?
If Scout.com is wrong that you average the # 69 recruiting class, why then are you only 8 wins in all 31 games against every one of the 6 BCS Conferences ?
1980 Dawg
August 21st, 2011
10:17 am
Burn those uniforms after the game! They are hideous and embarrassing!
This puts much more pressure on Mark Richt!!!! Lose to Boise State in those ugly uniforms and this will be his last season!!!!!
Jimmy Crack
August 21st, 2011
10:20 am
Do the helmets come with a built-in IPOD?
Do they make the pants adjustable so they can hang low?
Do the shoes light up when the players run?
DADDY GIVE ME $5, I NEED A CANDY BAR!
bitter 1979 dawgs
August 21st, 2011
10:21 am
5@6 record then========and 12=0 in 1980=====we also had a dream team of recruits
—————————-a lot of hard work butt dont think ole lady luck cant determine a game
—————————————run lindsey run—————get the point
——————-a lot of guys played poorly on the 1979 team then a year latter were all sec team memb
—————————-munson was the edge we needed—what would 1980 be without “LARRY”??
ITSJUSTME
August 21st, 2011
10:21 am
BLA<BLA<BLA< I hate the uniforms, BLA,BLA,BLA, Ilove the uniforms. They look like SPACE RANGERS. and TREY is a RACEST!
Thomas Brown
August 21st, 2011
10:26 am
Nub whines : “All fans griping and complaining about the uni’s are the same fan’s griping and complaining about the football program.”
Nub, sir, all the same so-called Bulldogs’ fans – who say you can only say great stuff about a football program # 23 in wins over the entire last 5 years with a 13-12 record vs The SEC East DOWN as it is over the same last 5 years, are all the same ones in here telling us the Strength and Conditioning is so bloody great with a guy who has been in the S and C here forever promoted to run off our players and have us fall like flies not learning their position for the 1st time ever this Fall Camp. The ones telling us Mark Richt’s “coaching staff” is the most awesome ever, despite having to go back 58 years to 1953 to find any season UGA last lost more games in a season than we just did. They also are the ones in here trying to tell us S and C has nothing to do with Stretching. Telling us we aren’t Bulldogs’ fans and they are, because they SETTLE for this 3 wins in 12 games vs teams finishing in the Top 10 all 10 years and because they SETTLE for 16 losses to teams with LESSER TALENT than we have, such as UCF, 10 of whom did not finish in the AP Poll Top 25 even with their win over Mark Richt’s “coaching staff” these 10 years to-date.
I can tell you this; we better not lose to Boise State, too, with their recruiting class every year # 69.
tckr83
August 21st, 2011
10:30 am
2011 Chic-fil-a game:
Boise State Broncos vs. University of Georgia Red Raiders from Lubbock
People are going to like it or hate it… I get that. But to say that these uniforms are awesome and Nike couldn’t have done better… is worse than saying some fans are complaining just because they have an opinion on the uniform that differs from the “cool” theory.
It’s easily one of the worst pro-combat uniforms to date in college football, easily. Everyone should be upset that this is the best Nike could come up with for UGA, they had a huge opportunity and blew it.
I vote for a move to under armour.
Thomas Brown
August 21st, 2011
10:33 am
Fans are (1) either people who are satisfied with what is, and feel saying anything trying to improve us is something they can tell their significant other only in private (2) or they are people who think that the players and most especially the “coaching staff” of Mark Richt must be told to GATA – that it is unacceptable what has been passed off UGA football around here for a while now, and that we are fed up to here with it.