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
UGA Alumni
August 22nd, 2011
8:07 am
FIRE McGARITY!
Flowery Branch Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
8:09 am
Those uniforms disgrace the University of Georgia. As a UGA graduate and lifelong fan I am humiliated by them.
SEC links for Monday - River Region Sports
August 22nd, 2011
8:10 am
[...] From ajc.com – UGA players like new uniforms to be worn vs. Boise [...]
The DawgNation
August 22nd, 2011
8:12 am
Maybe we all should wear paper bags over our heads to the game to show our embarrassment over those uniforms. If Richt loses this game in those uniforms then he will permanently lose our support! In fact only an overwhelming blow out over Boise is acceptable if we are going to have our team in those horrible uniforms.
GA Bulldog
August 22nd, 2011
8:14 am
Hold a huge pep rally before the South Carlina game and burn those ugly uniforms to fire up the fans and the team! Those things look like crap!
D man
August 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
I dislike the uniform. I think we are giving up a huge advantage by not going with the normal uniform. Boise will look at this uniform and laugh…
Blackberry Cobbler
August 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
It’s all about the money.
The unis look like crap but UGA has proven it will do anything for the money.
Lindsey
August 22nd, 2011
8:36 am
I like the new uniforms and it’s just one game. Instead of being negative everyone needs to support the boys and UGA. If they like them what can that hurt? Maybe it will give them a little bit more fire, can’t wait for 09/03/11, GO DAWGS!!!!
chilidawg
August 22nd, 2011
8:47 am
Those uniforms are uglier than a sackfull of bootyholes.
Queer Eye for a Tech Guy
August 22nd, 2011
8:56 am
Let’s stop the uniform talk. We’re starting to sound like the Tech blog.
TexasDawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:29 am
Georgia Dawg 41 and Boise State 20– Go Dawg!
Disappointed Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:50 am
When will one of the coaches with so much potential learn that winning is about coaching and implementing the fundamentals with outstanding players who have a commitment to team and play with intensity and self discipline. Winning is not about gimmicks. You change mindsets from the inside out, and not merely with uniforms. First it was black outs, then growing beards, and now this. Wow, what a disappointment!!! The Dawgs will be in the top 25 often, but seldom in the top 5. The coach just does not get it. Winning a national championship will seldom if ever occur until the coach changes is mindset.
HBTD
August 22nd, 2011
9:57 am
Silver pants!!
MS. Bully
August 22nd, 2011
9:57 am
UGLY!!
Foster Keats
August 22nd, 2011
10:04 am
Congrats Jaw-Juh on your low-rent, gawdy, UFL-like uniforms…
Perhaps if you all ever make it to the top tier of college football tradition and finally gain some respect, then you’ll stop with all the uniform abortions and black outs and petty gimmickery…
Mayo
August 22nd, 2011
10:19 am
I’m 50 yrs old and couldn’t care less what they wear. I just want to see a big W for UGA in the Dome. Period. If the players like ‘em, that’s fine. And as for fans of other schools/teams, who gives a rat’s ass what you think?!
GBR
August 22nd, 2011
10:35 am
Although CMR defends the uniforms, I but he had no input in their design, and there is no chance that UGA would have ever selected these “Bridesmaid Dresses” as UGA uniforms. How much did UGA and Boise get to wear them?
South GA Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:57 am
I totally agree with Mayo. I just want a win. Then I want UGA to beat SC by 20. Not to much to ask, is it?
LogicalUS
August 22nd, 2011
11:40 am
Was Grantham a good hire?
Louisiana-Lafayette 7
South Carolina 17
Arkansas 31
Mississippi State 24
Colorado 29
Tennessee 14
Vanderbilt 0
Kentucky 31
Florida 34
Idaho State 7
Auburn 49
Georgia Tech 34
At this point I would say the jury is still out. It looks like the defense got sorry of worse as the season went on…which leads to the question of whether the players having a better understanding of the defense will not be overshadowed significantly by the SEC coordinators having a better understanding of Grantham’s tendencies and schemes.
Another question mark for the 2011 UGA team along with WR,RB, NG, S, OL, etc.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS SEEING RED WITH PRO-COMBAT UNIS
August 22nd, 2011
11:45 am
[...] the players saw it, they liked it and that’s the big thing,” said Bulldogs Coach Mark Richt. “And it’s a special game. It’s not what we would call a traditional uniform but it’s not [...]
CreekDawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:55 am
HEY BULLDAWG NATION. ARE OUR COLLECTIVE GAYDAR DETECTORS ON OVERLOAD OR WHAT?
I’ve obviously not taken the time to read all 775 plus comments on this blog. But no matter which page I click to, everyone is focused on these silly uniforms. Folks, the relevant news from this article is that IC is practicing again, and that he’s WOWING folks!!!
Bruce
August 22nd, 2011
12:04 pm
Is it just me or do the new uniforms seem to be the wrong shade of red?
chilidawg
August 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
Could it be? UGA vs. Mettenberger & LSU in the SECCG? Looks like Jefferson might be in some trouble…
Big Dirty Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
1:02 pm
For all you Dawg fans who hate the uniforms…if you have tix to the game, then just sell them to me..i’m needing four!! I’ll be more than happy to go to the game and watch them beat some Idaho Spuds into tater salad! LOL No wonder UGA cant get back to where it was…even our own fans can buy into the TEAM concept!!
Half Century Dawg Fan
August 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
Who cares what they wear, just line up and knock the snot out of someone.
Tampa Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
Tradition to some of us is like attending our grand parents churches. SCARY!
They go sit in a traditional church services (no drums,guitars,screens,etc), sing songs from a traditional1955 broadman hymnal (every verse mind you), hear a sermon on “turn or burn” for a solid hour (from an elderly guy who wears black pants with white socks and black shoes), then proceed to sing every verse of “I Surrender All” (while no one dares to approach the alter), then finally they walk out and shake the preachers hand at the back door and go home.
No change is ever tolerated because Jesus wouldn’t allow it (BIG LIE). The funny thing is Jesus IS all about change. He is a radical!
Sadly, our grandparents will soon die but the church has been dead for 30 (+) years already. What a waste!
Tradition is awesome! We get it! We really do! But life is about change! And changing tradition as well.
So all you older folks cut us young bucks some slack. If we want change let us have our turn! We tithe just as much if not more than you.
Now after saying all that… can we go back to silver britches and wearing red road pants. LOL! Just adding 2 cents into this absurd debate.
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
…..and we are going to sing ONE more verse, because somebody is feeling the need to come on down here this morning, I can feel it.
I see you have attended a couple of Southern Baptist Services.
Dawg_Central
August 22nd, 2011
2:44 pm
Boise was favored last time they came to Georgia…..and what happend?? If UGA played in Boise St. conference they would dominate……Boise St. will not be able to match UGA’s speed……that will be a huge factor….and speed wins !!
Tampa Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
2:53 pm
AltamahaDawg,
Hilarious stuff sir!
As Larry The Cable Guy would say, “I don’t care who you are…that is just funny!”
Tampa Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
3:00 pm
AltahamaDawg,
I can’t stop laughing because your comments are so true. But i do love the old church back in the wilwood. Geez, Thanks, I needed that gut laugh!
Go Dawgs! GATA
PS-Thomas Brown was spitting out some interesting stats earlier. I was wanting hear some “Rocky” music when he was spitting out stats on ERK. Then he lost me when he started bashing CMR.
CMR, turn this ship around… or burn (pardon the old church pun)
TampaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
4:18 pm
Someone on here stealing my moniker …
AceDawg
August 22nd, 2011
4:50 pm
Just hope the players all know it isn’t the clothes that make the man! I hpoe someone has put a burr under Mark Richt’s saddle and that he toughens up our players as they have been much to soft to be successful in the SEC.
UGA_2001
August 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
UGA wore silver pants in all three black jersey games. They wore the black pants vs Fla in 2009 with white jerseys.
We’ve never worn black jerseys with black pants.
JaySulkowsky
August 22nd, 2011
6:52 pm
Looks like a computer generated football player. Will the game be in 3-D too? Come on, quit the marketing ploys. Us older fans and ALUMNI like what we have had forever (maybe some minor twists). AND we alumni are the ones who support the team where it really counts, the pocketbook
JaySulkowsky
August 22nd, 2011
7:00 pm
Now I know why the games are on radio too. Won’t have to look at this excuse for a uniform
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
7:27 pm
I’ll never forget Brother Pete, song leader , when I was growing up. He’d look over at the preacher and get the nod, “one more verse”. I prefer the more contemporary services now, But I do miss the old hymnal. Those songs stick with you for life, and I am glad.
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
7:28 pm
OK, Weisner is tweeting practice report from today, so there IS something beside uniforms.
Ben Rogers
August 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
I must say the new uniforms are Butt Ugly to me. Please get back to the traditional uniforms after Boise State. Call me old school–whatever, I think they look tacky–the proud tradition at UGA deserves better.
Stinger1
August 22nd, 2011
8:23 pm
looks like the uniform of a LOSER to me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stinger1
August 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
somebody call R2 D2…………………Beam me up Scotty . lol Idiots.!
MIKE MCINTYRE
August 22nd, 2011
10:37 pm
ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO FIND THINGS WRONG WITH COACH AND THE DAWGS PROBLEY ARE BITCHING AT YOU WIFES TOO. UNLESS THEY LEFT YOU ALREADY,I AM A DAWG FAN. THEY WILL COME BACK THIS YEAR AND WIN A BUNCH OF GAMES.GET ON THE BUS OR FIND YOU ANOTHER TEAM.
gehs72
August 22nd, 2011
10:53 pm
I’m an SEC alum though not from UGA so here’s my thought on the uniform issue:
Ugly is a gross understatement of the opening game UGA Nike uniform. The uni’s are HIDEOUS!!!! They are so bad they wouldn’t even look good on a soccer field.
dawgfan0617
August 23rd, 2011
2:51 am
not crazy bout the unis but might change my mind when i see them on the field. im a devoted GA fan and ppl need to remember that even tho we had a losin season last year it wasnt like we were gettin our butts handed to us everytime we lost. this years team is a totally different team. we may have alot of the same faces but the addition of the young guys we have this year gives us what we have been lackin… energy. the past couple years our guys have looked uninspired and disinterested at times but this group of kids comin in this year (and the fact that CMR showed a couple players the door) should really help turn things around. we WILL beat boise and we WILL win the east… dont know if we got what it takes to win the sec but we will before murray leaves. i expect 9 wins this year and CMR to be back foe years to come.
Just Asking
August 23rd, 2011
2:22 pm
Is Boise stressing over these uniforms or are they concentrating on the game? Just Asking.
Don
August 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
The uniforms to me are not the real problem ,correct me if I am wrong but didn’t our head coach say there would not be any more jacking around with the uniforms until the football program was back on track and winning games . Well I have always heard that a man was no better then his word and it seams Richts word isn’t worth crap because they haven’t won crap sense that was said.
JAMES HOWELL
August 24th, 2011
9:43 am
Hey pete eat me
test | Rocsi On The Radio
August 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
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