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
Red-N-Black
August 20th, 2011
2:30 pm
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.”
EXACTLY.
Prozac Dawg
August 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
If Mr Robinson and the rest of the team like the unis then I will get over it and support them. I didn’t take Richt’s comments negatively. I think he meant ‘to get used to’ them. I just want to be 2-0 Sept 11, 2011.
@Brooksdawg,
Dawg gone right. That’s the stuff that’s important. If I can see some of that right down Boise’s throat and a few sacks I will hang a picture of the unis over my bed.
I’m getting hungry, maybe a steak and an Idaho Potato. Bring em on.
Dooley for Prez
August 20th, 2011
2:32 pm
Well we went out and lost to a pathetic Colorado team and that was a break from tradition. We were #1 in the land and got whipped by a mediocre Alabama team at home wearing non-traditional uniform. We tried to break the Florida curse with untraditional uniforms and likely got the worst whipping in UGA history. We elected the first African-American President non-traditional for sure and how’s that turning out? Stick with what we (the ones paying the bills) want! Tradition is UGA! We are not inner city Los Angeles hip hopping along to non-traditional music, clothing, tv, etc. If you want those atmospheres go to Oregon or USC. WE ARE UGA where tradition rules so stick with it Richt or go to the prgressive schools to coach. We’d take a new Russell or Dooley anyday over such decisions. Wins and tradition over the change to mediocrity and horrendous looks.
AltamahaDawg
August 20th, 2011
2:33 pm
What the big deal about “so they can get over it”? he JUST said” I don’t blame them”…. prior to that. Did you read “not my choice”, into that second paragraph Mr Richt Supporter Till I Don’t Like his Quote?
“get over it” is hardly some slap in the face, in the context it was used.
Try this: I lost a pet, it took some time to get over it. I had a cold, I had to get over it. Nike is forcing me to watch my team wearing some uniforms straight out of AnimeCon ‘11. I will get over it.
pdawg
August 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
“Let the BIG Dawg eat”….man, chill out!!! Are u really a Georgia fan? I really wonder….anyways your post is just too negetive…attack the coach all you want but please leave the kids out okay. They dont deserve that. Thank you.
isproab
August 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
They should care less about what the fans think. Its a one or two time deal. I love changing it up every so often vs looking virtually the same for 30+ years.
mvdawg
August 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
I prefer old school and what I mean by that is hard noise, smash mouth football. the new uniforms are ok take it or leave it but my hope is this team heart and soul are ready for war. go dawgs
Prozac Dawg
August 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
@Altamaha,
Well put and I agree
anthony
August 20th, 2011
2:39 pm
For one game they are great. Good for recruiting on a national platform. GO DAWGS!
My Dad can whoop your dad
August 20th, 2011
2:40 pm
These UNI’s are killer. I would like them for the UF game too……………
Scarlet Knight in GA
August 20th, 2011
2:46 pm
You do realize our RED on RED was voted as one of the worst college football uni’s of all time right?
safetydawg
August 20th, 2011
2:48 pm
You folks are just plain and simple superstitious. UGA lost more games last year wearing their traditional uniform. Do not forget the 6-7 record on traditional uniforms. So what do you say. They therefore better off at 2-2 wearing modified uniform. It has nothing to do with uniforms, it has something to do fi the coaches and players are into the games.
Scarlet Knight in GA
August 20th, 2011
2:49 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOGMPPdO370
Dirty Dawg
August 20th, 2011
2:49 pm
I don’t know just what poll the AJC, or Chip, or whoever, is citing that the majority were ‘generally negative’…well I think you, Chip, are generally negative as well and could use a little ‘positive’ motivation, and if Jim Minter were still calling the shots I suspect he’d provide it. The point is these young men are fired up about this season and the challenge facing them with the game with Boise State followed by South Carolina, and if these unis provide a little something else to fuel the flame then so be it.
Seem to recall that nobody really hollered that much when Vince put us in white pants when he came to town then a few years later went to the silver-britches when they had a fabric that actually looked silver instead of gray, and when he also adopted that funny-shaped ‘G’ – OK, so we ‘borrowed’ it from Green Bay and only did that because they were kickin’ butt at the time…and while it may have looked a little odd that Saturday night in Knoxville in ‘80 when we trotted out in white tops and red bottoms – bet Bill Bates was thinking just how funny those pants looked as they buried his orange-clad self in the Shields-Watkins field turf.
As Coach Richt says, ‘get over it people’, we’ve got more important issues to worry about – like wondering how far up we’ll jump when the #5-rated BSers go down like a rodeo clown…oops, I’m gettin’ ahead of myself…but these uniforms look as good as any I’ve seen from Nike. I mean can you imagine how LSU will look in all purple?
mdawg
August 20th, 2011
2:52 pm
uniforms are awesome…… its time we kick he traditional silver britches out anyway…… and i know you guys say its all about the game but if oregon changing uniforms every game gets them more and better recruits. it can do the same for UGA………
do you guys remember walker wearing red pants against tennessee when he played? it worked then and can work now
Dirty Dawg
August 20th, 2011
2:53 pm
Oh yeah, and one other thing, just be thankful it ain’t orange or blue, now those do look like Halloween costumes.
ryan
August 20th, 2011
2:57 pm
Can we stop talking about uniforms .
safetydawg
August 20th, 2011
2:58 pm
People are just too fickle. When GA was winning with the Black Jersey’s, every body was for it. After the Alabama loss they puke on the idea. The uniforms were not the ones that tackled or intercepted the footballs in that game. The uniforms also has nothing to do with play calling or coaching..
Ummm...
August 20th, 2011
2:59 pm
I think we all know why the players like the unis and most of the fans don’t. Elephant in the room?
rushabh
August 20th, 2011
3:03 pm
These uniforms are dope!!!!!
sweetpons.com
Prozac Dawg
August 20th, 2011
3:03 pm
@ Ummm,
I just took my meds. Why do the players and not the fans like them? I do not see the elephant
DAWG GONE IT
August 20th, 2011
3:04 pm
Is President Dr. Michael F. Adams behind this TRAVESTY?
JDawg1785
August 20th, 2011
3:04 pm
Good to hear Isaiah’s back at 100%. Wishing the same for Richard. GO DAWGS!
Demon Damon
August 20th, 2011
3:05 pm
No I did this before I left. You know how I love red!!!!!!
THWGT
August 20th, 2011
3:06 pm
I’m happy our players like the new uniforms. Best of luck to them. We all know logos and uniforms don’t play each other; rather, athletes will be competing. While now, or at least for the kick off classic, we may look like a WAC, PAC or Big East team, we better play like an SEC team or we’re going to get creamed… which I’m sure will provide the douche in columbia material needed for the next week’s pressers. Just beat Boise State.
trupert
August 20th, 2011
3:06 pm
The longer the game goes on the better those Pro Combat Unis will look.
After Boykin returns the opening kickoff back for 100yds they will start to grow on us.
After Ga’s defense stuffs the BSU offense for the first of many three and outs they will start looking good.
By the end of the first quarter when Ga’s is up by 21 and the Junk Yard Defense has established complete dominance over the BSU offense they will be looking real good. Go dawgs!!!
safetydawg
August 20th, 2011
3:07 pm
Let us compute winning percentage of the Black Jerseys = 66%. For the Black helmet = 0%. For the traditional uniform of the 2010 season = 46%. For change in uniforms in Richt’s = 50%. It really has nothing to do with uniforms, it is all in the mind.
Prozac Dawg
August 20th, 2011
3:08 pm
Well doesn’t BS get some of these unis too? What do theirs look like. Probably have mashed potatoes on back of the trousers
Terry
August 20th, 2011
3:12 pm
Chip, why no voting poll, you say fans don’t like them, well how did you come by your stats? I hope you didn’t go by just those tans at the viewing.
Terry
August 20th, 2011
3:13 pm
And the fans of other teams shouldn’t count, because they hate everything UGA.
Will
August 20th, 2011
3:15 pm
I am ashamed and embarassed. I never thought I would see the day that UGA, a program steeped in as much tradition as any in football, would stoop this level.
Remember when Jim Donnan SLIGHTLY messed wtih the helmet by adding a stripe?
USC, Auburn, Alabama, Penn State………schools with respect for tradition and apparently none looking for gimmicks to remain popular.
playmeortrademe
August 20th, 2011
3:17 pm
Again, if UGA wins, everybody’s happy and no one cares about the unis. Personally, I think they look like a stop sign ate a fire hydrant and a hubcap and barfed it up. Anyway, its great that the players liek em but the people who matter are the donors, who will be mad if we lose and we look like crap in those uniforms.
Aside, all of college football should give Nike the middle finger wave goodbye because Phil Knight/Nike is taking that college merchandising money and trying to build Oregon into the nations dominant football program.
Tampa Dawg
August 20th, 2011
3:19 pm
The Uniforms look much better on our school website!
Hairy Dawg
August 20th, 2011
3:19 pm
“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.”
Some people are sticks in the mud about change, but let’s face it, the main reason people don’t like these unis is that they are damned ugly.
voice of reason
August 20th, 2011
3:25 pm
Here is the main point that all of you wanna be, has been or never was cry babies need to consider is that the players love them and that is who will be wearing them! Also, I guarantee you that the 16,17 and 18 year old recruits watching the game are going to love them too which is also huge! What you traditional stuck in the past people need to realize is that whatever is best for the UGA is what we need to embrace. If wearing different unis gets recruits excited then I am all for it. Also, I am sure that way back when Dooley changed the pants to silver from white I am sure that there were a bunch of old people belly aching over that too! I also believe that the helmets used to be silver also. So, if all of you “traditionalists” would focus some of this outrage into actual noise at the UGA games then maybe our stadium could be as loud as others!
marie
August 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
Get over it. It’s one game!! Cool uni’s- GO DAWGS!
PMC
August 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
The collar cut to me seems comfortable, I’m sure the materials are excellent. Ultimately it really doesn’t matter what they wear.
I do find it a bit interesting that a scholarship makes one a free mannequin for Nike clothing.
Would love to see some big high school athletes refuse the scholarship offer, pay their own way in school and see if they can challenge the system by selling their own likeness. It would be fun to see the NCAA’s feathers ruffled in that manner. If there’s no scholarship I don’t see why the school could sell the players likeness without paying them for it.
Dirty Dawg
August 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
Hey ‘UMMMM’…not only do I see that elephant (an apt mascot/metaphor by the way) you’re talking about, I can smell a race-baiter from twenty paces. Why don’t you come on out and say it? Are you afraid that if most of the better athletes, that also happen to be black, knew that a substantial percentage of ‘fans’ (note I didn’t say graduates, although that too might be debatable) of SEC schools were racially biased, said schools would have a hard time recruiting said athletes and would no longer be able to call themselves ‘the best conference in college football’? Is that what you meant?
Tech Fan
August 20th, 2011
3:29 pm
Looks like child ate a plate full of french fries and ketchup and puked on them. LOL.
One of the ugliest uniforms I have ever seen. UGA…the East Coast Oregon of uniform changes.
I sense a wardrobe malfunction…
DawgVoiceofReason
August 20th, 2011
3:29 pm
Of course, as a longtime fan of the Dawgs, I prefer the traditional uniforms. But for one game, in what is a unique situation, and with the players loving them, I can live with them for a game. All I want is a “W” and I will be ecstatic!
Everyone needs to do your griping, if you don’t like them, and then Get Over It and Get Behind the Dawgs in the Georgia Dome (you can’t say “Georgia Dome” without referring to “Georgia”)!
Let’s make this our home field on Sept. 3rd.
Halsey
August 20th, 2011
3:30 pm
The Pro Combat uniforms are boring and uncreative. I could have designed something more interesting, and I don’t have near the applicable education that the people that NIke payed to design them do.
“Hey fans! Look at these new uniforms! We changed the colors around and made them look boring and generic! Whoopidy freakin doo!”
PMC
August 20th, 2011
3:31 pm
Most people are probably against it because the last few times they tinkered with the uniform they got blasted.
PMC
August 20th, 2011
3:31 pm
Nike just wants to debut a new uni so they can sell it. If they build it, people will freaking buy it.
Phuch Le` Duch
August 20th, 2011
3:33 pm
[] Pronounced – foosh le duke []
I do not mind the Red on Red for one game, and I really admire the Silver headgear, although the wider than wide red stripe is gauche. By the way – thanks to –
[ "For Real Dawg? FOR REAL DAWG!" ]
that video was very interesting and unique. I especially enjoyed the Dawgs barking. Also, actually I thought the jesies were a little plain.
Once again thogh if the players are juiced and win handily then who cares what we think and plus who will remember the ini color? Rather the score.
Phuch Le` Duch
August 20th, 2011
3:35 pm
[] Pronounced – foosh le duke []
jersies
dawg85
August 20th, 2011
3:38 pm
They’re pretty ugly. Wouldn’t be so bad if they had done a thin stripe on the helmet and silver pants. That’s what happens when you let fashion designer’s do football uniforms. But such is life. UGA’s normal uniform is good looking, but it won’t change a thing on September 3rd. GATA Dawgs!
No problem with CMR’s comment. I doubt he likes them much himself. I wonder how much input the AD had in the design?
SEC1
August 20th, 2011
3:42 pm
I don’t care if they are in Nike Necked Unis as long as they win!
dawg85
August 20th, 2011
3:42 pm
BTW — the video Nike put out is a bucket of cheese.
Truth Shall Prevail
August 20th, 2011
3:42 pm
Glad to see Sterling Bailey out of the green jersery! Way to go East Hall graduate from Lula, GA!
jp
August 20th, 2011
3:43 pm
DOOLEY FOR PREZ YOU BLITHERING IDIOT .DOOLEY HIRED DAMON EVANS WHO PUT ASU AND LOUISVILLE ON SCHED.AND WANTED TO PLAY ARMY IN NEW YORK.GA PLAYED AT LSU AT JAX ( FLA) AT KENTUCKY AND AT AUBURN IN STAFFORD AND MORENO’S LAST SEASON . 4 ROAD GAMES BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK .SO WE COULD ” INCREASE OUR BRAND ” DOOLEY GOT HIM HIRED AND NOW MAGARITY IS CLEANING UP HIS MESS GETTING US OUT OF HOME AND HOME WITH OREGON AND LOUISVILLE .WE GET A CHANCE TO WHIP# 5 IN ATLANTA ,A HOME GAME AND THE NATIONAL TV WATCHING AND WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH NIKE YOU IDIOT. WIN THE GAME AND YOU WILL BE TELLING EVERYONE THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU HELPED DESIGN THE UNIFORM.WE SCORED 42 ON TECH 31 ON AUB 41 ON TENN 43 ON VANDY 34 ON FLORIDA 27 ON COLORADO,42 ON KENTUCKY DOES THAT SOUND LIKE BOBO DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING .YOU HAVE NEVER PLAYED A DOWN OF FOOTBALL IN YOUR LIFE AND YOU PROBABLY BOO YOUR OWN TEAM . GO CHEER FOR THE FALCONS OR SOMETHING YOU JAG OFF