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
A.Bishop
August 20th, 2011
7:41 pm
What kind of an idiot thinks that a coach should be fired for allowing a company to design new uniforms for one game? I’m glad the players like them because that is all that matters since they are the one’s playing in the game. I guarantee you that it doesn’t matter what uniforms they wear, you “fans” will still cheer for them.
Say what
August 20th, 2011
7:43 pm
The only uniforms Nike knows how to make are UGLY UNIFORMS. Who’s designing those? A seventh-grade gaggel of Goths? If we lose, richt can take those uniforms and put them where the sun never shines. The great teams DO NOT change uniforms and wear gadget ” costumes” like this.
AltamahaDawg
August 20th, 2011
7:46 pm
So it’s not that the pants are red, or the helmet is different, it’s that Nike paid for it? I don’t have a problem with that. Personally I don’t think it’s selling out any more than the entire game has sold out. Kind of how it is. But you do, so that’s fine, vent away. But as I was saying and you seem to be confirming, waving the banner of “tradition” when in fact is not about the change but more about the motive, waters down what real tradition means.
LakeDawg
August 20th, 2011
7:47 pm
AltamahaDawg
August 20th, 2011
7:36 pm
I just can’t help but hearing Vince in that classic voice of his talking about the red pants that he rolled out to start the 1980 season which were a departure from the standard unis worn in that miserable preceeding season.
Uh well, someTiiiimes, you know, fan just need to get over it.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
You need to get your facts straight. UGA wore the red pants on the road prior to 1980. After the Tenn. game they reverted back to the silver britches for tradition’s sake and were warmly received.
Uh well, sometiiiimes, you know, you need to try to understand what the majority of the Dawg nation holds dear.
Erk Russell's Dog
August 20th, 2011
7:47 pm
A river Dawg I am confused are you for the college tradition ? Or are you a progressive who believes that change is inevitable and we should just take it .We should sit down,shut up and take whatever crap Adams and CMR tell us to take . I myself am tired of the overpriced crap sandwich they are serving,I will give them one more year of this .If the Dawgs have another crap season ,I will call Satan incarnate Bill Curry and ask him ,how much for GSU Panther season tickets?
SuperB
August 20th, 2011
7:48 pm
Hey A. Bishop– you better not be calling me an idiot. I have been the biggest Georgia fan for the last 42 years and am a Georgia graduate. I know tacky uniforms when I see them– and Nike makes tacky uniforms. When we changed from white to silver breeches– that was a good look. There’s nothing wrong with having a uniform that looks good for a special game (I liked the black jerseys.) But these uniforms are just plain ugly!
AltamahaDawg
August 20th, 2011
7:50 pm
I assume you are over the multiple uni changes that occured when you were coaching Erk?
Hit A Single
August 20th, 2011
7:50 pm
I don’t care if the players do like them. They are not the only ones that matter. The ones that matter are the ones that have come thru the program and helped make it the program it is today. I know it is one game but that mess in Jacksonville with those black helmets was one game and I think all UGA fans should have been reimbursed their ticket money that day. Ala. controlled their uniforms and I am really disappointed in Georgia for letting this crap happen. They fell for the Nike trash method of doing things.
Stupid Honkey
August 20th, 2011
7:51 pm
Black worked. Didn’t it? Really? It didn’t work? Gee, maybe some coaching? maybe some disciplne? No, dat be racist. Bye, Georgia; it was good once.
Prozac Dawg
August 20th, 2011
7:55 pm
I will really like the unis if I see them all over kellen Moore’s face. The End
shankit
August 20th, 2011
7:55 pm
I can think of several great coaches that would not allow a corporate entity be allowed to create a distraction to their preparation for two upcoming games which would determine the total outcome of their season and their pursuit of a state or national championship. They would be—
1. Wright Bazemore – Valdosta High School
2. Wyman Sellars
3. John Donaldson
4. Coach Cavan from Thomaston
5. Bear Bryant
6. Joe Paterno
7. Bobby Dodd
8. Our ol’ VSU coach, Mike Leach
9. And I could go on and on
10. George Patton
This is a distraction to the ultimate goal of kicking arse.
rm
August 20th, 2011
7:55 pm
cheesy
Tiger Woods
August 20th, 2011
7:58 pm
Don’t criticize Nooki’s new red jerseys.’
Look what they have done for me lately.
Macon Dog in Middle East
August 20th, 2011
8:00 pm
Coach Richt should burn those Nike “Combat” unis right after the game. Nike should stop bribing teams to wear Nike’s flaky designs. These look like somthing the XFL would have rejected! Besides, Coach Dooley’s “traditional” Georgia uni is among the most beautiful in football. Why change a good thing? Why “ugly it up”?
Joe Pa
August 20th, 2011
8:00 pm
I personally like Nike’s intervention into uniform changes for any of my forthcoming opponents.
shankit
August 20th, 2011
8:02 pm
The more I see of Nike, the more I like of Joe Pa.
Hit A Single
August 20th, 2011
8:03 pm
I just got my new Nike jersey and heck it says made on Mars.
War Dang Dawg
August 20th, 2011
8:04 pm
We have the best looking uniforms in football, and our players have to wear that Arena league looking new age crap.
“Get over it”? I look forward to getting over Richt’s tenure as head coach, whenever it mercifully ends.
Dawglasville
August 20th, 2011
8:06 pm
Snoop – I am with you on this one. I am sick of Nike running college athletics.
Hit A Single
August 20th, 2011
8:10 pm
Nike isn’t running college football it is ruining college football.
Atlanta87
August 20th, 2011
8:12 pm
All I know is my team could come out in Pink Jersey’s and Tu-Tu’s for all I care as long as they win the dang football game. It will be fun to watch people make fun of UGA and probably Boise State for these. In the end it doesn’t matter what the player is wearing, but how many times they get in the end zone. End of story.
Erk Russell's Dog
August 20th, 2011
8:15 pm
A river Dawg I could give a gators ass about the new uniforms.The tradition I am talking about is how the Dawgs play. I hope the Dawgs can learn how to actually play some defense this year. I hope that on offense when it is 3rd and 2 they can man up and run the ball for a first down. And most of all win or lose that no visiting team looks forward to coming to Sanford Stadium.
shankit
August 20th, 2011
8:17 pm
Where does this ESPN and NIKE insanity end.
I guess Nike will approach the Pentagon next to get a contract to redesign our traditional military uniforms. Hope Patton will resurrect to stop this crap.
I hate artificial turf, I hate Nike, I hate ESPN, I love grass, I love Chris Schenkel, I love uniforms washed by trainers, I love high football shoes with rubber cleats, Go Joe Pa, you are the man. Penn State would be foolish to get rid of you. Also, go Dawgs, irregardless of all the latest distractions.
kp
August 20th, 2011
8:18 pm
I like the uniforms, traditions are made to be broken, its modern day and kids love to shake things up, i think this will get some excitement from the players and potential recruits! GO DAWGS
Lifelong fan
August 20th, 2011
8:18 pm
I am a 60 year old lifelong UGA fan who grew up listening to GA games on the radio, attending games, and watching every televised game I could. My father was a UGA graduate, I am also a UGA graduate who is married to a UGA graduate and have 3 children attending UGA. So I am born and bred UGA all the way. I have always loved UGA’s classic and traditional uniforms and hope that the basic uniform does not change. But all these ignorant comments on ProCombat uniforms that are going to be worn for one game is really embarrassing. We have a lot to be excited about: our recruiting was excellent, news is great coming from practices, discipline appears to be strong with no arrests, and the University is exceeding expectations academically, and you still find ways to criticize our team and university. I can tell you that the players and the student body love the uniforms. Why not reward them with something that is modern and up to date? Are you really that upset with the uniforms or are you just an old stick in the mud who cannot accept that things change. I bet you are the same ones who complain that your low performing child cannot make the grade academically to get into UGA. Face it, the university is changing and if you cannot get on board go find another team.
Low Cou ntry Dwg
August 20th, 2011
8:18 pm
I can’t stand the helmets-they are cheesy. I hope this is the only game they wear them.
Quit the gimmicks and play football.
Our current helmets have a great, classic look
Z-RO
August 20th, 2011
8:19 pm
why do we keep talking tradition im a Georgia fan but WHAT tradition??? we’re one of the the only teams that win the SEC but no National title…when LSU wins they win it all, when Florida wins they win it all,when Alabama,Auburn etc….THEY WIN IT ALL forget the jerseys and play ball!!!
'Cat's' Dad
August 20th, 2011
8:20 pm
Would like to know what the cost was and if it can really be justified these days while tuition for education is getting to be out of reach for many. What’s really correct, reasonable, sensible, important etc., is rare and hard to discern in these tumultuous times, especially from those in leadership roles everywhere… government, business, education, religion, etc. We’re descending into self-annhilation because of making bad decisions.
AFAN
August 20th, 2011
8:25 pm
helmet is cool. red pants not so cool. should have had black pants with red shirt.
red shirt and red pants together look bad.
but go dawgs!!
JP
August 20th, 2011
8:27 pm
Red-outs, Black-Outs…. Haven’t we heard this before? The never-ending string of gimmicks this program concocts to motivate its football team to play well in big games is astonishing.
War Dang Dawg
August 20th, 2011
8:27 pm
To all you fans who question the loyalty and dedication of fans and alum who complain about the direction of the UGA football program under Richt:
Up yours.
Your crap is getting old. Some of you pie-in-the-sky types are the same folks who’ll be bitching and moaning and calling for Richt’s head after another mediocre season that includes yet another loss to Florida. Apparently you just haven’t reached your breaking point yet. Fair enough, but some of us have reached ours.
I don’t like the unis, and I don’t like Richt as head coach. I’d love to see another tradition brought back – playing defense – but I’m not going to hold my breath with these clowns in charge. I’ve paid enough money to UGA to be able to say that. So if you can’t deal with that…get over it, as your favorite coach would say.
mark
August 20th, 2011
8:28 pm
@Bulldawg Dickie you must be about 12. These clown suits look silly and only schools with no real tradition would remotely think about wearing one…..
mgdawg
August 20th, 2011
8:32 pm
The jersey and pants I like ok, I’ve been waiting on the red on red. But the helmet looks horrible. I really expected nike to do better then what they did. I’ve really liked alot of the combat jerseys other teams have worn.
Erk Russell's Dog
August 20th, 2011
8:34 pm
War Dang Dawg ,well said sir .The old tradition was actually coming home from J-Ville with a win and not just another moral victory.
sandyspringsjacket
August 20th, 2011
8:37 pm
Nice uni’s haha. Another CMR gimmick will blow up in his face. Why does an eSECpn team need to do this, just play hard nose FB.
LarryatLeesburg
August 20th, 2011
8:39 pm
ok just add the helmet to the old uniform.
bigdawgfan
August 20th, 2011
8:40 pm
The dawg nation should trash their Nike stuff for Reebok.
Dawg Tired
August 20th, 2011
8:44 pm
# 5 vs. # 19 or #22 (depending on the poll). What do the boys in Vegas say the line is? You would think #5 would be at least a TD favorite, maybe more. If I were a betting man, I would bet the line is much closer. Wonder why?
gt4ever
August 20th, 2011
8:45 pm
UGLIEST uniform I think I have every seen….. But hey, You will beat Boise like a drum… Your lucky this year, they are way overrated…
shankit
August 20th, 2011
8:45 pm
I am confused.
I thought Oregon was playing LSU.
Dawg Tired
August 20th, 2011
8:47 pm
You know the unis are terrible when a GT fan can knock ‘em. GT used to have great looking unis back in the day. Now – not so much.
Dawg Tired
August 20th, 2011
8:48 pm
Thank goodness we only have to wear those things one time.
shankit
August 20th, 2011
8:48 pm
National Championship game 2010.
Nike vs. Russell
Russell, national champions.
gt4ever
August 20th, 2011
8:49 pm
Exactly Dawg tired, I hate messing with tradition…. Just wear your regular Red, it looks 100 percent better…..
Cousin Curtis
August 20th, 2011
8:49 pm
Ok. CMR thinks that showing some willingness to “break with tradition” might help with recruiting and he may be right. But Saban, Joe Pa and other coaches of old school, storied programs won’t miss a beat with recruiting, and in fact may attract more of the kind of recruits I would personally prefer by sticking to their classic identity.
These uni’s are attrocious and they are not in line with what I would like to consider my alma mater’s football identity. I wish we’d leave this kind of crap to Florida and Oregon to embarrass themselves with.
AltamahaDawg
August 20th, 2011
8:50 pm
Yes I am aware that the TN game was a road game, but I was not aware they had been wearing them on a regular basis for road games. So thanks for that clarification. But frankly the fact that they had worn them a few times before is not the point. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say that they changed Back to the silver pants for “tradition” sake, while trying to minimize my point that the Red Pants were a departure from tradition. One I doubt that the Bulldawg faithfull really thought was flying in the face of what is dear to them, about the time Bill Bates was getting run over.
mark
August 20th, 2011
8:51 pm
Sid you are a tasteless moron.
BigBadJohn
August 20th, 2011
8:52 pm
Gay!!!
Lagrange2008
August 20th, 2011
8:53 pm
I love the uniforms. I understand tradition, but sometimes tradition needs to change. To be honest, our tradition has landed us only 1 National Championship since 1980. It’s time to do something, “Anything” to get these young men excited. If that means changing the uniforms, then I am for it.
mark
August 20th, 2011
8:54 pm
Sid, my uncle once told me, “You can hide class but you can’t shine sh….”