Richt: ‘I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game’
Georgia coach Mark Richt said excitement over playing Boise State on Sept. 3 has been building since he first told the team about the matchup.
Here’s some quick quotes from Georgia coach Mark Richt and several players from Tuesday’s press conference. Dozens of media gathered at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall to hear what Richt and a handful of players had to say about Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game matchup between the No. 19 Bulldogs and No. 5-ranked Boise State.
On the big buildup for the opening game in the Georgia Dome:
“Well, it is as big of a buildup for an opening game as we’ve had, because of who we’re playing and where we’re playing and maybe a little bit of the uniform issue and all that kind of thing. There is an awful lot of hype going into this ballgame compared to maybe some other opening games.
“I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game. It’s really not. It’s a game that we absolutely want to win. It’s a game that we expect to win. We talk a lot about winning the Eastern Division because that is the one thing we can control. This really doesn’t have a bearing on the Southeastern Conference race, so it really doesn’t get in the way of that goal. But what I do think it’s going to do is give us a pretty good feel of what we’re made of right away. I think it’s also going to be great teacher of what it’s going to take to win in our league down the road. So I think it’s very positive that we’re playing the game. I certainly want to win it. I thnk it could create some really good momentum from that. But I don’t think everything is riding in the balance.”
Compare and contrast this game to 2005 when Boise State came to Athens and lost 48-13:
“At that time I know that was the upset special. That was kind of the game that a lot of people were pointing to to say that was going to be the upset of the week of the opening weekend of the season. A lot of people were picking Boise State to win that game. And I didn’t blame them. I looked at the film and they had quite a few pros on that team. We did get them here, we did get them on a blistering hot and humid day and I think that was a factor. And we just started well. We grabbed momentum early and never looked back. They never really got a chance to get it going.
“On any given day, if we had gotten the ball first and thrown a pick on the first play, who know what would have happened to us that day. The score that day wasn’t indicative, I don’t think, odf the difference in the teams as much as the momentum that was taken early and was never relinquished.”
What it has meant having Boise State transfer Michael Tamburo at Georgia:
“You’d have to ask Coach Grantham. I don’t know that he really spent that much time with him. We have everybody’s film. We can study everybody’s film. We talk to other coaches who have played them in the league. That’s where we get our information. Todd might have spent time with him but I really don’t know.”
Tamburo’s future prospects at UGA:
“It’s so early for him. He’s got ability. The one think he did where I got a taste of his abilities was in a practice game where he was one of the quarterbacks that played that day. you could see that he has some nerve standing in the pocket. The pocket wasn’t all that great at times and he stood in there and made some really fine throws and seemed to be very accurate. He hasn’t gotten an awful lot of reps at all with our offensive units. I’ve seen him throw a few passes here and there with our receivers. But at this point the guys that are getting the most work are the ones that are going to play right now.”
What other coaches have told Georgia about playing Boise State:
“I’d say opposing coaches say get ready. They say these guys know how to play the game of football. They’re going to get after you so you better be prepared. They’re relentless in their play and they’re well-coached. They believe. Lately they’ve started fast and furious on both sides of the ball.”
At least 10 true freshmen are on two-deep and others could be slated for special team. Which ones might make significant contribution?
“Hopefully all of them that get in, whether it’s special teams or offense or defense, will make some contributions. Malcolm Mitchell has made some plays for us. He’ll play. Will he do something spectacular this week? I don’t know. But he’s a young guy that’s done well. Damian Swann has gotten an awful lot of practice time, especially these last few days with Branden Smith’s setback. Ray Drew is going to get to play. There’s a few guys who are going to be able to play some snaps on offense and defense and a lot of guys will play on special teams.”
What do you think might be going to Isaiah Crowell’s mind getting ready to play a significant role in a game of this magnitude?
“He’ll play for sure. What I hope is going through his mind is his assignments and just knowing what to do on every play. We do have quite a few plays and he’s like any other true freshman. He’s trying to learn it, he’s trying to master it, trying to get comfortable with it. It is nice to have Aaron Murray in the backfield with him, who can guide him a little bit here and there, just to give him a little reassurance that he’s lined up in the right spot.
“But I’m sure he’s every excited. He did grow up wanting to be a Georgia Bulldog. He grew up wanting to play tailback for us. Through the recruiting process we pointed to this game as a game he’d get an opportunity to show what he can do, to show the college football world what he’s got. Since he’s gotten here he’s quickly understood it’s not about Isaiah Crowell; it’s about Georgia. I like even reading some of the quotes. Hes’ been very mindful of his teammates and he knows that he’s got a lot to learn and he does want to do whatever he can to help the team win. time will tell how much that will be as we go. He’s a very good football player. He’s a good kid and he’s had a good camp.”
A lot of things had to happen for him to be in this position.
“I guess you’re talking about Washaun Ealey and Caleb King and even Richard to this point, hasn’t practiced a lot lately. So the stage is getting set up for him certainly to get opportunities. I’m not made that he’s going to get opportunities. After watching him practice, you can see that he’s got a lot of ability. But he hasn’t gotten hit super hard yet either. We’ve had some scrimmages and he’s been hit. But somewhere along the line somebody’s going to get a real good shot on him and we’re going to see if he holds onto the ball and how he handles that. But I think he’ll be fine.”
Can you compare Aaron Murray to Kellen Moore?
“I wouldn’t put Murray in his category yet. Kellen has done so much. He will end up being the winningest quarterback I the history of college football. It’s not a slight against Aaron. But Aaron hasn’t played in as many games and won any championships or anything like that. This guy right now I would say is deadly accurate. There’s a difference between completions and hitting a guy dead on the run and hitting a guy exactly where they need to be hit. He’s throws it so accurately that he allows his receivers to really get some yards after the catch. I have not seen him use his wheels like Aaron has, but part of the reason why Aaron ran last year was maybe not being 100 percent sure he wanted to throw into a certain coverage, so he took off. He actually did a pretty good job of it. I think Kellen would be less likely to cross the line of scrimmage, although he’s mnobile and can make plays moving around. He’s a little bit more mature than Aaron in his play. I think Aaron is a heck of a player, and I think Aaron is going to play extremely well for us this season. Kellen is the leading passer in the country returning as far as QB rating and things of that nature. I think he hit 70 percent of his passes. Aaron is getting there, but I don’t know if here’s there year.”
We know Carlton Thomas is suspended for the first game. Are there any other players who are going to miss the first game for reasons other than injuries?
On the defense and the 3-4 going into a second season:
“I feel so much better about our defense than a year ago. I knew our guys weren’t sure what do a year ago 100-percent. You’re putting it in from scratch. Everybody’s trying to figure it out. Even the assistant coaches other than Coach Grantham were learning it as we went along. There’s absolutely nothing to draw from experience wise, but our guys understand it at a much greater depth. They are much better technicians than they were a year ago. Coaches have been able to spend more time emphasizing the technique on how to do your job well. There’s no doubt in my mind that we are better than we were a year ago. But we’re also playing one of the most prolific offenses in college football game one, so we’ll see how that translates but there’s no doubt that we are better than we were a year ago.”
On the wide receiver position:
“I love the camp that Rantavious Wooten had. I love the camp that Marlon (Brown) had. Tavarres King started out extremely well and got nicked up a little bit that slowed him down a little bit but he’s come on strong of late. Malcolm (Mitchell) has made some plays. Michael Bennett had a very good camp. Michael proved to be one of the toughest receivers that we got and showed up to work every day and he got better. (Israel) Troupe had a good camp. So we’ve got enough guys in my opinion to go out there and roll them around and let them all play and see who makes the most plays. At the tight end position, which we also consider receivers for us, I thought Aron White and Orson Charles had a great camp. I think Artie (Arthur) Lynch improved drastically. Of course we took Bruce (Figgins) and moved him from tight end to full back. Bruce got a whole lot better at fullback early on in camp especially. In the spring, we were still opitimistic about how Bruce would begin to perform as a fullback, but then as we got into camp and began to hit he really made a big, drastic jump from being a guy that maybe knows his assignment and get to and breakdown a little bit try to fit up on a guy to a guy that just started to run through people and really hit people on the run and do things that a fullback needs to do. Zander (Alexander Ogletree) is a pretty good fullback too. So we feel pretty good about skill.”
On the pass protecting abilities of the tailbacks:
“They’re getting there. Richard’s never had a problem with that, but everybody else after him is fairly inexperienced in that regard. Pass protection is a skill or an art or whatever you want to call it, and like everything else it takes time to learn it. It’s a matter of learning who to block and how to get it done properly. And you got to have an attitude. Those linebackers that are 220 to 250 pounds come barreling down on you and they’re looking to sack your quarterback and you got to get nasty some times. It just takes reps. I’m not disappointed in anybody’s progress, but I wouldn’t say they’re just totally polished at it right now.”
On being able to use both Richard Samuel and Isaiah Crowell provided Samuel is healthy enough to play:
“I don’t think there is any doubt that we would hope for them to split the time, to share the load. Most everybody in college and pro football would much prefer having two guys that could get it done. I think that Richard’s style and Isaiah’s style contrast enough to where that would be really good for us too. If no one got hurt all camp, I don’t think there’s much doubt Richard would start and Isaiah would be number two but with both of them getting playing time.”
GEORGIA PLAYERS
WR Tavarres King:
- On Isaiah Crowell — “I think he’s ready, he’s a confident kid. He’s been playing this game for a long time and he knows what’s expected of him. He’s been doing pretty well on the practice fields and I think it’s going to easily convert to the game fields.”
- On the build up of the Boise State game — “It’s a huge game. I mean, the first two games we have are huge, but we’re focusing on the first one and trying to get a win. It’s just like any other game, you want to win every game you play and that’s what we’re going to keep focusing on winning the ball game.”
- On pre-game excitement — “I’m pretty calm. You put in all the work out on the practice fields and everything you do in practice is going to translate to the game. There’s no need to be nervous, just ready.”
- On the receiving corps — “I love it. Marlon Brown is going to be a tremendous player for us, I think. Rantavious. Wooten has made some huge strides. I think he’s turned the corner and he’s going to be good for us. Malcom Mitchell, you’ve heard about him from day one, he’s going to be a real good guy for us. These guys are level headed and they are going come out there very calm and play well.”
QB Aaron Murray:
- On having a feel for the game — “I think the comfort level continues to develop and I think you’re born with certain traits, whether it’s leadership traits or the ability to throw the football, and I think Kellen Moore has those both of those traits. He can throw the football really well and he’s a tremendous leader. I think as a quarterback, you definitely need that leadership skill to have guys look up to you, offensive linemen that want to block for you and receivers that want to make plays for you. He has that great quality about him and I think that’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful.
- On Dogs’ running game — “If the hole is there and everyone is covered, I’m going to take off and run, but I’m going to be a little smarter. I think this year, with my increased knowledge about defenses and our playbook, there will be fewer times when I make a misread or hold the ball a little too long. Then I’ll be able to make the passes and I won’t be running as much. I’ll probably be running a little less, but I’m not going to be shy. If I have the chance to run, I’m going to use it and try to get as much as I can and get down.”
- On how the coaches and fans feel about him running — “The coaches don’t always love it when I run, but sometimes they do. If no one is open and your options are to get four or five yards or to throw the ball out of bounds, you might as well get something positive out of the play. The fans love it, besides me parents probably.”
DE Abry Jones:
- On Georgia’s pass rush ability — “The confidence of the defensive line has gone up a lot, especially when it comes to the pass rush ability. Everyone on the feels that we can put some pressure on the quarterback. We know that we all have to step up and make plays.”
- On the game against Boise State — “This is an exciting game for us. We want to show our fans that we aren’t going to let them down and want them to know that we want to put the Georgia football program back on top of the college football world.”
- On the quarterback matchup — “I think this is going be a really good quarterback matchup. Kellen Moore has been around for a few years and is putting his name in the books as being one of the great quarterbacks in college football. Aaron had a tremendous year last year and I expect him to go into the game and get the job done.”
- On Georgia Quarterback Aaron Murray — “I think Aaron has the chance to have a big year. He’s a great leader, a team player that doesn’t really think about himself. Everyone on the team believes in him and trusts that he will go out and have a good game.”
- On having size at nose guard — “Having one good big man is always good, but to have two that can rotate in and out if the first one gets tired is always a plus. I think that you’ll see that when Kwame [Geathers] gets tired and [Jonathan] Jenkins goes in that you won’t see much of a difference.”
FS Sanders Cummings:
- On Georgia’s improved defense — “I’m a lot more comfortable this year. It’s like second nature to me now. I think that this is one of the fastest defenses that we have had at Georgia in a long time. I think that will help us defend Boise State’s offense because they play fast and score a lot of points.”
- On playing safety versus cornerback — “There isn’t much of a difference between playing corner and safety, it’s just space between the receivers. I am just as comfortable playing safety as I am at playing corner.”
- On Boise State Quarterback Kellen Moore — “He’s a great passer, he can run when the pocket breaks down, he’s a Hesiman candidate and the film shows why. He doesn’t hold onto the ball for long. If we aren’t there in three seconds, he gets the ball off. One thing we have to do is put pressure him and get to him quickly.”
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223 comments Add your comment
just a fan
August 30th, 2011
6:56 pm
@TampaGator I think #1 defense is a little much but we will be a top 15 defense this year. Going back to your post at 6:09 concerning RB’s you have depth but only ONE pro style RB which is Mack Brown, Demps after carrying the ball about 20 times vs UT got injured and doesn’t seem like an every down back, Rainey and Gillislee are of the same mold just more durable but they are not rnu in between the tackles kind of backs they aren’t let me carry it 25 times a game backs.
Rabun Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:58 pm
I think the world of CMR as a person, but, I am not really sure he believes what he said. I honestly think that this one game does define our season, as with all the hype of the recruiting class he brought in and new attitudes being displayed by all, winning this game is crucial to this season. Of course, that is JMHO, which probably doesn’ tmean much in the grand scheme of things. Win this one, things could really blossom. Lose, and not a pretty loss, downhill could the season go.
SatillaDawg
August 30th, 2011
7:00 pm
Can’t wait for Saturday!
Go get ‘em you Hairy DAWGS!
D-MAN
August 30th, 2011
7:04 pm
Good blog Chip,but my head is going to explode if I read any more blogs!Why wouldn’t the season be riding on Boise,we’ve got to win this game,Richts ho hum attitude gets on my nerves!After the year we had every game is life or death!
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
7:06 pm
Ask anyone who reads my posts on here. I am a BULLDOG supporter and I am also a Richt supporter. If he’s such a poor motivator, how has he won 3 eastern titles, 2 SECC, has 6 10+ win seasons, a 96-34 record, and five top 10 finishes nationally?
As for the line depth, it came from your hometown/UFhomer site…tampabay.com. Here’s a little clip:
“Florida lost four starters, and the most experience comes from Xavier Nixon and Jon Halapio (St. Petersburg Catholic), who each started seven games last season. Injuries kept the line from working together much in the spring, so they’re playing catch-up now.”
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
7:07 pm
Now, the fact that they have 14 starts combined and the fact that it cites that you lost four FULLTIME starters on the line supports the fact that you have a lack of experience, since Halapio is your only returning full-time starter who only played seven games (not someone who plugged due to injuries). Rainey was 170lbs in High School. I played a lot of ball at Brookwood in Gwinnett county, and if you’ve ever seen some of the HS football teams, you’d know it’s not uncommon to see a kid playing a 3-4 defense who weighs 190lbs at NT. Or to see a 140lb running back playing in a “power-I” formation.
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
7:10 pm
Burton is a failed QB who shifted to Fullback/HBack…doubt you’ll see him work much of anything but gadget and trick plays and a lil blocking. Martinez benefitted with two years of VanGorders recruits running a similar system and FAILED with his recruits running HIS system. I’m glad he’s gone.
kb
August 30th, 2011
7:22 pm
Have any of you guys that say the whole season rides on 1 game ever coached a down of football an inning of baseball or a quarter of basketball? I mean ever, if you had then you would know there is never a season that is defined by the first game of the year of even the 1st 2 especially with the youth georgia has , and the way this seasons schedule sets up.0-2 could indeed turn into 10-2.Is there a coach anywhere that would tell his team or let his team think if we don’t win the first one lets quit its over.
Dwayne
August 30th, 2011
8:00 pm
Go Dawgs!!! I nominate myself for post of the year!!
Da
August 30th, 2011
8:04 pm
Please don’t ever give Musa Smith credit for anything. He had one of the best offensive lines to run behind. The guy never met an arm tackle he didn’t like. The O-line would get him 2 yards and he’d fall for two more.
Nub
August 30th, 2011
8:09 pm
Blah …. Blah …. Blah …. Coaches, players, and fans….. win the East !!!!! Or the moving companies in Athens will be busy …… PERIOD….. End of discussion……. And u can take that to the bank!!!!!
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
8:14 pm
Wouldn’t you think Mark would respond to some of the blogs after his token day or two (at most) response!?
Come one Mark. We follow you and respect your opinion and value your information.
Maybe a bone once in awhile?
Thanks,
FLA DAWG
Class of ‘79
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
8:15 pm
Oh yeah, that includes you too Chip!!!!!
Nub
August 30th, 2011
8:19 pm
The reality is that the Boise game is no more than a tune up (win or lose) for SEC opponents …. in other words this is entertainment …. Passion …. Pride …. Most importantly the flow of future greenbacks start with the poultry …… Make no mistake …..!!!!!
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
8:21 pm
Nub,
BULL – A loss to BS would be hard to recover from – and even harder for an HC struggling to keep his job and the jobs of his staff.
Nub
August 30th, 2011
8:46 pm
FL Dawg, would be honored to get your opinion as to why this game means so much to the coaches at UGA…..?
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
9:13 pm
After the last 3 years of deteriorating win/loss records The Dawgs MUST open BIG. For myself and I believe most of Dawg Nation it’s for our university, our tradition, our respect. For Richt and his coaches it’s his job.
Think the pressure on Richt is high now? Think what it will be post loss to Boise State going up against SC (a very good team this year).
Ugly red britches
August 30th, 2011
9:19 pm
Our season and our Coach does ride on this game no matter what Coach says. My money is on Georgia.
Nub
August 30th, 2011
9:29 pm
Many thanks FL Dawg for your reply….. get your arms around this ….Richt struggled to answer why Georgia fizzled in so many games last season.
“Is it because of the physical nature?” he said. “Is it because a guy couldn’t make a play or the ball bounced the wrong way? That may be. But we just need to get beyond that.”……. Accountability might be lost…. if in fact it was ever relevant after 2002… I am very gratefull for the SEC championships….. 2002 and 05 …. But we should win the east at least every three yrs…. And that means we should whip the gaytors at least every other yr…. NOT twice in 10 yrs ….. We must demand excellence and nothing less is acceptable!!!!!!!!
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
9:39 pm
Nub,
Well written.
I couldn’t agree more.
If Richt, Bobo & Grantham can turn this around this year then I will gladly eat all negative words I’ve witten and spoken of them. But if they fail after all of the assistance / assets they have at hand then these guys must go.
SEC Fan
August 30th, 2011
9:51 pm
Let UGA be embarrassed on national TV like the Alabama game a few years back and see what the game means to Richt.
Mobile Dawg
August 30th, 2011
9:51 pm
Line the two teams up, position by position, man by man. The Dawgs excel in virtually every position, those that we don’t, we still line up well. No way should we lose to BS, regardless of the rankings. I find that when a man struggles to find an answer that’s painfully obvious to most, he lacks the Leadership skills necessary to continue. In my days as a Leader of People, those were the most damning words a Leader dare to use, “I don’t know”. Their days as a Leader were “short”. This game will “define” Mark Richt, one way or the other. Lose the first two, no way he goes 10-2, period. Good luck Dawgs.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
9:53 pm
On the nail Mobile Dawg.
More to the point – last season most of our losses were to inferior talent teams.
That = Coaching Problems.
Chip Towers
August 30th, 2011
10:01 pm
doggie: How did I make Richt sound aloof? I just quoted the man, for gosh sakes.
Mobile Dawg
August 30th, 2011
10:09 pm
FLA DAWG, Mark Richt let the foundation to this program crumble, that is “almost” unforgiveable, given his salary, and the tools at his disposal at UGA. I don’t think he deserved the opportunity he has been given. What I find most “dissappointing” is his steadfast resistance to take “total” responsibility for the condition of this program. That said, some of the changes he’s made I support, and I have seen some changes in his demeanor that are for the better. But as my last post stated and I re-emphasized here, his statement “struggling to find the answers as to what went wrong” are unacceptable to me, and in such denial that he’s been a failure as a “Leader”. If it’s me, I say, I have failed, this is what I’m going to do to improve. That’s what I tell my Wife, my Kids, my Employees when I let them down. That’s what “smart” men and “Leaders” do.
Snoop Dawg
August 30th, 2011
10:40 pm
Here it comes again, folks. Preacha Man’s already trying to put a bunch of disclaimers out if we lose to Boise State. This is poor leadership. He needs to read The Energy Bus again because he is being the Energy Vampire to his players by being so namby pamby about whuppin up on Boise State. Why isn’t he focused on beating Boise State instead of rationalizing about how any team can win, it all depends on who gets out front first, blah blah blah.
We’re paying $3M a year for this horse manure. Richt has taken our program and run the wheels off of it.
Mark Snoop Dawg’s words, if UGA gets embarassed by Boise State in their roller derby Nike uniforms on national TV, it’s lights out for da Preacha Man. Maybe not the next day, or the next week, but he will be gone for the next season. Because if we lose on national TV to Boise State in our roller derby uniforms-particularly if it’s because of poor coaching, play calling, indiscipline– the players will lose their confidence and the team will fall apart.
Richt needs to man up here, get the eye of the tiger, and drive the energy bus for his team instead of floating all these sissy disclaimers.
Disgusting…
idiolfvig
August 31st, 2011
1:17 am
How could I have missed this blog! Its incredible.
Gobroncos
August 31st, 2011
2:07 am
Your puppies will lose. too much focus on this one game. Half of your preseason camp was focused on Boise. Not good. We’re gonna show you southern boys how to play football.
glhf,
GOOOOOO BRONCOS!
katrinafogg
August 31st, 2011
3:08 am
However, there will be no ceremony held on that day due to the fact that Bradford is unable to attend, as he is busy preparing with his NFL team. http://bit.ly/p5kP0u
TampaGator
August 31st, 2011
6:00 am
UGAMutt……
Yeah…..Burton really “failed” last year against Georgia when he ran that long TD against you and ran all over you all day long. He was strickly an option QB with limited passing skills. Weis has already said Burton is going to be a key element in the Gator offense this year running out of the H-back postion blocking and receiving. He will also be lining up in the slot and as a second TE. On short yardage plays, he will also be used as the deep back in the I-formation. In late October, you will see plenty of one, Trey Burton. Great, great athlete. And Georgia better account for him with an equal athlete of skill.
Tift Dawg
August 31st, 2011
6:54 am
Reading Richt’s quotes just make me sick! He is so tentative and mealy-mouthed there is no way he can truly motivate players to play “smash mouth,” GA football. He says things like “we want to win or expect to win” instead of “we’re going to win this one.” He says “this game doesn’t matter in the SEC.” Bullcrap! Doesn’t he think winning against Boise State might help team morale more than losing against them? Might we be in a better position to beat SC if we beat Boise State? Either he always has been or he has turned into a first class p_ssy. If UGA loses these first two games, I say fire him and Bobo Saturday night after the SC game. Don’t make us suffer through another season like last year. It’s not the players folks. It’s the coaching! As much as I dislike Spurrier, Richt’s chances of beating him are slim to none. If Spurrier had our players SC would have already won a national title at SC. He may just do it with what he has been able to recruit to SC. Look at SC’s record pre and post Spurrier. The man is an a-hole but he knows how to coach!
deaddog
August 31st, 2011
6:58 am
Boise State 66 DAWGS 0
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
7:07 am
I’m pretty sure you couldnt come up with Spurrier ever quoted as “we are going to won this one” if his 6 time suspended QB’s life depended on it..
NateDawg
August 31st, 2011
7:21 am
If UGA doesn’t win this game, there is no reason to think they are going to have much success against teams in the SEC.
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
7:32 am
Why is that Nate?
RedandBlackDAWG
August 31st, 2011
7:45 am
Somehow, I don’t see how putting this game in perspective, means CMR is already making excuses or some other reason that some fans want to beleive on here. I also think, he is just plain tired of all the media attention and just wants to get the season started. I am with him on that. Enough talk and hype, let’s get it on.
“I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game. It’s really not. It’s a game that we absolutely want to win. It’s a game that we expect to win. We talk a lot about winning the Eastern Division because that is the one thing we can control. This really doesn’t have a bearing on the Southeastern Conference race, so it really doesn’t get in the way of that goal. But what I do think it’s going to do is give us a pretty good feel of what we’re made of right away.”
I personally don’t think there was anything negative in what he said, and was quoted above from Chips article. He is being realistic and putting the game in perspective. The whole season doesn’t hinge on beating an OCC opponent. The SEC conference title is much more important to the team. I still think that UGA will win the game Saturday, becuase if they use thier size and speed throughout the game, they will rule the fourth quarter, and that seems to be where Boise has had the most trouble with games against bigger opponents. Wear them down, keep it close for three quarters and own the game in the fourth.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Mark Richt Farewell Tour
August 31st, 2011
7:46 am
UGA will start 0-2 and as always lose to UF.
HARDY DOG
August 31st, 2011
7:51 am
Once again, Richt is out of touch with reality. I suppose when we play S.C. a lOSS WOULD NOT BE THE END OF THE SEASON. H eneeds to retire and let a YOUNG energetic Coasch take over, he’s washed up, he has lost his desire to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
8:33 am
There wasn’t R&B. Everthing he or anyone associated with the program has said all summer long has been how excited to play, and how much they want to win this game. “excuses”, “makes me sick” “blah blah”, is just choosing to ignore all of that (and everthing else he said even in this particular case) to pick one of two words that they completely made up he should have said. It’s fits thier agenda. Sad 3 days before the season and anyone still lobying to get the coach fired. You just hjave to feel sorry for somebody like that. It’s obviously not about football.
Big Dawg
August 31st, 2011
8:59 am
I have to respectfully disagree with Coach Richt and also agree with him on some other things. Right now this is the MOST IMPORTANT game of his career because of several things:
1) Over the last 3 years we have seen a big drop off in wins, but also in off field incidents that indicated he had lost control of his team.
2) Bad attitudes of players who became cancers on his teams
3) Because of a rash of injuries he almost stopped full contact of his teams the last 2 and half seasons thus hurting their game time preparation which showed up way to often in the fourth quarter the last 2 seasons.
4)Poor recruiting choices- i.e. Ealy, King, Benedict and others
5)Not concentrating on big offensive linemen without them you can’t run and you can’t win consistently.
6) Keeping assistant coaches who themselves were cancers to your team- Martinez, Searels, BoBo etc. Fornutately he got rid of Martinez but a year late, Searels left on his own and BoBo has been given another year to show he can handle the offensive coordinators position. This one we will see rather quickly if BoBo and Coach Richt have learned anything about mental toughness and having a true feel for the flow of a game.
And lastly this game is the MOST IMPORTANT because if the Dawgs win then they have momentum and confidence going into the rest of the season and they can then believe that the sky is the limit for them if they play to their abilities.
Go Dawgs
GET DOWN BIG MAN
August 31st, 2011
9:10 am
Chip,
Thanks for the info.
Mobile Dawg
August 31st, 2011
9:16 am
“Struggling to find the answers as to what happened last season”?
Mobile Dawg
August 31st, 2011
9:22 am
Still sounds like a man trying to deflect criticism and not take responsibility. Improvements have obviously been made, another “solid” recruiting class brought in. No more excuses, like I said, no way BS lines up with us man to man and beats us based on talent and physical abilty. The only way they beat us is if we aren’t ready to play. Does anyone see it differently?
LogicalUS
August 31st, 2011
9:22 am
“take Richt’s integrity and attitude over Spurrier’s sleaze any day of the week”
Funny, I didn’t see Spurrier’s players taunting the opposing head coach as afraid of them this week?
Glass houses, dude.
Blackberry Cobbler
August 31st, 2011
9:35 am
I agree, a win is not necessary.
But it IS important that UGA play well and not get embarassed.
That would set up a mood that could easily translate into 0-2.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 31st, 2011
9:37 am
Logical,
They don’t want to make little stevie mad and have him call them stupid in the media again.
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
9:41 am
Mobile, you do realize that you are quoting somebody else opinion, right? Not a quote from the coach. Richt has never one time suggested that he does not take responsibility for his program. As if that was even in question. Sort of goes without saying doesn’t it?
Irrespective of what the “fault” was, and lets say that not only the responsibility and the fault (which are separate) are 100% his, the results still manifested in the players. Players are involved. I appreciate that he doesn’t handle all of their business in the newspaper.
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
9:43 am
Not sure what that guy hasn’t changed his name to OpinionatedUS yet. Very few things I have seen have even bordered on logical. Does love those apple to oranges arguments too.
Mobile Dawg
August 31st, 2011
9:58 am
Your right on the “direct quote”, as usual. When you read so many things they sometimes get misinterpreted. I maintain steadfastly that Richt hasn’t taken responsibility for the decline, he’s vague, dances around questions, has defended the things he and his coaches have done, and at times made excuses. If he had admitted responsibilty, and fault, for the decline in the program, I would be less judgemental toward him. IMO, he struggles with the answers because he doesn’t want to “admit” he failed. That doesn’t mean he can’t pick up the pieces, we’re hoping that he can. If he doesn’t, I for one would love to watch a new guy go through the curve, like Muschamp’s doing, or Mullen, or Dooley, or even the despised Petrino, like Saban did, Chizik, and others. There are good, talented people out there, we will get one if it’s necessary.
UGAmutt
August 31st, 2011
10:55 am
@Tampa
Yeah, Burton really showed up for that LSU game too, didn’t he?? LOL. He dropped a duck pass in the flats that COST YOU THE GAME. I hope we see more of him from that “H-Back” pos, b/c it’s almost like he’s playing defense. Or in the South Carolina game where you got smacked in the mouth on your home swamp-turf where he faded into obscurity? There is no roster in the SEC (except for Auburn) which is more unproven than the Florida Gators. And at least Auburn has the excuse of graduating 20 seniors and 2 jrs to the NFL. They’re all still playing Malzahn’s system too. Florida has unproven talent, New HC, New OC, New DC and HUGE holes at almost every position other than D-line/Special teams. You’re toast. 6-6 season at best with that schedule.