UGA linebacker Robinson out ‘at least’ two weeks, plus other updates
Another week, another injury to a key Georgia linebacker.
Christian Robinson will miss “at least a couple” of games with a foot injury sustained in Saturday’s loss to South Carolina, UGA coach Mark Richt said Sunday.
The injury, coming one week after Alec Ogletree suffered a broken foot in the season opener, leaves Georgia (0-2, 0-1 SEC) without both of its starting inside linebackers.
Compounding the problem, inside linebacker was probably the thinnest position area on Georgia’s defense and the one at which the team was least equipped to withstand injuries.
“We’ve definitely got a challenge at the linebacker position right now,” Richt said.
Ogletree, who underwent surgery last week, is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks. Richt did not have medical details on Robinson’s injury — he suggested it might involve a hairline fracture — but said it is not as severe as Ogletree’s.
The first names Richt mentioned as candidates to fill in for Robinson in the next two games — Saturday at home against Coastal Carolina and Sept. 24 at Ole Miss — are from the same trio that competed last week for Ogletree’s spot: junior Michael Gilliard, freshman Amarlo Herrera and senior walk-on Jeremy Sulek. Herrera started against South Carolina, but all three played.
Richt suggested that freshman Ramik Wilson or perhaps Chase Vasser might shift from outside linebacker to get some work at the depleted inside position. Moving Richard Samuel back from tailback to linebacker, or moving Jarvis Jones from outside linebacker to inside, are not wise options at this point, Richt said.
“You might weaken two spots if you take Jarvis away from what he’s doing and put him inside,” Richt said.
Robinson’s position is the on-field leader of Georgia’s defense, and “somebody is going to have to really get in there and be able to handle a lot of the communication issues,” Richt said.
Robinson, a junior, had a team-leading eight tackles Saturday before being injured late in the game. He was unable to play on the Bulldogs’ final defensive series. He was in the locker room afterward with a bag of ice on his left foot.
Among other topics Richt discussed Sunday:
- Although left guard Kenarious Gates is expected to play this week after missing the South Carolina game with an injured ankle, he “is going to have to compete to get back in the starting lineup,” Richt said. That’s because of a strong performance by Dallas Lee in his first collegiate start Saturday. Right guard Chris Burnette also played well against the Gamecocks after he “quite frankly didn’t play all that well in the first game,” Richt said.
- After reviewing film of Isaiah Crowell’s costly third-quarter fumble, which led to a South Carolina touchdown, Richt indicated the freshman tailback might have taken too much responsibility when he said after the game the botched handoff was entirely his fault. Quarterback Aaron Murray was “hobbling” from a hit on the preceding play and “didn’t bring the ball as deep as he normally would,” Richt said. “Isaiah should have been more patient, but certainly the timing in my opinion was different because of Murray hobbling back there instead of really sprinting.”
- Although tight end Orson Charles did not catch a pass Saturday, he “had his very best game as a blocker,” according to Richt. “Run blocking, pass protecting –- I don’t think I’ve seen him play with that kind of intensity.”
- Richt liked what he saw from the wide receivers. “You see Malcolm [Mitchell] coming on and Michael Bennett having a big day and making some plays. I think we have at least six guys who can make plays out there. I’m encouraged, definitely.”
– Tim Tucker, UGA blog
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392 comments Add your comment
college football fan
September 12th, 2011
9:51 am
although i am not a big bulldog fan I gotta say if they tighten up their play they could win their remaining games. the talent is there. cut out the turn overs, just play the game and the wins will come.
Restore UGA
September 12th, 2011
9:57 am
82nd Airborne, CHDawg
I enjoyed reading the story of the private and the Sherman Tank commander. I don’t think CHDawg meant anything but awe and respect for the 82nd. I look at it the same as Florida State and the Seminoles. Yeah, some take it as a bad comparison or a joke, but most in the Seminole nation are happy that FSU honors them by using their name.
BTW, did you all hear the story about the Army-Navy 2001 games and how they were cheered by opposing fans throughout that year? Navy also had 3 of their players die later in Afghanistan.
Please, God Bless our Military
DJ Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:01 am
how does Orlson charge go the whole game without a catch? Play calling
Snow Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:02 am
More of the same…another game that Richt’s team found a way to lose. Yes the team played hard but the results are still the same…a BIG L! Richt’s teams are no longer mentally tough and seem uncapable of making a big play to win the game. Here is my take on the game…
Crowell is the real deal…Secondary played very well…O line was better but still not great…Murray looks lost – he had two good drives all night which will not cut it…Our D ends are a joke…no pressure at all…the only pressure came from CB blitz which will get you burned eventually…
If anyone thinks this team coached by this staff is capable of winning out…I have a bridge to sell you in Iowa.
Sea Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:04 am
Does it make sense that we scored 42 points and STILL lost the game. You folks that say you thought the defense played well……hello, they gave up 45 points. What is considered playing not so well, giving up maybe 150 points? We DO NOT have the personnel to run a 3-4 defense. Change the defense or keep getting you butt whipped every time you play a decent team.
DawginLex
September 12th, 2011
10:06 am
Sea dawg
Show me the tape where our defense was on the field and 45 points got scored.
Restore UGA
September 12th, 2011
10:06 am
from what?, when you have 15 true freshmen playing, that is a serious rebuilding year.
Say what you will, but with this many talented young men getting playing time, UGA – if we have good play calling – will be a beast the next 2 to 3 years.
Tom Dial
September 12th, 2011
10:09 am
The solution is switching to a 4-3 defense and playing Jonathon Jenkins more. That would give us two massive, powerful run stoppers in the trenches. And maybe a better pass rush. How can three rushers beat five blockers? Go figure.
Restore UGA
September 12th, 2011
10:11 am
Sea Dawg, 7 -fake punt, 7 int return (Murray), 7 fumble return (Murray), very short field after fumble return (Murray making poor hand-off) 7
28 points that the D was not responsible for! Imagine if we had driven and scored on half or all of those!? We could have easily beaten SC by 40 points Saturday. Spurrier knows it and felt damn lucky to get out of our junk yard.
BTW, sorry to bang on Murray, but even though he had some great plays, he really had some bad ones.
bill arp
September 12th, 2011
10:12 am
The D gave up 17 pts, period. And if I’d told you before the game that our D would only give up 17, i bet you’d been feeling pretty good about our chances. Coaches had a GREAT game plan, best I’ve seen in a long time. You simply can’t turn the ball over 4 times(2 in which they scored on, another that got taken back to the 3 yd line) and expect to win.
Great game Dawgs! See ya Saturday!
DJ Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:12 am
Restore- I want to believe,but Ive been hearing next 2 to 3 years sense our last SEC Championship!!
bigbaddawg
September 12th, 2011
10:12 am
Tennessee scares me
What about Boo??
September 12th, 2011
10:16 am
IS Boo Malcom not ready ………….again?? Groin must not be healing. If HE could play, them Samuel could move back to LB, allowing Boo and Crowell to rotate, supplemented by Carlton and his cousin.
UGA is in a deep hole and we need to fire all of the coaches and start fresh. THIS SEASON is a wrap.
Go Dogs.
Shelby Foot
September 12th, 2011
10:23 am
Oh….well. If Athlon Sports says it, it MUST be true. Seriously? Using Athlon Sports as a reference?
Sorry, I should have used 7th grade English for you: UGA Football: 30th Annual Rebuilding Year
The Facts
September 12th, 2011
10:24 am
Bobo averages more points per game than Richt did as the play caller. Until we find a defense we will continue to be average.
USC81
September 12th, 2011
10:28 am
Thank you Douglas Dawg. Somebody finally gives USC a little credit for doing what it takes to win. The past 2 years USC beat GA the way GA beat SC for decades. – By running a defense over in the 4th quarter. Everybody in the nation knew that Lattimore was getting the ball in the 4th quarter of this game,and GA simply could not stop him. This year I think Lattimore got 95 of his yards in the 4th quarter.
UGA fans should understand that things are changing slowly but surely in the SEC East. Did you know thatCarolina has only won in Athens 8 times in well over 100 years? 4 of those have been since 2000. We have won 3 of the last five – and was about a yard away from 4 (2009) We will always be at a disadvantage talent wise since GA is 4 times as large as SC, but the talent margin is getting thinner. So, please give a little credit where credit is due. UGA played well and gave us fits on defense. But when we needed to score. We scored by running right at you. We we needed a first down. We got a first down by running right at you. End of story.
BULLY BULL
September 12th, 2011
10:28 am
Okay, lets evaluate the decision making that cost us the game: Ball on our own 20, almost 5 minutes left to go. Put Murray in the shotgun with one back (which should tell the D that there is a 80% probability he is passing given the playcalling up to this point). That should send a rush with the highest recruited defensive player in the country after Murray, and our highly coached but inexperienced offensive line should be able to stop him, resulting in a nice 15-20 yard pass completion! Welcome to Dreamland, where wishful thinking and earnest prayers are expected to carry us every time. Obviously at this point in the game a smart coach would have chosen to pound it out with Crowell until we got to the 50 yard line, eating up the clock until we mixed some passes in. But hey, I haven’t been caoching for 25 years like CMR, what do I know? Listen up McGarity – one more loss this year and CMR must go.
stendek
September 12th, 2011
10:32 am
TO ALL TRUE DAWG FANS THAT REALIZE A COACHING CHANGE IS MANDATORY
Do not attend home games.
Do not donate to University of Georgia.
Do not purchase UGA merchandise.
Do not drive a Ford vehicle.
Do not watch Dawgs on TV.
With the exception of that last one (hee hee) please confirm to all others on list.
Saint Mark Wretch is not worth over $3 million per season. Not even $300,000!
Such a boycott seems the only true way to get the attention of those dunderheads with the power to boot the reverand out!
Thanks for listening.
stendek
September 12th, 2011
10:34 am
It is fans like Bill Arp that keep losers like Saint Mark Wretch in charge despite failures piled on top of failures. Sigh.
S'onlyFootball
September 12th, 2011
10:36 am
@stendek
True Dawg Fans may attend the games, so long as they wear paper bags over their heads.
edumacated
September 12th, 2011
10:41 am
@ USC81,
You are correct. SC got it done when it counted. Enjoy your time in the sun, but don’t think for a minute that this recent trend in the UGA-USC series will continue for long.
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
10:41 am
I think the whole “sit Aaron Murray” “get LeMay in there” argument is so premature at this point. This kid is so young still and even with the turnovers, if UGA had won, most people would point to his 4 TDs say nothing else. Case in point, no one is calling for Garcia’s head in the USCe blogs.
DJ Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:43 am
Turnovers ugghhh! Murray has to know you cant make every play! I thought as a freshman he made better decisions with the ball than what I have seen so far this year. Learn to live another down
DJ Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:45 am
USC81- i do give you guys credit, yall made the plays that were needed.
USC81
September 12th, 2011
10:50 am
Edumacated. I don’t claim that we will be able to sustain recent history. I do claim that the days of GA assuming a victory the second game of the year are over for a long while. Maybe for good.
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
10:51 am
Sea Dawg should probably watch the game before commenting. This is not a bash on Murray or Crowell, but Murray’s pick six and fumble led to 14 points (can’t blame the defense there) and Crowell’s fumble led to a return down to the 4. Hard for a D to get blamed for that one also. The fake punt, well hard to call that one since a few defensive starters play on the punt return team. So if you include the fake punt TD, the defense gave up 24 points. NOT 45!
USC81
September 12th, 2011
10:52 am
By the way. USC playing well should be something UGA fans appreciate. It makes the football season oh so much more fun, so much earlier in the year. Also, Tenn and Fla. have to contend with us too. Glass half full guys – come on.
ronster9
September 12th, 2011
10:53 am
After watching the posts of UGA fans for a few years, my observation is that many of them are ‘fair weather” fans. They jump on the bandwagon when the team is doing well and winning, but jump right off when faced with adversity. That’s when their support is most needed.
Perhaps the reason they have little loyalty is that their personal lives, careers, etc. are miserable, and they need to spread the misery around?
Fans get the team they deserve.Before asking your team of college players to show some backbone, show some yourselves.
Big Dirty Dawg
September 12th, 2011
10:53 am
BOBO…remove these plays from your playbook!!
No more toss sweeps with a Power Back!
When you’re RB is hot…dont pull him on key, big drives. Crowell was eating up yards in the first and second qtrs. Then you’d pull him out when he’s hot..and put in Samuel. Changed the whole dynamic of the drive, hence we settle for a FG.
Some big catches by your WRs saved your butt on several occassions….with a few of your playcalls.
Last drive of the game, 3 mins left…3 timeouts….you have a stud running back (banged up a lil, but still running well)…1st and 10..and then you go directly into play action pass. RUN THE DAMN BALL out of the “I” formation. We were running the ball very well all game, until you keep pulling the “hot” player..and substituting. Are you nuts?
if you’re gonna run out of the shotgun….put two back in there…who can both fall out into the flats (into space)..and let their speed to some damage (ie. Crowell, Thomas…heck…even boykin).
Need more motion plays!
258DAWG
September 12th, 2011
10:55 am
If our coaching staff is going to be replaced, It better not be someone that doesnt have experience as a Head Coach or someone not used to coaching at a high level/ SEC.
If it does happen I’m going on record and saying I would be happy to OVER pay to get someone like CHUCKY that can hit the ground running. How’s 8 mill a year for 5 years!
I like the current staff, well besides Bobo. But at the games end and currently I still feel we are a better team than USC. This coaching staff is in the “Murphy’s Law” Rutt. Anything that could happen will, which shouldn’t be acceptable for 4 straight years at UGA!
http://WWW.HIREJOHNGRUDEN@UGA.COM
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
10:56 am
Oh my apologies Shelby Foot, we should use your expert prognostication then. Especially from someone who thinks we have been rebuilding for 30 straight years despite six 10-win seasons and two SEC championships since 2002. That’s why your “rebuilding season part 30″ crap didn’t make sense.
258DAWG
September 12th, 2011
10:57 am
the rest of the season is ” BEAT UF OR BUST “
Joemac
September 12th, 2011
10:59 am
@Tampa, Yes, I watched the game, and if that is what you call a good coaching job, then you do not know what one is. They did make some good play calls, so I think that Booboo was not calling the plays. Lack of coaching again produced a very undisclipined team, a trademark of recent MR coached teams. BVotton line s that trhey should have won, but did not make the plays and got beat again … the 2d loss to my 7-5 season that would be a GREAT season. Next L comes when Missy St. comes to town on Oct. 1.
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
11:02 am
258DAWG, careful what you wish for. As a long time Buccaneers fan here in Tampa, I don’t want “Chucky” anywhere near my beloved Dawgs. Great Xs and Os guy, horrible when it comes to dealing with the players. He would make a good OC, but as a head coach, we won the big game then his ego let him dismantle the team to a point where the Bucs are still rebuilding.
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
11:08 am
258DAWG
September 12th, 2011
10:57 am
the rest of the season is ” BEAT UF OR BUST “
————————————
Can’t say I disagree there too much. I do think the SEC East is still possible, even Spurrier noted that before the game that the loser of the game still has a real shot. CMR either has to beat UF or get to the SEC title game to spare the season. Both would be preferable.
dwayne
September 12th, 2011
11:08 am
coastal carolina scares me
DawginLex
September 12th, 2011
11:13 am
Dan Mullen is the answer?
After LSU whips them, he will be 0-2 in the SEC.
DJ Dawg
September 12th, 2011
11:13 am
I cant feel comfortable about any game with this team anymore!! They always seem to play down to their compitetion. Instead of steamrolling a Coastal Carolina like they should who knows?? that comes from head coach and attitude. Yes CMR throw something preferrabaly BoBo!!!!!!!
dwayne
September 12th, 2011
11:14 am
imagine chuckie’s intensity tho, something rikcht lacks, of course, that huggie he put on bennett was real sweet
dwayne
September 12th, 2011
11:15 am
can we still win the NC??
kybodawg
September 12th, 2011
11:16 am
i am tired of hearing about playing a walkon at ilb. has anybody ever heard of nate taylor a small walk on lb who stared on the 1980 team. if they can play it doesnt matter how they get there.
dwayne
September 12th, 2011
11:18 am
hey stendek, you have mellowed some since your Thrasher days…How ya doing?
sandman053
September 12th, 2011
11:18 am
Richt is the guy this year let’s let the season play out and then call for his head if you feel so inclined. Geez this negativity isn’t helping one bit…besides it is pretty obvious McGarity isn’t listening this early. So…STFU and Go Dawgs!!!
producewiz
September 12th, 2011
11:27 am
aww prejudice,prejudice,always around from somebody.Stop already.Georgia didn’t lose to chop liver teams.Better teams,even though I think Ga. was better then S.C… should have won..After alll 42 for home team and 21 for S.cC. gives Ga. 63 pts.
TampaDawg
September 12th, 2011
11:30 am
Gruden does have some intensity but at what price? Plus, is he willing to play the recruiting game and play it by the rules? There are so many unknowns with someone like him in the college game, but many negative knowns in his coaching process. Sure, he could have changed by now, but he’s been a media guy since leaving Tampa and I can’t imagine with as many dismal NFL coaches out there that if he were a hot item, he wouldn’t already have a gig.
Thomas Brown
September 12th, 2011
11:33 am
math major, sir, offense scored 42 and gave up 21 X-Y=Z 42-21=21
UGA? R U Kidding
September 12th, 2011
11:34 am
I wonder if this development will cause Mr Robinson to get more or fewer rude tweets from the bulldawg “faithful”
Dogs Smell
September 12th, 2011
11:34 am
dwayne – No.
Waycross Dawg
September 12th, 2011
11:34 am
I was at the Boise State game and UGA looked TERRIBLE. They were totally clueless and had no passion as a team about the big game on the national stage.
I tuned in this past Saturday for the USCe game, and UGA looked totally different and actually excited to play. They really had a lot of costly turnovers that killed the game for them.
I think if they give Crowell 25+ carries a game, then use the play action pass from the I formation, then we could be deadly with MM and OC at receiver. Crowell is the real deal, as everyone has advertised. Now we must make him our impact player.
Maybe Samuels should be moved to linebacker, and we rotate Isiah and Boo at running back. But Isiah would get most of the carries.
If Richt loses to Tennessee, and Florida then I think he is toast but let’s just see what will happen over the next 5 games. Im not calling for Dan Mullen but it sure makes me wonder what he could do with this offense with players like Crowell and Mitchell in that spread offense. It would be like having Percy Harvin at UGA !!!
Charlie Hayes
September 12th, 2011
11:43 am
I am curious as to why they don’t let Justin Scott-Wesley try and run the ball a few times. He is 6′1″, 210 pounds and runs a 4.4. Let Wesley run it a few times against Coastal Carolina and you will see where the problem is with Samuels. Samuels runs to far forward, trips himself up and gets pulled down by arm tackles. He doesnt have the build anymore to be an elete RB. Thus, move him back to LB where we need the depth.
I went to the Buford / Yulee game on Friday to see Derrick Henry in action. He didnt have a O-Line that could block (similar to our problem) and didnt have a pass game to keep the Buford LB’s and CB’s honest. Henry has really good speed and looks like a really good running back. But, always a but, the Buford RB looked much better with his cuts, vision, quickness and speed. He hit the hole like a freight train every play. Henry seems to be more of an outside speed back that would do well with toss sweeps. I admit that Yulee was outmatched when they stepped off the bus, thus it is hard to tell if Henry could have matched the Buford RB running behind the same line. My guess would be yes based on Henry’s speed and quickness. I dont understand why Derrick Henry hasnt moved to Camden County to play in the Wing-T with Brice Ramsey. That would be a tough offense to stop with Henry running the ball behind that Camden County line.
Maybe we can land Keith Marshall this year to run with Crowell and be the two headed monster that is needed to domiante a SEC running O.