Richt coaches fans on crowd noise; McClendon weighs in on ‘Boo’
Here’s a link to Tuesday’s football notebook and another to my profile of free safety Bacarri Rambo, who played this past Saturday’s game with a heavy heart. It was a busy, newsy day around the Butts-Mehre Building, however, and I couldn’t fit everything in. So following is some stuff that didn’t make the cut for print. Call it “bonus material.” . . .
Georgia coach Mark Richt, playing Mississippi State quarterback Chris Relf, demonstrates exactly when Bulldogs fans should "go berserk." (Photo by Chip Towers)
Richt coaches fans on crowd noise
Georgia coach Mark Richt is counting on the Bulldogs’ fans to be a 12th man against Mississippi State on Saturday. He’s so adamant that they produce crowd noise that he stood up during his opening remarks at his weekly press conference on Tuesday and demonstrated exactly when and how he wanted them to be noisy.
“I want to talk to our fans and educate them a little bit,” Richt said. “We need a lot of crowd noise and I know fans know that. But when teams no huddle [like Mississippi State] and you’re cheering, you might not be cheering at the right time. So I want to try to tell you what we hope happens in the game.”
Standing up, Richt demonstrated how State’s quarterback Chris Relf looks to the sideline for a play call after lining up in the shotgun and starting the cadence.
“When he looks to the sideline,” Richt said, turning to face the side of the room, “that’s the time when we need the fans to go berserk. That’s when they’re going to try to communicate to their line what they’re going to do. We don’t want them to communicate well. We want them to have trouble hearing each other and we want offensive linemen to jump offsides. So, UGA fan base, that’s the time when we want you to go crazy, when he looks to the sideline after he starts his cadence.”
What’s up with Malcome?
There was a lot of rumor and innuendo bouncing around Tuesday about tailback Ken “Boo” Malcome, who didn’t make the trip to Ole Miss and was absent for Tuesday’s practice. Even running backs coach Bryan McClendon heard the scuttlebutt that Malcome was itching to transfer.
“It sort of took me by surprise to be honest with you,” McClendon said. “Every time I’ve talked to him, he’s been happy here and this is definitely the place that he wanted to come to and this is the place where he wants to be. . . . The bottom line is the guys that have been able to come out and perform out there at practice, those are the guys that have been able to play.”
As it turns out, Malcome missed practice because of “some sort of stomach problem,” according to McClendon. But therein lies the problem with Malcome getting playing time.
The 6-foot, 221-pound redshirt freshman from Decatur was expected to step to the forefront this season with Georgia’s attrition at tailback. But since preseason camp opened in August he has fallen behind true freshman Isaiah Crowell, linebacker convert Richard Samuel, junior Carlton Thomas and former walkon Brandon Harton on the depth chart.
“The biggest thing for Ken is he just has to come out there and be able to practice so he can keep progressing,” McClendon said. “Obviously, that’s something that’s sort of held him back last season, this season, this past spring, this past summer. I think he has a bunch of talent. Once he is out there and once he does get better, you’ll see the player that he can become. But he just has to be out there.”
Robinson spotting
All indications are that inside linebacker Christian Robinson will be available to play on Saturday.
To be clear, that’s “available,” not “will play.” But the 6-foot-2, 226-pound “Mike” linebacker was practicing without any obvious limitations on Tuesday, the second day in a row Robinson has been on the field. Robinson has been out since the fourth quarter of the South Carolina game with foot injury. He was a starter and the Bulldogs’ leading tackler in the first two games and is considered the unofficial defensive captain.
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474 comments Add your comment
gdawginkalamazoo
September 28th, 2011
9:52 am
DawginLex, ha! my thought exactly on that list.
Lowcountry, I agree. I would prefer Richt win out and get things back to the top like he had it the first few years. IF he is replaced we need the guy that will be able to keep the recruiting classes coming. God knows we have a ton of talent.
JB
September 28th, 2011
9:54 am
Lowcountry…I agree with most of what you said but I have been able to emotionally remove myself from Richt and just look at the facts. The program over a period of the last 36-42 months has not looked well. I know sometimes we blame things on just bad luck, but I think we are past that. Yes, bringing in a new coach is a gamble. Worked well for Auburn, even as the rumors continue down there, rumors didn’t win 14 ball games. A well coached team did. I’m sorry to say after watching the Florida, LSU and Bama games last weekend, I feel we are light years away from that type play, not even close. He was given this year, I’ll support him and cheer this year….but honestly, I don’t see it. I like the guy. I like Georgia being good and winning better.
slydog
September 28th, 2011
9:55 am
Saban
Would you be happy if CMR had no medical redshirts at all? It’s not that it happens at all, but the way in which handing out medical redshirts is done? It’s almost like a machine when Nick Saban does it. Now let’s get rationale here: CMR has gone out of his way to keep his personal issues with departed players from the media, even outright lying about it. Can you say the same for Saban? Saban is no devil and I love the way he goes about his business, but he is a cold, calculating machine when it comes to the business of football. That’s why he over signs players. Can you say the same about CMR? That’s why there are depth issues at certain positions. I will admit this: There are so many good players who want to go to Alabama, I don’t blame Nick Saban for basically “paying off” players who will never play, not even a sentimental Senior Day game (lol). The “pay off”, i.e., medical redshirt, is far more money than these kids or their parents have ever seen.
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
9:56 am
Lowcountry
I am ALL for CMR righting the ship like so many preached on his behalf last year. This is his opportunity to do that but, unfortunately it has not, as yet come to fruition. At this juncture there is very little to indicate that it will. Some where my friend we fans have to think “Punt” knowwhattameen?
slydog
September 28th, 2011
9:57 am
And another thing, if UGA was so adept at handing out medical redshirts, then why did they drag out the Decory Bryant situation? Do some research.
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
9:57 am
Remember, when you talk to “Saban” you are talking to a Tech fan who has active restraining orders filed against him by all the Tech players, coaches and male cheerleaders.
He has no knowledge of Alabama.
dawg4ever
September 28th, 2011
9:59 am
Richt never blames the players, my God some of you Richt lovers are amazing. This clown and his puppet Bobo have never called a bad play, it is always the players fault for not executing the play.And your wonderful Richt even lied about a player having an injury in the press(Tyson) when actually Richt wouldn’t allow the player to play, and the player called out Richt on tweeter and in an interview. Richt and his pathetic coaches have made more mistakes evaluating talent than any other coaching staff in the SEC, and that is why UGA is in the shape it is in now. That with the fact these clowns can’t coach up any players once they get on campus.Drew will be the next 5 star bust at UGA, anyone that watched this guy in high school knows he would be an all-american D.E. with his hand on the ground, yet Grantham has him at O.L. where he is lost. Talk about a terrible coaching decision. THen you have Samuel another 5 star bust that anyone watching him make one run can tell he is no running back. The kid would be a great linebacker which he was in high school, but these idiot coaches tried and are still trying to make him a running back. Then the 3rd 5 star bust is Brandon Smith, these clown coaches don’t know what to do with this kid, yet all we heard in summer and fall camp was he was so aggressive in practice and per Richt the light has come on. Yea right Richt, maybe one day the light will come on in that thick skull of yours and you will resign or you will fire your stepchild Bobo. Or maybe you could do as you always do, and blame the players for not executing your wonderful game plan. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
duronimo
September 28th, 2011
9:59 am
Dogforlife, cites the record of Dooley to lobby for continued mediocrity. One has to remember that there was little expectation for Georgia Football when Dooley came in. Fact is, from the start his teams performed better than expected. It was a step up from the Butts era. Under Dooley, the Dogs joined the elite SEC programs. Fans who want Richt gone still believe we should be an upper echelon team. Those citing Dooley’s record out of context are happy with being a mid-level conference team.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:00 am
Lex, you got that right. If fact, to deflect their Cheating, moral problems over there, they hide behind Bama or Florida monikers.
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:00 am
Here is the cold hard truth
If this team improves over the rest of the season and goes anywhere from 8-4 to 10-2, Richt will return.
If this team goes 5-7, 6-6 or 7-5, I think Richt will not be fired but will resign.
Money talks. Board members love him. No NCAA issues. Clean program. Great mentor to the kids in the program. Adams loves him.
That is all that matters
Truth might hurt but it is what it is.
zbulldawg
September 28th, 2011
10:02 am
WELL now are we spoiled little babies!!!! BOO HOO It’s called weed out the weak. As far as leaving for the NFL,be proud these players are so attractive to the NFL.Thats what we need to recruit and thats whats happening. The SEC is know for this and thats a good thing.This high school players want some of it.Let them get it and they will keep coming.And don’t you dare blame Herschel !!!!!Trump was the chump there still is and always will be.As far as coaches same thing weed out the weak and Richt is doing that also!!!! I agree with the master of I WILL BEAT YOU!!!!!! VINCE DOOLEY There is not a better coach out for UGA than MARK RICHT.To put him down is not right!!! College football is changing.YOU people who are putting out these negitive vibes need to think about what this does to UGA and recruiting.SO HOW ABOUT SHUTTING YOUR MOUTH NOW AND WHEN THE PROGESS IS COMPLETE. LET”S HEAR FROM SOME TRUE FANS
Texas Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:02 am
We recruit as well as anyone in the SEC and nation , our facilities and educational programs are amount the best in the SEC as well as the nation…..what is the variable???????
I just don’t see that in the last four or five seasons that our coaching staff has been better than the opponents. staff…we seemed to be outcoached….can’t make the right call at the right time but the others teams do?
Doesn’t seem that the other coaches are smarter and better prepared????
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:04 am
What do I want out of the next coach? How about us being the lead story on Sports center, The prime time game of the week, and START a dominating tradition. That’s all.
Texas Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:04 am
Doesn’t it …..
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 28th, 2011
10:05 am
You guys are right also. It is impossible to have the stance of defending CMR. I understand it. Heck watching the Ole Miss game offensively I came away with it very underwhelmed again. UGA really needs to embarass a team. CMR though does not have that mentality. I am not in favor of doing it every week, but Richt needs to come out and thrash a opponent rather than sitting on the ball like he did against Ole Miss. I understand why he didn’t do it against Nutt. Nutt would have been fired Monday if UGA layed the wood to them like they should have, but Richt once again backed it off to about 70% and truth be told Richt loses that benefit of the doubt when he is struggling for his job. Richt needs to lay 50 on a big boy opponent and thump his chest a little in doing so. UGA Nation may just rally behind him a little bit if he displayed himself a little swagger on the sideline.
Paul Midler
September 28th, 2011
10:06 am
A. Stop blowing these kids up to be football Gods while they are in High School. It makes everyone of them think they are already in the pros. B. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE A BULLDAWG…..LEAVE. And take all these so called Bulldawg fans with you.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:07 am
Lex, I agree. I’ve been on record on here that 8 wins brings him back, more with Adams than McGarity I think. If we lose to Florida and Tech, McGarity will want to replace him. If that leaves him at 8-4, I think Adams over rules him IMO.
Texas Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:08 am
Not a better coach than Richt………………we shall see zbulldawg……………..
How do you thing Bama (Saban) would do with our schedule………………
LSU do with our schedule……………….
Fla do with our schedule………………………
If we don’t win the rest Richt must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Bobo is Not the Problem
September 28th, 2011
10:10 am
FIRE MARK RICHT.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:11 am
Lowcountry, serious question, not bashing. do you think us scoring 3 points in the second half against Ole Miss was intentional by Richt vs us being inept and unable to do it?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 28th, 2011
10:12 am
Lex,
No way do I see CMR resigning. I promise you he still feels as if will be the right man to lead these young men next year and beyond even with a 7-6, 6-7 record. CMR is a football coach and he just cant walk away Christian or not.
The caveat to that may be if he does not have a extension beyond 2013? That may be a issue that could lead to him walking away. If he is a lame duck coach with no extension beyond then he knows his fate will be sealed on the recruiting trail. All he has to do is look to what Tommy Bowden went through at Clemson with his contract extension efforts.
Joey
September 28th, 2011
10:14 am
You are right about the web, JB.
I think also that Richt is a victim of his own success. In only his 2nd season, he came within a dropped pass in Jax to getting in the Big Game, eventually going 13-1 and a #3 ranking. Close again in ‘07, the early losses to SC and UT killing our chances of getting in, with a team that could beat ANYBODY.
It’s just human nature for us to want more of that, but instead, after Richt made UGA football relevant once again, we are irrelevant (like the 90s) again.
It’s tough to take . . .
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:14 am
lowcountry
I am pinning my hopes on the fact that Richt is an honorable man and would see the need to unite a divided fanbase.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:15 am
One more thing from my faculty member family member in Athens. Don’t trust Adams to do the right thing. He won’t be forced into doing anything. If fact, he may do the opposite, from someone over the years who has watched him first hand. bigger ego that Obama.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 28th, 2011
10:15 am
JB,
Inept mainly, but in the second half Richt was running the ball considerably more. Richt new Ole Miss had zero talent to push the ball on us. The “Dawgs” where called off to a degree. We ran the ball a ton on 3rd and long situations. This even when we had field position to be aggressive downfield with the ball if we so chose. So in that matter I do feel like it was a mixture of both. How about that for straddling the fence…
slydog
September 28th, 2011
10:15 am
JB,
You know why CMR is feeling more heat than Dooley? Multi-billion dollar television contracts that are being re-written as we speak. The SEC is on the verge of a 14 team conference, with the very real possibility that Auburn (done deal) and Alabama are moving East.
16 team super conferences have already been drawn up. They are just playing footsie with the general public. I understand that overall, these are just “down” years, when compared to the erly part of his tenure. But let’s compare UGA and CMR to LSU and Miles. Miles is considered a boob by his own fanbase and he has gotten lucky, but who hasn’t? This man is on the verge of a second NC and at least an SEC title. Is LSU recruiting better than UGA? Is Les Miles the better coach? Both legitimate questions.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 28th, 2011
10:16 am
Hey Lex you may be right who knows. Lets hope though it doesnt get to that point.
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
10:17 am
Lowcountry
Now there is where in previous years I had much respect for Richt as a class act. He would not run up the score for style points when clearly it was at his disposal. I personally am still not asking for that. Just line up and beat the other team. Boise is a much better team than I gave them credit. But I still in no way believe my Bulldawgs lose to a Boise St, a 1-A light. There is no excuse for that.
Texas Dawg mentioned and he is right, the last 4-5 years the opposing coach no matter who it is simply our coaches our guys. UGA has all the necessary ingredients for wins and success yet, it eludes us year after year. Even in Richt’s successful years, a lowly TN and Fulmer sticks it in and breaks it off.
Richt is a victim of his early success. If he had the first 3-4 years as mediocre years, followed by the success, he would have some working capital for more mediocre years. The fan base has been on a steady diet of mediocre. We want to taste some t-bone or maybe even some pork chop. This pooh sandwich is getting old
dumb dawg fans
September 28th, 2011
10:18 am
Just so some of our fans that are not very smart can learn something anyone with a fair amount of education already knows, ALL PLAYERS AT ANY SCHOOL THAT CAN BE PICKED IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF ROUNDS IN THE NFL DRAFT USUALLY GO PRO EARLY!!!! That is true at Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma, etc. Examples…Mark Ingram(bama), Cam Newton(Auburn), Adrian Peterson(Oklahoma), Percy Harvin(Florida), Julio Jones (Bama). Did Ingram and Jones leave Bama because the didn’t want to play for Saban? Of course not. Think before you comment, please. We don’t lose anymore players than anyone else….Snoop dawg, you sir, are an idiot!!
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:18 am
Joey….That is true about early success, but one more thing. The SEC is a different place now than when Richt arrived. It’s a whole lot tougher.
red hill
September 28th, 2011
10:22 am
I’m hoping that UGA’s coach for 2012 is on the sideline Saturday in Athens……and I ain’t talking about Richt.
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:23 am
JB
You hit the nail on the head regarding Adams
Chip Towers
September 28th, 2011
10:24 am
Phuch Le` Duc: I said players that have left with eligibility remaining. Strickland fits into that category.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:25 am
It’s Thanksgiving….and we use to sit at the big table with Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Florida….
We are now at the kids table with Vandy, Kentucky and Ole Miss…..and I’ll be damn, that goofy looking Sprurrier is over there sitting in our chair at the big table…….
gdawginkalamazoo
September 28th, 2011
10:25 am
Lowcountry, of course,, slapping 50 on anybody other than Coastal would be tantamount to saying yes I can do this, yes I want to do this. I did enjoy the Ole Miss game we did dominate that game more than the score indicated. However, that second half offensive performance was horrible. How fast is Thomas? We kept sending him up the middle or off tackle trying to get years. Samuel could get yardage on the screen passes but we do the same thing with him. Murray could complete 70% of his passes to the TE’s if Bobo would call it. I am glad that we get Marlon Brown back this week. That kid, if given the opportunity will be a good one. He works hard for yardage after the catch.
Richt should be game planning this one so that we beat MSU so bad that the UGA nation wishes that it never heard Mullen’s name as a possible replacement for him. Kinda of like “what him?, replace me?”.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 28th, 2011
10:25 am
yards not years.
Joey
September 28th, 2011
10:26 am
Lowcountry, I have been rolling my eyes about the calls for Kirby Smart also.
But if the season goes bad and McGarity makes a move, he may just go the same route as his old boss Foley did at UF. Go get a young assistant to a great HC, who happens to be a great recruiter, and give him some high-caliber assistants.
Who fits that description better that Smart?
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
10:26 am
red hill
There’s nothing about Mullen as a coach that excites me
UCF Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:27 am
I am a die-hard Dawg Fan and strong Richt supporter, but a even I realize that in the past 11 years we have fielded great, nation leading teams and have under performed in situations when we should have completely dominated. I just want to see that trend end this year. No more losing games due to turnovers, penalties and poor execution/play. If we get beat, I want to get beat because the other team just had the edge and not because missed field goals here, bad play call there and all the crap we have dealt with for so many years. There is NO reason Georgia should no be the equivalent of Bama and LSU but on the East side of the conference.
If Richt can figure it out, I am 100% for it. If he can’t figure it out, I have no problem thanking Richt for what he has done and Georgia finding the right man to help us get where we should be in football. That being said, if they were to replace Richt, I would still want a coach with the same demeanor, integrity and quality of person that Richt has, those attributes are truly part of the Georgia Way. GO DAWGS!
Uncle Rico
September 28th, 2011
10:29 am
Hey, Crabdaddy!! Where do you get off callin’ Coach Filburn a loser?? Just because the Bobcats lost to State that doesn’t mean that Coach doesn’t know how to…….what?…are you sure? Okay, sorry…wrong comment board.
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
10:30 am
zoo
I thought Mitchell put on a good display of his metal last week. Great hands and fast as needed. Reminicent of AJ Green’s talents. Murray threw to him what, 3 times?
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:30 am
10:20 am is not me
ARdawg
September 28th, 2011
10:31 am
Joey
Richt was a young assistant from to a great HC when he came to UGA
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:32 am
Hey 10:20 TROLL BOY
nice try but I can actually spell!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chip Towers
September 28th, 2011
10:33 am
DawginLex(the real one): He gone.
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:33 am
thanks Chip for removing my admirer/stalker
Mobile Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:33 am
To all the Richt supporters, I still subscribe to the theory that he came in with a boatload of talent, Jim Donnan, like him or not recruited strong character atheletes. He recruited Greene and Pollack, whom Richt rode to his SEC greatness on. Since those guys left things have deteriorated gradually, hence my take is the culture change has occurred gradually as the Donnan era players left and those that came in during Richt’s first couple of recruiting classes were heavily influenced by the Donnan players. Richt was good as an OC, but as the Leader, and person most responsible for setting the atmosphere, environment for the players he has failed.
UGA Insider
September 28th, 2011
10:36 am
I’m anxious to see how many fans show up Saturday. I’m also anxious to see how vocal they are. The amount of fans who traveled to Oxford were very small and very quite. Unfortunately, I think Adams and McGarity are going to find out how a large majority of the fanbase think of the program as of now.
ATL Sports Fan
September 28th, 2011
10:36 am
How many of you all have been to UGA practices? Right no one on here but maybe 1 or 2 posters. UGA insiders says he has but I’ve tried to pick him out of a crowd of about 8-10 media/high level boosters/former players who are allowed at FEW practices. Every practice I have been to Ken Malcome is always constantly getting treatment for something. He has no drive and the coaches have been on his ass from day 1. Two weeks ago I was at practice and saw Coach Richt take Ken by the shoulder and put his arm around him and you could read his lips and told him your going to have to play banged up if you want to play at all.
Onto Ray Drew. The kid will be great, eventually. He has the skills to play but not for 3 or 4 quarters yet. He can still be red shirtted even though he played against Coastal Carolina.
DawginLex
September 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Mobile
I agree to a certain extent but if you put Murray on that team with that defense, I think he wins a lot too.
The difference to me started with Van gorder leaving and the Martinez mess.
Sad part to me is I really think Grantham will get it done if given time to do so but he may not get the time to prove it