Expected to be a strength, Georgia’s special teams have been horrific
Georgia kicker Blair Walsh attempts a field goal against Florida with Drew Butler as his holder. Walsh missed two against the Gators to fall to 13-of-23 this season. (UGA photo by Paul Abell)
In a word, Georgia’s special teams have been deplorable. What makes this such a shocking revelation is the fact that, coming into the season, it was generally believed that the Bulldogs would have not only one of the best overall groups not just in the country this year, but one of the best groups of all time. They featured a Ray Guy Award winner in punter Drew Butler, a Lou Groza Award finalist in kicker Blair Walsh and a record-setting kick returner in Brandon Boykin. Instead, as Georgia enters the last third of the season, here is where it stacks up regionally and nationally:
Category———Average——-SEC rank——-NCAA rank
Field goal %———-.565———–12th———n/a
Kickoff coverage—–42.3———–12th———109th
Kickoff returns——-22.3————8th———-53rd
Punting (net)———33.9———-12th———-104th
Punt returns———-7.6————7th———–68th
Opp. punt rets.——14.29———-12th———-108th
Suffice it to say, that is not at all where Georgia expected to be at this point. And it’s not like it has been limited to one area. The Bulldogs have given up two kickoff returns for touchdowns, a punt return for a touchdown, a fake punt for a touchdown, another fake punt for a first down. The Bulldogs certainly would not have expected to be 6-2 and leading the SEC’s Eastern Division at this point with that kind of performance.
I spoke with Georgia’s principal players in this arena on Monday — kicker Blair Walsh, punter Drew Butler and kick return Brandon Boykin — to get their thoughts on the situation and find out what the Bulldogs are doing about it. Here’s what they said.
SENIOR PK BLAIR WALSH (13 for 23 on FGs)
- On performance versus Florida (2 missed FGs): “Disappointing for sure. That was a big team. I’m glad my team was able to pull through and carry me through that.”
- On thoughts this week: “My thoughts are the same they are every week. I’ve just got to go out there and do my job and try to make the kicks they ask me to make. I’ve got to get more consistent, that’s for sure.”
- On what’s wrong: “It’s not like it’s not mechanical; some of it is definitely mechanical. It’s just my approach to it is the same and my overall mindset is fine. I just need to go out there and start making them. That’s what it comes down to. . . . I’ve just got to go out there and finish my swing. I’ve just got to stop worrying about whether it goes in or not. Rather than half my swing, just rip it instead.”
- On coach Mark Richt’s reaction: “He’s been very supportive about the whole thing. He’s an awesome coach and I’ve always appreciated that about him, that he has faith in me.”
- On his confidence at this point: “You live and die by confidence in what I do, in what all specialists do. It’s nice to have [Richt's] confidence, but I’m not oblivious. I’m sure that does run out, I’m sure. But I’m confident in my ability and that I’ll come through and I’ll be fine.”
- On whether he’s had a similar slump: “Not to this extent, no. But you’ve just got to fight through it.”
- On whether he’s getting advice outside program: “People definitely come out of the woodwork, that’s for sure. But it’s not that big of a deal. I’ll figure it out. I’m not going out there and just wanking them or not even coming close. It’s just a couple of things that have to get corrected and have to get solved. I know it’s a boring story, but that’s what it is.”
- On whether he got to celebrate Florida victory: “No, I did. Believe me, I did. It’s a team sport. You can’t be out there pouting about the fact you didn’t do as well as you wanted to do. At the end of the day we won and beat a team we hadn’t beaten in the three years I’ve been here. So that was a big deal. We’re 6-2 and I couldn’t be happier about that. Now I’m not happy about my field goal percentage, that’s for sure. But it’ll change and I’ll make it change.”
- On if he’s been told the job is still his: “That’s the plan right now. . . . But it’s [Richt's] decision. I’m not in control of that. All I can control is how well I practice and how well I’m doing.”
- On kickoffs: “On some of the kicks I’m just trying to keep it up their so my coverage team can get down there and cover it. Six or seven [yards] deep doesn’t guarantee that guy knees it down. If you can find somebody who can kick it 80 yards deep every time, I’d love to meet him.
- On preseason goal to win Groza Award: “I don’t think I was thinking about it. I think it was something I knew that was there. I don’t go out there thinking ‘I need to get this so I can get this award’ or something. I don’t think like that and I never have. I have those expectations and I expect to be in the race for that kind of stuff. I know my abilities and I’m confident in my abilities. If I just stick to my plan and I’ll turn it around.”
- On changing his routine: “I try to keep it the same. I’ve been doing this for 3 1/2 years now or however long it’s been and I’ve just got to get out of the slump I’m in and go.”
SENIOR PUNTER/HOLDER DREW BUTLER (43.8 ypp)
- On his personal performance: “I haven’t exactly been punting our punt coverage team in the best position to make plays and force fair catches and limit return yards. In one aspect I feel like I’ve been kicking the ball well but I haven’t been putting our guys in good enough position to make plays and limit returns and what they can do with the ball.”
- On what needs to be better: “For me, it’s just adding some hang time and being a little more consistent and putting the ball in places where those guys don’t have to make any ridiculous plays to get in guys’ faces. It’s just something I’m going to have to work on. I think we’ve done a good job here recently. Obviously we had a blocked punt against Vanderbilt, which kind of overshadowed the good things we did in that game. I had a pretty bad performance in the second half of this past game. So luckily, one thing that was good about this past week is we didn’t let [Chris] Rainey get a big return. Then, again, our defense stepped up when I had some pretty bad punts. . . . I feel like I’m kicking the ball pretty well and I think as a punt team we’ve done pretty well well minus about four plays the entire season.”
- On what’s being done to address shortcomings: “Daily meetings, 30-45 minutes of practice time each day are dedicated to special teams. Whatever teams we’re working on on each specific day, they rotate. But we have a routine around here we’ve always worked on and it’s worked in the past. For some reason we’re not making the plays we need to make this season.”
- On current points of emphasis: “If anything, it’s just a lot more about getting the players focused and teaching the guys exactly what we want to do from a team standpoint and emphasizing to the guys that one play can equal 7 points for either team or a huge momentum shift in field position. So obviously we’re really stressing to the entire team that we need to win the special teams facet if we want to do what we want to do this season.”
- On Walsh’s struggles: “Without a doubt, I hurt for him. He’s had so much success here in the past. For him to have to go through this rough stretch, it definitely hurts all of us who work with him every day and want to see him succeed. We know what kind of capability he has. So, like I’ve said, we still have four games left here where we can really finish off strong. I have full confidence that he’ll be able to do that.”
- On what has caused problems: “I think it’s just an extremel;y mental game. If people haven’t kick or punted before, I’ve always compared it to golf. If you’re hitting the ball extremely well and not making a lot of putts, it can get in your head and you start getting the yips. I’m not saying Blair has the yips but things happen and sometimes you can become your own worst enemy. So I think the main thing for Blair is just to get that self-confidence back. He’s had really great weeks of practice; he has really good pregame performances. It’s just a matter of having those practice routines translate onto the playing field, which I think will happen pretty soon here.”
- On how Walsh is handling it: “He’s keeping his head up and he’s going through this rough patch exactly how a professional kicker would do it. So hopefully I think he’ll get it all together here pretty soon.”
SENIOR KR/PR BRANDON BOYKIN (22.3 ypr)
- On special teams problems of late: “We’ve had some meltdowns these last couple of games. But, at the same time, we still have guys that are capable of doing what we need them to.”
- On Walsh’s struggles: “I never doubt any player in any part of the kicking game because we have one of the best kickers in the country, despite the slump that people thinks he’s going through. . . . As a kicker, that’s his job. When he doesn’t make them he’s going to get scrutinized. He’s still a good kicker. I think if he continues to work at it and keeps his confidence, he’ll get back on the right track.
- On special teams breakdowns: “Honestly, it’s just us not executing. Special teams were a strongpoint for us coming into the season and we haven’t lived up to those expectations. I think maybe us knowing that we’ve got really good special teams, we kind of need to focus in more on every play like you saw early on. Fake punts and all that stuff is just a matter of us not executing and not focusing. All of that has to change if we want to be successful the rest of the year.”
- On changes from a scheme standpoint: “I think we’re doing pretty much the same things. I just think teams are noticing what we’re doing. They watch film and they can kind of key on things. Teams are definitely doing that. But we’re not executing, not getting to the proper levels and getting our blocks and me not finding the hole quick enough. It’s just a whole bunch of things. We looked at it [Monday] and we’ll continue to look at it the rest of the week and try to get it back to where we had it.”
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197 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
November 1st, 2011
10:03 am
GO DAWGS!
Atrocious
oh 1st
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
November 1st, 2011
10:10 am
JUST WIN BABY!!!!!!!!!!!
BigDawg
November 1st, 2011
10:11 am
Put the best players on “special” teams!!
Michael
November 1st, 2011
10:11 am
2nd
Maybe Richt should hire a special teams coach. Just a thought.
stats
November 1st, 2011
10:12 am
http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/kicking/sort/fieldGoalPct/order/false
Walsh has the 18th worst (out of 104) FG % in the nation for people who have attempted at least 1 per game, so that makes his NCAA rank 86th
GAWGADAWG
November 1st, 2011
10:16 am
specials team play it could be worst but I don’t know how. the player seem to not want to get to the man with the bal. afraid of being hurt I guess. very slow to react need to make changesl
ATL Sports Fan
November 1st, 2011
10:18 am
Hey Michael, if Richt does this, which coach do you want to see him let go in order to hire a special teams coach??
Mike Bobo, Todd Grantham, Rodney Garner, Will Friend, Scott Laktos, or Coach O, Tony Ball, or Bryan Mclendon. Just remember you let one of these coaches go then you do not a position coach for the positions they coach. NCAA mandates you are only allowed to have 9 coaches on staff.
GAWGADAWG
November 1st, 2011
10:19 am
Must add when a 280 pound man can make a long run against the special team they dont want to tackle him as I am 76 years old and could catch him but we had no one close.
DawginLex
November 1st, 2011
10:20 am
I felt bad for Walsh last game. He really wants to help the team win.
I wonder if Bogotay is an option to kickoff?
We have the punter recruited for next year from Cartersville. Anybody keeping up with the kid recruited for kicker?
BurytheBone
November 1st, 2011
10:20 am
We are struggling in this area know doubt about it. I would have to agree we need a coach just for special team defense and a specialist to work out the problems Walsh seems to be having. If we don’t do anything else. GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF WOOF
ATL Sports Fan
November 1st, 2011
10:21 am
The only person that makes sense would be Lilly. Then you would have to have Tony Ball coach tightends and receivers. Bottom line is MOST NCAA teams do not have as special teams coach, each coach on staff is assigned duties.
ATL Sports Fan
November 1st, 2011
10:23 am
Guys, please educate yourself on how the NCAA works. Bury, if they use your logic now you have to let 2 positions coaches go. So then who do you let go?
Mr. Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:24 am
This has truly been a mind boggling issue. Richt has never had a dedicated special teams coach and – as this article points out – as recently as last year that part of the game was considered a strength for the Bulldogs. My concern is that no one seems to be held accoutable for the lapse unless Coach Richt himself wants to shoulder the blame. On thing is for sure, if the special teams fall flat and cost the Bulldogs any of the remaining games he’ll be the one that has to answer for it. I strongly support Coach Richt. So I would hate to see this problem bring him down particularly if the team plays well on downs 1 through 3.
The Grinch
November 1st, 2011
10:29 am
Horrific doesn’t adequately describe it, Chip. Please go back and come up with a more “horrific” word to use.
DawginLex
November 1st, 2011
10:30 am
Anybody looked at our next opponent?
NMSU is not Coastal Carolina
They beat Minnesota who just beat Iowa
They are not chopped liver. Throw it a ton, can’t run too well. Defense is undersized but this team is capable of throwing a scare into an unmotivated team with their minds still in Jacksonville………….
UGABugKiller
November 1st, 2011
10:30 am
Oh, I don’t know Mark Richt, how about you ACT LIKE YOU CARE ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS???
Put STARTERS on the Special Teams, as CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING COACHES HAVE DONE!!!
Make the Special Teams SPECIAL. Make it an HONOR to serve on them. And how about YOU YOURSELF, Mr. CEO, Coach the damn Special Teams… HOW ABOUT THAT???
WHY AM I YELLING???
Because Special Teams BREAKDOWNS have been an problem for Richt’s ENTIRE 11 YEAR CAREER AT UGA!!!
STOP PUTTING WALK-ONS WHO SOULD NEVER SEE THE FIELD ON SPECIAL TEAMS, MARK RICHT!!!
Dawgdad (The Original)
November 1st, 2011
10:31 am
Your article implies that this is something new. For the past 4-5 years UGA has had subpar special teams. Last year we couldn’t stop the kickoff return, nor return one. A touchback last year was a great play when we were receiving. I remember several fumbles by returners, especially Brandon Smith.
Just more of the same, year after year. Richt said before the season, responding to criticism of special teams play, that we are going to work hard on ST this year. Well, here are the results.
ARdawg
November 1st, 2011
10:31 am
Richt to OC duties and Bobo to special teams?….LOL
mcdaviddawg
November 1st, 2011
10:32 am
This is what you get when you have a head coach that doesn’t think speciial teams matter. Part of the overall lack of effort by Georgia coaching.
RxDawg
November 1st, 2011
10:33 am
I am of the opinon that we should do the following things.
1. Never kick another field goal for the rest of the season. We either go for it, or punt if it’s an obvious punting situation.
2. Do nothing but kick onside kicks. Learn them, master them. If they’re going return it to around the 40 anyway or worse, we might as well have a shot at it. Plus their not likely to return it for a TD this way.
Just abandon special teams all together. It’s broke and it aint gonna get fixed by this point.
Bama in Atlanta
November 1st, 2011
10:34 am
From my understanding, the problem may be too many cooks in the kitchen in that Richt has several coaches responsible for various parts of special teams. Bama doesn’t have a dedicated Special Teams coach but the Tight End coach doubles as the ST coach as well and is probably the way a lot of teams handle this due to NCAA regulations on number of coaches.
Not to say that Richt has to follow the path of all other teams but if the process you have is not working then it may be time to change the process. UGA obviously has the player talent for special teams, it just needs the proper coaching process.
Dawgdad (The Original)
November 1st, 2011
10:37 am
You guys are looking at it wrong. ST is a third of the game, very important. We need to find someone good with special Teams, think VT, then let that person coach a position, like Tight ends, as well. I had rather have a jam up profession ST coach who is not that great as a TE coach, as have a super star TE coach who screws up STs.
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
November 1st, 2011
10:39 am
RxDawg….
Hmmmmm. You may have a point there..
Jake Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:41 am
I’m with Russ. just win baby. A win is a win, no matter how ugly. we won’t remember how bad the game was five years from now, just that it was a W. Obviously we have a good opponent to tune up our special teams against before the war tigers roll into town.
The Grinch
November 1st, 2011
10:41 am
RxDawg
November 1st, 2011
10:33 am
Nah, abandon the onside kick concept. That gives them the ball around our 40. Instead, intentionally kick it out of bounds. That way they get the ball on THEIR 40 so it’s a net 20 yard gain.
robodawg
November 1st, 2011
10:41 am
Chip, our kickoff coverage improved dramatically last year from the year before. This coincided with coaching changes. But now we’re back to where we were previously. This off-season we lost a LB coach and picked up another. How do the coaching duties line up with special teams duties? A lot of this is coaching, things coaches should be able to fix. This is fundamental football.
Also, have there been any changes of responsibility as far as who coaches the kickers?
UGABugKiller
November 1st, 2011
10:41 am
Dawgdad… so, you’re saying we hire FrankBeamer to coach our Special Teams… because like UrbanMeyer, Beamer coaches his own special teams.
Big Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:42 am
Walsh’s struggles are in his head and can be rectified by putting in Bogatay to take care of the kicking duties until he gets his head on straight. Next there is no excuse for the mental breakdowns each week when guys on the punt coverage team just run back without first checking to make sure the ball is punted. This goes directly to coaching in not being on top of these guys to insure this stops. In watching our punt returners too many times we fair catch the ball when there is ample room to return it. Once again this is a mental thing on the part of the return man and what he is seeing in front of him, split second decision on whether to catch and run or fair catch the ball. Hopefully this will all get rectified but don’t count on it as I don’t think Coach Richt will do the right thing and sit Walsh, IMHO should have done it 3 games ago. He should also demote Mike BoBo and hire a true offensive coordinator. Just don’t see it happening though.
Go Dawgs
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:42 am
we do need to practice 2 or 3 on side kick plays….. Walsh needs to work on fundamentals.. just like my golf drives… strong kicks… just off to right 2 degrees… keep your head down and follow through…. Play your best athletes on special teams… Duh ???
JimDog85
November 1st, 2011
10:42 am
@ ATL Sports Fan – I thought Scott Lakatos did leave last summer to take a job with the Carolina Panthers. I think that has been the biggest reason for the fall off because he was the special teams cooridinator last year and did a great job.
I remember two seasons ago when the preseason hype from the AJC was how good our offensive line is going to be. It’s the kiss of death with the paper starts telling you how good you are before you play in any games.
GTBob
November 1st, 2011
10:42 am
Blair Walsh is having one of the strangest meltdowns I have ever seen. The guy used to be automatic. Now UGA is reluctant to even let him try. Kinda sad because he has pretty much killed any chance for an NFL career.
Dawg2011
November 1st, 2011
10:43 am
Amazing that competition works for all positions except QB and place kicker. Maybe Bogatay isn’t any better- but at least have some competition in practice to see…
Ed Pilcher
November 1st, 2011
10:43 am
And this is what happens when you don’t have a special teams coach on your staff.
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
November 1st, 2011
10:43 am
Thanks Jake Dawg!!!
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:45 am
Belin went to Carolina… Lakatos would be a good choice to coach Special teams…
Jake Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:46 am
Don’t we have an inside and an outside linebacker’s coach? Or am I a year behind?
Dap01
November 1st, 2011
10:47 am
UGA has got to do something different. CMR’s staff is producing a horrible special teams product. They had better change. UGA can be very good with our new defense but only if the special teams become AVERAGE!
We certainly can’t rely on Bobo to call a good game.
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:47 am
we should fake 4th down once in a while on field goal attempts….
Mtn Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:48 am
@RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT – You go dude!. ‘RUSS IS FOR US!’
Ed Pilcher
November 1st, 2011
10:49 am
Kickers are a strange lot. They have a fragile psyche to begin with, and the least little thing can put them into a funk like a trembling Chiuaua dog………I’ve known a lot of kickers over the years as a high school coach, and I’ve never met one yet that wasn’t just a tad weird, if not a full-time Twilight Zoner. There’s something strange in the first palce about someone who makes a living with his feet…..Kinda like a grape-stomper.
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:50 am
Chris Hatcher for O.C.
ARdawg
November 1st, 2011
10:50 am
Walsh has been solid in the past and will be again. Of that I have no doubt. Richt sending him out every other possession seems to have gotten into his psyche
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
November 1st, 2011
10:50 am
@ Mtn Dawg… LOL!!!!! Like your slogan….
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:51 am
Don’t go to sleep on New Mexico State.. this is not a practice game
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
November 1st, 2011
10:53 am
I thought I heard GA was favored by something like 34 1/2 over New Mex. St.
Richt, the early years
November 1st, 2011
10:53 am
We blocked punts, FGs and did what it took to win in Richt’s early UGA years. Lately, Richt seems to have lost the edge in the very minute, fine details of the game.
McGarity last January told him to clear his calendar, clean his desk up and become a student of the game. Apparently, the Coaching 101 book had no chapters on Special Teams.
Gooooooooooooooo Dogs. Sic em!!!
Dap01
November 1st, 2011
10:56 am
Since CMR stated that he wanted to be more like a CEO, UGA’s football team seems poorly prepared. We have great talent, a great defensive coach and poor offensive coordination and horrible special team preparation.
hammerhead
November 1st, 2011
10:56 am
I understand the strategy to divvy up special teams responsibilities and not have a “special teams coach”; what I find disturbing is the lack of accountability. Instead of posing questions to the coach in charge of Kickoff / return, the media are grilling players on what’s wrong. Coaches are PAID to do their jobs which makes them accountable for the unit they’re assigned… They should be answering these questions and held accountable for their responsibilities.
RiffRaff
November 1st, 2011
10:56 am
Heard Walsh broke up with his long time girlfriend this past summer. Maybe that has something to do with it. Anyway, Butler will be alright. More concerned about the coverage on kickoffs and punts.
Destin Dawg
November 1st, 2011
10:57 am
Richt wants to be a missionary preacher when he retires… give him and Grantham a 3 year contract extension.. make Grantham H.C. in waiting ??? Go Dawgs !!!
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
10:58 am
What really stinks about all of this, is we could easily be 7-1 right now had it not been for the special teams issues.
mike
November 1st, 2011
10:59 am
Get rid of Bobo, and hire a special teams coach. The offense looks clueless with him, they couldnt do any worse…lol
murfdawg
November 1st, 2011
11:01 am
Special teams used to be about 20% of the game. The Dawgs went to a bowl game without a defensive coach a couple of years ago and grad assistants handled the job. (of course a one-eyed grandma in a wheelchair would have been better than WM) Find some grad students and give them full support and see what happens.
Will Murray ever complete a long ball?
November 1st, 2011
11:02 am
Florida game was just so so for Murray . We won and that is that. His TWO TDs were done by his receivers fighting for the ball.
Last year, he cost UGA that game with three pics, one for a Gator TD and one freaking fumble for another Gator TD. Dang it. Otherwise, two in a row for UGA, or three in five years baby.
We will get it right over the next four or five years, because they will have fired and hired two coaches by then and with that, is more Trouble and instability for the Gators.
On three plays that i recall, AM hummed it way over Orson’s head, and wide open he was and Murray missed two balls to somebody streaking down the left sideline and then, had a mis com with T King on a stop and go route. THAT one might have been T King’s issue. Had we made two of these it was a blow out. All year our O has hurt us with average play. Why? Recall SC with turnovers and such?
Go Dogs.
BurytheBone
November 1st, 2011
11:02 am
@ atl sports fan, not saying we should hire two new coach’s. Just one. Your only as strong as your weakest link. Replace the link. Somebody has got to step it up or move on. Walsh is in a slump, it happens. He will come out of it. He has saved us on more than once. He”ll get thru it.
Mike
November 1st, 2011
11:03 am
Dawgs are winning, ugly, but winning. Not trying to be critical, but maybe it’s time to hire a special teams coach – it’s not like we can’t afford it …
Nick
November 1st, 2011
11:04 am
I heard Walsh’s deal was mental after a breakup from his girlfriend just prior to the season.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:05 am
There were also some key “drops” in that Fla game as well. But yeah Murray did sail a few of those passes too. I do like the idea about firing Bobo, hiring a ST coach, and let CMR call the offensive plays.
Football Fan
November 1st, 2011
11:09 am
Unfortunately the kicking part of the game is mostly between the ears. It is a capricious specialty, especially place kicking. No doubt in my mind Blair Walsh is one of the best place kickers in the country. Same opinion for Butler. They are flat out good kickers. It’s so hard to put your finger on when a place kicker misses. Just like Walsh said, he approaches the kick the same way every time. Sometimes it goes in sometimes it doesn’t. Inexplicable things happen, unfortunately. Just hopefully not at the most crucial moment.
Kick coverage is a different matter. That can be coached up.
luckydawg
November 1st, 2011
11:09 am
No more scrub walk-ons on special teams! It is too important for guys that were not good enough for a scholarship to begin with. Everyone that is dressed out just to play on special teams is one more scholarship player that CAN’T be dressed out to provide position depth!
DJ Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:10 am
If CMR hasnt fired BoBo already it ain’t gonna happen!!!
SimpleDawg
November 1st, 2011
11:11 am
How do you “coach” 2 All-Americans into below average players in a year’s time?
It must’ve been difficult, but we did it.
With no emphasis on “special teams”, how special can they be? How important is that part of the team to the Head Coach?
Obviously, not very important.
chilidawg
November 1st, 2011
11:17 am
I was hoping CMR would start going for on-side kicks against UF. Had we not recovered the ball, they would not have had better field position than if we had kicked it deep.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:19 am
DJ Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:10 am
If CMR hasnt fired BoBo already it ain’t gonna happen!!!
You’re probably right. Sounds like CMR should handle the ST job on his own then.
DJ Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:21 am
Chris Snow
Yeah he needs to do one or the other. Really wish he would go back to calling plays.
McDawg
November 1st, 2011
11:22 am
we can’t have a kicker that hits under 50% of his FGs
EW
November 1st, 2011
11:22 am
@Chip Towers, what do you think about the commentary during the FLA game where they said that UGA doesn’t have a single special teams coach but each coach has a responsibility for a certain aspect of special teams. This type of approach seems to set up for a lack of accountability. Thoughts?
ugaDAWG
November 1st, 2011
11:28 am
There are so many “experts” on here … Mike Bobo called a pretty good game against Florida. When a play goes well, he doesn’t get the credit. When a block is missed, a player slips down, a pass is overthrown, or a receiver drops one, Bobo gets the blame. How intellectually stupid is that?
bucket
November 1st, 2011
11:28 am
@ SimpleDawg – Walsh and Butler are seniors who were All-Americans going into the season. Their troubles can’t be blamed on the coaching staff. The only thing that I fault CMR for in the case with Walsh is how can he say that he hasn’t even considered letting someone else try a field goal? If Bogotay can’t kick we should yank his scholarship. I would also encourage trying to let Bogotay handle kickoffs and let Walsh kick extra points and field goals exclusively. Perhaps trying to boom the kicks into the endzone all last year and the beginning of this year has affected Walsh’s mechanics.
As far as the coverage teams I think the loss of players in the offseason and during the season (Owens) has affected these teams. We are simply down too many scholarship players right now and this is leading to a lack of talent overall on the team which has adversely affected the special teams play.
I also believe that the fact that we have given up more fake punts again this year is a reflection on poor coaching. The first assignment for any punt coverage team is to make sure they actually punt the ball. We have been making that mistake for several years now.
Joey
November 1st, 2011
11:29 am
UGA fans who think this is just an abborition are wrong. Last year’s good STs were the abborition.
I’m not happy we are 6-2 in spite of terrible STs. I think about where we could be with average STs – 7-1? The only breakdown vs Boise was (I think) a long punt return that turned into a short TD?
The worst part is the STs are as bad today as they were in week 2. It should be embarrassing to Richt that it hasn’t gotten better.
It’s just a reflection of Richt’s management style – make no changes until there’s a total meltdown.
Joey
November 1st, 2011
11:36 am
” because like UrbanMeyer, Beamer coaches his own special teams.”
***********************************
Didn’t you hear (read) that McGarity said Richt had too much on his plate?
And there you are insinuating Richt should add more to his plate by being STs coach.
Just how many hours do you expect the man to work for $3.5M?
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
November 1st, 2011
11:38 am
We watched several games Saturday nite, half the teams have awful “special” teams. Some were running back kick-offs 40-50 yards….so UGA isn’t the only team with awful (not) “special” teams.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2011
11:39 am
When Mark Richt lessened his administrative role and got back to “learning football” he picked the book that has special teams as the last chapter. Give him a few more weeks to get through that darned “offense is overrated” chapter. Then we will be good to go.
Herman Cain
November 1st, 2011
11:39 am
A CEO shouldn’t have to work. Coach Richt has this team on auto-pilot. That’s my style too!
Lake Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:40 am
ugaDawg, thanks for bring some sanity to these discussions. Bobo is a competent OC, and more than that, he is a lifelong Dawg who deserves our support for all the contributions he’s made as player and coach. Maybe some of these bloggers should form a consulting firm and offer their services to college coaches everywhere. They know so much they could make millions.
Deep
November 1st, 2011
11:41 am
Richt recruited Walsh because special teams stunk 4 years ago on run backs and this kid can kick it out of the endzone. Kick it 7 yds deep as opposed to high. We will take our chances. Coaches are out coaching themselves.
SEC East at stake – time to give Bogaty a run. He has waited patiently and deserves his shot. saTime
DJ Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:41 am
@
ugaDAWG
I dont claim to be an “expert”. I’m looking at the body of work as a whole. There has definitely been a decline in offense since CMR stopped calling plays.
Saban
November 1st, 2011
11:42 am
Oh Well. Wonder who I would beat worse in the SEC Championship Game. My B team would put 50 on Georgia, and my defense would have Crowell in the hospital by halftime.
I respect South Carolina because of Spurrier. Imagine I would lighten up and only beat them by 30.
Hope you folks keep Richt. Quite the stiring victory over Florida.
As long as Richt is in Athens failure is guaranteed and I can pick and choose Georgia players for my farm system.
Life is good.
TOO TOUGH44
November 1st, 2011
11:43 am
If 30 to 45 minutes is all that is being dedicated to special teams…that does not appear to be enough! I would run the special teams after practice for poor performance and execution. If a punt is blocked, entire team should have to run, field goal blocked entire team should have to run, missed field goal…lets be fair…the players have to execute EVERY time they are on the field. Have to be EXPECTING/ANTICIPATING fake kicks, punts, field goals…EVERY TIME! Special teams can NEVER be taken lightly. Whomever coaches the special teams..need to COACH special teams……as my boss would say to me…. FIX IT! Must stay on coverage routes on kick offs, punts. Be alert Dawgs! Be SMART! Then aggressive!
Cats hav fleas 2
November 1st, 2011
11:44 am
DJ Dawg
When Richt was calling plays everybody was screaming for him to give it up because it was so vanilla. Remember the celebration when it was given to Bozo? I do. We are on to a new level of vanilla.
Herman Cain
November 1st, 2011
11:46 am
There are times when an employee just needs to be bent over your knee and treated to a good spanking.
Man… I miss those days.
tell me again
November 1st, 2011
11:48 am
Yes, that was a scary display on special teams. You have to believe Walsh will figure it out. The talent has not gone anywhere.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2011
11:50 am
Saban, ha! You have to get by LSD first! Those kids have been chemically altered to beat your arse.
zbulldawg
November 1st, 2011
11:50 am
The proof is there you must have an assigned coach for special teams.ya’ll think we should take up a collection to hire one.Let’s say an older wise type that has close ties to high school football.A good recruiter. Maybe a younger high energy guy who is well known in the state of GA.,Someone in the smaller college level who would love to be at UGA. Naming an asst. head coach is not good because when things aren’t going good then these negative UGA fans would play one against the other. VERY BAD 4 THE PROGRAM. What needs to happen is the AD and Adams need to step forward and make it clear that Richt is the MAN. Then the recruits will get back to thinking & talking DREAM TEAM II .SICK EM
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:50 am
I don’t think really had a prayer in the Boise game. The SC was a winnable game that we SHOULD have won. An easy FG missed, and the damn fake punt TD run, also don’t forget about the onside kick we botched by being off sides.
BayouDawg
November 1st, 2011
11:50 am
Let Todd Grantham coach Special Teams. He’s doing a pretty good job of getting the defense pumped up.
Lake Dawg
November 1st, 2011
11:51 am
No one would have thought it was too “vanilla” if Murray had hit those two long wide open plays down the sideline — plays that Bobo called.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:51 am
Don’t think it’s about the money to hire a ST coach, it’s figuring out how to shuffle the existing coaches since we can only have so many.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:52 am
Agreed Lake Dawg, Bobo called some good plays, there were just not executed well, so it goes unnoticed.
UGA 1999
November 1st, 2011
11:54 am
I coach 8th grade football and we teach our boys better special teams fundamentals than what I have seen with UGA this year.
The General Feeling
November 1st, 2011
11:55 am
UGA is a poorly coached team and is winning only because superior-talented athletes are making plays.
GaDawgfan
November 1st, 2011
11:56 am
might help if the Dawgs had a special teams coach????
DawginLex
November 1st, 2011
11:56 am
Will Murray ever throw a long ball?
I guess you missed the Tennessee game…………….
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
11:57 am
I think we will find out exactly how good our Defense is when we play Tech.
Les W. Moore
November 1st, 2011
11:58 am
The 4th down play calls were stupid calls. Bobo/Richt were lucky that great athletes made the plays.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
12:01 pm
Don’t know about them being “stupid” calls, I say they were more “gutsy”. And I don’t really blame them since our FG kicker hasn’t exactly been automatic.
Thogwummpy
November 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
Maybe Richt should shear off some of his salary to hire a Special Teams coach…in order to save the rest of his salary; because the terrible special teams play WILL cost games. As long as Special Teams play like they’re in Special Ed.; Richt’s job is in peril.
Joey
November 1st, 2011
12:06 pm
That’s true Lake Dawg (11:51), Murray’s missed at least 8 long balls to wide open WRs in the past 3 games.
Make half of them and games start becoming blowouts, rather than nailbiters.
Bobo has been better this season.
Spaceman Spiff
November 1st, 2011
12:09 pm
@ Will Murray ever…
You mention that we should get rid of two coaches, implying that Richt is one of them. It is funny how some (NOT the technerd trolls) say this is the best thing, but answer these questions with your more than obvious football intelligence.
1) Say that Richt is fired, who are respectable candidates (don’t say the dude from Miss. State) and would they leave? How do you replace the 4th winningest coach in UGA football history?
2) Also, how many potential recruits would sign with other schools because of the change? (Theus is a great example).
3) Also, how many current players would leave/transfer out?
So where does all that leave us? We definitely need an new OC, but not a coach. Unless you want the team to be terrible for the next several years. And if that is the case, then go back to your tech blog…
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
12:10 pm
Very good points Spaceman Spiff.
david
November 1st, 2011
12:13 pm
I agree with the announcer when he said UGA needs to come off their pocket book and get a special teams coach. There is no excuse for a school that size not to have a full time ST coach.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
12:18 pm
From what I’ve heard David, it IS common for a school that size to NOT have a full time ST coach. Even Alabama doesn’t have a full time ST coach.
Inlet Dawg
November 1st, 2011
12:23 pm
I remember Jim Donnan said after a close call “WIN”that there are three phases of the football game(offense,defense and special teams)and if you win two of the three then you will win most of your games.From then on I have paid attention to the games we have lost and we always give up special teams.Might not have liked him but he was dead on on that.
Tobias Funke
November 1st, 2011
12:25 pm
Lots of fake Georgia fans on here. Wow!
GDAWG65
November 1st, 2011
12:28 pm
Hey Michael, if Richt does this, which coach do you want to see him let go in order to hire a special teams coach??
The answer to that question is simple FIRE MIKE BOBO
BobDawg
November 1st, 2011
12:29 pm
This is a great week to correct the problem…
Inlet Dawg
November 1st, 2011
12:34 pm
Blair just needs to get back that loving feeling.
Jim S.
November 1st, 2011
12:35 pm
That is one of the best articles about the Dawgs that I’ve seen this year. Thanks. I hope the coaching staff will prioritize this area, as it has had a negative impact on the team’s performance all year. Luckily, it didn’t cost us the Vandy or UF game this time, but it is causing a great deal of fear and trepidation amongst the fan base right now. We know that both Walsh and Butler have it in them to perform at a very high level; I am hopeful that they will correct themselves. It is the kick coverage, kick return, punt protection and coverage that is most problematic. We may need to borrow Beamer from Va Tech for a few weeks!
Inlet Dawg
November 1st, 2011
12:37 pm
Just a thought maybe would could move BoBo to special teams coach,nobody would miss him as O-coordinator
TechRon
November 1st, 2011
12:38 pm
Special teams suck for UGA, but overall, good job. 6 in a row is not bad at all. Plus, we have to remember that Boise and SC are good teams! We can pick nits, but they have been winning, so be glad for that. This Dawg team is a good one but definitely not a great one. I think many Dawg fans are demanding perfection when it is out of reach for right now. They have two games that they cannot lose and then two that are in doubt. That makes them at least 8-4 and that is not a bad season. If they win the rest, they should be congratulated. Good luck to the Dawgs in all but the last game.
And one more thing: Please do not be tempted to mess with a beautiful uniform! That power ranger thing vs. Boise was an embarrassment. The traditional UGA uniform is one of the best in all of football.
JimDog85
November 1st, 2011
12:38 pm
Yes Belin! As I remember we hired him away from Vandy before last season because our kick-off coverage was so poor two years ago. He took over last year and made a huge improvement.
Blair Miss Project
November 1st, 2011
12:39 pm
—– wide right —————> We better be up by a good margin against tech. I would hate that game come down to a Blair Walsh field goal. They had their Blair Miss Project last year on the PAT. Payback would be awful.
Dawgfan
November 1st, 2011
12:43 pm
Hopefully everyone pulls out of this. Butler has never been a big hang time guy. All his punts, long or not are low balls which can be returned. Many of them over his career have been low and long which the return man let roll so his average really benefitted. Although he has establised several records he is not NFL material because his hang time is not good.
Joey
November 1st, 2011
12:48 pm
I would settle for a new OC, Spaceman, but we probably won’t get that.
But I would say that if Richt, out of the blue, decides to retire after this season, odds are at least 50/50 that we would be better, not worse the next several years.
Lots of programs in the country and some right here in the SEC, have had turnarounds in year two, and even year one.
And, “would they leave?” Let’s see, UGA: 2nd in the nation in revenue, 2nd in the nation in recruiting (past decade, by Scout), ability to pay a head coach $3-4M, with another $3M for staff, and finally, in the SEC?
I would guess that with the exception of Saban, Miles, Brown, Stoops, Beamer, Johnson, and Muschamp, we could get anybody we want.
Just my opinion.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 1st, 2011
12:50 pm
NMSU is not an issue, and Dogs role over this opponent, however, Dogs will lose to Auburn, since Auburn is a ranked opponent.
Jimmy Crack
November 1st, 2011
12:50 pm
This part of the game has been unwatchable. Richt should hire a Special Teams coordinator right now JUST SO WE CAN DEMAND HIS RESIGNATION.
Lou Holtz commented when he saw the kickoff return that Florida had against us. He immediately noticed that we only had one safety back, and a slow one at that, against a WORLD CLASS SPRINTER. Why on earth, knowing that our Special Teams are struggling, would we NOT keep Boykin and another starting safety back to protect the back end???
As far as Walsh, he needs to find someone named Joe to slap him in the face right before he goes on the field to try the field goal, just like Big John Henderson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4cXZGkRMCY
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 1st, 2011
12:52 pm
Joey
I agree with your statement, it is all about marketing in Athens, all money and no titles. You might land someone decent, but if CMR steps down, best be sure he does not land in the SEC as an OC, because he will come back and drill your eyes out offensively.
Rilo
November 1st, 2011
12:53 pm
This, as much as every other issue, is the reason I make the claim that although Mark Richt comes across a humble guy, he is really STUBBORN. It took a while for him to realize these issues:
1. He needed to hire an Offense Coordinator
2. He needed to fire Willie Martinez
3. Joe Cox was not the answer
4. He needs to be more involved in the X’s and O’s (just corrected because he was facing losing his job)
5. This team was consistently losing games in the 3rd and 4th quarters and needed a new direction when it comes to strength and conditioning.
6. Our Special Teams being horrible (still hasn’t addressed this) and we are in week 9.
7. Mike Bobo is not fooling anyone with his predictable play-calling (Still denies this is an issue)
…what issues have been identified and addressed without outside help? I’m sure there are some but every one I think of has been more attributed to an assistant coach.
Georgia Sports Report
November 1st, 2011
12:59 pm
Ask Butler if the new formation messed with him against Florida. He looked like he pulled up on every punt b/c he thought he would kick it off somebody’s butt. Flag football.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 1st, 2011
1:00 pm
All the blogging in the world about this tanked program is not going to change anything. The UGA fan base continues to dole out huge sums of cash every year from booster fees, seats, parking, jerserys, hats, chewing tobacco, etc., with nothing to show for it.
Let’s say Athens goes 10-2 this year, wins the east then gets drilled by LSU or Alabama, so what!
Let’s say Athens goes 9-3 next year, wins the SEC but ends nowhere close to a national title, so what!
This program has not played for a title in 30 years, and no close now. Other programs are in the top 5, including Alabama and LSU. While they are getting better and stronger, Athens is getting weaker.
Spaceman Spiff
November 1st, 2011
1:00 pm
@ Joey
Good argument, but just how much of the recruiting is based on Richt – remember, that he is responsible for those recruits the past decade? Now, do you honestly think that the recruits would sign anyway, and how many current players would transfer out is he is canned? Rarely does a new prgram work in the first few years, however there are exceptions.
I am not a kool-aide drinker, but I do support Richt and his program. Bobo needs to be reassigned back to QBs, but replacing Richt isn’t the answer. Muschamp shouldn’t even be mentioned on the list, and neither should Kirby Smart. The names you mentioned are great coaches, so just who is left? And would they even want to come to a school whose fanbase is about as fickle as the wind?
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2011
1:00 pm
Jimmy Crack, a world class speedster like Branden Smith should be back there with Boykin. Both those guys could catch 99% of them out there. Plus the kicker to get in the way and turn his back when approached.
Spaceman Spiff
November 1st, 2011
1:01 pm
@ Mike Bobo wanna be
Go back to the tech blog, please
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2011
1:02 pm
Richt at one time was one of the absolute best OC’s in the country bar none.
DAWGFAN
November 1st, 2011
1:03 pm
How about Richt quit making so many TV and Radio commercials and he helps coach a little bit on special team dynamics….yea, that’s the ticket….
D man
November 1st, 2011
1:05 pm
They really need to work on this…
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 1st, 2011
1:11 pm
gdawginkalamazoo
Totally agree with your OC comment, he is still good with offense, just needs to get the defense up to speed. Be careful if you let him go, he would land as an OC in the SEC, then come back to drill you.
bbcsickdawg
November 1st, 2011
1:11 pm
worst special team play ive ever seen in 50 yrs. ever. its goten to the point where i worry about extra points. pitiful.
B'dawg
November 1st, 2011
1:12 pm
Well Walsh needs to find another girlfriend and consumate the darn relationship ASAP. This aint cutting the mustard. Id spend the week working on special teams, the entire week! Im not worried about our competition at all. This needs to be addressed RIGHT NOW while we have another bye week.
Tville Dawg
November 1st, 2011
1:13 pm
One bright spot on special teams (if indeed on could be found) is Blake Sailors. The guy can play. His punching of the ball inside the 5 yard line keeping it in the field of play was a thing of beauty. Also remember some pretty impressive hits on the punt returners in games last year.
Wonder why this athlete is not on the defensive unit.
Nut Job
November 1st, 2011
1:14 pm
Anyone remember the LSU game a few years ago when A.J. Green caught the TD pass and then was flagged for the celebration late in the 4th? Our kicking team quickly went out and gave up a return to midfield. They march down and score to win the game. Its always been a problem. When you put 3rd teamers on the special teams, this is the type stuff that’s going to happen.
Spaceman Spiff
November 1st, 2011
1:15 pm
@ B’dawg
Or just buy him one for the night.
GDAWG65
November 1st, 2011
1:17 pm
We need an OC as well. Maybe a HC too.
Old Dog
November 1st, 2011
1:18 pm
THe pass completions on the fourth down were the result of desperation play calling. What else could they do? They would have kicked field goals if Walsh had been hitting, and we would have been 8 points less. Of course, if Walsh were hitting, we would have completed the other tow FG, so we would still have won, just only by 2 points.
chiefdawg
November 1st, 2011
1:20 pm
I think we’re doing pretty much the same things. I just think teams are noticing what we’re doing. They watch film and they can kind of key on things. There’s your answer. doing the same thing. other teams have caught up and UGA coaches do nothing to change what they are doing. The iablity or unwillignes to make changes is going to be the downfall of Coach Richt.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
1:21 pm
Just read on the UGA round table that Samuel had surgery this morning and will miss 4 + weeks, which is NOT good.
Dawg Tired
November 1st, 2011
1:22 pm
This area of the game will cost us at least one, maybe more, games this season. Walsh is totally psyched out, i.e., he’s done. Bring in the next guy.
Kick-off coverage is horrendous. They don’t even try to stay in their lanes. Very poorly coached.
Punt receiving team is clueless. I would fake punt every time against us. We seem totally unaware of any trickeration by the opposition. We certainly appear to be very stupid in that we don’t even seem to be conscious of the situation, even when everybody watching the game can “smell” the fake coming. Our football IQ is basically 0.
The TV announcer during the Florida game put it quite succinctly when he said, “Might need to open up the pocket book and hire a special teams’ coach.” This whole situation has become all too common, not to mention embarrassing. It took three years of Martinez being totally incompetent before he was fired. Same with Fabris. Could also say same thing about Bobo, although I’m not as down on him as many are.
As a friend of mine (an Alabama graduate) said after watching our game against Florida this past weekend, “I have never seen two teams as poorly coached as those two teams.” Sadly, I could only agree.
Devil in the Details
November 1st, 2011
1:22 pm
leading the SEC’s Eastern Division – NOT – South Carolina is leading the SEC’s Eastern Division and holds the tie breaker assuming both teams win out.
Henne Patchinko
November 1st, 2011
1:26 pm
Bo-Go-Tay, all day.
all day dawg
November 1st, 2011
1:27 pm
maybe all our coachs are so bad , collectively they suck at STeams coaching too.
Spaceman Spiff
November 1st, 2011
1:28 pm
@ Dawg Tired
My above posts apply to yours also, getting rid of the coach isn’t the answer.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
1:31 pm
I don’t think SC will win out. However if we cannot get our ST situation under control, we will not either.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2011
1:33 pm
What I wouldn’t give to have our guys rushing the punter and “Good Hands” Logan Gray back there fair catching a ball. Those were the days of no hassle, no worry.
gt4ever
November 1st, 2011
1:34 pm
Bug Killer is so passionate about the topic, and he is absolutely right…. When you place scholly players on special teams, things just run a whole lot better….
mark PRICHT
November 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
I really thought Tech had the worse special team I had ever saw until I watched my first UGA game Saturday….we can all agree neither team will be game changers in this aspect of the game…Tech did well Saturday, but I am still trying to figure out how that happened and who those folks were
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
November 1st, 2011
1:38 pm
We definitely have major problems on our Special Teams. We may very well need some field goals and some well-placed punts and kickoffs but the thing that has me most concerned is how our kickoff and punt coverage often appears to Middle School level. This appears to be the worst coverage ever by a college team or at least worst ever for UGA. It may be too late for this season but surely UGA can afford a Special Teams Coach even if we have to pass the hat. Even if we win out and win the SEC East, SEC Championship and National Championship Special Teams have been an embarrassment this year because it was ST that GAVE South Carolina that win over us. With great, or even good ST play we would have only one loss.
d-dog
November 1st, 2011
1:42 pm
hey fellow DAWGS,
Please don’t panic, the ship just went through the roughest part of the season.
I mean the psychology SEA of emotion. You will see the Dawgs shore up the ship against
New Mex. St. Thay have cleared a major roadblock. You guy’s worry too much. The “D” under coach “TG” can play with anyone. these DAWGS will “hunt” not bark at the moon. Granted our “O” Is hurting. The “O” line is bent but not broken.
is thin at that position, but what left is going to do the JOB, trust me. Too many “STUDS” there.
Special teams will come back strong. “BIG” lift after beating “UF”. Coach “R” will play a lot of players against New Mex. St. The only question I have is at “RB” can “IC” hold up through “AUBURN”, The Big guy “RB” “RS’ Is out of now. “RB” Thomas small but fasr, can help
running east & west Too light for north and south. Finally Is “RB” KM” & Horton able to go.
Girlfriend!?
November 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
Jimmy Crack–Lou Holtth said earlier this year that UGA had good Special teams when Jon Fabris was there. Dr. Lou is clearly an imbecile.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
November 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
GT4ever:Basically I agree but UGA has some really good ST players led by Blake Sailors but he is a “gunner” and not back where our guys watch our opponents run by time after time. This definitely has to effect our Offensive and Defensive Teams when they see their hard work nullified by botched ST coverage. Orson Charles asked CMR to let him play on ST but didn’t happen
Blue
November 1st, 2011
1:49 pm
Dawgdad; so when you say “ST are one third of the game”, you are saying that 1/3 of the plays in the game are on special teams? Not even close. The defense and offense both have FAR more plays on the field than special teams combined. Think a little bit…
Tallcarl
November 1st, 2011
1:50 pm
They have the perfect man already on the payroll. Thomas Brown was a star at Georgia and played special teams for the Falcons so he can teach it the right way. If his Special teams express any of his heart they will be winners.
Girlfriend!?
November 1st, 2011
1:51 pm
Orson is not allowed to play on ST because of the injury Thomas Brown sustained agains TN some years back. Since then Richt is afraid to put guys back there. Frankly I am suprised he lets Boykin back there at all.
One thing is for sure–we sure do miss that Fair Catch Specialist!
Honky Talkin
November 1st, 2011
1:57 pm
None of the teams Georgia has beaten have a winning record.
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
2:02 pm
Florida had a winning record before we played them, has to count for something.
Double Dawg
November 1st, 2011
2:09 pm
With the 3 phases of the game being Offense, Defense and Special Teams, why in the world does UGA NOT have a Special Teams coach?
441North
November 1st, 2011
2:10 pm
Walsh and Butler are both DGD’s. Wouldn’t trade either one for anyone in the country. They WILL git ‘er done.
d-dog
November 1st, 2011
2:10 pm
@Honky Talkin
That is the schedule UGA has this season. Can’t help that.DAWGS will play “AU Tigers” in two weeks, will that make you happy. The “DAWGS” should win TOO much “D” for the tigers. The tigers has not done well against a good “D”. Please check their record. No team UGA has played this season has done much against the “D”. Special teams have allowed most of the points scored aganist the DAWGS. Check out the record for the season … you’ll see. go dawgs
CHDawg
November 1st, 2011
2:13 pm
Just read that Samuel is out for four weeks following surgery on his ankle. Get well soon! Great Dawg there. Richt says Malcome is healthy. He needs to dig deep and crank it up to full max. His day in the SEC has come, along with IC, CT, BH. Malcome has the size and strength; let’s hope he gets the ball some on Saturday!
NikkiFree
November 1st, 2011
2:16 pm
Any room in the budget for a special teams coach?
Chris Snow
November 1st, 2011
2:17 pm
Agreed d dog, UGA will at least have 2 opportunities to play opponents with winning records.
bobby
November 1st, 2011
2:20 pm
UGA NEEDS TO HIRE A FREAKIN SPECIAL TEAMS COACH AND THAT’S ALL TO IT.
tide roll
November 1st, 2011
2:27 pm
No wonder Grantham’s crazy. He prepares his defense to compete at an SEC level, and then he has to deal with an offensive cordinator who should be coaching at the high school level. Then Richt really burys him with his Tallahasee buddy, John Lilly, heading up sprcial teams! A three and out for Grantham’s defense means nothing.I understand he’s instructing his defensive players to not even take their helmets off. With Richt/Bobo calling offensive plays, they’ll be back in in no time.
MagnoliaDawg
November 1st, 2011
2:30 pm
Too much money created by the football program not to have a special teams coach. We cant be conservative on everything especially when the team is majority democrats…….Just saying. Go Dawgs
d-dog
November 1st, 2011
2:33 pm
Please don’t worry “BULLDAWG NATION” THE “DEFENCE” under coach “TC” will previll.
I only hope he get some help soon…..BUT really, does he need it….go dawgs
B'dawg
November 1st, 2011
2:34 pm
Do you guys realize if Walsh was at or above 50% on field goals, just above 50, we would probably be 7-1 right now. How sad is that?!
B'dawg
November 1st, 2011
2:35 pm
I was wrong, maybe just above 60%. My bad.
Phil
November 1st, 2011
2:39 pm
Walsh was so upset by his performance Saturday, that when he got home he went to kick the family dog.
He missed….
Also, I think you left out the stat where we rank for most FAKE punts run successfully against a team:
NCAA Rank: FIRST!!!!
Phil
November 1st, 2011
2:41 pm
CHDawg
When did Richt say that about Malcome? He needs to use him, that’s all there is to it. We need him bad. I can’t understand why Richt absolutely refuses to use him.
GAFANINTN
November 1st, 2011
2:43 pm
I live in Knoxville and a local sports station just reported that all Crowell, Thomas, and Malcome were all suspended for this game coming up. Is there any truth to this???? They did not state their source.
Bucky Belue hand it to Herschel
November 1st, 2011
2:57 pm
Entire backfield has been suspended for New Mexico St. game for hitting the wacky weed, down to 1 running back, time to call Herschel lol! Good thing its a scrimmage game this week
sneakuponum
November 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
special teams? their entire team is. Lets see the leg-humpers are playing the Cosmetology department of New Mexico State this weekend. Maybe they can hang 30 points on the ladies.
Knowall Moreno
November 1st, 2011
3:00 pm
Samuel injured, Crowell wacky weed, Thomas wacky weed, Malcome wacky weed. There is the injury/status report for this week, Dawgs are out of running backs, bombs away Murray! woof woof woof
G-Dawg
November 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
Isnt Casey on the staff? he’s a former kicker!!
Robby
November 1st, 2011
3:09 pm
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7178202/georgia-bulldogs-suspend-three-running-backs-one-game
TallaDawg
November 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
Walsh is a dumb-bunny. 6 or 7 yards deep does not guarantee the returner takes a knee, but kicking it only to the 12 yard-line guarantees that he will NOT take a knee. I’ll take my chances kicking it into the endzone EVERY time. They did this at the beginnning of the season, why stop?
7576DAWG
November 1st, 2011
3:24 pm
Everyone of the comments by the players say they are going to do the same as they do everyday and keep working hard. That is the problem they have no guidance , they are training themselves , no supervision, and that is the problem.
I think it is time that CMR and the other head coaches lobby the NCAA and try to get a special teams coach added to the 9 all ready allowed and make the total 10.
Crap
November 1st, 2011
3:32 pm
Our back line of blockers on our kickoff return team goes all the way back to the return man. He has no room to run forward; it’s a logjam. Noticed Florida doesn’t do anything like that (they keep things more opened up, allowing the return man to find lanes), AND they only put 4 on their front line. We put 5.
LCDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:37 pm
How about making a it a prove ledge to be on ST..i.e. UF. I’m sick and tired of watching our walk ons grab air as Rainey et al blow past them. As far as Blair Walsh goes…kick the damn ball into the end zone every time….he had no issue earlier in the year. If he can’t kick field goals bring in Bogatay–he’s been on a free ride for 3 years now…let’s see what he can do.
noseknows
November 1st, 2011
9:46 pm
Muschamp praised his special team coach on Sunday’s show so it is obvious to the opposition of the Dawgs weakness here. Heed the message and HIRE A COACH (put Bobo on the unable to perform list.)
wins-by-a-link
November 1st, 2011
11:53 pm
I really think Coach Richt is tired of coaching, He no longer seems to enjoy the everyday grind of coaching in the most competitive conference in College football, The pressure of recruiting, Dealing with players who can’t stay out of trouble, Fans who demand the impossible (winning every game), The time away from family. There comes a time when the money and glamor is not worth the pressure, problems and politics of coaching college football.
RaiderCrazy
November 2nd, 2011
7:26 am
Blair Walsh meet East Paulding’s kicker…he kicks it thru the end zone on almost every kickoff unless Coach Reid tells him to place it….he is a junior and in his first year of football….he has almost kicked it thru the goal post on a few occasions on his kickoffs.
FloridaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
7:41 am
Rickt makes $3 mill a year..why doesn’t he hire a special teams coach himself? Steve Spurrier took a pay cut to give his coaches more money when he was hired at SC.
Maybe Richt can stay home from vacation next year and save a few bucks and hire a coach to help us out.
flo-ri-duh
November 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
I don’t worry about Butler or Boykin, on the other hand Walsh is a puzzle. Confidence is everything in kicking and Walsh needs to get it together. There is nothing wrong with Boykin. The blocking has not been there for him this year. Butler had on or two bad games – not a bad season. He is NFL bound.
1969 Graduate
November 2nd, 2011
9:05 am
“I coach 8th grade football and we teach our boys better special teams fundamentals than what I have seen with UGA this year.”
When I played football in 8th grade, our coach made sure we had better special team fundamentals than what I’ve seen with UGA this year, our coach acted as if special teams were “special,” and our best players were on the special team.
Each player has to be held accountable for their assignment, and a coach has to be accountable for the overall special team performance.
Another coach could take on the responsibility of being the special teams coach, assisted in that by other coaches.
Someone has to be in charge, and accountable.
An essential fundamental of being a CEO of a successful organization – accountability at all levels – seems beyond Mark Richt.
Special teams are just one example of this deficiency. He seems willing to hang onto things that aren’t working far too long.
To what degree is Coach Mark Richt being held accountable? Is the standard for our football program the barely mediocre?
BullDogMike
November 2nd, 2011
9:23 am
I have heard all the excuses for this sorry special teams play that I can stand. Enough with that crap,how about trying to find answers instead! EVERY good team has a ST coach. If Richt doesn’t know how to make this happen, he needs to call Saban or Miles and find out how they do it. At the very least he needs to ask Kevin Butler if he has time to come help Walsh learn to kick again. And what’s wrong with trying Bogatay on a few 3 pointers. He is on scholarship after all. If we beat Auburn with ST team play like we had last two games,it will be nothing short of a miracle.
ugab
November 2nd, 2011
11:08 am
We so not put our best players on special teams. Meyer played his best players on special teams. Meyer coached his special teams. What is MR doing?
knowitall
November 2nd, 2011
11:11 am
richt offensive coordinator, hire a special teams coach and bobo can …whatever.
ugab
November 2nd, 2011
11:12 am
Walsh is not making kicks. I know it his last senior season. MR said he was going to play the best players to win. Why don’t he put another kicker in for the next game?
ugab
November 2nd, 2011
11:14 am
I agree MR could take a pay cut to hire a special teams coach. We need one.
Captain Allen Waters
November 2nd, 2011
2:44 pm
Big Dawg…..Amen! UGA fan in India.
wsewell
November 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
Hey, Blair don’t worry, anybody who has ever played sports know you go through slumps. Sometimes it helps to take a day off, and forget all the expectations, and bad days. then go back to work, and just start with the easy ones, work your way back to the more difficult.
Ron Jeremy
November 2nd, 2011
11:12 pm
Special Teams are the most important area of a football team. Here are some very real questions that
a head coach should ask himself when addressing the success or failure of his unit.
FG Team – Does Walsh get adequet reps in practice with Long Snapper & Holder?
Kickoff Team – Does your coverage stay in their lanes? How many kicks are touchbacks?
Kickoff Return Team – What is your average starting field position?
Punt Team – Do your Gunners limit return yards? How many punts are downed inside 20?
Punt Return Team – How many times has your returner fielded ball inside own 10 yard line?
godawgs_uga
November 3rd, 2011
8:49 am
We have been less than stellar in the red zone so Walsh has got to get his sh@* together and step up!! When you have missed almost 50% of your attempts, I think it goes beyond simple mechanics…..Richt needs to be prepared to make a change!
mark
November 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
Ed Pilcher you are clueless and have never kicked a FG in your life…I have kicked many. He is still one of the best kickers in the nation.
Georgia’s Mark Richt breaks down his special teams philosophies | UGA sports blog
November 3rd, 2011
2:56 pm
[...] Georgia to shore up for this final stretch of the regular season is its special teams. I outlined the Bulldogs’ poor statistical standing in most facets of special teams earlier in the [...]
wildbill
November 3rd, 2011
2:57 pm
There is nothing SPECIAL about our special teams. So what can be done this late in the season? Ummmmmmmmmm, maybe we need a special prosecuter like Dick Butkus to kick some rear ends and make the special teams practice instead of doing drills on their mopeds.
Irish Vails
November 3rd, 2011
7:37 pm
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