Bulldogs pass on chance to wear Nike Pro Combat uniforms again
NOTE: These are just my notes from Wednesday’s practice but I thought folks might want to comment on Georgia’s uniform situation. . . .
ATHENS – Georgia coach Mark Richt made a promise to his players before playing Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. If they made it back to the Georgia Dome as SEC Eastern Division champions, he told them then, they could wear their Nike Pro Combat uniforms in the SEC Championship game.
Thankfully, he said on Wednesday, the Bulldogs did not hold him to his promise.
“A couple of them actually said, ‘don’t do it, Coach,” Richt said with a grin.
As a result, “Georgia are red with silver britches,” Richt said following Georgia’s last full-contact workout on Wednesday. “No Pro Combats. Nobody even asked me.”
Georgia hasn’t performed well in recent years when it deviated from its traditional uniform of red helmets, red jerseys and silver pants. They lost to No. 5 Boise State 35-21 while wearing the all-red Pro Combat uniforms on Sept. 3; they lost 41-17 wearing black helmets against Florida in 2009; and they lost 41-30 wearing black jerseys against Alabama in 2008.
LSU is the home team in the SEC title game this year but chose to wear its traditional home white jerseys. That allowed Georgia to don its home red.
Richt did say one unnamed player asked about the possibility of wearing the black jerseys. But he quickly dismissed the notion.
“They think you can snap your finger and get a bunch of brand new jerseys,” Richt said. “That has to be planned out.”
But the Pro Combats remain at the ready.
“They thought were cool,” Richt said of the tight-fitting, mostly-red-and-some-silver ensemble. “I thought that’d be a nice incentive. As it turned out it wasn’t much of an incentive.”
‘As the Tailbacks Turn’
Either Richt is just tired of discussing the subject or there has been a new development in the weekly saga that is Georgia’s tailback rotation. Whatever the case, the previously jovial Richt turned positively dour when he was asked to update the situation Wednesday.
“I don’t want to talk about tailbacks,” Richt said. “I really don’t. Let’s just talk about something else. I was really in a good mood and then you had to ask that. . . . No more tailback questions until after the game.”
Twice-suspended, often-injured starter Isaiah Crowell is trying to make it back from a sprained left ankle the sidelined him for the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs also have held out hope that backup Richard Samuel could come back this week from Nov. 1 ankle surgery. Two other tailbacks have been subjected to suspensions and four different tailbacks have started this season.
“I don’t blame you for asking really but I don’t have any good answers,” Richt said, “so I’m just not going to answer it.”
Still hope for Tyson
DeAngelo Tyson (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday but Richt said the Bulldogs’ starting defensive end has “got a chance” to play on Saturday.
“Tomorrow we’ll see how much he’s progressed,” Richt said. “There’s a possibility he’ll get practice reps tomorrow, depending on how he starts out and warms up and that kind of thing.”
‘Honey Badger’ speaks
Most of the interview opportunities for LSU players had expired before word of Georgia’s defensive confidence had fully infiltrated the Tigers’ camp. But cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, better known as “Honey Badger,” did talk to the Gannett News Service about it.
Of the assertion by Georgia’s Jarvis Jones that the Bulldogs’ defense was as good if not better than LSU’s, Mathieu said: “He may have a point. I know those guys are going to go out there and play hard, and I’m sure he’s going to play extra hard.”
Known himself as a bit of a bulletin-board tweeter, Mathieu was asked why he did not respond to Jones via Twitter. “It was extremely tough not to,” he said. “But I’ve got to keep my team first.”
Few injuries for LSU
LSU starting free safety Eric Reid (thigh) and backup tailback Alfred Blue (ankle) are expected to be ready after missing the Arkansas game. Starting defensive tackle Michael Brockers (knee) is also expected to play. He played hurt last week.
Practice update
Georgia practiced for two hours in full pads Wednesday on another extremely cold day.
“The colder it is the faster they practice,” Richt said with a laugh. “There is more incentive to stay warm, so they move around quicker. Even when it’s time for a break they’re like, ‘let’s skip the break and go on to the next period.’”
The Bulldogs’ practice ended with temperatures in the low 40s. It was a relatively balmy 60 in Baton Rouge on Wednesday with Thursday expecting to reach 66. Of course, Saturday’s game will be played in 70-degree temperatures inside the Georgia Dome.
Richt said practicing in such cold conditions “could be” an issue for the Bulldogs.
“It will be warm in there,” he said of the Dome. “It was warm last time we were in there and it’ll be humid. I have seen guys cramp up in the Dome before because it does get warm. I can’t imagine it not heating up with all the fans in there.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
562 comments Add your comment
Dirty Dawg
December 1st, 2011
3:00 pm
Hey Geaux Tigers, you guys have got a hellofa team, but why do you think it necessary to talk about how bad you are and how bad you’re gonna beat us? In my experience those that have got ‘it’ don’t need to talk about ‘it’. We’ve got a team we’re proud of…one that’s come a long way since Sep 10…and one that I think is gonna give your boys a game for the full 60 minutes. How it turns out…we’ll see since that’s why the play the games.
I’ve had all the respect in the world for the State of Louisianna and still have plenty of coonass friends and relatives there – obviously the term ‘coonass’ is one of complete admiration and respect and one to be proud of (I was referred to as an ‘honorary’ coonass, and proud of it), but this trash talkin’ up front…the kind that shows no respect for your opponent…will get you nowhere. Just think how tough it’ll be to take a beat-down by the second or third-best team in the SEC East? Remember, as John Russell said to Cisero Grimes, ‘how you gonna get down that hill?’ Big talk requires backin’ up…we’ll see if you’ve, in fact, got ‘it’.
real tech fan
December 1st, 2011
3:01 pm
Evenif Crowell does paly, I predict he takes himself out after three runs with a hangnail! Lsu blitzes every play and wins 31-0.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:03 pm
Alphare
You are parroting the hypocrisy now. Georgia was voted down because they didn’t win their conference. Georgia was likely the best team in the nation at the time. Voted down despite winning. Bama loses and falls no farther than a bumblebee fart, didn’t win it’s conference and now, a rematch with the number #1 team that already beat them once.
What we feel is, Bama is the #2 team. It already lost it’s shot at the #1 team. LSU beat them. Why does Bama get another shot? We already know Bama isn’t the #1 team, yes? Why is Bama so special as to another shot. Bama beating LSU would only tie that series at 1-1
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
Tampa, AR: Just kind of looks like we’re messed up on the ground going into this game. I know they can sub Boykin and Branden Smith, but using them as running backs exposes them to more constant hits than I like. Bobo’s gonna’ have to do some fancy coaching in this game, and whatever light went on over his head since the second half of the UF game better be shining especially bright Saturday.
When Richt is openly lobbying running backs the week of GT, you know there’s some serious issues at the position.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:05 pm
Kelly
Mine is in Little Rock. It was the 3rd one I believe
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
3:07 pm
Lsu blitzes every play and wins 31-0.
If that were to happen, even I can see plenty of success on Dawgs’ side of the ball. Lots of things you can do offensively to make D’s pay for over-blitzing, and with UGA’s cast of 6-8 receivers and a running QB, I’d be relieved if they blitzed every play. Ain’t gonna’ happen. It’s not Playstation.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
2007 –
Beat #16 Bama .. in Tuscaloosy
Beat #9 Florida
Beat #19 Auburn
Beat #25 Kentucky
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
They might have the Great Divide AR. The one in Ft. Worth does. I really miss that place. Great atmosphere, incredible selection of beers, knowledgeable bartenders. Cool spot.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:10 pm
Kelly, Tampa
If the OL gets the job done, it doesn’t need to be IC. It can be Malcome, Harton, even Thomas. It doesn’t have to be big gains. Just enough to keep them honest, slow down the blitz and having those LBs falling back more than going forward
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:11 pm
real tech fan —
When are you guys gonna learn that trying to bash us because you can’t beat the Dawgs is about as pathetic as it gets? Now either go fire CPJ and get another coach that might have a shot, or shut up and get ready for another beat down next year. Nevermind, your boys will get another beat down next year regardless.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
I feel this is worth reposting for those that have running mouths without data.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2011/Internet/toughest%20schedule/9games_cumm.pdf
Take out the FCS schools ranked in there and see where UGA is.
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
3:16 pm
You feel BAMA is #2, and BAMA may be picked by BCS to play in NC.
So BCS may get it right again this year even according to you.
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
Bama went 7-1 in the conference
UGA went 7-1 in the conference
Bama lost to LSU
UGA didn’t play LSU
UGA should play LSU for the title of the SEC
The winner of the next highest rated BCS conference should play the SEC champion for the National title
without a playoff, this is the only logical scenario
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:21 pm
Alphare
Bama has already played #1 and lost. Now it can play #1 and be the champ?
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:22 pm
AR, I suspect we will see a few more inside hand offs to Figgins or Tree also. Maybe even more roll out dump off passes.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:23 pm
Doesn’t sound like the BCS is working to me but, thats just me I guess
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:23 pm
AR, I think we will see a few more inside hand off to Big Tree and Figgins. More roll outs also.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:25 pm
Tampa, I have long been at a loss as to why we have not been using those big FBs more, especially in short yardage situations. I was shocked to see Zander with that tote last week
old dog
December 1st, 2011
3:30 pm
Dirty Dawg,
Congrats…..you said it all man!!!! Hope Boo is ready, since I.C. will be out quickly (that is, if he is ever in!)
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
3:30 pm
BCS ain’t working…unless you count complaints as a success metric.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:33 pm
old dog, unfortunately, you may be right. Ultra talented but missing a heart. I was hoping Samuel would be back to at least give a change of pace ..
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
3:33 pm
bulldawg/thomas brown likes the BCS
That settles it for me that my opinion to be on the other side of the argument is the correct stance.
Can you imagine being in a foxhole with that guy?
Talk about getting shot by your own troops………………
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:37 pm
Most people believe that LSU is number 1. Most people believe that Bama qualifies as a #2. Isn’t it quite disingenuous to think that there isn’t also other teams that could qualify as a #2? Several other teams have one loss too.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
3:40 pm
Certainly intellectually dishonest at the very least
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
3:51 pm
ARdawg,
The goal of BCS is to match 2 best teams. You admit BAMA is #2 team but you still don’t want it to be in.
So you basically want to change BCS rules. There is nothing wrong with that. I am OK if it’s changed to the conference matchup format, ie, champ vs champ regardless of ranking.
Actually most SEC people are OK with #5 UGA playing against #1 LSU in SECCG. That’s the rule, we follow the rule, and we are OK with it.
I believe most people would be OK with #3 OSU vs #1 LSU as champ vs champ. But we just have to put the champ vs champ thing in the rule book.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
3:52 pm
LOL Lex, I have two combat tours to the middle east. Guarantee that dude wouldn’t last through Basic Training, much less tours of 10-18 months in the desert.
WDE
December 1st, 2011
3:57 pm
TampaDawg by the way thanks for your service! Go Dogs!
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
Thanks WDE .. And Go Dogs!!!
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
Kelley,
“BCS ain’t working”.
What do you think SEC matchs up #1 vs #5 for the champ?
Is it better than BCS matches up #1 vs #2?
BCS mighta taken #1 vs #3 some years, I don’t think it’s so wrong as to pick #1 vs #5 though. At least BCS tries to pick #1 vs #2, while SEC doesn’t even give a thought.
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
where do you get this #5 crap?
The national rankings don’t apply to the conference
We are East champs
We play the west champs
that is the system
In addition, we are tied for 2nd with Bama who has already lost to LSU so now it is our turn to play them
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
Alphare, we already covered the differences between the matchup between the SEC teams and playing for the BCS national title. Established fact that the team with the best conference record in each division plays each other for the championship. The whole “#1 vs #5″ crap is made up out of the current BCS rankings. I don’t know, based on Bama logic, let UGA play SC again so they can finish the deal this time without the mistakes from last time. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT BAMA FANS ARE SAYING!
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:13 pm
I looked at the SEC standings and for the life of me, I can’t find any rankings anywhere. Help me Alphare, help me Tom Cruise, help me Oprah Winfrey!!!!
just a fan
December 1st, 2011
4:14 pm
@ DawginLex
Alphare thinks we are the 5th best team in the SEC because we lost to USC even though we went 7-1 in conference play and they went 6-2. He has some fuzzy math
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
4:14 pm
I must be posting some tasty stuff, cuz Wordpress is eating it up. Alphare…the BCS works in a slightly Utilitarian way, but is by no means analogous to a playoff.
just a fan
December 1st, 2011
4:14 pm
and 1. lsu 2. bama 3. ark
so forth and so on
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
4:15 pm
BCS ranking for SEC teams:
#1 LSU
#2 BAMA
#8 ARK
#12 SC
#14 UGA
SEC Champ Game: #1 LSU vs #5 UGA
a running quarterback
December 1st, 2011
4:16 pm
Career numbers for Aaron Murray :
158 rushes 288 yards. Oh wow, 1 yard per carry.
__________________________________________________
2007 –
Beat #16 Bama .. in Tuscaloosy ENDED UNRANKED TEAM
Beat #9 Florida ENDED # 13
Beat #19 Auburn ENDED # 15
Beat #25 Kentucky ENDED UNRANKED TEAM
Beat # 13 Florida and # 15 Auburn 2007
http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/past_AP_Polls.htm
LOST to vols 2007 # 12 by 14-35.
LOST to South Carolina 2007 UNRANKED 6-6 no bowl game
Beat # 19 Hawaii
__________________________
LSU 2007 :
also BEAT Florida
also BEAT Auburn
also BEAT # 9 Virginia Tech
also BEAT # 5 Ohio State
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:16 pm
Soooooo, where does that fit into the SEC? It doesn’t. Just because the BCS said so? Doesn’t fly in conference.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
4:20 pm
Alphare
I think you still read me wrong. I have no problem with Bama playing LSU for the NC if, they haven’t already played. The hypocrisy is what I was pointing out to you earlier. This is separate. Bama and LSU have already played. Bama lost and is not the #1 team. We know this, don’t we? Why play again? It could only result in a tie as best scenario for Bama. Why the preferred treatment for Bama.
Ya know, I don’t care what the rule for the BCS is as long as it is consistent. I can see no way that Bama plays LSU for the NC and the BCS being consistent
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:21 pm
And then the 2007 LSU Tigers LOST to the same Kentucky team that UGA beat and LOST to an unranked Arkansas team. And actually, when UGA played Hawaii, they were #10. In the last part of the season, that’s when the rankings actually matter WHEN you play them. Where would Hawaii have been if they would have beaten UGA? Probably at worst #7 but the way things played out that year, maybe as high as #5.
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
4:21 pm
just a fan,
SC’s East record is 5-0 while UGA’s is 4-1, and SC beat UGA head-to-head. That tells me SC is the East champ.
You have fuzzier math.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
4:22 pm
SC’s East record is 5-0 while UGA’s is 4-1, and SC beat UGA head-to-head. That tells me SC is the East
ROFL…since you’re rewriting the SEC criteria for winning a conference, can you lay me a golden egg?
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
4:23 pm
Alphare
Why do you list UGA as #5? Is this because they are the 5th SEC team in the pecking order of the BCS?
If so, please keep separate the SEC and the BCS, they are not one and the same. UGA is currently the #2 team in the SEC
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:24 pm
SC LOST TWO GAMES IN CONFERENCE!!! It doesn’t matter what they did just in division. There is a clearly defined system to the SEC championship unlike the BCS.
Alphare
December 1st, 2011
4:26 pm
ARdawg,
“Why play again?”
if LSU is #1 BAMA #2. BCS rules say they should play again. If you don’t them to play again. Ask somebody change the rule.
BCS is consistent even according to you. Even you admit BAMA is #2. So according to the rule or your opinion, BAMA should be in. If you admit BAMA is #2 but still don’t want BAMA, as I said many times, change the rules.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
Hey guys, let’s rewrite the rules for the overtime system so Bama can actually beat LSU. We will just say that if you miss a kick, you get a mulligan and can do it again.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
Alphare: Philosophically, there’s a part of me that wants so hard to agree with you, that side of me which says I can define my own reality just by the power of positive thinking (or negative, whichever the case may be), but there’s still that part of reality that says, ‘If X builds a wall and I walk into it, I will be stopped in my tracks.’ Holy cats!
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
AR: I just levitated because I choose to!
just a fan
December 1st, 2011
4:28 pm
@Alphare
You don’t count just 5 of the SEC games you count all 8 that are played if we only counted the games vs the east teams then you are right but we count all 8 and team with the best record goes to SEC championship which this year it was UGA at 7-1 and USC was 6-2
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
4:29 pm
Soooo, Bama loses and moves … right back into contention for the title game? Yeah, sure, that makes sense. Like I said, I am typically all about the two best teams playing each other to end the year, but a rematch? So does UGA get two shots to beat LSU for the SEC championship?