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.”
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562 comments Add your comment
Wolverine2Blazer
December 1st, 2011
8:52 am
Wait, so we’ve got that brand new indoor practice facility, and we’re about to play in a indoor stadium, yet we’re practicing out in the cold? That seems stupid. Almost as stupid as only making the indoor practice field only 30 yards long.
Matt
December 1st, 2011
8:53 am
Why is everyone so high on Bama? They lost to LSU in overtime and beat an overrated Arkansas team. That’s it. The rest of their schedule is almost identical to UGA’s yet UGA played a soft schedule???
Matt
December 1st, 2011
8:55 am
Superstitions are for people who don’t have confidence in their own abilities.
McDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:00 am
everyone is high on Bama because they are the 2nd best team in the country ??? and Nick Saban is their coach who waves his hands around like a fruitcake when he speaks
Dawg Fud
December 1st, 2011
9:00 am
This might be the worst blog and comments I have ever read. Will never get that 10 mins back…ever.
1eyedJack
December 1st, 2011
9:01 am
The Dawgs are preparing to deconstruct the myth that is LSU football in 2011.
Jborodawg
December 1st, 2011
9:02 am
Glad they shelved the Nike Combats.
I’m a little concerned about the TB thing. CMR is usually straightforward about who practices well, who wasn’t able to practice, and who he thinks might play. I don’t think he’s “holding something back”; that’s not usually his style. We don’t have much of a chance if we don’t have a running game. Our D is good, but they can’t be on the field all day.
RE Mathieu’s comment: He said that because Miles isn’t allowing his players to tweet etc. He’s insisting they concentrate on the game and not produce bulletin board material. nola.com has several interviews with players from the SEC CG media day call in (particularly Murray, Boykin, and J Jones). Why none at the AJC? Or have I missed it some how?
Geaux Dawgs!
DC
December 1st, 2011
9:06 am
Look at it this way…lets compare the 1 loss teams..and who has the better “1 loss”
Bama – LSU
OK State – Iowa State
Boise State – TCU
Stanford – Oregon
VT – Clemson
In my eyes…as an AU fan..Bama has the best 1 loss..they barely lost to LSU in which in some eyes should have won that game…
Can You Imagine Having to Sit with BuLLdawg and his Dad at a Georgia Football Game?
December 1st, 2011
9:07 am
I cannot.
DC
December 1st, 2011
9:07 am
oh McDawg..I have a game..every time Saban is having a sideline interview yell out and count how many times he looks at the video camera…comes off to me as if he is trying to recruit kids each interview he has..
Jalex49
December 1st, 2011
9:08 am
Just play the game… The outcome will not be settled until satuday afternoon. Georgia players don’t listen to anything but what your coaches and teammates are telling you. You will have to play the best game you have ever played to stay in the game or beat LSU.
Personally being a Georgia fan, I believe in Georgia, not just now, but in the past! I hope the DAWGS win , even if it’s by a mistake on LSU part or Georgia kicking a field goal with time running out.
There’s been a lot of talk about who needs this game the most! I submit, both do, because LSU needs it to claim a National title, and Georgia needs it to be revelant in the elite programs again.
I have been a Georgia fan for many years, since the late 1970’s and I don’t waiver on my loyalty to the program regardless of the wins or losse. To me, it’s GEORGIA, enought said!
GOOD LUCK GEORGIA, PLAY LIGHTS OUT AND DO YOUR BEST! To all the players that came back and not enter the draft- A BIG THANKS- and I hope the juniors decide to come back for one more season.
To the recruits looking at GEORGIA as a possible destination, I’m not afraid to ask, please come to Georgia,. The University, team, coaches and fans need you to be part of the turn-around for the program.
GO DAWGS, PLAY HARD AND MAKE EVERYONE PROUD- Not that we aren’t already!!!!!!
Are you kidding??
December 1st, 2011
9:09 am
Really Georgia??? You think a uniform matters? The dogs could be dressed as Storm Troopers, Black Opps or Cobra Commanders, but they will still look like ballerinas against the best team in the country…
Jborodawg
December 1st, 2011
9:11 am
It aint going to be pretty aka Thomas Brown aka 11-3…and possibly aka Flat Tire on I-95. Or at least kissin’ cousins.
And? We’re the only program in the country with attrition?
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
December 1st, 2011
9:13 am
Actually, the only people who can use the word “combat” are the toops over in Iraq/Afganistan!!
Red Zone Scoring 2001 Season LSU # 5 nation, UGA # 54 in the nation.
December 1st, 2011
9:14 am
LSU # 5 nation in Red Zone Scoring with 325 points vs # 3 SoS
UGA # 54 nation Red Zone Scoring with 255 points vs # 43 SoS
Other Areas that JUMP OUT :
.64 Win % Mark Richt vs SEC 2005 through today
.72 Win % Les Miles vs SEC 2005 through today
______________________________________
.71 Win % Mark Richt vs all teams 2005 through today
.81 Win % Les Miles vs all teams 2005 through today
38-50 Won/Lost Record of teams beat 2011 UGA
67-42 Won/Lost Record of teams beat 2011 LSU
# 62 in the nation interceptions thrown UGA
# 1 in the nation interceptions thrown LSU
# 73 in the nation sacks allowed UGA
# 13 in the nation sacks allowed LSU
# 54 in the nation Red Zone Offense UGA
# 5 in the nation Red Zone Offense LSU
# 70 in the nation Fumbles Lost UGA
# 1 in the nation Fumbles Lost LSU
# 95 in the nation Kick-Off Return Defense UGA
# 41 in the nation Kick-Off Return Defense LSU
# 98 in the nation Net Punting UGA
# 6 in the nation Net Punting LSU
# 114 Punt Return Yards Defense UGA
# 4 Punt Return Yards Defense LSU
# 43 Strength of Schedule UGA
# 3 Strength of Schedule LSU
Old Dawg
December 1st, 2011
9:15 am
Thank God! Burn the damned things!!!
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:17 am
BURN THE POWER RANGER UNI’S!!!
Dawgs have to play lights out to have a chance. The fact that we have not played and beat a top 10 team does concern me. Have to play error free ball and get about 3 breaks our way.
Still I will be yelling and screaming for the Dawgs!
p.s. If Bama is in the NC game it will be wrong. They had their chance against LSU and lost. They don’t deserve another shot. Plus, if you’re not in your own league championship game then why should a team be allowed to play for the NC when they were not good enough to play in their own League Championship game? Sorry Bama, you have a great team no doubt, but you had your chance and lost. Just my opinion.
"Georgia needs to beat LSU to be relevant in the elite programs again."
December 1st, 2011
9:18 am
Jalex49 December 1st, 2011 9:08 am
“There’s been a lot of talk about who needs this game the most! I submit, both do, because LSU needs it to claim a National title, and Georgia needs it to be revelant in the elite programs again.”
38 Yardline Dawg
December 1st, 2011
9:23 am
Thank God for our regular uniforms and burn the Pro Choke ones. If having a shot at the #1 team and winning the SEC isn’t enough modivation for ya, go play elsewhere.
Got my tickets this morning and I’m ready to upset LSU!
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
9:24 am
Their might be something to those Nike uniforms. Like the Georgia-Boise St. game, I couldn’t read differentiate the numbers on Stanford’s shirts on Saturday. The players looked like indistinct blobs. I now believe that Phil Knight is spending millions on development of invisibility cloaking technology.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
9:27 am
So happy about the Unis…and impressed with Mathieu’s restraint. Go Dawgs!
Okie State lost to a 6-6 Iowa State while Alabama lost to # 1 at 12-0 LSU.
December 1st, 2011
9:27 am
“If Bama is in the NC game it will be wrong. They had their chance against LSU and lost. They don’t deserve another try. Sorry Bama, you have a great team no doubt, but you had your chance and lost.”
_____________________________________________
Excuse me, Alabama lost to # 1 LSU 12-0.
Okie State LOST to 6-6 Iowa State.
Alabama had their chance ?
Okie State play instead of Alabama ?
D man
December 1st, 2011
9:32 am
Thank goodness, those unis were horrible… Go DAWGS!!!
robodawg
December 1st, 2011
9:33 am
I prefer the traditional unis for a showcase game like this. I wouldn’t mind the black jerseys once every year or two — perhaps reserved just for Auburn every year the game’s in Athens, or perhaps sometime in Jacksonville when we’re the “home” team and it’s right around Halloween.
The Pro Combats had their day … if we had played better, maybe they wouldn’t have to be permanently retired. That’s the thing, if you switch up your uniform, you better play well enough to back it up, otherwise it becomes a joke or talked about as a motivational “gimmick” when it should be just about having some fun.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:35 am
Absolutley they had their chance! They lost to LSU! They are not in the SEC CG!
Back when LSU won the NC a few years ago, if even the LSU people will be honest here, UGA would have beat LSU. UGA did not go to their league CG and did not deserve a shot at the NC. The 2 best teams were UGA and So. Cal. However, I agreed that if you do not go to your own league CG you DO NOT DESERVE to play for the NC.
You had your chance, you lost, you do not deserve to play in the NC game. PERIOD!
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:35 am
I honestly wouldnt mind wearing the pro combats.
uniforms have nothing to do with performance, if they were bad luck Oregon and Oklahoma State would lose every game
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
9:35 am
Remember how everyone laughed at me after SEC Media Days and I said Richt had the look of someone who had something up his sleeve?
He is doing the same thing now.
He knows Crowell is going to play Saturday and that him playing is a big key to us having any chance to win.
Being one dimensional is suicide versus LSU
I still think LSU is going to win but I am predicting we give them a fit.
With some breaks, we could win it.
Either way, I give big props to Richt, the team and to Greg McGarity for what has happened.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:36 am
If Okie St. beats OU then it should be LSU vs. OSU.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:37 am
amen DIT
you’re preachin to the choir though
we must make an exception for the mighty Alabama
D man
December 1st, 2011
9:37 am
Wow, those stats are impressive stat man. We shouldn’t even play the game because by the stats, Ga shouldn’t even be here. Why don’t we just play the game and see what happens. Good luck to ya LSU… By the way, Bama is a better team.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:38 am
“Either way, I give big props to Richt, the team and to Greg McGarity for what has happened.”
Here, here! I agree
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
9:38 am
bulldawg changes blog handles like the rest of us change underwear
He has posted under 5 blog handles on this blog alone.
old dog
December 1st, 2011
9:38 am
Can we PLEASE get a division-1 tailback who won’t get suspended daily, who weighs more than 92 lb.s., who can tak a lick, etc.? If we could MAKE one with Harton’s heart, Samuels strength, I.C.s natural ability w/o the china-doll “breakability” we’d be okay. as it is, lets just find a dad-gum tail-back who can show up to work and be productive. If we cannot run the ball Saturday, we are gonna tote a monumental butt-whoopin’! I love the Dawgs, and nobody could have forseen all the tailback nightmares. However, now we know what we have, so lets find a tail-back who will run North/South, has an IQ above 80, doesn’t haul-butt to the sidelines after a slight breeze, and has the size (not huge, just big enough) to play UGA football! This is the one factor keeping UGA from being in the upper tier!
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:39 am
the key to whether or not we can win this ball game comes down to ONE thing: can we protect Murray
when Murray has protection he is one of the top 5 QBs in the country, pressure him and he turns into, well, Jarrett Lee
DC
December 1st, 2011
9:39 am
Sorry but having Crowell up your sleeve isn’t that big of a deal…crowell will be eaten up by that big d-line…
Who farted?
December 1st, 2011
9:41 am
Roger wins best comment.
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
9:41 am
DC
They are not the packers.
Without him, we have no shot at all
G-Dawg
December 1st, 2011
9:42 am
Who cares about damn uniforms? and why are the Dawgs practicing outdoors and not indoors to get ready for an indoor game?
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:43 am
I agree, protecting Murray is a must to have a chance.
The best way to use Crowell is short passes on delays out of the backfield. Short passes and spreading the field will help Murray. Then again I’m no OC it’s just a thought
geauxatltigas11
December 1st, 2011
9:43 am
Dawgs fans, you truly have let the local media and sports talk radio brain-wash you into thinking you have a legitimate shot in this game. For LSU, this is just another big game, about the 6th or 7th primetime game for them. How can you even compare the stats, we have done it against FAR superior competition. Having school pride and expecting your team to play hard, which the dogs will, is one thing but to actually predict that UGA will win is simply irresponsible. You think LSU has gone 12-0 and they are all of a sudden going to forget how to pass, block, run, and tackle? All of you talking smack about LSU will be eating crow by 8 pm Saturday night. It won’t matter what uniforms you wear, and TRUST me, EVERY LSU player is FIRED UP!!!! They are comin’ to town to avenge the 2005 loss. This LSU team is light years ahead of the ‘05 bunch, and the ‘05 Dawgs were superior to this bunch. Enjoy the trip to the game, and congrats on winning the East.
Okie State lost to a 6-6 Iowa State while Alabama lost to # 1 at 12-0 LSU.
December 1st, 2011
9:44 am
That makes no sense whatsoever.
Okie State, you have not addressed, that THEY HAD THEIR CHANCE and blew it against 6-6 Iowa State, a sorry football team.
Okie State is NOT CONSIDERED BETTER THAN ALABAMA by ANYONE IN THE NATION, NO ONE.
Then there is YOU, and you cannot address by your own standards that Okie State LOST to Iowa State a 6-6 club.
How can a LOSS to a 6-6 team be BETTER than a loss to a 12-0 # 1 in the nation team ?
Answer it cannot.
So all you got is ABSOLUTELY Alabama had THEIR CHANCE and lost.
Hogwash debate with a hogwash person unable to address his OWN STANDARDS – that Alabama LOST. So did Okie State and to a FAR WORSE UNRANKED NOBODY OF A FOOTBALL TEAM who NEVER HAS BEEN ANY GOOD.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:46 am
@old dog
if Richard Samuel is healthy and lights that fire he had in the Florida game, I feel good about our backfield.
I’m still holding out judgement on Crowell, his lack of stamina isn’t an issue right now, with Thomas and Samuel right there to help, but there’s going to come a point in his career where he is the only legitimate TB threat on the roster and if he doesn’t develop some stamina we could be in trouble down the road
StuDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:48 am
Silver Britches!!
Jborodawg
December 1st, 2011
9:48 am
The “Red and Black” reported yesterday, regarding Tuesday’s practice, that Crowell had looked good and that coach McClendon thought Crowell was quite ready to play. Coach is even hopeful that Sameul IV can play.
Thank God For Reggie Ball….that pretty much goes for any QB, not just Murray.
YES!
December 1st, 2011
9:48 am
Love our unies the way they are. Lets go dawgs!!
by the way where are all the richt hatters?
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:49 am
in the(not ver-batim) words of the man whose statue sits outside Bryant-Denny: If you don’t win your conference, you shouldn’t get a shot
noseknows
December 1st, 2011
9:49 am
I was hoping they had burned those “ugly as crap” uniforms.
Don’t punt the ball to Honey Badger – out of bounds is fine for a net 40-45 yards.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
9:49 am
Who cares about damn uniforms?
A lot of folks. Those “pro combat” unis were embarrassing. Still not the worst of all though. The Maryland uniforms look like CC DeVille took a monster dump after a night of hard drinking.
YES!
December 1st, 2011
9:50 am
what is it about LSU fans? THEY CANNOT SPELL GO.
DIT
December 1st, 2011
9:51 am
Cry me a river. The consensus here is that Bama does NOT belong to be in the NC game just like the Dawgs did NOT deserve to be in the NC game a few years ago.
Please explain to me, if you will, why Bama should get a chance to play for the NC if they can’t even win their own league championship game?
You do realize that not being in the SEC CG that made them 3rd best team in the SEC right? Why you ask, because LSU, who beat Bama, respresents the west and UGA represents the east. Bama just has to keep beating themselves I guess!
Still, keep the bellying aching up. No League Championship no National Championship game for Bama!