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
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
9:51 am
If there was a true tournament of conference champions, the winner of the Big 12 conference would be included. If Oklahoma state beats Oklahoma, they would be conference champions. Bama had their chance to win the SEC and blew it, at home, scoring ZERO TOUCHDOWNS.
In a true tournament playoff, they would be invited as an at large team.
In a one shot scenario(voting) they do not deserve consideration over ANY conference champion of the Big 12, Big Ten, Pac 12 or ACC.
The beauty contest called the BCS will get them in but they don’t deserve it.
BobDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:53 am
I’m with u Old DAwg, planning a pregame bonfire if someone will bring those Nikes to me?
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:54 am
noseknows-God knows that’s the truth
punt returns for them is what could kill our chances.
that’s how LSU broke open the Arkansas game.
no turnovers, protect Murray, don’t kick to Mathieu
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
9:55 am
you shouldn’t be in the national title game if UCLA has a better shot at winning their conference than you do
G-Dawg
December 1st, 2011
9:55 am
geauxatltigas11
well, same can be said with your tigers with regards to espn and sports talk radio. true ya’ll are #1 in the land with a good team…but could have easily be in bama’s position. ya’ll werent even in the consideration as the best team in the nation during the preseason…it was all oklahoma, fsu, bama. but your comments show why everyone outside of LSU football..loathe and hate tiger fans…obnoxious and arrogant. thanks for reminding us!!
PAUL7
December 1st, 2011
9:55 am
LSU ” LUCKED ” out on 11/5…….stupid choices by saban ( punt LSU deep into their terrority then make them drive the field, maybe they turn it over ? ) the next time saban wont be so stupid and BAMA wins going away
G-Dawg
December 1st, 2011
10:00 am
Kelly…if ya’ll are more worried about some ugly uniforms….then ya’lls priorities are in the wrong places. i dont care if they show up in the VS thongs…just want to see us play fast and physical. its not a damn fashion show.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
10:01 am
so its official… i’m the only one who liked the pro combats??
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
10:01 am
so what if bama wins the next one?
That makes it 1-1 and we have a split national title and the BCS will have solved nothing
DIT
December 1st, 2011
10:03 am
@PAUL7
Cut it anyway you Bama fans want. You lost, you don’t deserve to play in the NC game. I’m not knocking Bama at all. Matter of fact I would not give my Dawgs much of a chance to beat them if they were playing them Saturday.
Fact is, we play LSU not Bama.
Dawgs blew their chance with bad play calling and turnovers against SC a couple of years back and it cost us the NC game because we were not in the SEC CG game. Getting tired of having to repeat myself here so for me, the discussing is over on why BAMA should not go to the NC game. They probably will, but they should not.
what of it?
December 1st, 2011
10:04 am
Care to report on anything else that isn’t going to happen? the garbage that passes for news these days.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
10:05 am
G-Dawg: Maybe you should lighten up a little bit. After all, it’s not about what my priorities are anyway. Chip wrote the blog addressing those unis and responses are appropriately about that. What’s the big deal?
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
10:07 am
Kelly
The CC DeVille remark is just demm funny
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
10:08 am
Bulldawg thinks Stephen Garcia is better than Aaron Murray.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
What an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 1st, 2011
10:09 am
sooooo getting back on the real topic this week
LSU has great defense but UGA’s offense can get some points, not many probably about 2 TDs
UGA has great defense as well and LSU’s offense is not scary
UGA has developed enough special teams know-how to keep Mathieu from getting any big game-changing returns.
the game will stay tight but I don’t think we can protect Murray and eventually the pressure will cause him to commit the game-ending turnover (South Carolina-esque)
LSU-27
UGA-17
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
10:09 am
Thanks AR…there’s some very serious people around here today. I can’t think of any sicchyashun that don’t deserve a little levity every now and then. Go Dawgs!
Honky Talkin
December 1st, 2011
10:12 am
Doesn’t matter what UGA is wearing, they’re going to get slaughtered. Georgia fans are bowed up because why? You’re 2-2 agains danked teams and you beat a 6-6 Florida team. New bumper sticker: “Honk if you beat Florida this season”
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:15 am
The entire Mark Richt 11-year era, the only SEC Championship Game Winner to go on to lose their Bowl Game, was Mark Richt in 2005.
December 1st, 2011
8:43 am
Every single SEC Championship Game Winner, the entire Mark Richt era 2001-present, has gone on to Win their Bowl Game, except for Mark Richt in 2005. That was The Sugar Bowl Game at the Georgia Dome, I went to and of course, that never happened that a Sugar Bowl Game was played at the Georgia Dome, according to TampaDawg
Paul Harvey Page Two :
TampaDawg : “Since when did the Sugar Bowl Game ever get played at the Georgia Dome.”
——————————————
Listen crack pipe Thomas Brown. I FORGOT about it. OK? Is that ok with you, you childish little punk? Get over it!!!!! And I GUARANTEE you didn’t go there. You aren’t even a real UGA fan you piece of garbage. So, as DawginLex has stated also, QUIT USING MY HANDLE IN YOUR POSTS YOU FREAKING TEENAGE BRAT!
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
10:16 am
Watch out now Honky Talkin’….may be that some Bulldawg team jumps up and spits Beechnut in that eye of the tiger.
RiffRaff
December 1st, 2011
10:17 am
Maybe if the Dawgs had spent more time preparing for the Boise game instead of seeing how they looked in those silly outfits, then they possibly may have found a way to win that game.
Richt put a gag order on the RB’s. What’s going on now?
DIT
December 1st, 2011
10:19 am
Don’t sweat it TampaDawg, we all know that Thomsa Brown is a borned idiot!
schmeckdawg
December 1st, 2011
10:20 am
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:15 am
The entire Mark Richt 11-year era, the only SEC Championship Game Winner to go on to lose their Bowl Game, was Mark Richt in 2005.
December 1st, 2011
8:43 am
Every single SEC Championship Game Winner, the entire Mark Richt era 2001-present, has gone on to Win their Bowl Game, except for Mark Richt in 2005. That was The Sugar Bowl Game at the Georgia Dome, I went to and of course, that never happened that a Sugar Bowl Game was played at the Georgia Dome, according to TampaDawg
Paul Harvey Page Two :
TampaDawg : “Since when did the Sugar Bowl Game ever get played at the Georgia Dome.”
***********************************************************************************************************
It was played at the Georgia Dome because the Super Dome in NOLA was damaged from Hurricane Katrina. UGA lost to West Virginia!
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:21 am
And by the way “Thomas Brown”, I am sure this post is your handy work too “pass-happy offense of Mark Richt” …
Pass-happy offense? Murray is 48th in the country in pass attempts and has only had two games with more than 30 attempts this season. Try again buddy. More of your dumb diatribes that didn’t work for you.
PAUL7
December 1st, 2011
10:21 am
DIT what you say is true…….BAMA had the chance at home, saban made dumb choices + the ref TOTALLY blew the int to 89 the BAMA te who was down w/reid took the ball away, the te relaxed his hold on the ball once he was down replays showed him down so we know we know those things happen in a ball game the bottom line is…….BAMA is the BEST choice to be able to beat LSU
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
10:24 am
the game will stay tight but I don’t think we can protect Murray and…
Yeah, remains to be seen whether the O-Line can hold up for 4 quarters against the LSU front and protect against the corner blitz. Gonna’ be interesting…just glad the DAWGS have the shot at a great LSU squad.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:24 am
I know schmeckdawg. I had forgotten about it. Living in Florida we get in tune with the Hurricane season. I asked the question of when was it played in the Georgia Dome forgetting about it being moved in 2005. But now the master of the 3 page useless stat post keeps bringing it up like it’s the smoking gun he was looking for.
schmeckdawg
December 1st, 2011
10:25 am
Thank god we’re not wearing those moronic unis again. Just stay with the classic red helmets, jersey’s and silver britches!
Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 1st, 2011
10:28 am
NO confirmation here, but I just heard Crowell got hit in practice and is out for the time being….
And I am a Dawg fan, not someone trying to stir the pot.
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
10:29 am
“the next time saban wont be so stupid”
That is hardly a compelling argument.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
10:32 am
Boise St was a learning experience for these Dawgs and put them in the position they are in now. We were not ready for that game and learned from it. Actually, take that 3rd quarter away or play it different and there is a completely different outcome. It’s a loss, wasn’t a first for Georgia and won’t be the last. This team of Dawgs have built on it. It’s a special group of guys we have here. Many would have sulked and spiraled down. These guys didn’t. Look for an upset special this weekend.
GO DAWGS!!
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:38 am
I am good DIT. Just had to get it out. It’s funny to see people who want to talk crap on here that they have NO SHOT of being able to brave enough to say face to face. I don’t care now though that I got it out. Wish I could talk Chip into banning his IP address.
gt4ever
December 1st, 2011
10:39 am
Dang, they look so cute in their power ranger uniforms….
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:40 am
Roger that Schmeck. Hated those uni’s. A silver helmet? Forget that crap. After the gloves, the rest of that uniform sucked. They were boring too.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:41 am
gt4ever, your guys looked so cute walking off their own field after being brutalized .. again.
UGA Insider
December 1st, 2011
10:41 am
I predicted all week that UGA would win 24-20 however the tailback situation is dire at best. Downtown Athens is ruining another great athlete(s). I am not going to say any games but can’t anyone stay sober this week? I expect Boo to start again but he has been fumbling all week at practice, Thomas is about to get kicked off the team and IC just may not be tough enough to play in this league. People in Columbus warned me about this and they may be right. If CMR is smart he will sign 3 RB’s in this class. The only one I can see contributing next year is Samuels and he can’t stay healthy. He may even move back to LB if Turene never makes it to UGA. Anyways, if we can’t run the ball at all against LSU we are in trouble. I am not going to change my prediction but I’m nervous for sure.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
December 1st, 2011
10:46 am
Those uniforms would match up real good with Oregon for a Christmas Bowl match.
JBT
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
10:47 am
Insider
I’m not nervous a’tall but, I’m not playing the game. 29-20 Georgia. IC could very likely have his coming out party. I hope he reacts to big games better than he did in the HS playoffs. I can see him getting 100+ yards
DIT
December 1st, 2011
10:48 am
TampaDawg – people like Thomas Brown should be banned, but never will be because of people like him is what runs the could of the hits up on a blog. I would love to have just one blog that get’s rid of ALL the crap talkers on here and just allows for intelligent, football conversation. I’m all for a little ribbing from fans of other schools, but some of the crap should not be tolerated.
gt4ever
December 1st, 2011
10:48 am
Tampa,
Your right, you guys blew us out.. If was never even close….
DIT
December 1st, 2011
10:48 am
sorry, should have been count not “could”
1969 Graduate
December 1st, 2011
10:49 am
We’re going to have to find a way to beat them with the players we have going into the game. Our players are going to have to step up, man up, and beat up LSU.
The “uniform issue” has nothing to do with how the players play – true – unless the uniforms are a distraction, or change the focus from football. The Nike Ghetto Range uniforms do exactly that, but, even if they didn’t, they’re too ugly to bear.
The uniforms have everything to do with properly representing UGA, team identify, and proper priorities. Georgia uniforms are already handsome, and classy, and the best. Why change the best?
I don’t know how we’re going to win the game, or even if we will win, but we’d be worse off – and maybe jinxed – in Ghetto Ranger Loser Nike Ugly Non-UGA Horrible uniforms.
Who made such a stupid deal with Nike?
Go, Bulldogs! Whip up on LSU! No mercy!
gt4ever
December 1st, 2011
10:51 am
The really bad thing is because of your early loss to SC, even if you beat LSU, they still play in the big game…. Kinda, pathetic…
RiffRaff
December 1st, 2011
10:53 am
I’ll take traditional uniforms over gimmicky outfits anyday.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:53 am
gt4ever
December 1st, 2011
10:51 am
The really bad thing is because of your early loss to SC, even if you beat LSU, they still play in the big game…. Kinda, pathetic…
——————————————
True enough, what makes it worse to us fans is that we all know that UGA outplayed SC in that game. There was no doubt who the better team was that day and even Spurrier admitted as much.
DawginLex
December 1st, 2011
10:53 am
gt4ever
Winning the SEC is done on the field and if we are fortunate enough to do that, they can go play the rest of the BCs crap however they want to.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
11:01 am
Has anyone heard anything further about Jarrett Lee possibly being unavailable? I don’t think it’ll matter much. Just curious.
TampaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:04 am
kelly, I haven’t been able to find much on it except a quick piece on CBS sports web page. But it said Jarrett Lee and “others” .. now with no Jarrett Lee, I like that because he is the pure passer of the two between him and Jefferson. Jefferson’s passing doesn’t worry me much.
ARdawg
December 1st, 2011
11:06 am
TampaDawg
Whats the reason Lee is supposed to be unavailable?
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
11:06 am
Tampa…Right. The only way I think that it eventually impacts the game is an injury to Jefferson…but you never know.
Kelly
December 1st, 2011
11:08 am
AR: I heard it on Brando’s show yesterday. He said there were strong “rumblings” that he would be unavailable. He didn’t seem to imply injury, but he was purposefully vague.