First sight of RB signee Keith Marshall brings grin to Mark Richt’s face
A lot of news and notes coming out of the Georgia football camp on Monday, starting with Brandon Boykin being named the recipient of the 2011 Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player. I’m in the process of putting together a notebook for tomorrow’s newspaper. But, in the meantime, following is a quick summary of the information and quotes that came out of today’s season-wrapup teleconference call with Georgia coach Mark Richt. Enjoy . . .
MARK RICHT
On 5-star running back signee Keith Marshall, an early enrollee who began classes at UGA on Monday:
“He’s a very talented young man. He’s very focused. As a matter of fact, I walked into the meeting last night and he had a playbook in his hand and he was looking over assignments. It just gave me a moment to grin seeing how excited he was about being at Georgia.
“I’m sure he’s a little nervous, too, like a lot of guys. I remember my first night I spent away from home. There’s a little bit of anxiety, but it’s mixed in there with a lot of excitement.”
On what running backs have to do to play better:
“I think the biggest thing will be consistency and maturity. That’s what we have got to get. We played a lot of inexperienced running backs. Those guys have gained some experience and hopefully because of that they will become more mature players and more consistent players. I think that’s going to be the two most important things for me. And as always the fundamental things such as ball security and pass protection are important. We have to do a better job than we have in that area this year.”
On the Bulldogs’ two other early enrollees, quarterback Faton Bauta and offensive lineman Mark Beard:
“Pronounce this man’s name properly . . . it’s Fuh-TONE BOW-tuh. He’s a quarterback for us. Faton is here as well, as is Mark Beard, an offensive lineman for us. Those guys were here at the team meeting last night. They got a chance to introduce themselves to their teammates and got a round of applause from their teammates. They did a good job of welcoming them. And now they’re going to class and getting ready for the off-season program.” [Added that Bauta will definitely play quarterback)
On off-season priorities for trying to get to the next level:
- "I think there's no doubt that we've got to be a whole lot better on special teams top to bottom. We went through some growing pains with some young guys. We kind of bit the bullet with some true freshmen and some inexperienced guys. But, you know, the good news is they will be a year better. And we will make sure all hands are on deck as far special teams. Whatever it takes. We as coaches also have to review everything we do and make sure we feel very confident that we're doing the right things with the right personnel. That's going to be big for us.
- "We also want to create as much depth as we possibly can so we can continue to try to finish better.
- "We definitely want to be able to run the ball extremely well. That's going to be a big challenge for us breaking in some new linemen offensively.
- "Even defensively we've got to make sure we can finish the games like we start them."
On satisfaction of the 10-4 season:
"I think we came a long way this year. I'm proud of the effort. I'm proud of the progress. But we're still on a journey to do even greater things and that's going to be the goal."
On whether coaching staff will remain intact:
"I certainly hope so. I've had no indication otherwise. I guess I'll just leave it at that. I've heard nothing at all."
On whether sophomore quarterback Hutson Mason will return next season:
"I've talked to Hutson a couple of times and I'm not sure he's 100 percent settled on what he's going to do at this moment. But when that time comes we'll let everybody know."
On decisions of tight end Orson Charles and some other underclassmen to enter the NFL draft or not:
"We had a team meeting last night and all those guys were there. That doesn't guarantee everybody's going to stay, but at least they were all there. I guess it means they aren't 100 percent sure what they're going to do. When is everybody going to decide and have some finality to it? I don't know. Certainly they have to have it by the deadline. I think there's some guys who's heads are spinning still and they're not 100 percent sure what they're going to do.
"There's a bunch of them staying, but I can't sit here and say every guy has nailed it down."
On decision of sophomore cornerback Jordan Love to transfer:
"I just want to say that I really appreciate everything Jordan contributed to Georgia. He's a great kid and I really wish him well." [Knows of no one else leaving]
On whether they’ll sign full allotment of 25 scholarships in recruiting:
“That’s the hope. We’ll see. There’s a lot of things to do and there’s still a lot of great players out there. There’s a lot of decisions to be made. We’re just working our tails off trying to finish this class off as best we can. We’re going to have to wait and see if we get the full allotment or not. But we’ll be shooting for it.”
Goals for 2012 season:
“As always, we want to compete in such a way and prepare in such a way that we’ve got a chance to win every time we go out there. The goals aren’t going to change. We want to win the East. If you win the East and you win the SEC, you’ve got a shot at the next one. So, you know, that’s not going to change for us.”
ALSO:
Offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant is not expected to return for a sixth season. . . . No changes forthcoming in Strength & conditioning. . . . Spring practice will begin the week after UGA’s spring break [around March 19). . . . Richt favors the $2,000 stipend for student-athletes.
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251 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
January 9th, 2012
5:44 pm
Enter your comments here
ARdawg
January 9th, 2012
5:44 pm
Van Gorder won’t recognize the UGA offense. Trust me on that, I don’t
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
Bobo figured some things out in 2011 scheme wise.
He improved from 15 points a game against ranked teams, to 25 points a game.
If he makes another 10 point jump against ranked teams in 2012 (keys are ball protection, run game, and negative plays (way too many sacks & tackles for loss), look out.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
Hutson won’t be back, we lose a QB every year.
ARdawg
January 9th, 2012
5:49 pm
Van Gorder won’t recognize anything more than your average crackhead housewife which is EVERYTHING. Bobo has no clothes
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
Vangorder wont recognize the UGA offense????
Whats to recognize……
Multiple Run draws up the middle
Multiple Screen passes to the sideline
Occasional deep ball thrown with a completion rate of less than 25%
A person SMART enough to know......
January 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
FurryDawg……….Bobo hasn’t figured anything out because MURRAY is still the QB. Murray ain’t the Answer.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
We need to have a gameplan for Aaron Murray in 2012, where he stays AS LONG AS PROTECTS THE BALL AND PUTS UP POINTS. but if he starts turning the ball over, we need to insert Lemay. I think Lemay will get his chance in the South Carolina game, Murray has really struggled in both of those, and I don’t see Richt wanting to let that game be lost again for the 3rd straight year because of poor QB play.
lagadawg
January 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
Bauta could be a terror on special teams, lead his team in tackles his sophmore and jr. seasons,he is very physical.
Jeff
January 9th, 2012
5:51 pm
yeah- we were grinin when Crowell signed too……..I am just sayin
Disgrace
January 9th, 2012
5:51 pm
at team meeting, aaron murray wore a pair of female skinny jeans.
Gdog
January 9th, 2012
5:52 pm
Interesting that Richt kept emphasizing that Bauta will be QB. Mason gone??
Congrats Marshall
January 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Glad to see you enrolled. That kind of makes it official he is a Dawg.
A person SMART enough to know......
January 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Furry………..the USC game is half way into the season. Mason or LeMay better have playing time a lot earlier than that game.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Funny
Reality
January 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Crowell cured the entire Dawg nation of recruiting over-hype. His main contribution tot he program-and a valuable one
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:56 pm
Who’s Crowell?
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
5:58 pm
Bauta should have a wildcat package, especially for goal line situations. He has that Tebow type of skillset.
JDawg1785
January 9th, 2012
6:01 pm
Thanks for the update, Chip. A huge welcome to all the new Dawgs!
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:01 pm
Yeah, the No. 2 and No 3 QB’s should get some reps prior to SC game, Buffalo & Fla Atl should be blowouts.
Lemay should start getting some series in the game, in every game, like DJ used to do.
Saban
January 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
Oh well another national championship tonight. Enjoy the game tonight and your trek next year to Shreveport now that Richt has a new 20 year contract.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:05 pm
Murray was tied for 11th worse QB on espn.com in sacks (32), and intercpetions (14).
Richt & Bobo HAVE to have noticed stuff like that right?
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
What made David Greene play so well, was knowing DJ was getting series in every game, and right on his heels.
Nothing like some real competition at QB this year to clean up the turnovers and sacks.
A person SMART enough to know......
January 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
Furry they didn’t do that with MASON. What makes you think Bobo doesn’t still have his head up his butt on that matter concerning LeMay?
Dawg
January 9th, 2012
6:08 pm
Goals for the 2012 season? How about better ball security for the Quarterback? I just don’t hear anyone in Athens saying this is a problem . Goes all the way back to the Florida game in 2010, if not before. A more potent runnning game will help, but that is not the entire solution. Murray has to eliminate the fumbles and Int’s. We will never win a championship if this problem persists.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:10 pm
I do think Lemay will get a few series in each game, but I think he’ll win the starting position in the South Carolina game, when Murray has another turnover meltdown and Lemay comes in and leads the team to victory, much like Jefferson did this year for LSU.
I think if Lemay gets a chance in the 4th quarter, his poise and leadership will REALLY surprise people.
Last G-Day, he drove the team down for the go ahead game winning td. As cool as a cucmber under pressure. The kid thrives under pressure.
4.29 GPA
January 9th, 2012
6:10 pm
Mark Richt just got a slap in the face.
Brian VanGorder to Auburn as Defensive Coordinator.
Recall, if you will, that Brian VanGorder took a demotion to linebackers coach at the Jacksonville NFL team, to leave Mark Richt. I said then as I do now that JAX had great linebackers, and didn’t need Brian VanGorder. So, why did he leave, I asked then and now ?
Why ?
Keith Marshall. Put me down if he doesn’t get 4,000 yards 2012, 2013, 2014 and Declare, please say I was wrong.
Isaiah Crowell, straigten-up. I would like to have you both, sir. Screw-up, give up your # 1 dual jersey. Myself, I only need one go-to TB. I have mine Isaiah Crowell. Now, if you want to be the 2nd, I have no problem with that. Not with your baggage sir. None of it.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:12 pm
True, didn’t do it with Mason, but I don’t think they were as confident in Mason’s poise and leadership skills, but in 2011 Murray finished 11th in sacks (32), and 11th in intercpetions (14), something has to give, and you have to get more competition at the position, like DJ gave to Greene, Murray will either improve, or wilt with competition from Lemay.
dostoveyskiy
January 9th, 2012
6:13 pm
FurryDawg, common sense, and I suppose you have some, dictates that UGa is not gonna have Crowell, Marshal, Gurley and Davis on the same team.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 9th, 2012
6:15 pm
4.29-
Marshall will not get that many yards. Only two backs at UGA have had over 1k in yards during Richts tenure. You then are assuming he is going to have 3? Lower your expectations man.
Paul in NH
January 9th, 2012
6:18 pm
“The Boise St coach is interviewing at FL and AL”
Which BSU coach would that be? Chris Peterson (HC) sure as heck isn’t going anywhere – he just signed a new 5 year contract..
BTW – Auburn just upgraded their DC bigtime.
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:18 pm
Instead of ” hearing ” Richt this time of year telling us we’re Gonna do, I live for the day he tells what we did.
A. Got a whole lot better on special teams
B. Really opened some big holes this year and made the running game click
C. Improved red zone scoring from 8th in the conference to 3rd
D. Signed 8 of the Georgia super 11 rather than 2 of them.
That’s what I want to hear.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:19 pm
I’m not so sure. LSU has a whole bunch of terrific running backs. Keeps them fresh. I think they could all be there for 1 year, then 1 or 2 might transfer if they don’t get enough reps.
The template to win the SEC is:
1) Multiple great running backs (Bama Ingram/Richardson, LSU has 4)
2) Great defensive line
3) Don’t turn the ball over
You don’t win the SEC with a great passing QB, or great pass defense.
Beast from the East
January 9th, 2012
6:20 pm
Early enrollees arriving in Gainesville, too
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20120109/ARTICLES/120109557/1189?Title=7-Gators-report-to-UF-campus
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:20 pm
Yes, Ted Roof to Van Gordor is not good news for Dawgs I’m afraid.
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:22 pm
I think Van Gordor left because he had just won the Broyles Award and was offered 25 cents more per hour by Evans and Richt.
Old Dawg
January 9th, 2012
6:23 pm
Van Gorder to Auburn is an interesting hire. Wonder how long before he decided to go somewhere else?
4.29 GPA
January 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
Way to go Brandon Boykin. I still say he is going to be running back in the League. I would have played him at running back the whole entire time while we struggled instead, with no running game all these years and years and years.
Notice he doesn’t do drugs. Notice he plays all game. Notice he graduates. Notice he gets Award. Notice he is a DGD. Notice he stayed all 4 years. Notice he is 1st Round Draft Pick. Notice he will get millions. Notice he will play in the League. Notice, as I said each time, that he should have played RB instead of Caleb King I called for every time Caleb pulled his stunts. Notice I did the same with Isaiah Crowell calling him to be moved to RB. Notice I have said this the last 3 years. Notice when all the RB got injured, I called for it again. This is a RB in the League. That’s my 2 cents.
DGD
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
OLD Dawg………I think Van Gorder might have been looking a job in a week or two anyway. Those guys can feel when there is big disappointment and the fingers are fixing to start pointing pretty quick. His value unfired is a lot higher than fired. I’m sure his Agent sent Auburn a whisper.
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
You had to pick up another QB (Bauta) because Mason has voice the whole transfer thing too many times.
I really like Bauta’s size, very Tebow like. 6′, 3”, 220. He’d be a nightmare in the red zone.
Beast from the East
January 9th, 2012
6:29 pm
JB,
I think you’re right about Van Gorder. Besides, he hasn’t stayed anywhere too long, for whatever reason. I suspect he may think a college DC position is his best shot at becoming a collge HC again.
4.29 GPA
January 9th, 2012
6:30 pm
No.
4,000 yards, graduate with Honors (like myself), 1st Round Draft Pick. Never arrested. Never suspended. Never any failed drug tests. Leader, unlike Aaron Murray on the Offense in Game 1 play 1. We will not be the average # 52 Total Offense of Mark Richt’s previous now 11 years.
Mark me down.
4,000 yards, just like his Daddy before playing for Denver Broncos (before Tim Tebow became the GPOE.)
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
Bobo is a very lucky man, for if he played FOR ANY other SEC school, he’d be gone. That position coach job is too high profile , and when you don’t win big, the OC is the biggest culprit.
Richt likes Bobo because Bobo is just a puppet to run his system with no blow back. Very good coach’s want ideas, creativity and aggressive coaching. Richt is stuck from hiring a large talent for all to see and say, I told you.
Dawg
January 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
welcome aboard Keith Marshall
Tech 76
January 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
What? They didn’t recruit Bauta to play TE like they did Cam Newton!
wins-by-a-link
January 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
Coach Richt is not the AD, The AD will decide with or without Coach Richt’s approval whether or not to make coaching changes, Greg McGarity has to know that his job is also at stake if Georgia continues to lose every important game they play, I would think that if any changes are to be made it will happen before spring practice starts in March, If Bobo is still OC at that time then we will know that McGarity has gone all in with Richt and Bobo, Putting his job on the line with Richt and Bobo, Hope he didn’t cut his ties with Fla, He may need a job.
4.29 GPA
January 9th, 2012
6:32 pm
JB,
He told us what we DID.
He stated in plain English.
“We had a GOOD YEAR.”
FurryDawg
January 9th, 2012
6:32 pm
Like Richt emphasizing ball security. Way too many turnovers against Michigan State, LSU, and even going back to the South Carolina game. Had a lot of turnovers against Vanderbilt too, lucky to win that game. I think Richt has FINALLY seen THE ISSUE.
JB
January 9th, 2012
6:33 pm
Beast, who you like tonight,….. I’m picking LSU .
A person SMART enough to know......
January 9th, 2012
6:35 pm
Bama 24 v LSU 14