Georgia Bulldogs sharply focused on 2012 football season
Sorry for the delay in getting some of this out to you guys. Hope you saw my STORY and BLOG from the Pigskin Preview on Tuesday at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon. If not, you can read them HERE and HERE. Meanwhile, here’s more of what was said from the UGA contingent at the Pigskin Preview down in Macon yesterday:
JUNIOR QUARTERBACK AARON MURRAY
On walkon FB Merritt Hall, who is listed as starter heading into summer camp . . .
“He’s a crazy dude, that’s for sure. He reminds me of somebody like Ben Jones in that he’s just a crazy football player that’s dirty and ready to put his head in the pile and just knock people around. That’s the kind of fullback that you want, somebody that’s not afraid of contact, who’s just going to fill that hole and get it open. Whatever linebacker shows up first, he’s taking their head off. I’m excited about it him. I know we have some other guys, Zander [Ogletree] and the guy who just got here who’s a freshman [Quayvon Hicks]. Hicks is a really good looking fullback, too. So that’s going to be a good competition.”
On college football playoff . . .
“I think it’ll be fun. I know I probably won’t be around to be a part of it, but I think it will be fun for players and fans and teams, too. Maybe a team that had one loss against a pretty good team that might think their national championship chances are down the drain, now they’d be able to play in the playoffs and have that second chance to compete for a championship. So I think it would be a lot of fun and the fans would enjoy it more games and more big-time games between big-time teams.”
On concussions . . .
[Knocks on wood window frame] “I have yet to have a concussion in my career. One time in high school I felt a little woozy after a play, but I don’t know that it was a concussion. Nowadays they consider any dizziness a concussion so it might have been a small one. But to my knowledge I haven’t had one. . . . Any kind of head injury is a pretty big deal and you don’t want to mess around with that. But our doctors to great job. If anybody has any kind of symptoms of any kind of thing like that, they hold them out and make sure they’re completely ready to go before they put them back in for contact.
On whether coaching staff has advised him to run less . . .
“They never told me to stop running. They told me to be more cautious and be a smarter run, I guess, as far as getting out of bounds or getting down and saving my body. I don’t know what my problem. I just really enjoy contact. I grew up playing defense, so I think I just missed all the hitting. I definitely think it’s something I need to work on this offseason. Maybe get out to the baseball field and work with some of the baseball players how to slide properly.”
On whether he thinks Malcolm Mitchell will play any wide receiver this season . . .
“I hope so. This summer I know Malcolm will be out there. He’s already been out there working with us. He’s always out there, whether he’s playing DB or receiver. . . He just goes back-and-forth. I know he’ll be ready no matter what. He still knows the plays still and will run all the routes in the offseason. He knows the yardage and the cuts. He’ll be ready, offense or defense.”
SENIOR SS SHAWN WILLIAMS
On if he likes the preseason top 10 national ranking . . .
“I try not to pay attention to it because everybody expects you to win each and every game anyway. The only way you can take care of that is to take it one game at a time because we know nobody is going to take us lightly. We’ve got to go out and win one game at a time and take it one week at a time and quarter by quarter.”
If he thinks Mitchell can play both ways . . .
“I feel like he can do it. He can come in and play wherever we need him. There’s going to be a lot of guys moved around, so he’s got to be able to play wherever for the betterment of the team.”
On playoffs and changes in college football . . .
“You can’t pay too much attention to that stuff because football is always going to be football. You can’t be worried about what happens if you lose a game or anything like that, so you just have to go out to win and worry about that when the time comes. . . . I just hope Georgia’s in the mix if it ever comes around.”
GEORGIA COACH MARK RICHT
On ball security issues with Aaron Murray . . .
“We talked about it on the way down here. I asked him, ‘what are the three biggest drive killers in football?’ Of course the first thing he said was turnovers. I said right. Shawn helped him out and said penalties and I said right. Then the third one he said ‘knowing what to do’ and we call that missed assignments. If you don’t turn it over and you don’t have many penalties or missed assignments, you’re going to move the ball and you’re going to score. If you have any combination of those three, you’re going to punt or turn it over and make life miserable for everybody. Players can control all three of those for the most part. That’s Murray’s job to make sure we’re not turning the ball over and we’re not in the situation where we don’t know what to do or get penalties. We talk about it. In his defense, he had a couple of tipped balls and some things he couldn’t totally control. But he knows. He knows his job is crucial in regard to respecting and protecting the football. I think we all learned from our experiences.”
On potential of Shawn Williams . . .
“I think [All-American] is a very realistic goal for him. Why? Because he’s about 6-1 or 6-2, 220 pounds and can run like a deer. He’s physical, he’s got good ball skills, he knows the system and he wants to be good. He has become quite a leader for us.”
On possibility of one day playing Georgia State . . .
“That’s certainly a possibility. I wouldn’t count that out. Lately it’s kind of been unwritten rule that we play Georgia Southern every four years, though I don’t think there’s any contract that holds us to that. I mean, I don’t even know how far out we’ve scheduled, quite frankly, on the out-of-conference games. I know we’ve got to wait to see how many conference games we play and all that. But I think that would be a possibility.”
On getting ready for season . . .
“You always just have to pray that guys stay healthy throughout camp. It’s a contact sport, it’s a physical game and guys do get banged up. Hopefully there will be nothing serious.”
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115 comments Add your comment
Dawgs2014
June 13th, 2012
6:01 pm
Shawn Williams is a beast. 2,220 lbs…
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 13th, 2012
6:53 pm
This team has alot of potential but it is so hard to get really comfortable with any CMR coached team with alot of expectations since the ‘08 campaign. Wish it wasn’t the case, but CMR is now IMO a show me first type of coach before anyone can really buy into the hype.
Granthams The Man
June 13th, 2012
7:24 pm
This could be a great year for UGA football. People who question Richt, fail to understand that Ga has lost many, many top rated offensive linemen over the last 6-7 years. Also, the defense had held the team back since 2006, that won’t be a problem this year or for the foreseable future.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
7:30 pm
Did I miss the sharply focused on 2012 season part?
Granthams The Man
June 13th, 2012
7:31 pm
Henry’s decomit shouldn’t be a suprise to anybody. I don’t blame him for keeping his options open and he still may become a Dawg.
I’m not completely sold on Henry as a RB, the only game I saw him in was against Buford in the playoff game. He didn’t do much. he will most likely be a project and need to change to another position. Ga is LOADED at RB, so either way, Ga will be fine. Good luck, Derrick.
the truth
June 13th, 2012
7:32 pm
Grantham should seriously be considered for HEAD COACH. Do you think our special teams would be bad under Grantham. How about our defense? Running Game? Hire Todd Grantham.
BigDawg
June 13th, 2012
7:35 pm
Martinez should have been let go earlier. Love CTG and the fire in him! I hope James Franklin doesn’t have to run to Richt after the Vandy game again and say that CTG was mean to him, what a man!
zulucanbial
June 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
Saban that Drink your milkshake was funny!!!
LogicalUS
June 13th, 2012
7:51 pm
“How about our defense”
Well the defense gave up the 38 pts a game the last two times it took the field….but of course that is the offensive coordinators fault. Just like when the defense got landrushed by Boisey 35, SC 21, Vandy 30 etc…, it is always the OC fault.
Grantham is as overrated as they come.
its 2008 all over again
June 13th, 2012
7:51 pm
Enter your comments here
T-Town Dawg
June 13th, 2012
8:04 pm
LogicalUS, you do realize that the offense gave up points or put the defense in short field situations in every game you mentioned, right? Do you even watch the games or do you just check out the final scores?
Hey Logical
June 13th, 2012
8:18 pm
Huge majority of Georgia fans are extremely pleased with Grantham. Growing pains first year, last year put in some bad situations by offense, this year LIGHTS OUT defense. Would make Erk proud.
Johnny Griffith
June 13th, 2012
8:24 pm
Derrick Henry de-commits from the Bulldogs. Let’s all celebrate the walkon fullback. Yayyyy!
LogicalUS
June 13th, 2012
8:34 pm
“defense in short field situations”
Horse pucky…it wasn’t the OC who gave up 120 yds rushing to the Lattimore kid in the 4Q vs SC. It wasn’t the the OC who after having a summer to prepare got completely embarassed by those slow, short WRs from Boisy or the OC who refuse to cover the TE against MichState…..It was the OC who saved Grantham against Vandy when his pitiful defense got ran roughshod over by a Vandy offense which couldn’t break 90 yrds against SC, LSU or Bama.
Luckily for Grantham, the punter was a better tackler than his defense or he would be the newest Martinez getting run out of Athens.
Reality is that Grantham is an average DC who is often outclassed in 2nd halfs by the better OC which UGA plays…see SC\Boisy\LSU\MichState.
Good that UGA fans love him…we will see after the game will he blows this season for Bobo to get blamed for? Top picks right now are Mizzou, SC possibliy UT\UF.
LakeDawg
June 13th, 2012
8:43 pm
There goes Richt again, worrying about practice injuries. If he hasn’t learned his lesson and UGA doesn’t have physical scrimmages, the season will be less than satisfying.
go-BRAVOS
June 13th, 2012
8:45 pm
Along with praying that guys stay healthy I hope CMR prays that they won’t be anymore arrested. Every time I see a UGA headline on AJC I’m expecting another suspension on the way.
Maybe this can be the year that UGA lives up to the hype; however I have to see to be believe it. UGA has shown a propensity for weltering under big expectations and pulling choke jobs a la the Braves last September.
Go Dawgs!
pj
June 13th, 2012
8:50 pm
11-1 and another appearance in the title game sounds about right. You know we’ll stumble somewhere.
zgoldatl
June 13th, 2012
9:02 pm
Would love to see my Panthers play the dawgs. Saw them in Alabama in 2010, & will be in Knoxville when GSU plays Tennessee this year. I want to play UGA and GA Tech. Looking forward to the move to FBS. Go Panthers, Bleed Blue
Snoop Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:21 pm
They’re saying that this year they might go all the way…
Corey Smith
Right. Pass the koolaid, boys!
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:32 pm
Wow Lakedawg, that’s what you took away from the story?
Gdawg
June 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
Hey (il)logicalUS,
This is only the 3rd year Grantham has been at UGA. These are almost all his recruits now. The improvement from 2010 to 2011 was phenomenal. UGA was 11th in the SEC in 2009 and in 2011 they were 2nd or 3rd overall in the SEC and somewhere around 5th nationally… Are you unaware of these statistics or using (il)logical reasoning? Dawgs D’ this year should be tops in the SEC and country if the Offense can be even effective. Even people with limited football knowledge can recognize that. Who do you support? Tech? Bama?
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
Lowcountry didn’t miss, I think he hit the nail pretty much on the head.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
You know times have changed, when the gators need to advertise in the UGA blog, to sell tickets.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:42 pm
That’s LakeDawg Altamaha, definitely two Dawgs of a different breed, Lakedawg and LakeDawg.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:43 pm
Except that you debunked that mischaracterization of the 2008 team, yourself ealier.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:44 pm
Muschamp is actually ahead of schedule. You know he was a UGA missile planted to implode in the Florida program, bring it down in flames. There’s more than one way to skin a gator.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:47 pm
Ok, there are 2 of them. Would I understand the comment if i knew the difference?
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:50 pm
Yes, LakeDawg is kinda like me, a realist that understands that Richt has his weaknesses and may not be the answer. Lakedawg is one of the blind, kool aid drinking homers than can’t see the forest for the trees.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:51 pm
Maybe a mole might have been a better analogy than the missile. Blame the Merlot.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
I see. One is smart, and the other is stupid.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:55 pm
Belly Laugh ! ! !
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
9:57 pm
Truth be told, there isnt a bit of difference between what they know, see, or do, about Georgia football, just their demeaner.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
9:58 pm
I appreciate the compliment….Coming from you that means something.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
10:00 pm
But since he is smart like you, do you agree with:
“You always just have to pray that guys stay healthy throughout camp. It’s a contact sport, it’s a physical game and guys do get banged up. Hopefully there will be nothing serious.”
was Richt “there he goes again” not learning his lesson?
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
10:04 pm
You’re right, the main reason I’m here is to learn. Reading the articles, comments, is like a short course in what’s going on in Athens with the Dawgs. The blogs are my main source of information. I filter the comments, watch the games, do the math and keep my expectations in check.
Forecast is 4 to 6 again this weekend. May watch the US Open for Fathers Day.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
10:06 pm
Personally,I agree with that statemant 100% and I can’t believe any Dawg fan wouldn’t.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
10:08 pm
I’m taking my pop, and ” letting” my kids take me, to the sandbar. Not suppose to rain for the first time in a month it seems like.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
10:09 pm
Altamaha, fortuately for me, and you, our every move and word isn’t pored over, sifted through. To answer you question directly, nothing wrong with Richt’s comment. No matter what he does he’s going to be scrutinized. One of my issues with Richt is his communication skills, I think he needs to be more direct, he beats around the bush to much, aw shucks. Just a quirk with me, I like a guy that gets to the point, I guess that doesn’t make me right, just my preference.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
10:14 pm
We’re headed to the beach ourselves, similar gameplan.
AltamahaDawg
June 13th, 2012
10:18 pm
My issue is that he opens his mouth, and doesnt say “no comment” every time.
Although in that particular case, I actually thought it was pretty direct . I mean as far as any answer would be to ” so, what about that whole getting ready for the season deal”.
Mobile Dawg
June 13th, 2012
10:35 pm
He would be better served with no comment. Although that would thoroughly aggravate a lot of folks too. Like I said, he’s in a glass house and really can’t win. Only way he can win football wise, is “coach” / “lead” a solid football team that’s always competitive and prepared.
Like him or not, Saban is the model for college players, IMO. These guys need work ethic and discipline if they’re going to succeed, in life, or at the next level. Richt is to touchy/feeley, comes across to me as a nice guy with no backbone. He can succeed if he surrounds himself with the right coaches. No nicer guy than Mack Brown, unfortunately he wasn’t the guy “behind” the success of Texas. Losing assistants hurt him badly. Like when Richt lost Van Gorder.
Pago Pago DAWG
June 13th, 2012
11:01 pm
Can we at least win a bowl game in the next 4 years!
satilla dog
June 13th, 2012
11:25 pm
Derrick Henry is over rated,the georgia team called buford shut him down last season. Bet he does not want to play the wolves again. Georgia does not need him,he is not physical enough.
satilla dog
June 13th, 2012
11:26 pm
As for tech and the gators,you are headed down hill. I love it
Ole Yeller Dawg
June 13th, 2012
11:28 pm
Have the Coaches learned their lesson on punting to the opponents MVP for the season (Honey Bear) I mean all season long this was the only offense LSU had… didn’t the coaches watch the film? Not once but twice they punted directly to the Honey Bear… he burned them twice!
“we all learn from our mistakes” Coach Richt, then don’t kick the ball to the Honey Bear! Are you smarter than a fifth grader? A particular coach lost this game… a senior punter should have known not to put the ball cleanly in Honey Bears hands! DO Not Kick TO THEIR ONLY OFFENSIVE THREAT someone make a sign, put it above Richt’s doorway! Not Once But Twice in the same game SECCG – Honey Bear!
kingdaddy
June 13th, 2012
11:47 pm
I want to hear more about how our OL is improving and evolving. I believe Murray will improve his turnovers this year, but only if our OL can be counted on to give him some time to complete the play called. Defenses like S.C.s will be coming fast and Coach Bobo should use their agressiveness against them. Murray will not have time to sit in the pocket. Bobo has to scheme a good gameplan if he wants to beat the tired ol ball scratching visor-thrower.
I also want to hear more about Special Teams improvements. Nobody wants to discuss STs at all and this makes me nervous.
Also want to get updates on Missouri…Go Doggies…
RED DOG 77
June 14th, 2012
12:13 am
Me? I wasn’t sold on Derrick Henry…………even though I realy like Richard Samuel [5*] RB he never really panned out , just a carbon copy of Henry……….I would much prefer we continue recruiting proto-type RBs like Marshall and Gurley……….and keep that big ‘ol fullback tradition going at Georgia…………..2012 is gonna be a dadgum blast. Me thinks the monkey is off our back……..remember when coach Mark Richt was known as the ultimate “road warrior”……Hell back in those days you would just about rather be on the road than at home for big games…………We are turning the corner. This year it won’t matter where we play…………One prediction……er…….a…..two first, We are going to beat the living snot out of South Carolina, two………..Auburn will scare the hell out of us , but we will pull it out……………RED
Grantham Dawg
June 14th, 2012
2:50 am
I have admired and respected Coach Mark Richt as Georgia’s head coach for quite some time, but some things have got to change. After listening to many of his interviews like this one regarding Aaron Murray, it is obvious what part of the problem is with Georgia not reaching its highest potential year after year under Richt’s tenure. First, he is instilling a fear of playing “to not lose” philosophy rather than playing “to Win” Where is the confidence and faith in this approach? Second, he is communicating and treating his players like boys. I have heard him refer to his players as boys many times. While they may be 18-25 years old, they are men. Aaron Murray is a smart young Man who is also a very talented quarterback. What Murray needs more than anything going into this season, is the leadership and confidence that he can lead his team to a National Championship. If he continues to be fed the play “to not lose” stuff by his head coach then he is going to display the same lack of confidence and scared disposition as he has in previous seasons. Aaron Murray and the Georgia football team have the talent it takes to win a National Championship. However, their head coach needs to start treating the Georgia football players like men and instilling in them a play “to win’ mentality, a warrior mentality, and a men of confidence and faith mentality. Aaron Murry is obviously going to have to dig deep and step up as a true leader on this team without depending on his head coach for the needed words of wisdom. I am not reading or hearing one ounce of confidence being spoken from Richt about himself or his players. The common theme being spoken from Richt seems more centered towards doubt,worry,fear, and then excuses when we lose.
There is no place for this kind of approach at Georgia, especially from the head football coach.
The music has got to change for UGA football, the players, and the fans. The reason myself and others alike are excited about Georgia football again is because of the spark that Coach Todd Grantham has brought back to Georgia football. I knew he was the man when he took up for his players after the Vandy game last year. It showed how passionate he is about his job and his players. I couldn’t believe Richt didn’t back up his coach or his players, but instead kissed up to the Vandy coach. The Georgia football team has the ingredients this year to make a run at it. Even if the head coach is coming across as luke warm, all the leaders on the team need step up and replace that approach with their own positive high energy and talent as a team and do it for themselves and for Georgia. The motto should be “At Georgia, We Play To Win”. Any coaching or communication that does not line up with that motto, needs to take place somewhere else.
Go Dawgs!
WDE
June 14th, 2012
6:11 am
I woke up this morning in a far corner of the world, and after checking to make sure the family back home was OK I got to thinking that how great it is to be an American, and being a member of the Bull Dog Nation is just icing on the cake…..Go Dogs!
WDE
June 14th, 2012
6:19 am
Ole Yeller Dawg hmmmm I think you were referring to the Honey Badger not the er Honey Bear.but I wouldn’t expect a Bug to know that much about college football to start with.
Buzz 2011
June 14th, 2012
6:37 am
Can the Dogs win six games this year? They should start that Houston Mason kid at quarterback. That little Murray is worthless….
WDE
June 14th, 2012
7:04 am
Buzz 2011 I plainly remember that “worthless” Murray beating hell out of the Bugs…..twice so far.
Matt in ATL
June 14th, 2012
8:01 am
Based on Aaron’s quotes (and I’m a fan of Aaron), he’s had several concussions. He will be well-served by a publicist in his professional career.
Matt in ATL
June 14th, 2012
8:05 am
WDE, wherever you are, ditto!
Crap
June 14th, 2012
8:14 am
‘Way back up to Grantham’s the Man: How did you see Henry play against Buford “in the playoff game”? Henry’s from Florida.
And, regarding Henry: The statement he released should be required reading for all high school recruits. Would’ve been nice if he had had his own counsel before HE committed.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
8:44 am
Oh, I think that Saban is a lot” “nicer” or caring about his kids when it’s appropriate than you seem to think. And I would bet that you would not find anybody who is actually around Richt on a daily basis to agree that he is not hard working, or doesnt have a backbone. Even his handling of his staff, which folks use as an example proves he is willing to do what he think needs to be done. the timing and process might differ, but he certainly would , has , and will, fire anybody if he thinks its the right thing to do. Or dismiss kids from the team. Quicker than most, obviously.
I understand that you were talking “perception”, but I don’t beleive that recruits and players really buy into the internet versions of those coaches, when they have direct personal contact to know the realities. If perception was what really matter to prospects, there is certainly plenty of talk out there that Saban would thrown them under the bus in a heartbeat if he thought the 86th guy on his roster could run.000seconds faster than them, right?
You say that folks calling Richt soft hurts him, but folks calling Saban a bald face Liar doesn’t hurt him? Or the rumor that he is leaving Alabama for the next better job year after year after year.
Dawg Fud
June 14th, 2012
8:47 am
Fredi Gonzalez should contact Mark Richt and hire him as a consultant. He could learn much from Mark’s mystifying ways of keeping a job while not meeting expectations…
Ole Big Dawg
June 14th, 2012
8:51 am
We are the Georgia Bulldogs….expectations are to be in Atl each and every year with the opportunity to compete for Championships!!
Matt in ATL
June 14th, 2012
8:52 am
CMR keeps his job because he is a very decent, caring, honorable man that I, for one, am glad represents the University of Georgia. Yes, he needs to win, but that is why he can get through the rough spots as compared to Jim Donnan. That said, time to win.
See Rock City
June 14th, 2012
9:34 am
AltamahaDawg,
You are going to blind with all that hatred against Alabama, funny how this blog has been circumvented by comments and turned into a ‘Bama bashing thread.
Nobody in their right mind would willingly choose to believe anything you say about our program. school and lastly; football team.
Keep thy witty & keen insight for the peanut gallery, and other such lemmings.
We have not met on the field in almost 4 years running now, did that last loss set the current events in motion? I must ask; is this the reason why the ‘dawg nation barks so loudly to the West now. Have the wagons circled Athens with Muschamp in Gata-land, VanGorder in Auburn, Dooley in Knoxville, and the Old Ball coach right next door.
The last thing you dogs need to be doing is worrying about ‘Bama, but yet it is your obsession…
Top Recruit
June 14th, 2012
9:38 am
Murray. If you have played in the SEC as much as he has the past 2 seasons and high school ball, and you do not understand that a QB impacts turnovers, penalties, and assisnments…I’d say you have a big issue between your ears. And if I’m Richt and Bobo, we are standing on each side of his head yelling that in. Murray is to self-centered and immature. And possible just not a bright, savvy kid on the field. Another South Carolina game like last year will see a shift. Time this QB started playing smart…no more South Carolinas, LSUs, and MSUs.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
10:26 am
Rock City. Next time try reading what I said. Or was it your point to dispute me against me defending Nick Saban for what I clearly said was false internet chatter perceptions? As I do all the time. Hard to say, because half of your post was gibberish. DA.
Crap
June 14th, 2012
10:29 am
All Saints: Provide proof of ’sleazy practices’. Otherwise, your opinion matters not at all and you are wasting your and our time. Waiting…
DawginLex
June 14th, 2012
10:47 am
I’m not buying into any hype but i do have HUGE expectations for the Dawgs in 2012
no more excuses
time to win
RedandBlackDAWG
June 14th, 2012
10:48 am
Ole Yeller DAWG,
What is one of the most turnover laden plays in football, besides the long ball pass? It is the run back of a punt or a kickoff return. The upside is it can produce good field position and scoring at times, but the greater potential is it can provide a fumble or penalty and give you poor field position to start your offense. There are also a whole lot of penalties from the receiving team. The punter is trying to keep the ball in play and hopefully, his coverage team will do the job. Last year, UGA had one of the worst punt coverage teams in the country probably. Normally, UGA would have had a lot more of the really fast guys on the field to cover kicks, but lack of depth at a few critical positions made that impossible. This year, UGA has sufficient depth to put a few of the burners on the field that know they can get to the runner and you will see much better kick coverage and increased penalties by the receiving team, trying to block these guys.
DawginLex
June 14th, 2012
10:49 am
Who is obsessed?
a Dawg talking about the Dawgs on a UGA blog
or
a bammer updyke TROLLING daily on a Georgia newspaper blog
?????????????
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
10:55 am
appearnlty ole yeller believes that Punt returner compile big stats from never touching the ball.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
10:58 am
DIL, just another nouveau riche Bama fan trying to feed his own ego.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
11:07 am
It also help “keep away” if you don’t have to punt the ball 8 times. I suppose we could have sent a note over the the LSU bench and asked them if they could tell thier guy Mathieu to pick a spot to stand and stop moving around back there.
UGA Insider
June 14th, 2012
11:10 am
These comments from AM really concern me….. What mostly concerns me is his health. If he doesn’t learn to slide or get down someone is really going to hurt him. After all, last year he took some of the most vicious shots I have ever seen. How he got up is a testimony to his toughness but one day it may catch up. The fumbles due to scrambling were the difference in the LSU, USCe and almost UF game. AM scares me when he takes off because I know he won’t slide and a LB will light him up. Must protect ball better!!!
cdpridg
June 14th, 2012
11:15 am
Folks would be amazed at the trailer ridden living in the state of TN that are bandwagon bammers. Even as far north as Nashville there is as much if not more Bammer gear that Vols…unreal
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
11:18 am
You are combining two distictly different situations there, but we get the point.
59bulldawg
June 14th, 2012
11:47 am
Richt’s 3 biggest drive killers: 1. turnovers, 2. penalties, 3. missed assignments. Hmmm! I wonder where he’d put poor play calling?
mike
June 14th, 2012
11:48 am
UGA NATIONAL CHAMPS 2012-2013 !!!! GOOOO DAWGS!!!!
Homepage | MrSEC
June 14th, 2012
12:23 pm
[...] 11. Georgia’s players are sharply focused on the 2012 season. [...]
ozzfest
June 14th, 2012
12:35 pm
ALL YOU FELLOW DOGS WHO KEEP THINKIN’ WE ARE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT DEFENSE BETTER LOOK AT THE TEAMS WE WERE PLAYING WHEN WE RACKED UP THE IMPRESSIVE STATS LAST YEAR.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE “#4 DEFENSE IN THE COUNTRY” AGAINST BOISE, CAROLINA, LSU AND MICHIGAN STATE??
I WAS AT ALL FOUR OF THOSE GAMES, AND TO ME…IT LOOKED LIKE WE SUCKED ON DEFENSE!!!….BEWARE!!!
Ole Yeller Dawg
June 14th, 2012
12:43 pm
@AltamahaDawg: Exactly why “big stats compiled all season long” a coach should have told Drew Butler to kick the ball out of bounds! Especially in a championship game at the end of the first half! Especially after Honey Badger or Honey whatever (@WDE, my Bad) burned them on the first punt! Not Once but Twice, we tried to kick the ball over Honey Badger’s head! I am sorry but this is playing to the other teams strength! I ask you, what would of happened, before the half, if Drew kicked the ball out of bounds around the 50 yard line?
I love Coach Richt, even believe in Bobo(sometimes)we are all humans, we make mistakes! “Let’s learn from our experience” It’s a coaches job to identify the strength of the other team and TRY to keep the ball away from that strength!
By the way, AltamahaDawg, your air stinks down there, somebody is passing bad gas!
@WDE: Thanks for kicking me, right between the pockets, calling me a bug!!! I thought WDE stood for War Damn Eagle?
Tide Rising
June 14th, 2012
1:36 pm
And now I see that UGA’s top recruit for 2012-a 5 star running back has decommitted from UGA after spending a couple of days with Saban over at Bama. No question about it. Saban rules over Richt with an iron fist. If he wants a top level recruit from Georgia he will simply take him. As for the kid can you blame him? Would you rather win championships or play on a team that was no better than the 5th best team in the SEC last year?
CDAWG
June 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
When Aaron was talking about Malcom Mitchell and he says he still knows all the plays…..everybody knows the plays.
WDE
June 14th, 2012
2:05 pm
Ole Yeller Dawg , well I have to say I’m sorry I really thought your “Honey Bear” comments were yet one more Bug being cute…sorry fellow member of the Bull Dog Nation.
WDE
June 14th, 2012
2:06 pm
Oh and for the last few years WDE has been stolen by the Auburn fans…for much longer they have been my initials .
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
Drew Butler was standing in his own end zone. And you think the obvious call was simply “kick it out of bounds at the 50. Well yea, Can’t argue with that. Maybe tuck it and run for a TD would be the only one better.
I just guessing here, but I bet the staff told him: Concentrate on Handling it cleanly, and getting it out of there. I think you are drastically overestimating the control of distance, and direction, in that situation, from the sideline.
And just for the record, he had NOT just burned us, we downed the first punt, and Beckham fielded the second punt for a few yards. Nor do I believe that it being the CG really dictates that call. Its right or wrong in week 4 or week14.
And you glossed over my point that If THAT were so obvious, WHY would other teams have kicked “to him” so many times. Or kick “to” Greg Reid, Or Maze, or Joe Adams? Or Boykin? How about Arenas a couple of years back. Obviously a dangerous PR . 41 times coaches told thier punter to kick the ball right at him.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
2:15 pm
I ask you, would you have been supportive of the outcome IF Butler had kicked it OOB at our 30 yrd line, giving LSU a short field just before the half?
That seem to me to be as much more likely of an outcome when you ask your punter (with his heels on the back line) to angle it “towards” that direction, as a Guy returning it 62 yrds.
RxDawg
June 14th, 2012
2:27 pm
It was pretty neat to see a little “coach speak” from Richt on the drive killer segment. Richt is always very reserved with that and it’s rare to get a glimps into it. We all know it’s there though. Thanks for that Chip (and Richt).
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Yea, I was thinking how cool that car ride would have been too.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
2:33 pm
Althought it’s not clear if coach was actually at the wheel (of his Ford F-150 of cource), when he was talking about drive killers!
lol
June 14th, 2012
2:35 pm
Rankings
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/44750/ranking-the-secs-football-facilities
RedandBlackDAWG
June 14th, 2012
2:57 pm
Lol,
Exactly what has this article got to do with how UGA is going to be this year or how focused they are on 2012. Perhaps if you could offer something of value, when it came to commenting on an article people wouldn’t so quickly identify you as a troll.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
3:09 pm
Would help to not identify yourself with a teenage girl text acronym too. Or maybe that was suitable.
ARdawg
June 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
Troll Rising
If you had paid any attention you might have noticed Henry is from Florida. If the kid wishes to go to Bama, good luck to him. It won’t make a dimes worth of difference if he is a Dawg or a Sabanite at the end of the day
LakeDawg
June 14th, 2012
5:09 pm
Go Michigan! Beat the Crimson Necks!
Ole Yeller Dawg
June 14th, 2012
6:02 pm
@AltamahaDawg: In my books, the 30 yd line beats a touchdown all day long! The Honey Badger fielded the punt at LSU’s on 38 yd line and returned it 62 yds for a TD! The momentum of the game changed at that very moment, in fact the whole dam broke loose, our player’s started to play afraid and gave up 21 points in the 3rd quarter alone!
The football should have been kicked out of bounds around midfield to keep it away from the Honey Badger. The guy had an uncanny ability to return punts for TD’s. He did it the week before against Arkansas!
“The honey Badger will always take what he wants” if you put the ball in his hands!!! Not Once but Twice!!!! (He returned the other punt to the 4 yd line) Coaching error! Sorry! It’s the coaches responsibility to control the game, and that was not done in this situation!
I know, Two dropped passes (King, Mitchell) that could have accounted for 14 points – A.M. with two interceptions and a fumble (miserable day)
Let’s all “learn from our experience” Coaches and players a like – Don’t kick the ball to the ” Honey Badger” so simple a fifth grader could get it right!
@WDE: you’re cool brother! (*_~) DGD
Andy
June 14th, 2012
7:26 pm
Isn’t it about time for the Dawg fans to pick the Dawgs the pre=season National Champion ?
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2012
8:14 pm
I can count maybe 5 or 6 statements that you have used in the defense of this argument that are just plain factually and logically incorrect, BUT your hindsight is spot on. Not very impressed with your use of geometry or statistics either.
I’ll leave it at this: there is a reason that you have never seen what you suggest in a college football game.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
June 14th, 2012
9:05 pm
It’s not hard to stop Kentucky…
kybodawg
June 14th, 2012
10:18 pm
gosh darn. sorry bama about kem-d. if you think thats bad wait till foster flips to auburn. guess saban doesnt walk on water after all.
bitter dawgggs fan/insider
June 14th, 2012
10:32 pm
TOWERS IS A PUZZZY———–M.C—-RULES
Ole Yeller Dawg
June 14th, 2012
11:30 pm
How about this: The Dawgs were 112th rated team in opponents punt returns #100th team in kick off returns. Their special teams were ranked at 72nd while LSU was ranked 3rd in the nation!
My Bad, Honey Badger fielded another punt on LSU’s own 36 yd line in the 3rd quarter and returned it 47 yds to UGA’s 17 yd line not the 4 yd line like earlier stated.
My point is do not play to the other teams strength – by trying to out kick the Honey Badger we played right into his game and lost the game!
Call it hindsight but these stats will predict what will happen if you keep kicking the ball to the Honey Badger!
Coaching error!
Does anybody smell sulphur?
Steamer Lane Bulldog
June 15th, 2012
7:06 am
Henry may still sign with UGA. And we have had some walk on full backs really contribute, in past seasons.
I will take a diamond in the rough who really wants to play. Than some highly rated player with no heart, any day of the week.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
8:08 am
The discussion was never how bad our special teams were. Now you are just morphing the argument.
Now IF you want to talk about how in the world you let that guy get so far downfield, miss so many tackles, fine. I agree completely.
BUT Your case that somehow the coaching staff should have known the outcome of those plays and punted out of bound 8 times is just not logical. And then you used several totally factually incorrect point to back it up. And I am not talking about mistaking the yard marker, I am saying points that were just flat wrong. I saw a repeat of one right there.
Let me ask you this. Did you have any problem with the “strategy” of other 6 punts?
(No idea what sort of clever lil putdown you thought the sulfer comment was. I assume you are talking about the papermill in Jesup? Not only do I not live anywhere near that, or the fact that its not sulfer, but that odor last about a about a 1/4 mile on a 137 mile river, so if that’s your take on the Altamaha, you are looking pretty ignorant)
Joey
June 15th, 2012
8:37 am
Coach Richt: “I think we all learned from our experiences.”
********************************************************
Maybe Murray would retain all that learning a little better if you sat his butt on the bench for a quarter or so the next time he throws a pick-6 or fumbles for a TD return.
I like Aaron Murray, but for every big play he makes for us in the biggest of games, he makes another for the opponent.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
9:50 am
Not sure standing in the corner with a dunce cap, is exactly the right method of teaching college QB better skills.
Now as far as that letting the fans feel like they punished him for thier grief, that would do it.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
10:05 am
So down by a TD to SC, you (as the coach) would have pulled Murray and sat him for a quarter. (ignoring that he drove them down, to tie it up right after that. )
Or pulled him for a quarter early in that LSU second half.
How well do you know Aaron Murray? Workd with him for 3 years? Know what motivates him, see how heactually does learns?
ugab
June 15th, 2012
10:18 am
Great to hear that Uga has a fullback that wants to knock someone out. It has been a while since the dawgs has had a great FB.. Wow.. Sounds like this guy likes to hit.
Joey
June 15th, 2012
10:35 am
So many questions . . .
Knowing Murray’s history in big games, hell yes I sit him, down by a TD to SC. He is in fact, why we are down a TD. If we have no competent back-up QB, of course not, but we have a competent back-up QB, Hutson Mason – whom even the head coach said about last season, “we’ve gotta find a way to get him in games.” I’ve noticed that Mason, when he does get in games, completes passes with accuracy, and does’t fumble.
Ditto for the LSU game.
Don’t know Murray at all.
Have not worked with Murray for 3 years (though have seen every play he has played for UGA on tv, and a bunch of video of his high school career), if that counts.
I don’t know what motivates him – I would assume competing and winning?
I don’t know how he actually does learn, though most players, including one Matthew Stafford got noticeably better being benched, after turnovers, in ‘06.
I shouldn’t answer that other drivel (dunce cap, in the corner, etc), but it was really cute, almost funny if it weren’t for the fact that Aaron Murray has been the QB in a lot of games that we lost, a good many when he has made turnovers that lead directly to points (and wins) for the opponent. I have also read his words that he was “amped up” vs UF in ‘10 when he threw the 4 Ints. I also know a guy, Steve Spurrier, who coached lots of QBs to collegiate greatness, who didn’t mind a bit sitting them on the bench if he thought that would help his team win a game.
Greg
June 15th, 2012
10:46 am
Grantham is a beast and his players have taken on his personality. Defense will be what takes UGA to the SEC Title game.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
11:11 am
My guess, standing on the sideline having to make that call……you would not have. Or at least..it’s easy to say that when you aren’t. But I don’t doubt that you believe you would.
What little I know about Murray is that he is the harder on himself than anybody, and spends HOURS and hours in the film room trying to figure out what went wrong. I just don’t believe that throwing the game by putting in an almost certain less better option just to sit him, would improve his game. HIM better, or a better option, seem to be the only choices to me..
Joey
June 15th, 2012
12:02 pm
AD, I’ve competed at sports my whole life, solo and team, and I can tell you, if you get amped up, or nervous as hell, it don’t matter how hard you try or how much film you study, if you can’t control your emotions at critical times, depending on the sport, you will hit the ball into the net, squeeze the ball so tight, it comes up 10 yds short, hit the 4-iron thin into the lake, miss both free throws, miss the plate at 3-2, bases loaded, etc, etc. If an athlete can’t treat “big deals” as if they aren’t big deals, he (or she) is gonna have a hard time performing under pressure on the big stage – (See Tony Romo / playoffs).
I have no clue if Aaron Murray struggles with this, but if I had to guess, I would guess that he does – to some degree. He (like Romo) is a good front-runner (see Auburn). But in BIG, tight games, he hasn’t performed to his normal standard. And if he is afflicted with it, a lesser talented, but competent replacement might be “a better option.”
Therefore, yes, I would have made the change.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
12:39 pm
And I do not remember a single episode of Matthew Stafford getting benched in 2006 because of a turnover. (to teach him a lesson or otherwise). I know he did swap out forJoe Cox in the Ark. Game as a direct result of not moving the team at all for several quarters. Apples and Oranges , IMO. However, I DO recall him being left in the game after MANY TOs that year and the next. I would argue that’s how he got better.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
12:44 pm
You are arguing with me that he makes mistakes, or even specualtion as to why he might. And even if you ignore that many other mistake by other players (some on the very plays that he got blamed for) and state that his mistakes ended up costing the game, None of that changes the fact that he was still the best chance to win that particular game at the time.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
12:50 pm
But who knows, maybe Mason would have been better in that situation. I have no evidence he wouldnt. Maybe we can have a starter, but just as the game tightens up, against our toughest oponents, we can put in the back up QB to take it home. I’ve never seen that sort of a situation ever work, but who knows. I’ll have to defer to the professionals on this one, however.
Bulldawgman49
June 15th, 2012
2:03 pm
Well We have a guy that at FB looks like a front runner as a walk-on !! Merrit Hall We have to start by giving the guy a nickname , Start now :
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2012
3:33 pm
To me, fumbling the ball is not the same type of a mental mistake as missing both free thrown, or pitching the ball over the green. That’s just simply sloppy ball handling, nothing to do with being “amped”. Now overthrowing a wide open WR by 10 yrs would be. Sort of like Stafford used to do.
BTW, Didn’t Stafford have a TO in the Carilina game his sophomore year, that contributed greatly to losing that game. Might have thrown a pick against TN too. I know his fumble and then (defacto) pick-6 agaisnt UF, and the pick 6 against tech, turned those games in 08. Would you have pulled him then, too? Isnt that the exact same situation as Murray? And if benching Stafford for such made a noticiable difference(which I can’t remember actually happening) , it didn’t seem to matter in the end.
GTMark
June 15th, 2012
3:56 pm
I’m a Tech fan but I have to say if your team doesn’t at least play in S.E.C. Championship game it would be a major surprise.
AltamahaDawg
June 16th, 2012
3:04 pm
Steve Spurrier hardly seems like the model way to run your QBs, evidenced by the fact that I can’t think of anybody following his lead. Moreover, what does it matter what he does. Thats HIM. It works for him, (if that can still be said) not somebody else. He does not coach at UGA.
My recollection of his swapping of Qbs was that he had a few years that one did not beat the other out for the job to his satisfaction. He would go with a guy, perhaps because of the opponents, or how the week went, .then become frustrated during the game if the offense wasn’t being run the way he wanted it. I don’t recall him ever benching a QB because of a turnover.
NOW, if Murray was struggling to move the ball, or having trouble throwing it, or lack of energy, something like that…abosolutely. Put in Hudson. (because just now, I think he might not be a huge step down) and see if he can spark something. But not as punishment (which call it what you will, that is what you are suggesting) for fumbling while being sacked. Definetely his fault, but taking him out FOR that doesn’t do anybody any good. I’ve never seen any other coach do that either..