Sunday’s UGA notes: Offense or defense or both for Malcolm Mitchell?
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham filled in for head coach Mark Richt on Georgia’s weekly media teleconference Sunday evening. (Richt was tending to some family business, UGA said.) What they had to say:
- Not surprisingly, both Bobo and Grantham expressed a desire to have cornerback/wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell on their side of the ball. Mitchell missed the season opener with an ankle injury and played defense in Saturday’s win at Missouri. Now, with defensive back Sanders Commings returning from suspension for this week’s game against Florida Atlantic, it sounds as if Mitchell’s role is up for discussion again.
First, from Bobo:
“I promise you, I’m going to go in there politicking hard for him offensively. I already walked in there to Coach Grantham’s meeting earlier this afternoon and asked what kind of offense FAU runs, what kind of personnel groups, how many receivers they’re going to have on the field. He was trying to say they play five wides. I don’t think they play five wides. [He was] joking a little bit, like he had to have him.
“But that’s something we’ll talk about as a staff. He’s going to get back on offense some this week. We’ve already discussed about that earlier in camp. Whether it will be full-time yet, I don’t know. But I sure would love to have him on offense, and he did a good job on defense the other night.”
And then, a bit later on the teleconference, Grantham:
“I think he’s a guy that will still continue to play on defense, because there is a need for him and what he brings to our defense. I think for the first time out he did a good job. He’s aggressive. He understood the route concepts and what’s happening. I thought he played better the more he played. I think he’s only going to get better as a corner. I think he’s the kind of guy that can be a very valuable guy to us moving forward on the defensive side of the ball. So we’ll continue to use him and work him in as needed and use his skill set to help us be productive on defense.”
Sounds like a question for Richt at Tuesday’s press conference.
- Todd Gurley got the start at tailback Saturday after his breakout performance in the season opener. Bobo estimated Sunday, off the top of his head, that Gurley played 39 snaps against Missouri, Keith Marshall 22 and Ken Malcome 13. “It’s based off production,” Bobo said. “Todd obviously had the biggest production last night in amount of yards (65) and yards per carry (6.5).” Bobo said Gurley didn’t get as many carries (10) as Marshall (12) because “some of the situations dictated we were spreading it out and throwing it when he was in there.” Said Bobo: “I think all of them did a nice job. All of them ran hard. We obviously didn’t block the way we wanted to on every play. … All of them are progressing. This week again will be another competition, along with their first two games of how we grade them and their production, [to] determine who the starter is.”
- Not surprisingly, Grantham provided no update on the status of suspended players Alec Ogletree and Bacarri Rambo. “We’ll just have to see what happens as we move forward.” As for Commings and linebacker Chase Vasser, whose suspensions are completed, Grantham said the plan is to use them in the same way as last season. With Commings, that means getting him ready to play both cornerback and safety, Grantham said. Grantham said he had received no report Sunday on the status of nose guard John Jenkins and defensive end/outside linebacker Cornelius Washington, both of whom “injured lower parts of their body” against Missouri, Grantham said. “We’ll have to wait and see tomorrow.” (Richt indicated after the game that Jenkins did not appear to be seriously hurt.)
- The sprained ankle that sidelined freshman right tackle John Theus from practice for the first three days last week “hurt him a little” in the game, Bobo said. Theus “went through some adversity in the game, a couple of missed blocks and some missed assignments,” Bobo said. “But the guy continued to play hard and play physical. … We’ve just got to get him out to practice this week so he can get better.” Theus was flagged for three false-start penalties against Missouri.
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166 comments Add your comment
BankerDawg
September 10th, 2012
9:03 am
I would love to see more screens also however the reason we haven’t used the Tight Ends much in the first 2 games is because of our young backs and their blocking inexperience. We are having to use the TE as an extra lineman to block against the blitz
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
9:05 am
He needed him as a CB. We recruited him as a CB. Even with Commings back, somebody is going to get dinged up before the season is over, so Mitchell will be on the roster at his natural position going forward, taking over full time next year, if not sooner.
His WR skills is speed, (not the best ball skills) and I would predict his use as a 2 way star is not nearly what Champ Bailey did. The situation is just not the same now, as then.
I’d be guessing that injuries will play into where he is used most this year. Others, but to include his own.
Vince
September 10th, 2012
9:06 am
Yes, coach–as long as you coaches keep leaving your starters in the game up by 21 with three minutes to go–Guess What—some will get hurt. I know you coaches are smarter than that–Right?
O Line
September 10th, 2012
9:20 am
We have most players in NFL but can’t seem to convince enough O linemen to join us….why is that? Our offensive minded head coach needs to look into that……Gosh!
tell me again
September 10th, 2012
9:20 am
This team has potential. Loved the intensity they showed Saturday. Richt has not even begun to show the playbook. Could be a good year for Dawg fans. When this defense gets back 100% it could be one of the best in the SEC. I’m thinking USC has probably fired the doctor who told them Jarvis couldn’t play. But I agree with one poster who implied that the reason he is able to do so much is because the D line is so stout and taxes opposing offensive lines to deal with them thus allowing Jarvis to get one on one with offensive players that simply cannot match up with him. The last D player we had that was such a game changer was Pollack. Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
9:21 am
Not sure that “if you leave them in with 3 minutes , some WILL get hurt” is really accurate, Or proven to be any more likely than the first 3 minutes. Obviously there is an chance, but Injuries can happen in walkthrough on Thursday afternoon, as well. I would think the chances of injury in practice was at least as much as the last 3 minutes of a decided game. .
Maybe they just thought the (various) players needed as much playing time as possible. I am sure they “call” less all out plays at that point. And there were quite a few subs in that I saw.
I guess they figured the starters would benefit from playing time, as much as possible.
RAB1482
September 10th, 2012
9:31 am
Where was Richard Samuel, all night during the game? Other than making a crucial tackle on the fake punt play, did he even sniff the field? Why is he not in as a LEAD BLOCKER for our tailbacks? Good grief, we do less with MORE talent than any other SEC team! I watched the replay of LSU’s game against Washington and they ran the same running play 3 times in a row—why? Because the other team’s d could not stop it. Go figure……
evnpar
September 10th, 2012
9:39 am
I think itchell is more valuable to the D at this point. We are better then fine with the WR’s we have. King, Brown, Bennett, Wooten, Conley, add Marshall sometimes in the slot as the season moves on, we’re set. We NEED CB’s. Bowman isn’t ready yet – leaves us with Swann, Smith, Commings. I feel like Mitchell is on par with both Swann and Smith already with more upside. JMHO
Dawg Whisperer
September 10th, 2012
9:42 am
Plants are intelligent, you know
September 10th, 2012
7:58 am
A 2011 study by a prestigious think tank ranked the English Bulldog in the fourth (lowest) quartile of intelligence for 119 different breeds of dogs that were studied. The actual ranking was, in fact, #119.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
You should try filling your own think tank, it seems to be running on empty.
I-DOG
September 10th, 2012
9:43 am
Altamaha:
There is “slightly” more of a chance in the last 3 minutes that a player will get hurt. Some of the larger athletes like Jenkins are going to be tired ESPECIALLY when the defense was forced to play 3 games of football Saturday night due to the turnovers and lack of offense in the first half. They were asked to carry the team and win the game and they did. They had done enough for the night in my opinion.
Once the game has been put away, it gets sloppier with more chance for injury.
It is a question of decision making by the coaching staff. What is the risk reward for leaving our great noseguard in the game with close to 2 minutes left and Missouri 70 yards away from our end zone with the game in hand. We have a very solid 3rd string noseguard who hasn’t played much. It isn’t like we would have to take a 50 year old out of the stands and give him a helment and ask him to replace John Jenkins. We have other scholarship upper classmen that could take the last 5-6 snaps like Mike Thornton.
We didn’t suffer any terrible injuries and we can call that luck or whatever we want and we might disagree that there is indeed a slightly elevated chance of injury once you are exhausted and the play gets sloppier at the end of a game that has been decided… but can anyone defend that it was smart that Jenkins and others were in the game at that point? If so, I’d like to hear the argument.
UGA Insider
September 10th, 2012
9:47 am
Mitchell will stay at CB. We are thin there and that is where the NFL projects him to be.
Very good win for UGA. The Mizzou fans were VERY cocky and thought they had an easy win. I’m being serious folks….. The fans and the team thought they were going to beat us like a drum. UGA has some serious talent and if can get our OLine to mold by UT, look out… We could be really good. Please note we have have made 1 pass to a tight end this year.
Concerning Tree and Rambo I told you last week they were suspended and as normal, I was right. This week I still think they are OUT. When Grantham/CMR do not comment basically that means they are suspended. So there you go
Amy other questions this week. Since I was so accurate last year on my UGA picks I will keep you guys informed on what my pick was on the Monday following a game.
Last week I predicted..
UGA 45
Mizzou 40
I was off a bit and I apologize… How bout UL Monroe!
zbulldawg
September 10th, 2012
9:48 am
I think the best thing is to leave things like they are. We have very good receivers. You could spot malcolm here & there. But Sanders needs to play safety. Norman isn’t ready for that spot It showed against Mizzou. Malcolm will wind up being an all american corner for us. After they veiw the film they will see he made many many plays that helped us win the game. No more returning kicks for him. We have plenty of good returners.Sanders has to be there at safety. We need his tackling at that position. We have SEC coming up it’s time to put together a sound covering & tackling team on the field. B smith needs to be returning punts. He’s hungry for it. LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
damngooddawg!
September 10th, 2012
9:48 am
Old Dawg is exactly right on his comments. Will Murray ever have a game where he comes out sharp and stays sharp. If Mettenburger hadn’t screwed up, he’d be the starter and an all American. Murray throws for a lot of yards but he will cost 1 or 2 games in the season with poor ball protection and erratic throwing. Mark it down.
And, “bitter see yaa at the SEC Championship” , if you want to tell me to shut up, I suggest we’meet and you can do it in person over a cup of coffee.
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
9:49 am
Didn’t take long for the losers to come back. I’m glad Coach Richt didn’t take his foot off the gas like he normally does. You losers could find something to whine about no matter what. Go to your own blogs…
Mark Richt's Goatee
September 10th, 2012
9:52 am
The next time I see Jarvis taunt will be the first. Classy dude. Heisman candidate for sure.
tell me again
September 10th, 2012
9:56 am
And for all of you Richt haters – I was da*n proud of how Coach Richt handled the bad mouthing from the Missouri players and how he was totally respectful of their program both before and after the game and was nothing but classy. And whether you want to admit it or not, one of Richt’s main responsibilities is to be the face of UGA football and you might even say the university. We’re fortunate to have him – he’s a DGD.
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
9:56 am
I don’t argue one way or the other. I do know that professional football coaches are well away of injuries, and not oblivious to the situation, so (for Vince) to suggest that it’s simply coaches stupidity is pure specualtion based on zero knowledge of what the internal discussions were. It would be interesting to hear what Grantham was going on there, for sure.
I suspect that having some starters in to finish the game, and not pulling the entire lineup is the norm, not the exception, in the general cource of college football games. Not sure they were trying to be smart , as much as thats just how it was.
I also don’t know if I really buy that the danger is slightly more, just going through the motions, than say at critical times of the games when they are trying to make something happen.
Kid from valdosta
September 10th, 2012
10:00 am
Where is the all world kid Josh harvey kid. We need a safety maybe he is it.
Go dogs
docdawg
September 10th, 2012
10:02 am
Derek has some great points, use Mitchell situationally on corner, he is a constant home run threat offensively and puts serious strain on any defensive scheme, opening up other lanes and keeping run D a bit more honest. also a threat in return game. looks like a cheetah out there running folks down.
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
10:05 am
What kind of game could we have if everything clicked? If Murray came out hot and stayed hot? If the Oline was in sync with our RBs? If the Defense played 4quarters. It will happen soon. We aren’t that far off. If we get Kolton back, Watts & Theus healthy, this Oline will be fine. The defense will just get better. The only problem seems to be Murray. Maybe a sports psychologist could help his inconsistency. He has the arm and talent, he just gets “happy feet”. Has to be a way to calm him down. I think we will be ready for SC…
Augustabred
September 10th, 2012
10:07 am
Couple of things; Theus started off really ruff and hung in there. I was screaming at the tv “get him out this f-ing game”! It probably would have killed his confindence so way to hang in there!
Samuel should have been in there some on passing situations. Like someone already stated that he didn’t even see the field except on sp teams. Not right at all. He is not a tailback but would be a damn fine H-back.
Mitchell should stay at cb and get some snaps on offense in a limited role. I know he is a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball but he will be a corner in the NFL.
Commings will take over the safety spot until Rambo returns. Norman gives it his all but he is definetly not a D1 starter at safety. But i really like the kid!
We need to start getting backups in the game when its decided! Grantham did sub but BoBo did not.
Rome is going to be a monster by seasons end at t-end.
And run Gurley more than 10 times a game!!!!! He should at least get 15 touches. Boo should get at least 10 and then Marshall.
The end. lol
Joey
September 10th, 2012
10:10 am
Grantham needs to tell Bobo to back off Mitchell, haha.
Seriously, Bobo has plenty of playmakers on offense – just gotta get them the ball. King, Scott-Wesley, Bennent, Brown, Wooten, and the (forgotten) TEs.
Joey
September 10th, 2012
10:13 am
kingdaddy, maybe Richt should hire Smoltzie’s old psychologist with the red shirt . . .
Todd
September 10th, 2012
10:18 am
Save the UGA Barn Sign!!!
http://www.saveugabarnsign.com/
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
10:21 am
You also told us that Theus, and Mitchell were out last week. So……yea.
azdawg
September 10th, 2012
10:22 am
MM looked good in coverage but don’t let him return kick offs or punts especially after fumbling the way he did. Apparently GA didn’t need him at receiver to win this game however that could change if receiver corps suffers injuries. Need to keep him ready if that happens so allow him to play both ways. Keep him happy!
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
10:22 am
It’s time for people to realize this is not the same UGA team as last year. Mizz had a very good Special teams, yet we hung with them and contained them. Didn’t see much talked about it. Oh yeah, we heard about a missed PAT and Mitchell’s fumble, but there were a lot of good things too. I thought Coach Bobo called a better game. Still room for improvment, but much better overall. Coach Grantham’s defense is good right now and will soon become great. We are improving and that is killing the haters on this blog. They have to nit-pick to find things to complain about and they still don’t want to talk about their team, lol. Doggie envy…
tidog
September 10th, 2012
10:24 am
Stop screwing around with Mitchell’s development. He’s needed at CB more than WR. Enough of the flip floping already. We see how much Richard Samuel developed with all the back and forth. Quit being selfish and think about the player Coach Richt.There are plenty of WR’s that can be develope or recruited.
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
10:27 am
Joey
I wonder if there’s any rules that would bar that kind of help for Murray? Also have Uggla sit in. He picked a fine time to flatline…
Alabama Dog
September 10th, 2012
10:28 am
Joey: spot on. When do they intend to utilize the tight ends? The tight end has become just another offensive lineman in this scheme. When Donnan was here, the tight end was a significant contributor in the offensive game plan. The talent is there, in my opinion, but being wasted. Georgia should be throwing to them more.
RelocatedtoMODawgFan
September 10th, 2012
10:31 am
It was very clear – especially on 3rd down – we need Mitchell on offense. On defense, he left too big a cushion and have up too many easy completions.
Old Hippy Tea Partier
September 10th, 2012
10:35 am
thank god we’re not Auburn.. pathetic coaching… Chizik is Gone after a losing record this year !!!!
Big Earl
September 10th, 2012
10:37 am
Can someone please tell me….if UGA’s “suspension policy” calls for 2nd time drug offenders
(i.e. Rambo and Ogletree) to miss 30% of games, does that mean we could see them @ the 12 minute mark of the 3rd quarter of the Vandy game? (12 games X .3 = 3.6 games)….Just hoping!
Destin Dawg
September 10th, 2012
10:39 am
yes use the T.E.s for a controlled short passing game to go with a strong running game.. keep the ball run the clock and SCORE.. we could be scary good this season.. one game at a time but SEC Champs THIS year !!
obama Sin Laden
September 10th, 2012
10:44 am
What r all you people on here for. shouldn’t you be coaching football somewhere? I hear alot of noise .Why this and why that. why didnt cmr or ctg do so and so. their game plan worked. play conservative(to lower tunover possibilities) early till your team seems to be focused and not distracted or nervous. ( mizzou did the same thing) keep doing what you do best.( mizzou did). conditioning came through for ga( mizzou) got tired!! and ga depth really came through in the 2 half hence players has some fire left late in game (mizzou depth not deep) . played gurley early, then depth played well, then gurley played late to wear em on down. simple plan. the s/c and depth are a big factor this season. Murray had a doggone good day overall. there were enough mistakes made to go around so dont point fingers. GATA ,keep playin that old man football, oh yea…get the “W”.
Destin Dawg
September 10th, 2012
10:47 am
Soph. Mike Thornton should be played some at N.G. this year.. and then preped for O Line .. Guard or Center.. next year.. talent being wasted
Gary
September 10th, 2012
10:48 am
Hey B, I would agree with you except this was the second time those guys got caught. They were suspended last year for the same thing. Hope they are faster learners on the field.
Mr. Dawg
September 10th, 2012
10:52 am
The decision on Mitchell is a tough one. Not just for this year but for how the Bulldogs will use him in the future. The Bulldogs will lose starters Brown and and King at WR and all four starting DB’s including Cummings when he returns. Indeed, if I were Grantham and Bobo I’d be lobbyin for him as well!
Augustabred
September 10th, 2012
10:53 am
In reference to the te’s not being used. Remember that last year Boo was going to leave, Crowell was constantly hurt and couldnt block, Samuel has been banged up a whole lot in his Ga career and we had Thomas and Harton. We had to use the TE as a blocker and they still got plenty of catches. We will get the te’s envolved just give it time. Rome and Lynch will start getting looks once our backs strart learning the blitz coverages.
We do not need Mitchell back on offense at this time. We have quality depth at the receiver postion that we don’t have at cb. Brown, Bennett, King, Wooten, Conley with Lynch and Rome is plenty.
@ BoBo; please for the love of god give some toss sweeps to Marshall!!!! He needs open space to make that first guy miss and its off to the races! Gurley and Malcome can handle the runs between the tackles.
Dawglasville
September 10th, 2012
10:54 am
I just noticed – for all of the Bama trolls (not fans) who wanted to poke fun of our SEC schedule, you should take a look at yours. You don’t have to play the two best teams in the East, and outside of LSU, the West looks like a cake walk. You don’t make the schedule. You’re can’t help it that Auburn and Arkansas are in trouble, I get that. Please don’t state the obvious. This comment is only directed at those Bama TROLLS were kept blogging about how soft our schedule is. To the Carolina fans, beat us, lose to LSU, and you are in the game. I don’t think that there is a lot of room for excuses there either.
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
10:55 am
Guys. We had one the top TE in the conference/nation in receptions Just last year. And have before. I doubt we ever averaged less that 2 (or more) rec per game form the TE spot. They know about the TEs on this current Georgia staff. We have got a freshman RT and a freshman(s) in the backfield, and 2 weeks now, facing a very crowded defensive “box”. I am sure they will be working in the TE when they level out some of those issues.
aprilglaspie
September 10th, 2012
10:58 am
B, The young woman stalked Commings and attacked him on the street. There were witnesses. Lucky she wasn’t packing.
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
11:00 am
I hope the return of some normalcy (returning players) will help B. Smith. He has not looked good IMO. I admit not knowing if he is being asked to do some things to help out that have compromised his normal position, though.
DawginLex
September 10th, 2012
11:05 am
dawglasville
Good point about the schedule.
With UT on the rise and Florida getting better and SC being a legit top 10 team, we now have a tougher schedule than Bama thanks to Arkansas and auburn sucking wind
A&M and Mizzou will play to a nailbite so that is a equal trade off for us versus Bama.
Our schedule is now tougher
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
11:08 am
Good to see JHC in the game. I didn’t realize what a big shadow he casts. I actually thought it was Abry Jones jumping on that fumble at first.
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
11:10 am
Lex
Funny how things work out isn’t it? Too bad we had to listen to it all pre-season. Now they can listen to it the rest of the year, lol…
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
11:14 am
It was good to see J. Rome make his first catch. CMB needs to workit his way more often. Thought we’d see Mike Thornton more at NT after Geathers went down. Was very proud of Big John…
AltamahaDawg
September 10th, 2012
11:16 am
In all fairness to the rival trolls, we have/had plenty of our own fans demeaning any victory if they aren’t against somebody in the Top 10, as well.
UGA Insider
September 10th, 2012
11:21 am
Petrino to Auburn now…. probably not Tenn. I could also in-vision the Arkansas AD being fired and Petrion go back to Arky. Although his wife won’t like it.
kingdaddy
September 10th, 2012
11:24 am
Alt
Can you really call them fans? Honestly? I listened to some of the worst hate directed toward Murray, Bobo & Richt on Schultzie’s blog during the game. I kept telling them the game was 4 quarters , to chill out. 90% of them left when we started winning. No, I don’t think you could call them fans. Not really…