Notebook: With ‘goal still intact,’ Bulldogs focus on ‘winning every game’
By RYAN BLACK
Special to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATHENS — Just because Georgia was off last week didn’t mean its players stayed away from football.
Starting right guard Chris Burnette attended the Florida State-Boston College game in Tallahassee, Fla., with his fiance. Tight end Arthur Lynch woke up and watched some of ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast before he took in a local Pop Warner football game. But both Burnette and Lynch were in the same place Saturday night: glued to the television, watching South Carolina face LSU. With the Tigers beating the Gamecocks 23-21, the Bulldogs’ chance to win the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division is a possibility once again.
And Burnette couldn’t be more pleased.
“We definitely feel like our goal is still intact,” he said following Monday’s practice. “We can still keep pushing, and as long as we take care of every game, we can be back in the race. It’s great to see the opportunity arise.”
Lynch didn’t watch the game just to see if the Gamecocks would lose, however. He tuned in because he has stayed in touch with former Bulldogs quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who now starts for the Tigers.
Though he was happy Georgia’s hopes of returning to the SEC Championship aren’t dead, he had no problem putting things into perspective.
“It’s a relief, but it doesn’t substitute for the fact that we didn’t play the game we wanted to play against South Carolina,” Lynch said. “They beat us straight-up, and there’s still work we need to do, and that’s why we’ve been focusing on Kentucky.”
Burnette didn’t dispute that there was more energy during Monday’s practice.
“Seeing that we still have a chance, seeing an opportunity to accomplish our goals, it really keeps you amped up,” Burnette said. “You realize you can’t always focus on what happened in the past. You have to push forward and try to see what we can do in the future.”
Malcolm Mitchell doesn’t like looking into the future. That’s why the sophomore cornerback/receiver doesn’t like playing the “what-if?” game.
If the Bulldogs don’t win the rest of their games, he said, the Gamecocks’ loss means nothing.
“We really just need to be focused on winning every game, honestly,” he said. “If we don’t win every game, it doesn’t matter what happens.”
Phillips more worried about sacks than job security
Joker Phillips cherishes his friendship with Mitch Barnhart. Whatever kinship Kentucky’s coach and its athletic director may share didn’t help Phillips avoid questions about his job security Monday, though.
“We talk a couple times a week. It’s just small talk,” Phillips said during his weekly media conference. “It’s nothing — you know, he’s been very encouraging and nothing what you want to get at.”
When asked whether any of their talks involved his future as coach, Phillips deflected the query. His one-sentence response focused solely on the Wildcats’ next opponent.
“I’m busy trying to get these guys improved and get them prepared to play Georgia,” he said.
Given his team’s 1-6 overall record and 0-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play, Phillips was also forced to defend his team’s resolve. Following last Saturday’s lightning-shortened 49-7 loss to Arkansas, some questioned whether the team quit. Phillips disputed the assertion then, and his stance remained the same Monday.
“Sometimes in a game like that, it might look like [to] the common folk that they are not giving effort, but if you watched the two long touchdown passes, Cody Quinn is straining, busting his tail from the back side,” Phillips said. “I think our guys are giving us great effort. We have to do a better job of executing.”
To Phillips, no part of his team needs to step up more than the defensive line. Though the Wildcats’ defense has tallied 15 sacks this season, which ranks eighth in the SEC, Phillips isn’t satisfied. He wants his players in Aaron Murray’s face early and often Saturday to help the Wildcats’ injury-ravaged and youthful secondary.
“You’ve got to get more pressure on the quarterback. You can’t let him get comfortable back there,” Phillips said. “That’s what happened Saturday. We didn’t get enough pressure on [Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson] and the guy takes advantage of a young secondary. There were some holes, obviously. When you play some young guys, sometimes they’re out of position.”
And if the front four can’t create enough of a push to get to Murray, there are always fall back options.
“You either blitz, and if you can’t get with him with the blitz, you must drop eight [into coverage],” Phillips said.
Injury report
Five players did not take part in practice, most notably outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who sat out with an ankle sprain. Two other Bulldog defenders sat out after having surgery: inside linebacker Brandon Burrows (fractured left hand; had surgery last Thursday) and defensive end Sterling Bailey (thumb sprain; had surgery Monday). Wide receiver Michael Bennett (torn right anterior cruciate ligament) and tight end Cole Trolinger (concussion) rounded out Monday’s injured list.
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377 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 16th, 2012
9:15 am
Knoxville Dawg
Yea just look at Bama’s record since 1990
3 National Titles and looking to play for their 4th
UGA hasnt appeared in a National Title game since 83.
Success doesnt run in cycles; Success runs when you have the right leadership in place
What should be our positive comments 0-10 vs the top 10; 2-14 vs ranked teams; continued blow outs to great opponents
Wait wait wait; I know we beat Tech every year; yea thats a positive comment
evil empire
October 16th, 2012
9:23 am
@gomdawg…
the uga/kentucky game is probably gonna be on comedy central or cartoon network…
NCDawg
October 16th, 2012
9:28 am
How about we just watch one game at a time? How about we don’t assume anything… good or bad? How about we keep in mind that teams DO grow up? All the negativity does nothing. I want to enjoy this season as much as possible people. Sure we looked like crap Vs SC. Does that mean we absolutely cannot beat Florida? NO, it does not. Based on what we have seen to date it is improbable but that does not mean the team can’t learn from it’s mistakes… including the coaching staff. Lay off the negativity people. I will add that Florida looked like dog squeeze last year. We will see if the Dawgs can grow up. If not then CMR is history and then we’ll see what happens.
Here we Go
October 16th, 2012
9:32 am
@Flat Tire-There will be no changes this year even if we lose to the Gators.The year of change will be after the 2013 season.We may win only 6 or 7 games next year with the players we have. I hope we win the rest of our games this year,but my heart says yes,but my mind says no! Go Dawgs and please be ready for KY.Their Team and coach wants a BIG win this year and they wiil be ready for us.
Joey
October 16th, 2012
9:44 am
It ain’t an issue of “one bad game.” Some of you need to go back and look at some of the 20 losses in the past 4+ seasons. 9 of the losses were by blowout.
The issue is the losses every time we step on a field with a equally-talented team.
Something is wrong for a program loaded with talent to get humiliated like UGA does. Name me another good SEC coach who has had that many.
Richt should be embarrassed.
I don’t see how you Richt-lovers can overlook or forgive this.
BulldogBen
October 16th, 2012
9:50 am
Joey, +1000. I’ve given Richt so many passes but while walking out of Williams-Brice this year, I washed my hands and now think he will NEVER take us to the promised land. The problem is that aren’t that bad but we also aren’t that good which just ensures we are stuck with him with 10-2 seasons being the ceiling and a non-BCS bowl game.
Some times change is good for the sake of change.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 16th, 2012
9:50 am
Joey
What gets me is the blind loyalist to this coaching staff what to say we arent fans; No the only no fans on this blog are those that put the coaching staff ahead of the program
I remember Richt defiantly not wanting to fire his buddy Willie Martinez who once again was fired at Oklahoma;
Yea Richt is all about the program; yea he showed that when he didnt want to fire his incompotent buddy
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 16th, 2012
9:52 am
incompetent
RealDawg
October 16th, 2012
9:52 am
@Piney Woods Pete We have zero national championships in that time frame. BUT we are still one of the 10 winningest programs. 7 teams have one a national championship in that time frame out of 120 teams.
If the benchmark is only winning the national championship, let the coaching turnover begin.
I am sorry but I wouldn’t give up have a consistently winning team for AU’s one national championship and the crap year they are having (and will have next year).
RealDawg
October 16th, 2012
9:52 am
*won
Joey
October 16th, 2012
9:54 am
“Murray, almost like Stafford, has been a ZERO for UGA.”
**************************************
Think really hard, Eric – there’s a common denominator there somewhere.
(Hint) Mark Richt.
gomdawg
October 16th, 2012
9:56 am
evil empire I DON’T NEED A SMART AZZ
1eyedJack
October 16th, 2012
9:57 am
The best medicine I know of for losing a game to SC like Georgia did is to thank the Lord that we ain’t GT.
evil empire
October 16th, 2012
9:59 am
just listing the networks who might be interested in carrying that battle…
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:00 am
Winning every game? Guess they didn’t get that memo before the USC game.
gomdawg
October 16th, 2012
10:01 am
OK EVERYBODY THAT’S ON THIS FIRE CMR TELL ME WHO IN THE HELL DO YOU WANT ???
GET A LIFE , JUST HOW MANY TEAMS DO YOU THINK THAT WILL GO THE YEAR WITHOUT LOSING A GAME
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 16th, 2012
10:01 am
Once again people blamming the players
Hey you do know Stafford was one top QB’s in the NFL last year; He consistantly throws 300+ yrd games yet Stafford didnt throw hardly any 300 yrd games under Richt and Bobo
Get a clue
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:01 am
“I am sorry but I wouldn’t give up have a consistently winning team for AU’s one national championship and the crap year they are having (and will have next year).”
Auburn nation is having a horrible year but they wouldn’t trade that national championship away for all the red panties in the world.
gomdawg
October 16th, 2012
10:02 am
evil empire WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING ON THIS SITE IF YOU DISLIKE GEORGIA THAT MUCH THEN GO FISHING
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:03 am
I went back and looked at that 1980 championship team. UGA barely beat their opponents in almost every game. Had it not been for Herschell, UGA would have lost 6-7 games that year.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:04 am
Is that you retards call yourself Dawgs.
The season is not over
Can you imagine any coach walking into the locker room and saying “Well, we lost and lost bad so all our fans say we should quit and that this coaching staff is no good. Sorry seniors about your Senior Day. Sorry about going to Jacksonville. We are going to quit because our fans say so.”
I’m glad I never went to war with any of you.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:05 am
UF beat LSU which beat USC which destroyed UGA.
Roll Tide with Pride!!!
October 16th, 2012
10:05 am
@ Lonnie,
I do wish we would have played UGA in the SEC Title game last year – but give credit to LSU for beating us. We played great – but could not hit a field goal to save our lives in that game. LSU was stubborn. Bottom line – their special teams paly was better that day and they won.
As for UGA – Yes Alabama and LSU are the better programs. For that matter – USCe has been the better program the last 3 years – and Florida has been the program for the last 20 years.
Arkansas – passed UGA for a couple of years under Petrino – and this year – the bottom fell out.
So that puts UGA at their average in the SEC – about the 5th best team overall.
UGA is the Michigan State of the SEC.
A respected regional team – but not a national player on a consistent basis.
Problem #1 – DEFENSE
Again – UGA is out of it this year. Look at the play of the defense the entire year – no more excuses for Buffalo and FL ATL moving the ball and scoring points.
Where is UGA’s defense when they need to bail out the offense due to a turnover or bad field position (see USCe and Tennessee) . No red zone defense at all.
Again – 50th best defense in the nation with games against MO, Vandy, Buffalo and FL ATL.
Problem #2 – OLINE
Always rebuilding and not developing
HOWEVER – the entire line will be back for UGA next season – and this is great news.
This will allow development of the next wave and depth building.
Starting RT is a true freshman
Starting Center is as RSF – who is getting his nose bloodied – having a difficult year.
For 2013 – your offense should be very good – but here we go again – your defense will be rebuilding.
looks like 2014 (always next year) will be the ralley cry of the UGA Kool-Aid drinkers.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:05 am
“Is that you retards call yourself Dawgs.”
OHHHHHH the irony.
UGA Insider
October 16th, 2012
10:06 am
Who would fans like to see take over the UGA program one day?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:07 am
“UGA is the Michigan State of the SEC.
Then again, Michigan St beat UGA last year year. I’d say that UGA is more comparable to the Chicago Cubs.
Statesboro dawg
October 16th, 2012
10:08 am
Amen Knoxville dog,
All these dumb posters hollering for a new coach do you know how long it takes to put in a new defensive and offensive scheme. Do you know how hard its to hire decent assistants. You guys are crazy!!!!! Georgia southern fired a coach who was reaching the FBS playoffs every year and then went 6 years of .500 or less football. That’s small time football this is the SEC please Fire Richt and you will beg him to come back
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:08 am
“Who would fans like to see take over the UGA program one day?”
Jim Donnan
The Truth
October 16th, 2012
10:08 am
Yawn…until Richt and his entire staff are fired, the Dawgs won’t compete with talented teams. I’m still pulling for the players, but I know this coaching staff is not capable of preparing a team to be victorious against a ranked opponent. Here’s to another deceiving 10-2 season…
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:09 am
I’d say you are comparable to a toad
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:09 am
“do you know how long it takes to put in a new defensive and offensive scheme.”
One year – Nick Saban
One year – Les Miles
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:10 am
Saban and Miles are not available retard
Who do you hire?
This should be good
Mobile Dawg
October 16th, 2012
10:11 am
No Shame, but I can imagine a real competitor walking into the locker room and apologize to the team for not having them ready to play, and apologize to the fans for another beatdown. Admit his shortcomings and tell us how he’s going to fix them.
Richt, he hides behind his slogans, cutting edge football, the Georgia way. He doesn’t know how to fix the mess he’s created. Further, he doesn’t think it needs to be fixed. He’s happy with his life, football is at least his third priority, maybe lower. Not saying that’s right, just saying that’s the way it is.
This Dawg thinks fans like you are the real shame, accepting mediocrity.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:11 am
“Saban and Miles are not available retard”
You can’t read, cupcake. UGA offers a nice remedial english class if you have the grade point average to get in.
Rob in Chapel Hill
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
Columbia SC Dawg: Thanks for the chuckle! That was pretty funny. Also an interesting tidbit on SC fans’ reactions after the LSU game.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
“Here’s to another deceiving 10-2 season…”
And another bowl loss.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
Answer the question. Stop being a wimp
The Truth
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
@ Statesboro Dawg – It will take much less time than it’s taken the Dawgs to stumble backwards into mediocrity since the WVU loss in the Sugar Bowl in 2005.
astrouga
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
It is silly to even prepare for the Kentucky game. This is the one time UGA should be looking ahead and planning for Florida.
Richt should be giving his young kids a lot of play time, trying new looks on offense and defense. Give Florida something to worry about when they look at the tape next week.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:13 am
Who is accepting mediocrity?
Mediocrity is 12 years of 6-6
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 16th, 2012
10:13 am
Realdawg
gomdawg
Its not winning the National Title
Its never beating FL 2 yrs in a row or when UGA does beat FL; its because FL is terrible
Its about not being able to even beat a top 10 team
Its about your last signature was 2005 against LSU
Its about 2-14 against ranked teams
Its about not beating a top 20 team in 4 yrs
Its about national embarrassment and being known for player arrests every year
its about losing to SC for the first time every 3 yrs in a row
Its about losing to Miss St for the first time in 35 yrs
Its about putting friendship above the program
Its about stupid gimmicks (Dream Team I, II, Energy Vampires, Uniform Changes etc)
Its about not being able to win every SEC East game in the same year yet Spurrier does it a SC
and its about putting more players in the NFL and having more top 10 classes than any other SEC yet the best you can do is 9-10 wins while FL, AL, and LSU have won 2 National titles in that span of time and you cant get to the SEC championship without having to back door your way there
Thats whats this is about.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:14 am
So if UGA beats Florida will you shutup flathead?
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:14 am
It’s about you being a classless baboon with no real solution
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:15 am
It’s about the fact that none of you ever played a down of football in your life.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:16 am
I already answered the question, real sham. If you could read then you’d already know that.
“will you shutup flathead?”
“classless baboon ”
“retard”
Looks like we have ourselves a 3 year old blogging on her moms computer.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:16 am
Answer the question cupcake. I’ll put my educaton, job and paycheck up against yours anytime.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:16 am
“It’s about the fact that none of you ever played a down of football in your life.”
Got anything to back that up, sham?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 16th, 2012
10:16 am
“Answer the question cupcake. I’ll put my educaton, job and paycheck up against yours anytime.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love stupid people.
The Real Shame
October 16th, 2012
10:17 am
Grown man. Married with kids
Try again Einstein
Answer the question or STFU
Phil from Athens
October 16th, 2012
10:17 am
@The Real Shame
Please leave and let the grownups discuss college football. You’re an embarrassment to monkeys everywhere.