Georgia’s O-line eager for another chance against an elite defensive front
By Ryan Black
For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATHENS — Georgia was thoroughly beaten in every sense in its 35-7 loss to South Carolina on Oct. 6. As coach Mark Richt put it in his postgame press conference, the Gamecocks “whipped” his team.
No unit on the Bulldogs was more exposed in that game than the offensive line. The Gamecocks’ talented defensive line had its way for the duration, frustrating, flummoxing and fencing in what had been a high-powered Bulldogs’ offense. The holes for true freshmen running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were plugged, protection for quarterback Aaron Murray was spotty at best, and the points, which came in abundance in the first five games, almost didn’t come at all. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown with 1:55 remaining to avoid their first shutout since 1995.
“Anytime you play a game and you don’t have the success that you hope for, especially when we were rolling right along with running the ball and protecting well enough to put some good numbers up offensively, it’s disappointing,” Richt said. “Then they (the offensive line) ran into a greater challenge and didn’t have as much success, so they had to look in the mirror.”
But the offensive line has a chance to redeem itself Saturday when it takes on Florida’s front four. The Gators feature a pair of stud tackles in Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter and boast depth on the edges as well, led by senior Lerentee McCray, who sees time at both defensive end and linebacker. Like the Gamecocks, the Gators’ defense is formidable, allowing only 12.1 points per game (seventh in Division I FBS) and giving up just 282 yards per contest (fourth in Division I ).
Georgia’s linemen hope to use the South Carolina defeat to their benefit Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.
“We’ve had (missed assignments) every game, and they hadn’t really hurt us that bad,” center David Andrews said. “Against [South Carolina], they hurt us bad. You can’t have those against a great defense like that.”
Senior right guard Chris Burnette said the linemen didn’t do a good job relaying information to each other.
“Playing in an atmosphere like that makes it really hard to communicate,” he said. “It helped us realize that regardless of what the exterior situation is, we’ve got to focus on trying to let the guys next to us know exactly what we need to be doing.”
Despite its subpar play against South Carolina, true freshman right tackle John Theus said the line’s confidence didn’t suffer. It just meant the mistakes they made were easier to notice.
“Any game, whether you win or lose, there is stuff to learn from,” he said. “Some games you have more to learn from than others, and we definitely had a lot to learn from the (South Carolina) game.”
After a dismal showing on a national stage against the Gamecocks, Burnette said fighting the temptation to institute sweeping changes is difficult. Overcoming that mindset requires taking a forward-thinking outlook.
“One thing we realized is the five games prior to that we did a good job,” he said. “We need to try to focus on what we can do in the [future] rather than trying to harp on the past.”
That future — one of being a dominant force — is what the line works toward every day.
It just takes time.
“I don’t think anyone believed we were an All-American offensive line yet,” Andrews said. “John (Theus) is a freshman, I’ve started limited games, ‘KG’ (Kenarious Gates) is playing a new position, so no one is claiming we’re the best line in the country or anything like that. We just didn’t give time for our skill players to make the plays (against South Carolina), and you can’t do that in this league. We just have to keep working.”
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110 comments Add your comment
gomdawg
October 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
GEORGIA CAN STILL PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME YES . BEATWIN OUT BEAT ALABAMA IN SEC GAME WE ARE IN SO THIS SEASON IS NOT OVER. IT’S JUST IF THE PLAYERS WANT THEY CAN GET IT BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE THE BEST PLAYERS OUT THERE , THEY JUST NEED TO PLAY TO THEIR ABILITY
Sammy
October 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
Oversimplistic to blame everything on the o-line.
Special teams gave up a td. Murray threw a red zone pick that turned into 7 points. Rambo dropped a pick on a drive that turned into 7 points. O-Line had nothing to do with those 21 points.
Equal mistakes on special teams, defense, and offense.
O-Line has done a great job, averaging 200+ rushing, and not giving up many sacks. Of all the units to blame, it’s DEFINATELY not on the o-line.
Sammy
October 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
5 big plays hurt us in the SC game, thought we played well the other 59 minutes. Just clean those up, make sure they don’t happen again.
Not rocket science.
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
October 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
Strickdawg….I do not believe everyone has given up on UGA. As I am sure you are too, frustration does build up. I love my Dawgs. Everyone always wants “thier” team to be the best every year. From UGA to Boise State. An old football coach told us years ago that that the saddest thing is wasted talent. The talent level at UGA is not in question as much as the play calling, etc. You can have the best soldiers in an Army but if the Commanders do not put them in the right “positions” then they get killed. Again, I love my Dawgs but with all of the recruiting hype and big time prospects every year…I am sorry, but beating unranked that we should beat is what we are supposed to do. Beating competition that is ranked and in your division should be motivating and the number one priority. Barely beating 1-6 Kentucky…not much to rejoice in. Just sayin.
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
@strickdawg,
The fact that a program you have supported all your life REFUSES to even address a problem that is so blatently evident is not a sign that one is not a true fan. Believe me, I, nor anyones else, needs your B.S. to be validated. We have refused to BRING IN, OR EVEN BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR EFFORTS to try to bring in an SEC caliber line. Did you ever play on any level? It is a known fact that we have done a terrible job up front. You cannot compete at the top level w/o a good o-line. I, as opposed to some, realize you cannot win a N.C. every year. Some expect too much. However, we concentrate on skill players, and have been torn up like a dollar wrist-watch in o-line recruiting. I am behind the bulldogs with the best of them. I have not given up on them. But we need to get some top-notch linemen, and quit letting the likes of ‘Bama, Florida, and now S.C. out-recruit us up there. Put your blinders back on and let blind-faith rule your life.
Chris Mike
October 23rd, 2012
10:00 am
Talk is cheap, show up Saturday point blank. UGA players do to much talking and not enough plaing on the field. To many excuses. I’m tired of it all, get a special teams coach and a better o line and d line coach. I f we lose Saturday, makes changes AD from top to bottom. Rrom a Tired UGA fan
RxDawg
October 23rd, 2012
10:03 am
I’ll believe it when I see it. A bad O-line and a soft defense spells big trouble down in Jax. As a fan, I can’t do anything but get drunk and hope for the best. Show us something Dawgs. Make us believers again. go dawgs
Austin Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
10:09 am
Jon Gruden saw Will Friend coach our OL last year and said he is very capable. That means a lot coming from a former NFL head coach. Problem is recruiting. Tennessee’s starting tackles dominated our DL and they should be playing for us. James is from GA and Richardson was going to commit to us until Searels left for Texas. Vadal Alexander starts for LSU and he is from GA, as well. We have to do a better job keeping these stud in-state OL in-state. This seems to happen every three-to-four years. CMR needs to prioritize OL recruiting.
MurfDawg
October 23rd, 2012
10:17 am
If you look at our red zone defense, you will understand why nobody feels good about Saturday. In five SEC games opponents have made 15 trips to the red zone. We have given up 11 TDs and 2 FGs. I think we have a problem!!
Sammy
October 23rd, 2012
10:17 am
The scheme against SC wasn’t very well constructed. You should have gone Lynch doubling Clowney, and a fullback doubling the other side. Would have liked to have seen UGA use an extra olineman like UF does un run situations.
Sammy
October 23rd, 2012
10:20 am
SC has a 42% red zone td conversion rate, but thwey lost big time to Florida, that’s definately not the stat to watch.
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
10:23 am
Sammy,
You are out there…..they only blocked the patsies…..anybody could have yards that way. We are talking blocking SEC teams…..S.C. whipped us at the line of scrimmage soundly, mistakes or not. We need to quit taking so much credit for yardage against the Blind sisters of Mercy. When the REAL TEAMS show up, our o-line gets exposed EVERY TIME. I am a fan….but forgetting mistakes, turnovers, etc. we cannot match up up front with a quality SEC team. This is not MY opinion….this is a fact. Maybe Friend will bring them in….but right now we have sub-par tallent, and a center shorter than our QB!
Contracts
October 23rd, 2012
10:32 am
The real problem is due to last years easy schedule. We went 10-4 and only played 4 good teams. Then because way to many fans wanted to think we had a great team, we gave fat contracts to coaches for beating bad Auburn, Tennessee and Tech teams (Vandy, Kentucky, Buffalo, SW MO….. whomever).
Is this the results we get for a DREAM TEAM? Heck how many are still there?
Marshall & Gurley are going to be good and appear to be real character people. We need O Line and not 4 wide outs in every class. The wide outs rotate so much they only play 1 out of every 5 plays, and we don’t even have 1 back up o lineman.
DawgNation
October 23rd, 2012
10:32 am
It’s sad when you don’t see the UGA haters on here beating up on us. I guess they are just enjoying reading the UGA fans doing it to themselves. The team is not top tier, but that does not stop me from cheering them on this Saturday, blow out or not. You never know. The gut check Williams challenged the Defense with and watching the tape of the Offensive Lines performance with South Carolina may be the edge these kids need to step it up. Lets hope and cheer them on.
Blake
October 23rd, 2012
10:35 am
Support the Dawgs on Facebook! Let’s beat the Gators Saturday!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dawg-Report/534572523224904?bookmark_t=page
chavez
October 23rd, 2012
10:38 am
I hope that its a plastic bag
Steve Superior
October 23rd, 2012
10:40 am
I beat you boys with your on left overs. I get a couple kids from SC and the 3 star recruits from Georgia and smack you in the face from a school that has never won anything.
I wish you’d keep Richt, Bobo & Grantham, but after you get LSU and Clemson on you schedule and UT is improving even if slightly, You’ll have to get rid of the bunch you got. Ya’ll should do like ND and play only 4 conference games, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Vandy and that powerhouse MO, or you could move to the Southern Conference and keep playing your patsy schedule.
Dawgsgone
October 23rd, 2012
11:02 am
O line wants another shot at an aggressive defense??? Be careful what you wish for guys.
AceDawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:03 am
Go Get ‘Em Dawgs. We can’t be sure where the greatest advantages in the game will be, but Florida has executed far better than UGA. We definitely need to have bigger play for our Oline and Dline as well as win the big plays. I have my doubts that UGA can win a grind it out game because of our lines, so the turnovers, blown coverages, and the unpredictable need to fall in UGA’s favor.
docdawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
If you haven`t played the game you don`t know what it takes and how fast things move. Some whiney fans live vicariously thru their TVs, Ga can and will play better this week, coaches aside, the kids have to play smart but full tilt. We will see, but the whiners should get a perspective instead of jumping all over everyone from players to staff negatively. One hit on a football field and no doubt most of you would run for shelter!
NP DAWG
October 23rd, 2012
11:21 am
Were 6-1. One bad loss and some ugly wins, but this isn’t a reason to turn on the team.. If we play to our ability Saturday we will beat Florida, that’s a big if but it can be done. I’ll be interested to see some of these comments after a win. Everyone will be right back on the bandwagon. I’m proud to be a UGA fan, but I am embarrased to be lumped in with some of you. I wish I could say your trolls but I think i’d be wrong. Screw bandwagon fans. I’ll be in JAX rain or shine proud to be wearing the red and black. Go Dawgs!
NP DAWG
October 23rd, 2012
11:23 am
Also this IS NOT a lost season. We’re 6-1 and control our destiny. I don’t see what there is to give up on!!!
LHarding Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:36 am
I grew up with a guy like “old dog”. He didn’t like Dooley and wanted him fired for years. Then Goff came and he wanted him fired, them Donnen, and now Richt. And after Richt, he’ll want whoever comes in fired after the first year. It never ends for these people.
Tyler
October 23rd, 2012
11:41 am
First of all we need an O-line coach who knows what he’s doing. Last year our line was terrible the first half but improved slightly in the last 5 games. We have some of the best and most talented linemen in the country on both sides of the ball. Our D-line doesnt move at the snap quick enough or with enough burst or strength to move the opposing o-line and get pressures and sacks on the opposing QB. Our O-line needs to work on communication and they need to be more aggresive. Look at Bama’s linemen, both offensive and defensive, they play aggresive and disciplined for the whole game. Our linemen need to step up BIG TIME for the remainder of the season and throughout the bowl game or else we will be sitting pretty in the Chic-fil-A bowl against an inferior team like NC State (no offense Wolfpack).
azdawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:41 am
DAWGRX
October 23rd, 2012
8:28 am
Well said. FL is riding high after their performances vs LSU and SC, both top SEC teams. They’re very confident on both sides of the ball along w/their coaching staff. Conversely, the dawgs are the opposite. Lousey showing vs SC and downright embarrassing against KY. Both players and coaches share the blame. Maybe shawn williams calling out the defense is what this team needs. They can beat FL “IF” they dominate on both sides of the ball. They MUST beat the living crap out of their opponents and break that confidence of FL players and coaches. Demoralize them and don’t let up!!! If the dawgs can’t break FL’s confidence they won’t win. MAKE the running game effective and protect Murray and the dawgs have a chance for one of the greatest victories in this rivalry.
McDawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:43 am
i didn’t see UF do anything against USC’s D either
Reality
October 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
Four things we all know are true:
1. The Bulldogs can’t get into the same physical condition as Florida in the next four days.
2. Mark Richt and his staff are going to be out-coached by the Florida staff.
3. The Gators have been so strong in the second half this season that even a two touchdown Georgia lead at halftime probably won’t be good enough to win it.
4. The Gators have not only covered but absolutely demolished the Vegas line (Fla. -6.5 for this Saturday) in every big game they’ve played this season.
Reality
October 23rd, 2012
11:51 am
@azdawg, if you didn’t see UF do anything against USC’s D, then you didn’t watch the second half of the game.
kauai dawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:53 am
So far this team has under performed even with a 6-1 record. Looks like the players read too many pre season magazines and thought they were the best around.
There are NO short cuts to success. It’s hard work and team work. Nothing really points to this weekend turning out well. I’m hoping for a 2007 game with the team in the end zone.
Let’s WAKE UP dawgs!
Reality
October 23rd, 2012
12:05 pm
@azdawg, “They MUST beat the living crap out of their opponents and break that confidence of FL players and coaches.”
Are you kidding. Have you not watched college football this year? Do you not know that the two most talked about coaches in Gainesville right now are the strength and conditioning coach and the special teams coach? This year’s Gator team assumes they are going to win even if they go into the locker room trailing at half-time.
The Dawgs are about to encounter a Gator team unlike any Gator team they have ever played. This isn’t Spurrier’s fun n Gun or Meyer’s super-talented NC teams. This is now a smash-mouth program built (quite literally) in the mold of Saban’s Alabama team. And with their crazy good special teams, superb conditioning, and younger staff, they may very well displace Bama.
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
12:15 pm
I don’t want anybody fired. Richt has earned the right to leave on his own terms.
I just wish it was soon . . .
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
LHarding Dawg,
Dead wrong…..I was there when Dooley coached……never wanted to see him gone. My comments have strictly been concentrated on o-line….not staff or anything else. It is blatantly obvious we are dragging there, and not NEARLY enough has been done to address it. Every (not most, but every) good team has (at least by the second half-see Boise State, LSU, Michigan State and South Carolina) figured out we ain’t got the hosses up front. I do not expect to win all games, nor to crucify the staff, either. But I would expect us to have SOME of the success recruiting linemen, especially o-linemen, that we have had in our other areas. All teams take turns being dominant…it comes and goes. But this team has not addressed a terrible issue at all, and one is NOT fair-weather friend for pointing out such an abominable shortfall, one that is obvious to anyone. I will continue to support the Dawgs, but it is imperative that we get some trench warriors. That, my boy, is not a fair-weather friend attitude nor a never-satisfied whine. It is just good, basic football! And in the past few years, we have done “nada” to address it.
roughrider
October 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
One can expect trouble when the offensive line is ignored in recruiting. A good OL can make an average running back look good.
Vampire Bill
October 23rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Hey Strictdawg,
If you hired someone to paint your house and they show up to do the job but as you watch them work you notice:
They cannot work the ladders
They keep spilling the bucket of paint.
They keep painting the same area over and over.
What would you do ? Continue to pay them premium money ? Realize they are good men and just give them more time? Listen to them again and again when they say how tomorrow will be better?
I think you would fire their butts and get someone else? Ummm Right?
Not the best analogy but you get the idea.
I support the dawgs but enough is enough.
DJ Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Lets support our TEAM!!!! If not then find something else to do with your time!
Alabama Jack
October 23rd, 2012
12:57 pm
This will be an easy game ffor Georgia!
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
old dog, don’t waste your breath trying to explain your criticisms. The Richt-Fan-Boy-Club members’ antennas pop up as soon as they come on here, and they search for any criticism or slight (real or perceived). Finding a criticism, they ignore facts and stats, and they start calling names, even if the offender doesn’t even call for their hero to be fired.
No debate for the Fan-Boys, no-sir. We are “haters,” “trolls,” “band wagon jumpers”, etc.
I’ve been a UGA fan since the late 60’s, and had season tickets for 17 years, contributing $ thousands and thousands to the Hartman fund, until the 500 mile round trip got to be too much.
Now I get called a sidewalk fan because I think the coaching staff is not very good.
I am a DGD, just not a Richt fan. You Fan-Boys can kiss my butt.
BjohnDawg
October 23rd, 2012
1:13 pm
I am working on a huge order for our company. My job is on the line. I dont get this order throgh, probably will not be kept on board. And if I dont get this order, company will also lay off some employees that are not needed.
So when it comes to this football team, I am damn tired of hearing, we should have done better,There is stuff to learn from, and all the other crap that comes from these coaches and players mouths. WTF…either man up and get the job done, or move the hell on and let someone else get in there that can. If Murray cannot perform on the big stage in the big games, then give the next guy the chance. Dont lose with the same team and same effort, without making changes to the plan or the personnel.
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
1:15 pm
Joey,
I’m for ‘em, but Florida is going to smash our o-lines face. If (a big “if”) we pull it off Saturday, and I hope we do, it will be with big plays, turnovers, or Florida mistakes. Muschamp realizes what smash mouth football is, and he has brought it to Florida. We now are behind ‘Bama, LSU, South Carolina, and Florida. Mississippi State is fast catching up, and (laugh if you want ) Tennessee is “slowly-but-sholey” getting better. That leaves us in the middle of the pack. Give us ‘Bama’s line, and we are quickly rising!
outkasted
October 23rd, 2012
1:15 pm
when GA wins watch all these so called GA fans… still complain!!! Thats all yall do is complain win or lose… They didn’t do this they didn’t do that why did he call that play why don’t he ever catch the ball blah blah blah blah… its more draining to read the blogs and listening to the radio than watching the game…. as a GA fan yall disgust me talking bout being real GA fans lol
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
1:27 pm
I only “complain!!!” when our HC leads us into a blow-out or barely beats a 28-point underdog, Fan-Boy. I never blame or criticise any player. You know why? Players come and go through Athens, but we still can’t beat equally talented teams. Not since ‘07.
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
1:34 pm
outkasted…..
Once upon a time there was a D-1 program with a high-school line.
The End.
B'Ham Bama Fan
October 23rd, 2012
1:36 pm
The best advice for the SEC is to join the ACC. We can’t be beat. Not going to get beat. How does it smell back there smellin our butts. You would’nt believe the view up here. Looking down at all your pitiful programs.Roll Tide!
Joey
October 23rd, 2012
1:44 pm
old dog, I think we have one chance – if Richt/Bobo somehow figure out a way to protect Murray with a RB, a TE, or extra O-lineman, and Murray gets hot.
But Richt won’t do it. He will do usual run/pass split, with the occasional end-around, for 7 yard-loss.
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Joey,
Yep, and we will still get whipped up front due to sheer superior ability…..with or without coaching, which leads into (or back to) commentary made before; lets try playing UGA football with a stud o-line….the haters, lovers, likers, etc. will REALLY be impressed. Then, if we lose a game, we will know we did our best and got bested, not that we did not have the up-front hosses to compete!
Dawgforlife
October 23rd, 2012
2:25 pm
I am sick and tired of the criticism of the Dawgs. I know they got waxed at SC and it could happen again. However, i have spent my life pulling for them and they are still my team win, lose or draw.
DrDawg
October 23rd, 2012
2:29 pm
Florida is going to play their best game of the season. Muschamp lost to his alma mater last year and he won’t let that happen two in a row. The Dawgs can match up man to man with the Gators but will they play with emotion? Do they really want to win? The Gators have all the advantages going into this. They will fight and play at 100% effort for 60 minutes. Is that asking too much of Georgia? How about some fight in the Dawgs?
old dog
October 23rd, 2012
2:29 pm
Dawgforlife….
They still need a line. I’m with ‘em too, believe it or not, but our backs/QB etc. are gonna get killed behind that group…..
UGA (Russ)
October 23rd, 2012
2:31 pm
If I waddle out of my Dawg House and see my shadow, I predict 5 more weeks of A$$ Whippings…
tee grant
October 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm
It is time all the top players to stand up and give total effort.Our players need to have a mindset that they will not be out worked period.! If you are a ball player then Ball. Where is the pride. Atleast show some swagger.Go Dawgs!