Georgia’s players lay it on line for coaches as much as championships
Georgia nose guard John Jenkins and many other players don't take kindly to the incessant bashing their coaches receive from some fans. (UGA photo by John Kelley)
ATHENS — Moments after Georgia put the finishing touches on its 17-9 win over No. 2 Florida this past Saturday, coach Mark Richt and senior noseguard John Jenkins hugged near midfield. They spoke animatedly, laughed hard and hugged again. It was clearly a moment of unbridled joy.
Richt was asked Tuesday to recount their conversation, but he opted to keep their exchange to himself.
“I remember what it’s about but I won’t say,” Richt said with a grin. “But it was a good thing. Sometimes I’ll say some things to the team and I won’t even remember what I said to them. Then they’ll bring it up after the game. They’ll say, ‘we took care of you’ or ‘we had your back’ or whatever. It was one of those kinds of conversations.”
According to Jenkins, it was definitely one of those “we had your back” conversations.
In addition to the “soft-defense” talk before the Florida game, Jenkins said the Bulldogs were equally inspired by the bashing that Georgia’s coaching staff had taken since the loss to South Carolina and the endless recitation of their record against Top 10 opponents. After losing to the Gamecocks 35-7 on Oct. 6, Georgia dropped to 1-9 against Top 10 opponents since 2008. Jenkins said the players were tired of hearing about it.
“Sometimes it feels like it’s never enough,” Jenkins said. “When you’re in this line of work and you go out trying to please everybody else, then you, yourself, is not pleased. So a win like that, it was one of those victories where we knew exactly what we had within the group. Excluding everybody else, outside influences, we knew what we were capable of. The coaching staff and the players, we had each other’s backs. It was one of those type of deals.”
It used to be that football players were somewhat secluded from all the blather that swirls around every major football program all the time. They would be directed by coaches to refrain from reading newspapers or listening to talk radio and could remain insulated from the onslaught of critique and opinion.
But that’s impossible in the digital age of smart phones and Twitter and message boards and open blog commentary. Players are bombarded with instant and usually horribly ill-informed feedback about the job they or their coaches are doing. Often the messages come directly to them.
Hushing the bashers was as much a part of the joy of beating Florida as was putting the Bulldogs in position to win the East, players said.
“It was definitely a big moment for us and Coach Richt,” said junior tight end Arthur Lynch, who signed with Georgia out of Dartmouth, Mass. “We all see Coach Richt as a father figure. College football is a monopoly that we live in. It is driven by money – you can spin it how you want; NCAA this, NCAA that, TV deals, power conferences – that’s the world we live in. That being said, I don’t know many other coaches in college football who are as kind and loyal to their morals like he is. His base foundation, whether it’s his faith, his honesty or just basic human qualities, you can’t find anybody better than Coach Richt.”
“That short time after the game’s over, we’re happy for him,” senior linebacker Christian Robinson said. “We’re not oblivious to what people say. I watch GameDay every morning we have a late game. We see and hear what people say and we use that as fuel a lot of times.”
As ever, the gulf between the vocalized minority and reality remains vast and deep. They would have you think that Richt — and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, in particular – are in imminent danger of losing their jobs with a misstep in any significant game. As it is, Richt just received a five-year contract extension; he speaks glowingly every chance he gets about the job being done by Bobo, who has the Bulldogs on a record-breaking offensive pace; and those who write the checks seem unswerving in their support.
In the past three years, as Richt maneuvered the Bulldogs through their most tumultuous period in his 12-year tenure, contributions to the Hartman Fund (which is used to determine ticket priority) have remained consistent, between $22.6 to 23 million. And despite a dramatic national decline in game attendance due to a down economy, Georgia has had only a few empty seats due to unclaimed tickets returned by visiting opponents.
It’s all very annoying to Lynch, a history major who has taken a keen interest in the Southeastern football phenomena he moved more than 1,000 miles from home to be a part of.
“You can say what you want to about him as a coach, but obviously he’s had some success,” Lynch said. “He’s the longest (tenured) coach in the SEC. He’s had 10-win, 11-win, 12-win seasons. For us, the criticism is undeserving. But it’s there because that’s just how our society is. It’s a what-have-you-done-for me lately type deal in college football.”
MORE GEORGIA COVERAGE
- Mark Richt believes Georgia’s Jarvis Jones is ‘best player in America’
- A look at UGA’s next opponent: Ole Miss
- Bulldogs looking for ways to reproduce last weekend’s intensity
- Notebook: Georgia’s Nor’Easters keeping an eye on Hurricane Sandy
- Report: Florida strength coach shoved UGA’s Corey Moore
- Georgia-Auburn game time set
- Bulldogs jump to No. 6 in BCS rankings
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200 comments Add your comment
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2012
7:05 am
no need to worry about anyone except Ole Miss… they’re talented… play fast… have won their last 2 SEC games… almost beat Texas A & M too….. look out for the Rebels… they will be sky high Sat… Go dawgs.. one game at a time !!!
Pete
October 31st, 2012
7:11 am
I have no doubt these players feel this way about their coaches- I would be surprised if they didnt. I think the problem most fans (yes, even those who really do attend games and give money to the school to support football) is we are so inconsistent and in the past few years rarely played to our potential. Now weather that lies with the coaches coaching or the players executing- who knows. We have way to much talent to be have not won anything since 2006. I am sorry- I dont count the SEC east last year as being significant- we won 10 in a row on a very easy schedule and carolina lost with a tough schedule- the hand was delt, but honestly carolina should have been in the SEC game last year. I hope and pray that this team finally keeps the foot on the pedal the rest of the year. Lose to Ole Miss and the doom and gloom returns….again, like I said its being consistent…..
papadawg
October 31st, 2012
7:19 am
I think the Ole Miss offense is much better than the Gators so the defense needs to bring its A Game and forget the naysayers.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2012
7:19 am
My new favorite blog.
Iloveuga
October 31st, 2012
7:21 am
I-dog-it must be sad to be you.
Buzz 2011
October 31st, 2012
7:31 am
@HEY I Dog….I’ll tell you how they do it.. All they do at Dog U, is ” play a sport”, there is no academics to it.. It is called a football mill!!
Buzz 2011
October 31st, 2012
7:35 am
Why would Dawgs talk about concern with Ole Miss? My gosh they are ” national champions”.. That’s what I hear after they limp past an impotent Florida squad.
That game was a comedy of errors and any football fan knows it..Dawgs will probably
fall to the Rebels..
Nativebird
October 31st, 2012
7:35 am
I think you’re on to something here: Georgia’s Recrutiing strategy: fatherless inner city gang thugs. sign here and get a free Glock 9!
Perspective | Get The Picture
October 31st, 2012
7:46 am
[...] in yesterday’s post about how Georgia celebrated its latest Cocktail Party win, I found this Artie Lynch comment timely: “It was definitely a big moment for us and Coach Richt,” said junior tight end Arthur [...]
bubba4dawgs
October 31st, 2012
7:47 am
This was a sweet victory indeed! Darth Visor made Flo-ri-duh a hated team during his tenure, now he’s turning it toward the cocks! Any team in the SEC rises and falls with the strength of their recruiting classes. It all starts with that which is why Alabama stays at the top. Sabin gets most of the top players and they win.
UGA needs to break that cycle by playing with the intensity they just did! GO DAWGS!!
Joey
October 31st, 2012
8:01 am
So, according to Jenkins, the Dawgs will play harder if the fans bash Richt?
BobDawg
October 31st, 2012
8:04 am
Did any of you catch the Evil Genius’s comments about Dabo and Clemson in his ‘Birthday Bash for Marcus Lattimore” comments??? Talk about a real jerk… Contrast that with Richt and what the players say about him and no comparison…
Ed Pilcher
October 31st, 2012
8:09 am
See, I have mixed feelings over the coaching issue at UGA. On one hand, I know that UGA will win 10 games a year on the average, and contend for the SEC East most years, but will not contend for the National Title…..That makes me want a change.
On the other hand, I know that UGA with Richt in charge will NOT be involved in a major scandal that will embarrass the school, fans, alumni, etc….Richt will NOT be caught drunk driving with a pair of panties on his head and some skank riding shotgun in his F-150, and he will do what’s best for his athletes…..whether that involves being a father figure to them, or whether that involves kicking them out of school and off the team if they need it. And that makes me want to keep Richt forever.
GT
October 31st, 2012
8:12 am
Best pr machine in the southeastern conference. Big hat no cattle. Got the talent but no coaching. Nothing has changed. If Florida had played Georgia the week after South Carolina, like Florida had to do, Florida would have won. These games make you show your cards on film. I still see lots of undisciplined and lots of penalties. There are actually some teams outside the SEC playing good football this year too.
GT
October 31st, 2012
8:21 am
Ed Pilcher I like what you say but I think it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think you are sitting on a time bomb in Athens. These kids any day can blow up on you. When the Columbus running back sensation is caught riding around with a gun under his seat check out who was in the car with him. Freshmen football players. Check what time of night it was. When the press gives these things a pass they help Georgia stay in the trouble they have been in every since Richt has been here. The press at Penn State worshiped at the feet of JP and this one is educated at Georgia and turns a blind eye too many times as trouble brews up there. These things keep a very talented team from going beyond triple A ball.
DawginLex
October 31st, 2012
8:25 am
Austin
October 30th, 2012
9:34 pm
i want tommy tuberville back in the SEC right here in athens Ga…. or keep richt and drop bobo. does any one else miss the days where We had a QB who could make his own checks at the line of scrimmage.
**************************
The winning TD against Florida, Murray changed the play at the line of scrimmage because of the blitz. Checked down to Mitchell, got rid of it, TD.
Eisendawg
October 31st, 2012
8:31 am
Check out the comments by the ol ball coach. I’ll stick with Richt, thank you!
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf–spurrier-comments-swinney-stain-lattimore-tribute.html
Bulldawg Charlie
October 31st, 2012
8:31 am
There is no denying that CMR is a terrific coach and an even better person. I, like most UGA fans, have desperately wanted Georgia to “get it done” and for Richt to prove his critics wrong.
I think most fans have become frustrated over not Georgia losing games but the WAY they have lost some bigger games in recent years. There has been a total lack of energy in some of these games. Perhaps Saturday was a sign that things are changing. I was very happy to be wrong about last Saturday’s outcome.
Go DAWGS!
NCDawg
October 31st, 2012
8:37 am
Has anyone ever seen “Facing the Giants”/ It’s a football movie and CMR has a cameo in it but what I will always remember about the film is a scene that demonstrates the huge gulf between what an individual thinks is his best and what his best really is. Here is the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUn36mTEbfU.
Those of you that think that the Dawgs laying an egg against SC is evidence of bad coaching, think about this. The human being always seeks the path of least resistance. Until faced with crisis we usually have no idea what we are actually capable of. You can be told that you are more, be pushed, and even punished for not giving more effort but you always think you are giving your best until the crisis happens and you really push yourself.
These guys had to face a moment of truth to push themselves and they responded. The coaching staff has probably told them a zillion times they need to focus and push but it goes in one ear and out the other. Then they realize that everyone else, including a peer, thinks the same thing. It hurts and it is insulting but it is the truth. So you either respond or you don’t. They responded.
Now we will see if they can keep on responding. My guess is that they will.
Ed Pilcher
October 31st, 2012
8:45 am
Oh well…..one thing we won’t have to worry about is GT this year.
BDK
October 31st, 2012
8:52 am
Wow! It’s way too early in the day for Tech fans to whine and cry about the Bulldogs. Maybe that annual drubbing after Thanksgiving will quiet them down. I see a 48-6 score in that one.
@ Ed Pilcher, I agree. You have to love Mark Richt, but you know that he will never get us a national championship. We need another motivational speaker, such as Shaun Williams, to motivate us for The SEC Championship game. But I would rather have a Richt than a Spurrier any day. Go Dawgs!
NCDawg
October 31st, 2012
8:54 am
DallasDawg 2, which of those involve Coach Richt? He doesn’t set the admissions standards. Other schools allow players in that fail to qualify at Georgia. The other things are on the players’ shoulders. Coach Richt and staff punish these offenses more heavily than most other schools. Athens/Clarke County police do not look the other way when players commit crimes. Zach Mettenberger would still be on almost every other football team but UGA. The school does not intervene in their criminal cases like other universities have been known to do.
Coach Richt would never call himself a saint, it is others that point out his good works and remark on his gentlemanly behavior. If you think he is a phony you are entitled to your opinion but don’t go spouting cooked numbers that have nothing to do with him as evidence. If he had permitted these acts to go unpunished or overlooked these behaviors I would be the first to point it out. The ongoing narrative is that Coach Richt’s disciplinary policies and the university’s policies create a competitive disadvantage. I don’t know what you expect but if you think that you could do better you should apply for the job.
BILLY JACK
October 31st, 2012
8:58 am
There are some fans no matter what Mark Richt does will not make them happy.Georgia needs to win a national title and I think they will soon.I would rather my son play for a man like Mark Richt than Nick Saban who runs off his mistakes and steps over and on players to get where he wants.Mark Richt teaches his players life lessons and help them after they graduate with college jobs or hires them himself.Daniel Inman-Tony Gilbert-Thomas Brown etc.Mark Richt cares about his players in this era of quick results and fire everybody mentality.I hope Georgia plays Alabama in the SECCG and good beats evil.Richt-3 Saban-1-Richt usually gets the upper hand when he plays Saban.
DOGGIE IN NC
October 31st, 2012
8:58 am
NCDawg – great point! By the way, I live in Salisbury – you in Charlotte? I love to read blogs, but find most content lacking. I do think that when the players see enough people saying the same thing, that they do take it to heart. There was a ton of comments last week that the defense was playing soft, then when one of their own spoke up, they finally woke up. If they play defense like that the remainder of the year, only Bama will have a shot at them. GO DOGGIES!
Neutral
October 31st, 2012
9:06 am
I sincerely believe the negative bloggers are either envious Techies trying to dissuade recruits……or total spoiled idiots who will never be happy. Some of these knuckleheads will criticize every coach and player no matter what they accomplish. PLEASE understand that these creeps represent less than 1% of the Dawg fans. They are similar to vagrants/panhandlers who annoy the heck out of everyone, but they will always be out there lying in the gutters.
SRS
October 31st, 2012
9:06 am
Well said article!!! Continue the good work CMR and the Dawgs!!!
Athens Dog
October 31st, 2012
9:06 am
I didn’t go to UGA, but I’ve been a ticket holder for 21 years. My friend, who graduated from UGA, refused to watch the Fla game because he was still pi$$ed about the Carolina game.
If you’re irritated about the coaches, the preparation, the concessions, whatever, it’s your right to be so.
But to stop going to games, stop watching, etc…? It’s why the rest of the SEC says UGA has the ‘most
fair weather fans’ in the conference.
Either you’re a Dog or you’re not. We don’t need fair weather fans!
tony
October 31st, 2012
9:08 am
Without the fans who’s gonna pay for these kids scholarships ? Without the fans what occupation will pay Mr Richt $2.8 million a year? Without the fans how will the university of ga generate $52 million dollars annually in profits? Uga, the coaches and the players need to get off their high horse and recognize why they play at this level.
Arthur Blank is the only sports owner in the state of ga who has shown his appreciation for the fans. He lowered ticket prices, he takes his team to the cap, he apologize for the lockout, he wants the best stadium for the fans, he will never except mediocrity from his employees and he wants to build a championship organization. He’s not perfect but he cares. Thank you Mr Blank.
Bazooka Joe
October 31st, 2012
9:09 am
Here’s something for you….. if you are a contributor to the Hartman Fund and dont like whats going on – stop giving $.
If you arent, then nobody cares what you think anyway……
Matt in ATL
October 31st, 2012
9:12 am
Artie sounds like a very smartbyoung man.
Neutral
October 31st, 2012
9:14 am
Good comments NC bloggers. I get very frustrated by ALL the players CMR releases and then schools like LSU, Auburn, etc are more than happy to pick them up. Richt is total class and I his accomplishments are great both on and off the field. A classic example is he has coached more players than any coach in history who have won the Allstate Community Service Award…..which Murray received this year.
obamaSINLADEN
October 31st, 2012
9:18 am
what he said.
gata dogs.
obamaSINLADEN
October 31st, 2012
9:20 am
it is better to be a victim of your own success than a victimof your unsuccessfulness.
UGA Insider
October 31st, 2012
9:20 am
UGA better come prepared Saturday. Richt has been patted on the back too much this week and I fear a letdown. Ole Miss can score and if our offense is flat like it was against UK we are going to have a dog-fight.
UGA 32
Ole Miss 28
If you look back at the CMR era, UGA historically plays poorly the week following a big win.
Macclenny_dawg
October 31st, 2012
9:22 am
@ manateedawg
I will not come on here and bash u back for your comments. But u are so far from the truth. I for one have or will never bash the players. But I will offer my comments from a standpoint to the people who can control how a game is played and that is the coaches. I respect and support Richt because he is my favorite teams coach. However I like anybody outside this team can see that Richt is not doing the job I think the Dawgnation deserves. Yes 10 win seasons is nice and a occasional chance at a championship. But the reason I for 1 can and will continue to state is Richt has had his time to take us to the top and it hasn’t happened. We have continued to stay medicore with Richt. I don’t think that Richt is the main problem I see for the Dawgs. I see that Bobo should have been fired years ago. But with Richt being to loyal to the coaches and to the upper classmen he doesn’t fix what I think he sees and knows.He is also not able to have the performances for his team to dominate even the average teams as we continue to play to the level of competition and not allowing the under classmen a chance to get valuable game experience. He just believes in faith to work itself out. Being a christian myself I also know that the Lord puts you in situations that you have to make choices you really don’t agree with. With all that being said that is why I am SICK OF RICHT!!! Oh and 1 more thing manateedawg I am 6′1 and weigh only 212. SICK OF RICHT!!!
Hilarious
October 31st, 2012
9:23 am
My haven’t times changed……
Hot seat to father figure in one game.
Neutral
October 31st, 2012
9:24 am
@Athens Dawg
Right on my friend. I can’t stand these fair weather fans who will be totally turned-off if UGa winds up with a 12-2 season…….totally amazing. The only thing they see is NCs…..and anything less is a failure. They just don’t get it!!! By the way, I hope they don’t think that LSU fans gave up when FL blew them out…..or SC fans quit when FL annihilated them…..or FL fans when UGa beat them. Get a life negative bloggers, the bottom line is you are a minority of UGa fans and totally $uck!!!!
Neutral
October 31st, 2012
9:32 am
And we are SICK of you too MR.Macclenny!!!! You are one of the total spoiled idiots we are talking about. You will never be happy…even with 2-3 NCs in a row. If you want a coach who has won a NC then hire Fulmer or transfer your loyalty to Auburn (oops), or Texas (oops again), or Oklahoma (oops)…….and the list goes on. Give it a break and appreciate having a great program that in the last 10 regular season games has knocked-off 3 ranked teams including the #2 BCS team 4 days ago.
Neutral
October 31st, 2012
9:36 am
I sure hope the negative bloggers have bosses and/or spouses who are constantly finding fault with them…..like they find with CMR and company!!!! If we did things your way we would probably have losing records every year!!!
G-Dawg
October 31st, 2012
9:41 am
Athens…so you’re saying only ppl who attended UGA are the only opinions that matter? SMH!!
G-Dawg
October 31st, 2012
9:46 am
Comment wasnt intended for Athens Dog…the other Athens on page one.
1eyedJack
October 31st, 2012
9:53 am
The sky is falling. The Dawgs are 7-1 and control their own destiny. Did I mention the sky is falling?
JLP39
October 31st, 2012
9:57 am
The constant bashing from the vocal minority would make you think the program is in shambles. However, once I got inside Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville on Saturday, and I saw the Georgia side was full 30 minutes before the game, I soon realized that the silent majority (of 42,500) was behind the team and its coaches and was ready for the game.
DawginLex
October 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Macclenny_dawg
October 31st, 2012
9:22 am
@ manateedawg
I will not come on here and bash u back for your comments. But u are so far from the truth. I for one have or will never bash the players. But I will offer my comments from a standpoint to the people who can control how a game is played and that is the coaches. I respect and support Richt because he is my favorite teams coach. However I like anybody outside this team can see that Richt is not doing the job I think the Dawgnation deserves. Yes 10 win seasons is nice and a occasional chance at a championship. But the reason I for 1 can and will continue to state is Richt has had his time to take us to the top and it hasn’t happened. We have continued to stay medicore with Richt. I don’t think that Richt is the main problem I see for the Dawgs. I see that Bobo should have been fired years ago. But with Richt being to loyal to the coaches and to the upper classmen he doesn’t fix what I think he sees and knows.He is also not able to have the performances for his team to dominate even the average teams as we continue to play to the level of competition and not allowing the under classmen a chance to get valuable game experience. He just believes in faith to work itself out. Being a christian myself I also know that the Lord puts you in situations that you have to make choices you really don’t agree with. With all that being said that is why I am SICK OF RICHT!!! Oh and 1 more thing manateedawg I am 6′1 and weigh only 212. SICK OF RICHT!!!
***********************
So, who do you want to replace him? Who are you going to bring in that can beat Nick Saban head to head on the recruiting trail, coaching players up and coaching in big games.
We just won a big game. Richt was under tremendous pressure to win it and he did. You dismiss it and keep on complaining.
So give me names.
Here are a few that have been thrown out as guaranteed to succeed.
Derek Dooley-Nope
Will Muschamp-Nope
Dan Mullen-Nope
Chris Peterson-Won’t leave BSU
Petrino-A crook and Saban owns him
Chizik-A fraud ad a big time loser
Smart-Won’t leave Bama and not welcome in Athens anyway
Gruden-Dream on
Chip Kelly-Dream on
Who ya got? If your standard is national title or bust, who do you hire that can beat Saban?
Gary
October 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Again, thanks to Richt and team for the big win on saturday. Still in jacksonville and still smiling. Starting to get my voice back. Heck of a time in that stadium. That is what the game is about. Passion fire and excitement. It is not about stats, blogs, a media hype. It is all about the energy in the stadium. RIcht has brought a ton this year. One of the best years of games I can remember. Sometimes I think many folks who spend so much time upset on the blogs are not spending any time in the stadium. It has been a damn good year. Even with the SC loss, it has been a damn good year. When was the last time we took down Florida and it mattered to them on a national level. That feels very good. You can hear it in the players how much they love this guy. That is good enough for me. Go dawgs
I-DOG
October 31st, 2012
10:05 am
OK, you guys are right.
I’m sure that Alabama will turn the ball over 7 times and we will squeak a win out in the SEC championship game. Lets all be positive and SUPPORT the team whatever that means and I have no doubt that the penalties will go from 132 yards to 25 or so magically and that Murray will go 28-30 with no interceptions and 2 touchdowns in the next big game we play. All we have to do is be ALL IN AS FANS and SUPPORT these young men and it will be laid at our feet.
No I didn’t play in the game last Saturday. Are you suggesting that only the players that played in the game can comment on it?
I say “we” win or lose because I love Georgia football. That doesn’t mean I am happy with having 132 penalty yards and needing Jarvis Jones to have WATERBOY like stats and an incredible defensive performance overall to squeak out a win against FL. Their best player had the ball inside our 5 yard line running toward the goal line to tie up the game (with a 2 point conversion) with 2 minutes to go. Thank God Jarvis was there again.
We didn’t win any championships with Stafford, We didn’t win any championships with AJ Green, and it looks like we won’t win any with Jarvis Jones. Like, I said I hope we win all the rest of our games and get a little lucky and get in the national title game… however, I call it as I see it.
We played lousy against FL in 2 of the 3 phases of the game. The D was incredible. To those who don’t like the negative view of my post. Tell me where I am wrong. Name all the games where UGA got 6 turnovers and lost. Do you see us beating AL with the same performance we gave against FL? How about the average of the games we played against the two good teams we played FL and SC. Will that get it done against BAMA? We aren’t there yet and next year we lose:
Jarvis Jones (kind of important to us don’t you think?)
Corn Washington
The entire starting secondary
Abry
Jenkins
Tree
I believe 9 starters on the defense will move on and we pick up LSU and Clemson. If not now, when?
CC
October 31st, 2012
10:07 am
Coach Richt is a fine human being and a great coach.
Tom Dial
October 31st, 2012
10:10 am
It annoys me that no one ever mentions the season when Georgia finished No. 2 in the BCS poll and started the next season No. 1. That’s a pretty great achievement. In college basketball, reaching the Final Four is a major success, even if you finish fourth. In pro football, baseball and baketball, reaching the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA finals is a super success, even for the loser. Why can’t the media and the fans give UGA the credit for super runnerup in ‘07?
I-DOG
October 31st, 2012
10:12 am
Gary, I like and respect Richt as a person and it doesn’t surprise me that the players love him. That is great, it really is.
You say that it has been a damn good year despite the South Carolina game. In my view, Georgia was able to win one of the two games where the talent was even. In the other, we were down 35-0 with a minute left. To me, that “little” blemish is enough to make it not a “damn good year”.
If the players loving Richt, despite getting arrested at unprecedented levels, is good enough for you. I respect that and I agree with you that Richt is a great role model. I don’t like the way the team has played over the past 5-6 years and we will have to agree to disagree on that.
Troup Co. Dawg
October 31st, 2012
10:15 am
They don’t want a National Championship because they don’t play like champions, yeah it’s easy for me to say, but c’mon man this was the year of the Dawg! Are you going to give up and play mediocre football and play in another lousy bowl game. Maybe it doesn’t mean a lot to you UGA players that all of the surrounding states continue to call you soft, inconsistent, unprepared, unable to win. It’s what I here everyday in Alabama, in South Carolina and so on. You have the talent and toughness to win out! Can you bring the state of Georgia an SEC title so that you can shut up all the grumbling fan base, the other opponents fans and bring home the trophy. It would help your school in many ways…. Recruiting, financially,pride! I hope you give it your best in the remaining games! I was proud to see you punch the Gators in the mouth and would love to see you guys punch Alabama in the mouth! They are claimed to be unbeatable. Everyone in this conference can be beaten! UGA, you’re gonna have to show the world you can do it! Let’s Get It !!!!