Notebook: Richt not convinced secondary’s returnees ‘mature enough’ to get job done next year
By Ryan Black
For the AJC
ATHENS – Mark Richt believes there is talent returning to his team’s secondary next season. The problem is, he hasn’t seen it on the field yet.
With Sanders Commings, Bacarri Rambo, Branden Smith and Shawn Williams graduating, the only underclassman defensive back who has seen significant playing time this season is sophomore Damian Swann, who has started all 13 games.
The impending departures have left Richt feeling uncertain about the state of his secondary for 2013.
“I have no earthly idea who is going to play DB for us next year based on the maturity level of the group that we have here right now,” he said. “I don’t think they’re mature enough to be the starters and I told them, ‘You’re competing with guys that aren’t even here yet. We’re recruiting our tails off and we’re going to bring some guys in here. You guys are here and we’re going to compete and we’re going to see who really belongs back there. Don’t think just because you’re next-in-line that it’s your job, because you’ve got to earn it.’”
While Richt conceded it was unlikely that any player from last year’s recruiting class would have been able to wrest a starting job away from the secondary’s senior quartet, he said those remaining have no excuses next year. If they don’t step up their play, there are hungry freshman who haven’t stepped on campus yet who could easily assume the reins.
“There’s not guys just waiting in the wings that have a guaranteed slot, there’s not guys that played a ton of snaps,” Richt said. “Now ‘Swannie’ (Swann) is a proven player to me, but the rest of them? They haven’t proved it to me yet. I hope they do. I love them and I want them to be the very best they can be, but they’ve got to earn it.”
Josh Harvey-Clemons had no issue with Richt calling out the inexperienced defensive backs, himself included. The true freshman safety said will use it as motivation.
“This year I feel like a lot of things were going real fast because we already had guys that knew what to do and knew their role, so everything was going fast for the secondary people just coming in,” he said. “I feel like this offseason we’re going to work hard.”
The Valdosta native vowed to put in the work for one simple reason: he got too familiar with not being part of the action this season.
“I hate sitting on that sideline, so I’ve got to find a way to get on the field,” he said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
But the raw returner drawing the most attention from teammates is Sheldon Dawson. Fellow freshman Jordan Jenkins said there have been countless times in practice where Dawson’s athleticism stood out.
“I remember looking back a couple of times when the ‘twos’ were in (with) Sheldon coming in and breaking up some pretty good passes and not letting guys burn him deep,” he said. “I remember him on a couple of instances this week and last week coming up and batting balls down and jumping up over guys bigger than him. He’s definitely going to be a play-maker next year.”
Sophomore receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who played the first four games this season at cornerback before moving to wide receiver for the last nine contests, vouches for Dawson.
“I just see it. I just see it in him,” Mitchell said. “He’s going to be a great player. I don’t say that often. I see good players, but I see something really different in him. You’ll see it. Just watch him.”
Other lettermen fighting for playing time next season include redshirt freshman cornerback Devin Bowman and sophomore safeties Marc Deas, Corey Moore and Connor Norman. Dawson was the only DB to sign in the 2011 class.
Commings insists there won’t be any noticeable dropoff. If it wasn’t for he and the other seniors, he said his younger teammates’ ability would have surfaced already.
“They just haven’t had a chance because they’ve had guys like us seniors in front of them,” he said. “I think all of those guys can contribute.”
Christian Robinson didn’t strike quite the same cheery note as Commings. The secondary should improve over time, the senior inside linebacker said, but not without suffering through some growing pains first.
“Somebody is going to step up. That’s what always happens,” he said. “It might not be the best product at the time, but you give it time, you give it a few games and they’re no longer rookies anymore at that position. They just need to learn a little bit more and I think they’ll be able to pick up the pace.”
Richt not convinced Twitter needed to hype program
Twitter is one of the world’s most popular social media sites. It is used by everyday people, news organizations and various other entities, including college football teams. Since taking over at Tennessee on Dec. 7, coach Butch Jones has used Twitter extensively, interacting with fans and updating followers on his day-to-day goings-on. After using his own Twitter account sparingly since starting one in 2009, Richt rejoined the social media site in May. That being said, Richt only has 203 tweets, compared to Jones, who has over 3,200.
When asked whether he would consider using Twitter more like Jones, Richt said not to count on it.
“I don’t feel like you have to Twitter to recruit or to promote your program,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just saying I don’t know if it’s necessary. That’s for everybody to decide how they want to go about getting the word out. Please don’t misquote me. I think it’s fine to do, but I don’t (know) if it’s necessary for us, anyway. I don’t feel like we need to do it.”
Etc.
Georgia’s injury list was lengthy for the second straight day. Wednesday’s report included receivers Malcolm Mitchell (groin), Tavarres King (hamstring) and Rhett McGowan (wrist sprain), noseguard John Jenkins (concussion), safety Marc Deas (knee) and fullback Richard Samuel (shoulder). Defensive end Abry Jones practice in a limited capacity, confined to a running-only regiment as he continues to rehab an ankle injury. … Richt wasn’t pleased with Wednesday’s practice, noting the only positive was having another on tap for Thursday. “It wasn’t quite what we’ve been getting,” he said. “The bottom line is I thought we got real sloppy today. It was not very good, but we’ll be back out here tomorrow morning.”
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178 comments Add your comment
honey boo boo
December 20th, 2012
3:25 pm
uga, bwahahahahahaha
crap ital one bowl
honey boo boo
December 20th, 2012
3:28 pm
you have to be an alcoholic to sit through uga football the last 33 years.
Moist Dawg
December 20th, 2012
3:29 pm
I don’t care what kind of names you want to call me. Being a leader is hard and I’m not here to make friends. I can be proud that I don’t lie down like some of you. I can also be proud that I EXPOSED some of you as lib ninnies, who aren’t really true fans but only get on and off the bandwagon when it is easy for you.
UGA will start winning titles with the real fans pushing the cart in spite of some of you trying to hold them back with your touchy feely attitudes.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
3:32 pm
By the way, if CMR comments are legit, what does it say for Lakatos, since all of the returning db’s were highly thought of when they were recruited to UGA. I think it was Spurrier who famously stated “nobody knows what happens to all those high school all americans when they get to GA”.
honey boo boo
December 20th, 2012
3:35 pm
Bernie Matt, I know what happens to them. They get coached down by a subpar coaching staff in Athens. Wake up folks and accept uga football for what it is. 33 years and counting.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
3:37 pm
After while every one who cried Willie Martinez was the problem, is going to start saying the same about Lakatos, when the truth is, the problem is the man at the top constantly interfering with position coaches. Like he does with OL and LB, QB, etc. I know some of you will cry foul. But S. Williams comments already prove I know more than most of you, because I know you remember me telling you those things in the spring, whether you admit it or not.
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
3:39 pm
Every year there is a Georgia top 50 list. There’s not a list of the only 25 playersin state that matter in recruiting. Obviously some of those top 50, all highly regarded, are not going to sign with the University of Georgia.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
@ honey boo boo – correctamundo!
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
3:45 pm
@ altamahadawg – yes, but there is a pecking order in those lists and UGA more often than not gets the ones at the top or the ones they prioritize, so again I say, there must be a problem in their ability to evaluate talent. Son, you can’t have it both ways, either they are not coaching them up or they can’t evaluate prospects properly. You folks want to have it both ways amaze me!
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
3:48 pm
Moist Dawg, thank goodness leaders like you are so willing to do the heavy lifting. Your self adoration is well deserved.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
3 years from now, I can just here all the CMR and Garner excuse makers saying Tray Adams wasn’t as good as we thought. Seems like I’m starting to here that sentiment about Ray Drew, who was very highly rated.
honey boo boo
December 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
When are you guys going to learn recruiting is a shot in the dark with 50% of who you sign? Then the other 50% need to be developed and coached, something that does not happen in Athens very well.
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
I have no idea why you addressed that to me. You point was completely disjoint from what I was talking about. Aside from that, your post was utterly banal. And don’t call me “son”, as I am positive I am considerably more mature than you are.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:01 pm
@ altamahadawg – SON, it seemed that you were saying because there is a top 50 player list each year and UGA can only sign 25, that you were somehow saying that was the reason they were missing on some talent from in state. If i misinterpreted, then you should make clear what your point is or stop posting, you obviously understood my point, SON!
Joey
December 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
Hey Bernie Matt, does Bama need to re-vamp their entire D also? They sure gave up a bunch of yards to Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley – Bama’s D coaches must SUCK!
The truth is, Bama coaches exploited our weak, run-defense, and used their depth to wear down our D, overall.
Our coaches exploited the best D in the country pretty well too, wouldn’t you say?
WDE
December 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
Amazing we have a well defined cadre of trolls that think its possible to be 11-2 in the SEC and not have ANYTHING right with the program, not the coaches , the players , the campus etc….and then we have Commander Whiney Pants aka Moist Dawg going all martyr on us…guys I’m out I wish all in Bull Dog Nation a Happy Holiday and Go Dogs !
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:08 pm
@ joey – you make the mistake of looking at the final score like a lot of other people, when the truth is that our offense only scored 21 and one of those was set up with great field position. UGA longest drive of the game was the final one that they refused to spike the ball. look it up. don’t forget tree ran in td off block fg.
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
Bernie, the problem is not your interpetation. The problem as I pointed out, is your responce.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
@ WDE – i’m sick of you people talking about winning games, that were already decided when the schedule comes out. UGA has 4 games next year. What matters is their record in those games! not the one against N. Tex, App St., UT(new coach, no players), Mizz (way less talent), Vandy (private school, way less talent), AUB(new coach, no players), KY.(new coach, never any players), Ga Tech( in state school that gets the kids UGA doesn’t want). Which of these 8 wins are you most looking forward to. I am more concerned with Clemson, S. Carolina, LSU, and Florida. That’s what I’m going to judge the team based on.
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
bernie matt
So Tree is not on the team?
Does his blocked FG not count?
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:18 pm
@ altamahadawg – If my interpretation was correct then my response was appropriate, whether you wanted to read it or not.
WDE
December 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
Bernie Matt let me be crystal clear here I couldn’t care less what you think you think those game don’t count really lose one and see how much it counts you moron..and WDE are my initials I use them s my blog name to confound the Barners…
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
Sounds like you can just check back in December of next year, read the results of those 4 games, and save yourself all the drugeries of following a college football team. Or just read what ESPN says about it.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
@ dawginlex- don’t try to throw a red herring into what Joey and I are discussing, the point I was making to him is that the offenes did not put up a bunch of points. Clearly tree’s td counted, they put it on the scoreboard didn’t they. you idiot!
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
Well, since you elected to direct an unsolicited the reponce TO me, about a point I made……….ME finding it to be cliche and trite and not relative to my point, is what would seem to matter most.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
@ WDE – the point is not that it would not hurt the team to lose a game that you are supposed to win, the point is that nobody should be giving out accolades for those victories. Case in point, Johnny football won the heisman by beating BAMA not Missouri, but some of you idiots will never get that!
Brewmaster
December 20th, 2012
4:29 pm
Bernie matt, were we supposed to win the Florida game ? At the time, they were #2 you moron !
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:32 pm
@ Brewmaster – where did I say we were supposed to beat Florida. I have stated previously that that’s one of the games the team success should be judged on each year. Learn to read STUPID!
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:33 pm
Why not? Why is nobody supposed to give out accolades for victories over teams that we were supposed to beat.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:37 pm
@ altamahadawg – if I have to explain that to you, then there is really nothing else to discuss with you sir, have a nice day. Sorry, I called you son. You are obviously someones great granddad, looking to reward them for mediocrity. Do you also play Santa in the xmas play each year?
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:42 pm
Know what I think? I think you can’t explain that.
And BTW, I graduated Georgia in 1985. How about you?
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
4:43 pm
so bernie what do you and moist dawg recommend for UGA football?
Let me guess:
Fire Richt
Fire Bobo
Let Mason play instead of Murray
Fire Grantham
I’m sure you have a list of candidates that you would guarantee us a BCS title in 2013?
You are the idiots. Counting victories before the season starts. You think UT is not going to have a team? You think UT is not going to have kids on scholarship? 100K+ won’t show up in Knoxville? New coach with a veteran OL and Bray back. You think that is a walk in the park?
All those guaranteed victories are schools that have coaches who want to win and kids on scholarship.
You sit here and spew crapola and you have no clue about coaching a group of kids to win in the SEC. You are so dumb, you think it just happens.
Good lord
GTBob
December 20th, 2012
4:43 pm
You guys all sound pretty cute…who wants my #?
AltamahaDawg
December 20th, 2012
4:48 pm
Personally, I prefer to be a fan of the team that is supposed to win.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:49 pm
@ dawginlex- if you think Bray and that entire OL comes back, you are obviously not in the know. I actually gave you more credit, but it appears you are a novice like most. Son, Bray is going into the draft, along with 1 or 2 OL. As for the 100k in the stands, that will always happen, I love the atmosphere up there on game day. I try to go at least once a year. But that won’t be enough to get them over the hump. It will definitely be a rebuilding year in Knoxville, and Auburn.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
4:55 pm
As for whether or not it just happens, why do you think high school football is divided into classifications. Ask any 1A coach (even at a good program) if he wants to play 6A schools week in and week out. More resources is supposed to equal more success. Okay, here’s one maybe you good ole boys can relate to. Why do you think it is important for this country to outspend the rest of the world in our military spending? If you can answer that one, then you already know what I am saying is true, you just want to argue.
Jim
December 20th, 2012
5:03 pm
Six safty recruits for two positions? How many offensive linemen is GA recruiting to compete for five positions?
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
5:03 pm
The OL is coming back. The new coach has convinced Bray to stay
Who is the novice?
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
5:04 pm
@ dawginlex – Did I forget to mention Patterson, Hunter and Rogers (3 leading wr’s for UT) all gone as well. Wake up son.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
5:05 pm
Deadline to enter draft not even near. Wait and see.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
5:07 pm
@ dawginlex – the good thing is that you and I post regularly, so one of us will have time to be proven right. Just don’t hide like you did before when S. Williams came out and confirmed what I had been saying during the spring and summer and you swore up and down I was wrong. You thought I forgot about that, didn’t you!
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
5:09 pm
I know about the WR’s. They will have others with a veteran OL. With a new coach and a new DC and in Knoxville, that will be anything but a cakewalk.
It remains that you don’t know anything about coaching in the SEC and you still refuse to answer my question regarding what you would recommend to happen in Athens.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
5:15 pm
As far a UGA goes, I recommend replacing Bobo, with a legit OC who has his own offensive philosophy and not the one Richt came here with and were still using. Richt has to get out of the new OC’s way or hit the road. Richt also has to get out of Grantham’s way and give Grantham the power to fire Garner, who should have been gone years ago for all of the under achieving DL that come through UGA and then make the NFL pro bowl. I would just start with that for year 1.
Joey
December 20th, 2012
5:23 pm
Bernie Matt, Mark Richt has lost many games when he had better talent – at least 1 or 2 per year. And it cost him a berth in the Big Game – at least twice.
But this SECCG wasn’t one of those games. Bama clearly was better, and a whole lot deeper, still we came close.
You and Moist Dawg better make the decision I had to make, and that is, no matter what we think, Mark Richt is in Athens to stay – as long as he wants to stay. And it should be that way – after all, he did drag our program out of “also-rans” to respectbility. Now he has come full circle and got UGA back in the national conversation. Richt is no Saban, and he ain’t gonna win a bunch of BCS Titles.
But, he may win one – and I hope he does, for us and for him.
Even if he doesn’t, he’s sure to leave the program a hellova lot better off than it was when he got here.
And I might take all this back if he loses to Nebraska . . .
Joey
December 20th, 2012
5:28 pm
….and Bernie Matt, none of that in your 5:15 post will ever, ever happen.
Just saying . . .
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
5:30 pm
Bobo is the best OC in the SEC and is about to get a raise. Garner is being pursued by his alma mater, Auburn. If we don’t keep Garner, we take a huge blow in Atlanta metro area including Gwinnett County recruiting.
You wanting to fire Bobo shows how dense you are. His offense saved our butts all year.
Grantham is the one that needs to show me something next year. They are all his recruits now.
Jarvis Jones gives Muschamp nightmares
December 20th, 2012
5:31 pm
It’s nice to hear Richt calling them out and not sugarcoating anything. I personally think the safeties coming in are probably going to wrestle the job away from the players who back up Rambo and Williams. We have several commits at safety, including junior college guys.
Jarvis Jones gives Muschamp nightmares
December 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
We need more depth and size on the defensive line also. The SEC Championship Game showed that. Garrison Smith is solid, but we need more depth behind him at defensive end and to replace Jenkins and maybe Geathers.
Bernie Matt
December 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
@ Joey – Believe me, I know what the program looked like before CMR got here, but that was at a time when our state was around 8th, 9th or 10th in high school football talent. Now this state is considered by all experts to produce top 4 talent (with FL, TX and Cali being the other states). At some point we have to get over the hump.
DawginLex
December 20th, 2012
5:41 pm
You want to recruit top in-state talent and fire our 2 best recruiters in Bobo and Garner?
Yeah, that’s a recipe for success