Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > October > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBulldogs playing below caliber
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Athens — I need to apologize. I’m afraid I’ve misled you folks. I thought Georgia would be a great team. It isn’t.
It’s a pretty good team, but not the sort of team I anticipated — and I expect you anticipated — in the heat of August when the Bulldogs were No. 1 in both polls and on the cover of Sports Illustrated. These Bulldogs haven’t yet had a game that made anybody stand back in awe, and they’ve played more than half their regular season.
Asked if Georgia had played to its potential, cornerback Asher Allen said: “As a team? No, I can’t say that, and today was a good showing as to why.”
On Saturday the Bulldogs outgained Vanderbilt by 180 yards but didn’t score the clinching points until the final minute. This came a week after they outgained Tennessee by 249 yards and won by 12. Even as we congratulate Georgia for finding ways to win six times in seven tries, we must now ask: Is this all there is?
“As much as we tried to separate from them,” said Mark Richt speaking of the mighty Commodores, “we couldn’t do it.” And surely, this far into the season, such a thing tells us more about Georgia than about Vandy.
For all their talent (and they have scads), the Bulldogs haven’t once played anywhere near capacity. The closest they came was against Arizona State, but pesky hindsight informs us that the Sun Devils are 2-4.
Said receiver Mohamed Massaquoi: “We’re still leaving too many points on the field, and the defense is still having trouble with penalties.”
About the latter: Richt was actually buoyed that his team was penalized only five times Saturday — “Five’s acceptable,” he said, smiling — but two pass-interference calls (one iffy, one clear-cut) enabled Vandy to halve Georgia’s lead before halftime, and from there nothing was easy. The Bulldogs should have put it away with 2:50 remaining, but Blair Walsh’s field goal thunked off the right upright and Georgia’s defense had to stop the nation’s 117th-ranked offense one last time.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Richt said, but at this glacial pace Knowshon Moreno will be a 10th-year pro by the time Georgia hits its stride. Speaking of Moreno: He gained 172 yards on 23 rushes but unaccountably didn’t run from scrimmage on consecutive third-quarter possessions, a curious span during which understudy Caleb King carried four times.
“We leave it up to Knowshon,” said Richt, seeking to describe Georgia’s substitution policy. “He takes himself out. When he’s standing by the [running backs] coach, he’s ready to go back in. When it’s a new series, he’s ready unless he’s injured.”
So why, with 2:08 left in a seven-point game, did the first call go to the freshman King, who lost six yards? Richt really couldn’t say. (To be fair, Moreno did carry the next two downs.)
There have been, sad to say, too many inexplicable moments these seven games. Georgia will look breathtaking for a few minutes — Moreno dancing, Matthew Stafford throwing, A.J. Green ascending — and then you look up and the score’s only 14-7.
“We’ve had some good games,” said Rennie Curran, the fierce linebacker, “but no dominating games.”
Domination isn’t a requirement for winning a championship, but at some point a great team has to prove its greatness. Georgia will have that chance these next two weeks against the past two BCS titlists, but I’m starting to wonder if the team that I believed possessed everything it needed indeed has what it takes. Heck, I’m starting to wonder if Georgia is the best team in Georgia.
Permalink | Comments (316) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA/SEC
Comments
By Peaches
October 18, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
All I can say is that this team is an average team going to LSU and Jacksonville. And we know what happens to average teams in these locations. Its going to be a long two weeks.
By RomeGADawg
October 18, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
NO TRUER WORDS HAVE EVER BEEN WRITTEN. RICHT NEEDS TO GROW A PAIR AND FIRE OC & DC NEITHER HAVE A CLUE,
By Dacula
October 18, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
No, UGA isn’t the best team in Georgia: the Atlanta Falcons are pretty good. However, Georgia would beat Gardner-Webb more than 10-7. You’re getting on Georgia for beating a top 25 team by ONLY 10 points. Did you forget what the bumble bees did last week? And good win against that juggarnaut Clemson.
By who cares
October 18, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Been a UGA fan for along time, and I have to say that the Dawgs will never win an SEC title with the M&M boys. Mike BooBoo is the worst O.C. in the SEC. He should be calling plays for a mid level high school team, not an SEC team. And good ole Mathew Stafford is without a doubt one of the dumbest q.b’s i’ve ever seen. UGA won 2 SEC titles with 2 mature and intelligent q.b’s. That will never happen with strong arm, weak between the ears stafford. This clown has 5 int. the last 3 games, and 4 of those were just stupid decisions. That will cost UGA games the next 2 weeks. When you add Martinez to the mix,you have the 2 worst coordinators in the SEC, and unfortunately for UGA fans, we have a head coach that will not make a move and fire either one. Between stafford’s stupid int’s and Evans pathetic C.B. play, UGA doesn’t have a chance. YOu can count on those 2 players alone giving the other team 14 to 21 points a game, and UGA isn’t good enough to beat a good team with these 2 players constantly making terrible plays. When you have a drive killer like stafford on offense, and a d.b. that helps keep drives alive, you have no chance. Unfortunately for uga fans, we also have a stubborn head coach that will never fire one of his coordinators for the good of the team. Richt has taken this team as far as he can, he doesn’t have the killer instinct, nor the backbone to make the changes that need to be made, and that will keep him from dominating teams and the SEC.
By gman
October 18, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
The dawgs are inconsistent and inefficient. Seems like on avg, we have to gain 400+ yards to get 3 TDs.
They are 6-1 with all goals still intact so I feel badly for being so disappointed in them but it looks like we all see the same thing.
UGA has arguably as much talent on this roster as they’ve ever had but the seem to lose interest and intensity regularly and come off as an underachieving mediocre bunch.
By Bama Joe
October 18, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Good win against the mighty Dore’s. Top 25, whatever, should’ve dropped out after the Miss. St. beatdown. Every week you talk about beating your opposition by four touchdowns. Just shut your traps and play the dang games.You guys are good, but you aint all that.
By techwreck
October 18, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Funny, Dacula - you mock Tech’s win against Clemson, and then defend y’all’s win against Vanderbilt?
Talk about a freaking juggernaut team!
By Bama Joe
October 18, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Good win against the mighty Dore’s. Top 25, whatever, should’ve dropped out after the Miss. St. beatdown. Every week you talk about beating your opposition by four touchdowns. Just shut your traps and play the dang games.You guys are good, but you aint all that.
By Brad
October 18, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Well, I don’t have the crystal ball, but let’s look at last year. Even worse than today after the Vandy game. We got throttled by UT, should’ve lost to Vandy. I wondered if UGA would even finish .500, especially with the mighty Gators coming up (who the talking heads kept repeating UGA just didn’t have the tools to compete). Well, slapping the Gators, Tigers, and Jackets then finishing #2 in the land ain’t bad for the final poll, and if UT hadn’t pulled three rabbits out of their arses we’d have played in the Dome (to UT’s credit, they took care of business, we didn’t.)
What I’m trying to say, is anything can happen. Ole Miss beats UF, UF thrashes LSU, Bama thrashes UGA, Vandy beats Ole Miss, Ole Miss nearly beats Bama at home. Get my drift?
We may not win another game. We may win ‘em all. But I have learned not to get too high (never bought the preseason #1), or never get too low. I know you get paid to write Mark, and I enjoy your articles, but don’t read in too much just yet. We’re 6-1 going to UF, and that’s about where I figured we’d be in August.
Your article has truth, however. We’ll have to put it together in the upcoming weeks to finish strong. Much more will be known after Jax.
By CHI DAWG
October 18, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
We’ve perfected mediocrity. And RomeGADawg can’t say it any more clearly. We won’t be a consistant force to reckoned with Dodo and W Fkg M as our coordinators. I actually feel sorry for Stafford that MB is his coach. “It’s all about family at Georgia”, and that comes at the expense a championship.
Miles and Meyer are probably watching our game films like it’s porn.
We should all get used to 10-win seasons and occasional SEC crowns. That’s nice and all but we won’t see the NC game with this coaching staff. Ever.
By Carolina Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
Injuries or not, this team needs to learn how to put people away. I agree 100% with Peaches, if they play like this over the next two weeks it is going to be a long two week.
By RoyDawg
October 18, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Talent-wise this is an outstanding Georgia team that continues to mystify us by performing rediculously below expectations. This team has the personnel to be top-ranked and stay there. Yet it consistently under-performs, regularly beats itself with penalties, and apparently lacks “killer instinct.” Why? That is the 64-dollar question. Lack of motivation? Shared feelings of entitlement? This game (Vandy) should have been a four or five-touchdown blowout and I have to completely concur with Mark Bradley and his comments. His viewpoints are right on. Right now Georgia is simply a pretty good team, only marginally above average. Why can’t this team take an opponent, any opponent, by the throat and give them a good, old-fashioned whuppin’? Florida, to use a conference example, does it virtually every week. So-called “style points” do matter in the polls which apply to the BCS configuration. They matter a lot. It is not always the margin of victory that matters, but more often as not, HOW you got there. And the Dogs did not “get there” very impressively today, nor did they against Tennessee a week ago. Conversely, Florida put up fifty on the defending national champion the other day and even the most diehard UGA fan would have to grudgingly admit UF may well be the best SEC team. Unless Georgia has some kind of immediate awakening, revelation, Damascus Road experience, call it what you will, things will likely get very, very unpleasant in these next two games. The scary thing is, it shouldn’t have to be that way…Is it that the coaches are not doing their job? The correct mindset is clearly not there…not like the Floridas, the Penn States, the Texases and the Oklahomas of the world, or horror of horrors, perhaps not even like Georgia Tech!
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 18, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
There is no leadership on this team. Example, when Sutherland was back last week he was named Co-Captain. This is a nice honor but you should already have defined leaders on this team, not someone who has missed the first five games.
UGA should have dropped 45 on UT and at least 35 on this Vandy squad and was unable to do it. At one point I wonder if Staford was an old Oakland Raider Qb with all those vertical passes. The offense is unable to convert mid range 3rd downs and cannot seam to find the consistent 10-15 yard passing plays.
The defense played entirely to soft against Vandy, almost willing to allow Vandy to bring the action to them rather than go make a play.
At this point it is nice to be 6-1,but w/ road trips to LSU and the Florida game, UGA will be hard pressed to really split these games. Terribly disappointing.
By gatorhater
October 18, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
It was after the Vandy game last year UGA really hit stride. With LSU and UF coming up for the next two weeks, lets hope they do the same this year. Go Dawgs!
By Hobnail Boot
October 18, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
What a joke of a blog post. Tech’s scraped by against Gardner freakin’ Webb and a Clemson team that fired their coach the last two weeks. Georgia dominated the SEC’s version of Clemson (Tennessee) and gritted out a win against a ranked Vandy team when the Dawgs clearly didn’t have their best stuff.
By Concerned in NC
October 18, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I’m worried. Are we man enough? If we play like this against LSU AND Florida, we will lose…big time. This looks like a 10-3 team after all the bowl games have come and gone. I am afraid we are about to lose two in a row and play in the Cap. One bowl or equivalent.
Prove me wrong Dawgs!
Signed, Concerned
By Concerned in NC
October 18, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I’m worried. Are we man enough? If we play like this against LSU AND Florida, we will lose…big time. This looks like a 10-3 team after all the bowl games have come and gone. I am afraid we are about to lose two in a row and play in the Cap. One bowl or equivalent.
Prove me wrong Dawgs!
Signed, Concerned
By Concerned in NC
October 18, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I’m worried. Are we man enough? If we play like this against LSU AND Florida, we will lose…big time. This looks like a 11-3 team after all the bowl games have come and gone. I am afraid we are about to lose two in a row and play in the Cap. One bowl or equivalent.
Prove me wrong Dawgs!
Signed, Concerned
By Concerned in NC
October 18, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I’m worried. Are we man enough? If we play like this against LSU AND Florida, we will lose…big time. This looks like a 11-3 team after all the bowl games have come and gone. I am afraid we are about to lose two in a row and play in the Cap. One bowl or equivalent.
Prove me wrong Dawgs!
Signed, Concerned
By CHI DAWG
October 18, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
hobnail boot: if you haven’t noticed from our previous “efforts” this year, that was our “best stuff”. that’s all we have.
By lisa
October 18, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
It’s o.k. that you got caught up in all the hype. It happens to the AJC writers every year. Let me put it this way…they are a bunch of arrogant 5 star recruits with a coach who lacks discipline. Their fans are some of the most obnoxious in all of college football and they cloud your judgment. That does not not make a championship team. Enough said.
By RomeGADawg
October 18, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
no killer instinct….that says it all. comes from the top down. we dont want to smack anybody in the mouth…we only want to run our mouth when we make a big hit after somebody just made a 20 yard gain. Pat Dye said it best “GA aint man enuff”
By Twilb Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
The poll question is a joke!! Until the Nerd Herd puts an end to the streak, there is no question who the best team in the state is!! And, when they finally do, I believe everyone will agree that UGA will always have the better program!! (As they ALWAYS have)
By Eric C.
October 18, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
WTF folks? Look…I’m the first to admit we should have won by more than 10 pts. However, you have to give Vandy some credit. They made very few mistakes and the 2 TD passes were thrown very well. If we had given up 350 yds to Vandy and had to rely on luck to win…then I would be concerned. HOWEVER…yardage was 425 to 237…that is still a dominant ratio.
When we go to LSU and Jacksonville…it will be a matter of executing better in the red zone…both offensively and defensively. And don’t forget Walsh missed a couple of medium range FGs today. If nothing else…I hope we are saving the A games for the next couple of weeks. All of the doom and gloom commentary is really worthless at this point…let’s see what happens the next 2 weeks before taking such a critical stance.
By Michael
October 18, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Alabama has beaten two unranked teams by a touchdown or less at home and I’ve yet to read anything about how they are just a good team but not great. The goal of each game is to find a way to win and with the exception of the egg laid against Alabama (and that happens in the SEC look at LSU) that’s exactly what Georgia has done. Just keep on winning and give the guy who averages 7.5 a carry the rock a few more times.
By jt
October 18, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
I thought we had some pretty knowledable fans at Georgia, I was mistaken. Everyone was on the Bobo Bandwagon last year and now he needs to be coaching high school. This is incredible. This team has not played to their potential. And I too have been impatient with the play calling. But all in all I think Mike has done a pretty good job. There is never a perfectly called game. I also think we still have some things up our sleeve for our next two opponents. Just take a deep breath folks and lets see how things play out. Remember we are playing with at least three freshman at o-line.
By Twilb Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
EXACTLY ERIC C!! I mean, we just won an SEC game by 10…yes, it could have been more. The pick near the goal line kept a few points off the board, but that was a tough ball. Stafford was on a bootleg and just didn’t get enough on the ball. As for the FG’s, hey he is a true Frosh. I don’t know how many of you heard Kevin Butler on the way home today, but he just feels that the 1st miss was all timing.
The score could have easily been 37 - 14, but hey, I will take a 10 pt win in the SEC against the #22 team in the country any time!!
Go Dawgs!!
By Denver Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
First off, Lisa, Here’s obnoxious for you, go do what you do best - bend over and take it in the a$s.
Secondly, This team has the talent to be great, but the leadership is not there - on the part of the players and the coaches. Richt found the fire last year that was necessary to produce a champonship team and be a championship coach, but unfortunately it was only temporary. He is back to the same ol’ lame, emotionless, weak CMR.
By BoiseDawg
October 18, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
That last comment may have had some merit 2 weeks ago. but is a little silly now. Tech is having a great year and will probably give the Dawgs a very tough game, but come on. They haven’t looked all that great the past 2 weeks.
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You said, “Heck, I’m starting to wonder if Georgia is the best team in Georgia.”
That is one icy cold bucket of water to pour on a UGA fan’s head.
I have to agree with you on this one.
If we play next four games the way we did against TN and Vandy…the Tech game might as well be our bowl game. We will not be in the BCS and will probably not get a decent bowl.
To be fair, we’ve had so many injuries this year and it is tough to gel when we keep shuffling our offensive lines. Still, I won’t give up on this team. If they play with heart and desire and focus, I won’t give up on these kids.
By yellowblood
October 18, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Mark you need to get your nose out of Richt’s butt and come to one of our Tickle Piles. You will find it more of a climax.
By Brian
October 18, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
*Hey Twilb, always have? 4 National Championships at the Trade School on North Ave. One for the crotch sniffers in Athens. See you at Thanksgiving. Go Jackets. *
By To Hell With Georgia
October 18, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
muttlanders, when one of the chief ajc preseason kool-aid drinkers starts to doubt whether or not uga[g] is the best team in the state, you’re REALLY in trouble. lsu and florida - both away from sanford (where bama tore you a new onw) - are up next and i don’t know if the mutts have what it takes to beat them both…are you neutered? you might oughtta ask sailer if he has another dawg because the current uga ain’t cuttin’ it. 6-1 when you picked us to “rebuild” this year!!! thwg!!!
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Lisa,
You are SO FUNNY! You certainly would know obnoxious because you exhibit it by coming here bashing UGA fans. Obviously, you don’t know anything about Top 10 college football. I frequent other blogs and read what other fans say and do. I read about how fans in some stadiums throw things at the visitors. The fans on the blog are just as obnoxious as you are.
You must be a Tech fan who is tired of getting your nose rubbed in doggie poop every year when you lose to UGA. Like I said, you are FUNNY!
By OKCBULLDOG
October 18, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
This was a good win for us but not a great one because yet again it wasn’t impressive. I have to say I’ve seen us loose games like this in the past which kept us out of the hunt for conference title and NC but we have find ways to win them. Maybe we put it together soon. My question is why is every so surprised at the result of this three game home stand? I wrote in on this blog before the season started and said the we would possibly loose the Alabama game because of the game being after ASU and before a by and most of all we were at home. GEORGIA DOES NOT PLAY WELL AT HOME. We find a way every year to make it a close game with lesser teams and loose some of them. We don’t play with the fire and tanacity at home like we do on the road and the SEC record reflects that. It is a good thing we go to LSU and Auburn and we will see what happens in Jacksonville against Florida, but I’m glad we only have one other game at home this season against an SEC opponent.
By Twilb Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Look, even the Great ALABAMA didn’t blow out their opponent today! They squeaked by Ole Miss today.
So, before everyone goes and jumps of the Sanford bridge, take a deep breath and look around. We still have all of our goals intact and ahead of us! At this point last year UGA had 2 SEC East losses, and needed a last second fumble and FG to beat Vandy. So, not all is lost!!
One other thing…lay off of Bobo, he is a good coach and he knows better than any of us what his guys can do…remember if you do not execute the play it does not matter how good a play you call!
GO DAWGS!!
By Mike
October 18, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
First of all, we have suffered TWENTY unique and different injuries to individual players so far this season. I challenge you to find ONE team in the history of the sport that has overcome that kind of adversity to win a championship. The last time UGA had this many injuries in one season, it was 1995 and Ray Goff was on the verge of losing his job. This time we are sitting in the top ten at 6-1.
Secondly, we have beaten the joke by coke 7 years in a row with number 8 looming on the horizon. The fact that you would even suggest that Teck, who plays in a conference that is more comparable to the MAC at this point than any BCS conference, is the best team in the state just shows how little you actually know about college football, Mark.
Third, LSU is terrible and Florida is the exact same bunch that we humiliated last year in Jacksonville.
Finally, for the Teck commenter right above me, look it up retard, UGA has two consensus national titles, along with 3 others from polls that no longer exist or aren’t paid attention to by the masses anymore. Of course the only numbers that matter when it comes to the North Avenue Trade School and the Flagship University of the Great State of Georgia are these:
55-37-5.
Eat it, nerds. You are second fiddle at best in your own city and it kills you. Hell, I think there may be more Auburn fans in Atlanta than Tech people right now.
By brandon
October 18, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
A win is win. And a win doesn’t deserve UGA fans or anyone else for crying that this team can’t be a great team. Let the coaches coach and the players play. It’s not like they need fans telling them that they’re leaving a lot on the field.
By Miamidawg
October 18, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Georgia is without doubt very talented and with great potential.
Potential, however, has no value unless it is realized.
CMR needs to hold his OC and DC accountable for the performance of his team and lets not remember where the buck has to stop.
Average teams get pasted in Baton Rouge and Jax. If this team fails to reach its potential this season, CMR will have to make changes else the AD will have to rethink the direction of our program.
By CHI DAWG
October 18, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Twilb Dawg: you’re basically vocalizing the attitude we currently possess. looking at other teams (and not at ourselves) like bama and how close they win is just silly. and comparing this win to last year’s escape is meaningless. those are just two ways of looking the other way and excusing our lack of a blood thirsty and well coached team.
By cjohnson
October 18, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
First of all, Tech might not have creamed Gardner-Webb like they could have, but then again, UGA didn’t cream Vandy like they could have. And plus, Tech had their third string quarterback, and I admit that was just a bad game overall, but UGA hasn’t been looking so good for the past two weeks. We can’t really say who’s the better team until they play against each other.
By Three legged Dawg
October 18, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks Mark for removing your sunglasses. I really enjoy water girl asking you questions on your show. Now if Willie were to go to another program would it be in a high school or the Pros? Ha Ha- Sometimes when your family cannot do their job you have to cut them loose or maybe you will be told to find another profession yourself if you are the one in charge. Are you really in charge?
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Yech Fans,
Why are you talking like your team is world beaters? Given the beatings you’ve received from UGA, you should be hanging your head in shame. Yet here you are, thinking you are all that. Well, enjoy it while you can. The more you brag, the more we UGA fans laugh. We know where Tech lives…in the ACC.
By terry
October 18, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
honestly im proud of this team.you cant lose the key players they have lost to injury and expect to be champions!the best years are just around the bend!
By Larry
October 18, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
This is not complicated. When you are loaded with talent, yet among the leaders in the country in penalties, and barely squeak by marginal teams then there can only be one reason—coaching!
I have to agree, I think Bobo has a knack for calling the most bizarre plays on third and long and Martinez simply gets outcoached (see Alabama first half) routinely and only the raw Georgia talent are pulling out close wins. With much better coaching, the Bulldogs would be playing backups against much of their competition this season late in the 4th quarter.
By ARdawg
October 18, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
I’ve no doubt we are the best team in Georgia especially after watching the Bugs struggle with a hapless Clemson team. Vandy is a doggone good team.
As fans this is where we congratulate the Dawgs on a good win and thank them for their efforts. Vandy took us to the woodshed in the trenches. There was little pressure put on Adams the whole game. Stafford was under constant pressure. We have injuries to key players and it not only shows, it shines.
We’re not going to blow anyone out until we get some success on both the OL and DL’s. How we’ll accomplish this I really don’t know but, they are finding ways to win. We can win at LSU and Jacksonville and I believe we will.
GREAT WIN Dawgs! nothing to be ashamed of. You’re 6-1 and controlling your destiny. Take care of business and nothing else matters.
GO DAWGS
By Larry
October 18, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs must get rid of Willie Martinez and John Fabris. These two coaches are taking the team backwards.
By chadchandler
October 18, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs is going to show all you haters where its at against LSU and the Gaters. We aint out to wup everbody 50 to zip every weak. Richt like my own self know the Lord Almighty give us what we need not always 50 point. Knowshon is a fine runner so do kalib.
By Goldseater
October 18, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that UGAG is not playing to its potential, and GATECH is playing better than expected.
My guess is the better coaching staff is at GATECH, and the better team is there also.
BTW, I heard UGAG may win the NCAA championship at bowling this year, since their football team is better at that, than playing football.
By blue
October 18, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
You people act like LSU is some kind of great team they have not beat anyone as good as Vandy
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
I can’t let this week go by without challenging the polls and the media. Listening to ABC/ESPuke pregame show, it is more of the same bias. #3 Penn State blew out a weak Michigan team. #2 Bama struggled against another inferior, unranked team. If #1 falls tonight…should Penn State leapfrog Bama to #1? What did the announcers say? The theme for the rest of the season should be to win. Just win. In other words, they were saying “style points” shouldn’t matter.
Apparently, the “quality win” argument applies differently depending on the name of your team. Bama is immune. All they have to do is win against inferior opponents and they maintain their poll rank. Apparently, the SOS argument is irrelevant when we talk about Penn State. The only real decent opponent they will play this year is Ohio State and yet, if they win, they advance in the polls.
Now, on the downhill side of the season, suddenly the media discounts style points for teams they want to see remain in the top spots. I wonder if that same rule will apply to USC this week after they blew out yet another weak opponent? Or will the media say, “USC deserves to jump up several spots in the rankings based on the quality of this win”?
By the poll voter logic applied throughout this season, if TX wins…bama should be #3 because they struggled to beat an inferior team while Penn State should move to #2 because they blew out revered Michigan.
Bama has won ugly in most of their games this season against inferior opponents. No matter. To the media, that is just their style. Penn State hasn’t played a team with a winning record. No matter. To the media, Joe Pa is coaching, so they have to be given credit. They both deserve to be in the top three.
By Mike
October 18, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Bill Parcells once said “you are what your record is.” UGA is 6-1. FLA and LSU has each lost one. USC got beat by an unranked team. We got beat by the #2 team in the country who “blew out” KY by 3 and Ole Miss by 4 at home the last two weeks. Compare Richt’s record to the other top programs the last few years. In the end wins and losses are what counts. If Mark Bradley and many of the people on this blog wants to focus on style points they need to start watching figure skating.
By Brad
October 18, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
hey Mark,
I am no genious like yourself, but as a college graduate, they taught us that 24 was more than 14. That is the only thing that really matters. Bring on those Tigers! Go Dawgs!
By JMDawg
October 18, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
The handwringing on this blog over a win against a top 25 team is laughable. I say this as a Georgia fan myself - we have some of the most entitled, self-indulgent fans I’ve ever seen.
Simply put, you cannot lose the players we have lost and not expect to suffer as a result. The anchors of both of our lines have gone down for the season, as well as numerous key backups. You should be pleased as punch that we are 6-1 (3-0 vs. the SEC East) and in position to achieve all of the lofty goals we set for ourselves in the preseason. I know I am.
To say that these next two weeks are sure to be long ones is to ignore the eight-year history of Mark Richt at Georgia. How many times have we slogged through a win like today against an inferior team? More times than I count. If you think the team that showed up today is going to be the same one that shows up in Baton Rouge and Jacksonville, you’re simply not paying attention. This was a classic look-ahead matchup, and I’m just thankful Georgia was able to win with their C game.
LSU and Florida are not without their own issues. We are at least equal to both of those teams and I expect no worse than a split.
By chadchandler
October 18, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
in aint like knowshon have old school bulldogs like Bond Almond and Big Kevin Pope blocking for him like back in the day. Hate to think!!!
By bule
October 18, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Hey “GOLDSEATER” this is the same crap we here every time you nerds change coaches that now you have the better coach be fore that it was reggie that was the problem and before that it was oleary that was the problem and so on and so on
By Oledawg
October 18, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Unbelievable. The Dawgs don’t play to your level of your predictions, therefore something’s wrong with the Dawgs. What do you get out of watching this game if you can’t find a reason to enjoy it? Doesn’t a ranked SEC win count toward a championship?
Beginning a few weeks ago, I stated that this is a different team now and you can’t unbreak the egg. It’s been stated several times now and you along with some of your negative minions are hanging your heads and groaning. THIS IS A DIFFERENT TEAM NOW. We’ve lost too many players from the beginning team for you to try and compare or expect the same action from the team we now have. Yes, some of us will say they are weaker, but that doesn’t mean they won’t develop into a different and stronger team. They are still developing without key players and are retraining players to fill in. That takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight although some of you spoiled ignoramuses seem to thing we will believe that negative hooey. about our team just because you say so. I think I saw one of you today sitting on the ground next to Uga’s house down on the field. It looks like no one ever changed your diaper before you came on this blog.
I don’t see why this team can’t lay more points on LSU and FU than they can lay on us. And we haven’t given away any good plays yet. I would worry more if I was in LSU’s shoes this week. Hope they are scrappy enough to put up a good practice game for us before the next week’s game. Their defense wasn’t too good against FU. Neither was FU’s. And if their offense couldn’t put more points up on FU’s defense than that, I don’t see what the problem is. LSU HAS A DIFFERENT TEAM THIS YEAR ALSO. And the Dawgs can beat them.
UgaVII- Saw you stareing at the complainer sitting by your Dawghouse crying. GOOD DAWG!! Don’t say crap, just stare at ‘em and maybe they will go away. Like this blog
By Dawg4Life
October 18, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
BAMA JOE, Say what you will, but you barely beat Ole Miss and Kentucky. So do us all a favor and keep it to yourself. We hurt ourselves against UA by untimely penalities and mishaps. I only pray that we meet again and you are undefeated when that time comes.
By chadchandler
October 18, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
We need to go out after this season and get Old Ball Coach to come on down to Athens. You no he aint happy at SC!! Ain’t enought poonie up there for him. Given our player talent, If we can sign Ol Ball Coach, we might go on a 5 year undefeeted streek.
By DawgFAN
October 18, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Last year, we beat vandy with a last minute field goal. If i remember correctly, we had a damn good season after that. Vandy is a better team this year and we beat them by ten. We really need to fix the errors and i think we will be just fine. A win is a win. We are 6 and 1. Life is good. Go Dawgs!
By BE#3
October 18, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
If Walsh makes 2 FG’s we win 30-14. If Vandy doesn’t get the benefit of an iffy PI call, it might be 30-10 or 30-7. Who knows? Bottom line, Dawgs beat a top 25 team and are still in control of their own destiny and are sitting atop the SEC East.
The play calling is a little shaky at time. Knowson on the toss sweep. Knowson on the toss sweep. Caleb on the toss sweep. Stafford deep to AJ Green. It can be like a broken record. But it is working b/c the Dawgs have the #1 O in the conference. I was a little shocked at how well Vandy ran the ball against our D though. Happy that the penalties decreased today.
Remember, Bobo is the same OC and Martinez is the same DC that led the Dawgs on their 2nd half run last season. Injuries were not an issue like they’ve been this season. 6-1 is 6-1. No matter how you spin it.
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
JMDawg,
I hope you are right when you suggest that UGA will play better against LSU and Florida…but it is you who are not paying attention. It is one thing to get manhandled and find a way to win. It is another thing to manhandle teams and have opportunities to blow them out and yet, we keep giving them opportunities to win.
I am pleased we’ve won. I am proud we’ve hung in there. But we have every reason to question the strange third down and red zone play calling. We have reason to question why UGA can’t seem to make offensive and defensive adjustments as the game progresses. We are not ignoring Richt’s history. We seem to play flat against good teams and we have lost to Florida more than we win. So don’t say that we who question the team’s preparedness to play are laughable or not paying attention.
If we split those games…you better hope we lose to LSU and win at Florida because UF has a cupcake schedule after they play us. To get to the SECC, we have to beat UF and KY because UF should beat Vandy and SoCarolina.
By ARdawg
October 18, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
JM Dawg & Mike
Excellent points and posts of which I whole-heartedly agree!
DGD’s the both of you
By NW GA Dawg
October 18, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
A Win is a win is a win. No it wasn’t pretty; however I’ll take it and run with it. This was a trap-game big time (even know a Tech grad buddy who said so). I agree with the blogger above re: UGA winning ugly games and then showing up in subsequent games. I was in Nashville last year and we all know what happened after that one.
Will Dawgs repeat history? Who knows? That’s why we see ‘em play. GATA and go Dawgs.
By SlimG
October 18, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
A win is a win. Dawgs are not peeking too soon. All we need to do is beat UF and we’ll play for the NC. Just win baby.
Mark, give me a break man, who has tech beat? They lost to the only ranked team they’ve played. Let’s see, georgia has played 4 ranked teams and won 3. Just can’t see your logic.
Although you do make one good point, they are not the same team. Losing two big bodies up front hurt.
Newsflash. Bama just lost the big guy in the middle on D. Understand, they will not be the same without him plugging.
By RomeGADawg
October 18, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
has BooBoo ever heard of a double screen or a half back pass or a reverse or a fake reverse or anyting with imagination. Sht it can not be missionary every dan time. No imagination on offense, defense or special teams. I have never seen such a vanilla team in my life.
By JMDawg
October 18, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Slave, question the playcalling to your hearts content. I haven’t been pleased with it either. I also agree we left too many points on the board the last two weeks.
But I have to disagree with you on the comment that Georgia “seem(s) to play flat against good teams.” Coach Richt has an 18-11 record against his four biggest rivals. He is also 6-2 versus South Carolina, 3-1 vs. Alabama, 2-2 vs. LSU, 5-2 in bowls and 2-1 in SEC championship games. He does just fine against the good teams. Sure, the Alabama game was a nightmare, but when you play good teams occasionally that’s going to happen. All I can ask is that we win our share of the big games, and we have done that under CMR.
By RomeGADawg
October 18, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
how bout a flea flicker or a fake flea flicker or a reverse on a punt or a fake reverse on a punt. A fake punt or a fake field goal. Godmit GA games are so fking boring. High School footbal has mor imagination than GA football. How bout a blitz on defense. I bet bowling was fun. probably had the rails up at the bowling alley to make sure nobody bowled a f’ing gutter ball. would hate to take a chance…GEEZ
By DAP01
October 18, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Georgia would have beat Gardner Webb by more than 3.
What an insightful column!
By Redcoat
October 18, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
“A win is a win” - while this is technically true it doesn’t offer any real explanation as to what the heck is going on. I would like someone to tell me why we have ALL this talent on offense and can’t close the deal in a convincing fashion.
Is it Bobo? You have to admit that it often appears that he has only worked up about 6 plays… Is it Willie M? I have NEVER subscribed to the “bend but don’t break” philosophy; I believe it is only code for “our people are weak”. Maybe its Richt…
Face it, for the last several years we have under-achieved. What has this era become known for? “points left on the field”, under achieving, poor offensive lines, lack of execution.
Its time to put up or make a change…
By asswipe
October 18, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I still want to know why the Bama secondary can play tight one on one coverage and the Dawgs play very loose. Are we coached that way are do we have bad, slow, D'backs. I say we are coached that way and it won't get better until it changes!!!!!1By Twilb Dawg
October 18, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Hey Brian
WE have 2 CONSENSUS titles 1980 and 1942, as well as 3 others recognized by the NCAA in 1927, 1946, and 1968! UGA only touts its CONSENSUS, unlike GT, who if they followed this logic would not have any NC’s to show.
Let me make a couple of points that no matter how you may try, you cannot argue which is the better program.
WE OWN TECH - All-time series 59-36-5 (UGA has won 23 out of the last 30, 36 out of the last 50…shall I continue??)
Tech’s only claim to football fame since the Bobby Dodd era is a CO-NC from 1990. One that pretty much any football expert will agree that Tech should not have gotten.
UGA’s all-time win % is .646 which ranks 11th (720 wins all-time) Tech’s all-time win % is .5942 (658 wins all-time)
UGA - 2 Heisman Tropy winner Tech - ZERO
UGA - 66 All-Americans Tech - 49
UGA - 43 Bowl appearances Tech - 35 Bowls
So, as I said..
By dwill
October 18, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Bobo needs to go-go. He is out of his league.
By bigdave
October 18, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
the D isn’t the problem, they’re decent enough, our let down is in stafford, he’s just flat out overrated. he’s ok, but not consistantly great like we all believed he would be, or he believes he is.
By Mark Bradley
October 18, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
I don’t think it’s a question of Georgia being man enough. I think it’s a question of putting its manpower together the way it did last season at this time.
And that’s the thing that bothers me: This time a year ago, Georgia didn’t know how good it could be. It knows now, but it still keeps getting in its own way.
By Dawg in DC
October 18, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Two words
Gardner Webb
By ColenelV
October 18, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
My question to all of you DAWG fans…Did any of you even go to college?
By ljbBAMA
October 18, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
The difference between UGA and BAMA is we have a real football coach. I will admit that we barely got by a couple of teams that we likely should have a little worse than we did. Lets not forget that you guys still have Kentucky on your schedule and Ole Miss beat a Gator team that you guy will get beat pretty bad by b/c A) they are better than you and B) you guys pulled a stunt last year that will bite in you but this year. I really dont think UGA is man enough to beat BAMA with this team that they have right now. CODY- sprained MCL, he will be back in 2-3 weeks
By ColenelV
October 18, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
One word..Tennessee!
By BCS Slave
October 18, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
JMDawg,
Just we because Richt is 18-11 against UGA’s four biggest rivals that doesn’t mean we haven’t been flat. I didn’t say we lost. What I mean by flat is that their is a history of dropped passes, poor clock management, questionable play calling, and uninspired performances. Yes there have been exceptions…I’m not saying it is ALWAYS that way. But it has happened enough over the course of these years that many fans are tired of it.
Frankly, there’s nothing wrong with fans voicing their concerns about how the team is playing. You can be optimistic or blinded by the past to your hearts content. Some of us feel the need to express our growing feelings to the contrary.
By Redcoat
October 18, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Mark,
The Dawgs’ getting in their own way is a big part of it. However, hasn’t it been the same problem over the last several years? Where’s this team’s identity? The identity appears to be, if nothing else, an underachiever.
Do you, Mark, have any incite as to why this is?????
By Dr. Morpheus
October 18, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Who cares about “who cares?” Posters of this type are concern trolls (google it if you don’t know what that is). Actual Dawg fans who are whining about our 6-1 record, Top Ten ranking, and leadership in the SEC in offensive and defensive performance need to consider WA (“My name is ‘concerned’ and I’m a whiner…”
By JP
October 18, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
One word
Overrated!!!!!!!
By Mark Bradley
October 18, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
I understand folks are free to say pretty much what they want on these blogs, but let’s get serious: Mark Richt is a real football coach — a real good one.
By athdog
October 18, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Last year, after 7 games, our O line was jelling nicely with two senior leaders, and three nice underclassmen who had all played together as a group for 7 games. This year, 7 games, several different lineups with positions being juggled due to injuries and all of the spots being filled with players in their first or second years in the program. You people who think Bobo’s at fault because we can’t score 40 points a game need to get a grip. Stafford is an average quarterback with a great arm, not vice versa, and we rarely block well on more than 2 consecutive plays. Defensively, the db’s consist of Asher, and little else. Their job is not any easier because there is no Pollack, Johnson, or Howard there to rush the passer. Those guys don’t grow on trees. Those of you who thought a team with all freshmen and sophomores on the O line would win a national title after coming through the SEC will probably go back to being what you are, bandwagon jumpers, after this season. No telling who you will be a ‘fan’ of next year. And yes, Vance is a junior but he transferred from JC and is only in his second year here. Go Dawgs!
By Bow Wow
October 18, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Georgia leads the nation in player arrests and penalties. The “gangsta” attitude that Richt has cultivated will never lead to a national championship. Expect whippings from LSU, UF, and probably GT.
By asswipe
October 18, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
I think there is no question last year we had more team leaders. There is very little celebration during a game by the players as there was last year in my opinion. Some teams have it, some don't. Dawgs don't, to the "extent" of last year. Richt asked for team leaders, I don't think he got them. Without team leadership gators will kill us, maybe tech too.By Supes
October 18, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Mark shut the frak up.
How about you let this season play out first before you come in and write a piece about gloom and doom?
UGA’s 1st goal is still within reach…