Terence Moore

By What?

December 3, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

UGA gave up 41, 49, 38, 38, and 45 points in games this year, but no coaching changes will be made. Now, we open at OK State next year - we may have to score 100 points if we hope to win ‘cause we know they will score a ton of points!

By Dogbyte

December 3, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

You are trying to talk logic to a bunch of illogical idiots, Terence. Good luck.

By yeah

December 3, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

For once in my life I agree with TM. I had all of the emotions of the game and wanting to fire willie now! Mark Richt has led us from the land of goff and donnan. Back then this would have still been a great year. I stand by my coach. Mad but supportive. go dawgs! Can’t wait til bowl game and next season!

By 78 DAWG

December 3, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

You’re right 9-3 is what they always were, Vegas had the win total at 9 before the season and…………. Schedule, not that monstrous, as a matter of fact, pretty mediocre since AZ ST, LSU, Auburn and Tenn all turned out to be, mediocre. Richt does have a reciepe for success. Recruit top talent, let them act anyway they want in the class room and on and off the field with no accountability, so the next group of high school senior will want to come to UGA. Tanning every Tuesday and hair plugs after 2008 season.

By scoreboard

December 3, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Well, that seals it. I’ve been having trouble deciding whether I thought Martinez should stay or go. But Ol’ Terrence has helped me make my decision. If Terrence likes him, then he needs to go. Now.

Thanks for the help, Terrence. Your sage writings quite often help me make difficult decisions in this confusing world or ours…

By The Old Man

December 3, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I am reminded of my all time favorite quote by a football coach:

“Collegiate Head Football coaching is a crazy way to make a living - your job security depends upon whether an 18-year old kid. If that kid catches the pass, you are coach of the year. If that kid drops that pass, you are fired.”

• Pepper Rogers

By TNJeff

December 3, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

If I had any doubts about my opinion concerning Willie’s need to be let go, I doubt no more.

If Moore is for keeping him, I know he needs to go. Never has one sportswriter been so consistently wrong about any & everything!

Keep up the fine work Terence!

By TNJeff

December 3, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Hey Dogbyte - I bet you were a Chan fan too!

Pot to Kettle - connect the dots

By Z. Itchy

December 3, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

I just don’t think the Dawgs had the horses this year, especially on the ends. They need to recruit quick ends about 6’5”, 250. A high vertical leap would be nice too.

By Bill

December 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Glad you said all that - you’d think from some messages I’ve seen on other blogs that these folks think that Richt would - just because he’s a nice guy - keep coaches who cost him a significant number of victories.

He wouldn’t.

It doesn’t take a heck of a lot of common sense to know that (1) Richt, even if he was slow-witted and he’s not, understands football based on being involved in it professionally for so long (2) He wants to win, not only is it more fun than losing, his own job relies on that (3) If he believed that he could substantially change the win/loss ratio by making changes in the coaching staff he would.

But, from the messages I’ve been reading on various blogs lately, people seem to think that he’s decided … well, they’re my buddies, it’ll screw up my win/loss record to keep them, but what the hell I will anyway.

When you hire a professional - a doctor, a lawyer, a football coach - you have to presume that person - by experience and the apptitude for that line of work that got them there in the first place - knows more than you do. My guess is that most of the people who have called for various changes have zero professional football experience and yet, somehow, think that they’ve channeled Bear Bryant and have obtained - just from watching TV and reading sports stories - expertise that gives them more football wisdom thant the professionals.

All I can hope is that they haven’t been watching aviation movies and now think that they can fly a 777.

By T

December 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Great article.. and alot of logic and facts.. I agree with you.. Thanks Terence

By Gators Eat Boogers

December 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Teams mirror their coaches and this team was the most undisciplined team I have ever seen. We lost to Tech and would have made a game of the Bama and UF games if we weren’t so undisciplined. Knuckle head penalties that go unpunished, that is bad coaching. And don’t get me started on the red zone play calling.

By RxDawg

December 3, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Unfortunatley most dawg fans will dismiss your comments due to where they come from and not what they say, but I agree. The coaching staff has stayed the same over the years, it’s the players that have changed. Our defense is riddled with overhyped recruits that just haven’t developed into football players. Now we have a few gems. Asher Allen and Rennie Curran are fantastic players. I may even through out Geno Atkins name too. Unfortunatley they are about it. Dawg fans it happens. We will rebound, we will get some players in there that actualy want to hit somebody. Don’t forget, we were within ear shot of playing in the national championship game and ened up #2 in the nation only just last year. The only changing factor is the players. Big time players make big time plays and we just didn’t have enough of them to accomplish our goals.

By Dan

December 3, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Boy that schedule was monstrous wasn’t it! LSU and South Carolina put up deceiving 7-5 records. Tennessee, Auburn and Arizona State are all looking forward to their bowl games…oh wait. Georgia played two great teams and one good team and gave up over 40 in each game. They were plagued by poor tackling, missed assignments and mental mistakes ALL SEASON LONG and they did nothing to fix it. They were still making the same mistakes in week one that they made in week 13. That’s unacceptable. If Richt wants to keep Martinez, that’s his call, but the defense was a failure this year.

By 59-39-5

December 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Terrance, I often disagree with you, but in this instance, you are right on the money. People have such a short term view of things. I have been saying all year that Martinez is solid, he just had to deal with a ton of injuries and an offense and special teams that put him in bad positions throughout the year.

By JCubby

December 3, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Another nice statistic was relayed during the Tech game on TV. Only two teams have finished the season ranked in the top ten every year for the past six years. The University of Southern California and the University of Georgia. Pretty good company. We may or may not make it this year, but lets not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let the coach do his job. When he is convinced there is a problem, he will fix it. This year during a four game stretch, Texas gave up 35,31,24,and 39 points, yet everybody wants to hire their DC and Texas gave him a healthy raise to stay. How about a little perspective please. Win Lose or Draw, it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!

By Dog-on

December 3, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

I guess we will be better next year? If not someone has to go!! We are known for our “D” being very Aggressive & Good and sound fundametally. We were none of these. I am a big DOG FAN we must get better. lets win our bowl game in front of a national crowd. and get ready for next season. GO Dogs!!!!

By sprtdog

December 3, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

I think Willie Martinez is a fine football coach. He has produced some outstanding defensive backs at UGA who are now in the NFL including walk-on Tra Battle. However, he has shown in four seasons he does not have the ability to lead UGA to the kind of defense it takes to win SEC and national championships. The difference between UGA and UF this season is defense. On Saturday, UF fumbled inside the Gator 10 and the Gator defense held FSU to a field goal. In Athens, UGA fumbles a kick at their 20-25 yard line and Tech scores on the next play running right up the middle. Sometimes defenses have to step to bail out offensive mistakes just like offense have to step up to help their defense when facing a very productive offense Willie had a good game plan for the first half but once CPJ solved it at halftime UGA defense was easy pickings. In UGA’s three losses this season, Bama UF and GT all scored more than 30 points in one half. Don’t forget the 2006 UT game when the Vols hit UGA for 37 in the second half. When a coordinator has UGA’s number, the Bulldog defense is at his mercy. The big problem at UGA this season is the defensive line that has better talent than what it showed this year. Bulldogs have to get tough up front on defense and next year could be the big year fans hoped in 2009 and 2010. I am not a Willie basher and again I believe he is very good football coach. UGA though has to shore up their defensive problems if they want to sell their program to recruits as an SEC and national championship contender. You should never LOSE a game where your offense scores SIX touchdowns against a top rated defense like Georgia Tech’s that has four future NFL defensive linemen.

By Drew

December 3, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Terence, it’s not just this year. Look at previous years and look at the games where the other team had a huge half against our defense. Tennesse did it two years in a row. They scored 40+ at Sanford in the 2nd half in 06 and then last year they scored 28 in the first half. Oh ya, remember the West Virginia romp in the 1st half? Willie’s defense has had some good games, but if a team has his number, he CANNOT adjust until it is too late. Nobody fears the UGA defense anymore. Allowing 25 points a game in the SEC is not acceptable.

By Bill

December 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Georgia has a coaching problem, but it is not Willie.

By ugarulz44

December 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

ummm…Lets see. Talent will only go sooo far right, then that is where coaching comes into play. Well a 9-3 record with the players that we have…means the talent did what they had to do and the coaching stunk it up. Who’s ultimately responsibility is it for a team’s success??? THE COACHING. And the coaching failed this year. Moore you are an idiot and always have been. If you think that Martinez did a good job this year….then how do you explain UGA leading the SEC in total offense and then the defense giving up 20+ points to eight teams this year………UGA defense is 10th in SEC in points allowed(thats out of 12 teams buddy). Sooo should we really leave Willie alone. Willie never made adjust in the Bama or Florida game( we might still lost anyways, but he didn’t even put up a fight) and the TECH…we got drilled by a high school offense. Gave credit to TECH, but its not like that offense is some secret or hard to defend…..unless you are being coached by Willie Martinez. HE should be fired or at the most have one more year to turn it around. But to be honest…..I am really disappointed with the way Richt has coached this year….we haven’t seen that fire in him, and he has lost control of his team. UGA led the nation in penalties and DUI’s…..that falls on lack of control from coaching(players are to blame as well)……BUT like i said ultimately who’s responsible for the success and fall of a team???? The Coach, and he and the rest of the staff have failed.

TECH and UGA have the same record…..one team clearly has more Talent than the other, but one team’s Coach is being touted as having a successful year…….and it should be no surprise who that coach is.

By The Grinch

December 3, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

‘sup, Dogbyte?

Terrence, I picked the Dawgs to go 10-2 at the beginning of the season (that should also be on record here somewhere, should anyone care to look it up). The schedule was horrible, the off-season suspensions were disturbing, key injuries, and the curse of SI the worst of all. HOWEVER, I did think we’d at least show up in our two losses, beat tech and go to the Sugar bowl (I figured Florida would probably play in the NC game).

Martinez had an off year, no doubt. But he also only had one solid cornerback and no defensive ends. When Owens got injured, he couldn’t take up the slack on the line, and you can’t blitz if you’ve only got one corner to play man. That doesn’t explain it all, of course; he still could have done a better job. But I’m not sure he should be fired.

What I’d like to know is, with all our five star recruiting classes how we wound up with one cornerback, no defensive ends and an all freshman offensive line. THAT ought to be addressed. And the special teams coach DOES need to be fired.

That all said, let’s go whip Michigan State!

By RedAndBlack

December 3, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Do you agree that: 1) Even though the offense took more hit to injuries, they’ve stayed consistent throughout the year as far as scoring and making adjustments? 2) The offense has put up enough points in a lot of the games this year to be able to win by a comfortable margin? 3) Mike Bobo, after two years, has improved more as a Coordinator than the said Defensive Coordinator after 6 years? 4) The defense, with all the talent still in tact from last year, has underachieved in 2008…not last year nor the year before? 5) The offensive line, as young as it is, blocked better for Stafford and Moreno than the defense on stopping the run? 6) The defense, even having to defend on a bad field position, allowed way too many touchdowns instead of limiting the opposing team to settle for field goal?

Last question: Should the big three auto makers be given $35billion from TARP without restructuring? No. My point is, the system is broken somewhere and it’s up to the coaches to deeply assess and find what needs to be fixed or else donations will be less than years past. Even CMR admits they need to improve. Why settle for being a good 10 win team each year when the talent exists to be a great team. You may want to read Jim Collin’s book ‘Good to Great’.

By Plant

December 3, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

I believe this to be the first column of TM’s that I’ve ever agreed with. I’m tired of the vocal minority spewing nonsense on a daily basis about the staff. It’s rare that TM is the voice of reason in this rag.

Go Dawgs!

By Pietro

December 3, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

TM overlooks these important facts: The supposedly 8th ranked defense from last year returned 9 starters and added several highly ranked freshman. The players on this defense are probably more talented than last year, yet performed pathetically. The only explanation is poor preparation, which in my mind is the coach’s job. The allowing of massive yardage and points was due to two basic things, both related to coaching: (1) poor scheme and inability to adjust to what the offense was doing; (2) poor tackling, which is a basic skill that should be practiced often even at the college level.

By techeatsvomit

December 3, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

T, I never, ever, ever agree with anything you have ever said…..until now. Mark hasn’t forgotten how to coach, nor has Willie. You can’t expect Demarcus Dobbs and Rod Battle to morph into David Pollack, Charles Johnson or Marcus Howard. Those guys don’t grow on trees.
Chill, it’ll be fine.

By roswell dad

December 3, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Terrance: Finally I get to agree with you. Unfortunately, the Bulldog Nation has crybabies who are not happy at 9-3. Lets see how many guys make the All-SEC 1st team other than possibly Marino and Stafford, then we’ll discuss all this talent that we keep hearing about. Talent plays and talent wins, check our defenses in the past . We don’t have guys at present on defense who could carry some of their jocks. Coach Richt is a guy who has a track record as a winner, and you can bet in the off-season he will motivate all the coaches and players to get the best out of them next year. Maybe since Tech has all this young talent, the sportswriters will set them up next year by predicting a National Championship for them. Give them the kiss of death that they gave the Dogs this year. It takes the total of offensive line, defensive line, defensive ends that can rush the passer, and on and on to be considered to be a National Championship hopeful. Dogs had some pieces, but not all the pieces to win a Championship. Quit this “blame game” and show some class…….

By Tech75

December 3, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Keep him! Please?

By Steve Superior

December 3, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

The puppy dawgs were a lot closer to 6-6, than 12-0. Lucky to hang on against the three juggernauts, Carolina, Kentucy and Auburn. What a schedule!

By AlphaDog

December 3, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Hey people, Saragin(the SOS Standard), still has UGA with the 6th or 7th toughest schedule in the nation this year, we may not be the #1 toughest, but we still didn’t fall that far(even with UA, LSU and TN falling the way they did). Though, its still no excuss for the terrible play the last 6 weeks.

By BIG HARRY....

December 3, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Most people would agree that “what” goes wrong is not as important as “how” it gets fixed… in the case of Georgia’s D: Nothing was fixed.

Martinez doesn’t have to be fired, he can go back to coaching the DBs.

Doesn’t really matter - Richt’s not going to make a change in his staff.

Maybe next year will be better….

By RedAndBlack

December 3, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Do you agree that: 1) Even though the offense took more hit to injuries, they’ve stayed consistent throughout the year as far as scoring and making adjustments?

2) The offense has put up enough points in a lot of the games this year to be able to win by a comfortable margin?

3) Mike Bobo, after two years, has improved more as a Coordinator than the said Defensive Coordinator after 6 years?

4) The defense, with all the talent still in tact from last year, has underachieved in 2008…not last year nor the year before?

5) The offensive line, as young as it is, blocked better for Stafford and Moreno than the defense on stopping the run?

6) The defense, even having to defend on a bad field position, allowed way too many touchdowns instead of limiting the opposing team to settle for field goal?

Last question: Should the big three auto makers be given $35billion from TARP without restructuring? No. My point is, the system is broken somewhere and it’s up to the coaches to deeply assess and find what needs to be fixed or else donations will be less than years past. Even CMR admits they need to improve. Why settle for being a good 10 win team each year when the talent exists to be a great team. You may want to read Jim Collin’s book ‘Good to Great’.

By Bruce Mac

December 3, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

You are absolutely correct Terrance. One loss to Tech every 8 years and we want to fire coaches. What did you think, we were going to win every year for the rest of eternity. Oh my gosh, College kids drink, fire the coach he has lost control, give me a break. Morons are a plenty and they mostly wear gold or orange. Go Dawgs, everything is fine. We will be better next year with or without Stafford, because CMR will be back and he is the best coach we have ever had.

By ga_tech_92

December 3, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

All those years of top 5 recruiting isn’t good enough? Imagine if UGA played GT with mid level ACC level recruiting! Yet…mid level ACC recruiting whipped the dogs butts…interesting.

By Scrappy

December 3, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

I remain concerned by three major flaws with Coach Martinez: (1) His players demonstrate poor discipline and poor technique, despite the wealth of talent we have there; (2) he is a very poor game-day coach, as he seems unable or unwilling to make necessary adjustments; and (3) he continually blames his players, saying they just failed to execute his defensive scheme. Bottom line: BE A MAN and accept responsibility for your shortcomings as a coach! If they aren’t executing, it’s YOUR fault. Stop blaming the kids and do your job! Otherwise, please just go away.

By Warren

December 3, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Blaming players will not work for UGA has great talent and everyone knows it. There is no hope in winning the SEC because of the great coaching quality at AL and Fl. When the head coach will not replace a bad coach because of personal reasons then it’s over. Rick was hired to build a championship program not family relations.

By Desert Dawg

December 3, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Some people would complain if you were giving away $10 bills but did not provide a bag to put them in!!!

All those who place the blame for this years disappointing season on the Defense have apparently forgotten all the misques by the Offense and Special teams. Take away some of the fumbles and interceptions and GA could be 11-1.

All Dawg fans were disappointed this year…no doubt. But, firing the coach or coaches is not the solution. Simply stated, GA played to the level of a 9 win team (thank you Terence). The exact reason is a complicated combination of many factors, only one of which is coaching. Be happy with the 9 wins, New Years day bowl and optimistic for 2009. We have MUCH to be thankful for. Frankly, we have been spoiled by the success of CMR and his staff over the past 8 years.

The biggest problem with the DAWGS this year was an obvious lack of “on the field leadership”. NO ONE PLAYER declared “This is my team” and took charge. Like him or not, you have to give TEBOW credit for leadership. You don’t think Rutgers misses Ray Rice???

Stafford and Moreno were great athletes but just did not have the leadership skills…very few do! How many post-game interviews did you see with GA Athletes? Not many! I suspect this is the reason.

Leadership is a critical intangible that can’t be coached but is vital for the highest levels of success.

Here’s hoping that in 2009 someone emerges as the “TOP DAWG” and takes a very talented team back into the BCS.

By willie

December 3, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

if the coach calls the right play and guys are in position to make the tackle, what else can he do…the players are the ones responsible for this years problems.

By Terence Moore

December 3, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

From glancing at the blogs, I’m glad to see there are a lot of sensible-thinking folks out there when it comes to Richt and his staff.

Here’s another thing to remember: Many, if not most, college football teams get rid of an assistant coach or three every season these days. And those teams still remain mediocre or less.

And consider this: The USA Today pointed out the other day that the average life of a head coach in college football has dropped to a little more than five years.

Richt has been at Georgia for eight, which means he sort of knows what he’s doing when it comes to most things, especially with that record.

By Tech75

December 3, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

RedAndBlack - I think you need to factor in that you had 3 first-round draft choices playing at RB, QB, and WR.

Those 3 would make ANY OC look good.

By Supes

December 3, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

TM, as usual you are WRONG sir.

UGA defensive players were all 3 star plus recruits out of HS. You know what we saw all year long, that the majority of the players ARE NOT FUNDAMENTALY SOUND.

They were out of position, and couldn’t tackle/wrap up to save their lives with a few exceptions.

Asher Allen, Renne Currain both have had solid years. The Interior DT players have played well most of the year.

That’s where it ENDS.

Secondary got burned many times, took poor angles when going for a tackle therefore taking themselves out of the play, and Rashard Jones was more interested in barking, talking tough and trying to make a “big hit look cool” than actually doing his job.

When you look at the UGA/Tech Game it was reflective on what UGA has been defensively the entire season. They played well for 2 quarters, then came out FLAT, over pursued, had missed tackles and assignments (Jones, Ellerbee and R. Brown) and were NOT physical enough on the perimeter.

Owens was a big loss, but our DT have held up OK.

Our DE play was abismal in 08. I’m shocked that we Don’t have a playmaking DE at UGA with all the “talent” coming in every year recruiting wise.

So stop defending Martinez. Someone has to take responsibility for the way UGA was gashed defensively in 08. Most of it falls on poor coaching. Poor execution/missed assignments/tackles is COACHING related. The coaches are supposed to make sure the players are held accountable and can play fundamental sound football.

When the other team has greater talent and they just OUTplay you, that’s one thing. Tech beats us b/c we were NOT ready and didn’t play well for 4 quarters…It has to fall on the coaching STAFF!

By Travis Hill

December 3, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

2001 19.0 points per game (no 30 point allowed games) 12 games 2002 16.3 points per game (no 30 point games allowed) 14 games 2003 14.5 points per game (34 to LSU) 14 games 2004 16.5 points per game (no 30 point games allowed) 12 games

Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder 1 30+ point game allowed in 52 games

2005 16.4 points per game (31 AU, 38 WVU) 13 games 2006 17.6 points per game (51 UT) 13 games 2007 20.2 points per game (35 UT, 30 UF, 34 Troy) 13 games 2008 23.4 points per game (41 Bama, 38 LSU, 49 UF, 38 UK, 45 TECH) 12

Defensive Coordinator Wiliie Martinez 11 - 30+ point games allowed in 51 games

Numbers don’t lie Terence…

Willie’s got to go!

By Dawg Fud

December 3, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

After looking back on the season, our schedule does not seem so monstrous. It was very manageable.

The four game stretch away from Sanford was tough, but we only played well in one of those games, LSU…and we gave up 38 pts.

We had two weeks to prepare for Tech and they ran all over us. Wake up people. It is either a talent issue or a coaching issue on defense, maybe both.

We are going to miss MoMass and his leadership…Damn good Dawg and person.

GO DAWGS!

By Okefenokee Dawgs

December 3, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

I would just like for someone on our team- either player or coach - to act like loosing bothered them. Especially when we have our arse handed to us like in the Bama and Florida games. This year it wasn’t the three loses - it was the way we lost. And everyone seems to act like it is no big deal. Now CMR says he will evaluate at the end of the year, but, oh yeah, we do that every year anyway. The Dawgs need a lot more than a little reevaluation at the end of this year. Failure to do so puts way too much emphasis on the 9 wins, and not the 3 horrid loses.

By Doc 54

December 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Georgia’s problem centers around the lack of “team” play, especially on defense. Defense has always called for players who will put the team ahead of individual stats. Look at Glenn Dorsey of LSU last season. While he certainly put up good numbers, most of his time was spent dealing with the double teams used against him. Such selfless play did not diminish his NFL value, and Georgia’s players should learn from this example.

In the Tech game, many of the defense players from Georgia seemed to be intent upon trying to force fumbles and make “highlight” plays rather than focusing on basic tackling. While the coach shares some of the blame for this, it is up to players to keep their heads in the game.

By scottinJaXBeach

December 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Oh Terence,

I agree with everyone else on here in saying that if you honestly believe CWM is not the problem then BY ALL MEANS HE IS!

Despite your stats, the Defense has gotten progressivley worse since has taken over! Terence, can you explain why this defense has given up as many points as they have? Yes it is the players but it is also comes from schemes and coaching. Something that CWM clearly knows little about! The scuttlebut I am hearing inside the lockeroom is that the Defensive players refer to Rodney Garner as “Coach Garner” and CWM simply as “Willie”.

That says it all right there!

By Dawg Fud

December 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

And if you think Joe Cox will start over Logan Gray next year you are crazy.

It would be the Tereshinski ordeal all over again.

By too tough44

December 3, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Leave CMR alone. He is the best coach since Dooley. I hope he stays for long haul! He will make needed adjustments when necessary. Martinez, I hopefully, believe he will get some insight, advice, or something to improve his defensive schemes, plans etc…………..GO DAWGS!

By Dog in Fla

December 3, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

The head coach, the defensive and special teams coaching staff needs to take all, not some, of the responsibilty for the waste of the most explosive offensive team UGA has ever had.

Their coaching jobs were saved by Bobo, Searles, Stafford, Moreno, Massaquoi and A.J.

There is no reason in the world why Stafford and Moreno should stay. Coach Richt imagines how they would do so much better under a seasoned offensive line. Were I Stafford or Moreno, my questions would be how do we lose a game we score 42 in and where in the world of Waldo did our special teams disappear.

Let’s face it: we have already had the best season we are going to have and it was the typical magical second season. Donnan was gone not too long after the team he had been waiting for fifty-five years to have. While Mark has done better than Jim and won’t be run off for awhile (See, Fulmer, Phil), complacency is a dangerous thing.

Do hard tail coaches such as Saban, Urban Meyer, Paul Johnson have off seasons? Yes, they do. Do they value coach and player competence and discipline over loyalty? Yes, they do. Do ours? Apparently not. Our coaches need to act more Old School than Sunday School.

By Dan

December 3, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

This column overlooks several salient facts. (1) Richt came from a FSU program which had incredible coaching stability, coincidentally, during a wonderful decade+ run in which FSU often simply “out-athleted” almost (though not) all of its competition. (2) UGA has talented athletes, to be sure, but they are not more talented than those playing for Florida and Alabama. (3) Coaching matters. Paul Johnson is innovative and contrarian. So is Urban Meyer. An average or merely good defensive coordinator is not going to outcoach them, particularly when Tech or UF’s players are executing well.

So long as UGA recruits well, the program can look forward to many 8-10 win seasons. Without better defensive coaching in particular (and more attention paid to special teams, too), however, do not expect many more SEC East titles, conference championships, or Top 10 finishes. Or many more wins over Tech so long as Paul Johnson is in Atlanta.

By PMC

December 3, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

while this is all well and Good Mr T.

If not now…. when?

Georgia has not won a national title since 1980. Only now are they coming back into national prominence and they are lucky most years to survive the division.

Georgia Tech has won a national title that is 10 years newer and currently thier program is in an easier position to win titles than is the one in Athens.

If not now… when?

By acworth dawg

December 3, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

I must have watched a different GT game. I saw two or three players have a shot at making the tackle on all three long runs for touch downs in the second half. Now it seems to me that if the player is in the right place at the right time then they were coached correctly.

In the Florida game 2 scores were made due to blown coverages. Players not doing what they were suppose to be doing.

Our defense has carried us for many years and helped get us to this point. The same coach that everyone wants to fired today had a game plan to stop Hawaii in the sugar bowl, Florida, Auburn just this past year. Do you think he forgot how to coach.

And lastly, I love the Dawgs as much as anyone could be reading the blogs is depressing. Most people just want to Bit**. People talk about the players be thugs but based on the posting on the page and others; it seems to be that the thugs are the fans. Grow up and realize that CMR and CWM are way smarter than any of us and that none of us (or very few of us) could do any better.

By Doug

December 3, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Disagree with you Terence. If you look at the reasons Donnan and Goff got fired, it’s because they had good to great offenses but failed miserably in hiring a great DC. Their teams also failed to improve defensively. When Van Gorder was here, UGA’s defense finally got back to the standards Erk Russell set and even bailed out UGA’s offense when it was inexperienced. Now Martinez is just like the DC’s Goff and Donnan had: average at best. I don’t expect UGA to win every game but I do expect them to improve over the year. The question you really need to ask yourself Terence is this: If you were an elite defensive player, would UGA be your first choice to consider in the SEC with Martinez as DC? Probably not. And if I’m wrong, I will apologize publicly. But now I sense a fan base eventually moving toward apathy if things do not improve. And pardon me with the media writers’ arrogance: you don’t have to be a football coach to tell if a coach is not doing his or her job — the statistics, the play of the team, and the final results tell you enough.

By EricADawgFan

December 3, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what Terrance Moore has to say. Matinez has to go. I said earlier in the season that the Secondary is Suspect. I also said that the defense create a awful lot of penalties, and unesscessary ones at that. UGA need a tough Defensive Coordinator who can contain discipline on and off the field for the defensive players. In addition, select players with Leadership to assist with leading this team in victories.

By RedAndBlack

December 3, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Tech75. And you know why those three are so good? Yes, they are talented but they’ll be average if the offensive line couldn’t block and Stacy Searels didn’t do a good job of rotating the linemen. The offensive line gave Stafford enough time to throw the ball to good wide receivers and the offensive line opened up holes enough times for Moreno to break loose. If you don’t have a good offensive line, the offense stalls…plain and simple.

By GTFan

December 3, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

So after being on the sideline for last weekends game. I have an opinion or two. I feel that the defense put on the field against Tech was built to beat the triple option with one more addition. Discipline. They had the speed, they had the assignments, they had two weeks to rest and prepare. It showed in the first half.

Another thing that stuck out at me was the show boating. I’m not saying the team as a whole isn’t one of the most talented teams in the country, I’m just saying they looked awfully cocky knowing that they were the most talented team on the field.

I would take a bunch of three star athletes commited to working hard every down any day of the week. With talent comes arrogance.

I don’t think Richt or Martinez can be blamed for any of the mental breakdowns in the second half. They can teach you how to tackle, yell at you to tackle, but the number of missed tackles on Saturday comes down to one thing. Who wants to be standing after the play.

On Saturday, it was Roddy, JD, and the ramblin’ wreck

By Spike

December 3, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

GAtors Eat Boogers.. Are you who I think you are?

By Still

December 3, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

So… Apparently Georgia’s defensive players are uncoachable? Even Stevie Wonder could see the terrible angles these guys took to the ball carriers and receivers. They didn’t seem to know how to wrap a ball carrier up. They committed really dumb penalties. If it isn’t coaching then it must be players that are not able to learn. I doubt the latter.

By LawDawg23

December 3, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Past seasons’ performances are always the refuges of the sportswriter apologists. As bad as many people hate it, the reality is that college football coaching and playing is all about what have you done for me lately. Yeah, you may scream that it is not fair, but there are other career choices for those that don’t like it. Teams change, your team and the opponents. What you did last year or even the last decade will not necessarily serve you well this year. Others have done an excellent job of pointing out what Willie Martinez has done lately and quite clearly the Dawgs’ defensive deficiencies reflect poor coaching. Great leaders/coaches are and should be measured by how well they can react to changing conditions. Great coaches win titles regularly; good coaches compete for titles regularly. The Dawg Nation is paying for great; not good coaches. There are several good coaches in the SEC, but they don’t draw the salaries of Richt and company. (Yes, they must have the athletes as well, but I don’t think anyone is going to argue that the Dawgs are low on athletes.)

By GTEngineer90

December 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

hey acworth dawg

CMR and CWM may be smarter than any of you, but that may not be saying much.

and you are correct, sir, few (or none) of you could do better.

wow, that was too easy….

LOL

By doc

December 3, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

in retrospect the schedule looked more ordinary than the dogs did this season. i wonder what their real strength of schedule is now that the seaon is complete and did it matxh up to preseason hype in the same way the dogs did. funny i thought cmr was afraid of the ranking and began to talk everyone out of it before the season started rather than grab it and go. funny take to de-emphasize it. dont like saban but he says they want to win the whole thing, cmr wants to win the sec and go from there. guess which take is going to get the attention of the kids for getting to the highest rung and dont you have to collect the sec championship along the way to do it most times?

By Terence Moore

December 3, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

acworth dawg,

Good points about tackling and blown coverages in the Georgia Tech and Florida games, among others. Willie Martinez wasn’t out there doing (or not doing) those things.

After the players are told what to do those things by coaches, it’s up to the players to do them.

By Hey old man -11:27am blog...

December 3, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

I agree with you 100%, and I am old, too! I didn’t know Pepper said that about the 18 year olds, but 30+ years ago, as a grad assistant for Pat Dye, I made the decision I did NOT want a bunch of 18-20 year olds determining whether I was successful or not (of course, had I known then that college coaches would be making the kind of money they now make I might have stuck with it longer!).

My favorite saying came from Frank Howard, who said, when Clemson wanted to start a crew/rowing team, that as long as he was athletics director, Clemson would have no sport where you won by sitting on your butt going backwards!

By 76 Dawg

December 3, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Terrence,

When a defense is not fundamentally sound; who’s fault is it? I don’t believe anyone should be fired, but to me there is a focal point. I still say this team lacks chemistry.

By Gunner

December 3, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

THOSE WHO CHANGE HORSES IN MID-STREAM TEND TO GET WET!

LEAVE THEM ALONE

By MissUnderstood

December 3, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Excuse me for just a moment. A lot of you people continue to state, “Georgia did not have the horses or talent to compete”. How is this possible? Haven’t they been in the Top 5 in recruiting over the last several years. If you are recruiting the top talent with the expectation of a NC then why have you not won the NC? Oh my could it be coaching? Not coordinators but HC. CPJ proved that coaching does make a difference. I will say one thing, UGA should go back to the old way of recruiting…who cares if the guy can read…he can play football. These current recruits can read and all they pay close attention to the media….We are #1. Horse Bleep

By Lilburn Dawg

December 3, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Some folks on here are complaining about being 9-3. Other folks wonder why these folks are complaining about being 9-3. The folks who are wondering why people are complaining don’t understand. The folks who are complaining and who don’t see 9-3 as acceptable is because when Richt was hired we expected that we would have a coach who could field a team that could beat Florida and Alabama every year and anybody else. We don’t have that. If we played 100 teams every year and ended up 98-2 but lost to Florida and any other SEC team, these folks would not feel satisfied. And also if we did lose, we shouldn’t ever get beat in such a humiliating way. Being competive and losing is different from showing up but not look like you know how to play. Whether this is right or wrong…..it’s just the way it is. Richt can win 11-1 every year but if he can’t consistently beat Florida and win the SEC on a regular basis, they’ll be people calling for his head.

What made this season worse was that the schedule was NOT as tough as what everyone thought it would be before it started. We were very lucky that, as it turned out, LSU, Tennessee, and Auburn were having bad years and that Spurrier hasn’t gotten SC to the level he wants them to be. Otherwise, as I’ve said before, we could easily be 6-6 or 5-7 this year. Remember we only beat Kentucky by 3 points! So to me, the schedule was pretty darn light compared to what it should have been. The only bad thing about it was having so many AWAY games in one stretch.

So whatever it’s going to take to get things on the right track to beat Florida and now Alabama (and Auburn, Tennessee and SC in the near future again as well as Ole Miss and Arkansas soon)and be able to win the SEC, somebody needs to get busy working on it whether they make changes or don’t make changes!!

Coaching staff establish the mental mind-set for a team. This year the mental atmosphere didn’t seem to be about winning games at all costs. And I think it’s true that we really didn’t have the skill players that everyone thought we did not matter what their rating out of high school.

So Terrance, maybe it’s unfair of us to critizie CMR and WM. But when I form a mental image of Spurrier, Saban, and/or Myer…..I get a different image compared to the image of our staff.

But…here’s hoping the Big Dawg eats again next year!

By ARdawg

December 3, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Terrence

The game is played for championships not just for showing that a school can field a team. You can cheerlead WM and the defense of years past all you wish. That doesn’t encourage improvement but merely encourages mediocrity. For the past two years we have been mired in mediocrity on the defensive side of the ball. When a team scores 30-40 points, they should expect to win

It doesn’t matter to me if Richt evaluates or fires any coordinator, coach or anybody else. Yes Richt has an impressive win/loss record for his tenure at Georgia. The program has slid sideways for the last 3 years accomplishing nothing more than mediocrity. I don’t point the finger at Martinez, I point it at Richt. If he’s satisfied with mediocrity then we have the wrong coach. Doesn’t matter to me what his record is. If Richt’s evaluation of the entire season doesn’t point to something needing to be done on defense, then he clearly isn’t the coach we thought he was.

Saban and Meyer aren’t going away in the foreseeable future and have raised the bar in the SEC. To date, Richt is not keeping up or raising the bar himself. Do we have the right coach?

By Jake

December 3, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Saying that we agree with your theory? That means your blaming it on the players. Who recruits these players? The players or the coaches? We gave up 26 pts a game this year! That would be great if we were in the Big 12! In the last 4 seasons we have went from giving up 16 pts all the way up to 26? Every year was an increase. Now if we put that in dollar amounts would this employee still be employed by you? How much did Willie pay you to write this article?

By Tech75

December 3, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I think the UGA fans would be wise to treat the Tech game as an abberation…when Tech has executed and been healthy, no one stopped them all year except themselves.

So factor the Tech game out of the equation. Defending that offense is a completely alien experience for defensive coordinators and players; it requires just the opposite of what they’ve successfully deployed in the past.

To successfully defend this particular option, NOT ONLY do players need good-to-excellent athletic ability, each athlete also has to be able to think on his feet, real-time, reading keys, staying disciplined, and trusting your other teammates to do THEIR job properly.

So, IF the players are positioned properly….

and IF they each play their responsibilities properly EVERY TIME….

and IF each of them at the point of attack defeats his blocker EVERY TIME

THEN you may be able to defense this option reliably.

In short, in theory, then, it is possible to defend against this offense.

But what are the chances the above is going to happen consistently?

So, factor the Tech game out, it’s a completely different challenge for a defense, and to judge your DC considering that game, well, it’s just not fair.

Of course, based on GTs success, I think you’ll see a lot more people adopting features of CPJ’s offense very soon.

By Willie M

December 3, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Thank you Terrance.

I can ALWAYS count on the media types to tell fans that they are crazy for wanting leadership changes.

For instance; when dawg fans wanted Goff fired, they were painted as ungrateful lunatics (though I have to admit that Donnan was an upgrade). Similarly, when dawg fans wanted Donnan gone, they were portrayed as spoiled crybabies (though Richt was a nice upgrade). When UF fans wanted Zook gone, the media was aghast and SHOCKED at fireronzook.com (1 possibly 2 national titles in the 3 years since Zook’s dismissal, you can see just how misguided and cruel the UF fan base is/was). Don’t even get me started on the crazies at Bama. We both know Shula would’ve gone undefeated this year.

Despite the fact that our fans are probably right (I have NO idea what happened this season - though I’ve covered myself by blaming the players), I can ALWAYS count on you guys at the AJC to consistently dismiss the demands of our fan base as sheer lunacy. We both know that surrendering 35+ points no matter who you play is the sign of a well-run defense.

I’ve heard a significant portion of our fan base may no longer empty their wallets like zombies to support us as long as I’m the coach. Well the joke AGAIN is on our so-called fans. With the deals that CBS and ESPN signed with the SEC, we can play before an empty stadium and still make boatloads of money.

Your Pal,

Willie

By Mort Merkel

December 3, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

The only problem with Georgia’s season were unrealistic expectations. You, Terence had it right and have it right now. UGA is a good team this year. With another year of seasoning, a strong recruiting class, it will get much better over the next few years.

By Golden Dawg

December 3, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Can some of you Willie supporters tell me how we will be better next year? It’s a serious question.

I’d love to feel better about this.

Is there any concrete reason for optimism?

It seems that since CWM took over the dam has been leaking (WVA, UT twice, AU) and this year it burst wide open.

Do we have a ton of talent to replace these guys? Is Willie going to coach the current starters up (please!)? Is he going to be a better at future talent evaluation during recuiting?

I’m not looking for “in Richt we trust” type answers. Since those of us advocating a coaching change are so stupid, I’m sure there are a number of good, solid reasons why you loyalists feel that we are so misguided. Please share.

By Tech75

December 3, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

A couple of other observations and predictions, take them for what they’re worth…

It certainly seems that the offense CPJ employs seems to be able to negate defenses that rely simply on athleticism, speed and aggression.

As such, it would seem that a lot of schools who traditionally are beaten out in the recruiting wars for those athletes and talent by the more high-profile football factories like UGA and FL would move to employ an offense that negates that advantage…

So, maybe it IS valid to consider the Tech game in your deliberations….

heh heh heh …

By GT45

December 3, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I haven’t watched all the Ugag games, but the ones I have seen looked like players in position to make plays (coaching), but a lot of missed tackles(little league fundamentals).

By CWM apologist

December 3, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Hey look-

Willie told the players to tackle-they just didn’t do it. Hey he did everything he could.

Come to think of it, coaching sounds pretty easy. I could probably be a great coach. All I have to say is, “Don’t Suck!”. If the players then suck, I’m covered. I did everything I could.

Clearly Willie is great. All we have to do is get rid of the 11 college kids that play for him and find some new ones who can comprehend the brillance of CWM and execute his master-plan.

A simple solution from a simple mind!

By Dawgpound

December 3, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Terrence, I have to know if you like UGA or not. I think you like writing playing the devil’s advocate just to get our responses. Why don’t you try to say something good about UGA just once. May I please see you write something positive?

With the talent we have on D, why have their been so many penalties and missed assignments? If all he can do is tell the players what to do and it is up to them to do it, and they don’t do it……why are they still out on the field? Does he have any control over that???????? Mr. Smarty pants? Our record shows an absolute lack of discipline. Obviously the penalties didn’t get any better.

You are so negative.

By 84 Dawg

December 3, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, since we are defending ineptitude today, let’s start a “bring back Ray Goff” movement.

By ARdawg

December 3, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Tech 75

GT didn’t do anything other offenses haven’t done to the Georgia defense all year thus, the GT game is very relevant.

The sad part of that game was CMR and staff knew what and who they’d be up against. They had two weeks to prepare. The 2nd half Tech offense did more than gashed, they steam rolled a mentally unprepared Ga defense. Thats a coaching problem that needs to be corrected. Whether it requires someone being fired is CMR’s call. If Richt doesn’t find that coaching inadequacy in his “evaluations” then we have a head coaching problem.

By Jr

December 3, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

To say we don’t have the talent is not the truth. We have great recruiting classes for many years. Besides, who is responsible for who we recruit.

Saban, starting with very few plays is undefeated. Amazing. Look at the schemes they play.

Another thing, our players are good and want to win. It is not their fault.

By