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DEL.ICIO.USNo offense, but Richt should fire Richt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Mark Richt is among the 10 best head coaches in college football, and he has a chance to be the absolute best. For that to happen, something radical must happen. Mark Richt must fire Mark Richt.
Although line coach Neil Callaway is listed as Georgia’s offensive coordinator, Richt essentially does the job himself. As strange as it sounds, Richt has become the weakest member of Richt’s staff. His offense moves in fits and starts and tends to break down against better opponents. Because the defense, under Brian VanGorder and now Willie Martinez, has been uniformly superb, the Bulldogs often get away with their offensive flailing.
But sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they lose.
The astute Athens radio man Jeff Dantzler notes the common thread in the 10 losses under Richt — an offensive malfunction. Not once in those 10 losses has Georgia scored more than 17 points. The average Bulldog yield in those 10 games is 12.1 points.
Richt still hews to his Florida State method, which worked handsomely in the ACC before Miami and Virginia Tech arrived. FSU stopped trying to out-execute anybody long ago. FSU no longer cares about establishing the run or controlling the line. FSU simply tries to hit three big plays a half, which it can do because it almost always has better playmakers. But there’s a difference between conferences, and there’s a reason the Tallahassee formula can go flat on the Bulldogs.
The best SEC teams — Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Auburn — can approximate Georgia’s personnel. (Indeed, eight of Richt’s 10 losses have been to those four schools.) And any opponent that can run with the Bulldogs has a chance to beat them because Georgia remains a sloppy team. The Bulldogs have had more penalties than the opposition in each of Richt’s four seasons, and they did again against South Carolina. Penalties hurt them Saturday, and another installment of Richt’s disjointed play calling nearly got them beat.
Richt has always seen the run as a counterpoint, not as Job 1. Like many offensive minds, he gets caught up in trying to outscheme the other guy. The inevitable result is an offense founded on finesse, and there’s no reason Georgia’s offense, with its ample supply of massive linemen and powerful backs, should ever be a dainty dancing master. Not until the third quarter did Richt start running the ball straight at South Carolina — until then, the run of choice had been Richt’s staple sprint draw, which is a fake pass — and the chance to grind down an opponent was lost yet again.
A team doesn’t have to run the ball every down to establish a physical superiority. A team doesn’t even have to run it early. (At Auburn, Chan Gailey had Georgia Tech pass to take the lead and then let P.J. Daniels hammer away to protect it.) But at some point in every game a great offense must take control of a defense, and Georgia does it too seldom. It’s no coincidence that the Bulldogs’ best work under Richt — their drive to the 2002 SEC title — came when Musa Smith got the ball more and more.
Richt’s offense can stack up yards, yes, but a disproportionate number come against the Kentuckys and the Vanderbilts and the Boise States. In Richt’s last year at FSU, the Seminoles led the nation in total offense. In his four seasons in Athens, the numbers have gotten rather worse — Georgia was 21st nationally in total offense in 2001, 39th in 2002, 58th in 2003 and 31st last year. In rushing offense, Georgia hasn’t finished above ninth among SEC teams the last three seasons.
The Bulldogs have the players to do much better. They simply lack the mind-set. A smart head coach, which Richt demonstrably is, would see that his insistence on doing double duty isn’t in the best interest of his program. He needs to find someone to call plays. He needs to find someone who believes in the power of power football.
Permalink | Comments (120) | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
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By Billy
September 15, 2005 10:30 PM | Link to this
You are preaching to the choir Mark. Excellent article. You are right on this point. Why is it that the greatest of leaders tragically fail to identify their own flaws?
By Berny
September 15, 2005 10:44 PM | Link to this
Mark, your analysis of Mark Richt’s offensive strategy is right on point, but I would also add the lack of productivity (touchdowns) in the red zone against quality opponents. A good offensive coordinator tailors his offensive strategy to the talent on the team. He has a physically imposing offensive line with speedy and physical running backs. I would like to see them utilize the pro style sets and use the run to set-up the pass. The talent is there to be an offensive powerhouse. The top tier teams are too talented for a finesse game.
By geechee
September 15, 2005 10:46 PM | Link to this
As always Mark, its hard to argue with your reasoning but it is possible that Coach Richt has begun to realize this himself. As the season progresses we may just see Coach Bobo begin to take over more of the play calling. Being the man he is, Richt will at least have something to ponder after he reads this.
By Ben
September 15, 2005 10:49 PM | Link to this
Mark, I agree with you completely. The classic games that set Georgia apart in Richt’s tenure came when they were able to run right at the opposition.(Close in Tuscaloosa-2002, Romp in Knoxville-2003). The games that the dawgs have lost came off offensive miscues and miscalls. Your article speaks volumes!
By Roe
September 15, 2005 10:51 PM | Link to this
Amazes me that Richt is seen as suspiciously inept while Spurrier is seen as brilliant in a game in which it was Richt, not Spurrier that adjusted to the flow of the game while it was going on.
If you want to critique the offense, I’d suggest going after the continued and senseless penalties over the play selection.
Richt amassed more rushing yards with his scheme than the much ballyhooed Spurrier accomplished via his acclaimed chuck-n-duck air attack.
I may be in the minority here but it seems to me we are bringing along several new starters in skill positions, yet evaluating their growth as if it is the SEC Championship Game. There’s simply no reason to evaluate the offensive scheme right now. We’ll be fine.
By June Jones and Mouse Davis
September 15, 2005 10:57 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You are nuts. The chuck and duck wins championships.
By We'll be fine
September 15, 2005 11:24 PM | Link to this
While I agree with Roe that we will be fine, I must point out to him that SOS came into the SEC when the passing game wasn’t what it has grown into. I think that what Mark Bradley points out is that Coach Richt seems to try and impose the passing game when it might be smarter to run it. I am not saying scrap the offense and go with the 3 yards and a cloud of dust but there needs to be some happy median. I think we are on to something with Bobo callin g the plays from the booth. He has a better view of what’s happening on the field. No doubt Coach Richt is a great HC, but on offense, we haven’t been so hot.
By WN
September 15, 2005 11:36 PM | Link to this
the point of your article is obvious to anyone who watches or plays against the dawgs (to the point that i wonder if you just copied and pasted blog entries for this article). save the LSU game last year, i can’t think of a big time game where i came away thinking MR called a great offensive game. the D has saved the day soooo many times when it never should have been in the position to have to do that, i.e. last week against USC. i think Spurrier smiled everytime he saw the “sprint draw”, which was about 75% of the time (while the fans cringed). And Roe, if you watched the game and didn’t just read the stats, you would’ve seen the inept play calling. our one great drive involved all I formation and we looked incredible. USC didn’t have the personnel to stand a chance in a battle in the trenches, but we gave them a chance with the finesse play. sure we got yards, but we didn’t score. swap those two coaches in the game and Spurrior takes the Dawgs to a 30 point + victory. his “chunk-n-duck” was getting guys open, he just doesn’t have the talent to make the plays work at that armpit school. Hopefully he never does.
By dawgs
September 15, 2005 11:48 PM | Link to this
Right on! All dawgs love what Richt has done for the program but, our O stinks and has for several years. We do rack up too many points on the vandys and kentuckys of the schedule to even out the shortcomings vs. UF and SC, etc. Luckily though, we still beat those teams butts!
By Scott
September 15, 2005 11:52 PM | Link to this
Mark, thanks for FINALLY putting in print this problem which many Bulldog fans have known for years - Richt’s offense is painful to watch and painfully ineffective against decent opponents. The sprint draw is absurd with this offensive line and running backs, and he can’t seem to get the ball in his playmakers hands enough. He gets too cute instead of establishing an offensive identity. Please continue to focus on this problem, for it should have been corrected long ago.
By bill
September 15, 2005 11:58 PM | Link to this
Roe,if you will jump off the hate Spurrier train I will point out that the “chuck and duck” won 6 SEC titles and a national title.Spurrier was also 11-1 vs UGA.
Only an idiot would miss thr fact that Spurrier has talent that is far inferior to anything he had at UF.UGA would have been in big trouble if he had shown up last Saturday with UF,UT,or LSU talent.
By jorge99
September 16, 2005 12:30 AM | Link to this
Richt’s play calling is certainly not above question, but running more is not the answer. UGA’s offense is actually very balanced in terms of run/pass percentage, and there is no reason to return to the Vince Dooley days of run, run, run, run, run, throw. Modern football requires keeping the bigger, faster defenses guessing, and that requires balanced playcalling.
By Roe
September 16, 2005 12:30 AM | Link to this
For all the naysayers above…. 44-10.
And for those that interpreted my comments as “hate Spurrier” you missed the entire point. I was simply pointing out that in a game that Spurrier got max kudos for calling a great game, Richt quietly out performed him. I have the utmost respect for SOS.
By Art
September 16, 2005 01:04 AM | Link to this
Roe, Spurrier DID call a great game and only lost by 2 to a team with supposedly Top-10 talent. In what way did Richt outperform him? And Bill, I’ll take your thought and raise you this: Forget UF, UT or LSU talent; if Spurrier had even had Mississippi State talent last Saturday he would’ve won. If he’d had UF, UT or LSU talent, it would’ve been a 52-17 blowout like the one he put on the Dawgs in Athens while at UF.
By Matthew
September 16, 2005 02:43 AM | Link to this
You’re right and you’re wrong, Mark.
It isn’t as clear cut as fans make it out to be, either way.
And that goes for journalists, too.
There is much more grey area here. Much more.
By Joe
September 16, 2005 06:02 AM | Link to this
With the big and agile offensive line and a great trio of running backs plus a running quarter back who can pass on the run, Georgia should have installed the option attack and start spreading the defense. The first 2 games have shown the same offense that was installed for David Geeene’s talents not Shockley’s talents.
I know that all the other quarterbacks on the roster plus Stafford are pro quarterback types which fits Richt’s offense. Yet Shockley brings the extra dimension of the pitchout option which so far has not been run, maybe it is to be a part of something special for Tennessee or Auburn and Florida and for now it is under wraps.
By richtfan
September 16, 2005 06:14 AM | Link to this
Mark, this is why you’re not a coach. you assume that only a guy like spurrier can call plays. did you not see bobo’s comments the other day when he was calling the plays. no matter who calls the plays, guys still commit penalties. there is no correlation between who calls the plays and penalties. that’s stupid. he isn’t going to change his offense to suit you or anyone else, so you better get used to his insane winning percentage, as hard as that is.
By HobNailBoot
September 16, 2005 06:47 AM | Link to this
Everyone who has read my comments the last two seasons knows how I feel on this subject. I’ll just add; any team that can stop the opposition with consistent solid defense and also have the ability to run the ball with great success on offense is foolish to rely on trickery and finesse as their primary offensive tactic. In my opinion, Georgia has the blocking talent to run the ball even when the other team knows it’s coming (against 8 and 9 man fronts). Plus, how good a target is a 6 foot 8 inch tight end when the other team is playing to stop a successful running offense? Play calling for this bunch should be simple and easy. But, as always, I’ll end by stating: Defense is the number one priority.
By Ed Jordan
September 16, 2005 07:36 AM | Link to this
Amen
By Mike
September 16, 2005 07:39 AM | Link to this
And the good old AJC wondered why nobody would “pay” to read articles by its Sports Staff……nuff said!
By Flip
September 16, 2005 07:49 AM | Link to this
I actually agree with something Marc Bradley wrote. Hell MUST have frozen over.
By Alex
September 16, 2005 07:50 AM | Link to this
This was the only inciteful intelligent article I have ever read in the AJC. Ive been hoping these offensive problems were Greene’s lack of killer instinct, but after Saturday Im ready to concede Richt has POOR gameplans. The worst thing about it is its been such a waste of talent. Thanks for the article and putting the actual feelings of the bulldog nation in view. Hopefully Richt will see it, although he has brought the program up a new coordinator would get us up to the coveted next level.
By Wes
September 16, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this
You hit the nail on the head Mark. I think a good name for Richt’s offense is “the fun ‘n punt”.
By Jim Donnan
September 16, 2005 08:04 AM | Link to this
My only beef with Mark’s offensive playcalling is that he doesn’t run enough tunnel screens. Other than that he is doing a fine job.
By Ivey Mock
September 16, 2005 08:08 AM | Link to this
How about Vince Dooley for Offensive Coordinator? He needs a job.
By Lance Carter
September 16, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this
Mark, this article is “RIGHT ON” and I agree with you 100%. Georgia should’ve had a chance for a National Championship last year but that was in the past, so I will let that go. I believe Mark Richt is a good persona and I respect him as a person.
The one thing that drives me “ABSOLUTLEY CRAZY”, is is lack of emotion on the side lines. For the love of God, show some kind of heartbeat out there. When your a coach, your players thrive off of your emotion at times and your intensity. I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong but I honestly do not think so.
Get fired up Mark Richt for the game and show a Heartbeat. It might pump up your players to a new level. I’m not saying become a “Steve Spurrier” but I’ve always enjoyed seeing a coach have some emotion and EXPRESSING IT to some degree. When I look on the sidelines sometime and if Mark wasn’t wearing a headset, I would think he might be a trainer. Overall, I think Mark is a good person but when your players make a dumb mistake, don’t just shake your head, light some fire into them so they won’t make that mistake again.
By WolfDawg
September 16, 2005 08:15 AM | Link to this
Why doesn’t OC/OL Calloway call the plays, with input from QB Coach Mike Bobo? After all, that’s what an OC does, correct? CMR, as the HC, always holds the right to override the play selection.
By Dan
September 16, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this
It certainly wouldn’t bother me if Richt went after Valdosta State’s HC Chris Hatcher to take on OC duties for the Dawgs in 2006. While Hatcher has a pass-first mentality as does Richt, Hatcher doesn’t hesitate to emphasize the run game when his personnel strengths and opponents’ weaknesses call for it. Hatcher is young, sharp, building a Division 2 dynasty at VSU, and has last season’s NCAA Div. 2 national title to his credit. C’mon, Richt, take a look down I-75 and find yourself an offensive coordinator.
By jimmy
September 16, 2005 08:37 AM | Link to this
Are you insane? Are you questioning the fact that the 1st 4 years being here he produced a quarterback that has won more games than anyone in NCAA history??? led us to an SEC chamionship and a Sugar Bowl win. If you are questioning Mark Richt’s offensive abilities, then you should ask that question to an FSU fans and see what their answer to that is. Seminole fans would give anything to have him back. They have not been the same powerhouse since the day he left.
By Dick
September 16, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this
Let’s admit it,Georgia was very lucky against South Carolina. South Carolina beat them everywhere except score board. Richt is good, but like all leaders, he needs good assistants, not only needs them but must let them do their thing so to speak.
By GrifDawg
September 16, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this
Will someone please email this article to Coach Richt?
We love you, Coach, but sometimes you just think too much. Let’s just bust people in the mouth…and then throw and play action off of that.
By GW
September 16, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this
By JP
September 16, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this
I don’t see Richt firing himself. Coaches egos are to big. I don’t see anything wrong with the HC calling his on game, but with this team he should run first pass second. He is a quarterback at heart so he calls plays like a QB. I don’t think he should fire himself just call plays to his teams strengths.
By Hairy Dawg
September 16, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this
Two things made me livid about the SC game. Fourth and one and the trick play call. With our backs and O-line we rush get a yard and possibly go up 14-0. 2. It was very obvious to me when we lined up in the I formation with a blocking fullback; USC could not stop us period. If it’s not broken don’t fix it. We should have kept pounding and pounding and the game wouldn’t have been close.
By stuckma
September 16, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mark Bradley 100%. We have a great offensive line and 3 of the best running backs around. We need to use that to our advantage, controlling the clock, wearing down the defense, etc.. In the S.C. game, we drove down the field running the ball, then Richt decides to throw a pass to the corner of the end zone only to be intercepted. If we had stuck with the run, there’s no doubt we would have rammed it in. Richt has to be smarter than that.
By johngio
September 16, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this
Roe,
Spurrier was playing with a depleted USC team, RM was playing with a team of SR’S with the greatest QB ever to play the game. Who do you think did a better job.
By P Sack
September 16, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this
I think we should use the run to set up the pass. We have the personnel and talent to be a real bona-fide ball control offense. Nothing wrong with power football if the opponent can’t stop you and they are focused on stoping your passing game
Simple….we need to impose our will on weak run defenses..and until teams prove they can stop our running game keep running it (we got three stellar running backs). why throw an interception for the sake of “mixing it up”
Mark is a good coach but really let’s not outsmart ourselves stick with what is working!!
By JP
September 16, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this
I’m a little critical of the playcalling too, but lets not complain too much. We could still have Ray Goff in charge and lookin a mess. Coach Richt has an scheme that he likes and it works. This offense is set up for big plays and in the past it has produced big plays, so I say we let him do his job, call the plays he wants and win. Thats all that matters aint it? And he has done that. Lets not run the coach off with all this whining.
By scrambledawg
September 16, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this
As much as I’d like to see an OC hired by Coach Richt, I’d be much happier with reducing the # of penalties & developing a legitimate kick-off return team. Those 2 things alone would yield another 100 yards in field position in favor of the Dawgs. Failure at both is inexcusable.
By DC
September 16, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this
Sure Richt’s play calling is questionable at times. The ole ball coach’s is as well. But check the results the last four years. We’ve done a pretty good job in the toughest conference out there. As far as last saturday went, I didn’t see the minimal talent that most are talking about here. I watched a pretty talented and fired up football team from Columbia that is ready to up the ante on the rivarly with the Dawgs. Most teams around the country only have one, maybe two rivarly games all year. UGA is staring at five a year (SC, UT, FLA, AUB, & GT) against above average talent. I’d like the see Coach Richt have the dawgs fired up more like the Cocks saturday. It’s such a fine line with the play calling, sometimes you’re a screw up and sometimes you’re a genius. I’d take the steady head of Richt over gunslinger Spur any day.
By reality check
September 16, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this
I’ve never seen a blog with more consensus. The fans don’t know nearly as much about the game as the coaches, but we aren’t totally ignorant either.
I really did not like the 4th and 1 pass against SC. It might have been appropriate in desperation, but Georgia was in control of the game at the time. That play has a relatively low probability of success in the best of circumstances and the play’s failure opened the door for South Carolina to stay in the game.
By uglydawg
September 16, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mark’s thoughts. The slow developing draw plays and the overused stall pass hurt the offense in the SC game. It is important to be balanced. In the SEC you have to throw the ball enough to keep the defenses honest. Running “fancy” plays just slows down and complicates the offense. It takes away the speed factor and allows the linebackers and cornerbacks to make quick adjustments to clog things up. Georgia NEEDS an offensive coordinator. If things continue like they are, this program will remain “good” bun will never be “great”. Georgia, year after year, has top ten years recruiting talent. This begs the question, “Why does Georgia struggle in games against less talented teams?”. Mark Richt not only shows little emotion, he has said that he doesn’t coach his teams to play with emotion. While I agree that he is a wonderful person and an excellent coach, there is room for improvement and there is a consensus among Georgia fans as to where that improvement is needed.
By CS
September 16, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this
It really is a shame that all you people got passed up for the UGA Head Coaching job because you seem to have all the answers. You all were robbed.
I remember not too long ago a drive that took place in a pretty big stadium on a river somewhere north of here that had everybody fired up about Richt’s play calling and his calmness on the sideline in crunch time……how soon we forget
By Dan
September 16, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this
So many people in leadership positions want to micro manage and have their hands in too many things. I think Richt has an ego that will not allow him to let someone else call the plays. Give another coach the chance, leave him alone, and see what he can do!
By Tony
September 16, 2005 09:36 AM | Link to this
Mark, Do you not like Mark Richt? You once wrote an article after his first season that asked if the Richt was a good coach or was he winning with Donnan’s players?You taking the negative side saying this will be short lived. The answer was both and now in the recent past he has raised Georgia’s program to an elite level in the SEC. I dont pay attention to the stats that you love to use because that is what people do that have never been on the field in a football game. I tend to look at the fact that Georgia football is in a place where it hasnt been since the early 80s and I like that. If the program continues its success Richt deserves to make any coaching decisions he feels necessary and not be second guessed by columnists like you that rarely know what they are talking about, but do a good job making a case using one sides statistics that they can find.
By JDE
September 16, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this
Amazing! Amazing! The Dogs are considered one of the elite teams in the country and we want our successful head coach to fire himself as OC. While Mark’s seem reasonable on the face, I wonder how many of us are one of the most successful head coaches in the NCAA.
Teams we have lost to over the last 4 years have been in the hunt for SEC or National titles, it is not like Richt is losing to teams with inferior talent and lesser coaching. A sign of an excellent team is winning when you do not necessarily play well, which we did against USC. We won, remember. Style points are nice, but I will take wins any day over looking good. We are undefeated and still in the hunt. Until we lose to a bad team and knock ourselves out because of that I will take a 2 point win anyday. If we score 40 but lose 42 - 40 who cares. Wins folks, that what counts and I will take win after win over big scores and losses.
By football fan
September 16, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this
I think UGA hasn’t really had any super talents on offense for some time, with the exception of tight ends (which UGA didn’t exploit to their advantage when they had them). Sure they’ve had offensive players drafted, but name one who has become a pro-Bowler in the NFL? Green is a backup. Gibson got cut, and Brown had a chance to be a starter with the WR issues in Philly and did not win the spot. So maybe it isn’t all on Richt.
Defense is certainly another story. UGA has always been loaded on defense and you can’t walk down the sidelines at an NFL game without bumping into a UGA impact defender. I think UGA’s defense has been covering up for the offense for the entire Richt era.
By Rex
September 16, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
Mark,
You make a good point but the fact of the matter is Shockley may never be the quarterback we had hoped for. His ability to pass the ball against a good team has always been suspect in my mind. I hope he proves me wrong in short order but it may be time to put in place a option type offense (where Shockley’s true talents can shine) or look for someone that can pass with greater consistency.
By Heavy
September 16, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this
Hate to admit it, but excellent article. You are dead on. Unfortunately several others are correct. Yes we will be fine - 8 out of the remaining 10 games. And yes it will appear that Richt has learned his lesson in most of those 8. But at some point he will get cocky or even panic and go back to winging it every down, i.e. Tenn last year and both LSU games in ‘03.
We are like FSU of old in that we have better athletes than most teams we play, but struggle against equal or better talent.
But I also concur that Richt is a great head coach and I’m glad to have him.
By P Sack
September 16, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this
Some of you get to caught up in defending Coach Richt’s decisions too much. I agree he has done great things for the Georgia program and no one is really saying that we should fire him. But he is human and can be critiqued when he calls a bad game.
There is no excuse for the game with SC being that close when we have superior talent and a superior defense and offensive line. Spurrier was daring us to run the ball and playing us for the interception turnover. He knows how to defend the passing lanes because he is an offensive genious
Am I smarter that Coach Richt….no by a long shot but we how long can we boast about “One” SEC Championship??
When we play other ranked teams we better get our play calling straight else we won’t be playing in the Georgia dome this fall
By Tim
September 16, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this
Excellent points from everyone today! The only comment I would like to make is consider the way that Mark Richt was ushered into the college coaching ranks. Bobby Bowden started at FSU making the play calls himself with a QB coach who was brand new to coaching and needed a few years to get assimilated to the overall expectations Bowden put on the program. Now consider who currently sits in the box during the games and is currently UGA’s QB coach. Mike Bobo is following a very similar career path to Richt. There have been whispers that Bobo is becoming more and more involved in developing the game plans for Richt as he continues to mature as a coach. Now it may be too early to say that he is calling plays from the box during the game, but I believe that Richt intends to immulate what his great teacher Bowden made work so well for the Seminoles. Does that mean Bobo is being groomed to become the full time play caller? We will certainly find out and I for one am looking forward to how it unfolds.
By Roe
September 16, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this
The best thing about this article and the entire discussion(?) is that we are talking GEORGIA FOOTABLL.
Great discussions, just like political achievements, take both sides of the aisle to bring about the best conslusions. Just as a congress with no dems or no repubs would self-destruct, a discussion about Georgia football without counter opinion would be equally repugnant.
I respect the “serious” opinions of those who think Mark Richt is not good enough as an offensive coordinator (that IS what you are saying). I am equally hopeful that you can respect my “serious” opinion that Mark Richt’s success as a head coach is earning him the right to decide his coaching staff.
Giving all the credit to the defense is naivete’
By TennDawg
September 16, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this
Pretty good article Mr. Bradley. I’m a big MR fan, so it’s a “tough pill to swallow”. Being that he’s a stand-up guy and navigated such a turn around in Athens, makes it hard to doubt him. But, as they say “sometimes the truth hurts”. No doubt there have been many offensive inconsistencies regarding play calling and therefore scoring; maybe it is time to designate an OC. History has shown that playing the role of both HC and OC is a difficult task; even for the “successful” HC’s. It will be interesting to see what Bellicheck(sp?) can do this year in New England as both HC and OC with the loss of Weiss to Notre Dame. He’s about as good as they get and if he can’t succeed, then wow!
On another note: Spurrier fanatics - you lost! Don’t preach the “if’s, and’s or but’s” - you lost! Don’t scream “wait till next year” (as posted in another blog, ask Cub fans where that will get you) - you lost! Here’s a question: how many USc fan’s rip the head off their Spurrier bobblehead’s with a loss to Alabama this weekend? Or are you going to whoop-up the “if we, but it, just wait till…?”
Go DAWGS!
By Rob
September 16, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this
Once again the AJC produces an article that is meant only to get a rise out of the biggest sports audience in the area…Georgia fans. (See Terence Moore’s article on Shockley last week.) And for all of the Spurrier hype, I think that his offense only managed 9 points on Saturday. Richt’s put up 17 and would have had more save the underthrown pass by DJ before half time and the four or five penalties on their final drive of the game. And last time I checked Georgia ran the ball about 75% of the plays in the SC game. I think some credit has to be given to the USC secondary, the fact that Shockley was off a little bit and the receivers did not do their job running their routes. The execution was what was missing in the passing game. Richt recognized that and stuck with the run for most of the second half. Let’s also remember that four of Richt’s ten losses came in year one. Since then, he has averaged eleven wins and two losses over the past three seasons. Not to mention an incredible winning percentage in hostile environments in the SEC, which probably has something to do with the fact that he does remain calm and cool on the sidelines during games. I can remember another UGA coach who was almost always fired up on the sideline and who produced six to seven wins a season. And when you point out that eight of Richt’s losses are to UF, UT, LSU & Auburn, do not forget that he has seven wins against those same teams including 3-1 against UT and 2-0 in Knoxville. (Richt is also 2-0 against Alabama and 3-0 against Arkansas) What was Donnan and Goff’s records against the elite teams? For that matter, what was Dooley’s record against the elite teams of his day? If Mark Richt continues at his current pace, he will easily surpass all others as Georgia’s greatest head coach.
By Eric
September 16, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this
If Jim Donnan would of had a defence like Mark Richt has had, he’d probably still be our coach.
By griffingadawg
September 16, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this
I think everyone is getting caught up in symantics here. Who gives a damn if he runs or throws, he wins. As for those insinuating that spurrier is a better coach, no he isn’t. he is paid to win just luck CMR. Guess what, he lost. On that Saturday, CMR was the best coach. As for run/pass, he could mix it up more. But, as long as he wins, he could pass 100% of the time for all I care.
By Frank
September 16, 2005 10:13 AM | Link to this
Play calling wasn’t the problem Saturday — lack of execution was. Penalties, missed blocks and missed receivers. Our biggest problems the last few years have been penalties, the failure of our wideouts to gain separation and way too many dropped passes.
I love Coach Richt and wouldn’t trade him for anybody but we need to work on penalties and I have had questions for years about how we coach our wideouts. I’m encouraged by Massaquoi— David Greene was continually victimized by dropped passes. We need a WR who’s going to make big catches consistently.
By Speed Racer
September 16, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this
The UGA offense needs one simple thing: More toss sweeps. I also am for a good balance between run/pass, but when we do run…more toss sweeps. They are tried and true, and they work.
By DawgByte
September 16, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this
Our lack of offensive production can be traced to three events that take place primarily in the red zone:
Penalties - We’ve shot ourselves in the foot countless times in the last 4 years inside our opponents 20 yard line with senseless penalities.
Personnel Package - In the past, instead of putting DJ Shockley in every 3rd series in a meaningless rotation, or on our 5 yard line, CMR should have taken advantage of his skills inside our opponents 25 yard line. My guess is we would have posted a lot more TD’s utilizing that strategy.
Play Calling - Our red zone play calling has been woeful at best. With the notable exception of the Verron Hayes call against UT, which was genius.
I’ve called for CMR to hire an outside OC from day ONE. It’s virtually impossible now for a Head Coach to also be an Offensive or Defensive Coordinator. It’s time for CMR to hire a Norm Chow type of OC to bring creativity to what has been a highly predictable offense.
By LondonDog
September 16, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this
Mark, that is the most sense you have ever made. Everyone who disagrees should go back and read the article! Facts are facts - the D bales out the Dogs far too often. Spurrier’s chuck and duck is precisely the reason he has a resume full of blowouts and NO undefeated national championships. Why? Defense wins championships! We don’t need to go back to Dooley days, but we need more balance (as per MB’s piece). Not trying to bash Richt - are we better off than with previous coaches (yes, even Donnan)? Yes. But we could and should be better!
By ANDREW RODGERS
September 16, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
Please make sure Mark Gets a copy of this article. He needs to read it. It is “on the mark!”
By Lovely
September 16, 2005 10:30 AM | Link to this
Great article, Mark. I do want to point out the fact that UGA ran the ball 49 times and only passed on 17 plays. I think what we are all screaming for is a change in the type of runs that we call. I agree that Georgia is too dominate up front to try to get cutesy about it. It makes that offensive line look like an elephant in a tutu.
By Roe SUCKS
September 16, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this
ROE SUCKS! Hey FAT BOY! Wake up!
By Randy
September 16, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this
If,,, if,,, if… Look at the final score, look at the record… Show me ONE school with a perfect record in the SEC or better yet the SEC team that has one the shampionship EVERY year for the time Richt has been @ UGA. Remember, he is only now playing ALL his recruits, and Now we can FINALLY forget the Jim Do-nothing years.
By Andy K
September 16, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
I hope Mark Richt reads Mark Bradley!!
By Dawg2FarSouth
September 16, 2005 10:55 AM | Link to this
Mark, I don’t always see eye to eye with you on your opinions of UGA football but this one is dead on. My wife even questioned Richt’s play calling during the USC game and the last three UF games (and she doesn’t know football like we do).
For those that question Bobo’s ability to call the O, Richt stated on the Mark Richt show on Sunday that the scoring drive after the half was called 100% by Bobo. Bobo took what the defense gave him and BAM!!!! Touchdown!! I love what Coach Richt has done for us but I agree that he needs to deligate some of his responsibilities….and OC is first in line. GO DAWGS!!
By DawgByte
September 16, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this
Having said the above… let me be crystal clear. I couldn’t be more pleased with Mark Richt being the leader of our football program. He’s a man of integrity and his character shines brightly on our university. The fact he has journalists recognizing UGA as an elite program is exactly what we were looking for in the post Dooley era. CMR has delivered on his promise to turn our program around and no critic can argue with the number of W’s in UGA’s column during Richt’s tenure.
By PSack
September 16, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this
This is good ol football talk I am loving it man some great points made!!
By Randy
September 16, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
Outcoached by Spurrier? HAH!!! I also think Spurrier is a great coach, BUT he has flaws.(Can you say Redskins?)He IS a coaching genius, but we all need time. All the couch coaches need to look back also and realize Mark is the BEST second half coach out there. Many times over the past 4 years, Ga. has played a tight first half, even losing @ half-time, only to come out in the second half and go ahead to win or even blow out the opposition. This is not due to an incompetent coach.
By Reality
September 16, 2005 11:19 AM | Link to this
Here’s the facts.
Spurrier took a bunch of nobodys in game 2 at his new school, and almost beat a veteran UGA team AT UGA.
Richt isn’t fit to hold Spurrier’s jockstrap. Meyer’s either. The glory years (all 1 of them where you beat mighty Arkansas to win the SEC) are over.
By Randy
September 16, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
One last thing Mark,,, Quote all the stats you want. You can make a statistic say anything you desire. Stats are for losers, Scores are for winners.
By TennDawg
September 16, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
Reality - Get some!!! Do you and all the other USc boys’ enjoy watching us and the other SEC big boys play the first Saturday of December in the Dome every year? I’ll tell you, it’s a lot more fun in person rooting for your own team rather than sitting at home on the couch not caring who wins. Oh and by the way, did you mean Spurrier’s dental floss and thimble? What a joke! Spurrier (USc) and Meyer’s (UF) combined current SEC record 0-1.
By Tex Winter
September 16, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this
Since switching to the triangle offense, Southern Cal has won two national championships and produced a pair of Heisman winners. In today’s world of of zone blitzes and nickel packages, the triangle offense is clearly superior. For further proof, look at Michael Jordan, who failed to win an NBA title before switching to the triangle offense. Perhaps CMR should follow USC’s lead and switch to the triangle offense. God bless the Dawgs AND God bless the triangle offense.
By Mark
September 16, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this
Replace “Mark Richt” with “Chan Gailey” and you can reprint the article tomorrow. Efficiency!!
By Mark
September 16, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this
Excellent column, Mark. Some of us have been saying this a long time; its the only remaining barrier really.
By rumpus
September 16, 2005 12:42 PM | Link to this
Mark, I agree with you. Georgia should have run an off-tackle play to Brown instead of passing on 3rd and 22. It would have certainly changed things.
By Britt
September 16, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this
I think Richt could consider giving Bobo some more of the play calling responsibilities. I feel Bobo did a great job in the one minute offense where Shock underthrew a fade route (ok in pro ball if the receiver adjusts, not college). However, I think Richt generally calls a balanced game. His statistics indicated he runs the ball a little more than he passes. I think we as fans are just baffled by draw plays on 3rd and 15 and play passes on 4th and 1. But give the guy credit, he goes out on a limb. UGA’s defense has played well, but some calls (like a safety blitz on 3 and 15) were asinine. Richt made some to. UGA was out-coached against USC, but their talent was superior. I expect a better coached game vs. MSU.
By VAGADawg
September 16, 2005 12:45 PM | Link to this
I think Coach Richt is HOT.
By PSack
September 16, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this
I am not a Spurrier fan but the guy can coach. I am sure he studied the game film and schemed to have his defensive backs jump some of those passing routes of the Bulldogs. Heck he even had one of his best defensive backs cover our tight end
You may hate the guys but he beaten us too many times to say he can’t coach
That said, if we would have just played ball control power football (at lest this game only) SC would not have had the ball that much and maybe that one interception score would not have happened…..just maybe…
By Richtfan 2
September 16, 2005 01:25 PM | Link to this
I would love to see the dogs run the ball more BUT, you have to put everything in perspective. Richt comes here, totally turns this program around, brings an exciting offense that was brilliant at Florida state. Would we like to go back to the Donnan days? I say we quit acting like coaches and let Richt prove himself here as he did at FSU. For goodness sakes, ticket sales and parking speaks volumes to how things are going. I would also like to add that if it weren’t for interceptions thrown, we wouldn’t be questioning him. We’ve got a great coach, lets support him or possibly lose him.
By sam
September 16, 2005 01:25 PM | Link to this
I’m not a Georgia fan, in fact a Tech fan, but I’ve always seen Right’s offense as a waste of almost-always superior talent. There was no doubt that Richt’s play-calling and offense cost FSU that national championship game a few years back against Oklahoma.
By Pete
September 16, 2005 01:37 PM | Link to this
Mark - thanks for the insightful story. Do you think you could run down to USC and tell Steve Spurrier the same thing?
By Adam
September 16, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this
I whole heartedly agree. Great article. It’s like you take the grumblings that I mutter every saturday about the lack of traditional power football in the offensive attack of the Dawgs and put it into your article. You should send the article and the comments of the Bulldog nation to Richt or someone on his staff.
By go59bulldawg
September 16, 2005 01:43 PM | Link to this
Just line up and run the damn ball straight ahead like we did in the 4th quarter against Carolina last week and everything else will open up. Richt has got to call plays that will let them establish control the line of scrimmage before trying that finesse crap. I love Richt … I really do … I think he’s the best we’ve had since Vince … but unless his play calling changes, even with the talent we have, he’s going to finesse his way to 2-3 losses this year.
By Larry Munson
September 16, 2005 02:26 PM | Link to this
I think we should throw a hail mary every single play….. You know?
By geebee
September 16, 2005 02:38 PM | Link to this
Mark,
I know you write to be entertaining and you have succeeded here but I do not understand your point. Is it that Richt calls the plays like Spurrier and Gailey do and Donnan did, or is it the plays that he calls?
And if he hires a play caller wouldn’t he want someone that has a similar offensive philosophy to his, or is disharmony better for a coaching staff?
If Dog fans had questioned Richt’s calls as you have done, you would have quickly pointed out Richt’s winning record just like you always do when Donnan’s firing is mentioned.
Which way do you want it Mark? Win games or make good calls? I’ll take the wins and an SEC championship, and let Richt make the calls, but thanks anyway Mark.
By T 1
September 16, 2005 03:02 PM | Link to this
Chan and GT? That makes everything you say meaningless. Compare the record since Richt’s been at UGA and Auburns record and GT’s record and make another comment.
By Michael Jordan
September 16, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this
Tex Winter (posted Sept. 16, 11:44) is exactly right. Without the triangle offense, I would’ve been just another player.
Without the triangle offense, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush would be ordinary players, and far from superstars.
The triangle offense is the wave of the future. Coverages and blitz packages these days are far too advanced. The triangle offense is THE only way to slow down defenses.
Thanks Tex! Thanks for always being there for me, and thanks for inventing the triangle offense. You’re the best! God Bless the Dawgs AND God Bless the triangle offense.
By RED CLAY HOUND
September 16, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this
IT SEEMS THAT ALMOST EVERYONE SAW THE SAME GAME AGAINST SC. AND ALMOST EVERYONE AGREES THAT THERE IS SOMETHING LACKING WITH THE OVERALL GAME PLAN OR PLAY CALLING BY COACH RICHT. WE NEED AND OC TO GO ALONG WITH THE BEST HC THE SEC.
By Jon Paxson
September 16, 2005 03:39 PM | Link to this
Amen to that, Mike!
The triangle offense is the best.
Until CMR makes the switch to the triangle offense, the SEC East will be a crapshoot each and every year. The triangle offense is the only way to keep a ballhawking safety such as Ko Simpson on his toes. Without the triangle offense, a defense can load up the line while successfully imploring advanced and ever-evolving zone coverages in the secondary.
God Bless the Dawgs AND God bless the triangle offense!
By PSack
September 16, 2005 03:41 PM | Link to this
GO BACK TO DONNAN DAYS
The only fault I could fine in Donnan is that he did not develop his Defense and his defensive backs couldn’t tackle a handicapped old lady
Otherwise….I think he had a great offensive mind and one of the few Georgia coaches to beat Florida in the past 20 years
By Horace Grant
September 16, 2005 03:52 PM | Link to this
Mike and Jon,
I love you guys like brothers, but you’re wrong on this one. I love the triangle offense just as much as the next member of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. BUT, the triangle offense is not best suited for Georgia’s offense.
During his tenure, CMR has become a master of winning ugly. And to me, that’s beautiful. By calling his own plays, CMR can control the flow of the game and put his team in POSITION TO WIN.
Isn’t that the point?
Mike – I love you homey. Jon – keep it real. Give my best to Tex. He’s a great coach and the brains behind the triangle offense.
God Bless the Dawgs AND God Bless the triangle offense.
By brent
September 16, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this
Of the TEN total losses in the Richt era, the opponent was held to 21 points or less in SEVEN of those games. A “good” college offense should be able to score 22 points a game. If UGA had a consistant offense under Richt, we would be talking about at least one National Championship game and probably four SEC Championship games. I do not expect a championship every year, but these low scoring losses are a real disappointment considering we have “FSU’s offensive guru”.
By Dennis Rodman
September 16, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
Need I remind everybody that defense wins champsionships.
In case you’d forgotten, Oklahoma beat Mark Richt and the 2000 Seminoles 13-2 in the 2001 Orange Bowl to win the national championship. That season, OU had its best defense to date. Guess what, they haven’t won another title since.
As an astute fan of college football, it’s clear to me that CMR puts his defense in position to win ballgames. There’s nothing wrong with that. I agree with my big homey Horace Grant; it’s a beautiful thing.
As his own OC, CMR has the ability to control the ebb and flow of a ballgame, and control field position. Keep up the great work, Coach!
God Bless the Dawgs AND God bless the Dawgs’ boring #%@ offense.
By Truth dawg
September 16, 2005 05:05 PM | Link to this
Most dawg fans wear rose colored glasses. Currently on the Dawgvent I’m having to read this BS about Mark Bradley having no facts to back this up. Last week the Dawgvent successfully blew the scoreboard out of proportion. “We will kill Carolina 1,005,934 to 10.”. For once can someone beside the Dawgvent be right? I pay about 99.00 a year for fans that chat about nothing but how wrong that fan is that eventually was right. Not to mention made the more sensible pick or choice.
Coach Richt is the best. I love him as our coach, hope he stays forever. He is doing everything but play calling right. Richt needs one thing and one thing only. TRUTH! someone needs to let him know. You know that great guy in school that was Mr. everything and was just nice to everyone and you couldn’t be mean to if you tried. One coach that I just cannot stand is Tommy Tubberville, but he was the only one that has told MR what doesn’t work in the SEC. (You have to run the ball in the SEC).
Now flame away!
By buzman
September 16, 2005 05:44 PM | Link to this
Bradley is absolutely right. Richt has brought us back to national spotlight, but he calls plays like he is at FSU. I was impressed with his patience on our last drive. Maybe he will remember.
By JD
September 16, 2005 05:52 PM | Link to this
Your article proves the obvious -you never played the game at any competitive level. What the average fan - and in your case below average sports writer - fail to realize is that offenses and defenses do not exist in a vacuum. The personality of your offense affects your defense and vice versa. Just one example: Running the ball 49 times lets the defense stay off the field and have more gas for a fourth quarter stop. Your article brings to mind the Steve Martin line: Citicize things you don’t know about. Oh and by the way —— 44-10, baby!
By Brian
September 16, 2005 06:15 PM | Link to this
The answer isn’t having Coach Richt hand over the play calling duties. He just needs to call running plays 60-65% of the time. Then set up the play action pass after that. It’s a tried and true method that usually works with great result.
Time and time again Georgia would play action pass after not having effectively set up the run. Now the coaching staff’s view of “setting up the run� could be much broader than mine. Quite roughly, setting up the run to me is being able to convert 3rd downs frequently by running.
Last week against South Carolina, I cringed every time D.J. Shockley dropped back to pass because it was obvious he didn’t have good rhythm in the passing game. However, when Georgia ran the ball, we had much more success. I’d like to see more I-formation run plays rather than that “sprint drawâ€? from the shotgun. Georgia just seems to move the football more effectively using the I- or even one-back formations with Shockley under center.
Richt should just take a clue from Vince Dooley and run, run, run…the football that is.
By Scottie "fishbait" Williams
September 16, 2005 06:33 PM | Link to this
I agree the triangle offense was the key to our championship run with the Bulls. Oh… look the Titanic.
By Wayne
September 16, 2005 07:18 PM | Link to this
Mark: Your article is exactly on. Richt builds a toughness in the team and defense which hasn’t been there since Dooley, and then squanders it with the finesse offense. Running the ball requires a rhythm just like the passing game, but Richt doesn’t let the offensive line and running game get in rhythm-he’s too afraid to just pound it. He was talked into doing that by Callaway in his first season-after the Auburn loss and against Ole Miss and Tech with even an average talent like Veron Haynes, Ga dominated by ponding the ball. Then, mysteriously against Boston College he went back to his passing game-and lost.
By Bishop
September 16, 2005 08:31 PM | Link to this
AMEN!!
Its about time someone took an objective look at Richt’ offense.
Look at our second half TD drive last week; when Richt ran the ball on every play straight thru the heart of the SC defense. What happens on the next UGA drive? Does he go back to the run?
No. Screen pass, DJ sprint, incomplete pass. Punt.
The onlt thing you fail to point out Mark, is the insuing let down that follows every big win. Beat Tenn 41-14, next week trail Vandy 9-0 at the half. Beat LSU, lose to Tenn at home. Beat up on an overrated Boise St team, play down to the level of SC.
If this isn’t a sign of weak coaching, then I don’t know what is.
There are plenty of reasons to love Richt: he’s elevated the program to top 10, he’s a good looking Christian man, blah, blah blah.
We won’t win a championship until we get our Borges, its as simple as that.
By Chris
September 16, 2005 09:14 PM | Link to this
Great article Mark, as most before have pointed out, we’ve all been thinking this for a long time. I was happy to FINALLY see someone bring up the penalty problems! Ridiculous! I still cringe when I think about the 12 called against us vs. UT last year! MR is an awesome coach, but hopefully he’ll allow his talented staff the opportunity to really prove themselves.
By ChicagoVol
September 16, 2005 10:10 PM | Link to this
My first day on AJC.com and, as a Vol fan, I have enjoyed reading the comments about the need for UGA to hire an OC to call plays. We have one up at UT and his name is Randy Sanders. Are we happy == of course not. Will you be happy with someone else === of course not. He will either be perceived as the un-imaginative puppet of the head coach, or the bad hire that should have been fired last week after we ran for 47 total yards against Holy Cross. On the other hand, what fun would it be if everybody loved their coaches, players and schedule? Our coach happens to have a little bit of an image problem, but it sure is fun when Phil wins a big game…..which he does every other year or so. FYI, Phil wins another big one on Saturday.
By Pete
September 16, 2005 10:26 PM | Link to this
Mark - give the guy a break. I think he’s pretty much doing things right. Maybe you should fire Mark Bradley. You know you’re no Furman Bisher. Maybe you should just let Furman write all the columns in the AJC. Think about it! There’s a lot of meaning in this short post.
By John Wooden
September 16, 2005 10:40 PM | Link to this
Forget the triangle offense. With big Leonard Pope the Georgia Bulldogs should highly consider the “High-Post” offense. The key to this offense is teamwork and skillfull passing which will bring great balance to the running game.
By President Bush
September 16, 2005 11:23 PM | Link to this
I’d nominate UGA as America’s best team if only (1) it ran a “down your throat” pro set running game, and (2) if it had a pass defense.
By True Dawg
September 17, 2005 01:07 AM | Link to this
I am amazed that we fans of a team that had not won an SEC championship in 20 years and was being considered as a lower echelon SEC team, would tell someone who put the Dawgs in the top 10 the past 4 years and won a SEC championship and Sugar Bowl along the way, how to coach. I am totally amazed at how soon we forget!!! How ignorant can we be!!!!
By Mike
September 17, 2005 05:53 AM | Link to this
I guess as a writer you have to put something down every day. But with three straight top-six finishes, I am going to withhold criticism. Richt, like fine wine, will mello with age. He just might make us totally forget about Donnan, moreover, Dooley.
By Shane
September 17, 2005 07:37 AM | Link to this
There is not another man in the country I would want in charge of the program I love so much. I think he does what is right for kids,his heart is in the right place, and we now have the talent to compete for championships every year. The program is extremely strong. However, I would like to see us pound some folks in to submission from time to time.
By True Dawg
September 17, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this
How about Verron Haynes against Tennessee? How about Michael Johnson against Auburn? How about all those wins against Tennessee, Auburn, L.S.U., and even the one against the Gators? Where were they before Richt? Get a grip, folks! If we run the ball every play, we won’t move the ball in the SEC. Everybody thinks they are in a position to know better than Richt … who’s kidding whom?
By Rolodawg
September 17, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this
It will all work itself out. We have the greatest QB we’ve ever had at UGA..Today he will be back in the Heisman running, and we’ll score a ton of points.
If we could only play BSU’s and ULMs 11 times we’d be awesome.
By FroDawg
September 17, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this
RoloDawg…
YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!
SHOCK … the greatest QB in UGA history? Not even close! I like Shockley and I think he could have been a very good QB but was forced to spend too much time on the bench due to Greene’s success at UGA. DJ is a great guy and a talented athelete but he’s just beginning to learn and his career will be over before he reaches the status of “greatness”! He won’t even be mentioned in the same sentence with Heisman.
There are a number of past QB’s at UGA that will be remembered as much better QB’s than Shockley.
By Kenny
September 17, 2005 10:18 PM | Link to this
This article was right on the money. Mark Richt is an EXCELLENT head coach. However, the offense has really been lacking for a couple of years. Richt needs to hire an offensive coordinator and leave him alone. Richt’s offenses have no sense of what they really want to do. The personality is just not there. Do they want to run or do they want to pass? We do not know either. I cannot classify UGA as a running team nor can I classify them as a passing team. There is no identity to what they are trying to establish.
By joe
September 17, 2005 11:58 PM | Link to this
LOL! So what we have here is a bunch of schmoes who know nothing about football, coaching football, or calling plays, questioning and advising a person with the resume of Mark Richt. The guy is 44-10 since he’s been here. We’ve won an SEC title, a Sugar Bowl, and have won 3 of 4 bowl games. We’ve also finished in the top 10 for 3 straight years. That’s fantastic. This is the SEC folks, in case you haven’t figured it out. It’s tough week in and week out. Get a clue. Just ask Florida. They’ve lost at least 5 games each of the last 3 years.
I’ve got news for you people. Mark Richt knows more about offensive gameplans than all the people participating in this chat combined. The day he listens to a bunch of ignorant fans is the day I lose respect for him.
joe
By FAF
September 18, 2005 02:10 AM | Link to this
Look people: The three best coaching/ # of wins for the first 5 years of coaching in the SEC are held by three men…
1 Fulmer with 51 wins 2 and #3 are a tie / Spurrier and Mark Richt with 50 wins each over their first 5 years as head coach in the SEC…What the heck are you cmplaining about!? Let it go! The man can coach - what do you want? To win 100% of our games? Get real!
By Matthew Mitchell
September 18, 2005 07:28 AM | Link to this
Great Read! Well written and spot on! Finally all that needs to be said about the bulldogs poor performance has been said.
By bulldog Bill
September 18, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this
If we really have a problem, it’s with Shockley. He’s a fine young man, but I stand by what I’ve been saying all along. Under pressure, he still doesn’t recognize/respect coverages. His tendency to throw into coverage could be our undoing. He’s got to learn when to eat the ball. Yeah, I know he was just the backup before, running an offense not meant for him, but he’s doing it now and still displaying the the same nasty habits, although he does seem to be taking better care of the ball
By Athens is full of d*******
September 19, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this
Damn you stupid f***#rs are really bored.You won and you are too stupid to realize it.
By jere
September 19, 2005 05:32 PM | Link to this
i reiterate the 44-10 record/last time i looked the ol bawl coach was 1 and 2 at south care?olina….sounds like some people would like to go back to goofy goff or snoozer donnan…there are no guarantees vandy is 3-0 and stanford lost to uc-davis
By Larry
September 24, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this
UGA will never change. Always Criticizing the wrong things ( blow out wins) blaming the wrong people (a top 10 coach), and overlooking the obvious (DJ Shockly’s superior athletic talent would have the whole state campaigning him for the Heisman, and buying billboard space in time square if he were a few shades lighter) Love the Team! The rest of you are still a bunch of selfserving weasels