AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > September > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTough situation for Tereshinski
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Athens — Poor Joe T. Here he’d done the thing he’d waited all his life to do — start for the team of his dreams and win a game between the hallowed hedges — and it wasn’t enough to satisfy his constituency or stifle all inquiries. Afterward, he kept being asked if he still felt like Georgia’s No. 1 quarterback, and finally someone asked if Joe Tereshinski III wasn’t tired of that question.
“I’m ready for it to be set,” said Joe T, meaning his depth-chart status. “I’m ready for it to be set in stone.”
But it isn’t yet, and it might never be. If anything, Saturday’s game rendered it a bit less likely that Joe T will make it through the season as the starter. Matthew Stafford played against Western Kentucky, and now that Stafford can’t be redshirted there seems little reason not to play him more as the season unfolds. And such is the curious hold Stafford has thrown over Georgia fans that the flash memory of this game wasn’t of Joe T making his first home start but of Stafford’s last drive — long scramble, three completions, the last a touchdown pass.
Before Saturday, Stafford still wasn’t sure he was going to play this season, let alone this day. Being redshirted had, he said, crossed his mind, and 13 days ago Mark Richt was leaning toward shelving the heralded rookie. But the coach changed his mind after watching Stafford respond to being named co-No. 3 — Richt: “He didn’t pout; he didn’t mope” — and there seems a chance Stafford will be No. 2 when the Bulldogs arrive in Columbia.
“I don’t know what we’ll do,” said Mike Bobo, the quarterbacks coach, “whether we’ll go co-No. 2s or whether Joe [Cox] will be No. 2 or Stafford will be.”
Said Richt of Stafford: “From the time we made the decision [Aug. 20], he’d probably practiced second-best. I think he’ll help us win. And we know Joe T is a senior, and we know somebody besides Joe T is going to play next season, so we just thought it was in [Stafford’s] best interest to get reps now.”
You’d have thought Joe T — a third-generation Bulldog — would be the people’s choice in his hometown, but no great ovation greeted Georgia’s No. 1 quarterback when he took the field Saturday. The ovation was saved for Stafford, who took the first snap of his collegiate life on the first play of the fourth quarter. His first two passes were incomplete. His last three were not. All were delivered with a zip Joe T cannot approximate.
For the record, Tereshinski completed 7 of 17 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown. At least three of his deliveries were dropped. “I thought I threw better than my statistics will probably show,” he said, “but I need to speed up my footwork and my decision-making. I need to give the receivers a better ball to catch.”
Understand: Joe T hasn’t lost the job he’d waited so long to win. He’ll start against South Carolina, but you wonder how long Georgia’s coaches can go with this process of re-evaluation. Another month? Three more months? Said Bobo: “We’re not going to sit here and announce who’s going to be where week-to-week.”
“You can never close the door on competition,” said Tereshinski, but Stafford’s heartening drive only served to open the door of uncertainty even wider.
“Even if I was going to be redshirted,” Stafford said, “I’ve kept the same attitude. I was going to prepare like I was going to be the starter.”
A prediction: If Georgia uses two quarterbacks in Columbia, Stafford will be the second, Stafford as opposed to Cox. And if Georgia needs a fourth-quarter rally, Stafford will be designated to lead it.
Funny how things change. As of noon Saturday, the smart money was on Stafford being redshirted. With one mop-up appearance, a quarterback controversy was stoked anew. Asked if Stafford might start before the season is done, Bobo said: “I can’t answer that right now.”
But he didn’t say no. And he didn’t offer anything that could be taken as a blanket endorsement of the incumbent. Poor Joe T. He waits 23 years to be Georgia’s quarterback, and here comes Matthew Stafford, already closing ground.
Permalink | Comments (87) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
Comments
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Altamaha, where you at?
I said Joe T’s arm was weak (he bounced a 15 yard out). I said his arm had no zip to it. His passes came out so slow, that if he were to play against SC’s defense, they’ll be picked off.
Stafford on the other hand. He has a strong arm. He has poise in the pocket. And he was throwing lasers!
And for you idiots who called him fat… he had a hell of a 19 yard run.
And Martrez Milner: Son, sit your butt on the bench and let Coleman and Ward move up the chart. You’re done.
Dawgs can only beat SC with Stafford playing. Joe T cannot, and will not beat SC. And I defy anyone who says otherwise.
And oh yeah, Stafford played aainst the same defense Joe T did. He looks better, and at worst, he looks equal in decision making.
So if he has a stronger arm, if he has more zip on his throws, if he can move in the pocket better and get to corner for a gain if needs be, and his decision making ability is equal to Joe T’s at worst…
THEN WHY START JOE T?
Coach Richt has a lot to think about. And my prediction from back in the Spring Game looks better and better.
Joe T starts again SC, but his play at QB is sub par because he doesn’t have the talent to win in the SEC, and then Stafford comes out at the half and wins the game.
Hmmm. Looks like I may have an idea or two about this game after all, huh Altamaha?
Looks like my observations were just a little more than shrewd. The were correct.
By Uga89
September 2, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
I feel a bit sorry for Joe T., but this is not about being fair, it’s about winning. No question Stafford is a special talent and Joe T. isn’t. I think it would be in the best interest of the team ( just ask Phil Fulmer) to name Stafford the starter now and let him learn on the job. I was perfectly willing to give Joe T. the chance to prove he should be the starter and in my opinion, he didn’t. The defense looked very good and the kicking (as always) was great.
By RedandBlackAttack
September 2, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
Georgia is in a super position to have such talented Bulldogs step up to play at QB. The Dogs could win with any of the three who played today. JT3 did real well, but Cox threw better, except for the oskie. Stafford clearly looked the most impressive overall, surprisingly. It is fantastic that the young gun really handled things as well as he did. MS looked like he had been there before and done that. The Red and Black have too many sharp, quick tools in the shed. Look out.
By Kirk
September 2, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this
No knock against Joe T, Cox, or Barnes, but Mat appears to be something special. He posseses physical gifts that the aforementioned three do not. Does he have the playbook down-pat? Can he read defenses as quickly? I don’t know… but I do trust Richt to make the right decision. He knows when he has something special. Matthew Stafford is something special… Get ready Dawg Nation- your next David Green is here!!!
By KENNY D
September 2, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this
Joe T. starting is a joke. It is hard to imagine that Richt ever believed that Joe T. 3 deserved to be a Div I starting QB. Don’t forget that Joe T. 3 used to be a long snapper for this team. What right minded coach would ever have the potential future starting QB of their Top 20 Division I SEC team serving his team as a long snapper at anytime in his career. For some reason, I do not ever envision Stafford ever snapping the ball as a long snapper even though he is supposedly a fat boy (didn’t seem so chubby on that 20 yard run). Joe T. is just absolutely terrible. Yeah, Yeah, Some dropped passes. But what is really disturbing about Joe T is what your eyes told you. Joe T. just has absolutely no talent. Almost half the undergrads could go out there and demonstrate the same athletic ability and arm Joe T. displays. The guy has terrible footwork and absolutely no arm. 7-17 against western freaking kentucky?!?!?!? What is Joe T. going to do against sec teams? int, int, int, int is what Joe T. is going to do against the SEC. How has Joe T. been handed two starts at this high level of football? Joe T. is nothing but a legacy guy with no talent. Joe T. has no right to even be on a div i-a roster. Joe T. could not even start for western kentucky. The other scrub at WK as bad as he was showed more against a much more superior defense than Joe T. 3 did against the sisters of the poor defense Joe T. was matched up against. Give Joe T. 3 back his clipboard and kindly remind him that he is extremely lucky to even be able to hold that clipboard because he would not ever be on a division i roster if his father and grandfather did not play for the dawgs. If he gets a little grumpy about it say okay Slow Joe, maybe we will get you some more snaps as a long snapper… … . . Bradley, did Joe T. 3 really say “I’m ready for it to be set… . . I’m ready for it to be set in stone.” Hilarious! Maybe he really meant to say that I’m ready for Richt to set Stafford as the #1 because Coach and I will get stoned otherwise. Or maybe he meant to say that my feet look like they are set in stone when I drop back. Or maybe he meant to say my passes look they are set in stone when I try to get the ball to a receiver. His grandfather today runs faster than Joe T. 3 throws his passes. But that’s enough of my Joe T. 3 hating. Stafford looked great today but I do have concerns about what the deal really is with Stafford. As bad as Joe T. 3 looked and has looked throughout the duration of his career, you have to imagine that Richt is particularly troubled by something with Stafford behind the scenes. It can not just be the freshman 15 cover story that is being circulated. The kid supposedly puts on a tad bit too much weight and all of a sudden he is getting beat out by the team’s former long snapper. LOL!!
By moonion
September 2, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
First of all I want to congratulate the Dawgs and CR on the win today. Now to the problem at hand, I think JT3 should take one for the team and tell CR to move Stafford to #1 for the sake of the team. I admit JT3 is a great guy, and you got to give him his props, but I think I speak for the entire dawg nation when i say we want Stafford under center. He looked as cool as the other side of the pillow today, and did anyone notice the tempo change when he came in the game, it was like the players even felt more comfortable. He looked like he was ready to me. C’mon CR make Staff the man. GOOOOOO Dawgs!!!!!
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this
17 passes attempted
7 completed
4 dropped, no question… just plain dropped
1 incomplete, but interference called ball on 2 yd line
1 incomplete, thrown out of bounds due to coverage
2 deflected at line of scrimmage
2 incomplete timing patterns, admitedly thrown slightly behind the recievers, but both “touched” by the recievers.
What friggin game did you morons watch? Did Stafford do better? Maybe. Did the offense “respond” better when Stafford was out there? Maybe. But JoeT did not play a bad game, his arm was good from screen passes to the 31 yarder to Harris. First TD was a threaded needle to Raley. I was looking to see if his arm was weak, just because all the BS spouted by Bird, but his arm was great. Look, Stafford is great, he needs to be given snaps and take the thing over as soon as possible. But don’t lie about JoeT anymore, its just stupid. Another thing that you experts may not have noticed… Stafford made no audibles or check offs, he came in with a play and ran that play. It may be that he is not up to snuff on recognizing coverages yet… no problem, let him get more snaps and practice. Definately make him number 2 and as soon as he is ready bring him in. But please quit being an idiot when it comes to JoeT… He played a good game. Go back and watch the game again, and be honest. We all know that it is a matter of time before Stafford is the man, the quicker the better is fine with me, but don’t trash a good man for no reason.
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this
Big News-
No penalties until late in the game. Thats when we hit the guy out of bounds…Was that our only penalty? I told my wife before the game that I hoped we didn’t get any stupid penalties for celebration. Well, we didn’t get a penalty but that is kinda what caused the fumble on the punt return fiasco. Nothing major, but we need to stop all the celebrating and showboating til the game is done. Seems like we always get a few of those where someone makes a good play then gets carried away with excitement. That stuff drives me nuts, just so unecessary.
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this
Big News-
No penalties until late in the game. Thats when we hit the guy out of bounds…Was that our only penalty? I told my wife before the game that I hoped we didn’t get any stupid penalties for celebration. Well, we didn’t get a penalty but that is kinda what caused the fumble on the punt return fiasco. Nothing major, but we need to stop all the celebrating and showboating til the game is done. Seems like we always get a few of those where someone makes a good play then gets carried away with excitement. That stuff drives me nuts, just so unecessary.
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
3rd quarter
UAB 17 Okla 21
2nd quarter Gt has ball on N.D.’s 13 GT 7 N. Dame 0
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this
Hunk, there were three drops.
And no, his arm didn’t look good. It didn’t look lively.
And yes, not maybe, the offense was better with Stafford. So we can assume they respond better to Matt because they believe in him.
I know for a fact that guys believe more in Stafford than they do in Joe T to lead them to wins.
So, if the team wants Stafford, and the fans with eyes who aren’t drinking the Kool-Aid can see Stafford is better…
Then why oh why is Coach going to put a worse QB on the field to play against the Fightin’ Visors?
It’s a mistake. And yes, he’s made them before.
By Bryan G.
September 2, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this
Joe T. lollypopped so many balls today. The first pass in the endzone to Harris looked like Joe T sent it via the Pony Express…it took forever to get there.
If they’re going to burn the redshirt on Stafford, he might as well play. Starting him at Columbia, however, isn’t a great idea. But when UAB comes to Athens in 14 days, let’s let the #7 era start.
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this
Why not?
David Greene, as a first time starter went into Tennessee and proved to be up to the task.
If he’s the best QB (which today’s game proved that he is beyond a doubt) on the team, then he should start.
And yes, he’ll make mistakes. He’ll lose a couple of games.
But better him than Joe T.
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this
No way I would have thought that UAB would hang in there with Oklahoma. You have to figure on some upsets and fluke games, but wow… Oklahoma will probably win but we better take note of this game.
By KENNY D
September 2, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Bryan G, starting Joe T., with the T. standing for terrible, isn’t a great idea in columbia either. We can’t afford to fly our flag at half-Staff next week. UAB ain’t looking like a sure fire victoru for UGA, not with the way UAB is playing tonight against the used car salesmen of norman. How appopriate that the United Auto Brokers may beat Oklahoma tonight.
By RxDawg
September 2, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
Oh boy, here come the MS posts. I gota admit, the kid looked good. However, were we not watching the same game!? JoeT did not do a bad job by any means. In fact, I think he did very well. The whole team looked good (even if it was Western K). Write it down, JoeT plays the year out. The game we gota win for the east is UT. They looked good whipin Cal.
By bigdawg88
September 2, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
Funny nobody even mentions Joe Cox or Blake Barnes. Was it me or was Cox’s hands trembling when he was back in the shotgun on his 1st play? I don’t think he has “it.” I think that int he threw up sealed his fate. Barnes must have screwed up the pre-game quiz, because I expected him to be out there instead of Stafford. Joe T wasn’t bad, but I’m not really impressed. Why the heck did it take so long to get Durham out there at WR? We have a lot of BAAAADDD (and I don’t mean good!) receivers. That was too many dropped balls. I thought there was more than three. Give Durham and another TE a chance so Massaquoi won’t get all the attention. That said, I think Matthew will be the man the 2nd half of the SC game, if not sooner. Our blocking was pretty good. If we can just keep them healthy!!
By RxDawg
September 2, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this
Amen Hunkerdown
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
Rx, in what whacked out world do you live in if you think Joe T can lead us the rest of the year?
If he does, we’re looking at a very Bug-like 7-5 record, with Joe T ruining Coach’s perfect mark against the Bugs.
By KENNY D
September 2, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
Rx, what is the deal with you saying “Write it down, Joe T. plays the year out.” Let me guess. You were the guy several years ago who said Doug Johnson and Kurt Kitner were not bad by any means. In fact, I think they did very well. You probably say that the Atlanta Hawks are not bad by any means. In fact, I think the hawks do very well.
By MR. humble
September 2, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this
Let’s go with Matthew……He is clearly better than others…….I mean great ever…..
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
Bird-
The more you post the more stupid you prove yourself to be. You act like Joe T went out there and played a bad game. His arm wasn’t “lively”? Gimme a break. He did a great job… I broke down each of his passes for you and there were only two that were even close to being bad throws, and both of those were touched by the recievers. There were definately 4 dropped passes and an argument could be made for 5. I don’t think Joe T “will” lead us the rest of the year, but he certainly “could” if we needed him to. You want to talk about a weak pass, jump on that dying duck that Cox threw for an INT, but JoeT played a damn respectable game. CMR says JoeT played a great game, I think I’ll continue to side with him instead of you and your minion, KennyD. You guys want to pull for Stafford, thats cool, but what possible reason do you have to continue to trash someone when any respectable sports fan says the opposite of what you say? Do you also go around p** on peoples legs and tell them its raining? I mean tell me honestly, what good is it to trash the guy when it is so unecessary? A lot of people think that Stafford is money in the bank, I do too, but that don’t mean JoeT has no talent. Cox wasn’t in there long enough to give a complete picture, but from what I saw, including the opinion that he just looked nervous/uncomfortable, JoeT looked much better. I think you gotta go with JoeT starting and Stafford 2nd until Stafford is as good at the knowledge stuff. Right now I think Stafford is a bit behind JoeT on the playbook, and defense recognition, but as soon as he picks it up enough, throw his young a* in there.
I’m just glad that no one important is as dillusional as you are when it comes to JoeT. If the coaches or players believed what you believe UGA would be in serious trouble. Thank God they’re not stupid.
By ConyersDawg
September 2, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
I said weeks ago when they released the depth chart that I would not be surprised if they want to see MStaff’s attitude and if he would continue to compete. I also said that I thought MS would play today. His talent is to good. I still think that Joet needs to start and bring in Staff after a couple of series so he can see what the opposing defenses are throwing out against Joe and Joe can better help Staff that way.
Joet did fine today.
By ChampDawg
September 2, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this
Watching JTIII today was really frustrating. There was no zip in his passes and he basically only completed 2 good passes the rest were screens. This was DIAA WKU, he should have played his best game. “He didn’t look bad”, well he didn’t look like a DI QB against a DIAA defense. The run game didn’t work cause WKU knew his arm isn’t great so they put 19 in the box. Staff came in and gave us a spark that we needed. The crowd only got excited with special teams and defense. Joe Cox seemed off a bit especially throwing that bomb. Our future at QB is very bright indeed. JoeT should start in Columbia but have Staff ready. By mid 2006 1 Staff 2 JoeT 3 JoeC 4 BB 2007 1 Staff 2 JoeC 3 BB 4 RS LG 2008 1 Staff 2 JoeC 3 LG 2009 1 Joe C 2 LG (Staff turns pro) 2010 1 LG as a redshirt Junior
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
Hunk,
Keep on drinking the Kool-Aid, moron.
Keep on drinking the Kool-Aid.
I’ve been perfectly vindicated after today. I was there. And I have 92,000 plus friends of mine who now see what I’ve been saying since the spring.
Keep on drinking the Kool-Aid, moron.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
September 2, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
HUNK ER, as you and everybody knows, I’m pulling for Stafford; however, you’re right. There’s no cause to jump Joe T. He has given his all. The coaches named hin #1. He didn’t lay down on the field today from all I’ve read. So people quit jumping a darn good man & DAWG. Conyers, I don’t think it’ll happen the way you think. I do not believe that SOS will have the same “D” package for Joe T that he’ll have for Stafford. The min. he steps on the field SOS will go to a new “D”. Maybe, and I hope, that MR will decide to just go with Stafford and let the chips fall where they may. If the freshman gets in trouble then bring Joe T in and talk to Stafford. I think either QB is going to have big time problems in Columbia but it appears that just maybe Stafford can handle the pressure. He has so far. HUNK ER, UAB! man oh man! that may indeed not be the ball game I thought it would be. Colorado?…OOOOOOPS!!!!
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this
Buck-
If CMR looks at Stafford this week and thinks he can handle the check offs and such, I would have no problem seeing him start. What I believe will happen though is that JoeT starts and if we are sluggish we’ll see Stafford the 2nd half. No matter how we do under JoeT, I think Stafford will be in there for the 4th quarter. I may be wrong, but I think Barnes and Cox are pretty much out of it now. That side arm/3 quarter delivery people have talked about just looks like an adjustment Staff was making to get the accuracy for a particular throw. If he fires a bomb I bet it’ll be an overhanded John Elway type deal. He just looked like he was fitting the pass in where he needed it to go… great touch, not just power.
By Bulldog Bry
September 2, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
BirdDawg.
Settle down. This ain’t about YOU. It’s about pulling for whoever is out there. Go ahead and root for Stafford. Hell, he even impressed me today, I’d like to see if he can build a 30 point lead like the Double Joes did. But it just isn’t necessaary to absolutely TRASH Tereshinski like you do. I value CMR’s opinion over yours and I’m bettin the rest of the Bulldawg nation does , too.
By Top Dawg
September 3, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
Hey CMR: When it comes to Martrez Milner, just say “no”!!!
By BirdDawg
September 3, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this
Bry, Hunk came after me.
But if you want to drink the Kool-Aid, go right ahead.
But I bet you’re one of those guys who cursed Richt everytime he made a bone-headed mistake, like against Auburn in two games we should have beaten them in.
So you can’t have it both ways. I’m saying he’s making a mistake by sticking with Joe T, and I have 92,000 converts to my way of thinking now.
Once I was one man, crying in the wilderness.
And now I am a Nation!
By bulldog_greg24
September 3, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
Wow, talk about homers. JoeT looked great today…what game were you watching? He played like he was looking over his shoulder especially after Cox came in. The touchdown pass was not a great throw, it was behind the receiver. I will admit that JoeT. has the most book knowledge on the offense, but that does not equate to wins against TN and FL. I admire the fact that JoeT. has waited 5 years to play, he deserves to play….put him back on the punt team and reward him with a graduate assistant position next year. I got to agree with the other poster…JoeT looked average against a D1AA school. Stafford is the the future and gives UGA its best chance to win the SEC again. If JoeT starts the entire year this team will lose at least 4 games.
By KENNY D
September 3, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
Joe T. is talentless dude clinging to a legacy. And stop saying he is a good kid who works hard, gives it all, and who is loyal. There are kids like Joe T. at the end of every basketball bench who everyone admires for their hard work and loyalty and who we all chant to get in the game when we’re up by 30 points in the last two minutes of the game but who we never want to have on the court as a starter or otherwise during significant minutes of a game. Pete Orr plays harder than anyone in baseball every night for the Braves but that does not change the fact that Pete Orr does not have the talent to ever deserve becoming a starter in the MLB. So stop the “RUDY” justification. The excuses made for a starting QB on a potential top 5 team should not be that, although he does not have any discernable talent, he has the heart of Rudy with the legacy of the other scrub in Rudy who did not have Rudy’s heart and therefore never saw the field.
By Michael
September 3, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this
The only thing close to seeing delusional people think they know everything about a high-schooler is to see them think all is settled when a Top 25 team matches up against a I-AA team. I wouldn’t be ready to change anything just based on this. Tereshinski struggled a bit, as did Cox and Stafford. If careers were built in one game, I’m sure we could find some game that would make Reggie Ball look like Dan Marino.
Back to reality: Nobody knows how Cox or Stafford (or Barnes) will hold up against what will be a severely better defense in South Carolina. That’s why JT3 is the starter for now. Youth is always more prone to wilt a little under big-time pressure like 2/3 of the SEC defenses. Now if Stafford doesn’t play at all next week, I’ll be shocked. He is still a freshman and all we know is that he could probably lead a team to victory against Western Kentucky. Most QBs in the conference (including walk-ons) could do that.
So for the lunatic fringe: hold off registering “StaffordForHesiman.com” at least one week.
By diehard dawg
September 3, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this
Look guys…Richt knows what he is doing. There is no way that everyone on that team didn’t know, including Joe T, who’s the best quarterback. It showed itself today. That had to have known. MS is the man! We’ve just got to keep winning long enough to get him ready. Things are looking up big time. We are going to win another National Championship with this talent in the next four years. Watch and see…our defense and special teams are very good. NC are won with defense and kicking. We have both and a offense that can score when needed. We are not quite there yet, but we’re close. All we need is a few things to fall our way.
Man, it feels good to be watching the Dawgs play again. We are so fortunate to have Mark Richt. He is the reason this team is so good. Let me him coach, he obviously knows what he’s doing. He played the kid…didn’t he?
By outkasted
September 3, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this
wow, that was western kentucky’s 3rd string defense… wide receivers are the concern…
By TokyoDawg
September 3, 2006 01:54 AM | Link to this
I got a question for y’all…
Listening to Munson (not able to watch the game in Tokyo) I couldn’t tell exactly how effective the team looked on offense. It sounded like we didn’t really pack much of a punch though. How did the offense and WK’s defense respond when we put in a second QB? It seemed to me like when Cox went in and when Stafford went in, the offense immediately opened up. Our running game was not nearly as effective as I thought it would be, but Ware had a nice game. So with Joe T at QB, did they throw 8 in the box to stop Brown and Lump? I don’t think Joe T neccesarily had a bad game, but it sounded to me like things opened up for us when both Cox and Stafford were in there. For this reason, I support throwing the young guys in there, and Stafford looks to be the guy.
By bulldog_greg24
September 3, 2006 02:29 AM | Link to this
Tokyo Dawg,
Yes, WKU loaded up the box when JoeT was in there. After the game I saw the interview with Brown and you could hear the frustration in his voice as well as JoeT. I counted 9 guys in the box several times with JoeT. If WKU can figure this out what will SC do? The crowd really got into Stafford and JoeT heard some boo birds in the 2nd half, which kind of shocked me considering UGA had a pretty big lead. The offense seemed to really step it up when Stafford came in. I know JoeT has been a loyal dawg, but I could sense some of the offensive players felt the spark when Stafford took over. He was throwing bullets compared to JoeT’s ducks. JoeT did not play bad, but he wasn’t that good either. Several passes were behind the receivers or low. I was disappointed Lumpkin didn’t get more carries. Danny Ware looked like the Danny Ware of 2 years ago when Lumpkin missed the season. He was running hard. The receivers did not play well. Milner dropped an easy touchdown and AJ Bryant struggled again. Mikey Henderson had 2 great returns before he hurt his hamstring. We never really got to see what he could do at receiver. It looked like WKU decided to not let Massaqoi beat them since UGA couldn’t get him the ball. I don’t understand why we didn’t throw more to the TE, but maybe CMR was saving some things for the ole ball coach. The defense looked great, especially the speed of the DBs. I never could understand before CMR why our DBs were too slow, this has been fixed. Dewberry and Allen played really good and what can you say about Stafford. He looked like he had played in the SEC before the way he led the team. He did not look like a freshman behind center. He should be #2 for sure.
By RedandBlackAttack
September 3, 2006 03:50 AM | Link to this
After watching the days’ games on Saturday, I am glad that the Dogs had such a great game to see a lot of the players perform. I would like to see Georgia schedule some better opposition in the future, but right now, the Dogs will benefit greatly from this game.
Tereshinski held his own and played mistake free ball. The plays did seem to open up more when Cox and Stafford came into the game. Stafford and the Dog’s Defense were impressive.
Coach Richt is the coach folks. Put the spotlight on him to make the proper decisions at QB. He will make them. Leave the Bulldogs alone to make plays happen and pull for them to do so. Doing otherwise displays that folks may not truly be Red and Black. Gooo Dogs!!!
By Bryan Carver
September 3, 2006 07:27 AM | Link to this
Quote from the Athens Banner Herald: Tereshinski had at least four dropped passes - including drops in the end zone by tight end Martrez Milner and receiver A.J. Bryant.
Tereshinski didn’t break Richt’s cardinal no-no of turning bad plays into catastrophes. He sidestepped a rusher and hit Demiko Goodman for 17 yards for a first down and threw away another pass toward the hedges.
That would have made JoeT 11-17 for at least 150 and 3 TD. I’m not saying he’s the best of the bunch, but you can’t say that he is terrible either.
By Kudzu
September 3, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Oh, I got a good one, only a Georgia fan would rent or buy one of these tacky, cheap a** bulldog tents, stick it up in their driveway, roll out a TV, and coolers, and watch a football game-
I’m not boasting, but i live in a neat middle class bunch of homes, where on gameday you see nice banners waving from just about every major college in the country… then you get this ho-down right in the middle of it…and only two guys were out there watching the game…
by the way these guys wern’t from around here, they were from up east, CT, I believe…so don’t start with your condescending southern cracker crap…
By KENNY D
September 3, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
aj bryant deserves to start at qb more than joe t.
By deanpat92
September 3, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this
To those of you who think the only way the DAWGS can beat the chickens is with Stafford I say: PULL FOR ANOTHER TEAM IDIOTS!! Stafford has no idea what it’s like to play in Williams Brice Stadium. It’s one of the loudest, most hostile environments in college football. Besides there’s too much talent in Athens to say we cannot win with another QB. Ye of little faith will be believers September 10th.
By columbiadawg
September 3, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
Hey bozos! Wake up! It doesn’t MATTER who our starting QB is this year! Unless Shockley or Greene regain a year of eligibility, no QB on our roster is gonna win a game for us (although all of em could LOSE a couple). Our heralded trio of RB’s looked horrible, not heralded. Our #1 averages 2.5 yards a carry?!?! Take away our #3 back’s 40 yarder (against a 1-AA team’s SCRUBS in the 4th quarter!) and we were PATHETIC! Coach Richt: PLEASE lose your preoccupation with the QB posistion, and teach your team how to RUN THE BALL!! (You know, the lesson Coach Tubberville tried to teach YOU in your first season in Athens).
By Hunk Erdown
September 3, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
Good post Bryan Carver. Don’t forget JoeT also had a pass interference call on an incomplete pass. The pass could have been caught w/o the interference and almost was anyway.
Its fine for these morons like Bird to pull for who they want to be QB, but they act like everyone at the game agrees with them, all 92,000, and if anybody dares to disagree with them then they are idiots… you know, people like Mark Richt and Mike Bobo…. complete imbicles… Everytime you trash JoeT about how he has no business being a QB in the SEC you are placing your opinion in an opposite corner than Coach Richt and Coach Bobo. Everytime you say I’m and idiot because I don’t agree with you, you are saying it to the UGA coaching staff too, and even more-so because they are the ones that have put him out there.
Its not just this subject either, hang around the other blogs- Falcons, Braves, Techies… anywhere he posts…ZERO Credibility. Nothing but lies and troll behaviour, just a trouble maker.
By TNTOPDAWG
September 3, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
To all of you that don’t like our QB’s, our RB’s, and don’t think Coach Richt knows what he’s doing. Go find another team. We have alot of guys playing for the first time yesterday. I thought we need to tighten up the offense but other than that we have players and will do well this year. Stafford will be the guy but our coaches know best and let them make those decisions. Go Dogs! Let’s crush SC!
By BigMike
September 3, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
Won’t matter which one starts in November when you guys come to Auburn. This team is for real!!!
By columbiadawg
September 3, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
Calm down there TNTOPDWAG…remember:those of us who post passionate blogs here are commenting on FOOTBALL, not BRAIN SURGERY. Just because Coach Richt has done a fabulous job doesn’t mean he is beyong reproach, and/or the fine art of second-guessing.
By Bryan G.
September 3, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
Some of those “drops” were because Joe T didn’t get the ball to the receiver fast enough. DBs were forcing “drops” and breaking up passes that shouldn’t have been broken up because Joe T. threw the ball so damn slowly and duck-like.
Knowledge of the offense doesn’t mean that you can actually get the ball to an open receiver. The offense just spun its wheels today when Joe T playing
By TexasPete
September 3, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
I was the fist to say Stafford was the man. That was in his sophmore year in high school. Next time listen up fools. Some of you guys know a little but Texas Pete knows it all. Ask the Pres.
By dawginduluth
September 3, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
My prediction from a year ago:
Stafford our starter by the second half of the USC game.
The only threat to my prediction is that he may be our starter by the second QUARTER.
By dawginduluth
September 3, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
My prediction from a year ago:
Stafford our starter by the second half of the USC game.
The only threat to my prediction is that he may be our starter by the second QUARTER.
By dawginduluth
September 3, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
My prediction from a year ago:
Stafford our starter by the second half of the USC game.
The only threat to my prediction is that he may be our starter by the second QUARTER.
By David
September 3, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
I hope T will demand Richt make him #1 or quit Georgia and leave you idiots with a 18 yr. old QB. Will serve you right.
By dawg87
September 3, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
I don’t care how fast or how slow a ball gets to the receiver, the fact remains: If you can touch it, you can catch it. Especially if it hits you in stride (nice play, Martez). If a receiver was only expected to catch the pass that landed in his gut with his arms already cradling it and no defenders anywhere to be seen, heck, I could go out there and play. To say the receivers dropped passes because the “had no zip” is ridiculous. We have heard pretty much non stop from the coaches that our receivers were a problem. Not the Quarterback, but the receivers. Saturday showed that to be as true as they made it out to be.
And why do some folks hate him so much? Not just would you rather see Stafford, but you actually seem to hate JT3. No “no talent” player ever makes a start at QB in Division I. Don’t be an idiot. I’m sure there are some undergrads with more talent. They are part of the team that Richt evaluated when he named JT3 the starter, for what I would guess is a good reason.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
September 3, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Hunk ER posted game progress for me because we couldn’t see it out here. Thanks again. Based on what I’m reading from all directions, Stafford WILL BE THE MEN AT THE QB POSITION. No body should be dissing Joe T. He’s giving his all and we need it. Based on what MR said Stafford earned the right to play yesterday and after a couple of series, he played like no QB we’ve seen since MR has been in Athens. In the family, at work or any place, it’s just as hard to handle the most talented one as it is to deal with those who have less talent. Repeat: in Columbia, our “OL” needs to hold it’s own and the passing game will set up the running game. 3.5 yds. per carry? Does anyone think we’ll win with that kind of attack without the passing game leading the way? I don’t and who has the arm to fire those passes in there? According to what I’ve read in the posts and the articles, Matthew Stafford. I think it’s just a question of when MR puts him in, not if.
By KENNY D
September 3, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
If UGA ever wants to be taken seriously, then they are going to need to dare to venture outside the friendly confines of the hedges to play real teams. otherwise, national championships are going to repeatedly be out of their grasp. but then again, that is probably fine with UGA fans since they only pathetically aspire to win SEC championships. the rest of the country does not even know UGA exists. Trust me. If you have ever lived anywhere else, you will realize that no one outside Georgia talks about UGA. It is a shame. It has the potential to be a great program. Great town, devoted fans and alumni, sold out stadiums with some of the most unbelievable talent (look at the Pro Bowl rosters and the rosters of perennial super bowl contenders steelers and patriots and you will see that UGA should be far superior than what they have been over the last five to ten years). UGA never wins anything despite all of the ridiculous amount of Pro Bowl talent recruited to their school and the undying devotion of their blind loyalist fans. And spare me the SEC championship nonsense. SEC championships are nothing to boast about. National championships and playing in the BCS championship game are more worthy of striving for and boasting about. But, then again, this is the town tha boasts about the Braves winning 14 consecutive division titles with only one World Series. Pathetic. It is also disturbing that everyone says 14 straight even though they were not in first at the end of 1994. They gave out mvps, cy youngs, and rookie of the years that year so braves fans can not claim that year does not count. We have seen that Richt can have just a tad bit more success with donnan’s recruits than donnan had. Let’s see what richt can do with his own recruits. Based upon what everyone on here is saying, he clearly can not recruit a wide receiver or tight end who can catch a pass. they would not have looked so horrible last year in the florida disaster if richt had recruited someone to be an adequate backup instead of relying on the talentless, special teams playing legacy boy Joe T. 3. richt also seems incapable of recruiting a bona fide RB who can consistently pound out 100 yards a game despite everyone acting like we have the modern day four horseman in the backfield. And then you have all of his clock mismangement issues and various other problems with his coaching decisions. Maybe CMR needs to be placed on the firing line and Mr. Adams needs to look to bring in someone with bigger and better aspirations for the school and who can actually combine recruiting prowess with good coaching decisions. Six years into his tenure and JT3 is the starter. That should raise substantial questions about CMR for all of you on many levels.
By MR. humble
September 3, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
Mr Drop-man, Martrez Milner, dropped the ball again……..The world greatest dropping man ever……sorry it’s a joke.
By JTugg
September 3, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
Well after watching UGA football for 15 seasons I have made some educated and intelligent observations!:
The obvious: 1)Stafford is CLEARLY the best of the 4 qbs 2)Joe T has a weak arm and no SEC school, or GA Tech will respect his skills as a quarterback. 3) Our offense is more of a threat with Stafford in the game. He just has that “IT” that the other qbs dont have. 4) our linebackers are better than last year. Defense is better period. Best in 4 years. 5) Joe deserves to play, just not at qb!
The TRUTH 1) Joe T will start in Columbia 2) Stafford is the number 2 qb. 3)If Joe T F*cks up, Stafford is in. 4) Our recievers need some work! 5) Milner need alot of work. 6) Mikey Henderson is fast as hell!!! 7) Tenn will cause problems this year! 8) Our young Dbs will be fine. They are too athletic and fast not to be and we have great coaches! 9) We need to uplift the team more! 10) Stafford is the starter by the Colorado game!!!
By JTugg
September 3, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Well after watching UGA football for 15 seasons I have made some educated and intelligent observations!:
The obvious: 1)Stafford is CLEARLY the best of the 4 qbs 2)Joe T has a weak arm and no SEC school, or GA Tech will respect his skills as a quarterback. 3) Our offense is more of a threat with Stafford in the game. He just has that “IT” that the other qbs dont have. 4) our linebackers are better than last year. Defense is better period. Best in 4 years. 5) Joe deserves to play, just not at qb!
The TRUTH 1) Joe T will start in Columbia 2) Stafford is the number 2 qb. 3)If Joe T F*cks up, Stafford is in. 4) Our recievers need some work! 5) Milner need alot of work. 6) Mikey Henderson is fast as hell!!! 7) Tenn will cause problems this year! 8) Our young Dbs will be fine. They are too athletic and fast not to be and we have great coaches! 9) We need to uplift the team more! 10) Stafford is the starter by the Colorado game!!!
By JTugg
September 3, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Well after watching UGA football for 15 seasons I have made some educated and intelligent observations!:
The obvious: 1)Stafford is CLEARLY the best of the 4 qbs 2)Joe T has a weak arm and no SEC school, or GA Tech will respect his skills as a quarterback. 3) Our offense is more of a threat with Stafford in the game. He just has that “IT” that the other qbs dont have. 4) our linebackers are better than last year. Defense is better period. Best in 4 years. 5) Joe deserves to play, just not at qb!
The TRUTH 1) Joe T will start in Columbia 2) Stafford is the number 2 qb. 3)If Joe T F*cks up, Stafford is in. 4) Our recievers need some work! 5) Milner need alot of work. 6) Mikey Henderson is fast as hell!!! 7) Tenn will cause problems this year! 8) Our young Dbs will be fine. They are too athletic and fast not to be and we have great coaches! 9) We need to uplift the team more! 10) Stafford is the starter by the Colorado game!!!
By JTugg
September 3, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
Well after watching UGA football for 15 seasons I have made some educated and intelligent observations!:
The obvious: 1)Stafford is CLEARLY the best of the 4 qbs 2)Joe T has a weak arm and no SEC school, or GA Tech will respect his skills as a quarterback. 3) Our offense is more of a threat with Stafford in the game. He just has that “IT” that the other qbs dont have. 4) our linebackers are better than last year. Defense is better period. Best in 4 years. 5) Joe deserves to play, just not at qb!
The TRUTH 1) Joe T will start in Columbia 2) Stafford is the number 2 qb. 3)If Joe T F*cks up, Stafford is in. 4) Our recievers need some work! 5) Milner need alot of work. 6) Mikey Henderson is fast as hell!!! 7) Tenn will cause problems this year! 8) Our young Dbs will be fine. They are too athletic and fast not to be and we have great coaches! 9) We need to uplift the team more! 10) Stafford is the starter by the Colorado game!!!
By SICEM
September 3, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
I for one will accept Coach Richts choice for QB. He stated that Joe T. praticed better than the others in one interview I read, that may be true but there have been a lot of players who have some bad practice days but are the S—t on game day and Matt Stafford was electrified when he came into the game. I am sure that was noticed by the UGA coaching staff and that the final choice for starter may not be made until they see A 2 or 3 QB rotation a couple of more times. The game we saw yesterday was nothing more than a pre season game to get more info. for evaluation for the coaches. The starting QB as well as many other positions are not written in stone at any time during the season so be patient folks Mark Richt is a great coach and will make the correct choices. My greatest concern at this point is not at QB but the recievers, what a bunch of stone hands they were yesterday. I hope there are some gifted young ones who will get a chance in the next couple of games. There were some good catches but more lucky ones and dropped passes. It is hard to tell against a weak team but the starting defence looked good except for a little lax play by a couple of DBs. Those bookend DEs are going give out a lot of bruises this season as well as the linebacking corps. The o line will be better when all the suspensions are over which will make the 3 amigos at tailback look wonderful. I hope Richt will take advantage of all three of them as well as Southerland? the big fullback who is a great blocker at the point of attack and a decent reciever as a safety valve. He is also quick to the line on draw plays in short yardage situations. Dont worry fellow DAWG fans this is going to be another year that it will BE GREAT- TO BE- A GEORGIA BULLDAWG!!!!! GOOOOOOO DAWGS! SICEM WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
By T
September 3, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this
This is the situation at qb for UGA
Joe T.= legacy player, who is not very talented. Decent player, who because he is a senior, should not make many mistakes and might give the dogs the best chance to win through better talent than the opposing team.
Stafford= Young, huge upside. Should be starting and if he has a bad game (and he will) you bring in Joe T to steady the ship for that game.
C’mon Richt, prepare this team for the next three years with Stafford. You are not going to win a National Championship this year. You are most likely not going to win an SEC title this year, but both of those are possible next year with a qb like Stafford who has spent his first year learning… not watching!
No offense to Joe T. anyone can see that he does not have the talent of Stafford. If you can’t, than you are blind.
By SICEEM
September 3, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
KENNY D Look at the top 25 in the polls and tell me why any SEC team has to venture out to play REAL TEAMS. Hell I wish we could play in the PAC 1 plus 9 like SOUTHERN CAL and get thier high rankings. They come out of thier pansy confrence twice a year and get poor results as in last years lucky win against ND and thier loss to TEXAS. If 90% of the SEC or ACC teams played in SOUTHERN CALS high scool confrence they would go undefeated also and lets face it thats the only way you can play for or win a national championship these days. The system is unfair to confrences with tough competition at every school we all know that as well as they do. If you want REAL competition come on down south because we dont have to go anyhere to get it!!!
By Mojorisin5691
September 3, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Kenny D…just where have your extensive travels led to believe that UGA has no following outside of GA? I have been in the Marine Corps for 19 1/2 years and been just about everywhere in the world and to quite a few regions in the country (even Hawaii for 8 yrs). I think that when you see Samoan teens wearing Pollack’s #47 jerseys in Hawaii when there was a local boy playing at Tennessee…that’s respect.
So let me just say it for every other Dawg fan…know what you’re talking about before you start running your soup cooler.
Let me just say that the SEC is highly respected even on the West Coast. I’ve talked with numerous Pac 10 and WAC fans and most of them will tell you that their only gripe is that the rest of the teams out there make USC’s road to the BCS too easy.
By BirdDawg
September 3, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
This is how it went:
When Joe T was in the game, WKU brought 8 men into the box, and sometimes even 9 men because they knew they didn’t have to respect Joe T as a QB.
Because they did this, Brown couldn’t run the ball.
Hmmm… I told y’all so.
But when Stafford came in, they pulled out into coverage, and still, he completely 3 out of 5 passes by squeezing them into the smallest of spaces with lasers (just like Elway used to be able to do).
And even better, because there wasn’t extra men in box, the running game opened up, and Ware had a 42 yard TD run.
All because Stafford, not Joe T, was in the game.
Hmmm… once again, I told y’all so.
Defenses have to respect Stafford’s ability to actually throw the ball. If a 1AA doesn’t respect Joe T, then what will happen against an SEC defense?
Y’all who are throwing your weight behind Joe T are looking dumber and dumber every day. That means you, Hunk. And you have to be doing something really wrong to look even more like a moron than you already are.
Everything happened the way I said it would. Joe T got no respect from the defense, and our excellent running back, Brown, was bottled uo because of Joe T’s lack of talent.
When Stafford’s in the game, he has the defense’s respect, and this opens up our running game.
Joe T is finished. And Coach will realize it during the SC game.
By Matthew Cafaro
September 3, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this
Yes, I admit it. My handle is BirdDawg (clever dontcha think?). I am even more of a condescending blowhard when I don’t use my real name. Probably the biggest clue to my complete inferiority complex is referencing my past comments and blogs from my favorite “told ya so perspective.” I would go away, as many have requested, but I have no life. Unless you call living in mom’s basement a “life”.
By Fletchdawg
September 3, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
Joe T is a good kid … loyal Bulldog, and not a bad athlete. Makes a great BACKUP QB! I saw the game … I was there. Joe T’s arm will get us in trouble when we get deeper into the schedule … maybe as early next week.
Stafford? Has all the tools and no experience. If MR goes with Stafford, will we run the table … Very unlikely. But let Stafford start growing now! When we play Spurrier and the Vols … Stafford may make the difference when Joe T’s may hurt us.
When we play the Vols, if we cannot get the ball down the field, the Fatty Fulmer will play up and our offense will be stifled. The Vols looked very, very good on defense against Cal. Stafford can stretch out the tougher D’s … Joe T simply cannot.
He’s a good kid, a good Bulldog. I think Joe T would on a very short list to start on other SEC teams as well … Who? Vanderbilt? definitely. Miss St.? Probably. Kentucky? yes. But after that? He’s the backup on most other SEC teams as well.
That’s just the way it is.
By Old Dawg 55
September 3, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this
CMR will manage the Bulldogs and put the best combinations on the field…it upsets me that the “Bulldog faithful” has to include KennyD, Bird Dog, and others, who delight in crowing about their coaching superiorities and deriding some damn good kids…guys, you couldn’t carry their jocks..much less fill them! We’ll win with what we have in the way CMR employs it..your opinion, warped that it is, won’t matter a damn. Go back to your gameboys where you can be great coaches..stay the Hell away from Georgia football! Go Dawgs!!
By BirdDawg
September 3, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
Conyers, so you lose an argument, and look what you become.
Worse than Cafaro ever was.
You were wrong. You are wrong. Be a big boy and admit as much. When I make a mistake, I do the same.
By Reasonable Dawg
September 3, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
Bryan G. U and I saw it the same way. Joe T did not help his WR’s in some cases,(Milner excluded). I think Joe T should start at Columbia, while the team adjusts to that atmosphere, after that go with whomever the coaches feel is right for the job.
By KENNY D
September 3, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
old dawg 55, blind loyalty will get you nowhere in life except maybe heaven. but your blind faith will never be as strong as it should be until you dare yourself to question the basis for your blind faith every once in a while. I do apologize to Joe T. for my over the top criticism. I do believe though that he simply does not have the talent at all to be a starter and that the blind loyalists need to start analyzing and criticizing their team, coach, and players in an intellectually honest fashion. I should have been a little nicer about it though because Joe T. 3 is, after all, just a college kid who appears to be nothing but a nice kid and a hard worker. I should personally attack the kid jsut because i personally do not see any talent and am extremely frustrated with his coach for having no other option than to put him out there despite having the job for 6 years
By honest_abe
September 3, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
i think most uga fans agree that MS has the most upside and he will start before the season ends. however, i agree with all the proponents of bring him along slowly. like hunk alluded to earlier, he still not capable of calling audibles. tyrone nix throws some extremely confusing looks. would it really be prudent to throw MS out there on the road in the SEC, in front of 80k+, against a very shrewd defensive coordinator? why not let Joe T manage the game and give the dawgs a shot at winning. MS will be starting by the florida game, in the meantime lets work him in slowly.
By KENNY D
September 3, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
I should NOT personally attack Joe T. 3 just because i personally do not see any talent and believe him to be nothing more than a legacy boy and am extremely frustrated with his coach for having no other option than to put him out there despite having the job for 6 years
By G8R H8R
September 3, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
Kenny D, I think you will be happy with the Dawgs future schedules that include home & away series with the likes of Clemson, Colorado, Arizona State, Oregon, Louisville and possibly Oregon State. With the addition of the twelfth game, I think you will see some of these better non-conference opponents on a regular basis. You will probably also continue to see some of the I-AA and weaker I-A teams also.
The eleven game schedule dictated that Georgia and even Florida for that matter play these weaker opponents at home early in the season. Both schools want to have a minimum of six home games per season for financial reasons. With the annual in-state non-conference rivals (Georgia Tech and Florida State) and the neutral site game in Jax, it was not possible to schedule other major opponents without giving a return trip (because it would have resulted in a schedule with a maximum of five home games).
I would rather see the twelfth game dropped and replaced with an eight team playoff. Then we could have a true National Champion and the stronger conferences would not be penalized as they are today under the current system. And it is much easier to go out of your conference and play one or two powerhouses when you have seven or eight sure things on your conference schedule.
As for the QB situation, I like what I see from Stafford. I believe Richt will do what he says and go with the player that gives us the best chance to win this season. I think that it is only a matter of time before Stafford becomes that player and is named the starter.
Richt took the first step by lifting the redshirt. Now the road has been paved for Stafford to take over.
One other thing Kenny, go back and compare Mark Richt’s first five seasons with that of all other coaches in the history of the SEC. I think that you will find him somewhere in the top five.
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
Bird Dawg, I decided once the season started I was going to enjoy it and not argue with a blowhard egotistical knowitall all like you, so this is it. I was at the game, you have of cource summerized it incorrectly, thats ‘where I am”. JoeT was fine. He threw fine and tossed 3 touchdown passes. I guess he needed to catch the other two again. I knew damn well you were a bold face liar to say in here that you were pulling for JoeT to make you eat your words. It wouldn’t matter what he did, your going to pick it apart. I said back in Jan. start the senior, get us a few games deep, let the talented kid get it going and take over in time. Thats exactly what CMR IS doing and you have said on the record you think “he is making a mistake”. Looks like it working to me. I am exactly right and have been. Spin it any way you want. (FYI, I never lead the argument about JoeT arm with you, 10 others did in here, I just said you were a jackass for insisting the coaches didnt know what they were doing, but if you want to call me out specifically, knock yourself out). Here is what seperates the good dawn fans with the, well, yous. If MS does well I am thrilled and so are you, if JoeT does well I am thrill and you are pulling against him. Have fun this season, but I swear I can’t see how.
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
hunkerdown, the holding in the endzone was the second penalty.
And dont argue about the QB anymore, obviously nobody is going to look at any game replays and see it any different than they wanted to see it anyway. You and I have said all along what we expected and wanted and it looks like that exactly the way it going.
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this
abe, great post. an Honest assessment of the realities.
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
Buck, it was exciting, But “played like no other Qb we have even seen in CMR era?” keep in mind it was end of the game against a totally outmanned, exhausted D1AA team that had totally been whipped and deflated, with plays designed to excite and not control a game. He also had 2 failed drives, not his fault, but that doesn’t seem to matter in JoeT case. He will get there.
By CarterG
September 3, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
for all ou people who say Joe T has no talent,you couldn’t be farther from the truth. He should have been 11 for 17 with 2 touchdowns but the martrez milner and aj bryant cant catch. Stafford does have talent be doesnt know the offense like JoeT. JT makes better decisions and has better footwork than Stafford which has been said by the coaches who i think would know more than KennyG. Theres much more to being a qb than looking pretty and thowing the ball a long way. Its about leadership, having the trust of our teamates, and making good decisons with accuracy. Joe t does all of those things and until he costs UGA a game he deserves to be the starter.this stafford hype is way over blown just because he completed 3 passes and he throws hard.
By JTugg
September 3, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this
I also noticed Coach Richt let damn near everyone play. It was like open tryouts! MoMass and the recievers will be better in my opnion when the qb situation gets better. Milner really disappointed me! So did Joe T. If Erik Ainge can come in to Athens his freshman year and win, why can’t Stafford do the same for UGA in Columbia or Auburn?
By G8R H8R
September 3, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
Altamaha - Stafford had one failed drive which amounted to one play on which a holding penalty was called in the endzone resulting in a safety. If you really want to count that against him. His other two drives resulted in touchdowns. Call the WKU defense tired and outmanned but you also need to point out that on the final drive that Stafford was throwing to third string receivers/tight ends.
After watching yesterday, the only question on Stafford is whether he knows enough of the offense and if he is able to check off at the line of scrimmage. He may not be as far along as a sophomore David Greene, but I believe that he is every bit as ready as David Greene was as a redshirt freshman.
David Greene may have had a redshirt year, but that was under Donnan. In other words he had about the same amount of time that Stafford has had to learn Mark Richt’s system as a Freshman.
Greene, however, did have three or four games under his belt before he had to start in a hostile environment at Tennessee.
I believe that Mark Richt is giving JTIII and for that matter Cox and Barnes every opportunity to be the starter. The fact that Stafford played Saturday tells me that Mark Richt is not satisfied with what he has seen from the other three. It shouldn’t be long before he hands the keys to the offense over to Stafford. If JTIII was the real deal, then there would not even be a conversation. Other than maybe about a platoon like we had with Greene and Shockley.
Richt is not concerned about playing guys to build for the future as much as he is about playing for and winning championships every year. Georgia football is no longer about “wait till next year” or “in two years we are going to be awesome”. Georgia football is about competing for championships every year. Other than some poor recruiting by Donnan on the OL and some recent bad luck on the OL, the Dawgs have pretty much reloaded every year under Mark Richt.
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
G8 I stand corrected, I forgot Ware had 50 yrd on a couple of rushes and MS had one incomplete on that first. My point was that the safety was no more his fault than the other 2 dropped TD were JoeTs. I think CMR did a great job of putting him at just the right spot, giving his best chance to get his feet wet.
So our fresh reserve TE and Linemen are head over heals better than a worn out D1AA defense?
By AltamahaDawg
September 3, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this
I beleive in said failed drives not his fault did I not????
By Hunk Erdown
September 3, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
AltamahaDawg—
Once again, you bring a good, level headed perspective to the table, thanks.
Logan Gray and anyone else headed to or thinking about heading to UGA have seen that CMR is gonna give them a fair shot, and he is gonna do what is best for the team, no matter how he might have benefited by red shirting someone. The way we are recruiting and with the quality of the recruits; we seem to be taking some of the past strategy of saving eligibility and putting a lot less importance on that than playing for the “win today”. I’m telling you, CMR is thinking about stuff years down the road, that we haven’t even considered yet. He doesn’t have to worry anout spreading out the talent because he is filling the team with quality depth. Every thing he does just goes to prove that he isn’t going anywhere for a very long time.
I have never been against playing Stafford or whoever the best man for the job is, but I have definately tried to consider the factors involved and predict what I “thought” would happen. I have always qualified any opinions with the point that CMR is the man and I trust anything he decides to do.
My thing for being in JoeT’s corner has been one main thing, and thats the slander and trashing that people are doing. I’ve thought about it a lot, because it really bothers me that so-called Dawg fans would come on here and post some of the things they have posted. The only reason I can come up with is that maybe they think that it would be justified for CMR to bring in Stafford if they can somehow convince themselves and others that JoeT is that terrible. That just won’t fly though because CMR is the one that has allowed JoeT to remain on the roster as a QB, and he has even judged that JoeT was the most talented of the group. So they turn to this other idea that it was all because of CMR’s loyalty to Joe and his family. CMR could have been just as loyal to Joe and his family with Joe playing a different position than QB if Joe wasn’t good enough or deserving to be a QB. The thing is, (and I know that Bird and a few others have no interest in seeing the truth) it is completely unnecessary to justify Stafford playing by trashing JoeT. CMR doesn’t need an excuse to put Stafford in, and we as Dawg fans don’t need an excuse either. Thats the only reason I can come up with… But one thing is for certain, I have played and coached football and other sports all my life, and there is absolutely no validity to the claims that JoeT played a bad game or threw bad passes against WKU. He threw two passes that could even be close to being evaluated as poor throws. CMR says that JoeT played very well. The announcers said that he played very well. Other TV analysts said JoeT pakyed a good game, better than his stats suggest. There was plenty of “zip” on the passes that needed zip on them and the others had just the right “touch” to be good throws. Out of 17 passes 8 were either screens or less than 5yd passes, not the kind of passes that you “zip”. I really believe that most of the passes were short ones by design… to not let USC get enough of a picture of just how good he “can” throw the ball. Its like Altamaha said, though… I can’t convince people who have already made up their minds that they are going to trash him. I would just ask the people who don’t have an agenda to trash JoeT to take a look at the replays and judge for yourself. The claims of JoeT not having talent to play SEC ball are so off base that any honest person can see it. He threw a 17 yard perfect strike in coverage, threading the needle to Raley for our 1st TD. He threw a perfect, 20yd pass, under pressure to Demiko Goodman. He threw a beautiful 31 yd pass to Harris that Harris tripped, recovered and then caught because JoeT stood in the pocket and let the reciever beat his man. The drops that I have talked about were pure drops. On three of them there wasn’t a defender within 3-4 yds of the reciever. There were two that the defenders were there but the passes threaded the needle and were dropped even though the ball went right through the reciever’s hands. The two “poor passes” were timing patterns and were, true enough, thrown slightly behind the recievers, but both passes hit the recievers’ hands. One other pass was thrown with accuracy and zip, but the defender interfered with the catch and it was incomplete. The ball was placed on the 2 yd line because of the penalty. All of this is plain truth, verifiable and the only way anyone could see it any other way is to just want to see something not there. Guess what, if we want Stafford to play, thats great, he’s VERY GOOD. He may even bring some kind of mojo to the party that gives that little something extra that makes him a super star, I’m all for that! But to trash JoeT to make it happen quicker or more justifiable is wrong. Even if there were any truth to it, it is still unnecessary and therefore WRONG! CMR don’t need a reason to play Stafford over anyone. He doesn’t have to explain it to anyone other than to simply say that he feels that this is the direction the team needs to take. Thats it, no bashing or lies about how JoeT, JoeC, or Blake don’t have the talent. The fact is, that CMR judges that JoeT is very talented and capable of leading the team. Until CMR says differently Joe will lead the team and meanwhile he will be helping Stafford to learn what he knows and he will play an integral role in the transition of Stafford taking over the reins. JoeT will do a great job of transitioning too, because he is a man of class and integrity. I almost wish that Stafford wouldn’t do anything but mop up this year, just so JoeT could prove how stupid his detractors are, but now that MS will not be red shirted I would like to see him bring on that mojo and see how far we can go.
Kenny, I realize that in your acknowledgement that you shouldn’t have poor mouthed JoeT that you still felt it neccessary to get those digs in on him again, but at least you were man enough to say you were wrong for doing it, and I respect you for that.
Abe- you made some good points here and on the other blog too.
Did anybody catch what CMR said in explaining his final decision to go ahead and play MS Saturday? He said that when he announced that JoeT would start and Cox would back-up, that he watched Stafford to see what his reaction would be and how he would handle it. He played Stafford because Stafford didn’t poke his lip out and pout about it. He just started working harder so that he could convince the coaches that he could get it done. He supported the Joes and was a “man” about the whole situation. That just reinforces the fact that CMR is more like a father figure to these guys than a coach sometimes. It was just as important to CMR that Stafford grows as a man as it is that he grows as a QB. These players are leaving UGA as men and better men than when they arrived.
Long post, sorry, but I had to get it told… now I’m done with it and will talk about anything besides what a pitiful QB JoeT is.
By physicsDawg
September 3, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
I do believe Staff will be starting before the end of this season. I don’t know if Barnes or Cox will be left in the cold, but JoeT will get it done until MS is ready, then will make a good backup, like we needed him to be last year. Next year, probably Cox will backup MS, and they’ll be really good when we need them to be. One of them, most likely Barnes, should transfer and get some playing time. Looks like Kentucky needs him pretty bad right now. By the time oe Cox has graduated, we should have another great prospect waiting to take over after watching Stafford for a few years.
By Robert
September 4, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this
I think Ole Dawg 55 said it best. Thanks for your very important message to Birddawg and others.
BirdDawg, you and some others need to settle down and get a Friging life. To come on here and pound your chest like you know so much more than Coach Richt and Coach Bobo is pathetic.
Joe T. did not have a bad game and should have had three Td’s. He will start against South Carolina and I hope he plays well.If he does not give us the best chance to win, he will be replaced by Coach Richt, not you!
No doubt Stafford and Cox are the future but I believe Coach Richt has handled the situation exactly the right way. He is the Main Man here and has been at every practice, something you have not done,I’m sure.
It’s the wannabee Sunday morning coaches like you that need to shut up and pull for whoever is playing for Georgia. To trash Joe T. so you can pound your little small chest speaks volumes. Do you get the picture?