AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThis UGA bunch needs an alpha Dog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — More than anything else, with the horror of South Carolina and that Spurrier guy threatening to haunt the rest of Georgia’s football season, these gifted but raw group of Bulldogs need somebody who can growl while throwing a chair across the locker room.
Somebody who can make sure Georgia doesn’t sleepwalk on Saturday at Sanford Stadium against pitiful Western Carolina before trips in two of the next three weeks to Tuscaloosa and Knoxville. Somebody who can make sure the Bulldogs realize they can become puppies in a hurry, especially since they’ll also spend pre-Halloween facing Vanderbilt, which shocked Georgia at home last season, and Florida, which slams Georgia all the time.
That somebody is …
“Uh,” said Asher Allen, a sophomore cornerback for Georgia, thinking and thinking. “To be honest, we don’t have that person. Well, not yet, but if I had to say a name, I’d say Kelin Johnson. He really has been the guy who has been out there, making sure everybody is ready at practice, doing the small things, and also making sure the young people know what’s going on.”
Yeah, but what about the growl thing and chair thing?
Redshirt freshman safety Reshad Jones frowned, saying, “Kelin is not that type of guy, but I’d say that he is a vocal leader. He speaks what’s on his mind, and he’ll come out and make plays when needed.”
The same goes for center Fernando Velasco, among the seniors cited by Georgia coach Mark Richt as rising team leaders. Then, upon further review, Richt added, “I’d say Fernando is No. 1 [as a leader] on the team. But you know, defensively, we’ve got a bunch of guys. I’ve been pleased with [defensive end] Marcus Howard. Kelin is doing a nice job. Jeff Owens is a junior, and he’s doing a good job. Brandon Miller — quiet, not a big rah-rah guy, but he’s playing outstanding, and he works hard, and he gets emotional on game day. He’ll rally the troops.”
All of that’s fine, but that’s not the point. If the Bulldogs wish to go from their early deficit in the SEC East to bowling in the BCS, they’ll need what they’ve always had when they’ve finished better than good.
They’ll need THE leader.
Thomas Davis. Greg Blue. David Pollack. D.J. Shockley. The Stinchcombs (Jon and Matt). Eric Zeier. David Greene. Frank Ros. Will Witherspoon. John Brantley.
This isn’t an optional thing for the Bulldogs. This is a must thing, and this won’t come from Richt or any of his lieutenants. “Coaches will always ride herd and try to keep the standards at a certain level, but when you have players that will make sure that everybody is doing what they ought to be doing, that’s a huge deal for your team,” Richt said. “The leadership, in my opinion, has to come from within the ranks to have a great football team.”
It happened last season, when Georgia dropped four of five games, including a fiasco to Vanderbilt and another to Kentucky. Before long, the Bulldogs were sprinting into 2007 with consecutive victories over nationally ranked Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.
The thing is, Tony Taylor and Tra Battle were THE leaders during that stretch, but they are in the NFL now.
Now what for the Bulldogs, or should we say who?
“I remember during the South Carolina game that we were going out there for a kickoff return, and playing the amount of snaps I was playing, going out there for special teams, you’re tired,” junior tight end Tripp Chandler said. “But Kelin was in my ear, B-Miller was talking to me, just leadership all around from our seniors giving you confidence to help you get through.”
Sounds like leadership by committee at Georgia.
Whatever works.
If it works.
Permalink | Comments (92) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
Comments
By georgiagirl49
September 12, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
very good article. Thats what we are missing. No bulldog spirit. B randon Miller Get the seniors together and let out some excitement back in sanford stadium. The fans are dead this year. I was embarrassed thiss year at the carolina game. the alumi participation is awful. Let a11 act like Dawg fans from now on
By Mikey
September 12, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
What about Stafford being THE MAN ? Brandon Coutu ? Brannen Southerland ? There are three that I’d like to see step up.
By Denver Dog
September 12, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
Hopefully someone will step up. Maybe they have been not allowed to play. Who knows? Someone will though, you can bet on that, or bet against the dogs. Speaking of leaders, what about the great Hogue. That was a leader!
By Shut Up
September 12, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
I think people need to step up and quit overreacting to this loss. That’s what I’d like to see happen. Move on and quit crying like babies.
By A-ville Ranger
September 12, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Exactly right Terence.I think what the team misses from VanGorder is that borderline psycho persona.I’d like to see Richt hire somebody like that and have them teach tackling separate from the rest of pratice.
By South GA fan
September 12, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
After the post-game bashings by “Am I God?” Spurrier and AJC’s Carter Strickland, I’m certain the Dogs feel down. They need to all rally, and I think they definitely will. Spurrier said that he didn’t think UGA was a very good football team, but he must have missed some of the games. He is a poor role model and has anger issues, for certain.
By Top Dawg
September 12, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
Hey “Shut Up”, there is no such thing as overreacting to a loss to South Carolina.
By Buck in the NW
September 12, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Now is the time for Matthew Stafford to step up and be the leader. If he’s going to do it then step up because his team needs him. Have been and continue to believe in him. When he over threw Moreno, it appeared that he was trying to make sure he didn’t miss by laying the ball in there. CMR is keeping his word and letting Bobo be the “OC”. Now, by his actions MS needs to step up and be the Man and I’ll bet he and Bobo are working on just that. It won’t take long to find out and I hope that we’ll put 40 plus points on the board this Sat. like IMO we should. Long season yet to go but it’s time to start putting the parts together
By KnottyDog
September 12, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Absolutely on target. Ga. has the individual talent, but they do not play as a team, with team spirit, team character, team toughness. Occasional outstanding individual defensive and offensive plays may be excieting to watch, but without consistent and steady team work, will not win ball games. It was obvious from the very first offensive drive Georgia did not have the team togetherness or drive to win the game.
By Palmetto State Dawg
September 12, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
I agree with Top Dawg. Losing to South Carolina is unacceptable. The Univ. of GA should never lose a football game to the Univ. of SC. Man, I wish we could play them again.
By asswipe
September 12, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
By georgiagirl
September 12, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
Yes they need to come together as a team, BUT THE FANS NEED TO BACK THEM UP AND STOP THE BASHING, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT WAS REALLY BAD AT THE GAME AND ALL THAT NEEDS TO STOP. IF THE FANS ARE GOING TO TREAT THEM LIKE SH!!, THEN THAT WILL ALSO BRING THEM DOWN. THE TEAM NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AND BACK EACH OTHER UP AND SO DO THE FANS. GO DAWGS, GO DAWGS, GO DAWGS, SIC-EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RED AND BLACK GO READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT BOBO IN THE ATHENS BANNER ONLINE AND READ HOW THE FANS HERE ACTING. I THINK THAT THE OLD BALL COACH HAS NOTHING ON OUR FAN BASE RIGHT NOW, SOME HAVE BEEN ACTING AND TALKING WORSE THAT HIM. BOY THAT REALLY MAKE US LOOK GOOD. IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW AND WE NEED TO SEND THE SUPPORT TO THE TEAM LOUD AND CLEAR. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THEY NEED TO HEAR IT LOUD AND CLEAR, BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF THEIR TEAM TOO AND WE CAN NOT BRING OUR OWN TEAM DOWN. THE BULLDOG NATION NEEDS TO HEAR THEIR FANS POSITIVE, THE HELL WITH THE NEGATIVE.
By asswipe
September 12, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
By Full House Backfield
September 12, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Buck is right on about it’s time for Matt to step up. If the line can’t protect him put Brown, Moreno, and Southerland in the backfield together and split out Baily and Mo Mass. Or put Chandler and Friggins in at the same time. We have the personal to protect lets just use it. We can win out!!! Go dawgs
By bob
September 12, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
The tone of the UGA vs.USC game was set on the UGA’s first possesion…We get 3yards on 3 plays and USC gets a 15 yard penalty…move the chains…we again pick up 3 yards and have to punt…USC gets a 15 yard penalty and we get to move the chains…again…we gained 30 yards on penalities…and still could not take these “gifts” and turn them into any points….we were done right then!
Fact UGA has lost 5 of the last 6 SEC games we have played…we are done!
By Swampdawg
September 12, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs need more than an alpha dog. They need a mission statement. They need a commitment on both sides of the ball that they WILL be the best! They need a symbol , a logo , a nametag and live up to it. ie; junkyard dawgs, ie; shaved heads. No name defense, etc, etc. They need something to pull them together in battle. A battle cry! Forget the pain men and hit’em harder on that line! Open those holes! Pass less and Run more!
By SOS
September 12, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
**PALMETTO STATE DAWG…
PLEASE NUT UP AND GET A JOB IN GEORGIA SO YOU CAN STOP YOUR WHINING…
SATURDAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WIN OVER GEORGIA IS NO SHOCK…
THE TRUTH IS THAT GEORGIA IS LUCKY TO HAVE A WINNING RECORD AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA THIS DECADE…
THE “MIGHTY” MUTTS HAVE FAILED TO SCORE AN OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN AGAINST THE GAMECOCKS IN 3 OF THE LAST 7 MEETINGS…
GEORGIA HOLDS THE EDGE OVER SOUTH CAROLINA IN GAMES THIS DECADE 5-3, BUT 6 OF THE 8 GAMES WERE DECIDED BY 7 POINTS OR LESS…
IF SOUTH CAROLINA DOESN’T TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS FOR YOU AGAINST FLA IN ‘05, YOU GUYS ONLY HAVE ONE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP IN 25 YEARS…
HECK, GA AND SC HAVE THE SAME RECORD AGAINST FLA THIS DECADE…
WHEN ARE YOU DELUSIONAL THUMB SUCKERS GOING TO WAKE UP AND ACCEPT THE FACT THAT BEATING SC IS NOT A GIVEN ANYMORE?**
By Mission Statement
September 12, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Vince Young’s words to his team were “we will not lose” that’s the attitude we need. Go dawgs
By Ross
September 12, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
You are right on about needing an attack Dawg this season Terence. Hey, Mike Vick has time on his hands. UGA needs players to make plays not players or coaches to scream about not making them.
By BirdMahn
September 12, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
The rah-rah leader crap is overrated. Georgia will get better.
By Terrence's Mom
September 12, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
As usual son, you’ve contradicted yourself. You criticize the dawgs for not having someone who growls and throws chairs. But most of the former players you cite for being good leaders were never known for doing that kind of thing. Hang in there, you get it right one day… I hope.
By lanerlaw
September 12, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see a defense that plays fired up to win like the VanGorder era. Frankly I see a leadership failure from the top down on defense. These guys don’t play with the fire of a Pollack, a get that guy at any cost attitude, but instead we see again the failed bend don’t break. Of course, as bad as they were, you can’t blame a defense for a loss where the other team only scored 17 points. But—the lack of leadership, the lack of pulling out big plays, contributes to the bland style of this team.
On a positive note, loved the play and attitude of Moreno. I still have faith in Stafford also. Why wasn’t Massoqui (sorry MM, I can’t spell) given the ball more—they only tried to throw to him about twice.
By lifelongdog
September 12, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
Stafford should become that leader on offense. He is only in this 3rd game of his 2nd yr…and he is still much further along than this time last yr. He did have a dissapointing game last week,..but I still think the best is yet to come. Has anyone wondered if the lack of fire and swagger as a player isnt connected to the top? I think we all feel last season was one to forget….and if by chance we roll down a similar path this season, we might have to really look at everything from the bottom to the top. If you notice, most of the players listed above were recruited by the Jim Donnan administration…Richard Seymore, Johnathan Sullivan,Jermane Phillips, Tim Wansly, Josh “the deamon” Mallard, David Greene, Thomas Davis, Musa,Odell, Blue,.these guys had heart and brought the heat every time they put on their pads…the recruiting class in 01’ that was Richts first class, were mostly already sold on UGA from Donnan’s recruiting. The best records were in the first 3-4 yrs of Richt’s reign. And as the last of Donnan’s recruits have left our system a couple yrs ago, our records and swagger have declined. I would never in a million yrs say a negative thing about Richt….But Im just saying that you have to analyize every consideration when you start underperforming. And if you are wondering where the fire and “chair throwers” are, I dont honestly think the current coaching team is promoting an opening for such a player. This attitude can have pros and cons. I suppose we will see ..
By crabmeat
September 12, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
It was the keystone cops and unfortunately an all to familiar performance. Reflecting over the past season to the latest debacle must give one pause to wonder what is happening and what to expect. There is a certain incoherence to the game plan and execution that makes one quite concerned. This latest episode of ineptitude is the worst in my memory. If Ritch wasn’t welded to Stafford’s hip , he would have put Cox in the game and pulled out a victory like the Colorado game last year. been Richt ain’t all that bright and Spurrier has his number. How about going after Petrino. RICHT AIN’T THE ANSWER.
By crabmeat
September 12, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
It was the keystone cops and unfortunately an all to familiar performance. Reflecting over the past season to the latest debacle must give one pause to wonder what is happening and what to expect. There is a certain incoherence to the game plan and execution that makes one quite concerned. This latest episode of ineptitude is the worst in my memory. If Ritch wasn’t welded to Stafford’s hip , he would have put Cox in the game and pulled out a victory like the Colorado game last year. been Richt ain’t all that bright and Spurrier has his number. How about going after Petrino. RICHT AIN’T THE ANSWER.
By BJohnDawg
September 12, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
Dont you love those South Carolina fans. They say beating Georgia is no big deal. Yet it must be, because they have been talking trash like they won a national championship. When is the last time they won the SEC championship?Big Goose egg. When is the last time they won even the SEC East?..big goose eggs. I did not know that Cocks could lay eggs.But yet their record of winning SEC championships shows that indeed they can.You guys beat Georgia by 4 points and you act like you are a 4 time national championship team. So clearly Spurrier is wrong and the fact that you won is a BIG deal.Enjoy your BIG win while you can….because you still have 10 more games to play.see if you can claim first place in football on the field instead of in your mind.
By yellowblood
September 13, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
TOP DAWG: You’re absolutely correct. There should have been more suicides this week. I thought Nascar Fan had hung himself but apparently he survived. Thank goodness. I’m relieved. Too bad this cannot be a bye week so that UGA fans could moan more about the loss to SC. I think Dawg fans need more time to grieve than to have to play a game this saturday. At least, its only WCU. If WCU pulled an AP STATE, all morgues in the state would be full.
By yellowblood
September 13, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
IF Stafford throws 20 TD passes against WCU, no one will care.
By yellowblood
September 13, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
TO the UGA football team. Your fans have shown that they care about you only when you win. Don’t screw up !
By yellowblood
September 13, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
SwampDawg: Isn’t the mange haircut this year’s “signature” ?
By yellowblood
September 13, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
SOS: Do not bother these people with facts.
By UGAfighter
September 13, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
Wow. We’re on Richt now?
UGA will probably not get a much better name than possibly Bobo..
Some UGA Ballplayers supposedly need to stop with the “recreation”, get some rest, and become more humble. UGA seems to only be “a big deal in this state and its local recruits”/Legends in their own minds”/Local celebrities.
All of these pros, and no championship. The coach is probably not the problem.
By Digger
September 13, 2007 5:09 AM | Link to this
We would not be talking about leadership roles an this and that had our receivers caught the damn football we would be talkin this team up they would be ranked in the top 10. WE would be saying what a great game bobo called, so stop talkin about all this crap the real problem is CATCHING THE BALL!
By john
September 13, 2007 7:09 AM | Link to this
Top Dawg quit your crying and get use to losing to THE COCKS.It’s going to be an annual affair.Your Dawgs got FLEAS!!!!!!
By georgiagirl
September 13, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
USC FANS, STILL HANGING AROUND, MUST NOT HAVE A LIFE, UGA FANS, USC FANS WILL BE THE FIRST TO DOWN THEIR TEAM WHEN THEY LOSE. I LIVE THERE FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY ARE WORSE THAN US. THAT’S WHY SOME ARE STILL HANGING AROUND HERE BECAUSE THE ONE GAME RIGHT NOW IS ALL THEY HAVE. THEY ARE READY LIVING IN THE FUTURE. SO NOW IT’S TIME THAT YOU UGA FANS GET TO SUPPORTING YOUR TEAM AND PUT DEAF EARS ON THE USC FANS, THE SEASON IS NOT OVER. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By D.Ellis
September 13, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
YEllOW BLOOD-WHO CARES UGA OWNS TECH…UGA OWNS TECH….UGA OWNS TECH….UGA OWNS TECH….UGA OWNS TECH….UGA OWNS TECH.
NOW DOESN’T IT SUCK WHEN YOUT TRY TO THINK OF SOMETHING TO SAY BUT THE ONLY THING YOU ARE THINKING IS…HE IS RIGHT UGA OWNS TECH.
By Housecleaner07
September 13, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Football is a “blood sport” much like “dog-fighting”.
The loser pays the price, and his seed/bloodline is criticized and eliminated.
This is whats happening: The “owners” (local fans, writers/speculators, and gamblers are upset at the surrent crop of dogs. They are “bad seeds/crop”. The “head of the puppy mill/breed kennel”, Richt, is criticized now.
Thus, the term fits: “They don’t have a dog in the fight!”
By Hunk Erdown
September 13, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
We have plenty of chair throwers, they are the guys who make a tackle for a 2yd gain and jump up thumping their chest and acting like they just won the super bowl. What we need is someone like T Brown or Sean Bailey to have a break out game that their leadership, speaks for itself. I beleive that is why T Brown is getting the start, if He can really come out and dominate, he will be the one the guys will look to. I think he is already looked up to because what he has already accomplished, but a huge performance on the field would seal the deal, without costing Moreno any carries either. Sean Bailey is in a position of being able to lead by example, big time. The Coaches need to put him in a position to lead by getting him about 10-12 pass receptions for a big game. Senior leadership is missing big time right now.
Stafford can help, but he has to perform consistently first, still gonna be hard for him to lead, as a sophmore, unless he becomes the star he is supposed to be. So far, he isn’t even close. Its gonna take time for him to earn enough respect to be a REAL leader.
One thing’s for sure we don’t need any “chair throwers”, that’s just showboating, we need performers that git-r-done and hand the football to the ref.
By Don
September 13, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Leadership is a must. Beyond that what is the point. Georgia has eight new starters on defense and 5 new starters on the offensive line. This may be the best group of players to step on the field during the Mark Richt era but we won’t know how good this team really is until next season and the season after that. I went into this season expecting 3 or 4 losses. That is the reality of it. When this defense becomes more disciplined it will be one of the best defenses a Georgia team has ever had. As the offensive lines gels together the offense will be pretty good too.
By Not to Worry
September 13, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Everybody needs to relax. This sort of thing happens all the time. Tech is talking National Champs and the dogs lost to a good “Old Ball Coach” team.Give it a few more games and all will be fine. Tech will go back to hitting the books and forget football and the DOGS will be rank up there as always. We don’t need chairs flying around!
By Carlton
September 13, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
Quit typing in all caps and quit posting comments more than once. Learn how to use a computer people.
By Scott
September 13, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing how unintelligent a lot of these posts are. I wish the AJC would get rid of this thing, a lot of the comments really embarrass me as a Georgia fan. Richt is running a superior program, and UGA will win 8-10 games this year. UGA will compete for titles next year. Go Dawgs.
By Erk
September 13, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
SOS, when did anybody say UGA beating USC is a given? Those who follow college football whatsoever know this game has been close almost every time, especially recently (except for your goose egg last year). But don’t start shooting off at the mouth until you win at least the SEC east or the conference championship. And a South Carolina fan calling UGA fans delusional? Please! USC fans are the most delusional fans in all of sports, even worse than the CUBS!
By Michael
September 13, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
People need to start looking to Moreno as a leader. He plays the game with heart and tenacity. He plays the game like it’s supposed to be played. EVERY PLAY, he beats the linemen back to the huddle even when he’s 40 yards down the field
By Southern Simpletons
September 13, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Richt is running a superior program, and UGA will win 8-10 games this year. UGA will compete for titles next year. Go Dawgs.
HA! HA! HA! LOL!! LOL!! LOL! Gimme a break. Richt is mediocre. wake up. FIRE MARK RICHT! UGA will never take the next step. he does not have the killer instinct. he needs to stop hiding his ineptitude and lack of fire behind the Bible. most southerners are too stupid. anytime someone waves a Bible before your eyes, you become blinded to the reality of the man hiding behind the Bible he is waving in your face. FIRE MARK RICHT! Richt is mediocrity personified. the 8th best coach in the sec.
By Terrible Truth
September 13, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
It seems Bigot Terence Moore and his colleague, the human Pantyliner Jeffy Schultz came up with the same idea for a column at their ritual saturday night Mazola wrestling/car key swap. Maybe Ms. Cox-Chambers needs to administer a good butt chewing followed by a few whacks over your heads with her cane to wake you both up. Don’t look the deliverer of your paychecks in the eye this week.
By Hunk Erdown
September 13, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Leadership needs to come from the Seniors who step up and do their job on the field. Moreno has not even started in an SEC game yet, you obviously no nothing about how as SEC football team works, if you think the team should just “crown” someone as the leader because they made a good play. Velasco, T Brown, Sean Bailey, Kelin Johnson…guys who have paid the price with blood, sweat, and performance are the ones who will be and are looked at as leaders. Stafford is a work in progress, he is playing in a position that requires him to be a good leader, but he hasn’t performed as one yet. This week is important for him to come out with some awesome numbers, and good decision making under center. He needs to take control of the offense and move them down the field. Thomas Brown needs to work with him in the huddle to lead/rally the guys to support and block for him. Brown’s leadership can help make Stafford the leader he needs to be, if that makes sense to you.
By Tee
September 13, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
I agree with Don 100%. Any UGA fan knows with the youth and inexperience we have, especially on the offensive line and most of the defense, coupled with a new OC, this should not be a surprise. Yes, we could have (and should have) made a couple of plays here and there to beat SC. That is just the reality of the situation. I truly believe that the OKST game gave some of us, including our players and coaches, a false sense of reality. I, like other Dawg fans, was really looking at this game to see where we stand. Yes, we lost the SC game and I absolutely hated it, but we know where we stand with regards to SEC competition. There is time to get things fixed before we get into the rest of the SEC schedule. Give our guys some time and we will be OK. As far as leadership goes, you can’t make anyone be a leader unless he wants to be one. I love CMR and what he has done, but I would love to see us come out ready to play, especially this week at home. Let’s drop half a hundred on WCU in the FIRST HALF, get some guys some playing time in the second half and get ready for Bama. Don’t panic Dawg fans…we will be OK!!!!!
By Odawg
September 13, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Holy Crap! Terence Moore wrote an article that’s halfway decent! I’ll be back…I’m buying a lottery ticket.
By ChampDawg
September 13, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I can’t pretend to know what the problems are…….. but a team that can’t score 1 single touchdown has got some issues. I don’t know if it’s the talent, youth, the coaching, or the execution on the field but UGA looks horrible on both offense and defense against S Carolina. I like CMR, but if doesn’t get out of his “Jesus mood” and start kicking some butt, it’s going to be a long season.
By georgiagirl
September 13, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
SOUTHERN SIMPLETONS, MOST SOUTHERNERS ARE NOT STUPID, WE JUST LOVE ALL THE NORTHERN PEOPLE WHO MOVE TO THE SOUTH. A SOUTHERN WOMAN MARRIED TO A NORTHERN MAN. I’M SURE GLAD THAT EVERYONE IS NOT A JERK A@@ AS YOU ARE. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE SOUTH, THE ROADS, AIRLINES, AND BUSES RUN NORTH TAKE YOUR A@@ ON UP THE ROAD. I GUESS YOU DON’T WATCH ESPN, CMR IS ONE OF THE SIXTH WINNING COACHES IN THE NATIONAL Dumby. GO DAWGS!!!!!! WE COULD CARE LESS WHAT YOU THINK JERK. AS FAR AS THE BIBLE, LAID OFF IT, PEOPLE CAN DO AS THEY PLEASE, THAT WHY PEOPLE LIKE MY SON-IN-LAW ARE IRAQ TO PROTECT A@@ES LIKE YOU.
By Palmetto State Dawg
September 13, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
SOS,
The fact that you’re typing in all caps on a football blog just proves what a rube you really are. “Please nut up, and get a job in GA”…..gimme a break you douche bag. Where I live & work is none of your business, and has not baring in these football discussions. Yes, Saturday’s win by USC was a shock, and I am still in shock. You say that GA is lucky to have a winning record against USC this decade? What are you smoking? I say that USC was lucky to win on Saturday. How’s that for “luck”, buddy? The two wins by USC against Richt were very close, but I recall beating USC 31-7 in 2003 & 18-0 in 2006, just to mention a couple. In breaks down like this. In order for USC to ever beat UGA in football, USC must play great & get all the breaks. Even with that they end up barely winning. Who cares about offensive TD’s, as long as you win the game. It’s not like SC has lit up the scoreboard against GA. Go back, and look at the games this past decade, and tell me how you Chickens have done against UGA. We gave you a goose egg at your house last year. The fact of the matter is that we have dominated you in the series, and that will continue. You may have won this year, but don’t get used to it. Hell, we beat you 5 years in a row…I guess the Cocks were due. You mentioned SEC titles…..How many does USC have? Just curious.
By PSack
September 13, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
There is NOTHING worse than losing to Spurrier. However, when you lose this gives the CAROLINA team braggin rights..so if you are a Georgia fan don’t act like a bunch of punk bit&^%$s when we lose
Now that said don’t take not one OUNCE OF CRAP FROM ANY OTHER FANS **(LIKE TECH) they must first whup us to qualify to talk smack!!!
By BuzzFan
September 13, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
As a Tech fan, it astounds me to see the wailing and gnashing of teeth that has gone on since UGA lost to SC. You would think they lost to a 1-AA opponent. UGA is a fairly young, but talented team. Richt is a proven coach, and I think Bobo is no dummy either. Personally, some of the obnoxious UGA fans make it hard for me to pull for UGA at times (especially the ones who have no association with the university besides the cap they purchased at Wal-Mart), but until Tech can beat UGA, I’m keeping my mouth shut.
By GADAWG47
September 13, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
I think the Bulldog’s problem is in the coaching staff. The play calling against USC was very uneducated. I was there at the game when it was 1st and 10 on the USC 10 yard line and we threw 3 INCOMPLETE PASSES. What type of play calling is that? What did Spurrier do when he was on our 10-15 yard line….Boyd ran it in for a TD. The leader of the team should be the coach. I have played sports all my life, and the person I look to for game knowledge, discipline, and “the spark” is the coach. CMR has many great qualities, but giving “the spark” is not one of them. Of course you need your players motivating on another, but the coach is there to push the players to perform at there best, and to use the brain God gave them as well. The UGA coaching staff needs to pull it together quick, or it is going to be another long season.
By ameliaislandmike
September 13, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
You cant blame the players for letting forty five seconds tick off the last 2 minutes. Thats the worst clock management ive ever seen. The calls were terrible. Stafford was in a funk. He didnt shake it off , clap his hands together and take control of his team . So hes not quite the leader all the coachspeak was about-yet anyway. The receivers—- What was all that crap about how they have stepped up??? Rhetoric..BS This team is in trouble —streaky -great wins at the end of the year. Few points against TEch—lucky comeback against VaTech. But… five east losses in a row.. COACHES ARE GOING TO have to come up with something quick cuz Saban can coach.
By Pitbull
September 13, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
I would like to see Stafford put a little more touch on his passes rather than throw fastballs that even good recievers have trouble bringing in.
Greene did not throw that hard and won more games than any other qb in NCAA Div 1 history.
Sometimes I think Cox would do better simply because he delivers the ball at a speed and placement (called touch) that his teammates can catch them.
It is not about how fast or on a string the pass is; it is about if it is thrown accurately and such that a reciever can handle it. These guys didn’t suddenly forget how to catch passes when they got to UGA.
Donnan got deep sixed by sticking with Quincey Carter when he did not move the team just to avoid a qb controversey. I hope Coach Richt does not do the same thing with Stafford if Cox can win the game for us.
Bottom line - put Cox in if Stafford is not moving the team. I remember when Coach Dooley told Belue he was going to have to sit in lieu of Lassinger if Belue did not make plays and adjustments. Coach Richt needs to coach Stafford to make adjustments too. Take some mustard off those passes and they will be caught.
By Hunk Erdown
September 13, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Tee
Good post up there ^. Definate false sense of security after the OkieSt game. In fact, I thought it was a good move to sit on the ball in the second half… I couldn’t have been more wrong. It is obvious now (hindsight 20-20) that Stafford needed to get his bearings down for the timing patterns. I wish we would have let him turn it loose in the 2nd half of OkieSt game, it might have gave him the confidence/practice he obviously needs to have played better in the USC game. Maybe he will have a big day Saturday. When you think about it, he has not had a real break out game yet, as a passer. He’s had streaks here and there, but we need to see a game where he passes well and his wide outs catch well. I sure hope he throws for about 300 on Saturday with good timing and accuracy/touch.
By hunkering hank
September 13, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Uhhhhh, didn’t Georgia have losing records Zeier’s junior and senior seasons when he was the leader? I love Zeier, don’t get me wrong. My comment is just to show the flawed nature of yet another article by Mr. Moore.
By Doug
September 13, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
If we have Massaquoi or Sean Bailey in the game and throw one of those crunch time passes to them we win the game.Tony Wilson and Michael Moore determined the outcome of our first SEC game. Let’s move on.
Dawg 1983
By Doug
September 13, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
If we have Massaquoi or Sean Bailey in the game and throw one of those crunch time passes to them we win the game.Tony Wilson and Michael Moore determined the outcome of our first SEC game. Let’s move on.
Dawg 1983
By cdawg02
September 13, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Buzz Fan: Thank you. That is about the smartest thing I’ve read in this entire comment section. I’m a huge Dawg fan and it kills me to read some of the crap that is spouted on these comment boards. Seriously, and this goes to Dawg, C**, and Tech fans alike, please just take 10 seconds to re-read what you post. Spelling errors are one thing but when I start feeling like a dyslexic with peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth while reading these comments I get p** off. Everybody just needs to calm down. We lost to SC and that sucks but dwelling on it makes us a worse team and even worse fans. I have faith that the Dawgs will be fine and I wish everyone else would too.
By SouthGAdawg
September 13, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Good article. I do think Kelin is a leader but he doesn’t have much help. I don’t understand how we can not be fired up to play Spurrier! After the way he has taken every opportunity to disrespect us over the years. I think CMR downplays the Spurrier thing. Hating Spurrier is part of being a dawg. The seniors have to start leading. I think they will but if not, we’re headed foe another season like last year. Wake up boys. The talent is there.
By gagirl23
September 13, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
EVERYBODY KEEPS TALKING ABOUT SEAN BAILEY AND M.M. BUT NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT HOW MIKEY HENDERSON STEPS UP EVERY TIME HE IS GIVEN A CHANCE. HE HAD SEVERAL GOOD RETURNS AND EVERY TIME A PASS IS CATCHABLE HE CATCHES IT.THEY NEED TO GET HIM THE BALL MORE. HE IS A PLAYMAKER!GO DAWGS!!
By gagirl23
September 13, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
EVERYBODY KEEPS TALKING ABOUT SEAN BAILEY AND M.M. BUT NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT HOW MIKEY HENDERSON STEPS UP EVERY TIME HE IS GIVEN A CHANCE. HE HAD SEVERAL GOOD RETURNS AND EVERY TIME A PASS IS CATCHABLE HE CATCHES IT.THEY NEED TO GET HIM THE BALL MORE. HE IS A PLAYMAKER!GO DAWGS!!
By JustMe
September 13, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
There is no doubt that Stafford is the leader. After all, didn’t he originate the Tickle Pile? I recall the photograph showing him initiating the first ever Tickle Pile…..
By Buck in the NW
September 13, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
lifelongdog, will you explain your comment “wonder if lack of fire and swagger isn’t connected to the top”? I ask because I think you just said something that I believe and will post about but I just wanted your further explanation.
By ckj
September 13, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Plain and simple. If you make BIG time plays in BIG games, you are labeled a LEADER.
By southgacock
September 13, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Both teams are young this year. USC will have 8 returning starters on both offense and defense for next year. So the notion that a young GA played a experiened USC team does not equate. So for the foreseen future the rivaly between GA/USC will be intense. Can you stand it? Both teams had numerous chances and neither capalized on there chances. The only difference in the game was USC scored a TD and GA did not. OBC was not happy with the way USC played, and we were lucky that you played worse than we did. NOW GO OUT AND BEAT UT AND FLA. Boy, how I dislike those teams. And wants to join me in rubbing Meyer’s nose in the ground.
By PauldingDawg323
September 13, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
What the AJC needs is a new sports page editor. Fire them all but Chip Towers. Seriously, these collumnists are pathetic. I’ll stick to reading David Ching, and avoid the morons that write for this pathetic newspaper.
By Simply despise liars
September 13, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Georgia girl, take that damned thing OFF of caps before you say anything else!!! Nobody can take you seriuosly if you cannot converse intelligently on a blog. Don’t speak up for us southerners until you can represent us in a good light. You only confirm that Yankee attitude when you live up to it. Thanks but no thanks!
By Ryan
September 13, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
It’s Thursday. Are we still talking about this crap!
By Hunk Erdown
September 13, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
GaGirl
I enjoy your posts, but do you think you could turn off the caps lock?
I just can’t understand how so many people have made a life or death thing out of one game. The USC fans act like they’ve never won a game until now, and a lot of the Dawg fans act like we are never supposed to lose one. People are actually, and seriously talking about firing Coaches, benching Stafford, and generally acting like we got blew away by a high school team. Every body knows that USC-UGA is one of those crazy match-ups than can go either way. Its fine to analyze the game, but I have never seen such nit-picking in my life. Do people really believe we should scrap everything we have built on and start over with new coaches and playbooks? I think some folks need a vacation.
By Ed
September 13, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
I’m with you, Ryan. This is such B.S. We lose a competitive (if ugly) game to South Carolina, a team that has had back-to-back winning seasons and bowl appearances playing in the toughest conference in the land, and the way some people are carrying on you would have thought that we lost to Florida International.
We just held Steve Spurrier’s offense in check for the third straight year, but because our offense struggled (as it has against SC since Moses was the UGA coach) and we lost, then the sky is falling. We’re not tough enough anymore. Give me a break. Some of the same people who are in full panic mode right now will say “I told you so” when the Dawgs end up having a fine season.
By georgiagirl
September 13, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Hunk Erdown, Just trying to make a point, and I’m a good southern woman, married to a Yankee. I love the Dawgs and I’m really tired like you all the negative talk.
And Simply despire liars, I had the caps on for a reason and do not tell anything about representing the south, you do not know me and I sure that you think that you are better than me, which I coluld care less. I am a Southern woman and I love the Georgia Dawgs, win or lose, but I am glad that you are more worry about my typing that other important things in the world today. I worry more about my son-in-law in Iraq that people typing in caps. And as far as speaking up for southerners, I think I have the right to do so if I please. Southerner damn proud of it. GO Dawgs and Hell-o and be safe to all the guys in Iraq. Now I have learn in the last week that I need to stay off this blog, because I feel like alot of people are judging to many people. So See Hunk Erdown, Cuz and Chase got to stay out of this when people start worrying about my typing and not the subject of support the DAWGS NATION. Not the type of person to judge people over typing and other dumb things.
Cuz, You take care of that little girl and keep her safe, because their are alot of judgeing people out there in this big world.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SIC-EM!!!!!!!!!
By milledgevilledawg
September 13, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Terrence,
Very good article. I didn’t see the first Big Red Machine reference or the first “what would Joe Morgan do.”
You pretty much hit the nail on the head.
By doggirl
September 13, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Rarely agree with you, but this time you hit it on the head. I am a huge dawg fan and have enormous respect for Richt, but someone needs some fire on that team and it doesn’t seem to exist. When you hold a Spurrier team to 16 points, you should be able to beat them. When you only have 2 3rd down conversions going into the 3rd qtr, you shouldn’t beat anyone. Someone needs to be embarrassed for that game. Someone needs some discipline. Tripp Chandler never should have had the chance to drop a third pass because he’d have been on the bench. These guys should fear that kind of screw-up. But when they can have multiple off sides penalties or personal foul penalities or dropped passes and know that they’ll continue to play, there isn’t much incentive to keep yourself in check.
By IMHO
September 13, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
The dawgs suck. Having a vocal leader will only make them louder and suckier. Better prepare yourselves for a long season.
By gagirl23
September 13, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the caps! I guess I was just being lazy. I do agree with you Hunk Erdown. Except for last year the South Carolina games have been close for years. One loss won’t end our season. I think it might light a fire in those boys to play harder especially the receivers because they know they can’t keep dropping all of those passes.
By sobedawg
September 13, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
MOST of the people on these threads aren’t even BONAFIED UGA fans (or didn’t advance beyond the 7th Grade)…they are just IMPOSTERS…ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT…Sobedawg
PS—The Dawgs will be fine…wait til Tim Tebow runs into a BONAFIED defense this year… :-)
By Get a Grip
September 13, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
Says Who? Since when is it necessary to have this type of vocal leader? Leader yes, but does he have to throw chairs…I don’t think so. Terrance, you are reaching here by assuming every successful team has a leader that can throw chairs and yell and scream. Newsflash: it’s not necessary. UGA is a good team that got beat by a good USC team. If UGA makes it to the SEC champ., Terrance will you retract this inane article and admit you have no idea how to effectively lead?
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 13, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Anybody ever see Barry Sanders play? He fired his team up. Not by in your face chair throwing rah rah crap. But by playing his game and playing it well. I think if the team just executes on both sides of the ball and makes the plays, that fires EVERYBODY up from the players to the fans. BTW, never did see Sanders spike the ball or thump his chest after a TD or long run. He always handed it to the ref or hustled back to the huddle. Maybe a little O2 if it was a long run.
What I saw that first game was a team that played like the last three games fo last year. What I saw that second game was the same team we witnessed in the middle of last season. No need to panic it is just one game where it didn’t click. Be ready for WC and gata in Bama.
By Freehawk
September 13, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
The better team won this season. No need for UGA introspection. (look it up). You want vocal leaders, look to cheerleaders. Players win games.
By shane
September 13, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
richt is not a chair thrower,to pretand to be something he is not would be phony.kids pick up on a fake in a HURRY.tip to anyone who wants to work with young people,be yourself!some coaches are stoics on the sidelines,tom landry,bear bryant,bill walsh.some are explosive,don shula,vince lombardi,steve spurrier.take note that all coaches mentioned won championships.they have nothing in common except they won a lot of games and none ever pretended to be something they were not.i personaly prefer a coach that keeps his cool and settles his team down after a bad break or a great play.a reporter once asked tom landry how he keep his cool after his team fumbled or threw an interception.he said”that play is over and forgotten,i don’t think about what’s happening on the field,that’s my assistant coaches job.i try to stay three or four plays ahead”.i knew the cowboys were in trouble when i saw landry wearing headphones on the sideline.all his great asst coaches had been hired for hc jobs and he was calling plays.he retired soon after that.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 13, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Terrence, not every team needs a Ray Lewis. Of course if I were in a knife fight that would be different.
By sammy miller
September 13, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
I’d start that crazy cat Sam miller at wideout! He’s a freak and looks like Chewbaca but at least he can catch a ball.
By Ken
September 13, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!
By Bill W.
September 13, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I say it’s got to be someone on special teams and/or defense. I think though he is a Rfreshman, Moreno could get the offense hyped up. Munson could very well be accurate with his pre-season prediction if we don’t step it up, not only as players & coaches but as fans too. The lambasting and kick ‘em when your down comments does not help anyone. The “Fire CMR” comments are utterly ignorant. this is a very young team that will make mistakes in order to grow into a championship caliber team. I love the Dawgs, have loved them since I was a kid back when Herschel was a frosh. CMR is no Ray Goff or Jim Donnan. He deserves more credit from these blog sites. They will get better, mark my word. They won’t be beating the Colts in the Super Bowl anytime soon but we will get better if that means anything to anyone out there. GO DAWGS!!!!!
By heeldawg
September 13, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
Jeez—I’ll be glad when Saturday gets here so we can stop talking about all of this garbage. It’s time to move on. We all know why we lost—poor execution, poor play-calling, solid defense by the ‘Cocks, some blown calls by the officials, etc. It’s not as bad as it seems now, nor was it really as good as it seemed after the OSU game.
The truth at this point is likely somewhere in between. What matters now is how the team responds to this. Terrance is right. The talent is there. If the players step up, the Dawgs will win a lot of games. If they don’t, it could be a long season. College football is about talent and execution, but also about heart and intestinal fortitude. There is no lack of talent on this team. The issue is can they go out there and gut it out, whether it means coming up with the big play on defense, intercepting a key pass or forcing a fumble at the goal line, hitting the big run at a critical time so that the team has confidence that it can win every game, every week. That’s what championship teams do. The true leadership is not vocal; it’s on the field. It’s Pollack stripping the ball in the Carolina end zone for a TD, or Herschel breaking a 76-yard run, or Belue finding his roomate and best friend Lindsay Scott open for the score that saves a national title run. It’s Odell Thurman’s interception at the goal line, or David Greene’s fourth down pass against Auburn. This team has that kind of talent. But does it have that kind of heart?
We’ll see. Play opens at 1:00 on Saturday.
By Bigdog
September 13, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Moore, you are putting UF Schultzie to shame…..He wants to put the lack of fire on the coach and you on the team where it should be. There are championship coaches who have “fire” externally and those who do not. It is who is on the team that runs the plays who refuse to lose that matters most. Who will step up and make a play to win the game. UGA is still looking for them.
By Buck in the NW
September 13, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
This has now IMO become a “Keystone Cops” deal and I feel sorry for the way some players are being treated and changed. Stafford made the comment, “I’ve just got to be me”. The coaches got into his face big time and told him not to run but to go down. He’s pretty sharpe on the short balls but uncertain on the long ball. Let him play QB and don’t try to make him into some one else. I just read CMR’s quote about Caleb King and I really feel sorry for him. He’s learning and he’s playing with the varsity and looking good but we’re now cross training is it Shappas, the FB as a TB in case someone gets hurt but holding out the carrot to King to keep working hard and he may get in. The coaching staff didn’t know how to handle Stafford last year, now we’ve just discovered that we must get the ball to Moreno more and Caleb , you just keep on working and when the 3rd string FB, who’s being crossed trained gets hurt ,if no one else is healthy and we have nobody else to cross train, you’ll play. Caleb King will do whatever the coaches want but isn’t it about time that they decide what they want out of the kid or is that being unfair? How many players are we “cross training”? Sr. leadership? when is someone going to realize that we don’t have any in ‘07. It’s going to come from the underclassmen we’re playing so I wish CMR would just give some thought to that wild notion. I’ve been paid nothing for this post and CMR will never hear about it.
By SOS
September 13, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
PALMETTO STATE DOG…Seems you can dish it out but you can’t take it…All high and mighty before the game and now you’re a scalded puppy…Take your thumb out of your mouth and stop whining…
I have yet to hear a South Carolina fan whine about not winning an SEC…It’s actually quite comical that you think this is an affront…It’s not to me…We are South Carolina after all, right? We’re nothing more than a gnat to be swatted…OOOPS! The gnat just bit you on your delusional arse!!!!
Georgia should “own” us and has up until the last 20 years…Heck, as it stands, you guys have a better record against Tennessee than us this decade!!!
THE CROWING WILL STOP WHEN THE ARROGANCE SUBSIDES…