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DEL.ICIO.USCalm Dog Richt a tough act to follow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Athens — When last Georgia headed for Tuscaloosa, Pat Dye claimed the Bulldogs lacked an edge. Five years later, some wonder if Georgia has lost its edge.
Mark Richt doesn’t believe his program has misplaced anything. On the contrary, he believes the Bulldogs can beat Alabama tonight — “I think we’re going to win every time we hook it up” — and can still take the SEC East. He believes in his system, which has, lest we forget, generated four seasons of 10 or more wins, three division titles and two conference championships since 2001.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” he said. “I believe in the process. I believe we’re doing things the right way. … Our process is outstanding. If we continue to apply it, we’ll continue to have success.”
Funny how things work. The managerial equanimity seen as a key component of the 2002 breakthrough — a Dye-repudiating victory in Bryant-Denny Stadium was one of three road triumphs that breathless autumn — is now being viewed in some sectors as a liability. Richt finds this amusing, to a point.
“People need not to confuse toughness with a guy going berserk. … I’m not going to say my demeanor is perfect, but [back in 2002] people were writing, ‘Oh, this guy’s demeanor is unbelievable.’ I was being praised for it. Now we lose a game and there’s something wrong with my demeanor. I guess that’s what sells papers,” Richt said.
Success on the order of Richt’s needs no hard sell. He might not be the finest coach in the college game, but he’s a fixture in any sensible top 10. His record in opponents’ stadiums is an astonishing 22-3, which would seem a powerful indicator of resourcefulness and resolve. And this latest team, which never figured to be Richt’s strongest, should grow more robust with time.
“Offensively, there are two positions where you have to go at [the players’] pace,” he said. “One is quarterback and the other’s the offensive line. Last year we chose to live through having a true freshman [Matthew Stafford] at quarterback, and no matter how good you are, there’s a learning curve that’s not going to let you play consistently enough to have [a championship] year.
“Now Stafford has matured, and I can’t remember in all my years of coaching having an offensive line so young. … Past this season, we should have a veteran quarterback and a veteran line, but we knew coming in there was a hole in our recruiting. Some guys got hurt and some guys didn’t make their grades and some guys didn’t do things the way we wanted and we had to let them go.”
Here Richt steers as close to sarcasm as he ever does. “Not that I’m trying to be a tough guy. Because that’s what tough guys do - throw people off the team.”
He admits he and his players were “sick” over the South Carolina loss, but he manages to retain some sense of balance. “It’s a game of strategy and psychology and physicality, if that’s a word, and sometimes you can do everything perfect - and I’m not saying we did - and not win the doggone game. And I don’t know if we [meaning coaches and players but mostly fans] give the opponent enough credit.”
Not since 2001, Richt’s first season here, had Georgia lost so soon. “Early-season losses can be discouraging, as any loss can be, but they can help you find ways to correct things. … I believed we’d have as good a chance to win the league this year as any other year, and I still believe we could. The question with a team this young is: When we do mature and hit our stride, will we still be in the race? Are we going to be good enough early to be in the race?”
Richt mentions Steve Spurrier, who noted in his arch way that Georgia has lost five consecutive games against SEC East opponents. “Coming into the season, you control your own destiny. Now Spurrier and South Carolina have control over us. But I think they have LSU this week.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “It’s just by chance I knew that.”
His team might be 0-1 in the league and an underdog against Alabama, but Richt is nonetheless having a fine day. He just spoke with Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman winner who’s working with a high school team in Houston, and Richt, via phone, helped his former pupil concoct a game plan. He’s about to go power-walking with strength coach Dave Van Halanger. And, as ever, Richt has some reminder inked on his palm. (It’s a quirk: “If you write something on a piece of paper, you can lose the paper.”)
If this coach were to sport a Note-To-Self tattoo regarding the direction of his program, it wouldn’t read, “Get edgy.” It would read, “Stay the course.”
Permalink | Comments (81) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Literature fan
September 21, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
It’s a pleasure to read an article which leads the reader to a well reasoned conclusion.
By dawgsfan
September 21, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Mark you need to write more articles and Jeff S. needs to write less. Thank you. We are blessed to have Coach Richt at Georgia.
By randy
September 21, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
good column, maybe dogs see something different in alabama, maybe alabama does not want to see georgia. georgia prevails big!
By 2N4YEARS
September 21, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Good job, Bradley. (and I don’t say that very often)
By spike
September 21, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
CMR is a class act and great for UGA. Keep the faith, coach.
By D-Man
September 21, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
CMR is an awesome man and a great coach..I really think he has a quiet confidence concerning Alabama this week. I say the dawgs are pulling this one out and all will be good in the Dawg Nation.
By cf
September 21, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
Go DAWGS.
By RxDawg
September 21, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Hey…I understood that article too! And I thought it was just me. Its nice to see Richt take a little jab back. I like his style. At the begining of this week I was pretty sure that we would loose to Bama. After listening to all the coaches and thinking about the strong points of each team, I believe we may just be able to pull this off. That youn O-line thing really is a drag though. Hope the pups up front can pull through soon. Go Dawgs!
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 21, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Nice shot at Spurrier! Holtz and Maye took Bama! Now if Corso will put the Elephant on his head I nkow we are gonna win! For the record Holtz also took USC over LSU! I love it! GOOO DAWGS!
By dawgfan
September 21, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
I love CMR. He has tons of class…but I’m scared to death for this game!! I hope we can be up for it!! And all you Dawg fans heading to Tuscaloosa (myself included) let’s get LOUD tomorrow!!
Go Dawgs!
By Screw this sentimental crap
September 21, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
This touchy-feely crap is for all you bleeding-heart liberal types. I’m for the bust some a$$, go-for-the jugular, National Championship winner coach. I know there are many outspoken and quiet Dawg fans who would like to see Richt “power walk” right out of Athens.
By wmd
September 21, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Great article. No need to be a big talker when you carry a big stick. These players should always be thinking about playing like their coach…..CONSISTENT. Everything else will take care of itself if you follow the process.
By Dooley
September 21, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
Mark, Surely you are not one of those idiot reporters that are fooled by CMR. He uses his charm to lure kids to school here and then not play them (Joe Cox). The one good thing Richt is good at is explaining all these losses that occur during his tenure. With him as coach, UGA will always be a second tier school. We always lose to FLA and either Tenn or Auburn. This means no less then 2 losses a year. I’m not sure about all Dawg fans but that bums me out. PLEASE Bobby Bowden retire!!!So that CMR can go back to Fla. St and take Martinez with you!! P.S. Poor Charlie Ward- asking CMR to help develop a game plan is like asking Britney Spears to teach a Sunday School Class. I bet Ward’s team loses this week just like UGA!
By Screw you, screw this
September 21, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
There are MANY more of us that would like to see you bully pulpit types power walk away from the UGA program. Any idiot that can’t see that CMR is great for this program and college football in general is a total nutcase that knows nothing about football. Watch Saturday night in Tusky and learn something.
By Lucifer
September 21, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
Will pay good money to see “screw this sentimental crap” come on down to my world. Regards.
By Dawgsonville
September 21, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Dooley, If 2 losses a year bums you out, why don’t you root for another team (or do you)?
Or if you really think that UGA is too good for Richt, why don’t you suggest his replacement?
Read the article again. How many other coaches can boast 4 10+ winning seasons over the past 6 years?
PS. That’s not charm. It’s character. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.
By Rick
September 21, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Hey “screw this sentimental crap”, you are an idiot.
By Chuck Uga
September 21, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Funny, where are all the delusional fools that post in every UGA blog about “the UGA program is dead, he can’t win without Donnan’s recruits, UGA will remain third or fourth in the SEC East for good, it’s either Tennessee or Florida every year, etc., etc. Of course I am disheartened by the SC loss, but all he has to do in my book is beat UT and (hopefully) Florida and the legend will continue to grow (well, at LEAST beat pathetic UT).
By NASCARfan
September 21, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Mark, great article, but still, the fact remains that on this team, there is lacking a vocal coaching presence. All the best Georgia teams have has that presence, and people forget that while Coach Dooley coud bring the thunder on a rare occassion, his mentality was more like Coach Richt’s than we give Coach Richt credit for. So that vocal coaching presence always sat with the Defensive Coordinator. Yes, I’m talking about Coaches Russell and VanGorder.
I’ll maintain, and keep on maintaining, that from a vocal leadership standpoint, a guy who could rally the players, who could get after the players and get in their faces, Coach Richt royally screwed up in hiring Willie Martinez over Coach Garner.
Together, they’re two easy going, even tempered guys. Add Coach Bobo to the list, and it’s 3 for 3. This team misses that in-your-face vocal presence that Coach VanGorder brought, and Coach Garner could have provided that from a leadership position second only to Coach Richt’s.
Instead he’s subordinate to Martinez, and that is important.
Look at FSU. I maintain that team didn’t fall apart because Coach Richt left. It fell apart because easy-going Bobby Bowden’s tough-guy coach Chuck Amato left. He was the guy the other players feared. I honestly don’t believe the team fears Martinez the way they feared Coach VanGorder, or the way they would fear Coach Garner, or the way Dooley’s Dawgs feared Coach Russell.
Mark, please let me know what you think about my theory. You may think it’s hogwash, but I really believe there’s something to it.
I think the reason why Coach Richt promoted Martinez over Coach Garner is because he was more comfortable with the easy-going guy much like himself, forgetting that it’s extremely important to have the in-your-face guy if you are relatively easy-going.
Big mistake, and you can tell in the attitude of the team. The 2005 Auburn Game and Sugar Bowl. The 2006 Colorado, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Kentucky games. In all of these games, the Dawgs came out uninspired and lacksadaisical. Like they thought they could just show up and win.
I don’t remember any games like that when Coach VanGorder was on the team, and if there were games like that, you best believe it would be the only one of the year. The teams with Coach VanGorder as the heavy-hate Defensive Coordinator always played extremely hard, even in a loss. Can anyone honestly say that about the Dawgs during the last three years with Martinez as the DC?
You can’t. Because sometimes, the team plays like crap, with no energy, no cohesion, no passion. That was NEVER a problem when Coach VanGorder was here.
Let me know what you think, Mark. Like I said, I think there’s something to this.
By NASCARfan
September 21, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
*meant to say the team DOESN’T fear Martinez… and heavy-hat, not heavy-hate
By Maryland Dawg
September 21, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
How little we forget that we were done going into Auburn last year. Let the boys play. We all know when our recievers catch and Stafford gets going we are tough to beat. This just in: Stafford has been staying up late watching Saban video’s. I think this kid will be scary when he does his homework!
Dawgs 31 Tide 21!!!
By Jeff
September 21, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
I have to assume that the Mark Richt basher really aren’t UGA fans. Gotta be Techies, Tennies, and Bammers.
Do we have to go to the numbers? Winningest program in the SEC for the last 10 years. 2nd winningest in the last 7. 2 SEC Championships in the last 5 years, 3 division championships.
Anyone else in the SEC won 2 since 2002? Nope?
So, if any of you Richt bashers are really are Dawg fans, I’d ask to hear your suggestion for a new coach? Do you want to go back to Donnan? No one’s hired him yet.
FYI: You’re not going to find a coach with the character or skills that Richt has.
Speaking for 99% of the Dawg nation. WE LOVE HIM! ps…great article Mark
By reddawg
September 22, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
Dooley,
CMR isnt going anywhere (especially FSU) He is in the perfect place to raise his kids. Athens cant be beat for a place to raise a family. He is here until we want him to leave (thank god). He will retire from UGA as the all time winningest coach we have ever seen.
We Love ya CMR!!!!!!
By Paul Hamilton
September 22, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
I’m for everyone having an opinion, but I’ll be damned before another Dawg fan calls me a “bleeding heart liberal” because I like Coach Richt. You wouldn’t know what a Championship coach looked like if he smacked you in your face. We have some of the most ignorant and childish fans in the entire country.
By GatorSteve
September 22, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Yes, yes. Everything’s fine with Georgia’s program. Please don’t put too much heat on Richt. He’s doing a great job!
-Jeremy Foley
By hop
September 22, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
since we have heard from MEMBERS of the lunatic fringe,it is time to give credit where credit is do. mark richt has done one unbelieveable job in bringing the dawgs back to repectaiblity!
how soon we forget that when he first came to athens; our dawgs had NOT won an SEC championship in 20 horrible years.
where were the looneys then.
this year is a reload and filler year,but the next two years , buy your tickets early because it is going to be one amazing ride!
then the naysayers will be back on the wagon as if nothing happen or they will be sucking air with their friends in knoxville,gainesville, columbia and all points west.
GO DAWGS!!!!!
By Brian
September 22, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
“Managerial equanimity?” One should not have to read the sports page with a dictionary in hand.
By CowDawgs
September 22, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this
Good article! I think Richt has done some great things for the program and I think the BEST (National Title) is on the way. Let’s be realistic, 3 Freshman offensive lineman starting in the SEC spells trouble. However, the program is heading in the right direction and the coach is a class act. If he turns this thing around he’s a genius, if not maybe he’s just human! I think the National title is coming within the next two years, so if I have to suffer through a few subpar seasons before the National title it will be all worth it.
By innocent bystander
September 22, 2007 4:04 AM | Link to this
The pleas for Mark Richt to change his personality were/are naive and laughable.We may not beat Alabama (though I think we will). We may lose 3 or 4 this year (though I hope we don’t). But no amount of wishing will make our offensive line any older. Next year and the next will take care of that.And they will be our years. It’s a cliche. It’s a typical homer’s excuse. But it’s true nonetheless. You are a good writer. This was one of your best.But Steve Hummer is the best and his column on Larry Munson in the Friday paper is Pulitzer Prize material. Why is he not a regular on the on-line edition?
By Lane
September 22, 2007 6:20 AM | Link to this
Mark, how many Offensive lineman, have been lost in the past 4 years/5 years, for the reasons MR mentioned above? My guess is @ least 10-probably more. Approximately 3/4 of those were to shoulder injuries.
By poopdawg
September 22, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
richt’s calm demeanor on the field , is not the same person the players see before the game, at halftime,or during the week at practice. He will challenge (get in your face) the players at the appropiate time. He will not show up a player on the sideline,nor in the press.He a class act. Let him COACH! His demeanor on game day is very similiar to Bear Bryant’s and Tom Landry’s. I believe they were great coachs.
By Trey
September 22, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
the great thing about CMR is that none of this really affects him. “Dooley” up above must have forgotten history if all he remembers is CMRs losses, as good as Vince Dooley was, he only got us one NC and he had Herschel. I’ll take CMR (Richt also wins more games in a much tougher SEC).
By Puh-leeze
September 22, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
Quite frankly, it boggles the mind that we’re even having this discussion. Richt puts this team in position to win better than any coach Georgia has ever had. Its as simple as that. They compete in every single game. Blowouts are extremely rare. You can’t win 12 and 13 games every single season. No team does that. Richt is not above reproach but not coach is.
I think alot of these Richt critics are bandwagoners who conveniently started cheering for Georgia in 2002. You know who you are.
NascarFan, Chuck Amato? Are you being serious? Chuck Amato is a joke. Did he even finish above .500 at NC State? And in case you didn’t notice, Mr. Tough Guy is on the sidelines for Florida State this year and they got humiliated by Clemson. They looked like a bunch of girl scouts trying to tackle Clemson’s running backs. Yeah, he’s tough alright.
Get real people.
By kapps
September 22, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Dooley does not get it. I guess he liked the win loss record in the 90’s. That is what it will be like again if Richt leaves. Your an idiot Dooley.
By Kapps
September 22, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Another thing Dooley, what kind of recruiting wars do you think we had back in the national championship days. Florida, Fla. St, Miami, were bad, Auburn and Tennessee were average, and Alabama was on the way down. We were only competing with only a few colleges for our in state recruits. It is much harder to win today at Georgia than 20 years ago. If Richt leaves a 7 win season will be a great one at Georgia. You Idiot.
By rdnblkdawg
September 22, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Do you people actually watch what happens on the sideline? I attended a game at Vandy during Richt’s first year. A player committed a stupid personal foul during a kick return and Richt got in the guys face. The player tried to walk away but Richt grabbed him by the jersey and got his attention. Don’t remember the player ever committing another one. Richt is great for the program and you loud mouths need to take a power walk away from the program. Try supporting something rather than tearing it down. GO DAWGS!!!
By Rebel Fan
September 22, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Those of you who want someone with a lot of emotion might want to swap Richt for Orgeron of Ole Miss. Lots and Lots of emotion and a 1-3 record this year and something like .333 over the past 3 years with maybe 3 or 4 SEC wins.
By robodog
September 22, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Excellent work and a great portrayal of a fine coach. One loss and someone even mentions CMR not being tough enough is ridiculous - I thought we settled that in ‘01! The man obviously has a quiet strength and firmness - no shaky knees. Who expected a national championship this season anyways? Who thinks national championships can just be had on demand when there are 5 or 10 teams capable of winning it every season? You gotta have some luck along the way. Nothing but respect for Richt and his system.
By NASCARfan
September 22, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Puh-leeze, your reading comprehension skills are lacking, in fact, they suck.
I said FLORIDA STATE missed Chuck Amato because he was the counterbalance to Bobby Bowden’s easy-going nature, much like the way that Erk Russell and Brian VanGorder were the counterbalances to Vince Dooley and Mark Richt respectively.
Notice that Dooley never won another SEC Championship without Erk and the Dawgs without VanGorder have played many games with no energy, urgency, and passion.
I never once said anything about Amato at NC State. I said when he left FSU, it left that team without an in-your-face coach who held the team accountable in a loud, vocal manner. Georgia misses that without VanGorder.
The logic is sound. Your reading comprehension skills need to be better.
By Washdawg
September 22, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
The Georgia Bulldogs are truly blessed to have Mark Richt as their head coach. You won’t find a classier head coach any where in America. As long as he is coach at UGA they will have a chance to win every saturday regardless of who they play and will one day lead us to the National Championship because he’s been there and done that as OC at FSU.
By dawgnation60
September 22, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Great article! We all know that all the great assistant coaches eventually go to the NFL or head coach at other college programs… and we all wish we had coach Russell or Van Gorder for life, wishful thinking in lala land.. should the team show more fire, wish they would, if they all played with the emotional fire of Moreno, we would be undefeated, if UGA executes, we win big, if not, oh well, it will be close and a tuurnover will decide the game.
By Lee
September 22, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
rdnblkdawg - If you recall also earlier this year when Rashad Jones got that stupid personal foul for punching the opposing player. Richt met Rashad at the sideline and chewed on his a55 pretty good. Those who say Richt doesn’t show emotion are wrong — he looked pretty p1ssed off to me. Said later that Jones came back over and apologized to Richt for that penalty.
Lesson learned.
By TW
September 22, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
It is unbelievable that the Defense has been given a mulligan in all this talk about tough. There were no questions about tough when VanGorder patrolled the sidelines. Defense is the foundation for a team being tough. If CMR has a fault, it’s in his loyalty - not in his toughness. The man is a gentleman - something rednecks often confuse with soft because of their inablity to comprehend the concept.
By Puh-leeze
September 22, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
We should hire Chuck “Tough Guy” Amato so we can get run over like a bunch of sissies. Great logic Nascarfan. Hilarious.
By crs
September 22, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Its amazing to me that there are those unhappy with Richt. Does he make mistakes on occasion, absolutly, no coach doesn’t. A national championship today more often than not is as much luck as anything. The poll system is seriously flawed as more important than almost anything is where you start in the preseason poll. MR has gotten UGA to the championship 50% of the time in his tenure and won 33% of the time, I’ll take those numbers any day of the week in the toughest conference in america. The simple fact is some teams nationally have a leg up on us because of where their homebase for recruiting is, the reality is Florida has and always will have an easier time recruiting due to the sheer number of quality players in Florida and the speed those players have. Same with USC, same with Texas. This is reality. Pre-Richt, UGA had fallen largely to mid to bottom tier SEC team. With Richt, we have become one of the most consistently good SEC teams, capable of going anywhere in the country and winning. Outside of the SEC championship against LSU we have really never been just totally outplayed. Hats off Coach Richt, I hope a few goofballs don’t drive you away.
By Jerry Gray
September 22, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
I can think of about 150 (at least) college programs that would love to have CMR. UGA is fortunate. Two SEC titles in 5 years! CMR has UGA back on the Natl map. When ESPN sports commentators talk powerful college football programs, UGA is always in the discussion. Let’s face it, the SEC is the toughest conference in football. It is impossible to be the champion every year. Add to that the fact that every program is getting stronger, and what you have is a championship race that is up for grabs every year…every week. CMR has us competitive at the highest level…even when we are exceptionally young. I’ll take that!
By VT
September 22, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
I don’t live in Georgia anymore, so I don’t have a feel for how loud these morons are who complain about Richt. Is this really an issue? Are Georgia fans really calling for him to leave? Have we already forgotten what it was like before he arrived? Have we already forgotten Ray Goff? When was our last SEC championship before Richt arrived? Now we have two and have played for a third. Our program conducts itself with class, and it wins. What more do you want? If you’re unhappy, go find another team to root for.
By ak4771
September 22, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Good column Bradley. Its Saturday morning and i’m at the team hotel in Birmingham. Last night, according to some insiders, Richt gave one helluva talk to the team in their team meeting. The boys are jacked, and according to one team source, “They are going to make us proud tonight!” These guys are focused and ready to get it on! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Florida Fanatic
September 22, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Please Georgia Fans, keep Richt around forever. Don’t put any heat on him. He’s a great coach. He can’t beat your greatest rival and you don’t seem to care!! We love it and would like to keep it that way!!
By Jerry...Garcia???
September 22, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Jerry, When ESPN talks about powerful college football programs, they DO NOT talk about Georgia. There’s at least one thing most Uga fans can agree on, the Dawgs are pooped on by ESPN. What ESPN do you watch?
By shane
September 22, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
i prefer a coach like richt,landry and bear to the more emotional type,like spurrier.as to which type is better,take your pick,both can be successful.what is required is that a coach remain true to himself.richt is richt,that is all he should be,and he has been very good at his occupation.the record speaks for itself.i am proud of the program richt is running,and there is no other name coach i would want in his stead.he took a program that was a laughing stock,last in the nation in graduation rates,many players arrested for felonys,bogus classes for players,under the table payments to athletes,no championship in twenty years,and made it respectable again.we had 16 academic all americans last year,we have won two sec championships,we havw been in the top five in NET profits for the past few years,and we consistantly sell out a 93,000+ stadium.add to that the fact that we have been in the top 25 every year of his reign and have yet to finish below 9-4.richt has nothing to prove,i would place him in the top ten in coaches in the nation,so does every sportswriter in the country.who would you richt bashers rather have?nick{suitcase}saban?les{i am headed for ann arbor and my 3.5 mill}miles?urban{nfl or bust}meyer?phat phil{washed up}fulmer,or maybe{help,i can’t beat these stiffs}tubby?BTW,all the coaches mentioned make more money than richt.we have a bargain people!
By UGA_Dawg
September 22, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
UGA!!!! chops off the gator tail for the grill (watch your mouth boy). Today we eat elephant, soon we’ll finish the gator steaks. How bout’ them DAWGS!
By Big Dawg
September 22, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
NascarFan,
I agree with a lot you say but you are off base a little with Coach Russell, affectionately known as Erk to those of us who played at Georgia. Erk did not inspire by fear but by encouragement and had this knack of inspiring you to play above your abilities. I’m not saying that at times he didn’t or wouldn’t get into a guys face but that actually didn’t happen often as he would show you how he expected you to play by getting down and actually showing the guys how to tackle, shed blockers or other aspects of playing defense without any pads, helmet etc while going fullspeed against some big ole offensive lineman/RB etc. He was well known as a great motivator by hitting his head on one of the linemens shoulder pads to get blood flowing from his forehead before a game.
Go Dawgs
By NASCARfan
September 22, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
Big Dawg, I don’t mean inspire by fear, but I bet a few guys were a little scared of him… as you said, he had no problem getting in people’s faces. He was a vocal, loud presence.
Who is the loud vocal presence for the Dawgs now? There is none.
And Pul-leeze, once again, your reading comprehension skills are severely lacking. Did you even score a point on the verbal of your SAT? Are you that much of an idiot? Please, Forrest, run as far away as you can. You’re a mental midget, and you’ve arrived at this intellectual gun fight with the mental analogy of a dull knife.
Idiot.
By Virginia Dawg
September 22, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
There are many great coaches who keep their emotions under control on the sidelines. One that comes to mind that has recently been very successful is Tony Dungy. Coaching is like parenting, typically those that substitute screaming and yelling for solid parenting/coaching skills are very seldom successful longterm. You may get immediate results but nothing that lasts. Even parents/coaches that are under control will occassionally be required to get in a child/player’s face and I believe Richt is certainly capable of that type of activity. If you have ever been in a restaurant and observe children that either behave and show respect, or act out regardless of the yelling and screaming by the parents, you probably get a sense of what has gone on at home (practice) so that the performance is good when the kids (players) are in public (games). Mark Rickt is an unbelievable coach who will get the maximum from his players in a way that will also prepare them for life. Please excuse all the parenting analogies, but I have 6 kids and it is constantly on my mind. Actually, I wish I could be as successful at parenting as Richt is at coaching. GO DAWGS!!!
By duff
September 22, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
I absolutely love Mark Richt as a coach…every off-season. Recruiting, character-building (how many teams build a Habitat for Humanity house every summer?), his personal good works (Honduras, his faith, the children he’s adopted, his commitment to former players).
However, and I say this as a vehement Dawg fan, I tend to have some concerns when watching the team on the field.
My first concern occurred to me in of all things a ESPN piece about Notre Dame: the reporter was saying that ND lacks identity because they are trying to scheme every defense at the line of scrimmage. Sound familiar? Time was when we would take it right at the USCocks, they would play us close for the first half and then we’d whip ‘em in the fourth quarter because we had dominant athletes. I sat at the USC game this year flabbergasted that we were getting in our own way. Knowshon was the only Dawg on the field playing loose. Farbeit for me to tell CMR how to coach (especially on the road) but how about the Bill Walsh (not my favorite coach, but hear me out) strategy of mapping out every play of the first drive. We would benefit from going out and executing which would build our confidence and get some early points on the board. It seems as if we have out-schemed ourselves too many times, wasting momentum and, at home, taking the crowd out of it. How about just once we line up, tell the opposing team “Yeah, we’re running it over the left tackle…try and stop it, bee-yatch!” We’re Bulldogs Dammit!
Secondly, I’m concerned about the diminishing returns of all the excellent athletes that we recruit. Of course, the most glaring is in the WR department. I’m sure John Eason is a fine man, however was there ever a better chance to ‘enforce some credibility’ than last year? CMR could get any WR coach in the country. Sorry Coach Eason, you should have been canned last January. And need I mention Brandon Miller?
Thirdly, for the love of all that’s Holy (as Chris Farley used to say) please pick a running back and feed him the ball 25-35 times a game. Fresh legs are overrated. A great RB gets stronger as the game goes on.
Fourthly, how long are we going to under-recruit O linemen? I know CMR loves coaching QB’s but I will take a fatboy lineman over a QB that Coach has to convince not to transfer so he can play on the scrub team for 4-5 years.
Finally, can we please hang 60 points on a team (I’m looking at you W Kackalakee) that we’re supposed to? CMR, I don’t think St. Peter will turn you away at the Pearly Gates if you do so.
Dawg Nation, forgive me for the negativity on a huge gameday, but these are things that have been weighing on my mind for a while now.
That said, I think it was a brilliant move to close practice this week. Not because of Saban-noia, but because we have a young team that needs anything but distraction….they need focus so they can come out like the rabid Dawgs they were recruited to be.
By Huskdawg
September 22, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
NAS, I’m with you man. I really miss VanGorder. He fired up the defense like nobody’s business. I see your logic but I HOPE you’re wrong. I trust Richt and believe he HAS to see something in WM. But I have to agree that this team has come out looking just lazy as hell at times. We never really blow anyone out and here lately, we haven’t tried to open up the offense. What’s your theory on that? Is CMR unsure of the O-line? Is he unsure of the receivers? Inquiring minds want to know.
By Puh-leeze
September 22, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t take great reading skills to punch holes in your argument Nascarfan, which is basically the followin: “Ignoring the fact that Amato was a horrible head coach, Georgia could use somebody like him to…Well, I’m not quite sure. To yell at people I guess.” Brilliant argument my man. Simply brilliant.
If we had Amato yelling at out players we would have won 40 games in a row by now. No doubt about it.
Good grief.
By Jon
September 22, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t the overriding opinion in August that this years team had great Potential but lacked a solid core of upperclassmen to make a serious run. All of the real UGA fans should be patient this year and pay close attention to the progress made by our youngest players. While we can all hope for the best in any given year the reality is that any great team becomes great by gaining experience over time. This years team is building a great foundation for years to come. All the youngsters that are playing this year will take the incredible experience they are gaining and (hopefully) parlay that into an amazing run in the next 2 or 3 years. Patience, patience, our time will come.
By shane
September 22, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
huskdawg,i think what richt sees in wm is that the man does his job.that is,he has the team in position to win the game at the end.other than ut last year,and they had plenty of help from our offense,i can’t think of a single game that we were blown out of in his tenure at uga.our problems are not on defense,it’s hard to beat a spurier coached team without scoring a touchdown,but wm had us in shape to win the game at the end.i think richt hasn’t gone deep because the o line cannot keep the d off stafford long enough for the wrs to clear coverage downfield.he stated that trinton wasn’t strong enough to defend the bullrush.remember,he is protecting staffords blind side,and stafford hasn’t learned to”feel”the rush very well yet.another year in the weight room and ten to fifteen lbs of muscle should take care of that problem,but right now we have to work with what we have.
By Big Dawg
September 22, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
NASCARfan,
Yes I remember Ben Zambiasi, one our best MLB ever was a little scared of him at times. Coach Richt has brought back respectability to Georgia after Goff and Donnan and I expect that he will improve as a head coach. This team is scary and those teams who will be facing us later in the year after these freshmen and RS Freshmen grow up will find out how good we can and will become.
Go Dawgs
By Bump Ugly
September 22, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Schultz is a d/ick h/ead!
By shane
September 22, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
big dawg,you sure picked the right name,you are a bigger man than i,that’s for sure.i never had the honor to play for coach russell,mainly because i wasn’t big enough,fast enough,or good enough,but i know several of his old players,and they all loved the man.we sometimes forget the real job of a coach,which is to help mold young men.i credit what modest success i have had in life to my high school coach,he took a kid with a violent temper and taught him to channel the aggression and not be an idiot on the field.i ran plenty of extra laps for fighting,cheap shots,and other stupid actions,but he never got in my face and was no screamer.i remember him getting in a guys face only once,he grabbed a guy by the face mask and shook him,for cursing on”his”practice field.if not for my old coach,i would probably still be in jail,instead of enjoying retirement.i cannot think of a better role model for young men than coach russell,or coach richt.
By 59bulldawg
September 22, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Coach Richt is a class act in every way!
By noyellowinthisblood
September 22, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Just watched Tech lose again. I wonder how many days until that douche “whiteandgold” is on this board again.
By 59bulldawg
September 22, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Yeah I thought about that little idiot and had a good laugh myself when I saw the score.
By 59bulldawg
September 22, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Hey Virginia Dawg … where are you? I’m in Fredericksburg and surrounded by Hokies! It’s good to know I’m not the only Dawg around these parts. Supposedly there’s a group of alumni who meet and watch the games in Richmond and another up in Arlington. Do you ever attend one of those?
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
I agree with nascarfan to a certain extent. Having someone with a knack for motivating/inspiring the guys would be a plus. I don’t think Martinez gets enough respect for what he does though. He seems to be one of the best at making adjustments, whether they be 2nd half or just game to game. I know that a lot of people don’t like Martinez… we’ll just have to agree to disagree. CMR likes him at the job and I think it goes a lot deeper than some percieved loyalty that runs back to College days, I fully trust CMR, and loyalty has never been a bad thing in my experience, anyway. Maybe they should look for an assistant to Martinez that has that knack for motivating like Erk did, but that’s a hard thing to find in someone. Erk was one-of-a-kind.
I also agree with Paul Hamilton’s post ^. I guess every team has some, but I have never seen so many mentally deranged fans as the Dawgs seems to have attracted over the last several years. I love UGA’s program, stadium, coaches… we have the best mascot and colors, the prettiest women, then you look over in the corner and there are all these guys with chewin’ tobackky drippin’ down their chins and blue ribbon beer in their consoles, and they all have opinions about who all should get fired every week.
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
I pulled into the parking lot at the school the other night to get my son after practice, there were two vehicles parked next to each other with UGA tags and bumper stickers. One was a new bmw, red with a black rag top. The other was a red 1977 Chevy pick-up, jacked up so high he had a rope ladder tied to his nerf bar so he could get in it. It had a big black roll bar with enough lights on it to put a lighthouse to shame, and one of those 20ft tall whip cb anttenaes (yes, it had a tennis ball on top), and on the trailer hitch hung a set of bull balls. The extent and varied nature of Dawg fans reaches from he!! to heaven. The very idea of some idiot putting a bulldog tag on a bmw…
By NASCARfan
September 22, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
Wow… Zambiasi was scared of Coach Russell? He was a tough Junkyard Dawg. But it makes me think… how many players do we have now, who come out and play without any passion or fire are a direct reflection of their Coordinator, Hunk?
No one could ever say that about Pollack or Thomas Davis. But in the last three years, I’ve seen more lacksadaisical games from these Dawgs that I ever saw when VanGorder was the heavy on the team, and that goes for offense and defense. Puleeze doesn’t get it, and the idgit that he is, I don’t think ever will.
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
I think we just disagree on the basic premise that there even IS a problem with a lack of passion and fire, at least to the extent that you believe there is one. I don’t know of many games at all that our defense didn’t keep us in the game, close enough to win it. There are a lot of teams that would like to have our numbers, what were we number 9 in the country last year? Could we stand to have more fire, more intensity? Yes, thats why I say maybe the answer is an assistant that can bring more of that to the table. There is one other thing that could probably be done to help that would be better than hiring anyone, and that is some blitz, more intimidating play calling at a time in the game where that could be the spark to light the fire. I think that is where CMR can be a help in his new role as a true HC. He could see in a game when the right time to call some more aggressive defensive stuff and “suggest” that to Martinez. But please understand, i am making these suggestions to you in a spirit of trying to see things the way you do. I don’t think there is near as big of a problem as you do. As long as we are keeping the majority of our opponants to less than 20 points we should be winning.
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
When I was in College I used to get all kinds of free stuff because people would want to throw something away that just needed a little maintenance. T.V.’s, washing machines, refrigerators, all kinds of stuff… maybe just needed a fuse or resoldering… I made good money repairing and selling dryers that people would throw away because they wouldn’t heat anymore, and all it was is a clogged lint trap. There are a lot of people that are the same way about our football team… ready to throw away the whole thing and start over when all it needs is a little tweaking or tuning.
By NASCARfan
September 22, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
Hunk, come on, we tend to agree a lot, so are you telling me that this team came out with passion in fire in the SOuth Carolina game? I was there. I saw NONE, except for Moreno. What about the Vanderbilt game last year? Or the Mississippi State game? Or the Colorado game? Or how about the Sugar Bowl in 2005?
In all of those games, the Dawgs came out flat, with a lack of passion and fire. That was never an issue when Coach VanGorder was on the team. It has been an issue since he’s left, and I don’t believe in coincidences, just cause and effect.
Now, I’m not one of those idgits who wants to fire Willie Martinez for everything. I think he’s a great coach from a tactical standpoint. The numbers speak for themselves. But he’s not the motivator that this team needs with our easy-going head coach. Coach Garner would have been that motivator we so desperately need.
At least tell me you can understand where I’m coming from now that you know I’m not a “hate Willie Martinez guy.”
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
No, I understand where you’re coming from, that’s why I’m talking to you about it. I also know that you’re not a “throw out the baby with the wash water” guy either. Its just a matter of degrees. To what degree do you think that it is a problem. Thats where we differ. I also think those games you mentioned last year and USC this year was not a problem limited to the defense, either. IMO, the whole thing could be solved by Stafford finally living up to being the player we think he CAN be, and if you want to talk about getting rid of Eason at the end of the year, there may be some meat on that bone.
I certainly see your point, and I think that the team, as a whole, could stand to have one of the top coaches that exhibits some extreme emotion from time to time. I just think that Martinez catches too much of the blame when a look at his results shows a pretty darn good coach.
By Hunk Erdown
September 22, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
I completely and whole heartedly agree with you about Garner. Had we done the right thing at the right time, who knows? I don’t think it would be healthy for the team to try to go back and change it now though. These things have a way of working themselves out. Martinez has already been offered Coaching jobs that he turned down, and I would hate to see him go, but if he gets something that would be better for him and his family, maybe it will be something that is good for everyone all around.
By NASCARfan
September 22, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Hunk, I know he catches the blame, and it’s because who he isn’t as opposed to who Coach Richt is. I’m glad you agree that it would be nice for one of the coaches to step up and take the whole team to task, but Coach Garner doesn’t have that kind of pwer, because he’s under Martinez. It’s the idea that this team used to have a Yin and a Yang. Now, the team is all Yin, and it’s out of whack.
I’m with you on Eason. If there is ever a time when Coach Richt needs to stop blaming his players (like he has for six straight years) and look at the lone constant with the recievers (their Coach), it’s now.
By GatorSteve
September 22, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this
By the way, there is no “Bullgog Nation”. NO ONE outside of Georgia cares about your program.
Last National Title…27 years ago!
By GatorSteve
September 22, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this
By the way, there is no “Bulldog Nation”. NO ONE outside of Georgia cares about your program.
Last National Title…27 years ago!
By Ed
September 23, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
GatorSteve: First SEC title for UF: 16 years ago! It only took 59 years. You have no tradition, except one of cheating and probation.
No one outside of Georgia cares about the program, but you choose to blog here. Whatever you say, pal.
On another note, Richt is now 2-2 against Spurrier, 2-2 against Saban, the resident “geniuses” of the SEC. Does that qualify Richt as a genius as well?
By Kyle
September 23, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
Gator Steve
No one cared about FLA for nearly a century until Coach Spurrier.
Why do sales of goods containing UGA trademarks rank in the top 5 each year if they don’t have a strong following?
You all act as if you blew everyone out last year. There were 4 or 5 teams in the SEC last year that would have created the same matchup problems for Ohio State.
Your team struggled today against Ole Miss, btw.
By Alabama Sure Cares About Bulldawg Nation!
September 23, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
Yeah, I’ve heard the hype about Florida this year. After they blew out three also-rans. I think the real statement was this week though. When you beat a powerhouse like Ole Miss by less than a touchdown you’ve got the whole nation talking about the Gators, that’s for sure.