UGA

By Allen

September 25, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

I think that it’s fair game to criticize a player’s on field performance but I think when you start to intimate that a player is faking injury or is scared or a “momma’s boy” then I think that you’ve crossed the line, and I for one am glad that Gundy called her on it.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 25, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t sound like much is going on right now. 2 for 23 and the best game he has had? Must have been laying the blocks down which is good.

Chip, we are fans on a blog. I doubt many people pay attention to what he have to say. Reporters on the other hand, writing in major newspapers and print should be held to a different standard. And yes calling out the kids is not a good thing. Heck it’s only a game. How many times do we make mistakes at work? Nobody to blog about that. That article sounded liked that reporter and Carter (see Geathers blog last year), went to the same journalism school. Where do they teach that stuff. I think Gundy was right. These are 18-19 years olds finding their way in life and school.

By La JollaDawg

September 25, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

I think constructive criticism is always appropriate regardless of the age of the person being criticized. I have a fourteen year old and it seems like kids her age and older have been brought up to believe that everything should be “fair” and that they do no wrong. That’s not true and let’s be honest, that’s not how things work in the real world. I am all for building self esteem, but let’s also build some spines. These kids know that they are going to be under the microscope when they play football at Georgia, I think they have pretty thick skins and can take constructive criticism. Booing is another issue altogether, I don’t think fans should boo athletes at the collegiate level.

By JimmyG

September 25, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Figgins should start, I like how Moreno is being used.

By Beat Rebs

September 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

1)I don’t care if Andy Bailey starts at halfback as long as Knowshown gets his carries.

2)I would hate to be Bruce Figgens. He’s done everything asked of him, Martrez, er, I mean Tripp Chandler can’t catch the ball, and Bruce still doesn’t start. Ugh.

3) Marcus Howard plays DEFENSIVE end, not TIGHT end.

By Carlton Powell

September 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

With regard to Gundy’s comments, given that college football is now a HUGE industry generating millions of dollars in revenues, where coaches are paid millions of dollars for their services, and players get paid via scholarships, intense scrutiny and criticisms are bound to occur. It is sad that a game has come to this, but it has. College football is the NFL’s minor league. So, player’s and coaches alike get the opportunity to showcase their skills in hopes of signing huge contracts, which if managed correctly, can provide finacial security for life. Again, it is what it is. There’s no free lunch.

By maya lucia

September 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

keep running both brown & moreno….they are very similar and are two of the toughest cookies i’ve seen at UGA in a while……and those “soft” players at ok state better get used to the heat…..or get out of the million dollar kitchen……i think it’s funny that a girl called them out!!!

By JAD

September 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

I agree with Allen, criticize on field performance all you want, but going after a kid because his mom is taking care of him is uncalled for. Kudsos to Gundy.

By reem

September 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

We just have to protect our young atheletes. Its that simple.

By uga93

September 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Chip – Has CMR addressed at all the conservative play calling at the end of the first half and in the fourth quarter? Clearly, running out the clock didn’t work - but I doubt that that he’d admit that’s what they were trying to do… .

By TXDawg

September 25, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

OK - Chandler can play if someone will teach Stafford to simply look him off and not throw to him.

By Russell

September 25, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

The dropped balls must be included in the factual news report of the game. Criticizing a player for the dropped balls is unnecessary.

Criticize the position coach. He gets paid.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 25, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Allen’s right don’t get personal. And I also don’t agree with booing the kids either. Booing the opposition hell yes. Booing the opposing coach and band, ditto.

By NASCARfan

September 25, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

There is a complete difference in criticizing play on the field and what that woman in that OK rag was criticizing Reid for.

It’s kind of like pornography. You know there’s a line there that shouldn’t be crossed, but only when the person crosses it does it become clear.

That woman crossed the line, especially considering her opinions were based on unconfirmed rumor and conjecture for the most part.

As to Knowshon… it’s ridiculous.

This is becoming worse than the Joe T III situation.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying this about coach Richt if EVERYONE from SI and ESPN was saying what many of us fans had said.

I agree that coaches should be held accountable, and it’s good to see that he’s doing that with Coach Martinez.

But Chip, why isn’t he doing that with Coach Eason? Why isn’t he doing that with himself and Coach Bobo for playing not to lose? Coach Martinez was the best performing Coach last Saturday. He was fired up and he fired the team up.

I’d like to see Coach Eason brought under closer scrutiny. I know there are many others like Hunk and Buck who would like to see that, too.

By tim

September 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

I agree with Mark Richt’s decisions. I think he is choosing the best person for the position. I’m glad that he is using both Moreno and Brown. If you look Moreno is actually getting about the same amount of carries as Brown. He lets Brown start so that Moreno will learn to be a complete back. If you have been on a team before then you might know the importance of senior leadership. You should be able to criticize performance but don’t make personal attacks. JMO Go dawgs

By fred

September 25, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

It’s a free country with free speech. Journalists can (and usually do) say whatever they please about anyone. Just don’t get on your high horse and act like nobody has the right to speak back. There has been plenty of irresponsible commentary in the AJC too, and if some coach has the gumption to call you on it, good for them.

By GloryGlory

September 25, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

I thought Gundy’s reaction was uncalled for and humiliating, but it was also very entertaining. It reminded me of a Will Ferrell Skit when he said, “I’m a man, I’m 40.” College football players are fair game for critism, I went to UGA and know these guys are not ordinary amateur athletes. Not only do they receive an expensive education for free, but they are also gods on campus. Its not like Bobby Reid is on the swim team, cross county, crew, etc. Those are the real amateur athletes. If those “kids” can’t take the critism they should drop out and get a job at a car wash. Give me a break Gundy, According to the Pokes fans Reid was supposed be the next Vince Young at the beginning of the month.

By Mirna from smyrna

September 25, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

I say leave the RB combo like it is for now. Chip you made a great point about how many touches they combined for. The receivers are in good shape also. The TE position is up in the air. Chandler gets open and seems to be hitting his blocks but as we know is very inconsistaint catching the ball. I guess Ward and Figgins can’t knock him out of the #1 spot or the coaches would have them in there more often. If the offense plays like they did last week and cleans up some things they should have no problem against the worst defense in the SEC this week. This might be a shoot out with Ole Miss this week. They seem to be much better on offense than last year.

Gundy should have handled the situation better but good for him for stcking up for his soft QB. What would you guys think if CMR pulled that stunt and the whole sports world was laughing at him/us right now. These kids are fair game to a point and that article was not that bad. Sounds and looks like this kid is a bit of a spoiled mommies boy anyway. I was not impressed on 9/1/07. I bet if you ask our boys on defense they will say them same!!!

Go Dawgs!!!

By Britney keeps starting position

September 25, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Here it is, I’ve been trying to figure out what the hell the Britney comment was about, now I realize it was another whacky ESPN annoucer losing his mind:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1266920922670845579&q=espn+britney+spears&total=1183&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

By Big Dawg

September 25, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Good article as usual Chip,

I have noticed that Brown is playing better and as other Dawg Fans have pointed out that is because of Moreno. As for Chandler and Richts statement that Chandler “I don’t know what happened [on the dropped balls]. He’s been very sure-handed. I don’t know what happened. I guess he’s human. Well if you go back and look at all four games so far, Chandler has dropped two to three passes in each game so in knowing this I wouldn’t say he has been “very sure handed” as Coach Richt stated. The first question I would like for you to ask him is what is happening with Josh Davis, Tanner Strickland and Kevin Perez? I seem to remember Josh Davis was a starter before he hurt his knee and Richt stated a player wouldn’t lose his starting position because he got hurt this also applies to Vince Vance. I would also like to know about Chris Little and whether his hand has healed? It was reported by Carter that we only had six healthy OL going into Saturday’s game with Ole Miss, so what is up?

By ARdawg

September 25, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Chip This is Big-time college football not the local playground. These guys are still kids at heart but playing football on the world stage. Criticism is a part of the game of life as well as football and they’d just as well get use to it now as later. I like Gundy, but he was wrong to make issue of the criticism. I sense he has alterior motive because he had no foot to stand on.

Great call on CMR part keeping Brown the starting TB. I have really enjoyed Moreno’s play. He’s a dazzler and at this pace he will steal the starting position based purely on his performance. Keep giving him the touches and platooning them both. It’s effective and Brown has shown that his play intensity increases when sharing time with Moreno. Don’t pile to much on Moreno at this point, he’s got plenty of time.

Good call on Chandler also, he’s good and we know it but keep him competing. Might help him to hang on to the ball Sat against Ole Miss. I don’t think you toss him out because of a bad game. Just impress on the young lad the importance of hanging on to the football every throw.

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to see Allen get some notice from coach Richt.He looks better every time I watch the game.It’s not just the 11 tackles and the defended pass in overtime he also cut off lanes time after time and moved off his man at the right time to support the run defense and help other dbs.Coach Martinez should expect OCs to try to take advantage by drawing Asher off his coverage and going to his vacated position though.

By tony

September 25, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

It’s pretty clear that Mark Rich want to stay loyal to his older players even though the younger players are better athletes. I believe we would be 4-0 if Moreno was our #1 rb. He is by far the best athlete on the team but MR don’t understand that. Vince Dooly learn very quickly that Hearshel Walker was his guy after a few carries eventhough he didn’t have any college experience - same for Worley, Hearst, Tate and Hampton. The way MR evaluate his players I doubt that the dawgs can win a championship with him. If Dooly was coach Moreno would be his guy.

By Dawg4life

September 25, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

At first viewing of the game, I was screaming for Richt to take out Chandler and never use him again until he proved that he could catch the ball consistently in practice. In hindsight, I think it might be best to stick with him. He knows all the plays and he’s the most experienced…probably just had a bad day.

But I still think Moreno should be the starter. He’s clearly the more talented of the two. He just has ‘it’. Everyone who notes how the team plays so lethargically at times and whatnot, then here’s the solution. Enthusiasm is infectious. You can’t tell me that if Moreno were in the game, it wouldn’t start rubbing off on some of our players and we’d see a much better effort. I seriously believe that…and that’s why I think they should start him and give him most of the carries. Either that, or have TB hanging around Moreno all week…and maybe it can rub off on TB!!!

To the question about Gundy, I think opinions should be reserved for columns (op-ed pieces) and blogs. After all, that’s what they’re for (or am I wrong, Chip?) I think, however, that in feature articles and news pieces and such, then writers should stick to the facts. In considering this Gundy incident, it seems like Gundy was a little sensitive because of the context in which the writer wrote her piece, and because it involved a lot of behind-the-scenes, off-the-record statements and whatnot. If that’s the case, then it doesn’t surprise me that Gundy admonished the article as “fiction” and said that 3/4 of it wasn’t true. When breaking news stories are broken (see ESPN and any other reputable sports news outlet, for that matter) the representatives for the organization are always quick to deny “off-the-record” statements. Buck, you probably know seeing as how you were a member of the media, as am I.

But to my point…I think Gundy has a right to his opinion. However, I think he was totally unprofessional in his handling of the situation. Unleashing a rant and tirade in front of the media was the last thing he should’ve done. Maybe he could have called the writer in private and aired his concerns in that manner. He could have written a rebuttal and had it in the opinions section of the paper. There are a lot of alternative ways he could have handled it.

But what everyone needs to realize is that, though these are amateur athletes and not professionals, they are still, in a sense, public figures. We all spend our hard-earned money to watch them entertain us every weekend for five months of the year (if they make a bowl).

To quote the recent words of Dan Hawkins when addressing a similar subject: IT’S DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL!!!!!……….IT’S THE BIG 12!!!!!!!……….IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, GO PLAY (OR COACH) INTRAMURALS, BROTHER!!

By AltamahaDawg

September 25, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

As far as I am concerned, the RB are not even a legitamate question (except that a few folks have decided to make it into an issue, more about thier own ego and need to be right, and nothing to do with the success of UGA football). Don’t FU the only thing that is working so far. Not to mention Moreno is the biggest benifitiary of the rotation. I just dont get what the the problem is.

uga93, if I may offer my opinion, and its just that. Clearly what to do in that situation is a judgemnet call. There is no right or wrong. You have to know what your team can do and all the internal issues that we as fans do not, AND be the man responsible for the outcome , to make that decition. You say it didnt work out, but if it werent for a facemask call (how often can you predict that), it did, or would have. Half my roomful wanted to try to score, and half thought coach did the right thing. I’m in the later and after watching the reply (sans the emotions of the game) I am convinced. 10 point lead, only 2 minutes left, NO timeouts, our own 20 yrd line, tired line, QB not as sharp as he could be, opposing team frankly had figured out the UGA offence a bit more building up that point, last 2 drive didnt really look too good, and on the very last drive, UGA had imploded. The LAST thing in the world you wanted there was a collosal mistake deep in our own territory and then what do you have? Our defence had basically shut them down, scoreless to that point. (and again except for a freakish penalty would have the half).

Plus the thing we were doing well was running the ball at that point. Why all of a sudden is doing what got us there wrong? heck arent we all saying “pound the damn ball” all the time? We had a 3rd and 4 for goodness sakes and came within inches of converting that. That was hardly the typical , lets try not to move the ball. They were trying not to give the ball back. Just not taking any stupid chances. Coaches did the right thing.

And for those folks who are intend on blasting the play calling, at least figure out who actually does that now.

By Mike

September 25, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

1. I agree with Coach Richt - completely - he knows better than any AJC journalist. ‘Nough said.

2. I think it funny that all the media stand seething outside of Richt’s closed practices. He realizes how bad the negative press is and how unsupportive our AJC staff can be.

3. I don’t think it right that anyone, especially the media, hiding behind the veil of ‘professionalism,’ attack an amateur athlete to the point of being hurtful. I applaud the coach for standing behind and protecting his players, even if it was slightly over the top.

4. Now, the disrespectful hurtful, “journalist” is crying because the coach lashes out at her in open forum. It seems the “journalist” are the first to hide behind their First Amendment rights and first to deny and criticize others for exercising their’s. If you write stupid things, be prepared to receive the same. Tough.

5. I never have liked female sports reporters or so-called journalist - especially in football. They have no way of truly understanding the emotions of the game. Same can be said of male “journalist” who have never played the sport. You don’t want to be yelled at in open forum? Stop writing irresponsible, negative, hurtful articles. Support our local teams and give us responsible, intelligent articles.

By AltamahaDawg

September 25, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Tony, how do you explain the demotions of Miller, or Adams? Or any number of more senior player giving way over the CMR years? So what about Moreno being #1, and not just getting most of the snaps, would have beaten SC? Exactly which plays would have turned that game around, had Moreno been our #1? You do realize he played all but one snap of the entire second half????. And oh BTW, you are positive Moreno would have had that same Second half success if he had played a LOT more in the first half in just his secong game? Since you are such a better judge of talent that Coach Richt, this should be very easy questions for you.

By A Dawg

September 25, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Why can’t we have both Brown and Moreno in at the same time. It’s worked for Auburn & West Virginia in the past. Make defenses really sweat and have to account for both of them. It would make Bobo’s job easier and give him more options.

By Fort Worth Dawg

September 25, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Coaches live and die on win-losses but the smart ones court the media as well. As I recall Donnan had a bad relationship with the media (and it probably hurt him some). At least Gundy didn’t shoot his mouth off after a loss. A local radio station (am - Fox sports affiliate in DFW) interviewed Chris Rix yesterday and he said: (i) he’d been ripped in the media before, (ii) players like it when your coach stands up for you, and (iii) he thought the Dawgs played great against Bama and he loved Mark Richt who recruited him.

By JB

September 25, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

It’s the way Spurrier thinks Vs. Richt. If SOS was coaching UGA, Tripp would be riding the pines this week. CMR is a man of redemption. I also think Parents of recruits look at stuff like this when trying to sort out where their kid plays ball. The flip side to this is that Richt is paid to win. All that talk of making kids “BETTER CITIZENS” is great, but behind most doors, say Saban, Fulmer, Tuberville, Spurrier, It’s “JUST WIN BABY” !

By Hunk Erdown

September 25, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

As far as the story on Bobby Reid-

Some reporters have the uncanny ability to take a connect-the-dots picture thats supposed to end up looking like a pony and turning it into a fire-breathing dragon. Thats what it looks like Ms. Carlson did in her article. She pieced together parts of totally unrelated stories and combined them to make something that tries to make Reid look like a guy who quits in the face of adversity. This is my opinion, I read the story and it looks like she took some things way out of context.

There appears to have been a story someone did that interviewed various players about their pre-game routine, and what they are feeling, (In Reid’s case he mentions butterflies, sweaty palms, etc… I remember in my day; throwing up, sweating profusely, and getting mini migraines that all went away with the first hit) couples that with a report that someone saw his Mom feeding him some chicken in a parking lot, and adds a rumor that Reid had an unexplained injury that kept him out of a game… all added up in her column to a gutless, Momma’s boy, that lays down when he gets a bruise. Yes, if I was Bobby Reid’s parent, I would be highly pi$$ed. I would imagine that Jenni Carlson will play hell getting an interview from anyone after the way this thing is backfiring. Who knows though? It could be the best thing that ever happened for her.

By Dawgstache

September 25, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

It is entirely appropriate to respectfully criticize players who don’t perform well. It is not appropriate to make suggestions about a player’s character. The mistake members of the media frequently make is to think they “know” a prominent athlete. That’s ridiculous and offensive. In most circumstances, members of the media and coaches/players are complete strangers who interact in a very specific setting for a very specific reason. I daresay Mark Richt is not going to stop by a reporter’s table and say hello if they are dining in the same restaurant. Ultimately, reporters are less talented and less important that major college football coaches, which is a thorn in the side of beat reporters. Carlson probably was upset that football players don’t like fat girls and Reid didn’t show up for an interview. So she wrote a hatchett piece, and she should be fired.

By JB

September 25, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

A DAWG, we run the power I with a fullback and we have a good one who makes great blocks, usually a linebacker, and with our young line, taking that fullback out would be a big mistake.

By AltamahaDawg

September 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Ardawg you make a great point. This is prabably the best TB has look yet. He seems to really benifit from Moreno and vise versa. Do you see those guys on the sidelines afterward. I think the whole issue is a lot more “fan” based than player based. Why oh why do you mess up something that is working to perfection? WHY? OK Moreno gets a jolly from the symbolic only start. You folks arent giving the kid much credit if you think he isn’t doing everything he can as #2 (or whatever they call it). I get that some fans would like him to be a starter, but how does that benifit UGA football? The kid cannot possible do any more than he is right now. ZERO evidence this system isnt going well. ZERO. You just dont throw out game plans, months of pracice, years of establishing a system, and the natural order of things. Specially when its working.

By Dawg for Life

September 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

I think the Receivers/Tight end’s coach needs to be replaced. Two years running UGA has had issues with receivers/TE dropping balls. After Randy McMichael/Ben Watson/Leonard Pope, we have had Martrez Milner and Tripp Chandler who have dropped more passes than they actually caught. Yes, both had have made clutch plays, but if they only caught the easy ones, we don’t need to struggle for our victories. Alabama was great, but it should’nt have been that close. Thanks!

By gastr1

September 25, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

They aren’t professionals???? The next best thing!!!

Give me a break. They are not brought to the schools to be college students, that’s for damn sure.

Gundy was out of line. Who will write a word about them now?

By Go Gundy

September 25, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

• Good for Gundy. This was a personal attack, and his job is to stick up for his players. I would hope other coaches would address these issues as well. His manner of addressing the issue is up in the air. Yelling and screaming is typically not my style, but to each his own.

By Hunk Erdown

September 25, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Here’s why Gundy wasn’t out of line: He feels at least partially responsible for giving reporters access to these kids and one of them took that privilage and abused it by making a personal attack on one of his boys. He feels responsble for that when he recruits a kid, those parents are putting their child’s welfare in his hands, and someone hurts a kid so bad that it could harm him in a lot of different ways. If the story had merit because of something the kid actually did, it would be different, but this story was filled with innuendo and 2+2=7 junk.

By Jim

September 25, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Why question the head coach when he knows his system and his players better than any of us? Doesn’t competition within each position elevate each player’s hunger to play? Obviously you guys don’t get it. It doesn’t make a difference who starts b/c both Moreno and Brown are getting the same amount of carries and they have fresh legs throughout the game. The same with the TE situation. You’ve got to have these guys compete for their jobs to stay hungry.

By Chap

September 25, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Dawg for Life, my thoughts exactly. Thanks for throwing it out there.

By braveswin

September 25, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Figgins,Moreno and the rest have ample opportunity to earn a starting job each week in practice.The coaches are there,you armchair coaches are not.We do not see what the coaches see.Brown has done nothing but PRODUCE when he is in and help Moreno by taking pressure off of him by eating up punishment and yards.I think when Lumpkin returns we will use more 2 back sets.We will need all of our backs and T/E’s to beat TN

By Spanky

September 25, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

I agree with Gundy, and am glad that he ripped that reporter(even showed her face) a new one! Some people actually read these articles, and mistake them for NEWS. They absorb what they read, and automatically think, “Yeah, that’s right.” I even admire the way he did it!…Love it! It’s one of the most viewed Youtube clips, and probably will be for the rest of the week.——Bravo, Coach!

Chip, I’d love to get your thoughts on that!

Guys, I think that we’ll see more of Figgins by the Tenn. game.

By Greg

September 25, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

I don’t have a problem criticizing guys for on the field issues. But to question a young man’s courage and to all but call him a “mama’s boy”. This columnist needs to examine what it is in her life that makes her feel the need to level personal attacks on kids.

By Jeff

September 25, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Chiming in the Brown/Moreno “controversy” I applaud Richt for starting Moreno. The kid’s a senior, he commands respect among the players and he has the blocking schemes down better than Moreno. Don’t get me wrong. Moreno is the real thing. He’s a better runner than Brown even though they had identical yardage last week.
Given that their production is pretty similar, a coach must go with the senior to start the game. It’s a sign of respect for your years of loyalty and production. Folks, remember, starting is only an on paper thing. You can play the first play and be the starter and on the second play be out. Again, I applaud Richt for showing loyalty and class for his upper classmen.

By swimdawg68

September 25, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Martinez loves the two deep zone. He has little confidence in our corners playing man-up or bump and run. We gave Alabama 3 points at the end of the half because our corners were 8 to 10 yards off the receivers and Ala. just ran the short out routs up the field. I kept waiting for Willie to go man up and shut it down but he never did.

Martinez has this philosophy of not giving up the “big play” but he keeps us open for all the underneath routs. This is one of the reasons we have trouble with good passing teams like Tenn, Fla, and this year Ky.

Willie needs to find some “cover corners” and then have confidence in their ability to shut down these receivers or we will get beat by Tenn, Fla, and Ky playing 80% zone defense.

By Nurse Cratchett

September 25, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

Nurse Cratchett thinks it is very important to be more forgiving and less critical in all aspects of life. That is especially true with talented young football players who are working hard and doing their best to be successful. Without exception critics cannot perform as well as the people they are criticizing. Criticism is often founded in envy.

Speaking of criticism, Nurse Cratchett is quite concerned about something that she would like to bring to everyone’s attention. Chan Gailey is receiving no love on the Tech blogs. Can there be any doubt that this is a good time to show some love and support. As fortunate as Georgia supporters have been recently it seems to Nurse Cratchet a simple act of human kindness to support those in their time of need.

By BlueMoon

September 25, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Criticize the performance, not the person. These are kids, not professional athletes and SHOULD be treated as such.

It’s a shame most in the media don’t exhibit any common morals anymore. However, if people keep ripping the media like Gundy did, I bet it would slow down. There has to be some consequences to the medias actions and the fact is, the lady hardly put any facts in her column. It would have been better read in the National Enquirer.

By uga93

September 25, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg, I wasn’t saying CMR calls the plays; I was asking if he had addressed the play calling in his press conference. I understand your take on it, and can respect it, but I don’t think the question represents any type of “bashing.” I don’t understand this sentiment that strong supporters of a team can’t have some questions about the team’s approach, strategy, or performance and still be considered supporters - but “bashers.” As a fan, of course I’m happy we escaped from Alabama with a win - and it IS a great win, one that I hope may become a milestone for this year’s team. At the same time, though I will support UGA enthusiastically, I am not always happy with the type of football we play – and I see nothing treacherous about saying so.

Though you point out some reasons behind the strategy to run out the clock, I see the decision as evidence of what at times appears to be the lack of a killer instinct in the way we approach the game. I was disappointed that we didn’t put Alabama away when it appeared to me and other fans that we had the better team all night, but seemed not to go for the kill. Does this have anything to do with inexperience, dropped catches, and missed tackles – and playing in front of a hostile crowd? Of course it does, and I’m happy we won – again! But I’ll just say it: sometimes it seems like there’s a pattern of not putting a team away, and of not really having the type of mentality that goes in for the kill. It’s just an opinion - not bashing.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

I agree with Coach Richt’s decisions on the starters. As long as Moreno gets plenty of playing time it does not matter. And it sure is nice to have fresh legs late in the game. Not crazy about three back rotation, but two works for me.

As for Gundy, I think he probably should have talked about his team’s win first, but then I have no problem with him letting the reporter having it between the eyes. Chris Damino this morning complained he did it because she was a woman. That is crap. He did it because the column was nothing but gossip and very poorly written.

Members of the 5th Estate love to throw around the First Amendment yet when someone other than that esteemed fraternity exercises his right, they want to punish the guy. Look at that idiot Dodd for CBS sports today. He wants Gundy, suspended, fined and perhaps even fired. For what?

Let me tell you something. Lots of moms and dads had no idea who Mike Gundy was before this press conference. Lots of them know him now and they also know that he will back his players if they deserve it. Herbstriet, Desmond Howard and Chris Mortensen seemed to concur and believe this will be very helpful to OSU recruiting.

Chip, you do a great job. So do a lot of other reporters. But some are so arrogant that they think they have the right to trash people and expect that the victim of the trashing will not speak up. Jeni Carlson’s column was pathetic and she got her just reward.

By David

September 25, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

I HATE Bobo’s playcalling. I think about 95% of our offense is screens to the runningbacks.

When football was invented, the main idea of the passing game was for the receiver, not the runningback, to catch the ball.

That’s probably why our receivers haven’t been making alot of catches, no one’s passing to them!!

By honest_abe

September 25, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

i like the running back platoon. tb’s running better than he did before his injury. knowshon is clearly the more talented of the two, but he is still getting a considerable amount of touches and both backs looked fresh at the end of the bama game.

leadership is a major contributing factor in a teams ability to win ball games and tb is someone everyone on the team looks up to and respects. he’s a prime example of how you can achieve the unthinkable by outworking everyone else.

By Jim

September 25, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Why question the head coach when he knows his system and his players better than any of us? Doesn’t competition within each position elevate each player’s hunger to play? Obviously you guys don’t get it. It doesn’t make a difference who starts b/c both Moreno and Brown are getting the same amount of carries and they have fresh legs throughout the game. The same with the TE situation. You’ve got to have these guys compete for their jobs to stay hungry.

By Jason

September 25, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

Chip, what do you think about Carlson’s column?

I, for one, am tired of all the other sports reporters defending her. I’m sure privately they all snicker. Just peruse her blogs—she clearly has no business writing about football any more than I do about breast feeding!

By AltamahaDawg

September 25, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

A dawg, both were in at the same time during the alabama game. Twice I saw, maybe more. But whats the point?

Jeff, on the whole I agree with you, but part of your rationale is what is perpertuating the misunderstand (I think) that Brown is a starter as some sort of a senior loyalty. I personally beleive that if the coaches thought a RS freshman starting over a senior was the correct football move, they have proven they will do that. 2 examples on this very team. You are dead on, he does know the offence better and starting is on paper only. Its not in depth football knowledge to realize that every rushing play isnt designed to “take it to the house” or that a player of Moreno’s style isnt going to excell in every last situation. Or that we are going to need everyone to win. Or even if it were totally unfair for Moreno to have better moves and NOT start, it still might be better for the overall picture, at least in the short run, for reasons that fans just cannot know about. For all the outrage in here that Moreno isnt the starter, I have yet to hear how that would improve the team as a whole.

By Jim

September 25, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

David, I don’t understand your point. Yes, I agree with you that receivers, well…catch balls. Coaches don’t create plays based on history of football. Coaches create plays based on the weakness of the team they are about to play that week. So what you’re saying is even if the defensive backs of the opposing team can shut down our receivers, Bobo should commit to throwing to them? You’ve got to base your game plan around the opposing team…not football history.

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

Swimdawg68——Coach Bobo said this is a bottom line business.Here’s a bottom line,Wilson’s stats against Arkansas 327 yds 4 tds,his stats against UGA 185 yds 0 tds.This is the norm not the exception.I had a friend tell me he didn’t like the way Greg Maddox pitched.He said he liked pitchers who went right after hitters not those who pitched around them.Now this was back in Greg’s heyday.My response was that I like great pitching and style is secondary(play on words intended) to results.I can look at plays I’m not thrilled about but Martinez’s secondaries get the job done year after year…that’s the bottom line.

By Paul in J-ville

September 25, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Dawg4life (not dawgforlife)you are a complete jacka$$ both literally and figuratively if you even suggest someone who hides behind their keyboard and MOWS a kid down has a right to not be admonished and held accountable for lies publically suggests to all that even your 9 year old is fair game. You pathetic punk defending a dirtbag reporter who thinks its ok to WRITE SOMETHING IN PRINT exposing this kid to the world is ok but Gundy should take her back privately and voice his concerns about it, are you kidding us??? You bed wetting flaming liberal probably never was spanked as a child were you?

People have to be accountable and the media is not immune. Can you imagine this kids parents and how they felt watching their kid completely humiliated? For you other douchebags that suggest just because they play college athletics they are fair game, would you feel the same if this happened to YOUR son or daughter? Yea, I didn’t think so. Sports are suppose to be entertainment but morons accross the country have taken their daily misery and bottled it up into their shallow little brains and open up their pented up frustration on their so called beloved teams only to criticize, cuss, boo, or be a gravy-training, bandwagon, paracital leaches because they only wish they could perform a tenth of the talent they watch. Get a life you losers, you know exactly who I’m talking about! YOU

By HumbleDawg

September 25, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

I think Richt’s decisions are just fine. The man is a winner and while I still think he’s too conservative, I’m man enough to realize that he got the W.

As for Gundy’s rant on Jenni Carlson’s piece of drivel she called an article, I think that the media is crossing the line with not just college athletes but high school athletes as well. I think the AJC writers on the high school beat have crossed the line quite a bit in the past couple years in terms of what they put into print. These athletes are not professionals and yet they are treated as such by the media. When a kid has academic trouble, what right does the paper have to print that? I know the school can’t make grades public so why can the paper do it? I say great job Mike Gundy although the way he went about it by talking about a “child” was a bit much. Just my two cents.

By AltamahaDawg

September 25, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

uga93, I actually wasnt refering to you in term of knowing who called thas plays. that got mixed up. i never took you as bashing anyone, in fact i have no idea what your take on the playcalling was. its a good question, if he adressed it, becasue when he explains stuff, the complainers usually get thier answers and realize they dont know all there is.

And on the critisizing coach situation, why is it that when anyone defends a coaching move in here, the responce is always, always to flip it around as if we are saying you cant say anything negative about the coach, when in fact we are simply expressing an opinion, same as all? Without exception, anytime I have defended a coach in here, I give reasons why, and offer a chance to retort.

By 1eyedJack

September 25, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

If Moreno were 6’2”, weighed 235 lbs., ran a 4.3 forty, and was rolling up DBs, then I would be all for him starting and getting 30-35 carries a game. As talented as he is, I don’t beleive he is big enough to take the pounding an everydown back takes. We should feel fortunate to have two (or four) backs as talented as we do. Let CMR run the team. I’m sure he gets imput from all of his position coaches before deciding who should start and who shouldn’t. I beleive Tim said it earlier. If you’ve never played football then you don’t understand Senior leadership and the importance it carries, especially with such a young team.

By animaldr

September 25, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

With a young OL I like having the Sr. RB T. Brown back there. He has been very consistent this year. Once the OL has an idea of the opp defense then get the young and probably better running bach in there.

Now Chandler has had problems in more than just this Ala game. And Figgins and Ward deserve a look in more than just blocking roles.

Once Lumpkin is back we need to use the two backs in the backfield alot more often. It will be very hard to keep everyone happy then.

GO DAWGS!

By GundySux

September 25, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

If you are a college QB, you know what you are getting yourself into. Unlike any other position, you are open to a tremendous amount of criticism and have to live your life under a microscope. From everything I have read about Bobby Reid, he is a prima donna who wants everything handed to him. And when I say everything I have read, I lived in Oklahoma from 2004 to 2006 and read the Oklahoman everyday. Jenni Carson isn’t a great sportswriter by any means but she surely isn’t a hack. Some of you talk about the article being hearsay and inuendo. Well, guess what the beloved Chip Towers has done the same thing, not wanting to divulge his sources. I find it funny that yesterday, Coach Gundy refused to back up his claim that Carson was wrong with 3/4 of her story. He blatantly attacked her credibility and didn’t have any facts to back it up. Gundy is a subpar coach who is trying to deflect the attention from his underacheiving football team by attacking a journalist who was doing her job. If he disagrees with her article and publicly humiliates her, he should have the balls to back up his statement. Gundy reflects the rest of the OSU team and especially Reid…gutless. Like someone mentioned before, you think he would have done that to a male reporter? Hell no!

And to everyone saying these “kids” shouldn’t be criticized for off the field actions. Well, what about all of you criticizing Stafford for Keg-Gate and cuddling with Cox, Joe that is? Any kid over the age of 8 who is being hand fed by his Mom should be ashamed of himself. College football players are coddled from the time they reach campus on their recruiting visits. They have access to a free education with a team of tutors at their disposal. They aren’t ordinary “amateurs”. They are paid, with a free education, housing, and a stipend, so they aren’t amateurs.

By Hawkinsville Dawg

September 25, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

I admire Coach Gundy for standing up for his player against the press. The press should maintain some standard of decency. It was obvious the writer did not have a child that participated in sports of any kind, at any level. I wish more coaches had the courage to do the right thing as Coach Gundy.

By Shane

September 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

I really like the way Brown plays and the decision CMR made seems logical

By Bob

September 25, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

GundySux, Your name says it all. Clearly you have and ax to grind. I have not read her other articles so I don’t know if she is a hack or not. I do know that this particular column was crap. Yeah, the Stafford and Cox stuff was crap too, but most of that came from bloggers and if I recall Chip only asked the question of whether it should be an issue. In fact, I don’t really recall an article that talked about it much or was critical. Bloggers and some local radio guys decided it was a big issue. Naturally, pro Dawg folks supported Matthew and Dawg haters felt differently.

You are spreading the same inuendo. You have heard that Ried is a prima donna. Well maybe he is, but what does a Mom feeding him chicken have to do with it? Duh? Gundy had no reason to answer her questions at the Monday Press Conference. She knows what she did and what she didn’t do. But he has every right to express his opinion of her opinion.

My friend, you are letting an obvious dislike of Mike Gundy cloud your judgement. I don’t have a dog in this fight. We whupped his team pretty good a month ago and it appears that the Cowboys were overrated. But his record has zero to do with him standing up for his players and I agree with Herbstriet on this one. They will fight to high heaven for their coach and team after this little episode.

By Michael

September 25, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Chip, I have seen it mentioned once in jest, but I have yet to see anyone seriously address the issue of why Dannel Ellerbee’s helmet comes off during a tackle at least once per game. I hope the young man doesn’t get hurt, as it looks very dangerous.

By GandySux

September 25, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

I don’t have an ax to grind with Gundy, in fact, I always liked him as a player and a coach. I just don’t agree with the way he handled this situation. Okay, if you want to turn the inuendo thing back on me, I’ll turn it back on you. Everybody on here talks about Richt being a good man, this and that. How many of these saps on here have actually met him and spent more than 5 seconds with him? Probably not many. So by saying he is a nice guy, they are going on what they have heard and read.

Gundy had every reason to answer her questions. He made a big deal out of it and questioned her integrity. What this boils down to is someone within the OSU program has been talking to the her about Reid and she wrote what she was told. Did she betray someone’s confidence in doing so, I don’t know.

Having a 21 year old man being fed chicken by his Mom doesn’t strike you as odd? I guess you were breastfed until you were 14 because only a Momma’s boy and a p-ssy would allow his Mom to feed him at that age.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Gundysux,

You realize that Carlsen was not there to see what Reid’s Mama did, don’t you? She was in a different state at the time. There is no description of what took place other than that stupid and utterly unimportant sentence she used. Can you describe the scene? Did she hand him a chicken wing while he was on the cell phone? Did she tear a piece of breast off and stick it in his mouth? What does this have to do with anything?

As for Richt’s REPUTATION, that is a far cry from some inuendo about a player from various sources. Richt has been coaching a major university football team in public view for more than 6 years now. He has press conferences, he has met with and been involved with the public for all of those years and people have a pretty good idea of what he is about. He has a REPUTATION built on what we know about him over that period of time.

You cannot compare the press scrutiny of the head coach of Georgia with that of a 21 year old quarterback. My issue is with the article about Reid, NOT GUNDY.

By Dawg4life

September 25, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Paul in J-ville,

I clearly now see why you are so empathetic with Gundy. Apparently you both use the same methodology in replying to things that you don’t agree with…you both spit fire and brimstone rather than reacting with calm. Before I get to my point, I’ll ask you this…what if CMR reacted to everything he didn’t like or read in the paper in the manner in which you responded to my post (which, incidentally, is my opinion, sir)? What if he used his press conferences to call all writers who wrote bad things about his team flaming liberals and jacka$$es? Would we in the dog nation hold him in such high esteem? I’d be willing to bet that you wouldn’t. You should think about what you’re really accomplishing when reacting in such a manner.

Which leads to my point about Gundy. Just as you scold the writer of that article for “mowing down” a “kid”, shouldn’t Gundy be held to the same standard? As I recall after viewing the press conference, Gundy, in a room full of reporters, called her “garbage”. And not only that, he called her editor “garbage”. That constitutes the exact same thing that he was scolding her for writing.

My only point in my post (which was, again, my OPINION, which is what Chip asked for) was that 1) I thought it was extremely unprofessional for Gundy to handle himself in that manner. Screaming and singling someone out in a room full of cohorts and colleagues does no one any good. How would you like it if your boss at work took issue with something you did and called you out in a roomful of your co-workers and colleagues? I guarantee you you wouldn’t like it one bit.

As far as Bobby Reid is concerned, I’ve never said that I agreed with what the columnist wrote. My point is that from the time these kids go off to play sports at the D-1 level, they know that they’re going to get scrutinized, ridiculed, and have everything done to them because they’re on a national stage. And, in Reid’s case, he’s the QUARTERBACK, who is charged with the task of being the leader of the team!! (And I won’t even get into the fact that, technically, Reid is not a “kid.” He’s 21 years old. He cannot get in trouble for underage possession of alcohol. He can lawfully own a firearm, and he can go to war. But that’s only a small point here.) Like it or not, and fair or not, being a QB at a Division 1 school comes with its fair share of criticism if you’re not getting the job done. Fair or not, that’s the way it is. So I certainly don’t think it’s fair that Gundy goes crazy on her for what she wrote (whether it was accurate or not) in front of media colleagues. Of course no parent wants to see bad things written about or done to their children. But parents also have to understand that that’s the territory that these players are stepping into when they play the high-stakes game of D-1 football. And I think every parent does understand that, fair or not.

Now, Paul in J-ville, I’ve just spent the last five minutes of my life typing a retort to your insult-laden reply to my previously posted OPINION. The difference between you and I is that I did it with class and dignity, all without insulting or degrading you, your political views or anything else (as you did to me) because everyone has an opinion, and I certainly respect yours, even if you don’t respect mine. I think you and Gundy should learn to do the same.

By GandySux

September 25, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

And my problem is with Gundy. He acted like a punk because it was a woman who wrote the article. I seriously doubt he would have acted like such a macho jagoff to a male reporter.

As far as comparing Reid and Richt, you have to realize you don’t see or read about Reid like people who live or have lived in Oklahoma. I totally agree that a 21 year old QB shouldn’t receive the same scrutiny as a highly paid coach. I believe the article was written to paint a picture of the underacheivement of the OSU team and specifically Reid. In my opinion, Carlson was pointing out that with Reid not living up to expectations, the team isn’t doing well. And she simply pointed out the reasons Reid isn’t living up to expectations. If Carlson made this stuff up, she should be fired and never allowed to write again. I seriously doubt we have heard the end of this story because Carlson seems pretty hell bent on backing up her story and proving Gundy wrong.

By Cuz

September 25, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Just got back home. Nurse Cratchett, I will go spread the love of CHAN the MAN on the Tech blog tommorrow.

Start Brown, I don’t care. If Coach thinks that brings something to the team, hey he gets paid for this, I don’t. Knowshon will get his carries anyway. Chandler, someone get some Gorilla glue and put in on his gloves. Coach Willie, keep up the fine work, tu es el hombre.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Dawg4life,

Go back and listen to the tape again. Gundy called the article garbage. He did not call Carlsen garbage. I just did listen to it again because of what you wrote. He did call the editor garbage because he allowed this to be printed.

I don’t disagree that he could have handled it differently. But because he doesn’t handle it exactly the same as CMR, does not mean he was wrong. Not all great coaches have the same temprament.

But I am absolutely certain that CMR would have responded pretty angrily had anyone written a column about one his players in that manner. It would have been more graceful because he is a very classy guy, but he would not have tolerated that type of crap being written about one of his players.

By Dawg19

September 25, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

After reading all the replies to this blog and the Gundy incident, I believe everybody should read the article before commenting. I know that some have, and by the context of other posts I know that some have not.

I do not disagree with the fact that College players should not be scrutinized as long as the criticism is about their play. The article that Carlson wrote did not attack Reid’s play, but instead attacked his charachter. Never once in the whole piece is ANY source quoted. Carlson instead used quotes like: “if you believe the rumors and rumblings…” Carlson then went on to suggest that the changing of QB’s in the OK. State system was due to his attatude. All this was based on her OPINION as again, no sources were cited.

Gundy did the right thing by calling her out for attacking the charachter of a young man that he describes as a “good kid… that does the right things.” Her attack on Reid was baseless. Gundy’s attack on her was justified.

By Dawg4life

September 25, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

I even read somewhere that Carlson asked Gundy to point out to her where she messed up the facts and made inaccuracies, and he declined to do so!!!

By Bob

September 25, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Gundysux, Being from Oklahoma, I am sure you know much more about Mike Gundy than I do. However, I don’t for one minute believe he did it because she was a woman. That is a crutch. Now, it sounds like there has been some ill will before and that probably laid the foundation for this flare up. I do not know the background, but I am not for one minute buying this “poor woman reporter” jive. If she wants to report on the game then she,too better be prepared to hear about it when the targets of her attacks respond in kind.

I am done with this issue. I would much rather talk about the Dawgs than some team in Stillwater.

By Dawg19

September 25, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

And to the folks that argue that these players are being paid because they receive a scholarship to earn an education and, therefore, are subject to the same scruitiny off the field that professional athletes are way off base. That type of logic would lead to the thought and idea that people that are at the school on academic scholarships are subject to this same scrutiny. See where I am coming from on this? Professional athletes are paid exorbinate amounts of money to entertain. College athletes are given the opportunity to receive an education for their skills, much in the same way that folks that are much smarter than I am receive the same opportunity for having smarts.

By Dawg4life

September 25, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Bob,

Thank you for RESPECTFULLY disagreeing with me. That was partly my point in my response to Paul in J-ville. You can disagree with someone without hurling profanities and insults at them. Again, thanks.

Which also applies to the Gundy situation. I also went back to listen to the audio. And you’re right, he didn’t call out Carlson. But he did insult her editor, which I don’t think was right either. But my main point in replying to Paul in J-ville was that I think the manner in which he chose to show his disapproval was wrong. There were many other things he could have done. Like I said in an even earlier post…send an e-mail to the writer (and even the editor that he called “garbage” for letting it get published). Call the paper personally. Write an opinion column.

And you’re right that because Richt would handle it differently doesn’t mean that Gundy would have to handle it the same way. But I was using Richt as a point in my reply to Paul in J-ville not because I think Richt and Gundy should be compared. I was actually just saying that Richt wouldn’t have called me a jacka$$ or a flaming liberal (as Paul in J-ville did) just because he didn’t agree with something I said. Sorry if that caused some confusion. And since we all can agree that Richt is a high-character guy and we’re all UGA fans, I thought using Richt was relevant, and convenient.

I have no doubt that if Richt disagreed with something a Banner-Herald reporter or AJC reporter wrote, he would address it if he deemed it that important and worthy. But I think he would do it in a very classy manner, not in a yelling and screaming way that Gundy did.

Again, not saying Gundy should have agreed with anything that Carlson wrote. He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, as we all are.

GO DAWGS…which is what we should really be talking about here anyway.

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

I remember when Gary Barnett attacked the kicker at Colorado,Katty something or other.I thought was wrong as he could be.Instead of addressing the substance of the issue he talked about how bad a player she was and how players respect ability over everything else.I thought then he had no business coaching young people and should have been fired that day.I don’t think Gundy reached that level but I do wonder if he’d be as disrespectful of a large man.If not, he’s kind of cowardly to berate her for three minutes and then refuse to even answer for his accusations.

By 757 Dawg

September 25, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

1) I say T. Brown has earned his stripes and battle scars; he deserves to get the majority of the touches. Moreno will get his glory in due time. I can’t wait to see Caleb King next year. 2) Note to Coach Richt: Stafford is no Ward or Weinke yet. A big arm means nothing if you don’t know how to use your head. He continues to make his reads too late. He continues to make poor throws off-balance! on one foot! while throwing over the middle of the field! Fla is going to kill us if this kid doesn’t get it together. It is to the point now, where every game I expect him to throw an interception that gives the other team a touchdown or keeps them in the game. 3) Note to CMR: Make your receivers take those dang gloves off! They are not helping. 4) Thank God for Coach Martinez and that Junkyard Dawg Defense!

By Dawg Fan

September 25, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Man, it sure would be nice if we had Hershul Walker back. WE would be unstoppable. Look out Gorgia Tech here we come.

By Chip Towers

September 25, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Great, great exchange of opinions here tonight. No insults, lots of ideas. Really refreshing… .

To get back to some of you on some questions:

JimmyG — obviously I know Marcus Howard is a D-end. I really have to be more careful when I whip out these blogs (they’re unedited, in case you haven’t noticed. My bad… .

uga93 — CMR did address the conservative tactics toward the end of each half and referred to them as just that, conservative. But he went on to explain his thinking and it made a lot of sense. So does his SEC road record — 23-3.

Britney … — You know, we really need to ask some questions and find out what the heck that odd Britney Spears reference was in that game, and at such a critical time! somebody said it was Mike Patrick? …

ADawg — They have used both Brown and Moreno in the backfield a few times, including at least once this past Saturday. But they don’t want to do it much because of the lack of depth at tailback. If you’ve noticed, you’re seeing a lot more I-formation with Southerland at fullback. Me likey… .

Jason — Yes I read Jenni Carlson’s column. I didn’t think it was very sensitive or empathetic but I also didn’t think it warranted an on-air tirade after a victorious game, which got pretty much no notice thanks to the outbursts… . If you’ stay in this business long enough, you’re going to make a few people angry and hear about. But I just don’t think Gundy’s forum was appropriate, mainly because he never really coounter-pointed Carlson’s assertions in her opinion piece.

By UGA Rolls Tide

September 25, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

I think the point 1eyedJack makes is one of the biggest reasons CMR is sticking with both 2 TBs sharing responsibility. Both are smallish and will surely take a lot of abuse from SEC Ds throughout the season. Brown is playing well and has earned the right to start, especially after coming back from adversity and showing supreme leadership. He and Moreno seem to thrive on each other and Knowshon can still learn from his upper-classmen. Having fresh backs throughout the game is an advantage for the dawgs and will be essential to having a successful season. Once Lumpkin is 100% they will be a triple threat unlike any in the league. If any of these guys were like Herschel, of course one would get 30 carries a ballgame and everything that goes along with it. For now, I like the way they are both being used. Anybody remember William Andrews for the Falcons? Now he was a heck of a receiver and RB. We could use a guy like that right now. Bartkowski had the same kind of reputation as a young QB as Stafford does now and he managed to use use Andrews extensively to gain some success, and yards. And yes, even though he played his college ball at Auburn, Andrews hails from Thomasville, GA! Why the flashback? With our outdated I formation I guess we can still stand to learn from how it was once best utilized.

By BigNCDawg

September 25, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Who was the coach on the sidline that got Coutu to hold up after the miss. I thought that was a classy move. Coutu has won many games for us and will continue to.

By Buck in the NW

September 25, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Netflix came through today. Watched a movie, logged on to get news about the Dawgs and everybody is posting about some newspaper article? Have fun everyone, we’ve got a double header on tonight. Did watch Richt’s press conference today and he made some interesting points. Well everybody have fun!

By Wil Walton

September 25, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Hey Chip, in the small window that you guys got to see practice, who were the primary LBs lining up with the 1st team D?

By Mike

September 25, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

On the 2 topics of interest to the Bulldog Nation… 1) Brown started the Alabama game and we got a touchdown on our opening possession ( did we also score on our 1st possession of the OSU game? granted it came wit a short field after a muffed punt ) so starting Moreno would have yielded the same outcome at best… I say start Brown simply because he CLEARLY produces when he can..he may not have that SPARK that Moreno gives but he is more than producing when he is in the game..also we have Moreno for at least 1 more year at the very least (remember he is a RSF so he can leave after he is 3 years removed from high school)…2) Chandler had 1 bad game and even though he was suspended the OSU game he still has great hands and HE WILL BE FINE…all he has to do (for that matter ALL the receivers and backs) is to remember to LOOK the ball into his hands..its something that sounds easy but YOU try it with 80-90+ thousand people watching and at crucial moments WITH a defender bearing down on you at the same time..and remember these are 18-21 yr old kids…so I say to ALL the Bulldog Nation..come saturday ( or anytime our Dawgs take the field ) cheer them on whether they are starting or subbing … CMR has a proven track record in giving playing time to those who produce regardless of if they are seniors or freshmen…NO ONE knows who deserves to start over someone else besides CMR and the rest of the staff…if all a running back had to do was run with the ball then thats one thing but obviously its SO MUCH MORE than that … same with a tight end… a lot more than just a glorified receiver or an extra blocker…and lastly..dont discredit the value of LEADERSHIP…that is something that only comes with time to prove oneself AND earning it with the respect of your peers…THAT is something that I think alot of people are missing the boat when it comes to who should play and who should start! CMR IS OUR LEADER and I for one TRUST him COMPLETELY when it comes to playing time and starters… if ANYONE needs a reminder then check the W-L record overall AND W-L road record..if you are not satisfied then go find another team that will satisfy you… we are SOOOO much better off than where we were before CMR..we have ALWAYS had talented players at UGA and now CMR has those players producing championships and does anyone think the National Championship is THAT far off from coming to Athens?!!!

By boots

September 25, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

CMR has a duty to these players not just to make them better players but to make them better students and men. They are 18 to 21 year olds (unless you play for USC, in which case they may be 29 year olds…) who have a lot of growing up to do. Someone like Sho-Mo has the talent, but it may not be in his best interest as a person to be put in the spotlight too soon. Besides, we don’t know what is going on in these players lives or studies that may effect their performance. I know that at times, my health or personal life may effect my job performance, too. Anyway, I fell GREAT about having someone like CMR make these decisions, and I think the results speak for themselves - both on & off the field.

By SamoanDawg

September 25, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Question, why doesn’t Bryan Evans ever play the ball? First of all, he runs a sub 4.2, 40. In my opinion, he has plenty of speed to make up ground when the receiver gets by. I know it’s easier said than done, but my gosh, he could at least turn and locate the dadgum ball. He needs to work on his technique, IMO. Other than that we’re playing good D, thus far.

By Paul in J-ville

September 25, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Bob, thanks for noticing Dawg4life’s innacuracies in his statement. dawg4life you are correct indeed about slinging insults, I must apologize. However, it just absolutely kills me to imagine people that take the stance or position that it is “ok” to ruin somebody with either slander or “heresay” in the MEDIA whereby it is out there for EVERYBODY in the world to form an opinion that is based off lies or distortions. Kinda the same thing as a woman saying someone raped her (ala duke) when nothing of the sort ever happened. But what happened dawg4 life? 3 of the students lives have been changed FOREVER because of this incident of being falsely accused. Well guess what, the Prosecuter got his and got it publically as well. Yes, Gundy defended the CHARACTER of one of his players because he knows this kid much better than the so called journalist who wrote from unidentified sources. She got just what she deserved, I just wish the family would take action against her and the newspaper for Slander, Libel, and damages. Now, I hope you realize I said all of this without hurling one insult towards you.

By Chip Towers

September 25, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

BigNCDawg: The coach to whom you are referring isn’t a coach at all. It’s former player Bryant Gantt, who serves his alma mater as a recruiting assistant (he coordinates the hosts, I believe). This apparently gets him a sideline pass and coaching garb. But he’s really one of the nicest people you’ll meet and that was a cool gesture… .

Wil Walton: Carter was out there at practice today but I was not. But I think the whole linebacker depth chart thing is out the window now and I think that’s the way John Jancek wants it. He’s maintained he cares not one iota who starts or at what position but only that they’re building depth through competition. Appears to be working. MLB Marcus Washington now drawing rave reviews.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

uga93, I’m curious about this “pattern” of not putting teams away. I’m trying to think of some games in the past in which we clearly should have attempted to score more points, and can’t really come up with much of a list, certainly not a pattern. Are you saying we just havent played very well recently, like in the past 2 seasons, which is absolutely true, or you just see a pattern of coaching reluctance to try to “put somebody away”? I’m not disagreeing, I’m just asking , what exactly does putting a team away mean? What does “going for the kill” entail that we arent at least attempting to do? What other games are in this pattern?

By A-ville Ranger

September 26, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this

I read the whole Jenni Carlson article and it was offensive to me.What it seemed like was somebody trying too hard to come across as tough.I’m not saying the way coach Gundy ranted was right but having read the tone of Carlson’s article I do understand how he’d be offended for Reid.I still say anytime you scream at somebody physically weaker than you it looks bad and makes my earlier question of whether he would have handled the situation the same had the reporter been a big scarey looking man valid.

By shane

September 26, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this

ranger,had the reporter been a man the coach could have called him out,i would have,publickly.any screaming looks bad,especially at a woman.however,if a woman wants to have what was traditionaly a man’s job she needs to take the heat like a man,something some men cannot do.chip,why should the coach have written an e-mail to her editor?did she write an e-mail to the coach,or publish her opinion for everyone to read?also it was not necessary for the coach to refute her article point by point,he stated his opinion just as she did,publickly.what he probably should have done was not reply to any of her questions and forbid anyone on the team to talk to any reporter from her paper,also ban her co-workers from news-conferences,practices,etc.i would think a phone call from t.boone to the owners of that paper might work wonders.i don’t think anyone would want him for an enemy.

By A-ville Ranger

September 26, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this

Shane —-I still say Gundy handled it poorly.We’ll never know for sure how he would have handled the situation with another reporter.The guy is a public figure,not to mention he’s lived in the same society we have and we all know it looks bad to scream at a woman like that.He would have served himself and the university better with some kind of calm rebuttal.I’m not saying for sure I wouldn’t have lost my temper in his shoes just that it wasn’t the best way to go.

By ES

September 26, 2007 2:48 AM | Link to this

Altamaha We have many,many times been in a position to score more points.But Richt has chose to play it very close to the vest his whole coaching time and be very conservative.And I’m actually ok with it.I actually beleive when our defense is playing well is when he has done it the most.The negative is, voters rely on the margin of victory and it might bite us one day as far as a NC is concerned.But that is so mythical I dont even worry about that anymore.The SEC is the best conference and you can out right win that.I do like winning with class unlike Florida for example going for a 4th and inches against Tenn at their 30 yard line when the game was already decided just to pour it on.

By ES

September 26, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this

By the way at the end of the game against OK State we was running a full back into the line, on their end of the field, and not trying much of anything to score.Just one example this year.

By georgiagirl

September 26, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

As a Dawgs Fan and a mother of a beautiful daughter who had many hard times growing up because she was not small, not real big, just a big bone girl. But she know what it feels like to be judge by many and made fun of by many. But she became a wonderful woman with a great life and people love her, she’s pretty inside and outside. In today world so many judge these young people. But that’s what they are kids, unless you are perfect and the sun shines on you all the time, remember that these are kids trying to build their lifes, has you are putting them down. So I do think that Gundy handed to her great. So for you who have kids, think what you would feel like if someone was doing this to your child. With that I love Georgia football and I think that these kids will do good and put death ears on all the bad mouthing of the fans and news reporters. GO DAWGS. It is a GAME.

By georgiagirl

September 26, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

As a Dawgs Fan and a mother of a beautiful daughter who had many hard times growing up because she was not small, not real big, just a big bone girl. But she know what it feels like to be judge by many and made fun of by many. But she became a wonderful woman with a great life and people love her, she’s pretty inside and outside. In today world so many judge these young people. But that’s what they are kids, unless you are perfect and the sun shines on you all the time, remember that these are kids trying to build their lifes, has you are putting them down. So I do think that Gundy handed to her great. So for you who have kids, think what you would feel like if someone was doing this to your child. With that I love Georgia football and I think that these kids will do good and put death ears on all the bad mouthing of the fans and news reporters. GO DAWGS. It is a GAME.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

ES, there is a completely different set of circumstances in what he was saying and the example you give. You are talking about not running up a score when the game was decided. Thats not failing to “put somebody away”. Was there any chance that Okie State had an shot in the universe of making that game close because we were running a fullback late in the 4th quarter? Protecting a 10 point lead deep in his own territory just before the half was the issue (as opposed to trying to drive 60-80 yards and score in a hurry), not pouring it on for style points. Unless I misunderstood. I agree with all you said, just not what we were debating. I also agree that the defense has been more of the “game score” strategy as of late as our offense has not been been capable of “killing” anyone in the SEC for a couple of years.

By BigNCDawg

September 26, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Thanks Chip

By dawginduluth

September 26, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

The Alabama contest was a contrast in a well-coached, mediocre talent team matching-up well with a mediocre-coached, good talent team. Good coaching makes mediocre talent better, mediocre coaching does nothing to mediocre talent and makes good talent play mediocre. Richt is a mediocre coach. Excellent recruiter, mediocre coach.

Many here claim that running the ball is what UGA does best. I ask: why? We have one of the best young arms in the country and, supposedly, one of the best QB coaches, yet running is what we do best? Why? Because Richt isn’t “one of the best,” that’s why.

Some question why we don’t “put away” our opponents. It’s because Richt doesn’t play that way. Meyer put Tennessee away/ran-up the score because Meyer always plays like he’s playing for the National Championship. Richt is happy with less because he’s been given a raise for less and some idiots call him a “great” coach for doing less. No National Championship with Richt. I don’t think we’ll wvwn have a chance at contending for the NC with Richt. Never.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Running up the score had nothing to do with putting away an opponent. Its not even close to the same.

By shane

September 26, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

es,most of the voters do not see every game,beating william and mary by 40 will get more votes than beating bama by 6.you are right,the nc is mythical,and will remain so untill we have some kind of playoff.as for uga,we need to position ourselves to win the sec in the future,the so called nc will take care of itself.what i mean is that we have no control over who is”elected”champion,all we can do is try to win the sec.i believe in taking a season one game at a time,we can be in the running for the sec east by beating ut,but not if we slip up against ole miss.we cannot be game-planning ut now,we need to be fogused on the rebels.as far as uf”running up the score”,they are in good shape for another bcs championship bowl,so margin of victory is important to them.uga was too far down in the coaches pre-season poll to have much of a chance to play for the title,even had we gone 12 and 0 and won the sec,so piling on the points will only make us look bad.ranger,you were right about gundy losing control,that reporter was on national tv this morning,she is going to ride all this free publicity as far as she can.typical reporter,quote”unknown sources” to slander someone,put on the hurt act for sympathy,get nationwide attention.she wants to further her career and she doesn’t care who she has to step on to do it.when gundy blew up he played right into her hands.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 26, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

dawginduluth, got some gripes with Richt? Who would you recommend that is available? I’ll take Richt. He has coached on highly successful FSU staffs and played a major role there. Coached Heisman winners. I do agree with you and most of the others that we need to crank up the offense and play for every point that we can get until the game is settled. Even going into the half. If you have more than a 2 minutes on the clock you better be running the 2 min offense. Points, points, points. See the article about the defense today? Those were my senitments exactly. Why can’t we stop the 4th qtr drives when the game is on the line? Makes all the other hard work seem trivial.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Zoo, remember last when he suggested we fire Richt and go hire, um who was it, oh yea, Charlie Weise?

By Andy in Ohio

September 26, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

It’s about what I expected from Coach Richt, honestly. I love the man and all, but he is always so loyal to his seniors and coaching staff that sometimes that gets in the way of recognizing when someone needs to be benched. Last year with Joe T starting at QB is a good example. Thomas Brown and Tripp Chandler are perfect examples for this year. Both of them are solid players, but Moreno simply has more talent and makes things happen whenever he touches the ball. Every time he gets the ball, I’m wondering if he’s going to pull off a long run.

That being said, Thomas Brown had a really good game this last Saturday. Tripp Chandler on the other hand had 3 dropped passes (which could have cost us the game), and he’s had at least a couple more in previous games. Bruce Figgins on the other hand (I think he’s our second string tight end), seems to catch anything that’s thrown to him. It just seems like a case of using someone just because they’re leaders and they’ve been in the system for years. That may be the case, but if they’re dropping balls and not making plays, what kind of example does that set for the younger players? Maybe they need to be benched for a while (ala Massaquoi previously) and get their head on straight.

That being said, I’m not coming down on Coach Richt or the players. It’s always easier for someone on the outside to say these things because I don’t have any of the responsibility on if these changes are made and it goes south. I also am not the one that has to pull the seniors in my office and tell them that they’re not starting, but that a freshman or sophomore is starting in their place. I’m sure that’s not easy.

By shane

September 26, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

dawginduluth,your post was so idiotic i don’t know where to begin to refute it,so i will start at the begining.so richt is mediocre,is it his record on the road,what is it 23-3?he only wins 90% of his away games in the strongest conference in the country,yep,mediocre.is it playing for the sec title three times in six years and winning two of them?yep,mediocre.is it because he is in the top ranks of coaches in the country in winning %?mediocre again!i have no clue why we didn’t fill the air with footballs at bama,after all,two of our o linemen had played in an away game before,i mean that only left three freshmen linemen to worry about,and we only had two damn good tailbacks.forget moreno and brown,throw the ball,we have a strong armed qb,if that sissy can’t throw with 1000 lbs of angry alabama linemen on top of him we will bench him and play someone else.it’s that mediocre coaching again,they were content to play a sky-high sec team at home in front of 92,000 of ther screaming fans with a team that half of which had never played in an away game in college before and merely win.mediocre again.if they just had a smart guy like you to coach they would have won by thirty at least.

By fishtales

September 26, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Think anyone is “holding” in that picture of Knowshon? Look behind him…

By scooter11

September 26, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

I wish my mom was still around to feed me chicken. I think the Britney crack (oops) by Mike Patrick was his way of playing off the fact that games don’t get any more exciting. It was sarcasm, but a poor reference. He could’ve said something like “not much going on here - whatcha doing tomorrow, Todd?” Or he could’ve said “games don’t get any more exciting.” And after the first play of the game, does it really matter who is the ‘starter’?

By Vince

September 26, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Ain’t heard lately about Kiante Tripp. Ought to be ready for some series’s to spell the starters - esp. if we’re up?

By Joey A

September 26, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Allright, hold the press! I am hearing a contrast of embarassing a team or putting a team away. My analysis is; win and leave an impression to the opponent that the better team had them in their rear view mirror the whole game. There is no sence in humiliating anyone because I think we can agree we all know how it feels. However, man up and play to win. Don’t play to “not lose” or just hold on. This is the problem I am seeing with the DAWGS and Richt. Sometimes I really believe he is too nice. Spurrier relished in the fact he was voted “most hated” coach in the SEC. I sometimes think Richt wants to win the “most loved” coach in the SEC. I love what Richt stands for and his morality but I want him to have more of a killer instinct mentality. I will use Tiger Woods again; even with leads of 5 strokes or more, when he is walking to the 18th green, his mindset is “finish the race.” If he is standing over a 10 ft putt for birdie, do you think he is going to be ok if he misses and settles for par? Heck no! My point is, why not have the attitude of “3 is not good enough, we want the ball in the end zone.” I get so sick of the conservative offense with less than 5 or so in the half or fourth quarters. Points, Points, Points! You never know when you may need them. This is what separates us from the dominant teams. They have the mentality of “stop us if you can.” The play calling has to become more agressive! I am so tired of barely pulling out wins over teams we should blow off the field. As for the Moreno / Brown situation? I agree Brown is an intelligent veteran of this offense but Moreno is the more elusive back! When a back is hot, don’t pull him out just to save the other backs feelings. Hey, this is competition right? Do we play to win or keep feelings from getting hurt? I guess now when Lump gets back, Moreno will have even less touches per game. It makes me sick!! I am not taking anything away from Brown or Lump but Moreno is the one! Someone mentioned splitting carries to keep their bodies from taking a beating, have you not seen, Moreno loves contact! All of them do for that matter but Moreno has the tendencie to break one. Ask the Alabama DB if Moreno is scared. He dishes out more than he receives. Scrawny Percy Harvin for Florida probably gets more touches on end arounds than our backs. Besides Moreno can make people miss and look bad. If moreno got the touches he should, he would be well over 100 each game. All being said, fact is Georgia has the most wins in the SEC over the past 10 years and only trails UT for most wins in the last 5 years by one game. We could be stuck in the Goof or Donnan era again. Coach Richt will eventually learn it’s about winning and winning convincingly!

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Andy, don’t really intent this for you, except you kinda were standing around. OMG can we paleez stop the this rediculous backhanded compliment of “loyalty to seniors”.

Can I name 2 senior just this year who have been replaced by rookies in the starting role? We will just ignor that.

How is it so hard to just come out and say “Richt doesn’t know enough about which player best fits his own needs in his own program, that he puts winning the football game in danger over personal issues” That is what you are saying. He doesnt want to hurt somebodies feeling in his office, so he ignores his duty to the team , program, and million dollar job?

I’m not even debating that, just tired of the sort of saying something but not really in here. Either he knows his players and the system or he doesnt. Either he wants/tries to win or he doesnt.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

exactly what team have you guys been watching to assume we can just score points at will lately?????

Brown come in because we dont want to hurt his feelings???? I give up.

The play calling will be a direct result of play ability. Always has, alwways will.

Are we all watching the same team?

By Decatur Dawg

September 26, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Big Dawg fan here. I have to agree with another blogger here. Why is it that when a fan on this blog(wouldn’t be on the blog if I was just a causal fan) gets labeled a “basher” when he disagrees with stratagy, play-calling, or anything. This is exactly the place to discuss, question, show emotion. That is why it is here. A group of like minded indviduals expressing thoughts. Of course, in this environment, some people really get down to the nitty-gritty, and really break-down every little blade of grass about our team. But we have that right, and it totally is our right! Again, this is the place to do it. Now when I am tailgating at a game, or at my favorite watering hole enjoying an adult-beverage, I don’t talk like this, I defend my Dawgs to the end. But here, this is where we can pose questions, provoke thought, challenge the establishment, and that is just it. Sometimes, we actually learn from our questions, rants, frustrations!

So, please, don’t confuse passion, and some frustration as being a Basher. Some personalities just don’t like everything sugar-coated.

Go Dawgs!!

Oh, on this topic. Chandler better nto start Saturday. Moreno is still learning and Thomas Brown deserves to be the man, and, I think CMR’s strategy to grind clock and not get to aggressive is the correct thing to do, I just think he started doing it to early.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

shane, shane , shane. That guy donated more of his daddy’s money last year that you make, we all know that, he told us so. So obviously when Damon Evans comes and cut his grass, he can tell him exactly who to hire next.

By ryan

September 26, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

amidst all this praise of knowshon, has anyone noticed all the runs for less than 2 yards. id be willing to bet we have more than any team in the country. i dont blame the running backs as much as the line but its got to change.

By buLLcrap

September 26, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

so many coaches; so few open positions.

By ctb

September 26, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Brown and moreno are the best back tandem in the SEC.The only backs that may be better are the two from clem tigers.M.R. knows what best for his team. figg is not ready and lump deserves his time also.

By uga93

September 26, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg, sorry for the belated response; I wasn’t online last night. Before addressing your question, though, I want to acknowledge upfront that I believe Mark Richt is doing an excellent job. I’m extremely pleased with the performance, with the direction of the program, and with our excellent record over the course of CMR’s tenure. Also, I admit openly that the coaching staff has a lot more insight about game decisions and overall strategy than I do; they watch hour upon hour of game film, while I watch none!

But that’s exactly why I have some questions at times – because I don’t know what the reasoning was behind the decisions. It seems like this is the forum to address those questions – albeit in a way that’s not too negative. This is my first time on the board, but judging from some responses (and Chip’s response to my question), I get the sense that there may be some who voice extreme negativity towards strategy at points. My question may have been taken as such – when I actually thought it was fairly benign, really… .

Anyway, on the issue of the lack of a killer instinct, I should have prefaced that remark by saying it is not a statement of fact, but more of a sense of things that I get at times when watching the games. At times, it SEEMS to me that we play not to lose, rather than playing to win. Granted, that sentence sounds absurd; clearly CMR wants to win – and he does, OFTEN. Without the insight of CMR and his staff, and the benefit of watching the game film they do, however, I have at times been left with a baffled feeling about our approach at critical moments in some big games.

I think about the Florida games in 2002, 2003, and 2005, when it was apparent (to me, at least) that we had the better team, and had begun to show it at the line of scrimmage as the game went on. For whatever reason, however, the play calling and approach seemed to shift – from running the ball against a defense that clearly couldn’t stop us – to more of a finesse game. Each time, it seemed to cause us to lose our momentum. That also seemed to be the case against South Carolina in 2005, and Tennessee in 2004.

I don’t want to fire the coach, or yell at him, or yell at anyone; I just wonder if anyone else ever gets the same sense of things, and if it’s ok to talk about it! OR, if I’m wrong, what is the deal at those moments – if anyone else has noticed them? Hey, it may be that teams just lose at points – and I know that CMR’s won more than his share of big games. OK, that was about as diplomatically as I could put it; hope this isn’t bashing… .

By GaCracker

September 26, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Honestly I’d have to take Morino over Brown. He has better moves, more size, and seems better coached (Brown still always carries the ball in one arm, not the outside arm as he should). Stats show Morino’s averge per carry as much better than Brown’s. He also seems to be a decent blocker and receiver. Thomas Brown has heart; Morino has Gale Sayers like moves!

With all the talent Georgia has, why stick with someone dropping passes. Milner’s drops cost us some victories last year. Several other dropped balls cost us against S.C. Potential and practice are great, but use the man that’s best suited in the heat of the battle!

By ryan

September 26, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

why are we not running the no huddle “fast break” offense? the one charlie ward ran? lots of recievers, great quarterback. seems an ideal time

By WhiteAndGold

September 26, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Thomas Brown and Knowshown Moreno wouldnt be able to hold Tashard’s jock strap if he were healthy. And for any Clemson fans reading…yes, Tashard and Dwyer are better than your backs and you’ll find out about that reaaalllll soon.

By shane

September 26, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

joey a,loving contact is not a good thing for a running back,avoiding it when possible will keep one around a lot longer.running over people has to be done at times,when you need a first down or for a td,but you ain’t going to make a living with it in the sec.i too saw the lick moreno laid on the bama db,then i saw him pose and step out of bounds one foot short of the first down.stupid freshman mistake.if i were coach that alone would keep him from starting saturday.if moreno learns that style doesn’t get you any points in football,after all,it isn’t ice dancing,he will be a great one.if he learns that he will get plenty of contact with sec lbs and safetys without looking for it he will be a great one a lot longer.moreno and brown had identical yardage on basicly the same amount of carries last saturday,i don’t see where wearing moreno out with 30 carries would have helped.btw,richt isn’t playing brown to save his feelings,he is playing him to win,which brown is helping him do.besides,who said bama is mediocre?i have watched them play two games so far,and they look pretty damn good to me.i see no reason they don’t finish second to lsu in the west.they have the usual fast sec players,a top of the line wr,steady qb,and a good coachung staff.to me that doesn’t add up to mediocre.

By Stephen

September 26, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

I was going to write a long, detailed explanation, but few will read it anyway. Short and simple: Gundy was right. Go Dawgs.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Who the freak has called anyone a “basher” Decatur Dawg. I agree with you IF that has been the case. But Most of us only ask for a reasonable explaination, and what we get in return is always always alwatys “sniff, uhh, i guess you think the coach is perfect and im not a good fan, sniff”, which NOBODY ever said. Total cop out. My whole point is when you “complain” and really cannot back it up with any solid logical sence, its just that, compaining. hindsight complaining. Its not “constructive critisizing” when all somebody does(not saying you ) is point out what went wrong. Or in this case didnt even go wrong, just personally KNOW what would happen if only…..

How about this, How many times have you ever heard anyone say. Coach is beyond questioning? Anyone serious anyway. Realyy who says that? Now, how often do you hear this “coaches are dumb if they dont see things my way, and I offer no relavant facts or criteria, or qualifications to say that”. I think you’ll find the precentages are very skewed. Thats why folks like me blow up about twice a season about this crap. Cant ever enjoy the damn win.

I mean, come on, Thoman Brown is starting because of hurt feelings…..wwwwwwwwhat?!!! Coach being beyond critique’ is about 20 down on the list of whats wrong with that logic.

Call defensive time out on the 1 foot line, or any number of substitution errors, let the line get depleted not recuiting enough, even a bad play call, great, all perfectly good complaints. Hell even debate how we shoulda been throwing the ball on our own 20 yard line with a 10 point lead. Fine. But for goodness sakes, to sit here and claim to KNOW more about talent, and what somebody would definetely do, and how the system works, than the team of highly experienced coaches who put the system in place……..based on watching TV coverage. Sorry, that not a provoking debate. Its just self flattery, and ignorance.

By Stephen

September 26, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

I just saw the comment about Choice and Dwyer being better than Davis and Spiller. That’s good comedy right there. Belongs on the Onion.

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

A lot of Gators were clamoring for Tebow to start ahead of Chris Leak last year. I don’t think anyone can argue with the result by leaving Leak as the main QB. The senior leadership is so important as well as letting the young guy fully develop. Brown has earned his right to start and Moreno should be confident that his coaches will stick with him when it’s his time.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

The other thing I notice is that it only seems to be your “right” to rant in here and express and opinion IF and only if, its negative. My opinion and right to debate that the coaching staff is not stupid seems to be at least as valid as those that think they are.

By WhiteAndGold

September 26, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Why is that commedy? If you combined LaDanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith, and Reggie Bush, you would get a Tashard Choice. Tashard and Dwyer are the best RB tandem in the ACC and the best RB tandem in the state of GA by far! The only backfield that holds a candle to that is Slaton, White, and Devine.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Altamahadawg

Back several posts, I completely agree with you that there is a clear and distinct difference between putting a team away and running up the score or style points. I hold CMR in high regard for not being one of the vicious coaches we all know and hate. Case in point was the end of the Auburn game last year. CMR displayed optimum class. The Spurrier Florida years is an opposite case as was Fulmer last year in Athens or any opportunity he gets.

We do fail to put teams away and have since Richt became coach. This is usually a result of being overprotective of a lead. There are many instances of games and years past but the most recent was the Bama game. After going up 7-0 the aggressive offensive playing seemed to come to a halt until Bama tied the game. It’s almost as if we lose that sense of urgency to score. Maybe I’m imagining it.

I like to see the dawgs to play every play like it’s 0-0 even when they are up a touchdown or more. Lay it all out on the field and put the opposition away. Later with the game with safely tucked away, subsitute. If it continues to embarass the opposing team, then call the dawgs off.

Maybe I’m of the old school. But I feel there is no point in trying to embarrass an opposing team, school or fans. But until that game is tucked away, one must be relentless in pursuit of the victory.

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

White and Gold-

I read the stats on the ACC this morning and Tech is not even on the radar in the passing game. There is no question that Choice is a premium back. If Tech can’t get the passing game going, however, and avoid being one dimensional, it will all be for naught.

Choice killed the DAWGS running last year, but lack of production by Reggie Ball to Calvin Johnson was Tech’s downfall. You could actually have won that game.

Focus on your entire team, not just how good one player is.

By WhiteAndGold

September 26, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Stephen i’m going to assume you must be a Clemson redneck…figures that you would be here mixing it up with your fellow rednecks from Athens the week before our game. Well let me explain a few facts to you. Your team, the tiggers are vastly overrated. You already know that our RBs are better than yours. I know you must think you are “high and mighty” by beating a horrible NC State team, but rest assured were going to bring you back down to Earth. Tenuta is going to crush you.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

uga93, as I said, I really wasn’t posting to YOU on a lot of that and yes, we do sometimes blow up in here because, man does this forum really bring em out. You ask all good questions. I personally wish coach would “proactively” head off some of the specualtion, but he’d need a full time clerk to squash ever simgle nitpicking fan issue. You are right, ok to wonder and speculate, On the outside looking in thats all we can do. I do get tired of the folks in here that KNOW.

As Vince Dooley once said when asked if he would have blitzed Dan Morino on 3rd and long in the Sugar Bowl again , he said “Hell no, I know how that turned out”

Hindsight is always 20/20.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

T’ville

I don’t subscribe to the earned the right because he’s a senior theory either. My understanding is Brown earned the right because of his understanding and leadership qualities. If he’s the starter because he’s a “senior”, he lost that job to Moreno already.

Now if he’s the starter because he’s the leader and has teaching still to do to young Moreno then Brown has earned that spot.

If you think Moreno is good now, wait until he has learned and grasped all that Brown and Lumpkin have. He is still learning as spectactular as he is.

If he is as talented as we all suspect he is, he will earn the starting position this year and nobody can stop him IMO

By Pitbull

September 26, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Tripp can block, and blocking and tackling is what it is all about. The catches will come.

By WhiteAndGold

September 26, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Tville-

Its no secret that Chan is a bit stubborn. To belabor the obvious, Reggie was a liability to our team. I mean if Taylor would have been the QB last year, Calvin would have won the Heisman. Choice has yet to really disappoint me. He’s the most solid back we’ve had here in years. Thats why I’m so stoked about him.

By shane

September 26, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

hey alt,i am retired,so he would have to donate more than i make to buy the team a new igloo cooler for their freakin’ gatorade,excuse me,bulldawg punch.sorry about the bad language,didn’t mean to use the g-word.i wonder if he knows his “yard man”is sleeping with his wife? new subject,i mentioned randolph-clay’s chris clay a couple of weeks ago,well he has tied herschel walkers rushing yardage total,6,137 yds.clay is only 5-9 and 170 lbs so he is under recruited.so far only south fl and clemson in div 1. he says he will wait untill after the season to make a decision.are you listening dawgs coaching staff?BTW,last year randolph clay moved from one a to two a and has only two other returning starters on offense this year.needless to say,every defense he goes up against is geared to stopping him.the kid is an elusive runner with 4.4 speed.here is your breakaway runner dogs,don’t let clemson snatch another player away from right under your noses.sign the kid,red shirt him for a year,put ten lbs of muscle on him,then you have your speed back for special situations.for the people that say two a is too small time for sec players,thomas davis went to the same school.google-albany herald sports.com,go to the article”running out of records”to read more about him.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

AR dawg we went up 10-0, and best I can tell we were doing everything we could to make that 14, or 21. (I think the point in question is what to do right before the half. As I said, give us the ball on the 40 not the 20, or maybe a TO, we might have played that differently.) I realy dont know if we changed our tactics at 7-0. I know Alabama did start to figure us out a bit as the half rocked on and the drive just before the (sitting on the lead) we totally self destructed and had to to settle for a FG. I didn’t see that as a problem with play calling, we just werent sharp. That tells me, take the (better than anyone expected) 10 point, try to get a first down with no chance of a collosal screw up, if not, hold them, get to the locker room and regroup. Oh and dont rip the QB helmet off. We finally had one good drive this year and all of a sudden, we are wondering why we arent showing that killer instrict.

What I really don’t understand the gripe with, is that we ran the ball there deep in our territory, which is what we were doing pretty well, at that point, and shoulda/coulda actually picked up the first down. I just down see how that’s questionable play calling in that situation. The proble I see with all these sport cliche’, playing not to loose, killer instict, is that its easy to say, but in a real situation, you have to take the percentages. I think its far far more “gutless” to just let ego, and bravado, get in the way. “oh well, at least the fans can see that we rolled the dice”. The man is paid to win the ball game.

Look Im not saying we havent failed to put one away, or failed to play with urgency, But I guess I just see it as more of a situation of the “capabilities” and not strategy. Its been a long time since we could just score at will. The other teams do have something to say about it as well. I also think we totally forget about the times we did, and have played agreesive and have taken chaces on 4th down, and other situations. I think its just relative to the situations. Nobody is ever always conservative, or always a gambler.

By Decatur Dawg

September 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Altamaha Dawg, you just proved my point. You go balistic when someone says something that doesn’t agree with you. But, also to my point, you have every right to post what you want, just relax. It is not YOUR blog, and I can post what I want, whether you feel it is negative, unfounded, and nothing to back it up, in your own mind. Go start your own blog, and then you can monitor what people say!

Go Dawgs!

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

ARdawg, please repost that about Brown and Moreno. That might the most coherant thought on the topic so far.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

One of the big things that Ball and CMR are trying to teach Moreno is the Tiki Barber/Warrick Dunn philosophy of running; to do your thing and make your body less of a target. Shane is exactly right, that run over somebody mentality is good for morale of the troops but will get moreno killed in the sec. My lord, Moreno is getting more than half the carries, who cares if he starts? If they can teach him how to play at high speed without getting smahed up, don’t you think they have a responsibility to do that?

Using Tiger Woods as an example of someone smoking his opponants when he has them down? When he has that 5 stroke lead, what club does he take off the tee, a driver or 3 wood? Does he go for the middle of the green or the pin? He plays it safe then kills them with a twenty-five foot putt for birdie. He’s making millions and millions doing it. Phil Mickelson on the other hand… has blown leads several times going for it. Fans love it, but he has lost several big tourneys for not protecting a lead.

Once again, it was Bear Bryant that carried around with him a piece of paper that said, “Don’t worry about winning the game, just try not to lose it.”

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Decatur Dawg, no offence intended, you certainly have caught me out of sorts today, but if thats your take, you have totally missed my point. Maybe my tone is to blame. Let me clerify. I have never , EVER, not one time, told anyone, on any subject, to not post thier opinions. I do feel like if I challange that on the merits, I deserve better than, “I can say what I want and damn you for asking me to explain myself. Don’t call me a basher.”

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Well the other thing is…are we comparing the UGA offense to Tiger Woods now? Tiger does what he does because Tiger CAN do what he does.

By Buck in the NW

September 26, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

uga93, Bobo said that just before he called the last play he had a “feeling that they may get man coverage. % aren’t always the best way to go. I have had a FEELING that sometimes we are playing “not to lose” just because of the way the plays are called after we get a lead. CMR has said that he’s gotten more conservative the longer he’s been the Coach and grown older. You aren’t the only one to have a feeling and there’s not a darn thing wrong with it. Numbers can be used to avoid the one thing that “OC” try to avoid and that is falling into a “tendency” in play calling. Putting together an offensive game plan, after the % have been checked, that coaches go on gut feeling as to what he’s going o do. CMR likes balance as does Bobo so Bobo knows what he likes to do and he’ll put together a game plan that’s strives for balance using a lot of intangibles. Stay with us, you’re doing just fine in your posts.

By Mayretta_Dawg

September 26, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

White and Gold,

Thank you for your unbiased opinion about Tashard Choice. Next you’ll be telling us Virginia should be ranked in the top 25 because they beat your sorry Jackets team. I wonder if we will see less and less posts from you after Clemson stomps a mud hole in your team’s face this weekend???

Go Dawgs, Jackets suck!

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

AR Dawg-

Didn’t mean to infer that Brown was superior to Moreno. I guess I’m a big Brown fan because of his work ethic and strength. I’m in agreement-Moreno will rise to the class of Hearst and other great backs we have had.

One weakness the team has had is leadership stepping up and being an example to the young guys. I think this is important enough to show confidence in a guy like Brown. Also, he’s running the ball pretty good too.

A stable of talented running backs is not a bad problem to have. Trying to play six or eight backs might be a little much, but rotating a few backs with fresh legs in the game doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

GO DAWGS!!!

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

altamahadawg

The “one” good drive this year was reminiscent of years past. Also in years past we would see that one good drive backed up with another. I’m probably spoiled I know. I would like to think it was more consistent than it actually was but I know we saw it more often then than we do now. Scoring at will hasn’t been an option for us since losing to W.VA in the Sugar Bowl. The David Greene and Zier days it appeared the urgency to score was always there. I’m just not seeing it now.

You make a good point of the capabilities vs. strategies and it may very well be we are not capable but I don’t want to believe that. The riverboat gambling coach is fun in certain situations but proven over the long haul as ineffective. I do respect our coaches and their ability although very often I sometimes wonder if they see the same things I do. I also realize nobody is paying me to coach either. It’s always easier to make the call as right or wrong after the play has been run.

Back on topic: It seems sometimes they are so predictable I can call the plays. Other times one really has to wonder who’s bonehead idea that was. Of course a play is usually only questioned when it doesn’t work. (just venting I guess)

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

No Altahama, just that someone used him as an example of some kind of “always go for it” type of player, not playing to protect a lead. Nothing could be further fromthe truth. Tiger plays the start of the tourney to get a lead then he spends the last day protecting it.

It is comparable to the extent that a talent rich team should be able to go out and play knowing that they have a good chance to win if they don’t turn over the ball, or give the game away. Like a pitcher who loses by walking too many batters, if he goes out and pitches his game and the other team just hits him thats one thing, but if he gives it away by walking, getting behind in the count, etc. thats another.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

One of the big things, especially at the end of the first half Saturday was that Saban was doing an excellant job of confusing Stafford by changing defensive sets after Stafford had already checked off one play, audibling to another. I think they wanted to just protect what they had and get into halftime to decide how to handle it. Sometimes people don’t understand that we are facing some pretty intelligent coaches out there every week, sometimes we can’t just go out and run whatever we want to with success.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Altamahadawg

Thats just my take on it. I’m always much quicker to blame coaching for anything but at the same time I trust them to do what they’re paid to do.

They must earnestly believe Brown to be the better all round back at this point over Moreno and I can believe that. Moreno is going to win that job eventually when he is good enough. Unfortunately at this time for him just running the ball with razzle dazzle isn’t good enough to win the starting nod.

Moreno still has to learn the offense. He has a lot more carries before he has learned where to be and what blocks to make when he’s not carrying the ball. He has to learn to use his blocking behind his line to enable him some quick bursts. Brown and Lumpkin both know these things. How quick of a pupil is he will determine when he starts.

From his displays so far this year, it appears to me he could quite possibly win it this year. If he does you can bet he’s having spectactular. It’s his job to win and if he wants it, nobody will keep him from it

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown-

Concerning changing defensive sets-I saw a documentary on the 49r’s-Packers NFC championship game, in which Favre told of the sophistication of figuring out the plays of the other team. It even got to the point of calling the play in the huddle and calling a dummy audible at the line and sticking with the huddle play. My knowledge of play calling is limited, but it does support your assertion that there are a lot of intelligent people coaching football.

Blogging and pointing out specifics in what should or should not be done is a lot of fun. But I don’t pretend for a minute that I could take the place of one of the coaches. My hat’s off to them.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

T’ville

I concurr. Brown is a proven leader and not proven solely on his running abilities. At this point all we have of Moreno is his running back abilities. This time last year this kid was in High school.

Let’s face it though, Moreno is probably the most natural gifted athelete on the team. This dude has all the tools and ability to be a great one. In the reality of things there have been many with his gifts that just didn’t turn out to be great. I don’t think he’s the flash in the pan by any means but he does still have much to learn. The game would be to easy if all there was to do is put the ball in his hands. But thats not reality either.

By Buck in the NW

September 26, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown, you just made a great point. That’s exactly what Saban was trying to do and it’s the QB job to recognize what they’re switching to so he can call the right audible and get the ball into the hands of our play makers, Brown, Moreno, Bailey etc. I maybe the only one but sometimes I forget about how quickly the decisions have to be made on the field in the mental chess match that takes place on every play.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Tville_

I think I heard about that. They were playing one of Bill Walshes’ many disciples of the West Coast offense and used an audible that was pretty standard for that offense as a fake and it worked on the veteran d-backs.

These days it’s like a chess match, when I played it was checkers. You took what they gave you, and gave enough to set up your next move, but rarely thought about more than a move or two in advance.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown

I don’t know if this is a good or a bad day. I seem to be agreeing with all the bloggers today. You are absolutely correct. Most coaches especially in the SEC are very intelligent and the best at what they do. Slicker than a babys @ss

They get paid the bucks so I don’t mind second guessing or trashing them when I feel the need. As I noted earlier, nobody is paying me to coach so my thoughts are just that. My thoughts…..L

By Andy in Ohio

September 26, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg- I’m not blaming it strictly on being seniors, but I think that has a great deal of weight in why Richt sticks with them. They’ve been in the program at least 4 years and know the system, know the plays, they shouldn’t make dumb mistakes. All this being said, I think that Brown looks better than he did last year. In the past he seemed to run into his blockers a lot and get bogged down instead of finding the holes. It seems like he may even be picking up some of Moreno’s habits this year, which is not a bad thing. Moreno definitely has learning and growing up to do, I’m just saying that he is a playmaker and might should get the starting position. Brown is definitely a more than capable back and he doesn’t make stupid mistakes, but Moreno just has that extra spark or something that just separates him from the pack. Tripp Chandler on the other hand should not be benched, but should not be starting, in my opinion. Yes he knows the system, but the guy had 3 dropped balls Saturday. While all those were thrown poorly, most if not all were still catchable. I’m not saying he’s horrible, maybe he just needs a wakeup call to get his head back in the game, like Massaquoi needed at one point.

I’m not trying to come down on CMR at all, I know that he works with these kids day in and day out. He knows what they’re capable of, knows who should and shouldn’t be starting.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown

I don’t know if this is a good or a bad day. I seem to be agreeing with all the bloggers today. You are absolutely correct. Most coaches especially in the SEC are very intelligent and the best at what they do. Slicker than a babys @ss

They get paid the bucks so I don’t mind second guessing or trashing them when I feel the need. As I noted earlier, nobody is paying me to coach so my thoughts are just that. My thoughts…..L

By brandon

September 26, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Both Brown and Moreno have played well this season, but Brown is far better at pass protection. The only problems that I had with the column in the Oklahoma paper were: 1) She said the coaches didn’t like Reid’s toughness (or lack of) without saying which coach said that. While publicly, the OSU coaches have all backed Reid. 2) The columnist seemed to dwell on her conjecture that this amature athlete (albeit an adult) is a coward and a mama’s boy. A bit of a low blow to a young man who has done a respectable job as a quarterback and as a student for a university trying to find a national identity. I like the fact that Mike Gundy stood up for his player but I think he used the wrong forum and looked “bush league” making such a spectacle of himself. But, I think he would rather have the heat on him than on his “kids”. Which, if I remember correctly, was the point of his whole tirade. I hope Bobby Reid gets healthy and gets back on the field for the cowboys (as the starter) and that the columnist makes an attempt to appologize to Reid or sheds some light on which coach’s opinions she’s referencing.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Buck

Another thing going on behind the scenes that makes us go crazy unless we think about it is that Searles is scrambling to get this O-line on track with simpilfied plays so he can take them further into the more complicated stuff; and which tail back is best to be running while the O-line is learning, btw?

I, personally, would like to see a lot more concentration on getting Stafford some big numbers passing, but if we don’t put in a lot of work for our O-line right now, we’ll have to pay for it later. If we have any chance of going deeper than our regular schedule, our line will have to grow/develop a lot. They can only do that if they are getting work on basic plays then getting more into the playbook as they master the basics.

By WhiteAndGold

September 26, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Stomp a mud hole in our face??!! Riiight, Clemson couldn’t beat their way out of a wet paper bag. We’re going to march through them like Sherman in Atlanta. You can count on me being here to rub my fart blossom in your faces after Ole Miss goes to that a$$! Yeeeaaaah!

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

ARdawg

I love monday morning QBing. I’m wrong a lot of the time, usually when I let my emotions get the best of me, then Alt or Buck or somebody will speak that voice of reason and I look at it different. Sometimes we just agree to disagree, I just don’t like when someone’s right to voice an opinion is trampled on. But some people shouldn’t have a right to voice their stupid opinion…lol

Either way, I come out of learning something, or at least looking at it from a different point of view.

By shane

September 26, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

now we have some”meat”to work with.great posts guys.buck,i don’t doubt that richt has grown more conservative,that happens when one gets older.i know i am.going out on a limb and having some sob saw it off,or rolling the dice and crapping out will do that to you.this is from personal experence.i have retired twice and am ok now,but i almost went bankrupt in my first venture into the private sector.richt could be a gunslinger at fsu,papa bowden was going to get the heat if he screwed up.now he is hc,and on the national stage,so if he takes a chance and loses all the blame will be laid at his door.i am old enough to remember charlie pell at uf.he had the lead in jax,had momentum,and the ball.it was in the 4th qt,just a few minutes left and uf had been running on uga all day.he had a 4th and one near midfield.he could have played the %,punted to pin ga deep,and made the conservative dooley pass his team down the field in a two minute offense.he elected to go for it instead,he wanted to”put ga away”.well the dawgs stopped them,marched down the short field,scored the td for the lead,and uf didn’t have time to strike back.old”give’m hell”pell was fired after that.had uf gotten one yard,the very people that fired him would have been yelling”great play”.he probably would have been fired anyway,recruiting violations surfaced and uf was put on probation,but one misstep can cost a coach his job.

By Joey A

September 26, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Shane, I am completely aware the secret to a back’s longevity is his ability to avoid contact. I guess my point was to reference another post that Moreno or Brown are fragile. It does provide a spark when the team sees a back bring the thunder. Warrick Dunne said the only way he has been able to play so long is because he never took direct contact. He took glancing blows. I spoke with an ex-NFL back and he said on Mondays he felt like he had been thrown infront of a semi. He said it took until Thursday of the following week to feel normal again. I understand your point. I just don’t see UGA playing intense football for all 60 minutes. Their opening drive against Bama looked nice. They took the ball and went the distance. I just get tired of the “sleepwalking” sometimes. I’m sorry but it is the coaches responsibility to keep them going. I was so happy to see Martinez hyped up on the sideline the other night. I myself, like someone else mentioned, thought VanGorder was back. I wish Richt would show some fire! I am not saying act like a circus freik but come on, get in their faces a little more. We are gifted at UGA with talented players. I am surrounded by gaytor fans who love to say “a great recruiting class but still can’t win the big ones.” I am so sick of them!! But, what can I say back to them? Should I throw out the overall series record is still in our favor? I’m tired of using it! I am ready to start making people highly fear and respect us!

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Hunk Erdown

Agreed! It’s the second guessing and Monday morning Q-Bing that makes me the ardent fan I am. I’m passionate about college football and the Dawgs in particular and I can literally talk it to death. I guess I was born to blog. It does help keep me in check on the only opinion that matters, that being MINE!…..L

Living in Arkansas it’s difficult to find someone who’ll discuss the game, the Dawgs and the breakdown of of game. Out here if it ain’t Razorbacks it ain’t much discussion. Glad I found you guys. And even some of the lame-brain “hit and run” bloggers.

By Decatur Dawg

September 26, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Altamaha Dawg, First off, I never called you a Basher. I never made any reference to any one blogger. Aren’t we a little defensive? Second, I am not just referring to todays blog. For the longest time, I see people getting criticized for having a beef with the way our team does something or another. If we can’t question our team here, where can we do it? All I am saying, is that one must not call another a “basher” just because they question what CMR, Bobo, or any other topic that can be talked about. I just want to be real. Maybe we can come up with a “powder puff” blog where everyone like yourself can talk about how UGA is the perfect football team, and then a realistic blog where people can express what they want, when they want.

By dawg-bone

September 26, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

chandler needs to be benched bottom line. Uga has many talented T-ends and should definitly get a chance at a few passes. I realize he is a good blocker but why not try to mix it up a little more

By mark

September 26, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

ALtamaha- I’ve actually never heard anyone say either of those. See, you defend your own point by going to the extreme, saying no one ever actually said that “coach is above questioning” while also trying to say that someone actually said “if coach doesn’t think like me he’s dumb and wrong.” I’ve never seen either of those actual comments. What i have seen in here is people insinuate both by the opinions they post in here. This includes you. If anyone ever questions why a coach did something or disagrees with a call or the decision to play a certain player many in here (including you) simply reply with something along the lines of “CMR knows more than you and his record speaks for himself.” That, to me, tells me that you believe CMR is above criticism. I’m sure I could find a quote in this blog that insinuates this if not says this exact thing.

By Cuz back on the Savannah

September 26, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Alt you basher, how come you never responded to my Martha Quinn thread?

Buck I agree, not sure what I am agreeing with, but whatever it is, I agree.

Thomas Brown fragile, In the words of Dolf Lundgren, “He is like iron.” I believe he starts and that pushes Moreno which pushes Thomas. They are the yin and the yang baby and are doing just fine thank-you.

All I saw was Tripp dropping the ball, was he making his blocks as he should? Is that why he is still starting? Enquiring minds want to know.

Get fired up guys the Rebs are coming to town. Hope they bring the band, only way to hear Dixie in the stadium. GO DAWGS!!!!!

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

fellow, please read my post, you are misquoting me more than getting my point. I said, dont tell ME, that I called anyone that. Obviously you arent calling me one, that doesnt even make sence. Why would you call me a basher?

You now return the favor and make my very point, and I have no idea how this got so complicated. We are all adults nd should say whatever you wants, its the place. BUT if you have the Balls to say something derogatory in here, then can’t back it up if somebody call you on it, It’s not acceptable to just feign indignation at being challenged, as a cover for really not having a point, and then twist it to look like your loyalty is being challanged. Its not. Your comments are fair game though, same as making them was. Back it up, or take the hit. Thats all Im saying. Yes its a place to vent, but dont get offended if somebody calls you on obviously incorrect or silly comments. I have just as much right to challange,(in fact isnt that the point), and that’s a pretty far cry from controlling the blog.

For the record, I am not saying you do that , or did. I dont think you do. So don’t blattently misquote (smokescreen) me about anything powderpuff either. I suppose I could just as easily mischaracterize some folks in here as seeing NOTHING right. I’d prabably have infinetely more examples of that than anyone ever saying its all “perfect”. I only disgree when I can back it up, doesnt mean I am right, but I do try to make a valid point.

By Noyellowinthisblood

September 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Whiteandgoldylocks=thebiggestdoucheintheworld

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Cuz

Chandler is starting because he is good and is doing what is required of him. He dropped some passes but that doesn’t call for cruixifiction just yet. Kid had a bad game but came through with the game on the line. He has the ingredient of another Larry Brown. Cut him some slack and give him some time. He knows more than you and I how important those drops were by now.

By saywhat?

September 26, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Uh, am I wrong or is a mother feeding her college-aged, D-I starting quarterback son chicken by hand not bizarrely beyond the pale of age-appropriate normative behaviors?

Helicopter parents and their disgracefully infantile off-spring ought to go away—and enablers like Gundy, too. Idiot—he made himself look like a moron for a really great cause. Well done.

By Noyellowinthisblood

September 26, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

If whiteandgoldylocks were on my computer I would give him a swirly in that Kohler ad!!

By Noyellowinthisblood

September 26, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

If whiteandgoldylocks were on my computer I would give him a swirly in that Kohler ad!!

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

It would appear to me that Gundy was grandstanding. It’s likely a logical move that Reid will bolt for another school if he’s on the bench for any length of time and Grundy doesn’t want to have that happen. Carlson column certainly doesn’t help Gundy’s motives

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

mark, I can quote “a coach is dumb” 2 times right now, but I dont want to call anyone out. I must be talking jiberish today, cant seem to land a point. But that wasnt it. My point is: If you lined up the comments in here that “infer” the coaches are dumb against the post that “infer” that the coaches are perfect, its not even a contest. I also find that the tone and responce of the highly critical, towards anyone who challanges them, is far more harsh than anyone trying to respond. If a valid point, make it defend it, don’t run and hide behind “oh I guess the coach is perfect huh” because you make some comment that you can’t now defend. I have yet to find many outright complainers in here actually looking for a logical debate.

mark with all due respect, you are flat lying to say I EVER responded with simply coach know more than you. I defend every statement. Or try to. Show me anything different. You must not have read many post of mine. Stop telling me what I beleive. I am the expert on my opinion.

By I-DOG

September 26, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

On the three questions:

Brown v. Mareno - I’m OK with Richt starting Brown, but I think Mareno is the better player and deserves to start at this point. I think Brown should get 10-12 carries and Moreno at least 25.

On Chandler - I disagree with Richt that it was a clutch or “great” catch he made late in the 4th quarter at Alabama. Important? Yes! but it was a routine play, he was wide open.

I’m not suggesting Chandler be benched, but send him a signal that he lost the starting job with that performance.

On criticizing college players:

I like the fact that Richt does not criticize players (in public). I think that is terrific. I think it is OK for fans to weigh in on their opinions, but we can cross the line.

“Moreno is better than Brown” in a fan’s opinion is OK. Brown is horrible or some other explicative laced tirade is not ok.

Chandler had a bad game and dropped passes is OK, Chandler is horrible and should be kicked off the team is not.

I probably crossed the line last year with my criticism of Inman. I hope I didn’t call him “stupid” or some other name, but he really got to me last year.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

cuz I did, I’ll check it out again.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Can you imagine sitting in the film room with everyone there and watching yourself make a “clunker”.

By ES

September 26, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Altamaha the OK State comment last night had nothing to do with what you and the other guy was discussing just a extra point being made about Richt not pouring it on like Fl did going for a forth down and inches on your own 30 yard line with the game already decided.

By shane

September 26, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

joey a,i understand how you feel about uf.i feel the same way,frustrated!the coaches have done their job against the gators for the most part.we have been close enough to win every year,if the players will just EXECUTE!don’t drop td passes when you are wide open in the endzone.don’t get stupid penalties,don’t miss your blocks,don’t arm tackle,throw the ball to the guy in the red shirt!i am going to go out on a limb and say all these freshmen give us a better chance of winning!dumd statement i know,but maybe they don’t know enough to be intimidated.now i know how the gators felt all those years when dooley owned them.i am a drowning man grasping at straws,but if our o line continues to improve,and our d steps it up one more notch,and moreno and brown stay healthy,and either chandler gets his good hands back or ward gets healthy,and we get lunp back,and bailey and momass continue to play hard,and we finally find the right combination of line backers and nobody does anything stupid,and henderson and brown can give us good field position with their returns,we may have a chance.WHEW!

By I-DOG

September 26, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Chip,

Who is responsible for coaching the tight ends? Is it both the line coach (blocking) and WR’s coach (catching passes)?

Chip, don’t worry about a typo hear and there. We know what you meant

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

I-Dog

I agree with most of what you state except the 10-12 carries for Brown and the rest for Moreno. Brown and Moreno are feeding off of each other rigth now. Brown knowing Moreno is coming in next series forces him to turn it up a notch and vice-versa. As a result the offense has fresh legs to rely on. I personally think its a good working tandem at this point. Moreno is learning while getting some touches and Brown is getting tested every touch after Moreno with a “follow that”. Why try to fix what is already working?

These blogs are nothing but opinion and fiction. I haven’t yet seen the experts i.e. coaches or players on here. Has anyone else?

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Altahama-

I una-bash-adly agree with you. All you ever do is challenge people to back up what they say with fact or stats.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

Es, I think I understood that. Might not be the best time to clerify points with me right now, my head is swimming.

Cuz, do I have to actually get all the letters in correct order, for that email to go through?

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

especially if they are too stupid to understand how right I always am.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

I missed the memo. I did not know it was bash Alatamaha day.

For the record. I have never found Alatamaha to be two faced. I have never seen him say one thing then say the other. I have seen him frequently misquoted in others blogs and that is usually where the confusion comes from. Alt does a good job of breaking down the different parts of the game. He is opinionated, but so are we all. I just prefer to clown around and make a few appropriate statements.

Now let’s talk football. I say throw a bomb on the opening play then run it down their teeth for two quarters. Power I baby.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Ardawg, I think the closest thing would be the guy who’s kid’s room mate’s friend’s dad knows an assistant, who says so.

By braveswin

September 26, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

White and Gold seems to be off his medication again.Are there no pharmacies in the state of Denial? Clemson 45 White and Golds girls 13. 0 for 3 in the pathetic ACC. AT least try to win a game befor becoming obnoxious.But I guess being a Tech fan if you wait on a victory you might die before you’re able to be a jerk…..

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

AR, not bashing Chandler, just asking the question was he blocking like he was supposed to do. Really answering my own question because if he was doing that, then the three plays where he made mistakes were offset by the rest of the plays where he did the correct thing.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

yes Alt, you do.

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

I will take a calm low key coach who is in control when chaos surrounds him. CMR has already declared himself as CEO-which basically is needed in big time college football. The coach has to have all the elements to keep the program in good working order, organizational skill, the ability to recruit outstanding athletes and coaches, the stomach to deal with supporters who are far more capable of doing his job than he is, the willingness to carve out family time and to be a counselor to lots of people. The success of the coach is not the ability to call offensive plays, its the ability to move all the chess pieces at the correct time to produce a winning program. And as CMR has said many times, winning a football game is not the most important thing in life.

I like our coach and what he tries to do with the young men under his watch. I believe he genuinely cares for them and will make them far better when they depart than when they arrive.

What better laboratory than an excellent football team seeking a conference and national championship.

By ES

September 26, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Altamaha If youll check gametracker on Espn play by play.First drive we threw the ball 6 times and down the field too,rushed 4 times for only 6 yards,scored a TD.Then the next possession with a 7 to nothing lead ran 4 strait times and threw a interception on 3rd and 9.Thats the type play calling people are talking about.What made you run it 4 times in a row?The 1.5 yard a carry on the first possession.What happened on the 10th possession when we got the 20 to 10 lead?3 strait runs again and then a 3rd and 11 incompletion.I’m telling you if we kept the offense wide open like the score was 0 to 0 we would put away some teams and we would make some mistakes lose momentum and lose some games we would have won with his boring close to the vest type philosophy.Ill just go with whats been working its alot better than the Goff and Donnan days.

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

altamahadawg…That makes ALL experts then….L

Cuz I apologize. I actually meant to direct that at dawg-bone and respond to yours as well. But to answer your last question, yes I believe Chandler is making his assignments. I saw several significant blocks he made last week. If he’d never had a ball thrown to him one could say he had a superb game. He dropped some that could have made a huge impact on the outcome of the game. If we had lost the game even I might fell differently but we didn’t and I don’t.

I reaffirm give him a break and expect him to redeem himself as the savior in another game.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

cuz, using the old Guale spelling huh.

By Tville Dawg

September 26, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Another quick post and I’ll shut up for the day. ES was commenting about some coaches wanting to pour on the score.

I’m sure one the greatest thrills a QB can experience is taking a knee when the game is decided. Running up the score for the purpose of style is one of the glaring weaknesses in the poll system. I don’t fault coaches who feel they must do that, but sportsmanship has been lost along the way.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 26, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

ARdawg and Cuz, I agree with you guys saying that they feed off of each other. “Do better than I did” kinda of thing in a good friendly competition. The set up is working right now, Moreno does need to learn pass protection, etc. Fragile? not either one of these guys.

I guess we all need to step back and look at these kids and say to ourself that they want to make that play worst than we want them to make that play. You better believe it too. Can’t believe our team is this young either. A lot of freshmen and redshirts seeing action this year. Can you imagine, possibly by the end of this season even, how well this team will have jelled? Hopefully not too many more lumps this year.

Cuz, hope your daughter is doing as well as can be expected or better. Glad you made it home safely.

By SunDawg

September 26, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Good news; Nurse Cratchett is back.

By Major Knight

September 26, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one that is fuming mad that Sat’s game is not on TV (not even Pay per View). Does anyone have a way to see it anywhere?

By I-DOG

September 26, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

see, saw my own typo. Hear and there instead of here and there.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

You got me man. Game changes? Fatigue? Alabama Adjustments? Saw something in the booth? That terrible thrown interception might have interupted what they were trying to set up? Alabama adjustment, did I already list that? Couldn’t say, wouldnt even try, that’ll drive you nuts. Too busy enjoying the football game.

For what its worth, there are just as many folks in here going crazy every week that we DON’T run it more, so , you know….

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Major……sucks don’t it?…..somebody stated yesterday that it would be on CSS on Sunday….don’t know when though

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

dawginkalamazoo

I fully expect to lose a couple more games this year with the inexperience we play. I won’t get down on the team for it however. It’s kind of like you can’t be a good blues player until you have your heart broke a few times. I hate the word rebuilding but that is what is taking shape this year. Hopefully we won’t lose anymore but regardless, the wins and the losses this year is solid foundation for this young team next year. Imagine the team with an excellent JR QB and tested veteran sophmores. The future is bright indeed.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Css on replay the next day.

Its not on Tv so we can all go fishing.

By shane

September 26, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

alt,i am not like you.i am not afraid to admit it when i am RIGHT.cuz,glad to have you back buddy.i hope those yankees didn’t rub off on you and make you a rude and obnoxious know it all like white and gold.BTW,the albany herald also has a good article on asher allen,as well as our local phenom of a running back.

By ES

September 26, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I agree how can this game not be some where?

By ES

September 26, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Altamaha Bet I know where you fish if hadnt dryed up.My folks are from Jesup area.Unless your closer to the coast.

By RedAndBlack

September 26, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

WhiteAndGold, I think you have wet dreams about Tashard Choice and Jonathan Dwyer. I’m certain you have wallpaper of those two on your computer desktop. You’re just outright pitiful with your immature tirade. There’s always a fool in every comedy. Several weeks of you coming into a Georgia forum is starting to make me laugh…you’re a joke.

By Hill Dawg

September 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

So college football is a multi-million dollar industry… So is the diaper business, but I don’t think that means its OK to write about somebody’s ugly baby. If you don’t write anything that you wouldn’t say to a person face I think you could get by just fine.On the net you have so many really ignorant people who really don’t know football much beyond their Pony League days and they know even less about people.They really have no standards. Newspaper writers should be a little above those clowns. Does anyone in your business publicly chastise an intern or volunteer worker without being known a a double barreled horse’s Spurrier? As a rule of thumb, if someone is not getting paid enough to be out of the poverty level, don’t dress them down in public. Do it to their face when nobody is around. Then they can kick your whatever right there if they want to do so.

By A-ville Ranger

September 26, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Does anybody have insight into what’s going on with Kenneth Harris ? The guy has measurables in the Calvin Johnson zone and he was very productive in high school.Even though Bailey and MoMass had good runs after catches against Bama we really haven’t had a big, strong, fast, receiver who could(and did) break tackles and turn a slant or post into a game breaking td run.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Altamaha, if you can’t spell emrbg, I cannot spell alatamaha. What do you mean. I thought UGA stood for the University of Gaul. How could I be so deceiv-ed.

By Buck in the NW

September 26, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

shane, I knew the man very well but that was a long time ago. I’ve become more conservative yet when I started my little tour business here in Seattle I had to do some changing because the other people were. IMO, there’s a fine line between “style points” and running up the score. College teams from sea to the other side are scoring more today than ever before. In the Cowboy game, 35-14, we know we’re going to win but now a new monster has raised it’s head. Those style points do count. If we had tried to score one more time and made the final 42-14, Imo we wouldn’t have been running up the score but we would have picked up a few “style points” for the voters. Like it or not if a team doesn’t make a BCS game then those points can sway a bowl to pick one team over another which can picking up 3-4,ooo,ooo dollars for the conference and the school. I think , not sure, but ESPN or somebody like that just this week had an article about how the “spread option or the spread offense” is being coached in HS. more and more. Excitement! Chance to play! plus other factors have just changed the way the game is played. CMR can and will tell recruits that they will have a chance to play as freshmen if they do certain thing and boy we do have a track record now. This may shock some people but when we talk about conservative play calling at Ga., Bobo’s name should the one to talk about because Sat. night, according to CMR, he asked about the play and the H.C. told him if YOU feel comfortable. CMR IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF WALKING AWAY FROM WHAT HAD BEEN HIS BABY AND GIVING BOBO THE JOB. I mention that be I haven’t made the point and I’ve been remiss in not doing so. I enjoy today’s game a lot more than I did 20 yrs. ago. Mich 14-P.S.-9. Boooooooooooring! IMO

By Chase

September 26, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

CHIP one question…what happens to knowshon at the end of the 4th quarter? it happened in both the south carolina and bama games. just need someone to explain

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Chase, Knowshon gets a foot massage at the end of every 4th Quarter. That was the only way we could get him to accept a scholarship to UGA over Rutgers.

By Big Dawg

September 26, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I see you answered a few other bloggers questions. I asked you the following and wonder why you didn’t at least acknowledge my questions?

The first question I would like for you to ask him is what is happening with Josh Davis, Tanner Strickland and Kevin Perez? I seem to remember Josh Davis was a starter before he hurt his knee and Richt stated a player wouldn’t lose his starting position because he got hurt this also applies to Vince Vance. I would also like to know about Chris Little and whether his hand has healed? It was reported by Carter that we only had six healthy OL going into Saturday’s game with Ole Miss, so what is up?

Oh and BTW Chandler has dropped at least two passes in critical situations in all three games he played in. Couldn’t have dropped any passes in the OK State game because he was suspended and didn’t play.

By shane

September 26, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

buck,you missed my point,i was refering to moreno popping the d back at bama,great lick BTW,but then he struck a pose and stepped out of bounds,ONE FOOT short of a first down.make sure you get the first down,then show off.what if bama had held us and forced a kick?there are no style points in a football game,like in diving,for example.there is no degree of difficulty either,a big fat nose guard falling on a fumble in the end zone counts 6 points,the same as a 90 pass play.a twenty yard field goal counts three points,you get nothing more if you kick it fifty yards.i wasn’t refering to total points in a game,i was saying that a td is a td,you won’t get but 6 points,no matter how cool you look scoring it.young moreno has a lot of dash,and fires up the team,but he needs to keep his mind on his business,get the first down,get the td,then”style for the camera”.you are right that the game is changing,did you see the formation that bobo is using with the three wide outs on the same side?as our young linemen learn the system more and more open formations will be added,i think now they want to keep at least a te in the game to help protect stafford.richt IS getting more conservative,i think that is one reason he turned the play calling over to bobo.

By Big Dawg

September 26, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Brown knowing Moreno is coming in next series forces him to turn it up a notch and vice-versa. As a result the offense has fresh legs to rely on. I personally think its a good working tandem at this point. Moreno is learning while getting some touches and Brown is getting tested every touch after Moreno with a “follow that”. Why try to fix what is already working?

These blogs are nothing but opinion and fiction. I haven’t yet seen the experts i.e. coaches or players on here. Has anyone else?

The only problem is they haven’t been alternating on each series otherwise Moreno would have been in the game on the 3rd to last and last drives of the Alabama game. I do agree that overall Brown has played better but he still won’t deviate from the play that is called even when the hole is plugged which has hurt us a few times.

By Big Dawg

September 26, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

BTW a few of you keep pointing out that 19 plus yard run by Moreno when he hit the Alabama player then struck a pose and stepped out of bounds w/o getting the first down as a bad play. While he should have gotten the first down, he still made a good play as I doubt Brown or any of the other RB’s except maybe King would have gotten that close to begin with. Well he also made a 9 1/2 yard run where he stretched out and got the first down when it looked like he would be stopped short.

By bbcsickdawg

September 26, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

after okla. st., i don,t want to get rickt incolved, catch the ball in your hands i could do this when i was 6 yrs. old

By Big Dawg

September 26, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

Buck,

How are you feeling today? I hope you got that coughing under control because I know those cracked ribs hurt when you cough. I keep praying for you. Go Dawgs

By ARdawg

September 26, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

Big Dawg

I couldn’t say for sure but I would venture to say that they won’t alternate on every series for a number of reasons. I’d think it depended largely on who’s freshest, what particular play calling is working or in order and much more importantly field position. One could likely stay in for two or more series depending on whether he was needed for blocking and/or running, or just to keep a defense off guard from what they had seen to that point in the game. It doesn’t make sense to alter strategy or game plan because it’s Moreno’s time or Brown’s time

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

Alatamaha is actually the original Indian name for you city boys, and yes its about dried up this year. I’m more of a salt water guy for fishing,(coast) that freshwater is too damn hard to figure out. Heck of an overnight kayak/camping journey though, from Jesup down to the delta.

By Paul

September 26, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

CMR seems to be to loyal to Seniors….ie, JTIII. KM is clearly the better back, give him the ball more than TB and KL…..those guys are awesome backs, but KM brings a different level! As far as Tripp is concerned….Figgins is a better TE, why not start him. He can block, catch, and draw attention.

By Buck in the NW

September 26, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

ES, thank you very much for taking the time to track down the plays that were called. Stafford throws completions, the line blocks, receivers catch, we score and then we start running 3 in a row. Stafford on 3rd & 9 throws a pic when the Ala. defense had a pretty good idea a pass was coming and now people jump his bones. He’s the leader and QB and made a mistake. Question- did he get shook up? Nope, just finished with”ONE AND DONE”! Yes, he is continuing to work on being more consistent and the only way he’ll improve faster is if Bobo goes down field more often. As CMR said in his press conference, Stafford played his best game yet. He needs to throw for more TDs but so far what are his numbers, 6 tds, 3 pics and high completion rate but was the 1st person to say he was sorry that he couldn’t take the team down field to win SC. I hope they continue to have the OL take on more of the play book. Lets face it CMR needs leadership to come from some of the underclassmen because we don’t have that many SRs. Has every body gone to ESPN and voted on the play of the week?

By shane

September 26, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

big dawg,the play was great,just as richt says,finish the drill.moreno may have lost track of where he was on the field,freshman mistake,it will be corrected i am sure.moreno is young,i just used that as an example of why he isn’t starting,the kid is good,and he is enthusiastic,the coaches are trying to channel that enthusiasm in the right direction.with a little more self control he can go from being a very good rb to a great one.

By shane

September 26, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

alt,hows the inshore fishing over there?i love to go after reds and specs.buck,sorry to here about your ribs i know that hurts!i have stated my opinions,so if chip wants to forward this blog to the uga coaching staff i am sure they will be intrested.

By ferret

September 26, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

Why does whiteandgold sound like that banshee ramble ON?

The only game the dawgs will lose from this point on is the TN game.

The Bug game will be a 50-3 thrashing and 3 of those TDs will be by our 3rd string QB.

By CapeCod Dawg

September 26, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

Moreno vs Brown: I love Moreno,but there must be other things that he’s lacking in (pass pro. maybe)that CMR isn’t starting him. Besides that Brown has put it all out there for this team and CMR for all these years. I think he’s playing well and his leadership on the field is something this team needs..VETERAN LEADERSHIP!

T.Chandler: This kid really needs to step it up. I thik the only thing keeping Figgins off the field is,much like Brown, experience. Eventually this kid will play himself onto the bench. His future is in his hands. And if he keeps playing the way he is…he’ll probably drop that too. Asher Allen: Is playing some hellified football now. Aggressive,smart and with a lot of energy. Rashad Jones: This is my boy right here. This kid is gonna be a hell of a DB in the years to come…so is Banks. One last word. Did anyone give any thought to what happens in the backfield once King gets on the field?..Will ya’ll be yelling for him and not Moreno?

By Cuz in the Midwest

September 26, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

Just let the QB play. Too many of us are overanalizing(meant to say that)and forgetting that Stafford and Bobo are growing up together. Both are learning to appreciate and feel more comfortable with the other. How many of you remember that when Staff made his visit after his early graduation, he spent that Sunday with Bobo breaking down game film. This pair may not make it to the real championship this year(SEC), but ByGod they will make it next year. To heck with the mythical, give me the real championship. Auburn’s SEC championship when they were snuffed that year meant more to me than the mythical. Until there is a playoff, the NC is mythical. Zeuss, Mercury, Osiris, Thor and his cranky father Odin, all agree with me.

By Cuz on the Savannah

September 26, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Sorry back home used the laptop with the Midwest reference.

By Chip Towers

September 26, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

Big Dawg

Sorry I missed your questions. It’s hard to get to them all. Nothing is happening with Josh Davis Tanner Strickland or Kevin Perez. Davis and Strickland were hurt in preseason camp and got passed over on the depth chart. They’re working hard in practice each day and being developed by coach Stacy Searels. Vince Vance is playing both guard and tackle while Scott Haverkamp is out. Chris Little is still wearing green, too, is will be redshirted this season. Good depth in the future, though.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll that keep on blaming Bobo for the play calling- When you’re counting plays and what they were, can you tel us how many of those were checked off by Stafford at the line? What was called before he made an audible? You can’t, and it just goes to show you don’t know what you’re talking about, you couldn’t possibly unless you’re sitting there with the headphones on. This offense is more complicated than Bobo sending in a play and blaming him if it don’t work. Next time you watch a game see how many times Stafford audibles…hell you don’t even know if Bobo is calling a play… he may be calling an offensive set and letting Stafford pick from a menu of plays already set up for him… you just don’t know, none of us do.

By cj

September 26, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Love the pic at the begining of this article. Nice holding. I hope UGA loses every game forever. Bunch of cheaters.

By A-ville Ranger

September 26, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Shane—The play where Moreno stopped short of the 1st down and posed, I don’t think will happen again.There was another play to the same side where he made a great move jumping foreward and stretching out to make the 1st down.There’s nothing short about this guy but his height and experience,he’ll learn quick.Another thing is he could be one of the top receivers on the team,his receiving stats are second only to Bailey’s.

By Verminator

September 26, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Carter has an article up about the effect of substituting on recruiting.It’s yet to be seen but many of us were saying last year that USC(west) is the current model for this.Not only can recruits be told they’ll play early but it helps build depth in experience and keeps players fresh.This really isn’t new,Bear Bryant was the all time master of mass substitutions back in the 70s.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

I guess substituting freely is great for moral, But its darn sure frustrating to see TO’s burned when the sideline can’t get the right players in place in time. See, I can complain too.

By Hunk Erdown

September 26, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

basher

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Paul, Watson Coleman is a senior, why is he not replacing a struggling Chandler (if Richt is too loyal to seniors). In fact didnt he start a true freshman Figgins over Watson in the opener. Miller got demoted so to speak, talk about a spot where you figured the senior would be starting without question. Adams, senior, replaced by a freshmen for a while. That’s three example right now on this very team of not letting class dictate anything. I have no doubt its very easy to find countless others in the Richt years. Last year QB is another prime example. JoeT gets hurt, but later on when healthy did not get the job back, even in light of an obviously struggling freshman. And wouldn’t Barnes have been the natural guy to bring in the SC game (if loyalty to older players is his criteria). Is it he is too loyal to seniors or sometimes he has starters that just happen to be a senior and sometimes he does not? Pretty much like every coach in America.

And KM DOES get the ball more, so good call.

By ES

September 26, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Hunker down you act like he possibly audibled to four runs in a row.You can tell when a QB goes to a audible he probably didnt audible 10 times for the whole game give me a break.Nice try.

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Chase, Moreno had every carry in the second half of SC except for one, what do you mean, what happened to him. I think Brown came in on the final desperation drive, clearly a pass protection situation.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

I blame Vince Dooley for the play calling. He made it easy. Run right, run left, run up the middle. At least three times in a game throw a pass for five or more yards.

Alt, if substituting freely is good for morals. What do you think a Gidieon New Testament could do. Been in a lot of hotels lately and collected a few. Open the desk drawer and Shazam, there they are. Rocky Racoon, went back to his room, only to find Gidieon’s bible.

Alt, if you cannot spell emrbg, try cuzindude at the same net connection. You make me chuckle, you poor son of bob.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Alt, there you go again, taking your words out of context. Uh, letting others cojugate verbs that have splitting infinities, Oh heck I havent the faintest idea what I am talking about.

GO DAWGS!!

By AltamahaDawg

September 26, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

thats czuniddue? catch ya tomoorow.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Yeah like I am the only one drinking on this blog. Thank you sir can I please have another.

By Verminator

September 26, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Altamaha——Let’s hope the confusion with the substitutions is just growing pains.I have no doubt about the strategy (see Florida and USC).However it doesn’t matter what you do if you don’t execute. I think they’ll iron most of it out and the benefits will outweigh the negatives.

By Cuz

September 26, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

Alt, you dsylexic person. Cuzindude. Shower, rinse, repeat. Cuz, you know, like my name.

By Gen Neyland

September 27, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Cuz

Reading through the blawgosphere and saw where all went well in Minnesnowda. Hope your daughters spirits are high, too. Thinking of quitting the Waffle House. The pressure is getting to me…Good luck this weekend Dawgs…

By Gen Neyland

September 27, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this

…and regarding RB’s, it’s a skill one is born with and developed. Slide stepping comes natural to most RB’s. Like other skilled positions, you gotta play smart and know when to tuck and roll. Fighting for that last yard could be a back breaker…but to a RB, that’s the natural thing to do…I recall being told that the D is out to hurt you…It’s up to you to hurt them first…Moreno wants to do just that…

By MV-7

September 27, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Man ya’ll don’t rat on me,I need some reefer man.I don’t know why people want to hassle on me.I’m loved all over the world man, did I say I need some reefer ? I ain’t kiddin man don’t make me come over there.Did I say I’m loved all over the world ?

By SamoanDawg

September 27, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Anyone know why we’re not on TV or pay per view?

Thanks!

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this

ES

You’re wrong, it was much more than 10 times, but for the sake of argument let’s say you’re right… 10 times. Now what do you think that He would be more likely to audible from and to. A dive play to a long pass? Maybe every now and then, but not likely. More than likely moved from a pass play to something safer, because of coverage… usually a screen or some type running play. So, if over the course of a game, Bobo called conservatively 6 out of the 10 plays, passes, that Stafford changed to running plays, that is significant enough to debunk your argument. I contend that with even six additional pass plays (the truth is, it would have been more because MS definately did more than 10 audibles) people would not even have a chance of arguing that the play calling was too conservative. I don’t expect you to be swayed by what I say, most of the time people would rather continue to believe they are right instead of listening to reason, but one other thing that I would point out is that right now, one of the most important issues for our team is getting our very young line plenty of practice on run blocking in the SEC. I can almost guarantee that Searles has been begging Bobo and Richt to give him all the running plays they can so that he can get our guys indoctrinated to the basics so that he can take them to the next level. Have you noticed that we aren’t running hardly any delayed runs, misdirections, and pulling guard plays? Barely any crossing blocks or offensive stunt blocking, only very basic stuff. Searles covered all this when he first came, he said that he would have to start these guys on the very basics and progress as they get better and more comfortable. How can they get better at run blocking if we are passng 80% of the time? That is another possible reason for leaving Brown in at T Back as much as possible, his experience is very valuable to the line coaches in debreifing after each offensive series. T Brown can report to the coaches what is going on out there and give them some guidance that they can’t gleen fast enough from the over head photos and Coaches in the pressbox. He can also help the other backs by telling them which way to cut behind a particular blocker who may be getting beat by his man. There are a lot of things going on that we don’t see, and couldn’t possibly know without being in on it.

The thing is; I would love to see us turn things wide open and let it rip, but I’m not willing to act like I have an inside edge on Bobo, Searles, Ball, and Richt when it comes to knowing what is going on with the football team and what plays need to be called. I trust them and for every time that someone acts like they know better, I can come up with possible reasons why the coaches may be doing things the way they are. I could just say something smarthy like, compared to yours I would take their opinion any day of the week, but what I am trying to do is to treat you like you want to be treated and give you actual valid reasons. The only reason I have gotten from anyone that complains about play calling is that Bobo don’t know what he is doing, and I just can’t accept that.

By A-ville Ranger

September 27, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

SomoanDawg—-I’ve checked and the only coverage I can find here in NC is radio Ole Miss via yahoo.I could pay for xm I suppose but if I can get the free coverage through yahoo I’ll go that route.I kind of like to hear the other side’s perspective now and then anyway.

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

ES

Before the game Saturday, Saban was interviewed and said that Stafford audibles so much during games that they hoped to be able to confuse him by showing one look then changing right before the snap, after Stafford had made his check off. Guess what? Thats exactly what they did and it was working very good for them, even the ESPN announcers saw it. If you still want to talk about this tommorrow, I’ve got the game tivo’d… I can go back and see how many times he audibled, but it would be better if you looked at the replay of it yourself, then come back and say it was ten or less times.

By Cuz

September 27, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

Hunk, quit confusing me with the facts. Dang it I want conjecture. You know the “I don’t know what I am talking about but since I am the smartest person in the room I must be right.” Yeah that kind on nonsence works for me. Give me the highlight reel on Sunday. Right now what I say, goes and I somewhat agree with you because I don’t have a leg to stand on, thank God I am sitting in a chair.

By A-ville Ranger

September 27, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

Hunk erdown——I’m guessing 10 would be real close.Bama was changing the defense two and three times on some plays.I think Stafford will see alot of stunting from Ole Miss.That’s another factor in the SEC. Not only is the on field talent the best in college football. We’ve got many of the best coaches in the game scheming to confuse these kids most every week.

By Cuz

September 27, 2007 1:16 AM | Link to this

Anybody notice that Bill Kings blogs have gotten so little attention this year. Last year when the Ignorant Slut was doing the blog, Bill got all the love. Now that it is Chip, Bill has been seen as a hasbeen. Good luck Bill. E-mail me if you want a topic that will get you more than fifty posts in one day. Although I guess if you compare it to Tech’s blogs, you are the man. Keep up the really interesting work Chip.

By Cuz

September 27, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

A-ville I could not agree with you more, I tried but my schizophrenic personality threatend me and the last time that happened he tried to drown me in the toilet while I was puking my guts out. I am going to get him when he is looking in the mirror.

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

Okay, anybody that disagrees with me can’t be a real Dawg fan, just a wannabe, ‘cause if I can’t dazzle you with brilliance I can dam sure baffle you with bullsh!t.

How’s that?

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

Glad you made it back Cuz… It made me feel good to see that there were so many people praying/caring for you and Baylie. Kind of restored my faith in humanity there for a while.

By Cuz

September 27, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

General, I am sure going to miss that four star Waffle house. I really appreciated you covering that extra 39 cents so I could get double hash browns. And that absolutely has to be the best stove cooked ribeye I ever ate. I would climb Rocky Top in a blizard with no shoes, just to get a tepid cup of coffee from you. Thanks for being there when I needed a little Southern Comfort, and I mean Waffle House, not no dang liquor. Go to Minnessotta boys and you will realize what a Waffle House truly means. General let me know where I can help fund that addition on your trailer. I may need a place to pass out in the yard after the UGA-TN game.

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this

Cuz

Bill’s problem is that he’s turned his blog into his own personal memory lane. The only time he actually posts a topic about one of our games is when he can criticize the Coaches… But all the other critics don’t want to post with him, they only want to post over here when the rest of us are trying to be positive.

By Cuz

September 27, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

Hunk, you and the others help me make it through the hard times. I can let off some steam, I would let my hair down but I lost it a long time ago. All of the blogs concern for my daughter has put some real tears in this redneck’s eyes. I thank each and everyone. It is way too many to call by name. This father is grateful to the AJC for providing this forum and giving me so many new true friends. Thanks guys and gals, I really mean it. And my daughter Baylie, thanks you too. GO BLAWGERS!!!

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this

There is a poem by Edwin Markham I have found to be very true:

“There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.”

Anybody that’s sending their prayers and love to you and Baylie will get paid back in full, and you won’t even have to be the one that pays them.

By A-ville Ranger

September 27, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this

Cuz—look on the bright side if you’re trapped alone on an elevator you’ll still have company.I used to have an alter ego but he kept hitting on my girlfriend so I had him get out of the car for a beer in Manhattan (Kansas of course)and drove off.I get hang up calls sometimes and think it’s him but it’s probably just my imagination.Hang in there,it’s bed time…night all.

By BigNCDawg

September 27, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this

Alot of good DAWG stuff on this very long blog. To long for me to read them all.

Glad your back Cuz, and that all is well. DAWGS will more than cover the spread in the next 2 games.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

HunkErdown, I agree with you about Kings blog. Its either Athens 20 years ago or “why can’t our so-and-so do this”. I call it the complainers blog. I’ve wanted to say something in there since last year, but he seems like a good guy doing a job, so I don’t. Well, a couple of times I have flat challenged some of his assertions, but never expected or received any responce. The problem is, as “a fans perspective”, he seems to go out and get the lastest grumblings (pains me to admit the nations does its share of mindless grumblers) and echoes it. There for a while, I swear it looked like he just read the fringe in this blog and then turned it into a given in his own.

By Hunk Erdown

September 27, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

I didn’t get to really watch the Fla-Ole Miss game real close, but it looked like to me that the Rebs stayed close to Fla in the first half by putting a lot of pressure on Tebow. Fla’s adjustment at halftime was to come out in the 2nd half and let Tebow run it down the Rebs’ throat… Strange strategy, but it worked. IMO, if Fla decides to stick to that strategy very much, Tebow will have a short carreer in the SEC. He’s tough, but I just don’t think he’ll be able to take that kind of punishment week in and week out.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

I never used to subscribe to the theory that the week off for FL was part of the losing trend. I guess it just seemed like an excuse to me, and you just have to go beat them. I’ve always said the issue was we were rarely a better team over the past, oh…. who is counting anymore. At least not at that point of the season for a variety of reasons. BUT I have to admit, to hell with why or how, we just need something to break our way, thank goodness we have the bye week this year. Look at FL schedule, playing AU, then on the road to LSU, then what do you do with the offweek, get ready to go on the road to KY (which they better do), and just take UGA as it comes? or split time? We however know what we are going to do with our week off. Might matter, might not, but at least its setting up better for us.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Alta, I’m with you on the off-week excuse. But hey maybe it will make a difference. We could close practice and work on our fake FG attempts from 50+ yards. Somehow I don’t think UF is worried about us at all. I think AU will be gunning for Tebow and Florida so that might be a touch one. I think we can probably learn a lot from the KY/UF game that will help us. KY’s game plan and their offense might give us some key pointers on how to attack UF. AU/UF defensive pointers.

By Atlanta Gator

September 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

I thought this was worthy of a repost, given that it was buried on the previous blog and unlikely to be seen by many … .

By RussDawg September 26, 2007 4:02 PM

Dear NASCARfan,

How does being a NASCAR fan even give you a clue when it comes to Major College Football? Where did you play your college ball? W here have you coached? Which college football coaching legend was your mentor of this particular craft? What makes you an expert on the team dynamics that make a football team operate?

You have not attended one practice.

You have not been invited to one team strategy meeting.

You have not been asked by the coaches who you think should start.

And neither has SI or ESPN or any other fan - and all for good reason; Ya’ll aren’t qualified.

Coach Richt has brought this team back to a level of respectability only enjoyed by coach Dooley. Goff didn’t to it and Donnan didn’t do it. Coach Richt has won SEC titles and he has produced consistent winners. Know why? Because he is qualified.

He has played at this level.

He has coached at this level (his mentor is Bobby Bowden - a major college football coaching legend)

He has demonstrated his character and his concern for his players beyond the football field.

And he has a gift for leading these young men.

Moreno will be great … when it’s his turn. Thomas has payed his dues and earned his position. He has inspired the team through his effort in rehab, he has demonstrated his leadership on the field and he has blocked selflessly when the call came. This young man has earned his job.

IF Moreno has the same degree of character,

If Moreno has the same work habits,

And IF Moreno will demonstrate the same selflessness as Thomas, then when his time comes, it will be earned.

In the meantime, don’t give up your day job - you aren’t qualified to do Coach Richt, or Coach Bobo’s or any other coaches job.

Save your TV time for Sunday race days and give the head coaching job a rest. You’re in over your head.

Go Dawgs

By Atlanta Gator September 27, 2007 10:32 AM

Russ Dawg——I try to stay out of the intramural UGA fan t!t-for-tat about purely UGA stuff, but your comment above may be the best statement of a fan’s place and the worth of a fan’s over-the-top blog comments that I have read anywhere, any time.

Kudos to you. Putting aside the petty Gators-Dawgs fan rivalry for a short moment, let me say that a coach of Richt’s caliber deserves a fair amount of leeway from the fans of the UGA team he coaches. He ain’t perfect, but he’s pretty damn good, and he’s already shown that he can get it done.

This year, your Dawgs are young and your star quarterback is playing behind a relatively weak and inexperienced offensive line. They will get better and new and stronger talent is on the way. Next season will be the real acid test for CMR, and there will fewer legitimate reasons for not performing at the level of your recent UGA recruiting classes.

SOME of your more vocal Dawg fans (one of whom you just called out) act like Bama fans with this ridiculous sense of entitlement that your team should always be at the top of the heap. Well, there are 12 teams in the SEC, and any given year 2 to 5 of them are legitimate contenders at the outset, and another 2 to 4 teams are potential spoilers for the first.

Four SEC teams have won five MNCs in the past 15 seasons (UA, UF twice, UT and LSU, and have played for two more (UF and UT). Two other SEC teams have won the conference title and arguably deserved to play in the BCS MNC game, but didn’t catch the same breaks (UGA and AU). And there are 117 other Division I-A (or whatever polysyllabic designator they call it now) teams, and some of them play pretty good football with heart and desire, too. These “entitlement” fans need to give some credit to the players and coaches on the other side of the ball.

Paul Bryant coached in an era of unlimited scholarships, when the joke was that Bama may have had the two best teams in the country many seasons (the Bama first string and the Bama second string). Those days of conference dominance by one team are long over. Parity has arrived, and the quality of coaching in the SEC has never been better, and the average talent level never higher.

No doubt there are plenty of Gator fans with this same unrealistic sense of entitlement, too, but I hope we’re learning to tell them to shut up and enjoy the championship moments——they don’t happen every year.

Bottom line: CMR is a lot smarter than many blog “fans” seem to believe, and he deserves a lot more respect than some of the asinine armchair coaches and keyboard quarterbacks give him.

Okay, I’m off my soapbox. I now return you to the regularly scheduled petty UGA-UF fan rivalry for which these blogs are famous.

By Nick

September 27, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

At no point in time do I think Mike Gundy crossed the line. Golic hit the nail on the head when he said that he definately has all the respect of his players. It is ok to wonder about a players performance. But me must remember thatthey are college kids. Most of them 18-22 years old and most will NOT play professionally. Take it easy on them. I want them to catch the dang ball as much as you do, and I will talk about it with my friends, but DONT print it. I promise that no one feels as bad as the one who dropped it, they are the ones who live with the memory forever not us.

By Nick

September 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

At no point in time do I think Mike Gundy crossed the line. Golic hit the nail on the head when he said that he definately has all the respect of his players. It is ok to wonder about a players performance. But me must remember thatthey are college kids. Most of them 18-22 years old and most will NOT play professionally. Take it easy on them. I want them to catch the dang ball as much as you do, and I will talk about it with my friends, but DONT print it. I promise that no one feels as bad as the one who dropped it, they are the ones who live with the memory forever not us.

By Nick

September 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

At no point in time do I think Mike Gundy crossed the line. Golic hit the nail on the head when he said that he definately has all the respect of his players. It is ok to wonder about a players performance. But me must remember thatthey are college kids. Most of them 18-22 years old and most will NOT play professionally. Take it easy on them. I want them to catch the dang ball as much as you do, and I will talk about it with my friends, but DONT print it. I promise that no one feels as bad as the one who dropped it, they are the ones who live with the memory forever not us.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 27, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Tough one, not touch one.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 27, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator, damn man well said. Always here with a classy post. How do you think you guys will play Kentucky? I know AU is first and foremost so any input on that game would be interesting also.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

I agree you should go right down to G-ville and convinced them the rivalry is petty. For some reason its just not as much fun as it used to be for us.

By Atlanta Gator

September 27, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

gdawg~zoo——Hey, I’m just a know-it-all Gator fan, but you want to talk about the Florida-Kentucky game already? He11 man, our kids play AUBURN this weekend! The only team to beat the Gators during their 2006 BCS championship run; remember them, AUBURN?

Gdawg, if I didn’t know you better, I might suspect that you have some sort of ulterior Dawg motive for distracting all of my Gator fan attention and positive Gator energy from focusing on AUBURN! = )

By shane

September 27, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

atlata gator,thanks for the post,you are a class act.i get so tired of people saying that richt is a mediocre coach because he hasn’t won a nc yet and he has elite athletes.guess what people,there are elite athletes at all sec schools.including miss state and vandy.every year there are at least a half dozen sec schools in the top fifteen in recruiting,and always several in the top ten,usually a couple in the top five.we have two heisman candidates that aren’t even at the traditional powers of the sec,uk and ark.you can’t count on outcoaching your opponent either,not with meyer,richt,miles,saban,spurrier,even tubby and phat phil in the league.i poke a lot of fun at phat phil,but the guy did win a nc,and he can recruit.top to bottom,the sec is the most competative conference in the country.there is no off game.ask tubby about miss state.we found out about vandy last year,and the gators got a scare from ole miss.kentucky can put so many points on the board with their qb that if their d has a good game they can beat any team in the sec,and mcfadden at ark can get 200+yds against any d. by the way,prepare to see speed and more speed from ANY sec defense.that’s why the big 10 and notre dame cannot beat us in bowl games.we are blessed to be fans of sec teams,the best college football in the usa!

By Atlanta Gator (and Philosopher)

September 27, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Alta~Dawg——I mean, really, you don’t want Florida to schedule Kentucky in Jacksonville, do you?

All kidding aside, I suspect you know what I meant. Petty FAN rivalry, not petty rivalry. Rivalry and competition are healthy (and, frankly, it would help if UGA would win once or so a decade), but UF and UGA fans whose lives revolve around what a bunch of 17-to-23-year-old kids do in Jacksonville, well, they need a better perspective on life. Name-calling, taunting and other boorish behavior among adult men should not be tolerated by us, whether by our rivals’ fans or by our fellow fans of our own alma maters.

I say cheer for your team, let your players play, and let your coaches coach. The occasional disappointment in life (or football loss), gives us that perspective and helps us to appreciate our vicarious football victories and other personal life successes that much more. Thanks to your 1970s and 1980s Dawg football teams, I gained a lot of life perspective. LOL

Sure, you can’t win’em all; but, you can try.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Hey, I think they really need to start focusing on FSU right now. You need to win that instate rivalry. Don’t worry about the puny SEC team. Paleeez, those are in the bag.

By Atlanta Gator

September 27, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Alta~Dawg——And I’m sure you think your kids should focus on their own instate rival, too, right?

You’re still have a pretty good sense of humor (for an old Dawg, that is). Personally, I’m still waiting to hear if the ACC has decided to play Division I football in 2007.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

yea, thats what WE are all calling it now… “perspective”

By Atlanta Gator

September 27, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

shane——Back at ya, Dawg buddy! I echo your sentiments.

By Chase

September 27, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Altamaha Dawg, if he was in on pass protection why was he getting down field? It just seems as if that is when he comes on really strong and the last two drives of each game it was Brown. Don’t get me wrong Brown is great, but i don’t think we should stop giving Knowshon the just because people want Brown to be the making the big play because he’s a senior.

By SunDawg

September 27, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator, you mean our day to day lives are not to be dictated by the success or failure of a bunch of college kids? And I thought I was manic/depressive! You’ve saved me!

Glad you’re on the blog; good reading.

By AltamahaDawg

September 27, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

I dont know. I didn’t break down every last player assignment there. I guess sometimes the RB goes downfield. I can tell you this, we were in a passing situation in both cases and not a looking to win on a dynamic run, I dont care who we had back there. He was definetely in a “support” role. The question seems to be why definetely Moreno and NOT Brown in that situation?

And come on now, seriously. Be honest. Do you really believe that Brown was in that last drive for no other reason than his academic year????? And “people” want him to make a play? Really, Thats what you think it came down to? That’s the decision making process the staff went through in the final minutes of a huge SEC game(s)? “people” wanted a senior to be able to make the big play? Not protections skills, not short pass skills, not stability, leadership? How about fatigue and conditioning? Heck just pure experience in a game critical situation? Why would you NOT use Brown there?

By Tville Dawg

September 27, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator-

Well said on your posts. I agree that the caliber of coaching is the SEC is tremendous. There are the obvious talents-Meyer,Miles,Richt, even Fulmer. But what about the other guys-Sylvester Croom is giving people lots a headaches, not to mention Brooks. Spurrier thinks he can conquer the world again, and many would not disagree. Saban will have his team on top very quickly. Tub is having an off year, but he has had his moments.

Other conferences would only dream of having a stable of coaches like we have in the SEC.

By Big Dawg

September 27, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

Thanks Chip you are the best.

Shane I agree with you brother about Moreno.

Cuz welcome back, I only wish I was home in Georgia as well instead of being stuck in Connecticut.

ARDawg- thanks.

Atlanta Gator just like our Dawgs the Gators better not be looking past Auburn or it could be a long afternoon. The SEC is the Best all these great match-ups to bad we can’t watch all these games.

By MusicCityDawg

September 27, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

You have to be patient on letting these kids step up. Brown is a Sr., Moreno is a RSFR. BOTH are playing great. Few if any of us have played on the College level and don’t know all the nuances of being the starter.

Keep in mind the Peter Principle in business, that “every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.” That’s what fans inevitably ask for when they see Moreno perform well then say “he should get the ball on every run play”. The coaches know what they are doing. Trust me, the first time he fumbles all these same people will be calling him a loser.

Thomas Brown is starting for a reason and he hasn’t failed to justify his starting position. And next year we’ll have Moreno and Caleb King. If King looks good will these same Moreno fans switch loyalties to King? Probably.

As for Gundy, he acted like a complete a*. A D-I QB getting flamed is NOT the same as a 12 year old getting teased on the playground. Gundy’s tirade only reinforced what was said in the article. The article was crap and read more like a Hollywood gossip column. All Gundy had to do was laugh it off and call it that and she looks stupid. But noooooo, he had to go all “Dan Hawkins” on her and now she (and all the Sooner fans) are laughing up their sleeve at him.

By AltamahaDawg

September 28, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Hey we do focus on beating our instate rivals. As soon as our last real game is over they take a few days off, then right back to work on Friday afternoon. After being reminded there still is an exhibition game left, they all draw straws to see who is going to play.

By tony

September 29, 2007 3:33 AM | Link to this

MusicCityDawg, If Caleb King bring more to the table than Moreno then Caleb King should be the #1 rb. Without playmakers who don’t shy away from contact you can’t win in this league. It’s not about loyalty - its about winning. You win with your best players you have rather they are seniors or freshmens. I don’t know what Moreno does in practice but when he show up on game day he is by far the best athlete on that team.