UGA

By dcdawg

September 18, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this

Wow. thanks for the early morning blog. give us the scoop when you get there. dont forget to drink plenty of water on the plane, apparently its hot there and you will evaporate as soon as you step out of the airport.

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

You mean booing people who don’t perform some athletic moves to satisfy your high standards sitting in the stands is not classy. Gosh , who knew?

By JB

September 18, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

Chip,

your column is the usual good work but I have totake umbrage with the headline on another. “UGA OL takes another hit”. That was crazy, Tripp was back practicing the same day. One reads that headline and thinks we’ve lost another guy forthe season. Not your call but a bit silly to my mind.

HBTD!!!

By Dawgwithoutahome

September 18, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

I think the philosophy of using so many receivers probably does limit our production early in the season but you have to play those early games with a vision toward the whole season. Building depth and keeping up morale through playing time for those who have shown themselves to be worthy puts the team in position to be able to overcome late season injuries, should they occur. I can’t argue this the succuss that CMR has had doing it this way.

By CarolinaJacket

September 18, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

I am obviously not a UGA fan, but I agree with Coack Richt’s philosophy, get as many players as possible in the game (as long as you are winning). It not only gives them game experience which may be needed down the road but it also rewards them for their hard work in practice.

By Max

September 18, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

Richt plays too many WRs. We lost the 2007 SCU game because we had unproven third stringers trying (unsuccessfully) to catch passes near the end zone at critical times.

By kenr

September 18, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I agree we should put our best three in until they need a a break and then sub for them. Knowing you will only get a couple a balls thrown your way in each game puts pressure on these guys before they leave the huddle! Brown and Cook did not look tired to me in the 4th quarter!!! At some point we have to put our best 11 out there, leave them out there and let them play!

By HomeDawg

September 18, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Carolina: Good call; I agree. I have already started my hydration prep for Phoenix (leaving tomorrow), but don’t know if I’ve totally recovered from Columbia. Hottest game ever. I also agree on the bogus OL headline. I had already read the story in the hard paper, but had to click to see if there was another OL issue. Please don’t slam me for actually buying the paper.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 18, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

How are the plays being brought into the game? If its through the WR’s then that leaves no other choice but rotating wideouts.

GOOO DAWGS!!!

By RxDawg

September 18, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

I say spread the wealth. Nothing wrong with keeping plenty of fresh recievers in and out of the game. Those guys have to be VERY well conditioned. They run full speed or pick up blocks every single play. It’s good to keep a solid rotation.

By rk

September 18, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

I agree that we seem to play too many wide receivers so that one of them cannot get into a groove. But, then again we have won 10 games straight.

Reading the link about Carpenter makes me think that we will have some opportunities to pick some passes. He may be forcing some balls in there to try and look better than Stafford for the NFL scouts.

By jfergNCdawg

September 18, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

I like CMR’s philosophy…as long as the process is in place to whittle down to the core group of dependable WR’s. Use many, early and often. See what they can do in games we can win even if we don’t perform at 100%. This is, in my opinion, the best way to evaluate game breaking talent. Practice is one thing, but game performance separates good recruits from great players.

On the other topic of OL, I like the idea of Vance, Davis, Jones, Boling, Anderson. Personally, if Davis and Boling are there to help guide the Freshman Jones…this could be our best OL combo—and they are HUGE! Obviously Tripp keeps getting tons of reps and Glenn gives a breather here and there…but I like this lineup.

Go Dawgs!

By leslie22h

September 18, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

It seems Tripp Chandler is doing things much as he did last season… dropping a lot of passes. Of course, he redeemed himself in Tuscaloosa last season and ultimately had several clutch receptions as the season wore on. I believe Durham will end up shining this season as well. AJ Green is a star in the making. He’s incredibly talented and will play a critical role for UGAs passing game down the road.

Assuming Knowshon turns pro after this season, which I think he will, I believe CMR didn’t want to repeat the mistake he made in redshirting KM… he wants to get 3 seasons with AJG rather than the 2 he’ll get out of KM. Barring injury, KM, AJG and MoMass should all end up being outstanding pros.

The SC game is always ugly. The SC fans HATE Georgia. Many SC fans have told me that we (UGA fans) are to them what UF is to us… the most bitter rivalry. And the Gamecocks always play tough. As for AZ State, I think the ‘Dogs are going to put a first-class spanking on ‘em. Too bad they lost to UNLV - that takes a little significance away from the game on the national stage.

Altamaha, not sure if you were serious, but I think it’s too early for a blackout. Even if we beat ASU, we still haven’t done much. Run the table on ASU, ‘Bama, LSU, UF, Vandy, and UK - then black out the Tech game. BTW, my band will be playing at S&G on JI this weekend from 1-4. I’m the fat baldheaded one. Come see us!

By I cant hear you

September 18, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

hey has anyone heard from ROSWELL ED in a while??? it seems he’s shut his mouth since he and the rest of the country have figured out that the kitty cats/plainsmen/eagles’ new offense sucks. Tough break eddie

By Tim Dawg

September 18, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

It’s an issue with Richt every year. You can’t give him too many toys b/c he wants to play with all of them and is afraid of hurting feelings. He did it with Shockley and Greene. He did it with Kregg, Brown and Ware. He did it Stafford’s frosh year at QB.

The indecision and resultant inconsistency hurts the team. Richt needs to streamline more.

He’s always been at his best when he was forced to have only Musa or only Verron or only DJ or only Greene or only Stafford or only Knowshon. When injuries and such force him to have limited choices, his teams fly.

When he is indecisive and too sensitive to the feelings of his kids is when the team is inconsistent and mediocre.

By dawgfan1911

September 18, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

If you look at the championship teams of the past, you will notice that most coaches go with their first stringers until they either get tired or if they are not producing. Aj green and Massaqou and Durham should be the starters at receiver. i am not sure who the back-up tight end is but he should be starting over Trip i cant catch a ball in traffic chandler. The offensive philosophy is so bad at Ga, and I am a huge fan. They are to predictable. They need more roll outs, bootlegs, remember the one bootleg they ran against Souoth Carolina and it was wide open, they never ran it again. With a weak offensive line move the pocket, make the dline have to chase a lot. I sure would like to have Lane Kiffin as an offensive coordinator at UGA. Mike Bobo is a good guy but his play calling is so predictable, I call the plays at home and I am right 90 percent of the time. Show a 5 receiver set every once in a while to throw off defenses and to give moreno more running lanes. Remember the play Samuels ran down the sideline and Stafford threw him the ball and he missed it. That should have been a play for Moreno, he would have ran right under that ball and scored a touchdown. YOU WIN WHEN YOU PLAY YOUR STUDS! Moreno’s first punt return 35 yards, he never returned another punt??????? These coaches better wake-up. Remember against Florida last year Moreno rushed 35 times. They WON!!!!!!

By Kendawg

September 18, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

I agree with CMR’s philosophy of playing a lot of wide receivers. That’s a reward for practicing hard and they also run a lot during games. It would seem to keep them fresher for the late part of a game. I do believe we need to try to get the ball more to AJ. However, the defenses may dictate otherwise. If so, it looks like MoMass might have more favorable coverage. They can’t double cover every wide receiver. It wouldn’t hurt if a tight end occasionally caught a pass. That might change the coverage.

By Mobile Dawg

September 18, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Booing isn’t nearly as classy as having to send letters to ticket holders instructing them to cheer for Tulane becuase they were hurricane victims.

By W Dog

September 18, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

My question is, why do we have so many receivers when we are so thin on the offensive line. And I’m not talking about just this year, but it seems to be the case every year. When has GA ever been able to run 12 O-Linemen in and out of a game?

I would think that they have the same conditioning issues as the WR do in the heat. Yet, year in and year out, we have WR’s coming out our ears and too few highly skilled linemen.

Games in the SEC are won and lost in the trenches. We’ve struggled for years with our lines under Richt. It seems that Richt may be too prone to sign too many players at skill positions because that has always been his focus, without enough attention to the O-Line. Just a thought. What do you think Chip?

By WildBill

September 18, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

I believe in the basics. Play the guys who catch balls, play the guys who run balls, play the guys that make blocks, and on it goes. If a guy is ‘having a bad day’, give him rest on the bench.

By Fort Worth Dawg

September 18, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I read somewhere that the temperature drops around 12 degrees by halftime and that a key part of the game will be to substitute liberally during the first half. I agree that we use AJ Green extensively but I have no problem if he is used much more in the 2nd half than in the first. Likewise, I’d like to Moreno reserved a little until the 2nd half. I remember flying from Buffalo to Houston once around Labor Day - I stepped off the plane and inhaled that heat and humidity (even though I lived in Houston) … it can make your lungs lock up (I know Tempe is not humid, but extra heat can compensate). Poor UGA VII, I hope he gets an extra bag of ice.

I am just glad we don’t have to play in places like Nebraska or up North in November/December - I think the bitter cold would be even more crippling than the heat (I seem to recall Coach Osborne commenting that maybe the Florida schools should play some bowl games in Nebraska in early January). [Insert Tech/Boise joke here]

By GW

September 18, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

What would Georgia’s record be over the last 8 years with a coach who did not rotate players? Wow, the nitpicking that we can do when we are winning. I hope our team has more confidence in themselves and the coaches than our fans do.

By murfdawg

September 18, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

We need to play as many people as we can. After we return from the desert, we play Bammer, have a week off, then play the most diabolical unreal schedule ever conceived. we will need every warm body we can find. All we need to do is take care of business and that will take the effort of all 85 players and 20 redshirt players to improve every week. Just like 1980, keep winning and the cream will rise to the top.

By dawgjammin

September 18, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

How many times have we seen a player make a good catch or a good run and then the coaches take them out. Moreno got good last year because they left him in they game and gave him the rock time and time again.

Remember Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson? Not that those guys were All American’s, but they rarerly left the field. MoMass and AJ can be at least that good!

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I was serious. BLACK OUT BAMA. Night game, national TV, Huge SEC game, boys coming back from a tough couple of road weeks. Why on earth would you wait till AFTER those big games to create excitement FOR one of those big games?

And don’t be too fast to assume that Knowshon will defy history and advice.

By VOICE

September 18, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Rotating players is good strategy, especially when you are “bringing along” young players to strengthen your program. The problem is not with player rotation, it’s with the overall scheme. Both Bobo and Martinez have very talented players, but flawed schemes.

For example, with 8:03 left in the SC game, after a game saving fumble recovery, the first play called by Bobo was a pass. Basics dictate a running play. On the other side, Martinez allowed the SC QB too much time to pass by only rushing three defenders throughout the game. The blitz package was effective late, but only out of desperation.

Not to second guess the coaches, but some of this is truly fundamental. The players are giving their best effort, but I question the coaches’ strategy.

By dawgfacedboy

September 18, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure why we would ever take our studs off the field unless they were hurt, tired, or not producing. I can understand if a certain package calls for certain players, but just to play a bunch of cats because they “deserve” it??? Don’t they all “deserve” to play because of the blood and sweat they pour out every day for major D-1 football program???? Fact is, as someone mentioned earlier, you win with your studs. Why are we designing plays for our 3rd string RB??? You think anyone is scared when Richard Samuel comes on the field?!?!?!

To me, this strategy doesn’t allow the opportunity for your playmakers to make big plays.

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

“huge dawg fan”, the back up TE for the Georgia football team is Bruce Figgins.

By TXDawg

September 18, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

See you in Arizona!!

GO DAWGS!!

Oh yeah, rotate your top 5 receivers and we assume they are conditioned properly, so they can develop a consistent chemistry with Stafford to perform at the high-level all Bulldog fans are expecting.

• Dawgs 35 AZ St 14

By bama12 titles

September 18, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Hey Chip,

What’s with the cheapshot you took at Saban for letting players have duplicate numbers? Wearing their old high school number is a big deal to some high school recruits and so what’s the problem if a couple guys have the same number as long as they play on opposing sides of the ball? Why do you have a problem with that?

USC does the same with several players. Is Pete Carroll also a guy who will do anything just to sign a recruit? You going to take a potshot at him also?

By Toccoa

September 18, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

What to do with 14 different receivers?

No brainier: Let the defensive coordinators from the other teams answer that question.

I’d like to see Georgia have that problem every year.

GO DAWGS!

By Cuz

September 18, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Rotate the recievers, keep em fresh. Just get this game started. Time for the SEC to beat the Big 1 and the nine dwarfs. Or is plural dwarves, someone spell check for me.

By shane #1

September 18, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Playing a lot of WR’s increases the competition at practice, that is a good thing. Young people need to be motivated and a kid that knows he has a shot to get in the game watches more film and studies the playbook more than a kid that knows he will not play. Also, telling a recruit that if he works hard he will play as a freshman helps sign better players. Four and five star recruits want to play, not to sit on the bench. We must remember that this is a long season with the meat of the SEC coming up. We have LSU, UF, Bama, UT, AU, and the Gators on the way. UGA must win the east and the SECCG to have any shot at the MNCG. Don’t worry, knowshon will have plenty of carries and Mo-Mass and Green will catch plenty of passes in those games. Our O line is young, but plenty deep. We have 14 O linemen, no senors currently on the team, and only one jr. So that gives Us 13 freshmen and sophmores, and two O linemen have commited for 2009. Bama isn’t the only team with players sharing jersey numbers, no big thing. Saban is not friendly with the press, neither was Bobby Knight. Knight did tell his son that warring with the press was a mistake. the old adage is to never get into a battle of words with people that buy paper and ink wholesale. Saban will get more criticism because many reporters simply don’t like him.

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Voice, They only rushed 3 throughout of the game till late when they started blitzing??? This is the SC game you are talking about?

By I-DOG

September 18, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Lets go Dawgs, get # 11 in a row!

By bo in a town, athens that is!

September 18, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

i hate to say it, but the head c** played 4 qbs a game when he was at florida, and they always had a stud qb’s and pete caroll is a GREAT recruiter. he plays like 25 tailbacks and like 47 recievers, all all americans. if you want the stud recruits, they gotta get theirs!!!!! let’em play and weed out the ones who dont cut it. mo mass slumped in his soph year and he vanished from the field, so that leads me to believe, if they dont perform, coach wont play them.

also, richt has elevated this program to the greatest level in our history, it makes me chuckle when anyone questions this guy. he has loyalty and he built this program as a family. i hope he is here until hes 80!!!!!

By Eric The Dawg Fan:

September 18, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Can the Dawgs do more with less? Well Chip Towers, why would you ask a question like that? Can you drive a car with on three wheels? No. But I believe the DAWGS can make a dollar out of fifteen cents.

Go Dawgs. Lets silence all the naysayers that we are number 1. It’s a Darn shame that these sports analyst and coaches determine who should be number one by the number of points scored on an opponent.

The SEC Is by far the most toughest conference in the NCAA. Not only the SEC Conference, but these College Football Teams located in the Dirty South Georgia are Darn good too. Georgia Southern University Eagles has several Championship Titles dating back since the early eighties.

For Georgia to beat Georgia Southern does not undermine the talent that GSU possess. The excuse that the sports media were making was that the USC Trojans came to Va. (a Non Contender in the ACC) and demoralized them by running up the points, and that Georgia played a Division I AA Team. Well People, That doesn’t prove that they (USC Trojans) should be No 1 in the Country over the Georgia Bulldogs.

Then here comes week two, Ga vs USC (South Carolina) and won a close victory over the Gamecocks. Then they ( The Sports Media, Sports Analyst, and the coaches ) saw fit that Georgia should fall back to number 3 because a Big 12 Conference Team called OU (OKlahoma) beat another non contending team convincingly, and Georgia played a close game with South Carolina.

It should be noted again that the SEC is by far the toughest Conference again in the NCAA this year. That was a great defensive game overall between Georgia and South Carolina. Whatever happened to if you win, you stay ranked in your position, you lose, then you drop back?

SEC Power Florida Gators played very close games on their road to a national title, and the media kept them ranked. So why so much of the disrespect to Georgia?

We all know by now that those so called sports analyst from ESPN, and the media are bias against the DAWGS. They have their own favorites regardless of the team win loss record.

Now they can shut their mouths for a minute because the so called great Big 10 are not winning as they thought they would. The BIG 10, PAC 10 , and the BIG 12 are all over rated. Those Conferences are definitely not as strong as the SEC Conference. You know, and I know it.

The PAC 10 has only one school ranked in the top 10. The Big 10 has none. with the Powerful SEC Conference having five teams in the top ten. This has never been done before. The SEC is dominating the top ten ranking as well.

The Dawgs deserve better and more respect than is given to them. So I say this: DAWGS, go over to Sun Devil Stadium, and run the numbers up on Arizona State University. This time, leave no doubt. Lets put these so called sports analyst voices to rest once, and for all.

I know that some of you critics may not like what I am saying. So I will say this:

“LIKE IT OR DONT LIKE IT. LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT, BECAUSE THE DAWGS ARE THE BEST THING GOING TODAY”.

Go Dawgs. Beat the mess out of ASU……………………… Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F

By Eric C.

September 18, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Interesting article on the same AZ site about the devils keying in on the Dawgs “young, fresh” mistake-prone OL. I expect there will be a variety of blitz packages deployed by AZst to keep constant pressure on Stafford…would expect a bunch of screens from Bobo (knowing him). Stafford must hit a deep pass early to loosen them up…perhaps a few no-huddle plays and direct snaps to Moreno to mix things up.

By BlackberryCobbler

September 18, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see more passes to backs coming out of the backfield and to the TE——— if we can find one that can catch the freakin’ ball……… :-(

By frank

September 18, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I am dissappointed with Mark Rick’s “little league” mentality when it comes to rotating players. Yes I can see the point on the line of scrimmage and some defensive positions.

Offensive positions like QB and WR on the other hand are timing and rhythmn based positions. You can tell that running 10 WR’s in and out is effecting the timing and precision of this offense.

Stafford is having trouble getting a rhythm with his receivers and the receivers are having trouble adjusting to the flow of the game.

I dont buy the receivers being gassed one bit. Maybe after a 60 yard bomb catch and run pull them out and give them some o2. Hard for me to believe receivers are gassed when you run as much as we do.

If this is the reason the strength and conditioning coach has some ‘splaining to do.

Is Michael Crabtree tired? Ask Mr Mark Rick this next time you see him.

Thx Frank

By big o

September 18, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Have a safe trip dude. This game scares the hell out of me. I think the dawgs win 28-17

By PACWIN

September 18, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Eric The Dawg Fan

Dude, same old crap; but sooo much more of it. You talk too much.

The simple fact is UGA schedule two walk over’s to start their season, 1 a Div 1AA team. USC scheduled Virginia (9-4 last year and played in a BCS bowl), and OSU (11-2 last year and played for a national title).

We’ll see what happens over the season. But USC started with tougher OOC teams and the polls reflect it.

GET OVER IT

By Mike

September 18, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Just arrived here in Phoenix and I can tell you this much…the locals here at the airport are in awe of our numbers arriving flight after flight..they are red and black dressed fans EVERYWHERE and its great to see..one thing I already knew and now the peeps here in Phoenix know..UGA TRAVELS…WELL!!! Go Dawgs!

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 18, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

murfdawg, can’t agree more. If we had a different schedule this year, yeah, focus on the few. As long as we can win mixing it up and gaining the experience do it. I guess everybody is a little anxious to win by 21 every week. SEC footbal isn’t that easy. As you said, we have that brutal stretch coming up that will require more than 4 core WR’s amd more everything really because there will be the possibility of some injuries.

bo in a town, for some fans winning isn’t enough. Good comment on CMR, the program’s level and his commitment. What more can we ask for. UGA is blessed to have such a standup coach.

Saban, LMAO! Saban “#44 get in there” #44a “Who me?” Saban “No, not you, him?” #44b “Me?” Saban “Dammit, no not you, THAT #44 over there by the water cooler” #44c “Who me?” Saban “Yes you, now run Forrest, run”.

By Chip Towers

September 18, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

GREETINGS FROM PHOENIX, AZ., FOLKS

Finally got to my hotel after delay after delay at the airport and car rental lot. But I finally popped through the other side and I’m now looking out my window across the cityscape.

There were tons of Georgia fans on my 8 a.m. U.S. Airways flight out of Atlanta and there were dozens more at the Sky Harbor Airport when we touched down. Former Georgia punter Dax Langley was on my flight and I sat next to a nice young couple that had left their 3- and 5-year-old daughters in a sister’s care to come out here for four days of fun and football.

Rumor has it that 20,000 Georgia fans managed to procure tickets and find a way out here. UGA received only 7,300 from Arizona State but apparently thousands grabbed tickets by snapping up the Sun Devils season-ticket specials or buying from ticket brokers. I’m hearing a lot of folks started their trips in Las Vegas and will work their way down.

Several people have asked me if there is going to be a “DawgWalk” before the game Saturday. Nothing is officially planned but Georgia officials told me the team will arrive by bus two hours before Saturday’s kickoff at the end of the stadium that houses the visiting locker room.

OK, let me get settled in and I’ll check back with y’all shortly.

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

frank, perhaps “timing and rhythmn” are best developed by the hundreds and hundreds of ball thrown in practice during the days, and weeks, and months prior. You take skills TO the game, not develop them During a game. That would be about as “little league” as it gets.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 18, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

The seating capacity for ASU Stadium is 73,656. UGA putting 20k in the stadium is a HUGE number. Cannot wait to see how well they perform on that stage.

GOOO DAWGS!!!

By Josh

September 18, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

To the person blaming the ‘07 USC loss on WR rotation: That is the most rediculous thing I’ve read today. Dropped passes…yes, that was a part of it. How many dependable WR’s have we had over the past few years? Ummm….none. You have to play guys to find out who can do what.

How about spreading the blame…play calling, going away from the run, terrible play by the O-line, Stafford having a rough day.

Clearly, the WR rotation was not the problem.

By Georgia Fan

September 18, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Frank, an offensive line that couldn’t block your grandmother is affecting the timing and precision of this offense. It will do no good to have our best recievers in the game if Stafford is running for his life on every play.

I wish we had 20 recievers to rotate. It will pay off on down the line. Its a long season, and this one will probably seem longer than most.

I really think the next two games will say alot about how this season goes and I am nervous as hell. If we can survive we’ve got a fighting chance to do the unthinkable. Southerland will be back. The offensive line will be better. How could it not? The only way to go is up for that bunch. The youngsters will have more experience. All this rotating of players is building valuable depth. We could be poised for a run.

Then again we could lose to Vandy and I can’t say I would be all that surprised. That’s the state of the SEC. The line between undefeated and 9-3 will be extremely thin.

By Max

September 18, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Josh, really??

Moore and Wilson dropped TD passes. If either catches theirs, we win. If both catch them, we win easily. And both were at best third string. Why not throw those passes to Massaquoi or Bailey?

You are right that we got away from the run. I’d argue we got away from running Moreno (compare Moreno’s stats vs. Brown’s, even taking out Moreno’s 50-yard run), which is a further example of my theme: Richt wastes too many plays a game by getting the ball to players who are not the best we have at their positions.

By dawg92

September 18, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

PACWIN

Let’s look into the crystal ball to see what is upcoming this season for USC and why you scheduled OSU and UVA:

OREGON ST. - lost to stanford and pounded by PSU

OREGON & AZ ST. - good teams not great.

WSU - AWFUL

ZONA - pretty bad

washington - AWFUL

Cal - lost to MD but still a decent team

stanford - they have a winning streak going against USC so I’ll classify them as AWESOME

Notre Dame - pathetic.

UCLA - in state rivalry so it’s a toss up.

Squeeze 3 OFF WEEKS in there and you get a pretty darn cozy schedule.

Georgia is scheduled to play 4 teams from their conference currently ranked in the top 10!!!! USC has 2 teams in the top 25 on their schedule and they had to go out of conference to get the only top ten team.

Last point. Until pansy big ten and pac 1 start playing a conference championship game STFU about Strength of Schedule!

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 18, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Dawg92,

I appreciate your energy here but USC clearly had no idea how pathetic the state of the PAC 10 would be when those games were scheduled. That is the same argument that could be held against us in 2013-2014 when we play Clemson or in 2015 when we play Oregon. Schedules are done so far in advance you never really can tell how things will shake out.

GOOO DAWGS!!!

By mark

September 18, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Pacwin- 6-6 teams play in bowls. The fact that UVA is D-1 team from the ACC hardly makes them superior competition to CMU. The only other team the media has a bigger man crush on than USC is OSU. They also play nobody and have gotten embarassed the last 3 games against quality competition.

Even if I agreed with your argument that you played tougher teams for your first 2 games UGA’s schedule would be the exact opposite of yours; 2 “gimme” games and then a gauntlet for the rest of the year. You on the other hand play absolutely nobody in that bu11$%% conference of yours.

By dawg92

September 18, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Lowcountry,

I realize that. My point is that USC feels the need to schedule tougher OOC opponents to make up for a traditionally weak in conference schedule. UGA, LSU, etc schedule weaker OOC because of a tough SEC schedule. That’s why we play Tech every year.

By shane #1

September 18, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

We ran Moreno 35 ties against UF because Brown and Lumpkin were out. Moreno again had a lot of carries against Auburn, a team with a tough, physical, defense. In the Tech game Moreno was banged up a relatively unproductive, at least by his standards. Moreno did not start against the Warriors because of a gimpy ankle and Brown helped carry the load. Also Brown took over the Tech game with almost 140 yds rushing. Two of the RBs in the rotation this season are freshmen, Brown was a senior and experenced. I think Knowshon should have had more carries against the gamecocks, but I had no desire to see him run repeatably into that brick wall that USCe has for a front seven. We are talking big linemen and a couple of LBs that go 285 and 270 respectively, plus a safety at 220. Knowshon had 79 yds on 20 carries. That means that he took a lot of punishment. Do you guys really want him banged up this early? A SEC RB gets banged up enough as it is. Look at it this way, UGA started the 2007 season with a three scholarship RBs, then went into the game with the Gators with Moreno and one walk-on. Keep playing the two freshmen and keep rotating WRs and get them as much pt as possible. We never know when injurys will force one of these guys to start. If one of the new guys has to start against UF or AU I want Him to know what he is doing.

By PACWIN

September 18, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

dawg92

The PAC 10 is 16-10 against the SEC, USC is 3-0 against the SEC since Carroll (beat #6 Auburn and Arkansas twice in ’05 & ‘06 in ‘06 Auburn won like 10 games), USC has 6 consecutive 11+ win seasons and 6 BCS Bowl games (FBS 1A records), 1 AP and 1 BCS NC.

This season the other PAC 10 teams have not been great, that may or may not change. USC is right on track and looks good, that may change to. UGA has won, but hasn’t faced the best comp yet. We’ll see how they do inter-conference; I agree they play a tough schedule. If they win out they deserve a title shot. As I have said before I would love to see UGA and USC play for a title, they were the best two teams last year, maybe this year too, we’ll see.

Eric was whining about the Polls. I don’t recall asking you for any sh*t; If I want any from you I’ll squeeze your head.

This season the other PAC 10 teams have not been great, that may or may not change. USC is right on track and look good, that may change to. UGA has won but hasn’t faced the best comp yet. We’ll see how they do inter-conference; I agree they play a tought schedule. If they win out they deserve a title shot. As I have said before I would love to see UGA and USC play for a title, they were the best two teams last year, maybe this year to, we’ll see.

Eric was whining about the Polls. I don’t recall asking you for any sh*t; If I want any from you I’ll squeeze your head.

By gdawginkalamazoo

September 18, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

How we argue with PACWIN? I mean we can, but didn’t UT (a supposed elite SEC team in any given year) get beat by UCLA (Pac-10 mid to lower level team in recent years). Then see UCLA get spanked by 59 points by BYU. The only teams from the SEC that haven’t beat OSU are the ones who haven’t had the chance to play them yet. Virginia got beat by Connecticut’s basketball team (who knew the same guys played football?). UVA did manage to whip the Richmond Spiders (love their mascot) by a score of 16-0 for their first victory. We’ll see how they do against Duke to measure how their season is going.

By BLACKEDOUT

September 18, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Stafford, Knowshon, and AJ are going to light up the scoreboard in Tempe the same way the Army Rangers lit up Pat Tillman’s humvee.

By Eric The Dawg Fan

September 18, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Hey PACWIN,

Sounds like I touched your little nerves did’n’t I? Well the truth hurts doesn’t it? Don’t get mad at me because I speak the truth about the PAC 10.

The PAC 10 is a week conference. With PAC 10 Team being USC being ranked in the top 10 and one PAC 10 team in the top twenty-five. Just proves what I said.

USC played Va. A Division I non-contender from the ACC does not make them number one. Give it they played the highly over rated Big Ten Ohio State Buckeyes gave them a little credence but to be number one? No Way.

The USC Trojans only have favoritism from the sports media and analyst to give them that number 1 spot. But I will assure you that it definitely wont last very long.

The USC Trojans schedule is so weak no one out of their right mind will keep them there. The SEC Conference is so strong and dominant among the other conferences that the media will, be forced to drop the Trojans back. If not, then the world will know that it is not about fairness, but about all the money.

It seems as if the Big 12, the ACC, the SEC have Conference championships. The Big 10 and the PAC 10 does not. I wonder why?

It seems as if you are trying to make a case that you cant win. Don’t get mad at me PACWIN. Until your PAC 10 conference play a quality schedule, just be quiet and enjoy your USC run for the moment.

GO DAWGS …………………………………………………

By PAC WIN

September 18, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Dawg92

I didn’t mean to say USC won all 6 BSC Bowl games. Juast that they have 6 consecutive appearances. they are like 5-1 or 4-2. We all saw the 3 point loss to Texas, it still hurts (me).

By Knowdat

September 18, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

The Pac 10 being 16-10 against the SEC means nothing to UGA. The only record that matter are UGA’s out of conference and road records. Under CMR we are 28-4 on the road and 32-2 against non conference teams. I think Georgia fans have good reason to be confident, but concerned about ASU.

By Don

September 18, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

The philosophy is awful. Put your most talented players on the field, period! At this point that is Massaquoi, Green and Tony Wilson at the flanker/wideout position. I love Kris Durham but he dropped a perfect pass in the end zone against Carolina and the week before he dropped another deep ball that landed right in the cradle of his arms in stride. What is Mark Richt’s explanation for his rotation, or lack there of, at the tight-end spot? I know that tight-ends have to be able to block but isn’t being able to catch the ball a big part of that position also? Moreno should be returning more punts and kick offs also. JMHO.

Go Dawgs!

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 18, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Dawg92,

Honestly I think USC beat us to the punch in scheduling OOC games. Listen to Evans talking about wanting to step out of the south to increase UGA’s brand recognition. The same can be said about The Trojans scheduling the tough OOC games some years back. It was calculated by Pete Carroll to allow him to recruit nationally.

Hey, I am not a PAC 10 fan at all. I also rank the Trojans with Notre Dame, the Yankees and Jordans Bulls. You either loved them or hate them. That is the sign that a program has arrived on the national scene.

GOOO DAWGS!!!

By Munson

September 18, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Hey BLACKEDOUT, shut the hell up! We don’t need that kind of crap coming from our fans!

By FleaBite

September 18, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Athens…a good place for drugs, homeless, and poor showing against SC.

By PACWIN

September 18, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

“Notre Dame - pathetic”

That rivalry is 80+ years old. More NC and Heisman Trophies between this rivalry than any other in the NCAA.

Like someone said earlier, UGA and GT play every year; for the same reason.

One thing you may not have considered is that USC will be “The Big Game” for most every team they face this year. Every team they play will prepare like they are getting ready for the NC game.

By dawg92

September 18, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

PAC WIN

I’m just glad you care so much about the dawgs that you feel the need to police our board on a daily basis. I hear someone over on the Oklahoma board said they should be #1… go get em!

By old dog fan

September 18, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

To Blackedout That was WRONG!!! AND SICK!!

By SickandTired

September 18, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

well Saint Mark Richt said it, it must be true. They’re ready to play and by golly they are gonna play. I love it. Sounds like rec ball kinda sorta doesn’t it. And Stafford, jimminy cricket that boy can sling a football. Only problem is he just can’t hit those guys over the middle in stride…and a deep pass goodness, I was afraid he was gonna get a flag for intentional grounding on one deep ball. All you Stafford lovers that don’t like that…well you can just hit ole Bobo.

By Eric C.

September 18, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

PAC WIN…say what you want, but the fact is Central Michigan would beat Virgina, and possibly OSU. Sure, the whipping USC put on UVA looked impressive at first…but after they struggled with RICHMOND, and got ripped apart by UCONN, don’t see it that way now.

By PACWIN

September 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

dawg92

LOL OU won’t say sh*t; after after 54-10 a$$ whoopin we put on them.

By jfergNCdawg

September 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

CHIP, is Southerland making the trip? Will he play?

By Samie

September 18, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Georgia fans seem to be fixated on the USC Trojans. This is what I know. The Bulldogs will struggle against ASU. As good as UGA is there are too many players that have not traveled and experienced a road trip of this sort. The heat will be a factor. Even if its in their heads. It won’t cool down 12 degrees by halftime as the coach suggested. It will be hot all game long. Don’t overlook the Sun Devils or all this talk of USC is pointless.

By PACWIN

September 18, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

dawg92

Check that

55-19

Sorry

By Chip Towers

September 18, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

jfergNCdawg: Don’t know yet if Southerland is making the trip but I’m told he’s not going to play.

By Big Dawg

September 18, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Max

Josh, really??

Moore and Wilson dropped TD passes. If either catches theirs, we win.

Max- You should watch the replay because if you did then you would see that Tony Wilson didn’t just drop that pass. He was simultaneously hit by two SC DBs with the second one spearing him in the back with his helmet. Which if my memory serves me correct Wilson was hurt on the play and didn’t play again I believe until the Tennessee game. Also there were plenty of dropped balls in that game, MO-Mass and Bailey dropped at least one themselves. But I do agree with you that we abandoned the run as we were able to move the ball with Knowshon in the game at will and we would then take him out and put in Brown and then pass or run him him on a short yardage situation where we should have been giving it to Southerland which SC picked up on pretty quick.

Besides that game as well as this years game are history, time to learn and get better. IMHO I don’t understand this current OL rotation, I agree moving Boling back to right guard is a good move but Josh Davis has graded out higher in each of the 3 games. He’s just a quite guy who doesn’t make a lot of noise in practice but he gets the job done.

Go Dawgs “Earn It”

By Dr. Merkwurdigliebe

September 18, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

I agree… get the ball into A.J. Green’s hands more often - bottom line. MoMass and Moore are also deadly weapons, so USE them!

By A-ville Ranger

September 18, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

The best this year have been Massaquoi,Moore and Green.Durham has dropped about as many as he’s caught.

By AltamahaDawg

September 18, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Samie, we hope the equalizer will be ASU players that have never seen a real football team in thier stadium before.

By bigeasy830

September 18, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Our offense will be fine, The offense click will be streamlines and will click as the season progress. Richard Samuel is not ready yet. I know the reason we are running him more the Caleb is because Caleb and Knowshon are like backs and Samuels is the big banging change of pace back. But Samuels is simply not ready. The thing that worries me about this team is our pass defense. If we do not blitz and but overwhelming pressure on the QB our DBs get burned. We have very good athletes at DB so it must be the scheme and the coaching of technique. Our coverage in the passing defense must improve our it will eventually bite us.

By AZDAWG5

September 18, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

Ok guys it is 5:30 here and I just stepped out of the office for a temp check…not a cloud in the sky and it is really nice…a tad bit warm but the sun is starting to set much earlier these days…by 6:30 the weather will be perfect…so the second half weather is a non issue…we just need a few TV time outs to slow the game to get to the cooler weather…and the boys need to stay in the shade before game time…UGA fans are starting to arrive….its crazy and I am finally getting jacked up…I have been a nervous wreck all week!! Been waiting 12 years for this game…best homecoming in quite some time…I just pray Bozo and Willie Vanillie don’t ruin a good thing…Go Dawgs!!

By soga

September 18, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Anyone know what the brief explosion was about between Martinez and Fabris in USC game,,,on the sidelines in 2nd half??

By Dark Corner Dawg

September 18, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Soga…. I was wondering as well, I understand Martinez also got in coach Fabris face during the Central Michigan games as well. Hope there isn’t any tension going on among our coaches with all the pressures of winning!

By Dark Corner Dawg

September 18, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

…”I just pray Bozo and Willie Vanillie don’t ruin a good thing…Go Dawgs!!” ……AZDAWG5 That was comical! I like that!

By A-ville Ranger

September 18, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

This wasn’t an issue with David Greene who had much better timing with receivers than Stafford.CMR should see how Matt struggles to build timing and accuracy with his receivers though. I’d give Massaquoi,Green,Moore,Chandler and Durham the lion’s shares of the passes.

By watcher16

September 18, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Soga: I’m pretty sure it was b/c of a time out that was called at a very inopportune time

By AZDAWG5

September 19, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

Dark Corner Dawg..those two monkeys scare the hell out of me…God forbid either one has to deviate from a predetermined play book…I beat the hell out of my wife evry time Bozo lost a game as a player…what other options did I have in the heat of the moment…lucky I am not in jail…one of the worst QBs in UGA history! If someone can not think on there feet in a game, what makes you think they can think on their a** in the booth…somethings never change….clown central..I am sitting just below the press box Saturday…If Bozo starts screwing the pooch I promise I will be scalling the walls to the press box in honor of all the fans who p** a fortune on travel…see you guys on saturday!!

By hot boy hb

September 19, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

First of all I agree with keeping the recievers fresh is it a big diffrence from the fatigue stand point maybe not but it is significant. And durham is not a starter over goodwin or harris and you will c. And one thing u have to remember is that cmr rhode the bench 4yrs at miami behind jim kelly so he knows the feeling of being good and being a backup. He knows what it does to the morale of a team and indivisual real athletes hav been there and they definately know this one bad apple is cancer on a team and unity is above all gooooooo dawgs frank and chip watch what I say

By AZDAWG5

September 19, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

If the dawgs loose this one I guarantee Bozo and Willie Vanillie are fired because I said so and CMR listens to me!!! No more worries….Go Dawgs!!! Anyway to pipe Larry into Sun Devil Stadium saturday night???

By NikkiFree

September 19, 2008 4:44 AM | Link to this

Feed the Green, CMR. This kid is the second coming of Randy Moss. Also, what’s up with the TE position? Chandler dropped so many key passes. Felt like we were watching last year’s game.

By AltamahaDawg

September 19, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

Its not an “issue” now.

By AltamahaDawg

September 19, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

By ............................................BuLLdawg

September 20, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

I’ve never heard someone say so much to say so little Chipper. If all you intended to say is : Throw the football to AJ Green more; why not just say that ? You are the same beat writer who said all Summer long that we don’t have any receivers. Now, you say we have too many. Make up your mind.